Is it a Pandemic?

Posted on March 2, 2020 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

On the TunneySide of Sports March 2, 2020 #785 Up next… Is it a Pandemic?

After further review… No, this is not about the Coronavirus. It’s about cheating in sports. Has that become pandemic? Has winning become so vital that people overlook what their parents/guardians instilled in them as children?

“You play to win the game,” said Coach Herm Edwards to a group of reporters when he was head coach of the New York Jets. After a blowout loss to the Cleveland Browns on October 30, a reporter asked Coach Edwards, in only his second year as head coach, if he would consider allowing his players to just play and not be concerned about winning in order to finish low in the standings ensuring a higher draft choice.

“Hello,” said Coach Edwards, his voice rising to a high pitch, “You play to win the game, you just don’t go out and play. You play to win the game,” he repeated. Was Edwards emphasizing winning at all costs? Never! If you follow the ‘Edwards Code’, you will know that he places a high value on integrity and respect for the game. Has that long-standing philosophy vanished?

The former men’s tennis coach at the University of Texas at Austin recently received a 6-month prison sentence for taking a $100,000 bribe in the college admission scandal. Several Hollywood celebrities (avoiding the word stars) also had paid money to several universities to get their “non-qualified” adult children into those schools. Some of those parents received fines as well as jail sentences. What lessons are we sending about winning?

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred is still being questioned by players, coaches, managers, and fans about the cheating that the Houston Astros did in sign-stealing from opponents. Such questioning may last throughout the 2020 season. It was interesting to note that many have said Manfred used his authority because he is in charge of integrity for MLB. I disagree! The commissioner is ‘the sheriff-in-town’ to enforce rules that are broken. Integrity belongs to all those involved! When did we lose sight of that?

The need to win has brought many a person to their knees – a fall from grace as it were. As I reflect on the number of games I played in high school and college, I don’t remember how many were won or lost. What I do remember are the friendships I made and the lessons I learned from those games. They have been invaluable.

Will you place integrity and respect for the game ahead of winning at all costs?

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

To contact Jim, go to JimTunney.com or email Jim@JimTunney.com. Jim’s books are full of inspiration and interesting stories. Please visit his online store to learn more.

Jim’s bobblehead ($30) and latest book ($20) “101 Best of TunneySide of Sports” are available at Jim Tunney Youth Foundation (501c3) P.O. Box 1440 Pebble Beach, Ca, 93953. Includes autograph and free S&H. Thank You!

Jim is available for speaking engagements on leadership and T*E*A*M Building. His books are available for $20 which includes shipping and tax. The Tunney Bobblehead is available for $30. Please visit JimTunney.com. Thank you!

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

Dealing with difficult issues

Posted on February 24, 2020 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

On the TunneySide of Sports February 24, 2020 #784 Up next… Dealing with difficult issues

After further review… Spring is a favorite time of the year since it’s baseball season. I wanted to play professional baseball as did my father. Prior to marrying my mother and after graduating from Loyola University in Los Angeles, dad was signed by the Oakland Oaks as their starting 3rd baseman. He only played one season and then began a teaching/coaching career.

My baseball career can be summed up with playground, high school and a short college tenure. I was able to coach the Occidental College frosh T*E*A*M to a championship as a college senior and four years of high school baseball. I continue to enjoy MLB teams as they begin spring training. My all-time favorite team was the New York Yankees since as a kid I listened (yes, before TV) on the radio as Mel Allen and Marty Glickman broadcast games. When the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles with Vin Scully, I adapted and followed them.

However, this 2020 Major League Baseball season brings an unexpected and disheartening scandal to the game. While we’ve had these before (Black Sox of 1919 etc.), and the disingenuous approach by the manager, coaches and players of the Houston Astros in the 2017 series games has put a damper on this 2020 season.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred’s office uncovered that the Astros used electronic devices to decode signals that their opponents used from catcher to pitcher for the type of pitch to throw. In baseball, players have always tried to steal signs that their opponents were using for types of pitches, when a runner was about to steal a base, etc. Those tactics – good/bad/right or wrong—were what has been termed gamesmanship, but using electronics is prohibited!

