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