Countdown!

It's the end of a hard fought, close battle...the home team is about to win and the fans start counting down the clock. 5....4....3....2....1....yaaaaaaaay!

Has anyone else noticed, that with the advent of the 1/10 of a second showing up on clocks during the last minute of the game that the countdown is technically off by a little bit? Before the early 1990's when the 1/10 second began to show up, the crowd and the clock were right on. Now, the fans are 0.9 seconds off each time. When the fans scream "4" the clock reads "4.9," which is actually much closer to "5." When it hits "3.9" the fans yell "3." ...and so on

This leads to that awkward final 0.9 when the crowd begins the uproar about a second too soon. Obviously, the fans are reading the "seconds" digit.

Sure, this is widely insignificant, but it leads me to another countdown:

The countdown to Amarillo! We have a place to live!! I am turning in my work notice and reserving the BQ's plane ticket and a moving truck. That nervous, exciting feeling is filling our veins again. Of course, I will probably be without a job for a little while, so that is always scary, but our plan continues to progress as planned. There will be some adjustments in our lifestyle until we are all settled in, but hopefully in the long-term, it will be well worth it.

The countdown is at 21 days...

On a somber note, be very thankful for what you have. I cannot even begin to comprehend the agony that the citizens of the New Orleans, LA/Gulfport, MS are going through right now. If you think you have it bad, you have not been watching any news lately.

Backup...We Need Backup!

There's no point in going through all of Roger Clemens' accomplishments. I will simply say that it is an absolute treasure that the Houston Astros have him.

But why-oh-why can't the Astros score for him? After Sunday's 1-0 loss to the Dodgers, the Astros have been shut out EIGHT TIMES during Clemens' 27 starts this season. (They have also been shut out a league high 16 times this year). It is amazing they are still in the Wild Card hunt as it is.

There's no question that the Houston offense is weaker this year, but the lack of support for Clemens is inexcusable. My best theory on this is that the opposing pitcher marks the date against Clemens on his calendar and throws the game of his life. Regardless, the 43-year old Clemens goes out to the mound and throws shutout inning after shutout inning. It is not uncommon for Houston to lose when a reliever gives up a late or extra inning run (three of the Astro shutouts have been 1-0 in extra innings).

That's no knock on the bullpen...they have done better than expected this year.

I went through every Clemens-pitched game this year and added two runs to the Astros run total. Obviously, as an official scorer, I have to make some judgment calls on this, but assuming all other things remained equal AND the bullpen did NOT blow a game in which he left with a lead, this is what Clemens' record should be: 21 wins, 3 losses, 3 no decisions.

Current record: 11 wins, 6 losses, 10 no decisions. Did I mention that this is a putrid record for someone was has a Major League-leading 1.51 ERA? ONE POINT FIVE ONE!

Using my theory, the Astros should have TEN more wins on the season. Adding these wins to the standings as of today (8/28), Houston would have an extremely comfortable eight game lead in the Wild Card race and would be battling St. Louis for the division title, only 4 1/2 games out.

Roger Clemens would never sound off on his teammates. He is a class act and fits the Astros' history of sportsmanship perfectly. But I am on my knees with puppydog eyes:

Just two runs a game. That's all the Rocket and his bullpen needs. Please?

BQ UPDATE:

The quest for a place to live is slowly picking up steam. We are working on a couple of possibilities, one that we definitely have our fingers crossed on. Although it's only been 10 days, I know the BQ has had some frustrating moments and hopefully this chapter of the saga will end soon. We're still taking it one step at a time, but we can't wait to get to the next level of the staircase.

Running Up The Score

Over the weekend, I was able to watch the Tennessee Titans comeback win against the Atlanta Falcons. Granted this was only a preseason game, it was fun to watch the primarily 3rd-string team come in and get some valuable playing experience. Regardless of the score, I am sure head coach Jeff Fisher planned to play these guys for so many series.

