This weekend the Cincinnati Reds have their long awaited rematch from the 1970 World Series against the Baltimore Orioles. My memories of that series are... yea, I wasn't really around then. This is series marks the Reds playing at all of the American League parks. Great.
Look, I see the appeal to Inter-league play. Battle of Ohio is cool. Being able to see the Yankees play the Reds is definitely an attraction. The Reds had their first non-opening day Monday sell-out because of it. Money is to be made. Besides, the more teams that play each other, the less we have to hear about Red Sox versus Yankees. So that's a plus
I guess my gripe is that other than when we play the Indians or a marquee team like the Yankees or Red Sox, it's just another game. Sure, the Texas Rangers were in the World Series last year, but I wouldn't be clamoring to get tickets because the Rangers are in town.
More than any other pro sport, baseball has more tradition in the US than any other sport. There are a lot of things that make it unique. The DH Rule, 7th inning stretch, and not playing the other league. That's what makes it cool. I know that there are 162 games and that people might not want to see the Astros 14 times a year, but that's baseball. The fact that the team we play in the World Series may be the only time we play that team is pretty cool. And adds to the lore of baseball.
But in a world that likes to change things just because they feel like it, it was only a matter of time until inter-league play happened. And now there is talk of realignment and going from 2 leagues and 3 divisions to 2 leagues and 2 divisions. That's got an old school feel to it, and really makes winning a division mean a lot. I would be a big fan of realignment. Why should the Reds be in a 6 team division and the Rangers be in a 4 team one? So it'll be interesting to see how that pays out.
Just don't talk to me about an 18 game schedule.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Xbox Love Triangle
I have to admit something. I've been with Jess for six years, but there has always been another love in my life. It's been an affair that I hope to get out in the open and see if I can make it work with Jessica. I love video games.
Jess has never been a big fan of video games. Sure, she plays the occasional Wii party game, and she loves them on her iPhone, but the Xbox360 and Jess have been rivals for years. I hope that I have found a way to bridge the gap between the two. LA Noire.
As I've written before, I really like LA Noire. And one thing Jess and I like to watch are police shows. I feel like this game could be a happy medium for both of us enjoy. I've been through a complete playthrough before, so I know we can make it 'til the end. It will be interesting to see how her detective work is compared to mine. She'll probably blow my scores away.
We'll see how this works. I'm excited, and she's... on board. It'll be an interesting experiment to see if I can make my two loves love each other. Maybe not love each other, but at least not be at each others throats.
Is there anything you've tried to get your significant other interested in? Did it work? Did it fail with hilarious consequences? Let me know. Post a comment or leave a message on Facebook. (I'd prefer you leave the message here.)
Jess has never been a big fan of video games. Sure, she plays the occasional Wii party game, and she loves them on her iPhone, but the Xbox360 and Jess have been rivals for years. I hope that I have found a way to bridge the gap between the two. LA Noire.
As I've written before, I really like LA Noire. And one thing Jess and I like to watch are police shows. I feel like this game could be a happy medium for both of us enjoy. I've been through a complete playthrough before, so I know we can make it 'til the end. It will be interesting to see how her detective work is compared to mine. She'll probably blow my scores away.
We'll see how this works. I'm excited, and she's... on board. It'll be an interesting experiment to see if I can make my two loves love each other. Maybe not love each other, but at least not be at each others throats.
Is there anything you've tried to get your significant other interested in? Did it work? Did it fail with hilarious consequences? Let me know. Post a comment or leave a message on Facebook. (I'd prefer you leave the message here.)
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Father's Day
Today is Father's Day and I wanted to take the time to talk about my dad. When it comes to athletics my dad was an awesome baseball player. Then again, Peebles didn't have football, he was too short for basketball, and my dad hates hockey (he can't skate). He did get his hitting genes from his dad. Big Ralph could hit a ton and listening to people talk about it is like hearing a tall tale. "One time, Ralph hit a ball so hard it went over the Peebles High School and reports were that it was spotted in Maysville." Who am I to judge? He was hitting balls better than me the last time we were at the diamond. They say talent skips a generation, which is why I royally suck at baseball more than anything else.
Nowadays my dad doesn't play baseball much, but usually you can find him playing horseshoes. He used to have a three-wheeler, thankfully he got rid of it. He was crazy dangerous on it, and if we didn't get rid of it, I'd probably not be writing this today. So thanks dad and mom for getting rid of it. I appreciate it. So does Jess.
When it comes to watching sports, my dad isn't a big pro sports fan. He loves College Sports and the Little League World Series. My dad actually buys the College Football Package from DirectTV. That might not seem like a big deal to you, dear reader, but let me tell you. That is HUGE. It's like 200 bucks! I can't tell you the last time my dad spent 200 bucks on anything else. Maybe their car. My parents have no movie channels, but on Saturday if you want to see Northern Illinois vs Middle Tennessee State, come to their house.
