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

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/2012/10/29/monday-morning-qb-a-lot-of-this-a-little-of-that/ http://score.leoweekly.com/2012/10/29/monday-morning-qb-a-lot-of-this-a-little-of-that/#comments Mon, 29 Oct 2012 14:38:05 +0000 c d kaplan http://score.leoweekly.com/?p=7950 So, yesterday I couldn’t help but think of the somewhat famous Tennessee Williams’ quip:

“There are but three cities in the United States. New Orleans, New York and San Francisco. All the rest is Cleveland.”

Thinking of New York because of the justified hullabaloo about Hurricane Sandy and all the mess going on in the northeast. Not to mention the Giants comeback over a comeback against those Cowboys.

Thinking of New Orleans because Sunday night is “Treme” night, no matter what else is going on. Last night, Davis actually went to Fats Domino’s house. Cool.

Thinking of San Francisco because The City’s magnificent Giants sliced and diced my Tigers to win the World Series in a four game sweep.

Actually thinking of Cleveland too because the Browns eked out a 7-6 W over woeful San Diego. (And aren’t we all on pins and needles until Thursday night’s boffo Chargers vs. Chiefs NFL-TV battle?)

* * * * *

Were Detroit’s conquerors anybody besides those irrepressible Giants, I would surely be much sadder than I am.

Don’t get me wrong. I still can’t figure out why the Tigers decided to mimic against SF what the Yankees had done in the ALCS? Which was to allow their bats to sleep to sleep through the games.

But Bochy’s crew got timely hitting and great pitching. And, by all accounts, it’s a fun gang of guys. I don’t know that I have ever seen as loose a dugout in the Bigs as the Giant’s.

Good for them.

* * * * *

The NBA starts play this week.

Which makes at least one reader of mine really happy. (Because all I get from him are emails, demanding more coverage of the play for pay boys.)

Here’s what struck me while previewing the rosters of the teams. I didn’t recognize very many of the players.

I’m a reasonably obsessed viewer of college hoops, tracking players around the country, not only those who play around here or on Big Monday. But the NBA rosters are filled with foreigners and one & doners. Which makes it hard for the casual fan to relate to those he’s seeing on the court.

Jonas Jerebko? Mirza Teletovic? Larry Sanders?

Then there are the guys of whom there are faint recollections. Kosta Koufos. Didn’t he flame out at Ohio State, but left after one season anyway? Steve Novak. Isn’t he that lanky guy who used to reign threes on the Cards? Sebastian Telfair. He’s the paradigm of former future U of L stars, right? Unless it’s Amir Johnson.

Terrance Williams? Name nowhere to be found.

* * * * *

Notre Dame, sad to say, apparently has a really good football team. Especially on the defensive side.

Even though it’s clear to me that Oregon has the second best team in the country and should get a crack at ‘Bama, make no mistake. If the Irish win out, they will play for the BCS. I’m pretty sure it’s in the Bible somewhere. Early on too, like in Genesis.

* * * * *

If Louisville wins the Big East and qualifies for the BCS, the Cards now seem destined for New Orleans’ Sugar Bowl.

Here’s why. After all the arrangements are taken care of, and schools have been slotted where the place cards put them, there will be two squads left. Louisville and future league mate Boise State, which will automatically qualify if it finishes in the top 16 of the standings. Fiesta gets first choice and, as things stand now, it’s going to match the two of the following trio that don’t get slotted with the Crimson Tide: K State, Notre Dame and Oregon. Sugar is next, and the general feeling is that the Cards are a more attractive opponent for the SEC team than Boise.

All that said, if U of L wins out, it will be, as they say, some kind of miracle. With Halloween coming up, it’s appropriate to note that Louisville has been playing Beat The Reaper all year. And winning . . . so far.

* * * * *

The NBA isn’t the only hardwood game tipping off this week.

U of L welcomes the Pikeville Elishas to the Yum! on Thursday.

