Adios 2008

So happy blah blah blah.

Whatever. It's another day...and maybe I won't even work.

I've been working since about five this morning, which largely makes me feel like an awful father. I'm not, but I still feel guilty.

It was really a work day, but did I really have to do roughly 14 hours or so of work?

The answer, unfortunately, is yes.

Such is life.

The damn weather didn't help - snow, ice, yuck. I couldn't get the car out of the driveway. To top it off, it looks like 2009 is beginning the same way I spent much of December 2008 - sick.

Enough!

I'll spare you the 2008 recap. You know what happened, and we're all better served to just keep moving forward.

WGCH's hockey coverage begins Friday, with our pregame show at 5:05 PM. Sean Kilkelly will run things from the corner of Lewis and Mason Streets, while Nick Fox reports from between the benches. John Spang and I will be at the mics to call Greenwich and Darien. Hard to believe I'm beginning my 11th season.

Talk to you on the radio then.

Three things to look forward to on 1/1/09 - plenty of college bowl games, the Winter Classic, and the debut of the Major League Baseball Network. They're kicking off
with the first rebroadcast of Don Larsen's perfect game, played on October 8, 1956.

Be safe, and may we all find good things to say about 2009.

Phil Mushnick: Upright, Uptight Citizen

Amazing. Purely amazing. From Awful Announcing:

I have yet to find/see the video on this, but a few outlets are freaking out because the NFL on FOX's Howie Long decided to call co-worker Terry Bradshaw a "scumbag" during the pregame show on the network. The comment came after Bradshaw said he was rooting for the Lions to lose their last game and finish 0-16.

From there, the New York Post's resident pantywaist got his stuff all twisted.

That gave Long, Bradshaw and Fox 58 minutes to apologize, to express their regrets to a national audience for having ambushed it during Sunday daylight.

None came. Perhaps they felt they'd said nothing inappropriate, or, at worst, it was no big deal. Hey, if there were kids watching, that's what the Fox robot is for!

Oh Phil, Phil, Phil. Is it a slow day? Are you angry because you're working this week? Are you troubled because you don't really have Mike and the Mad Dog to fight over any more? Or is just because the WWE hasn't given you anything to troll about?

Haysooz Cristo. Get a grip.

Hey! Did anyone notice that the Patriots and Cowboys are both out of the playoffs? They were my Super Bowl pick, by the way, but that's OK. I'd rather be wrong on that one, thanks all the same.

I'll eventually stop hating on you, Pats. Just not right now. My boy Nick Angotto will make me see right again, I promise.

So is this the behavior where I'm being smug, self-absorbed, or both? I get confused on these things so quickly!

I'm out of here before I say more snide things.

My Christmas Card

In lieu of sending out Christmas cards, I decided that I would send an email to the many people who have touched my life in one way or another. Inevitably, I'm sure I left somebody out because I either don't have their email address or just overlooked them.

So with that in mind, I'm posting the text of the email here.

Hi all,

It's another crazy holiday season, and I don't quite have a Christmas card routine set just yet, so I'm hoping that you'll indulge me by accepting this email and know that I'm thinking of you. I've attached Sean's most recent school picture for you to marvel at and make the realization that yes, indeed, my little boy is almost seven and getting bigger every day.

Sean and I hope that you each have a joyous holiday season. We also hope we can continue to be a part of your lives in the same way that you've enriched ours. So many of you have been so good to both of us as we've accepted life's ups and downs and continue to move forward. Words cannot describe the gratitude that I have. We look forward to moving into many happier days.

So from both of us, may you have the merriest of Christmases, the happiest of holidays, and peace in 2009.

- Rob

Maybe it's the music I've been listening to for the past four hours or so. Maybe I'm just touched by the season. Maybe I'm a softy at heart.

True...true...and true.

(Oh, and I'm sure some copyright precludes me from posting Sean's picture. I'll apologize in advance.)

Friends and acquaintances, you've each been such a big part of my life, and this silly ol' blogaroonie. I say to you, from the bottom of my heart, many thanks for reading and listening. Beyond the friends and blood relatives, where would I be, for instance, without my Cardinals family? What about the Renegades? I'm not sure you realize what a godsend that was for me. And my Yankees family (the people I sat with, not the team, per se).

You get the idea.

Merry Christmas, may God (or whoever you choose) bless you, and may we see peace in 2009 (I know, we still have a week to go). I have such high hopes (Frank Sinatra, 1959) for me, Sean, and our world in the future. I hope we all find prosperity, good health, and that our brave men and women overseas come home safe.

The Empire Strikes Again...

New ballpark...lots of money off of the books...plenty of available revenue...so HEY! Let's sign some players!

First it was CC Sabathia. Then came AJ Burnett. Now...just days after the Red Sox and Angels supposedly backed out (then the Sox made a late dash), it appears that, if the reports are correct, Mark Teixeira is coming to The Bronx.

Let the budget bitching begin.

Now, Mr. Brian Cashman, go get us a freaking center fielder, and say hello to your 2009 World Champions!

Or not.

Well Done, George

The Boss pays tribute to Bobby Murcer in The Sporting News.

In other news, are they really going to bring Manny here? Oy.

OK, Enough With The Snow!

Roughly a foot of snow fell in the Putnam County area since midday Friday. My back has had enough. Shoveling...pushing the snow blower...sweeping...scraping...cleaning the cars.

Enough!

More and more, I realize how much I could presumably embrace being a snow bird. Maybe a nice place on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Yeah, right.

I got to watch some football today, and I'm reminded of this. All you have to do is see the games in Foxborough (or Foxboro) and Seattle to know what I mean.

Thanks to CBS and the NFL for their idiotic TV contract. Because of that, I didn't have to watch the Steelers look like garbage against the Titans. The better team won, so now the Steelers will gear up for the playoffs.

Oh, I just saw video of the Titans stomping on Terrible Towels. Bush league, but to the victor goes the spoils.

Further thanks to CBS for putting Gus Johnson on the Jets/Seahawks game. If you haven't heard, GuJo is a tad excitable. He's big with the college crowd; not so much with those of us who are more, say, traditional.

I'll give him this - he sounds like he loves his job. That's good.

OK, so back to the snow. We all know I'm no kid anymore, but I still kind of have a kid's heart. At least I think I do. Sometimes.

So snow plus icy driveway with a hill plus six year-old precocious son plus a sled equals SHOWTIME! I couldn't resist the chance to ride with him. We laughed pretty much non-stop for each trip down, but we saved the best for last, landing in the bushes at the bottom of the driveway, and unleashing what Sean called "and avalanche."

Snow...all over me. I saw what I would look like with white hair.

My cheeks hurt from laughing.

I wanted to embed this right here, but the YouTube Grinch won't allow me to. So here's a link. It was all I could think of as we were out there.

People let me tell you about my best friend...

Solved!

Looks like John Walsh has found his most wanted after all these years. Good for him and his family.

Now if they could solve the Etan Patz case.

I'm not looking for DB Cooper or Amelia Earhart, but I think solving crimes involving children is, you know, noble.

Booing Santa in Philly...Explained!

Philadelphia once booed Santa Claus. Is it an urban myth? When did it happen? How? Why?

All of your questions are answered here.

Nick "Sly" Fox had nothing to do with it.

Of course, it's semi-irrelevant to me. Philly, Boston and New York are still the three toughest sports towns in the good ol' USA.

Did anyone notice that the Steelers are 11-3? Oh and they can whine in Baltimore all they want. Yes it was a tough call, but I thought the ball hit the plane of the goal. That's all it has to do.

Tune Your Web Browser

If you're near a streaming computer this morning (and really, they all stream), why don't you point your browser here for the big farewell to the 2008 football season.

Tim Parry will preside as master of ceremonies (or some big fancy-schmancy title) and Matt Levine and I will play the humble Katos to his Green Hornet.

Or something like that.

It will be a jam-packed hour of guests, talk, laughs, and tears (OK, I'm stretching here). We'll be live from 9-10 AM, but fear not...the show will be archived so you can hear our soulful voices whenever your heart desires.

While I'm self-promoting (or promoting things from Parry Industries), head over to Tim's professional blog for his post about Waffle House! Tim asked if he could link back to "Exit 55" (since we've discussed the insane goodness that is "The House") and I was more than happy to say "yes."

As someone who had worked in marketing for a long time (and would probably go back), I think Tim's points are perfect.

Boy, some Waffle House would be far better than the granola bar I just ate.

