The Delta House

Well, inspiration comes in strange places, and tonight was no exception. I was riding down the road with Mrs. Flounder and the song "Roxanne" came on the radio. I started thinking about what a great song that was and how great The Police were. Then I started thinking just how much Sting, or at least his music, sucks now. Then this thought came to me - Is there anything more sad than seeing greatness or potential for greatness fade away? I think not.

I have a few examples of this, starting with Sting and The Police. I saw The Police on their last tour at the Atlantic City Convention Hall in 1984. I had to camp out overnight on the boardwalk for tickets, and it was well worth it. It was my first concert, and it was truly spectacular. I was a huge fan of the band and had all of their albums (some on 8-track), and knew every song by heart. By Christmas that year, the band broke up. I was devastated.

The following year, Sting released his first solo album, "The Dream of the Blue Turtles", and it was pretty good. But it was nothing like the music that The Police produced. Now, 20 years later, I can't even listen to a Sting song without wanting to puke! How could someone completely forget what made them great in the first place?

There was a time when the most feared person on the planet was Mike Tyson. He would come into the ring wearing black trunks and shoes with a cut-out towel across his body, and within seconds, unleash hell on his opponent. I mean nobody wanted a piece of this guy. I went to the Tyson - Spinks fight in Atlantic City and missed the whole 91-second bout because I was getting a beer at the concession stand. That's what a bad-ass this guy was. Then came the rape conviction, Don King, and the ear biting. On June 11, 2005, Tyson quit boxing before the start of the seventh round in a bout against some guy named Kevin McBride. Greatness disappeared once again.

Then there was the great left-handed pitcher in my high school named BC. This kid threw fastballs better than 90 mph in high school, and was drafted by the Phillies. He decided to go to college where he couldn't get along with the coach. Then he transferred to another college where he couldn't get along with the coach. The Phillies no longer wanted him. He never played professional baseball. I think he plays in a beer softball league on summer nights in Jersey. I'm sure that I will see him next year at the 20th reunion and want to cry.

I know that there are countless other examples that I can give, but I don't want to bore you to death. Feel free to share one with me if you'd like, or comment on these.