Opening Day Good Friday! Errr.... or is it?

Happy Good Friday!

Or... is it? One side, Freddie Couples tied for lead at The Mater's!!! I learned to golf where he learned, at Jackson Municipal Golf Course, off of Beacon Hill just South of Downtown Seattle. Who doesn't LOVE Freddie!

On the other hand... I did NOT plan seeing my boy Timmie (Lincecum) get rocked twice! Scooby Doo has the perfect line in moments like these, "Ruhhh Rohhh..." We are right where we left off in 2011.... Ian Kennedy and Arizona D'backs have SF Giants number! Doh! Nice to see new bats in line up even game up in 6th 3-3! Yet... Timmie right back in trouble in the stretch bottom of 6th... Jesus! And what genius hatched the idea of Aubrey Huff play outfield? Really? Here we go! (in comes cute long-haired chihuahua dragging a bottle of wine in its mouth with two glasses.... Whimpering... )          

Yup! Torture is SF Giants motto period!

I know... I know... This is only game 1 of 162 game Season... I just thought it would begin a little bit better with a little less drama... I must be going insane! These are the SF Giants, right?! Why do I deceive myself year-in-year-out expecting something different than torture?

Snap out of it!!!

If you haven't seen George Carlin's perfect description between baseball and football... It's WORTH another chuckle and 5 minutes of your time! Hmmm.... I think Carlin knew 20 years ago that "Bounty Gate" definitely a high probability... Doh!

http://youtu.be/IhN1ExFCXNA

Tara! Tara!! Tara!!!

Tara.... Tara.... Tara....

Far far away inset on a Golden Coast in the land of California lies a quaint town of Palo Alto with a mighty University where Nobel Laureates and genius roam. Nestled in the brain trust of Silicon Valley lies Stanford. Thousands of miles removed from Sports Mecca East of the Mississippi, Stanford has been quietly building a legacy on academics as well as athletics.

Unlike power houses of Baylor, Notre Dame, Tennessee and UConn, an athlete invited to play at Stanford MUST meet the academic standards for admission to the University. Not only do you need to perform genius on the turf, academic excellence is expected in the classroom.

Since 1985, Tara Vanderveer has created a dynasty of excellence on the hardwood floors at Maples Pavilion. She is on the heels of reaching Pat Summit numbers at this point of her career. Coach V is 4th on the list of winningest coaches in NCAA Division I at 891 wins , only behind Pat Summit, Mike Krzyzewski, and Bob Knight.

It's quite the accomplishment to reach the success and consistency displayed year after year at Stanford Women's Basketball. She is going for her 4th title and being the only NCAA Div I coach to reach Final Four an impressive 9th time in 11 years. That's right! Not, Summit, Not Geno, it's Tara!

Pac-12 may not receive National accolades as such programs closer to the East Coast, Stanford has a swarming forest including top player in NCAA Women's Division I, Chiney Ogwumike.

Hats off to Coach Tara Vanderveer and Stanford University bringing notoriety out WEST!

Enjoy highlights of Stanford's bid to 2014 NCAA Basketball Division I Women's Championship

In My Humble Opinion...

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/7725082/new-york-jets-start-formulating-blueprint-tim-tebow-mark-sanchez-offense

Yeah... yeah... yeah... Yes... Everyone has sounded off about the phenomenon of "Tim Tebow"; and now this will include me!

Okay.. Okay... Okay... Now Tebow is an incredible athlete! An incredible football player and has that ingredient that many other athletes... actually, practically anyone whom  participates in  life: Substance, and perseverance to reach the top.... There is no quit in "Tebow Time"!

He was successful at Florida and reached the pinnacle in bringing a National Championship to The Swamp, as well as personal achievement in being awarded "The" Heisman Trophy (or was it two? Gosh, I'm going off the cuff here...). I am certain Mr. Tebow carries the same passion and goals to acquire pinnacle success as an athlete in NFL. In my humble opinion, I know he can reach the Summit and acquire that coveted piece of hardware required entry to the most selective club in NFL, a Super Championship ring. I just don't believe it will be as a quarterback.

