Just the other day sitting around with some of my friends, SOMEHOW. The subject of Baseball came up. This brought to mind an episode of many years ago. When as a mere lad, my parents and our neighbors decided to make the 50 mile trip to a new store. They called it a “DISCOUNT DEPARTMENT STORE”. Now we had big stores in the big town we called the County Seat. We had a Montgomery Ward, a J.C. Penny and a local store that was about the same size as the previous mentioned named. But a “discount store” what was that? So one day we all set out on the 50 mile journey. WOW! There we were a Huge building with only one store. Inside I looked around with my parents and neighbors. But wait. I discovered the sporting good department, much larger than the sporting good store we had in our county. Being summer I was drawn to the baseball section. THEN; there it was a big black baseball glove. Not only was I attracted to it because it was black and the only gloves I had seen were brown. It was larger than any I had seen before. I kept coming back to it, wishing it were mine. But at that time $10 was a lot of money. My neighbor friend, her name was Katie; saw me admiring it and asked if I wanted it. Yes I said. She offered to buy it for me if i would mow her yard until it was paid for. I had to mow her yard for the remainder of the summer. BUT I had the glove I wanted so much. The other kept referring to it as a “peach basket” because it was large, NOT any bigger than what you see outfielders wear now-a-days. I was a Pee Wee leaguer and played center field, just like Mickey Mantle. (Well maybe not exactly just like Mickey). But I was proud of it, I caught more balls with it. But I was also proud of it because unlike many of my friends, whose parents bought their gloves, I EARNED IT AND PAID FOR IT MYSELF. That store just happened to be JUBILEE CITY. Jubilee City was an early discount department-store chain that tried to give American families a new kind of shopping experience: a large store where customers could purchase clothing, household goods, and other merchandise at competitive prices. The company emerged during a major transformation in American retailing. Suburban communities were growing, families increasingly depended on automobiles, and discount retailers were challenging traditional department stores. Jubilee City expanded beyond its original market, including into Tulsa, Oklahoma; Indianapolis, Indiana; Kansas City; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and the Houston area. But the business model that helped the company expand also created problems with management, merchandising, and distribution. Its operations gradually disappeared during the 1970s. The founding: Jubilee Shops in 1955 The history of Jubilee City begins in 1955, when Lawrence Altman founded Jubilee Shops Inc. in New York. Altman came from the traditional clothing business. He recognized that consumers were becoming interested in discount shopping and that a large store could attract customers by offering a broad selection of goods at lower prices. Rather than relying entirely on conventional department-store operations, Jubilee Shops developed an unusual arrangement: manufacturers and other operators could lease departments or sales-floor space inside the stores. This approach allowed Jubilee to offer merchandise from different suppliers without having to operate every department itself. It also reduced some of the need for the company to buy and manage all its merchandise through the conventional retail system. The company experimented with stores in the New York and New Jersey region before pursuing wider expansion. The precise locations and chronology of every early store remain incompletely documented. What made Jubilee City different? Jubilee City’s concept was to provide a broad, one-stop shopping experience rather than operate as a small specialty shop. Its stores could include departments selling: Clothing and apparel, Household goods, General merchandise Products supplied by independent manufacturers and department operators. Other consumer goods intended for everyday family shopping. The exact merchandise selection varied by location; surviving online historical records do not provide a complete inventory for every store. The leased-department system was central to the concept. Instead of having the parent company directly control every product category, separate operators could run different sections of the same building. This arrangement could broaden the selection available to customers. However, it also made the business more complicated to coordinate as the chain grew. Expansion into new markets during the 1960s During the early 1960s, Jubilee City sought to establish itself in markets where discount shopping was expanding but where opportunities remained for new regional competitors. The company negotiated locations in several metropolitan areas, sometimes pursuing multiple sites in the same market. Expansion required buildings, investment capital, suppliers, and local support. The chain’s historical footprint included the following locations. These are documented examples, not a claim that the list covers every store ever planned or operated. Where Jubilee City operated 6925 East Admiral Place, Tulsa The store operated from approximately 1962 to 1970. It became part of Tulsa’s early