On Tuesday, The Milwaukee Bucks announced a contract extension with the cornerstone of their franchise, Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek Freak signed a supermax contract for five years and $228M, keeping arguably the best basketball player on the planet in Milwaukee for the foreseeable future.
Antetokounmpo confirmed as much via social media:
This is my home, this is my city.. I’m blessed to be able to be a part of the Milwaukee Bucks for the next 5 years. Let’s make these years count. The show goes on, let’s get it. 🤎🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/895tCBE9RK
I don’t know about you, but to me, $228M is a pretty good chunk of change. It got me thinking…what exactly could Giannis buy during his next five years in Milwaukee with all of that coin?
$38.92 to each person who lives in the state of Wisconsin
Now, I would never tell another person what to do with their money…but there’s some pretty great stuff Giannis could buy with all of that scratch. Congrats to The Greek Freak on his big payday.
Fall is here, friends. The leaves have changed, the sweaters have been donned, and the clocks have moved back. Let’s all get comfortable and enjoy this week’s SSM.
Tua Time in Miami, the rookie made his debut A surprise win over the Rams, the Dolphins feel anew Tua didn’t have a big game, or put up many stats But if the Dolphins keep winning, they’ll no longer be AFC East cellar rats
We crowned a new World Series champ this week, the Dodgers from LA Emerged victorious over the Rays of Tampa Bay A lot of talk on the internet on the decisions of Kevin Cash If he kept Blake Snell in longer, it could be the Rays throwing the championship bash
Trevor Lawrence, Clemson’s long-haired quarterback Tested positive for COVID, by the disease he’s been sacked The best QB in the NCAA missed this week’s game It was also announced he’ll miss Clemson’s next contest against Notre Dame
This week the Chicago Cubs declined Jon Lester’s option for 2021 Unless he’s brought back on a cheaper deal, his time with the Cubs is done Big Jon did something very cool this weekend, something very dear He’s buying the entire city of Chicago their first rounds of beer
Beer. One of the greatest creations to grace our dear Mother Earth. The best thing about doing outdoor chores (mowing, pulling weeds, etc.) on a hot summer day is the victory beer waiting for you in fridge upon completion of your duties. That fresh *sssst* of popping open a tab en route to 12 ounces of glory, the crack of popping a twist off, the burst of life from the separation of cap from bottle, all good things…maybe the best of things.
But what’s your favorite beer? It probably depends on where you’re from or where you currently reside. There’s a whole wide world of beers out there, begging to be explored. I did some research for my own purposes, and thought it would be worthwhile to share with my fellow beer drinkers.
West Coast: Sculpin IPA – Ballast Point Brewing Company, San Diego, California
Ballast Point Brewing was founded in San Diego in 1992 as Home Brew Mart. One of their most popular exports is this beauty to the left, the Sculpin IPA. This IPA is described as “bright with aromas of apricot, peach, mango and lemon. Its lighter body also brings out the crispness of the hops.”
Let’s pretend we haven’t all been quarantined for a second. We’re in San Diego, cool breeze flowing through the beach bar. We’re bellied up with one of these bad boys and it’s 7.0% ABV sweating in front of us. Life is good.
The Ballast Point Sculpin IPA, while a tad expensive ($14.99 for a six pack of 12 ouncers), seems like a real winner. I will be ordering shortly and looking forward to trying this delectable beverage.
Moody Tongue Brewing Company has two locations in downtown Chicago. They brew their beer with a focus on infusing elements of food into their drinks. The brewery essentially takes the idea of a bar/restaurant and flips it on its head. A very cool idea that has inspired a lot of interesting brewing.
The beer I found most interesting was the Steeped Emperor’s Lemon Saison. At 6.3% ABV, the story behind this libation reads “The lemon combination within the Steeped Emperor’s Lemon Saison highlights intense flavors and aromas that are balanced by the acidity and fruit flavors of the Saison yeast and Sorachi Ace hops. We use a double-steep process to showcase the lemon profile and the resulting Saison highlights flavors of lemon meringue pie with the aromatics of a Meyer lemon.”
