“Shanaban” Earning His Nickname

Thursday, October 13, 2011

The NHL has a problem.  The league shows itself as a united front publicly; willing to clean up the game and provide the safety protocol for its players.  Privately, however, factions of voices deem the work of newly appointed NHL Vice President of Player Safety and Hockey Operations as being outlandish and harsh.  Is that not what he was brought in to do?

For years, players have grown accustomed to receiving the, seemingly standard, two game suspension for any on-ice altercation. Instead of serving as a time to reflect and understand their actions, it was more like an opportunity to recharge their internal batteries and maybe mend a few nagging injuries. So obviously that needed to be addressed.  Well maybe used in conjunction with a hefty fine, a light suspension would be acceptable, you wonder?  Not so fast.  Consider the fact that, in the current flux of the collective bargaining agreement, the maximum fine that can be imposed on an offending player is $2,500.  For an athlete making a few million dollars per season, that is the equivalent of reaching deep into your car seat, collecting the correct amount of coins, and paying a toll.

To differentiate from the dark cloud that loomed over his predecessor, Colin Campbell, Brendan Shanahan felt that in order to change the culture of the NHL, the traditional penalties were just not working.  Thus, his approach has been simple yet effective in relaying his mission to the NHL and its fans.  Incidents would be reviewed publicly and suspensions would be explained.  While people may snicker at his stance as being on the cutting edge; in the world of sports, it has proven to be forward thinking.  Instead of sitting behind his desk and imposing his will, Shanahan appears front and center, explaining why a particular action violates the league’s policies and takes into consideration any past transgressions of the offending player in doling out punishment.

With the NHL just two weeks into the season, Brendan Shanahan’s quest is being challenged by some general managers and agents who deem his rulings to be unjust and too harsh.  Remember, these were the same people who were crying for a regime change in disciplinary power.  As players are being policed with an iron fist, there have been a growing number of executives who have altered their stance in a blink of an eye.

It is important to read between the lines on this matter.  Do not be suckered by the smoke and mirror tactics that this group is evoking.  Suspending players for a prolonged period of time can hinder the chances of his team from accumulating points in the standings.  For franchises, failure to make the playoffs translates to lost revenue.  For agents, if a player does not receive compensation during a leave of absence, they do not collect their share of the pie.  Funny how those facts are left out of their words when reporters are present and the cameras are rolling.

Watch a telecast in the United States or Canada and you will come across naysayers, such as Don Cherry and Mike Milbury, who clamor for the era in which they cannot themselves seem to move past.  As the league has improved its skill level, grown in the average size of players, and undergone an equipment revolution, people such as the aforementioned bumbling idiots have remained steadfast in their stubbornness and machoism.  Face it Milbury, the game is not the same as when you played.  For better or for worse, it has evolved.  Sure, there are elements that fans may yearn to return to the game that were evident during your place in time.  However, the same argument can be made about the current state of hockey.  Does anyone really miss the two line pass?  So move on, get over it and quit your crying.

Brendan Shanahan has the unfavorable job of always being the bad guy in every situation.  Quite simply, he will not appease everyone.  His new approach to an old problem may or may not work, but there is only one way to know for sure.  Hockey is a game of reaction, where the play is often too fast to process the action and develop thoughts.  Instinct must take over for a player to succeed.  By imposing severe suspensions for unwarranted acts, Shanahan may be able to alter the wiring of a player’s mind and prevent potential occurrences from happening.  So back off and let him do the job no one else wants to do.

Posted in NHL | 1 Comment »

Dream Season Becoming a Nightmare

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

If the 2011 Philadelphia Eagles were Vince Young’s dream, imagine how horrific his nightmares must be.  In what should have been the mother of all off-seasons, has instead proved to be the true “Mother f’er” of all off-seasons.  It is too bad that all the accolades that the front office scored from its peers and the press did not translate to the scoreboard.  As the losses continue to stack up, the Eagles find themselves sitting at a dysfunctional 1-4.

