It’s summertime, summertime..sum..sum…summertime!

Well, I know it’s been quite a few weeks since I have written a piece.  I was just so wrapped up in the daily duties of being in the Sounds Office and Broadcast Duties.  Despite the fact that the Sounds have been up and down, they are still in first place in the PCL’s American Conference Northern Division as of this writing.  It is so nice to see Brendan Katin and Joe Koshansky hitting home runs and the Sounds continuing to be in just about every ballgame. 

During the last road trip, I had the chance to visit Memphis again and saw a lot while I was downtown.  Across the street from the hotel is a nice court square park, where folks can lounge around and see the sites of downtown.  Like Sacramento, Memphis offers a couple of street-level trolleys to get around and man, on those hot days, it’s better to go on one instead of walking around the heat.  I had a chance to see a few museums, including the National Civil Rights Museums.  At the museum, the Lorraine Motel is there for tourists to see.  The reason why I mention this is because, sadly, on April 4, 1968, this is where the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated.  He was only 39 years old.  King was in town at the time to support the striking Memphis Sanitation Workers, who were being treated poorly and wanted a chance for a better life and money.  King was caught up in a constant struggle with politics, racial issues and other problems that affected mankind.  They have a ribbon placed at the balcony at where King was shot and the replica of the pair of cars that were parked at the motel at the time of the shooting.  It really brought me back in time where I knew of innocence as a kid, but in reality, it was a harsh time for the country with the Vietnam War raging on and so forth.  King was a symbol as how our country struggled in the 1960s for equal rights.  I don’t want to get involved into too much politics, but this was such an important part of our country’s history and it was a period that could not be ignored.

Onto other things, I saw Beale Street, with many barbecue places and music venues.  It reminded me of Broadway in downtown Nashville.   It was a lively ambience walking down the street.

For the ballpark?  AutoZone blew me away.  One of the best parks around.  It had everything and it is within walking distance of the hotel.  Apartment houses have been built beyond the right field walls and it is convenient for the Memphis ballplayers who live there.

Now that the club is back in Nashville, the Sounds have been happy for many reasons.  After a devastating loss in Memphis the previous Friday, the Sounds came back to win three of four from Round Rock and now the New Orleans Zephyrs come into town.  Besides the Zephyrs, Sounds fans can be happy to see exciting events to kick off July and the summer.  Tonight, the Famous Chicken is in town.  To think it all started for a former student from San Diego State who was walking around San Diego one day and apparently, a General Manager from a struggling radio station needed a gimmick and came up with a Chicken Costume.  Not too many people seemed interested but a man by the name of Ted Giannoulas got the nod to put on the costume to represent the station and thus, a STAR WAS BORN! Since the late 70s, the Famous San Diego Chicken as appeared in major and minor league ballparks and on television shows and has entertained fans of all ages.  I have seen him tease umpires, distract ballplayers and do just about everything to evoke a few laughs! I’ve had a chance to interview Ted and he is thoughtful, gracious and enthusiastic with his time.  He may travel thousands of miles over the years, but never ceases to entertain the people at the max!

If you don’t have plans tonight, come on out to Greer Stadium and you will have a FOWL BALL!  The Famous Chicken is always entertaining fans, players, managers, coaches and umpires!

WIth the Independence Holiday coming up, don’t forget that there will be fireworks shows tomorrow night, Friday, July 2nd (courtesy of Firestone) at 7:05PM and a big July 3rd Fireshows show on Saturday at 6:35PM.  With the Sounds being out of town on July 4th, this is your chance to celebrate the 4th of July Holiday weekend.  Where else is better than the old ballpark?

As a youngster growing up in New York City, I remember doubleheaders at both Yankee Stadium and Shea Stadium with concerts between and after twinbills.  There is also Fireworks shows everywhere in New York and those are some of my memories of past 4th of Julys!

Anyway, if you can’t make it out to the ballpark, join me and 104.5 The Zone’s Kevin Ingram for tonight’s broadcast of the Sounds & the New Orleans Zephyrs from Greer Stadium.  Airtime is at 7:00PM.  Bring your radio to the ballpark and formulate your plans on seeing the Famous Chicken tonight and to enjoy exciting Sounds Baseball!