BEHIND THE DISH .. Batting Practice and Chip Shots .. Did you know ??
CONDOLEEZZA RICE was born and raised in Birmingham and later lived in Tuscaloosa ..
Sweet Home Alabama .. Perhaps a Presidential run in 2008 ??
If the Repubs had any clue .. Condi would be their VP choice in 2004 ..
[ Meck's favorite combo in 2008 .. Huckabee and Rice .. a winning Dish]
--
GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE [ R ] of Arkansas ..
will be speaking at Pres. Carter's Church, Maranatha Bapt. in Plains, Ga.
[Sun. Apr. 25, 2004 ] .. Governor Huckabee and his wife Janet, will be the guest of
Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity and President Jimmy Carter ..
Gov. Mike Huckabee is a wonderful man .. The Meck knows him from the late 70's,
when we worked together in Texas .. [ More next week on Gov. Huckabee's
visit to Plains] .. Plan to visit Plains on this special day ..
Believe The Meck .. It will be an Everlasting impression on you and your family ..
--
PLAINS GA. .. Is only 2 hrs from Dothan, Al ..[ north on 431 to Eufaula, Rt. over
the Lake into Georgetown, Ga. .. turn North on Hwy 27..] all the way to Plains ..
Pop. about 600 .. about 35 Govt employees who take care of Pres. Carter's
Nat'l Historic Sites ..
Must see Landmarks .. The Boyhood Farm, The School House[ Museum] ..
Plains Historic Inn .. Plains Welcome Center [ ask for Penny] .. Mom's Kitchen ..
www.PlainsGeorgia.com
Note: The Plains Historic Inn .. is right above the Antique Shop ..
Pres. Carter helped build the INN .. Each room has decor from each decade ..
20's thru the 80's .. It's a beautiful place to stay overnite ..[ It's where we shot our
commercial with Pres. Carter and Walter Banks promoting Plains ..]
PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER celebrates his 80th Birthday .. Oct. 1, 2004 ..
--
JAVY LOPEZ .. leads the Major Leagues in hitting .. batting over 500 ..
--
BARRY BONDS and the Steroids issue .. Always remember the other guy
in this ordeal .. The Attorney Gen. JOHN ASHCROFT .. Thats all you need to know ..
plus remember .. Pres. Bush mentioned it in his State of the Union address ..[ Jan. 2004]
Bonds testified before the grand jury in Dec. that he didn't take steroids ..
If the US Attorney General can prove he did .. They will nail him on Perjury .. not roids ..
JOHN ASHCROFT .. a fastball Bonds will never turn on ..
NOTE: The Feds recently seized the steroid samples that tested positive from last year ..
The raid took place less than 24 hrs after The Players Union filed to protect those samples ..
--
GEORGE W. BUSH .. If he's re-elected .. Baseball loses ..
If he loses .. Baseball wins .. and could get a Legit Baseball Comissioner ..
not an Owner's Comish like Bud Popeye Selig ..[ He could mess up a 1 car funeral ] ..
Baseball Commissioner is a job Bush has always wanted .. more than the Presidency ..
Maybe Bob Costas is available .. I've got his number .. He would be a dandy ..
His passion and knowledge would connect the fans and players .. Promoting the game ..
Baseball is Leaderless .. It's the only business I know that demotes it product ..
If you're Whining .. ain't nobody buying ..
Summarizing Peter Gammons .. He said it best recently about the owners ..
Baseball needs to quit treating its players like they are shopping with Wal-Mart mentality ..
Labor is Product and Entertainment .. Product/Players are investments not just an expense ..
My favorite example is the lovable George Steinbrenner ..
His payroll is 180 million and everyone rips him 4 that .. The Yankees are valued by
Forbes at almost 900 million .. Thus his payroll-investment in his product is about 20% ..
Probably a lower percentage than most businesses pay ..
--
CHIEF JOHN WHITE .. over 30 years with the Dothan Police Dept.
10 years as Chief .. past Pres. of Ala. Chiefs Assn., a grad of the FBI Academy ..
Congrats Chief on your recent graduation from Law School ..
How many Police Chiefs have a law degree ?? Probably very few in the US ..
Perhaps that's why Johnnie Cochran told Chief .. [ with Keith Givens and myself]
" Send me your Resume Chief .. I might need your help on some cases .."
Meck Tip .. Maybe Chief John White should write on that resume ..
' Looking for Hire .. When I Retire '..
--
Staying in LA .. [Lower Ala ] Congrats to Coach Gene Dews, Wallace College-Dothan, Al .
The Lady Govs have won a record 56 in a row in the Southern Conference ..[thru Apr. 15]
20-0 records in 2002 and 2003 .. 16-0 in 2004 .. ranked 4th in the nation [ 35-4 record] ..
Sat. Apr. 10th .. at Wallace Dothan vs. Enterprise [Al.] .. 1 pm ct .. Two for the Books ..
Govs Lefty, Blair Potter threw back to back Perfect games in a DH sweep ..
Govs 9-0 and 12-0 victories over Enterprise-Ozark College .. [ 5 innings - 8 run rule ] ..
Potter, a freshman from Columbus, Ga. faced 30 batters .. striking out 21 ..
lowering her ERA to 0.41 .. which leads the nation in D2 softball .. Blazing-Amazing Blair ..
GENE DEWS .. Mucho credit goes to him and his leadership of Passion and Compassion ..
' 2 essentials that meet in the middle to reach a goal '.. Dewsie is a Legendary teacher ..
The Lady Govs hope to return for their 3rd consecutive trip to the College World Series ..
When, not If they do win the big 1 .. It will be Dothan's 1st ever National Champioship ..
--
AUSTIN FOX .. a 15 year young gentleman who could be the next Denny Neagle or maybe
even Billy Graham .. Austin is a precious friend of The Meck's ..[Home page with Kayla Jo]..
[Just In about midnite] .. www.DothanEagle.com Sports Apr. 16, 2004 .. Excerpt ..
" Young hit a hard line drive to right-center field. Austin Fox ran from right field and made
a diving catch to preserve the shutout. Fox also went 3-for-3 on the night with an RBI
and a run scored ".. Micah Lewter writes .. [about Chris's Pride and Joy ..]
Congratulations to AUSTIN .. You are the Best my Friend .. On and Off the field ..
Your agent .. The Meck ..
[Note to all youth.. They aren't giving any playstation scholarships or draft picks ]
Always Remember, Lefty .. The Most Important Pitch ?? Is a Strike .. ' Let's Go Throw ' ..
Trivia .. Who is the winningest Basketball Coach in Vanderbilt history ??
Austin Roy Fox is named after his grandfather, Roy Skinner..[who still lives in Nashville]
Filed by The Meck .. Fri. Apr. 16, 2004 .. 1:15 am ..
THE MECK REPORT .. Connect .. www.TheMeck.com
[ Cannot be Published without permission of the author ..]
Info .. Sports .. Concerts .. News .. and Life .. Connect ..
[ More scoop than Baskin Robbins ]..[More up-to-date than yesterday's newspaper]
Email info and comments to themeck@themeck.com .. Thanks ..
Friday, April 16, 2004
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
Augusta - The Masters - 2004 .. I know Phil finally won .. but
AUGUSTA - The Masters - 2004 .. I know Phil finally won .. BUT .. I will most remember
BRUCE EDWARDS passing away on Thursday as dawn broke at his favorite Tournament ..
Hours before, The Golf Writers had just honored Bruce with The Ben Hogan Award ..
given on the eve of every Masters to someone who exemplifies courage ..
It was 6:26 Thurs. morn. Apr. 8th .. Bruce teed off finally on ALS .. Lou Gehrig's Disease ..
Bruce Edwards was only 49 ..
His longtime friend and brother-like golfer, TOM WATSON, got the sad news just before he
teed off that morning at Augusta ..The skies were gloomy all day, shedding tears like so many ..
Bruce had carried Tom's bag and served him with loyalty and love for over 30 years ..
One of my favorite memories of Bruce Edwards .. Aug. 1991 at Crooked Stick
[ Indianappolis] .. [ John Daly won the PGA .. PLUS It was Bobby Clampett's 1st TV job
on TBS and CBS ..] I was working with TBS .. Bobby Clampett and Pat Haden ..
I was checking my yardage in the middle of the fairway with Bruce .. He gave me a few
pointers of wisdom .. I never really knew him .. [ I know my Dad did for years on theTour]
Yet .. I will always remember that day when Bruce took T I M E to help me .. He was so kind ..
It made me so sad when I heard the news last Thursday .. I thought back to last summer when
Bruce and Tom had those wonderful days at the US Open and the fans teared up over Bruce ..
I thought of Bruce passing away at Ponte Vedra Bch .. the home of the PGA Tour and
Dick Meckley ..
I called my brother Shannon and cried .. Bruce was a part of history that I treasured ..
I was deeply moved by the many stories being written on the internet about this
legendary caddie ..
I plan to write later .. but this is my thought for today/every day [as I shared with Shannon] ..
I was reminded once again on Apr. 8th .. by the life and legacy of Bruce Edwards ..
Bruce Edwards was a servant .. He carried a golf bag with undieing loyalty for his friend ..
Unlike Bruce .. Many are chasing Fortune and Fame .. Material goals and games ..
How much will you leave ?? You will leave the same amount as Elvis .. He left it all ..
What will they write/say about you .. when you die ??
Bruce was the headlines all over the Internet .. ESPN .. TV .. PAPERS .. and he was
simply a man who was a servant .. to others .. and yet they can't stop writing about the
legend Bruce Edwards .. [ and the TIME he invested in others ] .. His Legacy ..
Bruce was a servant [He served those around him] ..Thus he became a Legend ..
One more time .. What will they write/say about you .. me .. when we die ??
Will they write or say anything at all ??
ps .. I'm certain Bruce Edwards joined Dick Meckley and they teed off last Thursday ..
at the Forever Fairway Golf Club .. where all the yardage is bought and paid for ..
You don't even need a green jacket to be a member and play ..
---
JIM NANTZ .. BOBBY CLAMPETT..
Meck Notes .. .. Another Wonderful job of announcing The Masters by CBS ..
Jim Nantz and Bobby Clampett .. You both are the best ..
Jim Nantz's elequant touch and insightful reverance makes a major impact on this viewer..
I will never forget how precisely and with great knowledge Bobby Clampett described
Ernie Els' several drop options on No. 11 Sat .. and how he could ask for more opinions ..
What was 4ever back on the tee .. was 15 minutes of lessons for the viewer..Thanks Bobby..
I felt like I was nestled in the nursery of trees watching that incredible Bogey ..
How important was that ruling and the Ernie 'nursery' drop and that bogey ??
Well .. There would have been a playoff .. if ..?? ..
You get the picture .. 2 fold .. It pays to be patient and know the rules like Ernie did ..
Plus .. ' IF ' all ands and buts were candy and nuts .. we'd all have a Merry Christmas ..
That 31 Mickelson shot on the back nine was Prime Time ..
but that downhill lip in .. had to be Divine .. [sure can't remember many .. if any at Augusta]
The Meck played Augusta in the early 80's .. on a Tuesday before the Masters started
on Monday .. It was immaculate .. I shot an 82 .. Six 3-putts [no room for comments on card]
A Blessed memory for sure .. I will always treasure that wonderful day ..
Also, the member I was playing with had a hole-in-one on yep .. you guessed it .. No. 16 ..
If I ever get the chance again .. I will practice my putting .. up on my roof-top ..
So I'll get a good feel for the speed of the greens ..
---
My favorite Augusta Memory ??
That gentleman who stood on the practice tee assisting players or under the tree by the
putting green .. wearing a Floppy Hat [sometimes with a Cleveland Golf logo] ..
Mr. Dick Meckley .. ' Lo Tech Meck ' .. He loved Augusta National .. It's easy to see why ..
They are both from the same OLD School .. Where Class is Never Dismissed ..
