Thursday’s thumbs

Even bookies in hot water with Trump backers

It’s Thursday and another chance to fire off a few up or down thumbs about some news developments in our neck of the woods and elsewhere:

It’s been 22 years since Air Force One graced the tarmac for the Nov. 1, 1998, opening of what eventually became known as Northwest Arkansas National Airport. It was an airport with many skeptics, but it was built and became a success story for the region because a group of believers pressed on in the difficult, years-long process to get it built. Names like Alice Walton, John Paul Hammerschmidt, Uvalde and Carole Lindsey all became linked to the airport because of their devotion to its success. And maybe it could be said that businessman Stan Green kept a bit of a lower profile, but his contributions to the airport’s success really can’t be overstated. Now, after 27 years on the airport authority’s board of directors, Green has decided to step down to pursue other interests. He’s credited with strong leadership on the airport’s finances in the sometimes complex world of the federally regulated aviation system. Most travelers aren’t likely to know Green by name, but the region is flying a bit higher these days thanks to his contributions as a member appointed from Washington County.

If you’re in the gambling industry, sooner or later you’ve got to settle all bets. The online betting exchange Betfair decided the Electoral College’s formal adoption this week of ballots giving Joe Biden victory in the 2020 presidential contest was the moment at which it would start paying out for those who bet on the Democrat. Now, those who put their money on Trump are mad, pressing the company to wait for new developments in hopes that the 45th president of the United States will somehow eek out a victory and, naturally, provide a payday for those who bet on Trump. Some, like their favorite candidate, are promising legal action, apparently upset that Donald Trump has yet again cost someone else a lot of money. The largest single bet was $1.29 million, on Biden, according to the company. Before the election, Betfair reported, bettors had placed $170 million on Biden and $156 million on Trump, again putting the president in second place.

Yes, Gus Malzahn got fired at Auburn. That’s not what we’re giving a thumbs up to because, after all, what coach can survive very many years at Auburn? Keep in mind Malzahn wasn’t fired for not winning, but for not winning

enough (he’s 76-38 as a head coach overall, but went 3-5 against Alabama). We just take note that while he was born in Texas, he’s a football product of Arkansas ( Fort Smith Christian as a player; coaching at Hughes, Shiloh Christian, Springdale; then college coaching at Arkansas and Arkansas State). He’s truly a local boy done good and his buyout at Auburn is contractually about $21.5 million, with no conditions. So, yeah, we think he’ll be fine.

Through the generosity of Johnelle Hunt and family and Springdale’s gift of land, Northwest Arkansas is now home to what Arkansas Game and Fish Commission officials have referred to as “the crown jewel” of the state’s network of nature centers. Its official opening a week ago would have been a much bigger event except for the limitations forced by covid-19. Still, the center is open for visits (by ticketed entry times for now) and offers incredible interactive displays for inquisitive minds both young and older. A big part of the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center is reaching young people raised in the electronic age, some of whom may not fully realize the natural gifts Arkansas has to offer. We’re sure the center will become a destination for the region’s school children and offers something for everyone. It’s one more great attraction for the residents and visitors of Northwest Arkansas.

Statistics flow in Major League Baseball like blood flows through our bodies. They are, perhaps more than in any other sport, almost a religion. It’s the way we know how a batter today stacks up against those of yesteryear. So it’s great news that Major League Baseball announced it will add the stats of 3,400 players from the Negro Leagues that were so popular between 1920 and 1948. Black players in those years didn’t have the option to play in the Majors, but many of them were every bit as good — some far better — than the players who were permitted to play in the MLB. The decision corrects an error made by a committee in 1969, an exclusion of the Negro Leagues from the official MLB record books. While it cannot undo the injustices of those times, MLB certainly has taken the right step in recognizing those players in its record books.