Where’s Our Mike Piazza Moment?
I realize we all need to continue quarantining and practicing social distancing, and we absolutely must avoid large social gatherings. However, I really miss live competitive sports.
I’m sure a lot of Americans share this feeling. The UFC was the first sport to stage an event since the COVID-19 pandemic struck. This lightweight title fight between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje took place on May 9 in Jacksonville, Florida. Of course, there was no live crowd at this spectacle.
Despite all the over-the-top screaming and theatrics by promoters and ringside announcers, this event did not come close to satisfying my hunger. It proved to be nothing more than modern-day gladiators trying to pummel his or her opponent senseless. Even though this “sport” is quite popular, I’m certain many Americans share this sentiment when it comes to filling the void of athletic competition.
It’s no Mike Piazza moment, that’s for sure.
Horse racing already postponed the Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the Triple Crown. Instead, this sport will commence on June 20 with what is traditionally the third leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes. Again, there will be no spectators at Belmont Park in New York. One thing that makes the Triple Crown interesting is the fanfare associated with the crowds, particularly the Kentucky Derby. No fans, means less excitement.
NASCAR resumed its operations earlier this week at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina after a 10-week pandemic postponement. There will be eight more events scheduled over the next 35 days, which includes a few events at Daytona International Speedway in Florida. And, yes, there are modifications geared toward health considerations. Some of the challenges facing the racing world are drastically reduced sponsorship money, pay cuts for crews, delayed winning bonuses and, of course, no spectators allowed.
Even though this is big-time entertainment, I can’t get overly excited about horse racing or NASCAR. For me, only the competition of team sports — and the sensational unscripted drama that triggers spontaneous human emotions — can fill this emptiness. Have you tried watching South Korean baseball? I have. Honestly, I’ve seen better quality in the lower minor leagues. Call me a snob, but it’s unwatchable.
We need a psychological lift like the Mike Piazza moment delivered after 9/11. His timely home run released pent-up emotions of New Yorkers and Americans everywhere, providing a much-needed assist on the way to healing after a crisis.
Was Michael Jordan Our Mike Piazza Moment?
Until a moment like that happens this year (and it will), I found a stepping stone that reminded me just how powerful sports competition can be. ESPN’s The Last Dance really did it for me. The Chicago Bulls were truly a team for the ages, and make no mistake, they were great because of Michael Jordan. I forgot how tremendous he was. I also forgot the significant impact he made on basketball and society. It’s a fantastic story, and the documentary displayed it brilliantly.
The Bulls were a sad franchise up to 1984. That year, they earned the third pick in the NBA Draft. They selected a 6’-6’’ shooting guard out of North Carolina. Not even the experts thought a player Jordan’s size could dominate the game. North Carolina coach Dean Smith kept Jordan under wraps in college, but definitely taught him the fundamentals of the game.
In his initial press conference, this young, skinny kid simply said, “I hope I can contribute to the team and help Chicago to win.” The Bulls saw that MJ possessed phenomenal talent, but he also had incredible determination. As we would soon find out, he was the ultimate competitor. Not only was Jordan was an outstanding scorer, he was terrific in every facet of the game.
The Bulls became a serious contender right away. They fought hard in the playoffs but could never quite get over the hump. This really got to Jordan. Even though he earned the respect of the best players in the game, Jordan wanted more than anything to join Magic Johnson and Larry Bird as winners by bringing a championship to Chicago.
Phil Jackson became the Bulls’ new coach in 1989 and helped MJ elevate his game. Jordan still had the ball in his hands most of the time and played almost every minute, but Jackson taught MJ to trust his teammates. Jordan soared with his Bulls in the playoffs. From 1991 to 1998, Chicago won six titles, and MJ was named the MVP of the Finals all six times. His amazing competitive drive kept them on top.
With Jordan, “the ends justified the means.” He wasn’t there to make friends, he was there to win. After MJ and Jackson left following the championship in 1998, the Bulls again returned to being one of the worst franchises in the NBA. I certainly think his teammates appreciated him in the end. Jordan was definitely a bully at times, but he pushed everyone to become better and to think of themselves as champions. Only a select few can make that claim. I believe Jordan’s “Heart of a Champion” can be applied to all team competition.
There’s No Crying in Baseball
Baseball has the opportunity to once again provide a sorely needed spark to help us recover. MLB and the Players Association met earlier in May and proposed a shortened season, beginning in early July. Most details have yet to be finalized including pay and revenue structures. We know that there will inevitably be modifications.
The proposal calls for 14 teams to make the postseason. Most likely, they’ll be playing in empty stadiums and possibly at neutral sites. Everyone involved has lost money and will possibly lose more in the future.
Now is not the time for either side to get greedy.
Players making comments, like those made by Blake Snell or Bryce Harper, need to shut up. It’s hard to sympathize, empathize, or gives a rat’s ass about you losing big bucks. The owners need to check their egos, as well. People are hurting. The entire country needs a rallying cry or at least some forward momentum.
Let’s hope that another Mike Piazza moment is around the corner.
