While watching the Baseball Playoffs in October, I got to thinking about sports, and some of the games that are played and enjoyed around the world and shown on ESPN here in the Philippines.
In one of my articles I foolishly made a prediction about the outcome of the Baseball World Series. And now that I’ve overcome my embarrassment, I thought that now would be a good time to reflect on sports around the world.
First would have to be Soccer. 3/4ths of the Planet play it. Countries have gone to war over it. Yet 90% of Americans have no use for the game, the reason is quite simple. No American would watch over three hours of a sport, and it ends up nil- nil or nothing to nothing.
Finish the damn game, play until somebody wins. I watched a Soccer game in Thailand, being played by elephants; now I understood why they didn’t use their hands.
Second Cricket, now they will play for days until the match is over. The problem is although the United States was once part of the British Empire, The Brits never explained the game to us. We don’t know what they are doing or even how it’s scored. But I’ve watched it played and enjoyed it, I just had no idea what they were doing.
Third Rugby, or by its other name “Eloquent Violence”, great looking shirts, and a very exciting game to watch, but I wouldn’t want to play. I only have one problem with the game; it’s where they put their hands when in a scrum.
Fourth Australian Rules football, they don’t need any stinkin’ protection like those overpaid members of the U.S.’s NFL do. I love watching them play; but again I don’t want to play.
Fifth Basketball, love the game, but I only watch the last ten minutes, as all before that, is the same back and forth, get the lead lose the lead up until the end. The last 10 minutes is where it’s all decided.
Sixth Hockey; or by its other name, “Dentistry gone bad.” I grew up playing Hockey in New England, and I love the game. Did you know when I was a kid a Hockey game could end in a tie? They changed that dumb rule fast. I went to a fight and a Hockey game broke out. (I had to use that old joke, so let me slide.)
Seventh NFL Football, not my favorite sport, I’ll explain why; It takes over three hours to play a 60 minute game. They make a play for two minutes and spend the next ten minutes talking about it. And in High School all the players were bullies, and dated the really good looking girls.
The Baseball team had no cheerleaders; I sure did waste my time. If anyone knows the slightest thing about me is that I’m nuts about Baseball, to me it is a game of strategy and skill, one does not have to be of any particular size or height to be the best player. It’s played during warm summer days, when that cold beer tastes the best. The Hot Dogs are wonderful, Funnel Cake is just great (Albeit not so much with beer), and Philly Cheese Steaks really hit the spot. The month of October, here in the Philippines ESPN broadcasts every minute of the Division series, Championship Series, and of course the “World Series”. I once had a guy in a pub in Scotland, ask, “Why do you Yanks call it the World Series? Europe’s not in it”. I smiled and pointed out that Canada was part of it, and they count very much. The pure excitement of the game, Game 6 NLCS, during the third inning, the pitcher for the Giants, hit Chase Utley on the back with the ball, Utley heads to first base, the ball falls and Utley caught it and tossed it back to the mound. Words were spoken, both benches cleared and poured on to the field, shouting and shoving. My wife turned to me and said, “Mahal, (Tagalog usage) it’s sad to see that many millionaires fighting.” Ah, Baseball, you gotta’ love it. That is unless; you’re from New York City, then maybe not so much.
So that’s my take on sports, and I know you all tend to agree with me, come on admit it, you do! The World Series last month kept me home and glued to the tube. It was being played as my wife and family were at the Graveyard and I had to miss that because of Baseball, believe me that broke my heart. The Red Sox will start spring training in Florida in three or four months, the boys of summer will be back for a new season, The New York Yankees will have signed up every player from last year that helped beat them, and all will be well in Mudville, maybe the mighty Casey won’t strike out.
Paul: They’ve just started showing my favorite sport here: Competitive eating. I love the fact that they are referred to as atheletes.
John;
I’ve noticed while in the states, that soon “Competitive Eating” will out draw MLB, NBA, NHL and NFL. If anyone needs proof, take a walk through Wal-Mart’s and check out the customers.
