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It also means
something to sports fans like me. And I admit, I basically know
nothing about the sport.
But I always want the
USA team to do well in any sport. I think it lets countries all over
the world who are oppressed see that a free country can still do
well in the athletic arena without being a "state-supported"
organization. That men and women can rise up from our largest cities
or our smallest towns and represent us on the international stage.
I’m happy for the
athletes themselves who have worked and sacrificed their whole lives
for an opportunity like this.
And I’m really happy
for soccer fans who feel like their sport is relegated to the back
pages of the sports section. When World Cup soccer comes calling,
they get to be center stage — or if not center stage, at least
mentioned with the so-called major sports.
So, if I’m jumpin’ on
the bandwagon, so be it! Congratulations to the team so far, and GO
USA!
Hopefully they will
pick up the other point that they need and advance to the second
round. Some of the supposedly giant world powers have already been
eliminated. I don’t know the sport well enough to say that anything
can happen, but I hope that this great event serves as a catalyst to
show the world that we really can live together in harmony
and that we don’t have to blow each other up every time we disagree
with one another!
And special thanks to
Lincoln College soccer coach Mark Howard for calling me at 3:30 a.m.
to let me know that the United States was leading their match!
Summer baseball in full swing
I know that Lincoln’s
Legion teams are already playing on the diamonds and that youth
baseball is already going full tilt. So if you want to see some good
baseball, go on out to the ballpark!
Cubs, Cards and Sox going in three
different directions
I don’t think that
it’s unusual, but all three of our area teams are headed in
different directions at this point in the season. It appears that
the Cubs are playing a little bit better, the Cards are holding
their own, and the White Sox seem to be sputtering.
I really like the
Cubs pitching staff (the starters), and I think that as the weather
has heated up their bats are starting to come alive. It’s a good
thing that Cubs management didn’t listen to most of the SCORE’s
callers who wanted players sent down or traded. Because as bad as
Chicago has looked at times, they’re not that far behind the
leaders.
The Cards continue to
struggle with health issues. Garrett Stephenson had surgery and is
out until after the All-Star break, and this week they have placed
Jim Edmondson on the 15-day disabled list. Edmonds was on a tear;
will he come back as strong and not miss a beat? Last night in a
potential save situation, you looked into the bullpen and you saw no
Jason Isringhausen warming up. The closer who has saved 15 out of 16
chances is experiencing some tightness in his forearm. He was not
used, as a precautionary measure.
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It sure seems like
the Redbirds use a lot of caution. I now know that I’m getting old.
In my day we just sucked it up and played ball.
The White Sox, on the
other hand, seem to have gotten some bad breaks, but have also
disintegrated due to bullpen breakdowns. I believe that even Fulke,
their closer, has been removed from that role for the time being.
Two late-inning collapses at home versus the Yankees especially
hurt. Hopefully they can right the ship and encourage the good
starting pitching that has put them in a position to deserve a
better fate.
Speaking of baseball
The inter-league
matchups are finally starting to produce the kind of marquees
that I was hoping for when the idea was first introduced. Growing up
as a purist, I still don’t like it; but if you’re going to force it
on me, at least give me some good games. I do like the Cards versus
the Mariners. But you have to like the Giants versus the Yankees or
the D-backs versus the Yanks and the Red Sox. I sure would like to
see anybody beat up on the Reds!
It’s over.
The Nets might win a
game or two, but it’s all over but the crying. I don’t know if
anyone can beat the Lakers and Phil Jackson. He is a great coach,
and I don’t want to take anything away from him. However, I sure
would have loved the opportunity to coach Michael and the Bulls, and
Shaq and Kobe and the Lakers. How bad a job could I have done? I
guess there’s no call for a washed-up small college or former high
school assistant coach.
No bother, I’m really
enjoying coaching the 1½ year-olds. They have some slick moves that NO
NBA’ers even dream about!
The Stanley Cup seems
to be about over as well. The ’Canes too may win another game or
two, but I don’t think they or anyone can beat the Red Wings this
year. Perhaps the Blues gave them the best run of all!
Lewis-Tyson
I didn’t get to see
the fight, but the reports have been interesting. Some say Lewis
dominated; others say it was a good fight and maybe could have had a
different outcome. More amazing might be the way that Tyson has
handled himself following the bout. Of course with the gravy train
that those guys are cashing in on, it probably behooves everyone to
act like gentlemen. But when has that ever stopped one of the
heavyweights?
That’s all for this edition of midweek
mutterings. Have a great week, everybody, and if you’re looking for
a great place to go canoeing or to take a rather inexpensive camping
trip, give me a call or e-mail me at
meljeff@lccs.edu.
[Jeff
Mayfield]
[Click here for last week's Mutterings]
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