A.E.P.: MLB Pitching Electricity Has Shut Down

The New York [YANKEES] have had some good “luck” as a Baseball organization for over a century.

 Being able to see, then [PURCHASE] the best fits…     George Herman,

                [EDWARD CHARLES] ,           and  Andrew Eugene have all been privy to the deep  pocketed ownership by those of [NEW AMSTERDAM]. Greatness IS expected by the time the ink has dried, most who choose the “Pinstripes” are rewarded by a ring, ( 27 wins in 40 appearances !), for their signitures.

Babe Ruth and Whitey Ford are in the MLB [HALL of FAME]. As of Friday, February 4, 2011 Andy Petitte “will announce” his retirement from the New York YANKEES organization. His [RECORDED] highlights are a testament to the keen eyes of those behind the scenes that help maintain the machine known as the “BRONX BOMBERS”.

 Whatever transpires at the news conference is just the reloading of one of the fiercest of competetive teams in sports. The question is what new “Howitzer” will they bring to the field ?

Where Life is More Important than Race or Creed

As a white man living in middle America, in the Month of February, (which happens to be Black History Month), I was deeply moved when along with my Editor,( who just so happens to be black himself.), came across this story about a Wake Forrest Baseball Coach who gave a Kidney up to save one of his Players. I was truly moved by the fact that a Coach selflessly gave of himself to a fallen comrade.  The two gentlemen I’m talking about are Coach/ Player, [ TOM WALTER/ KEVIN JORDAN]. Here is where the REAL LESSON in LIFE  lives… where  WE are all people  and WE all are just that.                                 

Mark Jewett

Who is “THE” BUDDHA?

I have been talking about different topics in the Sports World and expressing my thoughts and views on them as well, when it hit me. When people read this blog, they might like to know about who is writing these thoughts. Well, let me introduce to you “Big Buddha”. “Big Buddha” is not just a name a couple of local guys picked out of a Hat and decided to ROLL with for the name of their endevor.  These same two men also have a BURNING PASSION for the collectable Histories of Sports, and how it entwines with the life around it. The BUDDHA is a Symbol of Growth and Prosperity that we can identify with,( And we ourselves want to Grow and Prosper as does anyone.),  but with that comes the Understanding and Patience that comes with the BUDDHA. Through “his” observances we can help others understand and place information that can be helpful to them and their future endeavors.   

                                                                  Ickey and The BUDDHAS        

More to Follow

If you’re wondering how to contact “The Buddha” look at the top of a post and tap the “TAKE ME TO THE BUDDHA” button. Thanks !!!

The 45th Parallel

My Feelings on the Super bowl ” Fallout” last night are these, I feel the better Team won. The Packers, were Prepared and More than a Match for the “SURE THING” PITTSBURG STEELERS. Let’s face it, the Steelers have been there, done that. While the Packers, the Second Youngest team roster in the League, are starting to get their IDENTITY. The Steelers were “UNDERDOGS”, don’t know how, but they were. Though, as I watched the Game I could see that the once “MIGHTY” Pittsburg Steelers were in no way the Team they needed to be to stop the young, upstart Packers from their claim to greatness. 

SUPERBOWL XLV is in the books, and the Pack has taken the Lombardi Trophy home back to where it all began,  45years ago [ SUPER BOWL I].

                                                                                                                     

 When the Man for whom the Super bowl Trophy was named claimed the first Super Bowl victory himself. Along with Hall of Fame , QB Bart Starr, 35-10 over  fellow QB and Hall of Famer, Len Dawson’s Kansas City CHIEFS.

 With the Present Pack, QB, [Air- On Rogers] has gotten over the Hump, and Brett’s Shadow, and Now the SUPERBOWL MVP has become a Champion.

                                                       

 Meanwhile, the Look of Disappointment is now cast upon the Pittsburg Steelers. Three turnovers turned to 21 points against them. Is not characteristic of a Championship Dynasty.

 Coach Tomlin’s Remarks after the game said it all. His Scowl was seen across the World,                                                                                                          Example of the Mike Tomlin Scowl.

