Thanks to a drive with a World War II veteran named Irwin, I was introduced to a Baseball Time Capsule of sorts, something a baseball fan can appreciate.
It's Red Smith On Baseball a collection of columns by Green Bay-born and raised Walter Wellesley "Red" Smith (Sept. 25, 1905-Jan. 15, 1982). Smith was a sportswriter, a columnist for five decades who influenced a lot of journalists. He started his newspaper career with the Milwaukee Sentinel.
The book carries 167 Smith columns starting in 1941 and carrying on through 1981. It's an interesting walk down the halls of baseball history. And a reflection of society as well. After all, Smith started writing about baseball before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier. He writes a little about the Negro Leagues, but other than Robinson, Larry Doby and the great pitcher Satchel Paige, he doesn't touch on the standout names of that league -- Theodore Roosevelt Radcliffe (better known as Double-Duty after he pitched one game of a championship doubleheader and caught the second) or Josh Gibson or Buck O'Neil.
Granted, as you read his columns from the late 1940s -- Larry Doby has joined Jackie Robinson in the majors -- he does include the terms "colored" and "Negro" to describe these players. Keep in mind this was common for the time. Doesn't make it right, but attitudes needed changing. And unfortunately, continue to need change.
That's the biggest negative. On the plus side, he touches on players like "Losing Pitcher" Mulcahy, as Hugh Mulcahy was known. A pre-WWII thrower with the woeful Philadelphia Phillies, Mulcahy pitched in a then-National League record 56 games in his first season. In the span of two seasons (1938 & 1940) he lost 42 times. But he was a good pitcher saddled with a poor supporting cast. Back then, good players on bad clubs ended up making their money leaving for New York or Chicago or elsewhere. But before Mulcahy could cash in, he was drafted -- and ended up losing his best years to the war.
Other pluses worth noting? Details of re-creating a road game for radio relying on telegraph play-by-play; Hank Greenberg's farewell to baseball; Learning of Babe Ruth's death during a steamship crossing of the Atlantic, and talking about the 53-year-old Ruth's final months; The story of a Lou Gehrig medal, presented by Japan and returned via the Jimmy Doolittle Raid on Tokyo. No kidding...
The list goes on and on from Smith, a storyteller who painted great pictures and told stories in column after column. Recommended reading for the die-hard baseball fan.
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Thursday, April 12, 2018
A Flip Of A Coin
Just saw this regarding the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks; because of the Eric Bledso trade, there will flip a coin to determine the first-round draft order between the Bucks and the Miami Heat. The winner will get the 16th pick, loser the 17th.
Those of us of a certain age will recall a more memorable coin flip between the Suns and Milwaukee.
Back in 1969, there was no draft lottery (and no real talk about teams tanking). There were 14 teams, compared to 30 today. There were two divisions. Both clubs were expansion teams in the 1968-69 season, with Milwaukee posting a 27-55 record in the East to a 16-66 mark for Phoenix.
The top prize in the 1969 draft was UCLA center Lew Alcindor, who would change his name to Kareem Abdul Jabbar and become the NBA's all-time leading scorer.
Phoenix called heads, the coin came up tails. Alcindor went to Milwaukee, and led them to their only NBA title in 1971 before being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers a few seasons later.
Funny how fate can turn on a coin flip.
Those of us of a certain age will recall a more memorable coin flip between the Suns and Milwaukee.
Back in 1969, there was no draft lottery (and no real talk about teams tanking). There were 14 teams, compared to 30 today. There were two divisions. Both clubs were expansion teams in the 1968-69 season, with Milwaukee posting a 27-55 record in the East to a 16-66 mark for Phoenix.
The top prize in the 1969 draft was UCLA center Lew Alcindor, who would change his name to Kareem Abdul Jabbar and become the NBA's all-time leading scorer.
Phoenix called heads, the coin came up tails. Alcindor went to Milwaukee, and led them to their only NBA title in 1971 before being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers a few seasons later.
