tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54859684929238347672024-02-20T09:38:11.625-08:00The Wisdom of MarkMark Kristlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921988652052603042noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485968492923834767.post-46133345550337029412022-02-18T11:42:00.001-08:002022-02-18T11:52:33.489-08:00My NASCAR, ARCA championship predictions<p>This weekend kicks off the 2022 season for the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, & ARCA Menards Series.</p><p>Therefore, I pen these predictions for this year so we can revisit them once the NASCAR seasons end at Phoenix Raceway & ARCA season ends at Toledo Speedway.</p><p><br /></p><p>Cup Series champion: Kyle Larson</p><p>Cup Series Championship 4: Larson, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, & Martin Truex Jr.</p><p><br /></p><p>Xfinity Series champion: Ty Gibbs</p><p>Xfinity Series Championship 4: Gibbs, Justin Allgaier, AJ Allmendinger, & Josh Berry </p><p><br /></p><p>Truck Series champion: Chandler Smith</p><p>Truck Series Championship 4: Chandler Smith, Carson Hocevar, John Hunter Nemechek, & Zane Smith</p><p><br /></p><p>ARCA champion: Nick Sanchez</p><p>ARCA top five, in order: Sanchez, Daniel Dye, Rajah Caruth, Amber Balcaen, & Greg Van Alst</p>Mark Kristlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921988652052603042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485968492923834767.post-45606427518961023112022-01-25T13:28:00.002-08:002022-01-25T13:28:16.566-08:00My Final College Football Top 25 of the 2021-22 Season<p> Congratulations to Coach Kirby Smart & his Georgia Bulldogs on winning the college football national championship. They exacted revenge on the Alabama Crimson Tide 33-18 in the championship game.</p><p>Nobody likes to lose, but another excellent season by the Crimson Tide. Under Coach Nick Saban, they won the SEC conference championship game, made the national championship game, & QB Bryce Young won the Heisman Trophy.</p><p>A tip of the cap to Coach Luke Fickell, his Cincinnati Bearcats, Coach Jim Harbaugh, & his Michigan Wolverines on making the college football playoffs. Both lost their playoff semifinal games, but both teams won their respective conference championship games.</p><p>Without further adieu, here are my final top 25 of this 2021-22 season.</p><p>1. Georgia</p><p>2. Alabama</p><p>3. Cincinnati</p><p>4. Michigan</p><p>5. Louisiana</p><p>6. Baylor</p><p>7. Oklahoma St.</p><p>8. Ohio St.</p><p>9. Michigan St.</p><p>10. Oklahoma</p><p>11. Houston</p><p>12. Pittsburgh</p><p>13. Ole Miss</p><p>14. Utah</p><p>15. Wake Forest</p><p>16. Clemson</p><p>17. Notre Dame</p><p>18. Kentucky</p><p>19. Utah St.</p><p>20. Air Force</p><p>21. San Diego St.</p><p>22. North Carolina St.</p><p>23. BYU</p><p>24. Iowa</p><p>25. Coastal Carolina</p>Mark Kristlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921988652052603042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485968492923834767.post-44438232430027229782022-01-12T12:05:00.001-08:002022-01-12T12:05:09.275-08:00Final 2021-22 College Football Bowl Pick 'em Contest Standings<p> Congratulations to Coach Kirby Smart & the Georgia Bulldogs on defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide 33-18 to win the college football national championship game. Although the Crimson Tide players no doubt left disappointed, it was another outstanding season by this team coached by Nick Saban.</p><p>A tip of the cap to Coach Luke Fickell & the Cincinnati Bearcats & Coach Jim Harbaugh & the Michigan Wolverines for making the college football playoffs.</p><p>This college football bowl pick 'em contest has come to its end. Thank you to all the participants. Personally, this pool makes each bowl game more exciting because you are actively rooting for one team in every game. I sincerely hope everyone participates next time.</p><p>Congratulations to those contestants who scored first, second, & third place. Adam Jones won first place, Dan Nawrocki notched second place, & Mark Kristl scored third place.</p><p>Adam Jones finished on a two-game winning streak, correctly picked both the playoff games & championship, & led from December 31 'til the end.</p><p>Dan Nawrocki finished on a five-game winning streak, correctly picked both playoff games & the championship, & vaulted four spots via the Georgia victory to earn second place.</p><p>Mark Kristl took advantage of a perfect New Years' Day to enter the top three, then ultimately wound up with a third-place finish.</p><p>I would be remiss if I did not mention Stephanie, my sister, who lost both playoff games & the championship, as well as finished on a three-game losing streak to clinch last place on January 5. While last place is not an oft-beloved result, Stephanie will receive her $10 entry fee back & a kick in the butt for picking so poorly!</p><p>Keeping up with every ranking(s), John Boshears' correct prediction of Georgia gained him 11 spots to finish 10th. Unfortunately, ending this pool with a two-game losing streak relegated Jay Holzapfel to fall eight spots to 18th place.</p><p>I also want to recognize the husband-wife couple of Dave Jones & Dee Dee for both correctly picking the tiebreaker of 51 points.</p><p>Alright, the final standings of this 2021-22 college football bowl pick 'em contest.</p><p>1st: Adam Jones 29 points. +0.</p><p>2nd: Dan Nawrocki 27 points. +4.</p><p>3rd: Mark Kristl 25 points. -1.</p><p>4th: Dave Jones 24 points. +0.</p><p>5th: Carl Ruf 24 points. -2.</p><p>6th: Nommo 24 points. -1.</p><p>7th: Dan Anderson 24 points. +6..</p><p>8th: Matt Nommensen 24 points. +9.</p><p>9th: Ethan Houston 24 points. -5.</p><p>10th: John Boshears 23 points. +11.</p><p>11th: Mike Kristl 23 points. -4.</p><p>12th: Ceth 23 points. +6.</p><p>13th: T. O'Donnell 22 points. -4.</p><p>14th: Jackson 22 points. -6.</p><p>15th: Tom Bowles 21 points. +9.</p><p>16th: Joseph W. 21 points. -5.</p><p>17th: RJ 21 points. -5.</p><p>18th: Jay Holzapfel 21 points. -8.</p><p>19th: Kyle B. 20 points. -3.</p><p>20th: Hagen 20 points. -5.</p><p>21st: Chuck Barrett 19 points. -2.</p><p>22nd: Papa 19 points. +0.</p><p>23rd: Jordan Keeley 19 points. -2.</p><p>24th: Christine Kristl 18 points. -1.</p><p>25th: Dee Dee 16 points. +0.</p><p>26th: Nick Ehlers 16 points. +0.</p><p>27th: Stephanie 15 points. +0.</p>Mark Kristlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921988652052603042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485968492923834767.post-69159454178696524182022-01-10T11:30:00.001-08:002022-01-10T11:30:43.886-08:00January 5, 2022 standings<p> Kansas St. wrapped up its season with a dominating victory over LSU in the TaxAct Texas Bowl. The Wildcats' win means only one more bowl game is left: the national championship game between Alabama & Georgia.</p><p>Dan Anderson correctly picked Kansas St. to gain five spots to climb into 13th place. The LSU Tigers' defeat snapped Dave Jones' three-game winning streak, albeit he still has the opportunity to win prize money.</p><p>The national championship game is worth four points. Of the four places which result in winning money, two are guaranteed to be claimed by the Kristl brother-sister duo.</p><p>IF Alabama wins, Mark Kristl will win first place. Carl Ruf, Dave Jones, & Nommo would be in a three-way tie for second & third place. Using the tiebreaker of the total points scored in the title game, Carl Ruf has 47, Dave Jones has 51 & Nommo has 56. Stephanie Kristl is guaranteed last place due to her championship winner prediction Michigan Wolverines defeat in their playoff semifinal bowl game.</p><p>IF Georgia wins, Adam Jones will win first place. Dan Nawrocki will win second place. Lastly, Mark Kristl will win third place. Because Stephanie Kristl lost the final three straight games, she has already clinched last place.</p><p>1st: Adam Jones 25 points. +0.</p><p>2nd: Mark Kristl 25 points. +1.</p><p>3rd: Carl Ruf 24 points. +2.</p><p>4th: Dave Jones 24 points. -2.</p><p>5th: Nommo 24 points. -1.</p><p>6th: Dan Nawrocki 23 points. +1.</p><p>7th: Mike Kristl 23 points. -1.</p><p>8th: Jackson 22 points. +0.</p><p>9th: T. O'Donnell 22 points. +3.</p><p>10th: Jay Holzapfel 21 points. -1.</p><p>11th: Joseph W. 21 points. -1.</p><p>12th: RJ 21 points. -1.</p><p>13th: Dan Anderson 20 points. +5.</p><p>14th: Ethan Houston 20 points. -1.</p><p>15th: Hagen 20 points. -1.</p><p>16th: Kyle B. 20 points. +5.</p><p>17th: Matt Nommensen 20 points. -2.</p><p>18th: Ceth 19 points. -2.</p><p>19th: Chuck Barrett 19 points. -2.</p><p>20th: John Boshears 19 points. -1.</p><p>21st: Jordan Keeley 19 points. -1.</p><p>22nd: Papa 19 points. +0.</p><p>23rd: Christine Kristl 18 points. +0.</p><p>24th: Tom Bowles 17 points. +2.</p><p>25th: Dee Dee 16 points. +0.</p><p>26th: Nick Ehlers 16 points. -1.</p><p>27th: Stephanie 15 points. +0.</p>Mark Kristlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921988652052603042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485968492923834767.post-73642892239323356672022-01-04T11:01:00.001-08:002022-01-04T11:01:30.177-08:00January 2, 2022 Standings<p>Arkansas, Oklahoma St., Kentucky, Ohio St., & Baylor all won their respective New Years Day bowl games.</p><p>New Years Day marked the last day with multiple games. All that's left is the TaxAct Texas Bowl & the championship game for 5 more total points.</p><p>Losing only the Outback Bowl, RJ gained eight spots. Conversely, Dan Anderson won only the VRBO Citrus Bowl, so he dropped nine positions.</p><p>1st: Adam Jones 24 points. +0.</p><p>2nd: Dave Jones 24 points. +1.</p><p>3rd: Mark Kristl 24 points. +5.</p><p>4th: Nommo 24 points. -2.</p><p>5th: Carl Ruf 23 points. +1.</p><p>6th: Mike Kristl 23 points. -2.</p><p>7th: Dan Nawrocki 22 points. +0.</p><p>8th: Jackson 22 points. -3.</p><p>9th: Jay Holzapfel 21 points. +1.</p><p>10th: Joseph W. 21 points. +7.</p><p>11th: RJ 21 points. +8.</p><p>12th: T. O'Donnell 21 points. +1.</p><p>13th: Ethan Houston 20 points. +2.</p><p>14th: Hagen 20 points. +8.</p><p>15th: Matt Nommensen 20 points. -3.</p><p>16th: Ceth 19 points. +4.</p><p>17th: Chuck Barrett 19 points. -3.</p><p>18th: Dan Anderson 19 points. -9.</p><p>19th: John Boshears 19 points. -8.</p><p>20th: Jordan Keeley 19 points. -4.</p><p>21st: Kyle B. 19 points. -3.</p><p>22nd: Papa 19 points. +1.</p><p>23rd: Christine Kristl 18 points. -2.</p><p>24th: Dee Dee 16 points. +0.</p><p>25th: Nick Ehlers 16 points. +0.</p><p>26th: Tom Bowles 16 points. +1.</p><p>27th: Stephanie Kristl 15 points. -1.</p>Mark Kristlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921988652052603042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485968492923834767.post-15810811830193683632022-01-01T10:26:00.003-08:002022-01-01T10:26:30.342-08:00January 1, 2022 standings<p> Alabama & Georgia punched their tickets to the college football national championship game with their wins in their respective playoff bowl games.</p><p>Four points definitely affected the standings. Jay Holzapfel gained seven spots to move into the top 10 whereas Christine Kristl fell seven spots into a bottom 10 position.</p><p>1st: Adam Jones 21 points. +0.</p><p>2nd: Nommo 21 points. +3.</p><p>3rd: Dave Jones 20 points. +3.</p><p>4th: Mike Kristl 20 points. +4.</p><p>5th: Jackson 19 points. -2.</p><p>6th: Carl Ruf 19 points. -4.</p><p>7th: Dan Nawrocki 19 points. +3.</p><p>8th: Mark Kristl 19 points. -4.</p><p>9th: Dan Anderson 18 points. +6.</p><p>10th: Jay Holzapfel 18 points. +7.</p><p>11th: John Boshears 18 points. -4.</p><p>12th: Matt Nommensen 18 points. +6.</p><p>13th: T. O'Donnell 18 points. +6.</p><p>14th: Chuck Barrett 17 points. -5.</p><p>15th: Ethan Houston 17 points. +6.</p><p>16th: Jordan Keeley 17 points. -5.</p><p>17th: Joseph W. 17 points. +5.</p><p>18th: Kyle B. 17 points. -6.</p><p>19th: RJ 17 points. -6.</p><p>20th: Ceth 16 points. +4.</p><p>21st: Christine Kristl 16 points. -7.</p><p>22nd: Hagen 16 points. -6.</p><p>23rd: Papa 16 points. +2.</p><p>24th: Dee Dee 13 points. -4.</p><p>25th: Nick Ehlers 13 points. +1.</p><p>26th: Stephanie 13 points. -3.</p><p>27th: Tom Bowles 13 points. +0.</p>Mark Kristlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921988652052603042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485968492923834767.post-87556473122744645642021-12-31T10:15:00.000-08:002021-12-31T10:15:13.840-08:00December 31, 2021 Standings<p> South Carolina, Purdue, Michigan St., & Wisconsin all won their respective bowl games.</p><p>Today on New Year's Eve, three of the five bowl games are washed for this contest. The two games on tap for this contest are the two playoff games. Both are worth two points apiece, so there could be some shakeup within the standings.</p><p>Carl Ruf went a perfect 4-for-4 on Thursday, December 30 en route to a current second-place run. On the flip side, Kyle B. salvaged a Badgers win to earn his first point of the day, though he still dropped six places falling outside of the top 10.</p><p>1st: Adam Jones 17 points. +1.</p><p>2nd: Carl Ruf 17 points. +7.</p><p>3rd: Jackson 17 points. -2.</p><p>4th: Mark Kristl 17 points. -3.</p><p>5th: Nommo 17 points. -2.</p><p>6th: Dave Jones 16 points. -2.</p><p>7th: John Boshears 16 points. -2.</p><p>8th: Mike Kristl 16 points. +0.</p><p>9th: Chuck Barrett 15 points. +1.</p><p>10th: Dan Nawrocki 15 points. +1.</p><p>11th: Jordan Keeley 15 points. +1.</p><p>12th: Kyle B. 15 points. -6.</p><p>13th: RJ 15 points. +6.</p><p>14th: Christine Kristl 14 points. -1.</p><p>15th: Dan Anderson 14 points. -1.</p><p>16th: Hagen 14 points. -1.</p><p>17th: Jay Holzapfel 14 points. -1.</p><p>18th: Matt Nommensen 14 points. +0.</p><p>19th: T. O'Donnell 14 points. +1.</p><p>20th: Dee Dee 13 points. +4.</p><p>21st: Ethan Houston 13 points. +0.</p><p>22nd: Joseph W. 13 points. -5.</p><p>23rd: Stephanie 13 points. -1.</p><p>24th: Ceth 12 points. -1.</p><p>25th: Papa 12 points. +0.</p><p>26th: Nick Ehlers 11 points. +0.</p><p>27th: Tom Bowles 11 points. +0.</p>Mark Kristlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921988652052603042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485968492923834767.post-68605874892250350942021-12-29T22:44:00.005-08:002021-12-29T22:44:53.471-08:00December 30, 2021 Standings<p> Maryland, Clemson, & Oklahoma all ended their respective seasons with a bowl game victory.</p><p>For the moment, the top three have solidified their positions on the podium, with a current tie for second place.</p><p>Kyle B. correctly picked a perfect Wednesday, December 29 en route to vaulting up nine spots. On the flipside, Chuck Barrett endured a goose egg to fall seven spots, though still in the top 10.</p><p>1st: Jackson 16 points. +0.</p><p>2nd: Adam Jones 15 points. +0.</p><p>3rd: Nommo 15 points. +2.</p><p>4th: Dave Jones 14 points. +2.</p><p>5th: John Boshears 14 points. +2.</p><p>6th: Kyle B. 14 points. +9.</p><p>7th: Mark Kristl 14 points. -3.</p><p>8th: Mike Kristl 14 points. +1.</p><p>9th: Carl Ruf 13 points. +1.</p><p>10th: Chuck Barrett 13 points. -7.</p><p>11th: Dan Nawrocki 13 points. +1.</p><p>12th: Jordan Keeley 13 points. -4.</p><p>13th: Christine Kristl 12 points. -2.</p><p>14th: Dan Anderson 12 points. +3.</p><p>15th: Hagen 12 points. -2.</p><p>16th: Jay Holzapfel 12 points. +3.</p><p>17th: Joseph W. 12 points. -3.</p><p>18th: Matt Nommensen 12 points. +2.</p><p>19th: RJ 12 points. +2.</p><p>20th: T. O'Donnell 12 points. -4.</p><p>21st: Ethan Houston 11 points. +2.</p><p>22nd: Stephanie 11 points. +0.</p><p>23rd: Ceth 10 points. +1.</p><p>24th: Dee Dee 10 points. -6.</p><p>25th: Papa 10 points. +0.</p><p>26th: Nick Ehlers 9 points. +1.</p><p>27th: Tom Bowles 9 points. -1.</p><p><br /></p>Mark Kristlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921988652052603042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485968492923834767.post-60275148162789935342021-12-29T10:45:00.006-08:002021-12-29T10:45:54.107-08:00December 29, 2021 Standings<p> Houston, Texas Tech, & Minnesota all won their respective bowl games on Tuesday, December 28. In addition, the SDCCU Holiday Bowl featuring NC St. vs. UCLA became a withdrawal after the Bruins were unable to compete.</p><p>Nine was the number for both the biggest gain & drop in positions. Mike Kristl gained nine, moving into the top 10, whereas Ethan Houston dropped nine spots into a bottom five slot.</p><p>1st: Jackson 14 points. +2.</p><p>2nd: Adam Jones 13 points. +4.</p><p>3rd: Chuck Barrett 13 points. +5.</p><p>4th: Mark Kristl 13 points. +1.</p><p>5th: Nommo 13 points. -4.</p><p>6th: Dave Jones 12 points. -4.</p><p>7th: John Boshears 12 points. -3.</p><p>8th: Jordan Keeley 12 points. +3.</p><p>9th: Mike Kristl 12 points. +9.</p><p>10th: Carl Ruf 11 points. -3.</p><p>11th: Christine Kristl 11 points. +4.</p><p>12th: Dan Nawrocki 11 points. -3.</p><p>13th: Hagen 11 points. -3.</p><p>14th: Joseph W. 11 points. +3.</p><p>15th: Kyle B. 11 points. -3.</p><p>16th: T. O'Donnell 11 points. -3.