I won’t be watching…

Boy, what a weekend for sports. There were at least four first-hand happenings… one of which ended with a negative feeling. Of course, that depends on you… or even me. There might have been more than one negative – because all of us have (usually) different feelings about different things. The one big thing as far as this corner is concerned is that none (that’s right: NONE!!) of the four happenings had anything to do with football. I had to digress and add that above statement simply because no matter what is happening in The Wonderful World of Sports – football is usually in there someplace. But, not this past weekend… heh, heh, heh. Okay Okay… I’ll get to those preeminent four. They are – in order according to me – the Belmont Stakes, the French Open tennis tournament, the NBA playoffs and the NHL playoffs. The last one barely making this list. The Belmont is the first to be looked at. California Chrome was a heavy (betting) favorite to win… but not the favorite among the sports people who cover the event on a daily basis. And those people were correct. One guy, a gent named Childs Walker who writes for the Baltimore Sun, even picked the winner – Tonalist. California Chrome had a tough race in winning the Kentucky Derby and an even tougher squeezing past everyone in the Preakness. In the Belmont, Chrome – nasal strips and all – simply didn’t have it. You could see that the horse (maybe the jockey, too) was having trouble running the kind of race that had produced two parts of the Triple Crown. In those races the horse was among the leaders most of the way and much closer to the rail (making it a shorter race). In the Belmont, California Chrome couldn’t stay with the leaders and drifted from near the rail to the outside of the pack… where he didn’t have either the speed nor the intestinal fortitude to overcome the horses in front of him. Why does this event carry a negative overtone? That’s because practically everyone with even the slightest interest in horse racing wanted 36 years of frustration wiped out… and a Triple Crown champion to appear. California Chrome now becomes the 13th horse (in the past 36 years) to win the first two legs of the Triple Crown… then fail in the Belmont. He also stretches the failure of California-bred thoroughbreds… as non has ever won the Triple Crown. Now… that’s a negative.

Ah, now we come to the French Open. I know, I know… some people might consider the results of the men’s championship to be on the negative side as this one guy has won the title nine times – including a string of five straight. But, watching Rafael Nadal play on the orange (or is it red?) clay at Roland Garros is like watching an extremely talented violinist perform. Nadal very simply hardly ever makes a mistake. Oh, sometimes he starts slowly – like in this one when he lost the first set 6-3 to Novak Djokovic. But after that, the 28-year-old from Spain was in complete control. You’ve read Nadal’s results in the French Open – 66 of 67 triumphant matches. I must admit… I enjoyed every point Nadal made in winning his 14th Grand Slam title.

I IMAGINE, IF YOU try, you can find a negative in Miami’s 98-96 win over the San Antonio Spurs – this one tied the best of seven NBA playoffs at 1-1. The negative is a long-past happening… but it’s still there. That was when LeBron James jilted his short-of home town Cleveland Cavalier some years ago… and doing it with a low-class but heavily-watched performance on national t.v. This rubbed many basketball rooter – and definitely some NBA stalwarts – the wrong way… placing James among the many villains in sports. Lebron James is still a villain to some people and when he was carried from the first game with cramps… there were some cheers – and a 110-95 San Antonio win. But, regardless of all that, Lebron James is the best basketball player of this era and he showed it last Sunday when his 35 points and ten rebounds sparked the Heat to their two-point triumph. Game No. 3 is set for Tuesday (June 10th). This one in Miami. However, I doubt very much that I’ll be among those viewing the action. First of all, the game starts much to late for me (9p.m.). Second, I am not a big fan of the NBA playoffs – I think they go on much too long. Case in point… it’s nearing the middle of June and they are still playing basketball. Now, THAT’S A NEGATIVE!!!!!

THE NEW YORK RANGERS must be really confused concerning their efforts in the current Stanley Cup NHL Playoffs. The Rangers led by two goals in the opener with the Los Angeles Kings… only to lose the opener by a 3-2 score IN OVERTIME! Then, in the second contest, the Rangers owned a trio of two-goal edges… but then bowed to the Kings 5-4 in DOUBLE-OVERTIME!!!I guess those efforts might be labeled as negative. Now, the best-of-seven series, moves to New York and the third game (June 9th).  Again I won’t be watching. Same reason… the playoffs are almost never-ending. I like my hockey when there is snow on the ground… not flowers.