Kentucky plays its first exhibition that same evening against something called Northwood, a school with campuses in Michigan, Texas, Switzerland and Florida. I believe the Cats are balling against the Seahawk team that resides in West Palm Beach. That would be in Florida.

IU also plays Thursday. Against Indiana Wesleyan. Which foe, when it comes to number of campuses, trumps those Northwood folks many times over. IW has 17 campuses. Including one out there off Blankenbaker Parkway near I-64. And a few in Ohio. ??????

* * * * *

Look who is back on top in NASCAR?

That Jimmie Johnson fella.

* * * * *

In the UK/ Mizzou “football game,” there were 7 fumbles in the battle’s first 20 minutes of action.

* * * * *

I think the Breeder’s Cup is this coming weekend.

Yawn.

* * * * *

Don’t be surprised if this is Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim’s last season.

Seems like a lot of his players have been more than one toke over the line through the years, but the coaching staff has looked the other way.

Frankly, that behavior, which seems very familiar personally, has never bothered me. College kids smoke pot. Basketball players are ostensibly college kids.

Apparently the NCAA frowns on schools that make rules then don’t follow them.

* * * * *

Around here all the gridiron talk is whether Charlie Strong will be gone after this season?

I have no information whatsoever. I haven’t even heard any innuendo.

But my observations of Strong tell me he wasn’t just woofing when he told Jim Rome he’s not cut like that. I’d be very surprised if Strong were coaching somewhere besides Louisville next season. Hopefully with a new assistant for special teams.

* * * * *

There is one benefit from the World Series being over so soon. Don’t have to listen to Tim McCarver anymore.

Stay classy, sports fans.

– Seedy K

(Seedy Slog Note, pre-posting: I planned on having this up before noon, this Independence Day. Well, you can tell I didn’t make it. Sooooo, from the get go, I can report that Joey Chestnut repeated at Coney Island and is now six time champ. But I’ll post this as if it didn’t happen . . . yet.)

Have to wonder if my interest in THE sporting event of Independence Day in recent years has waned?

ESPN’s infatuation certainly has lessened. The Worldwide Leader is televising some twee tennis tourney from Wimbledon live instead of Joey Chestnut @ noon defending his Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Championship from Coney Island. You can catch all the wiener action live on ESPN3, but it’s certainly a blow to the prestige of the event that it’s not being televised live on one of the network’s 114 stations, like, say, ESPNFood.

Frankly, the contest lost its luster for me when, a couple years back, Major League Eating — the sanctioning organization for such affairs — banned Takeru Kobayashi, the groundbreaking Babe Ruth of the “sport.”

* * * * *

Speaking of sports that have lost luster, let me broach the topic of horse racing for a moment.

A fan of this blog recently asked my opinion on the debate over the use of lasix for thoroughbreds? At which point, I asked if he had me confused with my compatriot, for whom such matters are a concern, Bill Doolittle?

“You write a sports blog, don’t you?”

“Well, yes,” I responded, “but I really could care less about the ponies. I haven’t been in town for the Derby in years.”

Which disinterest shall not prevent me from commenting on Jennie Rees’s Churchill Downs Spring Meet wrap up in this morning’s C-J.

Essentially she said there were more worthless nags racing on Central Ave this year than in the last three decades she’s been covering the Sport of Kings. (Most excellently covering it, I might add.)

If the purses were higher consistently on a daily basis, there would obviously be more of the better stables and horses on the grounds for the entire meet. Instead, they’ve journied to those tracks where the pots are bigger.

This is obviously an issue for the inveterate horse player. Short fields. Inconsistent talent. Speed ratings that induce yawns. Makes betting less fun. Or, so I’m advised.

I’m wondering though whether it matters to the casual player, to the folks who show up on Tuesday afternoon when the boss says “Let’s take off and go to the track for a couple races.” To the hotties who dress Kardashian on Friday nights, and the fellows who show up to ogle and flirt.

I guess the folks at the Downs have to look at the bottom line and have a business conundrum. Which is that if they raise the purses with the commensurate upgrade of quality of horse flesh that would follow, will it increase attendance and betting enough to make it financially feasible?

