In one year Emma Raducanu rose in the rankings from # 338 to # 22

Emma Raducanu during a 2018 Wimbledon qualifying match - (si.robi photo)

Believe it or not this NFL season marks the fifth year that Colin Kaepernick has been banned from the league   No… that's not a moose… it's our brother man former New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton - (Screen shot)   The Los Angeles Angels double threat hitter and pitcher Shohei Ohtani wants to win and that could be trouble for the losing Angels - (MLB photo)   At this point at 37 Carmelo Anthony is the oldest player of the 10 over 30 players on the Los Angels Lakers current squad - (NBA photo)

Los Angeles Lakers Magic Johnson and Boston Celtics Larry Bird in Game two of the 1985 NBA Finals at Boston Garden Date 30 May 1985 - Steve Lipofsky www.Basketballphoto.com ALL TIME NBA 1st TEAM - BREAKING IT DOWN MAGIC JOHNSON & PHAL SAMPHORS

SPORTS NOTES - EMMA RADUCANU Septembers Best in Sport - SPORTS MISFITS

James Loving/National Radio Text Service

In one year Emma Raducanu rose in the Tennis Rankings from # 338 to # 22 - The Los Angeles Angels double threat hitter and pitcher Shohei Ohtani wants to win and that could be trouble for the losing Angels future - At this point at 37 Carmelo Anthony is the oldest player of the 10 over 30 players on the Los Angels Lakers current squad - Soul brother and former New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton has the reasons why he was released by the New England Patriots - Believe it or not this NFL season marks the fifth year that Colin Kaepernick has been banned from the league - NBA's ALL TIME BEST PLAYERS 1st and 2nd TEAMS

Thursday September 30, 2021

TENNIS

It's not that she intended to be but in reality she is a representative of people of color not only being talented, but charming, gracious, intelligent and displaying an exuberant humble personality and a SUPER SMILE.

We're talking about the US Open tournament winner 18-year-old Emma Raducanu. She won the title by beating Canadian teenager Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-3 in the final. She is the first woman to win the US Open title without dropping a set since Serena Williams in 2014.

She is also is the youngest female Grand Slam champion since Maria Sharapova was 17 at Wimbledon in 2004. In July, Raducanu was ranked outside the top 300 and an unknown and she rose to # 23 after earning $2.5 million from her Open win.

Her rise in the ranking was somewhat swift after strong performances being the enabler. Prior to her debut performance at Wimbledon 2021, her career-high WTA singles ranking was No. 338, achieved on 28 June 2021.

A wildcard entry to the 2021 Wimbledon Championships, her Grand Slam debut, saw her advance to the fourth round and lifted her ranking to No. 179. On 23 August 2021, she surpassed this by reaching the final of the 125k Oracle Challenger Tournament in Chicago. She lost in three sets to Clara Tauson, but achieved a career high singles ranking of No. 150.

Since we're not a tennis enthusiast but experience reporting on it occasionally, Raducanu caught our attention early on in the tournament with her sweet, humble and articulate interviews with the media.

Not only is she a beautiful young lady it was her intelligence that most significant as well as her play. That interest resulted in our searching for who is this young lady. What stood out was her racial background and upbringing.

The teenager was quick to point out that her father was hard to please and strict. Finishing school was the priority over participating in tennis tournaments. He also was particular by who and how she was being taught the game.

His preference was for a different coach to stress a different shot in her game. Raducanu was born in Toronto to a Chinese mother and Romanian father; the family moved to England when Emma was 2. She represents Great Britain in tournaments but also represents people of color. She speaks fluent Chinese and visits her mother's country often.

Raducanu is a good choice for being a role model. It's her example of grace, hard work, talent and humility that can change the world.

SPORTS MISFITS?

NFL

Hey… Marvin Gaye sang it now I'm saying it… WHAT'S GOIN ON? Believe it or not this NFL season marks the fifth year that Colin Kaepernick has been banned from the league. His crime at the time was taking a knee to draw the attention of the injustice of people of color. The numerous murders by police of people of color was going to the extreme and Kaepernick was making a point of it with his knee kneeling during the playing of America's national anthem prior to the game kick off.

Since that time the George Floyd murder by a policeman kneeling on his neck until he couldn't breathe and eventually died was the ultimate example just how bold police can be in murdering a black person with a crowd standing around begging him to stop choking a man to death. The fact that he was doing it before hone cameras were rolling made no difference. The reason why is in the past nary a policeman was being held responsible for murdering a nigger.