</p><p>17th: Dan Anderson 10 points. +2.</p><p>18th: Dee Dee 10 points. +5.</p><p>19th: Jay Holzapfel 10 points. -3.</p><p>20th: Matt Nommensen 10 points. +0.</p><p>21st: RJ 10 points. +0.</p><p>22nd: Stephanie 10 points. +0.</p><p>23rd: Ethan Houston 9 points. -9.</p><p>24th: Ceth 8 points. +3.</p><p>25th: Papa 8 points. +0.</p><p>26th: Tom Bowles 8 points. +0.</p><p>27th: Nick Ehlers 7 points. -3. </p>Mark Kristlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921988652052603042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485968492923834767.post-59714538692080687662021-12-27T20:34:00.004-08:002021-12-27T20:34:33.448-08:00December 28, 2021 Standings<p> Miami (OH), UCF, Georgia St., & Western Michigan all won their respective bowl games. Congratulations to those teams on finishing their seasons with a victory.</p><p>Six bowl game matchups have been altered & canceled. As a result, those six are a wash for the contest. Those six are the Easy Post Hawaii Bowl, Military Bowl, Fenway Bowl, TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, & Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl.</p><p>Kyle B. gained six positions & Dee Dee fell a whopping 11 spots into the bottom five.</p><p>1st: Nommo 12 points. +2.</p><p>2nd: Dave Jones 11 points. +0.</p><p>3rd: Jackson 11 points. +2.</p><p>4th: John Boshears 11 points. +2.</p><p>5th: Mark Kristl 11 points. +2.</p><p>6th: Adam Jones 10 points. -5.</p><p>7th: Carl Ruf 10 points. +2.</p><p>8th: Chuck Barrett 10 points. -4.</p><p>9th: Dan Nawrocki 10 points. +2.</p><p>10th: Hagen 10 points. +4.</p><p>11th: Jordan Keeley 10 points. +5.</p><p>12th: Kyle B. 10 points. +6.</p><p>13th: T. O'Donnell 10 points. -5.</p><p>14th: Ethan Houston 9 points. -1.</p><p>15th: Christine Kristl 9 points. -6.</p><p>16th: Jay Holzapfel 9 points. -2.</p><p>17th: Joseph W. 9 points. -1.</p><p>18th: Mike Kristl 9 points. +3.</p><p>19th: Dan Anderson 8 points. +1.</p><p>20th: Matt Nommensen 8 points. +5.</p><p>21st: RJ 8 points. -2.</p><p>22nd: Stephanie 8 points. +0.</p><p>23rd: Dee Dee 7 points. -11.</p><p>24th: Nick Ehlers 7 points. +2.</p><p>25th: Papa 7 points. +2.</p><p>26th: Tom Bowles 7 points. -3.</p><p>27th: Ceth 6 points. -3.</p>Mark Kristlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921988652052603042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485968492923834767.post-36296121237206622642021-12-22T21:48:00.005-08:002021-12-27T20:22:09.207-08:00December 23, 2021 Standings<p> After the Army Black Knights captured the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces on a game-winning 41-yard field goal, they joined Wyoming & San Diego St. as bowl game victors. As a result, all top three and last place changed places. </p><p>T. O'Donnell gained the most positions with nine whereas Joseph W. fell 15 spots.</p><p>With Texas A&M withdrawing from the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl vs. Wake Forest, regardless of whether a replacement team is named, that game will be a wash, so nobody will receive any points.</p><p>1st: Adam Jones 9 points. +2.</p><p>2nd: Dave Jones 9 points. +2.</p><p>3rd: Nommo 9 points. +6.</p><p>4th: Chuck Barrett 8 points. -3.</p><p>5th: Jackson 8 points. +1.</p><p>6th: John Boshears 8 points. +8.</p><p>7th: Mark Kristl 8 points. +1.</p><p>8th: T. O'Donnell 8 points. +9.</p><p>9th: Carl Ruf 7 points. +1.</p><p>10th: Christine Kristl 7 points. +9.</p><p>11th: Dan Nawrocki 7 points. +0.</p><p>12th: Dee Dee 7 points. +9.</p><p>13th: Ethan Houston 7 points. -8.</p><p>14th: Hagen 7 points. -2.</p><p>15th: Jay Holzapfel 7 points. -2.</p><p>16th: Jordan Keeley 7 points. -1.</p><p>17th: Joseph W. 7 points. -15.</p><p>18th: Kyle B. 7 points. -11.</p><p>19th: RJ 7 points. +5.</p><p>20th: Dan Anderson 6 points. +0.</p><p>21st: Mike Kristl 6 points. +2.</p><p>22nd: Stephanie 6 points. -6.</p><p>23rd: Tom Bowles 6 points. +4.</p><p>24th: Ceth 5 points. -6.</p><p>25th: Matt Nommensen 5 points. -3.</p><p>26th: Nick Ehlers 5 points. -1.</p><p>27th: Papa 5 points. -1.</p>Mark Kristlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921988652052603042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485968492923834767.post-19899431659597696722021-12-20T19:26:00.004-08:002021-12-27T20:21:58.007-08:00December 21, 2021 Standings<p>After Tulsa defeated Old Dominion in the Myrtle Beach Bowl, here is the second iteration of the standings. The top five remained the same as well as last place.</p><p>Dan Nawrocki gained the most positions, with three, & Dan Anderson lost the most spots, with seven. I post the number of positions changed with the + or - symbol after one's points total.</p><p>1st: Chuck Barrett 7 points. +0.</p><p>2nd: Joseph W. 7 points. +0.</p><p>3rd: Adam Jones 6 points. +0.</p><p>4th: Dave Jones 6 points. +0.</p><p>5th: Ethan Houston 6 points. +0.</p><p>6th: Jackson 6 points. +1.</p><p>7th: Kyle B. 6 points. +1.</p><p>8th: Mark Kristl 6 points. +1.</p><p>9th: Nommo 6 points. +1.</p><p>10th: Carl Ruf 5 points. +2.</p><p>11th: Dan Nawrocki 5 points. +3.</p><p>12th: Hagen 5 points. -1.</p><p>13th: Jay Holzapfel 5 points. +3.</p><p>14th: John Boshears 5 points. +3.</p><p>15th: Jordan Keeley 5 points. +1.</p><p>16th: Stephanie 5 points. -5.</p><p>17th: T. O'Donnell 5 points. +2.</p><p>18th: Ceth 4 points. +2.</p><p>19th: Christine Kristl 4 points. +2.</p><p>20th: Dan Anderson 4 points. -7.</p><p>21st: Dee Dee 4 points. -6.</p><p>22nd: Matt Nommensen 4 points. +0.</p><p>23rd: Mike Kristl 4 points. +0.</p><p>24th: RJ 4 points. +1.</p><p>25th: Nick Ehlers 3 points. +1.</p><p>26th: Papa 3 points. -2.</p><p>27th: Tom Bowles 3 points. +0.</p>Mark Kristlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921988652052603042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485968492923834767.post-45665292303689986372021-12-19T12:13:00.009-08:002021-12-27T20:21:40.219-08:00December 19, 2021, College Football Bowl Pick 'em Contest Standings<p>There are 27 contestants in the 2021 Mark Kristl College Football Bowl Pick 'em Contest. As such, the top three finishers will be paid. In addition, the last-place finisher will receive his/her money back, as well as a swift kick in the butt for performing so terribly!</p><p>Here are the payouts.</p><p>1st: $140.</p><p>2nd: $70.</p><p>3rd: $23.</p><p>Last place (27th): $10.</p><p><br /></p><p>Here are the December 19 standings.</p><p>1st: Chuck Barrett 6 points.</p><p>2nd: Joseph W. 6 points.</p><p>3rd: Adam Jones 5 points.</p><p>4th: Dave Jones 5 points.</p><p>5th: Ethan Houston 5 points.</p><p>6th: Hagen 5 points.</p><p>7th: Jackson 5 points.</p><p>8th: Kyle B. 5 points.</p><p>9th. Mark Kristl 5 points.</p><p>10th. Nommo 5 points.</p><p>11th. Stephanie 5 points.</p><p>12th. Carl Ruf 4 points.</p><p>13th. Dan Anderson 4 points.</p><p>14th. Dan Nawrocki 4 points.</p><p>15th. Dee Dee 4 points.</p><p>16th. Jay Holzapfel 4 points.</p><p>17th. John Boshears 4 points.</p><p>18th. Jordan Keeley 4 points.</p><p>19th. T. O'Donnell 4 points.</p><p>20th. Ceth 3 points.</p><p>21st. Christine Kristl 3 points.</p><p>22nd. Matt Nommensen 3 points.</p><p>23rd. Mike Kristl 3 points.</p><p>24th. Papa 3 points.</p><p>25th. RJ 3 points.</p><p>26th. Nick Ehlers 2 points.</p><p>27th. Tom Bowles 2 points.</p><p></p>Mark Kristlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921988652052603042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485968492923834767.post-48722787159348530242020-02-06T16:53:00.001-08:002020-02-06T16:53:14.615-08:00I dream of my 28thI rarely remember my dreams. This one I recall. Dreams contain part of reality mixed with, well, dreaming! This dream is something I would like for my birthday. Birthdays are the one day a year where if you are selfish, it is okay. To an extent, selfishness is almost encouraged.<div>
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Perhaps it is the gray days combined with the cold which led me to this location. I dreamt my family & friends were at a waterpark resort, complete with a hot tub. It was just people I knew; no strangers to intrude upon my special day.</div>
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As I walked through the resort, I was astounded by all the people I knew. Twenty-eight years into this life, I have never had a surprise birthday party. Because we are headed to Lexington the following day, I highly doubt 2020 will be my first one.</div>
