Grab some popcorn!

I know... I know.. it has been quite some time since my last update, and many of my loyal readers have let me know.. so my apologies for those hundreds... I mean thousands of readers out there.


The topic of top ten to top 100 sports movies have been kicked around lately from radio sports talk here in Chicago to national outlets such as espn.com and Sports Illustrated. I feel creating a movie based on sports, or sporting events is extremely hard as it is difficult to simply explain thoughts, feelings, actions and emotions while actually completing in sporting events, let alone trying to recreate these when a director yells "ACTION". Many sports movies have great intentions, and wonderful technology, however the outcome of many of these movies are cheesy over dramatized re-enactments that cause most viewers to roll their eyes and lower their standards of future sport movies. Below is a list of my top ten favorite sports movies... I hope you agree with some and disagree with others... please let me know what you think as comments for discussion are always more than welcome.


#10) Major League My first sports movie to see in the theater.. the creative humor in this move supersedes the cheesy unrealistic squeeze bunt single by Jake Taylor (Catcher with two bad knees) to win the AL pennant. Best Moment: Juuust a bit outside...Ball four, Ball eight, Ball Twelve.. and the bases are loaded... I don't know how they are laying off pitches that close!
#9)Rocky I remember watching this movie and thinking that I could become USA's next boxer to rise up and beat Apollo Creed. This movie is especially good as it hides the fact that Sylvester Stallone cant act, and still makes it believable... and did you know Rocky was filmed in only 28 days!! Plus this movie has arguably the best sports anthem with the song Eye of the Tiger. Best Moment: Rocky running through Philly during training of course with Eye of the Tiger playing in the background.

#8) Bull Durham The fact that a movie was made to show the life of those players in the Minor Leagues is risky.. but had great rewards. Bull Durham is one of those movies that does not glorify sports or baseball but attempts to show how life on the road for minor league ball players is not flashy but rather tough on the mind and the body. Best Moment: When a minor league batter hits LaLoosh's fastball off the bull billboard in left field thus winning a free steak.
#7) Cinderella Man This movie is a must see for all men and women who love heart felt tear jerker movies. Russell Crowe is not one of my favorite actors, however he does a great job portraying a husband/father literally fighting to feed his family....and this is based on a true story. Best Moment: Braddock (Russell Crowe) sits down to dinner with his wife and kid... realizing there is not much to eat, he splits his own dinner into two and gives each half to his wife and child.
#6)Rudy This is the move that gets Average Joes off the couch thinking that they can play linebacker for Notre Dame. This movie, based on a true story, leaves you with that warm fuzzy feeling that good will prevail... had this movie not been based on a true story, it would be be on sale at the 99 cent rack... but how unbelievable this story is, is what makes it one of my favorites. Best Moment: All the Notre Dame players who know how hard little Rudy works for the team, turn in their jersey to the head coach before the last game of the season so Rudy could take their place on the roster.
#5) The Natural This movie shows the passion for the game of baseball that many people have.... Roy Hobbs chasing the dream to play baseball as a middle aged man who was shot early in his career... and came storming back as a baseball titan. Some deem this the best baseball movie ever made. Best Moment: Besides the lightning strike home run... my favorite is when Roy Hobbs literally hit the cover of the ball forcing the outfielder to throw in a jumbled mass of string.
4.) Million Dollar Baby A movie that was acted, directed and produced very well. Hillary Swank took this movie and ran with it... which is hard to do with Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman trying to share the spotlight with her. She looked very realistic in her training and her fights, and of course the storyline at the end was one for the tear jerk lovers. ...and is based on a true story. Favorite moment: Hilliary Swank wont take no for an answer and begins training on her own... Clint Eastwood watches and begins unintentionally coaching her.
#3) Remember the Titans I know.. it is a Disney movie, but after watching it you would never know... besides the lack of curse words. This is one of my favorite movies as it challenges a high school football team to not only win but to deal with and support a change... a change much of America wasn't ready for. This small southern town in the 1960s is forced to end its segregation and this football team teaches the town a lot about tolerance and colorblindness. Best moment: After Gerry (white player) is in a car accident and in the hospital he is visited by Julius (black player) who is asked to leave by the nurse, when Gerry yells that he is family and family is allowed to stay.
#2) Field of Dreams I know what you are thinking... ANOTHER baseball movie. There is not much to say about Field of Dreams other than that if you have not seen it.. drop what you are doing a go watch it. This movie weaves in a man's passion for baseball, his love for his family and scratching that itch that tells us to do something... "Build it and they will come". Best Moment: When Kevin Costner plays catch with his father on the field... I tear up every time I see it.... got a Kleenex?
Drum roll please.....
#1) Hoosiers I am obviously biased towards this movie having grown up in Bloomington, Indiana.. however the message along with the acting, producing and writing of this film makes it my number one sports movie of all time. This is the ultimate true story, the David vs Goliath concept with the small town upheaval of the big city to take the Indiana State Championship that will make you stand up and cheer. If you have not seen this remarkable movie.... I consider you obsolete and I question your ability to make good choices! :) Best moment: When Coach Norman Dale has the players measure the hoops when arriving in Indy for the finals after seeing his players are nervous.... Yup... 10ft... just like in our gym back home.

