THE REST OF THE 138 POINT JACK TAYLOR STORY

The scene has played out thousands and maybe hundreds of thousands of times in neighborhood driveways in each and every U.S. town and city.  It's a game played one-on-none against an imaginary basketball opponent.  In many respects, it's a dream game.  One where real life and fantasy coincide.   The ball and player are in perfect harmony......scoring at will in every way possible. First, it's driving layups from each side of the free throw lane.....then several ten foot baseline jumpers.  Next comes running one hand scoop shots, followed by stop and pop shots at the top of the key.  Then come the bombs.  3 pointers from every spot on the arc.  When it's all said and done, you walk off the court knowing you've done something magnificent, probably unheard of.  You've broken every possible record in the books.  And people everywhere, know your name.  It's a dream for sure.  At least people say that's what it is.  That is.....unless your name is Jack Taylor.  And the dream becomes REAL.

Where the Dream played out.....Darby Gymnasium

It was the evening of November 20, 2012 when Jack Taylor and the Grinnell Pioneers readied themselves for Faith Baptist Bible at Darby Gymnasium..  Prior to warm-ups,  Taylor and several of his teammates huddled for some pre-game devotions.  In two previous Pioneer games, time had not presented itself for a blessed get-together.  Tonight was the beginning of something different. Matthew 25 was the focus that evening.  The word spoke of using the talents God has given you and more importantly using every moment you're given.  Jack Taylor and his teammates took the message to heart.

Here is the short version of Jack's night courtesy of ESPN writer Myron Medcalf:

"Grinnell's Jack Taylor didn't just amend the NCAA's record books when he scored 138 points--a new collegiate high mark--in his team's 179-104 victory over Faith Baptist Bible Tuesday night.  The Division III star wrote a new chapter.

There was a point during the second half where I hit a number of three's in a row--maybe seven or eight--I felt like anything I threw up was going in", Taylor said.  "I've been in the zone before but I've never taken so many shots."   

Bevo Francis of Rio Grande held the NCAA scoring record with 113 points against Hillsdale in 1954.  In the 1953, Francis had 116 against Ashland Junior College.  Frank Selvy is the only other player to reach triple figures, scoring 100 points for Division I Furman against Newberry in 1954.  The previous Grinnell record was 89 by Griffin Lentsch last November 19th against Principia.

Taylor said he entered the locker room at halftime under the assumption he'd racked up 30 points in the first half.  But when head coach David Arseneault whipped out the first-half stat sheet, he realized he was mistaken.

"Coach walked in with a stat sheet and said I had 58", Taylor said.  "you could see the team's eyes light up.  By the end of the night, Taylor was 52 for 108 (27 of 71 from the 3-point line) and he'd established a new collegiate record".

All eyes were on the 5' 10" Taylor that night.....

This week, Jack and I connected for some one-on-one time.  Conversation that is, not a game, mind you.  I purposely wanted to wait a while in talking to Mr. Taylor after the initial onslaught of media attention.  Here is some of our conversation:

SR:  Was there a point during the game when the significance of what was happening set in?

JT;  Halftime is where I was really surprised.  I had 58 points.  The game plan for the  second half became that I would get a touch every time down the floor.  Not necessarily a shot.  Normally I play around 18 minutes a game, but played 36.  My teammates did an awesome job of getting me the ball.

SR:  How did you handle the mention of glorifying God during your interviews?

JT:  My first interview was with ESPN.  I'm not sure I even mentioned God.  After all the interviews I did the first night, I started looking back and knew that I had to do a better job in giving God the Glory.  I prayed about that and asked for boldness in mentioning God in each interview I did.

SR:  What do you feel the importance of your night was?  How is God using you?

JT:  I see a lot of doors opening.  I can influence others and I see that as an exciting opportunity. Especially with youth.  Being able to talk to people back home and ones that know me.  My little sister is in high school and I see that I can be a role model for her and others in her school.  Here at Grinnell, I can share my faith and let others know they don't have to be scared in talking about their faith.

SR:  Picture yourself talking to a gymnasium full of young people.  What would be your message to them?

JT:  I would share my story of the two loves I have, basketball and the Lord.  Basketball used to be my religion before I tore my ACL in Prep School.  I had a friend that I was speaking  to about being a Christian and he said, "you're not a Christian".  That hit home.  From then on I focused on being a better person and living for the Lord.  I took that as a challenge.  That was the hardest time of my life.....when I had something taken away from me that I loved.  Now I look to be obedient.

SR:  You took a long road to Grinnell.  First Prep School, then UW-LaCrosse and then Grinnell.  Why do you think that was your journey?

JT:  I often wonder about that.  I could have gone to Grinnell right out of high school.  But instead I decided to go to Prep School hoping I could land some Division I offers.  Then I tore my ACL and transferred to LaCrosse.  It wasn't my plan.  If I hadn't gone to Prep School, I wouldn't have met my friend who challenged me about my faith.

SR: In talking about Matthew 25 before your big night, how did that have an impact on what took place?

JT:  I knew I was going to get more minutes that night.  I told my parents and girlfriend that our system at Grinnell would mean that I would probably get more shots too.  I think Matthew 25 opened my eyes to be more aggressive and play with the talents God has given me. (laughs)

SR:  Have you thought about the meaning of 138 in the Bible and sought some words to that number, perhaps Psalm 138?

JT:  Wow, no I hadn't even thought of that.

SR:  Well, let me get my Bible and look it up for the both of us....:

As Jack pulled up Psalm 138 on his computer, we both read of the provided wisdom.  And this is what jumped out.  "When I called, you answered me, you made me bold and stouthearted-Pslam 138:3

Additionally, Pslam 138 describes those who are close to God live in reality and those who believe in human power live in a world of fantasy.

I must say, for me anyway.....after our 138 exchange, I don't remember a whole lot more about what questions I asked and how Jack responded.  I do know that several minutes later he texted me and thanked me for sharing Psalm 138 with him and encouraging him to walk boldly through the doors God opens.

Hold On....Now that I think about it, I do remember a final question.

SR:  Who do you want to play you in the movie?

JT:  (Laughs).  I hadn't even thought about that (laughs again).

Someday, yes someday, there might be a Taylor boy or girl out on the driveway playing imaginary hoops.....playing out the game of their life.  The difference is, someday, Jack will be able to tell them all about it.  And knowing kids, that might be a hard sell.

JT:  One time I scored 138 points in a game.  And it was the biggest single game point total in collegiate history.

Young Taylor:  You scored 138 points.  Right Dad.  Come on!!!!!  Game On.....

****  As a side note:  Jack has played 6 games since November 20th.  He has scored in succession, 21,18,39,12,36 and 37 points.  His highest minute total in any of those games is 18.  For the season, the Black River Falls, Wisconsin native is averaging 38.7 points per game.

Thanks for reading,

John

HALL OF FAME TIME AGAIN FOR BASEBALL

The Baseball Writer's Association of America (BBWAA) is releasing today (Monday) the names to be considered for election into the prestigious Baseball Hall of Fame.  Some of the names are old ones, ones that probably have little chance of ever making it.  And then there are the ones that should make it...and others whose fate will hang with a jury for a long time, I'm afraid.  Remember, every year now, the discussion will no doubt focus on PED (Performance Enhancing Drugs) and whether that player was an abuser or not.

Results of the balloting is expected in early January of 2013 for selection into the Hall on July 28th in Cooperstown, New York

One of the greatest thief's of all-time.....Tim Raines

The players back for another run this year are Jack Morris, Jeff Bagwell, Lee Smith, Tim Raines, Alan Trammel, Edgar Martinez, Fred McGriff, Larry Walker, Mark McGwire, Don Mattingly, Dale Murphy, Rafael Palmeiro and Bernie Williams.  Of those, Morris received 66% of the votes needed last year, Bagwell  got 56%, Smith had 51% and Raines grabbed 49%.  75% is needed for selection.

Will this be the year for Morris, the former ace who won 254 games in his big league career?  He's making his 14th run at the honor and he'll probably get in.  Bagwell is another that deserves a shot, although, despite hitting 449 home runs in his career...there has been some question about potential steroid use.  The most deserving might be reliever Lee Smith, who once held the record for most life-time saves until Trevor Hoffman of the San Diego Padres bested his mark in 2006.  Smith ranks second on the all-time list with 478 saves.

