StevenHW
Starter
For those who were upset at Marcos Breton's negative article about the Monarchs during the time of the WNBA Finals, here comes his most recent article from last Sunday's (Dec. 25) edition of the Sacramento Bee!
Which of one you wrote the letters that Breton quoted?
* * * * * * * *
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/monarchs/story/14015441p-14848123c.html
MARCOS BRETON: YEAR OF THE WEIRD
Webber trade, Monarchs' title contrast eerily
By Marcos Bretón -- Bee Columnist
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, December 25, 2005
Where were you when the Monarchs won the WNBA crown at Arco Arena on Sept. 20? Do you remember?
Was it your biggest sports highlight of 2005?
Can you recall your location when Monarchs announcer Jim Kozimor boomed: "Rejoice Capital City! Rejoice!"
I can. As the idiot who suggested the Monarchs weren't that big a story, I was placing ticking packages from Monarchs fans in big barrels of water. And reading reams of Monarchs-loving missives like this one:
"Neanderthal. Wake up! What an absolute stupid, knuckle-dragging idiot you are. ... You represent the men in this world who are afraid of women who can not only compete with you, but can run circles around you. You are a dying breed. Hurry up and die."
And the truly scary part of that note?
It eerily captures the essence of a 2005 sports season in which the culture of athletics was a little mean-spirited, a little funny and more than a little cuckoo.
In what other year could Sacramento's greatest prep running back ever - the Minnesota Vikings' Onterrio Smith - gain international attention for getting busted with the "Whizzinator" - a strap-on contraption with a fake penis and freeze-dried urine designed to cheat an NFL drug test?
In what other year could a reptile such as Jose Canseco become a paragon of truth, while "good guys" Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro are soiled as steroid suspects?
In what other year could Barry Bonds say he's done because of a bum right knee, then change his mind, then assert he's kaput, then say he feels great, then promise us he's finito, then proclaim he's coming back - all while Giants big shots scurry about like harried Weebles that wobble but don't fall down.
In what other year could "simulated" Giants games with Bonds draw more media attention than real Giants games without Bonds?
In what other year could the destruction caused by Terrell Owens off the field rival the excellence of the Indianapolis Colts on the field?
In what other year could baseball's biggest stories be: Canseco's book on steroids, Bonds' knee, a congressional hearing on steroids, Kenny Rogers assaulting a cameraman, Palmeiro testing positive for steroids, Bonds' aborted chase of Babe Ruth and tougher penalties on steroids?
And in what other year could the biggest story in Sacramento sports have nothing to do with a win or a play frozen in our memories a la the Robert Horry shot that sank the Kings in 2002?
Nope. Around here, the year 2005 was topped by a transaction. It was about letting go of a dream that was so close only three years before. Of Chris Webber hoisting an NBA championship trophy on the steps of City Hall.
That died Feb. 23 when Webber, the ultimate Sacramento athlete, was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in a deal that echoes louder by the day.
Oh, sure. At the time many fans cheered the exit of a lightning rod whose magnetism drew credit for all that was good and blame for everything bad in Kings Nation.
But the funny thing about 2005 is that as a sports year, its foundation was pure quicksand. Yeah, suddenly, Webber is gleaming in Philly, while the Kings are fading badly at 10-16.
How does Sacramento like that trade now?
Indeed, Webber was and is a defensive liability. But what about the myth that is the current Kings defense?
And what about the whole reason for trading Webber?
Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie said dumping Webber's monster contract - $19.1 million this season, $20.2 million and $22.3 million the next two - gave the Kings "flexibility."
But the only flexibility frustrated Kings fans see is how flexible the Kings' defense is, how roomy it is for opponents to cut through.
The result is that for the first time in 11 years in Sacramento, Petrie - heretofore a sacred cow - is taking heat from Kings fans.
Meanwhile, with the departure of Webber, of Doug Christie on Jan. 10 and Bobby Jackson on July 22, the Kings now commit a crime as serious as losing - they're boring.
The new Kings simply aren't that interesting as people, a reversal of fortunes that Kings fans are struggling with.
Don't take my word for it: "I felt a closeness to Webber, to Bobby Jackson and Doug Christie," said Eileen Nathaniel, a 45-year-old state government analyst and longtime Kings fan.
"I'm willing to give the new players a chance, but they haven't performed to the level I expected. ... I think the Kings suffered a major coronary when they traded Chris Webber."
And now with Bonzi Wells - the Kings' best player this season - on the inactive list with Peja Stojakovic, 2005 concludes on a definite down note at Arco Arena.
