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Showing posts with label longhorndave on sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label longhorndave on sports. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Monday, January 2, 2012
Almost a year
Unfortunately, I let this blog drop off my priority list in 2011, but rest assured, one of my 2012 resolutions is to revive it. I think part of my problem is having too many thoughts and the time to write them all was overwhelming. In that light, here are a few features I plan to roll out this year:
1) Shorter, quicker hitting entries. Most people don't want to read pages and pages of blabber anyway, so a few paragraphs will be the norm.
2) The "Sportsman" (or "Sportswoman") of the week. After the conclusion of action on Sunday, I will select an individual (or maybe a team) that represented what I liked about sports the last week. It may not be the player with the biggest stats or who won the big game, but someone who caught my attention. With focus on an "outside" entity, not someone you'd see on the headline of Sportscenter.
3) Revision and reposting of the "Best sports franchises". They take a while to assemble, but I thought was a unique look into the world of sports.
4) Continued focus on how sports are presented by the media.
5) No bias toward teams I like, and definitely no bias toward big market teams (I'd bet yesterday the sports analysts spent half their time talking about the Cowboys and Jets blowing the playoffs, and about none on Oakland or Tennessee.
That's all for now, stand by for the first "Sportsman of the Week".
1) Shorter, quicker hitting entries. Most people don't want to read pages and pages of blabber anyway, so a few paragraphs will be the norm.
2) The "Sportsman" (or "Sportswoman") of the week. After the conclusion of action on Sunday, I will select an individual (or maybe a team) that represented what I liked about sports the last week. It may not be the player with the biggest stats or who won the big game, but someone who caught my attention. With focus on an "outside" entity, not someone you'd see on the headline of Sportscenter.
3) Revision and reposting of the "Best sports franchises". They take a while to assemble, but I thought was a unique look into the world of sports.
4) Continued focus on how sports are presented by the media.
5) No bias toward teams I like, and definitely no bias toward big market teams (I'd bet yesterday the sports analysts spent half their time talking about the Cowboys and Jets blowing the playoffs, and about none on Oakland or Tennessee.
That's all for now, stand by for the first "Sportsman of the Week".
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Blog Status
Contrary to popular belief, this blog is not dead. I'm just a busy guy who waits for inspiration to flow my thoughts. Why this is not good for enticing and retaining regular readers I apologize. I do, however, promise semi-regular (some might say semi-annual) thoughts to come. I still owe the crowd the top 40% of pro sports franchises, some thoughts on NFL and MLB playoffs, and maybe some NHL discussion. And perhaps a blog explaining why I will not watch one minute of NBA action this year (**cough** waste of time **cough**).
I appreciate your patience!
I appreciate your patience!
Monday, August 16, 2010
The 10 commandments of watching a game in person
At least according to me. There are certain habits that no matter what event you're at, are just common courtesy and common decency.
I will say that all have the counter-argument "I paid my money, I have a right". That is true. But being a fan is more than just exercising your rights. It's about sports, enjoying sports, and having a good time, and when you violate my 10 commandments, you infringe upon others' rights to do the same.
1) Avoid using profanity. I know it's tempting to call that overpaid SOB a s##tbag and tell him that you're not fond of his mother (or insinuate you had relations with her), particularly when he strikes out with the bases loaded or misses a tackle or misses an open jumper. Refrain. If he's one of your guys, he's one of your guys. Heckling the other guys can be part of it, but be clean and creative (think Duke fans). There are kids and families around. He can't hear you anyway, you're just venting frustration and you're better than that.
2) Only take or leave your seat during breaks in action. This is championed in hockey with the ushers and the hand-held "stop" sign, but it's not that hard to stand behind your seat in the concourse, or in case of a long aisle, squat in the aisle until it is between football plays, between batters, or a free throw. Hockey is the hardest, action can go for minutes. But it's a small price to pay, and you'll get more respect from your fellow fans rather than making them stand and missing a long pass or big 3 pointer.
