For all you golfers out there. This is not about your beloved games equipment.
Get over yourselves.
I have the real wood vs metal comparison for you. That's right "Tennis anyone?
With the Australian Open tournament just having finished up (god, didn't we all know that Federer was going to win) It conjures up memories of a time when a man just needed a hunk of wood with some cat gut to get the job done. When a players talent not his equipment proved him a champion. Damn you technology... damn you! Thanks but no thanks for the 150 mph serve and slingshot rackets.
I remember 40 kids practicing together all with wood rackets at swim club, the whole family owned wood rackets and would never think of using some flimsy new fangled racket made of some metal stuff.
Using wood gets you scrapes and cracks on your racket, we wouldn't care, we'd just tape it up continue playing.
Besides wood had cool signatures on the rackets of all the greats like, Chris Evert, Billie Jean King, Bjorn Borg, Doris Hart and Jack Kramer to name few.
I have now in my collection 30 plus wooden rackets, my wife thinks I'm nuts & friends think its weird. I can't explain the attraction of the wood but maybe it just keeps me on memory lane. I can tell you Moms played with an Imperial brown racket, mine was a Pancho Gonzales model. My bro always played with a Bjorn Borg model. My sisters played with Evonne Goolagong models.
Pops never played with a wood one, but a T1000 Jimmy Connor model was more his style(metal, hhhrrummpphh!)
If you ever get the feeling to watch some real tennis with rallies more than 4 shots. Take a gander at some of the videos of the greats using their wood to make beautiful shots. The mastery of Martina, the passion of Ilie Nastase, and Roscoe Tanners head band(Roscoe,ha ha.. that's a funny name.)
Wood has a feel to it. You can connect with it, Like its part of you.
I cried when I broke my favorite racket.. Why? because it was "my" racket.
I can't get enough of these rackets, even started collecting the old wooden protective braces. All shapes and sizes to protect the string heads. I used to paint these brackets but now just like them... oh naturale.
So?, the sportfreak has a few broken strings....who doesn't?
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
I'm the Sole Provider
I am heading to the sporting goods store to by me some brand spanking new sneakers. What guy doesn't like to buy themselves some new kicks? What?!!
When I was a kid, mom was my sole provider of new sneakers. Get It! Sole provider.
As long as they were white, I was good to go. I went through so many pairs while playing tennis and just goofing around in the neighborhood.
As I entered my tender teenage years I took over the footwear purchases, it was not like it is now where the kids know what kind of sneakers they want to wear when they are in the 1st grade. I guess the marketing of the athletic shoes has changed a bit since since the 1980's.
What I do recall was the introduction of Reebok sneaker. The first aerobic sneaker. In the beginning I always thought them to be ladies only shoes. They came in white and black, that was it. How boring.
After that it was Converse. How can I forget the Larry Bird against Magic Johnson
commercials. Green and White of the hated Celtics vs the Purple and Gold of glitzy Lakers. Choose your weapon. The Celtics still suck!
Then came the holy grail of all sneakers. With the introductions made by Mars Blackman, we were given the Air Jordans. I was in love with those sneakers. I saved up my money from my part time for a few months to get them. They were a pricey $64.99.
That's about $1453.27 in 2010 money. The Red, White and Black beauties were mine. I was so damn proud to have those sneaker. I wanted to wear them every day. I wanted to be like Mike. At that time, who didn't? I am proud to say I had those sneaker for ten years and it still hurt to bring myself to throw them out. I heard a few year back that Nike was giving rebates for all old Air Jordans. Something like a $150 coupon to use for new Air Jordans. If I'd had only kept them another 10 years.
I never opted for the "broken ankle waiting to happen" cleats to play baseball all those years but as I got older and playing into the softball/beer league, I opted to try them out. You know I am an old man and trying to use the right equipment to protect myself I grabbed a pair of cleats at local sporting good store. 1st game,
2nd inning, I attempt to slide into second, cleat gets caught in the dirt, Yep...sprained my f'n ankle. FYI-It's not good when your foot/ankle looks bigger than the softball. I didn't play the rest of the year. I curse you cleats! I am a moron.
FYI- Sandals are for people who live in the South. Northerners, do even try it!
P.S. Only sissies wear those god awful water shoes.
