And in this case, I don't mean Honey Crisps. Seriously, if you live in the midwest and have never had a honey crisp apple, get off your computer (well, read the rest of this post), drive to the supermarket and get one. They are too good.
What's happening to my appetite? I haven't eaten in six hours, and tonight I get one salad at Portillo's, and I feel like I just got out of one of those competitive eating contests.
OK, now to the real apple. New York City tomorrow! Ben and Jack's for some steak and the Rangers-Maple Leafs at Madison Square Garden. And the Jets on Sunday. I may miss church this weekend, but watching the Jets live will be a like three-hour sermon on patience and suffering. But it is my first NFL game in 15 years. I can't wait!
I have 77 hours of vacation time left between now and December. So I'm taking half days on Wednesdays from Nov 14 on. I like a break in the middle of the week and I think this will be good.
Onto politics. And this can also be tied into taking the bite out of the apple. Is there a bigger disgrace right now than Rudy Giuliani? The former New York City mayor is maybe the biggest and most notable Yankees fan of this generation. Now he's running for President. This past week, he's speaking to a crowd in Boston and what does he say? Well, I'll give you the quotes. "I'm rooting for the Red Sox. I'm an American League fan, and I go with the American League team, maybe with the exception of the Mets."
It gets better. Check this out from his meeting in Lebanon, New Hampshire. "Somehow it makes me feel better if the team that was ahead of the Yankees wins the World Series because then I feel like, well, we're not that bad."
What a disgrace. I like Rudy, but he has taken a major dive in my eyes. Rooting for your team's biggest rival? Excuse me, but if you ever see me rooting for the Cubs, Patriots, or Devils, just have me committed. Because I would be selling out. Remember this. Rudy's been teasing Hillary Clinton about whether she's a Cubs fan or a Yankees fan and I agree, it is pathetic the way she wavers back and forth like a new seesaw. But the point is where does this leave Rudy now? Certainly without loyalty.
And I still miss Hogan.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
TV notes
Wow, two posts in three days. I must be bored or suddenly full of material. First of all, I was really disappointed several months ago when I lost CMT from my cable package. Now I feel like I'm not missing anything. You know, Carrie Underwood's not on enough. Shame she doesn't get promoted. Poor girl. For the love, can country music start promoting someone with talent?
And the schedule of what they're showing now, it amazes me. Prime time shows on CMT this week include: Blazing Saddles, Hogan Knows Best (how does Hulk Hogan relate to country music?), Dallas Cowboy cheerleader tryouts, and I Want to Look Like a High School Cheerleader. Where's the music aside from videos in the morning? This network has become MTV for Southerners. It was bad enough when VH1 abandoned all the cool music shows and became MTV/E! with their horrible reality shows. CMT is on the exact same path. So CMT, get lost, goodbye.
Unfortunately, I have to miss Friday's Marshall Tucker Band concert in Palatine because I have to work. But on a good note, John Fogerty plays on Letterman tonight.
If anyone from CT reads this, please don't relate this to Egg Harbor from last month. I came across a clip of the Maury show today where this teenage girl was terrified of pickles. And I mean terrified. They brought one pickle out to this girl and she ran out of that studio like Marion Jones after receiving a "special delivery." The best part? She's a waitress in a diner that mainly serves sandwiches. And she won't bring out plates of food that have pickles to her customers. All I can say is I hope this was staged and she was an actor.
No song pick this time, but here's an alternative. Food pick: Godfather's pizza at Rookie's
Five days until the Big Apple...
And the schedule of what they're showing now, it amazes me. Prime time shows on CMT this week include: Blazing Saddles, Hogan Knows Best (how does Hulk Hogan relate to country music?), Dallas Cowboy cheerleader tryouts, and I Want to Look Like a High School Cheerleader. Where's the music aside from videos in the morning? This network has become MTV for Southerners. It was bad enough when VH1 abandoned all the cool music shows and became MTV/E! with their horrible reality shows. CMT is on the exact same path. So CMT, get lost, goodbye.
Unfortunately, I have to miss Friday's Marshall Tucker Band concert in Palatine because I have to work. But on a good note, John Fogerty plays on Letterman tonight.
If anyone from CT reads this, please don't relate this to Egg Harbor from last month. I came across a clip of the Maury show today where this teenage girl was terrified of pickles. And I mean terrified. They brought one pickle out to this girl and she ran out of that studio like Marion Jones after receiving a "special delivery." The best part? She's a waitress in a diner that mainly serves sandwiches. And she won't bring out plates of food that have pickles to her customers. All I can say is I hope this was staged and she was an actor.
No song pick this time, but here's an alternative. Food pick: Godfather's pizza at Rookie's
Five days until the Big Apple...
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Blogging after midnight
Seems like the only time I've been in the mood to write lately is after the clock strikes 12 a.m. I could have absolutely nothing to say, I still feel the need to at least log in. Maybe something will pop into mind.
So 24 hours later, I have a few things on my mind. First of all, can the New York Rangers score a goal? This team scores less than the 40 year old virgin. I had to listen to that whole disaster today against Boston, where they did everything right except score. They couldn't even get a goal in the shootout! 2-5 and last place in the Atlantic Division. What a joke.
I'm not on the Ecclesia retreat in Lake Geneva and have no regrets. I've done it twice and both times it ended with me getting frustrated. There were fun moments, sure, but the highlight last year was the marathon games of ping pong. We have about 8 hours of time to ourselves. And I hate to admit it but the extended solitude usually ends in me getting frustrated that I can't concentrate on God and I wound up sleeping. The people are cool enough, but I just really don't think I'm missing a lot by staying home this weekend. Actually, I may have one regret. I may not get a chance to get some broccoli cheddar soup from Popeye's.
My boss made a genius move today. He skips out of work today to go watch the Illinois-Michigan game. Real smart John, considering your team lost again. And thanks for not telling me you were going until late this afternoon. Nobody was in the office after I left at 6 p.m. I can't wait to see how the scoreboard turns out tomorrow.