THERE WERE A COUPLE more negative happenings this past weekend… at least, as far as I was concerned. The Pittsburgh Pirates lost to Milwaukee 1-0… leaving ten runners stranded in the process. The Bucs, who need some positive hitting and immediately wasted a four-hit effort by 25 year-old- Jeff Locke. And the Yankees (my closest team) got beat by Kansas City 2-1 – despite out-hitting the Royals 8-5. Derek Jeter, who can do no wrong, continues to falter – the 40 year old hitting a mere .254.

LONNIE CHISENHALL, the Cleveland Indians 26-year-old baseman, continues to pace the Tribe with his bat… owning an American League-leading .365 mark. Not bad for what was considered part-timer when the season began a little over two months ago.

THE WORLD CUP, the once-ever-four-years soccer tournament, begins this Thursday in Brazil. The United States team will travel many thousands of miles for its first three games – starting with Ghana on June 16th in this last match before the tourney the Yanks nipped Nigeria 2-1. The U.S. Will be an underdog in its opener. No, I don’t know what the official odds are.

 

– Jack Polancy

I’m going on vacation

This Saturday is the day that all (well, at least “most all”) horse race fans have been waiting for for a number of years (36 to exact). That was when the great horse Affirmed won the Belmont Stakes and in doing so captured horse racing’s fabled Triple  Crown… back 1978. California Chrome, an unheralded thoroughbred until he won both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness… is the latest to try and put his name with the other11 (I think that is the correct number) who have been triple winners. He si the 13th horse since Affirmed won it all with that chance. There has been all kinds of comments this past week on California Chrome’s chances of taking the longest (one and one-half-miles) of the Triple Crown races. One sort of laughable hint was that 20 horses whose names began with the letter “C” have won the Belmont. Well, this horse has two “C’s” in its name… so you figure it out. Also, you have to have a lot of luck to win practically any horse race. Well, California Chrome has not had any bad luck in getting out of the gate and no real traffic woes coming down the stretch in his two wins. Maybe CC’s luck will hold for just one more race.
What about the competition? Well, there is always a dark horse in any race… some animal that is well- rested because he did not run in either the Derby or the Preakness. Naturally, there will be some fresh runners in this race. But California Chrome seems to be ready to handle all the comers – even over this long distance run. Commending Curve was the second in the Derby and Wicked Strong was fourth. Both bypassed the Preakness and will be more than ready to challenge California Chrome on Saturday. I will be among the many pulling for Chrome… it’s more than about time that the Triple Crown “jinx” was broken.

YOU KNOW, SOME of the powers-that-be are aiming to change the format of the Triple Crown. Right now the Kentucky Derby is run on the first Saturday in May. The Preakness, in Baltimore, is run two weeks later and the Belmont, staged in New York, is three weeks after that. That’s five pressure-packed (some even use the word “grueling”) races in a short span of five weeks… real tough for any horse. Anyway, these people who control things believe that is one gigantic reason for no Triple Crown winner in the past 35 years. It has been suggested (according to a story in USA Today) by a person named Tom Chuckas (he’s the president of the Maryland Jockey Club) that the Derby would stay as is – on the first Saturday in May with the Preakness slated for the first Saturday in June… and the final race (the Belmont) the first Saturday in July. One thing this would supposedly do is bring a better quality field to the Preakness… as many Derby entrants (the losers) fail to run in the even (only three this year). There are other suggested benefits from such a change as this. However, at a recent gathering, reps of the three Triple Crown winners of past years (1970 specifically) were against making any changes. One thing is for certain – it would be physically easier on the horses. I imagine this debate will go on for some time. But, also I imagine that, like almost everything else in life, changes will be made. I just don’t think I’ll be around to see it.

SEVENTY YEARS AGO I was a kid playing in the front yard of my family’s home on Harding Drive. That day I remember listening to the radio (nope… there was no such thing as t.v.) and hearing the announcers go into high drive as they told us on the other end of things about the “big invasion” of the European coast – an event that had been tagged as “D-Day.” It was the beginning (although a very rough one as far as casualties were concerned) of the end for the Axis powers. Anyway, I’m an old man these days – but I’ll never forget June 6th, 1944. That’s why I’ll celebrate this Friday… however, it will be done very quietly.

