Jun 3rd, 2010
by rabbifink.
One of the most famous lines in any movie is uttered by the inimitable Jimmy Dugan, played by Tom Hanks in a League of Their Own. Dugan says to a player of his who is crying (and happens to be a woman) that “There’s no crying in baseball”.
I’ve made a censored version of the video and embedded it below if you have no idea what I am talking about.
I’ve never quite understood why there is no crying in baseball, nor why this line is so famous. It doesn’t even make any sense to me. And yet, here we are. Everyone knows there’s no crying in baseball and no one knows why.
Try telling Jim Joyce and Armando Galarraga that there is no crying in baseball. (more…)
May 17th, 2010
by rabbifink.
The Zen Master has spoken. (Again. Remember? The Zen Master Speaks on Curses, Karma and Mitzvahs)
When asked about the Arizona Immigration Law – state Senate Bill 1070, by ESPN.com columnist J.A. Adande, Jackson raised a few eyebrow. In fact he raised enough eyebrows that a protest is planned for tonight’s game at Staples Center in Downtown LA.
The LA Times has a full report here: Activists protest Lakers Coach Phil Jackson’s comments on Arizona’s new immigration law
What did Jackson say that set off the protesters? (more…)
Apr 20th, 2010
by rabbifink.
One of the best college football running backs in recent memory is Toby Gerhart.
Gerhart put the Stanford Cardinal football team on his shoulders and carried them to prominence for the first time since John Elway led them to prominence 25 years ago.
His college statistics are astounding: 1871 yards and 27 touchdowns last season. His combine numbers are impressive: 4.50 in the 40 yard dash and a 38 inch vertical leap.
Sounds like a sure-fire first round draft pick…
So why are scouts projecting Gerhart will be picked in the second round of the upcoming NFL Draft? (more…)
Apr 18th, 2010
by rabbifink.
The NBA Playoffs are here. That means 10 weeks of sporadic games until someone takes home the Larry O’Brien Trophy and gets to spritz champagne all over themselves.
Of course, the <sarcasm> Supreme King Master of the Basketball Universe, His Royal Heiness LeBron James is expected to win it all and take his team to the “Promised Land” and we will all fawn all over his super-human ability and charisma <end sarcasm>. That is until he reminds us that it is all about the money in the off-season, because LeBron is a free agent this summer.
I have had my criticisms of LeBron in the past. (more…)
Feb 8th, 2010
by rabbifink.
Grant Desme: Is he looking heavenward?
The two most popular posts on this blog are variants of one common theme.
Athletes as Role Models.
It makes sense. I enjoy sports, I am passionate about education and I love the moral tension created by appreciating both of those areas of life. It appears that people like reading about it as well.
Learn about what I think by reading these posts (in order of popularity): (more…)
Jan 29th, 2010
by rabbifink.
Figure skater Johnny Weir set off animal activists with a small fox fur trim on his skating costume.
Most Olympic skaters wear pretty outrageous costumes for their routines during the Olympics and Weir is known for his “over-the-top” designs. His outfit was supposed to have a small trim of fox fur on the left shoulder. After pressure from PETA, Friends of Animals and hate mail as well as threats from less professional activists, Weir has acquiesced and is wearing a faux-fox fur in the place of the original, real fur trim.
What was interesting to me was the way Weir handled the fur wearing issue. (more…)
Jan 28th, 2010
by rabbifink.
This post has been crossposted to DovBear.
UPDATE: RETRACTION AND APOLOGY HERE
The most well-known athlete in America might be Tim Tebow.
Tebow is possibly the most celebrated, successful college football player of all time. He was a 2 time national champion with the Florida Gators and a Heisman Trophy winner. His success, as well as his good looks and supernatural physique has made him a household name across the United States. Oh, there is one more thing, Tebow is the son of missionaries who is very religious and (at this point) celibate.
Tebow has used his star power to advocate for Christianity. He spent a couple of summers working with missionaries in the Far East and has always been vocal about his religiousness. Tim Tebow is an athlete who is using his star power to make a difference in the world. We may not agree with his message, but he is certainly a better role model than felon Gilbert Arenas or even LeBron James. (more…)
Jan 18th, 2010
by rabbifink.
Photo: Getty Images
A very interesting news item came my way today.
