https://www.happyherald.com/articles.sec-8527-1-sports-feature.html When it comes to predicting the fortunes of the local baseball team, you might have better luck using a Ouija board, or consulting the nearest psychic. Such are the vagaries of the game. Miami’s Marlins are a perfect example. ]]> So buckle up, state of Florida hoop fans, as the best part of the season is about to play itself out. A wise man once said sports is considered the best unscripted drama we have going today – and we’re about to see the latest chapter unfold.]]> The tsunami of resignations/firings/retirements in the NFL and college football this past month left those who watch or comment on such matters wondering who was going to take their places, sort of a musical chairs for people and jobs not accustomed to being in that situation. ]]> A new year brings with it the idea of commencement. That is, the finality of one task while simultaneously beginning a new challenge. In South Florida, we look back on 2023 with mostly good memories, but there were also lumps of coal in our collective sports stockings.]]> Now as any good Heat fan understands (or Heatians as they’re known), guessing what will happen with this year’s squad is nearly impossible. For proof, I direct your attention to last year’s NBA preview column, wherein a certain writer predicted doom and gloom, because the local team hadn’t made any perceived changes to be successful.]]> The late Don Meredith used to end his Monday Night Football broadcasts with an homage to Willie Nelson by warbling out his version of “The Party’s Over,” usually signaling the game was no longer in doubt.]]> One of the benefits of writing a pro football preview, after the season starts, is you have the advantage of evaluating a team’s early performance – how its best players are doing, and most importantly – who gets hurt (talking to you, NY Jets fans).]]> Any time you venture into the arena of making predictions, it’s always a tricky proposition. This statement is especially true when you’re evaluating the prospects of college athletes, and the state of college football in the state of Florida. ]]> For years the Marlins toiled in whatever’s beyond obscurity, in no one’s mind except for two magic years when they won World Series titles, despite not even winning their own division. New owner? No difference. New stadium? Nobody cared.]]> The late Don Ohlmeyer, former sports executive for both ABC and NBC Sports, was once famously asked what could solve a particularly tricky problem involving the negotiation of a valued property.]]> Last month some idiot columnist had the gall to write the obituary for your hometown NBA franchise, essentially stating that the inevitable epitaph was based upon a very average year, coupled with a daunting playoff schedule.]]> our hometown Miami Heat are battling the presumptive cofavorites to win the NBA Eastern Conference, the Milwaukee Bucks – a team that swept the Heat two years ago in a similar situation. The Bucks feature arguably the game’s most gifted player in Giannis Antetokounmpo, a 7-foot freakazoid who moves like a shooting guard, with the skills of a power forward.]]> As you scan the calendar, you realize we’re already a quarter of the way through 2023, which means the (former) national pastime is upon us – that’s right, baseball season is here.]]> The reasons why are numerous, and there is plenty of blame to go around: greed, selfishness, shortsighted, or no leadership allowed golf to move completely out of both Broward and Dade counties. How is that possible? Even the Senior PGA tour left, finding greener pastures elsewhere.]]> Perhaps it’s just the start of the New Year, or maybe it’s because this particular event happened on national TV, but for whatever reason, the recent near tragedy in Cincinnati featuring rookie defensive back Damar Hamlin has resonated with people both in and out of the sports world]]> 2023? Already? What happened to 2002 you ask? Well, lots of things and not all of them good. But in the spirit of always looking forward with optimism, instead of looking back in regret, we strive to highlight those achievements, dubious or otherwise, which caught our attention in 2022. ]]> As we grind through the meat of the NFL season, noting the winners (hello local guys and Tua Tagovailoa) and ponder the losers (the Jacksonville Jaguars are on the clock – again) I’ve been fascinated by a non-sports story which dominated the between game headlines.]]> It’s always strange in our state – mostly known for hurricanes and sweltering heat – that when the calendar says it’s Fall, the weather is not likely to cooperate. No sweater weather, no cool evenings, no falling leaves (unless you count the iguanas) to let us know the seasons have changed. But we also avoid crippling snowstorms, iced roads, and long, dreary winters – so it’s a tradeoff.]]> Our national obsession – otherwise known as professional football – kicked off in style, but with unexpected results. Pre-season AFC favorite Buffalo promptly strolled into the home of the defending champion Los Angeles Rams, and delivered a statement routing the home team 31-10.]]> If 2021 were a TV show for the state’s major college football programs (sorry UCF, your move to the Big 12 and last year’s meaningless bowl win over Florida don’t qualify you – yet), it would be a short-lived event. Cancelled. Kaput. As in Finito Benito. Because for the first time since the late ’70s – a period of 43 years – not one of the state‘s Big Three finished in the top 25 final poll.]]>