So 24 hours later, I have a few things on my mind. First of all, can the New York Rangers score a goal? This team scores less than the 40 year old virgin. I had to listen to that whole disaster today against Boston, where they did everything right except score. They couldn't even get a goal in the shootout! 2-5 and last place in the Atlantic Division. What a joke.
I'm not on the Ecclesia retreat in Lake Geneva and have no regrets. I've done it twice and both times it ended with me getting frustrated. There were fun moments, sure, but the highlight last year was the marathon games of ping pong. We have about 8 hours of time to ourselves. And I hate to admit it but the extended solitude usually ends in me getting frustrated that I can't concentrate on God and I wound up sleeping. The people are cool enough, but I just really don't think I'm missing a lot by staying home this weekend. Actually, I may have one regret. I may not get a chance to get some broccoli cheddar soup from Popeye's.
My boss made a genius move today. He skips out of work today to go watch the Illinois-Michigan game. Real smart John, considering your team lost again. And thanks for not telling me you were going until late this afternoon. Nobody was in the office after I left at 6 p.m. I can't wait to see how the scoreboard turns out tomorrow.
Speaking of which, the high school playoffs football bracket is really exciting, especially in 7A. St. Charles East, St. Charles North, Geneva, and Batavia are all in the same bracket and two different sets of archrivals could meet in the state quarterfinals. I'm excited to see how this goes.
Let's see how bad the Jets get killed tomorrow in Cincinnati. I really have no optimism for this team anymore this year. And it is certainly way more than just a quarterback issue. This is shaping up to be one miserable sports fall/winter. And the Knicks haven't even started yet! Things are so bad I may have to start watching the World Series of Poker or some Texas bullriding on Versus!
On a more personal level, I know some things are just not meant to happen. And even though I try to fool myself, I know the truth in my soul. I just wish it wasn't true. But I guess life does what it's supposed to do one way or another.
After months of waiting, Genghis Grill finally opened in Wheaton. I'm a huge Mongolian BBQ fan and I'm glad I don't have to drive all the way to Naperville to get some. Hopefully, I'll be able to make it there in the next couple of weeks. The strange thing is I'm comparing this place to BD's, the joint in Naperville. I'm convinced they are the exact same place all the way down to the design of the website, only under different names.
Song pick: "No More Cloudy Days" The Eagles
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Quick reaction
Well this was the weirdest day of work I've had in five years working at the Daily Herald. I arrived around 3 p.m. and I knew a lot of scores would be coming in around 3-5 pm, which is earlier than usual. Right now, there's a lot of playoffs going between tennis, soccer, cross country, and golf. I started typing scores in and rounding up games where we didn't have a reporter. After about 20 minutes, Nancy, who works in the Neighbor section, suddenly says she can't save her work on DeWarView (that's the database where the Herald saves and stores all the articles and files. Basically, it's our backbone). Now I was not about to lose the work I had done. So I saved everything I had done as a Word file and at least I knew it wasn't erased. The problem was MS Word was the only relevant computer program that was working. The added wrinkle was when I realized the Internet and e-mail never came up and were down as well. They didn't work for me or Nancy. I jumped to two different computers and nothing worked right either. So we had no Internet, e-mail, or databases to work from. This is like Starbucks running out of coffee and cups! And my boss wasn't even around. He was covering Northern Illinois football so I couldn't even consult him.
The only thing I could do was type the few faxed files we got into the word file. What I couldn't fax, I figured I would print out from the Word file and then go home and e-mail that to my boss' boss in Arlington Heights. Oh I forgot. We couldn't print anything either! After a little consulting with a few people with "power", we decided I would fax everything I had over to another Herald branch in Lisle. So I did that, and then wrote down all my game summaries and box scores (took about solid 30 minutes of speed writing) and drove home. I then typed them into my own computer and e-mailed them out. That was 45 minutes ago and hopefully that's the end of my work night.
I don't care how many budget cutbacks there have been lately. I want some OT pay for this!
The only thing I could do was type the few faxed files we got into the word file. What I couldn't fax, I figured I would print out from the Word file and then go home and e-mail that to my boss' boss in Arlington Heights. Oh I forgot. We couldn't print anything either! After a little consulting with a few people with "power", we decided I would fax everything I had over to another Herald branch in Lisle. So I did that, and then wrote down all my game summaries and box scores (took about solid 30 minutes of speed writing) and drove home. I then typed them into my own computer and e-mailed them out. That was 45 minutes ago and hopefully that's the end of my work night.
I don't care how many budget cutbacks there have been lately. I want some OT pay for this!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
A/C is out for eight months
Well we're probably not hitting 70 degrees anytime soon. So the jackets, sweatshirts, and boots are out and the short sleeves are buried deep in the closet. And I'm in the dungeon of the house and of course it's still 15 degrees colder down here than the rest of the house. And my room will be even colder once I head up there. A few thoughts on my mind as another week winds down.
1) This guy makes the best soup I've ever had. The only other one that comes close is the broccoli cheddar at Popeye's in Lake Geneva (not the fried chicken joint!) I got some Italian sausage soup they were selling at Costco and had it with some awesome roasted garlic bread. That is an ideal cold weather meal. I could have that two or three nights a week.
2) I understand when you have a large group, people change. And it's not always comfortable. But sometimes the change can be too much. Suffice to say, I think that's what is happening on the corner of Main and Franklin.
3) Next three restaurants I want to try: Boston Blackie's (burgers), Hunter's (downtown St. Charles), and Niko's Lodge in western St. Charles.
4) On Wednesday, I worked out, went to the dentist, and got a haircut. I feel like I lost ten pounds.
5) I'm glad Don Imus will be back on the radio again as of December. Disagree if you want.
6) More and more, I learn you can't sustain a great spiritual life by yourself. Community is vital.
7) I have about 75 total DVD's. Only one of them is a movie.
