***************************************
Foggy day in East York as seen from our balcony |
***************************************
Today is Jackie Robinson Day in major league baseball. It's the anniversary of the day he played his first game as a Brooklyn Dodger in 1947, helping to begin the integration of baseball after years of it being an all-white game at the major league level. On the 50th anniversary of the historic event, in 1997, Jackie's number was retired "in perpetuity" from the majors in general, meaning no player would ever again be allowed to choose the number 42 for his uniform. 7 years later, in 2004, Jackie Robinson Day was proclaimed to be an annual event and every year thereafter the sport honours one of its greatest-ever heroes on April 15 of each season. For the past four seasons - including today - all players, coaches and managers in every game wear Jackie's #42 in his honour for one day only. It took a long time for baseball to get this right; now they seem to fully understand the significance of what this remarkable man did for the game.
****************************************
I am not, however, quite as proud of my other favourite sport at the moment. I don't know what was in the air last night but I don't think I have been as disgusted with an evening of NHL playoff hockey since the days of the Broad Street Bullies (Philadelphia Flyers) back in the mid-'70s. It didn't matter what game you turned on, it didn't matter who you were cheering for, the fighting, head shots, terrible calls, hissy fits, coaching manoeuvres and just out-and-out filthiness was absolutely beyond the pale. As a result I watched about 10 minutes in total from all the games and I still felt like I needed a shower afterwards. This is a very slippery slope and if it isn't something the NHL starts to take seriously - and immediately, especially the disgraceful uber-violence - the sport is in serious danger of eating itself. If I had a young child I wouldn't let them watch any of the games these days. That's how bad it's become. As a player and coach myself, I am sickened by the state of affairs in the NHL right now. For the next little while at least I am going to content myself with just checking the scores of the games after they take place until this nasty streak has abated.
****************************************
That's it for now. Off to marinate some wings for tonight's dinner. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, everyone!
No comments:
Post a Comment
I've kept my comments open and moderation-free for many years, but I've been forced to now review them before they post due to the actions of one member of my family. I apologize for having to take this stance, but that's the way the world is headed, sad to say. Thank you for your understanding.