Thank God it's Friday - Dusty Baker gets his ring ... and it's 1992 all over again.
It’s been one helluva week. Dusty Baker (he’s still a favourite son of the channel) gets to wear his managerial ring — finally. Congratulations, the Houston Astros, a second World Series, and possibly closure on their stealing signs scandal. Dusty, dear Dusty, after 2,144 wins, you got the ONE that mattered. Congratulations to you both.
SpeakingNick is a reader-supported venture. Free and paid versions are available. The best way to support me is by taking out a paid subscription.
And, to cricket — The ICC T20 World Cup. It seems the IPL and India are finished as we knew them; hysteria rains down after England lowered their collective masts in a lob-sided semi-final. Jos Buttler and Alex Hales combined brilliantly to chase down the 167 needed for victory. Yes, not a wicket lost, and in just 16 overs.
So pleasing to see Jos Buttler lead his side to victory in such an important game. His quiet, unassuming captaincy has been a revelation, and now just Pakistan stands between him and the ultimate reward.
Ironically, Neil Fairbrother manages Buttler, and Fairbrother was a member of the 1992 England World cup team that lost to Pakistan in the final — at the MCG. Both, Fairbrother and Buttler, will be hoping for a different result Sunday.
And, to golf — yes, that’s right, golf. It is Friday, after all, and license to go wherever I like.
Golf feels lost in the woods, what a mess; it really is hard to watch; my interest has waned to a place of non-attendance. I’m almost thinking of handing over the remote on the weekend — not that there’s anyone to take over! Thanks — Phil.
But there is hope, my consumption has moved for the better. Welcome — No Laying Up — a bunch of normal golfers doing an idiosyncratic job of delivering content to their burgeoning army of followers. Their latest offering chronicles a recent Scandinavian golf trip — it really is a must-watch. Give them a try.
Enjoyed the read? If you feel like it, I’d love if you’d share this post with your friends! Or, if you received it from a friend, please forward on to another.
So, back to Dusty — I still think I’m writing about a Country & Western artist — Dusty Baker wins it ALL, how good!
It’s just plain easy to write one sentence, yes? I could just leave it there, and wish you all a happy ‘Thank God it’s Friday’
Write one sentence and then another and yet another – soon we have story, a book, a movie. I hope someone decides to make a movie — “The Dusty Baker Street”
A few sentences it will be.
Inevitably Baker knew his time had come. It was captured in mind and words by his bench coach, Joe Espada, who said, “It was as if he knew the time had finally come — as if, perhaps, he had known it all along. Because as the final outs of the Astros’ 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6 of the World Series ticked away, Baker was quiet.
At 73 years of age, there are bound to be people in your life, friends and family, who have passed. Baker was acutely aware of this as he wished for help from an old fireballer, J.R. Richard, in the ninth inning. Ryan Pressly was on the mound, and Baker asked for pitching help from his old friend. Richard delivered.
Baker was quiet because he knew this was it — he would be the oldest manager to win a World Series.
One fan down the right field line held a sign that read “a date with Dust-iny,” and perhaps, that was exactly what it was.
I have read that baseball does not reward perfection, it rewards resilience. Apparently, it unearths the truth. And, it seems the truth about Baker is that few people in the game are as universally respected. I have a thing for Dusty Baker — so be it.
Final words, for now, from the man himself:
“It’s not relief,” Baker said. “It’s just sheer joy and thankfulness.”
Jos Buttler had an enviable job replacing Eoin Morgan as England’s white-ball captain. Morgan’s tenure ended abruptly, nothing sinister, just before time. Many thought it would take time to fill his shoes, and I saw Buttler as a hesitant leader.
Buttler has confounded many doubters, myself included.
His predecessor described England’s semi-final performance as, “mind-blowingly good.”
Buttler’s contribution (80* from 49 balls) was bookended with absolute class. Three boundaries in the first over set the tone for the innings, and then to finish with a perfectly struck straight six capped a perfect night for him, Alex Hales and the England team.
Let’s hope for the English readers that it is destiny for Buttler and England.
An added bonus for UK based readers is the final will be shown live on free-to-air TV on Sunday after Sky agreed to share rights to the game with Channel 4. Oh, the days of watching Channel 4!
Buttler said, “It’s fantastic for the game in our country.” “As many eyes as we can get on that final would be great. It’s brilliant. It’s important that we always look to grow our game and showcase cricket, to the next generation especially. We really welcome that.”
I’ll go out on a limb and say there’s a job at 10 Downing Street when Buttler is done with cricket — not that he would want it.
All eyes on the Melbourne weather now! As always, thank you for being here.
