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milton-bell-basketball · 4 days

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Bouncing Beyond Borders: A Basketball Player's Trip to Argentina

Since I was young I always wanted to be a professional basketball player. Throughout my life, there have been many stumbling blocks along the way, but I have never let that stop me. My name is Xavier Fletcher, and this is a story about how I broke into the world of professional basketball overseas.

From my humble beginnings in Clintonville, WI to my Undefeated Championship in Semi-pro, I have connected with so many wonderful people along the way. However, none of that compares to the journey I have been on since my Rookie season in Armenia in 2022 into 2023. Every moment since I returned home has been a fight to get back on the court and score my next contract in an amazing city.

Preparing The Way

As soon as I got back on American soil, I didn’t waste any time finding a new gym to get some serious training in. My family and I relocated to a town located between my lifting trainer, Yosef Johnson with Ultimate Athlete Concepts, and my basketball trainer, Tyler Ingels with TCF Training. From there it was months (and months) of rigorous training and recovery.

After months of lifting to gain muscle back after Armenia (as there were no opportunities outside of practice to stay fit), I finally tested my skills against professional competition in the summer of 2023 at the HoopKinect events in Chicago and Las Vegas winning Scrapiest Player at the Vegas event. From there I was off to Australia where I played the preseason tour with the Big V league.

During this time, I never let up on my training which included the following:

● Lifting: An intense, full-body max lift to failure with rotating lifts every 4-6 weeks. We also incorporate plyometrics, conditioning, and recovery into the weekly routine.

● Basketball: Regular 1 on 1 shooting and dribbling drills, daily shooting drills, and regular professional open gyms to stay on top of my game.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: The Takeoff

As soon as Milton told me about the opportunity to come to Argentina, I couldn’t wait to finally make the trip as I was unable to during COVID-19 when the first opportunity was presented. I left Detroit late in the evening and arrived in Miami the next morning where I was supposed to meet up with my fellow teammate. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I was the only one on my flight from the Milton Bell Family.

From the moment I landed in Buenos Aires, it has been an educational journey, to say the least. From deciphering the money exchange barriers to catching the bus, my introduction to the country had a bit of a rocky start. Thankfully, Milton was there to make sure everything went smoothly from there.

After a LONG three days of travel on two planes and an 8-hour bus ride, I finally made it to Junín, Argentina. Let me tell you, it was a sight for sore eyes. The people were so kind and helpful and the bed was so welcoming.

Establishing A Network: The First Team

With a full night of rest, there was no slowing down in Junín. Bright and early in the morning, training began with Club Ciclista Juninense. It was all dribbling drills, fundamental shooting, 1 v 1 training, and half-court training. We retired to the hotel for lunch and an afternoon siesta and then it was straight back to the gym. In all honesty, it was a routine I could learn to get used to for years to come.

On day 3, things really started to come together. We attended morning practice as usual, but with the Club’s game that night, we got our first look at what it means to be a team in Argentina. It was an experience I won’t forget for the rest of my life. The connections I made during these games were with some of the most genuine, amazing people in the world.

As the week came to a close, it became clear that the team and I had great chemistry, but without a spot on their team for my position it is a partnership that will have to wait for next season. That is a journey that I can’t wait to begin.

Moving Forward: A Bittersweet Goodbye

The last night in Junín was both exciting and disappointing. I received high praise from the president, the coaches, and players alike. I felt as if I had really made connections with the team and their fans. Reluctantly, I packed my bags to prepare for the long bus trip down south to Mar Del Plata, the town where Milton spent his career. I was sad to leave the team in Junín behind, but the road ahead promised new opportunities.

Refresh and Rejuvenate: A Beach Break

The next few days were filled with rest and relaxation and, you guessed it, more training. I found a gym on day one and immediately got to work. It felt good to be in the gym, putting up reps and maintaining a routine. The connection to nature was a welcome bonus as I finished each day soaking in the Vitamine D on the Beach.

On The Road Again: The Next Steps

The break is now over and the next steps in the journey are about to begin. As I wait to board the bus to Buenos Aires to meet up with the rest of the Milton Bell Family, I am still maintaining focus on the game and the grind. On the court or off the court, a basketball player's job is never done. We are always training, always recuperating, and always representing. Tomorrow, we begin our journey to Mendoza to play for a spot in the 3rd division starting in February. I’m ready to keep moving and keep playing. Let’s just hope they are ready for me.

#miltonbellglobalmeddia #miltonbellglobalbasketball #miltonbellglobalpodcast #lionenergywellness

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pint4punt · 2 years

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How Fucked are the Las Vegas Raiders???

The year was 2013. Fresno State had just wrapped up a historic season at the conclusion of the albeit, not so great, Las Vegas Bowl (Perhaps this was an omen). Despite the unsatisfying end to the Bulldogs’ run, records were set that still hold to this day. Quarterback Derek Carr had just thrown for 5,082 yards and 50 touchdowns, while Wide Receiver Davante Adams found himself on the other end of 131 receptions for 1,718 yards and nearly half those scores.

If you had told Raiders’ fans last year this duo would be reunited under a 5-time Lombardi Winning Coach following their close playoff loss to the reigning AFC Champions, they probably would’ve bought tickets to Super Bowl 57 on the spot. Fast forward to Week 9 of the 2022 Season and it’s abundantly clear that Raiders Nation hasn’t been ripped off this badly since the infamous ‘Tuck Rule’. Raiders of Las Vegas? More like Raiders of the Lost……..season.

What happened: Everything was pointing up for the Raiders coming into the 2022 season. The AFC West was shaping up to be an arms race, but Las Vegas had an Ace in the Hole in Davante Adams. The team was riding a hot streak from a strong 2021 finish, was returning stars like Darren Waller, Hunter Renfrow, & Maxx Crosby, and had an offensive shark in Josh McDaniels to string it all together.

Week 1: Vegas drops a close one to the division rival Chargers. ‘Nothing to panic about, the first month is basically the preseason right?’

Week 2: the Defense collapses at the hands of Kyler Murray. ‘That stings a little, but with so many new pieces the team just needs time to gel. It’ll be fine.’

Week 3: ‘0-3 really sucks, but the Defense pitched a shutout in the second half, if we’d only gotten that 2 point conversion!!!’

Week 4: ‘Finally a team more dysfunctional than us, Broncos Country, let’s ride hahaha!!!’

Week 5: There’s the Carr to Davante connection we’ve been waiting for all year, what a bomb!!! WAIT WHY ARE WE GOING FOR TWO WITH FOUR AND A HALF MINUTES LEFT AGAINST MAHOMES, WHAT IS MCDANIELS THINKING???!!!!!

Week 6 (Bye Week): At least we can’t lose this week! Did we fuck up hiring this guy???

Week 7: Phew at least we can still beat the Texans, just win baby, let’s go Raider nation!!!!!!!

Week 8: ‘Alright the Saints are 2-5 and are starting Andy Dalton, we got thi…….24-0?!!!!!! BRO ARE YOU SERIOUS????? WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING?!!!!!!’

Immediate Outlook: To say it hasn’t been pretty would be a hilarious understatement. That shutout loss to the Saints (their first since Carr’s rookie year in 2014) had to have hurt more than a punch from Tyson and it was fair to wonder if Mark Davis had ripped out Josh McDaniels’ tooth in their lengthy post-game meeting following said loss.

The fact of the matter is Raiders Nation is sobering up quickly and the hangover of their wild off-season isn’t going away anytime soon. Vegas is currently dead last in the AFC West with a 1-2 record in the division, their Defense (25th in the league) is playing like they got roofied, giving up 366.7 yards/game, and that famous Carr/Davante connection has hardly been coming up 7-7-7.

Upcoming Schedule: Their next 5 games include a road-trip to Jacksonville, home for the Colts, followed by back-to-back road tilts against Russell Wilson and the suddenly resurgent team that dumped him, before a homecoming date with the Chargers who dealt them a loss in the season opener. That’s not exactly a Royal Flush they’re going against, but everyone is starting to ask if Mark Davis went all in on a bad hand with Josh McDaniels and every team is prepared to call the Raiders’ bluff at this point.

Playoff Hopes: What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, which is especially true for the 2022 Raiders as Patrick Mahomes continues to be the Bouncer keeping them out of the Division Champions club like that one guy who’s had entirely too much.

Short of slipping the Refs some Benjamins, at this point, Vegas is going to have to sneak in through the Wild Card if they hope to play deep into January. Three of their upcoming opponents are ahead of them in the Wild Card race in the Colts, Broncos, and the current 7th seed Chargers. If this team hopes to get past the velvet ropes of the regular season, there is no room for error, they have to win every one of those games. As it stands the Raiders currently have a 14% chance to make the playoffs which, optimistically, is slightly better than the odds of hitting a straight.

Ability to Turn Things Around: Teams that start 0-3 (as these Raiders did) have about a 3% chance of making the playoffs. That being said, the Raiders do have a couple things working in their favor. Their remaining strength of schedule ranks near the bottom of the league with their upcoming opponents featuring a combined winning percentage of .461.

Additionally, they still have one matchup left with each team in their division and are within 2 games of every team in front of them for the 7th seed. Make no mistake, the road ahead is dicey. But hey you can’t be a renegade team in Sin City if you aren’t willing to roll the dice right?

Long-Term Outlook: Derek Carr and Davante Adams are tied together for at least the next three years while Mark Davis proclaimed that Josh McDaniels will be the team’s Head Coach ‘for years to come’ despite the turbulent start to his Vegas Residency.

Sometimes what a team needs more than anything, is continuity in order to succeed. Raiders’ fans are undoubtedly hanging their hopes on time and reps under the new regime fixing their 2022 woes. That being said, if these trends continue, Raiders tickets are going to be cheaper than a Vegas Hooker and Mark Davis is going to be late on some of those payments for his shiny new ‘Death Star.’

Verdict:

We’ve all made questionable decisions in our lives and the reckless abandon of Las Vegas certainly doesn’t inspire caution and practicality. Which is why it’s easy to justify Mark Davis hiring Josh McDaniels despite his 11-17 record with the Broncos and the tumultuous history of Belichick’s disciples. You don’t move a franchise with the reputation of the Raiders to Sin City to make a series of conservative moves aimed at long-term sustained success.

You do it to bet your left nut and everything you own on one fucking hand for a shot at glory! That being said, sometimes even when the Pocket looks good, you get Rivered and your shot at glory turns into….shots. The Raiders had arguably the most exciting offseason in the league and maybe brighter days are ahead. But unless the genius McDaniels is trapped on a hotel roof somewhere (keep an eye out for stray mattresses Raiders’ fans) the 2022 Raiders are as fucked as a guy waking up with a tiger in his bathroom after a long night out. But hey as a wise man once said, ‘We all do dumb shit when we’re fucked up.’

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fantasy-baseball-cheat-sh67 · 2 years

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fantasy baseball cheat sheet 2022 PC 82ZL%

💾 ►►► DOWNLOAD FILE 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Opening day is almost here, so it's time to prepare for your draft. Find position-by-position rankings, sleepers, top prospects, and draft. Fantasy Baseball Catcher Rankings – NL Only ; 1. Will Smith LAD () ; 2. Realmuto PHI () ; 3. Daulton Varsho ARI () ; 4. Willson Contreras CHC () ; 5. All the rankings, projections, cheat sheets, strategy and analysis you need for the fantasy baseball season. It's fantasy baseball draft season, and what better way to get ready than with our overall rankings. 9 Fantasy baseball draft season is in full swing. And what better way to get some last-minute prep ahead of Opening Day than with our analysts' overall top draft rankings! Below you'll find their complete rankings, overall and positional! Who deserves the No. It might have been the electrifying Fernando Tatis Jr. At this point, speed merchant Trea Turner has emerged as the clear consensus top choice in drafts. Being part of the powerhouse Dodgers ' lineup couple with his ability to contribute across all categories has our experts in lockstep. While there's agreement at the very top, there are still plenty of draft questions to answer. Who should go No. Should home run king Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Will Ronald Acuna Jr. Whatever approach you're taking to the first round — and every round — of your drafts in , our analysts' rankings for every position can help. Check them out below and be sure to bookmark this page for reference in all your drafts. Happy drafting and don't forget to join a league today! The latest bombshell in the scandal that has rocked the chess world to its foundation dropped on Tuesday when an investigation into the games of Hans Niemann found the American grandmaster has cheated far more frequently than previously disclosed. The page report, conducted by Chess. Here's what to watch in Wednesday's regular season finales. Can they repeat? MLB's October contenders are all set. Now it's just a matter of where they fall in the bracket. The Yankees star is trying to claim a batting title and secure the Triple Crown. The husband of another sports reporter grabbed Judge's 61st home run ball. What are the odds? These players could help out for a week or two, or they could be season-long difference-makers. Robert Kraft reportedly disagreed with the decision to start Brian Hoyer in Week 4. The Phillies lost and the Padres won Tuesday to lock the Phils into the National League playoff bracket as the 6-seed, which could prove to be fortuitous. By Corey Seidman. James Wiseman went off for 20 points and nine rebounds in the Warriors' preseason opener. But that wasn't Draymond Green's biggest takeaway from the young center's big preseason game. In a sensational move, LIV Golf is expecting its event in Bangkok this week to deliver world rankings points for the first time and so allow its players a pathway to qualify for the majors. The NFL has a few great teams and a whole lot of "meh. One Patriots legend had harsh criticism for rookie cornerback Jack Jones after his performance in last week's loss to the Packers. Baker Mayfield's regression is a big problem for the Panthers. Read full article Yahoo Sports Fantasy Staff. Trea Turner is the consensus No. Recommended Stories. The Guardian. Yahoo Sports. Kansas City Star. NBC Sports Boston. Dolphins Wire. Patriots Wire. NBC Sports Philadelphia. The Telegraph.

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cricketnationrise · 4 years

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More Cheese than a Dairy Farm

for @adambirkholtz and also how dare you :D

_X_

1. after the last practice of preseason

“Great job guys, good work today. Take tomorrow off and get ready for classes to start, and then regular practices start tomorrow night,” Dex says.

“And the first team breakfast is Wednesday after morning practice!” pipes up Chowder.

There’s a general rush to shower and leave, guys chirping each other left and right. Nursey finally feels at home. He closes his eyes while he waits for C and Dex to wrap up so they can head to Annie’s. He’s a senior. He even knows what he wants to do after college. Life is good.

