HOMEMY TAKE
The Sports Fans Dream By: Robert Ray
It’s that time of year again! Sports
fans have had to deal with probabilities of upcoming seasons, miscellaneous
arrests and who knows how many dull story lines that didn’t amount to a hill of
beans. That’s all behind us as we embrace the triple threat of football season!
Like a baby ditching the formula and stepping up to a full-fledged buffet we are
licking our chops for High School, College and Pro Football 24/7. Friday,
Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Thursday are days marked off of the honey do lists
everywhere.
Just how bad do sports fans have it? Have you been
to a High School game lately? Loose talk of season tickets, limited parking,
tailgate parties, ESPN coverage and fan gear that can be picked up at the local
shopping stores are constantly the topic of conversation. And that is just High
School! College is already above and beyond in fan loyalty. Tailgating is a way
of life for some. There are fans parking the RVs at stadiums three to four days
before kickoff! Lee Corso has become legendary for making terrible predictions
and wearing a mascot head! It’s crazy. Then there’s the NFL where everything is
marketable. No worries about player’s names on jerseys or likenesses being
adhered to a bedroom wall in life size form. You can literally show your pride
by having an entire room in your house decked out with officially licensed gear.
Right down to the salt and peppershakers. Has anyone sat back and looked at
arenas in the past and compared them to the coliseums of today? You can drive
through neighborhoods and see team flags just below the American one just to
remind people that there is still a since of order in their fan hood! It’s a
crazy world we live in but at least we do have some escape when it comes down to
it. Football teams have been around to raise our spirits, test our patience and
helped us prove our loyalty to something.
Therefore I say bring on the endless sea of brats, seasoned chili and potato chips. Hello to you Mr. Painted Chest Guy and your friend with the team colored afro. Good to see you lazy Saturday car washes while listening to the favorite play by play guy paint the picture as your team overpowers another. It’s great to have hardly any time to do anything other than watching reruns of ESPN and multiple teams who you wouldn’t normally care to watch. just to be sure you made the right call in your fantasy picks. It’s great to have the great game of football back with a vengeance! Embrace it!
MY TAKE by: Robert Ray
Things Looking Good For JSU
Lately
Jacksonville State
University is not so much the secret that they used to be in
their old ad campaigns. The Gamecocks made ESPN, Sports
Illustrated, the Birmingham News , local and national sports
talk shows just to name a few. The views are mostly of
speculation as to the gamble that Coach Crowe has made in
pulling in Ryan Perrilloux to be the QB for the Gamecocks
this season just after he was dropped from LSU. The
attention that the event has made was almost worth it. There
is a good buzz going through the area of people ready to
catch some football games at Paul Snow Stadium. Top that off
with the satisfaction that Mike Parris will return to the
broadcast booth to call the games. It was hard to listen in
last season with Matt Coulter sitting in and not really
having a feel for the history of JSU much less the players
names. Better yet, the Lady Gamecocks are making a name for
themselves as well. They play Thursday in the NCAA
tournament against Florida State in Tuscaloosa. I talked to
Mr. Parris (who calls the softball games as well for JSU)
and he feels as though the girls chances are good on the
diamond. He feels that if Jacksonville can get off to a good
start then they should do well throughout the game. Florida
State does have the advantage of experience in the NCAA
playoffs but the Lady Gamecocks are poised and ready relying
on the arm of freshman pitcher Ashley Eliasson. Coach
McGinnis feels as though the team has good chemistry. There
is a good mix of freshmen and seniors in this group to form
the right mix to handle high pressure situations. The
pressure was on during the OVC Championship at home for the
Lady Gamecocks and they passed the test with flying colors.
With a win on Thursday, JSU will have to play on Friday at
2:30PM. If there is a loss, they'll be playing at 5PM on
Friday as well.
In Men's Baseball the boys
have been tearing their OVC counterparts a new one. Look for
them to do some magic as well when the OVC tournament comes
to play on May 21st.