Oh, and Tim...you know I'd make the trip to Allentown for some Waffle House (that's the closest one to the metro-New York area). Roadtrip? Roadfood? Heck...YES!

You're talking to a guy here that drove New York State Route 52 from end to end last Monday just...because. And all I had was a meatball marinara wedge from a Subway inside a Walmart in Matamoras, PA. Not the world's best roadfood.

And Your 2009 Greenwich Football Captains Are...

Mike Lefflbine, Mike Dunster, James Utton, and Camryn Ferrara.

Good choices, all. Let me tell you - not only does the player need to be a quality leader to be a captain; they also need solid families because of the amount of responsibilities placed on everyone. I know the Lefflbines and Dunsters, and met Camryn Ferrara's mother tonight. I'm not sure I've met the Utton's yet, but I think these are all good families.

They're replacing two extremely hard-working groups in the DeVico's and Riscica's, people that I've grown so close too. Nancy and Rich Riscica (and Dana too!), and Connie and Jeff DeVico (and Julia and Jenna) are the best. They helped organize another fantastic Cardinal football banquet tonight at the Old Greenwich Civic Center.

Most touching was co-captain Ricky Riscica's words about Steven Bawol, a former Cardinal who died in a car crash a year ago. I should also mention that our once, and forever colleague Nick Angotto was a close friend of Steven's. Suzy Bawol, Steven's mom, was sitting just a few seats away and was deeply moved by Ricky's words. I think the whole room was.

In the interest of honesty, I didn't know Steven, but got to know his mom pretty well this year and was blown away by what a first-rate lady she is. As a dad, I can't even imagine, nor do I want to.

Of selfish interest to me was the really nice pictures of the seniors, taken by Avery Belicka. The picture of co-captain Jeff "Cuz" DeVico was with me, as I was interviewing him. I was pleased to see that, and would love a copy.

You can yell and scream about 8-3, no threepeat, and so on, but I liked this team, and enjoyed calling their games. I'm proud of the relationships I forged in this 2008 season - one that made me closer to the Cardinal family than ever before.

So here's to 2009, and congratulations to the outgoing Cardinals, the various award winners, and to the incoming captains. Is it August yet?

Quicky Yankees News and Notes

CC Sabathia...come on down! Yes the money's outrageous, but that's the market.

Derek Lowe...you may be next. I'm not a big fan of this - or signing AJ Burnett. I'd take a risk on Ben Sheets for two or three years.

Tony Kubek wins the Frick Award. I've been pushing this for a few years, and am amazed that the committee got it right. Graham McNamee would have also been a good choice as well.

Joe Gordon is elected to the Hall of Fame. This was shocking to me, but hey...he's a Yankee. Still I don't get why Gil Hodges hasn't made it, and Joe Torre would have been elected if he wasn't an active manager.

My Son Becomes a Bigger Star Everyday

I had heard rumor that this might happen, but didn't know it had taken place. Click here to hear Sean and the rest of the first graders at Kent Primary School recite The Pledge of Allegiance.

Strange for Sean to not tell me about it but oh well. Guess he's being modest.

I'm sure Sean will have an agent any day now.

Darkness on the Edge of Town

It is 8:10 PM as I type this (though you’ll read it much later) on the old (read: 2002) laptop that my mother bought, decided she didn’t liked, and gave it to me.

In short, this thing is awful.

Anyway, why am I writing from such a prehistoric machine? Because at this moment, it’s running on batteries.

We have no power.

So I guess this allows me to play some catch-up; just not with links to fancy yet pithy sites.

Let’s start with yesterday, or even Friday at 5:01 PM. Because that, dear friends, is exactly when this cold that I had been suppressing somehow finally exploded, with a vengeance. Enough so that on Saturday, Sean (yes, “The Son”) and I spent the majority of the afternoon here so that I could convalesce.

Of course then again, that could have all been brought on by the way I felt while Sean and I were at a birthday party for a classmate of his. Twenty six- and seven-year-olds screaming and running around a small room in the basement of a church?

Oh for the love of DayQuil!

The way I felt had me worried that I wouldn’t make it to Sunday night’s Rangers/Flames tilt at The Garden. Yet never fear (as I knew I’d make it). The chance to go see some hockey and hang out with fellow Yankee fan Kelly was enough for me to suck up the misery and hop the 4:13 our of Southeast.

In typical Rob style, I didn’t really prepare for the cold of New York on an early December’s night. For one thing, I’ll be damned if I’m going to take a cab from Grand Central to MSG. I think the last time I was in a taxi in New York, Ed Koch was mayor, hookers still ruled Times Square, and the Yankees were the defending World Champions.

Memories…like the corner of my mind…

So with no hat and not even my trusty “180’s” (ya know, those things that fit over your ears and stretch around the back of your head), I hoofed it quickly from 42nd and Madison to Seventh and 33rd.

The walk gave me lots of time to think, and not ponder the fact that my ears and head were freezing in the roughly 15-degree chill (without the wind chill factor). I had time to consider a lot. I took note of the people walking; how fashionable New York is. Sure there are plenty of folks in jeans, but there are just as many looking straight out of a fashion mag. Then there are those who meet in the middle.

My kinds of folks.

In some ways the walk to (and subsequently from) The World’s Most Famous Arena was great. I’m not sure I’ve ever walked alone in Manhattan at night and yet, here was the hick, keeping to himself, thinking about stores and computers, and friendships and marriages, and missing Sean, and the total awesomeness that is New York City.

It was not quite cathartic, but it was a typical “me” moment – the kind where I wished I had a computer at my fingertips so I could type away with the thoughts that are nowhere near me now.

Frankly I gave very little thought to the game itself. I’m a Rangers fan but I’m not a diehard. I grew up with the Islander teams that won four cups and I liked them but didn’t worship them. I still feel affection for the Isles, as I do for the Devils. Yet I just like the Rangers, and their fans. I love my fellow Yankees fans but I think we can settle for no better than second place in true die-hard New York fans. I think we can tie and sometimes surpass the Giants fans, but there’s just no way that we can top the loyalty of Rangers fans.

By the way, I also like the Boston Bruins. I’m very strange when it comes to hockey.

I do not, however, care all that much about the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Don’t ask why I’m bringing that up.

One other thing I never considered on my walk was tiaras. What, you say? Yeah, the kind of thing a vapid, “look it’s all about me and now I’m going to get totally trashed” kind of girl wears on her birthday in public. Say, at Madison Square Garden.

You know, the kind of girl that screams ONE NIGHT STAND.

Like the one who sat a few rows above me, and could barely get down the stairs in her heels.

Not that I have anything against an attractive gal wearing heels to a hockey game. It's just that you might not want to do that if you're going to get hammered.

I met a girl like that in 1991 at a bar in Syracuse. Now, keep in mind that I was 22 and had never ordered a beer in a bar before. Yet here I was, attending a sportscasters camp (!) and when it came time for me to order, I said “I’ll have what he’s having” following the guy that I was hanging out with.

Yup.

And I have no idea what it was that drank. Genny, perhaps?

Anyway, there was a fairly attractive young lady celebrating her birthday, and for whatever reason, she was interested in me. And her friend, who was sober, was essentially encouraging me to have a one-nighter. The birthday girl kissed me and I slammed on the breaks.

I’ll pause now while you all tell me what an ass I am.

Did I tell you the power is out here in Carmel? Did I also mention it’s 18 degrees outside and the prison cell…I mean, the office that I currently occupy is getting colder by the second.

Oh, so the hockey game. Well first of all, have I also mentioned that I’m a freaking fool? Last year, I worked a couple of hockey games on WGCH with Dave Maloney, son of the former Ranger by the same now who now serves as a Blueshirt broadcaster. Well Dave the Younger was at MSG last night and with a simple phone call, I probably could have visited the booth.

Oh well.

Our seats were great – Section 310, right at center ice, and literally three rows in front of the TV booth. Kenny Albert, ready to call the game, had made his way over from Giants Stadium, where he had called the Giants/Eagles game on FOX. The Rangers know how to show off their tradition and history, and the presentation was fine.

It’s just that their effort was awful. They lost 3-0.

But hey! At least I had a good time, right?

The power is still out, and it seems the ol’ laptop is beginning to lose steam. Then again, so am I.

When time allows, I will tell you all about today, when I drove roughly 250 miles, for over six hours, touched three states, and took 175 pictures.

For the hell of it.

UPDATE...the lights came back on just after 9:00 PM...then went back out about two minutes later. Another 10 minutes or so went by before they came back. I hope for good.

