Second Triple Crown?

Orb may have fallen short in his effort to win the Triple Crown but Miguel Cabrera may be on his way to his second straight Triple Crown in major league baseball. He is hitting a sensational .387 and has 47 runs batted in. He crushed three homers Sunday night in Texas and despite the Tigers losing the game Cabrera doesnt seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Miguel is a big time talent and despite his troubles off the field i think he deserves credit for being the GREAT hitter that he is.

Dodgers talk. Giants win.

The Dodgers are probably going to fire Mattingly but the blame for getting their asses kicked all season long should be shared by ALL the players and management. .We heard all the hype about the new management and new players that is exactly what it has been so far lots of hype and no results. Either stinks. Crawford? Gonzales? Handley? All either injured or no factor. I saw the closer #31 with a 5+ ERA and wondered who the hell is this guy? After he pitched i said ....WHY the HELL is he the closer? There was alot of noise at seasons beginning by MAGIC and the new ownership about winning a championship but that is exactly what it is TALK.The Dodgers TALK a big game the Giants PLAY a big game. 2 world Series titles and virtually no hype at all while doing it. The Dodgers have 2 legitimate ball players #22 and #27 and the rest of the bums better grow a set and earn some of that 200 million dollar payroll.

Pitcher protection.

Major League Baseball is investigating the possibillity of pitchers wearing protective gear. While i feel bad for any pitcher who suffers from a line drive injury i think the possibillity of pitchers wearing masks and helmets is a silly idea.The better idea is for coaches and instructors to teach pitchers how to field their positions better. I am also suspicious that MLB is not all that concerned about player safety but instead concerned about being sued by a pitcher for not protecting them from the hazards of baseball. The fact is that all sports have an inherent risk of injury when played at a highly competive level. Athletes assume the risk when they take part in competition. Having medical staff at the athletic sight is sufficient protection for the athletes in competition. MLB doesnt need to comprise the performance of its players because of the fear of injury lawsuits or anything else over protective men in suits can think of.

Sports pain.

Everyone has exprienced the pain of watching their favorite sports teams lose a big game. Names like Bobby Olive Mark Wade and Greg Frey may not mean anything to the average sports fan but to me the mention of these names causes me ESP ......Extreme Sports Pain.  Greg Frey and Bobby Olive teamed up to beat Iowa on a last second touchdown pass.Mark Wade lead the UNLV Runnin Rebels back from a 21 point deficit in a final eight showdown during the 1987-88 season. The pain from these loses was so painful that I can still remember key plays and situations during the losses.I couldnt eat for at least a day and i didnt watch any sports television for at least a week. I was actually in Kinnick Stadium for Frye to Olive and I sat their untill every person left the stadium.I can remember Wade grinning as he dribbled out the clock and crushed my dreaam of seeing Iowa in the final four for the second time in my life. Perhaps those disappointments have tempered my feelings when the Hawks struggle during a bad season. Was the pain worth the chance at a big victory for my team? Absolutely it certainly was.

Notre Dame wimpy IRISH.

Before im convinced that Notre Dame football is back for good let me call BULL on the irish backing out of their series with Michigan. I realize that the games with Navy and Purdue are vitally important but i think thats not a good move for college football.Their linebacker has a fake girlfriend and almost wins the Heisman because of it. Bama clobbers their cocky asses in the title game and now no more Michigan?  Notre Dame football wasnt really a factor in college football for 25 years and if they keep on making really stupid decisions thats exactly where they will end up again.

Dodger hero.

LA Dodger Matt Kemp is one of my favorite baseball players. After what he did in San Fransisco after a 4-3 Loss to the Giants he has also become one of my favorite people. A young man who is battling cancer was at the game and Matt came over to sign a baseball and meet him. The young man can no longer speak so Kemp said hello and gave the young man his #27 uniform his cap and shoes. The expression on the young mans face was priceless. Kemp made the statement that he believes that some things are more important than baseball and that he tries to use baseball as an opportunity to make others happy. Matt Kemp is not only an outstanding baseball player but someone who puts sports in its proper perspective. Im glad he represents my team. Go Dodgers and GO #27.

MOM......

 Mom : I love you.  Im sure you are fine and that you have made heaven a home and the children there very welcome and happy. All your children both natural and babysitted are doing fine. Jenny is yanno being Jenny she is loving your grandsons and fighting with terry as usuall. Dad is fine still working Gambling and living life happier than ever. He misses you so but remembers you often. Clyde misses you the most but she has kept her promise to you. I worry that her sadness may sometimes give her the blues but i know her family loves and keeps her going. Mom i miss you but im sure your excited about anna. She is a wonderful woman and we are happy together. I love her alot and she loves me too. Thanks Mom for all you did for me and all you continue to do for everyone here.  The joy you must feel now has got to be amazing and all the heavens must give you plenty to keep you busy. Please know that you are thought of and loved with all my heart.  Please pray for all of us and i look forward to seeeing you again when the Lord calls me home. rick