First a disclaimer – When I first started to type this article, the Sox were up 10-0 in the first inning, and Papi had 2 HRs and 6 RBIs in the first inning alone. Well it is the bottom of the 6th and Texas is now AHEAD 15-14. This one is going to hurt. It is like the time you have a hot date with the girl of your dreams – you are on that first date and it is going better then expected. She is completely falling for you and you almost have to pinch yourself. But you and your friends got cute earlier in the day, you ate a Garbage Plate at lunch and had a few Genny Cream Ales to wash it down. Suddenly you get that disturbing feeling in your stomach and you feel everything starting to slip away. Worst, you know its only going to add insult to injury will hurt even more tomorrow. That’s the feeling I have as I watch Coco Crisp get thrown out on a pitchout to end the 6th. And Josh Hamilton is leading off the 7th. Welcome to the big leagues Mr. Zink.
I am not sure about everyone else, but I have been caught up with the Summer Olympics. For a change this summer I have been happy with the rain this weekend – as it has given me an excuse to stay in and watch the Olympics. But as I am reaching my saturation point of television viewing, I am thankful that the games are every 4 years. That being said, here are some thoughts from the first few days of Games in Beijing:
— I know Los Angeles is bad with the smog, but how bad is Beijing’s smog? I believe I have seen the sun shining once in the time I have been watching the Olympics.
— I am sure everyone has been following Michael Phelp’s drive for 8 gold medals in this Olympics and the Men’s 400 Relay was Olympics sports at its best. But his ability to recover between races and then beat swimmer who have been resting all day is amazing. I truly believe we are watching one of the greatest athletes of our time. I also enjoy the quote when an ESPN reader recommended that we clone Michael Phelps and let him race against himself – then it might be fair.
— Can we just give the Gold medal to Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor, and just let the rest of the women’s outdoor volleyball be an exhibition? I can’t seem anyone beating them. I have to admit at being guilty 8 years ago of watching the women’s outdoor volleyball for the swimsuits. But I am appreciating just how good this duo is. Here is hoping this Olympics is not the last we see of them.
— I don’t normally get into the Gymnastics portion of the Olympics, but I have to admit that the Men’s Team Final brought drama and some intense aerobatics.
— Why are so many World Records broken in Swimming during the Olympics? Do hosting countries go to great lengths to make their pool as aero-dynamic as possible? But cheers to the American swimmers for an impressive performance so far.
— I am a little surprised at the reaction of the press after the Men’s USA Basketball Team’s victor over Angola. I didn’t watch the game, but by all accounts the US team harassed Angola and won a game they were supposed to win. Leading the charge, Skip Bayless was quick to say that the US Men’s team wasn’t going beat their next opponent – Greece. Something tells me that this team will step up and win.
— Freddy Adu and rest of the US Men’s soccer team have been impressive in these Olympics. By all accounts the team should have beaten the Netherlands over the weekend and would be in the Quarterfinals. But a late goal by the Dutch temporarily put those plans on hold. Now the US Men’s have to take on Nigeria without Adu and Bradley. Both are out because of 2 yellow cards, but here is hoping they can advance without them.
— Put Team Archery right up with Team Handball and Badminton. Awesome to watch. But can we spice it up? Maybe get the target moving? Still alot of fun to watch..
Lastly, have the Detroit Tigers found out what the rest of the league already knew about Gary Sheffield ? What will happen first? Manny cutting his hair or another team actually taking on Sheffield’s contract? It is the bottom of the 8th and it is 16-15 – Texas is up. C’mon boys, my stomach doesn’t feel so good right now.
I watched maybe fifteen minutes of the men’s soccer. Just learned that Nigeria has eliminated the US team, 2-1. I’m going to guess that not having Adu anchoring some nice touches from the midfield was missed. They played a majority of the game a man down, certainly couldn’t have helped either.
One of my students is a swimmer and she told me back in March that we’d see a bunch of world records in the games this year because of the new suits.
I’m impressed with the US basketball team. I didn’t see the Angola game but every game up to that point. I love that Coach K has them trapping and pressuring 90 feet. Offensively they are just playing well together. There is no real semblance of a set offense, but they are simply making the right reads. Casey and I talked about this the other day – they are getting the ball off of a made basket and getting up the floor in about a seconds time. Coach K has taken some pages out of Roy’s book. Their only weakness seems to be offensive rebounding, but then again they’re out there most of the time with a small lineup, unless Howard is in the game.
With the US men’s soccer team eliminated I wonder how many coaches will change their view on having players in the wall jump. The second goal scored by the Netherlands was the result of a players jumping in the wall. A very average shot ended up beating the US keeper who had zero chance of making the play. Old school thinking – NEVER jump in the wall. If an opponent can go over the wall and score, you congratulate him on making a great shot.
