I’m still having a little trouble coming to grips with the sight of “The Claw” structure on the south lawn of the White House and the UFC extravaganza that was held there a week ago. With all of the events, decorum, and traditions that have been historically significant at the “people’s house,” the battle of modern-day gladiators surely was in a category of its own! And the algae bloom, and green water of the National Mall’s reflecting pool, brings back memories of swimming pool care in our backyard out in the country!
Summer days, particularly those in June, are busy with sports camps of all sorts. From the youngest campers through high school seniors, instruction is provided from the basics to the advanced in most team sports with “shootouts” in basketball, “7-on-7” competitions in football, and soccer drills along with baseball, softball, volleyball, tennis, golf, wrestling, cross country, track and field, and swimming. There is never a dull moment for those who choose to participate, and high school band camps aren’t far behind!
I’ve kind of neglected the WNBA as the ladies are about a third of the way through their 44-game season. Let’s test your knowledge of women’s basketball at the pro level; of the current fifteen teams in the league, let’s see if you know which cities are represented by the following nine squads:
In what metropolitan areas would you “Dream” of the “Sun” and the “Sky”? Where would “Sparks” fly that could lead to a “Fire”? And where would having a “Fever” possibly cause visions of “Mercury” and “Valkyries” amidst a “Storm”? Answers to follow!
By the way, the league is adding an expansion team each of the next three seasons and going to a 50-game schedule in ‘27. The next new team, you ask? The Cleveland Rockers!
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow says he’s “getting a feeling” like he did before leading LSU to a national title in 2019 with this year’s version of the Stripes. All of the pieces do seem to be in place for a deep run in the NFL playoffs this fall, but most of Cincinnati’s fans’ hopes rest on the health of Joey B. Let’s see if the multi-talented QB can stay injury-free!!
What do you make of the situation with former UC and erstwhile Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby? The NCAA ruled him ineligible to play this fall as a result of the revelation that he gambled away nearly $90,000 while playing for the Bearcats in direct violation of one of the sport’s most sacrosanct rules. After all sorts of havoc were caused by a long-retired judge’s ruling in Texas and a revolt of Tech’s fellow members in the Big 12, Sorsby and his representatives finally decided to forego his final collegiate season and declare eligibility for the NFL’s supplemental draft later this summer.
Here’s hoping the young man is successful in the completion of his rehab program from a gambling addiction and has the opportunity to pursue a pro career as he’s definitely talented enough. In the back of my mind, I’m reminded of a similar case back in the early ‘80s involving one of THE’s most talented athletes, quarterback Art Schlichter.
And unfortunately, we all know of the downfall of the Miami Trace High School grad after he began his pro career with the then Baltimore Colts. His gambling addiction led to a life of white-collar crime involving wire fraud, bank fraud, and theft, which resulted in multiple prison sentences and a life heavily defined by legal battles. A true waste of a God-given talent!
And the answers to the WNBA teams—the Atlanta Dream, Connecticut Sun, Chicago Sky, Los Angeles Sparks, Portland Fire, Indiana Fever, Phoenix Mercury, Golden State Valkyries (a powerful female figure from Norse mythology), and the Seattle Storm. Do you know the only Canadian team in the league? The Toronto Tempo!
Finally, for the first time since the 2012 National League playoffs, the Great American Ballpark was sold out for three consecutive games this weekend. The occasion? The Savannah Bananas were in town playing the Indianapolis Clowns in baseball’s version of entertainment gone wild!
For those of you who remember, and those who willingly wish to forget, the 2012 Giants lost the first two divisional playoff games at home to the Reds, then came to the banks of the Ohio and swept three from Cincy en route to a World Series title. As for the Reds, they haven’t returned to the Fall Classic since winning the trophy in 1990! Have a great week!
