Bierman’s Six Pack: Issue #16

Welcome to this week’s Six Pack! Each week, I’ll share a mix of thoughts – some sports-related, some not – and I’d love for you to jump in with your reactions, ideas, or recommendations in the comments. Here’s what’s on my mind this week.

1. We Nailed It

When Bill, Pat, and I started the podcast last August, we wanted a fun segment that let us compete against each other with picks, friendly wagers, and eventually bring our listeners into the action. That idea turned into our Nailed It contest – which wrapped up on Super Bowl Sunday, with yours truly winning the podcast host title and longtime Sandman Nation member Mike Paston taking home the listener crown.

It all culminated this past weekend, as the three of them descended on my hometown of Cincinnati for an incredible few days of fun, laughs, and great memories.

We kicked things off Friday night at a Reds game (and stayed dry, despite a dicey forecast). Saturday was pretty low-key during the day, but by evening we were suited up for a Kentucky Derby party, where we naturally had to put a little money on “Sandman.” It didn’t pay off, but the vibes were strong.

Then it was on to Son of a Butcher, a fantastic local steakhouse where the wine kept flowing and the stories didn’t stop. We wrapped things up Sunday with a true Cincinnati classic – lunch at Skyline Chili.

It was an amazing weekend, and I want to thank Bill and Pat for the countless hours they put in each week prepping and recording the podcast. Huge thanks to Mike Paston for not just making the trip from Philly, but for being a loyal part of Sandman Nation for over two decades. And of course, to my amazing wife, Jamie, for being the ultimate hostess all weekend long.

Want the full behind-the-scenes breakdown? Tune into this week’s podcast as all four of us will be on to share the scoop.

2. Two Types of People

Over the past couple of weeks, I visited my father-in-law in Florida and my buddy Bill in Seattle – two very different trips, but one oddly consistent behavior: they both back into every single parking space, no matter where they are or how long they’re staying. Grocery store, golf course, doesn’t matter. And it got me thinking… some people just operate differently. And honestly? It’s kind of fascinating.

So here’s my running list of things where there are clearly two types of people. And very little in-between.

• Those who back into every parking spot – even at the grocery store – and those who always pull in headfirst without thinking twice.
• Those who set 8 alarms every morning with 5 minute intervals and those who get up on the first ring like a robot.
• Those who unpack their suitcase the second they get home and those who live out of it until laundry day forces their hand.
• Those who wash a dish before putting it in the dishwasher and those who believe the dishwasher’s job is, in fact, to wash dishes.
• Those who bring five chargers, two travel pillows, and a laminated itinerary – and those who forget socks.
• Those who delete every email immediately and those who have 19,283 unread messages and sleep just fine.
• Those who answer every call and those who stare at their phone until it stops ringing, then text “what’s up?”
• Those who believe “5-7 business days” is reasonable – and those who check tracking 12 times before lunch.
• Those who arrive at the airport 2.5 hours early “just to be safe,” and those who show up 30 minutes before departure and still stop for coffee.
• Those who close all their browser tabs before shutting down, and those who live with 78 open at all times, across three windows.
• Those who cut the grass as soon as it’s a half-inch too long and those who wait until the HOA sends a letter.
• Those who sleep with one pillow and a thin sheet, and those who require a fortress of fluff, six blankets and a complicated body pillow configuration.
• Those who throw food out the moment it expires, and those who give it a sniff and a shrug and call it dinner.

Any others Sandman Nation, what did I miss?

3. Two Great Game 7’s

There’s nothing quite like a Game 7 in professional sports. No tomorrow. No second chances. Two evenly matched teams leaving it all out there – every possession, every shift, every bounce matters. And this past Sunday, we got treated to two Game 7s in two different sports.  And both delivered.

First up was the NBA. The Rockets and Warriors squared off after Houston clawed back from a 3-1 series deficit to force a Game 7 at home. Despite the momentum and the home-court edge, the veteran Warriors wouldn’t be denied. Steph Curry did what Steph Curry does – flirting with a triple-double – but the real surprise was veteran Buddy Hield, who exploded for 33 points just one game after scoring zero. Go figure.

