Hope springs eternal for A-Rod, Hamilton

Seeing Josh Hamilton on the cover of SI and posting some monster numbers is a great story and reminded me of last year (April 19, to be exact); I wrote the piece below and sent it in to the NY Times and Newsday. Neither ran it. They can go F themselves.

You decide if it's worth reading.

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In the opening weeks of the 2007 Major League Baseball season, two number one draft picks from the 1990s are both living up to their superhuman potential while taming the challenges of their personal demons.

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, the first overall choice of the 1993 draft, and Cincinnati Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton, 1999’s top choice, are experiencing large measures of success right off the bat.

While high draft picks are expected to produce, their futures are never guaranteed. Both Hamilton and Rodriguez have fought vastly different—though crippling to their performance—challenges on their journeys to early-season success.

Widely regarded as the best position player in baseball and only a season removed from a most valuable player award, Rodriguez has suffered three seasons of Bronx cheers for failing to deliver in the clutch while collecting the majors’ highest paycheck of more than $25 million each season.

The bright lights and constant scrutiny of New York City has flustered even the most accomplished stars. While Rodriguez’ regular-season numbers in pinstripes are a statistical success, he has come up short in the only category that matters to the New York fans and press: October excellence. Rodriguez’ postseason performance has yet to fulfill his peerless potential, batting below .200 in both 2005 and 2006 while failing to pace the Bombers into the second round either year. These losses come on the heels of a monumental collapse at the hands of the Boston Red Sox in 2004, where the Yankees lost a three-games-to-none lead to their archrivals.

Living up to a spring training vow to renew his focus in the 2007 season, Rodriguez broke an American League record by clubbing 10 homers in his first 14 games—including two game-winning blasts that stand as the define the term “clutch”. A-Rod is riding a 19-game hitting streak dating back to last season and leads the majors in home runs and RBI heading into a series with the Red Sox.

“There’s a lot of good players in the major leagues, and there’s a handful of great players. Alex Rodriguez is the top of the game right now,” said former Yankee and Red Paul O’Neill after Rodriguez’ most recent walk-off home run Thursday.

When the Tampa Bay Devil Rays selected Josh Hamilton, the team figured to build their young franchise around the can’t-miss prospect. "Other than Alex Rodriguez, he is the best amateur player I've ever scouted," Marlins vice president of player personnel Dan Jennings—who was Tampa Bay’s scouting director when Hamilton was selected—told the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Kevin Kelly earlier this month. “That's not too bad. And I give Alex the edge only because he was a shortstop,” said Jennings.

Jumping straight from high school to the minor leagues, Hamilton was rewarded with a $3.96 million contract, which soon paved the way to the phenom’s downfall. In a time where baseball’s drug problem has focused on performance enhancing drugs, Hamilton fell victim to the performance crippling variety. On July 10, 2002, he was suspended for violating MLB’s substance abuse policy due to his cocaine and alcohol addictions. After a long journey back, he now says that he has been sober for more than 18 months.

Selected by the Cubs in the Rule V draft and traded to the Reds, Hamilton finished a stellar spring batting .403 for the Reds, and made the Opening Day roster as a fourth outfielder. Hamilton cracked the lineup for the Reds’ first game and homered in only his second at bat—his first home run in professional baseball since 2002.
Thanks to Hamilton’s fast start, the Reds are shifting their lineup to find a permanent place for the 25-year-old in their lineup. Half of Hamilton’s 10 hits in 2007 have been home runs and he carries a hefty .900 slugging percentage and superb .429 on-base percentage in the early going.

While hope springs eternal in virtually ever major league city each April, the dog days of summer are often ruthless in extinguishing those dreams. Rodriguez recognizes that he will receive his ultimate judgment as the pennant race heats up and the chase for the Yankees’ 27th world title enters October. Hamilton must face his addictions in a struggle measured day to day.

The most refreshing aspect of their early success comes in recognizing that these two supremely gifted athletes are enjoying themselves and finally finding themselves through the simplicity of playing a game.

Kid Rock Storms Madison Square

On Thursday, May 15, 2008, Kid Rock blew the roof off the World's Most Famous Arena with what can only be described as the greatest concert experience of my young life. My lone regret is that I ripped off Kid Rock by only paying $80/ticket to sit in his glorious presence.

Rolling Stone's photos (here)

As a professional reporter, I brought a notepad with me to track the set lists. I started off strong:

but apparently learned Mandarin as the evening progressed:

Look at that handwriting. What seems to be the problem, ocifer?