I wish someone would influence, mentor, and guide Tebow in the best direction for him to experience ultimate success in a NFL uniform: convert him to TE!

Okay... this windbag full of ridiculous knowledge best used in blogs and bars is signing off in this subject! Peace out! And may God Bless us All!

Wheel of Fortune

The Calendar has rolled over… Equinox approached and blew through California with the stillness of our last breathtaking heat wave… Crazed football fans have abandoned knee-buckling flag football dates on Sundays for bloody mary’s and multi-flat screen paradises at the local Sports pub. Ahhhhh… Fall! Truly my favorite Season of the year! The men of October reach postseason diamonds. Select and persevering gladiators of baseball we’ve admired through 162 courting games of Spring and Summer, gave us a day of competition unforeseen like none other. A day of baseball like last Wednesday night affirms my point of view that baseball continues to be one of the best games ever created by man. Even sharing the limelight side-by-side with the men of grid-iron in NFL and college stadiums across the land, never have I enjoyed an end of regular season MLB, anticipating magic in the post season as now, Fall 2011.

Major League Baseball had the most climatic 162^nd day of games. Nowhere in MLB history were fans privileged to unyielding torture and inexplicable elation when a melt down transpired of two teams in the National and American League Wild Card play off run. Four games took 5 hours to unfold (weather delays experienced, placing drama factor over the top). All Atlanta and Boston had to do to keep their hopes alive was win their last game. One of the greatest attributes about baseball, is a game is not measured in time, but outs. Each team has 27 outs. Atlanta and Boston were 6 outs away from securing a win (and an opportunity to play another day). Tampa Bay and St Louis Cardinals were 6 outs away from losing, extinguishing any hopes to move on in to October. How quickly fate changes hand in between so few outs. An out left on one side can be opportunity for one team, and dismal frustration for the other (unable to reach that last out).

Somewhere in between those 6 outs, bedlam ensued; a 7 run deficit which seemed out of reach was gobbled up in 2 late inning rallies; a stopper, and closer coughed up runs opening the door to a nightmare scene. As Boston walked back with their heads low just beaten by a walk off single in extra innings, they arrived in their visiting locker room in Baltimore only to view Tampa Bay driving the last nail in their coffins- Season over. In one month, Boston managed to implode, killing a 9 game lead over Tampa Bay, and an expectation (by fans and critics) of landing in the Fall Classic. A Walk off home run stole Boston’s place and sealed the other team’s fate in to the playoffs. In the last game, in the last inning, with that last out left, Evan Longoria’s line drive over the fence in Tampa Bay was the second home run in history heard around the World (Bobby Thompson of then New York Giants in 1951 was the first).  Not even Hollywood could come up with a script as dramatic and emotional of what transpired on September 28, 2011 between 4 storied franchises in America’s past time. A natural, a field of dreams, the rookie, and a nightmare on Ostend Street keep me coming back for “The Love of the Game”. 

I cannot WAIT to see who survives 216 outs to make it in to ‘The Fall Classic”.

Of course…. Would I forget to put in a clip?

“Major League” Highlights that will have you in stitches:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHi1c6m8tBA&NR=1

“Lolligaggers” from Bulldurham:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLMl0CLIDLg

Meat Nuke Lalush and Crash Davis in one of many favorite scenes in Bull Durham:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBUS3vQtDCA&NR=1

September 11

The 9/11 Memorial opens today to families and friends of those lost on 9/11, 2001:

http://www.npr.org/2011/09/09/140293993/slain-priest-bury-his-heart-but-not-his-love

http://www.emailthis.clickability.com/et/emailThis?clickMap=viewThis&etMailToID=181769183

Prominent in many pictures in the aftermath and cleanup after World Trade towers fell, was this Globe of the world (pictured above), damaged, yet in tact... It now sits in Battery Park as a memorial of 9/11. The Globe was left, as it survived, a symbol of the will of the American Spirit... I'm watching 9/11 10 year Anniversary and opening of the memorial in NYC... Memories of that somber morning flooding back as I pay tribute to our beloved Americans whose lives were severed with no warning or choice... Your memories continue to burn bright in loved one's hearts.

