Hartley Miller's Slap-Shots - July 27th Edition

By Hartley Miller

“This is for all the marbles.”

Yes, Sports Cliché Week has just ended for another year. But this doesn’t mean we won’t hear them again until next July.  On the contrary, sports enthusiasts have been accustomed to hearing clichés for many years, and they are solidly embedded in the fabric of sport culture.  After all, “there is no tomorrow”.

According to a poll on www.sportscliche.com the five most overused clichés are:

1. We are taking it one game at a time. (39%)
2. We have to give 110 percent.  (19%)
3. We have to stay focused.  (7%).
4. We have to go out and execute.  (7%).
5. We have to take it to the next level.  (4%)

Next time you watch a game take notice if it’s a real “pressure cooker” that goes “down to the wire”. Of course, it is certain that each team “will control its own destiny”.  Keep in mind that when a team is winning “they can’t afford to get lackadaisical” “because no lead is safe” even if they’re “hitting on all cylinders”.

On the other hand, when a team is losing they look “out of synch”. However, as long as they “maintain their composure”, and keep that “never say die” attitude, “it ain't over 'til it's over”, especially since “stranger things have happened”.

 After the game, the winners are “tickled to death” because “they came to play” and “brought their “A-game” to prove they were the better team. In other words, “they knew what they had to do” and went out and did it, although “it wasn’t pretty”.

Of course, the losers are the first to say that “the final score is the only statistic that matters”, and “it’s a bitter pill to swallow”.  Naturally, “nobody is going to point fingers”   it’s just “they wanted it more than we did”.

Once playoffs start, most teams will “face a must-win situation”, especially if they have been “behind the eight ball”. Yes, “they may be down, but they’re not out” as they try to “stave off” elimination.

“At the end of the day” the top 10 sport clinches of all time are:

1. You can’t stop him; you can only hope to contain him.
2. They have to take it one game at a time.
3. Records are made to be broken.
4. He’s really been in the zone.
5. This team must rise to the occasion.
6. They have to stay focused.
7. He thrives under pressure.
8. This team has overcome a lot of adversity.
9. They control their own destiny.
10. This team sent a message today.

No question about it. I will be the last one to make excuses about the pros and cons of sports clichés.  It’s time to move on. I just hope my comments were not taken out of context.

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Prince George Senior Baseball hit “a home run” with confirmation that PG will host the World Baseball Challenge in two years.

It's debatable as to whether the caliber of play will be equal or greater than Triple-A, but with four countries expected to attend, there should be no dispute that this will be the best baseball ever hosted in this city. 
A budget of $225,000 is in place for the six day tournament. Although a lot can take place between now, and July, 2009, there is no doubt that the organizing committee has “Stepped up to the Plate.”

From the quote rack:

“Red Hot Chili Peppered".Contributor Derek Wilken in his Sport Shtick blog, with an alternative headline for the near riot with angry Chilean soccer players and the police.

“The idea was dropped, though, when team bosses discovered she couldn't spell L.A."Des Clarke, Glasgow Daily Record, after hearing the L.A. Galaxy of the MSL wanted Posh Spice to be a cheerleader when hubby David Beckham joined the team.

“Just another example of hiring an immigrant to do a job Americans refuse to do." Comedian Argus Hamilton, on David Beckham coming to the U.S. To help generate interest in soccer.

“They're saying that in a hotly-contested Spurs-Suns playoff series, referee Tim Donaghy really Rose to the occasion."Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

“The first loss reportedly came on a game-winning pinch hit by Julio Franco.”Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California, after the Philadelphia Phillies suffered their 10,000^th franchise loss.

“Harry defeats the evil wizard with a secret potion from Barry Bonds."   Late Show host David Letterman of CBS, on a possible plot in the latest Harry Potter movie.

And in case you missed it:

The B.C. Lions went 25 consecutive games without allowing a 100-yard rusher. That streak came to an end in their last outing, when Jesse Lumsden of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats ran for 158 yards in the Lions 22-18 victory.

And how was your week?

Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio stations 94X and the Wolf@97fm. He also writes for the PG Free Press. Send along a quote, note or anecdote to hmiller@94xfm.com

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