Sports Commentary: Return of the curse

Zach Wagner
Staff Writer

   Another week in sports passed, leaving some sports fans with either a bitter or sweet taste in their mouths. For some the week ended like it has so often. However, for others, a bright future is shining ahead.

   The Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox battled their way into the post season, something with which neither team is very comfortable. But with both teams moving past the first round, fans started thinking something special could be in the October air this year.

   The Cubbies and Sox quickly killed their fans' optimism in classic fashion.

   The Cubs lead by two games, needing only one win to advance to the World Series with two of the most dominate pitchers in the game starting the last two games. In fact, Kerry Wood and Mark Prior have not lost back-to-back games all season. But there seemed to be a strange feeling that all this would suddenly change.

   The Cubs managed to give up eight runs in the eighth inning and watched the Florida Marlins march their way into the World Series.

   How could the Red Sox top this disappointment?

    In game seven, the Red Sox lead the entire way, that is until it came time to close out the New York Yankees. Coming from behind, the Yankees tied it up and sent it into extra innings.

   With one pitch Aaron Boone and the curse of the Bambino lived to see another day.

   What looked like a promising post season for these two teams turned into another page in the history books.

   While we are on the topic trends that teams seem to have, why not include our good friend Warren Sapp from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

   Sapp seems to think skipping across the football field in pre-game warm-ups will earn him the defensive player of the year award. Wrong!

   Sapp has showed other teams, as well as NFL executives, nothing but disrespect over the past three weeks. Once they banned Sapp from skipping through opposing teams' warm-ups, he decided to skip right into an official. Once he was fined for that, he came up with the ingenious move of kicking the end zone pylon.

    As Sapp seems to be focused on being the class clown, opposing teams are focused on running the ball right passed the circus act.

   Although we saw a lot of old trends this past week, there are some new beginnings in sports this past week.

   Going back to the Cubs, yes it is true they are down and out for the season. However, let's not forget about this team next year. With Dusty Baker at the head of this team, the Cubs are bound to be hunting for the playoffs one more time next year. Although the "Loveable Losers" continued their tradition this year, I think there will be a new tradition carried on by the Cubs before too long.

   Also starting new beginnings are the NHL and NBA. The NHL opens its season up this past week providing fans with excitement from the coolest game on earth. The New Jersey Devils hope to defend Lord Stanley's cup as the Detroit Red Wings hope to dominate with the "Dominator" back between the posts.

   The NBA is also getting ready to start the season. King James begins his quest into the land of giants as he gets a taste of what the NBA has to offer. Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are a young team that will definitely show signs of growing pains this year. However, this team looks very promising in the beginning of something special in Cleveland.

   Sports provide fans with unpredictable drama on a daily basis. This drama can sometimes be expected, but it's never guaranteed. There will always be new beginnings for sports teams everywhere, and while there are new beginnings, there are always old trends.

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