The root of all evil
Ah, the adults in the room.Money, money, money, money.The adults running college sports —NCAA, university presidents, athletic directors, coaches, TV networks, and let’s not forget boosters— have been grabbing every dollar they can get their hands on. It…
A Once Proud Franchise is now a laughingstock
With the turn to the twentieth century the Pittsburgh Pirates rattled off 14 straight winning seasons, winning one World Series and losing another. From 1918 to 1938 the Pirates only had two losing seasons and won another World Series and lost one more,…
Excellent Sports Programming No more
If ESPN is, indeed, the Worldwide Leader in Sports, I fear the world may be coming to an end.September 7, 1979, an all sports network was launched. As a soon to be 13 year old who was quickly becoming a sports fanatic, I was in heaven. Sports. 24 hours a…
Gone but never forgotten
Dave Parker finally lost his battle with Parkinson’s Disease this past Saturday.The Cobra may be gone, but thanks to a better late than never vote by baseball’s veterans committee last December he will never be forgotten. On July 27 Parker will get his…
Baseball is halfway home
Every team will play its 81st game some time this week. What is the old adage? Time flies when you are having fun…or watching the Pirates Well, something to that effect.That means it is time for my annual midseason review. Let’s discuss surprises,…
My Dad: A Local Legend
Back in the “good ol’ days” there seemed to be local sports legends oozing out of every small town nook and cranny in America. Mexico, PA, was no exception. The latest census recorded 398 people residing in this tiny hamlet. It is one of many small towns…
Why?
Aaron Rodgers officially signed a one year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. Inquiring minds want to know one thing.Why?From Rodgers perspective I guess I get it. He is yet another in a long line of great players that refuses to quit. Plus…
Will college sports succumb to greed?
Once a year —okay, maybe more than that— I use this space to remind you that greed is going to ruin sports. Players closing in on billion dollar contracts, with even mediocre players far exceeding the 10-20 million dollar range. Or in Brock Purdy’s…
USC vs ND: Make sure you point that accusatory finger in the right direction
On Thanksgiving Day of 1926 Notre Dame was visiting Nebraska for a football game. A curious couple from Los Angeles were also in attendance that day. They had a reason for being there.USC athletic director Gwynn Wilson and his wife Marion made the trip…
