I’m not really sure why people click on this irrelevant link or email that should apparently end up in spam. I would think most just come here for sports, but I wonder if some come back because I’ve been adding more about real life. That sounds extremely egotistical, but Hear You Me (release date 2/3 ‘23). This has been something I’ve been running through in my head now for a while…
Alright, @YouTheReader, you got me, Week to Week Notes’ main focus is to provide sports content for the casual fan, but I’ll finally admit I think of each post as its own chapter in a novel or pages in a screenplay script. A few weeks ago I made reference how I think of this Week to Week Notes as a living breathing entity, which definitely sounds nuts but you’re technically reading a written documentary right now. You may think of this as cool, or weird, as long as it’s interesting enough every week to week for you to come back then you can think whatever you want of it. Much like almost every other element that I’ve cooked up since I started this sports writing bit, I didn’t even realize I was doing this sideshow to the side hustle, it just sort of happened over time. Before I freak everybody out and alienate people more than I may have already done so, this will not be a “tell-all” or anything like that. Just trust me. I hope it ends up having a Fairytale of New York ending, but I honestly have no idea when it would start or how this will end so all I can do now is work my ass off writing about sports in my own unique way while trying to grow the publication and see what happens in real life. You can only control what you can control and take the punches as they come, that’s life.
3rd Person POV Half-ass Synopsis of the Reliable Narrator
A Day in the Life of a 28-year-old Village Idiot working a 9 to 5 as an alcohol bootlegger in the Roaring 2020s. He has this side hustle where he gets older but just never wiser and his midnights become his afternoons, writing away about the sports and teams he loves. He innocently started writing Week to Week Notes with the intention to poke fun at his high school friends’ fantasy football teams while they were all in college. He figured if he could make it somewhat riveting each week, this would be a way to keep a group of friends all somehow connected as they all set down their own paths as individuals. He had no idea anybody was reading what he was writing during the 3 months of the fantasy football season because he was just having fun doing it and was nervous his friends would think it was stupid. He didn’t even know any of his best friends were reading the stuff he posted every Wednesday night until a year or two into it because he missed a week and multiple of his friends said, “Where the hell are the Notes?” From then on, he never missed a week during the football calendar and was grateful that those fellas gave me the confidence to keep writing. That was the origin, flash forward to Christmas ‘22: A sports underdog story that includes trying to compete with the Titans of the Sports Industry that have all the money and resources compared to a Good (his mom’s maiden name) Fella with Davis as his last name scraping by making peanuts in comparison with a limited amount of time. He knows he can only juggle the 9 to 5 and 3:30 AM writing nights for so long before he has to decide which one to stick with. He obviously would like to have a family of his own later on in life, but he’s single so his focus is on his startup sports publication. Oh yeah, it’s also Boston vs New York too because ESPN, Barstool Sports, and the Ringer were all founded North East of The City That Never Sleeps. He may not live in Manhattan but his office is right by the Tribeca Film Festival and his apartment has a view of the Empire State Building from the balcony he’ll occasionally hang out to brainstorm ideas with just a pen and paper. Sue him for claiming New York, but he grew up in Pearl River, NY, so he still has a NY driver's license despite living in Sinatra’s hometown.
@NewReader my @PrTeam could verify all of what was just said and there are more details to come on a Week to Week basis, this is just a half-ass synopsis. Back to the Notes from my POV…
With the Thematic Music Concept of the Week in the background, do you think it would make for a better movie or show? Well, I sure as hell can’t act. I still need to practice being on the interview side so I can have the skill set to interview athletes without looking like a fool. Maybe it should just be a book. Do enough people still read though?
I can’t worry about all this now. I just got to do me. Continue to churn out sports content with my own takes. Live life. Try my best to provide a distraction and captivate people who still read. Attempt to experience new things to gain a better perspective of this world. Take chances on social media to gain more followers for @You_The_Reader. Play Robinhood on the daily DMs by politely asking corporations to donate to charities whatever amount they deem necessary. Lastly, if it is a fairytale it should probably have a love interest or two, right? Well if my goal is to be known by some NFL fans in Germany come next November when they play in Munich, I got to stay steady doing double shifts and I don’t really have no time to be no Romeo.
