Monday, August 25, 2008

It's About The Game

The monikers that are assigned to people and teams are fun to chat about and debate.  So, was the U.S. Men's Basketball Team really the Redeem Team?  Perhaps.  What's more important to me, as a sports fan and a fan of the game, is that at the end of it all was a competitive game.  Best ever played?  No.  Most exciting?  No.  A blowout like in the early rounds?  No.  Thank goodness!  

A competitive game is exciting and (almost always) brings out the best in all competitors.  Face it -- it was exciting to watch the game against Spain just as it was to see Michael Phelps tested and nearly beaten in the 100m butterfly.  

Thursday, August 21, 2008

R U Still Watching The Olympics?

Because they're STILL fascinating!  

Since Michael Phelps's gold rush, Japan pulled an upset in softball and the U.S. women's soccer team came back from a first round loss to win the gold against Brazil.  

So...keep watching.  

And BTW, how amazing is the architecture?!  That alone is worth tuning in to see.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

What's with the...

patch on Walsh's shoulder?  Doing some research...

Monday, August 11, 2008

Olympics: Addendum

Here's something that SHOULD have been added to Saturday's post:

Another reason to watch the Olympics -- the unexpected, the upset, the underdog, the underachiever.  That's something revel in.  Last night's men's 4 x 100 meter freestyle final is a perfect example.  I'm expecting more in the coming days...

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Why You Should Watch the Olympics

Yes, they're a spectacle.  And that's one of several reasons to tune in:

1.) See aforementioned "spectacle". Did you see the opening ceremonies?!
2.) Softball / Baseball - both of these sports could be eliminated after these games.
3.) Basketball - this should be even more competitive than in Athens.  
4.) Tennis - Nadal vs. Federer.  They're in different brackets and could meet for the gold.
5.) Competition - it'll be fierce throughout.  Look at the men's 100m race: Bolt, Gay and Powell could be spectacular.
6.) Swimming - Michael Phelps could win 8 medals and most, if not all, could be gold.  (You knew that, right?!)  Don't miss the other stories that could emerge: Dara Torres, Katie Hoff, Ryan Lochte, Pieter van den Hoogenband, Eamon Sullivan and several others.) 

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

50 Is the New...?

Nancy Lieberman-Cline is 50.  She's a basketball legend.  She's in the Hall of Fame. When I met her 12 or 13 years ago, she schooled her competition in a friendly game of H-O-R-S-E by shooting lights out. (Translation:  when she shot the ball, she hit nothin' but net.)

 A few weeks ago, she signed a 7 day contract to play with the WNBA's Detroit Shock. 

When I'm 50, I hope to be in half the shape she is.  

My vote:  50 is the new 30 (per www.newstin.com).

Monday, August 4, 2008

Soccer = F-U-N

I attended my first professional soccer game last night between FC Barcelona vs. Chivas of Guadalajara at Soldier Field in Chicago.  FCB won 5 - 2.

Four reasons why I now love the sport:
+ Fan passion and enthusiasm.  Fans do "the wave", blow horns and cheer for their team before during and long after the game ends.
+ It's dignified and civilized.  Before the match, players walk out from the corner of the stadium with children in matching uniforms. 
+ You can set your watch to the game.  Each half is 45 minutes.  No timeouts.  The clock rolls.
+ It's a beautiful game to watch.  There's great strategy, athleticism and raw power.



Friday, August 1, 2008

Hot, Hot, Hot!

Weather's hot in the Midwest and so are the Cubs!

The Cubs swept the Brewers, taking 4 straight on the road.  For people who aren't sports fan, what's that mean?  
1.) They're 5 games up in the NL Central division
2.) They won on the road (something they have had trouble doing)
3.) They've got the Big Mo (momentum)
4.) It's fun to be a Cubs fan!


Thursday, July 31, 2008

What I Never Learned About Soccer

Full disclosure:
1.) What I don't know about soccer could fill the Library of Congress.

2.) My friend and sometimes work colleague is doing PR for a soccer (or should I say football) club visiting Chicago so she invited me to a pre-game event.

What I found there was surprising (to me): 350 passionate fans of Everton FC, an English Premiere League football club, had packed out the back of Chicago bar to see the key players including American goalie Tim Howard and to hear about the Club's pre-season U.S. tour. Doesn't take a lot more than that to know that something exciting is happening.  The sport that I know diddly about is worth knowing about.  (Note to self...Duh!  It's about time!)

So, my friend's getting tix to a big international game, Barcelona vs. Chivas, on Sunday night at Solider Field and I'm tagging along.  If it's half as interesting and entertaining as the gathering the other night, soccer will have a new member in its fan club (albeit a very, very tardy one.)

Final note:  check out the June 26, 2008 issue of Sports Illustrated and the Chris Mannix article on  how he went from a "strident soccer basher...into a futbol fanatic." 

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Today's Special




Inspired by the amazing shindig my brother and his girlfriend threw last night, I'm dousing the charcoal briquettes and firing up the sports grill today.  

Today's topic: the All-Star game.  Some thoughts and memorable moments:

> Pre-game - What can I say?  I love seeing the game's legends come back.  

> Yankee Stadium - the 15 inning marathon turns into a long farewell for the House that Ruth Built.  Fitting.

> Just say Drew - J.D. Drew steps up...again. 

> Dan Uggla - 3 errors.  He's a better player than that.  He'll be back.  Period. 

> Re-plays - I could've watched them a few more times.  They sparked some awesome conversations.








Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Daily Stream of Sports Consciousness

So, you've stumbled onto another sports blog.  Depending on how you feel after you read this, congratulations (or, my apologies.) 

This blog is the result of prodding and pressure from a co-worker who, I suspect, is tired or overwhelmed by my daily blurtings about sports. I'm a pretty passionate follower, viewer and player.  Talking about them just come naturally.  

First up:  The home run derby at last night's All-Star game.  Josh Hamilton's performance was nothing short of awesome.  At least one columnist has already hailed him as the Comeback Player of all time.  I'll leave such pronouncements to the paid professionals.  Raw talent like his is pretty darn rare.