My Hope For The New Year In Sports.

If I am granted something for the New Year in Sports, it would be a return to the fields or courts of competition. I, like so many others I suspect, am so tired of sports playing out in the boardrooms and courtrooms around the country. I love the competitive aspect of all sports, but have grown weary of stories, like Jerry Sandusky, the labor standoffs, free agency fights, rising prices to attend games, spoiled athletes, boorish behavior from owners and the myriad of items that have infiltrated the sports pages around the country. These are all issues that we face in society and I am not advocating for us to ignore or sweep them under the rug (See Penn State). I am just hoping that the people, who compete, own or manage our sports teams will start to look at the responsibilities that come with high profile people. Our political figures are still working on this also. I just want to sit back, have an ice cold beer, some healthy (yeah right) snacks and enjoy the on the field events. Is that too much to ask for? I hope not.

I will be taking the next couple of days off to enjoy Christmas with the people that matter most to me, my family. To my readers I wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah or a Happy Holiday.

I May Have To Wait A Couple Of Weeks To Watch The NBA.

Now that the lockout is over. The free agency signing is coming to a close. The couple of exhibition games are out of the way. I am trying to decide if  I am ready to watch NBA games or do I want to wait for a couple of weeks.

My decision has nothing to do with boycott to show my disdain for the battle between millionaires and billionaires. It is simply, do I want to watch tired out of shape players attempt to play ball, or wait until they are actually in game shape. Over the next couple of weeks the millionaires will being working themselves into playing shape and the crispness of the game will suffer. I love basketball of all types and look forward to seeing quality games and great plays. I do not enjoy watching players bent over pulling on their shorts because they are winded, I do not enjoy shots clanking off the rim because the players legs are not under them and leaving shots short. I do not enjoy a player standing completely still as another player glides past them for a lay up and there is no defensive attempt. I also know that try as I may, come Christmas day, when I get home from work, I will turn the TV on and enjoy the return of professional basketball. So much for my resistance.

My Commitment to Old School Sports!

Of all the three blogs I write this one, for some reason, is the one I struggle with the most. I am not sure why that is. I love sports of all types and follow them throughout the year. I guess part of the cause is not quite finding a particular niche, to speak from. In the new year I am committing to my readers to overcome the issues that have held me back and publish posts at least five times a week. Is this going to be easy, No, but I know the rewards will be higher then the work. On some days the posts may be shorter then others but for better or worse, I will have my opinions out for you to read. As with my other blogs, simplicity will reign. I am also sure that as the year progresses I will tweak and evolve. Hang in there with me. It will be worth the time and effort. This I promise.

Mike Krzyzewski Deserves The Accolades!

After a week of the sordid Penn State mess and listening to the breakdown of the labor talks in the NBA, it was quite refreshing to have college hoops to watch and cheer for. At the top of my list was watching Coach K win his 903th game and pass, his mentor, Bob Knight. Even better was the fact that Knight was working the game as an analyst for ESPN. You can say what you want about Knight and his sometime boorish behavior, but there is no better color man for college basketball and listening to him during this telecast and any others is pure pleasure for the die-hard fan.

Seeing the love and friendship between Krzyzewski and Knight gives us all hope that college games can be enjoyed and savored. Mike is the best coach and leader in any sport has at the moment. I know people can argue about who is best of all time. The name John Wooden would easily be placed there, but not ahead of Coach K.  Mike has been an iconic figure for years at Duke, where he has made them one of the premier sports teams in history. He has taken on and delivered for the USA Basketball program and brought us back the Gold Medals, that we should have. He works tirelessly for the Dickie V foundation and it's fight against cancer, and has been an inspiration with his books and lectures.
My wife, Pat, is a Cameron Crazie and I think I am secretly right there with her. Congratulations Coach K and I hope to witness your 1000th win in the next couple of years. 

Sorry, But I Have To Give My Opinion On Penn State!

I am sure, that like me, you have heard the sordid, story out of Happy Valley and are getting to the point that enough is enough. Well I wanted to have my say on the subject. Penn State officials have started to move in the direction they have to, by dismissing Joe Paterno and some of the other people involved. They need to do more. There are games to be played for the football team and they should play them. Penn State should take the money earned from those games, including television revenues, and give it to organizations that support abused children. They should take the lead in changing, not only the environment at Penn State, but at all universities, and make sure that coaches and administrators are not protected from criminal activities. They should work to educate other schools, the legal system and police system to not only look at the law, but at moral issues, so this never happens again.

Penn State has to reach out to the victims. Find ways to protect them and then help them heal. They should provide, any counseling and financial need all of these victims warrant. They should provide counseling for the families of the victims, so they are better able to support their family members during the healing process.

Penn State should take the lead and work with other institutions of higher education to change the environment from one of privilege, for their sports figures, to one of support and assistance to the entire student community.

The law enforcement people from the local district attorneys to the local police departments, need to be independent of the universities they are in charge of overseeing. They can no longer turn a blind eye, toward the law breakers that are athletes, coaches and administrators. They should not be free to break laws and pursue their own agendas and be held to the same standard as the general population.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I wrote about Paterno and his achievement as the winning est coach in college football. I wrote about the clean program and no hint of scandal during his forty plus years as head coach. I am now saying that Paterno blew his legacy. He can no longer be thought of as a leader of young people, who deserves the accolades, we have laid as his feet. He deserves none of the praise for the things he accomplished before. He deserves our revulsion and disdain for not protecting those young children. I cannot think of a worse crime then the exploitation and sexual abuse of our children. Paterno destroyed his legacy, all by himself.

