Sentimental Journey

(US 19, Tarpon Springs, FL, 1986)

(US 19, Tarpon Springs, FL, 2012)

Kris and I hit the road after some Waffle House today for our trip down memory lane  The two pictures above serve as just a small indication of how lie has changed.  In 1986 (top photo), the corner of Tarpon Ave (FL 582) and US 19 had a Bojangles and the Tarpon Mall.  Today, there are more plazas, but the Bojangles is gone.  Sadly, so are Florida's colored US road signs (damn federal mandates).

This was hardly the star of the show today.

(Holiday, FL, 2012)

That's my grandparents' former home.  They lived there beginning in the early 60's.  My grandfather died in 1989, and my grandmother stayed into the late 90's.  The best "old" picture I could come up with was this dandy family picture taken in 1971.  And no, that is NOT Sean Adams holding the guitar (as was suggested today).

(Holiday, FL, 1970)

It was an emotional roller coaster of sorts.  In some ways, our trip showed me an area that has completely changed.  In others, there were bits and pieces that looked entirely the same (one of the hotels we used to stay at is a time warp).  A text came from New York (Lisa) asking about my emotions.  There were an intense flood of memories.

Kris and I approached it from the east - and the minute I saw the Wendy's - the damn WENDY'S - I knew where I was.  That was the first time I ever had Wendy's; before they ever hit my home area.  We drove the main drag - US 19 (which stretches from just south of St. Pete to Erie, PA) and, sure, so much of it looked different (the famed Innisbrook resort entrance looks nothing like it did when I last saw it) but yet things looked similar as well.  I definitely knew where I was - I guarantee you that.

(Fred Howard Park, Tarpon Springs, FL)

Fred Howard Park in Tarpon Springs is as beautiful as ever; the Gulf looking so inviting.  But we simply didn't have enough time for everything on this day, and are supposed to return to Tarpon Springs' Sponge Docks before I go home.

So we drove.

We took very few breaks, getting out only to walk around Howard Park and grabbing gas and a couple of sweet teas near St. Petersburg (Rob...drinking sweet tea?  Well, go the "Arnold Palmer" route and I'll drink it).  And trust me we couldn't possibly hit every thing.  Memory Lane is pretty long around these parts, and I'm not even sure I could truly remember where to find everything.

We ended our ride at the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.  Love it.

Still more to do on this trip.  Beach.  Sponges.  Maybe the Rays/Braves game tonight.  Stop by Steinbrenner Field (I've already seen Steinbrenner HIGH SCHOOL!!).  Grab a look at Raymond James Stadium (where the Steelers won super XLIII...and some other team plays there).  Maybe some golf (please please please please).

Heck, I even went to a kickball game (good game, Brittany)...after awesome Japanese Hibachi.

Days are flying by.  I'm just trying to enjoy it.

Settling In

Sunshine Skyway Bridge.  Nor sure I'll get there on this trip, but I hope so.  It's pretty much my favorite bridge ever...or one of them.

Day 1 of my Florida Adventure is over, and oh God, what a day!  First, thanks so much to the fine folks at Delta Airlines for making this day into a total cluster....

OK, things happen.  Flights get canceled.  Weather disrupts things.  Blah blah blah.  BUT.  Is it that freaking hard to contact passengers in this era?  Answer: NO!  I was advised last night that my original flight had been canceled, and even contacted regarding the re-booking of the flight.  I thought I was leaving an hour later.  I had everything ready.  But I checked in with Delta online a few hours later...only to discover...that they had canceled THAT flight and I was now on a plane leaving five hours later!

What if I had gone to the airport?  I would have sat there...for a long time.  Ever been to the waiting area at Westchester County Airport?  Kind of a like a large, overcrowded conference room!

But life, of course, goes on.

After thinking I would be in Florida around 10:30 this morning, I arrived at 5:40 this afternoon.  I must tell you, it is surreal.  Just crazy.  It really hasn't hit me yet that I am back in Tampa.  From what I understand, tomorrow may be a day of Waffle House (WAHOO!), Japanese hibachi (sounds good), and lots of memories - including visiting the area where my grandparents lived.  I expect my emotions to be all over the place.  It's just who I am.

PS...ever been to Steak and Shake?  Well I had not...until tonight.  Cross that off my checklist and add it to the coronary overload deliciousness of my diet!

Back home, I'd have to say I'm not missing much (in the Sports division).  Rangers?  Lose.  Yankees? Lose.

I have to love the fact that the super awesome Brittany (a mere two doors away from where I'm currently typing) just "liked" my previous post on Facebook.  She has Beatles stuff in her room.  Awesome.  Enough said.  Then again, I can't let her see "Jerk Face" being so...nice.  Can't be warm and fuzzy.

Kris and I considered going to the Rays/Red Sox game tonight, but my late arrival killed that.  We missed seeing this.  Apparently all is OK, thankfully.

OK, sleep awaits.  So do waffles.

Like Going Home

Me and my Dad - February, 1980, Tarpon Springs, FL.

I've never lived anywhere else but New York.  Heck, to be more specific, I've only known two zip codes in my life.  I didn't even go away to college.

And yet, there's something about Florida, specifically, the Gulf Coast, from Bayonet Point to St. Petersburg, that has always felt like home.

I should explain that I'm writing this a week before you'll actually get to read it.  This is the preamble to one of the most special trips I've ever taken.  I'll explain.

The Gulf Coast - Tampa Bay - was an area I visited 16 times between 1969 and 1995.  My grandparents (specifically, my fathers' father and his second wife) lived in Holiday, just to the north of Tarpon Springs, in Pasco County.  Every December from '69 to '75, my whole family filled up the car and drove to see them.  The family dynamic changed by 1980, when the trip moved to February.  It was just my parents and I in 1980 and 1981, while my sister joined us from 1982 to 1986.  My brother - now with a family of his own, passed.  Two more visits to area came - in '89 and '95.

So as you can see, Tampa Bay has a meaning to me.  It's the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks.  It's Fred Howard Park.  It's seeing my grandparent's house (apparently, without its pink roof).  It's the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.  Clearwater Beach.  Innisbrook (which we won't be able to play golf at - this time).

It's driving US 19.

1985

It's honestly hard to explain why this area has such a special place in my heart.  Many of the businesses and sites are gone now.  The restaurants have closed.  But there's a bond.  Many memories.  It's an emotional tie.

And finally, after 17 years, I'm going back.

The plan was hatched not too long ago.  My cousin Kris and his wife Lori are going to visit Lori's nieces, nephew, and former sister-in-law (that's the short version of the story).  I was introduced to them a few years ago when they came to New York, and they told me to come visit anytime.  The time never seemed right.  Money, of course, was tight.  But Lori's niece (and my pal) Brittany reminded me back in March on St. Patrick's Day that I needed to get my "Jerk Face" (my nickname) to Florida for a few days.

Kris and Lori asked if I wanted to join them.  They're driving (which I would love to do) but I can't stay as long as they're going.  So we came up with the best way to make it happen. I found two inexpensive flights, and they will pick me up at the airport (Orlando, to be exact).  The only thing is, Brittany doesn't know that "Jerk Face" is coming to visit.

