The Last Game Ever Played

I have been attending University of Miami athletic events since 1972.

When I was only 10 years old my father took me to see a University of Miami football game in the Orange Bowl on a Friday night. We sat in the employee's section in the upper deck on the north side of the stadium when only about 20,000 fans would show up for a game. Miami High played on Thursday or Friday nights in the OB also and could draw about 10,000 against their rivals.

But I didn't care how many people were there, I only cared that my dad took the time out of his busy work schedule to take me to the game and watch the Miami Hurricanes play their hearts out for the fans against what was almost always superior talent. It was a blast and I cherish those memories.

And I got to see players like Chuck Foreman and Burgess Owens. Rubin Carter and Dennis Harrah. Eddie Edwards, Ottis Anderson and Fred Marion. Those guys were heroes to me and as great as any player on any team at the time.

We often lost but it was always a treat to spend time with my dad and maybe have a hot dog (mustard/relish) and a coke and cheer for the team wearing orange and green. Those were good times for a young kid growing up in Miami.

Since that time long, long ago I have attended so many UM sports events that I can't even begin to try to tell you the whole story. Along the way there were so many glorious victories and some stunning defeats. At home and on the road I was there to watch the rise and fall of many great UM teams in several sports. It was a roller coaster ride through history with so many good and bad times.

Last Wednesday night I attended the Miami vs UCF baseball game in Orlando on the beautiful campus of the University of Central Florida.

And as it turns out that may be the last game ever played.

The baseball stadium at UCF reminds me of the UM baseball stadium back in the late 80's and early 90's. Back in the day in Coral Gables I was part of a group that called ourselves the "Right Field Rowdies". We would hang out behind the right field fence, drink some beer and fire up the grill (and maybe a few other things) and watch the smoke blow across the field at Mark Light Stadium.

We would yell things, sometimes borderline offensive, at the right fielders of the opposing teams as they stood in right field. It was wrong, but we were young, and dumb, and drinking, and well you get the picture. We gave them hell, intimidated the players and it often worked to our advantage.

The funny thing was we never got harrassed, or removed or escorted out of the area behind right field. That would certainly never be allowed in today's athletic events. I guess those were the days.

At the most recent game at UCF, the opposing fans were friendly, the game was played in typical fashion, and Miami won 3-2. But as I stood there in that stadium, among many other fans, I had this thought run through my mind that:

"This could be the last game I, or anyone here, ever sees."

The Corona Virus seems to have taken the world hostage. You can't go out in public or even be in large crowds anymore. You are advised not to congregate in more than groups of 50 people. But at the ballgame nobody seemed to care.

Sports events and entire seasons are being cancelled all around. The sports world has been turned upside down and ESPN has nothing to show on it's 24 hour news feed. The only thing I have to possibly say is this: 

Maybe I was at the last game ever played.

Comments

[Terrance M Sullivan]

Outstanding Stuff Soupster! Love it Man!

[86Cane]

Thanks Terrance. I was emotional through the whole time writing it. I wanna be happy but I feel so sad with what is happening. I was never afraid at the game, talking to people, having a good time with the fans and stadium people.

As I was leaving I thought about the players, coaches and fans. But even more I thought about the stadium employees who make their money doing what they do.

Cancelling all of the games to me is just WRONG. I just don't get the risk vs rewards of the whole thing. People die from all kinds of things all the time. To stop living all together seems just wrong to me. But hey what do I know?

[alpine]

an extremely good blog, mr. 86!! thank you!

[alpine]

Cancelling all of the games to me is just WRONG. I just don't get the risk vs rewards of the whole thing. People die from all kinds of things all the time. To stop living all together seems just wrong to me. But hey what do I know?

Posted by: 86Cane | March 18, 2020 at 02:09 AM

it's not about the sickness & dying . . . it's about too many people getting sick all at once and overwhelming our medical services
. . . when that happens, it causes a HUGE increase in the percentage of people who die

. . . this "overwhelm" is what northern italy has been experiencing and is the headache other countries are trying to avoid

. . . that's what they mean by "flattening the cure" of people getting sick, which is a very important concept

. . . but it can also hurt deeply: financially, emotionally, spiritually

. . . you are not allowed to visit loved ones in hospitals or nursing homes over here; therapies have been cancelled, both for the soul and the body

. . .. and yes, all the things that bring people together are closed down: sporting events, cultural events, movies, restaurants, cafés, etc

. . . ski resorts are closed, hotels closed, borders closed . . . escape is difficult

stay well canespace!!

[alpine]

^^^"flattening the CURVE" (not "cure")

[pb]

Very well done by you Tom.

