Tag: David Maraniss

The Book Shelf: Part 3

Here we go with the third and final part of this year’s Book Shelf. I hope you have enjoyed it and perhaps found an idea for a Christmas gift or two for yourself. Go ahead . . . treat yourself!

One Good Deed — Having never read anything by author David Baldacci, I chose to begin with this one. Upon finishing it, I immediately went back for more. This is the first of three books (so far) chronicling in true Mickey Spillane fashion the experiences of Aloysius Archer, who is fresh out of a federal penitentiary when he finds himself in the middle of a handful of bodies and a number of suspects. I have always felt that for this type of book to be successful it needs a likeable lead character; Baldacci has created one with Archer. . . . The second book in the Archer series is A Gambling Man, and I enjoyed it every bit as much as I did One Good Deed. Fun stuff! . . . And the third one is Dream Town, with Archer doing some work in Los Angeles. Mickey Spillane would be proud.

Paper Trails: From the Backwoods to the Front Page, a Life in Stories — Roy MacGregor, one of Canada’s best-ever columnists/essayists, was a magazine/newspaper writer when the owners had money and didn’t mind spending it. So he got to see the country and, indeed, the world, and he has stories — oh, does he! — about politicians and hockey players and just plain Canadians. But he also writes about his life, his family and a whole lot more. It’s a book full of, as he calls it, MacGregor luck. This was one of 2023’s most-enjoyable reads.

Path Lit By Lightning: The Life of Jim Thorpe — This is the thoroughly engrossing story of Jim Thorpe, a member of the Sac and Fox Nation in Oklahoma who came out of the Carlisle, Penn., Indian School to earn recognition as the world’s best all-around athlete, especially after winning gold in the pentathlon and decathlon at the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm. His medals later were taken away after it came to light that he had played minor professional baseball for two summers. His life became something of a roller-coaster after that, even though he would go on to play big league baseball and pro football. Author David Maraniss has given us a meticulously researched look at Thorpe’s life . . . warts and all. You really don’t want to miss this one.

The Powers That Be — This is the late David Halberstam’s amazingly well-researched look at four American media giants — Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, CBS-TV and Time magazine — as they navigated through the arrival of television, the Vietnam War and Watergate. Give it a read and gain a real understanding of the power of the press. Be prepared, though, because this is a long read.

Razorblade Tears — If you love crackling writing, and don’t mind violence and blue language, author S.A. Crosby has another winner for your perusal. This one follows two fathers who are seeking vengeance following the murders of their sons, who also happened to be husband and wife. Oh my, there are a lot of life lessons among the great writing here. Crosby also wrote Blacktop Wasteland, another winner.

Rez Rules: My Indictment of Canada’s and America’s Systemic Racism Against Indigenous Peoples — Chief Clarence Louis was first elected by the Osoyoos Indian Band in 1984. Under his leadership, that Rez has become known as The Miracle in the Desert. This is his story and it really should be mandatory reading for all Canadians. It really is an amazing and startling read.

Sports Guy: In Search of Corkball, Warroad Hockey, Hooters Golf, Tiger Woods, and the Big, Big Game — These days, Charles P. Pierce waxes cynically, sarcastically and wonderfully on politics for Esquire. But it wasn’t that long ago when the focus of his writing was almost entirely on the sporting world. And he was masterful, as evidenced by the 30 essays that appear on this book’s pages. Published in 2001, it more than holds its own more than 20 years later. Excellent! 

Summer of ’49 — Oh boy, do I ever love this book! Written by the prolific and award-winning David Halberstam, it’s the story of the 1949 American League pennant race between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Originally published in May 1989, the tension of the run to the World Series comes through on every page. There are all kinds of anecdotes involving the likes of Joe DiMaggio, Tommy Henrich, Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr et al.

The Switch — Joseph Finder, who also wrote The Fixer that was mentioned earlier in this series, strikes again, this time with a neat story involving switched briefcases. One belongs to a U.S. senator who foolishly downloaded a top secret file on to it. The other is the property of Michael Tanner, a coffee wholesaler who is fighting to keep his business afloat. Lots of neat twists and turns in this one. And, yes, the secret file being where it shouldn’t be is rather appropriate in these times.

The Tales of an Athletic Supporter — In cleaning out some bookshelves I came upon this gem from Trent Frayne. Published in 1990, this is a book written by one of the greats of Canadian sports journalism who was there for a whole lot of sporting history. For 300 pages, Frayne reminisces about his career, one that began at the Brandon Sun, took him to the Winnipeg Tribune and then to various Toronto-based outlets. And, oh, the places he went and the people he met and watched perform! And, yes, the man knew his way around a keyboard. If you can find a copy of this one you won’t be disappointed. 

