We all face our own slopes, hills, mountains each day in our lives. Each of us deal with each challenge separately with some success as we CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN. It’s true in the sports world also…let’s jump around from sport to sport.
….in the NCAA-Football world, each school has it’s own Mountain to climb. Some reach for the highest peak (national championship), others for conference titles, some for .500. We’re enjoying Mizzou climbing up the SEC mountain IN ‘23. Seemingly stuck at the same plateau the past few years, the Tigers are climbing at a frantic rate towards the top. Currently 7-1, the Tigers are on Missouri is on the verge of its best season since it won back-to-back SEC East titles in 2013 & 2014 under Gary Pinkel. The SEC Mountain is a steep one but, frankly, the East isn’t as tough as the West (at least it seems that way to me). Mizzou’s last winning season was 2018 so they have been climbing for a long time. Improved defensive line play with solid LB’s shape the defense. It’s coupled with an improved offense that has passing potential (Luther Burden & crew) and a deceptively solid running game has the Tigers climbing up the SEC mountain to higher levels (rankings).
…Looking to gain traction to CLIMB UP THE MOUNTAIN again, after completely falling off the Mountain last year, the Cardinals will be making moves. The management HAS to look at the leadership and determine if’s it working as well as possible. As you all know, I think the Cards are deficient in that area. I’m hoping that one of their 1st moves for the Cards to hire Yadi Molina as Manager. He established himself as a leader while still playing. He has the respect of the players. Why wait? Start CLIMBING RIGHT NOW with Yadi!
….Seemingly CLIMBING closer to the top of their mountain than most teams are the KC Chiefs. Adopted by some(maybe many) of the StL football fans as “their” team, the Chiefs play a very entertaining game while CLIMBING in high altitudes. Lots of offense, a bend but don’t break defense that is 2nd in the AFC in points allowed. KC seems to frequently have exciting finishes to their games most weeks. A lot of that points towards their QB- Patrick Mahomes. His poise, elusiveness, arm strength, various arm angles in this delivery & accuracy make him the most exciting players to watch (at least for me). KC has the highest climb thus far in the AFC with a 6-1 record. Without as much fanfare, the steady-climbing Eagles are the only other team with a 6-1 record in the NFL. It’s easy to forget…the 2023 Super Bowl was KC vs Philly!
…As teams CLIMB UP THE MOUNTAIN, more & more pressure to win builds. NCAA top level football teams have extreme pressure to win…and win big. The most recent “scandal” was disclosed when Michigan was caught stealing the hand signs of their opponents as they sent in plays. Using video replays to study & decode the signs is a latest approach to stealing signs. It may not be ethical but I can’t say that I was surprised. If a team didn’t want their signs stolen, send in each play with a substitute. Surely, your #4 receiver isn’t THAT much different than your #3 receiver. Or, put an arm band on the QB to send in the signs & change the arm band after each possession. It’s really not that difficult to thwart the “stealing” of signs.
…Close to the bottom of the mountain after last years fall, the Blues are moving upwards cautiously. The Blues (currently 3-2-1) are beginning this season. The Blues 14 goals is currently 3rd from the bottom in goals scored in the entire NHL. On the defensive end, the Blues do appear to be more persistent in their checking. While the Blues defense looks improved—they are currently tied for #5 in NHL with 15 goals allowed. Even with that defense, it appears to me that it’ll be a long, slow climb for the Blues this year since scoring goals looks like a “challenge” for the Blues. While I’m happy that the defense is improved, you have to score goals to Climb Up the Mountain.
…Climbing on a dangerous path up the Mountain of Money, the NCAA’s NIL policy seems way out of kilter to me Paying these athletes thousands of dollars to perform at the collegiate level while pretending that they are students (how many take 15 hours a semester?). From what I can find out…and it’s tough because it seems like the NCAA & universities don’t want us to know their expenditures on their athletes. While fans don’t have access to the exact amount paid to these “students”, their NIL valuation by one company (On3) IS listed. One of the factors used to determine their “valuation” is the number of their “followers”. For an example, Luther Burden is listed (at this moment) with 78 thousand followers and his NIL value (according to the company–“On3”) is $710,000! This is a really horrible road to be traveling down from my eyes. Colleges seem to be turning a “blind eye” towards these payments to their athletes since the colleges are raking in mega-profits (due to television) with these players. I’m not blaming Luther Burden, or any other college player, at all. Heck, if people want to throw thousands of dollars at you for throwing, catching, running, tackling with a football—have at it! But….it doesn’t seem like it’s an amateur sport any longer. Maybe…I’ve been naïve all along. As far as a player CLIMBING upwards in the NIL money game, there are many factors. It’s my view that schools w/o professional competition in their area, with large population centers in their area and in conferences that get maximum TV coverage, will thrive the most in the NIL world. Players, in that setting, will have an easier CLIMB much higher up the NIL Mountain. Their players will often be paid in high level way. Gee…..It sure sounds like the SEC conference to me!!
….The Rangers/ D-Backs have CLIMBED CLOSE TO THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN as they battle in the world series—currently even at 1 win apiece as I write this on Sunday morning. Sometimes, there are small changes that have impacts far beyond what was expected. There was a situation like that in the World Series. Currently even at 1 game apiece, each team has demonstrated strong batting skills. A key player in the post-season is former Cardinals, Tommy Pham. Pham now competing in his 10th year in the MLB(has played in over 1000 MLB games). He posted one of his personal “all-time” best performances with a 4-hit game in game 2 of Series. The Night before, Pham suggested to Manager Tony Lovullo to bat Pavin Smith as a pinch hitter for him. Pham was struggling at the plate @ that point while Smith was “hot”(he had reached base in 4 of his 5 at bats).
… while wondering how Texas made the Series? Keep in mind that the Rangers invested $500m in signing their middle infielders, Marcus Semien and Corey Seager, to long term contracts. Getting strong batting production from BOTH middle-infielders is relatively rare and it’s a vital element of the Texas roster. It certainly makes the CLIMB UPWARD easier. It’s common to have middle-infielder players who are more known for their fielding than their batting, even on good teams.
…Well, I’ve reached the Summit of my Mountain! Thanks for taking your time to CLIMB with me!
YOUR thoughts, comments are invited. Just post it on my Facebook page or send to me & I’ll post it (If I can do it…anyone can!!) Bob
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