Funny how fate can turn on a coin flip.
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Back Away From The Edge
Yes, the Milwaukee Brewers are struggling. But the season is, and always has been, a marathon and not a sprint. The playoffs, and the World Series, are not held in April or May.
Many a team that has been stellar out of the gate has been lost in the dust by the All-Star Break. And the opposite holds true.
In short, people, it's a long, long season. And 12 games don't make a season.
Granted, the offense has been pretty much absent, especially in the 7-game home stand that produced a 2-5 record with three shut-out losses. And the gloves of stone (and brains much the same) on defense that add up to a league-leading total in errors committed.
Still, April is not the time to panic. New acquisitions Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain are injured, as is catcher Manny Pina. And toss in pitcher Jimmy Nelson, who won't be back for several weeks.Then there's the bullpen woes that are, in part, due to All-Star closer Corey Knebel being lost for four-to-six weeks.
Bullpen by committee isn't working out that well for Manager Craig Counsell. Perhaps he needs to expand the roll of left-handed fireballer Josh Hader to eat up multiple innings. As ab aside, every time I see pictures of Hader in those glasses I can't help but think of the Hanson Brothers from the movie "Slapshot".
Of the arms in the bullpen, Jeremy Jeffress has at least held the closer roll with success in the past. Might be time to turn the keys over to him and see where he takes us.
Many a team that has been stellar out of the gate has been lost in the dust by the All-Star Break. And the opposite holds true.
In short, people, it's a long, long season. And 12 games don't make a season.
Granted, the offense has been pretty much absent, especially in the 7-game home stand that produced a 2-5 record with three shut-out losses. And the gloves of stone (and brains much the same) on defense that add up to a league-leading total in errors committed.
Still, April is not the time to panic. New acquisitions Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain are injured, as is catcher Manny Pina. And toss in pitcher Jimmy Nelson, who won't be back for several weeks.Then there's the bullpen woes that are, in part, due to All-Star closer Corey Knebel being lost for four-to-six weeks.
Bullpen by committee isn't working out that well for Manager Craig Counsell. Perhaps he needs to expand the roll of left-handed fireballer Josh Hader to eat up multiple innings. As ab aside, every time I see pictures of Hader in those glasses I can't help but think of the Hanson Brothers from the movie "Slapshot".
Of the arms in the bullpen, Jeremy Jeffress has at least held the closer roll with success in the past. Might be time to turn the keys over to him and see where he takes us.
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Opening Day At Miller Park
Another Opening Day in Milwaukee, a fourth straight loss for the Brewers. I'm starting to get emails from the Brewers' owner Mark Attanasio asking me NOT to continue my Opening Day Tradition because of that.
Hey, I'm not THAT bad on ODs. This was my 26th, and I do have an overall record of 15-11. Granted, that's just 2-7 in recent history. But, hey, I'm not the guy out there pitching -- or leaving the starter in for a hitter or two too many. That's my story and I'm sticking to it, Stevie!
Despite the loss (to the hated St. Louis Cardinals, no less!) it was a great day. Temperatures in Milwaukee were in the mid to upper 30s, making it more like Packer weather for tailgating. But inside (and I again thank the Baseball Gods for inventing the retractable roof) it was comfy for the crowd of reported crowd of 45,393. It didn't look like that many were on hand, but how many were passed out in the parking lot from too much tailgating? I can't say.
Milwaukee's sweep of San Diego to start the season had the crowd in a positive mood. I'm sure the additions of offensive (and defensive) help Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich helped that as well.
In a back-and-forth game, the difference came in the fifth inning in the unlikely form of Cardinals pitcher Miles Mikolas. Two outs, a runner aboard and Mikolas just crushed his first Major League hit, a 407-foot two-run home run to left. Even the two Cardinal fans next to us (Chicago guys who, it seems, prefer coming to games at Miller Park to Wrigley Field) were stunned. Of all the improbable outcomes, that was not one we were expecting.
