14th March 2005
Hi all,
As many of you know I'm a big fan of Bill Simmons. A big enough fan that I forward snippets of his articles to friends in e-mails and make sure there is a link to his site from here.
So when he went looking for a new intern you'd have thought I'd have thrown my name into the hat, right? Wrong. Besides anything else I couldn't realistically say I had enough time to fill the role, and that's even before you mention the fact that Simmons really dislikes two of my favourite teams. Given time I expect to see a picture of him wearing a Charlton shirt with "ROMMEDAHL" printed on the back of it.
But that didn't stop me from having some fun with his intern contest, namely taking on the task from round 3 and answer the four questions in 500 words or less.
1. What was your favorite sports moment that you've seen in person?
It is freshest in the memory, but Palace's play-off final win in Cardiff last year is my favourite memory. We were back in the top flight of English football after a six year absense, five years after going into administration, four years after exiting administration and three years after being a matter of minutes away from being relegated to division two.
Furthermore just five months before that it looked more likely that we would have another relegation battle on our hands. We were leaving division one, just via the skylight instead of the trap door.
Have I mentioned that for the first time I shared it with my wife and my best mate? That's probably the only reason I didn't cry tears of joy.
(And yes, I know I've been to a Cup Final. That was special, but after what had taken place since 1998 the play-off victory was just out of this world special.)
2. What's your favorite sports movie ever and why?
Spring 1999. It is a busy time at Bird Semple, and once again Joyce Tazzar is being a first-rate nightmare boss. The week ends and I go straight from work to pick Lorraine up. As was our custom then we head to the UCI in East Kilbride but unlike most times I'm insistent about what I want to see.
"I've had a long week," I said. "I need to see The Waterboy and unwind a bit."
Regardless of the fact that Lorraine didn't know a thing about American Football we both enjoyed it. Plenty to enjoy here, even if like 99.5% of the British population you can't stand the sport. Adam Sandler, Henry Winkler, Kathy Bates, cajun accents and the "You can do eet!" man. Quality entertainment.
Special mentions also to "Field of Dreams", "Bull Durham" and "The Rookie". Dishonourable mentions for "For Love of the Game" and "Wimbledon" (which I only saw last night, but had me laughing most of the way through... for the wrong reasons).
3. Who's your favorite athlete ever and why?
To me a favourite athlete can't just be a flash in the pan, they have to be around for a while. Sorry Attilio Lombardo, your season and a half at Palace can't do it justice.
A favourite athlete should somehow be more special to you, not just someone who a vast number of people like. Michael Jordan, you've made me shake my head in wonder so many times, but you've made so many people shake their heads. It isn't just me, you're not just a favourite of mine.
A favourite athlete should be part of a long-lasting successful era. Andy Johnson, you might the one Palace player whose heroics I still talk about in thirty years time, but ultimately you're destined for bigger and better things. You'll deserve them and Palace fans will be delighted for you.
A favourite athlete should invoke a passion inside you that makes you defend them in spite of their faults. They should be somewhat unappreciated in their own time. They should be clutch. Step forward Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones. Now present for ten of the thirteen straight division titles, yet still thought of by some as lazy (because he doesn't run out groundballs), remembered by others for the child he had out of wedlock.
I'm not saying those things are right, but they overlook the many major plus points. The 1999 MVP award, the senior role he plays on the team, the improved form at third base, the annual production which might lead him to the Hall of Fame. Don't forget either that he has full custody of the child previously mentioned, so he didn't just admit to the mistakes he made but he has taken responsibility for them.
I fear most Braves fans won't miss him until he has moved to another team or retired.
4. What do you think was the funniest moment in sports history and why?
October 1st 1996, Fratton Park. Portsmouth v Crystal Palace on an early autumn Tuesday night and I'm there, cramped into a seat on the Milton End despite the fact that I had a hernia operation just twelve days beforehand.
Midway through the game a player from each side were injured just a few metres in from the touchline in front of the North Stand. Seeing the players were injured both physios picked up their kit bags and stood by the nearside touchline, awaiting permission to come on and treat the players.
After the referee took a look at the situation he turned to the other sideline and beckoned the physios on. At that point a 50-60 yard sprint race between the two began, stirring the supporters of both teams into cheering on their respective physios.
As they approached the centre circle it appeared that our physio had taken a slight lead. At this point in the style of a hard man defender their physio clipped the heels of our physio and sent him flying! This led to a lot of shouts of "Oi!" amid the laughter on the Milton End.
(Over 800 words to answer those four questions. It is probably just as well that I never entered the contest.)
Have a good week!
Tony
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