Dome Pondering

I sat on this topic for a few days because I could not understand what was beneath the surface of the hysteria that is Simone Biles and her recent withdrawals from events at the Tokyo Olympics.  Here we are on one of the biggest stages in sports - the biggest for niche-interest sports like Gymnastics - and suddenly the greatest gymnast in the world, our own fully spirited American, being torn down, ridiculed, debated, and on the backend of undeserving backlash.  There were the low-hanging fruit remarks - I go to work every day. I can't just quit because I want to!! You just have to love the remarks from those who easily want to compare themselves to Simone Biles but are unable to understand her experience. We all have hardships. But imagine naivete to compare yourself to an Olympic Gold medalist?

  Slow it down. Focus in. Take in all of it. 

3 Up 1. Free Lunch Program in California - At one time in my life, I was a kid that survived on free or heavily-reduced lunch at school. I also remember doing the same in the summer as my elementary school provided free lunch even when school was closed - this was so clutch. THIS recent program being launched in California to provide students with FREE lunch is awesome and will provide a lifeline for so many children who need it.  Also, it'll remove the stigma that is a free school lunch, as well as the well-known gorilla in the space that are immigrant students not having access to food out of fear of completing the necessary application. Tremendous job in getting this done by all involved.

It's so hard not to fall under all of the good feelings that is the Milwaukee Bucks recent NBA championship. I'm sure that you've read, heard, or have thought for yourself all of the redeeming qualities and narratives that have sprung from this story - most notably the validation in the small market organization that prospers through organic acquisitions and a superstar that felt it was important to make the road his own. Or as we have come to call it, "not take the easy way via a super team".  I too fall under the spell of that love for the story - all of it. Including the appreciation and gravity pull to the journey of a kid with a humbled and underprivileged past who now shares NBA Championship memories and bragging opportunities with his brothers. Three brothers in the NBA! Take a bow Moma and Poppa Antetokounmpo!!

3 Up 1. Shohei Ohtani - My dude was WORKIN' this week as the world focused on the amazingness that is Ohtani! He participated in the Home Run Derby. Picked up a win as the starting pitcher for the American League. And oh yeah, lead off the game hitting for the AL. He does it all!!! And of course, he capped it off by donating his $150,000 Home Run Derby check to Angels employees .  Baseball, get behind this dude as much as possible. Please. We are all begging you.  2. Lovecraft Country Leads - Jonathan Majors and my girl, Jurnee Smollet (always been a fan!) made history as both were the first two black leads to be nominated from the same show for an Emmy award. Of course, we can dive into the craziness that is this first, but whatevs.   I've yet to see Lovecraft Country, but I've heard nothing but good things. Can't wait to eventually dive into it. 

  3 Up 1. Zaila Avant-Garde - The world was introduced to Zaila Avant-Garde, the 14-year old who became the first black Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion. Not only did she etch herself in history, we were privileged to learn of her amazing talents as a basketball player, and that she also holds a Guinness World Record for a dope ability to dribble multiple basketballs at a time. Now, Zaila is enjoying the spotlight and the college scholarship offers roll in. Again, she's just 14! Go on girl.  2. Sports Week - A big UFC fight. Tampa Bay Lightning winning the Stanley Cup. The NBA Finals. COPA America Finals (and Messi finally getting his International victory). EURO Finals and Italy taking it back to Rome. Wimbledon Finals. USA Basketball. Everything that was Gerrit Cole's moment on Saturday for the Yankees. And so much more! It was a great weekend to channel flip and find something terrific that sports bring and give us.

As noted at the beginning of my reviews of the Nike City Connect uniforms series, I was slightly concerned about the kind of aesthetics (and the impact on historic aesthetics) that this series would open the door to. Providing the Marlins and Diamondbacks of the world with new threads were fine, but when we start talking Giants and Dodgers (set to come), and then really opening the flood gates over the next few seasons with City Connect uniforms for all, that's where this series had to make its stamp.  With the Giants, these uniforms stayed right in the middle - enough to not make me overly concerned, but not enough where I was impressed. Quite frankly, these uniforms feel like Nike channeled that same exact concern, and shied away from doing too much.

I'm a New York Yankees fan. If you haven't gotten that already from this blog, then the surprise declaration gives you a small set up for this latest Pondering 10 post. Yes, the Yankees are having a challenging year, and there are so many discussions and breakdowns that can be had that are productive, beneficial, and enlightening to why this season is unfolding the way it is.  You know what is not helpful? Yankee fans antics. Ironic, huh? I've long since realized that I'm associated with this fan base than can be overbearing and at times, super annoying. However, none more so than this year. Listening to sports radio, Yankees Twitter, and talking-head television has made that more clear than ever before.  With that said, here is my Pondering 10 on my Yankees Fandom Annoyance:

What is it about?  An estranged interracial couple reunites in a Miami police station in order to help find their teenage son.  Who is in it?  Kerry Washington - Kendra  Steven Pasquale - Scott Jeremy Jordan - Officer Larkin Eugene Lee - Lt. John Stokes

3 Up 1. July 4th Weekend - It surely was nice to have a holiday weekend that felt somewhat normal-ish. Yes, there is still so much to unpack regarding feelings around "independence celebrations", but regardless, the weekend provided a small ability to gather, see others, and do something un-pandemic-like.  2. Chris Paul & Shohei Ohtani - I'm giving both of these dudes an "Up" this week. Ohtani gets it because well...the guy is freaking awesome! He's pretty much a video game-created player come to life with his performance as a hitter and pitcher this year. And of course, there is Chris Paul, the 36-year-old who is finally - FINALLY! - going to play on the game's biggest stage of the NBA Finals. His emotion was awesome to see, and it's easy to root for a guy like that who endured the grind.  3. Fast and Furious 9 - We all pretty much laugh at the evolution of these characters, their abilities, their purpose, and well, even the outright storylines ...

After a few fun editions of the Would You Rather series that focused on the NBA, I take a swing (ah ha!) at some questions geared toward Major League Baseball. Enjoy!  171. Would you rather have Tatis, Soto, or Acuna for the next ten years?  This might be one of the easiest questions in this entire ordeal. Why? Because this is a can't lose!! Regardless, while I love Acuna (major save-face preface) and Soto is unreal (another one), I'm going with Fernando Tatis Jr., the coolest player in baseball at the publishing of this post.  172. Would rather have Beiber, Cole, or deGrom pitch a must-win game?  deGrom then. deGrom now. deGrom forever.  Miss me with the hate if you think I should go with Cole as a Yankees fan.