And not just any real conference. The Huskies are going home, to the Big East, where they never should have been left out of in the first place.
A pretty significant event happened between today and the original post when it came to my vigilantism for UConn: the men’s basketball team hired Dan Hurley away from the University of Rhode Island. Obviously, my passion for the Rams comes first and foremost, but I can say today that at the very least, Hurley’s move makes sense. The American Athletic Conference never made sense for UConn and it never made sense as a stepping stone for a coach on his way out of the Atlantic-10.
Hurley is now a coach in the Big East (or at least will be come 2020), which is where the Huskies belonged all along. Now I need to figure out if I should be actively rooting for UConn against Providence College, or just sort of keep that kind of thing on the DL.
Most importantly, it’s time to check in on the other nine things I said I needed to have happen in sports. Is anything else close to coming to fruition?
1. I need baseball to MATTER again
Hard to say where this is trending, but it’s probably not great. The Red Sox-Dodgers World Series last fall featured two of the most storied franchises in the two of the biggest media markets and the average rating for each game was quite pedestrian; ratings for the series were lower than when the Mets and Royals played in 2015, for example.
It didn’t help that the series only went five games but what really doesn’t help is the amount of times I’ll get home from work -- generally covering a high school lacrosse game, which has outstanding pace of play -- around 8:30 to find the Red Sox are only in the third inning of a game that started at 7.
Not saying shorten the game to seven innings, none of that. But for real, the pace of play issue in baseball continues to be a major league problem. How about a 15-second pitch clock? How about shortening inning breaks to 1 minute, 30 seconds? Figure out another way to get the ads out there. Maybe keep a sidebar up during the game with logos. Just something, anything, to speed these games up.
I could keep going and going, about how sabermetrics have sucked the enjoyment out of the game, but really this is another story for another time.
2. I need Jaromir Jagr to win another Stanley Cup
Jagr, 45 at the time of the original post, signed on with the Calgary Flames for 22 games, registering a single goal and six assists before he was waived. Apparently he appeared in four games this past season for the Klando Knights in his native Czech Republic, which means he’s not totally done playing hockey, but it appears as though after winning back-to-back Cups in his first two seasons in the NHL, the Jagr won’t be adding a third to his collection.
 |
| You're telling me Jagr couldn't give the Bruins whatever David Backes gave them this season? |
3. I need the Seattle SuperSonics to return to the NBA
There’s been a compromise of sorts here: the NHL is expanding to Seattle, which still leaves open the possibility that the NBA can join back in on the fun. Thing is, unlike in hockey, not many franchises are screaming to be relocated in the NBA at the moment. It feels like the manifest destiny of the big four leagues right now is 32 teams, which means expansion is still a very real possibility for Sonics 2.0, but who knows when.
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| Inject this jersey into my veins yesterday. |
4. I need lacrosse to overtake soccer as the “fifth sport”
I think we’re making some progress. The US men’s soccer team failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup thanks to a loss to Trinidad & Tobago -- which has the same population as the greater Memphis area. As an aside, the New England Revolution just hired the coach who lost that game.
NBC Sports Boston is televising Boston Cannons games from their new digs in Quincy, which doesn’t hurt. One thing I don’t understand, however, is why there are multiple professional leagues. Why not get all of the same players under the same umbrella? Also, might be a me problem, but the “PLL,” or the Premier Lacrosse League, triggers Pretty Little Liars.
5. I need Roger Goodell to resign/be fired/fall victim to a coup as NFL Commissioner
There hasn’t been a major scandal since the summer of 2017 in the NFL, per se, although the ongoing Tyreek Hill saga -- and general apathy -- will eventually prompt Goodellto bring down the hammer suspend him for a game or two.
The obsession with London hasn’t subsided, to the point that even the Red Sox and Yankees are about to play a two-game set there for crying out loud. Nor has the obsession with Thursday Night Football, nor the ongoing plot for an 18-game schedule (total side note but since this original post I took a step towards quasi-respectability and got a job covering the Patriots on the side and I can confirm the players hate both TNF and the idea of 18 games).
There’s the fact that the San Diego Chargers are failing to sell out a soccer stadium, and the crowd for the “Battle for LA” between the Rams and Chargers last fall wasn’t all that different from an Atlanta Thrashers Tuesday night home game in February.
In summation, it’s all the same nonsense on the periphery that still exists when it comes to Roger Goodell. He’s neither helped nor hurt his cause, but give it time.
6. I need the University of Rhode Island to drop its football program
Not a great two years for me here. While the Rams went 3-8 in 2017, they actually went 6-5 in 2018 -- their first winning season since 2001. On the plus side, they choked after a promising start to miss out on the FCS playoffs. On the down side, they are installing lights and turf at Meade Stadium, though no new stands, which if they haven't been condemned yet, should be.