So far, they’ve opted out.

I’m reminded of hockey in Louisville. The era of the Louisville Blades and Louisville Rebels and Louisville Shooting Stars ended when JFK took office. The sport returned in ’90 with the Icehawks then Riverfrogs, both of the lowest minors, the East Coast Hockey League. They skated at Broadbent before loyal, enthusiastic, small but apparently financially sustaining crowds. It was fun. The locals, experts in college hoops but relatively ignorant about back checking, didn’t care about such as quality of play.

Then the Florida NHL franchise made a bold but really stupid move, putting their AAA American League team in Freedom Hall, where the same small rowds showed up. For awhile anyway, since it was more expensive. The locals could have cared less that the hockey was significantly of a higher quality.

That, one guy’s opinion, is an analagous situation to the decision Churchill faces. More or less. Except for the presence of that event on May’s first Saturday.

* * * * *

As I write, British favorite son, Andy Murray, is not looking good. The 4th seeded homie is down to #7 seed, David Ferrer. It would be a pity if he lost without making it to Sunday for a shot at winning the championship. A Brit hasn’t won at Wimbledon since just after the Norman Conquest.

His path is relatively clear, meaning he wouldn’t have to beat Raffie Nadal to make it to Breakfast at Wimbledon on Sunday. Of course, all the others on that side of the bracket — Ferrer, Tsonga and Kohlschrieber — are thinking the same thing.

What I find fascinating is how they seeded the players this year. On the other side, #3 Roger Federer is facing #1 Novak Dkjokovic in the semis. Which means they seeded the top players 1 vs. 3 and 2 vs. 4 instead of the more common 1/4 and 2/3.

If there’s some tennis follower more knowledgeable than me out there who can explain that, please feel free to post a comment.

* * * * *

Tiger Woods.

* * * * *

Have I mentioned how much I love watching the Tour de France, even though I know little of the subtleties of big time bicycle road racing. (Nor do I understand why in track racing, the competitors often ride as slowly as possible. But that’s a discussion for my Olympics coverage next month.)

Luxembourg’s Fabian Cancellara still wears the yellow jersey, won on the first day’s time trials.

I’m fascinated by the strategies employed in different stages of the three week competition. There are always three or four or several guys who speed out from the peloton and get a five minutes or more advantage. Early in the race, the field reels them in. Later on, teams and individuals get more defensive. If the break out riders have no chance of gaining on the race leaders, the peloton lets them go. Or, so I would observe.

I trust if I’m wrong I’ll hear from one of my readers who knows a lot more than I do.

I really love watching the stages each morning, especially the sprints and the mountain stages when stamina rules.

– Seedy K

Hopefully it will provide impetus for a rejuvenation. Detroit’s been falling in the standings as of late. Injuries.

I’d settle for a Cincy/ Detroit World Series.

* * * * *

My new favorite baseball team (Other than the Tigers): The Stony Brook Seawolves.

The upstart nine from the America East Conference bested long time collegiate baseball behemoth LSU in Baton Rouge to become only the second #4 seed ever to make it to Omaha for the College World Series.

Where is Stony Brook you might ask? In New York, I think I’m safe saying that. Exactly where in the Empire State, I’m not sure.

Anyway, the hot hitting Seawolves — They got 50 base knocks in 3 games to LSU’s 15 — will join many of usual suspects as 8 schools battle it out for the national crown at that new stadium that has supplanted iconic Rosenblatt in deepest, darkest Nebraska.

The Bayou Tiger players and fans looked shell-shocked.

* * * * *

There are heated rivalries. BoSox/ Yankees. Packers/ Bears. Cards/ Cats.

And then there are really really really heated rivalries, with histories that hearken back as far as the 11th century. You know, William the Conqueror, 1066, the Norman and French Conquest of England. I mean, it’s not Trinity vs. St. X, but France vs. England does run deep.

