Buy a copy of Titans of the South: Photographs and History of the Tennessee Titans right here.

Look, it’s hard out on those streets for Titans fans these days. if you’re anything like me when things are as bleak as they are right now, you tend to find yourself going down wormholes of when the Titans used to be great. Yes, there were actual seasons when the Titans were great.

In fact, my guy Justin Melo encompassed all of it the great, the good, and even the Ken Whisenhunt year and half all in an incredible one-stop-shop book that you and/or any Titans fan should pick up.

If you’re a Tennessee Titans fan, a lover of all things Nashville, or you just enjoy history books with more pictures than words, Titans of the South may just be your new favorite coffee table companion. Yes, it’s solely about the Titans, and yes, it’s got more photographs than your proud grandma’s Facebook page, but that’s exactly the point. This book isn’t for the casual fan—it’s for the true Nashville die-hards who remember when Vince Young chucked his shoulder pads into the stands, who remember the days when Kenny Britt got arrested on an off-ramp outside Bowling Green, Kentucky, who remember when Algae Crumpler fumbled at the five yard line. You true diehards deserve a book like this.

And if you’re anything like me, and hate to read, no sweat. This book is chock-full of pictures from George Blanda to Eddie George and everything in between – including pictures of Brett Kern and Craig Hentrich. Trust me, I stared at them for hours.

The history section offers up the highlights of the team’s journey from the Oilers’ Houston days to Nashville’s finest (and yes, wildest) moments. This is the stuff that makes you want to cue up a slow-motion video of the Music City Miracle. It’s the kind of content that makes you grab your guitar, write a ballad about that one Super Bowl yard they almost got, and dream of revenge victories that may never come. (But hey, that’s part of the Titans’ charm: getting close enough that it hurts a little, which makes winning taste even better—at least that’s what I’m telling myself).

Overall, Titans of the South isn’t just a book. It’s an experience—a tribute, really. One that reminds you why you stick with this team through thick and thin (shoutout this year), through fourth-quarter miracles (shoutout Vince Young, Ryan Tannehill, and Will Levis whenever he plays Miami), and through moments when you find yourself explaining why “almost getting there” still counts for something (shoutout Super Bowl XXXIV).

So if you’re ready for a trip down memory lane (and to finally answer your relatives’ “What should I get you for Christmas?” questions), this one’s a no-brainer. Just make sure to display it proudly next to that mini Lombardi you swear they’re this close to winning.

Look, times like these are hard to be fans. But it will only make the winning that much sweeter. So make sure you enjoy those times with this book gracing the top of your coffee table. If you’re a Titans diehard like me, you will love this book. So get one for the Titans fan in your life this Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza, or hell, even just as a “I’m sorry your team kinda sucks right now, I’ve been thinking of you” gift.

The post Need A Reminder of Just How Great The Titans Used To Be? Allow This Book To Help appeared first on Korked Bats.

You could argue that aside from the final two quarters, this weekend was perfect. At very least, people are asking. And while I know everyone wants to move on from this weekend, I don’t. Not yet. Because I have to shout some people out from what was a fun weekend. Again, until it wasn’t.

Let’s shout some folks out… in no particular order, of course.

Everyone who showed up to Frontier on Saturday Night

Thank you so much to every single one of you who showed up and/or helped spread word. It was an incredible night. Based off the number of raffle tickets we pulled, we had around 125 people show up. And all but about 4 or 5 of them were Titans fans. It was incredible. Even more so considering this is the first live event we’ve ever attempted. When I found out the Titans were coming to Chicago, I knew I had to do something. Especially when that game was announced as the Week 1 matchup. Vibes were high coming into this season (and for me, still are high based on what we saw Sunday and more so, what I saw in pressers after the game).

Jim Wyatt

If there’s any question as to who the O.G. greatest Titans beat writer of all time is (the GTBWOAT). Keep in mind, when beat writers go on the road, they have very busy, very short trips. Their evenings on the night before games are sacred. So for Uncle Jim to not only pop in, but also stay for a good chunk of time and yap it up with Titans fans was incredible. Love that man.

