Today's thoughts

Category: OLD SPORT SHORTS (Page 58 of 68)

An old guy’s perspective on all sports

Retirement is not without Hassles: Mementos #367

Years ago, my dad must have gotten a couple of gold watches for his retirement, the standard farewell gift of twentieth century corporate America. He gave one to me, since he didn’t need two, and what I’ve found in my first year of retirement is that you don’t even need one. Plus, in the last decade, smart phones have become the primary timepiece, and gone are the days when someone works for the same company for 30 or 40 years and is honored with a gold watch and a handshake. As a result, watches have become less functional and more decorative, worn as status symbols, with pricey brands like Rolex leading the way as trophies of accomplishment. For people like me with smaller budgets, I bought my son a TAG Heuer timepiece for his birthday commemorating the Indianapolis 500, a common bond with us. I also bought my wife a Movado for our wedding anniversary and she reciprocated with an Apple Watch for me. We both follow the modernized list of appropriate gift ideas, and the 15th is the watch anniversary.

The watch my dad passed along to me is a Bulova, commemorating the 150th anniversary of Indiana University, where both of us and my mom received degrees. It was the first nice watch that I ever owned, and I keep it safe in an I.U. treasure chest along with other family heirlooms. Like a music box, when you lift the lid it plays the I.U. fight song. You can also change the recording, with a flick of a switch inside, to the Don Fisher play-by-play of the final seconds of the 1987 NCAA National Championship where Keith Smart hits the winning shot. It was also a gift, along with the hundreds of other I.U. momentos that I’ve received or purchased through the years. These include beer covers, bottle openers, jerseys, t-shirts, sweat shirts, knit shirts, stadium replicas, photos, stickers, pens, pencils, stationary, book covers, dog collars, note books, gloves, buttons, badges, blazers, striped pajama bottoms, brackets, programs, flasks, yearbooks, plates, barbecue spatulas, tickets, name tags, jackets, balls, luggage tags, glassware, framed prints, cuff links, ties, tins, plaques, socks, cards, books, checks, credit cards, press passes, shorts, caps, posters, schedules, magazines, leather goods, headbands, hats, mugs, cups, coolers, etc. You name it – I’ve probably got it, but with the lack of recent success, Cubs merchandise has become the favored gift the past few years.

I did not get a gold watch or even a retirement party when I left the workforce a year ago. I did not expect a special send-off, since the last ten years of my career were at three or four different companies. I do however appreciate the generous pension that I receive from a previous employer and will take that over a gold watch anytime. I was writing this post today in anticipation of a phone call from Apple customer relations regarding replacement of the defective watch that my wife bought me on our anniversary. My gift to her is still ticking! The call from Apple came in late and the service agent apologized for her untimeliness. I joked that “I wasn’t paying attention to the time because I don’t have a watch.” I feel that it’s ironic that in my first year of retirement, instead of receiving a watch; I’ve actually had one taken away!  I hope that Apple will arrange some sort of compensation in exchange for the unacceptable short life of their product. As it turns out, a decision has yet to be made and they will call again on Sunday. I’ll keep you posted.

Retirement is not without Hassles: My Oregon #357

I seem to have rediscovered my poetic skills, having finished a second work in progress from my notes. We’ve now lived in Oregon for three and a half years, and have seen our share of the state. If you’re not familiar, these words reflecting our travel experiences will probably not make much sense. If you’re lucky enough to live here, you’ll understand my enthusiasm. Today also happened to be a partially sunny day, somewhat unusual for this time of year, so it put me in a favorable Oregon mood. Enjoy!

 

My Oregon

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Climbed up Mt. Hood,
Had a stroll Seaside.
Took the Goonies tour.
And a Pink Trolley ride.

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Went to Multnomah Falls,
And Washington Park.
Been all over the state,
Like Lewis and Clark.

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Seen Punch Bowl Falls,
And Crater Lake.
Volcanic Saint Helen’s,
When’s the next Quake?

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The Civil War battle,
Which team will lose?
So many food trucks,
Which one to choose?

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Baseball Beavers memories,
Trailblazer Red and Black.
Winterhawks for hockey,
Indy Car back on track.

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O.S.U. in Corvallis,
“O” in Eugene.
P.S.U. and U.P. in Portland,
“The” college student scene.

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Timberline Lodge,
For Casual Dining.
And Jack Nicholson,
In The Shining.