Notable omissions:
Caddy Shack (golf is not a sport but a hobby)
Pride of the Yankees (too long.... can be shortened)
Raging Bull (need to see again... was young when first viewed)
A league of their Own (would be #11)
The Rookie (a little too Disney.. but a great true story)

Go Laundry Go!!!!

Now that the World Series has ended..... (comic book guy's voice) "Worst World Series Ever", I am waiting patiently for Indiana University basketball season to start. Of course with this lull in my sports world, my viewing of ESPN's Sports Center has not decreased (just ask my wife) and something has been disturbing me. With the baseball free agency market making top news, as well as the unending coverage of Kobe Bryant and his demand to be traded from the Lakers, I can't help but to think of the short bit by Jerry Seinfeld where he explains that in this day of high-priced free-agency and franchise relocation, you’re not rooting for players and teams so much as you are rooting for the jerseys on their backs.....or basically their laundry.


What happened to commitment and dedication to the professional team that drafted you out of college or even high school for some. With the increasing involvement of devious sports agents and athletes acting like game show contestants in a vacuum grabbing towards a whirlwind of money, it is unheard of today to see a professional athlete retire with the same team that drafted him/her. The power of the all mighty dollar has shifted nearly every athlete's focus from devotion towards their team to the devotion of a "perfect" contract. When Babe Ruth first entered Major League baseball 1n 1914 he earned a modest $600, which is equivalent to $12,483 today,
(http://www.measuringworth.com/calculators/uscompare/result.php)
while when he retired in 1931 he was making $75,000 a year, which is equivalent to just under one million dollars today.
The AVERAGE Major League baseball player today makes roughly three million dollars a year..... and that number is increasing extremely fast. (Alex Rodriguez collects $26.2 Million a year)

$26.2 million dollar man... a year.

I understand that professional sports is not the same today as it was 100 years ago with the additions of sponsorships, bonuses and increased marketing, however I feel it is an absolute shame that dedication and commitment towards your team have gone by the wayside to money, contracts, signing bonuses and incentives.

There are not many players in professional sports that have been on as many teams as Kenny Lofton (he was the outfielder for the Cleveland Indians for 2nd half of this season). Kenny has been on 11 different teams during his 17 year career, and below are pictures of him with each of his 11 different teams.... I can just feel the devotion he has for each team....




Houston and Cleveland 1991-1996,1998-2001, 2007

Atlanta, Chicago (AL), San Francisco 1997 and 2002
















Chicago (NL) and Pittsburgh 2003
















New York (AL) and Philadelphia 2004-2005

Los Angeles (NL) and Texas 2006-2007














Baltimore 1981-2001




...and here is a picture of true dedication and commitment.... Cal Ripken Jr. and all of the teams he played for. Cal was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 1981 and retired in 2001 still playing for HIS team.... the Baltimore Orioles. We need more professional athletes in all sports that show Cal Ripken Jr.'s heart and devotion for THEIR organization......the organization that selected them, the organization that took a chance them.

