Then I looked at Hasek's bio. Just as I thought — 87 years old.
9. SP Joe Kennedy (RIP) — The well-traveled pitcher passed away last weekend at his home at the young age of 28. While the official cause of death won't be known for a couple months, early reports say he probably had an enlarged heart, which seems to be a commonality among young athletes passing away.
Even though it's included in such a column, Kennedy's death ceases to be a sports story and is just another tragic headline. Kennedy joins a way-too-long list of young pitchers who have passed away in the past year or so: Josh Hancock (28), Cory Lidle (34), and even the retired Rod Beck was only 38.
Their athletic talents surpass our own, yet our similarities are not separated by the human element. So stories like this — even though they're not sports-related, their vocation is why sports fans pay attention in the first place — remind us of the sobering truth: sometimes young people die, and there's nothing you can do about it. After all, I'm young people. So I'm glad I'm alive, because this online writing stuff would be far less fun were I not alive.
Coach: Houston Nutt — This is the week when several coaching vacancies in the NCAA ranks became available. Many were not by choice (Dennis Franchione/Texas A&M, Chan Gailey/Georgia Tech, Bill Callahan/Nebraska, Ed Orgeron/Mississippi), but some were. Nutt had enough of Arkansas football.
But he did it right, somehow, even if his critics believe he was doin' it wrong far before then. His Hawgs' popped No. 1 LSU in their final regular season game. In a way, he's leaving on top. Certainly if nothing else it puts Nutt in great position for a BCS coaching job next year if he wants it, rather than flounder in the mid-majors in Frank Solich fashion.
Hey, Duke is a BCS football team. How about Duke? They always start with a preseason poll vote. That counts for something.
Article comments
1 - Tuffy
Someone's found the softer side of Sears photography. And you thought me mad when I suggested my BCS theory!
2 - Matthew T. Sussman
Well, that hasn't changed.
3 - Shawn
By trying to find someone other than Tebow, you prove you are prejudiced against greatness and should never be given a Heisman ballot.
4 - Matthew T. Sussman
I do have self-loathing tendencies, so you might be right Shawn.
5 - Shawn
I was a little snappy, huh.
It just irritates me that people actually are going out of their way to vote against Tebow. Why is he so hated? He has outperformed in every way, and should be looked at as a model athlete. Yet people don't want to give him the recognition he deserves. After reading your article again there seems to be some sarcasm, but I don't know. I'm just getting irritated by all the people (not just you) who appear to be grasping at straws.
Mcfadden had 2 great games this season. The LSU win was great. But two other running backs also combined for 170 yards on 12 less carries that game from Arkansas. He didn't by any means carry the team.
Where was he for the Auburn game when he rushed for the grand total of 43 yards. Or FIU for 61? Or Ole Miss for 88? He's good, but his stats aren't amazing. When Reggie Bush won the Heisman, he averaged 8.7 yards per carry. Mcfadden has rushed the ball 100 more times than Bush and has gained 1,725 yards. 15 less than Bush. Reggie Bush was phenomenal. Darren Mcfadden is just everyone's alternative to one of the best quarterbacks the country has ever seen.
I'll admit Tebow is just a sophomore, and in no way compares to some of the college greats. But on the other hand...this kid is a sophomore and is breaking records those college greats couldn't. This season his stats surpass every other quarterback by far, and his closest competition, Mcfadden, isn't really that strong of a running back. Unless you count 61 rushing yards against FIU strong.