Bad Things Happen in 3 - Cleveland's Early July Woes

On July 8th Lebron James made a humiliating and public statement called, "the Decision."This hour program focused on his future as a basketball star in which James decided to leave Cleveland and his near by home of Akron, Ohio. Akron is less than 40 miles from Cleveland so locals took his departure personally, as they should have. The locals have followed Lebron James since middle school and Cleveland Cavalier fans could only wait anxiously to see if they could ever have the chance of landing the young superstar. A few years later, with a little bit of luck, the Cavaliers landed their star, gave him everything he wanted and seven years after that, he publicly embarrasses Cleveland by suggesting the team, the organization and the city are not good enough.

I think it is easy for those on the outside to agree with James about leaving. I think it is impossible for those in Cleveland and in Ohio to see this as anything but insulting and heart shattering.

Cleveland didn't just lose James but within the next week the city would mourn the death of two other great men. Cleveland also lost writer Harvey Pekar and New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. The departure of James along with the passing of Pekar and Steinbrenner do nothing but bring a great sadness to many within Cleveland's borders and beyond.

George Steinbrenner was a Cleveland area native. Before the Yankees, George made a name for himself with the Great Lakes Shipping Company. He also owned an ABL (American Basketball League) team, the Cleveland Pipers. Steinbrenner also made an attempt to purchase the Cleveland Indians but was rejected. What success the Indians could have had is unknown. Would the Indians have won 7 World Series in the past 37 years? Probably not, but winning one would have been better than the none they have won without Steinbrenner.

George is just one of many Ohioans to find success outside of Ohio but he never left his roots, often returning to the Columbus, Ohio for the annual OSU vs. Michigan game. Mr. Steinbrenner was a graduate student at OSU and it's good to know that after his success he would still return to celebrate one of sports great rivalries. A funny story I had heard was that one year all the hotels were booked for the rivalry game and George had no place to stay, so the next year George built his own hotel and kept the top floor suite to himself. The Yankees triple-A ball club was also based in Columbus. The Columbus Clippers is where notable Yankees got their start including Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano, Alfonso Soriano, Mariano Rivera and Don Mattingly.

The Yankees flourished under his control and Steinbrenner revolutionized free agency. It is ironic, a twisted piece of fate or something like that, that the system of paying athletes outrageous amounts, the system Steinbrenner revolutionized would be the framework for James' departure. George Steinbrenner changed sports, for good and bad... the debate continues. I think it goes without saying that he was a man you'd want to own your sports local team because he would have done whatever it takes to win.

Steinbrenner is recognizable to many Americans because of his success on and off the field, also because of a recurring character on the hit show Seinfeld. Harvey Pekar was not nearly as famous with the American public. Harvey Pekar was a mild mannered file clerk by day and an alternative comic book writer genius on the side. He also was a music critic. Mr. Pekar became more recognizable in 2003 because of the part autobiography, part documentary film based on his comics and his life. The comic, American Splendor and film of the same name helped elevate alternative comics to a larger audience. His comics focused more on the struggles of the average person with himself as the central figure. Pekar was able to express himself about his job at a local veterans hospital, the struggles of marriage or what other ramblings happened within his mind.

I was first introduced to Harvey Pekar as a teenager. I grew up reading comics but most about super dudes with super power and super chicks with super bodies and super powers. In high school my father introduced me to an American Splendor comic. My father was a doctor for the VA hospitals in the Cleveland area for around 20 years and the two had become casual friends that would on occasion discuss Latin jazz. They were never close friends but I do have a signed copy of an American Splendor graphic novel with an inscription to my father that reads, "To Luis, Thanks for the music recommendations." Years later I would meet Mr. Pekar at the OSU campus in Columbus, Ohio. After a discussion on comics he signed my copy of his latest graphic novel, the Quitter. I asked him if he remembered my father. He asked for my name, he asked for my father's name and after a brief pause he said, "Yes I remember, your father is a smart man." Maybe Pekar didn't remember him but it was enough to put a smile on my face then and even now.

While talking with my father about Pekar today, my father and I were most impressed by Pekar's humility. He always wrote about normal daily life and even after the success of his comic, several appearances on David Letterman and a critically acclaimed film, Pekar never stop writing about what he wanted to write about nor did he ever stop working at the hospital as a file clerk. As someone on the radio noted, after all the success Pekar had, maybe the greatest thing he did for Cleveland was never leaving her because he never wanted to.

