While wondering how the Pilgrims would’ve fared on Plymouth Rock if they ate Tofurkey...
A year ago, neither I nor my doctors were certain how much longer I would be alive, following a very stressful ordeal of renal failure, but here I am, enjoying another Thanksgiving of food and football, so I thought I’d share what I’m thankful for:
I’m obviously thankful to G_d in heaven, for without the Omnipresent, I wouldn’t have life or anything else.
I’m thankful for my friends, old and new, special ones, and many kind acquaintances.
I’m thankful for living in a land, despite all its flaws and challenges, where I am free to be myself.
I’m thankful for having all of my faculties in somewhat good shape, as well as doctors who keep me rolling.
I’m thankful for still having a healthy sense of humor, as well as my slightly warped and witty mind.
I’m thankful for opportunities to challenge and use my intellect.
I’m thankful for all the people on Earth who stimulate my sense of humor.
I’m thankful for Jay Leno and his monologue, no matter what hour NBC schedules him.
I’m thankful for David Letterman and his Top Ten Lists.
I’m thankful for Jimmy Fallon and Craig Ferguson for their late night shows.
I’m thankful for Rachel Thompson, who reminds us in her blogs how funny married and domestic life can be.
I’m thankful for the endless list of comedians who keep me laughing.
I’m thankful for Brett Favre, because he’s simply a three-ring circus everywhere he goes.
I’m thankful for T.O. and OchoCinco, because they never shut up.
I’m thankful for Sarah Palin, John Boehner and Nancy Pelosi, because I really can’t take them seriously.
I’m thankful to Charlie Rangel, because he still doesn’t get it after eleven ethics violations.
I’m thankful for Charlie Sheen, because he gets too much of it and it’s always big news.
I’m thankful for the New York Daily News and my favorite sportswriters: Mike Lupica, Bill Madden, Gary Myers and Bob Raissman.
I’m thankful for a diverse selection of witty news commentators: Keith Olbermann, Rachel Maddow, Chris Matthews, Joe Scarborough and even Bill O’Reilly.
I’m thankful for so many wonderful folks who definitely know their sports and love talking about sports: Jon Saraceno, Len Berman, Rich Cimini, Ralph Vacchiano, Ohm Youngmisuk, Otis Livingstone, Woody Paige, Bob Glauber, Peter King, Jim Trotter, Jason Smith, Tony Kornheiser, Michael Wilbon, Bomani Jones, Skip Bayless, Trey Wingo, Marcellus Wiley, Warren Sapp, Phil Simms, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Michael Smith.
I’m thankful for great folks to listen to on the radio, both on WFAN-660 and WEPN-1050: Joe Benigno, Evan Roberts, Mike Francesa, Brandon Tierney, Bob Wischusen, Don LaGreca, Colin Cowherd, Jason Smith (again), Bob Valvano, Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic.
I’m thankful the music I came of age to can still be heard on WCBS-101.1 and WAXQ-104.3.
I’m thankful for Sunday Night Football on NBC and the announcing team of Al Michaels and Chris Collinsworth.
I’m thankful for Monday Night Football on ESPN and the announcing team of Mike Tirico, Ron “Jaws” Jaworski and Jon “Chucky” Gruden.
I’m thankful for sportswriters more folks should read: Kyle Stack, Susan Shan, D.J. Dunston and Manish Mehta.
I’m thankful for a wonderful 2010 baseball season that offered no-hitters, one-hitters, perfect games, almost perfect games, wild pennant races, and a world series no one expected or will forget.
I’m thankful we still have golden oldies like Ralph Kiner, Vin Scully and Bob Uecker to listen to on baseball broadcasts.
I’m thankful I made it to July before I needed Maalox for Mets games.
I’m thankful someone other than the Phillies won the NL pennant.
I’m thankful the Yankees haven’t won their 28th world series title.
I’m thankful the Yankees front office continues to give baseball fans around the world good reasons for not being Yankees fans.
I’m thankful Hank Steinbrenner still has foot in mouth disease.
I’m thankful for what’s been a very enjoyable and far from mundane NFL season.
I’m thankful for my New York Jets, led by the never-dull Rex Ryan.
I’m thankful sports fans keep calling into WFAN and WEPN to be wet blankets about even the most positive New York sports stories.
I’m thankful they still can’t spoil this NFL season for me, no matter how hard they try.
I’m thankful for the New England Patriots being neck-and-neck in the AFC East, so folks won’t say the Jets won the division cheaply.
I’m thankful for all 32 NFL teams not being winless or unbeaten going into the final six weeks of the regular season.
I’m thankful for seeing big improvement in the Tampa Bay Bucs, St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs.
I’m thankful for seeing the season blow up on the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys.
I’m thankful the Washington Redskins are still a mess under Mike Shanahan.
I’m thankful Al Davis is still delusional running the Oakland Raiders.
I’m thankful Tom Coughlin’s head hasn’t exploded yet during another frustrating Giants season.
I’m thankful for Albert Haynesworth proving that fat, lazy and stupid CAN get you through life.
I’m thankful for Richard Seymour slapping Ben Roethlisberger, albeit not to put any sense in his head.
I’m thankful for Vince Young and JeMarcus Russell teaching us a big lesson in Buyer Beware when it comes to drafting quarterbacks.
I’m thankful for Vince Young and Brandon Jacobs for providing fans at games with impromptu equipment souvenirs.
I’m thankful for James Harrison being so charitable with his money in order to play football the way it’s meant to be.
I'm thankful for the NFL trying to make the sport safer and help players live longer after retirement.
I’m thankful for blithering hypocrites like Gordon Gee, for illustrating how Division I football and the BCS is a bunch of BS.
I’m thankful schools like TCU and Boise State keep winning and annoying big-conference pooh-bahs.
I’m thankful my television has a mute button and channel changer whenever Tiger Woods or LeBron James need to speak.
I’m thankful for tomorrow, to attend the Bat Mitzvah of a really nice kid destined to be a terrific lady, Emily Wertheimer.
I’m thankful for every day and whatever it brings.
Here’s hoping to be thankful next year, so I can order pizza instead.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Severe case of Pink-eye in Mississippi -- Sports Thoughts for November 18, 2010
I don’t know how many of you have followed the recent events at Mendenhall High School in Mendenhall, Mississippi, but this story should make all rational adults question how public education operates in this state.
Last month a 17-year-old football player, Coy Sheppard, was dismissed from his high school football team for... Get this... Wearing PINK cleats to a football game and practice in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Last week, this young man was reinstated to the football team. However, local and national newspapers reported yesterday that this young man has been relegated to the bench since his reinstatement.
His attorney, Oliver Diaz, a former Mississippi Court Justice, is shocked at the events.
I’m not, and after reading this column, I hope none of you are either.
I offer you a letter I faxed on November 11 to Mr. Joe Welch, the superintendent of the Simpson County School District in Mendenhall, and copied to Mr. Sheppard’s attorney:
Dear Superintendent Welch:
I just read an article in USA TODAY regarding the lawsuit recently filed by Coy Sheppard against your school district.
As a veteran educational research scholar, and a former football player, I found the story simultaneously amusing and appalling.
From the reference point of an outsider to your district, I see two critical issues at hand:
1. The young man’s football coach, Chris Peterson, appears to have serious team management and interpersonal communication issues.
2. Your Deputy Superintendent, Tom Duncan, appears to need better training on how to respond to the press.
Unless there’s a specific federal, state, or local statute forbidding an individual student-athlete from wearing cleats of a color different from the rest of the team (such rules do exist in the National Football League as well as Major League Baseball), Coach Peterson is completely out of bounds in his actions toward Mr. Sheppard. The young man reportedly chose to wear pink cleats in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, or to at least raise attention to breast cancer, something the NFL did last year and this year, and something MLB similarly does on Mother’s Day (and blue on Father’s Day to raise awareness for prostate cancer, which I happen to be a 15-year survivor of).
