By Ron Wynn Sports View Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts is both an exception to the rule and someone Major League Baseball should be giving maximum publicity. The former John Overton High School baseball and basketball star is arguably the finest athlete in his sport. Betts was MVP of District 12-AAA his senior season in basketball, and an honorable mention inclusion for the Louisville Slugger High School All-American List in baseball. But Betts was also Tennessee boys Bowler of the year his junior year, once bowling a 290. In the offseason he’s a member of the Professional Bowlers Association and…
Author: Ron Wynn
By Ron Wynn Sports View Despite the wishes of those who would insist that sports remain both apolitical and apart from social events, there’s a long and distinguished history of Black athletes who used their exploits to aid the causes of social justice and equality. The same holds true for sports writers, both those who worked for Black owned publications and later others who were able to use platforms at mainstream papers and broadcast outlets. The color barrier in Major League baseball for instance was broken as much by the continual advocacy of such writers as A.S. “Doc” Young, Sam…
By Ron Wynn, Sports View One of the often difficult realities in professional sports that teams discover is that the playoffs are a totally different animal from the regular season. During Major League Baseball’s 162-game marathon, or the 82-game seasons of the NBA and NHL there are many variables that can skew the picture. Injuries, teams from the East to West Coast or vice versa, back-to-backs or stretches of three games in four or five days can all wreck havoc on a team’s record. Consequently, a team can get on a hot streak and then depending on how they are…
By Ron Wynn The Nashville Predators now look ahead to the 2018-19 season in the wake of their disappointing second round elimination at the hands of the Winnipeg Jets last week. The Predators truly felt they had a great shot at beating the so-called “President’s Trophy jinx,” but instead became the fifth straight team (and ninth of 10 overall) to lead the NHL in points during the regular season, then bow out of the playoffs without winning the Stanley Cup. Now there are questions to be answered in the offseason in all three major phases of the Predators’ operation, beginning…
By Ron Wynn A record breaking season that had such high expectations came crashing down Thursday night at Bridgestone Arena, as the Winnipeg Jets defeated the Nashville Predators 5-1 in Game 7 of their second round Stanley Cup Playoff series. It was Nashville’s third loss at home in this series, and they ended the playoffs with a very disappointing 3-4 overall home record. It was also a dismal night for Vezina Trophy finalist goalie Pekka Rinne, who surrendered two very weak first period goals and was pulled for the third time this series by head coach Peter Laviolette. He departed…
By Ron Wynn Sports View Just as Tiger Woods remains the number one news story in golf despite a long victory drought, Serena Williams is still by far tennis’ most closely watched and scrutinized figure. It has been clear from the less than stellar results of some early matches since her return after a 14-month break from competitive tennis that included the birth of her daughter Olympia in September that she’s not yet in top form, and it would be bizarre if anyone expected that to be the case. Williams came back in March, playing at the BNP Paribas Open…
By Ron Wynn Just as Tiger Woods remains the number one news story in golf despite a long victory drought, Serena Williams is still by far tennis’ most closely watched and scrutinized figure. It has been clear from the less than stellar results of some early matches since her return after a 14-month break from competitive tennis that included the birth of her daughter Olympia in September that she’s not yet in top form, and it would be bizarre if anyone expected that to be the case. Williams came back in March, playing at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian…
By Ron Wynn The Predators put together their best overall game of the playoffs Monday night when they needed it most, jumping on top early, then dominating the Winnipeg Jets 4-0 to even their best of seven series at three games each. It was their second road victory of this series, and second consecutive win in Winnipeg over a team that had previously not lost at home since early March. Flilp Forsberg had two goals and an assist, while Pekka Rinne silenced the detractors with a 34 save shutout, his second of the playoffs. The win means the series deciding…
By Ron Wynn The interim tag was officially removed last week as the Memphis Grizzlies reached agreement with J.B.Bickerstaff on a three -year deal to become their head coach. Despite a woeful 15-48 record compiled over his 63 game stint as interim head coach following the firing of David Fizdale, Grizzlies’ management felt Bickerstaff communicated well with a very young team, and kept them competitive most of the time. It also helped that team veterans and cornerstone players Mike Conley and Marc Gasol were solidly in his corner, expressing public support for Bickerstaff to be named the next coach. The…
By Ron Wynn The Predators finally flashed the consistent 60-minute form that made them the NHL’s dominant regular season team in Game 6 Sunday night against the Colorado Avalanche. By eliminating them 5-0 the Predators avoided a Game 7 back in Nashville, and earned a couple of days rest. Now they and their second round opponent the Winnipeg Jets wait until all the other first round series are completed before the Stanley Cup Playoffs move into the next phase. It is quite possible that this will be the toughest opponent the Predators face in their bid to once again play…