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Seeing my family & friends brought joy to my heart & a large smile to my face. As a kid, I was raised to acknowledge everyone at family gatherings. So, I walked around, told everyone hello, & thanked them all for coming. Although some of my family lives nearby, nearly all my friends live farther away. As for my extended family, while they live two hours away, I rarely see them from Labor Day-Memorial Day. As we have grown older, we do not see each other as often.</div>
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Our lack of seeing each other likely served as the reason why none of their children were present at the resort. I am not a father, not the fondest of little kids, & my interactions with the little ones have been sparse. Now when I travel to see those family members on the lake, the kids are at the forefront… & there’s a lot of ‘em.</div>
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What struck me at the resort was that everyone got along. No worries about money, health, jobs, our country, etc., nor any in-fighting amongst people. As a Catholic, I am taught to treat everyone equally, but when someone close to me hurts me, it is hard to put those feelings aside. Even if I love you, I know fully well nobody is perfect.</div>
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Despite my challenges in life, I continue to love good food. Deep dish pizza, a delicious burger, a tasty pasta dish, & a scrumptious hot dog are just a few of those items. Whenever you stay at a resort, there’s typically good food. We all enjoyed the food, bringing us together for an event, & the dessert was as delectable as the chocolate chip cookies at Michigan International Speedway.</div>
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Whenever you enjoy a good hot shower or step into a hot tub, there is a sense of relaxation. Your body calms down, feeling at peace. I remember joining others in the hot tub, us all enjoying the hot water soothing our cold bodies. My birthday is in February. I have never worn shorts on my birthday. A hot tub sounds good right about now.</div>
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‘Course, Maizey & Blu are there, enjoying the pets, running around excited by all the people. To think, I am famous for saying, “I hate those dogs!”</div>
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I am an Eagle Scout, & I jokingly occasionally tell people that Eagle Scouts are pyromaniacs. Our fireplace brings us no heat; actually, it cools the upstairs in our house. In winter, a warn fire is portrayed as a typical nightly occasion in movies, TV shows, etc. Yet I usually burn stuff in the spring-fall.</div>
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But a dream mixes reality with our desires with oddities. So, as we all conclude our time together at the resort, we gather round the fireplace. We talk, laugh, enjoy each other’s company. Naturally, this group of people would only come together in my dreams. Like the gathering of folks to watch the college football national championship game, this group gets along just fine.</div>
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We all slowly walk back to our rooms, tired from our awesome day together. I prefer not to use the word ‘awesome’ because society overuses it. This day though was awesome.</div>
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We say good night, likely seeing each other in the morning for breakfast as we will depart & go our separate ways. These resort rooms are quite cozy. The bed is comfortable & there’s pillows aplenty. I go through my nightly rituals & climb into bed. As I drift asleep, my smile reluctantly fades away. When I wake up, it will be all over. My dream, my birthday, & this event. What will I dream tonight?</div>
Mark Kristlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921988652052603042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485968492923834767.post-37137911059041113242020-01-14T16:25:00.001-08:002020-01-14T16:26:04.280-08:00My final college football top 25 of the 2019 season<br />
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Congratulations to the LSU Tigers & Coach Ed Orgeron on winning the college football national championship. Orgeron is a befitting coach for that school; his accent is awesome!</div>
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The game last night was far too long-ridiculous! Perhaps when football season rolls around in the fall, I will write about two or three changes I would make to hopefully shorten the length of the game.</div>
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To the people who came over to my house last night to watch the game, thank you for coming. I greatly enjoyed myself & I hope you had a delightful time too.</div>
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Without further ado, here is my college football top 25 from the 2019 season. Disagree with me? Let me know & let’s have an engaging conversation.</div>
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1. LSU</div>
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2. Clemson</div>
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3. Ohio St.</div>
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4. Oklahoma</div>
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5. Appalachian St.</div>
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6. Georgia</div>
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7. Alabama</div>
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8. Oregon</div>
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9. Penn St.</div>
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10. Florida</div>
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11. Notre Dame</div>
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12. Boise St.</div>
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13. Air Force</div>
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14. Memphis</div>
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15. Navy</div>
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16. Minnesota</div>
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17. Utah</div>
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18. Louisiana</div>
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19. UCF</div>
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20. Baylor</div>
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21. Iowa</div>
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22. Florida Atlantic</div>
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23. San Diego St.</div>
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24. Cincinnati</div>
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25. Louisiana Tech</div>
Mark Kristlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921988652052603042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485968492923834767.post-51362242435510064262020-01-14T12:21:00.000-08:002020-01-14T21:03:37.458-08:00Mark Kristl 2019 college football bowl pick 'em contest results<br />
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Congratulations to Coach Ed Orgeron & LSU Tigers for winning the college football national championship. Additionally, congratulations to LSU quarterback Joe Burrow for winning the Heisman Trophy, breaking the single-season record for most TD passes, & leading his team to victory.</div>
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A job well done to Coach Dabo Swinney & Clemson Tigers for winning the ACC & defeating Ohio St. to advance to the championship game. They will be a contender next season.</div>
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A tip of the cap goes to Coach Ryan Day & Ohio St. Buckeyes & Coach Lincoln Riley & Oklahoma Sooners for making the college football playoffs. Despite their defeat, the Buckeyes & Sooners deserved to make the playoffs.</div>
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Thank you to all the participants in the 2019 Mark Kristl college football bowl pick ‘em contest. With 31 participants this year, I paid 1st-3rd place & last place received their money back. Next year, I will likely increase the entry fee by a dollar or two.</div>
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Here are the final standings. The tiebreaker did determine third place. There were two ties-those ties are noted with ‘T.’ Thank you to all the participants; I hope you all play again next time!</div>