HEY, THE CLEVELAND INDIANS have finally reached the .500 plateau. They did it Wednesday (June 4th) night… dodging the rain and a lot of other problems before emerging victorious 7-4 in 12 innings over the staggering Boston Red Sox. This triumph put the Tribe at 30-30… with the season almost 40 percent gone… and just three and a half games behind Central Division leader Detroit. The Indians – led by Lonnie Chisenhall and Michael Brantly, are not hitting the ball a lot more regularly than they were. Let’s hope they keep it up.

THE FRENCH OPEN, one of my favorite tennis venues, will wrap up its always exciting even this weekend. As of this writing Rafeal Nadal, the heavy favorite (he has 33 consecutive wins in this event) to capture his ninth such crown, will meet last year’s Wimbledone Andy Murray on Friday (June 6th) in a semi-final match. I’m on of Nadal’s biggest boosters. I just like the way he goes about his business of beating the competition. I do plan on watching the championship finals (thank goodness for t.v.).

HEY, REMEMBER ALL the past NFL Super Bowls and their designation via Roman Numerals? Well, you can forget that when February 7,2016 rolls around. The powers-that-be have decided to simply call it “Super Bowl 50… instead of Superbowl LXVI.” Thank Goodness. I’ve always had a tough time trying to figure out Roman Numerals anyway. I can only hope that the NFL will then continue with their numbers on all future Super Bowls.
Bet they won’t.
By the way, that 50th Super Bowl is slated for Santa Clara, California. Just thought you might want to know.

I HAD TO LAUGH when I read a headline story “Redefine Foreign Policy” in USA Today the other day. Personally, I really don’t know what the USA’s “foreign policy” is. Oopps.. okay, okay, I’m getting back to sports.

I AM VERY TEPID (that is to say – “lukewarm”) when it comes to the NBA Championship Finals. That’s simply because the playoffs simply go on much, much too long. I admit, the match-up of the Miami Heat (with LeBron James) and the San Antonio Spurs (with almost ancient Tim Duncan), could be intriguing and perhaps will be – to the die-hard NBA fan. But, for the rest of us… just to get it over. Oh yes… the same thing goes for the ever-lasting NHL playoffs.

DID’JA NOTICE THAT the San Francisco 49ers gave a contract extension to quarterback Colin Kaepernick that will extend his stay through the 2020 campaign? And he will be compensated very well with a $126 million, six-year deal… with $61 million of it guaranteed. Oh well, considering the pay given to top professional athletes in just about any pro environment these days – I guess this is about right. Now… I didn’t say it was fine because I feel that pro athletes are all paid way too much money for what they do – but that’s the way it is.

THE NEW YORK YANKEES have finally found an ace in Japanese hurler Masahiro Tanaka – who was 8-1 going into Thursday’s (June 5th) game against Oakland. But, that’s about all the Bombers have going for them these days.

AND A FINAL NOTE… I’m going on vacation – but not for some time yet. Meaning, you’ll have me around next week to bug you… one way, or another.

 

-Jack Polancy

HEY, LOOK AT the Erie Seawolves.

Well, hello folks – and how was your weekend? My weekend included a trip to Lily Dale (more about that later…maybe) plus a couple of artist get together affairs… but, overall, nothing much to talk about. However, in the middle of last week we (my significant other and myself) took a bus ride to Lancaster to see the play about Moses. The play was okay (hey, they parted the Red Sea ON STAGE!!!) but the bus ride was a bit of agony. After all, 10 hours on a bus (and in the back end so that you felt each bump on the road) is not my idea of fun. Then on the way home we stopped at the site where Flight 93 crashed during the 9-11 attack on America. That place is way off the beaten path, and from what they told us it will not be completely built until 2020. From what I witnessed even that date seems to be a bit dreamful wishing. The area does have a wall with the names of the heroes that were on the flight… the ones who re-took the plane from terrorists (who were intent on crashing it into the building that houses congress or perhaps the White House.) And there have been some trees planted. We were shown a diagram of what the place will look like once it is completed – but, man… there is a lot of work to do before that is finished. However, as you can tell, I didn’t get involved much with the Wonderful World of Sports in the past few days. So, I guess the first thing to do is to get back on track… right? Of course, right!!!

