Work In Progress Newsletter
Edition 30 | December 12, 2022

WRITE THIS WAY…
Greetings and welcome to an altogether new edition of the Work In Progress newsletter! I’m Ryan McCrary, your positivity proprietor. For the last 30 weeks and counting I’ve been scouring the news, interwebs and the occasional scrapbook to share stories of hope and joy and triumph.

THREE DOTS… GOOD NEWS ONLY
While Magnum PI gave me a nudge into being a baseball fan (that Detroit Tigers hat was the coolest), watching Ken Griffey Jr. play the game with passion, exuberance and unbelievable skill for the Seattle Mariners started me watching and loving baseball… Now Junior Griffey is making an impact on the next generation of players launching the “HBCU Swingman Classic” in time for the 2023 MLB All-Star Week in Seattle… Jadyn Bush is on a quest for finding housing solutions for marginalized populations… The Cal women’s basketball player is pursuing her Master’s in public policy after transferring from Harvard… Back in August, Gwen Christon lost everything when her grocery store was flooded during a generational storm in Isom, Kentucky… despite the challenges, Christon gave above and beyond to others struggling in her community and she was recognized for these good works when Good Morning America surprised her with a “GMA Gives Back”… What a week for Hansel Emmanuel… Despite playing basketball with just one arm, the Northwestern State wing collected an NLI (name, image, likeness) deal from adidas and then made Sports Center when the Dominican Republic native scored his first collegiate points, including a highlight dunk in the closing minutes… After suffering the second stroke of his NHL career, veteran defenseman Kris Letang returned to the Pittsburgh lineup after being out for 12 days. 

BEST THING I SAW ON THE ‘GRAM LAST WEEK
Hello… we’ve been trying to reach you about your extended warranty… → CLICK

BEST THING I SAW ON THE TWITTER LAST WEEK
I found myself struggling to track FIFA World Cup matches… until I tuned into the Telemundo broadcasts. Problem solved! → CLICK

Spanish-language broadcast of the game-tying goal for Croatia. I love this man. The way his voice goes up at the end of the last one 😂 pic.twitter.com/qkbpyOzsqV

— Alex Jacob (@whoisalexjacob) December 9, 2022

WHAT AM I THANKFUL FOR
This interview soundbite is everything. As a longtime Dr. Pepper aficionado, this 104-year old woman is my spirit animal. “Two doctors told me that if I drink it I will die, but they died first…” → WATCH

LIVES LIVED
One of the most passionate media voices for soccer in the United States, Grant Wahl died Saturday while covering the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He was 49. I do not pretend to have known Grant well, but was fortunate to meet him covering an MLS All-Star event and later while covering David Beckham’s LA Galaxy during a visit to the Bay Area. Just a kind man with a driving passion for the sport he covered. Tribute → HERE

OTD – DECEMBER 12
Enjoy yet another notable historical snapshot in the latest edition of On This Date… 

Notable Historical Moments… Just another prodigy learning to play the piano… Ludwig van Beethoven took his first music composition lesson from Franz Joseph Haydn in 1792… Nice gift… The United Nations accepts six blocks in Manhattan from John D. Rockefeller Jr. in 1946… The US Supreme Court ruled in favor of George W. Bush in Bush vs. Gore to settle the Florida election dispute in 2000, securing the presidency for Bush.    

Famous Birthdays… The Founding Father with two first names, John Jay (1745-1829)… Rumor is this guy could sing a bit… the “Chairman of the Board” Frank Sinatra (1915-98)… Groundbreaking hoops star Bob Pettit turns 89… Legendary The Price is Right host Bob Barker turns 99.

Famous Deaths… Victorian era poet Robert Browning (1812-89)

Famous Nuptials… Acting lothario Richard Gere (42) married supermodel Cindy Crawford (25) in 1991.

Famous Divorce… Prolific entertainer Nick Cannon (37) and five-time Grammy winner Mariah Carey called it quits after six years in 2014.

Bonus Barker vs. Gilmore Scene: “Now you’ve had enough…” WATCH

Bonus Blue Eyes Quote: “Alcohol may be man’s worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy.” – Frank Sinatra

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO AS I WRITE
I learned that “Magnum PI” made its series debut Dec. 11, 1980  unleashing the best TV theme song ever. Don’t @ me. This “forced” me down another YouTube gopher hole and I started listening to all 80s theme songs penned by the inimitable Mike Post. He’s basically to 80s TV what Kenny Loggins is to 80s movies. Enjoy! →  CLICK

CLIP OF THE WEEK
YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!! “A Few Good Men” turned 30 on Sunday (Dec. 11), opening in theaters in 1992. Here is the pivotal courtroom scene where Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson go toe to toe.  → WATCH

SHAMELESS PLUG
Last week, I wrote on one of the most unlikely and mesmerizing comebacks I have ever witnessed. Baker Mayfield encourages you to read in “Once Upon A Time in Inglewood” → HERE

MY GIF TO YOU
Tom Selleck’s eyebrows would like a word with you… → PROOF

QUOTABLE
“My tough times would be a dream to someone else.”

Geno Smith, Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks → MORE

THIS WAY OUT
Thanks for reading the latest edition of my Work In Progress newsletter. My goal is to spread inspiration and hope in a world that needs both more than ever. My goal is to release these newsletters each Monday – because who doesn’t need a shot of good news to start the work week? Look for a new article on my timeline later this week. Special thanks to Kim Kaupe and Terry Rice for encouraging me to launch this into the universe. As always, feedback is welcomed!