Sunday, June 8, 2008
SECRETARIAT
What's interesting about this video is that the narrator is Jim McKay. He died yesterday at 86. We all remember that he was the voice of the Olympics and Wide World of Sports. I remember as many do, his coverage of the 1972 Olympics and the senseless deaths of 11 Israeli athletes. Is that when the war started?
With the failure of Big Brown in the Belmont yesterday, it should serve as a reminder of the major accomplishment of winning the Triple Crown. When Secretariat won it in 1973, it hadn't been won in 25 years. Secretariat became a rock star. We followed him in his races and rooted for him like our home team. I was always amazed that it was evident that he understood what was expected of him and he had the personality to pull it off. Turcotte never went to the whip on him because he was a winner who knew what it took to excel. After his races he seemed to sense that people were drawn to him and he always gave us what we wanted. In this video you can see that he actually posed for pictures. As he trotted down the stretch after the race, he tilted his head so the photographers and fans could get a good look at him. He was one of a kind. When he died in 1989, I was saddened and cried. He was such a champion and such a great performer. He was simply a great athlete and a born winner.
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5 comments:
I remember all the hoopla over Secretariat when I was little. The Triple Crown is a big achievement, and that's a lasting historical record, it's turning out.
Keep those posts coming!
Hope you had a great weekend, and I'm back from Vegas, so full blogging will commence again tomorrow.
Dr.D,
Thanks for the visit. I hope you give us the lowdown on your trip. Secretariat was an incredible athlete, but isn't it interesting that there were three Triple Crown winners in the 70s, Secretariat in 1973, Seattle Slew in 1977, Affirmed in 1978. There have been none since then. Obviously one of those sports things.
McKay was a class act for all journalists. As silly as it was, he brought is dignity and a sort of verification of existance. As for Big Brown, so it goes. Something still seems amiss about his last place finish. But now, millions to owner to stud.
You're welcome Law and Order Teacher!
I just hung out at the hotel most of the time, playing roulette and having some beer!
My wife and I trade off hanging out with the kids, so I also went swimming, and we went to the MGM to eat at the buffet. Nothing fancy. I'm not a big gambler. Mostly just getting away and cutting loose a bit.
It was nice to meet the Vegas Guy, so if you ever plan something, let me know and we can all get together.
Obob,
Thanks for the visit. McKay was a class act. There aren't many nowadays that just do their job and don't try to be the show.
Dr.D,
Again thanks. I'm glad you had a good trip. I would like that. Welcome back to the wars.
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