tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90481893647786956542024-03-15T20:11:28.917-05:00Longhorndave on SportsA sports fan take on the world of sports. Out is what the media wants me to think, in is what people should be following.
Listed Top 75 Sports Blog by Social Animal https://socialanimal.com/blog/best-sports-blogs/J.R. Ewinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03025764913047432098noreply@blogger.comBlogger829125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048189364778695654.post-63693868525564783562024-03-11T20:48:00.006-05:002024-03-11T20:48:48.135-05:00Sportsman of the Week Ending 3/10/2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtB9TVVO4HOgsDOPwwafneXfKPTC3lG9gLxHPlSpBkJbiJH2uBh9z3nShxYXwS5bqRZIZLVHO7CyYAg9pkfnGa_HsVJjKJ6AUu6DvrjNpaecYlkg7sZpjHELLbTDHshKVgCjMg7OkHmZa9v07ahyphenhyphenGCPb-39U2F7MWjmoH83rH7tDguPQoGdGPw_Ce493VO/s640/630Cormac_Ryan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="640" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtB9TVVO4HOgsDOPwwafneXfKPTC3lG9gLxHPlSpBkJbiJH2uBh9z3nShxYXwS5bqRZIZLVHO7CyYAg9pkfnGa_HsVJjKJ6AUu6DvrjNpaecYlkg7sZpjHELLbTDHshKVgCjMg7OkHmZa9v07ahyphenhyphenGCPb-39U2F7MWjmoH83rH7tDguPQoGdGPw_Ce493VO/s320/630Cormac_Ryan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />It's March. It's time for Madness. As conference basketball tournaments dominate the week, it was an historic rivalry that took center stage on Saturday with an ACC regular season title on the line. And the North Carolina Tarheels went into Duke's house and took their lunch money. Led by an unsung senior no less. Cormac Ryan leveraged his experience at Cameron Indoor Stadium to quiet the Crazies and deliver. Cormac the Magnificent (you know I couldn't resist) was cold blooded with his scoring touch, missing just five times in 22 shots from the field, with two of those being behind the three-point line. And he did it in the clutch, with ten of his teams last 12 points in the final 3:54, including 7 in the last 108 seconds. No answers did Duke have. Ryan sealed the Heels Conference Championship and is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!<p></p>longhorndavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775210122920871817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048189364778695654.post-82537320398773757002024-03-04T20:45:00.001-06:002024-03-04T20:45:19.281-06:00Sportsman of the Week Ending 3/3/2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2FEbUcKOT592IE4r9OxaKUvbN8N1FMxbTe9zmhbOYWFsXSmxLgsML-QhgRfHUlXWMWJC3oxR2z9Kk-9GfJD1C-JYXCx6PZDkN71iEno8BRlONxvDdw9SBefIa1ZoM1HfDHhTZZ7s7sQh-o3uiv7yswlmVtTR6IlrwsVCQYXN4stRXaz9W6XRZGRiipZA/s512/629Jaylen_Brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="512" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2FEbUcKOT592IE4r9OxaKUvbN8N1FMxbTe9zmhbOYWFsXSmxLgsML-QhgRfHUlXWMWJC3oxR2z9Kk-9GfJD1C-JYXCx6PZDkN71iEno8BRlONxvDdw9SBefIa1ZoM1HfDHhTZZ7s7sQh-o3uiv7yswlmVtTR6IlrwsVCQYXN4stRXaz9W6XRZGRiipZA/s320/629Jaylen_Brown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The NBA is hitting the home stretch with teams emerging as Championship favorites while others vie for playoff seeding and positioning. One of the spots that seems locked up is the first seed in the Eastern Conference. The Boston Celtics continue to turn up championship quality eras and this team is poised. Having made at least the Eastern Conference Finals 5 of the last 7 years, and the NBA Finals just two years ago, the Celtics look to win their first title in 16 years and currently have the best record in the NBA. At 48-12, Boston has lapped the field with a ballooning 8 game lead thanks in large part to Jaylen Brown. Brown averaged over 28 points a game as his Celtics blew out three opponents by 18 or more points, including a 52-point drubbing of the Golden State Warriors, the fading dynasty of the last 10 seasons that beat them in the summer of 2022. Brown also cleaned up 5 rebounds and 3 assists per game, proving a second punch behind team scoring leader Jayson Tatum. A force that the Eastern Conference may not have an answer for now, or in the years to come. Jaylen Brown is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!<p></p>longhorndavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775210122920871817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048189364778695654.post-8593709447432542922024-02-26T20:22:00.000-06:002024-02-26T20:22:26.540-06:00Sportsman of the Week Ending 2/25/2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wq4Ag-irUlB1qRkiBmKZPqxqZtaR7KAldUGp3Lmr1hIBIBUPHAxMWRFNOaQps71-U326xbURR_WCMZq9gPafbEAilvJbeTjQcJ6e2mIkwwA2KjLZDI77bHrQe0MjMjDBEr1fn1UxWn7TjQU3dIY9JMDyiwramxtH4ea6h8_0AdP7vgoIkxMSPAwJqk8m/s620/628Auston_Matthews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="620" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wq4Ag-irUlB1qRkiBmKZPqxqZtaR7KAldUGp3Lmr1hIBIBUPHAxMWRFNOaQps71-U326xbURR_WCMZq9gPafbEAilvJbeTjQcJ6e2mIkwwA2KjLZDI77bHrQe0MjMjDBEr1fn1UxWn7TjQU3dIY9JMDyiwramxtH4ea6h8_0AdP7vgoIkxMSPAwJqk8m/s320/628Auston_Matthews.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />One of the great stories of the hockey season has been the emergence of Canadian Hockey Teams with a chance to win their first Stanley Cup in over 30 years. The Toronto Maple Leafs are in the middle of the discussion, and they are led by a Captain that is pushing goal records. On Thursday, Auston Matthews scored his 52nd goal in 55 games, imagine a player that gets one you netter per game pretty much. A 70 goal season, very much in play, puts him in elite company of Gretzky, Lemieux, Brett Hull, and more. But most important the Leafs have won seven straight and may be peaking at the right time. Matthews is one of the best NHL stories this year and is a worthy Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!<p></p>longhorndavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775210122920871817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048189364778695654.post-19993860190778246172024-02-20T21:16:00.002-06:002024-03-04T21:47:06.029-06:00Sportswoman of the Week Ending 2/18/2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7AVvDiKIBAXxdBoRgqQzbgckRqvomQ_Ug1MGAHk3g6C1Hul6QnTTDtu97-1oJgpL-x2huEGZ5bjU6k1dRZffyodBtaYRyG9YYQEEDOxT2DeqofiITpvlMn9G4FR2wTNBHE2VEbB6Zc3VfdG0CIZ_E7ezBkft1qdn2IDe6NvemTNp7TqCBaqZ2m0pPzEp/s640/627Caitlin_Clark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7AVvDiKIBAXxdBoRgqQzbgckRqvomQ_Ug1MGAHk3g6C1Hul6QnTTDtu97-1oJgpL-x2huEGZ5bjU6k1dRZffyodBtaYRyG9YYQEEDOxT2DeqofiITpvlMn9G4FR2wTNBHE2VEbB6Zc3VfdG0CIZ_E7ezBkft1qdn2IDe6NvemTNp7TqCBaqZ2m0pPzEp/s320/627Caitlin_Clark.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />We enter the inter-regnum (used loosely) portion of the Sports Calendar when there are no playoffs going on, March Madness isn't queued up yet (neither is The Masters), but many sports are going and lots of action to watch every night. Perhaps there is no more action captivating the country than Caitlin mania. Caitlin Clark that is, who has captivated not only the women's basketball sports landscape, but the sports landscape in general. The Iowa Hawkeye scoring machine became the all-time leading scorer in NCAA women's basketball history this week, passing Washington Huskies Guard Kelsey Plum (<a href="http://www.lhd-on-sports.com/2017/02/sportswoman-of-week-ending-2262017.html" target="_blank">former Sportswoman of the Week</a>) with her 3,528th career point and she's not slowing down. So much so, she likely will pass men's basketball hoops legend Pete Maravich in points before the conference tournament season. Worth the ticket of admission (as evidenced by the full houses she plays to) Caitlin Clark is the Longhorndave Sportswoman of the Week (<a href="http://www.lhd-on-sports.com/2023/03/sportswoman-of-week-ending-3262023.html" target="_blank">repeat winner</a>).<p></p>longhorndavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775210122920871817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048189364778695654.post-84900329590757922232024-02-12T20:14:00.000-06:002024-02-12T20:14:06.663-06:00Sportsman of the Week Ending 2/11/2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3q7wWPrQauviSQdBshac_FBZEhQXBmUiv4fM5ezeE0PT5ZcgPGj9QAchyphenhyphen7hqldPR1H1ljZyZYVwJ8YO8_FjYIhxg438m7d_xnwmaaApBev3aXtyQnTg21kognMdNROMhsAb19smQ-LufO0EmaeNvW0kS7t-5XySE6QXu4SQhNlmBToJa6fOHEEQ-IAiDn/s1023/626Patrick_MahomesII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1023" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3q7wWPrQauviSQdBshac_FBZEhQXBmUiv4fM5ezeE0PT5ZcgPGj9QAchyphenhyphen7hqldPR1H1ljZyZYVwJ8YO8_FjYIhxg438m7d_xnwmaaApBev3aXtyQnTg21kognMdNROMhsAb19smQ-LufO0EmaeNvW0kS7t-5XySE6QXu4SQhNlmBToJa6fOHEEQ-IAiDn/s320/626Patrick_MahomesII.