Is it fair to start today’s bit of pith by dancing on the pile of dirt by the grave that the Courier-Journal is digging for itself?

I dunno. But I’m going to do it.

There were a couple of significant sporting events that took place last night, one of major local interest.

The results and game stories from neither appeared in the the Sunday morning C-J Sports Section.

U of L and IU, which schools have the attention of the entirety of the formerly great newspaper’s readership, met in an opening game of the College World Series. The game took three hours and 21 minutes to play, meaning it was completed before 11:30, 6th & Broadway time.

It is impossible for me to conceive that, in this digital age, the Once Great Newspaper couldn’t have found the time to cover the game in print this morning. This is just one more piece of significant evidence that the sad, slow demise of our formerly beloved local newspaper is . . . inevitable. And gaining momentum.

It is U*N*A*C*C*E*P*T*A*B*L*E.

Oh, how I wish I could cut the umbilical, have the New York Times in print delivered to my door, and get my local news online from wdrb.com and other online sources that seem to have their finger on the pulse beat of our burg. Oh, if I could only say sayonara.

Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals was also contested last night. As with Game 1, it went to OT, though this time it took less than twenty extra minutes for Boston to tie the series at 1-1.

I know this isn’t a big hockey town. But I used to work with a fellow who played hockey as a kid. So he’s paying attention. I saw a fellow in Heine Bros once wearing a Sabres jersey. And the fellow behind the fish counter at Whole Foods once commented on my Red Wings t-shirt.

So, sure, there weren’t a lot of folks this morning who missed that the C-J didn’t report on last night’s Stanley Cup Final game. But, it’s still a major sports event. And, any Sports Section worth its salt should have had a mention.

But not you know who.

* * * * *

Indiana opened the season with a 2-0 shutout over Louisville. The Hoosier RBIs in that W came off the bats of Scott Donley and Michael Basil.

Indiana started nailing the lid on U of L’s season last night with a 2-0 shutout, that relegated the punchless Cards to the losers’ bracket, and an elimination game Monday afternoon against #3 seed Oregon State. The Hoosier RBIs came off the bats of Scott Donley and, all together now, Michael Basil.

If that’s not enough deja vu for you, how about this? During one of the three regular season encounters between the schools, last night’s Hoosier starter Joey DeNato hurled four shutout innings against the Cards. Last night, he handcuffed the U of L batters for nine more scoreless frames, allowing but four scattered hits.

(I’d love to know how the winning hurler pronounces his last name? During the game last night, color announcer Orel Hersheiser called him De-Not-O, making a joke about the old tune, “You say tomateo, I say tomaatoo . . .” Mike Patrick dismissively responded, “How do you say North Atlantic Treaty Organization? Enough said.”)

Here’s how to pronounce it this morning: Dominating Winner.

The Cards appeared more nervous on the big stage than their nearby northern neighbors, who were playing in June in Omaha for the first time. More than a few times, potential Cardinal base runners swung at the ball four for outs. The game was certainly winnable. U of L simply could not git ‘er done.

The quirky outfield alignment the Cards employed was . . . too cute. Adam Engel was positioned in CF about twenty feet behind the second base bag. Twice it cost the Cards extra Hoosier bases, but, fortunately, neither of those late game situations came back to haunt Louisville. They were toast for other reasons.

Which CF mention gives me the opportunity to call on John Fogerty for a little musical interlude.

The Cards best opportunity to score came in the bottom of the 3d, but Sutton Whiting was inexplicably waved home on Cole Sturgeon’s single. IU’s catcher Kyle Schwarber had the ball long enough before Whiting arrival to clip his fingernails. Instead of runners on the corners with slugger Ty Young at the plate, the Cards ran themselves out of the inning.

Which is to say that the performance of the Cardinal coaching staff was as underwhelming as the players.

Louisville meets Oregon State Monday afternoon in a Texas Chainsaw Loser Goes Home elimination game. Given that first pitch is at 3:00 in the afternoon, you should be able to read the results in Tuesday’s C-J. The operative word is “should.”

* * * * *

My disappointment in the Cardinals’ play was somewhat offset by the sight of Tiger Woods hacking his way to +8 in the US Open.

Phil Mickelson is the only player under par, which is par annually for the course in this major. (To skew a metaphor somewhat.) I’ll be rooting for Lefty, hoping he doesn’t really seal his fate in US Open history with yet another second place finish. What’s he got, five already?

Several familiar names are within two strokes. Mahan. Stricker. Schwartzel, Rose and Donald. And one not so familar one, Billy Horschel. The Zurich Open winner has only been fully on the PGA tour for a little while, but is playing with an eery confidence. There is a cocky cadence to his stride down the fairway.

