If you missed his first-round performance Monday, you're in luck because he won and will be playing at least one more match on Thursday. The attendance at his first match set a new Open record and it was incredible to see everyone rally behind Agassi as Arthur Ashe Stadium exploded with every point won. He gave us a bit of a scare after losing the first set, rallying to win the second in tie-break, only to drop to 4-0 in the third set. Instead he came storming back to win the next five games and take the set in tie-break. It was all around great tennis. After the 3.5 hour match he looked more like a giddy, spry 21-year old rather than an aging 36-year old with back problems. He'll have quite a challenge next round against No. 8 Baghdatis but if he plays with this much fire the momentum should stay in his favor.
Again, I'll plead you tune in and witness the end of one of the greatest American eras in all of sports. If nothing else, the Open is a great event and Agassi is extremely fun to watch. Andy Roddick is also looking like he could make a deep run. But for at least two more days this is Andre's world and we're just living in it...
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
MLB Notes
-What a huge weekend for the NL Central (or should I say for St. Louis?). The Cards sweep the Cubs to make the season series somewhat respectable (8-11, respectively) while the Reds drop 5 straight. This just secures my belief that we will hold on to the division crown and restates why "Noone Knows If the Reds Will Win the Wild Card." (I must be the anti-Strader as of late because after my prediction about rookie Chris Duncan he hit a home run in all three games of the Chicago series.)
-Speaking of parity in Chicago, Baseball Tonight gave an update on the Cubs-Pirates game after a go-ahead RBI in the 11th from Derrek Lee in his first game back, only to be outdone minutes later after Ryan Dempster walked in the winning run. Ugh.
-I don't know which was funnier on SportsCenter tonight: Andruw Jones slipping and falling on his way to first base during a home run lap or Barry Bonds Kirby-esquely jumping to rob a HR and his bloated body getting a whole two inches off the ground. I can't believe it snagged the two spot in the Top Ten...
-The Cy Young races are far from over as it's extremely tight coming down the stretch. My AL pick changes daily between Halladay, Santana, and The Amazing Verlander. For most of the season I would have punched my vote for Brandon Webb in the NL, but Carpenter and Zambrano are both making a late season push while Josh Johnson came out of nowhere. Only September will tell.
-Here come the Marlins! If this upstart group of rookies can make the playoffs they just might replace Detroit as the new bandwagon. Only 1.5 games back--what a story...
-Ryan Howard is a stud. You bahlt!
-Speaking of parity in Chicago, Baseball Tonight gave an update on the Cubs-Pirates game after a go-ahead RBI in the 11th from Derrek Lee in his first game back, only to be outdone minutes later after Ryan Dempster walked in the winning run. Ugh.
-I don't know which was funnier on SportsCenter tonight: Andruw Jones slipping and falling on his way to first base during a home run lap or Barry Bonds Kirby-esquely jumping to rob a HR and his bloated body getting a whole two inches off the ground. I can't believe it snagged the two spot in the Top Ten...
-The Cy Young races are far from over as it's extremely tight coming down the stretch. My AL pick changes daily between Halladay, Santana, and The Amazing Verlander. For most of the season I would have punched my vote for Brandon Webb in the NL, but Carpenter and Zambrano are both making a late season push while Josh Johnson came out of nowhere. Only September will tell.
-Here come the Marlins! If this upstart group of rookies can make the playoffs they just might replace Detroit as the new bandwagon. Only 1.5 games back--what a story...
-Ryan Howard is a stud. You bahlt!
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Here Comes Lil' Duncan...
Here come the Reds...ha! I scoff at the idea that St. Louis will not win its sixth division crown in seven seasons. (I will at this time concede that I have absolutely no faith in any of our starting pitchers who aren't named Chris Carpenter.) What a gem-- four-hit shutout tonight. You bahlt.
That being said, it's time to give props to my man Chris Duncan as his surge into the major leagues has kept the Cards in contention and his continuing production will be required to make the playoffs. Edmonds is streaky, Eckstein is losing his mojo (.311 BA before All-Star break, .233 since), and teams will pitch around Albert. I've really noticed his big bat lately and wish he'd been slotted #2 all season. Let's measure his power hitting up to some other notable rookies.