UPDATE AGAIN...well maybe not. We lost power once more for about 10 more minutes or so, so I'm going to hit "publish post" now before we lose it again...

Check Out the Links

They sit over there on the right...kind of down the page. Admittedly, it's not something I update often, but I threw a few new ones up there today.

You know what they are...don't be afraid to hit them.

They're the links!

Among the new additions is The Fleer Sticker Project. I've been viewing it for some time now, and I think I have to give props to Jon in VA (he of Up Front fame and husband of Artipantz) for pointing it out to me.

Jon, who runs The Fleer Sticker Project (an Orioles fan and no relation to Jon from VA) sent me a nice note after I posted a link to his site for his collection of Wish Book Memories (many of which I do remember - god those NFL jeans were awful!).

I know more than a few pieces of Steelers merchandise from Sears showed up under my Christmas tree.

The entire WGCH crew now has blogs up and running. Of course you all should know of Sean Kilkelly's and if you don't, it's time for you to discover it. If you like "Exit 55", I think you'll equally enjoy Sean's. In that same regard, please welcome the efforts of both Nick "Sly Foxie" Fox and Rob Crowley. This is all a part of a healthy, nutritious blog diet.

Oh, note to Killer - keep those Martha Wainwright vids coming! Man she is just too great, and I'm hoping she will have plenty of affordable tickets the next time she plays in this area.

So look all of those links over, and feel free to suggest others to join the roll call. And yes, there are a couple that are kind of...um...dead. Yet I have faith in the writers that they will rise from the ashes.

Anyone? Hello?

OK, I'm going to try to beat this hideous cold that has ravaged me and steady myself for Rangers/Flames tonight at the World's Most Famous Arena.

Ponder that for a minute. That really should be Madison Square Garden's nickname, shouldn't it? I mean, name me a more famous one.

Despite the evil that the Dolan's do.

Some Championship Updates

New Canaan easily won the rematch with Darien for the Class MM title, 26-7. I'd expect the Rams to take the top seed in the state rankings, and deservedly so. They were the best team all year. No shame for Darien, as they had a great year.

Also, in Class LL, it was Glastonbury over Cheshire, 28-14. Brookfield won Class M, 16-14 with a late field goal, over Ledyard. Jack Cochran wins his first championship at New London 27-18 over Seymour.

Two games are still in action, though one is over. Masuk leads Newington 50-7 in the third quarter. Run the clock, please! Lastly, it's halftime in Trumbull and Ansonia has a 12-7 lead over Cromwell.

Wait...it's now 56-7, Masuk in the fourth quarter. From what I'm gathering in Don Boyle's call on SportingNewsCT, it sounds like Masuk botched the conversion to avoid the idiotic 50-point rule. Regardless, heaven forbid they score again...

More High School Sports That I'm Not Calling

Ken McMillan writes a blog about sports media for the Times-Herald Record of Middletown, NY. I read his blog, but was disappointed that he never mentioned any Renegades stuff, or our Tailgaters efforts on the Hudson Valley Radio Network. Yet Sean Ford likes him and told me to pipe down, so I did.

Anywho, I like McMillan's blog and frequently comes to us with news of Port Jervis (New York) games being aired on WDLC (coincidentally, 1490 AM). So I read with interest that WDLC is going to air Port Chester wrestling and basketball (both girls and boys).

Girls' basketball and wrestling? Are you serious?

I have enough trouble getting boys basketball on WGCH.

For cripes sake, we have so freakin' much we could offer. Rugby, water polo, and more.

What's their secret?

By the way, New Canaan has just taken a 2-0 lead in the second quarter. A safety, obviously. You can follow the rest via the Connecticut Post and SPB.

Old Wish Book Memories

Love this stuff. Those of you around the same age as me will enjoy it also.

(I'm looking straight at you, Jon)

Still no score from New Canaan/Darien. Not that I'm live-blogging it.

Oh, one thought - Matt and Zach are having a good call. Just don't step on each other.

Sorry...that's the teacher in me talking. Which I might be doing again...

New Canaan/Dairen Underway

Matt Levine and Zach Eastright are off and running, calling New Canaan/Darien on WSTC/WNLK.

I'm listening to Matt and Zach, who are presiding over the affairs from the fabulous press box in Trumbull. The PA mic power died as they went to the National Anthem, so the fans sang it a capella. Nicely done.

Matt mentioned something about somebody making negative comments about the Trumbull press box. Don't know who that could have been...

Then he said that the box will be refurbished.

Incidentally, Cromwell/Ansonia has been moved to 8:00 PM. And SPB (that's Sean Patrick Bowley, peeps) reports that the New Canaan equipment needed to be extracted from their bus by the fire department. A police escort rushed it to Trumbull High.

You can't make this stuff up.

As I listen, I am watching the Steelers and Cowboys in Super Bowl XIII on the NFL Network. Curt Gowdy, Merlin Olsen, and John Brodie called it on NBC. I wonder who will win?

For the record, it was the Steelers 35-31. My love of the Steelers was officially born that day, and Terry Bradshaw immediately became my football idol. Anybody who can beat the Cowboys was all right with me.

Perhaps they're showing it because the Stillers and America's Pretend Team will meet tomorrow in The Burgh?

Big Mac Attack, Again

I didn't know about this. Apparently, from the Stuck in the 80's guys, Fleetwood Mac is reuniting for a tour.

I'm not a huge fan, but I like them. Rumours is one of the great albums ever, and one that I appreciate more than I did when I was a kid. The songs mean even more to me now.

If you haven't figured out why, you're just not paying attention.

Yet I'll drop the fly in the Big Mac. If Christine McVie isn't on board, then it doesn't count. It's got to be the full, great Fleetwood Mac for me to care. Just give me the prime-time lineup. It's not like I'm asking Peter Green and Bob Welch to return.

To me, it's like the Van Halen reunion. Close...but no cigar.

Besides, Christine McVie is, to me, one of the all-time great female voices in the history of rock (and pop, I guess). The woman could sing the alphabet to me and I'd be happy. I know most of you enjoy the offerings of Stevie Nicks, and she is great, but I just enjoy McVie's voice more.

Besides, her maiden name is Perfect.

An Update and a Warm Thought

Tim Parry says the New Canaan/Darien game will possibly start at 4:00.

Enjoy.

I'm thinking about next June 19th. Why?

The Renegades schedule is out!

Baseball broadcasting gods willing, I will be a part of the 2009 Renegades broadcasting crew. No guarantees, but I'd like to join Sean Ford in the booth again.

Guess while I'm at it, I should tell you that, barring any unforeseen problems, I'll be in the booth for some Greenwich Cardinals ice hockey, and I expect John Spang to be my side for our 11th year.

I know, there are no "booths" in high school ice hockey, but you get my point.

I'll give you the details when they become official. I also hope to add Greenwich basketball, along with some Brunswick sports as well.

Hey Did You Hear the One About the Locked Equipment?

This is not a joke. I swear.

Tim Parry just sent a text a few minutes ago to say that there is a "bus malfunction." OK, that happens. But wait! There's more!

The equipment is trapped inside. Literally.

I just heard Matt Levine say so on WSTC/WNLK.

(sigh.)

Matt and I exchanged messages earlier, and I he told me that this would be his first state championship game call in Connecticut. He had called a Louisiana state championship game (in the freakin' Superdome). But as he and Zach Eastright both offered, neither has anywhere to be, so they'll wait for this one to get going.

I'm sick right now (damn cold) so it looks like I'll be waiting as well for this one.

Or I'll go out. We'll see.

By the way, the Army-Navy game is one and, as this writing, the Midshipman are destroying the Black Knights, 24-0. But more troubling to me are the uniforms being worn by the West Pointers. What the hell are those things? They include camouflage pants, helmets, and uniform numbers. If that isn't enough, the back of their jerseys don't say their name. Oh no. They say "Duty, Honor, Country."

What the deuce?

Oh, and leave it to TP (that's Tim Parry, folks) to lend his thoughts about the shoddy field situation for Connecticut championships.

Check out the Games Today

Lots of state championship action coming your way from Connecticut today. I'm partial to the game at Trumbull High School, featuring the New Canaan Rams and Darien Blue Wave as they battle for the Class MM title.

I thought you would have multiple listening options for this game, but from what I'm seeing, that is not the case. It looks like only WSTC/WNLK will have the call, with my friend Matt Levine and analyst Zach Eastright.

My understanding is that CTSN - the Connecticut Sports Network will show the games on tape at some point. Check your local listings!

