I had another of my vivid dreams. I was in centerfield, in front of Keith Hernandez, who made a running, one-handed, game-saving catch. As we were jogging toward the dugout, I asked if I’d blocked his view. I have no clue as to the meaning. Hernandez, of course, was a brilliant first baseman, not an outfielder.
Sticking with sports, the incomparable Hondo came up with another witty gem in his satiric football picks column. He referred to Governor Chris Christie not as a RINO, Republican in name only, but as a Rhino.
As an ex-football coach, I suppose I should comment on the controversy surrounding the Miami Dolphins, who cut offensive lineman Rich Incognito, who may have been encouraged by the staff, for bullying fellow lineman Jonathan Martin. From the articles I’ve scanned, insiders seem to back Incognito, who has been in a lot of trouble as far back as college, which makes him a perfect fall guy. Pro sports is the ultimate meritocracy, so far untouched by government hacks eager to level playing fields. Football is violent. The NFL is brutal. In this instance, I’m not sure Incognito was anything more than boorish. From this outsider’s perspective, he isn’t the type of guy I’d like to have as a friend or a teammate or player under my tutelage. Hip Hop artists are idolized despite the language they use. I’ve never respected an athlete or anyone who berates others, but such behavior is not uncommon and must be endured, as I did back in the day. Athletes are particularly aggressive, perhaps so juiced at higher levels as to suffer warped minds. This should not excuse behavior, especially the physical, that exceeds boundaries. Punish the perpetrators. But when it’s a matter of words, common sense should prevail, especially among men. Is Incognito a bigot? I don’t know, but it seems he was on friendly terms with Martin until recently. Have other blacks on the Dolphins complained about mistreatment? I haven't heard others complain. Maybe this is simply a case of misguided motivational ploys. Coaches on the college and pro level are under enormous pressure to win and have scant patience for those who they believe will not help them keep their jobs. Heck, it isn't much different at a lot of high schools. The highest level of sports are cold, cruel businesses, Darwinian in nature. Artists and entertainers frequently use the vilest language. Should we be surprised when an athlete does?
What a lucky session for the floating book shop. Gusts were blowing up to 30 MPH, yet several people made purchases and two women donated a few books each. My thanks to all, especially Crazy Joe, the scourge of NYC talk radio hosts. He overpaid for the books he selected and enthralled me with his personal history. His dad, a communist, worked as a clerk on Wall Street and even owned a few stocks. Like many of us, Joe was a liberal during his early adulthood, then took a sharp turn right. For 35+ years he taught high school math. He was forced out of teaching when someone found some of his writings on the web, copied and sent them to the Board of Education. He was accused of racism, sexism and pedophilia, the latter because he believes the age of consent should be lowered. He had never received a rating below satisfactory until his final one. He spent the last six months of his tenure at the infamous rubber room. He decided not to fight, fearful of retaliation. He signed a consent form which banned him from ever again teaching in the state. He now spends a lot of his time attacking liberals in the media and on the web. He is no longer able to get through to several stations, which must have caller ID. He is a self-professed misogynist. From all this one might assume he is miserable and unpleasant. He isn't in the least. He's actually fun. He reads extensively and is well-versed on the Kennedy assassination and OJ Simpson. His next project is the Amanda Knox case.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
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