KICKING OFF WITH THOUGHTS ON ANQUAN BOLDIN AND TYROD
The Buffalo Bills made a big deal out of signing veteran potential Pro Football Hall of Famer Anquan Boldin two weeks ago, so I suppose it is fair to describe his sudden retirement as a setback to the team.
Boldin will turn 37 in October but he still would’ve been an effective possession-type target for Tyrod Taylor, a quarterback who needs all the help he can get.
When he arrived in Buffalo, Boldin said he was excited about contributing to a young team with post-season aspirations. Maybe he saw enough – including the trades of Sammy Watkins and Ronald Darby and the lack of depth at so many key positions – to decide to give up his one-year, $4-million (including incentives) contract in favor of concentrating on his humanitarian work, including reforming the criminal justice system.
Good for him. A worthy cause. But the Bills needed his help, too.
On the NFL career lists for wide receivers, Boldin ranks 9th in receptions (1.076), 14th in yards receiving (13,779) and tied for 23rd in TD catches (82).
Had Boldin played for Buffalo this season and posted relatively modest numbers (60 catches for 600 yards and 8 TD catches), he might have climbed to 4th in all-time catches, 19th in yards receiving and 13th in TD catches. Did he jeopardize his Canton hopes by retiring now?
A popular topic among Bills fans is the status of Tyrod Taylor as starting quarterback. Rookie Nathan Peterman against opposing second-line defenders has looked better than Taylor through the first two meaningless preseason games. A few wishful-thinking Buffalo fans are wondering if Peterman might be the 2017 version of last season’s Dak Prescott with the Dallas Cowpokes. Dream on.
Tyler isn’t likely to guide this season’s Bills to the NFL’s promised land -- In Western New York, that means the playoffs. He’s not Superman. In opinion, he’s just a fairly average NFL QB on a slightly below-average NFL team.
If – and when -- the Bills fall out of playoff contention, my guess is that Peterman will replace Taylor as the starting QB. He’d be a feel-good change and that might be good enough to make the switch – but not now. My over/under on a QB switch is Game 8.
UPDATING THE MAYWEATHER VS. McGREGOR “SUPERDUPERFABULOUSLYOSO FIGHT”
The great “superfight” – or the great “super ripoff” -- depending on your perspective, is finally closing in on us: Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor, Saturday night, in Las Vegas.
It is a boxing match between Mayweather, a 40-year-old undefeated (49-0) world champion boxer who is coming out of retirement, and McGregor, a 28-year-old mixed-martial arts fighter reputed to have “the best hands in UFC history.”
Experts think pay-per-view buys could hit a record 4.6-million plus: $99.95 in HD and a mere $89.95 for SD. I’m proud to say I won’t be contributing to helping Mayweather pay his back taxes or buy a few more luxury cars he might never drive.
I might take in this dubious spectacle at a theater at a slightly less ridiculous price.
Here are the latest odds from Bovada:
Mayweather to win -400 (bet $400 to win $100)...McGregor +300 (bet $100 to win $100). The odds are much lower than they were before the fight was announced. The odds are expected to drop a bit more as UFC fans make relatively small wagers on their hero McGregor.
Mayweather to win by KO, TKO or disqualification -130 (bet $130 to win $100)...by decision +250 (bet $100 to win $250).
McGregor to win by KO or DQ +325 (bet $100 to win $325)...by decision +500 (bet $100 to win $500)...by decision +500 (bet $100 to win $500).
5Dimes.ev odds:
Mayweather to win by KO, TKO or disqualification -120 (bet $120 ton win $100)...by decision +120 (bet $100 to win $100).
McGregor 7-to-1 to win by KO, TKO or disqualification.
BOB’S CRAZY PREDICTION FOR THE “SUPERFIGHT”
McGregor will be the early aggressor but McGregor will easily dance away from danger.
McGregor will become increasingly frustrated and agitated. He’ll bark at Mayweather to fight like a man. Mayweather will smile. Maybe make a few faces and continue to dance.
I don’t know how long McGregor will be able to control himself, but sooner or later, I believe he’ll tackle and take down Mayweather.
