Sports Betting Is Coming To A Living Room Near You!!

May 15, 2018May 15, 2018 ~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

I’ll make you a bet!

Oh don’t worry, you won’t get in trouble, it’s legal now.

As of Monday, May 14th, all states are free to authorize sports betting. This is a monumental day in United States’ history. NO, I’m not exaggerating. This effects everyone — everywhere.

This result stems from a Supreme Court ruling (6-3) that abolished the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). PASPA, aka the Bradley Act was passed in 1992 and outlawed sports betting nationwide (expect Nevada of course).

Years have been spent trying to overturn PASPA, hoping to legalize, regulate, and tax sports betting. And Monday, persistence prevailed. The Supreme Court cited the violation of the 10th Amendment, stating it allowed federal law to commandeer states’ rights as it pertained to sports betting.

While this is a GIANT step in the right direction, many questions still exist:

Will sports organizations receive a “cut”??
Will EVERY state participate??
Will each sports’ integrity remain intact??

Yes, each sports organization is going to attempt to receive their piece of the pie. That’s logical, reasonable, and will happen.

I can’t speak for Hawaii, Alaska, Montana, South Dakota, etc., but every state SHOULD participate. It’s a money making venture, and last I checked, states are in the money making business.

Integrity. It’s a funny word. Does such a thing exist?? If so, does it exist in sports betting?! People are funny. Integrity exists in 95% of people — everywhere. There will ALWAYS be a small percentage, whether in sports betting, banking, religion, politics, etc., that will look for a shortcut. An advantage by cutting corners, that may, in turn, compromise integrity. That my friends, is called human nature.

So, to think the legalization of sports betting is going to compromise the integrity of sports, is laughable. That 5% already exists, you just pretend not to see it.

What WILL happen: Increased accessibility. Casual fans, who never imagined betting on the outcome of a game before, may be enticed to lay some action.

Forgive me, but all I can think about is Dumb & Dumber:

Lloyd: I’ll bet you twenty dollars I can get you gambling before the day is out!
Harry: No!
Lloyd: I’ll give you three to one odds.
Harry: No.
Lloyd: Five to one.
Harry: No.
Lloyd: Ten to one?
Harry: You’re on!
Lloyd: I’m gonna get ya!
Harry: Nu uh!
Lloyd: I don’t know how but I’m gonna get ya.

Classic!!

Sports betting, gambling, lottery, cigarettes, and alcohol. All can be harmful if utilized the wrong way, but where do we draw the line?? THAT is THE question. The answer, however, is an opinion. Mine believes freedom and personal responsibility are the answers. Unfortunately, they don’t collide in the same sentence often enough….

How do you feel about the legalization of sports betting???? Please tell me in the comment section below.

You can find me on the Radio as well. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’m on live, every Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. Each show is also broadcast on Facebook Live via: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports.

Since you LOVE my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! NOW GO TELL ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!

Still Think It Can’t Get Any Worse?!

May 10, 2018 ~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

This HAS to be rock bottom!!

Just when we think things can’t get any worse for the New York Mets, they find new and exciting ways to screw up. They took failure to a whole new level Wednesday afternoon.

That’s Some Little League Stuff Right There

Despite the Mets’ recent struggles, they seemed poised to turn things around. They shipped Matt Harvey out of town, hoping to boost the morale of the club (plus he sucks). And they had the fortune of playing the WORST team in MLB, the Cincinnati Reds. A series win was a certainty, right?! WRONG!! The Mets lost 2-out-of-3 to the last place Reds in the most epic way imaginable. 2-1 F/10.

Picture This: Brandon Nimmo led off the game, watching three straight fastballs go by for a three-pitch strikeout. Wilmer Flores followed with a strikeout of his own. Asdrubal Cabrera then hit a flare down the left field line that landed in play and bounced into the stands for a ground-rule double. Jay Bruce, the next batter, was promptly called out, ending the inning.

Wait, what?!

Called out for what????

THE METS BATTED OUT OF ORDER!!!!

Bruce was called out without stepping into the batter’s box. See, the original lineup card had Asdrubal Cabrera batting 2nd, and Wilmer Flores 3rd. Pretty simple. Home plate umpire, Gabe Morales, officially ruled it 2-unassisted, also striking Cabrera’s double from the record.

