Failed Attempt at a Book Review: All Those Mornings...At The Post [I go rambling on...]

FEDORAS!!!

This past April, I had the pleasure of meeting George Solomon, and the Povich brothers, Maury and David. After reading this collection of columns collected from the Washington Post, I feel as if I've met Shirley, too.

Who is the voice of Washington sports today? I'm thinking Dan Steinberg.

In the 20th Century, such is hogwash. Yes, hogwash.

Shirley Povich was the dominating sports writer in the Nation's Capital until his death on June 3rd, 1998. ALthough I had never read his columns in full context until this book, I've gotten to know Povich. It was almost like a novel; a fictional story of a sportswriter who went from small-town farm boy to the voice of sports.

Povich had seen it all from the Dempsey-Tunney fight in 1927 to his final column discussing Mark McGuire and Thomas Boswell (a fellow Post columnist).

In that final column, its quite obvious that this was pre-asteriks and injections.

"[McGuire is] bulked up by strength coaches and Nautilus weightlifters, plus the new diet of "nutrition shakes" popular in the clubhouses..." Povich writes.

In a modern day paper, "nutrition shakes" immediately registers alongside "juice". (I didn't add the quotations) That is, if Mark McGuire didn't.

Can you imagine what Shirley would have had to say in this era? He always had something to say. He wasn't afraid of the public's reaction to his writing. He wrote what he thought, not to impress. He earned respect through respect. He wasn't loud or annoying like so many sports writers (and broadcasters) today. He wrote about (sports related) social issues and "attacked Washington Redskins owner George Preston Marshall for having an all-white team [in the fifties]."

If it happened, Shirley wrote about it.

ALL THOSE MORNINGS...AT THE POST BY SHIRLEY POVICH. PUBLIC AFFAIRS IN PUBLISHING, 2005.

next post: what happened to the Yankees? Hockey? Why the NBA Finals champions are underrated?

AL East- More heated than ever

It is only June, and baseball fans are already seeing the AL East turn into the most competitive division, with the Yankees, Red Sox, and Toronto. The Rays aren't in it (5 games back). Although it is early, it appears the wildcard will probably go to either the Sox or the Jays. Boston and New York face off this weekend, and another sweep like last series could be critical.

It Ain't Over Till It's Over

Yogi Berra once said the above quote. To me, it makes perfect sense...it seems like a variation of "Don't count your chickens 'till they hatch".
Such is true with the Stanley Cup Finals.
Last night, the Penguins battled the Detriot Red Wings. Pittsburgh certainly out played the Wings, leading to their win, 4-2. It could've been 5-2 if Evengi Malkin hadn't missed on the OPEN NET.
On sports debate shows everywhere, journalists are questioning whether or not its over for the Penguins.
It doesn't appear so, as the series is tied 2-2.
After last night, Penguin supporters may be apprehensive, since the both team win's were on home ice.
Detroit can be equally nervous after game four, considering the Penguin's defense snatched the puck each time they came near the net, passing it up.
Not to mention Penguin goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury's dazzling appearence. You may be rolling your eyes, considering he still let it get by twice, but watching the saves the young player makes are amazing.
The entire Penguin's team, from their stars (Crosby, Malkin, Fleury..) to the underrated heroes (Talbot, Staal, Orpik...) are all young. Many say that the sophistication of these young 20-something players is astonishing.
Imagine what this team will be like in two, three years. If fans think Pittsburgh is dominating now, just wait.

WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO: A RANT ABOUT HOW THE HECK THE YANKEES ARE IN FIRST PLACE. (HINT: ORTIZ)