Every Day is a Day For Giving Thanks!

Posted on November 21, 2022 by Jim Tunney Ed.D
Happy Thanksgiving from Jim Tunney

On the TunneySide of Sports
November 21, 2022
#927 Up next…

After further review… It has always seemed to me that the celebration of America’s holiday of Thanksgiving ought to be giving thanks every day, not just the fourth Thursday in November.

The words of my father ring true: “Always count your blessings.” I was raised during a long period of economic depression. Although now we are dealing with war tensions, higher gas prices and food prices, many people are still able to satisfy their needs based on the money they earn. Unfortunately, there are some who struggle financially and occasionally require additional assistance.

It was Nido Qubein, president of High Point University in North Carolina, who I first heard say “We should give without remembering. And receive without forgetting.” That philosophy has served me well through many years as an educator, sports official and author. As a teacher and high school principal, I had decades of opportunities to be part of thousands of young people’s lives. Hopefully, I was able to transmit to our youth the importance of giving.

Being involved in sports all my life, I learned many things. Number one, it’s not about me. It’s about the T*E*A*M (Together Everyone Accomplishes More). That same philosophy served me well as an NFL official. That philosophy as a crew chief, with a crew of seven that became a family on the field, was to serve the game of football better. My question after every one of my more than 500 NFL games was:  Did I leave the game today better than I found it?

What I hear from some of today’s sports stars is: “I told y’all, I’m not putting any more on my back” meaning I am avoiding responsibility to help my team any further. This betrays the philosophy of giving and helping others. We need more of those who go out of their way to help others.

Will you remember to give without remembering and receive without forgetting?

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Holiday Gifts For The Sports Fan

Jim’s famous Bobblehead is still available for $30. He has added one of his books (your choice – you pick one from his website www.jimtunney.com) at no extra charge.

Shop here.

To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com  or email jim@jimtunney.com.

Posted in Sports, Tunney Side of Sports Columns | Leave a comment

Dusty Baker Deserves The Credit

Posted on November 14, 2022 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

On the TunneySide of Sports
November 14, 2022
#926 Up next…

After further review… How can we honor the pitchers, hitters and fielders of the Houston Astros and not even mention the spectacular catch that Astros’ centerfielder Chas McCormick made with two out in the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Ball Park in game 5 of the 2022 World Series?

McCormick went high in the air bouncing against that center field wall to catch a well-hit ball by J.T. Realmuto of the Phillies. It was thought at first to be a homer, err, no, maybe a double in a scoreless game. The Phillies with a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series might have scored the winning runs and headed off to Houston at 3-1. But it didn’t happen.

There were some great double plays as well as other defensive plays in this World Series – as you would expect with the two best-playing teams at this level. What surprised me was the lack of communication on fly balls hit in the outfield or in short outfield and the infielders trying desperately to make a play on that pop fly. There was more than one per game where one wondered which player would make the catch. Even in Little League, the coaches stress who should make the play and how to “call-off” others.

I loved this World Series. It was great to see Dusty Baker take over as manager of the Astros. There will be no banging of cans from the dugout to indicate to their batters what the incoming pitch will be as there was in the 2017 series with the Astros. Baker is a straight-up manager, who I would love to see as Manager of the Year.

I have always been a World Series fan. It used to be played while there was still daylight when not all stadiums had lights. Since my early days when I had a summer day job, I would strive to see any part of the games that I could. Major League Baseball instant replay was only instituted on Aug. 28, 2008, by commissioner Bud Selig, so seeing it live if at all possible was my only real option outside of listening to the games on the radio.

In 2023 more will change.

For example, with the stricter pitch clock enforcement, the pitcher will have 15-seconds to make his pitch (20 seconds if a runner(s) is on base. Hitters will need to be in the batter’s box with eight seconds on the pitch clock.

There will be no allowance for a team to shift its players forcing batters to hit into their shift. It seems to me that the administration of rules is micromanaging team strategy.

Will you log in your thoughts regarding MLB’s attempt to make the game better?

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Holiday Gifts For The Sports Fan

Jim’s famous Bobblehead is still available for $30. He has added one of his books (your choice – you pick one from his website www.jimtunney.com) at no extra charge.

Shop here.

To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com  or email jim@jimtunney.com.

Posted in MLB, Sports, Tunney Side of Sports Columns | Tagged | Leave a comment

When the Odds Are Against You

Posted on November 7, 2022 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

On the TunneySide of Sports
November 7, 2022
#925 Up next…

After further review… It seems that today’s field goal kickers are immune to how far away their team is from the goalposts when asked to help get three points on the board. Jan Stenerud is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame due to his superb field goal success. Nick Lowrey, former Kansas City Hall of Fame field goal kicker (same team as Stenerud) said he had to shake off any insecure feelings whenever his coach sent him onto the field to keep the Chiefs in the game.

Let me tell you a bit of history that many may have forgotten. It was cold and late in the afternoon on Nov. 8, 1970 (some 52 years ago) in New Orleans as the New Orleans Saints defeated the Detroit Lions 19-17. I can attest to those conditions since I was fortunate to be the referee in that game. The game was played at Tulane University, home of the Saints as the Superdome was just a dream of owner John W. Mecom Jr., then owner of the Saints.

The Lions had just kicked a field goal to go ahead 17-16 with 11 seconds left. Billy Dodd returned the ensuing kickoff to the 28 and then made a diving catch at the Saint’s 45-yard line.

J.D. Roberts, in his first game as the Saints head coach (Mecom Jr. had fired head coach Tom Fears the week before), took advice from assistant Don Heinrich, who suggested Roberts send in Tom Dempsey, their field goal kicker. No field goal beyond 60 yards had been successful at that time. During that time out, Alex Karras, the Lions defensive tackle who later turned actor/commentator, asked me  “What are they gonna do, Jim?” I said, “Looks like they are going to try to kick a field goal, Alex.” “Don’t they know they’re on their 45-yard line?” I said, “I don’t make these decisions, Alex, get back on your side of the ball.” The snap from center was perfect, Kilmer set the ball exactly and Dempsey kicked it through. Our field judge, Dick Dolack under the goalpost, signaled “Good!” I repeated it as the clock ran out.

Dempsey, who taught school in New Orleans for many years, has recently passed away as has Dolack. Kilmer is still living. Dempsey had a deformed right foot with which he kicked that record-setting field goal. He was born with no toes on his right foot and no fingers on his right hand. Dempsey wore a custom, flat-front kicking shoe that had no toe box.

Some opponents complained because Dempsey didn’t wear a standard shoe (the rule in those days). I countered with “That’s because he doesn’t have a standard foot!”

Will you have the courage to overcome whatever difficult circumstances you may have?

Jim Tunney will be having a book sale on Saturday, November 12. For more information email him at jim@jimtunney.com or follow him on Facebook for more information.  Jim’s Bobbleheads are still available for $30 with one free book of your choice from his website www.jimtunney.com/store. Shipping is free.

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Holiday Gifts For The Sports Fan

Jim’s famous Bobblehead is still available for $30. He has added one of his books (your choice – you pick one from his website www.jimtunney.com) at no extra charge.

Shop here.

To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com  or email jim@jimtunney.com.

Posted in Books, NFL, Sports | Leave a comment