The Yard covered our first sporting event Las Vegas this past weekend. We have a lot of catching up to do and we started at the Thomas and Mack Center. The San Diego State Aztecs were in town to face our Running Reb’s in a Mountain West showdown. It was a compelling matchup and 18,000 Las Vegans showed up to root on our team. It was a raucous crowd and we admit that one simple question changed our entire perspective when we were at the concession stand, “Do you want Grey Goose or Kettle One?” We have never been asked that question in over 35 years of attending games at Pauley Pavilion. It caught us off guard but we went with the Goose.
Yard bylaws require the staff to follow most major sports except hockey, soccer and NASCAR. The Yard is a homer and there are not enough American stars in hockey. Most of the stars in the NHL have just too many vowels in their names to garner interest or accurate reporting. Soccer is only compelling every four years and only if the US makes World Cup pool play. The NASCAR stars seem like fun guys who like to drink beer, drive fast and brawl with each other in random precision. We just cannot commit an afternoon to watching cars drive really fast in circles. We did not plan to follow lacrosse either and did not even know there was a professional indoor lacrosse league.
We read that the Boston Blazers had a racy halftime show featuring scantily clad women giving lap dances to the team’s mascot. Apparently, the team apologized for the halftime promotion that “wasn’t executed as spelled out to us.” It sounded like a hell of a promotion that was executed to perfection. We are checking to see if the Blazers have any Las Vegas dates. Las Vegas is jonesing for a professional team in any sport and lacrosse could be a fit.
Karma has been an ethereal wrapper of sports consequence since early man. Good karma has rarely been congealed down to its core elements. Good guys finish last and all of that. Bad karma is noted, tallied and tweeted about for all of mankind or at least to those with connectivity to social media. Lebron tweeted, re-tweeted, and then tried to un-tweet his gloat about the bad karma his former team suffered when the Cavs were lapped by the Lakers on 1/12/11. The Karmaliers went on to lose another 15 games in route to 26 in a row. On the verge of setting the record for most losses by any professional franchise, they got a Friday night game against the poster child of NBA futility-The LA Clippers. Donald Sterling is the ruddy poster boy of that franchise’s bad karma. It is well deserved and fully vested. The Cavs won and now enjoy as much chance of making the playoffs as our Donald’s Clippers. The Washington Wizards having lost 25 straight road games played the Cavs two nights later and ended that streak in Cleveland. Karma is fleeting. Lebron, you still have a karma deficit that will be recovered on national television in Boston in late May.
Ben Roethlisberger, you just threw two interceptions and failed to rally the Steelers to their third Super Bowl Title in six years, what are you going to do now? He is definitely not going to Disneyland with Aaron Rogers. The Magic Kingdom wanted no part of the not too gentle Ben even if he had rallied the victory. The Yard hopes Ben is not headed to another college bar restroom to grope a coed but it is a long off season and there could be a lockout. He did not get convicted for that incident but Commissioner Goodell suspended him anyway. Righteous Roger did not suspend him for banging the casino hostess in Tahoe who cried foul in an attempt for a civil payday. Apparently, Big B can foul a casino hostess as long as he can beat the civil suit but no more drunken coeds for Ben. Ben, karma can be expensive.
March Madness is within our headlights. UCLA might actually make the tournament in a down year for the Pac-10. The UCLA women have a better shot in their tournament. The University of Connecticut Women’s basketball team is to be commended for their amazing persistence during their 90 game winning streak. It is the longest streak in women’s basketball history and most likely will never be broken. During the hoopla and the quest to win 89 in a row, Uconn coach Geno Auriemma demanded respect and recognition for his women that they did deserve. But Geno, your women Huskies did not break the men’s basketball record of 88 games in a row. That record will never be broken either. It is a compelling story and a great thing for Uconn and women’s basketball but can anyone please reply with one epic matchup during the Uconn streak? Did anyone race home to catch a game on TV?
John Wooden’s Bruins beat Digger Phelps four times before his Fighting Irish ended the streak. The Bruins had wins over Bob Boyd’s # 2 ranked Trojans, Bobby Knight’s Hoosiers, Lefty Driesell’s Terps and Jerry Tarkanians 49’ers. UCLA beat every Pac-8 Team six straight times. The Bruins won twelve tournament games and three NCAA Titles during those 88 games. Chick hoops is chick hoops just not NCAA men’s hoops. It is just not the same level, importance or history. We do not cover women’s basketball, either.
