List of Demands

Did you hear the NFL lockout is over?

The most nauseating and pointless lead story for the past two weeks...three weeks...month...four months finally came to an end.  But don't worry - when you wake up tomorrow, you'll hear about free agents and 10-year CBA marriages and shortened training camp workloads and Brett Favre.  I have a migraine just imaging the speculation and impending chaos.  You might be lured to the stories of Albert Haynesworth and OchoCinco joining the Patriots or the drama that is "where will Kyle Orton end up," but it's just offseason fodder and fools gold.

September 8th can't get here fast enough.

I haven't spoken to anyone of my friends or family that has cared about the lockout.  In fact, I wrote my buddy Robby back on March 12th to ask if I should cancel my Sunday Ticket.  His exact response: they'll get a deal done...cancel nothing. 

There wasn't a fan in their right mind that thought we'd lose football the way we lost a World Series or an entire NHL season. The NFL's imminent start was just that, and fans were just bludgeoned during the news cycle like a dusty carpet with a stain on it. Those dozens of people that followed the lockout, I would imagine, are overjoyed that free agency is here. The rest of us can at least start watching players in pads push each other around instead of hopping off a bus and hold a briefcase on their way out of a revolving door.

Doesn't it make you just a little upset, though, when the players and owners mention "getting a deal done for the fans" or "now the fans can enjoy football" or "it's all about the fans."  Really?  All about us...awesome.  Football is back?  I'm sorry - did someone lose it? 

I'm glad the game is about the fans.  If this really is the case, Mr. Commissioner and Mr. Dee Smith, why not take action to make the game better for the fans.  Here are five simple demands that we the fans have for the next 10 years:

1) Please lock the league out after every draft and don't open shop until July 25th.  You can make it a national holiday of sorts.  Since the players have negotiated an ultra-sensitive practice limitation workload and since players have whined and lobbied for fewer team-run offseason workouts, then please do us all the favor of not getting in our way for a good three months.  You've proven you can negotiate terms for labor peace in five days, even though you were allotted five months.

2) No Thursday Night Football.  You are not bringing more exposure to the most popular sports league by shoving it on a cable package that few households own and relegating those households to enjoy 49ers at Seahawks.  Save Thursdays for Opening Night, Thanksgiving, maybe a Thursday special in December, but nothing more.

3) Expand the playoffs by one team.  Home field advantage is not the prize it once was (see 2010 Green Bay Packers, 2007 NY Giants, 2006 Pittsburgh Steelers.)  Players crave time off and more money.  Give the number one seed the luxury of the only bye week in the conference playoffs and have seeds 2 through 7 duke it out with Saturday and Sunday tripleheaders!  More games on television means more revenue and more playoff bonuses.

4) Free Parking.  Yes, it sounds a bit crazy and near impossible.  But try it for a couple games and watch what happens.  Your stadium experience will immediately be improved when fans start their game day ritual without having to worry about dropping $30 for parking.  Attendance will improve, fans will be rowdier, and season-ticket waiting lists will become special, again.  It's a small gesture to the fans that, no longer how poorly or wonderfully your team is playing, we want you here.

5) Please fix overtime.  My plan - (1) 10-minute overtime quarter - play the entire 10 minutes with regular rules.  If the game is tied after the 10-minute overtime, the team with the ball retains the ball, but must begin on their own 30-yard line.  Now the game is sudden death - no clock needed.  The coin toss no longer decides most of the outcome, it eliminates any tie games, it places value on overtime in the regular season, and it rewards teams for keeping possession of the football, not just lining-up for a field goal.

I doubt any of these will happen, but if the league were truly devoted to the fan experience, including more play on the field without expanding the schedule to 18 games, it will consider alternative ways to make its product better without watering it down. 

Here's hoping we don't have to suffer through another NFL offseason like 2011.  If we do, I don't think the masses will be as quick to embrace the league like we are currently.  Maybe Goddell and others will take the necessary steps to make the product for the fans better rather than posturing through the business of the league.

Don't you dare...

(Feelin' Good) x 12

How about those British Open picks I made on Wednesday: Jason Day ... +9, tied for 30th
Mahan, Quiros, Karlsson ... cut

Hey, it's not like the answer was right under my nose.  Like the rest of the planet, no one had Darren Clarke winning the Open Championship this weekend.  Sure there were other dynamic names racing up the leaderboard in pursuit of the title. As the wind howled and took it's turn on stage with rain, fog and sun, Thomas Bjorn caved on Friday, Chad Campbell croaked on Saturday, Dustin Johnson crumbled on Sunday, and Phil Mickelson tickled our imagination for 10 holes before returning to Planet Phil on Sunday's final eight. Clarke, native to the elements and refreshed with perspective, was the only entrant to fire four rounds at or under par. Seems like a rather simple formula for success, no matter who thinks you can win or not.

Clarke's is a story of tremendous triumph that we can play over and over if we wanted to teach lessons in fortitude, fundamentals and functionality.  There has been one exquisite piece after another about his capture of the Claret Jug in the cacophony of weather in Sandwich and how Northern Ireland is now the epicenter to the game of golf.  Or is that just to story we crave?

Here's a little quiz for yourself as you ponder how awesome it must be to win a golf tournament: Can you recite the last 12 major champion winners in the game of golf (preferably in order, please?)  If the answer is yes, what do you notice about these dozen names?
1) None of them are repeated.
2) None of them are named Tiger.

We have spanned three full calendar years witnessing some of the best golf in the world from many of the games up-and-comers.  Some have been thickened with drama (Stewart Cink's '09 British Open title) and others have been runaway clinics (Rory McIlroy's US Open stranglehold in June.)  All have been coated with a story of the individual that, if it doesn't tug at the heart a bit, it at least teaches us the foundation for that man's success.

So now we are left to make this fundamental decision: is this what we want?  Matt Crispino - good friend, future frequent reference and sidekick for the weekend - and I debated many sports topics that ranged from Jay Cutler's legacy to Syracuse Orange fans IQ to whether Hartford Whaler fans should be Carolina Hurricane fans.  Crispino stumped me with this query: What golfers do I root against?

I could not think of any.

So many of the stories that have garnered my attention are worth rooting for.  I would imagine there's plenty of ego, wealth and circumstance that all successful professional golfers possess that may be tagged unattractive, unpopular or uninspiring.  I enjoy the theatre that unfolds on the back nine of any golf tournament and further enjoy the recipe for that player's ascension.  Certainly it's heightened in major championships and tournaments with slightly higher stakes, like the Players Championships, the Accenture Match-Play and the Ryder Cup.  Winners accelerate their level of focus and execution; let's hear how it happened.

Now that Woods is not in the picture - and will stay that way until he wins something - more golfers are taking the bull by the horns, even if the bull is resting passively in his stable.  I enjoy it.  The field is wide open.  But most casual fans want to latch-on to a story or rivalry, eager and hopeful McIlroy and/or Mickelson win 10 more times this year.

Darren Clarke's victory, close to his 43rd birthday, at 150 to 1 odds, an afterthought to his countrymen's charge up the rankings, is just what golf needs.  The twelve most recent major champions have stamped their names on trophies and in history books as it becomes more and more challenging to prognosticate the champ. 

Here's hoping we can make it 13 in a row one month from now.

Bold Prediction Wednesday

I was fully prepared to give you a score-by-score breakdown of who I thought was going to win the British Open and two players that I think will finish in the top 10 this weekend at Royal St. George. 


A new story, though, has taken away some of that thunder, so I'll just tell you who I believe will have a good showing in the English town of Sandwich:


Winner: Jason Day
Top-10 Finishers: Alvaro Quiros, Hunter Mahan, Robert Karlsson

While driving home today, radio reports on the different outlets had James Harrison in the news for critical comments he made about Roger Goddell in the August issue of Men's Journal.  By the way, doesn't the name 'Men's Journal' sound like something I would carry in my satchel to record my rendezvous with Richard Gere?  This is not a shock.  No one on the players side of the negotiations probably thinks fondly of Mr. Goddell.  After all, Goddell is meant to be the impartial face of the league, but in these negotiations, he has become the face of the owners.

