This is the Ol’ Sports Talker and he is wishing everyone a safe Friday the 13th!
How bad is a sport when it’s biggest hero retired some years ago? I’m talking about Cal Riken Jr. and baseball. Each team has some hero’s, but before you know it, they are traded. I guess you could make a case for Ken Griffey Jr. I don’t know anyone who has a bad thing to say about him. Baseball just seems to be filled this days with multi-millionaires who do steroids and HGH and could care less about fans or the HOF.
At least football has stars and hero’s. You either love them or respect them, like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning or Brett Farve. The list is too long to start typing here. Many thought NASCAR was through when Dale Earnhardt died. Only to be replaced by a new wave of hero’s. And even though NASCAR drivers don’t do as many autograph session that they used to, it’s still semi-fan friendly.
Hockey and Indy Car Racing have their own hero’s known within each sport. In fact, Hockey and Indy Car Racing seem to go out of their way to get their players/racers face time in front of the fans. The IRL used to host Friday night autograph sessions with the drivers before the race. I’ve never seen a NHL player ever turn anyone away from giving an autograph. Only the NHL hasn’t had anyone on “Dancing with the Stars” yet. I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before we see Eric Staal teamed up with someone. Hey, if you can skate backwards, you should be able to glide across the dance floor.
Baseball is broken and it’s going to take a good long while to fix it, if the can. When you have greedy owners who are willing to try and buy a World Series, I’m not sure it can be fixed. Has our National Pastime turned into a National Joke? Did anyone ever question whether Hank Aaron was on the juice? Or if Nolan Ryan was doping? No. Did anyone want to cut up Aaron’s bat to see if there was cork in it? No, you know there wasn’t. MLB is a joke. I have said it before and I will say it again. I rather see a minor league ball game any day then watch a major league one.
While I am ranting I might as well talk about Michael Phelps. I realize the guy is human as we are all subject to make mistakes, but to get photographed doing bong hits? Has the chlorine in the pool water affected his brain? If you are going to do something like that, don’t get photographed doing it. Mr. Phelps, this isn’t Mission Impossible, the tape doesn’t self destruct in 1 minute.
Two works, Fuzzy Zoeller. Fuzzy made a joke about the food for next years dinner after Tiger Woods won his first Masters. (The winner gets to pick the next years menu.) Fuzzy said something like, “I guess that means we will have friend chicken and greens.” He was trying to be funny. His sponsors’ on the PGA couldn’t drop him fast enough! And he hasn’t been heard from since.
Have I ever put my foot in my mouth or said/did something I regret? Sure, I have! I used to have bruised shins form my girlfriend kicking me so much. Fortunately, I haven’t done it live or on tape, yet. Give me time, I’m sure I will.
This is the Ol’ Sport Talker saying, be and athletic supporter.
