WEBVTT

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(female announcer)
This is a
production of WKNO-Memphis.

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Production funding for 'Sports
Files' is made possible in part

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by..

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My guest today on 'Sports Files'
is the General Manager of the

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Memphis Redbirds, Ben Weiss.

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♪♪♪

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Play Ball!

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Two words that bring pleasure to
the ears of baseball fans young

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and old.

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The 2013 Major League Baseball
season opened up earlier this

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week, while tonight the Memphis
Redbirds began play in the

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Pacific Coast League.

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The Birds, the AAA affiliate of
the St. Louis Cardinals are part

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of the fabric of the Bluff
City, and while the numbers may

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indicate a bit of a downward
trend in baseball's popularity,

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America's pasttime continues to
be one of the most fan friendly

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sports we have in this country.

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Nearly a half million fans of
the game walked through the

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Autozone Park
turnstiles in 2012,

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an average of just under
seven thousand per game.

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The Redbirds remain a very
afforable ticket for sports

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fans, and with one of
Minor League Baseball's most

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attractive stadiums, they
continue to be a draw for people

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from all walks of life.

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Last season the Redbirds
organization unveiled the

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largest scoreboard in
Minor league baseball,

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adding to the already popular
baseball "Shrine" at 3rd and

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Union.

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The man instrumental in helping
bring the new jumbotron to

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Autozone Park, and adding
other popular immenities,

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is General Manager Ben Weiss.

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Weiss took over the daily
business operations of the

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Redbirds in August of
2009, and hasn't looked back.

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Today, the Redbirds young,
talented GM joins me to talk

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about the upcoming season and
what fans can expect to see from

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the team.

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A squad that will begin the
season with some of the most

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promising young talent in the
Cardinals organization such as

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outfielder Oscar Tavarez and
second baseman Kolten Wong.

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We swing for the fences with
the Redbirds front office head

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honcho, Ben Weiss,
next on 'Sports Files'.

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♪♪♪

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Ben, thank you so
much for being with us.

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Appreciate it, Greg.

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Thank you for having me.

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Always good to talk baseball.

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I know the weather may not be
cooperating like we want it to

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be but anytime you
can talk baseball,

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it's a good thing.

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Anytime we talk
baseball it's a good thing.

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You're right.

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The weather seems to be
reverting a little bit,

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you know, back to
the cooler temps.

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But obviously, this weekend,
temperatures supposed to be just

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perfect.

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Perfect for the first
fireworks game of the season.

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So, we're looking
forward to that.

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We'll talk about all the
promotions and everything that

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we can expect to see from the
Redbirds this upcoming season as

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we move along.

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But timing is everything.

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And yesterday a story was
circulating around the Memphis

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area and maybe even out of Saint
Louis about the Saint Louis

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Cardinals and that they were
on the verge of purchasing the

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Redbirds and Autozone Park.

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Ben, what can you tell us about
those rumors and that story that

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circulated yesterday?

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We obviously, you know,
saw the Twitter chatter.

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And you know, as
far as I'm concerned,

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I still work for the Memphis
Redbirds Baseball Foundation.

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They're still the
owner of the ballpark,

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still the owner
of the franchise.

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And until, you know, there's a
change directly communicated by

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them, that's the way it is
and that's the way it stands.

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If there is dialogue between the
two and some would say there has

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been because I know this has
been a rumor for a long time

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that they would love to see
the Cardinals purchase the

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organization.

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Are you pretty to that
information as the general

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manager?

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It's at a different level, Greg.

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You know, the
foundation members are,

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you know, they handle
discussions as it results or as

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it pertains to any
potential transaction.

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So you move on as if it's
day-to-day operations and what

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happens above you happens.

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Our staff, we come in everyday.

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Now we're coming in seven days a
week working our tails off and,

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you know, making sure
that ball park is clean,

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our promotions are great and
everybody has a great time.

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That's what were there to do.

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What does opening
day mean to you?

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To me, it's opening day
is like Christmas day.

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I'm fortunate.

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I work in a business where I get
two Christmas days in one year.

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But you know, it brings back.

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It's a ton of excitment.

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All the work, the culimation of
the six or seven months of off

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season.

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It's just great to see
all that come to fruition.

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And it's just
very, very exciting.

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You're a younger guy than me but
I still remember growing up and

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opening day and when I went to
see the Phillies was the team I

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grew up with.

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You could smell the grass.

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I'm going back to Connie
Mack when there was real grass.

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And of course we had
the astroturf at stadium.

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But to me, although the game
has changed in some regards,

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it's still the same as
when I was a little kid.

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Do you feel the same way opening
day and the excitment like you

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just talked about
with Christmas?

