Category: Sports

* The coaching change at USF underscores a reality. The Bulls are better off than they used to be.

The Charlie Strong predecessors were Kansas State assistant Jim Leavitt and head coaches Skip (great surname) Holtz from East Carolina and Western Kentucky’s Willie Taggart. Charlie Strong comes in with better coaching chops and a Florida-recruiting reputation. He also follows the first Bulls’ incumbent who didn’t get fired. His job is not to undo and re-start–but to continue the momentum.

But, no, USF–in a non-Power 5 conference–is not yet a college destination job for a hot-shot coach. It’s still a leverage position, but better than it used to be. And that can change. A big Florida university in a big market should always have appeal. USF once reached a ranking of No. 2 in the country. It sold out RayJay. It can be done.

* Having a black head coach can help. It’s progressive–as well as enlightened self interest. Most of the recruits are African-American. Of course, it takes more than a coach of color to be successful–and Nick Saban, Urban Meyer and Jim Harbaugh would arguably agree.

* One downside to Willie Taggart leaving is that he gets to recruit the same athletes for Oregon that he was pursuing for USF. Can only imagine the revised pitch. “You know all that stuff I was telling you about why USF and Tampa Bay was the perfect fit for you? Well, actually, that now applies to Oregon. And you’ll love Eugene. No, it’s a city.”

* A shout out to USF’s women’s basketball team. While attention is paid to the high profile transition in football, the women’s team is nationally ranked and undefeated.

* MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred recently weighed in on the Rays stadium scenario. His comments were balanced and cautionary. He noted the upside of a “good TV market in Tampa.” He also underscored that “If, in fact, there’s not a site or there’s not a financial arrangement that’s viable and we become convinced of that, our rules allow for the possibility of relocation.” In other words, MLB can’t wait indefinitely for Tampa Bay to get its stadium act together.

* I like high school football. In a previous Pennsylvania incarnation, I coached it. So I watched some of the televised state-playoff action involving Jesuit and, especially, Plant High. One drawback is that once you get used to watching college games on network TV, you notice the differences in local cable high school coverage. Frustrating–from over-officiating referees to the inconsistent camera work to announcing-booth blather.

* Notable World Series change starting next season: Home field advantage will be decided by best regular-season record instead of the winner of the All-Star game. The latter was a dumb gimmick–thought up by former Commissioner Bud Selig–to gin up interest in a mid-season exhibition game. Had it been in force this year, the Chicago Cubs would have been in Wrigley for the climatic final two games.

*Speaking of the Cubs, Donald Trump’s choice for deputy commerce secretary is Todd Ricketts. He’s a Cubs co-owner. He became a significant fund-raiser for Donald Trump after supporting Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker during the early Republican primaries. BTW, before the Ricketts family–most notably Ameritrade founder and family patriarch Joe Ricketts–bought the Cubs in 2009, the franchise was valued at approximately a third of what it’s worth today: $2.2 billion.

* Here are a couple of rules of thumb that should apply to college football. If a team doesn’t have a winning record, it doesn’t go to a bowl game, which used to mean a “reward” for a good season as much as it meant some economic impact for chambers of commerce to brag about. Second, a team–unless it’s an independent–should have to win its conference in order to qualify for the Final Four to determine the national champion.

This year’s 38 bowl games–too many by more than half–feature, as it were, 20 teams with non-winning records. The St. Petersburg Bowl is a prime example of post-season inflation. Miami of Ohio (6-6) takes on Mississippi State (5-7), if anyone, including those in Oxford, Ohio and Starkville, Mississippi cares.

As for that Final Four, it will be SEC winner Alabama, ACC winner Clemson, Pac-12 winner Washington and Big 10 non-winner Ohio State. One of those is not like the others. Leave it at that.

No, I can’t. Leave it that it should have been Big 10 winner Penn State, who actually beat Ohio State, making the Final Four–instead of the Final Five.

* “I make far more than I’m worth, I can assure you of that.” That was the candid acknowledgement of Kansas State head football coach Bill Snyder–in the context of decrying that college football has “sold out” to big-money TV deals and bemoaning the hypocrisy of caring about student-athlete “welfare.” Snyder, 77, makes $3.1 million annually, and reportedly has shown no signs of giving lots of it back to help underwrite more relevant higher-ed priorities.