I’ll sometimes talk a big game on here with fairytales, but you should beware I don’t want to be the boy who cried wolf. Speaking of canines, I’m a man of my word and I know I’m still on the hook to do 25 hours for the #RescueDogChallenge but I’ve now reached out to two animal shelters to no avail. Both have either left me on “read” or ignored me when I politely emailed them asking if I could market their dogs in hopes of finding forever homes to @YouTheReaders addresses. Both don’t have in-person volunteer work because of COVID. I’ll try another animal shelter in ‘23 and keep you updated.
It is kind of disheartening not being able to be taken seriously when you’re just trying to help but I understand I can be misunderstood. People who read Week to Week Notes probably can tell by now that I overthink a ton. I always have. For instance, I assume there are some readers who think I don’t stand a chance as a writer when in reality I’ve never really received anything but support with this (besides random Redditors, but who cares). I also assume some of you think I’ve gone insane. That doesn’t always help when you’re an overthinker, but I guess that you have to be a bit different in order to stand out in a world where almost every American has the same brand of smartphone. I never had that problem as a kid being a shy ginger. I blame growing up with red hair, something God did, for always sticking out like a sore thumb when all I wanted was to fit in. To be honest, when I first started thinking about my writing from the lens of the storyline, I preferred not to even be the main character of it.
Luckily, whenever I get down about trying to make this whole writing bit a Fairytale, it’s important for me to remember I’m already not the main character but the reliable narrator in another Fairytale of New York. The only reason I’m sitting here today is a boy, 1 of 15, born in Letterfrack, Connemara, Galway, Ireland met a girl born in the Bronx, NY (who grew up in Westwood, NJ) at Paddy Keane’s pub called Peggy Gordon’s in Woodside, Queens, NY on Saint Patrick’s Day in 1989. Maybe that is where the movie, show, or novel should begin. Or maybe it should go back a bit further. I don’t just love 1940s Sinatra, the 1920s fascinates me as well. I wonder if my ancestors could afford to own a Tommy Shelby paddy hat, pocket watch, and suit. I highly doubt it, unless it was their Sunday best. I should do some more research on what my great-greats were like that helped get me to where my family is today. Maybe I should start wearing that outfit out, we do live in the Roaring 2020s, but that would definitely make me stick out and nowadays it’s weird to do something different. People don’t like different. I’m still trying to write it out in bits and pieces bi-weekly, while all the while attempting to get the Week to Week Notes sports publication off the ground. Don’t worry, I’ll still do some Buzzfeed power rankings and I’ll cook up other things as I go. I’m sure a lot of readers have already picked up on this written documentary, but I’ll never outwardly admit it again. It’ll be our secret that @NewReaders will have to go back to read.
When I think of Week to Week Notes I always try to envision success, but it’s futile for me to know exactly what that’ll look like. I may type with confidence that comes across as arrogant sometimes but please realize that I’m not that delusional. I have no idea if my writing will ever be a Fairytale in New York. I guess that’s what makes this whole writing bit of mine kind of interesting. Maybe that is why people come back from Week to Week for my Notes.
@YouTheReader I probably just jinxed this post but oh well, who cares. Either way, I’m nowhere near finished writing about sports&life and I have no friends in the industry, so there’s still a massive uphill climb, but I’m looking forward to the challenge. No matter what I’ll just be happy working my ass off writing about sports. All of this is good practice toward my 10,000 hours to master writing anyway.
…Who knows, maybe with a bit of luck I can make a Fairytale in New York of my own…
@PrTeam Here Is Me Selling You on a Trip to Connemara
From the time I was born to the time the Davis’ moved to Pearl River, I must have visited Ireland around 7 or 8 times. I’ve only been back once and I was only 16 years old. This makes me feel like a fraud to one part of my Irish-American heritage. I should have taken advantage of the opportunity during college winter and summer breaks but I’ll admit I was probably too busy caught up in the 845 to ever want to miss a weekend. Any money I would make at the time was going to the local town bar scene down the road. Once I got out of school, I was working 9 to 5s and couldn’t really afford to take a week off. I never really considered doing any sort of a gap year, as a guy out of college I shared Sebastian Manisclco’s sentiments (the link is his bit about talking to his dad about going to find myself, hopefully, you don’t click on it so you keep reading, or come back if you do).