John… Man vs Food? They’re like athletes maybe because they like to practice…. stuffing food in their mouths. He he.
Sugar
I like that show too. I makes me sick watching him eat that much food hahaha
John M
Nothing like a good Nathans Hot Dog eating contest. At least an american has won the last couple of years hahaha
Hi Paul,
I follow Baseball also, I was disappointed with the Braves falling apart at the end of the season. But what I miss is drinking Coors Light and playing “The World Championship” game of pool with my friend back in Georgia (that’s what he called it , and I was born in France, so Europe was included). He always cracked me up when after a few cold ones he always had to play pool until the meat on his grill was cooked.
Richard;
It sounds like your buddy in Georgia is one hell of a guy. “After a few cold ones he always had to play pool until the meat on his grill was cooked.” this could be put on my Head Stone, it just rings so true!
Well, Paul, your wife has cracked the funniest baseball joke I’ve ever heard! LOL!
My old man was a serious baseball player(pitcher), even offered a pro contract – $250USD per month, in 1948 – but life got in the way. Imagine the heartbreak he suffered when I took up lacrosse(box), instead. As my dad was a super-jock, I played lacrosse in the spring/summer, hockey in the fall/winter/spring, and swam competitively & studied/competed in kung fu for years. I thoroughly enjoy FIFA world cup soccer, though – as an x hockey player like yourself will appreciate – I can’t stand the “diving”.
I think that soccer & baseball would be excellent sports for The RP, due to average Filipino size & the climate. I can’t see myself watching t.v. when I return to Davao, other than for sports & movies.
I even told my wife before she came to Canada that it was a Canadian law that a wife could not interrupt a husband when he was watching hockey. I told my dad this & when we picked Jeanne up at the airport in Vancouver, he told her the same thing, during our drive home.
Mike;
You are nothing short of genus, with that law about Hockey in Canada, American woman believe that sports on TV translates to Flea Markets and Yard Sales. I used to get even by asking them questions during Oprah. I should have mentioned Lacrosse above as another sport I just don’t understand, Soccer with sticks maybe?
My wife has provided me with some real gems in the past, like Phillips and Flathead screwdrivers, being called, plus & minus screwdrivers.
Plus and minus screwdrivers; another gem!
Box lacrosse is like hockey on dry ground. because there’s no ice, a ball is used instead of a puck. Though First Nations people(aboriginals) traditionally used a stick with a hooked end and a rock for a ball, the hooked end evolved into a leather/cat gut basket, and the rock was replaced with a hard rubber ball(thank god for that!). Toward the end of my playing days they sissified the sport, adding a lot more protection & not allowing some types of hitting with the stick. Of course, no one has died since the rules changed, so I suppose they achieved their goal.
Now, Aussie Rules Football is a real “take no prisoners” type of sport. I believe that a sport has to have an element of risk of death in it before the Australians will give it any consideration. That’s why they do so well in competitive swimming; they’re used to being chased by a shark during their practices. As a result, poor swimmers don’t exist in Aus.
Mike;
The woosie people are always trying to keep us alive with safety rules, and then they complain about the population explosion?
You summed up Aussie sports perfectly. On Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean they would not play softball with us, as the US Navy stopped us from base sliding to bases in the coral. They also asked if hitting with the bat was allowed.
Thanks for explaining Lacrosse to us, a much better job than last month when you explained Cricket. (lol)
Here’s what I know about baseball, Paul:
This is a game played by two teams, one out the other in. The one that’s in, sends players out one at a time, to see if they can get in before they get out. If they get out before they get in, they come in, but it doesn’t count. If they get in before they get out it does count.
When the ones out get three outs from the ones in before they get in without being out, the team that’s out comes in and the team in goes out to get those going in out before they get in without being out.
