Just Say No!

     Not one Redwing on the bench for the 2015 NHL All Star Game?  What a crock, nice move NHL.  You are telling us that the team with the 5th best record in all of the NHL doesn't deserve at least one representative?  On top of that, they are the only team without a roster spot. OK, fine, let them take a few days off and return renewed and refreshed for the second half of the season.  But, for me, I am disappointed not seeing one Winged Wheel sweater on display in Ohio.  I'll be skipping the game, hope you do too.

Yep's, Nope's, and Maybe's

I know I have been absent for a long time, but I have time on my hands and thoughts rolling around in my planet-sized head, waiting to get out!

 

So here we go!

Yep
I didn't believe I would live long enough to see a Duck win the Heisman trophy.  But, here he is,  Marcus Mariota, a nice kid who has stayed out of trouble and goes out of his way to accommodate fans.  We should all thank his folks, Alana and Toa for letting their son attend Oregon.  He is the contradiction to the idea that nice guys finish last.

Nope
Gotta slam Cam.   After scoring on a run play in the Panther's game with Atlanta, Newton went into a prolonged TD act.  Can't figure out why he wasn't flagged for excessive celebration - oh yeah, that's right Cam doesn't have to play by everybody else's rules.  He is special.....ask the NCAA.  I'm still waiting for the investigation at Auburn, get ready to give back the Heisman, unless your Dad has sold it already.

Maybe
The Lions.   We have seen huge progress moving their 7-9 record of a year ago to 11-5.  It has even prompted me to buy my first Lion's fan gear.  I just don't see progress in QB Matthew Stafford's consistency.  OK, maybe one more year under new coach Jim Caldwell will do the trick, all Lions fans have their fingers crossed.  I know the season isn't over, but their playoff game with the very hot Dallas Cowboys could turn into a laugher unless the Detroit offense comes back to life.

Yep

The Red Wings.   Picked to be near the bottom of the NHL, the Wings have been putting together a solid year, even leading the Atlantic Division for a time.  A side note: Wings Legend, Gordie Howe, is on the mend from a stroke he suffered in October.  Way to bounce back Gordie!

Nope

Ndamukong Suh.  Is this guy ever going to get it?   His fines now add up to over $200,000!  The latest for his Lion Two Step on Aaron Rogers.  

Hate to admit he is an Oregon born kid, Suh attended Grant H.S. in Portland.  The University of Nebraska must have corrupted him, you know, with all the night life and distractions that Lincoln has to offer....

Maybe

Hroniss Grasu.  The All-American center may make his return in the Rose Bowl, something that could provide a lift to the team.  Another kid easy to root for, Hroniss has kept his nose clean and responded with with two All-American nods and two first team All Pac-12 honors.   Welcome back to the middle of it all!

Oh Me Of Little Faith

As the first half ended in the Oregon/MSU game, 

I found myself irritated, doubtful, befuddled.

 

One of my fellow Ducks reminded me "This team has talent, they just have to make it work."  An optimist who had earlier shown signs of fleeting faith, he sent us the reminder to watch for the cream to rise to the top.   

Sure enough, Mariota and Ifo came in to save the day.

Me, I have filled a cup to 50%

to practice seeing the glass half full.  

All-Star Bests & Worsts

Recent year's All Star games have been a bit of a snooze, but this year's edition kept me watching from start to finish. It even got cheers from from my 2 year old grandson!  The following gives you an idea of my hits and misses from Tuesday's classic.






Best:
Miggy HR










  

 

 
Worst:
Adele Dazeem's rendition of Forever Young & The National Anthem

Best:
Jeter's 2 hits in his final All-Star Game





   




Worst:
Adam Wainwright not keeping his mouth shut












Best:
 Mad Max picking up the win












  


Worst:
Victor Martinez not getting to play

 

Best:
Fernando Rodney shooting his arrow into the Minnesota night






 


Worst:
John Lester and Chris Sale letting the NL back in the game

Gotta finish with a Best:
V Mart can't play, roster spot opens up for Ian Kinsler

Best Minor League Mascots

Minor League Baseball is, and should be, all about the entertainment.   The following are my top 15 mascots in the bush leagues, but with questions:





#15 - New Orleans Zephyrs
  Do orthodontists get in free?








          #14 - Richmond Flying Squirrels
           Is Bullwinkle a season ticket holder?



 


#13 - Akron Rubber Ducks
  Is bathtub seating available?



 



               #12 - Jupiter Hammerheads
                 Does the organist play Mack The Knife?






 



#11 - Toledo Mud Hens
  Do they ever call them the Mudville 9?








                      
                    #10 - Vermont Lake Monsters
                      Does Nessie do play by play?

 
#9 - Hickory Crawdads
  What is crawfish pie?







 #8 - Montgomery Biscuits
  Can you get gravy with that?

#7 - Albuquerque Isotopes
  Do your players glow at night games?









                               
#6 - Eugene Emeralds
 Did you get a permit to cut that tree?

#5 - Lansing Lugnuts
  Do your players ever get torqued off?







                               


        #4 - El Paso Chihuahuas
         Did the mascot ever work for Taco Bell?
                                "Yo Quiero"

#3 - Batavia Muckdogs
   Do you have any players named Bouche'?






                                    

                                    #2 - Casper Ghosts
                                    Are you friendly?

#1 - Las Vegas 51's

How come ET's never calls us?

Return To Innocence

Following the anniversary of arguably the most famous speech given in sport,

I wonder will we ever see the likes of someone as gracious as Lou Gehrig in pro sports?     I can't think of one athlete that can hold a candle to the Iron Horse.   Not in football, not in today's baseball, not in my beloved hockey, and certainly not in basketball.  Money has made all the difference.  Guys like Gehrig played because they genuinely loved the game, still retaining some of that child-like innocence that we all had when we first picked up a bat.   Do me a favor, after you listen to Robert Redford, go dig out that glove and go play catch with your kids or grandkids.   See if some of that joy you experienced trickles back to you.   I think you might be surprised.

Baseball, A Crazy Game

Our national pastime, gotta love it for its characters, quirks, and zaniness.   Here's a few to ponder.

1 - Beards
     C'mon, don't you remember when baseball heroes advertised for shaving cream?  Now we get this.  Yikes!

2- Fingernail Polish
    The new trend of catchers wearing polish to make the signs easier to see seems a little strange .  Are you are telling me that in over 130 years of pro baseball that pitchers couldn't see 1 for a fastball and 2 for a curve?  Good guessers, those pitchers.

3. Pitchers Hats

   Don't think this will catch on.

4. And now for today's final baseball quirk.