Steelers Take down the Patriots!

Yesterday the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the New England Patriots and I am not sure why they even bothered to play the game. Watching the Pre-game shows the, so called experts, with the exception of former Steeler coach Bill Cowher, stated the Steelers could not contain Tom Brady and would loose. Well guess what, the "Steel Curtain" held Brady to a season low 198 yards and their lowest point production in over a year. I will give Bill Belichick and the Patriots their due. They are a great football organization, but the Steelers are second to none in the last forty years. The black and gold have been a team that is always in the hunt for a title and yet they seem to be pushed into the background whenever the "experts" talk about great franchises. All the Steelers do is win and I have news for the rest of the NFL. The Steelers will continue to win.

Congratulations to Joe Pa!

Let me start first and state I am not and have never been a Penn State fan. Growing up in the Pittsburgh area I have always been a fan of the University of Pittsburgh. I also, this will show my age, remember when Joe Paterno was not the coach at Penn State. Rip Engle was the coach and Paterno was his assistant. That being said, I wanted to congratulate Joe Paterno for his 409th victory and becoming the all time leader in Division 1 football. Paterno deserves this. He is not only the number one coach, he is also an example of how to have and maintain a winning program, without compromising principles. Joe has not had as much as a whiff of scandal during his 46 year reign in "Happy Valley". He has contributed over four million dollars to Penn State University and has a library wing named after him. So, Joe, congratulations and may you continue to set an example of how to succeed and continued success on the field for your Nittany Lions, except when playing Pitt.

I Love Basketball, But Could End Up Hating The NBA!

Well, David Stern and the billionaire owners are letting fans know how little they care about us. The millionaire players are also showing appreciation for the fans that snatch up their jersey and sneakers, while paying a premium price to watch a game. As usual the little guy is the one forgotten here. While the players and owners haggle over billions of dollars, the bottom line is, what is in this for the fans. I know, ticket price increases. Concession price increases. Parking increases. Cable price increases. Jersey price increases. You get the general idea. We will all have to shell out more money to enjoy basketball. That is why I am seriously thinking about a boycott of NBA games, after they settle and get back to playing. We do not need the NBA and I have stated this before. So let's all think about ways to show our disapproval to both sides and let them know, we will not be coming out so easily, this time. They will have to work extra hard if they want us to return to the arenas and televisions this year.

Where Are The Idiots That Predicted FSU Would Win The National Title?

Oh, wait I was one of those idiots! Alright you have me. I made my choice based partially on emotion. I was swept up in the optimism of FSU returning to the prominence it once enjoyed. My heart overwhelmed my sensibilities. So what? I am a fan. If I was that good at predictions I would be making a killing in Vegas, instead of just picking and hoping. I have been and still am a fan of FSU football, and maybe this year is not turning out quite as well as I had hoped, but remember we still have next year. To all of my Gator friends, don't do what a lot of Nole fans have been doing. Don't run around saying, "Oh well it was against two of the best teams in the country. You all got your butts handed to you and the FSU-Gator game will not have a great deal of luster surrounding it. One thing, on my side, Stanford is still looking good and most important, my Steelers kicked butt today. "Here we go Steelers, Here we go!"

Sports Are Only Diversions!

On October 1st I wrote a warning to the NBA owners and players, that they were in danger of becoming irrelevant. In today's Orlando Sentinel, Mike Bianchi, echoed those same sentiments. If you live in Orlando you should take a moment and read his column. One of the items the owners and players do not understand is they exist only because the fans are shelling out money to go to the games, buying their products and watching them on television. What they do not care about is the average person that is willing to spend their hard earned money to watch them. They are a temporary respite from our daily problems. What about the concession person that depends on the income from working those games. The restaurant workers that make extra money when their home team plays. The owners of the small businesses that surround arenas across the country that depend on the games to make a living. The cities, that depend on the income from the parking, concessions and ticket sales, that have to make the income up from someplace else. All of these groups and more are going to be hurt by this standoff.                                                                                                           I understand the players need to make the money while they are able to, but how is their position any different from the coal miner that is only able to physically work so many years? How about the construction workers and factory workers that only have the ability to work so long before their bodies rebel.
The owners, that have held up city officials to build them a shiny new arena and is now hurting the very people that gave them a way to make billions of dollars more. These are people that are portrayed as saintly men that only have the good of the people in their cities at heart, when in reality they are only trying to line their pockets. Once more to the NBA owners and players, a warning, we can live without you and if you are not careful we will show you all how easy it is. I love sports and particularly basketball, but I can and will find other ways to spend my entertainment dollars.

Baseball PostSeason, College Footbal and Other Items.

