Well here we are!!..It's trade deadline day in MLB..The deadline occurs at 6pm EST this evening..Now personally for yours truly, this used to be a huge deal..Even if my beloved Red Sox weren't in contention, this was always one of the most exciting days of the year in sports..I don't know what it is, but it seems like it's lost it's luster lately but maybe that's just me...One of the biggest deals in my lifetime and one of the great thefts of all time occurred in 1997 when the Red Sox acquired minor leaguers Derek Lowe and Jason Varitek from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for reliever Heathcliff Slocumb...It was a brilliant move by Dan Duquette, the controversial Sox GM at the time..As far as how some recent big time MLB deals went down and who might get dealt today here's a great preview..
Meanwhile, how about this little nugget..As we enter the final two months of the season, it’s worth asking the question: what does it mean to be in first place entering August? In the wild card era (since 1995 and excluding 2020), 70% of teams in first place on the morning of Aug. 1 went on to win their division. And 82% of first-place teams entering August went on to make the playoffs, a number that figures to grow with an additional playoff spot per league this year...All of these things will be discussed today on the Shemon and Sheppard Show
The current MLB playoff picture looks like this..There are eight teams in the NL fighting for six spots. The Cardinals currently trail the Phillies by a game for the final NL Wild Card spot while the Giants are four back of Philadelphia..Over in the AL, things are more wide open. There are 10 teams that are either in playoff position or within 3.5 games of a Wild Card spot.
In the words of Howie Mandel..."Deal or No Deal!!"..Lets go!!
Gallery: The Shemon & Sheppard Top Golf Tournament
On Sunday July 31st we met up at Top Golf to hold the very first ESPN SWFL Shemon & Sheppard Top Golf Tournament. For some of us, this was our first visit to the new Top Golf facility here in Fort Myers. I gotta say - very impressed. And golfing from the 2nd story bays adds another level of difficulty as you have to accommodate for the height as well as distance. It definitely takes some getting used to. Also kudos to Pete for coming to a 'work event' while he was on vacation. A true team player.
