What Pain? Put me in Coach!

Every team in the NFL posts an injury report, which Las Vegas uses to set odds for the weekly games. Injuries in competitive sports are unavoidable, but how they are managed from a team and personal perspective is the difference between winning and losing games. Owners fret and worry when their investments cannot perform, and the fans pay big dollars to attend games to see their beloved players. The pressure to be on the court or field is tremendous, along with being able to play through pain. How players react to pain and how they manage it is the ongoing nature of their profession.

All professional sporting franchises have a training staff that helps keep players performing and using proactive measures to ward off specific injuries. The most often occurring injury is muscle pulls and strains. They are not always avoidable, but it is also the injury that players will try to workaround. I am not sure how much pain-relieving medicine is used to help players perform on game day and the protocol for administrating such meds. I remember taking an 800mg ibuprofen before a baseball game to help with discomfort from a groin pull. It took all of the pain away, and I was ready to go. I also got this cloudy feeling in my mind and an upset stomach in the second inning of the game. I am sure ibuprofen would not be used for a groin pull if this was a professional sport. I was lucky I didn't do more damage and put a damper on things for a long time.

I am sure you can talk to any professional sports performer, and they will tell you crazy stories of what they had to do to get on the field. When it comes to the nitty-gritty, it becomes a question of how much pain you can endure and where it affects performance. The two significant factors are "pain tolerance" and "threshold of pain when dealing with injuries."

The pain threshold is the lowest level where you feel pain, and tolerance is the maximum level of pain that a person can handle. These factors often are muddled because pain and performance ability is so subjective. How much pain one athlete can endure and how it affects performance cannot always be measured until the athlete is in an actual game-time situation.  The medical staff needs to determine the risk of further injury, and the owners want to know if their property will perform.

We have all heard about how some players have a high pain tolerance. It has been explained to me in the following way; Pain tolerance is how we cope with pain. Some of it may be learned from prior experiences that condition the mind. This reaction is only a single individual effect and changes from one person to another. In addition, it has been tested that repeated pain exposure to some subjects’ manifests into boosted responses to pain even with minor pain stimuli. In summary, pain management is not measurable from person to person, which is based on prior experiences with pain stimuli.

The New Torture…Ultra, Ultra, Ultra Marathons

January 19, 2016

 I recently caught a little news blurb about an American woman attempting to run seven marathons in seven days on seven continents. Wow…. now that is some accomplishment, the first time to be done by an American woman. Her name is Sarah Ames, an attorney from Chicago. The journey begins in Antarctica, where she will run in frigid weather while the penguins look in wonder. I don't know where it goes after that, possibly South Africa. I am impressed with anybody who trains for a marathon and can finish the race. One percent of one percent of the population can't even run 5 miles or kilometers without wanting to take a break.   Run seven of these races in seven days, and you're talking about some super freak running machine.

Running twenty-six miles a day for a week is something the ultra-marathoners thrive on and has become a feat that many have pulled off, but only a handful have attempted the seven-continent aspect. I can't see her going through customs, security and baggage claim, and airport parking without special sponsorship. Is Red Bull promoting this thing? She must be on some private jet, and she doesn't have to run through an airport waiting to get through bag checks. So not only is this a feat in running, but how to bypass logistical nightmares called international flying. Not sure if this qualifies as the ultimate endurance test, but it can indeed be up there on the list of navigating through pain in the butt air travel.

I am not sure, but she must end in Russia then jaunt on over Alaska to meet Sarah Palin, who can see her coming. In all seriousness, this is pretty impressive on all fronts and will check off another item on the list of human endeavors. This is part of some challenge put out there by a group of masochists with a suitcase of money that wants to see how many takers are available. It appears the list is long and growing because of the vast need for more types of personal physical challenges.

The sporting landscape has exploded with endurance-based and strength training events. The challenge is to be your super athlete in our world of Tough Mudder and countless copycat-type activities. The ability to train yourself or find like-minded athletes has become easier and more accessible. The landscape is changing in America as far as personal training is concerned.  It is not enough to become fit; people want to compete and challenge their fortitude and give their lives some meaning. As Americans, it is our nature to explore and find the next mountain, and running an ultra-marathon fulfills that desire. I better get back in the gym.

The Cold War, Seahawks and the Vikings

January 16, 2016

After seeing the film "The Revenant," which takes place in harsh weather and where all you had was your animal hide to keep warm, I thought these football players could handle the conditions in Minneapolis. Even though the early pioneers didn't have heaters on the sidelines, on the other hand, they were not constantly getting in pile-ups with 300-pound men. Maybe a bear, but not defensive linemen. The temperature at the University of Minnesota football field on Sunday dipped below 0 degrees. That’s 0 degrees Fahrenheit, where nobody should be outside. This supposedly was the third coldest game in NFL history, another case of global warming gone cuckoo, or maybe just another typical day in Minnesota.

