5 Reasons You Should Be Excited About The World Series
It's not all about peanuts & cracker jacks but tacos, baby sharks & adopted puppies.
This isn't your average list - this is what people actually want to talk about.
Because who won the 1972 World Series isn't the key to a great conversation,
The Last Night’s Game Team
1. The Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros are playing in the 115th World Series. The Nationals are hoping to win their first ever franchise World Series and the Astros are striving for their second title win after winning their franchise first in 2017. The Astros are favored to win but the Nationals were fighters all season, so it’s anyone’s guess. (At the time of publication the Nationals are up 1-0 in the series). YOU'LL NEVER FORGET YOUR FIRST
2. There are a lot of good luck charms that have come into play for the Washington Nationals, who started off the season in the dumps (19-31 to be exact). Luck came in the form of the song "Baby Shark" and a four-legged friend. First, Gerardo Parra changed his walk-up song for his kids to the song we all love to hate, "Baby Shark." He broke out of a hitless slump and the song became a rally cry for the team. Then there’s Ryan Zimmerman, who adopted a rescue dog named Penny before the postseason and they went on to crush it after that. UNDERDOGS DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO
3. While the regular season saw balls fly out of the park at a record rate, this series is not likely to reflect that because these two teams boast some of the best pitchers in the league. When it comes to hitters at the plate, keep in mind that when the games are in an American League ballpark (Astros’ stadium) both teams will play with a designated hitter (DH), a batter specifically designated to hit in the place of the pitcher. When the teams play at the home of the Nationals, the designated hitter won’t exist as the National League does not play with a DH. A pitcher has to hit. WHO DOESN'T WANT TO CALL IN A SUBSTITUTE SOMETIMES?
4. Your medical terminology for the day - Heterochromia iridis. That’s the condition that causes Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer to have two different color eyes. One is blue and the other is brown. THE EYES HAVE IT
5. Who says you have to be big and burly to be a professional athlete? Well, whoever did has never met Jose Altuve. Altuve is the Astros second baseman and has been the hero of the postseason. And he stands at 5’6.” Besides who needs to be big when your big, burly athlete friends in the Houston area have your back? The other Houston teams are in full support of their baseball team with players from the Houston Rockets (NBA – National Basketball Association) and Houston Texans (NFL – National Football League) supporting the team from the stands throughout the playoffs. Texans player J.J. Watt made the official “Play Ball!” call before last night’s game. STAND AS ONE
Going The Distance
The smart way one coach is penalizing players for bad behavior, who tied the knot and who is cashing in years later.
Forgo the awkward silence while waiting for a meeting to start or for your dinner to arrive by putting to use the best stories from the always interesting world of sports.
We’ve got your back,
The Last Night’s Game Team
College football
It was an exciting weekend in college football with a huge upset of another top 10 ranked team. Wisconsin (#6) was handed a loss by an unranked Illinois team. Another moment worth noting is the loss of Alabama’s (#1) starting quarterback. The team lost Tua Tagovailoa with an ankle injury. Normally the team would be okay but his talented backup, Jalen Hurts, transferred to Oklahoma this season and is dominating there, so we’ll see if Alabama can pick up the pieces and stay at the front of the pack. IT’S ALL FUN AND GAMES UNTIL SOMEONE LOSES A QUARTERBACK
Overtime
The road to starting a family for female athletes is a tough one. You may recall the criticism Nike faced from their sponsored female athletes that caused them to adopt a progressive maternity policy. Now WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) star Skylar Diggins is shedding some light on her story. She revealed that she played the entire 2018 season while she was pregnant. (She had an amazing season BTW). She spoke out about her critics, the lack of support and the fact that she took only two months off and that was to deal with postpartum depression. RAISE ‘EM UP
Sideline stat
Former University of Texas running back Ricky Williams was the last Heisman Trophy winner to be able to profit from the sale of his famed trophy. On Saturday, his Heisman Trophy sold for a record $504,000 to a Florida sports memorabilia collector. After 1998, any player who wins the Heisman is required to sign an agreement stating they cannot sell the iconic trophy that recognizes the best in college football. CASHING IN
Coaches’ corner
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney had a creative way of laying down the law with one of his players. Freshman player Andrew Booth was ejected from this weekend’s game for punching an opposing player. The defending national championship coach made Booth ride home on the bus with the team managers instead of flying home with the team. Swinney said the almost seven hour drive home gave Booth “plenty of time to think about it.” LONGEST TIME-OUT EVER?
What to watch
Game one of the World Series is tomorrow night. The Houston Astros won their first World Series in 2017 and they’re back to try for one more. They’ll play the Washington Nationals who are playing in the World Series for the first time in franchise history. Get the skinny on this major sporting event in Wednesday’s five things to know. FOR ALL THE MARBLES
Expand Your Horizons
It's Int'l Yoga Day so why is Carrie Underwood being sued, who’s working out a custody agreement of a team and who’s headed out to pasture?
On this International Yoga Day, stretch your mind into the world of sports and be one with great conversation.
Namaste,
The Last Night’s Game Team
MLB (Major League Baseball)
Just when you think you’ve heard it all, think again. In an unusual scenario, the Tampa Bay Rays received permission from MLB to explore the idea of playing their first half of the season in Florida and the second half in Montreal. Montreal used to have a team before it moved to Washington, D.C. Why? Weather, lack of attendance in Tampa Bay, a need for a new stadium in FL. It's far from happening but is not inconceivable. BUT WILL THERE BE DIRECT FLIGHTS?
Overtime
Carrie Underwood, NBC and the NFL (National Football League) are being sued over the “Sunday Night Football” theme song. Underwood has been singing the intro tune since 2018, but another singer alleges Underwood flat out stole the song from her. YOU BE THE JUDGE
Sideline stat
The U.S. Women’s Soccer Team had another dominant win yesterday, beating Sweden and winning their group in the group stage. They advance to the next round of 16 and will play Spain on Monday (Noon EST). WORLD CUP TROPHY OR BUST
Coaches’ Corner
Golfer Clement Berardo was disqualified but not because he did something heinous. But because he ran out of balls. He had a rough round and ran out of golf balls at the 15th hole and therefore was DQ’d. (He needed enough to play to the 18th hole). CAN’T HE FISH ONE OUT OF THE POND?
What To Watch
WWE’s (World Wrestling Entertainment) Nikki Bella, 35, is calling it quits. Neck and brain injuries are forcing her to retire. Her last match was against former UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) fighter Ronda Rousey in WWE's all-women's pay-per-view Evolution in October. THROWING IN THE TOWEL