And like the layers of a cake, the countless layers woven into each game – offense, defense, coaching, refereeing – each plays an integral role in its final outcome. Appearence isn't everything either - sometimes the best looking cakes on paper just don't taste quite right. Sometimes, rather, it's the ugliest of cakes that turn into classics (Snow Bowlanyone?)
Broadcasting, however, is the icing on that cake.
That’s because unlike the layers of the cake body, broadcasting isn’t necessary. Plenty of cakes (take poppy seed or coffee for example) taste delicious without icing all the same. Similarly, if need be, you can watch games on mute, silencing the broadcasters, and your viewing experience won’t really suffer much.
But if the icing goes on, it’s imperative that it taste delicious. Because if it’s bad, it can absolutely ruin the cake, no matter how wonderfully it’s made.
But if it’s good – oh, if it’s good - it can turn a cake into a work of art. If a game is broadcasted well, it can turn that simple cake into a masterpiece.
On Sunday afternoon, I sat down to watch the Celtics-Nuggets game, one that carried high expectations. It was sort of like ordering an expensive piece of cakeat a high-class restaurant.
Only, this high-priced game I sat down to watch turned out to be a bit of a flop. Sure, there was a lot of scoring, a bunch of dunking and a few smooth shots. But in the end, the Celtics fell to Denver 114-105. Not exactly the desired outcome.
But fortunately for the four hours or so that I spent eating that flop of a cake, the icing actually made up for it. Believe it or not, the broadcasting actually turned an 11-point loss into a fairly satisfying dessert.
The ABC second-team led by Mike Tiricobeautifully handled the highly anticipated Celtics-Nuggets clash Sunday afternoon, while the number-one team was busy handling the Eastern Conference super-battle between the Magic and Cavaliers.
Tirico and sidekick Hubie Brown were spectacular as usual, offering great insight to both the Boston and Denver teams, while also colorfully describing the action on the court.
Don’t get me wrong – it was an exciting game on all accounts. Usually clashes between two top-level teams like the Cetlics and Nuggets are. But normally, I don’t enjoy watching games that are over in the first quarter. Ones where my team begins by falling down 37-19 and ends up losing by double digits.
But the dynamic duo of Tirico and Brown did exactly that - they made me enjoy watching my team essentially get beat senseless by a superiorly athletic Denver Nugget squad.
Thanks to Tirico and co., I learned much more than I ever knew about Kevin Garnett and his injury recovery. In fact, I feel like I might now know more than KG himself does about it. I even learned enough about the Celtics rotation where I could now write you a 20-page report on Marquis Daniels andRasheed Wallace.
And don’t forget about the Nuggets either. As a Celtics fan, I learned a tremendous amount about a Denver team I’m really not too familiar with. I found out why Chauncy Billups owns Rajon Rondo in head to heads. I even feel like I’m now best friends with Nuggets swing-man Chris ‘Birdman’ Anderson.
And isn’t that what broadcasting’s all about?
Like the great John Rooke once told me, even if the Friars get drubbed, if someone goes up to him and says “great game you called last night,” it’s a success.
Well, Mike and Hubie – great game you called yesterday. And I mean it.
They danced the fine line of info-tainment like professional ballroom two-steppers. They filled an otherwise disappointing Celtics show with excitement, backed by tremendous commentary.
They even did such a good job, they nearly overshadowed the fact that they didn’t announce the score as much as they should have. Nearly.
What it all boiled down to, is that Brown andTirico had a great time working today. And it showed.
And because of that, I had a great time watching – even though Boston got sheared like a sheep. Together, they washed away the poor taste left in my mouth by the collective dud of a showing by the men in green.
At the end of the day, they successfully iced the terrible flavor of the afternoon’s cake – and that’s all you can ask for.
Now if I could just get some of that icing for the cherry pie I got in the mail from my aunt on Friday…her ‘famous’ cherry pie that’s ‘famous’ for all the wrong reasons.
Hey Mike and Hubie – what are you guys up to tomorrow night? You guys like cherry pie?
In this day and age, few things are for certain in baseball.
Every year, you know the Yankees are going to spend their money. And every year, you know Manny Ramirez will do something shockingly stupid (and even as I say that, last year’s debacle was still a bit over the top, even for him.)
Ichiro’s going to get some hits, Albert’s going to get some big ones and Linecum is going to strike some people out. You could even throw in a Milton Bradley ejection or two if you’re feeling lucky. But after that, it’s all a crapshoot.
