World Baseball Classic

Let's start out by saying, I for one, love the World Baseball Classic. I think it's good for the game. Shows the sport on the world stage. Different then the Olympics. The Olympics are the best amateurs we have. This is what the Olympics would be if baseball used a dream team. 

Baseball season is different in different countries. This is the best time for this event. MLB has players on multiple teams. NPB, KBO (which seasons mirror MLB) and ABL whos season is from Nov - Feb. 

With MLB players in the WBC, this gives some minor league players more playing time. And the major leaguers will get more playing time and not platooning. Pitchers will be watched so not to overwork them. 

Minor leaguers can get some extra playing time when playing for a different country. Players from other countries can show off their skills and maybe get that chance they are looking for. 

The attendance and viewership numbers prove people like this too. 

Japan went undefeated in the tournament, winning it for the third time. More and more Japanese players are coming to the US to play. But I'm not so sure if that is always a move up. It is a move to make more money. 

-Andy 

Good Bye AEW....for now

 

I need to get away from this awful show before I lose my mind. 

I was a big fan when AEW started. I waved the banner and sang its praises. Underused talents from major wrestling promotions along with some big name independent wrestling stars. What more can you want. Something people have been craving. 

People loved it. It was off to a great start. Gaining respect from others in the sport as well has fan support. Then COVID hit and shut a lot of things down. Hurt all of pro wrestling, including AEW. AEW had a place to use to record shows and at no cost. Daily's Place. A small venue attached to the TIAA Bank Field, home of the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars. The same family owns the team and AEW. 

This was where AEW was able to film the TV shows. They followed all the COVID guidelines and had daily testing. The product was one of the best at the time and helped them gain notoriety. 

Then, in this reporters opinion, when COVID was over they got greedy. Signing released talent from WWE and making them the headliners or main eventers over the many who stuck around and helped the brand grow. These wrestlers were pushed aside to the YouTube shows where the viewership was a lot lower and so was the story telling. 

With things back to normal in the world. Being able to travel and country and go to different arenas for shows, the storytelling became week. It lost what it had during the lock down. No originality. No fresh ideas. Just old, recycled ideas we've seen in other promotions over the years. 

This is not the part that made me want to leave. I did find some good in the shows and enjoyed watching the talent grow. It was the talent they were pushing that got to me. It started when they signed CM Punk. That wasn't the problem. It was the fact they made him a Champion and main eventer right away. Him, Danielson, Ruby Soho, Toni Storm all pushed to the front of the line when they got there. Then people like Miro is left sitting without anything. All while they push the comedy acts like Orange Cassidy and Danhausen. Having them win clean over better talent. A lot of them who have been there since the early days. Yes Orange Cassidy has been there, but always as a comedy act. Sting comes in and is treated as indestructible. 

Bring in some good names, put ROH titles on them and have the AEW talent beat them in non title matches. I am ok with a little color in matches when needed. (Getting color means bleeding) But Moxley does not need to bleed in every match. It losses it charm. 

These are the things that have pushed me away. Cannot stand watching 2 hours on a Wednesday night for about 15 of good TV. I will still follow it on the dirt sheets just to keep up and see if it improves. But as for setting aside time to watch, no. Those days are gone...for now

-Andy 

AEW Full Gear Predictions

 

This year Full Gear is set to be one of the company's best. There will be no back stage issues. No post match press conference hi-jinx. Just an good 'ol fashion PPV 

Here are Andy's picks for tonight. Feel free to comment your  thought and ideas. 

Note: not doing the Zero Hour Matches because, well, no one cares. 

• AEW World Championship: Jon Moxley (c) vs. MJF.
• MJF wins. New Champion. There will be changes in the BCC. 
• AEW World Trios Championship: Death Triangle (c) vs. The Elite. 
• Death Triangle retain 
• Four-way ROH World Championship: Chris Jericho (c) vs. Sammy Guevara vs. Claudio Castagnoli vs. Bryan Danielson.
• Jericho retains. He turns on Sammy Guevara to do it
• AEW Tag Team Championships: The Acclaimed (c) vs. Swerve in Our Glory. 
• The Acclaimed retain. Swerve and Keith Lee have a falling out 
• Britt Baker vs. Saraya.
• Dr Britt Baker D.M.D. for the win
• Interim AEW Women's Championship: Toni Storm (c) vs. Jamie Hayter.
• I hope Jamie Hayter wins, but TK has too much love for the ExWWE stars and Toni
• Storm retains 
• Triple threat AEW TNT Championship: Wardlow (c) vs. Samoa Joe vs. Powerhouse Hobbs.
• Samoa Joe wins. New Champion  
• Luchasaurus vs. "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry.
• Luchasaurus wins the match but Jack Perry will win the war 
• Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal vs. Sting and Darby Allin.
• Don't care. But Sting and Allin win. (see Interim AEW Women's title match)
• AEW TBS Championship: Jade Cargill (c) vs. Nyla Rose.
• Jade Cargill retains

Bellamy Brothers Concert Review

This concert was years in the making. It was to have happened pre pandemic. After a couple of rescheduling attempts, we were finally here. 

