hiSTOrY

eagle News

Who will rule the diamond?

Take a deep breath. Then a few more.

The most important baseball starts right now.

Oh sure, the last month was spent obsessing over all things Aaron Judge, wondering how many home runs he would finish with, even interrupting good college football games – which had to delight the Clemson and Wake Forest fans.

Well, unfortunately we must break the news that the regular season is over, the post-season is nigh, and 12 teams will set out in pursuit of ultimate victory in early November.

Purists have already checked out by now, offended that the playoffs have turned into a fourround spectacle of survival following the 162 exhaustive games it took to get here.

Let them pout. There is no shortage of rich story lines that will play out over this next month, featuring protagonists familiar and unfamiliar, loved and loathed. And that’s just the Houston Astros.

We’re now five years removed from the sign-stealing, and the Astros are still here, still American League favorites, having just missed out twice on the second title that might make a few people shut up about how the first one was attained. Still, Dusty Baker finally managing a team that wins it all would soften even the coldest hearts.

Once on a record wins pace, the Yankees regressed in the summer, but still has the almighty Judge and a fairly good rotation, along with the noise a Bronx October always brings. Yet anything short of a World Series is unacceptable for most followers of the pinstripes.

Contrast that with the AL Central champions from Cleveland. Expected to contend two years from now, the newlydubbed Guardians didn’t wait, unleashing MLB’s youngest roster with energy, aggression and something called speed – you mean you can score runs without the long ball? Really?

Among the wild cards, Toronto possesses the most potential and was far better in the second half of the season. Tampa Bay will always annoy with its pitching even if its lineup lacks pop, and Seattle, back after a 21-year playoff absence, will learn plenty about what it has – and what it might still need for glory.

For all the shenanigans around the last couple of wild card spots in the Random National League Thoughts among San Diego, Philadelphia and Phil Blackwell Milwaukee, four brand names bring four compelling narratives to the

October table. At the top are the Dodgers, flaunting baseball’s best record and deepest lineup. No matter who L.A. put out there, they just kept winning at a silly rate. No one enters the playoffs under more heat because a lot of people dismiss their 2020 crown earned in a COVID-shortened season.

This would be different. Steve Cohen brought his fat wallet to Queens and, with

Buck Showalter’s help, made the

Mets a force. Anyone carrying

Jacob deGrom nad Max Scherzer at the front of the rotation is capable of winning it all. Just don’t mention it too loudly to

Mets fans scarred by 35 years of falling short. No one has those scars in

Atlanta anymore. The reigning champions have proved torrid from June onward, swinging for the fences and often clearing them. Confidence gained from 2021 has to put the Braves in a strong mental position. For the sentimental types, St.

Louis is untouchable. What was supposed to be a farewell tour for Albert Pujols turned into a race to 700 that he finished.

Now he and fellow Old Guys

Yadier Molina and Adam

Wainwright, who all date back to the Cardinals’ unlikely wins in 2006 and 2011, want to bring it full circle. Doubt them at thy own peril. With this new format – two byes in each league, eight teams needing to endure best-of-three melodramas just to get to the next round – everyone will wonder how fair it will end up.

Is the hot team at an advantage over the rested team? Only the

Division Series will answer that question. A season that started with the threat of a long lockout ends with big names and big franchises, joined by an upstart or two, battling it out in between the interminable commercial breaks that we could all do without. Somehow magic will happen, even if only the champions feel that way once the champagne bottles are emptied. Phil Blackwell is sports editor at Eagle News. He can be reached at pblackwell@ eaglenewsonline. com.

80 years ago – oct. 8, 1942

Search the property! Scan the neighborhood! Comb the village and all the countryside! These are the slogans that the folks of Cazenovia, Fenner and Nelson townships should bear in mind in preparation for our scrap metal collections to be made in these three towns next week as our part in the National Salvage Campaign to obtain metal to keep our war industries going to capacity the coming winter. You don’t have to bring the junk in – trucks will stop at your house to make collections. All you have to do is to collect it and put it in some place where it will be convenient for the trucks to load. Cazenovia village householders will please accumulate the scrap at the curb next Sunday. Collections will be made by county, town and village trucks and such others as are donated by the owners. If you are willing to donate a truck and the driver or are willing to help load the trucks, please be at the Municipal building next Monday morning at 8 o’clock or telephone the Cazenovia village office (89-J) the days or hours you can help.