The final score wasn’t especially close, but both teams brought the energy from the tip, and it was a blast to watch.

Then over on the ice… the NHL gave us a classic.

A 1-vs-8 first-round matchup isn’t supposed to go the distance, but the St. Louis Blues had other plans. They pushed the top-seeded Winnipeg Jets to the brink and had a 3-1 lead with less than two minutes to play. It looked like we were about to witness an epic first-round upset.

And then absolute heartbreak for the Blues.

With just three seconds remaining, Cole Perfetti scored the latest game-tying goal in NHL playoff history. And in double overtime, it was Adam Lowry who sealed the win and punched the Jets’ ticket to Round 2. A brutal ending for the Blues, who had the game, and the series, in their grasp. But that’s why you play to the final whistle. Even as someone who doesn’t claim to be a hockey guy, that was a game I won’t forget anytime soon.

Sunday gave us drama, heartbreak, and heroes – exactly how Game 7s should be.

4. Scheffler is #1, But He’s Not Tiger

It was great to see Scottie Scheffler pick up his first win of the 2025 season. He’s battled through injuries and played well by just about every statistical measure, but until Sunday, he hadn’t notched a victory. And then he went out and won in absolute dominant fashion, tying the all-time scoring record for a four-day PGA event at 31-under.

Scheffler won by eight strokes and has now been the No. 1 ranked golfer in the world for 135 weeks. He’s only 28 years old, so yes, we are witnessing something special.

But let’s pump the brakes a little on the “most dominant golfer since Tiger” talk.

That might be true statistically, and yes, Scottie is clearly the best player in the world right now. But comparing anyone to Tiger just doesn’t sit right with me. And I’m not even a Tiger guy.

Tiger held the No. 1 ranking for 683 weeks. Which means Scottie would need to stay on top for another decade to get there. And Tiger didn’t just rack up top finishes – he won 15 majors. Scottie has two. And both are from the same tournament (the Masters).

Don’t get me wrong – I like Scottie way more than Tiger, and I genuinely hope he keeps dominating. I’d love to see him add another major or two this season. He’s in a class of his own right now. But let’s not rush to put him in the same sentence as Tiger, who’s arguably the greatest to ever do it.

5. Soccer, I Just Can’t Get Into It

My daughter played competitive soccer from the age of 4 to 18. We did the full travel circuit, and her team was really good.  It was always enjoyable watching them play, and more often than not, win. I played soccer as a kid too, and I wasn’t half bad. I understand the game and I respect it.

But despite many honest attempts, I just can’t get into it.

I’ve been to several FC Cincinnati games and yes, they’re fun events. The team’s been really good the past couple of years, and I’ve got several friends who are all-in. Season ticket holders who never miss a match and swear by it.

But for me, it’s mostly a big yawn.

There’s just not enough action and scoring. I know, I know – for some fans, that’s the whole point. It’s about the buildup, the strategy, the ball movement, the tactics, the anticipation. I get that. And sure, I can appreciate the occasional defensive slugfest in any sport. But a 1-0 game just doesn’t do it for me on a regular basis.

That said, one thing I do love about soccer? You’re in and out in two hours. It’s efficient and I like that. I have no doubt the sport will keep growing in the U.S., and I’ll keep going to the occasional match.

But me becoming a die-hard? That’s never happening. You can count on it.

6. No Thanks, Boss

I’ll keep this one short, and I’m sure a lot of people will disagree with me on this one.

I love music. I listen to it constantly and go to several concerts a year. But one guy I just can’t stand? Bruce Springsteen.

I like very few of his songs. And while I’ve heard his concerts are long and energetic, if I don’t like the music… what’s the point?

Most people might be surprised to hear he has never had a #1 hit. Not me. You can have your “Glory Days”, go “Dancing in the Dark”, and be “Born to Run”, but don’t bring it my way.

Respect to the long career, but just not my thing. I’ll pass, Boss.

Thanks for checking out this week’s Six Pack, Sandman Nation! I’d love to hear your thoughts: what resonated with you, what you disagree with, or your own takes on these topics. Drop your comments and let’s keep the conversation going.

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