Nate Bain (and everyone at the Titans)

The boys (and ladies) from the Titans caught wind of our party and sent some goodies for us to giveaway. It made for an even better experience for us to reward more people for coming out. The Titans didn’t need to do that, but it’s clear, they’re in this for the right reasons: to build and strengthen this fan base. In the grand scheme of football, the Titans are still an adolescent franchise. They’re aware enough to recognize that and are doing all they can to build generational fandom. Not to mention, they care about the people in their base and it shows. Thank you, Titans. You make me even more proud to be a fan.

My guy Vincent

This is a dude I wanted to meet in person so bad this weekend. He’s a great follow on Twitter (which is the only way I’ve gotten to know him) and more so, he’s a great sports fan and advocate for all things Nashville. As a guy from Nashville who hasn’t had the luxury to live there in nearly a decade, that means a lot to me. A lot of things in that town have changed since I moved away, but one constant remains: V. He’s a real one, especially when it comes to his favorite sports teams (many of which happen to be my favorite teams), and a lot of fans could learn a thing or two from his unwavering support and enthusiasm. I’ve met him once, albeit only for a brief minute, but I already know he’s my guy for life.

My guys Jeff and Chris

Two of the three other guys in my Titans text group made the trip up. Jeff, my best friend from high school (#GodBlessAndGoBruins) and lifelong ride-or-die Titans fan, and Chris, also a ride-or-die Titans and Preds fan. Jeff and Chris are responsible for many of the amazing cinematic masterpieces that the Titans drop to get us hyped in stadiums or before the season. Jeff directs, and Chris is a director of photography. They’re both beyond talented at what they do. It’s unreal. And one of the reasons their videos for the Titans go so hard is because they’re actually loyal and deeply-rooted fans. There was a time when the Titans franchise did not make good content or hype videos, these guys helped change that for the Titans.

DHGate

For offering cheap jerseys for me to buy for the party. Yeah, I bought these things with my own money because I wanted to reward and thank Titans fans for coming out to our Korked Bats party on Saturday. DHGate allowed me to do that (after jumping through a ton of hoops).

DHGate (rescinded)

But then, I’d also like to rescind that shoutout for taking too long to ship said jersey over from China (or wherever it came from), causing me to get our jersey winner’s address to mail him the jersey. The winner, of course, being…

My guy Colin

Met Colin (pictured above in the last pic with me, Chris and Jeff) this weekend and realized I’ve been a fan of this guy’s work for years. Alongside his partner Skinny, they’ve brought us dub videos for years, most notably at times when they came way more frequently. Colin is cool as hell, loves his Tennessee Titans fully, and was responsible for leading the first down chant for all the Titans fans in the nosebleeds of section 446. Glad I met Colin. I’ll get your jersey in the mail as soon as it arrives from Jamaica.

The guy who asked me if my last name was ‘Bats’

The Bean

For just being the most iconic landmark on God’s green earth. YOU GOTTA SEE THE BEAN!

Two-Toned Blue Nation

This is the incredible Titans tailgating group. They roll deep and they roll strong. They helped a lot with getting the word out for our party and then showed up in big ways on Saturday night. Shoutout to the whole crew. Love you guys!

Tony Pollard

For getting the scoring party started, keeping us hyped in section 446, and for allowing us to forget about any other running back in this franchise’s history.

This guy for rocking a Korked Bats t-shirt

People always ask me how they can support this dumb sports blog we’ve got. I always tell them the same thing: likes, reposts, engagement, but most of all, more than anything else, buying some merch, because that makes a direct impact on the growth of Korked Bats. I know that makes me sound like a used car salesman, but I can also get you into a like-new 2003 Buick La Sabre for low financing and 0% APR!

Jack Gentry

Despite ending our 4-year-old podcast ending this week, you know I still have love for my guy. Brothers for life. Even though this was only the second time we’ve been in the same room together.

My guy Riley for buying me a shot of Malort

If you came to Chicago this weekend and didn’t get a shot of Malort, then you technically didn’t come to Chicago this weekend. That sweet nectar made by Jepsen’s is the smoothest, most delicious shot that will ever tickle your throat. Just trust me. I live here. It definitely doesn’t taste like piss-colored windshield wiper fluid. Shoutout to my guy (and former serviceman for this beautiful country) Riley! Thank you for your service and the shot.