  He was truly upset and the whole World knew it. But I do believe Respect was given to the Packers. But he was very quick to point out that the Steelers will be back. Credit must also be given to the Packers for playing through Adversity, with Key injuries to players

                                                                                                                                

 the Pack went right on attacking the Steelers, and when it looked to be in the Favor of the Men of Steel the Pack fought back and never lost sight of their GOAL.  The Pack is Back!!! 

 More to follow.

Mark Jewett

Beware The Silent Man

Kevin Durant reminds me of Jimmy Stewart in the film ” The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance”.

A man who quietly goes about life in a NO NONSENSE, get it done efficient way. As a Lawyer Stewart’s job was done through beautifully applied words. UNTIL…

Kevin Durant has that lean, reed-like frame of “Business” done against Gale winds. For these few years he has   FLOWED around, past and through the ‘GOLIATHS’ of the NBA. 

 

There’d been no questions of how well Kevin conducted “BUSINESS“. We’ve seen no one bluster chest-to-chest, during any of the hundreds of contests, to Kevin…                     

EXCEPT the other day, ( Sunday, Jan 30, 2011), with Chris Bosh.  

Many Sports News programs held lengthy discussions about the significance  of the two quiet men’s display on court.

After four years of NBA TIME, ( After ONLY ONE year of NCAA, Division One  preparation.), the young, (22 years old.), University of TEXAS product’s only LOUDNESS was via being the number ONE drafted player that year… until Chris Bosh interrupted the, Technical FOUL generating, conversation between Durant and team mate Devon Hardin during the first half of the MIAMI  HEAT-OKLAHOMA THUNDER game.

Growing up during the 20th century gave credence… FAVOR… to the “strong, SILENT hero”. UNTIL a string of beautifully “brutal” Boxing wins by Cassius Clay/ MUHAMMAD ALI. 

     

 The high volume brashness of blatant braggodocio was shunned. Those times have morphed into pre, during and after “game” horn blowing that is more raucous, and intense, than New York Harbor Masters announcing the passage of the Tall Ships.

Maybe Mr. Bosh has decided to fire the initial volley of the “War of the WHISPERERS”. If so Mr. Durant has returned said volley via his  [ TREBUCHET] of [  TERSE][NESS]. Even with their volume turned to ELEVEN this “scrap” may be heard in [BRAILLE].

 A “fair”- [-LIS], ( As in fleur-de-), dangerous man. ( Chris Bosh as “Casper Milquetoast”.)

D.Rick Mack

A Champion Raising CHAMPIONS

No one can imagine collecting every scrap of information that could, possibly, be of the Mercurian/ “FRENZIED” childhood of the “Kid” they ran around with. Isn’t that they way it goes when we sit in the living room, hair all linened and navels that echo ? We tell any story that connects us to that “Kid”, from what they’d done beside the public pool to their winning move to win “THE” game in High School.

Many a folk have been a witness to [DICK Le BEAU], who just happened to be the beneficiary of the “small town” GOLDEN RULES” that London, Ohio infused into him. From the stable of ‘RED RAIDERS’, ( His London, Ohio High School Team moniker. ), to the hallowed “SHOE” of THE Ohio State University Dick LeBeau was a STUDENT of the game of FOOTBALL.

Richard and Woodrow

 The FIFTH round, ( 58th overall ), draft pick of the CLEVELAND BROWNS  joined team mate, Tackle, Dick Shafrath in the NFL in 1959. A reward added to his being a running back during the National Championship year of 1957. The BROWNS cut LeBeau during rookie camp (!!!) allowing the DETROIT LIONS to enjoy [TWELVE YEARS] of a HALL of  FAME CAREER .

After leaving college as a running back / DEFENSIVE back, (players of his time played “ALL” the downs ! ), Mr. LeBeau took his knowledge of prevention, ( Lebeau is widely considered to be one of the greatest defensive backs in Detroit history. From 1959-72, he recorded 62 interceptions for 762 yards and three touchdowns. His 62 interceptions are the most by a player in Lions’ history, and he is tied for seventh all-time in NFL history. His 762 interception return yards ranks third all-time in team history. ), to the Philadelphia EAGLES in 1973. The PACKERS followed in 1976, and gave the Cincinnati BENGALS enough of the “right stuff” to be championship caliber during the 1980’s.

