20 sports stuff I hope to do before I die

20 sports stuff I hope to do before I die

This is an updated version of something I wrote in June 9, 2009 and I am updating it. Unlike the previous one that included travel and movie stuff, this one I am keeping it to sports stuff.

1. Write for Sports Illustrated or the New York Times. I was weaned on this stuff. Another newspaper I hope to write for in the Straits Times in Singapore. They’ve got some excellent columnists and writers there as well.

2. Do game analysis for a UAAP basketball game for the Ateneo Blue Eagles. And wouldn't it be even cooler if they were playing for a championship?

3. Join the Smart Gilas team (as a reporter) when they play for a slot in the 2012 London Olympics at the FIBA Asia this year. When I see an international competition, I somehow think of the late Boston Celtics radio announcer Johnny Most. Ask me why when you see me.

4. Work on an HBO 24/7 Special. Those guys are awesome and they do the best sports documentaries.

5. Live to see the New York Islanders win the Stanley Cup again. Please, God, I will be a good person.

6. Get to meet my favorite New York Yankee Paul O'Niell. Have a brew, throw some baseballs and take some batting practice. Chat some. Wow!

7. Cover the Olympics as a reporter. God, that would be freaking awesome.

8. Watch and see Liverpool win the English Premier League at Anfield. Sit down in the Kop and yell my lungs out. I can die a happy man.

9. Write a biography of an athlete, coach, or someone involved in sports. This should happen real soon. Thanks to Coach Eric Altamirano for this suggestion. The wheels are rolling on this one.

10. Cover a luchadore wrestling match or Mistico (even if he is now with the WWE). I’ve got a book about the history of luchadore wrestling and have seen a match once in Mexico as a fan. I should have written about that. But that was before I became a sports writer.

11. Cover the Azkals when they qualify for the World Cup Finals.

12. Attend the induction of Derek Jeter at Cooperstown and write about it.

13. Play basketball again at West 4^th. I got to play a couple of times in one of the most famous playgrounds in New York City. I’m older and not as athletic as I once was. But to shoots baskets again there… hmm. I’d probably brick them.

14. Work as an apprentice to Ken Burns when he comes up with his next baseball film.

15. Spend a season covering basketball in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iran, and other Middle Eastern countries.

16. Spend a few months writing about football in Brazil. That's like being in heaven I guess.

17. Follow a MMA fighter’s journey from training to a UFC fight.

18. Write about the early years of basketball in the Philippines.

19. Finish my film about local football.

20. Spend a week with Maria Sharapova and write an in depth story about that time.