Anyway, in the world of futbol, they are contesting the EuroCup these days. Which, I think, is like the World Cup for Europe only. Thus the name. Anyway, each country fields a Dream Team of its best footballers.

Today is Group D’s opening day.

France vs. England.

You may not be paying attention, but two countries have stopped their business to tune in.

France just tied it 1-1 in the 38th minute.

* * * * *

U of L’s Silent L Harrell made some USA national team.

I can’t remember the last time a Cardinal made one of these squads.

It’s a good sign for Louisville. If not for Stephan Van Treese.

* * * * *

There are probably only three or four more of you who care about hockey than do about soccer.

But, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention tonight’s fascinating Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals. LA’s Kings skated to a 3-0 lead, but the New Jersey Devils have won the last two, causing, I’m sure, trepidation in the hocky hotbed of Hollywood.

* * * * *

I think tennis analyst Mary Carillo is as good a commentator as there is for any sport.

In case you never watch tennis, that’s her sport. She and bad boy John McEnroe were a joy to listen to during the French Open.

* * * * *

Manny Pacquiao — He’s a boxer — was apparently jobbed big time by the official scorekeepers in his fight over the weekend with Timothy Bradley. He lost a split decision in a match that apparently every objective observer felt he won easily.

Which I mention simply to emphasize that boxing is one of two former major sports that have significantly lost their luster in the last half century.

The other that few care much about is . . .

* * * * *

. . . horse racing.

Generally sports fans around the land could care less for the “Sport of Kings,” except around here, where the Derby is the social event of the year. You don’t see Trish and Cyb having a big soiree the night before Selection Sunday, do you?

Which is to say, it’s really only mildly annoying that I’ll Have Another was scratched from the Belmont, and retired from racing. (At the height of his breeding value, I might observe.)

Given the shady rep of the horse’s trainer, one wag I heard wondered whether the thoroughbred needed to enter drug rehab, like some equine Lindsay Lohan.

– Seedy K

]]> http://score.leoweekly.com/2012/06/11/monday-musings-devils-on-the-diamond-in-group-d-mo/feed/ 0 http://score.leoweekly.com/2012/05/07/well-now-where-were-we/ http://score.leoweekly.com/2012/05/07/well-now-where-were-we/#comments Mon, 07 May 2012 21:43:46 +0000 c d kaplan http://score.leoweekly.com/?p=7610 Okay, I survived 11 days in New Orleans, including way too much talk about Bountrygate on the sports pages.

And you, if you’re reading this, survived Derby and have enough faculties left to remember how to surf over here to Score.

So, like, you know, what’s been happenin?

Well, Luke Hancock proved himself worthy of his designation as U of L team co-captain. He hurt his shoulder and required surgery, but won’t miss a beat come the start of practice in the autumn. Or, so sayeth The Rick.

The ever inept John Marinatto is out as Big East commish. Imagine our surprise? If given the opportunity, U of L’s exit from the Big East will happen with such speed it will make Art Modell’s getaway from Cleveland look like travel by wagon train.

Another run o’ the pasture horse with the speed and stamina to survive the Derby cavalry charge won the “classic.” Of course, as happens all too often lately, the thoroughbred has a name worthy of show money in a $3000 claiming race on Tuesday at Turfway.

Roger Clements is on trial.

Tiger Woods missed another cut.

The Bats are in last place.

The defending champion Mavs were swept in 4 games.

The Bulls spit out the bit when Derrick Rose went down. (And, to be fair, suffered a couple other injuries.)

In New Orleans, all sports fans are talking about is how the Saints got jobbed by the NFL. Yawn.

Coach Cal, now a with a title on his resume, proved he’s really not ready to play anybody, anywhere, anytime.

John L. Smith has ‘em laughing in the weight room in Fayetteville, if not at Weber State.

Babe Ruth’s home has a For Sale sign on the lawn.

The BCS has determined a 4 team playoff would be in the best interests of the student athletes at LSU, Alabama, Ohio State and one other school.