 Considered the author of the     ZONE BLITZ LeBeau has been instrumental in many NFL teams achieving the brutal beauty that the American (“style” of ) FOOTBALL has come to be known for. And those organizations that have had  this GENIUS on staff know that their stands, and wallets will have a fullness.

 There  is a debate, this year, of whether Dick LeBeau will continue coaching after this season’s SUPERBOWL #45. He’s stated that he will stay within the STEELERS machine, while some spew the rumor of Dick being wooed to the deserts of Arizona, for the CARDINALS.

 Well, the CHAMPIONSHIP hasn’t been contested yet. So, I will let Mr. LeBeau spring that decision after the game.

D.Rick Mack

From Krill to Caviar

Being the “stud” in high school is, practically, nothing when you’re from a pool of , about, 540 total students. That’s 35 less than my senior class graduates. Then you have to factor in how many of these are female, then WHO wants to spend those “WONDERFUL” days of summer in the blessed two-per-day conditioning sessions that determine who plays what for the school’s varsity football program. We’ve all heard the BIG fish- little pond analogy, which IS [\’TRUE\’]. We’ve, also, heard the term “it ain’t the size of the dog in a fight- it’s the size of the FIGHT in the dog”. Let me introduce you to a great bet in the fight that the GREENBAY PACKERS are going to [UNLEASH] against the PITTSBURGH STEELERS  Sunday, February 6, 2011-@ 6:30 p.m..

[THOMAS LEWIS CRABTREE]      has proven to be THAT DOG !

 Local “boy” makes good is an understatement that the [LOCAL] current events distributor just can’t GILD their small-town ‘hero’ enough of.

To give you a comparison, Tom Crabtree isn’t a [CHARLES CHRISTOPHER SPIELMAN], Tom  was / IS “the little engine” that DOES !!!…

“Everyone – even receivers Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones and Jordy Nelson – saw how tough it will be to get their numbers when tight end Jermichael Finley has a monster game with four big receptions for 103 yards. It is obvious that receptions will be hard to come by this year and perhaps impossible for a first year tight end like Crabtree.

So the place to make a contribution is special teams. Crabtree, who was kept with three other tight ends on the roster, has excelled there.

“He plays on five of the six* special teams units,” said Packers special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum. “He had two kickoff tackles and he was highly combative. He was down fast on the punts. He did an excellent job in the return game as well. He had a nice tackle on running back C.J. Spiller. We were kicking north and Spiller tried to take the ball out to our left side, toward our bench, kind of bouncing out the side door. Crabtree came from the middle. Charlie Peprah turned the ball back in and Crabtree made the tackle. That was a good play.”  * That would be 86.33 % of an entire game’s participation.  (http://dev.www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/103427819.html?page=1)…

Does anyone remember [WILLIAM FREDERICK BATES] ? Or maybe you’ve heard of another Miami (of Ohio) [ALUMNUS] who plays a “little” Football ?

We’ve all got the name of someone who “should have” gone to the top of their sport. Not many of us are handed a name by the person themself . On Sunday, FEBRUARY SIXTH, TWO-THOUSAND ELEVEN there will be a “LITTLE FISH” working on the lunches of some grade- A Bull Sharks.

His name is Tom Crabtree, number 83  for the GREENBAY PACKERS… Born, BRED in SMALL TOWN AMERICA.

D.Rick Mack

Moving Landscapes

Things are moving toward [OPENING DAY] at a rapid pace in the MLB, some players are planning their next “move”.  [Joseph Patrick Mauer ]  could be “on the market” if the MINNESOTA TWINS don’t resign him. Mauer, a DEFENSIVE Catcher       who also happens to hit like an All-Star batsman, ponders if the TWINS will resign him. If they do it could be in excess of $200 Million.

                                     A little steep,but Mauer is worth the investment                              

           [CHRISTOPHER PHIFER LEE]

                                                                             and            [BRANDON TYLER  WEBB]

 also wonder where they will playing, LEE,  won the CyYoung award in O8. and Played like Cy in O9. 