I SEE WHERE the NBA Finals has finally been attained (these post-season playoffs seem to go on without an end)… featuring the Miami Heat (of course) and the San Antonio Spurs. This will be the second consecutive title series between the two. The Heat won it all last year – taking the full seven games to do it. The Heat is again favored to win the crown… although the majority of NBA fans will be rooting for the Spurs. Personally, I don’t care who wins the thing… just so that they get it over as soon as possible. This is no time to still be playing basketball!!!

HEY, LOOK AT the Erie Seawolves. The Howlers have won four in-a-row and eight of their last nine starts… which at 26-29, puts them very close to being a break-even team. I’d like to see them continue in this vein – but I have serious doubts that it will happen. Tell you what – let’s see if the Seawolves can get to .500 before we start hoping for better things… okay?

IT WAS THREE years ago that I read a sports publication praising the big league possibilities of Lonnie Chisenhall. The article claimed that the third baseman was a star of the future for the Cleveland Indians. Well, after three years of trying to be a starter, Chisenhall was nothing more than trade bait… that is, until the season. Chisenhall, despite limited playing time (he’s definitely not the best-fielding infielder in the game) owns a .361 batting average and is starting to look like his earlier press clippings. I know I’m impressed every time I watch the 25-year-old on t.v.

THE PITTSBURGH PIRATES are starting to look a bit better these days. That’s what taking two of three from the Los Angeles Dodgers will do for you. Now, the Bucs have a three-game series at San Diego – the Padres with a 26-31 record and Pittsburgh at 26-30. The Pirates have had a lot of problems on defense thus far this campaign. This will have to improve if the Bucs are to make any kind of dent in their won-lost mark.

PHIL HUGHES CAME UP with the New York Yankees as a “can’t miss” project. Well, he had one excellent year (an 18-8 figure in 2010) and one average year (16-13 in 2012). But, he was so hit-and-miss that after last season he became a free agent. The Yanks simply didn’t want him anymore… a 56-50 career mark with a 4.53 ERA doing him in. The Minnesota Twins, hungry for anyone who could throw the ball, signed Hughes last December. And, Sunday he more than paid off – throwing a three-hitter at the Yankees while running his record to 6-1 with an ERA of 3.12. With three starters currently on the disabled list, the Yanks could certainly use Hughes now.

I HAVE TO CHUCKLE whenever I read another article on Johnny Manziel, the rookie quarterback from Texas A&M that Cleveland Browns tagged in the recent pro draft. The latest one concerns the attendance at the Browns’ training facility in Berea, Ohio. The Browns’ brain trust is now planning on requesting fans who want to take in some practice sessions to sign up early. “This is so we don’t turn away 2,000 or 3,000 fans who just show up,” team president Alec Schneiner was quoted. Now, I realize that Manziel is a hot project and the Browns, who set an attendance record at raining camp a year ago, want to be prepared for anything. The Cleveland team drew 56,306 fans to 13 open practices a year ago… including a one-day record of 4,466. Manziel certainly has caused a mighty stir in Cleveland… and elsewhere too. And, he still has yet to throw an NFL aerial… hmmmmmm.

SPEAKING OF THE BROWNS, just when is the NFL going to hand down its verdict on wide receiver Josh Gordon? According to ESPN, Gordon failed a drug test (his third??) and faces some kind of suspension. I have not read when the NFL is going to act… and training camps are due to open in five or six weeks.

WERE YOU AS shocked as I was when Roger Federer bowed out from the French Open the other day? Federer, who seemed to be cruising after a 6-4 fourth set win over Ernests Gulbis, fell apart in the fifth set as he was dispatched 6-3. Gulbis, who hails from Lativa and was seeded No. 18, appeared almost as surprised as was Federer. But, Federer is now 32 – which is an “old man” as far as professional tennis is concerned. Oh well, he can always look back at the record 17 Grand Slam titles he owns.

AND A FINAL NOTE… Forget about any comments on Lily Dale.

AND A SECOND FINAL NOTE… California Chrome will be gunning for the Triple Crown this Saturday.