That made it 4-2, and still not that deep a hole. But a four-run 6th inning made it a deeper hole, and while the team rallied with a pair of runs with two outs in the bottom of the frame, it was too much to overcome.
Milwaukee had home runs from Cain, Manny Pina and Eric Thames, continuing the long ball trend from last year. But they seem to have more contact hitting at the top of the order in Cain-Yelich-Travis Shaw, so I expect better offensive production in 2018.
SPEAKING OF Wrigley Field, and the Chicago Cubs: During the early innings, a gentleman in a Cubs uniform and wearing, for whatever reason, a large sombrero was working his way through the crowd, apparently "hexing" the Brewers and their fans. My thought? That's respect. If the Cubs and their faithful weren't concerned about Milwaukee this year, they would be ignoring us.
Hey, I'm not THAT bad on ODs. This was my 26th, and I do have an overall record of 15-11. Granted, that's just 2-7 in recent history. But, hey, I'm not the guy out there pitching -- or leaving the starter in for a hitter or two too many. That's my story and I'm sticking to it, Stevie!
Despite the loss (to the hated St. Louis Cardinals, no less!) it was a great day. Temperatures in Milwaukee were in the mid to upper 30s, making it more like Packer weather for tailgating. But inside (and I again thank the Baseball Gods for inventing the retractable roof) it was comfy for the crowd of reported crowd of 45,393. It didn't look like that many were on hand, but how many were passed out in the parking lot from too much tailgating? I can't say.
Milwaukee's sweep of San Diego to start the season had the crowd in a positive mood. I'm sure the additions of offensive (and defensive) help Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich helped that as well.
In a back-and-forth game, the difference came in the fifth inning in the unlikely form of Cardinals pitcher Miles Mikolas. Two outs, a runner aboard and Mikolas just crushed his first Major League hit, a 407-foot two-run home run to left. Even the two Cardinal fans next to us (Chicago guys who, it seems, prefer coming to games at Miller Park to Wrigley Field) were stunned. Of all the improbable outcomes, that was not one we were expecting.
That made it 4-2, and still not that deep a hole. But a four-run 6th inning made it a deeper hole, and while the team rallied with a pair of runs with two outs in the bottom of the frame, it was too much to overcome.
Milwaukee had home runs from Cain, Manny Pina and Eric Thames, continuing the long ball trend from last year. But they seem to have more contact hitting at the top of the order in Cain-Yelich-Travis Shaw, so I expect better offensive production in 2018.
SPEAKING OF Wrigley Field, and the Chicago Cubs: During the early innings, a gentleman in a Cubs uniform and wearing, for whatever reason, a large sombrero was working his way through the crowd, apparently "hexing" the Brewers and their fans. My thought? That's respect. If the Cubs and their faithful weren't concerned about Milwaukee this year, they would be ignoring us.
Thursday, March 29, 2018
Opening Day Brings Happiness
It's early this year. No, not talking about Easter but baseball's Opening Day. All of the MLB gets the season going this week, the earliest ever. They need to to try and get World Series wrapped up before the snows fly.
Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing baseball drop from their 162 game schedule to, say, 154. But for owners to give up those games would mean a drop in revenue (or potential revenue) so it probably won't happen. Still, go that route OR go back to scheduling double-headers here and there in order to get the playoffs starting earlier. Wouldn't mind seeing that.
Love Opening Day at Miller Park. This will be the 24th with G-Man, and probably my 30th plus overall.
Milwaukee's Brewers got the state excited last season, pretty much coming out of nowhere to play meaningful baseball late in September. Picked by Sports Illustrated to win, if memory serves, 74 games. This on the heels of a 73-89 record in 2016. I picked them 82-80....and they finished 86-76 and just a game out of the Wild Card.
