TIME FOR SOME ANSWERS TO SOME QUERKY SPORTS THOUGHTS

With all the sports seasons colliding at the same time, now might be a good time to sort through some of the myths about sports and teams and see who they really are.

For instance, the Dallas Cowboys have been called "America's Team" for quite a while now.  Actually, it couldn't be further from the truth.  While the Cowboys are the only NFL team to record 20 straight winning seasons (from 1966 to 1985) during which they missed the playoffs only twice (1974 and 1984), they have not been a superior team.  The last time Dallas made it to the Super Bowl was in 1996, when they played in Super Bowl XXX against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cowboys won 27-17 for their 5th Super Bowl Championship.  So, it's been 29 years since Dallas was on top.  Altogether now, let's say it.....they are not America's Team anymore.  And we can thank owner Jerry Jones for that.     

No Jerry, you are not #1 

It used to be if the New York Yankees weren't in the World Series it wasn't an official championship.  That notion came from the Bronx Bombers dominance.  Last year the Yanks made it back to the Fall Classic losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers four games to one.  Prior to that though, it had been 15 years since the Yankees were in the Series.  The Philadelphia Phillies were their foe in 2009 when they won world title number 27.    

A number of pro football fans have become fed up with the constant dribble of mega-star Taylor Swift and all-pro TE Travis Kelce.  Many have suggested Swift is a distraction to her newly engaged partner.  In truth, it's more likely we football crazies are the more distracted.  I'm part of that group.  Swift has attended 16 Kansas City Chief games between September 2023 and the 2025 Super Bowl, during which Kansas City won 13 games and lost 3, securing a remarkable 81%-win rate in her presence.  It seems this duo is going to entertain us for at least one more season.  That is, if Kelce retires after this season.    

It was Game 1 of the 1936 Stanley Cup playoffs and a game featuring the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Maroons.  The game began at 8:30 p.m. at the Forum in Montreal and ended at 2:25 a.m.  176 MINUTES!!  Mud Bruneteau, a rookie who had been called up two weeks earlier, scored at 16:30 of the sixth overtime, beating Maroon goaltender Lorne Chabot to win the game, 1-0.  Red Wing goalie, Normie Smith earned the shutout win with more than 90 saves.  The date-March 24th 1936.  Info courtesy of the Detroit Free Press.  

How about some strangeness in the basketball world?  The first dunk in a game came from George Mikan in 1944.  This past regular season saw that part of the game explode with some unusual numbers.  Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers was at the head of the class with 173 dunks. He shot 55.1% from the field.  No wonder.    

You want greatness?  The UCLA Bruins men's basketball program was darn near unbeatable in the 1960's and 70's.  John Wooden led the Bruins to 10 national titles in 12 seasons from 1964 to 1975.  They won seven straight from 1967-1973 and went undefeated a record four times during that run.  

Now for some quick facts:  

Golf was the first sport played on the moon by Apollo 14 astronaut Alan Shepard in 1971.

There are over 8,000 plus sports played around the world!  Despite this, there were only 33 sports played at the Olympics in 2021.

The world record for the most number of non-stop push-ups is 10,507 by Minoru Yoshida of Japan. He accomplished that feat in 1980.  

Hmmmm.  Wonder how many I could do?  Don't laugh, how about you?  

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?

I've taken a couple of weeks off to digest college and pro football training camps.  I've read at nauseam the analysts take on who's going to win the National Championship and the Super Bowl.   More often than not, I wonder what they're smoking.  Maybe that's why fans are so off kilter with realistic expectations for their teams.  Because it sure seems like they've gotten their share of secondhand smoke.    

Singing to the high heavens (courtesy of Gameday Gallery}

It's common place to be thrilled about the coming football season. In college, if your team returns a number of great players and hit on some new recruits, you're no doubt excited.   Professionally, if your team made some trades, added a couple of nice draft picks or grabbed a free agent or two you should be pumped.  But tap the brakes of reality.  Training camp is essentially that.  Some rise to the surface, but more often than not, camp excitables are just that.  Many are never heard from again. 

