The Writer's Life 9/26 - Golden

The sports world has been rocked by two deaths, an elderly legend and a young man of enormous potential. RIP Arnold Palmer, 87, known as The King and the Golden Boy. He brought the game of golf to the masses, rising to greatness just when TV was broadening its coverage. His good looks and swashbuckler style gave birth to Arnie's Army, the swarming fans who followed him on the course. He won an astounding 95 tournaments worldwide, 65 on the PGA tour. Seven of his titles were in majors. He designed 300 golf courses. And he was just as successful outside golf as a spokesman for many products. Although he earned "only" $1.8 million in 53 years on the links, his net worth is believed to be $675 million. He is a legend, the epitome of class on and off the course. To lend perspective to where his leadership has taken the game, Rory McIlroy won the Tour Championship yesterday, and the Fed-Ex bonus, a total take of $11.5 million. He praised the King in a tweet, as did many pros.
RIP Jose Fernandez, 24, Marlins phenom, who died in a boating accident that claimed two friends as well. He made several attempts to defect  from Cuba, finally succeeding, landing in Mexico, saving his mother from drowning. He had Hall of Fame potential. He was Rookie of the Year in 2013. He was 38-17 with a 2.58 ERA in his all too brief career. His strikeout totals are amazing - 589 in 471+ innings. What a shame.

Also in sports: LSU fired head football coach Les Miles, whose teams have been disappointing the past few years. Under his guidance, the Tigers won the NCAA championship in 2007. They also won two SEC titles during his reign. It's a tough "What have you done for me lately?" business. 63, he will have plenty of offers - if he chooses to stay with the grind. Some men are lifers when it comes to coaching... Also on the hot seat after a 1-3 start, is Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly, who fired his defensive coordinator. His teams have gone 56-26 since 2010, losing the National Championship game to Alabama in 2012, its only loss that season. Fans of the Fighting Irish are not known for patience.

And in the ultimate blood sport - politics - Hillary and Trump will be going head tonight in the first presidential debate, which is expected to draw ratings on a par with the Super Bowl. Since I don't put much stock in who's a better debater, I will not be watching, even though it might be great theater. I know where the candidates stand on policy, which is all that matters. Besides, the sight of Hillary makes me ill, and I would be nervous that Trump might not give a good account of himself. I'm pleased that Gennifer Flowers will not be in the front row. Even the presence of Juanita Broaddrick, a former nursing home administrator who has accused Slick Willie of rape, would be inappropriate, although it would confront Hillary as the ultimate enabler, a pseudo-feminist. Sorry, I lose all objectivity when it comes to the Clintons.

It was a quiet day at the floating book shop. My thanks to Jack of Chase, who bought two thrillers, and to the woman who bought a book in Russian.
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