Favre says he’s ready to help the Jets win
Taint your legacy now, while you still can.
-k-
Shoulda Retired, Brett
Reply
Tag Archives: Sports
Retire Already
Brett Favre: Packers should let me play elsewhere
I’ve been an admirer if not an outright fan of the Green Bay Packers going back to the Bart Starr/Boyd Dowler/Max McGee days. News like that in the posted link always makes me shake my head. Favre, you’ve won Super Bowls, you’ve been an Iron Man at quarterback, you’ve faithfully and deservedly worn the mantle of superstar at a storied NFL franchise.
Please don’t blow all that in your latter days with whining and pining. Irrespective of your obvious dedication to the sport, you are a Packer. No matter what happens, you belong in the green and gold. Retire already. Run for governor of Wisconsin. Mayor of Green Bay. Congress. Buy a Chevy dealership. Whatever. Just retire.
-k-
March Madness will Never be the Same
Packer out, Kellogg in as CBS lead announcer
I must admit that it took me a while to get used to Billy Packer, but after having done so, I appreciated his observations, and obvious passion for the game of college basketball. And, after 38 Final Fours, I’ve had ample opportunity to hear Billy’s comments.
So long, Billy, best wishes in your future endeavors, and thanks for adding spice to an already great game.
-k-
RIP, Jim McKay
The nation’s first sports journalist, Jim McKay, has passed away at age 86. I grew up watching Wide World of Sports on teevee; I have seen countless Olympic Games.
Jim McKay was in all of them. Not doing play-by-play, but bringing an obvious passion and a deep understanding of the sport to the television audience. In short, being a journalist. Without doubt, he was an inspiration to all the sports talking heads we have today.
It’s a shame that the majority of today’s sports talking heads aren’t fit to pour Jim McKay a cup of coffee.
-k-
Technorati Tags: Jim McKay
Obligatory SuperBowl Weekend Fandom
I never thought I’d wave the banner for an NFC East team, but I’ll be rooting for the New York Giants tomorrow. I like them partly because of their underdog status and partly because a bunch of my and my little bride’s coworkers are Giants fans.
I like Eli Manning; I like his dad Archie, and Peyton is OK in my book as well, even though the Colts aren’t in the big show this year.
Still, I can’t muster much enthusiasm. I plan to snack hugely, and have a six pack truckload of Shiners.
Happy Super Bowl Weekend! Go Giants! Yea, Team!
-k-
[stags]Football, sports, superbowl[/stags]
Congratulations, General
THe best college coach to ever tread the hardwoods coached his 900th winning game last night. Bob Knight’s Texas Tech Red Raiders were victorious over Texas A&M, 68-53.
It was fitting that the victory was over a nationally ranked team, and happened on Texas Tech’s home court.
Coach Knight had this to say about the win:
“You folks being here, seats being full for a change, really made a difference tonight,” Knight told the crowd before leaving the court.
Congratulations, Coach. Now on to 1000!
-k-
[stags]Sports, NCAA, BobKnight, basketball[/stags]
It’s About Mathematics, Only Mathematics
I get a little puzzled when teevee sports announcers say “He still has a mathematical chance of winning”. This comment was just made about Greg Biffle, as he races in tonight’s NASCAR event. “He still has a mathematical chance of making the Chase”.
Guess what? No mathematical chance means you’re out. Done. Finito. Kaput. This is what announcers mean when they profoundly intone “He’s been mathematically eliminated”.
A “mathematical chance” oftentimes translates to “not bloody likely”, as I’d say it does in Biffle’s case. But the chance remains, and could become reality. So, teevee guys, realize this whole thing isn’t rocket science, and say “he has a long-shot chance”, or “he’s toast”, as the situation warrants.
Thanks.
-k-
RIP, Bill France Jr.
Bill France Jr, who became NASCAR’s second president when he assumed the reins from his father, has passed away at age 74.
He oversaw NASCAR’s growth from a regional Southeastern US sport, to the coast-to-coast, border-to-border, and even international attraction is has become today.
Just a few of the things that molded NASCAR racing on Bill France Jr’s watch:
- All NASCAR races run on paved tracks – 1971.
- First live flag-to-flag coverage ov the Daytona 500 – 1979.
- First million dollar purse for the Daytona 500 – 1980.
- NASCAR’s post-season awards ceremony moved to New York City – 1981.
- Anheuser-Busch assumes title sponsorship of the NASCAR Busch Series – 1984.
- The Winston Million, a bonus for winning 3 of 4 of the Daytona 500, Winston 500, Coca-Cola 600 and Southern 500 is established – 1985.
- NASCAR’s top series becomes knows as the Winston Cup Series – 1986.