The 10 other people who bought me drinks this weekend

This actually tied into one of our DOING LINES bets this week.

The vibes at halftime

Man, nothing will compare to the feelings of walking around Soldier Field’s upper concourse shooting “Titan Up!”‘s to every single person in two-toned blue. To hitting up the bathroom and popcorn-ing of “Titan up!”‘s while we were all pissing. It was euphoric. If I could bottle that drug up, I would sell it harder than Walter White and Marty Byrd ever could.

My vocal chords

For holding on for dear life so I just enough of a voice to host my radio show Monday morning.

Thank you all for such an amazing weekend. Was it the greatest weekend ever (aside from the loss)? People are asking. And thanks for supporting this dumb sports blog. Let’s take it to outerspace!

The post A List of Shout-Outs From Our Titans-Bears Weekend in Chicago appeared first on Korked Bats.

Peter Schrager, from Good Morning Football on NFL Network, has correctly picked the last 5 Super Bowl winners, so we felt like we had to shoot our shot with getting Schrags to pick the Titans. Because what he says goes, right? Worth a shot.

The post Please Pick The Titans To Win The Super Bowl, Peter Schrager appeared first on Korked Bats.

Pitbull bought the naming rights to FIU’s football stadium for $1.2 million per year for the next 5 years. That’s right, the FIU Panthers will be playing their home games in Pitbull Stadium. So we started wondering what artists would be good fits to buy the naming rights of SEC stadiums? Here’s what we came up with…

Alabama – Beyoncé

Look, this partnership goes without saying. They’re both arguably the greatest of all-time. And both of their fans are annoying and everywhere.

Arkansas – E-40

Like Arkansas, E-40 is one of those artists you don’t think of first without seeing a list of other people’s work. And the SEC is that list for Arkansas. E-40 is featured on a lot of other people’s songs, but rarely known for anything he’s dropped on his own. Much like Arkansas. Known for being featured in the SEC. But rarely have they accomplished things on their own.

Auburn – Madonna

Just a couple of folks who used to be great, but lately these days, just a hot mess.

Georgia – Justin Timberlake

Definitely one of the greatest, with all the talent being there and well respected, but they certainly both have trouble behind the wheel.

Florida – Linkin Park

A program and band who certainly had its day, but lately just feels like it’s grasping at relevance. Not to mention, both groups of fans love wearing jorts.

Kentucky – Tyler Childers

Their fans are loud, proud, and will argue their important to anyone who will listen, but the general public couldn’t tell you a damn thing they have ever produced.

LSU – Taylor Swift

Everyone will agree it’s one of the best stadium shows you could ever possibly attend and they’re always at the top of everyone’s lists for their performances, but also because their fans are psychotic if you don’t mention them.

Mississippi State – Busta Rhymes 

Like Mississippi State, Busta Rhymes is just kinda there. Does he drop good music every now and then? I guess? But no one is going out of their way to hit up a Busta Rhymes concert. Dak Prescott is basically Pass The Courvoisier.

Mizzou – Chappell Roan

Where in the hell did they come from? Feels like just yesterday they were struggling to find success and we were making fun of them, and now out of nowhere, they’re one of the hottest names around?! WTF?!

Ole Miss – Zach Bryan

Neither is probably winning any hardware any time soon (Grammy’s or natty’s), but they’re just here to provide good vibes and good times, whether at a tailgate or an all-night revival.

Oklahoma – Drake

There’s no denying their success as one of the best for a long time, but lately had a little fall from grace.

South Carolina – Daft Punk

They can be fun at times, but they’re not everyone’s cup of tea. Can they produce a party? Hell yea. But the mood has to be right and it has to be during a Saturday night.

Tennessee – Creed

They had massive success in the 90’s, but fell off for a bit and became the butt of everyone’s jokes. But now, they are kinda having a moment again. Are they cool again? People are asking.

Texas – The Chainsmokers

They think they’re hot shit, but really the only people who like them are their fans. They suck to everyone else.

Texas A&M – Lady Gaga

They really have had trouble figuring out their identity and who in the hell they are, but also because they have had mad beef with Texas/The Chainsmokers.