I would imagine the WELI will also have a game or two, plus wall-to-wall coverage.

SportingNewsCT.com will carry several games live today as well, but apparently NOT the Darien/New Canaan game. That probably has to do with the fact that the CIAC, in their infinite wisdom, lined up FOUR 2:00 games!

(Just a minor update: Sean Patrick Bowley reports that SportingNewsCT will have four of the games, with WAVZ picking up one, and of course, WSTC/WNLK having the other)

Let's go over this again. In New York, the games are played at one site (the Carrier Dome) spread out over two days. Nobody misses any of the action, and no one has to run from site to site.

And let's review those games and sites (the details on the games are here, from the CIAC):

Ken Strong Stadium, West Haven High School in West Haven:
- 2:00, Class SS: Seymour/New London
- 7:00, Clall : Newington/Masuk

I have no issues with this place. It's got nice concessions and plenty of seating, along with a big press box (though the windows don't open, so it's hard to string a crowd mic). Still, it's a high school stadium. Plus it's Greenwich's personal house of horrors (0-3 in State Championship Games there).

Willowbrook Park, New Britain:
- 2:00, Class LL: Cheshire/Glastonbury

Again, nice place, with a two-level press box. The fact that I nearly exchanged heated words with a member of the New Britain coaching staff in 2003 doesn't deter me. Still...Central Connecticut is just a Dan Orlovsky bomb away.

McDougall Stadium, Trumbull:
- 2:00, Class MM: Darien/New Canaan
- 7:00, Class S: Ansonia/Cromwell

I've made my feelings known. Nice concession stand, decent field, a fair amount of seating. Still the press box is...hmm, is there a nice way to say it? How about unacceptable!? Certainly for a state championship game.

Even Kennedy Stadium would have been a better choice.

Municipal Stadium, Waterbury:
- 2:00, Class M: Ledyard/Brookfield

I don't know a lot about this place, but I've been given an unfavorable review or two.

So there you have it. Yes, I know it costs money to put games on at places like Rentschler Field, Central, Southern Connecticut, and so on, but aren't these kids worth it? Isn't it about making it to the "field of dreams?" Alabama uses Legion Field...New Jersey uses Giants Stadium...Pennsylvania uses Heinz Field...I think Texas uses Texas Stadium (at least for now). I'm sure there are others.

One site...a couple of days...everyone can come...get people like me to call the games (so that's a cheesy plug but I don't care).

Yes, I know, Rentschler Field was busy hosting UConn-Pitt today, but the CIAC could adjust or something.

Whatever. Our high school athletes deserve it.

Ho Ho Ho...or something like that

The goofy things us dads do. Enjoy.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Nothing to Do

While looking at Sean Patrick Bowley's blog this morning, a feeling came over me.

I have no games to call. Nothing.

A state football semi-final? Nope. Basketball? Nada. Hockey? Nyet.

So best wishes to those who are gainfully employed in game-calling tonight, and for the state championship this weekend. I've been fortunate enough to call six Greenwich title games, so I'm used to working at this time.

What can I tell you? Despite everything, 2008 was a season that I didn't want to end.

sigh.

Oh, and did I really hear that Trumbull might be a CIAC championship site again, or even Boyle Stadium in Stamford? Nice sites both, but once again, I find myself laughing at the CIAC (which is just too easy sometimes). New York just finished up another year of title games in the Carrier Dome (I called three games there and it's first class). Connecticut spreads their championship sites out to high schools (West Haven, etc.) and colleges (Central Connecticut, Southern Connecticut). Yet again, there's this nifty little site called Rentschler Field - home of the UConn Huskies, in East Hartford.

Or put all of the games at Central, or Southern.

Do like New York does. Spread the title games out over two days and made it the event that it should be. Never mind the point that six championships might be too many (another fight for another time, and the CIAC can only handle so much...50-point rule...COUGH...HAHAHAHA).

Free advice from many of us in the Connecticut sports media.

Even us unloved, underutilized, often forgotten play-by-play voices in Greenwich.

"Family Guy" Meets "Office Space"

I screamed with laughter. But then again, the bird is the word.

Check out the New Blog Picture!

Finally...and so long overdue. There it is - a real, true, honest-to-goodness Exit 55 sign. Many thanks to Interstate 287 in New Jersey for the seminal moment. I guess Jersey is good for a few things after all.

I'll let you ponder exactly what those things are.

I shot the picture today, while taking the freaking looong way from Warminster, PA back to little ol' Carmel. My eternal thanks to the New Jersey Turnpike for nothing (other than a traffic jam). It reminded me why the eight greatest words in a sentence are, "You have just left the New Jersey Turnpike."

So for you road buffs, the route was kind of like this: I entered the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276) at Willow Grove (Exit 343). I took the Penna Tpike and crossed into New Jersey, where I merged onto the New Jersey Turnpike at Exit 6, before immediately leaving at Exit 7 (US 206). This is where I saw the taillights stretched out. So from there - it was 206 north to I-195 west to I-295 north (which becomes I-95 south) to NJ 31 north to US 202 north to I-287 north. (This is where the sign picture comes in).

Then I went and got a cup of coffee at one of the 185 Dunkin' Donuts off of the highway.

Then it was back to I-287 north to NJ 17 south to US 202 north again (and it becomes 202 east in New York) to the Palisades Parkway north to NY 9D north to NY 301 east.

Thanks for reading.

We now return you to your humdrum life.

Blog News and Notes

Greetings from Warminster PA, where I had plenty of yummy Thanksgivng food (thanks again for the brownies from everybody here to Nick and Mama Angotto!).

I don't know when or if I'll be able to catch up, but kudos for a great call on the Staples-GHS football game to Nick Angotto, Nick Fox, Sean Kilkelly, and Rob Crowley...along with Matt Hamilton, Jason Intrieri and post-game guests Ricky Riscica, Jeff DeVico, Rob Catalano, Mike Lefflbine, Nancy Riscica, Rich Riscica, and Connie DeVico. Jeez...have I forgotten anyone!

Anyway, let's do some links.

Tim Parry has plenty about the FCIAC Championship (congrats, New Canaan) and his celebrity wife, Ursula!

Tim has more! Trent Allen has stepped down at Harding, and other coaching changes (there are now THREE openings in the FCIAC - Trintiy Catholic, Harding, and Danbury).

Oh, and if want to know the CIAC matchups, well go see Tim for that. Yep, as sadly predicted, no Greenwich threepeat. The shame of it is that they would have been scary good in the post-season. Greenwich-New Canaan or a Greenwich-Darien rematch would have been amazing.

That's just my opinion.

As I drove from Greenwich to Warminster, I made sure to do my anual tradition of listening to Alice's Restaurant in all its glory. That was enough to help pass the time while I was stuck in traffic on the Cross Bronx Expressway.

Despite that, I STILL made it from the WGCH studios to my nieces house within three hours. Yet at 122 miles, I should have been there in just about two. Still, the turkey was plenty was just about to be served when I walked in.

Also thanks to the aforementioned Tim Parry for his thoughts on comments via cell phone regarding New Canaan/Darien. I also thank my friend Kelly Scott for her 'net surfing skills to help me decide my travel route, and to niece Stephanie for "dinner updates."

I love a comfy drive, and that was fun. I took plenty of pictures that will be posted on Flickr at another time.

To finish, give a read to the latest CIAC mumbo-jumbo, in which an offending 50-point coach is bailed out. Thanks to Sean Patrick Bowley for his tremendous efforts.

OK, I'm heading back to the road. I haven't spoken to Sean (you know, my SON) in over 48 hours, and it would be nice to see him again.

I'm kind of funny that way.

Stay Warm, and Listen to WGCH!

It's cold here in the Northeast. You probably know that. So what could possibly be better than to listen to WGCH today, as we'll carry the Greenwich Youth Football Championships (GYFL), beginning at 11:00 AM.

The first game, the Bantam contest, the North Mianus Bulldogs meet the Putnam Generals. Game two is the Junior division championship and feature the Generals against the Glenville Mavericks. Finally, the senior championship rounds out the day, as the Bulldogs battle the Mavericks.

So many of the current and previous Cardinals have played in the GYFL, so the future of Greenwich football can be heard and seen today at Cardinal Stadium.

It's a long day of football for yours truly, as I call all three games and I normally serve as the public address announcer for the player introductions (here's hoping my voice holds out!).

Nick Fox and Rob Crowley (with a cast of others, I hope) will join me for the broadcast.

