- 02:48 AM
- 11/08/09
| Name: | Steve Bacharach |
|---|---|
| Member since: | January 28, 2006 |
| Last visit: | November 06, 2009 |
sbacharach has posted 0 links and 27 comments to SportsFilter and 0 links and 0 comments to the Locker Room.
Fine he was here since he was 12. I jumped (falsely - because I did not read carefully enough) to the conclusion that he had come here more recently. His talent was developed in the US. Mea Culpa. As far as taking pride in being American, I don't tend to think in those terms much at all. I pretty much consider all of us to be citizens of the world. I'm the first person decrying medal counts at the Olympics.
posted by sbacharach at 02:39 PM on November 03
I admit thinking pretty much the same thing as Mr. Rovell when I first saw how recently Keflezighi had gained citizenship. I love that he's proud to represent the country that has given him so much. But should I feel proud because he's a US citizen (as am I)? OK, I'm glad that he thinks enough of this country to make his life here rather than Eritrea, but I don't take pride as an American in his athletic achievement. Do the Polish and Croatian (and some others) countries have great pride in the naturalized Brazilians playing on their soccer teams? They're probably glad it helps the quality of their team, but they know that talent wasn't developed in their country.
posted by sbacharach at 02:12 PM on November 03
I've always felt that the Majors in both tennis and golf were already so big that having those sports in the Olympics was a waste of a spot that could go to another sport.
posted by sbacharach at 01:12 PM on October 09
When my students wear some USC or Man United gear, I occasionally give them a little grief, but it's verbal and it's minor - I would never go as far as the Sox fan. No matter how much you love "your" team, it's indefensible to take it that far. But calling for the guy's job? Well, now that's taking it too far as well.
posted by sbacharach at 10:42 PM on September 26
Terrible is so much a matter of perspective: Cal wins (though they didn't dominate), USC loses, Arsenal wins, my kid's youth soccer team wins - pretty outstanding day all around, I'd say!
posted by sbacharach at 12:15 AM on September 20
I believe the Kramer Club in Rolling Hills Estates, CA is where Sampras blossomed.
posted by sbacharach at 04:40 PM on September 15
I didn't think it was inappropriate to list his motivators since that was the genesis of his success. However, I had to shake my head when he explained how the players are so much more important than the organization. Even in an individual sport, like say tennis, it's not truly individual - you have coaches, trainers, nutritionists, marketers, promoters, ... - people who allow you to showcase your success. He thanked some of these people but made it completely clear that he thought he was the center of the universe.
posted by sbacharach at 04:14 PM on September 12
She plays with courage, poise, and joy - three qualities that are lacking in a lot of the women at Flushing Meadows.
posted by sbacharach at 10:34 PM on September 07
I'll be interested in hearing a review of the game-watching experience with this monstrosity in front of you. Technologically, it looks amazing, but do you end up with 90% of the people in the stadium staring at the screen the whole time and not at the field, and is that necessarily a bad thing? Unless there is excellent crowd atmosphere, and seats as comfortable as my couch, I think I'd skip it and stay home.
posted by sbacharach at 02:11 PM on August 30
Within a show of any kind I am able to tune out what I don't like and derive something positive from the rest. It certainly works for news broadcasts and blogs. Or one can just tune out completely - change the channel, don't listen, etc. I will admit, however, that the sensitivity of Hillsborough is not something that I can appreciate in the visceral way that others do, so perhaps it's near impossible for them to ignore such things they find so objectionable, and they feel compelled to act.
posted by sbacharach at 03:45 PM on August 25
I, for one, will miss the show. I've listened off and on for years, and the guests (managers, players, journalists) got better and better along the way. I'm sorry to see a single issue axe what was an excellent asset to the US soccer community.
posted by sbacharach at 02:21 PM on August 25
Fair enough Owl, but is it too much to ask that one or two battery hurlers get caught on video and are hauled off to the clink? For all I know that happened, but I'm skeptical.
posted by sbacharach at 11:48 PM on August 15
Somehow I don't expect FIFA or CONCACAF to impose any sanctions on the Mexican FA (or whatever it's called). Not being a sore loser or anything, but this kind of behavior gets clamped down on more quickly in Europe - having to play the next game in front of an empty stadium occasionally.
posted by sbacharach at 10:04 PM on August 15
He couldv'e bought himself out of his Galaxy contract and gone to Milan full-time. Rather, he chooses to do it halfway while saying he's fully committed. Soccer fans respect that he wants to play for his country, but the manner in which he's going about it is disrespectful and dishonest.
posted by sbacharach at 04:03 PM on July 20
CNBC Reporter: Marathon Champ Isn't Real American
No, dfleming, you got it wrong. My point is that I don't feel "pride" at anything American in particular. I'd like the USMNT football team to do well in South Africa because I follow their matches. I feel the same way about the French side. But I don't personally know anyone on either team. Why would their accomplishments have anything to do directly with me? I like Arsenal FC, but I've never seen them play in person or been the Emirates.
Sports allegiance doesn't necessarily have to do with anything rational like where you were born. End of tangent.