Danielle Peck, a country music singer, who also happened to at one time, date Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett, sang the national anthem and "God Bless America' in game 5 in the American League playoff. "It's an incredible coincidence. Honestly," said Indians spokesman Bob DiBiasio. "She's from (Coshocton) Ohio. Her entire family are Indians fans. We did not know anything about her connections to Beckett. The next day, we find out the rest of the story," said DiBiasio.
With that kind of resolve, Beckett did everything right - 11 strikeouts, just one walk and five strikeouts which helped to give the Red Sox a 7-1 victory. Beckett's reaction after the game? "I don't get paid to make those (expletive) decisions," Beckett snapped. "Thanks for flying one of my friends to the game so she could be here for free."
Did any one know in the Indian's Front Office know that Peck and Beckett were ex's? "How are we supposed to know who Josh Beckett dates?" asked DiBiasio. Hmmm. Machiavellian style intrigue? It's like having your ex be the opening act at your concert début. A little heavy handed? Oh yes, especially if causes an extra surge of testosterone that cause them to want to kick ass. It backfired. Hey Indian's Front Office, how about little more investigative work before making those decisions; and don't call Roseanne Barr either.
K.
Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts
Friday, October 19, 2007
Friday, October 5, 2007
If it weren’t for baseball, kids wouldn’t know what a millionaire looked like." Phyllis Diller
His name is Kenneth Lofton, he was born May 31, 1967 in East Chicago, IN. His career is an amazing history in itself: Lofton played for the Houston Astros (1991), Cleveland Indians (1992-96), Atlanta Braves (1997), Indians for the second time (1998-2001), Chicago White Sox (2002), San Francisco Giants (2002), Pittsburgh Pirates (2003), Chicago Cubs (2003), New York Yankees (2004), Philadelphia Phillies (2005), Los Angeles Dodgers (2006), and Texas Rangers (2007)and acquired for the third time by the Indians (July 28). His lifetime average is .299; during that period, he stole 622 bases in 2103 games. Quite impressive.
Lofton attended Washington High School in East Chicago, Indiana, where he was a standout basketball and baseball player for the Senators. He was particularly noted for his skills on the basketball court, averaging 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals per game in his senior year. He accepted a basketball scholarship to the University of Arizona.
In college, he was the backup point guard on an Arizona Wildcats team that made it to the Final Four of the 1988 NCAA Men's Division I tournament, and set season and school records for steals. He was the starting point guard the following year as Arizona made it to the Sweet Sixteen. Lofton is one of only two men to play in a college basketball Final Four (1988, the first for the Arizona Wildcats) and a Major League Baseball World Series.
Lofton decided to try out for the baseball team during his junior year. Although he did not see much playing time, his speed and potential were recognized by baseball scouts, and he was chosen by the Houston Astros in the 17th round of the 1988 major league baseball amateur draft. He played minor league baseball during the summer while completing his basketball eligibility at Arizona.
On July 27, 2007, Lofton was traded by the Texas Rangers back to Cleveland in exchange for catcher Max Ramírez, marking the beginning of his third tour of duty with the Indians. A surprised Jacobs Field crowd greeted Lofton with a standing ovation during his first at bat for this tour of duty with the Indians. Lofton noted, "I missed being in Cleveland. I enjoy Cleveland. It's the city that got me going." Welcome back Kenny and show them your stuff.
K.
Lofton attended Washington High School in East Chicago, Indiana, where he was a standout basketball and baseball player for the Senators. He was particularly noted for his skills on the basketball court, averaging 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals per game in his senior year. He accepted a basketball scholarship to the University of Arizona.
In college, he was the backup point guard on an Arizona Wildcats team that made it to the Final Four of the 1988 NCAA Men's Division I tournament, and set season and school records for steals. He was the starting point guard the following year as Arizona made it to the Sweet Sixteen. Lofton is one of only two men to play in a college basketball Final Four (1988, the first for the Arizona Wildcats) and a Major League Baseball World Series.
Lofton decided to try out for the baseball team during his junior year. Although he did not see much playing time, his speed and potential were recognized by baseball scouts, and he was chosen by the Houston Astros in the 17th round of the 1988 major league baseball amateur draft. He played minor league baseball during the summer while completing his basketball eligibility at Arizona.
On July 27, 2007, Lofton was traded by the Texas Rangers back to Cleveland in exchange for catcher Max Ramírez, marking the beginning of his third tour of duty with the Indians. A surprised Jacobs Field crowd greeted Lofton with a standing ovation during his first at bat for this tour of duty with the Indians. Lofton noted, "I missed being in Cleveland. I enjoy Cleveland. It's the city that got me going." Welcome back Kenny and show them your stuff.
K.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Speak well of the person at whose table you eat--German proverb
When my kids were younger we took them to a pediatric dentist. In order to allay their fears he had them stick up a finger whenever they felt that they had had enough. It was direct communication between doctor and patient. There are other times when we as a people have said "enough," like when Jane Fonda went to North Vietnam. Now as she is nears her senior citizen years she would like to win back the favor of her former fans. But Hanoi Jane, we have had "enough" Don't ever think that you will be the pinup girl of retired servicemen. Before they die, more than one serviceman will want to whiz on your grave.
We had "enough" of O.J. Simpson; and "enough" of Michael Vick and his dog abuse case. We had "enough" of Britney Spears and her role as a mother under the influence of drugs. We're tied of seeing high paid celebrities thinking that they are above the law and can do anything they want. They are not gods.