discount-shopping landscape and was later associated with Belscot and other retail uses. The property was subsequently subdivided. Indianapolis, Indiana 5302 North Keystone Avenue A documented Jubilee City location that operated into 1975. The building survived, although the property was later divided for other uses. Houston, Texas 10400 Eastex Freeway This location operated from approximately 1961 to 1963 and later became a Globe store. The building was eventually demolished during freeway expansion. Two other proposed Houston-area sites did not become completed Jubilee City stores. Kansas City area Kansas City, Kansas; Raytown and Shawnee, Missouri/Kansas area Historical records identify stores at 4915 State Avenue, 8760 Blue Ridge Boulevard, and 11215 West 63rd Street. These locations closed as Jubilee City stores around 1966, and the properties were later used by other businesses. Chattanooga, Tennessee 5615 Lee Highway This location operated into approximately… Continue reading Jubilee City
Tag: Houston
The Cincinnati Reds: From Baseball’s First Professional Team to the Big Red Machine
When the history of Major League Baseball is written, few franchises can claim a deeper connection to the birth of professional baseball than the Cincinnati Reds. Cincinnati’s baseball story reaches back to the 1860s, and the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings are generally recognized as baseball’s first openly professional team. The modern Cincinnati Reds trace their heritage to that tradition. Over more than a century and a half, Cincinnati baseball has produced championship teams, Hall of Fame players, legendary ballparks, controversial owners, heartbreaking trades and one of the greatest dynasties baseball has ever seen—the Big Red Machine. The Reds have won five World Series championships: 1919, 1940, 1975, 1976 and 1990. They have appeared in nine World Series. But the story begins before the World Series, before the National League and even before professional baseball was fully accepted. The Beginning: Cincinnati and the Birth of Professional Baseball 1866–1868: The Cincinnati Baseball Club Baseball was already becoming popular in Cincinnati during the 1860s. Harry Wright, an English-born cricketer who had become deeply interested in baseball, became one of the most important figures in developing the Cincinnati club. Wright was more than a player. He was an organizer, manager, recruiter and baseball visionary. Together with other Cincinnati baseball leaders, including George Ellard, Wright helped transform the local club into a serious baseball organization. The club recruited talented players from around the country and gradually became much stronger than the ordinary amateur teams of the day. The team played at the Union Grounds, where admission could be charged and spectators could watch organized baseball. By 1868, Cincinnati had assembled a team capable of competing with the best clubs in the country. Then came 1869. 1869: The Year Professional Baseball Was Born. The most important year in Cincinnati baseball history was 1869. The rules of baseball were changing. For the first time, organized baseball officially permitted clubs to pay players. Most leading clubs hesitated to embrace professionalism because they feared the public would not accept paid athletes. Cincinnati did not hesitate. Harry Wright understood that paying players could allow the club to recruit the best baseball talent available. +He assembled a team that included his younger brother, George Wright, along with Charlie Gould, Fred Waterman, Doug Allison, Andy Leonard, Asa Brainard, Charlie Sweasy and Cal McVey. The team was called the Cincinnati Red Stockings. The players were paid salaries, practiced regularly and traveled to play other clubs. The experiment was an enormous success. The 1869 Red Stockings finished the season with a staggering: 57 victories — 0 defeats. They went undefeated while traveling throughout the country, defeating many of the best teams in existence. The Reds’ own historical records describe the 1869 club as baseball’s first all-professional team. The team drew more than 200,000 spectators during its games, an extraordinary number for the era. George Wright: Baseball’s First Superstar. George Wright was the greatest player on that team. In 1869, the Hall of Fame credits Wright with an extraordinary .629 batting average, 304 hits, 339 runs and 49 home runs while Cincinnati went 57-0. The statistics must be understood in the context of nineteenth-century baseball, whose rules, equipment and statistical conventions were very different from today’s game. George Wright eventually became a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. His brother Harry is also in the Hall of Fame and is frequently called the father of professional baseball. The Red Stockings Disband. The incredible 1869 season could not be sustained forever. Cincinnati continued playing professionally in 1870 and extended its remarkable winning streak before finally losing games to increasingly competitive professional clubs. Attendance declined as the team began losing. The organization eventually disbanded the professional Red Stockings after the 1870 season. But professional baseball had been permanently changed. Other clubs saw what Cincinnati had accomplished and recognized that paying players could