This is going to be one of those weeks where I jump from topic to topic, so buckle up. We’re going to move fast today.
Regular readers of my column know that I am a diehard Tar Heel fan. I am also a Miami Dolphins fan, but I write about that less for obvious reasons if you’ve seen them play this century.
My best friend reached out to me this weekend to warn me that if UNC kept winning, I could be stuck with Bill Belichick as the coach of my favorite football team for another year. I argued that if he keeps winning, he’ll get the job he wants in the NFL.
I also remember last year and the only thing worse than having someone you don’t want as the head coach of your winning team is having someone you don’t want as the head coach of your losing team. Particularly if they have a large buyout.
Some doubt he’ll ever coach in the NFL again and if I’m going to be completely forthright, I’m one of those people. After some of the coaching decisions I witnessed and learned about in the NFL this past weekend however, I certainly won’t rule it out. I’m surprised some people haven’t been promoted to interim head coach already.
Major League Baseball is currently in the playoffs and down to its final four teams in the ALCS and the NLCS. Are you watching?
I only ask because while they are in what is supposed to be the most exciting part of their season, MLB is also preparing for an inevitable lockout in the off-season and headed into next season.
Like everything else, it’s about money because the owners want a salary cap and the players obviously don’t. MLB viewership ratings have gone up this season but owners still want to spend less money despite nobody forcing them to spend more.
People point to the Los Angeles Dodgers as having an unfair advantage because of how much money they make and spend. Their salary is more than that of the other three teams competing in the league championship series combined.
As I write this, there have been only two games played in the NLCS but nobody seems to have told the Milwaukee Brewers that the Dodgers are supposed to be unbeatable. I’m not saying that having more money for salaries doesn’t give teams an advantage, I’m simply pointing out that it doesn’t automatically equate to winning championships.
Speaking of championships, hockey season has begun and I just want to remind you that if you are reading this in North Carolina where I live, your Carolina Hurricanes are still Stanley Cup champions. Let’s not wait until the playoffs to pay attention this season.
David Friedman is a long time sports writer, columnist and mensch. He and his son currently reside in Wilmington, NC. David can be reached via e-mail at fourthandlongcolumn@gmail.com