Rally over. Inning over. Game over.

Tell me it doesn’t look like Mickey Callaway is being reprimanded by that umpire.

First year manager, Mickey Callaway, has repeatedly looked overwhelmed this season. He should crawl into a hole and stay there.

Or, maybe owners and general managers should rethink this whole hire inexperienced, sabermetric, yes-men thing….

________________________________________________________________________________

On To The Next One

The NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals will be a re-run from last year.

So will the NBA Finals.

Same show, different characters. Isaiah Thomas was pushed down an elevator shaft. Kyrie Irving switched to the dark side, but karma got him as he tried to hop the fence. Gordon Hayward joined the Green Jerks too, but only lasted five minutes before getting hit by a car. Instead, the Celtics have relied on a pile of young, hip actors, trying to play the part of hero in their first season. So far, so good. Ratings are up.

The problem though, for these young “punks”, they’re about to run into THE MAN. The lead actor everyone fears, but at the same time loves. You know him as the Denzel “I’m the motherbleepin’ man” Washington character. THAT MAN is LeBron James. And he’s about to teach these youngins a thing or two. “Old Man” LeBron still has a lot of tread on those tires, and is about to gun it into his eighth consecutive NBA Finals.

Series Prediction: LeBrons in six. Book it!!

Catch ‘Episode One’ on Mother’s Day @ 3:30 P.M. EST on ABC. Because nothing says Happy Mother’s Day like watching basketball for three hours….

Feliz Dia De Las Madres A Todo Las Madres Mexicanas!!!! Especialmente Mi Esposa!!!!

Just When You Thought Your Tuesday Couldn’t Get Any Better….

May 9, 2018 ~ Dave Ettinger ~ 1 Comment

Tuesday is my favorite day of the week.

Saturdays and Sundays are great, but Tuesdays never fail to turn that frown upside down. This past Tuesday, aka yesterday, provided a historic performance, a heated rivalry, and the dumbest trade ever. See, I told you Tuesdays are awesome!!

James Paxton Throws No-Hitter

“Oh Canada, our home and native land…”

No, I’m not Canadian, but James Paxton is. Paxton, born in Ladner, British Columbia, made Canadian MLB history Tuesday night. He became the 1st Canadian born pitcher to throw a no-hitter — in Canada. Paxton’s Seattle Mariners kicked off a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays Tuesday night. The Mariners won 5-0.

Paxton cruised through the Blue Jays’ lineup, needing just 99 pitches to complete his no-hitter. He also hit 100 m.p.h. in the bottom of the ninth inning. Of course, as in virtually any no-hitter, it can’t be done without some help from friends. Mariners’ third baseman, Kyle Seager, made an outstanding diving play with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to preserve Paxton’s no-hitter. Following the game, Paxton acknowledged, and appreciated, his teammates behind him:

“What a defense tonight. That was amazing. Those guys were making every play,” Paxton said.

Fat, I Mean, Matt Harvey Traded

I’m confused. I don’t understand why anyone would TRADE FOR Matt Harvey. I’d have understood signing him to a Minor League deal, assuming no risk, but trading a real-life human being for that pile of flab makes NO SENSE!! But hey, it’s the Cincinnati Reds. Who am I to second guess such a stellar organization?!

This trade is an absolute steal for the New York Mets. Highway robbery. The Mets will receive catcher, Devin Mesoraco, as well as cash in the trade. The Reds will also take on the entirety of Harvey’s $5,788,978 salary. WILD!! While Mesoraco’s career has been sidetracked due to injury, many, many injuries, at 29 years old there’s the sliiiightest chance he returns to the 25 home run, 80 r.b.i. days of 2014.

The funniest part: The Mets are playing the Reds, so Mesoraco literally walked from one dugout to the other, and joined his new team. He even pinch hit in the ninth inning, striking out in a 7-2 loss by the Mets.

Yankees Brought Winning Ways To Heated Rivalry

Remember when idiots booed Giancarlo Stanton???? I wonder what they did Tuesday night when he hit not one, but two home runs against the Boston Red Sox….

That 1st home run….Have you ever seen a baseball leave the field of play faster?!

Heading into a three-game series with the Red Sox, the red hot Yankees stood just one game behind their enemy. But after winning their 16th-out-of-17 (3-2), the Yankees are tied (25-10) with the Red Sox. Divisions aren’t won in May, but it would be nice to watch the Red Sox get swept!!

