Sports Rap

In homage to my brother, the original host of WXYC's 'Sports Rap' show, here are some quick thoughts in response to items in the Sunday sports pages:

• Carolina was lucky to win against UConn yesterday. The game was decided when a UConn offensive lineman was called for holding in their own end zone with about a minute left, giving the Heels two points and a 12-10 win. I know that's the rule, but what a tough and weird way to lose. I guess you have to make that call if you are the referee - otherwise guys would hold all the time rather than give up a safety - but for that play to decide the game?
• Staying in the ACC, is there anything worse for a coach than to have a last name that rhymes with 'go'? Easy for the fans to come up with a derisive cheer when that's the case, as Al Groh has learned in Charlottesville.
• Interesting that both UConn and Serena Williams lost games, set and a match due to a penalty, on the same day. In Serena's case arguing a foot fault, then another point for arguing the call. In each contest a referee's call determined the final score.
• You often hear, especially in basketball, of a referee swallowing his or her whistle late in the game. But that did not happen in Hartford or Flushing Meadows on Saturday.
• As fans of this blog know, I'm not a big fan of anything Duke or Yankees related. That said, I have an appreciation for Greg Paulus playing quarterback at Syracuse and Derek Jeter's accomplishments for the Yankees. Paulus is not intimidated by the real possibility of failure, a fear that paralyzes most people. Got to give him credit for giving it a shot and earning the starting job. He's also lucky he doesn't have to suit up against Ty Lawson. I have nothing to add to the justified praise Jeter has earned throughout his career, and frankly can only offer cliches. But he plays the right way, with a balance of skill and humility we'd like to see in ever person we know, let alone ball player. This may seem sacrilegious, but Jeter would have made a great Tar Heel.
• Hard to believe no Yankees player has 3,000 hits. Obviously, Lou Gehrig would have, and Babe Ruth lots a few seasons pitching with the Red Sox, Joe DiMaggio spend 3 seasons in the Army, and Mickey Mantle lost games to injury. But still hard to believe.
• Both area baseball teams obviously stink, but it's interesting to look at the O's roster and see more hope than on the Nats'. With Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Matt Wieters, Nolan Reimold, Brian Matusz, Brad Bergeson, and Chris Tillman the Orioles have a roster full of legitimate, big-league talent. Our home town Nats counter with Ryan Zimmerman, Jesus Flores, Nyjer Morgan (who is actually NOT that young), Elijah Dukes, John Lannan, Jordan Zimmermann, maybe Steven Strasburg. On talent, you'd have to favor the Os. But one thing in the Nationals favor - Washington does not have to go through the Yankees, Red Sox and young Rays to get to the playoffs.
• Finally, I watched part of Greece's game in the European Championships today via ESPN360, and the viewing quality was pretty good. I had never watched a game that way. Greece's loss should not hurt their chances of moving up to the final round (they play three rounds; today's game was in round two), especially if they defeat France (led by Tony Parker, Ronny Turiaf, and Boris Diaw) on Tuesday. Greece had been averaging 89 points a game prior to their 65-68 loss to Russia, and shot it badly against their fellow Orthodox foes.