Category: News

Predictions for 2022

Here are a few predictions for 2022, some real and others of the fantasy variety that would make sports in the year ahead a lot more fun.

January: While everyone in Patriot Nation is picking on N’Keal Harry, no one in Patriot Nation notices expensive import tight end Jonnu Smith finishes with more penalties (all senseless and/or ill-timed) and dropped balls than catches.

February: On the strength of a 1,500-yard, 15-TD season Cincy wideout Ja’Marr Chase edges Mac Jones for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

After TB12’s four-interception outing as the Bucs lose to eventual SB winner L.A. in the NFC title game, the Brady-vs.-Belichick chatter finally grinds to a halt.

After he’s named NFL Coach of the Year, Dolphins owner Steve Ross quietly burns the announcement he drafted to fire Brian Flores after his team started in a 1-7 hole before recovering to get into playoff contention in January.

After a chance meeting with Wyc Grousbeck while getting booster shots at Hooksett Walgreens, I convince the Celtics owner to fire Brad Stevens as GM and replace him with me. A day later the NBA announces a shocking four-team trade that lands Jayson Tatum and Ben Simmons in Cleveland, Caris LeVert, Malcolm Brogdon and Lauri Markkanen in Philly, point guard Darius Garland, rookie (second overall pick) center-forward Evan Mobley, PF Domantas Sabonis and the aging and overpaid but still effective Kevin Love in Boston, as the blowing it up Pacers get four first-round picks, Grant Williams, Aaron Nesmith and the expiring contracts of Al Horford.

March: As the new NFL season begins, the Pats finally release N’Keal and put the franchise tag on free agent DB JC Jackson. An “I told you so column” follows, because I said last March they should lock him up less expensively then.

Brady says he’ll retire after 2022 as Yoko holds him to pledge to not play past 45. Joining Brady in the geezer home after 2022 is Dont’a Hightower, who hangs them up after trying to win SB No. 4 in his 11th season.

April: The baseball lockout rages on to blow out opening day. In a shocking draft stunner Bill Belichick trades out of the first round to select a safety in Round 2 of the NFL draft. After doing it in previous years to take the likes of Ras–I Dowling, Duke Dawson, Tavon Willis and other bust-o-ramas, this one actually makes sense with Devin McCourty nearing retirement.

If my fantasy prediction doesn’t come true, the Celtics lose their play-in game to the Knicks, ensuring fan outrage throughout the summer.

May: Baseball owners and players show they aren’t (quite) as dumb as they seem, settling their financial differences in the shadows during a worldwide pandemic.

June: Red Sox reject Hunter Renfroe is five games ahead of Mark McGwire’s pace the year he broke Roger Maris’ homer record.

At 4-5 and ERA in the low fours, Chris Sale has Red Sox Nation thinking the days of domination are gone with $60 large left on the contract.

July: Yours truly is named NBA Executive of the Year for pulling off the best local trade since Theo traded Nomar for Orlando Cabrera, Dave Roberts and good-fielding first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz.

His annual injuries mounting and his trending toward being the next Dwight Howard, Lakers GM/PF LeBron James trades Anthony Davis to Sacramento for the same number of draft picks he gave New Orleans to bring him to L.A.

August: The streaky Renfroe has gone two months without a homer, leaving him 60 games behind McGwire’s pace but still 35 bombs ahead of trade mate Jackie Bradley Jr.

September: Stat geeks continue the embarrassment by insisting to go for it on fourth down every time despite its costing the Chargers a 2021 playoff berth and nearly Cincy as well on Sunday if they hadn’t been the luckiest team in history to be saved from a clueless coach.

October: The Bruins’ season starts on time minus Patrice Bergeron.

JBJR winsThe Mendozza Line Award, given annually to the player with the highest batting average rise above the previous years, after his takes a dramatic 45-point jump to finish the year hitting .207. A, er, steal for bargain-hunter Chaim Bloom at just north of $12 million.

November: Stat geek baseball writers again vote Mike Trout MVP after he leads the AL in WAR, while disregarding the Angels’ finishing 47 games out of a playoff slot.

