Dear Santa, I think I have been a good boy this year.
I’ve tried to be nice to those around me, I’ve minded my parents — though that is hardly relevant now that I am out of college — and I’ve managed to stay out of any trouble that would land me on the naughty list.
Of course, I know all this is for you to decide, but I’m pretty sure that 2006 was a stellar year for me. If it wouldn’t be any trouble, I’d like to send you my Christmas list. I think you will see the things I ask for are all in all not impossible.
I’ve got to warn you though, my list might be a little different from the other Christmas lists you’ve received. I’m not interested in lots of clothes or iPods or Xboxes (though it would be nice to have an iPod to listen to while I write these columns).
I’m mean, seriously, I’m a sportswriter, so of course, my Christmas list is chock full of wishes for my sports teams. I say my sports teams; I mean those teams that I follow.
I know you’re more about stuffing things onto that big ol’ sleigh of yours and placing gifts underneath Christmas trees, but bear with me, as most of my Christmas list deals with more intangible items. So without further ado, I present to you, Santa, my Christmas wish list:
• I’m going to start off with an easy one. I’d really like a Kansas State victory in the Texas Bowl against Rutgers next Thursday. A win for the Wildcats would do wonders for the program and first-year coach Ron Prince, as the Wildcats are still trying to dig their way out of the slump they were in the previous two years before this season’s 7-5 campaign.
Rutgers was the feel-good story of the year in college football, and I give major props to its head coach, Greg Schiano, and the Scarlet Knights for their 10-2 record this season. But I have no problem asking for their fairy-tale season to end next Thursday with a loss to Kansas State.
I’m not asking for a blowout win or anything. A nice 28-20 Wildcat victory will suffice.
• Next, I’d like to hit you with another softball of a Christmas wish. If you thought the last one was easy, you should be able to hit this one out of the park.
Could the Kansas State men’s basketball team please beat Kansas at home this year? Seriously, the basketball Wildcats and their fans have suffered enough, don’t you think? Let them experience a home win over the Jayhawks for the first time EVER at Bramlage Coliseum. Seriously, it’s getting to be a little ridiculous.
• I’ll be a little bit of a homer (it is Christmas, after all) and wish for all the Emporia High sports teams to make it their respective State tournaments. They are all good kids, Santa, and I’d like nothing more than to write about a few State titles here and there.
• This one might be the hardest of them all. Please make it so that the Kansas City Chiefs don’t break my heart each and every year. I know this year is a complete loss, no matter how many zany scenarios are out there that say the Chiefs can still make the playoffs. News flash: They aren’t going to the playoffs ... again.
So I would like an advance wish for next year, and all I ask is that you give Chiefs fans a break from their annual schizophrenic daze that Kansas City subjects them to year after year.
If the Chiefs are going to miss the playoffs next year, don’t let them tease the fans by making it seem like they have a shot. Just make it so the Chiefs either miss the playoffs badly, or make it so they easily earn a spot in the postseason, and give Kansas City fans at least one season without any mental anguish.
Well, that’s it. I hope I didn’t ask you for too much. If it will help the process at all, I’ll leave a few extra cookies by the tree this year.
Oh yeah, and if it wouldn’t trouble you too much, could you make my iPod a black one?
For more sports commentary from Michael and Gazette sports reporter Jesse Newell, listen each week to the Emporia Sports Buzz online at www.emporiagazette.com.