I enjoy their music, but it was my Bride who is the big fan. So, being the sweetheart that I am, tickets were purchased. 

Not my first country music concert, but I'm still new to the crowds that attend country music concerts. These people have no leg to stand on if they ever say anything about those who ware jerseys to sports, go to Comic Cons or even those at the Renaissance Festival. These people look strait out of Urban Cowboy. 

The Bellamy Brothers came out to a standing ovation, which is well deserved. Went straight into a song. And that's how the night went. Song, applause repeat. One time they stopped to introduce the band members, beside that they followed the pattern. I was more then OK with this. They didn't need to pump up the crowd for a reaction or anything like that, just stick with what made you famous. Great harmony and good music. 

Would I see them again, yes. Would I recommend them, yes. Medina Entertainment Center was the perfect place to see them .I wouldn't see them in a stadium setting. It's them and the music, no stage show or pyrotechnics to watch. 

If you get the chance, no matter how big a fan of them you are, The Bellamy Brothers are worth the price of the ticket. 

-Andy

2022 Sports and Songs Mid Season MLB Awards

 

Only 3 awards per league. MVP, Cy Young and Manager of the Year  We like to keep things simple and easy here at S&S

Andy

AL MVP  Jose Ramirez 3B Cleveland          

NL MVP Manny Machado 3B SD

AL CY Justin Verlander Houston 

NL CY Pablo Lopez Miami

AL MOTY Brandon Hyde Baltimore

NL MOTY Buck Showalter Mets

Dan

AL MVP  Aaron Judge OF NYY    

NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt 1B STL

AL CY Justin Verlander Houston 

NL CY Tony Gonsolin LAD

AL MOTY Brandon Hyde Baltimore

NL MOTY Dave Roberts LAD

Lets see how close we are at the end of the year 

Big Ten Expands..again

 

With the news of the Big Ten adding USC and UCLA in 2024, the idea of what team goes in what division comes up. Also, the Big Ten still wants to add Notre Dame. ND wants no part of Big Ten (except for Hockey) 

With the two California teams coming, not only will Football be more competitive, but Volleyball will as well. More early season Baseball and Softball road games as well. 

We know that football will redo the divisions, will the other sports as well? 

If they do, I'd assume Football, Basketball and other sports will have the same set up. 

Here is my idea for new divisions. Please comment below what you think 

East - Rutgers, Maryland, Penn State and Ohio State

Lakes - Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern and Wisconsin

Midwest - Indiana, Illinois, Purdue and Iowa

West - Minnesota, Nebraska, USC and UCLA

Yes Minnesota and Nebraska in the west. It make sense.  Those here in Minnesota should be use to our teams playing a west coast schedule. (NBA and NHL) 

If the Big Ten can add Notre Dame then the Midwest becomes a 5 team division. Still talks of 2 more PAC 12 teams joining the Big Ten later. 

Big Ten will have 16 teams

PAC 12 down to 10

Must be the new math they teach

~ Andy 

  

Tattoo Wars 2022

This is a fantasy booked wrestling PPV done by Sports and Songs Pro Wrestling reporter Jason Ink 

TATTOO WARS 

Kerry Morton w/ Ricky Morton in his corner

vs

Hook w/ Taz in his corner 

Gunn Club

vs

Von Erich Boys

For the Southern Tag Team Titles 

Jacob Fatu

vs

Samoa Joe

Nick Aldis

vs

Chris Jericho

For the NWA Title

WALTER

vs

Powerhouse Hobbs

Wheeler Yuta

vs

 Matt Taven

For the TV Title

Mandy Leon

vs

Serena Deeb

Josh Woods

vs

Bryan Danielson

For the Pure Wrestling Title 

Malakai Black

vs

CM Punk

Loser gets a tattoo removed 

Jade Cargill

vs

Jazz

For the TBS Title

4 way match 

Tessa Blanchard

Natalya

Tamina Snuka

Miranda Gordy

Jon Moxley

vs

Jonathan Gresham

Cowboy James Storm

vs

Hangman Adam Page 

For the AEW Title 

In a few weeks, Jason Ink and Andy will go over the results on a special episode on Spotify