What's Old is New Again

While trying to determine how to fill out my CBI bracket...Go GCU Lopes!

Something incredible took place on Sunday. No, it wasn't the mystery of how Syracuse got into the NCAA Tournament yet again, but something else, and this time on the links. There was a familiar face that was on the leaderboard, galvanizing the crowd and making something other than Selection Sunday a must-see show of the day. It was good ol' Eldrick Woods making his presence known, getting within a shot of the lead at the Valspar Invitational.

As he was walking over to the 18th hole, needing to make a near-impossible birdie to force a playoff, there was a cheer that we haven't seen since that ill-fated night back in Thanksgiving of 2008. Tiger walked up the fairway and eyes were once again glued to the set, anticipating what was almost the completion of a comeback that many thought would never happen. Yes, his birdie attempt fell short, but in the long run, he was a winner.

We all thought that he was finished, the victim of one too many surgeries and poor performances. He was only mentioned in sports briefs as missing yet another cut, and would be the subject of the greatest collapse of a career this side of Penny Hardaway. Now, he may not even make the cut at Augusta in a few weeks, and there's a reason Father Time is undefeated. However, what took place this weekend is about something bigger than playing on the back nine.

Each of us have all had those times when we thought it was over, and no one would have blamed him if he wanted to take his millions and go home. We have also had those tough decisions to make, whether to continue on and press or to say enough is enough. Sure, he has paid a cost for his personal decisions, but credit to him for how he has not given up, and no matter the obstacles ahead of us, we must never be one to throw in the towel. As long as we are alive, so is the dream.

Besides...you never know who might be watching...

Break the Rules?

While I'm waiting for Atlanta Season 2...

March brings with it the anticipation of another season on the diamond, as teams are now in full swing during Spring Training. Whether they are in Arizona or Florida, 30 squads go in with the "anything can happen" mantra, fielding rosters of veterans on their last hurrahs or rookies hoping to make their big break. With it, comes the old time established rules that have been the standard since the dawn of time:

-No bunting during a perfect game (apparently).
-No wearing of facial hair if you're a New York Yankee.
-No flipping of the bat to admire an epic home run.

Now, we have "HatGate," in which the Atlanta Braves have told stud prospect Ronald Acuna that he must wear his hat properly as he gets ready to embark on a potentially incredible career. Acuna has been known to wear his hate to the side during games, and this has apparently rankled some of the upper brass.

OK, I get it. Organizations have rules in place, and as someone who works in at a school, I understand the importance of adhering to particular dress codes. After all, we don't want people showing up in the office dressed as if they are headed for the club unless it's Halloween Friday. That said, this is 2018, and I am surprised that we are still having this issue. 

When Yasiel Puig came on the scene a few years ago, he electrified the game while displaying a few habits that ticked off those "we play the game right" guys. You know what? I loved when he did it, just as much when Ken Griffey Jr. wore his jersey un-tucked. The fact is, at some point baseball has to get with the 21st century and allow these players to let loose. Some players do wear their hats to honor loved ones, such as Fernando Rodney, and I think the Braves should not get off to the wrong start with a guy who could potentially bring them back to prominence.

This isn't about just the fact that he is an uber-talent; this is about people in power needing to focus on more important things. There's a reason that the NFL and the NBA has overtaken baseball as the American pastime, and it is because they let the players be themselves. How much more fun was watching football when the Philadelphia Eagles' defense was doing the electric slide after an interception? 

Get over yourself baseball, and let these guys grow in their own personalities. Besides, if he comes out and becomes the next Barry Bonds (steroids excluded) no one is going to care if he wears his jersey backwards. There are times when we need to relax the rules, and this is one of them.