Then we have LeBron James who wore a New York Yankees cap at the opening game of the American League Playoff. The television producers seeing a media moment interview James who said he hoped the Yankees would win. Was LeBron that hungry for exposure? It would be as if the entire Indians team went to the Cavaliers/Knicks game on November 2 and rooted for New York. Bad taste, hell yes! If LeBron were trying to say in a subtle way that he would like to be released, let him go. He plays for Cleveland and if heart and loyalty are not there, who needs him. I'm sure there are budding, talented college players who would love to play for Cleveland at even a third of the price that we pay LeBron. Applications are being accepted.
K.
We had "enough" of O.J. Simpson; and "enough" of Michael Vick and his dog abuse case. We had "enough" of Britney Spears and her role as a mother under the influence of drugs. We're tied of seeing high paid celebrities thinking that they are above the law and can do anything they want. They are not gods.
Then we have LeBron James who wore a New York Yankees cap at the opening game of the American League Playoff. The television producers seeing a media moment interview James who said he hoped the Yankees would win. Was LeBron that hungry for exposure? It would be as if the entire Indians team went to the Cavaliers/Knicks game on November 2 and rooted for New York. Bad taste, hell yes! If LeBron were trying to say in a subtle way that he would like to be released, let him go. He plays for Cleveland and if heart and loyalty are not there, who needs him. I'm sure there are budding, talented college players who would love to play for Cleveland at even a third of the price that we pay LeBron. Applications are being accepted.
K.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
“For the love of money is the root of all evil." 1 Timothy 6:10
It was bound to happen. Office talk centered on Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick and his federal indictment on dog fighting charges. In the spring of 2007, a search of property owned by Mr. Vick in Surry, Va., turned up 54 pit bulls, and a later search found graves of other dogs said to have been killed during fights by members of a group called Bad Newz Kennels. On July 18, 2007, Mr. Vick and three other men were indicted on federal felony charges. The indictment charged that Mr. Vick had sponsored illegal dog fighting, gambled on dogfights and permitted acts of cruelty against animals on his property. (Information taken from New York Times).
Some in the office where I work say Vick is not guilty and should be released considering the fact that animals are killed everyday:
1. Slaughterhouses kill thousands of animals every week including sheep, cattle and chickens.
2. Animal shelters kill off unadoptable animals or animals that have been there too long in order to make way for new stock.
3. Medical and pharmaceutical firms use animals for experiments and tests.
4. Greyhound race dogs that don't win or are older than three years are put down.
5. Society has had animal contests like this for centuries; this is nothing new.
All of the above is true; there is no doubt about that. However Mr. Vick must have been aware of the fact that he was doing something illegitimate hence the name Bad Newz Kennels. His actions did not contribute to the general food chain, aid science or medicine or humanely put sick or injured animals down.
Vick did it for the lust, the thrill and most importantly the gambling. In the state of Virginia, where Vick lives, if convicted on state cruelty laws he could be fined $2,500. Three of Vick's Kennel friends (co-defendants) have scheduled plea hearings, presumably agreeing to testify against Vick if his federal dog fighting conspiracy case goes to trial as scheduled Nov. 26. ESPN has said that Vick's five attorneys have recommended that he take a proposed plea deal if jail time is less than one year.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is awaiting results of the league's own investigation of the case before determining what action to take against Vick. Under NFL policy, a player can be banned for life for gambling or associating with gambling.
So Vick is not being prosecuted for animal cruelty but gambling; much like Al Capone was convicted of tax evasion rather than murder, illegal trade in liquor, etc. Mr. Vick, take the year, find Jesus in prison, write a book, a go on the lecture circuit, confess your sins and you might actually come out ahead. You were getting ready to retire from football anyways, right?
K.
Some in the office where I work say Vick is not guilty and should be released considering the fact that animals are killed everyday:
1. Slaughterhouses kill thousands of animals every week including sheep, cattle and chickens.
2. Animal shelters kill off unadoptable animals or animals that have been there too long in order to make way for new stock.
3. Medical and pharmaceutical firms use animals for experiments and tests.
4. Greyhound race dogs that don't win or are older than three years are put down.
5. Society has had animal contests like this for centuries; this is nothing new.
All of the above is true; there is no doubt about that. However Mr. Vick must have been aware of the fact that he was doing something illegitimate hence the name Bad Newz Kennels. His actions did not contribute to the general food chain, aid science or medicine or humanely put sick or injured animals down.
Vick did it for the lust, the thrill and most importantly the gambling. In the state of Virginia, where Vick lives, if convicted on state cruelty laws he could be fined $2,500. Three of Vick's Kennel friends (co-defendants) have scheduled plea hearings, presumably agreeing to testify against Vick if his federal dog fighting conspiracy case goes to trial as scheduled Nov. 26. ESPN has said that Vick's five attorneys have recommended that he take a proposed plea deal if jail time is less than one year.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is awaiting results of the league's own investigation of the case before determining what action to take against Vick. Under NFL policy, a player can be banned for life for gambling or associating with gambling.
So Vick is not being prosecuted for animal cruelty but gambling; much like Al Capone was convicted of tax evasion rather than murder, illegal trade in liquor, etc. Mr. Vick, take the year, find Jesus in prison, write a book, a go on the lecture circuit, confess your sins and you might actually come out ahead. You were getting ready to retire from football anyways, right?
K.
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