I did enjoy the part about Harrison referring to Goddell as both a puppet and a dictator.  I will detail on what platform the words "puppet" and "dictator," are used simultaneously, unless Harrison told Men's Journal something like, "Goddell acts like a dictator to the players.  Do you like this hand puppet I made?"

Harrison took the time, though, to criticize Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers quarterback who has made plenty of bad decisions in his life.  Rashard Mendenhall also could not escape Harrison's blame, calling him a "fumble machine." 

Mendenhall responded with, "I don't have a problem with what [Harrison] said because I know him."

OK, glad that's settled.

Roethlisberger is a different matter.  Here is a list of people that don't care for Ben Roethlisberger:
* the AFC North
* Georgia and Nevada
* all women sans fiance (Additionally, checkout the intense reporting here by James Walker - thanks James.)

Teammates should not make that list.  Teammates have disagreements and we as fans should have learned by now, those players should settle their own matters privately.  Roethlisberger has already had his captaincy rightfully removed from his list of responsibilities.  Whatever Ben's problems were off the field, he's looked to remedy them.  On the field, he has been nothing less then a great player, no matter what you think of his character.

It's difficult to pinpoint what Harrison's motives are for making these comments - as well as the possible questions the reporter conjured to get such abrasive remarks.  For now, the NFL really can't react to these comments with the labor bickering still ongoing.  It does create some fodder for a day or two about how crazy Harrison is, how the Steelers gave Green Bay three touchdowns and how Goddell is an evil super-genius.

The lockout, however, will end.  I'm not sure what the commissioner will do because Harrison is, after all, just ranting and hasn't committed a crime except for first degree hurt feelings. However, I have an idea what Mike Tomlin and Art Rooney II might be looking to do.

Harrison will be 33 this year and is under contract by the Steelers through 2012 with options through 2014.  He, like Roethlisberger, is a valuable member to the Steelers, but at what point does the verbal baggage finally stop?  Steelers fans have their varying opinions on both men, whether to discard them or offer forgiveness, but both are undeniably top talents at their profession

Tomlin and Rooney are going to meet with Harrison about his comments and get to the bottom of his angst.  At the end of the day, I can see Tomlin and Rooney giving Harrison the choice of how he wishes to proceed:
* Contribute to the team at come to us with your problems
* Leave

I think Harrison, when he weighs his options, will ask for a new team.  It's not going to be something the organization wants, just like they don't want Hines Ward drinking and driving, Santonio Holmes getting high, Mendenhall damning bin Laden haters, or Roethlisberger in Georgia dive bars.  Tomlin and Rooney are not reactive to these many mishaps, just like they won't succumb to media and fan scrutiny at the drop of a hat.  But after weighing the facts of the case and advocating for what's best for the team, they will attempt to trade Harrison and he will not be in a Steelers uniform when they tee it up this season.

The sad irony is the two guys largely responsible for winning Super Bowl XLIII will be exiled unceremoniously.  I hope Harrison decides to take the upstanding path and meets with the team, Mendenhall and Roethlisberger.  I just don't think it's in his nature.

How I'd Fix the All-Star Game

I vividly remember attending the 1994 MLB All-Star game - arguably one of the greatest and most dramatic all-star contests in the game's history.

Three Rivers Stadium and it's cookie-cutter artificial turf laden backdrop served as the perfect stage for this 13-year old and his dad.  The excitement of seeing all of the best players together in one showcase was more than I could have imagined, even if we were in right field up against the foul pole.  The joy of hearing Carlos Garcia's name as the lone Pirate and looking at all of the banners with the players names scripted horizontally across the stadium levels brought a real sense of majesty to the event.  Hearing the chorus of boos as Barry Bonds and Doug Drabek were announced and finally getting to watch Ken Griffey Jr., Kirby Puckett and Paul Molitor for the first time brought addition pageantry that I never experienced with any other contest.  It was very special.

True baseball fans have an interest in the Midsummer Night's Classic, even if that fan doesn't get the opportunity to have "their" player inserted into the line-up.  When else would I hope for Fred McGriff to do well in a game (it should be noted that McGriff and maybe Vinny Castilla on good days are the only Atlanta Braves I had any respect for - obviously for no good reason.)  We didn't need a "this game counts" or "let's win it so the Red Sox can have home-field in the World Series."

Unfortuneately, more television exposure, interleague contests, and free agency have all made baseball a better product at the cost of watering down the All-Star game.  It's still fun for me just how it is, but not everyone is programmed to win a game just to say he won a game.

And since there MUST be an incentive for everything we do and we can't function on the premise of autonomy, mastery and purpose, here's a blueprint for how to fix the Midsummer Night's Classic:

1) Each team has 30 players.  Wouldn't this following sequence be nice for Little Leaguers and travel baseball squads?  "Timmy, we'd like you to join the Springfield Little League All-Stars...but only because Kevin, Jake, Peter, Carlos, Kevin B., Sampson, all the kids on Main Street and Rodrigo said they weren't up for it.  Whatta ya say?"

Timmy is not an all-star and, the best part is, Timmy knows it.  We shouldn't add more all-stars to the gaem two days before it takes place; that's not fair to the players or the fans.  Fans elect the starting nine.  Ballots open Memorial Day weekend and close on July 4.  That leaves 21 spots: 8 back-up position players and 13 pitchers - or however you'd like to organize it.  But how would you choose the reserves and pitchers?

2) Hall of Fame Captains.  Take the burden of the managers - who run their teams and organizations on a 24-hour cycle - and off any captains that are currently in the League.  If you want to continue to honor the game's tradition and the players that made it so special, don't just parade them on the field.  Have the captains chosen - like Ryder Cup captains - during spring training and they can acutely following the first 90 games of the baseball season to determine the All-Stars.

Could you imagine if you're a major leaguer and Hank Aaron or Joe Morgan or Cal Ripken calls you and asks you to be on your league's all-star team?  Even the wealthiest of players would find that memorable.

3) Not every team is represented.  As a Pirate fan, I am still incredibly embarrassed that Mike Williams was an All-Star in 2003.  Not only was he terrible, he was a clubhouse cancer.  Mr. Commissioner might think it is great for baseball to have all 30 organizations on the field, but the honor of knowing that you're an All-Star and not just an "everybody gets a trophy all-star" has real merit.  The players and fans know it, too.

4) Play the game on Wednesday.  No other All-Star game plays their exhibition two days after their season takes a break.  Most teams in the NBA and NHL have four days off between games (Wednesday through Sunday) and then continue league business on the following Tuesday.  That's a real break - now it's more of a pit stop.  Put the Future's Game and Celebrity Softball on Monday - start the "Fastest Man Around the Bases Competition - Individual and Relay" as well as the Home Run Derby on Tuesday - play the game on Wednesday - break down and travel on Thursday.

Now that we've solved some house cleaning problems, let's get to the heart of the matter: Is this just an exhibition or are their stakes?  Here's how I see it:

a) Very soon, Major League Baseball will be realigning, most likely with 15 teams in each league (I propose we contract Atlanta and the Mets, but that's unlikely.)  With the realignment, there will be an interleague contest every series.

Every final weekend in August will be the only stretch of three days on the MLB calendar where all games will be interleague (it's possible, I did the breakdown.)  The league that wins the All Star game gets this series at home.  The season schedule would continue to be announced at it's normal winter date, but the American Interleague Weekend would either be in all NL parks or AL parks.

b) The winning league can have a 33-man roster for next year's all-star game.

c) Each All-Star captain selects a charity for that league.  All of the "charity jackpot" would go to that elected organization.

The great thing about baseball's All-Star game, no matter what the stakes might be, is that players will continue to put on a show without looking like they aren't trying.  It's a terrific exhibition that I will continue to follow and hope that, as the game evolves, everyone elected or invited has earned the honor and understands its value to the history of the game.   

If It Smells Like a Rat...

If you committed several misdemeanors in your life, but were told how great you were at your job, you'd probably think you could get away with an unlawful transgression here or there.  Eventually, the thrill of being superior to the law may catch up with you and your misdemeanors morph into more egregious crime.  You might even get caught from time to time, but that doesn't stop you.  You seek another opportunity at your craft.  Nothing provides this thrill; you can't walk away.

Bruce Pearl is such a criminal.  Outrageous you say?  Please be advised of the following: 

Pearl admitted lying to NCAA investigators when they were looking into possible recruiting violations made by the Tennessee coaching staff.  (Okay, not that uncommon.)

Pearl and his coaches piled-up 10 major violations, including an unethical conduct charge against the coach.  (That's not good.)

When asked by investigators where a photo of Pearl and two recruits -- high school juniors -- was taken, Pearl told them he didn't know the location. The photo turned out to be taken during a barbeque at Pearl's home. (Offensive and hilarious)

However, by the time you are done reading this column, Pearl will continue making his $948,728 through June 2012.  That's slightly more serious than a reckless driving fine, wouldn't you say?  He's been dismissed by an school that put faith in him to shine relevance on a program overshadowed by football and the women's team that claim the same gym floor, appropriately titled "The Summit." 

Tennessee sits cowering as an SEC afterthought and now, Pearl wants your school's money, too.

It's not fair to say Pearl has had this "criminal" track record for his entire coaching career.  Much like most college basketball coaches, Pearl spent time as an assistant and at Division II Southern Indiana, accrued accolades and wins until his first Division I gig at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  He was great there, too, taking the Panthers to two NCAA tournaments and making the team a staple at the top of the very competitive Horizon League.

Tenneessee came a'callin once Pearl's persona and flare became no match for little Milwaukee.

Cash and clamour make Pearl who he is, certainly not loyalty and ethics or even good, fundamental coaching.  Pearl is in our short-term memory as a Volunteer, but his time as an Illinois and Iowa assistant ruined coaching ties with the people he worked with.  He didn't have to settle for Southern Indiana or Milwaukee - he was relegated there because he flaunted over himself so much and made enemies with his ego.  He quickly spotted teams and schools in need of some chatter and glitz and he turned their programs around as soon as he stepped foot on their campus.

Pearl knows EXACTLY what he's doing.  It only takes one desperate athletic director looking for attention for their school to give Pearl a call.  And we all know he won't work for free...

Be advised, respective ADs and university presidents: you risk selling your soul to get one or two reversals of fortunes on the hardwood only to have Pearl and his track record jettison you for a better opportunity or a safer hiding spot.  If you want a coach that loses to Michigan by 30 points during the biggest game of your season, he's got his phone handy.  Michigan was an above-average team in a power conference, but 30 points?  Tennessee had some good wins in his six years in Knoxville, but even the most diehard Volunteer fans were appalled by his boisterous sideline tirades and lack of preparation for their opponents.  His charm in his first three seasons evolved into static and lack of organization in his latter three.

Now Pearl wants another chance, but without the intense therapy and jail sentence most criminals have to endure.  It's sad to think he will probably get that chance.  Bob Huggins, Larry Eustachy and Todd Bozeman are all great coaching stories of redemption, each propelling their lives in direction that helps young people succeed and make institutions look good in the faith each placed  in them.

For the right price, this man can be the face of your university.

Pearl is different.  Pearl's sense of entitlement and arrogant approach to his craft scream of another major violation just waiting to happen.  In retrospect, Pearl has robbed his former employer of close to $1 million and took a month's vacation during the apex of competition this past season.  If this is what you want leading your school, Pearl is standing by.

An Eye for a Tooth

Quick - name the thirteen teams Ohio State beat last season during their 12-1 romp through a watered-down Big Ten and a putrid out-of-conference slate...

How did you do?  You may have gotten a half or most of the team based of your knowledge of the Big Ten.  And with up-and-coming programs like Marshall, Ohio and Eastern Michigan on every one's radar, these stellar match-ups probably produced the epic kind of entertainment that college football fans salivate over.

Today Ohio State proclaimed its vacating their wins from the 2010 football season, including its share of the Big Ten championship and the Buckeyes' victory over Arkansas in the 2011 Sugar Bowl.  Responding to the NCAA's investigation of a memorabilia-for-cash scandal that cost former coach Jim Tressel his job star quarterback Terrelle Pryor his place in school history, the university also said Friday it is waiving a $250,000 fine imposed on Tressel and changing his resignation to a retirement. The move contradicts a comment university president Gordon Gee made last month when he said Tressel "will pay the fine."  The ex-Buckeyes coach is taking responsibility for the NCAA inquiry, which developed after it was learned Tressel failed to report players receiving improper benefits. Tressel will also attend Ohio State's Aug. 12 hearing before the NCAA infractions committee, which is Judgment Day for Buckeye Nation.

The university also is putting the football program on probation for two years with harsher punishments probably on the horizon.

It certainly is difficult to impose self-imposed actions, but if you take away victories from games already played, what are you really accomplishing?  It doesn't help the Buckeye cause - at least in the eyes of the public - that the arrogant Gee made his university seem superior to the common man's college when he called Boise State "small potatoes." He thumbed his nose at most of college football, claiming supreme entitlement for big pay days and superior intelligence in the field of working the system.
Didn't Ohio State already pocket the money from ticket sales, memorabilia, television revenue as well as the benefit of showcasing your product to NFL scouts and potential recruits during this "lost" 2010 season?  Does anyone in Ann Arbor or East Lansing or Fayetteville feel greater satisfaction knowing they lost to a team but are now being told the team didn't exist? I can forfeit the flag football championship that my team won in college on the premise that we should have been studying, but does that really take away from who was the better team on that night?

If you want some retribution, payback or self-imposed action, try doing this:
* Right now, Ohio State is tabbed for three out-of-conference home games against Akron on September 3, Toledo on September 10th and Colorado on September 24th.  Have the institutions and the NCAA involve themselves to make each of these Ohio State home games changed into road games. 

Initially, this might be a logistical headache for Akron, Toledo and Boulder.  However, I think it's as fair of a proposal as any prescribed for the following reasons:
1) You don't punish the current Buckeye players by taking a possible post-season bid away.  You merely relocate them to a more advantageous venue for their opponent.  That's how you level the playing field - not by taking away two scholarships.
2) You punish the city of Columbus and the university where it matters most - their pockets.  All three of these schools would benefit tremendously from the increase in revenue when such a high-profile school visits.  Ohio State loses three opportunities for money, and that hurts everyone.  If you want to get the community to turn against you, take away some of their money and watch what happens.
3) These "road" games are not going to be as hostle since most Buckeye fans will travel to any destination to watch their precious team take the gridiron.



Imagine this face in your town...and Brutus, too...

 I'm not going to say my idea is the best alternative for self-imposed sanctions.  I do know that any change to the current system would be a better one.  I will be watching with interest when August 12th arrives.  Having no real passion for or against Ohio State, I'm curious to see how the NCAA handles such a large violation to such a large program.  If taking away games that were already played seems fair to the committee, that would be unfortunate.

Bold Prediction Wednesday

There are two things that I need major improvement on (actually there are 222 things, but the other 220 we'll save for another entry:)

1) Staying on schedule
2) Taking risks

In order to cut this list down, I plan to have one column per week fixated to a theme.

For we sports fans, it's very easy to criticize our sports authorities or pipelines on predictions that each make.  Most of them I find to be dull and pedestrian - like "I think the Patriots will take the AFC East" or "I like the Lakers to win a lot of games."  In lieu of such boring prognostication, I've come up with Bold Prediction Wednesdays. The goal is to be correct, but to attempt to be accurate with a some statistics, trending and even a little bias.  And since none of the days of the week begin with 'B' or 'P,' we'll go with Bold Prediction Wednesday - or BPW.  And, please, if anyone has a better title for this segment, all suggestions are welcomed.

Our first installment looks at baseball.  It's clear there is greater parity in baseball in the last five years than in the five preceding 2006 and the five preceding 2001.  Going into play today, there are 17 TEAMS within 5 games of the division lead and two others - Colorado and Minnesota - who are probably going to make a serious run at their respective divisions.  There is not as much fear in facing bigger, badder teams (unless you playing in Philadelphia against Halladay or Lee at night - that's fear.)  The better teams are still good, but they dont' have the dominance they once possessed earlier in the century.

One team that has looked consistent, if not semi-dominant are the Yankees, who have somehow managed to piecemeal together a formidable batting order for the first time since 2010.  They lead the Majors in runs, home runs, walks and slugging percentage and are second in a handful of other offensive categories.  The leader of this offensive juggernaut this summer has not been Alex Rodriguez, Mark Texiera or Robinson Cano - although each are have terrific first halves to 2011.  Curtis Granderson has been the surprise and sensational combination of speed and power the Yankees could not have expected when they got him in Pinstripes last season.  Granderson leads the Bombers in runs, total bases, on-base percentage and stolen bases and is tied for the team lead with 25 home runs - an incredible boost for an already explosive lineup.

The pitching has not been too bad, either.  CC Sabathia has led the team with an non-All-Star, All-Star like season: 12 wins, 2.90 ERA, 117 Ks, and a 1.20 WHIP.  His surprise supporting cast of Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon and Ivan Nova (as well as AJ Burnett) have combined with Sabathia for a team ERA of 3.63 and 41 of the team's 51 victories.

The Yankees have so many offensive weapons that it's hard to even acquire a new piece at the trading deadline because there's really no room.  They'll find a bench player or a complementary fourth starter, but the team is largely in place for the duration of the season.  This is not to say there is a major problem, only a possible gumption to suffocate trade deadline talks like in previous Julys.

There are four things that I contend will factor into the Yankees success:

1) Sabathia can't do this by himself.  His innings per start are slightly over seven, which is almost 1/2 an inning more than his career average while his pitch count is up by over 14 pitches.  Many of his averages: ERA, WHIP, Ks have been maintained, but teams with good offensive threats are putting the ball in play and crossing the plate (Red Sox, Rangers, Blue Jays.)  Garcia and Colon haven't sustained success in a long time and the team already has low number of quality starts (46) compared the rest of the league.  Burnett is an absolute spazz and can throw a no-hitter or have trouble getting out of the first inning.  The bullpen has been decent, but Sabathia's work load will have to be maintained, or it's trouble for the middle relief.

2) Granderson can't keep this pace.  He's a traditional leadoff hitter who has altered many games in the Yankees favor this season with his home runs.  He'll continue to get on base and Texiera, Rodriguez and Cano will still threaten opponents, but can the Yanks continue to score five runs per game regularly?

3) Jeter, Posada and Rivera.  There's no reason to think Jeter will continue to professionally handle the critics while reaching base and being solid in the field.  Rivera is still a stud and Posada...well, Jeter and Rivera have been great.  These three know how to get the job done in the postseason, but how much of their efforts, if floundering, will hurt New York when they are entitled to their spot in the lineup?  They are up there in years, needing more medical attention and reliance on hard-nosed approaches rather than pure skill.  This leads us to...

4) 42 road games.  The Yanks will leave the All-Star break with a tough eight-game road trip against the Jays and Rays.  Practically their entire team will be in Arizona for the All-Star game and then will travel back across the country and then down to St. Petersburg.  They are the oldest team in the majors and the season will, inevitably, take its toll.

It's crazy to think the Yankees won't continue their brilliance, but I truly believe their recent successful June is a product of a favorable schedule, staying healthy, and avoiding their hated rivals.  They were 27-23 after dropping two games in Seattle and searching for answers.  They've turned the ship around, but how long will they keep this train rolling?  Therefore, my inaugural bold prediction will be the following:

The New York Yankees will fail to make the playoffs for the 2011 season.

Will the Bombers run out of gas?

Yes, it's crazy, highly unlikely and foolish on a number of levels.  Only time will tell, but I'll stick to my guns and see how the dog days affect the Empire. 

What To Do With Albert

On June 19th, St. Louis Cardinals superhero Albert Pujols Pujols homered in the bottom of the fifth inning after taking an up-and-in pitch from Royals reliever Louis Coleman. The go-ahead shot left Busch Stadium in under two seconds and put an electric charge into the capacity crowd.  After his blast, Pujols was sitting on eight home runs and 14 RBI in the 17 games he had played in June, including two memorable walk-off home runs against the Chicago Cubs on back-to-back games.

Yet, that energy was erased quickly in the top of the sixth when The Machine was dented.

The fracture sustained to Albert's left wrist silenced the fans of both teams.  It's been well-documented that Pujols' final year of his contract is this year.  If we are making a net worth of each of his limbs and appendages, I would probably price his left wrist somewhere around $3.7 million.

This is what Pujols can do and what he has done since donning a Redbird uniform.  He is the single strongest influence in any Major League lineup, and now is the single strongest influence when he is out of the lineup.  The doctors initial prognosis of 4-6 weeks would have left Albert out of the All-Star game and back into the Cardinals lineup, at best, around July 17th - four weeks from the fracturing.

Somehow, through the powers of the divine and the miracle of being misinformed, Pujols has been activated from the disabled list some 12-28 days ahead of schedule.  This news came to the public rather swiftly and the all-star first baseman was in the lineup for today's game against the Cincinnati Reds. 

Some fans and teammates might feel that Pujols recovery isn't that big of a deal since, after all, he is Albert Pujols.  Today on my drive to practice, I listened to Matt Holliday as a guest on the Doug Gottlieb show.  Holliday told Gottlieb that he felt Pujols was ready because Pujols shoke his hand with a really tight grip and that the doctors said the bone that was beat-up was an necessary bone.

Thank goodness Dr. Matt Holliday shed some light on the matter.

It isn't that bold of a prediction to say Albert Pujols is going to be a Cardinal next year or for the rest of his career.  The Cardinals have been a presence in the National League Central since the six-team division format was adopted.  The organization knows how to win and how to rally.  I really enjoy watching Pujols - unless he's playing the Pirates - tear apart pitchers and/or allow his buddies below him in the lineup force the oppostion's hand.  There is a clear void in the starting nine when he is out.

However, after the initial sulking by the Cardinals when they lost five or their next six games PAI (post Albert's injury,) they have responded by taking six of their last eight, including tonight's 8-1 pasting of the Reds.  The lineup has stepped up considerably.  Consider these three major stats the Cardinals have in their favor during the 14 games played since Pujols' injury:
1) Lance Berkman's career revival includes six home runs, including one tonight.
2) David Freese, who was batting .371 before his DL stint, has return and hasn't missed a beat.
3) and most importantly - have you noticed who has won his last three starts in convincing fashion.  Chris Carpenter.  The stud righter started 1-7 this year, but in his three starts that Pujols has been on the DL, he's 3-0, pitching 24 innings and allowed two earned runs, winning all three contests against the Phillies, Orioles and Reds.

If the Cardinals lose their remaining 75 games, that would be awesome for me, but not for St. Louis or any baseball fans.  If Pujols is really not as injured as we thought and he explodes in the final parts of the season, all will be well.  I just wonder if the Cardinals are rushing him back prematurely or and the urging of Albert to prove to the league he healthy and mends quicker than any average human.  The organization knows plenty more than I ever will and Tony LaRussa is a very smart manager.  If the Cardinals rush him back too soon, it could halt a lot of St. Louis' momentum in their season.

Coming to America

USA ... USA ... USA ...

Patty and I were enjoying a relaxing Independence Day afternoon at home, flipping through the channels to see what might interest us.  Low and behold, we stumbled on the mini-series John Adams - one of my favorite productions HBO has ever aired.  (If anyone would like to borrow our DVDs of it, just let me know.)  American History is one of my very favorite topics to study and discover as while peering into the episodes depicting the19th century livelihood of our second president, there was only one person that kept running through my cerebral hamster cage...