“Hey. Hey Nursey.”

“What Dex.”

“Feel my shirt.”

He opens his eyes to see Dex holding out the edge of his t-shirt with a smile and doesn’t try to fight the rush of affection that comes with it. He reaches out and rubs Dex’s shirt.

“It’s nice. Soft.”

“Know what it’s made of?“ Dex asks.

“No? Cotton? Should I know?”

Dex smirks and leans closer.

“Boyfriend material.”

Nursey bursts out laughing. He can’t help it. Coming out to him and C over the summer had been a huge step for Dex. He was so much more relaxed and, though he would never say it out loud, chill now. Chill enough to use horrible pick up lines on Nursey of all people.

“Dex that’s so bad oh my god,” Nursey manages to wheeze out between laughs. He looks up to chirp him more and sees that Dex looks proud of himself despite the fire truck level blush he’s rocking.

“You guys ready?”

Dex reaches his hand out to help Nursey off the bench. “Yeah we’re good Chowder, let’s go.”

Still laughing, Nursey just says “boyfriend material” to himself, takes Dex’s hand and they leave the locker room.

_X_

2. During Spookykegster

It’s an excellent party. They won their game last night, and there’s no practice or classes in the morning to wake up for. Ideal conditions for sure. And his best friends are on NurseyPatrol, which, to be fair, hasn’t been needed since sophomore year, and has now evolved into the best excuse to hang out with Dex and C for some quality Frog Time.

“You mind if I leave to go over to Cait’s?“ Chowder asks, shouting a little to be heard over the music.

“Ooooooh we see how it is, don’t we Dexy? Not even our epic friendship can hold a candle to the lovely Farmer. What ever shall be done?” Nursey says as he sways into Dex.

“You’re good C, take off. Come help with clean up in the morning and it’s all good,” Dex says, his hands automatically coming up to catch Nursey before he overbalances and falls.

“Bye guys! Have fun the rest of the night!”

And now Nursey has a slight problem. Tiny really. It’s just that now he’s alone with Dex. Dex who is actually wearing a costume for once. He’s dressed up as Woody from Toy Story and Nursey might be having a hard time not staring at Dex’s ass in those jeans.

It’s fine.

“You want to get another drink? Or are you going to dance?“ Dex asks.

“I think drink,” he says, moving toward the kitchen, “I need another beer I think before dancing. Want one?”

“Ayuh, sure, thanks Nursey.”

He goes and comes back, handing Dex a can as he leans back against the wall next to him. He’s drinking and scoping out a potential dance partner when out of nowhere he hears,

“Are you wearing space pants?”

“What? No? I’m wearing jea-”

“Because your ass is out of this world,” Dex finishes a little too loudly, blushing furiously.

“What’s this Dexy? You flirting with little ole me?” Nursey flutters his eyelashes and delights in watching Dex’s blush deepen and spread down his neck.

“I - well - you know - I - no?”

“Chill Dex. I know you’re just practicing, en bee dee,” he says just to watch Dex’s eye twitch at the spoken letters. “Gotta go see a boy about a dance. Catch up with you later.”

Nursey laughs to cover his disappointment and goes to dance. Now that he knows Dex isn’t serious and his beer is finished, it’s time to dance.

_X_

3. At Founders a Week before Finals

Nursey is stressed okay? Just because he’s got an internship lined up for credit for next semester doesn’t mean that he doesn’t need to study. And his Harlem Renaissance paper is kicking his ass. But once he finishes this draft he can take a break. He just needs to focus. Or another coffee? Maybe he just needs -

“It’s a good thing I have my library card because I am totally checking you out,” Dex whispers, from the chair next to him.

Nursey starts to snigger, trying to keep from making too much noise in Founders.

“You been saving that one just for me Dex?”

“Just thought you needed a little break from your paper,” Dex says, trying to be nonchalant about it, but his hand comes up to rub the back of his neck, and his ears are bright red, giving him away.

And.

Nursey can’t hold it in anymore, and starts hysterically laughing.

He’s still laughing as the librarian swoops down on them and demands they leave. What a horribly cheesy pickup line. And from Dex of all people.

_X_

4. Nursey’s Birthday

All the card says is “We’re not socks but I think we’d make a great pair.”

But, he recognizes the handwriting and it was left on his pillow so he digs his phone out of his pocket, laughing.

Me: woowwww dex

Me: this one is so cheesy if i didn’t know better i’d swear you’d have a fondue machine down there

As he changes out of his jeans and gets ready for practice in an hour his phone pings. He opens Dex’s response and promptly has to sit down. William J. Poindexter has responded with a selfie. It’s a little blurry, clearly taken while he walks home from his programming class. It’s unseasonably warm for February today, so the pink across Dex’s freckles are 100% blush.

Dex: Happy Birthday, Nursey! Hope it made you laugh.

Something about the picture makes Nursey’s breath catch. He doesn’t feel like laughing all of sudden. He doesn’t want to examine the swooping sensation in his stomach too closely. That way lies madness.

_X_

5. March

It’s been a brutal practice. But no one is complaining. They’re in playoffs. Everyone wants to do well. And Dex is a great captain. He’s really come into his own this year.

But today was like Bitty was still here; Dex put them through a whole practice of the Russian calisthenics that Bitty had adapted from his figure skating coach.

Everyone was wiped.

“Dex, you’re my best friend but I hate you so much right now. If you were a punching bag all that would be left would be a pile of sand on the ground.”

“If you were words on a page, you’d be fine print.”

He couldn’t help it. He giggled.

“Oh stop making me laugh, I can’t feel my abs as it is,” Nursey says, looking over at Dex.

“S’just the truth,” Dex mumbles, flushing abruptly and turning away to dig in his bag for his shoes.

“Fine print,” he snorts and hauls himself up to go refill his water bottle.

_X_

+1 After Winning the Frozen Four

Nursey doesn’t think he’s ever been happier. They’ve won the Frozen Four for the second year in a row. Chowder had a shut out, and both he and Dex had scored. It was truly a perfect game.

He knows he still has to get through the rest of his internship and finals but right now, he’s on top of the world.

He and Dex are crammed into a too-small booth for their combined shoulders with Chowder and Farmer (who flew out to watch the game) opposite them. Nursey feels good, floaty and glowing. They won, his friends are here, and long-established convention means he gets to be pressed up next to Dex. Not an inch between them.

It wasn’t like he was unaware his crush was getting astronomical. And it didn’t help that Dex kept feeding him pick up lines all this year. Lately, they’ve been a small torture, wanting Dex to flirt with him for real.

Whatever.

He’s here. Dex’s here. Nursey’s happy.

Dex has never looked better. Confident and loose like he usually only gets at the Haus. The lights overhead highlight his freckles and Dex’s hair, a touch too long and starting to curl after not cutting it through playoffs. Nursey’s staring. He knows he is. With a herculean effort, he tears his gaze away and tries to focus on what Chowder is saying.

“-And wasn’t it s’wasome when Bully checked that guy right before he could get to Whiskey and -”

“Breathe, babe,” Farmer says fondly, “They were there too.”

Nursey leans further into the leather, relaxing when they leave. As happy as he is, he is tired, and the booth is comfortable. Especially with Dex so close.

They’re all chatting too loudly about The Martian and he’s laughing at Farmer’s Donald Glover impersonation when Dex suddenly winks at him. Nursey almost falls off his seat. Dex leans closer, and whispers in his ear.

“Hey Nursey?”

“Yeah?” Nursey can barely breathe.

“Even in zero gravity I would still fall for you.”

Nursey doesn’t blush. Which means the heat he feels in his face must be a symptom of a fever. His throat is dry enough it might be true.

“Ha ha Poindex-” he abruptly stops talking when he feels Dex’s hand cover his own on the seat in between them and his fingers curl around Nursey’s own.

“Oh holy shit,” he whispers, “Really Dex? Now? With a cheesy pick up line no less?”

“S’thematically appropriate,” Dex shrugs and then tilts his world upside down with, “I got tired of you thinking I was joking around the other times I tried flirting.”

“Wh - I - I -” Nursey has no words. For once in his life.

“Its a good thing you’re pretty,” Dex chirps before leaning in an kissing his cheek, holy shit.

“FINALLY!”

They both jump and look around at Chowder’s shout. C’s beaming at the two of them.

“Do you know how much in back fines the two of you owe?!?!”

Dex just laughs and hides his (bright red) face in Nursey’s neck and Nursey tries not to melt.

“I think we’re good for them, C. It’s chill,” Nursey says, not looking away from where his fingers are curled up with Dex’s.

The fines are worth it.

#nurseydex #pick up lines #kegsters #frozen four celebrations #senior frogs #charmer #dex is trying really hard to flirt #nursey is oblivious #and pining #until he isn't #nursey #dex #chowder #farmer #smh #samwell men's hockey #5+1 fic

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junker-town · 3 years

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Western Illinois, Year 40, 2046-2047

The final season of our sim dynasty with Western Illinois in College Hoops 2K8 is here.

Welcome back to our simulated dynasty with the Western Illinois Leathernecks in College Hoops 2K8. You can find a full explanation of this project + spoiler-free links to previous seasons here. Check out the introduction to this series from early April 2020 for full context. As a reminder, we simulate every game in this series and only control the recruiting and coaching strategies. Dynasty mode runs for 40 years.

Before we pick up with the Leathernecks at the start of Year 40, here’s a recap of everything that happened last season:

Western Illinois entered Year 39 trying to three-peat as national champions for the first time in program history. We lost two starters early to the NBA coming into the season, but still had enough talent to be ranked No. 10 overall in the preseason polls.

We ran through the regular season schedule, losing only one game to UCLA during the non-conference season and sweeping Summit League opponents once again. We entered the NCAA tournament at 29-1 on the year and earned a No. 4 seed to the big dance.

We beat Brown in round one, knocked off Georgia Tech in the round of 32, beat Indiana in the Sweet 16, and lost to Florida in the Elite Eight. We know enter the final season of my career tied with John Wooden with 10 national championships.

We added three players in our last ever recruiting class: five-star JUCO SF Jerald Obasohan, four-star SG Erwin Walls, and four-star PF Kenny Butler.

Here’s a first look at our roster for Year 40:

It feels like only yesterday that a fresh-faced, 25-year-old came to the small town of Macomb, Illinois with big dreams. Coach Rick was hired by Western Illinois to do the impossible: win a national championship with arguably the worst team in college basketball. After 39 seasons at the helm, our tiny program has accomplished that and so much more. Now it’s time to hang it up.

Our journey at Western Illinois is finally coming to an end. In literal terms, College Hoops 2K8 forces mandatory retirement upon coaches in dynasty mode after 40 seasons. All good stories need closure either way. As we start our final season, we have some big stakes attached to our swan song.

Western Illinois has won 10 national championships in the Ricky Charisma era. That ties us with UCLA legend John Wooden for the most in history. What started as a mission to win a single national championship has now left us with a different goal: to become the undisputed greatest program in the history of the sport.

While we failed in our bid to three-peat last season — falling to Florida in the Elite Eight — we did bring back all four breakout juniors for this season. We only lost starting center DJ Foster to graduation. Yeah, it’s been a while since we last published Year 39 (thanks for your patience), so let’s go over the roster:

PG Christano Ngounou, junior, 89 overall: Ngounou made major strides after being forced into the starting lineup last season, and now looks like a rock solid contributor going into our final year. An international recruit out of Cameroon, Ngounou is a fast 6’3 guard with lockdown defensive ability and a slightly above average three-point shot. We have bigger names on this squad who will be expected to carry the scoring load, but Ngounou is going to play a huge role because he’s way better than every other point guard on the roster. We need quality minutes from him in the tournament. Former five-star international recruit with B potential.

SG Bernie Doyle, redshirt senior, 92 overall: Doyle is an incredible talent who enters his senior year looking to fully blossom into a superstar. The 6’9 shooting guard uses his immense size on both ends of the floor. He’s elite at getting into the passing lanes and forcing steals (a team-high 1.8 per game as a junior) on the defensive end, and has a sweet three-point stroke offensively. Doyle is such a smooth scorer and dominant defender that it feels like he has the natural talent to develop into an all-great in his senior year. Let’s hope he’s up to the challenge. Former No. 36 overall recruit from Detroit with C potential. Projected lottery pick.

SF Floyd Keller, redshirt senior, 92 overall: Keller checks every box for a small forward. He has good size at 6’7. He has a three-point rating in the mid-80s. He’s the best dunker on the team. He’s an elite offensive rebounder for a wing with a rating in the low 90s, which helps equip him to play minutes at the four. After a tough shooting night in our Elite Eight loss last season — he went 1-for-7 from three — we’ll need Keller to be consistently great if we want one more run through the bracket. Former No. 101 overall recruit out of Dallas with C+ potential. Projected second round pick.

PF Oscar Fray, redshirt senior, 88 overall: Fray enters his third year as a starter with a fascinating combination of size and skill that could set him up for a breakout senior year. The 7-foot power forward is a great three-point shooter for his position with a rating just below 80. Defensively, he’s the top-rated shot blocker on the team, and also does a pretty good job on the glass. Former No. 118 overall recruit out of Lynn, MA with C potential. Projected second round pick.

C Brody Munoz, redshirt senior, 92 overall: Munoz finally gets the spotlight as a senior after backing up DJ Foster — a one-time NCAA tournament Most Outstanding Player — for his entire career up to this point. We’re expected big things, and not just because he’s tied for the highest rated player on the roster going into the regular season. What Munoz lacks in elite size at 6’11 he can make up for with strength, agility, and rebounding. We expect him to be really good at forcing turnovers, grabbing putbacks, and helping fortify the paint. Former No. 169 overall recruit (No. 6 center) out of Nashville with B potential. Projected lottery pick.

We have an incredibly deep bench for our final season. Center Logan Polk (85 overall) will be our sixth man, and should be able to form a three-man front court rotation with the two starters in the tournament. After that, we have a lot of options but not a lot of good options.

Here’s the rest of the bench: wing Jaycee Queen (80 overall), wing Jerald Obasohan (79 overall), guard Archie Howell (78 overall), wing/guard James Haranga (74 overall), guard Edwin Walls (74 overall), and power forward Kenny Butler (74 overall).

This is really it. Year 40. The last dance. What a ride it has been. We start the season at No. 4 in the polls.

How did the regular season go?

For our final regular season, we tried to schedule a good mix of local schools and historic big conference rivals with a couple in-season tournaments thrown in for good measure.

