* Japanese organizers of the Tokyo Olympics have recommended additional sports for the 2020 Games. They want to bring back baseball/softball, which was expected, but also add surfing, skateboarding, karate and sports climbing. Among those in the running, but not making the final cut: bowling and washu (a form of Chinese martial arts).
We know there’s sentiment for diversity and inclusiveness in an ever-evolving, international culture of sports and games. But having said that, bowling made it to the final cut? That means it likely will be back for further consideration before future Olympics.
Which begs the question: Where, if anywhere, do we draw the line? Shuffleboard? Darts? Twister? Cornhole?
* The Rays’ season: Not bad. A rookie manager, blindsided by a devastating rash of injuries to his starting pitching, winds up with a better record than last year’s team. And last year’s Rays weren’t decimated by injuries and were managed by the incomparable Joe Maddon. And, among other things, the Rays took the season’s series from Toronto, arguably MLB’s best team.
* As expected, much attention has been riveted on the contract status of Steven Stamkos, the superstar face of the Lightning franchise. Unfettered free agency, the lure of ever bigger bucks and maybe his hometown-area Toronto Maple Leafs are all factors. There is also this: precedent for popular, former Bolts’ captains finishing their careers elsewhere. In fact, the last two: Vinny Lecavalier to Philadelphia and Marty St. Louis to New York. Two big differences: Stamkos is better–and very much in his mid-20s prime.
* I like football and I live here, so I will follow the Bucs. But there are two reasons not to get too caught up. One, the team, of course, is still a loser and a source of frustration to watch. But no less problematic are the byplay optics–often incidental to the score and outcome–that are now institutionalized in the NFL product. Call it the look-at-me-culture of the game that the money-infused networks promote like The Rapture.
Too often the line of football and athleticism is crossed–no, obliterated–by preening player antics. These players have been lionized since high school, and it looks it.
Network cameras persist in going after reaction shots following every play. And sure enough, there’s no lack of swaggering gestures, some of which are more poor taste than juvenile, taking place. Enough sponsors and fans must like the lounge-act touch or else the networks–who pay obscene dollars for TV rights–wouldn’t highlight it. But it’s part of the “show.”
* Imagine, a conference opener, prime-time Friday night, a ranked, undefeated opponent–and the USF-Memphis game drew less than 15,000 fans to RayJay. USF, which can only play FAMU once a season, is now 1-3 after the Memphis loss. It is also 7-21 under head coach Willie Taggart, now in his third season.
No, it’s not getting better. That 2013, Taggart-debut loss at home to MCNEESE STATE, however shocking and embarrassing, was even more foreboding than we had realized.
* Note to celebrating fans–and that includes Florida Gators as The Swamp: After a big win, such as over Ole Miss, don’t shout “overrated” about the vanquished foe. That diminishes the big win.
* The University of Louisville is reeling over allegations that basketball recruits–and their fathers–were treated to dorm parties that featured strippers and hookers. The UL administration and head coach Rick Pitino are reportedly shocked, and Pitino was even moved to try to conduct his own investigation before being rebuffed by the school’s compliance office. Ironically, this is the same head coach who admitted to restaurant sex with a trade-show model a few years ago. The one that resulted in a high-profile, extortion attempt. The one that would get you fired unless you win a lot of games in the hoops-crazed state of Kentucky.