This year, SI picks the team for second 86-76, nine games behind Cubs and two games out of Wild Card. Las Vegas has Milwaukee at 84 1/2 (meaning you bet the over at 85 or the under at 83). ESPN tabs then as 10th in their MLB rankings, with four NL squads (Dodgers, Nationals, Cubs, Cardinals) ahead of them.
As far as this year's record, I'll be a little more generous and predict the club will be 89-73. While the Brew Crew won't win the division -- those pesky Cubs! -- they will make the playoffs. And finish ahead of the hated St. Louis Cardinals.
Yes, pitching in a BIG Brewer question mark, but isn't that the case for most teams? Milwaukee needs Chase Anderson and Zach Davies to repeat or improve upon, last season. Brent Suter needs to step up, as does Brandon Woodruff, while free-agent addition Jhoulys Chacin will prove to be a good signing. Don't forget Jimmy Nelson is on the mend, and getting him back mid-season will be akin to a trade.
The starters just need to put together at least six quality innings, then turn it over to a very stacked bullpen and All-Star Corey Knebel.
Again, pitching will be crucial. But this Milwaukee club should be able to put runs on on anybody and everybody. The addition of Christian Yelich & Lorenzo Cain improve not only the offense but the defense as well. Continued improvement from Travis Shaw and Orlando Arcia will help club. Eric "Old Man River" Thames ran hot-and-cold, but straightened out down the stretch. Domingo Santana gave power, but not necessarily defensive prowess. Can Jonathan Villar get back to his 2016 numbers? Word from Spring Training was he came in with a better approach to the game. Still, I think remains a liability on the base paths unless he starts listening to Manager Craig Counsell. I think the team would be better off playing Eric Sogard.
Odd man out from the outfield is 34-year-old Ryan Braun, starting his 12th season with the big league club. His numbers have been slipping, along with his health. Perhaps limiting him to 100 games (he only played in 104 last year due to various injuries) might help. Not thrilled with the Braun-to-first base experiment -- I think the team is better served getting Jesus Aguilar at-bats instead. But the team can't trade Braun due to that big contract he signed.
The other side of baseball happiness for me is the start of fantasy baseball. I've been a part of, or commissioner of, leagues for 33 years. Was conned into joining by Dan McDonald and the Sports Information Department at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette (now know as Louisiana-Lafayette) in 1985. Fantasy baseball continues to frustrate me, but makes baseball a little more enjoyable -- and gives me the chance to trade trash talk with friends/owners around the country.
Like the others in the league, I hope to uncover that "gem" that the rest of the owners missed and prove my true baseball intellect. This despite the fact that I continue to go without a title: curse you Deric, Bill, Mild Bill, Bartender Doug, Gary, Tyler and Stevie Wonder.
Monday, March 19, 2018
Viking Kirk Pillages Minnesota
So, quarterback Kirk Cousins has ended his very rocky marriage with the Washington Redskins, signing a three-year guaranteed deal for $84 million with the Minnesota Vikings.
You heard right. ALL of his $84 million deal is guaranteed by the hated Purple&Gold. Team going all in for 2018.
My first thoughts on that? Hope he blows a knee on his very first play and the the Vikings are stuck.
No so fast, suggests my sounding board, G-Man. He thinks it would be by far more painful for Minnesota fans if Cousins was just adequate through the three years. Good, but not quite good enough.
Gotta admit, I like that option better.
You heard right. ALL of his $84 million deal is guaranteed by the hated Purple&Gold. Team going all in for 2018.
My first thoughts on that? Hope he blows a knee on his very first play and the the Vikings are stuck.
No so fast, suggests my sounding board, G-Man. He thinks it would be by far more painful for Minnesota fans if Cousins was just adequate through the three years. Good, but not quite good enough.
Gotta admit, I like that option better.
Friday, March 16, 2018
Dear Ethan...
If I could, for a moment, take the time to pen an open letter to Wisconsin's Ethan Happ, it would go something like this.
Hey Ethan!