December: UCLA squares off against Ohio State in the semi-final round of the national college football Championship Tournament at the Rose Bowl. Chip Kelly and Ryan Day are inundated with texts from every freeloader in Manchester who knew them from first grade on trying to get free tickets for the big game. Locals who do get in free are Manchester CC gadfly Matty Welsh, real estate magnate Bill Weidacher and Fratello’s owner Mike McDonough because Matty W doesn’t go anywhere without those two, Kelly’s one-time social studies teacher at Manchester Central Stan Spirou, who’ll be in the Red section though with daughter Nina and the grandkids since he’s also Day’s father-in-law. In a similar which-side-do-I-go fan vice is former West High assistant coach Sean McDonnell, who’ll sit on the UCLA side in the first half to support his former OC at the U and with the Buckeyes in the second half in support of his former three-year starter at QB. Meanwhile the reigning NBA exec of the year gets shut out even though I called Day’s entire career at the U on TV and schooled Chipper back in the day on low post scoring in the late Carignan Men’s Basketball League.

Write of passage

NH Poet Laureate guides magazine by teens, for teens

Under the Madness is a new magazine, designed and managed by an editorial board of New Hampshire teens under the mentorship of New Hampshire State Poet Laureate Alexandria Peary, featuring creative writing by teens from all over the world. Submissions are being accepted now for the first issue, set to be published in February. Peary discussed the magazine and the importance of providing opportunities for young writers to be published.

How and why was the magazine started?

The magazine began as an offshoot of the 2021 North Country Young Writers’ Festival. It just felt like a natural outgrowth … of the festival. I held an initial meeting at last May’s festival so students from across the state could hear about this exciting opportunity, and most of the editorial staff were participants at the festival. The intent is to provide New Hampshire teens with leadership opportunities in the creative arts and to empower them to make decisions benefiting fellow teens.

What is your role?

My official title is editor in chief, but what I do is mentor the teen editors, helping them acquire leadership skills and connections with people their age who are likewise interested in writing. For example, pretty soon, I’ll be showing the editorial staff how to submit their own creative writing to magazines so they gain an other-side-of-the-table experience of what it’s like for a writer to trust a magazine staff with work.

What kind of content does the magazine feature?

The magazine features poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction. … Creative nonfiction is not your average five-paragraph school essay; [it] means flash nonfiction, literary journalism, personal essays, memoir excerpts — true writing told with the story-telling tools of fiction and the vivid language of poetry. For our first issue, we’re not running a theme, but we anticipate future issues revolving around themes, including special issues or sections devoted to teens writing from other continents. I’m in conversation over social media with writers and arts organizers from a few countries. The magazine also runs a blog, composed by the editors. Our first two blog posts are interviews of editors at nationally known literary magazines.

What is the meaning behind the magazine’s name, Under the Madness?

It speaks to the confusing whirlwind faced by teenagers [due to the] pandemic, political polarization, global warming, inequity and unrest — [and] writing and creative expression as a way to set a foot on the ground when the adult-made sky seems to be spinning.

Who are your target readers?

The target readership are teens from anywhere around the globe who read or write in English. Adults will enjoy reading this magazine — I know I’m looking forward to sitting back with an espresso and perusing — but especially writing and language arts teachers. The writing resources will be relevant to anyone curious about how to write and publish.

Was there a need for a publication like this in New Hampshire?

The magazine addresses several creative needs in the state, but one of the biggest is to highlight the youth of the North Country, since the majority of the editorial staff, as well as our community advisors, reside in that part of the state.

How does writing and being published impact teens’ lives?  

One thing I’ve noticed as a professor and as state poet laureate and just from circulating in the world as a writer is that people of all ages hesitate to push the ‘Submit’ button. People face an uphill battle with self-doubt and rejection fears. So in development are resources our magazine will offer to help others find the confidence and endurance to try for publication. … [Publishing and writing] is hugely important [for teens] because it helps a student step beyond the fenced-in world of just writing for grades and teachers. Writing is far bigger and too important to be confined to the classroom. I’m a huge advocate of young people sending their work out, even if they have no intention of becoming an English major in college or a writer by trade.

Submit to Under the Madness
Submissions are being accepted now through Jan. 20 for the first issue of Under the Madness, set to be published in February. Writers from anywhere in the world who are ages 13 to 19 at the time of submission are eligible. Submissions may include poetry and short fiction and creative nonfiction and must be written in or translated into English and previously unpublished. Visit underthemadnessmagazine.com for full submission guidelines.

