SWINGING A TORCH is 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:
STRAIGHT FIRE: Example of Undeniable Greatness
66,319! 66,319! Let that number sink in. In 21 seasons of professional basketball Lebron James has now played 66,319 minutes of regular season and playoff basketball. This does not take into account the minutes he has played with Team USA in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2012. He is the only player in NBA history with 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 10,000 assists. Mr. James already owns the record for most playoff games played and playoff wins. The Los Angeles Lakers; the team James currently plays on, have also earned the chance to host an elimination game in the upcoming NBA in-season tournament. Assuming he can stay healthy he continues to pile up the remarkable statistics.
While I don't enjoy that his nickname is King James; because there is only one King and His name is Jesus of Nazareth, Lebron and his dedication to his craft deserves a tip of the hat and recognition for this accomplishment. He said this record does not mean that much to him in the post-game press conference. In a culture that is pulling hard for a three-day work week (30 Hours) and seems to be doing everything possible to avoid taking responsibility in an endless pursuit of leisure I respect Lebron James and his desire to show up and do his job every time he is physically able. His love for the game is clear. This record of 66,319 minutes played is going to continue to grow as long as James continues to lace them up, we will see where the new benchmak ends up being set. It is safe to say, we will not be writing about this record being broken in this column for decades because in every aspect of the idea 66,319 minutes played is a STRAIGHT FIRE feat of undeniable greatness.
TORCH SWINGER OF THE WEEK: A hot player in Baseball, Hockey, Tennis, Golf, Soccer, Or Football Kicker
Erling Haaland set the record for fastest player to reach 50 career goals in English Premier League history on November 25, 2023. He accomplished the feat in 48 premier league games. Last season, he set the record for most goals scored in a single Premier League season. Wearing the iconic number 9, Erling from Norway possess a left foot that is an absolute TORCH. Since coming to the Premier League no one has found a solution to slow this 23 year old 6 foot 4 inch goal scoring maestro.
This is not new. In 2019, in a U-20 World Cup game against Honduras for his native Norway Haaland scored a record 9 goals in a single match. His relentless pressure and finishing ability has put him into rare soccer air and he is this weeks Torch Swinger of the week. Enjoy some highlights from his record breaking 2022 season: 36 GOALS! Erling Haaland's UNSTOPPABLE Premier League 22/23 Season - YouTube In addition, a while back I had mentioned putting a link to Lionel Messi's website who is an all-time TORCH SWINGER with his magical goal scoring ability. Check out the achievement page here: HONOURS AND ACHIEVEMENTS (messi.com) This is who Haaland is chasing in his young career.
THE YOUNG FIRE CLUB: Young Players (Under 25 Years of Age) to Watch:
NOTE: THIS LIST WILL BE UPDATED AS I BELIEVE SOMEONE BECOMES ELIGIBLE. These are not just great players. This is a list of players I have identified who have the qualities it takes to be franchise cornerstones.
MLB:
CORBIN CARROLL (23 Years Old) - Arizona Diamondbacks - Outfielder (Nominated in 2023)
NFL:
C.J. STROUD (22 Years Old) - Houston Texans - Quarterback (Nominated in 2023)
NBA:
TYRESE MAXEY (23 Years Old) - Philadelphia 76ers - Point Guard (Nominated in 2023)
THE PRO FAN LEAGUE: QUESTION OF THE WEEK?
IS THERE SUCH A THING AS AN UNBREAKABLE SPORTS RECORD?
In my opinion the top of the list of unbreakable records is likely Joe Dimaggio's 56 game hit streak. In 1941 he accomplished this feat and no one since has really threatened the record. Here is an excellent article from Elizabeth Muratore from MLB about the record Joe DiMaggio 56 game hitting streak (mlb.com). I could probably name a few more records I think are quite safe set by Tom Brady, Usain Bolt, and Lebron James but Dimaggio is a great place to start for me, if I had to pick one. What do you think? Do you believe there are unbreakable sports records or is it just a matter of time? Please comment below with your thoughts!
