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At the Intersection of Sports and Culture

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Jim Riggleman and the Absence of Accountablilty in Washington

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Before we delve deep into the weekend sports menu, a few words on the lack of leadership in our Nation’s Capital. And no, for once I am not referring to Democrats and Republicans.

In A League of Their Own Tom Hanks famously said, “There’s no crying in baseball”. And while this is true, perhaps what he really should have said to the teary eyed Rockford Peach is that there is also no “quitting” in baseball either. It’s a lesson now former Washington Nationals manager Jim Riggleman clearly did not listen to when he decided to walk out on his team yesterday afternoon.

I understand wanting job security, and I get how difficult it can be to work for a boss who lacks communication skills. We’ve all been there. However, if you’re Jim Riggleman, how in the world do you give your GM an ultimatum at 1230p, manage your team to an exciting 1-0 early afternoon walkoff victory over the Seattle Mariners, and then, following the game when your GM doesn’t immediately offer to pick up your contract option for next year, you quit? What about your players in the locker room? For the first time in their young history, the Washington Nationals were actually playing some pretty good baseball – above .500 in the NL East with an outside chance at the wild card.

This morning, baseball writers are talking about how Jim Riggleman has been a good, respected baseball man who has now done permanent damage to his career in baseball. In the future, will Riggleman be able to stand before a clubhouse and espouse the virtues of accountability, commitment, and honesty? Players will not trust a man who abandoned his previous team over seemingly petulant financial reasons. We expect this behavior from professional athletes who are prone to hold out and demand respect via the restructured contract. But coaches, as leaders, must model the type discipline it takes to maintain a high level of focus and determination that a successful athlete, person must embody. With this decision to walk away from his team midseason, Jim Riggleman has failed on all accounts.

Rant over, on to a rather skimpy slate of weekend sports watching

Wimbledon, Sat: ESPN2 7a, NBC 1p Sun: NBC 2p (tape delayed)

In this the day and age of live streaming, if you’re a major network why would you ever choose to air a tape delayed sporting event? Anyone who cares is already going to know the result of the game/match that you are broadcasting. Are ratings that bad in the AM that you can’t show these matches live?

NHL Draft, Fri: Versus 7p

Speaking of poor programming choices, Friday night? Versus? See you there.

College Baseball, Fri: ESPN 7p, Sat: ESPN 2p & ESPN2 7p

This could be my choice right here. Have yet to watch much of the CWS so far, but with a lack of other solid options, feel like this could be the best bet for the weekend. Although, without a horse in this race I’ll have to choose a favorite team soon. What’s the best story remaining the in CWS? Vandy’s first ever appearance in Omaha or perhaps a Gamecock repeat?

 

view from Nationals Park courtesy of @thatmichael

Whitey Bulger and the 2011 NBA Draft

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Living in anonymity. That’s what repugnant Boston mobster Whitey Bulger had been doing for 17 years until his capture in Santa Monica late last night – special thanks to Jack Nicholson for breathing new life into the search – and that’s what the majority of picks in the 2011 NBA Draft will be doing for the foreseeable future. To borrow a line from Major League, “who are these f*%$ing guys?. Are any of these picks destined for stardom or do we have nothing more than a bunch of back of the rotation guys who will struggle to earn consistent minutes in the NBA? We’ve heard of Kyrie Irving. We know the charming story of Glens Falls, NY native Jimmer Fredette. But Jan Vesely? Tristan Thompson?

In times of column crisis, I typically turn to my wife for inspiration who, like the majority of casual sports fans, couldn’t be bothered to tell you the first informative thing about this NBA Draft or any of the players involved. I gave her the names of the presumed top ten picks, without any sort of backstory, and asked her to tell me who she thought these “people” were.

If it’s real draft “analysis” you’re looking for, head here, here, or possibly here. Otherwise, enjoy this totally unscientific breakdown of the 2011 NBA Draft presented by my wife.

#1: Cleveland Cavaliers – Kyrie Irving, PG Duke

“Don’t you mean “Kyle” Irving? I went to grade school with a Kyle Irving. He was a bad seed. It has been my experience that certain names fit certain personalities and I have never met a “Kyle” or “Brandon” or “Zach” that I could trust.”