Heck, you blink once and Roy Halladay’s wearing red instead of blue, Manny Ramirez is wearing blue instead of red, and through it all, Joe Torre’s traded in his pinstripes.
Even Mr. Consistency himself, Joe Mauer, isn’t immune to baseball’s changing ways.Having played with the Twins since 2004, the Minnesota native’s contract is running thin, and uncertainly about his future lies ahead.
Will he continue to rake in the Twin Cities? Or will he bring his one-man hitting-clinic elsewhere?
Nobody is sure, but one thing will always reign true about Mauer, no matter where he winds up.
Yes, there’s the hitting. But there are also the sideburns.
Mauer’s side-hair has become just as much a staple in Major League baseball as his perfect swing, both having etched him into the hearts of baseball fans everywhere.
The ‘burns’ have even become so popular, they’ve inspired ‘Sideburn Night,’ a night where fake sideburns are handed out at the Metrodome, giving each fan a chance to feel the power that is the ‘burn.’
Not even the old Yankee Stadium could withstand the test of baseball-time. But Mauer? He still hits. And his burns? They still grow.
But he’s not alone. There are others, too, who keep baseball tradition alive through their facial forests.
In a game where little is the same as it was, names like Rollie Fingers, Goose Gossage and Kevin Kelly live on through Mauer and his facial-haired compadres.
So who are these men who carry on the torch of baseball past as it enters these curious and changing times?
Let’s take a look:
Clay Zavada, Diamondbacks– If you haven’t heard his name yet, you will soon. This 25-year old lefty from Arizona has taken the baseball facial-world by storm, bringing home last year’s “Mustached American of the Year,” a yearly award presented by the American Mustache Institute.
He may not be able to blow hitters away with his fastball, and he might working on adding a cutter to his repertoire – but as long as he keeps that lip-garden, fame will find it impossible to elude him.
Dustin McGowan, Blue Jays – If Zavada took mustache to a whole new level, this guy has done the same to the sideburn. If he could pitch as well as Mauer could hit, this article might be featuring him – but instead, he finds himself only mentioned, which is still quite an honor.
McGowan was born in 1982, and was drafted right out of high school in the year 2000. Since then, the right-handed reliever has brought a hard slider and a pair of burns that are enough to strike fear into the heart of any hitter.
Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox– Speaking of fear, is there no man that can cause a pitcher to sweat more than Kevin Youkilis?
The Sox first baseman is not only infamous for working pitchers late into counts, but he also has a stare that weakens knees. Not to mention that souped-up goatee that has recently found its way onto Youkilis’s chin.
A lot of players can hit 30 home runs. Even more can post a .300 average. But how many can pull off the mountain-man look? Not many. But Youk does it with pride.
Ryan Franklin, Cardinals– Last season, a mustache-growing fad swept through the Cardinals organization like wildfire. Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright, Rick Ankiel – they all grew out their face-buddies. But not Franklin.
No, Franklin’s face-real-estate was already occupied - by something.
Nobody’s really sure what to call it, but whatever it is, it looks like its straight out of the Civil War. General Lee would be proud.
And the Cardinals? They’re okay with it, as long as he keeps saving games. Last season Franklin and his Partner posted a spectacular 1.92 ERA and 38 saves.
Not bad for a two-man effort.
Jason Giambi, Rockies– No facial-hair centered baseball article would be complete without mention of Jason Giambi and his famous ‘stache.
Much like Mauer’s ‘Sideburn Nights,’ Giambi inspired a sweeping revelation of his own, as the Yankees handed out fake moustaches in an effort to get Giambi voted into the 2008 All Star Game. It didn’t work, but it did begin a revolution.
One year later and the Twins were handing out sideburns to commemorate Joe Mauer. Does the sweet-swinging catcher owe it all to Giambi? Most likely. After all, the success is proven. In 2008, Giambi began the season batting .236. One mustache later, and Giambi slugged 32 homers and 96 RBI in the very same season.
Behold, the hair.
Jorge Cantu, Marlins – Here’s a name you might not associate with facial hair. But throughout his career, Cantu has always sported some sort of look with the whiskers.
His career started in Tampa Bay, where he featured a soul-patch and a mini goatee. Then in Cincinnati, he lost the bottom parts and went straight mustache.
With the Marlins? Super-combination. Cantu’s grown it all back out, and looks all the finer. Nothing wrong with a little trial and error.
Honorable Mentions:
Johan Santana, Mets– Perfection.
Just as he has on the mound with a baseball, it appears Santana has become a wizard with the razor. At the moment, the 2004/2006 Cy Young award winner features a goatee that’s as finely tuned as his change-up.
