Tom King

Here are a few tids and bits to munch on besides all the Halloween candy this weekend and early next week:

– We’re in the midst of the 2022 World Series, but MLB’s post season has definitely had a Futures Collegiate Baseball League ring to it, no? Believe it or not, the ALCS MVP, Astros rookie shortstop Jeremy Pena, is an FCBL Alum. Pena played 28 games with the Torrington Titans, and yes, he played a game at Holman Stadium – going 1 for 4 on July 14. How about that?

As a UMaine freshman, Pena had five extra base hits, nine RBI, 13 runs scored and four stolen bases for the Titans, who no longer exist.

Also, former Northeastern pitcher Aaron Civale, who started but lost Game 5 of the ALDS for the Cleveland Guardians at Yankee Stadium, is a former FCBL All-Star from 2014, when he pitched for the Worcester Bravehearts and posted a 1.52 ERA. He just didn’t have that touch in the decisive Game 5.

– This weekend a year ago brings back memories of an epic Friday night off Exit 5W. Rivier University made history at Conway Arena, with the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams playing their first games ever, and the men ended the night with a huge win over Southern New Hampshire University.

And just down the street, at Stellos Stadium, both the Nashua North and South boys soccer teams got close quarterfinal wins to set up what proved to be an epic semifinal three nights later.

North wasn’t expected to have a home quarterfinal but upset Manchester Memorial and then beat Portsmouth 2-1 with a late goal in regulation.

Nashua South, meanwhile, had all it could handle with Exeter before winning in OT in a game that had incredible moment after incredible moment.

Huge night in local sports, one year ago.

– Back to the World Series. While the Phillies are a feel good story, the regular season is being rendered more meaningless than ever by the expanded playoffs and addition of Wild Card teams.

Those of us who qualify for senior status remember when you had to win your division to get in, and there were just four. Those of us who qualify for elderly benefits remember when you had to win your league standings, no divisions, and the Series was the only postseason matchup.

Here’s why we bring this up:

The Padres finished 22 games behind the Dodgers. Not two, not 12, but TWENTY-TWO.

Yet they were able to play L.A.in a best-of-five divisional series and won. 

Philly finshed 14 games behind the Atlanta Braves, yet were able to play them in a best of five and won.

It’s not right. Now the two worst Wild Card teams in each league get no home games in that first best-of-three round.

We say extend it to the divisional round. But that won’t happen, because the owners of those teams want revenue.

But baseball is making the 162-game season almost irrelevant for many of the teams who succeed during it.

– If you wanted a game that lived up to the hype, it was last Friday’s incredible Nashua North 35-28 win over Bishop Guertin to sew up the West Conference title. North down 28-21 after BG scored with 2:01 to play.

Not many high school teams can come back and tie a game with that little time left, let alone win it. 

– Right now, it seems as though the Patriots are swimming in mediocrity. Their offense is brutal no matter who the quarterback is; Jakobi Meyers remains the only real clutch receiver, although there’s hope for DeVante Parker and Hunter Henry.

But Monday night’s handling of the quarterback position was ridiculous, and Bill Belichick will eventually have to stop the nonsense and name a starter. Everybody loves Bailey Zappe but Mac Jones is the long-term (meaning beyond this season) answer. 

– Rest in peace, Gerry Prunier. We’ll miss seeing him at Bishop Guertin girls basketball games and other local events. Heck, when yours truly was headed to one of the Patriot Super Bowls a few years ago, Prunier was with a friend flying out early to another destination out of Manchester Airport. We had a nice chuckle after seeing each other at a BG game a few days earlier.

Sincere condolences to Rob and the rest of the Prunier family.

Tom King can be reached at tking@nashuatelegraph.com, or on twitter @Telegraph _TomK.