Say It Ain't So Ryan, Say It Aint' So...

In a recent story by Sky Sports News, the writer asks whether 36 year-old Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs would possibly see his waning football days out in the United States via the MLS League.  Despite mentioning his favorable opinion of living in the U.S., he doesn't shed much light on whether he would seek gainful employment on the pitch.

As a fan of Giggs and an admirer of his career and talents, I selfishly would be thrilled to see him play his final season(s) in the U.S. so as to see the man live as much as I possibly could even if slightly past his prime. But, conversely, as a fan who appreciates his career and accomplishments, would certainly respect his desire to finish in storybook fashion, in England with the team who've employed his entire professional career.


So often, and perhaps as the nature of the beast, athletes tend to have a hard time knowing when to quit or how to exit gracefully. It is fully their right to play their chosen sport as long as humanly possible despite the public way with which their wares are so often shown to reveal a tarnish to the lustre of achievements past.


It is for that very reason that I support that rare player who, on their own terms, having fully enjoyed the fruits of their labor, can leave their beloved profession at a time when their skills are still evident and can easily be remembered fondly.


I salute Ryan Joseph Giggs and his decision (should it be) to not finish his playing career in the U.S. and see out his limited days in a Manchester United uniform. It is simply the way it should be and nothing outside of a storybook ending for this man's illustrious career would do.

Good Winter, but Time to Change...

OK, I'll admit it - I've had a great winter.

Atypical and surprisingly enjoyable. Largely fueled by a return to snowskiing after many years layoff, and the best natural winter snow conditions I've seen in Lower Michigan for several years, I can say that 8 skiing days and the occassional sledding run makes for an enjoyable winter.

So much so that I've developed a 'wintersports me': a somewhat crotchety, over-40, ski-only, board-averse, old-school (like 80s old-school, not 2002 old-school), longboard, Glen Plake devotee, groomer piste, midwestern trucker.

Lest you get caught up in this least-favorite-season revelry, I am here to now remind myself that, like Peter Brady sang, It's time to change. To me that means the countdown and planning and anticipation for that last weekend in May is on like Donkey Kong.

Spring was for many years my favorite season, largely because the crescendo of events of my favorite sports (basketball - NCAA tournament, golf - The Masters, and IndyCar - The Indy 500) sent me off into summer breaks with enthusiasm (1987 was a particularly spine-tingling year for me - IU Hoosiers = Champs, Larry Mize chip-in FTW, Al Unser's unlikely 4th Indy 500).

Now the planning for the Indy trip is in full swing, and the unexpected momentum from winter has carried over into the impending spring... at least it better be impending...

Watch out Indy, the boooyyyyys arrrrre baaaaaack innn toooownnnn!!

Olympians and Empathy

I noticed something last night - something perhaps I don't like - something about myself for which I am both perturbed and somewhat stubbornly unwavering. 

Watching the Winter Olympics with some friends, I mentioned (with some residual anger), that I can't root for a certain athlete. Not until 'she gets it'. 'Getting it' means showing contrition for a stupid move that was seen by all the globe in the highest of competitions. A friendly return volley was instantly received that was something to the effect of, "that was 4 years ago, she was a just a kid and made a mistake."  Who among us hasn't made a stupid decision that came back to bite us hard right in the tucus?  Perhaps, I have been hasty in my opinion. Am I judgemental? Am I hateful and leaking compassion?

I've been taught and have tried hard to be, in general, a very empathic person. I attempt to understand the other person, without judgment, first. The limits of my empathy do seem to end when the perceived or realized suffering is from one's own intent and doing. I have been given pause to rethink this limit to my empathy however, citing the universal constant that is 'human error'. Case in point - The Fall of Lindsey Jacobellis. 

In 2006, I watched as many did with utter disbelief that this young woman, who apparently decided to tweak out a trick on the next to last jump of what would have been a Olympic gold-medal snow-cross run, bit it hard in the snow of Turin, Italy. As an athlete, I was angry. As an athlete that had no chance of ever thinking that I had any ability to be the quality of an Olympian, I was positively pissed.  As an American, I was utterly aghast at this egregious and arrogant display of disregard for the fellow competitor and of the competition.

