A Holiday Potpourri of Sports Notes
by Valerie Wood
The big news in baseball this week is that Johnny Damon is going to sign with the Yankees. As a long-time, diehard Yankee fan, I have cheerfully (and not so cheerfully) cussed, cursed and reviled Damon as a Red Sox player -- mostly because he is a top caliber centerfielder and hitter, and was instrumental in my team missing the World Series at least once. But, it's like this. Now he's OURS. Now I can cheerfully admit to disliking him because he didn't play for us. If only we could get some decent starting pitching! Signing reliever Octavio Dotel is potentially a good move, but we need some starters. George, are you listening?
Lots of ink in the media about Brett Favre - is he going to retire? After the Monday night game in which the Packers suffered their worst loss in 25 years, it became apparent that Brett Favre was the only Packer to actually show up for the game. The rest of the team -- and the coaching staff -- should retire. Brett, you need to stay another year or two.
Wayne Gretzky is on a leave of absence, after his mother's passing at the age of 64. Gretz has always been a true class act, and his close-knit family has suffered a daunting loss. Wayne's mother was the quiet backbone of the family. Heartfelt condolences to the Gretzky family. Wayne, we hope to see you back soon. I lost my Mom this year, too and I know what you are going through.
Gary Barnett was finally fired by the Colorado Buffs, after losing key games this season. Barnett should have been booted out the door last year amid the scandals in the school's recruiting ways. Pity it took lack of performance on the field, and not a lack of integrity, conscientiousness and sense of propriety to get the change made. If colleges don't have the leadership and backbone to stand up for what's right, what does that say about what they are teaching America's youth?
Major league baseball was finally shamed by Congress into setting up more severe penalties for steroid use and abuse. Pity it almost took an Act of Congress to get MLB to do what they should have done all along.
The Dodgers have been busy. Guess they've decided what we already knew--you have to field a quality team to have success. Bill Mueller, Nomar Garciaparra and now Kenny Lofton. Looks like the rookie GM for the Dodgers, Ned Colletti, has a plan. And, it looks good.
When is Baltimore ever going to realize that (see above) you need to field a quality team to have even a modicum of success? The sad moves on Orioles' management's part of the past few years (repeatedly attempting to milk out one more season from a 'name' player, such as in the Sammy Sosa fiasco), show a total lack of responsiveness, fan savvy, and commitment on the part of management to field a competitive team. And they wonder why the fans stay away in droves.
Joe Paterno, written off as washed up and ancient by the sports world only a couple of years ago, has been named AP College Football Coach of the Year. Joe Pa, age 79, was recognized overwhelmingly by the media members of the AP college football poll board, for leading his Penn State Nittany Lions to a 10-1 record, sharing the Big 10 Title and earning a spot in the BCS. With typical modesty, Paterno said, ''It's very flattering. I think anytime, regardless of whether it be my first year or my 50th year, to have people recognize what's been done is very, very ... uplifting. The only thing I feel sometimes is that the head coach gets too much credit. I think sometimes it ought to be coaching staff of the year.'' Maybe so, but Coach of the Year is indisputably deserved.
Tony Stewart's second NASCAR championship was well-deserved and hard-fought for by the gritty racer. It seemed apparent that NASCAR was not delighted with his hard-charge during the final 10 races, but even NASCAR couldn't manage to stop Smoke's momentum. Wouldn't it be nice if NASCAR stopped trying to manipulate the championship and stop throwing so many bones to the two big multi-car teams? Joe Gibbs' Racing is to be congratulated for the teamwork and determination which defined their championship season.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. just has too much loyalty and commitment for his own good. Dale Jr. is one of the most talented racers (there are plenty of drivers out there but only a handful qualify as racers) in NASCAR. Unfortunately, each year that passes since the loss of Dale Sr. has only served to intensify how much Dale Sr.'s impact on DEI and the 8 team is missed. Dale Jr is showing his own savvy and managerial ability in his independent racing efforts (ownership and decision-making for JR Racing) but unless major changes are made at DEI, next season doesn't look especially promising. Fans want to see Dale Jr and Richard Childress hook up together. Childress' resources, knowledge and proven winning ways combined with Dale Jr's appeal, charisma and racing talent would be a truly phenomenal pairing. Budweiser needs to get on the horn with Childress and field a black Budweiser car for Dale Jr. Can you say sports marketing phenomenon?
For information on Valerie Wood's novel, Enforcer, visit http://www.enforcer.fcpages.com/ (Official Website for Enforcer) or http://www.1stbooks.com/bookview/14441 (Publisher's Website/read an excerpt).
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