FOR SALE
One QB with a good arm, low miles. Hasn't seen a winter in NY State. I mainly used him when my primary QB was injured. No rust, bought in Louisiana. Will take any offer or trade of better QB or offensive lineman. Call Bills front office for more information.
So to keep riding this, "Bills Football: Next Year is our Year!" mantra, Jean Paul Losman was the lead for the Who's Not in this weeks SI.
To quote J.P., "I didn't think I was that rusty."
Of course you weren't. Hell, any first round pick would never throw 13 of 27, an interception and get sack four times (excluding Ryan Leaf). First round picks would have thrown for at least one score... in Losman's case to the other team.
When will this team learn he was never the answer. Edwards is not God or as one person at the Cardinal Courier referred to as Kelly 2.0, both of these guys are normal QB's. Well, I didn't mean to place Losman in that catagory, it's unfair to all those QB's in D-II.
Yo Buffalo, cut the cord, let's call it!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
The Houston Comets ... we hardly noticed yee
So, upon reading my new Sports Illustrated an article popped up at me.
First let me apologize for just finding this out, not having cable and modem internet shuts me out of the real world.
The Houston Comets have folded!
OMG!
This is for real, yo!
The league, that Bill Simmons mentioned a few years ago, makes really no money, in fact has to be financially backed by the stable NBA, has lost a team.
This was a complete shock to me on two factors. First, "They shut down WNBA teams? They have a PR department?" Secondly, "Didn't they win the first three or four titles in the leagues history?"
The team was purchased recently for $10 million. Essentially A-Rod gets that for striking out in a critical at bat. K-Rod is getting paid that for a little under a years play for the Mets. Ten people who won "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" earned that much. I can keep going on how small that number is to buy a franchise... I think I will continue. Jerry Jones probably spent that much getting land looked at for his teams new stadium. Hans Gruber was going to steal over 60 times that in Die Hard.
So the team that had Cynthia Cooper, Tina Thompson and Sheryl Swoopes (all long gone might I add) is no more. None of these teams actually find themselves in the black (this is what SI said). The L.A. Sparks are the only team close to making a profit, mind you this is one of the largest markets, imagine what smaller markets must look like come budget time. In fact as Simmons remarked it was the NBA franchise that shared the city (and arena) usually pitched in to keep teams afloat.
WNBA, I would like you to meet the WUSA. She was this great league created after you, following that emotional World Cup victory by the USA women's team. See, she played these games of soccer that no one attended, watched on TV or wanted to bankroll after it was well known that there was essentially no, I repeat, no interest in female soccer. This could be you. Actually it should have been you if Stern and Co. didn't throw millions at you to stay on life support.
I don't want to be tagged as a guy who rags and hates women's sports. In fact I love them. I enjoyed covering them in college. I dated women athletes (soccer, softball, hockey, skiing, the occassional figure skater). The fact remains I want to see these leagues succeed. The only snag is no one else does. I'll be honest during the summer, I have no interest in watching a WNBA games on ABC if FOX has Saturday baseball, even if it is the Mets playing the Yankees. Most American men would not even consider turning it to a WNBA game.
Now, I have attended a WNBA, back when Cleveland had a team. The Rockers were hosting the Comets and it was a blow out. Cleveland has no shot in hell. The game was physical (especially from my courtside seats) and the action was a decent pace, unlike the low tempo games of women's D-III. Though the game had no appeal to the Midwest fans of the Rockers, regardless of the fan fare the team threw at them. People left midway through the second half, the energy was dead. If this is the same feeling in Detroit, LA, Chicago or New York, the WNBA has no chance. Eventually the NBA has to question how long they want to keep funding what seems like a lost cause. The XFL seems like a worth while venture compared to this.
I'm sorry ladies but the ball is no longer in your court.
Sal Sez: "I heard about the WNBA when I was playing in Richmond last year. Do you know if they have foxy boxing during the halftime?"
First let me apologize for just finding this out, not having cable and modem internet shuts me out of the real world.
The Houston Comets have folded!
OMG!
This is for real, yo!
The league, that Bill Simmons mentioned a few years ago, makes really no money, in fact has to be financially backed by the stable NBA, has lost a team.
This was a complete shock to me on two factors. First, "They shut down WNBA teams? They have a PR department?" Secondly, "Didn't they win the first three or four titles in the leagues history?"
