Extravaganza 3/3: If you buy it, they will come.
- “If you build it, they will come.” This is one of the iconic lines from the 1988 movie Field of Dreams. Are you a huge movie buff, like having a baseball field in your backyard, have a ton of cash, and are willing to relocate to Dyersville, Iowa? Boy, do I have a deal for you. About 2 weeks ago, the family that owns the farm where they shot Field of Dreams decided that it was time to retire and sell the land where Shoeless Joe Jackson, amongst others, came back to life one last time. They are old couple and cannot physically tend to the land anymore, but I hope whoever buys it will keep the field intact. Remember, if you buy it, they will come. Maybe it’s time for a sequel.
- In what has to be one of the coolest stories of the year, 13 year old Jordan Romero has become the youngest person to climb Mount Everest. I don’t know what you were doing at age 13, but Im pretty sure it wasn’t climbing 29,035 feet. This kid has already climbed Mount Kilimanjaro at the age of 10, and his goal is to climb the highest peaks on all 7 continents. Do you know what inspired this craziness? A painting at school of the highest mountains on every continent. Honestly, this kid is awesome. Hey Jordan, climbing these other mountains will probably seem like riding an escalator at the mall compared to Everest, right?
- Another youth-does-incredible story, 16 year old Jordan Spieth made the cut at the Byron Nelson yesterday, walking of the 18th green at -3. I cant even hit a straight drive or make a putt to save my life, and this kid is doing something even Tiger didn’t do on his first try? That’s pretty unbelievable. Not only that, but one of the fans rooting him on from the 18th was Dallas QB Tony Romo. He’s said in an interview that him and Tony will probably exchange texts sometime after the round on Friday, and might meet up later. Really? 16 year old kids should not be allowed to be that cool. Well done Jordan.
- Quick, name the first thought that comes to mind when you hear toughness in sports? Hockey? Rugby? Football? Anything those crazy Australians play? Well, move over everyone, I have the trump card of toughness in sports right here. Miguel Olivo of the Colorado Rockies passed a kidney stone during the 8th inning of a game, and then proceeded to put on his catchers gear and play the rest of the game. For those who don’t know (thank God thats me included), passing a kidney stone for men is the equivalent pain as child birth, or so I’m told. It is excruciating. Apparently, Olivo has these every so often, and said “Sometimes, when I’ve got that thing, I just want to die. But I can handle pain a little bit. Once it’s gone, I’m normal, I’m good. Let’s play baseball.” Lets play baseball? How about, lets lay on the nearest couch with a bag of ice and painkillers for about a week. And it isn’t like this guy is playing the outfield either, where the chance of getting hit in said ‘tender area’ is basically 0%, he plays catcher where the chance of getting hit are 100%. I don’t think even the craziest Aussie rugby player wants any part of Olivo. Step forward Miguel, the tough guy crown is yours.
Toughest athlete ever?
- The legend of Tim Tebow is already growing in Denver. Apparently, although there is no video proof, Tebow was working out at a high school in Denver and ended up joining the baseball team for a few practice at-bats. You’re probably thinking, how bad is Tebow going to miss the ball and make a fool of himself? Not only did he not miss the ball, but he cranked 12/15 pitches he saw for home runs. Seriously, is there something he isn’t good at (if this is true)? Not only that, but he hit them off of a left handed pitching coach (Tebow is a lefty). I know he played baseball is high school and was very good, but after allegedly not touching a bat in 4-5 years, putting 80% of the pitches you see over the fence is absurd.
- Next point: why is there so much hate out there for Tim Tebow? I don’t understand it. He has done nothing wrong by anyone. The only thing I can think of is that he is a bit outspoken about religion, which some people don’t like, but that doesn’t warrant the amount of negativity out there for him. Sure I don’t like that any athlete being on TV every second of every day, it gets old to watch, but how is that his fault? ESPN, CNN, and CBS are to blame, not Tebow. We as a society revere some of the great bad-boys of sports, but we hate some of the ones that do good by their family, teammates, and community? For example, Michael Irvin. The guy has only been arrested for cocaine more than once, but he was flamboyant and a great receiver. Lawrence Taylor (more to come on him later) had many run-ins with law enforcement, but also had some great run-ins with quarterbacks, so he is ok? Pete Rose cheats baseball by betting on games that he managed and played in, but now that he was honest about it 18 years after-the-fact, but most people want him in the hall of fame? My point is, most people probably don’t know why they hate Tim Tebow, they are like 7th grade girls who hold a grudge against someone just to be popular. He is a proven winner, has a phenomenal work ethic, and I predict will be a good QB someday for Denver.