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Armisen’s Portlandia,
Plus, Grimm filmed here.
And the movie Animal House,
Bolstered Belushi’s career.

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Smelled the roses,
Tasted the wine.
Sampled Craft Beer,
Paley’s to dine.

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Powell’s for a book,
Forest Park trail.
Tillamook Cheese,
Deschutes for an ale.

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Did the Four T’s,
From Zoo to Pill Hill.
The Timbers and Thorns,
Show their soccer skill.

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Voodoo Donut,
Or Blue Star?
Huber’s Café?
Or the Burnside Bar?

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The White Stag sign,
Nike for shoes.
A Tri-Met transfer,
Pittock Mansion views.

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Fort Clatsop,
Haystack Rock.
The Spruce Goose,
Union Station’s clock.

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Fished the Columbia,
Cruised the Willamette.
How’s that pronounced?
It rhymes, dammit!

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Did Hood to Coast,
And Pints to Pasta.
The Helvetica Half,
Ran Shamrock Fasta.

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Jurassic Park lush,
The trees touch the sky.
The Gorge is gorgeous,
And Seattle nearby.

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Many bike about Sun River,
In a Duck or Beavers hat.
Or Ski Mount Bachelor,
Bend there, Done that.

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And if the sun is shining,
You can have a five-peak day.
But in the winter months,
The sky is mostly gray.

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Oregon has it all,
I’ve tried to explain.
What more could I want?
A little less Rain!

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Copyright 2017

johnstonwrites.com

 

Old Sport Shorts: Basketball Jones #353

It’s been several weeks since I’ve written about sports, primarily because my teams have not been competitive.  The only exception has been the Indiana University soccer team that won on penalty kicks last night over Michigan State to advance to the College Cup (Final Four). I have been following them all year, as they remain undefeated in match play. The only blemish on their record was a penalty kick loss to Wisconsin in the final of the BIG tournament. Thankfully, that nightmare didn’t repeat itself, as they faced the other undefeated conference foe in a similar situation with a different result. I.U. has only given up 6 goals all season long, never more than one per match, and in fact had never been behind until the first minutes of last night’s battle. They managed to tie it up in the second half, and hold off the Spartans to get the victory. It would have been a tragedy to have never lost, and yet finish second in the conference, second in the conference tournament, and not have a chance to play for the national crown. They now have that chance in Philadelphia next weekend, in a quest for their ninth national championship in program history, tying  St. Louis for the most in NCAA history.

College soccer has filled that gap between another miserable Indiana football season and the start of college basketball, my preferred sport. “Jonesing” is a word used to describe having a fixation or addiction over something. It’s origin apparently comes from Jones Alley in Manhattan, associated with drug addicts. In my case, the round ball addiction really started when I was in college and Coach Knight was hired. “Basketball Jones featuring Tyrone Shoelaces,” was a song by Cheech and Chong back in those days of 1973, as I was getting ready to graduate and an incredible string of victories was about to start. That’s when I got hooked on the game, and began to “jones” for the tip-off of each new season.

Basketball Jones – I got a basketball Jones – I got a basketball Jones oh baby oh

As an I.U. Basketball fan, I have seen three national championships and numerous conference championships, so I’m very spoiled. In recent years, however, I’ve seen nothing but frustration, including losses to Ft. Wayne and Indiana State, teams that were not even factors during the glory years. Today, it’s a fourth straight loss to the Michigan Wolverines. NCAA violations, new coaches, players leaving for the NBA, and lack of in-state recruiting has compounded this frustration. I’m simply not getting the satisfaction from the basketball drug that I’m reluctantly injecting in my system. As a result, I’m losing interest in the sport, and relying on baseball and soccer to stimulate some adrenaline. The Chicago Cubs, Portland Timbers, and I.U. soccer have provided temporary contentment, but nothing will ever replace IU basketball in my heart.

The IU Football team just lost the Old Oaken Bucket to in-state rival Purdue, and along with it any chance to go to a bowl game this year. More frustration! The PK80 Basketball Tournament that I just attended, only served to remind me how much I miss a competitive basketball team. To be associated with solid programs like Kentucky, Michigan State, Duke, and North Carolina makes me envious, especially knowing that as a Hoosier I was once part of something special in the basketball world. It’s now down to soccer and next week’s match against either Fordham or North Carolina. If we can’t beat them in basketball or football, maybe we can do it in soccer, and that will have to do for now. There will be another season to jones over, and until then other fans will get to enjoy the joy of victory that I once knew in the Bob Knight years.