Luck happens when perspiration and preparation meet opportunity. John Wooden
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Field of Prayers
Sports are microcosms of life where scores are kept. The winners are applauded while the losers are consoled. Sports and more importantly baseball is the historic anchor for the rambling vortex of Yard postings. On this day, I can only think back to the ball fields of Pasadena Southwest Little League. On a Friday in January, the infields are being groomed with the draft a few days away. The players will still be in holiday mode trying to find cleats, mitts and balls that had not seen the light of day since last June. Parents are in earnest mode attempting to multi-task education, sports and social commitments. During February, skills would be found or renewed. Teams and their personalities would emerge throughout the spring. This is baseball distilled down to its beginnings in the pastures of Abner Doubleday.
Baseball has similarities to real life where there is much down time between moments in the spotlight. Everyone eventually has to face the pitcher or make a play. Results are not always as hoped. Parents skillfully magnify a small victory for a ten year old so it resonates louder than a miscue for the day. The resilience and spirit of youth is too distracted to allow those moments to hang in the psyche after the glove is put to rest.
Baseball is the only sport that clears the entire lineup off the playing field each inning. Every three outs, the team gets another chance to make three more while the other watches. These are rare “in game” moments to dissect a play, review a technique or reprimand a lack of effort. But there are many more moments where kids are the storylines not the game. Their personalities morph into the collective soul of their team. Their interplay in the dugout is a Cioppino of anxiety, swagger and diffidence.
The cocky shortstop with the refined skills of his two older brothers bragging his way through the anxiety laced wrapper of expectation. There was the shy pitcher who was exposing his inner athlete a little more with each game. She was a plucky first baseman with an infectious smile and a joyous zeal trying to keep pace with her older brother. The right fielder played because that is what his father expected him to do on Saturday afternoons in the spring.
The kids outgrew little league faster than the parents. Several would play baseball at the next level. Most took their lives to the next level without the mitt. The memory of the team would fade over time but always renew when former teammates might cross paths in school or at a party. Stories were rarely shared just a knowing tell in the passage of time. Team families shared the same community of history. Lives move on with other relationships interwoven into the quilt.
We lost the plucky first baseman this week. It was unexpected and tragic. Her friendship and spirit will be remembered by many. You didn’t have to know her to know that she is the daughter of a grieving family who needs our prayers. In the community built on the field and to the collective spirit beyond that, get out your mitt, take your position and slap your fist into it a few times for her and her family. Let the big guy know we have their back.
Baseball has similarities to real life where there is much down time between moments in the spotlight. Everyone eventually has to face the pitcher or make a play. Results are not always as hoped. Parents skillfully magnify a small victory for a ten year old so it resonates louder than a miscue for the day. The resilience and spirit of youth is too distracted to allow those moments to hang in the psyche after the glove is put to rest.
Baseball is the only sport that clears the entire lineup off the playing field each inning. Every three outs, the team gets another chance to make three more while the other watches. These are rare “in game” moments to dissect a play, review a technique or reprimand a lack of effort. But there are many more moments where kids are the storylines not the game. Their personalities morph into the collective soul of their team. Their interplay in the dugout is a Cioppino of anxiety, swagger and diffidence.
The cocky shortstop with the refined skills of his two older brothers bragging his way through the anxiety laced wrapper of expectation. There was the shy pitcher who was exposing his inner athlete a little more with each game. She was a plucky first baseman with an infectious smile and a joyous zeal trying to keep pace with her older brother. The right fielder played because that is what his father expected him to do on Saturday afternoons in the spring.
The kids outgrew little league faster than the parents. Several would play baseball at the next level. Most took their lives to the next level without the mitt. The memory of the team would fade over time but always renew when former teammates might cross paths in school or at a party. Stories were rarely shared just a knowing tell in the passage of time. Team families shared the same community of history. Lives move on with other relationships interwoven into the quilt.
We lost the plucky first baseman this week. It was unexpected and tragic. Her friendship and spirit will be remembered by many. You didn’t have to know her to know that she is the daughter of a grieving family who needs our prayers. In the community built on the field and to the collective spirit beyond that, get out your mitt, take your position and slap your fist into it a few times for her and her family. Let the big guy know we have their back.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Season's Greetings from the Yard
It is that time of year again where the Yard reviews the year that was, the rants and the raves, the missives and the misses. We cranked out 25 postings to the blog this year. It was a random cycle of publishing. The highlight was June with five with the Dodgers in first and the Lakers in the Finals. Of late, we have been quiet in the blue turmoil at the Ravine and in Westwood. It is a time of reflection, perspective and planning. We reflected on the shortcomings of the Bruins and the Dodgers. We kept the Giant’s surprising victory in perspective and we plan to watch our Lakers play in the finals for the 4th straight season. All of our postings are listed on the Blog site. There are some fun stories and some painful ones. Our hits and misses are there for eternity. We were right more than wrong but we were horribly wrong about a few things this year.