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1. Papa 36 points</div>
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2. R.A.N. 35 points</div>
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3. Papa & Mark 34 points</div>
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4. Dan Anderson 34 points</div>
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5. Jackson 34 points</div>
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6. Matt Nommensen 33 points</div>
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7. Matt Anderson 33 points</div>
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8. Hagen 32 points</div>
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T9. Jones 32 points</div>
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T9. Mike Jones 32 points</div>
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11. Jen Christensen 32 points</div>
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T12. da bear 31 points</div>
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T12. Joe Wooley 31 points</div>
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14. Outback Jack 30 points</div>
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15. Mike Kristl 30 points</div>
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16. Mark Kristl 30 points</div>
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17. Dan Nawrocki 29 points</div>
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18. Amy Nommensen 29 points</div>
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19. Jay Holzapfel 28 points</div>
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20. Papa & Stephanie 28 points</div>
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21. Christine Kristl 27 points</div>
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22. Sr. Jean Patrice 27 points</div>
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23. Stephanie & Jackson 26 points</div>
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24. Carl Ruf 26 points</div>
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25. Stephanie 26 points</div>
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26. Ceth Christensen 24 points</div>
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27. Rob Ostrowski 23 points</div>
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28. Adam Jones 23 points</div>
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29. Marcus 22 points</div>
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30. Sr. Mary Jo 21 points</div>
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31. Chuck Barrett 19 points</div>
Mark Kristlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921988652052603042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485968492923834767.post-30416160936537584582019-03-28T10:35:00.001-07:002019-03-28T10:35:22.150-07:00The beauty of baseballHappy Opening Day 2019 everyone! May you thoroughly enjoy this season, just if the Chicago Cubs come out on top!<br />
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The off-season moved at a glacial pace, as big-name free agents Bryce Harper & Manny Machado signed their respective megadeals late in the off-season. Yet many other free agents, such as Dallas Keuchel & Craig Kimbrel, remain unsigned. Baseball is beautiful because it never stops. When there are no games, there are conversations about the future, regarding teams, players, rules, etc.<br />
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Major League Baseball (MLB) bid farewell to other players who retired. Adrian Beltre retired, & he is destined for induction into the MLB Hall of Fame. Joe Mauer retired, & although his resume is debatable for the Hall of Fame voters, he was the face of the Minnesota Twins. Jason Hammel retired, but he will not be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He concluded a solid career, highlighted with a World Series ring from playing on the 2016 World Series champion Chicago Cubs. Baseball is beautiful for its countless number of players, so whom played only a game in the big leagues, & others who became the greatest ballplayers in MLB.<br />
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<a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/nationals/baseball-hall-fame-results-2019-rivera-makes-history-first-ever-unanimous-induction?cid=Yahoo&partner=ya4nbcs" target="_blank">2019 will also welcome four players into the MLB Hall of Fame</a>. As a 27-year-old fan, I had the pleasure of watching these inductees play the game. Congratulations to Mariano Rivera, Roy Halladay, Mike Mussina, & Edgar Martinez. All four players had tremendous careers, & they will forever be remembered in the annals of MLB. Baseball is beautiful for its history.<br />
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Like your pet which welcomes you home, there are baseball games from today, March 29, through the World Series Game 7 on October 30. There are seven months of almost daily baseball games. There is a legitimate case that the season is too long. Admittedly, I would probably agree with you about that gripe. Nonetheless, baseball is beautiful for its reliability.<br />
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The highlight reels will be filled of monstrous home runs, jaw-dropping defensive plays, crazy occurrences both on & off the field, embarrassingly funny mistakes, & moments which will define each team's season. Baseball is beautiful for its highlights, both good & bad.<br />
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For fans, baseball games are a time to gather round the TV to watch the game, listen to it as we drive to & from different locations, conversation pieces in a world where much of the news brings arguing, & hope as we imitate our favorite batter's stance or toss the ball around in a game of catch. Baseball is beautiful because it brings out our inner childhood love of the game.<br />
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Baseball holds many traditions for us. We wear our favorite player's jersey when we go to the games, we wear our team's clothing on some days such as Opening Day, we wear the ballcaps as we enjoy the nice weather from spring-fall, & we delight in the camaraderie of cheering on our favorite team. Baseball is beautiful because it has become a part of our lives in some capacity.<br />
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The games themselves boast time-honored traditions. The singing of <i>The National Anthem,</i> the bellow of "Play Ball," the first pitch, which I will recall as being thrown by my beloved friend Sr. Mary Jo Sobieck, the scribbling down the information on your scorecard, the cheering at the important parts of the game, & the indulging in a hot dog & beverage as you watch the game. Stadiums vary on their value of <i>Take Me Out to the Ballgame,</i> but we all enjoy getting up & singing. Three strikes & you're out! The traditions of baseball games make it beautiful.<br />
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Twenty-seven outs & we all head home. If we win, we're in a celebratory mood. If we lose, we move on. It's just a game we tell ourselves, but we adore it so much more. We'll get 'em tomorrow; there's 162 games in a season. At its core, baseball is a game. We all played in our lives in some capacity, even if it was a game of whiffle ball in our backyard. No matter the score, there are two guarantees at every baseball game. First, there is a winner. Second, there is a loser. Whether your team wins 19-0, 5-3, 1-0, or some other score, the game is reflected in the standings by one number. Either you add 1 to the win column, or you add 1 to the loss column. Baseball is beautiful for its simplicity.<br />
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So, go on, enjoy this season. Millions of Americans will join you. Watch the game with your family & friends, turn on the radio as you drive around, enjoy America's pastime. It is beautiful.Mark Kristlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921988652052603042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485968492923834767.post-70321337675584706282019-03-28T10:35:00.000-07:002019-03-28T10:35:02.082-07:00My 2019 MLB predictionsThe 2019 Major League Baseball (MLB) season is upon us, play ball! It is time for my MLB predictions. Over the course of the season, there will be injuries, call-ups, transactions, & managerial firings. Obviously, I cannot predict to whom those will occur, so these rankings are based on current information. As such, I will briefly explain my predictions.<br />
