CIAC = FAIL.

I'm still outraged at what I saw last night. Greenwich beat Westhill 45-7, and anybody with a brain knew that the Cardinals were out for blood after losing to Bridgeport Central the week before. Thus it was clear that the Vikings would be in for a long night.

The Cards scored in abundance and led 39-0 at halftime. I knew the topic was coming...

The 50-point rule.

After Colin Dunster scored to make it 45-0, I knew what would be discussed. Then things got weird.

Westhill once again could do nothing offensively. So they went for it on fourth down...in the third quarter...in their own end. HUH?

Naturally, the pass attempt fell short and Greenwich took over on downs. Suddenly, they were knocking on the door, when Greenwich head coach Rich Albonizio did what he had to do. He called for a kneel-down. Four times.

Again, this was happening in the third quarter, and all so GHS didn't upset the knuckleheads at the CIAC.

Later on, Westhill would get on the scoreboard, and I almost felt like the Cardinals, who CLEARLY DIDN'T LET WESTHILL SCORE, weren't terribly sorry when they did. Now, let's be clear - because of the 50-point rule, Greenwich (and by extension, Westhill) were put in a bad, stupid situation.

Sean Patrick Bowley though enough of it to mention this in his Friday night recap, while Tim Parry actually called me an hour after the game to make sure what he was reading (via Twitter and elsewhere) was true. He wrote about it on his blog.

Incidentally, I love the Taconic State Parkway. I never find it by accident.

Tim adds more on his other blog.

So come on, CIAC. Get your mighty pens out and strike this rule once and for all. Or do you enjoy being mocked nationally for a rule based on political correctness because the big meanies beat up on the little guy? That's another problem with sports today. Those in the suits insist on messing with what's going on on the field. Pitchers can't throw inside, high school players can't field a kickoff in the end zone and run it out (at least in Connecticut), no fighting in hockey, and blowouts are bad. You have to let things take care of themselves on the field, and find bigger things to worry about.

Happy Halloween, everyone! Wish I had a party or something to go to after I finish calling Brunswick and Salisbury tonight on WGCH.

NINJA!

Be on the lookout for this character. Likely to be found between Hopewell Junction and Yorktown, NY, asking for tricks and treats. Might - just MIGHT - answer to the name "Sean."

Sadly I will spend my second straight Halloween apart from him, as I'll be working. We went to Kent Primary School's nice Monster Mash last night instead.

*sigh*

Scary Roads

Want some spooky places to drive? Try these. I'll even give something away - Clinton Road, in New Jersey (had to be the Garden State, no?) is number one. I've been on that road. Didn't strike me as too funky (it was daytime though) so I guess buyer beware.

Then again, the relationship that I was in ended after that night. GASP! The curse of Clinton Road lives.

But we're still friends, so take from that what you will.

(DISCLAIMER: Sense of humor required at all times)

Oh speaking of spooking, WGCH will have Greenwich Cardinals football tonight, as the Cards and Westhill Vikings meet at Cardinal Stadium. Pregame at 6:50. The same schedule is in effect for tomorrow night, as Salisbury and Brunswick meet at Cosby Field.

For Just A Moment (With VIDEO)

I'm here for a quick hello. The World Series has begun and I haven't posted anything. Shame on me.

As I write, the Bombers have a 2-1 lead in Game 2. Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui have home runs for New York. After being very nervous, the new big house is rocking.

Oh, and we're looking at the possibility of Mo for two innings tonight, with tomorrow off. Not my favorite approach.

Good friend Sean Kilkelly wrote about why there's such epic hatred towards the 26-time World Champions on Facebook. There are some who, I swear, are purely living to get off by infuriating the likes of me. I'm telling you - as Babe Ruth is my witness - they would happily burn friendships along the way if needed.

Makes my blood pressure boil.

Also proves that there are some classless, asinine, clueless, irrelevant people in this world with nothing better to do. And they don't seem to realize just how bad they look.

Why is there such general insensitivity (and I'm not just talking about sports here)?

