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The Peter Principle of Excessive Drinking
2 weeks ago
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Goodbye Yankee Stadium
Last night Yankee Stadium held its final NY Yankee game and sadly I couldn’t be there to witness it in person. Yankee Stadium has meant so much for so many people and not only because it is home to the Yankees who are 26 time World Champions. (Don’t worry Sox fans you only have 19 more to go!) Over the years Yankee Stadium has played host to numerous events, but more importantly Yankee Stadium has played a significant role in my own family growing up.
My brother, sister and I were raised in New York and between the three of us; we attended the majority of Catholic High Schools on Long Island. Since December 2000 my brother has been a member of the FDNY, my sister and mother are both elementary school teachers on Long Island and my father is a basketball coach at Queens College. People would be hard pressed to find a family that is more willing to give back to the citizens of New York. Several things have remained constant in our lives over the years; our family loyalty and bond, our love for New York and supporting the Yankees.
My father grew up in St. Albans, NY where everyone was a Brooklyn Dodgers fan. Nuns at his Catholic school would turn the radio on during school hours for the duration of the Dodgers’ playoffs. Millions of hearts broke when the Dodgers left New York and fans were forced to align their loyalties with another team. Eventually my father ended up a reluctant Yankee fan, but his kids grew up die hard Yankee fans. Ironically my father’s first experience at Yankee Stadium was a New York Giant football game against the Cleveland Browns and the great Jim Brown.
Years later we wanted to give my father Yankee season tickets for his birthday, but who the heck could afford them? We settled on a package for all Saturday home games with seats in the bleachers. All I can say is thank God alcohol had already been banned from the bleacher creatures, as my father rarely drinks and my mother has never uttered a curse word in the 34 years I have been alive. At some point that season all of us attended a game with my father and participated in Roll Call with the rest of the creatures out in Section 39.
My brother is still trying to recover from a broken nose suffered at the hands of his best friend Eddie, when the Yankees played the Mets in October 2000. (First subway series since 1956). The Yankees won that night, so of course Eddie had no choice but to lock Pat out of the house. Undaunted Pat attempted to climb in his bedroom window, where Eddie promptly slammed the window on his head. Team loyalty knows no bounds.
My sister once spent $400 for two tickets (second to last row in the stadium) to take my dad to a Yankee/ Red Sox game to celebrate his birthday. She and my dad got a lot more then they ever imagined after all this was July 1, 2004, the game that Derek Jeter dove into the stands for a foul ball by Trot Nixon in the 12th inning. Thirteen innings and a win later, my dad and sister walked into the late summer night with a memory for the ages.
When my future husband flew into New York in May 2005 to meet my family, we enjoyed a wonderful day with enough family interaction to last him forever. Fortunately he was saved from any other family torture because we had tickets to the Yankee- Red Sox game. Unfortunately the Yankees lost 7-2 that night, but at least he got to experience his first Yankee game with the love of his life.
For so many people it is hard to rationalize tearing down a stadium that signifies the history of baseball. So much greatness is housed within the confines of Yankee stadium that it can not be appropriately described, but the old stadium will always be the House that Ruth built and that can never be altered. What we have to understand is that records are made to broken, history is intended to be made and it is time for current players and coaches to be given the opportunity to create new magic for future generations.
For now since I couldn’t be home in New York to witness the final game at Yankee Stadium the following verse comes to mind: “We’ll I’m NYC born and raised, but now a days I’m lost between two shores, L.A.’s fine but it ain’t home, New York’s home but it ain’t mine no more” from I AM I SAID Neil Diamond
My brother, sister and I were raised in New York and between the three of us; we attended the majority of Catholic High Schools on Long Island. Since December 2000 my brother has been a member of the FDNY, my sister and mother are both elementary school teachers on Long Island and my father is a basketball coach at Queens College. People would be hard pressed to find a family that is more willing to give back to the citizens of New York. Several things have remained constant in our lives over the years; our family loyalty and bond, our love for New York and supporting the Yankees.
My father grew up in St. Albans, NY where everyone was a Brooklyn Dodgers fan. Nuns at his Catholic school would turn the radio on during school hours for the duration of the Dodgers’ playoffs. Millions of hearts broke when the Dodgers left New York and fans were forced to align their loyalties with another team. Eventually my father ended up a reluctant Yankee fan, but his kids grew up die hard Yankee fans. Ironically my father’s first experience at Yankee Stadium was a New York Giant football game against the Cleveland Browns and the great Jim Brown.
Years later we wanted to give my father Yankee season tickets for his birthday, but who the heck could afford them? We settled on a package for all Saturday home games with seats in the bleachers. All I can say is thank God alcohol had already been banned from the bleacher creatures, as my father rarely drinks and my mother has never uttered a curse word in the 34 years I have been alive. At some point that season all of us attended a game with my father and participated in Roll Call with the rest of the creatures out in Section 39.
My brother is still trying to recover from a broken nose suffered at the hands of his best friend Eddie, when the Yankees played the Mets in October 2000. (First subway series since 1956). The Yankees won that night, so of course Eddie had no choice but to lock Pat out of the house. Undaunted Pat attempted to climb in his bedroom window, where Eddie promptly slammed the window on his head. Team loyalty knows no bounds.
My sister once spent $400 for two tickets (second to last row in the stadium) to take my dad to a Yankee/ Red Sox game to celebrate his birthday. She and my dad got a lot more then they ever imagined after all this was July 1, 2004, the game that Derek Jeter dove into the stands for a foul ball by Trot Nixon in the 12th inning. Thirteen innings and a win later, my dad and sister walked into the late summer night with a memory for the ages.
When my future husband flew into New York in May 2005 to meet my family, we enjoyed a wonderful day with enough family interaction to last him forever. Fortunately he was saved from any other family torture because we had tickets to the Yankee- Red Sox game. Unfortunately the Yankees lost 7-2 that night, but at least he got to experience his first Yankee game with the love of his life.