This after the Kings' marketing staff drew national scorn Nov. 8 - opening night against the Detroit Pistons - when a video clip intended as a joke slurred Detroiters with images of poverty and burned-out neighborhoods.
And what of the incredibly gruesome gold uniforms the Kings began wearing occasionally this year?
Weird year.
Even the positive stories had troubling twists, such as the Feb. 16 stroke suffered by Roseville's Tedy Bruschi, the spiritual leader of the dynastic New England Patriots' defense.
He was only 31 then and just weeks removed from leading the Pats to a third Super Bowl win in four years. Bruschi's fragile condition - especially for such an inspirational bull of a man - sobered us all.
"Inspirational" being the operative word when the indispensable linebacker returned to action Oct. 30 after some wondered if he ever would play again.
Bruschi gets my vote for "Man of the Year," though any number of UC Davis football players deserve consideration as well.
The Aggies, you see, pulled a football miracle of sorts Sept. 17 by beating Stanford at Stanford Stadium 20-17 - a monumental upset given that Davis is in the process of moving from Division II to I-AA.
One might even argue that the Aggies' victory was the greatest moment in Davis sports history, the loss a Stanford all-time low.
Too bad so few saw it.
The game was not televised, and unless you were one of the 31,000 or so at cavernous Stanford Stadium, you missed the Aggies' golden moment:
A 72-yard drive culminating with receiver Blaise Smith catching the winning touchdown pass with eight seconds left.
To this day, many ardent Aggies have caught only glimpses of the Stanford triumph, as when game film was shown three days later at the popular watering hole, The Davis Graduate.
"Every time you show that play, the crowd goes wild," said Mark Honbo of the Davis media relations staff. "I will watch it every now and then and get that rush all over again."
For $10, you can as well, by purchasing an 11-minute video of Stanford's Aggie Apocalypse from the UC Davis Sports Marketing Department. Don't call me, call (530) 752-2699.
Otherwise, one of Sacramento's great sports moments of '05 has much in common with the glory of a local champion whose triumph few saw.
We refer to Diego Corrales' stirring, 10th-round knockout of Jose Luis Castillo on May 7 in Las Vegas, a classic brawl that secured for Corrales the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization lightweight crowns.
Said Dan Rafael of ESPN.com: "I've seen every major fight since 2000 and have thousands of tapes of fights dating back to the 1940s, and I can honestly say I've never seen such a great fight."
Many national writers concurred, citing Corrales' comeback after being knocked down twice in the 10th as a sporting moment for the ages.
Yet, because it was on Showtime, viewership was paltry compared to lesser title fights. And when the two staged an Oct. 8 rematch, Castillo failed to make the 135-pound weight limit, actually gained pounds after sweating in a sauna and watched one of his cornermen get suspended for trying to stick his foot under Castillo's scale as the fighter stepped on it.
Then, with a big audience watching a fight with no title belts at stake, Corrales inexplicably rumbled with a power puncher when he had nothing to gain and got knocked out in the fourth round.
Weird year.
Indeed, the Raiders and 49ers are both now horrible and boring for the first time in 40 years. The A's treaded water while building for next year. And the Giants? They were old, brittle and superfluous.
The NHL returned after a season-long work stoppage, and the Sharks promptly dropped to last place, joining the Kings, Raiders and 49ers in a miserable conclusion to 2005.
But there was some hope and glory: Lance Armstrong won his seventh Tour de France; the Chicago White Sox their first World Series title since 1917; and Tiger Woods, Roger Clemens and Annika Sorenstam continued to amaze. Jerry Rice and Jack Nicklaus retired. Danica Patrick caught our eye, though she crashed at nearby Infineon Raceway on Aug. 28.
Meanwhile, we marveled at Pat Summitt of the University of Tennessee as she became the winningest basketball coach in NCAA history. And a nation was blown away by the USC football team as the Trojans remained unbeatable.
But as great as they were, we in Sacramento mostly watched those moments from afar.
Close up, what we saw was a championship trophy raised on the steps of City Hall - just not the one most dreamed of Webber hoisting.
It was the Monarchs who were crowned WNBA champions. It was the Monarchs who drew 3,000 to a downtown celebration parade. It was the Monarchs claiming bragging rights and the biggest local win of 2005.
Yes, yours truly did point out that they drew minuscule national TV ratings and few Internet hits on The Bee's Web site compared to the huge coverage we gave them.
And yes, this computer nearly melted from the fury of Monarchs fans scorned.
But there are no hard feelings here, only congratulations for being a positive story in a year of weirdness.
Besides, the experience gives this columnist a chance to direct some choice words at passionate female sports fans - words that women have hurled at men for ages:
Why were you Monarchs fans so mad? It's only a game!
