Sports Stuff
Nothing would make me happier than to present you, dear readers, with a coherent link between the multitude of interesting sports stories out there and center-right philosophy. Can’t think of one. So here goes, stream of consciousness-style, and maybe you can?
The baseball playoffs are underway. My Yankees look pretty good, from the few moments I’ve been able to catch. Yesterday, the game was on during dinner and putting-kids-to-bed time. So I missed everything except the final two innings. (Even then, I was scooping Matchbox cars out from under the couch as I half-watched.) My thoughts? Mariano Rivera is a baseball deity.
This ties into another thought I’ve been having lately, which is that the most intriguing, game-changing element of baseball in the past 20 years has been the influx of Latin players. Despite all the headlines, I would argue that this aspect of the game I so love -- not the strike, not steroids, not the out-of-control contracts -- is the one with the greatest historical impact.
Okay, on to Roy Halladay’s no-hitter. In his post-game interview, Halladay heaped the credit on catcher Carlos Ruiz (Hello, Latin player!) for his game-calling. Ruiz also made the no-hitter-saving play from the plate to get the final out. It’s not only classy but quite difficult to genuinely deflect that kind of adulation to your catcher. Impressive.
Frankly, I can’t remember the last time I was able to watch a post-game baseball interview. On this point, I give you Jason Gay of the new and excellent WSJ NY sports section:
An aside about the no-hitter: Besides the fact that it was a piece of baseball history, it was clearly amplified by the fact that it concluded at 7:41 p.m. Eastern time. In other words, it ended when normal people are alert and awake, and not after midnight like a lot of recent playoff games, when most of the country has passed out on the couch with a pile of chicken bones on its chest. If you wanted to call a friend and tell him or her to turn on the TV to see Mr. Halladay, you could do it without their looking at their phone and assuming you were in jail and needed bail money.
Finally, we’ve got Brett Favre embarrassing himself, Tiger-Woods style. Or maybe it’s John-Edwards style, since Favre’s alleged actions took place less than a year after his wife beat breast cancer. The story: In 2008, when Favre was the Jets QB, he allegedly put the moves on – via cell phone, text, and MySpace – a female employee/sideline actress/ “journalist” for the Jets. It got creepy. I’m going to link to something that has a few seconds of video that is definitely not safe for work or kids. You have been warned.
My thoughts? They are four- fold. 1) Favre is gross. 2) The girl in question looks just like Favre's wife, for whatever that’s worth and 3) the Jets' PR folks are implicated here, and I feel sorry for them. I mean, what intern/low-level employee for a professional sports team is going to tell the franchise player to go take a hike? Or a cold shower? None. These PR youngsters, who work their tails off, I might add, have dirty jobs. They have to kiss up if they want to move up. It might sound glamorous to be the assistant press officer for your beloved [insert team here], but, in my opinion, nothing would ruin sports and athletes for you more. 4) Favre’s Vikings play the Jets this weekend. Fun!
Apologies, Trace, for not being able to go into your topic in more detail. I simply ran out of time and brain power. All I would say is that any professional athlete worth his or her salt -- and all Hall of Fame coaches, for that matter -- would say that defense is always the crucial piece. In all sports. All of the time.
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Jun '10
Re: Sports Stuff
Steinbrenner...gone three months, and still giving Twins fans heartburn.
May '10
Re: Sports Stuff
1. Thanks Ursula and I hope you didn't feel put upon by my request. I know your hands are perpetually full.
2. Mariano Rivera's got nothing on Tim Lincecum... wouldn't (won't) that be fun to watch!
3. I waded through the Favre noise but remain highly suspicious. I've got no special brief for Favre but I saw nothing (and I saw everything!) that persuaded me of a smoking gun (no pun intended!) How do we know this isn't some prank cooked up by a jilted boyfriend?
And... (this has nothing to do with the merits of the claim or the injustice of her being harassed if it's true) but why are there so many images on the Web of the PR assistant falling out of her shirt with her hair blowing all over if she is just a hard-working PR grunt??
4. I love the Freakonomics guys and I like even more that there is an opportunity for arbitrage by paying less for the supposed big hitters and instead using your team cash to buy up the outstanding, error-free defensive players. Makes me feel better about life and the universe!
Edited on Oct 8, 2010 at 9:44amSep '10
Re: Sports Stuff
Its just sad to see what happens to the Twins whenever they face the Yankees. Nothing against NY, but I'd really like to see those guys finally break through in this match up.
If you're looking for a segway into political or economic philosophy, how about the non-existence of a salary cap in baseball? Is it a free market issue? Or do you view each franchise as a subsidiary (of sorts) of MLB? I suppose the argument would be if the imbalance of payrolls is going to have a negative effect on overall league marketability, should they attempt to impose more "equality"? I certainly don't blame the ineptitude of my own Brewers on lack of funds, but I think its an interesting topic for debate.
Finally, Brent who? There's a new sheriff in town.
