bierman’s six pack: issue #17
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.
- Mothers Day Tribute – Especially for the Stepmoms
Yesterday was Mother’s Day, and we had a wonderful, relaxing day celebrating my amazing wife Jamie – mom to our son Cooper, and stepmother to my two older kids, Mackenzie and Brady.
Jamie and I will celebrate 14 years of marriage tomorrow, May 13th. Mac and Brady were 5 and 8 when they first met Jamie. And what could’ve been a messy situation – being divorced from their mom, Kate – actually turned into something truly special.
Jamie and Kate made a decision early on that the kids would always come first. And they’ve stuck to that. The result has meant a bigger, blended, supportive family. We may not be perfect, but we’re pretty awesome. And for that, I’m incredibly grateful.
And while I could go on for hours about how amazing mothers are (including my own), this year I want to shine a light on someone who often gets overlooked: the stepmom.
I’ve watched Jamie step into that role with complete commitment, giving her time, energy, patience, money, and love without hesitation. Always showing up. Always giving. And often doing it in the shadow of another mother. That’s not easy.
But she did it, and still does it, with heart, humility, and zero expectation of credit.
So to all the stepmoms out there: I see you and appreciate you. Your role might come with fewer cards and less recognition, but make no mistake – the impact you make is just as deep.
Loving someone else’s child like your own is no small thing. It’s everything. And I hope you felt seen and celebrated yesterday – you deserve it.
2. Click. Pick. Regret.
Last week, I wrote about “two types of people,” and several of you sent great additions (keep them coming). But there’s one I left off – and after this week, I feel obligated to include it: those who love online ordering… and those who can’t stand it.
Count me firmly in the second group.
My wife orders everything online – groceries, takeout, anything. But I just have never been comfortable doing that. I would much rather walk into the store, look someone in the eye, talk to a real human, and make sure I’m getting exactly what I asked for. We’ve had too many grocery orders show up missing items or with random substitutes that make no sense. It’s frustrating.
But then I went to visit my buddy Bill in Seattle a couple weeks ago. He orders everything online and it somehow works flawlessly for him. One day we ordered MOD Pizza through the app, rolled up, grabbed it, and everything was perfect. I’ll admit it was smooth.
So last week I figured, maybe I’ve been too hard on this. I gave it another shot. Ordered my MOD pizza online, paid, picked it up, brought it home – and, of course… it was wrong.
But I was already home, and at that point, I just went with it. But I wasn’t happy.
So yeah, I’m officially back to hating online ordering. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, and I’m writing about it in the Six Pack.
3. Zero Pennants. But Could This Be the Year?
Speaking of Bill, he’s a big Mariners guy so I’m dedicating this one to his beloved Seattle baseball team.
But I have to start with the bad. Of the 30 current Major League franchises, there is exactly one that has never appeared in a World Series. Yep, the Seattle Mariners. For a franchise that’s been around nearly 50 years, that’s… not great.
Sure, they’ve had some strong seasons. They’ve won division titles. They even racked up an incredible 116 wins in 2001, tied for the most in MLB history. But still: no pennants. No Fall Classic. No parade.
But, could this finally be the year they break through?
At the start of the season, I wasn’t sold. If you saw my preseason over/under predictions, I confidently took the under 85.5 wins and Bill often reminds me he thinks that was a big mistake.
But maybe I pissed off and inspired the M’s, because they rattled off nine straight series wins (though that streak did just end this weekend when they were swept by the Blue Jays). Still, they sit atop the AL West at 22-17, and this is starting to feel like it could be a special season in the Emerald City.
So no, Bill, I’m not telling you to book your World Series tickets just yet. But I am saying it might be a really fun summer to be a Mariners fan. So enjoy!
4. Two Halves. One Identity.
I read recently that the NCAA is exploring the possibility of changing the college basketball structure from two halves to four quarters. And while it seems like most people are in favor, I don’t like it.
Yes, I hear some of the valid arguments: better flow, fewer fouls, cleaner TV breaks, more alignment with the women’s game and the NBA. Totally fair.
