Recently in Sports Category

From the Morrisey column in the Chicago Tribune...


The way Lou Piniella saw it Sunday morning, the media were paying entirely too much attention to the Cubs' unfortunate lack of hitting.

Why don't we focus on the positive thing, which is our pitching has been good?, he said.
Why don't we talk about pitching?

Why don't we talk about some of the good defensive plays that we make and the fact that these kids are playing hard and they're trying?
Why don't we focus on those things?
Why do we always have to focus on what we're not doing?

For the same reason no one focuses on a warthog's exceptional sense of smell: You can't help but notice its inability to take a good photo.

Kris and I know Jonathan Williams well, and we are huge supporters of his efforts to give back to Rochester what he received from Rochester -- and he is giving back by helping kids develop better life skills. His focus is on kids who cannot afford the camp experience, so we ask you to join Kris and me in supporting D-YNASTY camps. I'd love to see many Jesus Creed blog readers support kids in this endeavor. Only 75 dollars (tax deductible) will support a kid for Jonathan's camp. Here's Jonathan's letter to us:

Hey readers. My name is Jonathan Williams and I am the Camp Director of D-YNASTY Camp.  I am honored to be talking to you and give you some information on some awesome summer opportunities we have for youth in Rochester, NY.  Hopefully at the end of this reading you will understand some of the great things we are getting done at our camps.  D-YNASTY stands for Developing, Youth's, Natural, Abilities to attain, Success, Through the Years.

Change the Game junior life skills football camp is a cutting edge camp that takes a hands-on approach towards fostering both growth & development in sports and life. Camp days are set up in a format in which life skills workshops are taught in a classroom for the first 45 minutes and then we follow with a two-hour teaching period on the football field. Football teaching periods incorporate workshop topics such as decision making, teamwork, and coping skills that are focused on during drills and activities while on the field.  D-YNASTY approach toward camp is called sport-based teaching, a technique that is proven to be highly effective for youth while learning new skills both in sport and life.
 
This year D-YNASTY staff would like to extend the opportunity for individuals to play a part in our mission to help foster growth and development in youth. 

Individual sponsors will be able to set up scholarships for campers to attend this year's junior life skills football camp.    "Change the Game" junior life skills camp will be held at West Irondequoit High School in Rochester, NY for campers who have graduated from 3rd grade and are no older than 8th grade.  Camp dates are June 29th - July 2nd, 2009 and will run from 8AM to 11 AM.  The cost for one camper is 75 dollars. 

All donations for scholarships can be made out to West Irondequoit Central School District.  In return, West Irondequoit Community Education department will allow a youth to register for free.  These donations are tax deductible.  You can call in your donations in at 585-336-3014 and Barb Reardon will assist you in setting up your scholarships. Or you can mail scholarship donations to 260 Cooper Road, Rochester, NY 14617 (Attention Community Education department).  Please do not mail any scholarship donations after June 15th.

Please feel free to email the camp website at changethegame365@yahoo.com if you have additional questions. Also check out the camp website to see all new information on this years D-YNASTY Character Scholarship High School Award Winner.  

Thank you, God Bless and be the best. Jonathan.

Scot and Kris have been busy in South Africa - so no Weekly Meanderings ...

Tom Smith has some reflections on Scot's visit.

But I couldn't pass on this and will take the opportunity to highlight a real sport for a change - with speed and action galore...

Our Town - (With a great skyline)

Chicago Blackhawks-Detroit Red Wings: Ancient rivalry renewed. I voted Wings in 4. What do you think?

And something to consider (especially if you play).

Who can name the players in the famous game between UCLA and the University of Houston? I'll give you two: Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) and Elvin Hayes (Big E). Do you know who won?

A-Rod has taken the hit of public suspicion that more than a couple baseball players have taken steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. Today he openly confessed that he took such drugs during the 2001-2003 seasons. But ... If A-Rod really...

Here's our grandson Aksel, listening to his dad telling him how to give the pitcher the sign for a curve ball. ...

1. Green: baseball is played on a green field; hockey on white ice.2. Wrigley, Fenway, Yankee Stadium: name one interesting hockey place.3. Names: Babe Ruth, Pee Wee Reese, Ernie Banks vs. Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr.4. Scoring: single, double,...

What makes January such a good month for sports?1. Nope, not because we have hour to hour college bowl games between teams I don't follow.2. Nope, not because the Bears are out of the playoffs and that means we can...

CHICAGO - Bears football practice was delayed nearly two hours this morning after a player reported finding an unknown, white powdery substance on the practice field. Head coach Lovie Smith immediately suspended practice while police and federal agents were called...

I promised my Jesus of Nazareth class that I'd buy donuts for the class if the Bears beat the Tennessee Titans today. Go Bears!...