At Bruce Sutter's Hall of Fame induction in 2006, Smith talked with reporters about his chances for election.  Like many others, he commented that he was puzzled that he had not yet been selected.  "This confuses the hell out of me.  But I've always been baffled by it", he said.  Hopefully, 2013 will be different for the 7-time All-Star and former Chicago Cub.

And now for the  new names to the ballot for 2013.  Let's begin with the players with the most name identification.  Craig Biggio, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Kenny Lofton, Mike Piazza, Curt Schilling and Sammy Sosa.  Several of these players could have been first-time selections, but again, PED's are in play.  Despite being baseball's all-time home run leader, Bonds, will have a difficult time of convincing the writers of his drug innocence.   Same goes for Clemens, Sosa and Piazza.  And that's a shame.  They were all big contributors to the Game during their times.  

The other first timers are:
Antonio Alfonseca, Sandy Alomar, Jr., Tony Batista, Mark Bellhorn, Hector Carrasco, Alberto Castillo, Jeff Cirillo, Royce Clayton, Jeff Conine, Rheal Cormier, Juan Encarnacion, Robert Fick, Steve Finley, Julio Franco, Shawn Green, Roberto Hernandez, Ryan Klesko, Steve Kline, Ricky Ledee, Mike Lieberthal, John Mabry, Tom Martin, Doug Mirabelli, Mike Myers, Jose Mesa, Orlando Palmeiro, Neifi Perez, Desi Relaford, Reggie Sanders, Aaron Sele, Mke Stanton, Kelly Stinnett, John Thomson, Jose Valentin, Todd Walker, John Wasdin, David Wells, Rich White, Rondell White, Bob Wickman, Woody Williams, Preston Wilson, Jay Witasick and Jaret Wright.


So, who gets in 2013.  I think Jack Morris and Jeff Bagwell.  Smith most likely will have to wait for the Veterans vote...and the big loser, is in my estimation, Tim Raines.  Raines is the fourth all-time base stealer behind, Rickey Henderson,  Lou Brock and Ty Cobb.  He was also estimated to be the 40th greatest non-pitcher in major league history by Bill James.  And he only played 23 seasons. The guy could flat out ball
 
Thanks for reading.

John  

DAYS OF WINE AND NO ROSES FOR HAWKS

It's been 22 years since the University of Iowa football program has sniffed Roses. And for Hawkeye fans, that's too long, far too long.  The man that led Iowa to its last Rose Bowl game (a 46-34 loss to Washington) was Hayden Fry and he's been gone since 1999 when he turned things over to current head man, Kirk Ferentz.

In the first 18 years at Iowa, Fry was 133-76.  He turned around a program that had been in the dumps making Iowa a factor in the Big Ten race each year.  But then things started getting ugly. In 1997, Iowa was expected to challenge for the Big Ten Championship but settled for a 7-5 season.  Then came 1998, the worst season ever for Fry at Iowa, 3-8.   "Spoiled" Hawk fans grew restless.  They'd been used to being a player in the conference race and a perennial bowl team.  I remember these times looking around for a team that I could root for, other than Iowa......that was competitive each and every year.  I was fed up with the football product and became apathetic to what was going on in Iowa City.  That's how frustrated I'd become.  And I wasn't alone.  Specifically, the biggest concern of the fan base was that the game had passed Fry by.  Not only was he being out-recruited, he was being out-coached.

What have you done for the Iowa fan-base lately?

Fast forward to 2012 and the scenario is looking much the same.  Ferentz takes over for Fry and leads the Hawkeyes back to the land of promise.......then things start getting ugly.  Since the 2010 Orange Bowl, which Iowa won by beating Georgia Tech 24-14, the Hawkeyes have won only 10 Big Ten games.  Fans expect more.  And they should considering the salary Ferentz now commands as the sixth highest paid coach in college football, $3.875 a year.

Not only is there criticism and concern within Hawkeye Nation, the outside world is well aware of Iowa's situation.  Adam Jacobi of the Bleacher Reports says, "the real killer for Iowa, however, is a buyout for Ferentz is set at 75% of his remaining salary, paid monthly.  So if Iowa wants to go another route for its head coach, that's fine.  It'll just owe Ferentz about a quarter a million dollars a month.

Every month.

Until January of 2020".  

Headed into this weekend's game with Purdue, Iowa stands 4-5.  Then follows games at Michigan and at home against Nebraska. One win is possible, two highly unlikely and three would be a miracle. Apathy is growing.  The product is boring and far too conservative.  Many fans are looking to the basketball season which opens this Friday for their athletic appetite.

A posting from a Iowa fan website page speaks of the home finale against Nebraska.

"I don't hold it against anybody if they want to sell their tickets to the highest bidder-Husker fan or not.  Just because you don't want to sell their tickets to a Husker fan-doesn't mean they won't end up with them if your buyer sells them for profit.  Loyalty is one thing-money another.

None of us wants to see Kinnick in red but it is what it is.  Win and this crap would not be happening.  This is not going to be much of a rivalry if we don't win sometime soon.  TV may not even want to put it on Black Friday if we don't step it up".

Iowa Athletic Director, Gary Barta negotiated Ferentz's current contract after the 2010 Orange Bowl victory.  He says today, he'd still do it.

"When you sit down with a coach, you take a look at their body of work", Barta said.  "There are different environments that you're evaluating.  In Kirk's case, back in 2009, I think we finished seventh in the country.  If you look at what he had done competitively, academically, value, integrity and fit, all those things, obviously I put together a package that I felt fit the person and the situation.

Glad I did it and still glad I did it".

Those remarks came several days ago when asked about his belief in the head coach.  Barta fixed his wagon to Kirk several years ago with that long-term deal.....a move that was highly questioned at the time.

In looking back at the season thus far and see losses to Central Michigan and Indiana (did you see the crowd size in Bloomington?  disgustingly small) there should be raised eyebrows.  Heck, the once highly competitive Iowa State-Iowa match-up is clearly in the Cyclones favor.  What's that tell you about a rivalry the Hawks dominated for years.

So where is this headed?    

The earlier remark from the fan about tickets might indicate more wisdom than we know when he said, "loyalty is one thing-money another".

Regardless, it's going to take a lot of BOTH......no matter which way this goes.

Thanks for reading,

John

YOU WANT TO BE NFL COMMISSIONER?

What's commissioner Roger Goodell doing with the National Football League these days?  Take a look at the standings and it looks more like the National Hockey League where everyone has a chance to make the playoffs.  For years there's been discussion of putting the league on a level playing field.  It sure looks like that's being accomplished.

Entering Week Seven, 10 Teams had won 4 or more games, 11 had a 3-3 record and 11 had won either one or two games.   Of those eleven clubs at the bottom are New Orleans at 1-4 and Pittsburgh, Detroit and Dallas at 2-3.  Any of those teams are playoff caliber.  All the teams in the AFC East are 3-3 (New England, New York, Buffalo and Miami) and the NFC East is almost the same.  If it's parity you want, it's parity you're going to get!!

But there is something else going on in the league.  Players have been speaking out about Mr.Goodell and his handling of the Bounty Scandal involving the New Orleans Saints. Quarterback Drew Brees has been especially critical.

Today, former Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Jimmy Kennedy, identified as a "whistleblower in the scandal, let loose on the NFL commissioner by calling him a liar in regards to his role in the league's investigation.   "Kennedy issued a lengthy statement in response to a recent memo the NFL gave to all teams that listed him as a person who originally told former Vikings coach Brad Childress in early 2010 that the Saints had a bounty on Brett Favre in the 2010 NFC title game".  "That's a lie", said Kennedy.  "I had no knowledge about any alleged bounty to reveal to anyone, and I never informed anyone that I did".

Would somebody else like this job?

Along with the Kennedy accusations today, comes this as well.  The commissioner appointed predecessor Paul Tagliabue to hear the appeals of four players suspended in the bounty scandal.  Goodell notified Jonathan Vilma, Will Smith, Scott Fujita and Anthony Hargrove, as well as the players' union, that Tagliabue would be the hearing officer to "decide the appeals and bring the matter to a prompt and fair conclusion".  The players and the union asked Goodell to recuse himself feeling he could not rule fairly.  One has to ask if having the former commissioner put forth a ruling is going to be any better.  

