With the college football playoff coming up the beginning of next year, the talk around the water cooler (yes, we actually have one) is about the NCAA and it's treatment of it's athletes.
One of my sports guys says that the NCAA takes advantage of it's athletes to the organization's financial betterment. In fact, according to a USA Today article, the NCAA generated 989 million dollars in fiscal year 2014. That's right, almost a billion dollars. After expenses, the organization cleared more than 80 million. Five hundred and forty seven million of those expenses went directly to Division I schools and conferences.
A balance sheet that would make any major corporation proud.
Now to the players. According to a recent NCAA poll, 52% of the Division I football players believe that they will play professional football. It’s a “self-bias phenomenon,” said Gershon Tenenbaum, a sports psychology professor at Florida State University.Tenenbaum said that this is exacerbated by the level of adulation that surrounds successful athletes. Some athletes, he said, may be well aware of the NCAA’s research, but “this does not alter their belief, because they’re thinking, ‘I am not a statistic.'". Mark Nagel, a professor of sports and entertainment management at the University of South Carolina added, “Good athletes get so consumed with playing their sports, it’s very difficult to take a step back and realize what else is going on,” Nagel said. “It’s commendable in some ways, because it’s really what they want to do. It’s an all-consuming passion.”
My sports guys says that the league takes advantage of this mentality to help keep it's pockets full. He cites Dexter Manley, former all-Pro of the Washington franchise as a example. He managed to play football at Oklahoma State University for four years while being functionally illiterate.
I get the argument from both sides. One the one hand you have a organization that's making straight cash homie like Randy Moss and for the players, a percentage of which comes from the more urban areas, a chance out of the environment.
Now for the reality. On both ends.
According to the NCAA's own data, Out of the 71, 291 athletes that played football at the collegiate level last year (Division I FBS - 230 teams, D1 FCS - 19 and Division II - 6 = 255 teams), 15,842 of those players were draft eligible. That's 4.5%. Out of that group, only 255 of them were drafted to the NFL. One player from a Canadian school was drafted. One other thing: out of the 255 players that were drafted, 172 of them was drafted from a 'big time" school (49 - SEC, ACC - 42, PAC12-34, BIG10 - 30 and BIG12 - 17).
By the way, these are just the football statistics.
How do I feel about this? I got just one word: choice. When I got to college, I knew that I was going to go professional in something, whether it was track or something else. And to paraphrase Avon Barksdale from the Wire said to Stringer: "....that decision is on you!"
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Corny
The NFL can't seem to get out of it's own way.
For the last couple of years, the league uses the month of October to emphasize breast cancer awareness. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 231,000 women will be diagnosed with this cancer this year alone. The good news is that there are 2.8 million survivors as of this post. In addition, this week is also male breast cancer awareness week.
The league decks the league out in it's secure masculine best. Here are just a few of the things that they display:
Game balls with pink ribbon decals used for every down and pink kicking tees
Pink equipment for players including: cleats, wristbands, gloves, sideline caps, helmet decals, captains' patches, chin straps, shoe laces, skull caps, sideline towels, eye shield decals and quarterback towels
Pink Bose headsets for coaches
Pink coins used for the coin toss
Team specific New Era hats with pink accents for coaches and sideline personnel
Pink ribbon pins for coaches and teams
Pink caps, wristbands, whistles and pins for game officials
On-field pink ribbon stencils and A Crucial Catch wall banners
Pink goal post padding in end zones
Breast cancer awareness pompoms, shirts and wristbands for cheerleaders
Since 2009, the league has donated more than seven million dollars to this cause.
DeAngelo Williams is a running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers. This cause is even closer to home for him. Four of his aunts as well as his mother succumbed to this disease. In a tribute to them, he has died his hair pink as well as painted his toenails pink to bring attention to this cause. He asked the league if he could do this for the entire year. I'm sure he thought that he would be just a formality.
The league, citing it's personal message policy, denied his request. The part that caught my eye was, "...The League will not grant permission for any club or player to wear, display, or otherwise convey messages, through helmet decals, arm bands, jersey patches, or other items affixed to game uniforms or equipment, which relate to political activities or causes, other non-football events, causes or campaigns, or charitable causes or campaigns."
Huh? What just happened?