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />One of the highlights of the American Sports Calendar is the Super Bowl, that cannot be disputed. And the Kansas City Chiefs are becoming synonymous with the big game, at least the last 5 years, in which they've been a participant four times, and winners now three. Super Bowl LVIII did not disappoint as two evenly matched teams, the aforementioned Chiefs and the NFC Champion (and top seed) San Francisco 49ers squared off for the second time in five years in the Big Game. The Niners were slight favorites. But the Chiefs had Patrick Mahomes II. After a stumble start with just 123 yards going into half and his team trailing 10-3, compounded with an interception coming out of halftime, the next generation dynasty QB got lit. Hit for 201 yards and 2 TDs over the last 24 minutes of regulation and an overtime period. The overtime period in which he stamped his third title in five years and second straight championship. Mahomes II was also the Chiefs leading rusher with 66 yards on 9 carries including several back breaking scrambles. The greats win and the greats get recognized as the Sportsman of the Week! <p></p>longhorndavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775210122920871817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048189364778695654.post-43103271020437822992024-01-29T21:00:00.000-06:002024-01-29T21:00:11.461-06:00Sportsman of the Week Ending 1/28/2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPj6sr2v5OTqJSjtqhUuypz33cFNUqm0HDd_mAtm46Conn7Ew_Ul-5MnbHxHG17lAmBTEi7KMQ2DlB2SbneVqSLMexQjkcda4O9hV9V45TxzRF3V929K2H3zjFNkCEdUWYf8xXbtDT7IeZwRQfV7htBbxoYsmZ-ekDQ1uwTCOCqU8CqYg0hAKr6Q3Nr9n2/s512/625Travis_Kelce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="512" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPj6sr2v5OTqJSjtqhUuypz33cFNUqm0HDd_mAtm46Conn7Ew_Ul-5MnbHxHG17lAmBTEi7KMQ2DlB2SbneVqSLMexQjkcda4O9hV9V45TxzRF3V929K2H3zjFNkCEdUWYf8xXbtDT7IeZwRQfV7htBbxoYsmZ-ekDQ1uwTCOCqU8CqYg0hAKr6Q3Nr9n2/s320/625Travis_Kelce.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The NFL season entered its penultimate weekend card with the AFC and NFC Championship games and a veteran superstar stole the stage for his team trying to win their fourth conference championship in five years. Mission accomplished. Kansas City Chiefs All Pro Tight End Travis Kelce reminded fans of how dominant he's been in the postseason with a much needed performance in carving up the favored and home-standing Baltimore Ravens for 11 catches and 111 yards and a TD, doing most of his damage in the first half when the Chiefs ran up 14 points on their first two possessions (6 of his catches including his TD) en route to a 17-10 win. In the meantime, Kelce passes Jerry Rice for the most postseason catches in the history of the NFL. History. Of. The. NFL. Travis Kelce was an unstoppable force and the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week! <p></p><p><br /></p>longhorndavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775210122920871817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048189364778695654.post-48548193009164425512024-01-22T20:25:00.004-06:002024-01-22T20:25:38.145-06:00Sportsman of the Week Ending 1/21/2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIb2_aR61wyxY7qdQMVaAnbmNaUwlnFu6tXrGNJ1Y5uQaB-Aad0vlrn9HbI0lMBFxhLiih_Awi6VujVQqiFOvV_iD9cJ0Vc7ePWXrp8zvI7jS26lszbgmdeK9S6ep1AnKFrgH97ZczqXSVhpw7legau_oPJHjjViGmqwub_pZlpZFEpjdxBefccXunnm7a/s7983/624Nick_Dunlap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5567" data-original-width="7983" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIb2_aR61wyxY7qdQMVaAnbmNaUwlnFu6tXrGNJ1Y5uQaB-Aad0vlrn9HbI0lMBFxhLiih_Awi6VujVQqiFOvV_iD9cJ0Vc7ePWXrp8zvI7jS26lszbgmdeK9S6ep1AnKFrgH97ZczqXSVhpw7legau_oPJHjjViGmqwub_pZlpZFEpjdxBefccXunnm7a/s320/624Nick_Dunlap.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />An amazing sports weekend with Australian Open tennis, NFL Playoffs, NBA and NHL action had perhaps the most shocking result in the third PGA tournament of the year. For the first time in over 33 years, an amateur won a PGA tour event. 20-year-old (barely) Nick Dunlap shocked a pretty deep PGA field to win the American Express in La Quinta, CA. Dunlap torched the courses for a -29 total, including a 60 on moving day Saturday. He held on a shaky tee shot on the 72nd hole to par out for the win. And this was no watered-down field. Justin Thomas. Xander Schauffele. Scottie Scheffler. Jason Day. Patrick Cantlay. All the big names were distanced by the sophomore from Alabama. A name to remember as only the third amateur victor in a PGA event since 1957. Dunlap is a worthy Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week! <p></p>longhorndavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775210122920871817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048189364778695654.post-26145766390127602562024-01-15T12:50:00.002-06:002024-01-15T12:55:35.124-06:00Sportsman of the Week Ending 1/14/2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLQ-BIH5_iIkPfzYYsNYBWNOqQ07DIvc-UDh0vh0vDkBrmKJb3cUjN3GGpLA9J9MMMO8COCmcwx1B6GHoFxxANCKpLy3-0VwSyVVCc9SqaedkMeJPZp9HncdrtzGpdRXWggQUO1_l9RFQ6RE_Esto9Bdumeiv4pZu3Q-6jCb8bwhz6Z5oqqXsti1PJqIn/s1200/623Donovan_Edwards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLQ-BIH5_iIkPfzYYsNYBWNOqQ07DIvc-UDh0vh0vDkBrmKJb3cUjN3GGpLA9J9MMMO8COCmcwx1B6GHoFxxANCKpLy3-0VwSyVVCc9SqaedkMeJPZp9HncdrtzGpdRXWggQUO1_l9RFQ6RE_Esto9Bdumeiv4pZu3Q-6jCb8bwhz6Z5oqqXsti1PJqIn/s320/623Donovan_Edwards.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />In one of the most anticipated College Football Playoff Championship games in recent memory, two 14-0 teams geared up to battle in Houston. Intrigue skyrocketed as two conflicting styles of play... Michigan's running and defense versus Washington's weapon-laden, diverse offense and points would be settled on the field. The former proved superior. The tone was set early on two early breakout runs by Donovan Edwards, who had been relegated to more of a change-of-pace back through the year behind workhorse Blake Corum. But it was Edwards who burst through the Huskies defensive line twice in the first 13 minutes of the game to stake the Wolverines to a 14-3 lead, after which Washington never got closer than a TD. Both Edwards runs were 40+ yards and hit paydirt for the first two touchdowns of the game. He totaled 104 yards on just 6 carries, but his strong start is worthy of the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!<p></p>longhorndavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775210122920871817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048189364778695654.post-32249257587819024632024-01-08T18:05:00.002-06:002024-01-08T18:05:44.944-06:00Sportsman of the Week Ending 1/7/2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5T6nUJ5XDW90Om37oBTuLvpJCuZZ0mGwQ084Kx-PIxs3IZcU0CW7Lo-ahE3c1A1HxGcfgNRwK1iT06VKg7j3NujFZLAkUQU13zEL4oTT5hbyLIeONtdsLBcD7sjTdyYEhu4VKL_g5fklPswzaYOi9ba54N2zSUOnzh5fs8rZ_x-52IVrjXM2SAL-g9OJQ/s1200/622Michael_PenixJr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5T6nUJ5XDW90Om37oBTuLvpJCuZZ0mGwQ084Kx-PIxs3IZcU0CW7Lo-ahE3c1A1HxGcfgNRwK1iT06VKg7j3NujFZLAkUQU13zEL4oTT5hbyLIeONtdsLBcD7sjTdyYEhu4VKL_g5fklPswzaYOi9ba54N2zSUOnzh5fs8rZ_x-52IVrjXM2SAL-g9OJQ/s320/622Michael_PenixJr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />A thrilling opening semifinal of the College Football Playoffs commenced with both games going down to the last play and both undefeated teams moving onto their first Playoff Finals. Despite being undefeated, the Washington Huskies were slight underdogs to the brand name Texas Longhorns but for most of the 60 minutes, had control of the game thanks to their Heisman runner-up quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Penix Jr. was familiar with the Longhorns from the 2022 Alamo Bowl but took his game to a new level in near perfection in defeat of the Longhorns in the 2024 Sugar Bowl. Penix Jr. was 29/38, with 2 TDs and 430 yards as the Longhorns had no answer for him. He took no sacks and also scrambled for another 30 yards. Penix Jr. takes his act to the Championship game where he'll face Michigan, his toughest defensive test of the year, but for now, is the worthy Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!<p></p><p><br /></p><p>*Editors note* the Sportsman of the Week goes through Sunday, therefore any result of the College Football Playoff finals will not be rendered until January 14. </p>longhorndavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775210122920871817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048189364778695654.post-60650168440757087152024-01-02T20:33:00.001-06:002024-01-02T20:33:25.861-06:00Sportsman of the Week Ending 12/31/2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKD0Y9I-r1K_stRUwGActpwIYg15gTPQjqxahMuY4XkyZItzOlC7fG7RVopdca1x-P_CbDiHC5L0jGN_4aFG7wJviOlfdjHOc6bjyRT2eDUJ_UPp0LCPqb1j7TSHNgJ85-lfMpabU0n_y2gph1p-Sh9a_iNglmPBqaAB7lNTDx89DiCRn0UmZoMaX6AC0/s1200/621Jaxon_Dart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKD0Y9I-r1K_stRUwGActpwIYg15gTPQjqxahMuY4XkyZItzOlC7fG7RVopdca1x-P_CbDiHC5L0jGN_4aFG7wJviOlfdjHOc6bjyRT2eDUJ_UPp0LCPqb1j7TSHNgJ85-lfMpabU0n_y2gph1p-Sh9a_iNglmPBqaAB7lNTDx89DiCRn0UmZoMaX6AC0/s320/621Jaxon_Dart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />It's a Longhorndave on Sports tradition that Bowl Season the big players in Bowl games get the nod for Sportsman of the Week honors and this week is no different. While some complain that the Bowl Season was watered down with too many, now watered down with opt outs, the Chick-Fil-a Peach Bowl brought two heavyweight conference contenders who were within a game or two of the College Football Playoff in Ole Miss and Penn State. Two great coaches and loads of talent in a hotbed of college football, Atlanta, GA. And Ole Miss was all gas and no brakes in running up the score on a strong Penn State defense. Rebels Quarterback Jaxson Dart shredded the Nittany Lions defense for 379 yards and 3 TD. While the other 15 yards of passing for Ole Miss was caught by the junior while running for 14 yards and a fourth TD. Ole Miss looks to be a force in the SEC for years to come, including next year when Dart has professed to come back and will be on the Heisman short list. It was a big win led by our Sportsman of the Week!