From what I gleaned from the USA TODAY article, Coach Peterson had no rational or educational reason for admonishing then dismissing Mr. Sheppard other than to exert control on a 17-year-old KICKER... NOT a quarterback or any other skilled position player, nor a lineman. Unless I’ve missed something since I last played football over 25 years ago, the color of one’s cleats gives neither a team nor its opponent an unfair advantage or disadvantage. For Heaven’s sake, Joe Namath taped his cleats white in an era of all-black shoes, because it gave him confidence, and outside the occasional ribbing he took from teammates and opposing players, it was not only a non-issue, it eventually became the trend in the NFL for over 30 years. In fact, according to NFL rules, KICKERS are the only players exempt from having to wear the same colored cleats as the rest of the team, because kicking shoes are CUSTOM-MADE.
To compound Coach Peterson’s foolishness, your own Deputy Superintendent tells the media that punishing Mr. Sheppard “had absolutely nothing to do with a lack of support for breast cancer awareness”, that this was simply an issue of a high school student “ignoring the orders of his coaches to take off the shoes.” So let me get this straight... Mr. Sheppard is not only scolded by his football coaches for wearing pink-colored cleats, dismissed from the team for refusal of compliance, but he has to potentially worry about his high school graduation due to the fact that playing football constitutes credit for physical education requirements?
As a native New Yorker who spent a good part of my adult life in the south, I need to ask you WHAT CENTURY ARE Y’ALL STILL LIVING IN?!
If I understand the events as reported in USA TODAY, a kid wears pink cleats to a football game, the coaches vehemently want him to not wear them, even though there’s no specific rule stating he can’t wear them, but the coaches are fully supportive about breast cancer awareness nonetheless. The kid wears the same cleats to practice, and the coaches react the same way. The kid declines taking off the cleats, so the coaches dismiss him from the team because he’s NOT OBEDIENT WITH REGARDS TO ORDERS.
So, are people like me supposed to infer from these events that Mendenhall High School operates according to some military protocol, and Mr. Sheppard violated orders from a superior or commanding officer?!
Unless this high school and its football program operates according to military protocol, neither Coach Peterson nor Deputy Superintendent Duncan have a legal leg to stand on. No matter what position your district takes on this issue, the simple fact is that one or more high school football coaches went off on a 17-year-old kid for demonstrating his First Amendment rights under the US Constitution without having a logical or statutory justifiable reason, AND acted with impunity in the name of adult power and authority. Even if Mr. Sheppard chose to wear pink cleats because he loves the color pink, Coach Peterson had no legal grounds for his actions UNLESS FOOTWEAR COLOR REQUIREMENTS ARE ADDRESSED IN A SPECIFIC RULE OR LEGAL STATUTES BOOK.
I’ve heard more than enough embarrassing stories about the state of education in Mississippi since the start of my academic career in 1984. If it’s not your district going after a kid for pink cleats, it’s another district canceling a senior prom in order to bar lesbians from attending as couples. What’s the matter — is overt racism no longer enough for your state’s sustainability that you now need systemic homophobia? Maybe if your state spent less time demonizing kids for being unique human beings, and spent more time eradicating ignorance and illiteracy, your state wouldn’t consistently rank 50th in the nation in almost every major educational attribute!
Do your district and everyone looking at your district a big favor: get out from behind your desk, stand up and admit to the media and Mr. Sheppard’s family that your district personnel were wrong and abused that student’s civil rights, then fire Coach Peterson and Deputy Superintendent Duncan, or at least suspend them a month without pay. Either that, or I hope Mr. Sheppard’s attorney, Oliver Diaz, hits your district for as much monetary damage as possible, because your fiscal loss will be the American Cancer Society’s gain.
No matter how much money ultimately goes to charity, your school district created a permanent black mark for itself and K-12 education in your state. I can only wonder how proud your district feels right now.
Neither Mr. Welch nor Mr. Diaz responded to my letter.
Could someone PLEASE explain to me what social, moral, or institutional crime Coy Sheppard committed by not only wearing pink cleats but refusing to take them off at the over-the-top demands by his coaches? If the coaching staff and school district administration’s stance still remains that cleate-gate was never an issue of supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month or not, then what exactly is the message these adults wished to send to not only a 17-year-old student-athlete but to an entire community and educational system? That Plantation-style hegemony is still the modus operandi in the deep south? That ostracizing free expression is the best way to ensure respect and discipline from the ranks of our nation’s youth? That the retaliatory marginalizing of a teenager whose heart was in the right place is a more effective and cleaner message to big-city lawyers from Jackson to stay out of local business? That burying your 17-year-old placekicker on the bench is a warning to back down and accept one’s place in the local food chain?
Sure, we can shrug and say, “it’s just a pair of cleats... What’s the big deal? Let it go”, but the actions of adults over something as harmless as athletic footwear sends a chill down my spine and harkens me back to dark days in Mississippi almost 40 years ago. Back in June 1964, three young men -- James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner — tried to make a statement for the benefit of others, to raise awareness for voter rights, and give Americans a reason to be proud. It was just helping African-Americans register to vote and be a fuller part of democratic society... What was the big deal? Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner lost their lives at the hands of the Ku Klux Klan. Apparently trying to make Mississippi a better place, a place to be proud of, was hazardous to their being. The message was loud and clear: don’t mess with the way things are done here, if you know what’s good for you.
The adults with power in the Simpson County School District have sent their message, albeit less heinous but odious enough: don’t mess with the way things are done here, if you know what’s good for you. Coy Sheppard didn’t lose his life trying to help make the world a better place, yet he’s still the victim of a mob attack, apparently the way things are done in Mendenhall. Once again, an establishment in Mississippi gives its state a big black eye... Because they saw red at the sight of pink.
Last month a 17-year-old football player, Coy Sheppard, was dismissed from his high school football team for... Get this... Wearing PINK cleats to a football game and practice in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Last week, this young man was reinstated to the football team. However, local and national newspapers reported yesterday that this young man has been relegated to the bench since his reinstatement.
His attorney, Oliver Diaz, a former Mississippi Court Justice, is shocked at the events.
I’m not, and after reading this column, I hope none of you are either.
I offer you a letter I faxed on November 11 to Mr. Joe Welch, the superintendent of the Simpson County School District in Mendenhall, and copied to Mr. Sheppard’s attorney:
Dear Superintendent Welch:
I just read an article in USA TODAY regarding the lawsuit recently filed by Coy Sheppard against your school district.
As a veteran educational research scholar, and a former football player, I found the story simultaneously amusing and appalling.
From the reference point of an outsider to your district, I see two critical issues at hand:
1. The young man’s football coach, Chris Peterson, appears to have serious team management and interpersonal communication issues.
2. Your Deputy Superintendent, Tom Duncan, appears to need better training on how to respond to the press.
Unless there’s a specific federal, state, or local statute forbidding an individual student-athlete from wearing cleats of a color different from the rest of the team (such rules do exist in the National Football League as well as Major League Baseball), Coach Peterson is completely out of bounds in his actions toward Mr. Sheppard. The young man reportedly chose to wear pink cleats in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, or to at least raise attention to breast cancer, something the NFL did last year and this year, and something MLB similarly does on Mother’s Day (and blue on Father’s Day to raise awareness for prostate cancer, which I happen to be a 15-year survivor of).
