Two quick comments. First, thanks for sharing The New Yorker piece. I've been thinking about Germany in the 30s and how it compares to our current political climate.
Second, I generally agree with your take on the Cardinals. It does seem too much of leap to go from last place to first, especially with the current rotation.
I became a lifelong fan at age 12 after listening on the radio to Eddie Johnson sink the shot that beat Magic Johnson and the Spartans to become (temporarily) #1 in the country. I was in Fillmore, Illinois (north of Vandalia) at my grandparents house with no TV coverage-- they only had St. Louis TV stations. Like you, I knew then I was going to Illinois. Class of 89- unbelievable senior year to say the least.
Someday, I'd love to run into Eddie Johnson sometime and ask what the hell happened to the Illinois team that broke my heart: the '78-79 team. How do you go from beating the Magic-led Michigan State team, being undefeated and on the cover of SI, to not even making the NIT?
I’m new to the newsletter, new to Illini ( my husband corrected my pronunciation) and a fan of great, passionate writing! Catching my first March Madness game in a long while to cheer on Illini against ISU on Thursday. Keep it coming!
Perhaps your best ever, Will. Hits all the right spots for me. Only thing I would add - if you were my age, and had experienced Illini Football in the 80's, it was other-worldly. That's why I'm still a football season ticket holder - those memories and trying to get back to that level, which sadly won't happen in my lifetime...
Illini Basketball is a close second to Illini Football. This year feels so much different than the others - including when we were a 1 seed. I can't figure it out. And an excellent primer on the TSJ case. Sad, and as the father of a daughter, I struggle with it. But when the ball is tipped it doesn't matter and he's one of the best players in the nation. I've always said sports are the original Reality TV.
And you hit on my Dodgers also. Agreed - let it play out. Everything I've read and heard is just speculation.
WCIA! Born and raised in Nokomis, IL. We only had a TV antenna. To get WCIA we had to turn the dial to the northeast and hope it came in. How times have changed. GO ILLIN!!
Great article. Yes, you almost have to have blinders on in order to be a sports fan. I'm old enough to have a strong dislike of Denny McLain, even though the '68 Tigers will always be my favorite team of all time. I remember the Kobe Bryant kerfuffle and how the victim was slammed. How that whole thing was forgotten when he died (albeit tragically) is a shame.
89-90 Illini was a heck of a team. I rooted for them bc they had a player named Andy Kaufman. 😁
The Terrence Shannon situation is an absolute nightmare. Where to begin? Both sides make valid points, but I find it bizarre that a player actually filed a restraining order against their OWN TEAM!
Thank you for sharing the Gopnik article! I shared it on IG.
Two quick comments. First, thanks for sharing The New Yorker piece. I've been thinking about Germany in the 30s and how it compares to our current political climate.
Second, I generally agree with your take on the Cardinals. It does seem too much of leap to go from last place to first, especially with the current rotation.
I became a lifelong fan at age 12 after listening on the radio to Eddie Johnson sink the shot that beat Magic Johnson and the Spartans to become (temporarily) #1 in the country. I was in Fillmore, Illinois (north of Vandalia) at my grandparents house with no TV coverage-- they only had St. Louis TV stations. Like you, I knew then I was going to Illinois. Class of 89- unbelievable senior year to say the least.
Someday, I'd love to run into Eddie Johnson sometime and ask what the hell happened to the Illinois team that broke my heart: the '78-79 team. How do you go from beating the Magic-led Michigan State team, being undefeated and on the cover of SI, to not even making the NIT?
GO ILLINI!
"45 miles south of Champaign on I-85" really Will?
That 1989 Final Four was the one that introduced me to the tournament, because I grew up in New Jersey and that's how I found out what Seton Hall was.
I’m new to the newsletter, new to Illini ( my husband corrected my pronunciation) and a fan of great, passionate writing! Catching my first March Madness game in a long while to cheer on Illini against ISU on Thursday. Keep it coming!
Perhaps your best ever, Will. Hits all the right spots for me. Only thing I would add - if you were my age, and had experienced Illini Football in the 80's, it was other-worldly. That's why I'm still a football season ticket holder - those memories and trying to get back to that level, which sadly won't happen in my lifetime...
Illini Basketball is a close second to Illini Football. This year feels so much different than the others - including when we were a 1 seed. I can't figure it out. And an excellent primer on the TSJ case. Sad, and as the father of a daughter, I struggle with it. But when the ball is tipped it doesn't matter and he's one of the best players in the nation. I've always said sports are the original Reality TV.
And you hit on my Dodgers also. Agreed - let it play out. Everything I've read and heard is just speculation.
Go Illini beat ISU!!!!!!!!!
WCIA! Born and raised in Nokomis, IL. We only had a TV antenna. To get WCIA we had to turn the dial to the northeast and hope it came in. How times have changed. GO ILLIN!!
Sweet 16. Corn Bowl with Iowa St.
Great article. Yes, you almost have to have blinders on in order to be a sports fan. I'm old enough to have a strong dislike of Denny McLain, even though the '68 Tigers will always be my favorite team of all time. I remember the Kobe Bryant kerfuffle and how the victim was slammed. How that whole thing was forgotten when he died (albeit tragically) is a shame.
89-90 Illini was a heck of a team. I rooted for them bc they had a player named Andy Kaufman. 😁
The Terrence Shannon situation is an absolute nightmare. Where to begin? Both sides make valid points, but I find it bizarre that a player actually filed a restraining order against their OWN TEAM!
NIL money contains many more cons than pros imo.
Go Illini!
I thought about attending the Dodgers vs. Cardinals opener, but $100 to sit up high near the foul pole is a bit much.
Not to mention “Illini” is perhaps the most fun name in sports to utter.
Did you also still have that helmet?