<p></p>longhorndavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775210122920871817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048189364778695654.post-45880275562518504622023-12-27T16:24:00.002-06:002023-12-27T16:24:45.527-06:002024 National Baseball Hall of Fame Vote<p>In an LHD on Sports Blog tradition, I am once again conveying my thoughts on who I would vote for if I had a BBWAA ballot for the 2024 National Baseball Hall of Fame.</p><p>The <a href="https://baseballhall.org/2024-bbwaa" target="_blank">BBWAA vote will be revealed on Major League Baseball (MLB) Network on Tuesday, January 23, 2024</a>. The Hall of Fame vote reveal remains one of the most anticipated moments on the baseball calendar and certainly of the offseason. <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2024.shtml" target="_blank">Here is the 2024 National Baseball Hall of Fame Candidates Eligible for vote</a> (via Baseball Reference with prior year percentage total for returning candidates). 75% of all ballots cast must include the players name for induction.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3C14s4DWYkUYimN5QRUC5UtpL2WVJRJJisTzdqrC4j0Y7HhttjhniQ3SH2rorXtkf9DgOXrGH-Em1IzGT7X-LrIkKuz0duBKx1roN7uXIzhZkvEI1v1-P7hVK3tY-4dw30HWrlZTSuR4uw0yaytJdGHDln_Boati4LjcwrPk3JIFmTmsxVLK9YmbcqMHA/s4032/20230722_093544.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3C14s4DWYkUYimN5QRUC5UtpL2WVJRJJisTzdqrC4j0Y7HhttjhniQ3SH2rorXtkf9DgOXrGH-Em1IzGT7X-LrIkKuz0duBKx1roN7uXIzhZkvEI1v1-P7hVK3tY-4dw30HWrlZTSuR4uw0yaytJdGHDln_Boati4LjcwrPk3JIFmTmsxVLK9YmbcqMHA/w529-h297/20230722_093544.jpg" width="529" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Plaque Gallery will add to its fold this year (Credit: Me)</td></tr></tbody></table><p>As most readers probably know, the actual voting committee is the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA). Prior to 2016, once a member, always a vote. In 2016, several changes to the voting process were made (<a href="http://www.lhd-on-sports.com/2018/01/does-new-national-baseball-hall-of-fame.html" target="_blank">see my related Blog here</a>) culling the list of voters to those who had covered the game in the prior 10 years. This played out to remove a number of small vote ballots and increase percentages for those on the bubble.</p><p>There are a few overarching factors to cover before we get to the specifics.</p><p>1) A major, controversial specter over the Hall will continue to be how to handle candidates associated with Performance Enhancing Drug (PED) use in baseball primarily in the 1990s and early 2000s, an era for which many players accused are now on the Hall of Fame ballot although the number is dwindling with Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa, and Mark McGwire running out of eligibility. There are players whose on-field performance clearly merits first ballot election, however because of their associated with substances that enhanced their performance, some members (a minority) of the BBWAA have been hesitant to cast votes their way. At least in the 75% needed for induction. Because the <a href="http://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/bbwaa-rules-for-election" target="_blank">official voting rules</a> include the words "integrity, sportsmanship, and character," their reluctance is justified in my mind. For my selection, I will not presume guilt, but if there are legal findings, firsthand accounts (including Mitchell Report) or strong anecdotal evidence of PED use, I will strongly weigh against voting for the candidate. You can count me in the <a href="http://www.lhd-on-sports.com/2021/12/peds-and-hall-of-fame-final-judgment.html" target="_blank">"The PED STJ" type here in a blog I wrote.</a> A constant I hear is "how can it be a Hall of Fame without Bonds, Clemens, Pete Rose, etc." Their accomplishments, records, videos, etc. are more than prominent in the museum portion of the Hall of Fame <u>and museum</u>, but down by the plaques, you won't find them there. Did the crime, do the time.</p><p>2) A change in consideration for me is how to assess pitchers. Whereas the 300-win plateau with a low ERA reflective of the dead ball, or pitcher dominated, eras prior to 1970 used to be a norm, it's become increasingly more difficult to get wins in the era of specialty relievers with starters leaving the game before the end of the sixth inning many times in close games. Conversely, however, one would think this would benefit starting pitchers ERA by seldom going through a lineup more than twice in some cases, rarely more than three times. Also, after many years of closers not being strongly considered, Mariano Rivera became the first and only to date <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2019.shtml#all_hof_BBWAA" target="_blank">unanimous inductee</a> to the Hall, along with high save count Trevor Hoffman and Lee Smith in recent years. The doors have opened a bit in that regard. In the end, for pitchers, I strongly weigh dominance over a reasonable period of time, along with Cy Young Awards, All-Star games, win titles, career saves, and ERA.<br /><br />3) There is also first and last ballot bias. First ballot candidates some BBWAA voters seem reticent to vote in to protect some sort of integrity of being a "first ballot hall of famer". Evidence, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2016.shtml" target="_blank">three voters who did not include Ken Griffey Jr.</a> in 2016. Likewise, when a player is on his last ballot (<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2017.shtml#all_hof_BBWAA" target="_blank">as Tim Raines was in 2017</a>, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2019.shtml#all_hof_BBWAA" target="_blank">Edgar Martinez in 2019</a>, and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2020.shtml#all_hof_BBWAA" target="_blank">Larry Walker in 2020</a>) voters who previously withheld a vote tend to pay a bit more attention to their candidacy considering it's a final shot and vote favorably.<br /></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>So how do I sort through very worthy candidates that each has at least some argument for a vote for induction? Here's some parameters I use</p><p>1) I don't play games with first ballot / last ballot. I may sway in between as I hear arguments, but I'm not going to withhold someone I know I think should get in, nor be swayed via a soft corner in the last year. Example, Schilling, was not a proponent earlier but more I heard arguments I came around and began to vote for him. Similar with Andruw Jones.</p><p>2) I don't hold OFF THE FIELD issues (to an extent) against the player. Don't care that Schilling is unlikable or has some political view that is disagreeable. I do need to consider Domestic Violence as that becomes an integrity issue. I do not vote for Vizquel anyway, so not really an issue on this ballot.</p><p>3) Per the above, not me for PED guys. You're welcome to vote for them I'm not. Even if Selig, who shouldn't be in, is in (see number 6 below).</p><p>4) I don't handicap candidates if they played in Coors Field (Colorado) or DH's or were on good teams for win. Stats are stats, the eye test stands, it is what it is, games are played there, value exists wherever.</p><p>5) I struggle voting for candidates with good cumulative stats but never great. This makes me look for high finishes in MVP and All-Star appearances. Silver Sluggers and Gold Gloves help. If you hit 30 HR for 15 years but everyone else hitting 45+ it's a sign of the times. Also, bold stats, leading the league in meaningful things, matters.</p><p>6) Comparisons to "this guy is in, so should this guy" or "if he isn't in, this guy can't be". It's candidate against criteria. I actually looked at Lance Berkman as a guy not in as someone who should be exceeded at a minimum for discussion and quickly realized stat comparisons to him for a below 5 percent first ballot guy is tough because his numbers hold against guys already in, yet he isn't even close.