For so many people it is hard to rationalize tearing down a stadium that signifies the history of baseball. So much greatness is housed within the confines of Yankee stadium that it can not be appropriately described, but the old stadium will always be the House that Ruth built and that can never be altered. What we have to understand is that records are made to broken, history is intended to be made and it is time for current players and coaches to be given the opportunity to create new magic for future generations.
For now since I couldn’t be home in New York to witness the final game at Yankee Stadium the following verse comes to mind: “We’ll I’m NYC born and raised, but now a days I’m lost between two shores, L.A.’s fine but it ain’t home, New York’s home but it ain’t mine no more” from I AM I SAID Neil Diamond
Thursday, September 18, 2008
End of An Error?!
The NY Times is reporting that the Knicks are getting ready to waive PG Stephon Marbury. Last season I didn’t even watch one Knicks game because I had better things to do with my time, such as watching the grass grow in our front yard. Growing up a NY Knicks fan, the past 7 dysfunctional, losing seasons have been absolutely torturous.
The only good resulting from this debacle is that it has eased the pain from the night of June 2, 1993. I can recall sitting in my seat at Madison Square Garden, feeling as if the E train to Jamaica just ran me over, absolutely stunned at what had just occurred. If you weren’t there or can’t remember the game, it was Game 5 of the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals against the Bulls; Charles Smith missed 4 put backs in the final seconds of a game when the Knicks were down by one point.
Fifteen years later and I am actually yearning for that June night because at least those NY Knicks were hardnosed and in the playoffs. The downward spiral of the Knicks was set in motion before the hiring of Isiah Thomas as team president, however once Isiah was on board the Knicks quickly became a runaway train headed for disaster. The owner of the NY Knicks, James Dolan thought hiring a man who had run the CBA into the ground, killed the Raptors and couldn’t get the Indiana Pacers past the first round of the playoffs would actually be a quality hire. Perhaps Dolan should have conducted some basic due diligence before hiring Thomas (just a suggestion) since a Hall of Fame playing career doesn’t necessarily translate into good management skills. This chaos was only compounded when Stephon Marbury was signed in 2004, bringing a total lack of commitment, chemistry and selfishness to an already struggling team. I have to believe that the Knicks were receiving payback for not allowing Patrick Ewing to finish his career in a NY Knicks uniform.
I have friends who have not been able to give tickets away to Knicks games, but hold onto their season tickets and eat thousands of dollars a year, because they believe that change is inevitable. (Save me a ticket to opening night Mainland!) This is NY after all, the city that has the largest payroll for sports, millions of devoted fans and illustrious history. I am hopeful that as Stephon Marbury laces up his Starbury sneakers and heads out of New York, that he takes the last remaining pieces of this catastrophe with him. Please let this be the end of an error because there is only so much one fan can handle.
Perhaps if Coach Mike D’Antonio and team President Donnie Walsh don’t get the job done, then the people of NY can petition for James Dolan to be waived.
For now I am wishing that Isiah and Stephon had handled their adversity with the grace and dignity that Charles Smith possessed.
Dumb and Dumber
I know I am supposed to be mature and set a good example, especially since I have a daughter, but it appears I just can’t help myself. This week the world of athletics is asking for sarcastic remarks and comments on the lack of common sense that appears to be plaguing athletes. Clearly it is my duty to hand out awards to those athletes who have the least amount of common sense. (I wanted to call them idiots, but in my attempt to be mature, I won’t).
The first award goes to Josh Howard of the Dallas Mavericks. The great rapper, Los took video of Josh at Allen Iverson’s celebrity football game, during the singing of the Star Spangled Banner, which eventually made its way onto… You Tube. What a surprise! (Glad to see you were paying attention during the anthem as well Los). In this video clip Josh tells the world, “Star-Spangled Banner going on right now, I don’t celebrate that (expletive). I’m black.” Josh let me be the first to say I am so proud that you learned your colors in first grade. Good thing people fought to abolish slavery, gain civil rights and fight for freedom, so that you could establish that you are indeed black. I believe you are the guy who admitted during an interview to smoking pot… and they say smoking pot doesn’t cause brain damage. Fortunately Maverick’s owner Mark Cuban explained to Josh that “cellphone cameras are not your friend.” I have to say Mark, those are harsh words, but I think you are really helping a young player develop the mental skills he needs to be a leader and a role model. Please David Stern, just send Josh and Mark to the European League. In all reality this isn’t Josh’s fault; most public schools don’t even allow the pledge of allegiance before the start of class each day. I have to thank all the brave men and women in the armed forces for defending America and protecting Josh Howard’s right to free speech. Glad you are risking your life so this guy can express his innermost thoughts so eloquently. In the meantime Josh, you are so stupid you needed a haircut and went to the Clippers game.
My second award hands down, (I mean pants down) goes to Chris Cooley of the Washington Redskins. He enjoys studying his playbook in the nude (already too much information) but in this case snapped a picture of his quiz for the Saints to post on his blog. Unfortunately studying, not wearing pants and picture taking is never a good combination. Is it asking too much for Chris to have learned from the incident where he posted his check routing number on his blog. For this I say you are so stupid you thought a Quarterback was a refund.
Next up is the elusive Mark Ingram, formerly of the NY Giants, who was sentenced to 7 years for money laundering. Since it will be his third term behind bars, I am guessing the rehabilitation part of jail is not working out so well for him. Mark did say, “It hurts me to my core. This is not who I am.” Great Mark, if you don’t know who you are, we certainly don’t either. You thought you were actually a head of state, enjoying diplomatic immunity and immune from prosecution. And I am Heidi Klum. For this I say you are so stupid that when the judge said “Order in the Court” you said, “I’ll have a hamburger and a Coke.”
