Watching David Letterman last week I had the privilege of being surprised to see Hank Aaron appear as a guest. What a gentleman this man is. What a joy to listen to him speak always modestly and with such charm and honesty.
We will never know who was using what supplements, steroids and helpers in the last twenty years. What we do know is that Hank Aaron hit over 750 homeruns with no thought of scandal. We know he stood up with class and dignity with what was a withering spectacle that brought up ugly race issues as well. He never buckled.
As Barry Bonds closed in on his homerun record he again handled himself with class, never stooping to speculate on the legitimacy of Bond's numbers.
It would seem in all things Hank Aaron is a gentleman and a class act. We all, individuals and athletes could do little better than to try to emulate this true gentleman.
I watched Hank Aaron break the record on Monday night baseball when I was nine years old. Al Downing pitched the ball and Tom House caught it in the bullpen ( I did not have to look either of those facts up, I remember ) and then my Mom told me I had to go to bed.
That was a great memory, watching him on Dave was almost as special.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Daytona 500 this weekend
So the Nascar season starts again this weekend. During the course of the year I probably watch a total of less than 5 hours of NASCAR all year and a good percentage of that will be the first race this weekend.
The premise of starting the season with your top event is a bit confusing to me. I do not, I must confess, consider myself a fan. I still at my age do not understand the rules of pitting and and being the lucky dog at crashes.
When I was young I was a country kid and we went to the car races. I remember enjoying the races. There was this one driver who on the summer we went the most had an X car ( that was his number) and he won consistently I think his name was Pete something so at a time in my life I was attached to the sport.
Now however the idea of sitting in the hot sun cheering on cars to go faster aided by alcohol much of the time. That is perhaps an unfair generalization. I have almost as little desire to watch at home.
It just does not hold an appeal for me. Even if it did the idea of the Points Chase has never really caught on as NASCAR traditionally has not rewarded wins enough with enough of points in comparison with not taking chances and finishing 8th for example.
The new points method from this year promises to be simpler and there will be a part of qualifying for " The Chase" that will take wins into account. This is a good thing and makes sense to even an outsider like me.
However, after this Sunday I do not think you will find me watching.
The premise of starting the season with your top event is a bit confusing to me. I do not, I must confess, consider myself a fan. I still at my age do not understand the rules of pitting and and being the lucky dog at crashes.
When I was young I was a country kid and we went to the car races. I remember enjoying the races. There was this one driver who on the summer we went the most had an X car ( that was his number) and he won consistently I think his name was Pete something so at a time in my life I was attached to the sport.
Now however the idea of sitting in the hot sun cheering on cars to go faster aided by alcohol much of the time. That is perhaps an unfair generalization. I have almost as little desire to watch at home.
It just does not hold an appeal for me. Even if it did the idea of the Points Chase has never really caught on as NASCAR traditionally has not rewarded wins enough with enough of points in comparison with not taking chances and finishing 8th for example.
The new points method from this year promises to be simpler and there will be a part of qualifying for " The Chase" that will take wins into account. This is a good thing and makes sense to even an outsider like me.
However, after this Sunday I do not think you will find me watching.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Can the Celtics Win Again
I have watched the Celtics quite a bit in the last month. They look strong. Injuries have been a problem but that is to be expected with an older team. The assumption is that all the nagging injuries will be timed to be ready for the playoffs. Shaquille O'Neal has been a nice addition. I am not sure if his value is as much as his fun and amusement for the fans is but I have enjoyed having " The Big Shamrock" in the fold.
The fact that the Celtics have four of their starters on the All Star Team indicates how strong they are. Rondo, Allen, Pierce and Garnett are all stars in every sense of the word. Garnett, the heart and soul of the team is a player everyone hates, except those that bleed green.
A special word here also about Glenn Davis. This player is perhaps my favorite. A player of at least 250 pounds with hands as soft as his under the basket and with a very clean 18 foot jump shot is a wonder. His body control is first rate and he leads the league in charges taken. How could you not love this player.
With all this in mind can the Celtics repeat. Of course they can. In fact were I betting I can think of no team that is more likely to win the title. The NBA playoffs with their gaps in play are probably designed to be more forgiving of an older team than the regular season.