Went bowling the other night and you know what? Bowling shoes have been, are and will be forever damn ugly. How ugly? Not one persons clothing in the whole place could match those god awful shoes. Wouldn't you think by now someone (hello Cole Haan or Kenneth Cole) could be a major provider of bowling shoes. They do sell shoes that have bowling alley written all over them. Just saying, if you have to look that goofy trying to bowl why not look good while doing it.
My All Time favorite sports nickname : Billy "White Shoes" Johnson
The sportsfreak has 25 pairs. How about you?
When I was a kid, mom was my sole provider of new sneakers. Get It! Sole provider.
As long as they were white, I was good to go. I went through so many pairs while playing tennis and just goofing around in the neighborhood.
As I entered my tender teenage years I took over the footwear purchases, it was not like it is now where the kids know what kind of sneakers they want to wear when they are in the 1st grade. I guess the marketing of the athletic shoes has changed a bit since since the 1980's.
What I do recall was the introduction of Reebok sneaker. The first aerobic sneaker. In the beginning I always thought them to be ladies only shoes. They came in white and black, that was it. How boring.
After that it was Converse. How can I forget the Larry Bird against Magic Johnson
commercials. Green and White of the hated Celtics vs the Purple and Gold of glitzy Lakers. Choose your weapon. The Celtics still suck!
Then came the holy grail of all sneakers. With the introductions made by Mars Blackman, we were given the Air Jordans. I was in love with those sneakers. I saved up my money from my part time for a few months to get them. They were a pricey $64.99.
That's about $1453.27 in 2010 money. The Red, White and Black beauties were mine. I was so damn proud to have those sneaker. I wanted to wear them every day. I wanted to be like Mike. At that time, who didn't? I am proud to say I had those sneaker for ten years and it still hurt to bring myself to throw them out. I heard a few year back that Nike was giving rebates for all old Air Jordans. Something like a $150 coupon to use for new Air Jordans. If I'd had only kept them another 10 years.
I never opted for the "broken ankle waiting to happen" cleats to play baseball all those years but as I got older and playing into the softball/beer league, I opted to try them out. You know I am an old man and trying to use the right equipment to protect myself I grabbed a pair of cleats at local sporting good store. 1st game,
2nd inning, I attempt to slide into second, cleat gets caught in the dirt, Yep...sprained my f'n ankle. FYI-It's not good when your foot/ankle looks bigger than the softball. I didn't play the rest of the year. I curse you cleats! I am a moron.
FYI- Sandals are for people who live in the South. Northerners, do even try it!
P.S. Only sissies wear those god awful water shoes.
Went bowling the other night and you know what? Bowling shoes have been, are and will be forever damn ugly. How ugly? Not one persons clothing in the whole place could match those god awful shoes. Wouldn't you think by now someone (hello Cole Haan or Kenneth Cole) could be a major provider of bowling shoes. They do sell shoes that have bowling alley written all over them. Just saying, if you have to look that goofy trying to bowl why not look good while doing it.
My All Time favorite sports nickname : Billy "White Shoes" Johnson
The sportsfreak has 25 pairs. How about you?
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Late Night Skate Party
Now there are many different types of skating. I have tried (ok at least attempted) them all.
I've rocked the metal roller skates with the magical key to get them off and on.
The rolling rink skates- crap brown and the laces were always broke. Why did one wheel always go to the left? Also very hard to impress the girls when you are falling all the time.
I ventured wearily into ice skating- I always had fun but always thought I would fall and another skaters skate would slice my throat ala Clint Malarchuk.
I was so rad with my roller blades, still got a pair and break them out every once and while. Can't forget the time skating in Central Park and whoever said stopping was the easiest part of skating is a big fat liar.
FYI- I can hang with the kids with my Heely's.
So for the next stage of my imaginary professional skating career I had asked good old St. Nick for a long board skate board. Since I was a kid I always wanted a skateboard. Who wouldn't want to speed down the street, jump the curbs, ollie this and that, freak out the donut shop, showcasing stuff out of your tricktionary.
Being I didn't want to die in my 40's. St. Nick came through and I was the proud owner of a Sector 9- 42" Long Board. My wife was beside herself and I am sure praying to god that I would return it before I attempted to kill myself. No luck honey, sorry.
My friends were kind enough to get me pads that practically covered my entire body.
Can't figure for the life of me why, this 42 years old body of steel needs no protection! Pads!!There are no pads in skateboarding!!