Lebron James will be missed without question and possibly without parallel but maybe just maybe, the loss of Steinbrenner and Pekar are just as hollowing. I often have to defend Ohio and Ohioans when traveling elsewhere. People forget what great things have come from Ohio like the birth of flight or even Victoria's Secret. Great American athletes like Jack Nicklaus and Lebron James are from Ohio. Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon and is from Ohio. In fact, Ohio has had more astronauts walk on the moon than any other state. Ohio has also produced the most Presidents behind the state of Virginia. If anything Virginia was cheating having 4 of the first 5 Presidents and by the time Ohio became a state our third President Thomas Jefferson was already in the White House. What am I saying? Virginia had a jump start.

I love Ohio very much. I have known many great men and women in this state. It is the state of my childhood. I have many fond memories of this place. Memories that I carry with me where ever I go. It is a shame that so many look down upon it but for someone like myself, it will always be home.






Side note. Even though Cleveland is about 120 miles away from Columbus, while writing this blog Columbus radio personality John Andrew "Andyman" Davis drowned while on vacation in Michigan. Another blow to Ohio, also adding proof that nothing good happens when you go to Michigan. (it's a rivalry thing... Mr. Steinbrenner would understand)

"Andyman" was a local dj for the indie radio channel CD101. Every year the "Andyman-a-thon" would be a 48 hour special in which "Andyman" would stay on the air for 48 hours straight, trying to raise money for local kid's charities. His passing is nothing but sad.

My Two Cents - BP, the Oil Disaster and What has Happened to Our Anger

BP caused an oil spill in the gulf. This is not new news unless you have been living under a rock for the past several months.

I am not really here to debate what could have been done, what should be done, who is to blame and why this is happening.

I really don't have concrete answers except for this...

BP is to blame. I spill a glass of water, it's my fault not the glass. I break a window, it's my fault not the brick for being so hard that when colliding with the window, the window shatters. BP is to blame for the oil disaster. Yes, it is a disaster. The constant recognition of this disaster as a "spill" is nothing but disrespect for the businesses losing money, the animals dying and mother earth getting her faced punched in.

I am not going to blame the current administration, the previous administration or the ocean for having waves and currents, the ocean for being deep or oil for being difficult to obtain. I am going to blame BP and some others.

What I want to know is and some others have often wondered... Where is all the anger? Where is all the sympathy? Where is all the aid? Where are all the relief concerts and fundraising specials? Where are all the commercials in between your favorite programs asking for donations or community service to help save animals, businesses and the people being ruined by this oil disaster?

The only thing close to this that I see is a savvy marketing campaign by BP displaying their outreach to local communities affected by their blunder. Some commercials with some BP accountants casually expressing their concern, sitting along the gulf coast explaining how important his or her job is because they are helping the businesses that have lost so much from this disaster. BP should be helping those business and paying those claims.

But, where is all our anger?

Some of it has been directed towards the current administration. Some of it directed towards the previous administration. Some of it has been directed towards BP and some of it has been directed towards local vendors. The anger aimed towards local vendors has been label as "misguided" because it only hurts local businesses and has little effect on BP. At the same time, I haven't filled my gas tank at any local BP stations as a symbol of my disgust but also because I don't know what else to do. Emailing my local government official seems pointless. Sending an angry letter to BP while they burn money seems foolish. How should I direct my anger?

Maybe some of our anger should be directed at ourselves. Maybe we aren't angry or as angry as we should be because we need this oil. We are well versed in the risks of our dependence on oil and sadly accept the ugly truth that if you want an omelet you have to break some eggs. We should be angry at ourselves. Maybe this disaster could have been diverted if we as a civilization weren't so dependent on oil and more invested in cleaner energy technologies. Unfortunately we aren't and with this disaster hopefully coming to a close we are still slow to arrive towards cleaner and more efficient energy solutions.

We aren't going to get rid of SUV's. We haven't come close to an automobile that can achieve 100 miles to the gallon. We are addicted to air conditioning and central heating. We love the leisure oil can offer our lives. We need more and more and as our need grows and grows our comfort level must match that need. Change is difficult but maybe instead of blaming BP we should blame ourselves and our childish resistance to change. Change must come and hopefully another disaster won't occur before we accept that.

Why Cleveland Can Learn Something from The Brooklyn Dodgers

In the 1940's and 50's the Brooklyn Dodgers (now, the Los Angeles Dodgers. If you didn't know) were one of the most dominant teams in all of baseball. They won the National League pennant in 1941, 1947, 1949, 1952 and 1953 only to lose the World Series to their cross town rivals, the New York Yankees. "Wait 'till next year," became their mantra. It was encouragement to those that knew the Brooklyn Dodgers would eventually climb that mountain and the pillow to ease the bruising fall from high hopes. "Wait 'till next year," was on every one's mind. It was on the front page of the local papers and on everyone's mind. It was their rallying cry. "Wait 'till next year."