The Cubs had one of the best baseball teams in the Major League this summer -- if you count the long haul. They had excellent pitchers and hitters, and were more than respectable in the field. But, the medals and...

... for the Cubs and the White Sox to play in the World Series?...

Wednesday: 5:30pm Thursday: 8:30pm Saturday @ LA: 9pm (All times Central) The Commish is out to get us; we are playing Thurs and Sat at ridiculously late times....

One of the most unusual players in Major League Baseball was Rickey Henderson. Not the least of his uniquenesses was "Rickey-Speak." He once framed a million dollar check because he thought it was cool. (The organization had to call him...

What about this story about Lolo Jones, one of our Olympians? Hurdler Lolo Jones clears obstacles on and off the track She faced many challenges before her career got off the ground. By Philip Hersh Special to The Times August...

I've been to one Olympics. The last night of Track and Field in Atlanta. We are a sports family and we have always watched the Olympics, especially Track and Field, gymnastics and swimming in the summer Olympics. (I will admit...

Years ago perhaps America's finest sportswriter, Tom Boswell, wrote an essay on why baseball was better than football and, if I remember, the first reason was "Marching Bands" and the second reason was "Marching bands at halftime." I loved the...

My promise: The Cubs will win their division and the NLCS and will play in the World Series. And here's the question: The question is not if the Cubs will play in the World Series. Nope, that's not the question....

Just in case you don't know, our son Lukas is a scout for the Chicago Cubs. Which means, besides getting paid to sit at baseball games and evaluate amateur talent, today is the biggest day of the baseball year. Today...

There's lots of storm brewing in ChicagoLand about the Cubs announcing they could be remodeling Wrigley Field. Here's a good site fighting off the move....

The Lady Pretz won yesterday and are about to begin to play for the State Championship. Basketball runs in Kris' family very deep. Her brother, Pete, is the head coach of a legendary junior college program and he was interviewed...

Congratulations to the women's basketball team at Freeport IL for winning the supersectional to qualify for State. Our niece, Katie Norman, made the winning basket and at the link her picture can be seen. (Yes, the Freeport high school nickname...

#1: #2 The shorts! I doubt we will ever see those short shorts we used to wear, and it's a good thing. Thanks Mike....

In Dubai, with a brilliant 65 and several holes ahead of Ernie Els, Tiger turns the pressure up and wins the Dubai classic. He's won both tourneys he's entered this year -- and in this one he struggled on days...

Inspite of a Packer victory, we at North Park University again extend our appreciation to the fine work of Mike Holmgren at the Seattle Hawks and the support of Mike and Kathy of North Park:...

Tonight's game between the Bears and the Vikings pits McKnight against John Franke. Franke vs. McKnight If the Vikes win, John, I promise to spend 20 minutes tomorrow reading Calvin's Institutes....

First, these two teams don't deserve to be on national TV. I'm glad I've got something to read. Second, the game has now become interesting ... 3:23 left in 3d quarter....

No, not with Cedric Benson going down. The Bears lost half their offense when the Broncos made it clear that, had they not kicked to Devon Hester, they'd have won the game. Who will kick to him now? I'll give...

Does anyone know what the little green/neon dot on the back of NFL's quarterbacks' helmets is all about?...

The story has been around for a long time: the Cubs, the storied franchise that plays at the even more storied Wrigley Field -- the finest sports venu in the world, are for sale. And Mark Cuban is clearly thinking...

Tony, coming into Sunday night's game I was worried the Bears could lose game after game, but now I'm not so sure. I suggest you get the Purple People Eaters up there to get themselves good and ready for a...

OK, let's chat about the Cubs. My first comment: we got into the playoffs; we had a good year, much better than last year. This series exposed the same weaknesses the Cubs had all year. What were they?...

If you had your choice, would you rather watch a professional game -- say baseball or football or basketball or hockey [soccer doesn't count, not a sport] -- at home or at the stadium?...

I hope the ESPN commentators, Ron and Tony, are watching Grossman rip apart the SF Giants 49ers this evening. 24 points mid-way through the 2d quarter. Seven different receivers. Precision passing; great decisions. Update: Bad pass; interception; returned for TD....

Every summer Bill Roberts, a former student of my father's, invites along with my mom and dad both Kris and me to a game at Wrigley Field between the Cards and Cubs. They are all Cards fans, but we endure...

Now here's a good clean fun kind of pastor, Bob Smallman....

Whose names are Hank Aaron and Roger Maris. We will never know how many home runs Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa would have hit with a clean body -- and it is too bad because they were or...

Sitting here reading and watching the Cubs play the Bucs in Pittsburgh, I got to thinking about how lucky we are to be Cubs fans. I began to feel sorry for everyone else, and then I got to thinking about...

