Daily Dirt: The weather this week? Get out the Speedos, baby!

February 23, 2025 | By By Steve Eighinger Muddy River News Minister of Culture and Doctor of Love

4096px-Atlanta_Santa_Speedo_Run_2012_(8283472686)

The Atlanta Santa Speedo Run in Midtown, starting from Hudson Grille Midtown on Dec. 8, 2012. | Wikimedia Commons

Daily Dirt for Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025

For the record, I’m never moving to Hettinger, N.D. Never, never, never … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,211 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Looks like it might be time to get out my favorite Speedos for the next few days.

Have you looked at the weather forecast for the coming week? Most of the days we are expected to see high temperatures approaching 60 degrees. That’s six-oh.

Wasn’t it just about a week ago we were living in a subdivision of Antarctica?

Nowhere in the country will experience a greater change in the thermometer this week than some place called Hettinger, N.D. The folks in Hettinger experienced a minus-45 degree day last Wednesday, but come Monday the temperature in Hettinger is forecast to be around 50. That’s a swing of 90 degrees. That’s nine-oh. It’s called a “weather whiplash.”

But don’t get too comfortable with our own spring-like conditions. There are signs that another stretching of the polar vortex or shift in the polar jet stream — whatever that means — will take place at the end of February and into the first half of March.

The bottom line? AccuWeather says that means colder air is not yet finished with us. (Shocker, right?)

Maybe I better put those Speedos back the drawer.

2. Did you know (Part 285) …

50 years ago, back in 1975, the minimum wage was $2.10.
In 1972 we were singing along with such songs as “Black and White” and “Never Been to Spain” by Three Dog Night, “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green, “Everybody Plays the Fool” by Main Ingredient, “Rocket Man” by Elton John and “Burning Love” by Elvis Presley.
In 1967, when many of us were in junior high, a postage champ cost 5 cents, a dozen eggs were 49 cents (whoa!!!) and the average new home carried a price tag of $14,250.
The first Earth Day was observed in 1970.
The most popular movies in the spring of 1985 — 40 years ago — were “Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment,” “Beverly Hills Cop,” “Witness” and “The Breakfast Club”. To this day, “Beverly Hills Cop” and “The Breakfast Club” rank among my all-time favorites.

3. Today is the first of our two-part series on way-too-early MLB forecasts for this season. Today we look at the American League.

East

1. New York: When Max Fried is only a team’s No. 2 starter, there’s a good chance a successful season is on the horizon. Hitting-wise, I count seven players in the Yankees’ lineup who will likely reach 20-plus home runs. New York is loaded and should only have minimal problems en route to securing another AL East title.
2. Boston: Once the Alex Bregman-Rafael Devers soap opera settles down, this will be a fun team to watch. Realistically, the Red Sox are the lone club in the division with a chance to run down the Yankees, and that’s because of Boston’s pitching. Adding Garret Crochet and Walker Buehler to a rotation that was more than serviceable in 2024 could make all the difference in the world.
3. Baltimore: The Orioles have a young, exciting offense anchored by super shortstop Gunnar Henderson, but the team’s pitching staff is mediocre at best — and that’s truly a shame. Baltimore hierarchy had the offseason resources to address those pitching needs and failed to do so. Things could get mighty ugly if the Orioles fall off the pace early this season.
4. Toronto: There’s a line of separation in this division and it starts following Baltimore. The Blue Jays and Tampa Bay have absolutely no chance to contend and will likely battle all summer to stay out of the basement. Hope Toronto fans have enjoyed the Vladimir Guerrero years, because he’ll be gone after this season.
5. Tampa Bay: Too bad the Rays cannot move to, say, Nashville where they would be appreciated. The highlight of the year for Tampa Bay will likely be the return of lefty ace Shane McClanahan. And for White Sox fans (if there are actually any still left) wondering what happened to Eloy Jimenez, he’s penciled in as the Rays’ DH.

Central

1. Kansas City: No pieces are missing here. There’s a young superstar in Bobby Witt Jr., a veteran presence who is still producing in Salvador Perez and a deep — if not spectacular — pitching staff headed by Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans, Michael Lorenzen and Alec Marsh. Another budding star is manager Matt Quatraro, beginning his third year.
2. Detroit: The Tigers and Royals should have a dandy season-long race, but the difference is likely to be Kansas City’s overall pitching depth and the presence of Witt. Detroit’s ace in the hole, however, is ace pitcher Tarik Skubal. He’s the best in the AL, and Jack Flaherty will be a reliable No. 2, but the club’s biggest worry remains a problem that was not addressed in the offseason. The Tigers’ offense is lacking, and that’s being kind. While the Royals will trot out a solid lineup anchored by Witt, the Tigers counter with way too many question marks.
3. Cleveland: Somehow, this tightwad franchise will field another respectable team, but don’t be expecting another 92-win season. The Guardians will probably be fortunate to finish .500 or slightly above, and if they do second-year skipper Stephen Vogt should be named Manager of the Year —again. Take Jose Ramirez off this roster, and it’s probably a Class AAA team.
4. Minnesota: Seriously, Rocco Baldelli may be the worst manager in the league. And with the Twins cutting payroll, the picture is not pretty. Minnesota is all but guaranteed fourth place — they’re not as good as the three teams listed above them and no one (repeat, no one) comes close to the comedy act in Chicago.
5. Chicago: The White Sox have to be improved this season, but that doesn’t mean they won’t lose more than 100 games again. What an incredibly sad state of affairs on the south side …

West

1. Texas: The Rangers appear to be healthy again, and they are loaded. The league’s finest offense, anchored by Corey Seager, will complement a solid pitching staff bolstered by the return of oft-injured Jacob de Grom.
2. Seattle: The league’s best starting staff will be wasted because ownership failed to bring in any measurable help for an anemic offense. That’s truly a shame for pitchers Luis Castillo, George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo.
3. Houston: In case you have forgotten, among the players the Astros need to replace from last year include Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman and Justin Verlander. I almost penciled in Houston for fourth place. I’ll probably regret that decision.
4. Athletics: By the time the A’s move into their new Las Vegas ballpark in about three years, they should be a legitimate contender. And manager Mark Kotsay has established himself as one of MLB’s up-and-coming stars.
5. Los Angeles: At least the Angels are trying, having signed about a half-dozen free agents. Unfortunately, those half-dozen free agents are mostly bottom-of-the-barrel types. The best of the new arrivals may be veteran closer Kenley Jansen, who will likely be flipped near the trading deadline if he shows anything remaining in the tank.

End of Year Awards