The SEVEN
5 February 2012
I. Super Bowl Sunday
Back in December I kind of predicted that the recently 7-7 New York Giants might advance to the Big Game after their defeat of the previously-undefeated Green Bay Packers...and now here they are, back against the New England Patriots, their opponent four years ago.
Four years ago I so expected the Pats to win because I didn't consider Eli Manning to be an elite quarterback. Now that he definitely is, I could see either team winning...but I still think his brother should or could really be the MVP!
II. Job Opening?
A few nights ago a guy predicted that Mike D'Antoni wouldn't last the week as the Knicks' coach. Well, that was wrong - but it brings to mind the championship predictions flying through the New York air upon his signing. Folks must have thought he was bringing Steve Nash along.
III. Winning Ways
Nash & his Suns just sent the Charlotte Bobcats to their eleventh straight loss. Michael Jordan didn't experience eleven losses during the entire 1995-96 regular season...& super rookie Kemba Walker barely saw more than eleven losses in college.
IV. Strength in the Hair?
Before we begin to think Jose Reyes' haircut for charity will strip him of his strength, let's remember he kind of played like this before he grew his locks out, so we should expect more of the same in Miami...or maybe more in the warm climate. Hope the Make-A-Wish Foundation does well with their auction of those locks!
V. Winter Break
Meanwhile I was recently in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area to watch a group of 12U, 16U, and 19U ballplayers that had taken their talents to South Beach and nearby to participate in the Metropolitan Junior Baseball League's All-Star games, which took place on the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend. The players were treated to great coaching by, among others, Mookie Wilson and Preston Wilson; a great seminar on Black participation in baseball, and a great tour and hospitality provided by Florida Memorial University. A good time was had by all and all are looking forward to the MJBL Classic at the end of July in Richmond, VA. Check out mjbl.org for more information on this organization.
VI. Why?
What's up with fans booing Kris Humphries? Let's be real; he was the only one in that marriage with any talent.
VII. I Knew It All Along
A recent study, discussed in the following Huffington Post article,
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/27/intelligence-study-links-prejudice_n_1237796.html, shows a correlation between low IQ scores and conservatism. According to the study, people that had scored low on IQ tests as youth were "more likely to develop prejudiced beliefs and socially conservative politics in adulthood."
I knew it! I knew those Tea Party/Klansmen/right-wingers were intellectually challenged, to say the least, but I just didn't have the empirical data to prove it. Thanks so much!
About Me
- Mack Williams
- My online column/blog, Sportin' Life - now rechristened as The SEVEN - has appeared on various sites for years, and became the basis for my first book, Sportin' Life: Essays on Sport and Life. My second book is entitled Voices From The Blue States - and my forthcoming children's book to be published in 2012 will be entitled "Jackie Robinson and the Negro Leagues." I am currently developing a TV sitcom, to be entitled Joyful Noize, as well as a comedy/drama entitled No Place Like Home. For more info e-mail me at mcwstar@aol.com.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
We Got Next
The SEVEN
27 January 2012
As we sit here in between the Martin Luther King holiday and Black History Month, I thought it a most appropriate time for a special edition of The SEVEN, in the form of an excerpt from my first book, "Sportin' Life: Essays On Sport And Life." Given that 2012 will be a most exciting year from a political standpoint, there may be several special SEVENS throughout...but for now, here's We Got Next.
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One of my memories of the old sitcom "Good Times" is of the family's patriarch, James Evans, resorting to pulling out his pool sticks - much to the consternation of his wife, Florida - when the money got short. I guess it was during these years that "Good Times" was in its' first-run period that I realized how much I, too, enjoyed the game of pool.
My enjoyment, however, was and is on a purely recreational basis; never have I approached anywhere near a level of proficiency to attempt to win the rent or food money at the table. That notwithstanding, I enjoy the game and can watch virtually any two players compete, whether they are at the neighborhood pool joint or running the table for thousands on ESPN.
Still I found it somewhat unusual this week when - without having played or watched any pool for a number of months - I wound up thinking about the game, and people and places I've played. I began to also think about another player that I know of that I never had the opportunity to play, though on the other hand, I would undoubtedly have wanted to do much more with him than that. And he would certainly have described himself as being more than just a pool player.
But pool it was for this young man - who was a very good player, by the way - on this one particular Saturday evening, because the word needed to be immediately spread about what was to happen, or not happen, on the following Monday. As many of the people in need of the information would not be in church on Sunday to receive it, it was thought that a different approach might be in order - something along today's lines, if you will, of "Shackles" or "We Fall Down" or "Stomp" as opposed to "Onward Christian Soldiers."
So the young man went into the pool halls and bars, and I can picture him placing his money on the table and/or calling "Next," indicating that he wanted to play the winner of the current game. And after getting to play and take part in the pool table banter, he'd share with those present that yet another sister had not only been disrespected but arrested on the Jim Crow buses of Montgomery - and as a result, the Black community was to take a stand against segregation by remaining off the buses on Monday.
Then the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - truly one of the great writers and orators and thinkers of this century, or any other, for that matter - would head back out into the street in search of another game at another table for another opportunity to spread the word.
27 January 2012
As we sit here in between the Martin Luther King holiday and Black History Month, I thought it a most appropriate time for a special edition of The SEVEN, in the form of an excerpt from my first book, "Sportin' Life: Essays On Sport And Life." Given that 2012 will be a most exciting year from a political standpoint, there may be several special SEVENS throughout...but for now, here's We Got Next.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of my memories of the old sitcom "Good Times" is of the family's patriarch, James Evans, resorting to pulling out his pool sticks - much to the consternation of his wife, Florida - when the money got short. I guess it was during these years that "Good Times" was in its' first-run period that I realized how much I, too, enjoyed the game of pool.
