Skip to main content

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 12/12/21

3 Up

1. Masayuki Uemura - It's odd to lead off with death, but I prefer to celebrate the life and accomplishment of Uemura. The mind and architect behind the Nintendo Entertainment System, it was Uemura who helped revolutionize everything we know and appreciate about gaming today. 

2. Max Verstappen and Julianna Pena - There was so much awesomeness that happened in sports this weekend. I'll give props to Verstappen on an amazing final lap to win the F1 Championship and Julianna Pena who submitted Amanda Nunes among the many others. Of course, we also had an amazing MLS Cup Final, Steph Curry chasing the all-time 3-point record, and so much more. Yay Sports weekend! 

3. ROH Final Battle - I've said my piece on ROH's "status". Regardless, it was great to see pro wrestling give ROH a closing chapter on Saturday night. 

3 Down

1. Kentucky Tornadoes - Tornadoes in December feel all too weird, but looking past that is the utter devastation that is now in Kentucky. The drone footage is just heartbreaking. So, so heartbreaking. 

2. Rising COVID Cases - And here we go again, this time with Omicron. Stay safe out there, everyone. 

3. Jussie Smollett - Smollett was found guilt this week for his hoax attack. And even three years later, I'm still annoyed that someone would do such a thing - take such a serious and historically sensitive topic - for fame. SMH. 

Cover Photo

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates winning the title as Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton offers his applause.

Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters

Recently Read

The Madness is Maddening

There is a lot that can be said about the state of college athletics, particularly basketball. NIL has surely shaken the foundation that once grounded college sports for the product that we see today. There is a lot that can be said, and lots of conversations that can be extended for hours of thoughtful dialogue (by the right people).  The current March Madness playing out - on both sides - has plenty of thoughts (and mostly feelings) bouncing around in my mind (and heart).  Just a few:  I really do love how much the Women's game has grown and improved. In various ways, the pureness of the game itself is often more enjoyable than the current men's game.  Despite the growth, the lopsided scores in the first two rounds are evident of a still top-end talent pool. Overall, there is room for growth in talent around the country. The "student-athlete" in this space is on life support. In many ways it's dead.  It's outright sad to see programs that have zero continuit...

Quick Ponder: My Island Vibes

I would love to have an island, of all the people,  who brought great vibes to my life - past and present.  My island would be amazing. 

Predictions and Wild Guesses for the 2025 MLB Season

Well, after that off-season where the Dodgers deferred enough money to build the Athletics a new ballpark, it's time for the remaining fanbases who don't have Guggenheim money to hope for the best. Even with Opening Day finally here, it's the only time of the year we can actually pretend everyone has a chance, and hope feels, well, somewhat authentic.  White Sox fans, how are we feeling?  As we do every year around these parts, I'm throwing out some predictions and wild guesses for the upcoming MLB 2025 season.  Good luck, White Sox.  --- STANDINGS (WIN) AL EAST  Yankees - 92 Red Sox - 90 Orioles - 88 Rays - 85 Blue Jays - 82 AL CENTRAL Royals - 90 Tigers - 90 Guardians - 88 Twins - 87 White Sox - 65 AL WEST Rangers - 92 Astros - 92 Athletics - 86 Mariners - 85 Angels - 77 NL EAST Phillies - 94 Mets - 92 Braves - 88 Nationals - 78 Marlins - 75 NL CENTRAL Cubs - 88 Brewers - 88 Reds - 87 Pirates - 83 Cardinals - 80 NL WEST Dodgers - 96 Diamondbacks - 90 Padres - ...