Category: OLD SPORT SHORTS (Page 44 of 68)

An old guy’s perspective on all sports

Old Sport Shorts: THAIU #886

March 25, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

I was able to monitor last night’s I.U. Basketball Second Round N.I.T. victory over Arkansas, revenging a regular season loss. I woke up about midnight, after our alcohol-free Michelin Star dinner at Nahm. Since Thai election laws prohibited the sale of alcohol, the gourmet meal was surprisingly affordable at less than 6,000 baht ($200). At one time, it’s world-renowned chef made it the #1 restaurant in Asia, but it failed to rate among our Top 25 dining experiences. I did, however, appreciate the reasonable cost, and the spiciness of the “Angry Beef” woke me up at halftime for the second half of the game. Fortunately, the Hoosiers did not add another loss to my already “angry” stomach. GO THAIU!

I was not able to actually watch the game on T.V. from our room in Bangkok, but I got the detailed, live “play by play” action on the ESPN app. It followed a familiar pattern of sad fundamentals that included a slow start, poor free throw efficiency, 3-point shooting woes, plus ridiculous long scoring droughts. Freshman Romeo Langford did not leave the I.U. bench, apparently still nursing a back injury. He sat out dreaming of a huge NBA contract as a certain lottery pick. The good news was that It gave next year’s guard tandem a chance to get in more minutes. Also a positive, Senior Juwan Morgan will play at least another game in a Hoosier uniform. They’ll face Wichita State later this week. It will allow my cousin and I a chance to watch it together from a Phuket beach bar stool, representing the Indiana Alumni Association in Thailand. Our Hoosiers somehow won the game thanks to equally bad shooting by Arkansas coupled with a strong rebounding edge on our end. The obnoxious “Pig Sooies” (See Post #578) stayed in contention with superior free-throw shooting, but missed the game-tying final shot. GO THAIU!

We’re waiting on our flight to Phuket, after one last run/walk on the crowded, narrow streets of downtown Bangkok this morning. I also had to dodge the temporary wooden-framed election billboards that were tied to each and every street sign. They should all come down tomorrow when the bars reopen. Our last Bangkok meal is at the airport McDonalds as we await boarding. The “Thai Fries” were great and the “Buddha Burgers” tasty, consistent with bowing Ronald’s Quarter Pounder Combo in his U.S. restaurants. While we’re eating, I’m looking out the window from inside the terminal at another religious shrine surrounded by a huge manicured garden guarded by what look like golden goose gargoyles. Otherwise, it would look like any other airport around the world.

We’re “Thai Tired” and will need a nap by the time we check into our next Marriott Vacation Club apartment at Mai Khoa Beach. The only scheduled plans over the next couple days involve a seafood dinner at THIW Soen restaurant and a boat trip to “James Bond Island,” as seen in the movie The Man with The Golden Gun. Both will be a chance to get re-acquainted with my cousin, Jim, who teaches English here in Thailand when he’s not involved in Chamber of Commerce fundraisers back in The States. We also look forward to meeting his friend Sinee, a native of Thailand. It will give us a chance to learn more about the local culture from her perspective, and extol upon her the Glory of our Old THAIU!

Old Sport Shorts: Blown IU-tunity #877

March 14, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

Since the inception of the Big Ten post-season conference tournament in 1998, Indiana Hoosier basketball is a dismal 12-22. Only Northwestern has a poorer record at 9-22. Ohio State, the football school, leads the overall conference standings at 26-14. They still have a chance to add to that distinction after beating Indiana again today and forcing them out of prime post-season. To make matters worse, the I.U. Hoosiers, once a prominent basketball program, has failed to win the tournament 22 consecutive times. Only in 2001 did they make it to the final game, losing against Iowa 63-61 under interim Coach Mike Davis, once Bob Knight was fired in September. Then they went on to lose in the First Round of the NCAA Tourney against Kent State and finished the season at 21-13. The very next year Davis guided them to an NCAA Championship game against Maryland. The ironic thing is that Maryland eventually became a BIG Ten school, so I guess you could say they lost two BIG tournaments in the same year, because Iowa also beat them in the Second Round of the official conference tournament. In 2013, I.U. won the BIG conference regular season championship, but Wisconsin got in the way in the tournament. It’s a disappointing track record after the glory years of 5 National Championships.