8) The Rangers are looking horrible through three games. Scott Gomez looks lost. Yet another Devil comes to the Rangers and forgets how to play hockey (ie Bruce Driver, Vladimir Malakhov, John MacLean, Bobby Holik). Marek Malik has more giveaways than the Salvation Army. Martin Straka is brutal. Coach Tom Renney does not know jack about organizing a power play. That said, Henrik Lundqvist is becoming one of the best goalies in the world. And I love Ryan Callahan! Here's the deal. They've played three games and I've been able to watch two. They lost those two and of course, won the game I couldn't see. Tomorrow, their game against Washington is being broadcasted through Yahoo. I don't like the odds...
9) I'm rooting for Cleveland to beat Colorado in the World Series.
10) This corn maze looks a tad freaky...
Song pick: "One In a Million" Johnny Lee
1) This guy makes the best soup I've ever had. The only other one that comes close is the broccoli cheddar at Popeye's in Lake Geneva (not the fried chicken joint!) I got some Italian sausage soup they were selling at Costco and had it with some awesome roasted garlic bread. That is an ideal cold weather meal. I could have that two or three nights a week.
2) I understand when you have a large group, people change. And it's not always comfortable. But sometimes the change can be too much. Suffice to say, I think that's what is happening on the corner of Main and Franklin.
3) Next three restaurants I want to try: Boston Blackie's (burgers), Hunter's (downtown St. Charles), and Niko's Lodge in western St. Charles.
4) On Wednesday, I worked out, went to the dentist, and got a haircut. I feel like I lost ten pounds.
5) I'm glad Don Imus will be back on the radio again as of December. Disagree if you want.
6) More and more, I learn you can't sustain a great spiritual life by yourself. Community is vital.
7) I have about 75 total DVD's. Only one of them is a movie.
8) The Rangers are looking horrible through three games. Scott Gomez looks lost. Yet another Devil comes to the Rangers and forgets how to play hockey (ie Bruce Driver, Vladimir Malakhov, John MacLean, Bobby Holik). Marek Malik has more giveaways than the Salvation Army. Martin Straka is brutal. Coach Tom Renney does not know jack about organizing a power play. That said, Henrik Lundqvist is becoming one of the best goalies in the world. And I love Ryan Callahan! Here's the deal. They've played three games and I've been able to watch two. They lost those two and of course, won the game I couldn't see. Tomorrow, their game against Washington is being broadcasted through Yahoo. I don't like the odds...
9) I'm rooting for Cleveland to beat Colorado in the World Series.
10) This corn maze looks a tad freaky...
Song pick: "One In a Million" Johnny Lee
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Top 10 Best Sports Moments
To prove I am not an eternal sports pessimist, I am taking some time to acknowledge the ten best sports moments of my life. That said, I should point out this list took 3 days to compile as opposed to the other, which took 30 minutes!
January 27, 1991- Super Bowl XXV- Giants vs Bills: I was only 9 years old when this happened. I remember the Gulf War that was going on during this game and how it nearly got cancelled. And what a great game it was. The Giants won 20-19 on Scott Norwood's field goal that sailed wide right.
May 27, 1994-NHL ECF Game 7- Rangers vs Devils: The greatest hockey game I ever saw. I believe I watched it at my father's apartment. Being New Jersey residents, we hated the Devils with a passion. An amazing first six games, capped off by Mark Messier's guarantee that the Rangers would tie the series in Game 6 and bring it back to MSG for Game 7. He delivered. In that decisive game, the great Brian Leetch scored for a 1-0 Rangers lead. But with 7.7 seconds left in the game, Valeri Zelepukin tied it and it went into overtime. I was so deflated. And my dad was numb. But 4:24 into the second OT, the series ended happily. Stephane Matteau scored on a wrap-around to give the Rangers a 2-1 win and a 4-3 series win. Of course, Rangers radio broadcaster Howie Rose had one of the greatest calls ever. "Matteau, Matteau, Matteau!"
June 14, 1994 Stanley Cup Finals Game 7-Rangers vs. Canucks: This was voted the greatest New York sports moment of the last 20 years and deservedly so. The franchise's 54 year curse was shattered. I ate dinner at Chili's that night with my Rangers jersey on and the waitress said they would never win it. And I watched the game alone with no jersey on. Reason being they had chances to win it all in Games 5 and 6 and I watched those games with a jersey on and they lost. And they won it 3-2. I was only 13, but I was so happy they won since that's the only team my dad, uncle, and I all root for.
1996 World Series- Yankees vs. Braves: This my sound like heresy, but I did like the Yankees when I was younger and I particularly liked this team. And this team was easy to admire. Joe Torre (never reached WS before), David Cone(arm aneurysm), Doc Gooden(no-hitter vs. Seattle), Darryl Strawberry (the comeback). It was Phil Rizzuto's final season broadcasting. Oh, and they were playing the defending champion Braves. Atlanta won the first 2 in Yankee Stadium and I figured it was over. I barely watched the next three games in Atlanta because I thought the Yankees were in trouble. But they won all three and wrapped it up in Yankee Stadium in Game 6. Even the biggest Yankee hater had to admire the toughness and resilience of this squad.
May 22, 1998- Mets Get Piazza: I always liked Piazza since he was tough, clutch, Italian, and practically my twin. The Mets had been terrible for years, but by 1997 were getting better. But they didn't have that guy. That guy who seemed made for New York. Who had the power, the presence, and the name. But we got him. We got him from Florida for Preston Wilson, Ed Yarnall, and Geoff Goetz. Goetz and Yarnall turned into nothing and Wilson had a few good years, but came nowhere near to becoming the star he was supposed to be. Meanwhile, Piazza became the face of the Mets for 8 years. The moment I'll always remember came Sep 21, 2001 against Atlanta. It was the first regular season professional sporting event held in New York City after 9/11. With his team trailing 2-1 in the 8th, Piazza drilled a two-run homer to lift the Mets to a 3-2 triumph.
