Category: OLD SPORT SHORTS (Page 43 of 68)
An old guy’s perspective on all sports
Last I reported the Cubs were winning in Maui and continued an impressive streak of series victories over their opponents. The red-hot Cubbies had won 4 straight games going into May, and while I watched in Maui were 6-1 including a sweep of the Cardinals. This is why it’s always been “a magical place where the Cubs win all the time.” By the time I got back to the mainland, they were ready to face the division leading Brewers. A 7-0 thumping made me wish I was back in the islands, but a gutsy 15-inning walk-off victory and a win in the series finale put the Cubs in the National League Central drivers seat for the first time this season, as the Cardinals continued to fade. It seemed like the last-place Reds would be easy picking, especially after winning the opener in Cincinnati. However, after the Reds prevailed in the next two battles, it turned out to be the first series loss in over a month. So far in May, the Cubs have gone 11-4, including a 14-6 drubbing of the Nats and ace starting pitcher Max Scherzer. Kris Bryant homered 3 times to lead the Cubs assault.
The Portland Trailblazers also had a magical touch during our Maui getaway with the four overtime victory over the Nuggets. They went on to claim that series and a consolation prize of facing the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals, So far, the Warriors have lived up to their goal of claiming a three-peat, especially after the 17-point comeback in Game 2. The Blazers are hoping that the home court puts them back into contention. We have plans to go to game 4 at the Moda Center.
We’ve lived in Portland now for five years, so I guess that gives us the right to be fans of the team. I grew up a Blazer fan, although it was the Elkhart Blue Blazers, my hometown high school team. The Indiana Pacers were my NBA team of choice, while Portland was just too far away to even follow. College basketball was by far my preference, although my business included selling advertising for Pacers games on radio. I got to know some of the players, including Reggie Miller, and entertained clients at games. My wife’s company now has Trailblazer tickets, so we’ve gone to several games this year. I’ve followed them very closely this year, especially in the Playoffs. The Damian Lillard bobble-head on my office shelf is nodding with approval. Game 3 is tonight but we’ll be at the home of one of my wife’s former client, so I’m not sure if the game will be on or not.
I honestly did not realize the significance of the Trailblazers logo until just this morning. I saw it displayed on a car sticker and tried to figure out the meaning of its unique pinwheel-like design. At first, I thought the lines were trails leading to a center point perhaps reflecting on the Lewis & Clark Expedition. After some research, I discovered that “the five lines on either side of the graphic represent five offensive players and five defensive players coming together to compete in the game of basketball.” Honestly, they might need ten players to effectively compete against the Golden State five for any chance to move on to the first NBA title since 1977.
It was a tough night in Denver for the Portland Trailblazers. We watched the final two quarters at a portable bar set up on the grassy area of the Wailea beachfront. The game was over by halftime, as the Nuggets easily proved their home court superiority. Our night went on with dinner, drinks, conversation, and entertainment Hawaiian-Style. It was our last night on the beach as part of the Oregon Auto Dealers Association conference. I once used to work with some of these folks prior to retirement, but it was my wife’s company who partially sponsored the event.
Earlier in the day, the Cubs and White Sox both won, giving me the false impression that “Maui Magic” was still lingering in the salt air. Overall, I would have to say that my teams won more than they lost, but the Trailblazer drubbing was truly tragic, as they fell behind by 31 points and lost by 26. The reception on the make-shift TV wasn’t great, but there really wasn’t much promising to see anyway. However, the setting was lovely and the variety of fresh food plentiful. It was held just off the beach path where I ran every morning near a small sandy inlet surrounded by black lava rock. The path itself extends for a little over a mile with heavy foot traffic all day long. The sunsets were stunning, as “Maui Magic” is obviously much more than the “frivolous sports” that I too often write about, as my wife might complain. It’s more like blue skies, sunshine, bikinis, cosmetic surgery, tan lines, leis, Mai Tais, palm trees, luaus, pineapple, whales, and ocean breezes.
We’ve eaten at some great restaurants and stayed in two luxurious Maui resorts. I’ve finished several books, been inspired to complete some previously half-baked poems, had a memorable walk in the rain under an umbrella with my wife, and enjoyed a breakfast cheeseburger. We decided not to do a boat tour this time, satisfied with our recent Phuket adventure. We also returned to some of my wife’s dining favorites, including Roy’s, Leilani’s On The Beach, and Gannon’s. We will definitely come back again, probably to next year’s convention on the Big Island. It’s always tragic to say Aloha to “Maui Magic.” Big Apple here we come!
