The spring sports season has a ridiculous amount of action. There are currently 34 local varsity teams in action in our coverage area — not to mention the fringe schools along the Wisconsin-Illinois border.
This means my job is busy, and it means that results from literally dozens of games get into every issue of our paper. With space being limited, my column is typically the first item on the chopping block. I’d rather the kids we cover get their due in the paper than my rambling musings.
But it has been long enough, so let’s go ahead and get caught up on some of the things that have been going on in my brain.
Use your blinkers, please
This shouldn’t be an issue for anyone. We all hate it when someone turns at a busy intersection without using their blinker. It can sometimes be dangerous.
What’s been irritating for me lately has been trying to leave a parking lot or to come out of a stop sign, and the driver with the right of way slows all the way down in the intersection to turn — and doesn’t signal before, during or afterward.
Had that driver (or those drivers, if we’re being more specific) put on the blinker early enough like we all learned in drivers ed, I could have safely pulled out on more than one occasion.
However, I need to thank the random driver in the SUV I came across April 24. My wife and I were taking the baby for a stroll and were leaving the Southwest Wisconsin Co-op on 13th street, and this kind driver put their signal on well in advance, which allowed us to cross the street earlier than expected. Thank you, stranger.
Pizza, everyone’s favorite food
If pizza is not your favorite food, you are lying to yourself and the world. Everyone loves pizza. My 10-month old daughter loves pizza.
Pizza, with its delicious sauces and gooey cheeses, plus the occasional vegetable, crumble of meat or stuffed crust, is a meal worth eating any day of the week. I find it a wonderful way to quickly fill an evening dinner. Is everyone running errands after school? Soccer practice? Piano? Grocery run? Let’s all meet at home at 7 and we can all chomp down on a few pieces of pie.
It’s the Samuel Adams lager of food — always a good decision.
Tiger is back on the prowl
Did you hear? Tiger Woods is a winner again.
Yes, you heard. And yes, I’m going to talk about it.
Tiger’s triumphant return to the top after arguably the largest fall from grace in the history of sports is single best sports moment this year. I don’t think it will be topped.
You can say whatever you want about Tiger’s personal life and the misfortune he’s caused himself, but this is a golfer that has been my favorite athlete since 1997. This is a guy who, at his most dominant, was the only reason most people watched golf. He could hit the ball 50 yards into the trees and still escape with par. He could do it in 1997, and he did it again at the Masters two weeks ago.
Watching Tiger play a magical tournament and win a major title again almost brought me back to a place of happiness as a child. It made me want to grab my clubs and bolt out the door and pretend I was 12 and had a playing career in front of me.
I turned to my wife during Round One of the Masters, Tiger had just birdied a hole, and I told her out loud, “I really shouldn’t say this, but if I am being honest, seeing Tiger win this Masters would mean more to me personally than either the Indians or Brewers winning the World Series this year.”
She nearly threw me out of the house.
Brewers are scuffling, but who cares?
After a hot start to the 2019 season, the reigning NL Central champions have hit their first real bump in the road this season and as of this writing hold a .500 record.
All hell has broken loose on Twitter and in fan groups, and it’s honestly fun watching people get all bent out of shape.
Yes, Jesus Aguilar is struggling, but he was an All-Star and MVP candidate last year. You stick with that kind of talent — especially when he is out of options.
Yes, the bullpen has been atrocious, much of which because two of the three star relievers are out injured (OK, now just one since Jeremy Jeffress is healthy again).
Yes, the starting pitching is young and a mess. Growing pains are exactly that.
Yes, Braun is old, and Shaw has slumped like Milwaukee hasn’t seen in his career. But it’s still early. In fact, it’s so early the first month isn’t even over yet. And this first month has seen Milwaukee face playoff-caliber teams in the Cardinals, Dodgers and Cubs (plus the Angels and Mike Trout).
To be .500 after that brutal stretch is not a bad thing. The law of averages suggests this team will hit its stride sooner rather than later, and when that happens the alarmists will be walking back their disenchantment with haste.
Sure it would be cool to get Dallas Keuchel. Craig Kimbrel would be an amazing pickup. Both would cost a lot of money, but hey, what’s that to the fans?
The point is, this Brewers team is built to contend, and that’s exactly what will happen. The baseball season is a marathon, not a sprint.
Earth Day and Kanye West
If there is a song out there you should listen to right now, it is Earth by Lil Dicky.
The song is a collaboration of dozens of artists and celebrities, including Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Joel Embiid and Leonardo DiCaprio.
There are two versions of the song, which aims to bring awareness to global threats caused by humans for Earth Day, which was April 22.
Leo, best known for being lied to and let go by Rose after the Titantic sank, is a staunch environmental activist when he’s not making blockbuster movies. DiCaprio tells Dicky “This might be my favorite song ever. It’s awesome.”
The song also is not entirely appropriate for small children. There are a couple of quick one-liners that jump out at you and you can’t help but laugh. If you were aware of Lil Dicky already, this comes as no shock. But hey, as Kevin Hart confusingly proclaims “And I’m Kanye West,” that’s not even the second best one-liner.
Spring, you’re so warm and I’ve missed you dearly
It’s true. I love spring and summer.
Thunderstorms, leaves, flowers, the ability to take an afternoon stroll or a midnight walk and the joy of putting away the snow scraper are all items listed on my “glad game” bingo card.
Other items on my bingo card include the first knife dip into a fresh jar of peanut butter, the smell after it rains and the opening of a beverage can.
Let’s enjoy this weather, shall we?
Lastly, goodbye to a friend
A good friend of mine passed away last week from a car crash. Many of you know him from his time DJing around town, tending bar at various watering holes, coaching sports or from going to school with him.
Kyle Gumtow was one of the good ones out there. I never had an experience with Kyle I didn’t like, except for the fact that he could grow a full beard in middle school and I had to wait until I was almost 30 for it to grow in.
Kyle and his smile will be missed by so many. Until next time, friend.
— Adam Krebs is a reporter for the Times. He can be reached at akrebs@themonroetimes.net.
