It was a busy week for players & coaches as many said, GOODBYE, for their final time. I’m sure that several had gentle, or maybe not so gentle, pushes into announcing the retirement. That way, they wouldn’t have to be fired. It hit home for us in the Lou also…soooo..let’s start there.
Football saw 2 GIANTS of the game retire this week.
…..In College Football, at the very top of the ladder–Nick Saban announced his retirement from Bama.
He has won 7 National Championships; 9 SEC Championships; .876-on-the-field winning % @ Bama; .806-All-Time winning %; .900- winning % in SEC Title game; 206-29- record @ Bama. Saban is 72 years of age…he’s probably just tired of chasing around HS players in the spring, & staying up all hours in the fall for find that “edge”.….Currently, listed as possible successors for Saban are–Texas’ Steve Sarkisian; Florida State’s Mike Norvell; Washington’s Kalen DeBoer. I learned a lot in the Army. One thing is that EVERYONE is replaceable. Maybe not replace them in exactly the same way…but the job gets done. Keep in mind…time changes all jobs & all people.
….In the NFL, Bill Belichick announced that he’s retiring after this year (Pats are 4-13). His NFL coaching numbers are far better than I realized–Belichick is the only head coach in NFL history with 7 seasons of 13-plus wins. George Seifert is next with only 3 seasons. 12 Conference titles, including 3 as an assistant; 17 — Division titles. It is the most by a head coach in NFL history. 333 —Total victories (regular season and playoffs combined). It is 2nd only to Shula (347). It goes on & on…..his demeanor seemed to “turn off” fans (especially fans of other teams!). Clearly, he has been a legend in the Football Coaching Ranks. He was driven into retirement by the results of this year. 2023 was the lowest point of Belichick’s tenure. His 4-13 record was his worst record in his two dozen years with the organization. The 38-3 loss to the Cowboys in Week 4 was the worst loss of Belichick’s head coaching career, which includes his 5 seasons with the Browns. They were shut out by the Saints 34-0 a week later, giving Belichick the worst home loss of his head coaching career. You see the picture!
…1 more “big name” NFL HC is departing. Long time Seattle HC, Pete Carroll will no longer be the HC of Seattle. When signed by the Seahawks in 2010, he promised a strong defense against the run & a reliable running game. Those schemes worked for his first 4 years. He did lead the Seahawks to their 1st Super Bowl championship in Feb,2014. The Seahawks returned to the Super Bowl the following year but dropped a 28-24 game to New England. Carroll led the Seahawks to post-season games in 10 years of his work in Seattle. In the Lou, where post-season football games seemed rare, that achievement of 10 years in NFL post-season seems really outstanding.
…Another college Coach will probably change future coaching contracts. Jimbo Fisher was fired by Texas A&M. In 6 seasons of below level performances, Texas A&M decided to part ways with Jimbo Fisher. The Aggies brought in Fisher in 2018 with high hopes but his teams have performed below expectations. The dismissal of coach Fisher by Texas A&M marks a shift in coaching buyouts in college football. The Aggies are set to pay Fisher $79 million, nearly three times the record buyout for a coach in the landscape. Sooooo…the Fisher contract leaves a greater impact on other coaches lives rather than on his own players!
…Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern) & Mel Tucker (Michigan State) were both fired for “cause”. Code word…. fired for conduct off the field.
… I did enjoy the SLU unbelievable comeback win over St Josephs. The Billikens said GOODBYE to 3-game losing streak with the Win over a St Joseph team that was 10-4 at the start of the game. Something worked after a horrible start as SLU rallied from a 20-point deficit for an 88-85 victory. It was the largest deficit the Billikens have overcome in the history of the arena! Leading the charge with several 3-pt baskets from exactly the same spot—the deepest right-side baseline corner – was Gibson Jimerson. Gibson scored 27 pts with eight 3-pt baskets (Most in the 2nd half with many during the comeback spree). 7-0ft Bruce Zang tapped in a couple baskets at key momentum moments to help the Billiken rally. At the FT line (where most games are won or lost), SLU’s Bradley Ezewiro dropped in 6 of 7 with many at key moments. It was a GOOD…probably VERY GOOD.. win for SLU.
…Staying close to home..Adam Wainwright said GOODBYE after a MLB career that began in 2005. Also retiring this year with long careers are…Miguel Cabrera (2003-2023); Nelson Cruz (‘05-‘23); Ian Kennedy (’07-’23).
