This past Sunday the NFL season came to a resounding close with Super Bowl 57. After a grueling 17 week season, tons on injuries, the post season it all came down to the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs battling it out for the NFL championship. True to form and as advertised, it turned into one hell of an exciting game with the Eagles looking like they were going to run away with it. Then the Chiefs got a fire lit under them and they were off to the races. In the end the Chiefs came out victorious with a thrilling, very thrilling, 38-35 win. So now football fans can take a deep breath and enjoy the off season.
However, if you are like me and a huge sports fan of all sports, there is no rest here at all. The NHL hockey season still has about 30 games left before the playoffs. I also need to keep up with our Bucs and whatever moves they make to improve. But after a too long layoff, especially for me, baseball and my Tampa Bay Rays are back! While I will be keeping one eye on the Tampa Bay Lightning and their quest for another Stanley Cup, I will also be keeping a very close eye on my Rays to make it to the post season and World Series. It also means for me that it is also time to start getting prepared for our fantasy baseball league that I have been taking part in for about 20 years.
In this crazy world we live in today with all the problems and never knowing from one day to the next what will happen, sports is the great refresher, relaxer and respite. It doesn’t matter what team you root for or what sport is your favorite. Today it is, more than ever, the entertainment value it brings for 2-3 hours in your day to help take your mind off the craziness.
For me, and I am sure many others, today I begin putting all my notes and stats together for the Rays and follow their journey in spring training while I also keep a close eye on the Lightning’s push to the playoffs. I am looking forward to an exciting season from the Rays. Even though they didn’t make a “big” splash in the off season, other than the Zach Eflin signing, which is a big plus, I still feel that with everyone healthy this team is going to be a tough one and can be in in that 90 plus win column again. The pitching is among the best in the game and I truly believe there will be more power than some think. We’ll get a good look at some of the Rays future with players like Mead, Bradley, Manzardo, Montgomery and a few others. Playing a lot of their spring training games at the Trop will be a plus for both the team and the fans. It is going to be a fun time on the diamond and that all begins today in Orlando.
As for our Lightning, right now they are in the midst of a west coast road trip but have been playing some good hockey. While Boston is uncatchable, the Bolts and Toronto are currently tied for second in the division. With 29 games left in the regular season I am looking for the Lightning to really turn on the jets down the stretch with all the talent and manpower they have at their disposal. We all know about Vasy, Stamkos, Kuch, Hagel and Point, but watch out for Cirelli and a couple of others to start lighting it up. They only play the Maple Leafs once more, the next to last game of the regular season. It is definitely going to be a fun run down the stretch. So, between the Rays and Lightning, I am going to be one busy, and thrilled, sports fanfor about the next six months or so.
Wherever you are in this great country and whoever you root for, let your favorite teams be the pause that refreshes among all the craziness going on in this country and the world. I know that for those who are not sports fans they have other ways to occupy their time and that’s okay. Whatever it is that helps bring some sanity into your life in times like these, go for it. As Bobby McFerrin sang, “Don’t worry, be happy.”
Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magaine and AAN
