Stinger Hangs Them Up

Yes we know it doesn't get talked about much on the blog or the show, but for this one, its important to take a second to recognize one of the best to ever do it. Steve Borden. He started his career back in 1985 under different gimmicks, but since the summer of 1987 he's been known by one name and one name only. Sting. This past Sunday saw the final match in the legendary career of the man called Sting.

From 1987 until the company closed its doors in 2001, Sting was the face of the company that was known as World Championship Wrestling. For years, WWE had the Undertaker as their go to look and measuring stick for the company and rightfully so. That's what Sting was for WCW. And even after WCW closed its doors, he went on to have fantastic runs in TNA, Then he had a brief spell with WWE, which nobody ever thought would happen, before wrapping up his career with AEW.

What made Sting so great?

First there was the look. He was built quite well and had the ability to be able to go with anybody. he also had an intimidating look with the facepaint. A look which he adapted and changed numerous times over the year. It gave his character a breath of fresh air every time he changed the look up. But one thing never changed. His professionalism. Nobody in the business ever had a bad word to say about Sting. And for the longest time, Sting had been the face of the company that was the main competition for WWE. He did that out of not only loyality to the company but also to kind of keep WWE's hands off so they didn't take away his legacy in a sense.

Sting is considered by many fans and wrestlers alike as one of the top ten greatest wrestlers to ever step foot inside of a ring. Ric Flair has often cited Sting as one of his greatest opponents. Same thing has been said by the late Big Van Vader. If you watched his run in AEW, you know this to be true. It's amazing that, even in his 60s, Sting still had it by pulling off high spots like jumping through other wrestlers through tables and off ladders. Never thought I'd actually write that. But that shows the adaptability and greatness of the Stinger.

So thanks for the memories Sting. Its been one hell of a run.

Record Setting Night For Clark

There's a new name at the top of the record books in College Basketball. That name is Caitlin Clark. The senior Iowa point guard just passed “Pistol” Pete Maravich for the most points in the history of College Basketball. Sunday against Ohio State, Clark finished with 35 points, giving her 3,685 career points. Pistol Pete had 3,667 in his time at LSU back in the 60s. Clark is now the greatest scorer in the history of college ball, men or women.

What Pistol Pete did in his three years at LSU was beyond impressive. Why? Because at the time he played there there was no shot clock or three point line. Just imagine how much higher Pete's numbers would have been had not only that been a part of the game back then, but what he did his first year. See when Pete got to LSU he wasn't allowed to play on the varsity team as a freshman. He scored 741 points his first year at LSU, which would have added even more to his totals. I just wanted that to be put into perspective for people to appreciate what happened on Sunday.

See Caitlin Clark had all these things that Pete never did. She's been able to change the game in this moment for not only college basketball, but for Women's sports. Look at what she can do on the floor. She can hit shots from anywhere on the court, making her the moist dangerous player in the game. Not only can she hit shots from anywhere, but her range as a shooter has been compared to that of Golden State star Stephen Curry..

She has become such a generational talent, that wherever Iowa goes, they are selling out buildings. She's creating that much of a buzz. It's become must see TV watching her step foot on the floor every night. It amazing what she has been able to do for not only College Basketball but Women's Sport has been amazing. What's even more impressive about her is how she carries herself.

Her comment about the record post game on Sunday speaks volumes.

"A record is a record. I don't want that to be the reason people remember me. I hope people remember me for the way I played with a smile on my face, my competitive fire. Sure, they can remember the wins but also just like the fun me and my teammates had together."

That speaks volumes about her character as a person and its a great thing to see in sports.

Another Big Night In The Bay

It seems like every time we turn around, Nikita Kucherov adds another milestone number to his career totals. Yesterday afternoon, in the Lightning 4-1 win over the Devils, Kucherov had a hand in all four goals. He scored once and added three assists. The point totals pushed him to over 100 on the season. He sits at 102 as of this writing.

It's the 4th time in his ten year career that he's hit the century mark in points in a season. He hit 100 in 2018, lead the league with 128 in 2019 and had 113 last year.