From what I gleaned from the USA TODAY article, Coach Peterson had no rational or educational reason for admonishing then dismissing Mr. Sheppard other than to exert control on a 17-year-old KICKER... NOT a quarterback or any other skilled position player, nor a lineman. Unless I’ve missed something since I last played football over 25 years ago, the color of one’s cleats gives neither a team nor its opponent an unfair advantage or disadvantage. For Heaven’s sake, Joe Namath taped his cleats white in an era of all-black shoes, because it gave him confidence, and outside the occasional ribbing he took from teammates and opposing players, it was not only a non-issue, it eventually became the trend in the NFL for over 30 years. In fact, according to NFL rules, KICKERS are the only players exempt from having to wear the same colored cleats as the rest of the team, because kicking shoes are CUSTOM-MADE.
To compound Coach Peterson’s foolishness, your own Deputy Superintendent tells the media that punishing Mr. Sheppard “had absolutely nothing to do with a lack of support for breast cancer awareness”, that this was simply an issue of a high school student “ignoring the orders of his coaches to take off the shoes.” So let me get this straight... Mr. Sheppard is not only scolded by his football coaches for wearing pink-colored cleats, dismissed from the team for refusal of compliance, but he has to potentially worry about his high school graduation due to the fact that playing football constitutes credit for physical education requirements?
As a native New Yorker who spent a good part of my adult life in the south, I need to ask you WHAT CENTURY ARE Y’ALL STILL LIVING IN?!
If I understand the events as reported in USA TODAY, a kid wears pink cleats to a football game, the coaches vehemently want him to not wear them, even though there’s no specific rule stating he can’t wear them, but the coaches are fully supportive about breast cancer awareness nonetheless. The kid wears the same cleats to practice, and the coaches react the same way. The kid declines taking off the cleats, so the coaches dismiss him from the team because he’s NOT OBEDIENT WITH REGARDS TO ORDERS.
So, are people like me supposed to infer from these events that Mendenhall High School operates according to some military protocol, and Mr. Sheppard violated orders from a superior or commanding officer?!
Unless this high school and its football program operates according to military protocol, neither Coach Peterson nor Deputy Superintendent Duncan have a legal leg to stand on. No matter what position your district takes on this issue, the simple fact is that one or more high school football coaches went off on a 17-year-old kid for demonstrating his First Amendment rights under the US Constitution without having a logical or statutory justifiable reason, AND acted with impunity in the name of adult power and authority. Even if Mr. Sheppard chose to wear pink cleats because he loves the color pink, Coach Peterson had no legal grounds for his actions UNLESS FOOTWEAR COLOR REQUIREMENTS ARE ADDRESSED IN A SPECIFIC RULE OR LEGAL STATUTES BOOK.
I’ve heard more than enough embarrassing stories about the state of education in Mississippi since the start of my academic career in 1984. If it’s not your district going after a kid for pink cleats, it’s another district canceling a senior prom in order to bar lesbians from attending as couples. What’s the matter — is overt racism no longer enough for your state’s sustainability that you now need systemic homophobia? Maybe if your state spent less time demonizing kids for being unique human beings, and spent more time eradicating ignorance and illiteracy, your state wouldn’t consistently rank 50th in the nation in almost every major educational attribute!
Do your district and everyone looking at your district a big favor: get out from behind your desk, stand up and admit to the media and Mr. Sheppard’s family that your district personnel were wrong and abused that student’s civil rights, then fire Coach Peterson and Deputy Superintendent Duncan, or at least suspend them a month without pay. Either that, or I hope Mr. Sheppard’s attorney, Oliver Diaz, hits your district for as much monetary damage as possible, because your fiscal loss will be the American Cancer Society’s gain.
No matter how much money ultimately goes to charity, your school district created a permanent black mark for itself and K-12 education in your state. I can only wonder how proud your district feels right now.
Neither Mr. Welch nor Mr. Diaz responded to my letter.
Could someone PLEASE explain to me what social, moral, or institutional crime Coy Sheppard committed by not only wearing pink cleats but refusing to take them off at the over-the-top demands by his coaches? If the coaching staff and school district administration’s stance still remains that cleate-gate was never an issue of supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month or not, then what exactly is the message these adults wished to send to not only a 17-year-old student-athlete but to an entire community and educational system? That Plantation-style hegemony is still the modus operandi in the deep south? That ostracizing free expression is the best way to ensure respect and discipline from the ranks of our nation’s youth? That the retaliatory marginalizing of a teenager whose heart was in the right place is a more effective and cleaner message to big-city lawyers from Jackson to stay out of local business? That burying your 17-year-old placekicker on the bench is a warning to back down and accept one’s place in the local food chain?
Sure, we can shrug and say, “it’s just a pair of cleats... What’s the big deal? Let it go”, but the actions of adults over something as harmless as athletic footwear sends a chill down my spine and harkens me back to dark days in Mississippi almost 40 years ago. Back in June 1964, three young men -- James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner — tried to make a statement for the benefit of others, to raise awareness for voter rights, and give Americans a reason to be proud. It was just helping African-Americans register to vote and be a fuller part of democratic society... What was the big deal? Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner lost their lives at the hands of the Ku Klux Klan. Apparently trying to make Mississippi a better place, a place to be proud of, was hazardous to their being. The message was loud and clear: don’t mess with the way things are done here, if you know what’s good for you.
The adults with power in the Simpson County School District have sent their message, albeit less heinous but odious enough: don’t mess with the way things are done here, if you know what’s good for you. Coy Sheppard didn’t lose his life trying to help make the world a better place, yet he’s still the victim of a mob attack, apparently the way things are done in Mendenhall. Once again, an establishment in Mississippi gives its state a big black eye... Because they saw red at the sight of pink.
Monday, November 15, 2010
NFL mid-term grades (no grading on a curve) -- Sports Thoughts for November 16, 2010
Before my teaching career ended, I used to be a pretty hard grader. Surf the Internet and I'm sure you'll find at least one chemistry or physics student ripping me to pieces and bellyaching over getting a B or C in my class. Well, I subscribe to the late John Houseman's line from those old Smith-Barney ads: You have to earn it!
Anyway, since I'm a tough grader and don't subscribe to the philosophy of rampant grade inflation (i.e., the top score has to earn an A), I prefer to assign non-traditional grades at the mid-term point, sort of my version of "progress reports", or in the case of some teams, lack of progress reports.
So, in honor of that tried and true method of mysterious assessment, allow me to grade all 32 NFL teams according to the following: Pretty good, Okay, So-so, and Oy vez mir. For those of you so rigid in your need for letter grades, or for those Yiddish-impaired, Pretty good is the academic equivalent of B or better, Okay is equivalent for C or better, So-so is equivalent for D or better, and Oy vez mir is equivalent for students in serious need to drop the class and change their academic major.
But rest assured, my readers... it's really only the midpoint of the NFL season, everyone has now played nine games, and there's still seven more weeks to turn a season around or redeem yourself.
Pretty good teams:
I've never believed that anyone deserves an A at mid-term time. An A signifies excellence, and let's face it, no team has demonstrated true excellence until the season is completely over. So, let's work on the assumption that certain teams are playing very well but are still works in progress. As we've learned from seasons past, a team can be great the first half of a season and kick it up a higher level down the stretch, or that team can also experience an epic collapse. Who are our top teams so far this season? To start, look no further than the northeast extension of Amtrak's route: the New England Patriots and Team Chutzpah itself, the New York Jets. Both teams share league-best 7-2 records and have impressed in all three phases: offense, defense and special teams, albeit not always at the same time.