Hubert Davis jumped from the TV booth to the Carolina bench. Damn, I’m going to miss his laugh, which would burst forth with impunity whenever Digger said something stupid. Which was and shall continue to be — sadly — often. Maybe some school could hire Phelps? I’m in for a hundred toward his signing bonus.

Dale Jr. in 3d place has ‘em slobbering in the infields of NASCAR.

Texas Arlington didn’t get the bid from the Big East they were hoping for, so the school joined the Sun Belt.

But, like, other than that, wazzup?

– Seedy K

Misplaced my muse.

Had an early season slump, to use baseball lingo. (Though nothing like the BoSox sputtering start. Beantowners aren’t jumping off Fanueil Hall’s tower . . . yet . . . reports my on the scene Red Sox source. A couple more Ls like last night’s meltdown against the Yanks and they’ll be lined up around the block for the chance to swan dive into the Big Dig.)

Anyway, here I be. At least for today. Starting next week, you can find me here at my own website, where I’ll be blogging daily starting Thursday on all matters New Orleans and JazzFest.

Until then, here’s what I’m thinking:

How sad that Rick Pitino felt compelled to steal the spotlight from his son Richard and the school, Florida International, where Pitino the Younger was named head coach. Instead of allowing the announcement to play out in due course, The Rick grabbed the spotlight with his premature announcement of the move.

What a bad week it’s been for my two favorite soccer teams. Tottenhem’s Hotspur continue in free fall. They were crushed awhile back by Arsenal then lost to Chelsea in the FA Cup semis. And have fallen to 5th place in the Premier League, after a loss to an also ran in the league, Queens Park Rangers. Which means no Champions League spot next go round. Things have been downhill for the Hotspur since my groovy sweatshirt arrived from their gear shoppe. And my other favorite, Barca, lost twice last week, shut out in the first leg of the Champions League semis to — here they are again — Chelsea. Then were put down 1-2 by arch rival Real Madrid, which L pretty much assured RM the regular season La Liga title.

My favorite hockey team, Detroit’s Red Wings, fared even worse. Their season is officially terminated. They lost to Nashville in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Texas Rangers look mighty fine again this season. They’ve won two of three from my Tigers. Only Justin Verlander was able to hold them at bay in the second game of a doubleheader yesterday.

How is it that Jim Calhoun is still the coach at UConn?

That Joe Paterno’s family is going to carry its resentment toward Penn State for a long, long, long time.

That I shan’t watch a nanosecond of the NFL draft.

I’ve started reading that history of ESPN my sister and brother-in-law gave me for Hanukkah. Pretty interesting.

That next season, UK Wildcat fans are going to realize how special this championship season was. Having a stalwart senior and a couple of steady sophs proved to be the ballast for this season’s champs. Next year’s all new lineup, no matter how talented, will suffer from inexperience.

I don’t really know much about the Derby prospects of the various contenders. (I always defer to my compatriot Bill Doolittle on that.) But I’d sure like to see Hansen wearing the roses after the race. One of the owners and his wife are good friends. Problem is the thoroughbred is built for speed not distance. Or so I understand. (At any rate, I’ll be at JazzFest, listening to Herbie Hancock, Lost Bayou Ramblers or New Birth Brass Band or a little of all three when the race is being run.)

I remain stunned that Bobby Petrino became so embroiled in his affair with young Ms. Dorrell. That they had an affair and did the nasty, I understand. But all those calls and texts and kisses over lunch and candy gifts. That’s not the snarky, football-focused Bobby Petrino I knew at U of L.

Later . . .

– Seedy K

I need something else, something of sporting substance to ease the pain that comes annually after the final Monday night of the season.

Way too early prognostications about next season — even laudatory ones for the locals — don’t work either.

I’ve got a feeling Coach Cal isn’t going to have enough balls for the übersuperduper frosh class he’s got coming in. I’m told it’s an Egos ‘r’ Us contingent that will make the Walls/ Cousins/ Bledsoe confederacy feel like a sorority sleepover.