Goodell has said many times he feels his main duty as commissioner is "protecting the shield" as he puts it in reference to the NFL shield logo, protecting the integrity of the game and making it safer.  Since assuming office in September of 2006, he has suspended those involved in the bounty scandal and other notables such as Adam "Pacman" Jones, Chris Henry, Tank Johnson, Michael Vick, Ben Roethlisberger, Donte Stallworth and Ndamukong Suh.  In 2007, he disciplined the New England Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick for their involvement with Spygate and then of course there was the 2011 NFL lockout which he had a big hand in bringing to a close in August before the start of the season.  That might be his shining moment. Because the recent Referee Lockout just settled sure wasn't.  That has to rank as one of the worst times ever in NFL history.  .

SO you think it might be a whole lot of fun being the commissioner of the NFL and recognized as "one of the most powerful person in all of sports?"  There's much more to the job than most can comprehend.  And most of it isn't glamorous.  It might cause Goodell to pause and say, "here Paul, you can have your old job back when you're done ruling on the bounty scandal......I'm outta here!"

Who knows, it just might happen.

Thanks for reading,

John

ONE DIFFERENT CHARACTER...ALEX KARRAS

We heard on Monday the first official news pertaining to Alex Karras and kidney failure.  Reports were he was in his last days.  Today, we were informed that the character, and I mean character in the loose term,  who played many parts in the sports and entertainment field had died.

He was quite a bit different than his fellow man.....not unusual or weird, but different.  Perhaps a good definition to him would be is "once he made up his mind on something. that's the way it was".  Come hell or high water.

I never had an opportunity to see Karras play while at the University of Iowa (1954-57).  He struggled during his first two years with the Hawkeyes.  He was homesick and not all that happy with Head Coach Forest Evashevski.  At the end of his sophomore season, he threw a shoe at Evy and quit.  That summer he focused on his physical conditioning  and grades and returned to Iowa to finish his career.  But as far as his relationship with the head coach, that marriage was never repaired.   Former teammate Randy Duncan said this of their rapport, " Karras hated Evashevski and he still does.  I think Karras hated Evy for a lot of reasons.  Evy was on everybody's back, and he was on Karras' back big time.  Karras was a great football player but he didn't really like offense and in those days, you had to go both ways.  So he didn't block anybody,  What he wanted to do was chase down quarterbacks and play defense".  

And play defense he did.  The final two seasons at Iowa were full of honors for him and the University.  He was named All-American in 1956 and won the Outland Trophy as the nation's top lineman after the 1957 season.  Iowa won the Rose Bowl in 1957 over Oregon State, 35-19......and that next spring,  he was selected by the Detroit Lions as their number one pick in the National Football League draft.

A character in the clubhouse and  in life......

Twelve seasons later, he retired from the NFL, but not before being selected to the Pro Bowl on four different occasions. If you can picture Dick Butkus (the famed Chicago Bear ruffian) playing tackle, that would be Alex Karras.  He was not big for his position at defensive tackle ( 6 foot 3 inches and 248 pounds), but he along with teammate Roger Brown  and several other studs formed a group known as the "Fearsome Foursome".

But there were some trials during his NFL playing days.  "On January 7, 1963, Karras's ownership in Detroit's Lindell AC Bar became a source of controversy when league officials urged him to sell his financial interests in the place because of reports of gambling and organized crime influence.  After first threatening to retire rather than give it up, he admitted to placing bets on NFL games and was suspended by the league along with Green Bay Packers running back, Paul Hornung, for one season.  During his exile, Karras turned to pro wrestling where he had dabbled before.  The league reinstated he and Hornung in 1964.  Upon returning to action, he once refused when an official asked him to call the pre-game coin toss, "I'm sorry, sir", Karras replied, "I'm not permitted to gamble".

On another occasion, Lions rookie tight end recalled how he won Karras over.  "Karras showed him a picture of what he said was him (Karras) and his wife.  Both were young and Sanders said the woman was one of the ugliest he'd ever seen.  It wasn't Karras' wife and he was testing Sanders to see how he'd react.  "You have a nice family", Sanders replied diplomatically.  From that moment on, Karras accepted Sanders as a teammate and a friend. "He was a character", said Sanders.  "He was the Godfather.  That's what Godfather's do".  

That's the kind of character he was.....

Upon retirement Karras gained fame as a partner in the booth with Howard Cosell on Monday Night Football......in movies, like the "Paper Lion" and "Blazing Saddles".....and then on to television with his hit "Webster". where he would star with his second wife, Susan Clark.    

I'm not sure he ever patched things up with his University.  I thought he had, but I couldn't confirm that before I wrote the facts that were important about his life.  He wore # 77 as a Hawkeye and that's how old he was when he passed.  Perhaps a little irony there.  As I said before.....he was different.  But in a great, great way.

R.I.P. Alex Karras.


Thanks for reading,

John  

AMONG THE A'S CELEBRATION COMES TRAGEDY

Wednesday was to have been a special day for the Oakland Athletics.  Despite a ton of factors working against them, namely injuries, the schedule and a team made up of a whole slug of no-names, was in essence a one-game winner take all American League West title game against the Texas Rangers.

To say this season was a replay of sorts to "Moneyball", the movie released this past year of the 2002 version of the Oakland Athletics, you might be accurate.  Except this......

"Something happened to the Oakland A's family on Wednesday that put the joy of winning the AL West and making the playoffs in the proper perspective.  A's reliever Pat Neshek and his wife, Stephanee, suffered a tragedy when their newborn son died less than 24 hours after being born.

While his teammates were celebrating a playoff spot, Neshek, who had left the team on Tuesday to be with his wife during the childbirth, tweeted the following:

"Please pray for my family.  Tonight my wife and I lost our first and only son 23 hours after he was born with no explanation".   That tweet just a few hours after Neshek had excitedly tweeted the news of the birth, including a photo of his new born son, named Gehrig John Neshek.

As Unexplainable as it gets.......  

Later Wednesday, Stephanee Neshek tweeted:

"I am at a loss for words right now....he died peacefully sleeping in my arms unexpectedly without any explanation.  There was no cause of death and I am having trouble understanding why God can let such a thing happen to an innocent being".

In a statement, the A's said:  Our hearts go out to Pat and Stephanee and we share in their sorrow of losing their young son.  The entire A's organization will keep the Neshek family in our prayers and thoughts, as they try to come to grips with this tragic occurrence in their lives".

Gehrig John Neshek weighed 8 pounds and 5 ounces at birth.  Healthy by all accounts.  What caused his death?  I'm not sure if we'll ever know.  But for the Neshek's,  I hope and pray that an autopsy will find something to shed some light.  And if not, I pray the Neshek's see God's provision of direction through this difficult time.

Kind of puts life and sport in perspective, doesn't it?  As you watch Oakland and the Detroit Tigers battle it out in the playoffs beginning Friday......keep the Neshek's in your prayers. In fact, say one for them.  Just them and little Gehrig John.  No game, no win, no big-time contract can ever replace what they lost this week.  That's for sure.....

Thanks for reading,

John

THE SPECIAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE

This past weekend marked an anniversary of a special athlete in the game of baseball,  Roberto Clemente.  It was 40 years ago this past Sunday that Clemente recorded his 3,000 major league hit.  That in itself was special.  Months later, we'd find out....how special.

Clemente was an extraordinary player.  He played 18 major league season all with the Pittsburgh Pirates.  He was what many people would call a 5-tool player.  He could hit for power, he could throw, he could run, he could field and he could hit for average.  And he did them all with a class that places him among the all-time greats.  If you equate him with a player of today, see Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels and you might get an idea of just how good he was.  Here are but a few of his accomplishments:

15-time All-Star
2-time World Series Champion (1960, 1971)
12-time Gold Glove Winner (1961-1972)
4-time National League Batting Champion (1961, 1964, 1965, 1967)
National League Most Valuable Player (1966)
World Series Most Valuable Player  (1971)
He is the only player in major league history to hit a walk-off inside-the-park Grand Slam

Roberto Clemente......something Special

But as great as Clemente was on the field, he might have been of  bigger significance off it. "During the off-season, Clemente was involved in charity work.  When Managua, the capital city of Nicaragua, was affected by a massive earthquake in 1972, Clemente, who had been visiting Managua three weeks before the quake, arranged relief flights to help the local residents.  Clemente soon learned, that the aid packages on the first three flights had been diverted by corrupt officials of the Somoza government, never reaching the victims of the quake.  

