16Oct2006 // The GBU Report
THE GOOD: Tigers Joy
Two years ago the Detroit Tigers were facing the losingest season in baseball history. Now? Now they are this years Chicago White Sox.
The Tigers came from nowhere this season, rebounding from a 70 win outing in 2005 to lead the AL from May until the final day of the 2006 regular season, when they were pipped to the AL Central divisional title by the Minnesota Twins.
Yet, they responded to that bitter disappointment with class and steel, clinching the AL pennant after losing just one game in sweeping past both the Yankees (3-1) and the Athletics (4-0).
With the Jedi-like Jim Leland marshalling his troops so effectively it’s looking good for the Tigers.
I just hope it’s true … if it then maybe the Cubs can be the new Tigers next time around. Cubbies for the WS in 2007?
THE BAD: Reprehensible …
Paying a kid to pitch at another in order to drive that child from your little league team is as low as it gets for a coach … and for a man.
Yet, it happened, with coach Mark Downs offering one eight year old $25 to pitch at another, his (mildly) autistic team mate who Downs wanted rid of because he could not play well enough.
Thankfully, Mark Downs, is now serving 1 to 6 month in jail years for the callous act.
THE UGLY: ‘canes Caning
The 31 player suspensions that eventuated from the on field riot between Miami Hurricanes and Florida International University’s college football players Saturday does nothing to assuage the revulsion.
The sight of players swinging crutches and helmets as weapons and stamping on defenceless opponents is a hard one to shake.
It showed the ugly side of human nature and further action by league ab varsity is essential to instil the necessary discipline into these two organisations.
Ultimately it is the coaching environment that has fostered – however unknowingly or well intentioned – the environment and mindset that enabled this violent outburst to happen; they are the heads that may have to roll.
With Miami coach, Larry Coker, already on shaky ground after another below par season he may pay the price in full for the players’ ill discipline.
Recent Comments