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Category: OLD SPORT SHORTS (Page 63 of 68)

An old guy’s perspective on all sports

Retirement is not without Hassles: San Francisco here I come #200

August 1, 2017 / / 0 Comments

My son and his family leave for San Francisco later this afternoon.  My wife and I will join them later this week.  “San Francisco here we come!”  I probably worry more about their travel than my own – I think this is just the parental instinct.   They are renting a car and driving down to Yosemite Park, whereas we’ll focus strictly on the city.  There is a tropical depression down in Florida in the area that they’re flying from and forest fires in California to worry about.  If they can maneuver around these challenges, it will be a memorable family vacation.

Most of my family vacations were to Florida.  My parents were maybe just a little more adventurous when they drove us through the Badlands and into Yellowstone Park.  I have yet to recreate that excursion, but would definitely like to see Old Faithful and the mud pots again on one of our retirement journeys.  I’ve not been to Yosemite, so my grand kids will see parts of the country that I’ve never experienced.  In fact, I would have never gotten to many areas in California if it weren’t for a college road trip.  As my dad once said of that trip: “Thank God there’s an Ocean.”  If not, there would have been nothing to stop us from continuing our drive West.  It was his car that got us there, and snow tires that brought us back.  I’ll write more on this later.

My son and his wife are going to see the group Green Day at the Oakland Coliseum.  It’s the same venue where I saw Led Zeppelin nearly 47 years ago.  There’s something about going to a concert far from home that makes it even more special.  We’ll watch the grand kids while they do this little side trip via BART.   We’ll visit the sea lions, ride the trolleys, eat chowder out of bread bowls, dine at the Rainforest Cafe, sample some Ghiradelli chocolate, maybe see Alcatraz, watch the Cubs play the Giants, take the ferry to Sausalito, and stroll through Fisherman’s Wharf.   All the touristy stuff!  My wife and I are hoping for our own little side trip, including dinner at French Laundry, but the best I could do was the waiting list.

On their way back from Yosemite and Sequoia, my son hopes to visit Monterey and the scenic coast line.  It’s one of my favorite areas of California to visit.  We’ll definitely miss seeing Big Sur, Pebblebrook, Carmel by the Sea, the Lone Pine, and Highway 101 on this trip, but I hope they have the time to see some of these beautiful landmarks.  I’ve dined at Clint Eastwood’s Boar’s Head restaurant in Carmel, had lunch by the 18th green on Pebblebrook, enjoyed a couple days at the Spa at Ventana, toured the Monterey Aquarium, and watched the Monterey Grand Prix.  We’ll get back to California coast numerous times during our retirement years, but I’m sure the kids will enjoy the cliff-side views of the Pacific Ocean on this trip.

While they get a head start on the California Adventure, I will continue my training for the Hood to Coast relay here in Oregon.  We have a team logistics meeting this afternoon, and in the next couple of days I plan to run some of the segments along the course.  I did about 35 hilly miles last week and plan to match that again this week.  I still have yet to conquer our hellish neighborhood hill, but have battled through most of the other smaller inclines.  Hills will always be my biggest concern, having grown up in the flat-lands of the Midwest.  I could practice on Filbert Street or 22nd Street in San Francisco, two of the steepest in the city, but I don’t want to “leave” my lungs and legs in San Francisco, along with my Heart.

 

 

 

Old Sport Shorts: On a roll #198

July 31, 2017 / / 0 Comments

A 13-3 record since the All-Star break is an impressive start to baseball’s second season.  The Cubs are on a roll worthy of a World Series Champion.  10 of these victories have been on the road with only 1 loss, and a six-game home stand lies ahead against the Diamondbacks then the Nats.  However, both Arizona and Washington have better records than the Cubs, so they’ll need a home field advantage to win these two critical series, before they hit the road again.  It’s been pitching that has given them the edge, with starters going 11-1 since the All-Star rest, and being stingy with only 5 total runs to the Division-rival Brewers in these last three games.  The acquisition of pitcher Jose Quintana from the White Sox sparked this Cubs surge, but he’s also the only Cubs starter with a loss, as the Brewers beat him despite only four hits.  This particular game was a frustrating loss to open the series, but the Cubs rebounded in the final two pitching duels to gain a 2.5 game lead in the Central.

On the South side of Chicago, the Pale Hose somehow managed to snap both the Cubs six-game winning streak and the Indians nine-game string, but these were the only 2 games that they’ve won since the All-Star break.  They had been swept by the Mariners, Dodgers, and Royals to start the second half at 0-8, to finally upset the opposite trending Cubs in the first game of the Cross-Town.  Overall, the Sox are now 2-13 since dumping Quintana, Robertson, and Frazier in favor of building for the future.   They’ve already lost 62 games this season, with only Philadelphia, Washington, and Cincinnati having racked-up more Ls.  At this “rate,” they’ll be “guaranteed” a new field sponsor soon.  I still like their uniforms, though!

