Times change, plus I'm getting old

[vito]

I recently read that during most of the 20th century, especially the first half of that time, there were three sports that were totally dominant in terms of general appeal and familiarity. The article said that up until the 1950's, virtually every American could name the most recent World Series winner (and likely the standings of many teams in the current season), the name of the heavyweight boxing champion (and likely the champions of some other divisions in boxing) and the most recent winner of the Kentucky Derby.

I grew up in the 1950's, and because my Dad had been a professional middleweight boxer as a young adult, we often went to boxing matches and talked boxing in the home. I'm sure back in the mid 50's I could have named the champions of several weight divisions, and likely the top contenders as well. I knew all 16 major league baseball teams and where they were in the standings, and I certainly knew who the top young thoroughbred horses were in the country. But now I realize that I don't have a clue about any of those things. I could not tell you the name of a single prominent boxer. No clue as to who won the Derby, and I don't even know how many MLB teams there are, let alone who is leading. Times change.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

Times do change, and you may be getting old, but one thing is not necessarily related to the other. Boxing has been replaced by MMA, many of the other sports have a much smaller following for various reasons. But I'd bet you can talk about other things, that haven't changed. Champions change typically every few fights. The training is so much different that you have do be on your game every second. People aren't willing to tolerate sports hero's to take a knee when the flag comes out. Basketball and many football teams have multiple hoods that have had charges against them. People are fed up with it. Things didn't used to be that way either. Times do change and not always for the better.

 

[Jeepnik]

Cassius Clay ruined boxings reputation for all time. Being allowed to box after his conviction for draft evasion was the biggest mistake pro boxing ever made.

As the the rest of the major sports, the spoiled child behavior of the players, not to mention turning sports into a soapbox for their political opinions pretty much killed them for many.

Where once pro athletes were respectable role models for kids the poor behavior has now filtered down through college to high school levels.

Take a look at the criminal behavior exhibited by “fans” up to and including murder in the name of “their” team and pro spirts has more in common with gangs and organized crime today.

 

[noahmercy]

I recently read that during most of the 20th century, especially the first half of that time, there were three sports that were totally dominant in terms of general appeal and familiarity. The article said that up until the 1950's, virtually every American could name the most recent World Series winner (and likely the standings of many teams in the current season), the name of the heavyweight boxing champion (and likely the champions of some other divisions in boxing) and the most recent winner of the Kentucky Derby.

I grew up in the 1950's, and because my Dad had been a professional middleweight boxer as a young adult, we often went to boxing matches and talked boxing in the home. I'm sure back in the mid 50's I could have named the champions of several weight divisions, and likely the top contenders as well. I knew all 16 major league baseball teams and where they were in the standings, and I certainly knew who the top young thoroughbred horses were in the country. But now I realize that I don't have a clue about any of those things. I could not tell you the name of a single prominent boxer. No clue as to who won the Derby, and I don't even know how many MLB teams there are, let alone who is leading. Times change.

I'm 52, and remember what you're talking about, with the addition of basketball was HUGE. Dr. J, the Globetrotters, Wilt the Stilt, Larry Byrd, Kareem Abdul Jabar, etc. were in popular culture everywhere...cartoons, movies, TV shows, comic ads featuring the stars of the sport were everywhere. I never developed an interest in baseball...too much "nothing happening" in most games to hold my attention, although I attended a few training games since the Blue Jays winter home was three blocks from my house. Personally, I lost interest in boxing after the Leonard/Hagler bout. That stunk of corruption so bad, I couldn't stand to watch any more (and my great grandpa was a bantamweight champion in bare-knuckle and gloved boxing, so it was always a family passion). As for the horsies, I lived near a track and knew a few jockeys, and I know how easy- and common- it is to rig a race, so I could never get enthused. I think the allure in days gone had more to do with the pageantry, history, and tradition of the big horse racing events than the actual outcome. As to football and a lot of the big motorsports events, I agree with others that the politicization and "wokeness" being promoted is a complete turn-off, and the viewership numbers show I'm not alone. I don't need some game-playing meat puppet making $10 million a year using his celebrity to push the narrative that anyone born white who doesn't vote straight-ticket Democrat is a Nazi who is oppressing minorities...

 

[Jimbo357mag]

What do you suppose are the things that everybody knows today? o_O

 

[vito]

What do you suppose are the things that everybody knows today? o_O

Interesting question. I think that we as a nation no longer have much in the way of shared interests. When there were few TV channels, we all watched the same shows. Not the choices are overwhelming. I’ve often had one of my grown kids mention a show that they said they really like, and I never heard of it and had no idea where to find it. Knowing about sports teams was simpler when there were fewer teams, and fewer sports. I remember when the NHL consisted of 8 teams; I have no idea how many there are now. And in politics, I recall recently reading that a survey of adults showed only a small percentage could name even one member of the Supreme Court. We are a fragmented society.

 

[jimbo1096]

What do you suppose are the things that everybody knows today? o_O

The younger generation is imbedded in facetime, tic-tok and snapchat.

 

[Kevin]

I’m 52 also, and I have never followed boxing. We enjoy baseball and go to games occasionally. But I don’t follow sports in general.

We are a fragmented society.

I think you are right on the money with this statement. But is it really a bad thing? The US has always had the reputation of a “melting pot” and with so many different cultures** here nowadays, it would be almost impossible to stay current on all the interests of each group.

**Not only cultures, but also age groups as well.

Jimbo357: that is a very interesting question indeed!

 

[375hh1973]

Im 47.

Growing up, we played football most of the time. Didn't matter what time of year. Nobody played baseball. Once in awhile we would play basketball, but it was mostly football.

Fast forward to today, I still don't get into baseball. Once in awhile I will watch some playoff baseball.

Still watch football, both college and pro. No, I don't like the kneeling, etc.

Never got into horse racing either.

Boxing was great when Tyson was up and coming. Was must see tv.

 

[JimA]

I’m 52 also, and I have never followed boxing. We enjoy baseball and go to games occasionally. But I don’t follow sports in general.

I think you are right on the money with this statement. But is it really a bad thing? The US has always had the reputation of a “melting pot” and with so many different cultures** here nowadays, it would be almost impossible to stay current on all the interests of each group.

**Not only cultures, but also age groups as well.

Jimbo357: that is a very interesting question indeed!

This country hasn't been a melting pot for many years. It's more of a stir fry. Many people moving into the USA have no interest in assimilating into American culture. Some don't even care to learn the language.

 

[jimd441]

Jim A - I think you nailed it, and it has been a common shift. Growing up (I'm 68, but a young 68 :)) I remember kids my age whose parents immigrated to the USA from Italy, Greece and Poland. They all learned the language of their parents but were forbidden, repeat forbidden, from speaking it at home except when they were having lessons. The message from their parents was "we are Americans now and Americans speak English". Now things have shifted so far that people get to select the drivers handbook from the DMV in several languages.

Jim (D)

 

[Jeepnik]

When the subject of language comes up I fall back on my experience in foreign countries I lived in. As an example, when I lived in Spain I did my best (admittedly poorly) to speak Spanish. The same for Thailand and Germany.

When I returned home I stopped using foreign languages. If you want to speak to me here, show me the same respect I would have shown you in you country.

 

[toysoldier]

Interesting question. I think that we as a nation no longer have much in the way of shared interests.

Lack of common reference is very divisive. I contend that the Founding Fathers were only able to achieve what they did in writing our Constitution because, in their time, there was a fairly rigid concept of what constituted a "proper education." A more or less common education helped mold attitudes in a somewhat common direction. There is absolutely no chance of that today, which is why I shudder at the thought of a new Constitutional Convention.