I Have a Friend Who Is a Bit Weird

Opps, that’s a bit strong. Perhaps it would be better to say she is a bit strange. A bit strange perhaps only to me. This is because of one reason. This friend is looking forward to the first snowfall. Then, not only that, but she is actually looking forward to the time when she has to shovel her driveway.

Now think about it.

Most of us in the normal world would prefer a winter completely without snow. Of course, that would mean moving to Florida, certain places in California… or to Hawaii. This brings me to a question for my readers: just what are you looking forward to??? What’s that??? Me?????

Well, I’m looking forward to many different things over the next few months. Most of them I’m not telling anyone. They will remain my secret. However, I will tell you one thing I AM NOT looking forward to. This Saturday’s Big Ten clash between Penn State and Ohio State. And I’ll even tell you why. Penn State — of which I am a solid rooter — has become an enormous disappointment to me. The Nittany Lions, after staring 4-0 are not 4-2. In their last two games the wearers of the Blue and White have stumbled twice… and both very badly. First, they were never in the game against Northwestern and secondly they failed to do anything with a fairly weak Michigan team while losing 18-13.

Now the boys from State College take on a real toughie… greeting power-packed Ohio State in an 8 p.m. affair in Beaver Stadium. The early odds have the Buckeyes a fat 13 & 1/2 point choice over Penn State. I think it should be closer to 20 points.

Ohio State, once ranked among the top ten college gridiron clubs, has slipped a bit and the 5-1 club is now listed at No.12 on the Amway poll, No.13 on the AP poll and No. 13 on the Sagarin football ratings. Penn State, once as high as No.26, have been placed at No.48 on the Saragin (the only poll in which the Lions are listed). First year head coach James Franklin insists (this mainly for media consumption) the Nittany Lions are ready to tangle with the Buckeyes.

Baloney.

Penn State doesn’t have the personnel to compete evenly with Ohio State. The Buckeyes come to Beaver Stadium after scoring 50 points or more in each of their last four games (a school record). I expect Ohio State will make that five games of 50 points or better. If I’m wrong I’ll gladly eat a crow. However, I expect to be dining on something else Sunday afternoon.

PITT, SUDDENLY VIABLE again after flattening a decent Virginia Tech team last weekend, takes on another better-than-average club when it hosts Georgia Tech at Heinz Field at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The Rambling Wreck is 5-2 while the Panthers bring in a 4-3 card. The odds-makers say Pitt is four-points better than Georgia Tech while the Saragin ratings have them equal. Locally, we all will be watching to see if Pitt running back — McDowell’s James Conner can total up more than 41 yards to reach 1,000 for the year. Conner is currently rated No.8 in the nation with 959 total yards. I don’t know exactly what to say about Pitt. I didn’t think the Panthers would top Virginia Tech. However, now I am about to register as a Pitt fan. Who knows what will happen on Saturday???

HAVE YOU EVER wondered why some major companies have setbacks??? I have… and I don’t know if there are any answers. But, as a for instance, according to USA Today, Coca-Cola earnings and revenue have both fallen recently while earnings at McDonald’s dropped a “worse-than-expected” 30 percent during the third quarter. Hmmm… I must admit I don’t drink any Coke products (I prefer diet 7-Up) and I rarely eat at McDonald’s. Say, do you suppose that I’m the reason for the setbacks?? Hmmmm?

I WASN’T AT ALL surprised to read (Erie Times-News edition of October 23) that the poor and middle class in Erie donate “a large percentage of their income to charity than (do) the county’s wealthiest residents”… and I didn’t need a new national study to tell me this. It’s been that way since time began. The local residents with an income of $25,000 (or less) gave an average of 7.2 percent to charity while those with $200,000 or more gave 2.1 percent. Without the poor or middle class, most charities would fold. This fact has always bothered me somewhat. Just thought you might want to know.

SO HOW IS YOUR World Series pick doing??? Remember, I’m rooting for Kansas City… and the Royals did right well after losing the opening game by a 7-1 count. KC more than made up for that with a 7-2 victory Wednesday night to know the affair at 1-1. Oh, there’s not doubt that the San Francisco Giants are still favored… especially with the next three games to be played in Frisco. But, KC has been resilient all season and I expect the Royals to stay that way until they are the first to win four games. The Series nowadays do seem to get less publicity than does the college and pro grid games. It wasn’t always that way… believe me. But, it certainly is now.

SPEAKING OF FOOTBALL… what do you believe the Pittsburgh Steelers will do when they face the Indianapolis Colts at PNC Park this Sunday? Well, you know what the odds-makers are saying, don’t you? In case you didn’t know, they are listing the Colts as a three-point favorite. One reason for this is Pittsburgh’s pattern of alternating wins and losses each weekend. Last Monday they posted an uninspired 30-23 verdict over Houston — meaning the Black and Gold are scheduled to lose this weekend. A better reason for the projected loss would be the Steelers’ 17th ranked scoring defense — giving up an average of 23.1 points-per-game. However (there is always a “however” you will note), should the threesome of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back Leveon Bell (5.1 yards per carry) get it together, Pittsburgh could (note — I said “could) outscore the Colts. The USA Today Sports Weekly says the Colts will win 27-24.

