"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.