Greatest sports memory (Part 1)

So I'm finally back at home after a month on the road.  I spent a week in Orlando (not as fun as you think...I was working.  But I did get up every  morning and see happy families going off to amusement parks...so there was that.)  Then I spent a week cruising in Alaska (so much more fun than you would expect it to be.)  Then I was at home for a few days before jetting off to Dallas (again, more business)  On the upside, my hotel is next to the Ballpark in Arlington.  On the downside, the Rangers were playing against the Yankees in NY so the ballpark was unoccupied.  On the upside, the Rangers took two out of three games (take that Evil Empire).

So why do I bring up all this travel?  Well, many things have happened while I've been gone, and I could go on oh so eloquently about any of them.  Let's see what we've got:

1. Johnny Manziel and his parking ticket 
2. Aaron Hernandez and his murder....sorry...alleged murder
3. NBA finals
4. Heat victory parade where the team almost got wiped out by an overpass  (Hilarious since no one was actually harmed)  Link here  

But you know what.  There's not much I can add to the discussion of any of these topics.  They've all been analyzed to the umpteenth degree.  So instead, I've decided to tell you a bit about one of my greatest sports memories.

As I've said before, I really didn't become a sports fanatic until I got to college.  Of course, I didn't mind going to sporting events as a child.  So naturally, I divide my sports watching experience into the pre-college era and post college era (which my wife would call the Dark Times).  So here is my greatest memory from the pre-college era.

As a kid, I grew up in Dallas with my brother and my parents.  This was back when most families had two parents...or maybe I was just sheltered enough to believe that.  It was a happier time, when no one was worried about global warming or terrorists...just communists and nuclear winter.  Our family wasn't rich, but we certainly weren't poor.  No one in the house was a huge sports fan, with the possible exception of my Mom who would shriek like a banshee when the Cowboys scored.  Those two things combined to mean we didn't go to many sporting events.  So, the memories I do have our all quite precious to me.  My favorite memory is actually a combination of several that have become so jumbled in my head over the years, there is no way to sort them out.

The company my Dad worked for at the time had 4 seasons tickets to the Texas Rangers at the old stadium (torn down long ago.)  These seats were not just good, they were amazing.  They were on the third base line first row.  Not only were they third base line 1st row, but we could literally rest our food and drinks on the opposing team's dugout.  I don't say feet, because my legs were much too short at the time.

Once a summer, sometimes more if we were lucky, my Dad would get the tickets (most often a weekday).  Sometimes it was a surprise (at least to me) and other times it was planned.  We would all trek over to the ballpark, which was almost an hour from the house.  Me and my brother would try not to kill each other, lest we have some treat taken away from us at the game.  I still remember the anticipation and excitement that would start building as soon as we got into the car and would keep building until we got to the ballpark.

To a young kid, the ballpark was enormous.  As an adult, stadiums are still huge, but there is something about being a child that adds so much more wonder.  Going up to the stadium, my parents probably told me a hundred times to slow down, and I would...for about 10 seconds.  We always got to the game early so we could watch batting practice followed by the grounds crew prepping the field.  Players would wave and sometimes roll us their warm up balls before the game started.  (After the game, my parents would write who rolled it to us, the team, and the date on the ball .  I used to have all of them in my room...I hope my parents saved them, but I'm afraid I told them to get rid of them when I was a callous college student.)  We would make sure to have a hot dog and soda before the game began.  We didn't want to miss a second of the action waiting in line.  Then my parents would try to keep the two of us entertained until the game started.

Once the games started everything was a blur of balls, strikes, hits, and home runs.  I marveled at the the fan traditions. (Possibly this is what drew me to A&M later in life)  The crowd would boo every time for Steve  Beuchele (Pronounced BooShell...see where we were going with that?)  Everytime Pete Incaviglia would come to bat, we would all look at each other and ask if Inky was going to be Stinky.  (Incaviglia had a propensity for either striking out or hitting a home run)  I saw Nolan Ryan pitch.  I saw my Mom get hit by a Kirby Puckett foul ball.  (Talk about a bruise, but I bet we got on tv that night).  My dad would always get fries or nachos in the 4th or 5th inning for us all to share. And of course, no night was complete without ice cream in the mini helmet.  We watched the Rangers lose, and we watched them win.  We saw fireworks when they hit home runs, and sometimes even after the games.  I may have even fallen asleep at some of them.