Off I go, 8 minutes into my first ride- I'M DOWN! Body parts going every direction. Stunned and disoriented, I get up and do the quick body diagnostic check, you know like the Terminator. All in one piece. Whew!
The sportsfreak: Annoying Pedestrians for years! Peace.
I've rocked the metal roller skates with the magical key to get them off and on.
The rolling rink skates- crap brown and the laces were always broke. Why did one wheel always go to the left? Also very hard to impress the girls when you are falling all the time.
I ventured wearily into ice skating- I always had fun but always thought I would fall and another skaters skate would slice my throat ala Clint Malarchuk.
I was so rad with my roller blades, still got a pair and break them out every once and while. Can't forget the time skating in Central Park and whoever said stopping was the easiest part of skating is a big fat liar.
FYI- I can hang with the kids with my Heely's.
So for the next stage of my imaginary professional skating career I had asked good old St. Nick for a long board skate board. Since I was a kid I always wanted a skateboard. Who wouldn't want to speed down the street, jump the curbs, ollie this and that, freak out the donut shop, showcasing stuff out of your tricktionary.
Being I didn't want to die in my 40's. St. Nick came through and I was the proud owner of a Sector 9- 42" Long Board. My wife was beside herself and I am sure praying to god that I would return it before I attempted to kill myself. No luck honey, sorry.
My friends were kind enough to get me pads that practically covered my entire body.
Can't figure for the life of me why, this 42 years old body of steel needs no protection! Pads!!There are no pads in skateboarding!!
Off I go, 8 minutes into my first ride- I'M DOWN! Body parts going every direction. Stunned and disoriented, I get up and do the quick body diagnostic check, you know like the Terminator. All in one piece. Whew!
The sportsfreak: Annoying Pedestrians for years! Peace.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Box Score Blues
As Fantasy Football and Baseball have taken on a life of its own. I am brought back to the memories of a game that my friends and I used to play to past the time during the summers. The game had no official name that I can remember. It was, on a very minor scale.. gambling and all that we needed to play was are knowledge of baseball and some lined paper. The newspaper boxscore of the baseball game provided everything else we needed.
I give you the notorious gamblers of Rose Place and Blue Point Road
Mario, Ken, Fankie, Lenny, Steve, Davey, Sal, Ray
The Boxscore Game
The ahem..rules.
each run scored (R)= 1 point
each hit (H)= 1 point
each rbi (RBI)= 1 point
The wager
dime= per point
5-10 baseball players chosen by each of us. It really depended on how much money we had. Remember we were kids.
Players to choose from for example Jim Rice (good for 4,2,2,3)/George Foster/Johnny Bench/Dave Parker/Reggie Jackson/Brian Downing/Rod Carew (4,1,2,0)/Toby Harrah/Mike Schmidt/Dwight Evans/Yaz/Dae Kingman (always a 5,0,0,1)/Steve Garvey/Dusty Baker/Chris Chambliss/Pete Rose/ Greg Luzinski. Each of us had our own rhyme or reason why we chose are players. Some of us read the back of the baseball cards for stats and other just liked the player or team.
The Game was simple: Grand total points for the week(S) for each player chosen wins the pot.
That's it, no trades , no waiver wires to deal with, no crying about your guy getting hurt, tough noogies if your team got rained out.
Usually the game would be around 3 weeks long, not sure if they went any longer.
Say the winner would have 100 points,
2nd place guy 70, 2nd place guy owes 10 cents per point he lost by (30 x .10= $3.00)
3rd place guy 50, 3rd place guy owes 10 cents per point he lost by (50 x .10= $5.00)
I want to say I owon my share, but I know I didn't. I problably still owe someone some money, yes I definitely do. Guess I chose Mario Mendoza one too many times.
Who do I send a check to?
My most treasured memory was meeting up with the guys, waiting to get the paper to check the box scores, the excitement of all of us adding up the the players tally or groaning when their player had an o'fer night. George Hendricks had 10 RBI's one night, I know I didn't have him on my team. Sigh!
ESPN did not exist then and the regional sports news just gave scores and an occasional highlight of the local teams. When I saw my team had scored 11 runs, I am beliveing that my guy went 5 for 5 with five runs scored and 5 runs batted in. The dream game score of 15. To my dismay it was usually an o'fer night with a sad one sacrifice fly RBI.