Adrian Gonzalez, Padres– Similar to Santana, Gonzalez sports a goatee that compliments his swing – sweet and perfect. It seems the two of them have a career in hair-styling should their athleticism ever fall short – though I wouldn’t bet on that happening anytime soon.
Todd Helton, Rockies– He’s become just as much a staple in baseball as having the bases 90-feet apart. And he’s rocked the beard the entire time.
The 5-time All Star, 3-time Gold Glove winner has featured his grizzly beard ever since he came up as a youngster, and though his success has never been officially attributed to it, speculation certainly surfaces now and then.
I mean - look at that picture. Facial hair, cowboy hats, over-excited-kids, American Flags - what's not to love?
For every Joe Montana, there is a Scott Norwood. And for every Tom Brady, there is a Rich Gannon. It’s an unfortunate and unavoidable element of pro sports – for every success story, there is an equally emotional story of complete and utter failure.
It was no different in Super Bowl XLIV, when Hank Baskett impeccably etched his name in Super Bowl Goat history, as he failed to reel in a crucial onside kick to open up the second half. The Saints gained possession, as well as the momentum, and went on to trounce the heavily favored Colts, 31-17.
But where does Baskett rank among the great Super Bowl Goats of the past? Surprisingly, not that high. Turns out Mr. Baskett’s blunder wasn’t nearly the worst thing to happen on the Big Stage.
10. Rich Gannon,Raiders, Super Bowl XXXVII;We all knew Tampa Bay’s defense was tremendous. But Rich Gannon made them look like utterly unstoppable.
Gannon, the regular season MVP, turned in a performance that was in every way possible the exact opposite – getting sacked five times, fumbling once and throwing a Super Bowl record five interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns.
Tampa Bay went on to route Oakland 48-21, a game which the Raiders came into favored by four points.
9. Hank Baskett, Colts, Super Bowl XLIV; It may have only been the beginning of the third quarter – but it absolutely cost the Colts the game.
Football has and always will be a sport that is the ultimate team-based game – 11 vs 11 each and every play, depending on all individuals to make an equally substantial effort.
So that’s why there is no excuse for Hank Baskett’s effort on New Orleans’ half-opening onside kick. He plays the position for a reason – not to mention he’s a wide receiver – and fumbling around an onside kick is an inexcusable blunder, especially on such a huge stage.
But it’s obvious the Saints knew what they were dealing with. They had been practicing it all week, and knew exactly whom they would be kicking it at. If it’s any consolation however, Baskett is married to Play Boy model Kendra Wilkinson.
You win some, you lose some.
8. Donovan McNabb, Eagles, Super Bowl XXXIX;We all remember John Elway’s drive. We all remember Joe Montana’s drive. And we all remember Tom Brady’s drive(s). But unfortunately for Donovan McNabb, we also all remember the Eagle’s drive.
Trailing New England 24-14 with just under six minutes left in the game, the Eagles had a chance to begin a comeback. But instead of putting the pedal to the metal, McNabb gingerly lead a four-minute scoring drive that ultimately resulted in the Eagles’ demise.
The reason for the unsightly speed of the crucial drive? McNabb was dry-heaving in the huddle.
Not to mention he tossed three interceptions over the course of the loss, a game that saw the Eagles finish just shy of the Patriots, 24-21.
7. John Kasay, Panthers, Super Bowl XXXVIII;A rare Super Bowl game where both kickers will be remembered forever; Adam Vinateriri for his game-winner with seconds remaining, and John Kasay for giving the Patriots possession on the 40-yard line six plays later.
Kasay committed a Cardinal sin on the kickoff following Carolina’s game tying drive, and with just over a minute left in the game, booted the kick straight out of bounds, resulting in a flag – and a New England possession on the 40-yard line.
Brady already had a reputation for having ice-water in his veins in the final minutes. This time, he was given possession of the ball just 30-yards out of Vinateiri’s range; an opportunity number 12 wouldn’t let slip away. One minute after Kasay’s mis-kick, the Patriots took home their second Super Bowl in three years, downing Carolina 32-29.
6. Eugene Robinson, Falcons, Super Bowl XXXIII;It was not a good Super weekend for the Falcons’ strong safety. He had a reputation for being a man of faith as well as one who always valued the community over himself – but prior to the Super Bowl, Robinson was arrested on charges of soliciting an undercover police officer for oral sex.
Atlanta Coach Dan Reeves played Robinson anyway, who responded by blowing two crucial coverage’s during the game, including an 80-yard touchdown strike to Rod Smith. The touchdown put Denver ahead 17-3, as they went on to rout Atlanta 34-19.
