Sports this 'n' that

Congratulations to the Houston Astros on winning their first World Series.

Twelve years after getting swept by the Chicago White Sox, while the Astros were still a National League team, Houston defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in a seven-game thriller that should've meant beaucoup ratings for Fox.

It was, of course, all hands on deck in the final game of the season, and for the Dodgers, that meant ace Clayton Kershaw, the game 1 winner who was non-decisioned after going 4 2/3 in game 5 on Sunday, came back on two days rest to pitch 4 innings in relief. Starter Yu Darvish couldn't get out of the 2nd inning after giving up a home run to George Springer, and was tagged with the loss. Surely, this is not what the Dodgers had hoped for when they acquired Darvish in July.

I had read a headline online prior to the game where former Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda reportedly reamed out current skipper Dave Roberts, claiming that everything that Roberts has accomplished in two seasons in LA wouldn't mean anything if the Dodgers didn't finish the job. Please. I thought that sort of thing went out when George Steinbrenner passed away, considering the Yankees haven't made such impulsive moves in recent years until dismissing Joe Girardi last week. Lasorda is probably still spoiled by the success he enjoyed in the 70's & 80's with the Dodgers, and thinks the team is the NL's answer to the Yankees. Like, in the 21st century, it's okay to stop short. You pick yourself up and move forward. Period.

As for the Astros, as I've said all along, the next move would be to honor the Tri-City Valleycats, who had a few alumni (Springer, Jose Altuve, Dallas Keuchel, Joe Musgrove, Derek Fisher) on the Astros' roster this season, by bringing the championship trophy to Troy for another victory lap. The San Francisco Giants, whose roots lie in the Troy club of the 19th century and early 20th century, did that after winning in 2010. Now, it's Houston's turn.
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The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association should be ashamed of themselves.

Nine days ago, 16 year old Emily Nash competed against the boys in a tournament, and posted the lowest score of the day at 3 over par. Her school team finished 4th overall, and failed to qualify for the state tournament. Even more galling is the fact that the MIAA rules worked against Nash, denying her the first place trophy, which went instead to Nico Ciolino, who finished at 7 over par. Ciolino, being a sportsman, offered the trophy to Nash, who declined, though she appreciated the kind gesture.

Tournament director Kevin Riordan went on record as saying he's willing to buy a trophy for Nash to make up for the snub, but that's likely to be turned down, too. Nice idea, but a better one would be for the MIAA to amend its archaic rules so that this doesn't happen again. The MIAA, despite Riordan's attempt at a mea culpa, gets the Weasel ears this week.
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The NFL trade deadline came on Halloween, and for some teams, it really was trick or treat.

Carolina must not think they'll make the playoffs, so they sent receiver Kelvin Benjamin to Buffalo. All that does is strengthen the Bills' receiving corps. Benjamin likely could make his Bills debut tonight vs. the Jets.

Miami, in 3rd place in the AFC East, chasing both New England and Buffalo, dealt running back Jay Ajayi to Philadelphia, where the NFC East leaders now can pair Ajayi with ex-Patriot LeGarrette Blount. Yes, that also makes the Eagles stronger, and more of a lock to win their division.

In a real head scratcher, the Super Bowl champs, perhaps catering to the ego of QB Tom Brady,  shipped Jimmy Garoppolo to San Francisco, then pulled Brian Hoyer off the scrap heap. Ironically, Hoyer had been released by---wait for it---San Francisco after being benched. Hoyer returns to New England, the team that drafted him in the first place, but he knows he won't get too many snaps, even in a blowout, because of Brady's ego demanding that he pad his stats as much as possible.

Meanwhile, while the Bills, Eagles, & Niners were given treats, the Jests were tricked, in a way. It was reported on Wednesday that WR/KR Jeremy Kerley, on his 2nd tour of duty with Gang Green, was suspended by the NFL. At the time, the reason for the suspension and the length of the ban were unknown. The Jests feel like Charlie Brown anyway, since they didn't make any deals to improve the status of the team to compensate for losing Kerley for however long this will be.

Then again, the front office probably gets virtual rocks from everyone else every year, anyway. Just sayin'.