Even more controversial is the fact that Iowa was coached in both conference tournament losses by former I.U. star Steve Alford. Plus, the 2002 tournament was played in Indianapolis, Indiana that probably should have given the home-state Hoosiers an advantage. Coach Davis was eventually replaced in 2006 by Kelvin Sampson who managed his way to NCAA probation for recruitment violations. Coach Tom Crean tried to right the ship but last year Archie Miller got the nod. This string of coaching adjustments after the Bob Knight era accounts for all 22 failures in the conference post-season. 22 Blown Opportunities!

Coach Knight did not have a conference tournament to deal with, and I believe had fought the idea for several years. He did win the Big Ten eleven times and was Coach of the Year eight times. There was also that remarkable string of consecutive victories. I.U. lost to Michigan in a 1973 playoff game to break a regular season tie, but went on from there to go undefeated two consecutive regular seasons before losing to Purdue in 1977. Thirty-Six straight Big Ten Conference wins, long before it was re-branded BIG with more teams. This year we lost 7 straight conference games, followed by an additional 5 straight and then finished with a blown opportunity. Fittingly, we’ll probably end up playing another Big Ten squad in the unheralded NIT or “Not In Tournament” like Penn State that won it last year. Just another reason for my Purdue friends to make fun of me.

After all the disappointment this year, there was a temporary spark of life, as if the Basketball Gods had flipped a switch. An I.U. team that was in my opinion one of the “worst shooting” clubs I’ve ever seen on the court suddenly began to cut down on turnovers and consequently won four straight to close the regular season. They looked like an entirely different team. With double wins over Co-Champ Michigan State, an overtime victory against Wisconsin, and “Quad 1” upsets of Marquette and Louisville, they were gaining momentum for an NCAA Tournament bid. Just one more BIG win over Ohio State would have probably clinched it. Instead, they fell flat on their faces. “One and Done” Romeo Langford had just 9 and two critical turnovers. Team leader Juwan Morgan could produce only twelve points and seven rebounds, both well below his average. They somehow found themselves relying on Devonte Green’s career-high 26 even despite 4 painful turnovers, and graduate transfer Evan Fitzner’s 8, while De’Ron Davis and Al Durham contributed just nine each. It was not a clutch team performance when the Hoosiers really needed one. A Blown Opportunity!

After setting the table with the late-season rally for an NCAA meal, all they’ll get are NIT scraps. Langford probably won’t play so as to not damage his NBA prospects in meaningless competition. Morgan may do the same. This would really taint an already tarnished season that finished in an unfulfilled comeback flurry that could have been avoided by not falling so far behind. They resorted to alley-ball rather than teamwork, and became the 17-turnover machine that plagued them all of last year and most of this season. Plus, they were only 10-15 from the free throw line, while the more muscular Buckeyes were 15-18. I.U. lost 79-75. Five more free throws and they might have pulled out an undeserved victory! It was a BIG letdown on a BIG day – a whimper when they needed a roar. A “Blown Opportunity” that could have saved their I.U. legacy and perhaps launched themselves into greatness.

As a side note, it’s hard to believe that Romeo Langford’s NBA stock continues to stay strong. He’s proven over and over again that he’s not a clutch player. (See Post #850). He needs a couple more years of college (but most likely D-League) to develop his shooting skills. He fell asleep in some critical situations when his teammates needed him most in this “must-win” game. Sorry, Romeo, but despite my anger I still do wish the very best for you. It was not an appropriate way for the former “Mr. Basketball” to end his time at I.U. It was, in fact, a “Blown Hoosier-tunity.”

