NIAGARA FALLS, NY – Happy Memorial Day. Let’s be real for a second before we get to sports. Today’s about way more than overpriced hot dogs and backyard BBQs. Those burgers we’re grilling? They cost more than money can buy. They were paid for in blood and sacrifice. So yeah, enjoy the day, but take a minute to remember why we get to have it. Now, onto the games that help us forget the heavy stuff sometimes. With that, let’s dive into the Knicks, Mets, and Bob Gibson.
Knicks
Okay, so I might need to retire my lucky Knick’s jacket. It’s become this weird, reverse-jinx thing. They win until I wear it. I know that’s not how sports actually work, but try telling that to my superstitions. This Pacers series has been pure madness: Game 1 was an absolute gut-punch. Up 20 with two and a half minutes left at home? Then somehow we lost. That’s the kind of loss that lingers.
But then last night? Down 20 in the second quarter and it looked over. Except these Knicks don’t know when to quit. They clawed back possession by possession, then absolutely suffocated Indiana in the fourth. That’s the kind of win that makes you believe again.
Now it’s 2-1 Pacers, but here’s the thing – we’ve already seen this team win on the road in the playoffs. Twice in Boston. So can they do it in Indiana? Absolutely. Do I want to test whether they can come back from 3-1? Hell no. Let’s just even this thing up next game.
Mets
Here’s the Mets in a nutshell: They’re tied for the second-best record in the National League… and also second in their own division behind the Phillies. That’s so “Mets,” it hurts.
They’re good enough to take 2 of 3 from the Dodgers, (which felt extra sweet after last year’s NLCS). They’re good enough to hang with anyone. Yet, they still haven’t put together one of those signature, long-winning streaks that great teams have.
The difference between good and great is going to come down to the big guys. Soto needs to be the Soto we paid for. Pete Alonso needs to be big re-sign contract Pete every day. Lindor needs to be the MVP candidate we know he can be. When those three are clicking together? Watch out. When they’re not? Well… that’s when we get the roller-coaster.
Bob Gibson
So this crazy stat popped up on my feed: In June and July of 1968, Bob Gibson went 12-0 with 12 complete games. Let that sink in. 12 starts. 12 complete games. 8 shutouts. And he gave up 6 total runs. Six. In two months.
Now here’s the kicker – they literally changed the rules because of him. They lowered the mound from 15 inches to 10 inches after that season. They basically said “we need to give hitters a chance against this guy.”
Which makes you wonder – could Gibson dominate today? His fastball was like 89 mph, which would be a change-up now. But the man had insane control. Like Greg Maddux-level precision. I think he’d adjust. Give me Gibson in this era and he’s still winning 18-21 games a year, just working a little differently. Dominance is dominance, no matter the era.
In Closing…
Sports give us all these wild emotions – the agony of blown leads, the thrill of comebacks, the wonder of historic performances. But today especially, let’s not forget the real heroes. Then we can get back to arguing about whether my jacket is cursed and if the Mets will ever put it all together. Some things never change.
Comment below and come back tomorrow for more sport takes you could have died happy never knowing, with Ben Whitney.