Re: Sports Stuff
I've been saving up a column that I'm going to publish if the Yankees get into the world series.
I'm calling it "Jeter & The Cheaters."
Time to expose the myth of the Bronx bums.
Someone has to say it. May as well be a Mets fan.
Re: Sports Stuff
I like all your points and agree, wholeheartedly, w/ #4. And THANKS for shouting out to me with ideas. I'm honored and grateful, Trace!
I may not have explained myself well regarding the second part of your # 3. The gal in the story is not the PR one. One or two of the Jets' PR guys (young men, prob. college age) were put in charge of trying to get the girl's attention or get her to accept Brett's advances. They'll probably get in some sort of trouble, now. The girl, the one who supposedly received the messages, is not in PR. She's a sideline dish of some sort. She's a part of the sports world that's just ... there. Whatever. I don't analyze it much because it's just a given at this point.
Re: Sports Stuff
Tommy De Seno: I've been saving up a column that I'm going to publish if the Yankees get into the world series.
I'm calling it "Jeter & The Cheaters."
Time to expose the myth of the Bronx bums.
Someone has to say it. May as well be a Mets fan. · Oct 8 at 9:58am
Okay, I'd better fess up now. I realize I will be labeled a traitor, poser, baseball squish, whatever. I grew up a Mets fan. They hold a place in my heart that is, perhaps, deeper than the place there for the Yankees. Childhood trumps adulthood. My Yankee love grew out of working with the players and organization very closely as a reporter from 1996-2001. I came to like and respect all the players and front office folks. The current Yankees have four players whom I covered closely: Jeter, Pettitte, Posada, and Rivera. The Mets have no one left from those days. So, at the moment, I'm rooting for the Yankees. I know. I've lost the respect of all the hard core fans out there. Confessions of a Sports Squish: I'm a New York baseball fan.
Re: Sports Stuff
Mark Belling Fan: Its just sad to see what happens to the Twins whenever they face the Yankees. Nothing against NY, but I'd really like to see those guys finally break through in this match up.
If you're looking for a segway into political or economic philosophy, how about the non-existence of a salary cap in baseball? Is it a free market issue? Or do you view each franchise as a subsidiary (of sorts) of MLB? I suppose the argument would be if the imbalance of payrolls is going to have a negative effect on overall league marketability, should they attempt to impose more "equality"? I certainly don't blame the ineptitude of my own Brewers on lack of funds, but I think its an interesting topic for debate.
Finally, Brent who? There's a new sheriff in town. · Oct 8 at 9:49am
Well, I guess, being a New Yorker, I feel like money is irrelevant. (Though that may be too strong a word.) The Knicks and (hockey) Rangers regularly have the highest payrolls, but are embarrassments as teams. What's up with that, do you think?
Sep '10
Re: Sports Stuff
Ursula Hennessey
Well, I guess, being a New Yorker, I feel like money is irrelevant. (Though that may be too strong a word.) The Knicks and (hockey) Rangers regularly have the highest payrolls, but are embarrassments as teams. What's up with that, do you think? · Oct 8 at 10:22am
The NBA has a salary cap, with guaranteed contracts (not familiar with NHL). The problem with the Knicks, is that they offer ludicrous contracts (going back to the big Alan Houston deal) and become hamstrung by the league rules. You can't get away from your mistakes until the contract runs out or you find someone willing to trade. The Yankees are under no such limitations. When they sign Carl Pavano to a $40 million contract, and he goes bust, they simply eat the loss and sign the next guy.
I think an eye opening revelation regarding the Yankees spending is the fact that their starting infield (including Posada) is making ~$98 million this year. There are 21 other teams (including the Twins) who spend less than that on their entire roster.
May '10
Re: Sports Stuff
1) It wouldn't surprise me if really it was Favre, because his annual prima donna acts regarding retirement reveal the sort of world-class diva who would try to pull off such stunts. Rubber Duckie and I were both cheering for him to retire and stay retired. The girl does resemble Mrs. Favre more than superficially; it does seem to be a bit more of a "paper trail" than a star QB would find necessary. I assume that we will see an investigative report on the Mark Sanchez date-rape affair that got him suspended from USC as a freshman/sophomore? Favre got his payback in the last minute of the NFC championship game...
2) I think Ursula hasn't forgiven Minnesota for Johann Santana never really working out in NY....
3) The Twins are always among the leaders in fielding. The Yankees buy up all the hitters. Which team never loses, and who never wins?
4) Every sport needs a salary cap, unless tax laws are changed to prevent publicly-funded stadiums from being used to overpay talent beyond the non-subsidized market would permit. Both players and teams should be surtaxed to recover government-contributed cash.
Re: Sports Stuff
Maybe, but let's check back and see what Lincecum is doing when he's almost 42 years old.
May '10
Re: Sports Stuff
Ursula Hennessey
Maybe, but let's check back and see what Lincecum is doing when he's almost 42 years old. · Oct 8 at 11:58am
Word.