Brooklyn had seen better days. A city struggling through several economic battles. Local factories closing, newspapers folding, people leaving the borough for New York suburbs. Standing in the shadow of Manhattan, Brooklyn rested all of their hopes on the ball club they loved so dearly. Every year, the summer belonged to the Boys of Summer, as the Dodgers were affectionately called. When the Dodgers moved west, people were heartbroken. There are still some that shout, "the Dodgers belong in Brooklyn." Dodgers did a lot for Brooklyn, baseball, fun and politics.

Next year finally came in 1955 when the beloved Brooklyn Dodgers faced their dreaded foe the Yankees in the World Series. In 7 games, the Dodgers finally bested the baseball giant and next year was actually 1955. It was only a few years later that the Dodgers moved to LA but for a moment the Dodgers stood defiantly as the best team in baseball.

The City of Cleveland has seen brighter days. A city struggling in many ways with high hopes on a basketball team. Those hopes rest on the shoulder of Lebron James. Born and raised 30 minutes from Cleveland, Lebron James was named King of the basketball court. If he hasn't been asked to save the city then James was certainly asked to save Cleveland sports. A sports community that has not won a professional sports title (in basketball, baseball and football) since 1964. There are a dozen cities that carry the three major sports and Cleveland has had the longest stretch without a championship than any. Seattle comes in second when the Super Sonics won the NBA Championship in 1979.

The City of Cleveland has seen many moments of heartache when involving their sports franchises. The Cleveland Browns are one of a few NFL teams to have never reached a Super Bowl. The Cleveland Indians were two outs away from winning the 1997 world Series but failed to win. In 2007 the Cavaliers went to their first finals but were swept in humiliating fashion. The sports fans of Cleveland have been saying, "wait 'till next year" for over 40 years and after so many years many people have lost their patience.

The Cavaliers just lost, again. They are out of the playoffs and all the hopes dashed. The future of Lebron James in flux. Will the city be heartbroken again by his departure? Yes. If he leaves will the city pick itself up and talk of next year? At least not for some time.

What I can say without hesitation is that Cleveland sports fan love their teams, almost to a fault, painfully, and passionately. Cleveland fans have dealt with many years of futility when the teams were lousy and only disappointment when the team were on the brink of victory.

Personally, the speculation of how and why the Cavaliers lost in the second round of 2010 playoffs to the Celtics will be discussed in every classroom, barber shop, bar, office, and basketball court throughout Cleveland for some time. Did Lebron James quit? Did the team quit? Did the King want to lose so he would have a better excuse to leave Cleveland? I can say this, if any of those things are true than Cleveland deserves better than James or the team itself. I don't care how good of an athlete or a baller he is, I hated Lebron James for his play, his actions and his attitude. I am not even a fan of the Cavaliers or the NBA but enjoy the game that as a boy I loved so much.

"Wait 'till next year." For Cleveland, I hope so but I doubt it. "Wait 'till next year." is all this city has to hold on to and if it worked for the Dodgers maybe it can work for Cleveland.

Hey! I Can Hold the Door Open

I try to be polite. I feel that many of us have broken away from common courtesy. We forget to say thank you or talk during a movie at the theater. We stick the knife we use for the jelly in the peanut butter so that little bits of jelly are left behind in the peanut butter jar. We don't wash our hands, we don't shake hands, we don't give a hand to those in need. I am not innocent either. I make mistakes. I have forgotten to lower the toilet seat or have cut off another driver on the highway. I can wait to talk instead of listen. I can hurt the ones I love. We all make mistakes.

So, I try to be polite. I try to have good manners. I try to be a good guy. One thing I do in my efforts to be a good guy is hold open doors for other people. It is a simple task that shows respect and common decency. It is a nice thing to do for someone else that takes little to no effort. It is rewarding to be thanked. A thank you, a head nod or a smile will suffice. A simple act of kindness never goes unnoticed.

Here is my problem. I hold the door open and I am very confused by the people who put out there hand as if I am incapable of holding the door open effectively. You have seen it happen. It has probably happened to you. You are holding the door wide open, in some cases as far as it can go and as someone enters or exits, putting their hand on the door. Why? Do you not trust the person holding the door? Are you scared that the door will close cutting off some part of your body like a meat slicer? Are you trying to give yourself some credit for the good act of having the door held for you? I don't understand this. It clearly bothers me.