Birthday, Take 2

So in my post from this morning, I highlighted the lack of visits from Mr. Postman re: birthday number 40. Yeah, well, I should have waited a little longer.

Thanks, Tom and Janet, and Harold, Tracy, Cameron, Katie, Scrappy (the mega-awesome Super Corgi Dog) and the fishes. It means a lot.

Oh, but no thanks to the lovely letters that we received with regard to other segments of life (think: foreclosure).

And thanks to everyone who reached out today (and yesterday). Among the many highlights was the Huey Lewis interview video from "Late Night with David Letterman" in 1984, when "Sports" was the number one album in the land (such a under appreciated masterpiece). Jon sent that along.

Sean gave me a digital picture frame. That should be fun to play with. Mom, Laura, Steph, Jake, Meaghan, Michael, Conor, and Meg's friend Erin (hope I spelled that correctly) rounded out our troop. One of the more cool things was when they went around the table and talked about their favorite memories of me. Each one touched a different place, with Sean's memory being of our trip to Six Flags, riding the Log Flume and the Runaway Train.

Once again, more flags. More fun!

And please! What could be better to finish out a birthday on a freezing day (22 degrees) than ice cream at Ben and Jerry's?

There's still some hurt and melancholy, so I shall now invoke the always-popular "Rule 55." I did a search on YouTube for "40", and came up with the brilliance of the Dave Brubeck Quartet playing "40 Days" in Berlin in 1966. There's the obvious piano playing of Brubeck and the silky-smooth mastery of Paul Desmond on the alto sax, but don't ignore the rhythm section of Eugene Wright on bass, and Joe Morello on drums. Quite a legendary act here. Consider not only their gorgeous arrangements, but further think about the makeup of this group in very different social times.

Brubeck is about to turn 88 and still performs. Amazing.

This is a Life

So here we are. My 40th birthday. As with everything, I thought about writing profound things that are normally born out of having time to think and no computer nearby.

They might have been perfectly fine posts, but I'll spare you.

Instead, I'll just take it for what it is - what it has always been.

Just another day.

I had hoped, quite honestly, that all would have been tidied up and over by now. But that's not the reality, so I just keep plugging along.

I could harp on how much has changed in the past year - negatively and positively. For instance, I think this is the first time that no birthday cards showed up in my mailbox. That's fine; I'm not that vain. It's more of a sign of how things have changed, and how people that I have loved have probably been turned against me.

That's the part that hurts.

Oh don't pity me. There are more than enough glad tidings over on Facebook and MySpace, and the actions of my friends Joy, Lindsey, and Tom at work were more than enough to touch my heart. And there will be some kind of family gathering tonight. I'm one who feels that's more for my Mom and Sean than it is for me, but we could debate that.

I had a big 30th birthday party, largely compliments of Sandi, and it was great, yet I always felt those parties were so self-serving. That seemed to manifest more than ever during 2007 when not one but two big birthday parties were authored in my family. Coming out of those parties, I realized that I had it wrong - they were about people getting together than it was about the honoree. With that knowledge, I began to rethink my whole birthday philosophy.

Although, at one of the parties, a group photo was taken, and I was not in the picture. I took the picture.

That was a sign.

I kept having these kind of, let's say, bad birthdays so I had soured on it all. Then, even after my epiphany I suffered through probably the worst one - my 39th. I'll spare you the reasons why, but will say that probably the best part of the day was the Greenwich-Staples broadcast.

I'm sure it was fear - of missed expectations and disappointment. So I laid low.

This could have been a perfectly fine time to lay it all out on the line; explain it all here in the blog finally. Oh the posts I dream up when I'm thinking! But why do it? Why? What is there to gain? Revenge? An ounce of blood? Satisfaction?

I can't get no.

Instead we carry on. We invoke Rule 55 when needed, and we remind ourselves that there are people's feelings at stake here. Besides, I know how smart this audience is. You've all read between the lines so many times, that you don't need me to hit with brute force.

Stay classy, and don't change. That's what I've been told.

As I wrap this up, let me say that I think I'm far better than I was one year ago. I've put weight back on (OK, that's not so good), and I have no idea how my health is, but my attitude and outlook are much better. I know who my loved ones are and Karma can deal with the rest.

Most of all, I've got Sean, who knocked me out with an adorable performance at the Talent Showcase in Carmel last night, as part of a dance troupe. His laughter is my favorite present; his life a pure gift.

When you get right down to it, what else is needed?

Sugar Rush! (Or I've Come to Long-Overdue Conclusion that I'm a "Family Guy " Fan)

So I'm late to this. It happens. I even jump on a bandwagon before it leaves, or come along much much later.

I resisted the "Family Guy" urge for a long time, but can no longer ignore that the show combines my brutally harsh sense of humor with the lack of political correctness.

Sean doesn't watch much of the show (it's kind of...um...bad), but he can recite this one.

I'm going to drop this into the "Rule 55" bucket as there's more to say, specifically regarding the "Star Wars" parody. Let's just say it was in the house and I never saw it, and walk away at that.

Oh, and this is post number 555 on "Exit 55", and I'm invoking Rule 55. So there.

Off The Bench...

Or as I feel like calling this edition, "Kibbles and Bits."

I don't know why. I just want to.

I've always been one to listen to music or the radio or something when working. That includes homework. Just something I do. So today I got so crazed with the "white noise" in the office that I listened to KFWB out of Los Angeles (think 1010 WINS, as they even have the same slogan- "you give us 22 minutes...we'll give you the world"). Here's what I found out: traffic on the 405 stinks.

I'm always here to help.

I can't hide from the fact that at 7:29 on Saturday morning, it will be official - I'm 40. So be it. If you know me, then you know age means very little to me. There was a stretch where I felt my age (most of it was roughly the end of last year and early this year). Now, I'm back to being a mix of young-at-heart and realistically mature.

My son seems to like this guy he calls "Daddy." That's good enough for me. A few other people give me positive reviews, so I guess I'm doing OK.

I'm not thrilled about what I'm seeing in the mirror, but I'll deal with it.

Nosy coworkers - the enemy of all.

I've said it. I feel better for it.

I had a chance to go watch the "big fight" the other night with The Killer and Nick "Sly" Fox. The Greenwich-Westhill farce...err...game kind of wore me out and the fight didn't start until after I was sound asleep. I would have liked to have gone - stuff like that is good for me, but sleep has been a minor issue of late.

Then again, my health has been a minor issue. I mean, I shouldn't have a cold that saps my voice for TWO WEEKS.

Oh, why was GHS-Westhill a farce? Well not so much because of the game action (although Greenwich kind of won big...43-14), but the technical problems just wear me out. We dealt with it towards the end of Brunswick-Trinity Pawling last week, and it happened again this week.

I'll be blunt - it's embarrassing. I fashion WGCH Sports as being the best in the biz, and stuff like this looks bad. I do have to tip the fedora to Dana DeSimone, listening intently and texting to keep me up to date as to how we sounded.

She's a good one, I tell ya. I'm glad we're friends.

Yet the problems were such that I looked at The Killer and said, "I just don't know if I can deal with it this week." Then, as I've done for 10 years, I sucked it up and moved along.

This is how we roll, I suppose.

Nick Swisher...welcome to New York. I'll say on the record that I'm glad you're here. The upside is big.

11-10 Steelers? You kidding me? Um...earth to offense...SCORE! I mean, 13 penalties for the Burgh and just two for the Bolts?

More to say...can't talk now...changes afoot. Have your people call my people and we'll do lunch.

Bobby Ray Continues to Give

I'm a week late on this one (hey, I'm a busy guy) but PeteAbe had this regarding the Murcer family:

On Nov. 18, Kay Murcer will be at City Hall in Manhattan for the launch of the Bobby Murcer ScanMobile, a mobile MRI unit that is a project of the Brain Tumor Foundation

Bobby had a role in the project prior to his passing.

Yankee Stadium Update (subtitle: God I Can't Stand It!)

Two bits from Peter Abraham:

1) The Stadium (aka "The Old Stadium") will stand well into 2009. In fact, word is that we'll see it there next summer. So I'm going to have the Harold/Boston Garden experience, where I will look at the site of my beloved House and utter those magic, shocked-yet-not-shocked words:

"It's gone."

At that point, I will commence borderline weeping once again.

2) In that same department, we have this from PeteAbe: the Babe is moving.

At this point, I think I'd just like it to get over with.

On The Road (and I'm so jealous)

The folks (or folk!) over at Greenwich Roundup do an exceptional job of gathering all of the feeds of the various blogs related to Greenwich (of which I'm pleased to say I am one, and they include me).