The team was purchased recently for $10 million. Essentially A-Rod gets that for striking out in a critical at bat. K-Rod is getting paid that for a little under a years play for the Mets. Ten people who won "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" earned that much. I can keep going on how small that number is to buy a franchise... I think I will continue. Jerry Jones probably spent that much getting land looked at for his teams new stadium. Hans Gruber was going to steal over 60 times that in Die Hard.
So the team that had Cynthia Cooper, Tina Thompson and Sheryl Swoopes (all long gone might I add) is no more. None of these teams actually find themselves in the black (this is what SI said). The L.A. Sparks are the only team close to making a profit, mind you this is one of the largest markets, imagine what smaller markets must look like come budget time. In fact as Simmons remarked it was the NBA franchise that shared the city (and arena) usually pitched in to keep teams afloat.
WNBA, I would like you to meet the WUSA. She was this great league created after you, following that emotional World Cup victory by the USA women's team. See, she played these games of soccer that no one attended, watched on TV or wanted to bankroll after it was well known that there was essentially no, I repeat, no interest in female soccer. This could be you. Actually it should have been you if Stern and Co. didn't throw millions at you to stay on life support.
I don't want to be tagged as a guy who rags and hates women's sports. In fact I love them. I enjoyed covering them in college. I dated women athletes (soccer, softball, hockey, skiing, the occassional figure skater). The fact remains I want to see these leagues succeed. The only snag is no one else does. I'll be honest during the summer, I have no interest in watching a WNBA games on ABC if FOX has Saturday baseball, even if it is the Mets playing the Yankees. Most American men would not even consider turning it to a WNBA game.
Now, I have attended a WNBA, back when Cleveland had a team. The Rockers were hosting the Comets and it was a blow out. Cleveland has no shot in hell. The game was physical (especially from my courtside seats) and the action was a decent pace, unlike the low tempo games of women's D-III. Though the game had no appeal to the Midwest fans of the Rockers, regardless of the fan fare the team threw at them. People left midway through the second half, the energy was dead. If this is the same feeling in Detroit, LA, Chicago or New York, the WNBA has no chance. Eventually the NBA has to question how long they want to keep funding what seems like a lost cause. The XFL seems like a worth while venture compared to this.
I'm sorry ladies but the ball is no longer in your court.
Sal Sez: "I heard about the WNBA when I was playing in Richmond last year. Do you know if they have foxy boxing during the halftime?"
Friday, December 12, 2008
Will the Yankees ever learn?
If I'm paying out $160 million over seven years for a pitcher, he better win more games than McClain in '68, strikeout more than Ryan in '82 and win more Cy Young awards than Greg Maddux, Roger Clemens and Randy Johnson combined.
When the Yankees raised their flag the highest in the C.C. Sabathia auction, they chose to keep up the "buy, buy, buy!" mantra that has landed them on the couch at the end of the last seven Octobers.
With the Brewers, Sabathia was 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA. Amazing right? But recent history tells us caveat emptor when it comes to trusting a pitcher's numbers on the last year of their contract.
Barry Zito: 16 wins, 3.83 ERA and an All-Star with Oakland in '06. Over the next two seasons he combined for a 21-30 record with San Francisco including a 5.15 ERA in '08.
Randy Johnson: 16 wins, 290 strikeouts, 2.60 ERA in 2004 with Arizona. The next two seasons with the Yankees, Johnson managed a high of 211 strikeouts and had a 5.00 ERA in '06.
Carl Pavano: 18-8, 3.00 ERA and an All-Star in 2004. Over the next three seasons, he pitched a total of 26 times for the Yankees. He pitched less than 150 innings as a Yank and won only nine games.
Mike Hampton: 22-4, 3.14 ERA in 2000 with the Mets. With the Rockies, 21-28 over two seasons. Hampton's lowest ERA was 5.41 with the Rockies.
Kevin Brown: 14 wins, 2.39 ERA in 2003. After signing with the Yankees, 14-13 over two seasons, 6.51 ERA in '05 and even broke his hand punching the dugout.
Before coming down with World Series fever, Yankees fans should consider a few things about Sabathia:
First, Sabathia was only 6-8 with the Indians before his trade to the Brewers. The American League, and the Red Sox, have seen Sabathia since 2001.
More importantly, Sabathia may have A-Rod syndrome. In his two career ALCS starts, he is 0-2 with a 10.45 ERA.
