Wednesday, September 1:
I mentioned the other day (in August's blog page) about how the Tampa Bay Rays have to make the most of this season before a handful of their top players reach free agency at year's end. Heard Jerry & Alan on the Jays radio broadcast last night comment on the miniscule crowd (under 12-thousand) Monday and why people would ignore (at the time tied for) the best team in baseball. They suggested that crowds like that would only guarantee the free agents would be lost to other franchises. Just two reasons I can think of. Maybe they abhor indoor baseball as I do. And perhaps they're convinced those star players are as good as gone anyway and why put an emotional investment into a franchise that will be -- at the very least -- reloading next season? Still, folks should live in the here and now. This is baseball's best show right now and it's troubling that a franchise that has built its team patiently and through the draft isn't being rewarded by the paying customers. Yes, The Trop is wacky, with no gentle Florida coastal breezes. But no humidity or rainouts either and a great team to watch day in, day out.
Thursday, September 2:
Perfect? Uh-uh. But with a Big-10 championship game in place starting next year, the perfect scenario -- Michigan vs. Ohio State on the last Saturday of a single-division league schedule -- no longer exists. So the league poo-bahs put them in different divisions but guaranteed they'd play each other every year. And here's where the fans came in: They demanded the Big-10 keep The Game on the final weekend and the league listened. The fear was (is?) that the storied rivals would meet in Ann Arbor or Columbus and then -- regardless of the outcome -- play each other again in a week or so at a neutral site for the league championship. It's not much of a fear, with the Wolverines in their recent doldrums. And maybe their fans may regret this next year when Michigan closes out its season with consecutive home games against Nebraska and OSU. Yikes! But the Big-10 is a storied league with a storied tradition. And one of its biggest traditions is U-M vs. OSU on its final weekend. Thankfully, that's being maintained.
Saturday, September 4:
College football. I've waited for this weekend since January and was especially keen to see what Michigan looked like in the first game of beleaguered coach Rich Rodriguez' third season. A lot to like in their 30-10 home win over Connecticut. Denard Robinson got the start at quarterback and was outstanding, sharing the spotlight with the offensive line. But the score was misleading. U-Conn misfired on some great scoring chances, with receivers dropping balls, quarterbacks missing open receivers and -- most costly -- marching to the Wolverines' three yard line in the third quarter and then fumbling the ball away. Still, a 20-point win over a tricky opponent was more than I expected. The big test comes next Saturday at Notre Dame.
Sunday, September 5:
Decisions, decisions. I have a run of five days off starting next Friday and it's time for a ScorePics road trip. I've narrowed it down to two locales but can't decide on which one. It's Baltimore's Star-Spangled weekend, commemorating the defence of Baltimore Harbor at Fort McHenry in the war of 1812 -- the event that led to Francis Scott Key writing The Star-Spangled Banner. Sporting events of note? Saturday night's NASCAR race at Richmond, Virginia. The Eagles NFL opener a day later at Philadelphia (in their kelly green throwback uniforms) against Green Bay. And Monday night, either an Orioles home game against the Toronto Blue Jays or a drive up to New York for the Jets' Monday night NFL game against the Ravens at the new Meadowlands Stadium. Oh, and perfect (predicted) weather. Pretty tough to beat. But I still have a $100 voucher from jetBlue that's good until early December. A trip to Tampa would include hot, steamy weather but inexpensive accommodations -- with an outdoor pool. Florida, Central Florida and Florida International are all at home Saturday in college football -- seeing the Gators in The Swamp would be fun, but they'll likely chew up South Florida in no time flat. Sunday, the Buccaneers open their NFL season against Cleveland and Monday night features a showdown at The Trop between the two best teams in baseball -- the Rays and the Yankees. Decisions, decisions.
Monday, September 6:
Baltimore, it is -- which is where I was leaning all along. The clincher is the NASCAR race at Richmond. It's been far too long since we attended a race and this one -- under the lights and the final race before "The Chase" -- should be fun. Yes, 10 of the 12 Chase spots have been locked up and the other two are hardly in doubt, but that's OK. And the early weather forecasts look very promising, with any rain holding off until Sunday.
It's been 34 years since Labour Day meant school the next day but it's still the most melancholy day on the calendar for me. Especially with the current weather. Last week's heat wave is but a memory and the last three days have been mid-October-like -- wet, cool and windy.