The Patriots were supposed to have a loaded passing attack, and they certainly do, with or without Randy Moss. Tom Brady seems to be in vintage 2007 form, and the running game even gets a boost with Ben-Jarvis Green-Ellis and mighty mite Danny Woodhead. However, their young and rebuilt defense has shown signs of accelerated growth in victories against Miami, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh. Just on the basis of their week four blow-out win in Miami, the special teams have impressed.
Do the Pats have some warts? Of course. The defense, as much as it's growing ahead of schedule, has had trouble at times stopping the run (week 9 in Cleveland) and does have some trouble with fourth-quarter leads (see week 1 vs Cincinnati and week 10 at Pittsburgh). Both the Jets and Cleveland have exposed the Pats defense for being a little soft when it comes to physical trench warfare.
As Rex Ryan said, "We're far from perfect, but we're 7-2, so we'll take it." The Jets have boasted for months about their Super Bowl XLV plans, and right now they sit atop the AFC East with the NFL's best record, albeit a record that could've easily been 9-0 or 4-5. The Jets have yet to perform on all cylinders, several of their wins aren't pretty, but they indeed find ways to win. What's most impressive about the Jets is their 5-0 record away from the new Meadowlands Stadium. Not counting last year's AFC title game loss to the Colts, the Jets haven't lost a road game since week 11 of last year in New England, exactly one year ago. Not only have the Jets been able to win on the road, they win the tough grinding games when the level of play isn't up to snuff (week 6 in Denver, week 9 in Detroit, week 10 in Cleveland).
While the defense isn't as dominant as a year ago, teams really don't pile up the yards or points much on it (the Jets lead the AFC in fewest points allowed). While the running game isn't the same ground and pound meat grinder it was last year, the Jets still rank in the NFL's top 5. The big bonus has been the development of quarterback Mark Sanchez. Last year's rookie mistakes and emotional roller coaster has graciaously grown into a more heady and steady playmaker. After only 12 TDs and 20 INTs last year, Sanchez has 12 TDs and only 6 INTs so far this season.
Is the Jet offense a polished work of beauty? It depends on the week. In week 1, the offense seemed afraid to challenge Baltimore's defense and lost 10-9. In week 8, the offense seemed too eager to challenge the winds and lost at home to Green Bay 9-0.
Other teams playing pretty good include the 7-2 Atlanta Falcons, and the 6-3 Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Green Bay Packers.
The Falcons are absolute beasts at home (5-0), but their defense needs every ounce of strength in order to hold onto tight wins against the Bucs and Ravens. The Steelers impressed greatly with their 3-1 start sans Ben Roethlisberger, but have dropped two of their last three at home to the Ravens and Patriots. The Steelers' weaknesses appear to be the kicking game and maintaining a healthy offensive line. The defense is generally solid, but overagressiveness and lack of composure have hurt at linebacker and in the defensive backfield.
The Ravens seem solid, but the passing attack has not been as prolific as expected with an inconsistent Joe Flacco at quarterback. The defense, once the cornerstone of this franchise, has shown signs of vulnerability, especially in their week 10 loss in Atlanta. The Eagles are perhaps one of the more pleasant surprises this season, given the instability at quarterback following the trade of Donovan McNabb to Washington. However, it's clear that when Michael Vick is healthy and physically able to display all of his talents inside and outside the pocket, the Eagles offense is flying high. Their week 10 performance in Washington (a 59-28 win) definitely makes us take notice of their offensive explosiveness. However, the key issue will remain Vick's health and consistency. The Eagles will go as far as he can take them. This does not appear to be the season for their defense to carry the team. The Eagles simply give up too many points, so every game is a scoring explosion.
No team has been more surprising that the Buccaneers, 3-13 a year ago. How have the Bucs done it? Opportunisitic defense and a young quarterback maturing week after week, Josh Freeman. Although the Bucs have taken their lumps in big losses to the Steelers and Saints, they've demonstrated an ability to come back and win games (week 10 in Arizona).
The defending champion Saints have been victims of being the hunted following a Super Bowl title as well as losing key players to injury (Reggie Bush and Darren Sharper). The Saints are also victims of the benefits and consequences of turnovers. Last year the Saints defense led the NFL in creating turnovers and turnover margin. This year the defense can't buy a turnover while Drew Brees tosses INTs in bunches (week 8 loss to Cleveland).
The Packers were the pre-season favorite of many, and somehow they remain one of the top NFC teams despite losing player after player due to injury. What has been most impressive is the defense keeping opponents in check while the offense does enough to win (week 8 win at the Jets). Aaron Rodgers is having another solid season at QB, even with an injury-decimated running game.
Okay teams:
Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, New York Giants, Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks, and St. Louis Rams.
At 6-3, the Colts aren't as dominating as years past, but considering the number of injuries they've absorbed at WR and on defense, one could argue a worser record for a lesser team. As long as the Colts still have Peyton Manning at QB, it's onward and upward towards January. However, something to worry about it the Colts' 1-2 record within the AFC South. Is it possible the Colts have slipped just enough for the 5-4 Titans and Jaguars to make things interesting down the stretch. Unlike past seasons, the Colts don't have their playoff berth sewn up yet, and there's a distinct possibility that one of more 11-5 or 12-4 teams could be on the outside looking in at this year's AFC playoff seeds.
The Titans have been very inconsistent on both offense and defense. The QB position is manned by the somewhat injured Vince Young and the more injured Kerry Collins. The passing game lacks cohesion and the recent acquisition of WR Randy Moss doesn't guarantee improvement. RB Chris Johnson still produces, but not at his record-setting 2009 pace. The Jaguars seem to benefiting from lucky bounces and catching certain teams at the right time (week 8 vs Dallas and week 10 vs Houston).
The 5-4 Dolphins are down to their third QB, Tyler Thigpen, after losing Chad Pennington and Chad Henne to injury. The offense seems to do just enough to put kicker Dan Carpenter in position to kick lots of field goals, but the Dolphins need touchdowns if they expect to keep within reach of the Patriots and Jets.
At 3-6, one must wonder why the Cleveland Browns earn an okay grade. However, if one looks at their quality wins (week 8 at New Orleans, week 9 vs New England) as well as how many close games they've lost (week 7 vs Pittsburgh, week 10 vs the Jets), one easily sees gradually budding fruits from head coach Eric Mangini's efforts. Their defense, guided by coordinator Rob Ryan, plays tough. The running game has finally found its combination of speed and battering ram strength in Peyton Hillis, and the Browns might finally have their genuine QB of the future in rookie Colt McCoy.
At 5-4, the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs are exceeding expectations with solid running games, aggressive defense, and no longer pathetic QB play. The Raiders are riding a 3-game winning streak for the first time since their super bowl season of 2002. Despite their 49-29 meltdown in Denver, the Chiefs have been competitive all season long, starting with their opening week win over San Diego.
This brings us to the Rip van Winkles of the NFL, the Chargers. At 4-5, San Diego appears to be waking up in time for their annual November-December hot streak. Is it possible again? Considering the Chargers are among the top-ranked teams in offense and defense, and QB Phillip Rivers is passing the ball at a record pace for yardage, it would seem the only team capable of stopping the Chargers are the Chargers themselves.
This leads to their special teams, and oy, it's nowhere near special so far this season. The Chargers commit too many stupid penalties and too many inopportune turnovers. Worse, the Chargers kickers lead the universe in kicks blocked. If the Chargers can straighten out all these self-destructive breakdowns, there's no reason why they can't overtake the Chiefs and Raiders for the AFC West title.