College Sports fit my dad's personality. He's not one to boast, other than about the computer he built. He doesn't like the pro sports because its all about the money. He's an honest man, and I think that's one reason he doesn't like Pete Rose. Even though Pete is a lot like my dad with his work ethic, he cheated. My dad won't tolerate a cheater, no matter what else they did. I respect that. You know what you're getting with my dad. He's a fine husband, (I'm told) a great guy, and a super dad. One day I hope that I can be as good at those three things as he is, because I'll never be that good of a ball player, sorry dad.
Happy Father's Day, to my dad and all the other Dads out there.
Nowadays my dad doesn't play baseball much, but usually you can find him playing horseshoes. He used to have a three-wheeler, thankfully he got rid of it. He was crazy dangerous on it, and if we didn't get rid of it, I'd probably not be writing this today. So thanks dad and mom for getting rid of it. I appreciate it. So does Jess.
When it comes to watching sports, my dad isn't a big pro sports fan. He loves College Sports and the Little League World Series. My dad actually buys the College Football Package from DirectTV. That might not seem like a big deal to you, dear reader, but let me tell you. That is HUGE. It's like 200 bucks! I can't tell you the last time my dad spent 200 bucks on anything else. Maybe their car. My parents have no movie channels, but on Saturday if you want to see Northern Illinois vs Middle Tennessee State, come to their house.
College Sports fit my dad's personality. He's not one to boast, other than about the computer he built. He doesn't like the pro sports because its all about the money. He's an honest man, and I think that's one reason he doesn't like Pete Rose. Even though Pete is a lot like my dad with his work ethic, he cheated. My dad won't tolerate a cheater, no matter what else they did. I respect that. You know what you're getting with my dad. He's a fine husband, (I'm told) a great guy, and a super dad. One day I hope that I can be as good at those three things as he is, because I'll never be that good of a ball player, sorry dad.
Happy Father's Day, to my dad and all the other Dads out there.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
I Hope It Was Worth It, Bill
In 2001, Bill Simmons was starting to come into his own at ESPN. Still new with the company, his Page 2 Column started to take off. In the 10 years since, Bill has been a writer for Jimmy Kimmel Live, moved to LA, become the biggest writer for ESPN, produced huge documentaries, and now launched his own site, grantland.com. Besides his accomplishments, sports and entertainment from Boston has exploded. Take a look at this:
Even if my theory isn't true, I think Boston has become what we always pictured New York to be. The city that has all the winners, the city that can put something over your head because they are better than your city. One day, I plan to meet Bill Simmons and ask him myself if this is true. And if it is, I'm going to then find Jerry Springer and find out why he did the same thing but only got a trashy talk show and a few years as host of America's Got Talent.
- New England Patriots, 3 Time Superbowl Champs
- Boston Celtics, 1 NBA Title
- Boston Red Sox, 2 World Series wins
- Boston Bruins, 1 Stanley Cup
- Dana White and UFC explode
- Jay Leno gets his job back from Conan
- The Departed wins best picture
- The Fighter and The Town, also about Boston come out
- John Cena (from West Newberry, Mass) wins estimated 45,000 matches and 1,000 WWE championships
- Sam Adams beer becomes super popular
- People listen to the Flogging Mollys
Even if my theory isn't true, I think Boston has become what we always pictured New York to be. The city that has all the winners, the city that can put something over your head because they are better than your city. One day, I plan to meet Bill Simmons and ask him myself if this is true. And if it is, I'm going to then find Jerry Springer and find out why he did the same thing but only got a trashy talk show and a few years as host of America's Got Talent.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Game 7
A few summers ago I went to a Cyclones hockey game. The game happened to start around the same time as the Reds were playing next door. A Cubs fan looked at my jersey and asked me if there was a playoff hockey game going on. I told him yes, it was Game 7. When I told him it was Game 7, he told his friends there was a change of plans, they were going to see two minor league hockey teams play a Game 7 instead of his favorite team playing the Reds.
That is one story of how big a Game 7 in hockey is. I have more, and any hockey fan can tell you how big these games are. Game 7 isn't just the final game in a series, its the most intense 60 minutes (or more) in sports. Hockey players are already wired differently. They are mentally and physically tough. They always play with intensity and that ratchets up in the playoffs. And for Game 7? For the greatest trophy in pro sports? To have your name forever etched on Lord Stanley's Cup? Hide your kids, hide your wife...