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Yeah, without a doubt.

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You know, I grew up
playing baseball.

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You know, and getting on that
field and smelling the grass and

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being around the
smell of the leather,

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the smell of the baseball.

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Those smells and those
senses that only happen,

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you know, inside that ballpark.

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It's special and it brings
me back to my childhood,

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as well.

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It's engrained in you.

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That's why you don't
forget the smells.

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It's in you.

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Yeah, for sure.

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What is a typical day for
Ben Weiss with the Redbirds?

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Well, the best part about my
job is there is no typical day.

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You know, everyday is
absolutely very, very different.

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You know, especially
now that we're in season.

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Everything from, you know,
promoting the ball club to

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working with our corporate
sponsors to selling season

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tickets.

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In fact, just the other day I
was pulling tarp with the crew.

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So I'm down on the field and I'm
there for the early tarp calls

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and for the late tarp calls.

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So, you know, we do it all.

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Minor League Baseball, we're
kind of all hands on deck and

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jack of all trades.

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There are so many things you do
from a business standpoint which

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we'll get in to.

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But from a player
personnel standpoint,

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obviously it's dependant upon
what happens with the big league

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team shaping your roster.

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But are you asked by
people within the cardinals

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organization for your
input on certain players?

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No, no, at our level, you know
especially within the Cardinals

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organization, the Cardinals just
got a fantastic farm system.

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A tremendous farm director named
John Vuch who's quite a bit more

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qualified than I am to
make those decisions.

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Of course, John, those guys
are making the player personnel

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decisions.

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They advise us when a
players going up or coming down.

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And then at that point, we take
over and make sure that player

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is taken care of and is
comfortable and enjoys his time

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in Memphis.

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I think most people would agree
that it's really nice to have a

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team that's competing.

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But even if the
team is not competing,

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it's an event to go to a ball
park and it's an event to go to

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Autozone Park because it is
such a tremendous ball park.

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And you always look at ways to
better it and last year bringing

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in this jumbotron
was a tremendous cou,

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Ben, by you and the staff.

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Talk about that.

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Talk about continually
trying to improve the product.

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And that, you hit the
nail on the head there.

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Continually trying
to raise the bar,

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improve the product,
improve the fan experience.

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You know, that's our mission.

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That's our day-to-day mission
is to continue to make the

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experience just
that much better.

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And like you said,
that video board and,

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you know, 60 by 60.

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Biggest video board in
minor league baseball.

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Bigger than a handful of the
big league park video boards.

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We're very proud of that.

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That just enhances
our fan experience.

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The little kids come in to our
ball park and their eyes light

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up.

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And then they see that video
board and then they see Rocky.

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You know, we get to do that
72 home games a year and it's

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pretty special.

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You have the bluff
over left field.

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You have the boardwalk where the
kids go and play games because

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their interest kind of
wains after a couple of innings.

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You have this
beautiful jumbotron.

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What else can you do?

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What have you
added for this year?

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Now, promotions.

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You're always looking
to better yourself.

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Always looking to
add promotions.

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You know, we listen to our fans.

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That's first and foremost.

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You know, we love our
fans and, you know,

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that's who we need to listen to.

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So, we're constantly
doing focus groups.

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We're listening to what
our fans have to say,

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getting their
feedback, adding promotions.

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They loved our
promotion calendar last year.

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So we're taking that to
another level having 17,

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18 giveaways each and every
Friday night coupled with our

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Friday night block parties, band
and beer specials pre game on

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Friday nights.

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And of course, our
Saturday night fireworks,

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in my opinion, the best
fireworks display in all of

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minor league baseball.

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In all 160 teams, no body beats
the Memphis fireworks show.

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You know, we're
proud to put that on.

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In the years you've
been here in Memphis,

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do you feel that the popularity
of the sport and of the product

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is growing, is
stable, has decreased?

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Well, our numbers prove it.

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I think, you know,
there's incremental growth.

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It's slow and steady.

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I think people
appreciate the product and,

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you know, we're certainly an
entertainment option in Memphis.

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And I think that's the way
a lot of families view us.

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You know, who are
we competing with?

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Yeah, we're competing with
that Friday night movie,

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that saturday
night movie, you know,

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some of the other
attractions in Memphis.

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That's who we're
going up against,

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you know, when the family is
deciding where to spend their

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dollars.

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So friend of mine, constatnly
raising the bar adding value.

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You know, when a fan
comes in to the ball park,

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they know they're going
to get a neat giveaway.

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They know they're going to
get a tremendous firework show.

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They know they're going to get
their picture with Rocky the

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Redbird.

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All those little
things, you know,

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they really add up and I
think that's why we've seen,

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you know, steady
growth, you know,

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in the last two or three years.