Here’s how the regular season went:

Win over Bradley

Win over Nebraska

Win over UTEP

Loss to Southern Illinois

Win over Florida

Loss to Northwestern

Win over New Mexico

Win over DePaul

That sets up a rivalry game against Illinois. We’ve played the Illini in almost every season, and we don’t want to end this dynasty without one more dub. The losses to Southern Illinois and Northwestern were a real bummer, and we need a palate cleanser. Let’s go!

Big win, 102-68. Look at Cristano Ngounou hanging 17 points and six assists on the Illini. Love seeing both starters in the front court — seniors Oscar Fray (13 points, 10 rebounds) and Brody Munoz (18 points, 11 rebounds) — each dropping a double-double, too. And how about our new five-star JUCO addition Obasohan chipping in 12 points off the bench? Really promising performance from the boys.

We get a big win over Kansas in our next game. That sets up another marquee game with a program we don’t like very much out of the state of North Carolina: Duke. We’ve battling with Duke on the court and on the recruiting trail for 40 freaking years. Can we end this rivalry with a dub?

Ugh, loss, 88-83. Nice games from Bernie Doyle (19 points, four assists) and Oscar Fray (14 points, 12 rebounds), but it isn’t enough. That’s our third loss of the season. Get bent, Duke.

We end the year with three more non-conference games.

Win over Illinois-Chicago

Win over American

Win over Arizona State

While we may have lost the final battle to Duke, I won the war over Coach K with a significantly better career by any measure (more on that in a minute). Now it’s time to jump into conference play in the Summit League.

Did we go undefeated in conference season?

Yes we did, another perfect 18-0 stretch.

Now we enter the conference tournament. Can we punch one more automatic bid to the NCAA tournament?

Win over UMKC

Win over Southern Utah

Win over UL-Calcutta

We’re going to the NCAA tournament for the last time, but that isn’t even the headliner after winning the Summit League. Im taking home the conference tournament championship, I won game No. 1,171 of my career. That currently puts me ahead of Coach K for the most wins all-time.

We have built a great legacy at Western Illinois. Before we enter the NCAA tournament, let’s take a look at our statistical leaders:

What a year for Munoz. Dude sat on the bench for four seasons before finally getting a starting spot, and all he did was lead our team in scoring at 17.2 points per game. Fray was awesome, too, averaging a hair under 15 points per game while chipping in nearly two blocks and six rebounds per game. It’s good to see Keller and Doyle both hit double-figures in scoring. I’m a bit surprised Cristano couldn’t even put up seven points a night after his big game against Illinois, but the assist and steals numbers are solid. We’re going to need him in March.

The Leathernecks are heading into the NCAA tournament at 32-3 on the year. I can’t wait to see what seed we get.

2047 NCAA tournament

Well, we couldn’t end this dynasty without getting swindled by the Selection Committee one more time. We’re a No. 6 seed in the NCAA tournament. I thought we should have been a top-four seed without question.

We’ll open the tournament with a game against No. 11 seed Syracuse. Sheesh. Before we get to the game, let’s check in on our roster one more time:

I’m loving the way this group progressed through the year. We have two awesome wing scorers with an elite combination of size and shooting in Keller and Doyle. We have plenty of beef up front with Munoz, Fray, and Polk. Ngounou entered the program as a 77 overall and shot up to a 92 in three years without a redshirt. The bench also really improved during the season and should give us plenty of different lineup options in March.

This is going to be a tough run, starting with Syracuse. The Orange have knocked us out of the big dance before, and consistently put together really strong teams.

Our last dance starts now. As always, we’re simulating every game, I’m not controlling the ‘Necks.

Let’s go!

Win, 105-73! What an absolute beatdown. We’ve moving on to the round of 32.

Long-time followers of the series will know that our Leathernecks have always been known as a second half team. It happened in a big way in this game. Syracuse ended the first half strong to cut our lead to nine points, but we quickly turned it into a blowout out of the break.

I thought this was a tremendous all-around team effort. Six players hit double-figures in scoring with no one putting up more than Floyd Keller’s 15 points. Everyone who played recorded an assist. I loved this play from the first half when we set two screens for our five-star JUCO Obasohan that helped get him an easy layup.

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Our bench is a big question mark coming into this tournament, mostly because it’s filled with a lot of fresh faces who haven’t played big minutes in clutch spots before. I have to say, the performance of our reserves in our tournament opener was super encouraging. Obasohan in particular looks like a keeper after scoring 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting and knocking down a three. We always need wing depth, and he should be able to provide that on this run.

The clear highlight of Obasohan’s night: this sick two-handed dunk in transition for an and-one.

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We love to turn defense into offense, and Ngounou and Doyle’s ability to get into the passing lanes really helps us out there.

Speaking of Ngounou in transition: he had a beautiful finish on the break to put the game fully out of reach. That’s what you want out of your point guard.

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The win sets up a second round game against Colorado State

The Rams have been a solid program throughout this sim dynasty, regularly making NCAA tournament appearances. We have a decisive edge in talent heading into this game.

We are one win away from going to the Sweet 16 and extended our run in the big dance. One time, ‘Necks. Let’s go!

Win, 109-79! We’re going to the Sweet 16!

We didn’t need to be a second half team in this one. Our ‘Necks blew the doors off Colorado State from the opening tip-off. I thought we played a great game offensively thanks to our inside-out ball movement.

We had five scorers in double-figures in this one, but it was senior starters Bernie Doyle and Oscar Fray leading the charge. We know Doyle is capable of taking over a game at his best, and he was awesome in this one: 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field and 4-of-6 shooting from three. The real story was Fray, though.

Fray was probably the least appealing long-term prospect of our recruiting class when he entered the program alongside Doyle, Keller, and Munoz. That was mostly because of his 74 rating and C potential grade. While he’s always been rated a few points lower than his classmates, Fray’s skill set on the court is so important to us. He’s a massive 7-foot power forward who can protect the rim and shoot threes. What more do you want?

Fray went off in this game: 22 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals on 9-of-11 shooting. I love watching the big man shoot from deep. This was from NBA range.

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Here’s one more catch-and-shoot three for good measure.

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Fray might get slept on a little on this team, but he’s absolutely critical to our success if we want to win it all.

I also want to shout-out the bench for another solid performance. I liked what I saw out of Obasohan (11 points) and Howell (10 points). Since we already have two Obasohan clips in this post, why not make it three? Love him hitting this triple in the first half to help us open up the lead.

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We’re rollin’.

The win sets up a Sweet 16 game vs. Alabama

We’re now four wins away from ending this dynasty with a national championship. A Sweet 16 game against Bama is going to be an absolute battle.

In our simulated future, the Tide have become a basketball school. This program seems to make the tournament every year, and they’ve given us plenty of trouble in the past.

A trip to the Elite Eight is on the line. Let’s go!

Win, 112-69! We’re onto the Elite Eight!

Say it with me: SECOND. HALF. TEAM. After a tight first half left us with a six-point lead coming into the break, our ‘Necks absolutely torched the nets in the second half to come away with the blowout win. Seriously: we scored 66 points in the final 20 minutes. That was an offensive clinic at its best.

I had a good feeling about the second half when Cristano got this three hit the rim like 50 times before falling. Sometimes you need some good luck on your side.

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A couple possessions later, Floyd Keller came down a ripped another three. We finally had a double-digit lead, and we’d never look back.

It was great to see Keller (15 points) get going from deep. He hit all three of his attempts from beyond the arc.

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While we don’t have any clips of the front court from this game, they absolutely deserve credit for the win.

Fray turned in another incredible performance, this one somehow even better than his last. He ended the game with 25 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and three blocks on 10-of015 shooting. He didn’t attempt a three (booooo) but he dominated the game on both ends. His front court mate Munoz was almost as good. The senior center finished with 20 points and 16 rebounds. We kept going inside — Munoz and Fray combined for 35 (!) field goal attempts — and they were making the Bama defense pay.

Not the best Bernie Buckets game (9 points on 3-of-10 shooting), but I clipped this shot from the first half, so I might as well embed it here.

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Elite Eight, here we come.

The win sets up an Elite Eight matchup against No. 1 seed Indiana

Our run in the NCAA tournament has been a breeze up to this point, but I fear things about to get a lot more difficult. Our plucky No. 6 seed is about to run into one of college basketball’s blue bloods: the top-seeded Indiana Hoosiers.

The Elite Eight has been something of a bugaboo for us. We lost in this round last year. We’ve lost in this round many times before. I don’t want it to happen again.

A Final Four trip is on the line. As always, we’re watching a simulated version of this game; I am not controlling the Leathernecks. Let’s go!

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***

Loss, 96-86. Oh my gosh. And just like that, our dream of ending this dynasty with a national title is over.

I am devastated. I really thought this team was good enough to send me out on top, but it wasn’t meant to be. The Hoosiers’ outside shooters did us in. Indiana’s guard-heavy lineup caught fire from deep (10-of-21 for 47.6 percent), and our perimeter attack couldn’t keep up. We only hit 6-of-22 (27.3 percent) attempts from three.

What happened to our second half team this time? We were only down two going into halftime, but we were outscored by eight over the final 20 minutes. Tough scene.

There were some solid individual performances. Munoz went out strong with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Bernie Doyle dropped 21 points and hit this three-pointer to keep us in it early.

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Floyd Keller just didn’t give us enough on the wing. He shot 1-of-8 from three in the loss. He did give us a little juice in transition, at least.

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Cristano played all 40 minutes, and had eight points and nine assists. I really wish I got another year with him as a senior next season.

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Unfortunately there is no next season. After 40 years at Western Illinois, our sim dynasty is over. Here are some final numbers on the series:

Final record: 1,177-213

10 national championships (tied with John Wooden for the most in men’s college basketball history)

15 Final Four appearances

25 Sweet 16 appearances

Final NCAA tournament record: 113-27

38 Summit League regular season championships

35 Summit League tournament championships

38 seasons with 20+ wins

61 players drafted

The thing I’m most proud of? After we made the NCAA tournament for the first time in Year 3, we didn’t miss it again the rest of this dynasty.

Is Ricky Charisma the greatest men’s college basketball coach ever?

I think so. Here’s how we stack up to other top coaches in NCAA history in important categories.

Total wins

Ricky Charisma: 1,179

Mike Krzyzewski: 1,170

Jim Boeheim: 1,083

Roy Williams: 903

Bob Knight: 899

Dean Smith: 879

Jim Calhoun: 877

Adolph Rupp: 876

Bob Huggins: 828

Eddie Sutton: 806

Tournament wins

Ricky Charisma: 110

Mike Krzyzewski: 94

Roy Williams: 77

Dean Smith: 65

Jim Boeheim: 57

Tom Izzo: 52

Jim Calhoun: 49

John Wooden: 47

Final Four appearances

Ricky Charisma: 15

Mike Krzyzewski: 12

John Wooden: 12

Dean Smith: 11

Roy Williams: 9

Tom Izzo: 8

Rick Pitino: 7

Denny Crum, Adolph Rupp, John Calipari: 6

Consecutive tournament appearances

Western Illinois: 36

Kansas: 31

North Carolina: 27

Arizona: 25

Duke: 24

Michigan State: 23

Gonzaga: 22

Winning percentage

Ricky Charisma: 84.7

Mark Few: 83.44

Sam Burton: 83.33

Clair Bee: 82.444

Adolph Rupp: 82.1

John Wooden: 80.3

National championships

Ricky Charisma: 10

John Wooden: 10

Mike Krzyzewski: 5

Adolph Rupp: 4

Roy Williams: 3

Jim Calhoun: 3

Bobby Knight: 3

Who is the best player in Western Illinois history?

That’s the big question within the fanbase right now. Before we get to it, let’s look back at our greatest recruiting wins.

We landed five five-star recruits out of the domestic high school ranks during my time at Western Illinois. We also signed nine five-star JUCO recruits, and six five-star international recruits from places like New Zealand (shout-out Dave French), Montenegro (anti shout-out Vitor Andrisevic), France (what up, Kim Kone!), and Cameroon.

The highest-rated recruit in program history was Sammy Yan at No. 10 overall in 2032. He was pretty much a disappointment. The program’s all-time leading scorer was center Vinnie Harmon with 2,452 career points during his career. He was the No. 122 overall recruit and the No. 8 center (those that followed the series or played the game know that centers are always weirded underrated on the recruiting trail).

Here are some more numbers during tournament games only (aka, the games we streamed), from the amazing Leathernecks Database maintained by our fans:

The highest rated player in program history is a tie between small forward Nic Cummings and point guard Duncan Martinez, who are the only players to reach 97 overall. Cummings in particular is a great choice for the GOAT. He ended his career with three national titles, though only one as a starter. He’s top-10 for me, but not No. 1.

The people’s choice for the GOAT is Deke Van, the legendary center who helped carry us to our first national title in Year 8. Deke’s turn from from Year 7 goat to Year 8 GOAT is the most memorable we’ve ever had. We couldn’t have done any of this without you, Deke.

When Coach tell you youre guarding @deke_van https://t.co/RDhmDAPRA8 pic.twitter.com/fm2udgvMZT

— Ryan Thomas (@RTtheSID) May 10, 2020

As the series went on, other great players emerged who finished with gaudier stats and better resumes.

My personal favorite might be Bert Draughan, Mr. Basketball out of Chicago (No. 29 overall recruit), who went on to win a title with us in Year 13 and also starred for our Year 11 team that began the season 35-0 before losing to Michigan State in the Final Four. Harmon is another fine choice. Skip Clemmons helped us win three national titles in Year 23, Year 24, and Year 26. Albert Jagla, Clemmons’ former teammate, played a big role in our first back-to-back championship squad, and is arguably the greatest perimeter bucket-getter in program history.

All-time favorite moment? Impossible to say. The first one that comes to mind is Kim Kone’s go-ahead corner three in the 2024 tournament. Najeeb Goode’s steal vs. UCLA in the Final Four to help us win our second title in Year 13 also stands out. There was also the time superstar power forward Allen Cunningham took off his pants mid-game.

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Thank you to everyone who read, watched, and interacted

I started this series on April 11, 2020, a few weeks after the pandemic had shut down all ‘real’ sports. At the time, I was gearing up to cover the 2020 NCAA tournament. That never happened. I had college basketball on my mind, and I always wanted to write something on ‘College Hoops 2K8’, probably my favorite video game ever. This project is what came of it.