That said Miami, Orlando and Chicago are all legitimate contenders for the title. The Celtics need to finish first. Having Miami and Orlando the presumed 2 and 3 teams beating each other up is much preferred than playing one of them in the semifinals. Chicago with my vote for MVP Derrick Rose will be a challenge but still has to be the preferred semi final opponent.
Whoever comes out of the East will play one would assume the Lakers. I think the East is stronger this year. San Antonio is 42 and 8 but still does not seem as good as the Eastern teams. The Lakers are gliding but any team coached by Phil Jackson will be ready when the time comes. Dallas is Dallas so cannot be considered a threat.
Do I think the Celtics can win. Absolutely. Do I think they will win. It will be hard but they are as well suited to win as any team.
The fact that the Celtics have four of their starters on the All Star Team indicates how strong they are. Rondo, Allen, Pierce and Garnett are all stars in every sense of the word. Garnett, the heart and soul of the team is a player everyone hates, except those that bleed green.
A special word here also about Glenn Davis. This player is perhaps my favorite. A player of at least 250 pounds with hands as soft as his under the basket and with a very clean 18 foot jump shot is a wonder. His body control is first rate and he leads the league in charges taken. How could you not love this player.
With all this in mind can the Celtics repeat. Of course they can. In fact were I betting I can think of no team that is more likely to win the title. The NBA playoffs with their gaps in play are probably designed to be more forgiving of an older team than the regular season.
That said Miami, Orlando and Chicago are all legitimate contenders for the title. The Celtics need to finish first. Having Miami and Orlando the presumed 2 and 3 teams beating each other up is much preferred than playing one of them in the semifinals. Chicago with my vote for MVP Derrick Rose will be a challenge but still has to be the preferred semi final opponent.
Whoever comes out of the East will play one would assume the Lakers. I think the East is stronger this year. San Antonio is 42 and 8 but still does not seem as good as the Eastern teams. The Lakers are gliding but any team coached by Phil Jackson will be ready when the time comes. Dallas is Dallas so cannot be considered a threat.
Do I think the Celtics can win. Absolutely. Do I think they will win. It will be hard but they are as well suited to win as any team.
Green Bay over Pittsburgh
The Super Bowl was a very good game. News reports today advise that this was the most watched television show in television history. Wow is all I can say to that.
The Super Bowl has become an event. The commercials, the pregame, the Anthem, and the half time show all add to it.
This is the game even people who are not fans watch. It was a good game. For me football is the least of the four sports. I enjoy a good game, I marvel at a great catch but it is just not in my blood.
I wanted Green Bay to win. Aaron Rodgers has listened to too much comment about Brett Favre. By all accounts Rodgers has stood up to this pressure well, I have not heard of him popping off but just keeping his head down and playing.
Pittsburgh is a great town. A good football town, a good hockey town and a great baseball stadium awaiting a good team. But they also have James Harrison and Big Ben, two players that outside of Pittsburgh are hard to like. I will say however that Big Ben is as tough as nails when it comes to playing with injury.
Maybe we are becoming immune to greatness. This was a very good game by all measurable means. 31 to 25 with much offense, big plays, turnovers, pick six and all the requisite plays. For me it just felt ho hum. Maybe I needed the Patriots to be in it to feel a huge interest.
Sad to say the commercials were more interesting.
The Super Bowl has become an event. The commercials, the pregame, the Anthem, and the half time show all add to it.
This is the game even people who are not fans watch. It was a good game. For me football is the least of the four sports. I enjoy a good game, I marvel at a great catch but it is just not in my blood.
I wanted Green Bay to win. Aaron Rodgers has listened to too much comment about Brett Favre. By all accounts Rodgers has stood up to this pressure well, I have not heard of him popping off but just keeping his head down and playing.
Pittsburgh is a great town. A good football town, a good hockey town and a great baseball stadium awaiting a good team. But they also have James Harrison and Big Ben, two players that outside of Pittsburgh are hard to like. I will say however that Big Ben is as tough as nails when it comes to playing with injury.
Maybe we are becoming immune to greatness. This was a very good game by all measurable means. 31 to 25 with much offense, big plays, turnovers, pick six and all the requisite plays. For me it just felt ho hum. Maybe I needed the Patriots to be in it to feel a huge interest.
Sad to say the commercials were more interesting.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Super Bowl
So now we have our Super Bowl teams. Green Bay and Pittsburgh. I feel good, I picked them both but feel like perhaps the Jets would like a different call on that fumble before the half. I still feel like it was an incomplete pass.
