Stumblin' Along 3/2 '25
Better Way to Live
Better Way to Live
- 15 Greatest Redhead American Athletes of All Time
- YouTube Rabbithole
Alright @YouTheReader,
Today’s tune is Kneecap’s Better Way to Live, featuring Grian Chatten.
Beneath all the chaos going on in his head, there’s magic. If there’s a way to improve his life, he’s gotta go for it. He doesn’t overthink when he drinks, but with the consequence of drinking, his goal gets further away.
Beneath all the talk, there’s something better. He felt a bit of nostalgia, and who doesn’t like nostalgia? He knows it’s there but he can’t stop getting pissed (getting drinks). One more screw up, he’ll be added to the list.
It's a pretty straightforward chorus but original, catchy, and brilliant. The beat is also excellent.
Kneecap is an Irish hip-hop group based out of Belfast. One of their main goals and what makes them unique is that they incorporate the original Irish tongue, Gaelic, in their lyrics.
I’m not going to pretend to know what the Gaelic in these lines means, and frankly, I don’t trust RapGenius fully enough to try to decipher it.
From the bits of English, the 4-digit code is his ATM, so he’s taking out cash. He’s asking for 2 pints of Guinness at a time because a proper pour of Guinness takes time to settle, so you’re better off getting the next one going. He’s drinking or living fast.
An Irish goodbye is when someone leaves a fine drinking establishment abruptly without the sentiments. The actual origins of the phrase are nearly impossible to pinpoint. I should probably ask my dad where he thinks it came from. According to Babbel, it originally may have been an 18th-century phrase that meant a “French leave.” The French, of course, taking exception to such connotation, complained, and the Irish were left holding the bag. It also could have gained steam due to the Irish exodus during the potato famine or simply because the Irish or (Irish-Americans) wanted to leave the bar without causing a whole commotion.
On to the list of…
15. Clint Frazier
Leading off the list is the once-promising Yankees’ prospect, Clint Frazier. The Red Thunder was a part of the 2016 Yankees’ prospect haul they received at the trade deadline when they traded Andrew Miller to Cleveland. He was much ballyhooed by the Bronx Bombers’ Brass, with Brian Cashman describing Frazier’s bat speed as “legendary.” While Clint Frazier’s time in New York wasn’t too long, it was eventful with some moments in the short time span. Frazier went yard in his MLB Debut in Houston, had a handful of clutch moments in 2019, and was even a budding star during the 2020 COVID season. The relationship would sour in 2021, but he’s still making the list because, for a brief moment in time, I thought a fellow ginger would be patrolling the outfield in the Bronx for the next decade. That counts for something.
14. Dennis Rodman
Redheads are claiming Dennis Rodman, who willingly dyed his hair red quite a few times during his time with the 90s Jordan Bulls’ Dynasty. Back in his day, Rodman was one of the NBA’s best defenders and rebounders. Now, of course, he serves as a US Diplomat with a strong connection to North Korea’s Kim Jung Un. When I got the opportunity to speak to Rodman at the top-secret underground basement redhead festival, he said, Jung Un was “much smaller in person.” Unfortunately, Dennis Rodman can no longer attend the Ginger Festival because he got into an altercation with Carrot Top, which resulted in both men losing their access to the event.
13. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Many may say Dale Earnhardt Jr. deserves to be higher on the list, but NASCAR drivers are barely athletes. You have to be extremely skillful and talented as hell to drive anything professionally, so no disrespect, but I'm glad we settled that. During his prime driving days, Earnhardt Jr. and his legendary red #8 Chevrolet car were known as the “redheaded stepchild” of the track. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was the champion of the NASCAR Busch Series twice (1998-1999) and 2-time Daytona 500 Winner (2004 & 2014).
12. Carson Wentz
People forget that Carson Wentz was once the #2 Pick of the ‘16 NFL Draft and even an MVP candidate during his 2nd year in ‘17. When the Eagles gave up a haul to draft Wentz, it was expected he’d be their franchise Quarterback for a decade plus. Philly has won 2 Super Bowls since drafting Wentz. Unfortunately for him, he was on the sidelines for both of them as he was injured when Nick Foles beat Tom Brady and was Patrick Mahomes’ backup in this year’s onslaugt.
11. Andy Dalton
Andy Dalton is the Bengals’ all-time leading TD passes, throwing 204 of them during 9 seasons in Cincinnati. The Red Rifle has had an excellent career as a 2nd Round pick, teaming up with AJ Green to form one of the most dynamic passing duos of the 2010s. Dalton is still hanging around in the NFL as the backup QB of the Carolina Panthers.
10. Brian Scalabrine
Brian Scalabrine is currently a Boston Celtics TV analyst, but before that, he was a solid hooper. The redheaded power forward played 3 seasons for the USC Trojans as he averaged 15.7 points and 6.1 rebounds during his time in SoCal. The New Jersey Nets then selected Scalabrine in 2nd Round of the 2001 NBA Draft. During his 4 seasons with the Nets, Scalabrine’s most memorable performance was when he scored 17 points off the bench against the vaunted defense of the Detroit Pistons in Game 5 of the ‘04 Eastern Conference Finals. That game alone cemented his status on this list. The 11-year NBA veteran was a nice bench guy known as “The White Mamba.”
