September 26, 2022 News and Notes

• The NFL finally bowed to reality today.  The Pro Bowl is no more.  It will be replaced by an All-Pro skills competition and flag football week -- with Peyton's Omaha Productions running the show.  First one is in Vegas next February.
  
• Tua Tavaglioa returned quickly from a concussion incident when his head hit the ground in yesterday's victory over Buffalo, and the NFLPA wants to know why.
• Sounds like they didn't even wait for the meeting:  A Monday meeting was scheduled at Georgia Tech to fire the football coach and probably the AD.  Reports had the coach gone on Sunday, sources have added the AD's firing today.  At least the third Power 5 football coach to be fired this season, and we aren't even out of September.  Reality that there just are too many schools in college football?    
• And, as usual, Foobaw Fan has to show his ass.  Police are looking for a Texas Tech fan who punched a Texas player after Texas Tech beat Texas.
• Chris Davidson was an Australian surfer on the town at a pub in New South Wales.  A man decked him, he was out on his feet, and the resultant head on concrete killed him.  The assailant was arrested.  Davidson was 45.
• Jimmie Johnson has retired from racing, except for a handful of "bucket list" projects, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a NASCAR-sponsored attempt in the Next Gen car, as well as to become the second driver (Tony Stewart) to complete the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in the same day.
• To give you an idea of the irrelevance of most college football:  For the first time since the days of the Mannings, Tennessee is a top-10 team.
• Two reserve pitchers, one for each of Kansas City and Seattle, were tossed out before yesterday's game.  They decided to have some fun with the National Anthem Showdown -- first to leave loses.  MLB has outlawed the practice in the last couple of years.  (A video from umpire school Close Call Sports shows that, before the outlawing, even CB Buckner was caught smiling at the situation.)
• Greg Gibson was NOT the home plate umpire in the game, nor were the Dodgers celebrating at that game.
• They WERE, however, celebrating clinching home field in the NL over the weekend, winning 2 of 3 over the Cards.  Cards NL Central Magic Number is 3.  Best record in baseball Magic Number for the Dodgers is 4.
• Mets 1 1/2 up on the Braves in the NL East, critical 3-game series in Cobb County this weekend.  Mets 8 to play, Braves 9.
• NL WC:  Braves/Mets in as the 3 seed, whichever does not win the East.  Padres 1 1/2 ahead of the Phillies for the 5 and 6.  Milwaukee 1 1/2 behind the Phillies.  All other teams eliminated.
• Yankees AL East Magic Number is 2, after a shortened game Sunday night over Boston.  Astros Magic Number for #1 AL seed is 4.
• Guardians clinched the NL Central yesterday.  Seven wins in a row and six losses in a row for the White Sox ended that.
  
• AL Wild Card:  Jays 2 up on the Rays.  2 1/2 on the Mariners.  Those are the three teams in.  Orioles 4 back.  White Sox Tragic Number is 3, Minnesota's 1.
• Dodgers 5 1/2 on the Astros for best record in baseball, Magic Number for home field throughout is 4.
• Myles Garrett in a one-car accident last night.  Both he and passenger were wearing their seat belts, no impairment -- alcohol or otherwise.  Bad break for him, obviously.  Non-life threatening.