Sez Me …
Granted, I walk in shade. But it’s official, officials. You are ruining American sports.
At least mine, and, well, that’s what matters to me. But I can’t be alone.
I know very little about overseas refs, but I’m guessing incompetence is not limited to our borders, either. And, if you’re like me, you can’t stand it. I don’t have enough fun at this stage of my existence for any more of it to be taken out of me.
It isn’t too often that a game ends when I don’t think of lousy officiating. By noon Saturday, I’d seen too many.
The zebras have taken control of the zoo, but have become stars without light.
They either are changing outcomes or coming close. They’re supposed to be like so many children used to be — seen and not heard. They are not. They have become a problem, and I don’t know if it can be fixed. Their britches are too big and there aren’t enough tailors with spines who can fix them.
They are above reproach, the most feared human beings on earth. They have diplomatic immunity without a drop of diplomacy necessary. If leagues acknowledge a screwup, we get the info from them, not the perpetrators. No apologies.
I have a broad brush, but I don’t want to paint with it. Their jobs are hard and pressurized. Like everything else, there are the good and the bad. Unlike civilians (although I can think of an exception or two), they get away with most or all of their mistakes. Some work as they please for decades.
The NBA? Forget about it. They have no officiating — and many college games aren’t exactly called by Hall of Famers.
As for baseball, some umps — considered awful — work until their thumbs no longer function. And those behind home plate make it terribly frustrating to watch. They ruin at-bats. They ruin games. Nerds have the umps missing 27,000 ball-and-strike calls in 2024.
them ruining the Padres in Game 1 of the 1998 World Series in Yankee Stadium? No competent umpire could have called Mark Langston’s pitch down the middle a ball to Tino Martinez, a pitch that should have been the inning-ending strike three. The egregious error led to a grand slam on the next pitch.
NFL officiating is something else. Even replay doesn’t always show what it should, so there are embarrassing results — as if they don’t want to hurt feelings. More plays — especially interference — should be reviewed.
But, what’s become worst of all, the pace of games is suffering badly. Flags are falling like the dew. There is no flow anymore. There is boredom. Too many breaks. And it’s all due to the zebras, who enjoy meeting for five minutes discussing an obvious offsides penalty.
Officials also make gamblers suspicious, and the billions wagered on NFL games drive The League. Enormous TV ratings are not produced by the product.
I’m not saying they’re cheating. Not that there couldn’t be exceptions, but I believe the bookies (smartest people on earth) police our games. Now, do refs play favorites? Absolutely. Which is why I’m warning you to keep your wallet clear of Chiefs games.
Is there a point from which there can be no return?
There is one. Point Right Now. …
Jets boss, Ambassador to the Court of Saint James Woody Johnson, on why they traded for Davante Adams when they’re 2-4: “You know, thinking is overrated.” Well, he has nothing to worry about. …
Robert Saleh says he’s “living the dream” since the Jets pink-slipped him. Of course he is. Making $20,000 per day for two years knowing Adams isn’t going to help his old team win a title any more than he did. …
Jerry Jones always has done a good job covering his thin skin with thick armor. But it was transparent last week when he went on his own radio show and threatened to fire the hosts because he didn’t enjoy their questions. His frustration is showing. …
It’s like Nick Sirianni chirping at Eagles fans. And bringing his kids to a postgame press conference to perhaps soften the questions? Immature. …
Very little to nothing used to happen at the NFL trade deadline. That was when veteran general managers realized wide receivers do not win Super Bowls. …
In the history of the NFL, one wide receiver has been MVP. And that was Don Hutson … in 1942. …
Dave Roberts its he used The Manny Machado Thing as a “diversion.” What did I tell you, Dave, about kidding a kidder? Too obvious. That isn’t the reason why the Padres gagged, so don’t be so proud of yourself. It was bush league. …
I can’t stand the unadulterated crap I have to listen to and — even worse — people believe. And that definitely includes some of the national media, who took Dave’s bait and swallowed what turned out to be a guppy. They should be ashamed. …
Historians will find this was the greatest diversionary tactic since Eisenhower put Patton in charge of the fake “Ghost Army” in England prior to D-Day. …
The Padres didn’t quit, as some of my fans believe. No, they choked. Which can mean the opposite of quit. Trying too hard — and all too often swinging for the fences. …
“Hey, Mr. Heimlich! Quick! Over here!” …
But they weren’t in the dugout saying: “Oh, no! Let’s not score some runs to tick off Dave even more!” …
Injured Utah quarterback Cam Rising has been declared eligible for his eighth season. So he builds enough tenure to replace Dean Martin as school president. …
Tyreek Hill is scheduled to race Noah Lyles in 2025. Unless Tyreek gets a 10-yard head start, when it’s over, he will be able to perfectly describe Noah’s rear end in Mr. Magoo’s art class for the vision-impaired. …
While on the subject of criminal activity, Jay Cutler has been arrested in Tennessee on charges of possession of a handgun while driving intoxicated. I thought that was legal in Tennessee. …
Oklahoma is not OK. …
Happy 249th birthday, U.S Navy. The Navy made San Diego, not what it has become. …
Caitlin Clark was inches away from a hole-in-one the other day. Now even Jack Nicklaus must hate her. …
Caitlin also was named first team All-WNBA, which incredibly means two of the three voters liked her. …
Now that James Earl Jones has ed, I’m guessing Morgan Freeman is talking in his sleep doing commercials. …
RIP, Chester Nez, the last of the Navajo Code Talkers. The war in the Pacific would have been much more difficult without them. …
RIP, Mitzi Gaynor. So skilled. A wonderful talent. …
Happy Birthday, Chuck Berry. The single most important figure in the history of rock ‘n’ roll. …
Why the big surprise over Snapdragon’s field condition? They never have been able to grow grass properly in Mission Valley. …
Interesting how billionaire immigrants bitch the most about immigrants. …
I realize they’re hard to find these days, but wherever our senses are, we must come to them.