There has been no mention of it on Facebook or Twitter.  This post - only to appear AFTER I've landed - is the first notice.

Oh, I can't wait.  Seventeen years is too long.  Kris and I have promised that we will take a ride around the old area (we will be based closer to Tampa).  He knows that I can probably serve as a decent tour guide, and I'm looking forward to seeing how everything has changed, and reliving everything.  No, you can't live in the past and you truly can't entirely go home again, but you can come close.  This will do.

At the same time, there are new things to visit.  New experiences.  Brittany will no doubt have some things to show me.  I'll want to see Steinbrenner Field.  Maybe glance across Dale Mabry at Raymond James Stadium (yeah, Paul Silverfarbs' Bucs play there, but the Steelers won a Super Bowl there).  Of course, there are plenty of Waffle Houses in the area to visit!  We might even go check out a Rays game.

Some golf?  The beach?  Who knows?

My hope is this will set things up for future visits - hopefully to bring Sean (at the very least).

It will be like a journey home.  It will be special.  By the time you read this, I'll be there.

How Did This Happen?

There's a point in the 1996 Tom Hanks' movie That Thing You Do when Steve Zahn's character (Lenny) looks at Guy (played by Tom Everett Scott) and says:

"Skitch, how did we get here?"

The question isn't asked in frustration.  It's asked in amazement, excitement and bewilderment.  It's asked with as if saying, "is this real?"

(For the record, the answer is: "I led you here, sir.  For I am Spartacus" but that really isn't necessary to this conversation.)

So how did this happen?  "This" is relevant, but not.  This, and its cousin "It" (Get it?  Cousin It!?) are part of a larger consortium.  All it does is make you look at, you know, the big picture.  The game of life.  You're sitting on the fastball - you expect it - and suddenly - BOOM!

A change up. A curveball.  You're swinging from your shoes, and you hope to make contact so that you don't corkscrew in the batters box.

Four years ago, even five, I wouldn't have seen any of this.  Who would?  You know, "Life moves pretty fast", said Mr. Bueller.  Opportunity showed, but didn't seem right.  Something was amiss.  So move on, away from it.  Yet keep tabs on it.  Don't burn bridges.  You never know.

A year passes.  Two, almost three.  You've tried other things, and it's always still there.  Nothing pursued.  Kick the tires occasionally.

Then?  Then.  Yep.  Then...

THWUMP!  That's the sound of a brushback pitch, slamming into you.  It doesn't matter where it hit.  In a perfect world, it hits you on the small of the back, and maybe it was thrown softly.  But more likely, it's Armando Benitez, throwing in the high 90's.  Or it's Pedro Martinez, hunting for your head.  Either way, you go down.  You're mad.  You want to charge the mound, and let loose in a torrent that leaves no rosin bag unturned.

But.  No.  You take a stern look, toss the bat aside, and trot to first.  Stay classy, San Diego.

The game is played, and it is done.  Even if you want to ask "why?"  You simply don't.

It returns.  The stars align.  Fate deals its hand.  This time, it's a flat fastball that you simply hope to put a good swing on.  Opportunity has knocked again!

And that's when it hits you.

Things happen for a reason.

Yet as I type these words today, pondering how this really did happen, I find myself not wanting to know that reason.  I just want to enjoy it.

And keep moving forward.

(PS, I love That Thing You Do.  Excellent time warp)

Monkey?

I was talking about this commercial tonight.  I think it's fairly ubiquitous, but maybe because it runs during sporting events.  To me, it's fairly amusing.

"Best Day Ever"

The above quote (the title of this post) comes from the mouth of a ten-year-old.  Yes, it is hyperbole, but given the particulars, I'll take it.

I bought two adult passes to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, NY last May from a website that gives bargains on various special deals (like Groupon).  It was a bargain for two adults (not so much for an adult and child).  Then the passes sat and waited...and waited..and waited, until I realized that they were getting ready to expire.  I asked around - did anyone want to come along? - but alas, no takers.  All along, I had planned to take Sean.  But I knew that he would be slightly resistant.

Let's just put it out there: Sean is not a big baseball fan.  He doesn't watch games, doesn't play catch, doesn't concern himself with the standings.  He'll go with me to games and talk with me about it.  Still that's about it.  So, really, would he want to look at old tickets, bats, gloves, and laundry?  Would I bore him to death?  Would he whine about wanting to go home?

First and foremost, he dreaded the drive.  Hell - I dread that drive.  There's no good way, and I've tried them all.  Taconic to 84 to 87 to 28.  TSP to 90 to 5 to 80.  17 to 206 (via 30) to CR 21 to 357 to 88 to 28.  Ugh.  Those are just a couple.  I put my faith in - GASP - my GPS.  Under three hours, maybe.  Sean was armed with two DVD's (he's all about Ironman and The Avengers right now), his game system and his goofy stuffed cat Pillow Pets.

For the record, road enthusiasts, we took the Taconic to 82 to 23 to 145 to 88 to 7/10, used a cut through to go back on 10, to 165 to 166 to county road 52.  The drive took just about three hours, including time for breakfast, gas, and a quick restroom stop.

I was concerned, because I had read that the Hall was hosting "Fenway Day", honoring the great field of dreams in Boston.  I figured, given the proximity to Massachusetts, that plenty of Hub loyalists would be on hand to drool.  But, no.  While there were handfuls of Sawx fans (and a few obnoxious one at that), it was otherwise a shockingly quiet day in the peaceful village.  In fact, it felt almost like we had the place to ourselves!

Lou Gehrig statue, in the entrance atrium.

The Hall of Fame has changed quite a bit since my first visit as an over-excited kid in 1974.  More changes have occurred since my last visit, about eight years ago.  There is a more elegant entrance now than ever before, and upon being handed our tickets (in gleeful irony for some, our tickets featured Tom Seaver's jersey on it), we were whisked to the Grandstand Theater.  There, Sean was dazzled by the small model of the old Comiskey Park exploding scoreboard, and we began our scavenger hunt (a way to keep kids occupied).

I had to remind myself to watch the pace of the day.  I couldn't stop and look at everything.  I needed to hit the highlights and educate - but not overwhelm or bore - Sean.  If I can allow for such a statement, I'm kind of proud of myself.

We didn't short-change our trip - oh, hardly.  We saw it all: lockers belonging to Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, and Joe DiMaggio.  The tribute to the 27-time World Champions.  A few trinkets from Alex Rodriguez* and Derek Jeter.  Yes, we saw items from other teams, but highlighting the Yankees stuff was the best way to keep Sean into it.

*Let me deal with A-Rod for a moment.  Sean has liked A-Rod since he was two.  Yes, seriously.  He knows the bad things Alex has done.  We just talked about it the other night, and he reminded me that he would remain loyal.  A-Rod is his guy.  He even wore an A-Rod T-shirt for our trip.  We adults can debate the things that Rodriguez has done, but I have a soft spot for him, due to Sean.

