Wow, lots to get to today.
Let's start here: Two years after Baylor School grad Luke List won at Torrey Pines, Baylor School grad Stephan Jaeger is leading the Farmers Insurance Open after 36 holes.
Go get 'em Steph.
Let's handle our business.
Rushmore of all-time Winter Olympics moments? Miracle on Ice, Eric Heiden, Franz Whohisskis going a million miles an hour downhill on a sheet of ice like he was the Bandit with a long way to go and short time to get there, and the Cool Runnings of the Jamaican bobsled team.
Rushmore of "Mac" -- Mac Davis (not sure any singer/actor has a combo like "North Dallas Forty" and "Texas in my Rearview Mirror."), mac and cheese, which is the youngest 5-at-10's fav, The Big Mac and of course the Macarena.
Rushmore of the most famous "signatures" -- John Hancock (or maybe it was Herbie Hancock), the Figure Four from Ric Flair as a signature wrestling move, because let's be really honest here, any time wrestling -- or "rastlin" in these parts -- is mentioned, the Nature Boy needs to be at the top of every list, Frank Constanza's stop short signature move and of course the T.O. Sharpie signature on that football because, yeah, War TO.
Rushmore of TV cooks/chefs -- Mel from Mel's Diner, Julia Childs, Chef from South Park, and Alice from the Brady Bunch (Side question: How did the Bradys survive with six kids with only one bathroom for the tots? And three of them were girls? Yikes. Also, while we learned later in life that Mike Brady was going to be more inclined to woo Sam the Butcher than Alice, how much would it cost to have a live-in maid these days? Bearddawg, how much do you pay your staff?)
Let's go to the bag.
From a lot of you
Jay, we miss your A2 perspective. And we really miss it with all of this stadium stuff happening.
What do you think will happen?
Gang,
Thanks for the kind words. I miss the platform of A2; I do not miss the extra work considering I write 10 columns a week (at least) on our website, and have taken one sick day in my 22-plus-years at the TFP.
As for the stadium, I think a multitude of things.
I think Weston Wamp is right that the taxpayers should be asking for more. I've said this from the very beginning -- and even before Mr. Wamp was elected -- that the Lookouts ownership should have more chips in the pot.
I also think Weston Wamp has been personally against this because of the kerfuffle between him and the Lookouts leadership.
I also think Weston Wamp is dead wrong if he thinks that Jason Freier will not pick up and move the Lookouts anywhere but Chattanooga if they do not get a new facility.
Book that friends. Here's more from the TFP today from Weston's town hall meeting, which is hardly a town hall since a) there were likely barely 100 folks there and b) he allegedly denied Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly and other folks in support of the stadium a chance to speak.
That's not a meeting. That's a Trumpian-like rally.
From Molly
Jay, why did you quit sharing your music choices? I love them. I love your writing. I love the 5@10.
If I can ask my first mailbag question, what is Morgan Wallen's best song?
Molly,
It's folks like you that make the 5-at-10 as much fun as it is.
I just get the ball rolling; you guys and gals make it great.
Listening to a lot of Zach Bryan these days. And Willie, because Willie is Willie, and that's enough for all of us regular humans.
God bless Willie. Forever. This may be the best lyric ever written -- and yes, that's a bold statement, but give me a better one -- "Wasted the words of my youth picking up hookers instead of my pen."
God, Shakespeare is somewhere in the clouds thinking, "Dude, that Willie could really put pen to paper."
As for Morgan, wow, too many to name. He's great. Truly.
I'll go off the board Alex for 400 and offer "Somebody's Problem."
That first lyric is pure. Willie Nelson-ish in fact.
"Bama red Forerunner pulled into the party with a 30A sticker on the back windshield."
That's gold, friends.
From Chas
For Friday's bag: How good a hire is Raheem Morris? I know his resume, but have no feel for personality, intangibles, fit. Sure, Belichick is great, but I expect he was past his expiration date. It sucks. I'm old, too.
Chas,
First, welcome back. Our conversations are better when you are involved.
I don't know if Raheem Morris is a good hire. I think it was an easy hire.
Is Morris' resume anything close to Belichick's? Of course not.
Was Belichick a short-timer chasing Shula's wins record? Likely, so OK.
But if the whispers are true that Falcons VP Rich McKay engineered this, then it tells me Morris is not the guy. What is the best decision Rich McKay has made in the last decade, and I'll go one step further, if an NFL executive is really happy to hire a new HC, then he knows he has power of the new HC.
Is that the best relationship/power structure for a franchise that has been this mismanaged since it was 28-3 in the Super Bowl we all want to forget?
From Joe
Jay,
(Wednesday's 5-at-10 was) One of your best!
Always enjoy your stuff.
Just 6 more weeks and you and me tee it up ... bring a Benjamin.
WE.
Joe,
At one time in my life, I would be happy to bring several Benjamins.
Today, however, since I have not played a full round on my own ball in at least 18 months, I will accept your challenge and bring only one Benjamin.
And that is only the cocktails are on you.
From John
Jay, will we get to see Niners' Jauan Jennings go against Lions' Cam Sutton on Sunday?
We UT nuts will quietly cheer for both!
(Been a fan of yours since you first picked up a pen -- good job. Subscriber since 1980.)
John,
Let's hope so.
Am I the only one that roots for the former players from my favorite college team on Sundays?
From Gordon
Jay,
An overdue (and bittersweet) thank you for your sobering piece on the state of Braves radio coverage in Chattanooga -- and radio coverage in general.
For context, a grandmother of ours listened to Ted Williams play for the Red Sox in the '40s, our Mom came to trust Jim Reynolds almost as much as Luther Massingale as she listened to the Mocs (and kept stats from JRs hoops coverage) and I keep one radio set at 560am now (Nashvilles home for the Braves).
Bittersweet -- but thanks for your work always.
Gordon,
Love Jim Reynolds. He's a pro's pro.
Some intel that I saw on Twitter. This is from David Carroll's Twitter, which someone forwarded to me because David Carroll -- like Deion Sanders (they must be kindred spirits) -- has blocked me on Twitter:
"Exciting news, #Braves fans! The station I grew up with, WFLI (AM 1070) and 96.1FM, will be the 2024 Chattanooga radio home of the team I grew up with. You know, America's team, the Atlanta Braves! Spread the word!"
Yes, 96.1 FM has a signal that barely reaches from CCS to the TFP, but at least the Braves have a radio home in the 423 with the looming closing of ESPN 95.3 in March.
From JoeDon
JG,
In your reference to Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, did you get the spelling right the first time, or did you have to ask the Interweb?
Which begs the question, which sports names have given you the most spelling fits when trying to get the brain and fingers cooperate? (And, being honest, which ones require Interweb assistance every time?)
JD,
Coach K became Coach K because none of us could spell his name.
Yes, Giannis has a name that becomes a quick interweb search. Tua does too. Or should be Tua does too-a?
But he is far from alone, especially in this day and age.
That's what makes the interwebs golden, though, right?
Have a great weekend friends.