Tich’s Take

Odds are if you are reading this, you are 23 years old or younger. And if you are not, at some point in your life you were.

Being in your early 20s is a great time. Dreams and aspirations are still fresh in your mind. Your body is still spry and limber. Your mind is sharp as the sharp side of a really sharp one-edged sword. Life is great.

Now prepare to have your young adulthood rendered meaningless.

At age 21, Jordan Spieth won the Masters, probably golf’s most prestigious tournament. Not only did he win, but he tied the four-day course record at 18-under par. Funny enough, Spieth tied Tiger Woods’ record, which Woods set when he was also just 21 years old.

And not only does the winner of the Masters get that nice jacket and his name etched in sports history forever, but he also gets $1.6 million.

I am 22 and have not even been to the Masters. Meanwhile, Spieth is slipping himself into the green jacket and rolling around in $1.6 million of cash.

In other news, the NBA playoffs just tipped off and Anthony Davis’ New Orleans Pelicans just squeaked into the playoffs. It is the first time the 22-year-old Davis has even made the playoffs. In his first game, Davis scored 35 points with 20 of those points coming in the fourth quarter.

This is nothing new to Davis, who won every national player of the year award in his only year at University of Kentucky, along with winning a national championship as a 19 year old. Just a few months after the tournament, Davis was selected as the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. Not a bad spring and summer for a 19 year old.

Most 19 year olds spend their summers working a boring job and swimming in lakes every now and then. Not swimming in accolades and contract bonuses.

Over on the diamond, this year’s Chicago Cubs might be their best team since making the National League Championship Series back in 2003. And the splashiest name in the Cubs organization right now is recent call-up 23-year-old Kris Bryant. When the Cubs drafted Bryant with the No. 2 overall pick of the 2013 MLB draft, they expected to be getting a power-hitting third basemen who would be able to help them within a few years.

Calling Bryant a power hitter is like calling Superman strong. In 138 games in the minors in 2014, Bryant demolished any pitcher in his path, smashing 43 home runs. In spring training this year, Bryant hit nine homers in just 40 at-bats. Yes, nine homers in 40 at-bats. You may now pick up your jaw from the floor.

While other events took center stage, the NHL lottery to determine which franchise would hold the No. 1 overall pick in June’s draft also took place this weekend, with the Edmonton Oilers ending up as the winner. There will be little suspense when the Oilers announce their pick, as 18-year-old Connor McDavid has been touted as the best prospect since Sidney Crosby.

In 47 games for the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie Otters, McDavid had 44 goals and 76 assists. This is a kid — yes, he is really still a kid — who just turned 18 in January. In a few months he is going to be a millionaire.

Eighteen was so long ago; I do not even remember what 18 year olds do. But I am pretty sure most of them are not millionaires before they turn 19. Almost positive, even.

So, young adult reading this, next time you do something you think is cool or awesome, think of Jordan Spieth. Think of Anthony Davis. Think of Kris Bryant. Think of
Connor McDavid.

And try harder next time.

TICHENOR is the sports editor.