Clemson defensive end Jamie Cumbie, who injured his shoulder in practice on Tuesday, is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery on Thursday.
While head coach Tommy Bowden was praising Cumbie's toughness Wednesday - Cumbie apparently injured the shoulder early in Tuesday's workout, but never asked to come out and finished the practice - it's what he DIDN'T say that has insiders worried.
The fear is that Cumbie has a torn labrum. If that's the case, he's done for the year. That would be a shame, because many feel Cumbie is primed for a good season.
The verdict will come after Thursday's procedure. Hold your breath, Clemson fans.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Irony, Sweet Irony
So I wake up this morning still feeling great about the Tuesday night event with the Upstate Challenger kids, and what happens?
A punch in the gut that snapped me back into reality.
Actually, it was the swing of a bat that did it. Barry Bonds' bat. The one that stroked home run No. 756 into the right field stands in San Francisco late that same evening.
In a matter of hours, two separate events bring to light the irony that is today's sports landscape.
Here, on the one hand, we have the Challenger kids - the mentally and physically handicapped children whose cause I helped take up several years back. To watch them play baseball for our WCCP listeners Tuesday night was, as it always is, a complete joy.
For sheer innocence and love of the game, what could top this group of young men and women interacting with their "buddies" - other children and teenagers, even some college students - on hand to help protect/guide the ones who need it most.
Anyone who has seen them play gets an immediate understanding of why I believe so much in their cause, and why I was proud and honored to accept an invitation to be on the first Board of Directors for Upstate Challenger Sports.
Then to be brought back to the real world and the controversy that is - and likely always will - swirling around Bonds was, for a moment anyway, sobering.
The good news, however, is that though we talk about Bonds when the need arises and - in my position - perhaps cover him up close and personal once in a while, he operates in a world both out of reach and out of reality for most of us.
The Challenger kids?
They're real. They're loving. And they need us.
Bonds, as he has shown so many times before, clearly does not.
A punch in the gut that snapped me back into reality.
Actually, it was the swing of a bat that did it. Barry Bonds' bat. The one that stroked home run No. 756 into the right field stands in San Francisco late that same evening.
In a matter of hours, two separate events bring to light the irony that is today's sports landscape.
Here, on the one hand, we have the Challenger kids - the mentally and physically handicapped children whose cause I helped take up several years back. To watch them play baseball for our WCCP listeners Tuesday night was, as it always is, a complete joy.
For sheer innocence and love of the game, what could top this group of young men and women interacting with their "buddies" - other children and teenagers, even some college students - on hand to help protect/guide the ones who need it most.
Anyone who has seen them play gets an immediate understanding of why I believe so much in their cause, and why I was proud and honored to accept an invitation to be on the first Board of Directors for Upstate Challenger Sports.
Then to be brought back to the real world and the controversy that is - and likely always will - swirling around Bonds was, for a moment anyway, sobering.
The good news, however, is that though we talk about Bonds when the need arises and - in my position - perhaps cover him up close and personal once in a while, he operates in a world both out of reach and out of reality for most of us.
The Challenger kids?
They're real. They're loving. And they need us.
Bonds, as he has shown so many times before, clearly does not.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
What a night!
It's 9:45 p.m., and I just returned home from the Dan Scott and Friends Appreciation Night with the Upstate Challenger kids.
You've heard the term sweltering heat before, but this evening was the epitome of the phrase. Our 6:30 p.m. start took place with the temperature still hovering around 98 degrees. It was still 90 on the drive home just over two hours later.
Imagine how the Clemson Tiger, who showed up to encourage the kids in full fur and jersey, felt?
But for the Challenger Kids - the mentally and physically handicapped children who make up the league - the night was perfect. With roughly 200 folks in attendance, the kids "breezed" through an exhibition of their baseball skills before everyone hiked up the hill to the hot dog cookout.
There were so many highlights this evening, too many to really list here. The smiles said it all, really. And that's what they play for - fun and the absolute love of the game.
You'll be hearing more about the evening on my radio show, and soon there will be pictures on the WCCP website (www.wccpfm.com).
But a big "thank you" to everyone who showed up, and all of you who donate you time and money every year to these beautiful kids.
I can promise you, they - and I - appreciate it.
You've heard the term sweltering heat before, but this evening was the epitome of the phrase. Our 6:30 p.m. start took place with the temperature still hovering around 98 degrees. It was still 90 on the drive home just over two hours later.
Imagine how the Clemson Tiger, who showed up to encourage the kids in full fur and jersey, felt?
