Sports News 7-24-12

Penn State and Ichiro

“Football will never again be placed ahead of educating, nurturing and protecting young people,” NCAA President Mark Emmert declared as he listed the historic sanctions applied to Penn State University.  The story dominated the news and will continue to do so as the sports community tries to put the penalty into context. When the news broke at 9 a.m., fans on both side of the argument were shocked. Alums took to social media and the airwaves to voice disapproval and pain.

Overview of Sanctions:

• A limit of 65 total scholarships a year for four (4) years representing a decrease of up to ten (10) each year.
• Vacating all wins from 1998 – 2011.
• A $60 million fine to be donated to charities that support the victims of sexual abuse.
• Postseason ban for four (4) years.

The university did not receive the official death penalty, but it did make life really tough for current students, football players and fans, but nothing like the living hell of the Sandusky victims.

Ichiro: I Want to Win

Ichiro Suzuki is a Yankee!

For 45 seconds in the top of the 3rd inning, Seattle Mariners fans stood and clapped thunderously for Ichiro Suzuki, the player who served them well for nearly 12 long (very long) years. Now, he dressed in the visitor’s clubhouse and donned a New York Yankees uniform. Ichiro’s many accomplishments while in Seattle were recognized throughout MLB, but the Mariners management never pulled together a long-term winner. The 38 year-old right fielder was a 10-time Golden Glove winner, 10-time All-Star, MVP, AL Rookie of the Year – just to name some of his achievements. Brett Gardner’s potentially season-ending injury left a big gap for the Yankees. They have bats but they also need speed. Ichiro still feels that he has enough gas in the tank to help the Yanks go deep into the postseason.

“I am going from a team with the most losses to a team with the most wins,”  said Suzuki through his interpreter, “so it’s been hard to contain my excitement in that regard.”

But finally, he couldn’t take being last in the standings and requested a trade. By his own admission, it was painful but the chance to win the Big One was exciting. For the 1st time ever in his career, Ichiro wasn’t in the top 3 of the lineup. But when it was his time, with a tip of his cap and a respectful bow, he hit a line drive single and took 1st base.