Maybe, just maybe we can bid a less-than-fond adieu to old man winter. Now that last week’s Nor-Easter drifted off to the ocean, I switched the snow blower with the lawn tractor in the garage, replaced the spark plug, and changed the oil. Yeah, I know I should have done it in the fall. Just in case I will leave the snow shovels out until Memorial Day. When in Rochester…
So many other things to do: get the lawn furniture out, wash the windows, plant the garden, etc.etc.
Time to clean out some discussions in the sports world. College football teams have finished spring practices in eager anticipation of finals and training camp. And the NCAA has taken steps to deal with an issue confronting their sport…no, they did not fix the Bowl Collusion Syndicate. Instead they have broached the subject of using text messages for the recruiting process.
Having two teenage daughters myself text messaging has become a hot topic in the abode. Somehow in a thirty day period the daughters sent and received sixteen hundred text messages. Yeah, that’s right 1,600 in 30 days. You do the math. And there is no such thing as ‘free’ text messaging. If there was, I still have a problem with that much time being spent on such a trivial activity. Not to mention combining that with the use of instant messaging, my space, and get this – they still use the house phone once in a while.
The daughters have nothing on Patrick Patterson of Huntington High. The blue-chip basketball recruit from the state of West Virginia is entertaining offers from the likes of Kentucky, Florida, Virginia, and Duke. Sporting News reported that during a thirty day period he sent and received an average of 285 text messages for recruiting per day! Again do the math! How much time does that take out of his day? Who pays for the texting plan? And please amuse me here – how much time does this take away from his education?
Athletic directors and college presidents want to figure out if text messaging creates any inequalities in the recruitment process. Never mind the inequalities. I am amused by the thought the of these old-guard coaches sending a text message. I know. I know. None of the coaches actually send a text. Instead they have a secretary or grad assistant or some program lackey doing the grunt work. Just the thought of say…Charlie Weis sending a text message makes me chuckle. Can you see Uncle Charlie with his big mitts fumbling through a text message. “Hey Julie! (DeBuysser – Senior Staff Assistant at ND) How do I put a question mark into this message?”
File under learn something new every day: I did not know until recently seeing the movie Bobby, that Don Drysdale broke the record for consecutive scoreless innings pitched-58- on the same day that Sirhan Sirhan assassinated Senator Robert Kennedy. As for the movie it is worthy of your time. The flick mixes American history with an interesting attempt to infuse actual video footage of RFK. Other than one scene Emilio Estevez (writer and director) makes it entertaining. Actually the scene with Ashton Kutcher is entertaining, but probably not in the way intended. Kutcher clad in wire-rimmed glasses, head band, vest, and other groovy attire plays a hippie that ‘turns on’ Shia LaBeouf and another Kennedy campaigner. I couldn’t help but think that Kutcher must have used a ‘Hippies for Dummies’ book to prepare for his portrayal. Ashton Kutcher looks as comfortable in hippie garb as…as…Mariano Riviera would look in a Sox uniform. Actually if Rivera would like to renege on his previous assertion that he would never play for the Sox, I would be the first to roll out the welcome mat. Mo could bolster the middle relief that the Yankee announcers so lustily disparaged. Hey Michael Kay! Check your stats!
Oooooh….nice segue. Yeah the three games last weekend in Fenway Park amount to just that: three games in April…no more…no less. I am wondering if we should discuss the possible theory that the Spanks and Sox are too consumed with rivalry. The series involved much drama including the Yanks trotting Andy Pettite out of the bullpen in game three after he started game one. Then both teams proceeded to lose their next two games: the Yanks to the Rays and the Sox to the Jays. I will laugh the next time I hear one of the players suggesting that the rivalry is for the fans. Those two teams were fired up.
A lasting image from the weekend would have to be that of seeing Julian Tavarez discussing the finer points of chin music with Dice-K. During the series opener the cameras focused on the wily veteran, Tavarez, speaking through an interpreter to Matzusaka. I shuddered as Tavarez motioned to Dice-K about the effect of an inside pitch on a batter’s stance. Hey Tito! Hey Theo! Do we want Julian Tavarez getting inside the head of our $100 million dollar investment? Of course, Dice K pitches on Sunday, and what does he do? Yeah we all know.
Tonight the Suns take their two games to zero lead to the Staples Center. Kobe Bryant continues to prove that it is not about individual stats. Kobe accumulates all these gaudy offensive statistics, but what has he done since he ran Shaq out-of-town? (I am stealing this idea from JD) Here’s the question: If the Suns and Lakers traded Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant what would happen?
