Eli, Embiid, Ohtani and more: Jeff’s look at sports
You know, I’d say at least 80 percent of my “me time” is spent sports-related, and I rarely write about sports here in the north end of the newspaper. (SPOILER ALERT: I’m writing about sports today.) Starting with … Ladies and gentlemen, the end of the Eli Manning era starts today. To get some idea of how long Manning has been starting for the New York Giants, know this: “Napoleon Dynamite” was in theaters, “Hey Ya!” was the year’s biggest song, and “Friends” was still on the air.
A long time, in other words. And while I don’t think Eli is an all-time great (and no, I don’t think he’s a Hall of Famer), he is an all-time great New York Giant. In fact, he may be the last. Being a Giants player, playing for the Mara family, has always meant something. But the way he’s being dumped, mid-season, when he’s the least of the problems? It’s disgraceful. All the commentators, all the fans, everyone is right on this. Terrible job, all around.
***** Tomorrow is a huge day — and my column tomorrow takes a deeper dive — but in a nutshell, the United States Supreme Court will be hearing arguments concerning the legalization of sports betting in New Jersey.
I’m ready for it. The idea of legally being able to bet on sports is very, very attractive to me.
Please don’t tell my wife.
***** Speaking of my wife, I’m still managing to work three jobs, raise three children, be married to one woman, and still find time to spend way too much time on daily fantasy sports, mainly FanDuel and DraftKings.
Overall, since I started a few years ago, I’m up a little over $3,000.
For the amount of time I put into it, I’m guessing I’m making a little under a penny an hour, but no worries — I’m having a blast with it. Addicted? Well, that’s a strong word. “Mostly addicted” sounds better.
*****
I wrote about Joel Embiid the other day in “Split Decision,” but it’s worth revisiting: I hope this guy stays healthy forever. What a talent. And paired with Ben Simmons … the sky is the limit. Never too late to jump the bandwagon, folks.
Who woulda thought: The 76ers are legit the most exciting team in the NBA right now.
***** Speaking of exciting, are you ready for Shohei Ohtani?
Never heard of him? Don’t worry; you will. He’s a Japanese baseball player who is coming to the majors next year. He’s 23, and battled through a few bumps and bruises in 2017. But in 2016, as a pitcher he finished 10-4 with a 1.86 ERA with 174 strikeouts in 140 innings. A dominant righty.
And oh yeah: Hitting from the left side of the plate, he hit .322 with 22 dingers in 382 at-bats.
In short: He has a legit shot to be the best (and really only) part-time (and maybe full-time) two-way player since Babe Ruth.
You would think he’d end up in the American League due to the DH, but who knows. The Phillies have said they’ll pursue him. If they pull that off, Philadelphia becomes the most exciting sports town in America, if not the world.
If I were a betting man, though — which I am — I say Ohtani ends up with … the Yankees. Of course.