How many of the 136 eligible Division 1 teams and how many of the 32 professional ballclubs are realistically all in on a run for the title?  That's where your thinking should start before you go head over heels about your team.  Of the 136 only 12 make it to the college playoffs.  That's a 0.088 chance you have in seeing the promised land.  In professional football your odds a quite a bit better.  Of the 32, 14 make the playoffs, a 43 percent chance.  

Let's tackle the pro's first.  Yes, there might be a 43 percent possibility of reaching post-season play...but those numbers are very, very misleading.  I had an NFL scout tell me a number of years ago, " you'd be surprised of the NFL teams that are truthfully in it for the prize.  If you watch how their front office works, you can easily see if they're in it to win.  The teams that show risk, creativity and spend wisely are usually going to make post-season.  "The others, clearly have no chance".   Why is that?  Is it more important for ownership to keep moving up the potential sale price of their team or truly play for the fan base?  

Let's take the New York Jets for example.  They haven't made the playoffs in 14 years.  That's the longest current drought in the NFL.  The Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons are next with 7.  It would be easy to say that many teams are making the playoffs.  But making and having a serious shot

are two different things.  

   

So, with that being said, here are my projections for the coming NFL season.  In the AFC, I think it's truly time for the Buffalo Bills to make their way to the Super Bowl.  And this time to win it!  Baltimore will be a tough out and so of course will the Kansas City Chiefs.  They always are.  And then maybe Denver or Houston.  Home field advantage might have more of a play into the AFC entrant into the Super Bowl than it ever has.  Then there's the injury bug.  If anyone of those teams loses their star quarterback, they're toast.  None of them has a capable backup. 

In the NFC, things become a little more interesting.  Yes, Philly could repeat, or Washington makes a real run.  If the Commanders don't solve their WR Terry McLaurin contract issue, then they're out.  The North could offer any of the four teams in the division.  Yes, any of the four.  Without question, this is the toughest four team division.  Other than that, Tampa Bay may have an outside chance and the LA Rams, if they get Matthew Stafford healthy, they could be considered a threat.  In the end, I think the Eagles are back in the Super Bowl.  My dark horse is Washington.  But how can you root for a team with a head coach that has his hat on backwards?  That of course would be the Commanders Dan Quinn. I could be mistaken but I believe he is the only head coach in a major sport that wears his hat backwards. Something to me just doesn't look right with that from the leader of your team.  That's just me.  

In college, the new expanded playoffs were to offer some changes as to who could make a run to the National Championship.  I'm thinking not.  There might be an outsider or two that makes the final 12 but only because it's designed that way.  The field will no doubt come down to Texas, Ohio State, Penn State (as much as I hate to say it), LSU, Clemson, Notre Dame or Oregon. Three of those teams spent crazy money in the NIL world.  Texas was first, followed by Texas Tech, Ohio State and Oregon.  

As I said earlier, the teams with the best likelihood to win are those being led by front offices or administration's that aren't looking to compete, they're looking to win.  That's their bottom line and in the end, it will no doubt boost their bottom line, financially.  That's how the game is being played today.  Texas and Oregon in the National Championship.  And the Longhorns reel in the top prize.

ADDED NOTE:

For a year and a half now, I've heard nothing but criticism of the Bears QB Caleb Williams.  Considering the pathetic team around him last year, I believe he showed some nice signs of being a top-rated NFL signal caller.  Now, with new head Coach Ben Johnson at the helm, you're going to see some further growth in his abilities.   And that's why Ben is called, "the QB Whisperer".  Go Bears....

        

FRESHMAN MIGHT BE THE KEY TO HAWKEYE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM 2025-26 SEASON

Last week I traveled to Iowa City to see the Hawkeye Women showcase their last summer practice session and media opportunity for the summer.  It was Coach Jan Jensen's last of four such looks at what the upcoming season might offer.  I wasn't quite sure what to expect with five new faces on the roster.  I will say, it was eye-opening.  

After an hour-long work on fundamentals, the doors were opened to the media to see the team run through different sets, i.e. passing to the post and half-court defense.  Coach Jensen spent a good deal of time fine-tuning what she was going to demand from her second-year squad.  I expected to spend much of my time watching Hannah Stuelke (just back from her Team USA Gold Medal win at the AmeriCup Tournament in Santiago, Chile) and highly touted freshman, Addie Deal.  Boy, was I wrong.   