</p><p>7) I lean toward classic stats (Average, HR, Runs, RBI, Steals, okay to combing OBP/SLG for OPS). WAR I don't emphasize, rewards longer play, doesn't have eyes, I don't know who the replacement is and while I agree it can be an assessor, it's not for me. So don't say "if this player has X WAR, and this player has X+10 WAR, I must change my mind". Eye test trumps all that.</p><p>8) As stated above, pitching is tough. Starters need to find themselves in Cy Young Top 10s. Relievers must meet the Lee Smith or Bruce Sutter entry bar. Few do.</p><p>9) I take postseason stats as gravy, not essential. If a guy is close but went off in the postseason that could edge them across the vote threshold. If they were borderline but not good in postseason, nothing taken away. Sample size and team has much more to do with it than a player's Hall of Fame worthiness.</p><p><b>With a limit of ten players on a ballot, here are the players I would put on my ballot (in order of my credibility).</b></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjMx723R3wiTf6EoovlsW3TeW2vWJ_DkntmEvS2vEkzM8JdsvguaCh8xLpEFOjsX1rG4BhVlhvf2bBWSJNerHjFARH_y4ubyqVcDo3CUIUEr4Otj27ho2QO60rESR3BwF5Z9Kqux9v0SOABTlrKzrIgHW8JE8FPP3Dqibe3SJbabDEdlmebkv-0m1pALt/s268/beltre.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="268" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjMx723R3wiTf6EoovlsW3TeW2vWJ_DkntmEvS2vEkzM8JdsvguaCh8xLpEFOjsX1rG4BhVlhvf2bBWSJNerHjFARH_y4ubyqVcDo3CUIUEr4Otj27ho2QO60rESR3BwF5Z9Kqux9v0SOABTlrKzrIgHW8JE8FPP3Dqibe3SJbabDEdlmebkv-0m1pALt/s1600/beltre.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Platinum/Gold Glover</td></tr></tbody></table><br />1) <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/beltrad01.shtml" target="_blank">Adrian Beltre</a> - Not anticipating much pushback from voters on Beltre who is easily one of the Top 10 3B of all time, if not Top 5. 3000 hit club. Approached 500 HR. Six Top 10 MVP finishes (never won one though) and five Gold Gloves at a difficult position (including two platinum gloves). Led the League in HR one year, doubles another. <p></p><p>Factors against him: Hard to find but we'll go with only four All Star games and a limited postseason resume (did appear and play well in the 2011 World Series).</p><p>He'll get in first ballot with probably 90% of the votes or more. No further discussion needed.</p><p></p><div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BIfBF19bQH0/X-p11y6aXII/AAAAAAAAFFw/aXxeACfHgGg5yDlAy-eQ60KVVVtWM0XfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1980/wags.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1586" data-original-width="1980" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BIfBF19bQH0/X-p11y6aXII/AAAAAAAAFFw/aXxeACfHgGg5yDlAy-eQ60KVVVtWM0XfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/wags.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Billy the Kid</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>2) <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wagnebi02.shtml" target="_blank">Billy Wagner</a> - Gained significant momentum from the BBWAA last year with an increase of 17% appearing on nearly 70% of ballots. Especially when comparing to four specialty relief pitcher "comps" already in the Hall (Eckersley, Sutter, Fingers, and Gossage) as he has 30 more saves than the best of them. And a lower ERA. And a better K/9 IP. His seven All Star Game appearances are comparable to that lot as well. He sits <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/SV_career.shtml" target="_blank">sixth in career saves</a> (no current player will threaten him for years to come) and his stuff was dominant. I noted above we've seen an increase in relievers recently, but I believe we're going to see fewer relievers going forward with huge career numbers (which takes longevity) because so many are going to flame out with arm problems given their use. More reason to recognize his greatness. Wags should get strong consideration.<br /><br />Factors against him: Only 900 career IP, bad postseason numbers, closer bias<br /><br />Wagner has increased appreciably in each of the last four rounds which bodes well now over 68% in his eighth year. As several high-profile inductees cleared the list or fell off to make room on (vote limited) ballots and he seems to be getting more positive attention and buzz, which is good. In the past I felt like he wouldn't get in on the BBWAA ballot. I now think he will this year or next (his final year).<div><br /><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gem_AGxZwP8/X-p2fZo5XeI/AAAAAAAAFF4/xmoJegOj8Ks5cyPVay9jpMtPUH1ESO67ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1400/Helton.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1400" height="249" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gem_AGxZwP8/X-p2fZo5XeI/AAAAAAAAFF4/xmoJegOj8Ks5cyPVay9jpMtPUH1ESO67ACLcBGAsYHQ/w249-h249/Helton.jpg" width="249" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helton Belts one</td></tr></tbody></table>3) <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/heltoto01.shtml" target="_blank">Todd Helton</a> - Beltin' Helton was an offensive machine for a number of great Colorado Rockies teams. Some point to Coors Field for his gaudy offensive numbers, however they are way too good to ignore. His .316 career batting average is <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/batting_avg_career.shtml" target="_blank">only bested by Vlad, Puckett, Boggs, and Gwynn</a> for hitters since 1980. He was a batting and RBI champion, 5x All Star, 4x Silver Slugger, 3x Gold Glove Award winner. He was also selective at the plate with over 1300 career walks and a .414 career OBP. More walks than strikeouts. A complete package, the only drawback is hitter friendly Coors Field.<p></p><p>Factors against him: Playing in Denver, huge home/road split differences, limited post-season action.</p><p>Like Wagner, Helton surged in support last year, his fifth on the ballot. Needing just a 3% bump, he is a virtual lock for the Class of 2024 in his sixth year</p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQ7ioESrHFH_6L1AJdh6hdUbqNnzznt907DyAuVzvoyT0w4kS9AGn6an5b8lFGPO3UAhpk6MZOQWWm33IDWwSe4RzLKATNZ8P6xG96IoEAUSQ6vEkSRBPzA0kDHpG4TqyMal0J7CHw1FpxgmXk9eV0xP9bmwq45yfkN8KO9nON-IluKRtf4hvGAe-2w/s1600/kRod.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1255" data-original-width="1600" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQ7ioESrHFH_6L1AJdh6hdUbqNnzznt907DyAuVzvoyT0w4kS9AGn6an5b8lFGPO3UAhpk6MZOQWWm33IDWwSe4RzLKATNZ8P6xG96IoEAUSQ6vEkSRBPzA0kDHpG4TqyMal0J7CHw1FpxgmXk9eV0xP9bmwq45yfkN8KO9nON-IluKRtf4hvGAe-2w/w260-h204/kRod.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">K-Rod shut them down a lot</td></tr></tbody></table><br />4) <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodrifr03.shtml" target="_blank">Francisco Rodriguez</a> - Elite closer of his era for a substantial period of time. Single season career record for saves (2008). Fourth all-time in saves behind the other-worldly Rivera/Hoffman and former all-time leader Lee Smith (all HOFers, only Rivera with a lower career ERA). Three Cy Young Top 5s and an MVP Top 10. Six All-Star games. K-Rod (as he was known) checks all the boxes of best at his position, best over an extended period of time, recognized with awards, led league several times, top career stats. Surprisingly little support on his first ballot last year appearing on barely more than one in ten ballots<p></p><p>Factors against him: Fewer than 1000 career IP, closer bias.</p><p>He seems to be someone that will get in as several closers have lately. But it will be the second half of his ballot eligibility if at all. This second year will be a decent bellwether.</p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGY2SXMzp9bEFpgxEXmhPLab48a_CGi4tAT39nrhBd4cYTOvaGep6XnKV5D_rahIAa5zzRUxm30GR0R4Ge_3Bxg4AnGzkmIRPasIRgh14ZJTUYfKpghtnDRu2X9HmpYQ6sAou8DXzl6bHJFI2-UWbVrV5mQNYs0cHuthTGP1l1B87pK-_Py1wStGX6A/s553/beltgran.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="369" data-original-width="553" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGY2SXMzp9bEFpgxEXmhPLab48a_CGi4tAT39nrhBd4cYTOvaGep6XnKV5D_rahIAa5zzRUxm30GR0R4Ge_3Bxg4AnGzkmIRPasIRgh14ZJTUYfKpghtnDRu2X9HmpYQ6sAou8DXzl6bHJFI2-UWbVrV5mQNYs0cHuthTGP1l1B87pK-_Py1wStGX6A/s320/beltgran.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beltran electrified crowds with his tools</td></tr></tbody></table><br />5) <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/beltrca01.shtml" target="_blank">Carlos Beltran</a> - Like K-Rod appearing on his second ballot and he stacks up well against most objective criteria. What most stands out are his 435 HR which currently rates Top 50 (career RBI Top 50 also). Top 35 total bases. Played all facets well with over 300 career steals and three Gold Gloves. Led the league in CF assists four times. A couple of Silver Sluggers which means something. Comparable career paths to Andre Dawson and Dave Winfield who are well respected HOFers.