Stories That Help Us "Cope"

While Wednesday was a sad day in Steeler Country due to the loss of legendary radio broadcaster Myron Cope, it was also a day to celebrate his life and his impact.

Two regular contributors to "Front & Center", Mike Dudurich and Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review joined me to talk about their beats (golf and hockey, respectively). Before we got to those topics though, I wanted to get their thoughts on the colorful Cope. What followed were stories that brought about the goosebump factor.

Dudurich talked about listening to Cope's commentary on Steelers' broadcasts and remembered reading his award-winning writing for publications such as Sports Illustrated and the Saturday Evening Post. The Trib-Review golf writer also admitted, while in his early 20s, he called a sports talk show Cope was hosting in Pittsburgh. Dudurich recounted that he felt like he was "walking on air" after getting to talk to THE Myron Cope.

While conceding that Cope was an acquired taste, he went on to say the Hall of Fame announcer's impact really hit home with him Wednesday morning. That's when his daughter, a freshman at Penn State, sent him a text message that asked simply: "Are you sad today?" Dudurich, who had heard of Cope's passing moments earlier, wondered if she could possibly be referring to the practicioner of "Hmm Hah". So he played dumb and sent a text reply that said "Why?". His daughter quickly replied, "Because Myron Cope died." Dudurich was taken aback. He didn't realize his daughter had paid much attention to the Steelers' broadcasts.

Rossi also relayed several stories of Cope's impact on his life. It began when his high school teacher gave him copies of Cope's articles for Sports Illustrated and inspired him to pursue journalism. It continued when the journalist-turned-broadcaster didn't appreciate and understand the "Angry Young Man" columns that Rossi had ghost-written for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as a budding journalist. Rossi said Cope's reaction to those columns crushed him.

But the story ends well.

In his intermittent coverage of the Steelers for the Tribune-Review in the early 2000s, Rossi said he and Cope developed a "friendly" rapport. Then, when Cope retired in early 2005, Rossi was assigned to cover it. A few days after the story ran, Cope sent a hand-written note to Rossi thanking and complimenting him. The note said something to the effect of "good to see the Angry Young Man is a fine young man and fine writer". Rossi still has the note.

Though I am a relative outsider not having grown up listening to Cope (or reading his work), I came to appreciate his style. He was colorful, candid, funny, mystifying, and enjoyable--all at the same time. No, he wasn't a great analyst. He didn't need to be. He was a fan in the booth with knowledge, originality, and his own unique language. Most of all, he was himself and he was Pittsburgh.

For all of his celebrity, Cope was likely most proud that his "Terrible Towel" creation made millions for the education of youth in the 'Burgh. Beyond the microphone, the typewriter, and the Towel, though, it seems his greatest impact was on people--many of whom he never met, several of whom he inspired.

Thanks for sharing the stories Mike and Rob and thank you, Myron, for being you.

Cheaters Never Prosper...Unless We Let Them

Remember the saying you heard from one of your elders while you were growing up?:

"Cheaters Never Prosper."

Well, in the 2000s, it seems as though that adage has more gums than teeth.

Barry Bonds, while being investigated for perjury regarding steroids/HGH use, signed for $16 million dollars for one year with the Giants (who apparently bid against themselves) so he could break* Hank Aaron's all-time home run mark. San Francisco's owner Peter MacGowan, who secured guaranteed sellouts because fans wanted to be part of the historical* season, then grew a conscience after the record was broken and said he would not continue to employ Bonds.

Roger Clemens, who most now believe extended and enhanced his career with illicit chemicals, pulled about $48 million for three, less-than-full seasons in his annual coming-out-of-retirement sales. He also racked up three or four more Cy Youngs (depending on when you think he started juicing--allegedly) and surpassed 300 victories. The Blue Jays, Yankees, and Astros all benefitted ($$$ and wins) from the Rocket's needle launches.

Bill Belichick, who we now find out may have authorized the video taping of opponents clear back to the 2000 season, has guided his team to four Super Bowl appearances--winning three of them--during the time in question. He's won Coach of the Year awards, a fat contract extension, and media fawning over his genius. It's almost like he knew what plays the opponent would call in certain situations. Oh, yeah...he probably did.

Kelvin Sampson, who apparently never met a phone he didn't like, has been cracked twice for recruiting violations and is now facing a third round of charges. Meanwhile, he's guided his Oklahoma and Indiana teams to 20-win seasons eleven times. He's mixed in a Final Four appearance and even pulled a late switcheroo from one-and-done super guard Eric Gordon. Hmmm, did Sampson call Gordon more than the allowable limit? Nah, he didn't call Gordon. His assistants did--then he just jumped on the other line to listen.

While their reputations have been sullied for good and they may have suffered other penalties (loss of Hall of Fame status, monetary fines, and probable unemployment), please don't tell me they didn't prosper. All of them did--to the tune of millions of dollars, hallowed records/achievements, and varying degrees of celebrity status.

The only hope to put teeth back into our elders' adage is to deliver meaningful punishments to the offenders. Our young people need to see cheaters held accountable--even if those cheaters were once their heroes.