Behind the Dish .. Batting Practice and Chip Shots .. Did you know ??

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 ..

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]

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 .. 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]