In this Jan. 1, 2019, file photo, Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins runs against Washington during the first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
by Bill Neal, For New Pittsburgh Courier
:10—By now, like the rest of the world, you know about the tragic and somewhat strange accidental death of Steelers backup QB Dwayne Haskins. The 2018 Heisman Award finalist and Ohio State superstar was reported to have been struck and killed by a dump truck Saturday morning, April 9, while attempting to cross the westbound lanes of Interstate 595 on foot in South Florida. The 24-year-old Steelers quarterback had just resigned with the organization in March. Dwayne Haskins, gone too soon.
:09—When it comes to golf, well, you know…That being said, Scottie Scheffler, the hottest thing in golf since Tiger Woods in his prime, won the Masters Sunday, April 10, with a phenomenal score of -10. Scheffler, winner of four tournaments already this year including the Masters, has also earned an incredible $10 million in prize money so far. Although unlikely to continue this hot streak all season, the 25-year-old New Jersey native is the No. 1 ranked golfer in the world and will be the betting favorite for the next major, The PGA Championship in May at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. And as a footnote to any of you that watched the final round Sunday, when Rory Mcilroy reached -7 on the 13th with the par 5 15th hole looming, were you thinking for just a minute that just maybe Rory would shoot a 62, a 61, a 60 and win The Masters with the greatest closing round ever in a major? As it was, Rory shot a record-tying 64 and finished second to Scottie, a legendary round of golf even without the victory.
:08—Props obviously go to the Tiger, No. 1 for showing up, No. 2, for making the cut and No. 3, for finishing. None of which were even a possibility 500 days ago or for that matter a week ago for the less informed. But for a 46-year-old man who has had more back surgeries than Kim Kardashian has had husbands (I’m sorry, for some reason I couldn’t help myself there!), he is to be applauded. And Lord knows the motivation he sent out on this comeback could light up New York City!
:07—A few names for you here. Byron Morant is a former City League triple threat Hall of Famer to be… His brother Lenny Morant is a former City League basketball superstar and one of the city’s great skywalkers and I am proud to say one of my first Jr. League players that put me on the map. Also, you know the NBA phenom now known as Ja Morant? Well, he’s their family – and if you know anything about the Morants you’re not surprised. That’s how they – Roll!! Talented, focused, quiet, off-the-chart skills and will leave you shaking your head in your armchair wondering what just happened. The Morants – the legend continues.
:06—Stephen A. Smith proclaims Michael Jordan the G.O.A.T. and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar #2 with LeBron #3. At a zillion dollars a year salary he almost got it right – Wilt Chamberlain #3, Kobe #4 and Dr. J #5. End of story.
:05—Hey, hey, you there… this just in… your Pittsburgh Pirates just won their first game of the season, the third game of the series on Sunday, April 10, against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Pirates had their home-opener on Tuesday, April 12, against the Cubs. Just think, they’re on their way to another scintillating 60-win season!
:04—Here’s how I am now confirmed as old… I can’t name the starting five of one NBA team. Not one. There was a time I could have named them all, man!
:03—As an expert on hockey – just kidding – our perennial playoff team, the Penguins, just broke out of a four-game slide on the back of none other than Sidney Crosby with a clutch two-goal, one-assist game including the overtime game-winning goal against the Nashville Predators, Sunday, April 10. The Penguins have seven games left in the regular season. More on the Pens when the playoffs begin in a couple weeks.
:02—Speaking of old – tell me you don’t miss the fight game? No, not that – this – Well, you know, the real fight game. We’re talking Ali, Frazier, Holmes, Norton, Foreman, Shavers, Bugner, Lyle, Tyson, Hagler, Sugar Ray, Duran, Hearns, De La Hoya, Monzon, Pryor, Arguello just to name a few. Tell – Me – You – Don’t – Miss – That. Yeah you do!!
:01—Ketanji Brown Jackson – the name will be on our tongues and in our ears for the next 30 or so years, thankfully, the first Black woman to join the Supreme Court, as promised by President Joe Biden. Confirmed Thursday, April 7, history was made despite the completely disrespectful, disingenuous members of the Republican Senate by a 53-47 vote with only three Republicans able to sift through the hyper-partisanship and do the right thing.
:00—GAME OVER.
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