I have spouted off about this before but, after last night's amazing finish to Game 6 of the 2011 MLB World Series, I feel the need to spew again!!!!
Last night was probably one of the most exciting World Series games in years and I would guess that about 1000 people on the east coast got to see the end of it. Why is that? The game's FIRST PITCH wasn't until about 8:07pm. If it had ended in regulation, we are still talking about around 11:30 but this one went into extra innings (11 to be exact) and wound up ending at 12:40 AM!!!!!
One of my fondest childhood memories from this time of year were the World Series' games I was able to listen to on the radio and/or watch on television. My interest in baseball was above just about everything else and the same applied for most of my friends at that time. We would re-enact these games in our own back yards or at the nearby school baseball field.
These days those fields are empty. When was the last time you saw a bunch of kids playing baseball anywhere? The fields, the yards, the streets? What I mentioned in the first paragraph is the primary reason why. What child is able to stay up past 10pm, let alone 12:40AM, to watch a basxeball game? Oh, but John, we can't forget the west coast. Remember, they're 3 hours behind us. So, how many West Coast baseball fans are into the Rangers and the Cardinals? You probably could count that on one hand.
Now look at the NFL.....Sunday afternoons are still sacred. They still play in daylight, for the most part. Even the Super Bowl is over early enough for everyone to watch
When will Major League Baseball realize that they are losing the younger fan base? The NFL...the NCAA.....Extreme Games.....that's where they are going......or maybe they're just going to the streets with nothing to do but get into trouble. Bring baseball back to the masses. The earlier, the better!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
There Goes My "Neighborhood"
We live in a modest, ranch home. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Your typical 60's home upgraded and remodeled, of course. Since day one, I have had full use of the master bath which is a small closet-like room attached to our master bedroom. The girls - my wife and daughter - used the large "guest" bathroom complete with two sinks, tub, etc. - all of the acoutrements needed as far as any women is concerned.
Well, now, that the "little" girl is moving into the teen years, my lovely wife is now having issues sharing the bathroom with her and has decided it would be best for us to share the smaller master bath. This morning has been "move in" day. The sink has, somehow, disappeared in a sea of various lotions and soaps. Half of the medicine cabinet now has items I couldn't identify if you put a gun to my head. Of course, during the "cleanup" (and there was a massive cleanup prior to move-in), my wife claims to have found medicine and after shave that had expired 5 years ago. Those things have expiration dates? Really? Nothing had evaporated or disappeared so, for me, they were still good. Guess not for the "new" tenant.
I just walked in there a few minutes ago and the aroma of Pine-Sol permeated the room. Hadn't smelled that in years. The floor, the shower, the sink - spotless!!!! What was happening??? Cleanliness has now crept into my life. That's a positive, I guess. I would also have to assume that the other would be the year or two added to my life because of the lack of whatever germs had resided in there for the past 6 years.
I guess sharing isn't so bad after all!
Well, now, that the "little" girl is moving into the teen years, my lovely wife is now having issues sharing the bathroom with her and has decided it would be best for us to share the smaller master bath. This morning has been "move in" day. The sink has, somehow, disappeared in a sea of various lotions and soaps. Half of the medicine cabinet now has items I couldn't identify if you put a gun to my head. Of course, during the "cleanup" (and there was a massive cleanup prior to move-in), my wife claims to have found medicine and after shave that had expired 5 years ago. Those things have expiration dates? Really? Nothing had evaporated or disappeared so, for me, they were still good. Guess not for the "new" tenant.
I just walked in there a few minutes ago and the aroma of Pine-Sol permeated the room. Hadn't smelled that in years. The floor, the shower, the sink - spotless!!!! What was happening??? Cleanliness has now crept into my life. That's a positive, I guess. I would also have to assume that the other would be the year or two added to my life because of the lack of whatever germs had resided in there for the past 6 years.
I guess sharing isn't so bad after all!
