Mamdani Fighting Anti-Semitism is Like Asking The KKK to Combat Racism

 

If nothing else, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani has chutzpah.

A man who is one of the leading causes of the rise of anti-Semitism in this country announced a citywide initiative to combat it.

Let's be serious for a moment. I would never ask Mamdani to launch an initiative to combat anti-Semitism. It would be like asking the KKK to unveil a strategy to combat racism.

After all, this is a man who has excused the behavior of anti-Semitic mobs who have blocked entrances to city synagogues, refers to American Jews as "monsters". His rants against Israel have led to Jews being stabbed outside NYC synagogues and congregants being attacked inside NYC synagogues.

As the kids like to say, this is a hard pass.

Schmitt's Creek

 

Missouri Republican Senator Eric Schmitt has become a household name for all of the wrong reasons.

Schmitt, a former Missouri Attorney General, had planned to nail former Special Prosecutor Jack Smith for perjury. In anticipation of this slam dunk, Schmitt's name was bandied about as a running mate for JD Vance come 2028. 

Schmitt asked Smith if he had attended an NBA game between in Atlanta between the Atlanta Hawks and the Golden State Warriors. Smith had no recollection of attending said game nor being in Atlanta. To which, after holding up a sign of Smith with former Fulton County DA Fani Willis and some text messages, Schmitt accused Smith of perjury before calling him a "dirtbag."

The problem was that while Smith was indeed at a basketball game, it was a college basketball game and a women's college basketball game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Iowa Hawkeyes at that. At the time, the Hawkeyes star player was none other than Caitlin Clark. So, the Hawks in question were the Hawkeyes. Also, Smith lives in Maryland.

But even if Smith had been in Atlanta, that would not have established that Smith had met with Willis or her staff. It would have also been peculiar had they conducted their business during an NBA game.

Yet we must keep in mind that Schmitt has demonstrated he cannot discern the NBA from NCAA, men's basketball from women's basketball, Hawks from Hawkeyes and it would seem Steph Curry from Caitlin Clark. How could he discern between Jack Smith being in Atlanta and Jack Smith meeting with Fani Willis? After all, discernment requires diligence and neither Schmitt nor his staff care to exercise it.

And must also keep in mind that he even after his arrogance, dishonesty and hubris was exposed Schmitt kept repeating his lie on The Charlie Kirk Show and with TMZ. So, there will be a portion of the MAGA base who will believe that Schmitt caught Smith in a lie.

Yet I think any aspirations Schmitt might have had to be VP much less President went afoul today. At most, he can either remain in the Senate as a Trump sycophant or perhaps return to Missouri to run for Governor. He'll continue to enjoy the trappings of office and whatever sinecures await after his public service has concluded. But any higher ambitions will be impeded by virtue of being up Schmitt's Creek.

A Belated Thought for PAC

 

Sunday evening came the news of the sudden death of professional wrestler PAC (born Benjamin Satterley) at the age of 40. No cause of death has been released as of this writing though he was found unresponsive in his car outside a restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois. No foul play is suspected.

His passing came less than 24 hours after wrestling in the All Elite Wrestling (AEW) PPV All Out in Chicago in a losing effort against Andrade. 

But what I found really eerie was that PAC was one of many AEW wrestlers who paid tribute to Andy Williams (a.k.a. The Butcher) who passed away earlier this month. 

While there were many emotional tributes to The Butcher, PAC's stood out for its brevity and for saying so much in less than 30 seconds:

We always knew you were an anomaly. Too good for this world. So, Andy, I just want to say I love you, man. And you always made sure I knew you loved me too. I miss you my friend. 'Til we meet again. 

Sadly, PAC and The Butcher have met again and far too soon. 

I first remember PAC during his WWE days when he was known as Adrian Neville and later Neville. The match that I remember best was his shot at the WWE Title held by Seth Rollins in 2015. His skill and commitment to his craft was undeniable. While he was never booked to win the big prize he certainly more than held his own whether as the man gravity forgot when he was cheered or as the Bastard when he was jeered. 

AEW will formally pay tribute to PAC on its programming this coming Wednesday. R.I.P.

My Thoughts on The 2026 MLB Post-Season

 

The 2026 MLB post-season picture is complete. 

Let's begin with the AL.

The Tampa Bay Rays won the AL East. It is their first post-season appearance since 2023 & first AL East title since 2021. With the best record in the AL, the Rays earn a first-round bye.