This leads me to bring up something that has bothered me for years in any sport. When a game is a blowout, what good does it do to bring in your 2nd and 3rd string guys just to "sit on the ball?" Besides preventing any freak injuries on your 1st string team, the playing experience that the backups get in these situations is minimal at best. Why not have the 3rd string quarterback throw downfield? I don't think this is disrespecting your opponent...we've already proven that "our" first string is better than "your" first string on this day, why not let the 2nd stringers go at it at full force? If you are just going to "sit on it," you might as well keep your first team in.

This goes for almost all sports (well, maybe except hockey in which you need a good four lines flowing at most times). In baseball, why do teams let up when they get a big lead and so many "unwritten rules" come into play? No more holding the runner on if you are ahead by a bunch? Don't steal bases with a big lead? That's stupid! With no clock in baseball, no lead is ever truly safe until the 27th out is made. Play the game!!

For all you TV and fantasy freaks out there, wouldn't this make games more interesting if everyone on the field played hard until the final horn?

BQ UPDATE:

The BQ started her new job today. I am sure she will do quite well and I am excited for her. The first weekend of "house hunting" came up blanks, but I'm sure the right place will arise at just the right time. After that, the really scary part arises...finding a job for me! :-)

NHL to OLN

Strange as it may seem, the primarily "indoor" NHL is moving from ESPN to the Outdoor Life Network. ESPN Article

Although OLN's reaches about 27 million fewer homes (including my current one, not my future one!) than ESPN, I think this is a great move. While ESPN has the national exposure and has no competition in being the number one sports network, the NHL was getting sandwiched between numerous other sporting events, big and small (before the lockout, of course).

We do not know how many games OLN will televise as of yet. With the NHL now being the signature event on OLN, I would imagine the amount of hockey seen on TV in the US will increase exponentially and with more consistency. I can imagine a "Game of the Week" on a specific day and time. I can envision 7:00/10:00 television doubleheaders to satisfy fans on both coasts.

I'll even do a plug: If you don't get the Outdoor Life Network, call you local cable or satellite operator today. The NHL is back and it should be a fun year.

BQ UPDATE:

The timing is working out perfectly. She has been offered a position in Amarillo! It will still be a few weeks to a couple months before I make the move, but the ball is rolling smoothly and nicely so far. I will let her give you the tasty details when she has a chance on her site.

Taking One For The Team

My wife, The Bunny Queen, has put up with my sports ramblings for nearly eight years. Although not a huge sports fan, she has learned to tolerate my babbling and does have a better understanding of the sports world than she once did. She loves hockey. ...and I love her!

I am a native Texan and the Amarillo area is my home. I moved out to Georgia seven years ago and my then-girlfriend and I began our lives together. No offense to the natives, but Georgia has never felt like home to me. The Bunny Queen (BQ) virtually knows no other state BUT Georgia as her home.

Over the past three or so years, we have been trying to find jobs and move back to Amarillo, but it has been futile. It is very tough to do from this great a distance. This past January, we created a gameplan and with some modifications along the way, we have stuck to it. Today, the BQ proceeded with the next step of the plan.

She left me.

No, not like THAT!

The Bunny Queen has ended the 29-year Georgia chapter of her life to pursue a new job and a new place to live in the Amarillo area. I am staying behind until that happens to keep a constant flow of income and to eventually shut down things here. When she does find a job, I will then follow and my job search will begin anew.

Some will say that "you can never go home again" and things will have changed in the seven years I have been gone. This is true. In visits during this time, almost everything I was a part of is different. I'm not in college anymore, my grandfather has passed away, and the sports jobs I held are either nonexistent or changed to the point that I would not recognize them. But I still want to go back. There is a "home" feeling I cannot put into words that I get when I think about it or visit. Amarillo sure does not qualify as the most exciting place in the world (well, except for the ever-changing weather), but it is MY home.

Soon it will be OUR home.

I miss the BQ already. Even if she finds a job immediately, we will probably be apart a month, at least. She would not do this if she did not think it was the right thing for us. We know we are taking a chance, but it is a chance we are confident in taking. ...and I know the BQ is doing this for me which makes me want her even more.

