A boring $10 million day and a TV theme question

You want to talk about sports events that have fallen off the radar?

How about the FedEx Cup?

It ended yesterday, the Haas kid won the last tournament – at least until the next tournament -- to win $10 million and, I swear, not too many people care.

It could be that we’re inured to the obscene amounts of money these golfers play for – isn’t $10 million a tad ghastly yet we don’t even seem all that impressed as a whole? – but it’s got to be more, right?

Of all the convoluted things out there, the PGA Tour’s “playoffs” might be the most ridiculous to follow and something that seems crammed down our throats by Tour officials and their complicit television “partners” to the point where it simply turns a lot of people off.

As I understand it, Haas had to win because if he’d finished second then some guy who was about tied for 20th in the final event the last time the guys I were with checked the leaderboard would have won the $10 million prize.

Get it?

No, neither do I, really.

I kind of long for the day when the golf season just sort of petered out in the late summer and early fall, they played the four majors, a couple of other significant events like the Players and the Memorial and then finished it up with one, 30-man Tour Championship that was easy to follow.

I don’t need four weeks of “playoffs” and I don’t need an entire summer of being hammered over the head with confusing FedEx Cup standings and I certainly don’t need to think of some guy finishing 20th and then celebrating ‘cause he’s won $10 million.

Maybe I’m just old, or maybe it’s the math component that I can’t quite figure out, but this whole month of tournaments and cuts and scoring by points rather that strokes leaves me entirely disinterested.

And don’t even get me started on The Chase or whatever it is the pistonheads follow in the car racing world.

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So we’re sitting around Sunday evening reliving the various bogeys (me) and birdies (the good golfers) after bringing Bridgewater to its knees and one of the TVs is showing the Steelers game.

Close up on the sidelines – and isn’t that riveting TV all the time? – and I can’t help but notice that the guy from House coaches Pittsburgh.

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Sure, you can see what I wrote about the women’s national team down in Colombia simply by clicking here but if you want more interesting stuff that I didn’t think to ask about Kim Smith’s got in her blog that you can see here.

I guess now I need to ask Allison each day whether any player was defecated on by an animal to make sure I’ve got all the bases covered for the story.

Anyway, the women are pretty much where they figured to be – 1-1 after whacking Mexico and losing to Brazil – and right on track to make it to the semifinals and early at least a berth in a final qualification event next summer.

The interesting to watch is what’s going on in the other pool that comprises Cuba, Chile, Puerto Rico, Colombia and Argentina.

The smart money would say Cuba rolls to first place and that will set up a semifinal against Canada for the right to likely face Brazil for the lone guaranteed spot at the 2012 Olympics on the line.

Canada-Cuba always seem to have dramatic, close games with a lot at stake.

I remember one back at McMaster, had to be the qualification tournament for the 2000 Sydney Games maybe, and it was one of the coolest moments in women’s basketball that I can remember.

The gym was packed with loud, screaming fans, Canada got way down, I think, and stormed back to win.

Showed me that, yes, there is an audience for the women’s game and I’m pretty sure if I took a poll of the younger players on this team from the southern Ontario area, some of them might have even been at that one.

And since Canada’s women’s program has been more successful than the men’s in the last decade – twice they’ve to the worlds – and historically – Canada was ranked in the top five in the world in the mid- to late-80s – it’s something we should probably pay more attention to.

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Holy smokes!

This is an historic day, indeed.

Two TV show debuts happened on this date way back in the day and they’ve spawned one of the hot debates of this, or any, time.

Is this a better theme song?

Or is this?

And, tell me the truth, almost every one of you of a certain age know every word of each of them and are now singing, right?

Me?

I’m kind of torn but will take Gilligan over Jethro all the time.

Now, the Ellie Mae/Ginger/Maryanne conundrum exists, of course.

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Okay, how crazy was that finish to the Bills-Pats game on Sunday?

Bills have the ball on the one with about 75 seconds left, they don’t want to score to quickly because they’re afraid of Tom Brady, as well they should have been, although he probably would have thrown a pick, the way his day was going.

Anyway, it turns into a comedy of errors and intentional failures as Ryan Fitzpatrick takes a knee while the New England defensive line lies to down let him score. There are timeouts and intentional penalties to stop the clock, Fitzpatrick ends up losing about eight yards on the “drive” and then the kicker comes out to win the game with a chip-shot field goal.

Now, I was in an establishment in Niagara Falls full of rather fervent Bills fans who feared – even if they didn’t say it out loud – that the kick would either be blocked or missed. And if had been, it would have been the greatest finish to a Bills-Pats game ever.

But you want to talk about rewarding failure? Lindell makes it, everyone’s happy where I was and they’re starting to think of playoff matchups already.

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Comments

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Doug, Doug, Doug,
It's gotta be The Ballad of Jed simply because it's the legendary Flatt and Scruggs. Throw in your classic "SEE-ment pond", "fancy eatin' table" and your "double-barrelled slingshot", I mean, how could Maynard G. Krebs, oops I mean Gilligan, and his castaways compete with that? They Flatt out couldn't. Dare you to sit still through this'n... Hit it, boys: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByYSkRGrMqw
Cheers!

