Tom’s Two Cents: Acuña, Anticipation and an Absolute Dynasty

I’m backkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

After some success in my debut column (S/O Mom for sharing on Facebook), I have 100% let it go to my head. But we're back for the second edition of Tom’s Two Cents - your weekly round-up of sports takes, personal bias, and whatever nonsense I couldn't get out in my group chat.

This week: a superstar reawakens in Atlanta, football’s creeping closer, and a college softball team has somehow become the most dominant dynasty in sports. And as always, we’ll finish with my weekly soapbox.

Ronald Acuña Jr. Is Alive and Well

Remember when people were worried Acuña might not be the same after a torn ACL? Yeah…he’s fine.

He came off the IL this week and immediately reminded the league that he's a freak of nature. We’re talking 450-foot bombs, stealing bases, and flashing the leather like it’s 2019. He's got the kind of swagger that strikes fear into the rest of the league. The Braves haven’t missed a beat, and Acuña returning to form is a terrifying thought for the rest of the NL.

The MVP conversations have already started, and I’m here for it. The Pete Crow-Armstrong (Cuck the Fubs) vs Ronald Acuña race is going to be a fun one to watch.

100 Days Till the NFL Is Back

We’re officially 100 days away from the NFL kickoff.

And yes, I’m counting. I even have a countdown widget on my home-screen.

Fantasy drafts, ridiculous parlays, and RedZone-induced dopamine rushes: It’s all on the horizon. I saw the NFL tweet the countdown this week and immediately blacked out, placed a few SuperBowl futures, and started my fantasy research (reigning league champ NBD).

Training camp, bad preseason takes, “this is our year” delusion - it’s all coming. And I, for one, welcome the chaos.

Oklahoma Softball: The Most Dominant Team You're Not Watching

Let’s talk about the biggest dynasty in college sports - and it’s not Bama football or UConn hoops.

It’s Oklahoma Softball.

Since 2013, the Sooners have won SEVEN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS. They’re currently riding a four-peat, looking to make it five in a row, and they’ve done it with the kind of consistency that should make other programs consider folding.

Their record over the last five years? 285-22. That’s not just good. That's “villain-in–a-sports-movie” level of unstoppable.

And behind it all is Patty Gasso, the architect of this chaos. She’s not just winning championships, she’s building an empire. Her squads don’t just win, they demoralize. They do it with joy, swagger, and team chemistry that feels more like a TikTok house than a dugout.

Even if you’ve never watched a pitch of college softball in your life, do yourself a favor and tune in. Because this isn’t just dominance - it’s perfect softball. The Sooners aren’t coming. They’re already here. And they’re not leaving anytime soon.

Soapbox Segment: Not Every Athlete Needs a Podcast

Look, I love athletes. I respect their grind. I enjoy their personalities, most of the time. But we’ve reached a point where it's like every backup QB or 7th Man has a podcast, camera crew, and clips of them talking about “locker room culture” as if they’re Confucius with cleats.

It used to be cool when a guy like JJ Redick (Nerd but enjoyed his pod) got on the mic and gave us real insights and locker room stories. Now? Everyone’s got a platform and apparently, everyone’s a philosopher.

I miss the mystery. I miss athletes being… elusive. Let me guess what you’re like off the field instead of watching your podcast where you debate “Top 5 Chipotle orders” with your ex-teammates.

We’ve blurred the lines between analysis and ego - and the worst part? It’s working. These clips get millions of views. They’re racking up sponsorships, brand deals, merch drops… and half of them don't even talk about the game they played.

It’s not that I want silence, I just want a little less noise.

**editor's Two Cents -- I love a white defensive back as much as the next 25-year-old Caucasian, but I sure as shit don't need to hear them podcast. But S/O Exciting Mics Pod**

That’s it for this week’s edition of Tom’s Two Cents. If you laughed, learned, or violently disagreed, my work here is done.

Catch you next week!