One sign involved a Colorado high school that dumped its "Cougars" sports nickname because it suggested hot, middle-aged women. Another was Donald Trump - (of course!) - adding a graveyard to the 5th hole of his Bedminster, NJ, golf course, where he'll someday rest beside those willing to pay for the privilege. Here's a collection of signs from 2012.
Sadly, in 2019 - two years after Deford's death - the apocalypse came for SI. The magazine was sold to something called "Authentic Brands Group" - (what? they couldn't find ACME?) - and then spun off to a digital media company, which promptly gutted the staff.
In honor of the first magazine I ever loved - (Boys Life sucked) - here's an authentic 2022 Sign of our impending doom.
In an online auction this week, a signed Jasson Dominguez rookie card is selling for the current bid of $161,000.
This is not an NFT or some crazy outgrowth of Bitcoin. It's the 2020 Chrome Prospect Superfractor #CPA-JDO Jasson Dominguez signed first Bowman Rookie Card. Go buy it.
At the risk of offering another Sign of the Apocalypse, I'm at a loss for words.
I would predict that this will be the peak of Dominguez's hype, but I honestly don't believe it. We long ago reached a point in America where hype becomes the art form, the product, the only thing that matters. It overrules truth, performance, value, integrity... everything. Debates are to be won by simply shouting the loudest, issues to be settled by simply threatening the worst.
But I do feel sorry for Dominguez. Yeah, he's rich and I'm sure he's getting laid more than any of us ever did. But imagine the harpies waiting for him. And then, when he falls short of expectations - which he will - he'll face a lingering sense of disappointment, which will haunt him all his life.
If I had that rookie card, I'd burn it on TV. The apocalypse is here.