Filed by The Meck .. Apr. 13, 2004 .. 11:00 pm
THE MECK REPORT .. Connect .. [TheMeck.com]
BRUCE EDWARDS passing away on Thursday as dawn broke at his favorite Tournament ..
Hours before, The Golf Writers had just honored Bruce with The Ben Hogan Award ..
given on the eve of every Masters to someone who exemplifies courage ..
It was 6:26 Thurs. morn. Apr. 8th .. Bruce teed off finally on ALS .. Lou Gehrig's Disease ..
Bruce Edwards was only 49 ..
His longtime friend and brother-like golfer, TOM WATSON, got the sad news just before he
teed off that morning at Augusta ..The skies were gloomy all day, shedding tears like so many ..
Bruce had carried Tom's bag and served him with loyalty and love for over 30 years ..
One of my favorite memories of Bruce Edwards .. Aug. 1991 at Crooked Stick
[ Indianappolis] .. [ John Daly won the PGA .. PLUS It was Bobby Clampett's 1st TV job
on TBS and CBS ..] I was working with TBS .. Bobby Clampett and Pat Haden ..
I was checking my yardage in the middle of the fairway with Bruce .. He gave me a few
pointers of wisdom .. I never really knew him .. [ I know my Dad did for years on theTour]
Yet .. I will always remember that day when Bruce took T I M E to help me .. He was so kind ..
It made me so sad when I heard the news last Thursday .. I thought back to last summer when
Bruce and Tom had those wonderful days at the US Open and the fans teared up over Bruce ..
I thought of Bruce passing away at Ponte Vedra Bch .. the home of the PGA Tour and
Dick Meckley ..
I called my brother Shannon and cried .. Bruce was a part of history that I treasured ..
I was deeply moved by the many stories being written on the internet about this
legendary caddie ..
I plan to write later .. but this is my thought for today/every day [as I shared with Shannon] ..
I was reminded once again on Apr. 8th .. by the life and legacy of Bruce Edwards ..
Bruce Edwards was a servant .. He carried a golf bag with undieing loyalty for his friend ..
Unlike Bruce .. Many are chasing Fortune and Fame .. Material goals and games ..
How much will you leave ?? You will leave the same amount as Elvis .. He left it all ..
What will they write/say about you .. when you die ??
Bruce was the headlines all over the Internet .. ESPN .. TV .. PAPERS .. and he was
simply a man who was a servant .. to others .. and yet they can't stop writing about the
legend Bruce Edwards .. [ and the TIME he invested in others ] .. His Legacy ..
Bruce was a servant [He served those around him] ..Thus he became a Legend ..
One more time .. What will they write/say about you .. me .. when we die ??
Will they write or say anything at all ??
ps .. I'm certain Bruce Edwards joined Dick Meckley and they teed off last Thursday ..
at the Forever Fairway Golf Club .. where all the yardage is bought and paid for ..
You don't even need a green jacket to be a member and play ..
---
JIM NANTZ .. BOBBY CLAMPETT..
Meck Notes .. .. Another Wonderful job of announcing The Masters by CBS ..
Jim Nantz and Bobby Clampett .. You both are the best ..
Jim Nantz's elequant touch and insightful reverance makes a major impact on this viewer..
I will never forget how precisely and with great knowledge Bobby Clampett described
Ernie Els' several drop options on No. 11 Sat .. and how he could ask for more opinions ..
What was 4ever back on the tee .. was 15 minutes of lessons for the viewer..Thanks Bobby..
I felt like I was nestled in the nursery of trees watching that incredible Bogey ..
How important was that ruling and the Ernie 'nursery' drop and that bogey ??
Well .. There would have been a playoff .. if ..?? ..
You get the picture .. 2 fold .. It pays to be patient and know the rules like Ernie did ..
Plus .. ' IF ' all ands and buts were candy and nuts .. we'd all have a Merry Christmas ..
That 31 Mickelson shot on the back nine was Prime Time ..
but that downhill lip in .. had to be Divine .. [sure can't remember many .. if any at Augusta]
The Meck played Augusta in the early 80's .. on a Tuesday before the Masters started
on Monday .. It was immaculate .. I shot an 82 .. Six 3-putts [no room for comments on card]
A Blessed memory for sure .. I will always treasure that wonderful day ..
Also, the member I was playing with had a hole-in-one on yep .. you guessed it .. No. 16 ..
If I ever get the chance again .. I will practice my putting .. up on my roof-top ..
So I'll get a good feel for the speed of the greens ..
---
My favorite Augusta Memory ??
That gentleman who stood on the practice tee assisting players or under the tree by the
putting green .. wearing a Floppy Hat [sometimes with a Cleveland Golf logo] ..
Mr. Dick Meckley .. ' Lo Tech Meck ' .. He loved Augusta National .. It's easy to see why ..
They are both from the same OLD School .. Where Class is Never Dismissed ..
Filed by The Meck .. Apr. 13, 2004 .. 11:00 pm
THE MECK REPORT .. Connect .. [TheMeck.com]
Tuesday, April 06, 2004
Opening Day .. about noon on Tues .. [probably stuck in traffic]
Opening Day .. about noon on Tues .. [probably stuck in traffic]
BOBBY COX .. headed to the yard [on the phone with The Meck] ..
Meck .. How does it feel pulling up to the stadium for another opening day ?
BC .. Opening Day is always one of the very special days of the season ..
All the energy starts flowing .. and the excitement .. It's always a sold out crowd ..
They'll have the anthems and the bands .. It's quite an extravaganza ..
It's fun .. The butterflies start flowing ..
Meck .. How many opening days is this for you ? It goes back to the
early 60's .. right buddy ?
BC .. Oh my .. I started .. My first year out was 1960 .. Yes .. So it's been 44 years ..
Meck .. Wow ..
BC .. Yes .. Quite a few .. They never change .. They are always the same .. Exciting ..
No matter if it's in the minor leagues or major leagues .. It's the same feeling ..
Meck .. Tell me about Russ Ortiz tonite .. An Incredible pitcher ..
BC .. Can't do any better than putting a 21 game winner out there ..
He's throwing the ball good .. He's the man ..
Meck .. How does it feel looking out there at your ole buddy ..
Your friend, you helped raise .. Tommy G ..
BC .. Well, Tommy Glavine .. We kinda got over that, seeing him in the other uniform
last year .. We saw him 3 or 4 times .. So, you know .. It's a little different this year ..
He's special .. He'll always be special in our hearts with the Braves organization ..
and when he goes to the Hall of Fame .. He'll have on that .. The big, big A on the hat ..
Meck .. Buddy, Thanks for your comments today .. on opening day ..
The Meck talking with Bobby Cox .. pulling up to the yard on this Tuesday .. [12:15]
BC .. Thanks Meck ..
Note .. 1st pitch tonite at 7:35 et .. [ Mets at Braves]
Filed by The Meck .. 1:15 pm Tues. Apr. 6, 2004 ..
THE MECK REPORT .. Connect .. [TheMeck.com]
BOBBY COX .. headed to the yard [on the phone with The Meck] ..
Meck .. How does it feel pulling up to the stadium for another opening day ?
BC .. Opening Day is always one of the very special days of the season ..
All the energy starts flowing .. and the excitement .. It's always a sold out crowd ..
They'll have the anthems and the bands .. It's quite an extravaganza ..
It's fun .. The butterflies start flowing ..
Meck .. How many opening days is this for you ? It goes back to the
early 60's .. right buddy ?
BC .. Oh my .. I started .. My first year out was 1960 .. Yes .. So it's been 44 years ..
Meck .. Wow ..
BC .. Yes .. Quite a few .. They never change .. They are always the same .. Exciting ..
No matter if it's in the minor leagues or major leagues .. It's the same feeling ..
Meck .. Tell me about Russ Ortiz tonite .. An Incredible pitcher ..
BC .. Can't do any better than putting a 21 game winner out there ..
He's throwing the ball good .. He's the man ..
Meck .. How does it feel looking out there at your ole buddy ..
Your friend, you helped raise .. Tommy G ..
BC .. Well, Tommy Glavine .. We kinda got over that, seeing him in the other uniform
last year .. We saw him 3 or 4 times .. So, you know .. It's a little different this year ..
He's special .. He'll always be special in our hearts with the Braves organization ..
and when he goes to the Hall of Fame .. He'll have on that .. The big, big A on the hat ..
Meck .. Buddy, Thanks for your comments today .. on opening day ..
The Meck talking with Bobby Cox .. pulling up to the yard on this Tuesday .. [12:15]
BC .. Thanks Meck ..
Note .. 1st pitch tonite at 7:35 et .. [ Mets at Braves]
Filed by The Meck .. 1:15 pm Tues. Apr. 6, 2004 ..
THE MECK REPORT .. Connect .. [TheMeck.com]
Monday, April 05, 2004
Bobby Cox .. His contract - club option was picked up today for 2005 ..
BOBBY COX .. His contract - club option was picked up today for 2005 ..
One of the few good moves by the Braves organization in recent memory ..
Congrats to Bobby Cox .. I think ??
BOBBY COX .. Best Manager in The Game ..You deserve much more than you get ..
Pay .. Cox gets about 3 million less per year than Joe Torre's 5 .. ??
[ I feel like the only guy at the UN without a headset]
Credit .. Bobby gets none .. Deserves much .. only gets credit from the players
and those who know the game .. [ Front office seeks most of the credit ] ..
Bobby Cox gives everyone else the credit ..[ Most humble person I've ever met] ..
Blame .. He gets plenty of that .. Deserves little .. The Braves would have NEVER made
12 dances in a row [ a professional sports record] without BOBBY COX leading the music ..
He is the major reason for the Braves winning .. [ just ask those who've played for him ]
Though he gets most of the blame for the post-season ..
The truth is .. come post-season time you can't win the World Series with a 45 year old
1st baseman .. and the absence of a starter throwing 95 or 96 ..[ see Marlins]
If someone brings you to the dance .. and several out of 25 can't dance ..
Is it the man leading the music's fault or the man who signed up the talent to dance ??
As they say .. You dance with what got you there ..
That makes Bobby Cox even that much more The Legend ..
BOBBY COX reminds me a lot of Bear Bryant ..
He has the gift of Greatness .. 'The ability to make those around you feel Great ..'
That's why his players and coaches over achieve and win for him ..
Bobby Cox creates an environment for everyone to succeed ..
---
The Braves lost 396 RBI's [ Lopez, Sheffield, Castilla, and Fick] from 2003 ..
[That's almost 3 runs a game ] .. even by my math ..
In 2004 they have a chance .. with this lineup ? to win a 13th straight div. title ..
Only because of Bobby Cox and his leadership ..
a Meck Note .. It would have to rank up there with the Red Sea .. 4 sure ..
---
JIM SCHULTZ .. GLEN SERRA ..
The Season opens in Atlanta tomorrow without Jim Schultz and Glen Serra ..
They were fired 6 days before Christmas 2003 ..
Jim Schultz goes back to the days of Hank Aaron and the Home Run 30 years ago ..
A wonderful man who served so many in the media for many years and helped everyone
he met with tireless devotion to the Braves organization .. Jim is a poster man for PR
and a servant to all he met .. young and old .. A man who touched so many lives ..
Jim Schultz .. A Legend .. A BIG LOSS For the Braves organization and its fans ..
Jim treats everyone the same .. with Respect and like you are somebody ..
I am forever grateful for Jim's patience and guidance he gave me the past decade ..
My life and many others are better because we met Jim Schultz ..[and his wife Connie]
Thanks for your constant T I M E Jim ..You have Inspired me and Blessed my life..
Glen Serra .. worked with Jim since the mid 80's .. Media Relations for the Braves ..
He was always taking care of someone .. Many projects .. Many charities he helped ..
