Random Thoughts: new season, more

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports

The latest installment of Random Thoughts includes the start of the new fall sports season, questions WBL football teams face, the grass isn’t always greener, LeBron James and perhaps the best time of the year.

It’s starting

The 2026 OHSAA fall sports season begins on Wednesday. Yes, that’s correct, the fall sports season officially begins July 29. That’s the first day boys golf practice starts and it’s the day the season can begin. Teams are able to hit the ground running if they want to.

Questions

Within the next few days, I’ll be gathering preseason information from NWC and WBL football coaches then sometime early next month, I’ll make my annual preseason predictions.

Here are some early questions among potential WBL title contenders:

• Wapakoneta: the Redskins have more graduation losses than anyone else in the league. Can they continue to plug and play?
• Bath: many significant graduation losses, especially on offense. Can the Wildcats still plug along?
• Van Wert: can the Cougars step up defensively?
• Shawnee: how fast can the Indians get the hang of Bob Olwin’s wide open offense?
• Defiance: How will the Bulldogs deal with lots of graduation losses, including eight starters on offense?
• Celina: can the Bulldogs take another step to the upper half of the WBL?
• St. Marys Memorial: can two new starting running backs step up immediately?

It should be an interesting season, no doubt.

The grass isn’t always greener…

Here’s a prime example of how the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

Shortstop Fransisco Lindor was beloved in Cleveland. He played for the Indians/Guardians between 2015-2020. He finished second in the race for AL Rookie of the Year in 2015. He was a key part of the 2016 team that made it to the World Series. He was on the cover of a video game in 2017 and he rang up big numbers in 2018 and 2019. He was a four time All-Star in Cleveland.

2020 wasn’t a great season but that was also the COVID shortened 60-game season. He was traded to the New York Mets in 2021. He wanted big money and Cleveland wasn’t willing or able to pay him what he was seeking. The Mets gave him a 10-year, $341 million contract but his tenure in New York hasn’t gone as hoped. Oh sure, he’s had some memorable moments, but really nothing like he had in Cleveland. He’s been named an All-Star once since leaving Cleveland, and that was last year. 2024 was a good year but nothing like his previous club.

Again, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

LeBron James

Ok, I have to admit, I didn’t really see LeBron James signing with the Philadelphia 76ers. I thought it would come down to Cleveland or Miami. A lot of people thought maybe Golden State but I think the Warriors were far down on the list.

Most sports fan say James is “ring chasing.” Of course he’s ring chasing. He would have been ring chasing if he signed with Cleveland, Miami or Golden State too. He was never going to sign with a team that won 20 games last season.

Having said all of that, I don’t think a championship is a given in Philadelphia. Signing James certainly doesn’t hurt but it’s not an automatic thing. Something else to keep in mind – James loves to be loved by fans. Philly is a tough sports town. Very tough. If things don’t go well and by that, I mean if there’s no NBA championship, fans and sports media will turn on him. It’ll be interesting to see how he responds.

A glorious time

I’d just like to point out that this Thursday night, July 30, will be the final Thursday night with no football in 2026. The NFL’s Hall of Fame Game will kick things off on August 6, and then it’s off to the races. 

As always, if you have thoughts or comments on any of the above subjects, feel free to email me at sports@thevwindependent.com.