My enjoyment, however, was and is on a purely recreational basis; never have I approached anywhere near a level of proficiency to attempt to win the rent or food money at the table. That notwithstanding, I enjoy the game and can watch virtually any two players compete, whether they are at the neighborhood pool joint or running the table for thousands on ESPN.
Still I found it somewhat unusual this week when - without having played or watched any pool for a number of months - I wound up thinking about the game, and people and places I've played. I began to also think about another player that I know of that I never had the opportunity to play, though on the other hand, I would undoubtedly have wanted to do much more with him than that. And he would certainly have described himself as being more than just a pool player.
But pool it was for this young man - who was a very good player, by the way - on this one particular Saturday evening, because the word needed to be immediately spread about what was to happen, or not happen, on the following Monday. As many of the people in need of the information would not be in church on Sunday to receive it, it was thought that a different approach might be in order - something along today's lines, if you will, of "Shackles" or "We Fall Down" or "Stomp" as opposed to "Onward Christian Soldiers."
So the young man went into the pool halls and bars, and I can picture him placing his money on the table and/or calling "Next," indicating that he wanted to play the winner of the current game. And after getting to play and take part in the pool table banter, he'd share with those present that yet another sister had not only been disrespected but arrested on the Jim Crow buses of Montgomery - and as a result, the Black community was to take a stand against segregation by remaining off the buses on Monday.
Then the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - truly one of the great writers and orators and thinkers of this century, or any other, for that matter - would head back out into the street in search of another game at another table for another opportunity to spread the word.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Down Go The Mets, Down Go The Mets
The SEVEN
6 December 2011
I. Yes, Virginia...
There is a Santa Claus and he's bringing some awesome NBA basketball on Christmas Day...Knicks-Celtics, Miami-Dallas and much more. Finally...the rock...has returned...to the court!
Of course I was neither present nor privy to the details of the marathon 15-hour final negotiating session that yielded the agreement between the players and owners, but I gotta believe they could have done the very same deal a month earlier and come away with an easy 72-game season as opposed to the 66-gamer that is to be the 2011-2012 NBA season.
That said, I'll take what we got - but I must say this before the first shot is taken: I don't want to hear anyone with anything negative to say about the eventual winner in June, in the manner that some people subsequently dissed the Spurs after their 1999 lockout-shortened season championship. Besides the fact that the Spurs won three more titles within the next eight years - which made any criticism of their '99 title totally invalid - all of the teams played under the same rules and same conditions, as will be the case this season. May the best team win - and if not, congratulations to the winner.
II. Giants Deja Vu?
A few years back the New York Giants played a late-season game against a heavily-favored undefeated team, and wound up almost winning while giving the undefeated team their toughest game so far. Several weeks later, in the Super Bowl, the same Giants - led by Eli Manning, Plaxico Burress, and David "Catch It Against My Head" Tyree - pulled off one of the major upsets in NFL history in defeating the New England Patriots.
This past Sunday the Giants played the previously-unbeaten Green Bay Packers, and wound up losing on a last-second field goal. Obviously the Giants won't be playing Green Bay in the Super Bowl as they are both in the NFC, but could that scenario repeat itself in the NFC championship game?
III. We Were Family
I wonder if at any time during the 72 days they were officially brothers-in-law if Lamar Odom tried to recruit Kris Humphries for the Lakers?
IV. Not 1, Not 2, Not 3...
Now that Jose Reyes has taken his talents to South Beach, shouldn't he too get a key to the city?
V. Basement, Please
For those of you outside of the New York City area, the New York Mets have a crazy fan base, one that will support the Mets to no end...if they respect the product. Case in point: they drew well in their early years even with an horrible team on the field, in part because they were horrible and lovable at the same time.
But then they won in 1969, which changed their landscape with the fan base forever. No longer was it good enough to be the lovable losers; a certain level of productivity is now expected for fans - especially within hard economic times - to part with hard-earned dollars. That productivity is expected on the field as well as upstairs. So when the suits upstairs let Reyes, the best home-grown infielder and one of the most exciting players in team history, walk without even tendering an offer to him, that sends a message to the fans that we are blowing off 2012 and quite possibly the foreseeable future. The fans, in turn, will undoubtably vote with their wallets against going to see a team that is worse and duller, in the way that I did after 1990 upon the departure of Darryl Strawberry.
VI. Am I My Brother's Keeper?
Unlike in the Bible, in this case it was Cain who was slain, or at least his presidential ambitions were killed. I was kinda hoping he would stick around - and in my opinion, he really didn't have to "suspend" his campaign. I mean, he didn't leave his wife when he had an affair, nor did he leave sick wife #1 for mistress and sick wife #2 for mistress. Might as well stay in.
VII. Association Fee
At any rate, the GOP field is down by one, which will make it that much easier for my friend who is not supporting President Obama but does not know the Republican candidates to get a grasp of where they all are. He has floated the idea of not voting at all, which I don't consider at all valid; given that which African-Americans have gone through in this country - in relatively recent years, no less - just to have the right to vote/drink in non-segregated fountains/eat at southern lunch counters, etc., my belief is that not voting dishonors the memories of people like Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Rev. Jim Reeb, Medgar Evers, and so many others whose names we will never know who gave so much so that we would be able to take advantage of our constitutionally-promised rights.
