Enough is Enough

Even though Throck beat me to it, I will not be denied one last rant about the SCIAC. First of all I want to congratulate the members of the Oxy water-polo team that were named to the all-conference teams. Being recognized with a spot on either the first team or second team is truly an honor to be proud of. So congrats Nanea Fujiyama, Rachel Adeleye, and Tessa Bailey-Findley. That said, these teams that were selected are an absolute joke. There is no doubt in my mind that Annie Oxborough-Yankus had a great year, and she did so for the best team in the conference. However, the fact that she was named Athlete of the Year just doesn’t make any sense. The only stat available for any Pomona-Pitzer player is goals scored, which suggests to me that this is the biggest factor in determining a player’s performance, at least for the Sagehens. Oxborough Yankus had a very nice season with 61 goals, but that doesn’t even put her as the top scorer on her team (freshmen Alyssa Woodward had 79). Nanea Fujiyama and Jaime Nippert both had absurdly impressive seasons. Fujiyama had 85 goals, 40 assists, and 60 steals; all with other teams basing their defense around stopping her. Nippert one-upped Nanea with 91 goals, 52 assists, and 64 steals. How is it that one of these women did not get named Athlete of the Year makes me wonder exactly what goes on when these teams are selected.

My disappointment in these selections continues with the snubbing of Jill Stein of Redlands and Tessa Bailey-Findley from the 1st team. I know I just said that being named to the second team was an honor, but to undervalue the effort of these two is unacceptable. Stein’s offensive year was solid, as she racked up 59 goals and 33 assists, but it was her defense that was what sets her apart. She had 111 and steals, 32 more than any other player in either Div. I or Div. III. Bailey Findley ended the year with numbers comparable to any of the top players in the nation: 74 goals, 28 assists, and 64 steals. Again I pose the question, what is going?

Ok, I think I’m done…no wait…why wasn’t Corrine Casey put on a team? I don’t know if she should definitely have been put on a team, but someone has to at least raise the question. What Corrine brings to a team is not as visible on a stat sheet as some other players. She’s a scrappy player who provides energy and leadership to her team. Statistically, though she only had 31 goals and 32 steals she was toward the top of the conference with 53 assists.

So how do these errors happen, I mean the coaches voting on these selections have all the information available to them right? They have seen everyone in the conference play, and have detailed statistics to look over don’t they? I doubt it. Finding the statistics that I have listed above were quite difficult to find. In fact, the stats were so difficult to find that I almost believe that a Watergate style cover-up is taking place.

My suspicions of a “Polo-gate” first began when I went to the thesciac.org (at least the conference managed to call dibs on sciac.org…oops). The conference website does not have any water-polo statistics. Strange…maybe all the water-polo stats are on some other website, like this NCAA Water Polo Stats website. Well, they sort of are, except this site does not have stats for Pomona, Whittier, La Verne, Cal Lu, Cal Tech, and it does not even have CMS listed as a school. Again very convenient for the SCIAC.

Even individual team websites seemed to be in on the conspiracy. Cal Lu and Cal-Tech put up a pdf of their stats, but they did not have any players that were rated questionably highly. As I said before, Pomona-Pitzer only has goals scored listed on their website which makes judging their players very difficult. going purely by goals scored Bailey-Findley or Jill Stein should have clearly made the first team over Perri Hopkins who only had 35 goals. This also shows that Corrine Casey could have been named to one of these teams despite her lower number of goals scored. Whittier only mentions the statistics of Katrina Thoreson, their 2nd-team All-SCIAC player, who herself made a strong case for first team honors with 71 goals, 24 assists, and 63 steals. Laverne, and CMS do not have any statistics on any website that I have found, so it’s hard to imagine Candace Filippelli having a better season than Bailey-Findley, Stein, or Thoreson yet she made the 1st-team.

If it took me hours to figure all of this out do you really think that everyone making these selections had all the information they needed to make the right decisions. While Polo-gate may not go down as one of the biggest conspiracies of all time, I think that it’s still something to consider. Way to blow it SCIAC.

Mixed Feelings on Sunday Morning

Even though the Tigers' baseball team had plenty to celebrate this weekend, it wasn't all smiles for Oxy athletes on Saturday

–Written Sunday, April 29–

Yesterday was good and bad.

On the one hand, women’s lacrosse won, advancing to their first ever SCIAC finals game with a win over CMS, and Jake and I were both part of the most ridiculous baseball comeback I’ve ever been a part of. But on the other, women’s water polo lost— thus ending their push towards what many thought was an eminent national championship.

It was all just sort of weird.