Worry not, this too will pass.

In my humble opinion there will be a vaccine for this monstrosity sooner than later.

The entire world's economy counting on a return to some kind of normalcy sooner than later to avoid total collapse.

[Old Skool]

From Tom Friedman, Columnist, NYTimes

One of the hardest things for the human mind to grasp is the power of an exponential — something that just keeps relentlessly doubling and doubling, like a pandemic. The brain just can’t appreciate how quickly 5,000 cases of confirmed coronavirus infection in America can explode into one million if we don’t lock down now.

Here’s a simple way to explain the exponential threat we face: “The virus is like a loan shark who charges 25 percent a day interest. We borrowed $1 (the first coronavirus to appear here). We then fiddled for 40 days. Now we owe $7,500. If we wait three more weeks to pay, we’ll owe almost $1 million.”

That’s why working every single day to slow the rate of infection and testing everyone possible is everything. Lose that battle, lose the war.\

That’s also why the only number I am watching now is not the Federal Reserve’s interest rates, it’s the number of critical-care coronavirus patients versus the number of general hospital and I.C.U. beds in the country needed to care for them. If the second number can accommodate the first number when the virus peaks, we’ll be O.K. If it can’t, we’re going to have pandemonium on top of a pandemic.

[Old Skool]

In other news ....

Tom Brady is expected to agree to terms with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to reports from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter.

[Old Skool]

Here's one more thing to consider... The following is from a paper published Tuesday in the New England Journal of Medicine

When the corona virus becomes suspended in droplets smaller than 5 micrometers — known as aerosols — it can stay suspended for about a half-hour, researchers said, before drifting down and settling on surfaces where it can linger for hours.

Imagine 60,000 people in one place: cursing, cheering, shouting.

[Old Skool]

Here's more fun info to make you want to read to The Stand, The Plague or The Mask of the Red Death for the laughs

Another study, published March 4 in JAMA, also indicates that the virus is transported by air. That study, based in Singapore, found the virus on a ventilator in the hospital room of an infected patient, where it could only have reached via the air.

Dr. Marr said based on physics, an aerosol released at a height of about six feet would fall to the ground after 34 minutes. The findings should not cause the general public to panic, however, because the virus disperses quickly in the air.

“It sounds scary,” she said, “but unless you’re close to someone, the amount you’ve been exposed to is very low.”

Dr. Marr compared this to cigarette smoke or a foggy breath on a frosty day. The closer and sooner another person is to the exhaled smoke or breath, the more of a whiff they might catch; for anyone farther than a few feet away, there is too little of the virus in the air to be any danger.

[alpine]

Posted by: Old Skool | March 18, 2020 at 05:09 AM

nice post; info made relatable . . .

[roachcane77]

Nah... We have NOT seen the last games yet, Soup.

Got a LONG road ahead though... we should know a LOT more in about 3 months. We got a LATE start on containing this, and we're STILL seeing some unexplainable lapses and gaps in the system, but I'm confident we'll figure this out, and get through it.

STILL scary though, and it's going to get WAY worse for awhile... (not EVEN considering the MASSIVE economic depression we're about to hit.)

(Having said all that, it's hard to see us getting back to a full FB season by August.)

[HerbieIbis]

Anybody got any extra toilet paper to send The Herb. The people that need it can't get it here in N.C. I didn't see anywhere, where this stuff causes the Runs. Paper towels, which u would figure would be one of the first things flying off the shelf, u can get! Pissed and and duck walking try to hold her back.

[86Cane]

Very well done by you Tom.

Posted by: pb | March 18, 2020 at 04:37 AM

Thank U Sir.

[pb]

Mr 86 needs to check out #30.

https://twitter.com/jonrothstein/status/1240024408665788419?s=21

[Terrance M Sullivan]

Nah... We have NOT seen the last games yet, Soup.

Got a LONG road ahead though... we should know a LOT more in about 3 months. We got a LATE start on containing this, and we're STILL seeing some unexplainable lapses and gaps in the system, but I'm confident we'll figure this out, and get through it.

STILL scary though, and it's going to get WAY worse for awhile... (not EVEN considering the MASSIVE economic depression we're about to hit.)

(Having said all that, it's hard to see us getting back to a full FB season by August.)

Posted by: roachcane77 | March 18, 2020 at 09:21 AM
Preach Brotha Roach!