#2: Minnesota Timberwolves – Derrick Williams, PF Arizona

“Isn’t there a Derrick Williams playing in the NBA? It feels like there is a Derrick Williams playing in the NBA.”

#3: Utah Jazz – Enes Kanter, C Turkey

“Oh, got this one, he’s that Republican Congressman who always seems to be lurking behind John Boehner during those creepy announcements from Capital Hill.”

#4: Cleveland Cavaliers – Tristan Thompson, PF Texas

“Reminds me of Brad Pitt’s character from Legends of the Fall. Do you remember when we were trying to come up with names for our son and I suggested “Tristan”? Such a dreamy name.”

#5: Toronto Raptors – Brandon Knight, PG Kentucky

“Wasn’t he a member of the New Kids on the Block? Or was it the Backstreet Boys? Either way I’m kinda hoping for a boy band revival. Never did get to see N’Sync live.”

#6: Washington Wizards – Jan Vesely, SF Serbia

“Harry Potter’s BFF and Hermione’s future husband. Speaking of Harry Potter, you better do one of those Plodding through the Previews posts for The Deathly Hallows: Part II.”

#7: Sacramento Kings – Kawhi Leonard, SF San Diego St.

“Doesn’t sound like anybody I know. I don’t even know how to pronounce Kawhi”

#8: Detroit Pistons – Bismack Biyombo, PF Spain

“The King of Zamunda. Maybe I think this because Coming to America has been on all the time recently. Great movie although I feel that it has become a bit underrated recently.”

#9: Charlotte Bobcats – Kemba Walker, PG Connecticut

“Point guard of the National Champion UConn Huskies. I’m not completely ignorant to all things sports.”

#10: Milwaukee Bucks – Klay Thompson, SG Washington State

“Why is it not “Clay” with a C. I have never understood why parents change the spelling of fairly traditional names like Staci, Rodger, and D’Brickashaw.”

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So there you have it. Thanks to my wife for being such a great sport and enjoy the 2011 NBA Draft live for Newark, NJ. That’s right Newark, NJ. Enjoy!! 

view from the 2011 NBA Draft courtesy of @prucenter

 

Wednesday Worries: Wimbledon Edition

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I am worried that….

the grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club are going to cause a significant injury. On Day 1 the surface is pristine and lush with nary a weed or rough patch. But by the first weekend, when the wear and tear begins to take its tole, the grass, mostly around the service line, begins to look like the 1st baseline at Wrigley Field. Would it be too difficult, or against tradition, to re-sod the courts midway through the fortnight? I’m only thinking about the players safety and not for any asthetic reason like it kinda looks like crap on tv.

croquet has become an overlooked sport/recreational pastime. Think about it, when was the last time you went over to a friends house, fired up the BBQ, and got yourself ready for a rousing game of croquet? That’s my point, this just doesn’t happen anymore. The funny thing is I can remember being a kid and playing croquet all the time. It’s a fantastic activity. A perfect distraction as the ribs sit on the smoker. In fact, I credit much of my 25 handicap on the golf course to my experience with a wooden mallet on the croquet pitch.

today’s rain is just a harbinger of things to come and that it is going to continue raining in London for a week straight forcing players to play multiple matches a day.

Maria Sharapova is really going to marry Sasha Vujacic. Seriously, what does he have that I don’t? Take away the wife, kids, mortgage, student loans, etc and we are basically the same person.

Serena Williams is going to experience a massive emotional breakdown. She was all sorts of teary eyed after her 3 set victory in the 1st round yesterday. Her raw emotion was no doubt a byproduct of missing so much time due to injury leading up to Wimbledon. However, if healthy, she clearly remains one of the favorites to win the tournament.

John Isner is going to hit his head on the umpires chair during a changeover. He’s 6’9″!! How did he get into tennis and not basketball or baseball. He could have been the next Randy Johnson or perhaps even Mark Hendrickson.

there is not enough room on the grounds of the All England Club for the gaggle of ESPN broadcasters who have descended upon London. Enough is enough already. You have Cliff Drysdale and Darren Cahill calling a match from centre court with Chris Fowler interrupting w/ live look-ins while Patrick McEnroe sits back in the studio alongside Hannah Storm, Mary Joe Fernandez, and Chris Evert who have special sideline reports coming in from Brad Gilbert and Pam Shriver. If I’m Mike Tirico or Scott Van Pelt I feel a little left out. Give me Dick Enberg, John McEnroe, and Mary Carillo. That’s it. The rest of you can go and break down the NBA Draft because ESPN doesn’t have enough people doing that already.