One could say the question of whether or not to vote is like living in a condominium. Condo owners usually pay an "association fee" to the owners association, which is then available to be used for the common good of the membership. I know every owner isn't jumping for joy when it is time to pay that fee, but that is what you do to remain in good standing within the organization.
In a sense, we here who are citizens of the United States are like joint owners of the U.S. condo. None of us - even the 1% - own the entire thing, but we all have a stake in maintaining our property - and one of the things that comprises our "association fee" and keeps us in good standing is participation in the political process through voting.
If my dude doesn't vote I can't banish him to the North Pole, and I imagine that if you miss a payment to the condo association they won't banish you there, either - but you certainly ought not try to complain if you don't like the lights they put up.
6 December 2011
I. Yes, Virginia...
There is a Santa Claus and he's bringing some awesome NBA basketball on Christmas Day...Knicks-Celtics, Miami-Dallas and much more. Finally...the rock...has returned...to the court!
Of course I was neither present nor privy to the details of the marathon 15-hour final negotiating session that yielded the agreement between the players and owners, but I gotta believe they could have done the very same deal a month earlier and come away with an easy 72-game season as opposed to the 66-gamer that is to be the 2011-2012 NBA season.
That said, I'll take what we got - but I must say this before the first shot is taken: I don't want to hear anyone with anything negative to say about the eventual winner in June, in the manner that some people subsequently dissed the Spurs after their 1999 lockout-shortened season championship. Besides the fact that the Spurs won three more titles within the next eight years - which made any criticism of their '99 title totally invalid - all of the teams played under the same rules and same conditions, as will be the case this season. May the best team win - and if not, congratulations to the winner.
II. Giants Deja Vu?
A few years back the New York Giants played a late-season game against a heavily-favored undefeated team, and wound up almost winning while giving the undefeated team their toughest game so far. Several weeks later, in the Super Bowl, the same Giants - led by Eli Manning, Plaxico Burress, and David "Catch It Against My Head" Tyree - pulled off one of the major upsets in NFL history in defeating the New England Patriots.
This past Sunday the Giants played the previously-unbeaten Green Bay Packers, and wound up losing on a last-second field goal. Obviously the Giants won't be playing Green Bay in the Super Bowl as they are both in the NFC, but could that scenario repeat itself in the NFC championship game?
III. We Were Family
I wonder if at any time during the 72 days they were officially brothers-in-law if Lamar Odom tried to recruit Kris Humphries for the Lakers?
IV. Not 1, Not 2, Not 3...
Now that Jose Reyes has taken his talents to South Beach, shouldn't he too get a key to the city?
V. Basement, Please
For those of you outside of the New York City area, the New York Mets have a crazy fan base, one that will support the Mets to no end...if they respect the product. Case in point: they drew well in their early years even with an horrible team on the field, in part because they were horrible and lovable at the same time.
But then they won in 1969, which changed their landscape with the fan base forever. No longer was it good enough to be the lovable losers; a certain level of productivity is now expected for fans - especially within hard economic times - to part with hard-earned dollars. That productivity is expected on the field as well as upstairs. So when the suits upstairs let Reyes, the best home-grown infielder and one of the most exciting players in team history, walk without even tendering an offer to him, that sends a message to the fans that we are blowing off 2012 and quite possibly the foreseeable future. The fans, in turn, will undoubtably vote with their wallets against going to see a team that is worse and duller, in the way that I did after 1990 upon the departure of Darryl Strawberry.
VI. Am I My Brother's Keeper?
Unlike in the Bible, in this case it was Cain who was slain, or at least his presidential ambitions were killed. I was kinda hoping he would stick around - and in my opinion, he really didn't have to "suspend" his campaign. I mean, he didn't leave his wife when he had an affair, nor did he leave sick wife #1 for mistress and sick wife #2 for mistress. Might as well stay in.
VII. Association Fee
At any rate, the GOP field is down by one, which will make it that much easier for my friend who is not supporting President Obama but does not know the Republican candidates to get a grasp of where they all are. He has floated the idea of not voting at all, which I don't consider at all valid; given that which African-Americans have gone through in this country - in relatively recent years, no less - just to have the right to vote/drink in non-segregated fountains/eat at southern lunch counters, etc., my belief is that not voting dishonors the memories of people like Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Rev. Jim Reeb, Medgar Evers, and so many others whose names we will never know who gave so much so that we would be able to take advantage of our constitutionally-promised rights.
One could say the question of whether or not to vote is like living in a condominium. Condo owners usually pay an "association fee" to the owners association, which is then available to be used for the common good of the membership. I know every owner isn't jumping for joy when it is time to pay that fee, but that is what you do to remain in good standing within the organization.
In a sense, we here who are citizens of the United States are like joint owners of the U.S. condo. None of us - even the 1% - own the entire thing, but we all have a stake in maintaining our property - and one of the things that comprises our "association fee" and keeps us in good standing is participation in the political process through voting.
If my dude doesn't vote I can't banish him to the North Pole, and I imagine that if you miss a payment to the condo association they won't banish you there, either - but you certainly ought not try to complain if you don't like the lights they put up.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
A Few Things To Be Thankful For
The SEVEN
24 November 2011
I. Smokin' Joe Frazier
Let me open by saying that I was (and am) one of the biggest Muhammad Ali fans out there, beginning back in an era when being the heavyweight champion of the world meant you were the most recognized and celebrated athlete - and in Ali's case, human being - on the planet. Nowadays my young lady friends talk about the WWE's Randy Orton being "the man" and might not be able to produce the name of any heavyweight champion if their lives depended on it. Or pronounce it either.
