Game week.

Hey sportsfans!

This week Em will play with the 7th-8th grade girls in their first hoops games of the season. She's been bouncing between the middle schoolers and the varsity practices for the past few weeks. For some reason, the two squads do not run the same plays or defenses. Must find out why. Sure would make life easier for Boo. Brighton and Shades Mountain are on the schedule.

Siddy G is bouncing between voice and dance lessons, play practices and volunteering. She seems to have a handle on her schedule, although nobody else can figure out how she does it. Some of the local TFA air controllers have asked to conference with her for pointers.

Tonight make sure you watch the latest installment of ESPN's 30 for 30: Ghosts of Ole Miss. This one looks to be a powerful story. In 1962, the University of Mississippi campus erupted in violence over integration and swelled with pride over an unbeaten football team. Mississippi native Wright Thompson explores the tumultuous events that continue to shape the state 50 years later. 

Battle of the college football titans this weekend in Baton Rouge. The Alabama-LSU rivalry has become the best rivalry in college football and the rivalry that means the most each year in the national championship race. Saturday’s matchup in Baton Rouge will be the third time these two teams have met in the last 12 months. They’re deadlocked at 3-3 in their last six meetings, although Alabama won 21-0 in the BCS National Championship Game to cap the 2011 season. Coach Saban: "Winning on the line of scrimmage is probably the major factor in this game."

Something to think about:  Super Bowl XLVII will be played this season in New Orleans. I realize there is still tons of football lefts in the NFL season. However, the way Eli and Peyton Manning have their respective teams playing, they could be on a collision course to play in the biggest game in their home town. Could you imagine? The family's ticket request would be unbelievable. Could be fun though. Would enjoy seeing that matchup.

Having a great week: The SF Giants swept the Tigers in the World Series. I've written tons about it already, but this was not a close series. The Giants bloodied the Tigers early in the first game against their ace, Verlander, and they never let up. The Tigers lead for only two innings in the four games. 130 days until pitchers an catchers report. Vanderbilt Commodores top Baseball America recruiting rankings for unprecedented 2nd straight year with consensus top class. Notre Dame went into Norman and stomped on the Sooners. They are looking like a title contender. With their 4th win of the season, the Commodores look to creep toward bowl eligibility. Next week they take on a sloppy Kentucky squad. Longtime NBA Commish David Stern announced his retirement this week. After 30 years at the helm, the NBA is the most global of the major sports. His legacy in the sport will be felt for decades.

Not having a great week: I hate it for Marcus Lattimore, the great running back from South Carolina. Second year in a row ends in a terrible injury. Wish him well. Poor Auburn got ripped at home by TAMU. One the school’s worst home losses in history.There were some ugly moments for Auburn’s offense earlier this season, but the Tigers’ defense was roasted for 671 yards in the 63-21 shellacking by Texas A&M. It’s the most yards Auburn has ever allowed in a game, and it’s the most points the Tigers have allowed in a game since a 68-7 loss to Georgia Tech in 1917.  Big shocker: Tigers are officially eliminated from bowl contention.  Florida, USC and Oklahoma all lost this weekend and presumably taking themselves out of national championship contention.

Praying that Hurricane Sandy will not cause any loss of life.
I choose to treat, not trick.
Have a great week, everyone!
The Sports Guy

Pickup hoops at the J.

As I have written many times before, I truly enjoy playing pickup hoops a few days a week at the J. Whites (no light blue or yellow jerseys, please) vs. Darks. Running clocks. Two halves. 25-35 minutes per half. Subs in/out every five minutes on the buzzer. Call your own fouls. Be a good sport or leave.

This game I have been part of for more than fifteen years has the same nucleus of nine fellows who keep coming back. Phillip. Pat. Don. Dave. Steve. Rodney. Bryan. Rye. Another fifteen others sprinkle in from time to time. Usually about 12-16 show up most mornings that we play. Rarely are the games blowouts. Even if one side gets up by a bunch, the other side will rally for a close finish. Buzzer beaters are the best. Most (well, at least some) know each other’s families and socialize some with each other.  I am sure our game is very similar to the thousands of pickup games played around the country every day.

Getting in some cardio while chasing ballers, some more than a decade younger than me,  really tests by middle age body. I know my limits and try not to be the gym class hero each week. Some guys still need that. I do not. I count my victories in small measures. A steal here. A pick there. Maybe even a nice pass or two. My team might even win occasionally. Thankfully I am not counted on much for scoring so when I do knock down bucket or two, hey, hey!

Some guys played hoops in college (mainly small schools) or they played other sports in college. Most all played sports in high school. Some are really good athletes. Some guys are in great shape to make up for their lack of skills. And yet others truly lack the required hand/eye skills but play for the comradery or to get out of the house. (You know who you are.)