With hitting the century mark, he becomes the 5th active player in the league to have hit the 100 point mark in a season at least four times. The other guys are Sidney Crosby (six times) Conor McDavid (six times), Leon Draisaitl (four times) and Alex Ovechkin (four times).

He's the first player to hit the 100 point mark this season. He also did that in his Art Ross year in 2019. He joins a pretty elite list of guys who became the first player to hit the century mark multiple times in their career. The other guys are kind of good. The list includes Wayne Gretzky (nine times), Mario Lemieux (six times), Phil Esposito (six times), Conor McDavid (five times), Jaromir Jagr (four times), Guy Lafleur (three times), Sidney Crosby (twice) and Evgeni Malkin (twice).

Yes, we realize that's a lot of numbers to be throwing at you at once. But, believe me, it's helping to build a case here. As of this writing, the Lightning sit 5th in the Atlantic division with 69 points, just one back of Detroit. That's good enough to get them the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference as the last wild card spot. It's a seven point lead on the New Jersey Devils, the next closest team to them.

You take Nikita Kucherov out of the Tampa lineup, they aren't close to sniffing that last playoff spot. That's my point. The guy is the frontrunner for the Hart as league MVP this year (which would be the 2nd time in his career he's won it should he be able to snag the award). Sure you can also make an argument for Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche as well. Take MacKinnon out the Avs lineup, they fall well out of 3rd place in the Central division (where they currently sit). You can even make a case for Conor McDavid in Edmonton, has his play as of late has helped get the Oilers back into the playoff race in the West.

The biggest reason this sticks in my craw so much is that there are some people in the national hockey media that are pushing hard for Auston Matthews of the Maple Leafs to take MVP. Not to take anything away from what Matthews is doing this year, as of now he's the leagues only 50 goal scorer. But you take hi m out of the Leafs lineup, they are still a talent heavy team and can still be a playoff team with him not there. You take Kucherov out in Tampa., the Bolts go nowhere.

Milestone Moment For Kane

Yes it feels weird to us too. Seeing Patrick Kane wearing anything other than a Blackhawks sweater. He spent a little time on Broadway last year, but now seems to have found himself comfortable in his new home in Detroit. Last night, in Detroit's overtime win over the Seattle Kraken, Kane recorded his 800th NHL assist. By doing so, Kane has added his name to some pretty rare company.

He becomes the 4th right wing in league history to record 800 or more assists. He joins Mark Recchi (956), Gordie Howe (1,049) and Jaromir Jagr (1,155). He also becomes just the 3rd American Born player to hit such a milestone, joining Phil Housley (894) and Mike Modano (813).

It's worth noting that when you look at the list of all time American scorers Brett Hull's name is at the top of the list. Hull played for the US on the international stage but is Canadian by birth.

So with Kane hitting 800 assists, its pretty obvious to all watching he's further cementing his place in the hall of fame. Both the US Hockey and the Hockey Hall of fame in Toronto. Kane has had a career that most players could only dream of. As of this article, he's 7th all time in goals at 460,3rd in assists with now 800, and 2nd in points (behind only Mike Modano) at 1,260.

If there was any doubt as to the greatness of the former Blackhawk, they have been put to bed in Detroit. He still has something left in the tank. It wasn't anywhere near as good as it was while in Chicago, but there are still some flashes of the talent here in Detroit. By the time all is said and done in Kane's career, he will come close to taking over Mike Modano as the greatest American  scorer to play in the NHL.

Congrats to Patrick Kane on hitting 800 career assists

Rivals Take It Outside

Lets take this outside. That's what the NHL is doing over the next two nights. And they doing it with two of its more fierce rivals. Coming to a nationwide audience from MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, we get the two Stadium Series games for this year. First up its the New Jersey Devils playing host to the Philadelphia Flyers. Then tomorrow afternoon the New York Islanders serve as the home team as they take on the New York Rangers.

