Sports, it seems, have a way of putting about everything into perspective.
And sometimes, be it ever so subtly, good behavior prevails over bad.
Yet sometimes what is known in some circles as the “evil empire” – like the New York Yankees, for example – finds a way to prevail and thus Cinderella’s slipper is hidden away until the next time an underdog is poised to pull off what some might term an upset.
Now I don’t view Phil Mickelson’s third Masters title an upset. But even for those of us who are not ardent fans of those who chase the white ball around with a stick, the outcome was the purest of theater.
His amazing go-for-all-the-marbles successful shot on the 13th was a sight to behold since few players are capable of pulling it off and most wouldn’t even attempt it in any position. But that’s why sport is such a kaleidoscope of life.
You might argue his masterful approach on the par 5 didn’t win the tournament, since he failed to get up and down in one and claim an eagle-3. But it sure didn’t hurt either, dropping in a birdie putt, giving him a two-shot lead and proving that a degree of intestinal fortitude parlayed with a load of skill can pay dividends.
And the 90-second wordless hug of his wife Amy, who is fighting breast cancer, captured by the cameras for the world after the round, and his infectious acknowledgement of the gallery were in stark contrast to the surly attitude of the best golfer in history, Tiger Woods.
Far be it for me to throw stones and, frankly, I could not care less about his highly publicized transgressions. But show some respect for the game and the crowd and zip your potty mouth like you were enjoying Thanksgiving dinner with your grandparents.
Believe me, I’m all for spontaneity and in some sports, like college football for example, when you legislate celebration out of the game you steal something by cloning an athlete’s actions to what others (who probably haven’t experienced such a moment) deem acceptable.
But when you see how Tiger acts with disregard to those standing nearby in awe of his athletic prowess, you have to be a fan of soap mouthwash and knuckle rulers.
I guess I’m just old fashioned. In two weeks, I’ll get a chance to ask 80-year-young Arnold Palmer about it and somehow I already know what he’ll have to say.
And how about that NCAA Championship basketball game?
You would have thought by listening to prognosticators and talking heads that Butler was a double-digit seed, not a No. 5 playing in front of what was basically a home crowd in Indianapolis.
It was hyped as a classic and did nothing to disappoint as youthful Brad Stevens’ team put the lid on what may be last the NCAA 65-team field as we know it and then claimed an unheard of 12-year contract extension from his school.
How about that for job security and being rewarded for a dream season. But I’m curious about the buy-out clause and skeptical that such length is either advisable or necessary.
Anyway, it continues to look like there is no way the tournament field will not be expanded to 96 teams. The television contract will be renegotiated, and some of the games moving to cable stations like ESPN and TBS. The NCAA has a contract clause to get out of the last three years with CBS if they exercise it by July 31.
It would add 31 games to the postseason, expanding the tournament to 95 contests. Tournament viewership has declined in the last 10 years, making you wonder whether by April there’s just been too much hoops available to watch. And that’s coming from a guy who couldn’t wait until the six-plus month baseball season to get rolling. Go figure.