Last Friday night, The Zen Master, Phil Jackson, Head Coach of the Los Angeles Lakers Head Coach, was asked about the Los Angeles Clippers. It seems that the Clippers are cursed.
A near perpetual resident of the cellar in the NBA standings, the Clippers have been blessed with plenty of very high draft choices. In the NBA high draft choices are the best way to build a team. The problem for the Clippers has been their draft selections have been huge busts. Some were plagued by injury, some ended up as NBA role players and others were just terrible choices.
Last week the latest Clippers draft pick, selected first overall, Blake Griffin underwent season ending surgery after sitting out the first half of the season hoping to get into playing shape.
So, the media asked Phil Jackson: Do you believe in curses?.
Phil’s response?
(more…)
Nov 17th, 2009
by rabbifink.
Every casual sports fan in the universe has heard about the big 4th down play that cost the Patriots a victory in their epic matchup with the Colts this past Sunday
Facing 4 and 2 yards to go on their own 28 yard line, Belichik elected to go for the first down and not punt the ball away. The stakes were very high as a failed attempt would give the Colts an almost certain victory and a punt would make their task more difficult but far from impossible. So Belichik rolled the dice. The play actually worked, but they did not get the yardage needed for the 1st down.
The Colts took over on downs and patiently scored the winning touchdown with mere seconds left on the clock.
Below is a video of the play. (more…)
Sep 21st, 2009
by rabbifink.
Rosh Hashana at Pacific Jewish Center was wonderful. The services were inspiring, the attendance was excellent and the mood properly reflected the importance of the days.
I spoke from the pulpit several times over the holiday.
There was certainly an over-arching theme to my sermons. Each had its own individual message but overall they reflected an idea that I feel is central to Rosh Hashana, judgment, repentance, Judaism and Humanity.
It is too easy to get caught up in ourselves. We hope for a good verdict, we try to be the best people we can be as individuals.
For me, the greater challenge is fitting in the group. Every time I spoke over the Holiday, the underlying theme was Unity. (more…)
Sep 17th, 2009
by rabbifink.
Parenting has been on my mind lately.
Earlier today I posted about Kim Clijsters and the sacrifices of working mothers.
It must be the impending Rosh Hashana that is influencing these thoughts of parents and children.
Parenting is tough job. There are no vacations. There is no financial remuneration. It is oftentimes thankless.
Also we are so clueless as to how to parent. Babies don’t come with a handy manual or set of instructions. The questions all parents have are endless. (more…)
Sep 17th, 2009
by rabbifink.
Something has been on mind the last few days. The last three blog posts I have attempted to write have been all on the same topic. I have decided to turn them into two blog posts and this is the first of a two part series.
The topic is parenting. The relationship between parents and their children.
It is a timely subject as the Jewish Calendar turns the page into a new year. A major element of the Rosh Hashana liturgy is the relationship between us and God. That relationship takes a few forms. One form is that of a parent to a child.
(more…)
Aug 28th, 2009
by rabbifink.
A few months ago, the New York Jets football team made headlines when they moved they 4 PM Sunday game on Erev (the day before) Yom Kippur to 1 PM. This time change would give Jewish people wishing to observe Yom Kippur the opportunity to be home before the start of Yom Kippur at sundown on Sunday evening.
This was a nice gesture. It was also, completely unnecessary as Jews are comfortable with and used to compromising to satisfy their Religious beliefs. Jews who keep kosher often cannot eat at business lunches and Shabbos observant Jews miss live college football every Saturday in the fall. Missing a Jets game the day before Yom Kippur is not that big a deal. Plus, it is like a badge of courage to miss an event for your religion. Just ask Sandy Koufax. Missing the game is not that big a deal. Yet, the change was made.
Now it seems that this decision by the Jets is causing a bit of a problem.
(more…)
Aug 20th, 2009
by rabbifink.
This week’s big sports news involved my favorite athlete to hate, Brett Favre.
I mentioned Favre a while back in a post about immaturity and athletes. Back then, I was contrasting the complimentary way in which Favre is recognized for his youthful exuberance and the way athletes who act immaturely and hold out for money or take PEDs are lambasted. (Read all about it here.)
I dislike Favre, but it is not really his fault. ESPN makes me hate Favre with over-reporting and unprofessional, blatant favoritism and flattery of Favre. It is just impossible to like a guy who is in the news that much.