Glen helped Denny Neagle-wife Jennifer and The Meck raise 36,150 dollars for
Felicia Shotkoski and family ..[auction in Dothan, Al. Apr. 7, 1997] Thanks Bobby Cox
for all your help .. Chipper and Karin Jones and many wonderful people in Dothan]
[Dave Shotkoski was a Braves replacement pitcher murdered in 95 at spr. training] ..
Glen Serra always had T I M E for people .. It's no wonder that President Carter and
he became good friends .. Glen was instrumental in the commercial we shot together
' Come to Plains ' promoting Plains and the Braves ..[ with Pres. Carter and
Mr. Hospitality Walter Banks] .. [ camera Michael Epstein and Penny Smith-hostess]
Glen's little Brooklyn and wife Carolyn were walking off the train in our Plains commercial .
Glen was constantly TCB ing .. Taking Care of Business .. I do believe he had more
connections than the internet .. Always promoting the Braves Org. - Players and giving
a helping hand to others .. Glen Serra, and wife Carolyn are a Blessing to many ..
including The Meck ..
---
Closing Thoughts ..
Terence Moore, whom I've seen at the yard in Atlanta for many years summed it all up ..
Feb. 19, 2004 in his AJC column ..
" Just thought those who run the Braves ought to know. Apparently, they don't get it,
because they are in the midst of doing smoke-and-mirror things to get folks excited
again about their product.
They even did the ridiculous by firing Jim Schultz and Glen Serra, their highly respected
leaders of public relations for nearly two decades." .. Terence Moore ..
The Meck agrees and so do many .. inside and outside of the Braves organization ..
Like a friend once said .." I can explain it to you .. But I can't understand it for you .."
Glen Serra and Jim Schultz are missed by many .. Braves fans and many fans of their own ..Their Passion [for their work] and Compassion [for others] .. will never be replaced ..
Filed by The Meck .. 7:45 pm .. Mon. Apr. 5, 2004 ..
THE MECK REPORT .. Connect .. [TheMeck.com]
One of the few good moves by the Braves organization in recent memory ..
Congrats to Bobby Cox .. I think ??
BOBBY COX .. Best Manager in The Game ..You deserve much more than you get ..
Pay .. Cox gets about 3 million less per year than Joe Torre's 5 .. ??
[ I feel like the only guy at the UN without a headset]
Credit .. Bobby gets none .. Deserves much .. only gets credit from the players
and those who know the game .. [ Front office seeks most of the credit ] ..
Bobby Cox gives everyone else the credit ..[ Most humble person I've ever met] ..
Blame .. He gets plenty of that .. Deserves little .. The Braves would have NEVER made
12 dances in a row [ a professional sports record] without BOBBY COX leading the music ..
He is the major reason for the Braves winning .. [ just ask those who've played for him ]
Though he gets most of the blame for the post-season ..
The truth is .. come post-season time you can't win the World Series with a 45 year old
1st baseman .. and the absence of a starter throwing 95 or 96 ..[ see Marlins]
If someone brings you to the dance .. and several out of 25 can't dance ..
Is it the man leading the music's fault or the man who signed up the talent to dance ??
As they say .. You dance with what got you there ..
That makes Bobby Cox even that much more The Legend ..
BOBBY COX reminds me a lot of Bear Bryant ..
He has the gift of Greatness .. 'The ability to make those around you feel Great ..'
That's why his players and coaches over achieve and win for him ..
Bobby Cox creates an environment for everyone to succeed ..
---
The Braves lost 396 RBI's [ Lopez, Sheffield, Castilla, and Fick] from 2003 ..
[That's almost 3 runs a game ] .. even by my math ..
In 2004 they have a chance .. with this lineup ? to win a 13th straight div. title ..
Only because of Bobby Cox and his leadership ..
a Meck Note .. It would have to rank up there with the Red Sea .. 4 sure ..
---
JIM SCHULTZ .. GLEN SERRA ..
The Season opens in Atlanta tomorrow without Jim Schultz and Glen Serra ..
They were fired 6 days before Christmas 2003 ..
Jim Schultz goes back to the days of Hank Aaron and the Home Run 30 years ago ..
A wonderful man who served so many in the media for many years and helped everyone
he met with tireless devotion to the Braves organization .. Jim is a poster man for PR
and a servant to all he met .. young and old .. A man who touched so many lives ..
Jim Schultz .. A Legend .. A BIG LOSS For the Braves organization and its fans ..
Jim treats everyone the same .. with Respect and like you are somebody ..
I am forever grateful for Jim's patience and guidance he gave me the past decade ..
My life and many others are better because we met Jim Schultz ..[and his wife Connie]
Thanks for your constant T I M E Jim ..You have Inspired me and Blessed my life..
Glen Serra .. worked with Jim since the mid 80's .. Media Relations for the Braves ..
He was always taking care of someone .. Many projects .. Many charities he helped ..
Glen helped Denny Neagle-wife Jennifer and The Meck raise 36,150 dollars for
Felicia Shotkoski and family ..[auction in Dothan, Al. Apr. 7, 1997] Thanks Bobby Cox
for all your help .. Chipper and Karin Jones and many wonderful people in Dothan]
[Dave Shotkoski was a Braves replacement pitcher murdered in 95 at spr. training] ..
Glen Serra always had T I M E for people .. It's no wonder that President Carter and
he became good friends .. Glen was instrumental in the commercial we shot together
' Come to Plains ' promoting Plains and the Braves ..[ with Pres. Carter and
Mr. Hospitality Walter Banks] .. [ camera Michael Epstein and Penny Smith-hostess]
Glen's little Brooklyn and wife Carolyn were walking off the train in our Plains commercial .
Glen was constantly TCB ing .. Taking Care of Business .. I do believe he had more
connections than the internet .. Always promoting the Braves Org. - Players and giving
a helping hand to others .. Glen Serra, and wife Carolyn are a Blessing to many ..
including The Meck ..
---
Closing Thoughts ..
Terence Moore, whom I've seen at the yard in Atlanta for many years summed it all up ..
Feb. 19, 2004 in his AJC column ..
" Just thought those who run the Braves ought to know. Apparently, they don't get it,
because they are in the midst of doing smoke-and-mirror things to get folks excited
again about their product.
They even did the ridiculous by firing Jim Schultz and Glen Serra, their highly respected
leaders of public relations for nearly two decades." .. Terence Moore ..
The Meck agrees and so do many .. inside and outside of the Braves organization ..
Like a friend once said .." I can explain it to you .. But I can't understand it for you .."
Glen Serra and Jim Schultz are missed by many .. Braves fans and many fans of their own ..Their Passion [for their work] and Compassion [for others] .. will never be replaced ..
Filed by The Meck .. 7:45 pm .. Mon. Apr. 5, 2004 ..
THE MECK REPORT .. Connect .. [TheMeck.com]
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
" Legends, Demons and Dreams" .. by Bobby Dews .. a must read ..
" Legends, Demons and Dreams" .. by Bobby Dews .. a must read ..
Terence Moore writes an impact article Mar. 16th at ajc.com ..
" He's written another book, and it's good. It's very good."
When informed by Moore of this .. Bobby Cox yells [from the dugout] at Bobby Dews,
the teams bullpen coach, " Hey, Dewsie, where's my copy?" ..
and only like a best friend could reply .. Dewsie yells, " Check out Amazon.com."
That had to be a classic moment .. There would be no book had it not been for the
close guidance and friendship of Bobby Cox impacting Bobby Dews' life ..
Moore mentions the 30 years Dews has spent in the Braves organization as a
manager, coach, instructor and administrator ..
The " eternal citizen of Edison,Ga." Moore calls Dewsie ..
Moore writes .. ' The wonderful marraige nearly ended in the late 80's, when Dews had
an ugly affair with alcohol.
Finally, Cox, the Braves GM, gave Dews an ultimatum.'
" He told me to get help or go home." Dews tells Moore ..
Moore continues .. ' Dews became a disciple of Alcoholics Anonymous along the way
to a life of sobriety that now spans 16 years.'
" The reader can see that there is hope when you're battling alcoholism,
drugs, and other things," Dews said.
There will be consequences, though, which I also write about." .. Dews tells Moore ..
Thank God for Terence Moore, a writer who will write about the issues ..
not just what he wants to read ..
but what everyone needs to read .. that affects their lives ..
LEGENDS, DEMONS and DREAMS by Bobby Dews ..
a Must Read .. [I'll be reading it next week ..]
Bobby Cox reaches out and helps his best friend .. Bobby Dews ..
We all need to remember.. that's our mission .. Others .. Others .. Compassion ..
Or we might be History .. Like Bobby Dews could have been .. If not for a Friend ..
There would be no book .. Dewsie, Keep on Fishing .. You're a Blessing and Inspiration ..
So is Bobby Cox .. He is a consistent Blessing .. He always has T I M E to listen ..
The Meck has often told the manager and friend ..
" If I ever go to the electric chair .. I sure want to have my last meal with you ..
At least I'll have a smile on my face .." Bobby Cox is The Encourager 4 sure ..
You may also read more about Bobby Dews and Bobby Cox in the Meck's
latest column: ' Pain and Shame vs. Acceptance and Hope ..'
[ Note .. Bobby Dews is 1st cousin to Gene Dews .. Wallace College-[Dothan]
AD and Softball Coach ..] Gene and Bobby were raised by Big Bobby Dews ..
Filed by The Meck .. 5:08 pm. Mar. 31, 2004 ..
THE MECK REPORT .. Connect .. [TheMeck.com]
Terence Moore writes an impact article Mar. 16th at ajc.com ..
" He's written another book, and it's good. It's very good."
When informed by Moore of this .. Bobby Cox yells [from the dugout] at Bobby Dews,
the teams bullpen coach, " Hey, Dewsie, where's my copy?" ..
and only like a best friend could reply .. Dewsie yells, " Check out Amazon.com."
That had to be a classic moment .. There would be no book had it not been for the
close guidance and friendship of Bobby Cox impacting Bobby Dews' life ..
Moore mentions the 30 years Dews has spent in the Braves organization as a
manager, coach, instructor and administrator ..
The " eternal citizen of Edison,Ga." Moore calls Dewsie ..
Moore writes .. ' The wonderful marraige nearly ended in the late 80's, when Dews had
an ugly affair with alcohol.
Finally, Cox, the Braves GM, gave Dews an ultimatum.'
" He told me to get help or go home." Dews tells Moore ..
Moore continues .. ' Dews became a disciple of Alcoholics Anonymous along the way
to a life of sobriety that now spans 16 years.'
" The reader can see that there is hope when you're battling alcoholism,
drugs, and other things," Dews said.
There will be consequences, though, which I also write about." .. Dews tells Moore ..
Thank God for Terence Moore, a writer who will write about the issues ..
not just what he wants to read ..
but what everyone needs to read .. that affects their lives ..
LEGENDS, DEMONS and DREAMS by Bobby Dews ..
a Must Read .. [I'll be reading it next week ..]
Bobby Cox reaches out and helps his best friend .. Bobby Dews ..
We all need to remember.. that's our mission .. Others .. Others .. Compassion ..
Or we might be History .. Like Bobby Dews could have been .. If not for a Friend ..
There would be no book .. Dewsie, Keep on Fishing .. You're a Blessing and Inspiration ..
So is Bobby Cox .. He is a consistent Blessing .. He always has T I M E to listen ..
The Meck has often told the manager and friend ..
" If I ever go to the electric chair .. I sure want to have my last meal with you ..
At least I'll have a smile on my face .." Bobby Cox is The Encourager 4 sure ..
You may also read more about Bobby Dews and Bobby Cox in the Meck's
latest column: ' Pain and Shame vs. Acceptance and Hope ..'
[ Note .. Bobby Dews is 1st cousin to Gene Dews .. Wallace College-[Dothan]
AD and Softball Coach ..] Gene and Bobby were raised by Big Bobby Dews ..
