Ok, so here we go, back with the 2nd installmant of my late 80's early 90's sports series. The last time I talked about baseball, but this time I wanna relive through words, my fond memories of the Michael Jordan era, Chicago Bulls, and the NBA in general.
Let's fast forward a couple of years, from 1990, to 1992. That's when the greatest player to ever play the game was in his prime. Yes, I would be talking about Michael Jordan.
In 1992, the Bulls were playing the Portland Trailblazers for the championship. Now, i'm not here to tell you about the stats of the series, or give you a play by play of the series, but more so to try and portray how awesome the game was back then.
Michael Jordan, what kid, even til this day, isn't familiar with him. Even people who might not be fans of NBA basketball, were fans of Jordan. Yeah, there had been stars and hero's before him, and they were all very talented, but Jordan just had this aura about him, you knew he was something special. Oh yeah, and what kid didn't want a pair of Air Jordan's?
I'm picuring the time. Stone washed jeans, t shirts and Air Jordan's. I was rockin the "Spike Mullet". Spiked on top, and long in the back. Of course I wanted to fit in as a kid. But again, there was just something about this time in the basketball world. It still had people making their money off the game, and the superstars were starting to make big money, but it's like they still cared about the game and the cities and fans that they played for.
These days, there are multiple superstars on every team. Which is fine, it makes for exciting basketball, but my fond memories lie in the time when the "Giants" romed. I'm talkine about Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Dominique Wilkins, and of course Clyde the Glide Drexler. Of course there were more stars, but these guys were the main attractions.
Which leads me to the 1992 NBA Finals!
I even remember the theme music for when the NBA would come on tv. I remember getting so excited when hearing that music and the voice of Marv Albert, the commentator at the time. Still when i think about that music coming on, it brings back memories.
These finals were special. It was Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen against Clyde Drexler and the likes of Kevin Duckworth. Im sure not many people remember Kevin Duckworth, but I do. He was a great player that didnt get much recognition, but he was rough and gritty player. I hated when the Bulls played the Blazers, in all reality, because of him. I was always afraid he was going to hurt somebody.
The games were fast paced at times, high flying, high scoring and lots of fun. I remember always setting on the edge of my seat during the series. In game 1 of the finals, Jordan hit a then record 6 three pointers in the first half alone! I was watching live and I can remember him shrugging his shoulders after the sixth shot like "I have no idea how im hitting all these". It was an amazing time for me in the world of NBA basketball.
Those were the good old days of basketball, and I just wish the game could get back to how it was back then. I guess that's just a wish, but hey, you never know. It could happen.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
For the Love of the Game Part 1
Growing up in rural Kentucky, there wasn't much for young kid to do, well, outside of school that is. But when I was younger, Major League Baseball, and basketball, (professional and collegiate), where the kings of the sports world, in my opinion. Ill touch on the other sports in another blog.
Lets start with the Cincinnati Reds. Kentucky doesn't have a professional team, in any sport. So most people in Kentucky cheered for a Cincinnati team. So of course, naturally, I cheered for the Reds too. My uncle's and grandfather were avid Reds fans and thats where it all started.
That was back when baseball was still considered the national pastime. Man, were those days great! I can remember sitting in front of the TV waiting for the Reds game to come on. I wouldnt miss it either. That was one thing I was allowed to watch, that my parents were ok with. My mom would actually cheer with me, as the "Big Red Machine" took the field.
Eric Davis, Barry Larkin, Chris Sabo, Paul O'Neill, Billy Hatcher......to many of you, those names don't mean a thing. But to and old Reds fan, those names are synonymous with the 1990 World Series.
Barry Larkin was my favorite, right in front of Eric Davis, just by a hair. Barry had a thing where every time he got an on base hit, a local organization would donate a certain amount of money to his charity, and trust me, he got lots of hits.
I guess the real point of this blog is to tell people in my opinion how great sports were back in those days. I mean, I really looked forward to watching a WHOLE baseball game on TV, and I didn't care who we were plaing, as long as I was glued to the TV. Now these days, its just like sports have lost all their glory. I mean they are fun still, and exciting to watch, but where has all the lore gone? I miss the days of sitting in front of the old stove, watching Jose Rio strike out, batter after batter. In game 4 of the 1990 World Series, Jose shut down 20 consecutive batters!!!! He was pulled in the 9th inning, shortly before the Reds completed the sweep!