This weekend brings us to the NFL draft. Everybody is busy discussing JeMarcus Russell, Brady Quinn, and Calvin Johnson. I want to know who’s going to be the third round pick(Joe Montana) that leads his team to four Super Bowls, or the sixth round pick(Tom Brady) that leads his team to three Super Bowls.
The sports world lost a friend in David Halberstam this week. I always enjoyed his poignant commentary about baseball and sports in general. He always sifted through the muck of the sports industry to try and pay tribute to human achievement. I enjoyed reading Summer of ’49, and am embarrassed that I have yet to read The Teammates; it has moved up the list.
LESTER’S APPEARANCE IN ROCHESTER POSTPONED: Jon Lester, the Boston Red Sox pitching prospect, continues to progress in his recovery from anaplastic large cell lymphoma. The 22 year-old lefty was the first Sox rookie pitcher since 1993 to win seven games. His season was cut short last August with the diagnosis. His story is truly an inspiration. Fans once prayed for his survival. Now he stands on the threshold of returning to the Bigs. Unfortunately, the weather did not aid Lester in his comeback. Yesterday’s game was postponed, and Lester’s appearance in Rochester was canceled.
Rebounds & Put backs
If Roger Clemens doesn’t pitch this year, does that mean the countdown has begun to his hall of fame induction?
Mia Hamm and Nomar Garciaparra are proud parents of twin girls. I guess that makes them Nomah, Mia, and the Hamm-sters. (Sorry, couldn’t resist)
What is going on with Floyd Landis?
Earlier this week Griffey Jr. hit home run number 564. It leaves me thinking about what could have been. How much happier would you be as a baseball fan if Junior was chasing 755? Do you think Hank Aaron would go to the game if Griffey broke his record?
Muels says
Floyd Landis just fascinates me. I like to think of myself as fairly intelligent, but I can’t decide if he is a victim of those darn Frenchys, or guilty as sin and just too much of an ass to admit he was caught… and I don’t know if I will ever find out the truth!
Hammerin’ Hank has earned the right to go to any place he wants, and avoid any place that he wants. I also think that when the proper time comes he will congradulate Bonds for his accomplishments in baseball, and at the same time, in a gentlemanly fashion, regret outloud that sports most cherished record will be stained not by who has broken it, but by how it was accomplished. If he is smart (not sure on this) Bonds will keep his trap shut and take it like the man he could have been if he had just continued with his hall of fame career without the juice…
After popping A-Rod, did you notice that Dice-K bowed and took off his cap to A-Rod. Did he hit him on purpose? Let’s just say that he was not concerned about throwing a strike with that pitch–but A-Rod had become a bit too cozy and was reminded respectfully that pitching inside is part of a pitcher’s perogative…
As much as I am interested in who my Patriots pick in this weekend’s NFL Draft, and as much as I enjoy listening to Mel Kiper Jr. and all of the draft “experts”, isn’t it all a weekend of educated guessing? Will I stop myself from reading every draft report card starting Monday morning? Probably not, but I can write every Patriot grade—- B+ Not sure about every pick after the 1st round, but who can argue with Belichick and Pioli???? And they’d be right!
I agree that as much as all involved love the Saux/Yanks get-togethers, they do take their toll on those involved- note the trip up with the Blue Jays right after. I am not doubting the ability of the Blue Jays to contend throughout the year, just pointing out the lacking of sharpness that plagued the Bosox on the field and lack of anticipation that reduced the Fenway faithful to placid onlookers. Again, its only April, but winning 3 from the Dark Side is a lot better than losing 3 (or 5)…
You don’t think that Charlie Weis has learned to text his favorite pizza and wings order????? OK, maybe his well paid (or volunteer) assistant takes care of that for him…
Thanks, this was fun…
Casey says
Muels,
Whaddya think Charlie’s favorite toppings are?
Casey says
Muels,
If you get a chance, I edited paragraph 8.
Muels says
Dude, the list would be much shorter for what he WOULDN’T put on!!
Muels says
Having Mo join the Saux would certainly extend his career- since he wouldn’t have to face us anymore!
Aaron says
Interesting questions and some random thoughts back
While I think the Lakers would do that trade, do you think the Suns would? Does anyone else think that Nash is the MVP for the 3rd straight year. While he was hurt for a few games earlier this year, I think they were a .500 team. With him, they are the league’s best.
As for the NFL draft.. Always fun but trying to figure out who your team is going to pick is a crap shoot…especially the Pats. No one has a clue what Belichek is going to do, and do you think any sports fan in the Boston area is worried about it? Nope. In Belichek we trust.. Should be on the $2o bill. I am going to go out on a limb. If Darryl Jarret is available at the time of their 2nd pick 1st round pick, I think they take him.