To this day, I will read the box scores entirely and even though they have changed or added some new stats, I will always count the number of points a player gets and think back to a time that provided some special memories for me.
the sportsfreak always scores a 5,5,5,5
I give you the notorious gamblers of Rose Place and Blue Point Road
Mario, Ken, Fankie, Lenny, Steve, Davey, Sal, Ray
The Boxscore Game
The ahem..rules.
each run scored (R)= 1 point
each hit (H)= 1 point
each rbi (RBI)= 1 point
The wager
dime= per point
5-10 baseball players chosen by each of us. It really depended on how much money we had. Remember we were kids.
Players to choose from for example Jim Rice (good for 4,2,2,3)/George Foster/Johnny Bench/Dave Parker/Reggie Jackson/Brian Downing/Rod Carew (4,1,2,0)/Toby Harrah/Mike Schmidt/Dwight Evans/Yaz/Dae Kingman (always a 5,0,0,1)/Steve Garvey/Dusty Baker/Chris Chambliss/Pete Rose/ Greg Luzinski. Each of us had our own rhyme or reason why we chose are players. Some of us read the back of the baseball cards for stats and other just liked the player or team.
The Game was simple: Grand total points for the week(S) for each player chosen wins the pot.
That's it, no trades , no waiver wires to deal with, no crying about your guy getting hurt, tough noogies if your team got rained out.
Usually the game would be around 3 weeks long, not sure if they went any longer.
Say the winner would have 100 points,
2nd place guy 70, 2nd place guy owes 10 cents per point he lost by (30 x .10= $3.00)
3rd place guy 50, 3rd place guy owes 10 cents per point he lost by (50 x .10= $5.00)
I want to say I owon my share, but I know I didn't. I problably still owe someone some money, yes I definitely do. Guess I chose Mario Mendoza one too many times.
Who do I send a check to?
My most treasured memory was meeting up with the guys, waiting to get the paper to check the box scores, the excitement of all of us adding up the the players tally or groaning when their player had an o'fer night. George Hendricks had 10 RBI's one night, I know I didn't have him on my team. Sigh!
ESPN did not exist then and the regional sports news just gave scores and an occasional highlight of the local teams. When I saw my team had scored 11 runs, I am beliveing that my guy went 5 for 5 with five runs scored and 5 runs batted in. The dream game score of 15. To my dismay it was usually an o'fer night with a sad one sacrifice fly RBI.
To this day, I will read the box scores entirely and even though they have changed or added some new stats, I will always count the number of points a player gets and think back to a time that provided some special memories for me.
the sportsfreak always scores a 5,5,5,5
Saturday, December 5, 2009
A Fan of All
Today someone asked me who my favorite sport team is. For the millions of sports fans this is the easiest question in the world to answer. Can't tell you how many people just blurt out the Yankees because it's the in thing right now. For all you posers who now love the Minnesota Vikings, you couldn't name five starters on the team 2 years ago.
I have to process the question before answering it. I have to take account for whom I am talking to, where are they from, where I am at the time of asking, who else is in the area, and I am thinking about the reaction of person asking the question.
See ..I have issues.
I want to be the fan of every team. Ok, that is a little selfish but why can't I have it all. I do not jump on the bandwagon once a team start to improve and does well. I have been a passenger on that train the whole time. I may not have bought the priciest seat on the train and I may have been sleepng every once in a while but I know where the train has been and where it is going. Every team, if you look hard enough has something to be a fan of.
You can call me "Switzerland of Sports"- Good luck to the Swiss Team playing in the World Cup this year. Too bad Spain will school them in Group H.
Not too much, not too little... see?
When I was younger, I rooted for different teams for a number of reasons.
I rooted for the Houston Astros because the uniforms were god awful ugly, but mesmerizing to me. I rooted for the Tampa Bay Bucaneers (still do to this day) because of the Buccaneer on the helmet and the really cool creamsicle uniforms. So they went 0 for their first 26. But when the finally won a Championship in 1997, I took part in celebrating as well.
Being from New York I will always have a special place for my fav's:
the Mets (from Wayne Garrett to Greg Jefferies to Straw to Wright, time to win!
the Jets (Wesley Walker dude could run, not catch but run. Sack Exchange
the Knicks ( Ernie Grunfeld through Pat Ewing to the D League team playing now.
the Islanders (4 Cups in a row. Now John Tavavers will lead us?
the Giants (in da 80's,I'd given my right arm for a passing game. run,run,run, punt.
the Yankees (from the bleacher creachers to the $2500 a seat. The YANKEES WIN!!!
the Rangers (Mess, thanks for the bringing the Cup to us.)
