SF Giants Winning Games

The NL West leading San Francisco Giants (7-2) now have hitting and are ready to face the division rival Dodgers (3-4) come Friday in L.A.. Going to Mannywood never looked so good.

Dodger Blue

The Giants beat up on the Pittsburgh Pirates today, hitting three home runs and paving the way for pitcher Jonathan Sanchez 8-inning masterpiece. Sanchez would end the game with 11 strike outs.

Though the Giants have faced two mediocre teams (Astros, Pirates) and one good team (Braves), they seem to have that team chemistry which gives them the edge in close games. They never seem to be out of a game thanks to their batters.

They may not be a powerhouse team, but right now they're playing like a contender.

Go Giants!

Final Score
Pirates 0
Giants 6

U.S. Rebellion Ignites Civil War 150 Years Ago

Today, descendants of this rebellious southern confederacy wish to proclaim the month following Black History month as Confederate Heritage Month.

What's at issue is the brutal institution of slavery imposed on black people by southern ancestors of the south. Slavery was designed, implemented and preserved to the death by the south for hundreds of years and yet is nowhere to be found in the proclamation. Nor is there any apology for the southern insurgents who took up arms against the United States of America one-hundred fifty years ago.

Keeping slavery out of the discussion of the Confederacy is like declaring "German Military History Month" and ignoring the Holocaust.

While the Governor of Virginia, (R) Bob McDonnell, did eventually apologize for failing to mention slavery in his Confederacy Day proclamation, the Governor of Mississippi considered an apology trivial, insignificant and in the classic language of the southern good-ole-boy, "a nit."

So I ask myself, should the Governors of Virginia and Mississippi apologize for not acknowledging the transgressions and seditious actions of their ancestors? I really haven't gotten past the fact that the United States Federal Government would allow a State of the Union to proclaim for itself an honorary day for participating in what today would be considered a Terrorist act of aggression against the United States.

I do wonder if somewhere in Germany there's a district, city or state that has an honorary day for Adolf Hitler, The Nazi Party or the Third Reich. You can bet somewhere in these southern United States there's a day honoring Confederacy president Jefferson Davis (1860-1865).



excerpts from Associated Press
by Emily Wagster Pettus

Jackson, Miss. - Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour drew criticism for proclaiming April as Confederate Heritage Month without mentioning slavery, the second governor this month to come under fire for the omission.

Barbour's office did not respond to a request Monday for a copy of his 2010 Confederate Heritage Month proclamation.

Mississippi's declaration of secession before the Civil War said: "Our position is thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery. ... Its labor supplies the product, which constitutes by far the largest and most important portions of commerce of the earth. These products are peculiar to the climate verging on the tropical regions, and by an imperious law of nature, none but the black race can bear exposure to the tropical sun. These products have become necessities of the world, and a blow at slavery is a blow at commerce and civilization."

http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/editorials/hc-barbour-slavery-comment-nit.artapr14,0,4207163.story

I Pray To God My Soul To Keep

The Song Of Bernadette by Franz Werfel
published 1942
575 pages

April 11, 2010
Sunday 5:27pm

I've just completed the reading of Franz Werfel's "The Song of Bernadette" and its left me glowing with grace.

Bernadette Soubirous

This epic story, based on actual events, is a challenging yet engrossing read from beginning to end. I enjoyed living with the graceful innocence of the blessed Bernadette Soubirous. So much of her life was a blueprint for us mere mortal sinners on how to live in appreciation of our gift of life.

The author, Franz Werfel, shows us how a wordsmith can enchant readers with a story that captures the imagination and teaches as it preaches.

I will not soon forget "The Song of Bernadette," simply because a talented word-smith's promise to God to write about these immaculate events has stood the test of time.

This being my third book by Franz Werfel, I now understand what attracts me to his classical voice; Franz's style of writing, though a difficult read today due to translation and half a century's old style, speaks directly to man's sense of what is Holy and righteous. It matters not your religion, if you read this story with an open heart to truth, you'll receive its timeless fountain of blessings.

