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At the Intersection of Sports and Culture

Photo Credit for Header: Alex Foucre-Stimes

Teeing it up on Father’s Day

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A Happy Father’s Day to all you dads out there. And a special thanks to my dad for picking me up when I fall down, and for kicking me in the pants whenever I need to be reminded of how lucky we are.

I can’t think of a better way to spend my first Father’s Day as dad than by watching the final round of the U.S. Open live from Congressional. And what a day it should be. With Rory McIlroy holding a commanding 8 stroke lead heading into Sunday, today will hopefully mark the coronation of one of golf’s finest young players.

I hope El Tigre is sitting back, watching this U.S. Open from his massive estate in Jupiter, FL, just biding his time until he’s healthy once again and ready to take on Rory. Because that’s ultimately golf’s biggest story should McIlroy pull through today and win his first career major. Can Tiger return to his old form and challenge the young gun for title of world’s best? I look forward to a least 5 solid years of McIlroy/Woods battling down the home stretch of the majors.

It is going to be tough to pick a favorite between these two once in a generation talents. But, until Tiger is healthy, smart money remains on the precocious talent from Northern Ireland.

view from Congressional courtesy of @wingoz

Balk Walk-Off or a Walk-Off Balk

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Just when you think the New York Mets are about to cross over the .500 mark, and in the process sweep a three game series with the Atlanta Braves, D.J. Carrasco balks in the walk off run in the 10th inning. To be fair to Carrasco, it was a poor play by 1st baseman Lucas Duda that allowed the Atlanta runner to move up to 3rd base thus leading to a run scoring on the balk. Even still, balks are fairly uncommon in MLB, but a balk to end the game? I can’t remember seeing that before.

Heartbreaking loss for the Mets who continue to rise above uncommonly low expectations and play some surprisingly scrappy baseball. But what to do about Jose Reyes? As Buster Olney tweets, the Mets SS is on pace for a remarkable statistical season and will likely command Carl Crawford money, in excess of $140 million over 7 years, this offseason. Can the Mets really afford NOT to resign Jose Reyes? If you don’t resign Reyes you are sending the message to your fans that you aren’t willing to spend the money necessary to compete and this will hurt a franchise already dealing with attendance issues at Citi Field.

Trade Beltran. Trade KRod. Do everything you can to resign Jose Reyes – unless he pulls another hamstring between now and the end of the season.

view from Turner Field courtesy of @cdryan

Escape from Vancouver

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Where’s Snake Plissken when you need him? Vancouver, if winning the Stanley Cup meant that much to you, why don’t you just go ahead and take it? Otherwise, can you tell us how many more days of burning and looting we will experience before normalcy can return to the streets of British Columbia. Where was this passion during the Winter Olympics? I can only imagine the destruction that would have occurred if Canada hadn’t won curling gold in 2010.

I would also be very interested to hear what the rest of Canada’s thinks about these latest riots in Vancouver. My completely uniformed sense is that the other provinces dismiss the behavior as a typical Vancouver reaction, see 1994, and certainly behavior not indicative of all Canadian sports fans. Although, don’t be so quick to judge Toronto. If your Maple Leafs ever made it, and then lost the Stanley Cup in 7, I’m sure your reaction would be a little “salty” too.

Speaking of Game 7, last night felt like a huge letdown. Granted, I don’t root for the Boston Bruins, nor do I proclaim to be an sort of hockey connosiour, but still, the whole game felt a little anti-climactic. Probably because expectations were so high heading into the game. I can’t remember a single hockey game generating this much buzz, of course I barely remember the Rangers winning in ’94 and was just a wee little infant for the Miracle on Ice. Yesterday afternoon, a good friend of mine refused a twilight round of golf just so he wouldn’t miss the drop of the puck. You just don’t turn down those types of opportunities unless something really important – like your wedding or birth of a first child – pops up.

About the game, the Canucks looked tired from the start and the Bruins used their energy to attack Roberto Luongo. Tim Thomas was unbelievable in goal for Boston all series long and definitely deserving of the Conn Smythe. What happened to the Sedin twins and Ryan Kesler? I was under the impression that the Bruins defense couldn’t match the skill level of these three Vancouver stars. Credit to defenseman like Chara and Seidenberg for shutting down what was supposed to be a very potent Canuck offense. And how about Brad Marchand? Pretty impressive performance for 23 year old rookie.