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns, who, apparently, cannot stand prosperity — face another win-less team with Oakland. Remember what happened last week when they faced win-less Jacksonville. That’s right — it was a Cleveland loss. The Browns are being tabbed as a seven-point  choice. But, nowhere did I see them given more than a three-point victory… the last one a 20-17 triumph. I really have little faith in the coaching staff in Cleveland. So, I’ll be holding my breath until this weekend is complete — hoping that the Browns can top the 0-6 Raiders.

Then there are the Buffalo Bills. The 4-3 Bills are going up against the 1-6 New York Jets… with the Jets favored by three points. Hey. Really now. The Bills SHOULD win thise one. Oh, it won’t be any kind of an easy romp… more like a 17-14 squeezer. Still, I do think Buffalo will do it.

ACCORDING TO AN NFL reporter, the 5-1 Denver Broncos are rated No.1 on the latest Power Ratings with the 6-1 Dallas Cowboys No.2 and the Indianapolis Colts (5-2) at No.3… Among “Erie’s teams” — Buffalo is ranked No.15, the Steelers are at No.17 and the Browns are listed 21st. Oakland is placed at the bottom in the No.32 spot.

AND A FINAL NOTE… I see where us Social Security recipients are going to get a 1.7 percentage cost-of-living raise this coming January. That means I’ll be given a whopping $34 a month increase. Wonder how much of that will go towards the usual Medicare increase? Bet I won’t be able to increase my rent or buy much of anything with the balance!!!

– Jack

Are You Getting Tired of Football, yet?????

No, I guess not.

In fact, even though the colleges are about half-way through their season and the professionals are about a quarter-way through theirs…I have yet to find even one person who is a bit sick of the almost constant gridiron sport. Therefore, this corner will continue in the same line. With just more comments concerning the pass, run and punt game.

There is always at least one BIG GAME in the college ranks each weekend. This coming weekend is no different as it will pit undefeated and now ranked No.2 nationally Florida State entertaining also unbeaten and ranked No.5 Notre Dame. Both the Seminoles and the Fighting Irish are 6-0 for the campaign. And, how do the people who really count — meaning the odds- makers — feel this one will turn out? Well, the boys in Vegas apparently don’t think much of the boys who sometimes wear Green as well as their standard Blue and Gold… ranking Florida State a whopping 12 points better than the young men from South Bend, Indiana. That’s among the bigger spreads featuring the college contests this coming weekend.

Mississippi State, now the top dog in the two main football polls, is idle while Mississippi — ranked third by the polls — is a 16 & 1/2 point choice to cream Tennessee, a 3-3 club. Oh, and by the way, Mississippi State is No.1 in both the AP football poll and in the Amway football poll… but noe in the Saragin football rankings. That one has Auburn, at 5-1, as the best team in the country with the Bulldogs ranked No. 3.

Saragin has Florida State no better than No.11 with Notre Dame at No.13. This same poll has the Seminoles only one-point better than ND. Penn State who slipped badly at Michigan last week, won’t be playing this weekend… which is good as it will give the Nittany Lions a lot of time to stew about their next opponent — that being power-packed Ohio State on October 25th. Pitt, however, will take its three-game losng streak into a Thursday night contest when the Panthers host potent Virginia Tech. Pitt coaching brains will use Mcdowell’s James Conner at defensive end. He’s much too valuable running the ball than he would be tackling other would-be runners.

Okay, now that we’ve looked at Penn State and Pitt…who else is of interest in the college game this weekend?

Alabama, who had a heckuva time in nipping Arkansas 14-13 last week — drawing the ire of head coach Lou Saban when some local writers and fans complained about how close the game was — meets a tough Texas A&M team. The odds-makers don’t think much of the 5-2 Red Raiders chances, Bama favored by 11 & 1/2. I still think the Crimson Tide will be one of the four teams invited to the new post-season playoffs set for the colleges this year. Bama is currently 5-1.

I will be personally interested in how the Nebraska (5-1) at Northwestern (3-3) meeting turns out. The Cornhuskers are a 6 & 1/2 point pick, but a Wildcat verdict wouldn’t shock me in the least.  Nebraska is rated at No.19 on the polls. Most other top college names are close to being heavily-favored in whomever they are facing this weekend.

Could end up being a dull afternoon… for the most part.

THE QUESTION IN the NFL is “will the Cleveland Browns continue their winning ways?” Keep in mind that the Cleveland team has won two in-a-row in a 3-2 season. And, this Sunday is their biggest challenge. Honestly… that’s because they will be playing of of the two win-less clubs in the loop — when they travel to Jacksonville, Florida to face the 0-6 Jaguars. The odds-makers say Cleveland is a 5 & 1/2 point pick… but, that’s when a team usually has troubles — when it is facing a team is should clobber. Can Cleveland clobber Jacksonville? Well, if everything goes the way it is supposed to — then “yes!!!” the Browns should breeze by. Let’s hope they do.

Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers — in trying to salvage not only their pride, but also their future — will be hosting a 3-3 Houston team… but on Monday night. The Texans are very capable of stunning Pittsburgh, this despite the Steelrs being an early four-point choice. In order to fulfill the odds-makers premise, Pittsburgh is going to have to come up with a defense that can really defend — especially when it must. This is something the Steelers have not shown in any kid of steady fashion over the first six games. The Texans, a preseason pick to finish no lower than second in the American Conference South Division, showed they can put points on the board in a 33-28 lossd to Indianapolis last week. Not only is the Steelers’ defense questionable… steady scoring has also been a sore point this year. Much will depend on how Ben Roethlisberger can accurately throw the ball Monday night.