I am a sucker for a cinderella story. Give me you down on their luck team who comes back to win it all. Your weak Division II team going against the big bad BCS team.
Give me your displaced team finding a new home. Your gently used player "past his prime" having one last season.
I hope that I have secured my peaceful place on the planet, Fandom.
On planet Fandom you can root for anyone , any team, for any reason, at any time.
Come join the sportsfreak, all are welcome.
I have to process the question before answering it. I have to take account for whom I am talking to, where are they from, where I am at the time of asking, who else is in the area, and I am thinking about the reaction of person asking the question.
See ..I have issues.
I want to be the fan of every team. Ok, that is a little selfish but why can't I have it all. I do not jump on the bandwagon once a team start to improve and does well. I have been a passenger on that train the whole time. I may not have bought the priciest seat on the train and I may have been sleepng every once in a while but I know where the train has been and where it is going. Every team, if you look hard enough has something to be a fan of.
You can call me "Switzerland of Sports"- Good luck to the Swiss Team playing in the World Cup this year. Too bad Spain will school them in Group H.
Not too much, not too little... see?
When I was younger, I rooted for different teams for a number of reasons.
I rooted for the Houston Astros because the uniforms were god awful ugly, but mesmerizing to me. I rooted for the Tampa Bay Bucaneers (still do to this day) because of the Buccaneer on the helmet and the really cool creamsicle uniforms. So they went 0 for their first 26. But when the finally won a Championship in 1997, I took part in celebrating as well.
Being from New York I will always have a special place for my fav's:
the Mets (from Wayne Garrett to Greg Jefferies to Straw to Wright, time to win!
the Jets (Wesley Walker dude could run, not catch but run. Sack Exchange
the Knicks ( Ernie Grunfeld through Pat Ewing to the D League team playing now.
the Islanders (4 Cups in a row. Now John Tavavers will lead us?
the Giants (in da 80's,I'd given my right arm for a passing game. run,run,run, punt.
the Yankees (from the bleacher creachers to the $2500 a seat. The YANKEES WIN!!!
the Rangers (Mess, thanks for the bringing the Cup to us.)
I am a sucker for a cinderella story. Give me you down on their luck team who comes back to win it all. Your weak Division II team going against the big bad BCS team.
Give me your displaced team finding a new home. Your gently used player "past his prime" having one last season.
I hope that I have secured my peaceful place on the planet, Fandom.
On planet Fandom you can root for anyone , any team, for any reason, at any time.
Come join the sportsfreak, all are welcome.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
A Little Hustle Please
As I am waiting behind some random tourists departing the theme park, I am driven to jumping off the people mover and decide to walk along next to those to weary from their full day of fun. 99 out of 100 people have choosen this mode of transportation to get to their cars and the fact that it moves half as slow as a person walking normally has no effect on all those peeps. It's unfortunate but it's not just one location that the lazy are treated like royalty. We also have those people movers at the airports, the mall and my lord we even have them at supermarkets because people can not be bothered to push their ginormous shopping carts in and out of the store.
Can I get a little hustle people?
Now I am off my soapbox and will direct my energies to letting you know how a little hustle makes all the difference in sports.
Is it just me, when I see a high school or college basketball player diving out of bounds for a loose ball, it is for pure sportsmanship and desire but when I see a NBA player do the same I feel they just want to get on the highlight reel. You can have the pros. I'll take those school kids with floor burns on his elbows and knees any day.
I am at the Mets /Padres game, Bip Roberts is batting for the Pads, he lines a clean single to left center. The left fielder for the Mets (how many have they had?) is phoning it in. Bip sees this and turns his jets on and is heading toward second. You stand up out of your seat, you can stop from yelling at the left fielder to move faster than in slow motion. The throw comes in.. Bip is sliding spikes first... It's close, but Bippy Baby is in just under the tag.
Maybe more exciting than a home run, maybe.
I know some ball players have bad wheels(legs), some are just old (Julio Franco), most I am ashamed to admit it, are not hustling. But getting thrown at first on a hit to right field is unforgivable. You just hit the ball on the ground, say 150-200 feet from home plate. You have to run 90 feet. If your left hand batter is just bit shorter. Take some pride, run like your 10 years old. Run like your running in your bare feet. Just run.
