In an effort to hold serve...and as always, as tribute to the 3-Dot Journalism aficionados of my time--Northern California and Bay Area legendary columnists Bruce Jenkins and Herb Caen--a taste of the 3-Dot Journalism writing style, in the form of 3-Dot Triple Overtime...
The Toss is in the Air...and Here We Go! Reminiscing to my youth, ironically one factoid I recall from the 4th of July festivities...was watching Wimbledon! Now, green is my favorite color, thus naturally the hues of The All England Lawn and Croquet Club are appealing to my eye. Mix in a little royalty and Champagne, and I am good to go! On the men's side, Spain's Carlos Alcaraz and Italy's Jannik Sinner traded blasts...with the Italian holding on for a 4-set victory (4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4)...capturing his first Wimbledon title. These two had met just six weeks before, when Alcaraz rallied from two sets down the finish off Sinner in an epic--perhaps The Epic--French Open final. Alcaraz and Sinner have appeared to bottle a grand amount of enthusiasm--is it their undeniable talent? Has the sporting world moved on from the stronghold, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novac Djokovic held on Grand Slam appearances? Is it Alcaraz's charisma? Sinner's athletic ability and manners on the court?...Or could that be that with Covid in the rearview mirror, has society once again delighted in 2-3 hours of enthralling theater? Movies, Concerts, sporting events...is society wholeheartedly embracing live moments, as technology takes a backseat?!?
On the women's side, it might have been the player who LOST in the championship match, that captivated minds and hearts of sport fans...Poland's Iga Swiatek was dominant as she steamrolled her way to a 6-0, 6-0 victory over upstart American Amanda Anisinova...Swiatek rolled through opponents in England, losing a mere one set in matching like style...while her counterpart, arrived as the underdog. Anisinova reached the final after a monumental upset of the world's #1 ranked player Aryna Sabalenka. I may be overly empathetic and sympathetic as I have a daughter close in age to Amanda--however, the 24-year old captured the imagination of many...not only in the manner in which she reached the final (a thrilling 3 set win, filled with twists and turns!), but also in the manner for which her one appearance in a Grand Slam Final went completely and utterly sideways! I would contend most of "us" non-professional (wannabe) athletes can relate to having a crappy day--when absolutely everything turns to muck. Every single thing. Losing 6-0, 6-0, is like being knocked out--but having to keep on swinging for 12 games, in front of the Princess of Wales no less!...Later in the post game press conference, what struck me, is Amanda essentially conceded she could be in better "physical" condition. Thus, here we have a young woman, once considered a phenom, who took her lumps--did I mention she walked away from the game for a bit, to take a (mental) break? An athlete who bounced back to the ultimate stage, then proceeds to a bludgeoning in the grandiose Wimbledon Final as sports enthusiasts around the world (well, lots of it anyway!?!) were tuned in. Anisimova--in my eyes--became what many professional tennis players simply cannot--this wonderful young tennis pro--became relatable! Needing a break, check; experiencing a wondrous, glorious day that simply sails off the rails...and then acknowledges she could be in better physical condition. I for one can relate with all 3 at one time or another! In a sport, where success requires hours upon hours of court time, and year round preparation--where athletes can appear a bit robotic (and pampered)...Anisimova was able to spin a course of sorts, than many persons, including non athletes, can relate to!..Now just to add a little spice to this drama, both Wimbledon winners had previously served suspensions for "doping." Talk about adding a little off-court controversy to a host of fantastic winners, forehands, and booming serves...I would simply ask--is professional tennis experiencing a "Renaissance?" Well...stay tuned, as the U.S. Open takes place in New York, in just about 6 weeks...steamy and dreamy!