Brewmaster Jared Rouben suggests if having this beer with dinner, pairing the Lemon Saison with lighter seafood fare like grilled shrimp or sautéed scallops. The beer is a bit of a utility player as well, and can be had with dessert if paired with something light, such as a lemon tart or lemon sugar cookie.
East Coast: Atmosphera Tripel – Sugar Creek Brewing Company, Charlotte, North Carolina
If you’re looking for Belgian style beer in the Carolinas; look no further than Sugar Creek Brewing Company. This brewery was founded in 2014 and lives by their credo to #BreakTheRules when it comes to traditional brewing, you can read more about that here.
What caught my eye about the Atmosphera Tripel, besides the 9.7% ABV, was the enticing combination of complex fruit and spice flavors. The brewers at Sugar Creek describe it better than I can, calling the beer “a delightfully tart and refreshing hint of lemon zest, supported by a soft pilsner malt backbone and a warming alcoholic finish.” That’s certainly enough to get me hooked.
To quote the great Celine Dion: “near, far, wherever you are…there is beer to be found.” While there will always be time for Miller Lites and Naturdays, it is nice to get a little deeper into the brewing game and discover what kind of interesting creations these brewmasters come up with. So cheers friends, and if you ever have any recommendations for your boy, I’m all ears.
Throwing on your favorite jersey or gear, making sure you have your ticket, tailgating in freezing weather…all important parts of attending a live sporting event. Since none of us have done this in a while, and may not be able to for the coming months, it’s time we outline the 10 commandments of going to a live sporting event.
I. Thou Shalt Pregame to Thy Heart’s Content
This is where it all begins. You can really make or break your entire day here with so many variables to consider. When’s kickoff/first pitch/tipoff/puck drop? What kind of state do I want to be in when I get to my seat? Do I have my flask properly concealed and filled enough to get me through the game?
All of these things need to be considered when determining exactly what you’re throwing back (and how much) during the pregame. Food intake is also a major consideration; do I really need to knock out this third walking taco if I’ve already mentally committed to my second bratwurst? Have to do some serious body algebra in order to avoid a complete black out by game time.
II. Thou Shalt Present Thyself Admirably to the Gate Checker
Once the pregame’s over, it’s go time for the real athletes on the field as well as your ability to present yourself sober enough to actually enter the game. Not only for yourself, but for the ticket workers at the gate. The last thing these poor people need are drunk assholes giving them a hard time.
Keep it straight, throw on some sunglasses to avoid any glossy eye recognition, and ask how your ticket taker’s doing today. Show them your phone/hand them the ticket, agree with them that it’s a beautiful day for a ballgame, and be on your merry way.
Pro tip: don’t get your foot caught on the gate trying to walk in…it may or may not prompt some questions that might end in you watching the game from home. Happened to a friend of mine in college.
III. Thou Shalt Not Dillydally Whilst at the Urinal
Let me foreshadow this commandment by noting I’ve only experienced bathrooms with urinals at live sporting events in my life, so that’s all I can pontificate on at this point. No further comment will be made on this point at this time.
That being said, whether it be first thing on the to do list post-pregame (a must do for me), in intermissions, or during live play, you have to keep things moving in a timely fashion in the baño. A lot of packed, hot, sweaty bodies in a confined space that aren’t performing the most pleasant functions the human body can perform.
Chit chat is fair game, but getting caught up in it is not. Of course we can commiserate at how even we could’ve done better than what we’re seeing out there.
“Bro, did you see that? You gotta be kidding me. I’m honestly not just saying this, I think I could’ve made that catch dude.”
“I was literally thinking the same thing bro, total bullshit.”
Listen, Pissin’ Pete Maravich; you couldn’t and wouldn’t. Keep it moving.
IV. Thou Shalt Not Leave Thy Seat in the Midst of Live Action
Ball’s in the air on a 50 yard bomb downfield? Scorching grounder to third base? A half court heave to end a quarter’s about to hit rim? Don’t you dare move from your seat.