Lane Kiffin, Head Coach of the Oakland Raiders makes the list just for being stupid enough to take a job working for Al Davis. People ask how anyone could turn down a head coaching job in the NFL; but there are good jobs, bad jobs and jobs you have to be insane to accept. A number of years ago I was offered my first head coaching job at the collegiate level. Several people called to inform me that the school president was a loose cannon and that I should not take the job. I thought I can make anything work. Lesson learned, when the person in charge is not in touch with reality it doesn’t matter how hard you work, you will hit the pavement sooner or later. After all isn’t Al Davis the guy that sent Mike Shanahan on his way? So Lane, no matter what you do, you will eventually be kicked out the door. For even taking the job with the Raiders, I say you are so stupid when your contract said sign here, you put Libra.
Kim Willoughby, Olympic Silver Medalist in Volleyball was charged with first degree assault, for an incident outside the Pipeline Café in Honolulu in September of 2006. Her attorney said, “Anyone that knows Kim, knows that she is not a trouble maker.” Now I do not know Kim, so I can’t vouch for her status as a “non-trouble maker” but I am guessing her attorney missed her 3rd degree assault charge from June 8, 2001, for abuse of a family or household member. The 25 hours of community service, the mental health assessment and treatment doesn’t really seem to have had the desired effect. At least she can wear her silver medal around jail, if she is convicted. For learning absolutely nothing from your past actions, I say you are so stupid you thought a lawsuit was something you wear to work.
Sadly this list could go on and on, but I am 8 months pregnant and have Oreos and ice cream to eat.
For now I am teaching my daughter the value of possessing common sense.
The first award goes to Josh Howard of the Dallas Mavericks. The great rapper, Los took video of Josh at Allen Iverson’s celebrity football game, during the singing of the Star Spangled Banner, which eventually made its way onto… You Tube. What a surprise! (Glad to see you were paying attention during the anthem as well Los). In this video clip Josh tells the world, “Star-Spangled Banner going on right now, I don’t celebrate that (expletive). I’m black.” Josh let me be the first to say I am so proud that you learned your colors in first grade. Good thing people fought to abolish slavery, gain civil rights and fight for freedom, so that you could establish that you are indeed black. I believe you are the guy who admitted during an interview to smoking pot… and they say smoking pot doesn’t cause brain damage. Fortunately Maverick’s owner Mark Cuban explained to Josh that “cellphone cameras are not your friend.” I have to say Mark, those are harsh words, but I think you are really helping a young player develop the mental skills he needs to be a leader and a role model. Please David Stern, just send Josh and Mark to the European League. In all reality this isn’t Josh’s fault; most public schools don’t even allow the pledge of allegiance before the start of class each day. I have to thank all the brave men and women in the armed forces for defending America and protecting Josh Howard’s right to free speech. Glad you are risking your life so this guy can express his innermost thoughts so eloquently. In the meantime Josh, you are so stupid you needed a haircut and went to the Clippers game.
My second award hands down, (I mean pants down) goes to Chris Cooley of the Washington Redskins. He enjoys studying his playbook in the nude (already too much information) but in this case snapped a picture of his quiz for the Saints to post on his blog. Unfortunately studying, not wearing pants and picture taking is never a good combination. Is it asking too much for Chris to have learned from the incident where he posted his check routing number on his blog. For this I say you are so stupid you thought a Quarterback was a refund.
Next up is the elusive Mark Ingram, formerly of the NY Giants, who was sentenced to 7 years for money laundering. Since it will be his third term behind bars, I am guessing the rehabilitation part of jail is not working out so well for him. Mark did say, “It hurts me to my core. This is not who I am.” Great Mark, if you don’t know who you are, we certainly don’t either. You thought you were actually a head of state, enjoying diplomatic immunity and immune from prosecution. And I am Heidi Klum. For this I say you are so stupid that when the judge said “Order in the Court” you said, “I’ll have a hamburger and a Coke.”
Lane Kiffin, Head Coach of the Oakland Raiders makes the list just for being stupid enough to take a job working for Al Davis. People ask how anyone could turn down a head coaching job in the NFL; but there are good jobs, bad jobs and jobs you have to be insane to accept. A number of years ago I was offered my first head coaching job at the collegiate level. Several people called to inform me that the school president was a loose cannon and that I should not take the job. I thought I can make anything work. Lesson learned, when the person in charge is not in touch with reality it doesn’t matter how hard you work, you will hit the pavement sooner or later. After all isn’t Al Davis the guy that sent Mike Shanahan on his way? So Lane, no matter what you do, you will eventually be kicked out the door. For even taking the job with the Raiders, I say you are so stupid when your contract said sign here, you put Libra.
Kim Willoughby, Olympic Silver Medalist in Volleyball was charged with first degree assault, for an incident outside the Pipeline Café in Honolulu in September of 2006. Her attorney said, “Anyone that knows Kim, knows that she is not a trouble maker.” Now I do not know Kim, so I can’t vouch for her status as a “non-trouble maker” but I am guessing her attorney missed her 3rd degree assault charge from June 8, 2001, for abuse of a family or household member. The 25 hours of community service, the mental health assessment and treatment doesn’t really seem to have had the desired effect. At least she can wear her silver medal around jail, if she is convicted. For learning absolutely nothing from your past actions, I say you are so stupid you thought a lawsuit was something you wear to work.
Sadly this list could go on and on, but I am 8 months pregnant and have Oreos and ice cream to eat.
For now I am teaching my daughter the value of possessing common sense.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Vince Young and His Mommy
Everyone stand up and give Vince Young of the Tennessee Titans a resounding round of applause, but make sure it only contains cheers and no boos. After all he has announced that his heart is in playing football and his mommy asked nicely that we pray for Vince and support him.
Felicia Young said her son has grown weary of all the negativity he faces as an NFL star. On Monday, he indicated to those around him he didn't want to play football anymore. "Vince has gone through a whole lot as a young person,'' Felicia Young said.”And I think he has done pretty well up to this point. But it is hard, all he is going through right now. He's hurting inside and out. But he will be fine if people are prayerful and help my baby boy out. He is a young man. He just needs a lot of love and support.''