In all, we spent almost three hours in the Hall of Fame, which is a very good amount of time to be there.  I could tell, by the time we hit the church-like atmosphere of the Hall of Fame Gallery, that we needed to take a break.  We needed lunch.

A few quick Hall of Fame things - for one, it is easy to be a snob about the Hall, given their attitude towards both Shoeless Joe Jackson and Pete Rose.  It is undeniable that both of these men deserve enshrinement, but are denied due to their ties to gambling on the sport.  I'm pro-Jackson (third highest batting average ever, etc) and feel that Rose should be in, but with no honor of delivering a speech.  Put a plaque up and state that he was banned for betting.  There.  Done.

The Hall is magnificent but has areas that are long in the tooth.  The Grandstand Theater show is the same one (with pictures of more modern players) that I've seen about seven times since 1990 or so.  The Scribes and Mikemen area  - very near and dear to my heart - also needs a touch-up.  But I'm also of the belief that certain broadcasters and writers deserve a plaque in the Gallery.  I mean, who is more important to the history of Los Angeles baseball than Vin Scully?

After strolling the gift shop, we hit Main Street to see the shops and grab a few slices of pizza (very tolerable by Cooperstown standards).  We walked over to the batting cage for the ritual known as Daddy Tries to Hit and Not Embarrass or Hurt Himself.  We picked the 55 MPH knuckleball machine as my opponent (55?  Get it?).  After a few...er...misfires...the 43 year-old veteran found his swings, finishing the hitting round hitting a rope to right.  Truth by told, I was late on the first few pitches and way early later on.

At one point, I saw the Hall tweet that "Barry" was enjoying his first trip to Hall.  Barry?  Barry who?  Bonds?  No...way.  Then I saw a picture - one of the newest Hall of Famer (after his induction this July) - Barry Larkin.  I didn't think too much of it, other than to say "oh well" and assume it was a missed opportunity.

Amazing, in fact.  I had my head down writing down Sean's scavenger hunt answers when a group with microphones and cameras went by.  Yep.  That was Larkin and I didn't see him.

We had unfinished business as the late afternoon shadows descended on Cooperstown.  Sean wanted a souvenir, and I was willing to comply.  The Main Street shops came up empty, so we opted to return to the Hall, where Sean chose to add to his collection of miniature baseball bats (a Yankees one, at that).  Indeed, my first souvenir in '74 was a mini Hall of Fame bat.  Love the symmetry there.

We began to make our way out when I glanced back into the Hall of Fame Gallery, and what did my wandering eye spy?  A small group...a camera...a microphone...and Barry Larkin.  Sean's jaw dropped.  We went back in.

Larkin concluded his Q&A and stepped up to shake hands with each person there (as the museum was getting ready to close, the crowd was barely 20 people).  I called Sean over, and Larkin greeted him with a boisterous "Hi buddy!" and a handshake.  Then Larkin - Hall of Famer, former Cincinnati Red - glanced down at Seans' hoodie, adorned with the interlocking NY and said, "What is that?"  Laughter broke out everywhere.  Larkin and I exchanged a hello before he moved to talk with a Reds fan standing next to us.

A short exchange, but Larkin made two fans for life.  Even if Sean can't remember his name.  I did go get him a Larkin baseball card that he is preparing to show off to his classmates.

This is the - CLICHE ALERT - stuff you can't put a price on.  The pride and surge of emotion I felt all day was tangible.  The bond of father and son was proven to be so strong.  By striking the right balance of fun and facts, we made Sean's first visit to the Hall of Fame one that he will remember.

One that he wants to do again.

One that, of course, I want to do again.

Maybe, in the end, it was meant to be that we should go alone (two adult tickets be damned).  It won't always be that way but for our first trip, it all worked out just fine.

He said it was his best day ever.  I think - and I'm fairly sure - that it was my best trip to one of my favorite places in the world.  I went twice with my dad.  Now, finally, I've been with my son.

In a month that will have me traveling every weekend (up next?  Philadelphia), we are off to one great start.

A Nod to MCA

Nineteen hundred eighty-six was the first time many of the kids my age became aware of the Beastie Boys.  Their anthem "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)" was an MTV and radio staple.  Of course, it was only a slight vision into what the Boys were capable of and, in reality, a first glance at rap for many white kids of that era (along, of course with Run-DMC).

But the Beastie's could never be defined.  And so it was that I chuckled when the obituaries began to run today for Adam Yauch, forever known by his moniker "MCA."  Some referred to Yauch, who died of cancer, only as a rapper.  Oh he was more.  The Beastie Boys were more.  Sure, they rapped.  But they also dabbled in elements of punk, ska, R&B, and rock and made brilliant videos to go with them.

The Beastie Boys website has a tribute posted to Yauch.  For me, we will go with a video - a legendary one at that - for "Sabotage."  It serves as the opening theme to "The Press Box."

Best Solo Musical Artist After Leaving a Band (And a Quick Personal Note)

Rolling Stone asked readers to pick the 10 best post-band solo careers.   Some choices were solid (Ozzy), some were...er...questionable (Morrissey), and some were hardly surprising (Sting).  But I'd have to say, overall, they got this one right.

Number one should be, and is, obvious.

Sir Paul.

Let's return to 2009 at Citi Field.  I'm not into effects at concerts (just play the freaking music), but this was cool.


Friends, let this also be a simple way to say that, after four long years, all is said and done from another part of my life.  The process that began with being served papers in my driveway has come to a close.  Finally.  Hopefully you know what I'm talking about, and I'm not writing this to celebrate, gloat, or anything else.  There's also no mourning here.  In fact, I felt nothing when I found out.  I thank each of you that was there for me (and Sean) from the bottom of my heart.  I thank all of you that have stayed loyal and are still here as well.

As one person said to me, "Onto new horizons."  And so, indeed, I say "To new horizons."

And we keep moving forward.  Brighter days are ahead.

ESPN New York...1050...oops...98.7

Traug Keller, ESPN senior vice president/production, business divisions, unveils the station's new logo at a special meeting of all staff and talent on Thursday.  Picture courtesy ESPN New York

The news broke today that ESPN New York, the radio station that has been at 1050 on the AM dial, is moving to 98.7, replacing WRKS (Kiss 98.7), an adult urban music station.  Kiss will merge with WBLS (107.5 FM) to make one station.  In other words, Kiss is being absorbed by 'BLS.

Beginning Monday, ESPN will begin simulcasting with their programming being heard on both 1050 and 98.7.  In September, the simulcast will end and 1050 will become an ESPN Deportes station - a very wise business decision.

For some of us in the Hudson Valley though, this isn't great news.  1050, never a powerhouse signal, at least came in up our way.  In my own quick test today, 98.7 was full of static by the lower reaches of eastern Dutchess County, while 1050 was fairly clear.

Equally interesting is the buzz that the Yankees would move to 98.7 beginning next year, considering their contract with WCBS (880 AM) is up at the end of 2012.  That could spell the end of John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman as the Bomers' play-by-play team.

Back to that in a moment.