You really have to love a team with one of the smallest payrolls in baseball, the Tampa Rays, beating out teams, more directly the Red Sox, that have a monster payroll. Then they start their playoffs by defeating the Texas Rangers. College football is rolling along. Great for the Pitt Panthers to finally put together a complete game and wallop the USF Bulls. FSU is off this weekend and hopefully they will correct some problems and start playing smart and the way they can. Two close losses to two good teams is not what the fans of Florida State football are used to. The talk about the cancellation of the NBA season continues and yet where is the outcry. My warning to all involved if you make the fans believe they can exist without pro basketball, you run the risk of becoming the National Hockey League. Then nobody wins. Does anyone know if the WNBA is still playing, and if not who won the championship. Remember when the league first started, there was plenty of interest and excitement around. Tom Brady 5 touchdowns and 5 interception in one game. When they talk about football imitates life, they were not kidding. Their was more ups and downs in this game then a kid playing with a yo-yo. Lastly did anyone watch golf this past summer? I know that it has been a long time since I missed watching at least the majors. There just was not that much interest. Maybe Tiger Woods was a draw after all.

Fans, Short for Fanatics.

O.K. the first few weeks of football are here and gone. My prediction for FSU is disappearing faster then nachos and beer served at tailgating parties. So, what. I am a fan. I love my Steelers, Pirates, Pitt Panthers, Florida State Football, Duke Basketball and the Orlando Magic. I have never been the fan, that sees a team doing well and jump ship to back a winner. The Pirates are completing their nineteenth year in a row of finishing below five hundred. A record, but they are still my team. I can remember when the Steelers were the lovable losers of the NFL. I bleed black and gold. That will not change and neither will my loyalty toward the teams I support. When I saw my friend, Michael, a Florida Gator, yesterday, my first comment to him was FSU is right on track to win the National Title. We laughed. I am not delusional, just a fanatic. Always have been and always will be.  GO NOLES!!!

Only A Few Days Until Kick Off!

I am really looking forward to the NCAA football season, that starts this weekend. Football means cooler weather, snacks, cold beer, your favorite chair, big screen TVs and pre-game shows. It just does not get any better then that, unless you look at the NFL starting right behind. Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday football. Excuse me while the testosterone flows. Go Noles!!!! Here we go Steelers!!!! The football season is here!!!!

Running Off At The Keyboard

Let me see if I have this right. The Miami Hurricanes are asking the NCAA to reinstate their players, so they are able to play in the season opener against Maryland. Past and present players have cheated and accepted items, money, prostitutes, parties and could possibly destroy the football program at Miami and they are trying to get them off with a slap on the wrist. The leaders at Miami are responsible and so are the players. We need to stop treating them like children and start treating them like the men they are. Make adult decisions and then you have to accept the adult consequences. I am not usually someone that can sit and watch a baseball game, but the young men at the Little League World Series are so much fun to watch. They play the game the way it was meant to be, for the pure joy and love of the game. After such a hot start the Pittsburgh Pirates have slipped. They have already won as many games as they won all of last year, but they are also driving toward the, I believe nineteenth year in a row of finishing under, .500. Let's Go Bucs!" The season has not even started and the fans want to give New England another title. They are going to be disappointed when they fail again this year. Speaking of failing, will the Cowboys or Jets, succeed under any Ryan. I happen to feel they are their own worst enemies and end up tripping over their own tongues. So, no title for either of these teams. If you feel the need  to refresh your memory, look back at my blog from several days ago and you will see the results for the end of the year. Have to go for now, I want to watch a weather report, where the reporter is being blown across the beach and warning everyone to stay home and out of the storm.

At Least One Gator Fan Is Out There!

Thanks to my friend Michael for his comments on the Florida Gators. He stated that his view of the Gators is realistic this year. Yes, Michael I know you are realistic in your assessment of Florida, but you also think I am unrealistic in my outlook on my beloved Noles. Time will tell us who lives in a more reality based world, but like I told Wes, I already know I live in a fantasy world and I love it there. I will continue to believe that FSU will win the National Championship and my  Steelers will win the Super Bowl. To all of my friends, keep reading and commenting, that is what I write for. The debate.

Dallas Cowboys are not America's Team!

    For decades the Dallas Cowboys have tried the marketing phrase, "America's Team" and maybe at one time this fit, but not anymore. In the 60's the Cowboys had Tom Landry, "Dandy" Don Meredith and Bob Lilly. During this time Vince Lombardi and the Green Bay Packers were dominating the NFL and the rest of America just wanted to see someone beat them. The Cowboys had their opportunities but the Packers continued to win. This is when marketing people started the term, America's team. We were rooting for the underdog and that is pretty much the extent of it. The moniker has stuck because the Dallas fans want to believe that their team is beloved by all of us. NO WAY! I am a Steeler fan by birthright and will die a Steeler fan. We would no more trade our first born child, then we would turn our backs on our beloved Steelers. The difference is we do not try to convert others. You are with us or against us, but we do not use marketing ploys, tricks or slight of hand. Most Steelers fans are born into Steeler nation and yes we will accept convert, but never, ever think about changing after you commit to the "Steel Curtain".
    Back to the Cowboys for a moment. The latest figures on NFL merchandise sales reflects the true fans. Team wise the Packers are number one due to their Supper Bowl victory. That ranking reflects the bandwagon jumpers, because last year they were number ten. The Steelers went from number one last year to number two this year. A consistent showing every year. "America's Team" is a distant third. Let's look at individual jersey sales. Troy Polamalu is number one followed by Aaron Rogers. the closest Cowboy is Tony Romo at number nine.
    So there you have it, my reasoning that the Cowboys are not America's team. Maybe with their poor on the field and off the field performances, they can now be called "Ecuador's Team. That has the right ring to it.