A Walk is just four pitches that are not strikes. A Walk is a free pass to first base. Pete Rose walked to first base the best. He sprinted to the base. Almost happy that someone was giving him a free base and he couldn't wait to get to that base. His cap would fly off and damned if I didn't thing he would slide into first one time just to do it. If you were on his team, you loved him for it if you were on the opposing team you hated him for it. Me... loved it!!
Charlie Hustle belongs in the Hall.
I love the relief pitchers who when called in to pitch, run full speed from the bullpen to the mound. That's hustle baby! Remember the old days(for me that the 70's) when each team had huge Hat shaped golf carts to shuttle those relievers in. Some were even driven in the team mascots. (my fave, Phillie Phanatic)
They were so cool.
Why can't the two minute drill be run other than at the end of the half and the end of the game? I am not saying every possession, but you would think some team would try it more than twice a game. Jeez, give Peyton Manning a few opps like that and he would have 100 touchdown a year. Just saying.
A little more bashing for the NBA fan. Why does every player think they get fouled and then cry to the ref about not having a foul called. I know they get fouled every time but who wants to see a free throw shooting contest. My deal is when they are complaining , they are not playing defense and they are allowing the other team an advantage at the other end of the floor, usually resulting in two points for the opposition. Get back on D my boys!
I spent many a night staying up late to watch the US Open Tennis in New York. As well as slept on many a train after leaving Arthur Ashe stadium at 2AM. The night matches make the good players great and the underdogs seem unbeatable. I've seen Michael Chang run down shots that the normal tennis players would just give up on. His was cat like , he could turn on a dime and never got tired. Maybe it was the lights, maybe the full moon. The fans loved him for it.
Hustle never goes unappreciated.
Martina hustled on every point. This was Martina's game: Serve.. rush the net...volley... Serve... rush the net...volley. Relentless. Tennis at it's best.
How can it take six hour for the pro's to play 18 holes of golf? I can see us hackers taking a while, we have a few beers, play around in the golf carts,flirt with cart girl and take the one, ahem, two mulligans per side. But them, they just hit it and then walk to the ball and then hit it again.Maybe carts for hem would not be such a bad idea. Nice 64th place finish dude. Even nicer $45,000 check you got for that great finish. Maybe they are just Hustler's.
Thank you COT for ruining NASCAR.
Just let'em race and the fastest car wins.
Yarbarough- Allison fight(hustle/moxy)
Hey baseball pitchers... 4 hour games? Really? Is it really necessary for you to shake off the catcher 14 times before deciding to throw fastball?
Hey Bud, we are looking for Pitch clock.
So get your giddy up and keep a pep in your step because the sportfreak will be watching.
Can I get a little hustle people?
Now I am off my soapbox and will direct my energies to letting you know how a little hustle makes all the difference in sports.
Is it just me, when I see a high school or college basketball player diving out of bounds for a loose ball, it is for pure sportsmanship and desire but when I see a NBA player do the same I feel they just want to get on the highlight reel. You can have the pros. I'll take those school kids with floor burns on his elbows and knees any day.
I am at the Mets /Padres game, Bip Roberts is batting for the Pads, he lines a clean single to left center. The left fielder for the Mets (how many have they had?) is phoning it in. Bip sees this and turns his jets on and is heading toward second. You stand up out of your seat, you can stop from yelling at the left fielder to move faster than in slow motion. The throw comes in.. Bip is sliding spikes first... It's close, but Bippy Baby is in just under the tag.
Maybe more exciting than a home run, maybe.
I know some ball players have bad wheels(legs), some are just old (Julio Franco), most I am ashamed to admit it, are not hustling. But getting thrown at first on a hit to right field is unforgivable. You just hit the ball on the ground, say 150-200 feet from home plate. You have to run 90 feet. If your left hand batter is just bit shorter. Take some pride, run like your 10 years old. Run like your running in your bare feet. Just run.
A Walk is just four pitches that are not strikes. A Walk is a free pass to first base. Pete Rose walked to first base the best. He sprinted to the base. Almost happy that someone was giving him a free base and he couldn't wait to get to that base. His cap would fly off and damned if I didn't thing he would slide into first one time just to do it. If you were on his team, you loved him for it if you were on the opposing team you hated him for it. Me... loved it!!
