My Interaction with Sparky

Considering we lost one of the great managers of the game today, I thought I'd share a story of the time I met Sparky...

It was sometime around the age of 9 or 10 that I was really getting into baseball. My parents decided to send me to the UofM Baseball Camp (I think coached by Geoff Zahn at the time) and I was psyched. Sometime around the third day we were all eating our lunches in the bleachers, and all of a sudden everyone rushed to the field. There was a large group around this guy and I had no idea what was going on. I decided to walk over and see what all of the commotion was about. After making my way to centerfield I saw who it was...Sparky Anderson. I knew that this guy had coached the Tigers to the World Series in 1984, but at the time I really knew little else. I did not know about the Big Red Machine. I did not know about Johnny Bench. I knew about Ken Griffey Jr, but not Sr. I knew of Alan Trammel and Kirk Gibson and the rest of the '84 crew, but I don't think I realized the magnitude of who I was seeing. Sparky had us line-up around him so he could talk to us about baseball and life and a few other things. Afterwards he asked if anyone wanted autographs....shoot. It was then that I realized that I had nothing for him to autograph. I was wearing a dark navy blue Michigan shirt and hat. My baseball pants were not an option. My glove certainly was not an 0ption. And, it wasn't like I carried a pad of paper around with me at all times. So, at that very moment, I decided I could at least meet the guy. I stood in line, and when it came my turn, Sparky asked, "Son, what would you like me to sign." I replied, "Mr. Anderson, I don't have anything with me to sign, but I was hoping to just shake your hand." Sparky stopped, looked at me, and smiled. He told me that I was the most polite kid he had ever met and that he couldn't believe that all I wanted was a handshake. He kneeled down, gave me a hug, and told me to never change. As corny as this probably sounds, I took those words to heart. Obviously my family raising me has had an impact on that, but, I do think that story really did affect my life. So, today, I'd like to honor one of the greats. We all know that he hopped over the chalk-line on his way through the pearly gates.

RIP Sparky

Cheers,

Kevin

Well That Sucked

So, Saturday sucked. Nothing like getting absolutely beat down in your own stadium. I haven't felt like that in a while. Even last year...at least with Ohio State I was expecting it. I guess the worst part was probably how MSU took over Ann Arbor for a full 24-hour period. If I hear GO GREEN - GO WHITE one more time...gahhhhhh. OK, vent session over. Now that it is Thursday, I am moving on to Saturday's game. Michigan hosts Iowa this Saturday and celebrates Homecoming. Nothing like watching the alumni twirlers. Iowa was a pre-season favorite to win the Big Ten Title. They are 4-1 on the season, their only loss coming to Arizona on the road. I made the trip out to Iowa last year for the game and am hoping for a little revenge. If Michigan rebounds and wins the game this weekend, they will be bowl-eligible for te first time since 2007. Denard Robinson apparently had a Tebow-esque post-game speech on Saturday. If he really wants to prove himself, and get back in the Heisman Trophy race, he needs to bounce back and show the country who he is.

Prediction: Michigan - 34 Iowa - 27

Hopefull all goes accordingly and next week I can start predicting what bowl we'll be in. GO BLUE!

Cheers,

Kevin

One is Silver and the Other's Gold

The Detroit Red Wings have started their exhibition season and are getting closer and closer to dropping the puck on another run at the Stanley Cup. The Wings have made the playoffs 19 straight seasons, the longest stretch in the NHL and one of the longest in all of American professional sport. Detroit's off-season was highlighted by the signing of Livonia's own Mike Modano. Modano is a solid veteran addition to the team. He clearly is shooting for that last chance at a championship and finds himself with a solid opportunity with the Wings.

The Wings also re-signed Jiri Hudler after his one-stint in the KHL. This unfortunately provides me with a bit of a problem. While Hudler was with the Wings, he was my favorite player. Much like most of Detroit, my favorite Red Wing was this guy. Once he retired, I decided Jiri Hudler was my Red Wing. It was only confirmed after his general clowning at the Stanley Cup Celebration. But then, he left us. Last season I was forced to pick a new Red Wing...



I went with the young gun Jimmy Howard. I decided he's an up-and-coming star and that he was worth supporting. He also went to Ann Arbor Pioneer (best high school ever) and then this happened...



HE INSTANTLY BECOMES MY FAVORITE!

So, I'm in a pickle. I love Jiri and his shenanigans. But, Jimmy Howard is cool as hell. What do I do? Obviously I support them both. I'm reminded of the old kid's song/saying, "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other's gold." But, they can't both be my favorite....

Decisions decisions...

Cheers,

Kevin

Nard Dog...Nailin It

Because I suck and just haven't written a "new" post in such a long time...I figure this is a solid subject to write on. First off, let it be known that I've been referring to Denard Robinson as 'Nard Dog since last season...mostly in reference to this...



Denard has been running all over every team Michigan has played so far this season. It began with this...



then this...



then came this...



and most recently this...



The campus has Denard-Fever. T-Shirts...Signs...shoelaces untied...ESPN's Sportsnation filmed in Ann Arbor last week and everyone, myself included, had the fever. Some might suggest that the only prescription is more cow bell, but I would say its untied shoelaces, dreadlocks, and MORE NARD DOG.

