I don't like the subtitle, but this post is perfect other than that!
"The championship. There is no greater test of endurance in sports than the Stanley Cup playoffs -- four consecutive best-of-seven series, as many as 28 games, each one an all-out war. To be crowned NFL champion, you have to win at most four games, total: about 20 minutes work for the average team member, offensive or defensive, less for those assigned to the risible “specialty teams.”
Baseball players go through a similar process to reach the top, but, well, it’s baseball -- how hard can it be? Basketball? I don’t see any playoff beards on those pampered egomaniacs. The only thing I can think of that comes close is the Tour de France -- if there were hip checks."
As many as 28 games = 28 hours (we will add 2 hours overtime) for 30 hours. Now the Tour de France consists of multiple stages over a number of days. Last year's Tour was a distance of 3606km. Lance Armstrong did this in a bit over 86 hours!! Yes there are times when he was in the pack and the cycling is easier, but there are no breaks and no time sitting on the bench...
ReplyDeleteThat's complete rubbish. At least in football you can see where the ball is! And besides, having the ridiculous constant hysteria that he alludes to is not necessarily a good thing.
ReplyDeleteSurely the ideal sport - the best sport - is one which begins in one week and ends in the next; where all the players dress the same and applaud each other; where the thud of leather on willow can be heard resounding around the field; and where the result can come down to the last ball or be decided days in advance.
It's cricket season! :)
Watching cricket and listening to crickets have this in common - THEY PUT EVEN THE WORST INSOMNIAC INTO DEAD SLEEP.
ReplyDeleteI don't know, Chris. Is your last name HILLcoat or TURNcoat?