Clemente was incensed, so much that he decided to accompany the fourth relief flight, hoping that his presence would ensure that the aid would be delivered to the rightful source.  The airplane he chartered for a New Year's Eve flight, a Douglas DC-7, had  a history of mechanical problems and sub-par flight personnel and it was overloaded by some 4,000 pounds.  It crashed into the ocean off the coast of Isla Verde, Puerto Rico, immediately after takeoff.  An empty flight case belonging to Clemente was the only personal item recovered from the plane. Clemente's teammate and close friend, Manny Sanguillen, was the only member of the Pirates not to attend his memorial service.  He chose instead to dive into the waters where Clemente's plane crashed in an effort to find his teammate.  His body was never found."

In March of 1973, the Baseball Writers of America held a special election for his admittance into the Hall of Fame.  They decided to waive the 5-year waiting period and voted him in posthumously.   Major League Baseball presents the Roberto Clemente Award every year to the player who best follows his example of humanitarian work.  In 193, Clemente was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and the First Presidential Citizens Medal.  In 2002, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

In their USA Today Magazine article titled, "Saluting Pittsburgh's Finest", Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg said Clemente was "arguably the best in the history of the game" and stated that "understanding the magnitude of Roberto Clemente requires an appreciation of the gestalt of his presence, which was greater than the sum of his statistics".

Now, that's something special.

Thanks for reading,

John

A BASEBALL DREAM AMONG THE ROCKS

I'd like you to take a look at the picture below and imagine in your wildest dreams what sport is played there?  If you thought motocross, you're wrong.  If your guess is golf, you'd be off base too.  Try baseball.  That's right baseball.  And not what you'd call a "Field of Dreams" site at the present time, either. Is it?

It's a what kind of field?

The ballfield you see is located in Las Charcas in the Dominican Republic.  Population, 9,254.  Now imagine again, what it would be like trying to play your country's favorite sport if you were one of the youth of that community (over 2,000 by some estimates) .  Let's not mention the lack of a backstop or fence.  Or dugouts.  Or grass.  But let's focus on  what is there...... rocks.  Not small pebbles mind you.  But rocks the size that many in the United States would use for accent in their gardens.


Let's take the imagery one step further.  It's the bottom of the ninth in the hotly contested ballgame at Rockbottom Field.  Two out.  Bases loaded.  Home  team is trailing 4-2.  There's a line drive hit to the shortstop's feet.  He reaches for the ball, but it caroms off a small boulder and ricochets to the third base foul line and three runs score.  Game over.  If you're the home team you're happy, but if you're the visitor you are pretty upset to lose that way. These are the elements Las Charcas' youth play with.  Not because they want to, but they have to.  There is no other place to play.  For now....

To understand what baseball means to Las Charcas, local organizer Cristian Santiago, had this to say, "baseball is the most popular sport in all of the Dominican Republic.  Building a field for this community would attract baseball teams from up to 3 hours away and would be the pride of Las Charcas!"

Las Charcas in its present state

This past year, Project 52 worked with Lighthouse Projects, a Las Charcas organization, to help build a gymnasium and weight room.  It's been a huge success.....so much in fact, that the question was not "now what happens?, but "what's next?"  Thus the baseball field dream. Truly, if YOU HELP build it, they will come and come and come!!!!

The cost of the project is estimated to be $49,780 and is broken down as follows:

                                                                                Price

Cement blocks ( 8900 at $1 each)                             $    8900
Sand needed (9 truckloads at $900)                                8100
Gravel needed (8 truckloads at $900)                               7200
Bleachers  $12,000                                                     12,000
Fencing $8,000                                                             8,000
Bags of cement (620 needed at $9 each)                         5,580

Las Charcas' "Field of Dreams" 

And that's where Project 52 is today.....searching for those who want to not only help the sport of baseball continue its global reach, but offer their service in some manner.  Perhaps it's as a sponsor.  Or perhaps you have skills that would prove valuable in the building of the ball diamond.  Maybe you want to be a part of future teams that travel to the Las Charcas and play in tournaments....... you just might have a  groundskeeper background that would prove valuable to maintaining the field or you have a baseball coaching background that would be helpful in offering clinics to the community once the field is constructed.  The ideas of helping are endless!

For more information you can contact Bill Clark at bill@52.org or myself at Johnk@p52.org

Thanks for reading,

John

BEANING OF A'S McCARTHY CALLS FOR REFORM

I've held no secrets that I am a fan of the Chicago White Sox.  During the many years that I have been,  I've seen a multitude of players come in go.  Some I'm glad to see gone, others I like in Chicago and others I wish we had back.  One of those players, in my mind, is right-handed pitcher Brandon McCarthy.

McCarthy was a jewel in the White Sox organization.  Despite being drafted in the 17th round in 2002, he rose through the minor league chain at break neck speed.  He led the minor leagues in strikeouts in 2004.  He was well thought of, let's put it that way.  Most Sox fans was a top of the line starter on the horizon.  But Chicago General Manager Ken Williams had other ideas.  Twelve big league starts were enough to convince Williams that he'd trade McCarthy.  On December 23, 2006, Brandon was traded along with David Paisano to the Texas Rangers for John Danks, Nick Masset and Jake Rasner.  I was bummed the White Sox made the trade.  John Danks has been an up and down hurler since coming over from Texas.  I'm not sure who really got the best of that trade, probably a wash.

Since the deal in 2006, it has been a struggle for the 6 foot 7 inch righthander.  He suffered from a stress fracture in his shoulder blade and had inflammation in the the right elbow. The Rangers finally said good-bye. In 2010, he signed as a free agent with the Oakland Athletics.  For the last two seasons, McCarthy has seen his game come back.  In 2011 he led the American League in FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) and this year he was leading Oakland in strikeouts.  Then came a game last week against division rival, the Los Angeles Angels.  Here is the media story of the night:

"Athletics pitcher Brandon McCarthy left in the fourth inning of Wednesday's 7-1 loss to the L.A. Angles after Erick Aybar's hard line drive ricocheted off the right-hander's head.  McCarthy was taken to Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland as a precaution, and the team said doctors wanted him to stay overnight for further observation.  McCarthy had almost no time react when Aybar lined his 91-mph cutter back up the middle.  The ball bounced off the right side of McCarthy's head, knocking him down.  He also landed on his head on the infield grass".

Walking off???? are you kidding me?

Now for the confusing part.  After Oakland trainers attended to McCarthy, they let him sit up and ultimately walk off the field under his own power.  The picture above depicts this.  Then after reaching the hospital, he subsequently underwent surgery for two hours to relieve cranial pressure after CT scans revealed he had suffered an epidural hemmorhage, a brain contusion and a skull fracture.   So, I ask you this....WHY?  Why would any medical staff allow McCarthy to walk off that field?  If someone doesn't do some investigation as to why he wasn't taken off on a stretcher, than we have serious issues with player safety.  As if we don't already....  

First reports were that he was fighting for his life and he was in intensive care.  Six days later, McCarthy is still in the hospital recovering  Saturday, he put out some twitter comments to show he was improving health-wise. :

"The good news in all of this, is that I set up my fantasy lineups beforehand.  So there shall be no excuses at this point"...and he also made a funny reference to how "crazy" he is for the children's pain medication he gets-and "can't believe they give it to kids".

The call for reform?  Perhaps Rick Telander of the Chicago Sun-Times does a good job of summing it up:

"In my opinion, being a pitcher and following through on a big-league pitch-getting into that helpless position in which the body has just completed a violent act with maximum effort and is off-balance and defenseless, while a man stands 20 yards away with a club, swinging at a rock-hard ball-is about the scariest position an athlete can be in.  I'd put it up there with a quarterback getting blitzed from the blind side, a NASCAR driver starting a spin, a cyclist hitting an oil slick.  It's interesting that all those other athletes wear helmet.  Maybe  "interesting" isn't the word".

