October is a month when people enjoy the transitional weather, the changing colors of the foliage, and the changing of clothing. The month has some holidays – Columbus Day, Yom Kippur, and Halloween. However, it is pretty much a “yawner” as far as celebrations are concerned. Yet, for the sports fan, it may very well be the best month of the year.
In October, baseball comes to a close with the World Series; college football becomes real serious as the rankings begin to take shape; the NFL games are in full swing; the National Hockey League and the National Basketball Association start their season. This may be why there are so few holidays for a sports fan. There is just too much going on to take the time to celebrate much of anything, except the wins by your team.
What could possibly be better than Game 7 of the World Series if you are a baseball fan? That was especially true this year when you had two teams who had not gotten to the promise land for a combined 176 years. What fan was not on the edge of their seat when the game went into extra innings before deciding the outcome? And, honestly, could anyone really be that upset when the Cubs won for the first time in 108 years?
There is no question that college football generates a tremendous amount of excitement, especially if you are a Penn State fan. As I write this, the Nittany Lions are currently ranked #12 in the nation and climbing. They have a local Whitehall star in Saquon Barkley, who is under consideration for the Heisman Trophy, signifying college football’s best. And I’m sure if you have a favorite team, you live and die every weekend following the results.
The NFL is in full swing so every Thursday, Sunday, and Monday, fans, fantasy football aficionados, and pool players are in front of their TV sets or checking their phones for scores.
Every NBA and NHL fan wants their team to get off to a great start in October so even these early games take on importance.
Sprinkle in the high school football runs to league and conference championships and you pretty much fill up the entire month.
So I offer praise for the person who foresaw that there was simply no time for many holidays in October. The true sports fan celebrates almost every day of the month.
ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSINGS)
- In the blog, I mentioned that Whitehall’s Saquon Barkley is now in the Heisman Trophy conversation. His 20-carry, 167-yard effort Saturday against Iowa included a 57-yard touchdown scamper, and he caught a 44-yard TD pass as well. He has 675 yards over the last four games, including a pair of 200-yarders, as well as 1,055 this season (his second straight over 1,000) and 2,131 in his career, 15th on the school’s all-time list.
- Josh Huff, the Eagles’ wide receiver who was arrested last week for DUI , marijuana possession, and carrying a hand-gun without a permit, was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to their practice squad. It’s really hard NOT to find work once you are in the NFL, no matter how hard some players try.
- In case you did not see the Steelers’ attempt at an onside kick on Sunday – take a look:
- Remember the, “Now that you’ve won the fill in the blank, what are you going to do now” question? And the answer was “We’re going to Disney World”. The Cubs along with family, friends, and fans all went to Disney World.
- By the way, Cubs’ manager and former Lafayette student, Joe Maddon, will be attending the Lafayette-Lehigh game on November 19. We will be doing our half-time interview with him. Cool!!
Gary’s Guesses: NFL Picks – (Last week – 7-6; Overall – 78-56-2 – 58%)
Week Ten
BALTIMORE
HOUSTON
CAROLINA
DENVER
JETS
PHILADELPHIA
WASHINGTON
GREEN BAY
CHICAGO
SAN DIEGO
ARIZONA
PITTSBURGH
NEW ENGLAND
GIANTS
