By November 11, 2004
People are way dumber than I thought.,p> Hold on, at least let me explain before you start doing the crossword. Yesterday afternoon I was browsing ESPN.com, and I stumbled across their question of the day, which was phrased something like, “What is the most impressive feat in baseball history?” The choices: Joe Dimaggio’s 56-game hitting streak, Roger Clemens’ seven Cy Young Awards, Cal Ripken’s consecutive games-played streak, and Barry Bonds’ 73 home runs in a season. First of all, shame on ESPN. How about hitting .400 in a season — did they think that was easy? We’ll save that one for another day though. Anyway, at 2:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon, about 130,000 people had voted in the poll, and the results are as follows. Ripken was first with about 31 percent of the vote, Dimaggio was a close second at around 30 percent, Clemens is next with approximately 21 percent, and finally Bonds with about 18. Okay, instead of jumping out of my chair and yelling, “Are you kidding me?” like I did in the ILR library yesterday, I’m just going to calmly explain to the stupid American public (note this year’s election) how little they know. First off, Barry Bonds is a joke. He was a stick figure when he came into the league, then did whatever he had to do to get humongous and hit 73 homers. I’m not taking anything away from Bonds — he’s probably the most feared hitter in history — but he’s in an era where every utility guy hits at least 15 homers because the ballparks are like playpens, the pitching stinks, and everyone has a great “weightlifting program”. Clemens deserves to be on this list. To have an ERA below three at the age of 42 is one thing, to have done it 10 out of 21 seasons in the league is remarkable. Clemens is the most dominant right-handed pitcher in history as far as I’m concerned, and his staying power is just increasing his legacy. Roger’s no role model, but I’d sure love to see him give another run at it next season. Now for the real bone I have to pick with the morons of this country. Bottom line: Cal Ripken Jr. is the most overrated baseball player in the history of the game. I don’t care if he played four thousand games in a row, he was a career .276 hitter, he only hit over 30 homeruns once in a season, and his two gold gloves at shortstop are not enough for me to say he was ever a good fielder. Basically, Cal was a bum. When he hit that homerun in the 2001 All-Star game off of Chan Ho Park, I didn’t get tingly like some people, I got nauseous that a guy who was hitting around .230 made the game in the first place. All I know is that Willie Mays didn’t get a call for the 1973 midseason classic when he was stumbling all over himself in centerfield for the Mets. So why did Cal get the special treatment? Now let’s talk about his “amazing” streak. Big deal, he played in about 2,200 games in a row. Okay, that’s his job. I am completely unimpressed. Heck, give me a uniform and I’ll play everyday for 20-plus years for free (Hey Steinbrenner, you listening?). I’m sure there are plenty of people who have been at their jobs for 30, 40, even 50 years who haven’t missed a day — and they work year round. People will say it’s a wonder he never got hurt. Maybe it’s because he wasn’t a hustle player. I’ll never claim I remember Cal in his early days, but watching him in the early 90’s, I can honestly say I never once remember him stealing a base (he only had 36 of those in his 21 seasons), or even diving to get a ball deep in the hole at short. After a while it wasn’t about winning a title (Cal made just one World Series), or even about performing well, it was just about going through the motions. In my mind, to get a hit in 56 straight games, there can be no going through the motions — there has to be focus. I won’t even mention that Joe D was about a million times better than Cal (oops, I guess I just did). But seriously, nobody will ever break 56 games in a row, especially now when the media will just become too unbearable on a player. For all of you who don’t understand the magnitude of this feat, let’s break it down. A guy gets about four trips to the plate per game, and yes, a great hitter averages three hits for every 10 at-bats over the course of his career. Yet that doesn’t mean he will get a hit every 3 1/3 at-bats — it’s cyclical. Some nights, guys go 4-for-4; some nights, 0-for-4. Some nights there’s just a pitcher who can’t be stopped. What if a guy had a streak going, then had to face Pedro and Schilling to end a three-game set with the Sox, then go to Minnesota and face Johan Santana, and get a hit in every game? It’s nearly impossible — and that’s why Joe D won’t ever be touched on the impressive feat meter. Okay, if you feel bad I kept you from the crossword, here’s one for you to see if I taught you anything — a three-letter word for an overrated ballplayer. Finally, you people got something right.Archived article by Chris Mascaro
