This morning I heard the sad news of Ron Santo’s passing. Honestly, it hit me pretty hard, because even though I know that he has been in poor health for a long time, he was still expecting to analyze Cubs baseball on the radio again this season. I am grieving as a fan for him more than I grieved for Harry Carrey, which surprises me. I think it was because Harry had retired before he passed away. So I had time to process his loss as a broadcaster before I had to grieve his loss as a person. With Ronnie I have to grieve both his loss as a broadcaster and his loss as a person at the same time.
I think the reason that I and so many other Cubs fans related so strongly to Ron was because he expressed exactly what we were feeling on the air. When the Cubs won there was no one more ecstatic than Ron Santo. When the Cubs lost there was no one more despondent. During the ups and downs of every game, Ron bellowed in agony or cheered relentlessly with the rest of us. He was that fun, strange baseball uncle who most of the time made little sense but made up for it with mirth, personality, and passion. He taught us about the game, and showed us that it was ok to let our guard down and authentically live and enjoy the emotions of the game, good and bad.
Ron was never there to be an intellectual like Steve Stone, he was there to be the biggest Cubs fan of us all and to lead the fans in cheerleading our favorite team. Should he occasionally teach us something, that was a plus, but he was there to make what many consider to be a slow and monotonous game an accessible if not engaging experience.
We feel like we know Ron because his love and our love was so real that even though most of have never met him in person we feel that we have an intimate connection to the man that supersedes the paltry things like a two-way relationship and face to face contact.
I grew up listening to Ron Santo. I loved how he related the game. In 1998 when Brant Brown dropped a fly ball my best friend and I were watching the game on TV with the television broadcast’s sound turned off and the radio broadcast on. The cry of horror that escaped from Ron’s lips matched our own and that memory alone cements Ron’s legacy in my mind.
As a person he always seemed pleasant but also intensely passionate. Other players and media types have called him a jerk and ignorant and maybe he was these things as well. But one of the great professional tragedies of Ron’s life is that because of his personality he was denied an honor that should be his, induction into the baseball Hall of Fame. It makes me sick that he did not live to experience this honor, but I do believe that with his death the veteran’s committee will finally relent, having exacted their revenge for his alleged misdeeds, and induct him.
The other great professional tragedy is that, like so many other Cubs fans, he did not live to see a Cubs World Series Championship. It was my hope that I would get to hear his joy of finally experiencing a championship. It makes me sad to think that if I am ever lucky enough to see the Cubs win it all, I will not be able share that with Ron.
My condolences go out to all Cubs fans, but more to Ron’s friends and family. We will all miss him. Be sad for your loss today, but tomorrow be hopeful just like Ron always was. Be happy, donate to the fight against Juvenile Diabetes, and cheer for the Cubs just a little bit harder, because without Ron we all need to step up to fill the silence he left behind.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
OK so this is a bit ambitious
Obviously I am not able to keep up with a daily blog right now. So I am going to try to scale it back to once a week. I should have a new post soon, but for right now I am really excited that that the Rangers are doing so well against the Yankees.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Sorry
Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to this blog. After the internet outage we had, my wife and I got a puppy and this has been taking up all of my time.
On to the post.
Welcome to one of the best sports weekends of the year!
Look at what you have to watch this weekend. Hockey is back in full swing. The final four of major league baseball will be playing 5 games this weekend. College football on Saturday, NFL on Sunday. There is even a Nascar race Saturday night if that is your thing.
As I write this the Rangers are beating the Yankees 3-0 in game one of the ALCS.
So who I am cheering for this weekend?
Rangers and Phillies. Which kind of hurts me because the baseball fan in me wants to see the Yankees and the Phillies for the benefit of the game. The sports fan in me wants to see the Giants vs the Yankees based on the history. The underdog in me is rooting for Giants/Rangers.
However I think Rangers/Phillies would have the best baseball. Could Cliff Lee single handedly win the world series for the Rangers so that he could get paid the largest contract in MLB history from the Yankees next year. The Phillies are the best team in baseball and of all of the teams still playing I think are the most deserving to hold up that trophy.
Enjoy this weekend, there are not many this great left.
On to the post.
Welcome to one of the best sports weekends of the year!
Look at what you have to watch this weekend. Hockey is back in full swing. The final four of major league baseball will be playing 5 games this weekend. College football on Saturday, NFL on Sunday. There is even a Nascar race Saturday night if that is your thing.
As I write this the Rangers are beating the Yankees 3-0 in game one of the ALCS.
So who I am cheering for this weekend?