9. Donte DiVincenzo
Donte DiVincenzo is a “day-walker” ginger who doesn’t freckle like many of the community. Before his NBA career, DiVincenzo had an excellent collegiate career at Villanova. During his 3 seasons at Villanova, DiVincenzo was a 2-time NCAA Champion and even won the 2018 Final Four Most Outstanding Player. The 17th Pick of the 2018 NBA Draft had a solid 5 season start to his career with the Bucks, Kings, and Warriors before landing in New York last season. During his lone breakout season with the Knicks in ‘23-’24, DiVincenzo became the franchise all-time leader in single-season 3-pointers as he nailed 283 treys. DiVincenzo also holds the Knicks’ record in 3-pointers made in a single game with 11. While he was only a Knick for one year, he did help get KAT to the Big Apple.
8. Justin Turner
Justin Turner has one of the more unique paths to the MLB ever. After breaking out as a collegiate baseball stat at the College World Series with California State University in 2003, Turner was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 29th round of the 2005 MLB Draft. He decided not to sign with the Yankees and played another year of college baseball. Selected in the 7th Round of the 2006 MLB Draft, Turner began his professional career in the Cincinnati Reds organization before being traded to the Orioles. After making his MLB Debut with the Orioles in ‘09, Turner was released by Baltimore as the New York Mets took a flier on him. Justin Turner was a utility player with the Mets from 2010 to 2013. Although Turner showed promise as a contact hitter in New York, the Mets decided not to re-sign him when he became a free agent. It ended up being the best thing to ever happen to Justin Turner as he returned to California to play for the Dodgers. Out in LA, Justin Turner developed into an All-Star 3rd Baseman as he batted .296 with the Dodgers from 2014 to 2022. Today, at 40 years old, Justin Turner is still a professional hitter who is good for a .250+ batting average.
7. Pete Wheeler
![Backyard Sports Player Profile [30 of 30]: Pete Wheeler : r/BackyardBaseball](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!bGTG!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc6bf078f-7c87-40e4-91bb-dd99c89a4cfc_616x268.png "Backyard Sports Player Profile [30 of 30]: Pete Wheeler : r/BackyardBaseball")
Pete Wheeler may be dumb as rocks, but he’s also as fast as the wind. Just an absolutely iconic Backyard Sports Athlete. Anybody who grew up in his era knows what he’s all about. He couldn’t be left off the list.
6. Alexi Lalas
Today, Alexi Lalas is the top American soccer commentator on ESPN. After gaining All-American status during his time with the Rutgers Scarlett Knights in the late 80s/early 90s, Lalas became famous for his red hair during the 1994 World Cup. Lalas also participated on the US Olympic Men’s Teams in 1992 and 1996. The redheaded defenseman played on Team USA from 1991 to 1998, when the United States’ soccer program was in its infancy.
5. Charles “Red” Ruffing
Charles “Red” Ruffing got his nickname thanks to his red hair. Red Ruffing was a pitcher in the MLB from 1924 to 1947. He began his career with the Boston Red Sox before being traded to the New York Yankees in 1930. Best described by Hall of Fame Slugger Jimmie Foxx, “That Ruffing is a wonder. Always in there winning that important game for you.” Ruffing won 7 pennants and 6 World Series with the New York Yankees. As a Yankee, Ruffing went 231-127 with a 3.49 ERA, but he upped his game during the World Series with a career-record of 7-2 with a 2.52 ERA during the Fall Classic. As a child, Red Ruffing lost 4 of his toes in a mining accident. This forced him into pitching rather than playing the outfield. Despite being a pitcher, Ruffing was an excellent hitter as well. During the 1935 season, Ruffing led the Yankees in batting with a .339 average, which is pretty absurd considering he was on a team with Lou Gehrig, Bily Dickey, and Tony Lazzeri. At 38 years of age, Red Ruffing was drafted into WWII in a non-combat role. Ruffing was stationed in Hawaii and pitched against the likes of Joe DiMaggio as a morale booster for the troops. Red Ruffing was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967. There aren’t many highlights to pick from of him pitching, but you get the gist of the ballplayer he was, judging by how the man chewed his tobacco in the GIF below.
4. Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin was the 1st Pick of the ‘09 NBA Draft after averaging 22.7 points and 14.4 rebounds per game as the AP Player of the Year at Oklahoma. After missing the entire 2009-10 season with a stress fracture in his knee, Griffin became the NBA Rookie of the Year, Slam Dunk Contest winner, and an NBA All-Star all in 2011. During his 13 years in the NBA, Griffin was a 6-time NBA All-Star. Alongside his teammates DeAndre Jordan and Chris Paul, Griffin was an integral part of the Lob City Clippers. At his peak, Blake Griffin was one of the most thunderous dunkers of all-time.
3. Shaun White
Shaun White burst on the scene as a 15-year-old at the Winter X Games in 2002, winning a silver medal. 4 years later, on the Olympic stage, The Flying Tomato was born in 2006 when he won his first Olympic Gold Medal at the Torino Games. As great as he was on snow, White was also talented on a skateboard as he became the first person to ever compete in both the Summer and Winter Games in 2 different sports. All in all, The Flying Tomato competed in 5 Winter Olympics, won 3 Olympic Golds, and won 15 Games Gold Medals.
2. Mark McGwire
Mark McGwire had to make this list just for his iconic wiffleball bat of the ‘90s alone. The A’s and Cardinals slugger hit 583 career home runs. McGwire captivated the nation in 1998 when he and Sammy Sosa broke Roger Maris’ single-season home run record of 61. McGwire blasted 70 homers in 1998 and 65 diners in 1999. Of course, he was roided up and deservedly shamed, but he’s gotta be on the list.
1. Bill Walton