Baseball and water polo were both at Whittier yesterday, playing at the same time in adjacent facilities: the baseball field is on one side of a parking lot, and the swimming pool is on another. We could see the scoreboard from our dugout, and because the Poets jumped out to a 7-0 lead against us by the third inning, many of us began looking past the right-field fence to try to follow the score of the women’s game. We saw them finish the first period tied at two, saw them score three goals in the second and one early in the third to take a 6-3 lead, and then figured they were on their way to yet another SCIAC finals game appearance.

But suddenly, things changed and both teams’ luck reversed.

Katie Gibbs and the women's water polo team was sent home packing early from the SCIAC tournament by the University of Redlands Bulldogs

It was like the Twilight Zone: as soon as we scored two runs in the fifth on a double by Pedro Aldape, the Whittier aquatics center erupted with cheers from Redlands fans after a huge Bulldogs goal. And that was only the beginning. As we quietly gained momentum in the later innings with David Feasler‘s pitching performance and Jonathan Brooks‘ pinch-hit RBI triple, Redlands stormed back against Oxy in the third period, scoring three times to tie the game.

What happened next was just plain bizarre: as the Bulldogs netted the go-ahead and eventual game-winning goal in the fourth quarter to ruin the Tigers’ chances of returning to the SCIAC championship, across the parking lot our offense exploded for six runs in the top of the ninth to stun the Whittier crowd and take a 9-8 lead. One, two, three went the Poets in the bottom half of the frame, and just like that, we had pulled off one of the most improbable comebacks in all of college baseball this year.

It was awesome, but equally unsettling. As we jumped and screamed with joy (senior pitcher Tyler Eyrich summed it up best when he repeatedly yelled “This can’t be happening!”), we couldn’t help but think of the Oxy women’s water polo team driving home, having to deal with such a crushing and shocking defeat. At the start of the semester, if someone had suggested to me that the Tigers’ baseball team would finish its season in a dog-pile (albeit not one celebrating a national championship) while the pre-season ranked No. 1 water polo club sulked their way home, I would have called them crazy. But alas, that’s how things went this past weekend.

It was a weird, weird day.

All Good Things Come Must Come to an End

Unfortunately, the lady Tiger’s water polo season has come to an end, as Oxy came up just short this weekend in their SCIAC tournament semi-final game against Redlands 7-6. It’s a tough way to go out, but the road had to end sometime. It may not seem like it now, but the Tigers did have a very good season, and I’m sure that the team’s efforts will be recognized when the All-SCIAC teams are selected. Not to mention the fact that the future looks extremely bright for this team. But, I’m sure know one wants to look a the silver lining of this cloud just yet, I know I’m still bummed that I don’t have anymore mascot matchups to write, so I’ll just wait until the all-conference announcements come out to reflect on all that the Tigers accomplished.

Water Polo Ties Wins Record/ Lacrosse Clinches No. 2 Seed

Women’s Water Polo racked up their 21st victory of the season today, tying the school’s single season wins record set by the 2000 Tigers, and Women’s Lacrosse continued the best season in the sports brief Oxy history by defeating CMS and locking up the second seed in the SCIAC tournament. To celebrate this great day Tiger Talk decided to get itself an Instagram (username OxyTigerTalk). Now our pictures can look extra spiffy.

Mascot Matchups: Meets the Fockers

Tigers vs. Beavers
The Beavers are easily the most aquatic animal in the SCIAC, thus they pose a large threat in any mascot matchup situation. This event will be no exception as Tiger Talk presents the first ever all animal water volley ball game.
In the early goings of the game the beavers are able to dominate due to impressive tail serving skills. Even when the tigers do manage to get the ball back on the beavers side of the net the beavers slick coat of fur allows them to easily glide to a defensive position to return the ball. The beavers take the first two games in the best of five match.
Appalled at their poor play and quite nervous that they might lose to the beavers the Tigers huddle up to formulate a better counter attack to begin the monumental  comeback they need.
The third set begins with the beavers serving. Another beautiful tale serve is just barely kept in the air by a tiger towards the back of the pool. The next tiger taps the ball into a perfect position for a third Tiger to throw down a monstrous spike the likes of Greg Focker in Meet The Parents. The ball rockets straight into the front teeth of the nearest beaver sending his iconic chompers flying. One by one the tigers de-tooth the beavers, eventually resulting in a forfeit.