The Canucks play the Bruins tonight in Vancouver at 8pm on NBC. Or CBC, watch it on there if you can. Don Cherry is awesome. He's like a reverse Jackie Robinson, breaking the color barrier on crazy looking suits. The entire spectacle of the Stanley Cup Final is fantastic to watch. And as for the teams, there is a TON of side storys.
USA versus Canada. Will Luongo look like games 1, 2, and 5 (2 goals) or 3, 4, and 6 (15 goals)? The Canucks are the faster team, and came in statistically better. But Boston has shown to be very tough. And in the playoffs, toughness and goal tending is the name of the game.
I think this game will be decided by one man. Roberto Luongo, the Canucks goaltender. When he has been on, they don't lose. But when he is off, man is he off. So far, he's been able to handle the pressure when he's at home. But will those 15 goals allowed, and the Boston crowd chanting his name all night Monday. That has to get to him, that has to break him down eventually. And in the biggest moment of the biggest game of his life, will he be able to handle it? We will find out tonight. Game 7.
That is one story of how big a Game 7 in hockey is. I have more, and any hockey fan can tell you how big these games are. Game 7 isn't just the final game in a series, its the most intense 60 minutes (or more) in sports. Hockey players are already wired differently. They are mentally and physically tough. They always play with intensity and that ratchets up in the playoffs. And for Game 7? For the greatest trophy in pro sports? To have your name forever etched on Lord Stanley's Cup? Hide your kids, hide your wife...
The Canucks play the Bruins tonight in Vancouver at 8pm on NBC. Or CBC, watch it on there if you can. Don Cherry is awesome. He's like a reverse Jackie Robinson, breaking the color barrier on crazy looking suits. The entire spectacle of the Stanley Cup Final is fantastic to watch. And as for the teams, there is a TON of side storys.
USA versus Canada. Will Luongo look like games 1, 2, and 5 (2 goals) or 3, 4, and 6 (15 goals)? The Canucks are the faster team, and came in statistically better. But Boston has shown to be very tough. And in the playoffs, toughness and goal tending is the name of the game.
I think this game will be decided by one man. Roberto Luongo, the Canucks goaltender. When he has been on, they don't lose. But when he is off, man is he off. So far, he's been able to handle the pressure when he's at home. But will those 15 goals allowed, and the Boston crowd chanting his name all night Monday. That has to get to him, that has to break him down eventually. And in the biggest moment of the biggest game of his life, will he be able to handle it? We will find out tonight. Game 7.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Don't Take This Personal
There is a disconnect between most athletes and fans. The most recent example was LeBron's post game tirade. If you haven't seen it, here's a sample:
"Because at the end of the day, all the people that was rooting on me to fail, at the end of the day they have to wake up tomorrow and have the same life that they had before they woke up today. They have the same personal problems they had today." - LeBron James
And he's right, when I woke up after they lost, I still was without a full-time job. My bank account still only contains 3 digits. I still don't have a BMW in the driveway of my 30,000 square foot compound. There were two things that really bothered me about what he said, he didn't take responsibility for his team losing and instead of addressing supporters, he addresses his haters.
Why feed to the trolls? If you are so worry more about the people that don't like you, eventually, nobody will like you. Instead of making remarks like that, hit the gym and make yourself better. LeBron, you CAN be the "Chosen 1" you CAN dominate any and every game. That's what drives me crazy. I want to hate you because I know you will dismantle my favorite team effortlessly, not because you cowardly hide behind your words.
LeBron is the latest in a long line of athletes that play the, "you're just jealous you aren't me" card. Sure, I'd love to make that kind of money, I'd like to make Jerome Simpson money. But that's not the reason for the hate. This is a career for athletes; it's their livelihood. However to sports fans, this is entertainment. At the end of the day, pro sports are something we like to talk about, argue about, and just watch like any other form of entertainment.
I have no personal issues with LeBron James. Or any other athlete, except maybe Kimo. (Curse you Kimo) Athletes that take what we say personally need to get over it. If you're on TV, people are going to dissect you. That's how it works. Instead of taking shots at the people that make you relevant, change their opinions by proving them wrong. Show them you are willing to put in the time to earn your spot.
There was a time that I hated Kobe Bryant. He was an arrogant ball hog that only got to where he was because of Shaq. He was a diva, that drove his teammate and coach out of town. Even prompting Phil Jackson to write a book about him. But then something happened, Kobe starting winning again. Kobe didn't seemed to let his play do the talking for him. He worked his butt off and became the best player in the world. What a concept.
"Because at the end of the day, all the people that was rooting on me to fail, at the end of the day they have to wake up tomorrow and have the same life that they had before they woke up today. They have the same personal problems they had today." - LeBron James
And he's right, when I woke up after they lost, I still was without a full-time job. My bank account still only contains 3 digits. I still don't have a BMW in the driveway of my 30,000 square foot compound. There were two things that really bothered me about what he said, he didn't take responsibility for his team losing and instead of addressing supporters, he addresses his haters.
