A weekly airing of national and local politics, sports, lifestyles and historical notes from a very politically incorrect viewpoint, Tampa Bay Rants and Raves has been published since 2014. As always, beware - some of what is printed here should not be taken literally.

First thing on our mind: (Borrowed from the pretty close to world famous 5:05 Newsletter)

Why does life keep teaching me lessons I have no desire to learn?

Leading off: Ever heard of Brock Ballou?

Most people hadn’t heard of this guy until last weekend. No doubt, frustrated by the 2026 advent of the ABS (Automatic Ball Strike) System, Ballou grabbed one of his last chances to influence the outcome of a major league game, first by declaring a batter out for interference while he stood still in the batter’s box, as a catcher flubbed a pop fly 15 feet away. To add insult to injury, he ejected the player when he objected to the brazen miscall. The guy he ejected was a real trouble maker, having played in over 1200 games without a single ejection. Rubbing more salt, this clown called a clock violation on a hitter two innings later resulting in a strikeout while the hitter was in the batter’s box and the pitcher not even on the rubber. Try to win with 25 outs! The good news is that next year, much of the power of rogue umpires like Ballou, Angel Hernandez, Phil Cuzzi and others will diminish greatly with the onset of the ABS system – the biggest improvement to the game in the last century.

Tampa Bay, politics and notes:

In light of last week’s government shutdown, we ask: if a significant minority of government functions were shut down permanently, would anyone ever notice?

Remember the 50s, 60s and 70s when Pinellas County couldn’t build schools fast enough? Now, they’re rushing necessary plans to close or consolidate schools beginning next year.

With Florida’s new open carry law, do you feel safer? Just asking.

Another prominent southern-based name is going away with Synovus Bank merging with Pinnacle Financial and assuming the Pinnacle name. The company does remain in the South moving from Columbus, GA to the Pinnacle headquarters in Nashville.

Proving that only so many people will only pay so much for overpriced coffee for only so long, Starbucks is planning to shutter close to 400 stores.

Happy 180^th birthday to the Naval Academy founded on this week in 1845.

Simple fact of life: “If you keep good food in your fridge, you will eat good food.”

Ten years ago this week in TBRR (10/4/15) we noted the passing of Jack Larson, Jimmy Olsen of Superman fame, leaving only the two Lois Lanes (Phyllis Coates and Noel Neill) as surviving cast members. Sadly, Ms. Coates passed away two years ago this week (10/11/23), the last of the cast members.

Sports, media and other notes:

This slipped by us last week: the 75^th anniversary of the enduring Peanuts comic strip.

Ad blast from the past: Things go better with Coke as sung by the Limelighters.

The latest Athletic 136 has Miami dropping one spot to 3; FSU only drops four spots to 8 despite their upset loss; USF steady at 25; the Gators drop one to 55; UCF’s loss to Kansas State drops them 12 notches to 78. The state’s bottom feeders remain relatively steady at 119 (FIU) and 122 (FAU). It’s still Ohio State at the top and UMass at 136.

Former Dunedin resident, Mike White, has his contract as head basketball coach at Georgia extended through 2031.

Three incredible single season baseball feats: Joe DiMaggio hits in 56 straight (1941): Yogi Berra strikes out 12 times in 656 plate appearances (1950) and Greg Maddux walks 14 of the 893 batters he faces (1997).

Several observers are predicting that one of the playoff teams could move away from their manager in the offseason. One person it won’t be is Terry Francona, whose team was the first eliminated, but what a job he did to get them there.

Wow! Glad to hear that Bad Bunny will provide the halftime entertainment at the next Super Bowl.

Related, actually thought Bad Bunny was an ice cream company. Turns out that is Blue Bunny.

Seen on a t-shirt - My doctor asked if anyone in my family suffers from mental illness. I said “No, we all seem to enjoy it.”

One last thing: Scandal here, scandal there…

The LA Clippers, the Cleveland baseball team, the Detroit Red Wings and Tigers. All are embroiled in one scandal or another. The Clippers allegedly consorted with a now bankrupt company (their arena sponsor) to circumvent the NBA’s salary cap. If proven true, the penalties will be very stiff. In Detroit, staffers of both the Red Wings and Tigers are accused of inappropriate relationships with female employees contrary to company policy. Seven people have resigned including the assistant GM of the Tigers. The Tigers and Red Wings are owned by the same company. And in Cleveland, the investigation continues into two pitchers who have been on administrative leave for over a month in conjunction with suspicious betting activity in games in which they appeared. Pro sports doesn’t need these sorts of distractions and all three should result in severe consequences. More next week.

NEXT WEEK: Baseball movies; Songs you’ve never heard

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