When both teams have been in and out nine times the game is over. The team with the most in without being out before coming in wins unless the ones in are equal. In which case, the last ones in go out to get the ones in out before they get in without being out.
The game will end when each team has the same number of ins out but one team has more in without being out before coming in.
Gee, come to think of it, aren’t cricket & baseball a lot alike?
Mike;
I Googled sports while writing this and it came up with; “See Mike from Canada”. It helped me a lot. (LOL)
Paul Thompson
One sport you did not mention was NASCAR. Sometimes the only good part of the race is at the end when you see alot of crashes. Some people may not consider the drivers athletes, but they have to sit in those cars for a few hours in heat well over 100 degrees and survive crashes and still concentrate on driving. Good article. Be safe brother
Randy;
I consider NASCAR a sport, but when I was writing this I was thinking more to team sports where each of us might have played when we were kid’s. (or even now). There is a lot of training for any of the racing sports. and they are athletes to be sure. Like when I spent some time in Rome, I noticed that all cab drivers were trying to qualify to race Formula One.
Hi Paul -I like this article. I like several sports you mentioned. Rugby: Eloquent Violence…. and Men in tight shorts! Ha ha! Plus every time the Kiwis do their pre game cheer, it’s entertaining. I like Hockey too.. mainly because of the players (Hello Eric Lindros! He he) and to see a hat trick. I hate that they fight always. I like Baseball too. Crushing on Maduxx, hence I like the Braves but that was ages ago. Good luck on your Red Sox.
Sugar;
Men in tight shorts, that vision never came to mind, yet I did comment on the shirts, does that count?
I also like the Braves, except after they moved from Boston. Hockey, well it is hockey, and Canada is never wrong. The Maury war dance before a match in New Zealand, is also used by the Kiwi Army. Very cool!
Hey Paul…. Apathy at 5 so g’morning to you. Yep men in tight shorts. I’m female so I notice things. ^_^. And yes, the shirt counts. Sexy rugby players! I mentioned I like sports, right? Oh yeah! he he.
Thanks for mentioning what those Kiwi’s were doing. Now I know… Maury war dance. If you like Hockey, they have hockey here too.. not professional, but just sometimes when you go to MOA, you’d see a game.
Sugar;
I also like the chant that they do with the war dance.
And women in tight shorts, I’m male and notice things. (lol) I think it was planned to be that way or humans would have been extinct after the Garden of Eden. Great plan BTW!! (lol)
🙂
Hey Paul, how’s Life in the Philippines?
The Purok Dos, Pita “Cowboys” won their Championship in Pita Dinalupihan Basketball last week. I think they beat the Jeepney Divers, but not sure.
I want to invite you and your wife and her sister over to our house to celebrate their victory on Sunday, 5 December, around 6 PM.
My wife Elly tried calling you but never gets an answer. She asked me to invite ya’ll.
I’m still here in Texas, but you can have a cold SM for me and enjoy the festivities.
Back to sports; I tried getting into Soccer while in Kuwait, but it was God-awful boring, like watching the corn grow.
British sports like Cricket and Soccer, well they can keep it. I did get into Darts though, does that count as a sport?
Back to my Purok Dos Cowboys, These are guys who play for fun and love it. They play their hearts out, not for money or fame, but for each other. Purok Pride!
Hi Mike;
Been hiding? Great news about the “Purok Dos Pita Cowboys” bringing home the prize. E-mail me Elly’s cell, and I have Mayang call her.
I would say that Darts is a real sport, as it meets all the criteria, It has an designated area to be played, it has rules, score is kept. fights will break out, but most of all it’s played where they sell beer! It is in fact, a true sport.
GO GIANT!
They’ve already went, we’ll speak more next year! After the Yankee’s purchase all your star players. (lol)
GO GIANTS!!!!
Robert;
Got a little excited over that win, did ya? (lol)
I seem to have a problem with typos. Dodgers got one today.
