Star, Bonehead (Oct. 31-Nov. 6)

by Julian Spivey

Screenshot

Superstar: Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves defeated the Houston Astros 7-0 on Tuesday, Nov. 2 to clinch the team’s first World Series title since 1995 and the fourth in franchise history (the second in Atlanta). The Braves remarkable run from under .500 in early August and without the team’s best player in the injured Ronald Acuna Jr. was one of the biggest Cinderella stories in baseball in some time. The Braves were underdogs the entire way – expected to lose to the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS, expected to lose to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS and expected to lose to the Astros in the World Series. None of those series were ever really in doubt for the Braves as they went 11-5 throughout the playoffs with only one loss at their home ballpark. The Braves managed to completely turn the season around shortly after the trade deadline when general manager Alex Anthopoulos added outfielders Joc Pederson, Jorge Soler, Adam Duvall and Eddie Rosario before the deadline. All four of those players played a massive role for the Braves in the postseason and along with solid offense from Freddie Freeman and Austin Riley and terrific pitching, especially from the bullpen the Braves just got hot at the right time and rode the heatwave all the way to the championship trophy. 

---

---

Screenshot

Bonehead: Aaron Rodgers 
In the span of one day Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers may have gone from one of the most popular players in the NFL to one of the most despised, especially after an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show when he acted like he was the victim despite having lied to the press and American people by saying he was vaccinated against Covid-19 when he, in fact, wasn’t. Honestly, it wouldn’t be a huge deal if Rodgers hadn’t lied and if he had been following the proper protocols all season for players who weren’t vaccinated. But apparently Rodgers doesn’t believe he has to follow the league’s rules. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has reported that Rodgers will not be suspended by the NFL for potential COVID violations, but that an investigation has been opened and Rodgers and the Packers organization could both faces fines if it’s deemed protocol has been broken – and it would appear it has as Rodgers has given press conferences unmasked this season, which non-vaccinated players aren’t supposed to do. I think it’s bad that the league isn’t even considering suspending Rodgers for breaking protocol, especially given how serious of an issue this is. He should be made an example of. 

---