We’ve reached the end of a week that was chalked full of sports. We review in this week’s Sunday State of Mind.
Another gorgeous weekend at Augusta National The best golf weekend of the year, not irrational Hideki Matsuyama is your first time Masters winner He wins the green jacket and will host next year’s champions dinner
We had our first no-hitter this week against the Texas Rangers Joe Musgrove made opposing hitters his baby, put them in the manger It was the first no hitter thrown in Padres history Musgrove moved to 2-0 this year, great second victory
Another sad chapter in the Jacob DeGrom story The NY Post crushed the Mets and their chronic purgatory Fourteen K’s, one mistake, and zero run support Yet another hard loss to swallow, for one of the best in the sport
A wild cross-sport story, baseball to basketball Alex Rodriguez breaking the bank as well as the ownership wall He’s partnering with his boy Marc Lore to buy the Timberwolves & Lynx The sale is reported to be $1.5 billion, back up the Brinks!
It’s a feeling any 30-35 year old knows all too well. You’re cruising along in your 20’s, your Spotify playlists are hot as hell, and no one can tell you a damn thing. Some of you reading this right now still might be in that stage. If so, keep thriving King/Queen.
But then it hits. You’re listening to music one day, a song comes on, and the uncomfortable level of unfamiliarity you feel is so strong you begin to wonder if you’ve ever even heard music in your life. It’s a natural part of the aging process. You’ve reached your 30’s, and it’s become impossible to keep up with today’s hottest acts, social media stars, and trends.
I’m a 32 year old man and feel like I’m generally in the know on what’s going on. But then days like today come around, and iHeartRadio really puts me in my place. The popular streaming service released their 2021 Music Award Nominees today, highlighting the years brightest stars and most influential pop culture figures. I took a peep to see who’s been nominated, and my heart sank. With each year that goes by, each award show that is presented, my confidence in knowing who’s hot out here in these streets with the youths fades ever so slightly.
So I thought I’d put myself to the test. I scanned each category, and marked down simply who I was aware of before today. My final score will be which acts I know divided by the total number of nominees.
So with that said…let’s play America’s favorite game…
*studio audience shouts in unison* “How…Old…Do You Feel?”
Best Lyrics
Nominees: Harry Styles “Adore You,” Lewis Capaldi “Before You Go,” The Weeknd “Blinding Lights,” Taylor Swift “cardigan,” Dua Lipa “Don’t Start Now,” Billie Eilish “everything i wanted,” Gabbie Barrett “I Hope,” JP Saxe “If the World Was Ending,” Justin Bieber “Intentions,” Future “Life is Good.”
I’m Cool Because I Know: Harry Styles, Lewis Capaldi, The Weeknd, Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber, Future
I’m Old and Don’t Know: Gabbie Barrett, JP Saxe
Category Score: 8/10
Overall Score: 8/10
Thoughts: Alright, decent start.
Best Cover Song
Nominees: Lizzo “Adore You,” Shawn Mendes “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” Sam Smith “Fix You,” Miley Cyrus “Heart Of Glass,” Harry Styles “Juice.”
I’m Cool Because I Know: Lizzo, Shawn Mendes, Sam Smith, Miley Cyrus, Harry Styles
I’m Old and Don’t Know: N/A
Category Score: 5/5
Overall Score: 13/15
Thoughts: Small category, but I’ll take the perfect score.
TikTok Bop Of The Year
Nominees: The Weeknd “Blinding Lights,” K Camp “Lottery,” Megan Thee Stallion “Savage,” Jason Derulo “Savage Love,” Doja Cat “Say So,” Cardi B “WAP.”
I’m Cool Because I Know: The Weeknd, Megan Thee Stallion, Jason Derulo, Doja Cat, Cardi B
I’m Old and Don’t Know: K Camp
Category Score: 5/6
Overall Score: 18/21
Thoughts: The title of this category alone made my back hurt. Also if “Savage Love” doesn’t win this then the voting is rigged.
Best Music Video
Nominees: The Weeknd “Blinding Lights,” Dua Lipa “Don’t Start Now,” BTS “Dynamite,” Maluma “Hawái,” BlackPink “How Do You Like That,” Future “Life Is Good,” Lady Gaga “Rain On Me,” Harry Styles “Watermelon Sugar,” Cardi B “WAP,” Justin Bieber “Yummy.”
