* Do any markets with professional sports franchises have a classier group presiding over their teams than this one? Joe Maddon set the bar high with the Rays–with being so much more than a baseball “lifer.” He’s articulate, educated, involved, respected and liked by those he manages.
The Lightning’s Jon Cooper and the Bucs’ Lovie Smith are cut from the same classy cloth. In a business–in effect, a parallel universe–where winning is everything and half the teams lose–these legitimate role models reflect well on their organizations. And by association, on this market.
* I’ve never been a fan of the president of the United States welcoming championship teams, notably professionals, to the White House. It’s become a pro forma cliché. The exception: Olympians and World Cup players. They actually represent their country–not a franchise or a sponsor.
Case in point: The White House recently feted the Boston Red Sox for having won the 2013 World Series. In what no longer appears to have been a spontaneous gesture, Boston’s David Ortiz took a selfie with President Barack Obama on his Samsung smartphone. Then shared accordingly. Just days earlier Ortiz had signed a promotional deal with Samsung, which was reportedly pleased with the selfie publicity.
Boston Strong: yes. Ortiz product promo: no more.
* We all know that USF sports’ fortunes ride with the two highest-profile, revenue sports: football and men’s basketball. And we’ve seen a predictable hiring-and-firing dynamic when they’ve fallen far short. Is baseball, always important in the hotbed that is Florida, next?
Mediocrity has been the hallmark of baseball during head coach Lelo Prado’s 8-year run. The Bulls haven’t made the NCAA tournament since 2002. And Prado’s contract is up this year. If the Bulls don’t turn this around and qualify for 2014 NCAA post-season play, look for rookie Athletic Director Mark Harlan to act on Doug Woolard’s last prominent, contract-extension holdover.
* Time was that when a college athlete left school early to turn pro, it was because he was ready to cash in. Ready as in accomplished at the university level. We get that, even though we abhor the “student athlete” sham that too often accompanies these scenarios.
Now we hear that University of Florida basketball forward Chris Walker, thought to be headed early to the NBA, has announced that he will, instead, return to Gainesville. “I’m happy to say I will be joining the gator-nation again for one more year!” he recently tweeted.
Some details: Walker has been projected as a possible (late) first-round draft pick. His “one more year” at UF will be his sophomore season. His “accomplishment”: After joining the Gators late because of academic issues and NCAA violations, he went on to average 1.9 points, 1.3 rebounds and 4.8 minutes of playing time. He was not the first player off the bench. But it was his call, not the NBA’s, that he needed to, well, actually accomplish something before turning pro.
This says something about more than the options of certain “student-athletes.” It also speaks volumes about the quality of the NBA.