Filed by The Meck .. 5:08 pm. Mar. 31, 2004 ..
THE MECK REPORT .. Connect .. [TheMeck.com]
Monday, March 29, 2004
Introduction
Welcome to the first posting of THE MECK REPORT .. Connect .. Trying to stay connected .. in Sports .. Concerts .. News .. and Life ..
Writing is truly my Passion .. The Bloodline of my Radio Shows ..TV Shows ..Videos .. Commercials .. and The Meck ..
Thanks to Matt Drudge of DrudgeReport.com for inspiring me to continue writing What I Know on my Website and Let Freedom Ring .. without fear of Censorship .. [Thanks, David, for always believing ] .. Drudge has proven that Freedom Truly Empowers The People .. in a community or a nation ..
At times, The Meck will Address Real Issues .. Fullfilling My Obligation .. Ring The Bell of Freedom and Let The Reader Decide ..
I appreciate the encouragement of Friends like Jim Kearce and others to Write on .. Especially my Brother Shannon .. WRITE On Bro ..
I never want to be guilty of "The Sin Of the Desert .." "To know where the Water is and Not Tell Anyone .." meck
Mon. Mar. 29, 2004 .. THE MECK REPORT .. Connect .. [ TheMeck.com]
Javy Lopez is playing in Chattanooga, Tenn. for the Orioles .. Sat. Apr. 3rd vs Cincy .. The 1:05 game is sold out .. [ imagine that ] Did you know ?? Javy's new number is 18 .. Some guy named Ripken wore number 8 .. and they wouldn't give it to Javy .. The O's open the season on ESPN Apr. 4, 2004 .. Sun. nite vs. the Red Sox ..
------
It Has been a Long Time .. The band Boston is touring back to back years .. This Summer, Boston will be on tour for about a month .. [ July to August] Hear that incredible voice of Brad Delp ..[and the kindest man you could ever meet ] Scheduled to start June 30th .. Chastain Park [ Atlanta] ..
------
Remember this date Apr. 25th .. Sunday morning .. A Special guest will be speaking in Plains Ga. in President Carter's Church .. [The Meck will keep you updated as this day gets closer ..] Everyone should visit Historic Plains and President Carter's Sunday School Class ..
Filed by The Meck .. 5:00 pm .. Mar. 29, 2004 ..
THE MECK REPORT .. Connect .. www.TheMeck.com
[ Cannot be Published without permission of the author ..]
Info .. Sports .. Concerts .. News .. and Life .. Connect ..
More scoop than Baskin Robbins .. [More up to date than yesterday's newspaper] ..
Email updates and info to themeck@themeck.com .. Thanks ..
Writing is truly my Passion .. The Bloodline of my Radio Shows ..TV Shows ..Videos .. Commercials .. and The Meck ..
Thanks to Matt Drudge of DrudgeReport.com for inspiring me to continue writing What I Know on my Website and Let Freedom Ring .. without fear of Censorship .. [Thanks, David, for always believing ] .. Drudge has proven that Freedom Truly Empowers The People .. in a community or a nation ..
At times, The Meck will Address Real Issues .. Fullfilling My Obligation .. Ring The Bell of Freedom and Let The Reader Decide ..
I appreciate the encouragement of Friends like Jim Kearce and others to Write on .. Especially my Brother Shannon .. WRITE On Bro ..
I never want to be guilty of "The Sin Of the Desert .." "To know where the Water is and Not Tell Anyone .." meck
Mon. Mar. 29, 2004 .. THE MECK REPORT .. Connect .. [ TheMeck.com]
Javy Lopez is playing in Chattanooga, Tenn. for the Orioles .. Sat. Apr. 3rd vs Cincy .. The 1:05 game is sold out .. [ imagine that ] Did you know ?? Javy's new number is 18 .. Some guy named Ripken wore number 8 .. and they wouldn't give it to Javy .. The O's open the season on ESPN Apr. 4, 2004 .. Sun. nite vs. the Red Sox ..
------
It Has been a Long Time .. The band Boston is touring back to back years .. This Summer, Boston will be on tour for about a month .. [ July to August] Hear that incredible voice of Brad Delp ..[and the kindest man you could ever meet ] Scheduled to start June 30th .. Chastain Park [ Atlanta] ..
------
Remember this date Apr. 25th .. Sunday morning .. A Special guest will be speaking in Plains Ga. in President Carter's Church .. [The Meck will keep you updated as this day gets closer ..] Everyone should visit Historic Plains and President Carter's Sunday School Class ..
Filed by The Meck .. 5:00 pm .. Mar. 29, 2004 ..
THE MECK REPORT .. Connect .. www.TheMeck.com
[ Cannot be Published without permission of the author ..]
Info .. Sports .. Concerts .. News .. and Life .. Connect ..
More scoop than Baskin Robbins .. [More up to date than yesterday's newspaper] ..
Email updates and info to themeck@themeck.com .. Thanks ..
Monday, March 22, 2004
Wiregrass Pain and Shame vs. Acceptance and Hope . .
posted .. TheMeck.com
---------------------
The Latest .. [ Now Included .. The Article That Exposed The Alcohol Issue ..]
---------------------
.. " FOR THE HALL OF FAME'S SAKE ..
Lets's Hope Meckley's Earlier Problem with Alcohol Wasn't The Determining
Factor In His Denial Into The Hall.".. [Edwin Stanton .. Feb. 11, 2001 .. Dothan Eagle]
[Email this to a Friend and Let Freedom Ring ] .. Meck
http://www.themeck.com/ .. .. Mar. 22, 2004 .. updated Final .. web posted ..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
WIREGRASS PAIN and SHAME vs. ACCEPTANCE and HOPE ..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ TheMeck.com] .. Introduction ...
These Meck Notes are written about my Birthplace .. Dothan, Al.
The Hometown I Love .. in LA .. Lower Alabama ..
Miss Eunice, Dick Meckley and son Shannon moved here in the late 40's..]
It's dedicated to the many wonderful people that I have grown up with ..
and their families .. Their Moms and Dads .. and my Blessed Heritage ..
Many precious Lives in every town continue to battle addictions ..
like Alcohol .. and the Pain and Shame .. even years later ..
The young people of the Wiregrass, already battle and struggle
enough to accept a family member's addiction .. and be accepted ..
[ How well I know and remember ]
They Don't need to grow up with a voice of Pain and Shame ..
especially USING the Wiregrass's Name ..
They need Compassion .. Acceptance .. Hope ..
----------------------
They deserve to know what's Really Going On in our Hometown .
The Truth is .. Everyone should know .. young and old ..
That's why I felt obligated to write this and share ..
Writing is truly my Passion .. The Bloodline of my Radio
Shows ..TV Shows ..Videos .. Commercials .. and The Meck ..
Thanks to Matt Drudge of DrudgeReport.com for inspiring me to
continue writing What I Know on my Website and Let Freedom Ring ..
without fear of Censorship ..
Drudge has proven that Freedom Truly Empowers The People ..
in a community or a nation ..
I appreciate the encouragement of Friends like Jim Kearce and others
to Write on .. Especially my Brother Shannon .. WRITE On Bro ..
I never want to be guilty of "The Sin Of the Desert .."
"To know where the Water is and Not Tell Anyone .." meck
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
WIREGRASS PAIN and SHAME vs. ACCEPTANCE and HOPE ..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Open Letter to Edwin Stanton .. Dothan Eagle Sports Writer ] ..
from Meck .. Mar. 18, 2004 .. [Atn. Commissioner Pat Thomas ] ..
-----------------------
Meck Notes .. Grab an Ice Tea or even a Diet Pepsi ..
It's past Time to Write .. and It's Time to Think ..
.. If at any time " You feel like the Only person at the UN without a Headset "..??
Please Keep Reading ..
Chase Riddle .. Bobby Dews .. Mackey Sasser ..
These Names and Many More ..The Beat-ing goes on ..
We simply ask again .. Will They Ever Be GOOD Enough ??
-----------------------
' Another Chapter in Dews' literary career .. Cox helped Dews get Sober ' ..
[ ajc.com .. Mar. 16, 2004 .. Terence Moore Column ]
[a Wonderful Story re Bobby Cox and friend Bobby Dews ..]
"The reader can see that there is hope when you're battling alcoholism, drugs
and other things," Dews said about his new book ' Legends, Demons, and Dreams.'
-----------------------
.. Bobby Dews could never be in John Christy's Hall ??
[ Wiregrass Sports Hall of Fame ] .. Christy .. self appointed Dictator-Director ..
Edwin, I really hope you will pray about writing another Timely Column
about Chase Riddle .. and the Alcohol Issue you Exposed regarding Dick Meckley ..
" For the Hall of Fame's sake, let's hope Meckley's earlier problem with alcohol
wasn't the determining factor in his denial into the Hall." .. Edwin Stanton ..
Feb. 11, 2001 .. Edwin Stanton wrote in The Dothan Eagle ..
" I'm referring to Dick Meckley and Chase Riddle.
These two men have done so much for sports in the Wiregrass that to not have them
honored by the Wiregrass Sports Hall of Fame is insulting." I never had the privilege of meeting Dick Meckley, he died last year of cancer at the age of 81.
But ask anyone that did know him and they will tell you that Meckley was a
man who loved and cared deeply about sports in this community.
He served as a referee for high school basketball and football games
in the Wiregrass area.
Meckley hosted Dothan's first radio call-in show in 1956 and also served as the voice of the Dothan Cardinals minor league baseball team.
For those old enough to remember, you might recall hearing Meckley's voice
boom out across Rip Hewes Stadium during Dothan High football games.
Meckley was the public address announcer for Dothan in the 1960s.
He even broadcast football and basketball games on the radio.
For crying out loud, this guy was buried on the 17th green at TPC Sawgrass,
the most picturesque green in the country.
He was a founding member of the golf course and he is the first and last to
be buried there.
With credentials like these, it's hard for me to understand why Meckley isn't in the Hall of Fame. He should have been inducted with the first classnine years ago. But he wasn't.
Why ? .. Could it be because Meckley had a problem with alcohol?
It's true, Meckley was an alcoholic. But not his whole life.
Meckley conquered his demons long ago.
From 1971 until the day he died, Meckley lived life sober.
For the Hall of Fame's sake, let's hope Meckley's earlier problem with alcohol
wasn't the determining factor in his denial into the Hall.
I know for a fact other current members of the Hall of Fame battled
alcohol during their lives and also cleaned up and stayed sober.
I don't know the reason why Meckley hasn't been inducted. I know he's beennominated in the past, but his name has been shot down every time.
Now let's talk about Chase Riddle.
How on God's green earth is this guy not in the Hall of Fame?
He's in the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, but not in the Wiregrass Hall of Fame.?
Go figure.
The legendary coach guided Troy State to two Division II championships during his prestigious coaching career. Why Riddle isn't already an inductee is beyond my reasoning.
Riddle and Meckley are deserving of being in this Hall of Fame. ".. Edwin Stanton ..
[ Excerpts from Edwin Stanton's article in The Dothan Eagle .. Feb. 11, 2001..]
http://www.themeck.com/ .. Connect ..
----------------------
" We're Back .." as they say .. and .. The name of that song .. ??
" You dropped a Bomb on me baby .. You dropped a Bomb on me "..
Thanks Edwin for your courage and ' Fulfilling Your Obligation' to your community ..
Addressing the Real Issues .. Ringing The Bell of Freedom .. and Let The Reader Decide ..
Chase Riddle did win 2 Nat'l Championships at Troy State .. and still owns many
records at TSU ..
Even The TSU Baseball Stadium is named in his honor, Pace-Riddle Stadium ..
Gene Dews, Wallace College AD and Girls Softball Coach [over 100 wins and less
than 10 losses] was an asst. coach and recruitor for Chase Riddle at Troy ..
Gene often tells me these thoughts about The Legend .. Chase Riddle ..
