Weekend winners
Georgia Southern quarterback Shai Werts, who got back on the practice field after being suspended until his arrest for cocaine possession was sorted out. Werts was arrested July 31 for what police thought was cocaine on the hood of his car. Werts said it was bird poop. The charges, unlike the residue on Werts’ Dodge – how come all these college football incidents involving a car seem to involve a Dodge – did not stick. Man, not sure even Matlock could pull off the “That’s not coke; that’s crap” defense with a straight face. Here’s more.
Ronald Acuna Jr. Yes, football has not started yet, so when that happens this list will change somewhat. But right now, my three favorite things to watch in sports are, in reverse order, Tiger Woods contending on Sunday, LeBron James in a playoff game with the ball in his hands and Ronald Acuna at the plate. Yep, the 21-year-old phenom is that much fun right now. What a dude. He’s a certain bet to be the only 30-30 member before the age of 22 not named Mike Trout. He’s also – with 28 steals and 33 homers – has a chance at 40 homers and 40 steals, something only four dudes have ever done. (Canseco, A-Rod, Bonds and Alfonso Soriano.) Check these numbers: the last week Acuna is hitting .419 with six homers, 10 RBIs and 12 runs. In August, he’s at .367 with eight homers, 15 RBIs and 15 runs.
Simone Biles. Wow, making gymnast history at 22 is like, I don’t know, a quarterback winning his record-setting sixth Super Bowl in his 40s. Wait. Bad comparison. Still, Biles getting a perfect score being old enough to drink in a competition in which athletes hit their prime about the time they can drive is pretty awesome.
Pittsburgh Steelers. You think Mike Tomlin didn’t pour a nice cocktail – what do you is Mike Tomlin’s beverage of choice? – light a stogie and smile at all this Antonio Brown news? Of course he did. And he watched every second of Brown’s feet and helmet and everything in between.
5-at-10 preseason picks. Giddy-up. Counting last Friday afternoon’s addition – Vikes-Steelers over 37, Raiders minus-4 and 49ers minus-4 – we are sitting swell at 5-1. Yeah, maybe this betting preseason football is way better than we thought. Cue Nuke LaLoosh. “I love winning. I bleeping love winning. It’s like, better, than losing.” (Yes, the 5-at-10 is a little light on NFL preseason stuff today, but man, how many times can we discuss Zeke’s contract or AB being AB?)
Weekend losers
Braves bullpen. Think how good this team would be if they had just a mediocre bullpen, right? Still, Steve, putting the Braves bullpen here is almost as redundant as a NASCAR jab, am I right?