Blue Thunder Makes it Rain

The biggest thunderstorm of the year rolled into Central Texas to cap off a grueling weekend for NAO's Blue Thunder. With lightning off in the distance, the A-Town girls decisively closed out the visiting Manor Mustangs behind solid pitching from Cheyenne and Ciera, and a couple fine plays at third base from Alejandra, finishing out a stretch of five games over three days with a record of 3-2. Saturday started early as the Cholas De Azul caravan bumped up Highway 183 into Cedar Park for the Cinco de Mayo tourney. The outfield corps that included Gracie and Anna made sure that the other team wasn't going to have it easy. Solid base running from Alyssa P. and crew run maxed the Mustangs 12-5 boosted by Kimberley's base clearing triple off an outrageously high fastball.

The road show then continued north to Georgetown where the girls fought hard especially at the plate but came up a little short losing 6-5. The defense shined, especially Sarah, who's backing up the pitcher helped as much as her vocal leadership from the dugout. By the time the Blue Thunder returned for their second tournament game in Cedar Park the thermometer read 95 degrees and the familial entourage was beginning to wilt. Thunder bats however caught fire. Things looked good in the first, as the top of the order maxed on runs and set up pitcher Jordyn with a comfortable lead. The host team from Cedar Park had other plans though and they stayed with the Thunder every step of the way. The battle heated up in the next inning highlighted by a dropped third strike triple from Keyahna, who subsequently scored, stealing home on the next pitch.

Yazmin appeared in the afternoon game too, revitalizing the team at the plate and on the base paths. Jordyn threw the Wolves more heat, and required rehydration herself at one point. The game came down to the final at bat for the home team with the Thunder clinging to the narrowest of margins. Cedar Park put the winning run on base and it looked bleak as they loaded the base. Thunder struck next though in the form of Alyssa C. who pounced on a bunt, stomped the plate, and tagged a runner charging for home to shock all of Williamson County with an unassisted double play and trip to the championship game on Sunday.

Sunday's Championship game against the Leander Lionesses was a well fought heartbreaker. Multiple generations of Austin women filled the stands at Cedar Park's Diamond. “T” played great and the girls battled until the end coming up just one run short. The defense was great and when a player needed backing up, another kid was there. The cheering was loud and the hitting and walking produced plenty of runs and when all was said and done “Lucky” Dorman McGinty and the Blue Thunder brought well earned runner-up trophies back home to North Austin.

Trivia: Who Stopped MJ from wearing #23 on the Sox?

Since the Rangers are going to stop showing clips of Robin Ventura's most memorable moment in his playing career, I have to keep showing it.
The Original RG was in town this week. We had to argue a little sports and cheer on Nana and the Jordynaires softball squad since only Barack could resolve our serious argument about the Chicago G8. One argument ended in a quick draw, that of nature vs. nurture on why doesn't Jay Cutler throw like a girl. I defer to this article in the Atlantic by James Fallows for the answer.
The other dispute was over Robin Ventura as Ozzie's [who makes an appearance at 0:17 in the video] replacement. I defer to Nolan Ryan there. It is agreed that baseball managers don't do much, and maybe anyone could do it. The thing is, I watch managers do the one thing they have to nail, change pitchers, poorly, I know I could do better, but some are masterful and deserving of the blackbelts they carry. Robin Ventura is a crapshoot, when a guy like Bobby Valentine was in the minors has a track record that is measurable statistically. I can even see hiring a proven winner as a player, but Ventura underachieved statistically and disgraced the number 23 in his one big emotional moment when Nolan took pummeling practice on his melon. Personally, I would go with Jim Riggleman who would be in the same price range as Robin. We'll see by the All-Star break if Ventura is still the tomato can he was back when Nolan Ryan won one for the geezers. I'm an instant fan if he goes into the stands after the nearly 100 year old Ryan. That could top the disco demolition!

60-0!

At first blush this score would appear a little lopsided, but this is not LBJ beating up on Eastside memorial. The Longhorns faced 3 solid D1 schools and Colorado State even brought their own snow.
Things look really good for these women to back up this blogger's boast about a national championship.
With the addition of Gabby Smith and the resurgence of Kim Bruins, the pitching looks almost unhittable.
The dropoff behind the plate with All American Amy Hooks' departure is nil with Mandy Ogle hitting better than her boyfriend and ably blocking Blaire Luna's dazzling array of magical pitches. With Nadia Taylor, who plays every position except pitcher like a pro, filling in on Mandy's off days, I defy anyone to find a weakness other than media silence which is out of these women's control and may actually enable a little flying under the radar so they can sneak up on the last year's Big 12 powerhouses Oklahoma and Mizzou.
All the pieces are in place, and with the best coach on the whole 40 acres, these Horns are gonna be stronger than ever.

