Rantin’ and Ravin’: Weekend wins and feel-good sports vibes
04/05/2025
By Chris Marler
One of my (many) therapists used to say, “If you seek out a bunch of negative s***, or seek out negative s*** a bunch – you’ll find it.”
Therapy talk out of the gates? Boom. Jumpscare and overshare. Text book Big J journalism out of yours truly.
There’s so much negativity in the world, on social media, and around us day to day. It’s a scientific fact that it’s easier for humans to stay angry or upset for longer periods of time than they can consistently feel happy.
Regardless, it’s easy to get caught up in negative s*** if you’re seeking out a bunch of negative s***.
Social media has been even more hellscapier than the hellscape it usually is. Also, if I see or hear the words “tariff” or “torpedo bat” again, I’m going to torpedo myself off my balcony. It’s on the first floor don’t worry. It was just for dramatic purposes.
Anyway, seamless transition, here are some positive news stories for the weekend.
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Screw the Torpedo bat story, did you see that Jake Mangum had more hits than Taylor Swift in his Major League debut this week?
JAKE MANGUM IS 8 FOR HIS LAST 9 pic.twitter.com/vuzB9cEaZt
— Jake (@TBRaysCentral) April 2, 2025
Jake Mangum’s last college AB in Dudy Noble Field (2019), and his first major league AB with the Tampa Bay Rays (2025)
The definition of consistency pic.twitter.com/g2Rxy9lIs5
— HailStateMuse (@HailStateMuse) April 1, 2025
Jake Mangum recorded 4 hits and 2 stolen bases in his second MLB game tonight.
The only other MLB player to debut in the modern era to have 4+ hits and 2+ stolen bases in one of his first two career games was Casey Stengel who did so in his first game on September 17, 1912. pic.twitter.com/Pj9mxvaBY3
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) April 1, 2025
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Flau’Jae Johnson is returning to LSU instead of going to the WNBA. Johnson averaged over 18 ppg this season, and led the Tigers to the Elite Eight. But, all you really need to know about her as a person is that she partnered with Experian to help wipe away over $5 million in debt for families in need.
Another @LSUwbkb win means another $100K to Louisiana families in debt courtesy of @Flaujae
and @Experian_US 🤝 visit https://t.co/Onv4r03E1v for more info #flaujae #biggerthanbasketball #experian pic.twitter.com/GIVXU2P5By— Experian (@Experian_US) March 25, 2025
Also here’s Kim Mulkey tugging on heartstrings about her rising senior and leader of the program.
“I’m forever indebted to Flau’Jae Johnson.” 💜
Kim Mulkey reflected on all that Flau’Jae has meant to the LSU WBB program 🙏 pic.twitter.com/e7hFz44VoJ
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 30, 2025
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Future College Football Commissioner Josh Pate found something he loves more than white tees.
I have secured my five star
No fall wedding pic.twitter.com/zzfIUBfYab
— Josh Pate (@JoshPateCFB) April 4, 2025
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Dan Orlovsky’s son won the week.
It’s a special edition of NFL Live today as @danorlovsky7‘s son, Madden, has his drawings on display throughout the studio to honor World Autism Awareness Day 🧩
Way to go, Madden! pic.twitter.com/VI958WTJfx
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 2, 2025