Man and Womankind are truly eternal souls inhabiting earthly bodies with incredibly blinding minds.

A Masterpiece!


Not wealth but poverty is the last refuge of materialism.

Need and want are condemned to overestimate the value of common material things. pg.258

Opening Day At AT&T Park

The San Francisco Giants won their season home opener in gutsy fashion, utilizing 8 pitchers through 13 innings with the result being a 5-4 victory.

The Atlanta Braves, thanks in part to former A's pitcher Tim Hudson, dominated the first 8 innings until our "man of the season," Giants Edgar Renteria, tied it with a two run one out bottom of the ninth home run. The Giants then battled the Braves pitcher for pitcher until Aaron Rowan drove in the winning run with 2-outs in the bottom of the 13th. Giants are now 4-0. Go Giants!

Atlanta	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Cabrera, Me, CF-LF	5	1	1	0	2	0	4	.111
Prado, 3B	4	2	3	0	3	1	0	.625
Escobar, Y, SS	5	0	1	0	1	1	4	.235
Glaus, 1B	6	1	2	1	0	0	7	.294
Diaz, M, LF	3	0	2	2	0	1	2	.400
McLouth, CF	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	.200
Infante, 2B	5	0	0	0	1	2	4	.125
Heyward, RF	5	0	0	0	1	4	2	.176
Ross, D, C	3	0	1	1	1	1	0	.333
b-McCann, PH-C	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	.300
Hudson, T, P	3	0	0	0	0	1	1	.000
a-Conrad, PH	1	0	0	0	0	1	3	.000
Saito, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Wagner, B, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
O'Flaherty, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
c-Hinske, PH	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.333
Moylan, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Medlen, P	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.000
Totals	46	4	11	4	9	14	28	.252

San Francisco	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Rowand, CF	6	1	2	1	0	2	2	.273
Renteria, SS	5	2	3	2	0	1	1	.688
Sandoval, P, 3B	5	0	1	1	0	0	2	.278
Huff, A, 1B	4	0	0	1	0	1	0	.222
Wilson, B, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Romo, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
b-Torres, PH	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Affeldt, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
DeRosa, LF	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	.250
Runzler, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Ishikawa, 1B	2	0	0	0	0	1	1	.333
Molina, B, C	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	.273
1-Whiteside, PR-C	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.250
Bowker, RF	5	0	0	0	0	1	1	.214
Uribe, 2B	4	1	1	0	1	0	1	.375
Sanchez, J, P	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000
Medders, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
a-Schierholtz, PH	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.333
Mota, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Joaquin, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Velez, E, LF	2	1	1	0	0	1	1	.333
Totals	43	5	9	5	1	9	11	.309

Atlanta	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Hudson, T	7.0	3	2	2	0	2	0	2.57
Saito(H, 1)	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0.00
Wagner, B(BS, 1)	1.0	2	2	2	0	1	1	6.00
O'Flaherty	1.0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0.00
Moylan	1.0	1	0	0	0	2	0	0.00
Medlen(L, 0-1)	1.2	2	1	0	1	2	0	0.00
Totals	12.2	9	5	4	1	9	1	2.50

San Francisco	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Sanchez, J	4.1	7	3	3	2	6	0	6.23
Medders	1.2	1	0	0	0	2	0	9.00
Mota	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0.00
Joaquin	0.1	1	1	1	1	0	0	9.00
Runzler	1.2	0	0	0	3	1	0	0.00
Wilson, B	1.2	1	0	0	2	2	0	0.00
Romo	1.1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0.00
Affeldt(W, 2-0)	1.0	1	0	0	1	1	0	0.00
Totals	13.0	11	4	4	9	14	0	2.02

Raiders Quarterback of the Future?