I plan to go to the Minor League All-Star game tomorrow night in Hillsboro.  The home team, Hops, host the Pioneer League All-Stars against the Northwest League All-Stars.  The players will use wooden bats for the Home Run Derby that precedes the actual game.  The Eugene Emeralds are the Cubs affiliate in this Region, while the Great Falls Voyagers represent the White Sox. Pitchers, Tyler Johnson and J.B. Olson, first baseman, Anthony Villa, and outfielder Craig Dedelow are the future White Sox stars.  Dedelow also went to Indiana University, my alma mater and should compete in the Home Run Derby competition along with Villa.  Both have 9 home runs so far this season, one behind leader Luis Paz of Ogden.  Cubs futures include pitcher Luis Aquino, catcher Gustavo Polanco, and shortstop Aramis Ademan, although none are likely to compete in the Derby.  Here’s to the future!

Old Sport Shorts: Cub No Dub #196

July 29, 2017 / / 0 Comments

The Cubs, hoping to gain some momentum going into the All-Star break, had a chance to reduce the Brewers lead in the Central Division with a home win in a make-up game.  Instead, they fell flat on their faces, losing 11-2.  Cubs starter Mike Montgomery gave up seven runs and six hits in 2 1/3 innings, and the team then went on to lose 2 out of 3 against the Pirates. Things continued to go downhill for the Cubs even during the All-Star Game as the only two Cubs representatives, Wade Davis and Manager Joe Madden, were credited for the National League loss in the 10th inning.

As the second half of the season began, the tables slowly started to turn.  The Brewers won two of their first three against Philadelphia at home, and then lost seven to the surging Pirates in a home and away series, and two out of three in Philadelphia.  The Cubs won six straight, including sweeps of Baltimore and Atlanta, and then took two out of three against the Cardinals and three out of four against the White Sox.  Suddenly the Cubs had a 1 1/2 game lead on the Brewers in the Central and all the momentum, going head-to-head in Milwaukee.  Surely, the tide had finally changed for the Cubs, and they could extend their lead.  Once again, the Brewers prevailed and the Cubs offense sputtered.

I’m very frustrated with this loss, and with the Cubs inability to win opening games of series this year.  The Cardinals somehow took game 1 at Wrigley, and the Cubbies should not have lost even one game against the White Sox, let alone this key opportunity in Milwaukee.  They just don’t have it this year!  Sure, they could come back and win the next two against the Brewers, but they seem to lack that killer instinct of a champion.  Even Kyle Schwarber, who has been on a roll, couldn’t make contact with the tying run at third in last night’s game.  The result – No Dub.

Dubs are wins, and the Cubs need to win the next two against the Brew Crew, and then go on and have at least a 10-game winning streak to take command of the Central.  The Cardinals and Pirates are hanging in there, and it doesn’t look like there will be a Wild Card chance for any of these division rivals.  The Central Division is weak, and it will take a dominant leader to have any hope for a World Championship.  All these teams will be making trade moves in the next few months, with the Pirates and the reinstatement of Starling Marte making the most noise so far in the second half of the season.  The Cubs and Pirates will meet again at the end of August, just before the home stretch.  If you’ll remember the Pirates swept the Cubs at Wrigley to start the season, before the Marte 60-game suspension.  He’s back!  Is there anybody out there than can enhance the Cubs chances for a repeat?  The drama continues….

Don’t be a Dud….Fly The Dub.

Retirement is not without Hassles: What day is it? #192

July 26, 2017 / / 0 Comments

Bachelorhood ends tonight.  I’ve slowly made the adjustment today with plant watering, pet sitting, vacuuming, dusting, laundry, and dishes.  I even made room in the garage for my wife’s car that has been in airport parking lot for the last 4 days.   I’ve also showered and shaved for tonight’s reunion.  When the alarm goes off tomorrow morning, I’m back to a normal routine, and will actually vacate the house by car for most of the afternoon, as I work in a lunch and happy hour with former co-workers.  The first question they’ll ask me is “how are you enjoying retirement?”  I’ll smile and ask them, “what day is it?”  I think that regardless of age, most people have distant aspirations for retirement.  I hope they are also prepared to face the aches and pains, bladder issues, appearance changes, and other hassles associated with aging.  I feel that I’m an excellent example of something to look forward to, but maybe trying a little to hard to be young again.

A rocking chair is not my thing, but I have nodded off the last couple of days in the afternoon after the longer runs I’ve been doing in preparation for the Hood to Coast relay.  I’m still obsessed with getting up the “hill from hell” and really haven’t made any progress the last couple days of training.  My muscles are tired and strained, but I feel good about the effort.  We have a team meeting next week, and I would like to go for a drive this weekend to check-out my sections of the race.  As a result, the pups may get a trip to the coast or a trip to Timberline Lodge, depending on what direction we decide to go.