At what point do you stop referring to your son in public as your baby boy? After he wins a National Championship at Texas? After he becomes an NFL football player? After he carries a gun in his glove compartment? You will have to excuse me if I reserve my prayers for the people that need them; the sick, dying, elderly and soldiers that are deployed in harm’s way. Somehow, I just don’t think I need to take the time to ask the good Lord to help Vince make it through a football game without the fans booing him. Can you even imagine what Vince would be facing if he was playing in a New York media market as opposed to Nashville?
When the decision is made to pursue collegiate football at a major BCS school and sign an NFL contract for mega money, the choice is made to place your athletic abilities in the public eye every week for the entire football season. Play great and you will have an entire state supporting you, play poorly and feel the wrath of the fan paying your multi-million dollar salary. Have today’s professional athletes reached such a level of codling that mothers are actually appealing to the public for support of their baby boys? Let your child fight his or her own battles in public, especially when they are 24 years old, a professional NFL player and no longer in kindergarten. If they are old enough to vote and be drafted to fight in war then they should be old enough to handle getting booed on a football field.
In all reality if and when Vince Young returns from his knee injury, will his teammates welcome him back? As a player and coach, is this the quarterback I want leading my team? Perhaps the mental health issues, as well as the knee injury suffered by Vince Young will provide Kerry Collins with an opportunity to reestablish himself as a starting quarterback. After all, opportunity is what you make of it and the 14 for 21 passing performance this weekend has Collins headed in the correct direction. Hopefully, the Titans will continue to treat Young’s mental issues just as seriously as they treat rehabbing his injured knee and provide him the support he needs.
Finally, when the desire to quit NFL football strikes Vince Young, will his mom be dropping off his $51 million signing bonus? Perhaps she can return the check with the orange slices she brings for the team at half time? Or is this all just a ploy for Felicia Young to steal the Chunky Soup Commercial from Donovan McNabb’s mother Wilma?
For now I am wondering if the Titans would have been better off signing Bobby and Mama Boucher…
Felicia Young said her son has grown weary of all the negativity he faces as an NFL star. On Monday, he indicated to those around him he didn't want to play football anymore. "Vince has gone through a whole lot as a young person,'' Felicia Young said.”And I think he has done pretty well up to this point. But it is hard, all he is going through right now. He's hurting inside and out. But he will be fine if people are prayerful and help my baby boy out. He is a young man. He just needs a lot of love and support.''
At what point do you stop referring to your son in public as your baby boy? After he wins a National Championship at Texas? After he becomes an NFL football player? After he carries a gun in his glove compartment? You will have to excuse me if I reserve my prayers for the people that need them; the sick, dying, elderly and soldiers that are deployed in harm’s way. Somehow, I just don’t think I need to take the time to ask the good Lord to help Vince make it through a football game without the fans booing him. Can you even imagine what Vince would be facing if he was playing in a New York media market as opposed to Nashville?
When the decision is made to pursue collegiate football at a major BCS school and sign an NFL contract for mega money, the choice is made to place your athletic abilities in the public eye every week for the entire football season. Play great and you will have an entire state supporting you, play poorly and feel the wrath of the fan paying your multi-million dollar salary. Have today’s professional athletes reached such a level of codling that mothers are actually appealing to the public for support of their baby boys? Let your child fight his or her own battles in public, especially when they are 24 years old, a professional NFL player and no longer in kindergarten. If they are old enough to vote and be drafted to fight in war then they should be old enough to handle getting booed on a football field.
In all reality if and when Vince Young returns from his knee injury, will his teammates welcome him back? As a player and coach, is this the quarterback I want leading my team? Perhaps the mental health issues, as well as the knee injury suffered by Vince Young will provide Kerry Collins with an opportunity to reestablish himself as a starting quarterback. After all, opportunity is what you make of it and the 14 for 21 passing performance this weekend has Collins headed in the correct direction. Hopefully, the Titans will continue to treat Young’s mental issues just as seriously as they treat rehabbing his injured knee and provide him the support he needs.
Finally, when the desire to quit NFL football strikes Vince Young, will his mom be dropping off his $51 million signing bonus? Perhaps she can return the check with the orange slices she brings for the team at half time? Or is this all just a ploy for Felicia Young to steal the Chunky Soup Commercial from Donovan McNabb’s mother Wilma?
For now I am wondering if the Titans would have been better off signing Bobby and Mama Boucher…
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
LANCE RIDES AGAIN!
It’s true Lance Armstrong is coming out of retirement! He announced to Vanity Fair that he wants a shot to win an eighth Tour de France in 2009. If that doesn’t get the cycling world and fans excited they can just crawl back into their summers of Major League Baseball. Can Lance single handedly return the Tour de France to the prominence of years past when Armstrong won?
Age for many elite athletes is now simply a number to be pushed to the side. Lance Armstrong, Dara Torres, Barry Bonds and Constantina Romescu-Dita have shown the world that you are truly as young as you choose. Ironically Lance, Dara and Barry have all faced accusations of performance enhancing drug use and the rumors of Lance’s supposed drug use are right on the forefront yet again. Amazingly none of these athletes have ever failed a drug test for steroids and yet are constantly forced to defend themselves. Lance and Dara have faced numerous drug tests and passed time and again. Lance even refers to himself as the most “drug tested athlete” in the world. I won’t go down the road of Major League Baseball’s drug testing policy, but Bond’s never failed a steroid drug test, although he did fail one for amphetamines. (Benzedrine, Ephedrine, Dexedrine, Benzedrine, Adderall and Ritalin all fall under the category for amphetamine). Perhaps it is time to give these athletes their due and recognize that they are not only genetically blessed, but possess an obsessive desire to be the greatest at their sport. All of them are known for being first in and last out of their respective training grounds.