Click to read this interesting article about why NFL teams should draft Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen: ESPN Magazine

How a novel "The Priest" rescued me

Ralph McInerny, You Make Me Smile

February 3, 2010 by Bradley Birzer

Ralph McInerny died this past weekend.

Death is, of course, as much a part of life as living is. No one escapes it. And, yet, we never get entirely used to or comfortable with it. At least, I don’t. Memories of the loss of a daughter and grandfather still haunt me. And, yet, I love to walk through the cemetery across the road from my house—a stunning 19^th century cemetery full of mystery and hope and beauty. Live lived fully, lives barely lived, complex stories each.

When I saw this past Saturday on Carl Olson’s Ignatius Insight Scoop blog that Ralph McInerny had passed away, I smiled. I ran to the top of the stairs, yelled down to my wife that he had died, and then I smiled again.

I will fully admit, this is not my usual first reaction to hearing about a death. But, McInerny seems a special case. After reading Carl’s posting, my first image—even before hollering down to my wife–was that of McInerny meeting his own wife, Jacques Maritain, Aquinas, and Dante beyond the Gates. I have a feeling the several of them have a lot of catching up to do; and I’m equally sure that the conversation will continue. . . eternally.

Though I consider one of McInerny’s sons, Dan, a good friend, I only had the privilege of meeting the father once. Sponsored by our college Catholic Society, Ralph McInerney came to Hillsdale shortly after I arrived here (1999) and gave an excellent talk to a group of Catholic faculty. I found him piercingly intelligent and equally kind. His visit has stayed with me through the past decade.

Just writing this quasi-obituary, the smile returns. What more could a Christian give to the world than what McInerny gave, short of martyrdom?

Surely, if there is justice, history will remember McInerny as one of the wittiest Christian thinkers and apologists of his age. A pillar of all that is good at the University of Notre Dame—indeed, perhaps one of the three men (along with Fathers Bill Miscamble and Marvin O’Connell) who has served as Notre Dame’s conscience for years—a proper critic of the excesses of the culture surrounding Vatican II, a “Peeping Thomas” as he called himself, and a prose writer of considerable grace and imagination, McInerny offered himself as a citizen of the City of God to this City of Man during the entirety of his lifetime.

Now residing in Michigan, my wife (a Texan) and I (a Kansan) frequently and insanely pack five children into our Honda Odyssey (named “Aeneas” just to spite the Greeks) and venture to the middle and southern parts of the country to visit our respective extended families. While the kids spill stuff (which will remain for this quasi-obituary undefined) on the seats and the floor of the van, push one another, and watch the landscape fly by, my wife reads McInerny novels to me. Being more than a bit of an obsessive-compulsive, Germanic control-type of person, I drive. I also listen. McInerny’s works have been a central part of our family travels since our marriage. I know his protagonists well—Roger Knight, Father Dowling, and Vincent Traeger. They almost seem like family.

But, it’s not just McInerney’s mysteries. I will never forget one drive when Dedra (my wife) read a particular passage from his 1991 novel, The Search Committee. The passage involved a committee discussion about which minority/”outgroup” person would be most qualified to serve as a university chancellor. The answer, stated with complete irreverence, was so funny, that at least ten mile markers flew by before we could stop laughing. I’ll leave the answer for your own reading pleasure.

And, I’ll never forget the sobering and emotional (to the point of being gut wrenching) moments in Professor McInerny’s Connelly: A Life, the story of a “Spirit of Vatican II” priest re-evaluating his life and its meaning.

For years, McInerny served as the Michael P. Grace Professor of Medieval Studies at Notre Dame. A proper and just title, indeed. A professor, a writer, a wit, a father, a husband, a publisher, an editor. . . .

So, Professor McInerny, I continue to smile. You give me great hope in the power of a Christian, a professor, a thinker, and an author to temper, to poke fun of, and even—through the gratuitous gifts of grace—to leaven this City of Man.

