I know, I know, roundball season started yesterday. The Warriors opened their title defense with a (probably) predictable win over the Lakers, and the Celtics kicked off their season under an interim head coach (who, by the way, has his own history of toxic behaviour). As much as I’m excited for a new Raptors season, there is an element of ennui that has set in for me knowing that the Warriors won again, and they could (sigh) win again this year.
The League Championship Series kicked off last night as well, the contending teams being a mix of dynasties and not-dynasties. The ALCS is a familiar matchup of two perennial playoff participants. On the National League side, the Dodgers and defending champion Braves were dispatched by the never-champs Padres and 87-win Phillies, respectively, which is a breath of fresh air.
Which brother will win the battle of the Nolas? Will there similarly be a battle of the Matons in the World Series? Will José Altuve — 32.8 AB/HR for his regular season career, 14.7 in the postseason — turn into Kyle Schwarber (14.0 career) once again? Can somebody finally send the Yankees packing? (Buehler?) These are all questions that will be answered in due course and here at Oddball we are excited to find out.
Meaningful October baseball is meaningful even when your own team is not playing, though truth be told, if my team can’t win it all, I don’t want any team to win it all. I’m just not somebody who can root for another team once mine is out of the running. So, good luck to all the teams playing in the LCS, but not too much.
— JY
#mindaugaswhozminskas
Today is October 19, i.e., 10/19, so all today’s questions will have something to do with 10s and 19s, 2010, 2019, the span between 2010 and 2019, and so on. Enjoy! (Or don’t, we’re not your dads!)
Every Norris Trophy winner between the 2010-11 and 2019-20 NHL seasons was born in one of three countries. What are the countries?
In the 2010 and 2019 NBA drafts combined, eight players from the University of Kentucky were taken in the first round. Name six of them.
Seven quarterbacks were drafted with the first overall pick in the NFL entry drafts between 2010 and 2019. How many of them have thrown a pass this season?
Between the 2010 and 2019 seasons, only two pitchers who led their league in strikeouts (one AL, one NL) weren’t born in the United States. Who are they?
Answers from last week’s issue
How many NFL quarterbacks who primarily wear/wore #10 or #12 are in the all-time top ten for career passing yards?
Three quarterbacks in the top ten list for passing yardage wore these numbers: Tom Brady, Eli Manning, and Aaron Rodgers.
The three shortest active NBA players to have averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds per game over the course of a full season are an interesting bunch. One of the three has an MVP but not a championship. One of the three has a championship but not an MVP. Two of the three have won Most Improved Player. Two of the three played college ball together. Only one of the three has made an All-Star team in the last two years. Name all three players.
2017 MVP Russell Westbrook (6’3”) has accomplished this 4x, and the next two shortest players — both MIP winners who are 6’8” — are Kevin Love (7x) and 2021 All-Star Julius Randle.
Who was the last NHL player to lead the league in assists while wearing #10 or #12?
Ron Francis (whose #10 is retired by the Carolina Hurricanes) led the league in assists in both the 1994-95 and 1995-96 seasons while with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The last time the American League triples leader had double-digit three-baggers, three teammates tied for the lead with 10. All three are still active. All three were primarily infielders at the time. Two of the three are still teammates on that same team. The one who isn’t is the only one of the three to make an All-Star team, and is the only one of the three to have played in the 2022 postseason — although his team has been eliminated. Name all three players.
The last time this occurred was in 2019 when infield “batterymates” Adalberto Mondesí, Hunter Dozier, and current Blue Jay Whit Merrifield each hit ten triples for the Kansas City Royals.
#postscript
RIP split-finger specialist Bruce Sutter, and all-woman rap-rock band name inspiration Lucious Jackson.
Many thanks to Mindaugas Kuzminskas for being named his name and to you for being named your name, unless your name is Brett Fav-ruh, who could have easily cut a personal cheque if he was really interested in improving the athletic facilities at his alma mater.
Until next week, be the Ezequiel Carrera you wish to see in the world.
— DJ/JY