While the record alone is just plain awful, the team is consistent in one category: finding new and exciting ways to lose.  From one week to the next, fans have the opportunity to witness losing at its worst, with the Eagles filling up that ugly checklist faster than Michael Vick’s rising interception totals.  Turnovers, check.  Blown leads late in games, check.  Lack of true leadership, check.  Let’s not forget the point that was already checked prior to the season, poor coaching.  This is not the first rodeo with Andy Reid in the Eagles saddle.  He will never be described as the Albert Einstein of NFL coaches.   When all these ingredients are added to the same pot, well Baby, you’ve got a stew going.

Being that the season is still in its infancy stage, the franchise has the opportunity to right the ship.  All hands on deck are needed for the team to be where it always intended to be; among the NFL’s elite.  No more speaking about what the club needs to do in press conferences.  It’s put up or shut up.  Now is the time for Michael Vick to illustrate that he is truly a great quarterback, not just a superior athlete who plays the quarterback position.  Now is the time for Andy Reid to fight for his job by utilizing the talent of his players to their fullest potential and mask the team’s shortcomings.  A fire must be lit inside all the members of that organization, from the management to the water boys.  It is obvious that winning the offseason free agent trophy pales in comparison to the Lombardi Trophy.

As the season wears on, there is little doubt that changes will be made if things do not turn around.  But perhaps all is not lost.  A new beginning may transform right before our eyes.  If the Eagles can find that competitive edge deep inside, the club still has time to salvage its season.  If not, they will become the latest franchise to become a mockery of fans across the sports world.

Everything happens for a reason.  Maybe the third string quarterback, who dubbed this collection of star players as the “Dream Team,” will find a new outlet to display his uncovered ability.  As he sits on the sidelines holding his clipboard, Vince Young could use the time as an opportunity to document his convoluted and deranged thoughts.  In doing so, he could make the New York Times Bestseller List with the penchant of making his readers so frightened that they collapse to the floor, suck their thumbs and assume the fetal position.  Ironically, those who have actually been brave enough to witness and suffer through an entire Eagles telecast have suffered the same emotions.

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Doing What Is Right Trumps Any Rule

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Brett Bowden, the heart and soul the of Hobbton (N.C.) High School football team, was informed by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association that he was ineligible to compete in the upcoming football season.  The violation was as clear as day, for the player’s age of 19 exceeded the maximum age restriction.  While the matter would normally be cast aside and forgotten, this case offers an interesting wrinkle: the student in question has Down Syndrome.

For two years Brett Bowden has suited up just like the rest of his teammates.  Often leading his club onto the field, he has felt a sense of camaraderie and belongingness, which is tough to muster when you are physically different.  His mother, Pat Bowden, recently shared that sentiment with the local television news station saying, “Brett don’t [doesn’t] see that he has Down Syndrome.  Brett wants to just be one of those guys, out there dressed, thinking that he is a football player; feeling that he is a football player.”

The magnitude of the situation does not stop solely with Brett Bowden.  His teammates see him as a source of inspiration and courage while the entire community has rallied around his participation.  After leading his team out onto the playing field, Bowden passionately cheers his teammates towards victory with a genuine and positive outlook. He ceremoniously scores on a running play after every game, further cementing good will amongst those in attendance.  On one special occasion, with the help of his teammates, coaches, and the opposition, Bowden even scored an official touchdown during the waning moments of a game on a predetermined plan that was unbeknownst to him.

While the North Carolina High School Athletic Association is strictly adhering to its local guidelines, it is failing to do what is right.  According to Federal Law, children with Down Syndrome are permitted to remain in school until they are 21 years of age.  The idea of education does not exist just in the walls of the building.  Extracurricular activities further enhance the overall learning process and enable students to identify and relate to each other.

The governing body has provided what it feels is an acceptable solution to this interesting dilemma.  It will allow Brett Bowden to wear a jersey and accompany his team to the sideline, where he can serve as a special assistant.  While this is almost the same as he currently does, almost is not going to cut it in this situation.  Do not take advantage of his handicap by insulting his intelligence.  Quite simply, all the kid wants to do is suit up, be a football player and share his love for the sport with his peers.  Now is the time for the administration to teach the kids an invaluable lesson and do what is right.

Posted in High School | 1 Comment »

When Are We Going to Learn?