- Every Winston Cup event is televised live – 1989.
- Inaugural Brickyard 400 is run from Indianapolis – 1994.
- The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series runs its inaugural event – 1995.
- A demonstration race is run at Suzuka, Japan – 1996.
- 2.4 billion TV deal with Fox, NBC and Turner Sports – 1999. Coverage started in 2001.
He passed the presidency to Mike Helton in 2000, but stayed on as CEO. Since then, we’ve seen XM and now Sirius Satellite radio, with 24×7 NASCAR coverage, the unveiling of the NASCAR R&D Center in Concord NC, and the series major sponsor changed to Nextel from RJ Reynolds.
Quite an impressive list. I didn’t always agree with everything NASCAR did; I wish they could have found a way to keep the North Wilkesboro and Rockingham NC facilities open, and I don’t like the way they’ve marginalized the Darlington SC facility.
Still, I’m amazed every time I tune in to a race; I remember the humble beginnings. And all fans owe a large part of what we take for granted about to the sport to the vision and fortitide of Bill France Jr. His contributions were great, and he will be missed.
-k-
[tags]billfrancejr[/tags]
Where will June Bug Land?
Dale Earnhardt Jr, son of the late, great, iconic “Big E”, is leaving the team and company his father founded, to seek his NASCAR fortunes with another team. I’ve read all kinds of punditry about what he could/would/should do, and offer a few unsolicited observations of my own, typed here into the internet:
- It would be a mistake for him to attempt Nextel Cup with his own team, JR Motorsports. He wants to win races and championships now, not manage a race team. This would be a last-ditch option, and won’t happen right now. I’d trade my paycheck for the worst of the many offers he will get.
- Hendrick Motorsports has been eliminated out-of-hand. Hendrick has four teams, the maximum NASCAR allows. But, this is Dale Jr, and contracts from existing drivers can be bought out. Hendrick’s #25 car, currently piloted by Casey Mears, ran the Budweiser livery back in the late 80′s-early 90′s. Still, Hendrick is a long-shot.
- Richard Childress Racing has an opening, since RCR currently fields only three teams. RCR is a sentimental favorite to win the Dale Jr derby, since Big E won 6 of his 7 championships with RCR. And any race fan1 would get goosebumps at seeing the #3 car back on the racetrack. Still, I think the timing isn’t right for that to happen; Dale Jr said he’d have to mull that one over for a while.
- Joe Gibbs Racing currently fields three teams, and good teams at that. There’s been trackside punditry that casts JGR as the outsider in this free agent landing game. I think the move to JGR makes a lot of sense. Here’s why:
- Dale wants to win now. JGR is a winning team.
- Joe Gibbs coaches for Redskins owner Dan Snyder. Dan is not opposed to celebs, marketing, and selling tickets. Junior is a huge ‘Skins fan. And Budweiser is not averse to any type of sports marketing.
- The Car of Tomorrow is here today. JGR is very close to having the COT figured out. Mastering that will be a key to winning.
- I think that Tony Stewart will retire in a couple of years. JGR will need a senior guy. Junior will be 34-35 in a couple of years.
- After a 3-5 year gig at JGR, we’ll see the return of the #3, as Dale returns to RCR to finish his behind-the-wheel racing career.
When this all comes true, I expect heartfelt congratulations on my prescience. When it doesn’t, I’ll be pondering, analyzing, and blogging anyhow. So there. And, in the last analysis, NASCAR isn’t about racing as much anymore. Kyle Petty said on a TV interview a week or two ago, “NASCAR is a sport on Sunday; the other six days, it’s business.” And I agree with that, and wish all the best for Dale Jr. His hardest decision is behind him now, and I’ll be looking for him in victory lane.
-k-
[tags]daleearnhardtjr, dalejr, hendrickmotorsports, joegibbsracing, richardchildressracing[/tags]
1
NASCAR HotPass Lineup
Not even an Arkansas Sabbatical will deter me from posting the HotPass Lineup for tonight’s running of Crown Royal Presents The Jim Stewart 400 from Richmond International Raceway. This race also has the distinction of winning the Faulkernesque Naming Award for the first half of the season.
#31-Jeff Burton, 795
#24-Jeff Gordon, 796 (fan choice)
#11-Denny Hamlin, 797
#99-Carl Edwards, 798
#8-Dale Earnhardt Jr, 799
Car number, driver, and channel are indicated above, in a slightly different format than before. H/T: Jayski for the lineups.
My brother-in-law doesn’t have DirecTV, so we’ll be watching the event on Fox Sports. Hmm, and today is Derby Day, too. Better check the beverage supply.
-k-