The Sour Age

What I learned from Gold

November 18, 2009

By: Jack Skunk

I have to admit- I’ve been struggling with what to write this week.  I staked my entire reputation on Gold getting clobbered, and yeah, my words have been quoted back to me more than once.  I suppose I could apologize or justify the reasons behind my pick or even be defiant and disdainful of Gold.  Buy you know something?  I’ve learned something, and let me tell you what that is:

First: That whole hackneyed “any given Sunday” expression is true.  Royal in general is the better team, but not on that day.

Second: Beware of a Tim Sannes who actually “cares.”  Tim in the All-Star game?  Not a threat, not a handler, not a baller, not nothin’.  Tim in the Royal game?  A force to be reckoned with!  I even heard he showed up early to warm up, and was like the first person there.  Is that true?  And- he called Marta to make sure she was on the way?  That is just simply unheard of.

Third: Handlers are better than speed.  If you put the receiving corps of an NFL team up against lowly Orange, the Express will win.  It pains me to say this, but quarterbacks are more important than receivers.

Fourth: If you are overconfident, you will lose.  Goff and his Royal blues had every reason to believe that they would win, and I think, might have been looking past Gold.  That was a HUGE mistake.  If the Lieutenant makes the same error, then he’ll deserve to lose as well.  I hope you’re paying attention there, boss.

Fifth: This is not a fact, but the Retrievers might actually be good.  It could be that their five game skid was an anomaly, and that their win against Royal was their actual skill level.  I remember picking them early in the season and being surprised when they lost.  Are they now clicking the way they should have been?  If they make the finals, then the answer is a definite yes.

Sixth: Character matters.  I questioned Royal’s character, but said that Gold had some.  People quibbled with my arguments.  Some even said I was nuts.  But look- character may not win games, but a lack of character can lose them.  Gold was pissed and they thought they could win if they tried, and you know something? They were right.  I offer you guys a tip of the ol’ hat.

All right boys and girls.  We shall no longer speak of or quote my prediction for Gold in the Quarters.  Now, will I send some love to the Retrievers in the Semis and Finals? Don’t bet on it.  Old dogs can’t learn THAT many new tricks.