<p></p><p>Factors against him: Never a leader in categories for a season, just two Top 10 MVP finishes. Bounced around teams which sometimes doesn't give voters an anchor. Also was the center of the Astros sign-stealing scandal.</p><p>He played in big markets which gets media attention I think he likely gets in within the first five years. Decent showing over 45% his first year and some voters probably held back a vote for the sign stealing.</p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQgHccPPrormpt66ETPdXUXRkhqTMxCxcfXWliv0tvfGSYg3nRrX_zAK2ju-lOUwwc91EMje63r192aLB1ud8_vo6VbDw0ARoD-v6ce54hBcjZTnHlLacKoZmYaDRdvvQnI7ovUW4JTqVYj_YxI0C-PpZAfD0NVvLWHvcU_Xgf4qNlIhEcg6Cw9Tkc93B/s4227/Mauer.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2818" data-original-width="4227" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQgHccPPrormpt66ETPdXUXRkhqTMxCxcfXWliv0tvfGSYg3nRrX_zAK2ju-lOUwwc91EMje63r192aLB1ud8_vo6VbDw0ARoD-v6ce54hBcjZTnHlLacKoZmYaDRdvvQnI7ovUW4JTqVYj_YxI0C-PpZAfD0NVvLWHvcU_Xgf4qNlIhEcg6Cw9Tkc93B/s320/Mauer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mauer had offense and defense in his bag</td></tr></tbody></table><br />6) <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mauerjo01.shtml" target="_blank">Joe Mauer</a> - I initially didn't have him as a must vote but took me just a few moments looking at the career opus to put a thumbs up. Maybe should be ahead of some of the above. Start with three batting titles and a career .306 hitter at of course a defensively demanding position. A position in which he won three Gold Gloves and also won an MVP with three other Top 10 finishes. Didn't stretch his career out as some others but still impressive career stats. Hitting, catching, all of it he checks the box for Hall of Fame.<p></p><p>Factors against him: Not much power, not a big run producer, small market with little postseason success</p><p>Mauer seems like he would get in either the first year, or if some voters hold back the first ballot, the second year. The catcher's wing is expanding with Yadi and Buster right on his heels but I think he's in sooner than later.</p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8k91Nbq6VZG5GJiwPQf0Tuj8TvUGwnKOXDmZWQ_LeVGRYN5aA_TheXnMp8tA7Ds7_04tn-d0vttzhn_ygn5wYpToXoEcOBVOjOuyihtFYRJFKfV1dK4jCLkmRjs4LChwM2X4nWgK-VaG3FKRk39JrRDECD8AvxNCMaeN6RhvFyRYwsvA0NqiqYjz_DA=s1800" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1270" data-original-width="1800" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8k91Nbq6VZG5GJiwPQf0Tuj8TvUGwnKOXDmZWQ_LeVGRYN5aA_TheXnMp8tA7Ds7_04tn-d0vttzhn_ygn5wYpToXoEcOBVOjOuyihtFYRJFKfV1dK4jCLkmRjs4LChwM2X4nWgK-VaG3FKRk39JrRDECD8AvxNCMaeN6RhvFyRYwsvA0NqiqYjz_DA=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andruw Jones was unmatched with the glove</td></tr></tbody></table><br />7) <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jonesan01.shtml" target="_blank">Andruw Jones</a> - Power, speed, and defense, he was a five-tool player. Started his career at 19, but wore out at Age 35 (really ordinary after 30), he still hit well over 400 HR. His .254 batting average really drags him down, with a lack of huge walk numbers it leaves him only .337 OBP. His defense was his calling card, but also won a Silver Slugger and narrowly missed the MVP in 2005 to Albert Pujols. I'm now for him for the leading the league stats and MVP finishes. Five great years in a seven-year span and 153 games or more 11 straight years. Just on the border due to longevity, but I've flipped my vote to a yes within the last couple of years, he meets the criteria.<p></p><p>Factors against him: Low batting average, barely was a factor after age 30.<br /></p><p>After two years of barely staying on the ballot, is starting to at least get discussion. The subsequent years were 19.4%, 33.9%, 41.4%, and now 58.1% last year. Will be interesting as the ballots clear up whether he gets another bump this year or has collected as many as he's going to collect. I believe will get in this year or next.</p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>First three out</b></span><br /><br />8) <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hollima01.shtml" target="_blank">Matt Holliday</a> - Didn't look that closely when the ballot first came out but strong numbers across the board warrants a vote or at least a closer look. Won a batting title in a year he also led the league in hits, doubles, and RBI (finishing runner up to MVP Jimmy Rollins by a razor thin margin see next entry). Seven All-Star appearances, four Silver Sluggers, and handful of other Top 20 MVP vote finishes. A career batting average near .300 and OPS of .899. Some years in Colorado may dissuade some voters. Wouldn't be surprised if I flip to "yes" after hearing more discussion.</p><p>Factors against him: Not that many surges to the top of the MVP board, some offensive numbers padded in Colorado, never seemed like "the guy" on his team.</p><p>First vote is always a measuring stick I wouldn't be surprised if he is overlooked and needs to use the full ten years of runway to get close.</p><p>9) <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rolliji01.shtml" target="_blank">Jimmy Rollins </a>- Rollins stacks up favorably to 2023 inductee Scott Rolen. Rollins at least has an MVP (but not that many other sniffs of MVP Top 10s.). Rollins's league leading stats focus on AB, runs, triples, and SB. On base percentage of .324 is not so good for a leadoff guy. A few Gold Gloves but seemed more lifetime achievement than highlight reel stuff. I don't like to compare one to one with Hall of Famers, but I look to Barry Larkin as an entry level offensive minded, modern era SS and Rollins isn't that close to him. So I'm passing now.</p><p>Factors against him: Lack of several outstanding seasons, just three All-Star appearances, doesn't seem to excel over his peers in his era.</p><p>Under 10% the first year, upticked a few in year 2. I hope he gets momentum and consideration in the second half of his candidacy but not my vote at this point.</p><p>10) <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/abreubo01.shtml" target="_blank">Bobby Abreu</a> - I will at least say he needs more discussion. If you look at all the 2024 NBHOF candidates OPS, the only two ahead of him not associated with PEDs are the aforementioned Todd Helton and ballot newcomer Matt Holliday. Switch hitter with eight years in a row of over 100 walks, was durable playing 162 twice during his career. Modest power but produced 100 RBI in eight seasons. Good speed as well with 400 career SBs. But no Top 10 MVP finishes, one Silver Slugger and one Gold Glove and only two All Star games. I think overlooked but not worthy in the end.</p><p>Factors against him: Never seemed elite related to peers (see AS Games, SS, GG), not a lot of home run power.<br /><br />Doesn't seem to be upticking very rapidly and likely to go through the ten years never getting more than 40% This is probably my toughest omission but a line has to be drawn somewhere.</p><p><b>As for the rest of the ballot...</b></p><p>Many of the remaining repeat candidates fall into the PED category. Their stats are more than deserving, even before they might have juiced, but would not get my vote): Manny Ramirez, Gary Sheffield, Andy Pettitte and Alex Rodriguez. All would easily be in without it except maybe Pettitte who would be close anyway (would not get my vote even without PEDs).</p><p>Torii Hunter and Mark Buehrle just seem like guys who had memorable moments, but not the consistent greatness worthy of the Hall. The only reason you might think Buehrle is really the lack of other starting pitchers perhaps we should judge against new criteria. One of these two may fall off if some full ballot guys don't have room anymore given that only one cleared last year (Scott Rolen) and Beltre is joined by a few other worthy guys.</p><p>The only other returning candidate not discussed is Omar Vizquel. I just don't see enough offense. The defense was there. There's a long history of middle infielders leaning on good defense and good enough offense to get in, but I don't see Vizquel in that category. Only a .336 OBP, worst of this pool of candidates besides Torii Hunter. Dropped to below 20% of the ballot last year don't see his candidacy gaining much now in his seventh year. </p><p><b>A couple of other intriguing newcomers</b> I believe are Chase Utley and David Wright. I believe both will garner a good chunk of votes and get continued discussion. Utley for me was a really good, but not great player. Strangely fell below 2000 hits for his career. .275 hitter, under 300 HR. A really good four-year span (Top 15 MVP from 2006-2009) but not enough to put him above the line for me. Wright of course was ravaged by injury after age 30. I believe if he continued healthy and demonstrated the level of play he had in his early 20s into his early 30s he would have moved into the favorites list. It's a painful (no pun intended)"no" for me right now but will listen to the debates over the next few years and may change my mind.