Tipping Things Off--& Teeing The Ball UP Today...
*Throughout the week the amount of football chatter on sports programming seems to be building; well, it's still summer people! (Although the Hall of Fame Game is scheduled for August 1, with the Bears battling the Texans!) The Olympics in Paris are now on deck, with events beginning on Friday, July 26. I am old enough to fondly remember the exploits of the great American swimmer Mark Spitz! I lift my Mocha to Olympians past, present, and future--thank you for the memories and all of your inspiration!
*Congrats to San Diego State Alum Xander Schauffele for capturing the British Open! The 30 year-old native Southern Californian carded a 65 on Sunday to prevail on the course at Royal Troon. As I love strolling in the rain-I love the sound of the rain gently pattering on my hood-I may have to add the British Open and Scotland to my Bucket List!?! As my name is Brian Kelly, I guess we will have to make a stop in Ireland too!?! (As my family is well aware, I tend to be a zealous fan of dogs--I would like to witness the Irish Working Sheepdogs on the job!).
*Last week, I failed to mention one of my favorite sites on "X" (formerly Twitter); if you are a fan of baseball, you have just got-sta follow Jerry Weinstein, @JWonCATCHING. Everytime I read or listen to Coach Jerry, my IQ spikes! Some of you may remember the Catching Guru for building a baseball power at Sacramento City College, in Sacramento Ca.! Years ago....(I want to say 1983 or '84, yikes!), I attended a Spring Baseball Camp at the home of the Panthers, and man oh man was I enthralled. Those who know well, can attest that paying attention may not exactly be my best attribute; however Coach Jerry and his staff were spell binding. Paul Carmazzi was one of the other coaches I simply adored. I love those guys, and I was fascinated with the endless stream of baseball nuggets they kept serving up! Jerry tweets primarily about catching, however you may want to have a read here: Weinstein Baseball. A Tip Of The Cap To You Coach Jerry. Keep the content firing away!
*Alright I said no....but another characteristic of mine is that I may not be the best at setting limits!?! One of the first football games I remember...was watching the Boise State Broncos take on the Chico State Wildcats in the 1971 Camelia Bowl at Hughes Stadium on the campus of SCC. For some reason my father purchased me a Blue Bull Horn--I kept it for years in my room-and I loved that instrument! The game was nuts, as Boise State rallied from a big deficit late to upend the Wildcats (yes the Wildcats had a football team back in the day!). I found this on Reddit, with some cool, vintage links. We attended the game as I recall, because my father's relationship with a good friend and colleague and Boise native, Stan Davidson. Recalling this story, made me think of my favorite Chico State football player, Chris Anderson. Chris suddenly passed this year in December...bringing this full circle, Chris' son Brady is a linebacker for--you guessed it--those personable and formidable San Diego State Aztecs! To Friends New and Old, Past, Present and Future--luvyaman! (Big Dog, Football season and tailgating won't quite be the same without you man!) I am not sure if all of the facts are accurate here, but hey, as my peeps like to say, "don't let the facts get in the way of a good story." 1971 Camelia Bowl
Finishing up the back 9 with some local CenCal items....
*Only two more weeks of the Fresno Pro-Am being held at Fresno City College. The undefeated "Chill Suite", and the one loss "Call My Agent" appeared headed for a clash in the championship game to be held Saturday August 3. Both of these teams, play some pretty good ball...and if the A/C blast at Fresno City, just saying!?! Follow the league on X @FresnoProAm...
*The Fresno Grizzlies (Rockies Single-A) will be on the road this week, traveling up to Stockton to take on the Ports (A's) in a 6-game series beginning Tuesday. The Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks) will be traveling to Lake Elsinore, to take on the 66ers (Padres). The Rockies were thrilled to land Georgia Slugger Charlie Condon with the 3rd pick in draft. If all goes well...perhaps this young prospect will spend a little time in downtown Fresno!?! The more one hears about Mile Hile Charlie (Thank You very much as I came up with this moniker all by lonesome!), the more there is to like! The young Dude, was a walk-on at Georgia, and simply sounds like a model young person! Condon most likely becomes the Rockies #1 Prospect!?! (With Chase The Ace Dollander in the #2 spot!) The Midseason Top 50 Prospects for all MLB teams will be out soon in Prospects1500! (Prospects1500.com)
*Shout-out to Bryan Welch for all of his broadcasting gigs and coverage. Bryan currently streams all of the games of the local collegiate Summer League Team, the Fresno Athletics. Follow Bryan on X at BryanWe94586914 and on You Tube (bryanwelch4600). I appreciate the tremendous amount of time Bryan--and the players, spend mastering their craft! The Athletics will wrap up their season with a doubleheader at Chuchanski Park (See pictured below)--the home of the Grizzlies--Wednesday Evening, July 24. First pitch of Game 1 is set for 5 p.m. Fresno Athletics Baseball.
Pictured below: Fresno Grizzlies pitcher Stu Flesland III heating up in the bullpen before being called up to face the San Jose Giants Saturday, July 20. Flesland is a tall, lefty, with an adept ability to change speeds and keep opposing hitters off balance. Flesland was an 11th round selection from Washington in 2023. Stu is one of many talented young arms in the Rockies system!
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