[Lola]

Hi Doug,

Those are two different people although they look a lot alike. The guy on the right is Omar Epps from house, the guy on the left is not :)

[Rob]

I read your article in the paper today Doug, and with all due respect seeing as his team just blew a double digit lead for the second straight week and they are now 0-3 and his career has been in a freefall for the last 2 seasons, I do believe that D Mcnabb has more pressing concerns on his mind than whatever happens to Michael Vick. But hey don't let reality stand in the way of a gag.

Blogger's note: Why would I?

[Peter]

I don't think Lola get's it. :)

[Lorie]

Dee-Mac Oattawee:
Flatt and Scruggs are okay, but seriously, you can NOT top the SitCom Royalty Composers of The Gilligan's Island theme song that were Sherwood Schwartz and George Wyle. Perhaps you recall some of their other work, like "The Ballad of Davy Crockett"??? And as far as Hollywood Pedigrees, well, Mr. Schwartz BEGAN his career writing jokes for Bob Hope! Talk about starting at the top! And George Wyle worked with Doris Day, Flip Wilson, John Denver AND the Muppets. But most notably, Mr. Wyle wrote this musical offering for Andy Williams, and whether you mean back to school or that Big Event in December, this song is a CLASSIC.
http://youtu.be/Cwkkn9mH3TU
And Doug, did you know that Jayne Mansfield was considered for Ginger and Raquel Welch for Mary Anne? If they'd both been hired, which of these lovely ladies would've been your favourite? (Me? The Professor was about the only somewhat dreamy choice of a quirky lot...)

[doug]

sometimes people just don't get the point with all due respect to the above poster.....as far as NFL football goes I have one rule whenever a team is a 10+ point underdog I always have to go with the dog, as for one thing it's the NFL for another, one turnover can help you cover...and another thing I do is look at coaching, like how that dude in Miami keeps his job is beyond me , as well as Del Rio with the Jax, he's terrible, so right there are 2 other picks, Haley in K.C. is another one, as well as Norv Turner with the Chargers oh and Marvin Lewis with the Bengals hasn't did a thing there.....and except Turner there all defensive minded coaches same with Lovie Smith with the bears, again they have to learn offense wins games...but really the NFL especially betting the spread is a crapshoot....NCAA ball is much more lucrative and predictable.....as far as Fed Ex Cup goes how the heck can you have a tourney where even the winner of the tournament yesterday never had a clue he had won the overall title, i think Fed Ex needs to re-invest that money as Finchem has made a mess of really what should be a simple concept, have playoff tourneys to get into final tournament whoever wins that wins the whole shebang...isn't that how playoffs work??...I would take Ellie Mae over the other 2, as for one she is blonde, and another a tomboy that is always a killer combo in my book...

[Dave in BG]

Classic TV debate. My vote is for Mary Ann, primarily due to the higher wholesomeness factor. But you couldn't go wrong with any of them....

[Rick from Mississauga]

Hi Doug, small correction. The right name of the city where the women Olympic qualifiers are being played is "Neiva", not Nieves as you have written a couple of times (blog and newspaper article).
I am always curious to see how my birth country is perceived among Canadians - of course the reality of violence and poverty doesn't help raising any positive image of the place, despite the (mostly) wonderful people and the lively culture.
I heard you deriding Colombia in the FAN590... it seems that you had a bad experience during a trip? if so would you mind sharing it in one of your blogs?
Cheers

Blogger's note: I apologize on the spelling of the city name; am sure they are wonderful people and it's a lovely country. The gym floor was too slippery to practice fully on the first day, the rims were crooked the second and during a timeout, a bat pooped on a member of the Canadian team. Country? Great. Facility for an Olympic qualifier? Not so much

[Lorie]

Hi Doug!
Irregulars wanting to enjoy the Canadian Women's game live at 2:30ET today against Paraguay (and I think they should be called The Paraguayan Plata; complements The Canadian Shield, wouldn't you say?), the FIBA Americas website has live updating (couldn't find live-streaming) which is, as these things go, pretty good. The website is: www.fibaamericas.com and follow the links to the Women's Tournament in Neiva. Cheers! Go Canadian Shield!!! (Still not at all pleased with the TSN2 TAPE DELAY CRAP.)