As a firestorm of protest bellowed around the world following the incident much of the noise came from those that opposed Kaepernick and accusing him of disrespecting America's flag. The US president Donald Trump was outspoken in making the accusation regarding flag disrespect and that was the rallying cry for others to join in.

The MIGHTY WHITEY belief was to ignore the niggers protest and the significance would go away. Sadly their belief was correct as there are hardly any American athletes continuing to kneel in protest. That's the bad news, the good news that is men and women footballers (soccer) in Great Britain and Europe continue to kneel in protest with their focus simply on racism.

With that being the case Kaepernick's example was not in vain as his efforts have brought about an issue that has long been ignored. It also brings into focus how racist and controlling sports owner can be to stamp out what they consider to be a distraction.

But hey, hey what-ta-ya say hit that ball the other way. What we are referring to is the NFL's New England Patriots releasing one time wonder boy Cam Newton from their squad. The franchise decided to go with their #1 draft pick Mac Jones. Newton claims that he never saw his dismissal coming BUT… after the fact… he reasoned why.

Newton claims that the team cut him because they thought he would be a distraction to the team. Newton realized that in preseason he was getting fewer reps than the rookie. "

The reason why they released me is because, indirectly, I was going to be a distraction, without being a starter. Just my aura. That's my gift and my curse. When you bring Cam Newton into your facility [and] your franchise, people are interested by mere fact of 'Who is he? Why does he wear his hair? Why does he talk? Why does he act? Why does he perform?' All these questions."

Newton noted that he would be a distraction being on the bench and in the locker room. He stressed that he was and always will be Cam Newton who dresses the way he does, who acts the way he does etc. He pointed out that he likes to dance and if you were to see him in his kitchen with music playing he would be moving to the music and that's just him.

But hey…. when one consider his hair style then perhaps the team was concerned that if it keeps growing how could they find a helmet to stuff all of that in? For sure… it would be wise for Newton not to go into the forest or he may be mistaken for a moose and shot. Just… sayin…

MLB - THE OHTANI WATCH

The Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani is being touted as being the MVP of the League for his outstanding performances with the bat and on the mound. His 45 home runs place him as being one of the best in the league where he has been positioned throughout the season. He proves valuable on the base paths with 24 stolen bases thus far this season.

On the mound he is currently 9-2 and a 3.18 ERA. His past two games pitching resulted in two 10 KO performances with one no decision and one loss. Reaching 10 wins for the season would be a major assist for him to win the MVP Award. The league hasn't seen as dominating a two way player since Babe Ruth.

The problem is there could be some similarities that can be bad news for the Angels. Ruth began his career s a pitcher with the Boston Braves. When he was traded to the New York Yankees he was used primarily as a hitter and went on to set a then major league record 60 home run season that remained the record for years.

Recently Ohtani was asked about his future. In paraphrasing his response was he loves the Angels and their fans and the atmosphere BUT…. HE WANTS TO WIN.

Ohtani 27 is ineligible for free agency until after the 2023 season. During his five seasons with the club the 27-year-old hasn't participated in a playoff game since the Angels failed to win to qualify. That situation may be a factor in resigning him. The Angels have a huge payroll paying Mike Trout 30, the largest salary in the league and a huge contract for the injured 31-year-old Anthony Rendon.

The team's pitching is weak as is their hitting as a result of the injuries to Trout out almost all season and Rendon the same. Without a healthy team and stronger pitching the Angels could very well continue losing and worst of all lose Ohtani to a contender.

NBA DID YOU KNOW?

The Los Angeles Lakers family grandmother Jeanie Buss better top up her health insurance since her Hollyweird Boys most likely will be the oldest team ever assembled in the history of the League. There is no doubt that this squad of aging super stars can win the title IF…. THEY STAY HEALTHY.

Ten of the players currently listed on the roster are over the death nil age of 30. Five ballers are over 35 with Carmelo Anthony being the oldest at 37. Trevor Ariza 36, LeBron James 36, Dwight Howard 35, and Rajon Rondo 35 complete the 35 and over list.

Topping off the dirty 30 ballers include Wesley Matthews 34, DeAndre Jordan 33, Wayne Ellington 33, Kent Bazemore 32 and Russell Westbrook 32.

There are several players under 30 but should the Lakers choose to retain all of the older than dirt players then cuts can be severe. At 28 Anthony Davis is the mainstay of that group.

Injuries will occur therefore creating plenty of playing time for their talented players on the bench. Game substitutions and rotation will be essential to keep a healthy squad throughout the season. The end result is this should be one of the most talked about Lakers squads ever.

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