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
Caitlin Clark exploded into the consciousness of sports fans nation wide last march with a remarkable 191 point tournament performance. Though her Hawkeyes lost in the National Championship she broke the record for most points scored in a single tournament. She has capability to score from Steph Curry range, and a quick trigger. Her astonishing 41 point triple double in last years elite eight round was one of the greatest single performances in tournament history. All this sets the table for last evening.
On December 6, 2023 she won straight fire accolades by scoring her 3,000th career point, but more impressively became the first player; man or woman, in NCAA Division 1 history to record 3,000 career points, 750 rebounds, and 750 assists in a career. Let that sink in. She is all by herself with that recored. All the basketball talent flowing through D1 schools and Ms. Clark makes new history. Ummm...Caitlin Clark party of one, your booth is ready at the Straight Fire Diner. We took the liberty of ordering you the "History Maker Platter". Undoubtedly your career which has plenty of run left has been straight fire.
TORCH SWINGER OF THE WEEK: A hot player in Baseball, Hockey, Tennis, Golf, Soccer, Or Football Kicker
Meet Jackson Holliday. He is the son of former major leaguer Matt Holliday. He was the first round pick for the Baltimore Orioles in the 2022 draft. In his senior year of high school he hit .685, with 17 home runs, 79 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases in 40 games. In his first 125 games as a minor leaguer across four levels he is batting .323 with an on base percentage of .442. Why is he our torch swinger of the week? Well him and his family recently staged a home run derby that was fun to watch to celebrate the holiday season. So to mix it up. Enjoy a Christmas Dinger Derby.
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?
Should a team ever trade 5 players for 2 players?
I was very specific in this question. But the heart of the question is really, should a team every give up huge assets for one player. I am thinking about examples like the Herschel Walker trade, the recent James Harden trade to the Clippers, Juan Soto to the Padres, now Juan Soto to the Yankees. My opinion is NO. It has to be a very special situation to ever consider it. It seems to rarely work out for the team on the receiving end. Should a team trade one player for a lot of assets in return? My answer is YES, if you can get someone to do it collect the assets.
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:
The New York Yankees are not scared to go hard after what they want. On December 6, 2023 they made a gigantic trade for Juan Soto. 5 players for Juan Soto and Trent Grisham. Mr. Soto is a free agent at the end of the 2024 baseball season. They may only have him for one season. In order to sign him it is likely going to require a sum of money that is gigantic as well. This got me to thinking about decision making. The Yankees currently hold one of the most difficult contracts in all of sports with Giancarlo Stanton. His prodcution has dropped but the money is huge. The Yankees have not been in a World Series for quite some time. Can the Soto trade rejuvinate Stanton? I am always curious about decision making and what informs the decisions we make. The Yankees made some big decisions last night, time will tell whether or not the decisions were good decisions.
How do we make decisions? Who do we consult? Are the decisions we make often impulsive or short sighted. Are we thinking about things with long term intent or short term intent? Today take a few minutes and think about decision making. We are all faced with many opportunities each day to evaluate our lives. Most importantly I encourage you not to make decisions without seeking the Lord through his Word (The Bible) and prayer. These two activities are vital to perceiving what we are supposed to be doing as we journey in our lives. I wonder if anyone in the Yankees organization prayed about the Soto trade? Will I pray today often as I encounter a variety of situations? God please help me to be quick to pray and quick to read your word. Thanks that you are in control. Bless the Lord. In Jesus name amen. I am cheering for you. Go Make Plays! We are "Not Just Fans".
GIBBS
Photo Credit: Caitlin Clark: Caitlin-Clark16.jpg (640×320) (foxnews.com) / Jackson Holliday: orioles22_Jackson-Holliday1.jpg (1000×563) (pressboxonline.com)
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