That being said, it's time to give props to my man Chris Duncan as his surge into the major leagues has kept the Cards in contention and his continuing production will be required to make the playoffs. Edmonds is streaky, Eckstein is losing his mojo (.311 BA before All-Star break, .233 since), and teams will pitch around Albert. I've really noticed his big bat lately and wish he'd been slotted #2 all season. Let's measure his power hitting up to some other notable rookies.
If St. Louis does indeed hold on and fend off the Reds, his name must be mentioned at least once in the Rookie of the Year discussions.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
A Late Night of Boredom
So I'm sitting here watching latenight TV and the only decent thing on is The World Series of Pop Culture. The theme is fictional locales in tv shows and movies and contestants from neither team knew the name of the golf course in Caddyshack! The guy didn't even have a guess and the opposing female spit out "The Century Club?"... Now, maybe I'm over-estimating how many people out there are familiar with Bushwood, but have you ever seen that SNL skit where all the business men are quoting Caddyshack and the one guy gets left out because he hasn't seen it? I've come to understand that Caddyshack has a reputation that most young to middle-aged men should be familiar enough with the flick to quote it, let alone know the basics. I realize I'm a sucker for old 70/80's dry slapstick humor, but Caddyshack is in a league of its own. Great setting, hilarious script, phenomenal cast. Maybe we ought to add "skinny skiing" and "going to bull fights on acid" to our list of "real" sports...
UPDATE: The following question was "what is the name of the coffee shop the group frequents in Seinfeld?" Once again, blanks across the board. How can you possibly claim to be a master in pop culture trivia and know nothing about Seinfeld?
UPDATE #2: Four questions later they were asked to name the "floating" city that Lando Calrissian oversees in The Empire Strikes Back, which of course neither of them knew. That's it, I'm changing the channel.
UPDATE: The following question was "what is the name of the coffee shop the group frequents in Seinfeld?" Once again, blanks across the board. How can you possibly claim to be a master in pop culture trivia and know nothing about Seinfeld?
UPDATE #2: Four questions later they were asked to name the "floating" city that Lando Calrissian oversees in The Empire Strikes Back, which of course neither of them knew. That's it, I'm changing the channel.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Hidden Agendas and Cups of Piss
The Floyd Landis Saga continues as the cyclist stands by his claims that he is innocent of doping accusations. The whole situation seems curious but I really don't know enough about how chemical enhancers work to make a judgement. It has been reported that he took eight urine samples and three blood tests and only one came out positive (the infamous "A" sample). I would have to think this synthetic testosterone would be traceable in his system for a longer period of time, and he even points out the fact it doesn't work instantly if taken only once. In an interview shown today on ESPN he said he wanted to clarify that his testosterone level is actually low, not high, and that the discrepency is related to his ratio. I'm still waiting for SportsCenter to present a clear explanation of exactly what is illegal about his urine and how these synthetic substances work. For now, Landis is making this a larger issue by hinting at some form of conspiracy with the objective of his dethroning. At first I was in denial until the "B" results came out, then I sunk into extreme disappointment, but now I just don't know what the hell to think because he looked pretty convincing on tv. I hope this ends with a definite conclusion and doesn't leave us wondering what really went on in France.
Friday, August 04, 2006
Re: Definition of "Sport" 2
What timing: before I decided to switch and make my previous post, I began writing my two cents and below it said 5:33 p.m., the exact same time Scott started his response.
However, I'm afraid Mr. Strader and I don't meet eye to eye, but rather my definition would very closely resemble Seth's. (Not accidentally, I might add, as Seth and I have discussed this topic before.) I realize that there are many competitions that I would normally consider a "sport" just like anyone else, but I think that might change on a person to person basis. (i.e. I'm still waiting on Cale's rebuttal to our NASCAR bashing of late, something I do not consider a "sport.") I agree with the idea of setting a series of criterion and then placing competitions, much like Seth did. Assuming my definition would be structured the same, as I believe it would be, here are a couple alterations I would make.