Novak Djokovic is going to ruin the tournament by beating Roger Federer in the semifinals. All anybody wants to see is another Rafa Nadal/Federer final. Wimbledon is all about pitting the best vs the best. Take for example the rivalry between Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe, the subject of a recent HBO documentary. Their classic showdown in the 1980 Wimbledon final is considered by many to be the “Greatest Tennis Match of All Time”.

I was much too young to remember this match but after watching the documentary I was amazed at what a star Bjorn Borg was. I knew he was a great tennis player but had no idea that he had the charisma capable of captivating the entire sports world. He was an absolute rockstar and during the 1980 final McEnroe came so close to preventing Borg’s streak of 5 Wimbledon titles in a row. McEnroe would however go on to defeat Borg at Wimbledon a year later in 1981.  But beyond the major titles, what resonates today is the relationship between two tennis warriors that extends well beyond the boundaries of competition. McEnroe/Borg, once bitter rivals, now close friends.

Federer/Nadal have already treated us with a fair share of memorable Wimbledon’s – think 2008 – and could meet in the finals again this year. It remains to be seen whether or not these two all time competitors and champions will become great friends, a la Borg/McEnroe and, as tennis fans, we probably don’t care if Roger and Rafa take family vacations together. But this much is clear, Nadal/Federer is the most competitive rivalry in sports today. As fans, we should appreciate every opportunity we have to watch these two tennis titans square off against one another because, as Borg/McEnroe proved, the rivalry will be over before we know it.

view from Wimbledon Day 3 courtesy of @mrwayneg

 

 

 

Plodding Through the Previews: Cars 2

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Some folks boast a photographic memory while others claim to count cards. Me, I have a strange telekinetic ability to predict the plot of a movie based solely on the coming attraction. I will channel these talents every week in an effort to breakdown the latest summer blockbuster. With a little luck, and patience, I’ll also connect the movie to a current sports story however, this final pursuit may result in complete and abject failure.

Cars 2

The original Cars is in fact the only Pixar film which I have never seen. As we all know, Pixar movies resonate with adults just as much as kids. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that nearly half of Pixar’s entire feature film library – Up and Wall E to name a few – were explicitly made for adults. Which is probably why these movies makes so much money. Parents are just as excited to see the movie as their kids.

Yet somehow, Cars has eluded me, like my white whale. Maybe my son will grow to be a huge NASCAR fan and we will develop a mutual love and respect for the original imovie. For now at least, I know very little about the premise of the first Cars other than it was Paul Newman’s last major role before his death in 2008.

A Second by Second Breakdown

:25 – Larry the Cable Guy is back! Has he done anything significant since the first Cars? Does he still do the “you know you’re a redneck when” bit or I am thinking of Jeff Foxworthy?

:52 – My absolute favorite part of previews for animated movies, trying to guess the voices. The Italian sports car sure does sound an awful lot like either John Turturro or Luciano Pavarotti.

:58 – No guessing on this one. That is the unmistakable voice of Michael Caine clearly on loan from the set of the latest Batman film. Wouldn’t it be awesome if movies worked liked professional soccer where actors could be loaned out by bigger films to smaller projects for a fee. Speaking of The Dark Knight Rises, when can we expect a preview?

1:01 – Sarah Ferguson Duchess of York? Can someone please explain to me why she is still making the morning show rounds? I swear she has been on the Today show at least 3 times a week for the past 20 years. (Note: I don’t really think this character is voiced by Fergie. At least I don’t after my wife corrected me.)

1:13 – Well this has become totally unrealistic. Brent Mustberger doesn’t have the time to announce a grand prix race. Not with the Little League World Series on the horizon.

1:36 – Who’s the main star of this film: Owen Wilson or Larry the Cable Guy? Judging from this preview it seems as if LtCG is the main draw. But why? I thought attendance at NASCAR events was way down this year.

1:52 – I can’t believe we’re nearly two minutes into a Cars preview and “Life is a Highway” by Rascal Flatts has yet to be prominently featured. This has to be a first. I hope somewhere Tom Cochrane is smiling.