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You're looking to appease the
families but I would imagine

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you're also looking to go out
there and get groups whether it

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be civic groups, church
groups, things like that.

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Yeah, youth baseball.

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I mean, a piece of business
that has really grown for us is

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allowing youth baseball teams
to play on our field pre or

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postgame Redbirds games.

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So that's a neat opportunity
to see those young kids,

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boys and girls, touch the grass
at Autozone Park and actually be

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able to play a game.

10:34.631 --> 10:36.931
It's something they're going to
be talking about for the rest of

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their life.

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And that's what we're doing is
we're ceating lifelong baseball

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fans, lifelong Redbird fans.

10:43.564 --> 10:44.564
Let's go back to one of the
statements I made earlier about

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having a competitive team.

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It just adds to it.

10:46.864 --> 10:50.464
You start off with some of the
best prospects in the Cardinals

10:50.464 --> 10:53.864
organizations in Oscar
Taveras, and Kolten Wong,

10:53.864 --> 10:54.864
Micheal Wacha.

10:54.864 --> 10:56.731
Let me make sure
everybody realizes.

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Get out there and see them now
because we don't know how long

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they'll be there.

10:59.898 --> 11:01.264
But to have this type of talent.

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Chambers is back with the
Redbirds and you have other

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talent that returns.

11:05.731 --> 11:06.731
It's nice.

11:06.731 --> 11:10.431
This squad and Pop Warner has
said it over the last couple of

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days, our manager.

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This squad is going to go out
every night and they're going to

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compete.

11:14.931 --> 11:16.364
And they're going to
put on a heck of a show.

11:16.364 --> 11:18.664
You're going to
see some great ball,

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baseball down there
at Third and Union.

11:20.998 --> 11:25.064
And you know, this is the
Cardinal's future right here and

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this is something you're
not going to want to miss.

11:26.631 --> 11:27.998
Yeah, if you look
at the parent club,

11:27.998 --> 11:31.431
just not all of them but just
about everybody went to Memphis.

11:31.431 --> 11:34.164
A good majority
of them, you know,

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have played at Autozone Park.

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So, you know, the future is now.

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You know, this is the time to
come see those future Cardinals.

11:42.264 --> 11:44.231
Evaluate the job Pops doing.

11:44.231 --> 11:45.231
Tremendous.

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Pops a tremendous competitor.

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I know he was not happy with the
win-loss record last year but he

11:53.531 --> 11:56.631
gets those guys ready to compete
every single night and he's just

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a tremendous guy.

11:57.564 --> 11:59.198
He's the guy that
you root for and,

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you know, we love Pop.

12:01.164 --> 12:05.364
Something that is not good for
the Cardinals but benefits the

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Redbirds and even Springfield
is when a player gets hurt,

12:08.664 --> 12:10.531
injured and is rehabilitating.

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You have David Freese
help with the team now,

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a World Series hero.

12:14.264 --> 12:17.031
It's always an added bonus
when fans can come over,

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watch your team and then, "Oh,
David Freese is there as well."

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Opening weekend David Freese,
we're pretty happy about that.

12:24.564 --> 12:26.264
So, we'll see.

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What is the goal from you and
your staff for the future with

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this organization?

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What kind of goals do
you make for yourselves?

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Each year we, you
know, like I said,

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we try to raise the
level of customer service,

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fan experience and
continue to grow that fan base,

12:42.698 --> 12:45.864
continue to sell, you know,
additional season tickets,

12:45.864 --> 12:49.064
continue to reach out to the
corperate community and grow our

12:49.064 --> 12:50.064
corperate support.

12:50.064 --> 12:53.464
And you know, we've been
successful at that the last few

12:53.464 --> 12:54.464
years.

12:54.464 --> 12:56.964
So the goals just keep
growing that business,

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keep growing Redbirds fans.

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Do you ever bend?

13:00.264 --> 13:03.731
Do you ever go on the road or
have members of your staff go on

13:03.731 --> 13:06.431
the road and see what's
happening at other minor league

13:06.431 --> 13:07.431
parks?

13:07.431 --> 13:08.431
I do.

13:08.431 --> 13:10.831
I'm lucky enough to get
out there on the road and

13:10.831 --> 13:12.098
occasionally go
out with our team.

13:12.098 --> 13:14.898
But I go to these other
parks for our all-star game,

13:14.898 --> 13:17.098
our national championship game.

13:17.098 --> 13:20.131
If we make the play-offs, I'll
be on the road with the team for

13:20.131 --> 13:22.764
our potential play-off run.