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AL East<br />
1. Boston Red Sox<br />
2. New York Yankees (AL wild card #1)<br />
3. Tampa Bay Rays<br />
4. Toronto Blue Jays<br />
5. Baltimore Orioles<br />
This divisional race will be very close between the Red Sox & the Yankees. On the strength of a more experienced lineup & stronger rotation, the Red Sox will barely win, but this race could go down to the last few days of the regular season.<br />
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AL Central<br />
1. Cleveland Indians<br />
2. Minnesota Twins (AL wild card #2)<br />
3. Chicago White Sox<br />
4. Kansas City Royals<br />
5. Detroit Tigers<br />
The Indians will clinch this one not because they're good, but because the other four, especially the bottom three, aren't very good. The Twins quietly improved their team over the offseason, & they will surprise people when they win the second wild card spot.<br />
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AL West<br />
1. Houston Astros<br />
2. Los Angeles Angels<br />
3. Oakland A's<br />
4. Texas Rangers<br />
5. Seattle Mariners<br />
While the Astros will win this one going away & thereby end up with the best record in the AL, the Angels & A's will both battle the Twins for the second wild card. If the Angels stay healthy & perhaps pick a back end of the rotation player, they could snag that spot. Currently, the Twins are slightly better.<br />
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NL East<br />
1. Atlanta Braves<br />
2. Philadelphia Phillies (NL wild card #2)<br />
3. Washington Nationals<br />
4. New York Mets<br />
5. Miami Marlins<br />
Those poor Marlins. The top four teams are very close, & they all will beat up on the Marlins. Atlanta lacks a true ace, but all their pitchers are good. If they sign a true ace like Dallas Keuchel, they gain an advantage over everyone else. The Phillies improved their club the best this offseason, but are they ready to take that jump into contenders? I predict they'll settle for the second wild card spot simply because of the depth of this division. The Nationals lost Bryce Harper but their rotation has Scherzer & Strasburg, they have young hitters, & Brian Dozier will nicely fit on the team. The Mets have arguably the best pitching staff, but their whole season is dependent on health. If they stay healthy & their lineup comes through, they could conceivably jump up higher in the final standings.<br />
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NL Central<br />
1. Milwaukee Brewers<br />
2. Chicago Cubs (NL wild card #1)<br />
3. St. Louis Cardinals<br />
4. Cincinnati Reds<br />
5. Pittsburgh Pirates<br />
Milwaukee smartly added Yasmani Grandal, St. Louis picked up Paul Goldschmidt, & the Reds acquired two outfielders. The Cubs stood pat, but they're banking on their team staying healthy. The rotation can be dominant if they all stay healthy. Because their margin for error is razor-thin, the Cubs will miss out on the divisional crown & win the wild card. At this point, the Pirates ought to overhaul. Trade Gregory Polanco, trade any impending free agents, admit defeat. Cause it's going to be a long season.<br />
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NL West<br />
1. Los Angeles Dodgers<br />
2. Colorado Rockies<br />
3. San Diego Padres<br />
4. Arizona Diamondbacks<br />
5. San Francisco Giants<br />
The Dodgers can lose players to injury & still win the division. They're that good. The Rockies lost Carlos Gonzalez, but they added Daniel Murphy, & David Dahl will be a force to be reckoned with this season. Their rotation is solid, but the Rockies could really use Craig Kimbrel. Their bullpen is their glaring weakness. At Coors Field, poor pitching late in games will cost them wins. The Padres signed Manny Machado & definitely have an improved lineup. Their pitching staff is so unproven. When all the starters grow together, when the team endures a losing streak, who will stop the bleeding? As for the Diamondbacks, losing Steven Souza Jr. hurt them. It's now an even weaker lineup with a shaky pitching staff. They'll be right alongside the Giants, who are full of fading veterans. If there's a team with a bevy of trade pieces, it's the Giants. Sell, sell, sell!<br />
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Wild Card games<br />
AL: New York Yankees defeat the Minnesota Twins<br />
The Yankees will have improved, they'll host this game, & in a one-game matchup, the Yankees bullpen will end the Twins season.<br />
NL: Chicago Cubs beat the Philadelphia Phillies in a low scoring affair<br />
Who will start for the Phillies, Aaron Nola or Jake Arrieta? The Cubs will start either Jon Lester or Kyle Hendricks. This game will be the first team to score three runs wins.<br />
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Divisional Series<br />
AL: Houston Astros over the New York Yankees in 5 & Boston Red Sox pound the Cleveland Indians in 3<br />
The Astros will outhit the Yankees merely because they won't strike out as often. More hits equal more runs. The Red Sox will win because they're better in every facet of the game. If the Indians want to win, Terry Francona will have to outmanage Alex Cora. Good luck with that.<br />
NL: Los Angeles Dodgers over the Chicago Cubs in 4 & Milwaukee Brewers emerge in a hard-fought 5 game matchup over the Atlanta Braves<br />
The Dodgers will best the Cubs because of they are a better overall team. Any of their starters could be an ace on a bad team. Can the Cubs say the same? As for the Brewers, I predict they will pick up a big impact player, probably a pitcher, who will significantly upgrade this team. The Braves will battle, but they'll fall in the end.<br />
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Championship Series<br />
AL: Boston Red Sox over the Houston Astros in 6<br />
The Red Sox will find a way. Their rotation will give them the lead late in games, & their bullpen issues will be resolved. J.D. Martinez will step up when needed, & they will return to the World Series<br />
NL: Milwaukee Brewers over the Los Angeles Dodgers in 7<br />
Wait, what? Yes, the Brewers will win the pennant. Christian Yelich will go off, Ryan Braun will find power once again, & the Brewers will rely heavily on their bullpen. Josh Hader & Corey Knebel will take care of business, & the Dodgers will leave Kenley Jansen in the bullpen as they cannot rally in Game 7.<br />
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World Series: Boston Red Sox repeat as World Series champions & celebrate at Fenway Park when they win in 5 games<br />
The last repeat World Series champion was the New York Yankees who won three-straight from 1998-2000. These Red Sox are that good. Even with the loss of Craig Kimbrel, they're a World Series favorite. Their rotation & bullpen are deep. They have an excellent mix of veterans & young players. Even their young players like Jackie Bradley Jr., Xander Bogaerts, & Mookie Betts are accustomed to playing on a big stage. The Brewers will put up a valiant effort, but the Boston Red Sox will be too much to handle.<br />
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The Boston Red Sox will repeat as the 2019 World Series champions.Mark Kristlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921988652052603042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485968492923834767.post-59398452096876155222019-01-09T11:58:00.005-08:002019-01-09T15:05:33.892-08:002018 Mark Kristl college football bowl pick 'em contest resultsCongratulations to Coach Dabo Swinney & Clemson Tigers for winning the college football national championship. Furthermore, a job well done to Coach Nick Saban & Alabama Crimson Tide for reaching the college football national championship game. Also, a tip of the cap to Coach Brian Kelly & Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Coach Lincoln Riley & Oklahoma Sooners on making the college football playoffs. While Clemson won the title, those four teams were undoubtedly the best teams in college football this season.<br />