True North: A Life Inside the Music Business — As a manager, promoter, producer and a lot of other things, Bernie Finkelstein had a front row seat as the Canadian music business grew into what it is today. This is his story, and the story of that business, and it’s an entertaining read.

Why We Love Baseball: A History in 50 Moments — Joe Posnanski, the author of the glorious The Baseball 100, is back with another wonderful baseballcentric book. This one features a series of anecdote-filled essays on 50 of the sports’ significant occurrences. There also are a number of other highlights scattered throughout.

Winter Is Coming: Why Vladimir Putin and the Enemies of the Free World Must Be Stopped — Former world chess champion Garry Kasparov, a Russian, now lives with his family in self-imposed exile in the U.S. This book was published in 2015 after Russia, under Vladimir Putin, invaded Ukraine in 2014. It is frightening how much of this book remains devastatingly pertinent as Putin is again waging war on Ukraine.

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My top 10 reads from 2023:

  1. Fire Weather: The Making of a Beast, by John Vaillant.

2. Paper Trails: From the Backwoods to the Front Page, a Life in Stories, by Roy MacGregor.

3. The Tales of an Athletic Supporter, by Trent Frayne.

4. Hometown Heroes: On the Road with Canada’s National Hockey Team, by Paul Quarrington.

5. Brave Face: Wild Tales of Hockey Goaltenders in the Era Before Masks, by Rob Vanstone

6. Path Lit By Lightning: The Life of Jim Thorpe, by David Maraniss.

7. Winter Is Coming: Why Vladimir Putin and the Enemies of the Free World Must Be Stopped, by Garry Kasparov.

8. Why We Love Baseball: A History in 50 Moments, by Joe Posnanski.

9. Lucky Man: A Memoir, by Michael J. Fox.

10. City of Dreams, by Don Winslow.

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(THIRD OF THREE PARTS)

Nicknames: To change, or not to change, that is the question . . . Top NASCAR driver tests positive . . . Hockey Canada cancels U-17 WHC

In a recent editorial, the Washington Post called for Daniel Snyder, the owner of the Washington Redskins, to change the NFL team’s nickname.

Asked by USA Today in 2013 if he would change the name, Snyder replied: “NEVER — you can use caps.”

But now, with Black Lives Matter front and centre, the pressure is on again.

From The Post’s View:

“Already, institutions across the board have been forced to take stock of how their practices and policies and — yes — even the names and symbols of their products have contributed to racial misunderstanding and prejudice. Quaker Oats announced it was getting rid of Aunt Jemima from its syrup and pancake mixes, and Uncle Ben and Mrs. Butterworth seem sure to follow. . . . Events DC, which manages RFK Stadium in Washington, removed a statue of George Preston Marshall, who as owner of the local football team refused to allow black players for as long as he possibly could. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell recently admitted to — and apologized for — not listening to players about systemic racism and police brutality against African Americans. He also must know it is wrong for a team to have a name that the dictionary defines as a racial slur and that no one would ever use to address a person who is a Native American.

“This should be an easy call. Mr. Snyder — or, if Mr. Snyder refuses to back down from his declaration of ‘NEVER,’ the NFL — should take advantage of this singular moment in history to get on the right side of history. Change the name. NOW.”

It seems that a name change is imminent, what with various sponsors and other businesses with ties to the NFL team now applying pressure.

FedEx, which agreed to a naming rights deal for the stadium in which the team plays, has asked Snyder to change the name. Frederick W. Smith, FedEx’s CEO and chairman, is a minority owner of the team.

Nike has taken the team’s merchandise from its online store, but has yet to offer an explanation.

Officials with Pepsi and Bank of America also have indicated that they want to see a name change.

“It’s not hard to change the name,” Tony Dungy, who is well-respected in NFL circles, told William C. Rhoden of The Undefeated.

Meanwhile, you can add Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream to the list of name-changers, too, because management told Reuters the other day that it will change the brand name of its Eskimo Pie ice cream stick.

Yes, the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos are facing pressure — again — to come up with a new nickname.

Simon Fraser University, which is located in Burnaby, almost surely will be changing its nickname — Clan — at some point in the coming months after 97 per cent of student-athletes voted to get rid of it. The athletes, it seems, are tired of being asked about the nickname, especially when they journey south to play against U.S. schools.

And the Cleveland Indians say they are ready to discuss a change. They issued a release on Friday that read, in part: “We are committed to engaging our community and appropriate stakeholders to determine the best path forward with regard to our team name.”

