Center Field
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The 2020 pandemic wrested control of our anxieties and created new, super-charged dividing lines. But, "stay at home" orders that moved to stages 2 or 3 in some cities and states created optimism and different dialogues. Here in southern California, that meant the opening of beaches and limited capacity operations inside restaurants. Wins. And big steps forward.
While that part of the picture is bright and cheery, I had multiple windows open on my computer Friday night during the show. I was monitoring the latest reports from cities all over America. The horrific scene of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis reignited latent conflict as protests overtook numerous communities. I watched the coverage from Minneapolis, New York, Atlanta, Seattle and finally, Los Angeles.
I was particularly moved by the speech from Mayor Bottoms in Atlanta. She called for everyone that cared about Atlanta to "Go home!" She cited the high percentage of minority-owned businesses in Atlanta, and talked of her phone call home to her son. Click the link. Watch the five minutes.
That's a win. Community.
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Our coverage on the show has been replete with numerous test balloons and theories about how sports can come back and the debates about the safety/efficacy of fans being part of the equation.
-- Football had the good fortune of not being in-season at the outbreak of the pandemic. They've proceeded with the normal offseason calendar.
-- Gary Bettman and the NHL are actually the big winner and leaders. The league and the NHLPA operated under cover of darkness and came forth with a plan of how to operate the playoffs. It's a blueprint!
-- The NBA revealed a plan to get back on the court by the final day of July. The details are still being worked out, but the latest theory includes all teams within six games of the playoffs (based on the regular season standings as of the league's suspension of play). Some theorize that the league is doing everything they can to get Zion Williamson and the Pelicans into the playoff mix. Good! Bright lights and brand-building and marketing and sales.
And then there's Baseball. For those unaware, the league and players came to a deal almost immediately after spring training was suspended and opening day delayed. They agreed to a prorated deal that assumed fans in the stands. With that still a longshot for 2020, there's an impasse as of the end of May.
Some insiders speculate that the season may be lost, and with changes to the MLB Draft and the minor leagues this year, the face of the game is at risk of looking much different. And that's a tough piece to the sporting landscape. Baseball's always been there to help further bigger discussions in society, and right now there's an argument that boils down to cash. Both sides are getting crushed in the court of public opinion.
We've had the much longer and nuanced conversation on the show. I'll throw that spider web of decision points out in a separate blog.
For now, I come back to a fun win. This is about positivity and finding the good. I got that on Thursday during the "Petros & Money" show here in Los Angeles. They pay tributes to the "Alive Guy" and "Dead Guy" of the day. Yesterday's "Alive Guy" was music legend John Fogerty.
From CCR to his solo career, Fogerty's lyrics and soul have been part of my jukebox. He was celebrating his 75th birthday. As part of the celebration, Fogerty he took the opportunity to crash the renovated Dodger Stadium for a mini-concert. And we all received a gift.
He played "Center Field" with his family in the iconic ballpark. I've highlighted a key part of the lyrics below. Fogerty revealed that the "brown-eyed handsome man" was none other than baseball legend and trailblazer Jackie Robinson. It all circles back together.
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Be safe. Hold tight. And sing along if you know the words. Cheers.
"Well-a, beat the drum and hold the phone,
The sun came out today.
We're born again, there's new grass on the field.
A-roundin' third, and headed for home,
It's a brown-eyed handsome man,
Anyone can understand the way I feel.
Ooohh --
Put me in coach, I'm ready to play today
Put me in coach, I'm ready to play today
Look at me, I can be, Centerfield"
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