Tag: sports

12 Fearless 2025 Predictions

I looked back on my 2024 predictions and though I did nail that Joe Biden would withdraw from running for President. I did not guess correctly that Donald Trump would also withdraw and with a pardon. Despite my predictions, Twitter did not go dark and the Russia-Ukraine war did not end. I did not fare well in my sports predictions.

However, I am back with my 2025 predictions. My crystal ball looks a bit gloomy and stormy…

Image by AI
  1. With a cabinet with incompetent and mediocre appointees by President Trump, brace for turmoil during any emergency or major national issue. Expect significant mismanagement in response to natural disasters (hurricanes) or medical crises (epidemics), resulting in widespread public frustration and delays in assistance.
  2. I expect an unsatisfactory resolution in 2025 to the Ukraine-Russia war now that Trump is President. I anticipate a huge FU to our European allies who have made significant economic and financial sacrifices who have assisted Ukraine. My sense is that Europe and NATO will have little influence or say how the war is resolved.
  3. The mainstream press will continue to erode. Layoffs among journalists will rise, and investigative reporting will wane due to mounting fears of libel lawsuits. The result? A media landscape increasingly dominated by shallow reporting and sensationalism with declining viewership and subscription.
  4. With America’s collective attention span shrinking, network TV shows, many sports events (including the NBA), and news programs will see further declines in audience engagement. Streaming platforms and niche content will solidify their dominance as traditional formats struggle.
  5. Iran is poised for more liberal reforms. Humiliated by its ongoing struggles with Israel and diminishing influence in the Middle East, internal pressures will drive gradual social and political changes, signaling a shift away from strict authoritarianism.
  6. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce will become engaged this year. Hedging my bets if this means they will get married.
  7. The 76ers will inch into the play-in round of the NBA Championship playoffs where they will lose in the first round. Joel Embiid will not play due to injury. Process #2 begins with the firing of Nick Nurse and the trade of Embiid after the season.
  8. Christianity in America will increasingly shift focus from spiritual worship to political and cultural conservatism. Expect legislation at both state and federal levels aiming to roll back rights on abortion, birth control, and civil rights for LGBTQ individuals, women, and racial minorities, with the Supreme Court playing a pivotal role.
  9. 2025 will bring further credible evidence of extraterrestrial activity. Governments worldwide will grapple with the implications, leading to heightened discussions about national security and military preparedness in the face of potential unknown threats.
  10. Neither current NFL favorites, Kansas City or Detroit will win the 2025 Super Bowl.
  11. There will be similar concerns about Donald Trump’s physical and mental decline similar to the experiences about Joe Biden. Joe’s issues were obfuscated by the First Lady, Jill. Trump will have not have similar cover from Melania.
  12. With increasing dissatisfaction among Democrats and moderates, a new third-party movement will gain momentum, fueled by widespread dissatisfaction with the two-party system, but it will face significant hurdles in gaining electoral traction.









Pigskin Punditry

From my couch seat, I must admit that I find college football to be more entertaining and interesting than watching professional football.

***

I read and enjoyed Why We Love Football: A History in 100 Moments by Joe Posnanski. Here is my quick review of the book:

Brief capsules (1-4 pages) of 100 pro, college and high school football moments that makes the sport special. Five of the 100 moments were about the Philadelphia Eagles: 1. Chuck Bednarik’s hit on NY Giants Frank Gifford; 2. Fans throwing snowballs at Santa; 3. Miracle at the Meadowlands (Herman Edwards returning late game fumble vs Giants); 4. DeSean Jackson returning late game punt vs. Giants; and 5. Philly Special from the Super Bowl game vs. the Patriots.

There are a lot of great stories, some deserving of additional length and elaboration. For this football fan of many decades, it was a quick nostalgic trip through my memories of memorable football experiences.

I would be interested in reading his similar themed book on baseball based on how I enjoyed this work.

***

If Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns tried out as QB for the University of Texas, he might make fourth string.
***

Cleveland could be a three point underdog if they played Texas.

***

Nick Sirianni has not made many friends among the local and national media or the football fans of the Philadelphia Eagles. There are calls to fire Sirianni now and not let him finish the season. But who would replace him? Is there a “coach in waiting” on the Eagles staff? Some experts are touting Bill Bellichek but I think he is an awful fit for the football culture in Philadelphia. I expect with the talent and relatively easy schedule the Eagles have, they should make the playoffs. If they don’t, then let’s revisit Siranni’s tenure in Philly.

