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Monday marked the end of an era. Actually more than one, depending on how and what one counts. In the world of baseball, Tony La Russa announced the end of his managing career. In the world of reality television (or wherever else she resides), Kim Kardashian announced the end of her barely two-month-old marriage to NBA player Kris Humphries.
Better to run a photo of Bianca La Russa than of her dad Tony.
And in the everyday world, Ruth Rosemary Boyarski Davis Harris was laid to rest at a cemetery in suburban St. Louis. She was 88. Most people have no idea who that is. If not for her (well, and the man she married, Marvin Harris), the person doing this typing weaving words together at elliottharris.com would not be doing so. And, unless I’m mistaken (which generally is not a bad bet — except for this one time for certain), there would be no elliottharris.com because Rosemary and Marvin are/were/always will be the parents of Elliott Harris. What those two about sports, language and life are part of what makes this site what it is.
Which means if not for Rosemary and Marvin, there would be no photos — gratuitous or otherwise — of Jaime Edmondson, the Playboy Playmate and favorite around here who generally appears on Sundays with her NFL picks/pics. Because of circumstances beyond the control of the editorial staff of elliottharris.com, posting Jaime’s selection for Monday night’s San Diego-Kansas City game was delayed until now. Better late than never.
Jaime also has written her most recent “Play-By-Playmate” column at playboy.com. Cardinals winning the World Series, so all this fits ever so nicely together, don’t you think?
Returning to La Russa, he did something most people can only dream of: Going out on top as manager of the 2011 World Series champion Cardinals. Sometimes even when some — especially in the world of sports — do so, they find a way to return and take another shot at success. Does the name Michael Jordan ring a bell? Exiting after winning the 1998 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz was the perfect storybook ending — only to be diminished by coming back with the Washington Wizards.
One thing La Russa will not be doing is watching daughter Bianca perform as an Oakland Raiderette Dancer. Bianca, who made the team for the first time this season, has been sidelined. One benefit of that was she had more time to follow her father’s Cardinals during their incredible run to a World Series crown.
If you think all this La Russa talk is intended for the sole purpose of running Bianca photos and Raiderette video, then you have been following this site for a while. Although for today, we will go for video from Tony’s appearance Monday on CBS’s “Late Night With David Letterman” show:
And as conceivably gratuitous as all that might seem, it pales in comparison to any Kardashian coverage.
Kim is not an athlete, although she has been linked to some (once engaged to running back Reggie Bush, etc.). The word regarding her marriage to Humphries is that the nuptials earned each party $9 million. Which means Humphries probably is enjoying the best offseason of any NBA player during the league’s lockout.
And you just had to love the USA Today headline: Divorce Won’t Tarnish Kardashian Brand. Well, when you consider the brand’s beginning had a sex tape as part of its genesis, the headline’s point probably is a safe bet.
Kim’s official statement: “After careful consideration, I have decided to end my marriage. I hope everyone understands this was not an easy decision. I had hoped this marriage was forever but sometimes things don’t work out as planned. We remain friends and wish each other the best.”
Humphries’ statement: “I love my wife and am devastated to learn she filed for divorce.”
A statement from E!, the cable that carries Kardashian programming: “All of us at E! are surprised and saddened by this news, and we send our support to Kim and Kris at this difficult time. The Kardashians have always been uniquely open with all aspects of their lives from joyous events to intimate moments to heartbreaking transitions. E! will continue to share the fascin00ing real lives and larger-than-life existence of this close-knit family.”
And continue to sell commercials and hope for really, really large audiences to be attracted, as the moth is to the flame or as eyeballs are to car crashes.
The marriage lasted 72 days. Shorter than the NBA lockout, if that helps Humphries find comfort or at least provide perspective.
The over-riding theme of the day: Life goes on.
OK, cue the videos (not the sex tape; sorry to disappoint those expecting it):