There is plenty of statistical data that points out that the home team has an advantage in such conditions, especially since Seattle doesn't see this kind of weather. Whatever the advantage is, it can't be by much when it comes to this low temperature. In this game, both of these teams were wrapped in the latest but most extraordinary high-tech clothing made for these conditions, and the coaches looked like Stay Puff Marshmallow Men draped in coats and beanies. 

With the clothing advantage rated at even, the advantages had to be found somewhere else. The advantage would be the Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, who would keep the ball secure and punish the defense with his powerful running. As it turned out, he impacted the game the most with his 4th quarter fumble that allowed Seattle to make a field goal. Both teams attempted to throw the ball because even though it was frigid, there was no snow or blustery wind to affect the passing games strongly.

There were many times when the quarterback's throws looked like non-spiral hand grenades, and the high percentage of short passes looked like shot puts. Overall it looked like both squads were able to adapt as best you could, and it didn't appear as cold on television as they say. From my recliner, it looked like only, let us say, 30 degrees. I wouldn't say that to the poor Seattle punter who took a face plant in the 1st quarter, which must have felt like he was hitting concrete. Just kicking the football must have been a challenge. Unless the footballs were warmed up before they were kicked, it must have felt like you were kicking a rock. The Minnesota kicker who missed the game-winner with a 27-yard field goal realistically makes that kick in all other games.

So, it must be stated that no one has the advantage in these types of games unless you are just a flat-out better team. Playing in frigid weather affects muscle reaction, thinking ability, and the ball. Most fans love to watch this game even when it is not your favorite team. It reminds us of the days of our youth when you went to play football in the mud, and you got filthy and yelled at by your mom. It is also fun to watch the weather impacted games because part of our masochistic inner feelings is that we want the high-paid athletes to earn their salary. I like to see who can adapt and overcome nature like the main character in the Revenant film. The last thing a player wants to hear is the reason they lost was because of the conditions.

The Cubs, Mets and Astro’s not Stinking?

August 26, 2015

Okay, as harsh as that sounds, but that's what the fan bases in those towns are thinking. They have been beaten like a gong for the last ten to fifteen years and slipped into the baseball black hole. It appears that they had come out of their deep sleep when the old management was sent packing, and the new blood came in and finally figured out the way to wake up the slumbering hound dogs. Now the dog days of summer are fun again, and ol’ Yeller is frolicking around like a crazed Labrador in a mud puddle.

What, why, and how did the mad scientists turn around these wastelands of baseball? Step one was to unload all of the high-priced malcontents and gather as many draft picks as possible. Then ownership must allow for the anger to manifest with the fan base and explain to them this is a rebuilding plan, not a fire sale. They will be mad, and the talk show airwaves will spew out venom, and the fans will demand lower beer and hot dog prices.You may have to weather this storm for three to five years, maybe longer.

If you survive the fan backlash, media uproar, and public shaming, then you must field a team that has some semblance of hope. That hope will usually arrive in the form of some peach-fuzzed kids that have some pop and swagger. Soon, the fans will like these young pups, and hopefully, the management won't give up on them and send them back and forth to boot camp and exciting bus rides in the minors.

The next step is the most important, the secret ingredient, pitching, pitching, and pitching, then more pitching, followed by more pitching. If you don't believe me look at the Mets and the prime example, the Giants. They have had the same bullpen for the last five years and a mish-mash of starters that get it done in October. Again, important for managers and coaches not to ride their young pitchers like donkeys, or you are looking at Tommy John and his surgery.

The last two things are the intangibles and the glue that keeps the train from derailing and the house of cards falling. Get some veterans that are battle-tested and hungry for a big ring on their finger. The final and most esoteric piece to the winning formula, chemistry…there I said it.  Twenty-five guys don't have to all like each other, but it sure helps when the team isn't squabbling about their playing time and cheating at cards.

Can it be the year of the Cubbies?  holy smokes, if that happens, Donald Trump might become president…. Okay, that was weird, but so is the Cubs or Astros winning the whole enchilada. Enjoy the ride, and fans might just be watching baseball again in October.

Is Serena Williams the Best Woman Athlete of All Time?

August 24, 2015

I don't know why this needs an answer, but it raises the discussion of the criteria for such a title? I pondered this question and racked my memory to find the candidates, and I believe that Serena Williams should be considered. She certainly won enough hardware and awards to fill up a museum wing, but what else?

With the upcoming US Open at the end of August, Williams enters as the Number one player in the world and looking to win her fourth Grand Slam Event this year and fifth in a row. This is unchartered ground for women's tennis, and not even Steffi Graff pulled this off.

What makes this run of dominance incredible is the fact that she is 33 years old. No other woman tennis player won as much as she has after thirty; make that any man as well. She is closing in on the record for Grand Slam victories, she currently is at 21, and Graff owns 24. She could win the most before she calls it quits.

