Carrasco to bullpen, starter to be added per report
April 29, 2014Santana bombs, but Swisher’s boot buries Tribe 6-3
April 29, 2014A few quick thoughts about the Boston Marathon – First, thanks to Craig for filling in for my WWW last week. The reason I wasn’t able to do it was because I was in Boston watching my sister run in the Boston Marathon. Shortly after qualifying for the marathon last year, my sister decided she was going to go ahead and run in this year’s Boston Marathon. So my parents, brother, and I all decided to head out to Boston to watch her run.
There’s not a whole lot to say that hasn’t already been said, but the one thing I was struck by was just how uneventful the event was. And I mean that in the best way. It was inspirational to see so many people run just one year after the horrific bombings last year, but everything had a bit of calming status quo feeling to it. There was definitely an increased police presence, but it wasn’t to the point of being distracting. Patriot’s Day was celebrated, the Red Sox played their early afternoon matinee, and the race was so well organized and handled that it was almost easy to forget the sentimental side of what the race stood for.
But above all else, I was mostly just incredibly proud of my sister for running the marathon. My sister has been a runner her whole life. She excelled in cross country and track in high school, she went to Youngstown State on a cross country scholarship, and despite working a full time job, being married and having two young kids, and coaching track on the side, she still finds time to run and managed to successfully train for and complete the Boston Marathon. All in all, it was a great weekend in Boston and I had an absolute blast just taking the whole scene in.
This Donald Sterling situation is insane on so many levels – First of all, it goes without saying, but Sterling’s comments were completely reprehensible and appalling. Not that anybody should be surprised. Sterling’s bigotry isn’t exactly a well kept secret. So my first thought was shame on David Stern and the NBA for not being more proactive in taking a stand against Sterling sooner.
But having said that, there’s just something different this time (from a fan point of view). It’s one thing to read deposition reports and to just read about Sterling’s views in magazines and on websites. But it felt completely different to actually hear the words coming directly from Sterling (allegedly, as the NBA is still investigating the authenticity of the tape). It’s incredibly sad that people still hold such narrow viewpoints of humanity today. Sterling said in one of the recordings that we live in a society and culture and that it’s not up to us to try to change. He thinks it’s up to us to just live inside it. Perhaps that’s his culture, but it’s not mine. And if there really is a bigger cultural issue that marginalizes other people, then it is absolutely up to all of us to try to change it.
But I agree completely with ESPN’s Bomani Jones who, back in 2006 already, wrote about Donald Sterling’s racism. Bomani was on the Dan LeBatard show yesterday talking about how more people read his Sterling article on Saturday when the story broke than when the story was originally posted back in 2006. On the LeBatard show, Bomani made some really important points about what Sterling said, and how it’s actually not as big of a deal as his actions that prompted the 2006 housing discrimination lawsuit.
As for the players, I’m not sure how I feel about their responsibility. I pretty much decided early on I would support them no matter how they decided to handle it. But a small part of me was hoping they would sit out. I think it would have sent an incredibly powerful message and would have stood for something bigger than basketball. But I also understand that they are trying to accomplish something big in their professional lives. And that’s an awful lot to give up just because your team’s owner is a small minded idiot.
It will be interesting to see how the NBA and the rest of the owners handle this going forward. I’m sure Sterling is facing a lengthy suspension, but is that enough? If the NBA or the owners go light on Sterling, I’d love to see the NBA’s biggest stars all get together and announce that none of them will play in Los Angeles against the Clippers as long as Sterling is the owner. Encourage the fans not to buy tickets because they won’t be seeing any of the game’s best and most exciting players.
For now, though, all we can do is wait and see how the NBA handles this. But this is just such an incredibly disappointing scandal to watch play out. Not just because it’s distracting from what has been an unbelievable first round of the playoffs, but more importantly, just because we are reminded once again how prevalent racism and bigotry is in this country.
A round of applause for a great season – The Columbus Blue Jackets’ 2013-14 campaign came to a bitter end last night with their 4-3 loss at home to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The CBJ fell down 4-0, but then fought their way back in an attempt to breathe new life into their playoffs dreams. Unfortunately for them, their hole was just a little too deep to get out of and now their season is over.
But they should definitely be proud of a great season. When they traded Rick Nash a couple years ago, I thought it was the death of this franchise. But for the first time in team history, the organization looks like they are getting their act together. They are drafting better, scouting better, and being more mindful of how to put a team together on the ice. It’s just nice to see the franchise have some forward momentum.