The Cleveland Guardians won their third consecutive AL Central title. It is the Guardians' third consecutive AL Central title and fourth in five years. Since 2016, the Guardians have won 7 AL Central titles but have no World Series rings to show for it as they are in the midst of a drought which goes back to 1948. The Guardians also get a bye in in the AL Wild Card round.

After missing the post-season a year ago on a technicality, the Houston Astros have won their 8th AL West title since 2017. Granted, the Astros finished with a record of 81-81 with manager Joe Espada not returning to manage in 2027 regardless of what they do in the post-season. To put that into perspective, the Astros would have finished 22 games back of the Milwaukee Brewers were they back in the NL Central where they were from 1994 to 2012. Hell, they even finished a game behind the Pittsburgh Pirates. But the Astros live to fight another day and will face the Chicago White Sox in the AL Wild Card Series.

The Chisox are a remarkable story with their first post-season appearance since the COVID shortened 2020 season. They are two years removed from losing an MLB record 121 games which they did exactly two years ago today. Last year, the White Sox lost 108 games under first year manager Will Venable. To say, the Chisox exceeded expectations would be an understatement. They won 30 more games than they did a year ago. 

Still, I'm sure the Chisox are disappointed they didn't win the AL Central having led the division for most of the second half of the season. Should the Chisox prevail against the Astros they would get another shot at the Guardians. A footnote on the upcoming White Sox-Astros matchup. The two teams faced each other in the 2005 World Series when the Astros were still an NL team with the Chisox sweeping the Astros and earning their first World Series title since 1917.

The other AL Wild Card matchup will see the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees face each other for a second year in a row. The Yankees prevailed a year ago. But this time there's no Aaron Judge or Giancarlo Stanton. But Ben Rice has picked up where they have left off. Still, they face a resilient Red Sox squad which fired Alex Cora in early April and had the worst record in the AL in late June before winning 32 of 37 games. The winner will face their AL East rival the Rays in the ALDs. 

Now let's turn our attention to the NL.

After missing the post-season last year, the Atlanta Braves won the NL East for the 7th time since 2018 under new skipper Walt Weiss. The Milwaukee Brewers set a franchise record 103 wins en route to their fourth consecutive NL Central title and fifth in six seasons. Meanwhile, the defending back-to-back World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers won their 14th NL West title in 15 years. With 100 wins of their own both the Dodgers and Brewers earn byes in the NL Wild Card round while the Braves will face the Philadelphia Phillies who reached the post-season by the enamel of their teeth.

The 2026 Phillies have had a season for the ages. The team fired manager Rob Thomson after a 9-19 start replacing him with Don Mattingly. Within three weeks, Mattingly had righted the ship. However, the Phillies were on the verge of a 1964 like collapse following a surge from the Arizona Diamondbacks but Mattingly righted the ship once more. If Mattingly navigates the waters against the Braves, the Phillies will face the Dodgers in the NLDS. Of course, Mattingly was Dave Roberts' predecessor at Chavez Ravine managing the club from 2011 to 2015 winning those first three NL West titles. 

The other NL Wild Card matchup will see the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres face each other. As with the Red Sox and Yankees, they will face each other for the second year in a row. The Cubs won last year avenging their collapse against the Friars in the 1984 NLCS. Whoever prevails in this matchup faces the Brew Crew in the NLDS.

So here are the possible World Series rematches.

New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (2024, 1981, 1978, 1977, 1963, 1956, 1955, 1953, 1952, 1949, 1947 & 1941)

Houston Astros vs. Philadelphia Phillies (2022)

Houston Astros vs. Atlanta Braves (2021)

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (2020)

Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (2018 & 1916)

Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (2017)

Cleveland Guardians vs. Chicago Cubs (2016)

New York Yankees vs. Philadelphia Phillies (2009 & 1950)

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Philadelphia Phillies (2008)

New York Yankees vs. Atlanta Braves (1999, 1996, 1958 & 1957)

New York Yankees vs. San Diego Padres (1998)

Cleveland Guardians vs. Atlanta Braves (1995 & 1948)

Chicago White Sox vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (1959) 

Cleveland Guardians vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (1920) 

Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago Cubs (1918) 

Boston Red Sox vs. Philadelphia Phillies (1915)

Chicago White Sox vs. Chicago Cubs (1906)

There are two World Series matchups which have not previously taken place which would fascinate me.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Milwaukee Brewers or San Diego Padres

Should either of these teams face each other in the Fall Classic it would mark the first World Series matchup where neither team had previously won a World Series since 1980 when the Phillies bested the Kansas City Royals to win their first championship.