Hey, My dad was a Command Master Chief
Hi Robert the Giants Fan:
A CMC, now that is impressive, only the best of the best reach that level! I render a smart hand salute to him.
My hat is off to you and the folks in San Francisco over that well deserved win in the World Series. (Just a little sportsmanship on my part) (lol)
Hi Paul,Seems you need some help on the subject of cricket,so here goes.
The position names can seem a little strange to the untrained eye.
You can field in the slips,at gully,at square leg or even at silly point.
When a position is described as “deep” or “long” as in deep mid-wicket or long off then the fielder is usually placed right out on the boundry.
Similarly a position prefixed as “short” or “silly”,for example silly point means a fielder is placed in closer than a conventional point fielder would normally stand.
Hope this has been some help to some of our ex colonial friends.LOL LOL.
John;
I’ve figured it out,you guys just never wanted us to learn. The Brits taught the game throughout the Empire, but you left the 13 Colony’s out because you knew those blokes would learn the game and revolt in the middle of a match, and beat the Crown. Very wise indeed! The US would also figure out a way to speed up the game, say one day vice four.
BTW: It still worries me, thinking about how the Batsman gets the wicket sticky?
Paul – I once watched on t.v a cricket world cup and I thought it was boring. Don’t get mad cricket fans. The only time I find it entertaining was if the little square thing between the two wooden thing.. or plank? was broken successive times and of course seeing Aussie Batsmen.
Sugar;
The plank thingies is the wicket, I’ll stop now as I’ve exhausted my knowledge of the game. But I noticed a theme in your postings, could it be good lookin’ guys from around the world, that play sports? (lol)
Uh.. hmm, and I like F1, and tennis and golf. He he. But I really sports. ^_^. If target shooting is a sport, I like that too.
Giddy….so I meant I really like sports. Thanks.
Sugar;
I’ve already figured out what you like about sports!
Sugar;
Target Shooting is for sure a sport. Depending on who you’re shooting at.
Golf on TV always makes me smile, the golfer is 3 feet from the cup, as he putts, the TV announcer is a mile away in the control booth, and yet he still whispers as if he’ll disturb someone.
Ha ha. Target shooting.. the ones I’ve seen on t.v (winter olympics, ok). I’m pretty sure, it involves shooting something. Most exciting t.v announcers of sports… the ones who does soccer games and says goal like like it’s the most exciting thing ever.
Sugar;
Harry Carey was the anouncer for the Chicago Cubs, if you heard the game on the radio, you would think you were at the game. But that still doesn’t answer the question as to why golf announcers whisper?
Paul… He he, it’s not the commentators that whispers. It’s the one or two field reporters they usually will have on the ground that whispers.. He/ she has to do that because one can’t just talk and talk when so near the player trying to putt for a birdie. Difficult to yak and yak when an official is holding a ”silence please” placard. Ha ha. ^_^.
Tennis commentators are boring too.. except for the Indian guy from Star Sports. 🙂
Sugar;
Okay; they’re the the ones that are whispering during the game, I always thought they were making fun of the spectators watching, I know I would, as they seem to be snobs, like the people you see at a Polo Match.
Paul Thompson
I think Harey Carey was feeling good most of the time from all that Budweiser HaHaHa. He enjoyed being the spokeman for Bud.
Sugar
Have you ever watched NASCAR. I think you would like those drivers in there tight drivers suits.
Nope. I do watch F1. Speed Skaters also wears tight body suit..don’t like! He he.
Paul
I kind of have a bit of a violent streak in me I am into Football and Wrestling, real Folkstyle/Freestyle Wrestling not that half ass WWF Vince MacMann crap.
Played football/wrestled in school and continued to wrestle in the Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune.
Yea I know what you are thinking about wearing the singlet and all but wrestling is the best sport there is. You suck and you loose thats the facts, no excuses, no one else to blame.