What I was most intrigued by was the amount of work done with post players Ava Heiden and Layla Hays.  Heiden was a huge factor in Iowa's late season success.  She showed she'd arrived and was ready to play some big-time basketball.  The early season looks like she is ready to explode to another level.  The real bonus, though, might be freshman, Layla Hays.  Hays, a highly touted 6-5 post player from Alaska could be the biggest surprise of all.  Let me tell you, she will be a hard move off the block for any Hawkeye foe.  She is big, smooth, tough and has some of the biggest legs I've seen on a player not named Audi Crooks of Iowa State.  Hays can hold her own, for sure, and the practice time with her and Heiden going at each other will be a plus for both.      

Another freshman, Journey Houston, a solid wing player from Davenport, was also impactful.  In taking an early look at this season's roster, Houston might have been the 11th player off the bench.  I'm not so sure about that now.  She is completely recovered from a devastating knee injury she suffered late in her junior year.  She is not a slight built player.  She is a solid, 6-0 wing that has a great three-point shot and is known for her slashing ability.  She might make it tough on Coach Jensen to not find her playing time.   

So, by watching Heiden, Hays and Houston, I almost completely forgot the other freshman phenom, Deal.  The 5-Star recruit from California is going to be special.  She might not wow you every minute she's on the court, but she has in her arsenal, a unique ability to hit the court length pass or long distance three-pointer.  That will make her extremely dangerous.  She's going to lull people to sleep....then take over.  Where Iowa was once heavy on Caitlin's efforts, the depth of this year's team and big-time skill at every position on the court, will make the Hawkeyes dangerous.   

Heck, I haven't even mentioned the two transfers into Iowa's program.  Point Guard Chit Chat Wright from Georgia Tech and wing Emely Rodriquez from UCF.  Wright is super quick, is a great passer and has the ability to go outside and hit the 3.  Rodriquez was making the transition at practice of learning a completely new offense.  She seemed a little robotic, but that will all but be eliminated by Big Ten season. Rodriquez has a skill set that hasn't been seen in Iowa City for some time.  That's not to say she's the next coming of Caitlin Clark, she isn't.  But she is only in her 4th year of playing big-time basketball.  Her abilities are endless.

Hayes will be a tough move off the block for Hawk Women

I haven't yet made mention of four contributors from last season.  Taylor McCabe, Kylie Feuerbach, Taylor Stremlow and Teagen Mallegni.  Do McCabe and Feuerbach factor into the starting lineup this year.  I'm not sure.  I think the safest thing to say, it might very well depend on the opponent. If it calls for outside shooting, it's McCabe, if it's defense, it's Kylie.  McCabe is a dangerous three-point weapon and Feuerbach is as tough a defender as there is.   Stremlow will get minutes because she is a dynamo when she plays.  She does so many things so well.  Mallegni has shown a few glimpses but might very well give up some playing time to Houston.  All that will sort itself out in the pre-season games.  By Big Ten season, a shorter rotation will appear.  Injuries though, always present opportunities.  

And then there's Hannah.  She could be primed to return to her early years when she and Clark ran the fast break to perfection.  If she adds a mid-range to her game, she could be destined for a great senior season.     

The remaining players on the roster PG Callie Levin, PG Kennise Johnson and F Jada Gyamfi will be the bench frenzies.  Their job will be to keep the group on task and offer great team chemistry.  And if duty calls, be ready.  

Now that I've had a couple of days to reflect on what I saw last Tuesday, I've come to these thoughts.  Iowa's non-conference season will be tough.  They play UCONN, Baylor, Miami (FL) and Iowa State.  These will be learning opportunities.  It will make them tough and seasoned and I believe, a team that will be hard to defend.  They will be able to play up-tempo, slow down and anything in-between.  Get ready Hawk fans.  Could be an interesting ride in 2025-26.

And don't forget the new faces.  You're gonna like them.

 

   

FINALLY SOME SMARTS WHEN IT COMES TO NATIVE AMERICAN TEAM NICKNAMES

I've watched this nonsense for some time now when it came to renaming teams with a reference to the Native American.  As a Chicago Blackhawks fan, I had dog in the fight.  Sunday, President Donald Trump weighed in with his big stick.  Perhaps he can cause those who felt they were being pushed to making a name change, to wise up.  