First of all, I would not consider running a sport, and certainly not sprinting. I know, I know, I'm flirting with angering a bunch of people (this is where you refute me, Cale) but I have run for distance and for speed in years past. In regards to a marathon, endurance is the most prominant aspect (both physical and mental). It requires strength, power, and timing, but too many of the other factors are borderline. Frankly, running is a fairly natural ability--some people are simply naturally faster than others. It is that running is highly "skilled" that I take issue. Now, we're talking about professionally trained runners here, so this goes beyond the schoolyard, but if we are going to include how fast a person can run we must include how high a person can jump. The high jump is done by people who train to enhance an already existing natural ability (although I agree it lacks endurance). In addition, marathons barely include full-body agility, physical quickness, coordination, and strategy is minimal. Sprinting, on the other hand, is completely void of any strategy whatsoever. And realistically, the 100 meter dash lasts around ten seconds making it difficult to argue physical and mental endurance play much of a role.
I'm glad you brought up boxing, Strader, as it was the most evident omission from the list. I would absolutely consider boxing a sport as outlined by the criteria, but only if it lasts until knockout. I agree that boxing is otherwise a judged competition and should not be included. (Again, strictly adhering to the criteria regardless of how I would catagorize it in the back of my mind.)
Another addition to the list of sports, albeit fairly new and obscure, would be Ultimate Frisbee. It is tough to find a competition that is better described and fits the description of a "sport" so well. Read down the list of descriptors and doesn't it just scream Ultimate Frisbee? (The only one up for debate is requirement of strength.)
Despite recent public attention within the past five years regarding cheerleading a legitimate sport, I shall have to disagree. This goes back to my statement that the majority of participants will consider their competition a sport, just like your boxer, marathon man, and jockey, Strader. Cheerleading will never get my approval because, although it requires every single bit of Rule #2, it is purely subjective. Maybe I'll change my mind once ESPN starts airing competitions to see who can build the highest human pyramid or who can get tossed the farthest or who can sleep with the most high school quarterbacks. Just food for thought.
Maybe a different angle to look at this delimma is whether or not to consider the participant of said competition an "athlete." This whole premise started as defining an "athletic sport," as I often think of true, natural sport as being hunting, fishing, etc. Strader's dart player would certainly not consider himself an athlete. In fact, this summer I went to a recruitment function and asked the smallest, weakest looking kid if played in any athletic sports and he said, "I'm just a golfer." All of the track and field participants would surely call themselves athletes but would the ping pong player? I dunno, just thought I'd open another door...
However, I'm afraid Mr. Strader and I don't meet eye to eye, but rather my definition would very closely resemble Seth's. (Not accidentally, I might add, as Seth and I have discussed this topic before.) I realize that there are many competitions that I would normally consider a "sport" just like anyone else, but I think that might change on a person to person basis. (i.e. I'm still waiting on Cale's rebuttal to our NASCAR bashing of late, something I do not consider a "sport.") I agree with the idea of setting a series of criterion and then placing competitions, much like Seth did. Assuming my definition would be structured the same, as I believe it would be, here are a couple alterations I would make.
First of all, I would not consider running a sport, and certainly not sprinting. I know, I know, I'm flirting with angering a bunch of people (this is where you refute me, Cale) but I have run for distance and for speed in years past. In regards to a marathon, endurance is the most prominant aspect (both physical and mental). It requires strength, power, and timing, but too many of the other factors are borderline. Frankly, running is a fairly natural ability--some people are simply naturally faster than others. It is that running is highly "skilled" that I take issue. Now, we're talking about professionally trained runners here, so this goes beyond the schoolyard, but if we are going to include how fast a person can run we must include how high a person can jump. The high jump is done by people who train to enhance an already existing natural ability (although I agree it lacks endurance). In addition, marathons barely include full-body agility, physical quickness, coordination, and strategy is minimal. Sprinting, on the other hand, is completely void of any strategy whatsoever. And realistically, the 100 meter dash lasts around ten seconds making it difficult to argue physical and mental endurance play much of a role.
I'm glad you brought up boxing, Strader, as it was the most evident omission from the list. I would absolutely consider boxing a sport as outlined by the criteria, but only if it lasts until knockout. I agree that boxing is otherwise a judged competition and should not be included. (Again, strictly adhering to the criteria regardless of how I would catagorize it in the back of my mind.)
Another addition to the list of sports, albeit fairly new and obscure, would be Ultimate Frisbee. It is tough to find a competition that is better described and fits the description of a "sport" so well. Read down the list of descriptors and doesn't it just scream Ultimate Frisbee? (The only one up for debate is requirement of strength.)