13:22.764 --> 13:24.364
And that's when you
can really, you know,

13:24.364 --> 13:25.664
you're kind of doing
your homework out there.

13:25.664 --> 13:27.564
You're seeing what new
promotions are out there.

13:27.564 --> 13:32.398
You're seeing what new ballpark
attractions are out there and,

13:32.398 --> 13:35.298
you know, see if we can take a
few ideas and bring them back

13:35.298 --> 13:36.264
here to Memphis.

13:36.264 --> 13:38.398
I would imagine some
minor league teams out there,

13:38.398 --> 13:41.164
some organizations try to
emulate what you guys are doing

13:41.164 --> 13:47.298
knowing that you have this
amazing stadium that if they

13:47.298 --> 13:48.298
certainly can
afford it financially,

13:48.298 --> 13:49.764
that they're going to
want to model it after it.

13:49.764 --> 13:53.931
Yeah, you know, we meet as a
minor league baseball community

13:53.931 --> 13:55.531
once or twice a year.

13:55.531 --> 13:57.931
And, you know, the best part
about the minor league baseball

13:57.931 --> 14:00.431
community is we are open books.

14:00.431 --> 14:01.831
We share data.

14:01.831 --> 14:02.964
We share what's working.

14:02.964 --> 14:05.798
We share what's not working
in each different market.

14:05.798 --> 14:08.464
And certainly a lot of
questions get asked.

14:08.464 --> 14:10.331
"What are you guys
doing in Memphis?"

14:10.331 --> 14:11.398
"What's working in Memphis?"

14:11.398 --> 14:14.564
And you know, that's a good
thing is that people are keeping

14:14.564 --> 14:16.431
their eye on what
we're doing here.

14:16.431 --> 14:18.298
Ben, how about a
triple-A all-star game?

14:18.298 --> 14:19.998
We would love to host it.

14:19.998 --> 14:20.998
We would love to host it.

14:20.998 --> 14:21.998
How does that go?

14:21.998 --> 14:22.998
How do you try to?

14:22.998 --> 14:25.364
It alternates from International
League to Pacific Coast League

14:25.364 --> 14:26.364
each year.

14:26.364 --> 14:28.764
And usually,
there's a bid process.

14:28.764 --> 14:34.231
You need to, you know, kind of
campaign and get the word out

14:34.231 --> 14:37.164
there that you'd be
intersted in that.

14:37.164 --> 14:41.831
And then the two leagues, the
two triple-A leagues make the

14:41.831 --> 14:42.831
decision.

14:42.831 --> 14:44.831
So, that's a
possibility down the road.

14:44.831 --> 14:48.064
I know they're booked
for the next two seasons.

14:48.064 --> 14:49.731
So, we'll see.

14:49.731 --> 14:53.164
Civic responsibilites for
the Redbirds organization.

14:53.164 --> 14:55.531
I know it's very important to
do things in the community,

14:55.531 --> 14:57.064
go back to the stripe programs.

14:57.064 --> 14:58.064
These are important.

14:58.064 --> 15:03.631
Yes, still active and, you know,
we're proud to say that we still

15:03.631 --> 15:06.831
touch in our RBI
program, you know,

15:06.831 --> 15:12.364
almost 1,000 at-risk youth every
summer with our RBI program.

15:12.364 --> 15:14.798
You know, not only
teaching baseball skills,

15:14.798 --> 15:16.931
softball skills but life skills.

15:16.931 --> 15:19.064
We provide the kids a meal
everytime they come out to

15:19.064 --> 15:20.164
practice.

15:20.164 --> 15:24.264
And then of course, it
culminates with a trip down to

15:24.264 --> 15:26.798
Autozone Park and
watching the Redbirds play.

15:26.798 --> 15:28.598
So, it's a great program.

15:28.598 --> 15:30.764
We're very, very proud of it.

15:30.764 --> 15:33.198
And always looking for
additional corporate community

15:33.198 --> 15:34.198
support on that.

15:34.198 --> 15:35.931
So, you know, if
you're interested,

15:35.931 --> 15:37.164
please certainly help us.

15:37.164 --> 15:38.798
Provide a number
that they can call.

15:38.798 --> 15:43.164
Definitely go on the
website or 721-6000.

15:43.164 --> 15:46.298
Call that number and, you
know, we're always looking for

15:46.298 --> 15:47.298
additional hands.

15:47.298 --> 15:49.498
Now will that be the number
also if people are interested in

15:49.498 --> 15:50.498
purchsing tickets?

15:50.498 --> 15:51.531
Absolutely, absolutely.

15:51.531 --> 15:53.831
And the website I would
imagine is going strong.

15:53.831 --> 15:55.298
Yep, Memphisredbirds-dot-com.

