Happy Sunday folks. Looking forward to getting back behind the grill tonight, but before that, Some things to talk about…
Before I talk about sports: I read a blog from an old cyber-friend and I had no idea. To my friend, there is not a whole lot I can say other than this: I was in a similar situation 30 years ago. I encourage you to move forward. The memories will always be there.
MLB. Philly is the hottest team in the league right now going 8-2 over their last ten, but Tampa has won six in a row to get back to .500.
- Oakland went back east to face the Stankees, Sawx, and now Toronto and they’re holding their own on this road trip. Once again they are on the upward trend. Young kids performing well.
- Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati got bored and decided to have a stare down, yapping, and the benches cleared. As usual it was much ado about nothing.
- The yapping continues about Manny Machado’s next employers…
- Mike Trout apparently is having the best season anybody has ever had. OK, whatever. Look, we’re only coming up to Memorial Day Weekend, let’s pump the brakes here. Don’t put any more pressure on the dude.
NBA. The draft lottery occurred on Tuesday and I was amazed and shocked to see that Phoenix, Sacramento, and Atlanta were the top 3 picks. But what I found particularly funny was the teams that clearly tanked (Memphis and Dallas) fell back while for once the Fakers, Boston, Philly, and Cleveland didn’t get a break. For once the intent and integrity of the system worked. And now let the speculation begin…
NHL. I think I put the hex on Winnipeg by my wanting them to go to the Cup Final. Dammnit will I ever learn?
NFL. Hard Knocks has announced the team they will follow this summer and it’s the Cleveland Browns. Now this might make for entertainment for those freaks who love the Kar-trash-ians and the Reality show losers, but this is the worst possible scenario, and I have to wonder what the Browns are thinking. The last thing the coaching staff and the players (particularly Baker Mayfield) need is distractions.
The NFL trend of moving their draft around is one of the cool ideas they come up with. Chicago, Philly, and Dallas were cool, but if it’s true they’re considering Nashville, I think that’s a good thing. I guess the other cities in consideration are Cleveland/Canton, Denver, Kansas City, and Vega$.
CFL. Pssst, look who joined the CFL – the guy formerly known as “Johnny Football.” Watch ESPiN hog the airwaves with Hamilton Tiger-Cats games…
The Good. The horsey whose won the first two legs of the Triple Crown. But why has this triple crown stretched out into June?
The Bad. Gambling in sports. I still don’t know the particulars, but if you gamble on games with the way that officiating is involved, then you are not smart. Think about it for a second – how many times does a call or a non-call have an effect on a game, and you’re gonna drop coin on that? Don’t get pissed when it costs you. How many people already believe that a league (particularly the NBA) is fixed? And now we’re going to extend gambling out? This will make money for the leagues, but their rep is going to take a significant hit.
The Ugly. The Arizona Diamondbacks going 1-9 their last ten and gave back a substantial lead they had built up.
The You Gotta be shi**ing me. People who actually pay for stuff such as ESPN’s NBA insider.
A bonus “You gotta be shi**ing me. At first, I thought this Central Florida stuff was funny because I agreed that they should have been given a chance at the dance. The smack talk was funny, but we’re damn near in June and the fact is shit ain’t gonna change. Alabama, who in my opinion shouldn’t even have been in the top four is the champs.
My advice: SOLVE IT by having a team between the two teams. But since that can’t happen, how ‘bout these two programs face each other this year. Alabama could drop the token scrimmage in November and schedule UCF. Simple.
Jerry’s final thought. So we approach Memorial Day Weekend, I will be busy all week. Wednesday and Thursday my team and I will be placing flags at Veterans graves and we will all be out passing out poppies in remembrance throughout the weekend.
If you have the opportunity, take a moment during that weekend to go out and remember those who gave everything. Go to a parade or a remembrance, place flags at the graves, and if you see members of veterans groups giving out the poppies, support them. Thank them for what they are doing.
Take care, and I’ll try to drop you a line next week.