I don’t ride because of the money or fame
I don’t ride to hear them shout my name
I don’t ride because it’s the cool thing to do
I don’t ride to catch up with you
I don’t ride because my bike looks cool
I don’t ride to show how much I rule
I ride because when I’m on my seat top
I get the feeling I never want to stop
My bike is like a canvas to an artist
Putting it away for the day is the hardest
My bike is a clarinet player’s reed
I use and re-use it as something I need
My bike is a teacher without a lesson plan
It’s prepared to educate even pupils so wan
The ocean waves flow tranquilly to the shore
Like a cycle moving fluidly across nature’s floor
I don’t ride because all my friends tell me to
I don’t ride to reveal my helmet is new
I ride because it’s the only way I know how
To tell myself it will all be better somehow

Merciful McNabb Meets Michael

Our country is a very forgiving one. We tend to afford people second chances even after they’ve committed heinous and despicable crimes. We also sometimes reward bonehead behavior. Michael Vick picked Philadelphia for his second chance. The Eagles landed the NFL’s biggest distraction when head coach, Andy Reid, showed enough compassion to sign Vick to a one year, $1.6 million deal. Vick has a team option for a second year worth $5.2 million. Let the trash talk begin.
The superstar, three time Pro Bowl quarterback served 18 months in prison for operating and running a dogfighting ring. The federal sentence and year and a half away from football appears to have changed Vick. He has been making a conscious effort with the community and Human Society to make up for his cruel, illegal behavior. No matter what Vick does or says off the turf this Fall, he still has to perform on the field to re-establish himself as a player. Vick has been out of action since 2006. Although he was one of the most talented and slickest running quarterbacks in the NFL, Vick has to have lost some of his endurance and strength while behind bars. The Eagles’ frightening decision to take a chance on Vick is an interesting one. Philadelphia quarterback, Donovan McNabb, was a proponent and influence in the signing of the chastised former Atlanta Falcon. McNabb apparently lobbied for the team to go after Vick, stating he has known Michael since high school and been his mentor for several years. Vick has also had well-respected former head coach, Tony Dungy, on his side. Dungy was present at Friday’s news conference to introduce Vick to Philadelphia.
The Eagles have a great support system and terrific upper management. They also have one of the most passionate fan bases in the NFL. Vick joins an NFC East team that made a surprise run into the playoffs and endured an impressive post-season last year. His career statistics against NFC East teams is off the chart terrific. Vick cited yesterday he wants to be a part of Philadelphia’s winning organization. (When was the last time the team won a Superbowl, by the way?) He was appreciative of Reid and the Eagles willingness to step up and give him a second chance in the NFL. Dungy will be at Vick’s assistance whenever he needs a hand. The stable and well-structured team might be the best place for Vick at this time. The Eagles insurance policy at quarterback is Kevin Kolb. Vick brings an immediate tempting option for Reid should McNabb struggle and find himself on the bench again this season. The addition of Vick hardly makes McNabb a better player though, and I fail to see how Michael makes the Eagles a more daunting team. There can only be one quarterback on an NFL team. Time and time again teams have tried the two-quarterback approach and proven both do not co-exist. It seems like a happy marriage between McNabb and Vick, but it can only work if they both have defined roles.
It won’t be smooth-sailing for Vick, whether he starts for the Eagles or not. He is sure to hear jeers from every opposing fan base the Eagles play in 2009. Vick may have the support of his teammates and the hometown fan but the rest of America is still disgusted with his actions. Vick showed remorse for being a part of a culture that didn’t care for animals. It still won’t be enough for some animal lovers to accept his apology. I think Vick’s punishment more than fit the crime. He lost all his money and served an equitable jail sentence for what he did. However, I am just as appalled as anyone about his actions, and am unwilling to give the man another chance at playing football. Some argue he shouldn’t be able to do what he loves most now. I agree, but there are comparable situations where professional players have done far worse than run dogfigthing rings. All these players did not exhibit high standards to morality, and were still rewarded by being accepted back into the league. Why should Vick have have more job security than a law-abiding citizen? His behavior does not merit a million dollar deal. It’s not up to the fans to determine whether a player should be able to return to the game but we can still hold our opinions. What Michael Vick did was wrong. No one will argue that. He should be given a second chance but it shouldn’t be in the NFL.
Parting Points: Did the Yankees forget how to lose or something?
Song of the day- “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Thursday Take-Twos

Here’s a glimpse at what happened in sports this today:
The New York Yankees established themselves as the best team in baseball. At least they are the team with the league’s best record. Manager, Joe Girardi and his turnaround team lead the majors in comeback wins and continue to tear through their AL East opponents one by one. Winners of nine of their last ten, the Yankees lead the Boston Red Sox by six games in the division. Look for more of the same from the Bomber bats and pinstriped pitchers down the stretch.
Tiger Woods shot 5 under 67 at Hazeltine and leads the first round of the PGA Championship. For a man who has made a career out of doing the impossible, this is no surprise.
Dante Stallworth is suspended for the 2009 NFL season without pay. The belittled Browns receiver pleaded guilty to killing a pedestrian while driving drunk. Commissioner Roger Goodell came down hard on Stallworth, sending a message to the entire NFL careless misconduct won’t be tolerated. The league’s personal conduct and drug abuse policies were violated and Goodell made the right decision in punishing the Cleveland star for one year. The Stallworth decision comes just a few weeks after Goodell conditionally reinstated Michael Vick after the quarterback served 18 months jail time for dogfighting charges.
Woodstock is celebrating it’s anniversary this week and it just makes me think of the 1969 Mets and Jets. How distant that wonder year seems now to fans of both New York franchise. The Mets did salvage the final game of their series with the Arizona Diamondbacks, winning 6-4 on the road. Corey Sullivan tripled twice and Gary Sheffield provided two hits in his return to the Mets wrinkled lineup.
The Yankees weren’t the only team who won in walkoff fashion Wednesday night, and the Red Sox and Tigers weren’t the only clubs to brawl this week. The San Francisco Giants accomplished both. They beat their in-state rivals, the L.A. Dodgers, on a game winning Juan Uribe homerun. Uribe’s drill in the 10th made San Francisco the 4-2 winner over L.A.. Both the Giants’ manager and acting manager, and the bench coach were ejected during the wild day. There was also a benches clearing scuffle. It hardly compared to the one that took place between AL East foes, Boston and Detroit, however.
The Gator Bowl could be headed to New Years Day, which would land the Big 10 football conference its third bowl on January 1st. Bowl reshuffling is always fun, so stay tuned. It’s all about sponsorships and partnerships with mega companies anyway. I am more focused on the football field when I watch college games.
The United States soccer team leads Mexico in points in the World Cup qualifying standings. That wasn’t enough to amount to a win for the United States at Azteca last night. The 2-1 Mexico victory was a critical one but not unexpected. The United States has fallen to Mexico 23 out of the 24 times they’ve kicked against them. Landon Donovan has his team on course to qualify, as long as they win their next two games.
Finally, can we just go back to talking about the awesome Big East basketball program in Louisville? Rick Pitino made a mistake but it shouldn’t cost him his job. I am not condoning extra-marital affairs or pardoning Pitino’s performance off the court, but get real. The public should not have to hear about the man’s personal life because it hasn’t affected his coaching. The affair occurred six years ago and Pitino has gone on to lead and recruit some of the most talented players and teams in the nation. It’s time to drop the subject and move on.
Parting points: Sad news about skateboarding pioneer, Andy Kessler dying after a wasp bite reaction. While we’re on the subject of death, today is the anniversary of the Mick’s passing.