Lance Armstrong has a VO2 max of 83.8, which means nothing to the average person until you know that your range is between 40-50. This means Armstrong’s body processes oxygen at a much more efficient rate than many, although not all elite athletes. Armstrong’s greatest physical attribute is the fact that his body has an absurdly high lactate threshold, meaning it takes a longer period of time for lactic acid to accumulate in his blood system. Perhaps you can recall waking up in the middle of the night after a rough and strenuous game of ultimate frisbee, with your calf knotted in a ball causing you to cry out, as your spouse wonders why you can’t just let the dream go. You can thank lactic acid for your midnight wake up call.
It is important to realize that elite athletes not only have the genetics and desire, but also employ tremendous support teams to help them attain the highest levels of success. Age can simply be a number when you have an entourage that includes a masseuse, strength coach, nutritionist, sprint coach, personal stretchers and doctors. For the average weekend warrior it is easy to assume performance enhancing drugs are the reason for success when we can’t truly comprehend what it means to possess genetics, compulsive dedication and an “entourage”. Until a failed drug test (not a rumor, or jilted former employees so called testimony) proves me wrong, I am a supporter of Lance Armstrong and thrilled that he is returning to cycling.
Finally, please congratulate Lance as he joined another elite group of athletes when he announced the end of his retirement. He immediately joined Michael Jordan, Brett Favre, Nancy Lieberman and Roger Clemens in the elite club of those that can’t stay retired.
For now I am eagerly awaiting next summer!
Age for many elite athletes is now simply a number to be pushed to the side. Lance Armstrong, Dara Torres, Barry Bonds and Constantina Romescu-Dita have shown the world that you are truly as young as you choose. Ironically Lance, Dara and Barry have all faced accusations of performance enhancing drug use and the rumors of Lance’s supposed drug use are right on the forefront yet again. Amazingly none of these athletes have ever failed a drug test for steroids and yet are constantly forced to defend themselves. Lance and Dara have faced numerous drug tests and passed time and again. Lance even refers to himself as the most “drug tested athlete” in the world. I won’t go down the road of Major League Baseball’s drug testing policy, but Bond’s never failed a steroid drug test, although he did fail one for amphetamines. (Benzedrine, Ephedrine, Dexedrine, Benzedrine, Adderall and Ritalin all fall under the category for amphetamine). Perhaps it is time to give these athletes their due and recognize that they are not only genetically blessed, but possess an obsessive desire to be the greatest at their sport. All of them are known for being first in and last out of their respective training grounds.
Lance Armstrong has a VO2 max of 83.8, which means nothing to the average person until you know that your range is between 40-50. This means Armstrong’s body processes oxygen at a much more efficient rate than many, although not all elite athletes. Armstrong’s greatest physical attribute is the fact that his body has an absurdly high lactate threshold, meaning it takes a longer period of time for lactic acid to accumulate in his blood system. Perhaps you can recall waking up in the middle of the night after a rough and strenuous game of ultimate frisbee, with your calf knotted in a ball causing you to cry out, as your spouse wonders why you can’t just let the dream go. You can thank lactic acid for your midnight wake up call.
It is important to realize that elite athletes not only have the genetics and desire, but also employ tremendous support teams to help them attain the highest levels of success. Age can simply be a number when you have an entourage that includes a masseuse, strength coach, nutritionist, sprint coach, personal stretchers and doctors. For the average weekend warrior it is easy to assume performance enhancing drugs are the reason for success when we can’t truly comprehend what it means to possess genetics, compulsive dedication and an “entourage”. Until a failed drug test (not a rumor, or jilted former employees so called testimony) proves me wrong, I am a supporter of Lance Armstrong and thrilled that he is returning to cycling.
Finally, please congratulate Lance as he joined another elite group of athletes when he announced the end of his retirement. He immediately joined Michael Jordan, Brett Favre, Nancy Lieberman and Roger Clemens in the elite club of those that can’t stay retired.
For now I am eagerly awaiting next summer!
Help! It's 1945 and Mr. St. Denis can't get out!
Apparently Mr. Hank St. Denis the Executive Chairman of the Georgia Football League, drank too many gallons of sweet tea while sitting in his rocking chair on his front porch last week. The sugar caused his brain to short circuit and faster than greased lightning, he decided that no female would play football in his league this year. New Creation High School a member of the G.F.L. had already granted Kacy Stuart, a 14-year old female a spot on their football team as a place-kicker.
Kacy Stewart was named to the team, spent two months working out with New Creation and even participated in a scrimmage. This is a varsity athletics team and the Head Coach named Kacy to the team because she is good enough and better then her male competition for that particular position. A coach’s tenure is based on wins and losses and no coach is going to award a spot to a player who isn’t going to place the team in a better position to win.
Perhaps someone should alert Mr. St. Denis that in 1999 Middle Georgia Junior College named Tonya Parker as their place kicker. Can you imagine Mr. St. Denis, a female place kicker in your own state? How did this happen? And almost ten years ago to boot! Not only did the NJCAA allow a female on the football team, the NCAA did as well. Katie Hnida made the team at the University of Colorado and the University of New Mexico.
There are always individuals that argue boys should be allowed to play on girl’s teams and of course they should! If you are a male student athlete who loves a sport that isn’t fielded for your gender, you should be given the opportunity to try out for the girl’s team. This is just what Adam Izzicupo of Saugus, Massachusetts did several years ago when he suited up for their girl’s field hockey team. Just make darn sure you are good enough to make it, because no one wants to be “the guy” that was cut from the girl’s team.
Mr. St. Denis this is a formal invitation requesting that you join this millennium. You are a perfect example of why Title IX must remain intact for future generations. Unfortunately private schools often sacrifice some of their First Amendment rights and in this case it allows you to yield your simple minded gavel. Is it safe to assume when you sit down for dinner each night you are not looking into the faces of daughters but only sons? Or perhaps you have daughters and crush their dreams as well, even when they are capable enough to be successful in the pursuit of their dream.
