Ming, Conigliaro, Koufax - What might have been

You ever wonder what might have happened? What could have been?

Yao Ming, incredibly talented 7'-6" center for the Houston Rockets. 7-time all-star.  People don't remember that Yao routinely outplayed Shaquille O'Neal with Lakers and Dwight Howard with the Magic.  He was that good.  Now after yet another injury, it appears that his career, if not over, will never be what it could have been.

Tony Conigliaro - one time phenom with Boston Red Soxs.  At 20 he lead the American League in Home Runs.  At 22 he was hit by a pitch in the head and essentially ended his stellar career.  At 37 he lapsed into a coma in which he never recovered.  At 45 he was dead.

Sandy Koufax - the outstanding left-handed pitcher with the Los Angeles/Brooklyn Dodgers.  He was a 3-time Cy Young award winner as the leagues best pitcher, threw 4 no-hitters, selected to 7 consecutive All-Star Games and on and on until arthritis forced his retirement at 29. 

You never know. 

Lessons Learned in Sports and Entertainment

Too many parents assume that educational TV is limited to PBS and stuffy documentaries.  In fact, lessons - valuable life long lessons - can be learned anywhere at any time.  Take these three recent cases:

1. Cam Newton, the highly talented Auburn quarterback, is accused of serious NCAA violations.  There's multiple witnesses that say his father asked for payment in order for his son to attend their university.  Cam, himself, says that he and his father are close.  Yet the NCAA determined (in record time so as to not impact the Heisman voting) that Cam was clean.  In fact, they said an 18 year old boy living wth his father and enjoying a close relationship with same father knew NOTHING of the request for money.  Lesson Learned: If you are really, really good. Others will give you every benefit of the doubt.

2.  Five Ohio State players admit to selling University given gear, trophies, rings, jock straps, everything thing.  They actually admit it.  What does the NCAA do about this violation of a long standing rule.  Before we answer, understand this: Ohio State is scheduled to play in a major, ie. sponsors have paid millions for their appearance, bowl (the Sugar Bowl).  Ah, there's more: The players who admitted guilt include Heisman trophy candidate Terrelle Pryor their quarterback, their leading rusher, their second leading receiver and their first team all-conference offensive lineman.  So the NCAA decides to suspend them NEXT YEAR. Which means the precious Sugar Bowl will not be negatively impacted.  Which means some of these guys probably will be playing in NFL while they serve their 5-game suspension (anybody remember Reggie Bush?).  Lesson Learned: If you are really, really good. Others will give you every benefit of the doubt.

3.  Former Denver Bronco wide receiver Brandon Marshal was arrested 5 times in his 5 years with Denver.  In the end, they had enough and traded him to Miami Dolphins.  The consequence of his bad behavior? Miami signed him to a 4-year, $48 million contract and then he proceeded to get arrested again. Lesson Learned: If you are really, really good. Others will give you every benefit of the doubt.

4. Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Michael Jackson, Chris Brown, Keifer Sutherland, Lil Wayne and on and on.  In and out of trouble. Battery, assault, drug possion, DUI, property distruction, weapons, etc.  The consequence of their action: Probation and in the extreme case a few days in jail where the jailers slip them whatever they want.  Lesson Learned: If you are really, really good (or famous). Others will give you every benefit of the doubt.