The Water Cooler: April 28, 2010
By Bontã Hill
The Guardsman
There has been no shortage of sporting news since I last talked to you.
The NBA Playoffs have gotten off to a hot start, and the San Jose Sharks made it to the second round and look serious about bringing the Stanley Cup to the Bay Area.
And 49ers fans everywhere have to be imagining big things for the upcoming season since the team beefed up their roster at the past weekend’s NFL draft.
Also, with the super fight between Sugar Shane Mosely and Floyd Mayweather Jr. coming up, there’s no reason for me to get off my couch.
With that said, I can’t help but think about how this is my next-to-last column ever in The Guardsman. That’s right folks, The Water Cooler is down to its last two cups of water.
It’s a bittersweet moment indeed. My time boring you, hurting your eyes and making you use this paper as a fly swatter has been a great experience.
The Guardsman has provided me the opportunity to speak my mind on one of the few things I love in this world — sports. It’s also been exciting, stressful and time consuming.
Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t trade this experience for a 99-cent bag of sour cream and onion Ruffles (those who know me know I run through two bags a day. I’m so addicted.)
I am proud to give The Guardsman credit for opening a lot of doors for me. It gave me the opportunity to announce men’s basketball games here at City College, the chance to get to work with the prestigious football team and the chance to meet all the great athletes and coaches from all the athletic programs.
As I continue my journey through college as a bona fide sports junky, life just won’t be the same without The Water Cooler.
Idiot of the Week
There was a slew of pathetic acts this week, but I can only admit one person into the Idiot Hall of Fame, so some hopefuls will probably be disappointed. But in a wave of stupidity that could qualify him for the Idiot of the Month, this edition is admitting Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
This comes following his six-game suspension by commissioner Roger Goodell after a 20-year-old girl from Georgia accused “Big Ben” of sexual assault. Although he was not charged because prosecutors did not have enough evidence, this is the second time in two years a woman has come out accusing Roethlisberger of foul play.
Now, not only has Roethlisberger’s wild nights cost him six games of his season, it will probably cost the Steelers a playoff berth. With his reputation scarred and his giving the NFL attention for all the wrong reasons, Big Ben is a fool to keep putting himself in danger due to ridiculous judgments.
Welcome to the I.H.O.F. Ben.
Miscellaneous
After wearing egg on my face about my infamous Super Bowl prediction, I’ll go out on a limb by predicting the San Francisco Giants will not make the playoffs.
It’s tough, since Giants fans have the feeling this team could be great. And they can, if they can figure out a way to produce some runs on the board.
I just can’t help it, considering the offense is filled with free swingers of average speed and minimal power — with the exception of Pablo Sandoval. Yes, the Giants pitching is by far one of the best in baseball, but until they get a legitimate offense, they simply won’t be able to hang with the Colorado Rockies.
It pains to write what I have just written about the Giants, but I’m a realist, and the Giants are the second-best team in the National League West.