It's time
Welcome to the "er" months.
And not a moment too soon. With that, we will start our focus on baseball.
Here's the skinny, Braves backers: Handle your business against the non-elite teams. The Dodgers and even the Giants are on different levels. And that's OK. Those teams are on different levels to the teams chasing the Braves, too.
Case in point: The Braves handed the ball to Charlie Morton last night, who, for the most part, has been the best pitcher on the team this season. The Dodgers handed the ball to Walker Beuhler, who, for the most part, has been the best pitcher in baseball (not named Jacob deGrom) this season.
Here's where I believe we are:
- The Dodgers are the best team in the game. Yes, the Giants have a better record, but whatever. And read what we wrote about Beuhler above, and now remember that they also have Max Scherzer and Julio Urias, and that's with Clayton Kershaw, Dustin May and Trevor Bauer missing large parts of the season for various reasons.
- The Braves are the best team in the East. That's not super encouraging for folks like Jules and Ernie who want this bunch to be title contenders, but it should be enough to survive the push from Philly and any moves from the Mets.
- The Rays are the best team that baseball hopes will lose early. Seriously, you guys and gals know what I do for a living, and until the Rays added former Twins slugger Nelson Cruz, I am pretty sure I could not name a single Rays player.
- The Red Sox are coming unraveled. Five weeks ago this morning, the Red Sox were 62-39, which was the best record in the AL and good for a two-game lead over the Rays. Heading into the "er" months, Boston is 75-59, 10 games out of first in the East and even with the A's in the loss column for the second wildcard spot in the AL.
- Shohei Ohtani stole home last night. Let's check in with the middle school kids, and confirm: Jay hearts Shohei. Yep, it's official.
Taking their shot
So, vaccines in the workplace. Go.
Let's break this down as clearly as I know how, and do it in steps.
I am vaccinated. I wish everyone was. I will get my booster as soon as they tell me it's my time.
I am not for a government-mandated vaccine. I forever will support our freedoms and the rights of individuals, and I do not want to step on the slippery slope of governments being able to force things into our bodies. Force things on our bodies - like shirts or shoes or seat belts or masks - no problem whatsoever. In our body? Different discussion in my view.
And that this is so political, the COVID-19 conversation is changing the nature and fundamental beliefs of so many. Robin Smith has been one of the most recognized Republicans in Hamilton County in my two decades here. Now she is seeking judicial interpretations on government orders to prevent businesses from having mask mandates for their employees. Uh, one of the baseline views of my long-standing Republican nature is for less government control, not more, especially when it comes to matters of free market and business. But here we are.
And that next step leads us to the recent sports developments in terms of COVID-19 and vaccines.
First, I am disappointed to learn that John Smoltz is an anti-vaxxer. I thought he was smarter than that. But there you go.
And now the MLB Network has said John is not allowed in the studio because of the Sept. 1 company-wide vaccine requirement.
There also comes news that the NFLPA is going to investigate Urban Meyer saying the Jags took vaccine status into consideration when making their final roster decisions.
Shut up NFLPA, and stop making it political. At its very core, this makes perfect sense, beyond even the COVID-19 discussion.
In a lot of ways, this is about value, and if, say, Trevor Lawrence was not vaccinated, here's betting the Jags are not cutting him. But if there is a tie between players and one has a greater likelihood of missing time with injury/illness (never mind infecting the rest of the team and potentially causing the Jags to forfeit games), then of course that's part of the decision-making process.
Side note: It is rather uncommon, though, for Urban Meyer to find himself in hot water for actually telling the truth to reporters. Go figure.
College kickoff
Tick, tick, tick.
We're close. We're a day away from UTC and UT opening their seasons.
Good times. (Side note: I know it was because of the rain and I know there will be some scorching September days with temps around 90, but man, the morning of Sept. 1 felt glorious outside. And yes, I am finishing this puppy up on the screened-in porch.)
Gene Henley, the TFP UTC beat ace, offered up five predictions for the Mocs this season.
His analysis is more specific than mine, which should be expected. He knows the ins and outs of that bunch better than I do.
So here's my big-picture prediction: UTC wins the whole shebang. Not just the SoCon. Not just a nine- or 10-win season.
But all of it.
That's how good and deep I think this team is and how all time it can be. And since it wrapped its spring schedule mid-way through to get ready and rested for this run, that should be part of the conversation when kicking around the expectations of this bunch.
We asked Tuesday what would be the Vols' biggest strength, and I'm not sure there is a good answer.
Conversely, what would be these Mocs' weakness, because I do not think there is one.
Because, after using parts of the five-game shortened spring season as a tune-up for starters and extra exposure for reserve, the Mocs enter Thursday night with one of the most amazing stats I think I've ever seen.
According to this - and this was based on the summer rosters released at media day, apparently - UTC returns 46 players who started a game last season. Yes, 46.
Giddy up and dream big, Johnny Mocs fans. This could (and should) be a great ride.
This and that
- Wow, a Florida restaurant has posted a sign telling Biden supporters to go elsewhere. OK. Dumb, but whatever.
- The Virginia Supreme Court sided with the teacher who refused to use transgender pronouns.
- How about this stat? With the addition (re-addition?) of Rajon Rondo, the Lakers have seven players who have made an All-NBA team in their careers. Seven. It's LeBron, Unibrow, Russell Westbrook, Carmelo, Dwight Howard, Marc Gasol and Rondo. Serious question: Do all seven make the basketball Hall of Fame?
- We discussed Quinn Ewers' new truck on Tuesday. Today, we share the report that he has signed with GT Sports Marketing and the deal is worth $1.4 million. It's a brand new world, friends.
- You know the rules. Here's Paschall on the Vols hoping for defensive improvement and the Tide striving for more offensive excellence. If forced to wager on the likelihood of those two, I'll lay the odds on the latter.
- So the PGA Tour is going to boot fans who heckle Bryson by calling him Brooksie? Terrible look. Forget calling him Brooksie - a reference to Brooks Koepka and the golfers' feud. Now everyone can call him Baby.
Today's questions
Which way Wednesday starts this way:
Which would surprise you more: UT winning seven games or UTC getting to the FCS title game?
Which looks worse in the decision to boot fans who yell Brooksie at Bryson, the PGA Tour or DeChambeau?
As for today, Sept. 1, let's review.
Happy birthday Phillip Fulmer. And Dr. Phil, both of whom were born on this day in 1950.
I think we've done a Rushmore of Phil, if memory serves.
On this day 50 years ago, the Pittsburgh Pirates started what is believed to be the first all-black lineup in MLB history. So there's that.
On this day in 1977, Tracy Austin at 14 years and 8 months becomes the youngest female to play in the US Open.
Rushmore of sports' best moments for teenagers. Go.