* * * * * * * *
Which of one you wrote the letters that Breton quoted?
* * * * * * * *
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/monarchs/story/14015441p-14848123c.html
MARCOS BRETON: YEAR OF THE WEIRD
Webber trade, Monarchs' title contrast eerily
By Marcos Bretón -- Bee Columnist
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, December 25, 2005
Where were you when the Monarchs won the WNBA crown at Arco Arena on Sept. 20? Do you remember?
Was it your biggest sports highlight of 2005?
Can you recall your location when Monarchs announcer Jim Kozimor boomed: "Rejoice Capital City! Rejoice!"
I can. As the idiot who suggested the Monarchs weren't that big a story, I was placing ticking packages from Monarchs fans in big barrels of water. And reading reams of Monarchs-loving missives like this one:
"Neanderthal. Wake up! What an absolute stupid, knuckle-dragging idiot you are. ... You represent the men in this world who are afraid of women who can not only compete with you, but can run circles around you. You are a dying breed. Hurry up and die."
And the truly scary part of that note?
It eerily captures the essence of a 2005 sports season in which the culture of athletics was a little mean-spirited, a little funny and more than a little cuckoo.
In what other year could Sacramento's greatest prep running back ever - the Minnesota Vikings' Onterrio Smith - gain international attention for getting busted with the "Whizzinator" - a strap-on contraption with a fake penis and freeze-dried urine designed to cheat an NFL drug test?
In what other year could a reptile such as Jose Canseco become a paragon of truth, while "good guys" Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro are soiled as steroid suspects?
In what other year could Barry Bonds say he's done because of a bum right knee, then change his mind, then assert he's kaput, then say he feels great, then promise us he's finito, then proclaim he's coming back - all while Giants big shots scurry about like harried Weebles that wobble but don't fall down.
In what other year could "simulated" Giants games with Bonds draw more media attention than real Giants games without Bonds?
In what other year could the destruction caused by Terrell Owens off the field rival the excellence of the Indianapolis Colts on the field?
In what other year could baseball's biggest stories be: Canseco's book on steroids, Bonds' knee, a congressional hearing on steroids, Kenny Rogers assaulting a cameraman, Palmeiro testing positive for steroids, Bonds' aborted chase of Babe Ruth and tougher penalties on steroids?
And in what other year could the biggest story in Sacramento sports have nothing to do with a win or a play frozen in our memories a la the Robert Horry shot that sank the Kings in 2002?
Nope. Around here, the year 2005 was topped by a transaction. It was about letting go of a dream that was so close only three years before. Of Chris Webber hoisting an NBA championship trophy on the steps of City Hall.
That died Feb. 23 when Webber, the ultimate Sacramento athlete, was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in a deal that echoes louder by the day.
Oh, sure. At the time many fans cheered the exit of a lightning rod whose magnetism drew credit for all that was good and blame for everything bad in Kings Nation.
But the funny thing about 2005 is that as a sports year, its foundation was pure quicksand. Yeah, suddenly, Webber is gleaming in Philly, while the Kings are fading badly at 10-16.
How does Sacramento like that trade now?
Indeed, Webber was and is a defensive liability. But what about the myth that is the current Kings defense?
And what about the whole reason for trading Webber?
Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie said dumping Webber's monster contract - $19.1 million this season, $20.2 million and $22.3 million the next two - gave the Kings "flexibility."
But the only flexibility frustrated Kings fans see is how flexible the Kings' defense is, how roomy it is for opponents to cut through.
The result is that for the first time in 11 years in Sacramento, Petrie - heretofore a sacred cow - is taking heat from Kings fans.
Meanwhile, with the departure of Webber, of Doug Christie on Jan. 10 and Bobby Jackson on July 22, the Kings now commit a crime as serious as losing - they're boring.
The new Kings simply aren't that interesting as people, a reversal of fortunes that Kings fans are struggling with.
Don't take my word for it: "I felt a closeness to Webber, to Bobby Jackson and Doug Christie," said Eileen Nathaniel, a 45-year-old state government analyst and longtime Kings fan.
"I'm willing to give the new players a chance, but they haven't performed to the level I expected. ... I think the Kings suffered a major coronary when they traded Chris Webber."
And now with Bonzi Wells - the Kings' best player this season - on the inactive list with Peja Stojakovic, 2005 concludes on a definite down note at Arco Arena.
This after the Kings' marketing staff drew national scorn Nov. 8 - opening night against the Detroit Pistons - when a video clip intended as a joke slurred Detroiters with images of poverty and burned-out neighborhoods.