Suddenly, there’s all this talk on the airwaves about Michael Phelps being one of the greatest athletes alive … or one of the greatest athletes ever!!! STOP THIS NONSENSE! He’s a swimmer … and undoubtedly one of the best SWIMMERS ever . Congrats to him on all this record-setting … I think it’s wonderful … we’re all proud.
But to start annointing him one of the best “Athletes” ever is short-sighted and irresponsible. He may in fact be a terrific athlete, but we may never know. He swims … in a straight line … back and forth … in water … all the time. He’s only competing against himself … in essentially the same conditions every time. He’s an awesome “swimmer”. But can he run, can he throw, can he jump, can he dribble, can he hit a 90mph fastball, CAN HE ADJUST REAL TIME TO CHANGING CONDITIONS … TO OPPONENTS’ UNPREDICTABLE MOVES??? The answer is: we don’t know!!!! So in the meantime, let’s save the “greatest athlete” labels for the decathletes, triathletes, and especially those playing team sports … or at least those who are competing against someone … like tennis players. In swimming … much like running/sprinting … you’re really only competing against yourself … and the clock.
In the meantime, Go Michael!!! You are possibly the greatest SWIMMER ever!!
Agreed!
This hearkens back to our discussion about the Federer / Nadal Wimbledon final being the best ever. Don’t people realize that when they make such statements they are showing their lack of history.
They brought up this topic yesterday on ‘around the horn’ and one of the talking heads quickly retorted with about 5 olympic athletes (Jesse Owens, Carl Lewis, Babe Didrikson, Bruce Jenner, and I’m forgetting his 5th) who were better athletes.
And yes – all that being said Phelps is an amazing swimmer.
Wally,
How about that girl from Eagle River who won a gold in shooting. Great stuff.
Mark Spitz does not seem to be anyone’s favorite former Olympic star- especially John Nabor’s (he went out of his way to annoint Phelps as “best swimmer ever” with some not-so-slight backhands at Spitz on Rome Is Burning…
Seems we can give Phelps his due (and he is VERY deserving) without belittling Spitz and his amazing accomplishments…
Red Saux pull it out- need to up my blood pressure meds…
Still too early to be nailing those Yankee coffins closed just yet- history, history, history- but it is much tougher having 2 teams to chase as opposed to just 1…
Best ever arguements can’t occur within 12 months of the competion in question- new man rule- what do you all think?…
Didn’t get to see US men’s soccer at all- but how do you have a red card in the opening 3 minutes of a game your team needs to win in order to move on in the tournament? I know they are U-23 players, but my U-19 travel players had sense enough to recognize when to leave the elbows in their holsters- is that bad coaching or what?…
I actually watched a good chunk of gymnastics (both men and women (pre-teen girls if we are talking the Chinese) and was impressed with the US guys and most of the US gals (I HATE to use the word choke with high shcool age athletes… so I won’t). The Chinese earned both team titles, but it was clear that some of those Chinese girls were under 16, so they weren’t following the rules, but still earned the gold with their performances…
Skip Bayless makes Tim McCarver sound intelligent…
No judgement on the US men’s b-ball team until they play Spain, Greece, and Argentina- it’s unfortunate that they have to win it all to be a success, but that is how it is…
Start talking about Baseball MVP possibilities:
Where are the Saux without Yoooooouuuuuuukkkk!
White Sox- Jermaine Dye (expect argument)
Rays- can’t pick one guy
Angels- most important is probably their manager
Twins- how do they keep doing it?
gonna stick to AL for now…
Casey
What’s up with the Clipboard’s rankings- did something get messed up when you switched the set up around? We are way way down this month…
Why is the rest of the world afraid to argue with the Chinese? About ANYTHING? Are we THAT stuck on having them as consumers? Should I order my Rosetta Stone cd for learning Chinese now?…
Muels
I vote to extend the time requirement for best-ever status to three years. The event has to have the possibility of falling from consciousness and being recalled in a conversation.
And Youk – how about him protecting Papi last night. Yeah he’s not gonna crush as many pitchers as Manny, but he’s gonna make ’em work.
As for the rankings – had nothing to do with the modifications of the site. I stopped voting to see if it would have any effect on our viewership – no effect.
Muels —
Argument: Jermaine Dye is having a great year (.302, 28 HR, 74 RBI 76 runs), but Carlos Quentin is probably having a better year (.284, 32 HR, 90 RBI, 82 Runs). These were stats as of Thur. Its the Ribbies that matter to me. But they’re both in the discussion.
Muels
You are not the only one touting Youk as MVP:
https://www.soxandpinstripes.com/sox_and_pinstripes/2008/08/sports-thoughts.html
Youkilis is a candidate for MVP, but still an outside candidate, I’d say. Don’t forget about Dustin Pedroia when you’re having your Red Sox MVP discussion.
Carlos Quentin may be the front-runner right now, but don’t rule out Justin Morneau. I don’t think I’ve heard his name mentioned much, but it should be.
Francisco Rodriguez would have to be a candidate as well, although Joe Nathan is actually having a better year among closers, just without the record-breaking saves pace.