Time Out by John Bernhardt

The local sporting world lost a true friend in early August with the passing of Steven Fabrykiewicz. Steve, the father of Andes soccer star Peter Fabrykiewicz, had become a regular feature at many soccer contests throughout Delaware County. An avid photographer, he could be found, camera slung over his shoulders, joyfully bounding up and down the sidelines at soccer games.

The difference between average and superior performance is much narrower than the average person thinks. Often superior teams have an aura of invincibility, a swagger that builds an impression that they simply cannot be beaten. On the surface, average performing teams don’t seem to match up. Actually, the gap between the two performance levels is not nearly as large as most people believe.

The King’s crown is showing tarnish. America’s love affair with professional basketball icon, LeBron James hit its first big time snag last week as James orchestrated a free agency free-for-all involving at least six cities that dominated the sports world for a week and sure wasn’t basketball’s or the young star’s one shining moment.

The death of basketball’s legendary coach John Wooden this weekend caused me to pause and take stock of time. Wooden was 99 years old when he passed. His legacy on and off the basketball court may never be matched and is sure to withstand the test of time. Wooden’s passing transported me back to a time many years ago when the magnetic allure of the UCLA coaching great would almost be transforming to me.

He is a cat with nine lives, and the New York Met manager will have used up at least three or four of them by the end of May. Manuel, who guides New York’s “other” baseball team, has been the subject of almost daily media speculation as the baseball season unfolds.