Tuesday, September 7:
Is there any way we can get Boise State football on national television each and every week? Maybe networks are salivating after a stirring comeback win over highly-rated Virginia Tech last night in Washington. The Broncos constantly have to fight the perception that their annual strong record is simply due to a weak WAC conference. But they started last night's game by roaring out to a 17-0 first quarter lead and closed it with a touchdown drive -- with no timeouts -- for victory. This was far and away the toughest game -- on paper -- on Boise State's 2010 schedule. They'll play Oregon State from the Pac-10 and a tricky Utah State team, but both games will be in Idaho. Make no mistake -- last night's was a quality win for the Broncos. It may have been at a neutral site but FedEx Field was 90% filled with Hokies fans. Odds are, the Broncos will now run the table, as they did a year ago. And if they do, shouldn't they play in the BCS championship game? All depends who else would be undefeated at the time. If, say, Alabama and Ohio State have perfect records, then no. But if there's only one other school with a spotless mark come mid-December, then absolutely!
Wednesday, September 8:
The war on the car continues in Toronto. Today, whilst driving into the city on the southbound Don Valley Parkway, I noticed the northbound lanes were at a standstill for a good portion of its length (Don Mills to York Mills -- a good half-hour delay if not more). A maintenance crew was blocking the right lane. Asphalt repair? A guard rail fix? No, they were whacking weeds along the side of the road. At high noon. On a midweek day. Madness.
Thursday, September 9:
Oh, Quebec City -- beware, beware. The charming city is falling over itself as it lines up financing for a new arena to replace the equally charming but aging Colisée, all in an effort to lure the National Hockey League back. The Nordiques were loved in a way most of English Canada can only dream of. And then they left for Denver, where they promptly won the first of two Stanley Cups as the Colorado Avalanche. Two things for Quebec to consider: Decades ago, Hamilton was promised the same thing -- build an NHL-ready arena and you'll get a franchise. They built the arena, never got a team and today Copps Coliseum -- pretty much a giant white elephant for all of its life -- is outdated, in terms of NHL worthiness. They other thing? Commissioner Gary Bettman would sooner slap a franchise in Tupelo, Mississippi (no offense to the fine folks in Topelo) before he'd ever allow another franchise to operate in Canada. He'll deny that six ways from Sunday of course, but the truth is in his track record.
What weird weather. A Labour Day weekend more suited to October, followed by Tuesday's one-day glorious Indian Summer. Yesterday, it felt like Thanksgiving -- cold, wet and windy.
Off we go to Baltimore, Richmond, Philadelphia and East Rutherford. A fine time to come down with a late summer fever and sniffles but this too shall pass.
Friday, September 10:
BALTIMORE -- I rarely get a chance to do what I did today in one of my favourite stops in the United States -- watch the sun set at Baltimore's Inner Harbor whilst dining on some fine food from a second-floor outdoor balcony. Usually, I'm at an Orioles night game when I visit here. Not this time. The crab cakes (a must) were superb, the free concert entertainment below was dandy and the view -- the USS Constellation, the iconic Domino Sugars sign across the water -- was mighty fine as well. I was getting a few looks as I was wearing shorts on a cloudy, breezy but delightful 75 degree Fahrenheit day. Locals were wearing long pants, long sleeves and some even sported light jackets.
Saturday, September 11:
RICHMOND, VA -- Nine years. And with 100-thousand or more crammed into Richmond International Raceway, security will be very tight tonight.
My man, Jimmie Johnson, starts 11th tonight. And he's had some success on this track, so with luck, he'll have more tonight. The four-time defending champ is coming off a third-place finish last week at Atlanta, so hopefully he and the team are peaking at the right time, with The Chase right around the corner.
Manchester United coughs up two goals in injury time to allow Everton to escape with a draw at Goodison Park?! Bloody 'ell. Giving up early season points seems to be United's M.O. Last year it cost them as they missing winning the title by a single point. It appears they haven't learned the lesson -- or maybe they're just not that good this season.
Sunday, September 12:
PHILADELPHIA -- I can't imagine a more ideal place for NASCAR Sprint Cup racing than Richmond International Raceway. At three-quarters of a mile, the whole race is easy to see. And getting in and out of the place is a breeze. In less than half an hour after the checkered flag waved, I was on the expressway back north. A speedy race with just three caution flags -- and one was for a light rain shower. Jimmie Johnson made the podium, which made my day, but the only driver who could have passed Denny Hamlin on this night was Kyle Busch. But as a teammate, he played it smart, stayed in second and both are in fine shape with the start of The Chase next weekend.
