JUNE 29-30, 2009
NOT TO BE
For one half of play it seemed possible, what am I writing it seemed probable, that the US Men’s Soccer team would finally be champions of an international tournament.
There were, however, two problems. The first was there are TWO halfs in a soccer match and the second was that the US was up against the mighty Brazilians who’s roster is filled with international stars like Kaka for one.
The US fresh from their lesson against Brazil a week ago stormed out of the gate to a 2-NIL lead. The US jumped out to this lead by being on the offensive and really taking the fight to Brazil. But Brazil was not done teaching this young US team. There was no sense of panic on the Brazilian player’s faces. It was as if they knew that the US was not suppose to win, they were here because we, Brazil, beat Italy by 3 goals and allowed them to be here.
In the second half Brazil came out guns blazing. With a most remarkable on the dime 180 degree pivot and kick Luis Fabiano in the 46th minute made the score 2-1, and the rout was on.
The US played on their heels the rest of the game and officially gave up 3 goals. A 4th goal was incorrectly taken away from Brazil, it really should have been 2-4. This means the US gave up 4 goals after leading 2-0 at the half. The defense was truly offensive. The offensive attack plan was abandoned and all hope of victory dissipated.
But we must walk before we run and the best is yet to come.
JUNE 28, 2009
SPORTS WRITERS BE DAMNED
The absurd process by which Hall of Fame athletes, coaches, owners and general managers in professional sports are chosen, i.e. by SPORTS WRITERS. has been debated for some time.
As you can guess from my introduction I’m not happy with the current arrangement. How did this ever come about, that writers get to determine who goes into the Hall of Fame. I can understand if they shared this responsibility with the inductees, but this is not the case.
The fact that your peers and fellow Hall of Famers have no say in your induction is preposterous.
Let me illustrate the point by an example from the NFL; ART MONK, who should have been a first ballot HOFer had to wait 9 years. WHAT!!! PREPOSTEROUS!!!
Monk retired from the game the all time receptions leader, 940 with 68 TDs and 12,721 yards. These statistics are all top 10 in their respective categories, and he had to wait. But Michael Irvin with 750 receptions, 65 TDs and 11,904 yards was inducted AHEAD of Monk.
LAUGHABLE!
Oh yes, lets not forget that Irvin was doing hookers and blow in motel rooms as part of that illustrious career.
There is something wrong with this picture. Perhaps some of those writers were in the motel room with Irvin.
Everyone, including those Cowboy fans, will agree that Monk should have been inducted ahead of Irvin. That’s what I’m arguing, not that Irvin should not have gotten in, but that he should NOT have been in AHEAD of Monk.
Any process that allows this to occur is flawed and must be reconsidered.
JUNE 27, 2009
UNBREAKABLE
They say to NEVER SAY NEVER. But I’m going to do it anyway, the all time interceptions record will NEVER be broken.
Paul Krause(Washington ’64-’67, Minnesota ’68-’79) has the record for most INTs in history, 81. That is an astounding number of picks. Two other players come close, Emlen Tunnell with 79 (NY Giants ’48-’58 and Green Bay ’59-’61) and Rod Woodson with 71.
Woodson’s 71 is quite a feat, but he’s 10 shy and retired. No one will break this record for two simple reasons. The first is that once you establish yourself as shutdown corner teams simply do not throw to your side of the field. Now you may move to safety in your later years but by that time you’re old and expensive. This brings me to my second reason, SALARY CAP.
By the time you move to safety, if you have not been cut already, you probably soon will be. To do what Krause has done is truly remarkable especially when you consider that the time when he played there was no “WEST COAST” offense and there wasn’t much passing in professional football.
And even though there is far more passing in football today than there has ever been, for the reason stated above the record will NEVER be broken.
JUNE 26, 2009
THE COME BACK KIDS
Lambasted by the media for showing up yet again to an international soccer tournament without their game face the U.S. Soccer team has answered the call.
