Let’s handle our business.
Have we done a Rushmore of military-based TV shows? This got sneaky hard, because I didn’t think NCIS, but it and so many of the JAGs and the others are technically in the team photo. So we’ll go here: “M*A*S*H,” “NCIS,” “Hogan’s Heroes,” “The Unit” and “Band of Brothers.”
› Rushmore of MLB superstars who would have been the best football players if they had a different passion — Rickey Henderson, Frank Thomas, Aaron Judge and Tim Raines. Thought about Pete Rose, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
› Rushmore of Dan — Dan Marino, Danville (home to Phineas and Ferb, and if you are unaware, it’s one of the best cartoons ever created and easily the best that transitions between kids and their parents in terms of enjoyment), Daniel LaRusso (aka the Karate Kid) and Daniel Boone.
Here’s Paschall on UT’s next first-round pass rusher.
To the ‘bag.
From Samuel
Jay,
Love the column, and I am really enjoying your work on SE16. How do you find the time to do all this, man?
I know you saw the headline, but I wanted your take on whether Clayton Kershaw is the best MLB pitcher of the last 50 years? Best Dodgers pitcher ever?
Thanks, Jay.
Samuel
For those unaware, Clayton Kershaw has said he will retire after the 2025 season.
His numbers are surefire Cooperstown-bound.
An 80.5 career WAR. A 222-96 record with a career 2.54 ERA and a 1.02 Whip and 3,039 Ks in 2,844.2 innings pitched.
Three Cy Youngs, five ERA titles, and an NL MVP.
Kershaw is 28th all-time in WAR (wins above replacement) among starting pitchers and ranks second among active starters behind Justin Verlander.
I think you could make a stronger argument that 22 was the best Dodgers pitcher ever (sorry, Koufax fans) over the last half century.
Maddux, Clemens, Pedro, ever possibly Verlander were all amazing. As was the Big Unit, Glavine and other lefties.
One sneaky thing great about Kershaw is I’m not sure anyone since MJ adjusted his high-flying NBA ways to becoming a mid-range jump-shooting assassin has any truly great player recreated themselves in real-time and maintain excellence the way Kershaw adjusted. Over the last several years he evolved to being more of a breaking ball pitcher with location than the 96-mph heat he delivered when he was younger.
Great career, no doubt, and I am glad he announced it this way. It’s not a distraction through the season, but he will get one more start at Dodger Stadium and get his flowers.
From a slew of you
What do you think about the SEC schedule reveal next week?
Gang,
Great question, and one that has bounced around the large empty space between my ears for the last 20 hours.
Before we propose the permanent foes — permanent until four years from now when the league will review (more on that in a second) — the ACC has also made schedule news in football. The ACC is still deciding between eight or nine conference games but announced that the league will require 10 Power 4 foes moving forward.
This could be really demanding/daunting for the FSUs, Clemsons, Georgia Techs, et al., that have season-ending rivals. If the league goes nine ACC games, it could limit those schools desire/availability for season-opening games or home games like Clemson-LSU, especially if Notre Dame is one of your non-ACC games.
As for the SEC, reviewing every four years tells me Greg Sankey is far less Tevye (TRADITION) and way more TV-aware.
OK, school by school, let’s explore the “traditional” annual games across the SEC.
› Alabama — Auburn, Tennessee, LSU (and this was the easiest one of the group)
› Arkansas — Texas, Oklahoma, LSU
› Auburn — Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky
› Florida — Georgia, LSU, South Carolina
› Georgia — Florida, Auburn, South Carolina
› Kentucky — Vandy, Tennessee, Auburn
› LSU — Florida, Arkansas, Alabama
› Mississippi State — Ole Miss, Vandy, Missouri
› Missouri — A&M, Ole Miss, Miss State
› Oklahoma — Texas, Arkansas, A&M
› Ole Miss — Miss State, Missouri, Vandy
› South Carolina — Georgia, Florida,
› Tennessee — Alabama, Vandy, UK
› Texas — A&M, Oklahoma Arkansas
› A&M — Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma
› Vandy — Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi State
Couple of caveats because this is far from perfect, and when you are thinking traditional SEC Saturday showdown, that Vandy-Mizzou game is a banger.
The other is, if/when Diego Pavia returns for his 14th year of college, Vandy-Auburn could be one with the Pavia/Freeze rivalry.
Thoughts?
From Larry
Your NFL picks SUCKED. Thanks for nothing.
Larry
Yep, the 1-3 from last Saturday was less than desirable. It happens. Hope you are on Plays, because the Brewers have been berry, berry good to us this week.
But, like Mahorn at the top of the key for Vinnie “Microwave” Johnson, pickers gotta pick.
Before we get to our NFL selections for the weekend, let’s share some research. I know, shocking, right, Spy?
Over the last decade-plus, according to ESPN, NFL teams that entered week 3 0-2 and as an underdog have gone 56-31-1 against the number.
Hmmm. That’s 64.4%, which is bad in school, less than good in free throws but down-right awesome in sports betting.
Let’s explore.
› Cleveland plus-8.5 against Green Bay. Did you see the above stat? It applies here, and the Browns may have the best defense in the league. Seriously. Against the Bengals and Ravens, Cleveland has allowed all of 191.5 yards per game, and that was a Bengals bunch that had 100% Joe Burrow. Plus, it’s in Cleveland, and this game has the lowest total of the weekend, so 8.5 feels more like 18 in a lot of ways.
› Tennessee plus-4.5 over Indy. Another home dog that fits the criteria above. Indy has been a great story, but Indiana Jones is still Danny Jones in there somewhere and his alter ego can pop up at anytime.
› Los Angeles Charger minus-2.5 over Denver. I am bullish on the Coach Khaki-led Chargers. And I will ride them until they buck me.
› Dallas pick ’em over Chicago. Dallas DC Matt Eberflus coached the Bears last year and assuredly knows what Caleb Williams does well (not much) and doesn’t do well (pull up a chair). Plus, the Dallas offense is stout.
NFL picks Week 2: 1-3 (25%)
NFL picks 2025: 3-5 (37.5%0
From Spy
Bigger disaster involving a Kimmel:
ABC “Late Night” with Jimmy
or
Pearl Harbor under U.S. Pacific Fleet commander Adm. Husband E. Kimmel?
Spy
Push.
Nah, the Admiral, of course, was worse. Plus, Jimmy has been given a path for reinstatement if, like Ethan Hunt, he chooses to accept it.
Have a great weekend, friends.