* * * * *

I’m assuming this story surely has something to do with the baller’s skills in Algebra.

Eric Bledsoe is apparently the key piece to finish the proposed trade which would send coach Doc Rivers and aging star Kevin Garnett to the Clippers.

The coaching moves this off season in the NBA are dumbfounding. Lionel Hollins and George Karl, whose teams had seasons way beyond reasonable expectation, were both let go.

I don’t understand.

I do know that both coaches of the teams vying in the Finals for the title have been on the bench for awhile.

Remember just a couple of years ago when Eric Spoelstra “had to win” the title, or he’d be gone. His team didn’t win. Spoelstra wasn’t canned.

Now the Heat, playing in its third straight final, is primed for its second title in a row.

– Seedy K

Wasn’t he educated at that bastion of academia, Georgetown University? Shouldn’t those overpaid ballers, of which he is one, know better by now?

Flush with leading his Pacers to a 7th game showdown against the Heat, Hibbert, in his post game comments, used a homophobic slur. And, for good measure, called the gathered media, “motherfuckers.”

Nice.

Which shouldn’t diminish his play on the court, including a great, and key block of an LBJ thunderblast to the hoop. But it does.

Oh well, forgiveness must be enforced here.

I hope Indiana prevails in what should be a most interesting Game 7, Monday night. Exactly how the Pacers have gotten this far, frankly, still baffles?

Yes. Good D. Yes, great play from Hibbert and Paul George.

But Lance Stephenson’s harum scarum scampers to the hoop seem so out of control, and thus ill-advised. (Though, given the physical specimen that he is, one has to wonder how good he might be if he ever learns to play quick but not fast?) David West finally hit a few jumpers last night, but how many bunny layups has he clanked off the rim in the series?

Plus Indy’s gotten very little off the bench.

I’m confused, I tell ya.

Anyway, Monday’s Game 7 should be fun.

Meanwhile, San Antonio rests, awaiting the winner.

* * * * *

You know who can really play basketball? I mean, really really really hoop it up?

LeBron James.

And I’ve figured out why I haven’t taken to him as I should as one who would think he appreciates genius on the court. (Other than that stupid press conference and the “take my talents” quote.)

It’s the headband.

There was only one baller, one baller ever, who knew how to sport such an accoutrement. Slick Watts.

Game by game, season by season, James has continued to assert himself justifiably in the “Greatest Ever” category.

His rise would be quicker were he to lose that white ring around the forehead.

* * * * *

Boston — that would be the Bruins — and Chitown’s Black Hawks won the Stanley Cup conference final openers.

Which I mention in the likely event that you weren’t paying attention.

* * * * *

Speaking of filling in your blind spot . . . Bayern Mucnchen is the first European futbol club to win its league, its nation’s cup and the Champions League all in the same year.

Sieg Heil.

* * * * *

Rick Bozich shared a great baseball anecdote last night.

Johan Santana recently hurled a complete game shut out.

During the post game interview with TV commentator Burt Blyleven, Santana, cocky in his accomplishment, asked the announcer if he’d ever done the same.

Former pitching ace Blyleven deadpanned, “Yes. Fifty times.”

* * * * *

He Who Would Be Tiger duffed his way for a 44 on the front nine yesterday at The Memorial.

His scorecard read 79 at the end of the day. He had a triple-bogey. Two doubles. And three bogeys. No penalty strokes. It was his worst round in competition since he turned pro.

And, I don’t know why, but schadenfreude reigns. For some reason, Woods’ travails bring a smile to my face.

* * * * *

So much for being there, for sitting courtside to get a feel for the action, so contemplation of championship events will be based on first hand experience.

I’m advised by a scribe who was in Atlanta to cover the NCAA hoops championship, that more than a few of the nation’s premier media took in the title game . . . watching on TV in the press room. Including the fabled Dick “Hoops” Weiss, and my favorite sports writer, Charles Pierce.

I know if I had a courtside seat, I’d a been in it.

* * * * *

I’m advised that Oklahoma State’s ex-patriot QB Wes Lunt will more than likely spurn U of L’s efforts to make him a Cardinal, in favor of Illinois.

* * * * *

Is there anything more fun in sports — outside of actual game action — than watching Charles, Ernie, Kenny, Shaq and whomever (Last night it was retiring Grant Hill, who couldn’t stop laughing on the set) during the pre-game, halftime and post-game?

Correct answer: No.

* * * * *

In a sick way, I’m thinking, I sure hope Ohio State president Gordon Gee was drunk, when he made all those condescending, idiotic statements about catholics, U of L, etc.

At least then, he’d have an excuse. He could go into rehab, and get a legit pass for his dunderheadedness.

If he was sober, the comments represent the highest form of arrogance.

