Throwin' the Houlihan Around Sports
Not to go all Clifford Geertz on you people, but the way a culture plays sports is often a reflection of the culture itself.
Take the last appearance of a great sports hero before his retirement. This is done far differently in Japan than here.
Last year, Edgar Martinez’ last at-bat was in a meaningless game against a mediocre pitcher. No ceremony attended this moment, and Edgar ended his career by grounding into a double play.
But, in Japan, the last appearance of a former player is elaborately staged. All-time Mariners saves leader Kazuhiro Sasaki’s final game was this month—read how the Japanese do this right.
In other news:
Guess what? Alleged steroids user and probable liar-to-Congress, Rafael Palmiero, who recorded his 3000th hit in Safeco Field and then was suspended ten days for testing positive for steroids, has been terrible at the plate since his return and is now being benched. Hmmmm.
The Seattle Storm, defending WNBA champions, begin a best-of-three playoff series vs. Houston tonight. Legendary Sheryl Swoopes is Houston’s best player, and she dropped a career high 34 points on the Storm earlier this season.
The local media thought Husky football coach Tyrone Willingham would name a starting quarterback for Saturday’s game against Air Force, but he didn’t.
Seahawks offensive tackle Floyd “Pork Chop” Womack is injured.
Ready to think about Husky basketball? Jim Basnight at HuskyDigest.com is.
Wednesday, Randy Johnson of the Yankees pitches against Felix Hernandez of the Mariners. Johnson is a sure Hall-of-Famer, and Hernandez, given his raw talent, a potential one. This could be a historic game. Or not. But it is worth seeing.