Oxy: a lot, Cal Tech: not a lot

Tigers vs. Athenas

   I was going to write a separate post about this, but I think that now is the perfect opportunity to rant about why schools with completely different mascots for their men’s and women’s sports team should slapped. CMS men’s teams are called the Stags. It makes little sense to call their women’s teams the stags, but why not just use a doe as the mascot for the women’s teams? Too timid maybe? Reminds everyone too much of Bambi’s mom? Alright fine, but how do you come up with the Athenas? I don’t know about anyone else, but when I think about Claremont I sure don’t think about Greek goddesses. I’m not saying that Athena isn’t a cool mascot, because she is, but how do you go from stag to that? It kinda makes the stag seem weak in comparison. Why didn’t they change the men’s mascots to the Zueses or something like that. At least Cal Lutheran keeps a medieval theme with the kingsmen and the regals (why they couldn’t just both be the knights I don’t know). Seems like the women could just be the kingswomen, though. Then again, at least CMS picked a women’s mascot that is somewhat imposing. They didn’t just phone it in it in like Louisiana Tech University with the men’s teams being the bulldogs and the women’s teams being the lady techsters. Just like Cal Lu last week, the Athenas will be punished with a loss in this week’s mascot matchups.

Tigers 14, Athenas 6

Senior Shenanigans and a Big Win

Senior Day was an astounding success for the Women’s Water Polo team as (pictured in  order) Merry Sanders, Jo Cheney, Corrine Casey, and Tessa Bailey-Findley were honored for their contributions to Oxy athletics before the Tigers defeated Cal Lutheran 12-7 bringing them back into the hunt for a SCIAC championship. “It was an emotional day for all of us…but we were able to suck it up and play great,” said future NASA employee Casey. In this emotional environment It’s hard to say what the best moment of the day was. It could have been the pre-game senior ceremony with the girls getting adorned with sashes and tiaras. It could have been Tessa scoring yet another hat trick. But, I’m going to go with Corrine’s two goals, one of which was dedicated to me, making me the self proclaimed most valuable valuable player of the game. Being given such a great honor by myself really makes me humble as all I can say is that I did it for the seniors. For a full write-up of this game, and for more water polo action check out oxyathletics.com

More Praise For Polo

Mirin Fader just wrote a great article about Nanea Fujiyama, and I am going to use her great efforts to get views on this blog by posting a link. It’s lazy writing, but it helps everybody out.

Everybody Panic!!!

If we have learned anything from the history of sports is that you can always make perfect predictions about a team’s success by making a snap decision after a particularly tough set of losses. No team in history has ever come back from any adversity to win anything. The 2004 it’s that making snap judgements about the future success of teams based on a few games is the perfect the 2004 Boston Red Sox didn’t come back from being down 3-0 in the ALCS to Yankees to eventually win the world series. Those same Red Sox didn’t implode and have the worst September in recent baseball history to allow the Tampa Bay Rays to sneak into the playoffs last season. No wild card team has ever won a Superbowl, just ask the 2010 Green Bay Packers. Oh wait… all of that did happen, and that’s why it’s always true that’s it’s never over until it’s over. The Oxy Women’s water polo team has dropped two tough overtime games in the span of a week to the two biggest threats to rival the Tigers for the SCIAC and Div. III National Championship. Now, everybody can panic or we can wait and see what happens.

Best Non-Athletic Sports Injuries of All Time: What Jo Cheney Has in Common With the World’s Elite Athletes

No athlete wants to be remembered for their injuries, especially ones that are not a direct result of competing in their sport. But, just like the rest of the world athletes have clumsy moments, lapses in judgement, or just bad luck. Senior Water Polo Attacker Jo Cheney (pictured left as the only person not “Tebowing”) gives new meaning to the word injury-prone. The question often arises as to whether or not she should be the first human to live in a hamster ball. Among a laundry list of minor mishaps Jo has had to sit out the water polo season thus far due to issues resulting from taking a spill down the Weingart steps in the fall which broke not one but both of her wrists and her left elbow. But, possibly the most impressive thing is that Jo was a ballerina for 16 years, yet she has yet to master the art of walking. Fortunately for the blog, Jo is a good sport and gave me the idea for this article. So, In honor of her impressive ability to have pain inflicted on her, and in the hopes that Jo will return to the pool soon (things are looking good ever since gaining her certification in resourceful first aid) Tiger Talk has compiled a list of the top non-athletic athlete injuries ever.

David Price/Manny Fernandez

No one likes being sweaty, that’s why athletes are provided with towels during their games. But Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Price must really love being dry because he recently had to leave a spring training game due to causing himself to have neck spasms after he toweled off over-zealously. Maybe using a stronger anti-perspirant is the way to go. But just slightly edging Dave in ineptitude at grooming, former NHL goalie Manny Fernandez sustained a back/shoulder injury while blowing drying his         hair. Looking at the results I have to say it might have been worth it.

Lionel Metzi

At first it was tough to exclude Sammy Sosa from this list for throwing out his back while sneezing, but then I found out about Lionel Metzi giving a definitive answer to the question:
How does one get hurt playing scrabble? In addition to the pieces being a choking hazard for small children, reaching for a fallen tile  can lead to a thrown out back.