It's looking good to be a
Gamecock. Let's hope the good news keeps on coming!
Robert Ray
Government In Sports!
by Robert Ray
I have just wasted roughly 4 1/2 hours of my life today. Is there a way we can
get a refund from the government for the time it took to watch the so called
government in action on Capital Hill? The repeated "why we are all here
today" junk that makes me want to scream "Hey let's get this done so
you guys can get on to passing bills to help the economy get better or gas
prices to go down!!!!!" Did you do it? Are you lying? Will either of you
actually break down today and give us something we haven't already listened to
for the past few weeks? If not, go ahead and pack up your things and leave. Go
back and think about how you just saved America the time to do something
constructive in their lives instead of listening to you go back and forth in a
he said - he said debate! How about a game of paper, rock scissors? Maybe a sit
down match of Rock-Em Sock-Em Robots? What if someone did break down? What then?
Do we go on about our lives as the value of our Roger Clemens autographed jersey
piece baseball card stock goes in the toilet? Are we going to eventually wipe
all records from the 1990s to 2003? Will that stop the insanity? It is what it
is. Baseball decided to turn the other way when the reports of steroids were out
there because they were too concerned in getting fans back into the game after a
huge players strike. They didn't enforce a rule that was not established. It is
what it is! Let's move on people. Baseball is now enforcing what should have
been done long ago. There's nothing we can do about the past but tear down our
beloved players that we once looked at in awe. Get the governments nose out of
the players business. There's more important things to work on in the present.
You solved absolutely nothing today. Way to go. So glad someone actually relied
on you with their votes to do your job. As for the Patriots tapes, I'm glad the
NFL decided to destroy the evidence. You know why? So the government wouldn't
have anything to delve into. The punishment was handed down. The Patriots were
fined and lost a draft pick. Case closed. No need for meddling senators wanting
to make a name for themselves on ESPN! Get back to work people. Go pass a bill
or endorse a presidential candidate. Just stay out of sports!!!! Of course
that's my take, I could be wrong.
My TAKE: by Robert Ray
Super Bowl 42 is now history and what a game it was! To be honest with you, I didn't think the Giants were going to pull it off. The defense was relentless and Eli Manning proved that he could be the quarterback everyone wanted him to be. This was the season for him to prove to everyone that there was indeed another Manning worth talking about when it comes to the clutch plays. How can any dad go up against Archie Manning as to what there kids can do? Sure your sons went to college and are happily employed but, mine went on to win back to back super bowls and take the MVP honors in there respective games! You know what this means for all of us avid football fans? We won't be satisfied until it's Manning vs. Manning in the next super bowl! And kudos to Plaxico Burress for making a bold prediction and sticking to it! You were off a little it on the score but, your now up there with Joe for outspoken prophecies! This makes up for the fact that you left the Steelers just as they went for their win in the big one. Speaking of the Steelers, how about the fact that these Giants where the second wildcard team to go all the way and win the ultimate championship. The only NFC team to do it in history! Mr. Tuck had quite a game along with the rest of the Giants dominating defense. Brady really got a good look at that see through dome they had there in Arizona! The only bad thing out of all of this is that the 72 Dolphins are still the only undefeated team in the history of the NFL and I don't see another near perfect season like this happening again anytime soon.