5. Neil O’Donnel, Steelers, Super Bowl XXX;You wouldn’t know it by looking at his final numbers – 28-49 and 239 yards – but Neil O’Donnel’s Super Bowl effort made Rich Gannon’s look Montana-esque.
The Steelers quarterback threw quite possibly two of the worst interceptions in Super Bowl history, resulting in a Cowboys win and an eternity of goat-ness.
On a third-and-nine from his own 48, O’Donnell threw a pass that was mind-bogglingly awful, landing 10-yards away from his intended receiver and right in the arms of cornerback Larry Brown. 38 seconds later, Emmit Smith plunged in the end zone for six. Cowboys 20, Steelers 7.
Then trailing only 20-17 with four minutes remaining, O’Donnell once again found a wide open Brown, who ran it all the way back to Pittsburgh’s six-yard-line.
4. Lewis Billups/Asante Samuel, Bengals/Patriots, Super Bowl XXXIII/XLII;
And again, for every Larry Brown, there is a Lewis Billups and an Asante Samuel. Because thanks to those fine gentlemen, both Joe Montana and Eli Manning are forever engrained in Super Bowl history, their late-game drives a part of the ever-growing Lombardi Trophy legacy.
For Billups it came early in the final quarter, when Montana’s end zone attempt for John Taylor landed squarely in the Bengals’ cornerback’s hands. Unfortunately, like a child trying to catch a butterfly, Billups let the chance of a lifetime clunk, slip and drop from his fingertips. Montana then hit Rice for six on the next play, tying the game at 13. San Francesco went on to win 20-16.
Samuels’ folly however, was much more immediately damaging. Eli Manning was in the process of leading the Giants on an improbable game-winning drive against the 18-0 Patriots, when Samuel let an easy interception slip through his fingertips like a fish, allowing the G-men to maintain possession. A few plays and a David Tyree miracle later, and the Giants defeated the undefeatable, 17-14.
But like the old adage says; if they had hands, they’d play wide receiver.
While the pitching seems to be set in place for a strong 2010, the arms have really not been the concern. The biggest question mark for the Sox all off-season has been their offense.
There is no doubt that the number of home-runs will suffer with the loss of Jason Bay, but many people give that more weight than it deserves. The real question is whether or not the Red Sox newcomers will be able to fill that hole enough to put the Red Sox on the scoreboard.
Realistically, if everyone in the batting order can have an offensive year that matches their career average, the Red Sox will be fine. Will this happen? We can only wait and see.
1B – Kevin Youkilis: The ultimate dirt dog. Kevin Youkilis has been one of the most consistent players in all of baseball over the last three seasons, and he is only getting better. His flawless glove at first base will add to a very solid defensive infield, and with Bay leaving town, Youk should supply most of the power for Boston in 2010.
Prediction: (AVG) - .320(HR) – 28(RBI) – 115
2B – Dustin Pedroia: A Rookie of the Year, MVP, Gold Glover, and Silver Slugger all in his first three seasons. Pedroia is the new face of the Boston Red Sox, taking over the role that Nomar Garciaparra held for so long. After sliding a bit from his 2008 campaign, Pedroia should come out firing in 2010. Since the Sox have moved away from the power game, it will be up to Pedroia to get on base and score some runs.
Prediction:(AVG) - .310(HR) – 13(RBI) – 79
3B – Adrian Beltre: Red Sox fans may miss Mike Lowell at third base every day, but Beltre’s glove should help them get over it. Arguably the best defensive third baseman in all of baseball, Beltre will lock down the hot corner and steal his fair share of hits from opposing batters. From an offensive standpoint, don’t expect too much. Beltre will never come close to the season that he had in 2004 with the Dodgers, but he does still have some pop. After playing in Seattle for the last five seasons, Fenway’s Green Monster should help Beltre out in the power department.
Prediction: (AVG) - .259(HR) – 22(RBI) – 89
SS – Marco Scutaro:If Scutaro can put up numbers similar to those of last season, Boston will be overjoyed. Marco’s primary job in 2010 will be to give the Sox some solid defense at shortstop. Pedroia and Scutaro together should give the Sox one of the better double play combinations out there. While Theo did bring Scutaro in mainly for his defense, his bat could go a long way at the bottom of the lineup. A career .265 hitter, Scutaro broke out last season batting .282.