Despite recent public attention within the past five years regarding cheerleading a legitimate sport, I shall have to disagree. This goes back to my statement that the majority of participants will consider their competition a sport, just like your boxer, marathon man, and jockey, Strader. Cheerleading will never get my approval because, although it requires every single bit of Rule #2, it is purely subjective. Maybe I'll change my mind once ESPN starts airing competitions to see who can build the highest human pyramid or who can get tossed the farthest or who can sleep with the most high school quarterbacks. Just food for thought.
Maybe a different angle to look at this delimma is whether or not to consider the participant of said competition an "athlete." This whole premise started as defining an "athletic sport," as I often think of true, natural sport as being hunting, fishing, etc. Strader's dart player would certainly not consider himself an athlete. In fact, this summer I went to a recruitment function and asked the smallest, weakest looking kid if played in any athletic sports and he said, "I'm just a golfer." All of the track and field participants would surely call themselves athletes but would the ping pong player? I dunno, just thought I'd open another door...
Definition of "Sport"
I think all of us have probably thought about this before, so I wanted to post my answer to the question: What determines if a sport is truly a “sport”?
Definition of an “Athletic Sport”:
A competitive game or event can be called an “athletic sport” if it satisfies the following (2) rules:
(1) The primary measure to determine success must be some objective, quantifiable measure other than:
-Beauty
-Form
-Style
-Aesthetics
-Emotion
(2) ALL of the following attributes must help facilitate success:
-Strength
-Power
-Agility (full-body)
-Physical Quickness
-Mental Quickness / Reaction
-Skill
-Timing
-Coordination
-Strategy
-Physical Endurance
-Mental Endurance
Making the cut:
-Baseball
-Soccer
-American Football
-Basketball
-Volleyball
-Racquet Sports (Tennis, Badminton, Racquetball, AND Ping Pong)
-Running
-Biking
-Rollerblading
-Wrestling
-Hockey
-All Downhill and Cross Country Skiing
Barely making the cut:
-Sprinting (possibly lacks endurance but I think 100 yard sprint is long enough to requir endurance)
-Air Hockey and Foosball (very close on full-body agility)
Missing the Cut:
-All judged events - Gymnastics, Dancing, Diving, Skateboarding, Rollerblading, Snowboarding, and Skiing for style (Rule # 1)
-Auto Driving, Hunting, “Sport” Shooting, Fishing, Archery (lack power and full body agility)
-Golf, Bowling, Billiards, Swimming, Darts (lack mental quickness/reaction)
-Power lifting (lacks mental quickness/reaction and endurance)
-One time events – Javelin, Shot-put, Pole Vault, High Jump, Long Jump, Ski Jump (lack endurance)
-All Card Games (lacks pretty much every criterion)
-Competitive eating or drinking (lack strength, power, full-body agility, mental quickness/reaction)
Comments: First I need to say that I tried to develop the criteria first and then apply it to the “sports” in question. I didn’t have a list of sports and non-sports and try to make criteria which would generate my pre-determined outcome.
Also, I’m not arguing that events lack merit simply because they don’t meet my criteria. I’m simply saying they should not be referred to as “athletic sports.” Many of the events and competitions that fell short are great “games”, “competitions”, or “arts”…just not “sports”. I’ve always felt that golf is one of the best competitions due to its combination of physical ability, mental ability, and skill.
I’m curious to hear differing opinions or suggestions.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Re: Seinfeld Rules of Volleyball
First off, well freakin’ done. The Seinfeld references were a nice touch, but mostly reading about the faux pas of sand volleyball was like reading gospel.