* Congrats, USF. After beating I-4 rival UCF, 48-31, the Bulls, (10-2) are now ranked in the top 25. It’s the first such national ranking in five years. It’s also the Bulls’ first 10-win season in their history. Go, Bulls.
* After defeating Michigan in double overtime, it looks like Ohio State is now a lock to make college football’s Final Four and could play in the national championship game here on Jan. 9. That shouldn’t be. If you don’t win your own division of your own conference, how do you get to play on–for a national championship?
And, yes, the fact that I’m a Penn State alum–and the Lions beat Ohio State and will play Wisconsin for the Big Ten championship–may have something to do with this take. Go, Lions.
* The Florida Gators will play Alabama on Saturday for the SEC championship. The Gators are 24-point underdogs, an almost unheard of spread in a league championship game. Alabama is that good; Florida is that vulnerable–and a year away.
* Enough of Colin Kaepernick, the conscience of the NFL. The San Francisco quarterback has spoken out and taken a constitutional knee for racial justice. Good. Now quit while you’re ahead, Kaep Crusader. Expounding on contemporary Cuba and Fidel Castro’s legacy is beyond your pay grade.

* If ever somebody deserves the big bucks and celebrity that comes with success in our over-hyped sports arena it’s Joe Maddon, the second-year manager of the World Series champion Chicago Cubs. He’s one of the good guys, one who doesn’t lose perspective because he’s a successful big league manager.

The last two times we talked were indicative.

The first was an interview at the Trop before a home game. Baseball didn’t come up. It was all about his hometown of Hazelton, Pa., and the cultural chasm it was undergoing because of demographic changes. Its immigrant base–typically Poles, Czechs and Italians from another era–had morphed into Hispanic. He has committed himself to a leadership role in helping bridge the ethnic divide–starting with the community’s kids.

The second was a chat before the season at his Ava restaurant in SoHo. Baseball didn’t came up. We talked about the JFK assassination. He’s become a skeptic of the lone assassin theory. It was right in my conspiracy wheel house. We never got to the red wine list, let alone baseball.

* “Hey, Chicago, what do you say? The Cubs are gonna win today. Go, Cubs, Go.” Thanks again, Cubs, for the well-timed diversion from this toxic presidential campaign. But it was more than a “reverse the curse” story. It was also a model of local-national-and-generational connectivity. Black, white and brown. Spanish and English.

The enthusiasm at the “W” parade that climaxed at Grant Park was not of the programmed, made-for-network TV variety. It looked more like home fans celebrating a high school state championship. “Hoosiers” with 5 million live celebrants.

* Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman ripped the NFL the other day for, among other things, taking the fun out of the game. “This is entertainment,” explained Sherman. “And they’re no longer allowing the players to entertain.”

Actually, this is about a definition of entertainment, and a definition of class, if that’s not too arcane.  Elite athletes playing a game we love is entertaining. Boorish, look-at-me showmen who are elite athletes is not. Twerking after a touchdown or a sack is classless. It just is.

Game officials have their hands full trying to differentiate cheesy lounge acts from in-game enthusiasm.  There are penalties for excessive celebration and taunting, and there’s always an element of judgment. And the networks hardly help by directing cameras to follow player reactions after every play.

* Former Tampa Bay Lightning executive Tod Leiweke was in town recently to speak at USF as part of the school’s Sport and Entertainment Management MBA lecture series. He’s now the chief operating officer of the NFL. Leiweke reminded his listeners of a role, largely taken for granted, that games–at the highest professional level–can play in our society.

“It can bind a nation,” he said. “I think if you really look at stadiums or arenas, you see all walks of life. If you price it right, you’ll see people of different economic spectrums, people of different political persuasions. They’re all coming together to celebrate.”

It reminded me of a broader-context, societal answer that a couple of football coaches gave to the question: “What’s the role of big-time football at an institution of higher learning whose charge is arguably far removed from that of major athletic programs?”

Alabama’s Bear Bryant: “Well, it’s tough to rally around the math department.”

USF’s Skip Holtz: “It’s an opportunity to get people (potential benefactors) on your front porch.”

* The Oldsmar Rays. I don’t think so. Too much about this hybrid, asymmetrical market is problematic. Such that the key variables–new stadium design and site–has to be as pitch perfect as possible.