BIG QUESTION IN Major League Baseball… how is Kansas City doing it? The Royals, a wildcard team (meaning one that should have lost a long time ago) in the post-season playoffs, are now scheduled to open the World Series this coming Tuesday. KC, a team with scant power, but one also blessed with a ton of speed, has whipped through eight consecutive victories. Well, not actually “whipped”, but it still has won. There is no way the Royals should be in the position they are in — but they are there. And no one, (including the writer) knows how they are doing it. I just hope they can keep it up a smidgen longer… as I have suddenly become a Kansas City fan.

DIDJA NOTICE The attendance figure at the latest Florida Panthers game? Well, it was 7,311… a new low for this NHL franchise. The Panthers (0-2-1 through Tuesday) in front of that small crowd. Apparently ice hockey — especially losing ice hockey — doesn’t go over well in Florida… or elsewhere as well.

HERE’S A BIT OF non-sports trivia… Texas was the leader in those moving in and out of the state in 2012-2013. The Lone Star unit gaining 324,425 people in that time. Florida was second with 279,584 while California (naturally) was third with 195,246 coming in. Conversely, Alaska lost the most people during that time with 58,490 moving out. Illinois was second with 12,074 souls leaving with New Jersey third at 7,447. This info came from USA Today, who got it from the Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

HOW ABOUT THIS… First place at the annual pumpkin-weighing contest in northern California went to a 56-year-old  name John Hawkley, his entry weighing in at 2,058 pounds… at tournament record. Hey! That’s more than a ton!! Apparently the California drought didn’t bother this guy.

THE COLLEGE BASKETBALL SEASON IS just about three weeks away from its tip-off. That means the preseason polls will be all over the place… and soon. The first two I’ve seen have different leaders — one has Kentucky, the other Arizona (the WIldcats with a ton of returnees). However, if you’re looking for someone to place yours bets on, think Wisconsin. The Badgers have a powerful lineup of lettermen who went 30-8 last season.  Of course, I will AGAIN be rooting for Duke, the Blue Devils, a 26-9 club a year ago.

AND A FINAL NOTE… accoring to published reports, a gathering of 30 million souls tuned in to view the Dallas Cowboys’ 30-23 upset of the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday. Making the game the most-watched TV product since the Oscars last March. That’s a “wow”!!

-Jack Polancy

What a blast these last three weeks have been

WOW!!! WHAT A BLAST these last three weeks have been. First there was the completely unexpected surgery on my left leg for a severe blood clot, then there was a week of trying to recuperate, then came a four-day vacation trip to the smokey mountains long before I was ready to take any kind of trip anywhere. That trip – via Anderson Coach and Travel – is what I’m going to begin this piece with.

I probably should have stayed home. But, since I had signed up for this venture back in January – I decided to take a shot at it. That decision was somewhat a mistake. Any person who just got out of the hospital should not be traveling over 1,300 miles in four days – unable to sit with your leg in the air as you were supposed to. But I did it because it was Anderson’s 77^th anniversary bash (it was called a “Birthday Bash”) – going to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is wall-to-wall tourism. However, there are also a lot of shows. We (this includes my new significant other, Betty) saw six shows… everyone of them outstanding. The Dixie Stampede (which is sponsored by Dolly Parton) was Betty’s favorite, mine was with the Smith Family Show – certainly one that everyone going to Pigeon Forge should witness. I enjoyed the six shows immensely. It was my kind of music and the action was non-stop. I did not care for the system that was used in seating us. However, when you have a total of nine buses (and approximately 500 people), I guess there is no satisfying way to seat them. Anderson Coach and Travel has been around for 77 years. The outfit takes a lot of people to a lot of places each year. In fact, they carry approximately 425,000 passengers (customers) a year. Their tour directors are quite different efficient. Ours – named Marie – got a bit peeved with me because I became somewhat impatient on a couple of occasions. Anderson motorcoaches, by the way, travel a combined 4,280,000 miles each year. So, I imagine the tour directors must get used to “impatient” customers at times. Oh, and if you’re interested in long trips, Anderson’s longest venture is “Alaska by Land” – something that lasts 28 days and is operated every four years. No, I did not sign up for that one. In all fairness, I do enjoy going with the company. I have been doing it now for five years. I imagine I’ll be signing up for a new trip (I’ve been on four already this year) soon… but I’ll make sure I am in proper physical condition this time. Still, it was an excellent vacation… and, the Smokey Mountains are breath-taking.