Williams decided that he would streak his hair pink to continue the tribute.
Issue#2. Cameron Heyward is the son of former NFL player Craig "Ironhead" Heyward. "Ironhead" died of a different type of cancer (brain) in 2006. As a tribute to him, Cameron wrote "Ironhead" in eye black under his eyes every game day. This past week, he was fined $11,576 by the league and would be fined the same amount every additional week he did it. Cameron turned his lemons into lemonade by forming a partnership with the company EyeBlack.com to create the Heyward House, where contributions will be made to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and the Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation.
Players shouldn't have to deal with things like this to pay tributes to their loved ones. If I didn't know better, I'd think that the league was in it just for the money.
For the last couple of years, the league uses the month of October to emphasize breast cancer awareness. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 231,000 women will be diagnosed with this cancer this year alone. The good news is that there are 2.8 million survivors as of this post. In addition, this week is also male breast cancer awareness week.
The league decks the league out in it's secure masculine best. Here are just a few of the things that they display:
Since 2009, the league has donated more than seven million dollars to this cause.
DeAngelo Williams is a running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers. This cause is even closer to home for him. Four of his aunts as well as his mother succumbed to this disease. In a tribute to them, he has died his hair pink as well as painted his toenails pink to bring attention to this cause. He asked the league if he could do this for the entire year. I'm sure he thought that he would be just a formality.
The league, citing it's personal message policy, denied his request. The part that caught my eye was, "...The League will not grant permission for any club or player to wear, display, or otherwise convey messages, through helmet decals, arm bands, jersey patches, or other items affixed to game uniforms or equipment, which relate to political activities or causes, other non-football events, causes or campaigns, or charitable causes or campaigns."
Huh? What just happened?
Williams decided that he would streak his hair pink to continue the tribute.
Issue#2. Cameron Heyward is the son of former NFL player Craig "Ironhead" Heyward. "Ironhead" died of a different type of cancer (brain) in 2006. As a tribute to him, Cameron wrote "Ironhead" in eye black under his eyes every game day. This past week, he was fined $11,576 by the league and would be fined the same amount every additional week he did it. Cameron turned his lemons into lemonade by forming a partnership with the company EyeBlack.com to create the Heyward House, where contributions will be made to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and the Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation.
Players shouldn't have to deal with things like this to pay tributes to their loved ones. If I didn't know better, I'd think that the league was in it just for the money.
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Yogi
Major league baseball great Yogi Berra passed away yesterday at the age of 90. While I never met him or never saw him play, I still felt compelled to say a few things about him for a couple of reasons.
First, he was a favorite of my primary care doctor, who gushed about him every chance he got. I know I will continue to see a picture of the two together in his office every time I have to get lab work.
Second, he played the position that I played in my previous life as a athlete: catcher. He was also a winner during his 23 year career. As either a player, manager or coach, he was on 13 World Series championship teams. He is only one of four players to win the MVP award three times and one of seven managers to win championships in both the American and National leagues. The 15 time All-Star (yep, 15) is still the only player to catch the only World Series perfect game. One of my favorite sport photos is him jumping in the arms of pitcher Don Larson after the final out. He became a Hall-of-Famer in 1972.
Mr. Berra was also an Navy veteran. He was a gunner's mate during the D-Day invasion of France. I related to that from my two brother's who also served.
What I will remember most about Yogi the most are his famous witticisms. They include sayings such as:
As a general comment on baseball: "90% of the game is half-mental."
On why he no longer went to Ruggeri's, a St. Louis restaurant: "Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded."
"It ain't over till it's over." In July 1973, Berra's Mets trailed the Chicago Cubs by 9½ games in the NL East. The Mets rallied to win the division title on the final day of the season.
When giving directions to Joe Garagiola to his New Jersey home, which was accessible by two routes: "When you come to a fork in the road, take it."
On being the guest of honor at an awards banquet: "Thank you for making this day necessary."
"It's deja vu all over again". Berra explained that this quote originated when he witnessed Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris repeatedly hit back-to-back home runs in the Yankees' seasons in the early 1960s.
"You can observe a lot by watching."
"Always go to other people's funerals, otherwise they won't go to yours."