Before printing up 2009 world series t-shirts, the Yankees should also take a peek at their lineup.
Thirty-five year old Johnny Damon is likely to lead off. Damon faded down the stretch hitting just .250 in September. He is likely to be the designated hitter because, well, his arm is weaker than the U.S. dollar in the global market.
Derek Jeter is coming off the worst season of his career offensively and at 34, isn't a likely candidate to pull a Bonds or Clemens.
Alex Rodriguez, 33, will put up his usual monster numbers, but drove in just five runs in close and late situations last season.
Injury prone outfielder Hedeki Matsui played just 93 games in '08 and 51 games in '06.
The Yankees won't be able count on a post-shoulder-surgery Jorge Posada to put up numbers like he did in 2007.
The only likely under-30 starter, Robinson Cano often looks more like he's trying to hit a pinata than a curveball. He managed only 74 RBI in '08 with a pitiful .305 on-base percentage.
Bobby Abreu's replacement Xavier Nady set a career high with 25 home runs last season between Pittsburgh and New York, but hit just .268 as a Yankee and walked only 39 times all year.
The Yankees may spend more money to fill the gap between the lip and nose that Jason Giambi left, but until then, this retirement home lineup isn't exactly competing with the '76 Reds.
When will they learn to develop from the minor leagues and fill in the rest with role players. When they won four world series' the stars were Jeter, Williams, Posada, Rivera, all developed through the system. They filled in the rest with role players like Paul O'neil, Scott Brosious and Tino Martinez.
Yankees management are like moths, they keep getting mezmorized by bright shining free agents until they sign them and get zapped.
The Yankees blinders must have been on too tight last October when the Tampa Bay Rays, with a $43 million dollar pay roll, went to the World Series. Someday the Yankees will learn team chemistry isn't for sale.
When the Yankees raised their flag the highest in the C.C. Sabathia auction, they chose to keep up the "buy, buy, buy!" mantra that has landed them on the couch at the end of the last seven Octobers.
With the Brewers, Sabathia was 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA. Amazing right? But recent history tells us caveat emptor when it comes to trusting a pitcher's numbers on the last year of their contract.
Barry Zito: 16 wins, 3.83 ERA and an All-Star with Oakland in '06. Over the next two seasons he combined for a 21-30 record with San Francisco including a 5.15 ERA in '08.
Randy Johnson: 16 wins, 290 strikeouts, 2.60 ERA in 2004 with Arizona. The next two seasons with the Yankees, Johnson managed a high of 211 strikeouts and had a 5.00 ERA in '06.
Carl Pavano: 18-8, 3.00 ERA and an All-Star in 2004. Over the next three seasons, he pitched a total of 26 times for the Yankees. He pitched less than 150 innings as a Yank and won only nine games.
Mike Hampton: 22-4, 3.14 ERA in 2000 with the Mets. With the Rockies, 21-28 over two seasons. Hampton's lowest ERA was 5.41 with the Rockies.
Kevin Brown: 14 wins, 2.39 ERA in 2003. After signing with the Yankees, 14-13 over two seasons, 6.51 ERA in '05 and even broke his hand punching the dugout.
Before coming down with World Series fever, Yankees fans should consider a few things about Sabathia:
First, Sabathia was only 6-8 with the Indians before his trade to the Brewers. The American League, and the Red Sox, have seen Sabathia since 2001.
More importantly, Sabathia may have A-Rod syndrome. In his two career ALCS starts, he is 0-2 with a 10.45 ERA.
Before printing up 2009 world series t-shirts, the Yankees should also take a peek at their lineup.
Thirty-five year old Johnny Damon is likely to lead off. Damon faded down the stretch hitting just .250 in September. He is likely to be the designated hitter because, well, his arm is weaker than the U.S. dollar in the global market.
Derek Jeter is coming off the worst season of his career offensively and at 34, isn't a likely candidate to pull a Bonds or Clemens.
Alex Rodriguez, 33, will put up his usual monster numbers, but drove in just five runs in close and late situations last season.
Injury prone outfielder Hedeki Matsui played just 93 games in '08 and 51 games in '06.
The Yankees won't be able count on a post-shoulder-surgery Jorge Posada to put up numbers like he did in 2007.
The only likely under-30 starter, Robinson Cano often looks more like he's trying to hit a pinata than a curveball. He managed only 74 RBI in '08 with a pitiful .305 on-base percentage.
