Final Sports blog post

sadly I am going to shut down my sports blog. I feel with whats going on in my personal life I cannot devote the time necessary to keep up a daily or even weekly sports thing going.   I am contemplating an opinion blog very soon which will be on more broad subjects of politics , national and world goings on and what my opinion of those will be.   Granted I will still do a sports story every now and then but I feel like this time in my life, I want to get my opinion out there.  It will still my views from my soapbox so to speak but it will be  on more edgier topics and not for the faint of heart.   These will be my opinions and will not be the opinions of others.     so until then peace out.

Passing of a Legend

Overall record 409-136-3
Bowls: 24-12-1
2 National Titles (1982&1985)

Sad news today Joe Pa passed away this morning from lung cancer.  Hospital officials announced this morning.   Paterno's family was around him.   Cancer has reared its ugly head again taking away a legend.  Joe was 85.   Sadly, however, the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, KS is planning on protesting Coach Paterno's funereal.   This church is unreal, they make religion look really bad.   How can a church condemn the dead?   Saying that Joe will not Rest in Peace cause they say he is burning in hell.  Seriously folks I think they are a few card shy of a full deck to be perfectly honest.   Could coach do more, of course he could have, but he did what he thought was right at the time by alerting the AD about this.   Sandusky's house is where this church should be protesting not Joe Pa's funereal.   Joe Paterno's legacy will not be defined by this one dark blot in his storied career at Penn State.   God bless you Joe and God be with your family.


Bad Break for Jorts:
Former UK Wildcat big man and current New York Knickerbocker Josh Harrelson broke his right wrist and will be out 6-8 weeks.   Josh fell on his right wrist in overtime against the Nuggets.  Here's to a speedy recovery Jorts.

Reds News 

2.39 ERA and 32 saves with
the Phillies in 2011

I have not done much on the Cincinnati Reds so far, just because college basketball has been going on and spring training starts next month.  That being said the Reds have made some very good moves this off season.  One of which that I like very much is the signing of Ryan Madson as the new closer.  Doggie , seeing as how the nickname Mad Dog was already taken by furture hall of famer  Greg Maddux, was officially signed to an $8.5 million one year contract with a mutual option for 2013.  Other acquisitions the Reds have made for the upcoming season are as follows: RHP Mat Latos, RP Sean Marshall, P Andrew Brackman, OF Ryan Ludwick.  
Some other Reds news Marty and Thom will be doing some games together on the radio on the upcoming season.



That all I have for now make it a good one.  Here is a little "New York State of Mind" by Billy Joel hoping the NY Giants can outlast the 49rs.

SOPA/PIPA and Other Things

If you don't know or you live under a rock, websites all over are protesting the US government over two pieces of legislation SOPA and PIPA.  Which is a Stop Online Piracy Act  and Protect IP Act.  These two bills that are being proposed are backed by the recording industry and other businesses.  Which if this passes would seek out against people who use copyrighted material and bar search engines from linking to this material.  In solidarity with Wikipedia.org, Google, Craigslist, and many more websites.   I too am urging my small readership to contact their congress men and women to vote no on these issues.   If this government censorship is allowed what else would our government take away from us?   

27 points, 14 rebounds
7 blocks

Been a kinda of a slow sports day for me anyways, the Wildcats beat up on Arkansas on their way to a 46th straight win at Rupp Arena.  Anthony Davis swatted his way into the record books for UK while scoring a career high in points with 27.   The Razorbacks had no answer for Kentucky's length and athleticism.  

Music pick for the day is Buffalo Springfield's "Stop Children what's that sound"

Ok that is all I have for now remember to contact your congressmen to say no to SOPA and PIPA

Good Day...............

Baseball Season is nearing and other randomness

That is right baseball season is almost upon us.   Pitchers and catcher start reporting to spring training sites in Arizona and Florida the middle of February.   I am stoked about the Cincinnati Reds and what that have done this off season.   Reds GM Walt Jocketty has been doing some tinkering this year and has strengthened the bullpen and the starting rotation , which in my mind make the Reds contenders for the NL Central Division title.  Awaiting a physical, the Reds and Ryan Madson have agreed to a one year deal for the closer to don the uniform of such closers like Rob Dibble, Randy Myers and Norm Charlton.  Madson played last year for the Philadelphia Phillies and saved 32 games out of 34 chances was 4-2 with a 2.37 ERA.   Once he passes his physical I think the Reds have the pieces in place to win the division and possibly win a World Series.   We will have to wait and see how this deal pans out for the Reds.