Looking back now, I don't care about the plays, the results of the games, or even the incredible seats.  I'm just thankful I was able to experience those games with my parents and brother.  I know it must have been tough on my parents when they had to get up and go to work, or work out of the house the next morning.  (And chances are we had a lot more fun at the games as most of their time was spent watching us and making food runs)  I created a lot of great memories there, which have all combined into one great mash up of baseball, food, and family.  One day, I hope to create memories like these with my son.

God Bless America and God Bless Baseball

I'll leave you with this (Click for link):

-A Sports Fanatic

Fighting the Irish

As I sit here watching the NBA finals, I revel in how much I hate the Heat.  (Non NBA fans, note...I've capitalized the word Heat.  That means its a team, not a weather condition.  So no jokes about "It's not the heat, its the humidity."  Haha..you're very funny.  Now go away.)  Wow, that was a long aside.  Anyhow, I'm watching the NBA finals, so naturally my mind drifted to college football.  And since I'm hating a team, my mind naturally went where?  That's right, Notre Dame.

Yes.  I hate Notre Dame football. (I thought you hated Texas)  I don't hate the school (As I hate Texas).  I don't hate their other teams (As I hate Texas').  And I don't hate their fight song (Again, as I hate that god awful song, "The Eyes of Texas"  But despite what Texas fans think, not everything is about them, so I won't mention them again).  To recap.  I hate Notre Dame Football.

Here's why:

1)  They think God roots for them.  Well here's some news to Notre Dame fans.  God doesn't answer prayers as to the victor of a football game.  I could write a dissertation about the logical fallacy's of how forcing an outcome of a football game violates the core principal of free will.  But I don't have to.  Because if God lets Nick Saban and Alabama win a National Championship over you, its proof that He doesn't care about your football program.

2)  The touchdown Jesus.  Yes.  Notre Dame has a giant mosiac of Jesus Christ overlooking the football field doing a gesture that looks oddly like a touchdown sign.  Seen here.  I wish that were photoshopped

3)  Rudy.

4)  Manti Te'o.  The greatest joke in the history of college football.  Notre Dame fans thought it was a horrific tragedy that he didn't win the Heisman.  He was tied for 2nd in interceptions nationally (impressive for a linebacker) but he wasn't in the top 40 in sacks nationally (surprising for a Heisman candidate).  But they thought he was the best linebacker of all time.  Put his stats against Dat Nguyen.  I'll take Dat any day.  But that's not what made him funny.  The fact that he had the same story as half the 3rd graders in the nation made him funny.  His imaginary girlfriend.  Freaking hilarious.  A grown man with an imaginary girlfriend.  I bet he plays World of Warcraft too.

5)  And the final reason I hate Notre Dame.  They expect AND receive preferential treatment.  They get to handpick their schedule and if they wind up in the top 8 they are guaranteed a spot in a BCS bowl.  No other school has that guarantee.  The six major conference champions are guaranteed a spot in a BCS bowl. Lets say the conference champions are ranked 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 9 in the BCS poll.  You would expect teams ranked 6 & 7 to be the other two selected.  Not so if Notre Dame is ranked 8th.  They get to jump one of those teams.  Because they are Notre Dame.  At least the college playoff will fix this...I hope.


So there's my hate and discontent for the day.

And the Heat just won.

Damn.

-A Sports Fan

To Pay or not to Pay

Recently, there's been a lot of discussion about college football and whether college football players should be paid.  Its actually an incredibly relevant issue to the future of the game.  A large part of why I like writing this blog is to make sports more accessible to those who aren't as interested, but enjoy listening to my points of view.  Its also of course to share my superior knowledge and opinion with you other sports fans...who also think their knowledge is superior, I'm sure.  But I digress.

