By NB Staff (Bio | Archive) June 8, 2008 - 10:50 ET
For all things sports related including but not limited to Big Brown's failure yesterday, Federer v. Nadal at Roland Garros, Jim McKay's passing, and this evening's NBA Finals game two.
Rest in Peace. You've been a part of my sports life for decades, and set the bar for sportscasters. Sadly, precious few come close to your exceptionally high standards.
All the best to your surviving family members and friends. ns
Most of the news about sports these days is focused on the main three - football, basketball, baseball. But as much as I love those three, they're all still businesses. A basketball team is as much a part of the "entertainment industry" as movies and rock concerts. And while that's OK, I also like to see some sports just for the sake of the sport.
Jim McKay, and the Wide World of Sports, was the voice of every one of those sports. Hell, American television didn't even cover soccer! McKay captured the humanity of all those sports, in contrast to the assembly line hype of all the "industry" sports. I mean, think about it. What are our alternatives to the industry sports these days? Instead of real drama, we get the manufactured frauds like American Gladiators, reality shows, and the preposterous X-Games. It's all just professional wrestling - you know, the facade of real sport, but the players are just following unimaginative scripts. McKay (and with equal and proper recognition to Roone Arledge) gave us true sports. The players were real, and the competition was real, and so the drama was real. McKay always conveyed respect for the sportsmen he covered, and he never "used" them to make a broadcasting buck. I always admired that.
Ok, I am registering a formal complaint. Why is it on the sports open threads, I never see a reference to the Bassmasters or FLW tournaments? Is the NB staff prejudice aginst fishing?
First....great pic, N. Proud parent, indeed...and I have to give a shout out to one of my h.s. pals in that regard...his daughter was the valedictorian at U.F. last month!
Back to sports. I think Big Brown's failure yesterday was indirectly due to the quarter crack in his hoof wall (very, very nasty indeed, years ago that probably would have been a fatal injury). Although he wasn't lame, the lack of pre-race conditioning and the heat yesterday did the big colt in. He looked great before the race, but just ran out of gas.
Just for fun....the Super Horse who didn't run out of gas at the Belmont 35 years ago....who's world record that day still remains intact, and upon his death the reason why became apparent, his heart was more than 2 times the normal size. The great Secretariat!
Nadal vs. Federer? This is a Blonde vs. her mom match. I love Roger, mom loves Nadal.
Jim McCay. A great gentleman, and perhaps the reason for my love of most sports. I grew up watching WWS, and of course his reporting of the Munich incident is something that ought to be taught at j-school. RIP.
Finally...must go with the Celtics, for old times' sake, but would someone kindly explain the "Gino" thing?
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
After the big burst of speed at the finish of his last two races, I really thought Big Brown might be the horse to meet the challenge. But alas, timing is everything in the sport of horse racing.
Remember the hype around Smarty Jones? I think Big Brown is the better of the two (IIRC, the same stable that owns Smarty Jones also bought the stallion rights to Big Brown), but none measure up to my favorite (obviously) Big Red.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Yeah, I remember Smarty Jones too. It's just hard to win all three of those races. Never would have thought Big Brown would have puled up dead last though. It's what makes racing interesting though!
Since death always comes in threes, and former Steel Curtain stalwart Dwight White passed away on Friday, who will be the third piece of the puzzle? The Steel City will miss you, #78.
One more "sports" event. My dad took me to see Evel Kneivel in 1974 in the Astrodome. I wanted so much to take my son to see Evel's son at Texas Motor Speedway yesterday, but alas, my son had to work. But here's the video for you.
I've been so busy, I haven't had time to comment on anything, especially sports! (I have read the site daily though!)
But have to say this has been a wild week in drag racing. Hillary Will won her first professional race in Top Fuel last week in Topeka. She drives for Connie Kalitta, who runs a huge air freight business. Among other things, Connie has a special 747 just to haul thoroughbred horses, including some Kentucky Derby winners.
W ill, a former financial analyst, is in her 3 rd year as a pro. It was wild, because after she won, her crew chief, on a bet, had his head shaved, and then donned a wig, and a dress! (and Jim is a BIG old boy!)
Ashley Force, who has been in three finals this year, led the points (is now a close second) and won an event, was on the verge of getting her first number one qualifying spot in her 330 mph Funny Car. A storm blew through (they are in Chicago this weekend) just before the finally round of qualifying. Once the track was dried, the weather had cooled, and on her last pass, Melanie Troxel, who has also won this year, stole the number one spot from Ashley! (by 3 hundredths of a second)
Angelle Sampey, and Karen Stoeffer are both qualified in Pro Stock Motorcycle, and hometown boy, Tony Schumacher, driving the US Army sponsored Top Fueler is number one in his class.
Eliminations go off at 5 pm on ESPN2 (right after the soccer game)
Nadal is simply a master on clay. We knew Rafa would blast out of the gates, and Roger would take a little bit of time to get warmed up and try to figure out Rafa's game. Roger almost got there in the middle of the 2nd set, but couldn't get ahead.
