I shouldn’t be thinking about basketball. The Braves and the Astros are tied at one game each in the 2021 World Series. NBA basketball is just underway and college ball begins in a week. The NFL is in full swing but I’m already tired of football. Thankfully, before we know it, March Madness will finally arrive, with the same hoopla as a kid anticipating Santa Claus. I stumbled upon a half-written poem that I started a few years ago when the tournament was cancelled because of Covid. It was like the end of the Earth for a basketball fan like me. In fact, I was on my way to 2020 Spring Training in Scottsdale when the shocking news was announced, along with the end of baseball for awhile.
As things are beginning to return to the new normal, I took a few minutes to finish that long overdue poem:
March Madness
March Madness,
Bracket time.
My team just lost,
What a crime.
All my picks,
Have gone awry.
Some years I wonder,
Why even try?
Poor seed,
Little chance.
May I have?
This Big Dance.
At last there are,
Fans in the stands.
Tough pass,
Good hands.
Moving screen,
Bad call.
Flagrant foul,
Jump ball.
Free throws,
Won’t go.
Rimmed out again,
Oh no.
On a roll,
Slam dunk.
Double Dribble,
Scoring slump.
Favorable bounce,
Lucky break.
Spin move,
Head fake.
Tickle The Twine,
Beat the Clock.
Go Team Go,
Cheer Block.
Last second swish,
Cut down the nets.
If your team wins,
Collect your bets.
Lead changes,
Shots won’t fall.
Crowd chant,
“Airball…Airball.”
Buzzer beater,
Full Court Press,
“Over-rated” cries,
Mood depressed!
Another Brick,
Critical Turnover.
“Shining Moment,”
Means It’s over.
Copyright 2021 johnstonwrites.com
One year ago, IU football coach, Tom Allen, could do no wrong. He was the darling of the BIG with coaching offers from other schools and players that loved him and each other. The term LEO (Love Each Other) was emblazoned on helmets, uniforms, and merchandise. It was one big love fest in Bloomington as he jumped in the air with enthusiastic support for his team. They knocked off Penn State on a last second plunge and nearly beat the Buckeyes on their home turf. Recruits were knocking on his door and the transfer portal a one-way street to Memorial Stadium. Fans, like me, drank the Kool-Aid, thinking that at last IU was becoming a football school, when it wasn’t really even a basketball school any more.
Yesterday, the Kool-Aid was more like First Aid, with quarterback after quarterback helped off the field. The Buckeyes came to town with a vengeful mission of putting the Hoosiers in their place. They showed why they are so much better by humiliating the Tom Allen Hoosiers on national TV. Earlier this year, they made the same statement by trouncing Archie Miller’s struggling hoopsters in Columbus, after winning their 25 straight football matchup with the Hoosiers. Today, it’s 26 consecutive Buckeye gridiron wins, and once again another higher preseason ranking in basketball! What have we done about it other than stealing Thad Matta to help improve our basketball recruiting? Are we starting to hear “Fire Tom Allen” chants already from the football faithful? How many of his current players will check out the transfer portal this week?
Ohio State is currently the superior sports school, although IU soccer just beat them 3-0, a decisive drubbing. It does not seem to have the same humiliating impact as the 54-7 football score, including a painful 30-0 second quarter. Adding to the frustration, 78-59 was the final in last year’s only head-to-head hardwood meeting. New basketball coach Mike Woodson rarely lost to Ohio State when he was a player. Hopefully, that will be the case for his teams in future Buckeye basketball encounters. However, will I ever see a football victory over Ohio State in my lifetime? Please pass the Kool-Aid, I need a healthy dose to get through this devastating loss!
As I patiently wait for basketball season to start, there’s a big hole in my sports bucket. IU Football lost to another Top 10 opponent, while rival Purdue found a way to beat Iowa. Last year at this time, Purdue was not even a factor in the BIG and now they are making waves. IU was supposed to be that X-factor with great expectations that have fizzled away. My teams continue to flounder – no Cubs or White Sox left to play baseball, even IU soccer, once ranked #1 in the nation, has failed to further impress. I’m left to speculate about Hoosier basketball that seems to be shrouded in mystery while sports writers continue to project them to be just another average program in the conference.