Rafael Nadal.

Clearly.  Nothing screams American Revolution and Independence more than an modern-day, Spanish wonder-athlete that just fell to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final.  Truthfully, it's not that I was obsessing over Nadal's greatness or thought he had a striking resemblance to any of the characters (although Andy Murray does look like John Keating.)  It's more that we've watched Roger Federer and Nadal dominate men's tennis for the last eight years with Djokovic now storming the castle with the world's number one ranking and there isn't a sniff of American presence on the tennis scene.

Adams would be mortified.

I don't claim to be a tennis fanatic, but I do enjoy following the second week of major tournaments - especially the US Open.  I could watch mostly every set of a major tournament's second week of competition, which is maddening to Patty.  In that second week, I'm routinely excited if there is ANY American male that has made it into the round of eight...or even 16.    This past week, Mardy Fish, at the Jurassic age of 29, made it to the quarterfinals where he eventually bowed-out to Nadal.  But hey, at least Fish took the third set from the Spaniard.  Go America!

Like any great patriot, I love cheering for the Red, White and Blue, but especially in those sports and competitions where we find ourselves the underdogs.  This actually makes sense - sort of - why I was thinking of Nadal.  On the international stage, it's easy to be USA ALL THE WAY in basketball or swimming or track and field.  Yet, like any Cinderella story, it's always nice when the less popular, less talented team or athlete is crowned champion.  This is why I have no trouble claiming my favorite FIFA soccer team, Olympic hockey squad or men's tennis players as being American.

Now some of you may have heard of the Davis Cup.  I have, but I probably don't give it more than 15 minutes of my attention PER YEAR.  The concept of the Davis Cup is confusing and I never could keep track of all of the countries participating.  If you know nothing about the Davis Cup, here are the three basic principles behind it:
1) men's tennis
2) occurs every year and stretches through the entire calendar
3) country vs. country - first to three match victories moves on

Upon  browsing the Davis Cup site, I was surprised to see the QUARTERFINALS are this weekend.  And..what do you know...the Fighting Americans have made it to the prestigious round of eight and face...Spain.  I knew I had Nadal on the brain for a reason.  Actually, Nadal is not competing this weekend, but that still does not take away from the fact the US is a large underdog. 

What does this mean for you?  Probably nothing.  Most of us may have trouble remembering the Davis Cup even involves men's tennis and more than most of us don't pay any mind to the sport since it doesn't involve hitting or gambling.  And any international tournament that revolves yearly is much harder to digest for the American sports fan's appetite (not to mention it can only be found on the Tennis Channel.)

The point is Americans (who have cared to pay attention) and the rest of the planet have marveled at the skills of many international tennis greats for a long time.  The American men's tennis scene has gone irrelevant since Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras hung up their racquets.  I will be paying closer attention this weekend to see how Andy Roddick, the Bryan brothers and Fish fare against stronger foes. 

A pioneer in dismantling world powers

Men's tennis has been so compelling because we know a lot about its champions.  Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have battled each other epically and have swatted on-comers with great ease.  The American men don't get many shots at tennis glory, but this might be the opportunity they could capitalize on.  Their matches with Spain this weekend are all in Austin, Texas.  They've have the luxury of Roddick being eliminated almost two weeks ago from Wimbledon.   And there's no Nadal.  It would be a nice story, even if we've been forced to reintroduce American men's tennis into our sports-following pipeline.

And if they falter, at least we had John Adams.

Let's Play Three

Sometime around the end of May it was announced the Pittsburgh Pirates would have a make-up game as part of a doubleheader in Washington with the Nationals on Saturday, July 2nd.  Already committed to attending one game, I swiftly decided that July 2nd would be spent entirely at Nationals Park.  Patty - my wonderful wife, who we will reference as "Patty," or "Better Half" in future entries - suggested that we also attend Sunday's game since 1) she knew I wouldn't mind and 2) she was "busy" on Saturday.  Well if you're going to force my hand...

Wait a minute - as euphoric as it would be for me to attend all 162 Pirate games, I knew this might be bad news FOR THE TEAM.  My love for the Pirates can be problematic as sometimes I directly correlate their losing with something I failed to do.  Case in point: the Nationals have been in Washington since the 2005 season and, since then, I had attended six games in DC when the Buccos were in town.  The Pirates were 1-5 in those games.  The nervous energy I bring to the ball yard must have an unnerving effect on the squad (especially since they lost four of those five games in the seventh inning or later.)  Three games in 24 hours could spell doom for the Bucs and I am not sure I could live with that on my conscience.



3:37PM  on Saturday, July 2

 Nevertheless, I took the chance and made the commitment.  When the weekend arrived, while much of the DC area was hitting the road for the beach, I was hitting the metro for Park.

Perfectly perched in Section 307, Row A, Seat 23, Christa (my sister,) Seamus (my good buddy) and I strapped-in on Saturday afternoon for the first of many pitches.  Christa made the trip from home just for this weekend and Seamus is the kind of pal that would watch a doubleheader with you, cheering for your time while wearing a Nats jersey. 

Good fortune strikes quickly: the Pirates plate two runs before the Nats get their swings.  I marvel at the number of Pirate fans in attendance - I would say a good 4,000-5,000.  If this keeps up, I may spend the night.

The next two hours fly by pretty quickly.  We get to the bottom of the seventh and the our starter, James McDonald, has done a nice job minimizing damage.  Livan Hernandez was great for the Nats - very efficient and on point.  Davey Johnson pinch-hit Rick Ankiel for Hernandez and the lefty belted one over the right-center field wall to tie the score at two.  Not good...especially with the top of the order at bat.  Roger Bernadina walks and McDonald is relieved by Jose Veras.  Those cheering for the Nationals are now awake and into the developing situation. 

Then it happened: the turning point of the game, brought to you by Mr. Bernadina.  With ONE out, Danny Espinosa hits a fly ball to deep left field.  I'm fairly certain 95% of the fans knew it was playable and 99% of the stadium knew there was one out.  Luckily for us, Bernadina was in that one percentile and just as Alex Presley makes the catch for out #2, Bernadina is rounding THIRD.  We tag him out around second base and the inning is over.

Relief momentarily sets in, but now it's tied going into the late innings.  I don't want to get my hope too high because there's a lot of baseball to play.  One over-zealous thought could lead to implosion.

With one out, Seamus states, "[Sean] Burnett's ERA is too high for him not to give up a run here."

I respond, "[Garrett] Jones doesn't hit lefties; he might have two hits off of them all year."

"He's getting a hit here," counters Seamus.

Thirty-some seconds later, Jones crushes an opposite-field bomb to left-center.  Seamus, the prognosticator, saves the day.  With two more runs on our side and one more on theirs, the Pirates took game one of the doubleheader and Christa, my 5000 cousins and me share in the victory.

The second game would start 30 minutes later - a true doubleheader that one ticket would vouch for.  (Editor's note: I fully expected to pay for two games for this doubleheader, even up to the day before the game.  We were told it would only be the price of one ticket, but that didn't seem like a concept the Nationals ownership would embrace.  But since they did, let's take the time to say "thanks.")  My master plan of walking the concourse between games was, apparently, the master plan of many of the other fans.  Mark - unrealated brother and frequent reference in future columns - and Julie - friend and fiance of Mark - joined the three of us for game two. 

My type A personality, though, would get the best of me...again.  Just as quickly as we found them, I wondered to the Box Fries stand in right center all by myself.  After all, we were on a schedule, and there's no way I could miss the first pitch of game two.  Christa found me at the stand and we both hurredly paced back to section 307.  I managed to eat all of my fries while 1) not using my fingers 2) walking back to the seat 3) fasting from ketchup 4) not regarding many of the obstrcutions in front of me.

The second game began at 7:15PM and ended around 10PM.  All you need to know is that the Pirates were leading by one going into the bottom of the eighth and were losing by one going into the top of the ninth.  Luckily I had been to this rodeo before and, even with the 4-3 loss, I was content knowing we had at least one win with me as a witness.  The masses stayed for the post-game fireworks and the traffic on foot getting out was brutal, but I would call it a successful day.