"President Trump implored owners of the NFL's Washington Commanders and MLB's Cleveland Guardians to revert to the organizations' old nicknames in a social media post.

Daniel Snyder changed Washington's team name from the Redskins to the Washington Football Team before the start of the 2020 season amid a summer of racial tensions.  The team eventually became the Washington Commanders, and Snyder sold the team to Josh Harris. 

In July 2021, team owner Paul Dolan announced the Cleveland Indians would become the Cleveland Guardians.  Cleveland had been known as the Indians since 1915.  Dolan previously said the decision to explore the name change came from "an awakening or epiphany" after the death of George Floyd".

All of these excuses are bunk.  How can you take a proud nickname of a professional sports team and treat it otherwise?  Both the Redskins and Indians were such. They represented the Redskins and Indians with class.  Their city deserved better.  Their fans deserved better.  And so did their sport. 

    

The Redskin logo designed by a Native American

As a Blackhawks supporter I had some real uneasy moments when this nonsense hit fever pitch.  Despite the uproar, Chicago management remained staunch. They didn't cave to change their nickname and the support they got from the Blackhawks nation was overwhelming.    

"Regardless, the push to keep the Native American team names has been strong, particularly with the Commanders' organization.  Trump already expressed his belief that the Commanders made a mistake when they changed the name from the Redskins. The Washington 'Whatevers' should IMMEDIATELY change their name back to the Washington Redskins Football Team.  There is a big clamoring for this, wrote Ttump on Truth Social on Sunday.   Likewise, so are the Cleveland Indians, one of the six original baseball teams, with a stored past".  The Redskins logo was inspired by Blackfeet Chief John Two Guns White Calf.

I would only hope with Trump jumping into the fray that some strong consideration to change comes.  It's time to take back the names of a couple of proud sports franchises. Actually, it's way past time because it never should have happened.  Trump might have an upper hand in this matter.  He has said he might not support a new stadium being built if a name change doesn't occur.  The new stadium deal involves federal land, though Congress transferred control to the city in January.  However, Congress retains control over the District of Columbia's budget.  

It doesn't make any difference if you're a fan of Donald Trump to agree with what he's suggesting.  It's simply Common Sense.  

"Our great Indian people, in massive numbers want to this to happen.  Their heritage and prestige is systematically being taken away from them.  Times are different now than they were three or four years ago.  We are a Country of passion and common sense.  OWNERS, GET IT DONE!!!"       

Washington officials remain a hard sell on changing the nickname back.  Cleveland remains mum. 

We'll see who blinks.  

IS THIS CAITLIN CLARK BERATING EVER GOING TO END?

I truly hope this is the last time I have to write about the Caitlin Clark saga as to how the WNBA players hate her and try to impose their physical play on her each and every game.   I said I hope, but I know it's not going to happen.  The real question is, where will this mindset take the league?  

"Caitlin Clark is a phenomenon that has changed women's basketball, women's sports and sports, Period", according to USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan.  Brennan hits the issue spot on.  No ifs, ands or buts.  "But what makes her tick?  How did a kid from Iowa become one of the most recognizable athletes in the world?  And what does her presence mean for the future of the WNBA and how we talk about it?"  Brennan's new book, "On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women's Sports", is a classic read.  Brennan's words were calculated and gave a truthful look into what's at stake if changes don't take place in the league.   

"Reports and social media posts indicate that Brennan has been critical of the WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the league's handling of Clark, particularly concerning the physical play she has faced.  Her criticism mainly focuses on what she perceives as a lack of protection for Clark and a missed opportunity by the league to fully embrace and support its rising star".   

For me, the Brennan book further supports my belief that the league should fire Engelbert and completely dismantle and rebuild its officiating crews.  The officials are horrendous, and safety has now become an even bigger issue.  To think the WNBA has a greater issue in this regard than the NBA is mind boggling. 

To see how Ms. Clark is impacting the league, take a gander at this:

"ABC had its most watched WNBA game ever on Sunday when Paige Bueckers and Dallas faced Clark and the Indiana Fever.  Indiana won in a blowout, 102-83, in the first pro matchup between the two-star guards.  The game averaged 2.1 million viewers".  Clark clearly is working her way back from a quad injury but still managed a double-double with 14 points and 13 assists.   

