SPORTS

September 17, 2020 SPORTS Sports Column

ERIK GALICIA | VIEWPOINTS Dodgers fans line up to take pictures at the Joe Kelly mural Sept. 13 in the Silverlake area of Los Angeles. The artist, sports muralist Jonas Never, also created a famous mural of Kobe Bryant in a downtown Los Angeles alley back in 2015. Kelly’s mural can be found behind Floyd’s 99 Barbershop at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Parkman Avenue. Artist recreates famous Joe Kelly pout

Memorable moment in Dodgers history now a mural for fans to enjoy

BIANCA MACIAS

STAFF REPORTER

A popular muralist brought a taunting expression between old World Series foes — the championship-deserving Los Angeles Dodgers and the cheating Houston Astros — to life on a wall behind a Silver Lake barber shop.

Dodgers pitcher Joe Kelly gained media attention for making a pouty face at Astros shortstop Carlos Correa in a late July game at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

The tension that transpired during the exchange can be directly linked to the Astros cheating during the 2017 World Series. It was found the Astros had a habit of stealing signs, the hand signals baseball teams use to secretly communicate on the field amongst each other.

Although Kelly was not a Dodger when the team was robbed of a title in 2017, that year he pitched for the Boston Red Sox, who were also eliminated by the fraudulent Astros in round one of that postseason.

The villainous image acquired by the Astros is a result of the ball club’s lack of integrity. They faced a $5 million fine and lost their next two first and second round draft picks as punishment.

But many, including Kelly, felt that was not enough. And where there is a villain, there is often a hero.

Kelly stepped into that role and fought the evil Astros on their own turf in July. After sailing a pitch behind Astros third baseman Alex Bregman’s head, almost nailing him at 96 mph, Kelly then almost hit Correa as well. Kelly struck Correa out and then mocked him on his way back to the Dodgers’ dugout.

“Nice swing b----,” Kelly was heard saying before delivering the now infamous pouty face.

P l a y e r s , c o a c h e s a n d quarantined spectators reacted emotionally. Some called it subtle retaliation for the Astros’ lack of ethics. Others, including the league, called it poor sportsmanship, as it resulted in a suspension for Kelly.

But many considered Kelly a hero. His pouty face has since become a viral meme, merchandise and now a mural in the heart of Dodgers country.

Jonas Never, who is also known for his downtown Los Angeles mural of the late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, completed a mural of Kelly’s pouty face on the wall behind Floyd’s 99 Barbershop at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Parkman Avenue. The mural came just in time for the Dodgers’ home game against the Astros on Sept. 12.

“New wall for the legend that is Joe Kelly,” Never tweeted Sept. 8. “Wanted to make sure I got it done before the Astros come to town next week.”

Fans were seen gathering around the masterpiece soon after its completion.

“I think he did all of us a big favor,” said Debra Correa, 36, of Los Angeles. “We were so mad about the fact that they cheated and his response was priceless. He got suspended but I think it was worth it.”

Some argue whether or not the moment was worth a mural. But Dodgers history has been made regardless. And the rivalry lives on.

Sports September 17, 2020 9 RCC basketball players won’t quit

College athletes stay motivated on, off the court

DANIELA RAMIREZ

STAFF REPORTER

Athletes at Riverside City College had to completely end their on-campus lives when the pandemic hit, including team practices, meetings and the bonds they had forged with their teammates.

Some returned to their hometowns, which meant staying in mental and physical shape on their own.

K a t h o n C r a w f o r d , a sophomore shooting guard on the men’s basketball team, has been training since the start of the quarantine.

“The distractions and comfort that came with the returning to my hometown of Bakersfield were a challenge at first,” Crawford said.

His solution was to have a set routine and keep the motivation he had as if he was still on the court in Riverside. The motivation to keep training as hard as he did at RCC, Crawford explained, has gotten stronger. The motivation to keep up with his workouts and become a better player even if no one is watching is what keeps him going, he added.