Today, I'll check out the Eagles versus Green Bay, complete with their kelly green 1960 uniforms, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Philadelphia's lone NFL championship, which was won over the Packers. Too bad they're not playing it over at Franklin Field, site of the '60 title game.
So Michigan beats Notre Dame in the final minute of play for a second straight year. Heh, heh. We may have to have some fun at the expense of a few domer friends.
Monday, September 13:
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- Tonight should be fun. Outspoken Jets head coach Rex Ryan spent years molding Baltimore's defence. And linebacker Ray Lewis is seething over what he perceives is a slight from Ryan. Add in a brand new stadium and the atmosphere should be electric!
I was more than a little puzzled by some of the play-calling from the Eagles yesterday. Yes, they were beaten by a better Packers outfit, but the Eagles beat themselves, too. Everyone in the world knew Michael Vick was going to run the ball on fourth and one in the final minute of play. Having him in shotgun formation fooled no one and the Packers stopped him cold.
Tuesday, September 14:
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- I've attended about 15 Grey Cups, a couple of AFC championship games and more emotion-packed hockey games than I can count but I've never seen anything like last night's Ravens-Jets game at New Meadowlands Stadium. And the frenzy wasn't limited to the field. A sudden thunderstorm soaked the area about 90 minutes before game time, so with lightning flashing about, the stands were cleared and fans were kept cooped up in the corridors. And with Baltimore just a short three-hour drive away, there were plenty of Ravens fans in attendance. Add in free-flowing beer and it made for a few rather testy incidents. Then during the game, a Ravens fan a row behind me got upset with a few Jets fans to her right and decided to empty her cola bottle over their heads, instead showering all of us a row below. She was kicked out of the stadium but the damage was done. The camera survived the rain, not the Pepsi. So we had precious few pics to choose from but they're now posted on the site.
So Ray Lewis has lost a step, eh? The Jets might want to re-think that hypothesis.
Oh, and if you plan to attend a Jets game at their new digs, be sure you also buy a parking permit in advance. There is no general parking on site. They send you a few miles away, where you park and take two (2) shuttle buses to get to the stadium (and still charge you $25). Ah, New York, New York -- even if it is New Jersey.
Friday, September 17:
It's simple, really. I don't care how provocative Ines Sainz' clothing is. I don't care how irreverent the Mexican TV outlet she works for is. I don't care if she asks stupid questions or ones that are relevant and thought-provoking. The bottom line is that she's an accredited reporter, the same as any male with a media pass, and deserves the same basic respect. Shame on certain members of the New York Jets for failing to offer that respect last Saturday at practice. Not every NFL player is going to be a gentleman, but all should be professional.
Sunday, September 19:
I cannot remember the last time I've seen a team play such terrible defence against a supposedly inferior opponent (along with equally putrid special teams play) and still come away with a victory. Somehow, Michigan defeated Massachusetts 42-37 yesterday despite being completely manhandled whenever the Minutemen had the ball. Michigan could not seal off the outside, their defensive line was annihilated all afternoon, and U-Mass rushers were repeatedly good for at least five more yards after contact. It was pathetic. Special teams? Another missed field goal (they're 1-for-5 on the season) and a punt blocked, a turnover that Massachusetts converted into seven points. Michigan might, might beat visiting Bowling Green next week to move to 4-and-0, but Big-10 opponents are going to have a field day with this outfit. And it says here the Wolverines will again come up shy of the six wins necessary to qualify for a bowl game.
Yes, the Detroit Lions were robbed at the end of the game last Sunday at Chicago but if not for a terrible final minute of play in the first half (10 points surrendered and the loss of their starting quarterback) they would not have been in a position to have the controversial call on what looked to be a winning touchdown hurt them. Today, it's the home opener against Philadelphia. I was not very impressed with the Eagles last weekend, but they should beat the Lions handily today. They'll start the explosive Michael Vick at quarterback. The Lions? Shaun Hill (zero points in the second half last week) gets the call. Could be ugly.