Rangers and Phillies. Which kind of hurts me because the baseball fan in me wants to see the Yankees and the Phillies for the benefit of the game. The sports fan in me wants to see the Giants vs the Yankees based on the history. The underdog in me is rooting for Giants/Rangers.
However I think Rangers/Phillies would have the best baseball. Could Cliff Lee single handedly win the world series for the Rangers so that he could get paid the largest contract in MLB history from the Yankees next year. The Phillies are the best team in baseball and of all of the teams still playing I think are the most deserving to hold up that trophy.
Enjoy this weekend, there are not many this great left.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Can 3-0 Not Mean Much?
Sorry for the long layoff guys. Between internet issues and traveling to a wedding I have had no time to do a post.
There are 3 undefeated teams left in the NFL, but what does that mean. Well the NFL says that a team that starts 3 - 0 has a 78% chance to make the playoffs, but at least one team who started 3-0 in each of the last 3 seasons has not made the playoffs.
So this year who is in, who is out, and what does 3-0 mean this year?
The three undefeated teams are the Chicago Bears, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Kansas City Chiefs. There is only one team on this list that 3-0 means something: the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are missing their first, second, and third string Quarterbacks, but still are undefeated. Furthermore this team has played good teams. This team will make the playoffs, and I think is a serious contender to play in the Super Bowl.
The Bears and the Chiefs can may make the playoffs but neither team is ready to make a move towards being a serious contender. The Chiefs will play some real competition this week and I predict a huge loss.
The Bears are another thing all together. It is possible that they will go 7-0 before they play a team who can really compete with them. This does not mean they are good, it means that this is a down season in the NFL, and a team that can start 7-0 based on schedule could also go 7-9 when they get to playing the big boys in the second half.
There are 3 undefeated teams left in the NFL, but what does that mean. Well the NFL says that a team that starts 3 - 0 has a 78% chance to make the playoffs, but at least one team who started 3-0 in each of the last 3 seasons has not made the playoffs.
So this year who is in, who is out, and what does 3-0 mean this year?
The three undefeated teams are the Chicago Bears, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Kansas City Chiefs. There is only one team on this list that 3-0 means something: the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are missing their first, second, and third string Quarterbacks, but still are undefeated. Furthermore this team has played good teams. This team will make the playoffs, and I think is a serious contender to play in the Super Bowl.
The Bears and the Chiefs can may make the playoffs but neither team is ready to make a move towards being a serious contender. The Chiefs will play some real competition this week and I predict a huge loss.
The Bears are another thing all together. It is possible that they will go 7-0 before they play a team who can really compete with them. This does not mean they are good, it means that this is a down season in the NFL, and a team that can start 7-0 based on schedule could also go 7-9 when they get to playing the big boys in the second half.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Internet Outage
I currently am without internet. Once I get my internet access back I will continue to post a daily post on sports.
Friday, September 17, 2010
NFL Week 2 picks
Miami @ Minnesota -5.5 +/- 39.5
Minnesota to win and cover. Take the over.
Arizona @ Atlanta -6.5 +/- 43.5
Atlanta to win but not cover. Take the under.
Baltimore -2.5 @ Cincinnati +/- 39.5
Baltimore to win and cover on the road. Take the under.
Kansas City @ Cleveland -1.5 +/- 38.5
Kansas City wins the upset. Take the over.
Chicago @ Dallas - 7.5 +/-40.5
Dallas will win and cover, and take the over.
Philadelphia -6.5 @ Detroit +/- 41.5
Philadelphia to win but not cover on the road. Take the under.
Buffalo @ Green Bay -13.5 +/-43.5
Green Bay covers, and while they could score 42 points by themselves I still take the under.
Pittsburg @ Tennessee -5.5 +/- 37.5
Tennessee wins and covers, but I still like the under.
Tampa Bay @ Carolina -3.5 +/- 39.5
Tampa Bay pulls the upset on the road. Take the over.
Seattle @ Denver -3.5 +/- 40.5
Seattle wins big, take the over.
St. Louis @ Oakland -3.5 +/- 37.5
Oakland wins but does not cover, take the under.
New England -2.5 @ NY Jets +/- 38.5
New England wins and covers on the road. Take the over.
Jacksonville @ San Diego -7.5 +/- 45.5
San Diego covers, take the under.
Houston -2.5 @ Washington +/- 43.5
Houston wins and covers, take the under.
NY Giants @ Indianapolis -5.5 +/-48.5
Indianapolis covers and take the over.
New Orleans -5.5 @ San Francisco +/-43.5
New Orleans wins but does not cover, take the under.
Minnesota to win and cover. Take the over.
Arizona @ Atlanta -6.5 +/- 43.5
Atlanta to win but not cover. Take the under.
