Was it only a matter of time before something tragic happened? Did a human being, a father to a 6 year old son have to die in order to open our eyes? If you are not aware of the terrible Shannon Stone story please vist Hard Ball Talk here to read it. This horrific event could have been avoided if we looked at the signs.
As people sometimes we need to be protected from ourselves and this is an example of what happens when our host fail to watch over us. Baseball is by far on of the most dangerous sports to watch along with hockey. I can remember watching the Lansing Lugnuts from the first base line at sunset, I could barely see the batter. Then a foul ball would rip right past my head and a couple rows behind me, but these are the risk you take as a fan to sit close to the field. Hockey is the same way if you are just above glass level and someone misses on a slapshot it's coming up. My point is there will always be risk at games.
With Mr.Stone it was different, there was no foul ball or slap shot, just Josh Hamilton tossing up a ball at the end of the inning. Looking at pictures of where the accident happened it is clear the MLB needs to mandate a higher railing system around the league or keep fans further back. Even if they installed some type of landing on the other side of the rails, this could have been avoided. We have seen this happen before at ground level when people reach for foul balls and go over the wall. Maybe now is the time to start elminating fans from the game and take a row or two out. Something must be done so nobody has to lose their life for us to learn a lesson.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
The Magic Of The 4th Of July.. What Happen???
So I am taking a break from sports to write about the 4th of July and the magic it carried as a good. I don't know it was because I was young or because I had the entire Summer off from school but the 4th always carried special magic. It's was family bbqs,cookouts and fireworks.. Where does the magic go?
Some of my fondest childhood memories happened on the 4th of July. It could be the one summer when I was 6 or 7 and my uncle had a cardboard tube and would launch bottle rockets underneath a bridge where crowds of people's were walking to watch fireworks at the river. Probably not the best idea, but it was the 80's and it was pretty funny. I remember that was the Summer I was introduced to the movie "It's a mad mad world" and lawn Jarts (the dangerous ones).
Or in 95 when Chris Isaak was performing at The Hartford Riverfest. I was 15 at the time and rode my bike everywhere. So myself and a couple friends rode our bikes about 10 miles to Riverfest, along the way taped a couple m80's to a Isaak CD and launch it under a bridge. I remember wondering around Riverfest grabbing food and going down the water slide along with seeing ton's of friends from around town. Picking up a couple boxes of stink bombs from the dollar store and watching a crowd clear.
Life seemed so much simpler and slower back then, even though things were a little more tough. It was tough to get money for things and a lot more work to ride a bike then drive a car. Maybe that is what made it better, the adventure that led to the moment. I have been to numerous cookouts over the years now and have memories from all of them, but none of them seem to capture that same magic. Maybe now that I have a little baby girl I can recapture some of the moments from my childhood. Just looking for that spark to re-create the magic...
Some of my fondest childhood memories happened on the 4th of July. It could be the one summer when I was 6 or 7 and my uncle had a cardboard tube and would launch bottle rockets underneath a bridge where crowds of people's were walking to watch fireworks at the river. Probably not the best idea, but it was the 80's and it was pretty funny. I remember that was the Summer I was introduced to the movie "It's a mad mad world" and lawn Jarts (the dangerous ones).
Or in 95 when Chris Isaak was performing at The Hartford Riverfest. I was 15 at the time and rode my bike everywhere. So myself and a couple friends rode our bikes about 10 miles to Riverfest, along the way taped a couple m80's to a Isaak CD and launch it under a bridge. I remember wondering around Riverfest grabbing food and going down the water slide along with seeing ton's of friends from around town. Picking up a couple boxes of stink bombs from the dollar store and watching a crowd clear.
Life seemed so much simpler and slower back then, even though things were a little more tough. It was tough to get money for things and a lot more work to ride a bike then drive a car. Maybe that is what made it better, the adventure that led to the moment. I have been to numerous cookouts over the years now and have memories from all of them, but none of them seem to capture that same magic. Maybe now that I have a little baby girl I can recapture some of the moments from my childhood. Just looking for that spark to re-create the magic...
Monday, June 27, 2011
Owens ACL Injury Has Me Thinking.. What Would You Do?
With the news of T.O possibly having ACL surgery for a still unknown disclosed injury, it got me thinking “What is worth it?” First let’s set the stage, T.O is already a multi millionaire so missing a season or two worth of paychecks is not a big deal, but what about the young guys?