Last time the event was held in the New York, Metro area was at Yankee Stadium in 2014. It was just between the three teams, the Islanders Rangers and Devils. Now we throwing the Flyers into this mix. So with that being said, lets take a look back at these two rivalries.

With the first game up tonight between the Devils and Flyers, there have been some wild nights between these two hockey clubs. Known as the Battle Of The Jersey Turnpike, it started out as a quite rivalry. After the Devils relocated from Denver in 1982, there wasn't much between the two teams other then proximity. New Jersey was still trying to find its footing in those parts. The rivalry with the Flyers didn't really start taking off until they had their first playoff meeting in 1995. New Jersey pulled off what was considered an upset beating the Flyers that year, and that planted the seed. They would go back and forth in the division over the next few years. By 2000, things had started to heat up.

This rivalry really took off during the Eastern Conference Finals in 2000. New Jersey had blown a lead in the division late in the season, with the Flyers passing them. They met in the conference finals and the tide turned there. All thanks to a Scott Stevens hit on Eric Lindros. We all know the hit. It pretty much started the beginning of the end for Lindros career, as he was not even close to the same player again after that hit. That hit took this rivalry to a whole different level.

There have been up and down moments for both of these franchises but they still find a way to be thorn in each other sides during the regular season, no matter where they are in the standings. Now they get to take it outdoors.

Same can be said for the Islanders and Rangers, who are taking this rivalry outside for the second time in history. First was in 2014 when the two teams met outdoors at Yankee Stadium. the Battle of New York all started when the Islanders came into the league with expansion in 1972 and were dropped into the same division as the Rangers. The Isles were looked as the little brother when they came into the league and didn't get respect from the boys from Broadway. But the Islanders found their footing and success quicker than expected and passed the Rangers, in a sense. But the rivalry really seemed to take off thanks to Denis Potvin's check on Ulf Nilsson, resulting in Nilsson breaking his ankle.

There have been many memorable games played between the two, a lot of which happened in the playoffs. The Islanders upset on JP Parise goal to get the Islanders their first playoff win in 1975. 1981 was memorable for the end to end rush made by Bob Bourne. 1984 the series was ended by Kenny Morrow with his overtime winner as the Islanders were making their drive for five. The last time the clubs actually met in the playoffs was 1994, a series which the Rangers swept on their way to a cup championship. 

The difference between the two is that the Flyers and Devils has been more of an equal rivalry over the years, in terms of batteling for playoff spots and division titles and what not. islanders and Rangers has been more of a locational rivalry. There's no denying that the rivalry has been fierce and produced some highly entertaining hockey over the years.

Taking it outside the next two days is going to make for some entertaining and must see TV.

Magic Night For Shaq

When it comes to the Orlando Magic, Shaq is one of the first players thought of with the franchise. Tuesday night, Shaq got one of the highest honors that a player can get. His number 32 was retired in Orlando. It's the first number to be retired by the Magic. Its the third time Shaq has had his number retired by a franchise, having his number retired previously by both the Lakers and Heat.

Shaq has had a number of first for the Orlando Magic. He was the first player to be taken as the number one overall pick by the Magic. He was the first Magic player to play in an All Star Game. He was the first player to win Rookie Of The Year in Orlando. He was also the first big time superstar to leave Orlando. Shaq joins Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Clyde Drexler, Julius Erving, Elvin Hayes, Bob Lanier, Moses Malone, Earl Monroe, Dikembe Mutombo, Oscar Robertson, Nate Thurmond and Charles Barkley as the only players to have their number retired by multiple franchises.

Given some of the guys that Shaq played with in Orlando, guys like Nick Andersen and Penny Hardaway, it was a bit of a surprise that Shaq was the first one to get his jersey retired. It also took a long time to finally get it done. It was in the 35th season of Magic basketball that it finally happened. Shaq had a brief career in Orlando, playing his first four years in the league in Orlando. He really took off when he went to Los Angeles, but that doesn't diminish what he did here for Orlando. He was the first big superstar that the team had.