So in the world of paying college football players there are essentially 3 thoughts:

1)  They have full scholarships to an expensive University as a result of their skills on the gridiron.  They should be happy with that.  They are STUDENT athletes after all.

2)  Lets up scholarships to full cost of tuition.  (Essentially all of the normal costs associated with attending school...room, board, books, classes, and fees)  This group will also advocate a stipend as well.

3)  Lets pay the players.  They are after all making the school a lot of money.

So those are the viewpoints.  All good points.  And all highly flawed unfortunately.  I will now argue (sarcastically) for and against each one.  Get your popcorn ready:

Scene:  Three average college students sit in the student union drinking energy drinks (which are awful by the way)

Full Cost of Tuition Guy (FCTG):  So what do you guys think about this whole paying student athletes thing?

Scholarship Guy (SG):  Athletes get tuition paid for.  That should be enough.

Pay Them Guy (PTG):  These guys go out and sacrifice their time and energy and put their health on the line!!  And they make the school a ton of cash!  They should get paid for that, man!  (PTG has had 4 or 5 energy drinks, hence all the !!!!)

SG:  That's ridiculous.  While athletic departments bring in a ton of money, most don't even break even!!

PTG:  Where did you hear that?  

SG:  USA Today did a big report.

PTG:  Well even if they don't make money, the players are still putting their careers at risk playing football.

SG:  Only if they don't take advantage of the scholarship.  If they study, then they've got something to fall back on if they are part of the 99% that don't make it to the NFL.  The players get all kinds of fame and popularity while they're on campus.  That seems to have its own reward.  Have you seen all the awesome stuff Johnny Football gets to do!?!

PTG:  Only cause his parents are rich....If players got paid, they all could do that!!

FCTG:  Wow, you guys are really into this....too bad you're both wrong.

PTG and SG turn slowly and crush their energy drink cans....: How do you figure??

FCTG:  Well you can't pay players.  Alabama or Texas would essentially out pay all the smaller schools and get all the best players.  They would win more, and then get more money.  The gap would widen between the have's and the have nots.  Its unsustainable.

PTG:  Well you set a limit, so all FBS schools pay the same amount.

FCTG:  Wouldn't work.  Check out the data.  Texas, the highest earning athletic department netted almost 27 million, and took no money from the school.  Louisiana Tech, the lowest earning FBS school, netted $11,000 and took a $9,000 subsidy from the school. How are they supposed to pay students anything, even if its a standard fee. They would be able to give less scholarships and fall behind.  As I said...unsustainable.  (Anyone starting to think FCTG is an engineer?)

PTG:  Nerd...

SG:  Ha!  Told you!  Scholarships as they are, are clearly the way to go.

FCTG:  Not so fast my friend!  Have you thought about the time constraints on a football player?  They are in classes all day, and practicing and working out when they aren't.  If they don't workout and practice enough, they get cut and lose their scholarships.  Or they lose games and get ridiculed for being soft.  The incentive is for them to workout in their free time.  So guess what...no jobs for players.  And no jobs means they may lack money for going out with their friends.  Dinner, movies, bars etc.

SG:  They should be focusing on school and football, not going out and partying.

FCTG:  How many times you go out last week.

SG:....5

FCTG amd PTG stare...

SG: ....what???  It was a really stressful week, I had to blow off steam.

FCTG:  Uh huh...but you think football players who are under as much if not more stress don't deserve to go out?  They just don't have time to get a job to pay for it.  Maybe a full cost of tuition scholarship with a small stipend (say 500$ a semester) isn't sounding too bad.

SG:  What about Title IX?  Doesn't that prohibit it?

FCTG:  Maybe, Maybe not.  It all depends on what judge is ruling.  If equal money were given to female atheletes, it may resolve it.

PTG:  Whoa Whoa Whoa...didn't you just show me how the smallest school only has 11000 extra dollars.  Thats not gonna go very far when you divide it up that many ways.

FCTG:  Did I say I have all the answers?!?

SG:  Know it all!

FCTG: Idiot!