I had no idea if anyone was going to read this. I definitely did not think I’d finish out all 40 years like a complete lunatic. I didn’t think I’d write the equivalent of multiple books in terms of total word count.

Just before I dropped the first post in the series, I tweeted this:

Got a real dumb blog post coming

— Ricky O'Donnell (@SBN_Ricky) April 11, 2020

I wrote around 70 posts in the series, counting the inaugural Hall of Fame induction (read a big Deke Van retrospective at that link) and two posts of my Deke Van x Seattle Supersonics spin-off. I’m estimating I wrote 200,000 words in this series. That’s about the length of “The Fellowship of the Ring.”

I still can’t believe everything that came from this series. The Washington Post wrote a profile on it. I went on WGN TV and did a few radio spots promoting it. We sold a Deke Van t-shirt with Homefield Apparel. Our series inspired a new friend in Japan named Thanh Nguyen to write a pair of e-books adding greater depth to our story. Friend of the program Mike Rutherford did an amazing hype video for our first championship run. When I moved the series to Substack for a few months, more than 7,000 people signed up for email updates and still remain. Our first Twitch stream for the Year 8 Final Four drew more than 7,000 total viewers, and had 2,500 concurrent viewers on it at as we were closing out the win. On SB Nation, the series has been viewed more than 500K times.

What really made the project special was always the community around it. Some quick shout-outs:

The Leathernecks Database is an amazing companion to this series. You can lost in there. Thank you to the diehards to helped maintain it, and reader Evan for starting it.

Thanks to my guy who started the Leathernecks Nation instagram fan page and whoever is behind the wondrous fake Deke Van twitter account.

Thanks to everyone in the Discord who maintained ‘Necks discussion always and forever.

Thank the diehards that came out for every Twitch stream. I don’t want to name names because I’ll forget someone, but you know who you are. I love you all. I also want to thank the readers for keeping up with the recaps, and everyone who emailed me feedback throughout the series. I also want to thank my buddy Scott for introducing me to the game and running through multiple 40-year dynasties with me way before I ever considered blogging through it like this. This series would not exist without him.

What a ride it’s been. As I sim through to the end of the calendar, I’m greeted with this message.

Thank you, everyone. Go ‘Necks.

3 notes · View notes

imaginingsoftly · 4 years

Text

4 Times You Cooked, and 1 Time He Did - Kevin Hayes

Type: friends to lovers, Y/N insert shorts, 4 + 1 story

Requested: No

Warnings: swearing

(Y/N = Your name)

1. The day we met

Your hand was curled into a loose fist, ready to knock on the door in front of you. Your new neighbors had moved in the day before, and, from the sounds coming from the apartment as the move-in occurred, it was a group of very rowdy boys. That meant you made cookies as a welcome, hoping that it would butter them up so they’d be a little nicer if you needed them to quiet down in the middle of the night. Of course, in order to drop off the cookies and say hello you needed to actually knock on the door and introduce yourself. So far the shyness was winning on that front.

Just as you finally steeled yourself to knock, drawing in a deep breath in the process, the door you were standing in front of opened suddenly. You stepped backwards in shock, stumbling slightly. An incredibly kind-looking face stared down at you in surprise as a hand shot out to grip your elbow. “Sorry, I-”, “Shit, are you-” You and your neighbor stared at each other in silence as you both spoke at the same time. Your neighbor smiled, nodding his head at you. “Go ahead.”

Well this wasn’t how you wanted the conversation to go at all. “Sorry. I’m Y/N. I’m your new neighbor.” You gestured at your apartment door, maybe a little needlessly, as you were the only other door on this part of the hallway. “I just wanted to introduce myself, and welcome you to the building.” The guy looked at you seriously as you spoke, like what you said was the most important thing on the planet. He was cute, in a friendly kind of way. He also looked familiar, though for the life of you it was impossible to figure out why.

“And you brought cookies?” He smiled down at you when you nodded slowly. “I’m Kevin. If these cookies are as good as they smell, I think I’m going to be happy I chose to get an apartment instead of a house.” He chuckled lightly at his own joke, and you smiled gently at him. Kevin. It was a fitting name for him. He let go of your elbow suddenly, like he just realized he was still holding it. Honestly, you had forgotten as well. “I’m sorry to meet you and run, but I’m unfortunately late to a meeting. Thanks for coming by though!” You started to back out of his doorway when you remembered the cookies. “Here,” you said as you held the plate out, “these are for you. Welcome to the building!” Kevin stared after you for a couple of seconds as you backed away before responding quickly. “Thanks, Y/N. It was nice to meet you.” His smile followed you into the apartment and stayed in your thoughts for hours after the meeting.

You worked through dinner to try and get ready for the upcoming playoff push. As a marketing manager for the Phillies, the playoffs were your favorite part of the season. It was a time where you could change up the content from your usual stuff, and this year’s playoff ad video was going to be great. One of your summer interns had come up with the idea of using fan videos of some of the highlights of the season to create a mashup, and the video her and the rest of the crew had designed was coming out beautifully. The slogan was going to have something to do with the fans being another part of the team. You watched the video over again and marveled at how well it had come out. The intern needed to become a full hire after this season.

A knock at your door made you jump, though when you opened it there was no one. Your plate, however, sat on the floor outside with a sticky note attached. Thanks for the cookies, it read, my teammates really enjoyed them. I barely got to eat one. The handwriting was slightly messy, clearly boys handwriting. You smiled at the note, and then at the door across the hall from you. It would appear you had a new friend.

2. Dinner and a show

“You know,” Kevin said as he walked through your front door, “I think you’re going to get me cut from the team if you keep feeding me cookies.” He said that with a mouth full of cookie so you took it with a grain of salt, rolling your eyes at him from your position in front of the crock pot. He looked good, dressed in his game day suit, though the tie sticking out of his pocket and the curls still damp from the shower ruined the effect a little bit. These nighttime dinners had become something of a tradition over the last couple of months, after Kevin had come home from a preseason game right as you were returning from a playoff game. You’d ended up sprawled on his couch with a pizza between the two of you, and a tradition was born. Tonight it was tacos, and the steak you had slow-cooked while you were in the office getting ready for the upcoming winter meetings made the entire apartment smell like what you pictured heaven to be.

Kevin dropped onto one of your counter top stools with a heavy sigh, and you slid a beer across to him along with an ice pack. He took the beer thankfully, but then raised an eyebrow at the ice pack. “I saw the hit,” you said as a means of explanation. “I turned the game on when I got back from work. Ice your face so I don’t have to look a black eye for the rest of the week.” Kevin raised his middle finger at you, but did as you asked. Your time together had become a nice way to wind down after your work and game days. Both of you spent so much time in the chaos of professional sports that sometimes it was nice to just slow down and enjoy a meal with someone that understood why you sometimes wanted to sit and eat your meal in silence. Kevin understood that more than you had ever expected. Accurate to your first impression, Kevin and the boys could get extraordinarily loud at times. He was the loudest person in the room, minus when he was with his shorter friend that fought so much, Travis something, but he could also be so quiet on these nights.

The tacos were delicious, and Kevin ate his body weight in home cooking like usual. It wasn’t that he was incompetent in the kitchen; you’d seen him cook pasta and a few other basic things, but he wasn’t one for just throwing something together unless he’d made it a thousand times before. “You know, I think I’m going to have to keep you around just for how well you cook.” You rolled your eyes, like you always did, but you also couldn’t ignore the tug in your chest that your heart gave when he said he would keep you around. Joke or not, you were becoming pretty attached to Kevin. He was sweet, and goofy in an awkward and not at all athlete-like way. Couple the awkwardness with the math skills and you would peg him for a math professor, not a hockey player. “So,” Kevin began, talking around chunks of yet another cookie, “how was work? Did you revolutionize baseball today?”

You laughed out loud at the thought. Like offseason meetings were ever that exciting. “Planning for contract announcements, actually. I wanted to have the guys returning or just signing on make a little video either thanking the fans for their continued support or introducing themselves, depending on where they played last year, but everyone vetoed it.” You rolled your eyes at the memory. Greg, who thought he should have gotten your job despite your better qualifications, very loudly made his dissent clear. In the end, everyone else followed suit.

Kevin, thankfully, was on your side. “I would have loved something like that! Especially for the new guys; you’ve gotta get the fans on your side before they have time to hate you.” You chuckled at his statement, even as you nodded in agreement. Getting Kevin amped up about any subject was your favorite thing to do. His accent wasn’t always clear, but times like now the Boston really came out.

“Thanks for the support, Kev. It’s nice to know at least somebody is on my side.” He leaned over to squeeze your hand reassuringly, and you only had one thought: you were in deep trouble.

3. The one where you made his date dinner

Kevin’s voice was frantic as he threw pots and pans around his kitchen, smoking something sitting black in the sink. “Y/N, please! I need help! She’s gonna be here soon, what do I do?” The panic was new, and you swallowed to joke that almost came out of your mouth in response. He really did look stressed, and the hair you knew he had meticulously styled was now running wild around his temples in frizzy curls. He stared down helplessly at what you thought was supposed to be spaghetti. You sighed, walking over to stand in front of him.

“We’ll make something else.” Kevin’s face still looked panicked, and you reached up to grab his face with both hands. “Kev. It’s gonna be okay.” He nodded. You smiled slightly, and he smiled back. “I’m going to go get a couple of things from my kitchen. Get out a couple of beers, trim the chicken, and I’ll be right back.” You patted his cheek gently and hurried out of the apartment. Hopefully you would be able to get rid of the smell before she got there. Kevin had a date, a girl he’d been dating for a few months, and you had shown up with the flowers he forgot to buy right as the pan of burnt spaghetti went into the sink. You were still trying to figure out how in the hell a box of spaghetti had turned into the black brick sitting in his pot, but that was a question for another time.

With minimal time and a general lack of great ingredients, you settled on beer-battered chicken and a salad. Thankfully you’d gone to the farmer’s market that morning, and had made Kevin go with you. There were tons of fresh vegetables sitting on his counter that would now get some good use. The only thing you needed from your apartment were cashews and some flour, which you grabbed before hurrying back across the hall again. Kevin was still panicking, though slightly less so, and the chicken was almost ready for the batter. You shouldered Kevin out of the way, throwing the beer, flour, eggs, and a couple of other ingredients into a bowl. Kevin hovered over your shoulder anxiously, at least until you elbowed him in the ribs. “Back up, Kev, I promise I’ve got your back.” He sighed, and finally sat on the counter out of your way.

He didn’t speak until you threw the chicken into a pan of oil, and even then he spoke so quietly you almost didn’t hear him. “Thanks for always having my back, Y/N.” You smiled over at him, though the chicken spitting oil quickly grabbed your attention again. The past year and a half had been nice. Kevin’s exodus from Philly for the summer came right around the time that the Phillies occupied most of your time and visits with Kevin were limited to late night meals, especially as he and the girl started dating. Kelsey, maybe? Or Karly? You hadn’t actually met; honestly, you weren’t sure she’d met any of his teammates either. It was weird no one had really met her yet, especially for a relationship that had lasted for at least two months. “Spring training is soon, right? When do you leave for Florida?”

“In a week. When do you guys play in Tampa?” He answered the week after next, and you nodded. You had gone to their game in Tampa the year before when it fell during spring training, and it looked like you would be doing so again. The chicken was finally finished, and you threw together a small warm salad with a fresh cashew Caesar dressing. The plates looked good, and Kevin was already washing the dishes when you turned around. “I can get these, Kev, go fix up your hair.”

He turned around teasingly, flicking water in your general direction. “What the hell is that supposed to mean, Y/N?” You shrugged. He raised an eyebrow, and you were saved from a response by the sound of knocking at his door. Kevin quickly dried his hands, and you gathered your flour container. Kelsey/Karly stopped short when she saw you in Kevin’s kitchen, and you held out your free hand with a smile. “I’m Y/N, I live across the hall. it’s nice to meet you.” She raised an eyebrow like she was unimpressed, and your hand dropped to your side slowly. Her next words told you enough about what kind of person she was. “Why the fuck are you here?” So she was going be like that, then. Kevin stood behind her awkwardly, and you hurried towards the door before it got any more weird. He held out a hand to stop you, but said nothing when you turned your head up at him.

You closed the door behind you softly, knowing that an echo from the door slamming would make the entire interaction even weirder. It wasn’t until the door had almost clicked closed that you heard a soft “thank you” from Kevin. A loud argument and a slammed door later the date was over, and you waited for most of the night for Kevin to come over for comfort food. He never came, though you woke up to a sticky note on your door with two short sentences.

I’m sorry. Thank you for everything.

4. Taco Tuesday

It wasn’t just the fact that there was about half the roster sitting in her apartment, or the fact that they were all halfway hammered. It was the fact that Kevin hadn’t bothered to tell you the ‘couple of guys’ he’d invited to dinner was every member of the team not married with children. Nolan was the only mostly sober guy of the group, and that was only because he was coming off of a stomach bug. Thankfully, that stomach bug meant he was the one designated to help you prep for dinner. The guys had begged for your steak tacos after hearing about them for Kevin and then Travis, who had suckered his way into one of you and Kevin’s post-game dinners. Right now, your main concern was having enough meat to feed everyone.

Hands slid around your waist, squeezing slightly when you jumped. “I’m sorry for all the guys. I didn’t think they would all be so interested.” Kevin had to lean in close to your ear in order for you to hear him, and not for the first time you were thankful he was your only close neighbor. The people you shared a wall with were only around for about two months out of the year, and it wasn’t quite that time of year yet. “I promise I’ll keep them mostly chill, and we’ll get out early. I know you have an early call time tomorrow.” Oh, yes. First big road trip of the season. The early April roadies were your favorite, because the thrill of the travel hadn’t worn off yet.

Voices sounded from behind you both, someone commenting on how close Kevin was standing, and he jumped away from you with an impressive amount of speed. You lamented the loss of his body heat, though your next thought was a mental slap on the wrist for thinking about Kevin that way. No matter how into him you were, you couldn’t think like that. You were just friends. Travis slid into the conversation then to make more comments about the two of you, though you knew he meant well. Kevin had finally broken up with Kelsey/Karly, and Travis felt bad because he had been the one to set them up in the first place.