15:55.298 --> 15:57.231
In fact, a brand
new look this year.

15:57.231 --> 15:59.931
A lot of information on there.

15:59.931 --> 16:03.264
You know, one thing we heard
from our fans in they wanted

16:03.264 --> 16:04.964
more player contact information.

16:04.964 --> 16:08.431
We were happy to provide that.

16:08.431 --> 16:09.731
And check our our website.

16:09.731 --> 16:12.164
It's got a ton of
information on it.

16:12.164 --> 16:15.564
Ben, very briefly, being a
part of a non-profit with the

16:15.564 --> 16:20.331
Redbirds Foundation,
how restrictive is that?

16:20.331 --> 16:23.264
Does that pose some issues?

16:23.264 --> 16:24.264
It does.

16:24.264 --> 16:26.098
it's not restrictive at all.

16:26.098 --> 16:30.831
I mean, we still run our
business and we still run our

16:30.831 --> 16:34.398
minor league club in the same
fashion that most of the other

16:34.398 --> 16:35.398
clubs do.

16:35.398 --> 16:39.131
You know, of course there's some
financial and accounting things

16:39.131 --> 16:40.598
that need to take place.

16:40.598 --> 16:43.664
But other than that,
to be honest with you..

16:43.664 --> 16:44.664
No major barriers.

16:44.664 --> 16:46.164
No handcuffs, so we're good.

16:46.164 --> 16:48.264
We like to end each
one of our interviews.

16:48.264 --> 16:52.231
Find out a little bit more about
our guests with Five for the

16:52.231 --> 16:53.231
Road.

16:53.231 --> 16:54.998
So it's five
questions, quick answers.

16:54.998 --> 16:56.631
Try not to think about
it too thoroughly here.

16:56.631 --> 16:58.698
Just maybe the first
thing that comes to mind.

16:58.698 --> 17:01.798
Favorite
professional team in sports,

17:01.798 --> 17:03.031
in all of sports?

17:03.031 --> 17:04.031
Don't say the Cardinals.

17:04.031 --> 17:06.298
If I wasn't going to
say the Cardinals,

17:06.298 --> 17:07.731
I'd say teh
Philadelphia Phillies.

17:07.731 --> 17:08.731
How about that?

17:08.731 --> 17:09.731
Now where did you grow up?

17:09.731 --> 17:10.731
Allentown, Pennsylvania.

17:10.731 --> 17:11.731
Are you kidding me?

17:11.731 --> 17:12.731
Yeah.

17:12.731 --> 17:13.731
Here we go.

17:13.731 --> 17:14.731
So we rooted for the same team.

17:14.731 --> 17:15.731
I'm from south Jersey but..

17:15.731 --> 17:17.098
When you said that, I
said, "Now here we go."

17:17.098 --> 17:18.131
Absolutely, alright.

17:18.131 --> 17:20.831
Favorite pro
athlete of all time?

17:20.831 --> 17:23.764
Of all time, Arnold Palmer.

17:23.764 --> 17:24.764
Really?

17:24.764 --> 17:28.898
Yep, grew up playing golf and my
dad was a big Arnie fan and had

17:28.898 --> 17:33.064
the chance to meet him at a US
Senior Open a few years ago.

17:33.064 --> 17:34.498
Well, not a few years ago.

17:34.498 --> 17:36.298
Maybe 20 years ago now.

17:36.298 --> 17:37.298
Time flies.

17:37.298 --> 17:38.298
Yeah, really.

17:38.298 --> 17:39.864
And just what a gentleman.

17:39.864 --> 17:41.264
He's a Pennsylvania guy, too.

17:41.264 --> 17:42.264
He is.

17:42.264 --> 17:43.531
Latrobe or
somewhere in that area.

17:43.531 --> 17:46.064
Surprised you didn't go
Mike Schmidt but I understand.

17:46.064 --> 17:47.064
I love Schmidty.

17:47.064 --> 17:49.364
Favorite music, musician, genre?

17:49.364 --> 17:50.798
What do you listen to?

17:50.798 --> 17:53.664
Driving around in your
car, what do you listen to?

17:53.664 --> 17:55.764
Yeah, I love the rock music.

17:55.764 --> 17:58.498
You know, still one of my
all-time favorite bands is

17:58.498 --> 17:59.498
Incubus.

17:59.498 --> 18:01.698
Kind of grew up in
college listening to them.

18:01.698 --> 18:02.698
Look at you!

18:02.698 --> 18:03.698
I still love Incubus.

18:03.698 --> 18:06.064
I don't even know if they
make records anymore but I still

18:06.064 --> 18:08.831
listen to the old stuff.

18:08.831 --> 18:09.831
Who knew?

