Monday Afternoon Nonsense and Notes: A Manic, Redemption, and Trial by Fire

Hello friends. Happy June! I hope you celebrated Kentucky’s birthday accordingly over the weekend. After a few days away from the internet streets, I’m kicking off the rust on by sharing the most eye-opening pieces of sports news. We got a couple of doses of tragedy and redemption that were captivating.

Mystik Dan Receives Redemption

The best horse doesn’t always win the Kentucky Derby, just like the best college basketball team doesn’t always win the NCAA Tournament. In the case of the former, it doesn’t bother me when we get an upset, unless it’s a horse that doesn’t deserve it. Rich Strike had no business winning the Kentucky Derby. That’s an allowance horse (and that might be generous).

Mystik Dan had similar vibes. Brian Hernandez gave the horse a masterful ride along the rail to win by a nose in a three-horse photo finish at Kentucky Derby 150. Like Rich Strike, he wasn’t the best horse, but he ran the best race on that day. However, Mystik Dan had a better pedigree and resume. He looked like a deserving Kentucky Derby winner, but nothing since the first Saturday in May, 2024 indicated that.

Kenny McPeek ran Mystik Dan in all of the Triple Crown races. He ran second in the Preakness Stakes. The horse did not hit the board in its next four starts in 2024. Mystik Dan debuted in a loss by a nose on Kentucky Derby day at Oaklawn Park, but he didn’t have his preferred rider aboard. They got the band back together on Saturday and it produced a masterpiece.

Mystik Dan returned to Churchill Downs for the first time since his Kentucky Derby victory. It was deja vu all over again. Brian Hernandez made another magnificent move coming around the final turn. “Mystik Dan cut the corner AGAIN!”

Mystik Dan back in the Winner’s Circle! pic.twitter.com/YlEPGot3ts

— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) May 31, 2025

Mystik Dan is the first Kentucky Derby winner to return to Churchill Downs and secure a victory since Silver Charm in 1998. More importantly, the horse and his team received validation in the victory. He’s not a one-hit wonder. When the stars align beneath the Twin Spires, Mystik Dan is just that, mystical.

Jordan Spieth is a Mad Man

Rarely can you find a relatable PGA Tour golfer. They’re just on another level than the rest of us schmucks who slap it around munis. Jordan Spieth might be one of us.

This guy won three majors before he was 24. He still has that ability to go nuclear. Instead, his game blows up in his face, at least temporarily. Look at this scorecard. Can you get more up and down than that?

When my grandkids ask me what it was like to watch Jordan Spieth play golf, I will show them this picture. pic.twitter.com/vSnkXLWKiX

— Jake Weaver (@MidwestGolfJake) May 31, 2025

If that doesn’t properly encapsulate the Jordan Spieth experience, this par will. He went from hollering “FORE” and nearly killing a guy, to getting up and down for a casual four. What a wild ride.

Standard Spieth par right here. pic.twitter.com/CvVVNSMDws

— Skratch (@Skratch) June 1, 2025

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Scottie Scheffler is Unstoppable

While Jordan Spieth was whacking the ball all over the place at Muirfield Village, Scottie Scheffler was dominating, again. The World’s No. 1 Golfer defended his title by winning The Memorial Tournament with a four-stroke victory. This year Scheffler has 3 wins in 12 starts. The Colorado Rockies have 3 wins in their last 28 games. After his blowout win, Scheffler was rewarded with a fresh blowout.

Winning a golf tournament for $4 million and your wife handing you a baby with a poop stain square in the middle of his back is peak dad life. pic.twitter.com/scNIxyX0wV

— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterNS) June 1, 2025

Is Saquon Barkley Human?

The Eagles running back is on the cover of Madden after propelling Philly to a Super Bowl victory. For the occasion, EA Sports recreated his magnificent reverse hurdle. To pull that off in the middle of an NFL football game is jaw-dropping. Somehow, it’s equally as impressive in the photoshoot. Is he on strings? Can he fly? What is this magic?

Did Saquon just float in the air pic.twitter.com/gDe90Z8ke6

— Philadelphia Eagles Central (@pheaglescentral) June 2, 2025

Time for the Phoenix to Rise from the Ashes

St. John the Baptist is the church near my wife’s hometown where we got married. It has hosted countless weddings, funerals, and baptisms since it was erected in 1894. The center of the small community of Maria Stein, Ohio was destroyed by a fire last week. The source is unclear, but the church was undergoing renovations to its roof when the blaze broke out.

The church serves as the cornerstone of the two-stoplight town. To see it in flames is horrifying, sad, and so many other emotions that can’t be succinctly articulated. However, I’m confident this resilient community will rally and rise from the ashes.

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