In three days the U.S. Mens Soccer team will play in the championship game. They will face either Brazil or South Africa. Having lost to the “Boys From Brazil” a few days ago 3-0 I should think the U.S. team wants a chance at redemption and most likely they will get their chance.
The odds of getting to this point were non existent, literally. The U. S needed to beat Egypt by 3 goals and have Brazil beat Italy by 3 goals IMPOSSIBLE! The British bookmakers concurred with the “impossible” sentiment and suspended all bets for the match.
THAT’S WHY THEY PLAY THE GAME
The U.S. rose to the challenge and defeated Egypt by a score of 3-0 and the Brazilians helped by defeating Italy 3-0. One of the goals was scored due to a misplayed ball by one of the Italian players, so we owe a thank you to Italy as well.
So here we are the finals. However improbable or impossible it may seem the chance at a historic victory is with in their grasp.
JUNE 25, 2009
NBA ABYSS
Blake Griffin will most likely be the #1 draft pick going to the LA Clippers. I live in LA and let me write that the exhilaration the young man will feel when he hears his name called will soon turn to tears of agony for he will be sucked into the abyss of the worst franchise in the NBA and if not for the Detroit Lions, the worst franchise in sports.
You see Donald Sterling the owner of the Clippers doesn’t care about winning, it’s his man toy. Sterling only cares about being able to say he owns an NBA team, it doesn’t have to win or anything, winning would require a commitment.
A few years ago Sterling was so severely criticized in the local press for not fielding a competitive team, that it actually forced him to shell out some of the money he was hoarding to hire coach, Mike Dunleavy Sr. and sign some star caliber talent.
But the more things change the more they stay the same. Even though there has been some retention of talent the results have remained the same. Elton Brand is gone and Baron Davis is the only legitimate star on the team.
Apparently Davis doesn’t care about winning either, that is the only explanation I have for his remaining in LA, of course he may just love the weather.
So Mr. Griffin, I have a word of advice, you will have to tread water for three years until your rookie deal is up, then you can go to a place where they actually play to win.
JUNE 24, 2009
GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER
They started playing tennis at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. For a serve and volleyer like Roger Federer, the grass is best.
Federer is going for a record 15th singles title. Bjorn Borg won five times on the grass. Pete Sampras hoisted the trophy seven times. Federer has five himself. Barring any unforeseen events Roger should have #6
Roger is going to be twenty eight years old on August 8th and that’s not really young in sports, Borg retired at 26. It’s difficult to know how many years one has left, especially after you turn 30. Things begin to go in your third decade and only a few achieve championship status in their thirties.
Of course if anyone can do it, it’s Federer. He’s so smooth on the court, his swing of the racket seems effortless. Even with the skills in his possession, it gets much tougher in your thirties. What I’m writing is that, Time is of the Essence.
I’m certain that Roger recognizes his tennis mortality and will do what he has done five other times before, but just in case he’s relaxed because Nadal didn’t show, I thought I’d remind him.
JUNE 23, 2009
OUT OF NOWHERE
Ranked #71 in the world and having missed the cut at the previous three U.S. Opens Lucas Glover wins the U.S golf championship. In an improbable victory Lucas passed the leader Ricky Barnes and staved off a surge by Mickelson and Duval to take the title.
Glover said he was nervous and his knees were shaking on the last three holes, but he kept it together. He had only won once prior to the ’09 Open and his best finish at a major was tied for 20th. But now that’s the beauty of the Open Championship, it’s anybody’s game.
The conditions in New York were awful. The championship couldn’t even start at it’s scheduled day due to the rain, oh, there were also the three best players in the world to contend with, Woods, Mickelson and Duval. But Glover seemed unaffected by it all, maybe it was the time off.
Glover left the tour in 2007 because “it wasn’t going right.” The time off did some good and with a new focus and attitude Lucas started playing again and play he did.
We may never see Lucas Glover again hoisting a trophy from one of the Majors, but at this moment in time we tip our cap to the gentleman from South Carolina.
Tags: Golf Federer Tennis Blake Griffin NBA Basketball