Did you miss me? I’m back on the internet after a few days of technical frustration. I’m never sure who’s out there when I sit down at the keyboard – if anyone, but I certainly miss what I call my daily therapy. It’s the ability to express whatever is on my mind, with the small chance that someone else might someday be interested. However, it’s pretty hard to claim any sense of frustration when all you do all day is soak in the Maui sunshine. It’s now time to cool off in our air conditioned luxury suite. I don’t mean to rub it in, but retirement is a great blessing!
My wife has one last event to attend tonight for the Oregon Auto Dealers Association. She’s here as a media supporting sponsor with me as her plus-one. Tomorrow we will head back home to Portland to be briefly reunited with our schnauzer puppies. She’ll head back to the office for two days, while I will organize a couple of lunches with my buddies. There will also be some laundry to do before we head to New York City for more of my wife’s business. I’m glad I have the retirement freedom to tag-along on her travel schedule. We always manage to combine business and pleasure, as she continues to practice for retirement in a few years.
I’m anticipating tonight’s game 5 of the NBA Playoffs as the Trailblazers travel to Denver with hopes of regaining the series edge. In the meantime, the Cubs battery continues to struggle against the lowly Marlins, but the White Sox did win their second game in a row against the Indians. “Maui Magic” did allow for a couple of small victories after the “tragic” set-backs of the past few days. It’s the last night for the magic to reappear before we head home. We might get a chance to go to what could be the final game in Portland before we hit the road again.
In a few days, we’ll be exploring Broadway Theater with shows like Tootsie, Beetlejuice, and Pretty Woman. I will also get to see a Yankees game in support of my sense of masculinity. The Maui beaches will then be a distant memory, but I will miss the sunshine. Whether I was missed by you is the real question? Hopefully, I will have the time and technology to present more of “Retirement is not without Hassles,” as we continue our coast-to-coast-to-coast road trip. Please stay tuned.
When I ran on the Maui beachfront path this morning, I spotted a woman in a “No Days Off” t-shirt. My first thought was she hardly had the physique to boast any such discipline, but then I realized it was probably a free giveaway from Under Armor. In reality, unfortunately she was built more like Coach Bill Belicheck who is credited for the saying. It was a “cringe-inducing, vaguely anti-labor chant at the Patriots’ victory parade, attended by over one million people who, presumably, had the day off.
I can certainly brag that I’ve now run 3,780 consecutive days without a day off, but unlike the New England Patriots I have nothing to show for it. I am stuck at #202 on the active U.S. streak list as currently listed on the website runeveryday.com. It does automatically updates my days, so I no longer have to keep track. I also earned a certificate after my first year and the right to buy a USRSA t-shirt. Other than this, I can’t really say that “no days off” have “paid off,” since you can’t really measure the health benefits. Also, I never seem to move up on this list of devoted streakers who in some cases never report that they’ve missed a run.
I can’t get internet access to my blog at this luxurious Fairmont Kea Lani Hotel, despite spending an hour with the “Help” desk. I wouldn’t access it as helpful since I could not hear or understand the technician and the problem was never resolved. However, as a side note, they did have big fluffy towels and high thread count bed sheets. We’ve stayed on this lush strip of Wailea beach many times, so there’s little new to write about. From a sports standpoint, the Cubs swept the Cardinals and then blew their 8-game winning streak against the Marlins. It just figures that they would have a let-down against the worst team in the majors. To make matters worse, the Nuggets tied the series against the Trailblazers and regained home court advantage. All that “Maui Magic” has suddenly turned tragic.
I took a sun break to catch up on Game of Thrones, so I’m ready for the final episode next week. It will feel good to get those characters out of my mind, regardless of how it turns out. No more battles, bastards, betrayals, and beheading. I will undoubtedly have to take the time while we’re in New York City next week to see the much anticipated conclusion. After all, in retirement, I’ll have the day off!
