Grip on Sports: There has always been a connection between St. Patrick’s Day and sports
A GRIP ON SPORTS • It’s St. Patrick’s Day. I have bad memories of St. Patrick’s Day. And it has nothing to do with green beer. At least not with me. But it does have a little to do with sports. Read on.
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• As you may know, I attended a Catholic high school in Southern California. The priests that ran and/or taught at the school were mainly from Ireland. Not Irish-Americans, but from Ireland. I remember Fr. Edna telling us he joined the priesthood because he wanted to be a missionary in Africa. Instead, he was sent to LaCanada. That’s the reward he got for wanting to leave Ireland.
Being from Ireland made St. Patrick’s Day rather special for him and his brethren.
Our high school didn’t have a baseball field. We played off campus. Which meant, if we had a game, even a home game, we changed in the locker room at school and drove to it. And then drove back afterward.
One St. Patrick’s Day we played at Loyola High, which was on the other side of about 500,000 cars from St. Francis. By the time I fought through them and back to the high school, it was dark. And I had forgotten a book. So I had to trudge to my locker to pick it up.
The moon was up, some lights were on and there was a strange noise coming from the top level of our three-level school. At first, I couldn’t figure out what it was. Then I realized. It was “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.” Sung poorly.
I was drawn to the sound. Then it stopped. I stopped. There was talking. And then “Danny Boy.”
I decided it was better not to be seen. I stole to my locker, all the while serenaded by the priests singing. I’m not sure who it was, Father Fintan maybe, or Father Tom, but one thing was certain.
They were all inebriated. And, after the song was over, a bit depressed. The conversation was about home. Not this home but Ireland.
And, as I was sneaking away, about the pain-in-the-neck, spoiled kids they had to babysit in America.
Guys like me. Church mouse didn’t begin to describe how quiet I was. As I tiptoed back to my dad’s beat-up Scout car, I realized even grown men can become homesick. That Los Angeles was nothing like Dublin or Galway or Cork.
And that priests sometimes drank.
The next day I also realized they got hangovers too. Just like everyone else. And a teacher with a hangover, one with a belt made of rope tied into knots, and the power to use it in a corporal way, was nothing to be trifled with. At least a couple other smart-alecks in class realized it.
Me? I sat quietly in the back. And wondered what Irish whiskey tasted like.
• Thought I would be writing about Gonzaga? Of course I am.
The Zags shot poorly yesterday. They were confronted with a different defensive scheme – the Jackrabbits were determined to make GU’s guards beat them – and it took a while for the Bulldogs to adjust.
And, despite shooting as poorly as they have all season – the worst shooting game of the year came against San Diego State, another SDSU by the way – Gonzaga prevailed by 20 points.
Which just happens to be the same margin that overall No. 1 seed Villanova won by. Against a team the committee determined was worse and who had to play a game on Tuesday before flying to Thursday’s contest.
And yet nowhere can I find the vitriol about the defending champion Wildcats that is easy to find about the Zags.
Maybe it’s because Villanova is the defending champion. Maybe it’s because it plays in Big East. Or maybe it’s because hating on the Zags is what all the cool kids are doing these days.
There is one way to deal with such prejudice, right? Yep, sue. No, wait. I mean win. Just keep winning. Eliminate the source of the argument. You know the one, Gonzaga is good and all, but the Zags have never been to a Final Four.
Of course, you eliminate that argument and then a different one will pop up, whether it’s they have never won a national title or that they have never won two national titles or whatever.
There is really no way to win off the court these days. So winning on the court will have to suffice.
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Gonzaga: Speaking of winning, if you are a Bulldog fan, then you are winning with the S-R’s coverage today. There are so many stories and photos I’m not sure I should link them individually or in a group. But I like a challenge so here goes. … Jim Meehan is the foundation, what with his game story filled with analysis, the three keys to victory, a look at Johnathan Williams’ outstanding defense, the popularity of Przemek Karnowski, and the success of the Mathews brothers in the NCAA. … John Blanchette has his column on the Zags’ slow start as the No. 1 seed. … Jacob Thorpe focused on tomorrow’s opponent, Northwestern, and their fans. … Whitney Ogden had a quartet of stories, on the transfers’ NCAA experience, the Zags’ rebounding, their 3-point shooting and Zach Collins’ contribution. … I grabbed my passport and traveled to the Valley for my media-coverage column, which was accompanied by a photo story from Kathy Plonka and Tyler Tjomsland. … Colin Mulvany and Dan Pelle covered the game from all angles in their Salt Lake City photo report. … The Zag women will be an 11 seed again Saturday in Seattle when they take on Oklahoma. Jim Allen has an advance on the game and a feature on Gonzaga’s two key transfers. … Back to the men, we can also pass along coverage of Gonzaga’s win from Salt Lake City and beyond, sometimes way beyond. It is the NCAA tournament after all. … Around the WCC yesterday, Saint Mary’s dealt with VCU’s pressure and about a hundred whistles in its 85-77 NCAA first-round win. Now the Gaels face Arizona on Saturday. … BYU’s NIT loss engendered some soul searching.
WSU: The Cougar women stormed back in the second half and defeated BYU in the WNIT. … Lonzo Ball’s dad, LaVar, played a year for Kelvin Sampson at Washington State. He had Vince Grippi-like stats. And yet he feels he would dominate Michael Jordan. His WSU teammates don’t agree. By the way, I was a way better catcher than Michael Jordan. Way better. … The Pac-12 got off to a good start in the NCAAs with Arizona blowing out North Dakota late in Salt Lake City. … UCLA gets going today as does Oregon, who is still dealing with an injury. … Dana Altman has been around a while. … USC has already played a game and tries to keep the momentum going. … Washington has to figure out who will replace Lorenzo Romar. Could it be assistant, and former UW player, Will Conroy? … California has to figure out who will replace Cuonzo Martin. Could it be UC Irvine’s Russell Turner? It better not be. … In football news, Arizona State and Oregon State have to make quarterback decisions.
Idaho: Yes, golf is in the picture these days.
Chiefs: Missed this yesterday, but Spokane lost Wednesday night at the Arena 4-2 despite strong goaltending. Josh Horton had the story.
Preps: Spring sports are underway, with baseball in the spotlight today. Greg Lee has a story and a preview of all the local leagues. … Greg also has a story on U-Hi girls’ coach Mark Stinson stepping down. Shadle Park boys coach Tim Gaebe also retired last week.
Mariners: The M’s split their squad yesterday, with the main group defeating the Royals 9-2. … The prospect of the day is Guillermo Heredia. … The M’s pitching performance in the WBC on Wednesday night warmed Scott Servais’ heart.
Seahawks: There was a report out there yesterday the Hawks would be willing to trade Richard Sherman if the price is right. No crud. I would think the Hawks would be willing to trade anyone if the price is right. That’s what it means. … Frank Clark had surgery this week. He’s OK. … There is a lot of talk, and money, around Eddie Lacy’s weight. Was the signing the right one to make? … The Hawks reportedly re-signed a couple of their guys. … Will Marshawn Lynch play again?
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• More basketball, lunch with friends, the weekend beckons. Is there anything better? Until later …