Retirement is not without Hassles: Thanksgiving #344

I’m approaching the ninth anniversary of my running streak.  Today was my 3,250th consecutive daily run that was completed in a rainy darkness. It’s hard to believe that “the streak” has continued this long, and even harder to imagine that it will ever end.  Yesterday, it was pouring rain so hard that I had to use the treadmill in our upstairs foyer.  I complained when my wife bought it a couple of years ago, but it comes in handy on inclement days, plus I can read a book at the same time.

I just dropped the dogs off at the spa, picked up the dry cleaning, and enjoyed a McDonald’s breakfast.  My optician’s office was closed for Thanksgiving, and it made me think about those days at work when there really wasn’t much to do.  Thanksgiving was always a great holiday, because there was no stress of gift giving coupled with a four-day weekend.  There was usually a pot luck or pitch-in luncheon, and many offices were closed all week.  Everyone at the office was in a good mood, as thoughts of turkey and gravy “danced in our heads.” In retirement, these holidays become less significant, because really every day is a holiday now.

It’s a big weekend of sports, as I.U., Indiana University, battles Purdue University for the “Old Oaken Bucket,” with this year’s victor receiving a bowl bid and the loser going home empty handed. I.U.’s soccer team will play for a Third Round NCAA Tournament victory and hopefully continue their undefeated season.  There’s an I.U. basketball game that could be part of our Leadership Meeting on Black Friday, and the start of the Phil Knight 80th Birthday celebration at the Moda Center.  Sixteen Nike college schools, including the University of Oregon, will battle in this three-day round-robin basketball spectacle here in Portland. Since the event is all about shoe promotion, I propose that we call it the Feet Sixteen as a play on the NCAA’s “Sweet Sixteen.” My wife is upset that I’ll be at the games, rather than spending time with her during this span when she’s not working. Instead, I’ll be in the dog house, but at least it may be the Butler Bulldog house, as her alma mater is part of this turkey tournament.

We’ll break bread on Thanksgiving afternoon, walk the dogs each morning, spend a day in wine country, go to a movie together, and then go our separate ways once it’s game time. Her daughters are also not going to be with her this weekend, so she’s not very thankful about that either. Thankfully, this is a one-time event, so the next time that basketball might interfere with Thanksgiving will be in 2020 when the I.U. basketball team goes to Hawaii to play in the Maui Classic. We went a few years ago, but she at least had a sunny beach to keep her content while I went to the games. She does not enjoy most sporting events, but has also sacrificed several Thanksgivings to go to Indiana Pacers games while we lived in Indianapolis, and the Texas vs. Texas A&M game during our residency in Austin, Texas.

I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving and that your team wins. I offer this poem in honor of the occasion and the decoration on our front door:

The Sign 

Every year in November,
A decoration on our door.
A turkey-shaped sign reads,
“Thanks” and nothing more.

It’s many years old,
Long past its prime.
Perhaps a bit rusty,
Replacement time?

So what do you do?
Just toss it away?
Don’t throw away Thanks,
What does that say?

Does it go back in storage?
Or in the trash bin?
It has a golden message,
Though it’s made of tin.

Can’t trash gratefulness,
Or discount gratitude.
You must always have,
A thoughtful attitude.

Give praise for what you have,
Many blessings to count.
Give to others,
Whatever the amount.

Don’t dispose of hope,
It’s the season of giving.
Show your appreciation,
Happy Thanksgiving.

Copyright 2010 johnstonwrites.com

 

 

Retirement is not without Hassles: Black and White #341

I have always thought of myself as a diverse personality, open to differences in race, color, creed, politics, and, on the silly side, fans of opposing sports teams.  I was raised that way, even though my adopted parents were white Presbyterians with a black housekeeper, and we lived in a middle-class neighborhood.  I went to a grade schools and junior highs that maybe had one black student, with little other ethnic interaction.  I was taught to treat others like I would want to be treated myself, and have always followed that philosophy. Honestly, my toughest challenge has been with the fans of opposing teams.  They make me angry, jealous, and frustrated when they show their true colors.  My bias here is clear!

I had no close, black friends growing up, and any positive racial encounters, once I was on my own, were usually teammates or coworkers.  I had one black teacher, no black bosses, joined a fraternity that was all white, worked with only a few non-white clients, and hired one African American employee.  It doesn’t speak very highly of my efforts to integrate the world.  In fact, it’s embarrassing once I think about it, as I can count the number of close black friends that I’ve greatly enjoyed getting to know on one hand.  I wish there had been more opportunities to learn from each other.