3) When in Rome, do as the Romans do...when standing. Don't be the person who is the only one standing when everyone else is sitting. Don't be the person who is sitting and asking others to sit when all are standing. I know you paid for a seat and the right to sit and watch, but in college football for instance, you're not going to get everyone to sit, just go along. And if you're the only one standing, you're probably drunk.
4) If you're smack dab in the middle of a row and have to exit, choose one way out, and the other way back in. That way you don't inconvenience the fans in the row behind you twice (the standing folks can see the action while standing both times)
5) Bring cash for the concessions. That commercial where everyone swipes the card and the line moves faster is BS. I've been in a beer line with 4 people and each credit transaction takes 90 seconds costing me a half inning. Same line with people with $10's gets done in 90 seconds total. True story, I was at a game in which Bonds was going for HR 714, I left with 5 batters before he was due, they rallied and he was on deck as the guy in front of me was trying to pay, but the cashier couldn't get his card to work. I just about threw two 20's at her and ran, I'm sitting there for BS while almost missing history.
6) Mind the spillage. Keep that tall drink in your hands at all times (both hands). If you spill, instantly warn the fans in front of you to remove their personal effects from the floor. Get napkins if necessary. It sucks to have someone's drink flow over your purse or bag.
7) If you're a road fan, don't flaunt it. It's okay to cheer for your team, but turning and taunting or trying to prove some point by cheering every smallest thing is bush league. If I'm watching my team on the road and they score a TD. I stand, I clap, I make no eye contact with other fans. I DON'T say "Oh yeah, baby, that's right. D-money-jonesey, you the man, we got this baby, that's right, rah rah team". Stand, clap, high 5, sit down.
8) In step with Commandment #7, it never hurts to befriend nearby fans of the other team. Just talk X's and O's. Don't say "We're going to kick your a$$". Say "this is going to be a good game, I think we have a good team, you're team should be ready to play" or "I like your RB, I can't wait to see if he is able to run on our defense". "I heard this pitcher is good, will be a tough matchup for our hitters". I had a great experience at the BCS title game with some Alabama fans just by talking sensibly and respectfully and it made it better for everyone. In return I got "wow, Texas fans are nice, nothing like LSU or Tennessee fans". I guarantee you Texas fans can be the worst, but I just put forward our best face.
9) When you lose, you lose. Speak softly and walk away. It's just a game. Insulting the other teams star player for his paternity suit, or the other team's university for it's locale is bush league. Hey, they won, you lost. That's why you play. Silence is golden.
10) Have fun. Seems easy, but I think we've all been to a game where someone just seemed to complain about everything (it's too hot, I can't see, the concessions are too expensive, that SOB sucks, our team sucks, I can't believe tickets cost this much). Hey, you chose to be there, enjoy the game.
I'm not perfect, I've used profanity and insulted a dad and kid (Sirron remembers), I've spilled my mixed drink on the ground (okay, kid next to me kicked it) and didn't warn the people in front of me before her purse was drenched in Beamy Coke. I've been with a group who hurled insults so heavy, a nice lady in front of us tore out of the row near tears. I've been at games that by the end the whole experience was miserable, I've insulted College Station after a tough loss.
Following the above 10 isn't easy, but worth it in the end.
I will say that all have the counter-argument "I paid my money, I have a right". That is true. But being a fan is more than just exercising your rights. It's about sports, enjoying sports, and having a good time, and when you violate my 10 commandments, you infringe upon others' rights to do the same.
1) Avoid using profanity. I know it's tempting to call that overpaid SOB a s##tbag and tell him that you're not fond of his mother (or insinuate you had relations with her), particularly when he strikes out with the bases loaded or misses a tackle or misses an open jumper. Refrain. If he's one of your guys, he's one of your guys. Heckling the other guys can be part of it, but be clean and creative (think Duke fans). There are kids and families around. He can't hear you anyway, you're just venting frustration and you're better than that.