 

-Jack Polancy

Well, at least we all can now breathe easier.

Whew! Well, at least we all can now breathe easier. That is, all of us horse racing fans. And, once it is Triple Crown time we all should be horse racing fans. Anyway, the three racing stewards of the state of New York surprised many should the other day when they came up with a unanimous vote to approve the use of the nasal strip that California Chrome (the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner) uses when he runs. New York had been the only thoroughbred group in the entire United States to ban such things as the strips. However, according to one published report, Scott Palmer – the equine (meaning pertaining to horses, naturally) medical director of the New York Gaming Commission – recommended approval. Palmer said the strips didn’t make the horse using them any speedier. Palmer, in a written news release, was quoted, “I am unfamiliar with any research indicating that equine nasal strips enable a horse to run faster… there is no evidence they have a performance-enhancing effect. The (the strips) do not pose a health or safety risk and don’t need to be regulated.”
The Triple Crown is an exercise in the durability of the entrants – you can figure that with three pressure-packed races in just five weeks. The last one – which is slated for June 7th in New York, is the longest one at one-half miles. California Chrome will be trying to do what no horse has done in 36 years… win the Triple Crown. You remember what these nasal strips are supposed to do, don’t you? That’s right… make it easier for the horse to breathe. And, that’s  fundamental when you’re running. I for one am pulling for California Chrome. I really don’t think he can do it. But, at least now he has a shot.

YOU KNOW, I STILL have a problem with professional players’ salaries (much too high)… but I have an even bigger one with the ay given to college coaches. Take James Franklin, the new head football coach at Penn State. Franklin, according to published tax returns, took home $2.9 million in salary and benefits while at Vanderbilt last year. This was the highest-paid  member of the University. His salary at Penn State is reported to be 4.5 million…. way, way too much.

THE NEW YORK YANKEES are going to be without pitcher C.C. Sabathia for perhaps the next six weeks… something about a knee injury. I don’t think they’re really going to miss the big guy. The southpaw– who is being paid 23,000,000 this year– has a woeful 3-4 record with a 5.28 ERA. That’s sad for a guy who came into the season with a lifetime 205-115 won-lost record. Add in the fact that both Ivan Nova and Michael Pindeda are also on the disabled list… and you can see the Yankees are hurting in the pitching department.

BOY, HOW FAR the American Men’s tennis performers have fallen. America once dominated this department, but no more. The latest ATP WORLD RANKINGS have John Isner (who???) as the highest-rated Yank… and he’s only No. 11. However, he’s the only American in the top 21 in the world. Tch… Tch…

I’M THINKING of moving. That’s because I just read that – according to a news report that examines health of people over 65 – Pennsylvania is not among the top ten. Then again, maybe I’ll rethink this entire situation. That’s because the healthiest state in which to be a senior citizen is Minnesota. And, after surviving the snow we had this past winter, I doubt that I could handle what Minnesota gets in this area. Guess I’d just better stay put… although Hawaii is rated No. 2 on the health chart – and I have relatives living in Hawaii. Hmmmm……

I HAVE A QUESTION… Tell me – why does the Pittsburgh Pirates brain trust insist on starting left-hander Wandy Rodriguez? This 35-year-old from the Dominican Republic has nothing going on for him except a little dinky curve ball. His record is 0-2 with a horrendous 6.84 ERA. And, that figure is probably even higher after yesterday’s (May 21st) performance. After the Pirates had scored four times in the bottom of the first inning, Rodriguez proceeded to give up seven hits – getting chased by the Baltimore Orioles in the top of the second as the Birds roared to a 6-4 lead. The Bucs, who have had trouble hitting the ball this season, managed to keep things going with another four runs in the bottom of the second – finally winning a 9-8 struggle. Give a ton of credit to relievers Vin Mazzaro (three and a third innings of hitless hurling) and Tony Watson (two strikeouts in one perfect frame). Please, please – either get rid of Wandy Rodriguez (and his $13 million salary) or make him a batting practice pitcher.

STAYING WITH THE Pirates, when are they going to bring up Greogory Polanco? The 22- year old is the top-rated player in the Buc’s farm system. The experts say Polanco will get the call “sometime this season,” the hold-up due to some paper work and playing dates that have to do with future free agency. I don’t pretend to know (nor understand) all of the ins and outs… but I do know the Bucs need the kid outfielder now.

