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.
- Happy Belated 4th!
When I was a kid, I thought July 4th was fine, but I was never really into fireworks displays. My parents never bought fireworks, and I definitely don’t remember big festivals with food, games, and music like the ones that seem to pop up in every suburb now.
But you know what? As an adult, I love everything about it.
As I’ve gotten older, I think July 4th might be my favorite holiday after Thanksgiving and Christmas. Long weekends always help, but it is usually great pool weather, it marks the heart of summer, and it brings out some well-earned patriotism across the country.
I’ve bought fireworks before and I enjoy it, but they can get expensive, so we don’t do it every year. What we do love is going to see them.
The last couple of years, we’ve driven about 20 minutes to a small suburb of Cincinnati called Madeira for their annual parade, festival, and fireworks celebration. The parade is solid, the band this year was really good, the food trucks are delicious, kids are playing football or made-up games everywhere in the open green spaces, and the adults are sitting in chairs with beers in hand, thinking life is pretty good.
Then it is time for the fireworks, and they were really impressive this year. Not too long, about 25 minutes, and set to a great music soundtrack that just gets the energy pumping. It was a great night for the whole family, and Madeira pulled it off wonderfully.
The next morning, we hit our local parade, which I’ve been going to for nearly 20 years. It’s not fancy, but I love seeing familiar faces in the procession, and Cooper always seems to bring home a big candy haul.
And of course, we hit the pool.
It was a great July 4th weekend for the Biermans. I hope everyone out there had a chance to relax, celebrate, and enjoy the holiday too.
- Seven Years, Seven Champs
With Oklahoma City winning the 2025 NBA Championship, the league just hit a historic milestone. For the first time ever, we’ve now had seven different NBA champions in seven consecutive seasons. Starting in 2019, the list goes: Raptors, Lakers, Bucks, Warriors, Nuggets, Celtics, and now Thunder.
The previous longest stretch without a repeat champ was six straight seasons from 1975 to 1980. So this current run officially takes the top spot.
Some people love dynasties. TV executives probably do too. But personally, I think this is better. I get tired of seeing the same teams win every year. As incredible as the Patriots and Chiefs have been, the Super Bowl can start to feel a little repetitive. And for decades, the NBA felt that way too.
Here’s a stat that really puts it in perspective. Since 1980, 46 NBA titles have been won. Just five teams account for 31 of them: Lakers (11), Bulls (6), Celtics (5), Spurs (5), and Warriors (4).
The other 15 titles were split among 10 different teams. That means half the league has gone more than four decades without winning a title. As a fan, that gets stale. I like seeing new faces, new stories, new cities celebrating. And lately, the NBA has delivered exactly that.
But maybe not for long. As good and as young as OKC looks right now, we might be witnessing the start of the next dynasty. They are deep, hungry, and still rising. Time will tell if the parity party keeps going, or if the Thunder are about to take over.
- Bun-Believable Dominance
I’m not sure you can truly call competitive eating a sport, but every July 4th, it grabs the American spotlight with the famous Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island. And once again, Joey Chestnut proved he is the king of consumption, winning his 17th Mustard Belt.
Since 2007, Chestnut has only failed to win twice: once in 2015 when Matt Stonie edged him by two hot dogs, and last year when he was banned from competing due to a sponsorship conflict. That’s 17 wins in 18 attempts. Call it gross, call it weird, but you have to admit that is a staggering level of dominance.
Honestly, outside of Tiger Woods in his prime (and I’m not counting Lance Armstrong because of the doping scandal), has there been a more impressive and sustained run in any area than what Chestnut has done in competitive eating? I don’t think so.
And while we’re at it, let’s give a shoutout to Miki Sudo, who just won her 11th title in the last 12 women’s competitions. The only year she missed? She sat out because she was pregnant. Another incredible stretch.
So laugh all you want, but a sincere tip of the bun to Mr. Chestnut and Mrs. Sudo. Well done, sir and lady. Now go grab some Pepto.
- Bobby Bonilla Day: The Contract That Won’t End
We just wrapped up one of the most iconic holidays in America. Yes, July 4th is great, but let’s not forget another annual celebration: Bobby Bonilla Day, observed every year on July 1st.