Yogi, who got his name from friend Bobby Hofman, who said he resembled a Hindu yogi whenever he sat around with arms and legs crossed waiting to bat (or while looking sad after a losing game), will be considered one of the best players at his position. One of the best players I've never seen.
First, he was a favorite of my primary care doctor, who gushed about him every chance he got. I know I will continue to see a picture of the two together in his office every time I have to get lab work.
Second, he played the position that I played in my previous life as a athlete: catcher. He was also a winner during his 23 year career. As either a player, manager or coach, he was on 13 World Series championship teams. He is only one of four players to win the MVP award three times and one of seven managers to win championships in both the American and National leagues. The 15 time All-Star (yep, 15) is still the only player to catch the only World Series perfect game. One of my favorite sport photos is him jumping in the arms of pitcher Don Larson after the final out. He became a Hall-of-Famer in 1972.
Mr. Berra was also an Navy veteran. He was a gunner's mate during the D-Day invasion of France. I related to that from my two brother's who also served.
What I will remember most about Yogi the most are his famous witticisms. They include sayings such as:
Yogi, who got his name from friend Bobby Hofman, who said he resembled a Hindu yogi whenever he sat around with arms and legs crossed waiting to bat (or while looking sad after a losing game), will be considered one of the best players at his position. One of the best players I've never seen.
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Obsession
It's like what a famous comic said about his drug habit: I'm not hooked...I can't be hooked. My friends have been using for 20 years and they're not hooked…
For regular readers of my blog, you know I usually go into seclusion around this time to prepare for my upcoming fantasy football season. Using the top secret vernacular, I would tell you what I do to prepare, but then I would have to kill you. In other words, I'm serious. As serious as Tom Brady checking the footballs before a game.
Couldn't help the dig. It was the Ravens side of me.
Now this year, for some reason, it's a little different than usual. Even my boyz seem to notice a change in me. While I didn't think I could be more serious about it, one of my boyz said that I seemed to be really serious about it this year.
I thought about it and he had a point. I'm actually coming off one of my more successful seasons in my FF career. In the four leagues that I was in, I made the playoffs in three and won two championships, including the league that I started this whole fantasy thing in. While I enjoyed the four other titles that I won with my co-owner in this league, there's nothing like winning a title yourself.
As I found out last year.
Now, without comparing myself to pro (or for that matter, college) athletes, I got it. I'm still addicted to the competition. Whether it was winning flag football titles in college, winning spades card games or winning fantasy football championships, there's nothing like winning not one, not two...
To paraphrase Bugs Bunny...It's a hobby.
For regular readers of my blog, you know I usually go into seclusion around this time to prepare for my upcoming fantasy football season. Using the top secret vernacular, I would tell you what I do to prepare, but then I would have to kill you. In other words, I'm serious. As serious as Tom Brady checking the footballs before a game.
Couldn't help the dig. It was the Ravens side of me.
Now this year, for some reason, it's a little different than usual. Even my boyz seem to notice a change in me. While I didn't think I could be more serious about it, one of my boyz said that I seemed to be really serious about it this year.
I thought about it and he had a point. I'm actually coming off one of my more successful seasons in my FF career. In the four leagues that I was in, I made the playoffs in three and won two championships, including the league that I started this whole fantasy thing in. While I enjoyed the four other titles that I won with my co-owner in this league, there's nothing like winning a title yourself.
As I found out last year.
Now, without comparing myself to pro (or for that matter, college) athletes, I got it. I'm still addicted to the competition. Whether it was winning flag football titles in college, winning spades card games or winning fantasy football championships, there's nothing like winning not one, not two...
To paraphrase Bugs Bunny...It's a hobby.
Friday, August 28, 2015
Now
I don't know whether to call it bravado, swag or just plain (to
use a old skool term) wack.
Back when he first entered the league, quarterback Robert Griffin III of the Washington franchise was considered the closest thing to a savior for the team. I myself said in a blog entry when he was drafted #2 overall in 2012 that I was all-in with RGIII.
That belief was further validated when he lead Washington to a division title, throwing for over 3,200 yards and running for more than 800 yards. He was also selected to the Pro-Bowl. That's the good news.