With that said, as an Ali fan, I'm thankful for the life and career of the late Smokin' Joe Frazier, who was laid to rest last week in Philadelphia in the presence of dignitaries from around the world, including Ali. Joe was a great champion as well and his fight trilogy with Ali defined both of their careers and help to forever etch their names at the top of the list of heavyweight champions. Just as Magic had an ultimate rival in Bird, Ali had Frazier, and their legacies are the greater for it. And in light of Frazier's passing, I just hope that Joe was able to let go of some or all of the bitter feelings he held about Ali as a result of various things Ali said to and about him during their years in the ring.
I hope he ultimately came to the realization that Ali was the master promoter who used the resentment against him, the folk-hero status afforded him within the African-American community, and the media to hype their fights to levels never-before seen. And yes, he used Joe Frazier as his foil, his straight-man, the "company man" as opposed to the "anti-establishment" Ali. But I'm sure that what he was doing was solely done to make them both a whole lot of money. I do hope he was able to see that.
The champ is gone; long live the champ.
II. JoePA and company
I think many are glad that the curtain was pulled away at Penn State, exposing the horrific things allegedly occurring under the nose of coach Joe Paterno. As per the sign on the desk of the President of the United States - Harry Truman - when Paterno began there: The Buck Stops Here.
Still trying to figure out why this assistant coach, seeing what he claimed to have seen, first called his father. Unless his dad was Batman, dude's best move might have been to call the police.
III. NBA sides talking again
Thank goodness for that! Get it done this time.
IV. NASCAR crowd
Thanks to the probably Tea Party-types at the recent NASCAR event that booed First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden. You guys are really doing us such a favor...thanks so much.
V. Occupy Wall Street
As we sit around the table giving thanks, we should include our thanks to Occupy Wall Street and the other occupations nationwide. President Obama might want to do so as well...in that after almost three years of Republican efforts to protect the 1%, OWS has brought to the nation's attention some of the things that he has attempted to bring to light. Now he can sit back and let them make some of his points and move the needle back towards reality.
VI. MVP Trophies
No disrespect to Ryan Braun and Justin Verlander, but I think they ought be very thankful to the voting baseball media for giving them their MVP trophies. They had fantastic seasons, no doubt, but had I had a vote, I would probably have gone with Matt Kemp in the National League and Curtis Granderson in the American League. Again no disrespect to Verlander, who had an outstanding season, but the bottom line is that if Dwight Gooden did not get the MVP for 1985 (24-4, 1.53 ERA; 16 complete games; 268 strikeouts), no pitcher should ever get it.
VII. Rex Ryan's curse
Finally, New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan ought really be thankful he makes enough money to afford his $75,000 fine. That sure was an expensive F-bomb.
24 November 2011
I. Smokin' Joe Frazier
Let me open by saying that I was (and am) one of the biggest Muhammad Ali fans out there, beginning back in an era when being the heavyweight champion of the world meant you were the most recognized and celebrated athlete - and in Ali's case, human being - on the planet. Nowadays my young lady friends talk about the WWE's Randy Orton being "the man" and might not be able to produce the name of any heavyweight champion if their lives depended on it. Or pronounce it either.
With that said, as an Ali fan, I'm thankful for the life and career of the late Smokin' Joe Frazier, who was laid to rest last week in Philadelphia in the presence of dignitaries from around the world, including Ali. Joe was a great champion as well and his fight trilogy with Ali defined both of their careers and help to forever etch their names at the top of the list of heavyweight champions. Just as Magic had an ultimate rival in Bird, Ali had Frazier, and their legacies are the greater for it. And in light of Frazier's passing, I just hope that Joe was able to let go of some or all of the bitter feelings he held about Ali as a result of various things Ali said to and about him during their years in the ring.
I hope he ultimately came to the realization that Ali was the master promoter who used the resentment against him, the folk-hero status afforded him within the African-American community, and the media to hype their fights to levels never-before seen. And yes, he used Joe Frazier as his foil, his straight-man, the "company man" as opposed to the "anti-establishment" Ali. But I'm sure that what he was doing was solely done to make them both a whole lot of money. I do hope he was able to see that.
The champ is gone; long live the champ.
II. JoePA and company
I think many are glad that the curtain was pulled away at Penn State, exposing the horrific things allegedly occurring under the nose of coach Joe Paterno. As per the sign on the desk of the President of the United States - Harry Truman - when Paterno began there: The Buck Stops Here.
Still trying to figure out why this assistant coach, seeing what he claimed to have seen, first called his father. Unless his dad was Batman, dude's best move might have been to call the police.
III. NBA sides talking again
Thank goodness for that! Get it done this time.
IV. NASCAR crowd
Thanks to the probably Tea Party-types at the recent NASCAR event that booed First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden. You guys are really doing us such a favor...thanks so much.
V. Occupy Wall Street
As we sit around the table giving thanks, we should include our thanks to Occupy Wall Street and the other occupations nationwide. President Obama might want to do so as well...in that after almost three years of Republican efforts to protect the 1%, OWS has brought to the nation's attention some of the things that he has attempted to bring to light. Now he can sit back and let them make some of his points and move the needle back towards reality.
