{"id":211397,"date":"2026-10-19T22:08:44","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T03:08:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/?p=211397"},"modified":"2026-10-19T22:08:46","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T03:08:46","slug":"random-thoughts-baseball-and-more-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/2026\/10\/19\/random-thoughts-baseball-and-more-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Random Thoughts: baseball and more"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SCOTT TRUXELL\/<\/strong>independent sports<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This week\u2019s installment of Random Thoughts centers around the World Series, next year in Major League Baseball, a possible road trip, former Cougars at the collegiate level, an exhausting college football Saturday, an expanded College Football Playoff, bizzaro world in the NFL and good luck wishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s always next year<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It would have nice to see a Cleveland-Milwaukee World Series but it just wasn\u2019t meant to be. With a two-games-to-one lead, Cleveland\u2019s bats went silent in games 4 and 5, then on Monday night, the Guardians had chances but couldn\u2019t take advantage of the opportunities. Still, it wasn\u2019t a bad season at all for a team with a low payroll.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe not\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next year may not be a thing in Major League Baseball. At this point, it certainly appears there is going to be some sort of work stoppage due to contract issues. Just how long \u2013 or short \u2013 that stoppage is remains to be seen. I\u2019ll be very surprised if the 2027 season starts on time and I won\u2019t be totally shocked if it\u2019s wiped out entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Road trip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If Van Wert qualifies for the football playoffs, better gas up for the opening round game. Right now, it appears as though the closest realistic destination is Bellevue, and that\u2019s not exactly close. The more likely opponents are Firelands (in Lorain County) or Buckeye (in Medina County). Both of those school are over two hours and 30 minutes away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former Cougars<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three former Van Wert football players have compiled some nice numbers playing college football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Ohio Dominican University, wide receiver Conner Campbell leads the Panthers with 33 receptions, 479 yards and two touchdowns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Defiance College, linebacker Damon McCracken leads the Yellow Jackets with 56 total tackles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At. St. Francis Fort Wayne, quarterback Aidan Pratt has started a handful of games and was named the Mid-States Football Association Player of the Week earlier this month after completing 7-of-9 passes for 185 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 120 yards and a score against Judson. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

An exhausting Saturday<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was an exhausing college football Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n