Daily Dirt: It’s May, and that’s a good thing … and it’s almost time to wish Willie Mays happy birthday No. 91

It’s officially May, and that’s a good thing … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 273 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Is it just me, or does the world seem a little brighter once the calendar reaches May?

Granted, April is important because that brings baseball season, but all too often there is still snow, not to mention temperatures in the 30s. And did I mention that April rain? May, however, normally gives us our first taste of the summer months ahead. The world always seems like a warmer place in May.

Here are some other thoughts about May from people way smarter than me:

• “All things seem possible in May.” — Edwin Way Teale, American naturalist.
• “May, more than any other month of the year, wants us to feel most alive.” – Fennel Hudson, British author.
• ” … I was young and loved, and it was May.” — Vera Brittain, English writer.
• “May . . . it’s full of all the things that make spring and the brighter part of the year so special. May is awesome.” ― Jenna Danchuk, writer and researcher.
• “May is the most beautiful month of the year.” — Lillian Berliner, author. Lillian Berliner may have just nailed it.

2. Several major publications have come out with updated rankings for the 30 MLB stadiums.

I think author Tim Newcomb did the best job, putting together a detailed account for Men’s Health magazine.Here are his top three, plus some others of interest:

Gold medal: PNC Park, Pittsburgh: Newcomb points out the highest seat in the entire stadium is only 88 feet from the field. PNC Park is simply gorgeous, providing a “unique blend of downtown, stadium and riverfront creation,” according to Newcomb. There’s some irony her, too … best stadium and worst team. Or at least one of the worst teams.

Silver medal: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles: This may be the third-oldest stadium in MLB (having opened in 1962), but it remains a magnificent tribute to architecture and the sport itself. The Dodgers are always one step ahead of most when it comes to adding new attractions and replacing outdated materials.

Bronze medal: Oracle Park, San Francisco: McCovey Cove sits only a few feet beyond the right-field fence, and groundskeepers have never mowed any of those intricate designs into the outfield and/or infield. In this case, less is more. Much more.

Others of interest: 4. Fenway Park, Boston. 5. Camden Yards, Baltimore. 6. Royals Stadium, Kansas City. 8. Busch Stadium, St. Louis. 9. Wrigley Field, Chicago. 30. Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago.

3. This week’s happy birthday wishes go to:

Actor/pro wrestler The Rock, a.k.a. Dwayne Johnson, turns 50 on Monday. For those wondering, his net worth is a cool $320 million.

Singer Franki Valli blows out 85 candles on Tuesday. Valli and the Four Seasons are still touring. AN underrated hit for the Hall of Fame group? How about “C’mon Marianne”?

British singer/songwriter Adele turns 34 on Thursday. She’s Muddy River News editor David Adam’s favorite singer.

MLB Hall of Famer Willie Mays will be 91 on Friday. Say Hey! Mays is the oldest living MLB Hall of Famer.

If still living, former NFL quarterback Johnny Unitas, who died in 2002, would have turned 89 on Saturday.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — Steve still remembers the day he got his first Willie Mays baseball card. “It was an August afternoon in 1965,” he said. “I bought a pack of Topps cards at Ken’s Corner Grocery on Cottage Street in Ashland, Ohio. I opened up the 5-cent pack and there was Willie, in the famous ’65 card with the purple border, staring at me. I almost wept I was so happy.”

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. He’s praying for no rain so he watch racing tonight.