"We should've gotten the live chicken."

"Bats, they are sick. I cannot hit curveball. Straightball I hit it very much. Curveball, bats are afraid. I ask Jobu to come, take fear from bats. I offer him cigar, rum. He will come. "
"You trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?.....Yo, bartender, Jobu needs a refill. "

As sure as I am the sun will rise in the morning, I was positive the Boston Red Sox couldn't pose a threat of surfacing from a 3-1 hole with the way the Indians were playing.... well I must apologize to all Red Sox fans, including one young lady in Bloomington, IN who is the daughter of Curt Shedlak (ChiSox friend of mine) who wrote this..."However, Paul, NOT a fair survey (speaking of the "who should I cheer for survey") without listing the Red Sox! With Beckett, Schil, and Daisuke going, we should choose Boston!"..... so from this point on I will consult her before making any premature assumptions.... I guess as the old adage says... "don't count your chicks before they hatch".... Especially in baseball.

So the Red Sox are in and the Indians are playing golf somewhere warm. As quoted above, the Indians "bats, they [were] sick", and not sick in an adolescent way of describing something amazing... but were sick like in need of an EMT. The one, two and three batters in the Indians line up combined to hit .203 in the ALCS... with Travis "Pronk" Hafner hitting a buck 48 in the three hole. As a matter of fact below is a picture of "Pronk" during his last at-bat..... striking out to the overwhelming Jonathan Papelbon.... on three straight fastballs.

So to lick my wounds, I will sheepishly move on.... I now have no reservation about cheering for the Colorado Rockies. I love their hustle, their heart and the sick (see above adolescent definition for "sick") defense they show with young Troy Tulowitzki who 12 days ago turned 23 patrolling shortstop. It is almost unfair how much range young Tulowitzki has.... he seems to be using a slightly larger glove (see below)..... Hey at least it is not steroids... right Barry?!?

Anyway, I hope for a good series, but am pulling for a successful Rocktober.

I love hearing your comments, so tell me what you think... and of course.. Ms. Shedlak.... your Boston Red Sox are now included in my poll question(top left).... so everyone please vote!

Give me your cell phone.. now GO TO YOUR ROOM!

" STRIKE TWO"

Indiana University basketball is a passion of mine, watching nearly every game for the past 20 years or so... yeah *cough* even through the Mike Davis years. When the days on the Bloomington hardwood looked it bleakest during the incompetent days of Coach Davis I didn't think IU basketball could sink any lower... well I was wrong.

Wins and Losses define the tradition of a collegiate basketball program while discipline and character define the integrity of a collegiate basketball program. After Mike Davis compromised the tradition of Indiana University basketball, a majority of fans were happy to see him replaced at the king's throne.... by a coach with a reputation for winning in bleak environments, recruiting well in a dry talent pool and having the mentality of winning first. There is a reason why Oklahoma got rid of him.... winning first takes precedent over following simple NCAA rules.

Coach Kelvin Sampson walked through the threshold of historic Assembly Hall with NCAA recruitment sanctions following him like a lost puppy. While coaching at Oklahoma University, Coach Sampson and his coaching staff had been found guilty of making more phone calls to recruits than the NCAA allows. Sampson upon his arrival in Bloomington reiterated that he had learned from past mistakes and something of this nature would never happen at Indiana University.......He lied. Earlier this week (during Sampson's FIRST real IU off season) he and his coaching staff were found guilty AGAIN of the same violations! It has become obvious that Coach Sampson is a phone-aholic and Indiana University administration must feel like the parents of a teenager. Are we on a strike system here with Coach Sampson? How many more slaps on the wrist will Coach Sampson get before IU realizes one of his recruitment techniques is to break a NCAA rule? Will it be when IU is categorized with the likes of UNLV... Cincinnati..... MICHIGAN?

It is imperative that a college basketball program racks up the wins, but it much more important the a college basketball program does it with honesty. I would take a losing season with an honest hardworking coach than winning the NCAA title under dark and dishonest coaching tactics.