Bengals Owner Mike Brown and
Coach Marvin Lewis

On to Bengals news, granted I have not been very favorable of the Bengals this year.  I have taken a lot of heat for it also.   But a fan can only take so much.   After the debacle at the beginning of the season with Carson Palmer demanding a trade.  Mike "do nothing" Brown say out of principal not trading you and giving into what you want.   Which I find funny because not two days after that he releases a player that was still under contract. I find it weird how the NFL operates and lets its owners run rough shod against the players.   But back to the Bungles .... er I mean Bengals, Freudian slip there oops.     Mikey boy has decided to keep new offensive coordinator Jay Gruden around a little longer.  Brown does show loyalty to guys that is obvious for example keeping Bob Bratkowski longer than needed.    Hopefully Brown will let the football guys do their thing and maybe just maybe we can see the Bengals back in the Super Bowl.     Just maybe I know wishful thinking.

Now a rant that I know most ever sports loving freak out there in the world loves to do is bash on the refs. Its inevitable, that a ref or two or even three cannot make the right call for your team or teams.   From little league to the big time, refs in all sports will make a bad call from time to time.   The good ones however are the unseen guys and gals that make the game flow.   The ones that want to make a name for themselves however are the ones that ruin the game for everyone involved.  From coaches and players , to fans and parents.  Cause you don't wanna end up like these guys and be second guessed.


















Well folks it has been real and here is one for the road have a good day and better one tomorrow.

The Comeback

"I layeth the smacketh
down!!!"

Finally!! The Rock has comeback to the blogosphere!!!!!  Well I am not Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson  but I am back re-vigored , and ready to take on the world.  I have some time on my hands so you should start seeing more material from me in the future.   Maybe just maybe I might get noticed......... NAH!!!!!!! Number one I can go off topic with the best of them, two I have horrible syntax and punctuation, you would think being the son of an English teacher I could get it right, and the sports world is saturated with sports geeks like me who think they have what it takes to make it in this field , with little or no formal education in sports writing.    However, I will give my spin on things and try to make it entertaining.  So enough from my Soap Box lets get cracking and as my old basketball coach would say we are running the ladder.  

Congrats to one of my favorite Reds player that I grew up watching, I heard of the Big Red Machine.  Barry Larkin, however I got to watch play the game of baseball in the Queen City.   Riverfront Stadium was his playground and he paved the way for power short stops like Derek Jeter.  Larkin's numbers speak for themselves 1990 World Champion, 1995 NL MVP, a 12 time All-Star, a 3 time Gold Glove winner.  Those accolades alone are deserving of the Baseball Hall of Fame.  The icing on the cake is that Barry was a lifetime .295 hitter with 960 RBI's , 379 steals, and 198 home runs.   Mr. Larkin, I tip my hat to you.   Barry Larkin Hall of Famer has a nice ring to it don't you think?





The Alabama Crimson Tide rolled over the Bayou Bengals of LSU  beating them 21-0, for the BCS crown and the unanimous college football  champions.   Here I go.  The BCS sucks big time.  LSU went undefeated in the regular season, won the SEC crown to go to the BCS championship.  Alabama on the other hand, lost to LSU and did not win the conference.  Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!!!!!!!!   Who the hell does that? Tell me why a computer selected the Tide to go to  the championship I will never know.   I an glad the Tide won to show what kind of farce the BCS is for college football, why is this the only sport that does not have a  playoff system in place.   As Vince McMahon would say its the  Monayyyyyy .  On a positive note its a sign that the city of New Orleans is ready to put on big spectacles for sports and anything else not related to Fat Tuesday. As they say in New Orleans "Laissez les bons temps rouler "


Is it me or has Rick Pitino lost it?  His UofL Cardinals got blasted by Friars of Providence 90 to 59.  Seems to me after losing to the Kentucky Wildcats the wheels have fallen off the short bus for the Cards.   What coach throws a player under the bus, when that player is the only one doing anything for you on offense.   I kinda feel sorry for Loserville................NAH!!!!!!    

OK time to wrap up the first blog of the new year for me I know I am behind the 8 ball but you know what I gonna come in on you with a high heater and wont fizzle out like Cardinal basketball team.   


Oh if your normally looking for the song of the week, day, month or year, check it up top. it Aerosmith's "Back in the Saddle Again"






Question of the week: Does anyone think the GEICO pig is kinda freaky?   leave your comments, questions, and or critics    




I am Will Whitt and I approve this content  Peace out.