The opening act saw Southern Rock gods Lynyrd Skynyrd prep the crowd with a four-guitar assault on the senses. Incredibly, this marked the first time Skynyrd played MSG in their 30-year history. Naturally, this means that May 15, 2008 might have also marked the first time the Bars and Stars flew so freely, as frontman Johnny Van Zandt showcased his Southern pride with the Rebel Flag throughout the opening act.

There's nothing like hearing classic foot tappers like That Smell, Gimme Three Steps, and Call Me the Breeze from an opening act. A background note, several members of the band--including frontman Ronnie Van Zandt (Johnny's older brother) were killed in a plane crash outside of McComb, Miss. in 1977. The fact that Ronnie's lyrics still hold up after all these decades show what a true genius he was. Case in point, the building came apart when the opening chords of Sweet Home Alabama (Or, as I like to call it, the National Anthem) flowed into the command, "Turn it up!" (is there no more sublime phrase in the English language?)

Finally, the band closed by giving in to the set-long calls from the audience demanding Free bird. Stage right, a resplendent white piano spun upon a platform, adorned with an American flag and eagle stauette. Free bird lived up to the expectations.

During the intermission, I made one of about 15 trips to the men's room. While there, I started a conversation with this bruiser that was wearing a "Sturgis '07" t-shirt. I asked if he was going back this year, but apparently fuel prices and the OPEC cartel impacts biker dudes and in this current economic climate, he couldn't go. In hindsight, I'm surprised he actually answered my question with words and not his fist.

After the intermission, Kid Rock started balls to the wall and didn't let up save for a brief intermission. The set began with the title track from his latest studio album, Rock and Roll Jesus. He flowed into Welcome to the Party (My name's Kid Rock, I'm a Capricorn/Detroit City's where I was born). Ok, great start, then Kid Rock introduced the Bronx' own, Peter Wolf, the former frontman of the J. Geils Band. The crowd was thrilled as Wolf let them know Love Stinks.

Rock took control of the show w/ MF'er Quite Like Me, American Bad Ass, Lowlife and Cocky. After Skynyrd played Sweet Home, it was interesting to hear the familiar progressions adorn Rock's All Summer Long, flowing along with Werewolves of London.







Rock slowed it down with Roll On into Cowboy and then belted Half Your Age with his incredibly talented drummer, Stefanie Eulinberg. Stef does a great job with Picture and didn't let down. Only God Knows Why was next. This song speaks for itself, but it was enhanced by one of our fellow audience members. Matt was talking with this guy sitting next to us, calling him "Stevie" all night. I was like, Matt, do you know this guy? Matt said, No, but doesn't he look like Steve O?

And he did, in fact, look like Steve O.

Apparently, Mr. O was addicted to coke (his words) and Only God Knows Why was the reason he stopped. He then pulled up his sleeve to reveal a tattoo adorned with a cross and the words, Only God Knows Why. Steve later told Matt that his brother was in magazine publishing and wanted to shoot Matt for the magazine. We'll see where that goes.

Hallejluah, I See the Light!

At the end of the first set, Wolf returned to the stage and duetted with Rock on Centerfold (awesome) into Ain't Too Proud to Beg and Musta (Been Wrong). That would have been enough. Alas, Rock was far from done.

After the intermission, Rock started with Devil Without a Cause, with the requisite Joe C cameo from beyond the grave. Then the big moment: Rev. Run's return to the Madison Square Garden Stage. At this point, I left my seat and ran around the World's Most Famous Arena, slapping 5's with everyone as Rock and Run did hits like It's Tricky, King of Rock and Walk This Way. Simply Amazing.

Rock finished up with one of my favorite parts of his act. He steps up to the turntables and talks with his hands, he plays the piano and plays the guitar and drums. Again, this flexibility didn't let me down.

Run and Wolf came back out to wrap things up with For What Its Worth and Rock encored with Bawitaba. The night was complete and fulfillment (or something) was in the air. The best thing about Kid Rock is that when he closes a show, you always feel like you received your money's worth.

Outside the arena, as I stood on the corner of 34th Street and 7th Avenue, It was easy to feel fulfilled. Either that or really enjoying som nondescript meat on a stick that Chico bought me.

Nonetheless, I was high on life and filled with the spirit of Rock and Roll Jesus.


