WEDNESDAY'S LIST . . . of beans 'n greens 'n other things:

THERE ARE times when my popularity amazes even me ... ha-ha ... a joke.

Just a "hook" to tell you the mail bag has been heavy of late in light of the fact the first ballot for the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, Class of '10, came a couple of weeks back.

So has an out-pouring of letters, tapes, and videos to members of the Selection Committee, of which I am a member. And have been since 1969, the very first year.

One mailing I got really did get my attention.

It was a fold-out card bearing Auburn colors. It was in support of Ben Tamburello, an All-America lineman for the Tigers back in 1986.

When opened, the "card" plays the Auburn fight song.

And yes, Mr. Tamburello did get my vote, not because of the card, but because he is really overdue in the ASHoF.

There will be a second ballot, so stay tuned.

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WE'RE IN the middle of the major league playoffs and most years I'm glued to the TV. Not this time around. I don't have a dog in the hunt. My Braves faded along about the second pitch in June and my Red Sox were swept by the Angels in three.

So I am, at most, a casual flick of the remote to sort of check on what's going on.

Another reason for a quick glance is Buck Martinez, a former catcher and manager who is an analyst on some of the WTBS broadcasts. Buck tells me more than I really want to know, droning on and on and on and on . . . boring beyond belief.

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BIRTHDAYS: Oct. 12 — Sammy Pressley; Oct. 13 — Gladys Kelley; Oct. 14 — Peyton Harris; Oct. 16 — Sue Chandler; 17 — Francis Surrett, Lashon Wilson, Alliston Feazell and Junior Runfola.

Oct. 18 — Mary Daviston and Carolyn Gibson; Oct. 19 — Nancy Sharp; Oct. 21 — Pat Leahey; Oct. 22 — Gwen Amerson and Judy Parker; Oct. 23 — Janie Grant and Bernice Ballard.

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TOP TEEN: Meet Courtney Danielle Wilson, a senior at Jacksonville Christian Academy where she is secretary of the National Honor Society, on the Honor Roll, a journalist on the yearbook staff, reporter for the 4-H Club, and on the school's Drama Team.

She also finds time to play on the varsity basketball team, volunteer as a teacher's aide, and be a member of the JCA Pep Club and Worship Team.

"Courtney has been at JCA for two years and she loves to laugh and she enjoys her classmates," says Dr. Tommy Miller, JCA principal. "She is really a blessing to both the faculty and students at JCA. She gives 100 percent in everything she does and I have really enjoyed coaching her on the basketball team."

Proud parents are Maurice and Carolyn Wilson, Foxley Road, Anniston.

Take a bow, young lady . . .

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George Smith can be reached at 239-5286 or e-mail: gsmith731@gmail.com