I am quite American and I have the background to prove it. As the saying goes, I was born in the Midwest, where the real Americans live. I traveled through the ranks of Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts and earned my Eagle rank. I drive American cars, always under the belief that not only are they the best but to also support our economy. I hate it when Americans burn our flag in protest. When the national anthem is played I always put my hand over my heart, even if I'm wearing a cap (which I set on my seat). Though I hate the playing of God Bless America during baseball games. My co-poster, Matt was ripped for that on the John DiTullio Show last week for saying that and you can't blame him for that position.
We live in a post-9/11 world. If you don't wear your patriotism on your sleeve, your an ungrateful America. Forget about Nixon/McCarthy and the blacklist, it's all about overflowing your pride for America. That song is just another problem with professional sports these days.
Televised games are killing the fan base for the national game.
"The game is too slow."
"It's boring!"
Baseball games would not be as boring if they didn't have about a million commercials jammed in along with rein statements of citizenship during the latter stages of the contest.
It's one thing to have the playing of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh, that's a quick song that the pitcher can warm up to. A pitcher throwing during "God Bless" would be hung by the stadium rafters. Overly patriotic fans holding bats posing as torches and rakes would charge the mound.
Getting in the zone is key in any sport. A lack of focus or a sojourn from that especially during the 8th inning could lead to a win or a loss. That statement is true on all levels be it high school, college and the pros. I even asked players on the summer college team I announce and getting into the mindset is crucial to success.
We sing our national anthem at the beginning of the game. That's how it works in the Olympics, you only hear your anthem when you win, no other song is played. Every stadium has an American flag. Baseball is our country's national pastime. As Americans we need to understand that not all of us need to keep reminding of the public for the world we live in after a terrorist attack. We jumped on our future President for not wearing a silly lapel pin.
People argue that the song should be sung because of our boys in the Middle East. That's all fine and dandy, but you go to any baseball game and the jumbo-tron always shows photos of local soldiers doing their part. We hand out ribbons to "support our troops" to be placed on car doors. At churches, at least in Catholic churches they mention prayers for soldiers who belong to the Parrish.
If we remove this one song, will that truly diminish our patriotism. I can certainly believe we can do without it and here's why.
Baseball is not only a national pastime, but also a billion dollar business. Players' careers are the basis of the game and they need to perform at top levels to not only try to beat records and win titles but also to help keep the game at the highest level possible. Are we willing to damage that just so that every single fan and player stand at forced attention to a song, being sung on the basis that if you don't play it, you're un-American?
Don't past judgement on the stance against the song and just remember that we still play our national anthem at the start of a game.
ROC SPORTS NET 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Penguins Win The Cup: Aftermath
I am not surprised that last Friday's Stanley Cup Final Game 7 was the most watched hockey game. It's viewership surpassed Game 6 of the 1973 Final between Montreal and Chicago. At the same time, I am thinking to myself, "The 1973 Finals! Are you kidding me!?!" I don't want to rob the Canadiens of their win, with such a strong team (Mahvolich brothers, La Fleur, Dryden, Henri Richard), but hockey has changed and so has the American population since then.
To look at hockey viewership in general, it is safe to say that the colder the climate the greater the support for the Canadian game is. Phoenix cannot survive in that market because many people (many of whom are probably displaced Northerners) don't care, rather, never cared for the game. It was nice, they thought, that there was a new form of entertainment. They bought a few tickets and did not come back. Who is a Coyote fan? Why would you be one? You go to Detroit, people grow up on Red Wings hockey. In Buffalo it's almost criminal to not support the local team, especially since they have come the closest to a title in the last decade. People don't support hockey in many places in America because they don't know the game or didn't actually see it.
The NHL knows this. The creation of western teams based off Disney movies (which are so lacking in proper rules or realism to the game), third jerseys and yes, even that glowing puck tried to create buzz and establish new fans. At the same time, the left wing lock, dumping the puck to create offense and settling for a tie were drawing fans away... the game was boring!