Vanderbilt – Sufjan Stevens

This partnership is perfect because Sufjan Stevens is one of those artists whose fans feel like they’re smarter than you. But very few people care for or think about their product.

The post Pitbull Bought The Naming Rights To FIU’s Football Stadium, But What Artists Should Buy Naming Rights To SEC Stadiums? appeared first on Korked Bats.

For the first time in this blog’s history, we’re throwing a party. The fine folks at Frontier (off Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood) have opened their doors to allow us to throw a party for Titans fans to kick off the 2024 season on the eve of Week 1. So let’s do it!

This party is for anyone, but specifically Titans fans. So if you’re a Titans fan in the Chicagoland area, or if you’re traveling into town and going to the game, or if you’re just looking for a fun weekend getaway in the great city of Chicago in the summertime, swing by Frontier and let’s party. We have some fun things planned and will have ourselves a good time.

Look, Titans fans have been especially good to this dumb sports blog and our growth and success over the years, so the least we can do is throw one hell of a party in your honor. So swing by, and let’s pack out Frontier and show Chicago how Nashville (and Titans fans) parties!

For more updates on the event: follow @korkedbats on all social platforms!

The post Titans Fans, Let’s Party In Chicago! appeared first on Korked Bats.

The only man who can get Derrick Henry to publicly clap back online would be Paul Kuharsky. And he accomplished that feat last week. But is he entirely wrong with his take? PEOPLE ARE ASKING! And we take time to answer. What do you think? Does Paul Kuharsky have a point?

The post Derrick Henry Clapped Back At Paul Kuharsky So You Know We Had To Hit On It appeared first on Korked Bats.

Dear DeMar DeRozan,

Where do we even begin? It’s been a few days since the sign and trade went down and I still find myself grasping at straws to try and find the words to encapsulate arguably the greatest era of Chicago Bulls basketball ever. And it’s all because of the man who wore #11.

Who can possibly forget your cool 27.9 points per game in the 2021-2022 season? Iconic. There’s no chance anyone has ever even come close to that. I don’t even have to look it up. This dude tore through records the way Lonzo Ball tears through miniscusses. And what about the way you heroically led us to the play-in tournament! Pretty sure no other Bull in history has ever done that. Guess that’s what happens when you average FIVE (5!) assists per game. How do you spell DeMar? Oh yeah, it’s G-O-A-T. And speaking of assists, in a day and age of super teams and big 3’s, it’s not like you had any help. You practically dragged Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, and quite literally dragged Lonzo Ball (because of the miniscusses). It was truly a one-man show, with 5 co-stars. And honestly, it was the greatest one-man show we’ve ever seen. I just wish any other generation could’ve experienced what we just witnessed in terms of Bulls basketball. Some may clamor that other players in Bulls history were better, like Bob Love, Luc Longley, or Crisitran Felicio, but those folks just don’t know ball.

And don’t get me started on the clutch performances. Wayne Gretzky, who was the DeMar DeRozan of hockey, once said you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. Well, it felt like DeMar DeRozan hit 100% of the game-winning shots he did take. You can’t call yourself a sports fan without vividly remembering that one game-tying shot he hit in a regular season game against the Pacers.

And if anyone thinks that’s impressive, well, they clearly don’t know about the 82 games you played in the 2021-2022 season—every single one was a masterpiece of perseverance and reliability. We also deeply underappreciate your humility. Despite being the undisputed GOAT, with a capital O, you never let it get to your head. Your willingness to share the spotlight, and not get too ridiculously good to hog the spotlight from your teammates and others in the league might be your greatest quality.

So DeMar, thank you for your incredible service both on and off the court here in Chicago. It’s only a matter before your jersey is hanging in the rafters alongside other Bulls greats like Mike Dunleavy Jr., Ron Artest, and Lonzo Ball’s doctor.

Sincerely,

All of us in Chicago

P.S. Pretty sure you are the Bulls franchise leader for appearances in Kendrick Lamar diss track music videos

The post A Farewell To DeMar DeRozan, The Greatest Chicago Bull of All Time appeared first on Korked Bats.

