Some sports news today. Reports are that Pedro Martinez is signing with my beloved N.Y. Mets. I'm not crazy about signing a 33-year-old six-inning pitcher to a four-year contract, but I don't think the signing is only about the games he'll pitch. He's going to revitalize the Hispanic -- particularly the Dominican -- population's interest in the Mets. This signing is all about selling tickets, and that's fine.
I expect that once his signing is confirmed and there's a press conference praising the future Hall of Famer joining the staff with another former Cy Young Award winner and potential HOFer, Tom Glavine, ticket sales will increase. The Mets aren't winning the division with this club in 2005. They'll be lucky to finish third. But they were reportedly 18th or 19th in ticket sales last year. That's unacceptable in the New York market. Now Omar Minaya, the general manager, needs to improve the bullpen, because Felix Heredia isn't an answer to anyone's mid-game problems.
In a different sport, I read that Mia Hamm has been named among the three potential candidates for player of the year. If she wins, it would be the third time for her. The recently retired superstar, married to Cubs shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, has been a fantastic ambassador for women's sports. I think of her as the most important soccer player in the United States. I'm not saying merely women's soccer, but all U.S. soccer. For the casual fan and especially for the non-fan who at least likes sports in general, Mia Hamm IS American soccer. Not since Alexei Lalas and the 1994 World Cup team have American players been widely recognizable.
Good luck, Mrs. Garciaparra. You deserve all the accolades of American sports fans, in my opinion.
1 comment:
Mia didn't win, finishing a distant second. But I still think highly of her and I hope she continues to be a strong ambassador for her sport and for sportsmanship in general.
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