Sectionals in T-town. The Ginger Train in high gear. Siddy's award winning photos. Bo Bikes Bama. Novel Guy. Yankees cologne?

Hey sportsfans,

Although this school term is coming to a close, we still have lots of sports stories to share with you this week. Spring track and lacrosse seasons are winding up soon, but Em still has lots of energy to finish strong.

On Tuesday night night we watched our buddy (and yours) Meyer "The man with a gazillion nicknames" Wolnek play some baseball in Homewood. In an 11-6 thriller, Moo's Mets took it on the chin against the surging Braves. This multi-talented star pitched well and played a mean first base for the struggling orange-jerseyed Mets. Displaying some slick leather play that reminded some of Keith Hernandez in the 1980s (Like Mey, Hernandez was a left handed first baseman with mad skills around the bag, but this fellow chain-smoked and sported a mean looking 'stache - neither of which Meyer claims - yet.), Mr. Wolnek took part in a successful pick off of a runner and was involved in at least seven other outs in four innings. At the plate, Moo-Moo Mr. Cow was strong as he collected two hits and scored twice. More from Meyer later on in the report.

Here is Meyer (circa 2008) reacting to being told by his mother that she just bought for him a large jar of olives from Sam's. This is the same reaction he gives when his team wins a big game or when he wakes up from a solid nap. Nice job, Mey!

During Thursday night, Em's lethargic Spartans took on  Hoover and just spanked them. Em had her best game of the year. She scored four goals and had one assist in the 13-5 win. Great game!

Never one to rest, Em really stepped up to the big time on Friday. She was part of Altamont's varsity track team participating in the AHSAA Sectional Track & Field Championships at The University of Alabama Sam Bailey Track. More than forty schools from around the state in different classifications were competing for spots in next week's State Championships in Selma. 

Although she did not qualify for Selma, Em helped the Girls team to finish in third place in the meet. She earned points in the javelin throw, 100 meters and 200 meters sprints. I am very proud of Emmy for competing in such a big venue against girls who are almost five years older than she. Great experience. Can't wait to see how she improves in the upcoming years.

Big ups to Siddy G for two of her photographs receiving awards in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards of 2012, presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. Her works (below) are entitled "Circle of Life" and "Like I'm made of Glass." (Poor quality images are my fault, not Sid's) Her photographs were judged along with  more than 200,000 works from around the country. She certainly has her mother's keen eye.

As we marked the one year anniversary of the terrible storms that caused much destruction and lives lost, this week  Bo Jackson and famous friends biked across Alabama to remember those lives and raise money for those in need.  Here is the link:
http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/7849754/bo-jackson-ken-griffey-jr-scottie-pippen-bike-help-victims

Also on Saturday, Em played in the last regular season lacrosse game with the Spartans. They took on a very tough Huntsville squad with a poor sport of a coach. Even with a commanding lead in the second half, the Huntsville starters remained in the game. Their coach never stopped yelling, criticizing the refs and just showed a lack of class.  Em scored late in the game and the Huntsville coach was yelling at his players for no reason. Without LA in goal and two other starters out, the Spartans did not put up much of a fight today in the loss.

League playoffs are this week. The team will then play in the Roswell (Ga.) lax tourney in a few weeks, but Em will not attend. Something to do with her father insisting she study for final exams which are the following week. Harsh. Sue me.

Why read a book at a ballgame? This fellow has choice seats, but does not appreciate them. Novel Guy didn’t bust out the book until the 8th and 9th innings when the Royals were trying to notch their fourth win of the season. It was 4-1 and most people were on pins and needles. Not Novel Guy. He got caught up on this reading and soldiered through until the final out.

The New York Times reports the Yankees are coming out with their own cologne & perfume, available at Yankee Stadium & retailers like Macy's.  http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/23/next-up-to-bat-a-whiff-of-the-yankees/ Gross.

Big fan of Rick Reilly. Here's a great story. http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/7849214/rockies-pitcher-twitter-friendship

Of course you remember the book/movie "Friday Night Lights." Author Buzz Bissinger has written a follow up on James "Boobie" Miles that it a must read:   http://www.buzzbissinger.com/after-friday.html

Sunday mornings. Ten guys. One ball. Sixty minutes. No moanin or groanin. Good times.

