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| Happy 4th of July!!! |
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Tomorrow on WNST:
Fox Sports All Day...Have A Great 4th of July!!!
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FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2008
ANGLE INN NEIGHBORHOOD 4TH OF JULY
PARADE AND COOKOUT
5805 O'Donnell Street, Baltimore
410-633-6242
Join Clayton, Tina, Bennie and the rest of The Angle Inn crew as they celebrate the 4th family style. The day starts with a neighborhood parade with a prize for the Best Decorated Car. The cook out features the works: burger, dogs, chops, you name it! Just bring a covered dish and consider yourself part of the family.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 2008
WNST ROADIE TO YANKEE STADIUM
Travel with WNST and Miller Chill to see the O's play the Yankees in the last season of Yankee Stadium. Click on the O's-Yankee's promo box above for info.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2008
WNST'S 4TH ANNUAL REX RYAN DINNER
Mountain Branch Golf|Grille & Pub
1827 Mountain Rd, Joppa
Join WNST as we celebrate the start of training camp and football season with RAVENS Defensive Coordinator Rex Ryan. Click on the Rex Ryan promo box for details or to purchase tickets.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2008
DOGFEST 2008
featuring Paws On Parade, Bark In The Park, and the 5K-9 Fun Run
Shawan Downs
1401 Shawan Road, Cockeysville
To benefit animals in need of care and shelter. Sponsored by the Humane Society of Baltimore County.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2008
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY'S
JOHN STEADMAN MEMORIAL
TOURNAMENT OF HOPE
Hillendale Country Club
13700 Blenheim Rd, Phoenix
For further information or to volunteer contact Mark McElrath at 410-933-5172 or mark.mcelrath@cancer.org.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2008
1ST ANNUAL FIOFEST
CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
Turf Valley Golf Resort
2700 Turf Valley Road, Ellicott City
Enjoy a spectacular day of golf followed by a Jimmy Buffet style dinner reception to benefit The Michael A. Fiorelli Foundation for Esophageal Cancer. For details go to fiofoundation.org or call Cindy Henson at 410-538-4555.
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Location: Blogs BlogsRex Snider's Blog |
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| Posted by: Rex Snider |
4/29/2008 3:29 PM |
 Today would have marked the 57th birthday of a true legend. We’re talking about the very best a sport has to offer. On April 29th, 1951 ….. in a small town, in North Carolina, Dale Earnhardt entered this world.
Since joining ‘NST, I’ve resisted opportunities to blog about “The Intimidator.” Honestly, I think his image, likeness, character and name have been force-fed on every sports fan throughout this country. For the first few years following his death, a common spectator couldn’t walk into a racetrack without being reminded of the tragedy.
You name it ….. t-shirts, bumper stickers, ballcaps and other various forms of paraphernalia have been produced and marketed to commemorate the demise of a champion. It’s pretty morbid in some ways.
There was a time when I thought Dale Earnhardt Jr. was pretty disrespectful toward those who barraged him with makeshift memorials, tributes and recognitions. But, then I lost a parent. And, the next time I saw someone throw a “Dale Earnhardt 1951-2001 R.I.P.” memento in Junior’s face for a sharpie-signature, I really sensed how improper and insensitive this EARNHARDT WORSHIP had become.
We’ve all suffered loss ….. nobody gets out alive !!!! But, there comes a time when we have to let it go and live for today. I’m not suggesting that we disregard or trivialize history. In fact, honoring those who have achieved greatness is a prudent consideration for any aspect of culture.
However, cultivating recognition into obsession is where I draw the line. This is exactly what happened in NASCAR and with those who thrived on “Remembering Earnhardt” in excess. I’m not laying total blame on the fanatic in the seats – his widow, Teresa, has profited mightily from rights to movies and merchandising ….. while driving his organization into the ground, from a competitive perspective.
Seven years after his untimely death finds Dale Earnhardt Incorporated without an EARNHARDT in the stable. How does this happen? Perhaps, the big-wigs at DEI became so focused on turning the “late great’s” franchise into a professional sports version of Graceland that it is in many ways nothing more than a museum ….. rather than factory of horsepower.
Over the past couple years, the sensationalism that thrived after the passing of Dale Earnhardt has subsided. The homemade monuments are gone and the informal memorial gatherings, at tracks across America, have dwindled. People who knew Dale say he would’ve been dismayed at the attention. Perhaps, they’re right.
But, today is his birthday and I think it’s a logical and poignant occasion to recognize the man. Dale Earnhardt was in many ways responsible for bringing NASCAR to the forefront of America’s sports landscape. He was an innovator ….. and marketed himself as the “Man In Black.” It sold.
He was the first guy to start peddling t-shirts and other wares. He was also the first notable pitchman for corporate sponsorship. And, he wasn’t afraid to do crazy stuff with a racecar. He was one of a kind.
Today, it’s okay to remember Dale Earnhardt as one of the greatest ever. Happy Birthday, Dale.
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