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Well, Miz Lorie, we knew the day would come when we'd finally find some niggling point or another to not see square eye to eye on, and we done did it now. My grandmother Mary Maude's Puzzle Ridge Missouri (pro-nounced Ma-ZUR-a, y'all) hackles are all up and spine-tingly on this here Pedigree (pro-nounced PETTY- gree, y'all) situation (pro-nounced SITCH-e-A-shun, eh). Okay, Bob Hope and The Muppets ain't nuthin' ta skuff at, I'll warrant you that, but you want PETTY-gree, young lady? Why, I'll submit ol' Flatt and Scruggs worked up some fine and fancy pedigree what'd run circles something silly round yer fine Schwartz and Wyle gents, all respect given and politely acknowledged, thankee. Along the lines of ol' Hank and Bill Monroe, Johnny Cash and the Carter Family, the Foggy Mountain Boys, the Chieftains, Carl Perkins, Joan Baez, Vince Gill, Leon Russell, Albert Lee, Chet Atkins, Billy Joel, Charlie Daniels, The Byrds, Paul Shaffer, John Fogerty, Elton John, Sting, Don Henley, Bill Bob Thornton, that wild and crazy Steve Martin guy, and the all-time classic "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, not to mention, though I will, "Petticoat Junction" and "Bonnie & Clyde". 'Spect it's just a genre (pro-nounced real French) thing, but I'd wager ol' Grandma Mary Maude would come back to haunt me big time if she thought I'd back down on this one. 'Sides, she has a direct (pro-nounced DI-rekt) pipeline to Andy Williams, and he reports he much prefers Flatt & Scruggs his own self, good Iowa boy that he was. Respectfully submitted, with cheers of course! Okay, now hit it again boys, and give'r, dag nab it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCBdiutb-50&feature=related

[Jacques]

Doug,

I'm a huge fan of golf, but not a fan to the FedEx point system. Having guys sit out for a whole month until the tourny is over, is real stupid. They are not getting a chance to earn any money, which will also cut their chances of earning their card for the following year. The PGA Tour should come up with a new rule and force players to play at least 19-20 tournys, instead of the 15. As well, I think for each tournament, the prize money should be the same (2 million), except for the 4 majors (3 million). I also think you'll have a better chance of the players from overseas committing full time to the tour. Just my thought.

[doug]

@Lorie...this site broadcasts everything and anything sports...

http://www.firstrowsports.tv/sport/basketball.html

[Lorie]

Dee-Mac Ottawheeeee!
Wow! I was nearly blown over by the bluegrass bombast your unleashed on poor unsuspecting me. All I'd done was gently suggested that you might want to rethink your position slightly. Jeesh! As Rizzo said..."Some people are sooo picky...". And she wasn't talking that pickin' 'n grinnin' (or is it pickin' 'n spittin') stuff you've got yourself in a twist over. Well, my grandmother may not have hailed from Puzzle Ridge Ma-Zur-a, but she was a feisty, not to be messed with 4'11" Cockney force of nature who'd say you were "marbles and conkers" if not downright "mutt 'n jeff". I will follow up her words of wisdom with three of my own. "The Brady Bunch". Words, music, concept. All courtesy Sherwood Schwartz. The End. Hit it, Marsha!
http://youtu.be/Ou-FeOoKDq4

[doug]

you know this Malcolm Gladwell fellow needs to be on the players union negotiating team....he has Stern and the owners so figured out, I hope the agents just let this thing come to a fairly negotiated conclusion...as the players should not give a inch, not a millimetre....this guy just knows how to investigate and write facts, he's a freelance journalist for a reason imagine him being directly on staff anywhere, wouldn't happen...

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7021031/the-nets-nba-economics

[Peter]

Ok, I know it's politically incorrect to say this, especially since I'm a male, but I'm watching the Canadian women's basketball team play... and I have to say, it's awful. Missing close shots, a lack of athleticism in many players, poor spacing on the floor. I've always been one to fully support amateur sports in this country, and especially basketball, but I have to admit, I can understand why it's not on TV. It's painful to watch. Canada is up by 26, 42 to 17, and they're only shooting 43 percent. To be up by such a large margin in the NBA or even high level men's collegiate basketball, you'd expect the leading team to be shooting the lights out. Not so with the women. I know this will create some enemies, but this isn't fun to watch basketball. I can see if you were seeing them live, but watching on TV, sorry, the channel would be changed.

Blogger's note: That's an odd, and horribly incorrect assertion to make. Don't you imagine there's any way they could amass a big lead with good defence? But, to each their own and now you can go away peacefully and not comment on the women's game. It's obviously not for you

[Lorie]

Hi Doug,
I'm watching the women's game (thanks @doug for the link!) and there is a very interesting dialogue going on between the two commentators about the women's game - Canadian vs North American vs International. Do you know who the Canadian woman is who's part of this broadcast team? Terrific education on the women's game.

Blogger's note: I believe Denise Dignard, the head of the delegation and the technical director of the program was going to be doing FIBA TV stuff. I'm certain it was her

[Peter]

Ok, I know I'm supposed to not comment on the women's game, I'm not trying to be disrespectful, but the game that I saw, (up until the first half) was a different kind of basketball. I apologize that my opinion doesn't agree with the majority of the irregulars here, but there were numerous times down the floor where the ball was juggled between players due to poor spacing, and I saw a number of missed layups, and put backs that I would think should have been made. I agree that the Canadian defence was very good compared to their competitor's play. I'll admit that I need to give it another try, and I'll concede that one half isn't enough to judge the entire sport. I only ask that opinions such as mine are not told to "go away peacefully and not comment" when I think that my comments were in fact peaceful, and perhaps voicing a viewpoint that should be listened to and also respected. I'm sure the networks have trouble getting viewers for this type of basketball, so why not talk about it, and increase the overall coverage, instead of trying to ignore an opinion that may differ from what we would like to hear. (and I include myself in that last "we")