Chitown's Greatest #23?

I believe the definition of greatness is if "they" change the rules to try to stifle the greatness. Tigerproofing golf courses, the ever moving three point line and the outlawing of dunking in college basketball back in the day are all examples of this.
The first "great" of this decade is Devin Hester. We can't even use electrifying anymore to describe Hester. It just doesn't do his greatness justice. This year the NFL tried to supress Devin by moving the kickoff and it took only 3.3 games for him to adjust. Hester ran one 70 yards from 9 yards deep. Unbelievable! Then he punctuated it with a TD punt return to break Texas-ex Eric Metcalf's record in half the time. Listen to the announcers tryto descibe #23's greatness over the years.
Of course, the original RG reminded me that the rule changes cut both ways and in the case of ski jumper Eddie th Eagle the rules were changed because he was so bad and something needed to be done to save dreamers from death at 90 meters:


I still think the definition works and thus Eddie was actually great. The adjacent articles make this page a classic. Tiger, of course. And the Canseco (steroid testing) vs. Herschel(underclassmen in the draft) fake martial arts fight. How great is that?

Soccer Belles

The biggest game of King of the Hill is shaping up nicely at 7,000 feet. July 15-17 brings all the soccer teams from Colorado to Steamboat Springs for the annual Mountain tournament to determine state supremacy. The Steamboat Strikers(U-10), coached by Bill and Ted of Excellent Adventure fame, are gelling as a team and are blessed to have the powerful leg of Caroline "Drive" Lupori in the event of any shootouts. If her performance at the Border Battle in Grand Junction in May is any indication, the younger girls should improve on their fourth place finish in that tourney. A quiet leader pictured here with team physician Chicago Sling, "Drive" personifies stealth, and should be more than ready to take on all comers in the upcoming tourney on home turf. Caroline's sister, Ellese, shown below, leads the U-13's. The older Lupori is a seasoned veteran on the pitch and is surely looking to avenge a loss to Grand Junction in the Border Battle. The loss was especially agonizing as it was played on a literally uneven playing field and facilitated by the hometown ref, Jackpot Cruikshank, who extended injury time indefinitely until his 19 year old daughter could put in the game "winner." Look for Lupori to drill a couple through early to remove the possibility of a repeat of the travesty. One disgruntled Steamboat supporter was overheard saying, " I can't wait to get those bitches at altitude."
The Grand Junction roadtrip also involved an exhibition race between Steamboat FC striker Kenzie G. and the crippled old man who carries the water and oranges for "Drive." In a stunning upset, Sling won! The video below cuts off abruptly but rest assured Sling won, and Kenzie should be especially motivated to win the Steamboat tourney next month. Sling is reported to have retired from racing, but his son, "Condor" should be available for any 6 yard dash challenges from anyone.

Dump J, Draft T.J.

