| It is still shocking to all of us to have heard of the tragic Kobe Bryant helicopter crash. This annual Super Bowl color commentary is dedicated in his memory. It is also a reminder that we have preached here for many years: and recently a couple of weeks ago in this column.That is -that life is precious and can change at any moment- sometimes bad and often good. Unfortunately this tragedy will be dissected over and over as to how and why. I remember when Thurman Munson died in his airplane when it crashed in Ohio years ago. I had covered the Yankees for a USA Network TV station in Connecticut. I spent a couple of seasons interacting with these players when Reggie, Sweet Lou, Thurman ,Gator & Billy Martin were with the team. When Munson died almost the same way as Kobe- crashing after takeoff-I was devastated and decided to do something about it. Always a lover of sports art and memorabilia I commissioned a local portrait painter to do two head shot paintings from a picture I had taken of Thurman looking up towards the sky when I would often park myself in the 3rd base photographers well taking photos. I paid a bit more to get them done right away and proceeded to deliver one to NY Yankees owner at the time George Steinbrenner. He thanked me for the beautiful life like painting and said that it was hung up in his office at Yankee Stadium. I was thrilled, honored and flattered. But more importantly I felt that I had done something good & thoughtful in return to somehow cushion the devastating loss everyone felt. The other painting I still have in my office and any one who sees it comments how he is almost looking up to Heaven. Well if you are wondering why we are using Hotel California here is the answer but I am quite sure you already know. That song has a lot of symbolism much like this writer conveys EVERY WEEK and you may or may not realize or understand at first until you read it twice. But the line you can check out any time you like but you can never leave applies here- especially to the recent news of KOBE. Let me EXplain. You may have been with someone who touched you in a meaningful way, traveled somewhere
you really enjoyed, eaten at a certain Italian restaurant where the food is always fabulous & the pasta is always AL DENTE . Perhaps you visited a far away place that you long for now. But you are not at any of these places or with this or that person at this moment. But the MEMORY of that experience, that laughter, that zest- passion, that fun, AND that excitement is something you will never forget and often reminisce about until you POSSIBLY experience it all again. In this weeks color commentary we obviously can't or don't want to be funny . I looked & thought long and hard to find the appropriate song for you the reader with the attention grabber that ties this all in. So remember what we always tell you here- Don't EVER think for a second that you don't have what it takes on or off the field. Life is short and you want no regrets down the road because you didn't have the baseBALLS to get in the batters box and take your cuts in whatever the situation dictated be it business, sports ,relationships or just plain going for it. Remember you miss 100% of the shots you don't take.- GRETZKY. Enough said- now a quick recap of the game. The Southern Yankees & South Florida Dodgers were all knotted up with the hard eight 4-4 in Fort Lauderdale after 5 innings. Both Bobby Stallone and Carlos Pandolfo were lights out pitching on this beautiful 65 degree blue sky day. The Yankees scored 3 runs in the latter innings to eke out the win. Reidy Oliva led the Yankees with 3 hits and Jeff Zagaria and Joe Delauder stroked 2 apiece for the winners. For the Dodgers Albe Diaz had 3 sharp hits and hats off to elder statesman Carlos Pandolfo who had an assortment of floaters curves and change-ups that had the best of Yankees hitters baffled all day. Now on to the annual Super Bowl color commentary and preview. The game is a tossup with many experts expecting a track meet & pinball type game over 55 much like the Super Bowl 2 years ago. We were spot on predicting a high 38-36 game or 74 points back then which you can see online at the SFBL site under scores from previous seasons. ALSO noted was that that you would likely be seeing the last of the Patriots dynasty and that their coaching staff would be dismantled. The final score was 41-33 Eagles over Patriots or 3 points on both sides away from our prediction. Many coaching changes have occurred from the Belichick tree since then. THIS WEEKS SUPER BOWL GAME will have perfect conditions for a lot of turnovers and UNDER the number . Don't think SF can run nearly as well as they did vs GB. Watch out for number 32 on defense for the Chiefs in the turnover department along with Terrell Suggs playing a Super Bowl in Miami. KANSAS CITY wins 29-23 with Mahomes easy as the MVP. Go with what you think and hopefully you will have many disposable dead pre$idents in your wallet from your winnings. We hope the game plays out to be UNDER B4 its all OVER . Enjoy the matchup , new cool SELTOS car ad and Super Bowl party's with your family friends & loved ones. We hope your favorite player in the BIG GAME has the MAMBA MENTALITY and performs like the legend we refer to here. Hope you enjoyed the commentary & get the message this writer is sending your way. Please use the theme of this tribute commentary wisely. As we all know the wheel of life is always turning but soon it will turn in your direction. So reach out to someone who is not as fortunate or bountiful as you. Pursue what interests you and tell someone special you love them or you will regret it down the road.
And instead of being selfish,cheap or a taker- give and do something thoughtful & you will be rewarded ten fold.... Thank you for your time this time until next and always remember to 'Stay thirsty my friends ! Submitted by Ray Asmar- Player/Manager- Southern Yankees |
