Alan Greenwood

Floating down a lonesome stream of consciousness, curious as to the reasoning for the absence of an “X” next to Derek Jeter on one Hall of Fame voter’s ballot …

While the football filler officially known as the Pro Bowl will never be more than that, at least the NFL has loosened up a bit in trying to make it entertaining. The facade that it is real football has given way to more trick plays and linemen serving as receivers, making the complete lack of tackling and intensity bearable …

The brawl that ended the Kansas-Kansas State game Tuesday night should be required viewing for any young players who are inclined to pose triumphantly in the opposition’s collective face. Kansas coach Bill Self indefinitely suspended Silvio De Sousa, the player whose mindless taunt near the end of a 21-point win sparked the melee. Having lit the fire, De Sousa fanned the flames by picking up a stool and looking poised to wield it before having it taken away …

Occasionally there really is a big-league ballplayer who commands heartfelt empathy. Certainly Dustin Pedroia is one of them, unless there is someone out there whose life has been without the crushing disappontment he must be feeling with his career now clearly at its end …

The Facebook page “Nashua NH – Past, Present and Future” should be a regular stop for anyone who loves the city and its history. Be sure to check out the group photo taken in front of Holman Stadium’s original scoreboard and the shrubs at its base. Classic …

With apparently no critical city business to occupy a few moments of their time, members of the Los Angeles City Council voted to petition Major League Baseball for the purpose of vacating the championships won by the 2017 Astros and 2018 Red Sox. Politicians shamelessly pandering to their constitutents – shocking …

Curt Schilling’s vote total on the Hall of Fame ballot rose to 70 percent this year, putting him on track to reach the 75 percent needed for election in 2021. It has always seemed odd that some voters will not vote for someone one year and change their minds the next. If someone’s a Hall of Famer, he’s a Hall of Famer.

As for the one voter who did not give Jeter a thumb’s up, that is simply baffling. But having submitted one of the 93 ballots that did not include a vote for Larry Walker, I respect all voters’ right to maintain personal standards for what constitutes a Hall of Famer.

Alan Greenwood can be reached at 594-1248, agreenwood @nashuatelegraph.com or @Telegraph_ AlanG.

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