Ralph (if I may), enjoy the reunions and the conversations far beyond this world. I hope to join you some day.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

1. on February 4, 2010 at 8:43 pm | Reply William Chellis

   Amen.

   
   
2. on April 9, 2010 at 12:40 pm | Reply W Powell

   Your comment is awaiting moderation.
   

   I’m not a Catholic nor did I know the distinguished Ralph McInerny, but your post eulogizing the man has given me a glimpse of who he was and how he touched peoples.

   By mere coincidence I came across a bunch of books sprawled in front of an apartment building early yesterday morning. Being a lover of books, I wanted to adopt them all. But, as time and schedule would have it, I was only able to rescue one. That book turned out to be “The Priest” by Ralph McInerny.

   As I read the first few pages while waiting at the bus stop. I liked the style of writing and determined to later google the author and find out more about him. Meanwhile, later that day I was to call the Sacred Heart Parish at Univ. of Notre Dame where my late father’s name was to be included in the mass being read at the Basilica crypt this weekend.

   While browsing the web for a phone number to Sacred Heart I came across the obituary of the author of the book I’d rescued earlier that morning. In reading the obituary I was shocked to find out he was affiliated with Notre Dame and his name had recently been included at Mass as well. I believe he was buried at the Basilica.

   When I contacted Notre Dame’s Rev. Thomas J. Jones csc, I asked about Mr. McInerny. Rev. Thomas said he knew him well and had visited him frequently at the hospital.

   I share this all with you because in the past few days leading to the upcoming mass, I’ve been thinking of my father quite a bit. When all the pieces of this coincidence finally fell togethe: the rescuing a book, the author’s recent passing and his affiliation with Notre Dame, Rev. Jones prayers at his hospital bed. I get the feeling that my father and Ralph McInerny will be crossing paths in heaven. The realization brought a smile to my face like the one you mentioned you had in your post. I guess you could call it comforting.

   So I’ll read the book “The Priest” knowing that it was meant for me to read it. The book carries a slight smokey smell as if it had survived a fire. Maybe that’s the message, one of soul survival.

.......Many Blessing!

And I have asked to be
Where no storms come,
Where the green swell is in the havens dumb,
And out of the swing of the sea.

Gerard Manley Hopkins

Hail To The Raiders!

The Washington Redskins can have former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. I'm sticking with our guy Bruce Gradkowski out of quarterback producing western Pennsylvania. He's young, intelligent, mobile, a natural born leader and he's hungry.

If we focus on giving a mobile Bruce Almighty some decent offensive line protection, the Raiders offense will be a force to be reckoned with. The Washington Redskins need McNabb more than we do. We need solid draft picks, coaching stability and someone in the middle who can stuff the run consistently.

We Need Raiders!

Goliath Barely Survives David! Barely!

On a day in sports where:

- Tiger Woods gives another interview

- NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb traded to Washington Redskins

- Major League Baseball opening day games nationwide

The biggest and best story of the day though was the exciting NCAA Men's Basketball Championship game between David and Goliath. Instant Classic!

The Duke Blue Devils, playing the part of Goliath, were expected to dominate the smaller, and assumed lesser, Butler Bulldogs. The game turned out to be one of the best Championship games in the history of the tournament. The teams went back and forth from beginning to end with the final Butler desperation shot banking off the backboard and clanging from the rim at the buzzer. It was that close.
ESPN Quote:
---------- "Butler didn't lose this game, Duke won it"

Final Score
Duke 61
Butler 59

(5) Butler 59
(33-5, 18-0 Horizon)

(1) Duke 61
(35-5, 13-3 ACC)

Giants Opening Day Telecast

Just the way to start what looks to be a promising baseball season. The San Francisco Giants will have their opening day away game

Telecast at AT&T Ballpark FREE.

That's right, Comcast SportsNet and the Giants have teamed up to give fans a fun-filled baseball 2010 opening. For baseball fans there's nothing like going to the ballpark and having full reign of the place. Bring a glove and ball to sniff and toss as countdown season opener begins.