This abominable sin is so disrespectful to your fellow section mates. Would I try and shuffle in front of your driveway when you’re trying to pull out of your garage? Would I block your view when you’re trying to see the birth of your firstborn child? Absolutely not. So don’t even think about getting in my line of vision when my team’s down two runs with the bases chucked in the bottom of the seventh inning, pal.
V. Thou Shalt Have Thy Chosen Form of Payment Ready for Disbursement
How many times have you been in line for beer, pizza, or a pretzel and the schmuck at the front of the line hasn’t even gone to the wallet to get cash or card? Complete buffoonery.
I don’t care if you decide to be wrong and pay with cash (and waste everyone’s time getting change), at least have it at the ready. If you’re a logical person who pays with a credit card, have that bad boy in hand and prepared to tap or swipe as soon as the vendor tells you your total is $84 for two beers and a hot dog.
VI. Thou Shalt Do Thy Best to Buy an Equal Amount of Food & Beverage with Thy Group
This could be a sub-commandment of commandment V. This is really easy to do the smaller your group is that you’re at a game with. Group of four? Perfect. We’ll each buy a round per quarter, and we’re all square. You two want a snack in the third inning and then some nachos after singing the stretch? Cool. I’ll get the snacks now, you get us later. A symphonic economic approach.
We’ve all gone to a game with a group of 8-10; total nightmare scenario for trying to make sure everything comes out semi-even. People naturally eat and drink at different paces. Someone wants a mixed drink instead of beer, another wants a slice of pizza while the other wants a bag of peanuts. Differing prices, differing paces, just a total mess.
You just have to do as best you can to keep it close without being the person who’s doing long division before a food and beer run making sure everyone spends the exact same amount on each other.
VII. Thou Shalt Sing, Cheer, and Generally Participate in In-Game Shenanigans
The worst kind of fan? The unenthusiastic bump on a log. One of the best parts of live sports is being a part of thousands people all rooting for the same thing. Fight songs, organized cheers, and congregated boos are all vital activities to take part in while at a live event.
The best part about being an idiot at a sports game is that most other people are also being idiots. In what other portion of your life can you yell “GO!” at the top of your lungs without being looked at or escorted out from wherever you are?
Live sports are a total shame free zone. Let that freak flag fly and support your team like you should.
VIII. Thou Shalt Make Friends with Other Attendees Within Thy Section
This is a simple one to accomplish, simply by adhering to commandment VII. There’s nothing better than making a few obnoxious statements to an opposing team’s outfielder or batter in the box and hearing some audible chuckles from a few rows behind you. It’s a total vindication of both your fandom and comedic ability.
Once that connection’s made, you’ve established a built in stable of in-game chatter for the rest of the game. Also, should you wish to proceed in such a manner, you’ve got yourself a squad of high five givers and takers every time your team scores a touchdown, hits a three, or takes a home run out of the park. An absolute win win situation.
IX. Thou Shalt Provide the Appropriate Amount of Mockery
Whether it be authentically to the opposing team or sarcastically to your own, mockery is one of the greatest responsibilities as an attendee at a live sporting event. A quarterback starting a game by throwing five incompletions, then finally hitting a receiver on his sixth attempt can illicit a hilarious reaction either way.
There’s nothing better than a knowledgable fan base (and being a part of one) giving a satirical ovation to a shortstop who makes a successful throw to first base after booting the first three balls hit to him earlier in the game. It’s one of life’s simple pleasures that we are awarded when we shell out our hard earned money to watch grown adults who play a game for a living.
X. Thou Shalt Not Leave the Premises Until the Game Result is Final
I’ve been on the wrong end of this one, and it hurts. The feeling of walking away from a stadium and hearing your left behind comrades getting up for your team isn’t something I’d wish on my worst enemy. It’s a virtual stake in the heart as you follow along on your phone and slowly realize what you’re missing. Then the comeback is complete and you feel like a cheap hack celebrating something you had the chance to witness with your own eyes. A completely avoidable situation.
Follow all of the above, and you’ll be sure to have an enjoyable and worthwhile day at the ballpark, stadium, or arena. Hopefully we will all have the chance sooner rather than later to abide by these commandments. Once that chance is presented, make yourself proud and be the best fan you can be for your team.
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