9. I need the NHL to send its players to the Olympics in 2018 and beyond
Yeah, they didn’t go. Was nice not having to get up and drink at 7 in the morning I guess. We’ll see what happens in 2022.
Lightning round updates:
“I need the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to go back to the Anaheim Angels, or better yet, the California Angels. The name literally translates to "The Angels Angels of Anaheim." Dumbest name in sports, bar none.” Apparently, they’re just the Los Angeles Angels now. Who play in Anaheim.
“Speaking of Anaheim, I need the Mighty Ducks logo back. Could work well on the orange uniforms they've used for a decade.” No dice.
“I need Eli Manning to not get in the Hall of Fame some day. Save for those 2007 and 2011 runs to the Super Bowl, did you know Eli's never won a playoff game?” Eli Manning in 2017-18: 8-23 and got benched for Geno Smith at one point.
“I need UMass to not do anything stupid like join the American Athletic Conference and stay put in the Atlantic-10. Need that rivalry with Rhody in hoops.” Boy is this topical at the moment. With UConn in the AAC, I could almost see it for the Minutemen. Almost. Now? If they wanna join for football only, go crazy. For all other sports? As the Huskies can attest, good luck with Tulane and East Carolina on a snowy Wednesday night at the Mullins.
“I need the college football playoff to expand to eight teams. The fact that there's a playoff at all was a good first step, but it was a half measure like you read about.” Would be cool but it’ll still just be Alabama-Clemson ever year.
“I need Gary Bettman to resign as NHL commissioner.” He’s in the Hockey Hall of Fame now. No, seriously.
3. I need Kyrie Irving to sign with the Lakers
I think we’re making some progress. The US men’s soccer team failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup thanks to a loss to Trinidad & Tobago -- which has the same population as the greater Memphis area. As an aside, the New England Revolution just hired the coach who lost that game.
NBC Sports Boston is televising Boston Cannons games from their new digs in Quincy, which doesn’t hurt. One thing I don’t understand, however, is why there are multiple professional leagues. Why not get all of the same players under the same umbrella? Also, might be a me problem, but the “PLL,” or the Premier Lacrosse League, triggers Pretty Little Liars.
5. I need Roger Goodell to resign/be fired/fall victim to a coup as NFL Commissioner
There hasn’t been a major scandal since the summer of 2017 in the NFL, per se, although the ongoing Tyreek Hill saga -- and general apathy -- will eventually prompt Goodell
The obsession with London hasn’t subsided, to the point that even the Red Sox and Yankees are about to play a two-game set there for crying out loud. Nor has the obsession with Thursday Night Football, nor the ongoing plot for an 18-game schedule (total side note but since this original post I took a step towards quasi-respectability and got a job covering the Patriots on the side and I can confirm the players hate both TNF and the idea of 18 games).
There’s the fact that the San Diego Chargers are failing to sell out a soccer stadium, and the crowd for the “Battle for LA” between the Rams and Chargers last fall wasn’t all that different from an Atlanta Thrashers Tuesday night home game in February.
In summation, it’s all the same nonsense on the periphery that still exists when it comes to Roger Goodell. He’s neither helped nor hurt his cause, but give it time.
6. I need the University of Rhode Island to drop its football program
Not a great two years for me here. While the Rams went 3-8 in 2017, they actually went 6-5 in 2018 -- their first winning season since 2001. On the plus side, they choked after a promising start to miss out on the FCS playoffs. On the down side, they are installing lights and turf at Meade Stadium, though no new stands, which if they haven't been condemned yet, should be.
Again, I’ll remind you of the sports URI does not sponsor in lieu of football:
7. I need the NBA to re-do its age minimum rule and fix (save?) college basketball
Plans are indeed in the works to lower the age minimum to 18, it sounds like. Throw in the fact that California may be about to pants the NCAA and allow college athletes to profit off their ‘likeness,’ college hoop just might be saved after all.
8. I need the Red Sox to stop retiring numbers like they’re the Memphis Grizzlies
On the one hand, it’s been over two years since they last retired a jersey (David Ortiz’s No. 34). On the other, I can’t shake this feeling that the Roger Clemens retirement ceremony is coming. My original gripe wasn’t with Ortiz’s jersey going up on the right field facade, it was more about Wade Boggs’ No. 26 the year before. He’s a Yankee, not a Red Sock (or Devil Ray). Change my mind.
- Men's ice hockey
- Women's ice hockey
- Men's lacrosse
- Women's lacrosse
- Field hockey
- Wrestling
- Men's swimming & diving
- Women's golf
- Men's tennis
- Men's volleyball
7. I need the NBA to re-do its age minimum rule and fix (save?) college basketball
Plans are indeed in the works to lower the age minimum to 18, it sounds like. Throw in the fact that California may be about to pants the NCAA and allow college athletes to profit off their ‘likeness,’ college hoop just might be saved after all.