What is next? A female as the Secretary of State? A woman running for the Presidential nomination? Or a woman as our next Vice President?
For now I am going to be like the old lady who fell out of the wagon…
Kacy Stewart was named to the team, spent two months working out with New Creation and even participated in a scrimmage. This is a varsity athletics team and the Head Coach named Kacy to the team because she is good enough and better then her male competition for that particular position. A coach’s tenure is based on wins and losses and no coach is going to award a spot to a player who isn’t going to place the team in a better position to win.
Perhaps someone should alert Mr. St. Denis that in 1999 Middle Georgia Junior College named Tonya Parker as their place kicker. Can you imagine Mr. St. Denis, a female place kicker in your own state? How did this happen? And almost ten years ago to boot! Not only did the NJCAA allow a female on the football team, the NCAA did as well. Katie Hnida made the team at the University of Colorado and the University of New Mexico.
There are always individuals that argue boys should be allowed to play on girl’s teams and of course they should! If you are a male student athlete who loves a sport that isn’t fielded for your gender, you should be given the opportunity to try out for the girl’s team. This is just what Adam Izzicupo of Saugus, Massachusetts did several years ago when he suited up for their girl’s field hockey team. Just make darn sure you are good enough to make it, because no one wants to be “the guy” that was cut from the girl’s team.
Mr. St. Denis this is a formal invitation requesting that you join this millennium. You are a perfect example of why Title IX must remain intact for future generations. Unfortunately private schools often sacrifice some of their First Amendment rights and in this case it allows you to yield your simple minded gavel. Is it safe to assume when you sit down for dinner each night you are not looking into the faces of daughters but only sons? Or perhaps you have daughters and crush their dreams as well, even when they are capable enough to be successful in the pursuit of their dream.
What is next? A female as the Secretary of State? A woman running for the Presidential nomination? Or a woman as our next Vice President?
For now I am going to be like the old lady who fell out of the wagon…
Friday, September 5, 2008
Billie Jean King-The Queen of Women's Athletics
Everyone on Long Island knows summer is coming to an end when traffic on the Grand Central Parkway is worse than ever (is that even possible?) and it’s not because there is a New York Mets game. The US Open, at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York draws thousands of people from all over the world. It is an opportunity for Long Island teenagers to earn extra cash as ball girls and boys, Hagen Daz and t-shirt vendors and for off duty FDNY to work concessions. The U.S. Open even provides an all day venue for those “academic types” not inclined to spend the day at school, but rather soaking up the sunny rays of the final days of summer. The U.S. Open never fails to provide something for every sports enthusiast.
Perhaps the quarterfinal matchup of Serena beating Venus (how great is that no last names needed) 7-6 (6), 7-6 (7) should have been the finals, but not every seeding can be made for television and audiences. As the 35th Anniversary of the Women’s Tennis Association is celebrated, female athletes need to reflect on their achievements and the opportunities that they have been afforded. Where would women’s tennis be today without the people who met 35 years ago in a London hotel room to form the Women’s Tennis Association? Billie Jean King was one of the people in that hotel room and she deserves the thanks and appreciation of female athletes all over the United States of America.
Billie Jean King didn’t just help start the W.T.A. she picked it up and carried it on her shoulders, using its greatest asset (herself) to promote the sport and the association. In 1973, 50 million people tuned in to watch her defeat Bobby Riggs in the battle of the sexes. This is long before every household had four televisions with ESPN running continuously. By 1990 the W.T.A. offered $23 million dollars in prize money and held 60 events in 18 countries. In 2003, Kim Clijsters became the first woman to earn $4 million in one season and by 2007 Wimbledon was awarding equal prize money. This journey took 30 years, but do you think 20 years from now members of the WNBA will have equivalent salaries of the NBA?
Billie Jean King continues to possess a passionate desire to help women succeed, thrive and develop through the arena of sport. The Women’s Sports Foundation, which she founded in 1974, continues to make strides in helping the female athlete on a daily basis. The Women’s Sports Foundation shapes public attitude about women’s sports and athletes, builds capacities for organizations that get girls active, provides equal opportunities for girls and women, and supports physically and emotionally healthy lifestyles.[1] It is imperative that all female athletes, professional, amateur and scholastic continue to push forward in the quest for equality in women’s athletics. If you have a daughter, sister or wife you owe it to them to participate in their pursuit for equality. What have you done to help foster their athletic prospects? As this generation of female athletes comes of age they can’t recall a time when a team didn’t exist for them to play on and that is because people long before them had the guts and fortitude to carry the burden. Honor Billie Jean King’s vision and dedication by remaining motivated, not becoming complacent, getting involved (http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/) and valuing the opportunities that sport provides females.
In the meantime my husband and I are trying to find out if 20 months is too young to enroll our daughter in junior tennis. After all we need to fund our retirement.
For now I am an extremely grateful female athlete.
[1] Women’s Sports Foundation http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/About-Us.aspx
Perhaps the quarterfinal matchup of Serena beating Venus (how great is that no last names needed) 7-6 (6), 7-6 (7) should have been the finals, but not every seeding can be made for television and audiences. As the 35th Anniversary of the Women’s Tennis Association is celebrated, female athletes need to reflect on their achievements and the opportunities that they have been afforded. Where would women’s tennis be today without the people who met 35 years ago in a London hotel room to form the Women’s Tennis Association? Billie Jean King was one of the people in that hotel room and she deserves the thanks and appreciation of female athletes all over the United States of America.