* There was some World Series focus on Kyle Schwarber, the Cub’s heavy-hitting, recently-returned-from-the-disabled-list outfielder. He didn’t get a medical pass to play the outfield in Chicago, so he was relegated to pinch-hitting duties that almost never occurred. He had been Chicago’s designated hitter for the games played in Cleveland.

The real scrutiny, however, should have been on Major League Baseball’s maintenance of a rule duality that has made no sense since 1973. That was the year the DH debuted in the American League. The old school National League has never used it. But when teams of each league play each other, we’re reminded of the dichotomy as accommodations have to be made. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, alas, supports the status quo.

It would be comparable to the National Football League allowing its two conferences to decide for themselves, for example, whether they would permit a two-point attempt after touchdowns or differ on overtime rules. And then, say, rotate such variables for the Super Bowl.

One game, one league, one set of uniform rules. One would think that’s obvious.

* The Philadelphia 76ers apologized, as they should have, for pre-empting the performance of a national anthem singer because she was wearing a “We Matter” jersey-style shirt. This wasn’t First Amendment envelope-pushing. Nor was it reflective of a cherry-picking agenda. We all matter, including those in the public eye sporting a “We Matter” shirt.

* You go, Joe Maddon–and the WIN-dy City.

His inimical touch is all over the talented, exuberant, high-achieving Chicago Cubs that have galvanized a city, the national media and much of America’s sports fandom. Who can’t get revved over a team–and a city–perched on the precipice of history that could finally end the century-plus frustration of this uniquely iconic franchise?

And here in Tampa Bay, we get a vicarious jolt as this emotional, historic scenario plays out. The popular, personal Maddon, MLB’s version of a renaissance man, was the manager who steered a bedeviled Rays franchise into respectability and a World Series.

And no hard feelings at this end. We’re glad he still lives here because he loves living here.

Maddon didn’t just leave for a fatter contract. He’s not Carl Crawford or David Price, who went from very wealthy to extremely wealthy by signing on with the highest bidder. Even if it happened to be the Boston Red Sox. Ouch. But that’s business. And managers don’t make player money.

Maddon used his contract loophole to sign on to the one managerial job that was about much, much more than more money. His kind of city, his kind of ballpark, his kind of fan base and his kind of challenge–but with enough wherewithal and commitment to make history happen.

Go, Cubs.

* Speaking of the World Series, no surprise that Chief Wahoo, the Cleveland’s Indians’ caricature logo that’s embroidered on the team’s uniforms, has been in the news. It’s considered offensive–think Little Black Sambo–by many, and not just Native Americans. Last week an indigenous Canadian activist unsuccessfully sought a court injunction to prevent Cleveland from using Wahoo-depicting uniforms or even using the “Indians” name while in Toronto.

So, no, this issue isn’t going away. Nor should  it. While political correctness will always be in the mix, Chief Wahoo is not an example. It’s a racist, cartoonish figure that’s been around since the racially-unenlightened 1940s. Now it’s front and center for MLB’s showcase.

It would be ironic if the “Curse is Reversed,” but Chief Wahoo plays on.

* Not that it needed the validation, but the Tampa Bay Lightning has been ranked No. 1 in all of American sports in ESPN the Magazine’s annual rankings. That’s out of 122 teams in the four major pro sports leagues. The criteria range from team success and front office savvy to ticket affordability and fan experience. BTW, the Bucs ranked 73rd and the Rays 90th.

Last year the Bolts were ranked 3rd. In 2009, the Lightning was No. 85. That’s the year before Jeff Vinik bought the franchise–and invested strategically in Amalie Arena, front office personnel, franchise players and the Lightning brand and culture.

Tampa, Florida is a hockey town. The Bolts have sold out 70 consecutive games at Amalie. It didn’t happen by accident.

* At the end of ESPN’s telecast of USF’s win over East Carolina, one of the booth commentators said, “There is something going on that we don’t know.” He left it at that and signed off. He was referring to the fact that USF, with the game in hand, 38-22, still had its key players on the field and was airing it out trying to score again with only a few seconds left.

Most observers thought it was a classic case of trying to run up the score on a defeated opponent. Bulls head coach Willie Taggert said there was no bad blood or pay-back going on with ECU, it was simply a matter of “trying to score points. … We needed to finish the ballgame.”