Except for the occasional new guy, we all know our expected  roles and the skills (or lack of) of each player. Choosing up sides differs each time we play, but we are usually paired up against the same guys each week. I know who I am guarding usually just by seeing who is warming up pre-game. If my opponent is within 5-7 years of my age (44) either way, I am usually good to go. The problem is when I am assigned to an energizerus bunnyum or to a young buck in his mid 20s. While I do have some tricks up my sleeve (can’t share them in public), so long as the assignment is not permanent, I am usually good for 10-15 minute spurts of trying to keep up with that guy.

For the most part the games do not get too heated. Yes, there are the occasional hard fouls, minor injuries, bad tempers and questionable calls. However, sometimes the testosterone levels reach a competitive high and cooler heads must prevail. Once or twice a year some guys must be separated before acting like they will throw a punch. (Never seen a punch thrown.) Pretty tame for the most part.

However. I must digress for a moment. (If you have read this far, a few more paragraphs will not kill you.)

There is the one fellow. Let’s call him Rasheed. (Seems appropriate.)  An aging guy who had marginal skills to begin with. I wonder if he brings his off-court issues with him on-court. While his pride will never allow him to admit it, these two attributes have now caught up with him on the court. Two steps too slow and not factoring into his team’s scoring plans have set this fellow on edge. As such, he now cheats. And not in a good way. In a way that might lead another to take a swing at him. I hope not. But, at the same time, a hard  foul or two might straighten him, or better yet, get him to leave the game. I am not complaining, nor will I be the guy who takes care of him.

The next time Rasheed grabs the arm of the fellow he is guarding might be the last time he does it. Rasheed also likes to step out of bounds to guard the inbound pass. He also likes to stick out a knee when his opponent passes him on the way for a layup. Major no-no. I am shocked someone has not already gotten hurt by his tactics. I just hope for his sake that he wizens up very soon. Like, before this Sunday when we play again. Maybe he will not show up.

Rasheed aside, I cannot wait for the next game. So long as my knees stay on good behavior I will keep on playing. Now if I could just find a pair of basketball shoes that make my ankles look faster....

Have a good weekend,
The Sports Guy

Race for the Cure was a big success. Dores rebound against the Tigers.

Hey sportsfans!

This past weekend was the 17th annual Komen Race for the Cure in downtown Birmingham. What a glorious event. More than 16,000 racers and more than $1 mil. was raised. Team Kate has Hope counted more than 115 team members and raised more than $15,000 through more than 130 different donations. TKHH was the number one Friends and Family team once again. A big thanks to ATM for being team captain again this year.

Yes, STK rollerskated the entire 3.1 miles. 

For those of you uninformed or ill-informed about the Southeastern Conference, this article is a great primer: SEC Traditions. Speaking of traditions, the Dores now have a two game winning streak against Auburn. In knocking off the Tigers (1-6) this weekend, 17-13, the Commodores (3-4) are setting  themselves up for a great second half while hotly pursuing a bowl bid.  Auburn becomes 1st team ever in AP Poll era to start 1-6 within 2 years of winning a national title. Vanderbilt's win also means the Commodores now lead their all-time series against the Tigers 21-20-1.

Sid is busily preparing for the winter dance recital. Her first one in about four years. In the past they have conflicted with semester finals. This year she is good to go. The school play is in a few weeks so she is a busy, busy kid these days. Here is Sid in May 2003 stretching before a dance class at the original Backstage Studio.

These days Em is busier than a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest. In addition to the Middle School Lead program and all things academic, she is working her tush off in preseason conditioning with the Varsity hoops squad. Coach Matt is not Em's favorite coach for the moment. Games begin in early November. Here are Sid and Em in January 2005 while playing for the LJCC.

Having a good week: Check out this guy. Mascot turned QB turned hero. How about this guy? Runs an entire marathon in flip flops. Finishes 29th out of 3,000 runners. Flip flops.  Duke defeated North Carolina 33-30 Saturday to become bowl eligible for the first time since 1994. Assuming the Giants do not take two games at home from St. Louis, it will likely be the Detroit Tigers vs. the Cards in the World Series later this week. An undefeated Mississippi State will bring the SEC's leading rusher, LaDarius Perkins (103.4 ypg), to Tuscaloosa on Saturday. I predict he limps out with less than 75 yards gain in their first loss of the season. After their 44-13 drubbing of the Volunteers, Alabama seniors celebrate going 5-0 against Tennessee. 

Not having a good week:  Lance Armstrong, embroiled in new controversy surrounding his alleged doping while winning seven consecutive Tour de France titles, announced Wednesday that he is stepping down as chairman of his cancer-fighting charity so it can focus on its mission instead of its founder's problems. Nike and several other longtime sponsors also canned him this week. Visiting Cleveland Browns practice Wednesday, Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan mistook QB Colt McCoy for QB Brandon Weeden. The NY Yankees are out of the playoffs, old in their roster and need to ride themselves of ARod. 

