Watching Parades in person has a certain “charm” to it. Everyone marches by you with their “certain” look or demeanor. Let’s jump into the spectators and watch the “Sports” Parade march by us.
…Marching by us 1st was the NCAA-F Bowl representatives. You have to notice the glittering march of the Final 4 teams for the National Championship. They are holding their Heads High after playing two absolutely terrific semifinal games. The Committee (who will always get criticized) had chosen 4 brilliant teams in this 1st “go around” of actually crowning a NCAA Football Champion on the field—not just “voting them in”. Next year’s 12 team affair takes a different tone as this inaugural championship LIVED UP TO (and probably far beyond) expectations.
…skating, albeit very slowly, by us next were the St Louis Blues. The Blues were moving slowly (as they are this season). Currently, the Blues are tied for last in power-play goals with only 12 in their 37 games. Sitting in the 24th spot of the league in Goals per Game, the Blues are leaning on their 2 young stars (Thomas & Kyrou) to carry the load. Lagging behind were the defensemen, who seem to be lagging behind during the game also. Parayko seems to be the only defenseman who can actually shoot a puck…much less on net!! New HC Drew Bannister seems to have the team playing with more energy & speed. That’s fairly typical when a new Coach takes the reins. This roster is struggling to get into a playoff spot. Major changes are required in off-season.
…Dragging behind the Blues was Jordan Kyrou. Clearly his eyes were down, his gait was slow, his eyes had that far-away look. His 1st comments about Berube’s firing, “I’ve got no comment. He’s not my coach anymore.” Left a sour, very sour taste in the Blues fans. They booed him the next game. It was a 1st for Kyrou. He was shocked and his play since that time has been substandard. Berube actually defended him “He got caught off-guard and didn’t know what to say. He’s young, a lot of these young guys get asked questions at the time and they’re not thinking like they should think and it’s tough for them”. The Blues need him to “snap out of it” soon….real soon…to stay close to a playoff spot.
…Also, marching by us at a very slow rate, seemingly with their eyes looking around for something else were the St Louis Cardinals. The Cards have signed 3 pitchers—Sonny Gray (34 years old), Lance Lynn & Kyle Gibson (each 36 years old). They bring plenty of experience, but many wonder how much is left in their tank? Will they be good in the StL heat of August & September? It’s thought that the Cards are still looking for more pitching…hopefully, a bit younger😊 Meanwhile, the Cards batters were 19th in MLB in runs scored, 13th in OPS (on base% + slugging) in MLB with both divisional foes, the Cubs & Reds, holding higher OPS marks. StL is 9th in the entire batting MLB stats in strikeouts.
….Walking along as if a bit lost is a Cardinal. If…and this is a BIG IF…the Cards start poorly in the 1st 2 months…could be “sell off” time? The Cards could/would part with 1 of their 2 “stars”–Goldschmidt & Arenado. If…this is a big IF, the Cards start slowly would you peddle Goldschmidt, who’s in his final year of $26m contract. Arenado will be beginning the 2nd year of a 5 year contract @ $35m. But, Arenado seemed to have lost his vigor, hustle, etc as ’23 season unfolded. It’s a lot to swallow if Cards are sitting in the bottom of the division again. This could be the biggest decision for management in 2024 for the Cardinals! If the Cards stink again, I’ll be surprised if the fans support the Cards by purchasing tickets in the same manner that was done in 2023.
…Walking crisply with their Heads held High were the Mizzou Tigers football team. The huge win over Ohio State culminated a tremendous season for Coach Drinkwitz & the Tigers. It already has paid dividends for the Tigers recruiting efforts. 4 players were already listed on the ESPN top-100 players for 2023. Rated @ #15 was WR–Luther Burden; #16 was RB–Cody Schrader; less known was cornerback-Kris Abrams-Draine. He allowed only a 37% completion rate and a 28.4 QBR as primary coverage guy. He picked off four passes, broke up 11 more, and proved his physicality with 2.5 tackles for loss, a run stuff and a pair of pressures on six pass rushes; and as you would expect an Off Lineman–Javon Foster- He led the MU line towards a much higher level of play in ’23. His almost impeccable play in 13 games was a major factor. He allowed only 9 pressures; had only 3 holding penalties; only 7 blown run blocks in his 13 games. This level of play jumped him way up on Mel Kiper’s Top 10 for ’24 tackle draft prospects. Further, from the publication-Saturday Down South, Coach Drinkwitz was voted Coach of the Year!!