HEY, THEY FINALLY bounced Tiger Woods from his spot as No. 1 on the World Golf Rankings. After all, Wood has not played any competitive golf since March 9th… so it’s about time someone recognized that he is no longer No. 1. That honor now goes to Adam Scott – an Australian.

THAT WAS QUITE A game played by the Cleveland Indians Wednesday (May 21st) afternoon. When you fall behind 4-0 in the first inning – and especially to the Detroit Tigers – you are expected to lose. However, the Tribe – who can’t seem to buy a hit no matter how badly it needs one – came up with 17 hits to overcome the Bengals… winning (believe it or not) on a two out bases-loaded balk in the bottom of the 13th frame.  But, despite the three-game sweep of the Tigers, Cleveland was still only 22-25 and in the last place in the American League Central Division. Of course, that game just might be the start of something big. Hey – we all can dream can’t we?

THERE ARE ANY number of things that irritate me to a certain degree. One is when people complain about the “lack of nutrition” in the food served at fast food restaurants – like McDonald’s. Hey people – if it bothers you the obvious answer is – eat somewhere else. See how easy that was??

AND A FINAL NOTE… The Los Angeles Dodgers are finding out that big money spending does not always translate into big winning numbers. The Dodgers – boasting a $241 million payroll – are still stuck in the third place in the National League West with a 24-22 record (as of May 22nd). In baseball talk that’s labeled as “underachieving.” Oh well, the season is only one-quarter complete…

 

-Jack Polancy

Are we going to have a Triple Crown Threat?

Well, are we going to have a Triple Crown threat or aren’t we?

That’s the big question in horse racing these days. I’m not a gigantic nut when it comes to the

“sport of kings,” but I am more than just a curious bystander when it comes to the Triple Crown.

Especially so when there is a horse that has already won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness…

and is more than ready to take a shot at winning the Belmont Stakes. That describes California

Chrome. He’s ready… if the racing stewards of New York state are also ready. According to a

report in the New York Daily News the three stewards of the state racing commission hold the key.

 

You know how some people can’t sleep unless they put small nasal strips on their nose before

going to bed? This supposedly helps them sleep as it opens up their air passages through the nose.

It also is supposed to aid their sleeping companions as the nasal strips are touted as one way to stop

snoring. I don’t know if they work… as I usually never snore and I sleep fairly well once I manage

to get to sleep.  However, California Chrome, needs those nasal strips (only king­size ones) to help

him breathe when is racing. The Chrome used them in winning the Kentucky Derby and the

Preakness Stakes. Other race horse also use hem as they are permitted in EVERY STATE… except

New York. USE Today stated that the New York stewards have the final say­so by citing Rule

403.38 – which maintains the following “Only equipment specifically approved by the stewards

shall be worn or carried by a jockey or a horse race.” These nasal strips fall in that category. USA

Today listed these three people as making the final decision – Stephen Lewandowski of the state

(NY) gaming commission, veterinarian Ted Hill of the Jockey Club and Braulio Baeza Jr. of the

New York Racing Association. These are the three racing stewards of New York. There are two

owners of California Chrome – Steve Coburn and Perry Martin. Martin was the person who

suggested the strips be used… and the horse has responded well by winning six straight races –

including the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. But, why wouldn’t the stewards approve them…

especially if they are approved in EVER OTHER state? Why should New York dictate to the other

49 states?

Art Sherman, the 77­-year-­old trainer of California Chrome, when talking about the strips, was

quoted, “it opens up his air passage. It gives him that little extra oomph – especially going a mile

and a half.” That’s the distance of the Belmont, a mile and a half – longer than the Derby and the

Preakness. There is a rumor going around that Chrome won’t run if he isn’t allowed those nasal

strips. I hope his owners stick to that. I’m all in favor of a possible triple crown winner – regardless

of what he uses as long as it isn’t a drug of some sort. Let’s hope those New York stewards feel the

same way. By the way, the Belmont Stakes is slated for June 7 … a little less than three weeks

away.

