Daily Dirt: For all the fond memories we have of Olivia Newton-John, headbands isn’t one of them

Daily Dirt for Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023

Oh, Olivia, how could you have ever worn those headbands? Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 510 of The Daily Dirt.

1. As promised on Tuesday, our picks for the worst women’s fashion statements of the past 60 years or so:

• Gold medal: Headbands. We can thank the late Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical” video in 1981 for girls and women of all ages to start sporting headbands for what seemed like an eternity (but was probably closer to just a year). I will always love the talent of Newton-John but will never forgive her for those headbands.
• Silver medal: It became popular for girls and women in the early 2000s to wear uggs (those furry-topped, calf-high boots) that were often a companion to mini-skirts. The only word to describe this brutal period? Obviously, ugh.
• Bronze medal: Leg warmers of the 1980s. Did women really need to keep their calves warm while working out? Jane Fonda convinced much of the world the answer to that question was “yes.”
• Honorable mention: Shoulder pads. I’m not sure whoever thought it was a good idea in the 1970s for women to look like Rosey Grier of the Los Angeles Rams, but it was rather … ummm, stupid.

2. These are the clubs projected to have the best startling lineups for the 2023 MLB season, according to Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com

1. Houston Astros. “The Astros’ beautiful blend of discipline and power gives them a strong argument to be No. 1,” writes Castrovince. The projected lineup:

• 1. Jose Altuve, 2b
• 2. Jeremy Pena, ss
• 3. Yordan Alvarez, lf
• 4. Alex Bregman, 3b
• 5. Kyle Tucker, rf
• 6. Jose Abreu, 1b
• 7. Michael Brantley, dh
• 8. Chas McCormock, cf
• 9. Martin Maldonado, c

2. San Diego Padres. The Padres might deserve the gold medal. I can’t imagine opposing pitchers trying to navigate through that top four in the lineup four times a game. Wow. The projected lineup:

• 1. Fernando Tatis Jr., lf (suspended the first 20 games of the 2023 season)
• 2. Juan Soto, rf
• 3. Manny Machado, 3b
• 4. Xander Bogaerts, ss
• 5. Jake Cronenworth, 1b
• 6. Matt Carpenter, dh
• 7. Ha-Seong Kim, 2b
• 8. Austin Nola, c
• 9. Trent Grisham, cf

3. Toronto Blue Jays. Toronto has fine-tuned what was already a powerful lineup with the additions of Varsho, Belt and Kiermaier. The projected lineup:

• 1. George Springer, rf
• 2. Bo Bichette, ss
• 3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1b
• 4. Alejandro Kirk, c
• 5. Matt Chapman, 3b
• 6. Dalton Varsho, lf
• 7. Brandon Belt, dh
• 8. Santiago Espinal, 2b
• 9. Kevin Kiermaier, cf

3. Here’s the best “Found on Facebook” from the past week:

• “I spotted a buffalo with three horns. It’s called a trison.” (If you didn’t at least chuckle, you need to read it again.)
• “How do you organize a space party? You planet.” (Thank you. Thank you, very much.)
• “Quick animal fact: Most buffaloes do not actually have wings.” (OK, I admit it. I had to think for a second … )
• “I haven’t lost my marbles yet, but there is definitely a small hole in the bag somewhere.” (Know the feeling, all too well.)
• “Why do dogs float in the water? Because they’re good buoys.” (Yep, I saved the best for last.)

Steve Thought O’ The Day
Even though he will miss the first 20 games of the upcoming season, don’t underestimate Fernando Tatis Jr. being named MVP of the National League.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News.