The bad news began that same season in week 14 against my favorite AFC team, the Baltimore Ravens. He was cracked (legally) by nose tackle Haloti Ngata, spraining his knee. In the playoff game against the Seahawks, some say against doctor's (and head coach) orders, he tore both the LCL and HCL ligaments.
To be honest, he hasn't been the same since.
The low point came the following year in a week twelve 27-6 loss to the 49ers in which Griffin did not score an offensive TD for the first time in both his collegiate and professional career. Last year he dislocated his ankle, winning only two games.
Fast forward to this year.
He said in recent interview that he considers himself the top quarterback in the NFL. Before my head exploded, I read the entire quote:
"I feel like I'm the best quarterback in the league, and I have to go out and show that," he told the station. "Any athlete at any level, if they concede to someone else, they're not a top competitor, they're not trying to be the best that they can be."
Whew.
When I heard it from the press, it sounded so different. Arrogant and overconfident. Now, weeks later, like Run DMC would say, disillusion is the word.
Let's make this real simple: I like my quarterbacks to do one thing...win. If you talk that talk and win championships, to the victor go the spoils. But when you have only one division title to your name, it's time to be quiet. Like your parents used to say when you were a kid, just go play.
Back when he first entered the league, quarterback Robert Griffin III of the Washington franchise was considered the closest thing to a savior for the team. I myself said in a blog entry when he was drafted #2 overall in 2012 that I was all-in with RGIII.
That belief was further validated when he lead Washington to a division title, throwing for over 3,200 yards and running for more than 800 yards. He was also selected to the Pro-Bowl. That's the good news.
The bad news began that same season in week 14 against my favorite AFC team, the Baltimore Ravens. He was cracked (legally) by nose tackle Haloti Ngata, spraining his knee. In the playoff game against the Seahawks, some say against doctor's (and head coach) orders, he tore both the LCL and HCL ligaments.
To be honest, he hasn't been the same since.
The low point came the following year in a week twelve 27-6 loss to the 49ers in which Griffin did not score an offensive TD for the first time in both his collegiate and professional career. Last year he dislocated his ankle, winning only two games.
Fast forward to this year.
He said in recent interview that he considers himself the top quarterback in the NFL. Before my head exploded, I read the entire quote:
"I feel like I'm the best quarterback in the league, and I have to go out and show that," he told the station. "Any athlete at any level, if they concede to someone else, they're not a top competitor, they're not trying to be the best that they can be."
Whew.
When I heard it from the press, it sounded so different. Arrogant and overconfident. Now, weeks later, like Run DMC would say, disillusion is the word.
Let's make this real simple: I like my quarterbacks to do one thing...win. If you talk that talk and win championships, to the victor go the spoils. But when you have only one division title to your name, it's time to be quiet. Like your parents used to say when you were a kid, just go play.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Father's Day
As we celebrate Father's Day this weekend, I have a confession to make.
My father and I did not have the greatest of relationships. It's not like we couldn't stand each other, but it was more like him not knowing how to be a father and me not knowing how to be a son if that makes sense. While he had the greatest of work ethics, helping to build some of the structures in DC that are still standing to this day, we never could quite build the relationship that I would see in other father-son relationships that I yearned for.
But in spite of this, I feel that he still fulfilled his destiny: he gave me a chance at success.
There was always food on the table growing up. I always had clothes on my back. When I got the opportunity to attend one of the top college prep high schools in the city, he paid my tuition. He even did it at a time when we barely said seven words to each other a month. And when I had a chance to attend college, he was there for me also, as well as my family.
But there were also the times when I would be on the athletic field competing and I would look for him in the crowd in the hopes of seeing him just once. I told him of my high schools Father's/Son athletic banquet in which I was to be recognized for earning my first athletic letter. I was the only award winner who father was not there. In fact, the only sports related event me and my father ever attended was when I was eight years old and he took me to a exhibition game between the Red Sox and the Mets. He took me down to the field to get Carl Yastrzemski's autograph before the game. A memory that I will cherish forever.
Now I would like to say the reason for his absence was something noble like it was because he was working his construction job all of the time. Some of the time yes, but not all.
Now why did I bare my soul (including areas that I didn't even know that still hurt while writing this) to you? I guess in part because now there are "books" on how to be a dad. Here are some of the fundamentals. Play catch with your son/daughter. Attend at least one (just one) of their competitions every school year. Tell them that you love them.