I personally did not lose a family member or friend. I am, as well as three-hundred-plus million Americans mourn the loss of or fellow brethren. The world as we knew it, changed. The one person I did worry about was my brother. In 2001, he was recently hired by United Airlines. He recently finished his training on the 777.  That was one of my first thoughts that raced through my mind, as I was standing in pajamas in front of the TV at 6:15 am “Oh my gosh… my brother  flies trans-continental… is he flying right now?”.  Irony upon ironies, shortly after 9/11, he was furloughed by United Airlines and now flies for Etihad (meaning, “united” in Arabic), an airline of the United Arab Emirates, and lives in Dhubai.

Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, my alarm goes off at 6am… The Sacramento sports radio station blares from the minute muffled speakers of my clock radio the news at the top of the morning; I faintly hear as I reach for the snooze bar that there were reports that a plane has hit one of the world trade center towers… I thought some beginner pilot in a Cessna got lost over the Hudson and ran in to the behemoth skyscraper. 10 minutes later, the alarm goes off again, and the next statement that came out of the radio was not muffled and jolted me from the comfy covers of my bed to run to the living room and turn the TV on. The words were, “ I think we need to find a TV, a second plane has hit the second tower in New York… there is no word if this is an attack or tragic accident, but ladies and gentlemen, in the last 15 minutes, two planes have crashed in to the World Trade Center buildings”. As the television picture appeared of the billowing black smoke from two of the most famous buildings in the Word, I was stunned… shocked… I felt so helpless and asked internally, “Oh my God… Oh my God… What is happening? We are being attacked!”. I went over to my roommate’s door and knocked loudly.  She was in school full time as well as working at the same place as I after school. I told her through the door, “Momo… I don’t think you’re going to have school today. I think we are being attacked”… A usual quiet and peaceful person who enjoys her beauty sleep was quickly up standing beside me in our Lodi apartment living room staring as well in disbelief of what she was witnessing.  That was the longest day… quietest day I’d experienced in my life. I was a person 3000 miles away in the Central Valley of California overwhelmed with sadness and grief. Imagine… I was one person, an American, walking around shocked, no way directly linked to any of the victims in NYC, Washington DC, or on Flight 93, I can’t come close to grasping or ever truly relate to the shock and despair being experienced by those living and surviving surrounding the sites of destruction.

Yet… In essence, I too mourn the loss of my fellow Americans. We all carry an unwavering outlook and perseverance.  We became US citizens because our ancestors immigrated to the land of opportunity, a country built upon the principles of building upon a legacy of giving the future a better life.  Even with our flaws, our growing pains (we aren’t even 300 years old, as a country), there is no place on earth like United States of America.  Not to be cliché, it’s just a matter of fact, no act or person will snuff our human spirit, or destroy our democracy.  You can destroy our buidings, you can burn our symbols of freedom, you can try and sabotage us with suicide and cowardly roadside bombs. We will get up; we will dust the debris off, clean up the mess, and go forward.  Although we debate or may have different avenues of reaching the same result, our core remains in tact and we share the same pursuits- protect and provide for our loved ones… help those less fortunate… strive for happiness… live in peace…

As our nation mourned in the days ensuing September 11, there was a question raised amongst the rescue workers, the NYPD and the FDNY among others on what would make them feel better, and the one reply echoed thousands of times over, “I can’t wait for Sunday, so I can just watch a football game”, “I look forward to watching some baseball, to help get my mind off the grief I see everyday”… Sports. Seeing athletes perform feats and play a game we all dreamed about playing ourselves was an escape and visual treat lifting our spirits when needed most.  It was truly fitting that New York Yankees made it to the World Series. I’ve heard my share about the frivolity of sports; with that, like our American spirit, I smile, shrug off the crass comments, and reply, “Well, if you understood what it means to be a professional athlete, you too would marvel”…

With that said, I bring a few of the touching stories of those lost on 9/11… many of them, were athletes or linked to sports in some way (You may want to grab some kleenex):

MLB’s tribute:

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/tribute_911/index.jsp?partnerId=aw-8251906157979320886-997

