Bart Braun, one of the most popular and well-respected men in baseballs scouting community, died suddenly at his home in Northern California on Friday. He was 64.

Braun, a former minor-league pitcher, began his scouting career in 1983 and worked for five teams, including the Phillies.

He joined the Phillies in October 2012 as a special assistant to the general manager and was still serving in that capacity at the time of his death.

Like any scout, Braun was all about finding good players. He lent his eyes and insights to the Phillies amateur scouting staff as it prepared for the draft every year and he scoured the majors and the minors for players the team might be interested in acquiring through trades, free-agent signings or waiver claims.

Braun was known for his sense of humor and a tireless work ethic that fueled many miles on baseballs scouting trail. His feel for players, what made them tick and how they might perform as the challenges and the competition became tougher, was legendary. He was adept in the evaluation of both pitchers and position players and general managers from Detroit to Pittsburgh to Atlanta to Tampa Bay to Philadelphia leaned onhim for insights and guidance.

Brauns impact on this current Phillies team can be seen in J.T. Realmuto.

Late in 2014, Ruben Amaro Jr., then the Phillies general manager, and Mike Ondo, the teams director of pro scouting, dispatched Braun to the Dominican Republic to look at a Cuban catcher named Lednier Ricardo.

A workout had been arranged at the Phillies academy in Boca Chica. Luis Garcia, one of the Phillies scouts in the Dominican Republic, was responsible for providing a couple of pitchers so Ricardo could take batting practice.

Braun watched Ricardos workout and was not really impressed.

But he couldnt take his eyes off of one of the pitchers that Garcia had brought in to throw batting practice. The pitcher was a 16-year-old in the process of converting from shortstop. Braun loved the kids quick, loose arm, his sound delivery and his easy velocity. He turned his attention away from the catcher and asked the kid who was pitching batting practice how much it would take to get his name on a contract. The kid said $35,000. Braun ran it up the flagpole to international scouting director Sal Agostinelli and Carlos Salas, another Phillies scout in the Dominican. Done deal.

Within a few years, Sixto Sanchez, the batting practice pitcher that day in the DR, was the Phillies top prospect. He was used as a key chip to acquire Realmuto in a trade from the Miami Marlins in February 2019.

I remember calling Ruben and Mike and telling them, Were not going to sign the catcher, but we might have found a pitcher," Braun recalled a few years after that workout in the DR. It was kind of an accident, a luck deal. We were in the right place at the right time. Sometimes when you keep workingyou bump into stuff.

Thats a classic scouting tale and we tell it at a time when the scouting industry, populated by some of the best people in the game, is being hit hard by cutbacks and layoffs, all in the name of that longed-for place called efficiency. There could be a drastic reduction in the number of minor-league teams as soon as next year and that will mean fewer players and therefore fewer scouts to find them and fewer instructors to develop them. On the scouting side, many teams are using more video and data-based player-evaluation methods. These clubs are saving money but theyre losing some of their soul, the invaluable human qualities of wisdom, experience, passion, instinct, work ethic, dedication and love of the game that scouts bring. Scouts like Bart Braun.

Braun's death has hit the scouting community hard.

"He was a character for sure," said one longtime friend and rival scout. "He had a heart of gold. The last time I saw him was on an airplane. He gave up his first-class seat so I could sit there next to my wife.

"We competed in the Dominican Republic endlessly. He never slept."

Another heartbroken scout friend had this to say about Braun and his tireless commitment to the art of unearthing players:

"He was a true 'dirt scout' and that's the ultimate compliment you can pay a scout."

Phillies general manager Matt Klentak praised Braun's impact on the organization as a person and as a professional.

"Bart was a legend in the scouting world, and his evaluations played a role in virtually every player acquisition that the Phillies have made in recent years," Klentak said."But what many of us will miss most is Bart's energy, his laugh, his loyal friendship, his passion for life and his love for the game of baseball. On behalf of all of Bart's friends and colleagues at the Phillies, I extend our deepest condolences to Patty and Bart Jr."

Braun is the second loss to hit the Phillies scouting staff in the past year. Back in June, the club dedicated its draft to Will Brunson, a member of the scouting staff who died at age 49 in the fall of 2019. Brunson, who pitched in the majors, covered south Texas for the Phillies.

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What it's like being one of the few dozen people in the park with Phillies playing - NBC Sports Philadelphia

Following a little while of arrangements, SpaceX has started amassing the monstrous high sound it will use to stack and outfit Starships gigantic Super Heavy sponsors.