Florida Gators are Overrated!

The new AP preseason poll was released and Florida State was ranked number five. Every preseason poll has the Noles there. I know the Gator fans are going to start the, "it's only preseason", whining, but I can not remember any of them saying it was only preseason when they were ranked high in other years long gone by. I believe this is the only poll that has Florida ranked in the top twenty five. They are at 23. I know it is only my opinion, however, I must say they are living off , distant, past, reputation. At number twenty three they are seriously overrated. Com'on Gators let me hear from you. Unless your heads are stuck in the swamp or some place else where the, "sun don't shine."

Tiger Woods, Michael Vick, the Florida Gators and Other Thoughts.

Running off at the keyboard. Karma is a bitch as Tiger Woods is finding out. He went from the number one to somewhere around 130 in the world. I always thought Thanksgiving was a caring and thoughtful holiday. Elin was certainly caring when she tried to wrap a seven iron around his head. Who could blame her. The University of Miami will struggle for the next decade once the NCAA gets done with its investigation. I look for Al Golden to move on to greener pastures. The kids he recruited will surely follow. Michael Vick came back to reality against the Steelers first unit on Friday. Three interception and a quarterback rating of 13% before he was replaced by Vince Young. I know it is pre-season, but Terry Bradshaw could have come out of the broadcast booth and had a better showing. Speaking of the Steelers, last year at this time they were facing the prospect of Big Ben missing five games and yet they went on to play in the Super Bowl. This year their focus should be sharper. "Here we go Steelers, here we go." During the NFL lockout we were getting updates every day. Where do we stand in the NBA lockout? I do believe nobody cares at this point in time. With the regular football season and the college games about to start, are we even the least bit concerned about the "No Basketball Association. Good news for the Florida Gators, the season is a few weeks away and they have not had a player arrested in days. Also, you know something is amiss in Gainesville when the Sentinel wrote the Gator beat the other day and it listed the Florida Basketball schedule. Has "Billy Ball" finally replaced the, "The Old Ball Coach" as number one. " Last point. Did you see where Michael Vick stated that he missed his, "companion dogs". This is like Jack the Ripper saying he missed London's prostitutes.

Where Are the Gator Fans? Have They Jumped Off The Bandwagon?

A few days ago I gave my predictions for the upcoming college football season. What I have not heard from is the Florida Gator fans. Where have you gone? Has one season taken that much from you. Where is the bravado that was so front and center. Each year that your team beat FSU, I was still there the following year trash talking and getting ready for the next game. Is this what happens to people that just jump on the bandwagon for a couple of years and then hide, until they rebuild? I would have expected more then the whimpering I am hearing now. I am not doing this because FSU is on the rise again, I am doing this because I enjoy the banter back and forth. Come on out and let me hear from you. If you don't I can only guess that the passion is now longer there and I will look for some other team's fans to argue with. Sorry, but it is hard to get whipped up into a frenzy about Duke football.

Florida State University Number One , University of Florida Not Ranked

Being in Florida I know this is where the people I know want to start. Who do I think will end the season in the top ten? Below are my picks again I will not tell my reason why, but I will have a brief comment about FSU and UF at the end.
1.  Florida State University                        6.  Oregon
2.  Stanford                                                 7.  Oklahoma
3.  Wisconsin                                              8.  Boise State
4.   LSU                                                       9.  Texas A&M
5.   Virginia Tech                                        10. Alabama

FSU will beat Stanford for the Nation Title and once again harmony will reign in Tallahassee. GO NOLES.

To my Florida fans, sorry but with Alabama, LSU, Auburn and Florida State, I believe they will finish out of the top 25 again this year. Better luck next year. I really don't mean that last statement. Let me know your picks.

I Looked Into My Crystal Ball And Here Are My NFL Picks!

I am sure that as people look over the following prognostications, there will be a few snickers and chuckles, but when the curtain comes down at the end of the "Super Bowl" get ready to apologize for your short comings. I am not going to bore everyone with the sharp analytical reasoning behind each pick. My mind raced with computer like speed and precision as, my selections, just pored out onto paper. Without any further delay, because I know everyone is waiting for the revelation, here they are:

                                                                                           AFC North     Pittsburgh Steelers            Division Winners
AFC North     Baltimore Ravens             Wild Card

AFC South     Houston Texans                Division Winner

AFC East       New England Patriots       Division Winner
AFC East       New York Jets                   Wild Card


AFC West     Kansas City Chiefs            Division Winner


Winner AFC Championship     Pittsburgh Steelers (who else)


NFC North    Green Bay Packers              Division Winner
NFC North    Detroit Lions                       Wild card

NFC South     Atlanta Falcons                   Division Winner

NFC East        Philadelphia Eagles            Division Winner
NFC East        Dallas Cowboys                 Wild card

NFC West      San Francisco 49ers            Division Winner
 

NFC Championship     Philadelphia Eagles


Super Bowl Winner      Pittsburgh Steelers will win their seventh Super Bowl. We will have the first all Pennsylvania Super Bowl.