Truth be told, I’m not sure how he and AD Gene Smith still have their jobs in the wake of recent Buckeye football scandals.

* * * * *

A number of folks have asked what I think will happen with Julie Hermann?

All I know is what I’ve read online.

I haven’t a clue.

– Seedy K

Lots of them are sports related. As if anything matters other than performance on the field, diamond, pitch, court or ice.

Most are pretty stupid. Example A: This season’s basketball polls in which coaches, writers, SIDs, alleged experts and other dunderheads had Gonzaga ranked “Numero Uno, Baby” at the end of this regular season past.

Today I saw the dumbest rating yet.

It purports to rank the best college basketball fan bases.

Louisville tops the list.

Kentucky is 7th. Behind some legit names, and Arkansas and Texas. Hoooooook ‘Em Pig Sooey.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk, whose fans fill any arena at any point during the season, whose fan base is notorious for “traveling well,” didn’t even make the list.

Which begs the bottom line. There is not a fan base in any sport in the U.S. of A. that rivals the Big Blue Nation, when it comes to loyalty and intensity. None. Sit down, Red Sox fans, you ain’t even close.

There are members of the BBN who make Harvey Updyke seem a mild mannered man. And that Crimson Tide football fan was just sentenced to three years up the river for poisoning the favored trees of rival Auburn.

Any poll that portends to say that any fan base in college hoops is more rabid than UK is a fraud.

* * * * *

Julie Hermann, why’d you have to lie about your past, darlin’?

When are these beleaguered folks going to learn that a little contrition goes a long way?

As expected, Eric Crawford provided the most reasoned, best written counterpoint to the national media hysteria for Hermann’s head.

* * * * *

It was a great weekend past to be Tony.

Tony Parker was off the charts, leading San Antonio to the NBA finals, where the Spurs await the winner of Miami vs. Indiana.

Tony Kanaan was both lucky and patient in winning his first Indy 500. Which, by the by, was fascinating. The fastest ever. Most lead changes ever.

Which is more than can be said for the Monte Carlo Grand Prix. Which was led wire to wire by Nico Rosberg. Those Formula One drivers are amazingly talented, but this race was, no other way to say it, boring.

* * * * *

LeBron James and David West should both have to sit out the next game for their absurd double flop.

It was ballet worthy of Balanchine, but a hoops abomination. Especially given the talented players involved.

Sit ‘em down.

* * * * *

Still thinking of that U of L title.

And wondering: Since the Cards won wearing those t-shirt unis foisted on them by Adidas, should the school adopt such apparel from now on? You know for branding purposes.

* * * * *

I hit golf balls with a couple of pals last night at that place on River Road. Hadn’t hit a golf ball in 40 years.

Let’s just say there are car windows in need or repair. Yes, I was attempting to hit the ball away from the road.

* * * * *

Gotta go now. Detroit’s got a power play six minutes in against the Black Hawks in a Game 7.

– Seedy K

Brandishing, another altogether.

Rick Pitino has used the former, advertising terminology, regarding his mission at U of L. As in “rebranding the program.” I hate such talk, but know what he means.

Brandishing is what former Cardinal baller Terrence Williams has been charged with. As in waving a gun about in a threatening manner toward the mother of his child.

The former might be a reprehensible concept as far as college athletics are concerned, but it’s accepted behavior, even the norm these days.

The latter is a crime.

T-Will’s pro career has been spotty at best. This development certainly can’t help his standing with the Celtics, who apparently can opt out of their contract with Williams anytime before Halloween.

The occurence, sadly, is not surprising. It was well known in and around the U of L community that Williams had a predilection for packing heat.

While he was one of the more popular U of L players of the Pitino Era, I found him to be a most disagreeable sort. Frankly, he’s my least favorite Cardinal of the Pitino Era, but that’s neither here nor there. I certainly don’t wish him ill. But do hope that justice is served. The charge against him is serious.

* * * * *

At the other end of the spectrum is Teddy Bridgewater.

Who, it is reported, has asked Charlie Strong and the U of L starmaker machinery to forgo any Heisman Trophy PR campaign.

* * * * *

An eagle-eyed reader sent me the latest Capital One Cup Standings.

Even that program’s web site doesn’t fully explain how the points are calculated. But the purpose is to measure the strength of the entire athletic programs of the nations’s colleges. Louisville’s male athletes rank 3d behind Michigan and Indiana, which are knotted at the top of the standings.

U of L’s female athletes rank 16th.

I know that national championships get you points. I’m not sure if how far a school advances in the post season is a factor? Or, if league titles count?

Whatever. Those lofty perches confirm what Louisville Cardinal fans have been saying to each other this entire school year: “It’s a great time to be a Cardinal fan.”

