Thursday, July 30, 2009

Easy way to do this

Manny Ramirez of the Dodgers apparently is on the list of suspected users of performance-enhancing substances dating back to 2003.
So is David Papi of the Red Sox.
Wouldn't it be simpler to say who isn't?

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Helton a Hall of Famer?

There obviously isn't anything else going on in the world of sports, so the discussion is under way about Todd Helton and whether he belongs in the Hall of Fame.
Nothing like getting a six- to seven-year head start on the discussion, but no one ever said the Denver sports media didn't like to stir up something well in advance of a potential event.
Five hundred doubles with one team goes a long way toward some national awards. So does his defense at first base. Think of how many other troubles the Rockies would have had without his glove.
The one big downside – and a fact of life around these parts – is the Mountain Time Zone. Most of the Rockies games start very late on the East Coast which, naturally, is where many of the the voting members for the Hall work and live.
Is he deserving? Offer up a thought or two ...

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

The return of Vick

Michael Vick, who just finished a federal jail term for his part in a dog fighting ring, is back in the NFL ... sort of.
He can play in the last two preseason games, provided someone signs him to a contract. He could be back in the complete fold by the time the sixth game of the season rolls around.
Any thoughts?

Monday, July 27, 2009

Back to blogs

Disappeared for a week ... things got a little squirrely (and shorthanded) last week in sportsland.
Lots to touch on ... the Broncos open training camp this week with new people in charge and, hopefully, more of an inclination to make the players act like players and not cry babies ...
The Rockies keep winning series, but they aren't gaining a lot of ground on the L.A. Dodgers. Colorado won seven of its last 10 entering this week's slate of games and gained just one game in the standings. Division title? A little far-fetched right now. Wild card? ...
Jump in ...

Friday, July 17, 2009

Amazing Irv

Irv Brown was in Brighton today.
The local talk-show host, former NCAA basketball official, former baseball coach and present employee of the Denver Nuggets spent an hour talking basketball, trading cards and passing along some sage advice for a group of 5- to 8-year-olds attending a basketball camp at the Brighton Recreation Center. The story will be in next week's Brighton Standard Blade and will be on the Web site shortly thereafter.
Aside from his knowledge of sports and the people who played the games from today to once upon a time – and the fact he is as entertaining in person as he is on the air – Irv Brown is the last of the talkers on any medium who understands that talk radio is conversational. That gets a big plus in my book.
He engaged everyone in his talk today – parents, campers, city employees, a school district employee and two members of the press. It was fun to watch.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Kingery on way out?

Jeff Kingery, longtime radio voice of the Colorado Rockies, may not be around much longer.
A report in yesterday's Denver Post said Kingery's behavior on board a team bus in Los Angeles caused his role to be cut in half (home games only) for the second half of the season. There's been no discussion about Kingery's role beyond this season. But in this day and age, you don't pay someone a Kingery type salary to work a half a workload.
What do you think?

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Can't stand TV

So, how many sat breathlessly by the edge of their TV sets watching that made-for-Chris Berman extravaganza last night in St. Louis?
How many opted to eat dinner and read a book instead?
One version was quite a bit less noisy. That was my choice.

Monday, July 13, 2009

47-41?

As they say, who'd have thunk it?
The Rockies, rightfully given up for dead six weeks ago, are six games over .500 heading to the All-Star break.
They are playing a much better brand of baseball these days. Jim Tracy isn't a subscriber to the "book" 100% of the time, as was the previous administration. The Rockos are playing smart baseball (trying to hit behind the runner, squeeze plays, stolen bases, etc.), which wasn't always the case before.
They aren't on a par with the Dodgers or some of the other division leaders, but they are catching up. The recent three-game series with L.A. was quite a bit more entertaining than any of the games earlier in the year.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Sakic's retirement

What are your thoughts on the retirement of Joe Sakic? The local media would have you believe ole Joe is going to walk on water before long.
But I digress. Weigh in ...

Thursday, July 9, 2009

And now, some real news

KIHEI, MAUI – Pleased to report that the saga of Michael Jackson didn't bypass the Hawaiian Islands last week.
Spurred on by the breathless and sensationalistic coverage of Nancy Grace and the usual suspects on the other cable networks, we weren't left with a moment to breathe until we could hear about a mystery syringe, who was in the house at the time Mr. Jackson took ill, speculation about whether the entertainer self-inflicted the cardiac arrest and CNN stooping to the level where it had to show pictures of Jackson's last rehearsals. (This was late at night, long after the day's meals had been devoured).
We heard something about an earthquake in Greece but no details, not even in the local papers. We read a long story about the passing of Karl Malden, one of the great actors of our day. But by comparison, those items rated nothing more than a belch when stacked up against Mr. Jackson.
If the media actually think the world lives for all things Jackson, then please take time to pity a future generation of educated people.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Freedom in all forms

KIHEI, MAUI – We celebrated our nation's birthday Saturday, our freedom from British rule earned 233 years ago.
At a place called Little Mikena (about 15 miles south of here), people celebrated freedom from their clothing Saturday at a public nude beach. The split was about 60/40 in favor of those whose torsos were suitable for nude swimming, snorkeling sans clothes and, yes, sunbathing. (Insert your own joke here). Most of the 40% who should have worn anything haven't quite made it out of the '60s yet.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Back in the saddle

Vacation was truly wonderful ... a week in Hawaii can't be anything but, right?
It was eight days of body surfing, seeing fish, eating fish, eating too much in general, drinking too much salt water.
And doing it with the family.
Which made it the best part of all. Those with aging parents know the routine. At best, the opportunities to round up five people, mesh their varied schedules and schlep them someplace for a few days are very scarce. And the time to spend together as a family is getting scarce, too.
But to see the smiles on mom and dad's faces during the past few weeks -- as the credit card commercial says, "Priceless."