I was listening to a sports radio show a few days ago and the subject was diversity.  The radio station here in Portland where I finished my working career had only 1 black and 1 Mexican salesperson out of 200 employees.  Unfortunately, this is reflective of Portland in general, with less than 3% of the total population composed of blacks and nearly 75% white dominance.  The show co-hosts were talking about a diversity networking event in Georgia called “Come Meet a Black Person.” One thought it was a “silly idea,” while the other began reflecting on his experiences, as I just did, and felt that there were so few opportunities for whites and people of color to interact that maybe it was worth the effort.  I understand that the response to the event has been phenomenal.

I’ve gone to so many networking events through the years, that I would probably not have attended, but I think that it’s important to create ways to make people of varying backgrounds and ethnicity to share experiences and frustrations. Policy alone can not change the world, but conversation can. I’ve learned a great deal in my first year of retirement about how religion, prejudice, and slavery have created great gaps in society.  Wars have been fought and many have died over these issues.  I believe in equality, but my track record does not reflect that I’ve been effective in making friends outside of my circle of white faces.

Many of my sports heroes have been black, including Walter Peyton of the Bears; Keith Smart, Isiah Thomas, and Antwaan Randle El of I.U.; Javy Baez, Ernie Banks, and Javier Baez of the Cubs; Minnie Minoso and Frank Thomas of the White Sox; and The Pacer’s Reggie Miller. Their pictures surround me in my office, but I never got to meet any of them. It seems so shallow that it’s sports that forms the black and white bond for me, but I guess that’s better than no connection at all.

I can remember my son saying to me many years ago that Michael Jackson was not black.  He proudly could not see the difference in color, so I knew I was on the right track on raising him to be more diverse than myself. Many of my favorite musicians are black, and the good thing about music is that you can’t distinguish black and white from just listening. Music tends to bridge the racial communication gap by demonstrating that emotions are universal, regardless of your background.  Artists like Buddy Guy, Diana Ross, Sammy Davis, B.B, King, Aretha Franklin, The Four Tops, Jimi Hendrix, just to name a few, have had a great impact on my life. African American actors like Will Smith, Sidney Poitier, Eddie Murphy, Queen Latifah, Jamie Foxx Morgan Freeman, James Earl Jones, and Danny Glover have brought great joy into my life through motion pictures. Each of these stars have helped create positive links between black and white.

I ask you to start by thinking of your connections with the black community, or if you happen to be black, your historic interactions with the white community.  I can actually remember that sadly in my home town, the railroad tracks did divide the city, and that there was a “wrong side of the tracks,” depending on your perspective.  The tracks are still there, but I can only hope that there has been some progress in crossing from one side to the other.  I left my home town long ago, but have found myself in cities like Austin, Texas and Portland, Oregon that have experienced an actual decline in African American populations that were shockingly low already.

Whenever I’m in New York City, I stop to enjoy a “Black and White” cookie.  I often think that recently this has been the only diversity in my life. I’ve left behind close black friends in Indiana, Illinois, and Texas, but have not made connections and friendships here in Portland.  The problem is that I don’t see them when I’m out and about, and it’s disturbing that we never cross paths.  I’ll continue to keep an eye out, but I doubt that in this community that anyone will go out of their way to organize a “Come Meet a Black Person” event. I just hope that if we do meet, they are not wearing the colors of the opposition.

Retirement is not without Hassles: Cheap Travel #339

I’m encouraged to report that we spent less than $350 a day, well below the $1500 average, to cover the expense of our recent travels back to Indiana. My wife’s flight and ground transportation was covered by her business, while hotel costs were mostly Marriott Rewards points. Dining costs were minimal entertaining her mother. We still had dog sitter costs, my flight, and two nights in Rochester, Indiana where there is no Marriott property. Most importantly, we didn’t buy costly souvenirs and gifts, although my wife did purchase some “needed” household items for her mom. On the humorous side, she unintentionally bought duplicates of several items. Mom does now have six tubes of toothpaste, several gallons of mouthwash, and about 100 rolls of toilet paper, that she wasn’t aware of previously. She’s 96 years young, but obviously is not reliable when it comes to making a shopping list, but will be smelling good for many years to come.

