The question I get asked about this site most often is, "what the heck is a Sportsrealm?" Here might be one of the simplest responses. "Sportsrealms includes the ways in which sports are discussed, debated and represented in society, as well as the various venues, teams and organizations that contribute to the sport's presence. In essence, it's the world of sports, its culture and its impact on society". Hey, it's the Wide World of Sports!
I've spent an exorbitant amount of time on sports websites. I'm no different than you. If my team is looking to trade for a player or lock up a top commitment, I'm searching everywhere I can for information, until a final decision is reached.
It never ceases to amaze me the wide range of intelligence fans show with their posts. Some are knee jerk reactions and others are in-depth pieces of statistical information to support their stance. That's why I've concluded, "your world is often different than mine. I see things a different way. Be that as it may".
I've been perusing the Iowa Hawkeye sports sites in recent days in regard to a young guard/forward the Women's Basketball team is trying to land. Her name is Emely Rodriguez. She played last year at Central Florida and averaged 11.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. She made the All-Big 12 Conference freshman team and has three years of eligibility remaining. Rodriquez placed her name in the transfer portal in early May and visited Iowa on May 12th. She also visited Indiana the next day. We're still waiting on her decision. (UPDATE): Iowa lands Rodriquez on Monday. Huge get. She had been recruited by UCONN and South Carolina as a high schooler,
One site in particular, Hawkeye Beacon, does a superb job of following the women's program. There were numerous posts about Rodriquez and whether she'd make Iowa better. And if better, how much better than the current roster is. The back and forth, yea and nay is head shaking. Last night I came across a post that I found so well thought out. And sums up what a true sportsrealmer is all about. The writing is from Lembo Allen.
"This is a very interesting discussion....everyone's fan experience is uniquely their own...mine is based on the culture of the program and the personality of the players and coaching staff. As I have mentioned before I'm not tied to the university nor the state of Iowa....I trust Coach J to find the correct balance between high school recruiting and the portal to keep me engaged as a rabid Iowa WBB fan. Even with all the winning of that Geno (Auriemma), Dawn (Staley) and Kim (Mulkey) have done with their programs, I have never enjoyed those teams as much as I have the Hawkeyes. I have even found myself going back to find video clips of Hawkeye games prior to my first Iowa experience. I get the same feel good vibes from watching those teams that I do watching the current version. The joy our girls play with is incredible with no disrespect for anyone else's fandom. I ride or die with whoever Jan and Co put together and cheer relentlessly for their success. I will be excited for recruiting and portal wins and I won't dwell on the what ifs of perceived misses. I am so glad I found the Iowa WBB program and truly enjoy being David against the Goliaths of WBB..GO HAWKS!!" Well said Lembo.
Now back to Ms. Rodriquez. In digging a little deeper on the young lady, I think she'd bring something to the roster they don't have a great deal of, athleticism. She can make her own shot, drives well to the basket, plays good defense, rebounds and shoots the three-ball fairly well. Here's a little look.
Here's my two cents. I didn't think so at first, but Iowa needs Rodriquez's services. She could very well be an important missing element. For all the Lembo's out there, I hope the Rodriquez's recruitment ends in Iowa's favor. I feel Emely is clearly a difference maker and one that could move Iowa into the second week of NCAA play. And maybe beyond.....
LET'S TALK SOME BASEBALL....
I've refrained from offering any thoughts on the Shoeless Joe Jackson and Pete Rose eligibility to the Baseball Hall of Fame. I wanted to mull the subject and make sure my feelings were true. "In an historic, sweeping decision, baseball commissioner Rob Manfred on Tuesday removed Pete Rose, Shoeless Joe Jackson and other deceased players from Major League Baseball permanently ineligible list".
Rose was placed on baseball's ineligible list on August of 1989, voluntarily. That's a long time ago. He bet while managing the Cincinnati Reds. Not good. Rose could be eligible in December of 2027. Why wait? Let's get done as soon as possible. Shoeless was another story. Jackson was associated with the Black Sox scandal from the 1919 World Series while playing with the Chicago White Sox. Shoeless supposedly participated in a conspiracy to fix games.
Should Jackson and Rose be in the Hall of Fame? Yes. And should they have been voted in some time ago? Yes. Did they both do something stupid? Yes. And who should cast the first stone? Not me. I look at it this way. Or maybe I really look at it Pete's way.
"Last September, in his last interview, 10 days before his death (Rose died on September 2024), Pete told sportscaster John Condit: I've come to the conclusion--I hope I'm wrong--that I'll make the Hall of Fame after I die. Which I totally disagree with, because the Hall of Fame is for two reasons: your fans and your family...and it's for your family if you're here, It's for your fans if you're here. Not if you're 10 feet under. You understand what I'm saying? What good is it going to do me or my fans if they put me in the Hall of Fame a couple of years after I pass away", Rose told Condit. "What's the point? What's the point? Because they'll make money over it".
And there's Pete with his last slap hit.
PLAY BALL!!
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