So, does this warrant her as the most outstanding women's athlete of all time? Let's break this down a little. Williams is dominating at the age of 33 in a large international field of great women players. She is the best in her sport. Her playing style is a power game, exemplified in her serve, where she dominates her opponents. She is incredibly agile and quick for a woman of her size. She is 5' 9" and adorning an incredible muscular physique. Williams battled through countless injuries and plays impaired with unknown ailments and still perseveres and wins.

You might be able to find a complete athlete, like an Olympian decathlete or a WNBA player but have they dominated for such a long time? The only other women I can think of are; Kerri Walsh, the volleyball player, Babe Dickerson, the multi-sport athlete of the thirties, or Jackie Joyner Kersey, the great track star. When people break down athletic qualities, the argument is convoluted with criteria, but I still come back to skill level, overall physical dominance, resiliency, and accomplishments. Serena fills the bill for me, right here, right now, in the world of women's sports.

Deflatgate, The Final Word…Yeah Right

August 22, 2015

Deflated balls, deflated Roger Goodell, deflated Tom Brady makes for a deflated story. I will say my last word on this sad saga of the football that didn't have enough air in it. Sadly, the NFL has created one of the more pathetic news stories centered around one of the most useless and under-blown circumstances in my lifetime. I thought long and hard to find such a silly little affair that caused a quagmire of tomfoolery and buffoonery. Hmm, maybe in baseball, the George Steinbrenner era when he held court for embarrassing behavior or perhaps the Terrell Owens incident of the 49ers when he signed footballs in the end zone, or maybe it was the juiced baseballs of Coors field that explained the home run totals.

The NFL is having a bad couple of years due to off-the-field circumstances and players' misadventures. Unfortunately, the league office is also looking dumb because they don't know whether they should do nothing, make a mountain out of a molehill or hand down a harsh whooping. These days when the is NFL is making more money than 9/10 of the countries in the world, they have some growing pains.

Giving Tom Brady a four-game suspension because he supposedly knew about deflated balls is a harsh penalty. Here is the Super Bowl MVP, icon of the league, poster boy for good sportsmanship, and you humiliate him. Maybe Tom shouldn't have destroyed his phone, but then again, perhaps he had some pictures on it he couldn't explain. I wouldn't want anybody to see some jib-jab on my phone, and I'm only an average everyday Joe Smoe.

So, the season is just a few weeks away, and I can assure you something else will happen like another domestic dispute, drug suspension, concussions, cheerleader misconduct, referee mayhem, National Anthem inappropriateness, etc. But the kick-offs will be kicked, and beer will flow, and the yelling will begin, and the NFL will be king again while no one watches the World Series and the Rugby World Cup is broadcasted on an obscure channel in an Irish pub.

Jarryd Hayne…Rugby Star to the NFL?

August 19, 2015

Few people noticed, but I became intrigued when the San Francisco 49ers invited rugby star Jarryd Hayne to training camp. Before coming to the Niners, Hayne played in the NRL (National Rugby League) for the Parramatta Eels. He earned multiple All-Star honors and was named MVP of the league in 2009 and 2014. In 2009, he was picked as the best player in the world by Rugby League International. Hayne has done all of this before the age of 27.

There will be plenty of doubters about how he can make the transition, but I am not one of them. Most of the doubting Thomas's don't know diddly squat about rugby. To play rugby at the international level, you need to be gritty, tough, and a good athlete. You don't find many three hundred pounders on a rugby field; for one thing, the rigors would make them faint. These guys are high tailing down the field, bumping and bruising through grabbing arms and colliding bodies without padding.

So, let's eliminate the toughness factor and look at the skill differences. Hayne is fast and runs a 4.53 forty with a 6'2", 226-pound frame which is sufficient in the NFL. One of the significant differences in rugby versus playing running back in the NFL is the running style. Successful pro backs take on tacklers head-on with a low center of gravity with the ability to shed off arm tacklers. Rugby players don't wear pads, so they run straight up and utilize speed and strength to break off runs. Maybe Hayne won't make it as a running back, but he could be a fit as a returner, flanker, and wide receiver.

In his first exhibition game against the Houston Texans, he had a 33-yard kickoff return, 13-yard punt return, and five carries for 63 yards. Not a bad debut for someone who has never played American football before. He gained some notoriety and respect from some of those doubters. He features some good qualities that I like, such as stiff-arming. When you see a 6' 2'' runner with stiff arms, it only makes sense from a leverage point of view. His rugby style will benefit him when he sees the open field. He appears to possess a strong base and legs, which again is good for breaking off arm tacklers.

It is a good start for Hayne, and if he completes the transition, this may open the doors for other rugby players. This argument has been going on for decades about this comparison. It is only valid for certain types of athletes who have the strength, speed, and stamina, not so much a skill argument. Jarryd Hayne fits that criteria. He is a flat-out great athlete and could have played many sports if he was interested. Salute, Jarryd Hayne!!