Luis Severino continued his dominance, striking out 11 in six strong innings. And Aaron Judge’s r.b.i. single in the bottom of the seventh inning turned out to be the winning run. Hooray beer!! The Yankees will look to continue their winning ways Wednesday night when Masahiro Tanaka takes the mound against Rick Porcello. Watch the Yankees beat down the Red Sox @ 7:00 P.M. EST on ESPN.

What was your favorite part of Tuesday?? Tell me in the comment section below.

Home Runs Galore!!!!

May 3, 2018 ~ Dave Ettinger ~ 1 Comment

Nowadays, there’s a National Day for everything:

National Bring Your Kid To Work Day. National Siblings Day. National Pizza Day. The list goes on, and on, and on.

Well, no one told me Wednesday was National Hit Multiple Home Runs Day.

I must have missed that memo.

Four gentleman took to the streets with their baseball bats and decided one wasn’t enough. It’s like a slice of pizza. One is NEVER enough!

Mookie Betts

Mookie Betts returned to the starting lineup on Wednesday after a four day hiatus. Betts tweaked his hamstring during Saturday’s game, and the Red Sox, as always, were extra cautious with their star outfielder. Betts wasted no time reinserting himself into the AL MVP conversation. Betts cranked not one, not two, but three home runs against the Kansas City Royals. The Red Sox would need every last home run, as they eked out a 5-4 victory, remaining atop the AL East.

Edwin Encarnacion

Edwin Encarnacion has gotten off to an extremely slow start this season. Prior to Wednesday’s matinee, Encarnacion was hitting a pathetic .171. After Wednesday’s three home run, six rbi performance, Encarnacion is finally heading in the right direction. Encarnacion accounted for half of his teams runs, as the Cleveland Indians routed the Texas Rangers 12-4. Speaking of slumping power hitters, Wednesday’s power surge couldn’t have come at a better time for the newest member of the New York Yankees….

Giancarlo Stanton

Giancarlo Stanton may be under the most pressure of any athlete in New York. While donning pinstripes is the ultimate baseball honor, Yankee Nation can become a player’s worst nightmare in a hurry. Stanton found that out in his FIRST game at Yankee Stadium, carrying ‘boo birds’ back to the dugout. Yankee fans are already tired of watching Stanton swing and miss. With 47 strikeouts in just 121 at bats, Yankee fans have been anxiously awaiting the reigning NL MVP to step up to the plate. Well, ask, and you shall receive. Stanton went 3-for-4, mashing home runs in consecutive at bats Wednesday night. He accounted for all of the Yankees’ runs, en route to another 4-0 victory over the Houston Astros.

Nolan Arenado

Nolan Arenado and slump don’t often collide in the same sentence. And this season is no different. At this point, Arenado should change his middle name to ‘The RBI Man’. Over the past three seasons (combined), Arenado has 48 more rbi than the next closest run producer, Edwin Encarnacion (393-345). That’s impressive! And Wednesday, he did what he does. Two home runs, and five rbi, leading his team to an 11-2 whoopin’ of the Chicago Cubs.

Do you, like chicks, dig the long ball???? If you do, tell me about your home run obsession in the comment section below.

Not Your Typical Tuesday

May 2, 2018 ~ Dave Ettinger ~ 1 Comment

Tuesday didn’t want to end.

With five extra inning/overtime games, 9th inning heroics, and a nearly 11:00 P.M. EST tip-off, Tuesday quickly became Wednesday….

LeBron Acting CRAZY!!

Despite trailing by 14 points after the 1st quarter (on the road), LeBron James never gave up. Despite shooting just 1-for-8 from 3-point range, and 1-for-6 from the free throw line, LeBron didn’t put his head down.

Instead, he persevered. He also did the CRAZIEST THING EVER….

He relied on the band of misfits he calls teammates to drive the LeBrons to victory. Without the efforts of J.R. Smith, Kyle Korver, Jeff Green, and Tristan Thompson, the LeBrons would be staring a 1-0 deficit in the face. Instead, a 113-112 F/OT victory flipped home court advantage upside down.