* * * * *

By the by, the U of L nine won the Big East regular season pennant with a sweep of Pitt last weekend.

* * * * *

Coming soon are some of the biggest events internationally in car racing.

Indy 500.

Monte Carlo Grand Prix.

Coca Cola 600.

And the grandest event of them all, coming up on the 25th of the month right across the river on the hallowed asphalt of the Jeffersonville Sportsdrome.

School Bus Figure 8s.

To paraphrase someone more eloquent than myself, about a far lesser event, “You ain’t been nowhere, or ever done nothin’ til you been to the School Bus Figure 8s.”

There is no exhilaration in the world of sport quite like seeing a couple of big yellows t-boning at the crossroads.

* * * * *

I would be remiss if I failed to mention that my Detroit Red Wings are up 2-1 on Chitown in the Western Division semis of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Black Hawks have been on cruise control all season after starting out unbeaten in something like their first 25 games. The boys from Hockeytown seem to have caught the Second City gang looking ahead.

* * * * *

While I’m on the subject of sports you could care less about, and to clear off the desk, did you notice what’s happened recently in the world of European soccer?

Of course not. Briefly . . .

Lowly Wigan upset Manchester City in the FA Cup Final.

Athletico Madrid beat crosstown rival Real Madrid for the first time in like a quarter century to capture the Copa del Rey.

And Dortmund Borussia will face Bayern Munchen in all-German Champions League Final on the 25th. (Don’t worry the game at Wembley will be over in time for you to make it across the river to the Sportsdrome.)

As I’m sure you’re aware, this matchup is also totally unexpected. An all-Spanish final would have been chalk. Dortmund bested Real Madrid by aggregate score in the semis, while Bayern bashed Messi-less Barcelona, 4-0 and 3-0. (Each match has two games, one on each team’s pitch. Total score advances. Away goals trump home goals.)

* * * * *

Brett Favre is still retired.

Later.

– Seedy K

You local hoopaholics know what I’m talking about. With less than a shot clock to play, the Cardinals have the ball, game tied or one down. Four guys clear out, allowing Edgar or Russ or Peyton or Reece to tom tom the ball until there are about 6 or 7 ticks left, then they might drive, perhaps dish, or, more often than one might expect, stop and pop a long range jumper.

Sometimes it works. Like the time, Louisville tried to blow a UK game, but Sosa had his One Shining Moment as a Card. Often it does not.

It always causes consideration — Why don’t they run a regular play? — and too often, consternation. Especially when it fails. Like in all those OTs at South Bend.

Well, yesterday, proved it’s not just Cardinal fans forced to endure these half- and game-ending moments.

Mark Jackson went there with his Golden State squad in Game #4 of that NBA Western Division first round series with the Spurs.

The last time I considered Jarrett Jack, he was a Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket and Francisco Garcia and gang were eviscerating the Rambling Wreck in a 2d round NC2A game in Nashville. And here he was years later for the resurgent Warriors, tom toming the ball, score tied, with a chance to even the series against favorite San Antonio.

He jacked up that Sosa-ish threeball. (Pun absolutely intended.) Missed it. Overtime.

All’s well that ends well, one must suppose. The team from Cali ruled the extra time, evening up the most entertaining of the first round NBA playoff matchups.

* * * * *

Just when sitting at home on a beautiful if brisk late Sunday afternoon seemed justified, just when Johnny Miller was starting to salivate in the TV booth over the prospects of a scintillating mano a mano finish to the Players Championship, Sergio the Lesser (always the lesser) with a chance to grab Tiger by the tail, got in touch with his inner Roy McAvoy. (You remember, Kevin Costner in “Tin Cup.”)

At the world’s most famous golf hole, the 17th, he dropped his tee shot in the drink.

Then did it again.

Jeff Maggert got the wobbles.

David Lingmerth couldn’t drain a 150 footer on the 72d.

Meaning Tiger Woods and that blonde ski bunny of his had reason to celebrate last night.

Lachlan MaClean’s show ought to be interesting tonight.

* * * * *

Because I stayed up until 1:00 in the a.m., watching 7th seeded Detroit master the Mighty Ducks in a first round Game #7 on the ice in Disneyland, I feel compelled to mention it here.

So I have. Next up, the Black Hawks.

Have I mentioned before how Stanley Cup hockey is arguably, game in and game out, the most exciting of the professional post seasons? Yes, I have.

* * * * *

I have one suggestion for the Big Blue Nation today.

Breathe.

I know that Wiggins kid has announced that he will announce tomorrow where he’ll be matriculating academically next school year, where he’ll be taking his considerable basketball talents. He’ll do it at a “private ceremony.” Fellow students, family and but one media representative as a pool reporter.