PTG: Jerk!

They all start fighting, then go to the bar for a beer to get over it.  All are friends by the end of the night.

So those are some of the major issues with paying college athletes.  Of course I couldn't resolve the issue in a one page dialogue!! Do you think I'm a genius or something!?!?

What do you think the right answer is?  Vote on the main page!!!!

 (That's a lot of !....maybe I should lay off the caffeine)

For your enjoyment:  Muppets meet ESPN...Fantastic!

-A Sports Fanatic

Why I love....Documentaries....Wait what????

I actually find myself watching many of the EPSN 30 for 30 films lately.  Essentially its a series of documentaries covering any sport or aspect of sports.  But when it comes down to it they're about the events outside of the game itself.  Cheating at SMU. Racism at Ole Miss in the 60's.  Athletes and their money problems. Tragedy.  Triumph.  Essentially the films become a great way to teach history.  (I'll admit its only history of the last 40 years but you get my point)

One of the things I was surprised to discover that I love about sports is the story behind the game.  I'm not talking about where the game came from or its origins.  (I do find that interesting, but that's not at all what I'm getting at.)  I love the story surrounding the game, by which I suppose I mean the political environment, the state of world, and so on.  Now if you've read my blog before, you're probably getting ready to throw up your arms in disgust at the major contradiction.  I've said before that I hate it when reality intrudes on the games that I love.  And that's true.  When I'm watching a sport, I want it to be about the competition, the strategy, the sportsmanship.  I want to cheer for the team I love, and root against the teams I hate.  I do all of that absent politics or caring who gets paid what (not to say there aren't some overpaid people in sports).  I root against Bill Belichek because I think he a dirty rotten cheater.  I root against Tom Brady, because he's a cry baby quarterback who complains when a defender touches him.  (The fact that he's one of my brother's favorite player's leads to some interesting discussions).

I say I love the story surrounding the game, because that what makes it fun and interesting to look back on sports and games from a historical standpoint.  Case in Point....SMU football in the 80's received the "death penalty" from the NCAA for essentially paying players from a slush fund.  Interesting story with huge ramifications for their program.  (It still hasn't recovered 30 years later in case you aren't familiar)  But what makes the story really interesting is the involvement of Texas Governor Bill Clements.  Aspects like that make these stories jump out at you.

Another example (consequently the one that got me thinking about this) would be the film "Ghosts of Ole Miss," which details the year the first African american student attended Ole Miss.  That has nothing to do with sports....except that this telling of the story largely relied on the football team's view and experiences.  All of a sudden, I'm much more interested in the story than I would have been.

While I doubt I'll learn much about ancient Rome this way, it's a great way for a sports fan to get interested in American history.  It both broadens my horizons, and makes sports a deeper, richer experience.  It gives sports more meaning as you understand the history of America and how the game (or games) you love fit into the fabric American Culture.

No matter what sport you love...it has an offseason.  While you're waiting for the first tip off, kickoff, pitch, or puck drop of your sport, learn about the past events involving your sport, and all sports in general.  Whether you watch the ESPN films or NFL films or etc., it will give you a greater love and appreciation for sports and what they can do (good or bad).

-A Sports Fanatic

Mobile link here

Before I die it sure would be nice...

As I sit here eating my lunch and listening to country music, my mind inevitably wandered to sports. And since I'm listening to country music my mind also wandered to the subject of death. (Country music is depressing...Seriously. go listen to some.). So anyway, as my mind often does, it put two seemingly unconnected ideas together. So here is my sports bucket list.

For those not familiar with the concept of a bucket list, it's a list of things that you want to do before you kick the bucket. (What does it say about the state of our education that I had to explain that?). These are things that I want to do/experience and have control over.  For example, seeing the aggies play at Kyle field would belong. Seeing the aggies win a national championship is not on my list because I have no control over that. After writing for 30 minutes I discovered that my list seems to go on without end.  So without further ado...my sports bucket list top 10. 

1)  Attend a Super Bowl
   Who wouldn't want to do this.  I mean really.

