Dome Pondering

"Did you hear what happened to Kobe Bryant?", she said to me as I pushed my son on the swing. I shook my head nodding no, wondering why this random lady suddenly has the disbelief she does on her face. "Kobe Bryant died." I gazed at her in shock, which then suddenly morphed into a sense of my own disbelief, with the slight reflection on my face that may have given away thoughts that this lady got taken by a celebrity hoax on Twitter. "He did." she urged, almost trying to push me passed the stage of incredulousness. I suddenly grabbed my phone, opened up Twitter, and there it was at the top of my screen: Kobe Bryant Dead at 41. ---- We would later learn the complete story and the details that came from the horrific crash, but it definitely is and will be one of those "where were you...?" moments, forever. In the moment, my wife and I continued to chat with this mom, all of us staring at our children as we pushed them on the swin

3 Up 1. Derek Jeter & Eli Manning - New York City lifted up two of its sports heroes, and two of the very best to represent this great city. Jeter, of course, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. And Manning, after 16 years, walked away from the game of football. 2. 2020 Royal Rumble - My favorite wrestling event of the year, the Royal Rumble did not disappoint. From surprises, to some really cool moments, even an unpredictable win in the men's Rumble match - the entire pay-per-view was a tremendous way to kick off Wrestlemania season. 3. Alyssa Nakken - The FIRST woman head coach in Major League Baseball. That's a big freakin deal. Kudos to Nakken on making it, and of course, to Gabe Kapler and the San Francisco Giants for making it happen. 3 Down 1. Kobe - The entire ordeal is still rather unbelievable. So many thoughts that go along with it - mostly, that life is precious, and we ought to enjoy it. RIP Kobe. 2. Coronavirus - What started out in China,

I've watched an insane amount of basketball as of late. From my heart-wrenching (and soul-sucking) New York Knicks, the down-the-road Brooklyn Nets, and everything in the NBA, to the men's and women's college basketball teams under my guidance at work, other local college teams, tons of college basketball, and even my son playing in our apartment...basketball really has gotten me through the winter thus far. So much so, that I miss playing pick up hoops. For every NYC kid, this was everything.

Derek Jeter is now in the Hall of Fame. The thought is rather incredible to me that I've not only seen the entire storied career of this great shortstop and athlete, but now will watch him go into the Hall of Fame.  I can remember ALL of his highlights. All of the replays and images that are now replaying before my eyes, ripping open thoughts and memories of places, times, and feelings which ran parallel alongside my own life's developments.  All of them, along with the soundtracks of play calls and my own reactions in the moment, then, can easily be recited word for word and reenacted move for move, raising goosebumps on my arms, and cracking a smirk on my face.

3 Up 1. New WNBA CBA Agreement - This past week, the WNBA announced a historic basic agreement that not only gave its players basic comforts and accommodations, but a pact which invests in the league, and outright pushes forward the landscape of women's sports.  It's not enough, but it moves the ball in the right direction. By the way, enough with the jokes - get out and support women's athletics. 2. Harry and Meghan - So not only did they bounce from England, Harry and Meghan literally threw down the crown! In all seriousness, much respect to Harry on the move as I can't blame him. He watched his mother literally killed from the pressure which is that lifestyle. Nothing wrong with wanting better for your wife and child. 3. CC Sabathia - My dude did not hold back regarding the Houston Astros controversy. Everything that was Sabathias's honest rant on the latest R2C2 podcast regarding the controversy was gold. 3 Down 1. Houston Astros and Sign Stealing -

And here we are, at the crossroads of race, gender, age, and all that is identity and oppression in the world of professional wrestling. Yes, here we are in this whirlwind where the real world has broken through into this world of good people, bad people, heroes, villains, and forgotten histories of all merits and doings on either side of morality. Tessa Blanchard, a female, a woman, a non-male, is your new Impact World Heavyweight Champion. As far as I know, this has NEVER been done in the history of a major wrestling promotion.

3 Up 1. Firefighters in Australia - The job of a firefighter is a courageous one already as is within your local communities and city. Yet, in tackling the massive catastrophe that has been the Australian fire - not to mention those who have boarded planes and traveled to the ravaged continent - has raised my respect for the profession and those who do so everyday. So much respect to those of you who serve. 2. 6 Year-old Standing Ovation - This is such a heartwarming story. In the midst of a tough week (more on that below), it is gems like this that are hidden in our news cycle that serve as a reminder that there are plenty of great things happening everday. 3. Harry and Meghan - This is pretty cool in an interesting sort of way. I've never understood the fascination with the "royal" family, especially in that of their weddings and children announcements. This exit is interesting, and is just a reminder of the perils of fame. I wish them all the best. 3 Down

101. Would you rather go through life as Steve Bartman or Scott Norwood? While Steve Bartman somehow was let off the hook, that dude literally had to go into hiding following the 2003 NLCS. I'm going Norwood here. 102. Would you rather only have Joel Embiid on the court or on social media? While Joel Embiid on Twitter is indeed a national treasure in its own right, there is no substance to Embiid on Twitter without Embiid on the floor. Plus, the guy is a joy to watch on the basketball floor. Embiid on the Court is the answer here. 103. Would you rather be a great player with a trashed legacy or be a good player that few will remember? In no way do I want to be Roger Clemens or Barry Bonds. Trashed legacies last forever and are brought up constantly in a negative light. I prefer to be that athlete people randomly bring up to make a positive point in a debate. Hey, you remember....yeah, that guy was good. Sooooo underrated!  104. Would you rather listen to Mike Frances

3 Up 1. Happy New Year! - 2020 is upon us. I don't know why - maybe it's the start of a new decade, or the fact that 2020 sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi plot - but the new year sounds refreshing and cool. Regardless, 2020 is already stocked with an extra day in it, Impeachment hearings, the summer Olympics, and oh yeah, a Presidential election. And there is bound to be more. Here we go... 2. Jushin Thunder Liger - Many kudos to the legendary wrestler who wrapped up a historic career at the annual Wrestle Kingdom event in Tokyo, Japan. By the way, much props to New Japan Pro Wrestling for an absolutely amazing two days of pro wrestling. I'm telling you, we're not too far away from Wrestlemania following suit and becoming a multi-day event. 3. NFL Playoffs - WHAT?!?!?! Yes, yes. I watched some football this weekend, and quite frankly, I got lucky. There were some really good games on. But you know what? Even in taking a break from football over t