You Say It Best

Sometimes the smartest decisions that you can make is to say nothing at all. A lot of times the opposite of this thinking ends relationships or turns you into Ozzie Guillen; Either way, not good. But the recent run of the Tampa Rays has led me to believe that I am a genius when I say nothing.

Just before the dormant period of the blog, I had compiled a list of what I thought to be projections for the Major League Baseball season. On there, I had that the Yankees would miss the playoffs and that the Detroit Tigers would win more than 110 games. Very hit and miss. However one thing I was dead wrong on, were those Tampa Rays whom I predicted as the worst team in baseball. I've been pretty close so far, right?

Looking then and even now on paper they are average. The pitching staff is a venerable who's who of castaways bunched closely to Scott Kazmir to make them look good. Offensively, their best addition was Eric Hinske, a player who has not been a factor on any team since his rookie season in Toronto. Now with almost two months of ball in the books, the Rays sit alone in first in the top heavy AL East.

There is still quite a bit of season left, but the best off season pick up may be the Rays deal with Troy Percival. While Percival may not have the lights-out stuff that turned him into a top tier closer in Anaheim, he does bring an attitude that is accustomed to winning. A presence that had seemingly lacked even throughout the now forgettable Lou Pinella era in Tampa. Watching them play a home series against the Yankees and game one of a weekender in St. Louis, the effort and determination does remind me of the 2003 Anaheim Angels.

Do the Rays have enough to win it all? That is definitely a stretch, even for a hypothetical. But regardless of the fan turnout in Tampa or lack there of, this will be their first winning season in franchise history. While that may seem like baby steps, it is eons beyond where this team has been before. With key players like Kazmir, Pena, Upton and Longoria signed for five or more years we could be quickly approaching the era of the Rays.

Hypothetically.

Top 5

What do you talk about when you have nothing to talk about? How about a list? It's simple, easy and fun. Good times are shared by all.

Since I am a little more sports-minded than even my mind would like to be, I figured why not start with the top five sports moments of your lifetime. For whatever reason, they are special to you. FYI, I was born in March of '86 so if you see me throwing in Buckner's error or the Miracle on Ice, you can totally call me on it.

5. Kentucky Chomps New #1 - The year was 2003 and Florida basketball was apparently building a tradition. Fresh off the heels of becoming the new top team in the country floppy-haired Matt Walsh, greasy-haired Billy Donovan and no-haired Anthony Roberson ventured to Rupp Arena to take on the Cats. It was a slaughter. At no point during the pre-game did I suspect that we'd be fortunate enough to defeat the Gators by ten points, much less put them packing for Gainsville before the start of the second half. It was the kind of game that a fan only dreams of- Your rival on your court being put to shame as millions watch on ESPN. It was unbelievable. And I got my first car that day too so that was cool for other reasons.

4. Baseball returns after 9/11 - This is not so much about sports as it was about making things in general seem normal. All of us that were fortunate enough not to have lost someone on the day of the attacks were affected in a different sort of way. Not that baseball is the mold of a society or that I would be so foolish as to say that, but frankly I was scared. I think we all were. The hours following would give us few details and the one's that we got were vague at best. But a week after the events, we dried the tears and came out of the shelter to see that life could go on. And waiting to help us escape (if only for 2 and half or 3 hours) was baseball. The games itself are nowhere near as memorable as the normalcy that came with turning on the television and being able to watch a game that night.

3. Giants win Super Bowl XLII - What's with all the somewhat recent stuff, right? Well, this is one of the biggest shockers that I've ever seen and can only now (three months later) accept what happened. As a Jets fan, any time that the Patriots are beaten is a good day. However, after the amount of hype that went into the 2007 Patriots season, it was only fitting that the game itself crumble below them. The Giants front four was amazing all night, but with that late Moss touchdown I thought they were going to be able to squeak out another one. But, amongst other things, "The Catch" was able to rebound the Giants and allow Peyton's little brother to hoist the trophy.

2. Baseball Strikes Out - The last labor stoppage that I've ever cared about happened in '94. If you've been laid off or out of work since then, I'm sorry. When baseball not only announced the end of its season, World Series and even tossed around the idea of replacement players (Yuck) my eight year old world was crushed. Baseball is the sport that I loved since I was an infant. There is another memorable moment in my life that took place two years earlier at old Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati when I was constantly yelling at Andre Dawson from our right field seats during a Cubs visit. I digress. At the time I probably did not even realize what the strike was concerning, but I did understand that no World Series would be played or games would be watched.