I mean, really, why don’t these kids simply say where they’re going, then pick up their dates and go to the prom?

Breathe, BBN, breathe.

– Seedy K

Hope it got your attention, and you now realize after almost two weeks away that I’m baaaaaaaaaaack. Open for business.

One more caveat. I’m not totally on my game yet. And, apparently, Golden State didn’t have quite enough last night in San Antonio. I figured it was quite a game — and confirmed it this morning when I watched the highlights — when I was trying to sleep and my friend David kept texting me.

Which texts I ignored. I had an early wake up call this Tuesday morning — it’s movie review day — and was trying to get to sleep. Actually I think he was showing off, proving he could stay up late. Truth, probably, is that he fell asleep at 7:30 or so and woke up in time to relish the second half of the Western Division semi-final.

Nor did I see the OT of my Red Wings comeback against the Mighty Ducks in Game #4 of that first round Stanley Cup series. Same reason applies.

Buuuuuuut, I did watch the Bulls gutty W in Miami. And the Wings 3d period anschluss in Hockeytown to send that game into extra innings.

So, here comes some of the usual pithy blather from a pundit still in spring training mode.

* * * * *

For me, there’s no sporting “event” quite as inconsequential as the NFL draft. It all seems yet another World Wide Leader made for TV, made for Mel Kiper commercial op.

So, I was kind of dumbfounded when, last night, my first, relaxing with sports on the telly in almost two weeks, I kept clicking back to the 30 on 30 flick about the “famous” NFL draft with Elway & Marino & Kelly, etc. The back room machinations caught my attention, and proved interesting. Way more so than hour after hour after hour of bombast from Chris Berman and the aforementioned draft guru, Kiper.

Then again, maybe I’m just so off my feed, so in need of a sports fix, that my sense of what’s interesting and what’s not has been skewed and is in need of alignment.

I might have mentioned in my last blog how much I love that comedian’s pre-draft day impersonation of Kiper on coffee. Dead on. Hilarious.

* * * * *

The other moment that struck me recently was Magic Johnson’s reaction to LeBron’s MVP award.

He didn’t talk about the quality of his balling. Or his place the pantheon of previous winners.

Magic talked about how few TV endorsements James has. How he deserves more.

Huh?

Guess James hasn’t quite figured out how to take his talents to Toyota.

Bottom line is “King” LeBron’s misguided TV announcement of his move to Miami is still haunting him. Because the guy is as amazing a physical baller as has ever been. He’s a good and generous teammate. He’s articulate. He isn’t spotted with his homies on South Beach at 4:30 in the morning. He’s a champion.

Q Score doesn’t easily forget.

* * * * *

 No Kirk Hinrich.

No Derrick Rose.

No Luol Deng, who it is said, had a spinal tap. (The mention of which allows me to play this video which has only the slightest connection to the subject matter of the previous sentence.)

No problem. Because the Bulls played like banshees and they did play well. Stealing, as we have come to say it, the first game of the Eastern semis in Miami in front of a stunned crowd, most wearing white because somebody told them to.

Joakim Noah is simply relentless. Nate Robinson had one of those games, you know the kind where a guy grabs the tilt by the short and curlies, makes it his, despite a  lip gash requiring ten halftime stitches. And Jimmy Butler . . . uh . . . Jimmy Who? Oh yeah, the 2d year kid out of Butler.

Was Miami “rusty?” Whatever that means? Maybe. I dunno. Who knows? What I do know is the Heat are down a game, making Game Deux a must win.

* * * * *

I’d love to break down San Antonio’s comeback from way down at home against Golden State.

But, I didn’t see it, and my sense of propriety disallows me from opinionating about something of which I haven’t any first hand knowledge.

* * * * *

I know you could care less about hockey. So I’ll refrain there also.

Other than to say the Red Wings attacked the whole 3d period — and I assume in the OT which I didn’t see. Detroit deserved the W, tying the series at 2-2.

* * * * *

Perfunctory Kentucky Derby mention.

Orb won.

Just as my cohort Bill Doolittle said he would. (It’s his second correct Derby prediction in a row.)

* * * * *

Did you think I’d get outtahere without mentioning that little Monday Night W by the Louisville Cardinals a month ago?

Silly you.

At one point last week when I was at the Lagniappe Stage in New Orleans at JazzFest, waiting for what proved to be a searing set by Joe Krown, Walter “Wolfman” Washington and Russell Batiste Jr., I was struck as if from nowhere with this thought: “My Louisville Cardinals won the national championship.”

A month after the fact, this one is still sinking in.

The first sports I watched upon my return to town from that 10 day holiday was . . . a replay of the hard fought semi-final W over feisty Wichita State. Twas a gutty victory.