I feel for the Bruins a little because now, with what went happened on the streets of Vancouver after the game, the Stanley Cup returning to Boston for the first time in 39 years has already become “after the jump” news.

Enjoy the parade Boston, and remember, burning police cars isn’t a healthy way of showing how much your Bruins mean to you.

view from the Canucks Riot courtesy of @KIRO7Seattle

Welcome to Congressional: A Golfer’s Bill of Rights

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In honor of the 111th US Open to be played this week at Congressional Country Club outside of Washington, D.C., VMS has decided that it is in the best interest of Americans, and golf fans alike, to use the first Ten Amendments of the Constitution as a means to predict our 2011 champion.

Tenth Amendment – power of States and people

Harrison Frazar 200/1: For this one, I had to go with a guy from Texas, that, as far as I know, is still contemplating secession. Or maybe that’s just Rick Perry the GOP Governor of Texas/soon to be running for President in 2012. In any case, Frazar has some momentum after his win last week at the FedEx St. Jude Classic.

Ninth Amendment – protection of rights not specifically enumerated in the Constitution

Angel Cabrera 66/1: This Amendment was created for Cabrera, a guy known for smoking his fair share of “fairway butts”. Citizens may not have the right to smoke in restaurants anymore but, as far as I know, when the cameras aren’t rolling there is nothing preventing “El Pato” from lighting up as he waddles down towards the green.

Eight Amendment – prohibition of excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment

Dustin Johnson 25/1: What happened to Dustin during his final round of the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach last year, and the PGA Championship at Whistling Straights for that matter, was certainly cruel and unusual. Tough to feel that sorry for a guy who is still young, rich, and famous and bound to win his fair share of majors eventually.

Seventh Amendment – civil trial by jury

Rory Sabbatini 100/1: Can you press civil charges against someone for simply being an all around arse? If so, Sabbatini is the leading candidate on the PGA Tour. Unfortunately for haters like myself, he can play golf and has played well so far this year. I just hope he doesn’t start some sort of international incident in our Nation’s Capital.

Sixth Amendment – trial by jury and rights of the accused; speedy trial, public trial, right to counsel

Gary Woodland 80/1: Talk about a player in need of some representation. I’m surprised his odds are this low, especially given how long he hits the ball. It’s about time his publicity machine went to work. More fans need to know about Gary Woodland and maybe they will after this U.S. Open.

Fifth Amendment – due process, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, eminent domain

Luke Donald 12/1: I’ll be pleading the 5th if Donald, arguably the hottest golfer in the world right now, and many peoples trendy choice this week at Congressional, actually ends up winning this tournament. Tough not to root for Donald, partly because of his diminutive stature. He walked right past me at the 2009 U.S. Open at Bethpage and I could have sworn he was no older than 16. Certainly hasn’t affected his golf game.

Fourth Amendment – protection from unreasonable search and seizure

Lee Westwood 11/1: To Westwood, after coming so close so many times in the majors, it probably feels like the golfing gods have torn through his personal belongings without a warrant. What has he done to to deserve such heartbreak? Westwood seems like a rather affable guy and, aside from his spat with the PGA Tour , he manages to keep his name out of the headlines. Would like to see him win a major sometime soon.

Third Amendment – protection from quartering of troops

Phil Mickelson 14/1: Seriously, isn’t about time to amend the Amendments. Much like the Third Amendment, time is running out for Lefty who at the age of 40, soon to be 41, has his window of opportunity slowly closing. The people’s choice will have the D.C. crowd pulling for him big time and if he hits his driver straight, expect an exciting finish on Sunday.

Second Amendment – right to keep and bear arms

Alvaro Quiros 80/1: This one was easy. The way Quiros bludgeons the ball off of the tee, PGA authorities should have him register his driver as a concealed weapon.

First Amendment – freedom of speech, of the press and of religion

Matt Kuchar 25/1 – Oh the irony! Kuchar seems like a really quiet, affable guy, someone who doesn’t like to push the envelope,  avoiding controversy at all costs. His patience will be tested but his even demeanor and unassuming nature should help him mange the pressure of a final round, Father’s Day Sunday at the U.S. Open.

view from Congressional CC courtesy of @IanJamesPoulter

Plodding Through the Previews: Green Lantern

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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.