Bobby Abreu's replacement Xavier Nady set a career high with 25 home runs last season between Pittsburgh and New York, but hit just .268 as a Yankee and walked only 39 times all year.
The Yankees may spend more money to fill the gap between the lip and nose that Jason Giambi left, but until then, this retirement home lineup isn't exactly competing with the '76 Reds.
When will they learn to develop from the minor leagues and fill in the rest with role players. When they won four world series' the stars were Jeter, Williams, Posada, Rivera, all developed through the system. They filled in the rest with role players like Paul O'neil, Scott Brosious and Tino Martinez.
Yankees management are like moths, they keep getting mezmorized by bright shining free agents until they sign them and get zapped.
The Yankees blinders must have been on too tight last October when the Tampa Bay Rays, with a $43 million dollar pay roll, went to the World Series. Someday the Yankees will learn team chemistry isn't for sale.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Scott Pitoniak - "Why do the great ones get let go!"
So last week, people thought I was writing that D&C lay-off post about Scott Pitoniak. I wasn't. In fact it was really for one of my friends who works in lay out. I thought Scott was untouchable. Turns out he wasn't. I want to take the time to talk about how sad this is. Granted Scott wrote on his facebook status that seeing the support he recieved from his friends over the social network was like attending your own funeral. In some perspective it is.
Growing up, I knew I wanted to be a journalist... a sports journalist. I was never going to play for the Cleveland Indians or skate on Mario's line with Sid the Kid at wing. I was never going to grow taller than six foot to play for the Cavs. I watched 10NBC sports with Rich Funke and later Mark Gruba who I grew up and wanted to be like. I read the occassion D&C (we subscribed to the Daily Messenger at home) to read Bob Matthews column but most importantly for Scott Pitoniak.
Scott was what I wanted to be in a journalist. His writing style and tone for most articles was what I wanted readers to understand. The overall message from his articles that sports were fun. You played sports to escape the harsh realities of life, like kids do. The excitement of the game, the comraderie of team work was what I felt sports were like. Reading his article about a local high school athlete or a reflection on a great game twenty years ago focused on the pure essence of what sports are.
One column I saved, especially since I wanted to do this, was when Scott took over the role of Spikes at a Red Wings game. At the time I was reading too much George Plimpton (read Open Net, great reference to Don Cherry's Rochester days) and was jealous Scott beat me to the punch, filling in for a mascot. I was going to ask the athletics department at Fisher to let me play the Cardinal (unofficial dubbed Carl by Founders Hall).
Junior year at Fisher, I enrolled into the sports writing class, taught by Scott. Not to sound like a preteen girl at an 'NSYNC concert, I was overjoyed. Every class was like learning from the master of sports journalism. I never wanted to let him down. Yes I do understand that it sounds like I had the biggest man crush on him, but let me finish the story. I was so thrilled that by the end of the class, he thought so much of me, he would let me use him as a reference. Granted my dream is to go into television broadcasting, but it was like getting the blessing from God himself.
I have nothing but admiration for the man, the D&C will miss him. Hopefully, more books penned by Scott will come out. Pick up his recent book about Yankee Stadium, it's a great read. I also recommend it if you are like the rest of us at Sal's 401K and abhor that damn team.
Sal Sez: "Scott, you've come a long way babe!"
Growing up, I knew I wanted to be a journalist... a sports journalist. I was never going to play for the Cleveland Indians or skate on Mario's line with Sid the Kid at wing. I was never going to grow taller than six foot to play for the Cavs. I watched 10NBC sports with Rich Funke and later Mark Gruba who I grew up and wanted to be like. I read the occassion D&C (we subscribed to the Daily Messenger at home) to read Bob Matthews column but most importantly for Scott Pitoniak.
Scott was what I wanted to be in a journalist. His writing style and tone for most articles was what I wanted readers to understand. The overall message from his articles that sports were fun. You played sports to escape the harsh realities of life, like kids do. The excitement of the game, the comraderie of team work was what I felt sports were like. Reading his article about a local high school athlete or a reflection on a great game twenty years ago focused on the pure essence of what sports are.
One column I saved, especially since I wanted to do this, was when Scott took over the role of Spikes at a Red Wings game. At the time I was reading too much George Plimpton (read Open Net, great reference to Don Cherry's Rochester days) and was jealous Scott beat me to the punch, filling in for a mascot. I was going to ask the athletics department at Fisher to let me play the Cardinal (unofficial dubbed Carl by Founders Hall).