18:09.831 --> 18:11.264
Favorite movie of all time?

18:11.264 --> 18:12.831
You and I both saw..

18:12.831 --> 18:14.064
I'll go with that!

18:14.064 --> 18:15.064
42 right there.

18:15.064 --> 18:19.398
Wow, that was a great event you
guys put on to have the premiere

18:19.398 --> 18:21.698
that we got to see last week.

18:21.698 --> 18:22.764
Wow, what a great movie!

18:22.764 --> 18:26.631
My wife and I were talking about
for probably two days after that

18:26.631 --> 18:31.764
just how, what a phenomenal
story and tremendous production.

18:31.764 --> 18:32.764
Need to go see it.

18:32.764 --> 18:35.798
First Lady Michelle Obama
said everybody should see it.

18:35.798 --> 18:38.564
It should be a must see if
you can get a chance to get out

18:38.564 --> 18:39.564
there.

18:39.564 --> 18:42.298
Finally we'll wrap it up with
your favorite television show of

18:42.298 --> 18:43.298
all time.

18:43.298 --> 18:44.298
Of all time..

18:44.298 --> 18:45.898
Is there something
right now when you go home?

18:45.898 --> 18:46.898
You know what?

18:46.898 --> 18:50.164
I really like this show called
Dual Survivor I think it's

18:50.164 --> 18:51.164
called.

18:51.164 --> 18:52.164
It's on Discover channel.

18:52.164 --> 18:55.964
It's these two guys that go out
and make themselves lost in the

18:55.964 --> 18:56.898
wilderness.

18:56.898 --> 18:57.898
Oh, one of those deals.

18:57.898 --> 18:58.898
I'm in to that!

18:58.898 --> 18:59.898
It's neat!

18:59.898 --> 19:00.964
I watch a lot
oft hat reality stuff.

19:00.964 --> 19:01.964
You never know
what's going to happen!

19:01.964 --> 19:03.831
I haven't seen that one yet but
I'll make sure I check it out.

19:03.831 --> 19:05.531
And folks, you make sure
to check out the Redbirds.

19:05.531 --> 19:07.598
They got a eight game home
stand to start the season.

19:07.598 --> 19:08.764
Ben Weiss, always a pleasure.

19:08.764 --> 19:09.764
Thank you.

19:09.764 --> 19:10.764
Thank you so much.

19:10.764 --> 19:12.631
We'll take a short break, come
back with Overtime right after

19:12.631 --> 19:14.664
this.

19:14.664 --> 19:48.598
♪♪♪

19:48.598 --> 19:50.998
As many of you know, the
University of Memphis Men's

19:50.998 --> 19:53.264
Basketball program has put
together one of the nation's top

19:53.264 --> 19:55.898
recruiting classes for 2013.

19:55.898 --> 19:58.731
Five top level players
signed scholarships,

19:58.731 --> 20:02.264
and if all qualify, Memphis has
it's version of the Fab Five.

20:02.264 --> 20:04.331
But here's a little secret.

20:04.331 --> 20:06.298
It's actually a Fab Six.

20:06.298 --> 20:09.198
Olive Branch High School product
Sam Craft will also be a part of

20:09.198 --> 20:10.198
that class.

20:10.198 --> 20:12.964
But priority one
for Sam is football.

20:12.964 --> 20:15.364
Craft signed with Justin
Fuente and the Tigers,

20:15.364 --> 20:17.398
but expects to play both sports.

20:17.398 --> 20:19.831
As a senior Quarterback
for the Conquistadors,

20:19.831 --> 20:23.364
Craft threw for nearly
1800 yards and 14 touchdowns.

20:23.364 --> 20:26.531
But he also rushed for nearly
a thousand with 16 scores,

20:26.531 --> 20:28.664
and caught four more touchdowns.

20:28.664 --> 20:31.964
At Memphis, he will likely
be used as a slot receiver.

20:31.964 --> 20:35.431
In hoops, Craft averaged 23
points and four blocks per game

20:35.431 --> 20:36.598
with Olive Branch.

20:36.598 --> 20:39.464
He is also a star on
the track and field team.

20:39.464 --> 20:41.531
But three sports at Memphis?

20:41.531 --> 20:44.064
Not even a great athlete like
Sam Craft will attempt to do

20:44.064 --> 20:45.664
that.

20:45.664 --> 20:47.998
Scott, you've had a number of
talented players walk through

20:47.998 --> 20:49.331
the doors here at Olive Branch.

20:49.331 --> 20:50.364
Tell me about Sam Craft.

20:50.364 --> 20:58.764
Sam is probably the most fast
twitch guy I've ever coached.