Her immediate and sheer disappointment for crossing the line in second I felt was the most honest of reactions to knowing she had 'blown it' and in a BIG way. In the days, weeks, and months following, she attempted to mitigate the loss by stating she 'always uses a grab to stabilize', 'was just celebrating' or 'just messed up, oh well, I still got silver'. I seethe at such wriggling behavior. Karma exacted a swift and (quite memorably) equivalent toll for her move. In multiple interviews given, even to this day, she seemingly does not understand or is unwilling to admit, that what she did was wrong in many ways. It is on this basis that I refuse to reconsider my empathy or lack of support for her. I can forgive a mistake, what I cannot condone is the unwillingness to be contrite about it.

For this I stand steadfastly against the attitude that prevails all too often in sports today - that "personal expression" (bullshit term for excessive celebration in the face of one's competitors) is some sort of personal right and fully acceptable in today's society. Personal expression is one thing when a person or group is testing and ultimately exceeding the self-imposed hopes or expectations. Those are the true victories in life.

The methodical showboating / taunting while in direct competition with others serves ONLY to show blatant disregard and lack of respect for the opposition, the competition, and is an embarrassment to those who support the athlete / team. It neither expresses personal joy nor adds quality to the competition.

Sport, I believe, is one of the most visible remaining vestiges of what goodness can be found in this human race. A place to showcase what can be great and right and good about people. Jacobellis, and those like her who are unwilling to admit what they do is insipid and wrong, continues to represent a growing, embarrassing, and pathetic trend found in an athletic world for which I choose to not be empathic - one that devalues a true sense of sport and fairplay. I will celebrate those who from a sense of equality promote fairplay, and for which human commonalities and appreciation may be reached, not parted.

PS: I would be happy to change my opinion of these types, provided they show some empathy of their own by discontinuing and discouraging the showboating behavior described above and by apologizing to those they may have offended. Then is when my empathy for them may begin.

An Open Letter to the Ownership and Executive Adminstration of Hulman and Company

Dear Board of Directors - Hulman and Company:

As a native Hoosier and lifetime Indy 500 fan (primarily and Indycar Series supporter second despite them being close relatives), I track with great passion the sport's changes as how they may affect the Indy 500 first, and the remainder of the sport next. Mr. Tony George's resignation from the board is the final shovel of "not good" that has tipped the scales for me from optimist to pessimist regarding the future of IMS and the Indy 500.

This recent bit of news is troubling to me, because I am optimistic by nature, but I now have an insurmountable fear that no one is left who has the passion, vision, and desire to carry it forward in a manner which allows it to not merely survive, but thrive. Surely, your privately-owned, family business must realize it has generations of a vast public who personally identify with (and in some cases even gave their life for) this event, it's history, and the grounds. The staggering popularity of The 500 and it's history certainly are evidence of that. I understand I own precisely 0.00% of the company's stock however I am mentally and emotionally invested in the place which is worth more than a little.

From this meager platform, I ask the board to please give us, loyal 'lifers' some sort of idea what the heck your plan is for this place.

It is yours in ownership.  It is also mine in heart and soul.  Understand me, your loyal fan, and do NOT toy with it.  What I bring to you shows up as positive numbers on your Balance Sheet if that is all you understand.

If you can understand the above, then understand these concerns:
- Who will be the passionate visionary to energize and elevate this place?
- Who among you is dedicated to the 500 to your very core?
- Who will be the talisman with tireless diligence to an entity whose value as a national treasure is far greater than the sum of its parts.
- Who is next?

You will note that I do not address the 'How' or 'What' is next, but 'Who' is next.  This is by far the most critical component in my opinion.

Who is next?

My concerns are growing, my patience wearing thin.

Instead of a lifetime of dedication from me (your most loyal fans), you must know that you have now relegated yourself to a year-by-year basis.

I strongly advise not screwing it up.