SPORTS TEASER By George Hassell
So here we are in July and it’s hard to believe already halfway through the year. Independence Day is just a couple of days away and the fireworks are
already popping and crackling. Get used to it and put your dogs inside! Tybee is a very special place to be on the Fourth indeed. Let’s be thankful for our
freedom and for those who have and continue to protect and serve. Now onto a little sports talk...
With the NBA and NHL season FINALLY complete it’s time to focus on the boys of summer and our local nine, the Atlanta Braves. They’ve been in a battle
for first place in the NL East with Philadelphia for the first third of the season and seem to have the components to be in the pennant race deep end of
the season. Having just added former Cy Young winner, Dallas Keuchel, to the pitching rotation, hopefully they are poised to get into the playoffs and
pass the first round this year. I see Kevin Gausman as being the odd man out in the rotation, and his numbers in recent weeks warrant it. The addition of
rookie Austin Riley in the lineup has been incredible and Ronald Acuna, Jr. seems to be heating up at the right time. Nick Markakis is not having his typical
solid season hitting but hopefully he will come around in the second half. I do see the Braves winning the NL East with Philly hanging around but they
have a lot of injuries to overcome. No matter what happens, it seems that the Dodgers are the cream of the crop and will have to be reckoned with once
again in October. In the meantime, it’s great to have the Braves in contention and makes listening to them on the beach or by the grill that much better!
In golf, we have one more major tournament to go, The Open Championship, this year being held in Northern Ireland this month. I love the Masters, don’t
get me wrong, but The Open is right alongside it in my opinion. I guess part of it is waking up at 4am to watch golf in blustery, typically rainy and cold
conditions in July is just different... in a good way! And being contested every year in the backyards of the home of golf makes it even more special. Of
course Brooks Koepka has to be the favorite after his PGA Championship, but several others are playing well right now. I think Tiger will contend along
with Kuchar, Spieth and DJ, but I will go with the hometown favorite Rory McIlroy to win the Claret Jug. This will be last major for the season with the
new schedule with the playoffs and Tour Championship wrapping up in August just in time for...FOOTBALL!
Yep, football is just over 60 days away with the college season getting underway Labor Day Weekend and the NFL just after that. Of course training
camps will be underway much sooner and there might even be a NFL exhibition game at the end of the month... I know, I know... but it’s football! I will
have a preview of the upcoming college and pro seasons in the August column for sure. It’s almost here folks! In the meantime, enjoy summer vacation,
Independence Day and all that a Tybee summer has to offer... along with a good dosage of sports.
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Happy Independence Day to all! See ya next month...