Jason Day Battles to Win the PGA Championship

August 17, 2015

It was 100 degrees outside, and the PGA Championship was on the big screen. The couch invited me while the AC kept the room at heaven level. The PGA Championship is one of the better golf tournaments broadcasted on TV. First, you had the incredible rounds that Jason Day and Jordan Speith put together, but the stories behind the two golfers are also compelling. In addition, the event's coverage is superb with technology that follows ball trajectory. The close-up of putts and super slow motion of the clubface hitting the ball is so captivating.

As you know, Jason Day, an Australian, won this tournament in record fashion with an impressive minus twenty under to hold off Jordan Speith, who breathed down his neck all day. They started the final round with Day having a two-stroke lead and ended with Day holding a three-stroke advantage. All eyes watched Day to see if he could withstand the pressure of Speith and play a superb final round of golf. Day did just that by blasting incredibly long drives that gave him good fairway looks. Jordan Speith couldn't match Day on the driving portion, but he has proven to be an accurate shot maker and excellent putter. This combination of skills has made him the number one player globally, overtaking Rory McIlroy with a fantastic run this year.

The story within the story is Jason Day's path to glory. His father passed away when he was young, and his mom struggled to raise him, so she sells her home to put him into a boarding school. While there, Day discovers golf and meets his mentor, father figure, and lifelong caddie, Colin Swatton. For fifteen years, the two have been a team, and they hugged with the tears of joys flowing when Day sank the final putt. Those who were rooting for Speith couldn't help seeing how this victory was life-changing for Jason Day.

Day didn't crumble under pressure. It appeared to make him stronger. When the number one golfer chased him, Day's performance looked rock solid. I only noticed him once hit an awkward shot, and he reined it in and kept the mastery moving forward. It turned out to be a good day for the golf world. The tournament scoring was record-setting, with the competition fierce while the young guns made everybody forget about Tiger Woods. Salute Jason Day and Jordan Speith!

Jerome Bettis, The Bus Enters the Hall of Fame

August 14, 2015

The Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio induction ceremonies came and went the other day, and I wanted to put my two cents in about inductee, running back Jerome Bettis. Jerome Bettis is also affectionately known as "The Bus."  He is a poster child for Inner Might Sports because he exemplifies toughness, team leadership, humility, and athleticism.

Bettis played 13 bruising years in the NFL for two different teams. He retired in 2006 after playing for the Super Bowl-winning Pittsburgh Steelers. That was a fantastic season because Bettis wanted to retire the year before, but quarterback Ben Roethlisberger promised him they would win the championship the following year. The decision to return wasn't that simple, but he returned and ran hard and tough that year.

Bettis finished his career with a total of 13,662 yards, placing him 6th on the all-time list. Those yards were tough and bruising because he specialized in running between the tackles. He scored ninety-four touchdowns, caught 200 passes, and had a 3.9 yard average per carry. He gathered an abundance of awards, such as Rookie of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, Walter Payton Man of Year, six Pro Bowls, and the list goes on.

Jerome Bettis came from poor and humble beginnings on the tough streets of Detroit. He persevered to get himself a scholarship to Notre Dame and eventually became the 10th overall pick in the 1993 draft. There is no doubt his entry into the Hall of Fame is justified statistically, but most football fans think of him in a different light.

He played with a lot of heart and determination, which sometimes sounds clichéd, but Bettis is the epitome of those words. He carried the load in a lot of close games, and he also had another nickname, "The Closer." He was the guy you wanted to carry the ball in the final moments of a game. His teammates loved him, and he was a leader and well respected by coaches and, most of all, the fans. Every football team, every fan wished they had a guy like him on their team.  Salute Jerome Bettis!!

Hisashi Iwakuma Tosses a No-Hitter

August 13, 2015

 No-hitters in the Major Leagues are not the rarest thing to happen, but every so often, someone throws one that takes notice. Hasashi Iwakuma of the Seattle Mariners hurled a no-no against the Baltimore Orioles in a 3-0 victory on Wednesday, August 12th. Iwakuma became only the second Japanese-born pitcher to throw a no-hitter in MLB history. The first Japanese pitcher to throw one was Hideo Nomo of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Iwakuma, a 34-year-old right hander in his fourth season with the Mariners, also threw his first complete game. If you get a chance to see him pitch, you can't help noticing the unorthodox wind up that is unique in itself. His 6-foot, 3-inch frame stalls at the top of his delivery, then he unhinges his knee a couple of times before he completes the windup. Iwakuma, like Nomo, showcases his split-fingered fastball that is his strike-out pitch. The key to his success, like most no hitters, was the ability to get first-pitch strikes. He then was able to mix his array of pitches with consistent velocity and location.

Iwakuma's no hitter was the 291st in MLB history and first this season in the American League. The last twelve no hitters have been thrown in the National League. Just think, if the Designated Hitter was in the National League, we might never see another no-hitter. There have been five thrown this year in total, which is above average. 