Here's wishing you and yours a happy Father's Day. If you can celebrate your father in some way, do it. There may be a time when you can't.
My father and I did not have the greatest of relationships. It's not like we couldn't stand each other, but it was more like him not knowing how to be a father and me not knowing how to be a son if that makes sense. While he had the greatest of work ethics, helping to build some of the structures in DC that are still standing to this day, we never could quite build the relationship that I would see in other father-son relationships that I yearned for.
But in spite of this, I feel that he still fulfilled his destiny: he gave me a chance at success.
There was always food on the table growing up. I always had clothes on my back. When I got the opportunity to attend one of the top college prep high schools in the city, he paid my tuition. He even did it at a time when we barely said seven words to each other a month. And when I had a chance to attend college, he was there for me also, as well as my family.
But there were also the times when I would be on the athletic field competing and I would look for him in the crowd in the hopes of seeing him just once. I told him of my high schools Father's/Son athletic banquet in which I was to be recognized for earning my first athletic letter. I was the only award winner who father was not there. In fact, the only sports related event me and my father ever attended was when I was eight years old and he took me to a exhibition game between the Red Sox and the Mets. He took me down to the field to get Carl Yastrzemski's autograph before the game. A memory that I will cherish forever.
Now I would like to say the reason for his absence was something noble like it was because he was working his construction job all of the time. Some of the time yes, but not all.
Now why did I bare my soul (including areas that I didn't even know that still hurt while writing this) to you? I guess in part because now there are "books" on how to be a dad. Here are some of the fundamentals. Play catch with your son/daughter. Attend at least one (just one) of their competitions every school year. Tell them that you love them.
Here's wishing you and yours a happy Father's Day. If you can celebrate your father in some way, do it. There may be a time when you can't.
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Black
Today I'm pulling out my Raven card. It's no secret that while I grew up a fan of the Washington franchise, I have also been whole hardly accepted by the purple and black. It is on this platform that I make my case for what I believe is only fair.
Safety Ed Reed, one of the best safeties to play not just for the Ravens, but in the history of the game, is officially retiring today. As of today, two former players QB Johnny Unitas (who played for the Colts) and no brainer LB Ray Lewis have statues in front of M&T stadium. I feel that that they should make room for the player called (with love) Black. If my homeboy Jonathan Ogden was the sheriff of the offensive line, then Reed was defiantly the czar of the secondary.
Reed was an eight time All-Pro selection during his twelve-year career with the Ravens. Not Pro Bowl. All-Pro. This includes a Defensive Player of the Year award in 2004. Now let me put aside all the Raven career records that he holds. He is just one interception outside of the top five with 64 picks. The 1,590 return yards that he had with those picks is tops for a career. He also blocked three punts and returned them for TD's One more stat: he's in the top ten in most picks returned for TD's for a career.
And I'm sure that every Raven fan has their own favorite Ed Reed moment.
So let's see, Ring of Honor - check. Hall of Fame - check. Statue - ....? Really?
Safety Ed Reed, one of the best safeties to play not just for the Ravens, but in the history of the game, is officially retiring today. As of today, two former players QB Johnny Unitas (who played for the Colts) and no brainer LB Ray Lewis have statues in front of M&T stadium. I feel that that they should make room for the player called (with love) Black. If my homeboy Jonathan Ogden was the sheriff of the offensive line, then Reed was defiantly the czar of the secondary.
Reed was an eight time All-Pro selection during his twelve-year career with the Ravens. Not Pro Bowl. All-Pro. This includes a Defensive Player of the Year award in 2004. Now let me put aside all the Raven career records that he holds. He is just one interception outside of the top five with 64 picks. The 1,590 return yards that he had with those picks is tops for a career. He also blocked three punts and returned them for TD's One more stat: he's in the top ten in most picks returned for TD's for a career.
And I'm sure that every Raven fan has their own favorite Ed Reed moment.
So let's see, Ring of Honor - check. Hall of Fame - check. Statue - ....? Really?