-----------------------
Chase Riddle [as a scout ] had 12 players he had signed playing in the Major Leagues ..
at the same time ..
Some 35 years he was with the St. Louis Cardinals .. [many as a scout]
also a Minor League player - magr. in the Cards Organization ..
Plus he managed and played in the [D league] Ga.- Fla. League in Panama City, Ozark
and Dothan [Cardinals] in the 50's .. [He even managed Cards minor leaguer Bobby Dews]
Classic Chase Story - He was pleading with the Cardinals to sign this pitcher ..
He was sold on this pitcher's Big League potential .. Not to mention his Slider ..
The Cards were very reluctant ..
So Chase flew the pitcher to St. Louis from Miami Dade Jr. College to work out before
the top brass ..
They still hesitated .. But after much persuasion by Chase Riddle ..
Gave him the go ahead to sign Steve Carlton .. Lefty, now a Hall of Famer ..
Still appreciative, Carlton flew Chase and Miss Betty [his wife from Ozark] to the Vet
in Philly when they retired his number 32 ..[ Thanks for sharing this Gene ]
He also signed Jose Cruz, a lifetime 300 hitter .. plus brothers Jector and Jesus Cruz ..
All made it to the Big Leagues .. plus catcher Terry Kennedy and many others ..
and Oh by the way .. Chase is already in the very prestigous Alabama Sports Hall
of Fame ..[ Granite and Bronze ]
-- A friend summed it up .." I can Explain it to you .. But I can't Understand it for you .. "
Believe me .. I've heard the name Chase Riddle in the Braves Dugout for many years ..
They certainly hold him in high esteem .. all over MLB ..
Which reminds me .. Mackey Sasser .. Major Leaguer from The Wiregrass ..
-----------------------
I would see him in New York, San Fran .. Houston .. all over the Nat'l League ..
Mackey was a catcher for the New York Mets ..[caught in the NLCS 88 - Mets vs. Dodgers]
FLASHBACK - May 4, 1991 at Candlestick .. Mackey Sasser and Mark Carreon
stroke consecutive pinch hit HR's in the Mets' 6 - 4, 12-inning win over the Giants ..
[The First Time the feat had been performed in the NL since 1975 ..]
Mackey played 9 Years in the Majors [Giants, Pirates, Mets, Mariners] Career .267 hitter ..
He played his early days at Wallace Jr. College - Dothan where he now coaches baseball ..
But .. He can't get in the Wiregrass Hall ...?? [ Keep reading for your answer ..]
-- Makes me wanna break into " Help Me Rhonda " .. all 4 verses ..
Mackey is a great guy to me .. He always treats you the Same ..
Whether in New York in the Dugout ..[or in Dothan ..] Never forgetting His Roots ..
.. Few in the Wiregrass can Match his unprecedented success and now he is helping kids ..
He has fought his Battles like we All are ..That Should Not Be A Comdemnation ..
Will He Ever Be GOOD Enough for This Hall ..??
-----------------------
So what does it take to get in This Hall ?? Honestly ..
-----------------------
A Hall of Famer like Chase Riddle is not Good Enough be in this Wiregrass Hall ?
[ Edwin asked that question 3 years ago in his column ]
Their answer again this year .. No .. [and LEGIT takes another Hit and Cries again ..]
[ Note - One doubts Coach Riddle is not sleeping .. but that's not the Issue ] ..
The Dothan Eagle proclaims at the top of its front page ..
" The Newspaper of The Wiregrass Since 1903 " .. [ The Eagle is sold in Troy]
and They cover Troy State Sports everyday on their ' Wiregrass Sports Pages '..
and yet TSU's winningest Coach ever can't get in the Wiregrass Hall ..??
The Real Answer is obvious .. but not what Christy will mislead you to believe ..
-- Excerpt from my column [ Mar.8, 2001.. TheMeck.com] It also ran in The Eagle ..
[Thanks Ken Tuck for your help ] ..
"As any son would be, I'm very hurt and offended that certain members of the
Wiregrass Hall of Fame selection committee would vote down my father because
of his alcohol problem.
Their judgment and rejection of my father makes me ask the obvious, is this a true
Hall of Fame or a "Good Ole Boy Club?" .. The Meck
----
So ... What are the REAL Qualifications of the Selection Committee ..??
-----------------------
Perhaps a Telling Memory and Answer was about 8 years ago I went with a friend
to the ceremony ..
I remember an older black gentleman had come all the way from New York City
to be inducted ..
He had spoken or was on deck ..[ the ceremony had gone rather long ]
So Christy stood up and told everyone ..' Keep your speeches to about 5 minutes ..
We have to get up early and go to Sunday School.' ..
How rude and inconsiderate I thought .. I wasn't alone either .. [ Now, Very Telling ] ..
The Graciuos Gentleman from New York had traveled so far and brought his friends
back to his home .. He had to be embarassed .. I know I was ..
But perhaps that statement tells you about Christy's Qualifications for His Hall ..
We already KNOW .. ' No one with an alcohol problem allowed .' per Christy ..
Do any other Committee members share Christy's Oppression and Condemnation ..??
----
The above mentioned, a touching Story on Bobby Dews overcoming his Battles with alcohol ..
Bobby Cox Reaching Out and practically saving Bobby Dews's life ..I was so moved by it ..
Bobby Dews, a Braves' Coach and sports legend from this Area ..
[ Edison Ga. about 45 mins. from Dothan] .. Dewsie .. A Wonderful man who helps so many ..
Not sure if he falls in the peremiters of the Wiregrass Area 'geographically ..'
But certain of this .. His alcoholism and 16 years of sobriety would disqualify him
in John Christy's Hall .. He's not GOOD Enough .. [ Fish on Dewsie .. You're a Blessing] ..
Edwin Stanton really spoke last time addressing the Issues .. exposing the Cloud
of Oppression that Christy holds over Alcoholics and the Wiregrass Area in general
with his Pharisee Eyes ..
Do we want a man Using the Wiregrass's name and hanging the Plaques
up in the Dothan Civic Center ..?? who looks Down on people ..??
and has his Pharisee List of Requirements ..??
His is a ' Hall of Shame ' .. all by himself .. with his Pharisee games .. Plain and Simple ..
-----------------------
A Voice for the Hurting ... There is Hope and Acceptance ..
-----------------------
Edwin .. I hope as you did 3 years ago [and many commented to me about it ..]
will be a Voice for my Dad and others .. especially those like my Dad who cannot speak ..
and many who are Afraid to talk about it .. [ That why I write .. and share my thoughts ]
Believe me every Family in the Wiregrass already has enough Pain and Shame from Alcohol ..
Those who battle alcohol in sports and everyday life are Shamed by this man ..
Parading in the Wiregrass's name .. I know I am ..
Many of them have a Lifetime of Achievement .. in life and sports in the Wiregrass .
It's Disgraceful to look down on them .. or Anyone .. as they Battle an Addiction ..
You .. are one of a few that has the Courage to Write The Truth regarding this Issue ..
and let Freedom Ring ..
To be honest Edwin .. I don't think my Dad's too worried about any Hall of Fame ..
But as a son .. any son would be .. I'm offended that my Dad's Good Name is Shamed ..
I am Grateful that his Memorial Service was held on the 17th Green at TPC Sawgrass ..
where his ashes were also spread .. a Lasting Tribute from his Friends on the PGA Tour ..
and his 2nd Home - The TPC family .. Dick Meckley .. a Name and Legacy I Cherish ..
But like you stated .. Dick Meckley had 29 years of Sobriety ..That is a Fact ..
Plus .. It Was My Dad's Proudest Accomplishment of his 81 Years .. in Sports or Life ..
No one can take that from him .. Not even John Pharisee Christy ..
To every Family in the Wiregrass that has been touched by alcohol ..
Remember the Wiregrass's Dick Meckley .. not just what he did in sports ..
but his Hall of Fame Accomplishment of 29 years .. Sobriety ..
[ I'm proud of my brother Shannon .. with over 20 years sobriety ]
Dad would want you to know .. There's still Hope For All who fight the Battle of Alcohol ..
Acceptance .. and Deliverance from the Pain and Shame ..
That's why his proud son continues to Write On ..
We need more stories like Bobby Cox reaching out with a Helping Hand to a man
battling an addiction .. like his friend Bobby Dews who now has 16 years of Sobriety ..
That's no Shame ..That's the Name of the Game .. in Sports or Life ..
TESTIMONY OF HOPE .. "The reader can see that there is hope when
you're battling alcoholism, drugs and other things," Dews said about his new
book ' Legends, Demons, and Dreams.' ..
-----------------------
Stop The Shame and quit Using the Wiregrass's name ..
-----------------------
I have also asked Comissioner Pat Thomas to examine this Disgrace and Prejudice..
Using City Property to facilitate a parade of Sham and Shame on Wiregrass
Citizens by John Pharisee Christy ..
[ I'm thinking of contacting Mel Gibson to see if he can make the Cross any wider ..
for Christy to hide behind ..]
Jesus was Crucified by the Pharisees [Certain Church Goers he called "Snakes "..]
The Cross is not a Hiding Place for Religious Thugs to carry out their Mission ..
or even a Safe Haven for Pharisees ..
[Pharisees defined .. ' Noted for their Self-Rightousneess and Pride ..
They were frequently rebuked by Jesus ..
Much was sound in their creed ..yet their system of Religion was a form - nothing more ..' ]
The Battle .. RELIGION equals Death .. vs. .. JESUS equals Life ..
THE CROSS .. The DEFINING MOMENT ..
.." JESUS PAID IT ALL .. ALL TO HIM I OWE ..
Sin Had Left A Crimson Stain .. HE WASHED IT WHITE AS SNOW .."
-----------------------
We don't need you to quote any more scriptures to us John ..
Your life is a scripture we can read loud and clear ..
You have ' Fouled Out ' John Christy .." Hall of Shamer."..
The Votes are In ..
..'" May We Help You " ? You ask on your card ..[ 'John Christy Christian Ministries Inc.' ] ..
If you really want to Help the community and the Wiregrass Sports Hall of Fame's Credibility ..
Take your Stripes of Condemnation and Stones of Shame and 'crawl ' to the house ..
Please Go Home John .. wherever you came from ..
and you'll Leave Dothan a Much Better Place to Live .. Lifting Your Clouds of Oppression ..
The Truth Shows Us ..Only a Chosen Few are GOOD Enough for this Hall ..[off the field ]
Do any others on the committee endorse - share Christy's Shame and Condemnation ..??
AIMED SPECIFICALLY at the Many who Battle Addictions .. [ We hope not ]
" Why in the world would anybody put chains on me ??.. [Lionel Richie classic-still True Today]
" I've paid my dues to make it .. Everybody wants me to be what they want me to be .."
The Young People of the Wiregrass, already Battle and Struggle enough to accept
a family member's Addiction .. and be Accepted .. [ How well I know and remember ..]
Trying to hold your head up .. as a young boy and teenager .. and asking yourself ..
Will My Family Ever Be GOOD Enough for certain people ?? ..
The Young People .. Don't need to Grow up and Live with your voice of Pain and Shame ..
especially USING the Wiregrass's Name ..
They need COMPASSION .. ACCEPTANCE .. HOPE ..
-----------------------
-----------------------
A Man with Hands of Compassion .. Dr. Mike McQueen ..
----------------------
Congrats to Dr. Mike McQueen .. for your Wiregrass Hall entrance ..[Sat. Mar. 20, 2004]
[Enterprise native and Bama Defensive standout with Coach Bryant ]
You are Deserving on the field and even more of a Hall of Famer off the field ..
Where The Score Lasts Forever ..
You and Pam have touched thousands of young lives in sports and given
graciously to so many ..
They will never be the same because of your kind Hands of Compassion ..
and your T I M E .. Thanks for touching my Life ..