Prediction:(AVG) - .268(HR) – 10(RBI) – 72
LF – Jacoby Ellsbury: Moving Jacoby out to left field could prove to be a very smart move for the Red Sox. Ellsbury’s speed will allow him to play a very shallow left field, and as a result, steal a ton of singles. From an offensive standpoint, Jacoby will find himself at the top of Boston’s lineup once again. After stealing 70 bases last season, pitchers will be forced to give Ellsbury some pitches to hit, and his average should go up because of it.
Prediction:(AVG - .321(HR) – 6(RBI) – 52
CF – Mike Cameron:Much like Beltre, Cameron was brought into Boston for his glove. Moving Jacoby to left field shows just how highly the Red Sox regard Cameron’s defense. A seasoned veteran, Cameron should be a great leader for the Red Sox and help Ellsbury develop as a defender. Although his average has dropped off dramatically over the past few seasons, he does still have some power.
Prediction: (AVG) - .247(HR) – 23(RBI) – 75
RF – JD Drew: Since coming to Boston, Drew has been a pretty big disappointment. Frequent injuries and a mediocre bat have put Drew at the bottom of the pile when it comes to fan favorites. In the past, the presence of Boston’s sluggers has taken some of the pressure off of Drew, allowing him to under perform without it having a terrible result. 2010 will be different. With Ortiz’s productivity up in the air and Jason Bay signing with the Mets, it is Drew’s chance to step up and provide the Sox with some much over due offensive prowess.
Prediction: (AVG) - .274(HR) – 22(RBI) – 74
C – Victor Martinez: The 2009 trade for Victor Martinez may turn out to be one of Theo Epstein’s smarter moves as a GM. The difference that Martinez makes in the middle of Boston’s lineup is remarkable. Since joining the Red Sox, Victor has done nothing but produce, batting .336 in 56 games. While his defense isn’t the greatest, having that bat in the middle of Boston’s lineup should make up for it.
Prediction: (AVG) -.301(HR) – 26(RBI) – 96
DH – David Ortiz:The way that David Ortiz performs during the first half of 2010 will determine many things. Much of the buzz surrounding this off-season was whether or not Boston would make a push for San Diego’s Adrian Gonzalez. Theo Epstein decided not to pull the trigger on that deal, and instead gave Ortiz another chance to prove that he is still the offensive powerhouse that Boston has come to know so well. However, if Ortiz struggles out of the gates, Theo could re-spark trade talks with the Padres, or give a position-less Mike Lowell the vacant DH spot.
Prediction: (AVG) - .258(HR) – 31(RBI) – 101
The Bench: Along with pitching and defense, the Red Sox should have one of the deepest benches in baseball. The re-signing of Jason Varitek will do wonders for the younger players on the roster, especially the pitchers. Adding Adrian Beltre has moved Mike Lowell to the bench, and while he may be traded before the season begins, one injury or lack of production could change those plans.
Bill Hall, Jed Lowrie, and Jeremy Hermida also give Boston some much needed depth, and all provide some decent offense off the bench. Overall, Boston’s bench hosts multiple players who could be starting on other teams. With Drew’s knack for injury, and Ortiz’s effectiveness up in the air, the Boston bench could become a very important component for the 2010
When the Boston Red Sox take the field in 2010, New England will see a local nine unlike any other this decade. The days of back-to-back homeruns from Manny and Ortiz are gone.Even the replacement for Manny is gone. In a winter that was supposed to be centered on bringing back Jason Bay, Theo Epstein quietly put together one of the more balanced teams in the league – with defense as the foundation.
Opting to go with pitching and defense over high-powered offense has caused the term “run prevention” to be tossed around quite a bit.
And while the Sox were taking the road less traveled, the all too predictable Yankees once again flexed their financial muscle. Instead of bringing back Matsui or Damon, the Evil Empire added Curtis Granderson to a lineup that already boasts sluggers like Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez. Those three bats alone should produce close to 110 homeruns for the Yankees this season.
Beating out the Yankees for the AL East title could be a daunting task for Tito and the boys in 2010. But should we expect to see the Red Sox in the playoffs at all? The answer is yes, and this is why.
Starting Rotation:
Josh Beckett: After struggling through an injury ridden 2008, Josh Beckett showed that he still has what it takes last season. Although he struggled at times, Beckett posted 17 wins for the Red Sox and kept his ERA under 4.00.
With the addition of Lackey and the quality performance of Lester, some of the pressure will be taken off of Beckett to be the clean cut ace of the staff. With 2010 being his contract year; look for Josh to put it all on the line and give Boston one of his finest seasons.
