Is waterboarding torture? Dumb question! Do we care? Better question: Do alpha dogs talk in any language?
No, which is why they should be given “make them talk because they have no idea what they are saying” drugs which are readily available in all operating rooms.
And before I am inflated, elated, sedated then berated let me argue in advance that I didn’t know what I was saying - that was Hannibal from the dark side, or my repressed personality.
SHOT HEARD AROUND SUSSEX - It was Bobby Thompson of the New York Giants slugging a game-winning home run off Ralph Branca of the Dodgers to win the National League pennant in what is always remembered as the baseball “shot heard around the world.”
Last Monday night it was Hunter Engel in the bottom of the sixth launching a three-run, walk-off dinger as Lewes, trailing 2-1, shocked Rehoboth with a 4-2 sudden victory.
I would have loved to capture the expression of grandfather Tommy Engel, who has a good 35 years working with Lewes Little League.
“I was in seventh heaven when the ball came off the bat,” Tom Engel said.
And Hunter’s great-grandfather, Robert Engel, was the superintendent of the Rehoboth School District in 1967 and 1968.
“Five of the Rehoboth players were on Hunter’s travel ball team,” said grandfather Tom. “But that’s just baseball.”
SCREWED AND SEWED UP - Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor is facing confirmation hearings this week and will likely be confirmed and awarded a $210,000 a year lifetime job, but at least the robes are laundered for free.
Compare that to linebacker Terrell Suggs, who signed a six-year, $63 million contract with the Ravens, which includes a $33 million signing bonus.
I hear college dropouts all over the place criticizing Judge Sonia because they are afraid she will rock the Latino card when interpreting cases, but I hear no hue and cry over our professional sports pastimes, which is totally out of control.
If someone gave me $33 million I’d build a gym and swimming pool and indoor track for the community and one big gold medallion for around my neck.
BILL SHARMAN – Sharman, out of Southern California, had an 11-year career with the Boston Celtics and is a member of the NBA top 50 all-time players. He is considered one of the best shooters of all time, having teamed with Bob Cousey in the backcourt.
Sharman once made 56 straight free throws in a playoff season. Sharman coached the Utah Stars to an ABA title and in 1970-71. The following year he guided the Lakers to the NBA title.
He also played baseball and owns a sports oddity of a record in that he is the only Major League Baseball player to get thrown out of more games than he appeared in.
In 1951 the umpire kicked out the entire bench of the Brooklyn Dodgers, which included Sharman, who never saw the field. If that’s not enough for one guy, he was in the Navy during World War II from 1944-46.
SNIPPETS - I come from a generation of athletes where water was withheld during workouts because drinking it was seen as a sign of weakness.
Now sucking from the water bottle is a sign of coolness, and coaches are advised to allow athletes to drink whenever they want because dehydration and heat stroke are dangerous.
The only problem is some lazy fat guys will be drinking water for an hour of a two-hour practice.
Football coach John Parker has stepped down at Woodbridge to accept a teaching position at Indian River High School.
“I will possibly be an assistant coach there since I love coaching and working to develop youngsters into young men through the great game of football,” Parker wrote to me in an email.
“Thanks for all of you past support at the ‘Bridge’.”
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Sports Editor Emeritus
Email Fredman at fredman@capegazette.com