Telander forgot hockey.  How about standing in front of a goal and taking a puck directly at your head at 100 mph.  That's interesting!

I remember a number of years ago when hockey goalies didn't wear masks and the players were without helmets.  Then change began.  Slowly goalies began donning the "mask"   There was a goalie from the Minnesota North Stars by the name of Gump Worsley who hung to the lack of facial protection for as long as he could.  And that was inspite of a metal plate in his head from an accident years prior that rendered him near death.

But back to baseball.  It's time for reform.at all levels.  And throw in softball as well.  Athletes are too big, too strong, pitchers throw too fast and the bats that are made now are a virtual weapon at hand.

Brandon McCarthy might be offering twitter funnies of his death escape, but you can bet deep down, he's said more than one prayer that he's thankful he's alive.  Alive and able to be with his family.  And looking at a baseball career that might be long gone.

UPDATE:  9/11/12 AT 8:12 A.M.
McCarrthy took a few steps on Monday at the hospital and is progressing in his recovery.

UPDATE TO UPDATE:  9/11/12 AT 5:07 P.M.
McCarthy  was discharged from the hospital.  He is to remain in the Bay Area for the next 3 weeks.  

Thanks for reading,

John

WHO'S YOUR HAWKEYE SLEEPER?

We are hours away from the football season opener for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes.  Bad enough you have to open at a neutral site at Soldier Field in Chicago, but it looks like it might be a soggy one at that.  Today's opponent, the Northern Illinois Huskies will be a big test for the young Hawkeyes.  Hopefully, and I say that with great emphasis, hopefully, not too tough.

So who is your sleeper on this year's squad? (and don't say senior defensive back Collin Sleeper, that's too easy)  Who will be that individual that rises to the occasion and makes a name for himself?  Plays above what might have been expected ...or simply plays better when the lights come on and action begins.

I've got two that I'd like to place before you.  One on offense and one from the defense.

Number one is tight end Ray Hamilton.  Here are a few words about the 6 foot 5 inch, 248 pound true sophomore from Strongville, Ohio.

When offensive graduate assistant and tight ends coach, David Raih was asked if he recalled  a single moment when Ray Hamilton stood out as a potential contributor on the Hawkeye football team, he took his time finding an answer.  With the type of attitude Hamilton brings to practice every day, it was difficult to pick out one single moment.

"Ray is an eager guy, a great player, and he shows up to work every day and chops wood", said Raih.  "It's not one single thing that stands out about him, rather it's his consistency and the way he works every single day.".

Hamilton is listed as  the number two or co-number two tight end on the Iowa roster.  He came to the Hawks with a big aspirations after watching former Iowa star Tony Moeaki excel at the position.  And he comes from the same high school as Hawk basketball standout,  Aaron White.  But more importantly, I have a feeling new offensive coordinator Greg Davis will use Hamilton when the focus is on starter C.J. Fiedorowicz.

My other selection is safety Nico Law.  Another true sophomore, Law, a 6 foot 1 inch, 195 pounder from Clinton, Maryland  has been outspoken since the minute he signed his letter of intent to play for Iowa.  It appears he relishes the attention.....and he hits like a ton of bricks.  Maybe it's the #21 on his jersey that I like. It looks like a football number destined to see the field alot.  And given the fact that Law was one of 10 true freshmen to see action in 2011, he is in a perfect spot to show his abilities.  Oh yeah, and I shouldn't forget the three letters on the back, LAW.   As a young stud in the Hawkeye secondary, that name sounds pretty fitting.      

So, who's your pick to step up and be a shining star?.  Kickoff time is fast approaching.....

Thanks for reading,

John

 

UGANDA MAKES LITTLE LEAGUE HISTORY

It took a year longer than they'd hoped, but the Uganda Little League team finally made it to Williamsport for the Little League World Series.  Last year, the team qualified for the tournament, but was not allowed to  travel to the United States when their visas were denied.

It's been a whirlwind of activity for the 11-13 year olds from the little African nation.  But it was worth it.  Not only for them, but others as well.

Leave it to some kids from Indiana to show the world what friendship is all about.  The Little League All-Star team from New Castle, Indiana is rooming with the team from Uganda for the tourney.  When the boys from the states found out the boys from abroad did not have anything, even shoes, they wanted to "give back", said Indiana team mother Chasity Durick.  "They are blessed and they wanted to give back to the boys of Africa that are playing with them".  Car after car dropped off everything, from hats, to cleats, to sock to clothes.  Just when the pile started to dwindle, more people showed up.  It didn't take long to fill 12 bags, one for every player on the Uganda team.  Durick said no matter what happens in Williamsport on the scoreboard, everybody is learning life-long lessons not taught on the field.  "It's so much more than just baseball", she said.

A ride Uganda Little Leaguers will never forget

On the field, history was made.....the Uganda team battled back and beat a team from Gresham, Oregon in a consolation game, 3-2.  The win marked the first win for a team from Africa in the famed event.  "This was so great", Henry Odong, the Uganda team manager said after the historic win.  Uganda finished the series with a 1-2 record but plan on playing some friendship games.

The above mentioned story is but one reason I love the Little League World Series, now in it's 66th season.  Year after year, we are shown determination and tenacity at its finest from our world's youth.  We see life before us as in the example of one New Jersey youngster who showed true grit.   Dan Ruggiero's grandfather suffered a stroke on Friday on the eve of the Parsipanny-Troy East's first game.  "My wife came to the game and that's when I found out", said coach Mike Ruggiero, Dan's father.  "We agreed not to tell Daniel until after that".  Joseph Kayal died before the Ruggiero's could get to his beside after Saturday's win over Oregon.  40 minutes out and he passed.  "So we didn't get there in time, said Mike.  With a heavy heart and a determination to win, Dan returned to Williamsport for Monday's game.  Throughout the game, he etched "JK" in the sand in remembrance.  Unfortunately, New Jersey lost to California 5-4 in extra innings.  "He's got the best experience of his life and then coupled along with losing his grandfather......", said New Jersey League president John Bucciarelli.

It's stories like these two that will leave their memories forever.  It doesn't make any difference what country you're from or the color of your skin, baseball has shown the depth of its game and how big it has become.
 
Little League is now the world's largest organized youth sports program.  The program currently involves nearly 180,000 teams across the world and more than 35 million people are believed to have played or volunteered for a Little League program.

And that's why I love hearing these words...."PLAY BALL".


Thanks for reading,

John


         

WHO'S YOUR CHAMPION?

We've just seen thousands of images from the Games of the 30th Olympiad.  Some gut-wrenching, some exhilarating, others that made you want to cry and then there were some that made you shake your head with wonder.  Wonder, in why would an athlete on a world-wide stage like the Olympics are, showcase themselves in such a stupid manner.

So, who is your champion?  Your personal favorite.  Jordan Wieber comes to mind.  How easy would it have been for Wieber, a favorite to win the all-around gymnastics crown, to melt down when she didn't qualify for competition.  Was she crushed in seeing her Olympic dreams fall apart?  No doubt.  But she held it together and proved throughout the team and individual portion of the Games, that she's a pretty terrific young lady.  I'm sure she won the hearts of many viewers with the attitude she put forth.

Or perhaps there's someone else.  Not just for the results they produced, but for the actions they displayed.  Could it have been Gabby Douglas, or maybe LoLo Jones?  Could it be Michael Phelps, the man with 22 Olympic swimming medals to his name....only 18 being Gold.  Eighteen.....unbelievable!!!  How about Oscar Pistorius the track and field man from South Africa?  Oscar's story was a special one.  After having both legs amputated before his 1st birthday, he could have given up on any Olympic dream he might have had.  But not the case.  I know, I know, he didn't win....but that's not the point.  In my eyes, he's a champion. Not only did he compete at a high level, he was humbled by just being able to compete.  That's an image I will always remember.

And then there are those who think it's all about them.  Gifted athletes who think more of themselves than anyone else.  Like ..Usain Bolt.  He might be the best 100 and 200 meter track man of all-time.  His records would certainly indicate that.  But I don't care for his actions.  Am I critical of a person who is confident in their abilities?  Not in the least.  Just not to that extent.  The finger wagging and silencing gestures are a might much for me.  In time, he will be humbled.  Just like those before him....athletes like Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson.