There you have the final results. I am not sure if we even need to play the games now, but what the heck, just for fun let them play. I will see you in January as I gloat and you all cry. Tomorrow I will give you my predictions for the college football season. My only hint about the pick for National Champions is, make sure you load up on plenty of Garnet and Gold colors.

                  

Pirates take down the Red Sox

Sorry to my friends who happen to be Boston fans, but the idea that the Pittsburgh Pirates are over .500 in late June is as big for us, as breaking the, "Curse of the Bambino" was to Sox fans. To add more joy to the long suffering Pirate family is they took two out of three from the big, bad, Red Sox this past weekend. You see the Pirates entire roster makes about as much as the Boston bat boys do, so when we come away with victories, we are celebrating. I know the reality is that maybe, just maybe the Pirates could finish above five hundred for the first time since Jesus walked the earth and if they do they will display one of the great miracles, since Christ's time. I also know that the Red Sox will fight the Yankees and maybe the Rays for the opportunity to play in the fall classic. So forgive me my joyous moment, because I do fear that as the dog days of Summer returns the glass slipper will fall from the Pirates and shatter so many broken dreams we fans have. But for right now. GO BUCS!!!!

Good Luck to the Florida Gators In the CWS.

Yeah that's right, you did read what I wrote correctly. I do wish the Gators, " Good Luck" in their College World Series finals with South Carolina. I have a couple of reasons for rooting for the hated Gators. First it is a Florida team. I do want the teams in our state to do well. Second it is not football. Remember 31-7. FSU reigns supreme this year over Florida in the sport that really matters, football. Last and maybe the biggest reason to support UF is the fact they are playing Spurrier's school. I have never and will never support the Prince of Darkness, even if it is only the school he coaches at and does not directly benefit him.  There you have it. Go Gators!!!

Mavericks win as James disappears again!

Congratulations to the Dallas Mavericks, Dirk, Jason Kidd and the rest of the team. Once again Lebron James, disappeared in the forth quarter. His name should not be mentioned with Jordan or Magic or Kolbe again until he learns how to take over a game and win it in the forth quarter. This shows that just because you sign two superstars, I don't consider Chris Bosch a superstar, you need a whole team to win it all. Yes, the Heat did not win.

Yankees and Red Sox, What a Great Rivalry!

For disclosure, I am a long suffering Pittsburgh Pirate fan and really have no allegiance to either the Yankees or Red Sox, but when ever these two teams get together, I am interested in the results. The hatred between the two organizations go back to the Babe Ruth era and maybe further. This is one of those rivalries that makes the blood pressure of fans, on both sides, rise several points. The tension as the innings fade into the night, continues to expand as the final turn at bat approaches. No lead is ever safe. Clear the women and children from the streets, the hated Yankees are in town. Forget all of the activities going on in the "Big Apple" those bums from Boston are here. For decades the Sox died a thousand deaths because of the "curse". They had to sit back and watch the championships, continue to be collected by the Yankees. Today it is the Sox, that is spending as much or more then the Yankees to go for the, "ring". The season is still early and yet the intensity is very high. Either team would prefer, Baltimore, to win then to let the other villainous team lead. I don't know about you, but when we get into the dog days of August and into September, I will be watching as the best rivalry in baseball, plays out between the lines at Fenway Park or Yankee Stadium. 

The Heat are Tittering on the Edge.

I am breaking away from old sports to make a comment about new sports. I have to admit, like most Non-Heat fans, I am enjoying way too much, the Dallas Maverick's lead on the Miami Heat. I also have taken much joy in Lebron James' disappearances in the forth quarter. All greats in any sport lives for the end of a game to take over and drag their team over the finish line. They want the ball in their hands. This is what makes them great. James has become the pedestrian in a NASCAR race. Maybe he should play the first three quarters, then sit down and hope that somebody else will rise up and deliver. In a few days I may be eating my words, but I need some further proof before I start to compare James with some of the greatest athletes that have ever played sports. All I can say right now, is "Go Mavericks."

Roberto Clemente the Best I Ever Saw!

I know that I will be accused of be a homer when I say, Clemente was the best I ever saw, but he was. I had the opportunity to see him play in person many times and he never failed to show his greatness. Clemente had a rifle for an arm. It got to the point that when a batter got a base hit to right, he would not make a wide turn toward second base, because if he did Clemente would throw behind him and nail him. Runners did not try to stretch hits into an extra base, because Roberto could make a throw from any place on the field and gun them down. He had tremendous speed and could advance on the base paths or run down fly balls in right center field to anything hit down the line. Clemente was not considered a home run hitter, but when the Pirates asked him to hit for more power he delivered. He was a contact hitter and I can still see in my mind, when he would reach way out over the plate to slap a pitch into right field. When he approached the batters box, Clemente would go through a series of gyrations with his back, arms and shoulders. He would dig around the batters box, with his spikes as if a new highway was be planned. He would hold up his right hand to the umpire as he took several minutes to be prepared just right. Clemente would rarely take a swing at the first pitch, just look as it went past him. The pitcher could not completely relax and think he would just throw down the middle to start off with a strike, because just when you figured he would just watch the pitch he would hammer it somewhere for a hit. Clemente was an outstanding all-around ballplayer, and was unique. We will never have a chance to see someone like him again. I am just glad that I was able to watch one of the greatest of all time.

