Back to the Good Stuff

With the all the bad stuff going in sports lately, “the Grandeur” has had trouble staying positive and the recent the columns have shown that struggle. From criticizing Isaiah Thomas for being the worst coach in NBA history to telling Arlen Specter to get his nose out of other people’s business to calling Golf Week and that track meet director in Washington, well, idiots, for their cultural rudeness; the negativity is almost becoming overwhelming.
Thankfully for this columnist, a reading of another’s columnist’s last couple pieces have brought the sun back out. What many people don’t know is that one of the best sportswriters in America only gets about 150 words each time and uses them to devastating effect. ESPN’s Steve Wulf’s Page 2 piece is always on target to sum up the attitude of the American sports fan. Its hits all the right places and speaks to the all the right people and his last two have been spot on.
In the Feb. 28 issue, he talks about congressional hearings, DUI’s, shootings and prison terms and then he says, and I quote, “The Daytona 500, the Final Four, the Masters, Opening Day and the NFL Draft are all right around the corner. To quote scripture (I Thessalonians 5:21) ‘Hold fast to that which is good.’”
His next issue says “spring hopes internal.” He speaks of spring training, spring football and NBA trades. He says to go buy a new Shaq or Santana jersey, sneak a peak at Kentucky Derby Hopefuls and listen to Mel Kiper. The man’s optimism is inspiring.
Now I don’t want to steal his thunder, but I can’t help it. His latest writings have been motivating. They remind me of why this column was created. To remind us all that sports are eternally great. To find the good and remember that it is more powerful than the bad.
And right now, there is so much good to be had. A popular consensus is that October is the best month of year with the baseball playoffs, pro and college football in full swing and hockey and basketball right around the corner. But March and April come together to make a pretty good team. Like mentioned earlier, there are some great events coming up. Baseball is getting ready to start and if spring weather, green grass and the sound of a cracking bat doesn’t put a smile on your face then you need to check your pulse. March Madness, and the bracket fun that goes with us, is upon us. There is a “tradition like any other” in the Masters and we even get to spend a whole Saturday sitting around watching guys in suits and ties pick players for their pro football teams.
So lets forget all the bad stuff, it’s time to wake up, feel the spring sunshine and enjoy the show. And too steal another page out of Wulf’s playbook, let’s quote scripture. (Isaiah 35:10) “Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”