IU Football can still get to a bowl game this year with a 6-6 record, but they would have to beat Maryland, Rutgers, Minnesota, and Purdue. I don’t see them with a victory over Michigan or Ohio State, but it’s exactly what they need to restore confidence in the future of the program. After all, even Purdue showed some spunk, upsetting the #2 team in the country! Boiler Up! They should be my pigskin pick and are stacking up to be a basketball powerhouse this year.
Today is all about the NFL, even though the Hoosiers are on the soccer pitch at Penn State this afternoon. The Portland Timbers lost last night to the LA Galaxy, as I continue to hang on to those Oregon sports ties. The Ducks were victorious over Cal. The struggling Colts and banged up Bears take the field soon. I’m hoping for a W against the Packers and that the Horseshoes can stay out of last place by beating the equally faltering Texans. Fantasy football may be my only salvation on today’s schedule if our players can keep from getting injured. Our opponent is heavily into the Cowboys, so I’m actually rooting for the Patriot’s defense to stop the killer K’s – Dak and Ezekiel. Hopefully, the can “keep them in Belichiek!” It’s Pigskin Sunday!
Another decent run today with my pace slightly faster and motion a little more fluid. Hopefully, I’ve passed through another running funk and can find a way to enjoy the way I’ve chosen to start every single day of my life. The sunrise is getting later every day, so it’s cooler when I get up with colorful skies. It’s much more pleasant than those hot, steamy summer days that were my first experience with living full time in sunny Florida. The transition from Portland has taken some time for adjustment as we settle into the winter months in our new home.
We did go see No Time To Die yesterday afternoon and it’s well worth the big screen experience. The graphics are awesome with lots of action. It’s the James Bond finale with lots of options for spin-offs, mostly involving female versions of the character. Perhaps, 007 should have long ago been suspended for sexual harassment, so it’s time to move on from the male, secret agent stereotype. I will not spoil the surprise ending or any of the twists the story takes, but retirement is not his thing.
Tonight we’ll watch the season one finale of Only Murders in the Building after delivering some dinner pizzas to my son and his family. The White Sox game was postponed yesterday due to rain in Chicago, so they were not the first team to be eliminated in the Playoffs. The Red Sox took out the Rays, while the Giants put themselves in a position to move past the Dodgers. The Cubs have made a lot of post season noise, at least from their former players. Ryan Tepera has accused the Astros of cheating, additional motivation that could backfire on the Sox in this afternoon’s game. His fellow Cub teammate, Craig Kimbrel, now joins him in the White Sox bullpen but gave up five runs to the Astros in the Game 2 loss. Joc Pederson used Anthony Rizzo’s bat to beat the Brewers, as the Braves can now clinch a spot in the NL Championship with a victory this evening. Kyle Schwarber was instrumental in the Red Sox series win to move on to the AL Championship matchup. Kris Bryant showed his defensive outfield skills and hit a home run for the Giants in his first playoff game with the new team. Only Javy Baez failed to make the postseason after his trade to the Mets, while everyone else who left the Cubs has seen October action.
After four days in Pittsburgh, one in Tampa, four more days of company, a night out with friends, and a neighborhood party, we needed some time to ourselves. I watched football all day yesterday and another portion of The Morning Show with our new Apple TV subscription while my wife did her routine activities like water aerobics, food preparation, dog park socialization, and video games. We ate dinner together alone and went to the ballpark to watch the sunset and the Braves. We found a quieter spot away from the band and chatted between songs, then went home to watch two more episodes of Only Murders In The Building. We’re starting to fall back into our normal boring schedule.
