SPORTS ILLUSTRATED CURSE: FACT OR FICTION?

Being hailed in Sports Illustrated over the years has often been unlucky for the team or individual praised in this most famous magazine. Recently, Georgia was selected number one in their college football pre-season issue. What happened? They have stumbled and were thoroughly trounced by Alabama. There was a line in a recent issue proclaiming the Dallas Cowboys as the NFL’s elite team. What happened? They were upset by the Redskins 26-24 in Texas. Yes, it is far-fetched, but who knows? The Cowboys had better sharpen their spurs. Tony Romo is a good quarterback, but until he gets past the first round of playoffs, you cannot mention him in the same breath as Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman. They have five super bowl rings between them. Romo has NONE! As an afterthought, the college football season is shaping up as another unpredictable one like last year. It makes for interesting conversation. But right now, I don’t like Georgia or USC’s chances for anational title. Don’t be surprised if LSU comes up from the pack and repeats as champions again.

RIGHT MOVE OR GLUTTON FOR PUNISHMENT?

I admire Tigers’ manager Jim Leyland. He is a winner, gruff, and respected among his peers. But, I wonder if he made the right choice returning next year as Tigers’ manager. He won the pennant in 2006, but his team has been disappointing the last two seasons. They seem to be back peadling when they should be competing for the AL pennant again. For Leyland’s sake, I hope Detroit makes a better showing next season or, for his own sanity, he may end up resigning.

What happpened to the heavyweight division?

There was a time when the heavyweight champion of the world was idolized. Now, I would be hard pressed to name him. What has happened to all the charismatic fighters of years gone by? They aren’t in the heavyweight division, but in the smaller weight classifications. No more dynamic champions like Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier or George Foreman. It is very, very sad.

WHO ARE THE METS GOING TO BLAME NOW?

Well, the New York Mets are doing another September swoon. They fired Willie Randolph earlier this season and Jerry Manuel took over as manager. How about firing Manuel now? They couldn’t accept Randolph’s Yankee way and apparently can’t accept Manuel’s way either. So, what’s next? Fire the coaching staff, or Minaya? How about we put it squarely on the players. Apparently they don’t have what it takes to be winners. Met fans should be up in arms.

A FITTING FAREWELL

Well, Yankee Stadium’s storied run is over and the books are closed. The last game played their was as it should be, a Yankee victory. Some people have told me that the ceremony was a bit over the top. I disagree. With everything that has occurred within its walls over 85 years, it was a deserving and fitting tribute to what really is a ” LEGENDARY VENUE.” The new  stadium, from the exterior, appears to be breathtaking, but as I wrote in a previous blog,will have a tough, if not impossible act to follow. The stadium will fade, but the memories will live on forever.   

LETS NOT FORGET SHEA STADIUM !

While Yankee Stadium’s closing is getting all the attention, and deservedly so with its history, let us not forget that over in Flushing, Shea Stadium is also about to become history. To be fair, the Mets have had some magical moments of their own at Shea: Tome Seaver’s 0ne-hitter on July 9, 1969, winning the 1969 World Series there as well as the 1986 World Series too. Winning the 1973 NLCS over Cincinnati, as well as Bud Harrelson’s fight at second base with Pete Rose. The 1964 All-Star Game, Jim Bunning’s perfect game in 1964, the Beatles concert there in 64′. Todd Pratt’s game winning home run in divisional play, Robin Ventura’s grand slam single, the 2000 World Series with the Yankees in the first subway series in 44 years and the first baseball game after the 9/11 attacks. Yes, Shea Stadium has had its fair share of moments too. Farewell, and thanks for the memories.

JETER GOES TO THE HEAD OF THE CLASS!

My Yankees are suffering through a dismal season, but Derek Jeter is beginning to join some very heady company. This week, the Yankees’ Captain surpassed the Iron Horse for most hits at Yankee Stadium. As Jeter climbs steadily through the Yankees’ all time hit list, I am certain that he will become not only the Yankees all time hit leader( Gehrig leads with 2, 721 hits), but become the first Yankee to have over 3,000 hits. No Yankee who spent his entire career with the Bombers has ever compiled that lofty total. While he is losing some range at shortstop, I am sure that the powers that be will make certain that Jeter spends his entire  career with the Yankees. He is deserving of it. 

HER DAYS ARE DOWN TO A PRECIOUS FEW!

Well, its the last days of Yankee Stadium. That venerable old ballpark in the Bronx, NY, where so many memorable events, sporting and non-sporting alike have been held, will close its doors for the final time soon. It has been a grand and glorious run.Whether you like or hate the Yankees is irrelevant. This is about the grand stage they have been fortunate to play on for 85 years. Think about this: 39 AL pennants, 26 World Series titles and that is just in baseball! Home to the NY Football Giants,who won the NFL title there in 1956, countless championship boxing matches with the Louis-Schmeling match in 1938 arguably being its most famous bout. Countless concerts, Papal visits, the gathering following the cowardly 9/11 attacks. Don Larsen’s perfect game in the 1956 World Series, the Brooklyn Dodgers winning their only world title their in 1955, Babe Ruth’s funeral, Lou Gehrig’s farewell speech, Roger Maris’s 61st home run in 1961, no-hitters, perfect games, retirement ceremonies, Old Timer’s Days, All-Star Games. This may sound a bit silly, but I really believe this: Yankee Stadium has more history than some countrys and, to go a step further, is one of the four or five most famous venues in the world. It has been a glorious ride! The new Yankee Stadium has a tough act to follow.

NICE GOING, LADY DEVILS!

The Unicoi County High School Lady Devils Golf team of Leah Pitcock, Hillary Howell and Lexie Wright are going to Knoxville next Monday as the District 1A/AA Ladies’ Team Golf champions. Pitcock(87) and Howell(104) combined for a team total of 191, defeating Hampton by one shot for the team title. Wright chipped in with a 130. Pitcock’s 87 was the low score in the ladies’ division. Congratulations ladies and your second consecutive District 1A/AA Title and good luck in the Regionals.

I’D BE CONCERNED, COWBOYS’ FANS!

Last night’s Cowboys-Eagles game was one of the most exciting in recent years, but if I were a Cowboys fan, I would be concerned. Not that they came back and won but that they yielded 30 points in the first half! Where is their defense. Granted, the Eagles have come out firing offensively early this season, but still, Donovan McNabb isn’t that mobile a quarterback and he shredded the Cowboys’ secondary. We’ll see. It is shaping up as an excellent season, especially for the NFC East division.