I didn’t see this coming anytime soon, however, it is a welcome step. It has been reported by multiple sources that Rachel Balkovec, will become the manager of a team in the Yankee’s minor league system, making her the first woman to lead an affiliated professional baseball squad. Balkovec, 34, will manage the Tampa Tarpons, the Class A affiliate of the Yankees, for the 2022 season, which begins in April. The Yankees hired her in November 2019 as a hitting coach in their minor leagues. She was believed to be the first woman hired as a full-time hitting instructor by a big-league team. The news of Balkovec’s promotion to manager was first reported by The Athletic and was confirmed by a Yankees official per the NY Times.
We have all seen the adds about Baker College as the they promote their college on Detroit television stations. Their adds target “low income” individuals by showing success stories of students who seem to come from nothing and have successful careers because of the degree from Baker College. I always had my doubts about Baker College, since I had never encountered anyone who had graduated from Baker College throughout my career. Today the Detroit Free Press provided answers to my questions. Here are some of facts the article exposed. .
- Baker College spends more on marketing than it provides in financial aid to its students. Most schools marketing budgets are less than 10% of their financial aid budget.
- less than one-quarter of its students graduate — far below the national average for private four-year schools, according to federal data.
- Baker College has the third-lowest graduation rate among 26 private four-year schools in Michigan.
- The ads also don’t point out that 70% of Baker students who took out federal student loans have problems making payments two years after leaving college. An exceptionally large number of former Baker students with loans have filed claims with the federal government that they were defrauded or misled by the college
- Ten years after enrolling, according to federal data, fewer than half of former Baker students made more than $28,000 a year, the lowest rate among schools of its kind in the state.
- The president of the college, records show, serves on its Board of Trustees, which is supposed to provide a check on the decisions of the school administration.
- And a retired Baker president served as chair of that board until very recently — at the same time being paid more than a million dollars from the college for five years of part-time work.
Novak Djokovic is trying to become the first male tennis player to win 20 grand slam titles as he tries to compete in the upcoming Australia Open. Unfortunately, his vaccination status (he is not vaccinated) is contrary to Australia’s policy for admission to the country. He has been held in limbo at Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne. His status is further complicated by answers he provided on his visa application on whether he had been exposed to Covid-19. Even though an Australian judge has ruled he should be allowed admittance to the country, Australia’s top immigration officer and the prime minister may not allow Djokovic to enter the country. It is a political nightmare for the Australia officials. With all this drama, I cannot see how Djokovic can win his 21st grand slam title.
One of the hazards of writing a blog is not everyone agrees with my comments. Yesterday, two people very close to me did not agree with one of my comments. It is nice to know that I am loved and have people who let me know when I have strayed.
What are you doing today to stop violence? What are you doing today to expand mental health services for those in need? What are you doing today to make sure your guns are not are accessible to minors in your household?
Stay Safe. Social Distance. Wear your mask when indoors in public places. Schedule your vaccine and booster.
Orchid of the Day: Maya Angelou for becoming the first black woman to have her image on a U.S. Quarter
Onion of the Day: Baker College-see above story
Quote of the Day: I love this quote byLos Angeles Rams GM Les Snead, who used to say of young players, “You’ve got to let them cross the street by themselves.”
Song of the Day: In honor of Rachel Balkovec being named manager of the Yankee’s single A team, the Yankee’s fight song.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvte1qOgKVY