The Cards were steely in their worst played game of the tourney. Luke Hancock’s three to put the Cards up 5 late was a stunner. No rebounding help. It’s the kind of shot that in the old days would have been extremely ill-advised. Frankly, it was ill advised against the Shockers.

But the Final Four MOP drained it, didn’t he?

Yes, he did.

– Seedy K

]]> http://score.leoweekly.com/2013/05/07/back-in-biz-sporting-scene-with-a-gangsta-lean/feed/ 2 http://score.leoweekly.com/2013/04/30/derby-week-sports-update-from-afar/ http://score.leoweekly.com/2013/04/30/derby-week-sports-update-from-afar/#comments Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:40:04 +0000 c d kaplan http://score.leoweekly.com/?p=8504 At this moment, I’m not in Louisville, but in New Orleans. I think you knew that.

I’m drinking a Tuesday morning cup o’ joe, in a city that took its coffee seriously way before Seattle told us we must. Along with it, I’m enjoying a cinnamon scone, which contains significantly less than an ounce of cinnamon, much to my relief.

I would love to be reading the Times-Picayune to enhance the experience, and learn which local pol shook down which local contractor and in whose home was found stashed enough cash to save the economy of Greece.

But, no, it’s Tuesday. Apparently this is not one of the three days each week that absentee owner Advance Publications now allows the 175 year old newspaper to hit the stands. One would hope that the spirit of longtime T-P columnist Edgar Allen Poe would infest the Advance offices with some sort of pox or another.

So, I’ve decided to do what I do pretty well. Which is comment on affairs of sport without really knowing what’s going on.

* * * * *

As usual I have no tips on that little horse race coming up this weekend.

I refer you to my pals Bill Doolittle, Rick Cushing and Billy Reed for that.

My one observation of Derby is that, from the photos, there has been a maximization of millinery. The hats which ladies are sporting around the Downs now seem as large as beach umbrellas.

I doubt it will affect the performance of any of the contestants. Unless one blows off and tumbles across the track like sagebrush as the horses thunder down the stretch, thereby spooking a potential winner.

* * * * *

Just want to give a shout out to the two most beleaguered pro jocks of the moment.

Jason Collins. Good for you, dude. Long may you run. (Chris Broussard, find a deep hole, crawl down, cover yourself with dirt.)

Tim Tebow. Not sure what you’ve done to piss off so many people.

Sure, the guy’s a little too religious, wears it sometimes like a badge. But he’s never been anything but decent. And a winner. Denver couldn’t wait to get rid of him. The Jets just threw him under the bus.

Maybe he’s simply a tweener, with no defined spot to play in the NFL. He wouldn’t be the first.

But why all the hatin’?

* * * * *

I see where my Detroit Red Wings slipped into the Stanley Cup playoffs as a #7 seed.

Cool as Hockeytown ice. It’ll give me something to watch with a rooting interest when I get home from JazzFest.

* * * * *

If you haven’t been reading Eric Crawford’s most excellent profiles of each of the national champion Louisville Cardinals, shame on ya.

Here’s a link. Check them out.

* * * * *

Like most other Cardinal fans, I’m still glorying in the school’s third NCAA crown. I’ve been wearing colors around New Orleans, and receiving periodic “Go Cards” acknowledgments.

Yesterday, while listening to Los Po-Boy Citos at the Louisiana Music Factory, a guy was hanging next to me, wearing a Michigan cap.

“You go to school at Ann Arbor?”

“Hopefully, I’ve applied.”

Pointing to my cap, I said, “The Wolverines just played a game against my team.”

“How’d we do,” he asked?

“Not bad. Maybe next year.”

There seems to be a buzz building about what mayy happen next campaign. I refuse to make conjecture about next season’s possibilities. It’ll play out one way or another.

This one just past is too sublime to let go of.

* * * * *

If you’re looking for some interesting reading, peripheral to the world of sports, I’ve got a recommendation.

“Over Time: My Life as a Sportswriter” by Frank Deford.

The guy can write. (One of his quirks is that he likes to end sentences with prepositions. Miss Walston would be aghast.)

And has a penchant for relaying the most fascinating of conversations from the past with athletes and cohorts.

* * * * *

For those who have inquired: No, I have not and do not intend to get a Louisville Cardinal tattoo.

– Seedy K

Fourteen teams in the Top 25 lost last week. And that doesn’t include not-in-Top-25 Wisconsin, who gave a Top 10 performance in Bloomington before going Bottom 150 in a loss to Iowa.

It’s conference play time. So much fun it is.