</p><p>I don't believe any of the other newcomers will get the 5% needed to stay on the ballot for 2025 besides Holliday, Mauer, Utley, and Wright (presuming Beltre is a lock). </p><p>So, my opinions aside, I see Beltre and Helton as locks, with Wagner, Beltran, and Mauer all with strong possibilities. Seems like when they get that close we see something between 70% and 75% which wouldn't surprise me. So I'd bet the two inductees this year and a bigger class in 2025 when Ichiro also enters the ballot.</p><p>Here is my mock ballot:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgey8ROvcXZmER1gb1mV7maSXAlpoYs7da29erpf1CG5qU7zG7wExB2vWoRIBpP1IdY2cH0Oeio6v82Xec8fjy8xISCRmvwa653bqPPyIyQy_AYVJA1tvtb03QSh_k5pP9dJ54biD2Ff8BfM-tkCKfqiRB-TM1-i0dIJtVnzMJPGplexNr704ik4-s7_gd1/s680/2024NBHOFBallot_filled.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="575" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgey8ROvcXZmER1gb1mV7maSXAlpoYs7da29erpf1CG5qU7zG7wExB2vWoRIBpP1IdY2cH0Oeio6v82Xec8fjy8xISCRmvwa653bqPPyIyQy_AYVJA1tvtb03QSh_k5pP9dJ54biD2Ff8BfM-tkCKfqiRB-TM1-i0dIJtVnzMJPGplexNr704ik4-s7_gd1/w542-h640/2024NBHOFBallot_filled.jpg" width="542" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Any player elected by the BBWAA will be honored with Contemporary Baseball Era Non-Players Committee inductee Jim Leyland on July 21, 2024.</div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>longhorndavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775210122920871817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048189364778695654.post-90320805510385089602023-12-26T22:24:00.001-06:002023-12-26T22:24:05.178-06:00Sportsman of the Week Ending 12/24/2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmn_6cQs-p4vuSSrQfV808cq2EgG-gyff-Sm6OxowqhMX_tSrAUHdpo2FTU8uaVQs-501x7U0x5crsARmX7J3GY26tn9VKPwLQFOdIF6-VTXcXmiWywFq4dkh0rT0rWN1wXv13UsCgFfgKvU73w7J95EBqSaU8HIXkQNZEuqjMcjqYpFtsyLkbqyq0ND6/s640/620Caden_Veltkamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmn_6cQs-p4vuSSrQfV808cq2EgG-gyff-Sm6OxowqhMX_tSrAUHdpo2FTU8uaVQs-501x7U0x5crsARmX7J3GY26tn9VKPwLQFOdIF6-VTXcXmiWywFq4dkh0rT0rWN1wXv13UsCgFfgKvU73w7J95EBqSaU8HIXkQNZEuqjMcjqYpFtsyLkbqyq0ND6/s320/620Caden_Veltkamp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The proverbial "undercard" of the College Football Bowl season continues to play out and the game are thrilling. The "we don't need these games" fall on deaf ears for players and teams that this is the best they can reach. Like Western Kentucky, Conference USA contenders and now Famous Toastery Bowl Champions. What made their effort special was 24 unanswered points over the last 15 minutes coming back from 28-0 and 35-14 led by our Sportsman of the Week at the helm. Caden Veltkamp threw with accuracy and deadly results in bringing the Hilltoppers back to win in overtime 38-35 over the Old Dominion Monarchs. Veltkamp through early and often, 52 attempts with 40 connected and 383 yards and 5 TDs. He also ran another 19 times meaning 71 plays it was him for 400+ yards. And oh I mentioned, a Famous Toastery Bowl victory, the most important thing. Caden Veltkamp is a worthy Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week! <p></p>longhorndavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775210122920871817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048189364778695654.post-58198702829009554842023-12-19T20:06:00.003-06:002023-12-19T20:06:57.278-06:00Sportsman of the Week Ending 12/17/2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYp7wEikWDZg8kQdjh_r_N37Rg8dAqSVGLaauIvXtuGyD_GfLj316FqeFPuoULafGCMG7Luyjhkp743K92BunLm6FpzOuaalLXRjFprVUlMSrRYurpfBlAYl7Vp811TiwCWcWgQG4PpAkaDLxsMqSfTVCbfebSpJX7LG0BXm2BcoiZcxKs2IVz4pRXW_N/s1200/619Rickey_Hunt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYp7wEikWDZg8kQdjh_r_N37Rg8dAqSVGLaauIvXtuGyD_GfLj316FqeFPuoULafGCMG7Luyjhkp743K92BunLm6FpzOuaalLXRjFprVUlMSrRYurpfBlAYl7Vp811TiwCWcWgQG4PpAkaDLxsMqSfTVCbfebSpJX7LG0BXm2BcoiZcxKs2IVz4pRXW_N/s320/619Rickey_Hunt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" as played on ESPN commercials and Christman music channels alike, the first alluding to College Football Bowl season. In what some considered a golden age of college football in the 70s and 80s there would be a dozen or so games and all the teams were the top national teams. In current times, there are 41 Bowl Games featuring 82 FBS Teams exceedingly more than half of the teams and more than what some consider a fair share of 6-6 teams. I say let's feast. Especially the weekend before Christmas, give me all the Group of Five Conference Teams I didn't see during the regular season. Fitting the bill is Mid-Atlantic Conference power Ohio University Bobcats. As underdogs in the Myrtle Beach Bowl against the Georgia Southern Eagles, our Sportsman of the Week dominated the game and made it a blowout. Freshman running back Rickey Hunt channeled other legendary college football running backs like Ricky Watters and Ricky Williams to surge for 115 yards on 17 carries and 4 TDs in a 41-21 romp. Hunt added a TD reception to make it five TDs on the day guiding Ohio to its fifth straight Bowl win, and a 10-win season. This after a number of key regular season players did not participate as they opted for the Portal. Don't bet against Ohio nor Hunt, a worthy Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!<p></p>longhorndavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775210122920871817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048189364778695654.post-66889494162369293662023-12-13T20:21:00.001-06:002023-12-13T20:21:24.695-06:00Sportsman of the Week Ending 12/10/2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EyJ4TpMSu4MGUUjrpvfyQCbrHx1s42HpmoCM1Li7C5Lj6ilFcvxC78uvhgwFvjHMnRMuLuCjNkQp61vcjlj5jJlTXHJpFRxepBOq5RUXfpyEL7OQ1ICQkazpt8rR_4j44Erto0Nn_0l-j01vAK4HXWaQPwrtFcBW31QQVBbnbSsIgulxJHKYIJQLan51/s512/618Tylan_Wallace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="512" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EyJ4TpMSu4MGUUjrpvfyQCbrHx1s42HpmoCM1Li7C5Lj6ilFcvxC78uvhgwFvjHMnRMuLuCjNkQp61vcjlj5jJlTXHJpFRxepBOq5RUXfpyEL7OQ1ICQkazpt8rR_4j44Erto0Nn_0l-j01vAK4HXWaQPwrtFcBW31QQVBbnbSsIgulxJHKYIJQLan51/s320/618Tylan_Wallace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The stretch run for the NFL playoffs is hitting the quarter pole and the AFC race is up for grabs. On the inside track after Sunday are the Baltimore Ravens thanks to a thrilling overtime victory. The sudden death win was made possible by an unlikely source, Tylan Wallace. Wallace took a Los Angeles Rams punt down the left sideline for 76 yards and the first touchdown of his career. On the third punt return of his career. Maybe the Rams weren't expecting it. But no matter, Wallace's miracle return rendered a win for the Ravens to push them to 10-3 and top seed in the AFC and tied for best record in the NFL. Tylan Wallace is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!<p></p>longhorndavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775210122920871817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048189364778695654.post-46839113971730331002023-12-05T22:34:00.004-06:002023-12-05T22:34:44.877-06:00Sportsman of the Week Ending 12/3/2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ttnvltOE3xQD7n4Jn_EKJSbYHGYfT9RZMXQ9urftBtEBjEUJb5oYwMeHZFjViFKHoVH9sQVXfjCq0SLfjhrnilKzjiTruQAxy0jxiUnQwr9XJ1NVEGIKy929mwAhtxNC__2WjigBWQkHBHfaWuLf9-6eeVijmOcNNu-LCiCdfnPwmcKY5QZ4hRtm4cTZ/s740/617Michael_Penix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="740" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ttnvltOE3xQD7n4Jn_EKJSbYHGYfT9RZMXQ9urftBtEBjEUJb5oYwMeHZFjViFKHoVH9sQVXfjCq0SLfjhrnilKzjiTruQAxy0jxiUnQwr9XJ1NVEGIKy929mwAhtxNC__2WjigBWQkHBHfaWuLf9-6eeVijmOcNNu-LCiCdfnPwmcKY5QZ4hRtm4cTZ/s320/617Michael_Penix.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />One of the best storylines of the 2023 College Football season was the Pac 12 strength and more specifically, the Washington Huskies emergence as the final Pac 12 Champion beating the Oregon Ducks 34-31. For the second season in a row, Michael Penix Jr. flashed his elite left arm in big games, this time completing a 13-0 regular season and College Football Playoff berth for the Huskies. Penix Jr. beat the Oregon Ducks for the second time this season throwing for a tough 319 yards and a TD, putting up 34 points against Oregon, registering 31+ point tallies against the Ducks for the second time this season. The Ducks didn't give up more than 30 in any other game. Penix Jr. finishes the year with 4218 yards and 33 TDs ending in an invitation to New York for the Heisman Trophy. On to the Sugar Bowl for the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!<p></p>longhorndavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775210122920871817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048189364778695654.post-2450265428571020252023-11-27T21:33:00.002-06:002023-11-27T21:44:39.711-06:00Sportsman of the Week Ending 11/26/2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKr2c7DbVPbZjTGuNAjJdHEJzNz3QhaSFYFMVFbtddn4-jtCBXxwAHlQ4M201Da9E15T5g4BT5WQlRj_9Dt32Qq5Ad5LK13G3X2pdedft715DQkD9g4bWQGgzGecriUctMyJaZAPwqc68rrO_OKD15LqG83wnbrY0HaDg-paj2v2sdK7paC8aJVt_QBNf/s300/616DaRon_Bland.