I love you, Bunny Girl.

T-WO-nderful

The 1999 Stanley Cup Champion Dallas Stars!
9th inning Grand Slams!
Scoring 1000 games!
No-hitters!
The back-to-back NBA Champion Houston Rockets!
Overtime winning playoff goals!

I have experienced numerous exciting sporting events and milestones, but one event I have not personally witnessed is a perfect game, the top tier of individual perfection.

Wait...

I have!

Two years ago today, 6:00 HST, the Bunny Queen and I were married on the Big Island of Hawaii. Nothing was more perfect. A perfect location with my perfect bride.

There is no one as perfect as the Bunny Queen. Her love is perfect. She looks perfect. Her kisses are perfect. Her sarcastic abuse of me is perfect.

There is no one I would rather be with. This is one perfect game that will last for eternity.

The finer things...

Whenever there's a big life-changing event in your life, there's always room to worry, complain, and just plain be grumpy. Sometimes you just need a wakeup call.

The Bunny Queen (BQ) and I are in the process of getting back to Amarillo, TX, and we are doing many "lasts" in Georgia before heading back, such as seeing friends one more time, eating at specific restaurants, etc.

This past weekend, we had our niece, Speedy, down for a visit. Speedy is a beautiful, highly intelligent girl who is about ready to make the jump into college life. She is quick with a comeback, but also quite lovable.

We played video games, went out to eat, had a yard sale and simply had a great time together. Being with her, the BQ and I pretty much set our worries aside and were carefree for the first time in quite a while.

I noticed something about myself too...not once did I check the scores for the Astros or Titans games the entire time she was here. No updates...no scores on the computer monitor...nothing. Friday night, we were up past midnight laughing and carrying on as time flew by. The games were over before I knew they started.

Without a doubt, I love my sports and my teams. Without a doubt, we are getting back to Amarillo. But sometimes you just have to put everything aside and be thankful for what you have and what really matters in life.

Thanks, Speedy.

Gross Misconduct

The punishment did not fit the crime.

Todd Bertuzzi of the Vancouver Canucks was reinstated by the NHL after his vicious hit on Colorado Avalanche Steve Moore near the end of the 2004 season. ESPN Article (I am trying to locate the video...anyone that can find it, please let me know!)

What the suspension mounted to was 17 regular season games, 7 playoff games and any international play or tournaments during the lockout. It should have been more, if not forever.

Moore's neck was broken as he was sucker-punched from behind in an Avalanche blowout victory. He may never play again. Moore has not been resigned by the Avalanche or been picked up by any other team.

This was not an accident. Bertuzzi was clearly intending to injure. If this was any other workplace outside of the sporting venue, Bertuzzi may be sitting in jail right now.

I am all for second chances. In this case, Bertuzzi's second chance should come when Steve Moore can take the ice again. If Moore's career is over, Bertuzzi should never play in the NHL again.

Home of the Brave?

Native Americans are a proud people. Loyalty and honor are traits that most share. Some Native Americans are proud to have their names attached to schools or pro franchises...others are not. Especially in isolated places like North Dakota, the school name (the Fighting Sioux) is THE identity of the area.

I am a caucasian male, so I will probably never know what it may feel like to be directly offended by something of this nature. Personally, I would not name my team after something that I would consider offensive. When I hear teams that are referred to as "Seminoles" or "Braves," I think of a strong, courageous warrior. Those are characteristics that any team would want. Others may disagree.

The NCAA recently banned these "offensive" names from postseason events. Logos and names would be banned from uniforms and event venues. ESPN Article

What is "offensive" is that the NCAA can't figure out how to set a Division I-A football playoff system when all smaller divisions pull it off nicely. What is "offensive" is the low rate of student-athletes that graduate at the major sports level.

Chalk this up as another black eye (a bruise, not Indian face paint) on the face of the NCAA.

This Star is My Guide

Thank you, Mike. Thank you for making your decision with your heart and not with dollar signs.

