Go Giants!

Again, the Giants are defying the smart money, odds makers and who’s best on paper.  Like they say, the game is played on the field, not on paper, so we should know better.  A repeat of 2010 and 2012?  Possible.  But whatever happens, they’ve done themselves and the city of San Francisco proud.  Go Giants!

On the subject of sports, a different kind of example in Turin last Sunday when Juventus hosted Roma in a Serie A clash to determine who would stay undefeated and stay on top in Italy.  I was traveling when the game was played, so I watched a rerun the other day.  These were two very good teams who played a mean-spirited, ugly game.  Why?  The referee lost control of the game early and never regained it.

Gianluca Rocchi is supposed to be one of Italy’s best.  Didn’t look like it Sunday.  Three questionable penalties given.  Allowing players to go too far and then waving yellow card after yellow card in a futile attempt to impose order.  Finally, tossing two players out with red cards.  A beautiful strike near the end by Bonucci which gave Juve a 3-2 victory was overshadowed by Rocchi’s incompetence and petulance by players on both sides. 

It could have been a hard-fought, aggressive display of excellence on the pitch.  It wasn’t.  It was ugly.  Shame on everyone involved.