 

 

ONE OF THE READERS of this space – a fellow named Jerry Daniels – had a comment

concerning the “Game of Arms” info… Daniels stated, “Travis (Bagent) is very entertaining and a

brute. These guys are some of the strongest I’ve ever seen. I used to do a lot of arm wrestling,

however, now I’m too old at 63. But, I just love the way Travis carries on. He is sort of the

Muhammad Ali of arm wrestling, don’t you think? I had a good friend that passed away not too

long ago. When we were young we would hit the beer joints and arm wrestle. My friend, who was

about 6­3 and 225 pounds, was never beaten.” Jerry, no one is ever too old to do something he (or

she) likes to do. Find some other 63 year-­olds and challenge them. Just as long as they aren’t 6­3. I

agree that Travis Bagent is tremendous. I don’t know if he won the title of that Game of Arms

series – as I couldn’t find any of the Erie team to talk to once the series was completed. I would

imagine they all did well.

I SEE BY THE STANDINGS this morning (May 19 American League East. I wondered “why” and “how” until I checked out the team batting averages

and discovered that the Yankees were second n the entire AL with a .274 mark. And this figure

includes only 38 home runs – only sixth best… meaning there are five teams with more over­the­

fence blasts than the once­called bombers. Actually, the Yankees would have had a better first­

place standing if their pitching would have been better than the

10th place they find themselves –this with a 4.18 ERA> Heck, even the Indians are better (4.08) than that. Of course, the Tribe is

hitting only .244… 13th in the American League.

I DID SOMETHING very ‘non­sports’ this past weekend. I took a bus ride into Ohio for the Amish

Brown Bag Tour – meaning  I left Meadville at 5 a.m. (you can imagine what time I had to get up)

and never got back home until almost midnight. A long, long day. So much so that I never found

out who had won the Preakness until I saw a re­run on a sports channel just before I fell into bed.

Heck, I almost missed church (over­slept) Sunday… but I did make it.

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS ARE DUE to the Erie Explosion for knocking off the Marion 38­26 to

grab the CIFL championship Sunday. No, no one reported what the fan attendance was in Marion

(Ohio) for the title game.

YEARS AGO I used to get excited over the running of the Indianapolis 500 auto race. I just loved

seeing those big race vehicles. Then – I think it was about 30 years ago (I’ve been telling you how

long I’ve been around) I went to Indianapolis with a press card. I must admit, I was somewhat

disappointed. You couldn’t actually see the race as the track is simply too long. They kept the press

informed as to who was doing what with a big board. I decided to go into the infield to talk to the

fans. Another mistake as most of them were a bit tipsy. I’ve  been only to two auto racing tracks

since that day… one in southern Ohio (I forgot the name) and once to the Erie track. Anyway, I am

not exited about the Indy this year.

DOES ANYONE ACTUALLY believe that the Indiana Pacers will topple the Miami Heat in the

NBA playoffs? Sure, I know the Pacers knocked off the Heat 107­96 in Sunday’s opener. I also

know that the Pacers are slight favorites to win the best­of­seven series. I simply don’t believe it.

AND A FINAL NOTE… This is one of the few times there has been no mention of the Cleveland

Browns new quarterback Johnny Manziel. Hmmm…….

 

-Jack Polancy

Everything’s back to normal

Well, no matter how you look at it — everything’s back to normal.

Oh, I know, I know…it was 34 degrees this morning on the way to work.

And, by “this morning,” I mean May 5 (when it’s suppose to be fairly warm). But, then again, it’s a Monday morning — which is when you would think it could be cold…in other words “back to normal.”

Actually, I was looking at the major league standings when I said “everything’s back to normal.”

That translates into…look at the Central Division in both leagues. In the American League the Cleveland Indians are in last place. In the National League the Pittsburgh Pirates are in last place. In other words “everything’s back to normal.”

OKAY, LET’S LOOK at the past weekend.

This means the Kentucky derby — as that event was the main topic in sports.

The winner was the favorite — California Chrome.

Why this horse was the favorite — a 5-2 pick by the second largest crowd in the 140-year Derby history (a gathering of 164,906) — is also a bit strange.

California Chrome didn’t have the “correct” pedigree to be a Derby favorite. His mama was a mare that had won only one race and was purchased for a mere $8,000 while his daddy was bought for the paltry sum of $2,500.