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Hey America, it’s that time of year!  Across the country, thousands of football players are taking the field once again with a determined morale to conquer anything that stands in their way to fulfill their dreams of success.  However, one element that is reeking havoc and unleashing a relentless grip on activities is Mother Nature.  Providing tremendous heat and high humidity, the weather is challenging the fortitude of all participants and pushing them to their collective breaking points.  Is openly defying logic such a good idea?  Is the thought of being the last team standing worth the risk of losing individuals to the effects of heat related deaths?

On Tuesday night, Donteria Searcy, a 16-year-old from Georgia, was found dead at a football camp in Columbia County, Florida.  Hours later, another player from his home state died in an Atlanta hospital a week after being admitted due to what doctors believe was heat exhaustion.  Forrest Jones was also just 16 years of age.  Unfortunately, tragedy knows no boundaries and it was reported that Tyquan Brantley collapsed as he was walking off the field with his Lamar High School teammates on Saturday.  The 14-year-old South Carolina native was pronounced dead shortly afterward at an area hospital.  Autopsies are being conducted on the three boys, but it is quite apparent that the rising temperatures had a strong hand in their demises.  Consider that in the case of Brantley, the National Weather Service had reported a high of 101 degrees.

It is important to note that players are not the only ones succumbing to the rising death toll associated with football and extreme conditions.  Facing the 31st straight day of triple-digit temperatures in Texas, the two-time defending state champions of Prestonwood Academy took part in its first day of practice on Monday.  During a break in drills, assistant coach Wade McLain, 55, collapsed on the field.  It was later deemed by the medical examiner of Collin County that the reasons for his death was a combination of heat exposure and heart disease.

There are opportunities in life that offer a time for reflection.  While some are joyous times and are enjoyed with our loved ones and closest of friends, the fact remains that most are dark occurrences and full of sadness and tragedy.  Despite their negative connotations, the end result can serve as the basis for change.  Perhaps in mourning the loss of these athletes will awaken society.

As coaches push their teams to achieve their very best on the field, it is important for them to explain the ramifications for their actions off of it.  Being properly hydrated and taking the necessary precautions will allow players the chance to become the future stars of the NFL.  Now is not the time for a pissing match.  We must acknowledge the dangers that arise due to uncontrollable factors, most notably Mother Nature.  So give the kids more breaks than what you are accustomed to administering.

Young people are stupid.  Let’s face it.  They are easily persuaded and want to fall in line with the rest of the pack, all the while hoping to not stand out to the possibility of being ridiculed.  We have all been there in our lives and when looking back, it is easy for us to now see how impressionable were really were.  With that in mind, it is up to us adults to provide the proper guidance to lead these kids along the journey of their lives.

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You Play to Win the Game

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Detroit Tigers pitching ace Justin Verlander flirted with another no-hitter this weekend as his team took the field against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  Not only did he thrill the capacity crowd with his fastballs touching 100 mph on the radar gun, he faced off against another Cy Young Award potential nominee: Jered Weaver.  As his team capitalized on the mistakes of his counterpart, Verlander dominated the Angels lineup.  Although they could not muster a hit in the first seven innings, the game was not out of the reach of the Halos.  Down three runs, the time was now for the Angels to manufacture scoring opportunities, whether it be via a long ball or a cheap base hit.  Anything would suffice.

Leading off the top of the 8th frame, Erick Aybar squared his shoulders and dropped a bunt in front of the mound, to the surprise of Verlander.  Perhaps not expecting such a play, the pitcher scrambled to field the ball and threw it haphazardly towards first baseman, Victor Martinez, who would have needed a fishing net to make the catch.  As Aybar stood at second base, Verlander gave him a long, cold stare.  For the first time all afternoon, the pressure was on Verlander and he seemed to lose his momentum after breezing through the game up to that point.  Later in the inning, Maicer Izturis eventually broke up the no-no bid with a sharp single to left field.  After the Tigers held on for a 3-2 victory, Verlander was not at a loss for words in his post game interview, saying, “I know it was only 3-0, so I can understand there are arguments on both sides.  But as a pitcher, we call that bush league.”

