Do you look in the mirror and tell yourself everything is perfect, it’s all good? Are you lying to your own face? Maybe it’s your nose. Your ears. Your hair. It’s always something and you’d change it if you could. But it doesn’t bother you that much. You’ve been saying that for years.
The Jenner news opens the door to change.
Athletes of a lesser stripe than Bruce Jenner, which means anyone not winning an Olympic Decathlon gold medal and the unofficial title of World’s Greatest Athlete, watch themselves on video. They see their strengths and weaknesses, what they need to work on, what to leave alone. If they don’t see it, their coaches do.
Bruce Jenner emerging as Caitlyn Jenner is a game changer. It’s a green light to change everything. Who in sports needs to change things?
Portland Baseball
The boys of summer return to Portland in 2016. Not AAA, AA, A, or short A, the new Portland team will be part of a league for college players. They will play a sixty game schedule with the Walker Stadium home field at PP&R’s Lents Park, SE 92nd & Holgate.
After talk of Major League Baseball coming to town to replace the departed AAA Portland Beavers years ago, the city lacks a team to call its own.
From portlandoregon.gov:
“The Great West League is one of the premier summer collegiate wood bat leagues in North America, providing a professional, minor league-like atmosphere for top college players seeking professional baseball careers, while providing affordable family entertainment and enriching the quality of life in its member communities.”
This change creates another stage to showcase the outstanding talent coming out of Oregon and Oregon State baseball along with every smaller college. The change is good for Portland baseball.
University of Oregon Basketball
Last year, Coach Dana Altman wasn’t aware of the legal status regarding three of his players entering March Madness. Allegations of sexual assault followed the three players into the tournament and after where they were suspended by the university. Coach Altman had to answer questions about what he knew and when he knew it. The university needed change.
Brenda Tracy’s work on House Bill 2317, extending the time frame on filing charges for rape cases from six years to twelve years, sends the right message to all of Oregon.
This change helps victims and their families come to grips with sexual assault and the law’s protecting the victims. And it helps coaches pay better attention to their recruiting.
Portland Trail Blazers
After getting out the NBA Playoffs first round once in fifteen years, or not making the playoffs at all, the Blazers need a change. Is it a dominant big man, an outside scoring threat, a slasher? A new owner? A new city?
Seattle showed what happens when a team changes hands the wrong way. They leave town and end up where no one thought they’d be. Even now the NBA and Oklahoma City feel like an odd match.
The Blazers don’t need a new arena. The Rose Garden/Moda Center still has a new car smell. Do they need new blood in the front office? President and CEO Chris McGowan, along with GM Neil Olshey haven’t worn out their newness. Neither have said they’re ignorant of team chemistry nor started bringing back the Jail Blazer-era.
The Blazers need a major attitude adjustment, the sort Brandon Roy brought when he stood up to veterans his rookie year. Once they learn how to refuse to lose in the postseason, the change will begin.
Too many people see change with fear. They don’t like what they see, but it’s better than the unknown. Old timers call it living with the devil you know, instead of the devil you don’t know.
Once you understand that change comes with uncertainty, then grows familiar, the fear subsides. Make the changes you need in your personal life and your sports life. Then you’re ready to help more changes happen.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
