A Sports Day To Smile About

I wish I had shocking theories and juicy thoughts roaming through my mind today, yet I find myself surprisingly upbeat, positive and…well, happy. All sorts of reasons have me waking up on the right side of a bed rather than the edge of a gutter, but the sports world in particular has me smiling today. Not that I don’t live off of every second of the high and low emotions of a fanatical sports fan, but lately I find myself frustrated with sports. Teams underachieving. Overpaid contracts being accepted or turned down. Sounds like the same old issues to gripe over, but several things really impressed me yesterday, so I thought I’d reassure you all of goodness still in sports.

Players switch teams at the rate of change second only to the stock market. The only jerseys I consider these days have my name on it or of a retired player, cause I know we aren’t going anywhere. Hero’s come, hero0s go, yet ideally hero’s are never forgotten. Former Detroit Piston NBA Finals MVP Chauncey Billups returned to Motown in shiny Nuggets baby blue last night to an unexpected powerful introduction from the Pistons announcer and standing ovation from the Detroit fans. Yes sports players are viewed as mercenaries, hired with likely no affiliation to a city’s or team beyond a temporary location for employment. As sometimes players see it as that, fans love for players often ends the moment they are removed from their favorite team’s roster. But last night’s expression of unconditional love shows that Detroit’s love for their players is more than jersey deep, as I’m sure Billups’ memories and feelings towards Murderville haven’t completely died…did I just kill the love?

Keeping to the hardwood, I get jealous when I hear stories of the classic battles between Wilt and Russell. As a fan of physical basketball, I can only imagine how the two monsters duked it out. If it was anything like a Chris Dudley and Yao Ming matchup, I’m going to cry. Thinking about the great post SCORERS of our modern day, most people score from finesse, quickness or weak ass outside shooting. Yao. KG. Duncan. Dirk for gods sake. That’s why last night’s battle between the two Supermen was epic. No gentle layups, no ability to shoot outside. Shaq and Simba (Dwight) worked to the hole of pure aggression and strength. When they scored, it was a slam of vengeance, like a spike through a vampire’s heart. I watched the highlights countless times, like a 10 year old boy again, gazing with amazement for my man crushes. It might have been the closest thing to a father/son one-on-one duel in an NBA game for the two former first overall picks of the Orlando Magic. I pray for an NBA Finals appearance of these two teams because I doubt Shaq can play like this 8 months from now when they meet again, nor am I patient enough to wait that long.

Lastly, a small blurb of an article in today’s paper sparked a smile on my face before I headed out this morning. The Baltimore Orioles are taking a page out of Disney marketing book as they offer free tickets to games for fans with a birthdays within the month. I used to think that if my team didn’t lose on my bday it would be their way of helping me blow out the candles, but this gift for the Baltimore faithful may be the best they get from their love ones. It’s certainly a nice way to start mending wounds with a fan base that organized boycotts when they know they can’t provide wins just yet. If my team gave away birthday tickets, I might start living my life by the Chinese calendar or redeeming tickets for my twin brother no one has ever met.

So until I leave you panting with some more orgasmic philosophies, give that little ten year old fanatic inside of you a big hug.

~Sir Charles~