…Stumbling around a bit as they walk is Mizzou Basketball. After a tremendous 22-23 season, the Tigers had to rebuild. That process hasn’t been as smooth as hoped. A 8-5 record may look OK but check out their wins…vs Ark Pine-Bluff; SIU-Edwardsville; Minnesota (a good win against an 11-3 team); S. Carolina State (4-12 this year); Loyola-Maryland (2-12); Pittsburgh (9-5-good win);Wichita State (8-6); Cen Arkansas (lower level team). Coach Gates has the same style as last year…but clearly not the same type of players. I think the Tigers may continue to stumble around throughout 23-24.
…Strutting by us next were the Houston Astros. With their heads held high, this club has won 6 straight Division titles (including the ugly trash can banging year). In this era of free agents, player’s agents nudging the team to play their clients more, or bat them higher in the order, or…yada-yada- yada, it’s a remarkable record. Their “farm” system just keeps cranking out “good” batters!
…Coming next in the parade was a “local” team. The Univ of Missouri-St Louis volleyball finished their season as they dropped the semifinal game of the National Tournament (yes…they were in the Final 4). It was the 2nd consecutive year that the Tritons has reached that level. Leading the team in the Parade was their HC Ryan Young (StL player/coach from CBC) who just completed his 13th year as the Head Coach @ UMSL.
….walking with a fast, confident pace is Barry Odum. The former Tiger coach was voted the Coach of the Year in the Mountain West conference. He led UNLV to the Conference championship with a 9-3 record while leading his team to its 1st conference championship game. UNLV won’t be Odum’s team for long…he’ll be returning soon to a higher level program soon.
….walking last in the parade were some of the “HomeTowners”. Those athletes who have made it to the highest level in basketball—the NBA. Currently interest in the NBA coverage in the Lou is completely dormat. They may as well being playing on the moon. Jason Tatum & Bradley Beal are currently stars in the NBA. Both attended Chaminade for their HS days (isn’t that a StL requirement—their HS??:) Tatum ranks 1st in the NBA in defensive win shares, is 8th in points per game, and comes in at 10th in VORP (value over replacement player.) He’s fifth in most points scored by a Celtic in the first five seasons. Among Celtics that have played at least 50 postseason games, Tatum is third with an average of 21.6 points per game; the two ahead of him are Hall of Famers Larry Bird (23.8) and John Havlicek (22.0.) Tatum is 5th in most points scored by a Celtic in the first five seasons. Among Celtics that have played at least 50 postseason games, Tatum is third with an average of 21.6 points per game; the two ahead of him are Hall of Famers Larry Bird (23.8) and John Havlicek (22.0.)Hey, when your name is coming up with people like Larry Bird & John Havlicek—you’re doing OK 😊 Beal is already in his 11th NBA Season!! His 25.8 points over his last 6 seasons, ranks 9th in the league over that time. He’s 2nd in franchise history with 14,231 points, trailing only Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes (15,551.) And Beal has the most 3-pointers (1,434) in team history. As a former, long-time ago, avid StL Hawks fan, I still long for those days when I took a bus downtown, walked a block to the Kiel, watched the Hawks, & took a bus home. My favorite player was Slater( Dugie) Martin. The point guard for the Hawks. Can you guess where I played in my basketball playing days?
…Your thoughts on the parade & its marchers are ALWAYS invited. Thanks for taking your time! WE all enjoy YOUR thoughts. Bob
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