“So Y/N, how come you never bring a guy around to the bars with us?” You could have killed Travis for making that comment. He knew you had a crush on Kevin, had guessed it one night after a particularly rough day, and you were waiting for the day he decided to tell Kevin. “I might bring one around soon,” you said, much to the delight of the crowd around your apartment, minus Kevin. His head snapped up in a mixture of hurt and confusion, and you almost wished you hadn’t brought it up. “I have a date next week with a guy from your marketing department, actually.” Groans of disgust mixed with teasing met your ears at the same time Kevin slammed his beer bottle onto the counter. You would have to explore that outburst at a later date.

Kevin was distant for the rest of the night, and you had a feeling it had something to do with your date. The look on his face and the knowing smirk on Travis’ followed you into your sleep that night, and you tossed and turned until you finally went on a run around the city as daylight broke. A sticky note was waiting on your door when you got back, three brief sentences that made you release tension you hadn’t realized you were holding.

Have a great trip. Revolutionize baseball. You’re the best.

+1. Kevin finally says it

The date had been awful. There were really no other words for it. No matter how many times you dated someone involved in sports, their misogyny never ceased to amaze you. Jake had spent most of the little time you’d dealt with him mansplaining his job and hockey to you, no matter how many times you’d explained you understood both. If he worked for the Phillies, his position would have fallen under your management. In other words, you would have been his boss. You knew what his job entailed, but he couldn’t seem to get that.

But really, the icing on the cake? When he asked if you’d gotten a job with the Phillies so that you could marry some baseball player. As if you could see those boys as anything but loveable idiots. Like hopeless little brothers. You’d gotten up and left then, dropping enough cash on the table to cover your tab and then some before storming out. The text you sent Kevin was angry, a request for beer and a friend, and then you’d walked the mile back to your apartment in heels that were starting to give you serious blisters. The blisters and the red you were still seeing almost caused you to miss the sticky note on your door. Two words, and a scrawl that was very clearly Kevin’s. My place, 8 pm. That note made you smile despite what was quite possibly your worst date ever, and you hurried into your room to change into something more comfortable before heading to Kevin’s.

You walked right in after a knock, and the sight waiting for you almost made you wish you had waited. Soft music was playing from the speaker on Kevin’s kitchen counter, and something in the kitchen smelled heavenly. Kevin looked soft, the Kevin you were used to, in a worn Red Sox t-shirt and some sweatpants that hugged him just right. You were thankful you’d gone with leggings and a long sleeve shirt, especially when Kevin turned around and saw you. His eyes lit up, and you didn’t miss the subtle up-and-down he gave your body. It all felt incredibly domestic, though you didn’t want to drop too deeply into your feels before you’d even had dinner, so you quickly shoved those thoughts away. “Wanna talk about it?” Kevin passed you a beer as he asked, and you shook your head.

“Guy was a dick. Acted like I didn’t know anything about hockey, and then tried to mansplain his job, which is my job, to me.” Kevin snorted in disgust. He mumbled something that sounded like ‘dick’ under his breath, but the oven timer drowned him out. You jumped onto the kitchen counter as Kevin pulled on a couple of oven mitts. He had baked a lasagna, clearly homemade, and you took a deep breath as he placed the dish next to you. Kevin gave you a knowing smirk, and you knocked your beer bottle against his head gently. He knew you too well. His mother had cooked that lasagna when she was around for the mom’s trip, and you’d fallen in love with both the food and his mother. “Kevin, I love you.” He ducked his head, busying himself with scooping you a heaping plate of food. “That was the idea,” he mumbled under his breath. You chose to let it go, although the comment was filed under your list of things to ask him about at some point.

Kevin handed you a plate of lasagna and offered up a slice of fresh bread, which you took gratefully. He scooped himself a matching plate, though his portion was definitely smaller and more diet-approved, and nodded you towards his couch. Rizzoli and Isles was set up on the television, a drama that you and Kevin had been slowly working through together. It was fun to watch him pick apart the locations and inaccuracies, as well as pointing out places that he had grown up terrorizing. He didn’t ask any more about your date, for which you were grateful. The silence was peaceful, minus the occasional comment about the show, and you devoured your food in an amount of time that impressed even Kevin.

It wasn’t until later, when you were cleaning up his kitchen together, that you brought up his earlier comment. “Kev, what did you mean earlier?” He shot a confused look in your direction, and you sighed. “When you said ‘that was the idea’. What did you mean?” Kevin didn’t respond as he finished washing a plate, and he turned off the faucet after he handed you the plate to dry. You were patient, putting away the plate and then dropping the towel as you waited for a response. He would get there, in time.

“I’ve liked you for a long time, Y/N.” Wait, no. Kevin? Liked you? You were frozen, unable to form a sentence. It was like he’d watched your dreams and decided to play a sick joke. Kevin ran a hand over his face and through his hair at your lack of response. “I always knew I didn’t have a chance with you, so I figured being your friend was just as good.” Now it was really just like the Twilight Zone. Either that, or Kevin was reading your mind. It was the exact battle you’d had with yourself several times in the last year-and-a-half plus. Your head spun as you tried to come up with a response, but the only one you came up with was to surge forward and kiss Kevin.

It was like nothing you’d imagined. Kevin was a lot taller than you, enough so that it made kissing him a little difficult at first. After he got over the initial shock of you jumping him he crouched a little, and you wound your fingers through the curls at the nape of his neck. Kissing Kevin felt right, like the one thing you had really been missing over the last couple of years was him. He smiled as you drew back for a breath, and you couldn’t help but smile back. “Yeah?” You laughed at his question. “Yeah,” you repeated, leaning in for another kiss. Kevin obliged, and you melted against him.

You finally left Kevin’s the next morning, rushing out the door so that you could shower before heading in for another game day. Kevin’s kiss on your cheek and a promise for an actual conversation followed you out, though the smile on your face lasted all day. You returned to your apartment that night to see a sticky note on your front door, in Kevin’s writing like always.

My place, 10 pm. Kiss for entry.

#Kevin Hayes Imaging #nhl imagine #nhl imagines

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thehuskerrumble · 4 years

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The Way Things Ought To Be...

For some reason these photos look eerily familiar to the 2019 season

Before we embark on the 2021 Husker Baseball season, I feel it is important to take a look back and bring some closure to the 2020 season that might have been. The Huskers were returning several key starters to a team that finished 2019 with an outstanding record of 20-3, and I think that we can all agree that expectations for this group were at an all time high. But alas, it wasn’t meant to be, as the Coronavirus robbed these young men of what was sure to be a monumental season in the history of Higginsville athletics. But fear not, for I have been blessed with the uncanny ability to see not only what might have been, but also the way things ought to be. So please walk with me as we journey through space and time, and revisit the 2020 Husker campaign, through the eyes of an alternate universe….

Coach Figg is so impressed with Nick Herrera’s sleeves, that it calls for a fist bump

Preseason

Coach Landon Figg embarks on his first campaign as head coach, and is immediately impressed with the talent and depth of his inaugural Huskers squad. Thirty-two players show up on the first day of training, and each and every one of them is equipped with full sleeves on their practice shirts. It is also important to note that not a single player is wearing “Hey Dudes” instead of their required baseball cleats. Drama is at an all-time low, and almost no one gets mouthy with the new skipper. It is obvious that senior leadership is taking control of the dugout.

The old fences, before Higginsville went and got all fancy

Early Season

The Huskers get off to a hot start, posting victories in their first eight contests. They have outscored their opponents by an astounding 74-3 margin. Mason Rumsey, Mason Gash, Noah Iles, and freshman Cade Limback become the first players in Higginsville history to hit back to back to back to back home runs in a single game. Fans travel from miles around to marvel at the fences and dugouts at the newly renovated Fairground Park. They are also equally impressed with the size and quality of the Husker concession hotdogs. Everyone agrees that it is hands-down the best bang for your buck in the entire conference.

You can’t spell Noah Iles without several K’s

Mid-Season

Higginsville continues their torrid start by rattling off wins in their next 10 games, and stretching their streak to 18. Payton Boehm sets a school and state record by striking out 21 batters in a single game. But unfortunately the milestone was short lived, as Iles bested the feat two games later, handing out 22 K’s (he struck out four in one inning due to a player reaching first on a dropped third strike.) James Wilkson completes a personal best, by swiping four bases in one contest, while Dawson Kouril runs his season total to 14 outfield assists. Logan Warren hits a deep line drive to center field, but this year, instead of hitting the fence, it clears the barrier by at least 50 ft. Jonah Dotson and Ethan Rankin each pitch in with pinch hit walk-off doubles to seal Husker victories. But probably most impressive of all, is the fact that the Higginsville coaching staff never had to remind a single player to go after a foul ball.

Records were made to be broken

Late Season

The Huskers finish their regular season campaign with a perfect record of 25-0, winning the Conference title. Mason Gash sets the school record for most home runs in a season (21) and career (whatever that math comes out to be). Jace Kerley prompts the creation of a new category in the record books, by being hit by a pitch 42 times. Nick Herrera finishes the season with an on base percentage of .800, due to an average of two free passes per game. Cade Limback, Josiah Golden, and Jackson Kouril share rookie of the year honors, while Iles and Boehm are co-Cy Young award winners. The Huskers pitching staff of Iles, Boehm, Kouril, Kelan Ernst, and Garrett Pemberton, combine to sport a ridiculous 1.75 e.r.a. Coach Figg is forced to ponder his future, as multiple D1 coaching opportunities come pouring in.

Post Season

Higginsville does the unthinkable, by sweeping the post season and taking home the Huskers first ever baseball state championship. And to make the victory that much sweeter, they bested Lamar 18-0 in the championship game. There were accolades galore, as the Huskers swept the all-conference and all-district awards. And in an unprecedented move, MSHSAA decided to name the entire varsity squad as All-State. Mayor Knehans declared May 31st as annual Husker Baseball Day, and a massive parade was thrown in the team’s honor. Even the Shriners made an appearance as they used to do in the previous Higginsville parades. There were Shriner clowns, Shriners on horseback, Shriners in ridiculously small cars, Shriners just walking and throwing candy, Shriners on motorcycles, Shriners playing bagpipes, Shriners on a pirate ship float, and oh yeah, tractors, lots of farm tractors. It was truly a sight to behold, and one that will live in Husker lore forever.

Where are they now?

The 2020 class had several contributing seniors, all of whom will be missed at Fairground Park. Let’s take a quick look at where I imagine a few of them might be now.

Dawson Kouril

After high school, Dawson joined the Marine Corps and worked his way into special forces. He was last seen in the jungles of Cambodia, training freedom fighters in the use of left-handed weapons.

Noah Iles

Noah Iles is currently undergoing rigorous training in his bid to become a valet at the Gateway Foundations first ever space hotel, set to open in 2027.

Payton Boehm

Payton Boehm grew his hair out, started his own religion, and is currently growing “medicinal” marijuana on a commune in Boulder, Colorado.

James Wilkson

James Wilkson decided to take his talents to Hollywood, and make a name for himself on the big screen. You can catch him on season 73 of “Dancing with the stars.”

Mason Gash

Mason is single and lives at home with his sixteen cats. He enjoys collecting Beanie Babies and considers himself a master of Pokemon Go.

I know, it’s a lot to process, and amazing that these guys have accomplished so much in just a few short months out of high school. Of course, absolutely none of this is true, and it’s all just a figment of my bizarre imagination and sense of humor. Please do not send the health department to Mason Gash’s home, I am certain that he has no more than one or two healthy pets. In all seriousness, these young men are all doing great and I’m sure will be moving on to bigger and better things in their future. I really enjoyed watching them throughout all of their Husker athletics, and each of them deserved to finish out their senior year on their own terms. But since their high school career was ended so abruptly, I just felt that it was important to acknowledge them one last time, and bring some closure to the great 2020 season that might have been. Covid-19 has affected each and every one of us in one form or another, whether it be through lost opportunities, or the unthinkable, the loss of a loved one. For me, the return of baseball is almost therapeutic, and hopefully signals a return to some sort of normalcy. I appreciate you taking the time to read this ridiculous article, and look forward to better times ahead for all of us.

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mattsammonsez · 4 years

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Hockey’s Voice

Sometimes you meet people who embody everything you believe makes a good person. Mike “Doc” Emrick is one of those people, and I enjoyed the few times we interacted in the past 13 years.

Mike “Doc” Emrick in his second home.

When you work in sports broadcasting, your path crosses with the paths of a lot of prominent people, including athletes, coaches, and executives. It’s all part of the job, and admittedly one of the many perks that comes with the territory. While it’s fun to cross paths with these people, there are a select few where you feel blessed that your paths crossed. Mike “Doc” Emrick is one of those people, and you always felt like you knew him and he knew you all your life even if your real life interaction was only 5 minutes. With the announcement from Emrick earlier this week that he is retiring from calling NHL games, I wanted to share a few stories about the times my path fortunately and blessedly crossed with Doc’s.

Like many people my age, we got to know Doc on a regular basis on national television. For me, it was his weekly appearances on the NHL on Fox game of the week in the mid 90’s, as well as numerous New Jersey Devils highlights earlier in the decade as that team was building into a dominant team. In 2005, Doc became the primary voice on the NHL on OLN broadcasts (later Versus, then NBC Sports Network). In 2006, I became the pregame host of Tampa Bay Lightning radio broadcasts, and as I started to settle into my role that season I started gaining new job duties. One of those duties was to pull together guest interviews for our weekly radio show Lightning Hockey Night. In the 2007 playoffs, the Lightning drew the Devils in the first round, and thus my first interaction with Doc would happen as I was trying to get a guest for the program.

We weren’t looking to get Doc on the show as a live guest, but with Doc at the time still calling Devils games I figured he’d be the perfect guest for the show as he was a well-known voice and face even to hockey fans in Florida. Before the morning skate of game 4 with the Lightning up 2-1 in the series, I introduced myself to Doc and asked him if I could get him for just a few minutes to talk about the series. He said he could, and we continued with our usual morning skate routine for the next couple of hours. I hung around the rink until the Devils were done with their skate, and after the locker rooms were closed to the media I approached Doc again to see if he was still able to do a quick interview. This was close to 1 p.m., and with a game starting at 7 or 7:30 that night Doc had plenty of prep to do. Plus his color analyst, the humorous Glenn “Chico” Resch was hungry and wanted lunch. Yet when I politely asked, Doc without hesitation obliged and we sat down in the stands for a few minutes to discuss the series. It was such a special moment, and such a fun interview, I’ve saved it 13 years and counting.