Featured photo: Alexandria Peary. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 22/01/06

Covid-19 update As of Dec 27 As of Jan 3
Total cases statewide 194,470 203,749
Total current infections statewide 8,026 8,785
Total deaths statewide 1,907 1,973
New cases 7,792 (Dec. 21 to Dec. 27) 9,279 (Dec. 28 to Jan. 3)
Current infections: Hillsborough County 2,408 2,953
Current infections: Merrimack County 790 863
Current infections: Rockingham County 1,728 1,863
Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

Covid-19 news

On Dec. 27, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention issued a statement updating its recommended isolation period for certain populations that have been infected with or exposed to Covid-19. According to the statement, the recommended time has been cut from 10 days to five days, a change the CDC says was “motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of … transmission occurs early in the course of illness.” Additionally, the CDC is now recommending those who are unvaccinated or are more than six months out from their second vaccine dose and not yet boosted to quarantine for five days, followed by strict mask use for another five days.

The New Hampshire Hospital Association is now issuing its own daily Covid-19 update, according to a Dec. 28 report from WMUR. The data shows that about two-thirds of all Covid-related hospitalizations in the state are in unvaccinated patients, but the Association notes that the actual proportion could be higher. According to the report, booster doses are not taken into account, so it is unknown how many patients may have received that extra shot.

A total of 658 licenses were issued to nurses in New Hampshire between Dec. 1 and Dec. 20, according to a Dec. 29 press release from Gov. Chris Sununu’s office, following an executive order that was issued a month before to address surging Covid hospitalizations. “We are breaking down barriers to ensure our health care system has the staffing needed to respond to this winter surge,” Sununu said in a statement announcing the new licensees.

Also on Dec. 29, Sununu and Department of Health & Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette announced that the state has received confirmation from FEMA to receive three teams dedicated to administering monoclonal antibodies. The teams were scheduled to be deployed on Jan. 3 to Concord Hospital, Elliot Hospital in Manchester and Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital in Lebanon. But due to an overwhelming demand across the country, Sununu announced in another statement that day that their arrival has been delayed until next week.

On Dec. 30, Sununu announced that New Hampshire would be receiving a 17-person team of active-duty service members from the federal Department of Defense. On Jan. 3, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration authorized booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds, according to a press release. Additionally, the recommended time between the completion of the primary vaccination series and the administration of the booster dose has been shortened to five months for the Pfizer vaccine. In New Hampshire, signups are now available for the state’s second “booster blitz” event on Jan. 8. Go to covid19nh.gov/booster-blitz to make an appointment at a fixed vaccination site.

SOS retires

On Jan. 3, longtime Secretary of State William Gardner announced that he will be retiring in the coming days, after arrangements are made for Deputy David Scanlan to assume the office. In his announcement, Gardner wrote that he took his first oath as a New Hampshire Constitutional officer as a state representative on the same day in 1973 at age 24. “I have worked inside this Statehouse building during each of the past 50 years … [and] have served with 11 governors, 17 Senate presidents, 13 speakers, 14 attorney generals [and] 7 treasurers,” Gardner wrote. He said he is stepping down at a time that allows for the smoothest transition for the office.

Laurie List

A list of the names of police officers throughout the state who have possible credibility issues was released by the attorney general’s office last week. According to a report from WMUR, the “Laurie List” tracks current and former police officers whose credibility might be questioned during trial because of previous conduct, and it was made public because of a new state law that was put in effect after media outlets and the ACLU sued to get access to the list in 2018. “This legislation was a result of a 2020 Supreme Court decision ruling that the Exculpatory Evidence Schedule was not categorically exempt from disclosure under the State’s transparency laws,” the New Hampshire Association of Police Chiefs wrote in a press release. The list released last week includes 80 names, the officers’ departments and the reason for the credibility issues, which include truthfulness, criminal conduct and falsifying records. There are more than 20 people not on the list who are contesting the release of their names, and another group of names is expected to be released in the coming months, according to WMUR. “The members of the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police will continue to support the highest levels of transparency and accountability for the policing profession,” the association wrote in its press release.