There is no doubt that Verlander was steamed when microphones and video cameras were thrust in his face.  Not having time to settle down and reflect on the game provided candidness and “off the cuff” remarks.  Looking at the situation, he will see that his opponent took the field with the same intentions as his own: to win the game.  This is a case where the unwritten rules of the game should be flushed down the toilet.  Believe me, I am a traditionalist in every sense of the word.  Yet, at what moment during a game do you concede to the other team when the opposition is in the midst of something special?  In this case, when should have the Angels just given in to the performance of being no-hit?  After the sixth inning?  The seventh?  After being down 3 runs?  Or is it 5?

Who could blame Verlander for being absolutely frustrated as his incredible pitching performance was blemished by a meek attempt?  However, a baseball game is composed of two teams.  Even though one was on the verge of achieving something great, the other is also in a pennant race and the chance to win should never be squandered.   These are professional athletes we are talking about here, folks.  They are paid to have the highest level of competitiveness and should do whatever is possible to win (as long as “whatever” is in the written rules and bylaws).  In a politically correct world, it is refreshing to see a fire burn deep inside an organization and its players.

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Lockouts Open Door for NHL

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

As other sports take over the back pages of newspapers and rule conversation on the airwaves, the NHL is having a relatively quiet offseason and has once again been thrown onto the back burner.  But in the current state of the sporting world, that may not be such a bad thing.  Each and every day, the NFL and most recently, the NBA are left in high stress deliberations, trying to come to an approved agreement to lift the lockouts that hover over their daily operations and could even hinder the start of their respective seasons.  As both stalemates linger, that threat could become a harsh reality.  Will greed and self-righteousness of the owners and players be too much for them to swallow and instantaneously cause a void in the lives of their fans?  Labor strifes are certainly nothing new.  However, the possibility that two of the four major sports will miss significant time during the same calendar year offers a new twist.

Imagine no fantasy football or no need to wake up early to tailgate for hours prior to your beloved NFL team taking the field.  If that notion causes you to break out in a cold sweat and have an increase in heart palpations, you may want to consult a doctor now and receive proper treatment.  While most people with direct knowledge seem to think that the league is making strides toward a resolution, the fact remains that until the bottom line is signed by those in charge, the lockout will persist.  All the positive gestures and perceived goodwill that the media latches itself onto mean absolutely nothing if an agreement is not forged.  What can satisfy those fans that are left without someone or something to root for?  Enter the NHL.

The NHL will never admit that it is hoping for this perfect storm to manifest.   The league has never been able to ride the momentum wave that always results in the aftermath of a successful Stanley Cup Playoffs.  With the NFL and NBA in the courtroom and not on the playing field, people may seek out a new outlet to feed their competitive hunger.  Here are three steps that the NHL should take during a prolonged work stoppage of rival leagues to not only increase its popularity, but more importantly, maintain it when the other sports return to work:

1.  Alter the schedule of its games to take advantage of the gaps in the television schedule that are now presented.  The league should take over the prime time slots that have traditionally belonged to sports.  At the very least, that would mean that Sunday afternoons would have one or two “games of the week”.  NBC would have the ability to showcase the young stars that the NHL has to offer and if done in conjunction with its usual schedule on Versus, will strengthen the overall exposure of the sport.  Not having to go head to head with the NFL and the NBA will mean a ratings boom for the league.  Are you reading this Comcast?

2.  Exploit the good.  When was the last time a hockey player was involved in controversy or made waves for acting negatively in the public eye?  In comparison to other sports, the players of the NHL are seen as genuine and humble.  For once, the league and the players themselves should exploit the actions they perform on a daily basis.  While it is already common for athletes to visit schools, businesses and hospitals during their free time, the positive press that results from these visits can only help in sparking a new and refreshing sports climate.  You got my back on this management and players?

3.  Be proactive.  It is no secret that the NHL has its own potential labor shutdown on the horizon.  Do not wait until the current deal expires after next season to frantically hammer out an agreement.  Show everyone that you have learned from the mistakes you made the last go around.  Solving any issues that may arise from heated discussions will prevent any from occurring at the eleventh hour.  In doing so, the league will maintain the wave it is riding and enable the sport to reach new heights in popularity.  Hello, Gary Bettman and Donald Fehr.