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Charm City
When I look at the violence that is going on in Baltimore, I get a twinge in my heart strings. I consider B-more my second home. It's where I graduated from college. For all intent and purposes, it's where I became a man. I lived there for six years. I have developed (and maintained) a very large number of friendships that I cherish to this day. These friendships helped me through a dark time in my life when I was in the process of regaining my normal life.
So yes, I didn't grow up in Baltimore, but it's like Tom Hagen told Sonny from the movie "The Godfather" when Tom told Sonny, "I'm as much a brother to you as Mike or Fredo." I don't know any of these people that are rioting now, but I do hurt on various levels.
Maybe the revolution is being televised.
Now, I only took a couple of Political Science classes in college and I don't have a great master plan like the rapper YZ to stop the violence, but I do have a suggestion for down the road. And if you know my blog, you know what it is.
Sports.
Bring back (or enhance) sports from the ground up. I am talking about enhancing the Pop Warner or BBL leagues. Let's give our kids a opportunity to see how far they can throw a football instead of a brick. I am talking about a grass root effort to give our future a chance at positivity. While it may seem far fetched or corny, right now our generation doesn't see anything at all. Some of my boyz are actually doing stuff like this now in their communities.
I'm the first one to admit that it will very difficult and the angel (not the devil) is in the details. Just think about it.
So yes, I didn't grow up in Baltimore, but it's like Tom Hagen told Sonny from the movie "The Godfather" when Tom told Sonny, "I'm as much a brother to you as Mike or Fredo." I don't know any of these people that are rioting now, but I do hurt on various levels.
Maybe the revolution is being televised.
Now, I only took a couple of Political Science classes in college and I don't have a great master plan like the rapper YZ to stop the violence, but I do have a suggestion for down the road. And if you know my blog, you know what it is.
Sports.
Bring back (or enhance) sports from the ground up. I am talking about enhancing the Pop Warner or BBL leagues. Let's give our kids a opportunity to see how far they can throw a football instead of a brick. I am talking about a grass root effort to give our future a chance at positivity. While it may seem far fetched or corny, right now our generation doesn't see anything at all. Some of my boyz are actually doing stuff like this now in their communities.
I'm the first one to admit that it will very difficult and the angel (not the devil) is in the details. Just think about it.
Monday, April 20, 2015
Abbondanza!!
As the Christmas song goes, it's the most wonderful time of the year. It's one of those sweet spots of the sports year that for me, as a sports junkie, lives for.
First, you got the baseball season staring in full swing. My Nationals, while off to a slow start, found a groove this past weekend with a sweep of the Phillies. As usual, my hopes are high as we have possibly the best starting rotation in the bigs, headed by the signing of former Detroit Tiger Max Scherzer. I personally can not overlook Jordan Zimmerman, who ended last year's season with a no hitter.
Next I'm enjoying the beginning of the National Hockey League playoffs. I always fantasized that I would have been an defenseman if I knew how to skate. I am still amazed that it is the one team sport that allows players to fight each another. What helps me to enjoy my smorgasbord is that my Washington Capitals are in the thick of it with a first round battle against the New York Islanders after missing the playoffs last year.
The main course is the NBA playoffs. As usual, the drama is everywhere. Will the Spurs repeat? Will Bron-Bron bring his championship tour home with another title? Can my Wiz go to the next level or just stay at the same level as last year? They got off to a good start this past weekend with head coach Randy Whittman's sixth road win in his first seven against the second seeded Toronto Raptors. He is the first NBA coach to achieve that feat.
There was even some championship boxing and pro soccer thrown in as well this weekend.
Bon appetit!!
.
First, you got the baseball season staring in full swing. My Nationals, while off to a slow start, found a groove this past weekend with a sweep of the Phillies. As usual, my hopes are high as we have possibly the best starting rotation in the bigs, headed by the signing of former Detroit Tiger Max Scherzer. I personally can not overlook Jordan Zimmerman, who ended last year's season with a no hitter.
Next I'm enjoying the beginning of the National Hockey League playoffs. I always fantasized that I would have been an defenseman if I knew how to skate. I am still amazed that it is the one team sport that allows players to fight each another. What helps me to enjoy my smorgasbord is that my Washington Capitals are in the thick of it with a first round battle against the New York Islanders after missing the playoffs last year.