Mike Modano, 15-year veteran of the Dallas Stars, signed a 5-year contract late Wednesday evening to remain with the only NHL franchise he has ever known. Virtually ever since I became a fan of the Minnesota North Stars back in 1987, Modano has been "with me." As a high school aged phenom, he was destined to become the number one overall draft pick back in 1988. I do not know hockey without Modano.

Modano took me on a whirlwind ride, maybe more than any other "non-game" situation I can remember in any sport. With the flurry of NHL happenings over the past few weeks, it was sickening to think that this hockey icon would no longer be a Star.

Soon after the lockout ended, the odds did not look good as Stars owner Tom Hicks did not wish to give Modano the length of contract he was looking for. Then, after Modano had talked with other teams, the Stars extended a 5-year contract. Things were looking bright like the North Star this past Tuesday night when Modano was "90 percent sure" he would sign and wanted to sleep on it.

Constantly checking Dallas websites throughout Wednesday and wondering when my chewed fingernails would start to bleed, there was no news until about 3 p.m. EDT.

"Modano rejects Stars latest offer."

That was one dip my virtual roller coaster was not expecting as I was desperately looking for the nearest motion sickness bag.

Mike! What happened??!?!

We now get the obligatory agent stating that the offer was not good enough and that other teams were offering more. (I hate agents.)

After the initial shock, I now begin searching Dallas sites again waiting for the dreadful word of which arch-enemy Modano would sign with (praying it would not be the Detroit Red Wings although they had not been mentioned in contract talks).

Later Wednesday evening, I was getting ready to turn on the Houston Astros game on the internet, when I check ESPN. "Modano accepts Stars latest offer."

Huh? Did I read that correctly?

Struggling to get the mouse to click on the link, my blood pressure tingles throughout my body. I read the article and slump back in my chair in utter relief like a long multiple-overtime game had just finished.

Although Modano had been offered up to $5 million more by other teams, according to The Dallas Morning News, he decided to remain loyal to the franchise that made him a Star. Modano had stated that his agent was "trying to protect him" as they compared the various offers. I'll give the agent the benefit of the doubt in this case, but I'm glad that there is one athlete out there that makes his own decisions.

Visions of Stars floated through my mind as this integral part of the puzzle is now complete. With so many questions in the air about the NHL and it's teams this year, there is no reason why the Stars cannot compete for the Stanley Cup in 2006. This will be a fun season.

By the time Modano's current contract ends, I will have "known" Mike for over two decades. Thank you, Mike, for introducing me to hockey and for giving me the pleasure of following your entire NHL career.

GO STARS!!!!

Roid Rage

Keep the crap out of the game and out of my ears. That's all.

Listening to ESPN Radio over the past couple of days, I want to talk about something else besides steroids and Rafael Palmeiro. My Astros have made an unbeliveable turnaround over the past couple months. I can barely see them on TV let alone hear about them on a national level. I want to talk about them, so here's my own 'roid rage.

I don't care if the steroids are "detectable" or not.
I don't care who used someone else's ass as a pin cushion.
I don't care about selfish egos who are ruining their already superb, gifted bodies.
I don't care "whose fault it is" as you obviously don't care about what you put into your bodies (yes, you know what you were taking).
I don't care how long you are suspended as I don't want you around the game anyway.

I DO care about the integrity of the game and home run records. Roger Maris will be my home run hero until someone else cleanly proves otherwise (If you haven't seen the movie 61*, go watch it immediately).
I DO care that one of the most raw talents I have ever witnessed, and one of my favorite ballplayers of all time (Ken Caminiti) is DEAD in part due to steroid use.

On a happier note...
I DO care that the Astros are currently in the wild-card position.
I DO care that the Astros and Atlanta Braves are on pace to meet in the playoffs for the fifth time since 1997 (why me?!?!). Go 'Stros!
I DO care that the NFL Preseason is days away. Go Titans!
I DO care that the Stars hurry up and sign Mike Modano. Go Stars!