May '10
Re: Sports Stuff
It happens that Rush talked sports today. He questioned the NFL's pink campaign. His point was mainly that as many people die of prostate cancer as of breast cancer, so one wonders why the latter is so popular among "awareness" campaigns like this and why a male-only sport would choose this as its charity focus (not to suggest that men have no interest in protecting... umm, female assets). I laughed when he asked what color might represent prostate cancer.
My reaction is more to wonder how effective such campaigns are. Wouldn't all the money spent on those pink shoes, pink hats, pink ribbons and such have been better spent going directly into cancer research or victim support funds? Who is not aware that many people have cancer and die from it? Does this investment in advertisement lead to an even greater return on donations?
Aug '10
Re: Sports Stuff
Ursula,
I'm not sure whether River is a deity but the umps sure treat he and his teamates like they are! How else do you explain their unwillingness to call the Yankees out on strikes? With the Yanks *puchased* lineup opposing pitchers know they have little room for error. The umps also know this so they miss a critical call here or there to tilt the diamond in the Yanks favor.
You gotta earn your money when you're on the Steinbrenner payroll!
May '10
Re: Sports Stuff
I can't believe a woman would say this. I know you're not suggesting that it excuses any inappropriate action, but I'm still surprised. Do you really think it would soften the blow at all?
Re: Sports Stuff
Aaron Miller
I can't believe a woman would say this. I know you're not suggesting that it excuses any inappropriate action, but I'm still surprised. Do you really think it would soften the blow at all? · Oct 8 at 12:41pm
I have no theories on it at all. It's sort of like a sociological curiosity of mine. Is there any meaning behind someone cheating (or trying to) with someone who looks just like his/her mate? Looks opposite to one's mate? Acts the same? Acts different? It's always a subtle subtext of cheating stories (see T. Woods, J. Edwards, E. Spitzer). I don't think that it softens the blow in any way. I wonder, frankly, (and that's all it is, a wondering curiosity) if there's any meaning to be taken from it at all. In this case, I find the resemblance striking.
Re: Sports Stuff
Ursula, many many years ago, a friend of my dad's who worked at the AP and had earlier done post-game sports interviews for some radio station, told me about a hitter he once interviewed. The guy had smacked the game-winning homer in the 9th. Our friend asked him, "So how did you do it?" The guy answered, "Well, when you face a pitcher like Joe, you have to change your thinking."
Turns out this player had picked up that line from someone else -- "when you face a pitcher like x, you have to change your thinking" -- and thought it sounded smart, so he used it. The problem was, he thought when he gave that answer, he was all done. So when the reporter asked him the natural followup -- "How so?" -- he was met with an awkward, stone silence. Until the reporter realized what was going on for him and suggested an answer to his own question.
Re: Sports Stuff
Frozen Chosen: Ursula,
I'm not sure whether River is a deity but the umps sure treat he and his teamates like they are! How else do you explain their unwillingness to call the Yankees out on strikes? With the Yanks *puchased* lineup opposing pitchers know they have little room for error. The umps also know this so they miss a critical call here or there to tilt the diamond in the Yanks favor.
You gotta earn your money when you're on the Steinbrenner payroll! · Oct 8 at 12:40pm
Isn't this what every critic says about every team that's a dynasty? Edmonton Oilers of old, Packers of 90s, Michael Jordan, the list goes on. Is it really that these teams/players "got all the calls"?
Re: Sports Stuff
I have never listened to Rush. No reason, just no time. But I gather that I'd agree with him 100% on this. I noticed the other day that one football announcer wore the pink while the other didn't. Was one protesting? One trying to please his wife? One forgot? It sure strikes me as add. I suppose a brown pebble pin might blend in too much to be picked up by the TV cameras.
Re: Sports Stuff
Great questions, Aaron. I think these campaigns are an easy way for industries/teams/organizations to show how thoughtful and open-minded they are. I mean, if you are really trying to "raise awareness," or "make a difference" why not pick something like Rett Syndrome, which is truly serious, somewhat unknown, and perhaps curable with the kinds of funds raised by a national/global campaign?
Jul '10
Re: Sports Stuff
Ursula Hennessey
Great questions, Aaron. I think these campaigns are an easy way for industries/teams/organizations to show how thoughtful and open-minded they are. I mean, if you are really trying to "raise awareness," or "make a difference" why not pick something like Rett Syndrome, which is truly serious, somewhat unknown, and perhaps curable with the kinds of funds raised by a national/global campaign? · Oct 8 at 1:04pm
A drug company has got to make money on a product. With the relatively small amount of women who contract this disease, it is very difficult to negotiate the FDA regulations with the patent law such as it is and make a profit.
It is more than ironic that when the pharmaceutical companies assisted in setting up the FDA regulations to stifle competition, they also retarded themselves in terms of making profits on therapies aimed at smaller subsets of the population.
To bring this back on topic: People watch major league baseball? I thought they went out of business back in 1994.