As you are coming out of college not only are you surrounded with fellow teammates and athletes, you also have your friends back home. All these people around you are into sports and I am sure play on the weekends and your teammates train. This past spring you were drafted in the early rounds of the NFL during a lock-out. You have no contract and have made no money, so what do you do?
Do you train, play horse, play softball or even mini golf? One injury and you lose millions of dollars. I have not had the privilege of ever playing sports on a major level, but last year I tore my ACL playing flag football. I am still recovering from surgery and have to watch my friends play football and it eats at me. I am not a huge softball player, but watching my buddies play that and I want to get out there and run around.
I know my chain of thought would be different with millions of dollars on the line, but how much different? I bet people who played competitive sports growing up can relate. It’s the competitiveness in us that takes over and get’s us back on the field. For better or worse we convince ourselves nothing will happen or I am healthy enough to return no problem. So what would you do or not do?
Monday, June 13, 2011
Lebron gives the Heat what they deserve... Nothing....
I've been writing a lot about Lebron latley, mostly because everyday he say's or does something stupid. Last night was no different, after the Heat's loss to the Mavs Lebron had this to say
“All the people that were rooting for me to fail… at the end of the day, tomorrow they have to wake up and have the same life that (they had) before they woke up today,” James said. “They got the same personal problems they had today. And I’m going to continue to live the way I want to live and continue to do the things I want to do.”
I've tried to like Lebron and give him the benefit of the doubt, but boy does he make it tough. Those people with the personal problems are the ones who lined your arrogant pockets with cash. I had no problem with Lebron going to South Beach to try and win a championship. People were up in arms about him going Wade and Bosh, but that stuff happens all the time just look at MLB , the Red Sox and Yankees buy the best talent. It is part of the game and I see nothing wrong with it.
People were rooting for Lebron to fail because of quotes like above, the decision television special and videos like Lebron and Wade mocking Dirk. Lebron is constantly putting himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons and his arrogance will continue to do so. Lebron did what he does best, he is great all season and then dissapears when it counts...
“All the people that were rooting for me to fail… at the end of the day, tomorrow they have to wake up and have the same life that (they had) before they woke up today,” James said. “They got the same personal problems they had today. And I’m going to continue to live the way I want to live and continue to do the things I want to do.”
I've tried to like Lebron and give him the benefit of the doubt, but boy does he make it tough. Those people with the personal problems are the ones who lined your arrogant pockets with cash. I had no problem with Lebron going to South Beach to try and win a championship. People were up in arms about him going Wade and Bosh, but that stuff happens all the time just look at MLB , the Red Sox and Yankees buy the best talent. It is part of the game and I see nothing wrong with it.
People were rooting for Lebron to fail because of quotes like above, the decision television special and videos like Lebron and Wade mocking Dirk. Lebron is constantly putting himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons and his arrogance will continue to do so. Lebron did what he does best, he is great all season and then dissapears when it counts...
Friday, June 10, 2011
Why Lebron will never be on the same level as Jordan
I was hoping during these finals we would see Lebron develop into the leader we all thought he could be. Judging by this video he has a ways to go and I am surprised to Wade start it because Wade has a habit of dragging out injuries. On the flip side after if the Mavs win the finals I would love to see Dirk mock Wade and Lebron, but I doubt he will since he usually shows class. Please put to rest any comparison's to Jordan.
http://youtu.be/V7sNgIaXEhw
http://youtu.be/V7sNgIaXEhw
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Top 5 Sports Personalities I follow on Twitter
I don't follow a lot of people on Twitter around 200 and in the past I have touched on Athletes using Twitter and Chad Ocho Cinco . Here I am going to give you the top 5 people I follow on Twitter, this includes people I believe are the most informative,do not constantly promote products and usually respond to tweets. A lot of athletes and sports personalities either disappear or delete their accounts when the going gets tough as Terrelle Pryor has been pretty quiet lately.Some just post from time to time. These 5 are constantly posting and offer good insight...
5 - Chad Ocho Cinco - You know he had to make the list but surprisingly Chad is the only athlete that made my top 5. Chad can relate to his followers and does not disappear down the stretch. He has discussed his contract with the Bengals, Marvin Lewis and Carson Palmer on Twitter to his followers. It is probably not the best approach but you have to respect him for it.
4 - Adam Schefter - Schefter is one of many ESPN personalities you can find on Twitter. He is also one of the most accurate. I found that a lot of times that reporters are so quick to try and break a story they post any piece of info they get and a lot of it never happens or is flat out wrong. Adam takes his time with his stories to make sure they are accurate, he also takes a lot of time to re-tweet for charities and good causes.