2) Only take or leave your seat during breaks in action. This is championed in hockey with the ushers and the hand-held "stop" sign, but it's not that hard to stand behind your seat in the concourse, or in case of a long aisle, squat in the aisle until it is between football plays, between batters, or a free throw. Hockey is the hardest, action can go for minutes. But it's a small price to pay, and you'll get more respect from your fellow fans rather than making them stand and missing a long pass or big 3 pointer.
3) When in Rome, do as the Romans do...when standing. Don't be the person who is the only one standing when everyone else is sitting. Don't be the person who is sitting and asking others to sit when all are standing. I know you paid for a seat and the right to sit and watch, but in college football for instance, you're not going to get everyone to sit, just go along. And if you're the only one standing, you're probably drunk.
4) If you're smack dab in the middle of a row and have to exit, choose one way out, and the other way back in. That way you don't inconvenience the fans in the row behind you twice (the standing folks can see the action while standing both times)
5) Bring cash for the concessions. That commercial where everyone swipes the card and the line moves faster is BS. I've been in a beer line with 4 people and each credit transaction takes 90 seconds costing me a half inning. Same line with people with $10's gets done in 90 seconds total. True story, I was at a game in which Bonds was going for HR 714, I left with 5 batters before he was due, they rallied and he was on deck as the guy in front of me was trying to pay, but the cashier couldn't get his card to work. I just about threw two 20's at her and ran, I'm sitting there for BS while almost missing history.
6) Mind the spillage. Keep that tall drink in your hands at all times (both hands). If you spill, instantly warn the fans in front of you to remove their personal effects from the floor. Get napkins if necessary. It sucks to have someone's drink flow over your purse or bag.
7) If you're a road fan, don't flaunt it. It's okay to cheer for your team, but turning and taunting or trying to prove some point by cheering every smallest thing is bush league. If I'm watching my team on the road and they score a TD. I stand, I clap, I make no eye contact with other fans. I DON'T say "Oh yeah, baby, that's right. D-money-jonesey, you the man, we got this baby, that's right, rah rah team". Stand, clap, high 5, sit down.
8) In step with Commandment #7, it never hurts to befriend nearby fans of the other team. Just talk X's and O's. Don't say "We're going to kick your a$$". Say "this is going to be a good game, I think we have a good team, you're team should be ready to play" or "I like your RB, I can't wait to see if he is able to run on our defense". "I heard this pitcher is good, will be a tough matchup for our hitters". I had a great experience at the BCS title game with some Alabama fans just by talking sensibly and respectfully and it made it better for everyone. In return I got "wow, Texas fans are nice, nothing like LSU or Tennessee fans". I guarantee you Texas fans can be the worst, but I just put forward our best face.
9) When you lose, you lose. Speak softly and walk away. It's just a game. Insulting the other teams star player for his paternity suit, or the other team's university for it's locale is bush league. Hey, they won, you lost. That's why you play. Silence is golden.
10) Have fun. Seems easy, but I think we've all been to a game where someone just seemed to complain about everything (it's too hot, I can't see, the concessions are too expensive, that SOB sucks, our team sucks, I can't believe tickets cost this much). Hey, you chose to be there, enjoy the game.
I'm not perfect, I've used profanity and insulted a dad and kid (Sirron remembers), I've spilled my mixed drink on the ground (okay, kid next to me kicked it) and didn't warn the people in front of me before her purse was drenched in Beamy Coke. I've been with a group who hurled insults so heavy, a nice lady in front of us tore out of the row near tears. I've been at games that by the end the whole experience was miserable, I've insulted College Station after a tough loss.
Following the above 10 isn't easy, but worth it in the end.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Watching sports, a personal take
I thought I'd give my blog followers a basic layout of which sports I watch/follow vs. those I could live the rest of my life never seeing again.
