I am finding that as I get older, I find it difficult to get interested in the major sports. Don't get me wrong, I still love baseball. However I am to the point where I have zero interest in basketball, either college or pro. and even now I am unable to find any interest in college or pro football. It is not the whole kneeling that has turned me off, nor the concussion problems but more so the fans. I find that the most obnoxious fan base is that of the NFL. The game itself is boring and so are the fans. I get sick of them whining over every call that is made by the officials, who are not even full time employees of the NFL. Give me a good old fashioned REAL football match every Sunday and I am happy.
It is nice to see Collingwood back in the AFL Finals but they now have a long row to hoe after dropping their first match and not getting that extra week off. We shall see how they fare this weekend against the Giants, who they lost to twice this season. Come on you Pies!!
Alistair Cook produced a nice send off in his final Test match with England putting up a 147. Too bad that India never really mad a series of it in dropping three of the first four.
With baseball winding down we are down to only a few races, mainly in the NL East and West. Those teams face a win the division or set up your tee times for October. I am picking the Braves and the Rockies  to win their divisions and the Brewers and Cardinals to meet for the Wild Card.

Comeback: The Fall and Rise of Geelong by James Button

As an American Aussie Rules fan, it has been impossible for me to find books on the game.  This look at the more recent history of the Geelong Football Club is a godsend.  I loved reading about the downs and then up that the club and the town went through over the years.  It is well researched and has many first hand accounts from people involved with the club.  As a Collingwood fan, this book made me look at the Geelong club in a different light.  Not enough to convince me to change allegiances, for as I say, the only thing worse than changing your club is cheating on your wife, and it's not that much worse.

Five stars

The Last Innocents: The Los Angeles Dodgers of the 1960's
by Michael Leahy

Marc Robinson's review

Sep 21, 2016  ·  edit

An excellent look at the Dodgers of the 60's and the things going on around them. From Koufax to Wills to Parker, it is an intriguing look at the team and the times. I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to baseball fans and history buffs alike.

Mourinho

José Mourinho: The Art of Winning
by Andrew Kirby

Marc Robinson's review

Sep 21, 2016  ·  edit

An excellent study of one of the world's most iconic managers. Love him of hate him (which I believe the majority do), Mourinho is a fascinating character. It will be interesting to see where he leads Man U and the wolves are already out after three successive losses. The author delves into both sides of Mourinho's complex character. A great read.

It's Been a Pleasure Doing Business With You.

Last night was really hard for me.  I had to say goodbye to something that was a huge part of my life for the past twenty years.  When I am down I can always count on something from them to lift my spirits.  After 28 years together, the Tragically Hip played what will most likely be their final concert. Kudos go to CBC for broadcasting the show live around the world.
The worst part for me was both before and after the show.  I was pretty sure that I would lose it when the boys came out, but the coverage showed them pre-show backstage.  I didn't make it past that scene.  The water works started early.  After the show, I found it hard to go to sleep.  I realized that this was it.  No more waiting for a new Hip album.  No more seeing Gordie gyrating around the stage.
The show itself was simply spectacular.  They were onstage for more than three hours and there wasn't a dull moment in the whole show.  From Gordie dancing like no one was watching, Johnny providing the beat, Paul and Gord backing vocals and Bobby driving, the boys went out on top.
I have been a huge fan since a friend of mine gave me a copy of Night and Day.  I saw them live five times, once on the Trouble at the Henhouse tour, three times on the Phantom Power tour and once on the In Violet Light tour.  Unfortunately I didn't see them after 2000.  I had numerous opportunies but I always said that I would catch them next time.  Well next time never came and that is what bothers me most.
I will always remember two very personal things about the band.  I was able to speak to Gordie after a show in Columbus.  During Fireworks he sang "you were loosening my grip on Gerald Ford" rather than Bobby Orr.  I asked him why and he said, "I meant to use it in Grand Rapids, but I forgot." Another time  after a show in Cincinnati, I was able to have a hockey card signed by the entire band. It was the same card referenced in Fifty Mission Cap.  Gordie even wrote "no one know's it's in"  It is a very treasured possession.  
So I will have to be glad that I was at least able to see the final show of a band who's music and lyric have been a large part of me for two decades.  Gordie you are loved by many and will be missed immensely. Thank you for all that you guys have done for an entire country and especially for me.
HIP!!! HIP!!!  HIP!!! HIP!!!HIP!!!

Death of a Gentleman

I just watched an utterly fascinating documentary on the sport of cricket. The Death of a Gentleman. I know, here I go again to prattle on about cricket.  However, I have found a true passion for the sport. I watch it as much as I can and am always looking to get my hands on any literature on the sport.
The doc follows two cricket fans on their quest to see if their true love of test, ie five day long, cricket is to see the sport disappear entirely.  What they are lead to is the corruption on a sport by those looking to advance it.  The film makes the NFL view on concussions look like child's play,  Cricket is facing a tough road ahead and looks to be controlled by three countries, led by India and their BCCI. It was  a well done documentary that I recommend for anyone to watch, be they a sports fan or not.