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
Corey Seager was brought to the Texas Rangers in 2021 to be the cornerstone of a cultural change. He signed a 10 year, 325 million dollar deal at the age of 27 switching teams from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Two years later on November 1, 2023 the Texas Rangers hoist the championship trophy and Seager becomes the fourth player in MLB history to win 2 World Series MVP trophies; joining Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson, and Reggie Jackson. He earned it on the back of a playoff campaign that saw him boast a .318 batting average, with 6 home runs, a .451 OBP, while drawing 15 walks, compared to 12 strikeouts. It was not just the caliber of the stats that awarded him the trophy. The timeliness of when he stepped up provide the gravitas to his accomplishments. His game 1 shot in the ninth inning sending the game into extra innings laid the foundation for the Texas Rangers first World Series trophy. It was not just a clutch home run but it set the rhythm for the Texas Rangers team for the rest of the series. His world series Game 1 stat line was 1/4 with 2 walks, 3 runs scored and two RBI's. After getting blown out by the Diamondbacks in game 2; Seager again rallied the Rangers with a home run in the third inning of Game 3 to relight the FIRE in a tough game road game with the series tied 1-1. This is all coming off a regular season where he appeared in 119 games and batted .327, with 33 home runs, and 96 RBI's. For more on Corey Seager and his hitting process check out this excellent article by Lindsey Adler on the Wall Street Journal. For those wondering, what does a Torch Swinger of the Week look like? He wears #5 and plays shortstop for the Texas Rangers. You can currently find him holding two new trophies somewhere in Texas.
STRAIGHT FIRE: Example of Undeniable Greatness
The NBA season is a little more than one week old. 24 year old Luka Doncic has opened this NBA season with a dominant four games. He has started the season averaging 33.8 Points Per Game, with 10.5 rebound Per Game, and 9.8 Assists through 4 games. He is averaging 37.5 minutes a game setting the pace for a Dallas Mavericks team that has at a minimum playoff expectation. Against the Brooklyn Nets on October 27, 2023 (Click link for highlights) he had his "straight fire" performance posting 49 Points, 10 Rebounds, 7 assists, while sinking a career high 9 three pointers. This coming off a season opener against Memphis where he posted a quick 35 Point-12 Assist-12 Rebound line to get warmed up for the season. A quick trip the wayback machine, remember when Luka was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks and then traded for Trae Young? The jury is still out on who won the trade. Perhaps Doncic would gain a slight advantage. That is a good sports debate topic with a friend. The Dallas Mavericks are currently 4-0 and likely feeling quite good about their start to the season.
THE YOUNG FIRE CLUB: Young Players (Under 25 Years of Age) to Watch
TYRESE MAXEY! Opportunity has called your name young fellah. Mr. Maxey is 22 years old. He was drafted from the University of Kentucky in 2020. Over his first three seasons in the NBA he has grown into a vital contributor for the Philadelphia 76ers with increasingly impressive numbers year over year. Last year he took a leap, but when he was on the floor with James Harden chemistry would seem to lack. Since Mr. Harden and the Sixers organization had a falling out in the off-season predicating the trade to the Clippers for Harden, the steering wheel is now firmly in the hands of Tyrese Maxey. To start this season in the first 3 games Maxey has averaged 30.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. Most impressive is his 50% Field Percentage, 56% shooting from behind the arc, and 91% from the free throw line to start the season. His career numbers in those categories are 48% from the field, 41% from the 3 point line, and 86% from the charity stripe. There is an elusive club in the NBA known as the 50-40-90 club. 50% from the field, 40% from deep, and 90% at the line. 9 players in NBA history have achieved this feat. Mr. Maxey seems to have the mix to potentially make a run at joining this prestigious club. At 22 years old, there is potentially a lot of basketball for him to play. Right now in Philadelphia he may wear #0 but his growing powers allowed them to move James Harden with confidence; and Maxey is trending more toward hero.
THE PRO FAN LEAGUE: QUESTION OF THE WEEK?
Have you ever cried while watching the movie Rudy? C'MON be honest. For me the answer is an unequivocal, YES! Probably like 10 times now. Please post your responses in the comments below. A simple yes or no will do. Feel free to expound if you want. We will do this every week.
PRO FAN LEAGUE: BUSINESS OF THE MONTH SPOTLIGHT
Beginning soon I plan to spotlight a business each month in this space that is doing incredible work at taking dominion in this world, providing an excellent product or service, and making a difference in the community. COMING SOON.
NOT JUST FANS THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:
On THE PRO FAN LEAGUE PODCAST this week I have been going over the Pro Fan Fundamentals. Core values of the Pro Fan League organization. One of the fundamentals is "Cheer Loudly". I expound in the podcast about how underlying that fundamental is the idea of being engaged and encouraging wherever you find yourself. Life is busy and our schedules can be full and our responsibilities can pull us in many directions. I encourage you to be fully present wherever you find yourself today. Draw out your wife or husband on how the day was and how they are feeling and thinking, ask your kids A LOT of questions, take the time to care for a coworker, hand write an encouraging note, if you see someone do something commendable let them know about it. Where in your day today can you "CHEER LOUDLY"? Please don't underestimate the impact an encouraging word or action can have on someone else. Who do you know that would benefit from an encouraging word or a coffee on you? When was the last time you got down with your child and simply enjoyed their presence? Or went on a date with your husband or wife to talk about your vision for life and listen to theirs? Jesus has given us an amazing day to enjoy. GO MAKE PLAYS you are NOT JUST A FAN!
Cheering for you!
GIBBS
Photo Credit: Corey Seager/headtopics.com - Luka Doncic/Images2.minutemedia - Tyrese Maxey/CDN.VOX-CDN.com
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