With all hands on deck, the NHL can become the hottest ticket in town.  Without taking advantage of the situation, the league will have no one to blame but itself.  There will be no more excuses as to why it is the last of the sports mentioned anytime people talk about the four major ones.  With a tremendous on-ice product, it is time for the off-ice messaging to match it.  Now is not the time to rest on laurels; now is the time for the NHL to kick the door wide open while it has the chance.

 

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Time For LPGA to Live a Little

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Every once in a while, a player comes along that helps transcend a sport into mainstream media.  For a sport that has long been seen as a second rate entity, the LPGA has unsuccessfully targeted young hopefuls to be its savior.  From Michelle Wie to Paula Creamer, the results never came close to matching the hype.  How could it possibly?  Unless you are a kid wonder, such as Tiger Woods, Wayne Gretzky, or to an extent, Stephen Strasburg, the ending will never be more than disappointing.  Unfair or not, the hope that fans will be witnessing a career full of greatness will never simply disappear.  For all the dozens of underachievers, comes the one who not only take the torch, but run with it.

Quick trivia question: Who is the youngest golfer to win four major championships in the modern era?  Not Tiger Woods.  Rory McIlroy has only captured one, so he doesn’t even qualify.  Who could it be?  How about Yani Tseng, the woman who is currently ranked #1 on the LPGA tour.  If you actually answered correctly, you are a master of sports trivia and us mere mortals should tremor in your presence.  But, before I call out the rest of you for being idiots, (a group that I am not only the president, but also a client,) the blame for this fact remaining uncovered is not from our lack of attention, but should rest on the shoulders of the LPGA.  Always playing second fiddle to its PGA brethren, the women’s tour has searched long and hard for a face to put on its marketing stamp.

While Annika Sorenstam made the LPGA relevant, she went largely unnoticed during the early stages of her illustrious career.  Everyone knew her as a winning golfer, but she never achieved a Serena or Venus Williams status amongst her peers.  Again, women’s golf lost an opportunity to gain popularity.  Such transformations do not happen overnight.  People tend to forget and move on.  The marketing gurus have the task of making their product can’t miss television.  Or at least create the itch to check the scoreboard.

Since Sorenstam’s retirement in 2008, the tour has tried, maybe too hard, to thrust someone into her place as the heir apparent.  Unfortunately, this never works.  Icons are never handed the spotlight.  They command it and take it.  That is exactly what Tseng has done.  The LPGA needs to recognize what they have and use it to carry the sport into the conscious of America.  If not, they will have to wait for the next superstar to arrive.  Hey, LPGA: Quit being lazy and taking the easy route in following the status quo.  While the results are the same and predictable, now is the time to take a chance and live a little.

 

Posted in LPGA | 1 Comment »

Jeremy Jacobs: A Winner of Circumstance

Thursday, June 23, 2011

For Boston Bruins fans, the long wait is over.  After someone pays that Foxwoods bill* and all the champagne toasting and beer chugging subsides, there is one man left standing: Jeremy Jacobs.  Since he took over as owner of the franchise in 1975, the Big, Bad Bruins often fell victim to mediocrity.  So why all of a sudden did their fortunes change?  Well, it certainly was not due to anything Jacobs has done, for he is more concerned about seeing his initial $10 million investment escalate into a $302 million empire.  As he stood next to the greatest trophy in sports, the man mispronounced the name of his head coach and took jabs at the team’s President for not winning the Stanley Cup during his playing career.  Jeremy Jacobs is quite simply, a byproduct of the system.

Poor Harry Sinden.  For years, Bruins fans directed their animosity and disgust at the long time General Manager.  As stars left Bean town whether for the greener pastures of free spending competitors or through obscene, lopsided trades, the team’s fan base began to dwindle.It was bad enough that players jolted from Boston faster than an Al Iafrate slap shot, but what really irked people the most was that no one was brought in to fill the gaps.  As the team slipped further into obscurity, the attendance and overall interest in the flailing club began to fall.  The growing disgust overtook the love and passion that the fans had for their team.

When the Fleet Center opened for the 1995-96 season, the team played in front of 98% capacity.  It was clearly apparent that the spike in attendance was due to the lore of a new venue, for the average capacity dropped 10% the following year.  The on-ice product was substandard to the diehard fans, who decided to spend their hard earned money in other avenues.  Why do you think TD Garden now has yellow and black colored seat bottoms?  Anyone who watched the Bruins in the dark years can easily answer that.  While tuning in for telecasts, the all yellow seats made it easy to decipher how empty the arena was.  On the flip side, it was nice to know that you would have an empty seat to rest your coat.

