It may not be official, but summer is starting to fade away in 2021 as Labor Day has arrived. We can't say that for what's taking place throughout the sports universe. New seasons have started or will begin this week as Episode #212 is locked and loaded for your consumption. On deck:

(6:48) In what has been a weird and unpredicatable baseball season, the MLB playoff push goes into overdrive as we're a week into the month of September. How important is it for the Giants to win the division? Will they have what it takes psychologically to go deep in October if they end up hosting the Wild Card Game after leading the NL West all summer long? The NL East is getting interesting as the Braves have come back to the pack. The Phillies and Mets have cut into the divsion lead, but an intriguing week schedule wise could be a true test as they chase Atlanta for the top spot. The Yankees have cooled off after a torrid winning streak. The Mariners have overachieved as they're putting pressure on the teams above them in the AL wild card race. I discuss my over/under win totals as we hit the homestretch and what will Derek Jeter's Hall of Fame speech sound like come Wednesday night in Cooperstown?

(45:15) The NFL season is on the horizon. I'll get into the Week 1 storylines, including the release of Cam Newton in New England. The controversy surrounding vaccinated and unvaccinated players coming out of training camp and into the season. The big games on the schedule for the first week. With my 2021 Preview upcoming on Thursday, I'll share a nugget on who my knockout pool pick will be come Sunday.

(1:01:41) College football's first week had a quite few good matchups, but most did not live up to the hype. Georgia was stout in their win against Clemson. How that stacks up when it comes to the college football playoff down the road? Alabama was unstoppable, Notre Dame had to hang on to win vs. Florida State. #2 seed Oklahoma holds on win while being the 'road' team at home. Those are some of the games I'll discuss and I'll take a look ahead to Week 2.

(1:09:52) The Expendables, ahem, I mean, Lakers are at it again as they bring in ANOTHER reinforcement/mercenary in their quest to keep LeBron James happy for the franchise's 18th championship. The Nets also take a page out of the Expendables, bringing in two players, one who retired suddenly as a member of the team last year (i.e. Lamarcus Aldridge) and one who has lots of postseason experience (Paul Millsap). Plus, the Ben Simmons drama is percolating in Philadelphia as he wants out before the start of the year. Will it happen? Could this be a potential distraction? Who may be involved in trading for the talented, but disgruntled All-Star?

(1:17:20) A couple of NHL notes with a new COVID protocol and the players will participate in the Winter Games next year.

(1:17:56) The US Open tennis tournament has taken an unexpected twist as FIVE major developments have boiled to the surface over the past few days as the #3 men's player (i.e. Stefanos Tsitsipas) has been surprisingly ousted before the quarterfinals. The rise of 18 year old Carlos Alcaraz as he becomes the youngest player in 58 years to make the quarterfinal round. On the woman's side, another player rising in stature is Laylah Fernandez as she defeats both Naomi Osaka AND Angelique Kerber to thrust herself in the conversation to push for a semifinal or finals berth. The #1 women's player won't be around for a title as she gets bounced from the tournament after holding a comfortable lead against Shelby Rogers. I also get into the emotional press conference of Naomi Osaka and how this could be the last we see of her for quite some time. And then Sloane Stephens shares her experience of the hate and vitriol that's spewed on her social media accounts.

(1:33:30) Golfer Patrick Cantlay has won back to back tournaments over the course of eight days. Is this something to cherish or applaud? Or is it because it's not a major, does it not matter? Should we focus in on him being a top level player on the tour?

(1:36:32) Former boxing champion Oscar de la Hoya had an upcoming fight this weekend but had to bow out due to contracting the coronavirus. You won't believe who his replacement is scheduled to be. Evander Holyfield. YES! That Evander Holyfield!

(1:38:25) And of course, I close out with my Hero and Zero of the Week.

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