Judicious? Fact based? What’s more fact-based than a knee on a defenseless man’s neck? Let’s go to the videotape.
I’ve argued in This Space recently that what has happened within the UC men’s basketball program indicated the power balance had swung too far in the players direction. Players who didn’t like John Brannen or his methods helped to get him fired. There’s something wrong with that.
But this isn’t that. Black athletes asking to have their feelings respected and their concerns given authoritative voice are not attempting the palace coup. They just want to be heard.
It’s about time.
I mean, what if you were a Black football player at Ole Miss or Mississippi State, and you had to see Confederate flags flying at home games? How could you play for a coach who supported publicly a far-right news organization that denounced Black Lives Matter?
Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy did that. He had to apologize for it.
You can’t have it both ways anymore, coaches. Respect in, respect out.
USA TODAY:
“Predominantly white coaches, predominantly white ADs, predominantly white college presidents, predominantly white boards of regents … their voices are becoming less powerful than the guys on the field,” said the person who was involved in the messaging conversations last May. “When it became so important to them, it had to be important to the coaches.”
We’re in a time when no one wants to be told what to do, certainly not by “the guvmint.’’ When everyone has “rights’’ and uses them as a defense against everything, from attacking the capitol to refusing a COVID-19 vaccination. Well, Black athletes have a right to express themselves on an issue as central to who they are – to who all of us are – as the George Floyd murder.
Coaches and administrators need to listen. And be respectful in their responses.
Now, then. . .
WELL, I NEVER. . . I’m never less than amazed that I keep discovering new, cool places around here. In 33 years here, I’d never heard of the Cabana on the River , near what I think is Sayler Park. It’s possible Cabana hasn’t been around that long, but you get the point.
I met a long-lost bud there Tuesday night, and a new acquaintance he brought with him. My first words after 36 years? “What is this place, and how did you find it?’’
It’s exactly 32 miles and 41 minutes from my house, down the river road. It makes perfect use of its spot on a hill above the Ohio. The beer was icy, the sunset spectacular. I’ll be back.
So. . . have you lived here a long time, only to happen upon a fabulous spot you never knew existed? I’ve had two in the past month: Cabana on the River and Grant’s boyhood home in Bethel. In the past year, I’ve discovered the Swampwater Grill’s seafood boils and the incredible bourbon at the boutique distillery near Frankfort, Glenns Creek, and the interesting 18-hole layout called Hickory Sticks.
I’ve said it a few times: The Tri-State area is loaded with cool things to do and daytrips to take. I could write a book.
IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING , but props to Saint Joe. He was on the field Tuesday, almost exactly six months after he blew out his knee. We thought Carson Palmer’s return was rapid. Sure, the science is better than it was in January ’06, but it needs diligence by its patient for it to work fully. There is seemingly no reason Burrow won’t be back fully healed by Opening Day. Remarkable.
PERFECT USE OF TEJAY ANTONE last night. He’s arguably the Reds best pitcher now, certainly their most consistent. Drop him into the most critical situation in a tight game, lift him when he shows the slightest slippage.
As for Suarez leading off . . . the hope is he’ll see more fastballs, at least his first time up. Can that help him be more selective? Employ a little bat control?
After 45 games, Suarez has 10 homers and 24 BI. That projects to 36 and 86, roughly. That’s damned good. He’s also K’d 65 times, which projects to a MLB-record 231, eight more than Mark Reynolds and nine more than Adam Dunn. That’s a lot of air.
And he’s batting .150 with an on-base of .220.
If you’d take the power and suffer the rest, you have no problem with how the Reds have played offense since about 2000. With a few exceptions, Homers Or Bust has been the norm. It hasn’t led to world domination.
TUNE O’ THE DAY. . . Not a big Aerosmith guy, but they do a nice job with this old blues standard.