create stronger teams and attract spectators. The professional sports model that dominates American sports today was beginning to take shape. The Reds Return: The National League Era. The Cincinnati baseball story continued through several organizations. The Cincinnati club eventually became part of the National League, which was founded in 1876. The early Cincinnati National League club was not identical in every legal sense to the 1869 Red Stockings, although today’s Reds claim the heritage of the earlier team. The Reds’ historical connection to the original Red Stockings is therefore both cultural and organizational. The National Baseball Hall of Fame notes that the modern Reds adopted the historic Red Stockings name when Cincinnati joined the major leagues in 1882. The American Association Years. In 1882, Cincinnati became a charter member of the American Association, a rival major league to the National League. Cincinnati immediately became a powerhouse. The club won the 1882 American Association championship, establishing one of the earliest championship traditions in Cincinnati professional baseball. One of the great stars of this era was: Bid McPhee, Position: Second base, Reds years: 1882–1899, Birthplace: Massillon, Ohio. McPhee played his entire major-league career in Cincinnati. He was one of baseball’s greatest defensive second basemen of the nineteenth century. For much of his career, he played without a glove. McPhee eventually became a National Baseball Hall of Famer in 2000. Cincinnati Returns to the National League. The Reds returned to the National League in 1890. The name “Reds” survived and eventually became permanently associated with Cincinnati. The club went through numerous changes during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, but Cincinnati remained one of baseball’s important cities. The Cincinnati Reds’ Historic Ballparks. One of the best ways to understand Reds history is to follow the team through its ballparks. 1. Union Grounds 1869–1870. This was the home of the original professional Cincinnati Red Stockings. It stood near the area that later became associated with Union Terminal and the Cincinnati Museum Center. The grandstand, known as the Grand Duchess, could hold approximately 4,000 spectators. This is where the professional baseball revolution began. 2. Avenue Grounds, 1876–1879. Cincinnati moved approximately two miles north to Avenue Grounds. The facility could accommodate roughly 3,000 spectators. Transportation was an important consideration because the park was several miles from the center of Cincinnati. 3. Bank Street Grounds. 1880–1883. The Reds moved closer to downtown. Bank Street Grounds could accommodate about 4,000 fans and even featured early scoreboard innovations showing player names and… Continue reading The Cincinnati Reds: From Baseball’s First Professional Team to the Big Red Machine
WAY TOO EARLY PROJECTION OF TEAMS IN 2026 MARCH MADNESS
Below is MY perceived 2026 NCAA Men’s March Madness 68-team bracket summary along with why these contenders are projected where they are and who the last four in might be. With clear sections and some bracket context based on multiple bracketology sources and current standings. 🏀 2026 NCAA March Madness – Perceived Bracket & Summary Top Seeds (Projected No. 1s) No. 1 Seeds: Duke, Michigan, Arizona, UConn These are the teams currently leading polls and bracket projections: Duke has taken over the AP No. 1 spot after a signature win over Michigan, Michigan and Arizona remain elite in NET and poll rankings, and UConn is dominating the Big East. 🏆 Projected Bracket — Top Regions (This is a field combining multiple bracketology projections through February) No. 1 Seeds Duke – ACC powerhouse with top metrics and high Quad-1 win totals. AP News Michigan – Elite resume, strong analytics profile across KenPom & NET. Arizona – Undefeated and dominant in Big 12 play. UConn – Big East leader and consistent NET top10 team. �table 2–4 Seeds (Consensus among projections): Purdue – Listed as a 2-seed and inside the top 10 NET as well. Illinois, Houston, Iowa State, Gonzaga – All regularly projected as 2–3 seeds due to strong resumes and Quad-1 victories. Texas Tech, North Carolina, Florida – Frequently slotted in the 4–5 range. 🔥 Bubble & At-Large Favorites These teams are frequently projected in the middle seed range (6–10) and are viewed as strong bubble contenders: Wisconsin – Now considered a lock with a solid Quad-1 profile. Bucky’s 5th Quarter NC State, Villanova, Utah State – Often seen as swing seeds (7–9). Tennessee, Alabama, Iowa, Louisville – Held inside projected field in most bracketology lists. 📉 Perceived Bubble & Tiering Likely In (just inside): NC State, UCLA, Auburn, Missouri, USC, SMU � Traditional Bubble (needs wins to secure): Butler, Creighton, Seton Hall, UCF, San Diego State � 🏟️ Last Four In (Play-In Candidates) According to recent projections such as Sporting News’ field of 68 and other bracketology builds: 📌 Projected Last Four In Texas Ohio State Texas A&M New Mexico These teams typically show up just inside the 68-team range but with resume gaps that could easily drop them on Selection Sunday. ❌ First Four Out (Near-Misses) Teams often crack the bracket: Just outside the field, meaning they’d need late resume boosts to USC Santa Clara Virginia Tech Missouri These programs hover near the cut line due to inconsistent Quad-1 wins or fewer signature victories. 🧠 Why These Projections Make Sense 📊 Standings & Metrics The teams near the top of the NET and AP polls (Duke, Michigan, Arizona, UConn) also have strong strength of schedule and Quad-1 win totals — key components the Selection Committee values. NCAA.com+ 📍 Conference Strength Big Ten, ACC, Big 12, and SEC teams are well-represented due to conference depth and quality wins. The Big Ten alone has numerous projected bids. Bucky’s 5th Quarter 📉 Strong Mid-Majors Gonzaga and Utah State often appear in the field due to excellent records, strong conference performance, and Quad-1/Quad-2 victories. The Slipper Still Fits Views: 2
