CONGRATULATIONS, LADY DEVILS!

Out of adversity emereges character and the Lady Devils displayed it with a 1-0 win over Elizabethton to clinch the Watauga Conference title for a 13th consecutive year. With Jessica Mason unable to pitch due to a mild concussion, freshman Kara Woods stepped up her already impressive game as the Lady Devils offense had temporarily vanished. Pitching three consecutive games, Woods won all three by identical 1-0 scores. The final win, over Elizabethton, was won without Unicoi County getting a hit. Woods compiled 14 strikeouts as the Lady Devils look forward to the District 1-AA Tournament. Congratulations Ladies.

JUST A BUMP IN THE ROAD?

The Unicoi County Blue Devils baseball team hit a bump in the road against Happy Valley as they lost 5-2. It was their first Watauga Conference loss of the season. Happy Valley’s starting pitcher, Logan Bowling, walked eight and hit one batter  while giving up only two hits. And Unicoi County could only manage two runs. The Blue Devils missed an opportunity to clinch the conference title outright. There will be another day and lets hope this is just a bump in the road.

YOU GO GIRL!

She finally won a race! Danica Patrick became the first woman to win an Indy car race with a victory in the IndyJapan 300 a few days ago and it was about time. I’m sure the male drivers are split in their opinion about but who cares? She won fair and square and i hope she wins many more.

Will the curse be broken this year?

I know it is early in the baseball season to talk about the World Series but I have been wondering: Will this be the year that the A-Rod curse be broken? I have my doubts. Why? Because any team that has had A-Rod on their roster has never been to the World Series. You can look it up! Superstitions are a little silly. But, being an old baseball player myself, i can’t help but wonder about it. If i swear under oath - my answer is: NO, IT WON’T BE BROKEN.

WELL DESERVED!

It has been announced that the Green Bay Packers will retire Brett Favre’s number four jersey at their home opener in September. Well deserved. Other than his eventual induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio in five years, no honor is more fulfilling than his team retiring his number. Is he the best ever? In my humble opinion, no. But he is on a short list of all-time greats. Congratulations, Brett.

JUST LIKE OL’ MAN RIVER !

The Lady Devils have returned to their winning ways. After hitting a bump in the road in the Eastman Invitational Tournament, the Lady Devils remain in the hunt for the Watauga Conference title as they have defeated Conference foes West Greene and Chuckey-Doak by a combined score of 18-0. Jessica Mason and freshman standout Kara Woods have the opposition continually swinging at air. Just like Ol’Man River, they just keep rolling along!

WHAT A DIFFERENCE!

Maybe i am just showing my age, but I long for those glorious broadcasters of yesteryear. The greatest baseball announcer of all, Vin Scully, is still with us, thank god, but he is 80 years old. While age has caught up with him, his dulcet tones are soothing to the listener’s ears. Unlike what qualifies for broadcasters today: LOUD, ABRASIVE AND OBNOXIOUS! Any one can do that. The great ones stand the test of time and are unique in their approach to their profession. They are knowledgeable, entertaining, terse and enjoyable to one’s senses. Their will never be another Jack Buck, no matter how hard his son, Joe, tries. There will never be another Scully,Chuck Thompson, Ernie Harwell or Curt Gowdy. I listen to their broadcasts on audiotape. Then i listen to today’s “professionals.” What a difference and it isn’t for the better!

Who is the NBA’s MVP?

The question must be asked: Who is the MVP of the NBA this season? Will it be Kobe Bryant? Or LeBron James?

My Choice? Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics.

Go Lady Devils!

The Lady Devils may have finished second in the Eastman Invitational softball tournament, but they made quite an impression with their timely hitting, steady defense and the superb pitching of Jessica Mason and Kara Woods.

These two ladies were most impressive as Unicoi County won seven of eight games in the tournament. Mason and Woods were named to the All-Tournament Team. They resume play this week with an overall record of 26-5.

Great tournament ladies!

Let’s enjoy the moment!

I know it’s only April and the season is young yet, but I must admit that any win over the Red Sox is joyous. Chien Ming-Wang went the distance to defeat a potent Red Sox lineup, 4-1.

I’m sure they will be doing battle once again for AL East supremacy (look out for Toronto!) but for now, let’s enjoy the moment!