* * * * *

Loyal reader CookieMan called me on the carpet this morning for not mentioning in my blog on U of L/ Syracuse that the Cardinal football team — at least about 1/3 of it — was introduced. To the expected, raucous Standing O. The intro came during the fist media timeout of the 2d half. When, sigh, the Cards were up 48-40.

Five time MLB All-Star Fred McGriff was also in the house yesterday.

* * * * *

Manti Te’o spoke yesterday. Or, so it is said. To Jeremy Schap in a non-videoed conversation.

Apparently he said he “embellished” his romance, but was still the victim there.

Okay, Manti, whatever you say.

Truth, even I have had enough of this “scandal.”

But I’d be remiss if I didn’t use the bully pulpit the refresh your memories about a real tragedy in which Notre Dame football is involved. Not so valiantly either.

I’m talking about the suicide of Lizzy Seeberg, a young woman who really existed. And who is now really dead. She took her own life after allegedly being intimidated by Fighting Irish pigskinners after reporting a sexual assault by one of their teammates.

You can read more details here.

Dave Zirin, the Thomas Friedman of sports columinsts (usually astute, but always arrogant and self righteous) weighed in even more heavily here.

So, tell me Athletic Director Swarbick, does Lizzy’s tale bring you to tears like that of your hallowed linebacker?

* * * * *

Charles Barkley was in full form last night during the UK/ Auburn game.

He called pro agents, “scumbags.”

* * * * *

Now falling near the top of the list of Teams That Will Probably Make The NCAA Tournament That You Don’t Want Your Contender To Face: Colorado State Rams.

Larry Eustachy’s team is 15-3 after last night’s W over Vegas.

Eustachy could always coach. Now that he’s been clean and sober for awhile, he can really coach.

Also perched to prey in that category: Dana Altman’s Oregon Quack.

* * * * *

Atlanta and the 49ers are getting read to kick off.

I sure hope today’s games are exciting. Because I could care less who wins.

* * * * *

In case you haven’t noticed, and I’m sure you haven’t, the NHL opened play this weekend.

* * * * *

In case you haven’t noticed, and I’m sure you haven’t, Part Deux. FC Barcelona lost yesterday in La Liga. They blew a 2-0 lead to lose 2-3 at Real Sociedad.

They now stand 18-1-1 on the season.

* * * * *

Lance Armstrong is still an asshole.

* * * * *

Earl Weaver was such the grouch, he never got quite as much respect as a manager as he deserved.

The same fate came upon his passing.

He bought the farm on the same day as all-time all-star, all time Hall of Famer, all-time good guy, Stan Musial. How cool was the former St. Louis Cardinal who had one of the most unique batting stances ever? He alway carried a harmonica in his sportcoat pocket.

May you both rest in peace.

– Seedy K

]]> http://score.leoweekly.com/2013/01/20/sunday-sound-off-the-full-manti-much-more/feed/ 1 http://score.leoweekly.com/2013/01/08/seedy-k-sounds-off-on-sports-tuesday/ http://score.leoweekly.com/2013/01/08/seedy-k-sounds-off-on-sports-tuesday/#comments Tue, 08 Jan 2013 15:53:15 +0000 c d kaplan http://score.leoweekly.com/?p=8156 I’m not sure we learned much about the current state of college football from the most boring bowl season in memory. Other than Clemson’s single digit W in the battle of the Death Valleys, the Hook Em Horns late comeback against the Beavers, The Potato Eaters Vegas W over UDub and Arizona’s nailbiter over Nevada, the season was a snoozefest. Lots of blowouts.

Sure Virginia Tech had to go to OT to best Rutgers in the rain. But that was the most boring college football game since a Bernie Scruggs led UK team traveled to IU in the 70s for a “battle” that caused an epidemic of insomnia-induced comas. Only post game therapy at Nick’s with pizza and way more than the minimum daily requirement of pitchers allowed most who attended to revive and survive.

Let’s see what we might have learned this bowl year? (And I don’t mean that Georgia Tech deserved a bid with its losing record.)

Alabama is the best team in the land.

Johnny Football is the most exciting player in the land.

Nick Saban is arguably the best college football coach ever.

Southern Cal sucked.

And Lane Kiffin might be the worst football coach ever to get two such high profile coaching positions.

* * * * *

A playoff system can’t come soon enough.

Let me repeat, once again, four  is way too few to make the post season interesting. By a fourth. The only really fair system would be a 16 team playoff. Which eventually will come, but is at least a decade away.

* * * * *

The NFL’s Wild Card Weekend was also mighty lame.

* * * * *

Periodically during that walkover of a “title” game last night I surfed over the CBS Sports, where they were replaying that 75th anniversary Final Four show that ran prior to UK/ U of L.

Lots of interesting coach interviews.