Shaq not only made a name for himself in Orlando, he help make the Magic a name brand as well. Him and Penny Hardaway really helped establish the Magic as a major brand in not only the NBA but in sports in general. Here's a perfect example of the kind of impact a guy like Shaq had on this Magic team. Orlando had only won 70 games over its first three seasons before Shaq arrived. His rookie year, the Magic made the playoffs and finished the year with a 41-41 record. They won 50 games and another playoff trip in year two. Year three was 57 wins and a trip to the NBA finals. His last year was a 60 win season, which is still the franchise record. That's the kind of impact Shaq had.

Congratulations to Shaq on having his number retired in Orlando.

NFL Honors

On the eve of the biggest game of the season for the NFL, they honored the best of the best. Right before Super Bow 58, the NFL announced the Hall of Fame class for 2024 as well as handing out the awards for the 2023 regular season. Its the one night on the football schedule where they honor the best in individual achievement in a great team sport.

Before we look at the individual awards, here's the full list of the Hall of Fame Class going in this upcoming August:

Dwight Freeney
Devin Hester
Andre Johnson
Julius Peppers
Patrick Willis
Randy Gradishar (senior)
Steve McMichael (senior)

Now then, here's the hardware that was handed out during NFL Honors.

Coach Of The Year: Kevin Stefanski Cleveland Browns
Tight group this year with a number of qualified candidates who could have walked away with the award this year. Look at what Dan Campbell was able to do in Detroit. Hell Stefanski even tied with Demeco Ryans, the head coach with Houston. The only reason Stefanski won it was because he got one more first place vote to be able to snag the award. And why not. He was able to get the Browns into the playoffs and with a winning record using FIVE different starting quarterbacks this season. Sure Ryans beat hom out in the playoffs, but again remember this is the regular season awards.

Offensive Rookie Of The Year: CJ Stroud Quarterback Houston Texans
Stroud is the first player in Texans history to claim offensive rookie of the year honors, and there have been a few good ones. The first year QB out of Ohio State set Texans rookie records for passing yards with 4.108 and touchdowns with 23 while leading them to a playoff spot. He also set an NFL record 1ith 191 consecutive passes to start a career without throwing an interception. The only player who came close to Stroud in the category was Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua.

Defensive Rookie of The Year: Will Anderson Jr, Defensive End Houston Texans.
Anderson becomes the 3rd Texans defensive player to walk away with the defensive Rookie of the Year honors, joining Bryan Cushing and DeMarco Ryans. Anderson just beat out Jalen Carter of the Eagles and Kobie Turner of the Rams, the only other guys to get first place votes. Anderson was a huge threat on the Texans defensive line.

Defensive Player of The Year: Miles Garrett Defensive End Cleveland Browns
Talk about another close race. it was between Garrett and TJ Watt of the Steelers. Yes Watt may have had more tackles and sacks this season, but no other defender struck more fear into the hearts of opposing offenses this year than Garrett did. Garrett caused havoc for the opposition in a way that no other defender did around the league this year

Offensive Player of The Year: Christian McCaffery, Running Back San Francisco 49ers
You could have made an argument for CeeDee Lamb in Dallas or Tyreek Hill in Miami. Sure, Tyreek and Cee Dee both had over 1,700 yards in receiving yards. but nobody was putting up the overall numbers of McCaffery. Ran for 1,459 yards and caught another 546 yards. Nobody had as many yards or had as much of an impact on a game as McCaffery did for the Niners offense.

MVP: Lamar Jackson, Quarterback Baltimore Ravens
For the 2nd time in his career, Jackson came home with MVP. He became the 11th player in league history to win multiple MVP awards. And he beat out some stiff competition to get the award this year. Guys like Dak Prescott, Christian McCaffery, Josh Allen (who got the only other first place vote) and Brock Purdy. Sure Dak and McCaffery may have had the better statistical years than Jackson did. but the eye test sticks out here more than anything and without Jackson in the Baltimore lineup, the Ravens don't finish the year as the top team in the AFC this season.