I keep thinking about baseball and the World Series, but then my mind shifts to football. Did you watch any or all of Tampa Bay’s (or Tom Brady’s) narrow victory over the New
England Patriots (or Coach Bill Belichick) on Sunday, Oct. 3?
Played in New England, the game was billed as the most anticipated NFL game ever. And the 19-17 Buccaneers’ victory over Brady’s former team lived up to the advance thinking. And if New England kicker Nick Folk had converted a late-game, 56-yard field goal attempt, we might instead be talking about Mac Jones, the Pats’ rookie quarterback who did everything but win the game.
Bonk! The 56-yard attempt was long enough, but bounced back off the crossbar, much to the
delight of those rooting for Brady. No, Brady did not produce a spectacular game, not even a
“good” game. Instead, he gave us an exciting game.
If Jones continues to grow as the Pats’ quarterback, New England could be right back in the
hunt.
After the weekend’s games, the Arizona Cardinals look to be football’s best team. Unfortunately
for fans of South Florida, the Miami Dolphins are far from the best. Sunday’s final score of 27-17
looks presentable, but, hey, “we” were playing the inept Indianapolis Colts. A victory was called
for.
Let’s talk baseball. I’m still mystified by this season’s “changes.” How about you? Have you
accepted putting runners on second base for each extra inning? To me, that’s softball, not
baseball. I suppose all the double-checking of umpires with the replays gets the “right” answer, but I’ve also seen incorrect reviews. Not many, but enough for us to know the reviews aren’t always right.
What about the one-game wild cards? As you read this, we’ll all know if the Yankees or Red Sox
advanced in the American League and the Cardinals or Dodgers in the National. One game
after playing 162 on the way to the World Series.
In the NL West, it was pretty obvious that Los Angeles and San Francisco were the top teams.
The next round of games is the division series, which is best 3-of-5. The league championship series follows; first team in each league to win four games advances to the World Series, where it again takes four wins to take the title. I pick the Dodgers and the Houston Astros, with the Astros banging their pans to the championship. Why? Why not? They cheated their way to the championship a few years ago with no consequences. What’s to keep them from cheating away again?
While we’re at it (baseball, that is), let me vent on the Miami Marlins. I like the Marlins. I watch
most of their games on television. They have some nice players, players like Jazz Chisholm that
I enjoy watching. However, there are players I’d like Miami to keep. Yes, I realize when
Derek Jeter took over, the team’s farm system was in shambles. But repairs have been made.
Maybe they could let the roster build for a few years and see what they’ve got. Sure, dump some players, like from the roster of catchers.
It’s a shame that while baseball and football had some fun, Sunday’s NASCAR race at
Talladega got rained upon. But that meant people like me were able to watch the
rescheduled race on Monday. I haven’t yet bought into the “stages,” but I’m a race fan. I’ll get
into it.
I like it when the Hendrick team of Chevrolets are in the mix, but when it’s down to the
late laps, I can always find someone to root on. When Monday’s race was rained on with Bubba
Wallace in the lead, I was all for it raining until the following Sunday. But that wasn’t necessary, as it rained just long enough for Wallace to become the second African-American to win on NASCAR’s top circuit.
Yes, I’ve also been following the Women’s NBA. The players are getting better and better.
Don’t think the ladies league is competition for the men. They aren’t. As long as you don’t wait
for dunks and other fiery activity, you’ll get some enjoyment from the sport. I’m also eager
for the NBA, Miami Heat and LeBron James to get back in action.
Key West sports wrap-up
Key West High grad Mekhi Sargent wasn’t on the Tennessee Titans’ roster Sunday, Oct. 3, when he was left off the active list in the Titans’ overtime loss to the New York Jets.
Meanwhile, the KWHS football team got its third victory against two losses when the Conchs topped Gateway Charter at Fort Myers, 48-13, on Oct. 1. Gateway is in its first year of varsity football. Key West plays at Killian Saturday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m.
The Lady Conchs’ volleyball team wrapped a pair of losses in two tournaments around a
victory over Marathon. On Sept. 25, Key West lost to Treasure Coast and Cardinal
Newman at the Varsity Palm Beach Tournament. And on Oct. 1, Key West lost to
Gulliver Prep and Lourdes Academy at the Florida Christian Tournament. All scores were 2-0.
On Sept. 28, at Key West Senior Night, the Lady Conchs topped the Dolphins, 3-0.