Clark is not only the face of the league on the court, but she is also a slam dunk off it.  Clark has an innate way of being one and two steps ahead of any competition she faces.  She is a marketing guru. Case in point, the upcoming WNBA All-Star game.  At the conclusion of the drafting of players by the captains from each team, Clark and Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx, Clark fired off a jaw-dropper.  

She did what?  Traded me?

"Clark announced on the WNBA Countdown show, she was trading head coach Cheryl Reeve to Collier (who is, of course, her coach in Minnesota) in return for New York Liberty head coach, Sandy Brondello.  While Clark didn't go into too much detail as to why she wanted this trade, it obviously makes sense for Collier to have her own head coach.  But fans were quick to notice that Reeve was notoriously critical about the amount of attention Clark received compared to the rest of the league heading into the Fever's star rookie season.  Not to mention that Reeve was coach of Team USA Olympics squad, from which Clark was infamously snubbed.  Reeve asserts having played no role in that decision.  Her continued criticism of Clark says otherwise.  The look on Reeve's face of Clark's actions definitely will add to their fiery relationship.  I'm not sure if it would be wise to take on Clark.  Caitlin is truly the much bigger commodity.           

When the WNBA season ends and contract talks begin for 2026, it will be interesting to see who carries the biggest stick regarding the league's future.  I have a pretty good idea.  Hey, and if there is a big blowout, Clark can always go start her own league.  I wouldn't put it past her

Enjoy your sports day!!!

    

CARVER-HAWKEYE SEATING GETS A BIG BUMP....FINALLY!!!

Well, it's about time! Let's see if we can have one word express something long, long, long overdue...FINALLY.

The University of Iowa made a decision this past Thursday to change the seating arrangements in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.  Now, students will be closer to the floor and be able to rain down their great support for the Iowa Athletic teams.

"There is nothing like the roar of Carver-Hawkeye Arena", said Director of Athletics Beth Goetz.  "Our fans are the heartbeat of every season, and their unwavering support is felt by our student-athletes and coaches.  We are excited for the upcoming seasons and creating the next wave of unforgettable Hawkeye moments".     

"While the announcement provided the various seating prices for the three winter sports at Car-Hawkeye Arena (Men's and Women's Basketball and Men's Wrestling), potentially the most exciting news in the release was that students will now have the ability to sit behind the south baseline.  

Carver-Hawkeye Arena became a little more rabid

"This will be made possible by installing a courtside riser with a capacity for over 200 individuals, which enhances the in-game atmosphere by bringing students closer to the action and providing additional floor-level concession opportunities. Previously, students were seated far behind the south baseline due to the oval-shaped seating configuration of Carver-Hawkeye Arena". 

This move has been a much-debated topic over the years.  Fans, sportswriters and reporters bought up the home court disadvantage the Hawks have had over the years. Former Athletic Director Gary Barta never seemed to want to address the situation.   Fans were less than satisfied with Barta's complacency.  Their chief argument had to do with Kinnick Stadium that sits south across campus of the basketball arena.  For years, Kinnick has been known as one of the toughest stadiums to play in across the country.  It's known for its raucous crowds and small sidelines which has been a great boost for Hawkeye Football.  "Why can't we make Carver-Hawkeye as tough to play in as Kinnick", was the chief cry from the fan base.  They now have their wish.  

The Women's Basketball team has enjoyed several years of unbelievable support.  The sellout crowds they've enjoyed these last few years have put Iowa on the map of a place to come watch a game.  With added student craziness, look out.  Waiting, waiting is a new and improved Men's Basketball Team.  The seating chart move should help increase their attendance.  

AD Beth Goetz continues to address the sports department in so many good ways.  Was it the perfect marriage when she became AD in 2024?  I'm beginning to think so.   

There are a few items that are moving up the Goetz's ladder for attention.  Will Kirk Ferentz retire at season's end?  Will becoming the top man in Big Ten Football wins and a victory total at years end that would enable him to be elected to the College Football Hall of Fame, finally be enough?   

And then there's Tom Brands.  He might be in the final run of his Hawkeye career as head wrestling coach.  Much bad news these past few weeks are showing cracks in the program.  A once proud Iowa team is finding it real hard to remain in the top 5 nationally.  