Other things are grinding my gears tonight. Best to go "Rule 55" on y'all. Enjoy "The Natural." (Facebookers, the video is here)


3-1, New York. Hip Hip Jorge with an RBI single.

Rule 55 Returns

This video was once here. Then I took it down because I thought I had offended. Now it's back, because I need a Rule 55 and I'm, well, never mind. So Nick Angotto (The Bri-Man), this is for you.
(Facebook friends, the video is here)

Rob's BG Five - Week 6

This is going to be painful...

1) New Canaan (6-0, Last Week: 1) - Easy enough.
2) Staples (6-0, 3) - Moving up.
3) Pomperaug (6-0, 4) - Solid.
4) Masuk (6-0, 5) - Not much to say.
5) Bridgeport Central (5-1, NR) - How can I put Greenwich higher than the Hilltoppers? I can't - they won the game. I still think GHS is the better team but on Friday night, Central was better on the field. And so...
6) Greenwich (5-1, 2) - They'll be back. I believe in the Cardinals. But folks, here's the thing. I'm their radio "voice." If I don't knock them down, people will cry foul. Of course, if I drop them altogether, people will also cry foul. So King (5-0) gets knocked out, and St. Joe's (5-1) stays out as well.

And if Greenwich uses this as their bulletin board material, I'll understand.

OK. That's that.

A Few More Yankees Thoughts

Postgame...

I disagree with CC Sabathia winning the ALCS MVP over A-Rod. Rodriguez was a monster, and yeah CC was great, but I just don't get it. Does the media hate A-Rod that much?

I can only hope that there's a World Series MVP in the next few weeks for him.

Randy Levine really is a stooge. He stand there on the podium with this dumb ass smile on his face. He and Lonn Trost are part of why people hate the Yankees.

We will find out if the Yankees are still Pedro's daddy.

Kenny Albert called today's Steelers/Vikings tilt in the 'Burgh. He magically appeared in the clubhouse at Yankee Stadium to preside over the trophy presentation. That's quite a day, and my kind of job. Sign me up!

Oh yeah, it's been a good sports day for me, no?

That must have been tough for Jackie Autry, whose father owned the Angels, to give the AL trophy out. Then again, since current owner Arte Moreno took the Angels legacy and made them into the LA Angels of Anaheim of Orange County and such, she might not care.

Mike Scioscia is a heck of a manager. He always seems to be a classy guy. Yet tonight, Joe Girardi is the manager of the best team in the American League. Almost in spite of himself.

The champagne is flying. Neil Best must be displeased. Then again, come Wednesday, Neil's opinion will be somewhat muted, as the Dolans, who run Cablevision, MSG, and Newsday, will begin charging for readers to access everything - even blogs!

For the record - I chose to let Sean sleep tonight, since it's a school night. If he's with me and the Yankees are closing to winning the Series, I will wake him up.

OK. That's enough for tonight.

American League Champions

Bring on the Phillies.

The New York Yankees have won the 2009 American League Championship.

The World Series begins Wednesday at Yankee Stadium.

In case you're wondering, it's a rematch of the 1950 World Series, when the Bombers swept the Whiz Kids.

One last thing: I've argued - at length - about acting like you've been there before. This specifically has been directed at Chad Whatshisname in Cincinnati. These Yankees, upon getting the final out, seemed very subdued to me. Certainly happy, but very businesslike.

But at least, for tonight, the monkey of getting past the ALCS is gone.

Yankees fans - celebrate and enjoy.

To The Ninth

5-2, Yankees. On to the ninth.

Thank you. That is all.

I'm Not Counting Down

Oh we are so...close. It's the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium, with the Bombers leading the Angles 3-1 in Game Six of the American League Championship Series.

So close to the World Series. It would be the Yankees' 40th American League crown. It would be their 11th trip to the Series in my lifetime - making it the second visit for Sean (the first being in 2003, when he was all of about 20 months old).

But we've been this close, and closer. The trail of heartbreak does exist, even if not in the ALCS. 1981(Dodgers)...1995(Mariners)...2001(not talking about it)...2004 (just a bad dream). This is just since George Steinbrenner bought the team in 1973.