Neal;
I agree that the grunt and groan boys on WWE, F, or G, is not a sport, and that can be proved by reading the sports page and finding there is no mention of who won the match last night. You’ll find that info over in the entertainment section. (don’t let my Mother-in-law know this)
And as a former Marine I fully understand your need for action sports, hell that was your job, and thanks for doing it!
Paul
I worked in Embarkation, 4thBn10th Marines on Lejeune then MAG 36 Futenma Okinawa.
it was exciting at times I did 1 float on the USS Plymouth Rock it was a flat bottom with a Helo Pad. I liked interacting with the Navy getting us and our gear where we had to get but I dont think I could do months on end on a Ship.
Neal;
I’ll admit ship board life was not for everyone, but the truth is 12 days was about the longest I’ve ever spent at sea without pulling into some port. And the worst port I was in, was Okay! I fought to stay off Bird Farms and flat-bottom ships. Combat stores ship’s were the best, as we had to leave the fleet on station to pull in and re-supply. The dumbest secret the Navy had was Ammunition Ships. Were we carrying Nukes? If a Marine was standing on the Quarterdeck, yes. If no Marine detachment on board, no. Think the spies could figure that out?
Neal, Paul Thompson
Hey fellow Marine. I also worked embarkation with 2nd FSSG out of Camp Lejeune. Went on 2 6-month Mediterrean Cruises back to back. Was on the Nashville LPD-13 and Trenton LPD-12. Had a good time except when those seas got rough and you had to head below. Wasn’t fun eating when the tables would be eating. I bet you had a worse time on that LST.
Randy;
An old trick sailors use while eating with those trays, was to put two wet napkins underneath to keep them from sliding. That’s all I’ve got to say, as when two former Marines get to talking, it’s better if I stand down. Hoorah!
Hey Paul,
I used to like stock car races. They’re not even real cars anymore! I also like the Drag races when Big Daddy Don Garlits was king. I also used to play indoor intimate contact sports 🙂 . now It’s a beer, chips and salsa while yellin at the TV for Greenbay
Hudson;
Ah the smell of pure naphtha in a Double A fuel Dragster, leaping from the Christmas tree lights was so cool.
NASCAR, I was at a few races and enjoyed them very much, but the Navy kept sending me out of the country, and my interest faded. So for you and I; “Now It’s a beer, chips and salsa while yelling at the TV…” What’s wrong with that???
I do follow the American sports but my family is only interested in basketball which is a losing proposition to me for this culture . But , don’t try and point out the genetic deficiency or the fact that many star Flipino players are not 100 % Filipino . 🙂
Baseball is my favorite probably because of my age (66) and growing up that’s about all we had . Can remember going to Atlanta and getting good seats for $20 but that was before the Glavine , Maddox , Smoltz era . Last time i went $20 got you a seat in the nose bleed section in center field where you needed binoculars & a radio to tell who was who . 🙂
Can get some of the major tennis tournaments here which i enjoy but no NFL Football . Never could get a straight answer as to why from the cable company but my guess is that rights package is to expensive for local market. Soccer is everywhere like basketball and also see some rugby but the cricket i gave up on long ago .
Actually , i gave up on the cricket when an Aussie mate was telling me where i could find baked potatoes the size of a cricket ball and not realizing that size potato was just a standard Philippine potato . 🙂
Alan;
What??? The Philippines use ringers (imports)? I’m shocked!
Our Dream Satilite system receives all the NFL games here in Bataan, I just could care less.
A day at a Baseball game is like paying to see a Broadway Show, (Not that I’d really know about that, but I was told) Throw in food and drink (read BEER), and you’ve spent a lot. But here on ESPN, if I was a Soccer fan, I’d be in Hog Heaven!
Hi Alan, last June my girls took me to the Braves game (Father;s day Weekend) @ Turner Field AT against Kansas City and the “Special Discounted” tickets behind the home plate 18th row up was $68.00 Dollars each. It was a good game. Braves won and after that game, pick up a trade from KC a couple of guys.