Having a great week:  Happy birthdays to G-Money and Elley Belley who share April 26. Let's give it up for our buddy Meyer Wolnek. What an exciting hockey season he just completed. His team just won their league championship in a three-overtime thriller! The NJ/Brooklyn Nets lost 105-87 to the Sixers Monday night in their final game in New Jersey after 35 years. The Nets move to the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn next season. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie did not attend the Nets' final game in the state the other night: "My message to the Nets is 'goodbye'. You don't wanna stay, we don't want ya .... They wanna leave here and go to Brooklyn? Good riddance. See ya later." Love it.

Not having a great week: Have you seen the season Michael Jordan's Charlotte Bobcats just had? This week they completed the worst season in NBA history. Just tuuuuurible. Saints GM Mickey Loomis is being investigated for having listening devices on the opposing teams in the Superdome. Could be even more trouble for already under fire Saints franchise. With a new complaint filed on behalf of 80 former players, the NFL is now facing 63 lawsuits from over 1,300 plaintiffs regarding head injuries suffered while playing. A Chuckey-Doak (Tennessee) High School player who blasted a home run during his team's win Saturday later learned that his homer blasted the front windshield of his own car. Ouch.

Confirmation is next weekend.
Sid performs in two weeks. Email me for tickets.
Have a great week everyone!
The Sports Guy















Tide visits The Prez. The Sweet Science and the LJCC. Formally formal. Old Man River. A Legend steps down.

Hey sportsfans,

The Spartans lax team were not pros this week as they took it on the chin against Hoover and Oak Mountain. Not much to report. Just going through the motions. This team has lost its mojo and desire to win.  I hope they rally in the their final few games.

As the reigning National Champs, look who visited the White House this week. Again. Becoming routine.

In a few weeks, Ben "The Bone Crusher" Weil, Phillip "The Cuban Sensation" Barrocas (both seen below)and several others will be boxing to support the J & Help Knockout Heart Disease at The Main Event Fundraiser. Mark your calendars for May 19th. The Main Event is a fundraiser benefiting the LJCC, the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association.

Click here for details:http://www.bhamjcc.org/index.php?src=events&category=Events&srctype=detail&refno=443

As more former NFL players file lawsuits against the league over head injuries, Detroit Lions center Dominic Raiola says he won't be one of them once he retires: "I think when you sign up for this job, you know what you're getting in to."  Let's see how he feels five-ten-fifteen years after he retires.

This past weekend was Altamont's Spring Formal. Siddy G and gal pals looked so beautiful and happy. In contrast, I've never seen such a group of nervous young men. Some fathers were amused and beaming with pride. Some were not. I was.

Having a great week: At 49 years, 151 days, Colorado Rockies pitcher, Jamie Moyer, became the oldest MLB pitcher to record a win, breaking the record of Jack Quinn set in 1932. With 268 wins, Moyer keeps defying the odds. Think of this: his first start was June 16, 1986, which was two weeks after I graduated high school. Geez. Moyer made his debut against Carlton, who made his debut against Larry Jackson, who pitched in his debut against Hank Sauer. Sauer, who played in his debut against Paul Waner, who played his first series game in 1927 against Babe Ruth. Moyer/Ruth...FIVE degrees. Elias: Jamie Moyer has pitched to eight percent of all hitters in major league history. All five of the University of Kentucky's top underclassmen declared for the NBA Draft on Tuesday. Freshmen Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Marquis Teague and sophomores Doron Lamb and Terrence Jones helped guide Kentucky to its eighth NCAA national basketball title earlier this month and made their announcement alongside head coach John Calipari at Tuesday's press conference. The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation & board chair Fred W. Smith made a $1.25 million donation to the University of Arkansas, citing A.D. Jeff Long's "courageous leadership" in firing football coach Bobby Petrino. Ball State can proudly claim that it has the #1 quidditch team in the country, as ranked by the International Quidditch Association. Despite entering the game with an 11-10 career record and a 4.06 ERA with five different franchises,on Saturday White Sox pitcher  Philip Humber became the 21st pitcher in major league history to throw a perfect game (and the fourth since 2009). He beat the Mariners 4-0.