As Jeremy Jacobs made a mockery of a once proud franchise, the public uncovered the possibility that management was not to blame.  After all, they must work in the constraints of a budget.  Ah yes, there’s that dreaded word.  Anyone who has ever had a job feels the pinch that results of having limitations.  Despite having one of the more successful franchises in the NHL, at least in terms of monetary profits, Jacobs kept his wallet firmly closed.   Every year Forbes Magazine updates its yearly list of the most valuable franchises in the NHL.  In its most recent survey, completed in 2010, the Bruins ranked impressively at #5.  Only the Maple Leafs, Rangers, Canadiens, and Red Wings scored higher.  Imagine the impact delivered if Jacobs decided to roll some of his profits back into the club to better his investment.  Perhaps the Stanley Cup drought would never have spanned generations.  After all, this is not the Red Sox we are talking about.

How did the Bruins all of a sudden become a powerhouse, you ask? That is an easy one to answer:  the advent of the salary cap.  With every NHL franchise facing the same budgetary concerns, Jacobs was able to relieve himself from any criticism.  Now he could point at the abilities of his management team and coaching staff as the main reason for failure.  Because notoriously big spenders such as the Red Wings, Flyers, Rangers, and Maple Leafs were forced to curb their habits, the playing field was leveled.  Jacobs could spend his money in between a restricted ceiling and floor, all the while padding his wallet with the blue collar money that supported his investment.  The Bruins were now presented with a formula without having to change their ways.

It would be negligent not to pinpoint the real reason that the Boston Bruins are the 2011 Stanley Cup Champions.  All fans should raise a glass and toast General Manager Peter Chiarelli, Head Coach Claude Julien, and of course, President Cam Neely.  Their willingness to work as a team and closely follow a plan was translated by the on-ice group of guys who bought into their mindset.  Their handling of the salary cap not only made the Bruins the best team in this year’s playoffs, but has positioned them to be a threat to garner future championships.  As other teams are forced to dismantle and reconfigure their clubs in the pursuit of the Stanley Cup, the Bruins are primed and ready to defend their title.

* The Bruins racked up an impressive bar tab while having a post-parade celebration at Foxwoods on Saturday.  The final tally was $156,679.74.  They came close to matching a regular Saturday night for me.

 

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Boom Boom Bloomquist

Friday, June 17, 2011

Quick question: What Major League player would you ask to hit a home run for you?  Based on the fact there are 1,280 possibilities (32 teams, each with 40 man rosters), the debate would be intense.  Ultimately, several names would be mentioned by the majority of those polled.  So whose shoulders did 11-year old Abe Speck choose to place this unthinkable amount of pressure upon?  Albert Pujols.  You can take a sigh of relief and go back worrying about your production in hopes of landing a ridiculous contract based on your gaudy numbers.  A-Rod, put down the needle, you won’t need that extra boost for you were not chosen.  How about you Jose Bautista?  I am sad to say you were not selected.  Much like soccer players in the United States, you must be used to playing in a country that views your sport as second class.

So who am I missing?  Just a player that has hit a pedestrian 15 home runs during a 9 year journeyman career.  Diehards would only know the name of Willie Bloomquist.  Yes, Willie Freaking Bloomquist.  If you actually heard of him, you should go to Sports 102.  You are well advanced.  For those that are surprised that he is still in the Major Leagues and laughing at his lack of achievement, take note that he has earned $7.53 million as a utility man.  So I really doubt he cares what you think about him.  Now that we have our answer, we can analyze how we got to its conclusion.

Upon signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks in the offseason, Bloomquist established a foundation that allows him to give back to the community.  During every home stand, he openly invites a patient from the Phoenix Children’s Hospital to attend a game and try to put aside the hardships they continually face.  As his guests, they are permitted to look inside the team’s clubhouse and brings them onto the field for batting practice.  On Wednesday night, Abe Speck, some of his family, and his friend Max Siegel graciously accepted the invitation and had quality time with the big league player.  Bloomquist and teammates signed a bat for the two boys and spoke to them about their common interests, mostly baseball.