Looking at the NFC, only 4 teams deserve an okay grade: The 6-3 Giants, 6-3 Bears, 5-4 Seahawks, and 4-5 Rams. The Giants, Bears and Seahawks all lead their divisions, but none inspire confidence as the team to beat. The Giants have inconsistency issues (see week 10 loss to Dallas), commit too many turnovers, and often lose their cool at the worst time (see week 3 loss to the Titans). But for all the INTs, QB Eli Manning can definitely put points on the board with his receiving corps. The running game is usually solid with the tandem of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. And boy can the defense sack quarterbacks!
The Bears are just as Jekyl and Hyde as the Giants. The offense has the potential to put points on the scoreboard when QB Jay Cutler isn't throwing INTs, and the defense remains tough as long as key players (LB Brian Urlacher, DE Julius Peppers) stay healthy. Yes, the Bears beat the Packers back in week 3, but stunk up the joint in losses to the Giants (week 4), Seahawks (week 6) and Redskins (week 7), not to mention struggled to beat the Buffalo Bills in week 9.
The Seahawks are playing above expectations in this rebuilding year. Head coach Pete Carroll seems to have the team playing competitively in the weak NFC West (except for weeks 2, 4, 8 and 9 - big losses to the Broncos, Rams, Raiders and Giants). RB Leon Washington's having a wonderful comeback season, and even QB Matt Hasselbeck's playing well when healthy. Unfortunately, the Seahawks' roster is thin in terms of depth, and injuries have nicked several key players on offense. Because the NFC West is so weak and balanced in weakness, it's hard to anticipate the Seahawks getting stronger and holding onto first place.
This is why the Rams are such a delightful surprise. Already winning more games than the past two season combined, the Rams are young, aggressive, and energetic. The defense keeps things close and the offense continues to grow with QB Sam Bradford and diversify beyond RB Stephen Jackson. In a season with so much balance and mediocrity within the division, there's no reason not to think the young Rams have as much chance as the Seahawks, Cardinals or 49ers to take the title, even at 8-8.
So-so teams:
The 4-5 Houston Texans and Washington Redskins, and the 3-6 Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers.
Where to begin? Neither the Texans or Redskins have a defense. The Cardinals really don't have a quarterback. The 49ers couldn't figure out a way to win during the first 5 weeks, and the Vikings are a complete mess. Of all of these teams, the 49ers are actually the only one with a legitimate chance to still make the playoffs, simply because they have a more stable situation at QB. If the 49ers manage to come back and win the NFC West, they'll be the first team in NFL history to make the playoffs after an 0-5 start, and the first team to make the playoffs after a 1-6 start since the 1970 Cincinnati Bengals.
Oy vez mir teams:
The 3-6 Denver Broncos, 2-7 Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions, and 1-8 Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers.
The Broncos, even with their 49-29 week 10 win over the Chiefs, simply have little going for them besides QB Kyle Orton. After last year's 6-0 start, the Broncos are 5-14, and it's clear head coach Jeff McDaniels is in over his head and not making many friends among opposing coaches.
The Bengals and Cowboys are perhaps the biggest flops of this season. The Bengals were predicted by many to contend for the AFC North title, and even more folks predicted the Cowboys to be the first-ever team to play a Super Bowl in its own stadium. Despite having the WR tandem of Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco, the Bengals offense has been a scattershot mystery. The Cowboys took a solid punch at home in a week 2 loss to the Bears and never really recovered. Now the Cowboys are without QB Tony Romo and head coach Wade Phillips. Although the Cowboys could resurrect themselves with their week 10 win at the Giants, they're simply too far back to be a factor anymore in the NFC East or wild-card races.
On the bright side, the Lions are definitely a lot more entertaining and explosive on offense, and the Bills mostly keep close in their games, losing by 8 points or less to the Patriots, Dolphins, Ravens, Bears and Chiefs.
On the down side, the Lions haven't won on the road since George W. Bush's presidency, and the Panthers offense plays like a bunch of de-clawed kittens.
Teams to really keep an eye on:
AFC: Jets, Patriots, Steelers, Ravens, Colts, Titans, Chiefs, Raiders, Chargers and Browns (spoiler)
NFC: Giants, Eagles, Packers, Bears, Saints, Bucs, Falcons, Rams, Seahawks and 49ers
Anyway, since I'm a tough grader and don't subscribe to the philosophy of rampant grade inflation (i.e., the top score has to earn an A), I prefer to assign non-traditional grades at the mid-term point, sort of my version of "progress reports", or in the case of some teams, lack of progress reports.
So, in honor of that tried and true method of mysterious assessment, allow me to grade all 32 NFL teams according to the following: Pretty good, Okay, So-so, and Oy vez mir. For those of you so rigid in your need for letter grades, or for those Yiddish-impaired, Pretty good is the academic equivalent of B or better, Okay is equivalent for C or better, So-so is equivalent for D or better, and Oy vez mir is equivalent for students in serious need to drop the class and change their academic major.
But rest assured, my readers... it's really only the midpoint of the NFL season, everyone has now played nine games, and there's still seven more weeks to turn a season around or redeem yourself.
Pretty good teams:
I've never believed that anyone deserves an A at mid-term time. An A signifies excellence, and let's face it, no team has demonstrated true excellence until the season is completely over. So, let's work on the assumption that certain teams are playing very well but are still works in progress. As we've learned from seasons past, a team can be great the first half of a season and kick it up a higher level down the stretch, or that team can also experience an epic collapse. Who are our top teams so far this season? To start, look no further than the northeast extension of Amtrak's route: the New England Patriots and Team Chutzpah itself, the New York Jets. Both teams share league-best 7-2 records and have impressed in all three phases: offense, defense and special teams, albeit not always at the same time.
The Patriots were supposed to have a loaded passing attack, and they certainly do, with or without Randy Moss. Tom Brady seems to be in vintage 2007 form, and the running game even gets a boost with Ben-Jarvis Green-Ellis and mighty mite Danny Woodhead. However, their young and rebuilt defense has shown signs of accelerated growth in victories against Miami, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh. Just on the basis of their week four blow-out win in Miami, the special teams have impressed.
Do the Pats have some warts? Of course. The defense, as much as it's growing ahead of schedule, has had trouble at times stopping the run (week 9 in Cleveland) and does have some trouble with fourth-quarter leads (see week 1 vs Cincinnati and week 10 at Pittsburgh). Both the Jets and Cleveland have exposed the Pats defense for being a little soft when it comes to physical trench warfare.
As Rex Ryan said, "We're far from perfect, but we're 7-2, so we'll take it." The Jets have boasted for months about their Super Bowl XLV plans, and right now they sit atop the AFC East with the NFL's best record, albeit a record that could've easily been 9-0 or 4-5. The Jets have yet to perform on all cylinders, several of their wins aren't pretty, but they indeed find ways to win. What's most impressive about the Jets is their 5-0 record away from the new Meadowlands Stadium. Not counting last year's AFC title game loss to the Colts, the Jets haven't lost a road game since week 11 of last year in New England, exactly one year ago. Not only have the Jets been able to win on the road, they win the tough grinding games when the level of play isn't up to snuff (week 6 in Denver, week 9 in Detroit, week 10 in Cleveland).
While the defense isn't as dominant as a year ago, teams really don't pile up the yards or points much on it (the Jets lead the AFC in fewest points allowed). While the running game isn't the same ground and pound meat grinder it was last year, the Jets still rank in the NFL's top 5. The big bonus has been the development of quarterback Mark Sanchez. Last year's rookie mistakes and emotional roller coaster has graciaously grown into a more heady and steady playmaker. After only 12 TDs and 20 INTs last year, Sanchez has 12 TDs and only 6 INTs so far this season.
Is the Jet offense a polished work of beauty? It depends on the week. In week 1, the offense seemed afraid to challenge Baltimore's defense and lost 10-9. In week 8, the offense seemed too eager to challenge the winds and lost at home to Green Bay 9-0.