Now if you've ever attended a traditional double header and turned around for a 1:35PM start to the next day's game, you feel like you work for the organization.  I was now fully equipped to make pitching changes, roster moves, and decide if we would wear our alternate jerseys or the road grays (we wore the road grays, which I would have chosen, too.)  And since you are part of the organization, there should be anything stopping you from getting to your seat in time.

Unfortuneately, we missed the first two batters on Sunday's game because the center field entrance at Nationals Park is a travashamockery.  We couldn't break the fortress of bag ladies and strollers in time for the start and, in case I wasn't clear, we MISSED THE FIRST TWO BATTERS!!!....WHO GOT TO FIRST AND THIRD!!!!!!

Luckily Patty and Christa could calm me down and I briskly stomped to the left field walkery to catch Jones pop out to third.  Now I'm really wondering if I should return to the bullfight at the turnstyle to keep any hope of a win alive.  I briefly talk to myself and decide to stay...clearly I'm in a rationale state of mind.  My suggestion to myself was rewarded for today's game was unlike any game I had seen in Washington.  The next three batters all singled and we were ahead 3-0 just as my pal, Evan, joins us for the daytime fireworks.

We rode the escalator to the upper level, but instead of ascending to section 405, we picked-out a shaded row in section 306 and took in the game with no one within seven rows of us.  We took our seats in time to watch the visiting nine send nine batters to the plate and score five more runs, including five straight hits from our second through sixth hitters.  It was 8-0 going into the bottom of the second.  Horray for me.

The gentleman to our left, though, was steadfast on cheering his Nationals to the comeback trail.  He applauded every Nats player when announced and stayed compelled with every pitch.  This was a stark contrast to the eight people behind us, who formed a circle on the ground to play some form of listening exercise geared to letting out their emotions.  Seriously.  Since we we in the back row of section 306, we had to maneuver around the Circle of Trust to refill our bottomless popcorn.

By the time the Pirates had posted their 10-2 victory, Mark had arrived, a local Nats fans debated with Evan the merits of having Donovan McNabb over Tom Brady, Christa somehow got burnt in the shade and Patty reminded me to not allow her to attend anymore July day games.  More importantly, my attendance record for "Pirates at Nationals" shot up to 3-6 and the mental investment was well worth the contemplation.

I will more than likely be back at Nationals Park on Wednesday - this time to support Mark's Cubs as they visit Washington.  I don't think I will be worrying as much - and I know I won't be entering at the center field entrance - but I will be looking at the out-of-town scoreboard to see how we are doing against the Astros.

After all, the Pirates record in games when I attend another MLB game isn't that good, either.

Remembering Jagr

Yesterday it was announced that Jaromir Jagr, formerly of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals and New York Rangers, signed with the Philadelphia Flyers for one year and will make about $3 million for the upcoming 2011-2012 season.  This announcement may have gone unnoticed on the first day of National Hockey League free agency, which is massively less popular in the States than the NFL, MLB or NBA free agency boom.  Jagr turned 39 in February and is still capable of becoming a significant piece to a NHL playoff team.  Recently Mark Recchi, Dave Andreychuk and Ray Bourque - to name a few - defied the age barrier and served key roles to their team's Stanley Cup glory.  Youthful exuberance is important, but so is veteran wisdom and timely skill. 

When Jagr plotted a return to the NHL some two weeks back, there was a significant amount of coverage from the the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about Jags dusting off his black and gold sweater for one last go-around in the Steel City.  I, for one, was against such an acquisition.  On the surface, Jagr's puck possession skills have declined and his tendency for more physical play are not the supreme fit for the current corp of Penguins.  Unfair or not, Jagr was always in the shadow of Mario Lemieux in the eyes of every Penguins fan.  Lemieux is still the franchise, worshiped - and no, that's not too lofty of praise - by everyone in town for saving the Penguins on three separate stints.  When Jagr arrived on the scene in 1990, the comparisons were everywhere.  He dazzled us with his stickwork, surprised us with his speed and ultimately made a name for himself as a scoring machine.  For 11 seasons, he was as durable and determined of a superstar as there was in the league.  We religiously followed from his upbringing through his prime and, unfortunately, until his departure.

Yet, I cannot recall a sports figure in my life that did so much for my memory bank and fandom suddenly just disappearing from my attention or relevance in such a short time.  When Jagr was nearing free agency in 2001, you could probably poll 1000 Pittsburghers asking if they thought Jagr would remain a Penguin.  At least 990 of them would have said "no" and of those 990, 980 of them knew he would look for a bigger deal.  Jagr leaving, though, was different than Bobby Bonilla, Barry Bonds, or Neil O'Donnell choosing the greed over the loyalty.  For one, the instant those three stars left, everyone wished for a "less-than-promising" career or outcome to their chosen destination.  For another, there was genuine hope that each would consider remaining in a Pittsburgh uniform since each was so close to a championship. 

Jagr had his two titles and never was portrayed as needing to win a Stanley Cup on his own to validate his self-worth as a player.  Lemieux and he were as special a duo as the league had seen since Gretzky and Messier.  When he became a Capital, the people in Pittsburgh didn't feel scorn or betrayal or remorse.  By this time, we all knew the drill.  A ultra-talented player needed to be paid and this wasn't the city or ownership that was about to open the checkbooks.

The biggest difference with Jagr, though, was that we didn't want him to fail (or succeed...don't get me wrong.)  We just removed him from our attention. 

Even today, I can still envision Jags dancing in the offensive zone during the Stanley Cup years of 1991 and 1992 and torching the likes of the Caps, Rangers and Blackhawks to the tune of overtime winners and improbable shot-making.  Jagr etched one of my greatest childhood memories on an April Sunday afternoon in 1999.  At my grandmother's with cousin Scotty, Uncle T and my sister Christa, we were mesmerized into hoping the Pens would prolong their first round series with the favored Devils in this game six grudge match.  Undermanned and up against the proverbial wall, Jagr unleashed one of the most impressive 10-minute stretches of hockey that I could remember.  If you are a fan of hockey, don't like the Devils, or enjoy Mike Emrick, you'll enjoy this.

Now Jagr is off to Philadelphia on the coattails of the largest contract offered to him.  We all agree that it's more than difficult to root for the Flyers and most Penguin fans will have added ire toward Jagr for turning his back on Lemieux and his NHL origins AND choosing a division nemesis.  But when we take the time to process Jagr's decision, this is perfect.  Pittsburgh does not have to wrestle with the "days of yore" and Jagr can start fresh in a league that, for the most part, has forgotten how special he was.

Do I want Jagr to succeed?  Of course not; he's a Flyer.  But it will be fun seeing just how much he has left in the tank and if he makes a true impact on a team that's in the midst of severe changes.  He may win another scoring title or take the Fly Guys deep into the playoffs, but I like the memories I have of Jagr and am glad I don't have to save more space in the memory for his second stint with Penguins.

(If you want to hear Lemieux try to coax Jagr back to Pittsburgh, have a listen...)

Those were the days...

Unlabored Day

You know what was fun about this past NBA season, besides LeBron not winning a title?  During the 2010-2011 NBA campaign, all fans - casual and hard-core - raging gamblers and bar-room patrons - Jack Nicholson and Spike Lee - talked about the NBA.  Sure, despising the ground Miami's Big Three flamed around on was interesting, as well as Carmelo getting traded, Shaq getting crippled and Memphis getting noticed.  But fans of sports are fans of sports and these three aforementioned stories revolved around the play on the court.  The headlines that brought followers of basketball to their couches featured winning and losing.  Contrary to these fans are the fans of gossip, pessimism and Lamar Odom.  They don't have the attention to the games, play on the court or tactics geared toward winning.  

