DAILY DIRT: Hey batter, batter! Let’s go, Udder Tuggers!

I think I could rock one of those jerseys with the big doughnuts on the front … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 889 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Minor league baseball is its own special world.

Sure, the game is the same that is played in the big leagues, but the appeal of minor league ball goes beyond the balls, strikes and home runs.

One of the major differences are team names, which are often tied directly the community they represent. Many of them are purposely hilarious, designed to draw both chuckles and attention. Some even become the alter egos of those areas.

Here are three I feel are medal worthy:

Gold medal: At times, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers become the Wisconsin Udder Tuggers, paying tribute to the state’s rich dairy history.

Silver medal: The Buffalo Bisons sometimes wear uniforms of the Buffalo Wings, rocking the city in which the tasty treat was created. Their hats boast a piece of celery and dallup of bleu cheese, and there’s a hand-wipe patch on the left sleeve of the jersey.

Bronze medal: The Hudson Valley Renegades double as the Hudson Valley Cider Donuts, complete with a huge doughnut on the front of the jersey. The entire uniform is an autumn themed orange and green. There’s also a bottle of apple cider on the left sleeve.

2. Time to feel old — again.

Here are some songs turning 40 this year:

• “Boys of Summer,” by Don Henley: The best voice of any of the Eagles? (Sorry, Vince Gill fans.)
• “You Better Be Good to Me,” by Tina Turner: When start listing Tina’s greatest hits, this one is definitely on the medal stand somewhere. 
• “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” by Twisted Sister: Lead singre Dee Snider is now (gulp … ) 68 years old.
• “Jump,” by Van Halen: I’m pretty sure David Lee Roth can no longer leap like he did in the accompanying video for this song. 
• “I Can’t Drive 55,” by Sammy Hagar: Remember the year NASCAR used this song in its pre-race buildup?
• “Oh Sherrie,” by Steve Perry: I don’t think Perry has ever received all the plaudits he is due as a singer. 
• “Sunglasses at Night,” by Corey Hart: A rather ho-hum song, but an interesting video.

3. While we’re at it, let’s feel even older.

These songs are turning 50 in 2024:

• “Come and Get Your Love,” by Redbone: My favorite song that year.
• “Bennie and the Jets, by Elton John: One of Elton’s monster hits, but it never moved my needle higher than lukewarm.
• “Midnight at the Oasis,” by Maria Muldaur: I bought the album this song was on 50 years ago, and never played any other song on the entire LP.
• “Annie’s Song,” by John Denver: Unquestionably, my favorite John Denver offering.
• “Rock and Roll Heaven,” by the Righteous Brothers: ” … If you believe in forever, then life is just a one-night stand”.
• “Eres tu,” by Mocedades: Incredibly, this Spanish love song made it to No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. A tremendous, tremendous song.
• “Mighty Love,” by the Spinners: Another great offering from the Spinners, one of the era’s most underrated soul groups.

Steve Thought O’ The Day – Looking back over the above two lists of songs, it’s rather sad how many of the artists are no longer with us.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. I’m surprised he doesn’t already have baseball jersey with a doughnut on it.