Saturday, October 8, 2011
You Gotta Have Heart
It's been a while for one of these but it's time to get back into the old "blog" swing and, after yesterday, it's time. I will warn you that a sports analogy is coming but there will be a point for everyone...sports enthusiast or not.
Last night, I had the opportunity to witness two sporting events - one in person and one on TV. After taking in the results of each, I was able to see the relation between the two.
I had the fortune of seeing one of the best high school football games I ever witnessed, in person, last night. A game where the lead changed 7 times in the 4th quarter alone! I saw the home team (my team, by the way) fall behind with less than a minute to go and, then, I watched as a bunch of players became a team. They closed ranks, with just 40 seconds left and 80 yards to go to score, pulled it all together to come back and win. They looked to each other and used each other to lift the team to a higher level.
My second sporting event was viewed from the comfort of my "man room" couch as my Philadelphia Phillies (if you don't know by now....I'm a Philly native and a HUGE fan!)were trying to stave off being eliminated from the National League playoffs. They were a preseason pick....and a during-season pick, to win the whole thing. This was a team made up of some of the best in the business and they were fortified this year by more of that type of player. In the other dugout, a team that was doing all they could to get IN the playoffs, let alone STAY in the playoffs. One team - the Phils - had a 10 and a half game lead when they clinched their playoff place. The other team - the St. Louis Cardinals - were 10 and a half games OUT OF the playoffs when that happened. They had lots of ground to make up in a short period of time. Well, you know the result. What I saw last night was one group of players waiting for the next guy to step up against another TEAM who closed ranks and decided to do it TOGETHER!!! You know who won?.....the TEAM, of course!!!!
The common thread from both of these events - other than the fact that two TEAMS won? Both winners showed the love they had for each other as teammates and put away and all personal ambitions for the sake of the TEAM. They performed with their hearts instead of their heads. Give me a TEAM like that every time and talent doesn't matter. There IS strength in unity.
Out jogging this morning, I thought about the parallels to my life and to others I know. I can't do it alone....with my job.....with my family......with my life. I, YOU, need a TEAM to make it happen every day with your job, your family....your life!!! You GOTTA have heart!! That brain part is secondary!
Last night, I had the opportunity to witness two sporting events - one in person and one on TV. After taking in the results of each, I was able to see the relation between the two.
I had the fortune of seeing one of the best high school football games I ever witnessed, in person, last night. A game where the lead changed 7 times in the 4th quarter alone! I saw the home team (my team, by the way) fall behind with less than a minute to go and, then, I watched as a bunch of players became a team. They closed ranks, with just 40 seconds left and 80 yards to go to score, pulled it all together to come back and win. They looked to each other and used each other to lift the team to a higher level.
My second sporting event was viewed from the comfort of my "man room" couch as my Philadelphia Phillies (if you don't know by now....I'm a Philly native and a HUGE fan!)were trying to stave off being eliminated from the National League playoffs. They were a preseason pick....and a during-season pick, to win the whole thing. This was a team made up of some of the best in the business and they were fortified this year by more of that type of player. In the other dugout, a team that was doing all they could to get IN the playoffs, let alone STAY in the playoffs. One team - the Phils - had a 10 and a half game lead when they clinched their playoff place. The other team - the St. Louis Cardinals - were 10 and a half games OUT OF the playoffs when that happened. They had lots of ground to make up in a short period of time. Well, you know the result. What I saw last night was one group of players waiting for the next guy to step up against another TEAM who closed ranks and decided to do it TOGETHER!!! You know who won?.....the TEAM, of course!!!!
The common thread from both of these events - other than the fact that two TEAMS won? Both winners showed the love they had for each other as teammates and put away and all personal ambitions for the sake of the TEAM. They performed with their hearts instead of their heads. Give me a TEAM like that every time and talent doesn't matter. There IS strength in unity.
Out jogging this morning, I thought about the parallels to my life and to others I know. I can't do it alone....with my job.....with my family......with my life. I, YOU, need a TEAM to make it happen every day with your job, your family....your life!!! You GOTTA have heart!! That brain part is secondary!
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