Philadelphia's Pennant Push

I love watching Rich Harden pitch. The smooth slinging Chicago Cubs hurler retired the first 16 defending World Series champion Philadelphia batters he faced Tuesday. He remained poised and composed on the mount, working like an artist and flirting with perfection through six innings. Harden harnessed a 2-0 lead into the sixth inning before issuing a pass to the Phillies’ Carlos Ruiz. The control pitcher then allowed Jimmy Rollins to exploit the situation and break up Harden’s no-hit bid. Rollins crushed a game-tying homerun into Wrigley’s right field bleachers to put the Phillies on the scoreboard and clear the bases. The flashy Philadelphia shortstop has been unleashing his power bat since snapping a difficult career-worst 0-for-28 streak. He’s clubbing an eye-popping .325 with eight long balls and 27 RBIs in his last 151 trips to the plate. Rollins was rocking in the sixth inning when he dished off Harden to start Philadelphia’s late inning rally, propelling them to a 4-3 victory in 12 innings.
The Cubs gave their starting pitcher some support on a Jake Fox single and Alfonso Soriano bases-loaded sacrifice fly. Pryor to Tuesday’s start, Harden had dominated Philadelphia. In 20 innings against the team, his era was .90 and he allowed just two runs. Harden gave up only one other hit after Rollins’ blast Tuesday, a Ryan Howard single in the seventh. The power hitter knocked an excellent pitch into the stands to give the NL run-leading Phillies the temporary edge. Reliever, Carlos Marmol, was summoned from the Chicago bullpen in the 8th. His contributions would soon like to be forgotten by Cubs’ faithful. The burly, bulky Marmol had control issues from the moment he manned the mound. He hit a batter and walked three, including a bases loaded pass to Howard. The reliever is usually hard to hit and can fool hitters with a deceptive fastball. But he has walked 52 batters and hit 11 in 53 innings this season. Marmols’ mechanics may be to blame for his wackiness. Once he starts walking batters, he seems to lose his motion and becomes inept and ineffective.
Philadelphia’s one-run cushion would not stand. It wasn’t enough to secure the win in nine
frames. Phillies closer, Brad Lidge, coughed up the lead, blowing his 7th save in 28 tries. A leadoff walk by Kosuke Fukudome instigated the Cubs’ offense in the ninth. Fukudome advanced to second on Ryan Theriot’s sacrifice bunt and scored on Milton Bradley’s line drove smothering to right. In extra innings, Ben Francisco made a winner out of Philadelphia’s Scott Eyre, who worked 1 1/3 perfect innings. Chad Durbin tossed a hitless 12th to pick up his second save of the season. Francisco smacked a dramatic leadoff dinger to cap off the visiting team’s comeback. He delivered the game-winning drive off Chicago’s closer, Kevin Gregg, to give the Phillies their fourth win in 12 games. It was Francisco’s second homerun of the year. This was came off a 1-1 fastball and was planted into the basket that hangs over Wrigley’s left field fence. Philadelphia leads the NL East by 3 ½, while the Cubs trail St. Louis in the NL Central by 3 games. Francisco was a throw-in player in the Cliff Lee deal with Cleveland just before the trade deadline. Since joining the team that plays in City Of Brotherly Love, the slugger has started five games in the outfield. He is hitting .345 in his last 16 games with Philadelphia and Cleveland.
It’s too bad another Harden effort ended on a sour note for the Cubs. The strictly heart-breaking loss was a wasted opportunity for the Cubs for their playoff aspirations. Harden is one of those pitchers you really enjoy watching. He brings no-hit caliber stuff to each and every start. It would be nice to see him in full health all year to realize his incredible pitching potential. The hurler has an unlimited ceiling and is blessed with a stylish, accurate array of right-handed offerings. Chicago’s defeat resulted in a no-decision but the hard-throwing Harden holds a 1.95 ERA in his last 37 innings. It is distinctly no picnic facing Harden.

Parting points: Happy Birthday Pete Sampras!

The Phillies throw Pedro Martinez tonight. It’s Petey’s season debut and first start with Philadelphia.