***

I read an article by a Temple alumnus who feels that the university should terminate its college football program because of the very poor on-field results and the lack of support and attendance from students, alumni and football fans. I concur. I also think that Rutgers University football should take a step or two back. I am not at the point where they should stop playing football, but they should consider competing at a lower level. I am not sure what football conference is appropriate for the school, but the Big 10 was and still remains a gigantic leap of faith. Possibly the greatest challenge for Rutgers football is finding a quarterback that you can build an offense around. In the 30–40 years that I have been watching Rutgers football, I can only recall maybe two, maybe three quarterbacks, who were good. The rest have been largely mediocre or awful. I recall many years ago being at a high school football game where a Rutgers coach was scouting for a quarterback. I did not think that any of the quarterbacks playing on the two teams were good enough to be recruited for a major college football program and expressed that to him. I made a suggestion to the coach about another local player who did wind up playing at a Division I school at quarterback. I hope that the Rutgers scouting program has improved greatly since that time.

***



Are you a Pickleball Elitist or Snob?

According to a recent article in dinkpickleball.com, if you can say “Yes” to five of their following criteria, you may be a pickleball snob:
1. You only play with “good” players
2. You own AT LEAST three paddles
3. You ask for full names so you can look up DUPRs
4. You say, “That’s how the pros play”
5. You scout ahead
6. You judge players by their paddle
7. You have a “Pickleball Coach”

I thought that was a rather pedestrian list so here’s my other signs that you just might be a pickleball snob:

  1. You have three or more indoor memberships
  2. You play with a different model paddle each day of the week
  3. You have a “Pickleball Coach”, dietician, trainer and therapist
  4. Joola designed a custom paddle for you
  5. You never feel it necessary to buy or bring pickleballs to the court for play
  6. You don’t tap paddles at end of games, you offer a dismissive wave to your opponents
  7. You judge players by the cars they pull up in
  8. You check your iPhone between points

The Top Athletes of the 21st Century

ESPN just published its list of the top 100 athletes of the 21st-century. Included on the list are people who competed in tennis, basketball, swimming, football, baseball, auto racing, and boxing. These are what I would consider the mainline sports. However, I am not sure that’s where you will find the best “athletes.”

In my mind, a great athlete incorporates the following: (1) stamina, (2) strength, (3) speed (4) agility, (5) reflexes, (6) focus/competitive spirit, and (7) competitive skills to excel in the sport one is performing. For example, Tiger Woods is a great golfer. But does one have to be a great athlete to be a great golfer? Maybe not? Jack Nicklaus. and John Daly were excellent golfers in their heyday, but I would not consider them very good athletes.

My list gives credit to sports and athletes that are not well publicized. For example, a triathlete needs to be an excellent swimmer, biker and runner. Incredible stamina is required as a competition may take place over several hours or even most of the day. There are no triathletes on the ESPN list. There are no CrossFit athletes that are on the ESPN list. That strikes me is a bit odd as ESPN does cover CrossFit competitions.

So here is my list of names that at least should be considered for the top 100 athletes to 21st century:

Charlie Hustle: The Rise and Fall of Pete Rose, and the Last Glory Days of Baseball by Keith O’Brien (Book Review)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thought this was a fair and sensitive biography of a complicated and controversial man. This book was excellently researched and the author was able to get cooperation of many of the players, family and even mistresses of Pete Rose. The book confirms to me that Pete was a vain, greedy, self-serving and not a very smart man, not someone who you would want as a friend or be around with.

The author documents Rose’s playing exploits on the baseball field, which were legendary and his off field foibles which were many. Well I think it was easy to admire Pete Rose the player, it must’ve been very hard to admire Pete Rose the man. It’s as if he never grow up.

All that being said, I think the Pete Rose deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Yes his gambling, particularly on baseball, may be disqualifying. However I have not read or heard of any evidence where he directly or indirectly affected the performance or results of a baseball game. What Pete Rose achieved on the field, he achieved largely on his own merits. I did not read of any evidence that he took steroids or performance-enhancing drugs.

This book is an excellent read for any sports fan but especially for this reader as I remember watching Pete Rose’s career, particularly when he played for the 1980 Phillies who won the World Series that year.

2024 Predictions

Alabama will win the National Collegiate Football championship beating Texas. Jim Harbaugh will resign as Michigan coach and become a NFL coach (San Diego).
???

No Kansas City – Philadelphia reprise for 2024 Super Bowl. 2024 Super Bowl will be Baltimore vs. Detroit. Baltimore will win 38-17.
???

Kentucky will beat Kansas in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
???

No Biden – Trump reprise in November 2024. Biden will withdraw from race. Due to legal issues, Trump will also withdraw but will receive conditional pardon.
???

Both parties will choose current elected and active governors. Republicans will not choose Ron DeSantis.
???