Who is the best baseball pitcher of all time? What we mean is this: Who, by dominance on the mound, beat his contemporaries and did so clearly that over time that person stands out as the best pitcher of all...

Today is Opening Day for the Chicago Cubs, the mighty Cubs. The odds are in with a local furniture salesman -- talk about confidence -- and here's proof! Note: a new pic added for abused, life-long Cubs fans....

Thomas Boswell, simply the best baseball writer in American history, got it right when he said this: "All baseball fans can be divided into two groups: those who come to batting practice and the others. Only those in the first...

Casey Stengel was once asked about his own successfulness. Here's his response: "I haven't always been this lucky. Back in the Depression days, somebody suggested I invest in a turkey farm. I didn't do it. A little later, President Roosevelt...

I managed baseball teams for years and one of the fun games was coming up with signs that you motioned to players from the 3d base coaching box. I once had a spurt where I went through all kinds of...

The top four seeds are right: Duke, UConn, North Carolina, and the Lady Vols. Fantastic teams and Kris and I love each of these teams -- though I tire of Gino at times. We also like Wiggins from Stanford, so...

What do you think of the pairings? Personally, I think Illinois' ranking was too low; they beat Indiana 2x this year and had more wins, yet Indiana is 5 levels higher? C'mon. Who will win? Kansas won't last long; UNC...

Casey Stengel: "Good pitching will stop good hitting and vice-versa." Once asked about Berry Stainbeck, "He's dead at the present time." On Jimmy Piersall, as crazy a player as MLB has ever had, "He's great but you gotta play him...

Dale Berra, son of the famous Yogi Berra, was regularly compared to his father. Once he observed, "Our similarities our different." (And who was on the AFLAC commercial?) Sounds like his dad's famous "A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore."...

Jimmy Piersall, famous broadcaster with the White Sox and well-known for saying that he was "sane and had paper to prove it," on hitting his 100th home run and running the bases backward: "That way I can see where I...

It was fun while it lasted -- this run of winning games by the Bears -- but they met more than their match. It sure seemed to us the Colts deserved about 60 points. Congrats to Dungy, the Colts, and...

It's time to begin some Saturday fun: we'll call it Dugout Wisdom. The pitchers and catchers are now starting to pack their bags for Spring Training; our son is about to begin his season of scouting. The weather here is...

Stars Hamo on priorities: Bible reading. Molly's reflections on teaching a brat, and then (and I don't link too often twice to someone's blog) an honest story of wondering now that she's 31 with 5 kids (count 'em as they...

Truth be told, all North Park folks are fans of Mike and Kathy Holmgren. Here's the story (HT: Lukas): Seahawks' Holmgren has haven in lair of the Bears Full story: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawks/2003524558_northpark14.html By Greg Bishop Seattle Times staff reporter CHICAGO --...

This week is the academic annual meeting -- called SBL (Society of Biblical Literature) -- and Kris is going with me for the first time. It helps that we are in Washington, DC. I'm giving a paper in response to...

The rumors in the news media here in Chicago revolve around these four names: Joe Girardi, Lou Piniella, Bob Brenly, and Bruce Bochy. Steve Stone is not being mentioned except by the fans. I wish Billy Martin were still alive...

Our Annual Kermit Zarley Lectures are possible because of the donation of a good friend and former touring professional golfer, Kermit Zarley. If you want to know what a student athlete looks like, look at him: he won the NCAA...

Kris and I were surrounded by Cardinal fans, kept our hope up and, sure enough, the Cubs won it in the 10th when Phil Nevin knocked the ball to the wall and drove in Jacque Jones. Other than seeing the...

My father taught high school in the 1950s in a small village in central Illinois named Roodhouse. One of his students, Bill Roberts, has become a respectable attorney in Springfield. His offices have a Sky Box suite at Wrigley Field....

One of my high school history teachers, a certain Mr. Martin, used to announce that he went to church 50 weeks a year. He avoided the two remaining Sundays, nothing less than Christmas and Easter, for those who didn't come...

Here's the problem with the World Cup. The problem is that they are playing soccer. And a good case in point were the games on Monday. 180 minutes of play, with another 10 or so for stoppage time, and then...

Our son, Lukas, is a scout for the Chicago Cubs, and he was here this weekend to watch the Beloit Snappers. He went to games Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. His task is to watch baseball games: it's hard...

As many of you know, our son (Lukas) is a scout for the Chicago Cubs. What do they do? Let me tell ya: Lukas goes to baseball games from Feb 1 to about June 1, watches college players and high...

Congrats to Florida and Maryland, and they are both so young. Some thoughts: 1. The worst games of the NCAA tournament were first round women's games between #1 and #16. Too lopsided. 2. The best game of the NCAA tournament...

