First, thanks for the encouraging notes. I am enjoying this so far. I only wish I knew a little more about the site and how to create things within it. I am learning. I found out how to link to a blog that I've read for quite some time (Hal's Blog is causing some trouble with the address right now) and one that I just discovered a couple of days ago. These guys have some good info and provide enjoyable reads.
Darin asked that I write about Alex Rodriguez. I wanted to write something, but it seemed too easy a subject and it already had too much media play. What could I add? It may not be unique, but here is my take.
Although I wish all sports were clean and played on even ground, you can't expect ALL athletes to ignore opportunities that might enable them to get an edge on the competition...an opportunity to maximize earnings. I had hoped A-Rod was clean, and I expected him to have an excuse or reason for the failed test. That's the norm, right? I was disappointed when he admitted using steroids, but I was relieved that he was owning up to his disregard of the law and our idea of fair play.
I'm glad I waited to comment. Like many people, I was ready to give Rodriguez his props for "admitting" what he had done. I thought there were many loose ends in the initial interview and admittance of guilt, but he'd clear that up when he collected himself. He did all of that and more when he decided to tell all...oops! I learned as a child that it would require many additional lies to cover up one lie. Rodriguez may need a math degree to figure the total he'll need. His stories continue to reveal more holes than a water-filled calender. Why didn't he just admit guilt and move on??? We did not need the cousin. We did not need a specific type of steroid. Honest and simple would have sufficed for most, and the rest could spin their wheels trying to dig deeper on their own.
Another super star in the sports world admitted to wrong doing this week. Charles Barkley returned to TNT's coverage of the NBA on Thursday. He took some time off after being caught driving under the influence in early January. His blood alcohol level was almost twice the legal limit. In his return, he issued an apology and admitted HIS error. He did not blame anyone else for his misconduct. Was he sincere or was this just the right way to play it? I believe he was sincere, but I want to believe him.
Any good PR person would have you choose the latter approach to public apology. People will accept Barkley's apology quicker than the multitude of excuses and reasons provided by A-Rod during his press conference. No matter the excuses, reasons, amount of details, or how liked the individual may be; not a single one of us know what is truly in the heart of either man. Only they know; and only they have to live with their conscience. Good luck to both of them.
February 20, 2009
February 15, 2009
Loaded Weekend
This weekend has been somewhat eventful. The NBA is enjoying their All-Star break with all sorts of activities. NASCAR's Daytona 500 begins the second longest season for any sport. The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is now delaying the final round until Monday (golf has the longest season if my calculations are correct). I think I mentioned that spring training started yesterday for pitchers and catchers, and shame on any of you that figured baseball had the longest season of sports.
I usually watch the events put together by the Association for their all-star break. They are enjoyable and translate well to television on most accounts. Although Daequan Cook won the 3-Point Shooting Contest, can we get someone to score over 20 points again? As entertaining as most of the Slam Dunk Contest was, we need to fix the scoring. Although he would have been no match in the finals, Rudy Fernandez' first dunk was better than many that received 50's later in the event. Seriously, he threw the ball behind his back...off the backboard to the opposite side of the rim...and threw it down with authority. I have issues with all competitions that are decided by random scores provided by a judge's opinion. We'll talk about gymnastics, diving, cheerleading, and a few other so-called sports another day.
I enjoyed the theatrics provided by both Nate Robinson, the champion, and Dwight Howard. Is there a nicer or more likable guy in the NBA than Dwight Howard? Maybe D-Wade? I am a bit disgruntled with a lot of people that are paid to announce sports, but the crew of Kevin Harlan, Kenny Smith and Reggie Miller were great during their TNT coverage last night. I don't agree with everything they said, but I was informed and entertained. I hope the actual game is not overwhelmed by Craig Sager's traditionally ugly suits. By the way, I miss the dominant throw-downs of Dominique Wilkins.
Rain eliminated the last quarter of the Daytona 500, but a very deserving driver was the beneficiary. Matt Kenseth was pushed to the lead just before the rains came and caused the race to be called after 152 of 200 laps were completed. NASCAR on FOX is an entertaining watch, but keep that Digger Critter off the screen every couple of minutes. Can he be smaller than the cars driving behind him or get out of my way? My kids enjoyed him though, so maybe I should lighten up on Digger. I still wonder about car racing being categorized as a sport, but there is definitely some athletic ability and strategy involved in this competition. I hate to drive for more than an hour with changing scenery and much less to worry about, unless you count state police and what the heck the kids are doing in the backseat. I'll still watch 'em run around in circles for most of their races. I'm hooked on this stuff...