Charlie Hustle belongs in the Hall.
I love the relief pitchers who when called in to pitch, run full speed from the bullpen to the mound. That's hustle baby! Remember the old days(for me that the 70's) when each team had huge Hat shaped golf carts to shuttle those relievers in. Some were even driven in the team mascots. (my fave, Phillie Phanatic)
They were so cool.
Why can't the two minute drill be run other than at the end of the half and the end of the game? I am not saying every possession, but you would think some team would try it more than twice a game. Jeez, give Peyton Manning a few opps like that and he would have 100 touchdown a year. Just saying.
A little more bashing for the NBA fan. Why does every player think they get fouled and then cry to the ref about not having a foul called. I know they get fouled every time but who wants to see a free throw shooting contest. My deal is when they are complaining , they are not playing defense and they are allowing the other team an advantage at the other end of the floor, usually resulting in two points for the opposition. Get back on D my boys!
I spent many a night staying up late to watch the US Open Tennis in New York. As well as slept on many a train after leaving Arthur Ashe stadium at 2AM. The night matches make the good players great and the underdogs seem unbeatable. I've seen Michael Chang run down shots that the normal tennis players would just give up on. His was cat like , he could turn on a dime and never got tired. Maybe it was the lights, maybe the full moon. The fans loved him for it.
Hustle never goes unappreciated.
Martina hustled on every point. This was Martina's game: Serve.. rush the net...volley... Serve... rush the net...volley. Relentless. Tennis at it's best.
How can it take six hour for the pro's to play 18 holes of golf? I can see us hackers taking a while, we have a few beers, play around in the golf carts,flirt with cart girl and take the one, ahem, two mulligans per side. But them, they just hit it and then walk to the ball and then hit it again.Maybe carts for hem would not be such a bad idea. Nice 64th place finish dude. Even nicer $45,000 check you got for that great finish. Maybe they are just Hustler's.
Thank you COT for ruining NASCAR.
Just let'em race and the fastest car wins.
Yarbarough- Allison fight(hustle/moxy)
Hey baseball pitchers... 4 hour games? Really? Is it really necessary for you to shake off the catcher 14 times before deciding to throw fastball?
Hey Bud, we are looking for Pitch clock.
So get your giddy up and keep a pep in your step because the sportfreak will be watching.
Monday, November 23, 2009
My Baseball Mitt
I admit it, I love my baseball mitt. My mitt has been with me for so many years and has been there for all the ups (game saving catch in front of the big rock on St. Margaret's field) and downs (missing four foul balls, through the years, at good ol' Shea) of my entire sporting life. To most, it may seem to be just a piece of sports equipment, but to me it has been more than that.
Growing up,I was fascinated by the way the way they were made and how very different each glove was. A catchers mitts was so flat and seemed impossible to catch with (a catcher's mitt that you can't catch with...weird). The first baseman's glove was such a strange shape, it looked a little alien like to me (the blue ones were popular when I was a tyke). Outfielders gloves were just big, it was like catching with a basket. The infielders gloves were my choice, they were small and very flexible, just like an extension of your hand. My Ron Cey model was perfect.
My mitt went through hell. I would never do anything to any other item I owned that I have done to my mitt. We all follow some simple rules when you first get a new glove. First your supposed oil it, then your to put a ball in the mitt and wrap your glove closed with a rubber band. That's pretty much the rules of getting a glove in shape as directed by the Major League Glove Manufacturers.
Now here are all the other rules-rituals that made my mitt, my mitt.
Punch your fist in it, hay maker after hay maker, year after year, you really can't stop doing it when your glove is on your hand. Throw the ball into the glove 91.84 million times(my Mom would yell to stop playing catch in my bed and go to sleep).
Did you write on yours? I signed my name on the thumb. I've seen some with names and addresses, telephone numbers, player #'s, favorite team names. Even saw someon write their grilfriends name in it.
I threw my mitt a million times, sometime base to base, threw it on my way to home plate to bat from the mound. I threw it trying hit someone with it (sorry, baseball gets rough some time). I rolled it down the hill (hey I played on a hill, it rolled pretty good) I ripped it on the fence and then repaired it with shoes laces. shoe laces are the glue for baseball mitts. I hung it on the end of the bat, hit it with the bat, caught rocks with it.
