“This is for all the marbles.”
Yes, Sports Cliché Week has ended for another year. But this doesn’t mean we won’t hear them again until next summer. On the contrary, sports enthusiasts have been accustomed to hearing clichés for many years, and they are solidly embedded in the fabric of sports culture. After all, “there is no tomorrow”.
According to a poll (1618 respondents) on http://www.sportscliche.com/poll.html the six most overused clichés are:
–We’re taking it one game at a time. (39 %)
–We have to give 110 per cent. (24 %)
–We have to stay focused. (19 %)
–We have to go out and execute. (7 %)
–We have to take it to the next level. (7 %)
–We have to play with intensity. (4 %)
“We’re taking it one game at a time. These are a big two points. It’s a tight playoff race, but we’re not satisfied by any means. We’re trying to get home ice, we know we have very good fans and want to use that to our advantage.” – Kiefer Sherwood pic.twitter.com/b0LJrXHaNa
— San Diego Gulls (@SDGullsAHL) March 22, 2019
Next time you watch a game take notice if it’s a real “pressure cooker” that goes “down to the wire”. Of course, it is certain that each team “will control its own destiny”. Keep in mind that when a team is winning “they can’t afford to get lackadaisical” “because no lead is safe” even if they’re “hitting on all cylinders”.
On the other hand, when a team is losing they look “out of synch”. However, as long as they “maintain their composure”, and keep that “never say die” attitude, “it ain’t over ’til it’s over”, especially since “stranger things have happened”.
Stranger things have happened in Sports this year. Liverpool won the Champions league and AJ got beaten by a fat boy. Who saw that coming? Shocking!
— Genius (@GeniusMUFC) June 2, 2019
After the game, the winners are “tickled to death” because “they came to play” and “brought their “A-game” to prove they were the better team. In other words, “they knew what they had to do” and went out and did it, although “it wasn’t pretty”.
Of course, the losers are the first to say that “the final score is the only statistic that matters”, and “it’s a bitter pill to swallow”. Naturally, “nobody is going to point fingers” it’s just “they wanted it more than we did”.
Once playoffs start, most teams will “face a must-win situation”, especially if they have been “behind the eight ball”. Yes, “they may be down, but they’re not out” as they try to “stave off” elimination.
“At the end of the day” the top 10 sport clinches of all time are:
- You can’t stop him; you can only hope to contain him.
- They have to take it one game at a time.
- Records are made to be broken.
- He’s really been in the zone.
- This team must rise to the occasion.
- They have to stay focused.
- He thrives under pressure.
- This team has overcome a lot of adversity.
- They control their own destiny.
- This team sent a message today.
“At the end of the day, the welcoming #CrossFit community is something that can’t be found anywhere else.” ?️♀️?#queerathletes #lgbtqhttps://t.co/mnV4UDFh1V
— It Gets Better (@ItGetsBetter) July 31, 2019
No question about it. I will be the last one to make excuses about the pros and cons of sports clichés. It’s time to move on. I just hope my comments were not taken out of context.
FROM THE QUOTE RACK:
An Egyptian tennis player whose brother was banned from the sport for life for match fixing was suspended for integrity violations. Which means both brothers are being labeled as racketeers.
*Comedy writer Jim Barach http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.ca/
Kawhi Leonard about LA Clippers teammate Paul George “This is probably the first time I’m playing with someone with elite level talent.” Tim Duncan says “Hi.”
*Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
It’s appropriate that Antonio Brown rode into the Oakland Raiders training camp in a hot air balloon—-last season, the Raiders reminded one of the Hindenberg.
*Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
The Seattle Mariners are hosting Vegan Night on Aug. 6. For one night, at least, they’ll have a good excuse if there’s no meat in the batting order.
*Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times http://www.seattletimes.com/author/dwight-perry/
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Police in Somerset, N.J., won’t confirm they’ve made arrests related to a recent rash of golf course heists. Word is lawyers for the accused are already finding holes in the case.
*Canadian comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
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Hartley Miller is the news and sports supervisor and morning news anchor for 94.3 the GOAT and Country 97.
He also is the 94.3 radio colour commentator for P.G. Cougars home games.
His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com.
Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]