The main course is the NBA playoffs. As usual, the drama is everywhere. Will the Spurs repeat? Will Bron-Bron bring his championship tour home with another title? Can my Wiz go to the next level or just stay at the same level as last year? They got off to a good start this past weekend with head coach Randy Whittman's sixth road win in his first seven against the second seeded Toronto Raptors. He is the first NBA coach to achieve that feat.
There was even some championship boxing and pro soccer thrown in as well this weekend.
Bon appetit!!
.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Don't believe the hype...
Being a sports guy, I feel it my duty to participate the annual ritual that is March Madness. For those of you who don't play at home, it's the ritual of selecting the winners from each of the four regions as well as the eventual champion. I also play in the office pool as well. I think you can figure out what my screen name was.
Personally, if I get two out of the four teams every year, I will have renewed my sports guy cred card. But this year was kind of special.
The first team, Kentucky, was a no brainer, even though they were taken to the brink this past weekend by a well coached Notre Dame team. The second team I picked was Wisconsin, another team that had a great regular season and swept though their conference tournament as well. Easy, right?
On the other side of the country, I rolled the dice. In the East, I selected Michigan State. They only had a kinda good year (23-11) and stumbled through the regular season. But I looked behind the season. Tom Izzo coached teams almost always do well in the tournament. In fact, since the beginning of this century, the Spartans have reached the final four nine times.
Three for three.
I took the long road to tell you where I made my blunder. In the South, Instead of picking either Gonzaga or Duke, I decided to pick the "new jacks" of the discussion, Iowa State. They had a solid season (25-8) and was the flavor of the month. So, I followed the flow.
Big mistake. They lost in the opening round to UAB, a 19-15 squad who barely got in the big dance in the first place.
I didn't do my own research. The reason it's a bigger than usual deal is because while I'm in second place at my office pool going into Final Four weekend, I have no chance because, you guessed it, the first place person picked ALL four final 4 teams.
So while I have renewed my sports cred card, I'll have to wait to upgrade my card to platinum status.
Personally, if I get two out of the four teams every year, I will have renewed my sports guy cred card. But this year was kind of special.
The first team, Kentucky, was a no brainer, even though they were taken to the brink this past weekend by a well coached Notre Dame team. The second team I picked was Wisconsin, another team that had a great regular season and swept though their conference tournament as well. Easy, right?
On the other side of the country, I rolled the dice. In the East, I selected Michigan State. They only had a kinda good year (23-11) and stumbled through the regular season. But I looked behind the season. Tom Izzo coached teams almost always do well in the tournament. In fact, since the beginning of this century, the Spartans have reached the final four nine times.
Three for three.
I took the long road to tell you where I made my blunder. In the South, Instead of picking either Gonzaga or Duke, I decided to pick the "new jacks" of the discussion, Iowa State. They had a solid season (25-8) and was the flavor of the month. So, I followed the flow.
Big mistake. They lost in the opening round to UAB, a 19-15 squad who barely got in the big dance in the first place.
I didn't do my own research. The reason it's a bigger than usual deal is because while I'm in second place at my office pool going into Final Four weekend, I have no chance because, you guessed it, the first place person picked ALL four final 4 teams.
So while I have renewed my sports cred card, I'll have to wait to upgrade my card to platinum status.
Friday, March 20, 2015
My Final 4...2015
Here are my final four picks for this year's tournament:
South: Getting the junk out of the way. I could have fronted and picked a team different from my original team. But where's the integrity in that? I had Iowa St. defeating Duke in the Regionals. Going against my urban sentiment with Georgetown losing to the Dukies.
East: Now it gets a little funky. My pick here is Michigan State. I know what you're thinking (what? Are you kidding?) The fact is that I have a soft spot for Tom Izzo tournament teams. Regardless of how they play during the season, they always show up around this time. If you think that crazy, guess who I got them defeating in the Regionals? N.C. State. Other than the Regional, the game of this bracket will be State vs. Louisville. It took a lot for me not to pick the Cardinals.
West: On the other side of the country, I'm a little less volatile. Picking the college cheesehead badgers of Wisconsin. They have had a solid team all year, winning both their conference regular season and tournament. They will beat a long, lanky Arizona team in the Regionals. Actually a ho hum bracket. Curious to see what the Tar Heels will do.
