Likes and Dislikes

I just thought I would give a list of things I like and things I dislike:

LIKES:
People With Manners (Please and Thank You)
Chocolate Milk
NHL Playoffs
"Lost"
Classic Rock & Roll
Good Hygiene
Technology
Solving a Puzzle
Cooking
Target
DIY Network
Satellite Radio
Sandwiches
Crocs

DISLIKES:
Not washing hands after going to the bathroom
Reality TV
NBA Playoffs
Walmart
Not putting a towel around yourself in the gym locker room
Cold Weather
Flip-Flops with Jeans on a man
Country Music
Stupidity
Not picking up after yourself
Having No Manners

These are just a few things I like and dislike, something to think about until next time. :)

Introducing... Isiah Thompson

Florida International University in Miami introduced their new Basketball Coach, Isiah Thomas this week. This is such an interesting move, FIU has gotten more publicity for this, than their infamous brawl with UM a few years ago at a football game. Thomas has been a major failure at everything he has done since his playing days. He ruined the Continental Basketball Association, He took the Indiana Pacers from contenders to the lottery in a very short time and destroyed the New York Knicks in the 5 years he was apart of the organization. Why would FIU hire him to build their basketball program?

Thomas has some name value, but than again, so does OJ Simpson. Thomas was one of the best Point Guards in the history of the NBA. He won a National Championship with Indiana in 1981. I am miffed why FIU did this. Do they realize exactly who they hired? They didn't even know his name when they introduced him at the Press Conference. What's he going to say to the Parents of the Kids he recruits?

I am taking a wait and see approach. I really hope he puts FIU on the map and for all the right reasons. The Sun Belt conference they play in, is one of the weaker mid majors, but with the additions of Mike Jarvis to FAU and John Brady to Arkansas St and Western Kentucky's NCAA tournament success, the Sun Belt might be ready to move up the conference ranks.

Isiah Thomas won some points with me, by donating his first year salary back to the University. Yes, he is owed $12 Million from the Knicks, but he still could have also taken what FIU was paying him. I think in 3 years we will be able to judge if this was a good move, but I guarantee, the Golden Panthers will be on ESPN a few times next season.

Outta Here!

What a Mean Title. But those two words cannot be said in any other voice than Harry Kalas'. I still have his call for Mike Schmidt's 500 Home Run ringing in my head, in fact sometimes when I am in the car driving, I was give that call. Kind of odd, probably, but this is the effect Harry Kalas has had on my life.

Up until a few years ago, Phillies baseball was synonymous with losing. If there was a way to lose, the Phillies invented it. Back in the old days, it was always the same, the Phils would seem like they might have a chance, fly out to the West Coast and drop 7 of nine to San Diego, LA and San Fran, moving the Phillies down the NL East standings. But there was one constant, no matter how bad the team was or how bad the games were, we had the privilege of listening to Harry Kalas.

Philadelphia is a fickle city. We sit in the shadow's of New York and Washington, we complain when we loss, we complain when we win, we are tough on the athletes and management who perform for us. We are never satisfied, we are a bunch of Arm Chair GMs who can do it better than the guys being paid to do it. The one constant our sports has are the guys who call the games for us. And Harry Kalas was the best.

I never met Harry, but I wanted to so bad. Every time I went to Spring Training, I hoped I would get 2 autograph's - Mike Schmidt and Harry Kalas. I've met Mike Schmidt before and he was very pleasant towards me. I even joked with him about Harry's call on his 500 and I did a lame imitation of it, it got a chuckle. I always wanted to meet Harry and just wanted to thank him for making Phillies baseball so enjoyable to me.

Harry Kalas will be sorely missed and I am glad I had the privilege of listening to him for 37 years. When I am alone in my car and that thought pops into my head, "Swing and a long drive, deep left field, that ball is outta here, Number 500 Michael Jack Schmidt," I will say out loud with a smile on my face.

Getting Lost

Rarely there is a television show that entertains and keeps you thinking like Lost. The story of The Survivors of Oceanic Flight 815, surviving on an island in parts unknown. The show evolved from season, but the one hook that keeps it interesting are the characters. Watching them grow from year to year, show to show, scene to scene is the fuel that keeps the show so intriguing.

There is a good dose of Mythology and a large amount of Literally references, but the soul of the show is in the interaction of the characters. Lost was very smart to put an time frame on the show, so the show could build to an ending. Nothing seems what it is and I really enjoy the subtle hints and clues of things to come.

Character redemption is one of the biggest recurring plot lines of the show. Everyone in the show has, for a lack of a better word, baggage. I enjoy watching the characters sort through their problems and issues and become better people. Unfortunately, when this happens, it usually means the character is killed off. (Ecko, Anna Lucia, Michael and Charlie.) If this is any indication of things to come, I hope Evangeline Lilly has her resume ready to go.

I can't wait for the show to finally wrap up and answer all the questions it asked from the beginning. But until than, I will enjoy the roller coaster ride.

Some Various Things

My version of a stream of conscious, sports style.

I am tired of hear bout T.O. Is he a Hall of Famer? Probably not. He has the numbers, but he will be remembered as a self-centered guy who couldn't make things work with three teams (and counting.) Unlike some prima donna's before him, TO has no bling on his finger signifying his team was the best that year.

Jay Cutler seems like a big baby. I am glad Denver is trying to trade him, I personally would. He doesn't seem like the kind of guy I want leading my team. I don't think he has it in him to lead a championship team, he is too concerned about his feelings being hurt. I think he will wind up in Tampa or New York (good luck with the NY media) or an outside chance he ends up in San Francisco.

I am happy Coach Cal took the Kentucky job. I always knew he could be a big fish in a small pond, now he will have the chance to be an even bigger fish in an ocean. The SEC is right for the pickings, I see an immediate turn around for Kentucky and good fortunes for Coach Cal.

It will be very interesting to see how the Yankees do this season. They have invested a lot of money in their team, but was it money wisely spent? Well, I guess it doesn't matter how much they spend, it seems like they print it up themselves, but I question some of their pick ups. CC Sabathia, great pitcher, but they over paid for him. They were bidding against themselves. Mark Texeria, see above. AJ Burnett, Reminds me of Karl Pavano, I am sure he will spend a good portion of the year on the DL. I am still not impressed with Joba or any of their young arms. With all that money they spent, anything less than a World Championship will be a catastrophic. Imagine if they do not make the playoffs again this year? Heads will roll.

I like Carolina winning the NCAA Tournament this year. But I am pulling for Villanova. I know it's no Temple, but it would be great if Nova does it. I really like Michigan St upsetting UConn. It will be a virtual home game for them and is their a better big game coach than Tom Izzo?

Finally, here are my predictions for the upcoming MLB Season.
AL WEST: Angels, A's; Mariners; Rangers.
AL CENTRAL: Indians; White Sox; Twins; Tigers; Royals.
AL EAST: Yankees; Red Sox; Rays; Jays; Orioles.
NL West; Giants; Dodgers; Diamondbacks; Rockies; Padres.
NL Central: Cubs; Cardinals; Astros; Reds; Pirates; Brewers.
NL East; Phillies; Marlins; Mets; Braves; Nationals

Angels & Cubs in the World Series - Angels Champs