I enjoy tweeting occasionally. But I know how to use Twitter and I know there are certain things you just can't say. For example, I would never attempt a joke that had anything to do with OJ Simpson. Or Hitler. It's not funny. It can't be funny. It can only cost you what's left of your reputation. It's offensive and stupid. And so it was that Calgary Stampeders receiver Nik Lewis offered up this tweet: "I just bought OJ's glove on eBay. Now all I need is a white girl named Nicole #MaybeALittleTooFar. Nice. The hashtag even shows you that he knew what he was doing, yet still posted it. When the shit hit the fan, Lewis stated that his paycheque for the Western Final game against BC would be donated to a women's emergency shelter in Calgary. Not only that, the team would match that amount with another donation. Lewis did NOT ever apologize for the offensive tweet. Spineless, if you ask me. Lewis shouldn't be allowed on Twitter for a year. And the Stamps inability or unwillingness to discipline Lewis speaks volumes about their organization.
I don't want to beat a dead (crazy) horse, but I've seen a few too many poor concert reviews for Neil Young and Bob Dylan over the past few weeks. Young is 66 and Dylan is 71. Both are considered crusty legends who can, and often do, play anything they want in concert and seem to be beyond reproach. Back in the day, you wouldn't dare write a negative review of these guys, for fear of being shut out by the performer. Nowadays, a fan like me can sit at his keyboard and peck away at them like crows on roadkill.
Look, I know they're legends, but all great performers must retire at some point. In pro sports, you're pretty much washed up by 40 (except in golf). You'll make a few dollars in your retirement years, but nobody wants to pay 200 bucks to see you perform. In music it's different. The fans expect you to sweep them off their feet with classic oldies that they grew up listening to. Even if the performer is old and grey and you can't understand half of what they're saying or playing, the image of them on performing for you while you're sitting in the beanbag chair in your bedroom with headphones on is permanent. Only Bruce Springsteen appears to have the ability to reproduce that feeling among his legion of fans. The Stones don't have it anymore. Dylan hasn't in years. Same goes for Young. Oh, you might get a "show for the ages" every once in a while, but for the most part you're getting the same old show from guys who are way past their prime as performers. Thank goodness their recordings live on. I just listened to "Rust Never Sleeps" by Neil. Outstanding. And Dylan's "Desire" recently took me back to the beanbag chair in my brother's room with a set of Koss Pro4AA headphones on. Ahhh memories!
This just in. Nothing to report on the National Hockey League. No reason to be optimistic. The season may as well be over. What a shame.
Christmas has come early at my house. We will be hosting 700-800 people in a few weeks as part of a Christmas house tour in my neighbourhood. Now, in my living room, I have several pieces of sports memorabilia on the wall that my wife and I agree are pieces of art. The red Chicago Blackhawks signed jersey is a perfect compliment to a green Christmas tree that's festooned with garland and glitter. The signed Stan Musial bat looks beautiful next to the stockings hanging from the fireplace. And the autographed 1987 Team Canada poster, all red and white, looks like it was made for the holiday season amidst the icicle lights and fancy ornaments. If ever a house could combine sports and the festive season and make it appealing, our house fits the bill.
I was pretty impressed with the Raptors gut-it-out victory over Indiana the other night. After losing in triple OT to Utah on Monday, nobody thought the Raps could win the next night on the road with three regulars (Lowry, Fields, Anderson) missing and Demar DeRozan having played 55 minutes the night before. I had told my co-host on Sportsline, Bubba ONeil, that I thought the Raps would win, because they HAD to prove to themselves and the fans that they could dig down deep with a supreme effort. And even though they only scored 5 points in the fourth quarter, they managed to hold on to a 74-72 win, and a HUGE confidence builder.
As of press time, we're still waiting for MLB Comish Bud Selig to approve the Jays-Marlins deal. When that happens, I say we start the season immediately instead of waiting for next spring. It promises to be a very exciting time for the Jays and their fans. I expect attendance to reach close to 3 million next year. No excuses not to go. No excuses for the Jays not to make the post-season. Anything less will be a disappointment. And by the way, do you think it matters who the Jays get as a manager now? Seriously, could they possible hire anybody that's going to make you react in an extremely positive or negative way? I doubt it. Bobby Cox? Sure, he can handle this team. Ozzie Guillen? Well, he certainly knows five of the players really well. Tony LaRussa? Absolutely. Age should not be a factor here. A veteran manager might be just the thing this team needs. A guy who won't overmanage, just let them play.
How many months until spring training begins again?
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