Larry Yount: The Pitcher Who Made MLB History Without Throwing a Pitch
🧾 Discover the incredible story of Larry Yount of the Houston Astros — the only MLB pitcher credited with an appearance without throwing a pitch. Learn how his short-lived career connects to Hall of Famer Robin Yount. Introduction Baseball is a sport of legends, records, and unforgettable moments. Yet among the thousands who have stepped onto a Major League field, few stories are as fascinating — or as heartbreaking — as that of Larry Yount. A promising young pitcher for the Houston Astros, Larry’s MLB career consisted of just one appearance — and remarkably, not a single pitch thrown. His story has become a permanent part of baseball lore, one that highlights both the fragility and the beauty of the game. ⚾ From Woodland Hills to the Big Leagues Born February 15, 1950, in Woodland Hills, California, Larry Yount was a tall, right-handed pitcher drafted by the Houston Astros in the 5th round of the 1968 MLB Draft. He showed strong potential in the minors, with a smooth delivery and command that drew comparisons to some of the league’s rising arms. By 1971, his hard work paid off — he was called up to the majors to join the Astros’ pitching staff in September. 🏟️ September 15, 1971: The Debut That Never Was That night, at the Astrodome, the Astros faced the Atlanta Braves. Late in the game, the public address announcer declared: “Now pitching for Houston — Larry Yount.” It was a moment every pitcher dreams of. Yount jogged to the mound, soaking in the sound of the crowd. But during his warm-up tosses, something was wrong. His elbow — sore for weeks — tightened up. The pain became unbearable. Before facing a single batter, he signaled to the dugout and left the game. Because he had already been officially announced, Major League Baseball recorded the outing as an appearance — even though he never threw a pitch. It remains one of the most unusual official lines in MLB history: Larry Yount — 1 game, 0 innings pitched, 0 pitches thrown. 💔 After the Game That Ended Before It Began Yount spent several more years trying to work his way back, pitching in the minors and rehabbing his arm. Unfortunately, the injury persisted. By 1976, he retired from professional baseball without ever officially recording a pitch in the big leagues. Still, his name endures — not for failure, but for uniqueness. Larry Yount remains the only MLB pitcher ever credited with an appearance without throwing a pitch. 🧢An Aside: The Yount Baseball Legacy Larry’s story becomes even more remarkable when you consider his family ties. His younger brother, Robin Yount, would go on to become a Hall of Famer and one of the most respected players of his era. Robin spent his entire 20-year career with the Milwaukee Brewers, racking up 3,142 hits, two MVP Awards, and a Hall of Fame induction in 1999. While Larry’s career was fleeting, Robin’s greatness ensured the Yount name would live forever in baseball history. And the baseball legacy didn’t end there — Larry’s son, Austin Yount, later played professionally in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, making it a three-generation baseball family. ⚙️ Legacy of Larry Yount Larry Yount’s story is a powerful reminder that even a momentary appearance in the major leagues represents the pinnacle of hard work and perseverance. For every Robin Yount, there’s a Larry Yount — a player who poured his heart into the game, only to have fate intervene. Yet even in those fleeting moments, history can be made. Larry Yount may not have thrown a pitch, but he earned his place in the record books — and in the hearts of baseball fans who love the stories that make the game what it is. Key Facts at a Glance Name: Larry Yount Team: Houston Astros Debut: September 15, 1971 MLB Appearances: 1 Pitches Thrown: 0 Unique Fact: Only player in MLB history credited with an appearance without throwing a pitch Family: Brother of Hall of Famer Robin Yount; father of minor leaguer Austin Yount Views: 0
2025 SEMI FINAL GAME DUKE Vs HOUSTON AS I SEE IT