ESPN New York made some changes in their programming.  Yes, "Mike and Mike in the Morning" and Colin Cowherd will carry on (terrible decisions - New York should always have a local element in the morning).  Mike Lupica will switch from 2-3 to Noon-1.  The Ruocco and Lundberg clusterbleep/farce is gone, but fear not, Ryan Ruocco will continue to have a job, joining Steven A. Smith for a two-hour thing from 1-3.  And Robin Lundberg will be heard on the weekend.

Blech.

Their one wise move was to make Dave Rothenberg the weeknight fixture, but in my opinion, Dave and Steven A. would be a good listen in that 1-3 slot.

With this configuration, I'll be listening to Mr. Diet Coke (Mike Francesa) on WFAN.

Next Up? Washington!

How does this guy fit in here?  Mickey Rivers in his prime.

What a wonderful, fun hockey game to watch tonight.  Game 7, at Madison Square Garden as the Rangers beat the Senators 2-1, was incredible.  The defense - who SHOULD have been a collective first start of the game, led by Mark Staal and Dan Girardi, were off the charts, blocking more shots than any team I've ever seen.

Henrik Lundqvist made some solid saves, and made us all forget his ridiculous conspiracy theory statements.

Now the Washington Capitals come to the World's Most Cheesy Arena (sorry, that's what it is going forward - this is New York, not some rah-rah-yee-hah pep rally town).

Dear God, I can't stand the Dolan's/Cablevision.  Where and when did New York become so...stupid?

But no point in complaining tonight.  The crowd - whom I and others RIPPED in Game 5, was off the charts tonight.  Well done.

Now comes Washington, with their fancy Ovechtrick.  Which team is going to show up?  The one that is filled with talent and outplayed Boston in the first round?  Or the one that underachieved?

We shall find out in Round 2.

Oh, and Mickey Rivers - yes, THE MICKEY RIVERS (aka "Mick the Quick") just responded and retweeted me on Twitter.  So I've got that going for me.

Which is nice.

Of course, if I could remember how to copy it I would post it here.

The whole playoff beard/peer pressure thing is annoying.  Yes, I grew facial hair.  Currently, it's a goatee and - FULL DISCLOSURE - I've shaved it down at times (sorry, deal with it).  See, here's my beef.  I'm a journalist in addition to a fan.  So I struggle with this concept, but on the other hand, members of the MSG broadcast crew have gone for the facial hair.

But I keep getting grief from Ken Brosuk and Paul Silverfarb (well, mostly Borsuk) if I dare to shave it.  But there are conditions, such as if I have something to do where I don't think the facial hair is appropriate.  Or...well...this conversation with a certain 10 year-old:

Sean: You need to shave.
Me: It's a playoff beard, er, goatee.
Sean: It's furry.
Me: I know.
Sean: You still need to shave.

Furthermore, I think I look old and, well, like bleep.  I tried taking pictures this morning and tonight and, well, those suckers won't be seeing the light of day.

You see, the Rangers won the cup in 1994, and I shaved every day.  Just saying.

I also acquired a new Rangers sweater courtesy of Chris Kaelin.  The good?  It's a nice navy blue.  The bad?  It's got that liberty logo on it.  But it was free, and I couldn't look the gift horse in the mouth.  So I wore it for Game 6...but didn't tonight.  So, there.  No lucky sweater.

I don't get why some people think it's so bad for grown men to wear jerseys/sweaters.  My take is that it's harmless - especially if it's being worn to a game or something like that.  I don't wear them on any old day for the most part, but that's just me.  And hey, they can be quite comfy when doing yard work (especially a football one).

Sometimes people need to chill.

A Couple of Quickies

Two people are on my mind for this post: Ron Artest (he doesn't deserve the respect of his new-fangled name) and Henrik Lundqvist.  Two people who couldn't be more different.

Artest got a seven-game suspension for his vicious elbow on James Harden of the Thunder.  SEVEN?  The guy who played the key role in Malice at the Palace?  The guy who has a rap sheet as long as I-80, which one can use in part to drive from New York (where Artest played college ball) to Los Angeles (where he currently plays)?  SEVEN?

David Stern deserves clown-like status for this one.  It's an easy call.  Artest should have been gone for the playoffs - at the very least.

Pathetic.

Lundqvist is harder to call out, given that he is a quality guy who comes off very well in interviews.  But, for once, he goofed.  I give you the quote, direct from Greg Wyshynki's post on Puck Daddy:

"It's an absolute joke. Oh my god, it scares me. It's such an obvious play, goalie interference, and a kick. And they still call it a goal? That scares me, that someone can call that. It still upsets me," he said after the game.

"Someone wants them back in the game obviously. There's no other explanation. "

Now, I get it.  The officiating has been laughable.  But that does not - in any way, shape or form - mean that a player or coach can call the integrity of the league - ANY league - into question like that.

I'm sorry, but Lundqvist deserves a penalty for that.  It will likely only be cash, but still, a message has to be sent.  Lundvist is solid, and has been nothing short of awesome all year, but he goofed here.  It should only be a slap on the wrist, but he let his emotions get the best of him.  There's a guy in The Bronx named Jeter who can teach him a thing or two about this.

Oh, and Chris Neil, who has played like a thug in the Sens/Rangers series, deserves some grief as well, not only for his on-ice play, but for his threat against Michael Del Zotto:

“I’m sure I’ll catch him with his head down one of these times.”

Bad form.

Bring on Game 7!  All of them!

Oh, one last thing - I'm stepping out on a ledge here. I said it off the air after "The Press Box" the other night, and I'll go on record.  The Rangers are NOT losing Game 7 tomorrow night.  In fact, I think they're going to go win the Eastern Conference now.  The Rangers will need much more offense, and will HAVE to find a power play game.  But it's just a feeling.  I think they endured their gut-check in Game 6.

Now they go from here.

For a Minute, Forget About Politics

I love when people have a sense of humor.  The message here is irrelevant.  This is straight.  Up.  Awesome.

Levon Helm (1940-2012)

There hasn't been sufficient time to pay tribute to Dick Clark, whom the world lost yesterday.  There's so much to say; so much to write.

Yet today's passing of Levon Helm - the news just breaking - is equally profound, but on a different level.  The Band was legendary; a true Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member.  Helm and his mates (the classic lineup of Robbie Robertson, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel, and Rick Danko) each found their own level of personal success.

Helm's post-Band career included his Midnight Rambles in Woodstock, NY, a concert at his barn featuring a collection of artists both well-known and well-regarded (but perhaps not as familiar).  He continued to record, earning Grammy's in the Americana category.

It's difficult to pick a single song to represent Helm, so I will go with the two most obvious.  Here is Levon singing lead of the amazing version of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" from The Last Waltz, November 25, 1976.


Of equal acclaim and amazement is "The Weight."  Utterly brilliant and beautiful.  This is the studio version.

