Signs of the times: What does it tell us that LeBron James, one of the all-time greats — some argue the greatest in basketball history — makes for such a self-entitled, blind-to-facts compromise of the good senses that he has become impossible for thoughtful adults to root for? Further, why do thoughtful fans of what … Read more
It’s like modern baseball, lousy with conspicuous, shameless artificial additives and cheap con jobs. It’s now almost an obligation to stand at first and signal your dugout for group approval — a shallow ritual — after hitting a checked-swing bloop single. But diminished standards have become standardized. Even the natural act of laughter has been … Read more
You see it all game, every game. It’s like the thanks-for-nothing, “They move the chains,” replacing the useful “first down” and the yardage gained. It’s tired, repetitive and poorly designed to sound hip. Source link #Athletes #stop #immodestly #foolish #ways
In 1996 there was a rock-and-roll hit by the Easybeats, “Friday on My Mind.” The lyrics included, “Monday I’ll have Friday on my mind.” Well, Friday I had Monday on my mind. Rick Monday. It happens at red lights, in the shower and while searching for the remote. That’s when and where I wonder about … Read more
The most transparently absurd sports presence on TV remains the lead face and voice of the transparently absurd sports network: Stephen A. Smith, hustler of multiple cultural accents to best serve the day’s perceived audience and his sustained ESPN go-to-guy employment. Blessed with both ESPN impunity and immunity in addition to millions in pay and … Read more
It just seems that by Sunday night, let alone Monday night, no matter how appealing the flexed-for-TV-dough matchups, the thrill is gone. Source link #Footballs #neverending #onslaught #killed #remaining #thrills
To quote the intrepid mariner, Popeye the Sailor: “That’s all I can stands, ’cause I can’t stands no more!” I grew up an unshakable Giants football fan. Good times, bad times. Allie Sherman to Ray Handley to Brian Daboll. I was No. 16, Frank Gifford, in the fall and winter, No. 16 Whitey Ford in … Read more
It’s not too early for MLB and its partner TV networks to start working on next season. First step: Change the in-game disclaimer from “Any rebroadcast, retransmission or account of this game, without the express written consent of Major League Baseball, is prohibited” to be more realistic, as if anyone would steal what MLB, ESPN, … Read more
The Game 1 verdict was unanimous. It was harsh and came quickly — bottom of the second inning. It was rendered by three adult women not inclined to watch baseball unless the Mets or Yankees are in the World Series. Juror 1: “These guys talk so much I don’t hear a thing they say.” Juror … Read more
The best way to start an argument is to try to avoid one. Thus, “Don’t take this the wrong way … ” is all it should take. So let’s get our Fox World Series preview out of the way then move on, as if it’s not likely that Fox will has put sudden repairs to … Read more
OK, so you run a 75-year-old business that once thrived but has been losing popularity among your most devoted, longtime customers and their progeny. What do you do? 1) Ignore those customers’ complaints and advice? 2) Treat those complaints as quickly, smartly and long-term logically as possible? 3) Make your product even more difficult and … Read more
The “Never Forget” vow is tossed around quite a bit. But the shelf life of “never” depends on how long it takes to forget to remember. It can take decades, years, months and weeks to fade then vanish. In sports, however, it takes minutes — until the next pitch, punt or power play. Late last … Read more
Have a little assignment for ya while watching Sunday’s NFL and MLB games: Note how many times the leagues’ partner networks focus on players acting like self-smitten me-first show-offs — replaying shots of posing, preening, trash-talking and excessively uncivil professionals rather than showing them doing something skillful as it relates to winning team games. And … Read more
Ever consider whether game announcers return home after games to review their recorded work? Given that announcers rarely change their overall approach, most must be well satisfied with their work, right? In other words, is it possible that Michael Kay enjoys his superfluous verbal presence on Yankees telecasts? Say, the way he adds to moments … Read more
Q:What’s the difference between organized crime and big time college athletics? A: Organized crime has rules. Q: How do you make level playing fields? A: Make them all crooked. I don’t know why or how — heck, I just learned how to use our toaster — but about twice a day CBS Sports dings my … Read more
Ladies and gentleman, may I have your fully divided attention! Thank you. … Reader G. Wilbur asks a good, though self-dating question: “When did MLB telecasts become ‘The David Susskind Show’?” “The David Susskind Show” was an interview program seen throughout the 1960s and 1970s on Ch. 11 then Ch. 5. It featured long, pensive … Read more
Imagine … Imagine if MLB players spent as much time practicing winning fundamentals — say, bunting — as they do practicing and perfecting elaborate home run celebrations. Imagine if late in close games in anticipation of a 10th inning with automatic runners on second, prospective leadoff batters were sent inside to the batting cage to … Read more
Roughly 60 years ago, Mad Magazine, published for kids with a bent toward satire before they graduated to the National Lampoon, invented a game called 43-Man Squamish. Mad included play diagrams depicting 43 players running in 43 different directions, a comical absurdity that perhaps inspired StatCast graphics that networks purchase then seriously present to show … Read more
Lots of notes to share. And with recycling day approaching, we’re mindful of the pre-Revolutionary War flags — when George Washington worked for the Brits — that declared years before the Fourth of July, “Don’t shred on me!” No refunds. Blackout restrictions apply. Here goes: One of the hard-earned benefits this messed up country has … Read more
First, to meet this month’s journalistic requirement. Here goes: Bronny James, Bronny James, Bronny James. There. That should do it. The son of the almighty, enriched by Nike’s Communist China partners and Fourth World laborers despite his chosen omnipresence as a social and racial activist, the son without portfolio, yet drafted in the second round … Read more