As for the Sox/Yanks..Definite letdown on both sides, but the slide continues for the Yanks…Another loss to the Jays, but the Sox put two good games together against the Orioles. Julian Tavarez scares the crap out of me.. He is one bad look from a Yankee player from snapping, and I really don’t want him hanging around Dice-K.
So if Dice-K hits A-Rod again and A-Rod thinks about charging the mound. Last time Varitek said, “we don’t throw at .260 hitters”.. What does he say now? ” We don’t throw at players on teams whose pitching staff absolutely suck” ???
And how long before Torre gets the axe? Don’t tell me George isn’t thinking about it. Mind you it wouldn’t be the right move, but he has Donnie-ball in place… Hypothetically, if the Sox go in and sweep this weekend -does the axe fall ? I know it is April, but back to back sweeps at the hands of Red Sox will give George, diarrhea of the mouth..It just push him over the edge.
As for Rivera in a Sox uniform.. Same chance as Schilling being in a Yankee uniform.. Just won’t and never will happen. But he already gets standing o’s in Fenway.
Floyd Landis. I am sorry, but the whole thing is ridiculous. What they should have done was hold a press conference, had him piss in a cup right there on TV and test it. The French have been after Armstrong for years so who knows if this is a frame job. But if he is guilty – see Barry Bonds – deny, deny, deny, deny and someday people will forget.
If Jr. was chasing Hank Aaron, I think Hank Aaron would be following him around the US until he broke it. Until the injuries, he was fun to watch and one of the most likeable MLB players. I root for him to have one more of those, “oh my god, is this guy great or what” years.
I hope Roger Clemens stays retired. But would he come back to Yankees, or go to the Red Sox and get one more chance at a World Series ring. He alone isn’t going to save that Yankee rotation.
Dave Halberstam.. Very, very sad news. I was shocked to hear about his death and know that for those who love to read about history – whether it be the Yankee/Red Sox rivalry or the Vietnam war.. There are/were very few people who are talented in a manner that can bring the past back to life. While I have a few of his books to read, I also mourn the books to be that will never be written because of his untimely death. I read an essay he wrote about his interview with Ted Williams, and he qouted Bobby Knight as saying, “Gods do not answer letters”. Well that may be the case, but apparently God gave a single man the talent to touch us all with his writing.. Rest in peace Mr. Halberstam..
Lastly, how good is Josh Beckett this year? This is a huge difference from the guy who won 17 games last year to the guy who is 5-0 after tonight’s win vs. the O’s. He is no longer relying on his fastball and has become a tough pitcher in a hitter friendly league Early favorite for Cy Young? Has to be.
Peace I am out..
Casey says
Wow! Get some rest. It’s midnight! YOu’re gonna do a nose dive on the key board tomorrow.
Chris Wuest says
Paul,
As you know, I’ve told you time and time again during conversation about how I dislike the NBA and refused to watch it. But thankfully, I found a reason to watch the NBA. Steve Nash. The guy is f’in unreal. I watched my first NBA game of the season Tuesday night. Lakers vs. Suns. Nash wouldn’t let me turn away. I guess I never realized how good he is. I don’t remember a SINGLE bad decision he made in the whole first half. For those of us that love basketball, we know just how hard that is. He is so great with the basketball – doesn’t pick up his dribble, makes GREAT passes including bounce passes which have become a “lost” art in the game. He takes smart shots and hustles back on defense. His skill of decision-making(most important for a PG) is far and above any player I’ve seen in a long long time.
Man-Crush?
Naah, too bad I can’t like him – he’s Canadian – plus, his brother plays soccer.
Also wanted to let everybody know my training for May 19th is right on schedule. My bench is up to 350 and my squat is up to 650. I just ran the 40 in 4.4 seconds. Hope to have that down to the low 4.3’s by May 19th. There isn’t a drug test for the Sunday night league, is there?
Aaron says
Edit to my midnight ramblings.. I think the Pats will take “Dwayne Jarrett” if he is available. I also think the same for Ted Ginn Jr…Too many good wide receivers in this draft not to take one.. With 2 first round picks, why not get one of the better WRs if they are available.
Dale Jarrett is happily racing in NASCAR.. My bad.
ESPN just posted a article by the Sports Guy dedicated to David Halberstam.. It was pretty good, so I thought I would share it.
https://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/070427
So far, so good, no nose dives into the keyboard. But I do hear voices in my head.. gotta go.
Casey says
‘Breaks of the Game’ is now on my list of books to read.
Casey says
Wu,
I am glad you enjoyed an NBA game. More of that to come.
Casey says
Anyone seen the new comedy on Nick at Nite called ‘Where’s Wally?’