Throughout the last six or so months, SpaceX has been working diligently extending and updating its Boca Chica, Texas Starship processing plant, some portion of which has included structure different high sounds (otherwise called vehicle/vertical gathering manufactures or VIBs). Up until now, those structures have been measured unequivocally for Starship creation and are not even tall enough to permit Starships to be completely coordinated, rather than filling in as sounds for Starship tank segment get together.

The VAB SpaceX has been solely utilizing for the last four or so months is generally 45m (115 ft) tall, leaving simply enough freedom for Starship tank segments to be stacked by an outer crane on straightforward work stands. The Starship VAB is additionally wide enough for two boats to be at the same time stacked and furnished, a capacity SpaceX as of late exploited while building Starships SN4, SN5, and SN6. With a cone-shaped nose segment introduced, Starship alone will quantify some 50m (165 ft) from tail to tip over 70% as tall as a whole two-phase Falcon 9 or Falcon Heavy rocket. The boats Super Heavy supporter (first stage), be that as it may, is significantly, even bigger, and will require its own comparatively estimated creation offices.

Super Heavy supporters will without any help be similar tallness as a whole Falcon 9 or Heavy rocket as of now amazingly tall to the extent current orbital-class rockets go. Completely stacked, Starship and Super Heavy will be a mind-boggling 120m (~395 ft) tall roughly 25% short of the specialized meaning of a high rise. To manufacture rockets that huge, SpaceX will obviously need to construct some one of a kind offices particularly so given that Starships must be collected vertically.

While the current Starship VAB is without a doubt huge enough for SpaceX to start stacking generally 50% of a Super Heavy promoter at once, it would invalidate the point of having a VAB protecting the last gathering process from winds and climate.

To fabricate a high sound some 80m (260 ft) tall, however, SpaceX needed to lease a similarly measured crane, which it has spent the last two or so weeks progressively collecting and looking at. Presently, starting on July seventh, Super Heavy VAB establishment has at long last started. In light of flying photographs and recordings taken by LabPadre and RGV Aerial Photography in the course of the most recent couple of weeks, SpaceX or its contractor(s) have just amassed at any rate 12 extra prefab areas of the structure on head of the two currently introduced.

To finish the new VAB, about 32 of those prefab segments will probably be introduced, at last, delivering a high cove that is practically indistinguishable from the Starship VAB yet tall enough to completely stack Super Heavy supporters. In view of Starships VAB development plan, starting on January sixteenth and adequately complete by mid-March, SpaceX could be prepared to start creating the primary Super Heavy supporter models as right on time as September or October.

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In South Texas Construction Started Of SpaceX Super Heavy High Bay - NationEditions

Due to its southernlocation in the United States that border the Gulf of Mexico, Texas is home to a number of great beaches, but many people forget about one beach on the southernmost point of the state, Boca Chica Beach.

While residents and visitors alike usually know about the desolate stretches of beach along the Padre Island National Seashore near Corpus Christiandthousands visitthe resort shores of South Padre Island each year, Boca Chica receives surprisingly few visitors each year.

Boca Chica Beach is about 23 miles east of Brownsville on Highway 4, which dead-ends at the Gulf of Mexico. Street-licensed vehicles can travel on the sand, but the refuge rules strictly forbid off-roading otherwise. The beach is openfrom sunrise to sunset and entrance is free, however, you cannot camp or otherwise stay overnight in the refuge.

Boca Chica Beach sits on asandy peninsula separated from Mexico by the Rio Grande River and detached from South Padre Island by the Brazos Santiago Pass. Technically part of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge,which is managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the eight-mile beach at Boca Chica fronts tidal salt flats, mangrove marshes, and clay dunes calledlomas.

Aside from a few homes on stilts near the pass, which you can see from South Padre Island, and a jetty protruding into the Gulf of Mexico, you won't find any development at Boca Chica Beach. However, since it is the southernmostbeach in Texas, you will usually find clean, clear green water lapping against the sand.

The Kemp's ridley sea turtle, the most critically endangered sea turtle in the world, comes ashore to nest in spring and summer. Aplomado and peregrine falcons migrate through the area, and hawks, osprey, and other birds of prey frequent the shoreline. You should also keep an eye out for the Portuguese man o' war, a floating jellyfish-like creature that inflicts a painful sting and becomes particularly plentiful following storms.