Set list feat. Rev Run & Peter Wolf
01 - Rock N Roll Jesus
02 - Welcome 2 The Party
03 - Love Stinks feat. Peter Wolf
04 - MF Quite Like Me>Sad But True>American Bad Ass
05 - Lowlife
06 - Cocky
07 - All Summer Long
08 - Roll On
09 - Cowboy>You Never Called Me By My Name>Cowboy
10 - Half Your Age feat. Stefanie Eulinberg
11 - Only God Knows Why
12 - Amen
13 - Centerfold>Proud To Beg>Musta Feat. Peter Wolf
INTERMISSION
14 - Devil Without A Cause (Joe C checkin in from heaven's gate)
15 - Rock Box>It's Like That>It's Tricky>You Be Illin feat. Rev Run
16 - Here We Go>King Of Rock>Walk This Way feat. Rev Run
17 - Picture feat. Stacy Michelle
18 - Instrumental Jam with Kid Rock talking with his hands
19 - So Hott
20 - For What It's Worth feat. Rev Run & Peter Wolf
21 - This Little Light Of Mine feat. Rev Run & Peter Wolf
22 - Bawitdaba

Set list courtesy of: http://extremekr.proboards76.com/index.cgi?board=liveconcerts&action=display&thread=5178

Rolling Stone's photos (here)

Carolina Alumni Review!!!

They published my letter in the May/June 08 issue!

Footage from the Greatest Concert Ever!!!

Concert Review coming shortly...in the meantime enjoy Peter Wolf and Bob Ritchie.

Links of the Day: Happy Birthday Andrew

SEE, SEE????  Now you know…

I want to believe

History of Solitaire

Chaminade's Finest Alum

Homer and Morgan's Lost Weekend

You know what they say, when the cat's away, Homer knows how to party! No matter how hard I tried, the wackjob wouldn't stop jumping on Mom and Pop's bed.

After I finally got him to calm down, he wanted to go into mom's office. Homer thinks mom is a computer hog and was happy to finally log some time on the keyboard.

Homer loves eBay. He had his eye on a Coca-Cola fabrege egg and added SOB523 to his favorite sellers.

Even though he has a paw and no fingers, he showed surprising dexterity using the mouse. I was impressed.

After a long day in the yard, Homer wanted to unwind with some of his "water." He's got the discerning taste and a sophisticated pallette. He also didn't want any of that wussy Grey Goose. He thinks only sorority girls and poodles spend the money to drink that crap.

After guzzling down his bowl like a camel that just spent 30 days crossing the Sahara (or Grandma Gina), Homer told me that he loved "That Old Time Rock and Roll". Cue Bob Seger:

Dude's crazy, he reminds me of Neil Patrick Harris in Harold and Kumar. Physically, I couldn't keep up! Hopefully, mom doesn't make this a habit.

THE END

Sweep the leg, Johnny

Greatest YouTube Video EVER!!!

This changed my life, don't miss the NatGeo special, Sunday at 9. The perfect must-see Mother's Day event.

Caleb Campbell, Great American

There’s something of a media storm brewing over the post-graduation plans of West Point cadet and Detroit Lions seventh-round draft pick, Caleb Campbell (This week's SI calls him, 'A controversial Army star'). If Cadet Campbell makes the Lions roster, he will serve his military commitment as a recruiter instead of accepting a probable overseas assignment fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In a day and age of stratospheric military recruiting budgets (more than $600 million in 2003) and recruiting numbers so poor that the services find themselves waving moral and education standards, allowing Campbell serve as a recruiter is a brilliant move.

As you can see in the picture above, the young man looks like he was pulled from a recruiting advertisement. Handsome, chiseled (6’2”, 229, DING!) and well spoken, Campbell embodies the ideals West Point strives to instill in the Cadet Corps. He’s the perfect poster boy for the recruiting mission he’ll undertake and the Army will be better for it. If the example set by Caleb Campbell draws top-notch young men and women to West Point and into the ranks of Army, then he’ll have lived up to one of the key expectations of every officer: setting the example. From initial indications, those in the military concur.

As Campbell told Sports Illustrated, he’s received a ton of support (SI reports more than 300 emails, many from troops currently deployed), and with good reason. Anyone who’s worn the uniform has had at least some personal experience observing some conniving fellow servicemember angling to avoid undesirable duty—to include finding ways around deployments to the AOR—placing their personal interests above their country and their service.

While the military boasts a long line of Sgt. Bilko-types, there is also a precedence of our American warriors serving some of their commitment as athletes. From Gen. George S. Patton competing in the Modern Pentathlon in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics (where he controversially took fifth) to present-day Olympians Dan Browne (himself a West Pointer and track star) and Dremiel Byers (Greco-Roman wrestling), the intersection of athletics and soldiering is both long and distinguished.

