June 7, 2004

Is Professional Sports a Farce?

By: Marty Coultas

Milwaukeeworld.com

Welcome back Milwaukeeworlders!! After a little break I am back to talk to you about the ridiculous two weeks of Professional Sports both in the State of Wisconsin and around the country.

Seriously, I take one freakin week off to relax and have a nice Memorial Day weekend and the entire world of professional Sports does askew. Some of you reading may be thinking, Marty, What in the heck are you talking about? What has happened in the world of sports that is so embarrassing and disgusting that has made you this enraged?

Well, my friends.....Let me begin:

Case: Cletidus Hunt a no-show at Packer mini-camp.

--- This moron, for lack of a better term, was a no show this week for the “non-mandatory” mini-camp, the last before regular season training will begin for the 2004-2005 season. According to Hunt, he informed player personnel and Bob Slowik among others, that he was unable to attend camp due to prior engagements in his hometown of Memphis. Hunt, who has begun a charity in Memphis, insisted that he appear at the ribbon-cutting, inaugural, whatever the hell it was ceremony to kick off the charity. He also stated that his class reunion was to be held this weekend at his High School and he was obligated to attend because he was making a large donation to the High School and it would be “unprofessional” to not attend.

Point: Hunt is a scared little baby who knows that once his big ass lands in GB that he will be drug tested and might possibly receive his third and FINAL strike against him with the NFL’s policy of drug use among players. Mind you Milwaukeeworlders, this is only my measly opinion, but I think it is a serious thought to ponder. When you have the kind of money this screw-off has and you are one of the leading players on one of the best teams in football, why would not attend a camp that Brett flippin Favre was at? Noone got a comment from Favre saying he was too busy with fishing plans in Mississippi to attend, did they? No. And that is because Brett Favre is a REAL MAN and a dedicated player. Okay, so it is unprofessional to not attend your High School reunion, but it isn’t unprofessional to not show up to your JOB?!? Just something to contemplate.

Case: Referee Asking Score/Foul Keeper how many fouls Shaq has in the fourth quarter of GAME 7 of the WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS!!!!!!!!!!!!

---ESPN radio reported on Monday that Tim Legler, a sideline announcer for ESPN and ABC overheard NBA VETERAN official Ed Rush approach the scorers table with ten minutes remaining in the game and mind you, WHILE KG was shooting free throws and ask, “How many fouls does Shaq have now?” According to Legler he was “shocked.” He had never heard of such a thing happening in the NBA, especially in such an important game. Um, Timmy.......How long have you been an announcer? It happens every GD year in the NBA playoffs.

Point: NOONE wants to see the LA Lakers out of the FINALS. That NOONE is David “ I have never rigged anything” Stern. Stern, who appeared on Bob Costas’ HBO weekly talk-show stated that the only reason Rush was asking the table for the number of Shaq fouls was because there was a discrepancy between the scoreboard and the score table. Give me a break Stern. This happens every year with the NBA playoffs. The league does not want a smaller market team, say for example; your Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA finals because it brings no revenue or viewership to the league. Remember when, only a few short years ago our beloved Milwaukee Bucks were in Game Seven in Philly and it seemed that every time Ray even looked like he was going to touch someone, he got the foul but when Iverson intentionally knocked Sam down more than a few times, nothing was called......... Hmm......And who said the NBA has lost its’ dignity?

And finally, just for you female readers out there.......

Case: How big of an Idiot IS Bud Selig?

--- On Friday, Bud Selig spoke to the National Association for Women in Sports Media in Milwaukee. After his BORING attempt of a speech and an enormous amount of tact-less attempts at jokes, Selig spoke on the issue of steroid use in the world of professional baseball. Our own little Buddy said that this issue has completely gotten out of hand and it has got to be dealt with now or it will get even worse as the years roll on.

Point: Why the hell did Selig find it necessary to make this speech to a bunch of women sports reporters and why did he think it a topic that we, meaning women sports reporters even wanted to talk about. Well Milwaukeeworlders, let me tell you. It is because he is too freakin scared to talk about the issue with the ENTIRE sports media because he knows what the hell is going on and he knows it aint good. Selig, the Commissioner of Baseball is still the overrated businessman and massive wimp that he has been his entire career. And this my friends, meaning what he chose to speak about on Friday is the ultimate reason we need to run this guy out of baseball.

Well my friends, according to some people I have been writing too long of columns each week so I must end for now, but on a personal note to all my fellow Americans, I would like to make one last statement.

On Saturday June 5, 2004 America lost one of the greatest Presidents this country has ever had. Ronald “ The Gipper” Reagan died at his home after a long fought battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. I personally have dealt with the death of a family member from this horrible disease and know how hard it is when the one you love finally does pass on. Not only did the Gipper do it with dignity and grace as he did every other circumstance in his long life, but he did it in private and let Americans remember him as he wanted us to, as a brave man who would do anything to make a person smile.

Ronnie was a sportsman at heart and loved all professional sports. In fact, as many of may or may not know, it has been said that he was the true pioneer of what is today known as the sports talk show format. While living in Iowa in the Great Depression struck 1930’s, Reagan was a sports reporter and sideline announcer who tried to bring smiles and happiness to the people who were suffering so much. Not only did he do that perfectly, he went on to have a successful career in EVERY OTHER endeavor he attempted in his life.

To a true American Hero, please honor and pray for The Gipper and his beloved wife of 52 years, Nancy as all of America will do in the coming week. You will truly be missed Ronnie.

Not to be so sappy Milwaukeeworlders, but I thought it my duty to honor such a great man as the true American legend he will always be remembered as. And Milwaukeeworlders, believe it or not, I am a registered DEMOCRAT!!

Who would have thought?

Until next week, keep your ears open and your noses clean.

Marty the Sports Chick
Milwaukeeworld.com
MartyCoultas@yahoo.com

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