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKr2c7DbVPbZjTGuNAjJdHEJzNz3QhaSFYFMVFbtddn4-jtCBXxwAHlQ4M201Da9E15T5g4BT5WQlRj_9Dt32Qq5Ad5LK13G3X2pdedft715DQkD9g4bWQGgzGecriUctMyJaZAPwqc68rrO_OKD15LqG83wnbrY0HaDg-paj2v2sdK7paC8aJVt_QBNf/w400-h224/616DaRon_Bland.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Thanksgiving in the United States is synonymous with football. And in the NFL, that includes America's Team, the Dallas Cowboys. Since the early 1960s the Cowboys always play the late afternoon time slot as families settle into their dinner routine. This year, they were delivered an extra side of sweetness by DaRon Bland. As the Cowboys completely outclassed their primary historic rival Washington (nee) Redskins, Bland set an all-time NFL record for interceptions for a touchdown. Talking history. Deion. Hayes. Woodson. Revis. Green. Bland (ironic name) was not that in his FIFTH return for a TD with just under 5 minutes left in the game. With six more games, he could extend his record. Is this the Cowboys year? It's been a couple of decades. They wuill need their defense to be shut down and score and it just might be so. DeRon Bland is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!<p></p>longhorndavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775210122920871817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048189364778695654.post-40818812667908479312023-11-21T18:37:00.000-06:002023-11-21T18:37:01.929-06:00Sportsman of the Week Ending 11/19/2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1n4WJI2_wSYDy_AsuKf0woiDAjV5uIuhFShWlBa83vDrIIYzLft3bjeV4U-ouO_7z3nKeYwF3y9U__fM7Nhyt3IoNQvUB3tw1naTK3r5DDUTta8tox0FktngvgHFdb2NR45zjx05D_dAlN7WIxmLTqnIMdupRL1jG2SjjLUa93WsmKeT9halxSMOcYP2Y/s1280/615Brock_Purdy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1n4WJI2_wSYDy_AsuKf0woiDAjV5uIuhFShWlBa83vDrIIYzLft3bjeV4U-ouO_7z3nKeYwF3y9U__fM7Nhyt3IoNQvUB3tw1naTK3r5DDUTta8tox0FktngvgHFdb2NR45zjx05D_dAlN7WIxmLTqnIMdupRL1jG2SjjLUa93WsmKeT9halxSMOcYP2Y/s320/615Brock_Purdy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The NFL season moves to crunch time as games remaining are dwindling and playoff position is at a premium. In a season in which most teams have 2 or more losses, seeding will be key. The San Francisco 49ers have one of the most talented rosters in the NFC and after hitting the skids midseason, seem to be hitting their stride. Thanks to their unassuming superstar QB Brock Purdy. Purdy emerged last year after poor performance and injury rendered him the starter and he delivered. The Iowa State product with polished skills across the board continues to produce. This week in a must win before a tough stretch of schedule, Purdy scored a perfect QB rating at 158.3 in a dominant performance defeating the plucky Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-14. Purdy threw 25 times only missing four. Totaling 333 yards (well over 10 yards per pass and 15 yards per completion) and 3 TDs. He led the Niners to the NFC Championship game last year and they seemed poised for a potential rematch against the Philadelphia Eagles this year and Purdy can't wait for revenge after being knocked out of last year's blowout. For now, Brock Purdy is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!<p></p>longhorndavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775210122920871817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048189364778695654.post-69315390275799280232023-11-13T21:14:00.002-06:002023-11-13T21:14:49.112-06:00Sportsman of the Week Ending 11/12/2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOOyZ-zNhro4bU-s5D1jUBbNIlDAnH4M_RNm50ooESmJvIawvUq7Wt2v8pSZom1Xl4Hg-1xCWiKMDiF5TdAQsCtrck0ZX1XwFPQcPMXkDfgI7sHDjEvSesVhLvi2rgQ40UeVM30TCkVelV-B3Y6JviZ-Y2NKkjcznwSPqiCdeGw5JTNmYiKKsFeglZrna/s850/614Jayden_Daniels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="850" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOOyZ-zNhro4bU-s5D1jUBbNIlDAnH4M_RNm50ooESmJvIawvUq7Wt2v8pSZom1Xl4Hg-1xCWiKMDiF5TdAQsCtrck0ZX1XwFPQcPMXkDfgI7sHDjEvSesVhLvi2rgQ40UeVM30TCkVelV-B3Y6JviZ-Y2NKkjcznwSPqiCdeGw5JTNmYiKKsFeglZrna/s320/614Jayden_Daniels.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The college football season is hitting a crescendo for the Playoffs, but I believe it's time we look beyond playoff contenders for Heisman favorites. Look no further than Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Senior Louisiana State QB Jayden Daniels is dominating the SEC and rewriting record books. And he's the definition of dual threat. And both he goes for big yards. On Saturday against formidable, if not ranked, Florida, Daniels tallied off 372 yards passing on just 26 attempts for nearly 15 yards a drop back. And when he wasn't throwing, he'd run for 234 on 12 carries for 19.5 yards per tote. He's third in the country in passing behind last year's Heisman winner and another favorite for this year. He's nearing 1000 yards, top 30 in the country. He's a weapon and while LSU won't win the SEC, he deserves to be in New York and perhaps, raising that large trophy. Jayden Daniels is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!<p></p>longhorndavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775210122920871817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048189364778695654.post-22236652508437273322023-11-06T19:13:00.001-06:002023-11-06T19:13:12.480-06:00Sportsman of the Week Ending 11/5/2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdyT66Y3D8wePaqe_TGwtKDXHOo963Os3pI4OqgvdI0Y46uRw4JmSyvdw0rVHIhTi5oWVXVbxXl0nUuQgwD3r-mqvXF6fCk1nGGENA17NrOMfN8GJSJtiXjDmyzCwfOraxxqSZXhwJ20srMyH7E_fEXzeFz8ykybYJkCW55qFOns0VOpkGk9NK207w_q_/s2000/613Ollie_Gordon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdyT66Y3D8wePaqe_TGwtKDXHOo963Os3pI4OqgvdI0Y46uRw4JmSyvdw0rVHIhTi5oWVXVbxXl0nUuQgwD3r-mqvXF6fCk1nGGENA17NrOMfN8GJSJtiXjDmyzCwfOraxxqSZXhwJ20srMyH7E_fEXzeFz8ykybYJkCW55qFOns0VOpkGk9NK207w_q_/s320/613Ollie_Gordon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />An epic week and weekend in sports was highlighted by great NFL matchups, the World Series, the Breeders Cup, and college football. It's the latter we focus on and in particular, Bedlam. The Bedlam football series between Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys has taken place for 1xx years, even longer than Oklahoma was a state. And in what may be the final matchup for a while after Sooners chose to leave for the Southeastern Conference, it was the little brother Cowboys who came out on top in front of a frenzied crowd. And the engine that made it happen was all world running back Ollie Gordon II. Gordon II has been epic this season and against the best opponent of the year, put up great numbers. He ran for 137 yards and 2 TD, while catching another pass for over 150 yards total. He's been doing this all year now with 1224 yards without even racking up many in non-conference play as he earned the starting nod. His yardage leads the country. He's averaging 7.0 yards per carry, best of anyone with 125 carries or more. He's doing it all and now Oklahoma State is tied for the conference lead. Ahead of big brother Oklahoma. It doesn't get any better than that, thanks to Ollie Gordon II, the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!<p></p>longhorndavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775210122920871817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048189364778695654.post-40137333499127564352023-11-03T14:20:00.003-05:002023-11-03T14:20:15.397-05:00Sportsman of the Week Ending 10/29/2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QYYOlF7vWhXcRAKAuVyZBaEaC4-CP0rBtFpzZn58H3oaW7EpBZUA1XXrasxIZUH2W4jE0qryTcyxMkYKxVilyqdWzUU_bO86Gvcw1ccDxoLrWQOXHn4iuLVeh6Y2eq6deVMHXvwojsmc5Otx0TIZp5OiP4ajSXYAov3RiPvznDvRQhyJ01Id6cvFGmTs/s275/612Ketel_Marte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QYYOlF7vWhXcRAKAuVyZBaEaC4-CP0rBtFpzZn58H3oaW7EpBZUA1XXrasxIZUH2W4jE0qryTcyxMkYKxVilyqdWzUU_bO86Gvcw1ccDxoLrWQOXHn4iuLVeh6Y2eq6deVMHXvwojsmc5Otx0TIZp5OiP4ajSXYAov3RiPvznDvRQhyJ01Id6cvFGmTs/s1600/612Ketel_Marte.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><br />As the MLB League Championship Series wrapped up, a surprise winner on the National League side emerged. Nobody was talking about the Arizona Diamondbacks, the team with the worst record in the playoffs, emerging with the pennant, but that they did. What they lacked in star power was made up for in talent and execution. Execution was the name of the game for Ketel Marte. And consistency. Marte set a postseason record with a 20-game hitting streak. During the week ending Sunday October 29, Marte's Diamondbacks won three out of four games, including the last two of the NLCS to send the defending National League Champions home, and also won Game 2 of the World Series against the Texas Rangers to send it back to Arizona tied (spoiler alert, it didn't go well in the desert). Before the week Marte helped secure the Diamondbacks first win in the series with a walk off hit. Marte ended the week 5/20, 2 two 2B, a triple and 6 critical RBI to clinch Arizona's first pennant since 2001. A surprise story and budding superstar, Ketel Marte is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!