When my friends would try and book an international trip I would always go ghost in the GroupMe because in my close-minded view the only way I’d step foot outside the U.S. soil was to go on a trip to Ireland again. If I ever brought it up back then, everyone would roll their eyes at the message and say “let’s do Ibiza instead. I’ll go to Ireland when I’m older.” Well, @PrTeam (family&friends), we’re certainly older now, wouldn’t it be nice if we set something up in ‘23?
Part of my predicament with going back to Ireland is I have so much family over there and so much catching up to do. I wouldn’t be able to do it all in a week. If I was going to do it right, I would spend at least 2 weeks and then maybe a day or two in Germany - I’d try passing out QR Codes of Week to Week Notes to make sure people heard of this sports publication.
By the way, I better not be giving off “oh he’s going to set up a GoFundMe vibes.” It’ll have to be earned on the Week to Week Notes dime. I’ve said it before, I like making goals on here because it forces me to work that much harder at this craft.
@PrTeam (family&friends I grew up with from PR & UA) all of you would obviously be invited to join even if it’s just for a week if you can swing it. I’m sure we’d have plenty of places to stay, Bed & Breakfasts, and Airbnbs to rent. I don’t have an exact target date as of yet, but looking forward to challenging myself with this goal. It would obviously have to be before the NFL’s Week 12, ‘23 (November).
Having a month of travel to write is an ambitious goal for the new year but I think it could only help me as a writer. I’d not only gain new perspectives, but I could also gain old ones as well by going to museums to learn more about world history. All I would need is a pen, paper, laptop, internet, and I could still provide @YouTheReader your Week to Week Notes on time. In some ways it could be a business trip too.
@RogerGoodell from Bronxville with the $50 million annual, would the league let a Village Idiot writing about sports be a Brand Ambassador for the NFL Shield in Europe on my Euro Trip? @YouTheReader I know the chances of this happening from posting and tagging @SkySports, @AveryWilliamson, @NFLUK, and @NFLMedia (only 1,588 followers) won’t likely lead to anything but if you don’t shoot your shot, you’re living scared. It would be nice if a few of @YouTheReaders could share this post’s @You_The_Reader story with @NFLMedia - my gut tells me the more times they get tagged the more likely someone on the NFL Media’s social media is to click the link to read this. @Mom at least I know you’ll do it, here are the steps: you click the bottom right “More” button, tap on “Send to”, type out “NFLmedia” and you’ll see “NFL Media PR with a blue verified checkmark” pop up and hit send.
Ending this with a free ad for @aerlingus… C’mon, I won’t even ask for free flights for the @PrTeam over there, maybe just free drinks on the flight if I advertise it every week…
Aaron Judge: Captain of the NY Yankees
This week Aaron Judge was named the 16th captain in Yankee history. For Yankee fans, this is a big deal. A whole generation of Yankee fans who grew up watching Derek Jeter could’ve never imagined there being another captain after #2. Well in a sense, it took another larger-than-life figure, for the Steinbrenner family to surpass the mantle to #99. Also just want to note that Hal Steinbrenner said his favorite players growing up were Thurman Munson and Willie Randolph, maybe Hal isn’t so bad after all.
…“and the bells were ringing out for” (2:00)…
Christmas Day NBA
**Checks NBA standings for the first time this year.**
Philadelphia 76ers @ New York Knicks
Joel Embiid has to win MVP this year if he continues this pace, no?
Just realized the Knicks top 3 scorers are shoot southpaw. Knicks have won 8 out of their last 10. Surprised to see they average the 3rd highest PPG in the East, still early.