When I think of a champion, here is my definition.  Look under the name "Dan".  Because this is what it's all about.

"At the 1994 Winter Olympics, held in Hamar, Norway, the name Dan took on a very special meaning.

At his first Olympics in 1984 as an eighteen year old, speedskater Dan Jansen finished fourth in the 500 meters, beaten for a bronze medal by only one hundredths of a second, and he finished sixteenth in the 1,000.

A Moment to Remember 

At his second Olympics in Calgary in 1988, on the morning he was to skate the 500 meters, he received a phone call from America.  His twenty-seven year old sister, Jane, had been fighting leukemia for over a year.  She was dying.  Dan spoke to her over the phone, but she was too sick to say anything in return.  Their brother, Mike, relayed Jane's message:  She wanted Dan to race for her.  Before Dan skated that afternoon, however, he received the news that Jane had died.  When he took to the ice, perhaps he tried too hard for his sister.  In the 500 meters, he slipped and fell in the first turn.  He had never fallen before in a race.  Four days later in the 1,000, he fell again, this time of all places, in the straightaway.

At his third Olympics in 1992, he was expected to win the 500 meters, where he had already set world records.  For four years he had been regarded as the best sprinter in the world.  But he had trouble in the final turn and he finished fourth.  In the 1,000 he tied for twenty-sixth.

At his fourth Olympics in 1994, Dan again was expected to win the 500 meters, which was his specialty.  Again tragedy struck.  He didn't fall, but in the beginning of the final turn he fleetingly lost control of his left skate and put his hand down slowing him just enough to finish in eighth place.  Afterward, he apologized to his hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

He had one race left, the 1,000 meter.  One more race and then he would retire.  At the midway point of the race, the clock showed he was skating at a world record pace, and the crowd, including his wife and father, cheered.  But with 200 meters to go, the hearts of the fans skipped a beat.  Dan Jansen slipped.  He didn't fall, but he slipped, touched his hand to the ice, regained control and kept skating.  When Dan crossed the finish line, he looked at the scoreboard and saw WR beside his name-World Record.  In his last race race, Dan had finally won the Gold Medal.

Later that day as he stood on the award stand, Dan looked heavenward and acknowledged his late sister, Jane.  Dan was asked to skate a victory lap.  The lights were turned out, and a single spotlight illuminated his last lap around the Olympic track, with a Gold Medal around his neck, roses in one arm and his baby daughter named Jane in his other arm.

In the closing ceremony of the 1994 Olympics, Dan was chosen to carry the U.S. Flag"

That year, our youngest child was born. It didn't take me long to suggest a middle name to my wife.  It was unanimous.  Daniel.  In honor of Dan.....the man who truly depicts what a Champion is and what the word is about.  That's my kind of Champion.

Thanks for reading,

John  

QUICK HITS: OLYMPICS, BASEBALL AND NEW BASKETBALL LEAGUE

As we pass the halfway mark of the 30th Olympic Games, I have to ask you.  What sport or event have you enjoyed the most? Basketball?  Track and Field? Volleyball? Swimming? or maybe it's been the Gymnastics.  So far, I'd have to say for me, it's been a toss-up between swimming and gymnastics.  Frankly, I've enjoyed women's swimming better than the men.  And where the heck is baseball and softball?  I know the Olympic brass decided to bump both sports, but why would you leave badminton?  And they cheat too!!!

What a glorious night it was when the so called "Fab Five" grabbed the team title in gymnastics. And then two days later, Gabby Douglas snagged the all-around title.  I know quite a few people that didn't want to know the outcome of the the all-around because they wanted to watch the tape delay that night.  I'm still mystified as to NBC's reasoning to only stream the live coverage in the morning and run a tape delay that night.  Isn't Wimbledon shown live?  Like in Breakfast at Wimbledon.  And what a bummer for McKayla Maroney who fell in her lone individual event, the vault.  Maroney, considered the best vaulter in the world,  finished second.  She was a true treat to watch in the team competition.

The athlete I'm truly looking forward to seeing is LoLo Jones.  If ever an athlete needed some good news, it would be her....but through all her trials and tribulations, she has been a true professional.  She kind of reminds me of speed skater Dan Jansen who won a Gold Medal in his last Olympic race after suffering one setback after another.  Jones, who turned 30 on Sunday, will be competing in the 100-meter hurdles.  Round 1 begins on Monday (today).  Best to you LoLo....and not just because you're from Des Moines, Iowa, either.  You've been a class competitor for a long time!!

Will Jones finally be rewarded with Gold?

Major League Baseball is entering the long grueling days of August and September.  It's going to be a run to the finish line for many teams.  For sure, the two wild card teams that will be eligible for post-season play this season will make things even that much more interesting in both the American and National Leagues.  I missed big-time on choosing the all-star winner, but I'll take a stab at the teams I see playing in October.  In the National I think it will be Washington, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and San Francisco and in the American, it looks like New York, Chicago, Detroit, Texas and LA.

There's a new professional sports league a brewing.  It's called the Basketball Alumni Legends League (The-BALL) intended to give players in similar circumstances an opportunity to pursue their on-court aspirations while remaining relatively close to their college home.  

Still in the early stages, The-Ball's soft launch is planned for next summer with a full schedule in prominent East Coast cities such as the District of Columbia, New York and Philadelphia.  Richmond and Charlotte are to be in place the following year. The league operates only in the summer to accommodate players who also may play overseas or in the NBA's D-League.  The inaugural games took place this past weekend in a showcase between teams representing the nation's capital and Philadelphia. Just what we need, another league.

Thanks for reading,

John

FROM THE LIPS OF GUILLEN

Well somehow he made it three days in keeping his trap somewhat closed.  That's three days in the Windy City for a man known to be full of a lot of hot air.  And just who would that be, you're asking?  The man that made Chicago famous, or so he thinks....Ozzie Guillen.

It's been about ten months now since the working relationship of manager Ozzie and Chicago White Sox General Manager ended.   If you remember back to the end of the 2011 season, Guillen couldn't get out of town fast enough.  He jettisoned the Chicago area with several games yet to be played, hell bent to head to the Land of Oz, better known as Miami, Florida.

Always some explaining to do

All seemed just about perfect in the beginning.  Ozzie was helping introduce a new ballpark to the area, he had a new team name, the Miami Marlins and not Florida Marlins and he helped grab a couple of free agent jewels in shortstop Jose Reyes and pitcher Mark Buehrle.  But then the season started.  A little over a week into the season, this was the news taken from an account from the Christian Science Monitor.

 "An unusually subdued Ozzie Guillen addressed the media Tuesday morning, just minutes after the Miami Marlins suspended him five games for comments praising Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.  This is the biggest mistake so far in my life", said a tired-looking, slightly perturbed Guillen, who conducted the hour-long press conference mostly in Spanish.  "If I don't learn from this, then I will call myself dumb".  The Marlins hired me to manage a ball club, not talk about politics", he added.  "I'm very guilty, very sad and very embarrassed".  The fracas started over the weekend, when Time magazine published an interview on its website in which the Marlins skipper said he "loved" Castro.  "I respect Fidel Castro.  You know why?  A lot of people have wanted to kill Fidel Castro for the last 60 years, but that (expletive) is still here".

Needless, to say, the Marlins distanced themselves from Guillen and his remarks, but he remained manager after serving his 5-game suspension.  The question is, how much longer will he be around?    

We've just endured a three-game series between the Marlins and the Chicago Cubs with Ozzie receiving the lion share of the coverage.  The man was back in town.  What would he say next?  Actually not much.  But you can rest assured Marlins management laid down some rules of engagement before the series began.  Keep it simple and talk sports, Ozzie.  And from most reports, he received the message.   That despite his ball club playing lackluster baseball in dropping two contests in the three game series.  Somewhat quietly, the Marlins packed their bags and left town on Thursday and somehow, a major meltdown was avoided.  His major thrust came at his former bosses, the White Sox.  Guillen did not argue that a change was needed after last year, but stopped short of saying the Sox were better off without him.  Say what?    