Prediction:(W-L) – 16-8(ERA) – 3.40(SO) – 210
Jon Lester: If it weren’t for the slow start to the 2009 season, Lester would have been right in the mix for the Cy Young Award voting. Heading into his third full season as a starter, Lester should have everything figured out. Arguably the best lefty in the American League, he has never pitched a full season as a starter with an ERA over 3.50. A stellar 2010 campaign should help Lester in his quest for his first ever Cy Young Award.
Prediction:(W-L) – 19-7(ERA) – 3.25(SO) – 240
*AL CY YOUNG WINNER
John Lackey: By far Boston’s most important signing this off season, Lackey should give the Red Sox the best 1-2-3 punch in all of baseball. While injuries have spiked his ERA a bit over the last couple seasons, he still posted a 3.01 ERA in 2007. If Boston can get Lackey to meet somewhere in the middle, this rotation will be very dangerous.
However, this is a new city for the big righty and he may need some time to adjust. A slow start is not the end of the world, and if Boston can find the post season, Lackey’s presence will certainly be felt.
Prediction: (W-L) – 14-10(ERA) – 4.01(SO) – 125
Daisuke Matsuzaka:Daisuke is the difference maker. If he has crashes like last year, the Red Sox should still be fine. If he can do what he did in 2008, the Red Sox will have the best rotation in baseball, hands down. Daisuke has the power to put the Red Sox over the top in the pitching department by creating a logjam between Wakefield and Buchholz.
2010 will be the biggest test that Matsuzaka has had to face since coming to the MLB, and if he proves himself, all of Boston will benefit. Of course, you can’t just expect him to bounce back to the 18-3 record that he boasted in 2008 – realistically, Matsuzaka should find himself somewhere in between his stellar 2008 campaign and his horrible 2009.
Prediction:(W-L) – 12-10(ERA) – 4.20(SO) – 130
Tim Wakefield / Clay Buchholz: Here lies the only concern with the Red Sox rotation. Who will be the fifth starter?
We all know exactly what we will get from Tim Wakefield: consistent stuff, a few injuries here and there and at the end of the season, a record just over .500. Sounds perfect for a number 5 starter, right?
The problem is, Clay Buchholz was arguably Boston’s best pitcher down the stretch and certainly proved that he is ready to be a full time starter for this team. Most likely though, the spot will be given to Wakefield. He is 17 wins short of becoming the all time leader in wins for Boston, and has been on the team since 1995. But one single chink in his age-old armor could allow Buchholz to take his spot for good.
The Bullpen:Boston’s bullpen was one of the best for most of 2009. In 2010, the Sox will be bringing back the majority of the pen, and should once again flourish.
Although many look upon Papelbon’s 2009 season as a disappointment, he still posted some solid numbers. Saving more than 30 games for his fourth straight season, Pap posted a sub 2.00 ERA in just under 70 innings. With a supporting cast of Daniel Bard, Hideki Okajima, Ramon Ramirez, and Manny Delcarmen, Papelbon and the rest of Boston’s bullpen should be among the elite in 2010, pushing them towards the 2010 postseason.
It’s been said that there will never be another “Miracle on Ice” ever again. What happened 30 years ago in a quiet town in the Catskills of New York was one of those moments that transcended sports and was branded into the annals of human consciousness.
Since that day in 1980, the face of ice hockey at the Winter Olympics has changed dramatically. Since 1998, professionals have been allowed to represent their countries in a tournament that was once reserved for the best amateur players in the world. But the pendulum is slowly swinging back, and now that the Vancouver games are underway, the question on everyone’s mind is: Is this the last time we’ll see NHL players in the Olympics?
Once the tournament ends and the Olympic cauldron is extinguished, our thoughts will turn to the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia. There has been a lot of controversy and questions about whether the NHL will send its players to compete for international glory.
The current collective bargaining agreement between the owners and the players union does not account for 2014, which means that NHL teams would have to individually give their players permission to take a leave of absence for two weeks. In the span of two weeks, NHL teams play between five to nine games. Some teams may not be so willing to squander critical points in the standings as the season winds down with a playoff berth on the line.
Additionally, there is a significant chance that a player could get injured. Case in point: in 2006, Czech goalie Dominik Hasek saw his NHL season come to an end after sustaining a knee injury in the opening period of the Games. Many general managers and coaches are terrified of seeing this happening to their teams.
Another possible reason why the NHL has been reticent in their commitment to 2014 is because of the time difference. Sochi is eight hours ahead of New York time; will the casual fan even be up or have the free time in the United States and Canada to follow the games?
