Daily Dirt: Words to live by from the Red-Headed Stranger

Whenever I feel a little down — like when the Cleveland Guardians are the midst of a losing streak — I play a few offerings from Willie Nelson … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 272 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Classic country troubadour Willie Nelson just turned 89.

I think it’s safe to say the Red-Headed Stranger has outlived just about all of his critics. In honor of the man who gave us “Always On My Mind,” “Pancho and Lefty,” “On The Road Again” and “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain,” here are some of his most famous words to live by:

“Don’t forget the less fortunate or God will personally kick your ass. I’d love to do it for him, but I can’t be everywhere.”

“I think it is just terrible and disgusting how everyone has treated Lance Armstrong, especially after what he achieved winning seven Tour de France races while on drugs … when I was on drugs, I couldn’t even find my bike.”

“The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.”

“Ninety-nine percent of the world’s lovers are not with their first choice. That’s what makes the jukebox play.”

“You will never find happiness until you stop looking for it.”

2. Here are six personal thoughts about what we might see in terms of potential upcoming MLB relocation/expansion:

• 1. The Oakland A’s are expected to join the NFL Raiders and NHL Golden Knights in Las Vegas. I hope this happens. The A’s have tried for decades to get a new stadium in Oakland, only to be met with resistance each step of the way. The team’s lease with Oakland ends after the 2024 season. Hello, Vegas, baby!
• 2. Rumors of the Tampa Bay Rays moving to Nashville continue to grow. It’s definitely time for this franchise to relocate, too. Like Oakland, Tampa Bay’s existing stadium is terrible and draws relatively few fans. The Rays have provided a winning team and the fans still ignore the club. The Rays’ lease at Tropicana Field runs through 2027, so it will likely be a few years, but the Rays will eventually move, whether it’s to Nashville or somewhere else.
• 3. Portland will also be a name to remember. It is the largest U.S. TV market without an MLB team.
• 4. Charlotte will also be in play. It is the second-largest U.S. city without an MLB franchise and sits in the heart of a rapidly growing region.
• 5. And don’t forget about Montreal getting another franchise. MLB needs a second Canadian market.
• 6. MLB will, at some point, expand from 30 to 32 teams and eight four-team divisions. If you do some quick math, the relocation of the A’s and Rays is a virtual given at some point this decade, and if you add two expansion teams that crosses off four of the five cities mentioned here. Hmmm…

3. The most popular parts of a chicken South Africans love to eat:

• 1. Feet.
• 2. Livers.
• 3. Wings.
• 4. Stomachs.
• 5. Heads.
• 6. Feet.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — A baffled Steve is left wondering what South Africans do with the chicken breasts, thighs and legs. 

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. He is looking for ways to get chicken legs shipped from Johannesburg.