Friday, June 06, 2008

Sports Thoughts

Brawl in Boston
I always find baseball "fights" amusing...you know, at best, they look like a couple of middle school girls pushing and shoving, usually. Not tonight at Fenway. That melee was pretty nasty. Crisp had been brewing since last game...and before it erupted tried the old rope-a-dope tactic as he acted as if he was heading to first before charging the mound. Then, Shields from TB threw a haymaker (note: Shields probably didn't know that Crisp used to be a boxer) that Crisp avoided and then Coco was promptly pummeled by two or three Rays including Gomes who shot out of the dugout and was simply looking to get involved before being pulled off. That was probably not the most noteworthy fight of the game.

Maybe Manny was being Manny or Youkilis instigated it, but the two Red Sox got engaged in fisticuffs in the Sox dugout later in the same contest. That's not something you normally see from a team that seems to be hitting their stride. This could be pretty detrimental to the Sox as the season progresses if it's not smoothed over in a hurry.

Triple Crown?
I'm not a big horse racing guy...but I like seeing history being made in sport. I'm really rooting for Big Brown to win the third leg of the Triple Crown on Saturday...Heck, I might even tune in to see the race...Maybe.

Whaaaaaaaaaaaa!
I thought Dwayne Wade was acting like a school girl when he was taken off of the court in a wheel chair last season for a shoulder injury...I simply have to be just as critical of Paul Pierce's theatrics this evening during the game v. LA. Reminiscent of Scott Martin being carried off by Nemanja Calasan early last season for the Boilermakers, Pierce left the floor by being carried by teammates and sobbing...then of course, riding up the tunnel IN A WHEELCHAIR! Not long after, he was not only playing, but simply lighting up the Lakers.

I'm not saying he wasn't hurting, but the way it all happened seemed like it was a bit much from a veteran of Pierce's age.

Some Purdue News???
A friend of mine who stops by the site from time to time asked me why we haven't had any Purdue-related entries of late. Simple answer? Nothing's going on. Sure, there's speculation about recruiting in both basketball and football, but nothing really noteworthy. But, a nugget came out yesterday that was kind of interesting.

Joe Tiller sounded off about the Torri Williams situation saying that he's still not off of the team. He expounded a bit by saying that Williams has never been a bad teammate, uncoachable player or trouble maker in the locker room...he just hasn't been able to stay out of trouble. So, he thinks it best that he waits to see if Williams ends up in jail before making his final decision.

Alright, I can understand some of what he's saying. But, I'd argue that this lasez faire coaching style has been the bain of Tiller the last few seasons. Sure, it's been an entire year since we've seen any serious legal problems from our Boiler football team (hooray?), but this thing needs to be handled swiftly. Why? Well, from my perspective, repeat offenses and lawless behavior associated with Purdue's football team are pretty embarrassing to me as an alum and fan. Honestly, I don't care if he's not a problem in the locker room- his rap sheet tells you that he is one to society.

5 comments:

Ross McLochness said...

I think Torri Williams has to go as well. You have to do a bit of bud nipping this early - even if it is an oft-injured senior - to ensure you'll have the reins the entire season.

On a side note, a fried of mine and former player during coach Hope's earlier tenure is quite enthused about Hope's return. He noted that the internal feather roughage Tiller is known for will not be a problem with Hope.

Purdue Matt said...

I think Tiller is proud of Torri for using protection.

Tiller did say that this will probably be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

T-Mill said...

I truly think Tiller sees he needs Torri ont he field this season if he stays healthy and nothing short of homcide will keep him off it.

At least Torri won't have to worry about child support.

Plang said...

J – I wouldn’t be too embarrassed by what Williams did. Sure, it isn’t good, but compared to what I’m seeing out of other programs around the country right now, this is minor. I know this is Tiller’s last hoorah, but he should probably let Hope weigh in heavily on what happens with Williams. I know Tiller won’t, but it would be good.

J Money said...

Agree about Pierce. What ridiculous crap. And I like how he was being carried in a "four corners" position, looking like a crab on his back. So stupid. And then the ESPN/ABC crew likens it to Willis Reed coming in for the Knicks. Of course, Reed was never carried off crying like a bitch. But whatever.

The NBA sucks.