Daily Dirt: Dickie V, he’s still a prime-time player, baby!

Daily Dirt for Friday, March 11, 2022

Dick Vitale is in much better health today, and the world seems like a better place. Welcome to today’s three thoughts and Vol. 232 of The Daily Dirt. 

1. Most of my adult life has been spent watching and listening to Dick Vitale, enjoying his love of college basketball.

That said, it’s been a rather sad past couple of years to watch him battle cancer and other medical problems. But “Dickie V” received some encouraging news this week, announcing doctors have declared him cancer free. In honor of Vitale, who has been a TV mainstay for the past 43 years, here are my favorite Dickie V. catch-phrases:

“All-Alcatraz team”: Players he’s expecting to have a breakout season.

“Mr. Pac Man”: Eats you alive on defense.

“Dow Joneser”: An up-and-down player.

“PTPer”: “He’s a PTPer, a prime-time player, baby!”

“Diaper dandy”: A freshman phenom. Vitale broke out this phrase decades ago, and it’s now a part of our college hoops lexicon.

“Drillin’ Reggie’s when they need Pete Rose’s”: Taking long shots when shorter ones are needed.

“All World B. Free team”: Players with the best names.

2. Let’s wish a happy birthday to these folks:

• Singer James Taylor turned 74 on Thursday: Baby boomers grew up listening to the smooth sounds of Sweet Baby James.
• Former “Leave it to Beaver” regular Tony Dow will be 74 on March 17: He played Beaver’s brother, Wally. Who were Wally’s two best friends on the show? If you said Lumpy Rutherford and Eddie Haskell you were correct.
• Sportscaster Bob Costas will be 70 in March 22: Costas is the Dick Clark of sportscasters. He never looks like he ages.
• Actor Jim Parsons turns 49 on March 24: You may know him as Sheldon Cooper from “The Big Bang Theory”.
• Musician Herb Alpert will be 87 on March 31: The famed trumpeter/singer has sold 72 million records and earned nine Grammy Awards.

3. This week’s Great Plate selections, the top license plates found in West-Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri:

Gold medal: I ONE. I think we have a threat to crack next week’s top five in the seasonal rankings. This is pure … well, gold!

Silver medal: AUGGIE. For those who used to watch the Quick Draw McGraw cartoon series, this may spark memories of Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy.

Bronze medal: 2 HTAIR. A local disc jockey?

Steve Thought O’ The Day — Steve’s favorite James Taylor song is “Fire and Rain”

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. His ideal great plate is the Ravioli Salsa Rosa at Tiramisu.