Fungos - Super Bowl Edition

It’s been a while since the last “fungos” so you may have forgotten the last trivia question. We were looking for the four number one draft picks in MLB who are in the Hall of Fame. The answer? Ken Griffey Jr, Chipper Jones, Joe Mauer and (unfortunately) Harold Baines. This edition’s question is who is the only one who played for the Braves in Boston, Milwaukee, and Atlanta?

Now on to a few notes. The Anthony Davis trade this week put the final touches on last year’s Luka trade. It didn’t get any better. The results of the autopsy confirm that it was a criminal act. The Mavericks basically dumped AD and three others for expiring contracts and some draft picks that will be late first round or second. They shed salary to free up money to rebuild, but for now Max Christie is all they have to show for trading a generational talent.

Remember when Dallas drafted Jalen Brunson ? He was the reigning college player of the year and had two NCAA championships on his ledger, but many thought he might be too short to succeed in the NBA. The Mavs drafted him in the second round and he turned out pretty good to say the least. A perennial all-pro. Unfortunately he blossomed for the NY Knicks instead of Dallas, as the Mavericks failed to exercise a contract extension and Jalen signed with New York. This year Dallas signed Ryan Nembhard as an undrafted free agent. He had led the nation in assists in college, but most thought he was - - - too short! He has shown really good flashes and earned increased playing time. I’m not saying that he’s going to be another Brunson, but let’s hope Dallas recognizes Nembhard’s value. I believe he will at least be a very capable backup in the NBA - hopefully as a Maverick. Somewhere Spud Webb and Muggsy Bogues are smiling.

I’ve been reminded that there is a football game tomorrow. Super Bowl 60. I’m old enough to remember when there were empty seats in the stands and the halftime was just a break in the action. Now it’s easily the most anticipated sporting event in the nation, and the halftime performance is a huge spectacle. So tomorrow will give us Seahawks, Patriots and a Bad Bunny. Don’t bet your lunch money on this, but my prediction is Seattle 28 New England 20. I hope that I’m right about that - the Patriots already have plenty of trophies.

I close with a quote from the talented and enigmatic Duane Thomas. “If the Super Bowl is the ultimate game, how come they’re playing another one next year?”