Thursday, Jul. 09, 2009
Missed the News?
We've got you covered with this recap of the week's headlines
MCT
Michael Jackson performs during his last show rehearsal at Staples Center on June 23, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Kevin Mazur/AEG/Getty Images via image.net/MCT)
Goodbye, jacko…
Another wacky and wild week in the news arena…
On Tuesday, 20,000 people filed into the Staples Center to pay last respects to Michael Jackson with a memorial service including performances by his siblings, and a who’s who cast of R&B and pop stars such as Stevie Wonder and Mariah Carey, and highlighted by a fire-and-brimstone eulogy by the Rev. Al Sharpton.
hello flag flap
Locally, the biggest news centered around another flap over the Confederate Flag that flies on the S.C. Statehouse grounds in Columbia. The Atlantic Coast Conference, a collegiate powerhouse counting Clemson, North Carolina and N.C. State among its membership, announced Monday it would not be hosting its 2011-2013 baseball tournaments at BB&T Coastal Field. The conference withdrew because of opposition from the NAACP which has lobbied to boycott major events in the Palmetto State because of the flag – which some see as a symbol of Southern heritage and others see as a symbol of racism and slavery. Myrtle Beach boosters had hoped the ACC hardball tourney would be a feather in the cap of the area’s efforts to grow sports-related tourism. Meanwhile, local legislators said they’re in no rush to remove the divisive flag from the capitol.
It’s huddy’s turn
And speaking of baseball, as we Twittered (or is that Tweeted?) last week, sidelined Atlanta Braves pitcher Tim Hudson, recovering from Tommy John ligament replacement surgery, will make a start for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans on July 19 at BB&T Coastal Field. Hudson, who sports a career record of 146-77, is the latest Braves star to do his rehab assignment in Myrtle Beach, following last year’s stints by pitchers Tom Glavine and Mike Hampton, and earlier this year All-Star catcher Brian McCann. It seems Myrtle Beach (a high Class A affiliate of the Braves) is the choice spot for players recovering from injury, beating out AAA affiliate Gwinnett which is only about 20 miles from Atlanta, along with affiliates in Rome, Ga., Danville, Va. and Pearl, Miss.