How's the back these days? You had to carry a whole basketball team this year, you're probably more than a little sore. Hell, at times it probably felt like you were carrying the whole state. That happens when Wisconsin basketball fans are spoiled by 19 straight NCAA Tournament appearances. And you're the lone returning star surrounded by a bunch of youngsters.
So, you're weighing your options, thinking about turning pro. Depends on where you fit into the NBA draft. Trust me, you're NOT a first-round pick. As for second round....well, how many of those make an impact on NBA rosters? Granted, the money is good. But you're not a lock. You're a GOOD college player, solid around the rim. But when it comes to the NBA, are you a 3? No. Are you a 4? No. Are you a liability at the foul line? The Hack-A-Happ works, since trips to the free throw line are more an adventure than a lock.
So unless you like the idea of heading to the NBA G-League, or going to Europe, college is your best option. Your game probably fits in overseas. But you don't have the shot range than a lot of Euro bigs have. Your game needs work, and if the folks in your inner circle are honest with you, that's the advice you'll get.
Come back to Wisconsin for the 2018-2019 season, Ethan. You will lead an improving group of youngsters and provide senior stability. Will you improve your draft status? Yes, if you work on your range. Enjoy college, Ethan. Badger fans will be happy to have you back.
Hey Ethan!
How's the back these days? You had to carry a whole basketball team this year, you're probably more than a little sore. Hell, at times it probably felt like you were carrying the whole state. That happens when Wisconsin basketball fans are spoiled by 19 straight NCAA Tournament appearances. And you're the lone returning star surrounded by a bunch of youngsters.
So, you're weighing your options, thinking about turning pro. Depends on where you fit into the NBA draft. Trust me, you're NOT a first-round pick. As for second round....well, how many of those make an impact on NBA rosters? Granted, the money is good. But you're not a lock. You're a GOOD college player, solid around the rim. But when it comes to the NBA, are you a 3? No. Are you a 4? No. Are you a liability at the foul line? The Hack-A-Happ works, since trips to the free throw line are more an adventure than a lock.
So unless you like the idea of heading to the NBA G-League, or going to Europe, college is your best option. Your game probably fits in overseas. But you don't have the shot range than a lot of Euro bigs have. Your game needs work, and if the folks in your inner circle are honest with you, that's the advice you'll get.
Come back to Wisconsin for the 2018-2019 season, Ethan. You will lead an improving group of youngsters and provide senior stability. Will you improve your draft status? Yes, if you work on your range. Enjoy college, Ethan. Badger fans will be happy to have you back.
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
Packers Face Uphill Battle In 2018
Here in Wisconsin, the sun rises and sets on the Green Bay Packers. It has for years. On Mondays following a Packer win, everything seems better, right?
After seeing their postseason streak come to an end after nine seasons, the pressure will be on Coach Mike McCarthy to get back. And come the 2018 season, Green Bay will be facing a BIG uphill struggle. Let's take a look at why.
First and foremost, the toughest schedule in the NFL, facing opponents with a combined winning percentage of .539 -- and that includes facing five playoff teams (well, six if you count facing the Minnesota Vikings twice). Road games will be crucial tests with games at the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots as well as New York Jets, Washington Redskins and the three NFC North foes. Granted, the schedule also includes three first-year coaches (Chicago, Detroit, Arizona). But top to bottom, this is not a scheduled filled with "gimme" wins.
The rest of the NFC North teams are all in the top 10 for schedule strength: Detroit tied for second at .535, Chicago and Minnesota tied for eighth at .520. By comparison, the defending Champion Philadelphia Eagles are tied for 19th at .492. Coming in dead last among the 32 teams? The Houston Texans at .453.
