A True Merkle Boner
Back in the early twentieth century, back when the Chicago Cubs were a winning team, one of the first bonehead plays in sports took place in a heated game between the Cubbies and their rivals, the New York Giants.
Basically, the Giants had just scored the winning run and the game was about over. The overcrowded stands burst onto the field. But Chicago player Johnny Evers noticed that Fred Merkle -- who was on first when the hit happened -- never made it to second. After a mad scramble to find the ball, Evers jumped up and down on second base until an umpire finally saw him, recognized what happened and called Merkle out. The Cubs went on to win the National League, and the World Series (if you could believe that).
Merkle was ridiculed for the remainder of his career. His error was one of assumption. He thought the game was over. He was wrong.
We've seen instances like this over the years, where a player's mistake cost his team the championship. Chris Webber comes to mind, with his errant timeout. We think of Bill Buckner. We think of Earnest Byner's fumble.
Yesterday we witnessed a boner of another kind. Zinedine Zidane, captain of the Frech soccer team, intentionally headbutted an Italian player. It was a dirty play. He was red carded and left the game, which was tied at one. After regulation and two overtimes, the game was still tied. It may not have been, as the Italians were obviously exhausted and a great play by one great player -- perhaps Zidane -- could have put France ahead. Instead it went to penalty kicks.
Zidane was not there for the penalty kicks. He could not participate as one of his teammates hit the crossbar and missed his kick. Who knows if that player would have even been kicking. That may have been Zidane's spot. The man who missed the kick -- David Trezeguet -- probably feels like he cost the team. He didn't. He did his best.
Zidane, who ironically was awarded the Golden Ball for the World Cup MVP, turned out to be the man responsible for France losing. On the world's largest stage, he showed his true colors. And in the process, cost his country the Cup.
* * * * *
Let's not forget, however, that the Italian team put up one great game. They were visibly exhausted early (a close semifinal game with host Germany will do that to you), yet they never quit. And considering the pressures they were under, with the Italian soccer league scandals and all, it is even more amazing.
They proved they have the heart of champions.
* * * * *
Please allow me to offer this theory as to why the United States hasn't caught on to the world obsession with soccer. Watching the game, I saw more bad acting than a 1950's sci fi. Every time a player got touched -- both the Italians and the French -- they went down and and feined injury. A country that admires the likes of Ronnie Lott -- who had his finger amputated so he could play -- and cancer-surviving cyclist Lance Armstrong would have a hard time with all these phony injuries. There is no question that soccer players are among the best athletes in the world. But I don't know if their fake injuries quite measure up to the American vision of manhood.
Basically, the Giants had just scored the winning run and the game was about over. The overcrowded stands burst onto the field. But Chicago player Johnny Evers noticed that Fred Merkle -- who was on first when the hit happened -- never made it to second. After a mad scramble to find the ball, Evers jumped up and down on second base until an umpire finally saw him, recognized what happened and called Merkle out. The Cubs went on to win the National League, and the World Series (if you could believe that).
Merkle was ridiculed for the remainder of his career. His error was one of assumption. He thought the game was over. He was wrong.
We've seen instances like this over the years, where a player's mistake cost his team the championship. Chris Webber comes to mind, with his errant timeout. We think of Bill Buckner. We think of Earnest Byner's fumble.
Yesterday we witnessed a boner of another kind. Zinedine Zidane, captain of the Frech soccer team, intentionally headbutted an Italian player. It was a dirty play. He was red carded and left the game, which was tied at one. After regulation and two overtimes, the game was still tied. It may not have been, as the Italians were obviously exhausted and a great play by one great player -- perhaps Zidane -- could have put France ahead. Instead it went to penalty kicks.
Zidane was not there for the penalty kicks. He could not participate as one of his teammates hit the crossbar and missed his kick. Who knows if that player would have even been kicking. That may have been Zidane's spot. The man who missed the kick -- David Trezeguet -- probably feels like he cost the team. He didn't. He did his best.
Zidane, who ironically was awarded the Golden Ball for the World Cup MVP, turned out to be the man responsible for France losing. On the world's largest stage, he showed his true colors. And in the process, cost his country the Cup.
* * * * *
Let's not forget, however, that the Italian team put up one great game. They were visibly exhausted early (a close semifinal game with host Germany will do that to you), yet they never quit. And considering the pressures they were under, with the Italian soccer league scandals and all, it is even more amazing.
They proved they have the heart of champions.
* * * * *
Please allow me to offer this theory as to why the United States hasn't caught on to the world obsession with soccer. Watching the game, I saw more bad acting than a 1950's sci fi. Every time a player got touched -- both the Italians and the French -- they went down and and feined injury. A country that admires the likes of Ronnie Lott -- who had his finger amputated so he could play -- and cancer-surviving cyclist Lance Armstrong would have a hard time with all these phony injuries. There is no question that soccer players are among the best athletes in the world. But I don't know if their fake injuries quite measure up to the American vision of manhood.
posted by E-Luv at 8:59 AM
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