- Think fast, what is more ridiculous than a 13 year old climbing Mount Everest? Did you say Cowboys wide receiver saying himself and Tony Romo are connecting like the next Joe Montana and Jerry Rice? If you said that you are very good at this game because you are right! Honestly, Roy, shut up. You haven’t had a good year in the league since 2007. If you think anyone is buying the BS you are selling, they aren’t. Tony Romo doesn’t even believe you just said that. There will never another Montana-Rice combination, ever. Im showing Roy the RED CARD.
- Now for some comic relief. Tight End Chris Cooley of the Washington Redskins was on a radio interview the other day, when he got pulled over by the police for making a “wide-turn.” So while he is talking to the station, he tells them that he just got pulled over, and they broadcast the entire dialog between the officer and Cooley, who got away with a warning. After that was over, he went on with the interview like nothing happened. Cooley is the kind of guy every locker room needs, someone to keep things loose. He even is a blogger, so check out The Cooley Zone. The guy is extremely gracious with his time and money, regularly helping out in the community. For example, he is putting his art, yes you read that correctly, art, on sale. He also is big working with Relay for Life and other cancer-awareness events. Cooley is a class act, and someone I root for to continue to do great things, while of course keeping his flair for the dramatic. Watch him become the best TE in the league next year with Donovan McNabb at the helm.
- Protesters of the new immigration law in Arizona want the MLB All-Star game moved to a different city because they feel by having it in Phoenix that the MLB is supporting the legislation. Protesters, are you serious? You mean, an All-Star game weekend that MLB planned 4-5 years ago was to predict legislation by your already messed up state government? MLB still doesn’t know if Barry Bonds took steroids, so forgive me for thinking they don’t have the foresight to see the future.
- Have you ever felt the urge to pay whatever you want for a meal, well, a Panera Bread in St. Louis is giving you that chance. It is run by a non-profit, so they don’t have prices on their menu. It is a pretty neat initiative.
- One of my favorite SNL skits: REALLY? “Why is facebook more squared away than the Dow?”
- Also, I love this Colbert Report skit about the oil spill and BP’s ridiculous tactics to get it fixed.
- Time for some folks to GET A GRIP.
- First up, Lawrence Taylor. GET A GRIP! First off, for your status in life, getting prostitutes off the streets is just over played. Not only that, but when you get what looks like a young girl, she probably is a young girl, and probably was a runaway who got taken in to the prostitution ring. But hey, common sense is so over-rated now-a-days, right? Not even Johnnie Cochran could get you out of this one, LT. Next time, if there is a next time, it is called a “strip club.”
- Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez, GET A GRIP. Ramirez was benched on Tuesday for not hustling for a ball that he booted into the outfield. He claimed he was injured and that was as fast as he could run. Nobody is buying it, Hanley. Then he had the nerve to call out his teammates, and his manager Fredi Gonzalez saying that he wouldn’t understand because he has never played in the big leagues. Ramirez has a history of not hustling and upsetting his teammates. He is also one of the bright young stars in baseball. So Hall of Famer Andre Dawson has decided to take Ramirez under his wing and coach the young star to be a professional. Thank you Andre, you may have just saved Ramirez from himself. Not hustling is one of the more unforgivable acts in sports, in fact, I rank it above taking steroids. At least when you’re taking steroids you are trying to win or be better. When you don’t hustle, you cheat the fans (who pay your salary), your teammates, and your manager. Get a grip, start hustling, and be a better teammate, Hanley. If you do, you’ll be great. The only time success comes before hard work is in the dictionary.
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