Why feed to the trolls? If you are so worry more about the people that don't like you, eventually, nobody will like you. Instead of making remarks like that, hit the gym and make yourself better. LeBron, you CAN be the "Chosen 1" you CAN dominate any and every game. That's what drives me crazy. I want to hate you because I know you will dismantle my favorite team effortlessly, not because you cowardly hide behind your words.
LeBron is the latest in a long line of athletes that play the, "you're just jealous you aren't me" card. Sure, I'd love to make that kind of money, I'd like to make Jerome Simpson money. But that's not the reason for the hate. This is a career for athletes; it's their livelihood. However to sports fans, this is entertainment. At the end of the day, pro sports are something we like to talk about, argue about, and just watch like any other form of entertainment.
I have no personal issues with LeBron James. Or any other athlete, except maybe Kimo. (Curse you Kimo) Athletes that take what we say personally need to get over it. If you're on TV, people are going to dissect you. That's how it works. Instead of taking shots at the people that make you relevant, change their opinions by proving them wrong. Show them you are willing to put in the time to earn your spot.
There was a time that I hated Kobe Bryant. He was an arrogant ball hog that only got to where he was because of Shaq. He was a diva, that drove his teammate and coach out of town. Even prompting Phil Jackson to write a book about him. But then something happened, Kobe starting winning again. Kobe didn't seemed to let his play do the talking for him. He worked his butt off and became the best player in the world. What a concept.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Maybe Next Time, LeBron (Alternate Version)
During Game 4 of the NBA Finals, I wrote this blog about if Miami won. I really felt like LeBron was in a lose-lose situation. Even if he won, he didn't.
In the 1980's, Ted Dibiase was always trying to get the WWF Title. He had the money, the skills, and everything it took to get that belt, but he never could. And then, "The Million Dollar Man" came up with his most devious plan. He had Andre the Giant fight, and defeat, WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan. Once he was awarded the belt, he gave to Ted DiBiase. A dastardly move by a dastardly man. Of course, it didn't last long, we soon found out that an evil twin ref was used and there was a fast count, and the Million Dollar Man's plan was foiled.
This time there was no "evil ref". (2006, anyone?) But when LeBron couldn't win the title on his own, he joined his own version of the Million Dollar Team. (Chris Bosh as Virgil) And like Ted DiBiase, even though he held the title, everyone knew it wasn't his. Maybe to him it doesn't matter. Being a champion is being a champion. No matter how you got there, it's yours.
Am I calling LeBron a fraud? Not exactly. His team won the title and he was a major contributor. He is a big reason they made it as far as they did. But nobody that has watched this NBA Finals can tell you LeBron carried this team. This has been D Wade's team. He's been the fire, he's been the reason they won. He's the reason the team is even together.
LeBron is too good to not have a title. Many times, he's the best player on the court. He's the most amazing physical force in the NBA since a young Shaq. If it wasn't this year, it could be next year, or the next. As long as he's healthy, any team with LeBron James in the lineup is a legit title contender. But maybe this time, it wasn't really his. It's a shame for him that people won't let him enjoy it the way he will want to, but he's still the champ. For now.
In the 1980's, Ted Dibiase was always trying to get the WWF Title. He had the money, the skills, and everything it took to get that belt, but he never could. And then, "The Million Dollar Man" came up with his most devious plan. He had Andre the Giant fight, and defeat, WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan. Once he was awarded the belt, he gave to Ted DiBiase. A dastardly move by a dastardly man. Of course, it didn't last long, we soon found out that an evil twin ref was used and there was a fast count, and the Million Dollar Man's plan was foiled.
This time there was no "evil ref". (2006, anyone?) But when LeBron couldn't win the title on his own, he joined his own version of the Million Dollar Team. (Chris Bosh as Virgil) And like Ted DiBiase, even though he held the title, everyone knew it wasn't his. Maybe to him it doesn't matter. Being a champion is being a champion. No matter how you got there, it's yours.
Am I calling LeBron a fraud? Not exactly. His team won the title and he was a major contributor. He is a big reason they made it as far as they did. But nobody that has watched this NBA Finals can tell you LeBron carried this team. This has been D Wade's team. He's been the fire, he's been the reason they won. He's the reason the team is even together.
LeBron is too good to not have a title. Many times, he's the best player on the court. He's the most amazing physical force in the NBA since a young Shaq. If it wasn't this year, it could be next year, or the next. As long as he's healthy, any team with LeBron James in the lineup is a legit title contender. But maybe this time, it wasn't really his. It's a shame for him that people won't let him enjoy it the way he will want to, but he's still the champ. For now.
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