I’m Cool Because I Know: The Weeknd, Dua Lipa, BTS, Future, Lady Gaga, Harry Styles, Cardi B, Justin Bieber
I’m Old and Don’t Know: Maluma, BlackPink
Category Score: 8/10
Overall Score: 26/31
Thoughts: Yes, I realize there are a lot of duplicates that I’m counting. Clearly looking for a confidence boost here.
Best Fan Army
Nominees: Agnez Mo “Agnation,” Ariana Grande “Arianators,” Justin Bieber “Beliebers,” BlackPink “Blink,” BTS “BTS Army,” Harry Styles “Harries,” Why Don’t We “Limelights,” Louis Tomlinson “Louies,” Shawn Mendes “Mendes Army,” NCT 127 “NCTzens,” Selena Gomez “Selenators,” Taylor Swift “Swifties.”
I’m Cool Because I Know: Ariana Grande, BTS, Justin Bieber, Harry Styles, Shawn Mendes, Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift
I’m Old and Don’t Know: Agnez Mo, BlackPink, Why Don’t We, Louis Tomlinson, NCT 127
Category Score: 7/12
Overall Score: 33/43
Thoughts: I want to personally address Agnation, Blink, Limelights, Louis, and NCTzens and just say that I come in peace. I am here to learn, please don’t age shame me. This category has me absolutely leaking confidence.
I’m Old and Don’t Know: Dixie D’Amelio, Jaden Hossler, Lil Huddy, Nessa Barrett, Olivia Rodrigo, Tate McRae
Category Score: 0/5
Overall Score: 33/48
Thoughts: Do I need to get a TikTok?
Favorite Music Video Choreography
Nominees: Ariana Grande “34+35,” DaBaby “Bop,” Chloe X Halle “Do It,” BTS “Dynamite,” CNCO “Honey Boo,” Dua Lipa “Physical,” Lady Gaga “Rain On Me,” Doja Cat “Say So.”
I’m Cool Because I Know: Ariana Grande, DaBaby, BTS, Dua Lipa, Lady Gaga, Doja Cat
I’m Old and Don’t Know: Chloe X Halle, CNCO
Category Score: 6/8
Overall Score: 39/56
Thoughts: Really needed a strong finish here.
So, I’m in the know with what makes the Gen Z’ers go at a 70% clip. Not great, not terrible. There’s definitely room for improvement, and I’m willing to do the work. The first step at admitting there’s a problem is acknowledging it, and this is what I’m here to to today. Please respect my privacy during this trying time.
A special Easter edition of Sunday State of Mind. Take some time away from the peeps to read this week’s SSM.
Gonzaga’s heading to the title game A buzzer beater worthy of the Hall of Fame Jalen Suggs banked in the buzzer beater The Bulldogs still riding their season-long heater
So the title game’s set, March Madness winding down Tomorrow we’ll know who’ll don the crown It’s Baylor and Gonzaga, the top two squads Whoever cuts down the nets will be basketball Gods
In other sporting news, baseball is back America’s pastime’s fans are jacked First home run of the year, Miggy in the snow! An awesome start to this year for The Show
You made it. You’re back. Every year, Spring rolls around and you reappear in our lives just when we’re all at our wit’s end with Winter.
Your debut is upon us, and league-wide hope is at a premium. Spring Training has wrapped, and all thirty teams have traveled back home to start the long, arduous road to a pennant. The weather is starting to turn; summer is creeping around the corner, and with it, thoughts of cold beer and hot dogs dance in our heads.
Opening Day is a time and feeling unlike any other. It’s like waking up in the middle of the night thinking your alarm’s about to go off, to find you’ve only been asleep for an hour. It’s like taking out your contacts after a long day, or hitting every green light when you’re running late. It’s hard to exactly describe it, but have you ever found a $20 bill in your pants that you forgot about? That’s what it feels like having you back.