1. Laettner Kills My Six Year Old Soul - If I would have known the word, "Fuck," or that it was an adequate word to use in that situation, I would have screamed it. Luckily, I was too young to understand the passion that would evolve from a general love for Kentucky basketball. Having an older brother makes you understanding when it comes to sports, but I think even he (all of ten) was at a loss. Looking back at the game now, I still watch it every time it comes on ESPN Classic. Laettner played an amazing game and our guys battled every last second. There is still some bitterness that comes with it, but most of that is washed away when I hear other people talk about what a truly great basketball exposition that was the game. BTW, Pitino should have guarded Hill on the baseline. I'm pretty sure I remember Clyde saying that amidst the disappointment.

Where BORING Happens.

The NBA playoffs are the only part of the season that I even care about during their year. Like standing in front of a bunch of people at an AA meeting that already know what I'm there for, like they say, it is better to say it aloud. Makes it seem more real of something.

Anyway, the NBA is the playoffs. The past couple of playoffs have been head-turning, "Did you see the score to last night's game," type affairs, but this year is significantly different. In a first round that had me drooling with the match up possibilities only one (and even that was the one that I cared the least for) lasted a full seven games or even seemed to spark players interest. The Pistons struggled a bit and so did the Cavaliers, but did you really think that Sixers or Wizards were going to take the series at any point during those games? Me neither.

So far, it has been more of the same. While only two of the series have even played two games, both of which home court has served, they do not look to be entirely competitive. I would never count out the Spurs as long as they have a game left, but the match up problems put forth by the Hornets are giving them fits in what is a comparatively short distance from San Antonio. On the other hand, the Magic just do not have the playoff savvy of the Pistons who are collectively dwindling down on one of the last great runs this team can put together.

There is hope in all of these series and to reiterate, none of the 2-0 series are even close to being done, but their is a side of me that just wants this to last forever. I mean every series ending on a buzzer beater opportunity in the seventh game. I guess that's what we all want every time we turn on the television, but for now I would settle for just one game of super competitive basketball with the outcome not stamped by the start of the fourth quarter.

Eight Belles (2005-2008)

Whatever we may do with our lives is defined by the dash that seperates the year we were born from the year of death. Most people do not know the whole story. Eight Belles, we hardly knew ye. Truly.

OK, while that is a true exploitation of what a bastard I am, the truth is that yesterday defined my complete feelings about horse racing. Horses themselves are majestic creatures and horse racing is coined as the, "Sport of Kings."

However both ends of this tangled spectrum were illustrated yesterday as one horse, Big Brown, won the 134th running after less than a handful of races. The other of course is the euthanizing of runner-up Eight Belles. Beauty and elegance is reduced to a tragedy with death taking place on the infield.

Honestly the only funny part was of how I found out about this. I did not get a chance to watch the Derby although I watched a few of the earlier races. I turned on ESPN later in the evening to see what had happened and saw that line that said that the place horse was euthanized. I assumed it was for punishment for losing, instead of the reason that we all know now.

Unfortunately, You're Still Chris Baker

As you may have read about on ESPN.com on Monday night, Jets tight end Chris Baker is highly upset about being the lowest paid on his team at that position. After the free agent acquisition that landed an aging Bubba Franks and this weekends first-round selection of Dustin Keller, Baker, the starter, has decided to sit out until rewarded.

Rewarded for what? Baker had what some are daring to call a breakout season in '07 with 40+ catches that racked up in excess of 400 yards and three scores.

That's it. And while anything out of the tight end in New York is considered nothing less than a Godsend (see Anthony Becht...better yet, don't) those type of statistics are still poor. In hopes to improve an offense that struggled to look like one last season, the Jets have pulled various strings through free agency and the draft to improve their stagnancy.

"I've been here for six years," Baker led into his heated message on Monday. That is maybe where he should have ended it, because even a die hard Jets fan like myself only remembers the past few mediocre seasons.

"I needed to let it be known that I'm not happy and nothing is being addressed with my contract," Baker later added.