When I was training for the Detroit Marathon 38 years ago, I accumulated over 116 miles in one week.  Scared to death that I would fail, I logged every mile in a diary, had a specific time goal, and sometimes ran three times a day.  I’m not that guy anymore!  I’m about 15 pound heavier, at least 4 minutes slower per mile, and all those years older.  I can honestly say that I was seriously addicted to running back then, and it took a series of injuries to get me to stop pushing myself.  I’m still motivated to run every day, but I don’t have that competitive edge that I had back then.  I’m equally scared of this event, but it’s 17.4 miles over two days compared with 26.1 miles in one day.  If I factor in a 50% loss of speed, I’ll actually be running for more hours, almost 3.5 hours as opposed to just over 3 hours for the marathon.

I did not run twice today, and spent some time with my feet up.  I did some reading on the back deck, walked the dogs five times, watched a couple of documentaries, including the HBO series, “The Defiant Ones,” and enjoyed the Cubs vs. White Sox baseball game on ESPN.  The two Chicago teams have one more game tomorrow evening to complete the Cross-Town rivalry series.    We’ll be back at the ballpark in 11 days, as the Cubs face the Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco.  I’ve been by the park several times, but have never seen a game there.  When I come back home, I’ll be a bachelor again, with my wife back in the Midwest.  I guess we’ll leave our hearts in San Francisco, fly back separately, and reunite 4 days later.  I’ll be really confused on what day it is by then!

Retirement is not without Hassles: The Hill #188

July 25, 2017 / / 0 Comments

It’s day two of the bachelor life.  I slept a little later, did a hilly, four-mile run, and walked the dogs.  I’ll  try another two miles this afternoon, but my thighs feel like concrete, and I didn’t even come close to conquering the hill today.  I have managed to shed about ten pounds over the past two weeks, with longer runs on more challenging terrain.  I also have a two-day growth of beard, and have that youthful feeling of an athlete in training.  Unfortunately, I still can’t regain any of my former speed, so I’ll have to be satisfied with endurance.

I always imagined what it would be like to be an Olympian.  Your only job would be to train.  I’m not sure I’m ready to give a full 8-hour day to training, but I will commit a couple of hours each day.  There is a medal at steak here, and my team is counting on me to give it my all.  There’s only 31 days until race day, and I’d like to lose at least another five pounds.  I’ll need every advantage to combat the mileage, hills, and lack of sleep associated with the event.  I should be just taking it easy in my rocking chair, but instead trying to find that guy inside me who ran track in high school 50 years ago.  Insane but true!

I did hear back from the fellow “streaker” that I wrote to yesterday.  No, we don’t run naked in public, as Ray Stevens describes in the lyrics of his hit song, “The Streak.”  We simply run every day at least once.  She and her husband operate a local running store, and have had a lot of experience with the Hood to Coast relay.  I read their blog, and was invited to run with them any Saturday morning.  Oh, you mean “everyone else is home day.  (Post #66).  I also know it as “movie night,” “popcorn dinner night”, or “run with the dogs” day, since Saturday is no longer a part of my new retirement language.  Every day is the same now and that includes birthdays, holidays, weekends, and vacations.

Speaking of movie night and/or popcorn dinner night, we did go to see the new “Spider-Man:  Homecoming” movie.  I wasn’t particularly impressed.  I’m not a consistent fan of these comic book action movies, but I did like “Wonder Woman.”  We’ll probably go see “Dunkirk” next, especially after our recent trip to Normandy.  I’m also not a big war movie fan, but the historical significance in that time frame just before D-Day is appealing.

I made a bachelor’s lunch platter of mini-peanut butter sandwiches.  It’s various combinations with honey, banana, mayonnaise, and pickles on thin-sliced french bread.  I’m apparently channeling Elvis, Kinsey Millhone, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. while watching the Cubs play the White Sox on television.  These sandwiches are not exactly low on calories and hardly on any Olympic training table, but should give me enough energy to complete another two miles this afternoon, and another attempt at the hill.

I hope to get some sun this afternoon, read some more of Dennis Lehane’s novel, Prayers for Rain, and maybe pray for strength to get me up that hill that has challenged me since we moved into the neighborhood.  I’m originally from the Midwest, so I’m intimidated by steep hills.  It’s not Boston’s Heartbreak Hill or Hurricaine Point at Big Sur, but it is as tough as it gets in this hilly neighborhood.   Before I load into that van at 2 a.m. on August 25th to head to the starting line, I want that hellish hill to be just a routine part of my daily run.  Give me strength and some Advil!