OKAY, OKAY… enough about my traveling woes. Let’s take a look at the important things – like what happened over the weekend in college football. Whatever happened to Ohio State… to Michigan State… to Penn State????? Penn State is the team I’m most concerned about, let’s look at the Nittany Lions first. PSU scored a 21-3 win over Akron… a victory in which the Lions struggled most of the time. There was no running game to speak of despite the 106 yards rushing listed in final state. And the passing game, which started out very good but staggered in the middle going before regaining some progress in the final minutes, ended up with a decent 319 yards and all three touchdowns. The Lions, on the plus side, did overcome three turnovers that hurt them throughout the going. Penn State was ahead only by a slim 7-3 count with 8:04 remaining in the third quarter when sophomore QB Christian Hackenberg connected with Eugene Lewis for 28 yards and a first down deep in Akron territory. Two plays later Hackenberg, regaining his early throwing abilities, tossed a 13-yard TD aerial to Jesse James for a 14-3 edge. The Penn State defense did what they could do the rest of the way. The win was enough to propel the Nittany Lions to a spot of the AP rankings poll. Michigan wasn’t as fortunate as the Wolverines fell out of the AP rankings altogether after they had been manhandled and blanked by a Notre Dame squad 31-0. I didn’t think Notre Dame was THAT good this year. Or could it be that Michigan is simply that bad. Whatever, the Irish are now ranked No. 11 in the two football poles listed. Notre Dame tangles with Purdue this coming Saturday in a game being played in Indianapolis. The Irish are 12-1 in neutral sites since 2000. I don’t have any idea of what happened to Ohio State. The Buckeyes were ranked as high as third in most polls, but fell in front of unranked Virginia Tech 35-21. The worst part was that a record crowd of 107,517 witnessed the debacle at Ohio Stadium. I guess the pre-season loss of senior quarterback Braxton Miller was more than was expected. OSU faces Kent State this Saturday… and should breeze.
As for Michigan State… who knows what took place Saturday. The Spartans actually left the fast-moving Ducks in the second half… then Oregon is now second in the AP Poll… while the Spartans skidded to 13^th spot. Michigan State takes a week off this Saturday – to repair its wounds I suppose. The game that was the most surprising (at least to me) was Nebraska’s 31-24 win over complete underdog McNeese State. I watched a lot of this contest and the Cowboys shocked everyone when they forced a 24-24 tie with the Cornhuskers. But then Nebraska, ranked No. 19 before the game, managed to shake loose from the underdog visitors when someone named Ameer Abdullah turned a six yard completion into an almost impossible 58 yard touchdown pass with just 20 seconds remaining to pull out the triumph. The Huskers, however, dropped to 21^st in the poll. Finally… the best (most competitive) game I saw Saturday was the Southern Cal versus Standford affair. It was a see-saw battle all the way and wasn’t decided until Andre Heidart kicked a career-long 53-yard field goal to give the Trojans a 13-10 win. The triumph put Southern Cal in No. 9 spot in the AP Poll and No. 10 in the Amway selection. USC will be heard from before this season is complete. Oh, I can’t forget Pitt. Not with McDowell’s James Conner running the way he has been. Conner ran for 214 yards in leading the Panthers to a 30-20 win over a good Boston College squad. Pitt, now 2-0, takes on Florida International this Saturday. The Panthers are in the “Others receiving votes” on both pulls.

THEN THERE is a NFL. And, of course, the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns. Oh, I know the Steelers won 3-27 on Shaun Suisham 41-yard field goal as the game ended. But, what happened to the Pittsburgh defense – this is what most local fans want to know. After all, the Steelers had a wide 27-3 half time lead over the Browns… and could hold it. The Browns, behind inexperienced quarterback Brian Hoyer, rallied to force a 27-27 tie with 11:15 remaining to be played. The fact that Cleveland ran out of steam in the final going is mute. The Steelers are simply going to have to improve their defensive structure or other teams – those that are better than the Browns – will have a field day with improbable rallies.

CHEERS FOR THE Buffalo Bills. That 23-20 overtime win over the Chicago Bears could be the start of something quite unexpected. The Bills are at Carolina (1-0) this weekend.

AND A FINAL NOTE… Don’t look for the New York Yankees in the post-season playoffs this year. They’re not going to make it.

-Jack Polancy

Hey, once again it’s MONDAY MORNING!!!

HEY, ONCE AGAIN IT’S MONDAY MORNING!!!!!! And, I know I’m supposed to be commenting on what went on in the Wonderful World of Sports over the past weekend. And, maybe I will get to that … eventually. But first – I have to tell you about what happened to me a week ago. I thought I had a bit of a problem with my left leg, so I went to my foot doctor. Well, in the space of a few short hours I went from the doctor to a testing lab at St. Vincent Health Center to the Emergency Room at St. Vincent to a bed in the Intensive Care Unit. The doctor in the ER told me that if I went home (which is what I had asked to do saying I would come back tomorrow) that when I got home I should call my relatives and my funeral director. Well, as anyone knows, THAT will get your attention very quickly. Anyway, I found myself in a hospital bed with about 5,000 wires (well – that’s what it seemed like) attached to me. The people in charge told me that I would be operated on (a “procedure” they labeled it) in an effort to get rid of a blockage in my left leg that could produce clots which could also produce my demise. The “procedure” went smoothly I’m told… done by an outstanding doctor named Casey Becker. However, instead of being discharged when I thought I would be, I was kept nailed to that bed for almost two more days. One thing I must admit. The care was superb. I was administered to by Eric, Julie, Hallie, Rob, Louise, Brittany, Stephanie, Cristina, plus a ton of others that I failed to get their names. And, except for one person who was more interested in the TODAY show on TV than in what she was doing to me… I can’t say enough about the care at St. Vincent. Without that – plus the continuing care from my daughter Karen and my friend Betty – I might not be hammering this out on a typewriter (yeah, that’s what I’m still using) Monday morning. I have a few residual problems following my hospital stay, but I’m managing them as well as I can. After all, I do hope to be around for as long as I can.