Gates open at 1:00pm with free hot-dogs to the first 5,000, SportsNet giveaways to the first 2,000, and alumni autographs available right up until game time. The Giants face the Astros in Houston.

The NCAA Championship game will also be shown, most likely following the game.

Just think, last year in August AT&T Park sponsored a Creature Features night with on-screen zombie movies.

Armageddon In America?

When former President George W. Bush established the Homeland Security organization after the attacks of 9/11/01, he probably didn't expect a terrorist threat from "Christian Militiamen" born and raised in the American heartlands of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.

As we uncover and learn more about the creation and mission statement of the Hutaree Militia, I find myself giving thanks to G-Dubya and his staff for diverting my terrorist concerns away from our homeland and keeping it focused on middle eastern Islamic fundamentalists for so long.

As of this week though the Matrix of Terror has been unveiled on the shores of America and we Americans must face the deadly reality that has been stirring beneath the surface for years; the annihilation and destruction of a great nation begins from within.

As Malcolm X so controversially put it some forty-seven years ago after JFK was assassinated; this is the result of "the chickens coming home to roost." Meaning this is the result of the climate-of-hate.




This combo of eight photos provided by the U.S. Marshals Service on Monday March 29, 2010 shows from top left, David Brian Stone Sr., 44, of Clayton, Mich,; David Brian Stone Jr. of Adrian, Mich,; Jacob Ward, 33, of Huron, Ohio; Tina Mae Stone and bottom row from left, Michael David Meeks, 40, of Manchester, Mich,; Kristopher T. Sickles, 27, of Sandusky, Ohio; Joshua John Clough, 28, of Blissfield, Mich.; and Thomas William Piatek, 46, of Whiting, Ind.,. Nine suspects tied to Hutaree, a Christian militia. There's a lot of anger out there. But the alleged plot by Midwestern militants and violent outbursts by scattered individuals don't signal any coming wave of extremist violence, federal investigators say.There's more fizzle than fight among self-styled militias and other groups right now, they say, and little chance of a return to the organized violence that proved so deadly in the 1990s. (AP Photo/U.S. Marshall)

Dayton Flyers Advance to NIT Championship

Chris Johnson Tallies 22 Points And 10 Rebounds Against Rebels

In honor of a good friend of mine from Dayton, Ohio, I post this National Invitational Tournament (NIT) result.

The Dayton Flyers Men's Basketball team held off Ole Miss (Mississippi) 68-63 to advance to the championship game of the NIT. They'll face the North Carolina Tar Heels in the championship game, who won by one point in overtime against Rhode Island tonight, 68-67.

Dayton last played in an NIT championship game in 1968, defeating Kansas. In tonight's game played in New York City's Madison Square Garden, Chris Johnson led Flyers scorers with 22 points.

Thanks to my friend from Dayton I know that the team name "Flyers" represents the feats and accomplishments of Dayton hometown heroes of long ago. That would be Orville and Wilbur Wright (The Wright Brothers) and their Flying machine. The brothers had a dream to fly and made it into a reality.

Good luck Dayton on your quest of flying higher toward a long overdue championship. You've already made Orville and Wilbur proud.

see 1968 NIT Bracket of 16 teams

BUTLER BULLDOGS! MADNESS!

March Madness just notched the madness up a level with the upset of #1 seeded Syracuse by the Hoosier-ville Butler Bulldogs. The Bulldogs, out of Indianapolis, Indiana, outplayed and outscored the bigger Syracuse Orangemen to advance to their first ever Elite-Eight round of the NCAA Tournament. Is it coincidence or devine intervention that the Final Four games are to be played in Indianapolis this year? For the Bulldogs to be a step away from playing at home in the Final Four?

This Is Madness!