2) Attend the college football national championship
I don't care who's playing...I just want to go.  I mean the Aggies would be great, but what are the chances.  Seriously, what are the chances.  I'm going to call Vegas if they're good enough.

3). Go to the NCAA final four and championship
This would just be fun to a part of "one shining moment".

4). Go to an Florida state game and see Chief Osceola ride to mid field with his burning spear and drive it into midfield.
If only I had a family member, perhaps say, a sister-in-law who lived in Tallahassee... On a side note, the war chant would be pretty cool to see too.

For a little more on Chief Osceola follow this link.

5). Go to the Michigan v Ohio State game
One of the greatest active rivalries

6). Go to the Iron Bowl (Auburn v Alabama)
One of the greatest lopsided active rivalries

7). Run a 10k
I know its not watching a sport, but running is a sport.  One day....

8). Attend an NFL hall of fame game
I know the starters play for about five minutes and then its lots of players you've never heard of, but this kicks off the NFL preseason.  Its the best lead in to a season there is.

9) Beat up the Stanford Tree
I'll say it right now.  It's not going to happen.  But have you ever seen a dumber mascot??

No this is not a 3rd grader project.  Stanford uses this thing...

10) Attend one more A&M v Texas game at Kyle Field.

I know I know.  I said only things that I have control over.  I have nowhere near the money or connections to make this happen.  That being said, it will happen.  And when it does, I'll be there.  Unless its at Darrell K Royal.  In that case, I'll watch on TV.  Unless its on the Longhorn Network, then no one will see it.

So there's my list.  How did I do?  Is there anything I left off that you would have put on?

- A Sports Fanatic

Reality and sports don't mix...until they do

One thing I love about sports is that they don't matter.  Sure, we trick ourselves into thinking they matter.  We plan our day around a certain game...We plan our week around a Game day tailgating experience.  In extreme cases, we plan our wedding or the birth of our children to coincide with the offseason.  (I might be guilty of one of those...or both.  Have I mentioned how awesome my wife is?)  We let the outcome of a game determine our mood for the rest of the day or week.  Or in the case of certain losses, years.  (I don't know if I'll ever get over losing to Texas in '11)  But in the end, no one cares who had the highest batting average on the rangers in 1982.  (It's Buddy Bell in case you're wondering)

So wait, if sports don't matter, why do you love them so much????

There are a lot of reasons.  Sports are our escape from the real world.  They are a reason to get together with family.  They give you something to look forward to.  They give us wonderful shared experiences.  Just take a look...

Hate your job?   Just got to make it until the Cowboys play on Sunday...maybe they'll win (hope)
Had a bad week?  Its ok the Aggies are going to beat up on Rice this weekend...everything is as it should be. (smug satisfaction)
Feeling alone?  Go to the game, you're among friends.  80,000 of them.  (Acceptance)
Need something to cheer you up?  Think back fondly on a game day experience.  The tailgating, the pregame festivities, the amazing plays. (great memories)

Here's a great quote from Invincible that sums up why sports are great.

Frank Papale: You know how I used to tell you about Van Buren scoring that touchdown back in '48?

I know. That touchdown got me through 30 years at that factory.  Got me through all those times your mother being sick.

 

 

But this escape from reality is destroyed on occasion.  Reality has a way of rearing its ugly head and reminding you what matters.  Not that this is a good or bad thing. 

 

It can be a good thing.  It can happen in little ways.  It can be hearing the back story of a player and the personal challenges they've overcome.  It can inspire us and help us heal, like the Red, White, and Blue Out at Texas A&M after the 9/11 attacks.  It can be tragic and inspirational as in the case of Jackie Robinson.  Tragic that so many people in America reacted the way they did.  Inspirational that he persevered, and in how far America has come since then.