The Plod

Lightning McQueen is a world famous racing car about to take on the best of the best in the biggest grand prix race of the year. It is soon revealed that McQueen is being targeted by an evil international consortium. Michael Cain and Sarah Ferguson believe Larry the Cable Guy is behind the plan to sabotage the big race. Owen Wilson and LtCG have a melodramatic falling out before the big race. Eventually, Larry the Cable Guy is absolved of any wrong doing and returns to save the day, and race, for his good old friend Owen Wilson. Lightning McQueen wins the race, falls for the Duchess of York, and LtCG becomes an honorary member of the British Secret Service.

Cars 2 as it relates to a Major Sports Story

I’ll go with Jack McKeon returning to manage the Florida Marlins at the ripe old age of 80. His first order of business, bench Hanley Ramirez for being late. I love old people, they just don’t care what anyone else thinks. How, you ask, does this all relate to the Cars 2 preview? Easy, Larry the Cable Guy was forced out of Lightning McQueen’s inner circle much like Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria forced McKeon to retire as manager in 2005. Now, as the big race approaches, both McQueen and Loria have regained their senses and rehired their most trusted confidants.

Easy. Right?

view from Sun Life Stadium courtesy of @joecapmarlins



Monday Morning Musings: Morning after McIlroy Edition

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There was very little science to watching Rory McIlroy dominate the 111th U.S. Open. With every twirl of the club, viewers at home knew the shot was pure. He took control of the tournament on Thursday and didn’t bother to look back. The most impressive aspect of McIlroy’s performance was how effortless he made everything look. Perhaps this will all change with age but for right now at least, he does not look like a golfer consumed by the “process”.

Other golfers, like Tiger Woods, are consumed by their “swing plane” and “hip rotation” that they stop trusting their instincts. Rory is blessed with so much natural ability that he can just see it, hit it and and believe in the results. In this the day and age of the swing coach, it’s refreshing to watch a golfer believing in himself like McIlroy did at the U.S. Open. Perhaps a lesson to all aspiring major champions.

A Quick Trip Around the Bases

1B – Injuries. Injuries. Injuries. First Carl Crawford. Then Clay Buchholz. And now Albert Pujols. I’m sure the Red Sox can survive for a short while without the services of Crawford and Buchholz but what in the wide wide world of sports are the Cardinals supposed to do without King Albert if his sprained wrist keeps him on the sidelines for any extended period of time? I’m sure manager Tony La Russa will come up with something “inventive” like perhaps batting the pitcher 3rd or playing with two first basemen.

2B – I would feel much worse for the Florida Marlins and their fans if they actually had any fans. How dysfunctional is a team when their manager, Edwin Rodriguez, resigns after 71 games? Los Fish are losers of 10 in a row and have know slipped to last place in the NL East while their owner, Jeffrey Loria sounds about as fun to work for as Bill Lundberg. And now, the Marlins are poised to hire 80 year old Jack McKeon as interim manager to finish out the season. Question is, why would McKeon be interested in the job? At his advanced age he ought to more concerned with counting the lumps in his oatmeal than thinking about filling out a lineup card.

3B – Interleague play continues Monday with several marquee matchups including the Baltimore Orioles visiting the Pittsburgh Pirates. Well, maybe not this particular series, unless we were somehow miraculously transported back to the mid ’70s, but there are several other intriguing pairings this week like Rays/Brewers and Twins/Giants. I for one can do without Rockies/Indians, Angels/Marlins, A’s/Mets, and Astros/Rangers. Price you pay for interleague play.

HR – Justin Verlander really is a throwback to the days where there were no bullpen specialists to speak of and starting pitchers were expected to go deep, if not finish ballgames. Including yesterday, Verlander has thrown 4 complete games this year, matching his total for the entire 2010 season. Pretty impressive stuff for a guy who is still bringing triple digits in the 9th inning.

Fielder’s Choice – And lastly, in regards to the season 1 finale of The Killing on AMC, what the heck was that? After last night it feels like I wasted 13 hours of my life on this show. Following the web this morning, it’s clear that I am not the only one who felt betrayed by the season finale. Who killed Rosie Larson? As of this morning we don’t know and frankly, don’t care.

view from atop the St. Louis Gateway Arch courtesy of @mattwettersten