Then there was two work stoppages (one which left the Cup blank for a year) and the rules were changing, but not before a new star would rise.
Ever since Wayne Douglas Gretzky donned a Oilers jersey and stepped onto the merged NHL and destroyed all of the scoring records set by man, the NHL needed the "next one". The NBA is still suffering from the same complex. The NHL tried to pump up Eric Lindros, Alexandre Daigle and Vincent Lecavalier as the new Gretz and failed.
This would be bestowed upon Sydney Crosby. It can be argued that it was forced. While Crosby has the entire NHL backing him and praying, hoping, wishing he would win the Cup and break records, he has to carry the greatest weight. Syd is not a kid, but a young man being compared to legends that carry so much weight in the game I never think he could surpass.
By winning his first Stanley Cup on Friday (Malkin was a huge reason for that win), he merely passed on small milestone on the marathon of his expected potential. He played a strong game but with a much stronger and surprisingly defeated Detroit squad, Crosby had to rely on his friends for the wins. The next question will be, "Can he win one all by himself?"
You know that's the next question, because he cannot win one and leave the game, he needs five, six, no seven, he needs to beat Wayne. Which is unfair because those Oiler teams from the 1980's were loaded and that just from the goalie position.
Detroit was boasting about how it was the franchise to be, well Crosby is the player every franchise wants. But with it comes the hate, people hate Pittsburgh. Crosby gets all the calls his way. He doesn't score more goals than Ovechkin. He hasn't (correction, has won only one Cup. It's an endless list of complaints.
The truth is none of this will bother Sydney. The kid is 21 and has his name on the greatest trophy in sports, it's there forever. I know someday I'll take my kids to see the Cup and say, "There is Crosby, one of the best players on the team." He gets the attention when he criticizes players (like Ovechkin) but that's because the NHL wants so much focus on him. Alexander Ovechkin is on easy street because he is a Russian and the league needs a North American to be the face of the league. Why? Because it sells more tickets and bigger TV contracts.
When the Penguins shocked the world and beat Detroit, they were not the only winners, the NHL won too.
ROC SPORTS NET 2009
To look at hockey viewership in general, it is safe to say that the colder the climate the greater the support for the Canadian game is. Phoenix cannot survive in that market because many people (many of whom are probably displaced Northerners) don't care, rather, never cared for the game. It was nice, they thought, that there was a new form of entertainment. They bought a few tickets and did not come back. Who is a Coyote fan? Why would you be one? You go to Detroit, people grow up on Red Wings hockey. In Buffalo it's almost criminal to not support the local team, especially since they have come the closest to a title in the last decade. People don't support hockey in many places in America because they don't know the game or didn't actually see it.
The NHL knows this. The creation of western teams based off Disney movies (which are so lacking in proper rules or realism to the game), third jerseys and yes, even that glowing puck tried to create buzz and establish new fans. At the same time, the left wing lock, dumping the puck to create offense and settling for a tie were drawing fans away... the game was boring!
Then there was two work stoppages (one which left the Cup blank for a year) and the rules were changing, but not before a new star would rise.
Ever since Wayne Douglas Gretzky donned a Oilers jersey and stepped onto the merged NHL and destroyed all of the scoring records set by man, the NHL needed the "next one". The NBA is still suffering from the same complex. The NHL tried to pump up Eric Lindros, Alexandre Daigle and Vincent Lecavalier as the new Gretz and failed.
This would be bestowed upon Sydney Crosby. It can be argued that it was forced. While Crosby has the entire NHL backing him and praying, hoping, wishing he would win the Cup and break records, he has to carry the greatest weight. Syd is not a kid, but a young man being compared to legends that carry so much weight in the game I never think he could surpass.
By winning his first Stanley Cup on Friday (Malkin was a huge reason for that win), he merely passed on small milestone on the marathon of his expected potential. He played a strong game but with a much stronger and surprisingly defeated Detroit squad, Crosby had to rely on his friends for the wins. The next question will be, "Can he win one all by himself?"