The Yankees lost their 14th game out of the last 18 last night, losing to the Red Sox in 10 innings, 5-3, but somehow they still brought home a dub. One of the greatest MLB franchises ever just dropped a bobblehead honoring one of the greatest sitcoms ever, by honoring one of their greatest employees. Not Jeter. Not Gehrig. Not even George Herman Ruth, or George Steinbrenner, but rather a different George. Last night, they dropped a bobblehead in honor of their former assistant to the traveling secretary, George Costanza… and yada, yada, yada, it’s real, and it’s spectacular. It’s about time the Yankees partnered with Vandalay Industries. Seinfeld remains an iconic classic sitcom. And I know the older I get and the longer I hold on to this take, the more and more I sound like my parents honking Three’s Company or my grandparents attesting that The Andy Griffith Show is still the greatest sitcom of all time. But I feel like I still have a few more years to stand by this take before my millennial ass enters boomer territory. Seinfeld is on Netflix right now, so go start it. The first season or two might be a chore to get through, like most shows, but once it gets into a grove, it doesn’t look back for nine seasons – which is almost half as many seasons as it’s been since the Yankees won a World Series.

Look, it’s not often I’ll give the Evil Empire their props, but here I have to tip my cap like that little kid at Jeter’s last game. Here’s hoping Yankee Stadium went full Seinfeld and stocked the concession stands with pretzels that make people thirsty.

P.S. Larry David’s story of firing George Steinbrenner is an all-time story.

The post This Yankees Bobblehead Is Real, And It’s Spectacular appeared first on Korked Bats.

Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs, the iconic American institution behind the annual 4th of July hot dog eating contest, recently made the controversial decision to ban Joey Chestnut from this year’s event due to a sponsorship conflict. And you know what? As much as it pains me to see an American icon not compete this year, it was the right call. Grab a hot dog (or sixty-eight) and let me explain.

Look, don’t let my stance get things twisted. Chestnut is the Jordan of competitive eating. Wait, scratch that. Jordan is the Chestnut of basketball. Joey C. has won 16 titles. SIXTEEN! Choke on that weiner, Tom Brady. Jordan only has a measly six. Brady has seven. But Joe Chessy? He has enough titles to pass out as party favors. So let it be known, that while this take may seem piping hot, Joe C. is still insanely revered by the likes of this blog.

But let’s cut to the meat of the matter— Joey Chestnut’s sponsorship conflict is just that: a conflict. Nathan’s Famous has always been the true hot dog of choice. It’s not just a brand. It’s the brand. It’s a tradition, a symbol of American summertime joy. It’s as American as Chevy, Miller Lite, or Luke Combs. I know Joey is used to scarfing down dogs, but you still have to make sure you don’t bite the hand that literally feeds you. And quite frankly, his affiliation with Impossible Foods is a mustard stain on his pristine image. However, Chestnut is crying foul and alluding that the organizers of the Nathan’s contest, Major League Eating, changed the terms of his agreement around endorsing other products.

“Everything with Impossible was perfectly fine by all my previous agreements. They changed terms and conditions [around] exclusivity. And it’s not the first time they’ve changed some things, but it’s the first time they’ve really changed things after the fact, and I had to say, ’Hey, it’s too late, I’ve already started working with this brand.’ This was never an issue in the past. And they tried to dance around it — they changed a lot of terms, and then they escalated things to a degree they didn’t imagine when they started leaking information and telling people I was banned and that I turned vegan, which clearly isn’t the case.”

But look, this isn’t about Joey endorsing another brand. To me, this is about the brand that Joey is endorsing. Impossible Foods makes a 0%-beef hot dog. Call me old fashioned, but hot dogs are supposed to have beef and/or other combined mystery meats that probably aren’t good for us. And Nathan’s is the Jordan of making hot dogs. Wait, scratch that. Jordan is the Nathan’s of basketball. They made the right call by prioritizing their integrity over one man’s stomach capacity.

And let’s not ignore the humanitarian aspect here. Watching Joey Chestnut consume 70-plus hot dogs in ten minutes is like watching a python swallow a goat—it’s fascinating but also mildly traumatizing. Maybe banning Joey until he drops ties with his vegan-loving soy brand will be better for his health than the meatless dogs he’s hocking. Maybe he’ll live a year or two more to the ripe old age of 52 by sitting this year out. Maybe the dude (and his toilet) could use a break. This may not be a populate take, but here’s to Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs for this decision. So if you’re asking me to take a side, I’ll take a side. While Joey Chestnut is an American icon, if he’s going to start hocking some vegan franks, I just can’t – as a red-blooded American – get behind that. So I’m sticking with the brand that not only made Chestnut, but makes the greatest all-beef Franks around. Happy 4th of July.