Sports I'll watch even if I know no players and/or have no rooting interest in the teams
College Football
MLB
World Cup Soccer
Horse Racing
PGA
NFL
Sports I enjoy watching if I know the players and/or have a rooting interest in the teams
NHL
NCAA Baseball
Curling (Women)
Track and Field
Sports I follow but don't usually watch even if I have a favorite team, but might watch
NBA
NCAA Basketball (Men)
NASCAR
NCAA Softball
Olympics (general once per olympiad sports)
NCAA Volleyball (Women)
Sports I really don't watch nor have a favorite team, but at least read headlines
Tennis
Boxing
MLS
NCAA Basketball (Women)
FIFA
Swimming
NCAA Hockey
Sports that if they ended tomorrow I might not notice
WNBA
MMA
PBA
Lacrosse
Other Motor Sports
Curling (Men)
The above are in no particular order other than how I remembered them.
As for "likes", I will watch Akron play Eastern Michigan on a Tuesday night if ESPN puts the game on TV. I will tune into a PGA event on Sunday, even if Tiger isn't playing. I will watch the Arkansas Derby or Santa Anita Stakes even if I haven't heard of the horses. And I can't wait for the World Cup.
But you're probably not going to get much insight into the latest bowling matches, who is favored to win the NCAA lacrosse title, or the UFC 100-and-whatever. I have no idea who is leading the Indy Racing League and despite liking women's curling, just can't stand to watch guys play.
In recent years, basketball has ticked down a spot or two, I've been frustrated at the lack of continuity on the college game due to early draft entry, and the NBA is too much about the officials calls. Boxing has also tanked lately, I used to watch/order all the fights, now it's too expensive and not enough marquee names.
NHL is almost in the top group, definitely is for the playoffs but don't plop down and watch enough of the regular season to compare it to the top line sports, where I'll watch any NFL or MLB game on TV when given the chance.
This is just another primer in a series of a few before I start rolling out the deep thoughts, stay tuned!
Sports I'll watch even if I know no players and/or have no rooting interest in the teams
College Football
MLB
World Cup Soccer
Horse Racing
PGA
NFL
Sports I enjoy watching if I know the players and/or have a rooting interest in the teams
NHL
NCAA Baseball
Curling (Women)
Track and Field
Sports I follow but don't usually watch even if I have a favorite team, but might watch
NBA
NCAA Basketball (Men)
NASCAR
NCAA Softball
Olympics (general once per olympiad sports)
NCAA Volleyball (Women)
Sports I really don't watch nor have a favorite team, but at least read headlines
Tennis
Boxing
MLS
NCAA Basketball (Women)
FIFA
Swimming
NCAA Hockey
Sports that if they ended tomorrow I might not notice
WNBA
MMA
PBA
Lacrosse
Other Motor Sports
Curling (Men)
The above are in no particular order other than how I remembered them.
As for "likes", I will watch Akron play Eastern Michigan on a Tuesday night if ESPN puts the game on TV. I will tune into a PGA event on Sunday, even if Tiger isn't playing. I will watch the Arkansas Derby or Santa Anita Stakes even if I haven't heard of the horses. And I can't wait for the World Cup.
But you're probably not going to get much insight into the latest bowling matches, who is favored to win the NCAA lacrosse title, or the UFC 100-and-whatever. I have no idea who is leading the Indy Racing League and despite liking women's curling, just can't stand to watch guys play.
In recent years, basketball has ticked down a spot or two, I've been frustrated at the lack of continuity on the college game due to early draft entry, and the NBA is too much about the officials calls. Boxing has also tanked lately, I used to watch/order all the fights, now it's too expensive and not enough marquee names.
NHL is almost in the top group, definitely is for the playoffs but don't plop down and watch enough of the regular season to compare it to the top line sports, where I'll watch any NFL or MLB game on TV when given the chance.
This is just another primer in a series of a few before I start rolling out the deep thoughts, stay tuned!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
What this blog is...
I've been kicking around the idea of having my own Sports blog for a while, always had "reasons why not". No time. Nobody would read. Too much pressure to come up with content. Phooey, I'm pulling the trigger. While blogs on sports are a dime a dozen, let me tell you why I think mine might be different...
1) You will see from my profile I'm from Houston, big fan of Houston teams. Graduate of the University of Texas. Also like and hate other various teams from around all leagues. However, I'm NOT going to write about one sport, one region, one aspect. For a while I was active on various Longhorn sports boards, loved to listen to local sports radio, etc. Now I feel if I write from that angle, I'm going to come up with very little new. It's just a borrow from here, rephrase from there, nothing added...I'm not that creative!
