The award for the most ridiculous, self-absorbed, overzealous all sports entertainment network in the world goes to...
ESPN, for the 10th year running.
They have once again proven that outside the 4 major sports, Tiger Woods, and the Williams sisters, you're really not much of an athlete. Unless you count token consideration of Cael Sanderson and -ahem- Sarah Hughes (don't even get me started on figure skating).
No offense to college athlete of the year Sue Bird (UConn BB) but a certain swimmer from Cal who set at least 6 AR and 1 WR over the short course season would have had my vote.
Anyone else? Natalie Coughlin, female college athlete of the year as awarded by the USMS discussion crew?
-RM
Ion, you make some interesting, but flawed comments.
Are athletes overpaid or are they just living in America where the free market drives pay? Maybe it's called supply and demand. I guess you would turn down gobs of money if someone offered it to you for swimming. After all, that would make you overpaid.
I hear they had/have neat little rules in East Germany, China, Cuba and the former USSR that made sure athletes couldn't make any money. Plus, as an added bonus in those reputable countries, you got to take steroids for free and not even know it. So, I guess I will reluctantly take our system over the alternatives out there.
Next, why don't you tell Bo Jackson, Andruw Jones, Alex Rodriquez or Mike Piazza that all they do is technique, not sports. Better yet, watch a replay of Torii Hunter's catch at the All Star game the other night. There was no sports ability in that? That's just his technique of being able jump incredibly high and time a catch over a wall preventing a homerun, huh?
I would challenge you to name one single baseball position player that is out of shape. I've seen a pitcher or two that could shed some pounds but never a position player. And, other than Craig Stadler and John Daly, name another top 50 golfer who is overweight. Stadler and Daly aren't top 50, by the way.
This swimming is better than all other sports attitude is silly. Anyone who participates in an activity that improves their phsycial conditioning, not to mention the positive mental aspects, shouldn't be criticized or debased because you think what they do isn't as good as swimming.
Ion, you make some interesting, but flawed comments.
Are athletes overpaid or are they just living in America where the free market drives pay? Maybe it's called supply and demand. I guess you would turn down gobs of money if someone offered it to you for swimming. After all, that would make you overpaid.
I hear they had/have neat little rules in East Germany, China, Cuba and the former USSR that made sure athletes couldn't make any money. Plus, as an added bonus in those reputable countries, you got to take steroids for free and not even know it. So, I guess I will reluctantly take our system over the alternatives out there.
Next, why don't you tell Bo Jackson, Andruw Jones, Alex Rodriquez or Mike Piazza that all they do is technique, not sports. Better yet, watch a replay of Torii Hunter's catch at the All Star game the other night. There was no sports ability in that? That's just his technique of being able jump incredibly high and time a catch over a wall preventing a homerun, huh?
I would challenge you to name one single baseball position player that is out of shape. I've seen a pitcher or two that could shed some pounds but never a position player. And, other than Craig Stadler and John Daly, name another top 50 golfer who is overweight. Stadler and Daly aren't top 50, by the way.
This swimming is better than all other sports attitude is silly. Anyone who participates in an activity that improves their phsycial conditioning, not to mention the positive mental aspects, shouldn't be criticized or debased because you think what they do isn't as good as swimming.