-----------------------
EVERLASTING FAME .. MR. JOE LYNCH .. MR. E.G. PITMAN
-----------------------
I'm Forever Grateful to MR. JOE LYNCH, a founder of The Haven ..
a Home for Alcoholics .. [That's building a Legacy that lasts forever..]
MR. JOE LYNCH gave me as a young boy .. ACCEPTANCE and HOPE ..
Because he gave my Dad .. COMPASSION and the Meckley Family constant T I M E ..
My mother Eunice loved Brother Joe Lynch .. No one could sing Amazing Grace like him ..
[on Saturday nites at the Haven ..] We all knew His Life was a Melody of God's Grace ..
Where have the True Legends gone ?? .. We need more people like Joe Lynch ..
Building Homes for Alcoholics and More Clinics to Help the Needy ..
Building Lives .. Instead of Building more and more Church Buildings ..
[ Big Business .. ?? .. Millions upon Millions of Dollars] Entertaining people .. or Reaching Out ?
Jesus said "Go Tell " .. Not ' Build It and They Will Come'.. [That was Field of Dreams ] ..
Most Churches today have Failed the Alcoholic .. and His or Her Family ..
AA .. Alcoholics Anonymous has succeeded Reaching Out with it's ' 12 Step Program ..'
Inspired by the Bible .. Giving the Alcoholics and Families ' Acceptance and Hope ..'
Just Like Joe Lynch and Jesus ..
-----------------------
MR. E.G PITMAN .. a founder of Dothan Glass in 1931 .. owned Dothan's 1st Pro
Baseball teams in the 40's and 50's ..[ My Dad announced some of those games ..
My brother Shannon was the batboy for the Dothan Cardinals ..]
Mr. Pitman helped build Rip Hewes Stadium .. Thus Pitman Field stands in his Honor ..
[and brother O.B. ]
Mr. EG always sat on the 3rd base side .. cheering Baseball and
Tommy and Ted McClendon .. his Grandsons ..
[Tommy played 2nd base in the minors for the Cincy Reds ..Ted played 3rd base for Bama ..]
I'm Forever Grateful for the Encouragement and HOPE Mr. E.G. Pitman consistently
built in my Dad's life ..
He was a man with great Compassion .. always Reaching Out to help ..
' Dick, You're a great man .. Hang in there and You''ll whip this stuff .'
Mr. EG would often say .. [Just like baseball he sure Knew what he was talking about ..]
Reminds me of a song " Just as I am ".. ACCEPTANCE surely Breathes HOPE ..
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Please Remember .." The 2 Essentials that meet in the middle to reach a goal .."
PASSION for what you Do in Life .. and COMPASSION is Others .. Others .. Others ..
T I M E spells L O V E .. " The Greatest Gift You Can Give Anyone .."
Meck .. David Meckley.. http://www.themeck.com/ .. Meck Notes .. Mar. 22, 2004 ..
Property of The Meck ..
Cannot be Published without permission of the author ..
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Email this to a friend .. Let Freedom Ring .. and Give Others Hope ..Thanks .. Meck
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The Latest .. [ Now Included .. The Article That Exposed The Alcohol Issue ..]
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.. " FOR THE HALL OF FAME'S SAKE ..
Lets's Hope Meckley's Earlier Problem with Alcohol Wasn't The Determining
Factor In His Denial Into The Hall.".. [Edwin Stanton .. Feb. 11, 2001 .. Dothan Eagle]
[Email this to a Friend and Let Freedom Ring ] .. Meck
http://www.themeck.com/ .. .. Mar. 22, 2004 .. updated Final .. web posted ..
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WIREGRASS PAIN and SHAME vs. ACCEPTANCE and HOPE ..
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[ TheMeck.com] .. Introduction ...
These Meck Notes are written about my Birthplace .. Dothan, Al.
The Hometown I Love .. in LA .. Lower Alabama ..
Miss Eunice, Dick Meckley and son Shannon moved here in the late 40's..]
It's dedicated to the many wonderful people that I have grown up with ..
and their families .. Their Moms and Dads .. and my Blessed Heritage ..
Many precious Lives in every town continue to battle addictions ..
like Alcohol .. and the Pain and Shame .. even years later ..
The young people of the Wiregrass, already battle and struggle
enough to accept a family member's addiction .. and be accepted ..
[ How well I know and remember ]
They Don't need to grow up with a voice of Pain and Shame ..
especially USING the Wiregrass's Name ..
They need Compassion .. Acceptance .. Hope ..
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They deserve to know what's Really Going On in our Hometown .
The Truth is .. Everyone should know .. young and old ..
That's why I felt obligated to write this and share ..
Writing is truly my Passion .. The Bloodline of my Radio
Shows ..TV Shows ..Videos .. Commercials .. and The Meck ..
Thanks to Matt Drudge of DrudgeReport.com for inspiring me to
continue writing What I Know on my Website and Let Freedom Ring ..
without fear of Censorship ..
Drudge has proven that Freedom Truly Empowers The People ..
in a community or a nation ..
I appreciate the encouragement of Friends like Jim Kearce and others
to Write on .. Especially my Brother Shannon .. WRITE On Bro ..
I never want to be guilty of "The Sin Of the Desert .."
"To know where the Water is and Not Tell Anyone .." meck
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WIREGRASS PAIN and SHAME vs. ACCEPTANCE and HOPE ..
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[Open Letter to Edwin Stanton .. Dothan Eagle Sports Writer ] ..
from Meck .. Mar. 18, 2004 .. [Atn. Commissioner Pat Thomas ] ..
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Meck Notes .. Grab an Ice Tea or even a Diet Pepsi ..
It's past Time to Write .. and It's Time to Think ..
.. If at any time " You feel like the Only person at the UN without a Headset "..??
Please Keep Reading ..
Chase Riddle .. Bobby Dews .. Mackey Sasser ..
These Names and Many More ..The Beat-ing goes on ..
We simply ask again .. Will They Ever Be GOOD Enough ??
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' Another Chapter in Dews' literary career .. Cox helped Dews get Sober ' ..
[ ajc.com .. Mar. 16, 2004 .. Terence Moore Column ]
[a Wonderful Story re Bobby Cox and friend Bobby Dews ..]
"The reader can see that there is hope when you're battling alcoholism, drugs
and other things," Dews said about his new book ' Legends, Demons, and Dreams.'
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.. Bobby Dews could never be in John Christy's Hall ??
[ Wiregrass Sports Hall of Fame ] .. Christy .. self appointed Dictator-Director ..
Edwin, I really hope you will pray about writing another Timely Column
about Chase Riddle .. and the Alcohol Issue you Exposed regarding Dick Meckley ..
" For the Hall of Fame's sake, let's hope Meckley's earlier problem with alcohol
wasn't the determining factor in his denial into the Hall." .. Edwin Stanton ..
Feb. 11, 2001 .. Edwin Stanton wrote in The Dothan Eagle ..
" I'm referring to Dick Meckley and Chase Riddle.
These two men have done so much for sports in the Wiregrass that to not have them
honored by the Wiregrass Sports Hall of Fame is insulting." I never had the privilege of meeting Dick Meckley, he died last year of cancer at the age of 81.
But ask anyone that did know him and they will tell you that Meckley was a
man who loved and cared deeply about sports in this community.
He served as a referee for high school basketball and football games
in the Wiregrass area.
Meckley hosted Dothan's first radio call-in show in 1956 and also served as the voice of the Dothan Cardinals minor league baseball team.
For those old enough to remember, you might recall hearing Meckley's voice
boom out across Rip Hewes Stadium during Dothan High football games.
Meckley was the public address announcer for Dothan in the 1960s.
He even broadcast football and basketball games on the radio.
For crying out loud, this guy was buried on the 17th green at TPC Sawgrass,
the most picturesque green in the country.
He was a founding member of the golf course and he is the first and last to
be buried there.
With credentials like these, it's hard for me to understand why Meckley isn't in the Hall of Fame. He should have been inducted with the first classnine years ago. But he wasn't.
Why ? .. Could it be because Meckley had a problem with alcohol?
It's true, Meckley was an alcoholic. But not his whole life.
Meckley conquered his demons long ago.
From 1971 until the day he died, Meckley lived life sober.
For the Hall of Fame's sake, let's hope Meckley's earlier problem with alcohol
wasn't the determining factor in his denial into the Hall.
I know for a fact other current members of the Hall of Fame battled
alcohol during their lives and also cleaned up and stayed sober.
I don't know the reason why Meckley hasn't been inducted. I know he's beennominated in the past, but his name has been shot down every time.
Now let's talk about Chase Riddle.
How on God's green earth is this guy not in the Hall of Fame?
He's in the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, but not in the Wiregrass Hall of Fame.?
Go figure.
The legendary coach guided Troy State to two Division II championships during his prestigious coaching career. Why Riddle isn't already an inductee is beyond my reasoning.
Riddle and Meckley are deserving of being in this Hall of Fame. ".. Edwin Stanton ..
[ Excerpts from Edwin Stanton's article in The Dothan Eagle .. Feb. 11, 2001..]
http://www.themeck.com/ .. Connect ..
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" We're Back .." as they say .. and .. The name of that song .. ??
" You dropped a Bomb on me baby .. You dropped a Bomb on me "..
Thanks Edwin for your courage and ' Fulfilling Your Obligation' to your community ..
Addressing the Real Issues .. Ringing The Bell of Freedom .. and Let The Reader Decide ..
Chase Riddle did win 2 Nat'l Championships at Troy State .. and still owns many
records at TSU ..
Even The TSU Baseball Stadium is named in his honor, Pace-Riddle Stadium ..
Gene Dews, Wallace College AD and Girls Softball Coach [over 100 wins and less
than 10 losses] was an asst. coach and recruitor for Chase Riddle at Troy ..
Gene often tells me these thoughts about The Legend .. Chase Riddle ..
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Chase Riddle [as a scout ] had 12 players he had signed playing in the Major Leagues ..
at the same time ..
Some 35 years he was with the St. Louis Cardinals .. [many as a scout]
also a Minor League player - magr. in the Cards Organization ..
Plus he managed and played in the [D league] Ga.- Fla. League in Panama City, Ozark
and Dothan [Cardinals] in the 50's .. [He even managed Cards minor leaguer Bobby Dews]
Classic Chase Story - He was pleading with the Cardinals to sign this pitcher ..
He was sold on this pitcher's Big League potential .. Not to mention his Slider ..
The Cards were very reluctant ..
So Chase flew the pitcher to St. Louis from Miami Dade Jr. College to work out before
the top brass ..
They still hesitated .. But after much persuasion by Chase Riddle ..
Gave him the go ahead to sign Steve Carlton .. Lefty, now a Hall of Famer ..
Still appreciative, Carlton flew Chase and Miss Betty [his wife from Ozark] to the Vet
in Philly when they retired his number 32 ..[ Thanks for sharing this Gene ]
He also signed Jose Cruz, a lifetime 300 hitter .. plus brothers Jector and Jesus Cruz ..
All made it to the Big Leagues .. plus catcher Terry Kennedy and many others ..
and Oh by the way .. Chase is already in the very prestigous Alabama Sports Hall
of Fame ..[ Granite and Bronze ]
-- A friend summed it up .." I can Explain it to you .. But I can't Understand it for you .. "
Believe me .. I've heard the name Chase Riddle in the Braves Dugout for many years ..
They certainly hold him in high esteem .. all over MLB ..
Which reminds me .. Mackey Sasser .. Major Leaguer from The Wiregrass ..
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I would see him in New York, San Fran .. Houston .. all over the Nat'l League ..
Mackey was a catcher for the New York Mets ..[caught in the NLCS 88 - Mets vs. Dodgers]
FLASHBACK - May 4, 1991 at Candlestick .. Mackey Sasser and Mark Carreon
stroke consecutive pinch hit HR's in the Mets' 6 - 4, 12-inning win over the Giants ..
[The First Time the feat had been performed in the NL since 1975 ..]