I’m not trying to one-up you here, as your Seinfeld knowledge far surpasses mine, but if I may be so presumptuous, I’d like to tack on one more…
The Low Talker: A low talker can cause a great deal of confusion – as Jerry discovered in the “Puffy Shirt” episode (“But I don’t want to be a Pirate”) – and the sand volleyball low talker (coincidentally usually a woman) is no exception. There are several situations where vocal restraint just adds confusion (or liability), so please do everyone a favor and open your throat, push from the diaphragm, and speak up. Call a ball that is in between “zones”, help a teammate judge if a ball will be long or short, tell the opponents if a ball was out of bounds, let your teammate know if you are ready to “kibosh” a good set, and above all, announce the score before you serve! It’s a simple rule really: Don’t serve the ball until you’ve (audibly) said the score. I really struggle to determine exactly what goes through a person’s mind when they fail to announce the score. If they in fact know the score, maybe they want to “keep it in the vault” so they can sneak in a few points later. Or maybe they don’t know the score and are counting on some revelation during the next point. Maybe they just figure that no one will ever bring it up again. Or maybe they are taking procrastination to the extreme with the attitude of “why figure it out know when we can figure it out later?” Well, I’ll tell you why: because it’s going to be a lot goddamn harder to figure it out after you play more points. I feel that failure to announce the score should be an automatic side out (or point in the new-age rally system).
I think we ought to add more rules as new situations arise (sort of a “living document”), but in the meantime, the Seinfeld Rules should ensure enjoyable, quality, fundamental sand volleyball. So study the rules, play all volleyball according to their will, and fearlessly go out into the world and spread their message.
News in the World of Sports
Jolting Joe in Danger?
Honestly, probably not. Considering that the closest anybody has ever been is 44 (Pete Rose) and Chase Utley is still 10 away from that. But who doesn't love the thrill of the chase. This is a great story and I hope he makes a run at Pete and Joe. Pay attention to Chase, he's not quite done.
Heartbreak in Sooner Nation
Rhett Bomar decided he needed some more money so he "sold" cars and pulled down $18000. The real problem of course is how does OU deal with this major setback. Many have the tabbed as a legitimate national title contender with a solid QB and now that is not the case. We saw what happens without a good QB in OU, maybe ISU can sneak one past the Sooners...
Honestly, probably not. Considering that the closest anybody has ever been is 44 (Pete Rose) and Chase Utley is still 10 away from that. But who doesn't love the thrill of the chase. This is a great story and I hope he makes a run at Pete and Joe. Pay attention to Chase, he's not quite done.
Heartbreak in Sooner Nation
Rhett Bomar decided he needed some more money so he "sold" cars and pulled down $18000. The real problem of course is how does OU deal with this major setback. Many have the tabbed as a legitimate national title contender with a solid QB and now that is not the case. We saw what happens without a good QB in OU, maybe ISU can sneak one past the Sooners...
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Even I've Been On the Trading Block
While sifting through my stacks of college/FH paperwork I came across the following email that had been printed out and given to me years ago. I found it humorous enough to post. Oh, how relieved I am this deal never actually occured. (And thanks for the vote of convidence, Strader.)
From: "Scott Strader"
Tue, 03 Jul 2001 03:44:34
Trade Talks
AMES (AP)--Apparently Luke Foster, FarmHouse rush chairman, was approached by the Alpha Sigma Phi rush chairman today asking if FH was rushing a Kelly Guiter, "because we want to rush him too." FH has currently forged a deal in which the Alpha Sigs would be allowed to retain the rights to Guiter along with Chris Gardner, Travis Mitchell, and a right-handed relief rushee to be named later. FH will receive a Homecoming General Co-Chair, a 6-foot-5 basketball player, a bass-baritone, and an undisclosed amount of cash rumored to be in excess of $10 million. Attempts to claim Ryan Satterly on waivers fell through because he is being sent to a rehab assignment at AAA-Iowa. Satterly's agent declined comment.
From: "Scott Strader"
Tue, 03 Jul 2001 03:44:34
Trade Talks
AMES (AP)--Apparently Luke Foster, FarmHouse rush chairman, was approached by the Alpha Sigma Phi rush chairman today asking if FH was rushing a Kelly Guiter, "because we want to rush him too." FH has currently forged a deal in which the Alpha Sigs would be allowed to retain the rights to Guiter along with Chris Gardner, Travis Mitchell, and a right-handed relief rushee to be named later. FH will receive a Homecoming General Co-Chair, a 6-foot-5 basketball player, a bass-baritone, and an undisclosed amount of cash rumored to be in excess of $10 million. Attempts to claim Ryan Satterly on waivers fell through because he is being sent to a rehab assignment at AAA-Iowa. Satterly's agent declined comment.
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