The Sporting Life category archive
Trickle-On Economics: A Case Study 0
Bob Molinaro, sports-writer extraordinaire:
The First “Cleveland Indian” 0
The Bangor Daily News tells the story of the first Native American major league baseball player, a member of Maine’s Penobscot Nation. It is not pretty.
Here’s a bit; follow the link for the rest.
That legacy of racist language and iconography lived on after Sockalexis, and in 1915 the team that was known as the Cleveland Spiders became the Cleveland Indians — a name that the team and its fans claim was chosen to honor Sockalexis and Native people in general, but in reality had a far more complicated, racist origin.
Trick Play 0
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution follows the money.
False Idols 0
In the Des Moines Register, Kristen Greteman takes issue with the Iowa State University athletic director’s plan to sacrifice the arts, specifically performances at ISU’s Stephens Auditorium, on the altar of football to pay for the football team’s loss of revenue in these viral times.
Random Observation 0
My new Philadelphia Phillies baseball cap was delivered today.
I was afraid that the old one, seen from the wrong angle, might be mistaken for a MAGA hat.
I could not bear the stigma . . . .
School Daze 0
Sportswriter extraordinaire Bob Molinaro reflects on the reopening in these viral times (emphasis in the original):
Barely afloat: Schools that initially invited students back to campus are quickly discovering what they should have known. When dealing with easily transmissible viruses, dorms are cruise ships without the water.
Aside:
I was in college a long time ago and certainly did my share of partying. Nevertheless, other than concerts, sports events, large lectures, and some demonstrations against America’s Great and Glorious War for a Lie in Vietnam, I don’t remember participating in the sorts of mob scenes being reported from some colleges.
Sacrificial Lambs 0
Sportswriter extraordinaire Bob Molinaro:
Follow the link for the rest of his column for more sane observations about sports in these viral times.
Flag Daze, Reprise 0
At AL.com, John Goodman remarks on NASCAR’s recent decision to ban the Confederate battle ensign from its events and properties (while wondering how said ban will be enforced), but notes that we should not forget that NASCAR waged a long and enthusiastic campaign over many decades to associate itself with said flag. Here’s a bit:
When South Carolina senator Strom Thurmond and his Dixiecrats started waving the Confederate battle flag to associate it with their pro-segregation politics, Thurmond used NASCAR to advance his agenda. NASCAR was happy to help because it was a profitable partnership.
From the “No Self-Awareness” Dept. 0
Bob Molinaro, sports writer extraordinaire, catches the irony:
Stray Thought, Long Time Out Dept. 0
You know the Sports Department at my local rag is getting desperate from the lack of sports news when they run the results of the Canadian Football League draft on the sports page where they would normally have box scores.
I can’t find it on their website, but I saw it with my own eyes.
A Glimmer of Sunshine 0
Bob Molinaro. sportswriter extraordinaire, looks on the bright side:
Super Bowl Boor
0
Self-important culture warrior throws penalty flag for “backfield in motion.”
Twits on Twitter 0
Sportswriter extraordinaire Bob Molinaro:
