Look out, Look Outs
So, who knew the name of our town's baseball team is also a caveat for investing with John Woods?
The biggest story in town - which hit the streets about the time we hit send Monday - centers on minority owner John Woods being charged with the SEC for running a Ponzi scheme on his investors. (Side note: The term minority owner is really misleading, you know? In this age of hyper cultural awareness, it makes it seem like John Woods is a minority, don't you think? Also of note: when it comes to college football, the SEC don't play. When it comes to white-collar criminal hijinks, the other SEC don't play, either.) Where were we? Yes, Woods and the charges.
First, I truly hope there is some sort of misunderstanding. I have spoken with Woods several times and he seems like a nice guy. More importantly, I truly pray for the folks who gave their hard-earned money to his investment groups that this works out. As someone now in his 50s trying to put some nickels away to hopefully pay for my kids' college and not need to work until I'm 82, this type of thing is a complete nightmare.
So, we can all hope it's not as bad as it seems, but like its namesake in college football, when the other SEC comes calling, it almost always comes with a purpose.
But beyond Woods, this is simply the latest hurdle for the Lookouts here in Chattanooga. As TFP super ace David Paschall tells us, majority owner Jason Freier said he and his group want to keep the Lookouts here "for another 100 years."
In truth, this almost assuredly will hurt the public perception of the club - through no fault of the team, its employees or Freier and his crew - in its pursuit of public funds for a new stadium. It simply has to.
For those like the Greesons, we love having the Lookouts enough that we would support taxpayers' money helping construct a new stadium. There are others who are directly opposed to that idea in principle.
But the folks in the middle, who are the majority, may not know a great deal about the team, the park, its role as an asset to our community or much else. But when presented with the talking point of "Should the county and the city help the Lookouts pay for a new stadium," how many will respond with, "You mean the team run by the guy who ran a Ponzi scheme?"
I hope I'm wrong about that. Truly.
About all of it, honestly.
Time for change
Hey, I have said for a while now that putting social messages on uniforms is a poor choice.
Not that the messages aren't valid or causes that should be supported or promoted.
But because there are so many, where do you draw the line? Because prioritizing one ultimately will mean unintentionally devaluing another noble and worthy cause.
I think for the same reason, champions of each major sport should no longer be invited to the White House. Go back to the president calling the locker room and congratulating the coach or the MVP or whomever and be done with it.
Because the back-and-forth between leagues and Donald Trump was embarrassing. For all involved in a lot of ways.
But now that the Seattle Storm visited the White House and yukked it up with President Biden, the message is clear, even if it's unintended.
It has become political, and maybe it always was. But there were previous athletes who elected not to go or even Craig Hodges, who went with the Bulls in protesting garb and had serious questions for White House staff.
Now, sadly, it's modern-day political, which means it's either my way or bleep off. And if it contributes to the division around almost all avenues in our leadership structure, then the bad outweighs the good, in my opinion.
And that's for all involved, too.
Joining under false pretenses
Some time today, the announcement will be made that the ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12 will form an alliance.
They are not realigning. At least not today, or any time soon for that matter.
They are forming a voting block to try to fight the SEC's power. Good luck with that.
It's not surprising. It's also not a bad thing, especially for those of us who are not super keen on expanding the playoff to 12 teams.
From Dennis Dodd's story this morning on CBSsports.com: "Some of things we've been doing to ourselves, that just needs to stop," said one high-profile official from a school within the would-be alliance. "Some of this [bleep], we're talking about expanding to 12 [teams]. For two teams that [go all the way], that's 17 games. We're going to talk about 'these kids aren't professionals' and we don't pay them? I firmly believe in the academic value of what we're doing, but at a certain point, it looks like professionals. I firmly believe in the academic piece that we're providing."
Just. Stop. Anonymous person. Now.
This alliance is no more about protecting the college sports experience for the athletes than I am preparing for a trip to the moon or Hamilton County Schools leaders are earnestly trying to fight COVID-19.
This alliance is about having a voting block to fight the SEC. And that may work in theory. But the SEC will still cash the bigger checks from TV partners.
And if you think so-and-so anonymous is worried about how many games, well, here's betting the "Alliance" is fearful of the expansion because it will mean more SEC teams in the mix. Which means more money.
It just means more.
This and that
- So the New York Post reported that you lose 35 minutes off your life every time you eat a hot dog. This of course generated a slew of social media references to Joey Chestnut, the competitive eating champion who ate 75 hot dogs - and buns - in 10 minutes to win the July 4th contest earlier this summer. If true, that $10,000 prize cost Chestnut 43 hours and 45 minutes of life. That's more than $228.57 an hour, if you were curious.
- Braves played. Braves lost. Yeah, felt strange writing that, too, after the last 10 days. Anyone else wondering if these Braves are the walking difference between being not bad but still not good? We'll see over the next week. Also of note, and other than the All-Star break I can't recall this happening before, but the Braves have back-to-back off days this week. They play the Yankees tonight and then wait until Friday's date with the Giants. Strange.
- Speaking of the Braves, back at home, The Freeze was back in action. His latest win was painful - at least for his competition. Ouch-standing.
- OK, milk crate challenge? Why? And is it the perfect visual metaphor of our collective fight with COVID?
- Oh my. This story is eye-popping. Just read the headline: "World's fastest roller coaster in Japan suspends operations after 4 reports of people breaking their backs or necks on the ride." Not kidding. The coaster gets to 118 mph in 1.56 seconds. Again, not kidding. It's called the Do-Dodonpa, and you can pronounce that name however you see fit.
- I am crazy, or is the thought that Jameis Winston is going to be good with the Saints cast and Sean Payton? Also, fantasy football folks, keep an eye on injuries because Travis Etienne, who I was targeting quite highly, suffered an injury last night. Head on a swivel, folks. And yes, we are looking for a three-peat in the Pitch fantasy football league hosted by Weston Wamp. Thanks for asking.
- Here's today's A2 column on how Nick Saban needs to be in D.C.
- You know the rules. Here's Paschall on UT's slow-moving QB decision.
Today's questions
True or false, it's Tuesday after all.
True or false, you would want to ride a roller coaster named Do-Dodonpa.True or false, if Nick Saban was in charge of our COVID protocols, we'd be tailgating on Saturdays and back at the Chili's for Tuesday specials.
True or false, Chili's is the best of the fern bar establishments.
True or false, Joe Milton will take the first UT snap this fall.
As for today, Aug. 24, let's review.
Wow, this one makes me feel old. Cal Ripken Jr. is 61 today.
Rushmore of shortstops. Go.