Los Angeles Lakers @ Dallas Mavericks
Wow I feel old. Was expecting to see LeBron James lead his team in at least 1 of these categories. In the 2016 NBA Finals, LeBron became the first player to lead sereis in points, rebounds, asssists, steals, and blocks.
I see Luka Doncic picked up right where he left off. The 32.2 ppg would be a career high.
Milwaukee Bucks @ Boston Celtics
Giannis gets an attempt at revenge against the Celtics team that knocked him out of a chance at repeating as NBA Champions.
Doesn’t look like Jayson Tatum was all the affected by that Ime Udoka tea from over the offeason.
Memphis Grizzles @ Golden State Warriors
Oh Ja, I’ll start paying attention to some more of the NBA as the winter gets colder and there are less football teams to cover.
There is something that just looks nice seeing Steph Curry at exactly 30 points per game, oh wait that is his # that makes sense.
Phoenix Suns @ Denver Nuggets
Have people forgotten that Game 7 blowout by the Suns? I happened to be Scottsdale for the Rooster Cup, ‘22. Thank goodness we didn’t waste out money on that game.
Is it crazy for me to think that Nikola Jokic could play in the NBA until he is 50 years old? He already just lumbers up and down the court at his own pace. His vision as a passer is unreal for a point guard, much less someone him size.
NFL Week 16 Picks
Warped Logic - Week 16, ‘22
Thursday Nighter
Jacksonville Jaguars 19 @ New York Jets 3
Early on in the 1st quarter, Quinnen Williams provided some life to the packed crowd that was spectacting in the cold rainy conditions by forcing a sack fumble on Trevor “Sunshine” Lawrence. Qilliams now has recorded a career high 12 sacks this season. He just turned 25 years old this week and should defintiely be someone the Jets look to extend sometime in the next year. On the offensive side of the ball, the Jets were putrid, espcially Zach Wilson. Wilson was booed off the field and eventually benched (despite what HC Robert Saleh says pubically) for the Jets 4th string QB Chirs Streveler who actually moved the ball down field. It is becoming more clear and clear each passing week that Zach Wilson is not the guy for the Jets. If Mike White is ruled out for next week, I might as well just start doing some Jets Mock Drafts for ‘23.
On the Jaguars side of things, it is becoming more and more clearer each passing week that Trevor Lawrence will be the guy for the Jags. As expected, the 2nd year QB may experiecne a few young QB mistakes but he shined through a rainy miserable game at MetLife last night. The Jaguars have now won 3 straight this puts them in 2nd pace in the AFC South.
0-2 start to Week 16. Week 17’s Thursday Night game is the Cowboys-Titans at Nashville, have me down for 28-17 Dallas, How ‘Bout Them Cowboys?
1 PM Slate (Saturday)
New York Giants @ Minnesota Vikings
The most receiving yards in the first 4 career seasons: 1. Michael Thomas (5,512) 2. Randy Moss (5,396) 3. Torry Holt (5,088) 4. Jerry Rice (4,881) 5. A.J. Green (4,874) 6. Justin Jefferson (4,639). Justin Jefferson is only in year 3. (Source: @JanikEckardt). If somehow the Giants get into the playoffs, RBs never win MVP, but Saquon Barkley should for sure be a candidate.
Prediction: 21-16 MIN (-3 MIN & Under 47.5)
Cincinnati Bengals @ New England Patriots
The Patriots lost last week on a brilliant buzzer beater. Do you think that is how the Patriots’ failed rocket scientist turned defensive guru turned offensive coordinator drew up the play? As for what HC Bill Belichick has to say about Joe Burrow, ““First of all he’s tough. He’ll stand in there throw the ball, take a hit to make a play. Accurate, hits all the throws. Tough to tackle. Manages the game well. Sees the game well. Productive in critical situations. Red area, third downs, big games. He makes a lot of his best plays at the right time” (Source: Begals Wire) A nine sentence quote from Bill Belichick is almost as rare as the way they lost to the Raiders.