Other teams playing pretty good include the 7-2 Atlanta Falcons, and the 6-3 Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Green Bay Packers.
The Falcons are absolute beasts at home (5-0), but their defense needs every ounce of strength in order to hold onto tight wins against the Bucs and Ravens. The Steelers impressed greatly with their 3-1 start sans Ben Roethlisberger, but have dropped two of their last three at home to the Ravens and Patriots. The Steelers' weaknesses appear to be the kicking game and maintaining a healthy offensive line. The defense is generally solid, but overagressiveness and lack of composure have hurt at linebacker and in the defensive backfield.
The Ravens seem solid, but the passing attack has not been as prolific as expected with an inconsistent Joe Flacco at quarterback. The defense, once the cornerstone of this franchise, has shown signs of vulnerability, especially in their week 10 loss in Atlanta. The Eagles are perhaps one of the more pleasant surprises this season, given the instability at quarterback following the trade of Donovan McNabb to Washington. However, it's clear that when Michael Vick is healthy and physically able to display all of his talents inside and outside the pocket, the Eagles offense is flying high. Their week 10 performance in Washington (a 59-28 win) definitely makes us take notice of their offensive explosiveness. However, the key issue will remain Vick's health and consistency. The Eagles will go as far as he can take them. This does not appear to be the season for their defense to carry the team. The Eagles simply give up too many points, so every game is a scoring explosion.
No team has been more surprising that the Buccaneers, 3-13 a year ago. How have the Bucs done it? Opportunisitic defense and a young quarterback maturing week after week, Josh Freeman. Although the Bucs have taken their lumps in big losses to the Steelers and Saints, they've demonstrated an ability to come back and win games (week 10 in Arizona).
The defending champion Saints have been victims of being the hunted following a Super Bowl title as well as losing key players to injury (Reggie Bush and Darren Sharper). The Saints are also victims of the benefits and consequences of turnovers. Last year the Saints defense led the NFL in creating turnovers and turnover margin. This year the defense can't buy a turnover while Drew Brees tosses INTs in bunches (week 8 loss to Cleveland).
The Packers were the pre-season favorite of many, and somehow they remain one of the top NFC teams despite losing player after player due to injury. What has been most impressive is the defense keeping opponents in check while the offense does enough to win (week 8 win at the Jets). Aaron Rodgers is having another solid season at QB, even with an injury-decimated running game.
Okay teams:
Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, New York Giants, Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks, and St. Louis Rams.
At 6-3, the Colts aren't as dominating as years past, but considering the number of injuries they've absorbed at WR and on defense, one could argue a worser record for a lesser team. As long as the Colts still have Peyton Manning at QB, it's onward and upward towards January. However, something to worry about it the Colts' 1-2 record within the AFC South. Is it possible the Colts have slipped just enough for the 5-4 Titans and Jaguars to make things interesting down the stretch. Unlike past seasons, the Colts don't have their playoff berth sewn up yet, and there's a distinct possibility that one of more 11-5 or 12-4 teams could be on the outside looking in at this year's AFC playoff seeds.
The Titans have been very inconsistent on both offense and defense. The QB position is manned by the somewhat injured Vince Young and the more injured Kerry Collins. The passing game lacks cohesion and the recent acquisition of WR Randy Moss doesn't guarantee improvement. RB Chris Johnson still produces, but not at his record-setting 2009 pace. The Jaguars seem to benefiting from lucky bounces and catching certain teams at the right time (week 8 vs Dallas and week 10 vs Houston).
The 5-4 Dolphins are down to their third QB, Tyler Thigpen, after losing Chad Pennington and Chad Henne to injury. The offense seems to do just enough to put kicker Dan Carpenter in position to kick lots of field goals, but the Dolphins need touchdowns if they expect to keep within reach of the Patriots and Jets.
At 3-6, one must wonder why the Cleveland Browns earn an okay grade. However, if one looks at their quality wins (week 8 at New Orleans, week 9 vs New England) as well as how many close games they've lost (week 7 vs Pittsburgh, week 10 vs the Jets), one easily sees gradually budding fruits from head coach Eric Mangini's efforts. Their defense, guided by coordinator Rob Ryan, plays tough. The running game has finally found its combination of speed and battering ram strength in Peyton Hillis, and the Browns might finally have their genuine QB of the future in rookie Colt McCoy.
At 5-4, the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs are exceeding expectations with solid running games, aggressive defense, and no longer pathetic QB play. The Raiders are riding a 3-game winning streak for the first time since their super bowl season of 2002. Despite their 49-29 meltdown in Denver, the Chiefs have been competitive all season long, starting with their opening week win over San Diego.
This brings us to the Rip van Winkles of the NFL, the Chargers. At 4-5, San Diego appears to be waking up in time for their annual November-December hot streak. Is it possible again? Considering the Chargers are among the top-ranked teams in offense and defense, and QB Phillip Rivers is passing the ball at a record pace for yardage, it would seem the only team capable of stopping the Chargers are the Chargers themselves.
This leads to their special teams, and oy, it's nowhere near special so far this season. The Chargers commit too many stupid penalties and too many inopportune turnovers. Worse, the Chargers kickers lead the universe in kicks blocked. If the Chargers can straighten out all these self-destructive breakdowns, there's no reason why they can't overtake the Chiefs and Raiders for the AFC West title.
Looking at the NFC, only 4 teams deserve an okay grade: The 6-3 Giants, 6-3 Bears, 5-4 Seahawks, and 4-5 Rams. The Giants, Bears and Seahawks all lead their divisions, but none inspire confidence as the team to beat. The Giants have inconsistency issues (see week 10 loss to Dallas), commit too many turnovers, and often lose their cool at the worst time (see week 3 loss to the Titans). But for all the INTs, QB Eli Manning can definitely put points on the board with his receiving corps. The running game is usually solid with the tandem of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. And boy can the defense sack quarterbacks!
The Bears are just as Jekyl and Hyde as the Giants. The offense has the potential to put points on the scoreboard when QB Jay Cutler isn't throwing INTs, and the defense remains tough as long as key players (LB Brian Urlacher, DE Julius Peppers) stay healthy. Yes, the Bears beat the Packers back in week 3, but stunk up the joint in losses to the Giants (week 4), Seahawks (week 6) and Redskins (week 7), not to mention struggled to beat the Buffalo Bills in week 9.
The Seahawks are playing above expectations in this rebuilding year. Head coach Pete Carroll seems to have the team playing competitively in the weak NFC West (except for weeks 2, 4, 8 and 9 - big losses to the Broncos, Rams, Raiders and Giants). RB Leon Washington's having a wonderful comeback season, and even QB Matt Hasselbeck's playing well when healthy. Unfortunately, the Seahawks' roster is thin in terms of depth, and injuries have nicked several key players on offense. Because the NFC West is so weak and balanced in weakness, it's hard to anticipate the Seahawks getting stronger and holding onto first place.
This is why the Rams are such a delightful surprise. Already winning more games than the past two season combined, the Rams are young, aggressive, and energetic. The defense keeps things close and the offense continues to grow with QB Sam Bradford and diversify beyond RB Stephen Jackson. In a season with so much balance and mediocrity within the division, there's no reason not to think the young Rams have as much chance as the Seahawks, Cardinals or 49ers to take the title, even at 8-8.
So-so teams:
The 4-5 Houston Texans and Washington Redskins, and the 3-6 Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers.