I continue to refer to a post card that I sent my dad, a lifelong Cubs fan, from Hawaii over 15 years ago. “It’s a magical place where the Colts and Cubs win all the time.” In 2003, the Colts were down 21-0 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at halftime and 28-7 at the end of the 3rd Quarter. This particular Monday Night Football game was on the big screen in an Island bar sometime in the middle of the afternoon. I remember walking out in disgust but seeing the final score later that day as 38-35 Colts in overtime. I couldn’t believe it! The Colts scored 3 touchdowns in the final four minutes and Mike Vanderjagt hit a game-winning field goal in the extra period for the victory. That’s when I first began to believe in “Maui Magic!”
That same year my wife bought me a Chicago Cubs Hawaiian shirt. After the miraculous Colts comeback victory the night before, I was fashionably ready for the Cubs playoff series against the Florida Marlins. It looked like “Maui Magic” would continue as the Cubs jumped out to a 4-run first inning lead, but in extra-innings they lost 9-8. Fortuitously, I decided to give the gift shirt one more chance and they won three straight by scores of 12-3, 5-4 and 8-3. By that point the shirt and I were inseparable and that’s when I wrote the postcard home. The Cubs needed just one more victory to finally make it to the elusive World Series. Unfortunately, it was time to return home to Indianapolis.
On our Sunday flight back to the mainland, Carlos Zambrano had pitched a scoreless four innings, but in the bottom of the 5th “Maui Magic” turned Tragic! While watching in the Los Angeles airport bar during our layover, the Marlins took a 2-run lead and avoided elimination by a final score of 4-0. Nonetheless, the shirt and I were still confident that the Cubs could certainly win at least one of the final two games, but we would have to do it from the living room couch. I still had a Maui tan but it wasn’t enough, as a 3-0 lead in the 8th started to crumble when Cubs fan Steve Bartman made a bad name for himself. To make an all too familiar nightmare story short, the Cubs ultimately lost the series and the shirt was promptly exiled to the back of my clothes closet.
Now, 15 years later, “Maui Magic” has returned. The Portland Trailblazers have won two consecutive NBA Playoff victories, including a gutsy record four overtime victory last night over the Nuggets. However, I will have to once again leave the island before they can ultimately wrap-up the series. We may even see Game 6 when we’re back in Portland. Unfortunately, I’ve already learned that you can’t take “Maui Magic” home with you. In addition, the Cubs have claimed a series victory over the Cardinals, regardless of tomorrow’s outcome. A grand slam home run by Cubs catcher Taylor Davis, a career first, tied the game after Yu Darvish fell behind 5-1. I knew it would take even More Maui Magic to offset Darvish’s characteristic slow starts. Yu continues to be a disappointing investment, but Javier Baez continued to save the day with his 10th HR of the season. This was after the St. Louis infield muffed his twisting foul pop-up, gifting a game winning second opportunity.
You can’t put “Maui Magic” in a bottle and take it with you. You just have to enjoy it while you’re here. Sadly, it doesn’t seem to work for the White Sox, although they did at least win one game against the Red Sox while we were here. Also, Indiana baseball has lost their series against Illinois, while Oregon State stumbled against Oklahoma State. It continues to be an effective tonic for the Cubs, as the postcard originally proclaimed. Maybe we can come back again to help the Colts!
I would have to say that the Hawaiian Islands have been poetically inspiring these past few days. There was plenty of time on the five-hour plane ride to write. We were also up early this morning with the three-hour time difference from Portland. Dinner last night was at 7:30 but really 10:30 for us. Most importantly sports scores have gone my way with the Cubs, White Sox, and Trailblazers all recording victories. As I wrote to my dad years ago, “Hawaii is a magical place where {insert favorite teams} always win.” (See Post #49). I hope this continues for the next 7 days that we are on Maui.
It’s a bit cloudy today, so burning these pail shoulders shouldn’t be a problem. I’ve started reading Into the Wild, a book by Jon Krakauer. I actually stole it from our anniversary hotel room in tiny McMinnville, Oregon last week. The Big Apple, New York City is next week. Both cities are mentioned in the silly poem that follows. Yesterday’s poem (See Post #927) was a bit personal and heavy, so I felt that that today’s effort should be lighter. My wife and I were walking along the beach path this morning and we saw a partially clothed statue of Buddha, reminiscent of our recent trip to Thailand. (See Post #884). She couldn’t help but laugh about “Buddha Butt.” I know it’s sacrilegious and disrespectful but that’s what sick humor is often all about:
Buddha Butt
Thailand islands,
Maui sun.
The Big Apple,
Among all we’ve done.