What Boca Chica lacks in modern amenities, it makes up for with a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities, including surf fishing, swimming, surfing, snorkeling, kiteboarding, and birdwatching. However,the lack of facilities means you must bring all of your own gear for whichever activity you want to pursue, in addition to plenty of drinking water, food, sunscreen, insect repellent, a first-aid kit, and any other essentials for your own safety and comfort.

Most often, you'll only meet local residents atthis remote destination, butit can get more crowded than you might expect, particularly on weekends. Bring a sack to carry out your own garbage and any you find left behind by less conscientious visitors. Refuge rules prohibit alcoholic beverages and unleashed pets; in addition, visitors should refrain from feeding wildlife and collecting or otherwise disturbing thebeach.

Another interesting thing to do is travel down to the mouth of the Rio Grande, where you can see the border wall between the United States and Mexico, which continues out to see about 30 feet into the ocean. This is the southernmost point in Texas, which is almost as far south as the Florida Keys, the southernmost point on the continental U.S.

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Visit Boca Chica Beach in Texas - TripSavvy

Spanish for "little mouth," The Bay is centered at 2600' N, 9709' W and is bordered on the SE by Boca Chica Beach and on the N by Brazos Island

On May 11th, under the cover of darkness at Boca Chica Pass, 300 Union troops crossed to the mainland in an attempt to occupy Brownsville. After a forced march, they reached White's Ranch at dawn and attempted (unsuccessfully) to conceal themselves to rest. With the element of surprise gone, the troops openly marched toward Brownsville but didn't get far.

At Palmito Ranch they were confronted by a Confederate force of 190 members of Lt. Col. George H. Giddings's Texas Cavalry which resulted in a brief skirmish. Both forces disengaged with the Union force camping for the night. The Confederates attacked at 3 a.m., forcing the Union troops to return to White's Ranch.

Early on May 13, 200 reinforcements arrived, bringing the Union strength up to 500. This larger force moved on Palmito Ranch where the major battle took place. The outnumbered Confederate received succor late that afternoon, from Colonel "RIP" Ford's Second Texas Cavalry, and a six-gun battery of field artillery.

The flat, open land gave the advantage to the Confederate mounted cavalry and the Union troops were routed. A seven-mile running fight to Brazos Island ensued - and there the Federal troops were met by reinforcements, now causing the Confederates to retreat.

Since everyone knew the war was officially over, this may have seemed to Ford to be a good note to go out on. He addressed his troops, saying, "Boys, we have done finely. We will let well enough alone, and retire." The four hour battle left a score of Southerners wounded, but the Union fared much worse. Thirty men were killed or wounded and over a hundred were taken prisoner. A few days later a truce was signed. This seemingly minor see-saw confrontation may have been small by comparison with the Civil War's major battles, but it won a footnote in history by being the last land fight of the war - one that was won by the losers.

At first glance, after completing those six months of very hard and rigorous basic training, my response was to tell them to "Take This Job And Shove It." But as time passed better judgment kicked in. I decided to just let it play out.

At the time, I had never even heard of Boca Chica and honestly, panhandle Pampa wasn't a desirable place for this East Texas piney woods country boy to live either. So, we all languished in agony and pity for one another, trying to figure it all out and console each other a bit.

After letting our group moan, suffer and wallow in sorrow and humility for several days, we found out that the list was bogus. It was just another last minute attempt by academy officials to disappoint, harass, intimidate, belittle, and discourage the soon to be newly appointed Texas highway patrolmen. That wasn't an uncommon ploy, among other things, used by TxDPS during the 1950's, '60's and '70's. We all later agreed it was just another attempt to test our mettle. We all soon were once again heads up, chest out and highly proud to have overcome the disappointment and finished the academy.

A short few weeks thereafter I moved my little family to Crosby, Texas, in east Harris County as my first work assignment. There I spent a good part of my career. - Ray Maxie - Texas Escape's aka "Ramblin' Ray", June 21, 2007

Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history and vintage/historic photos, please contact us.

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Boca Chica Texas.

SpaceX is looking to add an offshore rocket launch facility to the infrastructure its building in South Texas, according to company job postings seeking offshore operations engineers and offshore system technicians.

Founded by billionaire Elon Musk, SpaceX has been developing and testing prototypes of its Starship spacecraft planned to take people to the moon, Mars and beyond at a launch site just outside Brownsville.

Now, it appears that Musk wants floating launchpads, too.

SpaceX is building floating, superheavy-class spaceports for Mars, moon & hypersonic travel around Earth, Musk said on Twitter.