Despite this background California Chrome came into the big race with four successive wins and more than a million bucks in winnings.

That was enough for the big crowd to make Chrome the favorite.

The horse was running in third place until the final turn. In the home stretch, California Chrome just seemed to stretch out…running past everyone else on his way to a fairly easy win over a surging Commanding Curve — a 37-1 long shot.

Chrome was the first California-bred horse to capture the Kentucky Derby in 52 years. His earnings in five straight winning races total over $2.3 million.

Here’s an aside.

When I was talking , a week or so ago, about picking winners in the Kentucky Derby I mentioned that my choices usually end up as also-rans.

This year I didn’t even have a chance.

That’s because my pre-race pick — a horse named Hoppertunity — was scratched with some kind of leg ligament woe.

Oh, well…

Now we all have to wait for almost two weeks before the second lef of the Triple Crown will be run — that being the Preakness in Baltimore on May 17.

Keep this one fact in mind…no horse has won the Triple Crown in 36 years.

The last to do it was Affirmed in 1978.

That’s why the odds are against California Chrome. Even his trainer — 77 year old Art Sherman — says he has “NEVER run horses back in two weeks. He (if horses could talk) tells me when he’s ready. I just hope he can come back in two weeks. I’m going to play it by ear and see what he says.”

Well, I don’t care what California Chrome says. I’m going with Dynamic Impact as the Preakness winner…and this is two weeks ahead of the race.

Heck, I won’t even see the race as I’ll be in Berlin, Ohio that day enjoying the Amish.

CLOSERS IN BASEBALL should NEVER walk anyone . That is sort of an unwritten rule. John Axford, the current closer for the Cleveland Indians, has had  trouble in that department in the past.

While closing for Milwaukee back in 2010, the 6-5 right-hander walked 27 batters in 58 innings. Two years later ha handed ball four to 39 batters in 69 frames.

Sunday afternoon Axford came in in the ninth inning to save a game in which starter Corey Kluber had spun a three-hitter — fanning 13 while leading the Chicago White Sox 3-1.

Axford immediately walked Gordon Beckham (hitting a woeful .167), who was leading off the ninth. After a strike out, Axford then walked Adam Dunn.

Dayan Viciedo, a solid .330 hitter, but with only one homer, then took a 2-2 pith and blasted it over the rightfield fence…giving the Chisox a 4-3 verdict and dropping the Indians into the basement.

As a Cleveland TV announcer stated, “that was one we had won, but gave it away.”

The Tribe is in dire need of a reliable closer…

IT’S BEGINNING TO look as if this year’s edition of the Erie Seawolves will be a .500 club.

SPORTS NICKNAMES HAVE suddenly cropped up once again.

According to a story in the USA Today, “more than two-thirds of high schools and colleges have changed their nicknames and logos from Native American imagery…”

Of course, this hasn’t happened in the world of professional sports.

There are five pro teams that continue to carry the theme.

The oldest appears to be the Braves of Atlanta. It was back in 1912 (hey, that’s 103 years ago!!!) when the Boston Braves were born. the Braves continued through Milwaukee and now Atlanta.

The Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL coming on board in 1963.

These groups against the team nicknames and such that keep cropping up — most claiming some sort of relationship with Native American Indians — are usually full of beans. I think they are all in the area simply because they like the publicity it brings them.

I have no Indian blood in me, but I do have some German, some Spanish, and a lot of American.

I would neither feel nor display any animosity towards anyone who would name an athletic team “The Germans,” or “The Spaniards” or even “The Americans.”

I have never talked to a Native American about the situation. Heck, I don’t even KNOW any Native Americans.

I wish some of them would contact me and tell me how they feel about this. Until they do, I’ll continue to speak out in favor of those five professional teams.

AND A FINAL NOTE…

According to a Harris Poll online survey for Rocket Lawyer among 2,048 adults — sixty-four percent of adults do not have a will.

I’m in the other 36 percent…as I have a will.

A SECOND FINAL NOTE…

According to a headline in the local Erie Times-News…”Be cheered, Life improves with age.”

No it doesn’t…believe me — I’m there.

-Jack Polancy