<p></p>longhorndavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775210122920871817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048189364778695654.post-60184185445940803572023-10-26T20:36:00.002-05:002023-10-26T20:36:30.349-05:00Sportsman of the Week Ending 10/22/2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVX1vOYsbghuxhg3aTZCueaiILnsRuyLzzGnmxvgWCCD5TbGB5coy3GlcjVLhMHOfktVaw2YmSMdM6gj2oVDwssFIO8eF2Vnrl8GZYPK522_uBxus5qTUuKHRKfhQAcMZhx4-5ER57PSGayWJGoond1NBIZJhe0KKyJIfa7CRbseW1i26OGqOaWGGub0Oj/s599/611Nathan_Eovaldi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="599" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVX1vOYsbghuxhg3aTZCueaiILnsRuyLzzGnmxvgWCCD5TbGB5coy3GlcjVLhMHOfktVaw2YmSMdM6gj2oVDwssFIO8eF2Vnrl8GZYPK522_uBxus5qTUuKHRKfhQAcMZhx4-5ER57PSGayWJGoond1NBIZJhe0KKyJIfa7CRbseW1i26OGqOaWGGub0Oj/s320/611Nathan_Eovaldi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />What a week of League Championship Series action in Major League Baseball with road teams dominating, especially on the American League side of the ledger. In a Lone Star showdown the Texas Rangers faced off against the defending World Series Champion Houston Astros in a back yard brawl. The Rangers came out on top, thanks to their defacto ace Nathan Eovaldi. Facing the Astros for the fifth time at Minute Maid Park, he extended his prior success to end the Astros reign. Eovaldi won two starts at Minute Maid Park in Games 2 and 6. 12 2/3 innings, 10 hits, and 5 runs with 13 K. He wasn't perfect, but his team staked him to early leads and he knew what to do with them. Those two wins at the Juice Box propelled the Rangers to their first World Series in 12 years, looking for their first title in franchise history. <p></p>longhorndavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775210122920871817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048189364778695654.post-74506388839159685812023-10-17T21:06:00.000-05:002023-10-17T21:06:05.499-05:00Sportsman of the Week Ending 10/15/2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONbkosbZadwSgykoI8_eg_pw9bAUc2GO9GhV7JS7mhR6Rwnjoq5fSIWLmSQn5EzNeyyXBcmb70pifuXXZhKqs0pfAuBLTWw_R2LYS2hxgv5R0Rq9Df0leo87rnWRilmTYWsrNXrY13Ulxq1cauOE2eQ0BRdpZK8tz2jxwKdhlfadccl-8yHkwfnBW9m0k/s1200/610Elic_Ayomanor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONbkosbZadwSgykoI8_eg_pw9bAUc2GO9GhV7JS7mhR6Rwnjoq5fSIWLmSQn5EzNeyyXBcmb70pifuXXZhKqs0pfAuBLTWw_R2LYS2hxgv5R0Rq9Df0leo87rnWRilmTYWsrNXrY13Ulxq1cauOE2eQ0BRdpZK8tz2jxwKdhlfadccl-8yHkwfnBW9m0k/s320/610Elic_Ayomanor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />This blog has always liked big upsets and nothing is better than an unbelievable performance in such. Stanford pulled of an unbelievable, and improbably upset of Colorado after trailing 29-0 at half time. Being a late game on a Friday night, few fans stayed up. But they should have. Stanford went full video game mode in the second half, scoring the first 26 points, then the last the last 10. Of those 36 points, Stanford WR Elic Ayomanor scored 14 of them. He scored another TD in overtime and ended the night with 294 yards on 13 catches, including a 97 yard grab and run. And he did it all, catches in traffic, catches and make a guy miss, and there was nothing the Buffs could do about it. The sheen is off the Buffaloes, but credit to Stanford and credit to Ayomanor, the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week! <p></p>longhorndavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775210122920871817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048189364778695654.post-75790883465507638072023-10-04T22:12:00.002-05:002023-10-04T22:13:33.003-05:00Sportsman of the Week Ending 10/1/2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYupbxQ-vOlBvZnRnGp-2jeXa8sxEYZReSDEPxdINYInQZTK0UT6k4eUdwwKBp7W2UtIDVqHSEZxSzGSobqFM9CKxKo_BtRunp1evf6U8BxfwWz60xu4CiSOrLWWHMrcBBZXFkDp5ympVRRtlREF_8hBCV16-pX8gjTkwINm6wIqQMtL8-uvNhqlIgrdhE/s1280/609Christian_McCaffrey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYupbxQ-vOlBvZnRnGp-2jeXa8sxEYZReSDEPxdINYInQZTK0UT6k4eUdwwKBp7W2UtIDVqHSEZxSzGSobqFM9CKxKo_BtRunp1evf6U8BxfwWz60xu4CiSOrLWWHMrcBBZXFkDp5ympVRRtlREF_8hBCV16-pX8gjTkwINm6wIqQMtL8-uvNhqlIgrdhE/s320/609Christian_McCaffrey.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Parity may be the rule of the 2023 NFL season, but a familiar team from recent and historical playoffs is dominating. Thanks to a superstar running back that positions the San Francisco 49ers to be one of the most dangerous teams of the year. Christian McCaffrey has entered, or really continued, his prime in which he is borderline unstoppable. MVP unstoppable if voters will look past quarterbacks. McCaffrey shredded the Arizona Cardinals for an easy 106 yards on 20 carries and 3 touchdowns in a 35-16 Niners victory. His longest run was 18 yards so that wasn't padded by a breakaway. Add to that a game leading 7 catches (one for a TD) for another 71 yards (with longest also under 20 yards). He basically was an automatic 10 yard weapons just get him the ball. This isn't Christian McCaffrey's first Sportsman of the Week and may not be his last!<p></p>longhorndavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775210122920871817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048189364778695654.post-47870783748102190222023-09-25T21:39:00.007-05:002023-10-04T22:10:31.514-05:00Sportsman of the Week Ending 9/24/2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixe4URKpANGCSXqHRcyZlO3pQnzXReH2j6l1R7Lfg9tJ3yGUbNbZJeJ8r62KHeKVMT76T_amfFFLjTXwdOQvA1BzjaiexFIyEjHexIjty5BmRcaMk69crZCa8nKEXTy762yvIlUoUL43r5iKLEegPxw3-Ho6hqUElTI_IP4SCPahmFPcQQstIQJSyujvtL/s260/608Devon_Achane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="260" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixe4URKpANGCSXqHRcyZlO3pQnzXReH2j6l1R7Lfg9tJ3yGUbNbZJeJ8r62KHeKVMT76T_amfFFLjTXwdOQvA1BzjaiexFIyEjHexIjty5BmRcaMk69crZCa8nKEXTy762yvIlUoUL43r5iKLEegPxw3-Ho6hqUElTI_IP4SCPahmFPcQQstIQJSyujvtL/w320-h239/608Devon_Achane.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />After a week hiatus due to personal circumstances, we animate the Blog again. The story of the NFL was blowouts, and none were bigger than the upstart Miami Dolphins looking like a Don Shula dominant Super Bowl team like they haven't in 40 years. A surprise star thrashed the Denver Broncos defense for one of the greatest offensive games of all time. Rookie De'Von Achane made his NFL statement in his third NFL game by lighting up the scoreboard in a 70-20 beat down. 18 carries, 203 yards, and 2 TDs on the ground. 4 catches for 30 yards and two more TDs receiving. So 22 touches, 4 TD, that's a pretty good ratio. Achane was overlooked as a third-round pick projected to be a utility back return guy but may be the key to a Miami Dolphins TD run with a loaded offense. Achane is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!<p></p>longhorndavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775210122920871817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9048189364778695654.post-59489006674469374062023-09-11T19:09:00.004-05:002023-09-11T19:09:44.497-05:00Sportswoman of the Week Ending 9/10/2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pIP1ge1BveK4v1-krWe-5Aem-scHiR1x1QfjULB1hBm7WuCpiaJ0g8HTGwXsh3-ECoaYUVpyCuFvLlwzfVuYB1zoB5Ou308somxf_DgK5L3uhLw1bv5gCFjsxCYHpVt23f-2IZsZ6tBP-Bb38x2JEcCr-kt5xTv03DfhOEV0RIIiaYBYkTgRjAC6E0AJ/s1280/607Coco_Gauff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pIP1ge1BveK4v1-krWe-5Aem-scHiR1x1QfjULB1hBm7WuCpiaJ0g8HTGwXsh3-ECoaYUVpyCuFvLlwzfVuYB1zoB5Ou308somxf_DgK5L3uhLw1bv5gCFjsxCYHpVt23f-2IZsZ6tBP-Bb38x2JEcCr-kt5xTv03DfhOEV0RIIiaYBYkTgRjAC6E0AJ/s320/607Coco_Gauff.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />A changing of the guard took place right before our eyes on Saturday and a previously dominant sports entity is back. No, we are not talking about the Texas Longhorns upset of Alabama. But rather, American Ladies Tennis with a new superstar poised to pick up where her foremothers went before. Coco Gauff put on an absolute display of talent and grit over the two weeks of the US Open to bring home the first trophy for an American teenage lady since a Williams Sister. And the 19-year-old did it the hard way. In seven rounds she dropped the first set three times, including the opening set of the tournament. But battle back she did, beating four Top 32 opponents and riding the momentum of the roaring American Crowd in Flushing defeating two seeded Aryna Sabalenka for the title. This won't be the last time we hear her name; Coco is the future of American ladies' tennis.<p></p>longhorndavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08775210122920871817noreply@blogger.com0