My First Professional Game in 1959

In 1959, my father, John Sr. and I would listen to the radio broadcasts of my Pittsburgh Pirates. Many summer nights as I drifted off to sleep the soothing voices of Bob Prince and Jim Woods would carry me off to dream land.  On Saturday July 18th I would attend my first game, at Forbes Field in person. Now some of the young people reading this may believe that since it was 1957, it actually was at the Roman Coliseum as the Christians faced the lions, but it really was a game between the Pittsburgh Pirate and the San Francisco Giants. I have never anticipated an event like this before or since. When my father parked the car, we made our way across Forbes Ave. toward the ballpark. I stood looking at the outside, which appeared to be an office building. Where was Forbes Field? We made our way through the crowds surrounding the field. I lived in a town with maybe fifteen thousand people and here I was, one of maybe 30,000. There where more people in that ballpark then in our whole town. We entered the gates and a man took our tickets, but I still wondered where the playing field was. When we found our area, we went up the ramp to our seats and there it was. The greenest grass I had ever seen, the playing field at Forbes Field. I looked out to left field and the ivy covered wall, with the museum on the other side. There was right field where Babe Ruth had sent a record shot over the stands and onto the street. In or near the batting cage was Roberto Clemente, Bill Mazeroski, Bill Virden, Smoky Burgess, Bob Skinner and the rest of my baseball heroes. I also saw in my first game, the great Willie Mays, but my attention was on the Pirates. The smells of hot dogs, popcorn and roasted peanuts engulfed us as we prepared for the upcoming game.  There has never been a gourmet meal that can compare with a hot dog during a baseball game. I watched intently as the teams went through batting and fielding practice. Soon the umpire shouted out, "Play Ball".  I could have stayed there forever, but soon the nine innings had slipped past and it was time to head for home. I wish I could say that the Pirates had won, but they lost 4-3. It really didn't matter that much. The following year the Bucs would win the World Series.  As my father drove along the river toward downtown Pittsburgh, the night sky was bright red from the glow cast by the steel mills that were in full swing. The steady hum of the tires on the concrete roadway, caused me to drift to sleep, where I would relive my own, "Field of Dreams."  I have had opportunities to attend and enjoy many sporting events in my life, but none will ever compare with that first trip to Forbes Field.

Changes to "Old School Sports"

When I started to develope a new blog, "Old School Sports" , there was a struggle to find how to make something new about sports and talk about current issues, but I also wanted to find a way to talk about past times in sports. I believe going forward the focus of my blog will be about times in our memories. I want to talk about my first trip to Forbes Field in Pittsburgh to see my Pirates play. I also want, you, to talk about your first visit to the ballparks that you cherished as a kid. I want to relive the glory of Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell and Bill Mazerowski. I will take us down the road with Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Bob Gibson. The days of listening to games on the radio, because so few were on TV. We will look at the NFL when it was in, infancy and still behind baseball in popularity. The great players I grew up with were Jimmy Brown, Bart Starr, Paul Warfield, Jim Ryan and even a Steeler or two, like Paul Martha and Bill Saul. In basketball I watched Bill Russel and his match up with Wilt Chamberlain. Arnold Palmer and a young Jack Nickolas ruled the links. These are the sports heroes I read about and grew to warship. I want to hear about yours. This is how I am taking "Old School Sports". It truly will be old school. See you soon. John.

Spurs The Hearts of Champions

What a finish by the Spurs over the Grizzles, last night. This is what I think of when a team has that championship mentality. They never give up. They may still lose the series, however there is no way we can dismiss the way they keep fighting. Basketball is great and the playoffs are really special. It separates the men from the boys.

All Right Magic, One down.

The Orlando Magic, not only won last night, at the Amway, they dominated. With Dwight Howard on the bench the rest of the Magic team, finally decided to put in the effort to win. Yesterday I challenged them to heed Vince Lombardi's words and make the important decission to play like a winner. This they did. The question is now, can they continue to do this in Atlanta on Thursday? I certainly hope so. They have a large mountain to climb, but last night they picked up the gautlet and advanced to the first level. Go Magic, make us believe.

The Magic Need the Effort

For too long I have thought the quote, "Winning isn't everything it is the only thing," was attributed to the great Vince Lombardi. Apparently I was wrong. Enjoy that last line, because there are not many times you will hear it. The quote from Lombardi was actually, "Winning isn't everything, but making the effort to win is." When you look at this line, you can see the fit and the truth behind it. I don't root for a team because they win every championship or even  be in contention all the time. I root for teams due to some abstract reason. It may be that geographically a team was the one I saw in person, or on TV or listened to on the radio. It may be that I have rooted  for teams since my childhood. One thing I do know is when my teams do not put in the effort to win, I loose interest. What ever the reason, once you are a fan, you remain loyal whether they win or not. Yesterday I was hard on the Orlando Magic and part of that reason is at times they seem to lack the effort or will to win games. Tonight I will still be rooting for them to keep going and maybe pull this series out, but what the Magic have to show me is that they are willing to make that effort to win. I won't change my allegience, but my perception of the players and coaches depends on the idea, "Winning isn't everything, but making the effort to win is".  Remember, Magic, myself and all of Central Florida will be watching.

O.K. Magic, Let's just get it over with.