Retirement is not without Hassles: Game Face #876

March 14, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

“It’s not nap time; it’s game time.” As I’ve commented many times before, the beauty of living on the West Coast is enjoying early game times. None of that stay up until midnight loaded with adrenaline and then try to sleep silliness. Today’s game starts at 9:30 a.m., enough time to get my run completed, have breakfast, send my wife off to work, write a few words, and put on my game face. Once she pulls out of the driveway, she doesn’t have to deal with my embarrassing temper fits once the ball is tipped-off, and I will have probably cooled-off once she comes home. Only the dogs and cat will need to cover their ears during my explosions of rage. There may be time in the afternoon for that retirement nap, but this morning I’m wearing my Game Face.

It’s a game that I haven’t played for over 30 years and never well, yet I would never make those kinds of mistakes on the floor. It’s simply not tolerated! This comes from a guy who once dribbled the wrong way down the court. I am proof of the phrase, “the older you get – the better you were.” I’m typically mild-mannered but not in front of a television set. No one can see me as I stomp my feet, wave my arms in disgust, and spew foul words like an uneducated truck driver. No one wants to watch with me any more, as I become someone else. The game face is really a mask that hides my true identity. I become “The Haunted I.U. Fanatic.”

Evil spirits take over my body as I rant about the opposition. I begin to hate my friends who might support the other team, and secretly wish them Ill-will. I’m jealous when these traitors win and I lose, although it’s really the fault of those “useless” players that I supposedly support. They are the ones who can’t do anything right and keep me from enjoying the glow of victory. They “screw-up” all the time! In reality, however, it’s probably more embarrassing to watch me than to watch them. They’re on camera and I’m not!

I don’t paint my face like some fans I know. Sometimes I don’t even wear my team colors because I’d be stuck in them if they happen to lose, a painful reminder of their failure to execute under pressure. However, I do like to take credit if they win. Maybe it was the lucky socks that I wore, or the fact that I simply took the time to watch them play? However, I rarely savor any victories because there’s always another game or season to worry about. A loss hangs heavy on my shoulders, and I wonder if there was anything else I could have done to help them win? Perhaps, I was just too optimistic and underestimated the opponent?

There is a certain high that accompanies every I.U. victory, and a rock-bottom low associated with the unmentionable. Other emotions like anger, frustration, hate, pity, and jubilation come into play. I can’t say that I ever feel confident behind my game face. We can be riding a wave of exceptional play only to hit a brick wall. I can even feel little joy in winning if we played poorly or got a lucky break. It’s tough being a fan with only mental powers to control the outcome of a game. It’s a helpless feeling when you’re sitting in the living room and the team is playing thousands of miles away. Can they hear your thoughts and screams that far away? Or should I raise my voice louder and scare the neighbors, as well?

It’s Game Day and I’m in my Game Face. Certainly, if the players were as well prepared as I am, there would be little doubt about the outcome. There would be no turn-overs, stupid fouls, or missed free throws. If it were me, I would play the perfect game, but instead I’m on the couch. It’s too early in the morning to drink and I’m a nervous wreck. I’m “The Haunted I.U. Fanatic,” waiting to see if my entire day will be ruined by another heart-breaker. Or, will I put on another Game Face tomorrow, and go through the same round-ball insanity?

Retirement is not without Hassles: Calendar Stops #875

March 13, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

We’re now a week away from Thailand. I got a note from my cousin who teaches there about a dinner reservation he’d like to make for all of us in Phuket. Also, our new luggage arrived at the house, so we can start to pack. We both got up a couple hours early this morning so my wife could head to the State Capitol as part of her board role with the American Heart Association. She didn’t sleep well last night, worried about cash flow related to caring for her mother and the details of planning both of her daughter’s upcoming weddings. The time change two days ago certainly didn’t help either of us, as well. We’ll both be ready for some catch-up sleep tonight, and hopefully the upcoming vacation break will help relieve some of her challenges.