2) I refuse, REFUSE to take up the media bias that is inherent in sports. In other words, no uber-focus on Tiger, the Yankees, the Red Sox, Kobe, Sid the Kid, free agency, the BCS, King James, the Cowboys, the New York football Giants, the Mets, the Trojans, the Cubs, the Heisman or Barack Obama. That doesn't mean from time to time I won't talk about them, but it gets to the point that every NFL Today broadcast starts with the Cowboys round up, Baseball tonight must have the in depth about what's wrong with the Red Sox, and ESPN College Gameday does a 30 minute roundup of Heisman candidates. In September. Case in point is when Fox broke into the Red Sox game clinching game to discuss A-Rod's free agency move.
3) I will be very critical of TV coverage. I have been sorely disappointed in the direction of TV coverage and will let you know about it. See the A-Rod example above, I remember when Fox was chatting with Eric Byrnes in McCovey Cove without play by play when Ichiro hit the first and only inside the park homer in All Star game history. Last year Fox decided to spend the whole broadcast talking about Halladay's free agency. I tuned in to watch a game, not Byrnes floating around in the cove talking about his dog named Bruin.
4) It's about the numbers, I frequently will cite numbers to support my thoughts. I'm an engineer what do you expect!?
5) I will have a sports bias. There are certain sports I just don't follow as much (anymore). I remember when I was a kid, I would scour the daily newspaper just hoping some sporting event was on TV (before we had cable). Now it's a matter of which sport I want, so I no longer watch tennis or college basketball (gasp) just because it is on.
So sit back and expect to see a fans fan blog. I want to talk about how the fan interacts with sports. How the media skews what fans interpret. I hope to be evenhanded and fair to all in the sports world, we shall see!
1) You will see from my profile I'm from Houston, big fan of Houston teams. Graduate of the University of Texas. Also like and hate other various teams from around all leagues. However, I'm NOT going to write about one sport, one region, one aspect. For a while I was active on various Longhorn sports boards, loved to listen to local sports radio, etc. Now I feel if I write from that angle, I'm going to come up with very little new. It's just a borrow from here, rephrase from there, nothing added...I'm not that creative!
2) I refuse, REFUSE to take up the media bias that is inherent in sports. In other words, no uber-focus on Tiger, the Yankees, the Red Sox, Kobe, Sid the Kid, free agency, the BCS, King James, the Cowboys, the New York football Giants, the Mets, the Trojans, the Cubs, the Heisman or Barack Obama. That doesn't mean from time to time I won't talk about them, but it gets to the point that every NFL Today broadcast starts with the Cowboys round up, Baseball tonight must have the in depth about what's wrong with the Red Sox, and ESPN College Gameday does a 30 minute roundup of Heisman candidates. In September. Case in point is when Fox broke into the Red Sox game clinching game to discuss A-Rod's free agency move.
3) I will be very critical of TV coverage. I have been sorely disappointed in the direction of TV coverage and will let you know about it. See the A-Rod example above, I remember when Fox was chatting with Eric Byrnes in McCovey Cove without play by play when Ichiro hit the first and only inside the park homer in All Star game history. Last year Fox decided to spend the whole broadcast talking about Halladay's free agency. I tuned in to watch a game, not Byrnes floating around in the cove talking about his dog named Bruin.
4) It's about the numbers, I frequently will cite numbers to support my thoughts. I'm an engineer what do you expect!?
5) I will have a sports bias. There are certain sports I just don't follow as much (anymore). I remember when I was a kid, I would scour the daily newspaper just hoping some sporting event was on TV (before we had cable). Now it's a matter of which sport I want, so I no longer watch tennis or college basketball (gasp) just because it is on.
So sit back and expect to see a fans fan blog. I want to talk about how the fan interacts with sports. How the media skews what fans interpret. I hope to be evenhanded and fair to all in the sports world, we shall see!
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