Access and Autographs at Annual August Albany Affair

Dad surprised me with tickets to the New York Giants training camp in Albany in August of 1998. It was unlike any professional sporting event I’d ever been to before and have attended since. Sure, I had my share of front row views at Army hockey games. I was there for WTA Finals events and witnessed some killer tennis in knockout summer temperatures. David Wells greeted me in the Yankee Stadium bullpen, literally handing me the ball he used to practice throwing. I’d seen the Jets shrug off another loss as the fans in the upper deck at Giants Stadium got rowdier than a high school bonfire gathering. I even attended autograph sessions at the local mall and met face to face with former Yankees. But the trip nine years ago to the University at Albany campus was different than all of them.
I have scant recollections of #11, Phil Simms and can hardly remember the Bill Parcells era of New York Giants football. I appreciate sports history and my father must have sensed me starting to like the hometown team back in 1997. The great expectations surrounding the NFC East division champions were heightened that summer in training camp. The only hindrance was a fickle offense that had yet to finalize a proper passing system. New York won the hard way, despite the shortcomings. I think that is what initially drew me to the team. As a devoted and faithful Cowboys fan for over a decade, I could never replace Dallas as my number one football team. The Giants certainly did their best to convert my rooting ways. They had many likeable personalities, but quarterback, Danny Kanell, was not one of them. Kanell was the kind of player you gritted your teeth about every time he took a snap. He was more unreliable than unflappable, more shaky than sturdy and more delicate than delectable. As uncharming as their leading man was, I still became a fan of Big Blue. That’s why when Dad delivered the tickets and drove me diligently to Albany, I decided to be a Giants devotee.
The proximity to the Meadowlands and Albany did much to ease my hesitations of abandoning the Cowboys. After all, I had an excuse to like the Giants because I lived in the state. It wasn’t until I discovered Jason Sehorn that I really started following the rival NFC East squad. Sehorn was my man and to me, should have made the ProBowl in 1997. The cornerback would later go on to Hawaii to play and would gain acclaim with the team. He would also earn the taunts and teases of Giants fans for his tackling ability. Any real fan knows the story of Sehorn and the “pants falling down” episode. I won’t go there. All I knew back then was Sehorn was a gifted defensive back with the looks of a male model. Other players were not as enormously endearing to me, but I came to know and like the entire Big Blue team.
I remember seeing the four tall towers of dorm rooms as Dad and I entered the training camp facility. It would have been nifty to attend SUNY Albany, especially if it meant getting daily glimpses of the Giants during the summer. The field itself was unremarkable but fascinating and filled to capacity with practicing players. Stands lined the bleacher seats and the atmosphere was equivalent to a Fan Fest in terms of player access and crowd liveliness and interaction. I don’t know the results of the scrimmage that day. I do know I was able to see some of my favorite players up close. Thanks to my forward Father, I got more personal than I ever imagined.
My dad and I crossed the gate and walked onto the practice field after the game. His exact words to me were, “Well, Lindi. This is your chance to get an autograph. It’s now or never”. I clutched my white nerf Giants football and stealthily strolled into the section where the sweaty, tired, professionals were standing. My dad acted as if he were Jim Fassel himself conducting an offensive drill. He marched up to Brad Daluiso and pointed to me while looking the kicker in the eye. Daluiso must have taken pity on his new fan because he got the hint and took my black Sharpie, prompty penning his #3 signature on the ball. That attracted the attention of other desperate fans and a line quickly formed behind me. Punter, Brad Maynard, stood alone next to his teammate. I did not recognize #9 but remember looking him directly in the eye before moving on to find another player. Snubbing Maynard is still one of the regrets from that day. The other was missing out on seeing Sehorn. My two teenage eyes scanned the scene but could not track down the star cornerback. I did somehow luck out in finding myself standing in front of a smiling Tiki Barber. The running back, #21, was not the well-known Giant he is today back in 1998. He was just coming into his own and he was only too happy to sign an autograph that day. I am still in awe at the ease in which Barber went about his business. It was like interacting with my best friend having Tiki sign my ball. His shiny bald head glistened in the sun as he very briefly welcomed me to Giants camp. Charles Way, the big veteran fullback for New York, was quite the opposite of his backfield counterpart. Way did not utter a word or even look at me when he signed the nerf ball. He peered out across the field as his immense #33 jersey intimidated both me and my father. Tyrone Wheatley was next up. Number 28 was a Michigan product so I wasn’t too thrilled to obtain an autograph. Still, Wheatley had a breakout year in 1997 despite missing the playoffs with an ankle injury. Finally, the Nebraska linebacker, Doug Coleman, lingered near the gate chatting with fans. Dad and I approached him as if meeting up with a famous uncle. Neither of us knew Coleman by his #58 jersey but accepted him autographing my ball and my sister’s Giants playing card. Dad promised to try to get her an autograph and that was the only Big Blue merchandise she owned. An all-in-all eventful Albany affair was over. I may not have succeeded in securing a Sehorn signature, but the summer stint was still sensationally stupendous.
Parting points: Song of the day- “Time of Your Life” by Green Day