Wednesday Rambler

the Enquirer/Patrick Reddy

What a weekend for sports.  On Saturday night was the inaugural Quaker State 400 at the Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, KY where "Rowdy" Kyle Busch won his 99th career victory by winning the truck race and the Sprint Cup race.  I don't really care for the guy because of his attitude but gotta give credit where credit due. Apparently with the first race of this magnitude little Sparta experience something it never experienced before ----- traffic jams.   It nearly caused Denny Hamlin to miss the driver's meeting . The traffic was so bad that half way through the race Speedway officials had to start turning people away.  I guess they never anticipated something like this  nor did the state of Kentucky, which has the Governor pledging to work with the Kentucky Speedway to make the traffic flow better for next years race.  I would hope so.   I would hate to have been a ticket holder and had to be turned away because there was no parking.  People driving on I-71 said traffic was backed up for 10 miles by 2:30  in the afternoon.
I know the track officials and the State of Kentucky are being hammered on this issue, however if you have a premier event like a NASCAR Sprint Cup race you better C.Y.A and make sure your i's are dotted and t's crossed.

AL 1 NL 5
NL has 2 wins in a row against
the AL.

 

The National  League beats the American League in the Mid-summer classic at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ  Tuesday night. The big highlight of the game was Prince Fielder's 3 run shot to ensure the Senior circuit would have home field advantage in the World Series.










Today has been a slow sports day unless you follow the college basketball recruiting trail for these elite highschool players that gt some much exposure  its not funny.  I am all for great basketball, but the recruiting services and the media need to quit the hype.  Just because a kid can break the ankles off of another 16 or 17 year old does not translate to the college game let alone the pro game.  Sites like rivals.com I think put undo stress on a kid, I.E. Terrance Jones of Kentucky.   These kids need to make the best decision for themselves not what the talking heads at ESPN, FOX Sports, or CBS Sports.  Let these kids involve their highschool coach not the AAU coach.  Let them involve their parents or legal guardians who usually have the kid's best interest at heart.   Basketball is a great game  these kids that are playing it now in highschool are bigger, stronger and faster than when I played.  
 Don't get me wrong but I like Coach Calipari, but whats wrong with recruiting a kid from Kentucky especially a kid that is a gym rat who can shoot lights out, I know the dribble  drive is not about spot up shooting but on the kick out there is always an open three or two.  I am a proponent of defense sets the tone of a game , I  loved the old Arkansas and UK games  in which you had Corliss Williamson, and Scotty Thurman against Jamal Mashburn and John Pelphrey.  It was '40 minutes of Hell" against the finess style of Pitino.

Enough ranting well maybe not.................. What kind of tool is Richie Farmer?    Sorry Kentucky fans I liked him as a ballplayer, but him turning his back on his wife and kids that comes as a shocker to me.   He finds running for Lt. Governor  is more important that trying to work on his marriage.  Hell his wife is a teacher's aide and she hardly gets a dime from the deadbeat.   Obviously someone needs to take him behind the wood shed and teach him some manners.

Music pic for the day This life by Curtis Stigers the theme song from one of my favorite tv shows on FX , "Sons of Anarchy"   its an awesome show I would recommend it to just about anyone , but is it not suitable for younger audiences.










That's all I have for now make it a great one

Friday night rants and raves

As I am sitting here typing this out the Reds are getting a beat down from the Indians.  Top of the 5th inning and losing 8 to 1.  Good grief I need some Rolaids.   The Indians are actually a pretty good team this year not like these guys.......

Some interesting stuff out there it looks like Michael Vick has finally getting his foot back into the endorsement market according to Yahoo Sports , Vick was re-signed by Nike. Terms of the deal were not released.  I am all about second chances, I don't condone what Vick did.   However he has made the right decisions to get his career back on track.  

I found this pretty interesting Ron Artest aka World Peace playing dodgeball and getting knocked out which was kinda funny , he got knocked out by some skinny dude.   Which brings me to wonder if big Jared Sullinger of Ohio State has gotten over the sting of this.

 

 

That is all I have tonight make it a great night and a better day tomorrow

Its FRIDAY!!!!!!!

I gotta say its been fun so far.    So lets get cracking......... Big news of the day yesterday the NBA and its players association could not agree on how to split the money and the owners will lock out their players.  The World Leader's Michael Wilbon has an interesting take saying it will be a bigger mess than the NFL lockout.  Could we have a year where there is no major professional sports going on next year.  Cause MLB's collective bargaining agreement with its players is up after its season is over.  Only time will tell.

