Fred Bowen's "The Score" column,
September 13, 2002, Washington Post

Now This Is Fun

Steve Spurrier is the big sports story in Washington this week. The coach has won just one game, but already Redskins' fans are hoping that Spurrier's Fun 'N Gun offense will lead the team back into the NFL playoffs.

I don't know if Spurrier's team will win any more games than last year's team under Marty Schottenheimer. But, Spurrier's Redskins will be a lot more fun to watch. And isn't that the reason we watch the games? Sure, we want the hometown team to win, but sometimes a 37-34 loss is more exciting than a 10-7 win.

Here are some other people in sports who are fun to watch:

Football. I love a quarterback who can run the football. Sometimes the coach's best-planned play breaks down and all the man with the ball can do is scramble for his life. That's when things get really exciting.

Donovan McNabb of the Philadelphia Eagles is a quarterback who can run like a halfback, as the Redskins will find out Monday night. And I think Michael Vick of the Atlanta Falcons is going to be even better. This electric lefthander may turn out to be the best-running QB ever.

Baseball. I love the centerfielders who really go get the ball -- the kind of players who end up on ESPN's "Sports Center" all the time: Mike Cameron (Seattle Mariners), Torii Hunter (Minnesota Twins) and Jim Edmunds (St. Louis Cardinals). But the Atlanta Braves' Andruw Jones is the best outfielder I have ever seen. He's a highlight every night.

At the plate, I like the guys who are up there hacking. I know "a walk is as good as a hit," but who wants to watch a bunch of walks? Ichiro Suzuki and Alfonso Soriano swing at any pitch near the plate. They make every at-bat an adventure.

Soccer. Tiffany Milbrett is small and quick and always moving. She's tough and tenacious around the goal, and if defenders take their eyes off her for a second, the ball is in the net.

Hockey. There's nothing like a hot goaltender, one who stops everything in sight with kick saves and a flashing glove hand that's as fast as a snake's tongue. Dominik "the Dominator" Hasek is always hot. That's what makes him the best goalie in the world to watch.

Basketball. Basketball is best when the ball is moving around. Forget the fancy dribblers. Give me a great passer. That's why I always loved Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics. Well, there is a new Bird to watch: Sue Bird of the WNBA's Seattle Storm. She can drive to the hoop, dish off to a teammate or drop in a three-pointer. Believe me, this woman's got game.

Tennis. Even though he lost in the U.S. Open and can sometimes be a jerk, Australian Lleyton Hewitt is one fun tennis player to watch. He's lightning quick, always hustling and never gives up on a point. His match with Andre Agassi was a classic, much better drama than the Sampras-Agassi final or yet another match between the matchless Williams sisters.

Put Hewitt together with Hasek, McNabb, Milbrett, Jones, Bird and all the others. Let's call them "The Fun Bunch."

If they need a coach, I know just the man: Steve Spurrier.

Fred Bowen writes KidsPost's Friday sports column and is the author of sports novels for kids.

© 2002 The Washington Post Company