Today, we’ll spend by the pool soaking up the sun. I’ll watch football or baseball on the outside TV and she’ll make use of her newly purchased floatation device. It will be a day without family or friends. My run was better this morning, so I think that one trip to the chiropractor next week will only be necessary. Our schnauzer Tally has been often abandoned these past few weeks so she’ll be glad to have us home all week. Our former long lost co-worker, living temporarily in the neighborhood next door, is moving to Orlando, so there will be little interaction for awhile. We’ll probably get together with her and her husband when we visit Disney World around Christmas. My new Pickle Ball partner will be hundreds of miles away until they come back to visit their parents here in Venice.
The Dolphish play today, my son’s fantasy football team that I partner with him on. We’re 2-2 so far this season with another tough match-up today, after failing to score much on Thursday night. IU football was thankfully off this week, giving my frustrations a much needed break. Granted, they’ve lost to three ranked teams, but their efforts have been disappointing after so much promise leading into the schedule. Undefeated Sparty comes to town this Saturday! Meanwhile, the sputtering White Sox have added to the downfall of expectations, falling behind the Astros 2-0 in their bid for another World Series crown. Da Bears have also been mediocre to start the season. As always, I hope that my teams step up this week, but I’m prepared for the worst.
Good news from the doctor on my recent CTA Scan. The aneurism in my aorta continues to remain in the 5 cm range, so surgery will not be necessary. I will continue to have it checked every year, but it has not changed in size since it was discovered 3 years ago. The better news is that the didn’t discover anything new. The old ticker and its highway of blood vessels seems to be in good shape. Maybe all this running is paying off. It better be as painful as it is every day! It’s good to get it out of the way first thing every morning. At any rate, I’m relieved that “The Streak” will not be interrupted by a hospital stay and that I’m free to rumble through the streets every day.
My legs are stiff and sore and it’s hard to get forward momentum. It feels awkward to be off-balance, like I’ve been drinking. My feet often don’t go where I want them to and the pace continues to slow. This morning, I was over 15 minutes in completing the third mile and the first mile was slow at 13’55. I was on my feet all evening last night with our Meet The Borrego Neighbors get together at the clubhouse. There’s also a touch of pain in my right heel the result of a Pickle Ball match the other night. My athletic skills are definitely on the decline, particularly lateral movement, so trying to pick up a new sport at age 70 is frustrating. Losing a few pounds would probably help.
Speaking of frustration, my White Sox are down 2-0 to the Astros in the playoffs and looking like the lesser team. They head back to Chicago tomorrow to don the red, white, and blue throwback jerseys. Hopefully, they can salvage at least one game in front of the home crowd. We’re headed to the neighborhood ballpark this evening for the second of the Braves vs. Brewers series on the big screen. So far, the Red Sox are the only team to win a game on the road, topping the Rays at “The Trop” last night 14-6. The White Sox have had trouble winning on the road all season long with a losing 40-43 record, including these two playoff games at Houston. Their chances are slim now to advance, a second straight year to face an early exit. Craig Kimbrel was his worst self, entering the game in the 8th to preserve a 4-4 tie and giving up 5 runs. His late season move from the Cubs has proven to be a disaster with hopes of backing up Liam Hendriks for a combination 1-2 punch in the bullpen, the weakness in last year’s postseason downfall. The playoff news has not been good for the struggling Pale Hose!
Let the Games Begin! The Playoffs are finally underway, while the Cubs have been put out of their misery. It’s hard to believe the late season success of the Cardinals or the fact that it could all for them end in one Wildcard game. My focus is now primarily on the SOX and their 76-year old manager, Tony La Russa. It’s been 16-years since they last won the World Series, but only 10-years for him in the same role with St. Louis. The White Sox lost two out of three to the A’s in last year’s Playoffs while La Russa was still enjoying retirement. Let’s hope for a deeper run in 2021.