The Yankees are Throwing Back

They're wearing the one on the right on Friday (Photo courtesy of Dressed to the Nines)

Yesterday I posted a link to the Steelers' throwbacks in honor of their 80th season.  This Friday, the Yankees - yes, the Yankees - are finally wearing throwbacks.  It is extremely rare for the Bombers to do so, and I'm glad they're doing it as part of the tribute Fenway Parks' 100th anniversary.

The Yankees have had changes in their uniforms over the years.  I think it's great to embrace it once in a while.

Go to Uni Watch for the details.  Hey, any post that has Steelers and Yankees in the same place has to be good!

Why, Stillers? Why? They've Revealed the Throwback

Was it because the Packers went with jerseys from a long time ago for their throwback?

Was it because you want to create attention?

Was it because you seriously don't have a clue?

WHY?

You could have gone with the "Batman" look of the late 60's.  Hell, you could have evoked the 70's (oh, God forbid you go with the jersey that literally EVERYONE wants you to bring back).  But instead you went...with...this.

Thanks to Chris Creamer.  I guess...

Thinking Good Thoughts For a Couple of Musical Legends

Word has been spreading that Bee Gee Robin Gibb is in a coma and his family is keeping a vigil at his bedside.

Today, I read that Levon Helm, drummer and vocalist for The Band, as well as a successful solo artist, is in the final stages of cancer.

Gibb, as part of the Bee Gees, unfortunately gets lumped in as a disco artist due to the Saturday Night Fever success.  But, kids, you should Google the Bee Gees chart success and discover that they were quite the diverse musical act.

As for Helm, well, The Band alone speaks to his legend.  But his recent work, including his "midnight rambles" up in Woodstock, NY, had become a great addition to his legacy.

Let's think some happy thoughts for both of these gentlemen.

Bicycle!

I want to ride my bicycle.  I want to ride my bike.

Hmmm.  Now where have I heard that before?

I'll Be Back

Not many have asked, but a few have (sorry, I really do wonder who gives a bleep about this blog anymore).  So OK, I give.  Yes, el bloggo will solider on.  Yes, I'll do more for Zuckerman and social media in general.

Yes, I'll be back.

I'm busy - crazy busy.  And that's a good thing.  Two to three jobs.  Traveling.  Being more active (helloooo bicycle!).  Getting out more with Sean in the nice weather.  Taking stock in me and those around me.

Doing "The Press Box" (7-9 Monday nights on WGCH).  Mick McGowan and Tom Oderwald were with us last night, and we had a blast, and that carried over off the air.  I'm doing my fair share of heavy laughing every week.

(L-R: Ryan DeMaria, me, Chris Erway.  Photo by Mick McGowan)

(Top Row, L-R: Chris Erway, Ryan DeMaria, Tom Oderwald.  Bottom row: Mick McGowan, me.  Photo by Bob Small.)

This doesn't mean I don't have some time on my hands, and I'll happily spend that staying busy - including time with friends and getting to ballgames, etc.  I have to stay busy.  I want to stay busy.

So I will.

And maybe, just maybe, when the time is right, I'll write away here.  I'm just super duper incredibly cautious about my topics lately.  While it might delight some of my peeps to no end if I were to spout, I'd rather not.  I'd rather stay classy.  I'd rather be...shoot me now...the nice guy.

Though I could spout off about the silliness of "Jackie Robinson Day."  Yet even that, in this incredibly pathetic PC world of ours, is dangerous.  One misstep and...

OK, I'll say it.  Stop having everyone wear 42.  Give one person the honor of wearing the number - make them the spirit of Robinson.  Have a ceremony.  Wear patches on the sleeves for one night.  Then auction off the jersey.  But most importantly - EDUCATE.  Tell kids why what the old boys club of baseball prior to 1947 did was WRONG.  Don't preach.  Just explain.  Folks, this isn't rocket science.

I took a large chunk of this past month to think.  Think about social media and my place in it.  Think about those who are obsessed (sometimes including me, and it hurt me).  Think about what I want (did I mention "travel?).  If anything, I lurked.  I read things.  I saw things I didn't like.  Hurtful things.  Snarky things.  It's the thing I most deplore about it. 

Facebook helped me get back in touch with a lot of people.  It helped me meet others and get to know some of my friends even more so.  And yet...yet...that wasn't always a good thing.

There are roads to drive.  Places to visit.  People to love, and who want to love me back.  I suspect it will all inspire me to write.  Then I just have to find the time.

Like now.

OK, I'm a Few Days Early

He's waiting.  April 15th is tomorrow, but since it's a Sunday, and Monday is a holiday (in the District of Columbia), Tax Day is Tuesday, the 17th.

And, of course, we think of this enormously great song - one of George Harrison's absolute best.  But, keeping it real around the Exit 55 Man Cave, I've elected to grab the alternate version from the "Anthology" series.

I would say "tax woman", but the Fabs did "Taxman."  Whatever the gender, the tax...er..person told me how it will be.  And yes, I guess I'm slightly thankful they did not take it all.  And so it goes...

What is It? The Steve Somers Interview

Several people have expressed excitement/interest that "The Schmoozer", Steve Somers of your fancy WFAN radio, was kind enough to join us to talk a little S-P-O-R-T-S.  So I've embedded the audio on Archive.org.

And yes, he called me "young", further illustrating a few things about me, none of which I'll get into here.  What?

But first, here's the show promo:


Here's the interview.


We thought he might say "What is it?" or one of his famous "Steve-isms" but I think that would have been too much, because I most likely would have fallen out of the window in our fancy studio already!  As it was, I had to turn the microphones off occasionally due to us all wanting to laugh.  And he was as genuine as he sounds on the radio.  He was kind enough to respond to our email thanking him.  He's the real deal, folks.

A Quick "Press Box" Announcement

I neglected to pass this piece of news along...

"The Press Box" has been extended to two hours!  That's right - since we felt so tight for time in the first two editions of the show, we have been granted a second hour to discuss the world of sports in and around Greenwich.

Now, there's a good news/bad news thing here.  WGCH, if you're not aware, is also a Boston Red Sox affiliate.  This, of course, is bad news for me...just...because (OK, I'm partially kidding).  The bigger problem is that the Sawx play a lot of Monday night games, so we have some scrambling to do.  We're not planning to skip any weeks, but we might have to reschedule to another night or time, or perhaps back down on to an hour.  We're still figuring it out.

Anyway, Chris Kaelin tells me that William Waesche, Paul Macken, and Walker Brady.  They will discuss Greenwich High hockey, as well as GHS lacrosse.  We'll also get into the mens' national championship (maybe the womens' game as well), along with baseball, basketball, hockey, and more.  We've got two hours to work with!

And, I hope I don't regret teasing this, but there is more news coming down the pike...

Vegas Vacation

It came from out of the blue. Hit my cell phone while I was having dinner with Sean one Wednesday night - maybe six or seven weeks ago. In short, it said that I had been invited to a wedding. Well, that's not true actually. Carrie had been invited to go her friends' wedding, and Kristi (the said friend) had made a point of writing my name on the envelope.

Who am I to say no? Carrie - looking beautiful at a wedding. The bride suggesting that I be the "guest." Me, getting to rock a nice suit. Food. Drinks. Dancing. Fun!