We also relocated our offices to Las Vegas. It was a surprising move that caught several staffers off guard. Yard management just felt that we needed a cheaper base of operations from which to piss our money away. Las Vegas offers lower housing costs, no state income tax and easy access to venues where money can be most effectively wasted. We could still observe our favorites and villains. We also felt that the political climate in California is better to view than to breath. These were key considerations for the move. Our focus group questioned this reasoning but doubled down on Las Vegas when we offered them player’s cards and a place to crash within ten minutes of the Strip.
The Yard has been on hiatus during the move. It was a fortuitous time to be on hiatus as well. With the hated Giants finally winning something, the Dodgers in turmoil and our beloved Bruins never winning anything, it was best to be away from our bully pulpit and off the radar. The dust has not settled any of those issues but it is forgiving sports report in Las Vegas. UCLA is rarely mentioned and TJ Simers is not a contributor. The Dodgers are covered but not with the expanse and detail of the LA Times. And we think they hate the Giants up here as well but that might be more hope than reality. The area seems open minded to our close minded rants.
Predictably, Frank McCourt’s post-nuptial with soon to be ex-wife Jamie was thrown out by the judge. Frank, now you are a real California resident! Nothing says “ Welcome to California!” as clearly as paying millions to lose half your stuff in an ugly divorce. We just wish he owned the Giants or the Clippers not our Dodgers. Both of these combatants contend that they have investors lined up to buy out the other. Jamie, save your breath. Major League Baseball wants no part of you and whatever investors you might line up. Your ownership would never be approved because you are a frigging load. Frank, good luck! Retaining ownership control and finding $350 million to buy out Jamie does not sound grammatically correct. You already sold the parking lot to Fox.
The BCS seemed to work this year because Oregon and Auburn did not stumble on the field. The NCAA did their part by reinstating Cam Newton at least until they get their millions from the BCS Championship game. Did we really think the NCAA was going to suspend Cam Newton before this rating bonanza? The NCAA always acts in the best interests of themselves regardless of the gravity of the situation. If Cam Newton was playing at Northern Illinois, he would be suspended, the school placed on a three year bowl ban, and scholarships reduced. Auburn may still vacate this championship if they win but the NCAA is going to make sure their payday happens before they take any money away from Auburn.
Boise State won 24 games in a row piling up record numbers to a loyal fan base. When they got to a BCS game, they beat Oklahoma and TCU. They finally got upset when their All American kicker missed a field goal to win it in regulation and another in OT to lose it on a cold Friday night in Reno. They crushed Utah with ease playing their B game up here in Las Vegas in something called the MAACO Bowl. At least the turf was green. The Yard has seen Boise play on the blue turf and they are a class act on any color carpet. It is hard to understand how this quality, exciting team is relegated to this game while 8-4 UCONN plays Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. We can imagine Bob Stoops wants no part of Boise this year either. From New Years Day until the title game, fourteen teams that have already lost 3+ games will be playing in a better bowl game than BSU.
The Miami Heat seems to have figured it out winning 14 in a row at one point and climbing back atop their division. It did help to have a streak of playing games against teams with a combined record of 85-134 with only two of those opponents having a passing chance to sniff the playoffs. When they finally played a championship contender in Dallas, they lost. They are a perimeter team that will win regular season games when playing games like the aforementioned stretch. Lebron took his considerable skills to South Beach to win championships. Perimeter teams without a low post offensive threat or any low post defense are not playing basketball in June. Chris Bosch is their Ringo. He is sucking $17 million a year that could be spent on two bodies down low. At least the winning streak keeps King Riley upstairs until the All-Star break. Christmas Day will not be a playoff preview because the Lakers will be in the Finals and the Heat will be at home watching.
The Celtic-Knick game last week was the best NBA Game of the season. The Knicks have been a joke for over a decade and it never seemed that this team was going anywhere this year. It was a playoff atmosphere at the Garden and the game came down to the last shot. The Knicks have been horrific but Knick fans are among the best and Madison Square Garden is still a magical place to play. The NBA is better when the Knicks are in the mix. We do like seeing another east coast challenge to the Celtics which is kind of nice. Lebron should have taken his considerable skills to Manhattan. King James, do you see the life Jeter and A-Rod live as kings of that city? You would have owned the town. South Beach is for posers, Snooki, and retirees. Manhattan is called the Big Apple for a reason.
This could be the last report from the Yard for 2010. We never know but as the days dwindle in the year, we wish everyone the health, prosperity and vitriol that brightens our days, affords our efforts and provides purpose to our mission. All of the best to you and yours this holiday season and into the New Year.