I caught up on Curse of Oak Island after my morning run in the darkness – Day 3,727 of “The Streak.” The treasure-hunting brothers still haven’t found anything “significant,” but continue to dump buckets of money into the project. They seem to discover just enough to keep them going, just like I keep running. I’ll be in suspense regarding any progress while we’re in Thailand. The only TV I’ll watch there are live broadcasts of the NCAA Basketball Tournament. A few weeks ago, I was confident that my Indiana Hoosiers would not be part of it this year, especially after losing 12 out of 13 BIG Ten Conference games. However, after winning four straight games, they now have an opportunity to knock-off Ohio State tomorrow in the conference tournament and perhaps next face Michigan State for the third time this year. They’ve surprisingly had the Spartan’s number this year, so somewhere in Thailand I might be trying to catch them on satellite TV or the Internet. Every game I.U. plays now is an unexpected bonus and could be their last.

My friend from Indianapolis is headed to town in a few days as part of his involvement with Mecum Auction. We’ll get together for lunch, as we do every year at this time. He was also an account of mine in the radio business before my retirement. We were both part of an effort many years ago to initiate the Indy Jazz Fest. One of the unexpected benefits was a trip to the New Orleans Jazz Fest that will celebrate its 50th anniversary this April. Unfortunately, the Indianapolis version only lasted two years, but has been revived as a not-for-profit educational outreach program. It was quite an experience to travel to New Orleans twenty years ago, but I could never tolerate the crowds again.

The 1000 Places To See Before You Die calendar took to many to several more personally unexplored areas this week. Vietnam, Uganda, Portugal, New Zealand, and Ireland were featured. The single place that I could claim was Burgundy, France, home of Dijon Mustard. Next week starts with Stowe Vermont, another of my personal conquests. I’ve also traveled to French Polynesia and London, while Thailand ironically pops up while we’re visiting there, plus Natchez, Mississippi has been a brief stopover on one of our trips to Louisiana. I’ll return to the pages of the calendar once we get back.

Old Sports Shorts: Snow Ball #871

March 11, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

Spring is the time for baseball games and basketball tournaments. However, the weather can often play a factor. For example, it was just too cold for baseball yesterday in Seattle, and the pitchers dominated both college games we watched at what is now T-Mobile Park. It will always be known to the locals as Safeco Field, home of the Mariners. They were changing over the huge stadium signs while we were there, getting ready for MLB Opening Day ceremonies just a few weeks away. Some of the hitters were apparently using bats made of an aluminum and wood hybrid. This may have reduced some of the sting from a metal bat on a cold day. There was one towering two-run homer hit by Oregon State star catcher, Adley Rutschman that accounted for the 2-1 victory over Minnesota. The Gophers made 5 errors, perhaps attributed to the frigid conditions, as well.

The temperatures dropped to just above the freezing point for the nightcap between Indiana and Washington. It was cold and dark inside with the roof closed and a few scattered snow flurries outside. It was as close to “Snow Ball” as you could get. The highlight of this game was an I.U. no-hitter through 7 2/3 innings by starting pitcher Pauly Milto. It illustrates the simple strategy of outscoring and outlasting your opponent in a “cliffhanger.” (See Post and Poem #870).

Our baseball getaway continued with an afternoon match-up between #2 Oregon State and un-ranked Indiana. As classmates at I.U. back in the early 70’s, this was “the game” that lured my four friends and I to Seattle. One of them had joined me in Omaha to watch “The Beavers” triumph in last year’s College World Series, so we all were looking for a Hoosier upset. The T-Mobile roof was open, letting some sunshine warm the outfield grass. It was still too cold to watch the entire game, but I.U led early on a 2-run homer and an outstanding defensive play. However, Oregon State eventually responded and easily prevailed 8-3 long after we had left the stands for the warmth of the hotel bar.