Predictions: 26-15 CIN (-3.5 CIN & Over 39.5)
Seattle Seahawks @ Kansas City Chiefs
Geno “they wrote me off but I ain’t write back though” Smith was named to his 1st Pro Bowl of his career in his 10th season. Smith has the most games in the NFL of 2+ passing TDs this season with 11. (Source: CBSSports) Jerrick McKinnon told Patrick Mahomes in the huddle right before the snap, “I’m about to score” (Source: PJGreenTV) In his last two games, McKinnon has taken over the Kansas City backfield to the tune of 31 touches, 256 yards from scrimmage and 4 TDs. (Source: LanceTHESPOKEN) That sounds like a league winner in fantasy football.
Predictions: 31-20 KC (-9.5 KC & Over 49)
Buffalo Bills @ Chicago Bears
Bills RB James Cook might be available in your fantasy league if you’re still playing. He might be worth a claim. His underlying stats 5.3 yards per rush attempt (3rd in RBs) and 9.2 yards per reception (5th in RBs) show that the Bills may be underutilizing him (Source: JudgesTorres). By this point in the year most rookie’s have shaken off the early season jitters and, if they’re going to be good in the NFL, start to emerge more often like veterans. According to @PatrickKFlowers, QB rushing yards all time go: 1. Lamar Jackson (2019): 1,206 2. Mike Vick (2006): 1,039 3. Lamar Jackson (2020): 1,005 4. Justin Fields (2022): 1,000 If Justin Fields can average 69 yards per game down the stretch, he will break Lamar Jackson's all-time single-season QB rushing record. (Source: Tweet) Since Week 9, Justin Fields has rushed for over 70+ yards in 5 consective games (the most of all time). Prior to Fields, Lamar Jackson had 70+ rushing yards for a then record 4 consecutive games. (Source: CBSSports)
Predictions: 30-19 (-8.5 BUF & Over 40.5)
Baltimore Ravens @ Atlanta Falcons
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is still being held out with a knee. Not that I know anything about medical information but through years of keeping up with sports, as soon as you hear PCL Sprain they almost always report that it could be a 2 week injury and it turns out to be more like at least a month. There is absolutely no scientific proof behind that, don’t take that as fact. Falcons Rookie RB Tyler Allgeier rushed for over 100 yards for the first time in his career last week with 139 yards to be exact.
Predictions: 18-9 BAL (-7.5 BAL & Under 37)
New Orleans Saints @ Cleveland Browns
The Saints TE Juwan Johnson has now scored 7 times this season, good for 2nd most among TEs. Donovan Peoples-Jones receieved 12 targets Week 14 which he turned into 8 catches for 114 recevieng yards. Followed up last week with a TD. Him and Watson look like they may have a repertoire.
Predictions: 10-6 CLE (-3 CLE & Under 32)
Detroit Lions @ Carolina Panthers
Jackson State University alum and Lions EDGE, James Houston, recorded his 5th sack of the season in his 4th career game. One week after Carolina ran the ball down Seattle’s throat for 223 yards on 46 attempts (4.8 yards per rush), the Panthers rushed for only 21 yards on 16 attempts (1.3 yards per rush).
Predictions: 32-12 DET (-2.5 DET & Under 44.5)
Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, my biggest gripe with Davis Mills is he has his name backwards. Mills Davis does not fumble that ball. Derrick Henry’s last 4 games against the Texans are: 32 rushes, 211 yards, 3 TD; 22 rushes, 212 yards, 2 TD; 34 rushes, 250 yards, 2 TD; and 32 rushes, 219 yards, 2 TD. (Source:@FieldYates) Safe to say you should be confident starting him if you’re in the fantasy playoffs.
Predictions: 22-13 TEN (-7 TEN & Under 38)
4 PM Slate (Saturday)
Washington Commanders @ San Francisco 49ers
Jahan Dotson is really emerging as a very good WR having a great rookie campaign. He has now scored 6 TDs in only 8 games. Dotson has already proven despite his shifty style and smaller frame he is willing to go up and get the ball or take the hit over the middle. Brock Purdy, since taking over the SF QB job, has been consistent by scoring 2 passing TDs a game in 3 starts.