Mental health help

The state’s new Rapid Response Access Point is now operational. As of Jan. 1, anyone having a mental health or substance abuse crisis can call or text 833-710-6477 to access immediate help and will be connected to local mental health crisis teams. According to a report from NHPR, the access point is an effort to reduce the number of people who go to emergency rooms for mental health crises. As of Dec. 30, two children and 23 adults were waiting for emergency room beds for psychiatric treatment, the report said. The unit teams are still looking for more staff, and Jay Couture, president and CEO of Seacoast Mental Health Center, told NHPR that because these mental health centers are launching crisis response units at the same time, they’re often competing for staff. “[I’m] a little daunted about the reality of trying to fill these spots and wanting to make sure that we continue to have the best services possible so that nobody falls through the cracks,” she told NHPR. More information and resources are available at NH988.com.

Abortion law

A provision prohibiting abortion after 24 weeks of gestation, with exceptions for the mother’s life or physical health, that was part of the budget passed in June by Gov. Chris Sununu took effect Jan. 1, and, according to a report from WMUR, Democrats have already drafted legislation that would repeal the new restrictions and establish state-level protection for abortion access. “Effective Jan. 1, the State of New Hampshire will be denying a woman the dignity to make personal, private decisions and instead inserting government into medical choices,” Rep. Marjorie Smith, D-Durham, said at a December news conference, according to WMUR.

Tyler Shaw’s Law

Also going into effect Jan. 1 was Tyler Shaw’s Law, which will allow judges to hand down longer prison sentences to repeat drunken drivers who kill or cause harm to others. The law was named for a 20-year-old Concord man who died in 2018 after a repeat drunken driver sped off Exit 1 on Interstate 89 South, went through a stop sign and hit Shaw’s truck, according to a report from WMUR. Now someone with one previous drunken driving conviction who kills or seriously injures another person in a car crash can be sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison, and those with two or more previous convictions can be sentenced to 15 to 30 years, the report said.

Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig was scheduled to take her third oath of office at The Palace Theatre on Jan. 4. According to a press release, the ceremony also included the swearing-in of aldermen and members of the Board of School Committee, and following the ceremony Craig was scheduled to preside over meetings of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and the Board of School Committee.

Toll collection at the Exit 10 northbound and southbound ramp of the Everett Turnpike in Merrimack officially ended at 9 p.m. on Dec. 31. According to a press release, the toll elimination is part of the 2021 budget, and the plazas will be removed at a later date this year. Motorists are being guided to the far right lane and are advised to proceed slowly through the toll plaza area.

Though its fundraising events were canceled this year, the Nashua Garden Club was still able to donate to several local charities during the holiday season. According to a press release, the Humane Society of Greater Nashua, 68 Hours of Hunger, the PLUS Company and the educational association Regenerative Roots each received $125.

This Week 21/12/30

Big Events December 30, 2021 and beyond

Thursday, Dec. 30

Looking to get outside? Check out the Educational Farm at Joppa Hill (174 Joppa Hill Road in Bedford; theeducationalfarm.org, 472-4724), which is open daily from dawn to dusk. Find trail information online. When the weather is cold enough, the farm’s rink will be open for ice skating. The cost is $5.

Or head to one of New Hampshire Audubon’s 39 sanctuaries for hiking (or snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, weather permitting). Find trails for the sanctuaries, which are open from dawn to dusk and located throughout the state, at nhaudubon.org.

Thursday, Dec. 30

The light shows continue through this weekend: The Gift of Lights at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (1122 Route 106 North, Loudon), runs daily through Sunday, Jan. 2. The 2½-mile drive-thru light show features a variety of scenes making up more than 500 different light displays along the track. It’s open from 4:30 to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 4:30 to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, depending on weather conditions. The cost ranges from $30 to $35 per carload, and is $60 per limo or bus. See nhms.com.

LaBelle Lights also continues at LaBelle Winery’s Derry location (14 Route 111) now through Feb. 26. See page 26 for details.

Friday, Dec. 31

Rock in the new year with The Apathetics (playing the Boston Billiard Club in Nashua) or get in a last laugh at 2021 with Bob Marley (who has three shows tonight at the Flying Monkey in Plymouth) or head to the Derryfield in Manchester for the music of Chad LaMarsh and a Champagne toast at midnight. Find a rundown of the live music slated at area restaurants in this week’s Music This Week listing, which starts on page 60; find comedians in the Comedy This Week listing on page 58. For a more detailed rundown of New Year’s Eve events, look for Michael Witthaus’ stories in the Dec. 23 issue about comedy (page 36) and music (page 38). You can find the e-edition of the issue at hippopress.com.

