Joe T. will remain a fan of the New York Mets.
By Joe Torosian
“Jungle life, I’m living in the open
Native beat that carries on
Burning bright, a fire that blows a signal to the sky
I sit and wonder, does the message get to you?”
—Baltimora
Kick it!
Right off the Top: I dumped the NFL Network.
The definition of “anachronism” (according to dictionary.Com) is of a thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists, especially a thing that is conspicuously old-fashioned.
It doesn’t mean, rebel… It just means that something doesn’t fit its time.
That’s the NFL Network for me…The Network fits its time, but I don’t. So, I dumped it along with a whole collection of sports channels.
There was a time when the only thing on in my office, in my house, was the NFL Network. Who could ever get enough of football? I sure couldn’t, and the NFL Network was a dream come true.
At its height—for me—the worst was the filler work it did during the Pro Bowl weekend back when it followed the Super Bowl…The other 51 weeks of the year it was all joy. It covered the combine in Indianapolis, breaking news, free agency, NFL Films, The Path to the Draft stuff was great and the Draft itself was marvelous.
I never thought the day would come but somewhere along the way, the NFL Network, felt it needed to entertain me…And I lost interest.
Why do I/we need to be entertained beyond the game itself? I’ve always found something like this funny.
It’s like going to a Dodger game and being entertained by hat shuffle games, dance cam, kiss cam, beach balls and/or the wave…And just seeing the game or Clayton Kershaw pitch isn’t entertaining enough.
The NFL Network decided to entertain with a funny, cool, hip non-informative—simply ridiculous—morning show. It decided it needed to go to the red carpet for the NFL Draft. It decided we needed to see a bio on every player in the Draft who suffered everything from Katrina to a hangnail when growing up. It decided I needed to share its socio/political agenda.
Content just kept slipping away and became less important. Now the NFL Network is just like everything else…So when I was cutting channels from my Direct-TV package I asked the NFL Network to come to my office and to bring its playbook.
I know it’s only my view…Someone must like it, right? The majority of people must enjoy it, right? I can’t stomach it (it’s like listening to present day sports talk radio)…Thus, I’ve become the anachronism.
The NFL Network failed to make my cut because it stopped being entertaining…It stopped being just about football…Football is entertaining…The NFL Network is not.
If I’m going to lose any time in front of the flatscreen when football or the Mets are out of season, I’d rather lose that time watching a Seinfeld rerun…
***
Midbits (same as ‘Tidbits’)
Midbits: The Los Angeles Dodgers are 61-29 and 7.5 games up in the National League West…But the Milwaukee Brewers are 50-41 and 5.5 games up in the National League Central…Go Mets!
Midbits: Is everyone happy with Lonzo Ball?
Midbits: Is it possible for someone to say something nice about Cathedral?
Midbits: I’m not going to watch the MLB’s All Star Exhibition…yawn, I’d rather watch my recording of Arroyo winning the CIF title.
Midbits: Got a note asking me what I thought about South Pasadena football this season…I said, I don’t know but they usually go 6-4, 6-3-1 or 7-3 and miss the playoffs…Do any of you have an opinion?
The Dude abides…
666
Job 10:12
Contact Joe at joe@midvalleysports.com
Author of “Tangent Dreams: A High School Football Novel” & “The Dead Bug Tales” both available through amazon.com and Barnes & Noble
Follow Joe on Twitter @joet13b
Follow “Joe Torosian’s Books” on Facebook
@Angelus Fan
I’ve replied to your post twice but my comments were not published for whatever reason. The fault isn’t mine for the hatred. You need only look to your head coach for that answer.
I would like to know one thing Annonymous. As a Graduate of Cathedral, why do you talk and hate so much. What did Cathedral do to you. If you can answer that then I could understand. The Guy that started all the anti- Cathedral stuff was Downtown Downey. Than You started and everyone jumped on the bandwagon. Cathedral is a Great School and are doing Great Things which is sending Students to College. They do not deserve to be attacked by You or anyone on these boards. If you have something on your mind, than go see The Head Coach. Thank You Sir.
Paraclete is legit. As far as 7 on 7 is concerned, from my vantage point, they were the best team at the Battle at the Beach. All they did was consistently score on everyone, compete, and did so without talking, ranting and raving. Definitely performed well and did it with class. Watch out for Paraclete.
I still laugh when people mispronounce their name. Right before a game, I heard St. John Bosco players asking, “who we playing? … Parachute? … No, I think we’re playing Paracles, right? … No stupid, we’re playing Particles.”
I told them “you are playing a “pair of cleats.” That’s the best I could do for them.
I can see why Cathedral creates so many Anti-Cathedral followers. As a collective group (players, coaches, parents, etc.) they are far from exhibiting class while in the midst of competition. At one point, during pool play vs Mater Dei in the Battle at the Beach tournament, one coach in particular walked from his sideline all the way to the end zone and began to mock the Mater Dei parents and fans after they scored a touchdown. I mean, he actually went out of his way to convey the idea that Cathedral had just scored a touchdown on them. I understand teenagers “acting a fool”, but coming from a coach, who appeared to be serving as defensive coordinator, not exactly exemplary behavior. There’s enthusiasm/energy, and then there’s silliness and disrespect. Quite frankly, I was shocked to see them conducting themselves in that manner vs a team who may very well emerge as national champions in 2017.
On another note, I will say I was impressed with their athleticism, skill, and their competitive ambition. It was clear to me that Cathedral was the most eager team in the Battle at the Beach. Cathedral is very good, no doubt about it. However, I found it ironic and amusing that their overzealous approach led to their elimination and was their downfall. St. John Bosco eliminated Cathedral. During pool play, St. John Bosco did not appear to be playing with any emotion and was not engaged. Until, of course, Cathedral came “barking”.
St. John Bosco was like, “Oh, ok. You wanna play. This is your super bowl? Ok, let’s play.” They woke up a sleeping giant, and Cathedral went real quite in a matter of ten minutes. One St. John Bosco supporter yelled across the field to his players “Shut them down. Shut up their false sense of bravado.” I thought that was funny.
Typical thread
D1 Fan: Carhedral is the greatest high school football team ever! We got D1 guys!
Downtown Downey/Anonymous: Coach Pee is a scumbag and recruits. He’s disloyal to his own players.
D1 Fan: You’re just jealous. Go back to Southgate.
Downtown Downey/Anonymous: I hate Cathedral!
Stop whining, if you guys are gonna promote you school like made for tv ad then open yourself up for the critics…
quit crying
Anonymous has to stop attacking cathedral. Every time D1 fan says something positive about cathedral anonymous attacks him. D1 fan is only backing up his alma mater cathedral. Anonymous has to stop. This is about high school sports.
I have a great idea how about when you guys post an article and the comments get off topic about what the original topic is, you don’t allow them!! Maybe that will help us when we’re reading about a league preview or Passing Tournament and don’t have to read through 40 comments of Cathedral or the other various schools
Long as Coach Pearson is there very to compliment Cathedral. But I’ll give it a try. The fields nice… yea there you go
I am a Cathedral Alum and had nothing but a great experience when I attended. I respect everyone’s opinion but some are really hung up on Cathedral. Every private school now has their pick and athletes pick and chose where they can show their talents to get to the next level. So don’t just hate on Cathedral for no reason.
More something nice…..
Well, Cathedral is close to downtown so if you are hungry after a game there are some good spots to hit close by.
I like the particular shade of purple worn by the Phantoms, and the fact that graves are no longer plundered by local thieves. Can’t say I dig the neighborhood or the parking situation, but I’m sure these things are heaven for somebody.