Thursday Commentary: Turn It Up
Photo: The Rod Pedersen Show
(Listen daily for the RP Commentary on All New Hits 98 & LTD Radio)
A lotta things to mention today … let’s get to ‘em:
#1 – Dwight Yoakam played the Temple Gardens Centre in Moose Jaw Wednesday night and gets a 10/10 from me. They tell me it’s the biggest show Moose Jaw’s ever seen, based on ticket sales. The debate’s been fun from people who disagree – Dolly Parton, the Doobie Brothers & Shania Twain were big too – but nobody’s sold more tickets than Dwight.
I absolutely LOVED IT! At age 69, Yoakam struts, prances and spins around like country music’s version of Mick Jagger.
Thank you Temple Gardens Centre for the ticket.
#2 – Here’s what I pieced together on the Edmonton Oilers hiring Mike Babcock: it’s 100% the decision of owner Darryl Katz. Had he been patient enough (like waiting two weeks), he’d have been granted permission to talk to fired Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy and very likely would’ve landed him. That would’ve made my Hot Take correct, and the hockey world knows it. But Katz couldn’t be patient, nor lose a perceived ego clash, so they opted for the reviled coach and now the “sell job” is on.
If you ever wanted to read the handbook on “Why Some Teams Always Win & Some Teams Always Lose” …
I’m uncomfortable with labelling Babcock a “narcissist” because he’s been nothing but excellent to me for 30+ years but even if he is, it’s not the end of the world. Lots of guys who’ve worn that label do a lot of winning: i.e. Donald Trump, Nick Saban and NY Knicks President James Dolan.
As former Pats coach Al Dumba wrote into our Facebook page, “You don’t need to be a nice guy to be a successful coach.”
Now watch — they’ll go on and win the Stanley Cup.
#3 – Week 4 in the CFL kicks off tonight and there’s a game-a-night from now through Sunday. My picks are: Winnipeg, Saskatchewan, BC & Montreal. Read more at RodPedersen.com.
And #4 – It’ll be Canada against South Africa on Sunday in the first round of the World Cup Playoffs. Viewers were upset we didn’t do the Livestream – or WatchALong as the Euros call it – but our sponsor BCGame wanted to wait till the knockout round so look for it on Sunday.
At this stage of my life, I’m doing what I’m told. It makes life a helluva lot easier.
That’s today’s Rod Pedersen Commentary.
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