20:58.764 --> 21:01.964
That may not mean a whole lot to
the lay person but to somebody

21:01.964 --> 21:05.198
that's in the business will
understand what I'm saying.

21:05.198 --> 21:09.364
He's real, real quick,
got real good balance,

21:09.364 --> 21:10.864
great eye-hand coordination.

21:10.864 --> 21:15.564
But you know, the most important
thing to me about Sam Craft is

21:15.564 --> 21:18.164
the type of person that he is.

21:18.164 --> 21:21.564
And you know, Sam Craft the
athlete is going to get old and

21:21.564 --> 21:23.831
fat just like me
one of these days.

21:23.831 --> 21:26.698
But Sam Craft the person is
going to live for a long time

21:26.698 --> 21:30.064
and going to be a solid citizen
and a good person to be a

21:30.064 --> 21:31.964
neighbor and that sort of stuff.

21:31.964 --> 21:34.364
And that's the thing that
really matter to me about Sam.

21:34.364 --> 21:36.264
Well, Sam, you just
heard Coach describe you.

21:36.264 --> 21:37.831
Describe yourself to everyone.

21:37.831 --> 21:40.964
As a person, I just
describe myself as being humble,

21:40.964 --> 21:44.398
just thanking God for all the
talent that he's gtiven me.

21:44.398 --> 21:48.164
I describe myself as a football
player where I can make plays

21:48.164 --> 21:49.164
for my team.

21:49.164 --> 21:50.664
I try to play together.

21:50.664 --> 21:52.231
I do everything by myself.

21:52.231 --> 21:56.298
So, I just work hard and get
better everyday when I go to

21:56.298 --> 21:58.131
practice and stay
humble as a person,

21:58.131 --> 21:59.131
too.

21:59.131 --> 22:00.764
Sam, you spent three years at
Craigmont then transferred to

22:00.764 --> 22:01.764
Olive Branch.

22:01.764 --> 22:03.798
What was it like to have this
year with the Conquistadors?

22:03.798 --> 22:05.331
Oh, it was great.

22:05.331 --> 22:08.831
Coach, well, he let
me in with open arms.

22:08.831 --> 22:09.998
I felt wanted.

22:09.998 --> 22:13.598
He helped me become a better
football player and also a

22:13.598 --> 22:14.798
better person.

22:14.798 --> 22:17.464
My teammates, none of this
would be possible without them.

22:17.464 --> 22:20.131
They made me look just
as good on the field.

22:20.131 --> 22:21.798
Sam, why the
University of Memphis?

22:21.798 --> 22:23.298
I'm a Memphis boy.

22:23.298 --> 22:26.264
I've been a fan
since I was born.

22:26.264 --> 22:28.131
My father played at Memphis.

22:28.131 --> 22:30.731
Other schools recruited
me, real good schools.

22:30.731 --> 22:34.364
And I thought about going but I
looked back on it and Memphis is

22:34.364 --> 22:35.364
the best.

22:35.364 --> 22:36.864
It's the best fit for me.

22:36.864 --> 22:38.831
Sam, you play
quarterback at Olive Branch.

22:38.831 --> 22:40.964
Where do you expect
to play at Memphis?

22:40.964 --> 22:45.198
I expect to come to Memphis one
because Fuente let me make the

22:45.198 --> 22:46.198
plays.

22:46.198 --> 22:49.098
I'll be more than welcome to
play there from quarterback to

22:49.098 --> 22:52.031
me playing defensive back,
side reciever or kick returner,

22:52.031 --> 22:53.031
punt returner.

22:53.031 --> 22:55.964
What position are you
most comfortable with?

22:55.964 --> 22:57.698
With the ball in my hands.

22:57.698 --> 22:58.698
So offensively?

22:58.698 --> 22:59.698
Yes, sir.

22:59.698 --> 23:02.498
There are a lot of young men who
decide they want to leave the

23:02.498 --> 23:03.498
area.

23:03.498 --> 23:05.531
They don't want to
stay and play at Memphis.

23:05.531 --> 23:09.298
You're a Memphis area
kid who decided to stay.

23:09.298 --> 23:12.231
Do you like the pressure
that's going to come with it?

23:12.231 --> 23:14.031
It's pressure but
at the same time,

23:14.031 --> 23:15.964
that's what you
want as a player.

23:15.964 --> 23:18.998
Yeah, you want your family and
friends to be able to come and

23:18.998 --> 23:20.164
watch you every home game.

23:20.164 --> 23:23.131
That's a lot of love that's
going to be showed in the city

23:23.131 --> 23:24.131
of Memphis.

23:24.131 --> 23:27.864
And some of the players, they
leave out of the state to go

23:27.864 --> 23:28.864
play other places.

