Established in 2014 and published every Sunday, Tampa Bay Rants and Raves is a weekly airing of local and national news, sports and historical notes from a politically incorrect viewpoint.

First thing on our mind:

Never in our rather lengthy life have we been more worried about America’s future.

Leading off: The Times and Kamala

For the first time in virtually forever, our local bi-weekly has not endorsed a Presidential candidate. It is important to point out here the Times has never endorsed a Republican for President (or Governor for that matter). This means our local paper found people like Ike, Ronald Reagan and both Bushes wanting, but found redeeming qualities in people like Kerry, Dukakis and McGovern, not to mention 2018 gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum who was later indicted on 21 felony counts. This year, the Times blamed “limited Editorial Board resources,” although they managed to weigh in or “help” the voter in nearly three dozen contests, as always leaning heavily left. They claim they made the decision before the primaries. So would we, given the choice of the train wreck that was Joe Biden, and later, the uniquely unqualified Kamala Harris.

Tampa Bay, politics and notes:

Related thought: Wouldn’t it be refreshing if the Times at least took a stab at the truth once in awhile?

We tip our cap to Clearwater’s Queen Fleet. The deep sea fishing operation is offering free trips to linemen and first responders as thanks for their efforts during Helene and Milton. See their Facebook page for details.

Lucky you; you own both a chain saw and a pickup truck. You also now have more friends than you ever knew you had.

One silver lining, your power bill is down this month – as it should be after nearly a week of no service.

The top Halloween costume last week – large size garbage bags.

From the 5:05 Newsletter: If I were Mother Nature right now I would be looking to hire a very good public relations firm.

You’ve got to give Jill Stein credit. Every four years this century’s version of Harold Stassen and her Green Party show up on the presidential ballot.

Seen on a T-shirt: “THINK While It’s Still Legal.”

This week in 1968 (Nov. 4): WTOG-TV Channel 44 signed on with a limited amount of programming which it expanded in early 1969. Originally a sister station to Cypress Garden’s WGTO Radio, WTOG has been primarily an independent station through the years, although it did have brief alliances with Fox and UPN.

Sports, media and other notes:

So Tampa will be the site of the 2027 version of “the world’s largest outdoor cocktail party.” Should be fun.

Football question: could this be the year when the head coaches at Florida’s two biggest football schools both get a pink slip? And then there’s Gus Malzahn at UCF.

Date to remember: 1938, that’s the last time #11 ranked Iowa State entered November undefeated.

Last look at the Athletic 134 for this year. After this, it’s the playoff scorecard. Miami hangs in at #4. As often happens, an idle team drops down a few points like UF (48) and USF (102) but the schedule is soft the rest of the way for the Bulls; others – UCF (67); the one win Noles (99) and FAU and FIU finally separate, not sure why, at 110 and 113 respectively.

Joey Jay, a multiple 20-game winner for the Reds, passed away last week at age 89. Joey was the first ever Little Leaguer to play major league ball.

World Series note: Nothing says America’s Pastime like some rapper on the field just before the first pitch. Remember the quaint openings to games of the past when the crowd stood up and sang The National Anthem followed by “Play Ball?” And reluctant congrats to the Dodgers.

The champagne hadn’t even dried on the Dodgers’ uniforms before they were named the favorites to win the 2025 World Series. The top three are pretty much chalk with the Yanks and Braves tied for the #2 choice. And a dollar will win you $500 with a bet on the Marlins, Rockies or White Sox.

Idle thought: You have to wonder how long it will be before there are pari-mutuel windows at all our ballparks and stadiums.

Beg pardon, but after nearly ¾ of a century it’s now the Neiman Marcus “Holiday” catalog rather than Christmas Catalog.

The political ads/lies will be gone this week, the thousands of Medicare ads in a month, but there still will be the ever-present pillow guy.

One last thing: With thanks to….

Earlier this year, we mentioned a late friend who spent every presidential election buried in a re-read of War and Peace. We decided to mostly avoid the tube and channel his idea (sans War and Peace). We wish to thank the movie makers for Oppenheimer, The Founder, Prime Network and their complete archives of Newhart plus their series on American Presidents. We also salute the delightful new show, Matlock. And thanks to the authors of Braves, the Franchise; George (Steinbrenner); Barn Finds; McMillion$; The Last Atlantic Liners; Hillbilly Elegy and a down to the wire baseball season.

NEXT UP: Donations and taxes; Vets; WALT

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