My Take: Alabama Semi-Pro Teams
Photos Courtesy of: http://www.birminghamprosports.com/index.html
Well, Birmingham is at it again! The old gray lady will host yet another semi-pro team for all the public to come and see. Will it work? Who knows? Id' like to see something like this work out. A rabid fan base develops that would have sponsors get into supporting the local team. The NFL recognize the fact that other than NFL Europe, the CFL and Arena football, there are other ways of farming for talent or developing talent after college. But haven't we as Alabamians felt the sting of buying into a new league only to have our hopes dashed? Remember the Vulcans, Americans, Stallions, Barracudas, Fire, Bolts and the most recent drop out, the Steeldogs (who are in limbo currently and won't be having a 2008 season)? From the Dixie Professional League to the XFL, all had the intentions of cashing in on the fact that Alabama does not have a "Pro" football team to cheer for. All have discovered that college football pretty much trumps every fan base here in the south. Sure, some leagues faltered due to management snafus or actually trying to challenge the NFL head on. MISTAKES!!! But, one would think that a league dead set to encourage college grads the chance to play and will fork out a few dollars to give the fans a lot of freebies to come to the games and allow ticket prices to be reasonable should work. The only semi-pro team to work so far has been the Birmingham Barons. Some fans, like myself, have gone into collecting items from past failed teams. I have actually made it to at least one of the games from the Stallions on in my lifetime. I plan to take my son to the games coming up in April. I wouldn't mind an alternative sport to bide my time until the NFL and College teams crank it back up again. I just hope it lasts more than one season! Maybe we should bring back Art Clarkson to some type of management position. He was the successful leader in the Bulls and Barons before selling them off. Now the UFL will be coming into town soon. Their goal is to challenge the NFL (again MISTAKE!!!!) by playing in the Fall and on Friday nights!! We'll have to see how that will play out here in Alabama. Best of luck to them....They'll need it. That means I'll have at least two more pennants to add to the collection!
My Take: NFL FOOTBALL COVERAGE
So everyone is raising a stink over the fact that only Dish subscribers were able to watch the Green Bay/Dallas Game. What's the big deal? Have we spoiled ourselves so much to the point that we have to raise cain when we can't see a football game on the tube? I remember growing up with only four channels to choose from and you were lucky to have any coverage at all of the NFL games that had played around the league. Growing up a Steelers fan in Alabama had its disadvantages. All the local channels covered Dallas and Atlanta for the most part. I'd have to rely on the halftime updates during Monday night football just to catch highlights of the Sunday games. Now we can subscribe to our favorite teams and get over saturated with an entire network dedicated to sports! Don't you think we can get along with just one game missed on TV? Do what I do when the Steelers aren't playing. Go online to get the updates or dare I say stream some local radio station coverage (kind of a homage to the old days of college ball). I watched the game and believe me, you didn't miss much in the way of the announcing. You get tired of listening to Bryant Gumble and you could barely understand any of the halftime show due to the noise down on the field. Their coverage of Farve's injury was a little too much as well. They had a reporter staking out at the locker room door! I thought they were about to determine the severity of the injury based on which hand he used to wipe with in the stall! None the less, the game is over and everyone who didn't get to see it can catch all of T.O.'s catches, the Farve injury and the questionable calls they can muster all day on ESPN. Just like we all did back in the eighties and nineties. Old school, dude!!!
My Take: It's 'Dega Baby!!!!
By: Robert Ray
The Winnebago's are abundant on the roads
of Gadsden. Crazy paint schemed numbered cars are appearing at gas stations and
shopping center parking lots. Banners are up at every red light welcoming fans
into the area. It can be only one thing: Talladega Baby!!! The big event that
now happens only twice a year. I suggest that if you haven't experienced the big
race that you should give it a shot. It's a sport that enhances itself so much
more live than on TV. I took my son to this huge event just as my dad did for me
back when Winston was allowed to be a sponsor! Go early and walk around the
sponsors area. Get a picture made of you behind the wheel of a mock race car and
get in on the free collectables ( I still have my Dick Trickle collectable Hot
Wheels Car). Head on over to the stands and be prepared to hear see and smell
all that NASCAR is all about. The engines are intimidating. The sweet smell of
gas and burning rubber will possess you and the sight of 100 plus miles an hour
is amazing! Have an open mind and talk with some of the fans. The infield is a
world all unto itself. It's a mixture of tailgaters with cutaway busses and
reinforced platforms atop every vehicle to help provide the best view in the
house. Holler at a lead change, avoid the water and who knows what else that
falls from the nosebleed section in the stands. Salute the Union 76 ball, walk
underneath the tunnel as the cars come speeding by and yell at the guy that
causes "the big one" because he just took out half the field! It's
Talladega! One of the coolest experiences you can have as a spectator. Go out
and have a good time. It'll be hard not to.