Does it say something about the lack of trust we give others? Is it about our failure to recognize kind acts? I don't know. I am not going to stop opening doors or saying "thank you" to those who open the door for me.

baseball 2010 preview

Oh baseball.... how I love you.

I love baseball. My favorite sport. It is still America's past time to me. I know some of you find it to be boring. Not as action packed as football or as high scoring as basketball. Well those arguments are understood, I strongly believe that points should be a difficult thing to obtain and though baseball may not be filled with action or violence, it is a tense game built upon little moments of anticipation, swift action, causing great heroics of defense or offense.

I have a lot of romantic notions about baseball. Someone once said, (paraphrase) that the 3 greatest things invented by America were the Constitution, Jazz and Baseball. I strongly agree with this statement. The fundamentals are essential in baseball and that cannot be said about basketball. The position of the ball and every play on the field matter during every moment of the game and though football is an amazing game, that cannot be said about the old pigskin.

oh baseball... how I love thee.

so, since I love the game so much, I thought I would make some bold predictions and see how the outcomes turn out. If I am right then I will simply pat myself on the back and cement the notion that I am a baseball mastermind. If I am wrong, I will hide in the corner. In any case, if the Red Sox win the World Series I will be celebrating or if the Yankees fail to make the playoff, I will at least have a nice grin on my face.

Predictions with some reasons.

the American League Division Winners

AL East Winner - New York Yankees. As much as I hate the Yankees it is hard to deny how powerful they are. Sure they got rid of two big pieces of their Championship run, Damon and Matsui. Damon can go to hell, traitor. Their outfield has some doubts and they added Nick Johnson but last years playoffs was about who could hit the long ball and no one can hit the long ball in the American league better than the Yankees.

Al Central - Chicago White Sox. It's the toughest division to pick a winner. No team is a real standout but you have to like the White Sox. You cannot trust the pitching staff of the Tigers especially since their offense took a real downturn last year. The Twins lost their closer for the season and for a team built to win close games, that is a huge blow. The White Sox might win by default but you have to appreciate the youth on that team surrounded by stable veterans. Let's not forget as annoying Ozzie Guillen is, he is a great manager.

AL West - Seattle Mariners. Another tough division to call. I would have picked the Rangers if they kept Kevin Millwood. I know he was only 13-10 last year but you cannot get rid of consistent pitching. Plus the Rangers might be relying too much on the inconsistent Rich Harden. The Angles lost too much and despite having the best manager in baseball, Mike Scioscia, they will fall short this year. I like the Mariners. it is a trendy pick but I think the irritating Milton Bradley will have a large year and the Mariners will become this year's cinderella team.

AL Wild Card - Boston Red Sox. Even though I kind of want to put the Angels or the Rays in this position, I do not know if the Rays pitching staff can be consistent enough to win. I am not sure if the Angels can score enough runs and without a true #1 pitcher who will be on the mound for the big game. I pick the Red Sox because if anything their pitching staff should be consistent. No, it should be fucking great. They have three #1 starters and if Dice-K can stay healthy, a big if, then the Red Sox will have the best #4 or #5 pitcher in baseball. They should have a great defense but they lack a scary offense. Can the Red Sox play small ball? Can you count on David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis to hit the big home run when needed? I have my doubts. I think they are good enough to make the playoffs but I have my doubts for anything and everything after.

the National League Division Winners

NL West - Los Angeles Dodgers. I like the Rockies but their pitching staff scares me. They lost Jason Marquis and as good as Ubaldo Jimenez and Aaron Cook might be, I like the Giants pitching staff better. You cannot deny the Giants have great pitching but can they score runs? Will the Diamondbacks youth finally play up to their potential? Forget Manny Ramirez, Joe Torre has Matt Kemp, James Looney and Andre Ethier. The Dodgers don't start the season without any concerns because the soap opera that surrounds the owner might derail any hopes of championship season.

NL Central - St. Louis Cardinals. Sorry Cubs. I love Lou Piniella but this is the year he loses his job. I think when your team continues to lose and lose and lose you have to make major changes to the team for any hope to win. The cubs have made little to no changes concerning the core of that team and the core of that team is filled with failure. Sorry, I don't mean to hate on the Cubs. I'd love to see the Pirates make a run and I won't be surprised if they turn some heads but no one is beating the Cardinals.

NL East - Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies are without a doubt the most balanced team in baseball. With little to no weaknesses, they can play defense, steal bases, hit the long ball or win with pitching. I also think losing the World Series might be the best thing for a team that was too reliant on comeback wins. The Mets will be bad. The Reds will make a run but come short. I would pick the Marlins but have little faith that the management will keep that team together to contend.

