Well, the Yanks lost last night, after winning seven in a row. Got beat by A.J. Burnett, who at least the couple times I've paid attention has pitched pretty well against the Yanks. He throwing like 98 MPH to the corners of the plate last night. Ian Kennedy, the rookie who the Yankees called upon to replace Mussina in the rotation, actually pitched brilliantly, giving up one hit over eight innings. Unfortunately, the Jays rallied for a run in the ninth off a reliever to pull the game out. Two-out-of-three at Toronto is not bad. Now come the Red Sox, with some great pitching match-ups:
1. Tonight: Dice K vs. Pettitie
2. Saturday: Wang vs. Beckett (in what could be a battle for top dawg in the A.L.)
3. Sunday: Clemens vs. Schilling (old-timers day).
Anyhow, getting back to that great year 1973, when I was in kindergarten and apparently learend everything I needed to know. That was the year O.J. gained 2,000 yards (in 14 games), averaged six yards per carry, and played on a team where the quarterback, I'm not kidding, threw like five TD passes all year. That has to be one of the greatest years by an individual in any sport. However, for some reason, on YouTube, for instance, you can barely find a clip of O.J. running the ball that year. Finally, yesterday, I found this 12-second clip, which shows how incredible he was. Now, I realize O.J. joins Michael Vick in the all-NFL criminal backfield, but man, in the day, that fucker was a hell of a running back. I'm guessing as time goes by less and less people will remember him for this. The same will probably hold true for Vick, who also made some unbelievable, eye-popping runs in his career. I guess, like the Boss says, "Glory Days, well they'll pass you by...."
Cheers.
Ralph
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4 comments:
I grew up with OJ, too. I'm a few years older, so I might have seen even more great runs "live".
He was amazing. Nobody could tackle him. He was quick enough to dodge tacklers, he was fast enough to outrun them, and he was strong enough to knock them down. He could also catch passes out of the backfield.
For much of my lifetime, I considered him the greatest running back ever. I don't know if I could name anyone better...maybe Walter Payton (and I'm not old enough to remember Jim Brown's glory days).
But, yes, OJ's legacy has been nearly erased and he has nobody to blame but himself. It's like someone once said to me, "One of the toughest things to do in life is not fuck up a good thing." OJ fucked up a good thing.
But isn't he insane anyway? I think he always has been.
Oh yeah, I was also interested in your spin on Billy Martin. The guy certainly acted ilke an alcoholic. Is there any evidence to support this assertion?
DDDD
I found this on a Yahoo Q&A page: "Billy Martin of the New York Yankees threatened to fine any pitcher who wouldn't plunk opposing batters. He called his boss, the equally charming George Steinbrenner, "a fat bastard." He fought his players (Eddie Whitson famously broke his arm), opposing fans (outside the old Tiger Stadium), a cab driver (who stated that soccer was superior to baseball), officials from other teams (traveling secretaries, no less), barflies in Anaheim and Baltimore, bouncers in Texas, and—gasp!—an innocent marshmallow salesman. And he drank. Oh boy, did he drink. Martin is well known as a rageaholic, alcoholic manager/coach."
Confirm or deny?
DDD
Dr. Dee:
First off, I'd have to confirm Billy's Martin's alcoholhism. The Bronx is Burning does a good job of handling it actually. And I believe he died in a drunk driving accident, not sure whether he or his buddy was driving, but there was intoxication involved. He did have a great reputation as manager...
As far O.J., It's good to hear you say that, because while I don't remember his great runs as well, what you said pretty much confirms everything I've been able to piece together about him. Even that 12 second run against the Colts shows many of those stronger, faster, and more agile traits you're talking about.
I guess the question of insanity intrigues me. If in fact, he is insane, did his insanity contribute to his having been such a great football player? Did the fact that he "lives outside the box" of most normal people make him insane and also great at the same time? Maybe subconciously, a lot of people believe this to be the case and thus give him a free pass on the murders of people who clearly weren't as great as him...
O.J. - the enigma
You're hitting the nail squarely on the head. If you can "think, bigger, more violent thoughts" than other people, beause you're not as constrained by society, because you're insane. Then, when you toss in the body of an Adonis, it all adds up.
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