The referee will immediately call the fight before the embarrassed McGregor can inflict any damage and Mayweather will be declared the winner via disqualification.
McGregor will save face by not being the victim of a knockout or lopsided decision. Mayweather will improve his boxing record to 50-0 to top Rocky Marciano.
And they’ll both laugh on their way to the bank.
HOW ABOUT BRINGING THE SOLHEIM CUP TO ROCHESTER?
Did you notice that the USA won the Solheim Cup 16 ½ to 11 ½ over Europe, Sunday in Des Moines, Iowa. USA leads the competition 10-5 since the women’s version of the Ryder Cup began in 1990.
I know LPGA officials don’t like opinions like this, but I’d prefer to see the United States versus the World or at least versus South Korea. Of the top 15 women players today, 12 are Asians, the majority from South Korea.
As much as I believe the LPGA deserted this great golf community, I wouldn’t mind seeing the Solheim Cup come to Rochester. I assume the week would include a celebration of the great players who charmed our area for so many decades. It was a genuine golf love affair.
Since the Solheim Cup began in 1990, Florida, West Virginia, Ohio, Minnesota, Indiana, Illinois, Colorado and Iowa have hosted the competition. Inverness Club in Toledo will host the event in 2021.
Isn’t it about time to bring this event to this part of the country? And could there be a better host than Rochester?
THESE RED HOT WINGS COULD JOIN AN IMPRESSIVE LIST
The Rochester Red Wings were due for a clunker and it happened Sunday -- a 13-6 loss at the Louisville Bats.
The Wings improved to a season-best 20 games above .500 (73-53) with Saturday night’s 10-5 come-from-behind victory over Louisville.
Rochester has finished at least 20 games above .500 only 13 times since the Red Wings began in 1928:
1929 – 103-65 (+38 above .500)
1930 – 105-62 (+43)
1931 – 101-67 (+34)
1935 – 89-66 (+23)
1940 – 96-61 (+25)
1950 – 92-59 (+33)
1953 – 97-57 (+40)
1971 – 86-54 (+32)
1974 – 88-56 (+32)
1975 – 85-55 (+30)
1976 – 88-50 (+38)
1990 – 89-56 (+33)
1997 – 83-58 (+25).
WINGS WILL MISS MITCH GARVER AND KENNYS VARGAS
The Red Wings will be minus two key players – catcher Mitch Garver and first baseman Kenny Vargas -- when they open an important seven-game homestand Monday night against the International League-best Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
Both were promoted to the Minnesota over the weekend.
Garver’s batting line with this season’s Red Wings before his promotion: .291 batting average (9th in the International League), 17 HRs, 45 RBI, 46 extra-base hits (tied for 3rd in the IL), .387 on-base percentage (4th in the International League), .541 slugging percentage (3rd in the IL); .928 OPS, on-base percentage + slugging percentage (2nd in the IL). In his 52 games since June 15, he hit .323 with 21 doubles, 12 HRs and 26 RBI.
Garver deserves to be the catcher on the International League’s 2017 All-Star Team. No other catcher in the league can approach Garver’s offensive numbers and his defense improved significantly this season.
Believe It Or Not: Garver would be only the third Rochester catcher on the official IL All-Star Team since the league began the honor in 1946. He’d join John Bucha (1951) and Jose Morales (2007).
Garver made his MLB-debut with a strikeout Saturday night and was 1-for-4 as the starting first baseman in Sunday’s romp over Arizona.
Vargas has been on the Rochester-Minnesota shuttle all year. This is his fifth promotion to the Twins this season. His batting line has been remarkably similar for Rochester and Minnesota:
With the Red Wings – In 51 games, .253 batting average (45-for-176), 26 runs, 8 doubles, 1 triple, 9 HRs, 28 RBI, 31 walks, 53 strikeouts.
With the Twins – In 51 games, .243 batting average (43-for-177), 21 runs, 9 doubles, 0 triples, 8 HRs, 30 RBI, 10 walks, 54 strikeouts. On June 20, he hit a 483-foot HR for the Twins. Only Aaron Judge (495) and Keon Buxton (489) have longer HRs in the majors this season.