….Now Wainwright …If there was a vote was on being a “genuine GOOD man”, Wainwright would easily walk into THAT HOF. Yet, I hear some say that he’s a HOF’er. But, it’s on performance on the field that opens the door to Canton, Ohio. His career W-L numbers-200-128; lifetime ERA 3.35; 2,202 strikeouts; 17 Holds, 3 saves don’t seem to quite reach the threshold for the HOF. He definitely was GOOD but HOF players are (or should be) more than just good. They should be “stand outs”.
… Back to Waino..in League wide stats: Waino tied for 1st in NL wins in a season-2x (19 wins); He’s 5th in current career strikeout leaders. He’s 65th All-Time Strikeout Leaders with 2202. Waino holds a solid strikeout to walk ratio. He has 2,202 strikeouts with 76 walks (about a 3:1 ratio).His last win-#200 tied him with 4 other pitchers at that level of win. That group is #118-122 in all-time career wins. None of them are in the HOF! There are plenty of other stats…he’s been good, very good for a couple years. With all that being said, from my view, he’s short of reaching Cooperstown.
..Comparing him to other current pitchers who are eligible for the HOF is a bit eye-opening…looking at the 1st Tier of possible HOF’ers:
1) Justin Verlander –AL MVP (2011); 3x AL Cy Young Award (2011, 2019, 2022);2x- WS Champion; 9x All-Star -Career Stats: 77.6 WAR, 244 wins, 3198 k’S, 3.24 ERA, 1.117 WHIP
2) Max Scherzer– 1x AL Cy Young Award (2013);2x NL Cy Young Award (2016 and 2017); WS Champion; 8x All Star-2x ERA Title–Career: 71.7 WAR, 201 Wins, 3193 k’S, and a 1.074 WHIP
3) Clayton Kershaw-Accolades: NL MVP (2014);3x NL Cy Young Award (2011, 2013, 2014);WSs title
9x All-Star–5x ERA Title -Career Stats: 75.9 WAR, 197 Wins, 2807 Strikeouts, and a 1.001 WHIP
4) Zach Grienke — 2009 AL Cy Young Award;6x All-Star;6x Gold Glove;2x ERA Title; Career Stats: 76.5 WAR, 3.42 ERA, 223 Wins, 2882 Strikeouts, and a 1.167 WHIP
2nd Tier –1)Jacob deGrom –(50% chance)2x NL Cy Young Award;4x All-Star; 1x ERA Title. Career Stats: 43.8 WAR, 2.52 ERA, 82 Wins, 1607 Strikeouts, and a 0.998 WHIP
2) Corey Kluber (~45% chance) Accolades-2x AL Cy Young Award;3x All-Star;1x ERA Title; Career Stats: 34.7- WAR, 3.31 ERA, 113 Wins, 1683 Strikeouts, and a 1.112 WHIP
It appears to me that Wainwright couldn’t “beat out” any of these 6 contemporary pitchers for HOF.
…the Blues seem to be saying GOODBYE to their play of a few weeks ago. Now they are clicking under new HC Drew Bannister as they’re 8-4 since the change(as I write this Buzz). The biggest difference that I see is the “special” teams. When a man short, the Blues don’t chase the puck all around, they form a box and try to keep the puck outside that box. It’s worked thus far. I’m sure that the NHL teams will adjust. On the power play, there seems to be more movement by the players as they slash through the middle & get in front of the Keeper. Jordan Kyrou is scoring at a higher clip & with Thomas, the Blues are scoring. Keep your fingers crossed!!
…Clayton Kershaw (long time Dodger LHP) is considering retirement or signing with Texas. He’s coming off of a 2023 season where his missed over a month due to shoulder issues. When he returned, his schedule was modified with longer rest & shorter outings. Looks like he just can’t say “goodbye”
….The NCAA-M Basketball HC Carousel continues at a feverish pace. 58 Division I men’s basketball teams opened the 2023-24 season with a different head coach than last year. It won’t change this year—it’s the nature of the beast. I actually saw SLU HC Travis Ford on one list. I wouldn’t be surprised….I don’t think either Ford or SLU are really happy with the current state of SLU basketball.
….Well….it’s time for me to say GOODBYE for this week. YOUR ideas/thoughts on any part of this Buzz are always invited. Thanks for your time & read! Bob
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