You know that's the next question, because he cannot win one and leave the game, he needs five, six, no seven, he needs to beat Wayne. Which is unfair because those Oiler teams from the 1980's were loaded and that just from the goalie position.
Detroit was boasting about how it was the franchise to be, well Crosby is the player every franchise wants. But with it comes the hate, people hate Pittsburgh. Crosby gets all the calls his way. He doesn't score more goals than Ovechkin. He hasn't (correction, has won only one Cup. It's an endless list of complaints.
The truth is none of this will bother Sydney. The kid is 21 and has his name on the greatest trophy in sports, it's there forever. I know someday I'll take my kids to see the Cup and say, "There is Crosby, one of the best players on the team." He gets the attention when he criticizes players (like Ovechkin) but that's because the NHL wants so much focus on him. Alexander Ovechkin is on easy street because he is a Russian and the league needs a North American to be the face of the league. Why? Because it sells more tickets and bigger TV contracts.
When the Penguins shocked the world and beat Detroit, they were not the only winners, the NHL won too.
ROC SPORTS NET 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
An Undying Love
Spring is an amazing season. It creates growth and life, not just in our natural surroundings but also in ourselves. Everyone feels better when the sun is shining, the weather is warmer and when the days are longer. There is always that sweet spring smell you feel passing through your nose into your lungs in spring. I always loved that spring smell.
That smell reminds me of countless hours at the ballparks around Western New York. Usually these little tiny parks where the grass is worse than the infield dirt. But even though the fields were below par, you were still out there to play. Playing in the polyester flannels of white or grey. Wearing that same cap day in and day out, collecting sweat stains from overuse. The breaking of a new pair of cleats until they feel oh so right. That was what baseball was to me, the sights, sounds and the feel of the game.
It's been years since I've played competitive baseball. It's apparent I can never let the game go. Despite the love for the national game, it caused anxiety, the worry, the boredom of outfield duty. But as soon as I left it, the game kept calling me back. I can never say no to it. That's why I have to be around it.
I love baseball. I'm not like those stereotypical guys who has to live with sports and uses it as an affirmation of life. Sports, particularly baseball, lured me into the strategy and competition of the game. It grew the greatest relationship with my father. The game developed my dream to be an announcer. To me, life couldn't get any better than announcing baseball games for the rest of my life.
While the journalism world is hard to break into, tomorrow, I will be in the booth for my second season of play-by-play for the Geneva Red Wings. Last year I was 22 years old and achieved one of my top ambitions in life - to call a baseball game. At 23 I am hoping it will lead to an opportunity to a career. A paid gig, financial security. Now, I'm not asking to become a millionaire with a catch phrase (not my style). I'm just looking for an opportunity to follow ballplayers and tell their stories and their games. As I get the rest of my notes prepped tonight, I hope people tune in and think about how much work and how much love the people at the ballpark have for baseball... and that's not including the players.
ROC SPORTS NET 2009
That smell reminds me of countless hours at the ballparks around Western New York. Usually these little tiny parks where the grass is worse than the infield dirt. But even though the fields were below par, you were still out there to play. Playing in the polyester flannels of white or grey. Wearing that same cap day in and day out, collecting sweat stains from overuse. The breaking of a new pair of cleats until they feel oh so right. That was what baseball was to me, the sights, sounds and the feel of the game.
It's been years since I've played competitive baseball. It's apparent I can never let the game go. Despite the love for the national game, it caused anxiety, the worry, the boredom of outfield duty. But as soon as I left it, the game kept calling me back. I can never say no to it. That's why I have to be around it.
I love baseball. I'm not like those stereotypical guys who has to live with sports and uses it as an affirmation of life. Sports, particularly baseball, lured me into the strategy and competition of the game. It grew the greatest relationship with my father. The game developed my dream to be an announcer. To me, life couldn't get any better than announcing baseball games for the rest of my life.