Mackey played 9 Years in the Majors [Giants, Pirates, Mets, Mariners] Career .267 hitter ..
He played his early days at Wallace Jr. College - Dothan where he now coaches baseball ..
But .. He can't get in the Wiregrass Hall ...?? [ Keep reading for your answer ..]
-- Makes me wanna break into " Help Me Rhonda " .. all 4 verses ..
Mackey is a great guy to me .. He always treats you the Same ..
Whether in New York in the Dugout ..[or in Dothan ..] Never forgetting His Roots ..
.. Few in the Wiregrass can Match his unprecedented success and now he is helping kids ..
He has fought his Battles like we All are ..That Should Not Be A Comdemnation ..
Will He Ever Be GOOD Enough for This Hall ..??
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So what does it take to get in This Hall ?? Honestly ..
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A Hall of Famer like Chase Riddle is not Good Enough be in this Wiregrass Hall ?
[ Edwin asked that question 3 years ago in his column ]
Their answer again this year .. No .. [and LEGIT takes another Hit and Cries again ..]
[ Note - One doubts Coach Riddle is not sleeping .. but that's not the Issue ] ..
The Dothan Eagle proclaims at the top of its front page ..
" The Newspaper of The Wiregrass Since 1903 " .. [ The Eagle is sold in Troy]
and They cover Troy State Sports everyday on their ' Wiregrass Sports Pages '..
and yet TSU's winningest Coach ever can't get in the Wiregrass Hall ..??
The Real Answer is obvious .. but not what Christy will mislead you to believe ..
-- Excerpt from my column [ Mar.8, 2001.. TheMeck.com] It also ran in The Eagle ..
[Thanks Ken Tuck for your help ] ..
"As any son would be, I'm very hurt and offended that certain members of the
Wiregrass Hall of Fame selection committee would vote down my father because
of his alcohol problem.
Their judgment and rejection of my father makes me ask the obvious, is this a true
Hall of Fame or a "Good Ole Boy Club?" .. The Meck
----
So ... What are the REAL Qualifications of the Selection Committee ..??
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Perhaps a Telling Memory and Answer was about 8 years ago I went with a friend
to the ceremony ..
I remember an older black gentleman had come all the way from New York City
to be inducted ..
He had spoken or was on deck ..[ the ceremony had gone rather long ]
So Christy stood up and told everyone ..' Keep your speeches to about 5 minutes ..
We have to get up early and go to Sunday School.' ..
How rude and inconsiderate I thought .. I wasn't alone either .. [ Now, Very Telling ] ..
The Graciuos Gentleman from New York had traveled so far and brought his friends
back to his home .. He had to be embarassed .. I know I was ..
But perhaps that statement tells you about Christy's Qualifications for His Hall ..
We already KNOW .. ' No one with an alcohol problem allowed .' per Christy ..
Do any other Committee members share Christy's Oppression and Condemnation ..??
----
The above mentioned, a touching Story on Bobby Dews overcoming his Battles with alcohol ..
Bobby Cox Reaching Out and practically saving Bobby Dews's life ..I was so moved by it ..
Bobby Dews, a Braves' Coach and sports legend from this Area ..
[ Edison Ga. about 45 mins. from Dothan] .. Dewsie .. A Wonderful man who helps so many ..
Not sure if he falls in the peremiters of the Wiregrass Area 'geographically ..'
But certain of this .. His alcoholism and 16 years of sobriety would disqualify him
in John Christy's Hall .. He's not GOOD Enough .. [ Fish on Dewsie .. You're a Blessing] ..
Edwin Stanton really spoke last time addressing the Issues .. exposing the Cloud
of Oppression that Christy holds over Alcoholics and the Wiregrass Area in general
with his Pharisee Eyes ..
Do we want a man Using the Wiregrass's name and hanging the Plaques
up in the Dothan Civic Center ..?? who looks Down on people ..??
and has his Pharisee List of Requirements ..??
His is a ' Hall of Shame ' .. all by himself .. with his Pharisee games .. Plain and Simple ..
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A Voice for the Hurting ... There is Hope and Acceptance ..
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Edwin .. I hope as you did 3 years ago [and many commented to me about it ..]
will be a Voice for my Dad and others .. especially those like my Dad who cannot speak ..
and many who are Afraid to talk about it .. [ That why I write .. and share my thoughts ]
Believe me every Family in the Wiregrass already has enough Pain and Shame from Alcohol ..
Those who battle alcohol in sports and everyday life are Shamed by this man ..
Parading in the Wiregrass's name .. I know I am ..
Many of them have a Lifetime of Achievement .. in life and sports in the Wiregrass .
It's Disgraceful to look down on them .. or Anyone .. as they Battle an Addiction ..
You .. are one of a few that has the Courage to Write The Truth regarding this Issue ..
and let Freedom Ring ..
To be honest Edwin .. I don't think my Dad's too worried about any Hall of Fame ..
But as a son .. any son would be .. I'm offended that my Dad's Good Name is Shamed ..
I am Grateful that his Memorial Service was held on the 17th Green at TPC Sawgrass ..
where his ashes were also spread .. a Lasting Tribute from his Friends on the PGA Tour ..
and his 2nd Home - The TPC family .. Dick Meckley .. a Name and Legacy I Cherish ..
But like you stated .. Dick Meckley had 29 years of Sobriety ..That is a Fact ..
Plus .. It Was My Dad's Proudest Accomplishment of his 81 Years .. in Sports or Life ..
No one can take that from him .. Not even John Pharisee Christy ..
To every Family in the Wiregrass that has been touched by alcohol ..
Remember the Wiregrass's Dick Meckley .. not just what he did in sports ..
but his Hall of Fame Accomplishment of 29 years .. Sobriety ..
[ I'm proud of my brother Shannon .. with over 20 years sobriety ]
Dad would want you to know .. There's still Hope For All who fight the Battle of Alcohol ..
Acceptance .. and Deliverance from the Pain and Shame ..
That's why his proud son continues to Write On ..
We need more stories like Bobby Cox reaching out with a Helping Hand to a man
battling an addiction .. like his friend Bobby Dews who now has 16 years of Sobriety ..
That's no Shame ..That's the Name of the Game .. in Sports or Life ..
TESTIMONY OF HOPE .. "The reader can see that there is hope when
you're battling alcoholism, drugs and other things," Dews said about his new
book ' Legends, Demons, and Dreams.' ..
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Stop The Shame and quit Using the Wiregrass's name ..
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I have also asked Comissioner Pat Thomas to examine this Disgrace and Prejudice..
Using City Property to facilitate a parade of Sham and Shame on Wiregrass
Citizens by John Pharisee Christy ..
[ I'm thinking of contacting Mel Gibson to see if he can make the Cross any wider ..
for Christy to hide behind ..]
Jesus was Crucified by the Pharisees [Certain Church Goers he called "Snakes "..]
The Cross is not a Hiding Place for Religious Thugs to carry out their Mission ..
or even a Safe Haven for Pharisees ..
[Pharisees defined .. ' Noted for their Self-Rightousneess and Pride ..
They were frequently rebuked by Jesus ..
Much was sound in their creed ..yet their system of Religion was a form - nothing more ..' ]
The Battle .. RELIGION equals Death .. vs. .. JESUS equals Life ..
THE CROSS .. The DEFINING MOMENT ..
.." JESUS PAID IT ALL .. ALL TO HIM I OWE ..
Sin Had Left A Crimson Stain .. HE WASHED IT WHITE AS SNOW .."
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We don't need you to quote any more scriptures to us John ..
Your life is a scripture we can read loud and clear ..
You have ' Fouled Out ' John Christy .." Hall of Shamer."..
The Votes are In ..
..'" May We Help You " ? You ask on your card ..[ 'John Christy Christian Ministries Inc.' ] ..
If you really want to Help the community and the Wiregrass Sports Hall of Fame's Credibility ..
Take your Stripes of Condemnation and Stones of Shame and 'crawl ' to the house ..
Please Go Home John .. wherever you came from ..
and you'll Leave Dothan a Much Better Place to Live .. Lifting Your Clouds of Oppression ..
The Truth Shows Us ..Only a Chosen Few are GOOD Enough for this Hall ..[off the field ]
Do any others on the committee endorse - share Christy's Shame and Condemnation ..??
AIMED SPECIFICALLY at the Many who Battle Addictions .. [ We hope not ]
" Why in the world would anybody put chains on me ??.. [Lionel Richie classic-still True Today]
" I've paid my dues to make it .. Everybody wants me to be what they want me to be .."
The Young People of the Wiregrass, already Battle and Struggle enough to accept
a family member's Addiction .. and be Accepted .. [ How well I know and remember ..]
Trying to hold your head up .. as a young boy and teenager .. and asking yourself ..
Will My Family Ever Be GOOD Enough for certain people ?? ..
The Young People .. Don't need to Grow up and Live with your voice of Pain and Shame ..
especially USING the Wiregrass's Name ..
They need COMPASSION .. ACCEPTANCE .. HOPE ..
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A Man with Hands of Compassion .. Dr. Mike McQueen ..
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Congrats to Dr. Mike McQueen .. for your Wiregrass Hall entrance ..[Sat. Mar. 20, 2004]
[Enterprise native and Bama Defensive standout with Coach Bryant ]
You are Deserving on the field and even more of a Hall of Famer off the field ..
Where The Score Lasts Forever ..
You and Pam have touched thousands of young lives in sports and given
graciously to so many ..
They will never be the same because of your kind Hands of Compassion ..
and your T I M E .. Thanks for touching my Life ..
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EVERLASTING FAME .. MR. JOE LYNCH .. MR. E.G. PITMAN
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I'm Forever Grateful to MR. JOE LYNCH, a founder of The Haven ..
a Home for Alcoholics .. [That's building a Legacy that lasts forever..]
MR. JOE LYNCH gave me as a young boy .. ACCEPTANCE and HOPE ..
Because he gave my Dad .. COMPASSION and the Meckley Family constant T I M E ..
My mother Eunice loved Brother Joe Lynch .. No one could sing Amazing Grace like him ..
[on Saturday nites at the Haven ..] We all knew His Life was a Melody of God's Grace ..
Where have the True Legends gone ?? .. We need more people like Joe Lynch ..
Building Homes for Alcoholics and More Clinics to Help the Needy ..
Building Lives .. Instead of Building more and more Church Buildings ..
[ Big Business .. ?? .. Millions upon Millions of Dollars] Entertaining people .. or Reaching Out ?
Jesus said "Go Tell " .. Not ' Build It and They Will Come'.. [That was Field of Dreams ] ..
Most Churches today have Failed the Alcoholic .. and His or Her Family ..
AA .. Alcoholics Anonymous has succeeded Reaching Out with it's ' 12 Step Program ..'
Inspired by the Bible .. Giving the Alcoholics and Families ' Acceptance and Hope ..'
Just Like Joe Lynch and Jesus ..
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MR. E.G PITMAN .. a founder of Dothan Glass in 1931 .. owned Dothan's 1st Pro
Baseball teams in the 40's and 50's ..[ My Dad announced some of those games ..
My brother Shannon was the batboy for the Dothan Cardinals ..]
Mr. Pitman helped build Rip Hewes Stadium .. Thus Pitman Field stands in his Honor ..
[and brother O.B. ]
Mr. EG always sat on the 3rd base side .. cheering Baseball and
Tommy and Ted McClendon .. his Grandsons ..
[Tommy played 2nd base in the minors for the Cincy Reds ..Ted played 3rd base for Bama ..]
I'm Forever Grateful for the Encouragement and HOPE Mr. E.G. Pitman consistently
built in my Dad's life ..
He was a man with great Compassion .. always Reaching Out to help ..
' Dick, You're a great man .. Hang in there and You''ll whip this stuff .'
Mr. EG would often say .. [Just like baseball he sure Knew what he was talking about ..]