I really hadn't looked at too many of the other blogs that are listed, but today I wandered (as much as one can make a mouse wander) to The Blonde Excuse, where the webmistress Lauren was talking about her road trip. "Hmmm", I thought. "Road trip." "Rob like road trip."

And Mongo like candy. But I digress.

Anywho, my reading and looking at her pictures led me to the website dedicated to her trip in question, What Now Wanderers where Lauren, Sarah, and Nicole are rolling across roughly half of the USA, filming their exploits for a documentary to be shown at a later date.

You can read the genesis of the whole plan here.

They're delightful young women, from what I read, and are having a blast of a time. I enjoyed seeing their visit to Hallmark, and some of their other exploits. I hope they know (in my opinion, and if I have a vote) they can stop by the spacious WGCH studios from some publicity in some capacity after their trip has ended. Or, we can just talk, because few love the open road more than I do.

Anyway, go check the blogs out. Happy motoroing!

Want Your Game on the Radio? Here's the Secret

As is my custom, I passed along to my superiors the details of Rye High Schools' post-season schedule. They begin their defense of their Class B title Friday night at Dietz Stadium in Kingston, NY against Highland from Section 9. If they win that game, they play at Dietz the following Saturday at 4:00 (on a certain someone's 40th birthday). Win that game and they play at 1:00 on Sunday, November 30th in the Carrier Dome in Syracuse for the whole shooting gallery.

My point?

The simple answer was that if we come up with sponsors, we'll probably air the games. I'm asked all the time what it takes to get games on the air. While I've never been given a specific number, what has to be taken into account are things like salaries, equipment costs, and even rights fees (for the state playoff games, that is). Again - THIS IS NOT THE NUMBER - but I've often felt if you could come up with oh, say, minimum $300, that might do it.

LET ME REPEAT THAT I AM NOT SPEAKING FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF WGCH. I could just see this blowing up in my face.

So there you have it. It's a matter of sponsors - pure and simple. Back in the day, we cover sports because it was good for the community. If it made money, then that was a bonus. Times have changed.

I say this as I am as worried about my future as anyone. Every year at this time I hope that we can get Greenwich basketball and hockey back on consistently. Once again, that won't happen this year, thanks to our coverage of Fairfield University basketball. Before you dismiss that, let me give you two words to make you listen: Sean...Kilkelly. The Killer is your halftime guy. Selfishly, if it isn't me, then I'm glad it's him.

So be that as it may, let's do everything in our power to line up those non-Fairfield moments with lots of local flava (yes Greenwich, but I'm also looking at you, Brunswick...and I wouldn't ignore Rye or Harrison or Port Chester if they wanted in the mix).

It breaks my heart, because WGCH Sports could be so much more. I, along with Sean, have bounced around ideas forever (more girls sports, etc). But we're in an era of businessmen. We need to make money; not just put games on for giggles.

After Thanksgiving, I'm sort-of a play-by-play free agent, unless we put a schedule together to do some games. And that will only happen if we have sponsors.

I like to Move It Move It

Back when life was...you know...normal (whatever that is), we took Sean to see "Madagascar." It was his first movie in the theater.

Now, with life in the nearly new normal, I took Sean (with my mom and niece, Steph) to see "Madagascar 2." Funny stuff. Generally I'll give it two thumbs up, though I thought there were a few boring points that had the overwhelmingly young crowd getting restless. Still, I don't think you can go wrong with a Sunday morning of Alex, Marty, Gloria, and Melman (who isn't quite as neurotic this time, unfortunately).

The penguins are hysterical, the monkeys are funny, and King Julien and Maurice are great.

So overall, if you enjoyed the first one - go. If you have a child - go.

Here ends the review.

No FCIAC Championship This Year

I should have played the "Breaking News" sounder when we word came in via text from Tim Parry to Nick Fox. We were probably the first broadcast outlet to announce that the FCIAC football championship would be New Canaan against Darien on Thanksgiving Day.

As such, the Cardinals have been eliminated. I can't even go watch the game, as I have, you know, other responsibilities.

Like me job - Staples at Greenwich, 10:00 AM.

The Cardinals' two losses this year were just so devastating (let's leave the St. Joseph game out for a moment). When Greenwich lost to Darien in week two, you knew it was bad for the FCIAC. The loss to Ridgefield further damaged their playoff hopes, but only in the state race.

St. Joe's was just a bad loss. It finished them, realistically, in the state, but it didn't have the truly negative impact of the losses to Darien and Ridgefield - two games that they could have won.

So now, more than ever, it seems obvious that when I close our broadcast on Thanksgiving morning, we'll be done with football. I'd like to call some postseason games but it doesn't seem likely. So come Thanksgiving, I really don't know what the play-by-play future holds.

The New Stadium Patch

This is what the Yankees will wear in honor of the new Stadium in '09.

OK, I'll be the one to say it - it should include a dollar sign.

Thanks, you've been great - enjoy Greenwich/Stamford Friday night, and Brunswick/Trinity-Pawling Saturday in WGCH.

VOTE!

Today's the day. I actually know people who won't vote today, and if that's their way of expressing their dissatisfaction, then so be it. If they're just lazy, then shame on them.

Just a quick self-promotional note: if I'm well (I'm battling a cold that has not only sapped me of my strength, but has bothered my voice) then I will be part of WGCH's election coverage tonight, beginning at 8:00, anchored by Tony Savino. Please listen here.

Here's what it has come down to: vote for what you believe in. Simple, no? Don't vote based on party lines, or because of race or gender, or other pedestrian reasons. Vote with your conscience.

We could argue back and forth about it all...Sarah Palin's inexperience versus Barack Obama's inexperience...this issue versus that issue...and on and on. At this point, it doesn't matter.

I know who I am voting for. I know who I think will win. I know I will vote.

You should also.

May the best person win, and then let's move forth with helping our great nation.

I am Rob Adams, and I approve this message.

UPDATE: 12:11 AM. Senator Barack Obama is the President-elect. I'm tempted to say and write a lot more, and am ashamed by the behavior of some people who I love and respect, including the media. But never mind. Godspeed, Senator Obama. Just help restore our great nation, OK?

Reminder of Good Times and Unfinished Business

I spent the weekend at my niece's place a little less than a hour north of Philadelphia. They are understandably euphoric down there about the Phillies. Signs virtually everywhere congratulated the 2008 Phillies, and the area seems completely swept up with pride. Considering I've never thought of Philly as a baseball town, it's pretty nice.

I visited another niece at Eastern University, just outside the city limits, and she said the noise on the campus after the final out was incredible. At first she wasn't sure what it was all about (she was writing a paper). She quickly remembered that the Phillies were playing.

I saw a temporary message board on the Pennsylvania Turnpike related to the Phils. The stores in the King of Prussia malls were full of World Series merchandise. Everywhere I looked, there were people wearing Phillies hats, shirts, jerseys, and jackets.

It was kind of cool.

My niece's husband was given a "Philadelphia 2008 Champions" shirt. He gave it to me. I'll wear it. I have nothing against the Phillies.

But no, I'm not jumping on any bandwagon. I have limits.

So while trolling around the Web tonight, I came across this video of Tino Martinez's home run against the Diamondbacks in the 2001 World Series. A night later, I would be there for Scott Brosius' "deja vu all over again" homer.

Think back to how heavy our hearts were and how great those games were. But oh it still hurts to have lost that freakin' series. In fact it hurts more today, as I'm convinced I sold my soul (as did many others) to beat the Mets in 2000.

Greenwich Is Back On The Winning Side

I'm actually sitting at my desk...working...on a Friday night...Halloween, no less. In other words, I'm keeping this short so that I'm no more pathetic than I already appear to be.

Greenwich beat Wilton tonight, 12-0, in one of the more boring affairs I've ever broadcast. The game had no flow, and no real drama. A few great plays here and there, like a catch and run by Ricky Riscica and some acrobatics by Rob Catalano.

So the Cards are 5-3 now; 5-1 in the FCIAC. Oh how that loss to Darien hurt.

I feel like I owe everyone an apology for my broadcast tonight. My partners were great as always. I was the weakest link. I couldn't find a groove. So my bad.

I'm going back to work now.

More Movie Goodies

We got into talking about this movie, and specifically this scene at work today. So here. Enjoy.


Just for the record, I am NOT making any kind of statement about love. Though I will drop this into the Rule 55 department. Just because. It's all good.

