For Seve

Severiano Ballesteros, deceased, with his favorite trophy

The heavens send a message to the Ryder Cup faithful

Never underestimate the enduring spirit of the deceased. 

As shown in the miraculously triumphant, European Ryder Cup team, the spirit of their gone but not forgotten golfing warrior, Seve Ballesteros, carried them to victory in one of the most compelling victories in sporting history.

Astonishing really.  With Europe down not only on the scoreboard in points after Saturday, 10-6 in favor of the Americans, but, also in demeanor, they rallied on the second to last head to head finals match to win the coveted Ryder Cup on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in suburban Chicago.  Final score: Euros 14.5 pts, USA 13.5 points. Beautiful to Europe.  Ugly for the Americans.

What happened?  America seemed so overpowering in the first two days of team play.  But Sunday, the final day, the day of mano to mano finals, seemed to summon up within the Euro team an indomitable spirit beyond comprehension and with no thought of surrender.  And where did that come from?  Only the gods know...and Seve.

Their Sunday counter to Americans dominance after the first two days reminded me of the speech given by the King of Sparta, Leonidas, in 480 BC, as he led his 300 Spartan warriors against the Persian god-King Xerxes and his vicious horde of thousands, when he said to his men, "There is no retreat.  There is no surrender.  That is Spartan law." 

Leonidas is credited with that great no quit line in the face of certain defeat in BC but the Leonidas-like enduring spirit of Seve in AD permeated every player on the Euro team and they won.  Only difference, Leonidas died that day in Thermopylae but Sparta rallied years later to defeat the Persians, while joy came sooner to the Euros by channeling their inner spiritual leader, Seve.

Lesson learned by the Americans: never underestimate the soul of a man...or a team who believes in something bigger than themselves.

OLE...OLE...OLE...OLE!!!!!

Bravo to a thrilling weekend of sport.

Cheers.

Terror on the Green

Opening tee shot tomorrow in the Ryder Cup...where's the Maalox plus? Gulp

If there is actual terror in professional sports, the next three days on the links in Illinois will be its home.

The 39th running of the biennial (every two years) golf's version of waterboarding, known as The Ryder Cup, gets underway at Medinah CC in suburban Chicago tomorrow for three excruciatingly dramatic days. 

The Ryder Cup pits the best 12 European golfers against the best 12 American golfers in the world.  The uber-talented golfers are the show but don't tell that to the rabid fans who writhe in pain or exude with joy on every shot. 

The spectators have taken over this event and has made it intensely personal to whatever side of the Atlantic one resides. In television or on site, the fans rule at the Ryder Cup.  Count the number of flags and patriotic chants along the way.  You'd think you're at the World Cup final in Brazil. But this lasts three full days all over the world!

If you don't believe me tune in tomorrow on ESPN at 8:20A EST to see balls in the air or on the ground off the first tee.

The opening tee shot in the Ryder Cup is THE most terrifying shot a professional attempts to hit successfully in his entire career including Opens, Masters whatever...  It's for country not wallet.  That means everything. Pride is still alive in America and Europe. These players desire exceptionalism. It's in their DNA. And, it's personal too!  For the four American rookies, Snedeker, Dufner, Bradley and Simpson, they best strap on their big boys pants Friday morning for what lies ahead of them. It will be a war.

Past Ryder Cuppers have stated they are so nervous on the First Tee that it helps to keep their eyes closed and keep breath held until impact.  "Be the ball", he whispers.  "And hope to God I can find it out there...somewhere playable."  Certain applause or disgust awaits from the boisterous crowd depending on the result and one's allegiance.

So enjoy the show and say a wee prayer for these mortal men who play a game following 1.68" of a white dimpled ball on a stage of global sublime insanity.

Cheers.

Jobbed by Zebras

Touchback versus Touchdown, you make the call

To quote the late great St. Louis Cardinal announcer, Jack Buck, "I can't believe what I just saw."

That quote aptly applies to what I and millions of others saw tonight on Monday Night Football. With the Seattle Seahawks down by five points against the Green Bay Packers with eight seconds remaining in the game, Seahawks QB, Russell Wilson, heaves a Hail Mary Pass into the end zone hoping one of his receivers catches the ball.  Eventually, the ball comes down in the left corner of the end zone surrounded by five Packers and one Seahawk, Golden Tate.  And a catch was made. But by whom? 