But it's just a question of  time.   When will Ozzie offer up his opinion on some subject he has no business commenting on? When will he blast a Marlins player and step over the line of manager-player respect? Or when will his two sons re-emerge with their twitter remarks concerning their father and his treatment or something related to the team itself.  Yes, it's bound to happen.  Frankly, I'll be surprised if he makes it through the season.  If  Miami owner Jeffrey Loria can fire Joe Giradi despite winning manager of the year honors with the Marlins in 2006, then replacing Guillen with a field boss the community can accept will be a walk in the park, so to speak.

Without Guillen's personality, the White Sox have enjoyed a relaxed attitude in 2012.  Players are having fun again and new manager Robin Ventura has brought a calming effect to the clubhouse.  It's a shame Mark Buehrle's in Florida and not in Chicago to enjoy this season.  Frankly, he has too much class and is well respected  by his peers not to.  Something Ozzie can only dream about in his Land of Oz.

Thanks for reading,

John                


  

FORTE CONTRACT CONCERNS AND MORE

Chicago Bear running back, Matt Forte, sounded hopeful of a new contract Friday when asked if the Monday deadline was a concern.  In fact, he went on to say, that always the optimist, Forte sees a light at the end of the tunnel.  I'm not so sure.

The Bears hold nearly all the cards.  And, if a deal does get done, it will have to be Forte that caves and not the Bears.  Rewind to March 2nd, the day Chicago placed the franchise tag on their star running back.  It was from that pointed date, that the team dug itself in for the long haul.  Signing running back Michael Bush in free agency was another.  Was 2011 a down year for Forte?  Hardly.  Although a season-ending knee injury raised some durability questions from management.

Will Forte strut his stuff again in Chicago?

Forte still got selected to his first Pro Bowl, finishing with 1,487 yards from scrimmage and 997 rushing in his fourth season. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry. Forte was the first Chicago running back to make it to the Pro Bowl since Neal Anderson following the 1991 season.

Forte came into last season looking for an extension, but did not reach an agreement with the Bears.

Forte was reportedly offered a deal that guaranteed about $13 million or $14 million, but might have been looking for something closer to the five-year, $43 million contract with $21 million guaranteed that Carolina gave DeAngelo Williams.

"Matt is an important part of our football team and we chose to utilize the franchise tag to ensure he remains a Bear," Bears general manager Phil Emery said. "We believe in Matt as a player and a person. Our intention is to continue to work to find common ground and keep Matt as a member of the Chicago Bears in 2012 and beyond." 

Do the Bears want Forte back?  No question.  But not for the money he'd hoped for.  New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees spent most of his off-season bickering with management over his contract.  Friday he received his big payoff with a 5-year $100 million dollar deal.  The difference is with Brees, he held control over the Saints BECAUSE he was the quarterback,  not running back.  Without Brees, the Saints were toast and everyone knew that.  So here we are, two days away from a deadline for Matt Forte.  The Bears appear content to go to battle with quarterback Jay Cutler and his new toys at wide receiver, Brandon Marshall and Ashton Jeffery.  And a running back that will run hard between the tackles by the name of Bush, not Forte. UPDATE:  CBS Sports is reporting the Bears and Forte are close to an agreement (4 p.m. CT Saturday).  That leaves a little less than 48 hours to come to an agreement before the 4 p.m.. ET deadline on Monday. UPDATE TO THE UPDATE:  Forte and Bears agreed to a 4-Year $32 million dollar deal Monday.

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The Chicago Blackhawks have been less than successful this off-season in changing the looks of their team.  General Manager Stan Bowman has been taking big heat for his shortcomings at making some kind of a deal.  The addition of defenseman Sheldon Brookbank is hardly what fans were clamoring for.  Hawk Nation wants some changes that make their team a Stanley Cup contender again.  Chicago swung and missed at goalie Martin Brodeur and came up short in their runs at defenseman Ryan Suter and winger Zach Parise.  Now, it looks like center Shane Doan will reject the Indian Head sweater and stay in Phoenix. Unless Bowman shows some guile and grit in making a deal, this could be another frustrating year for Chicago fans.  Frankly it's hard to understand the hesitations of Bowman.  He stocked his farm system with some impact players when forced to trade off a number of stars several years ago.  It's time to use those assets and deal.  In no special order,  the Hawks need a 2nd line center, a defenseman and an answer in goal.  Bowman has been slow in his dealings, the type of maneuverings that will ultimately get him fired.  The Hawks management has shown cracks in their armor since winning the Cup.  The question is this.  How much longer will owner Rocky Wirtz be patient?  Stay tuned.   

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It looks like the Chicago Bulls will match Omer Asik's 3-year $25.1 million dollar contract offer from the Houston Rockets in the coming days.  Not sure why.  Aren't there some other retreads they could pick up for less money and less years.  Isn't Granville Waiters available?  Hello, Granville, where are you?.....Cubs fans are delirious with  their new star, 1st baseman Anthony Rizzo.  Rizzo might be everything they hoped for.  Nice swing and plays with great energy.....and look for the team to unload Ryan Dempster soon.  For some reason I keep seeing the Yankees as his final destination.  But don't count out Detroit.....and speaking of arms.  The White Sox need to add a left-handed reliever to their bullpen mix.  Toronto Blue Jay Darren Oliver would be an awesome pickup.  But it appears he's one everyone wants.  GM Kenny Williams made a great steal with Kevin Youkilis several weeks ago.  Oliver would provide great depth to the pen.  Kenny??? You back from Egypt yet?

Thanks for reading, 

John 

   

MLB ALL-STAR THOUGHTS AND ALL THAT'S JUNK

Tuesday night in Kansas City, we get the 83rd version of Major League Baseball's  mid-season all-star attraction, the Midsummer Classic.  To date, the National League has won 42 games, the American League 38 and there have been two ties.  The first Major League All-Star game was played on July 6, 1933 in Comiskey Park in Chicago.  It was initiated at the insistence of Arch Ward,  sports editor for the Chicago Tribune, to coincide with the celebration of Chicago's Century of Progress Exposition.  For over seventy three years, the "Midsummer Classic", has remained a fan favorite showcasing the top talent in major league baseball.

Who will this year's winner be and who will gain home field advantage in the World Series?  I have to go with the American League. As you glance at the starting lineup for the American All-Stars you have to be impressed by the sheer power they bring to the plate.  My gosh, you have David Ortiz from the Boston Red Sox hitting seventh and Curtis Granderson batting ninth.  Here is the lineup: 1. SS Derek Jeter
2.2B Robinson Cano 3  LF Josh Hamilton  4. RF Jose Bautista  5. 1ST  Prince Fielder 6. 3B Adrian Beltre
7. DH David Ortiz  8. C Mike Napoli  9. CF Curtis Granderson.  San Francisco Giant's hurler Matt Cain will face this murder's row with the starting nod he received Monday .

The National League will counter with:
1. DH Carlos Gonzalez 2. CF Melky Cabrera 3. LF, Ryan Braun 1ST Joey Votto RF Carlos Beltran,
C Buster Posey 3RD Pablo Sandoval 2B Dan Uggla and SS Rafael Furcal.  Detroit Tiger Justin Verlander gets the start for the American Leaguers.

Not only do I think the American League has the distinct advantage from its starting lineup, the bench strength clearly is in favor of the junior circuit.  Names like Adam Dunn, Miguel Cabrera, Mike Trout, Paul Konerko, Joe Mauer and Mark Trumbo head the list.  The Senior circuit will be able to offer the likes of Pittsburgh's Andrew McCutchen and the Met's David Wright....but I just don't think it will be enough. In addition to all the firepower offensively the American League has, they also have power arms in David Price of Tampa Bay, Felix Hernandez of Seattle and Chris Sale of the White Sox.  Hold on to your calculators, we might have the highest scoring game in All-Star history.  The current record holder is the game on July 7, 1998 at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado, the home of the Colorado Rockies of the National League.  The game resulted in the American League defeating the National League 13-8.  It was (and remains) the highest-scoring All-Star game in MLB history.