Crawford’s daily workout schedule is more important than ever. He wakes up early, before the start of his Zoom classes, for weight training and a cardio workout that consists of running. In the middle of his day, he watches film and NBA games to improve his basketball IQ. A final workout toward the end of his day includes ball handling and defensive skills training to help him develop as a guard.

Crawford aims to become the strongest player he has ever been in the next few months. Although his training is benefiting him, he admitted he missed the practices and said the bond he had with his team is irreplaceable.

“Basketball is a team sport,” Crawford said. “Having a stronger team makes the team.”

Crawford’s teammate, Keylin Vance, also a sophomore shooting guard, is from Portland, Oregon. Vance also explained that the bond with the team and coaches made him better on and off the court. The biggest challenge for Vance is staying consistent and motivated to continue no matter the outcomes.

“What motivates me is my family, first off, and believing in myself to make it out of my city,” Vance said.

The California Community College Athletics Association announced a contingency plan July 9 for the 2020-21 academic year that moves all sports to the spring semester. Crawford and Vance are hopeful for the upcoming season.

Crawford’s main goal is to “win games and set an example to everyone that nothing can set their team back.” Vance hopes for the team “to win the Conference Championship and hold a state title, just as the team was before the pandemic hit.” With the world being placed on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, the college athletes hope to be given the chance to show their skills for recruiters from other programs to continue their basketball careers.

“I want to be able to show my game,” Vance said.

Self-motivation is at an all time high for athletes in 2020.

COURTESY OF KEYLIN VANCE Keylin Vance is a sophomore shooting guard on the Riverside City College men’s basketball team.

Sports Column

ERIK GALICIA | VIEWPOINTS The entrance to the UC Riverside Student Recreation Center remains locked and the building remains empty Sept. 15. All recreation activities are canceled due to COVID-19.

UC Riverside must save athletics

Short-term financial savings not worth long term damages

JESUS CORONEL

STAFF REPORTER

UC Riverside is considering drastic measures to save money and keep their educational goals alive.

However, the Budget Advisory Committee at UC Riverside is weighing a decision that would cut all sports at the university. Many are shocked.

For starters, money is the only reason the decision to cut sports at UC Riverside is even being considered. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all sports activities at the college level have been put to a halt for the athletes’ and coaches’ safety.

In some cases, like the NBA and NHL, players are in a bubble and follow strict rules to ensure the safety and the progress needed to finish their respective seasons. But this is not the case in higher education institutions.

Seasons were canceled, traditions like March Madness were canceled, and athletes lost out on valuable draft stock and opportunity. With that out of the way, money stands out a lot to universities because they have to to pay coaches, professors and workers in the area.

Because the pandemic shut down all sports, universities lost a lot of money that athletic activity would have allowed them to profit from. Whether it would be merchandise, tickets or even food, the pandemic resulted in a drastic decrease in revenue. This is the main reason the UC Riverside budget advisory committee has considered cutting all sports.

But with that decision comes outcomes. If they do end up removing sports, yes, they will find the funds to keep up their educational goals and purposes. But then all athletes would lose incentive in wanting to attend UC Riverside in the first place.

A reason why many athletes desire scholarships at top universities is because they want to achieve a specific goal: playing in a professional league. UC Riverside offers a Division 1 Men’s Basketball team and many other notable teams. If studentathletes were to be notified that sports at UC Riverside are gone, their first choice would more than likely be to transfer.

That is not a good look for the university.

As high end as a university is, many athletes would be willing to transfer from the UC system in order to make it to the pros.

While cutting sports would result in a short-term solution when it comes to funding other areas of education, colleges and universities will end up losing revenue, prestige and opportunities in the long run.

When an opportunity to be successful comes along in the lives of athletes, they should definitely take it. I understand how they would feel if their chances fall apart. It would be devastating if sports were gone from UC Riverside. The university should not cut its athletics programs because, even though they took a huge fall in profits from the pandemic, they can easily get it back if they can promote sports well and get as many people watching as possible.

Athletes depend on colleges for scholarships and success. If they remain, dreams can be accomplished and with enough promotion, UC Riverside can get the most bang for their buck.