And while this situation ordinarily wouldn’t raise many eyebrows, there is a large faction of Russian players who want to have the opportunity to play at home on the world’s biggest stage.
Last season the number of Russian players in the NHL made up the sixth highest percentage of any nationality in the league after the United States and Canada. The total used to be stronger a decade ago, when the NHL wasn’t threatened by the tax-free promises of the Kontinental Hockey League, but the quality of players hasn’t diminished; in fact, it’s probably gotten better. With names like Alexander Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk, Evgeni Malkin and Pavel Datsyuk leading the way, it’s hard to argue.
In Europe, winning a world championship or an Olympic gold medal is a more sought-after dream than the Stanley Cup. For many of us here in North America, the thought is sheer lunacy. But people forget that these players come from a continent where international competition is what drives the game.
That declaration has essentially put commissioner Gary Bettman in a virtual no-win solution if an agreement isn’t reached: either the NHL loses Ovechkin and a bunch of other Russians for the duration of the Olympics, or Ovechkin packs his bags and stays in the motherland.
Granted, that probably won’t happen because Capitals owner and AOL media mogul Ted Leonsis recognizes the star power that Ovechkin has in the long run and wants to keep his investment (Ovechkin signed a 13-year contract extension in 2008 worth $124 million) happy, and Ovechkin knows the NHL is the best league on the planet, despite the KHL’s insistence of flashing even more money in the charismatic winger’s face.
On the other hand, there’s still a case to be made for the NHL not to bother with reaching an agreement on sending its players to Sochi. When NHL players were first allowed to participate at Nagano in 1998, it was about showcasing the best players on the planet in what was supposed to be the best winter sport on the planet.
But the hockey world has gotten smaller lately; less than a decade ago, it was the Czechs and Slovaks that dominated the hockey landscape. Now, the Czech Republic and Slovakia aren’t even top-tier nations. There may be 12 nations participating in men’s hockey this year, but the reality is that only four of those teams – Canada, Russia, Sweden and Finland – are serious contenders for the gold medal. The Americans have a formidable team, yes, but they aren’t expected to do much with a team that has virtually zero Olympic experience.
The fact of the matter is that there is no longer a sense that the Olympics are worth it – ratings are down, and there is too much of an inherent risk for the NHL to take in sending all of its best players overseas – and there has been a strong sentiment of returning the ice hockey competition back to its amateur roots. If a few pros want to compete for their nation, they have every right to, as long as they can work out an individual agreement with the teams that sign their paychecks. The NHL has taken many risks over the years; some have worked and some haven’t. But the Olympic experiment has run its course.
Another Super Bowl has come and gone, and once again we’re left discussing and reviewing the most important parts of the game - the halftime show and the commercials.
The Super bowl is the biggest spectacle on American TV, and once every year people come together to watch a football game, a concert, and hundreds of little sponsored stories all in one. This year, the Super Bowl was shown to a record audience, breaking the old barrier set by the finale of MASH. That’s right, this year’s Super Bowl was the most watched TV program ever. Ever.
Now a lot of that had to do with the Saints, New Orleans, Peyton Manning and that whole Lombardi Trophy thing. But what about the ads? How did they all stack up? And did The Who live up to expectations (whatever those were)?
Well, let’s check out how everything non-football-related unfolded during the nation’s most watched program in the history of forever.
The Bottom 5 Commercials:
Honorable Mention: Dr Love — Little Kiss (Dr. Pepper)
Not very good, but is redeemed by the fact that it is better than some of the others we saw. The “little kiss” idea didn’t really make sense, but I do love Dr. Pepper.
5. Green Car (Audi)
So they’re selling an environmental car, but are making fun of the green movement as they do it? A little bit funny, but a confusing and contradictory concept kind of ruins it. Props for the Paul Blart-esque Segway Police, and Audi is awesome - but this commercial falls flat. I just don’t understand the concept of selling something and making fun of it all in the same commercial.
4. Talking Flowers (Teleflora)
So apparently sending flowers in a box is tantamount to sending a dead fish in a bullet-proof vest, as was done in the Godfather (Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes now). Obviously they don’t go that far in the spot, because if they had it would actually have been funny. Instead the boxed flowers have a foul mouth, and are set up against a deliveryman with flowers. To be honest, I’d rather have a box deliver flowers to my girlfriend than another man.
3. Injury Report, featuring Jim Nantz (FLO TV)
Jim Nantz is about the only good part of this ad. In one of the many ads this year that totally hate on women, this one comments on a man having his spine removed by his girlfriend for going shopping with her instead of going to the game. Not a bad concept – but instead of being funny, it just ends up being awkward.