And the NFC North tests will be big, especially if Minnesota ever settles on a quarterback. At this writing, they have three free agents (Case Keenum, Sam Bradford and Teddy Bridgewater) and are kicking the tires on Kirk Cousins. With a solid defense (forgetting what Philly did to them) and solid weapons on offense, any of the four will be capable. Every year I think Detroit will be better than they turn out to be. Here's a club loaded with talent and consistently drafting high, but it never seems to turn up on the field. Perhaps a new coach will bring that out. Ditto for the Chicago Bears.
Will all that on the schedule, how will first-year GM Brian Gutekunst fill out the roster. He has the 14th pick in the NFL Draft among his whopping 12 picks. Gutekunst vows to be more aggressive than Ted Thompson -- wouldn't take much -- when it comes to the free agent market. However, he may be a bit hamstrung with only $15.4 million in cap space available AND a slew of their own free agents to satisfy. There may be a bunch of Packer free agents asked to restructure their contracts: wide receivers Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, right tackle Bryan Bulaga, outside linebackers Clay Matthews and Nick Perry.
Of that group, I would definitely look at Nelson and Matthews to resign with more cap-friendly/incentive-laden numbers. Might even toss Cobb into that mix as well.
And don't forget the talk of extending the contract of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has two years left on his current deal (at $20 million a year, a real steal). Once guys like Cousins and Drew Brees sign, you can bet A-Rodg will want to be the highest-paid QB in the league. Rightfully so.
The defense HAS to take a big step forward, and should under first-year coordinator Mike Pettine. Gutekunst, who is WAY more talkative with the media than Thompson (again, doesn't take much. Thompson made the sphinx seem like a chatterbox) needs to give Pettine the defensive tools to be successful. That means a priority of upgrading the pass rush and the defensive backfield. Green Bay had only 37 sacks this year, and opposing quarterbacks had a collective 102.0 passer rating -- absolute worst among NFC defenses. Those statistics HAVE to change.
After seeing their postseason streak come to an end after nine seasons, the pressure will be on Coach Mike McCarthy to get back. And come the 2018 season, Green Bay will be facing a BIG uphill struggle. Let's take a look at why.
First and foremost, the toughest schedule in the NFL, facing opponents with a combined winning percentage of .539 -- and that includes facing five playoff teams (well, six if you count facing the Minnesota Vikings twice). Road games will be crucial tests with games at the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots as well as New York Jets, Washington Redskins and the three NFC North foes. Granted, the schedule also includes three first-year coaches (Chicago, Detroit, Arizona). But top to bottom, this is not a scheduled filled with "gimme" wins.
The rest of the NFC North teams are all in the top 10 for schedule strength: Detroit tied for second at .535, Chicago and Minnesota tied for eighth at .520. By comparison, the defending Champion Philadelphia Eagles are tied for 19th at .492. Coming in dead last among the 32 teams? The Houston Texans at .453.
And the NFC North tests will be big, especially if Minnesota ever settles on a quarterback. At this writing, they have three free agents (Case Keenum, Sam Bradford and Teddy Bridgewater) and are kicking the tires on Kirk Cousins. With a solid defense (forgetting what Philly did to them) and solid weapons on offense, any of the four will be capable. Every year I think Detroit will be better than they turn out to be. Here's a club loaded with talent and consistently drafting high, but it never seems to turn up on the field. Perhaps a new coach will bring that out. Ditto for the Chicago Bears.
Will all that on the schedule, how will first-year GM Brian Gutekunst fill out the roster. He has the 14th pick in the NFL Draft among his whopping 12 picks. Gutekunst vows to be more aggressive than Ted Thompson -- wouldn't take much -- when it comes to the free agent market. However, he may be a bit hamstrung with only $15.4 million in cap space available AND a slew of their own free agents to satisfy. There may be a bunch of Packer free agents asked to restructure their contracts: wide receivers Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, right tackle Bryan Bulaga, outside linebackers Clay Matthews and Nick Perry.
Of that group, I would definitely look at Nelson and Matthews to resign with more cap-friendly/incentive-laden numbers. Might even toss Cobb into that mix as well.