Emrick yucking it up as Jim Carr, the carpet-coiffed play-by-play announcer for the Johnstown Jets in the cult classic film Slap Shot, at Hockeyville USA, 2015.

Fast forward to September 2015. I’m now the Director of Broadcasting & Programming for the Lightning, and I’m on the team plane to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, as the Lightning and Penguins will be squaring off in the first Kraft Hockeyville USA preseason game. Game day was hectic, as the NHL and NBC rolled out the red carpet not only for both teams but for as much Slap Shot as possible since Johnstown was the location of the film shoot 40 years earlier. Along with being that night’s radio engineer for our broadcast, my mission was to pull together as many interviews as possible for a podcast on the event. Knowing the legendary Hanson Brothers would be there, I targeted an interview with them which I was able to score.

The Cambria County War Memorial Arena was opened in 1950, when comforts such as being able to stretch your legs were not baked into many civic building blueprints. In a tiny locker room I waited for the Hansons to come in, and I did so next to Doc who agreed to also do an interview with me once I was done with the Hansons. The Hansons came in, and not only played the part of their characters well for my interview, but they too were incredibly friendly and great to talk to. While the interview went on, there was that brief fleeting moment in my head; “I’m interviewing three of the greatest hockey movie characters while one of the greatest hockey announcers is sitting in the background watching this.” Quite the moment to say the least. After my conversation with the Hansons, I sat down with Doc to talk to him about what the game meant to him, a former college teacher and newspaper writer in Western Pennsylvania 45 years earlier. You could sense in Doc’s eyes and voice this Hockeyville experience in his old backyard with all the Slap Shot fun and frivolity mixed in was quite the moment for him. The Hanson Brothers and Doc interviews were the cornerstone of my podcast, and all these years later it’s still one of my favorite podcasts of more than 100 I did.

Emrick could make any broadcast better, including a Morning Skate Show in desperate need of some good news in 2018.

Fast forward to May 2018. We’re not in the preseason, we’re in the thick of the postseason, and the Lightning are about to battle the Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference Final. Prior to game one at the morning skate, Doc and I are two of seemingly 200 people gathering around Alex Ovechkin for pregame interviews. We looked on from a distance, laughing more at the spectacle then actually listening to anything Ovechkin was saying. When the scrum was done, I casually asked Doc if we could have him as a guest on our streaming video program The Morning Skate Show when the series shifted to Washington D.C. for game 3. Doc said he wanted to, we just needed to route the request through NBC public relations, which is always a coin flip on if your wish gets granted. Thankfully for us, it was.

Never before did we need a personality like Doc Emrick like we did then. The Caps humiliated the Lightning for two easy wins in Tampa before the series went to our nation’s capital. In planning for the show, we decided to talk as little as possible about the first two games, and simply turn the show into the Doc Emrick talent show. For almost 45 minutes, Doc talked about everything from the NHL playoffs to memories of AHL games in Halifax 40 years ago when birds in the rafters of the old Halifax Forum pooped on the ice during games. At the end of the show he very quietly but confidently reminded our viewers that if any team was able to get out of 0-2 hole to the Caps, it was the Lightning. It was the reassurance and the fun story telling we all needed, and low and behold the Lightning rallied for three-straight wins before the Caps pulled it together and won the series in seven games on their way to their first Stanley Cup championship. As of 2019, it was still one of the most-watched episodes of the show.

Finally, fast forward to October 2019. Two months earlier, I was informed my position was being “eliminated” at the Lightning, but I refused to be eliminated from the scene. Newly hired to provide a weekly Metro Express podcast to the Philadelphia Flyers (and later the Capitals), I arrived at Amalie Arena for a morning skate prior to a Lightning and Penguins game that was being aired nationally on NBC that night. Once I found out Doc was on the call, I knew I needed to get him for a few minutes to talk Metropolitan Division hockey. I saw Doc sitting in the first couple of rows of seats when I arrived, and I quickly slipped in next to him and asked if I could get his thoughts real quickly. Doc was there to study lines and defensive pairings of both teams, and now at the age of 74 had to double-check all players and facts before putting on another flawless broadcast that night. I was very respectful of his time, and as always he was respectful enough to grant me a few minutes of his busy day.

While there were many similarities to that first interview with Doc in 2007, this time around technology would come back to bite me. Feeling satisfied my iPhone would work as a microphone just fine, I started the interview. Midway through Doc’s first answer, my phone started ringing, cutting off the voice memo app I was using. Thankfully I silenced my phone so it merely buzzed, but in my head I was cursing while Doc was talking. There was no way I was going to ask him to start over again, I was just going to have to eat the moment as I feverishly hung up on the call and pressed record on the voice memo again. While I did this without interrupting Doc’s thoughts, I still got a good 7-8 minutes from him and used it in that week’s show. It was special to connect with Doc again, and I was reminded even as a veteran hockey broadcaster at this time to never ever again do an important interview on my iPhone.

Doc’s retirement announcement didn’t come totally as a surprise to me. I figured with COVID-19 still a factor in our lives for at least the next year or two, the last place a 75-year-old cancer survivor needs to be is in a pressurized airplane cabin or travelling from one cold city to another in the winter. And even though Doc is a pro’s pro, it’s extremely difficult to call a game from a television screen. Whoever is named his successor at NBC has some very big shoes to fill.

As for me, my career has moved forward from my exit with the Lightning, and while potentially great things await I don’t know if I’ll be able to cover a daily beat in an NHL arena anytime soon. That’s perfectly fine with me, as I’m always looking for a new challenge and can’t wait to see what is ahead for me and my family. That also adds even more emotional value to the times my path crossed with Doc’s path. Hockey fans have been blessed to have him as a prime voice for decades, and I was blessed to interact with him several times in my career. A visit from this doctor was always welcome in the homes and hearts of hockey fans.

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martinnecas · 5 years

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Quick Guide | Carolina Hurricanes: Meet The Team - Opening Night 2019-20

New season means a new quick guide to the roster

2018-19 season

This took me a couple of days to put together so please appreciate it

Want to know how to pronounce a players name?

Click this link!

*All gifs made by me*

Forwards:

☞ Sebastian Aho™️ #20

Yes there is another “Sebastian Aho” from Sweden but he’s usually in the AHL (Bridgeport/Islanders)

Born: July 26, 1997 (22 years old/Leo) from Rauma, Finland

6′0, Centre, 35th overall CAR 2015

Nicknames: Fishy, Seabass, Sepe, Sebu

He’s the face of this franchise and the only player on this team that the Canadian media knows about

Is being held against his will in Raleigh because he wants to play for Montreal if you don’t know the actual story MTL sent him an offer sheet that he signed because he wanted the money and knew Carolina could pay it, but you know how Habs twitter can be.

Possibly the messiest Hurricane

Who’s my daddy?!

Spirit animal is a lion, hear him roar

Avid coffee drinker

Baby face

Painted a picture of his cat one time

☞ Ryan Dzingel #18

Born: March 9, 1992 (27 years old/Pisces) from Wheaton, Illinois

6′0, Centre, 204th overall OTT 2011

Nicknames: Zinger, Dizzy, Dzingel Bells, D-pingel

Played with the Ohio State Buckeyes for 3 seasons, recorded the first hat trick in Big Ten history against Xichigan

Traded to CBJ Feb ‘19, signed with CAR as a free agent summer ‘19

Might need glasses, he squints like that ^ a lot

Golfs... A L O T

Wants to produce for the team so he can stay here in Raleigh and make it his home ♥︎

Jeep guy

Looks uncomfortably similar to Tripp Tracy

UNC fan

☞ Warren Foegele #13

Born: April 1, 1996 (23 years old/Aries) from Markham, Ontario

6′2, Left Wing, 67th overall CAR 2014

Nicknames: Foegs, Foegdaddy

Best friends with Andrei Svechnikov and Dougie Hamilton

Duke fan

Accidentally broke Osh*e’s collarbone but TJ and C*p fans will claim he tried to murder him

Spirit animal is a tiger, also hear him roar

Very easily scared

Duke fan

☞ Erik Haula #56

Born: March 23, 1991(28 years old/Aries) from Pori, Finland

6′0, Left Wing, 181st overall 2009 MIN

Nicknames: Hauls, Haulsy

Moved to Minnesota in 2008 to play hockey in boarding school

Played for the University Of Minnesota Gophers for 3 seasons

Signed with MIN in 2013, was picked up by the VGK in 2017 as a free agent in the Expansion Draft, then traded to CAR summer of 2019 (for Nic Roy & draft pick)

Suffered a pretty bad knee injury in the 2018-19 season

CAKE

Got married this past summer ♥︎

Currently living in Calvin de Haan’s old house

☞ Jordan Martinook (A) #48

Born: July 25, 1992 (27 years old/Leo) from Brandon, Manitoba

6′0, Left Wing, 58th overall 2012 PHX

Nicknames: Marty, Marty Man, Marty Party

Signed with PHX/ARI in 2012, traded to CAR in 2018 (for Krüger)

Raw chaotic dad energy

Doesn’t like corndogs and has a very high pitched scream

His wife gave birth to their first son last season before he got his downstairs fixed in the offseason

LETS GO SVECH

Spirit animal is a dolphin because he has a great impression

There is so much more I want to put on here but you should really just follow his Twitter

☞ Brock McGinn #23

Born: February 2, 1994 (25 years old/Aquarius) from Fergus, Ontario

6′0, Left Wing, 47th overall 2012 CAR

Nicknames: Ginner, Brock McWinn, McPing, the new Mr. Game Seven (that one is kind of a joke though), Big Cock Brock

Single handedly defeated evil not only once but twice on April 24th, 2019, earning him the nicknames “Brock McWinn” and the new “Mr. Game Seven”

Has two brothers who also play professionally; Jamie (NHL) and Tye (AHL) McGinn

Co Owner of the Roanoke Rail Road Dawgs with his brothers and father

His daddy is Bob

Has a high probability of burning his whole house down

Used to be a fighter, but he didn’t fight anyone last season

Thor

Was 3rd in the league with most MsS Post (10) in the 2017-18 season earning him the nickname Brock McPing

☞ Martin Nečas #88

Born: January 15, 1999 (20 years old/Capricorn) from Nove Mesto na Morave, Czech Rebublic

6′2, 12th overall 2017 CAR, “He plays, like, Centre”

Nicknames: Neči, Marty, Nacho, Marto

Your 2019-20 ****** ****** winner

He’s here to fix out PP units, quote me on that

Little hockey stick chain ^

Is known for falling while scoring

Is it avocado or avocaydo?

Hidden talent: Belly dancing

Almost killed the entire team with a golf club last season

Don’t mess with him

Just won the Calder Cup with the Checkers :)

☞ Nino Niederreiter #21

Born: September 8, 1992 (27 years old/Virgo) from Chur, Switzerland

6′0, Right Wing, 5th overall 2010 NYI

Nicknames: El Nino

Was the highest drafted Swizz born player until Hischer in 2017

Signed to the Islanders in 2010, traded to Minnesota in 2013, then traded to Carolina in January 2019 (for Rask)

Was about to take a nap when he was traded

Just when canes fans almost lost hope, Nino showed up and saved our season

When he came to Carolina, someone gave him sweet tea and he really liked it

Was voted best dressed by a couple teammates

Loves the surge

Supports women’s hockey

☞ Jordan Staal (C) #11

Born: September 10, 1988 (31 years ago/Virgo) from Thunder Bay, Ontario

6′4, Centre, 2nd overall 2006 PIT

Nicknames: Stallsy, Jordad, Gronk

Arrested at his brother’s bachelor party

Won the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2009

Jordan is the youngest out of the other brothers (Eric, Marc) in the league (NHL) 3rd brother is the youngest and is now a coach

Signed with PIT in 2006, traded to CAR in 2012 (for 8th overall pick, Brandon Sutter and Brian Dumoulin)

Named Captain in the 2017-18 season, became Alternative Captain in 2018-19, is now Captain again in 2019-20

Great at dad jokes

☞ Andrei Svechnikov #37

Born: March 26, 2000 (19 years old/Aries) from Barnaul, Russia

6′2, Right Wing, 2nd overall 2018 CAR

Nicknames: Svech, Mother Russia

Svech is ready

“Just win every game”

Wears #37 because that’s what his brother, Evgeny Svechnikov (DET), wears

Russia = Cold, Raleigh = Hot

Apparently his biggest talent outside of hockey is… magic?

Best friends with Warren Foegele and Dougie Hamilton

Likes to shovel the ice during practice

Me?

Terrible at golf..

.. I mean like really bad

☞ Teuvo Teräväinen #86

Born: September 11, 1994 (25 years old/Virgo) from Helsinki, Finland

5′11, Left Wing, 18th overall 2012 CHI

Nicknames: Turbo, Teukka

Shortest Hurricane

Began with CHI in 2014, traded to CAR in 2016 (along with Bickell for 2nd round pick)

Won the cup with CHI in 2015 (Along with van Riemsdyk)

Has the worst sense of smell ever

I mean come on.. pumpkin? toothpaste?

I could keep going with this I don't know what’s wrong with his nose

Most likely the messiest Hurricane

Would dump Sebastian on the side of the road after 100km

Gets scared REALLY easily

His sisters plays hockey over in Finland (and is pretty good at it too)

☞ Lucas Wallmark #71

Born: September 5, 1995 (24 years old/Virgo) from Umea, Sweden

6′0, Centre, 97th overall 2014 CAR

Nicknames: Wally

My daddy!?

His spirit animal is… a horse?

^ He enjoys watching horse racing

*Straight face* “Snacks!? Candy!?”