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Here’s Bob Molinaro of the Hampton Roads Virginian-Pilot, on the nickname situation involving the Washington NFLers: “It’s been theorized that a fan boycott might convince Snyder to change the team’s name. But judging from attendance at FedEx Field the last few years, how could anybody tell if there was a boycott?”

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With all of that, allow me to place this on the table . . .

There are four WHL teams with nicknames and logos that refer in one way or another to Native American or Canadian First Nations peoples — the Moose Jaw Warriors, Portland Winterhawks, Seattle Thunderbirds and Spokane Chiefs.

In November 2014, the Prince Albert Raiders received some heat when they unveiled a new mascot — Boston Raider — that was sponsored by a pizza joint. But, as Adam Proteau wrote in The Hockey News, “The new mascot’s appearance does not sit well with a number of people who believe it stereotypes those of Middle Eastern heritage.”

The mascot, which also paid tribute to the Raiders’ original logo, quickly and quietly disappeared, with the club apologizing to anyone who may have been been offended.

The Raiders really didn’t mean anything with what they felt was a simple marketing move.

The WHL franchises in Moose Jaw, Portland, Seattle and Spokane aren’t trying to be offensive with their nicknames, either.

But with all that’s going on right now, should they be changing their nicknames to, as the Washington Post editorial read, “get on the right side of history,” or is it OK to maintain the status quo?

Maybe the WHL and one, two three or all of those franchises should take action now and, in doing so, get in front of things . . . instead of having to react at a later date.

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Prescrip

Jimmie Johnson, with seven NASCAR titles under his belt, has tested positive and will miss this weekend’s races at Indy. He will have to have two negative tests within a 24-hour period before being allowed to return to racing. . . . Going into this weekend, Johnson had made 663 consecutive starts. In fact, he has never missed a start in his career. . . . According to Jeff Gluck, who covers NASCAR like a blanket for The Athletic, Johnson “got tested (Friday) after learning wife Chani tested positive.” . . . Justin Allgaier will drive the No. 48 in Sunday’s Brickyard 400. . . .

Jeremy Rutherford and Scott Burnside of The Athletic reported Friday evening that, according to sources, the NHL’s St. Louis Blues have cancelled practices at their facility because of “multiple” positive tests. . . . The Blues skated on Thursday at the facility, but not on Friday. . . .

Hockey Canada has cancelled the 2020 World U-17 Hockey Challenge that was to have been played in Charlottetown and Summerside, P.E.I., from Oct. 31 through Nov. 7. . . . The 2021 event will be held in those communities. . . . Hockey Canada also said that its remaining 2020 schedule remains unchanged, including the National Women’s U-18 Championship, Nov. 2-8, in Dawson Creek, B.C.; the Para Hockey Cup, Dec. 6-12, in Bridgewater, N.S.; the World Junior A Challenge, Dec. 13-20, in Cornwall, Ont.; and the 2021 World Junior Championship, Dec. 26 through Jan. 5 in Edmonton and Red Deer. . . .

MLB and the MLBPA announced Friday that positive tests total 31 players and seven staff members with teams having opened workouts to prepare for a July 23 opening day. . . . Identities of those testing positive aren’t being released, although OF Delino DeShields Jr. of the Cleveland Indians gave the team permission to reveal that he tested positive. . . . The Minnesota Twins said they have had four players test positive, including C Willians Astudillo, P Edwar Colina and INF Nick Gordon. The identity of the fourth player wasn’t released. . . .

The 2020 All-Star Game that was to have been played at Dodgers Stadium has been cancelled. The game had been scheduled for July 14. . . . This will be the first year since 1945 that an all-star game hasn’t been played. . . . The 2021 game is scheduled for Atlanta, and the 2022 game now is to be played in Los Angeles.

Psychic

“As organized sports attempt to return during the COVID-19 pandemic, athletes, coaches, spectators and bystanders will all be expected to sign liability waivers,” writes Michael McCann of Sportico. “Everyone associated with the games will have to accept, in so many words, that he or she (1) assumes the risk of contracting COVID-19 through their participation and (2) agrees that the organizer—be it a league, team, venue, college or even high school—would not be liable for any COVID-19 related harms.

“This is not just true of players, coaches and referees. According to The Athletic, the NFL is weighing the possibility of mandating that ticket-holders sign COVID-19 waivers as a condition of stadium entry.”

McCann is an attorney and law professor who writes on sports and law. In this piece right here, he writes on the potential legality of these waivers in the U.S.

Had to go to a small grocery store on Friday afternoon. Might have been two dozen people in it. I saw one mask. I was wearing it. . . . Come on people. Be better. . . .

If you’re wondering what we’re dealing with here, go to Twitter and check out the thread accompanying the tweet below . . .

Cat