NOW, BACK TO the sports scene. When you’re tied to a hospital bed, sometimes you do what you’d never do if you were up and about. That’s why I broke one of my cardinal rules and watched a pre-season NFL game… the one between the Cleveland Browns and the Washington Redskins. You know, the one that was supposed to determine which quarterback would direct the Browns this coming season – inexperienced veteran Brian Hoyer or over-hyped rookie Johnny Manziel. Ha! From what I witnessed neither one is capable of managing the job. Both stunk out the place that night. If production would determine who was the better signal caller , then Shaw (the third or is the fourth string QB) should have been awarded the job. Oh, new head coach Mike Pettine did name Hoyer as the starting quarterback when the Browns open against the Pittsburgh Steelers September 7^th… but he certainly didn’t earn it by his play on the field.

BY THE WAY, ESPN the Magazine has predicted the results of all the 267 NFL games this coming season. It has the Steelers a 24-17 winner in their first meeting with the browns. It also has Cleveland a 5-11 team this season. Hmmmm… just might be.

THERE IS STILL no firm results on who is going to be the new owners of the Buffalo Bills. Well, whoever it is – the people doing the selling should get a sincere locked down agreement from the buyer that the team will continue to be in Buffalo. The Toronto-group, headed by Jon Bon Jovi, has not stated what their intentions are… some think they want to move the Bills to Toronto. Sources say the new owner will be named within the next six weeks.

OHIO STATE’S HOPES for a national title in the college football world took a hard shot when veteran quarterback Braxton Miller suffered a season-ending should injury during a practice session. Ohio State has been rated in pre-season rankings anywhere from second to fifth… and was expected to make a serious run at the title in the new post-season playoff set-up. Now, no one is predicting its season in five days – taking on Navy in Baltimore on August 30^th.

I WAS DISAPPOINTED to not that Rafael Nadal will be unable to defend his US Open Tennis title. Nadal injured his right wrist three weeks ago and had to pull out. The 14 time major champion is one of my tennis favorites. He’ll be missed.

DIDJA KNOW that Arnold Palmer turns 85 September 10^th??? Hey, we’re all getting up there… including yours truly. I don’t know about you – but I’m ready for it.

WHAT IS IT with some college athletes these days? Take freshman running back Joe Mixon at Oklahoma. He was suspended by the Sooners after being accused of knocking a woman unconscious with a punch at a restaurant on July 25^th. This according to a story in USA Today. Oklahoma, one of the top-rated teams in the country, was expected to start Mixon. Now the running back is scheduled for a court date on September 23^rd.

GETTING TO AN “it’s about time” project… I was pleased to note that NBC-TV is going to “shake up” its Meet the Press program. The show (one of my favorite news programs) has gone downhill since Tim Russert died in 2008. David Gregory seemed lost in the catbird seat. Meet the Press has been on the TV air since 1947 – that’s 67 years!!! The Sunday morning show has fallen behind Face the Nation and even this starting September 7^th Chuck Todd will run the program. I’m hoping for a return to what it once was.

I DON’T KNOW WHY the Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley picked Chad Henne as the team’s opening quarterback. Blake Bortles completely out-performed Henne during the pre-season. Maybe the coach is going to spring Bortles as a surprise? Who knows…

THESE SO-CALLED “veteran sports announcers” (two of ’em) who have stated that they will refuse to use the Washington Redskins’ nickname on the air are full of beans. ESPN analyst Mike Dika said it best when he stated, ‘What’s all the stink over the Redskin name? It’s just so much (expletive) it’s incredible… this is stupid it’s appalling…

I DON’T BELIEVE IT!!! There are people who once again are complaining about the length of major league baseball games. One published report states that back in 1981 games averaged 2 hours 33 minutes… and this year they are 3:02:34. So what? In my 44 years of sports writing – plus the year of doing this commentary – I have NEVER heard of even one fan complain about the length of major league contests. The only complainers have been sports writers!!!

AND A FINAL NOTE… college football begins earnest this week – starting big on Thursday and gaining ground thereafter. Everything is right with the world…

-Jack Polancy

I’m a blabbermouth

Here’s something that you probably didn’t know. Then again, maybe you did know it…or is that “do know” it?

Anyway, here is that “something.”

Most newspaper people are blabbermouths.

Now, I know these writings are being read via a computer…however, I still think of myself as a newspaper person.

That’s because I did that in real life for almost 44 years.

What I’m getting at (or trying to get at) is this.

I’m the same as other newspaper people…I’m a blabbermouth.

That’s right — someone who on occasion just rambles on and on…this is even when they really don’t have much to say. And, even sometimes when they have nothing to say at all.

That’s why this column will be something of a mishmash.

According to my Random House Webster’s College Dictionary a mishmash is…”a confused mess.”

Well, I’ll do my best to keep it at least a half-step above that.

And, at the same time, bring out a smidgen of interest.

Okay???

OHIO STATE DIDN’T do all that well in the recent NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament (better known as March Madness).

The Buckeyes stumbled badly in the first game viewed on TV…falling to unheralded Dayton 60-59.

So, what does a team do about something like this?

Well, OSU decided to go after a couple of big men.

Earlier last month Anthony Lee, a 6-9 performer, said he would first graduate from Temple…then transfer to Ohio State to play his final year in 2014-15 as a Buckeye.