Ukraine-Russia war winds down to negotiated cease fire by May 2024.

U.S. needs to act militarily to aid in Israel’s defense. Benjamin Netanyahu replaced. Very few additional hostages released or located.
???

AI serves as a very effective propaganda and distortion tool in 2024 elections. Many voters are duped to believe just about anything to support their narratives and beliefs about politics.
???

Twitter goes dark in 2024 due to loss of advertisers, disinterest by members and huge operating losses that Musk no longer wants to fund.
???

Taylor Swift will not marry Travis Kelce.
???

76ers make Eastern Conference Finals but lose.

???

More Thoughts on the Fly

  1. The Republican who performed brave and honorable actions, risking his life and that of his family on January 6, 2021, withdrew his name from the 2024 Presidential nomination due to lack of support. Frankly, I largely viewed Mike Pence as a toady during his vice presidency, but I find him a more suitable option compared to the individual who sought to overturn a fair election process and currently faces 91 civil and criminal indictment counts.
  2. While I remain concerned about Trump, my greater worry lies in the significant number of supporters he commands and the influence he wields. This speaks volumes about the state of our country, indicating that Trumpism could endure without Donald Trump.
  3. Inflation, Israel, and the indictments involving his son will likely damage Biden’s prospects in 2024. Although Biden served as a competent placeholder, I would prefer a different, younger nominee for the Democratic party.”
  4. I recently sold my house and relocated. My main grievance stems from paying a 6% commission fee during the house closing. Considering the current seller’s market and the available technology for facilitating home sales, commission fees should ideally range between 4% and 5%.”
  5. “The overwhelming presence of misinformation, lies, and exaggerations across various domains such as media, politics, business, science, and education can easily deceive even the most discerning individuals, leading them to believe a significant portion of it.”
  6. “The auxiliary attractions of gambling and ‘sports talk’ form the pillars upholding sporting events and programming. The off-field or off-court action and controversies often prove more captivating than the actual games themselves.”

Loose Balls: The Short Wild Life of the American Basketball Association by Terry Pluto (Review)

Sports nostalgia tour of the American Basketball Association whose heydays were in the late 60s and 70s. The league had some great players like Dr. J, Rick Barry, George Gervin, Artis Gilmore, Dan Issel and others. Interesting stories about how they tried to create the league. Poor Pat Boone was one of the early investors and almost went broke. There were some smart owners and many greedy ones. George Mikan was the ABA’s first commissioner and insisted that the league’s headquarters be situated in Minnesota where he lived.

So many characters Marvin Barnes, Johnny Neumann, John Brisker etc. played in the league. The book details many of their antics. I remember Rick Mount, one of the best shooting guards in college at Purdue. Unfortunately his college game did not translate that well into the pros.

The financial status of the teams and the league were always in peril. They did not have a national TV contract like the NBA. Many coaches and players suffered returned checks or did not get paid at all.

I did not realize or remember that ABA teams played NBA teams in exhibition games and competed fairly well. There were some excellent ABA coaches including Hubie Brown, Larry Brown, Stan Albeck and Doug Moe. (Even Wilt Chamberlain was an ABA coach but not a very good or devoted one.)

There are a large number of amusing anecedotes and stories. This is a very entertaining sports book about a very interesting time in professional basketball.

Sports Break

Caitlin Clark from Iowa was the best college basketball player that I saw this year. She may be the best women’s basketball player that I have ever seen. I don’t remember another female player with her shooting range and passing ability.

Though LSU won the NCAA Women’s Tournament yesterday, I don’t think they would have beaten South Carolina.

Best Matches from 2023 WrestleMania

  1. Rhea Ripley beating Charlotte Flair for women’s title
  2. Kevin Owens and Sammy Zayn beating the Usos for tag team title
  3. Edge beating Finn Balor (The Demon) in steel cage match.

To my surprise, I enjoyed yesterday’s ESPN Pickleball Challenge featuring John McEnroe, Andre Agassi, Michael Chang and Andy Roddick.  The levels of performance got better as the four legends played. I think the telecast helped improved the pickleball brand. I enjoyed McEnroe’s antics. Great job by the young woman who was the referee!

Phillies are 0-3.Too early to panic…

I’m slightly prejudiced for being a “homer” but Joel Embiid deserves to be the NBA MVP. He rarely has a bad game and most games I watch, he dominates.

Not sure who is the biggest disappointment give their career starts: Ben Simmons or Carson Wentz?

Still prefer “old guys” Michael Wilson and Tony Kornheiser as sports commentators ahead of Colin Cowherd, Steven A. Smith, Jim Rome etc.