So who will win. My original thought would be to pick the Steelers. Today I have heard much talk about Green Bay. They are hot, their is a strong belief in Aaron Rodgers and the question is how good are the Steelers really.
It is not an easy choice. I will be rooting for the Packers. I would like to see Rodgers put the Favre memories to rest. If I were betting however I would have to pick the Steelers. I just think they have the players that when the time comes will make a big play.
So who will win. My original thought would be to pick the Steelers. Today I have heard much talk about Green Bay. They are hot, their is a strong belief in Aaron Rodgers and the question is how good are the Steelers really.
It is not an easy choice. I will be rooting for the Packers. I would like to see Rodgers put the Favre memories to rest. If I were betting however I would have to pick the Steelers. I just think they have the players that when the time comes will make a big play.
Athletes Out of Money
I read an interesting article in the Boston Globe recently about retired basketball player Ray Williams a k a Sugar Ray Williams when he played. I honestly do not remember him but I do remember his brother, also mentioned in the article, Gus Williams.
Williams had played in Boston as a backup near the end of his career during one of the mid eighties championship runs so there was a Boston connection.
His story illustrates what is something we hear about all the time. Athletes who make millions in their lifetimes going bankrupt and blowing through all their money. Growing up poor with no reliable financial examples is not a good starting point. This can lead to bad investments, extravagant purchases, and the two biggest problems drugs and or alcohol and the inevitable hangers on that follow many of the professional athletes.
Of course this should be no surprise to us. There is a television show that shows us lottery winners and what happens to them. All too frequently lottery winners end up in the same boat as these athletes.
What does it mean. It means that being responsible is a skill that is learned and assimilated. If a person is not responsible financially before they get money it is much more unlikely that they will be after they do.
Nothing is ironclad of course. Some athletes such as Magic Johnson have done very well and he is just one of hundreds.
The story told in the Boston Globe has a good ending. Larry Bird and Kevin McHale helped get this man on his feet (one wonders if his brother Gus could have or is in the same boat)
A common argument is that the NBA should do more to help those ex players down on their luck. I agree with this. One wonders though in these days of immense salaries if todays players might be well instructed to pay a portion of this retirement fund. It would certainly make an investment against potential later misfortune.
Williams had played in Boston as a backup near the end of his career during one of the mid eighties championship runs so there was a Boston connection.
His story illustrates what is something we hear about all the time. Athletes who make millions in their lifetimes going bankrupt and blowing through all their money. Growing up poor with no reliable financial examples is not a good starting point. This can lead to bad investments, extravagant purchases, and the two biggest problems drugs and or alcohol and the inevitable hangers on that follow many of the professional athletes.
Of course this should be no surprise to us. There is a television show that shows us lottery winners and what happens to them. All too frequently lottery winners end up in the same boat as these athletes.
What does it mean. It means that being responsible is a skill that is learned and assimilated. If a person is not responsible financially before they get money it is much more unlikely that they will be after they do.
Nothing is ironclad of course. Some athletes such as Magic Johnson have done very well and he is just one of hundreds.
The story told in the Boston Globe has a good ending. Larry Bird and Kevin McHale helped get this man on his feet (one wonders if his brother Gus could have or is in the same boat)
A common argument is that the NBA should do more to help those ex players down on their luck. I agree with this. One wonders though in these days of immense salaries if todays players might be well instructed to pay a portion of this retirement fund. It would certainly make an investment against potential later misfortune.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
NFL Playoffs Week 3
Three out of four last week with only New England failing to win as predicted. That was a surprise.
So now we are down to two games for the Super Bowl.
The Jets after taking out the Colts and Patriots will be traveling to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers. I have to take the Steelers.
Green Bay has been on fire this postseason and Jay Cutler just does not seem like a Super Bowl quarterback. This is a tough one to call but Greem Bay should not be ill effected by any weather. I will take Green Bay
So now we are down to two games for the Super Bowl.
The Jets after taking out the Colts and Patriots will be traveling to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers. I have to take the Steelers.
Green Bay has been on fire this postseason and Jay Cutler just does not seem like a Super Bowl quarterback. This is a tough one to call but Greem Bay should not be ill effected by any weather. I will take Green Bay
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