Deal with it

Showed up to a U12 and U18 team practice to work on skills with kids

Owns a pug named Lovis

Defense

☞ Joel Edmundson #6

Born: June 28, 1993 (26 years old/Cancer) Brandon, Manitoba

6′4, 46th overall 2011 STL

Nicknames: Crop Top King, Eddy

Won the cup in 2019 with STL and partied in a crop top

True Canadian, ate poutine out of the cup

Traded in September 2019 to CAR (along with Bokk for Faulk and draft pick)

Going to strengthen our PK I promise

Finally, an enforcer

Forgot to take his skate guards off during his CAR preseason debut in front of 18,000 people

Is a barbie girl, living in a barbie world

☞ Haydn Fleury #4

Born: July 8, 1996 (23 years old/Cancer) from Carlyle, Saskatchewan

6′3, 7th overall 2014 CAR

Nicknames: Fleurs

Beat his little brother Cale (MTL) during his NHL debut

Best friends with Trevor van Riemsdyk

Has the cutest dog named Kobe

Won the Calder Cup along with Nečas :)

If you want to giggle watch this

Has the worst witch cackle you will ever hear

Apparently the best golfer on the team

Big Duke fan

☞ Jake Gardiner #51

Born: July 4, 1990 (29 years old/Cancer) from Minnetonka, Minnesota

6′2, 17th overall 2008 ANA

Nicknames: Gards

Played for the University of Wisconsin for 3 seasons

Traded to TOR in 2011, signed as a free agent to CAR in summer 2019

Has the cutest baby

Denied several offers from other teams mtl to play with us instead

Hands down had the best Halloween costume two years ago

☞ Dougie Hamilton #19

Born: June 17, 1993 (26 years old/Gemini) from Toronto, Ontario

6′6, 9th overall 2011 BOS

Nicknames: D-Ham, Doug the Thug, well his real name is Douglas so I guess Dougie is technically a nickname

Tallest Hurricane

Both of his parents are Olympians, brother also plays professional hockey

Started with BOS in 2012, traded to CGY in 2015, then traded to CAR in 2018 (Last remaining player from the huge Hamilton, Ferland & Fox for Lindholm and Hanifin trade)

Best friends with Andrei Svechnikov and Warren Foegele

Porche guy

Grew out a mullet because his hair salon couldn’t take him as a walk in

Jack Edwards complained that he was wearing a number retired from the Whalers so he taped a 6 over the 1 in 19 to make 69

Goes to children's hospitals dressed as woman characters

Lowkey shootout king

Floss

Another Duke fan

Wears the same blazer to every road game

☞ Brett Pesce #22

Born: November 15, 1994 (24 years old/Scorpio) from Tarrytown, New York

6′3, 66th overall 2013 CAR

Nicknames: Pesh

“I play defense bro”

Played for the University of New Hampshire for 3 seasons (2 of those seasons with van Riemsdyk)

Pretty ^

Wears 22 for his dad

He’ll break your ankles

Fortnite squad

Brought his wonderful brother on the mentors trip

Allergic to cats

☞ Jaccob Slavin (A) #74

Born: May 1, 1994 (25 years old/Taurus) from Denver, Colorado

6′3, 120th overall 2012 CAR

Nicknames: Slav-o

The second ‘c’ stands for captain

Faith and family

Played for Colorado College for two seasons

Adopted a beautiful baby girl with his beautiful wife

Has an instagram for his two dogs

His daddy is “Robert”

Not afraid of snakes at all

☞ Trevor van Riemsdyk #57

Born: July 24, 1991 (28 years old/Leo) from Middletown, New Jersey

6′2, Undrafted

Nicknames: TVR, Riems

Agreed to terms with CHI in 2014

Won the cup with CHI in 2015 (along with Teräväinen)

Was picked up by the VGK in the 2017 expansion draft

The next day traded to CAR (for 2nd round pick)

James van Riemsdyk (PHI) is his older brother

Played with the University of New Hampshire for 3 seasons (2 of those seasons with Pesce)

He’s too tired to be scared

March Madness

Best friends with Haydn Fleury

Pride representative for the team

Goalies

☞ Petr Mrázek #34

Born: February 14, 1992 (27 years old/Aquarius) from Ostrava, Czech Republic

6′1, 141st overall 2010 DET

Nicknames: Mrazzle Dazzle, St. Petr

Moved to Ottawa at age 17

Signed with DET in 2014

Was HUGE for them during the 2015 playoff run

Traded to PHI in Feb ‘18, signed as a free agent with CAR in July ‘18

Stylish

He had custom hats made for every player on the team

Always has Peter Griffin in his helmet design

Signature move: Poke Check

☞ James Reimer #47

Born: March 15, 1988 (31 years old/Pisces) from Morweena, Manitoba

6′2, 99th overall 2006 TOR

Nicknames: Optimus Reim, The Statue, Reims

Debuted with TOR in 2010, traded to SJS Feb ‘16

Signed with FLA as a free agent summer ‘16, traded to CAR summer ‘19 (for Darling and a 2020 6th round pick)

Has two kids

Really good swimmer

You may recognize this famous goalie meme, that’s right, that's him

Optimus Reim helmet art

He looks so much like Weston from Love Island USA

Honorable Mention

☞ Julien Gauthier #44

I’m including him because everyone expected him to make the team as he did phenomenal in the preseason (playing all 6 games) but due to cap space (and our horrid pp units), he was sent back down.

Born: October 15, 1997 (turning 22/Libra) from Pointe-aux-Trembles, Quebec

6′4, Right Wing, 21st overall 2016 CAR

Nicknames: Goat, Gauths, Jules

Big boy

Bilingual (French/English)

Cute accent

His uncle played 554 games in the NHL (Denis Gauthier)

Both his father and grandfather were professional bodybuilders

That explains his muscles

The best thighs in the league (not up for debate)

Also won the Calder Cup this past season with Haydn Fleury and Martin Nečas

Head Coach

☞ Rod Brind’Amour #17

Roderick Jean Brind’Amour

Born: August 9, 1970 (age 49 years/Leo) from Ottawa, Canada

6′1, Centre, 9th overall 1988 STL

Nicknames: Rod the Bod, RBA

Played with Michigan State for one season

Started with STL in the playoffs of ‘88, traded to PHI in ‘91, traded to CAR in 2000

Captain of the 2006 CAR Stanley Cup winning team

Played 20 seasons, 1,484(GP) 452(G) 732(A) 1,184(P)

Became head coach for the 2018-19 season

First year as HC broke the team’s 9 year playoff drought and brought them all the way to the ECF

Is known for his extreme workouts

Still in better shape than 98% of the league

Could very well still lace up and play better than 80% of the league

Lives rent free in W*lson’s and Reirden’s heads

Gives the best post-game speeches

President & General Manager

☞ Don Waddell

I really just wanted an excuse to put this gif in here

Coached the 1998 DET Stanley Cup winning team

Named Pres. & GM of CAR in May ‘18

Owner

☞ Tom Dundon

Lives rent free is Habs fans minds

Estimated net worth is $1.1 billion?

Majority owner of TopGolf (55%)

Chairman of the Alliance of American Football

Purchased 52% of CAR in January 2018 for $420million

Likes to hang around team/fan events

Stays in the same hotel as me lol

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bearterritory · 5 years

Photo

A Golden Upset

Cal Takes Down #20 Arkansas Behind Brown's Career Day

BERKELEY – "We stuck with it and just refused to lose." Head coach Charmin Smith and the Cal women's basketball team made a statement on Sunday, upsetting No. 20 Arkansas, 84-80, in a thriller at Haas Pavilion. The Golden Bears (3-2, 0-0 Pac-12) extended their winning streak to three in a row, led by a stellar showing on both ends of the floor from senior Jaelyn Brown. The 6'1" guard/forward went off for a career-high 30 points and added a career-best 12 rebounds to power the Golden Bears to their first Top-25 victory of the year. Brown – who surpassed her season-high with 19 points at the half and had an eye-popping 15 points in the second quarter alone – becomes just the 23rd player in program history to score 30 or more points in a game, and joins All-Americans Ashley Walker, Reshanda Gray, and Kristine Anigwe as the only Golden Bears in the last 20 seasons to post at least 30 points and 12 rebounds in a single game. Cal also saw CJ West (14 points, 12 rebounds) and Eveliene Lutje Schipholt (11 points, 10 rebounds) record double-doubles, as the Bears outrebounded Arkansas, 49-32. Cal held a 19-8 advantage on the offensive glass, led by 10 offensive rebounds from Brown. "Charmin is always on us to box out and crash hard," said West, whose 14 points marked a season-high. "We had inspiration and help from all our teammates. Everyone was crashing hard and brought a lot of energy. That just inspires you to work hard every possession." Four different players scored in double-figures for Arkansas, led by 24 points from guard Chelsea Dungee, a preseason candidate for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award. Dungee and the Razorbacks got off to a strong start, jumping out to a 7-2 lead. However, Cal quickly found its scoring touch and trailed by only five after the first quarter. The second quarter proved pivotal, as Cal outscored Arkansas in the frame, 27-14, to take a 47-39 lead into halftime. The Bears closed the quarter on a 7-0 run and outscored the Razorbacks 15-4 over the final 3:47 of the half. Brown and West powered the Golden Bears' second quarter surge, scoring or assisting on 24 of Cal's 27 points. Brown – who entered the day averaging 10.5 points per game on the season – scored 15 points in the second quarter on 6-10 shooting from the floor and knocked down a pair of free throws with 0.1 left of the clock to give the Bears an eight-point lead at the break. Cal withstood a 13-4 Arkansas run to open the second half and extended their lead to back to eight late in the third quarter after a finish in the paint by Lutje Schipholt off an assist from junior Alaysia Styles. The Bears dished out a season-high 20 assists in the win, led by a career-high seven assists from freshman point guard Leilani McIntosh. The back-and-forth battle continued into the fourth quarter and Arkansas reclaimed the lead after a score inside by Alexis Tolefree put the Hogs up 78-77. However, Cal responded right away with a basket inside by West and Brown drilled her fourth three-pointer of the night shortly after to make it a two-possession game. Arkansas got back within two after another score by Tolefree but Cal freshman Cailyn Crocker sunk a pair of free throws with two seconds left to ice the game. Croker finished with nine points and a career-high seven rebounds, as Cal's bench outscored the Razorbacks' reserves, 25-6. The Bears' also held an 18-8 advantage on second-chance points and picked up the program's first win over a ranked opponent since knocking off No. 22 Arizona State on February 22, 2019. "This was a great win for the program," said Smith, in the midst of her first season as head coach. "I think this is a big confidence booster for us moving forward." Cal continues its nine-game home stand after Thanksgiving, hosting the semi-annual Cal Classic. The 2019 edition of the tournament features North Carolina Central, Penn State, and Long Beach State. Cal and NC Central (1-3, 0-0 MEAC) will meet in the opening game, a 1 p.m. PT tip-off on Friday, November 29, followed by Long Beach State (1-4, 0-0 Big West) vs Penn State (3-3, 0-0 Big Ten) at 3:15 p.m. The consolation game of the Cal Classic will be held at 1:00 p.m. PT on Saturday, November 30, with the championship game to follow at 3:15 p.m. PT. Friday's opening game between the Golden Bears and Eagles marks the return of a familiar face to Haas Pavilion. North Carolina Central head coach Trisha Stafford-Odom graduated from Cal in 1992 after an All-American playing career for the Golden Bears. Stafford-Odom led the Golden Bears to their first two NCAA Tournament appearances in 1990 and 1992 and was inducted into the Cal Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013.

#Cal #Go Bears #UC Berkeley #Cal Basketball #Bear Territory #Jaelyn Brown #Cal Berkeley #Charmin Smith #Golden Bears #Cailyn Crocker #Trisha Stafford-Odom #Cal Bears #Lutje Schipholt #Haas Pavilion #Berkeley #Alaysia Styles

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71tenseventeen · 6 years

Text

Take My Hand (Take My Whole Life Too)-22

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21

Warnings for sexual content, male pregnancy, non-hockey Sid. Sid and Taylor’s ages have been altered to fit the story.

Perpetual credit to my betas, @queen-alia and @icosahedonist as well as the GC and @ljummen and @knifeshoeoreofight.

Neither of them is expecting the SUV waiting in the driveway when they get home. Sid knows it has to be someone who has the gate code which means a close friend or teammate but he has no idea who. Geno sighs, looking resigned. “Tanger,” he says. “Been calling me all day trying to get me go watch a game with them. I told him I’m busy.”

Sid bites at his lip nervously. “What do you want me to do? I can stay in the car.”

Geno puts the car in park and looks over at him with a frown. “Not making you hide in car. No. Already planning on telling team anyhow, might as well get head start. He’s my friend. I think it will be okay.”

Sid wants to argue but Geno is already hauling himself out of the car, immediately griping at Tanger. “Tell you I’m busy, why you bug me?”

“You’re a lying liar,” comes the reply. “You’re never busy unless the Russians are in town. What are you—” He stops abruptly as Sid climbs out of the passenger seat before turning to Geno, eyebrow raised. “I didn’t realize you had company.”

Geno’s only reply is to roll his eyes as he heads inside, ushering Sid ahead of him while Tanger falls into step behind him.

Inside, Tanger looks around, taking in the pairs of shoes by the door that are clearly not Geno’s and he glances at Sid again. “You’re Kuni’s tutor, right?”

Before Sid can do more than open his mouth, Geno is snapping. “His name is Sid. Don’t be a dick.”

“Hey!”

Sid motions towards the kitchen, amused. “I’ll put on some tea.”

They follow him in, bickering about nothing at all while Sid gets the teapot on.

An awkward silence falls over them as they settle into chairs. Geno rolls his eyes pointedly when it becomes obvious Tanger is waiting for him to say something. “You have reason for come here or just come to sit quiet and stare all night?”

“No but…” Tanger trails off, glancing at Sid with some confusion.

“What you think, Sid? I should tell him?” Sid’s nervous but Geno catches his eye, winks with a smile as he turns back to Tanger. “He’s living here now. With me.”

Tanger’s eyebrows fly up as he looks between them, clearly waiting for some kind of punchline. “Oh. Really?”

The unasked “why” hangs heavily in the air.

“We having a baby.”

“Who? What are you talking about?” he asks, still not connecting the dots.

Tangers eyes go impossibly wider as Geno smiles over at Sid.

“You two?”

“Yeah. He’s four months pregnant.”

“Holy shit, I just figured you were getting English tutoring or something.”

Sid snorts and Geno looks outraged. “Fuck you! My English great!”

Sid strides to the fridge, plucking off the sonogram picture and handing it carefully to Geno who passes it to Tanger. ”Don’t get fingerprints on it.”

Tanger’s mouth drops open. He snaps his head back up almost immediately, eyes wide with shock.

“We meet at cup party. Probably should tell you sooner but…” he trails off, letting out a deep breath.

The whistling of the kettle breaks through the silence like a freight train, startling Sid. He scrambles for it as Tanger finally finds his voice.

“Holy shit.”

“We have problem?” Geno sounds nervous now.

“Yes we have a problem!” Sid’s stomach drops—until he goes on. “You’re having a baby and you didn’t tell me, you dick!”