Which brings us to today, July 1st, the day the sports world must discuss collective bargaining, tv deals, rookie wage scale, guaranteed contracts and soft caps.  This is a day for gossip fans.  This is the day fans of statistics, performance and the theatre behind handling pressure are relegated to take a back the tabloids, the legal systems and The View.  We can't find our usually radio programming about pennant races and Federer losing a 2-0 lead in the Wimbeldon quarters. 

The obvious shift from Dirk's legacy to David Stern's lack of action could not be felt more than from the league's official website.  Do you notice anything that's missing from this page?  How about everything!  No teams, no tickets, no highlights from this past season - which was the best since 1998.  But take a look across the top.  Luckily you can still purchase OFFICIAL DALLAS MAVERICKS CHAMPIONSHIP GEAR!!!  So even while they can't charge you $120 for a ceiling level ticket, they'll find a way to take your money if you let them.

Try putting this across the homepage of League:

"Dear NBA fans,
We regret to inform you that we have failed to possess the forward thinking and vision to avoid this current lockout.  We appreciate all of the support that you have given us this entire stretch of great basketball, but we can no longer operate under the current economic system that has Joe Johnson making $119 million for city that draws 119 people to their home games.  We will not pretend things are going well nor speculate when this work stoppage will cease.  I personally will make an official announcement once basketball operations fully resume.  Your truly, David J. Stern"



If you like this kind of action, we apologize.

 If you're anything like me, you would dedicate roughly 14 seconds of your time to this particular work stoppage, maybe even another 14 seconds to the labor strife in the National Football League.  The NFL lockout is more unbearable for the fact that it gets so much coverage about absolutely nothing.  At least with compelling non-sports sports stories - like the OJ trial, Jordan's retirement or Michael Vick's favorite hobby gone wrong - there was an actual story to follow.   We could swallow a new chapter a day without knowing what the end might bring.

Below is a recap of the labor negotiations in the NFL for the last four months:

Chapter 1 - The NFL is locked-out; no official league business can take place
Chapter 2 - The players and the owners are fighting.
Chapter 3 - The players and the owners are meeting, but not fighting
Chapter 4 - (Repeat chapters 2 and 3) x 64

You see...14 seconds.

The best way I can protest both sports' stubborn agendas is to ignore them altogether.  That includes going down memory lane as to which the best team Clyde Drexler was on or who has the strongest front offices.  These petty and rather pathetic ploys to keep the fans interest in their professional organization insult the invested fans' collective intelligence.  Those debates are born from play on the court or field, which generate creative ideas and spark debate amongst family members, friends, colleagues and acquaintances.  Do you think arguing over who the top 10 running backs of the past season are going to make me want to miss the NFL more?  That's pretty lame (and even lamer there's a three-way tie for tenth by this clown.)

The last NBA work stoppage was 1998.  Do you know what I remember about that work stoppage?  That there was a work stoppage - that's it.  I don't know what day Billy Hunter and Stern met.  I know the Spurs won the title in the shortened season.  I don't know which Christmas day games were cancelled, but I remember the 8th-seeded Knicks beat the top-seeded Heat in the Eastern Conferences Playoffs.  I don't know what the labor peace ended, but I know Jordan wasn't in the league and the Bulls were garbage.

Games, statistics, performance - the reason we watch, invest and cheer.  Unless you love the law, Chris Mortensen or train wrecks, I can only hope you don't waste your time following two leagues that continue to waste our time.  Yes, there aren't as many teams, sports and subplots to follow in the summer months as the rat race October through April.  Don't give in.  Baseball is thriving - Sharapova is back - the PGA, MLS, hell, you can even watch NASCAR if you need sports that much.  But enjoy the sports you have and debate the players that make them great. 

And if that doesn't hold your interest, you can always take-in an episode of the The View.

Home...Where Our Heart Is

We've made it safely back to Washington, DC after a very speedy trip from our two drivers.  Our training in Ft. Myers officially came to an end at 11:04PM EST on Sunday evening, but every minute was memorable in its own right.  We met some great people, enjoyed terrific weather and became a stronger team physically and emotionally.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) we will continue our training, but in the familiar environment of Burr Gymnasium.  The certainly will be a different feel to the regiment we conquer, but as every practice is completed, we are that much closer to our conference championships - the greatest time of the year!

For all of the family and friends that made this trip possible, our most sincere thanks are extended your way.  These experiences will last a lifetime and they would not be possible without you.

Combat Training - Part I

Since around 2:10PM yesterday afternoon, the Bison had engaged themselves in some of the most rigorous training of the trip.  This is always a dicey proposition as nerves have been frayed and tempers just a little shorter with the continuing workload and competitive nature of the trip.

I give the team a lot of credit, yesterday, for pushing themselves during our long course practice.  I'm a big believer that while your ingrain yourself in the training trip experience, there has to be at least one practice where you proudly remember a challenge and subsequently conquering it.  You are permitted to have several of these memories and we certainly have many qualified candidates who can lay claim to these memories.  Below was that last long course meter memorable opportunity:

ROUND ONE - no fins
3:06PM 2x200s on 3:00 / 3:15
3:12PM 4x100s on 2:00 - Stroke, descend 1-4
3:20PM 8x50s Choice on :40 - rest 1 minute after number 4

ROUND TWO with FINS
3:27PM 2x200s on 2:40 / 3:00
3:33PM 4x100s on 1:45 - Stroke, descend 1-4
3:42PM 8x50s Choice SPRINT on 1:00 - rest after number 4

When warm down concluded and the team gathered outside, it was time for our annual game of Hooverball.  Those of you aware of how Hooverball is played: we took our 10-pound medicine ball to the nearest sand volleyball court.  We made two teams, of which we decided that 7 athletes can be on the court for each time at one time.  You must catch and throw the 10-pound medicine ball over the net and try to have it hit the ground on the other side before a member of the opposite team catches it.  You may make one pass to a teammate before throwing it over, but you can only take two steps when throwing.

Darien reminds his teammates how many steps you're permitted to take after catching the Hooverball

We played best two out of three games, first team to score 15 points, win by two.

This year's epic battles were no different that last year's, complete with sore arms, legs and occasional bloody thumbnail.  In our first game, Team Fire Fist rallied from early deficits to win 15-12.  In the second contest, Team Iron Claw took no prisoners in their late-game charge to win 15-13.  In the final match, Team Fire Fist forged a 8-0 run in the middle of the contest to win the coveted Hooverball Title with a score of 15-11.

The first day of 2011 was an outstanding one!  We trained like gladiators, competed like enraged bull fighters, and glistened in the Florida sunshine like the stars from Miami Vice (please take a moment to picture your favorite Bison in each of these scenarios.)  With all of this, there were some swimmers that separated themselves from the herd with their desire to start the year with a bang.

#3 - Frank Lynch - the freshman's finest practice of Florida came by switching lanes into a harder interval and sacrificing his body on a number of occasions for the good of Team Iron Claw (7.5.)
#2 - Damjan Strbac - Damjan looked fantastic in the water in the afternoon - dominated the 50s on :40 and splitting the fastest times on the team in the 100s and 50s with fins (8.)
#1 - Omar McKenzie and Darien Washington - normally we do not split the Prime Popcorn Practice Performances, but today is an exception.  If you remember from our Gulf swim, Darien and Omar and photographed for their mettle in swimming the farthest and longest.  Additionally, they joined Frank and Damjan in having tremendous afternoon practices, bypassing lane members with great purpose and form (8.5.)

This sea creature, whom we spotted in our Gulf swim this morning, weighed-in on Omar and Darien receiving a chalice meant for champions

It's going to be a sensational 2011...more to come as our time in Fort Myers approaches its final 12 hours...

Too Hot to Handle

Happy New Year one and all!

The last time you left us, we had just completed a Battle Royal of Capture the Flag.  Upon returning to the hotel, we managed to lick our wounds, wash our hair, doll ourselves up, and head to Fort Myers Beach to ring in the new year.