As I write this on the train back to Portland, we’re all at least leaving on a positive basketball note, as the Hoosiers had just cruised by Rutgers to win their fourth straight BIG Ten game. We all watched from different locations, sharing a few comments by text. None of us had planned on going to the third I.U. baseball game of the round-robin Seattle Baseball Showcase against the San Diego Toreros that just ended in a disappointing 5-3 loss. It was at least in the upper 40’s today but Hoosier bats were still in the deep freeze and finished their Seattle road-trip at a disappointing 1-2. Oregon State ended up 2-1-1, tying Coastal Carolina at 4 runs in the 9th inning of a game that was eventually stopped after 11. I couldn’t have imagined sitting there on those cold wooden seats for that meaningless marathon. Nonetheless, The Beavers fought back to retain their Top 5 National ranking. Coastal Carolina had lost to San Diego before topping Washington, the weekend host who joined our Hoosiers with an overall record of 1-2.

When we made our plans to go to Seattle, I.U. baseball was supposed to be a distraction from the miserable basketball season. However, the basketball team has turned themselves around and will play Ohio State in the first game of the BIG Ten Tournament. A win would make it five straight and perhaps earn them a spot in the NCAA Tournament, that seemed an impossibility only a few weeks ago. That tournament bid would be an absolute lock if they then could beat Michigan State for the third time and perhaps take their first BIG Ten Tournament Championship. I must be dreaming…hit me with a snow ball.

Retirement is not without Hassles: Cliffhanger #870

March 11, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

On the train to Seattle, I also wrote this baseball gem with shades of “Casey at the Bat.” Apparently, I was also thinking of the National Geographic documentary Free Solo about mountain climbers who truly hang from the cliffs, since baseball is not a life or death sport. It’s only a game:

Cliffhanger

The object is simple,
I once said to Cliff.
Hit it where they ain’t,
Pitch where they’ll whiff.

Cliff is my pitcher,
Who’s learning the rules.
I told him I’ve studied,
At the finest baseball schools.

You see it’s a game
That may seem quite boring.
But you’re certain to win,
If you keep them from scoring.

Don’t let them on base,
For any damn reason.
This is the key,
To a great baseball season.

If they can’t get to first,
They can’t make the steal.
Just strike them out,
It’s no big deal.

If they do hit the sphere,
Just be where it lands.
This maintains quiet,
With the fans in the stands.

If it falls to the ground,
Just throw them out.
But if it spins away,
There may be some doubt.

Don’t let that happen,
Keep it away from the bat.
You don’t want that hit,
To be a troublesome stat.

Keep the scoreboard at zero,
And YOU get the hits.
The logic behind this,
Doesn’t take wits.

Outscore your opponent,
And victory is yours.
In case that first score,
Somehow occurs.

Don’t make it complicated,
And make that mistake.
Keep them hitless,
For Heaven’s sake.

Cliff simply nodded,
As if he understood.
Then threw his first pitch,
And it hit wood.

It sailed into the sky,
And over the fence.
And I looked at him,
As if he was dense.

I tried to explain,
Don’t give up any more!
Because now we too,
Will have to score.

He give me a wink,
Then blew it again.
If Cliff keeps this up,
We’ll never win.

So I called for time,
And pulled him aside,
But the very next batter,
Gave it a ride.

Cliff is no genius,
It’s clear to me.
We lost that game,
‘Cause Cliff gave up 3!

Old Sport Shorts: Glory of Old I.U. #868

March 7, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

I know I’ve written a lot of discouraging words about the Indiana basketball program this year. I’m admittedly so spoiled after years of success, and can never remember a year like this one. Just two weeks ago, I had taken to poetry in an attempt to defuse my emotions. (See Post #848). Tonight I’m eating crow after three consecutive victories. I even called them, “the worst shooting team in recent memory.” After all, they had just lost to both Purdue and Iowa once again and stood a pathetic 4-12 in the BIG Conference. I was frustrated, disappointed and embarrassed, having cursed Romeo Langford and Juwan Morgan for rushing off to the NBA without preforming up to their potential this last year of wearing the Cream & Crimson stripes.

