SWINGING A TORCH 10.0 - DEC 22-DEC 28, 2023

SWINGING A TORCH is a weekly sports column that highlights superlative developments in sports. There will be consistent categories every week that will be refreshed on a Thursday to Thursday cycle week by week. There will also be categories and lists that are consistently updated throughout the year as a sports season unfolds. I plan to keep a running list of champions in the main sports ever present on SWINGING A TORCH as well as consistently updated NFL and NBA draft thoughts. I will also highlight notable fashion statements in sports as they arise. Please stay tuned as this column grows week over week:

STRAIGHT FIRE: Example of Undeniable Greatness

This photo taken by David Ramos of Getty Images and was nominated by Business Insider as one of the best sports photos taken in 2023. Click here to view the rest. This was taken in Limoges, France during the grueling annual ride known as the Tour De France. This photo kicks off our tribute to some of the best straight fire moments we experienced in 2023.

Dominant Champions of 2023:

F1 racing continues to become one of the fastest growing sports attractions in the world. The race events are hyped as weekend long parties and destination events around the world. Max Verstappen had a dominating 2023 winning 19 of the 23 events and taking home the F1 championship. Straight Fire!

In 2023, Oklahoma women's softball continued their dominance of the sport. In 2023 they won their 3rd straight national championship. They had a record setting 53 game win streak. Over the last 3 season from 2021-2023 the Lady Sooners are 176-8. One of the most dominant runs in college sports history. Straight fire!

2023 SPORTS CHAMPIONS: STRAIGHT FIRE

NFL: Super Bowl Champions

NHL Champions: Stanley Cup

NBA Champions: NBA Finals

MLB Champions: World Series

NCAA Football: National Champions

NCAA Men's Basketball: National Champions

NCAA Women's Basketball: National Champions

WNBA Champions: WNBA Finals

MLS Champions: MLS CUP

English Premier League Champions: Manchester City has won 5 of the last 6

The Masters: Jon Rahm

Wimbledon Men's Winner: Carlos Alcaraz

Wimbledon Women's Winner: Marketa Vondrousova

2023 Highlights Of The Year: Straight Fire Moments!

TORCH SWINGER OF THE WEEK: A hot player in Baseball, Hockey, Tennis, Golf, Soccer, Or Football Kicker

On December 27, 2023 Kris Letang a defender for the Pittsburgh Penguins recorded a ridiculous 6 assists during a 7-0 drubbing of the New York Islanders. He became the 26th player in NHL history to record six assists in a game. The NHL record for assists in a game is 7. Mario Lemieux had 6 assists in a game 3 separate times. Wayne Gretzky recorded 7 assists in a game 3 separate times. Congrats to Kris Letang joining such a collection of talent in the 6 assists club. High marks to this week's torch swinger of the week.

THE YOUNG FIRE CLUB: Young Players (Under 25 Years of Age) to Watch:

NOTE: THIS LIST WILL BE UPDATED AS I BELIEVE SOMEONE BECOMES ELIGIBLE. These are not just great players. This is a list of players I have identified who have the qualities it takes to be franchise cornerstones.

MLB:

CORBIN CARROLL (23 Years Old) - Arizona Diamondbacks - Outfielder (Nominated in 2023)

NFL:

C.J. STROUD (22 Years Old) - Houston Texans - Quarterback (Nominated in 2023)

NBA:

TYRESE MAXEY (23 Years Old) - Philadelphia 76ers - Point Guard (Nominated in 2023)

THE PRO FAN LEAGUE: QUESTION OF THE WEEK?

What was your favorite sports moment from 2023?

My favorite sports moment from 2023 was the free kick to win the game in Lionel Messi's first game with Inter Miami. The drama was high the ending a fairy tale. His golden left foot enthralled America for a portion of the summer. Was a fun series of events and an accelerator for the MLS. Runner up for me was the clutch bucket that propelled San Diego State to the National Championship game.