Iwakuma is part of a growing trend of pitchers coming over from the Far East. There are more position players from the Far East, but like Latin America, the pitchers are coming over more and more. Teams can land seasoned veterans from other countries, which can be financially risky, but the reward is also high. There is often a bidding war for some of these players, which inflates the cost for all the foreign players. Owners are always looking for the next Nomo, Yaseil Puig, or the Ichiro Suzuki, hoping they are ready to play at the MLB level. 

Frank Gifford, A Football Icon Dies

August 11, 2015

Frank Gifford passed away on August 9th at the age of 84. Frank Gifford is a football legend, Hall of Famer, acclaimed broadcaster, and family man. Football fans under thirty might not remember him as a broadcaster. I never saw him play but was around to hear him deliver his astute analysis to the ground-breaking Monday Night Football broadcasts. I read about his legendary career in my football books growing up.

Gifford grew up as the son of an oil driller and traveled and moved around the country to wherever his father could find work. He was born in Southern California and returned to attend high school and junior college in Bakersfield, then onto college at USC. He became an All-American at USC and was drafted in the first round by the New York Giants as a running back.

In 1952, his first year as a Giant, he played both offense and defense. He ended his career by playing thirteen seasons with the Giants, in which eight of them he made All-Pro. He also made five trips to the NFL Championship Game and was named MVP in the 1956 season.

Gifford’s career was almost ended in 1960 when he received a massive concussion from a helmet-to-helmet collision. This injury caused him to retire in 1961. He decided to come back in 1962 but switched to flanker to avoid the head-on type collisions. He called it a career after the 1964 season.

Gifford went into broadcasting for CBS but eventually was recruited to join the staff at ABC for Monday Night Football. Gifford spent the next twenty-six years on the broadcast team for the Monday night game. Gifford also announced other sports such as Olympic basketball, skiing, and golf. He even announced jumps made by daredevil Evel Knievel. Gifford won awards for his broadcast work by both the NFL and the Emmys.

Gifford leaves behind his famous wife Kathie Lee Gifford, his son Cody and his daughter Cassidy. He also had three children with his previous wife and a total of five grandchildren.

Frank Gifford played in the National Football League when there was little pampering and fewer amenities. The padding was insufficient, the training, the travel, the salaries and were all of lesser quality. Who knows how many concussions players endured, and there certainly weren't any arthroscopic surgery techniques. I can't believe that many players back then played both sides of the ball, which tight-fisted owners probably loved. Frank Gifford probably laughed at some of the shenanigans that modern players get away with. He also made more money away from football than the thirteen seasons he played.

Salute Frank Gifford!

Katie Ledecky Becoming Legendary at 18

August 9, 2015

 Every so often, you catch a star before it has reached its full potential, and right now, American swimmer Katie Ledecky is that star. She is currently swimming in the FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia. As of Sunday, August 9th, she has won five gold medals, completed a sweep of the 200, 400, 800, and 1500 freestyles, and anchoring the 4x200m freestyle. She also broke her world record in the 800m freestyle by 3.61 seconds. She is only 18 years old, incredible!

When I say she is a rising star, she already is a star in the swimming world, but wait until she competes in the 2016 Olympics next year in Rio. If she can continue to pull off amazing feats like this next year, she will become Michael Phelps and Mark Spitz famous. If you don't remember the last Olympics in London, at the ripe old age of 15, Katie swam for the US team and won the only event she was entered in, the 800m freestyle.

Ledecky has been on such an upward trend that it is jaw-dropping to see this kind of accession. She improved her results since the last championships in Barcelona, where she won four golds and set two world records. In Kazan, she beat the field in the 400 by 3.89 seconds, the 800 by 10.26 seconds, and 1500 by 14.66 seconds, which eclipsed her world record in preliminaries and the final. Her closest race was the 200 freestyle, when she came from behind to win by .16 seconds.

Ledecky is pulling off incredible times, and at this point, she is creating comparisons to men. In April of this year, she matched Michael Phelps's time in the 400-meter preliminary, and her latest time in the 1500-meter record time has only been beaten by 80 men in the world this year. "It's really neat to say that you've done something nobody has done before," Ledecky said.  I'll enjoy this for a few days, and I'll get back to work, and hopefully, there's more to come.

These performances do not come along too often, and elite athletes like Ledecky are even rarer. It is very inspiring to see her compete and watch the potential of the human body. Keep an eye out for her, and when the next Olympics come around, she will be shining so bright the world will be hers.

Football is Everywhere

August 6, 2015

The NFL training camps are in full swing, and the season is only a month away. Just to let you know that football is played in various forms in other parts of the world. In Ireland, it's Gaelic football, and in Australia, they play Australian Rules Football (Footy) and not to mention rugby which is worldwide.

The Rugby World Cup is coming up in September in England. If you are not familiar with the way football is played everywhere else in the world except America and Canada, you owe it to yourself to check it out. Matches are faster with less wasted time for beer commercials and instant replay. They all have contact and tackling, which appeals to the US fan, and there is excellent athleticism on display throughout the games.

