Sports in Kentucky by Bob Watkins

Posted July 2, 2014 at 1:50 pm

Major League Baseball. Our grand old game reached its half-way mark last weekend, 81 games played, 81 left.

Nothing quite like the regal old game for those of us who ignore the critics “… too slow, too long, too boring, too old.” Baseball remains the bedrock of American sport. Beautiful and precise. Game of inches on a green … sounds, smells, strategies and seventh inning stretch and ageless anthem.

‘Take Me Out to The Ballgame … I don’t care if I ever get back!”

Then, statistics to affirm whatever we want them to in debate. To wit: Ted Williams was best there ever was. Or, was it Joe DiMaggio? Think of it, they played eons ago, but we know them as if they played yesterday.

They link us to America’s Pastime for a lifetime as much as Field of Dreams, The Natural and Eight Men Out.

Baseball and money? We take pleasure in seeing underdogs – small market teams with modest budgets – compete well enough with the Cadillac crowd. The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees whose estimated payrolls are $212 million and $208 million respectively.

Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Brewers’ payroll is $91.6; St. Louis Cardinals $99.9 and the Pittsburgh Pirates $71.5 million.

Attendance at all three ball parks is up from 2013.

Where is your favorite team in the standings this week? Still has a shot at the playoffs, right? Of course it does. 81 games left.

The Pirates are two games over .500 today.

Baseball. America’s game.

VANDERBILT ‘DORES ARE KINGS

The Southeastern Conference is in the king’s row of college football and basketball (mostly Kentucky and Tennessee), and today, baseball.

The Vanderbilt Commodores staked out a spot on SEC king’s row last month, winning the college world series.

What’s it mean?

Vanderbilt U. has a nationally marketable logo to pair with ultra marketable colors, black and gold.

America loves it when an underdog wins.

And, it probably means a cable price hike before the SEC Network ever gets to your teevee screen next month.

NBA DRAFT & KENTUCKY

Russ Smith. Tears shed over Russ Smith NBA draft saga is a nonsensical waste of water.

Long term and big picture, only one stumbling block kept the Louisville graduate and All-American from getting the best of it. Not being an NBA first round pick (guaranteed salary), then being selected 47th and traded was worst thing to happen.

If he had gone undrafted and emerged as a free agent Smith’s agent could have shopped him into a job where his (freelance) skills would be effective.

UofL fans may not like it, but no NBA GM is interested in paying large dollars to a streaky shoot-first, pass-as-last-resort 160-pound point guard who follows coach instruction some times.

Footnote: With all Rick Pitino’s influence in NBA circles one could conclude Da Coach’s willingness to help Smith was tepid.

Next?

Julius Randle and James Young. How good is this: Seven months at one of the country’s elite college programs, then zoom, each heads to teams with illustrious NBA histories? Randle is a Los Angeles Laker millionaire, Young is same as a Boston Celtic.

SHOW ME THE MONEY DEPT.

Julius Randle felt he should have been chosen higher than seventh. His rookie pay schedule: $2.4 million first year, $2.5 million for second and $2.6 million for a third.

James Young’s salary: Year on for player chosen 17th – $1.3 million, then $1.4 million each for next two years.

Since 1947 Kentucky has had 112 players go into the NBA, according to an athletic department press release.

In 1958 Johnny Cox was picked by the New York Knicks after his junior season (NCAA championship) and then in 1959 by Chicago Zyphers; In 1960 Roger Newman was drafted, but UK records show he played for the Syracuse Nationals in 1961.

UK record keeping can be shaky. For example, first UK player to play professionally was reportedly Bob Cluggish in 1946.

The Lettermen list includes no such name. In 1938-40 Marion Cluggish, Corbin native, played two seasons for Adolph Rupp, then no history of professional basketball career.

First UK player officially drafted by an NBA team? Jack Tingle, 1947, Washington Capitals.

FOOTBALL

Louisville. Promising season ahead for Louisville fans. Using Charlie Strong recruits, coach Bob Petrino’s Cardinals are preseason ranked 15th in three of four national polls – Associated Press, Coaches and CBS. UofL is 18th, according to BCS.

A game that could earn national game of the year billing and reset television viewer ratings, No. 1 ranked (in all polls) and defending national champion Florida State comes to Louisville for a Thursday night game, October 30.

Western Kentucky. Preseason ranked 90th among the 128 Division One teams, says USA Today.

Hilltopper opponents and ranking include: UAB (120), Army (118), Texas-El Paso (114) and Florida Atlantic (97).

Kentucky. Ranked 104th by USA Today, no surprise Kentucky is looking down a cannon barrel again, but there are reasons for optimism.

√ Five of first six games at home. And yes, No. 4 ranked South Carolina is one.

√ A trip to Florida September 14 is less daunting than in seasons past. Could be a signature win for coach Mark Stoops’ program. The Gators, for the first time in recent memory, are not listed in any national Top 25.

√ An R&R (rest and recovery) open date after Florida before consecutive Saturdays with Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Louisiana Monroe at Commonwealth Stadium.

CALIPARI CHIRP

John Calipari had a tweet during the NBA Draft last month. “I wish ESPN would stop saying we have had 18 draft picks over the last five years when we’ve had 19. They keep leaving off Enes Kanter.”

Calipari is right. He used not-eligible Kanter at practice for seven months, farmed him and fed him until the 2011 NBA Draft in June. The coach wants credit, he should have it.

Logical question: What did the 6-11, 247-pound Turkish professional contribute to University of Kentucky?

Answer: Tallest civilian clothes horse sitting the bench until draft day.

WORTH REPEATING DEPT.

Was my pleasure to speak at Lions Club luncheon in Henderson last month. Afterwards a gentleman stepped up to shake hands and enlighten me: “You sure have a nerve to come into Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals country wearing a shirt for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

And so it goes.