PRO FAN LEAGUE: BUSINESS OF THE MONTH SPOTLIGHT (THIS IS NOT SPONSORED)

NOTE: I am excited to share our PRO FAN LEAGUE BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT section. We are "NOT JUST FANS" at Pro Fan League. We are passionate about the work God is doing through all sorts of people in the world. As a tribute to this reality, we will spotlight a business/entrepreneur/worker we believe demonstrates well the PRO FAN LEAGUE ethos each month. We will also keep running links to these business websites like a hall of fame:

I would like to introduce you to Lawrence Sheffield, the Founder of Manufacture Good in Birmingham, Alabama. Manufacture Good also runs a company called Fullstack Firewood. Also in Birmingham, Alabama. Check out the links here...Manufacture Good, Fullstack FirewoodFullstackFirewood. Manufacture good makes furniture and delivers firewood, but a huge part of its mission is to give opportunity to people who have made some mistakes in life or are feeling like they lack purpose and are looking to get back on the right track. They accomplish this through an intentional apprenticeship program. They have seen amazing results from this model, and I asked founder Lawrence Sheffield what inspired him to start Manufacture Good; his response to me via linkedin, "Gods calling brother. Helping people become who they needed when they were younger. Wood, Metal and Firewood are just ways to love and serve employees and customers." We stand and applaud Lawrence and all his people at Manufacture Good and Fullstack.

This is a huge part of what PRO FAN LEAGUE is about. Spotlighting and encouraging people who are making amazing things happen in the world around us through work and relationship. If you are intrigued by what you see here, please go the manufacture good website, check out what they are selling and order some goods. Make a donation if you feel led. Check out this video to see the impact this business is having on the people who make it happen every day. KEEP MAKING PLAYS MANUFACTURE GOOD!

PRO FAN LEAGUE FAVORITES: BLESSINGS OF HOPE - blessingsofhope.com 

Blessings of Hope is an organization based out of Lancaster County Pennsylvania that will have a prominent place often on this page and in "The Pro Fan League Podcast". Blessings of Hope uses all sorts of channels to rescue food that would otherwise be thrown out and sources that food into the hands of people who need it and can use it. I will write more at length about them in the future. This ministry makes an amazing difference with multiple levels of impact. This is not a sponsored post, I put them on this blog and in my podcasts because they have earned the right to be known. If you are looking for a way to serve or give this holiday season, please check them out. They are always in need of volunteers. For now, please view this video, I will let it do the communicating.

NOT JUST FANS THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

The incredible 6 assist performance by Kris Letang during the Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Islanders on December 27, 2023, game got me thinking about assists. A player is credited an assist when they help someone else on the team score a goal. 2024 is right around the corner. The next time "Swinging A Torch" is published will be in 2024 Lord willing. Who are you looking to make a difference for in 2024?

The Bible tells us in Matthew 20:28 that Jesus came not to be served but to serve. Where are you looking to set someone else up to score goals in 2024? What people and missions are growing in your heart as you think about this coming year? GO MAKE PLAYS! I am cheering for you. We are "NOT JUST FANS"!

GIBBS

Photo Credit: Max Verstappen: max-verstappen-F1s-heir-apparent-1.jpg (1920×1080) (populous.com) Oklahoma Sooners: oklahoma-softball-celebrates-2020-wcws.jpg (1280×720) (ncaa.com) Kansas City Chiefs: Kansas-City-Chiefs-Logo-1972-present.png (3840×2160) (logos-world.net) Las Vegas Knights: vegas-golden-knights-logo.jpg (1280×720) (thepinkpuck.com) Denver Nuggets: Denver-Nuggets-Logo.png (3840×2160) (logos-world.net) Texas Rangers: Texas_Rangers_logo.png (5000×5000) (logos-download.com) Georgia Bulldogs: Old-logo-Georgia-Bulldogs-Logo.jpg (1920×1080) (1000logos.net) U Conn: news.nike.com LSU: LSU-Symbol.jpg (1500×1100) (1000logos.net) Las Vegas Aces: las_vegas_aces_logo.png (1020×1423) (underconsideration.com) Manchester City: Manchester_City_2016.png (1400×1400) (fontsinuse.com) The Masters: rahm-masters.jpg (1200×668) (si.com) Carlos Alcaraz: https://www.livemint.com/lm-img/img/2023/07/16/1600x900/Britain-Wimbledon-Tennis-314_1689531535208_1689531599944 Marketa Vondrousova: Wimbledon-Vondrousova-1.jpg (1500×1000) (citizen.co.za) Kris Letang: letang_kris1280-1040x572.jpg (1040×572) (sportsnet.ca)