Even though I live in Columbus, and have been here for the entire life span of the CBJ, I grew up a Detroit Red Wings fan and remain a Wings fan to this day. I know several people who gave up their Red Wings fandom to root for the CBJ. But I just can’t do it. I’ve put too much into the Red Wings franchise and my loyalty runs too deep to jump ship. Having said that, though, as a Columbus resident, I was rooting for the Jackets pretty heavily in this series. I mean, if for no other reason, they were playing a Pittsburgh sports team. But just for the well being of this city. It was awesome to see so many people so excited for the team. It was great to hear people talking hockey throughout the office, the grocery store, the bars, etc. I’ve never lived in Cleveland, so I’ve always had to watch playoff experiences from afar. It’s definitely fun to experience a hometown team in the playoffs of a major sport. Last time the Jackets made it, they played the Red Wings, so there were no such split loyalties. This time, it was fun to just take it all in.
There’s too much TV to watch – When I got home after my Boston trip, I looked at my DVR and I wanted to cry. I spent so much time this weekend watching TV just trying to catch up on my shows. I have become such a slave to TV because there is just so much quality programming. We used to at least have summers off, but now original programming is a year round event. FX and AMC each have interesting looking shows starting this summer. HBO is bringing us a fascinating new show from Lost show-runner Damon Lindelof called “The Leftovers”. Netflix is about to release Season Two of “Orange is the New Black”. It goes on and on and on.
This isn’t so much a complaint, but more of just a commentary on how much creative energy is put into television shows today. For people drawn to quality storytelling as an art form, TV has never been better. But it can also be overwhelming. By Sunday afternoon I had caught up on all my shows. And then Sunday evening my DVR recorded 60 Minutes, Cosmos, Crisis, Game of Thrones, Mad Men, Silicon Valley, and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. Insane.
Finally, our new music releases of the week – After a few slow weeks for new releases, this week is a pretty solid week of new music. Some of the albums I’ll be checking out are, in no particular order:
- Lindsey Stirling – “Shatter Me” – Unique blend of classical violin with electronic music and elements of dubstep.
- Damon Albarn – “Everyday Robots” – Former Blur frontman’s first proper solo album.
- Chris Robinson Brotherhood – “Phosphorescent Harvest” – Latest release from Black Crowes’ frontman.
- Thee Oh Sees – “Drop” – Yet another album from the insanely prolific San Francisco rockers.
But the album of the week for me is the Pixies’ first studio album since 1991, “Indie Cindy”. We’ve already heard these songs on the 3 EPs released by the band over the last few months, but now they have compiled them all together into one proper album. I’ve been somewhat critical of the new songs, partially out of disappointment in the lack of long time bass player Kim Deal. But as time has gone on and I’ve adjusted to the new feel of these songs, they’ve really been growing on me.
And plus, the song “Indie Cindy” still remains about as good as it gets for me:
19 Comments
That’s a really nice story about your sister, Andrew. That day is something your family will remember with great fondness for a long long time.
I’m wondering what a lengthy suspension for Sterling would possibly accomplish. Won’t he make just as much money as he would normally, except from his couch instead of at the arena?
This is also making the assumption that he even cares about money at this point. At this point, short of forcing a sale of the team (can they?) I’m left wondering what the NBA could possibly do to punish him.
Congrats to your sister! I love running but I’m pretty sure I’ll just have to somehow hold my current pace until I’m 60 to qualify for Boston. The winner’s times are always mindblowing, but to me, people like your sister who juggle real life with the insane training to run at those paces are the real inspirations to get out and run.
People aren’t going to like this but without a major court battle I don’t think there is much beyond a heavy fine and “suspension”, that the league could levy against Sterling. The dirty secret that the other owners don’t talk about at their cocktail parties is that they don’t much want to either. You think these guys want to set a precedent of having your franchise taken away for a a moral failing? Do you know the skeletons that hang in the closets of your average billionaire? You can’t simply let the players walk again, because they have binding contracts. If you let them sit out games in LA, you are exposing yourself to lawsuits from the networks that pay billions to broadcast games from the nations second biggest market.