The most significant difference is the size of the players. No three-hundred-and-fifty-pound lineman are running down the field, passing and kicking the ball. The Australia Rule Football League is serious stuff, with the most high-speed body contact of the three. I did forget to mention that the players on these squads are using minimal padding and protection. Even though I wouldn't want a three-hundred-pound lineman pounding me down into the turf, I also couldn't take a fierce Aussie crashing into me in midair.

The crowds are as boisterous and go bonkers on scores like the NFL fans. If I ever make it to Ireland, it would be a tossup for which sport I would want to see first, Gaelic football or Hurling. Treat yourself and go down to an Irish pub and check out some of this action.

2015 Special Olympics Go Mainstream

August 3, 2015

The Special Olympics went mainstream this year by being broadcast on ESPN. The event held in Los Angeles ran from July 25th to the closing ceremonies held on August 2nd. Since its inception in 1968, this event has been growing in size and popularity, and the fruits of hard work are now coming into the nation's living room. Most of us don't know what the Special Olympics encompasses, but tuning in allows the viewers to understand better. Multiple Olympics are held throughout the world, but this event is held for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

There is a lot that can be said about the impact of the Special Olympics and the lives that are changed through this event. After seeing some of the events and researching, the most prevalent idea to take away from this gathering is the heartwarming sense of community. Not only do the athletes gain with their performances but the scores of people that put this together, the coaches, the families, and the fans. It is also the one event where everybody is pulling for everybody. Some say that the Special Olympics are the leading voice of awareness for all those with intellectual disabilities.

These Olympics are unique in the number of categories and events they can pull off in one week. Over 6500 athletes arrived from over 165 countries to compete in twenty-five individual and team events. There are traditional events such as basketball and gymnastics but also competitions such as Bocce and sailing.

I caught a portion of the weightlifting competition, and I was enthralled by some of these men. I have to single out one lifter by the name of Jackie Barret. What I didn't realize that Jackie is quite a popular athlete. He has his fan club not just because of his ability, being a gold medal winner, and record-setter, but also because he is so fun to watch. He has a nickname of the Moose, The Newfoundland Moose in full.  After his competition lift, he gives his moose signal above his head in celebration. 

His story is one of many to see, and I am so glad I watched. The Special Olympics offers everybody on this planet a chance to be involved, making it a truly global event. The stigma of "special needs" people is erased every year by the efforts of the supporting parties and athletes. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder, would be incredibly proud of the movement this event has become and where it is going.

Pantini: The Accidental Death of a Cyclist

July 30, 2015

 After writing about the Tour de France, I still wanted to complete my research about the event. My search led me to a good documentary now on Netflix called "Pantani: The Accidental Death of a Cyclist." It's a film on the life and times of Marco Pantani, regarded by his Italian countrymen as the king of the cycling world for a few years.

Not only does the film capture the life of Pantani, but the viewer also gets to see incredible scenes of European cycling events. You are shown the beautiful landscapes of the French countryside as the racers come pedaling through. The next moment you see amazing crowd shots as the riders are racing through the narrow streets to adoring fans. Many of the sequences appear to be taken by individuals on bikes or cars and look amazingly like "Go Pro" footage. I really enjoyed the perspective of the hill climbs and the strategy employed by the cyclist.

The life of Marco Pantani is one of that reaches tremendous highs and lows. The pinnacle taking place in 1998 when he won both the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France, never done in the world of professional cycling. The lowest is the brutal crash with a car in 1995 that left him with multiple fractures in his legs. Another high was his inspiring comeback to win two stages of the Tour de France in 1997.

The most troubling aspect of Pantani's career is the doping allegations that plagued him from 1999 on. Pantani passed away in 2004 believably from the result of a cocaine overdose. He will always be remembered as one of the best hill climbers of his era in professional road bicycle racing. In addition, he was a fan favorite known for his colorful and endearing personality. Lastly, the film will give you a voyeuristic look into the life of a cyclist and the world-class events they compete in.

La Grande Boucle, The Tour de France Rolls On

July 28, 2015

Every July, the Tour de France comes around, so we are fed tidbits of it happening in the news. Back in the heyday of Lance Armstrong, it was broadcasted, and Americans took notice. Even Armstrong's exploits took years to develop before the event captured a viewing audience. Over in Europe, the Tour de France riders are treated like celebrities, and fans are heavily engaged.

Most sports fans, like myself, know of the Tour de France and think of it as an endurance test through the countryside of France. We see on television masses of competitors, all riding together with a few strays leading the pack. After a bit of research, you will find out that this event is very involved with a long-storied past. I don't want to bore you with the chronological history, but I will tell you the race started in 1903. I've never heard of any other race being held for this long.

Can you imagine what kind of bikes they were riding back then? They probably weighed twice what they do now. You will find out that the Tour originated as an event for Frenchmen and now is an international race for the best of the best of the world. It is not only an individual pursuit but also a team sport with nine-member per.

