FREE THOUGHT FRIDAY:

COMING UP 99: We broke the 100 days until College Football barrier today (special thanks to our buddy E-Wad for keeping me posted) so it’s time to analyze what to do with our time, sports-wise, until South Carolina travels to Nashville to face Vandy on September 1st. I don’t know if it’s advancing age, a desire to slow down the clock, or a decade of more Tennessee struggles than success but the CFB offseason goes by much quicker than it once did. I also seem less anxious for it while enjoying what comes in-between more. That doesn’t mean it isn’t one of my favorite times on the sports calendar once it does arrive. So how do we get there? Here’s my agenda:

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: The Yankees appear to be closer to a last-place squad than a post-season contender but I still love the every-day drama of a MLB season. I think I may be counting down the days until A-Rod and the rest of the geezer gang are no longer wearing pinstripes more anxiously than I am for September; 495, 494, 493…..

SMOKIES BASEBALL: I’ve attended Smokies’ Games about twice/season in the time they have resided in lovely Sevierville. Since I’m retired and no longer driven by the alarm clock I intend to catch more action this season. Craig Jenkins has me stoked for it and Tony B has a handful of tickets. Besides I just love the ballpark and the fact that the Vols won’t be playing in this one makes it all the better.

BASEBALL TRIP: If my annual baseball trip with Freddy isn’t the highlight of the entire sports calendar I can’t name its rival. We are checking out Target Field in Minneapolis this go round and by amazing coincidence the Yankees are the Twins opponent. We’ve been to Minneapolis and love the city and this time the God-Forsaken Metrodome is not part of the deal.

FANTASY BASEBALL: I am currently in the unfamiliar position of leading my home league and the far-too familiar position of rebuilding in the keeper league. I’m sure I will find a way to Serrano both squads long before CFB gets here.

FANTASY FOOTBALL: Once my fantasy baseball teams tank I can begin to prepare for fantasy football drafts. That being the case I’m usually over-prepared for football.

JURASSIC SOFTBALL: It starts with W-Lynn’s tournament this weekend benefitting Fish Hospitality Pantries and doesn’t end (unfortunately) before the CFB countdown does. I still like to play however so sacrifices have to be made.

GOLF: Picture Spaulding Smails at Bushwood and you’ve got me on the golf course. Sheno can really play however and tolerates me tagging and hacking along. I have about a nine-hole, twice-a-month, attention span but do enjoy the time with her. She also enjoys watching the PGA tour and I will join her late-late most Sundays with increased interest for the US Open (June 16-19), British Open (July 14-17) and PGA (July 28-31)

NBA PLAYOFFS: It looks as if Golden State-Oklahoma City will provide high drama in the Western Conference Finals and the Cavs look more capable of making the NBA Finals truly competitive than I dreamed mere weeks ago.

READING: Tony’s Book Corner loaners have kept me in quality reading material for months.

That's my roadmap; what does yours look like?

MLB MENTIONS:

TEXAS-TORONTO BRAWL QUICK HITS:

-After watching the Jays gloat and celebrate through the entirety of their first good season in forever last year I drew some satisfaction from Bautista getting jacked-up

-Odor’s haymaker was a street fight cheap shot but Joey Bats better get his hands up when he’s the aggressor or he’ll wind up Joey Battered

-Roughned’s 8 game suspension is excessive but my guess is the appeal process will bring it down to five which is probably warranted

-Odor’s all-out play is fun to watch but you can tell he has trouble turning the aggression off at times he probably should.

-I have no problem with the Rangers waiting until Bautista’s probable last at-bat of the regular season against them to plunk him. He knew it was coming so why not let him think about it every at bat of the two series. That’s just good solid gamesmanship.

-I also like that it fell to the Rangers version of Rickey “Wild Thing” Vaughn, Matt Bush to do the deed.

NATS-METS: After dropping their first season contest versus the Mets Tuesday the Nationals looked poised to take the opening regular season series between the two NL East contenders of the season. Matt Harvey prolonged his early season struggles surrendering nine runs (6 earned) in 2.2 innings of the Thursday night rubber game. The Mets will probably need him to right the ship regardless of how strong Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom appear to be.

FINAL FRIDAY THOUGHT: The current scarcity of tickets to the Battle at Bristol is a tribute to what a truly devoted and terrific fan base the Big Orange Nation truly is.

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