NFA's 'model coach' departing for a good reason; a look at fall's football schedule

Just thought I’d empty out my reporter’s notebook while anxiously waiting for the release of Taylor Swift’s early album “Speak Now.” Taylor’s version, of course …

*After developing so many young players over the past two seasons and having the Norwich Free Academy baseball team on the verge of climbing back into the mix as an Eastern Connecticut Conference contender, I was initially surprised when I heard that Wildcats head coach Anthony Turgeon had stepped down.

I had talked to Turgeon following NFA’s loss to Maloney in the first round of the Class LL state tournament and he was thrilled about the team’s late-inning rally that day and how well all of his underclassmen competed. The future was bright.

After years as a Wildcats assistant, I also thought Turgeon, who was a star player at Fitch and Division I Central Connecticut State University, was finding his stride as a head coach.

“Anthony has always been a model coach for our program,” NFA Director of Athletics Roy Wentworth said. “Not only does he know and coach baseball at a high level, his emphasis on students' character and academics has been exemplary.”

Then, I wasn't so surprised with his departure. Because Turgeon wanting to spend more time with his young kids is his number one job in my book.

One of the greatest joys of my life was coaching my son’s Little League team. A mom recently posted pictures on Facebook of our Little League championship season. It was our 10-year anniversary and the joy on those kids’ faces is still etched in my heart today. Those 10 years went by in the blink of an eye. Dads … go spend as much time with your kids as you possibly can!

“I believe the ‘post-COVID’ trend for many folks has been to place a greater priority on quality of life,” Wentworth said. “That is certainly evident in what has occurred in our coaching staff over the past few years, but I also know of many other individuals that have changed jobs and entire careers in that time for the same reasons."

*Speaking of Little League … the run to Williamsport has begun. Here’s wishing the best of luck to all of our local baseball and softball all-star teams who are harboring big dreams. Just remember … umpires are human beings, too!

*They didn’t bring home the Stanley Cup but a lot of hardware made its way to Causeway Street following the NHL’s annual Awards Night. Boston Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery won the Jack Adams award (Coach of the Year), Linus Ullmark won the Vezina Trophy (top goaltender), Patrice Bergeron won the Selke Trophy (top defensive forward) for the sixth time, Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman won the William Jennings trophy (fewest goals allowed), and the Bruins, of course, won the President’s trophy (best overall record).

That’s quite a haul.

For those of you keeping score at home … Bobby Orr is the only player in NHL history to win the Norris trophy (top defenseman), Art Ross trophy (league’s leading scorer), Hart trophy (MVP), Conn Smythe trophy (playoff MVP), and the Stanley Cup in the same season. The year was 1970. 

*Omaha, Nebraska in late June for the College Baseball World Series seems like something I should put on my bucket list.

*Every time you scroll through your Twitter feed, you see someone posting crazy numbers involving California Angels two-way player Shohei Ohtani. Here’s one from former Boston Globe baseball writer Gordon Edes: “Check out this list of the only players who have had a higher OPS in June than Shohei’s 1.415 … Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Rogers Hornsby, Ted Williams, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Mark McGuire.”

Shohei had a “Little League” game the other day. He hit two home runs and struck out 10 batters as the winning pitcher.

*Memo to Mr. Dennis Rodman: Larry Bird wasn’t just one of the greatest basketball players ever to lace up a pair of Converse All Stars … he was scary good. Today’s NBA is tailor-made for his game. Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic can only dream about being as good as Larry Joe Bird.

*It’s never too late to take a peek at the 2023 scholastic football schedule. Here’s a few games to mark on your fall calendars: Sept 8 - East Catholic at Griswold (Wolverines christen the new turf field), Masuk at Killingly (rematch of epic 54-51 playoff game); Sept. 14 - Hamden at NFA (SCC vs. ECC Challenge); Sept. 21 - North Branford at Plainfield (Pequot Conference Throwback game); Sept. 29 - NFA at Killingly (for ECC supremacy); Oct. 13 - Thames River at Killingly (playoff preview?); Oct. 27 - Killingly at East Lyme (Kevin Marcoux Bowl).

*STUCK IN THE ‘70s: On July 2, 1972, the Boston Red Sox swept a doubleheader from the Milwaukee Brewers (yup, the Brewers resided in the AL East) before 20,478 fans at Fenway Park. Reggie Smith, Rico Petrocelli and Carlton Fisk each belted homers in the Sox’s 15-4 win in Game 1. Juan Beniquez’s sacrifice fly scored Ben Oglivie with the winning run in the bottom of the 11th in the Sox’s 3-2 win in Game 2. John Curtis pitched all 11 innings to earn the win on the mound.

Let’s have a toast to the one-admission doubleheader and pitchers going 11 innings.

Jimmy Zanor can be reached at jzanor@norwichbulletin.com.

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Boston Bruins win awards, Shohei Ohtani excels, Larry Bird's legacy