I have to admit that I was mildly hopeful that they would finally rebound against Michigan State and Wisconsin, two schools that had historically proven to be our greatest nemesis. When all was said and done, not only did we beat the Badgers in double overtime, but we also doubled-up on the Spartans. Honestly, the first time we beat “Sparty” in East Lansing, I thought we had turned the corner on a sad season, but instead we fell flat on our faces at home against Iowa. Then it only got worse in blowout losses to Ohio State and Minnesota. At least, when the Boilers and Hawkeyes finally came to town, these were winnable games that turned into really bitter fourth and fifth consecutive defeats. Even though we then suddenly showed signs of greatness and beat two top-ranked teams, I was never confident that I.U. could pull-off a third straight victory at Illinois.

Now, all I want to do is sing the fight song after watching the “daily double.” The I.U. women’s team and Ali Patberg looked stellar in a tourney victory over Minnesota this afternoon. Tonight, the win over Illinois was the men’s team most convincing all-around effort this season. Shooting was a consistent 60% throughout the game! Rob Phinisee showed flashes of Isiah Thomas, while Langford, Morgan, Green and Davis made me proud. Our overall record is now finally over .500 including 7 BIG Ten victories, and remarkably with one more win against Rutgers the Hoosiers might be looking at an NCAA bid. They still have a chance to finish 8th in the conference that was sadly my pessimistic prediction going into the year. The “Glory of Old I.U.” has been temporarily restored.

Indiana, Our Indiana

Indiana’s most recognized fight song, “Indiana, Our Indiana,” was first performed by the IU Band in November, 1912 at a football game against Northwestern. The song has since been played at every Indiana football and basketball game.

Indiana, Our Indiana
Indiana, we’re all for you
We will fight for
the Cream & Crimson,
For the glory of Old IU
Never daunted, we cannot falter
In the battle, we’re tried and true
Indiana, Our Indiana
Indiana, we’re all for you!

Words by Russell P. Harker, Melody taken from “The Viking March”, by Karl L. King

Go Hoosiers!

Retirement is not without Hassles: Bucket Battle #867

March 7, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

When you have a bucket list, you also need a bucket of money to go with it. To get to the places you want to go it takes both time and money. Retirement guarantees that you have a lot of time on your hands, but that bucket of money often develops leaks. On the other hand, your bucket list tends to grow as you begin to explore new places, so you might need a bigger bucket to hold your dreams. Life in its simplest form is nothing more than a “Bucket Battle.”

Those of us from Indiana know the true significance of “The Bucket.” More specifically, the Old Oaken Bucket. It’s the prize the winning team receives when Indiana University and Purdue University play football every fall. The coveted traveling trophy was first awarded in 1925. The actual bucket was found on the Bruner family farm between Kent and Hanover in southern Indiana. An “I” or “P” is attached to its chain each year in honor of the victor. However, the inaugural battle ended in a tie, so an “I-P” link was added. My mom had a miniature replica of this trophy that she passed along to me.

The Old Oaken Bucket
By: Samuel Woodworth (1784–1842)

HOW dear to this heart are the scenes of my childhood,
When fond recollection presents them to view!
The orchard, the meadow, the deep-tangled wildwood,
And every loved spot which my infancy knew;
The wide-spreading pond and the mill which stood by it,
The bridge, and the rock where the cataract fell;
The cot of my father, the dairy-house nigh it,
And e’en the rude bucket which hung in the well,—
The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket,
The moss-covered bucket which hung in the well.

That moss-covered vessel I hail as a treasure;
For often, at noon, when returned from the field,
I found it the source of an exquisite pleasure,
The purest and sweetest that nature can yield.
How ardent I seized it, with hands that were glowing!
And quick to the white-pebbled bottom it fell;
Then soon, with the emblem of truth overflowing,
And dripping with coolness, it rose from the well;—
The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket,
The moss-covered bucket, arose from the well.

