STARTING FIVE
Neuer was equal to the Desert Foxes’ -geria tricks.
1. “Bad Day for the ‘-gerias”
As the Wayne’s World of World Cup, Men in Blazers, put it, it was “a bad day for the -gerias” in Sweet Round of 16 action yesterday. Nigeria lost to France, 2-0, and later Algeria lost to Germany in extra time, 2-1.
Both African nations held their imperialistic EuroFoes to 0-0 draws through 78 minutes. France scored twice in the final 12 minutes.
Germany, meanwhile, employed goal keeper Manuel Neuer as a virtual sweeper. He literally was employing outside-the-box tactics. Meanwhile in Rio, unwitting Medium Happy correspondent and GFoB (Great Friend of the Blog) Adam Duerson reported that in his bar, someone started yelling, “Allah Akbar.” (the bar then plummeted 30,000 feet into the Atlantic Ocean without explanation.)
So we will reluctantly say goodbye to Africa (Ghana and the -gerias) for the rest of World Cup. And France will meet Germany next, and as pop culture-spewing and history-loving Michael “Positive” Davies and Roger Bennett put it, “We’re not allowed to talk about that.”
2. Games, SETS and Matches
“With musical guest Paul Anka, and the comic impersonations of Rich Little…”
On Sunday, June 22nd, ESPN unveiled its new, TRON-tastic SportsCenter set in Bristol, Conn. The 194,000 square-foot facility reportedly cost $125 million (or 5/6 of a Tanaka), boasts 114 monitors (I think we’ve all concluded independently that 113 just will not suffice) and can safely land Max Bretos on one of Saturn’s moons.
John Skipper could get $2,200 a month for this space on the Upper West Side.
That same week, ESPN unveiled a decidedly low-tech storage closet “from the crap part of Copacabana Beach” in Rio de Janeiro and its hosts refer to it as “Bobley’s Panic Room.” I don’t know how much it cost, but its two hosts barely have room to devour cupcakes while doing up to 43 uninterrupted minutes of podcasting. Of course, because if you’ve lived life these things shouldn’t surprise you, it’s the latter studio that is delivering all the best broadcasts this week.
3. Boston Weak
Not weak? The Fenway fans’ standing O for Arrieta after he was pulled after 120 pitches and one hit by Stephen Drew.
It’s not just that the Cubs came within four outs of the first no-hitter at Fenway Park against the Red Sox since 1958 last night. The Chicago Cubs. Yes. Jake Arrieta, 28,was on the hill. In Boston’s defense they arrived back at Logan Airport at around 4 a.m. after a 3 1/2-hour Sunday night marathon at Yankee Stadium and Arietta did enter the game having no-hit two of the three previous three teams he’d faced at least through four innings.
Contrarily, that was already the eighth time this season, which is just barely halfway over, that the defending World Series champions have been shut out. The Sox –yes, the club with Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz–have the lowest run production (311) in the American League and have struck out more times (683) than any A.L. team that doesn’t put Adam Dunn in its batting order.
4. Lutzenkirchen
Great player, great guy. Lutzenkirchen was an Academic Honor Roll member who also took a Down’s Syndrome student to her high school prom.
My two favorite and most joyous college football names to proclaim the past few years have been SANZENBACHER! (former Ohio State WR Dane Sanzenbacher) and LUTZENKIRCHEN! after the former Auburn tight end who played on the Tigers’ 2010 national championship team. Sadly, Philip Lutzenkirchen died in a one-car accident near LaGrange, Ga., at 3 a.m. on Monday morning. The driver of the vehicle, Joseph Ian Davis, was also killed.
According to police, the vehicle failed to stop at a T intersection, crossed the perpendicular roadway, went into a ditch, and then traveled another 89 feet before coming to rest. The police also suspect alcohol use was involved, although toxicology reports will take weeks.
Tight ends are the toughest football players, in my opinion, because they perform dual roles –blocking and receiving –while also not playing a position that by definition allows them to be the hitters (as defensive players to). They’re the guys who’d be the platoon leaders or Navy SEAL commanders. Lutzenkirchen fit that bill at Jordan-Hare Stadium and was also incredibly clutch. In 2010 it was his fourth-quarter touchdown catch that gave Auburn the 28-27 winning margin over the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa –in one of the most memorable Iron Bowls ever. One month and change later in the BCS National Championship Game, Lutzenkirchen had a carer-long 39-yard reception versus Oregon.
Lutzenkirchen had been cut last year by the St. Louis Rams and was working in Montgomery, Ala. At the age of 23, he is gone way too soon.
My friend Bruce Feldman wrote a thoughtful piece yesterday on Lutzenkirchen and how he was unafraid to tweet in support of Michael Sam last month, a move that he knew would lose him many followers in the deep South.
5. GoPro!
The thrill-seekers’ go-to-camera had its IPO last Thursday at $28. Five trading days later it is opening at north of $44. What’s going on?
1) CEO/Surfer dude Nicholas Woodman is a charismatic, likeable, non-wonky dude who, unlike say Mark Zuckerberg or Lloyd Blankfein, you could actually picture yourself having a beer (and a shot of Patron) with.
2) The product is an actual tangible product, not a social media service. You can hold it.
3) The product lends itself to visually striking TV segments about the product.
4) Now that it’s kind of a stock market success, every stock manager feels the need to have at least a little of it in his portfolio because who knows if this is not the next NetFlix?
Kelly Slater is the biggest name endorser of GoPro, and he also shoots some of its most vivid surfing pics/video.
Two things: 1) I got in at $31 per share (under 50 shares, a cautious dip of toe in water) and I won’t buy more until it dips. Remember how Twitter rose to $70 from the $40s and then plunged back to $29? 2) I went to an off-road race (Baja 500) in Mexico in early March and had my eyes opened wide on this product. Everyone had a GoPro. Recumbent sports fans –many of whom read and/or write this site–are not GoPro users. But they are out there. in force.
That is why I’m urging Woodman to develop a camera for people like me: GoProne!
Where in the World
Yesterday: Mano de Desierto (“Hand of the Desert”), Atacama Desert, Chile
Hint: Your author has been to this spot.
Remote Patrol
USA vs Belgium
ESPN 4 p.m.
Mane attraction: Belgium’s Marouane Fellaini. If only he played for Costa Rica or Mexico, he’d have a CONCACAFro
Quite a few cranks will silently be rooting against the USMNT, not because they hate America but because they despise this summer fling with football (“It’s soccer!”) so many of us are having. Don’t worry, guys (and Ann). Sandy will be going back to Australia soon and we’ll hang out with Roz and Konicky again.