I liked the taste of my mitt too. I chewed the leather. Come on... tell me y'all didn't do it too. I never spit in my mitt. Not sure why they do that, just kinda gross.
I always hated when my mitt got wet. The grip would turn too slimy.
Your glove is a perfect fit for your hand. I occasionally forgot my glove or needed to use another replacement glove during a pick up game, it was like playing a completely different ball game. You just don't just feel comfortable. Like your missing something. Missing a part of you. You miss "your" mitt.
I can't say I'm embarrassed, but I cried when I left my mitt on the field over night. I was like a kid on Christmas to find that it was still there the next morning.
Adults should never bring their mitt to the stadium. I heard this once or twice. Never sure who said it or why. But I am her to tell you that it makes my heart fill with baseball joy when I see a ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty year old fan carrying his mitt into the stadium. I know he is just hoping...just wishing that a foul ball come his way. They may close their eyes, they may have their eyes and mouth wide open can't really believing that the ball is coming right at them, as it approaches....do they catch it? ..That's joy is priceless.
I will cherish my grandpas old mitt,a 1930's model, I love that is still held together with a few shoes laces.
When I feel a little stressed or a little down, I pick up my mitt, give it a few pounds with my fists. For those few seconds or minutes, it will take me away to a time and place where everything is right in the world.
That's why the sportsfreak loves his mitt.
Growing up,I was fascinated by the way the way they were made and how very different each glove was. A catchers mitts was so flat and seemed impossible to catch with (a catcher's mitt that you can't catch with...weird). The first baseman's glove was such a strange shape, it looked a little alien like to me (the blue ones were popular when I was a tyke). Outfielders gloves were just big, it was like catching with a basket. The infielders gloves were my choice, they were small and very flexible, just like an extension of your hand. My Ron Cey model was perfect.
My mitt went through hell. I would never do anything to any other item I owned that I have done to my mitt. We all follow some simple rules when you first get a new glove. First your supposed oil it, then your to put a ball in the mitt and wrap your glove closed with a rubber band. That's pretty much the rules of getting a glove in shape as directed by the Major League Glove Manufacturers.
Now here are all the other rules-rituals that made my mitt, my mitt.
Punch your fist in it, hay maker after hay maker, year after year, you really can't stop doing it when your glove is on your hand. Throw the ball into the glove 91.84 million times(my Mom would yell to stop playing catch in my bed and go to sleep).
Did you write on yours? I signed my name on the thumb. I've seen some with names and addresses, telephone numbers, player #'s, favorite team names. Even saw someon write their grilfriends name in it.
I threw my mitt a million times, sometime base to base, threw it on my way to home plate to bat from the mound. I threw it trying hit someone with it (sorry, baseball gets rough some time). I rolled it down the hill (hey I played on a hill, it rolled pretty good) I ripped it on the fence and then repaired it with shoes laces. shoe laces are the glue for baseball mitts. I hung it on the end of the bat, hit it with the bat, caught rocks with it.
I liked the taste of my mitt too. I chewed the leather. Come on... tell me y'all didn't do it too. I never spit in my mitt. Not sure why they do that, just kinda gross.
I always hated when my mitt got wet. The grip would turn too slimy.
Your glove is a perfect fit for your hand. I occasionally forgot my glove or needed to use another replacement glove during a pick up game, it was like playing a completely different ball game. You just don't just feel comfortable. Like your missing something. Missing a part of you. You miss "your" mitt.
I can't say I'm embarrassed, but I cried when I left my mitt on the field over night. I was like a kid on Christmas to find that it was still there the next morning.
Adults should never bring their mitt to the stadium. I heard this once or twice. Never sure who said it or why. But I am her to tell you that it makes my heart fill with baseball joy when I see a ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty year old fan carrying his mitt into the stadium. I know he is just hoping...just wishing that a foul ball come his way. They may close their eyes, they may have their eyes and mouth wide open can't really believing that the ball is coming right at them, as it approaches....do they catch it? ..That's joy is priceless.
I will cherish my grandpas old mitt,a 1930's model, I love that is still held together with a few shoes laces.
When I feel a little stressed or a little down, I pick up my mitt, give it a few pounds with my fists. For those few seconds or minutes, it will take me away to a time and place where everything is right in the world.
That's why the sportsfreak loves his mitt.
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