Then, a couple of days ago, Trevor Thompson — a 6-11 sophomore — said he was transferring to Ohio State. Meaning, after a sitting out a year, he would still have three years of eligibility with the Buckeyes.

If all this is actual — then Ohio State will have taken some big steps in the college cage game.

ONE HAS TO WONDER what the Cleveland Browns expect to get from Chris Pressley, a free agent they signed a couple of days ago.

Pressley is listed as a fullback…but the 27-year-old hasn’t played a down in the NFL in the past 16 months.

Pressley, listed at 5-10 and 249 pounds, suffered a knee injury way back in December of 2012.

It’s tough to overcome any knee injury, let alone one that sidelines you as long as it did Pressley. I doubt very much that he will stay healthy for any length of time.

I didn’t read anywhere what the Browns are paying Pressley. Probably not too much considering…

I ALMOST SHIVERED with the “few hundred” fans (there certainly were not any “18,462” that the box score listed) that witnessed the games with the Pittsburgh Pirates at Cincinnati Tuesday evening.

The temperature was listed at 39 degrees (it had to be colder than that!!!).

There were two good things about the games. One (1) the Buccos managed 21 hits (something that has been lacking lately) and they also earned a split.

But, as I’ve been wailing about…they desperately need some additional bats.

ALL MAJOR LEAGUE baseball fans know why the powers-that-be adopted an expanded replay system this season.

In case you are among those who don’t…it was to “get it right.”

Well, now that the season is in its third week, there seems to be some misgivings on the part of some people — mainly managers.

Three managers — Boston’s John Farrell, Washington’s Matt Williams and Seattle’s Lloyd McClendon — have all complained about the system after a call went against them.

Well, according to publications, the first two weeks of the campaign saw 185 games played, 84 calls reviewed (managers are allowed one challenge through the first six innings, then more if certain situations are in order) and 28 of those calls were changed. That’s a whopping 33 percent calls overturned — meaning the once-thought infallible umpires were wrong!!!

There is a lot of talk going on concerning the figures, but I doubt that anyone will insist the system be junked. After all, anything new needs more than just two weeks of what basically is “experimenting.”

One of the brains behind the program insisted that it would take “a minimum of three years to perfect the system.”

Personally, except for the length of time it has taken to decide some of these challenges (much too long), I like it.

TO THE GENTLEMAN who called…No, I will not hazard a guess as to who will win the NHL playoffs.

I do follow the Erie Otters…but, except for a rooting interest in the Pittsburgh Penguins, I am at a loss in examining the various NHL squads.

By the way…the same thing goes for the NBA (which will be starting it’s seeming never-ending playoffs soon).

WITH THE DEATH of Ralph Wilson Jr. the Buffalo Bills are being considered as “on the market.”

USA Today have stated that both Jon Bon Jovi, a rock star, and Donald Trump are interested.

I used to live across from Jon Bon Jovi’s grandmother. As for Trump, I never did care for him and his “search” for President Obama’s birth certificate.

Being realistic…whomever buys the Bills — I’ll bet he’ll be a stranger to most of us.

I RECENTLY SOLD my house…this after 38 years of living in it.

Among the “stuff” I amassed over that time was about 2,200 LP albums.

At a yard sale I managed to sell about 400. But, no one wanted the other 1,800. I finally had to give them away (I even had to transport them).

Now, I recently read that “vinyls are selling.” Record Store Day is reported to have had sales of more than 200,000 sold with SoundScan stating 6 million were sold last year.

I wondered why my vinyl didn’t sell…then I found out it was because they were mostly “country,” not “rock.”

Hmmmmm…

NEW YORK YANKEE fans (remember, I’m one of those “closet” Yankee rooters) are doing a bit of cheering these days.

That’s because their pitching has really started to come alive.

For instance…last Wednesday (April 16) Masahiro Tanaka (the high-priced Japanese import) threw an eight-inning two-hitter in the first game of a double-header and in the nightcap Michael Pineda (a trade project of almost three years ago) followed with a six-inning four-hitter.

The results of that kind of hurling netted the Yankees a twin-shutout by scores of 3-0 and 2-0.

Yeah, I know…the Bombers (who don’t bomb all that much these days) beat the weak Chicago Cubs in those two games. But, we’ll take ’em.

THE DENVER BRONCOS are in the process of starting their organized team activities this weekend.

Quarterback Peyton Manning, meeting with reporters for the first time since that 43-8 whipping by the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl, was quoted with, “You have to move forward. You have to kind of re-establish your identity…”

I would think so. No one wants to be identified as a team or player that got whooped as the Broncos did in the biggest game of the season.

AND A FINAL NOTE…Pedro Alvarez, the Pirates big home run threat with five dingers already, is hitting at an inferior .161 average (as of April 17).

The Bucs need some serious hitting help.

AND A SECOND FINAL NOTE…the new Toyota Camry is being hailed as the best redesign of the 2015 vehicles. It was unveiled the other day at the New York Auto Show.

The Camry has been the top-selling car in the United States for the past 12 years.

-Jack Polancy

This boggles the imagination…

Well, did you get your fill of NFL-Playoff football this weekend????

If you didn’t, it’s your own fault.  I know that I was almost inundated.

Now, I said “almost.”  That was because there was just about enough football — including any number of unneeded (not a real word) penalties (which always drive me nuts) — to satisfy my longing for the game.