But for the Challenger Kids - the mentally and physically handicapped children who make up the league - the night was perfect. With roughly 200 folks in attendance, the kids "breezed" through an exhibition of their baseball skills before everyone hiked up the hill to the hot dog cookout.
There were so many highlights this evening, too many to really list here. The smiles said it all, really. And that's what they play for - fun and the absolute love of the game.
You'll be hearing more about the evening on my radio show, and soon there will be pictures on the WCCP website (www.wccpfm.com).
But a big "thank you" to everyone who showed up, and all of you who donate you time and money every year to these beautiful kids.
I can promise you, they - and I - appreciate it.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Spurred On
It was interesting, to say the least, to pick up the paper Monday morning and see the hullaballoo over Steve Spurrier's comments over the weekend.
Spurrier, in effect, drew a line in the sand with the South Carolina administration over admissions. Or, more to the point, a lack of admission of two football recruits.
His anger came because the school denied entry to the two players, despite the fact that both had met the minimum NCAA qualifying standards. Spurrier said the decision made him a liar to those players, and something had to change. He can't coach at a place like that, he said.
The intrigue will come when we see what USC's administration says about Spurrier's blast.
If they say anything at all.
Because make no mistake about it - South Carolina needs Spurrier much more than he needs the school.
Spurrier's efforts to change the losing culture that has dogged the Gamecock football program for most of its life appear to be taking hold. Slowly, perhaps, but there are signs that the ship is headed in the right direction (a minor miracle in its own right, even before you take into consideration the thuggish end to the Lou Holtz era).
Though it was said about Holtz before him, it may be that if Spurrier can't win consistently at USC, truly no one can.
So don't be surprised if you hear little in the way of admonishment by the USC administration toward Spurrier. They know he holds all the cards.
With more of Redskins' owner Daniel Snyder's money in his bank account than he can ever spend, Spurrier has what every coach would love to possess:
The financial leeway to tell any school, USC included, to take a hike.
And if the Gamecock hierarchy antagonizes Spurrier to the point that he picks up his golf clubs and heads to the links full time, competing in the ultra-violent SEC East will be little more than a pipe dream.
Too much power for a head coach to have? Perhaps.
But then again, when was the last time anybody accused college football of having a healthy balance, anyway?
Spurrier, in effect, drew a line in the sand with the South Carolina administration over admissions. Or, more to the point, a lack of admission of two football recruits.
His anger came because the school denied entry to the two players, despite the fact that both had met the minimum NCAA qualifying standards. Spurrier said the decision made him a liar to those players, and something had to change. He can't coach at a place like that, he said.
The intrigue will come when we see what USC's administration says about Spurrier's blast.
If they say anything at all.
Because make no mistake about it - South Carolina needs Spurrier much more than he needs the school.
Spurrier's efforts to change the losing culture that has dogged the Gamecock football program for most of its life appear to be taking hold. Slowly, perhaps, but there are signs that the ship is headed in the right direction (a minor miracle in its own right, even before you take into consideration the thuggish end to the Lou Holtz era).
Though it was said about Holtz before him, it may be that if Spurrier can't win consistently at USC, truly no one can.
So don't be surprised if you hear little in the way of admonishment by the USC administration toward Spurrier. They know he holds all the cards.
With more of Redskins' owner Daniel Snyder's money in his bank account than he can ever spend, Spurrier has what every coach would love to possess:
The financial leeway to tell any school, USC included, to take a hike.
And if the Gamecock hierarchy antagonizes Spurrier to the point that he picks up his golf clubs and heads to the links full time, competing in the ultra-violent SEC East will be little more than a pipe dream.
Too much power for a head coach to have? Perhaps.
But then again, when was the last time anybody accused college football of having a healthy balance, anyway?
Friday, August 3, 2007
The Day Before The Day
Sitting in his office, wrapping up Friday's meeting with the local media, Tommy Bowden smiled as the questions came to an end.
"Now ya'll have something to write about other than me. Go write about them for a while," he said, referring to his players.
Then, as he moved back around behind his desk he looked up with that characteristic grin of his and said, "Then ya'll can go back to writing about me."
Writing about Tommy Bowden has been a full-time job in recent weeks. Since his media golf outing in mid-July, the "hot-seat" stories have come in waves. With the late-season collapse still the last thing most fans remember about 2006, Bowden's job security has popped up again just as sure as SID Tim Bourret goes home to Connecticut every summer for vacation.