May 1999- Knicks Reach Finals: I'll always hold a special place in my memory for this team. Before the season, they traded longtime fan favorite John Starks and two others and got the infamous Latrell Sprewell. They traded tough warrior Charles Oakley for a young and athletic Marcus Camby. Allan Houston and Larry Johnson were solid team players, but legend Patrick Ewing was coming to the end of a great career. They were seeded 8th in the East and faced the Miami Heat in the first round. They won the deciding Game 5 in Miami when Houston bounced in a running one-hander off the front of the rim, high off the backboard, and in with 0.8 seconds left. Following a sweep of the Hawks, they faced Indiana. Despite losing Ewing to injury for the rest of the playoffs prior to Game 3, the Knicks won the series (aided in part to a legendary four-point play by Larry Johnson in the final seconds of Game 3) to become the first eighth-seeded playoff team to make the NBA Finals. Oh, and the night of Game 6 when they clinched, was also the night of my first date that wasn't a school function. I still have the game on tape and, yes, it was a pretty good night.
2000 NLCS- Mets vs. Cardinals: I still think the 1999 Mets were better than the 2000 team that made the series. There was one game from the regular season. It was June 30, when the Mets beat the rival Atlanta Braves. With the Mets losing 8-1 to begin the bottom of the eighth, they rallied back with two outs to tie the game, capping the 10-run inning with Mike Piazza's three run home run to put the Mets up 11-8. Sorry Tara! But they won the wild card and beat San Francisco in four in the first round. Benny Agbayani hit a walk-off homer in Game 3 and Bobby Jones pitched the game of his life in Game 4 to clinch it and and they ran through the Cardinals in the NLCS. They lost to the Yankees in 5 (I hate you Luis Sojo and Jose Vizcaino), but that was still a magical season!
January 14, 2001-NFC Championship- Giants smash Vikings 41-0: I watched this on a very snowy day in Winfield in my living room. Most people thought the Vikings would kill the "overrated Giants." Suffice to say, it was 14-0 G-Men before Minnesota's offense even took the field. QB Kerry Collins passed for 381 yards and 5 touchdowns. The defense limited the potent Vikings to only 114 offensive yards, sacking Daunte Culpepper 4 times, and forcing 5 turnovers. It was over early, but in a strange way, never stopped being exciting, because it was so hard to believe the game was going the way it was. Of course, then came the Super Bowl against Baltimore...
December 29, 2002- Giants Win, Jets Win: The single greatest football day of my life. No day will probably ever beat this until the Jets make the Super Bowl. I lived in North Carolina at the time. The Giants had to beat conference leader Philly to make the playoffs. For the Jets to make the playoffs, they had to beat NFC North champion Green Bay and New England had to beat Miami. Amazingly, I got all three of those games in Raleigh! The Giants game was amazing. Philly led 7-0 most of the way until Kerry Collins threw a TD to Jeremy Shockey. But Tiki Barber fumbled deep in his own territory and Philly had an easy shot to win it. Amazingly, Pro Bowler David Akers missed the field goal and the Giants had new life. In OT, Shaun Williams intercepted a Philly pass, Matt Bryant kicked a 39-yard field goal, and the Giants were onto San Francisco. That led to a moment in my "Worst list!"
But then I flipped over to the Pats-Fins. I knew Miami was leading early. But the Jets were about to start and I had to know what was going on in both games. So I turned the main TV to that Pats-Fins and the TV in the computer room to the Jets, since it had the VCR attached. I was running back and forth for about 10 minutes tracking both games! Thankfully, Mom wasn't home. New England wiped out an 11-point deficit in the final five minutes and won in OT to keep the Jets' season alive. When that happened, the Giants Stadium crowd erupted into cheers. The Jets game was six minutes in and 0-0. But all of a sudden, the lights went on. The Jets absolutely wasted Green Bay 42-17. And the BEST QUARTERBACK IN THE AFC EAST, CHAD PENNINGTON, threw four touchdowns.
September 26, 2004-Mets vs. Cubs: Okay, I had to put this in! And it breaks my heart because I was working that afternoon. An average Mets team dashes the Cubs' postseason hopes. A team with Gerald Williams, Richard Hidalgo, and Jeff Keppinger in the lineup and Aaron Heilman starting. The Cubs had won five in a row and led the wild card race by 1.5 games. And they appeared to be cruising to their 14th victory in 17 games behind 7.2 strong innings from Mark Prior and a two-run homer by Todd Walker. They scored another run in the 8th on a bases loaded walk. Right after that, walk Sammy Sosa struck out for the fourth time in as many at bats that day and Nomar grounded out. In the 9th, Ryan Dempster retired Todd Zeile before walking Eric Valent and Jason Phillips. In comes the infamous Latroy Hawkins. (Every Cub fan who read this just vomited!) He gets Keppinger out and up comes Victor Diaz. A rookie, who was also a lifelong Cubs fan. And he strokes a 2-2 pitch into the Mets' bullpen for a game-tying three-run home run. One more Sosa note. He grounded into a inning ending double play in the 10th with two on. And facing Kent Merker in the bottom of the 11th, the immortal Craig Brazell led off with his first and only major league home run, giving the Mets a 4-3 victory.
This beat the two grand slams in one inning at Wrigley last year and even the five run rally we had against the Cubs in the bottom of the 9th this year. My only disappointment? Ron Santo wasn't broadcasting that day.
January 27, 1991- Super Bowl XXV- Giants vs Bills: I was only 9 years old when this happened. I remember the Gulf War that was going on during this game and how it nearly got cancelled. And what a great game it was. The Giants won 20-19 on Scott Norwood's field goal that sailed wide right.
May 27, 1994-NHL ECF Game 7- Rangers vs Devils: The greatest hockey game I ever saw. I believe I watched it at my father's apartment. Being New Jersey residents, we hated the Devils with a passion. An amazing first six games, capped off by Mark Messier's guarantee that the Rangers would tie the series in Game 6 and bring it back to MSG for Game 7. He delivered. In that decisive game, the great Brian Leetch scored for a 1-0 Rangers lead. But with 7.7 seconds left in the game, Valeri Zelepukin tied it and it went into overtime. I was so deflated. And my dad was numb. But 4:24 into the second OT, the series ended happily. Stephane Matteau scored on a wrap-around to give the Rangers a 2-1 win and a 4-3 series win. Of course, Rangers radio broadcaster Howie Rose had one of the greatest calls ever. "Matteau, Matteau, Matteau!"
