40 Of My Favorite Things: #15

My Sports Teams Winning! 

Today marks the 10th anniversary of this hit, this home run, this MOMENT that sent the Giants to the 2014 World Series! They would go on to win that World Series, the day before my 30th birthday, and that win was an amazing, albeit unexpected birthday gift. (I thought they’d lose that Game 7 to the Royals.) This sports fan got FED during the 2010s, honey. Giants Dynasty, Warriors Dynasty, the Pens going back-to-back…it all makes up for the ongoing drought my teams are currently having. At least I’m not a Buffalo sports fan. (I had to say it.)

40 Of My Favorite Things: #17

Inside The NBA on TNT!

This is the one true Best Damn Sports Show Period. (The Emmys seem to agree, too.) It’s been on air since 1989, but I feel like it didn’t become that show until Barkley joined the crew in 2000. Since then, it became more than your standard pregame/halftime/postgame show. What other sports show would allow segments like Chuck changing a diaper, Kenny spelling “you’re” as “yo’re”, Chuck thinking the Congo is in Europe, Shaq choking up after eating spicy chips, Dyngus Day, “Mr. Sensitive”, “po-lice presence”Chuck vs. Shaq, Chuck vs. Bavetta, Chuck vs. San Antonio women, “Gone Fishing”, and the always-hilarious annual editions of “Who He Play For?” Other sports shows have tried being like Inside *eyes ESPN’s NBA coverage* but can’t come close.

I’m saddened to hear that TNT will no longer carry NBA games after the 2024-25 NBA season, meaning no more Inside after this season. Not sure if the Inside crew will start something new with NBC or elsewhere, but that deal is proof that all good things eventually come to an end for the sake of money. For a long-time fan of the show, to quote Chuck, it’s turrible. 

40 Of My Favorite Things: #28

Hockey!

I’ve enjoyed the sport for 15 years and counting, and if you’d like to know why I got into it, blame the Pittsburgh Penguins.

During the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs, I made an unserious $10 bet with my then-friends that the Penguins would win the Cup that year. The bet was made during the Eastern Finals, and I had been impressed with them after seeing them play for the first time against the Capitals in the Semifinals. (I had no clue how legendary that series would become over time. What an intro to hockey for me!)  After Game 5 of the Finals, I thought I would lose my $10 for good. All my other friends placed bets on the Red Wings to win, so during that Game 7, I was feeling both good and nervous. After that Game 7, I became $50 richer. 😊(And to think I was close on betting on the Sharks that year. They had the best record in the league but got bounced in the first round, proving the Presidents Trophy winner curse real again.)

I’ve stuck with the Pens since 2009; they’d become quite the winning team since then, with the exception of the last few years. Although the Sharks are second–you best believe I got FED during the 2016 Stanley Cup Finals. I’ve also enjoyed non-NHL games, such as the IIHF World Juniors and Winter Olympic hockey. Tomorrow marks the start of the NHL season and yours truly will be seated for it!

Scenes From The Willie Mays Tribute

I would’ve posted this on my socials yesterday, but various things kept me from doing that. Plus, I keep losing followers on IG/the bird app (was it something I said?), so looks like I’ll be posting exclusives here first, haha. (I also happen to be gaining followers here, much to my surprise.) 

From the Willie Mays Experience pop-up museum, across the ballpark. Went there before heading over to the event. 

Outside Oracle Park. The event was free to the public.

Turnout was decent, though I expected more fans. This is Willie Mays we’re paying tribute here! Probably the Monday afternoon start time kept some people away from the event. (It was also an off-day for the Giants.) The second pic is one of the many tributes to the GOAT around the park, as well as a tribute to another Giants great, Orlando Cepeda, who passed away a week after Mays. (Side note: go after the evil ones instead of the good guy legends, Grim Reaper!)

Some of the guests at the tribute. I didn’t expect to see former President Bill Clinton (1st pic), Spike Lee (4th pic), and members of the championship teams like Buster Posey, Hunter Pence, and Sergio Romo (all not pictured) there. Jumbotron pics are of (from left to right) Michael Mays (Willie’s son), Barry Bonds, and Juan Marichal (2nd pic), and former President Barack Obama (3rd pic). 

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Michael Mays, giving the last speech of the tribute to his dad.

20240708_160041~2 You’ll be forever in our hearts and forever missed, Mr. Mays! 🧡🖤