NL Wildcard - Atlanta Braves. I am a sucker for a good story. I think the Braves have a chance to be the best story in baseball this year. Bobby Cox is retiring after this season. It might be Chipper Jones last hurrah in Atlanta. Jason Heyward is the next big thing and if Tim Hudson can be a reliable starter then the Braves should win. This will be Hudson second season after Tommy John Surgery and that is usually when pitchers make their big come back. If he does, with Derek Lowe, Jair Jurrjens, and Tommy Hanson, the pitching staff could be tough to beat. Let's not forget that they acquired Billy Wagner to be the closer or that the Braves have one of the best catchers in all of baseball in Brian McCann. They might not have enough pop to best the Phillies but if they got hot, don't be surprised to see them in the World Series.

So who wins?

The Red Sox will win the American League. I think after a couple of years of losing they will play up to the Yankees and overcome the odds. I don't see the White Sox or the Mariners creating trouble for the Sox or the Yanks. Honestly, that isn't going to happen.

The Dodgers will win the National League. If anyone can handle the distractions, Joe Torre can. I think Dodgers will make a playoff run full of memorable moments, meaning walk-offs. I'd love to see the Braves and I honestly think they have a shot but I don't see them getting past the Phillies. I think it is too hard in this day and age of sport to reach the finals three years in a row and I am not sure if the Phillies can do it. If they kept Cliff Lee, it would've been hard not to pick them.

so who wins a Dodgers vs. Red Sox World Series?

the Red Sox. because of pitching. a low scoring world series with pitching duels and great defense.

MVP's.

AL - Victor Martinez, Boston Red Sox. He will improve defensively, catch for 3 18-game winners, bat over .320 with 30 plus home runs with over 100 RBI. How does that not scream MVP?

NL - Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals. Hanley Ramirez will be denied again. Andre Ethier might have a shot, especially if he hits 5 or more walk off like he did last season. Pujols will do the same thing he did last year and then some because he now he has Matt Holiday backing him up. All Pujols did last year was bat .327 with 47 home runs and 135 RBI's on a weak offensive team. I think it is a safe bet to up those number by at least 10 percent.

Cy Young

AL - Felix Hernandez. Some will think Cliff Lee should win it but King Felix will win 21 games and be top 3 in ERA and strikeouts. He will edge out top contenders like John Lester or CC Sabathia because King Felix will not receive the same offensive support.

NL - Roy Halladay. If Cliff Lee could dominate in the National League than Halladay should slaughter the competition. Halladay was 17-10 last season with 9 complete games, pitching for a bad Blue Jays team. Instead of being on a bad team and constantly having to pitch against the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays, he will be on one of the best teams in the National League pitching against the Mets, Braves and Marlins. Halladay won't have to go 9 innings because the Phillies should have a solid bullpen and because of this Halladay should win at least 20 games.

The Baseball season starts tonight. Go Red Sox. hope it is a memorable one for all to enjoy.

sorry for my absence

sorry.

I had made a goal of one blog per week and I have failed to live up to that but I got a job and that played fuck you with my normal schedule.

so back to normal writing. sorry world.

Lazy or Just Taking Advantage of Technology?

I don't know about you but every now and then I marvel at how lazy we have become. What do I mean? You know you are lazy when you take the elevator to go down, yes down one floor. Technology as well as convenience has covered up our laziness for the sake of leisure and comfort. Things like the drive-thru, the microwave, secretaries and tanning beds are all nice luxuries that allow us to do a lot by doing very little. Some of these range in how important they are but I think you catch my drift.

Unless you are a handicapped person, you should not push this button.

I am not attacking the invention just the able-bodied assholes that use the handicap door open button because they are too lazy to grab the handle, push or pull. I don't understand the person with fully functioning physical and mental abilities using the handicap access button. Is it too physically challenging? Have your arms and shoulders muscles gone limp? Now, I can understand someone who pushes the button when holding a couple bags of groceries, a basketball, a duck while playing paddle ball. Other than that I cannot explain how lazy you must truly be. How do you get out of your car ? Do you have an assistant to push the shower curtain aside when you want to bathe? A person with two free hands and arms, healthy, able bodied with sound mind has no reason to push the handicap access button to open a door. The only reason for doing so is that they are lazy.

I get it. I really do. The times are a changing. I am pampered. I cannot deny that but there has to be some self imposed limits on these things. Is it just me but once we stop doing the little things like opening our own doors then don't we become less able to do the really challenging things in life? I hope not.