In this week for giving thanks, I’ll help set the table with a few appetizers from the world of sports. In no particular order, I’m grateful for:
• 63 minutes of NBA playoff basketball on a Monday night in May … in Memphis.
• Joe Jackson at the free-throw line with the game in the balance.
• Stan Musial’s 91st birthday (look it up).
• Christabel Oduro with a soccer ball at her feet.
• David Freese with two outs and two strikes.
• Someone beating the Heat.
• That someone being the Dallas Mavericks.
• NFL labor peacemakers. Fall Sundays without football? May as well make it a 6-day week.
• The gritty Gasol brother.
• Albert Pujols channeling the Babe for one World Series game.
• Twilight at AutoZone Park.
• The theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey at FedExForum. And this season’s Tiger intro video.
• Charlie Lea’s infectious love of baseball.
• Larry Finch at full strength on a court beyond the clouds.
• Living in SEC country and hearing discussion of BCS “scenarios.”
• Adonis Thomas as an extra.
• Lance Berkman with two outs and two strikes.
• Wolo and Stats.
• Bob Forsch throwing out the first pitch before Game 7 of the World Series.
• Bob Costas conducting the interview. Anyone, anywhere.
• Dirk Nowitzki to his left, with an injured finger.
• Roger Federer looking human.
• Tiger Woods reminding us that Jack Nicklaus was superhuman.
• Adron Chambers reaching the bluff at AutoZone Park.
• Adron Chambers reaching the Cardinals’ active roster for Game 7 of the World Series.
• The Lady Tiger soccer team cheering the fans after another victory.
• Chris Herrington breaking down the Grizzlies.
• Shane Battier’s timely return.
• Shane Battier from downtown for a playoff winner … just the second biggest event of his day.
• Josh Pastner’s insistence that “winning is hard.” Ask Larry Porter.
• Jim Harbaugh’s handshakes.
• Hardwood Classics on NBA-TV. Especially any game featuring Rick Barry.
• Rick Barry from the free-throw line.
• The new Tiger sports Hall of Fame. (Wish that Lorenzen Wright jersey were of the Grizzlies variety.)
• The St. Louis Cardinals going with their gut (instead of a track record) and hiring Mike Matheny.
• The new skate park. Wonderful to see skaters actually doing their thing, and not on a video screen.
• Tiger football fans in the stands at the Liberty Bowl. This kind of loyalty knows no bounds. Hang in there.
• The Pastner/Calipari contrast.
• Televisions on the tables at Dan McGuinness Pub. Death to conversation, maybe. But great with a pint of Guinness at game time.
• Soccer-playing daughters. Thought I knew what rooting interest was before.
• Softball-playing daughters. Thought I loved baseball when I played.
• Penny Hardaway, Elliot Perry, and giving back.
• Every last one of my readers. I appreciate the loyalty. Happy Thanksgiving.