I came of age as a basketball player in the Johnny Wooden era. All those banners with a peerless moral leader of the old school like Johnny Wooden simply put UCLA on another level for me. And they've been there...

Most I talk with think Barry Bonds ingested steroids in one way or another. I want to suggest another issue that may have had more impact on his inflated home run numbers than the alleged steroid abuse: Barry Bonds is...

Some of you may know that I played a little basketball in my day. Well, my brothers-in-law were stars. Ron Norman, the oldest, played at Iowa with Sammy Williams and Freddy Brown, and his coach was the legendary Ralph Miller....

The Big Ten is the Big Zero this year. No one left in the NCAA -- no one in the Sweet Sixteen. Dr. Naismith's grave is rocking, I'll tell ya. The major heartland of the USA teams are home for...

That first round of games in the NCAA tournament is a test of wills -- when the #3 rated Iowa Haw-geyes, the Big Ten Tournament Champion, took on the #14 seeded Northwestern State, from Natchitoches, La., one would think it...

Well, register your guess now. Who will win the NCAA Men's tournament? I've got two Big Ten teams in my top ten. I'll revise this list as teams get eliminated....

Mike and Kathy Holmgren are huge supporters of North Park University, but it was especially difficult for me to be happy for them when Mike was the coach of the Green Bay Packers. But, now that he is in Seattle,...

In the good ol' USA, high schools and sports are combined. Which means, every high school has a "nickname." Most recent debates about nicknames have bee about political correctness, especially with respect to Native Americans. (I'll avoid that one for...

The newspaper reports have it that the Cubs are working on a deal with Baltimore to bring Tejada to the Cubs. What we read in the paper is that the Cubs have talked about trading either Zambrano (a Knight-Ridder report)...

My brother-in-law, Pete Norman, is the athletic director and basketball coach at Highland Community College, in Freeport, Illinois. He has simply amassed one of the best coaching records in the nation for Junior College (JC) basketball, and this year he's...

Time to vote. Who do you think was the most outstanding athlete/sportsperson of the year? This poll is for the male athletes, my next one will be for female. Too hard to mix them up....

This must be the best dancer ever, or there is some funky stuff going on with a video camera, but as my son reminds me, watch the tape long enough to see the guy in orange....

Some might suggest that football is the best thing going right now. If so, they'd probably point to: 1. Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning or 2. Chicago Bears with the best defense and the lumpiest offense ever. Others might point...

Just in case you don't follow soccer, and I'm happy to say that I've never played the game nor do I understand how people can stand around and watch 1-o games ... well, just in case, the fierce North Park...

I've been asked what I think of the White Sox winning the last series of games this year. My comment: why is Kerry Doyal living for last year's results? That season is over and gone. It is time to focus...

It is no wonder the White Sox walked away with the American League Championship Series: they played, as the game is meant to be played, like a National League team. They moved runners over, they played for runs and not...

That football game between the Bears and the Minnesota Vikings, a true purple team... how do you describe what is going on with the Vikings, both on and off the field? (I'd rather they wear advertisements.) Like Saul, they began...

The Amish and Old order Mennonites are known for their simple clothing and their simple homes and their simple life-style. Professional athletes need to learn from them. Why? I saw it again last weekend when John Daly was battling Tiger...

I haven't heard any official rain information about the Yankees deciding to cancel their game today, a game which could have seen the Yankees taking the deep bow in front of millions. But, knowing such fatalities, they up and cancelled...

Randy Johnson, who throws fire at the plate, threw cool fire tonight. The Angels were getting hits on high fastballs, and the Yankee fans were booing. Cub fans would be glad to be there and would support their pitchers. Another...

Lots of folks claim to be Cubs fans, but some of them are Parousiacs -- that is, fans who hang on so they can participate in the final coming of ultimate victory when the Cubs win the World Series. Other...

A 350 pound fat man wrestling with another 350 pound fat man so that the latter can manhandle a 215 pound quarterback standing still, or a sleek 200 pound man on the edge of life trying to hit a 95...

The answers are this simple: 1. No Yankees. 2. No George Steinbrenner. 3. The Cubs. 4. Wrigley Field. 5. Ryne Sandberg....

I don't know your reasons, but for me the #1 reason baseball is superior is... 1. Marching bands! And the second is this: 2. Marching bands at halftime! You have to ask what they have to do with football at...

It is that time of the year when fans are starting to chat about who will get to the World Series. Who cares?, I ask. Why do you say so?, they ask back. Because the World Series is not, in...

Recently, but only very recently, a new sect and heresy have been discovered. This group, evidently confined nearly entirely to Chicago but numbering in the hundreds of thousands, has managed to keep itself under wraps for all authorities. Who are...