SPORTS FRAGMENTATION

Some random thoughts about matters athletic:

• I know he’s got a chance to be the first repeat Heisman winner since Archie Griffin, but every time I look at Jason White, why does the name “Gino Torretta” keep popping up in my head? Honestly, Jason White’s not even the best QB in his conference . . . that would be Brad Smith of Missouri. White is a good QB . . . but that’s all he is–good.
• I guess I’m officially sick of the Olympics now. Well, I’m not, I’m just sick of NBC’s narrow-minded obsession with American athletes and familiar events. And I’ll bet the Peacocks were real happy the gymnastics started early and ended early at these games.
• On the scale of sports curses, the one befalling the Cubs is bubkis compared to the weird hoodoo that keeps messing up the Philadelphia Eagles. However, I’m sure the Miami Dolphins have more than a few things to say about the matter.
• 20 years from now, I’ll be glad to tell my kids that I can remember when there was an NHL . . . I just hope that by then I can come up with a reason for why there isn’t one any more. Does either side think things are going to be better once the league ceases to exist and/or casts a jealous eye on the WNBA’s attendance numbers and television ratings? Because that’s what’s going to happen.
• Two new schools (North Dakota State and South Dakota State) start playing Division 1-AA football this fall. Do you suppose Kansas State has their athletic directors on speed dial yet?
• By the way, NDSU plays football in the FargoDome, which is not a dome at all but a very tall arena.
• Jason Whitlock of the Kansas City Star and ESPN says that people who want the US basketball “Dream Team” to lose are racist. I’ve wanted to say that it’s a silly point, but I’m forced to conclude that he’s right. Everyone I’ve heard criticizing the team’s performance has fallen back on the same line: they don’t play as a team, it’s all me, me, me. Which is the subtle stereotype many sports fans have of the black athlete, especially in the NBA. And I find it very interesting that people keep saying this team needs an outside shooter, like Wally Szczerbiak or Fred Hoiberg–both of whom are white. You tellin’ me the GOP couldn’t find a black man in Chicago and sports fans can’t think of a single black player with a decent perimeter jump shot?
• When the history of sports is written, and it’s time for the chapter on the greatest teams ever, the US women’s soccer team of the past decade or so had better be at or near the top of that list.
• Quick, name a top current men’s tennis player other than Andy Roddick or Roger Federer. You couldn’t do it either, huh?
• I started off with one athlete who kept reminding me of another . . . I’ll close by wondering if Tiger Woods is becoming the Todd Marinovich of golf.