Reminds me of a song " Just as I am ".. ACCEPTANCE surely Breathes HOPE ..
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Please Remember .." The 2 Essentials that meet in the middle to reach a goal .."
PASSION for what you Do in Life .. and COMPASSION is Others .. Others .. Others ..
T I M E spells L O V E .. " The Greatest Gift You Can Give Anyone .."
Meck .. David Meckley.. http://www.themeck.com/ .. Meck Notes .. Mar. 22, 2004 ..
Property of The Meck ..
Cannot be Published without permission of the author ..
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Email this to a friend .. Let Freedom Ring .. and Give Others Hope ..Thanks .. Meck
Thursday, March 08, 2001
My Dad is in The ' Real ' Hall of Fame
David Meckley Column .. on MR DICK MECKLEY .. Dothan Eagle Sports ..Thursday, March 8, 2001 .. www.TheMeck.com
I want to thank Eagle Sports Writer Edwin Stanton for the column he wrote Feb. 11, on my father Dick Meckley. Thanks for the time you spent on this story finding the facts, and I really appreciate your courage in writing the facts, which always reveal truth.
As any son would be, I'm very hurt and offended that certain members of the Wiregrass Hall of Fame selection committee would vote down my father because of his alcohol problem. Their judgment and rejection of my father makes me ask the obvious, is this a true Hall of Fame or a "Good Ole Boy Club?"
My father served his country in World War II (Philippines) and also served in the Korean War. Dad loved Dothan and the many memories here, which included his radio show in the '50s; His baseball TV show on channel 4; broadcasting Dothan High football and basketball on the radio; and calling Tiger football on the PA system at Rip Hewes.
I answered the phone in the press box and was very proud of my Dad.
I always sat by Mr. Doug Bradford, the Eagle sports editor at that time. Mr. Bradford would travel with Dad to games and when he couldn't make the trip, he would sit in the Eagle newsroom, listen to Dad call the game on radio and write his game story.
I do believe Dad could announce a beauty pageant on the radio.
Dad loved to tell me about refereeing basketball and football in the Wiregrass. He always told me about the Dothan-Eufaula "Big Itch Mathis Game" he refereed. He talked about the game-winning shot from just inside half court. We loved to talk about the Tigers dribbling on the court as Dad played "Sweet Georgia Brown."
Dad announced the Dothan Cardinals minor league baseball games at Wiregrass Stadium. The batboy was very cute (my brother Shannon).
Dad sure loved Mr. E.G. Pitman of Dothan Glass. He owned Dothan's first pro baseball team. But better than that, Mr. Pitman would always come up to Dad at church or the ballpark and say, "Dick, you are a great man ... one day, you're gonna whip this stuff... Hang in there Dick." Mr. E.G. Pitman, a great encourager to my Dad, was right.
In November 1971, my Dad took his last drink. He had 29 years of sobriety; in his eyes, his greatest accomplishment! My dad got offered a job at WABC-TV in New York in 1972. He turned em down.
He told me, "Son, I've been sober for 6 months and that means more to me than that job in New York."
My father announced on the PGA tour and worked with Cleveland Golf on tour for many years. He retired and mowed greens at the TPC Sawgrass where he was a founding member. Many young people would stop by his table in the TPC Clubhouse and he would give them advice and share the Lord with them. He always had time for people.
That was so obvious the last month of his life as hundreds of people sat by his bed for hours just to talk with him. The cart boys, the golf course crew, the waiters and waitresses, the Masters Champion Vijay Singh and his wife, the director of the TPC, Pete Davison, and Fred Klauk, TPC Greens Superintendent. They were all the same to Dad.
Two nights before his death, Amy, a 20-year-old server from the TPC told me to get some rest. She stayed all night with Dad and left the next morning and went to school. You give love ... You get love.
On July 11, 2000, they paid tribute to my father by having his memorial service on the 17th green at the TPC.
Sixty-five golf course crew members lined the ramp to the 17th as my Dad's golf bags were walked up onto the green by Shannon and me. Jim Kearce and John McKay sang Dad's favorite in acappella, "Amazing Grace." Pete Davison, Fred Klauk, Bobby Clampett and I spoke.
My Dad's hat sat on top of his greens mower, beside a cross of red and white flowers from Javy Lopez. Both flags on the green, regular pin and Sunday Championship pin were at half-staff. Dad's golf bags were walked down the ramp and driven off in a cart around the 17th tee and down the 16th fairway as the song T-I-M-E was played.
Mr. Klauk spread his ashes on his favorite green to mow - the 17th.The flags were at half-staff in front of the TPC Clubhouse.
A luncheon was given by the TPC in the clubhouse in honor of Dad.
My brother and I drove off two proud sons.
What a Dad! What a testimony! What a legacy!
My father's accomplishments in sports are many, but his greatest legacy is the trophies he left here on earth ... the lives he touched. He can take that with him and he did.
Life is not a 100-yard dash. It's a marathon.
My Dad finished the race and won. He birdied the back nine.
My Dad loved Dothan. Al Roberts of channel 4 did a story on my Dad's cancer and his career in Dothan. I played it for Dad and he wept. He played it for his friends at the TPC and wept.
He was very proud of his life and his many friendships in Dothan.
My Dad was a winner in the game and "The Game of Life."
This just in ... Dick Meckley made the real "Hall" ... God's Hall of Fame where the score lasts forever. No one can take that legacy from my father or his two proud sons.Thanks Dad for leaving me a great name, Mr. Meckley's Son - David.
Thanks Mr. Stanton for paying tribute to my Dad. I'll end this column with a letter from Dad's friend, Ben Crenshaw, who called me and talked for 30 minutes about my Dad, and asked me to read this tribute at Dad's memorial service.
Mr. Crenshaw wrote, "We lost a friend a short while ago, a friend to us all who loved golf, Mr. Dick Meckley. I so enjoyed my conversations with him over the years as we shared observations about the people we have met through golf, the people who work within the industry, about golf equipment, golf swings and especially golf courses and their upkeep.
We shared a lot. I looked forward to talks with him because they were so soothing, so genuine and so entertaining. "I looked to him as a sort of surrogate father. We shared a lot of things, but that's what friends do. I think everyone was enriched by knowing Dick Meckley.
God Bless him and his family."
(David Meckley is a resident of Dothan. He can be reached by e-mail at themeck@themeck.com. Pictures of Mr. Meckley's memorial service are at http://www.themeck.com/.)
I want to thank Eagle Sports Writer Edwin Stanton for the column he wrote Feb. 11, on my father Dick Meckley. Thanks for the time you spent on this story finding the facts, and I really appreciate your courage in writing the facts, which always reveal truth.
As any son would be, I'm very hurt and offended that certain members of the Wiregrass Hall of Fame selection committee would vote down my father because of his alcohol problem. Their judgment and rejection of my father makes me ask the obvious, is this a true Hall of Fame or a "Good Ole Boy Club?"
My father served his country in World War II (Philippines) and also served in the Korean War. Dad loved Dothan and the many memories here, which included his radio show in the '50s; His baseball TV show on channel 4; broadcasting Dothan High football and basketball on the radio; and calling Tiger football on the PA system at Rip Hewes.
I answered the phone in the press box and was very proud of my Dad.
I always sat by Mr. Doug Bradford, the Eagle sports editor at that time. Mr. Bradford would travel with Dad to games and when he couldn't make the trip, he would sit in the Eagle newsroom, listen to Dad call the game on radio and write his game story.
I do believe Dad could announce a beauty pageant on the radio.
Dad loved to tell me about refereeing basketball and football in the Wiregrass. He always told me about the Dothan-Eufaula "Big Itch Mathis Game" he refereed. He talked about the game-winning shot from just inside half court. We loved to talk about the Tigers dribbling on the court as Dad played "Sweet Georgia Brown."
Dad announced the Dothan Cardinals minor league baseball games at Wiregrass Stadium. The batboy was very cute (my brother Shannon).
Dad sure loved Mr. E.G. Pitman of Dothan Glass. He owned Dothan's first pro baseball team. But better than that, Mr. Pitman would always come up to Dad at church or the ballpark and say, "Dick, you are a great man ... one day, you're gonna whip this stuff... Hang in there Dick." Mr. E.G. Pitman, a great encourager to my Dad, was right.
In November 1971, my Dad took his last drink. He had 29 years of sobriety; in his eyes, his greatest accomplishment! My dad got offered a job at WABC-TV in New York in 1972. He turned em down.
He told me, "Son, I've been sober for 6 months and that means more to me than that job in New York."
My father announced on the PGA tour and worked with Cleveland Golf on tour for many years. He retired and mowed greens at the TPC Sawgrass where he was a founding member. Many young people would stop by his table in the TPC Clubhouse and he would give them advice and share the Lord with them. He always had time for people.
That was so obvious the last month of his life as hundreds of people sat by his bed for hours just to talk with him. The cart boys, the golf course crew, the waiters and waitresses, the Masters Champion Vijay Singh and his wife, the director of the TPC, Pete Davison, and Fred Klauk, TPC Greens Superintendent. They were all the same to Dad.
Two nights before his death, Amy, a 20-year-old server from the TPC told me to get some rest. She stayed all night with Dad and left the next morning and went to school. You give love ... You get love.
On July 11, 2000, they paid tribute to my father by having his memorial service on the 17th green at the TPC.
Sixty-five golf course crew members lined the ramp to the 17th as my Dad's golf bags were walked up onto the green by Shannon and me. Jim Kearce and John McKay sang Dad's favorite in acappella, "Amazing Grace." Pete Davison, Fred Klauk, Bobby Clampett and I spoke.
My Dad's hat sat on top of his greens mower, beside a cross of red and white flowers from Javy Lopez. Both flags on the green, regular pin and Sunday Championship pin were at half-staff. Dad's golf bags were walked down the ramp and driven off in a cart around the 17th tee and down the 16th fairway as the song T-I-M-E was played.
Mr. Klauk spread his ashes on his favorite green to mow - the 17th.The flags were at half-staff in front of the TPC Clubhouse.
A luncheon was given by the TPC in the clubhouse in honor of Dad.
My brother and I drove off two proud sons.
What a Dad! What a testimony! What a legacy!
My father's accomplishments in sports are many, but his greatest legacy is the trophies he left here on earth ... the lives he touched. He can take that with him and he did.
Life is not a 100-yard dash. It's a marathon.
My Dad finished the race and won. He birdied the back nine.
My Dad loved Dothan. Al Roberts of channel 4 did a story on my Dad's cancer and his career in Dothan. I played it for Dad and he wept. He played it for his friends at the TPC and wept.
He was very proud of his life and his many friendships in Dothan.
My Dad was a winner in the game and "The Game of Life."
This just in ... Dick Meckley made the real "Hall" ... God's Hall of Fame where the score lasts forever. No one can take that legacy from my father or his two proud sons.Thanks Dad for leaving me a great name, Mr. Meckley's Son - David.
Thanks Mr. Stanton for paying tribute to my Dad. I'll end this column with a letter from Dad's friend, Ben Crenshaw, who called me and talked for 30 minutes about my Dad, and asked me to read this tribute at Dad's memorial service.
Mr. Crenshaw wrote, "We lost a friend a short while ago, a friend to us all who loved golf, Mr. Dick Meckley. I so enjoyed my conversations with him over the years as we shared observations about the people we have met through golf, the people who work within the industry, about golf equipment, golf swings and especially golf courses and their upkeep.
We shared a lot. I looked forward to talks with him because they were so soothing, so genuine and so entertaining. "I looked to him as a sort of surrogate father. We shared a lot of things, but that's what friends do. I think everyone was enriched by knowing Dick Meckley.
God Bless him and his family."
(David Meckley is a resident of Dothan. He can be reached by e-mail at themeck@themeck.com. Pictures of Mr. Meckley's memorial service are at http://www.themeck.com/.)
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