Knowing the Score

It’s Saturday afternoon and I am sitting in a hotel room in Long Beach, taking a nap after an early morning where I succeeded only slightly in getting color on this pasty white skin of mine. 

While picking up some sandwiches at a deli, I got involved in a conversation with the store owner who continuously forgot what type of cheese I wanted.  The conversation was ironically about the cheese capital of the world.  It appears there is some serious discussion about bringing Brett Favre to the Jets. 

The store owner was against it, believing it would hurt the Jets to show mistrust in Chad Pennington’s abilities.  I think it would be a great idea.  With the Giants trying to repeat, the Jets have shown an amazing willingness to rebuild and create its own Super Bowl dream.  Adding one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game could get them there while helping Pennington, who will now have the best mentor money could buy. 

I got my point across, brought the sandwiches to the beach, enjoyed the sun while I continued to read about the 100 most memorable moments in Mets history and then headed back.  My girlfriend and I took a nap and then woke up to the sounds of Rocky I on the television.  To our surprise, the original film was followed by the second installment. 

Wow.  Rocky I and Rocky II were probably the greatest fictional sports films ever made.  It’s amazing how those two films still stand the test of time to this day despite the fact that boxing is no longer as dominant a sport as it once was.  It’s a shame, because at one time, boxing truly ruled the world and fictional heroes like Rocky seemed almost as real as such kings like Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson,  George Foreman and Evander Holyfield. 

Still, the Golden Gloves still holds amazing value in the public’s eye and I think organizations like the PSAL and CHSAA should build off that and create boxing programs for youth. 

The Bronx’ Juan Laporte Boxing Gym already has a successful program with Evander High School.  Just imagine an expansion of the program for young kids hoping to realize their dreams of reaching the Golden Gloves finals or gold at the Olympics. 

I know that some people may believe that boxing is too violent a sport for young high school kids to take part in, but I disagree.  Football, wrestling, lacrosse and hockey could be considered just as violent, but with the proper safety precautions, they are not.  The same could be done for boxing. 

In addition, think what boxing could do for young kids who have no outlet for their aggression.  I’ve talked to some at Juan Laporte Boxing Gym that explained how boxing changed their lives; gave them that outlet they needed and also taught them the importance of using their strengths only when necessary.  As the 49th Precinct has discovered, a good youth boxing program could be the safe answer to potentially devastating conflicts. 

With all the new sports the PSAL is calling to include in their programs, I think collaborations with some of the local boxing gyms could result in a successful new endeavor.  It worked for Archimedes Academy, at 456 White Plains Road. 

Right now, it appears Mixed Martial Arts has supplanted boxing and I wonder how long it will be before someone takes the notion of Rocky and turns it into a successful MMA-themed film. 

Friends is on now. At 32, this show finally resonates.  I enjoy it more than ever, but I have to head out to Sutton Place for dinner and the Mets game. 

Fernando Tatis, one of the most unlikely heroes ever, has tied the game and it’s off to extra innings.  My girlfriend and I take our drinks to the bar and watch as the Mets lose in 14 innings.  That’s a tough loss, but watching the game with total strangers was a lot of fun.  I encourage every fan to go out to the local bars throughout the Bronx and enjoy the game with new friends. 

Well, we’re heading back home.  In a few short weeks, high schools prepare for football and I am excited, because it will be the first year where we award the best players at the end of the season.  I look forward to seeing some amazing action this year. 

This season, over in the PSAL, the experiment with Truman worked.  They will remain with Columbus, Lehman, Kennedy and Clinton in the Championship/Bowl Division.  However, Evander’s experiment failed.  In 2008/09, they will drop to the Cup Division with South Bronx, Stevenson and Alfred E. Smith. 

Should be a fun year.  It all goes down during the first week of September.  Let the countdown begin. 

Knowing the Score, Jon Minners, sports, column, Brett Favre, Mets, Chad Pennington, Jets, Rocky, Mixed Martial Arts, boxing, football, PSAL