Final Score

(5) Butler 63

(31-4, 18-0 Horizon)

(1) Syracuse 59

(30-5, 15-3 Big East)

• Watch Highlights
  

Butler War Song
We'll sing the Butler war song,
We'll give a fighting cry;
We'll fight the Butler battle--
Bulldogs ever do or die.
And in the glow of the victory firelight,
Hist'ry cannot deny
To add a page or two
For Butler's fighting crew
Beneath the Hoosier sky.

Palin Targeting More Than Moose

Just when it seems our elected officials have passed a bill that's aimed at improving the quality of life for all Americans, there's one former "Rogue" official aiming to take down those who voted in favor of the bill.

The Health Care Bill has created as much anger and division in our political community as the Civil War. Congressional representatives have been spit on, harassed with racial and gender slurs and threatened with violence due in part to their vote in favor of the Bill. I as an American citizen find these reactions to the passing of a Bill appalling and embarrassing.

So when I came across former governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin's, blog post urging American citizens to take aim against those elected officials who voted for the Health Care Bill, I wasn't surprised, just hurt. Palin's plea for "taking back the 20" House of Representatives seats who voted for the bill wouldn't be so disturbing had it not been accompanied by a U.S.A. map showing 20 targets in the cross-hairs of a rifle scope. Below the map she names her targets, 20 congressional names, American names.

Its one thing to flub a Katie Couric interview and blame it on gotcha journalism, its quite another to use language and diagrams that can incite violent insurrections across the country. In the days of Abraham Lincoln this type of act was called "Treason." Today we call it remarks irresponsible and insensitive to the safety of fellow Americans.

Hopefully, Sarah Palin and those who support her will not take a ballistic approach to the Health Care law by use of arms. If a proclamation for the Emancipation of Slavery could set off a regional rebellion 150 years ago using percussion cap rifles (a step above flintlock rifles), imagine today's reaction from a national proclamation urging the taking up of arms against opposing party members. With today's destructive modern assault weaponry the result could be nothing short of a massacre. Beware Rogue Madness!

USNews Opinion Excerpt:

Sarah Palin, for one. She's got several Tea Party speeches coming up. Earlier this week, she posted on her Facebook page a list of lawmakers who voted for the healthcare bill--like Boehner, she's urging supporters to organize this fall in key re-election campaigns. It's great that she's encouraging people to get involved in elections, but then she marks the target districts on an accompanying map with cross hairs from a gun. As someone who was very recently an elected official herself, you'd think she'd be sensitive to the reasons not to use cross hairs as icons for elected officials. Rather than sending a subtle message to those audiences with a graphic like that, she might want to use her media platform to rise above the craziness, and to convince other grass-roots leaders to do the same. The rest of us can talk about taking things down a notch, but the most influential voices will be the ones coming from inside the movement.

1970 Chevelle SS

Go for a ride in a 1970 classic and feel the rumble.




For you GTO fans, check out this piece of nostalgia:

The Judge

Other links:

Oldsmobile 442

Dodge

More GTO Judge

Little Rascals

Our Gang in 1934: "Hi'-Neighbor!" picture with Matthew "Stymie" Beard, schoolteacher Mrs. Fern Carter, Marvin "Bubbles" Trin, Tommy Bupp, Scotty Beckett, Donald Proffitt, Tony Kales, Tommy "Butch" Bond, Wally Albright, and George "Spanky" McFarland.

While watching an old 1934 version of "The Count of Monte Cristo" I immediately recognized a little kid in the movie as one of the Little Rascals. You know how it is with the Little Rascals, if they were a part of your childhood they never leave your memory.

This kid in the movie, with blonde locks and a kind face, was playing the role of a Count's son, resembling nothing of the poor, depression era Rascals. I thought back and pulled a number of names from my Rascals memory bank; Weezer, Butch, Uh Huh, Froggy, Jackie, Waldo.