The good people at Nemo's on the Beach, welcomed us with open arms for the second December 31st in a row.  It was slightly more crowded this year, but when arrived on the beach side of the restaurant, there were seven tables ready for us with a friendly staff eager to provide us with all of the comforts of home.  We ate well, relaxed with our friends, socialized with locals and headed for the pier for Midnight Fireworks.

This morning, after a quick five-hour nap, we alertly trekked back on the bus for our second annual Sunrise Gulf Swim.  We started this tradition last year, greeting the new year on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico as we witnessed the sunrise while voluntarily airing our grievances and expressing resolutions that would improve our quality of life.  We stretched together, jogged about one mile towards the rising sun, admired the fiery clouds above, and retreated back to our belongings to prepare for our little splash-around in the Gulf. 

Now last year's tale of bravery was well documented and this year will, undoubtedly, be accompanied by more stories that will demonstrate true resolve in the face of seamless demise.

Below is a first-hand perspective from the head coach of Howard Swimming and Diving.  Please enjoy:

When I touched the Gulf after our jog, I was slightly nervous about all of the seashells that were lining the water.  Last year, I was really proud of our team following me into the sea with so many birds of prey scouring overhead.  It was best not to think about the all of those shells and to just run in the water as fast as you could until your legs gave way and the swim was on.  This year began slightly differently.  Cassy had already submerged herself about five feet from shore and she looked rather uncomfortable, almost as if she had been slugged ten times in the ribs.  Nevertheless, I knew that it was important to continue tradition by sprinting onward.

"I'm swimming for the buoy that's about 200 yards out and then making a right," I explained to the team.  "We'll go for a while and then turn back around."  Simple enough.

Off I went.  I eluded the sharp shells that inhabit the sandy terrain and made my way towards to buoy.  About seven seconds into the swim, I remember thinking, "I don't remember the Gulf tingling my skin this much.  It's not that bad...I think we'll be fine."

I plowed ahead with my out-of-shape self for about 50 yards or so until I could no longer focus my attention on the buoy.  I kept hearing these blood-curdling noises coming from behind me that writhed with such anguish and fear that I was momentarily worried that someone had been bitten, or worse, had lost their goggles.  Secretly, I think the team had a bet to see who could yell the loudest so to attract our pelican friends.  I didn't understand but found it slightly humorous.

Brewer, Monique and Cassy had met me and their faces expressed slight concern.  "I wonder if their caps are falling off," I remember thinking.  I guess that's what everyone was yelling about.  Never mind that acute sensation in your muscles.  That's just a hurdle that stands in our way of greatness - making it to the buoy and hanging a right was the prize and I know our determination would overcome all things cumbersome.

The three ladies from 329 boldly headed for the buoy, moving their arms as fast as their bodies could physically carry them.  The rest of the team appeared to hit an imaginary brick wall.  Most of them had made it into the water, but why weren't they moving?  I suppose they were nervous about jellyfish or sharks, but I am pretty sure that jellyfish and sharks take national holidays off.  Let it be noted that those jellyfish and sharks would not be allowed on our team because, at Howard University Swimming and Diving, we don't take days off for anyone!

The ladies made it to the buoy and awaited for instruction.  It sounded like they were uttering something about getting back on the bus - maybe they had left their sunscreen between the seats. I said they could head for the "yellow house with the red roof - please make sure to swim for it and not before it."  I had reached the buoy, removed my goggles and basked in the sunshine.  The sun's rays clear and welcoming and for eight seconds, I was at peace.  My eight seconds of tranquility shifted to eight minutes of glaring dismay as no one on the team was within 75 yards of the buoy.  "Knights of Columbus!" I exclaimed, "let's get going."

Some team members had already had their fill of the Gulf - probably too much salt for their liking.  Keely, Chelsea, Kelvin, Summer, Ashley, Zadok, Damjan and Frank all made it to me over the next 15 minutes.  I had drifted further and further with every minute, enjoying looking around me and not finding anyone occupying the water except for us.  It's almost as if the Gulf of Mexico had known we were coming and they didn't want anyone to ruin the experience by getting in our way.  I'm sure there was plenty of water in the Gulf to share with everyone, but the gesture was still much appreciated.

Darien, Steven, Omar and Citizen all made to me last.  It appeared they wanted to challenge themselves and swim farther than the rest of the team.  I give them a lot of credit for staying in the water as long as they did.  We pumped our arms and fired our legs as a burning sensation jolted down our backs from all of the effort we were putting into each stroke.  The men looked like they were getting hungry, so after another 300 feet of following me, they returned to the coast, which at this point, was about 0.28 miles away.  I ventured further - it's not often that I can be in the actual Gulf of Mexico all by myself.  I talked to the seagulls that graced the surface overhead.  I explored underwater in hopes of finding undiscovered species.  It was spectacular.

Off in the distance, four masculine figures emerge from the jaws of the jungle waters.  With arms clenched in triumph, their bravery is unmatched.

But I didn't want to keep the Bison waiting.  I'm sure they wanted to get back and watch some football or call their parents to explain just how magical the experience was.  Once I arrived to the shore, our team headquarters was about 20 houses ahead, so I jogged in their direction, feeling very awake and appreciative that I was a part of 2011's brief, but epic history.

Monique, Cassy and Ashley were all waiting for Darien, Steven, Omar and Citizen to return.  They were much more nostalgic about their experience, walking gingerly back, heads down in an unbelievable accomplishment.  There's a reason there is a Man's Club on our team, and now I finally understood why - for fleeting moments like this.

I know that each of the Bison that braved the salty waters will revisit these glorious memories and gladly share them, possibly from a different perspective.  I know they are each proud that 2011 is here and they have endured such harsh training.  I certainly am very thankful for them.

Nothing can stand in the way of these physical specimens. 

When the Chips are Down

Team enthusiasm seemed to be down heading into our afternoon practice at FGCU.  Since Monday afternoon, we have been on the mark with making every practice scheduled - no breaks for this crew.

In order to shake things a bit, we had a little longer warm-up than normal and then a varying Pink/Red Set totaling 1500 meters.

Here are the mighty "get-out swimmers," displaying the papers that were drawn with their names on them.  It takes a lot of talent to turn the Citizen of the Year's head, but Kelvin, Nandi and Lauren did just that.

It was about 3:05PM and it's was time for our first Get Out Swim of the year.  Displayed on each of the practices was a goal time for every Bison swimmer that they would need to achieve in a 100 meter freestyle.  We drew names from a pouch and the lucky contestants that emerged from said drawing were Kelvin, Nandi and Lauren.

Between the three of them, two had to beat their indicated goal time in order for practice to end.  If zero or one of the swimmers reached their goal time, the team would all finish the practice that included 5x500s.

I'm sure there are worse things that swimming an extra 2500 meter on the ninth practice of the week, but it's a true testament to the determination Kelvin, Nandi and Lauren displayed for going after their goal times and all beating them.  The pressure had been heightened and their teammates were relying on their skills to for an incentive.
It's because these three individuals all beat their goal times that they are the Prime Popcorn Practice Performers for the PM session:
#3 - Nandi Ross: 2.5 seconds faster than her indicated goal time in the 100 meter freestyle.
#2 - Kelvin Goodman - 3.2 seconds faster.
#1 - Lauren Anthony - 16 seconds faster!!!

Dryland commenced after our warm down, which was a cut-throat game of Capture the Flag.  Blood was spewing, collisions were plotted, and friendships were shattered as our ruthless Bison competed for a chance to go to the movies next week.  To be honest, I'm not sure how we all made it back on the bus, but after 45 minutes of hard-hitting fury, the team of Omar, Kelvin, Zadok, Darell, Keely, Lauren, Summer and Nandi emerged with a 4-3 victory.

"We were going for their hearts," said a bruised Omar McKenzie.  "When you fight to the death, there are going to be casualties."

"It really wasn't even about the movie passes, though.  It was about the will to survive," professed the Citizen of the Year.  "Look at me, I'm bleeding everywhere.  I can't feel my legs or my face.  But it's not about me; it's about everyone else."

Tomorrow is going to be fairly epic...stay turn and have a happy start to your 2011.