And, despite watching the majority of games, I admit that I still don’t know how Indianapolis managed to beat Kansas City.  After all, the Colts were trailing 38-10 at halftime.  That means they strung together a 35-6 margin during the second 30 minutes to pull out the win.

This boggles the imagination.

And, while that was a thrilling (not to the Chiefs’ fans) rally, it still wasn’t the best game played this past weekend.  No, that honor belongs to the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers.

This game started with the thermometer reading five degrees… and the temp just kept going down as the game went on.

However, both teams played admirably.  You couldn’t help but be deeply impressed.

I know I was… and I was in a room with the temperature set at 72 degrees.  However, just watching those guys do their thing sent a chill up (or is that down) my spine.

I can’t say enough about how impressed I was.

And, the guy who was the most impressive was Frisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Not only did Kaepernick throw the ball well despite the very adverse weather conditions, the lanky signal-caller also led the 49ers in rushing with 98 yards on seven carries.  I guess I’ll never understand coaches — especially NFL coaches who are expected to be the best when it comes to football brains.  Kaepernick is well-known as a passing quarterback who also can run.  He gained over 500 yards with his legs this past season.

Taking this into consideration, why didn’t the Packers’ brain-trust have a plan to contain the quarterback on the ground.  It’s obvious they didn’t — as is evident by Kaepernick’s 11-yard dash around end on a 3rd-and-8 situation that actually won the game as it set up Phil Dawson’s game-ending field goal with no time left.

There were 77,525 frozen and very disappointed nut-cases in Lambeau Field Sunday.  I thought (as thy obviously did) that the Packers were going to hang on and eventually grab the verdict.

But, it didn’t happen… and Kaepernick is the reason.  San Francisco will be at Carolina this Sunday in the NFC Divisional Playoffs.  The Panthers had better be prepared to stop Kaepernick’s running… or they could face the same fate as hit the Packers.

As for the other two NFL playoff encounters…

Cincinnati had two lost fumbles and two pass interceptions — the four turnovers more han enough reason to lose to San Diego by that 27-10 count.

And, I had figured Philadelphia to beat New Orleans — but once again I was wrong.  And I shouldn’t have been.   The Saints were lucky with that 26-24 win.

In between football games, I did manage to sneak in a little college basketball. (Hey! March Madness is no THAT far away, you know!)  What I saw was where overwhelming height did trim smoothness and agility.

That’s when Notre Dame — with some giants — nipped my title favorite Duke 79-77.

Oh, yes I know… this game was played on Notre Dame’s floor — where the Irish always seem to knock off a favorite or two during the year.

However, it was ND’s height that spelled defeat for the Blue Devils.  The Irish have three 6-10 players on their team, two more at 6-9 and one 6-8.  Despite playing without their best player (6-5 senior Jerian Grant, who was “dismissed” from the team) Notre Dame dominated the boards — time and again grabbing an offensive rebound and jamming it home.

And, as the old saying goes, “You can’t teach height.”  This is what did in the Blue Devils over the weekend.

Didja notice both Alabama and Ohio State football teams now have two-game losing streaks?

The Crimson Tide, the pre-season favorite to win another grid championship, bowed to Oklahoma 45-31 in the Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans for their second straight loss.  Ohio State, one of the co-favorites to play in the final BCS contest this season, fell in front of Clemson 40-35 in the Discover Orange Bowl in Miami.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen.. or something like that.

When I lived in Hawaii — which was a little over nine years ago (my, how time does fly, especially when it’s snowing) — I was near Kapalua, where the Hyundai Tournament of Champions is being staged… where the weather is always beautiful.

Sort of like an anti-Erie.

I almost wish I was back there right now… or at least for the next couple days.

 

I suppose you know by now that Charlie Strong is the new head football coach at Texas University.

Strong is the guy who led Louisville (the Cardinals much more known for their basketball exploits) to a 12-1 record this past season.

Strong will have to pay Louisville a reported $4.375 million buyout within 21 days of his final time with the school.  I would imagine that Texas — with all the monetary resources that it has at its disposal — will help Strong with that obligation.

I didn’t see any info on the length of his deal with the Longhorns.

And a final note… Now, because of certain technicalities, you’ll know the outcome of Monday’s BCS Championship game between Florida State and Auburn before this writing sees the light of day.  The Seminoles are a 10-point pick.

Well, unless Auburn comes up with another miracle finish as it has done before this season, I fully expect Florida State to post a romp.

Jack Polancy

Now, that’s not too much of a scary thought… is it?

Hey, it’s finally here!!!  That’s right… the single sports event that tops all the others.  The WORLD SERIES!!!

Yes, that is correct.  I place the Series above anything else in sports… above the Super Bowl (oh, what he said), above the Masters Golf, above the Indy 500, above the Kentucky Derby, above the College Football Playoffs (that will be in action AFTER the 2014 season), above the March Madness of the NCAA Basketball Championship, way above the Wimbledon Tennis, above everything and anything else in sports.

I know… I know… It’s a relic of my childhood.  I remember the days when I used to hawk the local newspaper (the Times and the Dispatch-Herald…both very vibrant dailies) on the corner of 12th and State Street.  When the World Series came on it was broadcast from the upper windows of the Commerce Building for everyone to see and hear.

And… it was done by innings!

It seemed that everyone in the world (that is… in my world was interested in how the Series was going… who was hitting well… who was pitching even better… who was ahead… did the trailing team still have a chance…

Well, it’s back again.