My pulse has quickened...my mouth is getting dry.

The Phillies await.

The Angels have tacked on a run off the Great Rivera. Three-two, through seven-and-a-half innings.

So close.

Still More Mount Stuff and What a Wonderful Week

Yes, the main broadcast team is set for Mount Saint Mary, but I forgot to mention that we will also try to add an on-court reporter. It's looking like the college will try to find a student to fit that role, but I am not against reaching into the vast resources of the WGCH extended family to pluck a guest reporter or analyst. Trust me when I say that those people work hard and would be a great fit.

Despite the disaster of last Friday's broadcast at Trumbull, the near disaster in Harrison, and the Yankees' inability to close things out, it has been a great week. Maybe this is what I was looking for when I wrote the now-famous "McCartney Post" back in July. That day held so much promise and I thought it was the beginning of something special. Instead, it was another misplaced brick in the long and winding road.

And I tripped right over it.

I've spent the past couple of months dusting myself off. Again.

So maybe, just maybe, with Mount Saint Mary, new friends and relationships, Sean (of course, always Sean), a great team at WGCH (I've really enjoyed the addition of Chris Erway and Chris Kaelin, who have become good friends of mine)...dare I say the future doesn't look so bleak again?

Friends, somebody is answering the phone when I call. I guess that's the best way to put it. Because I hate silence. Don't get me wrong - I enjoy peace occasionally. I just don't like saying something - putting myself out there - and getting nothing in return. Silence, folks, is deadly.

This goes for friends, family, love, career, and life.

Take all this for what is. Of course, your mileage will vary. It's all helter skelter (again, Beatles reference). Can't buy me love.

Couldn't resist that last one.

The Mount Saint Mary Broadcast Team is Set

I met my analyst for Mount Saint Mary basketball broadcasts yesterday. Christine Baker graduated from MSM in 1995 and was a co-captain for three of her four years on the Blue Knights. She left the school as the all-time leading scorer (since broken). Since then, Christine has coached basketball, written many articles on the game, and is the author of Why She Plays: The World of Women's Basketball (University of Nebraska Press 2008 www.whysheplays.com).

Christine and I will meet a few more times and get under the headsets for at least one practice run before we get started for real on November 16th.

We'll be introduced at a press conference next week. Pretty cool.

Oh, and in case you are wondering, or even care: I'm not leaving WGCH. Not even close. In fact, don't forget to tune your radios to 1490 (or web browsers to wgch.com) as the Cards play Bridgeport Central tonight. The pregame show starts at 5:50.

And there will be no problems with the audio. I hope.

The First Voice of Mount Saint Mary Basketball

Astute "Exit 55" readers might remember the following from this post:

Lastly, Ken McMillan says that WBNR, WLNA, and WGHQ (known collectively as Hudson Valley Talk Radio - home of the Hudson Valley Renegades) is going to air roughly 25 games of Mount Saint Mary's College basketball. He also mentions that there are more details to be released, including the name of the announcer. That sounds like a developing story to me.

If you know me, then you could probably figure out where this was going.

I'm the announcer.

A few weeks back I received an email out of the blue from Don Verity, my boss at Hudson Valley Talk Radio. Don asked if I was interested in calling games for Mount Saint Mary, and (of course) I said yes. I went to Greenwich's film session that night, keeping the details to myself but chomping at the bit.

Don asked for some audio (done), needed to know that I could make all the games (yes), and picked my brain about how to cover the games (cool). Still he needed to check out other applicants, get the OK and such. Plus I've been down this road before. A couple of times it looked like I would be the Gades voice, but didn't. So whatever. I've had my hopes dashed before.

It took a few weeks, but today was the coronation.

I met with MSMC Director of Athletics John Wright, Associate Director of Athletics Dan Twomey, and Sports Information Director Justin Satkowski today. I couldn't ask for a better welcome. Not only did I receive their blessing, but it's clear that I will be driving the effort with their help. The Mount has never had radio broadcasts before, so I will be the leader to usher in this new era.

