Tampa Bay Rants and Raves (TBRR) is a weekly chronicle of politics, sports, lifestyle and historical notes from a politically incorrect viewpoint. Caution, some of this content should not be taken literally.

First thing on our mind:

Why must certain organizations “improve” systems that are working perfectly well - particularly when those organizations deal with Medicare-aged people? More on that subject below.

Leading off: Welcome back Bob

Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn has thrown his hat in the ring in next year’s mayoral race. The centrist Democrat (remember when we had them?) served his city and served it well from 2011 to 2019 succeeding Pam Iorio. He enters a crowded field, but no one else in the nine person contest has the name recognition and track record of the former mayor. With such a large number of opponents, he might have to endure a runoff, but the smart money is on Buckhorn to return to city hall.

Tampa Bay, politics and notes:

Related - Mayor of St. Pete is one of the few political posts that Democrat/Republican/Independent Charlie Crist has not sought. Now, he’s announced that he will attempt to add that job to his resume this fall.

President and First Lady Trump are calling for ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel for his latest incendiary remarks. Why bother? Who watches the guy to begin with?

It warms your heart when you hear the story of the heroic 12 year-olds in Mississippi who saved their bus driver and their fellow riders last week. Somehow, we cannot resist comparing them to Jimmy Kimmel.

The state of Maine has passed a yearlong moratorium on data centers. That is akin to your humble blogger declaring a year-long ban on monthly six figure checks. Neither is coming anyway.

As more and more people flee California and its “wealth tax,” who ya gonna tax – people making $500 a week?

“Cola Wars” update. Coca Cola continues to lead the way with almost 19% of the market. The next four are Dr. Pepper 8.8%; biggest jump up to #3 was Pepsi followed by Diet Coke at #4 and Sprite which fell two spots to #5. Part of Coke’s renewed strength came from their emphasis on their smaller 7.5 ounce cans which help cash strapped consumers and appeal to older patrons who fondly remember the 6.25 ounce Coke of their youth.

Of note: in 1940, before the outbreak of World War II, Florida was the least populous state in the South - from Florida Made by Lemieux and Mize. That all changed after the war.

Idle thought: Technology is great – when it works, which seems to be less and less of the time.

Related note from the 5:05 Newsletter: I just spent 10 minutes trying to remember a password, only for the website to tell me "New password cannot be the same as your old password." I am my own worst enemy.

Born 100 years ago this week (May 8) in the Bronx was “Mr. Warmth,” Don Rickles, a regular on the Johnny Carson Tonight Show (over 100 appearances) and Dean Martin’s celebrity roasts.

Sports and random notes:

Factoid, related to the above: Don Rickles’ lifelong best friend was dead pan comedian Bob Newhart.

Smokey Bones on Gulf-to-Bay in Clearwater locked up tight with no advance notice.

In 1935, Your Hit Parade debuts on radio. The show would continue on radio and, later, TV for a quarter century.

It might be time for arguably the worst umpire in MLB, C.B. Buckner, to retire. He already leads the league in ABS overturned calls behind the plate (six in his first game alone) and his decision that a Milwaukee Brewer missed first base in running out a hit was overturned in a nanosecond.

You’ve lived in Clearwater a long time if you ever ate at The Owl Diner. With thanks to the sole Clearwater native of our TBRR Focus Group.

One last thing: Cora – first of many? Yes.

The only surprise was the change was made just You could see it coming. The Boston Red Sox under manager Alex Cora looked lost. Shots of him in the dugout had that deer in the headlights look. one month into the season. Well, make that one surprise. Many observers thought that one of the managers of either the underperforming Mets or Phillies might be the first to go. Well, it took all of three more days for the Phils to dump Rob Thomson and replace him with Don Mattingly. You could see that one coming too when Mattingly opted out of his job with Toronto after last season to take the same spot (bench coach) with the Phils. Carlos Mendoza of the Mets is probably next. If he goes, all three firings will be the result of poor roster construction, particularly the Phils who are allowing their team to age badly and the Mets who let too many key cogs (particularly Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso) get away. Other underperforming teams to watch are the Astros, Blue Jays and Royals. Stay tuned.

Next Up: Transportation history; Pendletones; I-4

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