And, while I don’t for a moment realize that the World Series isn’t what it used to be… it’s still the Worlds Series.  Now, from everything that I’ve read — the Boston Red Sox is a slight favorite to win the thing.  But, I wouldn’t go betting the mortgage on that.  The Cardinals have some excellent hitters — pacing the National League with a total of 783 runs.  However, the Bosox paced major league baseball with 853 tallies.

Well then — what about the pitching?

St. Louis will start ol’ reliable Adam Wainwright — followed up by post-season sensation 6-6 Mike Wacha…  along with a ton (it seems) of young kids who can blow the glove off their catch.  Boston is also well-fixed on the mound with Jon Lester leading the way, backed by Clay Buckholz and reliever Koji Uehara (21 out of 24 saves with 101 strikeouts and only nine walks in 73 games.)  The Bosox’ weak link is John Lackey (10-13 for the year.)  And he is scheduled to throw in the second game.

You know… I’m having a tough time with this picking the winner.  Now if it were the Yankees participating, the choice would be simple.  The Yankees always (well, almost always) win in the World Series.  However, they — just like the rest of the baseball world — are sitting on the sidelines this year.  And maybe even next year as well.

Okay, okay… enough of this shillyshallying — who is going to win the 2013 World Series????

My guess is that it will go the distance — seven game — with the Boston Red Sox squeezing out a win in the finale… which is scheduled for Halloween Night.  Now, that’s not too much of a scary thought… is it?

* * *

Tell you what is scary.  Penn State having to travel to Columbus to take on the No.4 rated Ohio State Buckeyes.  The home team is rated heavy 15-point pick by the gamblers… n this night’s game — scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.  I covered a great many Ohio State contests when I was pounding a typewriter for the Times-News… and the Buckeyes were always scary in their own house.  With around 90,000 people screaming at him, PSU freshman quarterback Christian Hackenberg might just get a bit nervous.  Then again, maybe not.

After all, the first-year player leads the Big Ten in passing yards per game with an average of 279 and is tops in completions with 132.  Hackenberg has collected a total of 1,672 yards in throwing the football.  I’l be rooting for him Saturday evening… but not expecting a victory.

* * *

There are at least two other college games that show a bit of promise.  The first one finds No. 2 Oregon entertaining No.12 UCLA.  Of course, the gamblers don’t figure this to be too much of a contest — the 7-0 Ducks a whopping 23 points better than the 5-1 Bruins.

I might find a couple of bucks to put on UCLA.  The more interesting affair shows 7-0 upstart Missouri hosting tough 5-2 South Carolina… the unbeaten Tigers ranked No. 5 on the college poll with Gamecocks rated 20th.  Oddsmakers say Missouri by a slim 2 1/2 points.  Oh… one other meeting that might have promise.  This one finds Texas Tech (who???) at Oklahoma.  The No.17 Sooners (6-1) are figured to knock off the No. 10 -rated and undefeated Red Raiders (7-0) by a touchdown.

However, these kinds of games can suddenly go different.  I sort of wonder how the Baylor (6-0) at Kansas (2-4) game will go… the No. 6-ranked bears a huge 35-point choice.  Top-rated Alabama (7-0) should have no trouble with Tennesee (4-3) while Pitt (4-2) is expected to bounce Navy (3-3) by at least six.

* * *

And how will the “local” professional squads end up this weekend — Cleveland going to unbeaten Kansas City, Buffalo traveling to New Orleans and Pittsburgh at Oakland.  The Browns aren’t being given much of a chance at the home of the 7-0 Cheifs.  KC is rated a seven-point pick… and, actually, should win by an even wider margin.  Cleveland is in much disarray these days and it isn’t expected to change enough to knock off the last unbeaten team in the NFL.

The Chiefs, who managed a one-point win (17-16) over the Texans from Houston, claim they are not interested in going undefeated the rest of the way… just so they win enough to make the post-season playoffs.

Well, KC shouldn’t have any trouble in going 8-0 this weekend.  The Bills are another area squad looking to add to their losing side… end up at 3-5 after facing the Saints.  New Orleans is almost a cinch to go to 7-1, the home team a fat13-point selection by those who bet.  However, as anyone who follows the NFL, Buffalo is very capable of springing an upset at any times… maybe even this day.

This weekend was the halfway point in the NFL.  And, it is for most teams — except those who have already had a by… like Pittsburgh.  The Steelers, with a two-game win streak, will be headed for Oakland (also at 2-4) this Sunday and a 4 p.m. contest.  Pittsburgh is currently rated as a tight three-point choice.  That all may change before the kickoff.  Still, I see no reason why the Steelers can’t make it to 3-4, especially if rookie running back LeVeon Bell continues running straight instead of dancing (stutterstepping, as he did earlier)… and Big Ben gets rid of the ball quickly instead of trying to fake the opposition with a fake motion.

WOW!  This season’s edition of the Erie Otters must really be something… making it eight straight triumphs Wednesday night… this means they are just two more successive wins short of the franchise record.  The Otters are certainly worth seeing this year.

And a Final Note… do you think they’ll ever get the road work done on Peach Street?  Wait a sec — it’s only been going on for a little more than two years.  Okay, okay… I was just wondering how many more traffic delays the average motorist can take.

-Jack Polancy