June 14, 1994 Stanley Cup Finals Game 7-Rangers vs. Canucks: This was voted the greatest New York sports moment of the last 20 years and deservedly so. The franchise's 54 year curse was shattered. I ate dinner at Chili's that night with my Rangers jersey on and the waitress said they would never win it. And I watched the game alone with no jersey on. Reason being they had chances to win it all in Games 5 and 6 and I watched those games with a jersey on and they lost. And they won it 3-2. I was only 13, but I was so happy they won since that's the only team my dad, uncle, and I all root for.
1996 World Series- Yankees vs. Braves: This my sound like heresy, but I did like the Yankees when I was younger and I particularly liked this team. And this team was easy to admire. Joe Torre (never reached WS before), David Cone(arm aneurysm), Doc Gooden(no-hitter vs. Seattle), Darryl Strawberry (the comeback). It was Phil Rizzuto's final season broadcasting. Oh, and they were playing the defending champion Braves. Atlanta won the first 2 in Yankee Stadium and I figured it was over. I barely watched the next three games in Atlanta because I thought the Yankees were in trouble. But they won all three and wrapped it up in Yankee Stadium in Game 6. Even the biggest Yankee hater had to admire the toughness and resilience of this squad.
May 22, 1998- Mets Get Piazza: I always liked Piazza since he was tough, clutch, Italian, and practically my twin. The Mets had been terrible for years, but by 1997 were getting better. But they didn't have that guy. That guy who seemed made for New York. Who had the power, the presence, and the name. But we got him. We got him from Florida for Preston Wilson, Ed Yarnall, and Geoff Goetz. Goetz and Yarnall turned into nothing and Wilson had a few good years, but came nowhere near to becoming the star he was supposed to be. Meanwhile, Piazza became the face of the Mets for 8 years. The moment I'll always remember came Sep 21, 2001 against Atlanta. It was the first regular season professional sporting event held in New York City after 9/11. With his team trailing 2-1 in the 8th, Piazza drilled a two-run homer to lift the Mets to a 3-2 triumph.
May 1999- Knicks Reach Finals: I'll always hold a special place in my memory for this team. Before the season, they traded longtime fan favorite John Starks and two others and got the infamous Latrell Sprewell. They traded tough warrior Charles Oakley for a young and athletic Marcus Camby. Allan Houston and Larry Johnson were solid team players, but legend Patrick Ewing was coming to the end of a great career. They were seeded 8th in the East and faced the Miami Heat in the first round. They won the deciding Game 5 in Miami when Houston bounced in a running one-hander off the front of the rim, high off the backboard, and in with 0.8 seconds left. Following a sweep of the Hawks, they faced Indiana. Despite losing Ewing to injury for the rest of the playoffs prior to Game 3, the Knicks won the series (aided in part to a legendary four-point play by Larry Johnson in the final seconds of Game 3) to become the first eighth-seeded playoff team to make the NBA Finals. Oh, and the night of Game 6 when they clinched, was also the night of my first date that wasn't a school function. I still have the game on tape and, yes, it was a pretty good night.
2000 NLCS- Mets vs. Cardinals: I still think the 1999 Mets were better than the 2000 team that made the series. There was one game from the regular season. It was June 30, when the Mets beat the rival Atlanta Braves. With the Mets losing 8-1 to begin the bottom of the eighth, they rallied back with two outs to tie the game, capping the 10-run inning with Mike Piazza's three run home run to put the Mets up 11-8. Sorry Tara! But they won the wild card and beat San Francisco in four in the first round. Benny Agbayani hit a walk-off homer in Game 3 and Bobby Jones pitched the game of his life in Game 4 to clinch it and and they ran through the Cardinals in the NLCS. They lost to the Yankees in 5 (I hate you Luis Sojo and Jose Vizcaino), but that was still a magical season!
January 14, 2001-NFC Championship- Giants smash Vikings 41-0: I watched this on a very snowy day in Winfield in my living room. Most people thought the Vikings would kill the "overrated Giants." Suffice to say, it was 14-0 G-Men before Minnesota's offense even took the field. QB Kerry Collins passed for 381 yards and 5 touchdowns. The defense limited the potent Vikings to only 114 offensive yards, sacking Daunte Culpepper 4 times, and forcing 5 turnovers. It was over early, but in a strange way, never stopped being exciting, because it was so hard to believe the game was going the way it was. Of course, then came the Super Bowl against Baltimore...
December 29, 2002- Giants Win, Jets Win: The single greatest football day of my life. No day will probably ever beat this until the Jets make the Super Bowl. I lived in North Carolina at the time. The Giants had to beat conference leader Philly to make the playoffs. For the Jets to make the playoffs, they had to beat NFC North champion Green Bay and New England had to beat Miami. Amazingly, I got all three of those games in Raleigh! The Giants game was amazing. Philly led 7-0 most of the way until Kerry Collins threw a TD to Jeremy Shockey. But Tiki Barber fumbled deep in his own territory and Philly had an easy shot to win it. Amazingly, Pro Bowler David Akers missed the field goal and the Giants had new life. In OT, Shaun Williams intercepted a Philly pass, Matt Bryant kicked a 39-yard field goal, and the Giants were onto San Francisco. That led to a moment in my "Worst list!"
But then I flipped over to the Pats-Fins. I knew Miami was leading early. But the Jets were about to start and I had to know what was going on in both games. So I turned the main TV to that Pats-Fins and the TV in the computer room to the Jets, since it had the VCR attached. I was running back and forth for about 10 minutes tracking both games! Thankfully, Mom wasn't home. New England wiped out an 11-point deficit in the final five minutes and won in OT to keep the Jets' season alive. When that happened, the Giants Stadium crowd erupted into cheers. The Jets game was six minutes in and 0-0. But all of a sudden, the lights went on. The Jets absolutely wasted Green Bay 42-17. And the BEST QUARTERBACK IN THE AFC EAST, CHAD PENNINGTON, threw four touchdowns.