Yes I know this was all before the baseball strike, and we all knew it would be different, but c'mon, what happend to good old fashioned, well coached, well pitched, and well "batted" baseball? Yes I'm aware of the fact that I just made up those words, but really? Where did it go?
I think I have found it again.
Fast forward 20 years, to, Atlanta.....seems like the good ole days of basball have been here, hiding all along! I didnt realize how much I missed baseball, until my wife took me to "The Ted", to watch a braves game. What happend next was just shy of amazing. That little spark I had inside of me as a child, was suddenly brought back. It wasn't brought back by, umpteen million dollar contracts, or flashy athletes, or fancy managers or mascots. It was brought back to my by simplicity. Like my wife says "they are getting paid to play a children's game. When I say simplicity, I mean old school coaching, last year, I got to witness the legendary Bobby Cox coach the Braves to an amazing season, and playoff birth. Fundamental baseball is being played here in Atlanta. There are no flashy superstars on the team. The two biggest names would be Chipper Jones (HOF soon to be), and Jason Heyward. But everybody on the team played as a team, and well coached team and they played with fundamentals. Great hitting, great defense, and it wouldn't be Atlanta without great pitching. I will admit, i'm a newly converted Braves fan, but the Braves brought the fun of the game back to me. I look forward to going to more this year, and a Braves world series championship.
Lets start with the Cincinnati Reds. Kentucky doesn't have a professional team, in any sport. So most people in Kentucky cheered for a Cincinnati team. So of course, naturally, I cheered for the Reds too. My uncle's and grandfather were avid Reds fans and thats where it all started.
That was back when baseball was still considered the national pastime. Man, were those days great! I can remember sitting in front of the TV waiting for the Reds game to come on. I wouldnt miss it either. That was one thing I was allowed to watch, that my parents were ok with. My mom would actually cheer with me, as the "Big Red Machine" took the field.
Eric Davis, Barry Larkin, Chris Sabo, Paul O'Neill, Billy Hatcher......to many of you, those names don't mean a thing. But to and old Reds fan, those names are synonymous with the 1990 World Series.
Barry Larkin was my favorite, right in front of Eric Davis, just by a hair. Barry had a thing where every time he got an on base hit, a local organization would donate a certain amount of money to his charity, and trust me, he got lots of hits.
I guess the real point of this blog is to tell people in my opinion how great sports were back in those days. I mean, I really looked forward to watching a WHOLE baseball game on TV, and I didn't care who we were plaing, as long as I was glued to the TV. Now these days, its just like sports have lost all their glory. I mean they are fun still, and exciting to watch, but where has all the lore gone? I miss the days of sitting in front of the old stove, watching Jose Rio strike out, batter after batter. In game 4 of the 1990 World Series, Jose shut down 20 consecutive batters!!!! He was pulled in the 9th inning, shortly before the Reds completed the sweep!
Yes I know this was all before the baseball strike, and we all knew it would be different, but c'mon, what happend to good old fashioned, well coached, well pitched, and well "batted" baseball? Yes I'm aware of the fact that I just made up those words, but really? Where did it go?
I think I have found it again.
Fast forward 20 years, to, Atlanta.....seems like the good ole days of basball have been here, hiding all along! I didnt realize how much I missed baseball, until my wife took me to "The Ted", to watch a braves game. What happend next was just shy of amazing. That little spark I had inside of me as a child, was suddenly brought back. It wasn't brought back by, umpteen million dollar contracts, or flashy athletes, or fancy managers or mascots. It was brought back to my by simplicity. Like my wife says "they are getting paid to play a children's game. When I say simplicity, I mean old school coaching, last year, I got to witness the legendary Bobby Cox coach the Braves to an amazing season, and playoff birth. Fundamental baseball is being played here in Atlanta. There are no flashy superstars on the team. The two biggest names would be Chipper Jones (HOF soon to be), and Jason Heyward. But everybody on the team played as a team, and well coached team and they played with fundamentals. Great hitting, great defense, and it wouldn't be Atlanta without great pitching. I will admit, i'm a newly converted Braves fan, but the Braves brought the fun of the game back to me. I look forward to going to more this year, and a Braves world series championship.
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