On HoustonChronicle.com: SpaceX connects Brownsville to a new world of space enthusiasts

Its the latest announcement in a now six-year adventure for those living in South Texas.

The company announced it would build a launch site for its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets near Boca Chica Beach in 2014, but the proposed launch site sat idle for several years.

Construction was delayed by unstable ground that required trucking in 310,000 cubic yards of soil, enough to cover a football field 13 to 14 stories tall, to settle and compress the land. Anomalies during a flight to the International Space Station in 2015 and a launchpad test a year later also forced the company to put Boca Chica on the back burner.

Activity increased gradually and then suddenly. And it wasnt with the originally planned Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets. SpaceX opted to build and test a 65-foot-tall prototype called the Starhopper.

In April 2019, SpaceX fired its first engine at the Texas launch site. The prototype made a tethered hop that same month. Then came two hover tests in July and August, the latter having the Starhopper lift itself to nearly 500 feet before returning safely to Earth.

Its more recent testing of Starship prototypes has seen a variety of leaks or explosions, the most recent a small rupture on Monday. But Musk keeps pushing forward with a fast-paced cadence of test, fail, fix, test again, fail again and then fix again.

This Starship vehicle is one of three selected by NASA to potentially lower astronauts to the lunar surface in 2024. And this vehicle wont be the first to partner with the agency.

On May 30, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon capsule launched NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley toward the International Space Station.

In an interview aired on NASA TV ahead of that launch, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine praised SpaceX for its willingness to learn from failures.

SpaceX can do things that NASA historically has not done, Bridenstine said. They test, they fail, they fix, they fly. They test, they fail, they fix, they fly until the point where we are today where not only is SpaceX comfortable but NASA is comfortable.

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SpaceX is looking to add an offshore rocket launch facility in south Texas - Houston Chronicle

Unfortunately, the world is not a very peaceful or safe place for many individuals. From conflict to abuse to exploitation, there is so much cruelty inflicted on both humans and animals. While this can get disheartening and difficult to hear about, petitions are a great way to use your voice for good. Just by signing one, you are a part of helping those who are not treated fairly. You can even share them with your friends and acquaintances to increase your impact.

Through petitions, we can reach those in power and demand justice for others. They are valuable tools for making positive changes in the world. If you are looking for a way to help animals and humans, here are 10 petitions you should sign this week, including protecting the LGBTQ community from healthcare discrimination, pushing the U.S. to prevent a humanitarian disaster in Yemen, and demanding a logging ban to protect Koalas.

We want to thank you for being the change you wish to see in the world and giving a voice to the voiceless.

Source: Elon Musk is Taking Over This Tiny Town and Devastating the Lives of Residents and Wildlife!

The village of Boca Chica is a tiny, quiet, unincorporated community that sits on the southernmost tip of Texas. In 2014, SpaceX, Musks pet aerospace project, put down roots in Boca Chica but promised that SpaceX would be unobtrusive when plans were made in 2012. Since then there have been explosions, loud noises, and a fire that have disrupted the lives of the forty Boca Chica residents. Musk now wants to buy and decimate all of their homes. Although around twenty residents have refused to sell their homes, the company continues to bully and manipulate these people, making life in their beautiful village unbearable. The work at SpaceX would also disturb the wildlife including endangered sea turtles and approximately 500 kinds of birds. Sign this petition to stop Musks campaign to take these peoples homes away!

Source: Have You Heard about the Koala Massacre?

Portland, Australia resident Helen Oakley is one of many Victorians who care about the neighboring koalas and their dwindling territory. In this video, she shows how an area that once had miles of eucalyptus trees, now only a few sparse patches. Koalas in the area were forced to huddle in the various patches to find enough food to survive. But after a while, even those trees had no leaves for them to eat. Starved koalas lay hanging from trees, or baking on the ground under the hot sun. Other koalas were caught in the logged area, chewed up, and spat out by the machinery. Koalas are already headed towards extinction and in just one of the logged areas in Victoria, activists have found 80 koalas, 30 of which had to be euthanized. Sign this petition to demand that the government in Victoria protect koalas by banning koala habitat logging now.

Source: Stop Murdering Lions!

African lion populations have dropped by 42% in the past 21 years, and they could soon go extinct unless you do something. While conservation efforts have been made, most of these lions live in reserves that are almost at capacity. Thus, it is vital to protect the wild population. The international trade in lion parts, allowed under certain permits by the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), has fueled poaching and commercial hunting. Sign this petition to ask Malik Hussein, Chairperson of the Committee on Rural Economy Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment for the Pan African Parliament, to introduce a motion that will protect lions from trophy hunting across the continent!