While the journalism world is hard to break into, tomorrow, I will be in the booth for my second season of play-by-play for the Geneva Red Wings. Last year I was 22 years old and achieved one of my top ambitions in life - to call a baseball game. At 23 I am hoping it will lead to an opportunity to a career. A paid gig, financial security. Now, I'm not asking to become a millionaire with a catch phrase (not my style). I'm just looking for an opportunity to follow ballplayers and tell their stories and their games. As I get the rest of my notes prepped tonight, I hope people tune in and think about how much work and how much love the people at the ballpark have for baseball... and that's not including the players.
ROC SPORTS NET 2009
Don't Jump Ship Yet, Pirates
Telling Pittsburgh Pirates players and fans to be patient is like telling West Germany to wait another year before knocking down the Berlin Wall. Put it this way: The Pirates never had a winning season during Jay Leno's entire stretch on the Tonight Show. And after the Pirates traded star outfielder Nate McClouth this week, players and fans have reached their breaking point.
First baseman Adam LaRoche compared losing McClouth to losing a soldier in battle. Second baseman Freddy Sanchez just kept saying "wow." As for the few remaining fans, well, I'm sure there were a lot of expletives. Who can blame them? Especially since ex-Pirate Jason Bay leads Major League Baseball in runs batted in and McClouth homered for the Braves in his first appearance against his former team.
McClouth and Bay aren't the only stars Pittsburgh let slip away recently. Aramis Ramirez, Brian Giles, Jason Kendall, Joe Beimal and Jeff Suppan have all parted ways with the Bucs since 2003.
Even more disturbing to a Pirate follower might be the players they have brought in. Worn out sluggers such as Matt Stairs, Sean Casey and Jeromy Burnitz have done little to move the needle from freezing cold to luke warm. The 2007 trade-deadline deal for pitcher Matt Morris was the most puzzling. Morris made $10 Million to go 3-4 with a 6.10 era.
Credit should be given to LaRoche and Sanchez for keeping quiet this long, but they may have picked the wrong time to talk mutiny.
Chairman of the Board Bob Nutting took power in January of 2007 and hired General Manager Neil Huntington eight months later. Cleaning up former GM Dave Littlefield's mess is the equivalent of trying to sweep up the sand off the bottom of the Allegheny River. Trading McClouth was step one in getting out the squeegees.
McClouth was an all-star and gold glove winner last season. He hit 26 home runs, stole 23 bases and led the NL in doubles with 46. But, McClouth's career on-base percentage is only .339 and he strikes out almost twice as much as he walks.
Losing an all-star is always tough, but the other side of the coin, the players the Pirates received for McClouth, should ease the pain in time. Pitcher Charlie Morton will be Neosporin. The 26-year old right-hander is 7-2 with a 2.26 ERA in 11 starts in Triple-A. Morton has allowed just 56 hits in 71 innings, only giving up three home runs in that span. In his first start for the Indianapolis Indians, the Pirates minor league affiliate, he threw seven shutout innings.
Even more exciting is McClouth's replacement in centerfield Andrew McCutchen. I was able to watch McCutchen play in the minors a few games before his call up. He is similar to B.J. Upton without the baggage or swinging strikes.
LaRoche and Sanchez may have changed their tune after seeing McCutchen play. Since he got the call, he has 10 hits in five games including two triples and five runs batted in.
He was rated number 12 on the top 50 prospects list. In 49 games in Triple-A, McCutchen hit .303 with eight triples and 10 stolen bases.
McCutchen's attitude impressed the Pirates as well. In an interview after the 2008 season, he said of the year, "I'm not satisfied with it, but I'm pleased with it. I know I can improve, and I know I can do better. I just need to crisp it up a little more and be ready."
First baseman Adam LaRoche compared losing McClouth to losing a soldier in battle. Second baseman Freddy Sanchez just kept saying "wow." As for the few remaining fans, well, I'm sure there were a lot of expletives. Who can blame them? Especially since ex-Pirate Jason Bay leads Major League Baseball in runs batted in and McClouth homered for the Braves in his first appearance against his former team.