Green Lantern

Is this really what the general public wants, weekend after weekend of CGI souped up comic book adaptations? I know it made a lot of money but did any one enjoy Thor? And don’t pigeonhole the recent Christopher Nolan Batman films as just comic book adaptations. That series has been cultivated to fit the interests of main stream moviegoers not just attendees of the recent Comic Con.

This weekend we are graced with the presence of Green Lantern, another movie based on a beloved comic book starring an overly charismatic Ryan Reynolds, now sans Scarlett Johansson. I typically like Reynolds even though a lot off people find him smug and overly cynical. Frankly, I don’t see why the guy just doesn’t stick to his wheelhouse which is any rom/com costarring Sandra Bullock.

A Second by Second Breakdown

:10 – Nope. Un-un. Not gonna work. I’m sick of the CGI. It is too much to ask to give me real Green Lanterns with real receding hairlines and real fish gills? For the record, I’m not anti comic book adaptation. I’m anti comic book adaptation that uses CGI as a storytelling crutch. I respect the mythology and symbolism of comics but do not understand why comic book movies must continue to assault our senses with over the top CGI. I guess some filmmakers just do not respect the intelligence of the average moviegoer.

:18 – Man that voice is familiar, where have I heard it before? And why do I want to buy a Jaguar XJ 7?

:37 – First shot of a clearly brooding Ryan Reynolds. Probably still lamenting the loss of his now ex wife who I think we’re all happy to hear is no longer dating Sean Penn.

1:10 – Alright, I can get down with this ring conjuring thoughts thing. Reminds me of that classic scene from Ghostbusters where Dan Aykroyd summons the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. If any of us where in that situation we would have done the same thing. You can’t be told not to think about something without then thinking about that something. Don’t think about the Republican debate last night! You see….

1:28 – Inspector Clouseau, what are you doing here?

1:39 – Copyright infringement! Copyright infringement! Eric Stoltz and the makers of Mask should sue Peter Saarsgard. And poor Tim Robbins. We really have gone a long way since Shawshank Redemption, heck even Arlington Road.

1:47 – Ohh Blake Lively. She seems really nice. You see kids this is why you always give previews a chance.

1:51 – Now Saarsgard is ripping off Vigo the Carpathian from Ghostbusters II.

2:14 – “In brightest day. In blackest night.” Catchy. I kinda like the Green Lantern oath. Next have to figure out how I can weave it into a work email. Suggestions?

Preview Review

So here’s the deal, a talented but underachieving Hal Jordan faces a critical turning point in his life when all of a sudden a pink alien crashes through a barn and delivers Jordan a powerful ring that looks like it came out of a box of Cap’ N Crunch. At first, Hal doesn’t want or understand the power he now possesses. Eventually he puts the ring on and is magically catapulted through the sky to a different galaxy where he meets his fellow Green Lanterns and learns about his new power, responsibility.

Upon returning to earth, Peter Sarsgaard has started to eat the remains of the former Green Lantern and slowly starts to morph into Barry Bonds. Hal Jordan returns just in time to confront Captain Forehead but discovers that he needs helps. So….he returns to planet Lantern to recruit the services of his fellow Greenies who begrudgingly oblige. In the end, a few Lanterns perish but Hal survives, beats the bad guy, gets the Gossip Girl, and sets up the sequel – pending box office returns.

Plodding Scale: 4/10 Donkeys

Connection to a Current Sports Story

Let’s go with the Stanley Cup Finals and those Vancouver Canuck fans who dress up in green body suits in an attempt to intimidate opposing players sitting in the penalty box. Fellas, you better bring your A game Wednesday night because Roberto Luongo is going to need all the help he can get after a stunningly inadequate performance last night in Game 6. Honestly, there was a point last night during the first period where the Canucks would have been better off putting one of the Sedin twins between the pipes. Needless to say, I don’t think Luongo is going to be making any trips back to Boston during the offseason.

view from TD BankNorth Garden courtesy of @VanCanucks