Tracy Greer

Go! Fight! Swim!

I get such a kick out of watching Pavia. And even though he went to HS in Rio Rancho, it is clear his family is bringing the South Valley to Nashville. I appreciate that he’s making New Mexico (and NMSU) more than a college football punchline.

And I appreciate Chuck for getting the story right.

Culpepper’s piece captures those sentiments. And I love that he quoted NMMI’s longtime SID, who has no doubt fielded media requests in the last three years that are more misguided than that “weather balloon” was.

My dad grew up on that side of the state, back when Class D baseball was a thing and the Wool Bowl was built (as the tallest structure in a several-county radius). I heard stories of local pride that Cowboys star Roger Staubach played for NMMI before winning a Heisman at Navy.

I say this as a former high school soccer player who rode the cheese wagon all across New Mexico. Cruces to Roswell and back on a random Tuesday for a midseason game? Everyone bring your homework so you can finish it on the bus before the sun goes down.

By keying in on an element of small-school/rural-area life that most overlook — impossibly long bus rides — Chuck draws a vivid picture of how hard it is and the type of person you have to be to endure that for your dream. And how that sharply contrasts with life in the SEC.

It’s the difference in relying on tropes like “hurr durr, Billy the Kid” and this line from Culpepper:

Sometimes on the road, Kyser said, players would go into convenience stores, “and you would think those convenience stores were like going into a mall.”

(Didn’t mention Allsups, but we all know)

As Chuck and I have discussed, he has family in New Mexico (his aunt was my elementary music teacher!) and he has spent time there.

You can always tell when a writer understands the area beyond a brief parachute appearance. It adds so much value to a story.

Let’s talk about why this piece on Diego Pavia and what it means to play sports in New Mexico by the incomparable @chuckculpepper.bsky.social is so awesome. ⬇️

I know this is the least of your concerns today, but concussion/head injury can take a few days to manifest symptoms in adults. If you haven’t been evaluated since the day of your injuries you might go get checked out.

If you're in Chicago, the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture has a new exhibit on baseball! Called Pleibol!, it's a traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian. Free to visit!

nmprac.org/exhibitions/...

I feel like the fact I know a half-dozen women I thought “oh she needs to read this” means I’m doing something right with my life. ⚾️🧹🐈‍⬛🎵

Paging @taylorklong.bsky.social this is relevant to your interests

Well I had no plans to listen to the new album (you know the one) but apparently she samples my favorite Pixies song so …

Game 1 of the NLDS between Cubs-Brewers is Saturday at 1:08 p.m. in Milwaukee on TBS.

Game 2 is Monday at 8:08 p.m.

OK but how can I visit you at work? Because a snack floor of a skyscraper sounds amazing.

A couple Cubs win-or-go-home stats before Game 3 against the Padres:

*Cubs are 0-3 at Wrigley in postseason winner-takes-all games
*They are 4-4 overall in such games with their last win coming in 2017 NLDS at Washington
*Cubs’ 46-24 record after loss this year is best in MLB, incl 23-6 at Wrigley

Something so interesting/engaging that if the barn were to catch fire, nobody would notice.

Glad you could be there for that!

Seeing his debut is definitely going to be a personal baseball highlight for me.

OK, one day we have to get together for a Lenny Briscoe Appreciation Club Soda 😆

“Fully krausened mosh pit” is a phrase that could only be written by @pwsullivan.bsky.social. My PhD in English barely prepares me to fully analyze the complexities of its old style sportswriting perfection. @pulhitzherprize.bsky.social

Best line of the day. So perfect.

This piece contains the incredible line: “(Kelly) smoked another home run to left, giving the Cubs the lead and turning Wrigley into a fully krausened mosh pit.”

@pwsullivan.bsky.social out here teaching us new words.

Also I’m guessing the ample fabric he needs for his, uh, seat creates a lot of extra at the ankle.

Is Garrett Crochet doing the tight cuffing on his pants? That is a patented 1990 middle school girl move. Impressed.

Someone put some pants on that bear.

bsky.app/profile/buck...

Postseason bunting hangs on a wooden porch railing on the north side of Chicago.

Happy postseason! The bunting is in place, and @pulhitzherprize.bsky.social and I are ready for October.