   

On the Opposite end of the Spectrum, Webb pitched just four innings last year, then had Back Surgery on top of that.  But on the BRIGHT SIDE, Webb when healthy, can be on that SHORT LIST of the Best Pitchers in Baseball. Outfielders,

 [CARL DEMONTE CRAWFORD]

   

  [Jayson Richard Gowan Werth (Werewolf)] 

    

 have had huge up-swings when it comes to power hitting, and should fit somebody’s schemes nicely. Werth has been an asset to the PHILLIES since they signed him in 2007.

[VICTOR JESUS MARTINEZ]  

      and

                                                  [Joshua Patrick Beckett ]   

 have some factors working…  “reputation” and age… against them, but are also good in a lot of areas. The wild cards are [DEREK SANDERSON JETER], [Manuel Aristides (Onelcida) Ramirez ], and [Adam Troy Dunn (Big Donkey) ] are also on that list. More to follow.

Mark Jewett

A Line In The Sand

  Being a sports fan can be frustrating at times.

But, being an OHIO sports fan can be , (“Lately” ), absolutely crazy. And, myself, a PROUD Bengals FAN.

I’m Just about a “BASKETCASE”.     

… Keep tellin’ myself, maybe “NEXT YEAR, Mark”.  Year goes by, then another year… then ANOTHER. The CINCINNATI BENGALS are as inconsistent as the DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE. One year they are up top, the next year they are DOWN ! But the CONSISTENT thing is FANS in CINCINNATI. They are plain sick and tired of the “same OL’ thing”.

Bengals QB, [CARSON PALMER] has “requested” a trade. “Imagine that“.  He believes it is best for him and the team to seperate from each other.

   “Ocho Cinco”, (or Johnson.), we DON’T know what to call him just yet. This guy wants to change his name back to ‘CHAD JOHNSON’…

must have been bored with ” Ocho Cinco” which really means 8/5, ( In Spanish.), not 85 “LOL”.

 Now, it seems that ‘Chad’ has ISSUES with Head COACH Marvin Lewis…               

                                                 

AGAIN !!!

” Put ME and Marvin in a CAGE” *, (or something of that nature. ), was said during an interview with ESPN. He, apparently, is a little upset at Lewis  for “throwing him under the bus”. Which I find, kind of, amusing. I guess being called “a little MOPEY” is like getting thhrown under a bus.When asked about “the OCHO’ Marvin said that ‘Chad’ “was, STILL, under contract”. and with [MIKE BROWN] turning down Carson it looks like the LINES have been drawn into some very gritty mediums. more to follow.

*[TNA WRESTLING], “Git” SOME!

Mark Jewett                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                

When Fanaticism Is Mistaken For Honorarium

Sport is a multi-MILLION(S) dollar business in these United States. For example, in 2006 HBO generated 3700000 ‘pay-per-view’ buys with  $177000000 just in GROSS sales. Even with these staggering first figures they’re, basically, only for Boxing and Wrestling events.

The sport that is found to create the most revenue is [FOOTBALL]. The cost of a 30 second “spot”  in 2006 on ABC’s “Monday Night Football”  went for $323000, bargain “basement’ now. In 2007 a CBS SUPERBOWL TV ad was looking  for $2.6 million per :30. NOW, they’re going to “request” the tidy sum of $3MILLION during this year’s confrontation.

Now, HOW does this mesh to the above title? The term  [FANATICISM] has been restructured into the more “genteel” stylings of clothing,

   just to show a less

                                                                  extreme view 

of SUPPORTING one’s favorite team. Which brings us to the title.

Imagine living in a large, significant HISTORICALLY Sports based city. Think about how the business, that provides you a living, has fully placed its way of generating sales by linking the LOCAL Professional sports teams to the quality of their sales, services and [INTEGRITY]. The difference of who, or WHAT we find worthy of our support may be called into question on ANY given day. And that is exactly what should be done… a simple question can remove one from from Villain to CITIZEN in a short period of time.

D. Rick Mack