Monday Sports Thoughts

I'm on the train right now and I'm thinking about some sports news that have happened in the past days, weeks and months. Here are some thoughts:

• A close Super Bowl does not equal a good Super Bowl. That was as boring as any we'd seen in years. Except for the Stones, it was all a big yawn.
• It WAS offensive interference. That is the rule of the game. Period.
• The debated Steelers touchdown was close. They probably should not have called it on the field (kudos for Ben for faking it so well). But it was way too close to overturn.
• Michelle Kwan bowed out gracefully. She showed class. But she didn't belong there in the first place. Her attendance to that point was granted based on her name and a history that was once successful, but hadn't been in a year. Those that gave her the spot on the team ultimately stripped Emily Hughes the opportunity to soak in the full Olympic experience. Shame on them. They should all be removed from their positions before they do it to someone else.
• And it wasn't the same as what happened to a young Michelle Kwan in the Kerrigan-Harding Olympics. Although, Kwan should have been there instead of Harding, watching Tonya Harding's collapse was one of my favorite moments of that Olympics.
• Please someone let me know which country's hockey team has the fewest NHL players. I need a country to root for. It won't be the U.S. I don't like rooting for pros in the Olympics.
• So far in women's hockey, Canada and the U.S. have not been scored upon in two games each. Their dominance in the sport is so great that neither team has lost to any other country but each other in the last ten years. Now that is what dynasty is.
• General consensus is the Opening Ceremonies were wonderful. Good for Italy!!
• Am I the only person not named Bud Selig who is excited for the baseball World Cup? I think it could be a great deal of fun and a wonderful way to promote baseball even further. Sure, it should be in November/December instead of during Spring Training, but that's a learning experience. Overall, it's wonderful.
• Why does everyone hate Alex Rodriguez so much? I think the treatment he's received is reprehensible. Boston fans aside -- they have a "reason", or at least a perceived one (more on them later) -- why should we hate him? He's the highest paid player. So what? Mel Gibson and Tom Cruise make more, without nearly the risk. He's a Yankee -- again, unless you're a Red Sox fan, why should that matter? And the whole Baseball Cup debacle is an example of the man's only true fault -- he is too concerned about what people think of him. He's overly sensitive -- is that such a bad thing? The fact is, he's one of the best players of his generation and, though he can be frustrating (particularly in the postseason) he is a joy to watch. He plays the game well. He also has been free from the steroid scandal. And he does a lot of work for charity.
• Which brings me to two points. The first is the Boston situation. Freud would have a field day with those living in New England. He'd call it New York-envy. There is some minor league team that is offering to pay little leagues throughout New England to use their name and logo instead of the name "Yankees." The idea is that the spoiled little brats from New England are traumatized when they are assigned to the Yankees. I live in New England and am a Yankee fan. My son cried when he was told he would be on the Red Sox. I told them "there's no crying in baseball" and to toughen up. The hatred Sox fans have against New York is a combination of jealousy and ignorance. Did you know that I can't even get a cup of Manhattan Chowder in my town? Pathetic.
• The second point concerns A-Rod and others. Somewhere in the ESPN era we have decided that sports figures are also required to be role models. Derek Jeter is a wonderful role model. So are a dozen other figures. But it isn't their responsibility. The most beloved American sports figure of all time was Babe Ruth. He was no one's role model. Mickey Mantle was a carousing drunk. Michael Jordan had a gambling habit. Joe Namath took carousing to an art form. Yet somehow they all were loved. They are all human beings. They have weaknesses, as we all do. It is not for me to judge someone based on his weaknesses. I am a sports fan. I root for mostly New York teams (except in football, where I am an Eagles fan) and for players based on the grit and heart they show. I root for the underdog. If he or she is imperfect, he or she is more like me, then.
• The above does not apply to cheaters. Steroid users are beneath contempt in my eyes, regardless of the sport. I have no use for cheaters in competition such as sports. And that includes the likes of Gaylord Perry and Phil Neikro.

Please send me your thoughts on any of the above. I love to hear what others have to say. The best comment wins an all expenses paid hunting trip with the vice president.