From Wrigley to Fenway, Yankee Stadium to Petco Park, let the hum of fastballs and pop of catcher’s mitts fill the air for the next seven months. Let the home runs fly out of Coors Field, pop ups die in the acres of foul territory at RingCentral Coliseum, and Bernie Brewer take all of the home run slides his heart desires.
Who cares if the pace of play is a little slow? Who doesn’t want to to piss in a urinal trough, pay $12 for a mini helmet full of ice cream that melts in five minutes, or step in dropped neon yellow nacho cheese while awkwardly scootching past eight of your fellow attendees all while squeezing into undersized seats in 98 degree weather?
We definitely don’t get embarrassed when our favorite players get injured in hilarious ways while playing a noncontact sport. We don’t care that you make a bunch of old men squeeze into baseball uniforms, or that your Hall of Fame voting is incredibly flawed, or that your fields of play aren’t equal in size like every other legitimate professional sport. No reason to complain about the fact that the DH rule isn’t universal, unwritten rules are dumb, and that hitting at this point is either home runs or strikeouts.
Baseball, we could not be happier that you are back.
The Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament is winding down. We saw some regression to the mean and some big dog’s continue to roll. We recap in this week’s SSM.
Loyola has fallen, no more Sister Jean Oregon State was tough, looked plenty mean The Ramblers played well, but OSU played great The twelfth-seeded Beavers headed to the Elite Eight
Oral Roberts Golden Eagles, this year’s Cinderella Their parade was rained on by Arkansas, no umbrella The Razorbacks locked up ORU like an old school jailer Next up for Arkansas in the Elite Eight? One seed Baylor.
The top seeds keep rolling including Michigan The Wolverines rolled FSU and won again Juwan Howard has his boys posed for a deep run It looks like Michigan is far from done
The third remaining one seed, Gonzaga Bulldogs Remain clear-minded winners, no signs of fog An 18 point win in the Sweet Sixteen The Zags are 29-0, their perfect record’s still clean
Round two of who wore it best is here. We’re ranking the GOAT to wear each jersey number. If you missed part one for jersey numbers 99-90, check it out here. For now, let’s dive into numbers 89-80.
Everyone knows Ditka lead the Bears to their only Super Bowl in ’85. Did you know on the field he was a five time Pro Bowler, first team all-pro four times, and was the rookie of the year in 1961? Ditka also has the number 89 retired for both the Bears and at the University of Pittsburgh.
STRONG number here. Kaner takes the crown as a sure fire Hall of Famer with three Stanley Cups, the 2013 Conn Smythe trophy, and nine all-star selections.
Honorable Mentions: Albert Belle, Antoine Walker, Michael Irvin, Allan Page
Slim pickings at number 86. Antonio Freeman had a respectable NFL career; in 1998 he led the NFL in receiving yards, was named to the Pro Bowl, and was named first team All-Pro. He also tacked on a Super Bowl win in the 96-97 season.
Kittle hasn’t been in the NFL for too long, but has already done some serious damage. In three and a half seasons (he only played eight games in 2020), Kittle has made two Pro Bowls, was a first team All-Pro in 2019, and has racked up 3,579 yards and 14 touchdowns.
One of the best athletes to ever play wide receiver. Moss has unreal runs with the Vikings from 98-04 and Patriots from 07-10. He lead the NFL in touchdowns in five different seasons, was a four time first team All-Pro, and is a member of the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
Unreal bad luck for Wes Welker that he played six seasons with Tom Brady and two with Peyton Manning and has exactly zero Super Bowl rings. He did however revolutionize the slot receiver position, collecting two first team All-Pro selections and leading the NFL in receptions in 2007, 2009, and 2011.
Ozzie Newsome was one of the first tight ends to stretch the field; he paved the way for the Gronks, Kelces, and Ertzs of the world that we see in the NFL today. He is a member of the Browns Ring of Honor, bringing in 662 catches, almost 8,000 yards, and 47 touchdowns during his career.
Our second Blackhawk to crack the list. Hossa was a huge part of the Chicago’s three Stanley Cups in the 2010’s. He also was named to the All-Rookie team in 1999 and made five All-Star games.