Not having a great week: The Arkansas Children's Hospital announces that the Bobby Petrino Charity Golf Classic scheduled for June 18 has been canceled. UT women's hoops head coach legend Pat Summitt has stepped down at Tennessee. Been less than a year since Alzheimer's news was announced. 1098 wins, 31 tourney apps, 18 FFs, 8 Nat'l Titles, 7-time COY. She will be greatly missed. The Boston Red Sox are imploding. Check out the box score below. The NY Yankees erased a 9-0 deficit in the sixth inning, then added a two-run double in the eighth to give them the lead. The comeback matched the franchise's largest deficit overcome in a win.

         1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9  R   H E
NYY 0 0 0 0 0 1 7 7 0 15 16 0
BOS  2 3 2 0 2 0 0 0 0   9 17 1


Next up: Sectional track meet. Spring recitals. Final exams. Somebody's turning 16 soon.
Have a great week everyone!
I'm off to get in some Sunday morning hoopage.
The Sports Guy

Cold Springs. Dan Anderson Lacrosse Classic. Braveheart. 6 Points Sports Academy.

Hey sportsfans,

What a big week of sports to share with you.

Tuesday night Em's Spartans took on Vestavia and came out a winner, 9-8. What a thrilling game. Em scored once and assisted on another goal in the final three minutes, and LA stopped four shots on goal in the final minute to seal the win.  The team played very well in anticipation of the Dan Anderson Lacrosse Classic for later in the week.

On Friday we then ventured up to Cold Springs, AL (look it up) for a small track meet with about a dozen small schools from the northern part of the state. Try keeping Passover in this suburb of Cullman.  This ancient (read: asphalt) track must be at least fifty years old. Rocks, cracks, dips all through the oval. For some reason the Chariots of Fire theme ran (bad word) through my mind all night. After six plus hours into the meet, Em was finished and we got to go home.

Some pretty good results from the Knights. Em threw the javelin and set a personal record in the long jump at 11'3." You will notice below that we almost had a guest runner in the 4x400 relay. With one runner injured, Sid was ready to fill in on the second leg. However, Coach Tim wisely decided to pull the team and not run in the race. Maybe one day, ....

Middle School and Varsity Sectionals/Regionals are in the upcoming weeks.  Em looks to improve her personal bests in each competition. She is working very hard in each event. Might need to rethink my attendance strategy.

Nine hours after getting home Friday night, Em was out the door for lacrosse. During the weekend the Spartans participated in the 9th annual Dan Anderson Lacrosse Classic at the Sicard Hollow fields in Vestavia. Teams from all over the southeast came to town for this great test of skills. Although the Spartans did not win any games over the weekend, my hats off to this rec league team comprised of mostly seventh and eighth graders. Many of  these Spartans are new to the sport. They took on travel teams from from Collierville, TN, Marietta, GA, Atlanta and Woodstock, GA., all of which play and practice year around.  In addition, the U13 the Spartans played in the U15 bracket in the DALC.

The Spartans played their best game against the Junior Hoyas from Atlanta. Although they lost 11-6, the green and gold showed better passing, team defense and overall team chemistry. Em contributed three assists and one goal against a very tough opponent.  For the tourney, Em scored twice and assisted on seven others goals.

The most exciting part of the tournament was the braveheart challenge. After pool play, to set the seedings for the playoffs, each team sent 2-3 scorers and their goalie into the braveheart.  This is a one vs. one with the first to score wins each battle. The first team to win two battles was declared the winner.

During the braveheart shootout, Em was chosen for first draw. Em, "I felt like I was in the Hunger Games as I walked to the middle of the field."  She might have been nervous on the inside, but she sure did not show it. In front of 22 other lax teams, friends and fans, Em won the opening draw and sprinted like a scolded dog toward the other goal.  With a five yard lead on her opponent and full head of steam, The Ginger Train shot from 5 meters but was denied her goal when the goalie made a very nice stop. Em then defended her turf for the next two full minutes while the other shooter took four shots on goal. She made the fourth shot to win the challenge. Very proud of Em this being her first competition of this type.  Although the Spartans did not qualify for the playoffs, there are  lots of positives to draw from this tourney.