The Bears actually have a first round pick this year! Should be good news, but as they've squandered every first round pick in recent memory they should not bother with Kiper pseudo science and make a statement with this year's 29th pick. I confess to drinking the Cutler Kool Aid, but I've come to realize Jay's done. No matter how well he does in the future, he's lost the faith of the fans and that is the end in Chitown. Ask Sammy Sosa. VY could replace him as the 49th QB since McMahon, but you can't replace the flake with a flake so the Bears should draft The University's Taylor Jungmann. Yes, I know he plays baseball mostly, but he would be a suitable replacement for the disgrace from Santa Claus, Indiana.
Jungmann only played a little football in high school but showed he has the multiple dimensions to take over from Caleb Haney, when as a stellar prep hoopster he averaged 22 ppg and 18 rpg as a junior. He 's got the height and has added enough weight this year to match Cutler on the tape measure.
Most importantly he has the things Jay doesn't; leadership, accuracy and toughness. He is the undeniable leader of the 2011 Horns baseball squad. Usually the team leader in baseball is an everyday player, but Jungmann is the one players look to on the 40 acres for the clues on how to act and play. Jungmann is also incredibly accurate with his arm, something Jay isn't. We forgave him for all those interceptions in 2009, and then he turned around and threw almost as many, at arguably worse times last year. I've come to the conclusion his success at Denver was probably due to Brandon Marshall being the greatest receiver ever. Jay's second favorite, after Charles Woodson. Jungmann throws hard but he's no Nuke LaLoosh. His pinpoint accuracy adds up to strikeouts and victories galore and an ERA we haven't seen since Bob Gibson took time off from his day job with the Globetrotters to work a few summers in St. Louis for that team we will not mention. Johnny Knox will never have to learn to come back for the ball with Jungmann at the helm. Finally, Jungmann is tough. Jay, as Brian Urlacher warned us "is a pussy." When other players are talking about parties and per diems, T.J. relishes discussion about getting smashed in the face with line drives. He is famous for working through mental lapses and finishing strong, completing 5 games and counting in the 2011 campaign.
Unfortunately, it looks like Jugmann will go higher than 27th in the MLB draft so will probably and graciously decline the Bears, allowing them to not waste the time and money that they did on Curtis Ennis and all the others. Let's hope he goes to the Orioles or Senators, so he can school Danny G. in the fine art of throwing optical illusions.
Some mocK drafts have the Bears taking some receiver from Indiana in round two. I'd say we've had our fill of overrated Indiana football heroes for a while.
Instead, the Bears should take (OL) Ben Lamaak from Iowa State. A lot of guys tore up the Horns gridders this year, but Lamaak tore them up the most. He's the real deal and could help us forget about Garza.

Next UT National Champs

UT Softball will be the next National Champions on the 40 Acres. This may seem like a bold prediction given the lofty rankings of a number of other sports, but these women are the real deal.
They added Rachel Fox, giving them two Cat Osterman caliber pitchers. They have veteran player leadership with Nadia Taylor and the offense overall is light years from what it was the last two seasons. Joltin' Taylor Hoagland is the best hitter on campus, male or female. She is also a deceptive base stealer and with the speedy new young players coach Connie Clark has brought in, it is really hard to find a weakness anywhere.
The Longhorns are also the first ever underrated team at UT. The local daily is mostly responsible for this. When Blair Luna pitched a perfect game last week against the (next) best team in the country, Washington, it warranted one sentence among the endless pages about Mack Brown's flailing attempt to rebuild his sorry squad. Teams from other cities and countries get more press here than these next champs. These women may be content to fly under the radar because Clark is the only UT coach who understands what swagger really is. In all the men's sports it is simple arrogance. Clark knows it is actually a quiet self confidence and the team seems to really get it. They are focused and aggressive, yet humble and positive.
The tournament is always a minefield and if they falter they will win it next year, as they are bringing in anther killer pitching recruit, and almost all of this year's squad will return. The other factor in my chalking is all other UT teams are mediocre and will stay that way until they put some of these coaching dinosaurs out to pasture.
Mark your calendar. These horns have. 6/8/11

Fire the Coach!

Why do the Horns stink?
The kneejerks would say that Greg Davis' tiny brain is the culprit, but it's more systematic than that. All of the revenue sports' teams are lackluster. It is a combination of factors, but if you have to point to a single person, he is Rick Barnes.
After Luke Axtell got Tom Penders fired, Barnes came in and with his Mack Brown sweet southern drawl we were saved from those yankee college coaches, Penders and Mackovic. Barnes and Brown were able to recruit the top tier athletes that up until then were going to the pros in basketball and to non-academic football institutions like Oklahoma. They promised recruits that UT was the best avenue to the pros, and they delivered. There are now more Texas exes in the pros than ever before.
The problem is that winning teams became an afterthought, and things like quality backup QBs evaporated.
Allowing underclassmen in the NFL and forcing prep hoopsters to do time in the NCAA just exacerbated the problem. The teams that are senior loaded like Duke b-ball and Boise State football began to rise to the top and the Texas/Florida/Michigan pro mills are floundering.
Longhorns of old used to live to beat OU. It was all they talked about. Today's pitstop prima donnas focus primarily on video games and their per diem checks.
The straw that broke the camel's back was the introduction of general studies degrees. Now UT could compete for the dunces. Guys that in the past would be forced to go the juco route, or lower like OU, could now go straight to UT! This did nothing to help build winning teams, but it did help ding-a-lings like Sergio Kindle climb the stairs to the NFL.
Firing Rick Barnes, who couldn't coach his way out of game against the Washington Generals, would be a start, but things probably won't get better until the guy behind all the underachieving, past and present, retires -- DeLoss Dodds. Until then go to Shaggy Bevo to lift your spirits