No doubter here; the original GOAT. The career accomplishments are almost embarrassing: three Super Bowls, ten first team All-Pro, 13 Pro Bowls, member of the 75th and 100th NFL Anniversary Teams, and first team All-80’s and All-90’s Teams. Rice’s career stats are also zany: 1,549 catches, 23,546 yards, and 208 touchdowns.
Honorable Mention: N/A
Heavy football and hockey vibes in this edition. We’ll crack into the 70’s in our next edition of Who Wore It Best.
We are coming to the end of one of the greatest weekends on the sports calendar every year. That’s right, March Madness is in full swing, and we’re here to recap opening weekend in this week’s SSM.
Our first big upset, Oral Roberts over Ohio State The Buckeyes were flat, Golden Eagles were great Florida’s next in the bracket for ORU Will the Cinderella story end or continue?
The best team in the country, Gonzaga Bulldogs Came out smooth in round one, no plugs, no clogs They took it to Norfolk, 98-55 was the score Hard not to imagine The Zags in the Final Four
Another huge upset, this time the East bracket Abilene Christian came in and caused a huge racket They took out big brother in the Texas Longhorns Turns out ACU was big brother, Texas were newborns
The Baylor Bears have looked the part Two strong wins so far, a solid start Hartford and Wisconsin caught the Bears wrath Are Scott Drew and the boys on a championship path?
A early St. Patrick’s Day celebration in this week’s SSM.
The bracket is set, worry no more Gonzaga, Michigan, Illinois and Baylor Are your number one seeds, cream of the crop Top flight sports entertainment, who’ll end up on top?
After 20 years, Drew Brees has retired An incredible career, but time has expired A sure fire Hall of Famer, 15 years with the Saints He’s given his all, no complaints
If you know about baseball, you know Spring Training Can get a little weird, normalcy waning This week we had a 22-pitch at bat Luis Guillorme from the Mets, how about that?
On Friday, Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez announced they are calling it quits. They are ending their four-year relationship and two-year engagement.
According to People, the ultimate source on celeb gossip, “[t]his has been a long time coming,”
What a shame.
J-Lo, an experienced veteran at being engaged, has butted her way out of another relationship and engagement. She’s walking out the backdoor, and onto bigger and better things. It appears the enthusiasm for the relationship has been plugged up, the foundation has cracked, and got wedged in a bad place. This is obviously the bottom for the power couple, and it has reached the hind end. It this relationship were a train, this is definitely the caboose. J-Lo took the hearts of all of her and A-Rod’s fans and totally wrecked ’em.
Speaking of A-Rod, a total change has been injected into his life. Being newly single, his business performance will definitely be enhanced. With more time to focus on his business ventures, he’ll definitely come into meetings with bigger balls, not shrunken ones. One can assume he’s really going to be ready to flex his huge business muscles and be ready to rage all over anyone sitting across the negotiating table.
With J-Lo putting A-Rod in her rear…view mirror, all we can hope is that both parties have truly amicably split, both remain happy, and find love down the road.
March 9th. Maybe one of the most mundane dates on the calendar. The doldrums of winter are slowly creeping to an end. Daylight Savings Time is a few days away. Snow is still on the ground, but the end is in sight.
For Chicago Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson, March 9th was a weird one. Robinson, who had 1,250 yards and 6 touchdowns last year, was franchise-tagged on Tuesday. The Bears top receiving threat will get a $3 million dollar raise in 2021, making $18 million this coming year.
Apparently, $18 million isn’t enough for A-Rob, as it appears he has taken up a new career outside of being a top-flight NFL wide receiver, NBA insider:
Per sources, Andre Drummond will be signing with the nets. They get some reinforcement on the defensive end and the glass. Look for them to still be active around the trade deadline lol
That’s right. The same Allen Robinson who hauls in touchdowns in Chicago (for now) is infiltrating the NBA news breaking game. Robinson has sources, and he’s using them.
Andre Drummond is one of the biggest names potentially be on the move in the NBA; but that’s not the story here. The story is an NFL wide receiver spreading his wings and taking on Woj, Shams, and anyone else who wants that NBA news breaking smoke.
I hope Robinson nails this scoop, continues to drop bombs on Twitter, and becomes the newest NBA source that we can rely on for our inside information.
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