September 26, 2004-Mets vs. Cubs: Okay, I had to put this in! And it breaks my heart because I was working that afternoon. An average Mets team dashes the Cubs' postseason hopes. A team with Gerald Williams, Richard Hidalgo, and Jeff Keppinger in the lineup and Aaron Heilman starting. The Cubs had won five in a row and led the wild card race by 1.5 games. And they appeared to be cruising to their 14th victory in 17 games behind 7.2 strong innings from Mark Prior and a two-run homer by Todd Walker. They scored another run in the 8th on a bases loaded walk. Right after that, walk Sammy Sosa struck out for the fourth time in as many at bats that day and Nomar grounded out. In the 9th, Ryan Dempster retired Todd Zeile before walking Eric Valent and Jason Phillips. In comes the infamous Latroy Hawkins. (Every Cub fan who read this just vomited!) He gets Keppinger out and up comes Victor Diaz. A rookie, who was also a lifelong Cubs fan. And he strokes a 2-2 pitch into the Mets' bullpen for a game-tying three-run home run. One more Sosa note. He grounded into a inning ending double play in the 10th with two on. And facing Kent Merker in the bottom of the 11th, the immortal Craig Brazell led off with his first and only major league home run, giving the Mets a 4-3 victory.
This beat the two grand slams in one inning at Wrigley last year and even the five run rally we had against the Cubs in the bottom of the 9th this year. My only disappointment? Ron Santo wasn't broadcasting that day.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Into Friday we go
Well, here's how work is going. Yesterday, I'm at my day job and filling up my morning bottle of water. Now we have a weird cooler, it either comes out really warm or really cold. Well it was warm. So I got out a large foam cup and filled it up with water and ice. I also filled my bottle, about a half a liter. I walk out of the kitchen and I'm supposed to turn right to go back to my desk. For whatever reason, I was facing left. I start to walk and who's coming in the other direction? My boss. A guy who has no patience and basically no sense of humor. I didn't even see him. We collided. And he got wet. And so did I. And he was not happy. He wanted to yell, but he stayed calm and said in a semi-angry voice I had to watch where I was going. He kept walking but I think I managed to whisper "I'm sorry."
Random fact: In 1728, potatoes were outlawed in Scotland because they were not mentioned in the Bible.
The Rangers had a homecoming! In the Garden late last night. 5-2 win over Florida after basically getting outplayed for 2 periods. New acquisition Chris Drury scores his first Rangers goal. And besides goalie Henrik Lundqvist, Ryan Callahan is quickly becoming my favorite player. I love his hustle and ability to score unlikely goals. I think if I played hockey I would have been a lot like him. Well, we have a big game at Cup finalist Ottawa on Saturday. They will have to play a lot sharper to win that one. I do think once these guys get some time to play together and learn each other's tendencies, they will become a force in the Eastern Conference.
Something's wrong with me, I'm actually feeling a little sorry for the Cubs right now. Then again, I wonder if anyone felt for me when the Mets fell apart... I must say I am into the baseball playoffs a lot more than I thought I would be. The first day had three very good games with solid pitching and I guess that's just the magic of baseball. If you love the game, even after it stomps on your heart, it lures you back every time.
I'm glad the weather has been warm even if I don't have too much of a chance to go outside during the day. I hope it's good on Saturday. I may stop by the Scarecrow Festival in St. Charles or go to the driving range, I don't know yet.
Song pick: "Where Do the Nights Go?" Ronnie Milsap
Random fact: In 1728, potatoes were outlawed in Scotland because they were not mentioned in the Bible.
The Rangers had a homecoming! In the Garden late last night. 5-2 win over Florida after basically getting outplayed for 2 periods. New acquisition Chris Drury scores his first Rangers goal. And besides goalie Henrik Lundqvist, Ryan Callahan is quickly becoming my favorite player. I love his hustle and ability to score unlikely goals. I think if I played hockey I would have been a lot like him. Well, we have a big game at Cup finalist Ottawa on Saturday. They will have to play a lot sharper to win that one. I do think once these guys get some time to play together and learn each other's tendencies, they will become a force in the Eastern Conference.
Something's wrong with me, I'm actually feeling a little sorry for the Cubs right now. Then again, I wonder if anyone felt for me when the Mets fell apart... I must say I am into the baseball playoffs a lot more than I thought I would be. The first day had three very good games with solid pitching and I guess that's just the magic of baseball. If you love the game, even after it stomps on your heart, it lures you back every time.
I'm glad the weather has been warm even if I don't have too much of a chance to go outside during the day. I hope it's good on Saturday. I may stop by the Scarecrow Festival in St. Charles or go to the driving range, I don't know yet.
Song pick: "Where Do the Nights Go?" Ronnie Milsap
Monday, October 01, 2007
Top 10 Worst Sports Moments
I felt today would be a good time to write this list. My sports memories go back to around 1989. And in those 18 years, I've experienced a lot of good and a lot of bad. I'll write about the good moments later. But we'll start with the bad. We're going in chronological order here, not by most ageda to least ageda. That would take too much time and my brain would be racked from sorting out the heartache.
1) 1993 Knicks-Bulls ECF series: The Knicks won 60 games and had the East's best record. In the ECF, they beat Chicago in the first two games, capped of by John Stars' legendary dunk in Game 2. The Bulls won 3 and 4 in Chicago, setting Game 5 in the Garden. Down 1, with 10 seconds left, Charles Smith had about 8 shots at a layup, couldn't make one (and of course no foul was called, which was a mainstay of the 90's Bulls), and the Bulls stole the series in the next game.
2) 1995 Knicks-Pacers ECSF series: Michael Jordan was out of the league, clearing the way for the Knicks. They dropped the 1994 finals and the next year, faced rival Indiana in a Game 7. Down 2, Patrick Ewing drove the lane for a finger roll that rolled off the rim and out. Coach Pat Riley resigned the next day to be replaced by Don Nelson (groan). I knew right there the Knicks may not win it all. They haven't.