McClouth and Bay aren't the only stars Pittsburgh let slip away recently. Aramis Ramirez, Brian Giles, Jason Kendall, Joe Beimal and Jeff Suppan have all parted ways with the Bucs since 2003.
Even more disturbing to a Pirate follower might be the players they have brought in. Worn out sluggers such as Matt Stairs, Sean Casey and Jeromy Burnitz have done little to move the needle from freezing cold to luke warm. The 2007 trade-deadline deal for pitcher Matt Morris was the most puzzling. Morris made $10 Million to go 3-4 with a 6.10 era.
Credit should be given to LaRoche and Sanchez for keeping quiet this long, but they may have picked the wrong time to talk mutiny.
Chairman of the Board Bob Nutting took power in January of 2007 and hired General Manager Neil Huntington eight months later. Cleaning up former GM Dave Littlefield's mess is the equivalent of trying to sweep up the sand off the bottom of the Allegheny River. Trading McClouth was step one in getting out the squeegees.
McClouth was an all-star and gold glove winner last season. He hit 26 home runs, stole 23 bases and led the NL in doubles with 46. But, McClouth's career on-base percentage is only .339 and he strikes out almost twice as much as he walks.
Losing an all-star is always tough, but the other side of the coin, the players the Pirates received for McClouth, should ease the pain in time. Pitcher Charlie Morton will be Neosporin. The 26-year old right-hander is 7-2 with a 2.26 ERA in 11 starts in Triple-A. Morton has allowed just 56 hits in 71 innings, only giving up three home runs in that span. In his first start for the Indianapolis Indians, the Pirates minor league affiliate, he threw seven shutout innings.
Even more exciting is McClouth's replacement in centerfield Andrew McCutchen. I was able to watch McCutchen play in the minors a few games before his call up. He is similar to B.J. Upton without the baggage or swinging strikes.
LaRoche and Sanchez may have changed their tune after seeing McCutchen play. Since he got the call, he has 10 hits in five games including two triples and five runs batted in.
He was rated number 12 on the top 50 prospects list. In 49 games in Triple-A, McCutchen hit .303 with eight triples and 10 stolen bases.
McCutchen's attitude impressed the Pirates as well. In an interview after the 2008 season, he said of the year, "I'm not satisfied with it, but I'm pleased with it. I know I can improve, and I know I can do better. I just need to crisp it up a little more and be ready."
When making their comments, Bucs vets also may not have considered the young talented bullpen Huntington has put together. Three right handed relievers, Sean Burnett, Evan Meek and Jesse Chavez, are all under 30-years old and have ERA's under four this season.
When phenom Morton is placed in the Pirates rotation - which should be soon - he will join a pair of lefty projects, Zach Duke and Paul Malholm that are finally showing signs of fulfilling their potential. They are 10-6 combined this season, both with ERA's under four and have only allowed 11 home runs in 24 starts.
Young pitching, young hitting, this is Huntington plan, the Nate McCloth trade was his first step in executing that plan. Build from within and a few key additions will bring them closer to being a serious contender from in the NL Central.In 2009, the Pirates will still finish last. And though players and fans are saying, "Huntington, tear down that wall," the new Buc management is committed to building from the bottom up just as teams like Minnesota, Oakland and Cleveland do. If LaRoche and Sanchez don't jump ship, they will, in the Conan O'Brian era, see the playoffs.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Geneva Red Wings - 6-6-09
The first team meeting of the new baseball season. So many fresh faces and a few familiar ones fill a quiet room. That's the thing about first impressions, they have gotten such a horrible reputation that people feel more at ease letting silence fill the air rather than simple introductions.
That ends when manager and owner Dave Herbst walks in and opens up the meeting. The Rangers scout draws such a strong connection between his style of baseball and boxing. It's interesting to hear similarities of the national pastime to the sweet science. Herbst talks about using intelligence and quick strikes to eliminate opponents out on the diamond. It reminds me of the works of a young Mike Tyson. Though I'm pretty sure Herbst doesn't want batters pummelling infielders or catchers with jabs and hay makers.