[solarcane]

You can get busy living, and or you can get busy dying

Andy Dufrense

[86Cane]

30. Miami

G Chris Lykes
G Kameron McGusty
F Isaiah Wong
F Earl Timberlake
C Nysier Brooks

Key Losses: Dejan Vasiljevic, Keith Stone

Key Newcomers: Earl Timberlake, Matt Cross, Nysier Brooks (transfer)

Projected Bench: Harlond Beverly, Matt Cross, Rodney Miller, Anthony Walker, Sam Waardenburg

NBA Watch: None

******************************************

MY OPINION: Any starting roster with Lykes on it is a weak roster. Nothing personal he plays hard but he is not a point guard, has too many TOs and not enough assists and is a serious defensive liability. Most importantly the role of a PG is to make the other players around him better and Lykes does the opposite. This is the result of him taking too many shots and too many bad shots which causes the other players on the floor stand around watching rather than working to get open or in position to get their shot knowing that the assist is not coming.

NBA Watch: NONE, need I say more? OK, I will. #31 LSU had THREE player on the NBA watch list. IJS

If I was you I would go to the ATM machine outside of Publix to maintain social distancing, swab the touch screen with an alchohol wipe and withdraw $100. You can mail it to...

[Terrance M Sullivan]

I agree take Lykes off the Ball I would also add Beverly into Starting Line Up instead of Timberlake.

[nemo2020]

The mere fact that Coach Larrañaga couldn't find anyone better than Chris "Mighty Mouse" Lykes to be our starting point guard is probably the best evidence that he can't recruit well enough for UM to be any good (with any consistency) in the ACC.

[CGNC]

Posted by: 86Cane | March 18, 2020 at 02:09 AM

Amen.

[CGNC]

You can get busy living, and or you can get busy dying

Andy Dufrense

Posted by: solarcane | March 18, 2020 at 12:11 PM

Shout out for the Shawshank Redemption reference :-)

[58 Straight]

Nemo2020...there are probably 5 point guards that are seniors in high school in the City of Miami better than Lykes. There are probably 25 of them in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. There are probably 100 in the State of Florida but we can't even get 1 or 2?

#EpicFail

[58 Straight]

an extremely good blog, mr. 86!! thank you!

Posted by: alpine | March 18, 2020 at 02:51 AM

U set the bar pretty high with your last well researched blog so I had to kick it up a notch.

#BAM

[58 Straight]

https://247sports.com/Season/2020-Basketball/CompositeRecruitRankings/?InstitutionGroup=HighSchool&Position=PG

Look at:

1. #7 is from Puerto Rico and they can't get him to come to Miami? He is going to Illinois.

2. #40 and #48 are from FL and uncommitted. Maybe?

[pb]

We’re on the verge of a full blown economic collapse.

Surreal to be sitting by the pool with the kids as our country’s foundation is crumbling and a plague is spreading.

[58 Straight]

https://247sports.com/Season/2020-Basketball/CompositeRecruitRankings/?InstitutionGroup=HighSchool&State=FL

Top 50 HS players in Florida 2020.

FSU has one ranked #2

FGCU has one ranked #16

UCF has two ranked #27 and #40

Miami has NONE.

#ChildPlease

[58 Straight]

We’re on the verge of a full blown economic collapse.

Posted by: pb | March 18, 2020 at 02:47 PM

There IT is right there.

I know this is much more than finances it will be actually about life and death for some people. But anybody without three months cash reserves may be bankrupt and have their perfect credit ruined over the next 90 days.

Feds are going to have to have a massive RESET get out of credit jail FREE button to push after the next 90 days or massive personal and business bankruptcy and foreclosure will follow. They just CAN'T let that happen.

[Harry Miller]

Hey solor I am on lock down here the east bay in Contra Costa county in Calafornia. I am 77yrs old so I have to be very careful. I still need to go a few places like bank etc. I were gloves, mask and a special lotion Silver Gell which last longer then a few minutes, like 3 hours. Thanks you for asking.

Tom great article. I saw almost every game in that old Orange Bowl from the 50's on. Even a few in the late 40's with my Dad. Great memories.

[Terrance M Sullivan]

Great Advice By All! Love The Space U Get Sports, Financial Advice, Life Experiences, Politics(Unfortunately lol), Comedy. Everyone Stay Vigilant and Safe. Love U All! Go Canes!

[Harry Miller]

Tom, you are right a massive reset coming.I went to bank yesterday and they did not want me to get cash out. I had to go to the supervisor to get $1,500.
Had to take small bills. They said they didn't get their cash shipment may have in the next few days.
All should get cash out of bank that will last for 3 or 4 months.

[solarcane]

Harry glad you are OK
Keep doing what you are doing!

