|
Sidelines Kalani Simpson |
Staying positive
with Annika, JulianAH, The Colonial, a golf tradition. (Don't you make a point of watching this tournament every year?)
>> How long until the outcry that Annika is on steroids?
>> Forget the elongated courses, the pin placements, the public pressure, the media tsunami, the subtle digs or the loneliness of your very own locker room. Let's look at the real issue here. The toughest adjustment for an LPGA player trying to make it in a men's tour event might be having to play in long pants.
>> So Michelle Wie has no comment about the Annika Sorenstam issue. Of course, Wie is already on the record that: a) One of her goals is to play against men, b) She thinks there should be no gender barrier in the game of golf, and c) Sorenstam is one of her heroes. Other than that we have no clue as to how she feels about the current situation.
>> Yes, the Vijay Singhs of the world should lighten up and get over themselves and welcome Annika with open arms. But there might not be nearly as much potential for resentment if there weren't ladies out there -- from the third grade on up -- who take special pleasure in beating the boys. And letting everyone know it.
The getting-beat-by-a-girl animosity can be a two-way street.
>> Julian Sensley is great news for Hawaii basketball. Riley Wallace loves guys who can play more than one position -- as long as one of them isn't defensive end.
>> Seriously though, now, for the first time, Tony Akpan's great football adventure looks like a good thing for the UH basketball team.
Most accounts have Sensley as the real deal, and if Akpan can come back close to what he was last year -- it would be tough for him to make great strides again while concentrating on another sport -- Hawaii has just made a major upgrade.
It's sad that we probably now won't get to see the special player that Akpan could have become. But UH football coaches think he has the same potential in their sport, too.
>> It has been remarked around the office that with the Sensley signing as a late bonus, this may be one of the best recruiting classes in Rainbow basketball history. Question: Would you get to count Carl English again? Because that would put it over the top.
>> Dear Sports Columnist:
"Whenever I read about Hawaii and it's a Kalani Simpson article about them I know no matter what it's going to be something negative. I don't think he has ever had anything positive to say about June Jones or the Warriors yet. It's as if until they go unbeaten for the season and win a National Championship they will never be good enough in his eyes. I like June Jones and his teams and I think most Hawaii people feel the same way. I think Kalani, for whatever personal reasons he has against the team, will never have anything good to say about them."
COMMENT: This letter was e-mailed in response to the column about the underdog histories of all the great run-and-shoot quarterbacks, which just goes to show that ... well, I'm not really sure what it goes to show. Especially since the same story also inspired this reaction:
"That was one of the best columns you've written. Great analysis and insight."
COMMENT: Thanks, mom.
>> The baseball Rainbows need one more win. More would be nice. But they need one.
It looks like things are headed in the right direction in resurrecting a program -- some nice young pitching prospects, an exciting freshman class and more Trap-tacular recruits on the way. But it would do a lot for Mike Trapasso -- and the fans -- if he could say his second season was a winning one.
>> I'm waiting to see if there is an early increase in attendance at Aloha Stadium next fall with fans wanting to get a look at the new Fieldturf. (Note to marketing department: That may be a better sell than Appalachian State.)
Kalani Simpson can be reached at ksimpson@starbulletin.com