While I do not follow baseball with the same rigor and enthusiasm, I still keep an eye on the standings and still care who will end up winning it all. It would be nice to attend another Red Sox World Series parade if at all possible. Whatever the outcome, let the games begin tomorrow.

Dan Wilson Won't Manage Mariners in 2027 After Disappointing Season

Prior to today's 7-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels, Dan Wilson announced he would not return to manage the ballclub in 2027.

After winning the AL West and coming within heartbeat of their first AL pennant in 2025, the Mariners took a huge step backwards this season finishing with a 76-86 record with 14 fewer wins despite only being 5 games back of the Houston Astros. While Randy Arozerena led the AL in runs scored, Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez and Josh Naylor struggled at the plate. Raleigh hit a paltry .177 with 23 HR and 68 RBI. While the power numbers were decent, consider that he finished runner up in AL MVP balloting last year with 60 HR and 125 RBI.

Wilson took over the club in August 2024 following an in season collapse under his predecessor Scott Servais. He had never had any prior managing experience though Wilson had spent 12 out of 14 MLB seasons as the Mariners catcher plus 13 additional seasons in the team's front office. It is unclear if Wilson will return to the Mariners' front office.

Given that Wilson was promoted within the organization, one wonders if Mariners' brass will look for an external candidate and try to lure the likes of former Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora. 

Then again even if the Mariners had won the AL West, that might not have been enough for Wilson to keep his job. After all, Astros manager Joe Espada won't be back in the dugout in 2027 despite winning the division. 

Sometimes winning isn't enough. But in Wilson's case it was case of not being able to replicate lightning in a bottle. There was no spark in Seattle this season and Wilson couldn't ignite it.

Angels Lose 100 Games in a Season for 1st Time in Franchise History

The Los Angeles Angels have officially reached their nadir. This afternoon the Angels ended the 2026 MLB season with a 7-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners.

The loss leaves the Angels with a 62-100 record marking the first time in franchise history that they have reached triple digits in losses in a single season.

Since debuting in 1961, the Angels had 35 losing seasons prior to 2026. Yet the team only had five last place finishes and only three seasons with 95 or more losses. The closest the Angels came to losing 100 games was in 2024 when they lost 99 games under Ron Washington. Their last winning season was in 2015.

Earlier this month, Arte Moreno announced plans to sell the team to Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke.

While this is good news, it could take several more seasons before the Angels are contenders let alone play their home games in a half decent ballpark. This might mean some more losing seasons with the possibility of additional 100 loss campaigns. Perhaps the Angels won't start winning again until after Mike Trout's contract expires following the 2030 season.

Next year will mark the 25th anniversary of the Angels' lone World Series title. That championship seems a lot farther removed and far away than a quarter century ago.

Pirates Enjoy First Winning Season Since 2018

The Pittsburgh Pirates finished the 2026 season on a positive note with a 4-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers. 

This positive gives the Pirates an 82-80 record marking their first winning season since 2018.

I am sure that the Bucs are annoyed that they will have a better record than the AL West champion Houston Astros and have go to home.

Nevertheless, the Pirates are heading in the right direction despite a subpar season from 2025 NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes whose ERA nearly doubled. But Braxton Aschraft stepped up with 14-6 record along with a 3.46 ERA in his first full big-league season although he ended the season on the IL. Bryan Reynolds led the NL in doubles while Brandon Lowe led the team with 35 HR and 96 RBI though he is heading to free agency. But Konnor Griffin and O'Neil Cruz still have their future ahead of them.

To give you an idea of how rare a winning season has been for the Pirates, Don Kelly is only the second Bucs manager since Jim Leyland's departure after the 1992 season to lead the club to a winning record. The other is Clint Hurdle who led the club to three consecutive NL Wild Card appearances between 2013-2015 after 20 consecutive losing seasons as well as the 2018 team.

Of course, there is tremendous uncertainty as to whether part or all of the 2027 season will be lost due an owner-imposed lockout. But this is uncertainty is true for all 30 MLB teams. The Pirates might be sailing in choppy waters, but they are afloat.