Author Archive
Just Saying, Is All… | The Difference Between Yankees Fans and Red Sox Fans
Posted: 6th May 2010 by Ryan Alberti in MLB
Belligerence makes the world go ‘round.
New York Yankees fans and Boston Red Sox fans are militant competitors. They’re also mutual complements. When the Yanks and Sox square off at Fenway Park this weekend, soldiers on both sides of the front will fire the latest shots in a long-standing conflict—which would be more distressing news if long-standing conflict weren’t such an important part of human identity.
Harmony means getting along with your ...
Los Angeles Lakers Playoffs: If Kobe Bryant Catches Michael Jordan
Posted: 29th April 2010 by Ryan Alberti in NBA
There are no rational debates. Kobe Bryant haters love statistical analysis. They also, more fundamentally, hate Kobe Bryant. For years, critics of the Los Angeles Lakers guard have argued that he can’t be counted among the all-time greats until he matches Michael Jordan’s six career NBA championships—which would be a more reasonable requirement if it weren’t open for revision now that Kobe seems capable of fulfilling it. Skepticism ...
Hope springs eternal. Alas.
Chicago Cubs fans are resiliently optimistic. They’re also habitually disappointed. More than a century after the Cubs’ last World Series win, the locals are still praying for a miracle in the Windy City—which would be better news if earthly prayers weren’t so apt to blow away in a stiff breeze.
Faith means believing that anything can happen.
Fatalism, on the other hand, means knowing that it usually doesn’t.
I’m not ...
Just Saying, Is All… | Why America Loves To Hate the New York Yankees
Posted: 1st April 2010 by Ryan Alberti in MLB
Thank heaven for durable hegemons.
The New York Yankees are terrible for Major League Baseball’s competitive balance. They’re also great for Major League Baseball’s television ratings. On the eve of the 2010 season, the Bronx Bombers look primed for yet another run at the World Series—which would be worse news if it weren’t so much fun to root against them in their pursuit.
Comity means getting along with your rivals.
Conflict, on the ...
Just Saying, Is All… | The Real Conspiracy Against Kobe Bryant
Posted: 25th March 2010 by Ryan Alberti in NBA
Pity the victim of his own imagination.
Kobe Bryant fans are fiercely loyal. They’re also mildly paranoid. Whenever an anti-Kobe article is published anywhere on the Web, supporters of the Los Angeles Lakers guard rush to his defense crying “Media conspiracy!”—which would be better news if they didn’t so often misread the threat in their haste.
Nobility means comforting the afflicted.
Neurosis, on the other hand, means afflicting the comfortable.
I’m not suggesting that ...
Just Saying, Is All… | The Bitter End for Manny Ramirez
Posted: 11th March 2010 by Ryan Alberti in MLB
Pity the prima donna who loses her voice.
Manny Ramirez is a prolific hitter. He’s also a perennial headache. In 17 big league seasons, the Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder has justified his shenanigans in the clubhouse with his statistics on the field—which would be better news if his recent numbers didn’t raise the specter of a looming collapse.
Distinction means running ahead of your peers.
Decline, on the other hand, means fading ...
Just Saying, Is All… | Why I Pray to LeBron James Instead of Michael Jordan
Posted: 24th December 2009 by Ryan Alberti in NBA
Second Comings are overrated.
LeBron James isnÆt Michael Jordan. He also isnÆt bothered by it. Try as he might, James will never match the mystique of the Legend That Wasùwhich would be worse news if he werenÆt so comfortable playing the part of the Hero That Is.
Imitation means living in the shadow of your predecessors.
Maturation, on the other hand, means lighting the way for your peers.
IÆm not exactly preaching the Gospel ...
Just Saying, Is All… | The Road Home for Pacman Jones
Posted: 10th December 2009 by Ryan Alberti in NFL
Remorse is the root of all redemption.
Pacman Jones is a fallen star. HeÆs also, potentially, a forgiven son. After five years of felonious tomfoolery, the former Tennessee Titans and Dallas Cowboys cornerback has all but worn out his welcome in the NFLùwhich would be worse news if ôall butö werenÆt the two most promising words in the English language.
Rebellion means burning your bridges.
Repentance, on the other hand, means apologizing for ...
Just Saying, Is All… | What Might Have Been for Ricky Williams
Posted: 3rd December 2009 by Ryan Alberti in NFL
Real men donÆt ask hypothetical questions.
Ricky Williams is easy to criticize. HeÆs also hard to condemn. In an on-again, off-again NFL career, the Miami Dolphins running back has succeeded in nothing so much as tumbling short of expectationsùwhich would be worse news if tumbling short of expectations werenÆt such a wholly human pastime.
Potential chases the illusion of tomorrow.
Disappointment, on the other hand, faces the truth of today.
IÆm not suggesting that ...
Just Saying, Is All… | Why I’m Thankful for Kobe Bryant
Posted: 26th November 2009 by Ryan Alberti in NBA
The most authentic Pilgrim is the one who never stops sailing.
Kobe Bryant is a hopeless perfectionist. He should also be an honorary Puritan. When our forefathers came ashore at Plymouth Rock, they sowed the seeds of history’s mightiest civilization—which would have been better news if they’d taught their children how to drop anchor and savor the harvest.
Satisfaction means relishing the new ring on your finger.
Success, on the other hand, means ...