The Tour has one overall winner, but the same rider might not be the one finishing first on the last leg of the Tour. The race takes three weeks to complete covering approximately 2200 miles, and each day is a new competition. Every race is broken into stages, with portions dedicated to time trials and hill climbing. You will hear on every broadcast on your local sports station, who is wearing the yellow jersey. This is the leader with the lowest overall time. The Tour also awards those with the best climbing times, the best young rider under 26, and time trials for sprinters and teams. There is a lot for fans to cheer for, not just the guy on the news broadcast.

The more I delved into this event, the more fascinating I found the history more than the race itself. As almost every person knows of Lance Armstrong, he certainly is not the only controversial rider ever to get on the saddle. The past exploits are long and storied with a cast of characters which Hollywood could never dream up. It can be an entertaining movie waiting to be made involving one year at the Tour.

This year, Chris Froome from Great Britain won and defended his title successfully. Froome's family immigrated back to Kenya, his birthplace. He has since migrated back to England and rides for UCI Pro Team Sky. Froome began racing as a young teen and has reached the pinnacle of his career with two Tour victories and a slew of other prestigious races.

If you like history, especially sporting history, this race is a good one to look up. Like the sport of baseball in the USA, cycling in France is ingrained in the culture. The only time the race hasn't taken place was because of the two World Wars. The event that was started to promote newspaper sales evolved into a celebration in France and a worldwide showcase for the best of the sport. Le Tour de France est la meilleure course sur deux roues, Salut.

Jason deGrom, Lightening in a Bottle

July 26, 2015

 I heard about Jason deGrom last year and his rising star status. He is a right-handed pitcher for the New York Mets, age 27, former Rookie of the Year (2014), and National League All-Star. He gained nationwide notoriety in this year's All-Star game when he struck out the side with ten pitches with pure smoke. He was throwing fastballs with movement that made the hitters look like non-All Stars.

After watching the All-star performance, I wanted to know more about this guy. If he is twenty-seven years old and has only played two years in the pros, he must have spent years in college or the minors developing his craft. The amazing part of his story he didn't start pitching until the fall of 2009, and that was as a relief pitcher. Up until then, he was a shortstop playing for Stetson College with a .263 batting average.

He was developing so fast that he soon became the closer for Stetson. He was moved into the starting rotation, where he picked up a curve and changeup to add to his barn burner fastball. It didn't take long for the major league talent scouts to see his upside when they saw him pitch against the great Chris Sale of the White Sox in a game against Florida Gulf Coast University. He pitched twelve games as a starter for Stetson that year and recorded a 4-5 win-loss record and a 4.48 ERA.

The Mets drafted him in the 9th round of the 2010 draft and signed him for $95,000. He pitched for the Kingston Mets in the Rookie-Level Appalachian League, making six starts. It was then discovered that he had a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. After an unsuccessful attempt at rehabilitation, he had to proceed with a Tommy John surgery. This put him on the shelf for the entire 2011 season. During the downtime, he was able to work with Johan Santana on his changeup.

In 2012, he started with the Savannah Sand Gnats of the Class A league and later moved to the Class A advanced league and pitched for San Lucie. He was able to start 19 games and record an impressive 2.43 ERA. 2013 was a busy year for deGrom with rapid movement through the Met farm system. He started with San Lucie, then was promoted to the Birmingham Mets of Class AA, and finally ended up in the Class AAA with the Las Vegas 51's. Some of these promotions were due to injuries to others and the movement of other pitchers to the New York Mets.

The Mets were confident in deGrom and his rising status, so he was placed on the 40-man roster for the 2014 season. deGrom started the 2014 season in Las Vegas but got called up in May because of two injuries to the pitching staff. He made his first start on May 15th but didn't record his first win until July 8th, when he pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out eleven. He went on to become the National League pitcher of the month for July. He finished the year with a 9-6 record and 2.69 era, which earned him the National League Rookie of the Year honors. On September 15th, he struck out the first eight batters in a game against the Miami Marlins, tying the MLB record.

This year has been a year where deGrom is considered in the top tier of pitchers to watch. His pitches never come in straight or flat and have a tailing movement. In addition, the arm speed of deGrom creates so much deception that he is a hitter's nightmare. I find it so rare that player who begins pitching in his twenties and within three years is Rookie of the Year. He is a great athlete that could learn and absorb faster than the majority of baseball players. He appears to be a humble young man that will be a joy to watch for years to come.

Women Coaches Slowly Making Progress

July 24, 2015

Becky Hammon is an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs, a historical hiring for the NBA. This summer, she coached the Spurs team in Las Vegas to a championship. Of course, this generates much discussion on the issue of women coaching men's professional sports. Let's admit, many of us self-proclaimed enlightened and progressive mindful people of the world think this will not bring a rush to hire more female coaches. This is a process that will take years to happen, one baby step at a time.