By November 11, 2004
Playing for a team in which the average height falls somewhere between 6-1 and 6-3, one would assume men’s hockey freshman Topher Scott could be easily overlooked. Listed at 5-6 — it is unclear whether that measurement includes skates or not — and a paltry 155 pounds, it’s easier to envision Scott standing on his toes to get on a roller coaster rather than banging bodies with college hockey’s elite. However, for the scrappy center out of Buffalo Grove, Ill., donning his oversized red and white jersey every weekend is just about the most natural thing to do. “I don’t ever really think about [my height],” Scott said. “I have no control over it. I just go out there and do what I know I’m capable of doing.” Scott has already given coaches, teammates and fans alike a taste of his talents on the ice, and already the rookie has people begging for more. The line of Scott, Matt Moulson and Shane Hynes has been the Red’s most prolific this season, already accounting for six goals and 15 points. Scott himself has dazzled observers with an innate ability to find open spaces on the ice and orchestrate plays worthy of any SportsCenter segment. After stealing the spotlight with two goals in Cornell’s exhibition win over McGill, Scott has worked behind the scenes in the regular season, recording three assists thus far. So does this mean that for a team which typically prides itself on a rough, physical forecheck and an intimidating defense, size suddenly doesn’t matter? “A lot of opponents underestimate me and think they can control me,” Scott said. “All I can do is work my hardest and play the way I know I can.” Much of Scott’s success can be credited to his on-ice intellect and his ability to outwit rival defenders – a critical attribute in this age of increasingly colossal defensemen. Furthermore, Scott makes up for one physical disadvantage by offsetting it with a key advantage – he is one of the most well-conditioned and hard-working athletes on the Red. “[Topher] is one of the smartest players I’ve ever played with,” Moulson said. “He always uses his brain on the ice, and he never lets his size be an issue.” Another physical issue Scott has had no trouble dealing with is contact after the whistle – especially in terms of the occasional on-ice fisticuffs. “Sometimes he will come into [a scuffle] like he’s watching my back,” Moulson laughed. “He can definitely hold his own out there.” For Scott, the bonds of team loyalty and respect run far deeper than any personal apprehensions regarding height, or lack thereof. “That’s what teammates do – they look out for each other,” he said. “Everyone on our team is dedicated to winning.” Scott’s journey to Ithaca began with the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League, a Junior “A” team based near his hometown. He played for the Steel for four seasons — three during high school and one after graduating – and was among the team leaders in scoring during his final campaign (21 goals, 31 assists). He cites his experience in the USHL as crucial to his current success in the ECACHL. “[The USHL] really makes a man out of you,” Scott said. “It gets you ready for the college game.” However, little could prepare the freshman for what he was to witness within the historic halls of Lynah on game night. “I’ve played before some big crowds, but I’ve never seen anything like this before,” he said. “I get the chills whenever I step onto the ice. Everything I’ve seen with the fans here has blown my mind.” To prepare himself for both the mental and physical rigors of a regular season contest, Scott indulges in two activities meant to provide both a clear mindset and a significant dose of inspiration. True to his roots, this Midwesterner catches a few country tunes (favorites include Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson) and a motivating film each day prior to a game. However, no individual ritual has eased the transition for Scott more than the help and support of his teammates. “The older guys on the team have really shown [the freshmen] how to succeed,” Scott said. “This is the tightest team I have ever been on.” A team so close, whether one member is vertically challenged or vertically blessed, there is no doubt everyone is looked up to. Archived article by Kyle SheahenSun Assistant Sports Editor