But it's not just here.
National sports writers have harped on the theme. Some have taken it to extremes.
Even out in Austin, Texas, where I did a radio interview on Thursday evening, the host wanted to know about Bowden's job security.
It appears to be bothering everyone. Except Bowden.
Oh sure, you know it has an effect on him and his family. But to watch his mannerisms, to listen to him talk, you'd think Bowden was coming off a BCS victory and a large contract extension.
Not in a sense of being cocky or arrogant. More along the lines of being loose, jovial and talkative.
There's no ducking the media. There's no dodging questions. There's no constant frown that would signal a coach with his job security on his mind.
Of course, the games haven't started yet, either. And we all know that his demeanor can change in a New York minute.
But for now, Bowden's outward appearance is relaxed heading into his ninth fall practice at Clemson.
Deep inside, you'd think he's privately hoping there's a 10th.
"Now ya'll have something to write about other than me. Go write about them for a while," he said, referring to his players.
Then, as he moved back around behind his desk he looked up with that characteristic grin of his and said, "Then ya'll can go back to writing about me."
Writing about Tommy Bowden has been a full-time job in recent weeks. Since his media golf outing in mid-July, the "hot-seat" stories have come in waves. With the late-season collapse still the last thing most fans remember about 2006, Bowden's job security has popped up again just as sure as SID Tim Bourret goes home to Connecticut every summer for vacation.
But it's not just here.
National sports writers have harped on the theme. Some have taken it to extremes.
Even out in Austin, Texas, where I did a radio interview on Thursday evening, the host wanted to know about Bowden's job security.
It appears to be bothering everyone. Except Bowden.
Oh sure, you know it has an effect on him and his family. But to watch his mannerisms, to listen to him talk, you'd think Bowden was coming off a BCS victory and a large contract extension.
Not in a sense of being cocky or arrogant. More along the lines of being loose, jovial and talkative.
There's no ducking the media. There's no dodging questions. There's no constant frown that would signal a coach with his job security on his mind.
Of course, the games haven't started yet, either. And we all know that his demeanor can change in a New York minute.
But for now, Bowden's outward appearance is relaxed heading into his ninth fall practice at Clemson.
Deep inside, you'd think he's privately hoping there's a 10th.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Come See Our Challenger Kids
Please don't forget this Tuesday, Aug. 7.
That night will be the second "Dan Scott and Friends Appreciation Night" for the kids of Upstate Challenger Sports. The event will be held at Piedmont Presbyterian Church's baseball field.
All the important info follows below, but please remember that this night is to say thank you to all the folks who have donated to this cause since I began an association with it; it's also to encourage anyone who hasn't donated to come see what all the fuss is about.
It will be almost impossible to leave with a dry eye.
Anyway, here's the info:
DIRECTIONS:
From Anderson:
• Take Highway 85 North
• Take Exit 35
• Turn Right onto Highway 86
• Turn Right onto S. Circle Dr.
• Turn Left onto Beattie Park Road
• Road dead ends into ball field
From Easley:
• Take Hwy 8/Pelzer Hwy
• Stay straight onto Hwy. 86
• Turn Right onto S. Circle Dr.
• Turn Left onto Beattie Park Road
• Road dead ends into ball field
From Greenville:
• Take Highway 85 South
• Take Exit 35
• Turn Left onto Highway 86
• Turn right onto S. Circle Dr.
• Turn Left onto Beattie Park Road
• Road dead ends into ball field
That night will be the second "Dan Scott and Friends Appreciation Night" for the kids of Upstate Challenger Sports. The event will be held at Piedmont Presbyterian Church's baseball field.
All the important info follows below, but please remember that this night is to say thank you to all the folks who have donated to this cause since I began an association with it; it's also to encourage anyone who hasn't donated to come see what all the fuss is about.
It will be almost impossible to leave with a dry eye.
Anyway, here's the info:
Upstate Challenger Sports invites you to the
2nd Annual Dan Scott & Friends Appreciation Night
It’s our way to say thank you to “The Drive” listeners
and he community for their support.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Piedmont Presbyterian Church Baseball Field
Game starts at 6:30
Followed by FREE hot dog supper in the park.
Please bring chairs or blankets.
DIRECTIONS:
From Anderson:
• Take Highway 85 North
• Take Exit 35
• Turn Right onto Highway 86
• Turn Right onto S. Circle Dr.
• Turn Left onto Beattie Park Road
• Road dead ends into ball field
From Easley:
• Take Hwy 8/Pelzer Hwy
• Stay straight onto Hwy. 86
• Turn Right onto S. Circle Dr.