Retirement is not without Hassles: Birthdays #187

July 24, 2017 / / 0 Comments

Most of last week’s hassles are now behind me.  The plantation shutters are going to be replaced, the dog has stopped itching, and the air conditioning is working.  Costs were under $500, but there was a lot of dining out, and even some antique shopping to expand on that total.  It just goes to prove that when you dodge a bullet of expense, it is logical  justification to spend it on something else.   I will someone spend all this retirement money I saved – and quickly – even if it kills me!  Let’s hope it doesn’t.

I’m celebrating a birthday today – my son turned 43.  He just reminded me that I was a year off, having  turned 21 for the second time last year, so that was worth a toast.  I can’t even remember his 21st birthday, although I think we went to a baseball game.  Since he has never been a drinker, it was not a much-anticipated event.  He is probably working today at his restaurant, anxious to get home to some cake.  It’s hard to believe that half of a lifetime has passed since he was born, and that I will be very fortunate if I can live long enough to see him reach my age. We’ll celebrate his 43rd in San Francisco in two weeks, and work on spending more of my retirement nest egg.

The birthday of a son or daughter is a mortality wake-up-call, often more sentimental than our own birthday celebrations.  After all, I’ve stopped celebrating my birthday!  (See post #58)  I do remember, as if it was yesterday, the rush of excitement the day he was born.  I wasn’t quite 24 years old, working in a factory while I searched for a career in-line with my college marketing degree.  I was certainly not ready to be a father, but I was surely proud to be one, and shared my enthusiasm with my co-workers by passing out blue bubblegum cigars. He’s much bigger than I am now, but I prefer to see him as that tiny, helpless bundle of joy.   He’s given me more birthdays to celebrate with a daughter in-law and two grandchildren.

With my wife out of town on business for a couple of days, I’m being a temporary slob.  It’s four o’clock in the afternoon and I haven’t shaved or showered.  I’m not usually this lazy, but the dogs can relate to me better when I’m sweaty and stinky.  I just finished my second run of the day (see Post #186), that was hot and grueling.  I’ll relax here at the computer for a while longer before I hit the showers.  I’m trying to lose about 10 pounds by the end of August, but had a bit of a setback yesterday evening with a typical bachelor’s dinner of fried chicken, deep-fried potatoes, biscuits, and beer.  I’m staying in tonight and watching the calories.  Another training day tomorrow-maybe I can get up that hill!  I thought that at age 40, you were over the hill – I guess I’m not there yet.

The only things that I have that are older than I am are in my collections.  Some Photos, a baseball bat, jewelry, a cash register, coins, stamps, baseball cards, and some antiques have all “out-lived” my years.  When I’m gone, they will become unwanted, sold, or donated.  It doesn’t bother me what happens to my “stuff,” since they can’t be buried in some tomb along with me.  I also won’t need them to pay the tolls on my final journey to the afterlife. Besides, a Sherm Lollar baseball card isn’t going to get me far.  My only legacy will be these daily posts that will also someday disappear from the internet cloud.  Today, however, I will celebrate the birth of my son, wishing that his life turns out as good or better than mine.

 

 

 

 

Old Sport Shorts: Decatur Staleys #185

July 23, 2017 / / 0 Comments

As I was writing yesterday’s post #184, I realized that I had not yet told the story of the Decatur Staleys.  I lived in Decatur, Illinois in 2007 when the Chicago Bears played the Indianapolis Colts in Superbowl XLI.   A friend of mine worked for Tate & Lyle, a British sugar company founded in 1859.  In 1988, they acquired Decatur’s A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company and took steps to become the sole manufacturer of SPLENDA.  In a tour of the plant, I was shown a framed document that established the formation of the modern-day Chicago Bears under “Papa Bear” George Halas.

George Halas was a member of the 1918 Illinois Big Ten football championship team, and while at Great Lakes Naval Training Station was named MVP of the 1919 Rose Bowl.  As a great athlete, he also played for the New York Yankees in 1919 before a hip injury ended his baseball career, but went on to star for the Hammond Pros. After a year with the Pros, he moved to Decatur to work for the A.E. Staley Company, then a starch manufacturer, as a sales representative.  The company’s general superintendent, George Chamberlain, made the hire and A.E. Staley’s direction.  Chicago-born Halas also played outfield for the company sponsored baseball team and served as player/coach for the Staleys football team.  He personally selected the orange and navy blue uniform colors of the team, based on his University of Illinois alma-mater.

In 1920, the American Professional Football Association was formed consisting of eleven teams:  The Canton Bulldogs, Rock Island Independents, Muncie Flyers, Decatur Staleys, Massillon Tigers, Chicago Cardinals, Hammond Pros, Dayton Triangles, Cleveland Indians, Akron Pros, and Rochester Jeffersons.   Jim Thorpe was elected president and a $100 franchise fee was established but apparently never collected. The league formation might have been influenced by a letter from George Halas, expressing the need for organization and scheduling. The first Staley’s game against the Moline Tractors was set for October 3, 1920.