I’m starting today in Tampa after four days in Pittsburgh. It’s a Sunday, but I actually wrote this yesterday on the plane, knowing that I would be crunched for time. I will be trading my family for my wife’s over the next three days as we make our way back to Venice. I’m glad the Braves made the Playoffs since we’ve moved into their Spring Training neighborhood. There will be some watch parties at the Stadium near our home, a great way to start a relationship with my new team. Maybe they’ll even have an afternoon game that I can stay awake to watch. Former baseball home favorites have included Chicago, St. Louis, Texas, and Seattle on our moves across the country over the past 25-years. However, the SOX will always be my favorite thanks to Sherm Lollar and the 1959 crew that become my first childhood baseball love.
It took 54-years of my lifetime for the White Sox to win a World Series and 65-years for the Cubs to claim a crown, although they were primarily my dad’s and son’s favorite. My dad originally tried to coax me into being a Detroit Tiger’s fan, that would have been even more frustrating. He did pry my allegiance away from Mickey Mantle like every other kid my age back then, but I chose the White Sox because he insisted that I support someone closer to home. If I hadn’t followed his advice, I could have been an obnoxious Yankees fan.
The Damn Yanks are slipping in the Playoff race, but the SOX are solidly in the field. The Cubs are on the outside looking in, while my dad sadly died before his Chicago team finally won it all in 2016. I’m ready for some Playoff baseball where the SOX will finally face some competition. They’ve been playing most of this injury plagued season with a firm grip on the AL Central. If they can stay healthy, they have a strong chance of winning it all. If they can’t do it, maybe the Braves can, so Let The Games begin.
They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. but I had my first Pickle Ball match at the age of 70. I lost of course, but didn’t get hurt. My body could not move laterally and bending over for a low shot was impossible. I can feel some of the strain in my knees this morning, but I’m glad to have given it a try. I’ll practice some before my next match in two weeks. Does practice still make perfect at age 70? During my time on the court, our Fantasy team, the Dolphish, stretched its lead to 134-115 over Aaron Hernandez Taxi Service with one Tight End each yet to play tonight. We have the edge in improving our record to 2-1.
Today is “Matinee Meatless Monday” with Dear Evan Hansen on the big screen and PB&J for lunch. We saw the Broadway performance on our last trip to New York. Not sure when we’ll ever get back? Pittsburgh is our next stop on Wednesday, with little interest now in seeing the Cubs and Pirates play. After their last two games with the Cardinals, I’m embarrassed to be a fan. The Cards were able to stretch their winning streak to 16 with the 4-game sweep of the Cubbies at Wrigley. The last three games of this “season to forget” will be in St. Louis. There was a glimmer of hope early in 2021, including a 2-1 series victory for the Cubs at Busch in May and a 3-0 home field sweep in June. They tied at one each in July after game 3 was postponed. That’s when the tide started to turn in favor of the Red Birds, taking three of the next four after the All-Star break. Then, the Cubs cleaned house. Believe it or not the New Blue still have a chance to win the overall season series, but regardless the Cards will probably still go on to the Wildcard. They currently have a 6-game cushion over the Phillies and Reds with only six left to play. They can’t possibly catch the Brewers for the Division crown even if they stretch their winning streak to 22 and tie Cleveland’s American League mark for consecutive wins! If they then win that 23rd against the Giants or Dodgers, they’ll make the Playoffs and could challenge the 1916 New York Giants for the all-time record of 26!
Meanwhile on the other side of Chicago, the White Sox are comfortably in the Playoffs. The SOX won the final series against the Indians 3 games to 2 to clinch the Division. They are currently three games behind the Astros to determine which team will have home field advantage in the Playoffs. The Astros have three against the Brewers and three versus the A’s, while the “Good Guys” meet the Tigers and Reds to conclude the regular season. After winning last night, a seven-game winning streak could give the Pale Hose a Playoff edge, but I will assume they will continue to rest their stars during this stretch, while the Tigers have little to play for and the Reds may also be out of Wildcard contention by the time they play in Chicago, especially if the Cardinals continue their record streak.