Adios, Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix said he's quitting movie-making after his next film. OK, whatever. It just gives me an excuse to post this video of Pheonix as Johnny Cash, singing "Jackson" in "Walk the Line."

OK, it actually gives me a chance to show Reese Withspoon, who mesmerized me in that movie.

Phillies Win...Philly Chaos Begins

From the Philly.com blog comes the following post:

A crowd for people just took over a fire truck at Broad and Walnut. Thousands of people are massing here in Center City. Many are running down Broad Street. Meanwhile, thousands of fans are marching up Broad Street from the stadium area. Around the stadium, multiple small fires are being reported, with lots of bottle throwing and broken glass.

Yeah, I had a bad feeling about this.

Phillies Win World Series

Congratulations to the Philadelphia Phillies for winning the 2008 World Series.

I've ripped Fox many times, but I thought their presentation tonight was tremendous, and for all of the Joe Buck haters (these are the people that want him to turn into Gus Johnson), you're out to lunch. His call, and their production, was understated. Buck allowed the moment to happen - that's the style I prefer - and they let the pictures do the talking. It doesn't take a coronary to make a call great.

Over on radio, I listened to Harry Kalas, the veteran voice of the Phils, who was given the honor of calling the clinching ninth. Nice work there, as he reported and responded to calling his first-ever celebration.

Kudos to all.

As for the Rays, they're young. I was rooting for them, but as I had said, I'm not heartbroken to see the Phils win it, for a number of reasons. The Rays' time will come, and hopefully it won't be at the cost of the Yankees.

With that, baseball is done. See you in 2009.

My Secret Identity

Gotta love this. Courtesy of the website for the new movie "Zack and Miri Make a Porno."

It gave me a good laugh. The "Indian" part is because that's the mascot at Mahopac High School. "Longview" is the street I grew up on. Those are a couple of the questions that I was asked.

We now return you to this strange night of baseball. The Phillies might just win the World Series.

UPDATE: And they just did. Congrats, Philly. Now behave yourselves!

Life, As It Should Be

When all is not right with the world, look at this picture. There it is. A father and a son, having a blast.

That's my boy right there. I defy anyone to tell me otherwise. Some can try to take my place in his life, but they will fail.

Kerblam!

Don't you love hockey?

Mike Van Ryn...meet Milan Lucic...and the TD BankNorth Garden glass.

I Don't Know What To Say

St. Joe's 47, Greenwich 7.

I'm going to bed now.

WHITE OUT!!

No, not that...


That!

(For the record, that's Penn State's White Out in the picture)

Earlier this week, Greenwich's Shane Kelly sent me a note on my Facebook page, asking me to announce to the world that tonight will be a "white out" at Cardinal Stadium. That is, all fans are asked to wear white to the game against the highly touted St. Joseph Green Knights. I've promoted it on WGCH all week, and am now making the announcement here.

BUT! In the interest of my credibility and objectivity, which occasionally gets questioned (I think unfairly but whatever, your mileage may vary), allow me to tell you that I'm wearing brown cargo pants, a light brown half-zip sweatshirt, and a white T-shirt underneath. Call it a compromise. I just think it's best for me if I don't go full-out.

I've told the rest of the WGCH crew that they can do as they wish.

More importantly, the Cardinals need a win. Desperately. A loss and they're all but done in the state playoffs. A faint hope, I suppose, but it's not realistic. They might still make an FCIAC run though. A win against that number two team in the MSG Tri-State poll and now they're cooking with gas, but it still might not help them in the state.

St. Joe's is 5-0 and has outscored their opponents 174-6. Wow.

Game time is 7:00. I have no idea what time the pregame show will start. Hope the sponsors don't mind.

Montage of Great Baseball Movie Moments

These seem to come from the batch of baseball movies from, say, 1984 to 1993. It includes "The Natural", "Major League", "Field of Dreams", "Eight Men Out", Bull Durham", and "A League of Their Own." They're all among my favorites. The use of the overdone "Centerfield" is tedious, but that's OK.

Great editing, and perfect for an October day as we get ready for the World Series.

The Bill Gonillo Five (and a Return of the FCIAC Five)

First, my Bill Gonillo Five vote will be like this:

1) New Canaan (6-0, last week: 1) - Beat St. Joseph 28-7.
2) Bunnell (6-0, 2) - Beat Notre Dame-Fairfield 38-20.
3) Darien (6-0, 3) - Beat Wilton 41-14.
4) Brookfield (5-0, 4) - Beat Straford 49-13.
5) Masuk (5-1, 6)- Beat Bethel 48-7.
6) Ridgefield (4-2, NR) - Beat Ludlowe 35-0. The biggest reason I've put them here over Staples and Greenwich is because they beat Staples and Greenwich.

Dropped out: Bethel

Now, my own FCIAC Five:

1) New Canaan (6-0)
2) Darien (6-0)
3) Ridgefield (4-2)
4) Staples (5-1)
5) Greenwich (4-2)

Number five would have been St. Joe's spot but the way they lost to New Canaan made me hesitate. Wilton, Trinity Catholic, and Westhill are the other 4-2 teams. For now, I'll take Greenwich, though they didn't bowl me over this past Saturday against Trumbull.

Oh, a note about this past Saturday at Greenwich. Mr. Sean Adams was in attendance for the Homecoming game and was treated like a king, beginning with a gift from Greenwich head coach Rich Albonizio (I'm not sure I'm allowed to divulge the gift, but let's say it was unique and special). Richie and Nancy Riscica, along with Dana DeSimone, allowed Sean to sit with them while Daddy was working, and put up with his countless trips to the port-a-potty (a pure sign of boredom). TJ Ostruzka, Wayne Gioffre, and other members of the Cardinals coaching staff were equally kind to him. My broadcast partners were tolerant (including when he'd come to Daddy while he was trying to call the game). George Chelwick (Cardinal videographer for nearly 40 years) pumped him up with chocolate. Tammy Kelly took him to get brownies. Lastly, Julia and Jenna DeVico talked to him, and Julia played catch with him. Brian Kennedy almost took him for a ride on his golf cart (maybe next time). I'm missing people, but it further proves the wonderful kindness of everyone at Greenwich High School, and why they've come to be part of my family.

Rays to World Series

The Rays have advanced to the World Series. I find myself flashing back to early February, when some fella named Eli won a big football game against another New England-based team.

I'll root for the Rays, but won't be heartbroken if the Phillies - who haven't won a Series since 1980 - come away with the title. Plus, as a guy who was a broadcaster for a Rays affiliate (anybody remember the Renegades?), I have an interest.

Oh, and sorry FOX. The ratings are probably going to be really bad.

And lastly, adios TBS, and Chip Caray. And Frank TV.

Sorry...Can't Help Myself

Sometimes I have to post these things...consider this "Rule 55" for today.

http://view.break.com/589346 - Watch more free videos

Cool Boston Hockey Celebrations

From Neil Best comes this fun piece of YouTube goodness, featuring the Boston Bruins and Bobby Orr, following their clinching of Lord Stanley's Cup in 1970.

Orr is probably my favorite non-Ranger (certainly my favorite hockey player not named Messier, Leetch, Richter, or Graves). Then again, the B's are my favorite Boston sports team.

I love the commentary from, among others, Dan Kelly (probably the USA's best hockey announcer ever) and Bill Mazer (who I once talked to on WFAN). Plus I love things that I've never seen before. I've seen Bobby Orr score the famous goal (do I NEED to explain it?) a million times, but I've never seen this. Cool stuff.

Get it? Cool? Hockey? Ice? HAH!

I think what I love most of all is how none of this is scripted. Now everything is organized. In hockey, they line up along the ice from goal to goal for the handshake. Here, they just gathered in front of the goal. It's real and spontaneous.

I'm alive in the wrong era. I'm sure you've gathered that.

God I wish the Boston Garden still existed. Have I mentioned that I'm saddened that Yankee Stadium is going away?

Harold, I completely understand if all of this makes you teary-eyed. I truly hope I'm in the room when the Bruins win that elusive Cup. Might not be this year though if the Rangers have anything to say about it.

The first part of this video, including the famous goal is here:

BREAKING NEWS!! MR. MET DECAPITATED!! CAN IT GET ANY WORSE FOR SHEA FAITHFUL!!???

Or something like that.

Eagle-eyed viewers saw something funky in the background following last night's Presidential debate at Hofstra.

Mr. Met is one of the few tolerable things about the New York's other baseball team. He's so amazingly cheesy and god-awful, that I can't help but chuckle when I see him.

In other words, he's SO not New York baseball.