Surprised that I remembered names and episodes so well, I knew this kid wasn't one of those I'd thought of. Then it hit me, rich kid. I remember him playing the role of a richly dressed kid sitting in the back of an expensive chauffeured car, top down, watching the Little Rascals as they play on a merry-go-round pulled by a mule.

Eventually the rich kid befriends the Little Rascals and sneaks away from his rich home to play and get all dirty with them.

The episode is called "Honkey Donkey," and is one of the funniest of the lot. The mule named "Algebra," runs when he hears a sneeze and stops to sit down when an alarm bell sounds, thus the kids were able to control his pulling and stopping of the merry-go-round. A little pepper, an alarm clock and loads of laughs.

I write about this just to show how great the internet can be in helping us relive some of the fun times of childhood. I looked up the kid actor from the movie "Wally Albright," and confirmed that he played in some of the Hal Roach "Our Gang" episodes. His Rascals name was actually Wally. You can watch many of the episodes, some colorized, online at: http://heustess.com/episodes.htm

Here's a great link to a page that features the picture and name of just about every kid that performed in the "Our Gang" little rascals shows:

"Our Gang"

Stockton Thunder Clap

Nothing like a minor league hockey game to make the sports juices bubble over. It would be a different kind of march madness on this Saturday night. I was invited to a great hockey match Saturday evening in Stockton, California, home of the University of Pacific Tigers and the Asparagus Festival. Their local minor league team, the Stockton Thunder, had more than a goalie's handful of puck's to defend against from the visiting Utah Grizzlies.

The Thunder came out aggressive in the first period and outscored the Grizzlies 2-1. In the second period it was the Grizzlies turn to scrape up the ice with aggressive play, scoring two goals to the Thunder's 1 and tying the game at 3 goals apiece.

Then came the third and final period. Who knew what we'd get from the Thunder at the drop of the puck to begin this period. With the crowded house of 9,800 fans sporting Thunder gear, thanks in part to the kids replica jersey giveaway night promotion, home ice gave a slight advantage to the Thunder.

As the period slowly slipped away the score remained frozen at 3-3. There were many deserving penalties on both sides of the ice as neither team could crunch their way toward a winning goal. Then with 16:11 in regulation showing on the clock the Thunder Struck!

It took mental endurance and a coordinated team effort to get into scoring position and execute what would be the Thunder's winning goal. The Utah-ites went immediately into wounded mode and aggressively attacked the Thunder goal with bear-like clawing throughout the remaining minutes, which seemed like hours.

The goalie for the Thunder blocked, caught, crawled and kicked missile guided pucks away from the net over and over. With the final seconds ticking away and Grizzlies on the prowl, a Thunder player stole the final threat out of the claws of a Grizzly and with a sharp swipe of his stick sent the puck careening down ice to run out the clock.

The small-town crowd of roaring kids and childlike adults were catapulted into a standing thunderous applause. The Stockton Thunder had weathered a Grizzly ice storm and come away with a 4-3 win.

I don't know about my true loyalty to the San Jose Sharks, who as of today are on a six-game losing streak dropping to second in their division. But I know the Stockton Thunder and their fans have my respect for putting on a hockey game that rolled me over physically, emotionally and vocally.

Roll Thunder Roll!

Andrew Perugini made 43 stops over the final two periods to reach the 20-win mark for the 2nd straight season.
(photo by George Steckler)

The Collector - Horror Made Easy

I remember horror movies that made you scared to walk into the kitchen at night as an adolescent, fearful that you'd meet some scarred up psycho who'd escaped from the state mental asylum with a rusty hook knife. Or as the old timers called them, a gutting knife.

Such was my fear-filled imagination growing up at a time that horror movies were targeted at drug induced teenagers. Watching the movie "The Collector" brought back some of those fearful memories from that horrific era of movie watching. A time where the anticipation of what was going to happen tightened the fear in you like a pulled bow string.

This movie doesn't use the CGI tricks or creative applied make-up tactics to get a yell out of you. Instead, its a suspense-thriller that puts you in the shoes of those who are stalked. Oh, there's blood alright, but its the method of the madness causing the blood to splatter that makes you cringe.