We have yet to name an analyst, and it's possible that I may reach into my vast resources to bring some of the great voices that I have worked with for a game or two. This will all be a work in progress.

There is a lot of work to be done, and I am extremely humbled and honored to have this opportunity.

Here is the schedule of the men's games I will be calling, while the women's schedule is here.

I celebrated quietly after the meeting was over, slightly exhausted but thrilled.

Oh, and in the meantime, I still have GHS football (and Brunswick) to call as well.

One last thing: This is not a full-time job. I don't have a full-time job. I know this story (read: lie) has been dished out (I have sources and friends, people!) and am none too pleased about it. That is currently all I have to say about that.

Rob's Bill Gonillo Five - After Five Games

Keeping it brief...announcements to make.

1) New Canaan (5-0, Last Week: 1) - Baty is good. Really good, but...
2) Greenwich (5-0, 2) - Mike Lefflbine is currently the best QB in the FCIAC.
3) Staples (5-0, 3) - Rolling along.
4) Pomperaug (5-0, NR) - OK, I caved. Sean Patrick Bowley convinced me.
5) Masuk (5-0, 4) - Right now, despite what every poll in the state says, Pomperaug strikes me as a touch better.
6) King (4-0, 5) - This was tough. It's not their fault, but it's the level of competition.

Honestly, the bottom three could change at a moments notice.

Jim Nantz and the Disaster That is Divorce

I didn't know that Jim Natz was going through a messy divorce. The Connecticut Post has the details.

Apparently Lorrie Nantz didn't support her husband's career, yet they stood and held each other, sobbing, in the lobby of the courthouse.

Love stinks sometimes, doesn't it?

Colin Dunster's Punt Return

From Friday night's Greenwich/Trumbull game, here is Colin Dunster, taking a punt back 79 yards (I had it as 80, but MSG disagreed).


Just imagine if I could have put my radio call with it. Oh, never mind.

Congrats to Ray Parry and the Parry Family

Tim Parry's father, Ray Parry, is being inducted into Western Connecticut State University’s Athletic Hall of Fame next Friday night.

Tim wants the world to know. I don't blame him; I'd want to shout to the world as well. I was as proud of my Pop as anyone, and still am.

Tim's a good guy and though I've never met his dad, I can only imagine that Mr. Parry is a first-rate man. Congratulations to him, and to the Parry family.

Wild High School Football Plays (With VIDEO)

Good friend Mick sent this along (video posted below) and it has been a big story. Always play to the whistle, kids.


Deadspin posted that video and more.


No heartbreaking losses in my view this weekend, but heartbreaking problems on the air. Friday night's Greenwich/Trumbull broadcast was marred by horrible cell phone signals (BOO Trumbull!) that I thought we had resolved when I volunteered my phone to save us. Apparently even my Verizon service wasn't enough to help us power the broadcast.

On Saturday, we literally seconds away from canceling our broadcast of Rye-Harrison. We opened the broadcast with horrible feedback and sound and there was no way we could continue with it. Plus our vantage point gave us a view of part of the field (thanks to Chris Erway for bailing us out, a la Nick Angotta circa 2007). Once again, dicey cell phone signals had me reaching for my own phone. Thanks to an assist from an off-duty Bob Small, we were able to find the right mix that kept us on the air with a usable signal and decent sound. The result was a broadcast that I am very proud, under the circumstances.

Somebody Just Tried to Spam the Blog!

The title says it all.

*sigh*

That's actually a first here. Oh well.

Alexander The Great

Memo to the A-Rod haters: Zip it. Stick it. Shut it.

I don't want to to hear the "not clutch" crap anymore. You all find any reason - like the "crash" into home plate the other night - to get on the guy. Yet he has been monstrous this postseason and he did it again last night.

Want to rip him for the 'roids? Fine - and rock on. He deserves it but remember, he's on a list that was supposed to remain private. The majority of that list has stayed a secret but, because of the A-Rod haters, his name got out.

Whatever. He's among the best players ever, and he's now becoming a huge postseason performer.

So shut up.