Predictions: 27-11 SF (-7 SF & Under 39.5)
Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys
Jalen Hurts is hurt. Not a great scenario for the Philadelphia Eagles, but they will now turn to Gardner “Frat Star” Minshew at QB for the time being. As for the Cowboys, they have a firm grip on the 5th Wild Card. Beating the Eagles backup QB at home should be expected of Dallas, after coming off of two poor performances.
Predictions: 29-21 DAL (-6 DAL & Over 46)
Prime Time Christmas Eve
Las Vegas Raiders @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Rest in peace to Steeler legend and Hall of Fame RB, Franco Harris. #32 in black&yellow was most famous for his Immaculate Reception catch and score from 1972. Almost eerily creepy is the fact that this play happened against the Raiders in Pittsburgh and 50 years later here we are with the same matchup.
Predictions: 7-3 PIT (-3 PIT & Under 39.5)
Christmas 1 PM & 4 PM
Green Bay Packers @ Miami Dolphins
Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle had over 100+ recevieing yards for the first time since Week 8 against Detroit. Most of the 114 receiving yards damage was done on the 68 yard touchdown reception that you see him Waddle to above. The Dolphins are the better team, but you never know what can happen when Aaron Rodgers is starring at you from the opponents sideline.
Predictions: 34-25 MIA (-5.5 MIA & Over 46.5)
Denver Broncos @ Los Angeles Rams
When we have to use a Latavius Murray GIFs to explain the game, I think it can be breif and I’ll just proivde the score prediction.
Predictions: 14-2 DEN (-1.5 DEN & Under 35.5)
Prime Time (Sun. & Mon.)
Sunday Scaries
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Arizona Cardinals
Tom Brday will look to right the Buccaneers ship as he faces the former Nittany Lion QB, Trace McSorely. McSorely was originally drafted in the 6th round by the Baltimore Ravens because of his rushing ability as a dual threat QB. He was the 197th pick in 2019, whereas Tom Brady was the 199th pick in 2000. Someway, somehow Brady is for sure using that 2 draft slot difference for motivational purposes.
Predictions: 23-8 TB (-6 TB & Under 41)
Moody Monday
Los Angeles Chargers @ Indianapolis Colts
Do I really think that the Colts will score 33 points? Not really but I do think the Chargers make this one a close one per usual when they play on under the lights on prime time.
There has been some smoke that the Yankees are interested in trading for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ OF Bryan Reynolds. Reynolds is switch-hitter that has very little weaknesses to his well-rounded game. In the Yankee lineup, he would likely fit in the leadoff spot having #99 protecting him in the 2-hole while playing LF on defense. Rumor has it that the Pirates are looking for multiple pitching prospects for All-Star of ‘21, which the Yankees do not currently have. The Pirates leverage is that Reynold’s still has 3 more years left of team control before he hits free agency.
The other rumor I heard on Twitter this week was that Brian Cashman is looking to put Josh Donaldson and Aaron Hicks on a Tesla Rocket and send them to Mars. Whoops I got that one wrong, the Tweet was Cashman should package Josh Donaldson and Gleyber Torres for a bag of balls and sunflower seeds. Damn, it looks like that Twitter account must’ve been deleted, I can’t use it as a source.
Notable Signings This Past Week (in AAV order)
SS 3B Carlos Correa (from SFG Min): 12 years, $315 million with the New York Mets.
The Mets owner, “Uncle” Stevie Cohen, snatched Carlos Correa right out of the Bay Area after he had reportedly signed with the Giants last week. Maybe the Giants pulled out of the deal when they read what I had to say. Correa was labeled the next ARod when he first came on the MLB scene, so it is sorta fitting that ends up in New York and will be moved over to 3B. Now that he won’t need shortstop range on defense, will he bulk up for more power in his bat?
SS Dansby Swanson (from ATL): 7 years, $177 million with the Chicago Cubs.
