| Good morning, sports fans. I start today by directing you back to the first line of Saturday's newsletter regarding the news about running back John Emery coming back to LSU for a sixth season: "After almost 35 years as a sportwriter, I try to pride myself on not being surprised by very much." But, I have to admit, the reports Monday that former LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri is getting back into coaching at South Carolina, were like the Emery news a bit of a stunner. OK, a lot of a stunner. Mainieri, who retired at LSU in 2021, will be 67 in August. Considering his age and the physical ailments that led to him stepping down three years ago make this a head scratcher par excellence. That said, Mainieri would be far from the first sports figure who found it hard to walk away. On top of the Mainieri reports are reports that LSU assistant coach Terry Rooney plans on joining Mainieri at South Carolina as his pitching coach. Meanwhile, set against the backdrop of talk that Texas may go after LSU coach Jay Johnson if it fires David Pierce (make up your mind already, UT), LSU has landed another player out of the transfer portal. He's right-handed pitcher Chandler Dorsey from South Florida. Our Koki Riley has the news on Dorsey, as well as a portal tracker of LSU players' comings and goings. One more baseball thing to report: check out this list of LSU baseball players and where they will be playing summer ball. Tuesday marks 45 days until the Opening Ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games. Two former LSU athletes who have firm plans to be there are beach volleyball stars Kristin Nuss and Taryn Kloth. The world's No. 2-ranked duo was officially named to Team USA on Monday (they accumulated enough points playing worldwide in March to be locks). It's a cool, fast-growing sport and in Paris it will be played in a cool venue: Eiffel Tower Stadium, a temporary outdoor facility with the famous tower serving as a backdrop. Magnifique. Finally, LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne (no, she still hasn't announced whether she's returning in 2025) and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce have made a Taylor Swift-themed commercial. Read about it right here. That's all for now folks. A surprisingly busy news day for early June when LSU isn't actually playing baseball. Thanks as always for reading and subscribing. You're the best. We'll save a cafe table and an espresso for you by the Eiffel Tower. Until next time, Scott Rabalais | 