2. News (GoDaddy)
What the hell does GoDaddy even sell? The commercial is Danica Patrick (briefly), and the some other woman who begins to take off her clothes before a cut to black. The commercial then helpfully informs us to check out their website…but if they’re not even going to give some payoff during the actual spot, they can forget it.
1. Man’s Last Stand (Dodge Charger)
And the worst commercial of the year goes to….Dodge.
Another one that not only hates on women, but even seeks to incite violence is a hands down worst for the Super Bowl. The entire spot is a bunch of slow zooms on the face of men while we hear them list off everything that a woman does to annoy men.
Did Dodge just forget that women watch the Super Bowl too? By the end of the ad, I was pretty convinced that the men in this commercial were seriously considering murdering their wives, and wanted us to do the same. Well played Dodge. Associating your brand with ax-murdering husbands is always a tremendous business move.
The Half Time Show featuring The Who
Kind of got a mixed bag this year. Classic band that is way to old to be doing the Super Bowl halftime show, great light and stage show and some unsightly moments. The Who is a good band, I will admit, but watching them live now and listening to their albums to two wholly different beasts.
Live at the game they didn’t sound good at all. The stage was great, and the lighting spectacular was beautiful and exciting. But if the band doesn’t sound good, the show can’t be great – it’s as simple as that. And I really didn’t need to see Pete Townshend’s belly when he was doing his signature guitar moves.
The Super Bowl really needs to get over its worries in the aftermath of Janet Jackson and bring back some modern bands (or even bands under the age of 50 would suffice).
Here are our staff picks for the 2011 Super Bowl Halftime Show. Thoughts?
Tom: Black Eyed Peas
Tam: Foo Fighters
Tasso: Red Hot Chili Peppers
Barker: Dave Matthews Band
Jesse: Timbaland
The Top 5 Commercials:
Honorable Mention: Parisian Love (Google)
Cute and intelligent, but not the funny, hard-hitting shocker we expect (and desire) from a Super Bowl ad. A good one for the ladies, nonetheless, in a Super Bowl that was complete with women-bashing ads right from the beginning.
5. Troy "Punxsutawney" Polamalu (truTV)
Perhaps I’m biased as a football fan, but in a year of relatively weak ads, Punxsutawney Polamalu gets the number 5 nod. The strangely disturbing yet comic miniature Polamalu was a surprise when he was yanked out of the hole, and upon seeing his shadow, the classic flex and point gesture was a good end for the ad.
Six more weeks of football!
4. Bud House (Bud Light)
Not the most original concept, but funny nonetheless. The subtle dig at the environmental movement was great (“Its so great you made your house out of empty cans”….“They aren’t empty.”) And who could forget the line “There’s Bud Light in a refrigerator made out of Bud Light?” Definitely good enough to clock in at number 4.
3. Hard Times, featuring the Simpsons (Coca-Cola)
This was the ad featuring the Simpsons, and when I first saw it I was not all that impressed because it didn’t go out of its way to be funny. But watching it again it has its funny moments (Smithers being tied to the to top of Selma’s car is one of them), and overall it just hearkens back to a simpler time.
Everyone loves the Simpsons, and most of the bigger characters make an appearance. And with so many soda companies moving back towards the “Classic” appeal, this ad rises towards the top. Sometimes you don’t need to be hilarious to be one of the best – sometimes you just need to be good.
2. 10 Years Strong, featuring Brett Favre (Hyundai)
I know a lot of people are split on Brett Favre, but personally, I love him. He’s hysterical in what he does, and it’s even better because he doesn’t mind making fun of himself.
In this spot, Favre is 50 years old and in 2020 wins his holographic MVP. We all know its coming, but when he says “Should probably retire after this….I don’t know,” its still funny. Great concept, and it even all ties together in the end.
1.Game, featuring Betty White and Abe Vigoda (Snickers)
How could this commercial not end up at number 1? Betty White getting tackled was hilarious, as was her smart mouthed dialogue. When a teammate says “You’re playing like Betty White out there.”, she immediately replies “That’s not what your girlfriend said.” Betty White is a badass, and props to Snickers for the number 1 spot of the year. Not to mention the Abe Vigoda cameo.
Bravo, Bud Light. In a year where many of us expected to see plenty of new “too light, too heavy” commercials, you slapped us with something new – old people getting tackled. Brilliant.
Now if only the NFL would just take the hint and stop putting them on the half-time stage, we might be getting somewhere…
by Ian Tasso