While I do think the hype is getting a bit out of hand, he is pretty damn good. Michigan is 4-0 going into Big Ten play against IU this weekend. Is it weird that when I think of games against IU, all I think of is Antwaan Randle El? Anyway, I'm looking forward to the next few weeks. After this week, Michigan plays MSU at home, Iowa at home, has a bye week, then off to Happy Valley to take on the Nittany Lions. The month of October will be the real test. Hopefully all goes well. GO BLUE!

Cheers,

Kevin

PS: Just want to salute Coach Rich Rodriguez for his Lion King reference the other day...well done sir...well done.

Football Oh How I've Missed Thee

This post was intended for almost a month ago...enjoy it anyway...

Ladies and gentleman, it is almost officially here...

No, Shark Week already happened. No, The Tigers have already thrown in the towel. I'm talking about football. Sure the NFL has started its exhibition games, and the AFL just had its Arena Bowl the other night. But, I'm talking about the real deal. College football starts September 2nd and the NFL starts officially September 11th.

I've been getting by all summer by watching videos like this...



Football season is always my favorite part of the year. The Lions are undefeated. Michigan has a chance to rebound. And we get to spend another 4 months arguging over whether or not there should be a playoff in college football. Good luck to all teams and GO BLUE!

Cheers,

Kevin

Welcome Back

So, between work and the whole summer thing, I have absolutely failed and not posted in almost two months...epic post vol. 2 is coming soon. Until then...

Epic Post Because It's Been Too Long

It has been a busy few weeks for the sports world. The World Cup has begun. Michigan announced its self-imposed sanctions. The NCAA has accused both UConn and Kansas of major infractions. Nebraska and Colorado left the Big 12. And of course...there was that baseball game the other night. So...I'm going to do my best to sum up everything and say a few things....

The World Cup

The World Cup has no begun and the world is turning it's sight to South Africa. Some of the favorites include Spain, defending World Cup Champion Italy, England, and France. The US is in the same group as England, along with Algeria and Slovenia. I think the US will make it out of it's group, but I don't see them going much farther than that. England is highly favored considering the tournament is being played in South Africa, which is going through Late-Fall/Winter currently. Cold, wet, and dark...just the way England likes it. Personally, I see Brazil and England making it to the final. It is a toss-up who will win, but I will go with England. They are due.

Michigan's Sanctions

On May 25 Athletic Director Dave Brandon, along with coach Rich Rodriguez, announced the self-imposed sanctions for their violations that mostly involved miscommunication within the athletic department. The majority of these violations involved over practicing. The athletic department announced a series of sanctions including less practice time allowed and being on probation for two years.

Personally, I believe these self-imposed penalties are enough. The NCAA will meet Aug 13-14 to discuss whether or not these penalties are enough. Like I said, I think they are. But, if Rich Rodriguez fails to have an impressive season, I do believe this incident is enough to put the Rich-Rod experiment to an end. There have been many hints and suggestions that Coach Rodriguez needs to win nine games this year or his job is over. And, I'm ok with that. He has had his chance, he needs to produce. This is a storied program with consistent winning, and he is turning us in the wrong direction. Obviously, we would have to keep the spread/option/run and gun style we play and not go back to the pro-style of Coach Carr. That would just result in another 2-3 years of rebuilding. Hopefully nothing else comes of this, the NCAA approves our sanctions, and we move on to a successful season. UConn won't know what's coming to them Sept. 4.

Other BCS Programs in Trouble

UConn, USC, and Kansas have been in the news as of late for allegedly and actually breaking NCAA rules and regulations. If you ask me, it is about time teams are getting caught. I think USC not being allowed to play in bowl games for two years is fair. I think UConn and Kansas should both be handled with accordingly. I guess altogether I am sick and tired of watching schools get off on technicalities, or not enough evidence. Clearly shady stuff is going on...go find it.

Welcome Nebraska

Nebraska officially announced that it will be leaving the Big 12 and joining the Big 10 (I personally find it hilarious that the Big 12 now has 10 teams and the Big 10 has 12 teams). Nebraska will begin play in the 2011-2012 season. Colorado also announced that it will be leaving the Big 12 to join the Pac-10. This is just the beginning of what should be an interesting time of conference changes and realignments. I do believe that the Big 10 needs a few more teams. Obviously Texas or Notre Dame would be ideal, but I'll take what we can get.

Galarraga

The Detroit Tigers' Armando Galarraga had a perfect-game (no hits, no walks, no errors) going into the last out of the 9th inning. After a controversial call by umpire Jim Joyce, he lost his bid for perfection. As a fan, I was extremely disappointed, angry, and just did not understand why it had to happen to Armando. Why not Roy Halladay a few days earlier? But, as a general baseball watcher, clearly it is time for replay to enter the game. Bud Selig needs to step up and do something. Joyce, shortly after the game, saw the replay and instantly apologize. I applaud him and the way he handled the situation. I was thoroughly disappointed, but accepted the outcome. The Tigers still won. Galarraga was still accepted by many as to have thrown an amazing game. And, Jim Joyce accepted his mistake.

I deeply apologize to my readers (as few as they are) for how long it has been since my last post. This post itself has been in the works for over a week and I just did not get around to it. I will do my best to stay up to pace a little more, especially since it is summer and have time. Hopefully I'll have the opportunity to write a "goodbye" to Tom Izzo or possibly a "O.M.G. WE JUST WON" piece for the US team. Also, I'd like to congratulate Chicago sports fans on their Blackhawks' Stanley Cup Win. But, as always, I hope everyone is doing well and enjoy yourself these next few days. Its summer. Live a little.