Goat Post: Issue 16

Greetings from Cleveland, Mississippi, hometown of basketball legend Margaret Wade. It’s from this picturesque Delta community that we’re announcing our first GOT DUB recipient.

Goat of The Week.

Why here? First of all, it’s where I am. Second, well, there is no second.

Anyway, GOT DUB signifies a person, place or thing deserving recognition based on timely developments, a winner in the fanscape — but not necessarily an obvious trending topic.

We rely on Goatnet member and guest nominations. That means your suggestions. All we ask is that they be great, in a game, on a stage, or in some positively impactful walk of life. Under the bright lights, in relative obscurity or through a gesture from which others are moved.

So our groundbreaking choice out of the Goatnet gate?

He happens to play — wouldn’t you know it? — for Cleveland! Ohio, that is.

David Fry is our winner. You’re free to argue, but we’ll beat any counter by 99 mph.

With the Guardians trailing Detroit 2-1 in the sixth inning, David squared around to bunt against rocket-armed Tarik Skubal on Tuesday in a high-stakes American League Central game.

It wasn’t a textbook bunt. But it made the word sacrifice make more sense than ever. David took a fastball in the face, which I have a hard time saying without using Rob Riggle’s voice from The Hangover.

David wins because he is tougher than Ford, he has Guardian angels, because his multiple-fractures form of literal breaking news happened as part of an epic turnaround — and because his stoicism, likability and resilient overall baseball journey are badder than bones.

The Guardians? They went from 15.5 games behind Detroit in July to first place after Tuesday’s 5-2 comeback W.

It’s was a David vs. Goliath kind of script, but bloodier.

David played high school ball in Grapevine, Texas, went to Northwestern State in Louisiana, was drafted in the seventh round and steadily, patiently built a stairway to The Show.

He became an All-Star last year, suiting up in his Metroplex backyard. He’s a husband (appreciate you too, Rebekah) and a Dad, with daughter number two on the way. And if the kids ever are scared of the dark or an imaginary monster in the closet, he can talk about the time a Tiger nearly killed him by rearranging his chin, jaw, cheek and teeth.

Not today, Skubal-doo.

You realize how beloved David is when you learn Tarik and Cleveland skipper Stephen Vogt rode to the hospital together after that game to check on David and make sure he wasn’t, ahem, fried.

We can smile about it now because he wasn’t, and we’re thankful and impressed.

Besides, his manager’s last name rhymes with GOAT. We rest our case.

@goatnetbleats

Baseball’s human side ➡️ David Fry takes one to the face… and keeps going. 💪 Glad he’s okay 🙏

Ok, back to Mississippi.

It’s kind of a big deal here that another former Ole Miss quarterback is taking the reins of the New York Giants.

But unlike that previous Rebel, Eli Manning, Jaxson Dart dropped a “good to be back” from Yankee Stadium, sharing a childhood pic a la Gerrit Cole. Side note: In high school, Jaxson thought his sports future was likely to play out on a diamond. 

Jaxson, by way of suburban Salt Lake City, and the son of impressive athletes — Mom competed in track and Dad as a defensive back at Utah — has the kind of preparedness and dual-threat swagger fans of Big Blue have craved for more than a minute.

Jaxson’s session with Jon Gruden breaking him down won’t crack you up as much as the former coach’s clipper reels, but they will leave you smiling.

Good luck to the Darts on the next chapter in this stellar voyage.

Last time I was in Mississippi, just a week ago, I was en route to Texas. The morning after seeing Arizona State pull out a W at Baylor, my alma mater, Goatnet had the honor of onboarding 42 baseball players at an event put on by the comprehensive, formidable Baseball Alliance.

Every player, coach and scout was first class, and the crisp, high-quality nature of the operation stood out.

As did all their storyboard details.

Take Andrew Winters, a catcher and pitcher. His throws to second as a backstop were the stuff of future professionals.

Credit to Andrew and his parents, he’s prepared for whatever.

Bravo Andrew and bravo Baseball Alliance.

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Of course, Goatnet isn’t just where I am.

It’s built to serve its purpose wherever greatness is fostered, happening and celebrated.

In Connecticut earlier this week, Goatnet members teed up on behalf of the Wheels Up initiative.

Among the people that they're championing is Christian De Souza, a UConn student who competes and collects medals all over the map across the competitive jujitsu circuit.

His future is among the thousands we’re supporting and sharing.

Closing time this week cannot be pulled off without a heavy chest.

Stephen Cantu was a beloved Texas Longhorn. A powerful pitcher in college, Steve went on to live a precious life, and I use "Precious" affectionately because that was an adorable family nickname he kept private for most of his five decades on Earth. 

Steve survived complicated heart surgery in Austin this week long enough to gain consciousness and to squeeze the hands of his children and grandchildren.

Long enough to produce profoundly beautiful memories, to tell those in his company to always find joy, to live courageously and gratefully. To go in peace and appreciate plans that are out of our hands.

And that was it, Steve didn’t lose. He recorded one final save.

I loved Steve as a teammate in high school, and every Austin High Maroon who didn't go on to play at higher levels lived vicariously through the man I called Bevo.

His eyes are upon us, even after the horn.

Goat Big!