FINALLY, I'd love to be a fly on the wall of Dan Gable's sauna at his Iowa City acreage.  He can't be happy.  

AND...may your team play passionately this week and be deserving of your love in SportsRealms.    

  

  

WHERE OH WHERE HAVE THE DRAFT SHOWS GONE?

 

Once upon a time the draft shows for each of the bigger sports had some entertainment and some factual information about the players that were being drafted.  The granddaddy of them all, the NFL continues to provide a pretty good couple of days of interest. Although I don't watch it from beginning to end like I used too, I find myself drawn to watching because of the plethora of information and video provided on each player drafted.  The families and friends are kept in the green room, so the main focus is on the athlete.    

The WNBA draft which was held on April 15th was lacking in so many things, that is except skin.   The ladies showed cleavage in about any way possible.  Dresses were slit up the side to give viewers ample look at their long legs.  Oh, and let's not forget the many ways made possible to showcase their rear ends. I really am concerned whether these players are more interested in their fashion career than they are in playing the game of basketball.  Facebook has become like the tabloid of old, Playboy.  Our culture has given in to this way of life.  Can't say I agree with it.

Next on the agenda was the NBA draft that was held this past Wednesday with the first round.  The second round was shown on Thursday.   Without question, this sport's draft lottery left much to be desired.  Viewers were confused throughout both evenings' coverage as to where the players were being drafted.  If there was a trade involved, the Commissioner and his assistant didn't announce said trade until several selections after the transaction took place.  Not only were viewers trying to figure out who was going where, the ESPN panel of Malika Andrews, Jay Bilas, Kendrick Perkins and Bob Meyers had the same issues.  At one point, Andrews had to look at her notes to make sure she was giving the right information.  It shouldn't be that difficult. What was rather repetitive was the blather of explaining the long roads each of the athletes had taken to get to their dream.  Ok, we get it.  But aren't all those roads long?  Some more than others, no doubt.  There was also way too much overkill with seeing the parents, friends, coaches and girlfriends at their respective tables.  The hands down winner of the evening was Chloe Kitts, of South Carolina, a baller for the Gamecocks Women's team and the steady of #9 selection, Collin Murray-Boyles.  The picture below gives an indication of the distraction she became.  Is she beautiful?  I would say very much so.  But the dress left little for the imagination on a night that clearly should have been Murray-Boyles when he was selected by the Toronto Raptors.     

Her response?  "It's crazy to think that last year we were sitting on the couch watching the draft and you looked at me and said, 'That'll be next year.'"-Kitts wrote on her Instagram accompanied by picture from the Draft Night   Kitts is expected to go high in the 2026 WNBA Draft.  I wonder if Collin will wear anything as revealing as his partner.  To be continued.....   

One more thing on the NBA.  Monica McNutt has to go.  She is a terrible sideline reporter.  Her conversations with the each of the drafted players was stiff and lacking in any substance.  "Tell me what you're thinking?" is not an idea of getting much of any kind of a response back. It might make more sense for a reporter doing the follow up with the athletes to be seated and enable a good, short discussion as to what their mindset is.       

And the night was to be about who?

This past Friday night and Saturday we saw the NHL's version of the Draft.  For me, their coverage has been rocketing up each and every year.  Again, the players are the focus.  The friends and family are present in the stands and give their support when their star's name is called out.  What I found creative was the interview each player had with his new organization after donning their new hat and entering what they called, the War Room.  The back and forth with the newest member of their organization, I found to be refreshing.  The biggest complaint I heard was the length of the first round which many thought far too long.  That's correctable.  I give the NHL an atta boy for thinking outside the box. 

Up next will be the MLB Draft Show on July 13th and 14th in Atlanta at the All-Star Game. I'm not sure what to expect from them this year.  They've shown over the years to be a little less than creative.  Now would be a good time to hit a home run.    I'd have to think the backdrop with the myriad of celebrities on hand would provide for a good show.    Mabe we'll have a little Holiday in Atlanta.  Like in Ethan, the brother of Jackson playing for the Baltimore Orioles and father, Matt, a former Athletic, Rockies and Cardinal player of note.  Ethan might be the first one off the board.  

Let's hope for a little less skin and a little more substance on the players of tomorrow.  As they say.....PLAY BALL!!!