Lamm at Large

I've interviewed thousands of athletes in my journalistic career. The vast majority have been bright, polite and reasonably well-spoken.   But, sadly, there are exceptions. Some don't have the academic skills to be in college. I've interviewed a few who could barely speak the English language. I've interviewed a few "bad actors" who couldn't stay out of trouble, misdemeanors and felonies.   And I've interviewed a few who were stupid. […]

I've enjoyed the coverage the last two weeks by this station at SEC and ACC media days. Excellent interviews of dozens of coaches and players by our guys.   And now an observation. Make of it what you will.   The ACC players -- UNC QB  Drake Maye and Clemson center Will Putnam for two -- came across much better than the SEC players. Their answers were well thought out […]

Do you know the cliche about fans needing a scorecard to tell who their players are? That's never been truer than it is now in high-time college football.   That's because of the transfer portal and, to some degree, the NIL (name, image, likeness). Many Power 5 programs are literally turning over nearly half their rosters from one season to the next. Often half the newcomers are transfers.   Take […]

  Men's professional sports in America is a big man's game, except for soccer, which isn't really an American sport -- yet.   Most pitchers in baseball are 6-3 or taller. Shortstops range to 6-4. Even most catchers are 6-0-plus. Football and basketball are the land of the giants.   Most PGA Tour players have grown to over 6-0. So, that makes Brian Harman's British Open victory all the more […]

Now that training camp has opened, Jaguars fans have every right to be excited about the upcoming season now that tight end Evan Engram has been signed to a long-term contract.   I think the tight end is the second most important offensive position -- the quarterback is No. 1, obviously -- in the NFL. Without a stud TE, teams often break down inside the red zone. And while Engram […]

I don't know much about soccer. Just the basics, sorta. I probably don't watch two hours of soccer in a year.   But I do plan to watch as much as I can of the Women's World Cup that starts today in Australia and New Zealand.  Team USA makes its '23 debut Saturday against Vietnam. Gotta figure out the time difference.   The World Cup promises to be more interesting than it […]

I turned 78 last Sunday. It got me thinking about what a wonderful life I've had.   My first byline in a newspaper was in 1961, more than 62 years ago. I had no idea as a bright-eyed kid I'd still be pounding a keyboard, writing commentaries for sports radio. During those 62 years, I've had the privilege of working in TV, radio, and for newspapers. I've covered just about […]

My first look at a link course reminded me of a cow or sheep pasture. And that's exactly what they were before someone decided they'd make them suitable for that new game of golf. Hitler added the bunkers by bombing the UK during World War II.   Like most golfers, particularly those who've had the opportunity to play any of them, I've grown an appreciation of the brilliance of the […]

When I was growing up baseball was the king of pro sports, our national pastime. The All-Star Game was huge, bigger than the Super Bowl.   Now the All-Star Game is no more than an exhibition. Pitchers go one inning, maybe two. Managers make sure that every player gets in the game, paying little attention to winning or losing.   Once the Game put significant money in the players' pockets. […]