SWINGING A TORCH is going to be a weekly sports column that highlights superlative developments in sports. There will be consistent categories every week that will be refreshed on a Thursday to Thursday cycle week by week. There will also be categories and lists that are consistently updated throughout the year as a sports season unfolds. I plan to keep a running list of champions in the main sports ever present on SWINGING A TORCH as well as consistently updated NFL and NBA draft thoughts. I will also highlight notable fashion statements in sports as they arise. Please stay tuned as this column grows week over week:
TORCH SWINGER OF THE WEEK: A hot player in Baseball, Hockey, Tennis, or Golf
Adolis Garcia of the Texas Rangers is on pace to break the MLB record for runs batted in during a postseason. He currently sits at 20 RBI's. The record for runs batted in during the postseason is 21 RBI's set by David Freese of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011. According to this list put together by Andrew Simon of MLB his close friend Randy Arozarena holds the post season record for homeruns in a single postseason with 10 home runs. His teammate Corey Seager is tied for second with eight home runs. Garcia currently has 7 playoff dingers. Starting Friday Night the World Series will set up opportunity for Adolis Garcia to make his run at history and hold onto the crown of TORCH SWINGER OF THE WEEK.
I also wanted to mention this astounding statistic. Ronald Acuna Jr hit a ridiculous 309 baseballs 95 MPH or faster off the barrel during the 2023 regular season. The next closest player on that list was Rafael Devers of the Boston Red Sox with 252 balls hit off the barrel 95 MPH or faster. I went back on statcast to its beginning in 2015 and no player had gotten out of the 250 range before Acuna, Jr. this season. 309 is a number worthy of commendation. That is a dominant contact number. We salute you Ronald Acuna, Jr. for the historic season you put together in 2023.
STRAIGHT FIRE: Example of Undeniable Greatness
This past week during the Cleveland Browns thrilling 39-38 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, Myles Garrett had a day to remember. He showed off his ridiculous athleticism with an incredible field goal block. During the game he also passed Reggie White to record the most sacks in NFL history before his 28th birthday with 81 sacks. A perennial defensive player of the year candidate we will see if Myles Garrett can build of a superb statline in week 7 playing a symphony of defense with 6 Tackles, 2 Forced Fumbles, 2 Sacks, and on blocked field goal. He and TJ Watt have the single season sack record in their crosshairs, especially now that the season is expanded by one game.
THE YOUNG FIRE CLUB: Young Players to Watch
Corbin Carroll has been putting his talents on display all season in Phoenix, Arizona. The 23 year old's star shined on the biggest stage on Tuesday Night October 24 with the lights shining squarely on him. The setting was the NLCS in Philadelphia to go the World Series; the presumed winner of NL Rookie Of The Year, led his team going 3 for 4 with 2 stolen bases and 2 runs scored on the way to a 4-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. He has been putting on a show out west all year with 116 runs scored, a .285 BA, 25 home runs, 76 RBI, and 54 stolen bases. He fills the stat sheet. Now in the vision of the whole country on the biggest stage, we will see if the heat continues during the Fall Classic.
Victor Wembanyama's NBA debut took place last evening in front of a raucous sellout crowd in San Antonio, Texas. He played 23 minutes, posting a stat line of 15 points, 5 Rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals,1 block, and 5 fouls. In the early going he swatted Kyrie Irving's first shot attempt of the season. Wembanyama is viewed as the most hyped NBA prospect since Lebron James entered the league in 2003. Ultimately the Spurs lost 126 -119, which is all Wembanyama really probably cares about if you have listened to any of his early press conferences. He is admirably team oriented. It will be interesting to see as the season moves forward if he can consistently stay out of foul trouble as he adjusts to the NBA Game. Now that the debut is out of the way he can focus on hooping. We look forward to seeing the journey unfold.
NOT JUST FANS THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:
I recently saw a quote from C.S. Lewis that caught my attention. "We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive."
As sports fans we want to see our teams succeeding. We cheer for successes and are disappointed with the failures. We admire when a good plan is put into place and victories are accomplished. In our personal lives what does it look like to define clear vision for our lives? What is your goal making process? Do you spend time defining what you want for life, and considering what God may be calling you to do? Who do you have around you to help examine "the road" you are walking down? I encourage you to spend the time, you have much to offer. If it has been a while since you examined "the road" you are on find a quiet place and have some reflection. Then share your thoughts with someone else. I am cheering for you. GO MAKE PLAYS! WE ARE NOT JUST FANS.
SHALOM
GIBBS
Photo Credit: Adolis Garcia Photo: Bob Levy - Getty Images/ Ronald Acuna: www.tvguidetime.com/ Myles Garrett Photo: GettyImages-1175146966-e1591836358572.jpg (2907×1641) (heavy.com)/ Corbin Carroll Photo: GettyImages-1426365302-e1664137391292.jpg (1024×576) (arizonasports.com) Victory Wembanyama Photo: Clutchpoints
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