Can you believe that the days are getting shorter already? It seems that summer just arrived, didn’t it, albeit with a vengeance, 90-plus degrees being pretty warm for the last full week of June.
The Oklahoma City Thunder captured the NBA Championship, defeating a game Indiana Pacer squad in a Game Seven encounter. Riding the emotions of an enthusiastic home crowd (OKC! OKC!), the Thunder parlayed a strong third quarter and relentless defensive effort into their first franchise title since moving to the Sooner State seventeen years ago. The Pacers, who had a great season in winning the Eastern Conference crown, couldn’t overcome the first-quarter loss of star Tyrese Haliburton to an apparent Achilles tendon injury. Just a really entertaining series between two so-called “small market” teams!
I enjoyed watching the Travelers Golf Championship as veteran pro Keegan Bradley sank a birdie putt on the last hole to claim the title. England’s Tommy Fleetwood had all but sewn up his first PGA Tour championship after 41 Top Ten finishes over the past ten years until he bogied two of the final three holes, missing an 8-foot putt on the 18th green to fall back into a second-place tie with Russell Henley.
Bradley’s win creates an interesting possibility as he’s been named Captain of this fall’s US Ryder Cup team. He presently has enough points on the Tour to be a member of the team himself and would be the first “playing captain” since Arnold Palmer back in 1963. It will be an unusual circumstance if he maintains his position in the points standings to automatically qualify for one of the spots!
The Reds continue to battle inconsistency both offensively and defensively this season. With injuries continuing to plague the pitching staff (Hunter Greene in particular) and a tough schedule over the next few weeks, you can probably expect Cincy to hover around the .500 mark. Presently, Terry Francona’s team sits at 40-38, 6.5 games back in the NL Central. Meanwhile, up north, the Guardians likewise struggle at 38-37 and find themselves 9.0 games behind the Tigers in the AL Central.
The Reds will start rookie pitcher Chase Burns Tuesday against the New York Yankees down at Great American Ball Park. Burns, the second overall pick in the ‘24 draft out of Wake Forest University, has made a meteoric rise through the farm system, starting the season with the Dayton Dragons (Class A), then moving up to Class AA Chattanooga before making only two starts at AAA Louisville. Injuries, as mentioned above, have brought about the call-up to “The Show” for the 22-year-old as he takes on the Bronx Bombers! For you diehard Reds fans, who was the team’s first pick in the ‘23 draft?
With the off-season in full swing, West Central Ohio high school athletes in various sports will be involved in camps, workouts, voluntary team sessions, summer leagues, etc. as they prepare for the start of the fall season. Most importantly, it will be the individual’s dedication to their own workouts that will determine their success beginning in August, as all fall sports begin. Lots of blood, sweat, and tears forthcoming for those who choose to compete!
One of the truly outstanding kickers on the area prep football scene is Eaton’s Jon Hewitt. The Golden Eagles’ senior standout reportedly has committed to Boston College to further his career. Hewitt will put his talents on display in the opening game of the season when Eaton travels to Greenville and plays the Green Wave in the first game to be held in the new Alumni Stadium at Harmon Field. What makes the matchup even more interesting is that new Wave, Head Coach Steve Channell is an Eaton graduate!
Speaking of workouts, NFL training camps open within the next four weeks. The Bengals welcome rookies on July 19th, the Browns newcomers report on July 18th, and the Colts open the gates for first-year players on July 21st. All three teams have veterans scheduled to begin practice on July 22nd. Which of these is most likely to make the playoffs?
LSU completed a two-game sweep of Coastal Carolina to win the College World Series this weekend. The Bayou Tigers claimed their second title in the past three years and eighth overall in breaking the Chanticleers’ 26-game winning streak. A Chanticleer, you might wonder, is a “proud, fierce rooster often depicted as a regal figure”! Here’s another trivia question — which college baseball program holds the record for the most NCAA Division One titles?
It was a weekend for reunions around our house as Saturday saw my wife Kathy’s annual Moore Family gathering held at Cedar Grove Church outside of Hollansburg, followed shortly thereafter by her Westmont, Hollansburg, and Palestine Alumni banquet at the Golden Eagle Christian Center in Palestine. While she was in Palestine, I was in Jamestown, OH, as the guest of the Greeneview High School Class of 1975. In the first year of my first career as an educator, I was the Rams’ freshman basketball coach and was invited back by several of my former players. It was truly an honor to reminisce and catch up with them, as all became successful in various areas and good family men. Knowing that I had some impact on their lives made the evening special!!
The Reds selected another Wake Forest product, pitcher Rhett Lowder, with their first selection in the ‘23 draft. Lowder has been bothered by a persistent oblique injury this year and has been on the 60-day Injured List since May 22nd, but has shown great potential as a starting pitcher.
Finally, Southern California has won an amazing 12 NCAA baseball titles. Must be something about that SoCal weather!! Stay cool, stay hydrated!!