Midwest: I'll make it very plain here: My pick for both this bracket and the tournament is the Kentucky Wildcats. They will be the first team since the '78 Indiana Hoosiers to have an undefeated championship season. I really would like the Terps to make some noise this playoff, but this is already a great year for them given their recent struggles. At least they will lose to the eventual champions. I know I'm not taking a great leap of faith here, but it is what it is.
As always, like David Letterman says, "This is an exhibition, not a competition so please, no wagering. Might be a little late for that.
South: Getting the junk out of the way. I could have fronted and picked a team different from my original team. But where's the integrity in that? I had Iowa St. defeating Duke in the Regionals. Going against my urban sentiment with Georgetown losing to the Dukies.
East: Now it gets a little funky. My pick here is Michigan State. I know what you're thinking (what? Are you kidding?) The fact is that I have a soft spot for Tom Izzo tournament teams. Regardless of how they play during the season, they always show up around this time. If you think that crazy, guess who I got them defeating in the Regionals? N.C. State. Other than the Regional, the game of this bracket will be State vs. Louisville. It took a lot for me not to pick the Cardinals.
West: On the other side of the country, I'm a little less volatile. Picking the college cheesehead badgers of Wisconsin. They have had a solid team all year, winning both their conference regular season and tournament. They will beat a long, lanky Arizona team in the Regionals. Actually a ho hum bracket. Curious to see what the Tar Heels will do.
Midwest: I'll make it very plain here: My pick for both this bracket and the tournament is the Kentucky Wildcats. They will be the first team since the '78 Indiana Hoosiers to have an undefeated championship season. I really would like the Terps to make some noise this playoff, but this is already a great year for them given their recent struggles. At least they will lose to the eventual champions. I know I'm not taking a great leap of faith here, but it is what it is.
As always, like David Letterman says, "This is an exhibition, not a competition so please, no wagering. Might be a little late for that.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Let's play two!!
In the sports world, you always hear the catch phrase, "for the love of the game". Chicago Cub Hall-of-Fame shortstop Ernie Banks, who died this past Friday at the age of 83, said it a different way: "It's a beautiful day for a ballgame... Let's play two!", meaning he wanted to play a double header every day.
For the love of the game.
In fact, Banks still holds the team records for games played (2,528) and at-bats (9,421). While a member of the 500 home run club, he hit 277 as a shortstop. Only Cal Ripken has more homeruns at that position with 345. The eleven time All-Star, who was the first African-American to play for the Cubs, also won back to back MVP awards and became a member of both the Hall-of-Fame (1977) and the All-Century Team. He also is a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
His love for the game goes all the way back to his Negro League baseball days when he played for Buck O'Neill's Kansas City Monarchs. O'Neill would yell to the quiet, soft-spoken Banks, "... “You gotta love this game to play it!” The actor Joe Mantegna, would remember as a kid just watching the way Ernie Banks went out to his shortstop position at Wrigley Field. He said that Banks ran to shortstop the way a child runs to a parent at the end of summer camp. He could not wait to get out there, could not wait to dig his cleats into the dirt and make his first throw across the infield to first base.
While not the first African-American player to break the color barrier, "Mr. Cub" was one of the early players to help keep the door open for others.
For the love of the game.
In fact, Banks still holds the team records for games played (2,528) and at-bats (9,421). While a member of the 500 home run club, he hit 277 as a shortstop. Only Cal Ripken has more homeruns at that position with 345. The eleven time All-Star, who was the first African-American to play for the Cubs, also won back to back MVP awards and became a member of both the Hall-of-Fame (1977) and the All-Century Team. He also is a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
His love for the game goes all the way back to his Negro League baseball days when he played for Buck O'Neill's Kansas City Monarchs. O'Neill would yell to the quiet, soft-spoken Banks, "... “You gotta love this game to play it!” The actor Joe Mantegna, would remember as a kid just watching the way Ernie Banks went out to his shortstop position at Wrigley Field. He said that Banks ran to shortstop the way a child runs to a parent at the end of summer camp. He could not wait to get out there, could not wait to dig his cleats into the dirt and make his first throw across the infield to first base.
While not the first African-American player to break the color barrier, "Mr. Cub" was one of the early players to help keep the door open for others.
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