Oh yeah, and did I mention it would all take place in Las Vegas?

DING DING DING DING!

This was the part where I was going to complain about American Airlines.  And flying.  And Delta Airlines.  But really, who cares about plane troubles? We got there safely, and it's the destination that counts!  It's not like the pilot went off the old reservation of something.

Touchdown had us off and running quickly, into a rental car (Huyndai, not bad) and onto the Strip, where in no time we had checked into the ab-so-lutely spectacular ARIA Resort and Casino. I can't recommend it highly enough - from the fact that the casino did not smell like an ash tray, to the shops, to the restaurants, to the room and all of its amenities, it was a first class place (that did not break the bank). We soon dashed off to meet a classmate and friend of Carrie's at Hash House a Go Go inside of the Imperial Palace. Now, I should tell you that this restaurant is a chain with six locations, and more to come. I should also tell you that Carrie and I ate at the one in San Diego in January, 2011 (look for the picture of the bacon waffles). And the person we had dinner with - the friend and classmate of Carrie's, is none other than the owner of this fine chain! Oh, and the food is so good.

Chicken? Meet waffles. Now meet Rob. Enjoy! I would have recommended it before I ever met the man. Now I'll recommend it even more.

The next day, we hit the road for the brand new Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge (aka Hoover Dam Bypass).  Holy cow but what an impressive site it is, and it allows for an even more stunning view of the Dam (or as Beavis would say, "is this a God Dam?").

We would drive down there also, stopping where old US 93 stops (you can't go any farther on the old road, for security reasons).

On our way back into Nevada (leaving Arizona and Mountain Time Zone), we were stopped on US 93.  Slammed into a long line of traffic.  It seems some guy named Obama was in Boulder City and that slowed us down, and eventually detoured us around Lake Mead - in the end, all good.  The rest of the day was spent goofing around in various casinos, figuring out where and what to eat, and enjoying Las Vegas.

The following day was Kristi and Jared's wedding.  I have no problem telling you that they are a fairly perfect couple, and I was thrilled to be at their party.  Hey, if one could find a complaint, it was that the evening was so nice and it ended too soon!  It was surprising to hear the DJ say that the last song was coming.  I wish them so much love, happiness, and laughs in their life ahead.  I can't help but believe true love still exists.

Oh, but I failed to mention a little thing over at the Mirage (I walked through so many casinos!) called "Love."  Or more importantly, The Beatles' Love!  Now I didn't go see the show (ticket prices are high) but I looked around at all that they had there, including the shop where I bit the bullet and picked up a few trinkets.

Here, 50 years after they began to hit, the Fabs continue to dominate and amaze.  That's probably a topic for another time.

Friday began at Hash House again, but this time at the location on Sahara (ah, the streets that are named for the older - and demolished - casinos).  More waffles for me - the plates are crazy big but the food is amazing.  From there, it was a long drive into the desert, this time on US 95, all...the...way...to California.

OK, it's only 56 miles, but those are some long and boring miles at times.  Granted, you can do 75 on them (yes, that's the speed limit, folks), but still!

That is, until you hit the town of Searchlight, then you...slow...down...to 25!  But what a charming town it is, with a general store, casino, and McDonald's, along with the turnoff onto the Joshua Tree Highway, which carried us back into California, and onto I-15, where I drove us back to Las Vegas.

That took us to our last night with more dinner, more walking (more blisters on my feet), and eventually to sleep to get ready to come home.

Saturday involved more driving, more food, and time at the Rio casino.  Not the best casino - at all - but an OK way to grab a final meal and waste a few more dollars.  And by that point, I had a serious case of end of vacation blues.  Just sad.  Things on my mind.  Blah.  Blah.  Blah.
And back to New York we went.  I feel like I've been adjusting to the time change ever since.

I guess there should be more to say about this trip, but I seem to be doing the "brevity" thing.  More stories at another time, perhaps.

Some Quick Hits - Pics and Stuff

First (and second) on the agenda are pictures from Shorpy.  It's always so fun to spend a few minutes perusing the goods there.  Two really struck my eye:

One and Two.  Both were taken in 1914 in Poughkeepsie, NY.  Both are of crew teams at the Poughkeepsie Regatta with the Hudson River nearby.  But look even closer.  There's a bridge in the background, and since the Mid-Hudson Bridge wouldn't be open until 1930, there is one easy conclusion to draw: this is what is now known as the Walkway Over The Hudson State Park.  It has only be open about 25 years at the time of these pictures.

Moving on, baseball season sort-of, kind-of opened this week when the A's and Mariners played in Tokyo.  Always one to be timely, Jon from R-VA brings us a view of the New York Giants playing the Cleveland Indians in 1946.  Mooers Field was home to Richmond's minor league team, the Colts, from 1942 to 1953, when the team left the city.  Parker Field was renovated and essentially replaced Mooers in 1954, and the current building, The Diamond, opened on the site of Parker Field in 1985.  The Richmond Times-Dispatch has a map of all the ballparks here.

I.  Love.  This.  Ladies and gentlemen, courtesy of Stuck in the 80's, here are Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers.


That's about all I've got for a Friday night.

Craig Carton Called Hank Haney "Scum"

Hank Haney was on WFAN Radio today for an interview with Craig Carton and Boomer Esiason.  What was supposed to be an interview to promote Haney's book about life with Tiger Woods turned ugly.

Deadspin breaks it all down for us.

Craig Carton called somebody a "horrible human being" and "scum of the earth?"  Yeah...pot, meet kettle.

I'm not defending Haney - at all - but still.

This serves as a nice reminder why I don't listen to WFAN in the morning - and basically only listen for Mike Francesa and Steve Sommers.

Spring Training with the Cubs in the 70's

Have a look at this video, courtesy of the Chicago Tribune that I found via Uni Watch. It's a fun look back at Spring Training and baseball in the 1970's. You'll forgive me if my favorite part begins around the 6:00 mark, in which a prominent Yankee-turned-Giant-turned Cub (who eventually returned to his beloved pinstripes)makes an appearance.

If you haven't heard, I'm doing a radio show again. It's called "The Press Box", and we're building a great list of guests. So I suggest you tune in if you haven't already.

Elton is 65!

I'm back from Vegas, where I'm not sure that anything that happened needed to "stay" there. Silly stories, good laughs, and a really sweet wedding with two really sweet people who are meant for each other. I'll post pictures and maybe tell you about the trip when time allows.

But I just saw Elton John has turned 65. One of the great musicians and songwriters (along with Bernie Taupin) of our time (granted, I'm less enamored with his latter work, but still, he's pretty brilliant).

Here he is doing one of my favorites, "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters." I'll always remember hearing this song as I rode the subways of New York just after meeting Carrie, and how it made me like the song even more.


And how can I possibly forget the Stewie Griffin/William Shatner take on Eltons' "Rocket Man?"

Viva!

Did I mention The Press Box starts tomorrow? Did I also mention that we still need to book a guest? And that I'm also trying to pack to go away on Tuesday?