Monday, September 20:
Ahhh, the Lions. Why do I torture myself so? I posed this question in my status line on Facebook and a media colleague I've known for decades gently reminded me that with any luck, Detroit could be 2-and-0. And he's right. But they're not. They were royally screwed a week ago on a terrible interpretation of an obscure rule that, frankly, doesn't make any sense, at least in how it was applied. It cost Detroit a last-minute go-ahead touchdown in Chicago (I won't say winning touchdown, because these are, after all, the Lions). Yesterday, a wonderful, hard-work-great-desire, all-on-the-ground touchdown drive that tied Philadelphia 7-7 and could have set the tone for the game. Except, the Lions, up 17-7, again sagged at the end of the half and went into the locker room down 21-17. At the end of the game they rallied to get within three, recovered an onside kick, but went nowhere in their final drive and lost 35-32. Exciting? Yes. Competitive? Yes. And those things alone already make it an improvement over the last two seasons. But after five decades of ineptitude, my patience is thin for the necessary years of rebuilding. The way I look at it, it was just another loss.
Tuesday, September 21:
If you could die from embarrassment, then I'd be pushin' daisies. I go for an MRI next month on a suspected torn meniscus in my knee. It hasn't been bothering me too much of late, but I tweaked it a bit yesterday whilst cutting the lawn. And then in the shower, it gave way and I went crashing to the floor. I landed on my right elbow and slammed the right side of my head but escaped with just some bumps and abrasions (I'm big boned and my head is as hard as a rock -- and about as devoid of grey matter at times). Two things went through my mind on the way down. One was the expected "OK, this is gonna hurt," and the other, so help me, was Howard Cosell's famous play-by-play of the George Foreman-Joe Frazier bout of 1973: "Down goes Frazier!I Down Frazier!! Down goes Frazier!!" So some advice: If you're going to have a wonky knee give way, may I humbly suggest you try to avoid this whilst in a wet, soap-slicked shower stall.
A few sporting thoughts:
1) At 40 years old, you can't just show up late and go through the motions at training camp and expect to be ready for an NFL season. Brett Favre looks brutal right now and the Minnesota Vikings are 0-and-2 because of it.
2) I think it's ridiculous that Reggie Bush was pressured into giving up his Heisman Trophy. Since when did the New York Athletic Club get into the business of punishing its honourees because of school violations? And I can think of at least one other Heisman winner I'd rather see stripped of the award.
3) What a finish to the Michigan State-Notre Dame game in East Lansing as the gutsy Spartans, trailing by three in overtime, scored the game-winning touchdown off a fake field goal. And what a scary development a few hours later when MSU coach Mark Dantonio suffered a mild heart attack. He's apparently going to be OK and thank heavens for that.
4) I know you're dying to hear how the locals are doing. The Stouffville Spirit have split their first four games but were competitive in their two losses, outshooting Newmarket 45-29 in a 6-5 road loss, and having a 56-26 edge in shots in their home opener when they were stoned 4-0 by Burlington goalie Adrian Volpe. Sadly, the Spirit have given up on hosting Thursdsay night home games and have chosen Sunday afternoons. That puts them head-to-head against the NFL on television and I'm not so sure they can win that. Certainly not with me.
And 5) Yes, it was a delight to see Manchester United beat rival Liverpool 3-2 Sunday at Old Trafford, but the Red Devils coughed up a two-goal lead for the second straight game. That has to be fixed and fast.
Friday, September 24:
There are days (weeks? months?) when I feel ready for a retirement home. This is one of those times. Due to a scheduling quirk, I'm about to embark on my seventh straight work day (and 9th in 10) on an early-day shift. It's jarring for a night-owl like me but that's not what has me in the doldrums. The shift itself is beyond hectic, a time-jarring mix of business reports, newscasts and writing responsibilities where every minute counts. It's not impossible, not even "inhumane" as I moaned one day this week. But it's extremely challenging -- and it's challenging my abilities to work at this pace. I'm 58, thyroid-dependent on medication, and while I'm not stupid, I find my absent-mindedness increases along with my age. Without trying to be boastful, I'm good at what I do and I know that. I just don't know for how much longer at the present address with the current pressure.
Alabama coach Nick Saban says his Crimson Tide will play Michigan in 2012 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Woo-hoo. By then, Wolverines coach Rich Rodriguez will either be in year five or his rebuilding plan and might actually have a defensive coordinator who can teach his charges a thing or three about blocking, hitting and tackling. Or he may be unemployed. Saban spent five seasons at the helm of Michigan State in the late 1990s and had a pretty good 2-and-3 slate against Michigan in that span. I guess he wants to even his record against the Maize and Blue.