College Countdown

Let’s talk college football, shall we? It is the peak of the major league baseball season as the pennant races peek around the corner. But the smell of football is definitely in the August air. All this peeking makes me want to grab a glimpse at my favorite college football program. The Buckeyes play their first game September 5th on the vast and spacious Ohio State campus against Navy. The season is less than a month away. So which Buckeyes are we likely to see picking passes from Terrelle Pryor? Here’s a peak at a sample of speedy wide receivers on the 2009 Buckeyes roster:
Dane Sanzenbacher: The Buckeyes are probably going to go with a three or four receiver set each game, and Dane is the team’s main wideout. The junior is the steadiest of all receivers and now is his opportunity to take tremendous strides at the position. Sanzenbacher needs to stay healthy in order to be in the formidable formation. He attracts the most defensive backs out of all the wide receivers on Ohio State, and pays the price for being the number one target. Still, Dane can handle the pressure and duties of the big time program similar to his well-tuned predecessors.
Ray Small: It is questionable whether or not Small will be able to play. If available, Ray will make an impact and be an important factor on the offense. The senior has starter-ability if he will be around. It is difficult to deny the powerful receiver’s football skills. Small still needs to mature as a wideout because he is susceptible to running haphazard routes. But his ability amounts to quality plays when he is dashing to the end zone.
DeVier Posey: The prolific sophomore returns to the Buckeyes offense a year older and wiser. He had a lackluster rookie campaign but remains a downfield threat for opposing teams. Posey is the prime candidate vying to replace Brian Hartline and Brian Robiskie. Posey has shown great potential all summer. He is capable of taking short flips from the quarterback and turning them into big plays. The more polished a passer Pryor becomes in 2009, the more he will use Posey as his go-to man. Posey is big and fast and I anticipate hearing the Pryor-to-Posey scenario radiate from the commentary booth quite often. The youthfulness Posey possesses combined with his smooth style surely equate to a successful season. He has all the intangibles associated with an elite team leader and he is best friends with the quarterback.
Lamaar Thomas: Thomas is ready to rocket onto the scene and has improved his route-running this off-season. Lamaar is a fleet footed, fluid, and competent receiving option for Jim Tressel. The sophomore is ready to work himself into the Buckeye top three. A special teams and kick returner a year ago, Thomas is a portrayal of speed.
Garrett Hummel: The junior walk-on receiver is my choice for breakout Buckeye of the year. I expect big things from Hummel, who has great hands. Keep an eye on this kid throughout the season as he emerges as a top position player and increases his turf time. Hummel is a star in the making.
Taurian Washington: Washington is entering his junior year and played as well as he ever has this Spring. Only time will tell if he can keep up the good work when the leaves change colors. Taurian was terrific when he scored a 51 yard touchdown in the spring game. He lead the Gray team with four receptions for 71 yards. Washington is a smart player who learned from Robiskie and Hartline, so that should only benefit him in 2009.
Grant Schwartz: Schwartz is a converted defensive back looking for a fresh beginning on the other side of the ball. Schwartz signed with Ohio State in 2005 and is the son of former Buckeye, Brian Schwartz. His speed is his greatest asset Grant has more going for him as well. Since there really aren’t top spots locked up outside Posey and Sanzenbacher, Schwartz has as good a chance as any of his teammates. He might get lost in the shuffle but is too good a football player to go unnoticed for long.
Duron Carter: The son of OSU’s Cris Carter may not be ready for a starting spot but the freshman is still in the mix to catch passes. Carter will probably not be thrown into the games against USC or Michigan but he should be able to sprint the field in most conference showdowns. He won’t make an immediate impact but Carter leads the freshman class of burners waiting in the wings.
Parting Points: Is it too much to ask for a sweep??

Sleepy Saturday

If you’re like me, you are having trouble keeping your eyes open this fine Saturday in August. It was not easy staying up for the entire 15 inning epic battle between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox last night. The game began just after 7pm but did not end until Alex Rodriguez wacked the ball into the Yankee Stadium seats around 12:40pm. As a diehard fan, I couldn’t just turn the game off. Once I made it through the entire nine innings I figured I could withstand a few more frames. Little did I know the scoreless game would go on another five. The Yankees and Red Sox had their chances to bring a run across the plate. A run was all either team needed in this pitching duel between Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett. Neither offense looked like the dominating lineups we’ve come to know so well. It is crystal clear which AL East team has all the momentum now, and they do not reside in New England.
Today’s start time is 4:05, thankfully. But I am almost positive there will be more extra inning affairs in the future. Here are some suggestions for the next time you need to fend off some shuteye during Yankees-Red Sox contests:
--Go to Dunkin’ Donuts (a Boston staple) and purchase one of the Box Of Joes. It’s hard to miss a pitch when you have that much caffeine in your system. Plus, they do have the best coffee.
--Log on to Twitter and start tweeting each inning. It will help you concentrate on the game and keep your eyes from closing if you have to type.
--Print out a 8x10 picture of Dustin Pedroia and tack it on your wall. Take a soft ball, some darts or crumble a piece of loose-leaf paper and start throwing at Pedroia’s head..unintentionally, of course.
---Every time John Sterling says “What a game”, dust a piece of furniture. I promise you, you will have a clean house by the time the game is over.
--Keep score the old-fashioned way. At least you will have a souvenir if the game is a classic. You can always go back to certain situations.
--Pretend you’re at the stadium and have a hot dog with all the fixings. Don’t forget to scoop some ice cream into one of those mini helmets while you wave your foam finger at the TV screen.
--Wash and dry your Yankees bed sheets and comforter.
--Do 50 push-ups in between each inning. If you did this last night, you would have done 1,500 and the guns to show it the next morning.
If all else fails, you can always log onto my blog and read old articles. They definitely won’t put you to sleep…I think.
Parting points: Song of the day- “Mr. Brightside”- by the Killers