The weather woes in Philadelphia earlier this week are producing proposals for drastic changes to future World Series.
Former major league manager Whitey Herzog, for example, is leading a movement for the series to be played at neutral venues that could seat 75,000 spectators in domes or warm-weather stadiums.
"You could call it World Series Week," Herzog said. "You've got the old school saying you'd take the Series away from the home fans and all that, but that's stupid since hometown fans (because of high ticket prices) don't get to see the World Series anyway.”
I like it.
• A gold-medal-winning rower at the recent Summer Olympics in Beijing is taking part in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.
As a fundraiser.
Malcolm Howard of the men’s eight rowing squad is eying at least $1-million in donations for Canada’s winter Olympians.
“My success led me to think about how I could make a real and lasting difference in Canada,” Howard, a Harvard graduate, explained. “How could I help Canada have more golden moments? I come from winning in a rowing eight, where we push and help each other achieve excellence. Now that I’ve achieved my dream, I can help other athletes achieve theirs. I have had the opportunity to meet many Canadian athletes. We all share the passion, the dedication and the dream. Unfortunately, most of us struggle financially. I know the importance of direct funding.”
Check out www.Malcolmsmillion.com.
• So Mike Singletary was making his debut as the San Francisco 49ers’ head coach last Sunday, his team was trailing 20-3 after two quarters, and he decided he needed to motivate his players at halftime.
So he dropped his pants. And pointed to his rear end. And used this visual to describe what was happening to his team. And kept his pants around his ankles for four minutes.
Didn’t work. The 49ers were beaten 34-13 by the Seattle Seahawks.
• Don’t be surprised if:
- Pat Gillick, 71, who led the Phillies to the Series championship this week as their general manager, resurfaces as a high-level consultant with the Blue Jays.
- Mats Sundin, a highly coveted NHL free agent, signs for megabucks with the Ottawa Senators before January.
- Brendan Shanahan, who can’t return to the New York Rangers because of cap issues, joins the New Jersey Devils within a week.
- Michael Clemons, who as chief of the Argonauts did not endear himself to ownership during a dreadful 2008 season, remains in the Toronto organization next year only if he agrees to return as head coach.
• And please check out my latest CFL Report.
Marty York is Metro's national sports columnist as well as an
instructor at the College of Sports Media in Toronto.
He can be heard regularly on Vancouver radio station CKNW with Sportstalk host Dan Russell.
Contact Marty at marty.york@metronews.ca