VI. MVP Trophies
No disrespect to Ryan Braun and Justin Verlander, but I think they ought be very thankful to the voting baseball media for giving them their MVP trophies. They had fantastic seasons, no doubt, but had I had a vote, I would probably have gone with Matt Kemp in the National League and Curtis Granderson in the American League. Again no disrespect to Verlander, who had an outstanding season, but the bottom line is that if Dwight Gooden did not get the MVP for 1985 (24-4, 1.53 ERA; 16 complete games; 268 strikeouts), no pitcher should ever get it.
VII. Rex Ryan's curse
Finally, New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan ought really be thankful he makes enough money to afford his $75,000 fine. That sure was an expensive F-bomb.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Occupy The NBA
I. Have You Guys Been Reading Your Paper?
On Monday AM New York, a free newspaper in New York City, listed a game between the Sixers and the Bulls as scheduled to be shown on ESPN that night at 8:30. If only that were true.
II. Occupy The NBA
Spotted a while back at Occupy Wall Street: A 3-4 foot high little basketball hoop. What this says to me is that someone at OWS thinks the cause is important enough to stay there with their infant...and also that it's time for the big boys to play. And while the two big boys factions from the 1% continue beefing, the league has placed a proposal on the table - with an approval deadline of Wednesday - and the players' association is supposedly revisiting the concept of decertification of the union. President Obama said he was "heartbroken," and that alone almost seemed to move negotiations forward...but as it turned out, only temporarily...and they're still at an impasse. So I came up with a couple of ideas of my own. I don't know if they will move things forward any more than did Obama's comments, but here are my suggestions:
1) Since the major stumbling block between the sides seems to be the share of BRI, or basketball-related income...and the players and owners each basically want 53%...instead of a 50-50 split, why not do a sliding 47-53% scale for the players? That way both sides can say it could wind up working in their favor, and therefore they won, so it's time to go back to work.
2) Occupy Wall Street/Oakland/Philly/Atlanta/Denver, etc. should take their protests to visit the arenas on behalf of the 99% who sell the tickets, cook the hot dogs, pour the beer, screen the t-shirts, and everything else in and around an NBA arena and/or team that is affected by this lockout. I wonder if that wouldn't bring folks back to the table.
III. Occupy New Jersey
I also have a suggestion for the soon-to-be divorced Kim Kardashian, whose ears are still stinging and ringing from the almost universal trashing she's taken for her 72-day marriage to the New Jersey Nets' Kris Humphries. Instead of (allegedly) seeking to pay Kris to keep her $2,000,000 ring, a nice p.r. move might be if she would donate some cash to the people employed by the New Jersey folks affected by the lockout.
IV. You Da Man
When Cliff Lee chose to leave the Texas Rangers via free agency to rejoin the Philadelphia Phillies, many people - myself included - anointed the Phils the favorites and blew off the Rangers. Therefore, it was to the surprise of many people when the Phils...winners of 102 games, no less...failed to make it out of the first round, while the Rangers returned to the World Series. Guess Texas skipper Ron Washington deserves some American League manager of the year consideration.
V. Next Exit
Who would have thought the legendary Joe Paterno would be walking out the door to keep from being kicked out?
VI. Exiting Too Soon
Unreal to hear of the passing of rapper/actor Dwight "Heavy D" Myers. Rest in peace, Heavy D, and you will be missed!
VII. The Last Round
"The world has lost a great champion. I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration." - Muhammad Ali.
On Monday AM New York, a free newspaper in New York City, listed a game between the Sixers and the Bulls as scheduled to be shown on ESPN that night at 8:30. If only that were true.
II. Occupy The NBA
Spotted a while back at Occupy Wall Street: A 3-4 foot high little basketball hoop. What this says to me is that someone at OWS thinks the cause is important enough to stay there with their infant...and also that it's time for the big boys to play. And while the two big boys factions from the 1% continue beefing, the league has placed a proposal on the table - with an approval deadline of Wednesday - and the players' association is supposedly revisiting the concept of decertification of the union. President Obama said he was "heartbroken," and that alone almost seemed to move negotiations forward...but as it turned out, only temporarily...and they're still at an impasse. So I came up with a couple of ideas of my own. I don't know if they will move things forward any more than did Obama's comments, but here are my suggestions:
1) Since the major stumbling block between the sides seems to be the share of BRI, or basketball-related income...and the players and owners each basically want 53%...instead of a 50-50 split, why not do a sliding 47-53% scale for the players? That way both sides can say it could wind up working in their favor, and therefore they won, so it's time to go back to work.
2) Occupy Wall Street/Oakland/Philly/Atlanta/Denver, etc. should take their protests to visit the arenas on behalf of the 99% who sell the tickets, cook the hot dogs, pour the beer, screen the t-shirts, and everything else in and around an NBA arena and/or team that is affected by this lockout. I wonder if that wouldn't bring folks back to the table.
III. Occupy New Jersey
I also have a suggestion for the soon-to-be divorced Kim Kardashian, whose ears are still stinging and ringing from the almost universal trashing she's taken for her 72-day marriage to the New Jersey Nets' Kris Humphries. Instead of (allegedly) seeking to pay Kris to keep her $2,000,000 ring, a nice p.r. move might be if she would donate some cash to the people employed by the New Jersey folks affected by the lockout.
