Fourteen chapter members and guests enjoyed delicious baked goods from Linda and Monte Cely with healthy side portions of barbecue and hot stove topics on Sunday.
As has become a holiday tradition anticipated all year, the Celys brought platters of cookies and treats to share with the group. They also brought holiday baggies so that we could each take an assortment of goodies home with us. Many thanks to Linda and Monte!
One of the main topics of discussion that day was the reported trade of two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber of the Cleveland Indians to the Texas Rangers. When Tribe fan Tom M. joined us for lunch, we didn’t know if he had heard the morning news and were hesitant to share it with him. He revealed that he had heard and said, dejectedly, that he half-jokingly hoped that the owner’s next move isn’t to move the team. Several of us thought that the Rangers picked up a quality arm for relatively little. Time will tell.
We also talked about the commissioner’s office’s ongoing investigation of the Houston Astros and the alleged use of live cameras to steal signs in 2017 and beyond. Many of us agreed that the charges – if true – do considerable damage to the Astros and their remarkable run the last three seasons. Some of us expect that fines imposed on the team and suspensions in the Astros’ front office are the likely outcomes.
Perhaps in relation to the investigation, this was the first meeting in recent memory in which Astros gear – a cap, shirt, etc. – was not represented among the monthly meeting participants. Instead, we saw gear representing the Nationals, Cardinals, Yankees, Orioles, Phillies, Indians and Rangers. Also represented were the Memphis Redbirds, the Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, Shea Stadium, George Washington University and UCLA’s baseball national championship in 2013. Jerry paired the UCLA shirt with a cool Santa ballcap. I wore a Seibu Lions ballcap and a Japan World Baseball Classic champions shirt from 2006.
We also discussed Gerrit Cole’s record-breaking deal with the Yankees, making them the early favorites for next season.
This was our 157th consecutive month with a meeting, a streak that started this month 13 years ago. We hope you join us for next month’s Bill Gilbert Winter Meeting on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, at Texas State University. More information to come. In the meantime, best wishes for a great holiday and New Year!
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