McMinnville magic,
Wrigley vines.
Phoenix to Tucson,
Temples and shrines.
O’ Canada yet,
San Francisco next.
Each new adventure,
A bucket quest.
It’s been a good year,
Of traveling around.
And next fall,
We’re Egypt bound.
We’ve been to the top,
And even underground.
We’ve searched the world,
And here’s what we’ve found:
From naked David,
To tomb of Tut.
Nothing’s sexier,
Than Buddha Butt.
Copyright 2019 johnstonwrites.com
I spent some time this past week cleaning out and finishing up some of the poetry starts on my Evernote app. Whenever I get an idea, I store it on my phone and work on it from time to time. There are still hundreds of these snippets on file, and while I wait at the doctors office or have some down time I use them for inspiration. I added three new poems to the blog this week, but have written little about my other activities. I decided this morning to catch you up on my retirement life. Whoever you are?
My wife and I are headed to Hawaii next week, only to return for a day before another trip to New York City. As I result, we’ve packed a lot of errands and activities into this week’s social calendar. Naturally, I had time to watch all the updates available for my favorite television series, including Game of Thrones, The Curse of Oak Island, Billions, Schitt’s Creek, and Fosse and Verdon. It will be several weeks before I get back to them again, since I’ll have more constructive things to do. I also went to the chiropractor, got a new prescription for my glasses, cooked dinner, called my sister, talked with my son, enjoyed C’est Si Bon on date night with my wife, finished our wills, took a financial seminar, did my daily runs, and went skiing. This weekend my wife’s youngest daughter is visiting her sister here in Portland, and they will all go wedding dress shopping. Both daughters are getting married this year. Right now, I’m waiting for my wife to get out of bed so we can take the dogs on their highly anticipated Schnauzerthon. They are restless!
Along with some lighter bedtime reading, I am slowly making my way through, The Girls Who Went Away, the disturbing stories of young expectant women who were forced to give their babies away for adoption. It’s a very emotional book, especially for an adopted child like myself. I will write more about it under the “Diary of An Adoptee” category on this blog. A blood relative suggested that I read it, and I’ve found it to be very eye-opening. I may never know the true story of what my birth mother went through, but I’m sure it’s even worse than what I’ve imagined. There are some heart warming moments when mother and child are finally reunited later in life. Honestly, this is probably not going to happen for me.
On the lighter side, I continue to refer to the 1,000 Places to See Before You Die calendar on my desk. Easter Island; Jerusalem; Jiagsu, China; Northern Ireland; Lhasa’s Potala Palace; Mount Yoshino, Japan; and Seville, Spain are all yet to be personally explored. Only Tuscany and Greece were already crossed off my list. The bottom line is that I’ve really only seen about 20% of the world and will realistically only only visit about 35% in my lifetime. The calendar continues to reference places that I’ve never even thought of visiting.
Sports have been a big part of the week, as the Trailblazers move on to the second round of the Playoffs. Their buzzer-beating victory over the Thunder was one of the most exciting I’ve watched. Also, the Cubs have been playing better baseball, winning three game series against both the Diamondbacks and Dodgers. The White Sox continue to flounder near the bottom of their division. Indiana University baseball moved to the top of the BIG conference and into the National Top 25 polls, but then lost their opener against Minnesota. #2 ranked Oregon State was surprised by Nevada. It was also the week of the NFL draft, with little interest for me. In addition, the Portland Timbers were off to a rocky start before defeating both Columbus and Toronto on the road.
Last but not least, I did finally get to the ski slopes this season. It was a beautiful day on the mountain but the snow was a bit sticky. There were also some icy spots in the shaded ares, and my day started on my butt. The fall didn’t hurt, but I badly scratched my exposed back sliding backwards down the hill. With the spring-like weather, I did not have on the traditional layers of clothing that would have normally protected my skin. The tumble, followed soon after by another slip, also destroyed my confidence, as I struggled to regain any form. It was difficult to turn in the slushy areas and this took a toll on my legs as the day went on. I have to admit that at my age I did consider hanging up my skis, but there were also some moments that will probably get me back on them again next year. My goal is to ski into my seventies, but balance is getting to be more and more of an issue.
