Halfway Home Again!

Friday afternoon I commented on my radio show how it used to be June 30th would be the date on the calendar where you slowly began to decompress from the onslaught of sports in a 12 month period.

If memory serves correctly the week of the Baseball All-Star game is when you have a day off the before and the dat after the midsummer event.

You then seemingly had time to enjoy summer before getting all revved up about the fall and football in addition to those indoor sports.

Of course today the sports and information is 24/7 to the point that a rumor is made into a story or a topic that is more squawk than talk fills the airwaves. The old school in me expects at least two credible sources before the rumor mill begins to fly erroneously.

On a weekend where the Reds come into town, an NHL Draft shall happen, and there's all kinds of news of the police blotter variety one is wont to look ahead to what the second hallf of the year 2013 shall bring. Indeed the first half has been rather interesting.

1.In spite of the desires of the world the Miami Heat avert defeat and now look to 3-peat.

2.Cowboys and Patriots go about their laundry differently when a player is caught for murder of the voluntary or involuntary variety.

3.The city of Pittsburgh has something more than football and Stel to be proud about. In three words Liriano, Wandy, and AJ. Best record in all of baseball.

4.The Chicago Blackhawks in 17 seconds changed the shape and face of a Stanley Cup with a resounding Game 6 victory over the Boston Bruins. I was pulling for Jaromir Jagr and hope he gets another chance in 2013-2014. One of the best work ethics I have ever seen for a man over 40!

5.The Texas Rangers of 2013 have been decimated by injuries yet are still on pace to win 94 games. With names like Teppesch, Grimm, Martin, Beltre, Scheppers, and Gentry taking the slack for the returns of Feliz, Soria, Harrison, and Lewis it could certainly be worse. Ron Washington gets my vote for skipper of the year alongside one time Rangers batting instructor Clint Hurdle.

Looking ahead to the rest of 2013:

1.Dwight Howard will be fawned over, eyed, spoken to and discussed ad infinitum. We will hear he wants to go to Dallas and Houston and diss Atlanta. When all is said and done I will not be surprised after all the yapping and trapping if Superman stays in Los Angeles. Just my humble opinion.

2.Lindy Ruff will have an immediate impact with the Dallas Stars as he works hand in hand with Jim Nill. The Stars will get off to a great start in the fall and then after a 5 year hiatus make their way back to the NHL playoffs. As it should be.

3.When all the dust has settled this writer believes that names like Jose Calderon and Monta Ellis find their way to the Dallas Mavericks before CP3, Dwight Howard, or Rajon Rondo. Again, personal conjecture on my part.

4.I am confident that the A.L. West will tighten as the Angels finally get hot and start to join the 1st place party. When we near September fans will marvel at how competitive their division is. Much like the American League East all at or above .500 just like at this point in 1974 and 1986.

5.I believe Max Scherzer is on the verge of having the kind of year thse eyes saw Ron Guidry enjoy in 1978 at 25-3. Roger Clemens in 1986 at 24-4. Ditto Rick Sutcliffe with the Chicago Cubs going 16-1 after a 4-5 start in Cleveland in 1984

Hey, it was a slow day and there was some free time on my hands and mind. Why not go for it and be bold with a few thoughts of the sporty. As we near Independence Day a reminder to be safe in all that you do with whomever you do it with.

Over and out in Big D.

Mr. Will