Where to begin? Neither the Texans or Redskins have a defense. The Cardinals really don't have a quarterback. The 49ers couldn't figure out a way to win during the first 5 weeks, and the Vikings are a complete mess. Of all of these teams, the 49ers are actually the only one with a legitimate chance to still make the playoffs, simply because they have a more stable situation at QB. If the 49ers manage to come back and win the NFC West, they'll be the first team in NFL history to make the playoffs after an 0-5 start, and the first team to make the playoffs after a 1-6 start since the 1970 Cincinnati Bengals.
Oy vez mir teams:
The 3-6 Denver Broncos, 2-7 Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions, and 1-8 Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers.
The Broncos, even with their 49-29 week 10 win over the Chiefs, simply have little going for them besides QB Kyle Orton. After last year's 6-0 start, the Broncos are 5-14, and it's clear head coach Jeff McDaniels is in over his head and not making many friends among opposing coaches.
The Bengals and Cowboys are perhaps the biggest flops of this season. The Bengals were predicted by many to contend for the AFC North title, and even more folks predicted the Cowboys to be the first-ever team to play a Super Bowl in its own stadium. Despite having the WR tandem of Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco, the Bengals offense has been a scattershot mystery. The Cowboys took a solid punch at home in a week 2 loss to the Bears and never really recovered. Now the Cowboys are without QB Tony Romo and head coach Wade Phillips. Although the Cowboys could resurrect themselves with their week 10 win at the Giants, they're simply too far back to be a factor anymore in the NFC East or wild-card races.
On the bright side, the Lions are definitely a lot more entertaining and explosive on offense, and the Bills mostly keep close in their games, losing by 8 points or less to the Patriots, Dolphins, Ravens, Bears and Chiefs.
On the down side, the Lions haven't won on the road since George W. Bush's presidency, and the Panthers offense plays like a bunch of de-clawed kittens.
Teams to really keep an eye on:
AFC: Jets, Patriots, Steelers, Ravens, Colts, Titans, Chiefs, Raiders, Chargers and Browns (spoiler)
NFC: Giants, Eagles, Packers, Bears, Saints, Bucs, Falcons, Rams, Seahawks and 49ers
Thursday, November 4, 2010
The cruelest sunset -- Sports Thoughts for November 4, 2010
While enjoying the recap of yesterday’s World Series victory parade for the San Francisco Giants, making Market Street the grooviest spot in town since the Monterey Pop Festival, and reflecting back on what a fun and unusual baseball season we just completed, I noticed a troubling and sad news item scrolling at the bottom of ESPN’s screen:
Sparky Anderson, Hall of Fame Manager, in Hospice Care With Dementia
Wow, I thought... Sparky’s only 76. When did this all happen? Why? How? After all, Sparky Anderson had arguably one of the sharpest minds in baseball not too long ago.
For those of you who may not know much about George “Sparky” Anderson, he was one of many “old-time” career minor-leaguers who couldn’t hit their weight, but had a keen mind for the game. Like many of his peers, Anderson transitioned into coaching and managing, and eventually became a major-league manager. Sparky’s first gig was with the Cincinnati Reds, taking the helm in 1970 at the age of 36. But it was an “old 36” as Sparky already had his well-recognized head of white hair. In his first season the Reds won the National League pennant, only to lose to Earl Weaver’s Baltimore Orioles in five games. Sparky’s Reds returned to the World Series in 1972, only to lose to Charlie Williams’ Oakland A’s in seven games, then led his Reds into the National League championship series in 1973, only to lose to Yogi Berra’s Mets in five games.
After a second-place finish in 1974 to Walter Alston’s Dodgers, Sparky’s Reds finally reached their zenith, winning back-to-back World Series in 1975 (the memorable seven-game series against the Red Sox) and 1976 (a four-game sweep of the Yankees). The Reds were so dominant (210-114 combined regular season won-loss record), especially with a batting order consisting of Joe Morgan, Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, Ken Griffey Sr., and George Foster, that they were universally known as the “Big Red Machine.”
But after second-place finishes in 1977 and 1978 to Tommy Lasorda’s Dodgers, the Big Red Machine became no more, key players left via free agency, trade or retirement, and Sparky was fired despite and overall record of 863-586 (a .596 winning percentage), five divisional titles, four NL pennants, and two World Series titles.
Cincinnati’s loss became Detroit’s gain, as Sparky became the Tigers’ manager in 1979, a position he would hold until he retired after the 1995 season at age 61. Sparky’s overall record with the Tigers was 1331-1248 (.516 winning percentage), two divisional titles and their World Series title in 1984 (in five games over San Diego). He was also AL manager of the year twice (1984, 1987).
The Tigers had their share of losing seasons, five during the last seven of Anderson’s 17-year command. There was the frustration of one last-place finish in 1989, with a 59-103 record, the worst of Sparky’s 26-year managerial career. Until the late decline, the Tigers were feisty, competitive, and more importantly, mattered when we talked about the American League, much the way they matter today under Jim Leyland.
When Sparky said good-bye to baseball in 1995, he went home to his native California with an overall 2194-1834 record and .545 winning percentage. He was the very first manager to ever win World Series titles in both leagues and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000 by the veteran’s committee.
Aside from the winning, Sparky had his reputation, especially with pitchers. “Captain Hook,” as he was called, never met a pitcher he didn’t lose patience with. Sparky made calling for relievers an art regardless of the game or situation. He didn’t need a pitch count as an excuse to pull starters; he understood the rhythm of a baseball game and knew when his pitcher no longer had it on the mound. It should be noted that the only starting pitchers Sparky tried to spare his hook were Tom Seaver, who came to Cincinnati from the Mets in a still-mourned 1977 trade, and Jack Morris, the ace of his 1984 Tigers staff. Seaver’s already in the Hall of Fame; Morris should be.
During my teen years, my favorite managers were Sparky Anderson and Yogi Berra. In many ways they were cut from the same cloth when it came to baseball strategy. Both were very underrated, yet both were dumb like foxes. Of all the post-season match-ups I’ve seen in my lifetime, the 1973 NLCS between Sparky’s Reds and Yogi’s Mets is still among my favorites, with or without the Pete Rose and Bud Harrelson brawl.
So now baseball fans who remember Sparky are preparing to say good-bye. When a person needs hospice, that’s usually a sign the end is near. In a way, this column, as well as others being written, is Sparky’s unofficial obituary, his penultimate tribute.
When someone passes on, the reasons why are part of the discussion. In this case, one of MLB’s sharpest minds has sadly faded, eventually succumbing to one of life’s cruelest diseases. Unfortunately, the public doesn’t universally understand the distinctions between senility, dementia, and Alzheimer's Disease, and often uses these conditions interchangeably. We collectively know a person’s mind isn’t what it once was, and we often associate it with age.
Allow me to offer a brief distinction between these three medical conditions. Senility is a mental decline specifically associated with aging. The typical signs of senility are forgetfulness and short-term memory loss. In many cases, senility is often associated with arteriosclerosis, known as hardening of the arteries, where restricted blood flow to the brain impairs its cognitive functionality.
Dementia is a deterioration or loss of intellectual faculties, reasoning power and memory (long and short-term), usually due to an organic brain disease or injury.
Alzheimer's Disease not only is associated with progressive dementia, but specifically with atrophy of the cerebrum caused by microscopic deterioration of nerve tissue in the brain. The cerebrum is the region of our brains responsible for thought, behavior, emotions, personality, speech, sight, hearing, movement, and voluntary control of our body.
As we see, all three conditions relate to the mind loses its sharpness albeit to different degrees and due to different causes. As we now learn more and more of the potentially fatal long-term consequences of concussions and other injuries to the central nervous system, we no longer can simply chalk up any of these conditions to old age or a specific age of onset. Twenty year olds show signs of dementia no differently than septuagenarians do, unfortunately. The causes may differ, but the cruel effects are the same.