Len Berman “Mr. New York” on Sports- His memory:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpuBw4h-bBA&feature=email

Rick Reilly and tribute remembering Flight 93:

http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/6935757/remembering-flight-93

A young avid cyclist honoring her dad whom died on 9/11:

http://espn.go.com/espnw/journeys-victories/6944280/cecelia-kauth-marking-memories-mile

The man with the Red Bandana:

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6929979

Finally, a Christina Taylor Green, born on 9/11/2001 who died last year during an attack of her Congresswoman, whom she went to meet and speak with in Arizona:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1gYsjZ8fqo

Fantasy Dreams

Back in 1984, two men decided to publish rules, scoring, and drafting information regarding an up and coming sports fan hobby.  Tom Kane Jr. and Cliff Charpentier produced “1984 Fantasy Football Digest”.  They may not have been the original creators of fantasy football, yet they capitalized on what is now an annual Fall ritual taking place across millions of pubs, family rooms, and cubicles in the USA.  The average fantasy player spends $150 annually. A whole new journalism category was hatched at the beginning of the millennium to report on an industry literally exploding out of its tights in popularity. Sporting networks now provide code writers, websites, and expert analysts dedicated to assisting fantasy leagues across the nation in drafts, player moves, and statistics. Serious players exchange serious money, bragging rights, as well as trophies displaying supremacy of football knowledge.  

The greatness of fantasy sports is that anyone can play.  From Jennifer Garner edging out other stars etched along Hollywood Boulevard, to that sweet unsuspecting grandmother next door growing the best hot house tomatoes and zucchini that have ever landed at the dinner table, any given Joe Schmoe you see walking down the street may be that unassuming fantasy game whisperer.  No one needs to spend hours on end in the gym or field building the body of Patrick Willis (although I pass a fair warning you might lose countless hours reading reports, and listening to experts assisting in creating the “Trophy” draft list); you’re allowed at least 120 seconds to sprint to the bathroom or run for another Heini Light in between picks; and there are no risks of concussions or dislocated joints scrolling over the “Select Player” key  when that Sleeper RB (that’s for running back) you’ve been pining, is up for grabs.  

Through practically 30 years, fantasy games have evolved to give players choices of scoring opportunities and league match up choices. It’s a game that has tantalized the fairest weather fan in to paying attention to even a 1-15 team. The beauty of performance amongst fantasy athletes is the team doesn’t necessarily have to win for a picked player to create points towards any gamer’s win.  For example, Eli Manning. The NY Giants missed making the playoffs last year. For any NY Giants fan, that sucks. But, Eli passed for over 4000 yards and 31 touchdowns, second only to Tom Brady. When one participates in a league where there are bonus points up for 300+ yd passing games, receptions made, and touchdowns, you are looking at a lot of points produced by just one player.  The advancement of online technology has made player tracking and team building quick and layman friendly.  Of course, there are those insane players that spend as much time on fantasy games as they clock in the office. You can go crazy and become dizzy from all the opinions and views shared on every sport and player. I play for fun and compete against my skill set and opinion. Sometimes (well maybe more than I wish to admit) I get it wrong, or miss that one glory moment by placing a player on the bench that ends up turning in a career day (e.g. I had Dallas Braden as one of my pitchers last year, and..-cough, uh-hum- forgot to take him off the bench on Mother's Day... he pitched a Perfect Game!); and then there are moments where I beat the paid experts and geeks that spent months building their team of choice! (definitely savor those) My advice is to enjoy fantasy! If you do great, awesome! If you end up at the bottom, absorb the experience and go get em’ next Season!   

As I was reviewing players for 2011 drafts, I began humming “Favorite Things”… You know! That cute song Julie Andrews sings in “Sound of Music” during the storm and the kids all come in her bedroom? And I thought like Dr. Gru (Despicable Me… yes I keep the kid inside alive), “Light Bulb!”… Why not create a quaint cover (in the spirit of Weird Al) to the melody of “Favorite Things” related to none other, Fantasy Fall Season!  Thus for fun (that’s what it’s all about, right?)… Enjoy!

