Got It Right – Got It Wrong #1
I`ve tried this approach with my teams when I am coaching. If you are going to say something negative, you must say something positive as well. Avoid looking for everything that is going wrong without enjoying some of those who are trying to help as well. The more you force yourself to see the positive, the more positive you will see; hope that does not sound too hippy like.
Got it Right: Derek Jeter
This guy always gets it. I am not a Yankee fan but I love Jeter. I will miss the Captain but I am sure he will be around. No athlete in my lifetime has played at such a high level while carrying themselves with such class. To end his run at Yankee stadium with a walk off single was too awesome. I negatively judge any writer who tried to detract from Jeter's greatness just to attract readers.
Got it Wrong: ESPN
How can you make the NFL look bad while protecting it? Bill Simmons gets a three weeks suspension (or 3 NFL games) for insulting Roger Goodell, that’s one more game than Rice got on Goodell’s first try. Maybe it was ESPN’s ability to have access to the offending podcast that made them able to make a stronger decision. Or we could compare Stephen A Smith’s one week anti-victim statement suspension to the three for Simmons and wonder if the NFL and ESPN have the same judge and jury? I hope Bill shows some major balls and blasts the ruling before three weeks are up.
Got it Right: Coach Charlie Strong
He does not care if his methods cost the team victories because he understands character supersedes immediate success. Strong has removed nine players already due to various character driven infractions. He is creating a strong foundation that will make Texas the best program in the country in the next five years if they have the patience. His integrity is a breath of fresh air in a sport that desperately needs it. I am now a Longhorns fan and I cannot wait to see what he does when he has a team of his players. If Texas gets rid of him before hand, they will be on the got it wrong list.
Got it Wrong: The Anti-Strongs
There are a bunch of fans and reporters who are already calling for Coach Strong’s head. No one predicted the Longhorns to compete this year and now people are surprised they are losing? Give your heads a shake and read the preseason predictions. If you are still shocked by the Texas season, you are not an informed football fan.
Got it Right: Phil Hughes and the Minnesota Twins
Phil Hughes has had a few run ins with injuries and bad luck. Lately, he has gotten it back on track with the Twins and had a very good season. He also had a bonus in his contract which stated he would receive $500000 if he pitched 210 innings. On Wednesday evening, Phil had pitched 209 and 2/3 innings when the rain started. The game was delayed by an hour and Hughes was taken out of the game. (This is commonly done to prevent injuries.) He missed the bonus by one out and would not have another opportunity to pitch this year. The Twins responded by offering him a chance to pitch again this season to earn his bonus. A move a lot of organizations would discourage and refuse to do. Hughes politely declined. Something about this exchange feels very right. I might have to pick up a Twins hat as well.
Got it Wrong: USA Women’s Soccer
Domestic violence is obviously a huge problem in today’s society. It happens too often and the consequences are not stiff enough. There is no justification for assault or abuse of spouse, a family member or a child. So how are other groups supposed to improve how they handle domestic violence when a woman’s team ignores an arrest for domestic assault? Hope Solo continues to represent the USA despite being arrested and charged on two counts of domestic assault. How? The national team seems to believe her record is more important than the people she hurt. This does not give the NFL the right to carte blanche but Solo should be getting the same press and treatment as Peterson or Rice.
For the record, coach Strong would have sat her.