A possible MVP candidate

One Man's Junk is Another's Treasure

A good friend of mine texted me the other day that he thought the White Sox's addition of Kevin Youkilis to their lineup won't make much difference in the long run.  "He's junk", he said.  "He can't hit and he's too old".  Mind you, this is coming from a Detroit Tiger fan, so I couldn't let this pass, could I?.  "Yeah, like Belly Valverde isn't something to behold, right?", I countered.  And the discussion was on.  We had about a ten minute phone conversation about both teams...but the lingering thought I came away with was, "one man's junk is another man's treasure".  You can look around either league and wish to have a certain player join your team...but also hope that your general manager doesn't go out and do something stupid and pick up someone you've always been down on.  Well, get ready, the second half of the long season begins at the end of the week and there might be someone new coming to town.  Your town that is.....

Thanks for reading,

John

ANNOYED TIGER, SUPERMAN AND BIG BEN

Tiger Woods being annoyed is becoming a commonplace occurrence.  His recent mention of annoyance came after winning the AT & T Championship this past weekend.  He's annoyed with the media, the fans and just about anyone who comes into his space.  Here are some remarks after a Tournament of Players Championship in March.  

Want further evidence that Tiger Woods’ biggest problem is the space between his ears?  After nearly shooting himself out of another tourney in the first round yesterday at the TPC Sawgrass, he actually cried about fans shooting him with their camera phones in his backswing: “Just put it on silent. It’s not that hard. It can cost guys’ tournaments."  C'mon man.  Is this  really a guy that we all used to glorify as the mentally toughest athlete on the planet.  We couldn't have been more wrong.  And neither could he be about this.  People taking your picture isn't the reason you're not winning tournaments.  It's your jacked up driver, broken putter and lame iron work.  And oh your infected dome and shattered confidence too.  This guy has never looked or sounded worse than he does right now.  Okay, he's done better since the TPC, on that course that is.  I'm not sure if he has made many strides off.  And speaking of annoyances.  Is there any bigger one right now than Dwight Howard, the one dubbed "Superman".

Howard, the Orlando Magic center who has spent this past year driving NBA fans nuts with his decisions, indecisions and flapping of his gums, is at it again.  Now he wants out of Orlando.  Again.  And this time he is saying the only team he wants to play for is the Brooklyn Nets.  From a public relations standpoint, this guy is awful.  Pure and simple.  Orlando, dump the guy and start over with your franchise.  Better days are ahead. And best of luck to Brooklyn, if that's where he ends up.  I can think of a few ideas for a new nickname for the dude, but none are too pretty and there isn't any speck of "Super" that goes along with it.  

A not so Gentle Ben during his playing days

Ben Davidson, the hulking defensive end who starred for the Oakland Raiders in the 1960s before becoming a famous television pitch man, has died. He was 72.

Davidson died Monday night. He was being treated for prostate cancer. Former Raiders coach John Madden first reported Davidson's death Tuesday on KCBS radio in San Francisco.  Davidson spent 11 years in pro football, starting with the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins in the NFL before joing the Raiders in the AFL in 1964.

After his playing career, Davidson became a successful actor with roles in films like "M-A-S-H," "Conan the Barbarian" and "Necessary Roughness" and he played himself in Miller Lite ads.  The first Lite commercials aired in 1973 and starred the likes of football greats Matt Snell and Ernie Stautner and mystery writer Mickey Spillane.  Davidson was an additional mainstay to the success of the beer giant's ad campaign.  Over the course of the next decade, the company shot more than 80 commercials and the roster of the "Lite All-Stars" boasted  nearly 40 celebs and sports icons.  John Madden, Billy Martin, Rodney Dangerfield, Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, Dick Butkus, Bubba Smith and Bob Uecker were just a few of the Lite regulars.

Thanks Ben for some great memories.

Thanks for reading,

John

AL CENTRAL, NBA DRAFT AND NHL FREE AGENCY

Before we get into the meat of things, let me pass along a great buy this weekend. Remember those great chicken sandwiches at Burger King?  This weekend the burger giant is offering a return to yester-year. For $1.04 you can get your hands on perhaps their best product in the house.  No sure why B.K. is not having the promotion extend through Wednesday, but never the less, grab one.  Are you salivating yet?

Speaking of salivating, as most of you know, I am a huge Chicago White Sox fan.  If, and I say that loosely, if, the Sox continue to improve each and every game, then they'll need to be put into the category of teams to reckon with.  First-year manager, Robin Ventura has been a steading influence. Ventura's demeanor and calmness has made a big difference in the entire team.  Since acquiring third baseman Kevin Youkilis from the Boston Red Sox this week, the White Sox are 4-1.  Last night's 14-7 win over the New York Yankees should make people wake up and begin including the ChiSox as a true pennant contender.  Friday, rookie pitcher Jose Quintana showed guts and grit as he overcame a disastrous start.  Quintana entered the game with a 16 plus inning scoreless streak and had not walked a batter in the last 100 plate appearances.  Remarkable for any pitcher, let alone a rookie.  Those nice plaudits went up in "smoke" in the first inning when the Yankees scored 4 times and Quintana walked a batter.  No doubt, Quintana, a former Yankee farmhand, was wanting to show his former mates his worth.  Somehow, despite not having anywhere near his best stuff, Quintana was able to work through six innings and turn it over to the bullpen for nine outs rather than taking an early exit.  The bullpen is going to be a key for any serious contender this season. A solution? Chicago needs to look at acquiring a veteran arm like lefthander Darren Oliver from Toronto.  Oliver is enjoying a standout season and he would provide instant strength to a young, but beat up relief corp.  Jesse Crain's injury issues and Brian Bruney's recent addition to the disabled list are two examples.

Today's matinee against New York could enable the Sox to win the four-game series (they've won the first two).  White Sox hurler Jake Peavy takes the mound hoping to continue a Yankee downslide since losing pitchers C.C. Sabathia and Andy Pettite on Wednesday.  Currently, Chicago enjoys a 3.5 game lead over Cleveland and 5.0 over Detroit.  Both the Indians and Tigers are struggling with their pitching at the present time.  Unless they get things righted, both might be looking up at another team SOON.  The new threat?  The Kansas City Royals.  Kansas City overcame a disastrous start to the season and have scratched back into the conversation.  The Royals are 1/2 game back of Detroit and closing quickly.  The return of catcher Salvador Perez from injury boosts the K.C. chances.  The young Royals could pose big problems down the stretch.

A new star on the horizon?

The NBA Draft was held Thursday night.  Yawn.  Frankly, I found the proceedings rather boring.  And Commissioner David Stern's antics were far from professional.  Stern felt he needed to throw a few barbs (hand signaling his ears to hear more boos) at an audience that was less than appreciative of his appearance.
Once Charlotte decided to keep the number two choice and select Michael Kidd-Gilchrist it meant any big trade or first round scurry was out the window.  After the Bobcats selected Gilchrist, the Washington Wizards got the guard they so desperately needed in Bradley Beal from Florida.  Beal could be a big-time scorer for a team that sorely lacks an outside threat. Beal and point guard John Wall in the same Wizards backcourt will be young and exciting.  At least the Wizards are seeking to change their team personna.  Perhaps the knucklehead days are past and a new culture emerges.  Washington has been a sorry example of team management, coaching and team stability for some time now.  The surprise to me was the 4th selection of the draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Cleveland selected Syracuse guard Dion Waiters.  For days it appeared the Cavaliers were trying to trade up to take Beal, but instead opted for a player that has never started a collegiate game.  And that's in over 70 games played.  Not one.  To say this is a tough league to figure out is an understatement.  Unfortunatley, we'll probably see the count continue for LeBron this season.  "Not one, not two".....  

There could be some big names changing hats in the National Hockey League come Sunday.  Free agency begins July 1st and the name of Ryan Suter heads the list.  The Nashville Predator defenseman will be making some big dollars soon, but the location is somewhat murky.  Minnesota, Detroit and Chicago head the list.  Look for a flurry of trades and player movement.  Bobby Ryan, Rich Nash and Alexander Semin are a few names to keep your eyes on.  A name to remember is defenseman Matt Carle of Philadelphia.  He might turn out to be one of the better bargains.  One things is sure about the NHL...teams are not afraid to deal.

Don't forget the chicken sandwich!!!

Thanks for reading,

John