You'll catch yourself watching and thinking at first that its not so bad a situation. But then as the little observations you've made start adding up and you begin to feel as if there's no escape, as if the closet you're locked inside is closing in on you, your calm while in the storm style begins to wear thin and the panic clock ticks just a bit faster. You want out.

And just as you think you've finally....................

Oh no no no, you'll have to watch the movie to earn that thrill.

This movie isn't anything new in horror, its just some good old fashioned suspense horror at its finest. Check it out if you like horror movies or miss the good old days of horror. You won't be disappointed. Now Buckle Up and ride safely!

Bobcat Madness!

On a day that former NBA superstar Michael Jordan officially announced his taking over the ownership of the Charlotte Bobcats, there was another Bobcat making some noise while prowling through the jungle of sports.

(14) Ohio 97
(22-14, 7-9 MAC)

(3) Georgetown 83
(23-11, 10-8 Big East)

The Ohio Bobcats of Athens,Ohio pulled off the first upset of the NCAA Basketball tournament with a dominating 97-83 drumming of the #3 Georgetown Hoyas. The Bobcats, a 14 seed, attacked the Hoyas with 3-pointers (14) and at one point led by 19 points. What's so amazing about these Bobcats is that they won the MAC conference tournament as a 9 seed and were only 7-9 in conference play. But here they are, prowling along a path that leads to the second round of the NCAA tourney.

I've been tuned into the games all day knowing that my non-sports plans this weekend will call for a little creativity and lots of peek-a-boo moments to stay up on the games.

This Is Madness!

Raiders Draft Wish List

During the 2009 NFL season I was told of this college defensive tackle that's a beast. The stories of this man among boys came from one of those football friends who puts your knowledge of the players and game to shame, you know the ones.

Well here we are with draft day slowly approaching and I come across a "Mock Draft" put together by ESPN analyst Bucky Brooks. A mock draft is what it is, a mock, a mimicry, an imitation. But for Bucky however, to be drawing dollars from ESPN for putting it together, there must be some good fiber in the sandwich. As I scroll down to the Raiders #8 pick I see that Bucky has slotted Nebreska's defensive tackle, Ndamukong Suh, as the pick.

Now it all comes back to me, the friend who spoke so animatedly about a boy named Suh who played like a Man-child, wreaking havoc on college offenses. Ndamukong Suh, a 6'4, 300-pound defensive weapon that won five legendary defensive awards in 2009 and was nominated for the Heisman Trophy.

I know the Raiders need help on the offensive line, but to pass up a gem like Suh if he's available at number 8, could seriously haunt the Raiders for years to come. If its true that Defense Wins Championships, then Suh is a winning pick for the Raiders and could anchor a championship defense. Oh, I almost forgot, he also catches passes.

Vote Suh!

How Legends Are Born

Did you know that San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo "Kung Fu Panda" Sandoval is ambidextrous and can throw with his gloved hand? Glove off of course. Well, that's what an article in the San Francisco Chronicle today highlighted when talking about how the Panda legend was born.

I'm not sure how throwing with the hand reserved for catching ties into the nickname Panda, maybe Pandas are ambidextrous too. But Pablo is definitely turning out to be a throwing, catching and hitting legend in the making. He brings so much to the Giants team and I don't mean in calorie pounds. Just look at that big puffy panda smile on him after making a play, or after a teammate makes a play, and you gotta love his spirit. If former Giants slugger Barry Bonds was the antihero of team unity then Pablo is definitely the hero.

Here's a link to the Chronicle article by staff writer Henry Schulman, who did a hell of a job on the story. Thanks for reminding us of "Sidd Finch" Henry, especially with April just around the corner. Pablo is one amazing Panda and we Giants fans are so lucky to have him.

"In small-town Oregon, the Panda legend was born"