Christmas is a time when kids tell Santa what they want and adults pay for it. Deficits are when adults tell the government what they want and their kids pay for it. Richard Lamm
We also relocated our offices to Las Vegas. It was a surprising move that caught several staffers off guard. Yard management just felt that we needed a cheaper base of operations from which to piss our money away. Las Vegas offers lower housing costs, no state income tax and easy access to venues where money can be most effectively wasted. We could still observe our favorites and villains. We also felt that the political climate in California is better to view than to breath. These were key considerations for the move. Our focus group questioned this reasoning but doubled down on Las Vegas when we offered them player’s cards and a place to crash within ten minutes of the Strip.
The Yard has been on hiatus during the move. It was a fortuitous time to be on hiatus as well. With the hated Giants finally winning something, the Dodgers in turmoil and our beloved Bruins never winning anything, it was best to be away from our bully pulpit and off the radar. The dust has not settled any of those issues but it is forgiving sports report in Las Vegas. UCLA is rarely mentioned and TJ Simers is not a contributor. The Dodgers are covered but not with the expanse and detail of the LA Times. And we think they hate the Giants up here as well but that might be more hope than reality. The area seems open minded to our close minded rants.
Predictably, Frank McCourt’s post-nuptial with soon to be ex-wife Jamie was thrown out by the judge. Frank, now you are a real California resident! Nothing says “ Welcome to California!” as clearly as paying millions to lose half your stuff in an ugly divorce. We just wish he owned the Giants or the Clippers not our Dodgers. Both of these combatants contend that they have investors lined up to buy out the other. Jamie, save your breath. Major League Baseball wants no part of you and whatever investors you might line up. Your ownership would never be approved because you are a frigging load. Frank, good luck! Retaining ownership control and finding $350 million to buy out Jamie does not sound grammatically correct. You already sold the parking lot to Fox.
The BCS seemed to work this year because Oregon and Auburn did not stumble on the field. The NCAA did their part by reinstating Cam Newton at least until they get their millions from the BCS Championship game. Did we really think the NCAA was going to suspend Cam Newton before this rating bonanza? The NCAA always acts in the best interests of themselves regardless of the gravity of the situation. If Cam Newton was playing at Northern Illinois, he would be suspended, the school placed on a three year bowl ban, and scholarships reduced. Auburn may still vacate this championship if they win but the NCAA is going to make sure their payday happens before they take any money away from Auburn.
Boise State won 24 games in a row piling up record numbers to a loyal fan base. When they got to a BCS game, they beat Oklahoma and TCU. They finally got upset when their All American kicker missed a field goal to win it in regulation and another in OT to lose it on a cold Friday night in Reno. They crushed Utah with ease playing their B game up here in Las Vegas in something called the MAACO Bowl. At least the turf was green. The Yard has seen Boise play on the blue turf and they are a class act on any color carpet. It is hard to understand how this quality, exciting team is relegated to this game while 8-4 UCONN plays Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. We can imagine Bob Stoops wants no part of Boise this year either. From New Years Day until the title game, fourteen teams that have already lost 3+ games will be playing in a better bowl game than BSU.
The Miami Heat seems to have figured it out winning 14 in a row at one point and climbing back atop their division. It did help to have a streak of playing games against teams with a combined record of 85-134 with only two of those opponents having a passing chance to sniff the playoffs. When they finally played a championship contender in Dallas, they lost. They are a perimeter team that will win regular season games when playing games like the aforementioned stretch. Lebron took his considerable skills to South Beach to win championships. Perimeter teams without a low post offensive threat or any low post defense are not playing basketball in June. Chris Bosch is their Ringo. He is sucking $17 million a year that could be spent on two bodies down low. At least the winning streak keeps King Riley upstairs until the All-Star break. Christmas Day will not be a playoff preview because the Lakers will be in the Finals and the Heat will be at home watching.
The Celtic-Knick game last week was the best NBA Game of the season. The Knicks have been a joke for over a decade and it never seemed that this team was going anywhere this year. It was a playoff atmosphere at the Garden and the game came down to the last shot. The Knicks have been horrific but Knick fans are among the best and Madison Square Garden is still a magical place to play. The NBA is better when the Knicks are in the mix. We do like seeing another east coast challenge to the Celtics which is kind of nice. Lebron should have taken his considerable skills to Manhattan. King James, do you see the life Jeter and A-Rod live as kings of that city? You would have owned the town. South Beach is for posers, Snooki, and retirees. Manhattan is called the Big Apple for a reason.
This could be the last report from the Yard for 2010. We never know but as the days dwindle in the year, we wish everyone the health, prosperity and vitriol that brightens our days, affords our efforts and provides purpose to our mission. All of the best to you and yours this holiday season and into the New Year.
Christmas is a time when kids tell Santa what they want and adults pay for it. Deficits are when adults tell the government what they want and their kids pay for it. Richard Lamm
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