Junior year at Fisher, I enrolled into the sports writing class, taught by Scott. Not to sound like a preteen girl at an 'NSYNC concert, I was overjoyed. Every class was like learning from the master of sports journalism. I never wanted to let him down. Yes I do understand that it sounds like I had the biggest man crush on him, but let me finish the story. I was so thrilled that by the end of the class, he thought so much of me, he would let me use him as a reference. Granted my dream is to go into television broadcasting, but it was like getting the blessing from God himself.
I have nothing but admiration for the man, the D&C will miss him. Hopefully, more books penned by Scott will come out. Pick up his recent book about Yankee Stadium, it's a great read. I also recommend it if you are like the rest of us at Sal's 401K and abhor that damn team.
Sal Sez: "Scott, you've come a long way babe!"
Honestly, can the NFL get it right?
Charles Manson, Michael Jackson and the NFL officials from the Dallas-Pittsburgh game.
Ok, so name three people you wouldn't want at your son's Pop Warner Game.
Again... honestly, can the NFL get officials who know what the fudge they are doing?
The officials in that game were horrible. Not in the instance that one call ultimately lost the game for the Cowboys (chalk that up to Romo and Witten). The officiating was lackluster in a few respects that always burns me.
First and foremost, why were Terrell Owens and Ike Taylor allowed to keep popping each other during the game? I understand that half the time it was retaliation, but on Owens' TD, Taylor was all over the guy, if he didn't catch it I should have been seeing a yellow flag. But no, as explained during the broadcast, that's just great defense on a star player.
Well that great defense turned into a sparring contest between those two players, as they both lawyered for calls from the officials. Reminds me about how people whine about New Englands d-backs playing dirty, aggresive football.
The second and most annoying call was on the Steelers comeback drive. On a crucial play, while the Steelers were building momentum, Nate Washington makes this amazing catch that could have very well have touched the grass. However, the officials and Joe Buck pointed this out (both Joe and Troy were confused on the call) did not communicate with one another whether or not Washington had a reception.
Hold on, wait a second... I'm under the assumption that officials talk to one another, be it in the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, NASCAR, PBR (do they have officials?) or even the Little League World Series. It's already bad enough that this year we have had a huge problem with refs blowing the game on crucial plays. If these guys don't talk to each other, how effective are they in the highest league they can work in. Division III college officials talk it out... but forget about those NFL guys.
Oh Lordy!
Sal Sez: "It was a catch but it was too low for a strike. Not even my framing could help it out."
Ok, so name three people you wouldn't want at your son's Pop Warner Game.
Again... honestly, can the NFL get officials who know what the fudge they are doing?
The officials in that game were horrible. Not in the instance that one call ultimately lost the game for the Cowboys (chalk that up to Romo and Witten). The officiating was lackluster in a few respects that always burns me.
First and foremost, why were Terrell Owens and Ike Taylor allowed to keep popping each other during the game? I understand that half the time it was retaliation, but on Owens' TD, Taylor was all over the guy, if he didn't catch it I should have been seeing a yellow flag. But no, as explained during the broadcast, that's just great defense on a star player.
Well that great defense turned into a sparring contest between those two players, as they both lawyered for calls from the officials. Reminds me about how people whine about New Englands d-backs playing dirty, aggresive football.
The second and most annoying call was on the Steelers comeback drive. On a crucial play, while the Steelers were building momentum, Nate Washington makes this amazing catch that could have very well have touched the grass. However, the officials and Joe Buck pointed this out (both Joe and Troy were confused on the call) did not communicate with one another whether or not Washington had a reception.
Hold on, wait a second... I'm under the assumption that officials talk to one another, be it in the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, NASCAR, PBR (do they have officials?) or even the Little League World Series. It's already bad enough that this year we have had a huge problem with refs blowing the game on crucial plays. If these guys don't talk to each other, how effective are they in the highest league they can work in. Division III college officials talk it out... but forget about those NFL guys.
Oh Lordy!
Sal Sez: "It was a catch but it was too low for a strike. Not even my framing could help it out."