IV. You Da Man
When Cliff Lee chose to leave the Texas Rangers via free agency to rejoin the Philadelphia Phillies, many people - myself included - anointed the Phils the favorites and blew off the Rangers. Therefore, it was to the surprise of many people when the Phils...winners of 102 games, no less...failed to make it out of the first round, while the Rangers returned to the World Series. Guess Texas skipper Ron Washington deserves some American League manager of the year consideration.
V. Next Exit
Who would have thought the legendary Joe Paterno would be walking out the door to keep from being kicked out?
VI. Exiting Too Soon
Unreal to hear of the passing of rapper/actor Dwight "Heavy D" Myers. Rest in peace, Heavy D, and you will be missed!
VII. The Last Round
"The world has lost a great champion. I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration." - Muhammad Ali.
Friday, October 28, 2011
From Game 6 To '86
The SEVEN
28 October 2011
I. Father's Day
No, last night's totally instant classic World Series thriller was not played on Father's Day, but just as Joe Buck paid homage to his dad with his "see...you...tomorrow" call of the David Freese walk-off home run, I was thinking about my dad in a series stretched by a rainout in which the NL team was down 3-2, such as the 1986 series.
Actually, in '86, the rainout came after game 6, not before it as it has this year, but the rainout is central to my association of the series with my father. After the Mets' unbelievable comeback to win Game 6, I hoped that Game 7, scheduled for the next day, would be rained out - and told several people that that was what was going to happen. The reason why I wanted it postponed was that I was scheduled to play keyboards for a group in a concert that afternoon, and by the time the concert ended I would not have time to get back home to watch it with my father...so like the Temptations, I wished it would rain...and it did. On Monday night we watched the Mets' Game 7 victory - on the couch together.
II. Don't Blame Bill
On Facebook and Twitter last night...or this morning...there were many calling last night's game the greatest ever, although some refused to place it above the aforementioned '86 game. Even as a long-time die-hard Met fan, I'm willing to give the Cards and this game their props; the Cards came back three times prior to winning in the 11th inning, twice being down to their last strike. Of course, from a sentimental Met fan standpoint, nothing can top the joy of seeing Mookie Wilson's grounder get by Bill Buckner...but with that said, there are a couple of things about that play that have been forgotten by many through the years. One is that at the point that Buckner failed to come up with that ball, the game was already tied as a result of the wild pitch that Wilson had to jump to avoid...which means that had Buckner fielded it cleanly and made the play, the game goes on. Bill Buckner was not the goat.
The other thing is that Bill was slow with bad knees, and Mookie was fast as the wind; I am not at all sure that Buckner would have beaten Wilson to the bag anyway. Bottom line, Sox fans...don't blame Bill.
III. Take Me Out To The Ball Game
We already know NJ governor Chris Christie is a baseball fan, given that he took a state helicopter to see his son's game. But I didn't know he was a Met fan...until I saw that he is in favor, along with New York mayor Mike Bloomberg, of extending the #7 subway line, which goes to Citi Field, out to Secaucus, New Jersey. He must be a Met fan...or perhaps he realized that he messed up big time when he pulled the plug on the previously proposed new train tunnel between NY and NJ, costing the state money and losing the state jobs.
IV. Root, Root, Root for the Home Team
As humans, we are in part products of our environments...and for that reason, I'm rooting for the Cards to pull it out tonight. In my case, I grew up in a house with parents who - like many African-Americans of their era - were fond of the Dodgers for having signed Jackie Robinson, and a little more fond of the National League in general for having integrated faster. So when the Series rolled around, my father rooted for the National League team - and so did I. Now, years later, I usually still do...so go Cardinals!
V. If They Don't Play It's A Shame
Why did it seem to take Barack Obama weighing in on the NBA lockout situation to generate some movement between the two sides? Well, if that's what it takes...
VI. I Don't Care If He Never Comes Back
So Presidential candidate Gov. Rick Perry indicated uncertainty this week about whether Obama was born in the United States...and I'm not certain what country he wants to lead, since he kind of advocated Texas' secession from the U.S. Governor, after you clear that up, perhaps you can return to your losing birther question.
VII. We Are The 99%
If Peyton Manning isn't in that "other 1%" in a major way, he certainly ought be in light of the Indianapolis Colts being winless in his absence.
28 October 2011
I. Father's Day
No, last night's totally instant classic World Series thriller was not played on Father's Day, but just as Joe Buck paid homage to his dad with his "see...you...tomorrow" call of the David Freese walk-off home run, I was thinking about my dad in a series stretched by a rainout in which the NL team was down 3-2, such as the 1986 series.
Actually, in '86, the rainout came after game 6, not before it as it has this year, but the rainout is central to my association of the series with my father. After the Mets' unbelievable comeback to win Game 6, I hoped that Game 7, scheduled for the next day, would be rained out - and told several people that that was what was going to happen. The reason why I wanted it postponed was that I was scheduled to play keyboards for a group in a concert that afternoon, and by the time the concert ended I would not have time to get back home to watch it with my father...so like the Temptations, I wished it would rain...and it did. On Monday night we watched the Mets' Game 7 victory - on the couch together.
II. Don't Blame Bill
On Facebook and Twitter last night...or this morning...there were many calling last night's game the greatest ever, although some refused to place it above the aforementioned '86 game. Even as a long-time die-hard Met fan, I'm willing to give the Cards and this game their props; the Cards came back three times prior to winning in the 11th inning, twice being down to their last strike. Of course, from a sentimental Met fan standpoint, nothing can top the joy of seeing Mookie Wilson's grounder get by Bill Buckner...but with that said, there are a couple of things about that play that have been forgotten by many through the years. One is that at the point that Buckner failed to come up with that ball, the game was already tied as a result of the wild pitch that Wilson had to jump to avoid...which means that had Buckner fielded it cleanly and made the play, the game goes on. Bill Buckner was not the goat.