We don’t know the severity or extent of Sparky Anderson’s dementia, and it’s really none of our business. We don’t need to know whether he’s incontinent, able to communicate, or any other sad symptoms or manifestations of his illness. Chances are dementia has been a part of Sparky’s life for more than a few years, and since he’s stayed out of the public eye since the Tigers’ 25th anniversary celebration of their 1984 World Series title, it’s reasonable to imagine he’s experienced more than his share of “sun-downing” en route to his eventual passing.
We all have our sun-downs at different stages of life; sometimes we tend to poop out earlier than we used to, whether due to chronic illness, recent surgeries, or simply because our bodies tire more easily after pushing ourselves too hard with life’s everyday grind. In the case of a person whose brain is slowly losing its ability to function, the sun-down closes another day in which that brain will never be the same tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day, and that person will never quite be the same tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day. Central nervous tissue doesn’t repair or regenerate, so each sun-down is essentially a daily death of the brain until the rest of one’s body sadly catches up in time for the final death.
When the sad day finally comes that Sparky Anderson passes on, let’s be sure to give pause and reflect most on his mind from his heyday, not the mind that died a slow and cruel death.
Sparky Anderson, Hall of Fame Manager, in Hospice Care With Dementia
Wow, I thought... Sparky’s only 76. When did this all happen? Why? How? After all, Sparky Anderson had arguably one of the sharpest minds in baseball not too long ago.
For those of you who may not know much about George “Sparky” Anderson, he was one of many “old-time” career minor-leaguers who couldn’t hit their weight, but had a keen mind for the game. Like many of his peers, Anderson transitioned into coaching and managing, and eventually became a major-league manager. Sparky’s first gig was with the Cincinnati Reds, taking the helm in 1970 at the age of 36. But it was an “old 36” as Sparky already had his well-recognized head of white hair. In his first season the Reds won the National League pennant, only to lose to Earl Weaver’s Baltimore Orioles in five games. Sparky’s Reds returned to the World Series in 1972, only to lose to Charlie Williams’ Oakland A’s in seven games, then led his Reds into the National League championship series in 1973, only to lose to Yogi Berra’s Mets in five games.
After a second-place finish in 1974 to Walter Alston’s Dodgers, Sparky’s Reds finally reached their zenith, winning back-to-back World Series in 1975 (the memorable seven-game series against the Red Sox) and 1976 (a four-game sweep of the Yankees). The Reds were so dominant (210-114 combined regular season won-loss record), especially with a batting order consisting of Joe Morgan, Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, Ken Griffey Sr., and George Foster, that they were universally known as the “Big Red Machine.”
But after second-place finishes in 1977 and 1978 to Tommy Lasorda’s Dodgers, the Big Red Machine became no more, key players left via free agency, trade or retirement, and Sparky was fired despite and overall record of 863-586 (a .596 winning percentage), five divisional titles, four NL pennants, and two World Series titles.
Cincinnati’s loss became Detroit’s gain, as Sparky became the Tigers’ manager in 1979, a position he would hold until he retired after the 1995 season at age 61. Sparky’s overall record with the Tigers was 1331-1248 (.516 winning percentage), two divisional titles and their World Series title in 1984 (in five games over San Diego). He was also AL manager of the year twice (1984, 1987).
The Tigers had their share of losing seasons, five during the last seven of Anderson’s 17-year command. There was the frustration of one last-place finish in 1989, with a 59-103 record, the worst of Sparky’s 26-year managerial career. Until the late decline, the Tigers were feisty, competitive, and more importantly, mattered when we talked about the American League, much the way they matter today under Jim Leyland.
When Sparky said good-bye to baseball in 1995, he went home to his native California with an overall 2194-1834 record and .545 winning percentage. He was the very first manager to ever win World Series titles in both leagues and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000 by the veteran’s committee.
Aside from the winning, Sparky had his reputation, especially with pitchers. “Captain Hook,” as he was called, never met a pitcher he didn’t lose patience with. Sparky made calling for relievers an art regardless of the game or situation. He didn’t need a pitch count as an excuse to pull starters; he understood the rhythm of a baseball game and knew when his pitcher no longer had it on the mound. It should be noted that the only starting pitchers Sparky tried to spare his hook were Tom Seaver, who came to Cincinnati from the Mets in a still-mourned 1977 trade, and Jack Morris, the ace of his 1984 Tigers staff. Seaver’s already in the Hall of Fame; Morris should be.
During my teen years, my favorite managers were Sparky Anderson and Yogi Berra. In many ways they were cut from the same cloth when it came to baseball strategy. Both were very underrated, yet both were dumb like foxes. Of all the post-season match-ups I’ve seen in my lifetime, the 1973 NLCS between Sparky’s Reds and Yogi’s Mets is still among my favorites, with or without the Pete Rose and Bud Harrelson brawl.
So now baseball fans who remember Sparky are preparing to say good-bye. When a person needs hospice, that’s usually a sign the end is near. In a way, this column, as well as others being written, is Sparky’s unofficial obituary, his penultimate tribute.
When someone passes on, the reasons why are part of the discussion. In this case, one of MLB’s sharpest minds has sadly faded, eventually succumbing to one of life’s cruelest diseases. Unfortunately, the public doesn’t universally understand the distinctions between senility, dementia, and Alzheimer's Disease, and often uses these conditions interchangeably. We collectively know a person’s mind isn’t what it once was, and we often associate it with age.
Allow me to offer a brief distinction between these three medical conditions. Senility is a mental decline specifically associated with aging. The typical signs of senility are forgetfulness and short-term memory loss. In many cases, senility is often associated with arteriosclerosis, known as hardening of the arteries, where restricted blood flow to the brain impairs its cognitive functionality.
Dementia is a deterioration or loss of intellectual faculties, reasoning power and memory (long and short-term), usually due to an organic brain disease or injury.
Alzheimer's Disease not only is associated with progressive dementia, but specifically with atrophy of the cerebrum caused by microscopic deterioration of nerve tissue in the brain. The cerebrum is the region of our brains responsible for thought, behavior, emotions, personality, speech, sight, hearing, movement, and voluntary control of our body.
As we see, all three conditions relate to the mind loses its sharpness albeit to different degrees and due to different causes. As we now learn more and more of the potentially fatal long-term consequences of concussions and other injuries to the central nervous system, we no longer can simply chalk up any of these conditions to old age or a specific age of onset. Twenty year olds show signs of dementia no differently than septuagenarians do, unfortunately. The causes may differ, but the cruel effects are the same.
We don’t know the severity or extent of Sparky Anderson’s dementia, and it’s really none of our business. We don’t need to know whether he’s incontinent, able to communicate, or any other sad symptoms or manifestations of his illness. Chances are dementia has been a part of Sparky’s life for more than a few years, and since he’s stayed out of the public eye since the Tigers’ 25th anniversary celebration of their 1984 World Series title, it’s reasonable to imagine he’s experienced more than his share of “sun-downing” en route to his eventual passing.
We all have our sun-downs at different stages of life; sometimes we tend to poop out earlier than we used to, whether due to chronic illness, recent surgeries, or simply because our bodies tire more easily after pushing ourselves too hard with life’s everyday grind. In the case of a person whose brain is slowly losing its ability to function, the sun-down closes another day in which that brain will never be the same tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day, and that person will never quite be the same tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day. Central nervous tissue doesn’t repair or regenerate, so each sun-down is essentially a daily death of the brain until the rest of one’s body sadly catches up in time for the final death.
When the sad day finally comes that Sparky Anderson passes on, let’s be sure to give pause and reflect most on his mind from his heyday, not the mind that died a slow and cruel death.
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