From the tragedy that befell the Carolinas and Tennessee as a result of the remnants of Hurricane Helene to the madness of a college football Saturday and the despair of fans of Ohio’s two professional football teams, the past week was one that will be remembered. First, nothing but sadness and sympathy for the good folks in the mountains of western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and other areas impacted by the effects of Helene. There are many worthy organizations out there who will make a difference in the immediate lives of so many who have suffered; be sure to look them up and contribute as you see fit.
As the baseball playoff picture took shape over the last weekend of the regular season (and a doubleheader between the Mets and Braves on the following Monday) came the news of the passing of Peter Edward Rose, the “hit king”. The longtime Reds legend died of natural causes at the age of 83, leaving behind a legacy of triumph and tragedy. I remember meeting Rose as a junior at Miami University back in 1970. Pete was visiting the fraternity house next to mine (those wild and crazy Phi Delts) and driving a bright red Corvette, attending a fundraiser. Very personable with a degree of cockiness (probably hard to avoid given his stature in the game)! Anyhow, there are many mixed emotions and opinions of his worthiness for inclusion in the Hall of Fame after having been banned from baseball for so long. What do you think?
Then along came the announcement of the hiring of Terry Francona as the Reds’ new manager. A proven winner with the Phillies, Red Sox (World Series titles in ‘04 and ‘07), and the Indians-Guardians (an AL title in ‘16) Francona inherits a young and promising team that needs to be more disciplined in the fundamentals (particularly on the base paths). Cincinnati also needs a little more punch offensively as well as some help in the bullpen along with a healthy group of young starters. Will be interesting to see how the leadership change will impact the Reds title hopes.
Who do you like in the playoffs? I think I like anybody but the Yankees and Dodgers!! I guess I’m pulling for the Padres in the NL and any of the other three in the AL (the Royals, Tigers, or Guardians).
College football was anticipating a humdrum weekend of games with few games of national importance but boy was everyone surprised!! Five of the Top Eleven teams fell, none harder than number-one ranked Alabama in a loss to Vanderbilt (the Commodores!). Add in losses by number four Tennessee to Arkansas, tenth-ranked Michigan to Washington in a rematch of last year’s national title game (albeit with a different cast of players and coaches), number nine Missouri to Texas A&M, and eleventh-ranked Southern Cal (I love seeing the Trojans get beat!) to those pesky Gophers of Minnesota and you had a day where, for the first time since November 12th of 2016, that many top-ranked teams all went down in flames.
A few other college football notes—
Tennessee is reportedly paying quarterback Nico Iamaleava $8 million to represent the Vols on the playing field over the next year or two (he proceeded to put up all of 14 points against an average Arkansas team. The Vols might want to rethink that “investment”!).
Former Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord has thrown 17 touchdown passes to go along with 6 interceptions for Syracuse in leading the Orange to a 4-1 record so far including a defeat of previously unbeaten UNLV 44-41 in OT Saturday.
Closer to home, Marietta College improved to 3-0 in Ohio Athletic Conference play (4-0 overall) by besting an undefeated group of Polar Bears from Ohio Northern by a 45-10 count over the weekend. Next up are the Student Princes of Heidelberg University while a late season showdown looms with always powerful Mount Union. Why the interest in Marietta you ask? My brother Kirk and his wife Diane’s niece is married to the team’s head coach, Andy Waddell, now in his twelfth year as the leader of the D-III program. Here’s today’s trivia question—what is the nickname of Marietta’s athletic teams?
THE outplayed a mistake-prone Iowa squad in the second half at the ‘Shoe making this week’s matchup with Oregon even more significant. The second-ranked Bucks travel to Eugene to face the third-ranked Ducks in a huge mid-season Big Ten encounter. Still sounds strange to include Oregon in Big Ten talk, doesn’t it?
The Vikings might be for real in the NFL this fall, improving to 5-0 by defeating the Jets in London Sunday morning. Always glad to see Aaron Rodgers get beat!! And, OMG, what’s up with the Bengals defense and the Browns overall play?
High school tournaments in several fall sports are underway and regular contests in others are going into week eight—plenty of big games around West Central Ohio, the weather is great, get out and support your local teams!!
Marietta College athletic teams are known as the Pioneers. Marietta is the oldest city in the state of Ohio, established in 1788. Known as the “Riverboat Town”, it is located at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum rivers. Stay active and healthy, enjoy the fall weather!