For others, the hatred toward Favre is due to his “treachery”. To illustrate I have some photos for you. (more…)
Jul 14th, 2009
by rabbifink.
During the summer months many people find some extra time to catch up on their reading. By reading, I mean books with paper, ink, covers and turning pages. I don’t mean on a backlit display plugged into an electrical outlet.
This summer, I have been too busy to do any real substantive offline reading. I have done a lot of online reading, but my book reading has fallen behind.
One exception has been DovBear on the Parsha, and you can read my review here.
Part of the reason for this is that in my “spare time” I usually end up reading up on Law School materials. I actually enjoy reading cases and Law Review articles, so my reading of other stuff has fallen a bit behind.
There is plenty of summer left and I thought it would be nice to provide some of my all time favorite reads and a quick note about why I like each book.
(more…)
Jul 12th, 2009
by rabbifink.
This is Manny. Manny Ramirez.
Believe it or not, Manny is one of the greatest right handed hitters in Baseball history. He is also a 2 time World Series Champion and 1 time World Series MVP. Manny was also recently suspended from baseball for 50 games for violating the league’s Substance Abuse Policy when he tested positive for a substance used to hide performance enhancing drug use.
In other words, he cheated. And yet, he is adored and loved, cheered and ballyhooed. Why?
You don’t need to be a baseball fan to continue reading.
(more…)
Jul 3rd, 2009
by rabbifink.
Yes, the red-headed step child of the NBA is going to the Lakers.
There are folks who will be up in arms over a known “thug” joining their beloved Lakers.
The same Ron Artest who was suspended for one full year from participating in NBA games for his egregious actions when he was a young up and coming star with the Pacers.
As a Parent and as Rabbi you may want to know: What do I think?
If you read my blog you should know what I think. (more…)
Jun 2nd, 2009
by rabbifink.
A few months back I hinted at a future post about athletes and their role in our society as role models.
This past weekend I was reminded about my feelings on the subject. What I feel is what I believe to be the Torah approach but is of consequence and significance to anyone and everyone.
Over the weekend the NBA Conference Finals were settled. Something that happened after one team was eliminated has caused a media frenzy. (more…)
May 20th, 2009
by rabbifink.
I cannot get enough Malcolm Gladwell.
Every time I read his work I walk away impressed, enriched and thirsting for more.
Previously I blogged about his book Outliers, which was super. Today I am writing about a recent Gladwell column in the New Yorker. I don’t subscribe to the New Yorker but periodically I check it our online. This week I had the pleasure of enjoying yet another Gladwell gem.
This time Gladwell is talking about sports and for me it is a lesson about life. (more…)
Mar 11th, 2009
by rabbifink.
A few days ago I read a really great article on espn.com (- not kidding).
The article is about three of the biggest prima donnas in sports. Even if you don’t follow / like sports this article is a worthwhile read.
The social commentary in the article speaks volumes about American culture. We live in a world that values youth over all else. Everyone wants to look younger, act younger, date younger – be younger! (more…)
Feb 18th, 2009
by rabbifink.
This article hit me in a very interesting way today.
I am not that old. I am 27 years young. I slowly began to notice becoming older when certain milestones occurred. First, I noticed athletes whom I can remember their debuts, retiring. I am not talking about those athletes who are only around for a year or two. I am talking about those guys who have loooooong careers and are part of the very fabric of the game for a generation. (more…)
Feb 13th, 2009
by rabbifink.
You thought I was done with clothes?
Not at all. The NBA had huge image issue a few years back. The image issue resulted from a few on the court incidents along with the perception that hip-hop culture was a) dangerous b) a major part of the NBA players lives’.
Commissioner David Stern sought to change the culture of the NBA as well as the public’s perception of the NBA. Stern enacted a dress code. (more…)
Feb 3rd, 2009
by rabbifink.
I love Lego. My brother and I spent countless hours in our childhood building magnificent Lego creations. My son Rami has recently added Lego building to his skill set – he is quite good!
If I had to choose one toy to play with I would certainly choose Lego. It is the perfect toy.
Don’t believe me? You need to check this out… (more…)
One of the most famous lines in any movie is uttered by the inimitable Jimmy Dugan, played by Tom Hanks in a League of Their Own. Dugan says to a player of his who is crying (and happens to be a woman) that “There’s no crying in baseball”.
I first heard of 