DuPage South

Texas goalkeeper Alexa Gaul has been named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week. Gaul posted her third shutout of the season on Monday in the Longhorns’ 1-0 upset win over No. 10 BYU. Gaul grew up in Naperville, Ill.
Freshman forward Leah Fortune scored her third goal of the season in the BYU win. She is the Newcomer of the week and hails from Brazil, by way of West Chicago.
There was a time that Texas never recruited out of state.
Football still thrives without global recruiting, and after getting burned by Chris Simms may never again search beyond the borders. Other sports however have seen success recruiting elsewhere. Apparently, we have some appeal to the girls of DuPage County. No doubt the warm weather and familiar Republican politics make the Forty Acres irresistible to those residing along the mighty Duper.
I credit Tom Penders with these outreach efforts. An anemic basketball program was revitalized overnight primarily with imports. Today, the best hoops newcomers, Tristan Thompson and Shanice McKoy call Toronto home.
Look here, as Leah inbounds the ball all the way from Butterfield Road to Dedman Drive:

FROM THIS DAY FORTH.............

Ask Keith Moreland or Burt Hooten. The curse on the Cubs is powerful mojo. Baseball is the most superstitious game. Maybe it's because all the balls are made in the voodoo capital of the world. Whatever it is, most players know it is nothing to fool around with.
The legend says that a man and his pet goat were ejected from Wrigley field. In Texas we know that livestock is no big deal in stadium or a bar, or a church for that matter, but in Chitown, despite bleating protestations the goat still had to go. As he exited "Billy Goat" Sianis put a curse on the Cubs condemning them to never winning the World Series. 102 years later, from Mr. Cub to Steroid Slammin' Sammy and all the great players in between, still no Series rings.
Apparently, the portly proprietor of venerated UFCU Disch Falk field in Austin has decided to tempt fate. After nineteen seasons of occasional brief water and potty breaks during the course of my workday I am now forbidden to use this state facility.
Fine. We all endure the profound rudeness and arrogance of the UT baseball players, knowing that they're just juvenile country boys who might grow out of it. This is however, too much. It is unwarranted and reeks of the same assholiness that oozes from the preponderance of latent groupies that prowl "the Dish."
It may be hard to tell as the UT baseball has underachieved in recent years despite having the best white recruits in the nation at every position year in and year out.
A coworker, we'll call him DJ Pop Bottle, fearing the prospect of this curse told me that the rule has been in effect for two years. If this is true, it still doesn't make it OK. It only makes me wonder if someone else threw down the mojo in Augie's pre-DUI days some time after Huston Street brought his father's football mentality in '02 and Taylor Teagarden QB'd the overacheiving '05 team to win the LAST COLLEGE WORLD SERIES' THE LONGHORNS WILL EVER WIN.

Fast Ice

No one around here's seen Shanice McKoy play yet.
No one around here's ever seen another player like her either.
All the great Lady Longhorns of the past Harris, Davis, Hall etc. have all been frontcourt players. There's been an assortment of quality guards to feed these greats but never one like McKoy, who put up numbers in high school that would make past stellar Longhorn men like TJ and BJ jealous. The game clips in this video are dazzling. There is one shake and bake move where an outsized McKoy weaves through a forest of opponents seeming to move independently of the ball. Only Allen Iverson has a higher degree black belt in that kind of Kung Fu.

American xenocentrism, yardsticks and a near death experience have allowed McKoy a stealthy entrance onto the Forty Acres. Her unheraldedocity matches her reserved, businesslike facade. Quiet assassin, unflappable QB...time will tell what reputation Shanice McKoy will cultivate. If off court demeanor is any indication as to what we should expect it shouldn't be long before Coach G. lets this magic genie out of the bottle to silently slice and dice the Big (insert random number here) and the NCAA. Until then we'll have to settle for old Marcus Haynes videos.