Billie Jean King didn’t just help start the W.T.A. she picked it up and carried it on her shoulders, using its greatest asset (herself) to promote the sport and the association. In 1973, 50 million people tuned in to watch her defeat Bobby Riggs in the battle of the sexes. This is long before every household had four televisions with ESPN running continuously. By 1990 the W.T.A. offered $23 million dollars in prize money and held 60 events in 18 countries. In 2003, Kim Clijsters became the first woman to earn $4 million in one season and by 2007 Wimbledon was awarding equal prize money. This journey took 30 years, but do you think 20 years from now members of the WNBA will have equivalent salaries of the NBA?
Billie Jean King continues to possess a passionate desire to help women succeed, thrive and develop through the arena of sport. The Women’s Sports Foundation, which she founded in 1974, continues to make strides in helping the female athlete on a daily basis. The Women’s Sports Foundation shapes public attitude about women’s sports and athletes, builds capacities for organizations that get girls active, provides equal opportunities for girls and women, and supports physically and emotionally healthy lifestyles.[1] It is imperative that all female athletes, professional, amateur and scholastic continue to push forward in the quest for equality in women’s athletics. If you have a daughter, sister or wife you owe it to them to participate in their pursuit for equality. What have you done to help foster their athletic prospects? As this generation of female athletes comes of age they can’t recall a time when a team didn’t exist for them to play on and that is because people long before them had the guts and fortitude to carry the burden. Honor Billie Jean King’s vision and dedication by remaining motivated, not becoming complacent, getting involved (http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/) and valuing the opportunities that sport provides females.
In the meantime my husband and I are trying to find out if 20 months is too young to enroll our daughter in junior tennis. After all we need to fund our retirement.
For now I am an extremely grateful female athlete.
[1] Women’s Sports Foundation http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/About-Us.aspx
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Armchair Coaches Unite
It is that time of year again, fans across America are breaking out their coolers and armchair coaches are stretching out for college football season. Opening weekend was exciting for those of us who live to second guess coaches who actually receive monetary compensation for their expertise and knowledge. However, it is the armchair coaches who must utilize their television remote control to its utmost capacity, flipping through channels during every injury, time out, commercial and stoppage of play. It is the quick trigger finger that allows us to impress our friends, family and unsuspecting seat mates on our daily commute (who have no place to run) with our abundance of useless knowledge.
Hands down the most exciting game of the weekend was Virginia Tech vs. East Carolina University. Two critical mistakes by ECU in the first half found the Pirates going into the locker room down 14-7, but they came storming back in the second half. ECU went on a 14-0 run in the fourth quarter, capped off by a blocked VT punt and T.J. Lee running it in for a touchdown! (Final score 27-22). Will the loss for Virginia Tech stir up the critics of 5th year quarterback Sean Glennon, who threw no touchdowns but had two interceptions? Well of course it will, but leave him alone, he is a 5th year senior who has started more games than not in the past three years. In the final 8 games of the season last year, he threw for 11 touchdowns, only 3 interceptions and completed 61.7 % of his passes. Glennon even managed to be named MVP of the ACC title game, although why anyone would want people to know they participate in ACC football is beyond me. Leadership and experience has to count for something in the game of football, especially for the quarterback who is the coach on the field. Tyrod Taylor (sophomore quarterback) is going to be a great quarterback in time, but right now Coach Beamer has said he is going to redshirt, so place your support behind Glennon and stop second guessing. (Sure you will). Of course the redshirt announcement would be more convincing if Tyrod wasn’t dressed in his uniform, looking like he was ready to check himself into the game. If you are a Hookie, I mean Hokie, fan wouldn’t you rather have Tyrod Taylor as your starting quarterback for three full seasons, then a few games this year?
Is that the million dollar man, nope it’s the $5 million dollar coach and it appears the investment the University of Alabama made in Nick Saban is already paying dividends. Saban had the Tide ready to roll right through those Clemson Tigers, who couldn’t even manage a growl that sort of sounded like it belonged to Tony the Tiger. Clemson is supposed to be the best in the Atlantic Coast Conference, if this is the case it is going to be a long year for every member of ACC football. The Alabama Tide simply manhandled the Tigers up, down, across and all around the field. Some suggestions that Coach Bowden of the Clemson Tigers may want to institute for the remainder of the season- invest in a new strength coach, let defensive coordinator Vic Koenning have a few Escalades to hand out on the recruiting trail and allow V.P. Candidate Gov. Sarah Palin to take your the team hunting and teach them a few hockey mom moves. Finally I need to get to New York, can someone call Coach Saban and ask if I can borrow the University plane that he is allotted 25 hours for personal use? Roll Tide Roll.
Does anyone have the phone number for the business department for the University of Michigan athletics? It is imperative that they add a clause into their “money game” contracts. Perhaps something along these lines…If said team beats the University of Michigan, on opening weekend, at the University of Michigan, said team must refund their $800,000 guarantee check immediately. Go Utes, take that 27-24 win and run right to the bank. Two years in a row, the University of Michigan has paid a total of over $1.6 million dollars to lose. Hmmm, perhaps they are taking advice from the politicians who are “balancing” the budget in California.
Coach Neuheisel could you hear Robin Roberts saying, “Get on with your bad self” as you led UCLA to a 27-24 win over the University of Tennessee? Who cares if your QB was third on the depth chart in spring ball and threw four interceptions in the first half of this game? Not a problem, Mr. I Thrive Off of Adversity. Critics of your hire? What critics? Nowhere to be found now are they? Enjoy the win!
Ahh the lure of Touchdown Jesus and the Golden Dome of Notre Dame. If only Tyrone Willingham had paid attention to the tenth commandment all those years ago when he was the Coach at Stanford 'You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.' Had he simply remained as the successful Coach at Stanford, turned away from those shiny gold helmets, he wouldn’t be stuck in football never-never land at the University of Washington. Willingham will have to contemplate his future at the University of Washington after suffering a 44-10 loss to the Ducks of Oregon. Quack, quack.
What weekend review would be complete without congratulating Coach Joe Paterno of Penn State for tying Bobby Bowden for most career wins. The big question now is will either of them ever retire, or will the quest for most wins continue on and on and on…Perhaps Paterno and Bowden could both retire right now and go out on top together. Just a suggestion. In any case, two great coaches will certainly fight on!