It was about as efficient as we can possibly get traveling, something we should easily match on our next trip home over the holidays. For us, it was cheap travel!  We’ll never own a camper, sleep in a campground, or even stay in a cheap hotel – with maybe the exception of my wife’s home town. We might do some more extensive train trips and some long weekend travel by car, so we can take the dogs along. However, a majority of our travel will involve long flights, cruises, fine dining, and resorts, so the $1500 a day price tag will once again raise its gilded head.

While my wife was slaving away making calls on advertisers, I spent the afternoon as a Senior Citizen at the Chicago History Museum, including a Vienna Chicago Dog lunch to set the mood. It was interesting to learn the meaning of the 4 stars on the Chicago flag – The Fire, Columbia Expo, World’s Fair, and Ft. Dearborn, with the thought of adding a fifth. Chicago Classics like Montgomery Ward’s, Sears, The Radio Flyer, Frank Lloyd Wright, The Stockyards, Marshall Field’s, Cracker Jack, and Crate & Barrel are featured among the numerous displays. I also enjoyed looking over the sports memorabilia and video from the Sox, Cubs, Bulls, Bears, Blackhawks, and Negro Leagues. I then took an Uber to the Michigan Avenue Marriott that was packed with Michigan State Spartan fans waiting for their team to play at the United Center. My wife finally joined me for an early dinner at Joe’s Stone Crab, where we shared our “how was your day?” experiences.

As we were getting up this morning in Chicago, my wife and I got our signals crossed on flight information. At the last minute, she discovered that she was on an earlier plane and rushed out the door to catch an airport shuttle. Since she was on a business trip, a company representative had booked her flight. With me now retired, I’ve made a point of traveling with her whenever possible, and try to mirror her flight itinerary. In looking back, apparently it was too costly for me to book a direct flight home on a different airline, as her company had arranged for her. We had forgotten all about it, until she double-checked this morning, and had to scramble.

She arrived at O’Hare about a half hour before her flight; too late to print her ticket. Eventually, she got some help from an agent, rebooking a flight that would get her home three hours later. By chance, she went by the gate of the “missed” flight, and found they could still let her board – delay averted. In the meantime, I grabbed our luggage and checked-out of the hotel, but missed the first shuttle. Fortunately, there were no additional delays. I will get home six hours later than she will, and will have to pay the parking and luggage fees, but we’ll be back together this evening, while the pups will get some earlier attention from her. They’ll be so relieved to get the entire “pack” back together again!

I have plenty of time to read Michael Connelly’s Two Kinds of Truth, and do some blog writing, as the flight takes me back to Portland via Phoenix. I do miss the Ken Follet family of characters that I spent several weeks getting to know in A Column of Fire. It was a lot of work keeping them all straight, but I now better understand the Catholic vs. Protestant religious rivalry and the related politics that led to bloodshed, torture, and murder. They all felt they were doing “God’s Will” in preserving their beliefs, while securing their place in Heaven. All I can say is that Hell must be a busy place!

Old Sport Shorts: Rivera #338

The baseball glove that I used in Little League was factory autographed by Jim Rivera of the Chicago White Sox. He passed away yesterday at age 96, the same age as my mother-in-law, who we just visited, and both of my deceased parents. They all lived in my home state of Indiana, within about a 50 mile triangle, so this partially explains why I was a nearby Chicago sports fan growing up. “Jungle Jim” was an outfielder on the 1959 “Go-Go Sox” team that lost in the World Series to the evil Los Angeles Dodgers. His teammates included Luis Aparicio, Nellie Fox, Early Wynn, Ted Kluszewski, Jim Landis, Gary Peters, Billy Pierce, and Sherm Lollar – the heroes of my youth. (See Posts #118 and #257)

Rivera led the AL in triples with 16 in 1953 and stolen bases in 1955 with 25, both good indications of his speed and base running skills.The nickname “Jungle Jim” was given to him by a Chicago sportswriter due to his unorthodox playing style. However, he much preferred the moniker “Big Jim,” even though his given name was Manual Joseph Rivera. He was 38 when Bill Veeck’s White Sox finally won the Pennant, and sadly went 0-for-the-World-Series on legs that allowed him to play the sport at 40 years old. He didn’t make his MLB debut with the St. Louis Browns until he was 30, due in part to World War II, a boxing career, and 5 years in the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary on an attempted rape charge.  In the off season of 1950, he played in the Puerto Rican Winter League, impressing opposing manager Rogers Hornsby who brought him to Seattle in 1951 and then to the Browns, where he started his pro career.