He takes a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves again, and catches Geno smiling softly at him before turning back to Tanger. “We had lot to deal with, little bit of scare few weeks ago. Been more focused on keeping them healthy, you know?”

“You—” he turns to Sid, wide-eyed again. “Shit, are you okay?” He slaps Geno’s arm with a glare. “Why are you making him do the work you asshole? He’s carrying your child!”

Geno’s mouth falls open, Sid’s sure he’s going to protest but then he stands looking guilty instead. “You right.”

Sid shakes his head because they’re not going back to this. He’s not helpless. “He’s not making me, I want to. I’m okay now, the baby is okay. I’m not on bedrest or anything. I can make tea.”

“You should let him anyway. You’re carrying his baby, you should be resting.”

Sid groans as Geno chokes with laughter.

A few days later, Geno’s late getting back from practice. It happens sometimes, especially recently as the preseason has progressed. Sid doesn’t think much of it until Geno walks in with his face pulled tight and tense.

“Hey Sid,” he says, voice tired as he passes by the living room and heads to the kitchen. Geno’s first stop is usually Sid, asking about his day and, in turn, talking about his own.

Sid isn’t sure what to do but can’t do nothing so he heads to the kitchen and watches quietly as Geno pulls ingredients from the fridge. “You hungry?” he asks, eyes distant as he starts putting together a salad.

“No, I’m—I ate already. Geno, are you okay?”

He sighs. “Fine, Sid. Just—” He runs a hand through his hair before sighing again. “Team knows.”

Sid’s stomach twists. “Oh.” He swallows nervously. “Do you, um, do you want to talk about it?”

“Not much to talk about. I’m say I’m having baby with you and you gonna be at team things and that’s all. No one say much.”

“Nothing?”

Geno shrugs. “I’m leave before they have chance.”

“Oh.” Sid can’t begin to know what that means but he knows that telling them was a huge risk and now Geno is waiting for the fallout, whatever it may be. “They’re—you said they’re good guys. They probably just need time to let it all sink in.”

Geno sighs. “Yeah, guess so.” He grabs a knife and Sid watches his hands tremble as he tries to slice the tomato.

“Geno,” he says softly, coming close enough to cover his hands. “Let me do this. Sit down, I’ll make you some tea and finish this.”

“You don—”

“I know I don’t have to do anything. I want to, okay?”

Sid sees the fight drain out of him as his shoulders slump. “Okay.” He sinks down into a chair and watches Sid quietly.

They don’t say much as he finishes the salad and even less as Geno eats and Sid sips his tea, anxiety pulling at his insides. He knows Geno is scared but he has no idea what to do about it.

He’s considering calling Flower when the security system alerts. Geno looks up, eyes filled with trepidation, body tensing a minute later when someone rings the bell.

“Do you want me to get it?” The last thing Sid wants to do is come face-to-face with teammates if they’re upset but— he’ll do it for Geno.

Geno shakes his head. “No, no point. Have to face them sometime.”

Sid follows him to the door; realistically he knows there’s not much he can do if they are upset but it feels wrong to make Geno face this alone. He breathes a sigh of relief when he sees that it’s Flower behind the door—albeit looking very put out.

Geno steps back, letting the door fall open as Flower strides in. “You left before they could congratulate you, el Cap-i-tan.”

Geno isn’t smiling, lines still tight around his eyes as he shuts the door quietly. “Why you here?”

“You should be thanking me. Half the team wanted to come over here. You kind of left them hanging. It was either me or all of them. ”

Geno sighs. “Didn’t really want to wait around if reaction going to be bad.” He heads to the living room, dropping heavily onto the couch. Flower sits down on the other end so Sid takes the chair, not really sure what to do with himself.

“You didn’t give them a chance to react at all.”

Geno frowns, “What you want me to say? Not sorry. Not easy thing to say to team. At least I tell them.”

Flower looks like he really wants to argue but he pauses for a moment before nodding. “Okay. That’s fair but I wish you’d told us first. Kris and I could have helped.”

Geno runs his hands through his hair leaving it wild. “Didn’t want to wait. If I’m wait, maybe lose nerve.”

“It would have taken five seconds to tell us first.”

Geno stares at his feet, speaking quietly without looking up. “What they say?”

“At first everyone was just shocked. Honestly? Some of them thought it was a prank.”

Geno’s head shoots up. “They think I joke about something like this?” he snaps angrily.

“They didn’t fucking know what to think! You said it and ran! But then I told them it was true and it started to sink in.”

Geno drops his head into his hands with a sigh. “Was it bad?”

“No. There was a lot of disbelief at first and then a lot of them wanted to go after you to make sure you were okay. They want you to know it’s not a problem. That’s why I’m here.”

“Whole team can’t have react like that.”

“No. But no one said anything bad, G.”

“Fuck,” he groans with a heavy exhale. “What if they tell media.”

“Yeah, well, I thought of that too and took care of it.”

“What you mean?”

“I mean I told them under no circumstance is anyone to leak any of this. And Kris got Coach and he basically told them the same thing and that the organization knows and supports you.”

Geno sighs heavily. “Thank you.”

“G, why did you do this if you weren’t ready?”

‘I am ready, even if I’m little bit scared. Sick of hiding, Flower. Want to bring Sid around, talk about baby.”

“Yeah, okay, I get it. I’d hate it if I couldn’t talk about Vero and the kids.”

“Never shut up about them.”

Flower grins. “And I never will, asshole. But you’ll understand soon enough.”

Geno shoots a soft smile at Sid. “Think I already do.”

Part 23

#Take My Hand #my fic #sidgeno #mpreg #fear of homophobia

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palaugranetes · 5 years

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US SUMMER FIXTURES FOR FC BARCELONA

The FC Barcelona preseason will be divided into two parts this summer.

Several months ago it was announced that the first team will be playing two games in Japan against Chelsea in Tokyo (July 23) and Vissel Kobe in Kobe (July 27), and it has now been announced there will be two further games in August in the United States against Napoli for a newly created trophy, the LaLiga Serie A Cup, to be contested between teams from the Spanish and Italian leagues, in this case the champions of the former and the runners-up from the latter.

Ernesto Valverde and Carlo Ancelotti’s sides will first be meeting on August 7 at the Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, the same place where they beat Real Madrid 3-2 in the first ever Clásico on North American soil in the summer of 2017.

Three days later, on August 10, Barça and Napoli will meet again, this time at the Michigan Stadium, home of the Wolverines and with a capacity of 107,000, making it the biggest in the country.

Statement by Josep Maria Bartomeu, president of FC Barcelona:

“Visiting the United States and being able to get closer to our fans is always a great thing for Barça. On top of that, we will also have the chance to play at two iconic stadiums: at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, where in 2017 we played the La Liga Clásico, and at Michigan Stadium, the largest in the United States. While there, we hope to put on a show and entertain our American fans with our style of play”.

#great.. tire them even more.. fantastic.. more injury risks.. great #ffs #fc barcelona #fcbnews

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thecollegefootballguy · 5 years

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2019 Top Games of the Week: Week 7

Wow we’re really already at Week 7, can you believe it? Almost halfway done with the season. Any way, this might be the best week so far, four ranked vs ranked matchups and a handful of great rivalry games.

The Top Ten Games of the Week

10. Hawaii 4-1 (1-0) at #14 Boise State 5-0 (2-0)

Boise State is gunning for their first undefeated regular season since the Chris Petersen era. The Broncos look good enough to pull it off, but they still have a few challenging games left on the schedule. Hawaii looks even better than their turnaround season last year. The Rainbow Warriors are building and look like one of the contenders for the MWC West division. This old WAC series isn’t played as often with both teams now in the Mountain West, but this one certainly has higher stakes than any game played since that old league gave up football.

9. Nebraska 4-2 (2-1) at Minnesota 5-0 (2-0)

Iowa and Wisconsin are sucking up all the oxygen in the Big Ten West race, but both Nebraska and Minnesota are undefeated in division play and could make a run if they win the right games. The Gophers are undefeated period, and are one of the surprise stories of this early season. Their first competent win came last week against Illinois, but the Cornhuskers should be a much tougher task for Minnesota.

8. Texas Tech 3-2 (1-1) at #22 Baylor 5-0 (2-0)

For the first time in over ten years, these two rivals are playing an on-campus game, and it could be the most important game in the series in just as long. Like Minnesota, Baylor has been one of the more surprising teams so far. The Bears are also undefeated, but are relatively unchallenged aside from their close scrape with Iowa State. Texas Tech appears ahead of schedule after the Red Raiders held off Oklahoma State last Saturday. The middle of the Big 12 remains one of the more fascinating parts of college football in 2019.

7. #23 Memphis 5-0 (1-0) at Temple 4-1 (1-0)

The best game in the AAC takes the second G5 spot in the top ten. Memphis now has the clearest path of any American team to go undefeated and secure the NY6 bid. Aside from their curious loss to Buffalo, has also looked solid. The Owls are the Tigers’ hardest remaining road game and one of the biggest chances to upend Memphis.

6. USC 3-2 (2-1) at #9 Notre Dame 4-1

The greatest intersectional rivalry in college football makes the grade, as it does basically every year. Both teams are coming off bye weeks and should be well prepared for this game (for our purposes Bowling Green counts as a bye). USC has been hot and cold with a rotating QB cast. The Fighting Irish are definitely favored here but the Trojans could be one of the tougher teams ND faces as they make a case for the Playoff as a one-loss team.

5. Michigan State 4-2 (2-1) at #8 Wisconsin 5-0 (2-0)

If you thought Iowa-Michigan was a beautiful disaster of good defense and bad offense wait until you see Michigan State-Wisconsin. It’s going to be a rockfight in all the best and worst ways. The Spartans are so far the only team that’s even slowed down Ohio State, which leads me to think they can give the Badgers a ton of trouble. That said, if Wisconsin is a Playoff contender even close to OSU’s caliber, we can measure it here.

4. #1 Alabama 5-0 (2-0) at #24 Texas A&M 3-2 (1-1)

I want to believe A&M can challenge Alabama. I don’t. But I want to.

3. #10 Penn State 5-0 (2-0) at #17 Iowa 4-1 (1-1)

Boy we have a really good week if this game is only 3rd on the list. Penn State is this year’s Iowa City sacrifice. The Nittany Lions enter as this year’s Playoff hopeful that have to survive the ordeal of playing at Kinnick Stadium as a top ten team. We took a year off last season but 2017 ruined #3 Ohio State’s hopes and 2016 claimed #2 Michigan. Iowa only lost by a touchdown last year in Happy Valley. Godspeed PSU.

2. #7 Florida 6-0 (3-0) at #5 LSU 5-0 (2-0)

If you want to put this game up at the #1 spot be my guest, but I’m saving that for an even better rivalry game. As the only top ten game this week, Florida at LSU is hosting Gameday, which comes as no surprise. Florida pulled off an ugly but triumphant victory over Auburn last week. Most people, myself included, doubted the Gators’ ability to beat top flight competition. Now UF has an even tougher test as they head to Death Valley. LSU similarly hasn’t played a team this good yet, and has so far been untested at home. These are very likely the #2 teams in both divisions, so a win here would be critical for getting to the conference title game.

1. #6 Oklahoma 5-0 (2-0) vs #11 Texas 4-1 (2-0)

Well of course, the 115th playing of the Red River Shootout naturally takes the #1 spot with the stakes involved. Once again, Oklahoma and Texas are far and away the favorites to play for the Big 12 title and their yearly pilgrimage to the Cotton Bowl will help sort out that out. This could once again be a rematch in the Championship Game, but only the winner of this game will likely have their seat secure.

5 G5 Games of the Week

5. Army 3-2 at Western Kentucky 3-2 (3-0)

We get some smaller interesting games in the G5 Top 5 with two G5 games making the overall Top Ten. Army goes on the road against a surprisingly good Western Kentucky squad. The Hilltoppers were absolutely moribund last season, but have already taken down preseason favorite FIU and last year’s champion UAB.

4. San Jose State 3-2 (1-1) at Nevada 3-2 (0-1)

The Mountain West’s West Division is probably not the best in the G5, but it could be the most competitive. San Jose State is suddenly showing flashes of life for the first time in years. Nevada looked on the cusp of a breakthrough last season. The Wolf Pack haven’t yet filled that promise after getting blown out by Hawaii, but they can stay in the race and see how everything shakes out with a win here.

3. Wyoming 4-1 (1-0) at San Diego State 4-1 (1-1)

Wyoming and San Diego State make up the Mountain West’s robust middle class chasing Boise State for a shot at the league title. Both have their strengths and weaknesses but they’re coming in with momentum. Last week the Cowboys blew up UNLV and the Aztecs totally shut down Colorado State in Fort Collins.

2. Fresno State 2-2 (0-0) at Air Force 3-2 (1-1)

The trio of solid MWC games is capped off with 2017 and 2018 West Division champion going on the road to take on Air Force. The Falcons are always an upset threat with their option attack and the Bulldogs haven’t yet looked like the dangerous team we saw the past few seasons.

1. Appalachian State 4-0 (1-0) at Louisiana-Lafayette 4-1 (1-0)

This looks like the Sun Belt Championship Game as far as I’m concerned. With both Troy and Georgia Southern looking a step slower than their 2018 selves, the Mountaineers will likely run away with the East. With Arkansas State similarly looking a bit down and ULM not quite there yet, Louisiana-Lafayette should again with the West. App State has an undefeated season and a very remote shot at the NY6 bowl on the line, so I’m going to be keeping tabs on this one.

FCS Games of the Week

3. #3 South Dakota State 4-1 (1-0) at #19 Youngstown State 4-1 (0-1)

2. #10 Northern Iowa 3-2 (1-0) at #1 North Dakota State 5-0 (1-0)

South Dakota State and North Dakota State are on their inexorable march towards destiny. They both need to take care of business beforehand, and a tough trip to Youngstown State and hosting the punchy NIU Panthers are some of the more difficult games they’ll face in the regular season. I still expect both to win.

1. #5 Villanova 6-0 (3-0) at #2 James Madison 5-1 (2-0)

The CAA brings us a very interesting Top Five matchup, the second of the FCS season. Villanova has jumped from being unranked all the way to #5 by blazing through the first half of the season, only encountering a close game by way of fellow top ten conference-mate Towson. James Madison is still the perennial favorite, but this could be the Dukes’ toughest conference test this year.

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