Carrying the Teamwork

The Chicago Board of Trade is the center of the American Empire. If you go out the back door and west on Madison a ways, you'll arrive at the home of our favorite sports dynasty. A statue of some guy memorializes the Bulls threepeats.
If you go out the front door of the CBOT and travel west down Jackson Blvd. a ways, and then a little ways more, and then a little more you'll be at the home of a dynasty you may not know about.
Marillac Social Center at Francisco and Jackson houses a charter school and Project Hope which helps teenage girls navigate the perils of Chitown's west side. "Hope Jr." focuses on Jr. High age girls and provides tutoring, resources, and a space to play basketball.
The Lady Warriors' leader is Jalesa Haggard (pictured above right) who has coached the team the during the current run of three straight championships. She played at the beginning of the dynastic drive a few years back and brings the positive attitude she played with to the current cast of kids. She emphasizes teamwork and drills her charges until passing and team defense are second nature to quiet confident players like Alisa J. Hill.(left) Vinny D. might still be working if he took a few lessons from Coach Haggard.
The statistical leader of the squad which threepeated in '09 is Carrie "Steal Wheels" Randle. (center) Randle amassed 77 steals playing 8 games of the undefeated 2009 championship season. To put this in perspective, the entire Bulls team of 1997 together didn't even produce at that rate. This stifling defense from Hill, Randle and the other girls held opponents to single digits in 5 games and a shutout against the AGSAs. If we were talking baseball we would be talking perfect game. Randle and Hill will be moving on to High School and leave a big void for Miss Jalesa to fill, but with the possible addition of Kareemah Martin to the squad, who is reported to b e working on her sky hook this summer, they look to extend the dynasty well into the this next decade. Marillac Social Center probably needs some thing$. I'm not sure what that may be, but I do know one immediate need is a new trophy case, as the current one is overflowing.

Intercrosse

Every four years, about this time, we U.S.sters bemoan why soccer hasn't caught on yet. And as we hold it, ignoring the obvious reason that the sport arrogantly refuses to acknowledge the need for commercials. And pee breaks. This time is also converges with my trimesterly sabbatical where I watch Sportscenter everyday during the funnest time of year. Kentucky Derby, Stanley Cup, NBA Finals, and the annual climax of the Cubs run at the pennant.
Barely on the radar is the lacrosse final four. Not to be confused with the intercrosse final four. No question why this sport hasn't caught on. At least in soccer you can get drunk and still say "could you turn on the futbol on the big screen" without getting slapped. Lacrosse hasn't caught on for the same reason as soccer. It never stops, so you can rent a beer. All us niche sport fans must just face it. If a sport hasn't caught on in 4oo years it probably won't ever. When Indians played 750 on 750 for 4 days at a time they played because they loved the sport, not because it goes good with wings and lager. Cornell is the Cinderella on the Men's side. They could accomplish what Butler couldn't - take a set of Hoosiers and beat the bigger, older team.
The lacrosse story is on the Women's side however.Northwestern is known in lacrosse circles as "the evil empire." They have one the last FIVE national championships. This all since returning to competition in 2002 after the university had discontinued the sport a decade earlier.
Compare this to the Celtics , or Bruins if they had on fifty rings. This is a dynasty that is unmatched. St. Leonard's started girl's lacrosse back in 1890. They would be proud of these Wildcats.

Returning Pioneers

The local sportscaster chatter has stroked on for days about Avery Bradley's decision re the draft. This perrenial discussion undoubtedly drones on across David Stern's personal plantation, the entire NCAA. Forget for a moment that no one would be dumb enough to continue on the chemistry imbalanced path that recently denuded Emporer Barnes has charted for the Longhorns in his quest for an NBA gig.
Of course he should try to play at the level that suits his abiities. He should have been allowed to last year, but for the anti-free market system that is the NBA. The NFL has increasingly joined the irresistable exploitation to such a degree that the companion chatter at draft time has become equally nauseating. The plantation rhetoric seems harsh and hysterical, but only if you can imagine these discussions happening in the white sports of golf, baseball, tennis or hockey. NEVER.
Look no further than the 40 acres for the answer to "should [he] go?" Always yes. Two groundbreaking Horns are re-stomping the college grounds they once stomped with their obligatory socks and slippers a decade ago when buses were merely for running in front of and laughing.
Kris Clack was the first McDonald's All-American to go to UT. He was also the leader in the pipeline of future Austin stars who would stay home. Before Clack, Austin's best black athletes like Kenneth Alexander generally panned UT. Local youth will tell you to this day UT is a white school. While the pipeline never materialized, Clack ushered in an undeniable upgrade of UT hoops.

Technically Clack didn't leave early, but he did put his degree on hold to try his art in the league. Eventually, that league was the Italian league which he tore up.