Baltimore -2.5 @ Cincinnati +/- 39.5
Baltimore to win and cover on the road. Take the under.
Kansas City @ Cleveland -1.5 +/- 38.5
Kansas City wins the upset. Take the over.
Chicago @ Dallas - 7.5 +/-40.5
Dallas will win and cover, and take the over.
Philadelphia -6.5 @ Detroit +/- 41.5
Philadelphia to win but not cover on the road. Take the under.
Buffalo @ Green Bay -13.5 +/-43.5
Green Bay covers, and while they could score 42 points by themselves I still take the under.
Pittsburg @ Tennessee -5.5 +/- 37.5
Tennessee wins and covers, but I still like the under.
Tampa Bay @ Carolina -3.5 +/- 39.5
Tampa Bay pulls the upset on the road. Take the over.
Seattle @ Denver -3.5 +/- 40.5
Seattle wins big, take the over.
St. Louis @ Oakland -3.5 +/- 37.5
Oakland wins but does not cover, take the under.
New England -2.5 @ NY Jets +/- 38.5
New England wins and covers on the road. Take the over.
Jacksonville @ San Diego -7.5 +/- 45.5
San Diego covers, take the under.
Houston -2.5 @ Washington +/- 43.5
Houston wins and covers, take the under.
NY Giants @ Indianapolis -5.5 +/-48.5
Indianapolis covers and take the over.
New Orleans -5.5 @ San Francisco +/-43.5
New Orleans wins but does not cover, take the under.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Derek Jeter Hit By Pitch, Fair or Foul?
The events of last night have the sports world in an uproar.
Derek Jeter took an inside pitch that seemed to hit him near the hand or wrist. In a big show of pain he hopped around and was awarded first base. The problem? The ball never hit him, it hit the end of his bat. Technically this was a foul ball and a strike and Jeter should have continued his at bat, but instead he was on first base when the next batter hit a home run giving the Yankee's a lead.
This situation raised two questions: Should baseball expand instant replay and did Derek Jeter cheat?
Baseball is a game of statistics and history. This is why there is so much resistance to adding and expanding instant replay. The historical side says mistakes have always been part of the game and technology removed the charm of the human element. They say it will slow down the game. They say that it will be overused. They say it will take away from the umpire's authority.
The replay supporters say that the fans want to see the correct calls. The players deserve to have the came called accurately. They say it would take less time than manager arguments. They say that technology is to the point where it would be noninvasive.
I would not mind seeing more replay, provided it was done correctly. No replay on balls and strikes, and stop making the umps go watch a video. Have an ump in a booth watching the game and on close plays where the on field ump gets it wrong he radio's down the correct call.
Easy right?
Now what about is Derek Jeter a cheater. The answer is I don't know. But I have no problem with what he did. I think that is the difference between gamesmanship and cheating. In my opinion cheating is using something outside of the game to get an advantage in the game. Examples include HGH, steroids, corked bats, foreign substances on the ball, using video cameras to steal signals, etc. Gamesmanship is using the rules or situations of a game to an advantage in the game. Faking getting hit by the ball is not cheating, it is just smart play.
Derek Jeter took an inside pitch that seemed to hit him near the hand or wrist. In a big show of pain he hopped around and was awarded first base. The problem? The ball never hit him, it hit the end of his bat. Technically this was a foul ball and a strike and Jeter should have continued his at bat, but instead he was on first base when the next batter hit a home run giving the Yankee's a lead.
This situation raised two questions: Should baseball expand instant replay and did Derek Jeter cheat?
Baseball is a game of statistics and history. This is why there is so much resistance to adding and expanding instant replay. The historical side says mistakes have always been part of the game and technology removed the charm of the human element. They say it will slow down the game. They say that it will be overused. They say it will take away from the umpire's authority.
The replay supporters say that the fans want to see the correct calls. The players deserve to have the came called accurately. They say it would take less time than manager arguments. They say that technology is to the point where it would be noninvasive.
I would not mind seeing more replay, provided it was done correctly. No replay on balls and strikes, and stop making the umps go watch a video. Have an ump in a booth watching the game and on close plays where the on field ump gets it wrong he radio's down the correct call.
Easy right?
Now what about is Derek Jeter a cheater. The answer is I don't know. But I have no problem with what he did. I think that is the difference between gamesmanship and cheating. In my opinion cheating is using something outside of the game to get an advantage in the game. Examples include HGH, steroids, corked bats, foreign substances on the ball, using video cameras to steal signals, etc. Gamesmanship is using the rules or situations of a game to an advantage in the game. Faking getting hit by the ball is not cheating, it is just smart play.
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