                                        

Three more league games are on the agenda for this week.  Em looks to score more as the team is putting in designed plays now that their skills have improved during this season.

Sunday afternoon we hosted an open house with Randy Colman from 6 Points Sports Academy. This sports-themed camp for Jewish kids, located in Greensboro, NC,  is making splash in a very crowded camp world. Emmy had a blast last summer. If you are interested in learning more about the camp, please see their website: http://6points.urjcamps.org/.

Having a great week:  The Doodle, Mack, turns 16 today! Happy birthday, big guy.  The Braves are on a roll. After losing their first four games to open the season, they swept the Brewers out of town and have now won five in a row. Bring on the Mets!  What a mensch! Soon to  be NFL First Round pick Trent Richardson took Alabama fan and cancer survivor Courtney Alvis to her senior prom at Hueytown High School. Courtney was chosen prom queen. Great story. See the video: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=7815808. The St. Louis Cardinals' new World Series rings include a small tribute to the Rally Squirrel.  65 years ago yesterday Jackie Robinson first took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers.


Not having a great week: What a dummy. Former Un. of Arkansas head football coach Bobby Petrino.  So much lost. Looks like Bosox manager Bobby Valentine is up to his usual self. He criticized longtime Sox Nation fav Yook for something dumb. More chaos on a team already hurting. Former Florida & NBA player Dwayne Schintzius died Sunday at the age of 43 due to respiratory failure caused by complications from leukemia. Always enjoyed rooting against this fellow. Great talent. I thought MLB was off to a great start this season until I read that USA Today's Bob Nightengale notes that African-Americans make up 8.05% of this year's MLB rosters, the lowest numbers since the first years of integration in the 1950s. San Francisco Giants pitcher Brian Wilson confirms he is done for the season with a right elbow injury,


Sid's recitals are fast approaching.
Have a great week everyone!
The Sports Guy 

Homewood meet. Kosher meat.

Dear sportsfans,

Come back! Where did spring break go !?!?!?! Oh well, back to reality.

Sid danced, sang and ad-libbed in Altamont's play, Zap!, last week. Lots of improv. Lots of fun.

Emily and her middle school chums participated in the Homeood Middle School meet recently. Emily improved her long jump to 11' 2" which placed her 15th out of 50. Unfortuntatly, due to heavy rains, the other events were canceled. She continues to work on the high jump and javelin.  

Hopefully, there will be some more middle school and/or varisty meets for her to test her skills. Coach Timmerman really likes Em's technique and enthusiasm in each of these events.

Last Friday, Em and her Spartans blew out Hoover 12-1 in lacrosse. Em scored two goals and played tough on defense. Thanks to B&Z and Gma  for escorting Em while Sid and I were in the Big Apple. Speaking of which ...

Last weekend, Sid packed in more sightseeing, shopping and praying in 96 hours of  New York City than anyone has ever recorded in modern times. Speaking of ancient times, with the confirmation class, Sid saw Dead Sea Scrolls, a Gutenberg Bible, a signed letter by Maimonides, and topped it off with a trip to Dylan's Candy Bar. We did see our buddy Remi and her 'rents, as well as the always impressive A. Karp.

In honor the Masters being played this week, here is your must read:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=fathersday

Having a great week: Baylor Bears and Brittney Griner capped off the first 40-0 college hoops season. Kentucky captured the men's crown. The L.A. Dodgers have been sold to Magic Johnson's group for $2 billion, the highest amount ever paid for a North American sports franchise. Not having a great week: Last fall, during the NFL's investigation of the bounty culture in the League, former Saints coach, Gregg Williams, was caught on tape specifically mentioning players and body parts to injure. He's done.  

Opening Day is upon us. Are you ready? I am. 

So is Passover. I am not. 

Have a great week everyone!

The Sports Guy