After all this time of not working, nearly 5 years now, Fridays are always still special. I can feel it in my bones, starting back in grade school when the buzzer sounded signifying the beginning of another weekend. Even though every day is now the same in retirement, the energy of freedom is in the air as the workforce takes a break for a few days. For me, it only means longer lines in the stores, more people at the beach, and more traffic. For them, it’s the magic of the weekend and more time with family, friends, and favorite activities. This is why we’re going to the Mote Aquarium today rather than tomorrow, so we can avoid the crowds even though we’ll pay more.
I had lunch with my son and granddaughter at Firehouse Subs yesterday, and when we got back to their house he turned on the White Sox game just in time to watch them clinch a playoff berth over the Indians (soon to be the Guardians). It was a special moment for me, the first time they won the American League Central division in 13-years, and the first time in franchise history that they made the postseason, let alone the World Series, in back-to-back years, dating back to 1969 when the playoffs first started. Manager Tony La Russa was thrilled – the happy face of a Little Leaguer, as he dreamed about the prospect of a fourth World Series championship with three different teams. He first managed the White Sox from 1979-1986, winning only one post season game. He moved to the Oakland A’s to claim his first ring in 1989, sandwiched between two other American League pennants. Two other rings were earned with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006 and 2011 along with a National League crown in 2004. The White Sox hired him back this year at the age of 76 after a 10-year hiatus from the game. As of yesterday, his teams have finished first in their Division 13 times and achieved playoff status 14 times in 35 years at the helm.
Back in 1983, after winning 99 regular season games, a 38-year old La Russa (he’s twice as old now) took the Sox into October but only won one match-up and lost three against the Orioles, who went on to win it all. He had players like Carlton Fisk, Tom Paciorek, Ron Kittle, Harold Baines, Greg Luzinski, Greg Walker, Scott Fletcher, Jerry Hairston, LaMarr Hoyt, Richard Dotson, and Floyd Bannister, to name a few of the stars. They wore the red, white, and blue jerseys when the team was known for “Winning Ugly.” They are not my favorite, however, they’ve brought them back this year in honor of La Russa’s initial playoff success with the team. As a side note, they were first unretired and not so lucky for the 2014 season under Robin Ventura when they finished 4th at 73-89. I’m sure we’ll see them at home this year where they will most likely play the Astros, speaking of ugly uniforms. Let’s Go Sox.
I was glad to see my poetic side emerge again yesterday (See Post #1806). Hopefully, it means that my aches and pains are starting to subside. Maybe I can even get off the Advil soon? Turning seventy and the associated arthritis has hit me hard. Although this morning’s run #4,648 was slow and out of balance, I still felt better than normal. Losing about five pounds would really help, but there are too many cookies and M&Ms in the house. The grandkids were over for dinner last night that concluded with Key Lime pie. The beer can chicken that I prepared was once again a tasty hit. I’m just such a messy cook, even on the grill.
Today will be filled with more frustrating football, although I think I’ll watch outside in the sunshine. My tan is starting to fade when compared to my wife who spends much more time outside. At least there was some sun on this morning’s run, but I’ve spent too much time in the cool darkness of my office. Sunshine is my fuel and I can feel it rekindling my spirits when I bathe in its warmth. Swimming with the kids yesterday was cancelled due to rain, just like about everything else we’ve tried to schedule in advance lately. Trips, concerts, meet-ups have been postponed or lost due to weather, Covid, or fires. This year’s travel miles will be comparable with 2020, less than half of what we’ve done in years prior. At least, 2021 has afforded more opportunities to get away, but each adventure much shorter in length. Hopefully, we can still get to Pittsburgh at the end of this month.
IU football and soccer suffered more losses this weekend. Both programs were looking at national prominence, but have instead faced disappointment. The Colts and Bears will look to rebound from last week, but I’m not seeing much promise out of either team. Only the Ducks have excelled, especially the big win over Ohio State last week. Purdue lost to Notre Dame, despite the big drum controversy. Maybe Fantasy Football will bring a little sunshine into my sports world today?
