I have been a sports fanatic all my life. Every morning since I was 10-years old, I have devoured the sports section each day to see who won, who lost and how my favorite players performed.
But in the past few years, my interest in sports has declined. The NBA is boring – huge guys running up and down a seemingly small court – grabbing, tugging, pushing and pulling all the way before a violent exchange beneath the basket – unless they stop just past mid-court and launch a 30-foot Hail Mary. Great athletes, one and all, but a boring game. The NFL has turned fully “Woke”. When players began kneeling during the National Anthem, that was it for me. I don’t want any politics mixed in with my sports.
College sports have basically turned into the minor leagues for the pros. Fact is, they are all pros now. The school with the biggest alumni contributions buy the players they want, and they go to the bowl games and play in the Final Four. There is no longer any player development to speak of, and no loyalty whatsoever to the schools. You wonder if they even bother to go to class. When it the last time you heard of a star basketball or football plyer becoming academically ineligible?
Even college baseball has gone the way of the pros. Buy a pitcher if you need one, or a couple of sluggers. Here today, and in the transfer portal tomorrow.
I used to love following golf – until big money entered the picture. Many of the star golfers have gone to the LIV Tour and now the PGA tour is riddled with no-names. There are about a dozen big money events where the top dogs play and the rest have become, “Who’s he tournaments?”
To me, there is now only one, true sport remaining. Baseball. America’s past time. Naturally, money is a major factor in baseball, like everything else, but there is a lot of continuity and loyalty as players sign long term contracts. Only a few roster spots open up each year, and most teams have a deep farm system – the minor leagues, which are also fun to follow.
I happen to be a Dodger fan, through thick and thin. Always have been and always will be. Currently, they’re the kingpins, but that will inevitably change. New Babe Ruths and Hank Aarons will appear, and teams will move up and down in the standings. Even the Cubs will rise to the top on occasion. Spring training gets under way in a few weeks and I can’t wait.
Batter up! Play ball!