Louisville’s got a lot coming back. Except the engine and the driver. If Wayne Blackshear can take over a game like other frosh phenoms of recent vintage, maybe U of L is Top 10. I’ve got an eerie feeling though. The Rick doesn’t like to turn rookies loose.

The Hoosiers. Tom Crean needs to show me something.

Soooooooooooo, what’s a hoopaholic to do these days?

Two UK softballers tossed back to back perfect games against Austin Peay in a double header. That doesn’t git er done, even if Fly Williams’ daughter is playing for Peay.

Eastern Kentucky’s home lake advantage in the National Collegiate Fishing Championship won’t work either.

Yes, there’s the Masters. Lefty’s hot. Tiger’s not. If it stays that way, it could be enchanting to watch. But, a major it may be, but it is still golf we’re talking about. A sport which requires only a smidge more athleticism than, say, competitive fishing.

Now, if the Film Babe and I aren’t out walking the dog this lovely evening, I will tune in the Frozen Four semis. Notre Dame. Michigan. North Dakota’s Fightin’ Sioux. (Take that NC2A.) Minnestoa-Duluth. All these pucksters have been there before, so there’s no underdog. But, hey, not a lot else goin’ on, sports-wise, in Duluth or Dakota, so I’m for those guys.

And, yeah yeah yeah, I know there are important Derby prep races this weekend. I’m out of that loop. I’m counting down to get out of town to New Orleans for JazzFest as I do every Derby season. I’ll refer you to Bill Doolittle’s coverage in the print edition for all you need to know about that horse race.

The weather’s still a might cool to warm up for baseball season. Unless you’re a Reds or Rangers fan. They’re on a collision course for undefeated seasons.

The NBA playoffs will provide some respite, an illusory fix, but they don’t start for a couple weeks.

So, yes, I’m sitting here, jonesin’ for college hoops.

And venting, frankly, hasn’t helped a whit.

– Seedy K

. . . If there’s really a cult of Rosenblatt (Stadium), or if that’s just ESPN hype to increase interest in the College World Series?

. . . If any athlete before Ron Artest ever thanked his psychiatrist immediately after winning a championship?

. . . How many of you without hesitating remember the name of the U.S. Open winner?

. . . Why I’m writing this blog instead of practicing the piano before my lesson in a half hour like I should be doing?

. . . If, given the number of U of L season ticket holders I’ve talked to that passed on their chance for faraway seats in the new arena, the school might have overestimated the demand for tickets?

. . . If Demar Dorsey will be the second coming of Willie Williams?

. . . How and why Mike Garrett still reigns as Southern Cal’s AD?

. . . What was the name of the Derby winner?

. . . Who will coach longer at his new school, Charlie Strong or Joker Phillips?

. . . Why there’s such an obsession over where LeBron James will play in the future?

. . . Who U of L’s new hoops assistant will be, and whether the guy hired from Indy to deliver Marques Teague will remain on the staff?

. . . Why some U of L fans think Kenny Payne is a turncoat for joining UK’s staff?

. . . If the NFL will really add two more regular season games?

. . . If it’s going to be this hot at kickoff of the UK vs. U of L?

. . . If Tiger blows up at the British Open, will the media finally give up its love affair?

. . . Why my man Jeff Gordon doesn’t win anymore?

. . . If there really could be a Reds vs. Tigers World Series?

. . . Whither Greg Oden?

. . . If you remember who wrote that Oden would never be a factor in the NBA?

. . . Why the Big East doesn’t make Notre Dame fish or cut bait on becoming a football member?

. . . If Mike Tyson really has softened and matured as much as John Heilpern’s profile in July’s Vanity Fair would imply?

. . . Why I didn’t apply for a job as a North Korean fan for the World Cup?

. . . Whether vuvuzelas will start showing up at the nation’s stadiums and arenas next football and basketball season?

. . . If Roger Federer’s time at the top is finally over?

Okay, time to hit the 88s. Buh bye.

– Seedy K