The Staleys finished that inaugural 1920 season in 2nd place at 10-1-2, their only loss to the Chicago (Racine) Cardinals 7-6.  They had a chance to win the championship in a season-ending game against the Akron Pros, but time ran out in a scoreless tie.  George Halas had relocated this game to Cubs Park in Chicago, attracting a record 12,000 fans, compared to the 3,000 typically drawn at Staley Park, and this led to a move of the team to Chicago in 1921.  They were called the Chicago Staleys during that first year of transition, out of respect for their roots.

The Chicago Staleys played the majority of the 1921 season at Wrigley Field, and were renamed the Bears by Halas following a historic championship season at 9-1-1,  The Great Depression had its economic impact on the company, and Eugene Staley had to dig deep to salvage the company and his teams.  His offer of the team franchise to Halas that I saw displayed on the wall of Tate & Lyle, included $5,000 to help cover expenses that first year. Other sources state that Halas paid Staley $100 for the rights to the team, but it was probably Staley’s money anyway and just a formality.  I liken it to paying someone to haul away your gallery of original Monet paintings.  To this day, “Staley the Bear” continues to be the Bears Mascot, perhaps the only remaining connection to the Staley name.

My personal opinion is that A.E. Staley should probably be known as “Papa Bear.”  He died in 1940, and his family in Decatur has restored his mansion to include a museum.  The Decatur corporate location  was originally an abandoned starch plant that was purchased and retooled in 1909.  It produced the famous American brand, Staley Starch, that now belongs to a British sugar giant.   The city of Decatur should have taken steps to establish the Football Hall of Fame before Canton, Ohio stole the thunder.  All that’s left in Decatur is a welcome sign that says, “Original home of the Chicago Bears.”  It’s interesting to note that most early football and baseball franchises started in small communities, but eventually migrated to the big cities to attract larger crowds. However, the Football Hall of Fame is still in Canton, while the Baseball Hall of Fame is in Cooperstown. I applaud these small towns for bucking the trend.   Go Bears!

 

 

 

 

 

Old Sport Shorts: Rolaids #184

July 22, 2017 / / 0 Comments

O.K., I was wrong, again!  The Cubs win streak did not get to 23.  It didn’t even get to 7!  The 1935 Cubs 21-game game streak didn’t happen until September, so there is still time for the 2017 squad to equal that record.  The 1935 Cubs managed to win seven straight games in the month of July, exceeding the 6-game current steak that just ended yesterday.  All was going well until the top of the 8th when the Cardinals suddenly erupted for 9 runs and an 11-4 victory.  The Cubs somehow outhit them and had two fewer errors, but “relief” pitching was hardly comforting.  It was a real momentum killer! (See Post #181)

The battle today against the arch-rival Cardinals had the right outcome, but the ending was equally disturbing.  It had a happy ending, but the Cubs pitching once again failed in the 8th, with John Lester giving up two solo home runs.  He had a one-hitter through 7, and maybe that extra inning of work was a mistake.  Who could blame Madden for sticking with him after yesterday’s relief debacle?  The Cubs rallied in the bottom of the 8th with 3 runs to take the lead, and Wade Davis finally shut down Yadier Molina, after back-to-back walks.  (See Post #174)  We were once again on the edge of our seats, getting out the Rolaids! (See Post #174).  Rolaids offered an annual “Relief Man Award” from 1976 to 2012.  Cubs winners included Bruce Sutter in 1981 & 1982 and Randy Myers in 1993.  “R-O-L-A-I-D-S spells relief.”

It was a similar scenario that we saw at the All-Star Game.  Wade Davis was on the mound with the game on the line, and Yadi was at the plate – this time with a bat.  The two things that were different : Yadi was not wearing his obnoxious, gold plated amour and Davis did not give up a game-deciding home run.  It started a streak of one for the Cubs, with the series-deciding game tomorrow night.  Jose Quintana will make his Wrigley Field debut for the Cubs after a sterling 12-strikeout performance in Baltimore.  Quintana was traded from the cross-town White Sox, so finding a new home won’t be a problem.  He may also get to face his old teammates next week.

The White Sox continue to struggle, losing their seventh straight game since the All-Star break.  The wrong kind of streak!  In the course of this disastrous run, they are beginning to build for the future.  Yoan Moncada, their brightest new star, tripled in yesterdays loss showing-off some of the power and speed he displayed in the minors. White Sox fans are excited to watch him play, with little else to look forward to this year.  Although, the team will probably quickly rebound, if only for the short-term, just in time for the Cubs series next week.  It’s why they play the game!