The most viable reason to look for women coaches for men's athletics is the leadership and tactical abilities. Basketball is a logical choice for women to coach because of the commonality in soccer, hockey, volleyball, and semi-team sports of track, swimming, and water polo, etc. Female coaches in football and baseball are something that I don't see happening for a very long time. To manage a locker room of sixty men and coaching staff is challenging for any individual. There are instances where women were raised in football and baseball environments, and they might get a chance to coach up through the ranks.

The process of hiring more professional women coaches for men's sports will gain  steam when we find more at the lower levels, even managing the kids as young as six years old. A cross-gender coaching movement will push the cream to the top, and then we will notice more results. Along the way, attitudes and stereotypes will be abused, but slow progress will happen. Becky Hammon is the first NBA coach, but will she be the first head coach? It remains to be seen when Gregg Popovich retires if she is considered.

The number of women coaching men athletics at the collegiate level is minuscule, somewhere under three percent. High school has some female coaches, with the most heralded head coach being Natalie Randolph, who coached football in Washington DC. Increasingly, colleges do offer sports management degrees, so more avenues are being opened. This will address one of the problems, that being the candidate pool is small for females. Surprisingly, women only make up less than 45 percent of the coaches in collegiate women's sporting teams. Sports management will add more in due time because of the available resources, mentors, and the world becoming more accepting.

The British Open, the Young Guns Show Up

July 22, 2015

 The British Open played at St. Andrews, introduced a handful of potential stars, some older champions, and of course, Jordan Spieth. This being a unique Open for various reasons, two of three amateurs landed in the top twelve, and the third, Paul Dunne, contended until the final round on Sunday. Nothing to take away from Zach Johnson's victory, but it seems like the most prominent stories were about the amateurs and the elephant in the room, Spieth.

The three amateurs were Oliver Schniederjens, a talented college player from Georgia Tech, Jordan Niebrugge, a senior from Oklahoma State, and Paul Dunne from Ireland. Schniederjens finished at nine under par with a solid round of 67 on the final day, which put him at twelfth place. His fellow countryman, Niebrugge, came in at eleven under par and earned him the Silver Medal for the top amateur and an exemption into next year's tournament. Lastly, Paul Dunne began the fourth round tied for first place, only to shoot a disappointing 78 on the last day. An amateur hasn't won the British Open since Bobby Jones did 85 years ago.

Schiederjens will become a pro shortly after a stay as the number one ranked amateur in the world. He had a fantastic run the last year at Georgia Tech and now will be heading to the professional ranks with momentum. Niebrugge, a senior at Oklahoma State, will continue as an amateur while finishing his degree. At the Open, not only was he an amateur, he became the first since Chris Woods at Royal Birkdale in 2008 to finish in the top ten. Dunne of Ireland was the first amateur to be leading the final round in 88 years. Who knows if nerves plagued him on the last day, but it was unfortunate and would have been a great story.

How odd to be seeing amateurs putting pressure on the older pros and Jordan Spieth breathing down their necks as well. This is precisely what you want to see in a major tournament because it brings out the best in a lot of the established players. The golfing world is looking for the next young phenom to be compared to Tiger Woods, and after the Open, you might have new blood.

The Midsummer Classic, Yeah, I Still Watch it July 14, 2015

July 14, 2015

The Major League All-star game lands in Cincinnati on July 14th with a couple of days of festivities. I guess I am a sucker for this game. Since my days of collecting baseball cards, starting in 1968, I have been hooked on baseball. All it took was a 5-cent pack of Topps baseball cards and a small wafer-like piece of gum (that was harder than your young teeth should have endured), and I was obsessed with the All-Stars. When the All-Star game rolled around, I would lay out my cards to see how many of the All Stars I had in my collection.

I appreciate that Major League baseball still tries to market this game as a big to do, but I must say, I think they are trying maybe, too hard. Now the game has playoff ramifications which was never the intent of the game. This is supposed to be a game for the fans to see their favorite stars, not that every managerial decision could affect the World Series. I hope this ridiculous rule is abolished very soon and the winner of the game is rewarded with only lovely parting gifts.

I am not blind to baseball is dropping in viewership, and MLB was trying to put some zing into the All-Star contest. I also realize that fewer kids watch and play less baseball, and I have my theories behind that. If you want to incentivize the game for players, don't make it about the winner getting home-field advantage in the World Series; make it more personal for every player. I say let each player represent a charity and their choice or their team's choice. They have monies pledged, and the team, the player, and the league gain some goodwill and good publicity.

Oddly, one of my favorite parts is not the game itself but the player introductions. This is part of my original fascination with the game and my card collection. When a representative from your favorite team played in the game, you felt fulfilled as a fan, and it didn't matter who won the game.

Lastly, Major League big shots need to reconsider the voting process. Online voting is ruining the game by allowing internet-savvy fans to load up on their teams’ players. Somehow the fan involvement is being taken over by computers. If you want the players and managers to vote their peers in, then I couldn't object. You could also go Old School (I used this dreaded term but will promise never again) and only use stadium voting hard copy.  I feel that computers are not going away soon, so maybe Google can step in finding a solution to box stuffing.

Cheers