 

Sometimes it is a bad thing though.   It can be in tragic and senseless ways such as the Boston Marathon bombings.  It can be momentary like when a star for the opposing team gets hurt  Its a part of the game, but the injury will carry on after the game.  Don't think "YES! We might win!".  Instead remember a person just got injured...never a good thing.  When a player from the opposing team is in the outfield near your seats, who snubbed your team to go play for a rival (Josh Hamilton) don't go after their family.  If they just came out as homosexual (Jason Collins), don't yell at them for that.  Make fun of their game, absolutely.  Heckle them for dropping that fly ball, striking out, or airballing.  But keep reality outside of the game where it belongs.

 

 

Despite how much we love sports, remember its not the outcome that matters.   Its how you get there.  Its the experience of the game.  Its the memories you make and the hope you draw.  Take the good of sports back to reality.

 

 

 -A sports fanatic

 

Why are we watching this again???

So this is inspired by a phrase my wife utters often. And why does she say this? Because I like sports movies... A lot. They're fun to watch. They're inspirational. They let you share in a great triumph, an underdog story, or occasionally a failure.  Most importantly, they fill the time between football seasons and keep my wife from alternately sighing and chuckling behind my back as I frantically check sports channels for replays of games that were good. (I swear I'm working on it.)

Its hard to talk to any sports fan (or movie fan for that matter) without the topic of greatest sports movies of all time coming up. So what I thought I would do is give you a list of my favorites. This is not a list saying these are the greatest movies. It's my personal favorites. If you don't like my list I encourage you to start a blog of your own...that I will not read...because I have more interesting things to do than read an Internet blog about sports. (That sounded better in my head)

Without further ado....my top sports movies (by sport):

Golf:    The Greatest Game Ever Played
That's right, I'm starting with golf.  Golf is boring and pointless...and a little elitist.  (Oh and I'm awful at it)  But this is a great movie.  If you haven't seen it, its worth the 2 hours.

Soccer: Shaolin Soccer
I also don't really like soccer, but this movie out of Hong Kong in 2001 combined martial arts and Soccer.  Oh and Comedy.  It's hilarious.  A warning though, my wife hates it..but she hates all foreign films.

Tennis:
I don't watch real Tennis.  Why would I watch a scripted movie about tennis????

High School Basketball: Finding Forrester
Reading this, you're thinking two things:
1)  This is barely about basketball at all
2)  Not Hoosiers???? Are you Insane???

Both valid points.  It's not Hoosiers, and its only loosely connected to basketball.  My response?  Two words....Sean Connery.

College Basketball: Glory Road
This one wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.  Its one of those stories that despite it's Hollywood embellishments is almost too good to be true.

NBA:
I honestly couldn't come up with one.  And I refuse to say Eddie or Celtic Pride.

Boxing:  Cinderella Man
I know...its not Rocky...but its an amazing movie about a tough time

Wrestling: The Wrestler
Despite all the adult situations, still a good, if not sad, movie.

Hockey: Mystery, Alaska
This one was a hard one.  It came down to my choice and Miracle, but in the end I fell in love with Mystery first, so it wins by default.

High School Football: Remember the Titans
There was no competition here.  If you don't love this movie, go back to Mother Russia you Communist.

College Football:  We are Marshall
Despite Matthew McConaughey's best efforts this is a great movie.  If you don't get goosebumps/choked up when they cheer "WE ARE...MARSHALL!!!", then you have no heart.

And in case you were wondering how close I was to choosing to "Rudy", I wasn't.  Rudy is just awful.

NFL: Invincible
Another underdog story.  But it has it all.  Great music, great football, great filming, and of course the guy gets the girl he deserves.  If you haven't seen it, go see it.

Baseball: Sandlot/Moneyball
Well, it happened.  I was determined to not have a tie, but I just couldn't decide.  I also couldn't break Sandlot into its own category, because that wouldn't have been fair to Bad News Bears.  The Sandlot is a great movie that should hopefully remind all kids of something they loved of their childhoods.  Moneyball shows what happens when statisticians get involved in baseball.  Can't argue with either of those.


It looks like a lot of my movies are underdog stories, but isn't that what makes sports so much fun?

Well that's my list.  You have 4 months until football starts to watch them so get cracking!!! 

Let me leave you with this montage of sports movies I stumbled across:

Link for mobile

- A Sports Fanatic