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, its… two very confused parachutists. The game ball for the UNC football game was supposed to be delivered via the parachutists, sadly it never arrived and UNC and McNeese State are still out on the field waiting to start the game. Apparently the parachutists got confused and landed at Duke’s Wallace Wade Stadium. You can’t make this stuff up…
“Are you ready to jump Joe, we have to get that ball delivered right away”. “Yep I’m almost ready, just trying to read these Map Blast directions before we jump, do you think its 8 more miles? Oh hey that looks like a stadium down there, let’s go”.
Do you honestly think that the Golden Knights of Army have ever accidentally landed at the Marist football stadium while delivering a game ball? The only logical explanation is that these two fine parachutists must be graduates of UNC and not Duke. Oh what fun the Cameron Crazies are going to have with this one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Axbq6UaUOfE (just in case you want to see for yourself).
For now I am an armchair football coach.
Hands down the most exciting game of the weekend was Virginia Tech vs. East Carolina University. Two critical mistakes by ECU in the first half found the Pirates going into the locker room down 14-7, but they came storming back in the second half. ECU went on a 14-0 run in the fourth quarter, capped off by a blocked VT punt and T.J. Lee running it in for a touchdown! (Final score 27-22). Will the loss for Virginia Tech stir up the critics of 5th year quarterback Sean Glennon, who threw no touchdowns but had two interceptions? Well of course it will, but leave him alone, he is a 5th year senior who has started more games than not in the past three years. In the final 8 games of the season last year, he threw for 11 touchdowns, only 3 interceptions and completed 61.7 % of his passes. Glennon even managed to be named MVP of the ACC title game, although why anyone would want people to know they participate in ACC football is beyond me. Leadership and experience has to count for something in the game of football, especially for the quarterback who is the coach on the field. Tyrod Taylor (sophomore quarterback) is going to be a great quarterback in time, but right now Coach Beamer has said he is going to redshirt, so place your support behind Glennon and stop second guessing. (Sure you will). Of course the redshirt announcement would be more convincing if Tyrod wasn’t dressed in his uniform, looking like he was ready to check himself into the game. If you are a Hookie, I mean Hokie, fan wouldn’t you rather have Tyrod Taylor as your starting quarterback for three full seasons, then a few games this year?
Is that the million dollar man, nope it’s the $5 million dollar coach and it appears the investment the University of Alabama made in Nick Saban is already paying dividends. Saban had the Tide ready to roll right through those Clemson Tigers, who couldn’t even manage a growl that sort of sounded like it belonged to Tony the Tiger. Clemson is supposed to be the best in the Atlantic Coast Conference, if this is the case it is going to be a long year for every member of ACC football. The Alabama Tide simply manhandled the Tigers up, down, across and all around the field. Some suggestions that Coach Bowden of the Clemson Tigers may want to institute for the remainder of the season- invest in a new strength coach, let defensive coordinator Vic Koenning have a few Escalades to hand out on the recruiting trail and allow V.P. Candidate Gov. Sarah Palin to take your the team hunting and teach them a few hockey mom moves. Finally I need to get to New York, can someone call Coach Saban and ask if I can borrow the University plane that he is allotted 25 hours for personal use? Roll Tide Roll.
Does anyone have the phone number for the business department for the University of Michigan athletics? It is imperative that they add a clause into their “money game” contracts. Perhaps something along these lines…If said team beats the University of Michigan, on opening weekend, at the University of Michigan, said team must refund their $800,000 guarantee check immediately. Go Utes, take that 27-24 win and run right to the bank. Two years in a row, the University of Michigan has paid a total of over $1.6 million dollars to lose. Hmmm, perhaps they are taking advice from the politicians who are “balancing” the budget in California.
Coach Neuheisel could you hear Robin Roberts saying, “Get on with your bad self” as you led UCLA to a 27-24 win over the University of Tennessee? Who cares if your QB was third on the depth chart in spring ball and threw four interceptions in the first half of this game? Not a problem, Mr. I Thrive Off of Adversity. Critics of your hire? What critics? Nowhere to be found now are they? Enjoy the win!
Ahh the lure of Touchdown Jesus and the Golden Dome of Notre Dame. If only Tyrone Willingham had paid attention to the tenth commandment all those years ago when he was the Coach at Stanford 'You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.' Had he simply remained as the successful Coach at Stanford, turned away from those shiny gold helmets, he wouldn’t be stuck in football never-never land at the University of Washington. Willingham will have to contemplate his future at the University of Washington after suffering a 44-10 loss to the Ducks of Oregon. Quack, quack.
What weekend review would be complete without congratulating Coach Joe Paterno of Penn State for tying Bobby Bowden for most career wins. The big question now is will either of them ever retire, or will the quest for most wins continue on and on and on…Perhaps Paterno and Bowden could both retire right now and go out on top together. Just a suggestion. In any case, two great coaches will certainly fight on!
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, its… two very confused parachutists. The game ball for the UNC football game was supposed to be delivered via the parachutists, sadly it never arrived and UNC and McNeese State are still out on the field waiting to start the game. Apparently the parachutists got confused and landed at Duke’s Wallace Wade Stadium. You can’t make this stuff up…
“Are you ready to jump Joe, we have to get that ball delivered right away”. “Yep I’m almost ready, just trying to read these Map Blast directions before we jump, do you think its 8 more miles? Oh hey that looks like a stadium down there, let’s go”.
Do you honestly think that the Golden Knights of Army have ever accidentally landed at the Marist football stadium while delivering a game ball? The only logical explanation is that these two fine parachutists must be graduates of UNC and not Duke. Oh what fun the Cameron Crazies are going to have with this one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Axbq6UaUOfE (just in case you want to see for yourself).
For now I am an armchair football coach.
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