Throughout the discussion of Herbst's talk about his expectations of the summer (hard work and focus on baseball), the room lets out it's nervousness. While on first impression of meeting Herbst he is not the kind of guy who overpowers you with his words. He talks when needed, much like the boxer he was, reminds me of the Paulie character from Goodfellas. Even the words he says are powerful but at the same time speak to your level. Herbst is the type of guy who wants to help you, a strong reminder of why he manages a collegiate summer league team.
After the introductions of the coaching staff, the players shared their basic information around the clubhouse and the one thing that stood out that was different from last season was the goal. Not to say that last season's Wings team was focused on trying to advance in the game of baseball but the players this year seem focused on winning.
While the some of the players got fitted, Dave Riggs, my broadcasting partner and I took a look at the new pitching staff for the 2009 season. Let me tell you this, there are some pretty strong arms on this young group. This team has a collection of arms looking for the quick strike, fastballs that are whizzing through the warm June air in Geneva. The 2008 staff featured a diverse group of pitchers. Half finesse with an equal amount of power just turned away hitters last season. It was a critical factor in the teams title run that ended in the Divisional Series against eventual champion Brockport.
After the short practice, I was able to chat with Will Horford, returning infielder from Notre Dame. I was glad to see Will, because this is a kid who shows a lot of hustle and love for baseball and as a journalist, a laid back guy you can easily talk to.
The same can be said for most of the guys on this squad, so open at dinner, where I was talking to Dan Gliot about playing high school baseball in harsh Northeast and Midwest conditions or chatting about the dearth of large towns in Iowa with Jack Wortley. This team looks ready to play as a team and hopefully this squad will take home the championship. Let's see if they can start today's exhibition with a "W".
ROC SPORTS NET 2009
That ends when manager and owner Dave Herbst walks in and opens up the meeting. The Rangers scout draws such a strong connection between his style of baseball and boxing. It's interesting to hear similarities of the national pastime to the sweet science. Herbst talks about using intelligence and quick strikes to eliminate opponents out on the diamond. It reminds me of the works of a young Mike Tyson. Though I'm pretty sure Herbst doesn't want batters pummelling infielders or catchers with jabs and hay makers.
Throughout the discussion of Herbst's talk about his expectations of the summer (hard work and focus on baseball), the room lets out it's nervousness. While on first impression of meeting Herbst he is not the kind of guy who overpowers you with his words. He talks when needed, much like the boxer he was, reminds me of the Paulie character from Goodfellas. Even the words he says are powerful but at the same time speak to your level. Herbst is the type of guy who wants to help you, a strong reminder of why he manages a collegiate summer league team.
After the introductions of the coaching staff, the players shared their basic information around the clubhouse and the one thing that stood out that was different from last season was the goal. Not to say that last season's Wings team was focused on trying to advance in the game of baseball but the players this year seem focused on winning.
While the some of the players got fitted, Dave Riggs, my broadcasting partner and I took a look at the new pitching staff for the 2009 season. Let me tell you this, there are some pretty strong arms on this young group. This team has a collection of arms looking for the quick strike, fastballs that are whizzing through the warm June air in Geneva. The 2008 staff featured a diverse group of pitchers. Half finesse with an equal amount of power just turned away hitters last season. It was a critical factor in the teams title run that ended in the Divisional Series against eventual champion Brockport.
After the short practice, I was able to chat with Will Horford, returning infielder from Notre Dame. I was glad to see Will, because this is a kid who shows a lot of hustle and love for baseball and as a journalist, a laid back guy you can easily talk to.
The same can be said for most of the guys on this squad, so open at dinner, where I was talking to Dan Gliot about playing high school baseball in harsh Northeast and Midwest conditions or chatting about the dearth of large towns in Iowa with Jack Wortley. This team looks ready to play as a team and hopefully this squad will take home the championship. Let's see if they can start today's exhibition with a "W".
ROC SPORTS NET 2009
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