I'd love to see Roger get a French Open cup, but I think his only hope is that Rafa , only 22 years-old, is unavailable for next year's tournament. Nadal was simply "en fuego".
(edit: The mom to whom Blonde is referring is not me.)
A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul. - George Bernard Shaw, 1944
The BEST commercial featuring My Favorite Russian Tennis Hottie (IMHO) would be the SportsCenter commercial where she is looking for a place to sit at the ESPN cafeteria.
Although I do like the commercial you reference: one, it has a hottie, and two, I can relate to it. My family has a dumb dog of our own. We can relate. :-)
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
And, maybe most important, a
June 8, 2008 - 10:54 ET by Noel SheppardAnd, maybe most important, a truly astounding picture of Brandon Sheppard at the NCAA Midwest Regional Track & Field Finals on May 30:
Now THAT's the kind of form that will hopefully make him one of the top ten jumpers in the country next year. ns
N
June 8, 2008 - 10:58 ET by botggood pic there dad.
Support our Troops
Man, THAT is an awesome
June 8, 2008 - 11:35 ET by Gary P JacksonMan, THAT is an awesome picture. You have got to be really proud.
Yep, that picture speaks
June 8, 2008 - 17:10 ET by bigtimerYep, that picture speaks volumes...excellent.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
Rest in Peace
June 8, 2008 - 11:00 ET by Noel SheppardJim McKay,
Rest in Peace. You've been a part of my sports life for decades, and set the bar for sportscasters. Sadly, precious few come close to your exceptionally high standards.
All the best to your surviving family members and friends. ns
A class act all the way
June 8, 2008 - 12:30 ET by KC MulvilleEcho that, Noel.
Most of the news about sports these days is focused on the main three - football, basketball, baseball. But as much as I love those three, they're all still businesses. A basketball team is as much a part of the "entertainment industry" as movies and rock concerts. And while that's OK, I also like to see some sports just for the sake of the sport.
Jim McKay, and the Wide World of Sports, was the voice of every one of those sports. Hell, American television didn't even cover soccer! McKay captured the humanity of all those sports, in contrast to the assembly line hype of all the "industry" sports. I mean, think about it. What are our alternatives to the industry sports these days? Instead of real drama, we get the manufactured frauds like American Gladiators, reality shows, and the preposterous X-Games. It's all just professional wrestling - you know, the facade of real sport, but the players are just following unimaginative scripts. McKay (and with equal and proper recognition to Roone Arledge) gave us true sports. The players were real, and the competition was real, and so the drama was real. McKay always conveyed respect for the sportsmen he covered, and he never "used" them to make a broadcasting buck. I always admired that.
Prayers to the family.
Ok, I am registering a
June 8, 2008 - 11:08 ET by bassndudeOk, I am registering a formal complaint. Why is it on the sports open threads, I never see a reference to the Bassmasters or FLW tournaments? Is the NB staff prejudice aginst fishing?
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
I remember when I could
June 8, 2008 - 11:15 ET by the strugglerI remember when I could scratch the back of my head with my heel...NOT.
Now I'm doing good to scratch my cat.
Caption
June 8, 2008 - 17:05 ET by the strugglerBrandon Sheppard demonstrates the kind of verbal gymnastics it takes to be a Mainstream Reporter.
All great topics
June 8, 2008 - 11:21 ET by BlondeClassics, all.
First....great pic, N. Proud parent, indeed...and I have to give a shout out to one of my h.s. pals in that regard...his daughter was the valedictorian at U.F. last month!
Back to sports. I think Big Brown's failure yesterday was indirectly due to the quarter crack in his hoof wall (very, very nasty indeed, years ago that probably would have been a fatal injury). Although he wasn't lame, the lack of pre-race conditioning and the heat yesterday did the big colt in. He looked great before the race, but just ran out of gas.
Just for fun....the Super Horse who didn't run out of gas at the Belmont 35 years ago....who's world record that day still remains intact, and upon his death the reason why became apparent, his heart was more than 2 times the normal size. The great Secretariat!
Nadal vs. Federer? This is a Blonde vs. her mom match. I love Roger, mom loves Nadal.
Jim McCay. A great gentleman, and perhaps the reason for my love of most sports. I grew up watching WWS, and of course his reporting of the Munich incident is something that ought to be taught at j-school. RIP.
Finally...must go with the Celtics, for old times' sake, but would someone kindly explain the "Gino" thing?
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Can you BELIEVE Big Brown?
June 8, 2008 - 11:53 ET by Gary P JacksonCan you BELIEVE Big Brown? Who would have thought you'd see that kind of deal? Unbelievable.
I know,
June 8, 2008 - 12:11 ET by BlondeAfter the big burst of speed at the finish of his last two races, I really thought Big Brown might be the horse to meet the challenge. But alas, timing is everything in the sport of horse racing.