• Turn Left onto Beattie Park Road
• Road dead ends into ball field
From Greenville:
• Take Highway 85 South
• Take Exit 35
• Turn Left onto Highway 86
• Turn right onto S. Circle Dr.
• Turn Left onto Beattie Park Road
• Road dead ends into ball field
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Why Vin Scully Rules
Vin Scully has been broadcasting Dodgers games since the team was in Brooklyn.
Brooklyn.
The place they left after the 1957 season.
In over 50 years of broadcasting baseball, Scully has seen his share of big moments. His call of the 9th inning of Sandy Koufax's perfect game against the Cubs in 1965 has been deemed so perfect that university English departments have studied it.
And though Milo Hamilton's call of Henry Aaron's 715th home run is the one most widely known, Scully, too, called the record-breaker that night in Atlanta.
When Aaron connected off of Al Downing, Scully's call was as follows:
"There's a high drive into deep left-center field. Buckner goes back, to the fence, it is gone! (Scully then paused about 25 seconds as the crowd cheered.) What a marvelous moment for baseball. What a marvelous moment for Atlanta and the state of Georgia. What a marvelous moment for the country and the world. A black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South for breaking a record of an all-time baseball idol. And it's a great moment for all of us and particularly for Henry Aaron, who is met at home plate not only by every member of the Braves but by his father and mother."
In one paragraph Scully captured the history of the moment, the fact that Aaron had been the victim of death threats and racial epithets during his chase of Babe Ruth; and in a region of the country where it is believed many of those threats originated, the fans in Atlanta showed an outpouring of love that was, to that point, never bestowed on a professional athlete in that city - regardless of race.
That brings us to Barry Bonds, still just one home run from tying Aaron as of this writing.
And ironically, the Giants are in Los Angeles to visit Scully's Dodgers. With games remaining both tonight and Thursday in the series, it's possible Scully could be called on again.
So how will this legend, who has been very careful not to offer any opinion on Bonds personally and who has said he'd rather not be put in a position to make another such call, handle the situation?
Most likely with silence. Scully said he'd likely "shut up" and let the fans tell the story.
Classic Scully. Ultimately, the game is the most important thing.
“I don’t think really I’m going to have any feelings, outside of the fact that it’s a home run that might decide the game,” Scully told the New York Post. “I’m not going to judge him in any way, shape or form. I really do believe the old adage that a man is innocent until proven guilty.”
Brooklyn.
The place they left after the 1957 season.
In over 50 years of broadcasting baseball, Scully has seen his share of big moments. His call of the 9th inning of Sandy Koufax's perfect game against the Cubs in 1965 has been deemed so perfect that university English departments have studied it.
And though Milo Hamilton's call of Henry Aaron's 715th home run is the one most widely known, Scully, too, called the record-breaker that night in Atlanta.
When Aaron connected off of Al Downing, Scully's call was as follows:
"There's a high drive into deep left-center field. Buckner goes back, to the fence, it is gone! (Scully then paused about 25 seconds as the crowd cheered.) What a marvelous moment for baseball. What a marvelous moment for Atlanta and the state of Georgia. What a marvelous moment for the country and the world. A black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South for breaking a record of an all-time baseball idol. And it's a great moment for all of us and particularly for Henry Aaron, who is met at home plate not only by every member of the Braves but by his father and mother."
In one paragraph Scully captured the history of the moment, the fact that Aaron had been the victim of death threats and racial epithets during his chase of Babe Ruth; and in a region of the country where it is believed many of those threats originated, the fans in Atlanta showed an outpouring of love that was, to that point, never bestowed on a professional athlete in that city - regardless of race.
That brings us to Barry Bonds, still just one home run from tying Aaron as of this writing.
And ironically, the Giants are in Los Angeles to visit Scully's Dodgers. With games remaining both tonight and Thursday in the series, it's possible Scully could be called on again.
So how will this legend, who has been very careful not to offer any opinion on Bonds personally and who has said he'd rather not be put in a position to make another such call, handle the situation?
Most likely with silence. Scully said he'd likely "shut up" and let the fans tell the story.
Classic Scully. Ultimately, the game is the most important thing.
“I don’t think really I’m going to have any feelings, outside of the fact that it’s a home run that might decide the game,” Scully told the New York Post. “I’m not going to judge him in any way, shape or form. I really do believe the old adage that a man is innocent until proven guilty.”
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