Fantasy Dreams

Lock out is  over  and Free Agents Signing

Kolb goes to Cardinals and Chris Johnson Whining

Plaxico Burress signs with the Jets

Hope this don’t bring… fantasy regrets…

Bush in Miami… Hightower to Redskins

Dan Thomas a Dark Horse… Aaron Rodgers a sure thing  

The Panthers are hoping Cam Newton is key…

To bringing them back to a playoff spree            

When you pick 6^th… in the snake draft…

Don’t let that keep you frowned…

Just stick to your power ranks, the sleepers, and lists!

And you will find… Fantasy Bliss!  

THOR...

2011 Hollywood introduced the world to the god of thunder, Thor.   Blazing the cobblestones and winding roads across the Alps in and out of France this July, is that thunderous hero transformed as the dual weapon phenom from Norway, Thor Hushovd.  Thor Hushovd is the reigning World Champion, and was one of three cyclists vying for Sprint Jersey at the 2010 Tour de France, that was decided on the final day circling the Champs Elysees.  Alessandro Petacchi of Italy just edged out Thor.  Since July 25, 2010, there’s been a few shake downs amongst teams (to say the least), that has the thunderous hammer of Norway dreaming of yellow. During Cycling’s off season, one of USA’s power teams decided to muscle up and not only contend for the team title at 2011 Le Tour de France,  but lay claim a jersey or two come Podium time in Paris on July 25.  Team Garmin, managed by geek sheek cycling genius Jonathan Vaughters gobbled up Switzerland’s Cervelo Test Team.  With that acquisition, Garmin gained the likes of Thor Hushovd and Gabriel Rasch of Norway. Hushovd has joined Tyler Farrar, Daniel Martin, David Millar, David Zabriskie, Christian Vande Velde, and Tom Danielson as well as two others to create a team with the strength to contend in almost all Jersey categories – GC, mountain, and sprint; of course, last but not least, a team title.

The 4^th of July brings the 3^rd stage of 22, in the most grueling competition known to man, Le Tour de France.  It’s in it’s 101^st year of competition and there are fireworks yet to be seen as the race progresses out of the sprinter days ascending in to the Alps.  Crashes, early stage courses, and a blistering team time trial, have brought surprises, and a beaming  thunderous Thor to the forefront as Le Tour’s possible favorite to remain in yellow.  Garmin-Cervelo’s team time trial win secured the yellow jersey to Thor by less than a second over teammate Millar.  In stage 3, on the road to Brittany, it was fitting to see Thor as one of the set up men to carve a sprinter win for American teammate Tyler Farrar.  It seems as if Vaughters has managed to create a golden team, so far appearing untouchable.  Thus, I must remind myself, it’s day 3.  As bright and refreshing Thor, Tyler, and Vaughters has been shifting attention over to an American team contending in the early days of Le Tour, what would cycling’s greatest stage be without drama and controversy?

Cycling fans had a front row seat last year to a break out and heated rivalry between Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck. Forget about Team Ed or Jacob, that’s kids’ stuff compared to the mano e mano stare downs that took place during the grueling climbs on the 2010 Tour.  A pouting Andy Schleck had the misfortune of a derailed chain on a climb where he was in front and Contador was fading. Needless to say, Contador jumped at the opportunity to gain time at an unfortunate equipment malfunction.  Schleck lost the GC by 39 seconds, and sorely looked at his miniscule 2^nd place plaque.  Schleck made it clear he was out to get what he felt was rightfully his (the yellow jersey in Paris, the GC) in 2011.  Moves in the offseason have created drama within drama  during the 2011 Le Tour de France. Andy Schleck and brother Frank left Team Saxo Bank to create their own team, Trek Leopard. The Saxo Bank domestiques were faithful and most followed the Schlecks to create a fresh contending team on the cycling tour season. Crazier, was the move of Contador leaving Astana and taking over Team Saxo Bank and taking with him the Spaniards from the dismantled Cervelo Test Team. On top of all the off cycling season team moves, was the revelation that Contador tested positive for a banned substance the day before his attack on Schleck when he lost his chain. He eventually was cleared (for the time being as the IPO files an appeal to ban him… he can ride with the risk of having every title he won  in 2010 and 2011 stripped if they side against the grievance- which would so far  be 3,  the most stripped from one rider) and is  chomping at the bit to prove his muster against Andy Schleck. So much so, Contador has been heard expressing that he has a “personal” mission to defeat  his  nemisis, Schleck. 