J.R.: 20 points on 5-for-6 from 3-point range

Korver: 19 points on 5-for-12 from 3-point range

Green: 16 points on 4-for-4 from the field, and 7-for-8 from the free throw line

Thompson: 14 points and 12 rebounds (back-to-back double doubles)

It must have felt nice to not have to play 1-on-5 for 48 minutes — for once. Even crazier than imaginary teammates coming to life, is LeBron’s “bad nights” still turn into triple doubles (26 points, 11 rebounds, 13 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal).

It’s good to be King.

MLB’s Wild Night!!

Not one, but two 9th inning home runs changed the landscape of Tuesday night.

First, down 6-2, down to their last strike, the Cleveland Indians’, Michael Brantley, took Keone Kela’s 0-2 breaking ball up-and-out for a game tying grand slam. That’s the stuff you dream about as an 11-year old in the backyard!! Despite the heroics, the Indians would lose 8-6 F/12.

There were three other extra inning games Tuesday (must have been a full moon).:

Marlins 2, Phillies 1 F/10

Royals 7, Red Sox 6 F/13

Blue Jays 7, Twins 4 F/10

The other 9th inning dinger made me jump off my couch (literally jump). Gary Sanchez broke open a 0-0 tie, with a 3-run home run against the Houston Astros:

While I love the home run, my favorite part of the video, BY FAR, is Astros’ closer, Ken Giles, punching himself in the face!! HAHA.

El Gary’s long blast came after Justin Verlander mowed down the Yankees, allowing just 3 hits, and striking out 14, in 8 innings. But hey, a win, is a win.

Mr. Half Court Shot Is Back!!

Stephen Curry hadn’t stepped foot on a basketball court in 39 days. He could have fooled me….

Stephen Curry is the best shooter the NBA has ever seen. His range is limitless, and his ability to create his own shot makes him one of the most dangerous players in the world. Curry finished with 28 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists in just 27 minutes. He led the game with an insane +26 while he was on the floor. Yes, he was the sole reason the Warriors took down the Pelicans 121-116.

The NBA is LUCKY to have him back!!

What was the most exciting part of a wacky Tuesday evening?? Tell me all about it in the comment section below.

April’s Lasting Impression Has NOTHING on May!!

May 1, 2018 ~ Dave Ettinger ~ 1 Comment

My favorite month is HERE!!

May is awesome for many reasons:

NBA Playoffs

NHL Playoffs

MLB Season in full swing

Yeah, yeah, those are great, but here are the REAL reasons:

Mother’s Day

Actual, SUSTAINED nice weather

Mine, my Wife, and my Dad’s birthdays (coincidentally all on the SAME DAY — May 14th)!!!!

Speaking of birthdays (we’ll get to sports at some point today..I promise), for those who watch, or listen, to my Sports Talk Radio Show, DaveTalksSports, today is my co-host, Uncle Mike’s, birthday!! Happy Birthday Brother!!

Which naturally transitions to MLB finishing April with a bang. How do I come up with these segues?! Genius….

Not 1, not 2, but 3!!

A.J. Pollock is really good at baseball. Casual baseball fans don’t know that. Pollock plays in Phoenix, Arizona, one of baseball’s forgotten cities. And he’s often injured, playing in just 524 of a potential 972 games through his first six seasons (53.9%). Pollock possesses a unique power/speed skillset and is the primary reason the Arizona Diamondbacks have the best record in the National League (20-8). His THREE home runs Monday night are a prime example of his power potential.

Pollock will hope to transition from April to May as smoothly as the transition from the introduction to the rest of this article.

I’m Going To Strike You Out!!

Raise your hand if you know Josh Hader….

Put your hand down, liar.

Josh Hader is a relief pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. He’s temporarily earning saves while Cory Knebel recovers from a hamstring injury. Monday night, Hader made history. He became the 1st pitcher, since saves became an official statistic in 1969, to strike out 8 batters, in less than 3 innings, while earning a save. 8 strikeouts in 2 and 2/3 innings. That’s some nasty stuff right there.

I guess there’s a reason why it’s never been done before….

Sonny Gray Sighting!!

Okay, quit foolin’ around. Who’s the imposter who pitched in Sonny Gray’s jersey Monday night????