For Paul T, I thought cricket rules was “In and Out” according to Mike!
Mars
Mars;
I’m at the point to where I think the guys who grew up playing Cricket, really don’t know the rules either!
Alan… PBA here has so many imports. Localized imports. I think. Those Fil-Ams. It came to a point that congress even investigated the legality and nationality of some players. But I don’t watch basketball so I probably don’t care. ^_^.
You Brave’s fan? back in the 90’s when we first got cable, I would watch Baseball.. I’d cheer for the Braves! Must be exciting to watch live game. The only live show I’ve seen on a field is a dog show (and I don’t like dogs.. he he), nothing exciting, but cute though.
I agree about baseball being the best.
I also like College Basketball, but like you said the end is really “the” game.
Oh and who wouldn’t like to occasionally catch a glimpse of Ladies Tennis–well as long as the steroid pumped looking ones aren’t on the court.
Pete;
I hope most of the manly looking lady (Huh) Tennis players have retired. But I’ll always give attention to a lady running and jumping in a short skirt, even if just trying to SWAT a fly.
Paul, college Women’s Volleyball is a good one. Traveled all over the South following my daughter played Division lll VB and the other one here in the Atlantic area. It’s fun if they are winning–just don’t talk to them after the game–about the game if they lose.
Mars
Mars;
When I lived in Florida I was a big fan of Womens Beach Volleyball. I never mentioned winning or losing to them after the game, as the truth was, I really had no idea who won.
My daughter was on the Badminton team at her High School here in Olongapo, so I have some knowledge of what a loss is like. BTW: Who knew badminton was a school sport?
Paul Thompson
I think only in the Philippines.
Randy;
Our youngest Daughter was on her sister’s Badminton Cheering Squad. Who knew Badminton had Cheer Leaders? As you said; “Only in the Philippines.” Of course when I was home I attended every match, because that was my job!
Paul;
Being from Detroit I grew up loving the Tiger,Red Wing, and Lions not so much basketball.
I still follow them today. but sports has become so monopolized today. To many teams and to many sub par players making to much money.
I remember when to leagues were smaller and you had the cream of the crop playing for the love of the game. I really upset when they put Detriot and Cleveland in the central div vise the East with thier rivals New York, Boston, and Baltimore. I loved the days of Al Kline, Norm Cash, Carl Yastrzemski, Ken Harrelson,The Robinson’s, Boog Powell,Thruman Munson and all the other greats Now That was Baseball.
Played baseball/softball till I retired from the Navy, but now all I do is go to the minor league games here in J-ville (Suns) or watch the game on TV Drink beer and eat boil peanuts.
Hockey is my second love played goalie till I went into the navy no ice in the south pacific asians don’t understand the game. The same is true for hocey as in baseball so I’ll skip the monolog. Paul do you still remember some of the old players that I still think could out play the new kids? Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Bobby Orr, Bobby Clark, Phil & Tony Esposito, and the list could go on but I can’t spell french canadian names LOL.
Still love the games, But beer, boil peanuts and BBQ are more the action now OH Well.
Senior by the way I blew it to Had the Rangers in 6 Lost my A**
Mike;
You said that beer, boil peanuts and BBQ are more the action now. You are a true sports fan. Those are the real reason for sports, so we can partake of those items and convince our wife, its the sports that is the reason we’re not mowing the grass. The names you mentioned sure did bring back some fond memories of games long past. There are still some great moments in sports, this year was a good example, Texas was coming out of bankruptcy, and went on to beat the best team that money can buy, the NY Yankees.
Senior;
Do you still think that the yankees will buy everyone in town now that George is watching from above? I Agree there alot of great players out there but most of them are in it for the money and championships. Free agency has hurts all the sports when we were young players stayed with their team until the end unless they were traded it’s called loyalty and played for the love of it.