I get the point where it’s the defense’s job to stop the offense, not the offense’s job to stop itself, to paraphrase Steve Spurrier. But with only a few seconds left, it’s time for the game’s unwritten rule to kick in. Show some class in victory.  Or is sportsmanship as old school as tossing the football to the ref after a touchdown without a hint of lounge-act prep. The Bulls opted for swagger, as if we need any more on our athletic fields and courts.

* Another sign of U.S.-Cuban rapprochement: The U.S. national men’s soccer team recently played an exhibition (appropriately called “friendlies” in international soccer parlance) in Havana against their Cuban counterparts. It was the first such Cuban-American exhibition since 1947. BTW, the U.S. won, 2-0, and one of the goals was scored by Tampa native Julian Green, 21, who was born into a military family at MacDill AFB.

* The Lightning will retire Marty St. Louis’ number–26–on Jan. 13. It’s a classy move by the Bolts. St. Louis was the face–and heart–of the franchise for years, most notably 2004 when Tampa Bay won the Stanley Cup. The Lightning is saying all is forgiven for that classless divorce orchestrated by St. Louis to finish out his career in New York. He scapegoated Bolts’ general manager Steve Yzerman, undermined team morale while his soap opera scenario played out and then finished up with the Rangers.

The Lightning are doing the right thing: Honoring a gritty, great player who always gave his best on the ice. They have forgiven. But nobody is forgetting what they are forgiving.

* Phil Esposito, Tampa Bay Lightning founding father, is properly acknowledged with that statue in front of the Amalie Arena. Espo is part of the pantheon of special, societal contributors–from Bobby Bowden to Dick Greco–who have been so honored while they’re still with us.

But here’s something that takes esteem and respect to a new level: a stamp. Esposito and Bolts’ general manager Steve Yzerman are among Canadian hockey greats who will soon be immortalized on Canada Post stamps. What an honor. In fact, quelle honneur.

* Remember last year’s Bucs opener and the ugly, bad-decision debut of Jameis Winston? One year–and 20 games later–it can seem that not nearly enough has changed. But, at least the Marcus Mariota references haven’t returned. Yet.

* The late José Fernández. Killed in a boating accident. Incomprehensible.  Beyond ironic.

The escape-by-speedboat-from-Castro’s-Cuba back story. The charismatic Alonso High phenom. The infectious smile. National League Rookie of the Year. Two-time All Star for the Miami Marlins. A Calle Ocho icon at age 24. Gone. Tragic. R.I.P #16.

* The consensus reaction to USF’s beat down by FSU was, alas, that the Bulls–although improved–are just not ready for the likes of FSU. Just not in that league. The embarrassing, one-sided loss was actually status-reaffirming. How humbling.

However awful it looked–and the ESPN broadcast team kept piling on–not ready for prime time should not be the reality. Last year the two teams were tied at the half. A few years back USF won–AT FSU. There was a reason why FSU was only a 4-point favorite. More than just humiliating, this mortifying loss was as unexpected as it was unacceptable.

* One more thing. FSU coach Jimbo Fisher was beyond rude in his halftime interview. Zero class. Hey coach, it’s part of the deal. Part of what you have to do for that $5.1 million.

* Saturday’s USF-FSU game at RayJay is huge for USF, a program in resurgence, and would have been even bigger had not FSU embarrassed itself at Louisville last Saturday. Regardless, it’s a statement game for the Bulls, and a win puts USF back in the national rankings.

Needless to say, it helps to be playing at home. Too bad, however, it’s a noon game. A night game would be a bigger home-field advantage. The crowd, fueled on more than gridiron excitement and in-state rivalry, would be larger and a lot louder.

* Rice University has apologized to Baylor University over the Rice band’s half time performance. Among other things, the marching band formed an “IX” on the field. This referred to “Title IX” and the lawsuits filed against Baylor over its mishandling of sexual-assault allegations–most notably against football players. It’s an ongoing issue on too many football-factory campuses–and Baylor disgraced itself.

The wrong school apologized.

* An unsolicited suggestion for the Rays on how to handle the ceremonial farewell of David Ortiz when he comes in with the Red Sox this weekend. He’s a Hall of Fame hitter, but was never a class act like Derek Jeter or Mariano Rivera. So, what would be an appropriate going-away gift? How about a cardboard cut-out of a self-satisfied “Big Papi” watching one of his 30-some Trop home runs after a bat flip that shows up a pitcher? Or one of him slowing down the game further by ritually adjusting his batting gloves after every pitch? There’s a lot of material here.