Saturday, Jan. 1

Start 2022 off with some opera. The Metropolitan Opera’s live broadcast of Cinderella will screen at Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord; ccanh.com) today at 12:55 p.m. Tickets cost $26 for adults, $22 for seniors and $15 for students (plus fees).

Sunday, Jan. 2

Keep the New Year’s celebration going with Hogmanay, an event by NHSCOT (presenters of New Hampshire’s annual Highland Games), today from 3 to 7 p.m. at Derryfield Country Club in Manchester. The evening features indoor and outdoor events; tickets are $42 for adults (buffet-style meal included) and $20 for kids (includes chicken and french fries). See nhscot.org and check out Meghan Siegler’s story about the plans, including Scottish country dancing and music by The Rebel Collective on page 10 of the Dec. 23 issue of the Hippo.

Save the date! Jan. 28, 2022

The end of January heats up at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; 668-5588, palacetheatre.org) with the presentation of The Full Monty, the Broadway musical based on the 1997 film of the same name. The show’s opening night is Jan. 28 and it runs through Sunday, Feb. 20, with shows Fridays through Sundays (as well as on Thursday, Feb. 17, at 7:30 p.m.) Tickets cost $46 for adults.

Featured photo: The Full Monty. Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 21/12/30

Messy roads for Christmas

Hundreds of crashes and several major road closures on Christmas morning put a damper on some people’s holiday plans. According to a report from WMUR, portions of Interstates 93 and 89 were closed, and there was a 15-car crash on the Everett Turnpike. Plow crews worked around the clock, mainly salting and sanding, but the air temperature, the road temperatures and the rain that was freezing on contact made it difficult to keep the roads clear until temperatures warmed up somewhat mid-day, according to the report.

Score: -1

Comment: Being involved in a car crash on Christmas Day is a bummer, but at least no major injuries were reported. Here’s hoping for safer travels on New Year’s Eve!

Money for mental health and more

The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester, which was Millennium Running’s “Official Charity of 2021,” will receive $16,943 from the $126,760 in proceeds and fundraising that Millennium’s events raised this year, while the remaining funds will go to more than 50 other organizations, according to a press release. “Mental health has never been more important than over the past year and a half,” Millennium Running owner and founder John Mortimer said in the release. “We are so happy that our running community was able to support the mission of The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester.” Millennium raised more money for local charities this year than ever before.

Score: +1

Comment: Some of Millennium Running’s signature events had specific charitable partners; the CMC Manchester City Marathon, for example, raised $11,446 for Veterans Count while the BASC Santa Claus Shuffle raised $6,199 for the Safe Sports Network.

Local art students represent

Students from the National Junior Art Honor Society at Rundlett Middle School in Concord were chosen to create ornaments for New Hampshire’s Christmas tree at the Presidents’ Park in Washington, D.C. According to a report from NHPR, it’s an annual tradition for decorated trees representing all U.S. states and territories to be placed in the space in front of the White House, and Rundlett’s students drew ornament-sized illustrations that answered the question “What makes your state beautiful?”

Score: +1

Comment: Some of the illustrations included a covered bridge with mountains in the background and a fall tree with colorful leaves, the report said. Way to represent New Hampshire!

Thousands of toys

The Front Door Agency’s annual Holiday Program provided toys, warm clothing and groceries for nearly 500 children in need, thanks to the support of hundreds of individuals and local businesses and organizations. According to a press release, thousands of gifts filled the ballroom of the Courtyard by Marriott in Nashua.

Score: +1

Comment: “It’s sad that so many kids need help this year, but I’m happy I can help even in a small way,” 12-year-old Jack Murphy, who volunteered to move donated gifts into the ballroom so they could be organized by family, said in the release.

QOL score at the end of 2020: 76

QOL score at the end of 2021: 88

Net change: +12

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at [email protected].

Biggest stories of 2021

In a year of weird and wild sports stories here are the top ones as I see it.

Covid-19: It’s still here nearly two years after the then-president said, “it’ll just go away,” and now thanks to the omicron variant it’s surging to cause havoc for teams and games in all sports. As cases ebbed after vaccinations started, fans came back to capacity as if they were saying enough is enough, I want my life back!