As one tweeter succinctly tweeted, "it is the first time in NFL history that a quarterback was credited with a touchdown by throwing an interception."

If you did not see this final 8 seconds, find it online. Everybody will be talking about this for days and weeks to come.  So you don't want to look stupid and be left out.

By the way, the scab referees for this game were instantly whisked carried away on the shouldertops of grateful Seahawk fans.   An early Christmas present...if you will. Packer fans not so happy.  Those refs will be in the witness protection program by midnight.

So much for the integrity of the Roger Goodell's National Football League.

What a JOKE!!!!

September mourning

Daily suffering at the South Pool 911 Memorial

At its 122nd annual conference in 2004, the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus resolved that September 11th be observed each year as a World Day of Prayer for Peace.

On the sacred grounds at Ground Zero in New York City on April 20, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI offered the following prayer service:

"God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world:

peace in the hearts of all men and women

and peace among the nations of the earth.

Turn to your way of love

those whose hearts and minds

are consumed by hatred.

God of understanding,

overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy,

we seek your light and guidance

as we confront such terrible events.

Grant that those whose lives were spared

may live so that the lives lost

may not have been lost in vain.

Comfort and console us,

strengthen us in hope,

and give us the wisdom and the courage

to work tirelessly for a world

where true peace and love reign

among nations and in the hearts of all."

11 years ago today, almost 3,000 innocent Americans lost their lives to Islamic terrorism.  Let us pray for them and their families.  Moreover, let us pray for peacemakers to succeed and warmongers to lose.

Operation Rebound

True heroes who sustained our freedom

Grateful beneficiaries of those same true heroes

This past weekend my son, Jack, and I participated in a triathlon in our area.  Little did we know that we were in the midst of true triathlete heroes.

This year's race was dedicated to all those athletes who have served in the military and who now participate across this country in ironmans, triathlons, marathons, half-marathons, 10Ks, 5Ks and whatever race is out there.

Many of these veterans both men and women who participate in the many races across this country are permanently and severely disabled from the wounds of war...both physical and psychological wounds.

As Jack's wave started his swim portion of the triathlon, I looked around him and saw two honored veterans who were double amputees. A man and a woman. As I marveled at their guts and strength as they hand-walked into the ocean, I wondered what had happened to them. (I later found out that both triathletes had their legs blown off by IEDs in Iraq and Afghanistan.) Their visible courage quickly altered my ambition for a personal best. They changed me...forever.

One such veteran/triathlete was highlighted in the paper the following morning. His name: Retired Army Captain Alvin Shell, Jr.   Here is a piece of that article:

Alvin Shell, 35, once willingly ran through the fires of hell to save a fellow soldier in Iraq. "An 18 wheel truck got hit, spilling gas all over the road.  We went up to assist and we got ambushed. A lot of people caught fire.  I was close to the impact that it knocked me off the road, but when I came to and saw everybody on fire, I ran into the fire and grabbed one of my sargeants, rolled him around, kicked dirt on him and helped him out."  But Shell, covered in gasoline, caught fire himself and leaped into a ditch to extinguish the flames. Then he helped his platoon fight off their attackers. "I pretty much passed out and woke up 10 days later in a hospital with my wife and my Dad in the room."  Shell underwent 30 surgeries including painful skin grafts. He had to learn to do everything again...talk, walk, feed himself, brush teeth, use the bathroom. 

And what motivated him to move on and embrace life again?  His wife and their three young boys.   He wanted to be there for their kids.  So, he picked himself up and off the mat and said to himself "put up or shut up."

Shell finished this triathlon in style.  Not surprising. He runs 6 miles a day back home in Virginia. And, what do his sons think of him now? The oldest boy said, "My Dad is a huge inspiration for me and my brothers. He's mind-boggling."  Double gulp!!

There are as many reasons as there are athletes why we swim, and bike and run but the indomitable spirit of the Alvin Shells of this country provides in large measure what we need to continue to compete, participate and feel vital and grateful in this world.

Other vets competing that day were:

• Bryce Cole suffered brain injury as a paratrooper
• Daniel Mulverhill suffered brain injury and PTSD
• Justin Pullin suffered multiple burns from IED explosion
• Nathan Hunt lost both legs to a roadside bomb
• Leonard Day suffered traumatic brain injury from roadside bomb
• Joseph Kennedy run over by a military vehicle suffered multiple injuries

Thank you and may God bless Alvin and to all those who have served and are serving our country around the globe.