Jack manno

It's a pretty common thing with an orchestra. When I was living in the Village and going to see the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, that's what they did.

They all have their own approach, which was fortuitous. Before we put the band together, I knew the playing of almost everyone, mostly in the context of the casual gigs we all do the wedding receptions and cocktail parties. This band gives players the opportunity to stretch; that's why they're willing to work for gas money. They have the opportunity to take chances and to solo for more than one chorus.

I always enjoyed seeing [broadcasters] Jack Buck and talking to Mike Shannon. I nicknamed him Jack 'Big Money' Buck. I thought he'd go to the bank before he got here to show me he had a whole wad of hundreds. I always asked to see his bankroll. I miss Jack a lot. I like talking baseball with those guys.

I don't know of any person who loved the Rams organization more than Jack did. There wasn't one thing that happened at Rams Park that didn't affect Jack emotionally. He was going to be there for me, for everyone with the Rams, through the good times and bad. Everyone's a pal when you win. But if we lost and I was feeling down, he understood. Because if something hurt me or the Rams, he would hurt, too.

Change before you have to.