I always struggle with these Sox-Cubs games every year.  It’s like my conscience splits in half, with the 10-year old me rooting for the Sox, and the retired me pulling for the Cubs.  Normally, I would be content if they split the series, but the Cubs need to sweep to maintain any chance to win the Central Division.  Given the talent they have, the White Sox will have their chance in two more years.  I will say that if I had become the Cubs fan that my dad wanted me to be, I would have had to wait an additional 11 years for a World Series victory.  As luck would have it, I was running an NBC affiliate in Illinois during the 2005 World Championship season, and was able to attend both games in Chicago, featuring home runs by Jermaine Dye, Joe Crede, Paul Konerko, and Scott Podsednik.   Two great victories set the stage for the sweep in Houston.  I made the decision to become a White Sox fan in 1959, despite their World Series loss to the Dodgers.  I was able to tell my dad that I made the right choice 46 years later.  Unfortunately, he wouldn’t live long enough to see the Cubs win in 2016. (See Post #25).

I can’t imagine the mind-struggles I would have and the Rolaids I would need if the Sox and the Cubs played in the World Series.  It hasn’t happened since 1906, so don’t buy me a case yet!  I had the same problem when the Bears and the Colts met in Superbowl XLI.  I grew up a Baltimore Colts fan, following the aging Johnny Unitus.  It was his replacement, Earl Morrall, that eventually pulled out the victory in Superbowl V, following a rib injury to Unitus in the second quarter.  I was much more a baseball than football fan, with White Sox catcher Sherm Lollar a much bigger sports hero to me than Unitus,  (See Post #5).   Maybe my dad had the same influence when he convinced me to move my allegiance from the New York Yankees to a team closer to home?  For some unknown reason, I began to follow another Chicago team, the Bears, and temporarily abandoned the Colts.    When I moved my family to Indianapolis in the mid-80’s, the Colts moved there as well.  My job involved selling for the Colts radio network, and began to get to know the coaches and players quite well.

The teams you associate with in childhood always seem to win the battle of allegiance.  Even though I watched the Bears win the 1985 Superbowl, and was a huge fan of Dick Butkus, Walter Peyton, and Jim McMahon, I drifted back to the home-team Colts and Peyton Manning.  I was living in Decatur, Illinois, the original home of the Chicago Bears, when Superbowl XLI in February of 2007 happened.  I was miserable trying to decide who to support, electing not to attend in person.  The people in Illinois were for the Bears, and my friends back in Indiana were for the Colts.  I was like a ping-pong ball – talk about the need for Rolaids!

I’ll write more after tomorrow nights Cubs vs. Cardinals game.  In the meantime, hopefully the White Sox will get it together against the Kansas City Royals and stop the bleeding.  As you can see, there are a lot of emotions that come into play for me in the world of sports fan-hood.  It’s Young Me vs. Old Me, Cubs vs. White Sox, and Bears vs. Colts.  You need a program to follow-along, while I just need a couple of Rolaids!  “R-O-L-A-I-D-S spells relief.”

Old Sport Shorts: Cubs Streak #181

July 20, 2017 / / 0 Comments

The Cubs are streaking, with hopes on improving their dismal first half of the season.  They have the day off today, after winning their first 6 games since the All Star Break.  This has not happened to a Cubs team in 81 years.  If they can continue to emulate that 1935 team, they can get back to the World Series.  The 1935 Cubs finished the regular season with a 21-game winning streak, to match the 1880 record when the Cubs were known as the Chicago White Stockings.  Their cross-town American League rival then shortened that name to White Sox in 1901, and stole the 1906 World Series from the National League Cubs.  This despite the best winning record and winning percentage in modern baseball history to date  (116 games .763).  The two Chicago teams have not met in the season Finale since, and it’s not likely to happen this year.

The White Sox continue to struggle but have arguably the best stable of prospects in baseball.  I’m encouraged that in a couple of years this will transpose into victories where we might see a Cross-Town World Series once again.  The Cubs can equal their historic back-to-back World Series winning feat of 1907 and 1908, with the 2017 Championship.  That was not looking promising prior to and including the All-Star break.  The Cubs entered the break two games below .500, including a devastating six- game losing streak in their road trip to California.  (Posts #98 and #101).  Kyle Schwarber and Anthony Rizzo also struck out in the fashion department, sporting “Anchorman” leisure suits in a mis-played attempt to stay loose for the trip.  Schwarber was eventually sent down to the minors for some swing rehabilitation, while every Cub from last year’s All-Star team, including Rizzo, failed to get the necessary votes.  Only Coach Madden, his assistants, and Wade Davis traveled to Miami.  Cub frustration continued at the end of the All-Star game, as both Davis and Madden were credited for the National League loss.