And don't forget the talk of extending the contract of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has two years left on his current deal (at $20 million a year, a real steal). Once guys like Cousins and Drew Brees sign, you can bet A-Rodg will want to be the highest-paid QB in the league. Rightfully so.
The defense HAS to take a big step forward, and should under first-year coordinator Mike Pettine. Gutekunst, who is WAY more talkative with the media than Thompson (again, doesn't take much. Thompson made the sphinx seem like a chatterbox) needs to give Pettine the defensive tools to be successful. That means a priority of upgrading the pass rush and the defensive backfield. Green Bay had only 37 sacks this year, and opposing quarterbacks had a collective 102.0 passer rating -- absolute worst among NFC defenses. Those statistics HAVE to change.
Monday, February 26, 2018
Rare Off-Year For Badger Basketball
Spoiled.
That pretty much sums up Wisconsin Badger basketball fans. Spoiled. By success, by tournament appearances, by year-after-year of quality play under Bo Ryan.
That success continued last season when Greg Gard took over the reins in mid-season when Ryan just up and stepped down. Bucky has been in the NCAA tournament 19 straight years.
Alas, the cupboard was pretty bare after the four graduating seniors left. Ethan Happ was the only returning starter back from a team that is young. With Wisconsin basketball, young equals players who will stay and develop in the program. Frank Kaminsky, the only national player of the year to ever play for the Badgers, comes to mind.
In other programs, Kentucky, for one, young means "just killing time pretending to be a student before I head off to the NBA..." I probably shouldn't just pick on Kentucky for this -- the "one & done" situation has spread to many, many storied programs. Even Duke's Mike Krzyzewski has succumbed. It's still an area that the NCAA is struggling to correct."
Let's face it, the "one & done" is not the way things are done in Wisconsin. When Diamond Stone spurned the Badgers for Maryland, then coach Bo Ryan came under criticism for letting the top prep player in Wisconsin get away. Word was, Stone couldn't cut it academically at Wisconsin -- and it turned out he was a Maryland "student" for, technically, a year before leaving. Where's he now? The G League, with the Chicago Bulls entry.
Bucky finished the Big Ten season going 4-2 down the stretch, falling in close games to Michigan (ranked 20th nationally) and Michigan State (ranked 2nd). Wisconsin ends the regular season 7-11 in conference, 14-17 overall.
All this with a lineup held together with will and duct tape.
But it's not time to panic, Cheeseheads. Gard is the right guy in charge of the program. He'll get the program back into contention.
That pretty much sums up Wisconsin Badger basketball fans. Spoiled. By success, by tournament appearances, by year-after-year of quality play under Bo Ryan.
That success continued last season when Greg Gard took over the reins in mid-season when Ryan just up and stepped down. Bucky has been in the NCAA tournament 19 straight years.
Alas, the cupboard was pretty bare after the four graduating seniors left. Ethan Happ was the only returning starter back from a team that is young. With Wisconsin basketball, young equals players who will stay and develop in the program. Frank Kaminsky, the only national player of the year to ever play for the Badgers, comes to mind.
In other programs, Kentucky, for one, young means "just killing time pretending to be a student before I head off to the NBA..." I probably shouldn't just pick on Kentucky for this -- the "one & done" situation has spread to many, many storied programs. Even Duke's Mike Krzyzewski has succumbed. It's still an area that the NCAA is struggling to correct."
Let's face it, the "one & done" is not the way things are done in Wisconsin. When Diamond Stone spurned the Badgers for Maryland, then coach Bo Ryan came under criticism for letting the top prep player in Wisconsin get away. Word was, Stone couldn't cut it academically at Wisconsin -- and it turned out he was a Maryland "student" for, technically, a year before leaving. Where's he now? The G League, with the Chicago Bulls entry.
Bucky finished the Big Ten season going 4-2 down the stretch, falling in close games to Michigan (ranked 20th nationally) and Michigan State (ranked 2nd). Wisconsin ends the regular season 7-11 in conference, 14-17 overall.
