‘Tis that season. Even if you are not a believer in anything religious, there may be a team or player you believe in. For me, I go with Santa Claus. Hoping that he no longer brings me toys that I wear out by Valentine’s Day but some things that my friends may be in need of. As I think of the sports world, there are things that I want, so here goes a few of them.
For the St. Louis Rams: Four more wins – two in the regular season and two for post-season. You didn’t think they were good enough to go to the Super Bowl did you? While we are happy that they have started to turn things around, it’s safe to say they have a whole lot of work to do.
I would like to have under my tree?
How about more skilled players, namely some wide receivers who can actually play? While Danny Amendola and Denario Alexander have performed admirably, they are no threat to the good teams. A place on the roster? Sure. Number one and two threats? Not if you consider yourself a real good team in the NFL.
I would also like to see more fans at the Dome. The Rams have had good crowds but have yet to have a legitimate sell out. Where are the fair-weather fans? Talk is cheap. They can call talk shows and gripe, stand in a bar and complain, and yet when the team does well they are nowhere to be found.
I need a lot for Christmas for the Rams. Did I mention an offense with an imagination? I guess Mike Martz spoiled us all.
For the St. Louis Cardinals. A shortstop that can pick it and lead off. Brendan Ryan was shipped out because he had fallen out of favor with some. He did not hit, and at times had become a clubhouse distraction. With that said, he could pick as well as any Cardinal shortstop since Ozzie. That was not enough to keep him here. Newcomer Ryan Theriott will fill the spot.
It would also be nice to have some prospects who can contribute under the tree this year as well. While I am at it, I may as well ask for a better defensive team and fewer injuries.
For the St. Louis Blues. A goal scorer or two, as well as excuses. The Blues are no longer young; they have enough players who have enough games under their belts to be better than they were before they were hit by the injury bug. Head coach Davis Payne should be a really good coach once he gets some healthy players. I am a fan of him and his players.
As for the rest from anyone above general manager? Spare me. The act has gotten old.
For St. Louis University Men’s Basketball. More support from the administration, as well as a reality check on why local kids will surely take a pass when the Bills come calling. The Quamaine Mitchell and Willie Reed situation was poorly handled by the university. They will pay in the future for it, as it will come up in recruiting conversations for sure. It was unfair to players and coaching staff who continue to work hard. Hopefully they will get Mitchell back. If not, it could be a long season again.
For SLU Women’s coach Shimmy Gray-Miller. A break. Injuries and tough luck have been problems this year. More players from Incarnate Word would help. This is a program that is deserving of more support locally. More local faces will make them better quick.
For Mizzou football. More respect. A 10-win season and they are playing a bowl game in December? There is something wrong with that picture. The Tigers have proven to be a good bowl team. Throw out last season’s shellacking by Navy, and Mizzou has beaten some good teams in bowl games, including two from the SEC in South Carolina and Arkansas.
I would also like a fullback for short yardage, although I ask for that every year. Santa, are you listening?
For Mizzou Basketball. A thumper who can play tough inside. Mizzou is still fun to watch on nearly every night of the week. At some point, kids in the state will catch up and they will have the chance to try out and play for Mike Anderson.
Also, if the injury bug could bite another school for a change – let’s say, Kansas?
For the NFL and its players. Sanity. Each side continues to warn about a pending lockout. The owners have allowed greed to take over, and when they did not meet the income expectation they decided to pass it onto players hoping they would be dumb enough to believe what they are saying.
They were right. The players are dumb. So dumb that they have no idea what this pending lockout is really about. Instead of talking about adding two games, how about more guarantees in the contracts? What about better benefits for life after the game? What about better working conditions?
For the NBA and its players. See NFL. At least the NBA gets it. Their problem is they are going up against the greatest commissioner in the history of team sports in David Stern. I would say good luck, but it may take more than that for the players not to take in some cases a deserved haircut when it comes to salaries.
For the National Hockey League. A second job. Don’t look now, but the players association just hired former baseball player association executive director Donald Fehr. Not even the threat of a lockout can save the league this time. A lockout would result in the death of the league once and for all. The problem here is I’m not sure not many would care. I for one would.
For all of my readers, supporters, family friends and colleagues who have supported this column over the years, I thank you and wish you and yours nothing but the best for this holiday season.
