It’s a slow news day but there are numbers always crunching around Dunkyland. Here are a few tidbits to keep an eye on in the coming hours/days/weeks.

STOUDAMIRE UPDATE
I am told that the Damon Stoudamire buyout could happen at anytime, perhaps even before the Griz host the Orlando Magic tomorrow. The negotiations are affable given both sides are motivated to get this deal done.

It’s hard to say if the true numbers regarding the buyout will ever come out. I’m told that the Griz originally wanted 80 percent of Stoudamire’s expected salary for next season. Stoudamire’s representatives were expected to counter with an offer more in the 50/50 split range.

Stoudamire wants to join a championship contender and Boston is high on the list. Griz owner Michael Heisley insisted that he wants the 13-year veteran to land somewhere he can have a chance to get a ring.

GASOL QUESTIONABLE

Pau Gasol sat out of practice today with back trouble. He received treatment while the team worked out. The official team ruling on Gasol is that he is day-to-day with a sore back.

Knowing Gasol, he will play against the Magic because the back issues have never kept him out of action.

WOULD YOU VOTE FOR DICK HACKETT AGAIN?

Before we answer that question, I’m wondering if you miss the rash of Andy Dolich quotes/radio interviews since his “mutually agreed upon” split with the Grizzlies?

I digress.

Just putting two and two together: It appears that if former Memphis mayor Dick Hackett isn’t in line to replace Dolich as president of business operations, he is at least consulting Griz brass on the opening.

This much is true: Hackett has spent a lot of time talking to the Griz lately.

Hackett would be a curious choice he is indeed a serious candidate to build bridges between the Griz and the business community. After a 10-year stint running the city and losing to Mayor Herenton by fewer than 150 votes, Hackett has served as chief executive officer (CEO) of the Children’s Museum of Memphis and senior vice president at ALSAC — the fundraising arm of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Would you support Hackett again? Is he the right man to lead the Grizzlies forward?

Well, as Dolich would say: Hackett has this going for him: “He’s part of the DNA of the city.” But what, if anything, will it really mean?

The Memphis sports world lost a great guy last week with the passing of Dave Ramsey, the organist for Memphis minor league games for as long as I can remember.

I first got to know Dave when I helped cover the Class AA Chicks at old Tim McCarver Stadium back in the 80s. Yes, the stadium was outdated, but Dave and his organ helped create a genuine baseball atmosphere. He truly loved playing the organ at the Chicks, then the Redbirds games. I don’t think I ever saw him at a game when he wasn’t smiling.

When the team moved into AutoZone Park, I was concerned that the franchise would forget about Dave and not realize what a valuable commodity he was to the team. There are a lot of fans now in their 30s who will tell you one of the first things they remember about going to a minor league game in Memphis was the organ playing of Dave, whether he was urging the fans to yell “CHARGE” or he was making a sound effect for an error or strikeout.

In this era where it seems like all sporting events are played to an ear-shattering soundtrack, whether it’s rap or Van Halen, Dave Ramsey was a breath of fresh air. He reminded us why we like going to a baseball game, sitting there on a sultry summer night, kibitizing with our fellow fans around us, cracking our peanuts, sipping our drinks and yelling “CHARGE!”

We love you Dave. You will be missed.

Here is a little poem I stole
I hope you read it quote by quote
Don’t worry be happy
Tiger fans in the past had some trouble
Sitting on the NCAA Tourney bubble
Now it’s don’t worry, be happy……

National media says in March we’ll be dead
That we’ve got no NCAA cred
Don’t worry, be happy
Our conference foes are just bait
Oh, they just have to hate

Don’t worry, be happy
Look at me I am happy
Don’t worry, be happy
Look at the polls, see our number
When you worry look and see
The polls will make you happy
Don’t worry, be happy

The Tigers have and will win in style
All of foes to be left in a pile
But don’t worry be happy
Got no reason for you to worry
This is the Tigers town
Don’t let the media bring you down
So don’t worry, be happy (now)…..

There is this little poem I stole
I hope you take it into your soul
Like good Tigers fans should
Don’t worry, be happy
Listen to what I say
In our past we had some trouble
So don’t you worry
‘Cause we won’t be on the bubble
Don’t worry, be happy……
Don’t worry don’t do it, be happy
Put a smile on your face
The media is always like this
Don’t worry, we’ll soon dismiss
The critics who dis
Don’t worry, be happy