The Astros won the 2017 World Series defeating the Dodgers in the final game 5-1 getting 5 hits by using electronics to inform their batters what type of pitch to expect, (note: The Dodgers got 6 hits without illegally using electronics!) That Astros ploy was used against other teams as well and many players are mad as hell!

Commissioner Manfred suspended the Astros general manager and coach followed by Astros owner Jim Crane firing both. Sometimes when you win, you lose! Many MLB players are suggesting further retaliation by suggesting that their pitchers “get even” by purposely throwing at the Astros players –ala brushback pitches, but “watch out for in-your-ear.” Some players want the World Series trophy, rings and title removed.

TunneySide says let’s move-on! Retaliation and hatred never solved a problem. I learned some time ago: “Never be a prisoner of your past. It was just a lesson, not a life sentence.”

Will you have the courage to move-on after facing a difficult situation?

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

To contact Jim, go to JimTunney.com or email Jim@JimTunney.com. Jim’s books are full of inspiration and interesting stories. Please visit his online store to learn more.

Jim’s bobblehead ($30) and latest book ($20) “101 Best of TunneySide of Sports” are available at Jim Tunney Youth Foundation (501c3) P.O. Box 1440 Pebble Beach, Ca, 93953. Includes autograph and free S&H. Thank You!

Jim is available for speaking engagements on leadership and T*E*A*M Building. His books are available for $20 which includes shipping and tax. The Tunney Bobblehead is available for $30. Please visit JimTunney.com. Thank you!

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

George Washington lives on!

Posted on February 17, 2020 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

On the TunneySide of Sports February 17, 2020 #783 Up next... George Washington lives on!On the TunneySide of Sports February 17, 2020 #783 Up next… George Washington lives on!

After further review… It seems appropriate that today’s article reflects on that age-old expression relating to our first president, General George Washington, when he uttered his famous “I cannot tell a lie.”  I cannot tell a lie, I did it with my little hatchet is historically referred to little George when confronted by his father as to who cut down that cherry tree. While it may be apocryphal, it is often used as a guide for children to always tell the truth. It also may be appropriate as we celebrate Presidents Day.

No, this has nothing to do with our current US president. You can make up your own mind on that one. It has to do with transparency, which may apply to our current political mess. The sports transparency question is: Are game officials telling you the truth when making an on-field call? Or are they just making them up — AKA C.Y.A.?

2020 Major League Baseball Umpires will use the microphone to explain to the stadium crowd as well as the television audience what the call was and the rule that applies to it. That explanation will be the responsibility of the crew chief. The National Football League has required its on-field referee (also called the crew chief) to do that. The National Basketball Association has yet to follow. Stay tuned.

Transparency has been a keyword in recent political issues as well as in other entities. Why is transparency so in vogue today? The TunneySide feels that we have lost trust in others. In the NFL – before replay was adopted – the players and coaches, as well as fans, trusted on-field officials. While they might not have agreed with the call, they seem to accept that the on-field officials were honest and doing the best they could.

They still are today, yet their integrity is questioned as well as the call they make. In the NFL once the coach throws the challenge (red) flag the referee reviews that play. The coach  accepts the replay decision. Hmmm. Trust in the automation, but not the individual?

We have lost something when that gets to be the mode. Trust is paramount in sports as well as in society. We have lost that trust when we allow the video to replace human dignity. Of course, there are plays that may be mistakenly called (human error) where replay can help.

Will you trust the  judgment and decisions of others as you would like them to trust you?

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

To contact Jim, go to JimTunney.com or email Jim@JimTunney.com. Jim’s books are full of inspiration and interesting stories. Please visit his online store to learn more.

Jim’s bobblehead ($30) and latest book ($20) “101 Best of TunneySide of Sports” are available at Jim Tunney Youth Foundation (501c3) P.O. Box 1440 Pebble Beach, Ca, 93953. Includes autograph and free S&H. Thank You!

Jim is available for speaking engagements on leadership and T*E*A*M Building. His books are available for $20 which includes shipping and tax. The Tunney Bobblehead is available for $30. Please visit JimTunney.com. Thank you!

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