Now that we have the ESPN channels back after the dispute between them and Disney, my life is better for it. But the Red Sox games have filled in during the hiatus (my wife won’t miss a game – even though they won’t make the playoffs).

ESPN covers a lot of college football which I enjoy watching a little bit more than the NFL. Maybe it is because the NFL has become too commercialized and the Patriots aren’t the Patriots of old. Plus, watching Mac Jones isn’t like watching Tom Brady and company. The college game seems a little faster and I like the conference battles, too.

My wife asked me who I think will make the World Series. My picks are Houston and Atlanta. I would love to see Baltimore in place of Houston but I think when it comes playoff time, their dream season will fall short due to their lack of post-season experience. I definitely don’t want the Dodgers to make another Series appearance. Sorry Mookie!

For the past 20-plus years, I have timed the Seahawks’ field hockey games. I got involved when our daughter, Sara, played and have continued. Now our granddaughter, Ella, a BRHS sophomore, plays the sport. I know that many people don’t understand the game (specifically the officials’ calls) so they don’t watch it, but I think the continued action, like basketball, is what drew me in to staying with the sport. The rules have changed since our daughter played with fewer stops in the action. The first two games this season have been a lot of fun to watch – even though the Seahawks lost both. Take in a game (next home game is Sept. 22 at 4 p.m. at Perkins Field, BRHS). You might get hooked too!

Back to the Red Sox: The 2024 season will hopefully turn out better than this year with a revamped pitching staff and new leadership in the offices and the field.