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I mention St. Louis only because
they’re the only area team that is still sporting any postseason
aspirations. I haven’t given up on the White Sox or the Cubs, but I
think they surrendered for their fans several weeks ago. I do like
the look of the future Cubs, but I’m not too happy with the
direction the White Sox are going.
As I write this segment of the
"Mutterings," the Cards, on the other hand, are coming off their
first four-game sweep of the Pirates in Pittsburg since 1971! Then
they went to Boo-Bird land, otherwise known as the city of Brotherly
Love (apparently they didn’t get that moniker from the sports fans)
and amazingly took two out of three up there this weekend. Jason
Simontacchi and Matt Morris turned in tremendous outings once again.
It was really good to see Jason get back on track. He had been
pretty brutal of late after carrying the staff and the Redbirds for
most of the first half of the season.
If Woody Williams can now come back at
full strength, I feel much better about the Cards chances of hanging
on. If he doesn’t come all the way back, expect this race to go to
the wire. Houston has been red-hot since the All-Star break, and the
Reds just won’t go away. If Bob Boone does not get some votes for
manager of the year, you can pretty well be assured that the writers
were too busy playing golf and not paying attention to baseball at
all.
By the way, if the players strike, you
will see no further mention of baseball in this column… period. And
if I’m terminated, that’s great with me. The only baseball news
you’ll get in this great paper will be the news that our editors
will link for you. I have no sympathy for either group, the owners
or the players. But anybody that makes as much as both of those
groups does and then treats fans like myself the way they do
deserves nothing from me.
There was a time when I went to a dozen
or more baseball games a season. Since 1994 that number has dwindled
to two a year. If there is a strike this year, they will likely
NEVER get me back. I use that word guardedly because IF my son begs
me to take him to one, I probably will cave… BUT that is likely the
ONLY way that they will get me back.
I think they have already lost
thousands of great fans, and if they think they haven’t, they are
ONLY fooling themselves. After 9-11 and with the economy struggling
like it is, the very threat of a strike is a slap in our faces. BUT,
if you’re surprised by their attitudes, you shouldn’t be. Neither
side has shown any allegiance to the "true" fans for years!!!
Needless to say, you will see no
updates of the issues here either because in my mind, there are no
issues. My answer to the whole thing — to resolve the things that
keep the sides apart: Shut up and play ball! With that result,
everyone wins!!!
Also as I write, Justin Leonard-Rich
Beem and Fred Funk all sit atop the leader board at the last major
of the year, the PGA. But Tiger is lurking. And if you’ve ever
glanced at the "Mutterings" before, you should know to NEVER count
Mr. Woods out! Although he has never won a major coming from behind
like this. But there has to be a first time for everything… at
least, that’s what my mother used to say!
I’m anxious to get caught up and to see
how the Railers and the Illini are looking in preseason camp. It
won’t be long now.
I am happy to report that the Bears
like the LDN and the LDN likes the Bears. Incredibly, someone from
their organization is cyber-friendly, and Chicago has invited us to
be part of the Bears’ Champaign party this year in the twin cities.
As always, we won’t let you loyal readers down, and we’ll try to
bring you as many inside scoops as is humanly possible.
[to top of second column in this
article] |
The Sporting News lists the Illini at
No. 24, but Illinois is conspicuously absent from most top-25
rankings. I assume that is because the pollsters don’t think we’ll
be as good without Kurt Kittner at QB. I have to agree that he has
big shoes to fill. But, don’t be surprised if the Illini don’t go at
least 7-4. I know that is not as good as the 10-win season they put
up a year ago, but remember how many games they won in the fourth
quarter. I think it was something like five fourth-quarter wins —
games they not only won but came from behind to do so.
Maybe their absence in the ratings will
give them a chip on their shoulder. The defense was pretty decent
last year, and if it could get to the point where it became
stifling, then maybe they could nurse the offense along to the point
where they could even become a lot better than people, including me,
expect! The potential is certainly there with 14 lettermen
returning. An outstanding kicking game, especially in the punting
department, could loom as the difference-maker for this year’s
Fighting Illini!
Railer, Lynx, Angel and Illini
volleyball should also be in camp by now, not to mention Hartsburg
and Mount Pulaski too. This could be a great year for area
volleyball squads.
Local reader John Welter was like Craig
Zastrow and me — quick to spot Lincoln’s Andy King early in the
Bears’ 19-17 victory over the Super Bowl runner-up Rams on Friday
night.
Both teams looked pretty good. This
writer was especially pleased with the Bears’ early creativity and
innovativeness. If coach Shoop can continue to improve his play
calling, it could really help the Bears as they tackle a much
tougher schedule this year. One of the few complaints levied at the
Bears last year was that they were too predictable when they had the
ball.
Also, don’t be surprised if the raucous
crowds in Champaign don’t become a factor in some games. Heck, the
Bears may never want to leave the friendly confines of Memorial
Stadium! And I for one hope they don’t!!!
I also want to go on record again this
year by saying that even though the critics love to rip head coach
Dick Jauron, I really like the guy. I think he is MUCH smarter than
most of those critics think he is. That does not mean that I agree
with EVERYTHING he does. But maybe he doesn’t agree with everything
I do either!!!
Back to King… Everything I have read
points to King not being left out by the Rams when they go to making
their cuts. Conventional wisdom says that he probably won’t make
their official squad, although Andy will work hard like he always
has to make it, but that he likely will find a place on their
practice squad. Should that happen and he continues to impress, you
never know when his chance will come. Linemen get injured a lot, so
maybe he’ll get an opportunity quicker than everyone thinks!
It’s time to
get back to school. Always one of my favorite times of the year!
Seeing everybody again, getting caught up on all the things that
happened or didn’t happen during the summer, meeting the new kids (I
inserted that one because I was often the new kid — and to
you people who are good at including the new kids, thank you; it
makes a huge difference and doesn’t really cost you anything), and
just getting back into the routine. One thing parenthood teaches you
is how important good routines are. Here’s hoping that all of you
get the school year off on the right foot!
[Jeff
Mayfield]
[July 29 Mutterings: "Quick
mutterings"]
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