For those unfamiliar, Bobby Bonilla last played Major League Baseball in 1999. And yet, every July 1st from 2011 through 2035, the New York Mets pay him $1.19 million. That’s $29.8 million in total, all because of a deferred payment clause in his contract that has become the stuff of sports legend.
Back in 1999, Bonilla signed a five-year, $29 million deal, which by the way was the richest contract in baseball at the time. Quainter days indeed. For comparison, Shohei Ohtani’s recent deal with the Dodgers is $700 million. Bonilla’s total payout over 25 years wouldn’t cover one Shohei season.
But Bonilla’s deal is still brilliant. Rather than pay him the $5.9 million they owed at the time, the Mets agreed to defer payments for over a decade and then start paying with 8 percent annual interest. It was a financial move that probably looked smart in theory… and hilarious in hindsight.
So congrats, Mr. Bonilla, on another million dollar check in retirement. However you decide to spend it, you have earned your spot in sports contract history. Maybe celebrate with a hot dog and soda at Citi Field, assuming that still covers the price.
- Some Friends Are Family
On Saturday, I got to see one of my best friends, Ed, who I haven’t seen in years. And the crazy part is, he lives less than an hour from me.
Ed, our college buddy Keith, and I text almost every day, but I hadn’t seen Ed in person for a long time. His wife and he hosted a July 4th party at their beautiful home in Union, Kentucky and invited us. I wasn’t sure if Jamie and I were going to be able to make it. We had another party we were invited to, and it’s a fairly lengthy drive. But eventually, I put the excuses away and we decided to go.
And I am sure glad we did.
It did my soul good to see one of my closest friends in person, someone I know would always be there for me. He wasn’t expecting me because I botched the RSVP, so the look on his face when he saw me was pretty cool. We shared a big hug, and in that moment, I knew I made the right call.
We were only there for about 90 minutes, but that was all it took to catch up and feel that kind of connection you only have with people who really know you. The kind of friend who just picks up where you left off. We even talked about heading to Dallas this fall to visit Keith, and I hope we follow through. A little time with good friends can go a long way.
So if there’s someone in your life you haven’t seen or talked to in a while, pick up the phone. Make the drive. Send the text. Time disappears fast, and you’ll be glad you made the effort to reconnect.
Thanks again for the invite, Ed. I love you, brother.
- Sounds of America
As I’ve mentioned before in this column, I love music. I have a couple go-to playlists I rotate through almost daily, but every now and then I’ll build a custom one for a specific occasion, like July 4th.
So this year, I made a new playlist. The rules were simple: the song had to be patriotic, or at least have America, USA, freedom, independence, or something similar in the title. I ended up with 35 songs on the list, but here are my Top 5:
5. “Independence Day” – Martina McBride
I’ll admit it. This one probably doesn’t check the box as a patriotic song. It is really about a woman escaping an abusive husband. But even though it may not mark the true spirit of the holiday, it belongs here all the same. The title fits, the melody is great, and it’s one I just really enjoy playing loud.
4. “American Soldier” – Toby Keith
Rest in peace to Toby Keith, who wasn’t just a country music star, but a true patriot who did a lot for military families and veterans. This song is an emotional tribute to the men and women who serve, not for money or glory, but because they feel called to protect others, even at great personal risk. It hits hard every time.
3. “America” – Neil Diamond
I first heard this song when I was around seven or eight years old, and I’ve loved it ever since. It’s one of those classic ballads that feels both hopeful and powerful. It captures the energy and pride of immigrants chasing the American dream, and Neil’s booming voice carries it home. Still a staple in our house every July.
2. “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” – Toby Keith
Yes, another Toby Keith track, and no apologies here. This song came out right after 9/11, and it’s raw, emotional, and angry in all the right ways. It taps into that defiant pride so many of us felt during that time, and honestly, if you can listen to this and not feel ready to defend this great country of ours, you might want to check your pulse.
1. “God Bless the USA” – Lee Greenwood
This was an easy choice. If there’s a more iconic patriotic song, I haven’t heard it. It’s simple, powerful, and timeless. I wonder if Lee Greenwood had any idea back in the 80s just how big this song would become. A buddy of mine summed it up best the other day: “Best patriotic song ever written, hands down, end of story.” Hard to argue.
So those are my picks. What about you, Sandman Nation? What are your go-to patriotic songs? Any hidden gems I missed?
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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