I saw him make several game saving plays in Right Field, a position that I often played, and enjoyed imitating his head-first slides into the bases. He finished his career with the Kansas City Athletics in 1962, but his mitt model that I used bearing his autograph stamp was a fielding essential for me for many years after.  I also had a Jim Landis mitt, as if I could put one on each hand.

Rivera was just a step behind my favorite hero, Sherm Lollar, who inspired me to wear #10. (See Post #5). I was never a Catcher because of my relatively weak arm usually relegated me to positions like Right Fielder or Second Baseman. I did some slow pitch softball hurling as I got older, as all these positions were simply a compromise for my ability to get on base. As a result, to have owned a catcher’s mitt like Sherm’s was never practical, but certainly now worth consideration in my growing museum collection.

Retirement is not without Hassles: Gravedigger #336

I’ve spent the past couple of days in a retirement home, fortunately just as a guest.  While my wife helps her 96-year old mother stay organized, I have spent my time reading, writing, or visiting with some of the residents.  I just finished Ken Follet’s lengthy new novel, A Column of Fire, where very few of the characters, fictional or real, lived to be my age.  Mary Queen of Scots, also known as Mary Stuart or Mary I, died at age 44, while her sister Elizabeth Tudor, Queen of England, made it to the ripe old age of 69.  For those of you that haven’t read it, I’ll spare you the details, but most of the book sticks to the historical facts.  The book ends as the Mayflower is about to set sail to the New World in 1620.  One of the fictional characters in the book lives until the age of 80, about as old as people got in that era.

As I look around me, I’m still a young man here in the “activity” room.  Walkers and wheelchairs are the primary mode of transportation and the majority in the room are women.  The most strenuous movement in the group is the effort to shuffle cards, followed by Wii bowling, drawing, puzzling, and painting.  I’m the only one using a computer, and it’s been quiet most of the afternoon.  One woman just came in to join the bowling action, and will actually participate standing up, rather than sit passively like her opponent.  As they are creating her Wii character, the level of conversation picked up and even the pet birds chirped louder.  The room is beginning to show playful signs of life.  Strike!

We’ll drive to the outskirts of Chicago later this evening, so my wife can gradually shift into business mode.  I will continue to have a “vacation” from dog duty, and will try once again to get a good night’s sleep in a strange bed.  During my run this morning, my I-Tunes player got stuck on the song, Gravedigger, by the Dave Matthews Band.  It replayed a total of twelve times, adding to my concerns about old age.

Yesterday in this same room, I spoke for some time to a man in his early 80’s about baseball.  He shared some memories about the Chicago White Sox and the 1959 World Series.  Although he was about 17 years older, somehow baseball narrowed the age gap and led us to other subjects.  He had lost both a wife a son a few years ago, so I felt fortunate to still have both of those treasures.  I was relieved to see that his memory was still good, after less positive experiences with my father a few years ago.  Everyone here at the Assisted Living Center is precious cargo, as life gets more and more fragile with each decade that passes.

I’m looking at my future, as hard as it is to think about.  Although it’s exciting to be in the first year of retirement, it won’t last forever.  I’m appreciative of the support staff here, doing their patient best to keep everyone comfortable and stimulated. I’m also impressed by those few here that continue to be positive and active, even though they no longer have homes of their own, have lost close family members, and have given up most of their worldly possessions.  I personally try to keep the gravedigger away with daily exercise of both the mind and body, but the song continues to replay in my mind.  Somehow, Dave Matthews makes the tune worth humming.

Old Sports Shorts: Sports Sunshine #334

It’s been a “gloomy” week of sports, starting last Sunday with the elimination of the Portland Timbers from the MLS Playoffs. Adding to the “darkness,” the inconsistent Portland Trailblazers have lost twice this week, after showing promise against the talented OKC Thunder recently. The Oregon Ducks were fortunately idle in football this week, while the Chicago Bears still can’t beat the Packers even without Aaron Rogers. Even the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers soccer team fell in the BIG tournament to Wisconsin. The IU Football team did somehow manage to snap their losing streak in a victory over Illinois, but it will be fruitless without two more wins this season.  Doom and gloom.