Bengals are 115-204-1 in  20 years

Speaking of NFL my favorite team to hate on besides the Steelers.......... the lowly Cincinnati Bengals.   They were recently ranked last in a listing of the best professional sports franchises in America. Out of 122 , the Bengals ranked you guessed it 122.  Here's to you Mr. Mike Brown, who has no clue on how to run a football franchise.   The Bengals have only had 2, count them 2 winning seasons under your watch.  Its time to fire your family from running the show.   I bet if Coach Marvin Lewis could hire his own coaching staff and maybe if the advance scouting department was bigger you might string together a few winning seasons together.   By the way how did that experiment with  Chad Johnson and T.O. go?? I don't blame Carson Palmer for wanting out of your despot franchise.


Ok lets get back to some more cheerful news the Cincinnati Reds are chipping away and have found themselves 2 games back of the division leaders, they are like the little engine that could.   With the All-Star game coming up the second half of the season should start to heat up.

The University of Kentucky unveiled new football uniforms , here is a link to some of the pictures of the news uniforms , which happens to be one of my favorite sites for all things UK Wildcats.

For you NASCAR nuts the inaugural Quaker State 400 is only 8 days away in Sparta, KY, who you rooting for????

Music pick for the day and for this July 4th holiday weekend, Happy birthday to the USA.

Make it a great one and have fun.

Wednesday Rambler

Its been a busy week here and things are hectic, I gotta say doing this thing gives me some piece of mind , enough about me lets get on with the sports.

The NCAA is at it again asking ... no demanding that the University of Kentucky apologize for celebrating Coach John Calipari's 500th win by sending a five page letter detailing how the apology should be and said apology has to be approved by the NCAA.  Is it me or is the NCAA overstepping its authority here.   You would think the NCAA would not worry about this since you have football programs having players sell their stuff for tattoos , discounts on cars and a coach that ran a muck.   I think UK should tell the NCAA to go to hell; its obvious the NCAA is out to get UK.



To NBA news , I know its been a few days but Dallas Mavericks finally win one and the big German Dirk Nowitzki is the finals MVP.  Mavs owner Mark Cuban and some of the players partied it down in South Beach, spending over a $115k , that is some kind of party, and leaving a tip for the staff of $20k.  I say kudos to Mark Cuban.

Now with basketball done ... oh wait you always have the WNBA to watch if your really have a jonesing for basketball but, myself basketball is done until October-November and getting amped up for college basketball again.

The Reds west coast swing , which in the past has but anything but spectacular, is turning out to be pretty successful.  Johnny Cueto was as Dusty Baker put it "dealing".  Reds beat the Dodgers again last night 3-2.  I don't care how they win.  The Reds have been getting hot at the right time so maybe they can catch the Brew crew, but its a long season its almost half way over.   Reds fans hoping to catch history in the making with the Yankees in town starting Monday night won't have that chance.  Derek Jeter was put on the 15 day DL.

Now for today music pick of the day is Metallica's "King Nothing" in dishonor of Lebron James, the anointed one by the media.  Who checked out of the NBA Finals at about game 5.  Who better work on his game a little more in the off season, and come back hungrier, meaner and more cerebral in his game.   He ain't Mike that is for sure.  Enjoy and have a good day.

Saturday night not so live edition

Greetings and salutations,.....    for anyone that has a mobile device (which should be everyone) you can now view my blog  formatted for your phone.  Special thanks goes out to blogger for that.

Some horse racing history this week on June 9, 1973 Secretariat won the Triple Crown of horse racing by winning the Belmont by an unprecedented 31 lengths.   Here is the video of that race.

On this date June 11, 1990 Nolan Ryan throws his sixth career no hitter striking out 14 batters in a 5 to nothing win against the A's. Ryan became the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter for three different teams; and the first to throw one in three different decades. The Strikeout King has to be one of my all time favorites.

The Reds are out in Frisco and so far so good that have taken two from the Giants , and today beat  Tim "the Freak" Lincecum  10-2 go Redlegs!!!!!

SEC basketball is no longer gonna be a two division conference, no more east and west , they have unified much like Germany did .  In the words of President Reagan, Mr Slive tear down that wall.    Rickey  One Minute decided to chime in on this after Coach Cal took a swipe at the Big Least 

In closing for the night I leave  with the music pick of the day , this one goes out to the working man and woman who put in 40 plus hours a week just to make it in this country.    Make it a great one folks