Source: The U.S. Could Prevent 14 Million Deaths by Starvation in Yemen

At least 85,000 children have starved to death in Yemen due to foreign intervention preventing the flow of basic goods such as food. This coming winter will be especially devastating. Estimates suggest as many as 14 million deaths could be the result. The United States, supports Saudi Arabi, one of the main players in the war in Yemen, but a resolution that the U.S. Senate moved through committee could force President Trump to withdraw U.S. support for Saudi Arabia in Yemen. As a result, Saudi leadership would have to negotiate and order to seek a humanitarian ceasefire. Sign this petition to call on the Senate to push for an immediate vote and demand all of the members show their support so that the famine wont take even more lives.

Source: Punish Man Who Illegally Killed 125 Animals, Including Wolves And Eagles!

Kurt Johnston Duncan, a 56-year-old man in Michigan faces numerous charges including illegallyharvesting 18 wolves over the past 18 months and killing and disposing of three bald eagles. While he would be punished with fines and up to 90 days in jail, he will eventually be released and will likely hunt again. Sign this petition to ask Bernie Sanders, a long-term advocate for animal rights, to lead a movement in Congress that would make it illegal for convicted wildlife murderers to ever hunt again by prohibiting them from getting a license.

Source: This Horse Is Suffering And Has No Voice!

This horse has been chained outside without shelter for approximately the last 7 years. She is out all year round in the rain, sleet, hail, snow, subzero cold, sweltering heat, and scorching sun. He receives no vet checks or care. The chain is also so short that he can not roll or walk more than a few feet. Its questionable if water and grass are consistently available. Although local law enforcement has received calls and complaints about the horses situation, they say that no law is being broken. Sign this petition to make the authorities take action so that the owner will surrender their horse to a local rescue.

Source: This Circus Forces Elephants to Haul People Around on Sleds

Elephants do not naturally enjoy doing tricks or pulling people around. Instead, they are trained to do so with a method, called the crush, in which trainers beat elephants into submission. This video from a circus in Germany, Reutlinger Weihnachtscircus, shows elephants pulling humans in sleds. The man in front can be seen holding a rod to harm the elephant and force it to comply through fear. Sign this petition to demand that this circus close down and send their elephants to a sanctuary for the remainder of their lives.

Source: Trump Wants to Let LGTBQ Folks Die in the Middle of a Pandemic

In the midst of a pandemic, Trump wants to strip away safeguards that protect LGBTQ people from health care discrimination. After one year, the Trump administration has finalized its plan to reverse Obama-era protections that made it illegal for medical workers to discriminate against or deny care for trans or queer people (and people perceived as being trans or queer). Doctors will once again have the right to turn away LGBTQ people and refuse them care. This is especially dangerous during a pandemic. Sign this petition to tell Trump and his administration to stop trying to strip the rights of LGBTQ individuals.

Source: The Philippines Inhumane Dog Meat Trade Is Spreading Rabies

Despite the Philippines strengthening laws against animal cruelty, maltreatment, and neglect, dog meat is still being eaten throughout the Philippines. Many of these dogs are pets stolen from peoples houses or stray dogs from the streets. They are transported together, which can cause the spread of various diseases since most dogs are not vaccinated. The treatment of these dogs is not only extremely inhumane, but it also places locals and tourists in danger of foodborne viruses. Sign this petition to request the President of the Philippines implement laws to stop animal cruelty; ensure all dogs and cats are vaccinated; and fund trap, neuter, and release programs.

Source: These Swimming Elephants Are Having Anything But Fun. Help Get Their Freedom.

Elephants enjoy swimming and naturally do it in the wild. They use water to cool off, clean themselves, and goof around. However, at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, they are forced to perform water shows for onlooking crowds day after day, which is anything but natural. In this video, an elephant is forced to swim around and do tricks while a trainer rides on top of her. In order to make elephants do such unnatural behaviors, trainers use cruel techniques. The training process, known as phajaan, translates to the crush during which handlers beat animals into submission so that they will be docile for the public. Sign this petition to demand that Chon Buri officials shut down this zoo and surrender their elephants to a sanctuary.

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Push U.S. Senate to Prevent Humanitarian Disaster in Yemen and Demand Logging Ban in Koala Habitats: 10 Petitions to Sign this Week to Help People,...