Have a great week everyone!
The Sports Guy 

Dores played tough, just not tough enough. Race for the Cure is this upcoming Saturday in downtown Birmingham. Already one of the best MLB post seasons ever.

Hey sportsfans! 

The Home Team headed north this past weekend for the Florida / Vandy game. With Gin and Mack in tow, we had a great time in Music City. After touring the athletic facilities, we watched the Friday walk through and then some of the baseball team's workout. Old Spaghetti Factory and Dalt's are longtime favs for great meals. After touring the campus and  eating some fine BBQ at  Commodores Club tailgate, we also got up close and personal for Star Walk to cheer on the team along with the band, cheerleaders and recruits as Dores walked into the stadium. Great site to see two game captains carrying in the anchor ahead of the team. 

Sitting amongst the enemy (for the day), Sid and Em had to keep certain Michel family members in check while most of us rooted for the home team. Alas, the Dores played tough, but did not prevail in the 31-17 loss to the #2 ranked Gators.

 

The second half of the season looks to be a little more friendly for the Dores. The first half of the schedule teams were a combined 26-12, while the second half opponents so far are 12-26. With Auburn coming to town next weekend, the Dores look to gain a much needed conference win. A bowl game is still not out of the question, but they had better get moving.


Could the Dores be favored in all of their remaining regular season games ???
10/20 Auburn Tigers
10/27 UMass Minutemen (HC)
11/03 at Kentucky Wildcats
11/10 at Ole Miss Rebels
11/17 Tennessee Volunteers
11/24 at Wake Forest Demon Deacons


This upcoming Saturday is the annual Komen Race for the Cure. Team Kate has Hope once again is one of the top five teams in terms of fundraising and number of team members. So far, more than 100 team  members and more than $10k in money raised. Way to go! It's not too late to donate. Here is the link:  Donate to Team Kate has Hope! This past Sunday the girls helped in a lemonade / baked goods sale that netted more than $1000 in about four hours. Not too shabby.

Em is in the second week of  basketball preseason conditioning. Somebody get this girl some pasta, STAT! Games begin in a few weeks. Should be a fun season.

Sid's school play is in a few weeks. Practices are underway.  She is busy prepping for the PSAT, looking at colleges and dancing up a storm at Backstage.

Having a great week: The Atlanta Falcons look sharp. Best start to a season in franchise history.  Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals look to be on a collision path for the World Series. Both are playing some serious baseball right now. Not surprised that Bama and Florida sit 1-2 in the first BCS poll of the season. Alabama, btw, has now gone 20 straight games without trailing at the end of any quarter. The Ohio Bobcats are ranked #25 in the latest AP college football, their first national ranking since 1968. Did you see this fellow? Felix Baumgartner, an Austrian skydiver and a BASE jumper, set the world record for skydiving an estimated 128,000 ft, reaching an estimated speed of  834 mph, or Mach 1.24, on October 14, 2012. Insane. Here is a link that will tell you all about this crazy stunt: Felix Baumgartner is crazy.

Not having a great week:  NY Yankees and NY Jets look bad, real bad. A CT scan & MRI confirms that the Yankees' Derek Jeter has a fractured left ankle, and will see a specialist in Charlotte this week. He will miss playing in the post season for the Yanks for the first time since 1996. In the first half of Saturday's game against Oklahoma, Texas ran only two plays in Sooners territory, with both ending up as interceptions. Texas football coach Mack Brown after Saturday's 63-21 loss to the Sooners: "They outcoached us, outhit us. Just unacceptable for Texas to lose like that to Oklahoma." This photo basically sums it up for Texas fans:

This MLB post season has been incredible, and we haven't even finished either League Championship Series (although it really is over in NY). Lots of closeout games with dramatic finished. Jayson
Stark says it best.  in his recent column.

I know it's early, but four SEC teams could end up 11-1 (Bama, FLA, SC and LSU). I think the BCS would implode if all four end up in top 5 at end of the season.
I might start eating Halloween candy. Maybe I already have.
Have a great week everyone!
The  Sports Guy

Boosterathon 2012

Hey sportsfans!

With Sid and Em away on their trips there is not much to share from their worlds. As a treat, we enlisted guest writer, UD, for this week to share about one of Lilly's latest sports adventures.

TSG


Lilly completed Boosterthon 2012 this morning. She did great! She ran really hard during the time period. Her cheeks were rosy red. She did not complain about sweating!!!  She completed 30 laps (so multiply your pledge by 30 and send it in please). Thank you so much for supporting her and her school.  She really loves it there.


Each black mark on her shirt represents one lap. Note the dirt on the bottom of her shirt: that is from her shoes which is the result of her high leg kick.

We are very proud of Lilly's strong effort today.  Thanks for your support. 

David