After the California road disaster, the Cardinals series proved to be the necessary healing toxin.  With the current six-game win streak on the road, it’s the Cardinals once again that can make or break the Cubs season.  This rivalry was refueled in Miami, as golden-boy, Yadier Molina, seemed destined to win the MVP.  Instead, Davis made it possible for Robinson Cano to earn that distinction.  Cardinal fans were furious, conveniently forgetting about last year’s game where their man, Aledmys Diaz, killed a potential winning rally by hitting into an inning-ending double-play.  That cost the Cubs home field advantage for the Series, whereas the Davis pitch, that Yadi might have called, had no effect on the Cardinals team whatsoever.

The Cubs are currently only one game out of the Central Division lead and four games over .500.  It’s a great start to the second half of the season, especially if they can go on to sweep the Cardinals at Wrigley.  The Cubs did get immediate benefit out of their White Sox trade, bringing Jose Quintana to the starting rotation.  The move bolstered the White Sox future with the addition of two promising top prospects.  Also, the trade of Todd Frazier and David Robertson to the Yankees opened the door for Yoan Moncada to make his much anticipated White Sox debut.  In addition, more future prospects from the Yankees camp were added to the White Sox team of the future.  The bottom-feeding White Sox, stripped of their veterans, were predictably swept by the top-ranked Dodgers, and the streaking Cubs can make a powerful statement to the Cardinals, while taking another bite out of the Brewer lead in the Central.

As much as I hate the Damn Yankees, I have to give credit to Aaron Judge.  I’m trying really hard to tolerate him and his enthusiastic entourage of obnoxious, gavel-pounding Big Apple fans.    He was awesome to watch in the Home Run Derby, but I was glad that he didn’t win the MVP, as well.  Apparently he’s now joined the ranks of Kyle Schwarber in that roller coaster ride to greatness.  The “Mighty Schwarber” (Post #64) was humbled in his fall to the minors, but is now occasionally back in the Cubs line-up.  “The Judge” is apparently experiencing a similar Freshman slump, hitting a miserable .115 since the All-Star break.  Maybe he’ll get to play the White Sox again?  The Cubs get to play the Sox four times after the Cardinals come to town.  Will they have a 13-game winning streak after leaving Guaranteed Rate Field?  Maybe 17 straight after leaving Milwaukee?  Then they get a day off to think about 5 more consecutive victories at home against Arizona and Washington to surpass the 1935 Cubs.  In fact, I could see them in San Francisco on Monday, August 7th, going for their 23rd consecutive victory!  Dream on…..

Go…Cubs…Go

Retirement is not without Hassles: Another Day in a Routine Life #179

July 19, 2017 / / 0 Comments

I’ve settled back into my routine the last couple of days, as have the dogs.  Tinker was napping on the rug in the warm sunlight off the back deck, while Tally was asleep on the couch, content in the cool shade.  They are resting up from a busy day at the dog spa, sporting their stylish haircuts.  Tally played hard with the other dogs, while Tinker showed little interest in interaction.  Two very different dogs that are now my 8 to 5 co-workers, along with Frankie the cat that prefers the darkness of the bedroom.   I wonder if they know that it’s “Date Night” day.

While the dogs were getting groomed, my wife had some serious dental work yesterday, so we will dine-in tonight.  It will make the pups happy to have our company on a night that we’re typically out on the town.  I prepared a corn and tomato salsa to be served over a grilled flank steak.  I also joined my wife for a light lunch today at the Cornell Cafe Oaks located near her office.  I broke the news to her that we would be baby-sitting my grand kids our first night in San Francisco in a couple of weeks.  She was expecting something more romantic, but we settled on a Mary Poppins sing-along to keep her and them entertained.  I’m just glad to have some one-on-one time with them next month.  My son tends to be a bit possessive of his kids, but he’s also a good father.

I’ve been slowly increasing my mileage and speed in anticipation of the Hood to Coast relay.  I’m a potential last minute substitute on a team of 12 that will race 199 miles from Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood to the Seaside, Oregon beach.  Each team member will run about 17 miles over the course of two days.  Since it ends the day before my 66th birthday, I will most likely get to run a portion of the relay, as several of the regulars are nursing injuries.  It will be something to cross off my bucket list. Today was my 3,125th consecutive day (8.556 years) of running at least one mile a day.  I’ve easily averaged 2.5 miles a day over this time frame, with my current daily mileage exceeding 3.25.  In total, I’ve “easily” run over 7,800 miles since I started my present streak, more than enough to get to New York City and back.  As part of preparation for this relay, I’ve concentrated on steeper inclines the past few weeks, as the Hood to Coast route will be extremely hilly.

