Yes…it was exciting…we drove down to a friends’ house close to Farmington, MO to watch the eclipse. It was well worth the drive (and the wait along the highway). It was dynamic!  The Moon was covering up the SUN. Left behind were some brilliant, bright shades of the sun that were fascinating. Sometimes, in sports, an ECLIPSE is needed. Things require change that hides the talents of one and shows more clearly the talents of another.

…St Louis U tries to ECLIPSE its recent history on the court with the hiring of Josh Schertz. Schertz’s enthusiasm is evident immediately. His demeanor, interaction, approach to basketball will bring SLU into better times.  Schertz utilizes the 5-man out rotation offense. If you’ve been watching the NCAA, you’ve seen a lot of the top teams using this offense.  It’s just what it says—5 men out in rotation with picks, backdoor cuts, all the players involved.  That’s how the game is played now….players don’t want to be recruited for just 1 purpose—maybe to “post up”, or “long distance” shooter, or “ballhandler, etc. Nowadays, Players want to play the complete game. This rotational offense involves all five players on the court. And… as all good teams… players MUST provide energy on defense and in transition. It looks like a great hire for the Billikens.

….still on the local level…the Cardinals, as they hope to ECLIPSE last year’s memories, are playing/starting several young players each game.  Last year we saw Jordan Walker, Alec Burlison, Masyn Winn make their appearances. This year we’ve seen Nolan Gorman & Victor Scott arrive in the Lou. Who knows which players will become regulars..maybe even stars in the league. Walker batted .269, 16 HR, 53 RBI in 2023 I only 117 games—72% of the season. Those are very, very solid numbers. He learned as the season progressed, how to play right field. Over & over again, we heard that Willie McGee was working with him as an OF. This year, however, he’s struggling at the plate. But… as Victor Scott arrives in 2024, his blazing speed seems to have mesmerized the Cardinal Mgmt & Staff.  He has stepped into the regular starts. He’s ECLIPSED Jordan Walker at the moment. We’ve been warned that his batting is a concern…but …ohhh…that speed. Many of the older folks think immediately that he’ll be another Lou Brock. Don’t rush to judgment! Time will tell. Back to Walker….he needs to play 1b! He’s 6-7, agile, can hit (although he’s struggling this year—I think it’s due to the spotlight shining Scott and Walker sitting out more often on the bench). Trade Goldy &/or Arenado as quickly as you can for another starter..move Walker to 1b, let Scott roam in CF and run the bases (even though we’re not sure that he’ll hit yet😊). That’s the future for the Cards to ECLIPSE these transitional seasons

….Can Mizzou Football ECLIPSE their 2023 season with an even better ’24 season?  Well.. Brady Cook is back @ QB—a vitally important piece of any offense. Transfers seem to have become more important that High School signings this year. MU has added Darius Smith (RS(red shirt)- Junior) as an Edge Rusher from Georgia; former Oklahoma off lineman Cayden Green(ranked # 2 offensive tackle and No. 10 overall player in the transfer portal by 247Sports. He’s probably is the lone guaranteed starter among Missouri’s transfer portal class.  The position group hit hardest by Missouri’s offseason was the defensive line. The Tigers lost All-SEC defensive end Darius Robinson & 4 other “regulars” who contributed in a “big way” last season for MU. Will the play of the newcomers ECLIPSE the defensive line play of Mizzou next year?  Ol’ adage—you win the game in the LINE!      

 …Will he ECLIPSE his Dad? Being called up yesterday was 20 year old, Jackson Holliday. In his last AAA game, he had 4 hits—using all part of the Outfield to spread around his hits. Now this isn’t a move just to appease the fans, the O’s 2b in 2024 are batting .206 with a .632 OPS! Soooo… Holliday could provide an immediate offensive upgrade. I’m sure that he’ll have his ups &downs for a year or so…but…Jackson Holliday is a baseball player… maybe, he’ll be an All-Star baseball player ?            

…Despite his Heisman Trophy, 5 consecutive Pro Bowls, leading the NFL in rushing 4x, OJ Simpson’s off the field actions totally ECLIPSED his football career. He’s remembered more now for his issues with the law—his famous chase from the Police that actually superseded an NBA playoff game! While he was found not guilty of murder of Nicole Simpson & Ron Goldman, he was taken to civil court in a law suit by the families. He was found guilty & ordered to pay $33.5 million. He continued to be found involved in other lesser violations for many years. He died a few days ago @ 76 years old.

…For years now, Mike Trout, has been shining brightly as one the premier players in the MLB. And why not..his career stats are staggering-Since 2011, he’s accumulated 1500 games;374 HR, 1114 runs, 1636 hits, 948 rbi’s, 208 Stolen bases, lifetime batting average of .301 with a career OPS of 1,150! But…..Shohei Ohtani.. has arrived. Clearly, Ohtani has ECLIPISED Trout as the “star” of the team. With the expectation that Ohtani will widen the net of fans outside of the USA ….so…. Trout gets eclipsed.  How will Trout handle the brand new setting for him?    Well…Trout is leading the AL league in  Home runs with 6 HR. He’s tied with Tyler O’Neill for the AL lead in HR!!  Yep…that Tyler O’Neill—former Cardinal. Btw….it’s my feeling that Ollie’s “calling out” of O’Neill publicly led to a poor relationship between the two of them.  Once it was determined that Ollie would remain the Cardinsal manager….O’Neill got his ticket OOT. Btw..O’Neill only played in 96 games ONCE in his career! 138 games was the most that he ever played in a season for StL. His 2^nd highest season in games played was 96 games (59% of the games). He’s played in 11 of the 13 games this year with .308 average, 6 HR,  7 RBI’s, 13 runs scored(1 per game).

…. Looking back at player the Cardinals player development…in 2020, the StL had O’Neill (25 years old); Harrison Bader (26 years old), Dylan Carlson (21) & Tommy Edman (25)…it seemed that the Cards outfield was set for the future. By this time in 2024 as they approach their late 20’s or early 30’s,these players should be entering the “prime” years of their career. They’ve accumulated experience and are at (or close to) their prime baseball skill level. O’Neill , it seems like as  he’s starting 2024, is on his way to his best season. But he’s the only one of those players performing. Did our Cards drafting people or was it the “development” coaches, that missed on this group of players (who should be our core leaders NOW).

…Houston’s closer Ryan Pressely had his closer role ECLIPSED in an instant! Piling up 102 saves in 4 seasons (which put him in the top 4 of AL each year) apparently wasn’t enough. Houston went out and procured closer Josh Hader. The 30 year old Hader signed a $95m, 5-year contract. New manager Joe Espada said when spring training opened on Wednesday that Hader would be the closer. And….just like that… Ryan Pressley’s closer role was ECLIPSED. Meanwhile, Hader is NOT having a strong year.  He’s been in 6 games(6 innings), given up 4 earned runs (including a HR), struck out 7 and walked 3. Maybe Houston was right the 1^st time!

  ….Well, it’s time to wrap it up. Thanks for letting your current day-day routine get ECLISPED  by this Buzz. YOUR thoughts on any part of the Buzz are always invited—put on Facebook directly or send to me. Feel free to ECLIPSE any of my thoughts!! Thanks!  Bob