I’m ready to leave my comfortable life as a homebody and hit the road. We’re in an area of Maui that we’re very familiar with, so it should be relaxing before the Oregon Auto Dealers Convention begins. I’ll have to attend some dinners, receptions, and seminars reminiscent of my working days, She also has television business in New York the following week, so we’ll go to some Broadway Shows and I have tickets to a Yankees game with a friend’s son. Retirement life is busy…and good, despite a few scrapes.
Last night, Rip City had became R.I.P for the OKC Thunder in one of the greatest finishes I’ve seen. In fact, I had ruled out the Trailblazers victory chances with them down by 15 with 7:12 to go. Honestly, I was at the other extreme with a comfortable 9-point lead at 3:29 in the 3rd quarter and joined my wife in the other room for another episode of Schitt’s Creek. Damian Lillard was on fire and his bobble-head on my office shelf was nodding in agreement. I felt even better because the Cubs had easily defeated the Dodgers 7-2 on another channel behind the crafty pitching of Jose Quintana. By the time I rejoined the Blazer game, Russell Westbrook had given the Thunder a 4-point advantage as the end of quarter was near. It was a tough, physical game with Enes Kanter in pain and holding one arm at his side. “Just what we needed – another injury,” was my sour thought as the Trailblazers hoped to advance in the NBA Playoffs.
I had finally gotten to a game this year and saw an amazing Rip City 28-point comeback over the Sacramento Kings, behind seven threes and 37-points from rookie Anfernee Simons. Lillard did not play nor did his side-kick C.J. McCollum, I did however leave the Moda Center with a new Trailblazers hat and the bobble-head. It was a sign of things to come. The victory earned them a #3 seed, but would require both snapping a 10-game post-season losing streak and winning on the road to get to this chance to finish off the Thunder. I had forgotten that they were formerly the Supersonics, a long time rival neighbor of the Blazers and a bitter loss for the city of Seattle. In fact, the future of the Blazer franchise is in doubt after the death of owner Paul Allen. It was even more incentive to advance in his honor.
With everything on the line, the score tied, the clock running down, and Paul George in his face, Damian Lillard drilled a 37-foot dagger at the buzzer and waved goodbye to the Thunder. It’s a shot that’s becoming a Lillard trademark, allowed him to hit the 50-point mark for the game, and certainly got me off the couch to celebrate. With the Indiana Pacers already swept out of the Playoffs, I’m fully behind the Trailblazers as my wife and I head to Hawaii. I’ve had some memorable sports moments in Maui where I once wrote a postcard to my dad stating, “it’s a magical place where the Colts and Cubs always win!” I hope to add the Trailblazers. (See Post #49)
With my upcoming 50th high school class reunion, I will morn the loss of close classmates Grant and Dennis. My good friend Grant passed away decades ago, but just four years ago I had dinner with Dennis and his wife Sue at Michael’s in my hometown of Elkhart, Indiana. Two months later he died unexpectedly. On July 5, 2016, I took Sue to a Cubs game at Wrigley Field and she surprised me with a small metal film container of Dennis’ ashes. Together, we spread them down the first base line along the brick right field wall. I wrote this poem to honor this occasion while watching the Cub’s game from the stands yesterday. Maybe someday I’ll join him on the field?
“Ashes to ashes,
Dust to Dust.”
To rejoin the Earth,
is final must.
A special spot,
Where memories lie.
Set them free,
When I die.
Beautiful white flakes,
They fall like snow.
And come to rest,
In a place I know.
Where Ernie Banks,
Played the game.
And earned his place,
In the Hall of Fame.
Where home runs fly,
Over ivy covered walls.
And destiny is forged,
By bats, gloves, & balls.
Bricks and Blue,
Is what I choose.
An eternal nap,
Win or lose.
It’s my last wish,
To take the mound.
And be a part,
Of sacred ground.
Grave reminders,
Are not for me.
Make me part,
Of that grassy sea.
When my fate
Is finally sealed.
Just spread my ashes,
On Wrigley Field.
For Dennis Copyright 2019 johnstonwrites.com
I also ran across a similar request from a Steve Goodman called, “A Dying Cub’s Fan’s Last Request:”
Build a big fire on home plate out of your Louisville Sluggers baseball bats, And toss my coffin in. Let my ashes blow in a beautiful snow, From the prevailing 30 mile an hour southwest wind. When my last remains go flying over the left-field wall, We’ll bid the bleacher bums adieu, And I will come to my final resting place, out on Waveland Avenue.
Steve, I hope you meet Dennis!