Today Kris Clack rides the bus to school to finish his communications degree. He coaches the Fightin' Archangels at night and through his journeys and travel has become a thoughtful and balanced individual, worldly wise and humble. Seems like a good choice until you realize it is the only choice.
Kwame Cavil was the first Longhorn to leave early when the NFL's market manipulation was in it's infancy and Maurice Clarett hadn't yet challenged and lost a foolish fight against an industry that makes it's own rules. You wouldn't even recognize Kwame today. He is a coach too, and a father who beams when he's with his kids. He's aged and mellowed like Pinot through his worldly, albeit frigid world travels. He too is riding the bus toward his degree. A high quality individual who should never even had too answer the absurd question asked only of American black athletes. Stay or go?

I suspect John Wall ten years from now will be a star to some degree despite his slightness. Avery Bradley will likely know his way around Macedonia and Greece really well. Both will be good guys that people like and want to hear say something funny or poignant. All of these guys will probably always kinda wonder -- What choice?

and with the....

....75th pick of the 2010 NFL draft the Chicago Bears select.........Prince Fielder!
Assuming Brittney Griner is not available the Fielder choice is not a bad one.
Third rounders rarely make it, and a joke selection would likely give an equivalent return on investment.
Plus he's bigger than the best draft prospect in a decade, Suh. Fielder also could inject a harmless dose of humor in the otherwise business like, no drama quest for the 2011 Super Bowl, and consequent immortality for Brian Urlacher. Alas, I believe Fielder will be too busy saving baseball alongside his loyal sidekick Tim Lincecum. So after examining the draft and the 2009 college footbal season, the Bears should select Dezmon Brisoce.
The best receiver the Jayhawks ever had is drastically undervalued and should be availble late. The Bears most glaring weak spot is at receiver based on the free agent acquisitions and the debacle that was the '09 season. Brisoce is the real deal. His learning curve has been oustanding in high school and the NCAA. Enduring Mangino is a baptism of fire that should remove any sensitivity that Jay Cutler will test. Briscoe is a sure handed receiver who has the maturity to start with the suddenly veteran juggernaut the Bears have assembled. Oh, and he played for the Horns in high school!

That's Right.....!

Harry B. told us a long time ago, and Bobby sang it best.
Once again my job allows me to be a fly on the wall of UT sports. My co-worker, we'll call him Numero Uno, and I were musing about how we heard competing factions of the softball team speaking ill of each other. Being of conventional cloth we decided that things wouldn't bode well for the young Longhorns. There just seemed to be too much jealousy and sundry other of the seven deadly sins to play a team sport like softball. Softball may move slowly, but it requires a very precise brand of teamwork to get the job done.
Before the season started I had them doomed to the badlands of bad chemistry.
Boy, I couldn't have been more wrong. Not only are these Horns able to play together, but they won the opening tourney, anchored by Austin frish flames-thrower Blaire Luna who blazed a no-hitter in her first NCAA game. These smart women are now 6-0 and cracked the top 25 this week to the surprise of the world, and me, and Numero Uno. Things look good for a nice little run at the Big 12 and who knows what else.

“I’m glad we had this game scheduled for tonight,” Clark said. “It was a good test for our mentality and our approach and process. We’re playing the game, not the opponent.” -Connie Clark 2/16/10

Maybe women are better able to leave the silly stuff on the bus, or maybe the whole chemistry thing is overrated. Whatever it is, men seem incapable of doing what this band of young overachievers are poised to do, as evidenced by the up women's hoops and the down men's.
Never mind what the people say. Don't try to figure it out. Just enjoy Blazin' Blair and the 2010 Horns softball team in every way.

Historic may be an Understatement

Today, Kelly Kulick made history. Not ordinary history, but the kind that should be worthy of front page sports news. Maybe even frontpage frontpage for it's significance in our man's man's world.
She has done what Danica and Anika tried but couldn't quite do. She won the Pro Bowler's Tournament of Champions. In bowling, this is the most prestigious major. It is the Masters of bowling. This is not Michele Wie winning the St. Jude.
This is as big as Obama in so many ways. It changes our world forever and takes us places that can only be good.
It will be interesting to see if Hoopster in Chief invites her to the White House. He may have to dig deep into his Blackberry to even find out. I personally think he will. We know he knows how hard bowling is! And may be the only person who can fathom the significance and understand the importance of what Kelly has done.

Freakin' Awright!