But here’s the thing that bothers me. College sports is already losing most of what makes it feel different. NIL has turned it into a pay-for-play arms race. The college football landscape is quickly transforming into the AFC vs. NFC with the SEC and Big Ten standing taller than everyone else. The transfer portal is basically an open-concept free agency model where team rosters look drastically different from one year to the next.
And now we want to change the actual structure of the game too?
The two 20-minute halves aren’t broken. There’s no flaw here. In fact, they’re part of what makes the college game special. The strategy, momentum swings, and clock management are different. And that’s a good thing.
You want to fix something in college sports? How about figuring out how to stop players from transferring every three months?
Not everything needs to look like the pros. Please let college basketball keep a little of its identity – starting with the halves.
5. Suspend the Coach, Not the Integrity
Sticking with college sports, this one’s tough for me because I’m a huge Michigan guy. But even I can’t defend a recent decision by the Michigan football program. Mike Paston mentioned it on our last podcast, and he nailed it, but I want to echo some of his points here.
Michigan has self-imposed a two-game suspension on Head Coach Sherrone Moore for his involvement in the Connor Stallions signal-stealing mess from a couple of years ago. I’m all for taking responsibility so I like that they are doing this. And a two-game suspension is fine, although I could argue it should be longer.
But here’s the issue: the games he’s being suspended for are Games 3 and 4 of the season, which come against Central Michigan and Nebraska. That means he’s conveniently available for Game 2, when Michigan travels to Norman to face Oklahoma in one of the most anticipated non-conference matchups of the college football season.
So let me get this straight: we’re acknowledging wrongdoing, we’re imposing a punishment… but we’re also hand-picking which games he’ll miss? Hmmmmm.
Michigan’s not the only school that’s done this kind of thing, but that doesn’t make it right. If you’re going to suspend someone, the suspension should start immediately. Not after you get through the marquee non-conference game. I feel like Michigan is basically saying, “Yes, our coach is guilty, but let us just squeeze in this Top 20 showdown first.”
Michigan, I love you. But if you’re going to set the example, set it the right way. Take your medicine. Don’t try to game the system while pretending to hold yourself accountable. We’re better than that. Or at least, we should be.
6. Lines, Weird Shirts, and Soft Pretzels
I have a love/hate relationship with outlet malls. There’s one just a few miles from where we live, and every so often, I’ll bravely make the trek. This past Saturday, my daughter and I ventured over there, mostly because I needed new shoes, and the Nike outlet is usually decent. And it certainly came through on Saturday as I snatched two pairs of Nikes for under $90. Score.
But here’s the problem: I can’t go to an outlet mall without feeling deeply irritated.
Yes, I know I chose to go on a Saturday and that’s on me. But still, the place was mega-slammed. Lines wrapped around every checkout. Walking the aisles was a chore, and don’t get me started on the parking lot, where people were crawling at 1 mph, just hoping for spots to magically appear.
And of course, there’s the fashion show, and I use that term loosely. The outfits people wear to outlet malls are mind boggling to me. I won’t get too specific, but let’s just say one gentleman – out shopping with his wife and a stroller-bound infant no less – was wearing a t-shirt that spelled out exactly what he liked about “naughty” women… in graphic detail.
So yeah, I got my shoes. I’m happy about that. But I also left with a mild case of outlet mall PTSD, and I won’t be hurrying back any time soon.
At least we grabbed an Auntie Anne’s pretzel on the way out – a small reminder that even in the darkest places, a little joy can be found in salt, butter and carbs.
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. Also, if you want to see more content like this, be sure to check out these recent Six-Packs too.
Enjoy this article? Follow us for more!
📸 Instagram: @EnterSandmanSports
📘 Facebook: @EnterSandmanSports
🐦 X (Twitter): @EnterSandmanSports
📺 YouTube: @EnterSandmanSports
🎵 TikTok: @EnterSandmanSports
📨 Join our newsletter for weekly updates and picks!
