This is an abbreviated
version of the blog, largely due to the fact that I am still not 100% from the
flights back from Hawaii over the weekend. I feel like I have partied a bit too
much and I am in desperate need of some more sleep. Moreover, the sports I did
watch during the week were limited to the World Series, the Golden State
Warriors-Brooklyn Nets, the Jets and Bears, and the Packers playing the Rams.
Overshadowing
the athletic contests was the unspeakable violence in Pittsburgh. As you know,
our daughter resided in the Steel City for over 5 years. Thus, parts of the
city became intimate to us. That included Squirrel Hill. We attended services
at Temple Rodef Shalom, a marvelous building near the University of Pittsburgh
and Carnegie-Mellon. Rodef Shalom was a vibrant Reform Judaic synagogue,
echoing the vibrancy of Pittsburgh Judaism. The Tree of Life Synagogue equally
reflected the deep roots of Judaism in Pittsburgh’s multi-cultural history.
The citizens
of Pittsburgh are passionate about their city, its teams and its people. This
wanton act of violence will be remembered for its unifying the spirit of the
city when times are bad, just as much as when they are good.
Pittsburgh’s pro
sports teams are winning right now. The Steelers are atop their division, while
the Penguins completed a successful swing through Western Canada. The success
of these teams in the current seasons will help somewhat normalize the pain that
will endure and forever mark Pittsburgh in history. Any reflection upon
Pittsburgh should encompass the good of the city rather than focus on the hurt,
which will never go away. I will be
rooting hard for the city’s teams because I believe in Pittsburgh. And my prayers
go out to its Jewish community for what will be an everlasting memorial for
when right is overcome by evil, and how right will triumph in the end.
The World
Series was the culmination of a great season for a great team. The Red Sox showed
balance, power and superb pitching in overwhelming a fine Dodgers team. Journeyman
Steve Pearce deserved the Series M.V.P. for his performance. Alex Cora is a
wonderful manager, making nearly all of the correct moves—this from a rookie
skipper thrust into an almost impossible scenario—guiding an 108 win team to victory
through the gauntlet of the Yankees, Houston and the Dodgers; the latter two
teams appeared in last year’s World Series. His innovative use of starters as
relievers won games for the Red Sox even if Nathan Eovaldi surrendered the
winning homer to Max Muncy in the epic Game 3. Perhaps the oft-injured Chris
Sale, who has electric stuff as a number 1 starter, should head to the bullpen after
success as a starter, ala Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz, who called the games
along with Joe Buck for FOX Sports.
The Dodgers
should not be ashamed. It was a clear bullpen meltdown after Rich Hill left
Game 4. I thought the starting pitching was solid—Hyun-jin Ryu, Clayton Kershaw
and phenom Walker Buehler anchor a solid rotation. Bullpen help is needed—do I
hear the Dodgers making a run at the Yankees’ free agent reliever David
Robertson? And they have to decide if Manny Machado is more than a mere rental.
A couple of
NFL notes—the Jets looked bad because of the offensive line and a defensive
rush that was less than fearsome. The Giants are…woeful and the bench Eli cries
are louder. The unbeaten Rams survived Green Bay on a fumbled, ill-advised kick
return near the end of the game by the Packers. KC kept on rolling. Look out for
the New Orleans Saints at 5-1 and the Rams up next. Seattle, too, seems to be
shaking off a rough stretch.
Golden State
went 2-0 in New York City, outscoring the Knicks by 28 in the fourth quarter on
Friday night, then surviving a barrage of 3 point shots by the Nets on Sunday.
Kudos to the Nets—they seem to be better than their record of 2-4. Toronto is
6-0, with Kawahi Leonard leading the team.
Poor Tyronn Lue.
He was fired by Cleveland this morning. He was a much better coach with Lebron
James on his squad. His Cleveland Brown counterpart, Hue Jackson, was also fired
today. Today appears to be a bad day to coach a team in Cleveland.
Quickly, looking
at the Ivies—Princeton and Dartmouth are both 7-0. That game ought to be
something. F&M won, In Patriot League news, Lafayette took out Fordham and
Lehigh was demolished by Holy Cross. What has happened in Bethlehem?
In the Big Ten, Northwestern has gone from a
non-factor and almost losing to Rutgers to defeating overrated #12 Wisconsin
and they have the opportunity to defeat #3 Notre Dame this Saturday. As for RU—they
didn’t play this week and take on Wisconsin in Madison on Saturday, where a
house full of angry Badgers await the Scarlet Knights.
Finally, a
comment for a very angry Fan X—yes, the Mets and Knicks ownership has been
frightful this Halloween Eve. The Wilpons and James Dolan have left proud
franchises in shambles. What about your other team—the Jets. Are you really satisfied with their owners and
direction?
Got to go—I am
having a calcium lavage in my left shoulder to alleviate the situation. Which
means no more typing for awhile.
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