Clash of Titans: Duke vs. Houston – A 2025 NCAA SEMI- FINAL Showdown for the Ages By Artie Fichal On April 5th, 2025, under the bright lights of State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, the college basketball world witnessed an unforgettable battle between two powerhouse programs: the perennial blue-bloods, Duke Blue Devils, and the defensive juggernauts, Houston Cougars. A game filled with shifting momentum, individual heroics, and tactical brilliance, this national championship became an instant classic. Let’s relive every heart-pounding moment from tip-off to final buzzer. Pregame Hype and Background Coming into the game, both teams had cut through their brackets with authority. Duke, led by sophomore phenom Jalen Blake Jr. and coached by Jon Scheyer in his third full season, had taken down Kansas and Tennessee in a ruthless path to the Final Four. Their mixture of five-star talent and deep bench rotation had them clicking at the right time. Houston, on the other hand, came in with a chip on their shoulder. With Coach Kelvin Sampson still at the helm, the Cougars played suffocating defense and had a backcourt tandem in Jamal Sharp and Terrence Walker that terrorized opponents. Their upset of #1 seed Purdue in the Elite Eight and gritty win over Arizona in the Final Four showed they were more than ready. This wasn’t just a game—it was a battle for legacy, pride, and a permanent place in college hoops history. First Half: A Blitz from Both Sides Opening Tip (20:00–18:00) The game began with Duke winning the tip, and within 20 seconds, Blake Jr. nailed a pull-up three from the top of the key—setting the tone early. But Houston answered just as quickly, with Walker slicing through Duke’s defense for a tough and-one layup. Score: 3–3 Early Pace and Turnovers (18:00–14:00) Both teams came out with energy, but Houston’s pressure defense started causing problems. Duke committed four turnovers in the opening six minutes, two from errant passes trying to break Houston’s trap. Yet, Houston struggled to capitalize offensively, missing three open corner threes. Their only consistent scorer early was Walker, who had 9 of Houston’s first 13 points. Meanwhile, Duke’s Caleb Foster, known more for his defense, came up huge with a corner three and a slick assist to Mark Mitchell on a fast break dunk. Score: Duke 15 – Houston 13 Mid-Half Run: Duke Finds Rhythm (14:00–8:00) With Houston struggling to find consistent offense outside of Walker, Duke took advantage. Blake Jr. and freshman big man TJ Jefferson executed a perfect pick-and-pop, resulting in a three. Next possession, Jefferson grabbed an offensive board and slammed it back with authority. Then, came the highlight: an alley-oop from Blake Jr. to Mitchell that had the crowd erupting. Duke goes on a 9–2 run. Score: Duke 26 – Houston 17 Houston Fights Back (8:00–4:00) Coach Sampson made a key switch, bringing in senior forward Quincy Davis, who provided instant energy—drawing a charge on one end and hitting a midrange jumper on the other. Their full-court press started to wear Duke down again. Two steals led to back-to-back dunks from Sharp, and suddenly the Cougars were back in it. Score: Duke 30 – Houston 27 Closing Minutes Before Halftime (4:00–00:00) The final four minutes before halftime were pure chaos. Both teams pushed the tempo. Jefferson blocked a Sharp layup, which turned into a fast break dunk for Duke. But on the next possession, Houston responded with a banked-in three from Walker at the shot clock buzzer. Then, with just 11 seconds before the half, Blake Jr. crossed over Sharp, stepped back, and hit a DEEP three from NBA range. The building shook. Halftime Score: Duke 42 – Houston 38 Halftime Analysis At the break, analysts were buzzing about Blake Jr.’s 15-point first half and Houston’s tenacious defense. Despite trailing, the Cougars had forced 9 Duke turnovers and held them to just 3-of-10 from beyond the arc outside of Blake’s heroics. Key First Half Stats: Jalen Blake Jr. (Duke): 15 pts, 4 ast TJ Jefferson (Duke): 8 pts, 7 reb, 2 blk Terrence Walker (Houston): 14 pts, 2 stl Turnovers: Duke 9 – Houston 4 Second Half: The Tides Turn Opening Surge (20:00–17:00) Houston came out blazing. They scored on their first three possessions—a three from Sharp, a floater from Davis, and a dunk in transition from Walker. Duke looked rattled. Houston goes on a 9–2 run to take the lead. Score: Houston 47 – Duke 44 Scheyer Responds (17:00–15:36 Coach Scheyer called a timeout and made an adjustment, bringing in veteran guard Jaylen Roach to stabilize the offense. It worked. Roach hit a floater, then drew a foul on a drive, knocking down both free throws. On defense, Jefferson had a massive block on Davis, sending the ball into the stands. Score: Duke 52 – Houston 51 Here’s the detailed breakdown of the second half, continuing from where we left off: Second Half: A Championship Battle for the Ages Houston’s Defensive Stranglehold (15:36–14:00) With Houston up 51-50, the Cougars turned up the defensive pressure. Kelvin Sampson’s squad executed their famous full-court press to perfection. Duke’s Jaylen Roach struggled to break through the aggressive double-teams, leading to two consecutive turnovers. On the other end, Jamal Sharp drove into the lane, absorbed contact, and finished a tough layup over Duke’s TJ Jefferson. Next possession, Quincy Davis tipped an offensive rebound back to Walker, who drained a deep three from the left wing. The Houston fans erupted as their squad took their largest lead of the night. Score: Houston 58 – Duke 52 Blake Jr. Responds (14:00–12:47) Duke was on the ropes, but Jalen Blake Jr. refused to back down. Coming off a high ball screen, he pulled up from the elbow and hit a midrange jumper over Sharp. On the next possession, he showcased his shiftiness, slicing through the Houston defense for a tough floater. After a defensive stop, Mark Mitchell got loose in transition for a one-handed slam. Duke had clawed back. Score: Houston 60 – Duke… Continue reading 2025 SEMI FINAL GAME DUKE Vs HOUSTON AS I SEE IT