I was so looking forward to the start of college basketball, and the Archie Miller era at IU. Instead, the team fell flat on their faces against Indiana State at home. It was their first home opener loss since 1984, and that was against formidable Louisville. Last year, after a couple of great wins that briefly extended Tom Crean’s favor with the fans, they lost to Fort Wayne.  I do hope that Indiana State builds on their surprising rout of the Hoosiers – it’s been 38 years since the Larry Bird glory days for the school. It was Breton Scott who got recruiting revenge on the Hoosiers this year for Indiana State, just as his twin brother, Bryson, had in Ft. Wayne’s overtime upset last season. Great Scott! Many in-state players grow chips on their shoulders after being ignored for big school scholarships, and seem to have that one great game as an opponent. IU fans have seen this phenomenon all too frequently.

I feel like Joe Btfsplk,* the Al Capp comic character in Li’l Abner, looking up at the dark cloud that always follows him.  There is still hope for a better week for me as a sports fanatic. IU soccer will still be a top seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament, while IU Football continues to hold slim hopes for post-season play. College basketball will be full of surprises, but my expectations for IU are as low as they’ve ever been. Professional sports have lost my interest, mainly because my favorites have fared so poorly in recent years.  Where’s the warmth?

It’s a long time before baseball season starts in the Spring, so I’ve got to be able to find some diamonds this Winter. Otherwise, it’s going to be a long, dark, cold, rainy four months. How about a little sports sunshine for this “fair weather” fan.

*Btfsplk is spelled correctly.  It’s a rude sound that Al Capp would humorously demonstrate during his public lectures.  Some might refer to it as the “Bronx Cheer,” done with closed lips, tongue sticking out, and the quick expulsion of air.  I think it sounds suspiciously like a fart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Old Sport Shorts: Indy Cars #330

I’m starting to feel a little better after a week of congestion, cough, chills, and lack of energy.  So much for flu shots – it didn’t seem to work this year.  However, it was “free” thanks to my wife’s company.  I had a little more energy this morning so I did some vacuuming and dusting, but another dark, rainy day makes me want to go back to bed.  I helped a friend out yesterday by setting up a sales call on the Portland International Speedway.  It’s exciting that they are bringing back the Indy Cars next Labor Day weekend.  Indy Car racing, or CART at the time, is what brought me to Portland back in 1988 through 1990.  I had first been to the city in 1980, just after Mount St. Helens erupted.

The Grand Prix of Portland was called the Budweiser/G.I. Joe’s 200 that first year that I attended.  Stroh’s was the inaugural sponsor in 1984 and 1985, while Texaco, Freightliner, and Mazda provided race support in subsequent years.  A Stroh’s brand, Schaefer Beer, was one of the sponsors on our race cars.  I remember the “Alex the Dog” commercials from that era where Alex would fetch a Stroh’s from the refrigerator for its owner.  There was a lapping sound effect at the end of the spot, with the owner shouting, “Alex, you’d better be drinking your water!”  I was one of our loosely formed marketing team for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers racing team that included drivers Josele Garza, Scott Atchison, Scott Pruett, Rich Vogler, and Kevin Cogan.  Pancho Carter, with a co-sponsorship from Hardee’s, also joined the team, but missed the 1988 season.  Other sponsors included Otter Pops, Explorer Van, and Playboy magazine.  I’ve often said that when potential clients and guests came to our garage area they were well entertained with beer, burgers, frozen popsicles, and centerfolds.  My role was to keep our clients happy, find additional sponsorship, and fill-in for pit duty when necessary.  I was what they called a “weekend warrior,” moving from track to track throughout the season.

Danny Sullivan, driving for Penske Racing, was the race winner in that June 19, 1988 race, averaging just over 102 miles an hour.  Emerson Fittipaldi won in 1989, and then Michael Andretti was in the winner’s circle the next three years straight.  Other notable names like Al Unser Jr., Bobby Rahal, Alex Zanardi, Mark Blundell, Gil de Ferran, Max Papis, Cristiano da Matta, Adrian Fernandez, Sebastian Bourdais, and A.J. Allmendinger won top honors during the 24 years of the event that ended in 2007.

The race was always a part of Portland’s annual Rose Festival, but will return in 2018 as an independent event, replacing Watkins Glen on the Verizon Indy Car Series schedule.  I’ll look forward to attending, and hopefully reuniting with many friends from the past.  The Machinist’s Union team became Panther Racing in 1997 and continued to operate into 2014.  Let’s Go Racing….

 

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