And I'm going here?


Yep.

Nowhere Man

I'm Packing (going away on Tuesday), cleaning, watching hoops, etc. Had Sprinsteen on before (did I mention Wrecking Ball is incredible?) Then I popped some Beatles on. Started in the Rubber Soul era. "Nowhere Man" came on.

Wow. It hit home. That's all. Here are the lads singing it in Yellow Submarine. Did they ever make a sadder song?


Speaking of the Fabs, here's a nice composite of Paul/The Beatles doing "I'm Down", another tough song, although more upbeat. But still, not a happy-go-lucky number at all. Yeah...

I like the way this combines The Beatles at Shea Stadium with Sir Paul at Citi Field (which, you might recall, I went to in 2009). I especially enjoyed Paul doing this because it was a real highlight of their 1965 visit to Shea, with John Lennon playing some wild and wacky organ. Always a good Beatles laugh.

St. Pat's with a Jersey Twist

Thanks to my friend Johnny I (not Irish) for passing this along.  The Dropkick Murphy's and The Boss visit "Badlands." Yes, I know it's a year old. Let's not split hairs.


PS: go get Bruce's Wrecking Ball. Now.

On This St. Patrick's Day...

We pause for just a moment to remember on this day. If that means we're interrupting the wearing o' the green and green beer and green bagels and whatever, then so be it.

For just a moment.

It's been 23 years since the man in those grainy photos left us. Those images aren't clear but it's OK, since memory is never picture-perfect. There he is, with his youngest child on the beach at Howard Park in Florida in 1970. There he is, with his wife, outside his fathers' house in Holiday, Florida.

And then, in 1989, he was gone.

Twenty-three years. Seems like forever. Or maybe yesterday. It's all in how you look at it.

Didn't want to dwell on it.  No desire to be morose. Just wanted to pause and remember for a moment.

He lives on in his children and grandchildren.

We now return you to your green life.

Two Days to The Press Box

Hopefully, it's clear enough to see in that picture. That's a part of the cover page of WGCH.com, and it's promoting Monday's premiere of - what is it? - oh, right.

"The Press Box."

I was in the Greenwich area yesterday, and listened to Tony Savino do the Noon NewsCenter, when he ran a promo for the show. I hear that an ad is going to run in one of the newspapers.

I'm not jaded - not even a little. I've been in radio for over 20 years, and still feel a thrill to hear and see these things.

The show debuts Monday. Still more work to be done!

Best Laugh of the Day

Thank you, "Big Bang Theory" for causing me to LOL. Yes, literally. Almost to the point of having trouble breating. Watch...

The Tappan Zee Bridge is Neato!

A promotional video from the fine folks at the New York State Thruway, upon the opening of the Tappaz Zee Bridge in 1955.


I love that shot of the bridge at the end. It appears traffic is backed up on the TZ. That seems about right.

Broken Escalator

Carrie told me about this and it is pretty darn funny. Watch for yourself. It says something about people, doesn't it?

What Should the Theme Song for "The Press Box" Be?

I Googled "what music should i use for my new sports show" and this came up.  Go figure.

We're at PB-minus five and there's still some work to be done. For instance, who will the first guest (or guests) be? I have an idea on that. But the question boggling my mind is about music.

It's difficult when you have 15,519 songs in your iTunes. And that's not even my entire collection. It gets overwhelming! So I reached out to my musical genius of a friend, Mr. Jon from R-VA, and asked him for some original compositions.

Jon, it should be noted, played in a legendary hardcore band called Up Front (Wikipedia entry here!). Indeed, I want up-tempo music for the show, but Jon felt the old Up Front tunes might be too much. Still ever the sport, Jon sent along two Up Front tracks, along with two songs from another of his bands, Dayspring, and one from a friends' band, Against Grace. All really good stuff.

Chris Erway, Mr. Wingman himself, suggested a theme song from a wrestler, which I'll decline to post for now. I like the song a lot, but my concern is that it won't necessarily be identified with us.

That of course is the same problem with picking any familiar song.

I would bet that among others who read here - Harold, Mick, and BL (the once and always, "John Harrison" of Majic 105 fame) will have some suggestions). So I'm throwing it open to the loyal (and not-so-loyal) readers of "Exit 55." I want something that pops. I want something that fires me up for the show. I want something snappy (movie quote**, name it!)

I need help!!

**Movie quote answer: Mr. White (Tom Hanks) in That Thing You Do!

Mike D'Antoni Resigns...No Shock Here

Mike D'Antoni has quit as head coach of the New York Knicks. To be quite honest, this news has not not surprised me at all. The team has been in free fall for a few weeks now. D'Antoni and his star player, Carmelo Anthony, clearly did not get along. In a star-driven league, the player wins every time.

The boo birds have won, and they normally get their way, dating back to the days of Allie Sherman and the football Giants ("Goodbye Allie").

It's not a coincidence (to me) that the Knickerbockers have not played well since Anthony returned from an injury. Prior to his return, the Knicks had become a New York story again, as "Linsanity" raged thoughout the Tri-state area. Now they're back to being not-so-good and on the edge of being out of the playoff picture.

It has gotten ugly at the World's Most Famous Arena (I still wonder if that building really deserves that title anymore. It probably is, but...). So who has to go? Yep, the coach. And out he goes. Just looking at the Social Mediaverse, it seems the feeling is united that people are happy he's gone.

I'm not among them. Look, I knew D'Antoni was dead-man walking. But I never felt like he was given the tools. Consider how bad the Knicks were when he first got here.

Ah, it never matters. Always blame the coach.

Whatever.

I blame the players. Specifically, I blame Carmelo Anthony. I wanted him to come to New York. I thought he would bring a world of talent to the Garden. He did. He just hasn't brought winning with him.

So now begins the Phil Jackson talk. It's clearly - definitively - Big Chief Triangle's job to take. He can come home to the MSG, where he once helped the Knicks win a title, way back in 1973...

Yep. That's him.

Be careful what you wish for, New York. Just saying.

The Third "Press Box" Promo

Here's the last of the three original promos for the new show. In this one, I've "reopened" The Press Box after a few years. I like the sound of it. Simple and efficient.

Gotta love some sound effects! It's a combinations of Hudson Valley Renegades baseball, Greenwich Cardinals hockey, Mount Saint Mary College basketball, and Rye football play-by-play calls, along with the Greenwich cheerleaders (circa 2003), Bob Small saying "hockey" (from the opening of our Brunswick School hockey broadcasts) and a few other sounds.

It wasn't what I originally had in mind, but I like it.

New "Press Box" Promo

It's possible that there's nothing more dangerous than three friends trapped in a radio production studio (with another friend on the phone).

I should have saved the outtakes. I should have saved everything. Pure comic genius.

I had a couple of ideas for the new promos for the...er...new..."Press Box." You've already heard the first one, where the deep voiced movie-type promo guy (voiced by a very handsome blogger) gets mocked by all three of us. But that version got lost, so all we have is this: the deep voiced dude, with me asking him questions, and Sean Adams (age 10) providing the final line.

