Did you see … horses, Hocevar, hoops and horsehide

With apologizes to all the local 4-H clubs, the title to this column might suggest the following question. What the H is going on around here? All right, it is a stretch to suggest that the H was the most prominent letter to exist this past week, but some strange things did happen in the world of sports. That the letter H was front and center is certain.Let's take a look at what has me spotlighting the eighth letter of the alphabet. We'll work backwards from the title.HORSEHIDE. Back when I played the game of baseball the spherical object that gives the sport its name was called the horsehide. That's because the covering was made from a Horse's Hide. Since cowhide has been used to make baseballs since 1974 (maybe that's why I gave up the game about the same time) going back to the old ball was necessary to get to the sports I want to cover.Bear with me… I may be Hearing voices!While Cleveland Guardian fans are wondering if their Hitters are ever going to start doing just that, Detroit Tiger fans are lamenting the fact that many of their pitchers are Hurting. Ace Tarik Skubal will undergo surgery to remove chips from his pitching elbow that will have him out for two to three months, while other starters are recovering from an assortment of injuries. Ouch.But it could be worse. The Cincinnati Reds Hurlers issued seven consecutive walks in a recent game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. This ties a major league record for futility. Just imagine, in the Pirates 17-7 win (a score more likely put up by the Steelers and Bengals), Pittsburgh scored four runs without ever putting the ball in play. Holy cow!The most amazing part of this nonsense was that the crowd didn't even boo the efforts of the Reds staff and many were seen laughing. Of course, that is likely because the game was played in Pittsburgh! I would guess Reds fans listening on radio or watching on TV found nothing Humorous about the situation.HOOPS. In case you missed it, the NBA Playoffs are going on now. A particular moment in a game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors caught my attention. We've all seen a shot hit the back of the rim and bounce upwards. This time though, the results were Houdini like.It was near the end of Game 6 and the Cavs were trying to close out the series when, down by a point, the Raptors R. J. Barrett launched a 3-point attempt. The ball bounced High and dropped back down into the basket. It proved to be the game winner. What was unique about the play was an announcer called the shot this way: "Barrett shoots, it's no good." That was followed by a pause and then "yes it is!"I've never heard something like that before, but the ball did shoot extremely HIGH (well beyond the top of the backboard) before descending. For his part Barrett said he knew it was going in because it went straight up. Personally I think that is Hogwash. Had a chance maybe, but …Don't despair Cavs fans, they won the series in seven games.HOCEVAR. Carson Hocevar is a young Cup Series driver on the Nascar circuit. At Talladega recently he scored his first Cup victory as he survived the big one. Nobody had seen the guy win at this level before, but it was his celebration afterwards that everybody was talking about, because it was so unique.Hocevar, nicknamed Hurricane by announcer Mike Joy for his aggressive driving style, Hoisted his tall frame part way out of the car before sitting on the door. He then drove the car (not without Hitting a wall twice) while celebrating his win as he was perched there. It Helps if one has long legs to pull this off. For many fans it brought back memories of Dale Earnhardt, Sr. who did something similar under caution at Richmond many years ago.Earnhardt did so to remove mud from his windshield without pitting. Both were pretty cool and I will give Hocevar props for doing something Hysterical!HORSES. Like most sports fans, I tuned in to the Kentucky Derby last Saturday. I was unaware that I was going to see two things I'd never witnessed before. As more than half the field of horses were already loaded into the starting gate, one waiting his turn apparently got spooked.Great White reared up on his back legs unseating rider Alex Achard. The Highly agitated animal then toppled over backwards nearly contacting the fallen jockey. Vets quickly came to the aid of the thoroughbred but did not have time for a complete examination and thus Great White was scratched.Both horse and jockey are fine though I'm sure all those in attendance were as Horrified as I was watching on TV.The horses were returned to the starting gate and the race was on. Golden Tempo with Jose Ortiz aboard went to the rear of the crowded field. As he made the final turn, he had to pass several horses to win the Run for the Roses. Not the first horse to come from the rear, but it still was Highly exciting.The win was a Historical first for the trainer of Golden Tempo. Cherie DeVaux became the first female to train a Derby winner. For me that was the Highlight of the day and put a smile on my Homely countenance.I Hope you enjoyed this unusual column. Hopefully you will Have a Hap Hap Happy day. Ya Hear!