tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64847142567938689402024-03-12T19:39:33.619-07:00The Oneida Dispatch Sports BlogKyle E. Mennighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07550587841150969994noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6484714256793868940.post-20932799506247879362015-04-02T13:25:00.001-07:002015-04-02T13:31:37.702-07:00Bo knows, but do they know Bo?Bo knows.<br />
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I was all of three years old when Bo Jackson's iconic ad aired during the 1989 MLB All-Star Game and when Bo retired from baseball in 1994 I was eight. While I never got to watch Bo live, by the time I graduated high school I was very familiar with his work. I had seen the man run 91 yards for a touchdown before apparently exiting the stadium...<br />
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... and scale a wall Spiderman-style like it was no big deal.<br />
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Today I came to grips with the reality that, much like myself at their age, kids today don't know Bo.<br />
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I was impressed with the way young Mr. LaRoche handled himself throughout this chat. He seemed very interested and engaged with everything Bo was saying and he very coolly let Bo know that touching the brim of his hat was not OK.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T8MgEkdqj2s/VR2lA7zpwCI/AAAAAAAAC1I/ThNCYXJ7hyc/s1600/LaRoche.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T8MgEkdqj2s/VR2lA7zpwCI/AAAAAAAAC1I/ThNCYXJ7hyc/s1600/LaRoche.jpg" height="332" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't care how many All-Star teams you were on, if you touch my hat again I'm going to have to pound on you a little bit.</td></tr>
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I was also very impressed that Bo, while detailing some of his incredible accolades, humbly declined to mention he's without a doubt the most powerful video game character of all time.<br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6484714256793868940.post-79911360987571596372015-02-19T09:21:00.002-08:002015-02-19T09:21:39.848-08:00No shortage of school spirit in Southern Madison countyAnyone who has attended an area high school sporting event has likely heard a pregame request to refrain from any negative cheers or comments fall on deaf ears attached to heads with large mouths.<br />
In my travels this winter I've heard spectators yell at coaches and referees, not to mention players on the team they're supposedly cheering on.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My personal favorite is the parent that yells "shoot it!" every time their child touches the ball. As picture above shows, players know when to shoot the ball.</td></tr>
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However, the student sections at Tuesday's Section III Class D girls basketball playoff game between <a href="http://www.oneidadispatch.com/sports/20150217/no-8-hamilton-advances-in-section-iii-class-d-girls-basketball-tournament-with-win-over-no-9-madison">Hamilton and Madison</a> showed that it's not all bad news. Hamilton's Green Mile (decked in black, naturally) was out in full force, packing one section of the bleachers while several Madison students made the 6.7 mile trip to fill a section next to it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Green Mile in action. Black is the new green.</td></tr>
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The showing continues a trend I've seen this winter at these small schools. The loudest gym I've been in this winter was Morrisville-Eaton's for a girls basketball <a href="http://www.oneidadispatch.com/sports/20150122/morrisville-eaton-girls-basketball-holds-off-rival-hamilton-at-home">game against the rival Emerald Knights</a>. Madison's gym was almost overflowing during the <a href="http://www.oneidadispatch.com/sports/20141230/madison-boys-basketball-beats-stockbridge-valley-to-win-its-christmas-tournament">final game of its Christmas tournament</a> against rival Stockbridge Valley and the Blue Devils also played in front of a packed house on a <a href="http://www.oneidadispatch.com/sports/20150204/madison-boys-basketball-downs-otselic-valley-to-move-closer-to-central-counties-league-title">Wednesday night against Otselic Valley</a> a few weeks ago.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's the effort that counts.</td></tr>
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It's always great to see students come out and cheer their classmates on and its even better when its done in the right way. Now, was there a lot of noise and a premature shot clock countdown or two on Tuesday night? Sure, but I don't find any fault with a little gamesmanship. Spectators have been trying to disrupt free throw shooters for as long as there has been spectators and free throws. <div>
For the most part, students from both sides actively cheered for their team while avoiding any personal shots at players, coaches and referees.<div>