NFL DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF CONFIDENCE PICKS
Kansas scraped by for the win last night. It wasn’t bad enough, Chiefs returner Nikko Remigio had broken through their coverage, hitting the open field and racing toward the end zone covering 63 yards on the opening kick. BUT Teans CB. Kris Boyd tracked him down, caught him and stripped the ball loose, however the ball was surrounded by red shirts, and maybe a couple of Texans. Out manned the Chiefs swiftly recovered the ball. (A BAD OMEN for the Texans). Adding to the drama Boyd threw his helmet leading to a penalty then starting to push his coach. Not a good thing. Coach was not on the field to recover the FUMBLE. Still the Texans stayed in the game. Had Houston ZH had a FG kicker with them they might have had a chance to win. Had Houston have a kicker. jake Bates missed two FIELD GOALS. And one Extra point. ( As I recall, all off to the right. That is 7 missed ;what should have been 7 sure.point. Too many momentum changes missed. The score should have been tied and go into OT…..OF COURSE YOU STII MUST TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE OBLIGATORY BAD CALLS FAVORING MAHOMES AND COMPANY. Mahomes has made these obligatory calls the basis of his “CAREER” For those of you who are new here. This is how confidence ranking goes, let me explain. If we were playing an office pool,(which we ARE NOT). The object is to score the most points. To obtain the score YOU rank the teams by how confident you are a team will win its game. EXAMPLE: Say this week we have 16 games. The team you are most confident will win you would assign the number 16 and follow down to the team you are least confident in and assign that number 1. You add up the TOTAL CORRECT PICKS.. That would be your score. We use the Monday night (Last game played) as a TIE BREAKER. The tie is broken by the closest to the total (that is the COMBINED score of the two participating teams) final score, without going over. YOU can adopt the scoring described above. Or, the optional method. A negative score for missed games. We will continue to get a positive score for correct predictions. EXAMPLE: if you scored 1 pt on the first game and you had 15 pts on the second game and lost you would still have 1 pt. 1. HOWEVER. with the same scenario new scoring system would result with a –14 score If we were playing this is how my sheet would look; My pick will be in bold Capital letters. you can use circling, underlining, or highlighting. I will show my correct points in Bold I will fill in my picks Thursday. Until then feel free to: Just copy and paste for your own Fun Pool Use. Or to see if you can beat me. IF YOU SEE I MADE A MIS-COPY OF THE GAMES AND TIMES FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME AND TELL ME I GOOFED. BYES: NONE TRIVIA TIME: What is the “least” valuable NFL team to date? Answer: The Cincinnati Bengals—worth approximately $3 billion. All Times EST GAME TV VISITOR SCORE HOME SCORE CONFIDENCE SATURDAY 01/18//25 16:30 1 ESPN Texans (11–8) 14 @ CHIEFS (15–2) 23 3 3 /3 SATURDAY 01/18/25 20:00 2 FOX Commanders (13–5) 45 @ LIONS (15–2) 31 4 3/1 SUNDAY 01/19/25 15:00 3 NBC Rams (11–7) 22 @ EAGLES(15–3) 28 2 5/3 SUNDAY 01/19/25 18:30 4 CBS RAVENS (13–5) 25 @ Bills (14–4) 27 1 5/2 GAMES Points Possible 10 Tie Break (Total score last game) 39 Total points scored 52 Points off -13 TRIVIA ANSWER 1951 Views: 37
A BRIEF HISTORY OF NCAA MARCH MADNESS
[adrotate group=”1″] 🏀The college national tournament, also known as the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, is one of the most popular and exciting events in American sports. Every year, 68 teams compete in a single-elimination bracket to determine the national champion of college basketball. But how did this tournament begin and evolve over time? The first NCAA Tournament was held in 1939, with only eight teams invited. The Oregon Webfoots (now Ducks) won the inaugural title, defeating, 46-33 in the final. The tournament was created by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and was initially overshadowed by the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), which had started a year earlier and featured more established teams from the East. However, the NCAA Tournament gradually gained prestige and popularity, especially after 1951, when a point-shaving scandal tarnished the reputation of the NIT. The NCAA also expanded the field of the tournament several times, adding more teams from different regions and conferences. In 1952, the field grew to 16 teams; in 1975, it reached 32 teams; in 1985, it expanded to 64 teams; and in 2011, it added four more teams to create the First Four round. The NCAA Tournament also witnessed some of the most memorable moments and players in basketball history. Some of the highlights include: The UCLA dynasty, led by coach John Wooden and stars like Lew Alcindor (later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) (because Alcindor was so proficient at dunking the ball, DUNKS were banned in high school and college from 1967-1976), and Bill Walton, that won 10 titles in 12 years from 1964 to 1975. (As you know I beleive dunking is still an ILLEGAL move. It is GOAL TENDING !!! To dunk the ball you enter the the extended. area above the rim, giving the offensive player an UNFAIR advantage: as the defender is not allowed to enter the same area. NOW if they were to allow the defender the same latitude (to enter this area), Then the DEFENDER is on equal footing. BESIDES, What is so exciting about a player who can stand flat footed and touch the rim, sticking the ball in the hoop, WHOOPIE. If they allow this it should only count as 1 POINT. (difficulty level should come into play here). The 1979 final between Michigan State and Indiana State, featuring the first matchup of future NBA legends Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, which drew a record 24.1 million viewers. The 1982 final between North Carolina and Georgetown, in which a freshman named Michael Jordan hit the game-winning shot with 15 seconds left. The 1983 final between North Carolina State and Houston, in which the underdog Wolfpack stunned the heavily favored Cougars with a buzzer-beating dunk by Lorenzo Charles off a missed shot by Dereck Whittenburg. The 1992 East Regional final between Duke and Kentucky, in which Christian Laettner hit a turnaround jumper at the buzzer after a full-court pass from Grant Hill, capping off a 104-103 overtime thriller. The NCAA Tournament continues to captivate millions of fans every year, who fill out their brackets and root for their favorite teams or Cinderella stories. The tournament is also a showcase for the best college players, some of whom go on to become stars in the NBA or other professional leagues. The tournament is a celebration of the sport of basketball and its rich history and tradition. 🏀 Views: 151
NFL CONFIDENCE PICKS WEEK 17 12/29 /2022 1-1-2/2023
NFL OFFICIAL: Art McNally, 97 died Sunday of natural causes. McNally an on field official for 9 years, including 1960-1967. Following which he was hired by the NFL to become Supervisor of Officials. During his term in this position he ushered in the INSTANT REPLAY. He over saw the training and technology used in the faster more technology complicated game. Bills / BENGALS GAME POSTPONED: Latest update Damar Hamlins is listed in Critical NFLCondition. Officially Hamlin suffered Cardiac Arrest. (Cardiac arrest usually results from an electrical disturbance in the heart. It’s not the same as a heart attack). UPDATE: Hsmlin vital signs back to normal. They have put him to sleep with a breathing tube down his throat. The Monday Night Football game between Buffalo and Cincinnati has been POSTPONED after Bills Safety Damar Hamlin. Hamlin 24 went down after tackling Bengals WR Tee Higgins, with 5:58 left in the 1st quarter. He He took a few steps then collapsed. It appeared medical personnel were giving him CPR. He was transported by ambulance to a hospital. No word on when or if the game will be resumed. Our prayers are with Damar Hamlin. So far the only scheduled game for week 18 are for Saturday. Chiefs @ Chargers 16:30 on ESPN/ABC. At 20:15 we will have Titans @ Jaguars also on ESPN/ABC. No other games scheduled time wise. Although we know the pairings time, date, and network remain unscheduled at this time. NO BYES . . OFF THE SUBJECT OF NFL: WNBA. CONVICTED of drug TRAFFICKING, and sentenced to NINE years of prison. PHOENIX MERCURYS, PRIVILEGED player will RECEIVE Full Pay for a season not played .and league credit just as if played. Making eligible for free agency for the 2023 season. If another player was found to merely using drugs, they would have been at suspended for some amount of time, along with a fine. BUT, some people are just PRIVILEGED, and the rules that apply to others is ABOVE the rules. COLTS: Regardless of the terrible mess GM Chris Ballard has done. Colts owner Jim Irsay says, he’s my man. He will be back for next season. The one decision I have no opinion on so far is maintaning Jeff Saturday as next years HC. (Saturday is still up in the air.) I would like to see how he does without someone like Ballard making all the player calls, and I am sure other things he has his thumb on. I’m sure if Saturday had his say Ehlinger would have been playing instead of Ryan and Foles.. However with Ballard in the BIG seat. Not doing what needs to be done to form a team. Saturday will look like the scapegoat. Thus protecting Irsay’s BUDDY; BALLARD. The thing is how long does Jim Irsay want to continue fielding losing teams. NFL TRIVIA: Which undefeated team did the Miami Dolphins beat to keep their “UNDEFEATED SEASON” , in tact in 1985? (For the answer unscramble the letters just above the pick sheet). Answer: Chicago Bears For those of you who are new here. This is how confidence ranking goes, let me explain. If we were playing an office pool,(which we ARE NOT). The object is to score the most points. To obtain the score YOU rank the teams by how confident you are a team will win its game. EXAMPLE: Say this week we have 16 games. The team you are most confident will win you would assign the number 16 and follow down to the team you are least confident in and assign that number 1. You add up the TOTAL CORRECT PICKS.. That would be your score. We use the Monday night (Last game played) as a TIE BREAKER. The tie is broken by the closest to the total (that is the COMBINED score of the two participating teams) final score, without going over. YOU can adopt the scoring described