The Dock is surely smiling down from his number 9 cloud this week. The bestest, baddest pitcher this side of Danny G. won the Cy Young again. Tim Lincecum joined the immortals with his second straight award for the league's best hurler. Only undeniable legends like the Big Unit, the Rocket and Sandy have won back-to-back. None have done it as young as the 25 year old Giant.
A little online chatter has emerged about his low win total, but I don't see how you argue against the purest measure of a pitcher: strikeouts. Timmy led the league again in K's and the best hitters in the league have nothing but admiration when they talk about facing him. Win total has changed in baseball as a measure of greatness. How often have you heard that there will never be a thirty game winner again in today's game? Wins are doubly hard to come by playing for the lowly Giants who forgot to develop hitters when they developed a co-dependency with BALCO.
A few of us Lincecum fans worried that he would be denied acknowledgment after recent dalliances. But in a Phelpsian turn of events, he still got the Cy. Hey, it's easy to understand that Tim may have thought it was required to have a little Mother Nature when crossing from Oregon into Washington. The voters have decided that times have changed and Lincecum is a likeable, normal guy.
Shown here with a mess of fish, Lincecum bows to Jojo the king of fishing strikeouts, and exhibits a humanness that can only help a sport wrought with pricks like 7 time Cy Young winner Roger Clemens.
Known alternately as the "Franchise" and the "Freak," Linceum probably narrowed the nickname pool with his Halloween eve hijinks. Sports apologists say his freakish delivery is the reason for his moniker. I think that the Washington State Patrol confirmed that it is more likely his nickname identifies him as the fourth, long lost, Fabulous Furry Freak Brother.

Congrats, Freak. Your GM Brian Sabean probably summed up the last couple weeks the best when he said.“I don’t know if we ever grow up, as people, as professionals,” Sabean said. “It’s a process. I don’t know if he’s any different from any young guy trying to make a name for himself, make a living. Obviously the stakes are higher when you’re Tim Lincecum.”
This blogger only wonders what might have been if the Freak had signed out of high school when the Cubs drafted him. Could he have put the goat out to pasture?

Playing for the Geezers

Chris Chelios and the Chicago Wolves are barnstorming Texas, giving thrills and chills to the oldsters. Of course those just might be more of the arthritic agony of winter.
Chelios has played 25 NHL seasons. He has 3 rings and more facial scars than a Dinka warrior. Search "Chelios" on youtube, and you'll find fight videos spanning 3 decades.
Currently, Cheli is playing in the AHL for the Chicago Wolves, his hometown minor league club. Before the game in Austin last night Ruben and I debated whether the teams travel between Texas and Chi-town by bus a la Semi-Pro. This guy plays because he loves hockey and relishes his daily smackdown of father time.
In the recent years, Mick Jaggar and Chris Chelios have both played the ATX for the first time ever. Both never age and play for the love of the game. They also serve as reminders to all of us that age is what you make of it. It appears Cheli plans on playing into his 50's and breaking Gordie Howe's record. As long as Chris Chelios is playing hockey, none of us will never be old. Hell, even Cheli looks like a kid compared to Austin College Kangaroo placekicker Tom Thompson. Chris Chelios also gets immortality points on this blog for his uncompromising defense of not just the crease, but also the workers.

Condor to be released back into wild

Jack "Condor" Lupori will return to the links this week after a brief hiatus.
Lupori, a North Park, Colorado native transplanted earlier this year to Mr. Haney's Golf Academy in South Carolina. Coming from his home courses of Catamount and Haymaker in the rarified air of the Rockies, the "Condor" had some difficulty adjusting to the snake infested swamp courses of backwater USA. The game of golf is a little different in the South, and being away from the adoration of the mountain girls had the young looper hitting his balls off in every direction the first few weeks of the season.
Luckily, Lupori was suspended after Academy authorities discovered a secret room, replete with cocktail waitresses and go-karts, that Lupori and roomate Hugh Jorgen had built behind a bookcase in their dormitory.
The suspension allowed Lupori to work on his swing with headmaster Haney, known for correcting Tiger Woods swing after he discovered girls. After a stellar hockey career, leading the Steamboat Willies to multiple tournament victories, Lupori encountered the same trouble Happy Gilmore did transitioning to the stationary nature of golf. In addition, Colorado golfers use a brown ball so it is easier to find in the snow and the Condor ran into numerous unpleasant episodes chipping alligator turds from bunkers.
Things seem to be in order now and Lupori returns to action just in time for the Open on November 6th. Follow his progress here, and watch as the Condor soars, dropping birdies from the sky.