The Cubs believe the NL Central is wide open. Baseball is better when the Cubbies are competitive and games at Wrigley Field mean something. The ‘22 NL Gold Glove Short Stop will only further help improve Chicago’s defense up the middle as he will team up with 2B Nico Hoerner (former Gold Glove finalist), as well as the other new Cub addition, CF Cody Bellinger (former Gold Glover).
OF Andrew Benintendi (from NYY): 5 years, $75 million with the Chicago White Sox.
Going to be one of those, “Oh yeah remember he was a Yankee for a minute.” Benintendi had a nice cup of coffee in the Bronx and the Yankees were interested in bringing him back at the right price but it appears to be more into socks. Must be a foot guy, eh? Weirdo.
OF Michael Brantley: Re-signed for 1 year, $12 million with the Houston Astros.
Brantley is a useful contact hitter who hits the ball to all fields. He missed the majority of the ‘22 season, including their World Series run with shoulder surgery. While hit pop at the plate has diminished over time, he is not a guy you want to see with runners on base come October. Have to think Houston plans on DH-ing him for the majority of the season to try and keep in healthy.
3B Justin Turner (from LAD): 2 years, $22 million with the Boston Red Sox.
I’ll hate that I now will have to have a stern talk with Justin Turner about joining Boston the next time I see him at the next underground Secret Red Head Convention. I was looking forward to buying him a drink because he won the Roberto Clemente Award, but now the tabs on him. I have no idea what the Red Sox plan is but this is either one of those signings that leads to them being out of nowhere really good or just dreadfully bad. Fun fact about Turner, the Yankees drafted him in the 29th round of the 2005 MLB draft, but he decided to go to Cal State instead. For Mets fans, they may see him as the one that got away as he was a utility player for them from 2011 to 2013 before heading to LA where he blossomed into a 2-time All-Star with a .296 career batting average with the Dodgers.
OF Joey Gallo (from LAD): 1 year, $11 million with the Minnesota Twins.
The Twin Cities seems like the right spot for Joey Gallo. The former Gold Glove outfielder struggled in his time with NY and LA last season. As a Texas Ranger, Gallo averaged 41 homers per 162 games. With the Yankees and Dodgers, he averaged 28 homers per 162 games. (Source: My Math using Baseball Reference)
DH J.D. Martinez (from BOS): 1 year, $10 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Sox and Dodgers essentially just swapped who will DH for them in ‘23 at around the same price. It does sound a little ridiculous when I’m typing this out but JD Martinez decided to take less money (only $10 million) to play with former teammate Mookie Betts (Source: Ken_Rosenthal). When I first saw the contract I was a bit surprised as well. Coming off of back to back All Star seasons, as a fan of the team from the Bronx, seeing him leave the heart of Boston’s lineup isn’t the worst sight. Will miss watching him get doubled up though.
YouTube Rabbithole
Clifden, Connemara, Galway, Ireland
@RandomGirlFromTheBar
Just want to give one last shoutout to @RandomGirlFromTheBar, who really isn’t all that random. You’re one of a kind, funny, smart, and a smokeshow, always remember that. I always wanted to date a cougar so thanks for letting me check that box off. We may be two ships passing but I’ll always appreciate your support and suggestions. @You believing in me as a writer to go for this bit I’m crazy passionate about gave me the confidence to become petty with the pen. You motivated the Village Idiot writing about sports to work at levels I wasn’t doing before I explained the side hustle to you on the 2nd half of our first date at 10th & Willow. While you may no longer always be my motivational muse going forward, I could always use an elite proofreader and will always get a kick out of getting a text or snap from “Random Girl From The Bar” as the contact in my phone. I wish you nothing but the best in chasing after your dreams and aspirations as I go after mine.
@YouTheReader alright now if you’ll excuse me I have to go and get blasted enough at my uncle’s tomorrow so that I end up in a drunk tank…hehehe…only half-kidding… If any of you ever feel like I take out some aggression on my readers, it’s only because running a side-hustle sports publication with my self-imposed ambitions as a one-man army can be stressful sometimes. I love it though and I love all of you ladies and gentlemen who read, especially the ones who read until the bottom. Wishing you and your family&friends a happy and safe weekend.