Bill Gramatica/Kevin Johnson

Sometimes celebrations can get a little out of hand. After hitting a game winning shot poor Kevin was wrapped up in an excessively strong bear-hug by the Round Mound of Rebound himself Charles Barkley which dislocated Johnson’s shoulder. Unfortunately Gramatica doesn’t have quite as impressive a tale. Bill put the Arizona Cardinals up 3-0 in the first quarter of a game against the New York Giants. So elated at his mediocre accomplishment Gramatica began leaping for joy, and when he came down he tore his ACL. Pride cometh before the fall.

Glenallen Hill

Most people have nightmares, and a lot of people are scared of spiders. So it would make sense that quite a few people would have nightmares about spiders. But, most professional athletes do not have nightmares about spiders so severe that they sleep-walk into a glass coffee table cutting their feetso severely that they have to be put on the 15 day disabled list.

Hunter Pence

At least when Glenallen put his foot through a glass coffee table he was sleep walking. Hunter Pence does not have the luxury of such an excuse when explaining his accident “It’s pretty silly to have this kind of freak accident happen. I didn’t think I would go through a glass door. Normally, it wouldn’t shatter like that. Somehow, it shattered and I was stuck in the middle of a bunch of broken glass.” Apparently Pence did not notice that a friend closed a sliding glass door behind them after they stepped outside. Good thing he makes millions of dollars playing baseball because his other career options might be limited.

John Smoltz

To this day John swears that he did not attempt to iron a shirt while he was still wearing it (then again who would admit to performing this argument against evolution?), but whether if it’s true or not this lack of domestic prowess shown by the former great Atlanta Braves pitcher warrants a spot on this list. If it were able to be proven this might rank number one.

Marty Cordova

One of the biggest challenges that an outdoor athlete can face is the dreaded farmers tan. But, Orioles outfielder Marty Cordova found a way to cheat the system, a tanning bed. Turns out that you aren’t supposed to fall asleep while in the tanning bed (shocker).

Lionel Simmons/ Joel Zumaya

Wrist tendonitis, seems like a legitimate sports injury for a NBA basketball player and a major league pitcher. Tendonitis is often caused by over use of particular part of the body like repeatedly throwing a baseball or shooting a basketball. Unfortunately, these two rocket scientists developed tendonitis by playing video games. “L-Train” Simmons got addicted to his game boy while Zumaya could not stop playing Guitar Hero. The credits of Guitar Hero II read “No pitchers were harmed in the making of this game. Except one. Joel Zumaya. He had it coming.”

Dustin Penner

This season Los Angeles Kings Forward Dustin Penner’s physical shape and conditioning were a big question, and this story did little to help him show that he was trying to get back on the right track. Penner’s back seized up at the breakfast table as he reached to get some pancakes made by his wife. Maybe it was the universe’s way of telling Dustin to cut back on the carbs. Honorable mention to former National League MVP who missed games due to chipping tooth on a frozen donut.

Plaxico Burress

Not only did Plaxico Burress put him out of commission by shooting himself in the leg (or having his gun go off while stashed in his pants at a night club) but he also earned himself a two year jail sentence. All I can say is “atta boy Plex.”

Chris Hanson

Some coaches should think twice before trying to inspire their players. In his first year as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars Jack Del Rio thought that he would bring to life his mantra of “keep choppin’ wood” by bringing an oak stump and an axe into the team’s locker room, and inviting his players to take swings said stump. Things were fine until Hanson’s first swing of the axe hit more of his foot than wood. It could have been worse, the slogan could have been “grab the bull by the horns.”

Did your favorite injury not get included? Leave a comment and let us know. Undoubtedly there will be more great injuries in the future. While I was writing this Colorado Rockies reliever Josh Outman just strained an oblique from vomiting to violently from food poisoning.

Mascot Matchups: Hits the Links

So the first week of conference play was not so good for me, as it is the first time that Cecil the Sagehen proved me wrong after picking him to lose, but I’m not gonna panic, it’s time for some redemption.

Oxy Tigers vs. Whitter Poets

It’s finally going to happen, Tiger Woods is going to step in for the Tigers in a mascot matchup. Since Tiger is busy getting ready for the Masters Tournament this coming Thursday we will bring the battle to him, and have this one play out in a water hazard at the Augusta National Golf Course. Given the majestic scenery of this course the poet cannot help, but be distracted, and with his philandering ways behind him Tiger can focus solely on destroying his opponent. As it turns out a 5-iron to the temple is mightier than a pen.

Oxy 74, Whittier 6

Oxy Tigers vs. Redlands Bulldogs

Tiger decides that taking down a poet is not enough practice to get him ready for the biggest PGA tournament of the year, so he turns his sights on the bulldog. Results are poor for Redlands.

Oxy 9, Redlands 5