That own goal scored by the English soccer player, Laura Bassett, to give Japan a 2-1 victory in a semi-final of the Women’s World Cup was crushingly sad.
Seeing the goal was bad enough, but then watching the overwhelming sorriness on this poor young woman's face had to touch anyone who was tuned in to the game.
One thing it brought to mind was the fact that, while sports can provide incredible joy and jubilation, there is also the chance that sorrow can follow. It can be from a single event or from a situation, but those disappointments are all part of the game.
Here are the top seven things that make me sad in the world of sports:
Mixed Martial Arts
No matter how much I see of this barbarism, I can’t help but feel sorry for a country where this is actually popular. The more Fox telecasts this crap, the more and more it resembles the crazed and phony world of professional wrestling. Gruff competitors shouting at television cameras about how they are going to "whip ass" on their next opponent. Hyping the event! And then the fight comes, where the crowd roars louder and louder with every drop of blood. We are only a few steps from having a man and a hungry lion in the ring at the same time. These guys remind me of every bully I have ever known.
The Packers' NFC championship loss
It’s over and has been over for months, but the Green Bay Packers’ loss to Seattle in overtime in the NFC championship game last January still stings. The fake punt for a touchdown, the botched recovery of the onside kick and the blown – horribly blown – coverage on the winning touchdown pass in overtime. Rarely have I seen a team so revered in my heart fall apart so rapidly and drastically. I was in a room with family when it happened, and the tears were so bitter that it was almost like we were at a funeral for some loved on. Sad piled on top of sad on top of even more sad.
The Milwaukee Brewers
I mean the players and the organizations here. I know the fans are disappointed, but the home attendance is just a couple of thousand per game behind last year, so it’s not like we are so sad that we stay home. But I feel sad for the coaches and players. No matter what anyone says, I think think the players are trying hard, but they are not having much success. And I feel sad for anyone who tries their hardest but continues to fail.
People who are against public funding for the new arena
I just find it hard to believe that anyone would suggest that we would be better off without the Milwaukee Bucks. When you think of all the useless stuff that we pay taxes for – perks for elected officials, boards and commissions that do absolutely nothing, a glutted state employee payroll – paying a little bit extra for something that will have such an impact seems like a no brainer. And I’m especially sad for all those out of state lawmakers who don’t care about what happens in Milwaukee. To them I say, "Take away Milwaukee and then tell me all about Wisconsin."
Professional tennis
I’m sick and tired of Serena Williams, who is the greatest women’s tennis player and, according to some who know her, a world class jerk. I am ready for a new women’s hero – perhaps it will be Sloane Stephens. And I’d love to see some great American man play tennis. We have a dozen also-rans, but I lush for the days of Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe and Pete Sampras. What’s happened here?
Steve Stricker
The salad days of Stricker, from tiny Edgerton, are apparently pretty much over. He doesn’t play many golf tournaments anymore, and I miss him. His story of dropping into virtual oblivion to becoming the second ranked golfer in the world for a bit, is an inspiring one and an eloquent testimony to the knocked down but get back up mantra in sports and life. I’m sure he’s happy being a father and husband and hunter and all the other stuff. But I miss rooting for him week after week.
Fox Sports golf coverage
I don’t know if you watched the recent U.S. Open, but it was about as bad as it gets. It was typical Fox with vast overkill on graphics, gimmicks and so many experts that it got to the point where you actually didn’t know what was going on. Greg Norman was the main analyst along with Joe Buck. Buck obviously knows nothing and Norman, who promised to "call ‘em like I see ‘em," was about as boring and uninsightful as could be. Oh, for the days of Johnny Miller.
With a history in Milwaukee stretching back decades, Dave tries to bring a unique perspective to his writing, whether it's sports, politics, theater or any other issue.
He's seen Milwaukee grow, suffer pangs of growth, strive for success and has been involved in many efforts to both shape and re-shape the city. He's a happy man, now that he's quit playing golf, and enjoys music, his children and grandchildren and the myriad of sports in this state. He loves great food and hates bullies and people who think they are smarter than everyone else.
This whole Internet thing continues to baffle him, but he's willing to play the game as long as OnMilwaukee.com keeps lending him a helping hand. He is constantly amazed that just a few dedicated people can provide so much news and information to a hungry public.
Despite some opinions to the contrary, Dave likes most stuff. But he is a skeptic who constantly wonders about the world around him. So many questions, so few answers.