While the Yankees suffered a 2-1 loss to the Astros Monday night, Sonny Gray threw his 2nd quality start of the season:

6 innings, 2 runs, 4 strikeouts, and 3 walks

Not the best start of his career, but encouraging against a powerful Astros’ lineup, on the road. Hopefully Gray will carry the positives from this start into May. Gray’s next start will be Cinco de Mayo, at home, against the Cleveland Indians.

The Yankees have announced they’ll stick with Austin Romine as Gray’s personal catcher.

From Bad To Worse

Remember when the Los Angeles Dodgers were expected to make consecutive World Series appearances?? Remember when the Dodgers had the 3rd highest payroll in MLB?? And remember when, despite having the best starting pitcher and closer in baseball, it ALL fell apart?!

That, would be today….

As if April couldn’t get any worse (12-16), the Dodgers received terrible news Monday. All-star shortstop, Corey Seager, will require season-ending Tommy John Surgery. At just 24, the 2016 NL Rookie of the Year had become a mainstay in a strong Dodgers’ lineup. His power upside coupled with a .302 career batting average made him one of the better shortstops in MLB. We wish him luck in recovery, however, his team, may be past the point of recovery.

What was the best part of the last day of April?? Tell me in the comment section below.

You can find me on the Radio as well. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’m on live, every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. Each show is also broadcast on Facebook Live via: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports.
Since you LOVE my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! NO GO TELL ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!

April Showers Bring May….Doubleheaders

April 25, 2018 ~ Dave Ettinger ~ 1 Comment

Don’t let ‘April Showers’ get in your way.

Nearly one month into the season, MLB is having a hard time with that one. Tuesday’s weather caused another setback in an already tumultuous season — and set a MLB record. Despite the rain, wind, ice, freezing temperatures, occasional snow, and holey roofs, MLB’s first month has provided fans with plenty to cheer, or boo.

Rain On My Parade

Despite singing the “Rain, rain, go away” song, the Pirates, Tigers, Orioles and Rays weren’t allowed to play baseball on Tuesday. Inclement weather caused MLB’s 27th and 28th postponement of the season. 28 weather related postponements are the most since the commissioner’s office starting tracking them in 1986 (good year).

The Pirates and Tigers will play a doubleheader Wednesday, starting at 4:05 P.M. EST. The Rays and Orioles will make up their game during a doubleheader on May 12th.

Matt Harvey Stinks

Matt Harvey’s season isn’t going as planned. After four horrific starts, Harvey was banished (kicking and screaming) to the bullpen. Players usually over perform during a contract year. Harvey, apparently, didn’t receive that memo. Tuesday night, in St. Louis, Harvey made his season debut from the bullpen. He was asked to pitch the 5th and 6th inning in a tie game (4-4).

HOLD UP!!

Paging Mickey Callaway!! Was Matt Harvey’s 1st bullpen appearance during a tie game, on the road?!?! What’s the opposite of smart????

He was, uh, less than stellar (shocking). He coughed up 1 run, on 2 hits, 1 walk, and 2 strikeouts (on a whopping 35 pitches). I’d say it can’t get worse, but I’d be lying….

El Gary

Just click, watch until 1:46, and enjoy:

A monumental blast from Gary Sanchez, his 2nd of the game. Sanchez has been, well, Gary Sanchez over his past three games:

4 for 11 (.364), 2 home runs, and 5 rbi

Sanchez will likely be the designated hitter Wednesday, as Austin Romine is expected to catch Sonny Gray.

Oh, and all those who panicked a week ago, check the AL East standings now. All it takes is a four game winning streak from the Yankees to coincide with a three game losing streak by the Red Sox, and a seven-and-a-half game division lead becomes four in a hurry.

The Best Player No One Knows

How is it possible the best player in a major sport is virtually unknown?! Mike Trout has been the best player in MLB for at least six years.

90% of the population wouldn’t recognize Mike Trout if they bumped into him on the street.

Through 24 games, Mike Trout has 10 home runs. Reread. Reprocess. Re-understand.

10 home runs through 24 games puts Trout on pace for 67 home runs. Oh, and he’s hitting .308 with 5 stolen bases. Oh, and he’s also the best defensive outfielder in MLB. Oh, and he’s also 26.

The 10% thank you Mike Trout. Please keep up the unbelievable work!!

What is the biggest takeaway from the first month of MLB?? Post your brilliant thoughts in the comment section below.

