Why I don't like pro sports

Cutter's Log - Stardate 0102.41.50
Current Song - Pomp and Circumstance

T-minus about four hours before graduation.

But right now I have to get something off my chest about professional sports. I can't stand the politics of those who are in the offices of these pro sports teams.

Take a look at the NBA's Eastern Conference right now. The Chicago Bulls make the playoffs, and their head coach gets fired because they lost in the first round, to the Cavs. The Cavs are considering firing their head coach, mainly because of two bad losses to end their series, against the Celtics. The Atlanta Hawks have fired their coach, after being swept by the Magic. The coach for Miami, who saw their season end to the Celtics, could be on the hot seat if Pat Riley wants to return to coaching.

The Celtics play the Magic for the Eastern championship. Stan Van Gundy had better be careful.

Already two, and probably three, head coaches have recieved the axe after leading their programs to the playoffs. If this is the case, then shouldn't every team that didn't make the playoffs fire their head coaches?

I used to think the NFL was bad, when Week 17 would be followed by "Pink Slip" week. The NBA and the NFL feel as if every season is World Championship or death. There's too much rumor and gossip, as well as expectations.

I live in the Chicago sports media area. It seems like after every Bears loss there's a call to fire Lovie Smith. It seemed like after every Cubs loss there's a call to fire Dusty Baker, which eventually did happen. Cubs under .500? Mass murder. Every team wants to reach the top, but only ONE will get there. The others are just crap-out-of-luck. At the pace of paranoia I've seen from Cub fans, Martial Law will be declared in the organization in 20 years (if "the year" hasn't arrived).

There's a lot of fan frustration out there at the moment. In many ways, this is linked to the struggling economy. I found this out from a comment about a past column I wrote about something similar in high school sports. These fans want to have pleasure in the form of professional sports. When they don't get it, they have to vent a kind of frustration similar to the ones they vent when it comes to job security, economy, etc.

I used to follow the White Sox religiously. I don't follow them as much anymore. I fully realize there may not be another 2005 season. I do not expect this season to be just like 2005. Furthermore, I have not set goals or expectations for the Sox this season. I have not made a prediction about the season's wins and losses. Because if they do not meet what I personally have laid out for them, I would cringe.

The key phrase in that past sentence is "I personally." I do not feel as if they have to cater to me. I am not the central important figure of the franchise. I am not their boss.

Since I do not follow the Sox as much, I have prevented myself from anguish over failed expectations that may lead to brain damage and erratic behavior. I haven't completely isolated myself from the professional sports world. I still watch Sportscenter. I heard the cries from Cardinal fans after their team was swept by the lowly Astros. My first thought? It's good to see the Astros rebound and accomplish something good. And I kind of consider myself a de facto Cardinal fan.

I have never had a favorite NBA team. I never was really a Bulls fan growing up, just because I didn't pay attention a whole lot. I have had brief loyalties with the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles and Cincinatti Bengals, but those were simply brief. I don't follow the NHL a whole lot, but at the rare times I do, I keep a tab on the Chicago Blackhawks. NASCAR hasn't been the same for me since Dale Sr. died.

Sometimes you just have to sever the rope. I did.