RATTLERS-TO-DALLAS HOT TOPIC AT MLL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
The Ohio Machine scored seven unanswered goals in the fourth quarter en route to a 17-12 victory over the Denver Outlaws Saturday night in the Major League Lacrosse Championship Game before 7,543 fans at The Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Tex.
There were reports that MLL views Dallas as a future league member, perhaps as soon as next season’s opener in April.
League Commissioner David Gross said he is aware of the Rochester Rattlers-to-Dallas speculation but he would not confirm that it will happen. He did say the 12,000-seat indoor Ford Center at The Star would be an ideal lacrosse venue. Another MLL spokesman said the league is looking to expand to the West to reflect the growth of the sport throughout America.
The Rattlers beat Ohio 14-13 earlier this month to clinch a spot in the playoffs. Rochester lost 15-8 at Denver in the semifinals.
SPRAYING BASEBALL HITS (AND MISSES) TO ALL FIELDS
Tim Tebow is cooling off with the St. Lucie Mets in the Class A-Advanced Florida State League. In his last 10 games, he is batting .111 (4-for-36) with o HR, 3 RBI, 4 walks and 13 strikeouts. In 52 games for St. Lucie, his batting average is down to .220 (39-for-177), with 5 HRs, 27 RBI, 15 walks and 48 strikeouts.
Major League Baseball’s top three team in one-run games last season were Texas (36-11), the New York Yankees (24-12) and the Detroit Tigers (26-17). Combined record 86-40. This season, the three teams are a combined 39-58 in one-run games (Texas 11-21, Yankees 15-21 and Detroit 13-18.
MLB most strikeouts (batters) – Miguel Sano 170...Aaron Judge 167...Khris Davis 162...Joey Galo 152...Trevor Story...147.
MLB most strikeouts (pitchers) – Chris sale 250...Max Scherzer (220)...Chris Archer 207...Corey Kluber 196...Jacob deGrom 191.
MLB leaders in total bases – Clarkie Blackmon (surprise) 310...Giancarlo Stanton 288...Nolan Arendao 281...Jose Altuve 269...Paul Goldschmidt 260.
SHORT SHOTS
The opponents on McQuaid’s 2017-18 basketball schedule are cheering the news that super prospect Isaiah Stewart will play for Indiana’s LaLumiere School. This is no knock on McQuaid. The 6-foot-8, 240-pound Stewart off to a basketball prep school to face the best competition in the country. His next two basketball stops seem obvious: the Indiana Hoosiers for one year of college ball and then on to the NBA.
If you think the United States can win the 21st World Cup in Russia starting June 14, 2018, this might be a good time to post your wager. According to the odds from 5Dimes, the USA is 90-to-1. Others include favored Germany 5.30-to-1, Brazil 6.50-to-1, France 7-to-1, England 18-to-1, Italy 19-to-1, Russia 35-to-1 and Mexico 85-to-1.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...
Monday, August 21
Mike Evans (24)...Brandon Drury (25)...Ben Tate (29)...Robert Lewandowski (29)...Jordie Meeks (30)...J.D. Martinez (30)...Usain Bolt (31)...B.J. Upton (33)...Craig Counsell (47)...John Wetteland (51)...Jim McMahon (58)...Archie Griffin (63)...Willie Lanier (72). Kenny Rogers (79) is invited to the party and can sing Happy Birthday...Wilt Chamberlain was born on this date 81 years ago and died in 1999 at age 63. Ledell Titcomb, who pitched a 7-0 no-hitter for the Rochester Broncos against the Syracuse Stars, Sept. 15, 1890, in Rochester’s only season in major league baseball (American Association). The left-handed pitcher’s baseball nickname supposedly was “Cannonball”, but exhaustive research by the Society for American Baseball Research has determined it never happened. It sounded good though. Must have been a different Titcomb, I guess.
Tuesday, August 22
LaMelo Ball (16)...Randall Cobb (27)...Alan Busenitz (27)...Mohammed Sanu (28)...Jey and Jimmy Uso (32)...Jeff Weaver (41)...Mats Wilander (53)...John Kidd (56)...Paul Molitor (61)...Wes Chandler (61)...Bill Parcells (76)...Carl Yastrzemski (78)...Paul Maguire (79).