the mad sports man

 Yep that time of the year where all the nutsy cuckoos dress up and go door to door looking for candy to fill their sugar rush. The adults with no nutsy cuckoos sometimes go to Halloween parties. Time to hide.

 One of those trades that involves "a player to be named later."  In 1962, the New York Mets picked up Harry Chiti from Cleveland for a "player to be named later." After 15 games and hitting .195, Chiti was sent back to Cleveland, being the first major leaguer to be traded for himself.  Since then, Dickie Noles, Brad Gulden and John McDonald have been traded for themselves.

 Yup, 100 more days to the opening ceremony of the 2022 winter Olympics in Beijing.  The medals for these games have been unveiled. Canada earlier unveiled what they will be wearing at the opening and closing ceremonies, and I think during the games. First impressions - I'm not too sure about it. Gonna take some convincing to like them. But that is that for that.

 Halloween is next Sunday, Christmas Eve is in two months, world series starts Tuesday, winter will be here before you know it, as will the snow (inevitable).  I mean, it's a sad reality for some and fun for others.  I'm just stating cold, hard facts.

 The Los Angeles Dodgers are done as the Atlanta Braves win game six 4-2 and the series 4-2. They will face the Houston Astros starting Tuesday. At 88-73, I think this is the worst record of any pennant winning team.  I need to look this up.  Series starts in Houston.

 Houston just put the finishing touches to a 5-0 over Boston to take the ALCS in six games.  Only gave up two hits.  They will get either Atlanta or Los Angeles in the world series.  World Series starts Tuesday.

 It's 21c and the sun is out.  It's October 17.  Getting another shot of Summer here. Seen one or two people wearing shorts.  Take the nice days while you can, not sure they'll last any longer.

 With a 2-1 win, the Dodgers will be heading to Atlanta to face the Braves in the NLCS starting Saturday.  And then there were 4.

 The 1944-45 NHL season had 6 teams and 50 game schedule.  Regular season went from October 28 - March 18. Playoffs went from March 20 to April 22.  Some players started retuning from WWII.  Maurice Richard was the first to score 50 goals in 50 games. Elmer Lach broke the assists record with 54. Richard, Lach and Toe Blake was the first line in five seasons to go 1-2-3 in points.  1939-40 had Milt Schmidt, Bobby Bauer and Woody Dumart.  Toronto signs rookie Frank McCool.  He backstops Toronto to a cup and the Calder trophy for rookie of the year. Semi finals had Toronto beat Montreal 4-2 and Detroit beat Chicago 4-3. Stanley Cup had Toronto beat Detroit 4-3. Detroit nearly pulled off to Toronto, what Toronto did to Detroit in 1942 - a reverse sweep to win. When next season starts, WWII will have ended.

 Atlanta is in the NLDS after beating Milwaukee 5-4 in game four and the series 3-1.  They will face either San Francisco or Los Angeles in the NLCS. That series starts Saturday.

 Boy Houston ripped Chicago 10-1 to win the ALDS in four games. They start the ALCS vs Boston on Friday. Now for some soccer qualification. Germany and Denmark each won their groups and have qualified for the 2022 world Cup. Germany qualified yesterday and Denmark today.  Stay tuned for more.

 Hockey season has arrived. Two games tonight. Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay (Tampa Bay raises their Stanley Cup banner) followed by Seattle at Vegas. Let the season begin.

 Dramatic way to end the series. Red Sox beats Tampa Bay in the bottom of the 9th to win game 4 and to win the ALDS 3 games to one. They will go to either Chicago or Houston to start the ALCS. That starts Friday.

 Felt like fall the past few days.  It has been cooler.  Just been dealing with smoke from a fire east of here.  Regina got the smoke today.  Had it here the other day. My dad had the best line - people are wearing masks alright, but it's for the smoke.  He wasn't wrong. That's how smoky it was Wednesday.

 The Los Angeles Dodgers walks off with a wild card win over the St Louis Cardinals, winning 3-1. Two run homer won it for the Dodgers.  They will face the Giants starting Friday in San Francisco, along with Atlanta vs Milwaukee.

 This had Boston beating the Yankees 6-2 (it just ended). They will travel to Tampa Bay to start their ALDS against the Rays.  Series starts Thursday, as does Chicago vs Houston.

 All but one game is done and the match ups are set.  The AL has the Yankees and Red Sox in the wild card game Tuesday with the winner to face Tampa Bay in the ALDS. Houston plays the White Sox in the other ALDS. The NL has St Louis going to Los Angeles in that wild card with the winner going to San Francisco in the NLDS. Atlanta plays to Milwaukee in the other NLDS.

 Well hello October, what do you have for me? I see you have the NHL season starting on the 12th, MLB postseason starting Tuesday, Thanksgiving on the 11th, plethora of football - both CFL and NFL, and some leafy piles to rake.  Ohhh you're reminding me there's a second women's pre qualification for Olympic hockey and some curling coming.  Aahh yes you're right, there's a last chance qualifier for the Canadian curling trials.  You're telling that's it for now?  I'm sure you'll let me know of more.