One of the questions that the eager children asked was, “What do players point at when they are circling the bases during a home run trot?”  Bloomquist indicated that he did not have routine down, for he has not hit that many.  Abe then asked, “If you hit a home run today, will you point to me?  I have a feeling you will hit one tonight.”  So in the third inning, what does Bloomquist do?  He launches a ball into the first row of the left field bleachers in the third inning against the San Francisco Giants.  “No way this is happening,” is the only reaction that entered the player’s mind as he circled the bases.  As he touched home plate, he turned to Section 129 and pointed to Abe.

For a child who has battled intestinal issues since he was 2, this was the equivalent of “five birthday presents.”  Interestingly, this was a moment to reflect on the simplicity of life for Bloomquist as well, for he was involved in a terrible car accident the day before, in which his car was totaled.  Yet another thing the two now have in common.  While he will not be confused with the biggest names in the sport, that does not mean that Willie Bloomquist has to remain in their shadows.

 

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LeBron, the Decision Was Yours

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

The 2010-11 NBA season will always be remembered for a party.  Sadly, it will not be the one kicked off last night as the Dallas Mavericks captured the first title in franchise history.  Instead, the sports world still has not recovered since being blindsided by LeBron James’ decision and the craziness that ensued throughout the Miami metropolitan region as a direct result.

While it is within in his individual right to put himself in the best position to win not one, not two, but an exorbitant amount of championships, it was his creation of a new form of self absorbed arrogance took us all by storm.  Holding an exclusively televised special event on ESPN, James set the stage to either elevate his popularity or become the most hated athlete in sports since the hay day of Barry Bonds.  No one can deny that joining the Heat would provide the greater possibility to win in comparison to remaining in Cleveland; it was just the fashion in which he went about his business that got the public’s panties in a bunch.

So LeBron James took it too far and became so consumed about his desire to reach the pinnacle in his sport that due to his conceited ways, totally cast aside how the people outside Miami would receive his announcement.  If he simply apologized to his fans and most importantly, the people of Cleveland for not keeping his excitement in check, then he would not have been constantly defending himself throughout the season.  Over time, people would forgive and forget and allow him the chance to fulfill his proclamation.  But no, James played the role of villain and refused to acknowledge his error in judgement.

After a Game 6 loss ended his team’s season of hope, LeBron James took his turn at the podium.  It did not take a rocket scientist to figure out that the media would question his disappearing act in the fourth quarter in each game throughout the series.  Surely they would note his propensity to wilt under pressure; or how his Miami Heat team, with a roster that included 3 all-stars, could not defeat a lesser team.  Walking into the frenzy, James sat next to his cohort Dwayne Wade and readied himself for an onslaught.  This was another opportunity for him to begin the long road to redemption.  Failing in his conquest, James could have portrayed a more personable approach by allowing fans the chance to see his pain and anguish.

In response to the obvious wonderment of whether it bothered him if so many people were happy that he failed, “Absolutely not, because at the end of the day, all the people that were rooting on me to fail, at the end of the day, they have to wake up tomorrow and have the same life that they had before they woke up today,” James said.

He added, “They have the same personal problems they had today. I’m going to continue to live the way I want to live and continue to do the things that I want to do with me and my family and be happy with that.  They can get a few days or a few months or whatever the case may be on being happy about not only myself, but the Miami Heat not accomplishing their goal. But they have to get back to the real world at some point.”

Whoops.  Perhaps with the millions of dollars that he has made during his career, James should look into spending some of that hard earned money to take some classes on proper etiquette living in the public eye.  Criticizing others for his transgressions proves that he has yet to mature as a professional athlete.  He seems to be a poster child for the “me-first” generation that expects everything to be handed to them on a silver platter.

LeBron, it is time for you to get back to the real world.  No more posh parties; no more shooting off the hip and refusing to live in the bed that you made.  It is time to step up to the plate and become the superstar that you express yourself as being.  Spend your offseason in the gym, working on completing your game. Look into the mirror and make a new decision: do you want to put the hard work and effort into becoming a champion, or are you content in just talking a good game?

 

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