I'm sure he's fine though.

Another Old Yankee is Gone: Tom Tresh Dead at 71

The title pretty much says it all. I know Tresh and Mickey Mantle were very close, and Tommy had a fine career.

From Bill Madden in the Daily News.

Tom Tresh, who burst onto the big-league scene in 1962 and won Rookie of the Year honors as a fill-in shortstop for the Yankees after Tony Kubek was called into military service, died Wednesday at his home in Venice, Fla., of a heart attack. He was 71.

The switch-hitting Tresh, who drew unfair comparisons to Mickey Mantle that he could never live up to after his standout first season in which he hit .286 with 20 homers, 93 RBI and 94 runs scored, was nevertheless a Yankee fixture in the waning years of their five-decade dynasty. In three World Series, 1962-64, he hit .277 with four homers and 13 RBI in 18 games, including a two-run homer off Sandy Koufax in the 1963 opener. In the 1962 Series against the Giants, he hit a game-winning three-run homer in Game 5 and in Game7, he made a great catch in left field to rob Willie Mays of an extra-base hit to help preserve the 1-0 clinching Yankee win.

More from PeteAbe here.

Off the Bench (or The Killer Has Time On His Side)

In my last post, I alluded to the usual lack of comments that are received here. Yet leave it to The Killer to start posting comments...just...because.

Based on this behavior, I should call this post "Odds and Sods" to poke some fun at Sean (or "he who shall NOT be called 'Seanie.'")

But I won't. He's Sean. He's "The Killer." I don't dare.

Speaking of Sean, the two of us tried to reconnect with an old friend twice - once via Facebook, once via LinkedIn. We're oh-for-two. Was it something we said?

Time heals all wounds, no?

Is there anything worse than falling asleep at your desk? Especially when, in reality, that "desk" is nothing more than a counter top in the middle of a fairly open area?

Spent last weekend in Pennsylvania at the home of Steve, Laura, Kendall, and my baby goddaughter Emma. Good times as always. A little crowded with the addition of several other family members (plus two dogs and two cats), but it's become a very relaxing place for me. I'll likely be back there in a few weeks, and very probably for Thanksgiving.

Oh I know, I have something to do Thanksgiving morning - Greenwich/Staples on WGCH at Greenwich High School (and it's becoming likely that it will be our last broadcast of 2008). Yet as soon as we go off the air that day, it looks like I'll jump on I-95 and head for PA.

On Sunday, the whole gang went to Eastern State Penitentiary, the legendary prison in Philadelphia. It's literally a city within a city, and was last used in 1971. Al Capone was there for sometime, and there area countless stories of ghost sightings. A must-see (but don't take children under seven, as they are not welcome).

My pictures from the weekend are here.

By the way, Sean (you know, "The Son") was not with me, and it felt weird. I'll decline to tell exactly where he was (don't make me invoke Rule 55).

Welcome to my "new normal." I just pray for his well-being and frankly, I ask you to do the same.

Well that's all from Happyland. I've had enough for one day.

Top 20 Movie Songs of the 80's

My inner 80's child always reads the blog Stuck in the 80's, produced via Tampa Bay.com.

Full disclosure - I went to the Tampa Bay area annually from 1969 to 1975 and 1980 to 1986. I returned for visits in 1989 and 1995. The Yankees hold spring training down there, and the one golf resort in the world that I care about playing at (Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club) is in that region. So that helps my love of this particular blog.

I'll get back to that region one day. But I'm way off the beaten path now.

Back on topic - you've got to know that if I'm posting the top 20 movie songs of the 1980's (as the title imples), then there's some love for a bar band out of the San Francisco area...and you'd be right! You've just won a free flux capacitor.

Behold the top 20, and review their list here:
20. To Live And Die In L.A. - Wang Chung (To Live and Die in L.A.)
19. Slave To Love - Bryan Ferry (9 1/2 Weeks)
18. Jungle Love - Morris Day & the Time (Purple Rain)
17. Together In Electric Dreams - Philip Oakey & Georgio Moroder (Electric Dreams)
16. Love Somebody - Rick Springfield (Hard to Hold)
15. Million Miles Away - The Plimsouls (Valley Girl)
14. Somebody's Baby - Jackson Browne (Fast Times at Ridgemont High)
13. Fame - Irene Cara (Fame)
12. Hazy Shade of Winter - The Bangles (Less Than Zero)
11. Man in Motion - John Parr (St. Elmo's Fire)
10. I Melt with You - Modern English (Valley Girl)
9. Danger Zone - Kenny Loggins (Top Gun)
8. Purple Rain - Prince & the Revolution (Purple Rain)
7. Footloose - Kenny Loggins (Footloose)
6. If You Leave - OMD (Pretty in Pink)
5. I'm Alright - Kenny Loggins (Caddyshack)
4. Power of Love - Huey Lewis & The News (Back to the Future)
3. Eye of the Tiger - Survivor (Rocky III)
2. In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel (Say Anything)
1. Don't You Forget About Me - Simple Minds (The Breakfast Club)

Overall? Not bad. Now I can't not comment on a few things:
- "Fame", "Man in Motion", and "Eye of the Tiger" are either crazy-overplayed or just a cliche. I hear "Fame" or "Flashdance (What a Feeling)" and I have to avoid any violent urges.
- I prefer "Lets Go Crazy" to "Purple Rain" but it could have been "When doves Cry." Thankfully, it wasn't.
- I tend to think that "Don't You (Forget About Me)" is probably the ultimate 80's movie song (with maybe "Footloose" not far behind).
- I'm pleased with "Power of Love" at number four. I think it's iconic and it was nominated for an Academy Award (why did you people vote for Lionel Richie's painful "Say You Say Me"? WHY?)

OK, have at it. I'll expect the flood of comments to begin by the time the 1.21 gigawatts kick in.

Naples News

From our friend Rob Crowley comes this nugget about the Naples Golden Eagles. You might recall them...I was there to broadcast their game against Greenwich last November 9th.

91-0? Wow, that's Cochran-esque! I guess Florida needs to build in a Naples Rule or something.

Damn, Dan

That's Dan Orlovsky, the pride of Shelton, class of 2001. Dan led the Gaels to the 2000 Class LL Championship at the cost of the Greenwich Cardinals (a game broadcast on WGCH by two wonderful announcers who were very cold, standing on top of the booth at Ken Strong Stadium).

Anyway, Dan went from Shelton to UConn, where he was very successful, then was drafted by the Lions, and waited for his chance. He got it Sunday, and committed the above no-no. Oh, and the Lions lost by two.

Standing on the other side of the field on Sunday, playing for the Minnesota Vikings, was one Mr. John Sullivan...who was across the field from Orlovsky on the fateful day in '00.

Life's funny that way.

A Commercial Worth Watching

Check this out. Pretty cool...partially because it involves a Steeler.

An Idea

Despite this pesky full-time gig that I have (you know, the non-sports part), I'd like to get out and start covering more events in person. It's great to call games, but I hate the way that I'm unable to cover other sports and teams. It's something I've wanted to do for a long time, and now that I've got the go-ahead, I'd like you, my humble reading audience, to submit games of interest.

This means games related to WGCH and Greenwich. The schools in question can be...

From Greenwich:
Greenwich High School
Brunswick School
Convent of the Sacred Heart
Greenwich Academy

From Westchester County:
Port Chester High School
Rye High School
Harrison High School
Blind Brook High School
(plus maybe even Rye Neck and Mamaroneck...we'll see)

Perhaps even Stamford (Stamford High, Westhill, and Trinity Catholic).

I'm sure I'm missing a school or two. Let me know if I've forgotten somebody.

This is in the beginning phase, and the Greenwich schools get first priority, but if you really think there's a game that I should be looking at, let me know. Don't forget, I get my marching orders from the bosses, so they get final veto power.

Bill Gonillo Five

I'll keep it simple. I voted like this:

1) New Canaan (5-0)
2) Bunnell (5-0)
3) Darien (5-0)
4) Brookfield (4-0)
5) Bethel (5-0)
6) Masuk (4-1)

That's it. Discuss. Or not.

I'd Like to Use a Lifeline

If you haven't seen the Tina Fey/Sarah Palin, Amy Poehler/Katie Couric video, here it is. After seeing it, one thing is offically clear:

Tina Fey is a goddess. Or perhaps the smartest, funniest person on TV. Not sure which.

For Steelers Fans

A must-see here.



Despite all their losing prior to 1972, this team has a great history.

Thanks to Behind the Steel Curtain for the link.