As a side bar to these NCAA rules that have been violated by Coach Sampson and his staff, there is something just as disturbing that has surfaced over the past few weeks. The highly touted Indiana recruit Bud Mackey who had committed to play for Coach Sampson was arrested late last month for trafficking cocaine in Kentucky. After hearing this I can't stop thinking about what type of player Coach Sampson is recruiting at Indiana University. What happened to the hard working IU recruits/players/coaches who would give absolutely every ounce of energy and heart to their team. Where are the recruits/players/coaches who obeyed the rules and regulations placed in front of them whether it be team rules... or rules of society. I understand that there are hardworking, dedicated players currently on the IU basketball roster... but as much as I cringe to say this... they are players recruited by former coach Mike Davis.

I have not thrown in the towel on Coach Sampson yet. Getting knocked down is part of life, how you react to getting knocked down determines your character. Admitting you are wrong is a big step in a situation like this, however how Coach Sampson reacts after these violations will determine his fate in the hearts of Hoosiers. COACH, YOU ARE ON STRIKE TWO!

The Jury is still out on Coach Sampson... he should find out very soon that winning does not cure all at Assembly Hall.... but rather producing hardworking players honestly, as well keeping the integrity and tradition that was placed in front of him alive in Bloomington is paramount above all.

All comments are appreciated... let me know what you think. Click "comments" below.

IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!!!

Now if you thought I was speaking of Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/ or
Other, you could not be more wrong. As I am typing this I am watching the fourth game of the American League Championship Series between the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox. The Indians took a 3-1 series lead (best of seven) making it look fairly certain they will represent the American League in the great Fall Classic. Now last night around 1am, while the majority of "normal" people in Chicago were sleeping (it was a school night) I witnessed the Colorado Rockies sweep the Arizona Diamondbacks in epic fashion and clinch the National League Pennant assuring them a seat at the World Series table. Now why am I writing about what I watched on TV late last night you might ask... well I am having trouble sleeping as I can't put my full allegiance on either the Rockies or the virtual lock Indians. At the beginning of each baseball postseason I choose who I would like to represent each league and am lucky to get one of my two chosen teams in the World Series.... Well, for the first time in my life both teams I would like to see in the World Series look like they will meet up. I love the heart and soul of the young Colorado Rockies team as well as the touching story of Coach Coolbaugh (Colorado minor league coach) who was killed by a line drive during a game this year. The entire Rockies team have donated portions of the post season bonuses to the Coolbaugh family and had Coach Coolbaugh's two young sons throw out the first pitch of the NLDS. Now the Indians are an interesting team that show hustle and no fear (knocked off the Yankees and soon the Red Sox this post season) and have one of the most exciting young players in Grady Sizemore... love his old school hustle and style. Being a Chicago White Sox fan I am expected to hate my division rival Indians, however I am proud to send three AL Central teams to the Fall Classic in three consecutive years... and wouldn't mind seeing the World Series trophy back in the AL Central. So I need your help in deciding who to cheer for in the World Series.... These two "underdog" teams are both extremely fun to watch and I expect a well played and exciting World Series.

Mr. and Mrs. K

10/16/07
So this is my first ever blog.... or blogging for that matter and I am trying out some new things with photos and well... blogging. In this picture I am with my wife in Pittsburgh, this was actually used as our engagement photo... taken with an old digital camera... not professional as we didn't see the point in paying someone to take a picture of us. We live in Chicago, a few blocks from Wrigley Field... however I am a die hard Chicago White Sox fan... some might say I live behind enemy lines.... but we do enjoy the restaurants and nightlife that Wrigleyville has to offer. My wife is a HUGE Pittsburgh Steelers fan and I grew up in a small town in Indiana as Minnesota Vikings fan (don't ask me why). However I did enjoy following the Bears the last few seasons while Rex Grossman was under center here.... but now that he will most likely be wearing a different uniform next season my wife is trying her best to turn me into a Steelers fan... we will see. Anyway, I just wanted to post my first "blog" and check it out... more to come later as I have more time.