Sports this 'n' that

 It's been three days since the Texas Rangers won the World Series, beating Arizona in 5 games, continuing the trend of 1st time champions, after Las Vegas won the Stanley Cup, and Denver captured the NBA title, back in the summer.

Key to the Rangers' success wasn't so much the high priced pitching acquisitions---Max Scherzer went just 3 innings in game 3, and was inactive in the final 2----but, rather, a perfect road record (11-0), and a stellar performance by shortstop and Series MVP Corey Seager, who won his 2nd ring in 4 years (Dodgers, 2020). Relief pitcher Will Smith has won rings three years in a row, having pitched for Houston last year, and Atlanta in 2021.

After the series, reliever Ian Kennedy announced his retirement, secure in knowing he had won a ring.

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Well-traveled slugger Nelson Cruz also retired, after becoming more of a journeyman the last few seasons. His resume includes stops in Minnesota, Seattle, Tampa Bay, Washington, & San Diego.

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To the surprise of no one, MLB Network & ESPN bloviator Chris Russo went back on his promise to retire after Arizona advanced to the World Series. Seems fellow bloviator Stephen A. Smith might've had something to do with Russo backpedaling. What a shock.

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Boxer-wrestler-YouTube star Logan Paul hasn't won a boxing title yet, but today in Saudi Arabia, Paul won the WWE US title, needing a set of brass knuckles to defeat Rey Mysterio at Crown Jewel. Given the fact that Paul has been roasted for some unsavory behavior on social media away from the ring, one would suspect he found a kindred spirit in WWE Executive Chairman and head nutcase Vince McMahon, who was rumored to be at the event along with Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel.

Paul "Triple H" Levesque posed with Paul after the bout:

The last thing WWE needs now, however, is another part-timer holding a belt. It goes along with the need for social media and mainstream media attention, and some wonder how long Paul will be allowed to keep the title. I'd say no longer than Wrestlemania in April.

The part-time status accorded to Universal champion Roman Reigns, who needed illegal help---as usual---to put down LA Knight, may be one unspoken reason why Fox chose not to renew Smackdown, which moves to NBC next year. In a way, WWE/Endeavor doubled down on the part-timer controversy with Paul. That could cost them down the road.