And what of the incredibly gruesome gold uniforms the Kings began wearing occasionally this year?
Weird year.
Even the positive stories had troubling twists, such as the Feb. 16 stroke suffered by Roseville's Tedy Bruschi, the spiritual leader of the dynastic New England Patriots' defense.
He was only 31 then and just weeks removed from leading the Pats to a third Super Bowl win in four years. Bruschi's fragile condition - especially for such an inspirational bull of a man - sobered us all.
"Inspirational" being the operative word when the indispensable linebacker returned to action Oct. 30 after some wondered if he ever would play again.
Bruschi gets my vote for "Man of the Year," though any number of UC Davis football players deserve consideration as well.
The Aggies, you see, pulled a football miracle of sorts Sept. 17 by beating Stanford at Stanford Stadium 20-17 - a monumental upset given that Davis is in the process of moving from Division II to I-AA.
One might even argue that the Aggies' victory was the greatest moment in Davis sports history, the loss a Stanford all-time low.
Too bad so few saw it.
The game was not televised, and unless you were one of the 31,000 or so at cavernous Stanford Stadium, you missed the Aggies' golden moment:
A 72-yard drive culminating with receiver Blaise Smith catching the winning touchdown pass with eight seconds left.
To this day, many ardent Aggies have caught only glimpses of the Stanford triumph, as when game film was shown three days later at the popular watering hole, The Davis Graduate.
"Every time you show that play, the crowd goes wild," said Mark Honbo of the Davis media relations staff. "I will watch it every now and then and get that rush all over again."
For $10, you can as well, by purchasing an 11-minute video of Stanford's Aggie Apocalypse from the UC Davis Sports Marketing Department. Don't call me, call (530) 752-2699.
Otherwise, one of Sacramento's great sports moments of '05 has much in common with the glory of a local champion whose triumph few saw.
We refer to Diego Corrales' stirring, 10th-round knockout of Jose Luis Castillo on May 7 in Las Vegas, a classic brawl that secured for Corrales the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization lightweight crowns.
Said Dan Rafael of ESPN.com: "I've seen every major fight since 2000 and have thousands of tapes of fights dating back to the 1940s, and I can honestly say I've never seen such a great fight."
Many national writers concurred, citing Corrales' comeback after being knocked down twice in the 10th as a sporting moment for the ages.
Yet, because it was on Showtime, viewership was paltry compared to lesser title fights. And when the two staged an Oct. 8 rematch, Castillo failed to make the 135-pound weight limit, actually gained pounds after sweating in a sauna and watched one of his cornermen get suspended for trying to stick his foot under Castillo's scale as the fighter stepped on it.
Then, with a big audience watching a fight with no title belts at stake, Corrales inexplicably rumbled with a power puncher when he had nothing to gain and got knocked out in the fourth round.
Weird year.
Indeed, the Raiders and 49ers are both now horrible and boring for the first time in 40 years. The A's treaded water while building for next year. And the Giants? They were old, brittle and superfluous.
The NHL returned after a season-long work stoppage, and the Sharks promptly dropped to last place, joining the Kings, Raiders and 49ers in a miserable conclusion to 2005.
But there was some hope and glory: Lance Armstrong won his seventh Tour de France; the Chicago White Sox their first World Series title since 1917; and Tiger Woods, Roger Clemens and Annika Sorenstam continued to amaze. Jerry Rice and Jack Nicklaus retired. Danica Patrick caught our eye, though she crashed at nearby Infineon Raceway on Aug. 28.
Meanwhile, we marveled at Pat Summitt of the University of Tennessee as she became the winningest basketball coach in NCAA history. And a nation was blown away by the USC football team as the Trojans remained unbeatable.
But as great as they were, we in Sacramento mostly watched those moments from afar.
Close up, what we saw was a championship trophy raised on the steps of City Hall - just not the one most dreamed of Webber hoisting.
It was the Monarchs who were crowned WNBA champions. It was the Monarchs who drew 3,000 to a downtown celebration parade. It was the Monarchs claiming bragging rights and the biggest local win of 2005.
Yes, yours truly did point out that they drew minuscule national TV ratings and few Internet hits on The Bee's Web site compared to the huge coverage we gave them.
And yes, this computer nearly melted from the fury of Monarchs fans scorned.
But there are no hard feelings here, only congratulations for being a positive story in a year of weirdness.
Besides, the experience gives this columnist a chance to direct some choice words at passionate female sports fans - words that women have hurled at men for ages:
Why were you Monarchs fans so mad? It's only a game!
* * * * * * * *