3 - Darren Rovell - Darren is a sports business reporter and always comes up with some amazing stats and numbers for all sports, but he is also funny with his comments on the days big stories not just sports.
2 - Jason Whitlock - Jason writes some of the best material out there. He constantly goes against the grain and not afraid to call out big names. He was one the first people to jump on SI for claiming to break the Ohio State news and take credit for Tressel losing his job. I don't always agree with his columns but I respect them and they make you think, that is the sign of a good writer.
1 - Jay Glazer - Jay is in a class of his own with NFL inside info and breaking NFL news. I can't recall a time when he missed on any report, though I am sure he has it is very rare. He does not report fluff and only reports real news. Some writers are stretching the NFL lockout info every day and Jay only writes about it if there is something of real substance. Be warned that Jay does pimp "Perfect Punch" and "Subway" from time to time but he does not shove it down your throat and from what I read "Perfect Punch" is a great product. Jay has one of best relationships with NFL personnel and it allows him to info others are late or never get to break, for this Jay Glazer is at the top of my list.
5 - Chad Ocho Cinco - You know he had to make the list but surprisingly Chad is the only athlete that made my top 5. Chad can relate to his followers and does not disappear down the stretch. He has discussed his contract with the Bengals, Marvin Lewis and Carson Palmer on Twitter to his followers. It is probably not the best approach but you have to respect him for it.
4 - Adam Schefter - Schefter is one of many ESPN personalities you can find on Twitter. He is also one of the most accurate. I found that a lot of times that reporters are so quick to try and break a story they post any piece of info they get and a lot of it never happens or is flat out wrong. Adam takes his time with his stories to make sure they are accurate, he also takes a lot of time to re-tweet for charities and good causes.
3 - Darren Rovell - Darren is a sports business reporter and always comes up with some amazing stats and numbers for all sports, but he is also funny with his comments on the days big stories not just sports.
2 - Jason Whitlock - Jason writes some of the best material out there. He constantly goes against the grain and not afraid to call out big names. He was one the first people to jump on SI for claiming to break the Ohio State news and take credit for Tressel losing his job. I don't always agree with his columns but I respect them and they make you think, that is the sign of a good writer.
1 - Jay Glazer - Jay is in a class of his own with NFL inside info and breaking NFL news. I can't recall a time when he missed on any report, though I am sure he has it is very rare. He does not report fluff and only reports real news. Some writers are stretching the NFL lockout info every day and Jay only writes about it if there is something of real substance. Be warned that Jay does pimp "Perfect Punch" and "Subway" from time to time but he does not shove it down your throat and from what I read "Perfect Punch" is a great product. Jay has one of best relationships with NFL personnel and it allows him to info others are late or never get to break, for this Jay Glazer is at the top of my list.
Monday, June 6, 2011
BCS Strips USC and Reggie Bush Of "04" Title
So the BCS finally came down and stripped USC of it's "04" championship. I think the BCS is a load of bull and a money grab anyways, but rules were broken by Bush and usually the school pays the price. A lot of people on Twitter are outraged by this and basically say "what happens off the field shouldn't effect what happens on the field". I understand where they are coming from but can't agree.
In my eyes it is a little simpler than that, a player who violates league and school policies, should be ineligible to play and Bush should not have been playing. It hurts me to say this, but the same should happen to Ohio State if the NCAA and BCS find they also broke policies and rules. Players need to learn that their personal actions not only affect them but their schools. I also think the NCAA and BCS need to step up efforts to monitor players and not put all the weight on the schools and coaches. Coaches are paid to be coaches and not baby sitters, they have no way to monitor their players 100% of the time. In the last month we have seen players cost schools a championship and a coaches job. The NCAA needs to stop turning a blind eye to some violations and really crack down all around. Maybe paying these student athletes would get rid of some the violations..or would it?
In my eyes it is a little simpler than that, a player who violates league and school policies, should be ineligible to play and Bush should not have been playing. It hurts me to say this, but the same should happen to Ohio State if the NCAA and BCS find they also broke policies and rules. Players need to learn that their personal actions not only affect them but their schools. I also think the NCAA and BCS need to step up efforts to monitor players and not put all the weight on the schools and coaches. Coaches are paid to be coaches and not baby sitters, they have no way to monitor their players 100% of the time. In the last month we have seen players cost schools a championship and a coaches job. The NCAA needs to stop turning a blind eye to some violations and really crack down all around. Maybe paying these student athletes would get rid of some the violations..or would it?
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