60 years ago – oct. 4, 1962

Cazenovia has been visited by many distinguished persons since John Lincklaen said in 1793 “here I will pitch my tent” or, probably to be more literal and truthful, “here will I build my home.” But recently it had a visitor of world reputation in the person of Santa Claus. No one recognized the jolly saint for he had left his red suit at home and he had shaved off his whiskers. He was enroute from his home at Christmas Park, west of Rochester, to New York City to complete arrangements for his annual appearance in Macy’s parade on Thanksgiving Day. He told a Republican reporter that he likes Cazenovia and that he may come back after Christmas for a little rest and a few days of winter sports at Mystic Mountain.

40 years ago – oct. 6, 1982

Where in the world is Willowby? Bumper stickers posing that question have teased Cazenovians for weeks. But the not-so-well kept secret is out. Willowby is in print. Willowby is in village shops. He’ll soon be on the bookshelves of many local children. And three Cazenovia women are hoping Willowby will even “go national” after successful holiday sales. A more appropriate question might be, “What in the world is Willowby!” In the first of a planned series of children’s books, the enigmatic Willowby introduces himself: “I drift above the earth in my special Willowby Cloud, changing shapes often. I can form many different images in the clouds. Sometimes I am just a face, other times, I resemble a lion, or a sheep, or anything you can imagine.” Willowby, though his name was prompted by an Ohio road sign, is the creation of Chris Vrooman, Ridge Rd., who later was joined by two other Cazenovia women – Sandy Kane and Peggy Ogden. While Willowby was busy drawing energy from clever children, the three women spent the summer juggling children, homes and husbands to jump feet first into the business world.

20 years ago – oct. 2, 2002

Though the windmills in Fenner have been operational for almost a year, a grand opening ceremony will be held Oct. 9 to celebrate one of Madison County’s greatest assets. The event will be held at one of the windmills off Buyea Road, with flags leading the way. The open to the public event will begin at noon and the dedication ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Tents will be set up for speeches and the reception to follow, with shuttles available to take participants to the site. After refreshments are served, there will be bus tours to the windmills. “October is National Energy Awareness Month which focuses on energy conservation and renewable energy.”

cNYSPcA PET OF THE WEEK

BarT neeDs a HoMe

suBMiTTeDBy Donna neWMan

photo proviDeD by the CnySpCa

Bart came in as a stray, so there is no history on him. We do know he’s sweet friendly and very food motivated. He’s almost seven years old, which is the perfect age - his personality is set and the puppy problems are a thing of the past. He’s energetic and playful, but he’s also available for a cuddle session and a nice nap. He would do well with respectful schoolaged kids. He also likes pizza and peanut butter (among other things!) if you’re looking for a companion to go for a walk and then binge watch Netflix, Bart is the dog for you - especially if you don’t mind sharing your pizza! if you’d like to learn more about adoption call 315454-4479 or email frontdesk1@ cnyspca.org.

Letters

l From page 6 Vote for Diana Carpenter for Pompey Town Board

To the editor:

Diana Carpenter is a candidate for the Pompey Town Board. She is new to the political scene in Pompey, and a welcomed addition. Diana will bring a strong work ethic to board. She has owned her own tax preparation business for over 23 years, and oversees the transportation department for the Fabius-Pompey Schools.

Also, Diana will be another voice for fiscal responsibility.

I have seen Diana work with others and walked with her as she canvasses the town to meet with residents / voters. I can see that she will be a colleague to other board members and to the town supervisor. She will listen to the concerns and opinions of the town residents and will do her homework to research the issues and opportunities that the board will consider.

On Nov. 8, or in the early voting period, vote for Diana Carpenter to continue growing a strong town government in Pompey.

Don saleH

poMpey

Support for Italiano

To the editor:

I’m writing to support Alyssa Italiano in the upcoming election for the Town Board in Manlius. Alyssa is a lifelong resident of Manlius. She’s committed to making it a better place for everyone, regardless of affiliation. She knows first-hand the challenges folks can face. A fall and the rehab from the injury taught her that help from others is key to healing. It’s a touchstone for her commitment to finding ways to assist folks with disabilities overcome hurdles they face. Two recent examples are her support for more access to sidewalks, and improving the accessibility at the town hall. Her training in government and policy at SU’s Maxwell School and her years working at the Syracuse Public Housing Authority provide her a wealth of knowledge and experience with budgeting, risk management, zoning and emergency preparedness, all of which she’s been applying to the good governance of our town. In addition, at the housing authority she’s been a hearing officer, bolstering her skill at being an impartial arbiter of problems. Her work at the housing authority has also deepened her commitment to ensuring safe, affordable housing for all. Let’s keep Alyssa as a town councilor.

