birtmc.com

Old Team Tuesday is a weekly feature taking a look at former teams that have gone by the wayside. This week’s edition magnifies one of the pioneering franchises in women’s sports. ********************************************** The effects of the women’s liberation movement and Title IX on American society are nearly impossible to ignore. What were once considered traditional roles are now continuously challenged and overhauled in the name of equal opportunity. In the 1970s, few women were more synonymous with these efforts than Billie Jean King. After disrupting the pro tennis scene with a torrent of 30 combined Grand Slam victories before her 30th birthday, King defeated Bobby Riggs in the highly-publicized “Battle of the Sexes.” Riggs had managed to beat Margaret Court just a few months prior – the top-ranked female player in the world at the onset of 1973. King’s status – even before her triumph over Riggs – gave her a uniquely powerful voice in sports and beyond. S...

Editor's note: This story is best enjoyed using the voice of someone pretending to narrate a Lord of the Rings movie. Once upon a time, a young manager was summoned to take a long journey through the mountains. He, along with 22 brave warriors, left the comforts of home late one February morn and went south to combat ferocious clans throughout the Mud Foot Region. Not yet arrived at the first field of battle, more than half of the warriors fell ill after a ruthless innkeeper poisoned their dinners. The town of Franklout proved unwelcoming to the incoming visitors, perhaps to give the nearby Cullowhee an advantage in the days to come. After the fight saw the weary, weakened, short-handed travelers succumb to a quick and early defeat, they ventured east, where they heard a horde of Spartans were preparing for their arrival. That afternoon in Boroughgreen, on a Wednesday in which Whabamming had not yet passed, the manager filled up on hearty soup and bread before heading off...

I never thought it would happen. Really, truly, I never thought the McPizza would die. And yet, I was rocked with some devastating news on Tuesday: eater.com grubstreet.com munchies.vice.com My reaction to this news was appropriately collected and calm: LIFE HAS NO MEANING ANYMORE https://t.co/QYcu5RByPD — Matt Birt (@BirtMC) September 5, 2017 After taking the time to process this loss, I would like to now recite a poem in honor of the McPizza. Crisp and hot you came to me Your scent and looks alluring so ‘twas late that night, but shake in hand I sank my teeth into your dough O stars, what bliss! What ecstasy! Time did stop at half past eleven From hands of fries and apple pies I was given a taste of heaven Back, with haste I drove to town! Anew with life and stomach full A #WhabammWednesday for the books The shocking story must be told Of Pomeroy’s most secret fare On eager ears ...

I didn't really know what to write about for my first contribution to this site. My initial idea was a post titled "Welcome to Wednesday." My lead started like this: Today is Wednesday. It is not Tuesday. It is not Hump Day. It is not #WhabammWednesday (although maybe it should be). Even though it is just Wednesday, let's rewind to take a look at what this week   And that's where I stopped. It didn't feel natural or original. It was obvious I was forcing something and I didn't want to start with weak content. So instead I'll talk about what's been going on inside my head lately, and possibly give you a peek at things to come. --- BACKGROUND --- Looking back on my college days, I believe my four years at Ohio University provided me with some of the best creative ideas I think I've ever had. Twitter -- which I had laughed off in high school because it seemed so stupid -- was forced upon me in my first semester and I never looked back...