If you're new to this or know nothing about me, then allow me to tell you that I love parody. For over a decade I was part of a wonderful set of videos for the softball league that I was a part of in which we did a different themed parody every year. It is still a goal of mine to get some of those goodies on YouTube.

Back to the topic at hand. Chris Erway, Chris Kaelin, Ryan DeMaria and Peter Griffin (well, not really, but I'm watching Family Guy as I'm typing) decided to have some fun with the Jerry Stiller Capital One radio commercials. The truth is that none of the ideas came out as I thought, but I still like these promos. Nice work by all involved. I love the natural sound of the Kaelin household in the background, in which wife, daughters, and whatever else goes on in "Kato World" can be heard. And Ryan's "creepy old spokesperson" is just funny.

I'm Back

Those were the two words that Michael Jordan famously sent out when he returned to the NBA in 1995. My announcement is hardly earth shattering, but I'm hoping that people will be happy about it anyway.

"The Press Box" is back! WGCH's owner Michael Metter gave his support to a return to sports talk on the station, and I will head up that effort. The guys who have supported our broadcasters for some time now will ride shotgun with me.

Just as we did in the "Box's" previous incarnations, I want the show to feature all sports, with a mostly local approach. To that end, I want to have guests from everywhere, and not just Greenwich. Oh we won't ignore national sports, and will certainly take note of things in New York City and Boston - and the wide world as well - but our first take will be in our area.

I'll also look for great guests of note. By that I mean broadcasters, authors, writers, reporters (I've already targeted Paul Silverfarb), bloggers...anyone! Any good story is worth telling. Any good guest is worth hearing from.

We haven't picked our first guest. Who will it be? Tune in and find out on Monday, March 19th at 7:00 PM. And I'll go out on a limb and say that, while we're going to start out as one-hour show, I'm quickly aiming to get to two.

To me, it's just the beginning of a new era for WGCH Sports. I'm hoping - seriously hoping - that we can get back to broadcasting more games, from high schools to legion ball, and beyond. I've got an enthusiastic team behind me that wants it, with tremendous talent to do big things.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch with me, Wingman (Chris Erway), Kato (Chris Kaelin), or Deemer (Ryan DeMaria) if you want to be on the show, or have an idea.  I can be reached here, on Facebook, or on Twitter (@double5).  I expect us to quickly put together a new Facebook page and Twitter account for the show, and hope you'll like and follow us over there also.

We've got work to do.

Something New Is On The Way

The tension builds...

The Links, The Dinks, and So On

I'm typing away on my not-so-trusty laptop (curse you, Dell!) in part to see if the damn thing actually works! I'll save the news for a another time, but there are some things in the works that would require a reliable laptop so that I can work on the road.

So I'm using this post to see if this laptop will survive. Best to do this then avoid possibly dropping some money on a new machine.

Anyway...

Ken MacMillan writes on his blog that a Hudson Valley AM station has changed their format. Curiously, 106.3 on the FM dial from Mount Kisco has changed their format to a simulcast of country as well (of 105.5 FM).

A side note (as such, we're into Off the Bench territory): My first radio home was 105.5 FM, WMJV-FM. It has changed hands and formats several times since then and has never seemed to find an answer. So not it is country, and has been for a few years. I have nothing against current country music, per se, and like acts like Lady Antebellum quite a bit. But I'm just more old school. Is Westchester County really hankering for some hee-haw? I guess time will tell.

Staying in the media, Channel 4 (WNBC) is apparently parting with Sue Simmons, who formed a long-time partnership with Chuck Scarborough. The New York Times has more. My $.02? Fail. Big time fail. Anchors around New York have otherwise become interchangeable. I'm not sure I could tell you that any of them impress me. But Chuck and Sue always felt like old friends. Both of them are 68, for whatever that is worth.

They're partnership (the longest in New York history) reminded me of the teams of my youth. Bill Beutel and Roger Grimsby on WABC immediately come to mind.

I can't let the topic of Sue Simmons go without this little dandy. We'll always love you, Sue!


In the Jeff Pearlman corner of Exit 55-land, we check in with our favorite Mahopac High grad-turned sportswriter as he does his "Quaz" with Sean Salisbury. It's a great read. I agree that Salisbury deserves another shot on network TV. There are too many examples of worse broadcasters for me to discuss.

So far, so good with the computer thing. Just thought I'd throw that in.

The CIAC (the Connecticut body of sports government) is working on creating a broadcasting outlet for sports. Sean Patrick Bowley has some details.

Hmmm...no chance they could use some talented voices. Sean Salisbury and I could call a few games.

Coach over at All Things Next has a few items of note. Allow him to explain why Chris Cornell is uncool. No, really. Coach also posts a video of the day. In this one, he introduces us to an artist named Meiko with her song "Stuck on You." Good song, cute video. Worth a look. In this video of the day, the Coachmeister (my nickname, not his) brings what is, almost without question, the worst...video...ever. It has been suggested that this video destroyed Billy Squiers' career. Who am I to argue?

Mr. Jon has some before and after Vintage Richmond for us. In this case, Rose and Lilah's dad shows pictures of Broad St at 1st. Great stuff as always.

Perfect segue, since Jon and I have debated this topic a few times...over at Stuck in the 80's, Steve Spears wonders if The Joshua Tree is really U2's best album. I say hell no! I'll take Boy, War, and The Unforgettable Fire right off the bat. Of course, "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" is undeniably right near the top of the most overrated and overplayed songs ever (but of course, there's that little ditty of Jack and Diane to discuss). It's also the first and, so far, only song to get me to walk out of a concert to use the rest room. So there.

I still have to get Mr. Springsteen's latest, by the way. The Boss is rocking the Apollo as I write this. I have no tickets to see Bruce and E Street on his new tour. Yet. Sigh...

Lastly, over at Uni Watch, a very interesting question has been posed: what is each city's most sacred uniform number? In other words: what is the definitive number? I honestly can't come up with one for New York. I'm trying, but I'm finding it difficult.

And the computer is still working! There's hope!

Matt Brown Drops Ceremonial First Puck

If this doesn't make you smile, get choked up, or shed a tear, well then I guess there's no hope for you. This is Matt Brown, whom I'm proud to call a friend (along with his father), dropping the ceremonial first puck at last weekend's Bruins/Islanders game in Boston.

Matt has been through a lot since his on-ice injury in 2010. Richie and Rit Spezzano introduced Chris Kaelin and I to Matt and his dad, Michael Brown. Father and son both appeared on "The Press Box" and I continue to keep an eye on Matt's progress.

Richie Spezzano sent this video to me. Watch and enjoy.


Maybe, just maybe, there could be a reappearance on a future show from Matt and his dad? Stay tuned...

The Yankees via an iPhone

Thought you might enjoy seeing these brilliant pictures shot by photographer Nick Laham. What makes them most interesting is that he shot them on his iPhone, in a bathroom.

Laham's own blog has some details and some of the pictures. David Bergams' site has some more details, including a link to Getty Images, which picked up the pictures for distribution.