There was an abundance of good sports on TV this morning.  The Cubs won their 6th straight, a first for this season, and the first time since 1935 that the team has won six consecutive games following the All Star break.  The 1935 team fell short, losing to the Detroit Tigers in the World Series, but managed to win a hundred games, a Cubs feat that wasn’t accomplished again until last year – 81 years later.  They also achieved a 21-game winning streak late in the 1935 season to clinch the pennant, tying the franchise record set in 1880 when they were the Chicago White Stockings.  This year’s team will need a similar run to return to the World Series.   Later in the day, I also watched the debut of Chicago White Sox prospect, Yoan Moncada.  (Post #157).  I participated in a charity drawing in a recent visit to Guaranteed Rate Stadium in Chicago, formerly Comiskey Park, and received an autographed baseball from this Cuban phenom.  I’ve been following his progress in the Minor Leagues, anxious for him to get the promotion that happened yesterday.   He wears #10 – the same number as my White Sox childhood hero, Sherm Lollar.  It seemed almost prophetic that I randomly selected his baseball from a “mystery” stack of current and prospective players.

I also watched the Tour de France this morning, reminding me of my high school and college days on a bicycle.  My friends and I would do 50 and 100 mile rides on our non-geared bicycles, navigating a very flat Indiana terrain.  It was Stage 17 of the Tour today, and the route was through the scenic Alps.  It was mesmerizing to watch them cruise at 60 miles an hour along narrow, winding mountain roads.  I held my breath in anticipation of a life-threatening accident over the steep drop.  We didn’t have those bicycling concerns back in Indiana.  The truly painful part was watching them ascend to the peak, knowing the muscle strain and conditioning necessary to get there.

After these summer bike marathons, thee next stage of my bicycling career came entirely by accident.    Before the movie Breaking Away, the Little 500 at Indiana University got limited attention.  I had never heard of the event when I transferred to Indiana in 1971.  It was my only connection with the fraternity, since I had pledged at another college, and saw this as an opportunity to make some new friendships.  A two-week trip to Florida to train sealed the deal, but I had no idea what I was getting into.  It’s now the largest collegiate intramural sporting event, and part of the “World’s Greatest College Weekend.”  It’s been going on for 66 years, with the women’s race celebrating 29 years.  The event started the year I was born, and was founded by the son of an Indianapolis 500 winner, hence many of the similarities, including 33 four-person teams and 500 laps.  The race was originally run on a cinder track, and I have the scars to prove it.  The fact that there were no gears to shift made it a grueling experience that led to embarrassing hemorrhoids instead of the winner’s circle.

I’m no longer an athlete and don’t even own a bicycle.  I’m just a retired guy who has faint aspirations of running another marathon, contributing to the Hood to Coast relay team, hitting a home run, and maybe even winning a bicycle race.  I now live vicariously through the accomplishments of others in the sporting world, imagining that I was better at sports than I actually was.  As they say, “the older you get – the better you were.”   Sherm Lollar #10 will forever be my baseball hero and Lance Armstrong once dominated my cycling dreams, but turned out to be a grave disappointment.   I was reminded of this poem, although it’s a repeat from Post #120.   Even though tomorrow’s another day of my routine life, I don’t want to relive any portion of it.  I’m truly satisfied with what I’ve accomplished and content in simply watching the Super Hero of tomorrow take shape.  Right…Yoan Moncada?

Super Hero

.

The older you get,

The faster time goes.

Anyone who’s been there,

And done that…knows.

.

Many a decision,

Is made on the spot.

You just have to know,

When to take your shot.

.

Don’t hesitate,

Bask in the sun.

Take it in now,

Have some fun.

.

From the moment you’re born,

Until your last day.

Don’t let “I can’t,”

Get in your way.

.

Time will fly by,

Middle age will pass.

Make some memories,

Get off your ass.

.

Cause when you get older,

You’ll start to reminisce.

And you’ll be sorry,

For chances you miss.

.

Just go out and do it,

Grab the brass ring.

Then you’ll never regret,

Having missed a thing.

.

Sometimes success,

But often you’ll fail.

And you’ll try to recall,

Every detail.

.

But if you miss out,

It won’t really matter.

Your memory fades,

As you grow fatter.

.

The older you get,

The better you were.

Your flaws from the past,

Become a big blur.

.

You were faster,

Sexier and stronger.

So Much Braver,

And lasted longer.

.

A Bronze God

Our Super Hero.

When you really,

Were a big ZERO.

.

So you stretch the truth,

Exaggerate a bit.

When you struck out,

It’s now a hit.

.

The older you get,

The better you were.

You were the best,

You remember for sure.

.

You made more money,

Drove fancier cars.

Where there was darkness,

You now see stars.

.

You’ve seen the sights,

Even if not.

You don’t know it all,

But you know a lot.

.

The older you get,

The better you were.

Did it happen like that?

You’re really not sure.

.

And that’s the beauty,

Of growing old.

No one can counter,

White lies that you’ve told.

,

Copyright May 2015 johnstonwrites.com

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