Monday, May 28, 2007

JoePa Terno Doesthe RightThing


Penn State football coach Joe Paterno did the right thing last week by insisting that his entire team clean the 107,000+ seat Beaver Stadium after every home game after being disgusted by a disgraceful off-campus fight involving a half-dozen of his players. In sum, he was disappointed not only that the players got into a scuffle to begin with, but also because nobody stepped up to try to stop it or to claim responsibility. It's a throw-back, old school move that could affect his recruiting in the near future (if I'm a talented but trouble-making young football player, would I want to go to PSU to play football?), but sometimes the right decision is not always the most popular one. His argument is that by cleaning the stadium the players will learn from their mistakes and step up as a team. I agree 132%.

But what's more, I'd really like to see some ex-PSU players who attend a home game voluntarily help out and clean as well. Can you imagine what solidarity and character this would build? If I was playing for the Nittany Lions this year and I saw an ex-player help clean trash with the rest of the current team, I would have tremendous respect and pride for this alum, as well as for Coach Paterno who arranged this program. There are hundreds of ex-players out there... let's see if anybody steps up to the plate.

On a separate but related note, I firmly believe that NFL football teams should be held to this policy is well. You get busted at a strip joint for firing gunshots? Pick up a broom.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

The Countdown to 10,000

Many props to my man Kramer who found this site on the Phillies' quest to reach 10,000 losses. Yes, we our Phightin Phils are the losingest team in the history of professional sports, and we will undoubtedly hit the magic 10,000-loss mark by the end of this season, possibly by the end of June if all goes poorly!

Of course no Phils phan roots against the boys, but at the same time, it absolutely takes a great amount of appreciation and dedication to support a team that has let us down so frequently and so torturously over the years.

So if we're doomed to not celebrate a World Series championship, we might as well relish our record of futlity in the meantime.

21 games and counting...

Sunday, May 20, 2007

How to Celebrate a Soccer Goal

I apologize that this does not meet my Philly Sports Quest criteria (I know, I've been slacking lately), but I thought this was a classic sports moment:

The Scene: Toronto FC v. Chicago Fire, in Toronto
The Background: Toronto lost its first 4 games, without even scoring a goal, but their home crowd has been very supportive and encouraging. Here's the teams's first goal, followed by a festive celebration...



Good times!

Saturday, May 5, 2007

Mayweather-De La Hoya: Yawn.

Editor's note: a digression from Philly sports chatter to follow.

So my cousin twisted my arm to watch tonight's much-hyped boxing match from Las Vegas. Here's what I learned from the Floyd Mayweather v. Oscar De La Hoya bout:

1. Boxing sucks. Unless you have two guys just pounding away at each other round after round, it's tough to enjoy this sport anymore. Paychecks are huge, leaving no real reason why the two contenders should slug it out, save for a few flurries of punches here and there.

2. Go to court (or fill in any number of other non-entertainment social situations): wear jeans and a t-shirt. Go to a boxing match: wear $5,000 tuxedos.

3. Boxing announcers are stiffs. These guys could put you to sleep. Not to mention the fact that even the announcers repeatedly talk about how lame the sport has become.

4. Never buy a pay-per-view event for a sporting event unless there will be a definitive winner. Who wants to see a few unknown judges decide on who the "winner" is? Slug it out. Box till ya' drop. That's what people pay for! Same with soccer... I love the sport but I wouldn't pay to watch it knowing there could be a draw, and quite possibly not even a goal scored.

5. Want to watch a boxing match? Go watch, as the saying goes, a game of hockey.

That's my lesson for the day. Thanks for checking in. Feel free to go toe-to-toe with me in the comment box.