It’s fall golf… Let’s have some fun gambling

at’s correct…I said gambling. As some of you already know, I must be very careful what I say about the topic in this article because most of you probably thought amateur golfers were not allowed to gamble. Well… e United States Golf Association (USGA), has this to say about Gambling…

Participating in informal gambling or wagering when playing golf is allowed, providing that the gambling or wagering does not lead to abuse of the Rules of Golf and/or the Rules of Handicapping. Forms of gambling or wagering that are considered acceptable are where: * e players generally know each other. * Participation in the gambling or wagering is not required. * All money won is contributed by the participants. Let’s face it, it’s hard to believe that anyone would play golf without having some kind of a friendly bet on the line when they do play. I decided to do some research and found out Gold Digest published a book in 2007 titled…Complete Book of Golf Betting Games. ey addressed the issue of gambling. eir research determined that only 7% of golfers said they never gambled when they played and 66% were very capable of losing $25 or more every time they teed it up. And interestingly, about 33% said all it would take is a $5 dollar bet for them to, “get nervous over a three foot putt”. Gio Valiente, a Sports Psychologist at the time, who worked with many golfers on the PGA Tour said, “Gambling in and of itself is addicting. It puts people in a ow state, a situation where someone’s attention is 100% engaged on that one thing. Golf can do that, too, but I think for a lot of golfers who play regularly, they need that extra adrenaline rush of having a wager on the line to keep their interest on the round… undivided. e Golf Digest research also found that 39% of all gambling golfers used “Skins” as their standard game and 32% used the “Nassau” format. erefore, according to Golf Digest, approximately 93% of golfers in CNY gamble when they play. If this is true and we adjust for in ation, there are hundreds of thousands of dollars that are “won or lost” during the golf season. WOW!!! With that kind of money on the line, wouldn’t it be wise for those of us who do gamble to come up with some guidelines we can follow and use to our advantage when we make the bet before we tee o ? I think we should. No worries…Golf Digest did it for us.

THE 10 COMMANDMENTS OF GOLF GAMBLING 1. Know e Right Bet For You - Knowing your opponent’s weaknesses and understanding what game is appropriate for the course you are playing and what amount to wager, is far more important than playing well once the game begins. 2. Never Bet More Money an You Are Comfortable Losing - Anytime a wager escalates to an amount higher than your comfort level, the tendency is to focus on the fear of losing the cash instead of on the shot you are about to hit. 3. Find e Squirm Point Of Your Opponent- is complements the 2nd commandment. ere’s a good chance your opponent will also fold under the pressure of potentially losing that amount. 4. Never Accept A Big Bet If You Don’t Know e Game - It usually takes a couple of trial runs before the basic strategy of a gambling game becomes clear. Set the wager low until you get the hand of it. 5. When Choosing A Partner, Pick e Best Golfer Available - Almost always a high handicap golfer will play below their potential and will be a ected by the pressure of a match involving money. Better players are used to the tension and o en thrive. 6. Use Side Bets As Insurance - Side bets are a good way to double your winnings or protect yourself from a bad bet. If you are a good putter, suggest playing “Snake”…a three putt game. 7. Don’t Push When ings Are Going Bad - If your side is getting your butts kicked, this is not a good time to double your bet by “pressing”. If your play doesn’t improve, take your beating and try again next week. 8. Never Ease Up - When you are beating your friends, never back o because you “feel sorry for them”. Step on their throat and hold it on the ground until the match is over. en you can be friends again. 9. Play Your Hardest Down e Stretch - Wether a press is on the line, a side bet is still to be determined or there’s a chance to cut into a de cit, playing well over the nal few holes on the front and back nines is much more important than playing well at the start of the match. Finish strong. 10. Always Pay Or Collect e Bet At the End Of e Round - NO EXCUSES!

Perry Noun is the former executive director of the Northeastern NY PGA as well as a competitive amateur golfer and winner of the New York State Super Senior Amateur Championship. Perry Noun can be heard on “Tee Time With The Pronoun” on... News Radio 570 WSYR and 106.9FM.