How sweet from the green mossy brim to receive it,
As, poised on the curb, it inclined to my lips!
Not a full blushing goblet could tempt me to leave it,
Though filled with the nectar that Jupiter sips.
And now, far removed from the loved situation,
The tear of regret will intrusively swell,
As fancy reverts to my father’s plantation,
And sighs for the bucket which hangs in the well;
The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket,
The moss-covered bucket which hangs in the well.

As the poem describes, the bucket was how we once retrieved life-giving fresh water, as opposed to just turning on the tap. The “green mossy” references do not exactly sound appetizing. It was also made into a song that only Hoosiers like myself would recognize. The poem was written 8 years before the Old Oaken Bucket became a football trophy and long before making a “bucket list” was considered to be a positive exercise.

“Kicking the bucket” was once a common phrase in reference to death. The “bucket list” therefore originally meant a list of things to do before dying. There was a popular 2007 movie starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson called “The Bucket List” that perhaps inspired each of us to make one. However, to fulfill your list, you need to be constantly filling a real bucket with cash in the form of an IRA. The real life “battle,” as opposed to just a game, is how many buckets do you need to fill before you retire, and how do you keep them from leaking?

Old Sport Shorts: Double Spartan Burger with Extra Cheese #859

March 2, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

I had a cheeseburger to celebrate the I.U. basketball victory over BIG conference the rival Wisconsin “Cheeseheads.” This was after quality wins over Marquette, Louisville, and Michigan State, despite a bizarre season of repeated disappointment. How can they only win games against some of the best teams in the country and somehow not show up for the spoils? I threatened to order a “Double Spartan Burger with Extra Cheese” if they could pull-off a second upset against the Spartans – this time at home in Bloomington. So, where can I get a “Spartan Burger?”

Come to find out there is a Spartans Burger franchise in Huntington Park, California, plus a Spartan Drive-In located in Stanwood, Washington. Coincidentally, there is also The Spartan – Burger and Souvlaki Bar in Phuket, Thailand, our destination three weeks from now. Hopefully, the sweet taste of victory will not be replaced with the bitterness of defeat in the meantime. This Hoosier victory over Michigan State is an important stepping-stone to the NCAA Tournament that just a week ago was an impossibility. All they have to do is now beat two of the worst teams in the BIG conference and win their first game in the BIG Ten tournament. Mission Impossible is now more than just a dream.

This year’s I.U. team is one of the worst shooting teams in memory. Fortunately, my memory isn’t very good. To support my lack of confidence is the fact that today they were a miserable 37.7% from the field, 37.5% from three-point range, and a pathetic 61.5% from the free throw line, yet still managed to defend the Spartans from scoring the winning bucket. By comparison, M.S.U. percentages were a far superior 54.2, 40, and 80 respectively. A month ago in East Lansing, the victorious Hoosiers were a comparable 38.9% from the floor and only slightly better from the charity stripe and behind the arc. In the meantime, they then managed to also beat ranked Wisconsin but couldn’t outscore Iowa (twice), Ohio State, Minnesota, or Purdue (twice). My Cream & Crimson have barely beaten Northwestern, Penn State, and Illinois, each poised dangerously to finish last in the pack, to account for their only other conference victories and an unacceptable 6-12 record.

In-state rival Purdue now sits on top of the BIG conference at an impressive 15-3 to make matters even worse. Indiana has to beat Illinois (6-11) for the second time and then even their record against Rutgers (7-11) to regain any committee respect. This year’s BIG Tournament is contested in Chicago, and they’ll have one more chance to beat a bottom division team before perhaps facing Purdue (a much desired opportunity) or revenge-minded foes Wisconsin and Michigan State. It’s been a tough season and it certainly doesn’t get any easier. March Madness has finally begun after months of angry disappointment, offset by only two “Cheeseburger” treats.