The Orlando Magic are limping through their playoff series with Atlanta, without a real fight. Oh, sure they show up, but where is the intensity and fight they have shown in previous years? Last night they shot 9% from the three point line. That is not a misprint! Nine percent. A high school team could have done better. I almost could shoot 9% if no one was guarding me and many times the looks that they got were open. The Magic would miss on their end and Atlanta would come down and hit an open shot. The Magic defense tightened up later in the game, but where were the sharp shooters from Orlando, when they had the ball in their hands. I just looked at my wife and said, I hope they get this over quickly, so we can get on to the real playoffs, Boston and the Heat or the Bulls.  So, to the Magic, just let this end quickly, so that I can quit hoping that somehow you all will regroup and make another run this year. If you don't have the desire against Atlanta, how will you ever find it against the better teams in the east.

Red Sox are they getting bangs for their bucks.

A few years back I was one of those people that rooted for  Boston to win the World Series and break the. " Curse of the Bambino". It was the lowly Red Sox taking one from the Darth Vader of sports the hated Yankees. Today the Sox are just like the Yankees in that they are out there buying a championship. I know that is the rules, but when you have been a Pittsburgh Pirate fan your whole life, it doesn't  make it easier to accept. When you look at today's standing and the payrolls, the Pirates are getting much more for their money then the BoSox and I can't help but laugh. Pittsburgh's total payroll is $35 million and Boston's is $162 million. The cost per victory for the Pirates five wins is $7 million and for the Red Sox it is $81 million for their two wins. I realize that it is very early and the Pirates will loose more games then they win this year and the Red Sox will contend for the championship of baseball, but I can't help and have a little chuckle as the Sox fans wring their hands in worry. At least I have no expectations for the Bucs.  

You have to love the NCAA basketball tournament!

My bracket is shot to hell, but I don't care. This is the best show in all of sports. They call it March Maddness for a reason. It is one and done, not a seven game series. Do you think VCU could beat Kansas in a series? In one game the emotions can carry a team to victory. I love the NBA but usually the best team prevails over the length of the playoffs. I am now going to root for VCU, however if Butler wins I won't be too upset. Kentucky and UConn have had their time in the spotlight. VCU and Butler deserve theirs.

Second round results.

O.K. the second round is complete and I am 26-6. I'll take it, although I would like to be 32-0. I missed Marquette beating Xavier, Michigan over Tennessee, Arizona beating Memphis, Morehead over Louisville, VCU over Georgetown and Kansas St over Utah St. The ones I picked that I liked were Richmond over Vanderbuilt and Gonzaga over St. Johns. The Big East has already lost St. Johns, Villanova, Louisville and Georgetown and more will go out this weekend and a couple of games will feature two Big East teams against each other. Looking forward to the games this weekend as we go down to the Sweet Sixteen. March Madness the best time of the year. Let me know how you are doing.

Make your picks

Alright everyone, the time has come to reveal your picks for the NCAA tournament. Use a coin toss, emotions, logic and every other means that you have to tell me your selections from the Elite Eight to your champion. For complete disclosure, part of my choices are based upon my at home Cameron Crazie. I believe in world peace and harmony at home, so Duke is my pick to repeat. Pat agrees. Seriously though I will never dismiss Mike Krzyzewski. He is the best coach and is better at this time of the year. Here is my picks, laugh if your must. East Ohio State plays North Carolina with Carolina advancing to the final four. West is Duke and UConn, with Duke winning to advance. Southwest is Kansas and Notre Dame with Kansas moving on to Houston. Finally Pittsburgh meeting BYU in the Southeast regional with Pitt going to the final four. I have Duke beating Carolina and Kansas beating Pitt. Drum roll please, Duke to repeat as the national champion. I win no matter how the games play out, because my wife will like my picks. O.K. now it is your turn.

My wife, the at home Cameron Crazy.

When we got married 35 years ago, I never would have guessed that my sweet, intelligent and calm wife was hiding a deep, dark secret. Inside, waiting to get out was a Cameron Crazy. Pat is every bit a lady, until the college basketball season begins. Actually not just any college basketball, all though she watches a lot, but Duke basketball. She has to have the game recorded if she is at work. She will not miss a televised game, no matter the occasion. March 8th is our grandson's seventh birthday, and since we will be working that day, we are celebrating this Saturday. Duke plays North Carolina on Saturday. The good news is that the game does not start until 8 o'clock. Thank God, other wise we would be planning the day around Duke. As soon as the last present is opened and the crumbs of cake are being swept up, Pat will be changing into her Duke shirt. The children will be sequestered into a near by room with the door shut, so they cannot hear Grammy, exhorting Duke to victory. To say that she gets whipped into a frenzy is an understatement. Example, a few years ago I made the mistake of pointing out that the referee's call against Duke was correct. The look that I received at that moment still sends waves of panic through me. All you men know the look, that wife's give us. As the game progresses, Pat will go through stages of elation and depression. She screams at the screen and somehow I just know the players and Coach K feel the disturbance in the force. Finally as the final whistle sounds she will slowly return to the loving and caring person we all know. A word of warning to the unknowing that wants to drop by and visit during basketball season, check the Duke schedule. Next year I think I will get a sign for the front yard, " Beware Cameron Crazy Lives Here, Proceed at Your Own Risk."