above. Or, the optional method. A negative score for missed games. We will continue to get a positive score for correct predictions. EXAMPLE: if you scored 1 pt on the first game and you had 15 pts on the second game and lost you would still have 1 pt. 1. HOWEVER. with the same scenario new scoring system would result with a –14 score If we were playing this is how my sheet would look; My pick will be in bold Capital letters. you can use circling, underlining, or highlighting. I will show my correct points in Bold I will fill in my picks Thursday. Until then feel free to: Just copy and paste for your own Fun Pool Use. Or to see if you can beat me. IF YOU SEE I MADE A MIS-COPY OF THE GAMES AND TIMES FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME AND TELL ME I GOOFED. BYES: NONE All Times EST GOCHICA ERSBA* GAME # TV VISITOR SCORE HOME SCORE CONFIDENCE RUNNING SCORE THUR 12/29/22 20:15 1 PRIME VIDEO COWBOYS(11–4) 27 @ Titans(7–8) 13 16 16/16 SUNDAY 01/01/23 13:00 2 FOX Cardinals(4–11 19 @ FALCONS(5–10) 7 23/23 3 CBS Browns (4–11) 24 @ COMMANDERS (7–7–1) 10 3 23 /20 4 FOX Bears (3–12) 10 @ LIONS (7–8) 41 12 35/32 5 CBS JAGUARS (7–8) 31 @ Texans (2–2-1) 3 9 44 /41 6 CBS Broncos (4–11) 24 @ CHIEFS(12–3) 27 15 59/56 7 CBS Dolphins (8–7) 21 @ PATRIOTS (7–8) 23 6 65 /62 8 CBS Colts (4–10-1) 10 @ GIANTS (8–6-1) 38 10 75/72 9 FOX Saints (6–9) 20 @ EAGLES(13–2) 10 11 75/61 10 FOX Panthers (6–9) 24 @ BUCCANEERS (7–8) 30 5 80/66 SUNDAY 01/01/23 16:05 11 FOX JETS (7–8) 6 @ Seahawks (7–8) 23 2 80/64 12 FOX 49’ERS(11–4) 37 @ Raiders (6–9) 34 (OT) 14 94/78 SUNDAY 01/01/23 16:25 13 CBS Vikings (12–3) 17 @ PACKERS (7–8) 41 8 102/86 14 CBS Rams (5–10) 10 @ CHARGERS(9–6) 31 13 115/94 SUNDAY 01/01/23 20:20 … Continue reading NFL CONFIDENCE PICKS WEEK 17 12/29 /2022 1-1-2/2023
NFL CONFIDENCE PICKS WEEK 16 12/22-24-25-26/2022
COLTS: Benched Matt Ryan in favor of an aging Nick Foles. Benching Ryan makes sense; should have been done way earlier. In fact I can see no reason for the Colts to have signed him to begin with. But, putting that aside, would it not make more sense to give the young Sam Ehlinger playing time. Doing so would give him a better chance to prove himself. Even if the Colts keep him as a backup QB. He would have game experience if called upon during the next season. Or give other teams a chance to appraise him for a trade. Sometimes I think COMMON SENSE, is an unknown commodity among the Colts organization. I am not terribly impressed with any of the college QBs this year. For all practical purposes the Colts season is over. Give Ehlinger a chance! Views: 127
NFL CONFIDENCE PICKS WEEK 3 09/22-25-26/2022
For those of you who are new here. This is how confidence ranking goes, let me explain. If we were playing an office pool,(which we ARE NOT). The object is to score the most points. To obtain the score YOU rank the teams by how confident you are a team will win its game. EXAMPLE: Say this week we have 16 games. The team you are most confident will win you would assign the number 16 and follow down to the team you are least confident in and assign that number 1. You add up the TOTAL CORRECT PICKS.. That would be your score. We use the Monday night (Last game played) as a TIE BREAKER. The tie is broken by the closest to the total (that is the COMBINED score of the two participating teams) final score, without going over. YOU can adopt the scoring described above. Or, the optional method. A negative score for missed games. We will continue to get a positive score for correct predictions. EXAMPLE: if you scored 1 pt on the first game and you had 15 pts on the second game and lost you would still have 1 pt. 1. HOWEVER. with the same scenario new scoring system would result with a –14 score If we were playing this is how my sheet would look; My pick will be in bold Capital letters. you can use circling, underlining, or highlighting. I will show my correct points in Bold I will fill in my picks Thursday. Until then feel free to: Just copy and paste for your own Fun Pool Use. Or to see if you can beat me. IF YOU SEE I MADE A MIS-COPY OF THE GAMES AND TIMES FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME AND TELL ME I GOOFED. BYES: None All Times AST (Erroneously referred to as EDT) GAME # TV VISITOR SCORE HOME SCORE CONFIDENCE RUNNING SCORE THUR 09/22//22 20:20 1 Prime Video Steelers (1–1) 17 @ BROWNS (1–1) 29 10 10/10 SUNDAY 09/25/22 13:00 2 FOX SAINTS (1–1) 14 @ Panthers (0–2) 22 8 10/2 3 CBS Texans (0–1–1) 20 @ BEARS(1–1) 23 6 16/8 4 CBS CHIEFS (2-0) 17 @ Colts (0–1–1) 20 11 27/19 5 CBS BILLS (2–0) 19 @ Dolphins (2–0) 21 13 27/6 6 FOX Lions (1–1) 24 @ VIKINGS (0–2) 28 12 39/18 7 FOX RAVENS (1–1) 37 @ Patriots (1–1) 26 7 46/25 8 CBS BENGALS (0–2) 27 @ Jets (1–1) 12 15 61/40 9 FOX RAIDERS (1–1) 22 @ Titans (0–2) 24 5 61/35 10 FOX EAGLES (2–0) 24 @ Commanders (1-1) 8 14 75/49 SUNDAY 09/25/22 16:05 11 CBS Jaguars (1–1) 38 @ CHARGERS (1–1) 10 16 75/33 SUNDAY 09/25//0 16:25 12 FOX RAMS(1–1) 20 @ Cardinals (1–1) 12 9 84/42 13 FOX Falcons (0–2) 27 @ SEAHAWKS (1–1) 23 1 84/41 14 FOX Packers (1–1) 14 @ BUCCANEERS (2–0) 12 3 84/38 SUNDAY 09/25/22 20:20 15 NBC 49’ERS (1–1) 1o @ Broncos (1–1) 11 4 84/34 MONDAY 09/26/22 19:10 16 ESPN Cowboys (1–1) 23 @ GIANTS (2–0) 16 2 84/32 62%–24% 8–8 50%–50% GAMES Points Possible 136 Tie Break (Total score Last Game) 41 Total 39 Points Off +3 Views: 129