Today, all services have long-established World-Class Athlete Programs that enable exceptional athletes to train for the Olympics while performing modified uniformed. While the WCAPs are typically tied to the Olympics, Campbell’s case certainly fits the intention of this program, which should be able to evolve accordingly.

In recent days, I’ve been reminded that Ted Williams’ service as a Marine aviator in both World War II and Korea is the true example of an athlete serving as a “poster boy.” I can’t argue with that logic. Ted Williams is the quintessential American Man in just about every measure. I can only say that times have changed over the last half-century. Where Williams and his famous contemporaries (Paul Hornung, Joe DiMaggio, Elvis) were expected to serve, times are different now. I’m not arguing that this is a good thing, I would have loved to have served with Derek Jeter, but just that things have changed between then and now. In fact, Campbell’s scenario ties into two interesting current events storylines.

First, the curious circumstances surrounding the death of Army Ranger and former NFL standout Pat Tillman still draws headlines, and was featured on CBS’ 60 Minutes this week. While we must never accept the Defense Department spin machine’s attempts to explain Pat Tillman’s death and apparent cover up, perhaps Campbell can serve as an ambassador of goodwill that helps foster some of the healing for NFL fans and Americans alike who will forever feel jaded by Army brass.

Second, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, Senator John McCain, faced a similar issue surrounding two former star United States Naval Academy athletes. In a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in 1985, McCain questioned James Webb, then nominated to become the Secretary of the Navy, about two Midshipmen, Napoleon McCallum (football) and David Robinson (basketball). As SecNav, Webb was unwilling to allow Robinson and McCallum out of their respective five-year service commitments.

When questioning Webb, McCain said, “I would suggest a case can be made that Mr. McCallum and Midshipman Robinson have contributed enormously in raising the visibility of the service academies.” According to Robert Timberg, author of The Nightingale's Song, Webb disagreed with the policy and forbid both from playing professional sports as naval officers, although he allowed Robinson to serve only two years of his active commitment.

It would be an interesting angle to hear the opinions of McCain and Webb regarding Cadet Campbell, especially given that both their sons are enlisted Marines with Iraq service under their belts. If reporters actually did research and possessed some measure of creativity, they might have reported on this storyline. Instead, I’m sure we’ll be flooded with hundreds of stories detailing how Hillary’s out of the race. Thanks.

In recent years, the military has suffered from more than its share of bad press. This young man’s tale shouldn’t devolve into a divisive issue, but should be a rallying point for our active duty heroes and veterans alike (and I think it has). All Americans should be proud of this young man and cheer him on. Caleb Campbell’s performance on the gridiron has the potential to be a bright spot amidst some tough times for the U.S. Army, and we shouldn’t allow anything to tarnish this tale.

Deadspin Recommendation: Annoying Superhuman Lawyer-To-Be Makes Life More Difficult For The Rest Of Us

Morgan has sent you a link to a post on Deadspin:

Title: Annoying Superhuman Lawyer-To-Be Makes Life More Difficult For The Rest Of Us
Link: http://deadspin.com/387511/annoying-superhuman-lawyer+to+be-makes-life-more-difficult-for-the-rest-of-us

Morgan says: My hero: Notre Dame Law by day, Long Island Marathon champ on the weekends!

Fairfax Earthquake!!!

 

I hope Andrew Survived!

 

 

Daily Links, 5/2

 

Iron Man!!!

I want to believe

Lil’ Hansborough to ND

Tyler Hansbrough Staying In School To Take This One Awesome Philosophy Class

My Man Ben Chang Livin it up on Elle.com

Check out these pics from my colleague and mentor, Ben Chang: Diplomat, DJ, Photog and Impresario/Lothario extraordinaire!

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The entire article can be found here Loomstate Organic Denim

2008 Heels: Yes We Can!

Photo: NY Times

The Heels shot hoops with Obama; then the NCAA took issue, but then it wasn't a big deal after all.

Daily Links, Mayday

Happy Mayday!

 

May Day occurs on May 1 and refers to any of several public holidays.^[1] In many countries, May Day is synonymous with International Workers' Day, or Labour Day, which celebrates the social and economic achievements of the labor movement. As a day of celebration, however, the holiday has ancient origins and can relate to many customs that have survived into modern times. Many of these customs are due to May Day being a cross-quarter day, meaning that it falls approximately halfway between an equinox and a solstice.

 

I am IRON MAN

Bobby Frasor, Golden God