The best way to get him out is to adobt the never forget mentality, hope fans boo him mercilessly if he ever sets foot in the arena again, censure him from owners meetings, and from any other arenas in basketball, (I don’t see why this couldn’t be done) which isolates him, and hope that players refuse to sign with him. This will be effective because with the new salary floors he will have to dish out huge contracts to D-league level players. Imagine having to sign Ryan Hollins and Lester Hudson to 10 million dollar deals just to meet the requirements. All the while have Adam Silver rehire David Stern’s lockout beard to follow Sterling around hectoring him into selling.
i read where Doc Rivers was contemplating his future – he doesn’t know how he feels about working for a racist. You know what? i am calling all of these guys (players, coaches, staff) hypocrites. If i had a job working for Sterling I’d just quit. I just couldn’t make him any more money, and i certainly couldn’t look at myself in the mirror knowing that the only reason i was doing the job was for the money.
Donald Sterling has bought their souls.
And i wouldn’t be concerned about breach of contract type of stuff, either, because the only contract that matters is the one you have with yourself; and, if you want to be a mercenary, out for only yourself, that’s fine, but don’t think you can re-gain any moral capital ever again.
For me, I think the players and coaches need to stand for what they really believe in. It’s really not that hard because they have plenty of money. PLENTY. so they’re not going to be on the soup line any time soon.
Just imagine if civil rights leaders of the past had accepted wages in return for their silence. To stand and do nothing is to accept Sterling and his words/actions.
“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” –Muhammad Ali
I’m hoping the NBA keeps Sterling and here’s why:
Doc refuses to coach the Clips and quits. All of the Clipper players demand a trade. Cavs trade Kyrie, Dion, Tristan, Andy, and a bunch of picks for CP3 and Blake. Fire Mike Brown and hire Doc. You know who comes back and we get to celebrate not 1, not 2, not 3…
A guy can dream, can’t he…
sorry for that random rant. but this whole thing just pisses me off.
Where are our leaders? As a person who coached high school sports for a long time i can steadfastly say that nobody wants to be a leader anymore. Sad.
some good points about the salary floor. I can’t see a big legal battle here, and I think Mark Cuban is right when he says that we are on a slippery slope if we try to take the team away from Sterling.
However, they can and should try to make it difficult for him, and the players and staff should also help out. Sterling may try to be defiant but he could certainly save a little bit of legacy by just bowing out.
I recall how Marge Schott was basically banned from baseball, prompting her to sell.
the training, nutrition requirements, soreness/injury, etc. I don’t know how people can do it and am in awe that they pull it off.
Of Boston I can help you out? 😉
Awesome season for the Blue Jackets but in the end regardless of heart and tenacity talent always wins out. They fought and scratched but unfortunately the much more talented Penguins prevailed. I’m hoping Columbus can add some veteran OOMPH to the roster in the form of a scoring winger and a top notch defenseman. The team was the youngest in the NHL however so hopefully this past season will be the building block for even better years ahead.
I was stationed at Ft. Devens back in the day. Got to know grindahs and frappes.
In Europe, when there are racist signs or chants or whatnot at the stadium by fans, the team usually has to play one of their next games in front of an empty arena. I like the idea of using that on Sterling. He gets no money from the gate, and there might be enough shame around the organization to do something from within.
Actually the NBA players little secret that got exposed during the lockout is that something like 60% of the league lives paycheck to paycheck – for real.
I agree that it would be a really great moment to see them all walk away. However I can also see the greatness of having a Lou “Win the whole F’in Thing” Brown mentality. Imagine if they won the title and he as the owner was not allowed on stage or even in the building to celebrate. It would be the greatest ending ever, a made for tv movie event.
Ah Worcester huh I’ve heard of Ft. Devens but that’s about all. Be careful though or someone might accuse you of trolling lol.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x-fkSYDtUY
(Man am I getting play out of this clip these days around here)
I agree, Ive got a goal of getting a 3:40 at Cbus next year (1/2 hour slower than the slowest Boston runners for comparision). It is an immense undertaking and as soon as Im done I’ll slide back towards a 4 hour time. People that can maintain that discipline simply amaze me, especially since the average person just knows its far but cant relate to what a “fast” time is. People Walk into a gym and see a guy benching 315 for several reps and they know hes strong. A really good marathoner says I run a 6:30 minute mile for 26.2 and they’ll get blank stares.
Just got the notification that Sterling is banned for life from the NBA…
Hellooo, new sheriff in town.
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2014/04/nba_commissioner_adam_silver_b.html#incart_river
Sterling’s lawsuit to block this will probably be filed by tomorrow, and not sure that a lifetime ban is different from a 3 year ban when someone is 80+, but that’s how you make the statement to quash racial overtones in a league that must maintain a zero tolerance for that in order to survive.