Remember the hype around Smarty Jones? I think Big Brown is the better of the two (IIRC, the same stable that owns Smarty Jones also bought the stallion rights to Big Brown), but none measure up to my favorite (obviously) Big Red.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Yeah, I remember Smarty
June 8, 2008 - 19:10 ET by Gary P JacksonYeah, I remember Smarty Jones too. It's just hard to win all three of those races. Never would have thought Big Brown would have puled up dead last though. It's what makes racing interesting though!
you are so right Blonde
June 8, 2008 - 20:15 ET by botggo Celtics
Support our Troops
Rest in Peace, Jim
June 8, 2008 - 11:25 ET by Roger the ShrubberRest in Peace, Jim McKay.
Since death always comes in threes, and former Steel Curtain stalwart Dwight White passed away on Friday, who will be the third piece of the puzzle? The Steel City will miss you, #78.
Here's One
June 8, 2008 - 16:03 ET by Del DolemonteBobbie Anderson, who played the role of "Little George Bailey" in "It's A Wonderful Life", also left us Friday.
One More Event
June 8, 2008 - 11:31 ET by JoelCTGreat picture, Noel. I know you're proud.
One more "sports" event. My dad took me to see Evel Kneivel in 1974 in the Astrodome. I wanted so much to take my son to see Evel's son at Texas Motor Speedway yesterday, but alas, my son had to work. But here's the video for you.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/06/08/vo.tx.robbie.kneivel.jump.ktxa
Oh yeah, there was an Indy car race there, too. The same guy who won the Indy 500, Scott Dixon, won. Danica was 10th, one lap down.
I've been so busy, I
June 8, 2008 - 11:51 ET by Gary P JacksonI've been so busy, I haven't had time to comment on anything, especially sports! (I have read the site daily though!)
But have to say this has been a wild week in drag racing. Hillary Will won her first professional race in Top Fuel last week in Topeka. She drives for Connie Kalitta, who runs a huge air freight business. Among other things, Connie has a special 747 just to haul thoroughbred horses, including some Kentucky Derby winners.
W ill, a former financial analyst, is in her 3 rd year as a pro. It was wild, because after she won, her crew chief, on a bet, had his head shaved, and then donned a wig, and a dress! (and Jim is a BIG old boy!)
Ashley Force, who has been in three finals this year, led the points (is now a close second) and won an event, was on the verge of getting her first number one qualifying spot in her 330 mph Funny Car. A storm blew through (they are in Chicago this weekend) just before the finally round of qualifying. Once the track was dried, the weather had cooled, and on her last pass, Melanie Troxel, who has also won this year, stole the number one spot from Ashley! (by 3 hundredths of a second)
Angelle Sampey, and Karen Stoeffer are both qualified in Pro Stock Motorcycle, and hometown boy, Tony Schumacher, driving the US Army sponsored Top Fueler is number one in his class.
Eliminations go off at 5 pm on ESPN2 (right after the soccer game)
Be there, or be square!
Federer vs. Nadal
June 8, 2008 - 13:35 ET by BlondeWow, wow, wow....a weekend for upsets!
Nadal (2) took down the great Roger Federer (1) in straight sets....1, 3, and 0!
Must call mom & offer up congrats.
Hmmm. Game 2 this evening?
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
but not really an upset
June 8, 2008 - 20:21 ET by mom_roxNadal is simply a master on clay. We knew Rafa would blast out of the gates, and Roger would take a little bit of time to get warmed up and try to figure out Rafa's game. Roger almost got there in the middle of the 2nd set, but couldn't get ahead.
I'd love to see Roger get a French Open cup, but I think his only hope is that Rafa , only 22 years-old, is unavailable for next year's tournament. Nadal was simply "en fuego".
(edit: The mom to whom Blonde is referring is not me.)
A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
- George Bernard Shaw, 1944
No Maria, so who cares?
June 8, 2008 - 23:03 ET by UnsaneWell, Blonde...I think you and all of NB knows my take on the French Open. :-)
Res tantum valet quantum vendi potest.
I don't know...Ivanovic
June 8, 2008 - 23:15 ET by balboaI don't know...Ivanovic ain't chopped liver.
(Still love the Sharapova camera commercials with the dog)
Maria and advertising
June 9, 2008 - 00:38 ET by UnsaneThe BEST commercial featuring My Favorite Russian Tennis Hottie (IMHO) would be the SportsCenter commercial where she is looking for a place to sit at the ESPN cafeteria.
Although I do like the commercial you reference: one, it has a hottie, and two, I can relate to it. My family has a dumb dog of our own. We can relate. :-)
Res tantum valet quantum vendi potest.
Aye. Both would be welcome
June 9, 2008 - 13:06 ET by Roger the ShrubberAye. Both would be welcome guests at Chateaux le Shrub.