The college football season is in full swing and so is this thing they are calling a presidential race with debates and all kinds of jive to keep us entertained. Entertained is not a word I like to use for presidential elections, at least none in my lifetime. What a circus it has been and continues to be as Election Day nears…that’s enough of that; let’s talk a little football and whatnot.
First, whatnot––I was glad to see the Atlanta Braves retain Brian Snitker as manager and hire former big league manager Ron Washington as third base coach. I think that is quite the coup if you ask me. Washington interviewed for the managerial position but took the third base job instead, paving the way for clubhouse favorite Snitker to continue what he started with the interim label lifted from his title. The Braves are about three or four pieces away from actual playoff relevance again and will be doing so from a brand new ballpark in 2017. They claim to have money to spend on some big-time free agents, so hopefully they will pick up a catcher and some excellent front-line starting pitchers. The minor league system is full of talent and young arms and it appears the Braves are building towards what it used to be when they won the NL East 14 times in a row. I’m giddy; I ain’t going to lie!!!
I have not forgotten the Cubs, who currently lead the Division Series over the Giants two games to one, one win away from the National League Championship Series. I do not want to speak too soon, but I will…the Cubs are the best team in the National League and hopefully they can get over that hump and dump the goat finally. I am just going to leave it there because baseball oolks are a superstitious bunch and I do not want to be the object of any Cubs fan’s wrath or anything.
The college football season continues to be entertaining on more than one front. Navy takes down Houston; Tennessee could not complete a miracle comeback and Mississippi State fans (or most) are angry with head coach Dan Mullen. Bulldog fans (at least the ones I know) feel like this team lacks the motivation to play hard-nosed football for four quarters and they feel like Mullen is a direct cause of that. It has been said that he has been looking for other jobs for several years and many fans feel he has simply checked out and his team is taking on that personality as well. State fans are hoping that they can right the ship in Provo this Friday night against BYU.
Rebel fans, on the other hand, just want Ole Miss to play four quarters of football and to find some linebackers. They are tired of shootouts and nervously await the matchup with the Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville…not wanting a repeat of last year with the infamous or famous, whoever you are talking to or wherever you are dictates which, fourth and forever play that defied the impossible. Two different teams this year, but their styles are still the same. It will be fun to watch.
Should be an exciting week for both baseball and football fans and I am glad the Saints were off this week; that has been depressing. Grab your remote or tickets and let’s get this thing started!!!
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Stan Beall is the sports editor at The Star-Herald. He can be reached at sbeall@starherald.net.