3) 1996 Masters: I've always been a huge Greg Norman fan and this was the worst of his numerous close, but no cigar performances in major golf tournaments. He blew a 6-shot lead on the final day and Nick Faldo took the title. The next year, someone named Tiger arrived on the scene at Augusta. The Shark never came so close again.
4) July 31, 1999-Mets vs. Cubs: Quite possibly the single worst day of my life. Read the 1999 section
5) October 19, 1999- NLCS Game 6-Mets vs. Braves: I had just started college by this time so I was surrounded by Boston fans. which worked for me, because I got to avoid the heat that comes with Yankees-Red Sox. But I remember that postseason well. Todd Pratt's series ending walkoff homer vs. Arizona. Robin Ventura's grand slam. And the drama of Game 6 in Atlanta. Al Leiter can't get out of the first inning. I thought it was over after Atlanta made it 5-0 after the first. But they came back on the strength of an injured Mike Piazza nailing a pinch-hit homer off John Smoltz and I don't remember when I tuned back in, but I know I was watching now. The Mets led 8-7 going to the eighth. John Franco allowed one run in the bottom half. Then, n a moment of glee, the Mets scored one run in the ninth off the infamous John Rocker. In comes Armando Benitez. three outs and we force Game 7 after losing the first 3 games. Ozzie Guillen singles home Andruw Jones, and I knew the Mets were not winning. Next inning. Kenny Rogers allows a double to Gerald Williams. Sac bunt by Bret Boone. Rogers intentionally walks the next Chipper Jones and Brian Jordan before walking home the series ending run on a 3-2 pitch. I fell to my knees in my dorm room in mere helplessness but was a little happy when the Yankees swept the Braves in the World Series.
6) 1998-2006 No Playoffs for Rangers: I have to compile the lousy run of the New York Rangers into a full period. There was no game that killed me, it was just the ineptitude that permeated that franchise. Whether it was hiring bad coaches like John Muckler, Ron Low, or Bryan Trottier. Neil Smith's free agent raid that included busts such as Theo Fleury, Valeri Kamensky, Bobby Holik, Stephane Quintal, Vladimir Malakhov, Igor Ulanov, and Dave Karpa. Bad trades for Eric Lindros, Petr Nedved, Luc Robitaille, Mike Dunham, Alexei Kovalev, and Pavel Bure (though injuries killed that one). Injuries to Dan Blackburn, Mike Richter, Adam Graves, and Brian Leetch. Thank God for the 2006 lockout that forced the team to operate under a salary cap and rely on young players instead of buying high priced talent. There is hope again.
7) January 5, 2003- NFC First round- Giants vs. 49ers: This was the beginning of the end of my rooting hard for the Giants. I was on vacation in Phoenix. I was hanging in the lobby, and I heard the Giants were up 24 points in the second half and I was excited. I went back to the room and flipped the TV on. Next thing I know, San Francisco wiped out a 24-point Giants lead in 20 minutes. Nonetheless, I was positive. I never really thought the Giants would lose. Then, with 2 seconds left, the Giants field goal attempt, which would have won it, was screwed b/c of a botched snap by Trey Junkin. Holder Matt Allen picks the ball up, the ball, hurls it downfield, and the refs later admitted there should have been pass interference called on the play. No call, Niners win. I can't explain what it was that changed me, but with the excitement I felt from the Jets, they became my number one team right around this time.
8) January 15, 2005- AFC Semifinal- Jets vs. Steelers: I was pumped for this game after we had upset San Diego in the first round. And here's the story. I still think we could have beaten New England in the AFC title game that year.
9) October 19, 2006- NLCS Game 7- Mets vs. Cardinals: This will sting for years. And after what happened Sunday, it hurts even more. Endy Chavez makes the great catch. We can't score off Jeff Suppan. Molina hits the home run. Two runners on in the ninth, called strike 3. Every negative emotion known to man fills me,
10) The collapse of 2007: I've written about it enough already. It is absolutely mind-blowing. Bill Simmons wrote in his ESPN column today. "Mets fans, we feel for you." When that's coming from a Red Sox fan, you know it was bad.
Honorable Mention:
1989 British Open: My favorite golfer loses a playoff in a major to my least favorite.
1997 Knicks-Heat Eastern Conference Semifinal: The Game 5 brawl that caused five Knicks to get suspended, costing them a chance at a conference final against the Bulls. I still think that was the Knicks best team of that era.
1997-2000 John Muckler: The worst head coach I have ever seen. Over Art Howe, over Don Nelson. He mistreated numerous young Rangers players, spoke arrogantly, and inspired no one.
1999 Jets vs Patriots: Everyone thought was the Jets year to finally win the Super Bowl. I watched that game in Boston and 10 minutes in, QB Vinny Testaverde tears his Achilles. We had no decent backup QB, lost that game, and finished the year 8-8. Bill Parcells resigned as coach after that year, and Belichick immediately pussied his way out and went to New England, taking his video cameras with him.
2001 Mets fall short: After reaching the World Series the last year, the Mets got off to a lousy start. But after 9/11, they rallied to get back in the NL East race only to drop 2 of 3 to Atlanta in mid-September. The key game was on Sep 29. Up 5-1 in the ninth, they allowed seven runs, capped off by Brian Jordan's grand slam off Franco, after Benitez, to no one's surprise, choked again in a big spot.
Sep 22, 2003: Knicks hire Isiah Thomas as President/GM. I didn't think it could get worse after Scott Layden's reign of terror. It has gotten worse and there is no end in sight. Oh that's right, he and the Garden are also on trial for a discrimination/sexual harassment lawsuit.
1) 1993 Knicks-Bulls ECF series: The Knicks won 60 games and had the East's best record. In the ECF, they beat Chicago in the first two games, capped of by John Stars' legendary dunk in Game 2. The Bulls won 3 and 4 in Chicago, setting Game 5 in the Garden. Down 1, with 10 seconds left, Charles Smith had about 8 shots at a layup, couldn't make one (and of course no foul was called, which was a mainstay of the 90's Bulls), and the Bulls stole the series in the next game.