[alpine]

U set the bar pretty high with your last well researched blog so I had to kick it up a notch.

#BAM

Posted by: 58 Straight | March 18, 2020 at 02:36 PM

wow, thank you!

[solarcane]

Farther on down the road

2022: home against Southern Mississippi and at Texas A&M

2023: home against Miami of Ohio and Texas A&M and at Temple

2024: home against Florida A&M and Ball State and at Florida and at Notre Dame

2025: home against USF and Florida and vs. Notre Dame (site TBD)

2026: home to Florida A&M and at South Carolina

2027: home to South Carolina and at USF

2028: home to USF and at Notre Dame

[86Cane]

Tom great article. I saw almost every game in that old Orange Bowl from the 50's on. Even a few in the late 40's with my Dad. Great memories.

Posted by: Harry Miller | March 18, 2020 at 04:05 PM

Thanks you Sir, much appreciated.

[solarcane]

Enlightening when your situational awareness puts professional truck drivers and registered nurses, above pro quarterbacks and 4 star recruits on your list of relevant individuals.

[BigWindyCane1]

Excellent article! This was one of you best posts.Soup!

[BigWindyCane1]

If I was you I would go to the ATM machine outside of Publix to maintain social distancing, swab the touch screen with an alchohol wipe and withdraw $100. You can mail it to...

Posted by: 86Cane | March 18, 2020 at 01:07 PM

🤣🤣🤣🤣

Seriously Soup, your post about Lykes is spot on. I think he should play off the ball and come in as a sixth man. Hide him on defense. His teammates must hate trying to get open when they know he isn’t going to pass it. Lykes isn’t a true point guard

[BigWindyCane1]

Former Canes OL Ereck Flowers is headed back home to play for the Dolphins. Flowers should make the OL better. Flowers is now playing OG which is a better fit for him. He actually had been playing well at OG for Washington

[pb]

Posted by: 58 Straight | March 18, 2020 at 02:52 PM

The government is about to flood the population with money via cash distributions and interest free loans to small businesses.

They have no choice. They have to float money to the majority of people in this country or this economy is going to crash and burn.

[86Cane]

This was one of you best posts.

Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | March 18, 2020 at 07:20 PM

You know what we say around here: "Even a deaf whale finds a herring once in a while."

[86Cane]

Lykes isn’t a true point guard

Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | March 18, 2020 at 07:25 PM

Just like Solar is not a true bass fisherman and Old Skool is not a true white water rafter.

IJS

[solarcane]

Just like Solar is not a true bass fisherman and Old Skool is not a true white water rafter.

IJS

Posted by: 86Cane | March 18, 2020 at 08:12 PM

I can fish, I just can't catch,
and giving skool a paddle is like giving a monkey a machine gun.
So you do make some good points.

[roachcane77]

I can fish, I just can't catch,
and giving skool a paddle is like giving a monkey a machine gun.
So you do make some good points.
Posted by: solarcane | March 18, 2020 at 09:50 PM

😂😂😂😂😂

Stay safe and healthy everyone!

[solarcane]

Lashless offense in action
And some breakdowns

https://www.stateoftheu.com/2020/3/17/21181413/miami-hurricanes-football-smu-mustangs-versus-temple-owls-2019-offensive-breakdown-rhett-lashlee

[solarcane]

Stay safe and healthy everyone!

Posted by: roachcane77 | March 18, 2020 at 10:00 PM

You too my other brother

[86Cane]

Well played Solar, well played.

[solarcane]

soup,
you have strung together some nice articles these past months. Might be time to shop them around and get a bigger audience?
I wont mention all the sites I steal stuff from to put on here, but you have a better imagination than a lot of their writers.

[86Cane]

Solar...I appreciate the comment but that ship has sailed and Elvis has left the building. I m now settled into my friends here on the blog, 1500 hits a day, 15000 on game day, and that's all she wrote.

I once offered Manny Navarro full run at this site and he could make all the money and I would just enjoy the ride but I guess he felt he couldn't make it work so he moved on.

His mistake IMHO. So here we are...

[86Cane]

but you have a better imagination than a lot of their writers.

Posted by: solarcane | March 18, 2020 at 11:47 PM

It is PASSION that seperates the fans (me) from the media wanna be reporters. They do it as a job because they are getting paid. I don't need to get paid or any imagination when the stories are right there smack dab in front of your face. It is so obvious to all of us.

Just call it as you see it. Go to the games. Feel the emotion. State the facts as you know them and add your on little personal touch to the twist that makes the stories come alive.

It ain't rocket science.

It is common sense.

Manny missed out.

Who got next?