With all that said, Joey will forever be a hero for this…

The post Nathan’s Made The Right Call Banning Joey Chestnut From The Hot Dog Eating Contest… Yeah, I Said It! appeared first on Korked Bats.

Bad news for the rest of the league. I’m afraid the NHL just let Nashville get as hot as their chicken. Don’t ask me how, but the Preds signed Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei. If you’re one of those folks who “doesn’t really do hockey” well, let me hit you why this is massive for the Preds.

Who Are These Guys?

First off, let’s meet the newest Nashville transplants. The only one’s who moved to town for something other than country music.

Steven Stamkos: Picture Tom Brady on skates. Or at very least John Elway on skates. Stamkos is a two-time Cup champ and has a knack for scoring goals like it’s his day job – which it is, but like he’s really good at it. Dude, can light the lamp like a clap-on. And after he does, you’ll get your clap on.

Jonathan Marchessault: Think of him as the underdog from your favorite sports movie. He might not have been a household name, but boy, does he also know how to light the lamp. He’s the kind of player who sneaks up on you and before you know it, he’s scored a hatty.

Brady Skjei: Pronounced “Shay” (yeah, hockey names, man), he’s the guy who stands between the puck and the net. A solid defenseman with the grace of a dancer but the toughness of a linebacker. Should the Titans look to sign him to sure up their linebacking corps? Look, people are asking.

Why Is This a Big Deal?

This is your favorite band adding three more rockstars overnight. Like if Chad Kroeger from Nickelback, Scott Stapp from Creed, and whoever the lead singer of Hinder is all decided to join forces with your favorite band Imagine Dragons. This is the Dodgers grabbing Freeman, Ohtani, and Betts. But in hockey. Three of the top 5 free agents this summer will now be rocking gold. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Goals Galore: With Stamkos and Marchessault, it’s like adding extra hot sauce to your already spicy chicken. Imagine a top line with them and Fil Forsberg, who is coming off — oh yeah, just the franchise record for goals scored in Preds history. Frankly, we might see the puck in the opposing team’s net more than we see it out of it.
2. Solid Defense: Brady Skjei is like that friend who always has your back. His job? Stop pucks, hit hard, and look cool doing it. Solid defenders is nothing new to Predators lore, but expect to add his weird-ass name to the long list of Preds defensemen greats.
3. Star Power: These are household names for a team that’ll be just 8 years removed from a Cup run that rocked Lower Broad, people are still talking about it.

The Barry Trotz Effect

Now, let’s not forget the mastermind behind this wizardry – Barry Trotz, the Predators’ General Manager. He’s the king Midas of hockey. Everything he touches turns to gold. I don’t want to get out ahead of my skates here, but every move he has made has worked. And worked well. If hockey were a cooking show, Barry Trotz would be the chef whipping up a Michelin-starred meal out of a few basic ingredients and a lot of magic. And we should all just stand back and watch Chef Trotzy cook. And this triple signing on the first day of free agency, just before a long holiday weekend is like your dad stepping back from the grill and saying “Hold my beer,” while he puts another steak on the grill. Or three of them.

What’s Next for the Preds?

Now that the Predators have assembled the Avengers, I’m sure there will be a bit of a learning curve. Your top line has 120-plus goals between them, and last I checked, they still only play with one puck. But the fire on 5th and Broadway is most certainly back. I just hope the Preds don’t continue to outprice the diehards. But I know I’ll be watching closely from Chicago.

So, Why Should You Care?

Even if you’re just here for the nachos, beer, and intermission bands, the Predators’ new signings mean more fun for everyone. More goals, more wins, and more reasons to high-five strangers and chant “IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT!” at opposing goalies.

Just let me warn the NHL one last time: do not let the Nashville Predators get hot!

The post I’m Afraid The NHL Let The Nashville Predators Get Hot appeared first on Korked Bats.