Home » Sports Take » Sports in 2023

Sports in 2023

A new year is here, unbelievably so. Here are some things to look forward to in the world of sports and more, in no particular order.

NHL’s Winter Classic. New Year’s Day. One of the greatest events in sports and underrated.
Syracuse football. Can they go bowling again?
Syracuse basketball. Can they find a way to make us believe they are actually good and a tournament team?
Aaron Judge back with the Yankees at 9/$360M. Time to win a championship, bro. All Rise.
Josh Allen and the Bills. Is this finally the year?
ACC hoops at the Dome highlighted by Virginia and Duke on 1-30 and 2-18, respectively. These two teams should stay around the Top 5-20 and will be hard matchups for Syracuse but the Dome can be magical still. Can the Orange steal a victory or two?
Syracuse Mets baseball. A beer and a hot dog and a baseball game in the sun. All season long. Baseball’s best is playing every day and a story happens every day. Plus, Summer time in CNY? It is simply the best.
Connor McDavid and another spectacular season. He might go down as the Top 3-5 player I have ever seen. And because I am old now, the names I have seen include Gretzky and Super Mario and Messier and Ovechkin and Crosby and others. Well, no one I have seen does the stuff McDavid does. He is the best professional athlete alive for my money. Oh, and the Oilers win the Stanley Cup.
Justin Verlander and Mad Max in Mets uniforms? Talk about a throwback to the Tigers days.
The Masters. Because it is the Masters and a monster event, our most popular golf event, but also because LIV Golf and who plays at Augusta will be something to watch in the near future for all majors.
Ah yes, all majors. Welcome back to Oak Hill Country Club, PGA Championship. I covered this event there in 2003 and 2013 and it was spectacular. I also played the golf course years back and when you are there, it just feels different. There is a Wrigley Field feel to it. You feel like you are walking on water and golf heaven never stops. It is remarkable.
NFL Draft. How many times can we hear these words: explosive, fundamentally sound, great instincts and first one in and last one to leave!?
Syracuse Crunch hockey. Always a great time.
Golf season. Nothing better. All the terrific courses in our area.
Lakes and boats and fishing tournaments and more. I know my people on the lake will be pumped for that.
Stanley Cup Playoffs. The best playoffs in sports. The guts and blood and tears and sacrifice to win sports’ ultimate prize. It is the best playoff out there.
College Football Playoff. Without Alabama, it will seem strange. But it will be a good time had by all. Can Georgia repeat?
No snow. No ice. No garbage. Just some nice weather.
NYS Fair. Eat. Drink. Repeat. Win nothing.
Baseball Hall of Fame Induction. One of my favorite things of the year. It actually might be my favorite thing to cover as a sports media member. Everything from the drive down to the ceremony to walking Main Street prior to the event. And the pizza in town and shops and seeing friends all over town. And the interviews I get. It is one amazing weekend.
Rochester Red Wings baseball at Frontier Field. The best ballpark in Minor League Baseball.
Buffalo Bills’ offseason. Who stays and who goes? Free agents. Will they win it all and we can ask about a repeat? Let’s just get one, fellas.
Speaking of Buffalo. Sabres hockey. Not a playoff team, but fun and exciting and a bright future ahead with some great players including CNY native Alex Tuch.
Walking around Downtown Syracuse and having some food and good drink.
And finally, swimming pools.

This article is dedicated to my Mom, who tragically passed away on my birthday, December 3, 2022. She was my best friend and an unbelievable human being who gave everything she had every day. Her pool without her there is going to be so hard. But I also will likely still swim and enjoy the back area because she loved when I was there. Waters and ice creams were unlimited and a big hug ended the day. Joyce Lindsley, you were perfect. A lot of people often say that no one is perfect, but you were. I love you.