The other thing is that Bill was slow with bad knees, and Mookie was fast as the wind; I am not at all sure that Buckner would have beaten Wilson to the bag anyway. Bottom line, Sox fans...don't blame Bill.
III. Take Me Out To The Ball Game
We already know NJ governor Chris Christie is a baseball fan, given that he took a state helicopter to see his son's game. But I didn't know he was a Met fan...until I saw that he is in favor, along with New York mayor Mike Bloomberg, of extending the #7 subway line, which goes to Citi Field, out to Secaucus, New Jersey. He must be a Met fan...or perhaps he realized that he messed up big time when he pulled the plug on the previously proposed new train tunnel between NY and NJ, costing the state money and losing the state jobs.
IV. Root, Root, Root for the Home Team
As humans, we are in part products of our environments...and for that reason, I'm rooting for the Cards to pull it out tonight. In my case, I grew up in a house with parents who - like many African-Americans of their era - were fond of the Dodgers for having signed Jackie Robinson, and a little more fond of the National League in general for having integrated faster. So when the Series rolled around, my father rooted for the National League team - and so did I. Now, years later, I usually still do...so go Cardinals!
V. If They Don't Play It's A Shame
Why did it seem to take Barack Obama weighing in on the NBA lockout situation to generate some movement between the two sides? Well, if that's what it takes...
VI. I Don't Care If He Never Comes Back
So Presidential candidate Gov. Rick Perry indicated uncertainty this week about whether Obama was born in the United States...and I'm not certain what country he wants to lead, since he kind of advocated Texas' secession from the U.S. Governor, after you clear that up, perhaps you can return to your losing birther question.
VII. We Are The 99%
If Peyton Manning isn't in that "other 1%" in a major way, he certainly ought be in light of the Indianapolis Colts being winless in his absence.
Monday, October 10, 2011
No Joy In Mudville
The SEVEN
October 10th, 2011
I. Brotherly vs. Apple?
If you had taken my prediction of an all-green Super Bowl - Jets vs. Eagles - to Las Vegas, things wouldn't be looking too good for you right now. It's not too late for a turnaround on the part of either team…but it's time to get it together.
In the case of the Eagles, maybe my dude Greg is right in insisting for any number of years that the problem includes coach Andy Reid. I certainly would like to see better pass protection for Mike Vick…that is, if you want him to be the proverbial pocket quarterback…which, to me, is crazy considering his unique skill set.
II. No Brotherly vs. Apple Here
Seems like I'm not doing too well with these two cities' teams...I didn't formally predict both of the World Series participants, but I certainly had forecast the Phillies to be one of them…and I certainly wouldn't have been surprised if, flaws and all, the Yankees had met them there. Now that - to borrow from "Casey At The Bat" - there is no joy in Yankeeville; mighty A-Rod has struck out (to end the season for the second consecutive year), and mighty Ryan Howard injured himself on the last play and may be out for part of 2012, the only place where they might meet is in front of the television to watch the Tigers vs. the Rangers or the Brewers vs. the Cardinals.
Since I like putting myself out there, I'm predicting that Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, Nyjer "Tony Plush" Morgan, and the Brew Crew will emerge as NL champs and defeat either team that comes from the American League.
III. Curtain Call
Meanwhile, the airwaves/newspapers/internet in the areas of the Apple and the Liberty Bell are naturally filled with the "what went wrong…what can/should we do…who should stay/go" discussions. Should they hire me as a consultant to the Phils, I'd start by saying that you don't blow up a team that won 102 games; that doesn't happen by accident. Sign Rollins, lock up Hamels, give the closer role to Madson, and tweak around the edges. Bottom line is that this team was nine wins from the trophy; how many can say that?
As for the Bronx Bombers, pitching was where I thought their problems were at the beginning and where I feel they are weakest now. Sooner rather than later they will have to address that…but my first advice would be to offer Jorge Posada a one-year pact. As one of the great catchers in franchise history, he deserves a "curtain call" season even at the age of 41, which he will be this time next year. If any team can afford to carry a little-used guy for such a purpose, it's the Yankees. That said, Posada's play in the latter part of the regular season and the playoffs seemed to indicate that his tank is not yet empty.
IV. Try, Try Again
One key thing professional sports franchises - especially in markets like New York, Philadelphia, and Boston - need to do is place themselves in a position to compete for a title, which translates into making the playoffs. Once in the playoffs, you may meet with disappointment - as did the Yanks and Phils, along with their star-studded brethren of the Miami Heat - but as the ad says, you gotta be in it to win it. This is why you don't take a solid playoff team such as these and go into total rebuilding mode.
V. Playoffs?
Speaking of the Heat, hopefully there will be some playoffs this spring in the NBA. As I write this the owners and players just ought to be in negotiation, what with David Stern setting today as a deadline date for agreement prior to his cancellation of the first two weeks of the regular season.
Now let's rewind back to 1999, the year of the last NBA work-stoppage, where they played a 50-game schedule in a time span in which they generally play 30 games. With that as a backdrop, we can see that cancellation of two weeks would not necessarily mean the loss of two weeks worth of games…but come on guys, let's get this together.