23:28.864 --> 23:31.698
They get forgotten and I just
want to be remembered and to

23:31.698 --> 23:34.531
change the football program
around would be a real good way

23:34.531 --> 23:35.531
to be remembered.

23:35.531 --> 23:36.664
So which sport
are you better at,

23:36.664 --> 23:37.664
football or basketball?

23:37.664 --> 23:41.998
It's crazy because I have the
question asked to me for so

23:41.998 --> 23:42.998
long.

23:42.998 --> 23:45.931
I really can't say because
I love both sports dearly.

23:45.931 --> 23:50.098
And I just play so hard so I
really can't say which one I'm

23:50.098 --> 23:51.098
better at.

23:51.098 --> 23:52.731
So, you're also running
track at Olive Branch.

23:52.731 --> 23:54.164
Basketball, football and track.

23:54.164 --> 23:56.564
Are you going to try to
play three sports at Memphis?

23:56.564 --> 23:59.198
I try to be a star at
whatever sport I play.

23:59.198 --> 24:02.298
Sam, is there any doubt you'll
play both sports at Memphis?

24:02.298 --> 24:03.298
There's no doubt.

24:03.298 --> 24:04.698
My freshman year, I'm
going to play both sports.

24:04.698 --> 24:07.231
If it doesn't work
out as I want it to be,

24:07.231 --> 24:08.831
I will just stick to football.

24:08.831 --> 24:10.164
Footballs where you
have your scholarship.

24:10.164 --> 24:11.164
Yes, sir.

24:11.164 --> 24:12.364
What do you know
about your college coach,

24:12.364 --> 24:13.898
Justin Fuente?

24:13.898 --> 24:15.798
Coach Fuente, he's a great guy.

24:15.798 --> 24:20.331
He asked me did I want to
come to Memphis and I told him,

24:20.331 --> 24:23.864
"Oh, yes sir,' so I think he's
changed this program around in

24:23.864 --> 24:25.598
one year like very fast.

24:25.598 --> 24:27.498
And I think in a
couple more years,

24:27.498 --> 24:30.831
it'll be one of the top
football schools in the country.

24:30.831 --> 24:33.498
Sam, what is the one thing
you'll take away from playing

24:33.498 --> 24:35.264
for Coach Samsel
here at Olive Branch?

24:35.264 --> 24:38.531
Just being
dedicated in the classroom.

24:38.531 --> 24:41.998
I've came a long way in
doing my school work.

24:41.998 --> 24:44.231
but Coach Samsel,
he know I can play.

24:44.231 --> 24:47.931
I can play ball but he was
always on me about making sure I

24:47.931 --> 24:49.364
had my classwork done.

24:49.364 --> 24:50.664
Well Sam, best of
luck in Memphis.

24:50.664 --> 24:52.098
We're looking forward to
watching you play there.

24:52.098 --> 24:53.231
Thank you so much for your time.

24:53.231 --> 24:54.231
Thank you.

24:54.231 --> 24:55.231
Scott, always a pleasure.

24:55.231 --> 24:56.698
Thank you.

24:56.698 --> 24:59.498
As we say goodnight, we do so
with heavy hearts after the news

24:59.498 --> 25:02.231
of the recent passing of former
Memphis Tigers hoop star Bobby

25:02.231 --> 25:03.231
Parks.

25:03.231 --> 25:05.464
Parks died of
cancer at the age of 51,

25:05.464 --> 25:08.331
in his home away from
home, the Phillipines.

25:08.331 --> 25:11.064
Parks was the consumate hard
worker who made his teammates,

25:11.064 --> 25:12.564
and thus his team, better.

25:12.564 --> 25:15.364
He was part of the recruiting
class of 1980 and helped the

25:15.364 --> 25:19.464
Tigers to three straight
sweet 16 appearances in the NCAA

25:19.464 --> 25:20.464
tournament.

25:20.464 --> 25:23.598
He is the school's 19th
all time leading scorer.

25:23.598 --> 25:25.798
His pro career took
him to the Phillipines,

25:25.798 --> 25:28.931
where he became a legendary
figure both on and off the

25:28.931 --> 25:29.931
court.

25:29.931 --> 25:31.998
Our thoughts and prayers go
out to the friends and family of

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Bobby and the
entire Tiger nation.

25:34.498 --> 25:36.164
And that will do
it for this week.

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Remember you can see any of our
previous shows by heading to our

25:39.064 --> 25:43.364
website at WKNO-dot-org
and clicking on KNO Tonite.

25:43.364 --> 25:45.364
And we'll see you next time.

25:45.864 --> 25:49.864
♪♪♪