The Giants and Red Sox Blow Up Fathers Day with a Massive Trade! Whoa Nelly! Oh My! Holy Toledo!..For me, the baseball season came flying into focus when these two iconic franchises made an Uber-Blockbuster trade, as Boston dealt slugger Rafael Devers to San Francisco for a modest return of players and prospects on Fathers Day--also on a day when the Red Sox had swept their #1 sworn enemy, the Yankees--yikes! Devers had belted 215 career home runs with Boston, while the Giants desperately sought out a thumper for their lineup. Devers alleged refusal to play first base, appeared to have been the catalyst for the trade...Was there more to the story? Well...regardless, the Giants were able to pull the trigger and acquire a hitter who can wreak havoc on opposing pitchers. For the Red Sox, was the trade simply a matter of addition by subtraction? The trade did open up opportunities for a core of talented young players (the Red Sox farm system is considered by most pundits to be well stocked)...the Giants are on the hook for nearly 250 Million for the next 8 seasons. The Red Sox can spend the money saved on a free agent in the future. Giants GM and former catcher Buster Posey is beloved by Giants faithful; Red Sox GM Craig Breslow is one of the brightest people on the planet--with degrees in biophysics and biochemistry...can they both be right? Will these two organizations find themselves battling it out for a World Series? As of July 16, Boston had ripped off 10 wins in a row; the Giants sat in 3rd place, one-half game behind the Padres in the mighty National League West...Stay Tuned.
I found this trade fascinating, following the exploits of both teams since the transaction. Thus, MLB...how about moving up the Trade Deadline a couple of weeks (6 p.m. ET on July 31st is the current deadline)?!? I would contend from mid-June to mid-July, baseball has a window to create some serious buzz and excitement...the NBA and NHL have finished their respective seasons, and the NFL training camps have not yet begun...while we are soft-tossing ideas around--how about adding another Futures game or two? The 4th of July could feature games all day? Start games at 9 a.m...finish with 9 p.m. games on the West Coast--blow it up with baseball and fireworks across the country, all day and all night!...(For the record the HR contest, the HR tiebreaker, and the wonderful pregame tribute to Henry Aaron were all delightfully entertaining!)...Throw in the MLB draft, and the MLB could ratchet up the content--and be cooking, heck sizzling--during this time frame.
In the Mood for a Ballgame, Try Modesto! The Single-A Modesto Nuts are in the final year in the city of Modesto (Central California, 75 miles south of Sacramento). The home of the Nuts is Thurman Field, a quaint stadium that will transport you in a baseball time machine to years gone by...Down both lines, visitors can stand exceptionally close to the fields, and strike a chat with players in the bullpens. Hitters enjoy digging in at the plate, as the left foul pole stands at an inviting 312 feet, while the right field corner is a tad longer at a cozy 319...built in 1955, the park for many years was home of the Cincinnati Reds farm team, and for a stint, housed future Oakland A's. Future Hall of Famers Joe Morgan, Rollie Fingers and Ricky Henderson called Modesto Home...during the 1962 World Series, heavy rain postponed Game 6, and both teams--the host Giants, and the visiting Yankees utilized Thurman Field for a practice session. As word spread regarding the teams arrival, a large and optimistic crowd gathered, hoping to catch a glimpse of their baseball heroes. Legend has it that legendary Center Fielder Willie Mays rolled up to practice...in a Cadillac!
I was fortunate to join the current voice of the Nuts, Mario Ramos in the booth as a guest color-commentator on July 1 as the Nuts hosted the Fresno Grizzlies (Rockies), and the evening was simply a blast...a foul ball off to the first base side, crashed into the light standards, sending bulb fragments flying--similar to the scenes in the baseball movie "The Natural." If you have an inkling to see a park that symbolizes the past...then Thurman Field is the place for you to visit this summer!
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(...and the enticing view looking down the Left Field Line...notice the bullpen nestled in the corner!?!)
Check out Mario's call online at (Modest Nuts Website); you will enjoy Mario's smooth, witty, informative and entertaining play-by-play. A reminder for all of your MLB prospect inquiries, check out Prospects1500. The website is the place to turn for prospect information. Recently I wrote a story on some of the Colorado Rockies making positive strides in '25! (Rockies Prospects Making Strides).
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