By the way since your on the other side of the world how do you handle watching the games at 7 in the morning. Talk about a early start to the SMB, What a way to wake up 🙂
Oh Yeaif the BBQ is a wash there is always the back up Hogies, Baked Beans and Potatoe salad. See you I Oct maybe will catch a game?
Bruce
I grew up watching the Tigers play. It was really great watching the players you mentioned, but what really saddened me was when Denny McClain got in trouble with the law. It was something when he won 31 games. I don’t believe you will ever see that again.
Randy;
Your right those days are gone. teams limit their pitchers to a number of pitches and have closers. Old fashsion pitcers duels are a thing of the past. Oh yea 1968 was a very good year for the Tigers coming back to win the series after being 3 down to the Cardnials.
Rember Bill Freehan, Wille Horton, Mickey Stanley, Jim Nothrope, Dick Mcauliff, Don Wert, And Pitchers Mickey Lolich, Earl Wilson, John Hiller and Manager Mayo Smith.
Giving away my age. But my mind is still sharp as a thimble though. Even though the game has changed the beer, Boiled Peanuts and BBQ still remain. Thank God!
Bruce
Sure do remember those players. Brings back good memories from 1968. Used to listen to Ernie Harwell on the radio and George Kell on TV. It saddened me to see Ernie Harwell pass away. There was no one better than him in describing a game.
I would rather have a colonoscopy every day of the year than watch some of those sports you mentioned….I cannot even take five minutes of them.
I like soccer a bit…when the World Cup comes around, but otherwise that sport is about on par with me having a root canal.
Baseball in America gets such low ratings that even BAD regular season NFL games beat baseball playoff ratings. But I do like baseball somewhat. This years ratings for the World Series were AWFUL…regular season NFL games do much better.
I love basketball, both college and the NBA variety.
Speaking ONLY of America….the NFL is KING. The National Football League is amazing in how it presents its sport, the TV ratings are ridiculously good, and in America when Sunday’s come around from September to February it is ALL about the NFL.
College football is a close second to the NFL in popularity in America.
Hockey in America is about on par with soccer, most Americans only watch it during a big world event like the Olympics.
I also love boxing, especially when Manny fights. It is amazing to see a filipino boxer have the popularity that Manny has in America. I was at Buffalo Wild Wings watching his last fight and the place was packed and most of them were rooting for Manny. What was interesting is that 99% of the people were NOT of filipino decent. Manny is just so popular here.
And I am a HUGE fan of horse racing. Sad to see this sport decline in America.
Every country has its favorites. One thing that has amazed me since I started traveling to the filipines is that they do not play more baseball. Let’s face it, they will never field quality football teams because of the size needed.
They will have a really hard time being competitive in the international basketball arena….but baseball…you would think with the good year round weather and not having to be big they would be into that sport. But not really.
Todd;
Well you just don’t pull any punches do you? (lol) Manny is an international phenomenon, he’s an inspiration both to the Filipino and the world, not only one of the greatest boxers, but he also seems like a genuinely nice guy. Now that’s a two punch combination that can’t lose.
Hockey in the US is regional, mostly in the north or like Florida which has a high population of US and Canadian snowbirds.
The NFL, does have the best marketing of all the sports, but unlike baseball they only play one game a week. In the states during the season you can see baseball every day.
That I guess is the beauty of sports, we can pick and choose the one’s we enjoy, and never be wrong.
Baseball, which used to be very popular in the Philippines, is trying to make a comeback:
http://www.baseballphilippines.com/
Cebu even has a team, so I have someone to root for on both sides of the globe.
Peter;
I had no idea Cebu had a team, so I’ll assume there are others teams or it would be pretty boring in the outfield.(lol)
I just got back from that web-site, I saved it to my favorites to read in depth latter. I learned something new today, thanks!
sorry to say but youre feelings to cricket are mine to baseball, looks good, no ideahats happening.
next time im visiting i could explain cricket and you can reciprocate with baseball. i feel a long barmy san mig afternoon ahead of us
Paul;
You got a deal!