Unfortunately, I believe kharma is  biting Contador in the butt  pads.  During the stage 1 race, Contador was caught in a crash in the middle of the Pelaton, which cost him  1:42.  On top of that, the team time trial result of stage 2, cost him another 10 seconds. All together, Contador is down almost 2 minutes  with 20 days to go! 2 minutes is almost an insurmountable amount of time to make up, even being a mountain rider, and Schleck’s questionable durability (with poor showings in Tour of California, and Tour de Suisse), two minutes is huge in a competition where seconds count. 

The bigger story has been the amazing break out performances seen in the early stages. The sprint points for the Green Jersey have been adjusted for the 2011 Tour de France.  Personally, I believe the true Sprinters among spectators feel they are being jipped by the adjustment. The break out riders tend to gain more of these points versus the true sprinters, such as Cavendish, Farrar, and Franchelli.  Currently, Phillipe Gilbert is in Green. Hopefully Jerseys will all work out in the end. It is a 3 week torture-on-two-wheels fest of a competition. As we break out of the first week leading in to the Mountains, stories, leaders, and jerseys will change among riders.  Another angle that has unfortunately found a way in to the spotlight are wincing crashes.  The course, spectators, and obstacles such as cars, motorbikes, and road hazards have affected favorites and breakaway feats all the same.  My dear friend and cycling enthusiast as much or more as I, has suggested Le Tour to contract German Polici, and “Nothing would go wrong, or else!”… Hmmmmm… French talking with Germans… Yeah, Okay! (in what world?)  Regardless, it’s been an exciting and surprising first week of Le Tour.  Quite honestly, for the first time in oh… years… the yellow jersey literally is up for grabs.  I cannot think of a  better year to convert more fair weather sports fans on to the greatest race in the World!  I look forward to amazing revelations as the Tour sets its sights upward to the Mountains. Do not sleep on And Schleck and Team Trek Leopard; they’ve quietly kept out of crashes and in front of peloton.  Vive Le Tour de France!

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22825103/vp/43702680#43702680

I urge you to watch highlights! You will get hooked!

This last week USA celebrated it’s independence on 4^th of July and it has brought me to share a couple examples of GREAT leaders, as well as what should be prime examples of how Americans should be defined:

ESPNU hosted two of the greatest coaching mentors of my time, Coach Joe Paterno of Penn State, and Coach Mike Krzyzewski of Duke. These two legends give us bits of what it means to mentor and pass on the skills for success as a human and participant in our demanding lives.

http://www.espnmediazone3.com/us/2011/06/28/difference-makers-life-lessons-with-paterno-krzyzewski-airs-june-30/

  

United States Women’s Soccer (football to the rest of the world) team pulled off one of the most amazing feats EVER played on a pitch (men or women) versus Brazil, where they were down a player and overcame mind bending referee calls that most Americans (as well as spectators around the globe) are still scratching their heads over! USWNT  equaled in the last seconds of extra time a goal deficit to come back an defeat Brazil in Penalty Kicks! If you missed it, watch the highlights! This team is the heartbeat and physical example of the American spirit….

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6754695

Dating an Italian, and just being a FAN… This was one of the BEST (if not the best) matches I’ve seen EVER! Not only was the US squad at a deficit with almost a half to play, they outplayed a power house “football” country, Brazil! 

Speaking of Brazil, I along with many others noticed on the Brazilian kit they displayed the stars representing  the World Cup wins from the men’s team (Brazil women, crazy enough, have never won a World Cup title). I thought, “Well, if the women can display the Men’s titles on their jersey, why not the US men displaying two stars for the US women’s titles? You can even make them pink! Needless to say, double standard applies… I gave it a shot!  Women are on the verge  for star number 3! USA!