PRO FAN LEAGUE: BUSINESS OF THE MONTH SPOTLIGHT (THIS IS NOT SPONSORED)
NOTE: I am excited to share our PRO FAN LEAGUE BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT section. We are "NOT JUST FANS" at Pro Fan League. We are passionate about the work God is doing through all sorts of people in the world. As a tribute to this reality we will spotlight a business/entrepreneur/worker we believe demonstrates well the PRO FAN LEAGUE ethos each month. We will also keep running links to these business websites like a hall of fame:
I would like to introduce you to Lawrence Sheffield, the Founder of Manufacture Good in Birmingham, Alabama. Manufacture Good also runs a company called Fullstack Firewood. Also in Birmingham, Alabama. Check out the links here...Manufacture Good, Fullstack FirewoodFullstackFirewood. Manufacture good makes furniture and delivers firewood, but a huge part of its mission is to give opportunity to people who have made some mistakes in life or are feeling like they lack purpose and are looking to get back on the right track. They accomplish this through an intentional apprenticeship program. They have seen amazing results from this model, and I asked founder Lawrence Sheffield what inspired him to start Manufacture Good; his response to me via linkedin, "Gods calling brother. Helping people become who they needed when they were younger. Wood, Metal and Firewood are just ways to love and serve employees and customers." We stand and applaud Lawrence and all his people at Manufacture Good and Fullstack.
This is a huge part of what PRO FAN LEAGUE is about. Spotlighting and encouraging people who are making amazing things happen in the world around us through work and relationship. If you are intrigued by what you see here, please go the manufacture good website, check out what they are selling and order some goods. Make a donation if you feel led. Check out this video to see the impact this business is having on the people who make it happen every day. KEEP MAKING PLAYS MANUFACTURE GOOD!
PRO FAN LEAGUE FAVORITES: BLESSINGS OF HOPE - blessingsofhope.com
Blessings of Hope is an organization based out of Lancaster Country Pennsylvania that will have a prominent place often on this page and in "The Pro Fan League Podcast". Blessings of Hope uses all sorts of channels to rescue food that would otherwise be thrown out and sources that food into the hands of people who need it and can use it. I will write more at length about them in the future. This ministry makes an amazing difference with multiple levels of impact. This is not a sponsored post, I put them on this blog and in my podcasts because they have earned the right to be known. If you are looking for a way to serve or give this holiday season, please check them out. They are always in need of volunteers. For now, please view this video, I will let it do the communicating.
NOT JUST FANS THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:
I have been thinking a lot about a simple verse from Exodus 20:9, "Six days you shall labor, and do all your work." Notice here that is says six days we shall labor. Now I am not saying that there are not appropriate times for rest and relaxation. The Bible is also full of times for celebration and rest, so much so that a sabbath is built into the weekly rhythm. I bring up the six days of labor because so often I hear work being talked about in a negative way. Often work is framed as something we have to do until our next weekend or vacation. There are even many people starting to fight for less work to qualify as a full work week. Why is my question?
Work is an important and noble endeavor. God has created us to work. Work is an important part of what he made humanity to do from the very beginning. Part of our BIG Y at Pro Fan League is to spotlight work as important and reframe it as something we are not trying to escape. If you had all the leisure time in the world would that fulfill you? Retirment statistics strongly indicate the answer is no. People stop working and often find out quickly it was not all they though it would be.
We take our identity in Jesus Christ; not in work, but we can recognize that the work we put our hands to each day is important to the glory of God, and the love of our neighbor. What is your attitude toward work today? Are you able to see the magnificent opportunities work provides to impact and take dominion over the world? Can you see the BIGGER Y than just a paycheck (paychecks are important) in your work? Take some time and consider work and be refreshed that what you are doing with your labor is important! Thank you for doing it. Consider your BIG Y in life, work, family. Maybe some changes need to be made, maybe you are in a good place. Either way, KEEP MAKING PLAYS! I am cheering for you. We are "NOT JUST FANS".
GIBBS
Photo Credit: Lebron James: d938c600-992f-11e9-ad3b-be561c95d3f9 (2456×1700) (yimg.com) / Erling Haaland: 1419677238.jpeg (3200×2134) (therealchamps.com)
Comments