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports.

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!

Hey New York, Get Your S*** Together!!

April 23, 2018April 23, 2018 ~ Dave Ettinger ~ 1 Comment

New York.

It’s literally the greatest place on earth. It’s science. A fact.

Ya know, I suddenly understand why the rest of the world hates us….

Over the past decade, New York’s elite status in the sports world has diminished. The championship drought New York is experiencing is unacceptable:

Jets – 1969

Knicks – 1973

Islanders – 1983

Mets – 1986

Rangers – 1994

Yankees – 2009

Giants – 2011

Like you, I’m unimpressed. **Photo Album is for nostalgic purposes only. You don’t need photographs of the 2009 Yankees and 2011 Giants!!

(And no, the Bills, Devils, and Nets don’t count!!)

Now I know Cincinnati (28 years), Minnesota (27 years), and Washington D.C. (27 years) will tell us to cry a river, but this is New York. New York shouldn’t go seven years, and counting, without a championship.

With the Knicks, Islanders, Rangers, Jets, and Giants missing the postseason by wild margins this year, all of New York’s eggs rest in the Yankees’ Easter basket.

With World Series or bust expectations for the Yankees, panic started to reverberate throughout the city when they got off to a 5-6 start. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Panic, in April, is as absurd as thinking the Cleveland Browns will win a Super Bowl in your lifetime. Yes, that goes for newborn babies too.

Fresh off a series win (three of four) against the Toronto Blue Jays, have the Yankees turned a corner??

They closed out their four-game series with a 5-1 victory over former Yankee, Jaime Garcia and now stand at 11-9. Luis Severino was fantastic — again. And Yankees’ top-prospect, Gleyber Torres, made his Major League debut.

They’ll look to carry this momentum into a four-game series (at home) against the Minnesota Twins. Another series win would be optimal, as their next 13 come against the Los Angeles Angels, Houston Astros, Cleveland Indians, and Boston Red Sox. Yikes.

Speaking of the Red Sox, the only time you’ll find them in the loss column is via a no-hitter.

Warning: Objective Yankee fan moment coming….

The Red Sox got robbed during Sean Manaea’s no-hitter Saturday. Andrew Benintendi avoided a tag while running to first base, but was called out for being out of the base path (despite being originally called safe). Watch the play, courtesy of Baseball Rules Academy, here. Technically, a base runner can’t go three feet or more outside the base path, but technically, you can’t jaywalk….

Anyway, the moral of the story is, baseball is an incredibly long season. The Yankees dug themselves a nice size hole, but they have 142 more games to dig themselves out.

Everyone relax. Except Boston. You people panic. All day. Every day.

Have the Yankees turned a corner?? Or is this fools gold?? Tell me in the comment section below.

Losing Breeds Champions

April 18, 2018April 18, 2018 ~ Dave Ettinger ~ 1 Comment

Losing is a good thing.

Wait, that didn’t come out right. Losing, can be a good thing, if used for fuel to light a fire under your rear end. When facing adversity, some teams, or individuals, curl up (for some reason it’s always in a corner) into the fetal position while others stand up and fight. The question is: When you’re backed into a corner, who are you??

LeBron James

Adversity in the first round of the playoffs and LeBron James haven’t often collided in the same sentence. LeBron’s loss Sunday was his first in game one, of round one, in his career. THAT’S INSANE!!

LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers will bounce back. There’s no doubt. By how much?? We’ll get there, relax.

The Cavaliers were 8-34 from three-point range in game one. That won’t happen again.

Kevin Love scored just nine points. That won’t happen again.

The Cavaliers scored 15 points or less in two quarters. That won’t happen again.

And LeBron James scored ZERO points in the first quarter (on one FG attempt). That won’t happen again.

Watch LeBron James do ‘Superman’ things tonight @ 7:00 P.M. EST on TNT.

Score Prediction: Cavaliers 110, Pacers 97

New York Yankees

Watching the New York Yankees play baseball Tuesday evening, at 6:35 p.m.?!, was one of the most excruciating experiences of my life. No, I’m not overreacting. And no, I’m not panicking in April. But yes, I’m unbelievably disappointed in a 9-1 loss to the MIAMI MARLINS!!