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Forget the Bitterness, Amerks fans
Anyone who loves hockey would have appreciated Sunday's Rochester Amerks game against the Albany River Rats. Rochester's goaltender, in his first AHL start, shut out the opposition stopping all 28 shots. There was a bloody fight and four Amerks shots made their way into the net.
The problem? Total shots outweighed total attendance.
In the ocean of blue seats only a few fans floated around in each section. It was surprising the camera men found enough couples in the stands for the, "Kiss cam." The AHL Web site lists Amerks attendance at over 3,000 per game....after being there a few times...hmm, 1000 at best.
It isn't easy to ask people to watch a team who has won only 4 out of 23 games. It's tough to call upon fans to forget being stabbed in the back by ownership. But it is time for the people of Rochester to forgive the Rochester Americans.
Rochester is a hockey city. Kids have skates strapped on before the umbilical cord is cut.
Rochestarians remember when the packed stands of the War Memorial (now Blue Cross Arena) would go wild when the gloves dropped. When you could go deaf from a two-on-one save by the Amerks goaltender. When a goal meant pure madness.
Well, we've learned you can't reach pandemonium with 600 people in a 10,000 seat arena.
The reason this city can't forgive and forget: resentment. Fans are angry with the Amerks for letting the Buffalo Sabers slip away as their parent club. The 28-year relationship was beautiful for Rochestarians. Watch a player like Ryan Miller for 12 bucks, then see him on TV in net for your favorite NHL team a year later.
Now, future Florida Panthers players roam the ice at Blue Cross. If you gave them three, Rochestarians couldn't name five players on the Florida Panthers. Heck, people in Florida couldn't name five players on the Florida Panthers.
But, regardless of their record, regardless of the parent club, Rochester must keep the Amerks alive. The city is already slipping faster than J.P. Losman's trade value. If the Amerks are run out of town because fans can't forgive, the city will lose much of its minor league, mid-size allure.
But most importantly, future generations of children will grow up without going to an Amerks game.
I remember sitting in the stands with my father on the night Jody Gage's jersey rose to the rafters. Who knows what the score was, but talking about everything from my day at school to the Amerks' dump-and-chase strategy meant everything. The only disappointment was watching the final seconds tick off the clock.
There are more important things than the Amerks' Calder Cup chances. Maintaining the city's hockey tradition, passing down passion for the sport and allowing the next generation of Rochestarians to have the same experience.
The problem? Total shots outweighed total attendance.
In the ocean of blue seats only a few fans floated around in each section. It was surprising the camera men found enough couples in the stands for the, "Kiss cam." The AHL Web site lists Amerks attendance at over 3,000 per game....after being there a few times...hmm, 1000 at best.
It isn't easy to ask people to watch a team who has won only 4 out of 23 games. It's tough to call upon fans to forget being stabbed in the back by ownership. But it is time for the people of Rochester to forgive the Rochester Americans.
Rochester is a hockey city. Kids have skates strapped on before the umbilical cord is cut.
Rochestarians remember when the packed stands of the War Memorial (now Blue Cross Arena) would go wild when the gloves dropped. When you could go deaf from a two-on-one save by the Amerks goaltender. When a goal meant pure madness.
Well, we've learned you can't reach pandemonium with 600 people in a 10,000 seat arena.
The reason this city can't forgive and forget: resentment. Fans are angry with the Amerks for letting the Buffalo Sabers slip away as their parent club. The 28-year relationship was beautiful for Rochestarians. Watch a player like Ryan Miller for 12 bucks, then see him on TV in net for your favorite NHL team a year later.
Now, future Florida Panthers players roam the ice at Blue Cross. If you gave them three, Rochestarians couldn't name five players on the Florida Panthers. Heck, people in Florida couldn't name five players on the Florida Panthers.
But, regardless of their record, regardless of the parent club, Rochester must keep the Amerks alive. The city is already slipping faster than J.P. Losman's trade value. If the Amerks are run out of town because fans can't forgive, the city will lose much of its minor league, mid-size allure.
But most importantly, future generations of children will grow up without going to an Amerks game.
I remember sitting in the stands with my father on the night Jody Gage's jersey rose to the rafters. Who knows what the score was, but talking about everything from my day at school to the Amerks' dump-and-chase strategy meant everything. The only disappointment was watching the final seconds tick off the clock.
There are more important things than the Amerks' Calder Cup chances. Maintaining the city's hockey tradition, passing down passion for the sport and allowing the next generation of Rochestarians to have the same experience.
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