All this with a lineup held together with will and duct tape.
- Junior Ethan Happ, still a bit more shaky at the free throw line than I would like, had a LOT on his plate this season. The offense had to run through him.
- Freshman Brad Davison, who had 30 points in the finale with Michigan State, had to pop his injured shoulder back into place during the course of the game. He played through pain all season because he had to.
- Freshman Nathan Reuvers played a lot of minutes, and probably has hit a wall. And in a different season, he and Davison would have been brought along slowly, not thrown to the fire.
- Sophomore Brevin Pritzl is typical of a young player on a roller coaster -- up, down, up, down.
- Junior Khalil Iverson was one of the few guys on the roster who saw significant minutes last season, but still was inconsistent.
- Sophomore D'Mitrik Trice was looked to for a big, big season -- and then lost the season to a knee injury.
But it's not time to panic, Cheeseheads. Gard is the right guy in charge of the program. He'll get the program back into contention.
Friday, February 23, 2018
Olympic Gold...And Green
The Winter Olympics draw to a close this weekend. There has been a bit of angst nationally that the USA team is not piling up medals, being out-paced Norway (the Vikings long have a history of coming in, pillaging and taking away precious metals!), Germany and Canada.
I'm not caught up in that. Sure, I like to see the USA represented on the podium. But it doesn't leave me in a dark mood when we're not. Although, to be honest, I was thrilled that Team USA knocked off their Maple Leaf-adorned nemesis in women's hockey.
Our athletes do get a little cash back on the investment of years and years of training. Gold medal winners get $37,000; Silver winners get $22,500; Bronze medalists $15,000. I'll bet other countries have similar setups. And for some of the smaller nations who end up on the podium, it might just make that athlete a star for life.
The USA's cash rewards might not seem like much compared to the endorsement dollars that, say, Chloe Kim, Mikaela Shiffrin or Lindsey Vonn will get. (I would have included snowboarder Shaun White, but he's medal lost a bit of shine with his legal woes.)
But for our other athletes, it's lagniappe (that's Louisiana Cajun for "a little extra"). Curling has gotten a big boost in the media. The USA is going for the gold for the first time EVER, but I doubt if McFarland's Matt Hamilton will be getting many calls for national endorsements. So the additional cash is nice.
It's my understanding that it's a flat cash amount for the medals -- so the women's hockey team has to split that gold, what, 25 ways? Doesn't seem quite right. But those ladies made us all proud. It's great to know that there were 9 former Wisconsin Badgers skating in the gold medal match, five wit the USA & four with Canada.
I'm not caught up in that. Sure, I like to see the USA represented on the podium. But it doesn't leave me in a dark mood when we're not. Although, to be honest, I was thrilled that Team USA knocked off their Maple Leaf-adorned nemesis in women's hockey.
Our athletes do get a little cash back on the investment of years and years of training. Gold medal winners get $37,000; Silver winners get $22,500; Bronze medalists $15,000. I'll bet other countries have similar setups. And for some of the smaller nations who end up on the podium, it might just make that athlete a star for life.
The USA's cash rewards might not seem like much compared to the endorsement dollars that, say, Chloe Kim, Mikaela Shiffrin or Lindsey Vonn will get. (I would have included snowboarder Shaun White, but he's medal lost a bit of shine with his legal woes.)
But for our other athletes, it's lagniappe (that's Louisiana Cajun for "a little extra"). Curling has gotten a big boost in the media. The USA is going for the gold for the first time EVER, but I doubt if McFarland's Matt Hamilton will be getting many calls for national endorsements. So the additional cash is nice.
It's my understanding that it's a flat cash amount for the medals -- so the women's hockey team has to split that gold, what, 25 ways? Doesn't seem quite right. But those ladies made us all proud. It's great to know that there were 9 former Wisconsin Badgers skating in the gold medal match, five wit the USA & four with Canada.
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