8. I need the Red Sox to stop retiring numbers like they’re the Memphis Grizzlies
On the one hand, it’s been over two years since they last retired a jersey (David Ortiz’s No. 34). On the other, I can’t shake this feeling that the Roger Clemens retirement ceremony is coming. My original gripe wasn’t with Ortiz’s jersey going up on the right field facade, it was more about Wade Boggs’ No. 26 the year before. He’s a Yankee, not a Red Sock (or Devil Ray). Change my mind.
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| A much less crowded version of the facade at the Fens. If we're being honest, does Joe Cronin's No. 1 really need to be hanging up there? |
9. I need the NHL to send its players to the Olympics in 2018 and beyond
Yeah, they didn’t go. Was nice not having to get up and drink at 7 in the morning I guess. We’ll see what happens in 2022.
Lightning round updates:
“I need the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to go back to the Anaheim Angels, or better yet, the California Angels. The name literally translates to "The Angels Angels of Anaheim." Dumbest name in sports, bar none.” Apparently, they’re just the Los Angeles Angels now. Who play in Anaheim.
“Speaking of Anaheim, I need the Mighty Ducks logo back. Could work well on the orange uniforms they've used for a decade.” No dice.
“I need Eli Manning to not get in the Hall of Fame some day. Save for those 2007 and 2011 runs to the Super Bowl, did you know Eli's never won a playoff game?” Eli Manning in 2017-18: 8-23 and got benched for Geno Smith at one point.
“I need UMass to not do anything stupid like join the American Athletic Conference and stay put in the Atlantic-10. Need that rivalry with Rhody in hoops.” Boy is this topical at the moment. With UConn in the AAC, I could almost see it for the Minutemen. Almost. Now? If they wanna join for football only, go crazy. For all other sports? As the Huskies can attest, good luck with Tulane and East Carolina on a snowy Wednesday night at the Mullins.
“I need the college football playoff to expand to eight teams. The fact that there's a playoff at all was a good first step, but it was a half measure like you read about.” Would be cool but it’ll still just be Alabama-Clemson ever year.
“I need Gary Bettman to resign as NHL commissioner.” He’s in the Hockey Hall of Fame now. No, seriously.
BONUS ROUND: Five more things I need to happen in sports
1. I need a new minor league team to take the place of the Pawtucket Red Sox for the 2021 season
Funny how life works. Once upon a time, 12-year-old Lev would've run through a brick wall for Larry Lucchino when he called the Yankees the "Evil Empire." Now, 28-year-old Lev just wants to push Larry Lucchino into a brick wall for stealing the PawSox from Rhode Island and moving them to the noted baseball hotbed of Worcester, where minor league baseball has already failed.
Would be ideal if the new team at McCoy Stadium was still a Red Sox minor league affiliate. Either way, something needs to fill its void. At least the only Hall of Fame Roger Clemens can get into will soon be defunct.
2. I need the Celtics to stay the course with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown
That includes signing Kemba Walker, I suppose. Big week for the Huskies, huh? Should Tatum and Brown play to their abilities, the Celtics have the kind of young core the Zombie Sonics had from 2007-2012 or so with Durant/Westbrook/Harden. Walker is older, of course, but that's the kind of Big 3 I can root for.
That includes signing Kemba Walker, I suppose. Big week for the Huskies, huh? Should Tatum and Brown play to their abilities, the Celtics have the kind of young core the Zombie Sonics had from 2007-2012 or so with Durant/Westbrook/Harden. Walker is older, of course, but that's the kind of Big 3 I can root for.
3. I need Kyrie Irving to sign with the Lakers
That's right, I want the band to get back together. I want the infighting between Kyrie and LeBron to put the Shaq-Kobe feuds in Lakerland to shame. I want it to demolish a dynasty before it even begins.
I also want Kyrie there so that the Knicks strike out yet again. And even though the Nets wouldn't be better than the Celtics with just Kyrie, I'll admit it would be poor optics for him to land in Brooklyn before the yield of the Pierce/Garnett/Jason Terry trade delivers a championship to Boston.
4. I need Space Jam II to be the worst sequel of all-time
It's a tall task, no doubt, when you consider how awful Caddyshack II and Anchorman II were in comparison with the originals. But I'll be rooting against it like the 2011-14 Miami Heat.
5. I need Zdeno Chara to be the last active athlete from the 1990s
This isn't as crazy as it seems. We're down to four in hockey right now, between Chara, Jumbo Joe, Patty Marleau and Matt Cullen. Adam Vinatieiri is the only one under contract in football right now, though I suppose Phil Dawson could latch on during training camp. Vince Carter is currently a free agent in the NBA, and barring a Bartolo Colon or Adrian Beltre comeback, we're done in baseball.
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