1. With the recent passing of Hall of Famer Willie Mays, who is the greatest living baseball player?
John Letasky: This is a good topic for discussion/debate, but I believe the answer is Rickey Henderson.
Jeff Welsch: Perhaps I’m answering through Cardinal-red glasses, but Albert Pujols hit 700 homers and didn’t rely on a “balanced breakfast” as Iverson puts it, a la Bonds, McGuire, and Sosa.
Daniel Shepard: Kris Bryant! No, I’m kidding and living in 2016. Man, I’d have to say Pete Rose. He belongs in the Hall of Fame.
Jake Iverson: You can quibble over his balanced breakfast all you want, but come on, it’s absolutely Willie’s godson Barry Bonds.
Briar Napier: At the risk of getting burned at the stake for recency bias … is it Shohei? None of these other guys are launching homers 450 feet while throwing 100 mph fastballs.
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2. Can you believe that the Missoula PaddleHeads secured a Pioneer League first-half championship a week before the first half ended?
John Letasky: That’s impressive. Missoula is a top-notch organization its fans should be proud of.
Jeff Welsch: A first-half finish befitting their best-in-class nickname, though I’ve gotta give a nod to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and Savannah Bananas.
Daniel Shepard: I think more aspects of life should have a first-half championship. In other Missoula baseball news, the Missoula Mavericks look like state title contenders.
Jake Iverson: What puzzles me about Missoula is that they’ve been consistently the best team in the league, but at their stadium, with unceasing music, gimmicks, games, and noise, baseball is treated like the least important thing happening on field.
Briar Napier: They’re the class of the league, without a doubt. Just go back to being the Osprey sometime, though.
3. What is the best hope for Daylis Stadium in Billings?
John Letasky: Something has to be done, and the sooner, the better. I heard one person recently describe the facility as “day to day.” Possibly there will be a private donor, but whatever the answer I’m glad this is at the forefront.
Jeff Welsch: Put some Band-Aids on Daylis for limited use, build a real all-purpose facility near MSU Billings and bring back football for the Yellowjackets, giving the town a sports franchise to rally around.
Daniel Shepard: The best hope? That someone doesn’t get hurt and sue. How was the stadium allowed to deteriorate that badly?
Jake Iverson: It’s a 95-year-old icon of Billings. Part of living in a city is helping pay for the upkeep and restoration of places like that.
Briar Napier: With a Metra/Amend Park facility probably out of the question, it’s time to bite the bullet and make a full facelift happen. I toured the facility Tuesday, and parts of the locker rooms (among other things) were revolting.
4. With the Big Sky State Games main event weekend July 19-21 in Billings, what event most interests you?
John Letasky: I don’t know if I can narrow it down to one event as the BSSG is neat in that there is an event for many. I guess if I had to say one — and I wouldn’t medal — but bowling would be pretty fun.
Jeff Welsch: As my high school ping pong champion four years running, I still fantasize about BSSG table tennis, hips, and knees willing.
Daniel Shepard: Always enjoyed the shooting sports. Curious what “run paddle run” is, though.
Jake Iverson: Do we do the one where you get to ski and shoot a gun? Now that’s a sport I could get into.
Briar Napier: The open-water swim that was held Saturday, which yours truly was in. I’m likely very sore by the time you’re reading this, please DoorDash me all the Powerade Zero possible.
5. So the Fourth of July was already 10 days ago. Are people still lighting fireworks in your neighborhood?
John Letasky: I haven’t heard any recently, but there seemed to be quite a bit of celebrating this year! Summer seems to speed by once Independence Day passes, so I’m planning on trying to enjoy the rest of the season.
Jeff Welsch: Amazingly, my 180-vista from Manhattan to Bozeman was relatively tame this year, though I’m still ready for drones to replace fireworks. Only found a record-low 17 dogs under our deck this year.
Daniel Shepard: *Stops lighting firework to type this answer.* No, do people do that? Crazy.
Jake Iverson: Of course they are. Has this country ever found a fun thing we couldn’t ruin by overdoing it?
Briar Napier: Nights are pretty quiet out in Billings’ West End right now. Now, my next-door neighbor blaring music at 1 a.m. on the other hand …