My Take: It's All In
The Proof
by: Robert Ray
As a reporter, one thing that is
always good to do is have the person your writing about proof the article. One
can never be too careful as to not offend someone or get the facts completely
wrong which is exactly what happened when I did a local story on body builder
Willie Ard. In the story I eluded to Stephen Moat (Willie's trainer) as a
"former" body builder competitor. Well, that didn't sit too well with
the gentleman and in fact, it inspired him to get built up for this past
weekends NPC Alabama State Show in Birmingham. Now I really have egg on my face
as Stephen went all out and placed fifth in the Open Light Heavy Class! A class
that 1st through 5th were all determined by just a few points. Not that I didn't
think he could do it or anything...Also representing the Etowah County area was
Mandy Tinsley who is a teacher by trade and now a 2007 Miss Alabama Figure
winner as she claimed the Masters Figure Over 35 and Open Overall Figure. Ryan
Tolleson took first place in the Junior Light Weight and his Fed-Ex co-worker
Leon Trammell also placed in the Open Light Heavy Weight Division. Good
representation all around from the local side of body building and figure. I
have to really watch myself now as Stephen has decided to go down to Foley,
Alabama this weekend to participate in the Heart of Dixie NPC event with no
signs of being labeled "former" ever again!
My Take: Barry Bonds
by:Robert Ray
So, Barry Bonds has finally done it. He's gone and
beat Hammerin' Hank's record for home runs with number 756. How dare
he!!! He's a cheat. A man who never gets along with anyone (like the
media). A player who's record deserves an asterisk by it once
recorded into the books. I say fine. Go ahead and do that but, while
your at it, you might as well get ready to mark a few other Hall of
Fame players records. Check the history my friends. HOF pitchers
like Whitey Ford with his "gunk ball". A man who admitted
to practically bringing a work bench out to the mound with him to
help control those pitches. Don Sutton's "scuff ball",
Gaylord Perry who wrote the book on altering the ball to give him an
advantage. How about HOF batters like George Brett with a heavily
induced pine tar bat or the likes of a corked bat of Sammy Sosa,
Albert Belle, Norm Cash, Amos Otis, Billy Hatcher or Wilton
Guerrero. Teams like the 1951 New York Giants with their uncanny
ability to steal signals or the entire Bossard family groundskeepers
who's family traditions gave the edge to many a home team. Let's go
back and just slap an asterisk on the entire game of baseball with
the ever evolving rule changes, multiple pitchers, tighter stitched
baseballs, better crafted bats, number of games in a season, size of
the fields and physical conditioning of the players. Seriously, how
can we asterisk anything that has so many changes since it all
began? Do you ever get the feeling that much later down the road
when someone does a docudrama on this event that the media and the
fans will be played up as the bad guys? The bad guys you always see
in sports movies that look like a bunch of idiots trying to denounce
a man breaking a huge record. A man with an inherent skill that
allows him to track a high speed ball, make an adjustment and
putting a little something on it when it hits the strike zone to put
it out of the field of play. Don't be fooled into thinking that
anyone can go out there and shoot up some roids and just start
putting them out of the park. You have to have the ability and skill
to accomplish that! Enjoy your day in the sun and cherish it Mr.
Bonds. You deserve it. Your a 43 year old man playing amongst a
bunch of kids. I've gotten to the point that I don't care if he did
steroids or not. He's not the only one out there to have done it (if
he did). How do you explain that to the asterisk typer. There's
pitchers getting caught on the junk. Don't you think that kind of
levels the playing field out a bit? I'll leave you with this from
Hall of Famer and St. Louis Cardinal Bob Gibson: "Rules or no
rules..It's a matter of survival."