And now with him as expendable as ever, nothing appears to be in the near future. I appreciate where Baker is coming from as a guy who just wanted the franchise he tried so hard to help to return the favor. But this is the nature of this beast that we call professional football and apparently Chris does not watch ESPN as guys like Shaun Alexander (who has put together a slightly better resume) are cut on a daily basis. He should find his remote though, because by the look and sound of this, he could be seeing his name strolling on the bottom line any day now.

Andre' the Giant

So originally we all thought Andre’ would be a top 10-15 pick. At one point I remember having a conversation with one of our former readers about how Dre’ would be off the board by the time the Bears picked in the first round (guess that prediction was a little wrong). Then he started slipping and we heard late first round….then 2nd-3rd round. Turns out he was picked with the 198th pick in the draft, toward the end of the 6th round by the New York football Giants. The odds of him making their roster seem unlikely with Peyton’s little bro, J-Lo, and one of the most disappointing #1 picks in NFL history (David Carr, not Tim Couch) currently under contract. Honestly, I don’t completely understand why Dre’’s draft stock plummeted but hopefully he can use this slight as motivation and have a solid career (as long as its not with the Bengals, Browns, or Patriots).

60 Minutes

I know that for many people the NFL Draft is nothing to watch, but everything to read about the next day. However, today is that rare exception.

If you can find your way to a television about 4 P.M. today, you will see Commish Roger Goodell step to the podium and announce that, "With the sixth pick in the NFL Draft, the New York Jets have selected..." If McFadden is still on the board and the first syllable is not "Dare", expect half of Radio City Music Hall to make ears bleed with their chorus of disdain, while the other half unfasten their belts in hopes of hanging themselves with the strap.

Jets fans take over the draft every year and even stuck it to Mike Nugent, whom they drafted in the second round and desperately needed. One of the first years that I can remember being a Jets fan, the faithful allowed their feelings to be known when Kyle Brady was selected above one W-Sapp. That response will pale in comparison should the announcement of a defensive play maker like Vernon Gholston is announced leaving McFadden to fall to seven and the New England Patriots.

Here is to hoping that some sanity is left in this world when I go to bed tonight.

Are We Still On?

I'm completely aware of the now seemingly defunct nature of this blog and can only apologize to anyone who was actually a regular viewer. The most honest answer I can give is that sometimes life gets in the way of reporting regularly to a blog where you're not entirely sure what to say anyways.

On a less broad topic, I must say that as I'm at home listening to the 'Best of Bowie', I cannot help but think about the past. Not the whole past, but my past in regards to David Bowie. For the record I love Bowie and think that he is just the personification of pop. However the funniest part of the whole story is that the first David Bowie song that I remember hearing and knowing that it was Bowie was the tragic "I'm Afraid of Americans" that is actually on this record. It's a horribly overdone attempt by an aging Bowie to get with the industrial sound that was the later portion of the 90's. He even brought in Trent Reznor (whose ego during this portion matched Bowie's during his heyday) to help in this attempt for a rebirth. And while the song is not exactly the worst that I've ever heard or anything, it just makes me smile thinking that to twelve year old me, David Bowie was an synthesizer-driven industrial rocker who talked about Johnny (the every-American) and hated harmony.

I just cannot help but find some humor in all of that.

Song of the Day

Song: "Daft Punk Is Playing At My House"
Artist: LCD Soundsystem
Album: LCD Soundsystem (2005)

What? This hasn't already been Song of the Day? I checked the archives before posting this, and it's true. Somehow I've managed to maintain a blog for several months now without posting this tune. What can I say about James Murphy, frontman and mastermind behind LCD Soundsystem that hasn't already been said? He has the upmost versatility as an artist, with the ability to both stretch the limits of creativity musically while managing to write thoughtful lyrics that the listener can still relate to. "Daft Punk..." is simple and playful. It's a hook-laden romp about everyone's favortie French house/electro duo playing a show at Murphy's house...an undoubtedly false story, but fun as hell nonetheless.



The band's 2007 album Sound of Silver was my #3 favorite album of last year. Check out this energetic live performance of All My Friends, one of the album's standout tracks.

Song of the Day

Song: "Lysergic Bliss"
Artist: of Montreal
Album: Satanic Panic in the Attic (2004)

Sweet vocal harmonies on this abbreviated, acoustic version of the second track from Satanic Panic in the Attic. This one puts me in a good mood. "If we were a pair of jigsaw puzzle pieces, we would connect so perfectly..." Seems like a simple solution to many of life's problems to me.