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Thank you to all the participants in the 2018 Mark Kristl college football bowl pick 'em contest. This year saw the highest number of participants. With 32 participants, I paid 1st-3rd place, & last place received their money back. I found the best balance for additional points for the college football playoff games & the national championship game. I thank everyone who participated & sincerely hope you play next year.<br />
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Here are the final standings. Obviously, for those people who are tied with points, the tiebreaker of total points in the national championship game served its purpose. Surprisingly, there were still ties. Two people tied for 5th place. Two people tied for 12th place. Remarkably, five people tied for 14th place. Those tied are noted with 'T'.<br />
1. Carl Ruf 31 points<br />
2. Hagen 27 points<br />
3. Rob Ostrowski 26 points<br />
4. Mark Kristl 25 points<br />
T-5. Chuck Barrett 25 points<br />
T-5. Matt Nommensen 25 points<br />
7. Papa & Stephanie 25 points<br />
8. Papa 25 points<br />
9. Stephanie & Jackson 24 points<br />
10. Dan Anderson 24 points<br />
11. Joseph Wooley 23 points<br />
T-12. David Devlin 23 points<br />
T-12. Matt Anderson 23 points<br />
T-14. Anthony McKee 23 points<br />
T-14. Ceth Christensen 23 points<br />
T-14. Dan Danis 23 points<br />
T-14. Jay 23 points<br />
T-14. Mike Kristl 23 points<br />
19. Ian Chladek 23 points<br />
20. RJ 22 points<br />
21. Jordan Keeley 22 points<br />
22. Amy Nommensen 21 points<br />
23. Jackson 21 points<br />
24. Sr. Mary Jo & Sr. Jean 21 points<br />
25. Papa & Mark 21 points<br />
26. Syron Distor 21 points<br />
27. Adam Jones 21 points<br />
28. Jonesy 20 points<br />
29. Dan Nawrocki 20 points<br />
30. R.A.N. 20 points<br />
31. Christine 19 points<br />
32. Jim McKee 18 pointsMark Kristlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921988652052603042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485968492923834767.post-87899467380927222062019-01-08T11:31:00.000-08:002019-01-18T22:41:04.120-08:00My final college football Top 25 of the 2018 season <div style="text-align: left;">
Congratulations to the Clemson Tigers on winning the college football national championship. I tweeted my weekly college football Top 25 with #wisdomofmark, but here is my final Top 25 from this season. Disagree with me? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. Better yet? Post your own Top 25. </div>
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Final college football Top 25 from the 2018 season.</div>
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1. Clemson</div>
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2. Alabama<br />
<span style="margin: 0px;">3. </span>Notre Dame</div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;">4. </span>Oklahoma</div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;">5. </span>Ohio St.</div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;">6. </span>UCF</div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;">7. </span>Fresno St.</div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;">8. </span>Appalachian St.</div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;">9. </span>Utah St.</div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;">10. </span>Cincinnati</div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;">11. </span>Army</div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;">12. </span>Washington
St.</div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;">13. </span>Georgia</div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;">14. </span>UAB</div>
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1<span style="margin: 0px;">5. </span>Michigan</div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;">16. </span>Florida</div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;">17. </span>Boise
St.</div>
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1<span style="margin: 0px;">8. </span>Kentucky</div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;">19. </span>Syracuse</div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;">20. </span>LSU</div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;">21. </span>Georgia
Southern</div>
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2<span style="margin: 0px;">2. </span>Troy</div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;">23. </span>Washington</div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;">24. </span>Iowa</div>
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25. Penn St.</div>
Mark Kristlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921988652052603042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485968492923834767.post-84933236755169910292018-04-17T15:49:00.002-07:002019-01-18T22:46:16.798-08:00I'm not a change guy<div>
I’m not a change kind of guy. Today at the airport, I needed to empty my pockets. I asked the TSA official if I needed to empty my pocket of change. He asked how much & I responded by showing at least a handful. He told me to put in a bin. When I emptied my pocket, he looked in shock. He asked how long I had been accumulating my change. I answered Thanksgiving & then said when I came home for Thanksgiving, I had about $20 of change in my pocket. He laughed, handed me my bin, & we went our separate ways. Oddly enough, I did not empty my change-filled pocket when I came home for Thanksgiving.</div>
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Living in Philadelphia, I toured the US Mint. Very educational, although seeing the actual minting process was a letdown. One interesting fact is they only produce coins, not dollar bills, there. To explore Philadelphia, I use the Market-Frankford Line, commonly known as the EL. While I use tokens for Mass & other ministry & job-related travels, I use my own money for recreational purposes. Each time costs $2.25, & as the SEPTA officers will so kindly inform you, exact change only. Therefore, I have kept my change on my nightstand, & when I go on adventures into the city, I grab my quarters. The other denominations are left behind. Rarely do I ever use change elsewhere. Sure, it would be helpful. Sure, I would not use those green bills. I’m just not a change guy.</div>
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Unfortunately, today required me to make an exception. While eating at Subway, I needed a refill. I asked for a refill, only to be told it cost 54 cents! I groaned in disgust. I bought their food, am looking for something to quench my thirst when enjoying their food, & they are going to charge me more for that? BS! Sadly, my thirst overcame my displeasure. Luckily, I had change. I handed the cashier the change unhappily, snatched my drink from him, & stormed away. When I was home over Thanksgiving Break, I cashed in my change. Finally putting all the denominations to good use. I used that money for Christmas presents. Yes, I will continue to use quarters in my exploration of Philadelphia & the surrounding area. The change will accumulate on my nightstand though. What can I say? I’m not a change guy</div>
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</span>Mark Kristlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921988652052603042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485968492923834767.post-40185143778402990492018-03-31T22:08:00.002-07:002018-04-17T15:44:55.816-07:00My 2018 MLB PredictionsWith the 2018 baseball season underway, I give you my predictions for this season. Naturally, this cannot predict injuries, trades, or other extenuating circumstances, so keep that in mind. Here we go with Mark Kristl's 2018 MLB predictions.<br />
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AL East<br />
1. New York Yankees<br />
2. Boston Red Sox-wild card<br />
3. Toronto Blue Jays<br />
4. Baltimore Orioles<br />
5. Tampa Bay Rays<br />
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AL Central<br />
1. Cleveland Indians<br />
2. Minnesota Twins-wild card<br />
3. Detroit Tigers<br />
4. Kansas City Royals<br />
5. Chicago White Sox<br />
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AL West<br />
1. Houston Astros<br />
2. Los Angeles Angels<br />
3. Seattle Mariners<br />
4. Texas Rangers<br />
5. Oakland A's<br />
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NL East<br />
1. Washington Nationals<br />
2. New York Mets<br />
3. Philadelphia Phillies<br />
4. Atlanta Braves<br />
5. Miami Marlins<br />
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NL Central<br />
1. Chicago Cubs<br />