I was surprised how many said their memories and love went back to the iconic ’79 match up between Michigan State and Indiana State. I’m not that much older than these guys. But my memory goes back to listening on the radio to Bill Russell-led San Francisco beating Iowa for the national crown in the mid 50s. And UK’s win at Freedom Hall a couple years later.

Young whippersnappers.

* * * * *

I realize how important the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs are to the identity and financial well being of this community.

But Churchill’s arrogant, heavy-handed position that it must be the corporate entity that deserves and must be granted any casino franchise, should the legislature approve same, is . . . to be frank . . . bullshit.

How about a casino downtown that might — and I mean might — really rejuvenate that area. Unlike CordishLand, which is about to undergo its 38th extreme makeover?

* * * * *

Cincy’s Bearcats looked to be legit this season, for the first time in a long while.

Last night, they lost their third in a row at home.

* * * * *

Note to football coaches at every level. When a player, especially your QB limps off the field like Walter Huston in “The Treasure of Sierra Madre,” take him out of the game and put in a replacement.

Even if the player says, “No, no, I’m good to go.”

* * * * *

I’m somewhat stunned at the criticism Brent Musburger is getting for his slobbering mention of AJ McCarron’s girlfriend, when the cameras showed her in the stands.

She’s a babe. And, if any of you guys out there weren’t saying the same thing to yourselves when she was on the screen, your nose is growing.

* * * * *

Pucks is back.

Americans are learning who Lionel Messi is?

Conference games have commenced.

And at least of couple of readers I am so sure will remind me that pitchers and catchers report in XX days.

– Seedy K

]]> http://score.leoweekly.com/2013/01/08/seedy-k-sounds-off-on-sports-tuesday/feed/ 3 http://score.leoweekly.com/2012/12/09/sunday-morning-pg-covering-a-wide-world-of-sports/ http://score.leoweekly.com/2012/12/09/sunday-morning-pg-covering-a-wide-world-of-sports/#comments Sun, 09 Dec 2012 16:01:43 +0000 c d kaplan http://score.leoweekly.com/?p=8076 I ran into former Cardinal pigskinner Pete Compise yesterday at the Yum!

Of course, we chatted about the tumultuous but glorious last ten days. I asked if, back when he played in the late 60s, he could have conceived of the school’s station in the world of college sports, if he could have conceptualized playing in the Sugar Bowl?

He shook his head no, and laughed.

He agreed we were just excited when they put stands on the empty side of Fairgrounds Stadium.

That’s but one measure of how far U of L football has come.

* * * * *

I’ve spent Sunday morning watching the Manchester Darby.

It is not a horse race.

It’s what they call the incredibly intense soccer rivalry between Man U and Man City. Not only do these neighboring clubs hate each other, they also stand 1 and 2 in the English Premier League table. (Table = Standings.)

U took a 2 nil lead into halftime on a couple Wayne Rooney goals. City fought back to knot it in the second half. Then, with just a few moments to play, Man U tallied on a free kick for the W, to increase their first place lead in the EPL.

This being soccer in England, matters got testy in the stands. A projectile hit one of the Man U players above the eye, opening a gash. A fan ran on the field, apparently toward the referee, though it wasn’t shown on the telecast.

And hundreds of bobbies surrounded the Man U cheering section.

* * * * *

The antithesis in terms of intensity was yesterday’s UCLA vs Texas basketball game played in Reliant Stadium in Houston.

The crowd in the football venue, which seats 71,000 + for that sport, was announced at a hearty 2,797.

Dickie V was distraught.

It was an underwhelming game, won by the underwhelming Bruins, who outscored the Longhorns 12-2 to capture the W by a deuce.

* * * * *

Sam Houston State won in Bozeman Friday night, upsetting Montana State in the NCAA Div I-AA quarterfinals. Yesterday, Georgia South won at higher seeded Old Dominion. Several favorites also won.

Here’s my point. Division I-AA will have a legitimate national champion. The school that prevails will have won it on the field. Every team with a legit claim to the crown will have had an opportunity to prove its worth on the gridiron.

Unlike, well, you know. Division I-A. The Football Bowl Subdivision.

The upcoming four team playoff. Not even close to being fair to all contenders.

* * * * *

I need a show of hands.

Who out there, other than Kirk Herbstreit, cares who wins the Heisman Trophy?

* * * * *

I know about as few of you could give a shit about hockey as care about soccer, but . . .

. . . it sure would be nice if the NHL could settle it’s labor dispute, so we could see some pucks.

* * * * *

Not much of a boxing fan these days.

But I must admit. I just watched a video of Juan Manuel Marquez’s knockout of Manny Pacquiao last night.

I feel so guilty. So, I’ll bid you adieu until later.

– Seedy K