Black In Business

Every body has had their say on Barry Bonds, and Michael Vick. I want to toss in my 2 cent on these 2 heroes and other sport related items. As you know sports is big business and what young boy does not want to be a pro ball player? Not many, that in itself is a problem, we need more of us wanting to be college graduates and teachers, lawyers, doctors, nurses, businessmen etc. The odds are making it are much higher. Our pro athletes are special and are treated with gentle hands from a very early age. Remember the “Be Like Mike,” Promotion for Michael Jordan. Every body wants to be a pro! These guys know it and part of our problem is we put them on a pedestal and become disappointed when they let us down.
Let’s talk about Barry Bonds, he will and should be a first round Hall of Fame selection by the baseball writers. Barry was a 3 time MVP prior to steroids coming into question. I admire Hank Aaron and remember when he hit number 715. I was with my 3 college roommates. We all were very excited and Hank Aaron was my favorite baseball superstar of that era. Keep in mind, Mickey Mantle; Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente were peer stars at that time. Henry has over 3700 hits, 756 homeruns, the most RBI’s ever and batted 320 or higher until he started swinging for the fence. Babe Ruth is a legend who transcends sports. He is an admired figure in American sports history. Saying all that to say this; we are holding Barry Bonds to a higher standard that we hold Aaron and Ruth. We assume those 2 never would have used steroids to get an edge. Aaron and Ruth more than likely did not lift weights, is lifting weights cheating? What Bonds has done is remarkable and as time goes on we will learn to celebrate it.
As OJ said about Mike Vick, he didn’t kill anybody. As a boy in upstate New York, dog fights were a normal thing. Why are we so concern about some dogs? I went to a boxing match the other night, ultimate fighting is becoming in vogue. Dog fighting is a southern sport, usually done by good old boys. Did anybody say Brett Farve? The public acts like they want to hang Vick, whom for all of his talent and our love of sports, has never been accepted by most of the public. We are more concerned about some dogs than we were slaves in Virginia in the 1800’s. I say, let’s slap his wrist and get him in camp and hope he grows up.
A great new York Yankee, Phil Rizzuto died today at 89. I use to listen every night to Phil and Bill White on WPIX in New York, Holy Cow, the years go fast. It is sad but Yankees fans can smile because the Yankees are the hottest team in baseball today. Phil, thanks for the memories.
The Chicago Bears have weapons on offense, they open in San Diego, which pits the best of the AFC vs. the best of the NFC. Engrave the Lombardi trophy, the Bears win it all. Give me some feed back