2) 1995 Knicks-Pacers ECSF series: Michael Jordan was out of the league, clearing the way for the Knicks. They dropped the 1994 finals and the next year, faced rival Indiana in a Game 7. Down 2, Patrick Ewing drove the lane for a finger roll that rolled off the rim and out. Coach Pat Riley resigned the next day to be replaced by Don Nelson (groan). I knew right there the Knicks may not win it all. They haven't.
3) 1996 Masters: I've always been a huge Greg Norman fan and this was the worst of his numerous close, but no cigar performances in major golf tournaments. He blew a 6-shot lead on the final day and Nick Faldo took the title. The next year, someone named Tiger arrived on the scene at Augusta. The Shark never came so close again.
4) July 31, 1999-Mets vs. Cubs: Quite possibly the single worst day of my life. Read the 1999 section
5) October 19, 1999- NLCS Game 6-Mets vs. Braves: I had just started college by this time so I was surrounded by Boston fans. which worked for me, because I got to avoid the heat that comes with Yankees-Red Sox. But I remember that postseason well. Todd Pratt's series ending walkoff homer vs. Arizona. Robin Ventura's grand slam. And the drama of Game 6 in Atlanta. Al Leiter can't get out of the first inning. I thought it was over after Atlanta made it 5-0 after the first. But they came back on the strength of an injured Mike Piazza nailing a pinch-hit homer off John Smoltz and I don't remember when I tuned back in, but I know I was watching now. The Mets led 8-7 going to the eighth. John Franco allowed one run in the bottom half. Then, n a moment of glee, the Mets scored one run in the ninth off the infamous John Rocker. In comes Armando Benitez. three outs and we force Game 7 after losing the first 3 games. Ozzie Guillen singles home Andruw Jones, and I knew the Mets were not winning. Next inning. Kenny Rogers allows a double to Gerald Williams. Sac bunt by Bret Boone. Rogers intentionally walks the next Chipper Jones and Brian Jordan before walking home the series ending run on a 3-2 pitch. I fell to my knees in my dorm room in mere helplessness but was a little happy when the Yankees swept the Braves in the World Series.
6) 1998-2006 No Playoffs for Rangers: I have to compile the lousy run of the New York Rangers into a full period. There was no game that killed me, it was just the ineptitude that permeated that franchise. Whether it was hiring bad coaches like John Muckler, Ron Low, or Bryan Trottier. Neil Smith's free agent raid that included busts such as Theo Fleury, Valeri Kamensky, Bobby Holik, Stephane Quintal, Vladimir Malakhov, Igor Ulanov, and Dave Karpa. Bad trades for Eric Lindros, Petr Nedved, Luc Robitaille, Mike Dunham, Alexei Kovalev, and Pavel Bure (though injuries killed that one). Injuries to Dan Blackburn, Mike Richter, Adam Graves, and Brian Leetch. Thank God for the 2006 lockout that forced the team to operate under a salary cap and rely on young players instead of buying high priced talent. There is hope again.
7) January 5, 2003- NFC First round- Giants vs. 49ers: This was the beginning of the end of my rooting hard for the Giants. I was on vacation in Phoenix. I was hanging in the lobby, and I heard the Giants were up 24 points in the second half and I was excited. I went back to the room and flipped the TV on. Next thing I know, San Francisco wiped out a 24-point Giants lead in 20 minutes. Nonetheless, I was positive. I never really thought the Giants would lose. Then, with 2 seconds left, the Giants field goal attempt, which would have won it, was screwed b/c of a botched snap by Trey Junkin. Holder Matt Allen picks the ball up, the ball, hurls it downfield, and the refs later admitted there should have been pass interference called on the play. No call, Niners win. I can't explain what it was that changed me, but with the excitement I felt from the Jets, they became my number one team right around this time.
8) January 15, 2005- AFC Semifinal- Jets vs. Steelers: I was pumped for this game after we had upset San Diego in the first round. And here's the story. I still think we could have beaten New England in the AFC title game that year.
9) October 19, 2006- NLCS Game 7- Mets vs. Cardinals: This will sting for years. And after what happened Sunday, it hurts even more. Endy Chavez makes the great catch. We can't score off Jeff Suppan. Molina hits the home run. Two runners on in the ninth, called strike 3. Every negative emotion known to man fills me,
10) The collapse of 2007: I've written about it enough already. It is absolutely mind-blowing. Bill Simmons wrote in his ESPN column today. "Mets fans, we feel for you." When that's coming from a Red Sox fan, you know it was bad.
Honorable Mention:
1989 British Open: My favorite golfer loses a playoff in a major to my least favorite.
1997 Knicks-Heat Eastern Conference Semifinal: The Game 5 brawl that caused five Knicks to get suspended, costing them a chance at a conference final against the Bulls. I still think that was the Knicks best team of that era.
1997-2000 John Muckler: The worst head coach I have ever seen. Over Art Howe, over Don Nelson. He mistreated numerous young Rangers players, spoke arrogantly, and inspired no one.
1999 Jets vs Patriots: Everyone thought was the Jets year to finally win the Super Bowl. I watched that game in Boston and 10 minutes in, QB Vinny Testaverde tears his Achilles. We had no decent backup QB, lost that game, and finished the year 8-8. Bill Parcells resigned as coach after that year, and Belichick immediately pussied his way out and went to New England, taking his video cameras with him.
2001 Mets fall short: After reaching the World Series the last year, the Mets got off to a lousy start. But after 9/11, they rallied to get back in the NL East race only to drop 2 of 3 to Atlanta in mid-September. The key game was on Sep 29. Up 5-1 in the ninth, they allowed seven runs, capped off by Brian Jordan's grand slam off Franco, after Benitez, to no one's surprise, choked again in a big spot.
Sep 22, 2003: Knicks hire Isiah Thomas as President/GM. I didn't think it could get worse after Scott Layden's reign of terror. It has gotten worse and there is no end in sight. Oh that's right, he and the Garden are also on trial for a discrimination/sexual harassment lawsuit.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)