Circumstances in my schedule have forced an earlier REWIND (CARDINALS—WHO EXPECTED THIS?) this week. Soooo…here we go…

In the real world AND the sports world, some things seem clear to us and then they don’t happen. Sooo…when plans pop up that don’t allow a Saturday distribution, you change the distribution date (only for this week). Thanks for your understanding. Bob

…First on a positive note…..WHO EXPECTED THIS from the Cardinals. Well…if you’re like me…not much! But, What a terrific start to the 2026 season! The youthful Cards seem to have energy everyday (I know, it’s “early” in the season).  Their very aggressive approach on the bases with stolen bases, taking extra bases are very noticeable. But, along with other more subtle improvements have been more power. Much more plate discipline has led to more walks, fewer strikeouts and more contact. Shockingly, the Cards are on a 90-win pace. Another key element… The Redbirds are 5-0 in one-run games and 4-0 in extra inning games. That unbelievable pace just can’t continue for 162 games. Enjoy it while it lasts!! As I write this, the Cards are in 2^nd place with a 21-14 record. NO TEAM in the NL Central Division is at or below .500 at this moment! So much for the “cupcake division”.

…Seemingly out of nowhere, a hero that NO ONE EXPECTED, Jordan Walker has really carried the team at the plate for the month of April. It’s really been exciting seeing him at the plate. Walker’s getting on base with hits to all parts of the field while blasting 6 home runs. He’s been the best Cards batter in April.

… But, it’s a long, 6 month season, I’m really surprised that he’s still seeing fastballs (especially high fastballs) so frequently. If I were pitching against him, he’d constantly be seeing breaking balls especially @ the knees on the outside part of the plate or outside of the plate.  To give you an idea of his growth in ’26, According to Fangraphs, he is listed as one of the top 6 players in the entire MLB right now. This is coming on the heels of being listed as one of the six worst players in baseball in 2025!  I DON’T EXPECT him to keep up this torrid pace throughout all of 2026. But…he really IS a player that the Cardinals can “build around” for the future.

 … Generally, it’s WHAT YOU EXPECT… that the team with the pitchers with the most strikeouts will do well in the standings. In an ironical twist, the Cardinals are not doing what the “experts” anticipate. The Cardinals are LAST in the NL in team pitching strikeouts with 6.9 K’s per 9 innings on average. The Cards pitching staff is 3rd last in walks (3.8 per 9 inn) but they are tied for 1st in most SAVES (as I write this) with 9 saves.

…As a fan WE EXPECT a star player to be a “slugger” OR an “on base, high avg” guy.  How about the rare guys who do both? This elite group of 7 players are sluggers who have 500 home runs AND a career with 3000 hits. This premier list of players who have accomplished this amazing feat are baseball royalty: Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Eddie Murray, Rafael Palmeiro, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols, and Miguel Cabrera! Personally, I’m surprised by a couple of these names. How about you? Btw..Stan Musial had 3,630 hits with 475 home runs!!

…Once the NCAA started ignoring NIL money going to college players to transfer schools, then the schools, themselves, actually began paying players (primarily for right now, football & mens basketball) to transfer and play for their school. Things are now totally out of control…BUT…WHAT DID YOU EXPECT! Soon…probably very soon, one can expect the players in other sports and women players to expect money to play & transfer just like the men for money.  

….In college basketball, in 2025, only a few schools surpassed the $5 million mark in NIL allocations. That figure has since doubled for many, with at least 10 programs operating in the $10 million-and-up range. It’s a disease that’s growing.  If things don’t change (and I doubt that they will), the payment levels will just continue to skyrocket (WHAT WOULD YOU EXPECT?)

…How about forming conferences that are based on how much NIL money the players receive  from the school, boosters, alumni, etc. not the location of their campus. The top 10 schools in NIL or school payments should be in their own conference. Then the next 10 schools in payments, etc, etc.

…To my disappointment, These super talented athletes don’t seem to even be students any longer (one player admitted on a television interview that he hadn’t been to a class in over 2 years!!!  Apparently, this IS the course that colleges want to travel now. Hired athletes who aren’t students representing them on the field/court.

…One final thought before touching on the championship game….college sports is NO LONGER college sports…it’s professionally paid athletes who masquerade as students. But, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT when you’re paying players with taxpayer money or donated money for just 1 purpose—to pay players to win games. Who’s going to step up at the college level and object?  I doubt anyone.

…For example, all 5 Univ Of Michigan basketball starters were transfers and   led to a National Championship. They were just too big, too strong and too capable of countering anything that UConn could muster. According to Pete Nakos, the Wolverines spent “well over the $10 million mark,” while the Huskies are “in the $8 to $10 million range.”  And what was the final score…Michigan 69 UConn 63. Sarcastically, I’m thinking, “UConn dig deeper into your pockets next year”.

…From my eyes, it’s totally out of control at the D-1 level.  If you really want to watch “college” sports…go watch D-2 or D-3.  Oh… the players aren’t as quite as athletic, quite as quick, or as tall or as big but they are true college athletes. They do attend class and work towards developing skills that will lead them to a job in the “real world” after college that is (probably) outside of sports.                                                            ….So which colleges have spent the most on “recruiting football players”?  i.e. Paying them!!!!   Here’s the current order but it seems to change weekly as schools spend money like they are “making it” 😊                                                      

#4—Oregon (39.8m)— According to On3, top payments go to  Oregon redshirt soph QB Dante Moore’s NIL valuation is the highest on coach Dan Lanning’s roster at $2.3 million. But, clearly, the Oregon wallet was opened wide &often to reach the grand total listed.

#3–Texas A&M Aggies ($40.5 Million)– Via donations from fans, former players, and alumni, their 12th Man Foundation brings in the most amount of money to help them out to raise funds for a 140-yard indoor football practice facility, an indoor track, and an updated academic and nutrition center for student-athletes. This isn’t anything new…Since NIL became a thing in 2021, the Aggies have settled in, figured out, and thrived. In 2022, they were able to sign the highest-rated football recruiting class in program history. Their athletic director at the time, Ross Bjork, mentioned last spring that Aggies football players were signing NIL deals up to $10 million

#2. Ohio State Buckeyes ($42.1 Million)–Spoiler alert, but the Ohio State Buckeyes are the lone Big 10/Big 19 team on this list. The recent national champions are second on this list after spending $20.2 million in efforts to go back-to-back. The Buckeyes have a lot of elite talent on their team, and that is due to the amount of money they have spent on those players. …        

 #1 Texas (reportedly $48+M Million dollars)—I’m not going to list the players names(my article would become too long 😊)…who’s ever heard of these HS players outside of Texas?

….The NIL situation and school payment system has to be addressed by the NCAA.  It’s totally out of control. The idea of “paying for your education” is out the window. These players are now PAID professionals. But, AS YOU WOULD EXPECT…many (seemingly more each year) transfer each year to increase their income annually. I think most of them will take a pay cut if they reach the NFL or NBA!! But…why would they play in the NFL with the money that they’ve already accumulated?

…YOU DON’T EXPECT Mizzou to be any different? According to NIL Tracker, Missouri has spent $24.9m for their professionals….oops college players. Keep that in mind the next time they “ask” for more money in a tax hike.

….Thanks for the read & comments and I EXPECT THAT you’ll  have a good week! Bob