I usually watch the events put together by the Association for their all-star break. They are enjoyable and translate well to television on most accounts. Although Daequan Cook won the 3-Point Shooting Contest, can we get someone to score over 20 points again? As entertaining as most of the Slam Dunk Contest was, we need to fix the scoring. Although he would have been no match in the finals, Rudy Fernandez' first dunk was better than many that received 50's later in the event. Seriously, he threw the ball behind his back...off the backboard to the opposite side of the rim...and threw it down with authority. I have issues with all competitions that are decided by random scores provided by a judge's opinion. We'll talk about gymnastics, diving, cheerleading, and a few other so-called sports another day.
I enjoyed the theatrics provided by both Nate Robinson, the champion, and Dwight Howard. Is there a nicer or more likable guy in the NBA than Dwight Howard? Maybe D-Wade? I am a bit disgruntled with a lot of people that are paid to announce sports, but the crew of Kevin Harlan, Kenny Smith and Reggie Miller were great during their TNT coverage last night. I don't agree with everything they said, but I was informed and entertained. I hope the actual game is not overwhelmed by Craig Sager's traditionally ugly suits. By the way, I miss the dominant throw-downs of Dominique Wilkins.
Rain eliminated the last quarter of the Daytona 500, but a very deserving driver was the beneficiary. Matt Kenseth was pushed to the lead just before the rains came and caused the race to be called after 152 of 200 laps were completed. NASCAR on FOX is an entertaining watch, but keep that Digger Critter off the screen every couple of minutes. Can he be smaller than the cars driving behind him or get out of my way? My kids enjoyed him though, so maybe I should lighten up on Digger. I still wonder about car racing being categorized as a sport, but there is definitely some athletic ability and strategy involved in this competition. I hate to drive for more than an hour with changing scenery and much less to worry about, unless you count state police and what the heck the kids are doing in the backseat. I'll still watch 'em run around in circles for most of their races. I'm hooked on this stuff...
February 13, 2009
13...The Beginning
So I am finally going to write something. I have a lot to learn on the publishing side, but you can probably see that in the note about me. I'm sure I'll figure out paragraphs and such soon.
I LOVE BASEBALL! Although the NFL has taken over the country and seems to dominate the sports scene in the U.S., baseball is our national sport and still tops my list. The Canadians had this issue with lacrosse and hockey, although several years ago, hockey was added as a national sport there in an act of parliament.
Back to my initial thought... Pitchers and catchers report tomorrow, which happens to be Valentines Day. With all due respect to Gretchen French and Melinda Wallace from gradeschool in Augusta, BASEBALL was my first love. I remember playing in blue jeans and t-shirts on an old field at the end of second street. I had to convince my friend Tony that I needed to play shortstop in the "real games." I needed to be Dave Concepcion. We also played 2 against 2 in the back yard of an old church. Left Field was closed to make the game somewhat competitive and it may have taught us to hit the other way. We were about 6 years old, so this game wasn't that hard. I never felt more at home or more at peace than I did back in those days. As I grew up and moved back to the Dayton area, things continued to get more difficult at home, in school, in life. Baseball was always there, even if it was not as pure as those days in Augusta.
As you could guess, my favorite number is 13. Today is a Friday the 13th and baseball starts fresh tomorrow. I started blogging tonight because it seemed like the right time to do something new, something fresh. I will not post every day, but I hope to post a few times a week. Here's to the Reds having a successful season and for everyone to remember their own baseball or your own first love.
I LOVE BASEBALL! Although the NFL has taken over the country and seems to dominate the sports scene in the U.S., baseball is our national sport and still tops my list. The Canadians had this issue with lacrosse and hockey, although several years ago, hockey was added as a national sport there in an act of parliament.
Back to my initial thought... Pitchers and catchers report tomorrow, which happens to be Valentines Day. With all due respect to Gretchen French and Melinda Wallace from gradeschool in Augusta, BASEBALL was my first love. I remember playing in blue jeans and t-shirts on an old field at the end of second street. I had to convince my friend Tony that I needed to play shortstop in the "real games." I needed to be Dave Concepcion. We also played 2 against 2 in the back yard of an old church. Left Field was closed to make the game somewhat competitive and it may have taught us to hit the other way. We were about 6 years old, so this game wasn't that hard. I never felt more at home or more at peace than I did back in those days. As I grew up and moved back to the Dayton area, things continued to get more difficult at home, in school, in life. Baseball was always there, even if it was not as pure as those days in Augusta.
As you could guess, my favorite number is 13. Today is a Friday the 13th and baseball starts fresh tomorrow. I started blogging tonight because it seemed like the right time to do something new, something fresh. I will not post every day, but I hope to post a few times a week. Here's to the Reds having a successful season and for everyone to remember their own baseball or your own first love.
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