Anyone notice that the Colorado Rockies haven't won a game since I posted a shot of Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki for the pic of the week last Saturday night? With a four-game losing streak, they're three-and-a-half games out and will probably have to sweep the visiting Giants this weekend to have any hope of reaching the post-season. Sorry, Denver.
That brilliant star in the sky these days in actually a planet. Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, came closer to earth this week than at any time since 1963. You can catch it all night, rising in the east at sunset, setting in the west at dawn. Next to the moon, it's the brightest object in the night sky these days.
Sunday, September 26:
Broke bread with friends of ours and their daughter the other night. Our friends are good people and maybe the best thing they ever did was have a child. Their nine (soon-to-be-10)-year old daughter Tara is an absolute gem. Polite, lovely, thoughtful, giving, intelligent and a joy to be around.
Manchester City has a secret that other teams in the English Premier League would pay big bucks for: a formula to beat Chelsea. They did it again yesterday, a 1-0 win at Eastlands and their third straight league win over the defending champions. The Londonders' last victory over City was March 15th, 2009. Their next league meeting is March 19th of next year at Stamford Bridge and you can bet Chelsea fans will be circling that one on their calendars.
So with a week and a day to go, the baseball situation looks like this: Four teams (Atlanta, San Diego, San Francisco and Colorado) fighting for two spots -- the wild-card and the National League West crown (the Braves' only shot is the wild-card). My Tigers were eliminated eons ago and have won two straight so far this weekend against Minnesota. Where was that a year ago when they blew the division to the Twins in the final week?
Tuesday, September 28:
One of the things I love about high-def TV is football. With the wider telecast, I can do what I enjoy most: watch the linebackers, especially if they're good ones. Tough to beat the ones in last night's Packers-Bears game. Green Bay's Clay Matthews is as quick as they come and dangerous on each and every pass rush. No sacks last night but he was a presence in the Chicago backfield all night long. I saw this guy play in person a couple of weeks ago in Philadelphia and he took my breath away. It's amazing to me that Matthews wasn't a multi-year starter as a college player at USC. Then, there's Chicago's Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, who have patrolling the Bears defence so long, you expect so see them in old highlight reels from Wrigley Field with George Halas patrolling the sidelines. But if you think they've lost a step, check out the turning point from last night's game. They forced a James Jones fumble at midfield late in the fourth quarter and the Bears took advantage for the winning field goal in a 20-17 victory.
Wednesday, September 29:
I won't be there in person but I'll offer up a standing ovation from my living room this evening for Cito Gaston. He manages his final home game for the Toronto Blue Jays tonight as they conclude the Rogers Centre portion of their schedule. Gaston's always been a reluctant front man but his results should land him in Cooperstown one day. He took over a 12-and-24 club in 1989 and promptly won the first of four division titles in five years, the final two resulting in World Series championships. Some say the Jays were so loaded anyone could have won with them. Buffalo biscuits. Baseball history is full of great teams that never realized their potential, thanks in large part to the wrong person at the helm. Cito's managerial mantra was the golden rule: treat people with the same respect you would hope they'd treat you with. A class act.
The Bride is off for a few days to help the family close the cottage. I'd join her, but work duties keep me marooned at home base. So Mandy the Wonder Pooch and I will be "baching it" until Monday.
Thursday, September 30:
The Blue Jays handled Cito Gaston's ceremony last night with the same class he has exhibited over the years. It was particularly noteworthy that his peers -- Hank Aaron, Bobby Cox, Dusty Baker, even commissioner Bud Selig -- took time out to videotape their best wishes, which were displayed on the videoboard. It was a moving half hour, and Cito was seen wiping away a tear or two. He wasn't the only one. Best of all, the Jays whipped the Yankees 8-4.
At the rate they're going, San Diego Padres fans will be wiping away a tear or two of their own. Division leaders all summer long, the Pads hit the skids with a 10-game losing streak and after a brief resurgence, appear ready to surrender the National League West to the Giants and the wild card spot to the Braves. It wasn't that long ago when San Diego coughed up the division to the Colorado Rockies, losing in a one-game playoff. If they're trying to imitate the Detroit Tigers of last year, they're doing a fine job of it.