Duke, back where they belong.

After another frantic weekend of NCAA basketball, the Duke Blue Devils are back in the number one spot in the polls. Duke, under Coach K has been and as long as Krzyzewski is the coach there will be a favorite to win another championship. To all of the Duke haters out there, why. Coach K has always run a clean program. Never a hint of scandal. He gets quality young men and molds them into a winning team the right way. Admit it, the only reason you hate Duke is that they win and beat your favorite teams. That, is what they are supposed to do. Give them credit for doing this the right way. They lost a very talented, freshman, point guard, Kyrie Irving, early in the season. Kyle Singlar is not having his most productive year. What do the Blue Devils do? They go out and win basketball games. Coach K and his talented staff does not accept excuses. They adjust. Quality teaching and coaching makes this look easy, it is not, but it is something Duke does regularly. This takes us back to what I stated earlier Duke is right back where they belong, the number one basketball program in college.

Jimbo Fisher the FSU savior?

Did Jimbo Fisher come in just at the right time to become the savior at FSU? The record so far bears that out. This past year not only did we beat Florida, quite easily as I recall, in the regular season, we beat them in the recuiting war. We turned Urban Meyers into a retired coach. We have Florida fans stumbling over their words to hurry up and remind us that they had a winning streak against us. Yeah they did but remember it is what you have done lately. They have to get a new system up and running, while we are settleling into our comfort zone. Remember you had, argueably the best college player ever in Tim Tebow. While he is gone. So is Meyers. Meanwhile Jimbo has come in and started that road back to greatness for Florida State Seminoles. Am I baiting all of you Gator fan out there? Absolutely. Let here what if anything you have to say. There is one restriction. You cannot say, hopefully. Like in hopefully our new coach, will get this done, or hopefully our returning players will play better, or hopefully we will avoid injuries. I have heard the excuses this year. When FSU lost I just smiled and waited for next year. While my next year, is this year and what a great year it will be. Oh and that smile, it is bigger then ever, thanks to Jimbo Fisher.

Down goes Ohio State

Finally, the pretenders that they usually are, The Ohio State basketball team went down to defeat. This will keep them from swooning in the NCAA Tournament while they fake being the number one team in the country. Year after year we watch as Ohio State goes from everybody's  team to beat, to the team that everyone seems to have a chance to beat. Wisconsin is the latest team to end the charade. The Badgers are, as they are every year a very good team and is always capable of pulling the surprise. However Ohio State is one of those teams that, at this time of the year, finds a way to be that surprised team. Next up at number one, we have another team, the Texas Longhorns, that are also very capable of losing their next time out. Will they be able to hang on long enough to see the Number 1 ranking before they loose? We will see. The best time of the year, March Madness is right around the corner. I am so ready!

What if we did not hate the other team.

When we got started on my new sports blog, I asked people to name the teams they loved and the teams they hated. I listed some of the better known rivalries and asked for your opinions. Now I want to ask the question, 'What if the teams we hate the most did not exist?" Think about the new season starting but University of Florida did not have games against Florida State, Alabama or Georgia. Things would be pretty dull. The best thing about the teams we hate is they provide us with the emotion to watch the sports we love. How many time do you get excited when Duke's basketball team plays Al's Barber College at the beginning of the year? Do you turn the TV on with anticipation of seeing a great game or do you watch reruns of, "American Idol?" Come on and admit it you love to play the teams you hate. Even if you are not a follower of a great rivalry, come clean, you still want to watch that game. So the next time you want to call the Seminoles the Criminoles, or hate on the Yankees, remember you want those teams, you need those teams. The alternative without rivalries just wouldn't be the same.

Duke vs North Carolina One of the best rivalries in sports.

Last night Duke and Carolina renewed their ACC rivalry. I believe this is one of, if not the best rivalry in sports. To have this type of atmosphere, we have to have certain elements in place. First the teams have to be geographically close, in this case a mere 15 miles apart. Second both teams have to have a tradition of winning. Third there has to be something of value at stake when they meet. Lastly they have to have a fan base of zealous supporters. This match-up usually has all of the above factors and more. Duke fell behind by 14, only to come back and win 79-73. I know several of you are going to come up with your opinion of the greatest rivalries, so let me know if you agree and if not which team match-up are better and why. Some to think about are Yankees-Red Sox, Florida-Florida State, Southern Cal-Notre Dame, Celtics-Lakers or Ohio State-Michigan. There are more, but this should whet your appetite for options.

Welcome to the Beginning!

Here we go. This is my new blog. My America Voice blog touches my passion for politics and social issues, and now Old School Sports will release my passion for sports. As the title states I am old school and not just in age. Being old school however, does not mean we will only look at sports in the past. I will endeavor to keep up to date and talk about relevant issues and today's games. You, my readers and commentators are the key to the flow of this blog. Help me by placing in front of me the topics you want to discuss. I will throw out some of my ideas and we will go from there. I am a Pittsburgh Steeler, Florida State, Orlando Magic, Duke basketball, Pittsburgh Pirate and University of Pittsburgh fanatic. I hate the Baltimore Ravens, University of Florida, Miami Heat, North Carolina basketball, New York Yankees and Penn State. That is a snapshot of my favorites and the teams I despise the most. I am sure this will give us a starting point. So lets get started.