This post was originally published on 12 May 2010. It was the seventh post under commentsfromcoachmike.com , a domain that I had purchase to kick off my writing / blogging again. This post was written after a month lay-off. It’s a “quick hit” on several topics. Hope you enjoy it.
Don’t pay the ransom honey, I’ve escaped. Well, not really. Nor have I joined the Witness Protection Program. Suffice to say it’s been a very hectic month away from my writing. College visits with my youngest daughter Kathleen. An awards dinner for my son Michael (he’s a double major, Religious Studies and Psychology) who won a Departmental Religion Award at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Illinois Hoopla Basketball Tournaments in Elgin, Joliet, and Naperville as well as a college observation tourney at A.S.U. in Tempe. Picking my daughter Colleen up from college and moving her back in to our house for the summer. Plus, lots of little things that just kept interfering with my sitting down to write. My apologies and please continue to check the site.
Well, had I been writing, here are some of the topics I would have covered:
Phil Mickelson’s Master’s win at Augusta was fitting. He’s a class act who after learning his wife Amy had breast cancer, left the tour to be with her. Shortly thereafter his mom was also diagnosed with the disease. How many other athletes would have re-acted the same way? Amy was on hand for the victory and Phil declared her to be his inspiration. Tiger, maybe you can learn something. Just saying.
On the learning theme, LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavs and Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls, you may take a page out of White Sox Coach Harold Baines book as he used to wear a tee shirt under his jersey which read, “Shut Up and Play”. Now Harold took this to the extreme, but until either of you win a championship, stop believing your press clippings and just play the game. And LeBron, stop the dancing on the sidelines too; its bush and showing up your opponents which in the old days would have gotten you dropped in the lane with a hard, clean foul. If you’re the “face of the NBA” then ACT like it.
Hey Michelle Wei, were you watching? Brian Davis called a two-stroke penalty on himself after nicking a loose reed during his backswing on the first playoff hole giving Jim Furyk the win at the Verizon Heritage. Ah, Rule 13.4 cost him a victory and quite a bit of money but sealed his reputation as a professional and honourable player.
Representative Henry Waxman (D-California), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce said MLB and their Players Union should take action to end the use of smokeless tobacco in the Majors; a policy has been in effect for Minor League players, coaches and staff since 1993. While I applaud this initiative, shouldn’t a member of Congress have something better to do right now then to try and dictate policy in MLB? If the smokeless product is dangerous and it is, then make it illegal. Don’t preach to MLB. Or is it just a case that every time a player spits, it’s a free commercial?
Kudos to Stan Van Gundy, coach of the Orlando Magic for his comments on Michael Jordon as an owner: "Let's give Larry Brown and the players the credit. Come on, Michael Jordan hasn't had time to do anything as an owner that would affect anything. I understand we're all supposed to bow down at the altar of Michael Jordan, but come on now, guys. Not in this case. He's been the owner for what, a month? They're playing with the same roster." Well said Stan.
Rest in Peace William Earnest “Ernie” Harwell (January 25, 1918 – May 4, 2010). He was a sportscaster for 55 years, 42 of which were spent with the Detroit Tigers. You will be missed.
Lastly, congrats to Dallas Braden of the Oakland Athletics on his perfect game Sunday. Hey A-Rod, stopping trotting across this guy’s mound, he plays without the ‘roids.
~ Coach Mike
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Excellent, Mike. As usual.
Such a fun read🤗. You really have a talent writing commentary with style and class‼️