Sport Futilities

Excuse my Logic but presented here are some questions which poke fun at that hallowed of all institutions, professional sports.

 For example, maybe you’ve heard it asked before. Why do they call it a “World Series?” 

All the games excepting some in Toronto, are played in the United States.  All the teams except for Toronto are from cities in the United States.  Yes there are players from a multitude of countries, but it is essentially an American Series.  Do they call it a world series perhaps because we in America can at times be so self-centered that we think of ourselves as the entire world?

 Now to expand our search for logic to the other professional sports, I ask you to ponder some other questions.

How do we expect players who make millions and zillions of dollars to respect officials who make five figure salaries?  I remember one case in point where New York Yankee’s catcher Jorge Posada actually spit at an umpire.

The same question of economics also comes into play with respect to mangers or coaches.  Aside from managers and coaches on the megabucks level say of a Joe Tore or Phil Jackson, there are many lower tier coaches and managers who earn comfortable but not outlandish salaries.  Furthermore they don’t get nearly the press ink that some of their top players get?  So does it not follow that some of these players may actually think themselves mightier than their so called boss? I remember hearing one rumor several years ago when Tiki Barber was still on the Giants Football team where it was suggested that some players on that team didn’t try their hardest because they didn’t like playing for Coach Tom Coughlin. My recollection is that the Giants finished a mediocre 8-8 that year.

Also, sticking with managers and coaches for a minute, ask yourself this.  When a team does terrible in a season, whose job is always in jeopardy the most?  You know the answer.  So if a team is mired in a horrific slump, I maintain that some players figure “wait until next year” and kind of turn down their throttle, fully knowing that they are under long term contracts while their “boss” the manager is usually on a shorter contract and has a limited shelf life.  I will admit, I like when a team is doing bad and a player will have the fortitude to defend their manager by indicating that it is the players, not the coach who ultimately win or lose the game.

Another logic question I have about professional sports concerns the National Basketball Association.  Now I know NBA teams are trying to squeeze as many fans into their arena as possible to maximize profits.  It’s the American way.  But am I the only one who ever asks why there is such a narrow out of bounds section on the court? How many times have we seen a 250 pound or greater player, say like Shaq, jettison through the air and end up slamming into some unsuspecting 150 pound photographer?  NBA players are by and large, giant men. More space in the out of bounds should be allotted to make he sport safer for the players as well as the media, coaches and other personnel who are gathered on the playing floor.

Lastly, I will leave you with an observation that you can investigate the validity of yourself next time you watch a professional athletic event in any of the major sports on television or listen on the radio.  This comes under the heading of “salesmanship.”

Let’s say the New England Patriots are playing the New York Jets.  It is fourth quarter, 4 minutes to go and the Jets are down by three touchdowns.  You have these announcers who are still concocting “what if” schemes as to how the Jets can still win this game. They will do anything to keep you glued to that television because your viewership means more advertising dollars, bigger ratings and ultimately better salaries for Mr. Announcer guy.  The Jets are losing by 21 points to the Patriots with 4 minutes left.  I think it is a no brainer.  The announcers on the other hand think we have no brains.

Copyright 2009; Greg S.