2. St. Louis Cardinals-wild card<br />
3. Milwaukee Brewers<br />
4. Cincinnati Reds<br />
5. Pittsburgh Pirates<br />
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NL West<br />
1. Los Angeles Dodgers<br />
2. Colorado Rockies-wild card<br />
3. Arizona Diamondbacks<br />
4. San Francisco Giants<br />
5. San Diego Padres<br />
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AL Wild Card: Boston over Minnesota<br />
NL Wild Card: St. Louis over Colorado<br />
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ALDS: Houston over Boston & New York over Cleveland<br />
NLDS: Los Angeles over St. Louis & Washington over Chicago<br />
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ALCS: Houston over New York<br />
NLCS: Washington over Los Angeles<br />
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World Series: Houston Astros win back-to-back World Series championships by defeating the Washington NationalsMark Kristlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921988652052603042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485968492923834767.post-87616276373238713512018-02-15T11:24:00.001-08:002019-01-09T12:53:21.992-08:00Jeb Burton & #26 BK Racing Team<div>
In <i>The Hunger Games</i> series, there is a repeated line. “May the odds be ever in your favor.” While that line is proclaimed in regards to the tributes that fight to the death within <i>The Hunger Games</i>, it applies to young NASCAR driver Jeb Burton. Whom the odds repeatedly fall in his favor. There are many similarities between Jeb Burton & Parker Kligerman. Of course, having read, “Hang With ‘Em Parker Kligerman, Hang with ‘Em,” you know Kligerman’s story. Allow me then the opportunity to share the similarities between Kligerman & Jeb Burton.</div>
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Both began their careers in the NASCAR Truck Series. Both won a race. Both race Toyotas in the NASCAR Cup Series. Each has driven for a team no longer in business. Both race for one of the lower-tier NASCAR Cup Series teams. Here is the main difference. Burton so far has found himself in a driver’s seat continuously throughout his career.</div>
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In 2013, he drove for Turner Scott Motorsports & finished the season 5th in points with a victory at Texas. Unfortunately, shortly before the 2014 season began, his primary sponsor, Arrowhead Cigarettes, defaulted on its payments & Turner Scott Motorsports folded #4 team due to the lack of sponsorship. Burton landed on his feet. He signed a one-race deal with ThorSport Racing, & his sponsor Estes Express Lines upgraded Burton to a full schedule. He finished the season 8th in points but bad luck again beset him in early 2015. Estes Express Lines announced they were unable to reach a deal & subsequently Burton again was out of a job. Recently, BK Racing added Burton to its driver lineup & he is running for the 2015 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year Award.</div>
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A young talent, stable sponsorship with BK Racing’s relationship with Burger King, Jeb Burton appears to have landed on his feet & be able to stand up straight. Moreover, he can drive without fear of his sponsor costing him his job at the end of the season. It is an opportunity for Burton to grow & become the leader of BK Racing. At the minimum in this economy, it is a job. Go get ‘em Jeb Burton, you deserve this. After all, you have landed on your feet once again. It is a new season; clean track ready for rubber from both teams with consistent lineups & new teams ready to prove their worth. Lastly, teams changed personnel in hopes of a good season. An example? Jeb Burton & #26 BK Racing team</div>
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Mark Kristlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921988652052603042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485968492923834767.post-80888267784853063882018-01-25T19:30:00.001-08:002019-01-18T22:47:20.119-08:00It is my first souvenir in PhiladelphiaDoing a year of service will not make me wealthy monetarily. Frankly, it will not even get me out of my debt. As we began community night this evening, we entered a store full of antique & neat knick-knacks. Older books, Coke bottles, a 1903 geologic map of the United States, & odd items I was told would look great in my room. Looking at the Coke bottles, mason jars, mason jar lids, & other old pop bottles, one caught my attention. A 1953 Presidential Inauguration bottle, with the US Capitol & some text on the front & a list of the presidents up to that time on the back. Based off the label, my deduction is that it contained some sort of alcohol, fine liquors as it is officially stated. Costing only $8. I held onto it, browsing through the other items, nearly making a mess in the process. The realization occurred to me of the notion, for only $8, I can own a new piece of history, at least a conversational peace, & I am in Philadelphia, one of the top historical cities in the world. Therefore, I purchased it. I doubt it is worth much. Certainly not Pawn Stars-worthy. Most than likely there were thousands of bottles. Yet who truly knows? Imagination could tell you the newly elected president & his wife drank from this bottle. Perhaps an underage person drank from it, a juicy story for the tabloids. Regardless, I own it now. It is my first souvenir in Philadelphia.<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Mark Kristlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921988652052603042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5485968492923834767.post-57647452263671370082017-10-06T16:07:00.000-07:002018-03-07T15:35:08.648-08:00My Jewish Baseball All-Star Team<span style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">When
I lived in Philadelphia, I toured a large part of the city.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>One museum I never toured was the
Jewish-American Museum.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In downtown
Philly one time, I saw an advertisement promoting Jewish baseball players.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Interest piqued, I walked in.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I learned most of the exhibit cost far more
money than I wanted to pay, yet on the first floor was some free displays.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I told the woman I would look around the
first floor & if I was still interested, I would pay for the full
exhibit.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Although I fibbed, I enjoyed
the first-floor display.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>One part of
that was an interactive screen where you could choose your Jewish MLB All-Star
Team.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Curious, I chose my team, &
the lineup is displayed below.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The only
player I have never heard of is Louis Brower, although I presume Thelma Eisen
played in the all-girls league highlighted in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A League of Their Own</i>.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As a
baseball fan, I would gladly take this lineup.</span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Leadoff: Hank Greenberg, 1B for Detroit Tigers</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">2<sup>nd</sup>: Ian Kinsler, 2B for Detroit Tigers</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">3<sup>rd</sup>: Kevin Youkilis, 3B for Boston Red Sox</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">4<sup>th</sup>: Brad Ausmus, C for Houston Astros</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">5<sup>th</sup>: Thelma Eisen, OF for Grand Rapids
Chicks</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">6<sup>th</sup>: Sam Fuld, OF for Chicago Cubs</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">7<sup>th</sup>: Shawn Green, OF for Los Angeles
Dodgers</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">8<sup>th</sup>: Sandy Koufax, P for Los Angeles
Dodgers</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">9<sup>th</sup>: Louis Brower, SS for Oklahoma City
Indians</span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span>Mark Kristlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06921988652052603042noreply@blogger.com0