Retirement is not without Hassles: Wedding Plans #858

March 2, 2019 / mikeljohnston1 / 0 Comments

It’s my wife’s weekend but just another day of retirement for me. We’ll start out her Saturday with the dogs and exercise with them on our “Schnauzerthon.” Tinker, our oldest schnauzer, just turned 15 and is limping badly. Her 105-year old little legs deserve a carriage ride. This is why we bought the Air Buggy that we push her in while sister Tally scampers ahead. The “Schnauzerthon” combines my morning run with a long walk for my wife. We take turns pushing the stroller and trying to contain Tally on her leash. It takes about an hour and is part of my working wife’s weekend routine. There are Marathons and Triathlons, but every great endurance athlete should try a “Schnauzerthon.”

My wife is taking her oldest daughter shopping later this afternoon for a wedding dress. She and I are also going to a birthday party luncheon for a 70-year old friend – at least he won’t be keeping us up late. Both of these life events were once hard to imagine – 70 year old friends and married children. We must be growing old. I’m only a little over my two years from my 70th “blowout.” Weddings are about as positive as it gets any more, since at this age it’s mostly funerals.

The birthday event today was at McMenamin’s Edgefield, a venue that we had always wanted to check out. It’s the historic site of a former “Poor Farm,” as well as a vineyard, golf course, spa, and popular summer concert hot spot. I read a custom poem as part of the traditional “old man” birthday roast that highlighted the drawn-out ceremonies. It made fun of the proper pronunciation of the birthday boy’s name – silent “k” and “i before e.” As a fellow Cubs fan, I buy some of my baseball cards from him, so it’s not been a long-standing relationship. I got a few scattered laughs for my efforts:

KNEIS not Niece

Seventy-year old friends,
Are rare for me.
I like to hang around
With younger folks, see?

Parties are for kids,
Not those turning gray.
But now that I’m here.
Happy Birthday anyway.

Turn up your hearing aids,
And lean on your canes.
Enjoy some cake
Forget about your pains.

You went over the hill,
Twenty years ago.
Social Security is now,
Your main source of dough

This makes you desperate,
To sell us KNEIS cards.
To protect our life savings,
Needing more than shin-guards.

Ernie couldn’t make it,
Or any top draft picks.
Sherm would be here,
But he died at fifty-six.

Bryzzo was busy,
Joe Maddux sends regrets.
Wrigley Field Management,
Warns of optimistic bets.

Nice-ler or Niece-ler?
It’s pronounced how?
As long as you’re buying,
Either version you’ll allow.

This has been an issue,
All of your KNEIS life.
Then you shared this problem,
With your daughters and wife.

For the “Mr. Cub” title,
You’re next in line.
They’ll win it again,
In year 2109.

Crib to Classroom,
Office to Booth.
Your career has focused,
On educating our youth.

You’re a kid again,
Every baseball season.
Being close to the game,
Gives all if us “reason.”

Buying and selling,
Making a trade.
Just like in teaching,
Comes down to a grade.

You get us together,
To share what we love.
We bring our leather wallet,
Instead of a glove.

Thanks for the invite,
And not keeping us up late.
Now take out your dentures,
And Step up to your Plate.

His last name is memorable because it is pronounced the same as one of my college fraternity brothers, who eventually stole and married my girl friend. He probably did both her and me a favor, so I held only a short grudge. It was great to get out of the house on a beautiful, sunny afternoon and see some of the Portland area peaks that have been recently hidden by rain clouds. From a couple wearing bath robes to those holding golf clubs, we got the full perspective of the property. My wife will spend the rest of the day with her daughter talking wedding plans. I’m glad they’re getting together because it keeps me from going to a local production of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. I’m free to join a friend for fried chicken and beer tonight. Cheers to both the bride and my birthday buddy!