Giancarlo Stanton finished yet another game 0-4 with 2 strikeouts, bringing his batting average to a stellar .167. Stanton’s been awful. Terrible. Horrid. But, he can’t get worse. Also, in MLB, established players always play to the back of their baseball card.

.240, 27 home runs, and 90 r.b.i. is on the way.

Tuesday’s disaster sent pain waves throughout Yankee Nation for a multitude of reasons:

1.) Heading into Monday, the Miami Marlins were tied with the 3rd worst record in baseball (4-12).

2.) The Yankees pummeled the Marlins 12-1 on Monday.

3.) The Yankees were no-hit through 4 1/3 innings by Jarlin Garcia, and finished with just 1 run on 4 hits (Garcia pitched 10 1/3 innings of consecutive no-hit baseball).

4.) Masahiro Tanaka was painstakingly bad. Tanaka has now given up 6 earned runs in consecutive starts.

Again, panic is not allowed in my house in April. If the Yankees are dealing with this many injuries, and continue playing this way, through June, we’ll panic together.

Until then, let’s hope the Yankees are prepared to fight their way out of a corner.

Yankee fans, are you panicking?? If so, calm down, then pour your heart out in the comment section below.

APRIL; Where The Four Major Sports Collide

April 16, 2018April 17, 2018 ~ Dave Ettinger ~ 3 Comments

April is an interesting month.

The NBA and NHL playoffs, a.k.a. the never-ending journeys, begin. MLB gets under way (sort of). And the NFL sprinkles breaking news on top of the sports world to stay relevant.

NBA Playoffs

If you already knew the outcome of a game, or series, would you still watch?? Well you already do, so don’t lie to me. Everyone knows the Golden State Warriors are going to win another NBA championship, yet we watch the NBA playoffs anyway.

Sunday’s round 1 drama was a good excuse to watch the meaningless. While the Milwaukee Bucks ultimately fell to the Boston Celtics 113-107 F/OT, no one will doubt their effort. Check out the shot that sent this game to overtime:

Wild!!

LeBron James, and the Cleveland Cavaliers, should be ashamed of themselves. They were outclassed by the Indiana Pacers on their home court Sunday afternoon. 98-80. No need to check your spectacles. The Cavaliers scored just 80 points, at home, in the playoffs. I do, however, feel bad for the Pacers. LeBron is going to do unspeakable things to them in Game 2. You’ll have to wait until WEDNESDAY NIGHT @ 7:00 P.M.!! Hence the never-ending part.

NHL Playoffs

I don’t really like Pittsburgh. I don’t like Philadelphia. I really don’t like Boston. But Las Vegas I like. There’s a reason to enjoy the Las Vegas Golden Knights’ dominance over the Los Angeles Kings. Have your brooms handy?? Never has an NHL team gone from expansion team to Stanley Cup Champion in one year. Maybe, just maybe, this is the year. It would make me a hell of a lot happier than Sydney Crosby hoisting another trophy over his puny head.

MLB Season

Jackie Robinson Day deserves a do-over. Only 10 out of a potential 16 games were played Sunday. The rest — rained/snowed out.

Despite actually losing a game (snapping a nine-game winning streak), the Mets got right back to their winning ways:

We must give a shout-out to Big Fat Bartolo Colon!! At the ripe old age of 44, Colon flirted with a perfect game Sunday night. Colon’s perfect game, no-hitter, and shutout were erased on consecutive batters. The first baserunner of the game was Carlos Correa (8th inning walk). Followed by a Josh Reddick double. Followed by a Yuli Gurriel sacrifice fly. The Rangers would hold on to win 3-1 F/10.

Who needs 98 m.p.h. when you have 86 m.p.h. with movement and location?!

Bye-Bye Dez

One of the more overrated “superstars” in recent NFL history, Dez Bryant, is looking for work. In an era when wide receivers exceed 1,000 yards by accident, Dez hasn’t done so since 2014. And Friday afternoon, the Dallas Cowboys sent Dez packing. This wasn’t a financial move, as the Cowboys will save just $4 million of Dez’s $12.5 million salary this upcoming season. As an unbiased outsider, I enjoy this story. Dez is easy to dislike thanks to his overtly cocky attitude, underwhelming production, and Dallas Cowboys jersey.

What is your favorite part of April?? Tell me all about it in the comment section below.

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