Tiger Woods car accident: The “great” part of Tiger’s scary accident is it didn’t end the life of an athlete it seemed we knew, like Kobe Bryant, his daughter and the others in the helicopter. But this still shook up the golf world, even though it’s not the first time Tiger has made headlines behind the wheel. But, while the injuries were catastrophic, there he was on the course with son Charlie playing last week at the PNC Championship. While his time at the top has mostly been over since the first time he was knocked unconscious behind the wheel, it was a nice sight to see that he and his family will have more of these moments.
Tom Brady wins after leaving New England: Tom Brady winning another Super Bowl isn’t the biggest part of the story. It’s the way he’s pushing back at Father Time to play at 44. I knew he could still win in the right situation (which New England wasn’t in 2020) because of his giant brain. But I didn’t see a second best in his career 40 TD passes coming, which he’ll likely repeat this year. And when you compare it to how TB’s great rival Peyton Manning was in his final year it seems even more remarkable.

Phil Mickelson oldest to win a major: This story overlaps with the last two as it offers a debate over which is the greater old geezer achievement, along with the irony of Phil hitting an all-time career height in the same year his rival saw his chances for a career revival ended. Not sure if winning the PGA at 50 years, 11 months and three days was the most satisfying of his six majors, but it did take him past 48-years-old-but-looked-68 Julius Boros for the record. A final reminder of how great a career PM has had.
Money lust in college football: The players are better and games still exciting. But the lust for money is bigger than ever. Texas and Oklahoma are hardly the first schools to do it, but they screwed their Big 12 partners by announcing they’ll soon join the geographically incorrect South-EAST Conference. All of which requires much more time away from class for their, ah, student-athletes. They’ll do it for the lucrative benefits of course, as college football careens toward being just one big football conference. It ended with slimy ex-Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly walking out on a team and his players for a second time before a season-ending bowl game to get a jump on recruiting at LSU. Of course, be careful what you wish for, as he replaces Ed Orgeron less than two years after he won a national title for the Tigers. Ditto for Les Miles before him.

Summer Olympics: I generally have little interest in the “hey, look at me” marketing fest now known as the Olympics. Though I’m in the minority. But with Covid infections rising in Japan as the games approached it seemed more irrelevant than usual. Especially when the biggest newsmaker was gymnast Simone Biles pulling out to deal with mental health issues. Which of course ignited a massive social media commentary in support and from the “are you kidding me” crowd.

Jon Gruden email scandal: You know it’s bad when you get fired because of an investigation you had nothing to do with. That was Jon Gruden’s world when his emails turned up in the investigation of the WFT. You could hear Arnold saying “hasta la vista, baby” to the career and last six years on his 10-year $100 million contract.

Urban warfare: To (somehow) outpace Gruden as our first winner of the Bobby Petrino Bonehead Coach of the Year award you’d have to do every on- and off-field stupid thing a coach could do, and amazingly Urban Meyer did it, all during a disastrous 13-game stint in Jacksonville. 

Tampa Bay sports capital: Brady led the usually moribund Bucs to win a SB title, and the Lightning are two-time Stanley Cups champs. So if the D-Rays stat geeks hadn’t yanked unhittable Blake Snell with a 1-hit, 12-K shutout in progress in Game 6 of the 2020 World Series vs. L.A. because the analytics said to, TB would have had reigning champs in three sports all year.

Shohei Ohtani takes on The Babe: He was the first full-time pitcher and hitter since the Babe in 1919. The big difference was Shohei pitched and DH’d, while Babe had to throw from the outfield. But the numbers were eerily similar. Ohtani had more homers (46-29) and was 9-2 to Babe’s 9-5. Babe had more RBI (113-100), outhit him .322 to .257 and took the ERA battle 2.93 to 3.13. It made Ohtani Player of the Year.

Giannis Antetokounmpo game for the ages: I drooled over this enough when it happened. So I’ll just add that seeing the Big Fella go for 51 points and 17 rebounds while battling a significant knee injury was the best “climb on my back and I’ll take you home” effort of the year. That their final was against the Suns, who also entered the NBA in 1968, and it was the Bucks’ first title in 52 years made it cooler.

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