VI. Collateral Damage
One of my cousins worked a second job for years at a concession stand at the Philadelphia 76ers games. He and his fellow workers must have felt that they needed that money, and may not have been in a position to draw on some cash sitting around if those checks dried up, as in the case of many of the players on the court.
In discussing the lockout and the ramifications of a shortened season - or no season at all, for that matter…think NHL a few years back - we forget about all of the other people that are affected by this. The fifteen ballplayers on each team's roster are by no means the only folks whose income is at stake here, and many of the other regular people need this money badly for things like tuition payments, rent or mortgage, or their car note.
I can't emphasize this enough…with the economy where it is, it is not too good a look for millionaires, multi-millionaires, and some billionaires to be arguing about the distribution of their monies.
VII. Take Care Of The Needy, Part I
Speaking of millionaires…and those totally looking out for their interests…isn't it funny that the Republican Party leaders are so quick to diss the Occupy Wall Street Protesters, but when Tea Party folks called for the be-heading of Barack Obama, and spit on African-American congressmen and called them the N-word, those Republicans were as quiet as church mice?
October 10th, 2011
I. Brotherly vs. Apple?
If you had taken my prediction of an all-green Super Bowl - Jets vs. Eagles - to Las Vegas, things wouldn't be looking too good for you right now. It's not too late for a turnaround on the part of either team…but it's time to get it together.
In the case of the Eagles, maybe my dude Greg is right in insisting for any number of years that the problem includes coach Andy Reid. I certainly would like to see better pass protection for Mike Vick…that is, if you want him to be the proverbial pocket quarterback…which, to me, is crazy considering his unique skill set.
II. No Brotherly vs. Apple Here
Seems like I'm not doing too well with these two cities' teams...I didn't formally predict both of the World Series participants, but I certainly had forecast the Phillies to be one of them…and I certainly wouldn't have been surprised if, flaws and all, the Yankees had met them there. Now that - to borrow from "Casey At The Bat" - there is no joy in Yankeeville; mighty A-Rod has struck out (to end the season for the second consecutive year), and mighty Ryan Howard injured himself on the last play and may be out for part of 2012, the only place where they might meet is in front of the television to watch the Tigers vs. the Rangers or the Brewers vs. the Cardinals.
Since I like putting myself out there, I'm predicting that Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, Nyjer "Tony Plush" Morgan, and the Brew Crew will emerge as NL champs and defeat either team that comes from the American League.
III. Curtain Call
Meanwhile, the airwaves/newspapers/internet in the areas of the Apple and the Liberty Bell are naturally filled with the "what went wrong…what can/should we do…who should stay/go" discussions. Should they hire me as a consultant to the Phils, I'd start by saying that you don't blow up a team that won 102 games; that doesn't happen by accident. Sign Rollins, lock up Hamels, give the closer role to Madson, and tweak around the edges. Bottom line is that this team was nine wins from the trophy; how many can say that?
As for the Bronx Bombers, pitching was where I thought their problems were at the beginning and where I feel they are weakest now. Sooner rather than later they will have to address that…but my first advice would be to offer Jorge Posada a one-year pact. As one of the great catchers in franchise history, he deserves a "curtain call" season even at the age of 41, which he will be this time next year. If any team can afford to carry a little-used guy for such a purpose, it's the Yankees. That said, Posada's play in the latter part of the regular season and the playoffs seemed to indicate that his tank is not yet empty.
IV. Try, Try Again
One key thing professional sports franchises - especially in markets like New York, Philadelphia, and Boston - need to do is place themselves in a position to compete for a title, which translates into making the playoffs. Once in the playoffs, you may meet with disappointment - as did the Yanks and Phils, along with their star-studded brethren of the Miami Heat - but as the ad says, you gotta be in it to win it. This is why you don't take a solid playoff team such as these and go into total rebuilding mode.
V. Playoffs?
Speaking of the Heat, hopefully there will be some playoffs this spring in the NBA. As I write this the owners and players just ought to be in negotiation, what with David Stern setting today as a deadline date for agreement prior to his cancellation of the first two weeks of the regular season.
Now let's rewind back to 1999, the year of the last NBA work-stoppage, where they played a 50-game schedule in a time span in which they generally play 30 games. With that as a backdrop, we can see that cancellation of two weeks would not necessarily mean the loss of two weeks worth of games…but come on guys, let's get this together.
VI. Collateral Damage
One of my cousins worked a second job for years at a concession stand at the Philadelphia 76ers games. He and his fellow workers must have felt that they needed that money, and may not have been in a position to draw on some cash sitting around if those checks dried up, as in the case of many of the players on the court.
In discussing the lockout and the ramifications of a shortened season - or no season at all, for that matter…think NHL a few years back - we forget about all of the other people that are affected by this. The fifteen ballplayers on each team's roster are by no means the only folks whose income is at stake here, and many of the other regular people need this money badly for things like tuition payments, rent or mortgage, or their car note.
I can't emphasize this enough…with the economy where it is, it is not too good a look for millionaires, multi-millionaires, and some billionaires to be arguing about the distribution of their monies.
VII. Take Care Of The Needy, Part I
Speaking of millionaires…and those totally looking out for their interests…isn't it funny that the Republican Party leaders are so quick to diss the Occupy Wall Street Protesters, but when Tea Party folks called for the be-heading of Barack Obama, and spit on African-American congressmen and called them the N-word, those Republicans were as quiet as church mice?
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