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School spirit and sportsmanship at its finest.</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6484714256793868940.post-65811775524979610952014-06-12T13:04:00.001-07:002014-06-12T13:09:14.355-07:005 best in-park reactions to Yoenis Cespedes' incredible throw<span id="goog_1934293717"></span><span id="goog_1934293718"></span>The video of the incredible throw Yoenis Cespedes made to retire Howie Kendrick at the plate on Tuesday really needs no introduction. If you haven't seen it yet, basically Cespedes bobbles the ball, scoops it up and throws it over 300 feet directly into the catchers glove for an out, preserving a tie game in the eighth inning.<br />
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Now, if you're like me, you will watch this clip again and again and again and again. And eventually, you'll start to truly appreciate the fan reactions to the play.<br />
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Here are my top five.<br />
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<b>5. Pitcher Luke Gregorson and catcher Derek Norris (0:27)</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren't you glad he's on our team?</td></tr>
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At first glance it looks like just another "ho, hum, Yoenis just made another throw that shouldn't be humanly possible" reaction. However, you can see Gregorson mouth "that's unbelievable" and you know their both marveling at just how far he threw this ball here.</div>
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<b>4. Tie - Safe. Safe. guy and kids holding hands (0:57)</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kid on the left is the only one who knows what's coming.</td></tr>
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You really need to watch this one to fully appreciate the leap from ecstasy to agony. On one hand you've got two kids holding hands, giddily jumping up and down with the knowledge that their beloved Angels are about to take a 2-1 lead in this game. The child on the left sees that dream shattered and breaks it to the friend on the right.<br />
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Meanwhile, the follicly challenged gentleman next to them doesn't want to believe Cespedes can do what he does. He visibly struggles to contain his excitement at the play at the plate, twice gestures and says "safe" before Kendrick gets called out at the plate and he loses it.<br />
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Actually, watch all the people behind the plate. They're priceless.<br />
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<b>3. The first base umpire (1:12)</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_WX3iB-4ySw/U5oE9hMRh7I/AAAAAAAAAR4/Ns3LVLO8kYM/s1600/HP+Ump.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_WX3iB-4ySw/U5oE9hMRh7I/AAAAAAAAAR4/Ns3LVLO8kYM/s1600/HP+Ump.png" height="178" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bringing the fist-pump A game.</td></tr>
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On a play like this, you need the emphatic fist pump to determine Kendrick was out. John Trumpane does not disappoint.<br />
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<b>2. Yoenis Cespedes (0:20)</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-24Ira92dAtk/U5oFk6_BVvI/AAAAAAAAASA/Cdbpp9bPH3I/s1600/Cespedes.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-24Ira92dAtk/U5oFk6_BVvI/AAAAAAAAASA/Cdbpp9bPH3I/s1600/Cespedes.png" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry bro.</td></tr>
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That look on Cespedes face says just one thing: If I keep doing stuff like this, they're going to realize I'm not human.<br />
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<b>1. The mustachioed man (1:38)</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gbf8wGSWkvA/U5oGYOZAgaI/AAAAAAAAASM/5ErVw5y_x30/s1600/Mustache+Before.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gbf8wGSWkvA/U5oGYOZAgaI/AAAAAAAAASM/5ErVw5y_x30/s1600/Mustache+Before.png" height="185" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If your mustache doesn't look like this, you need to try harder.</td></tr>
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Seriously, look at that mustache. That guy hasn't shown emotion since the mustache was just a little peach fuzz tickling his upper lip. He reacts exactly how you you'd expect him to react.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sqaW01kX7RQ/U5oGzuPFqWI/AAAAAAAAASU/1_FCIyPzJ84/s1600/Screenshot_2014-06-12-10-42-29.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sqaW01kX7RQ/U5oGzuPFqWI/AAAAAAAAASU/1_FCIyPzJ84/s1600/Screenshot_2014-06-12-10-42-29.png" height="245" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmm</td></tr>
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<b>Bonus Cespedes:</b><br />
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In case you missed it, Cespedes misplayed another ball into an out with his rocket arm on Wednesday.</div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="224" src="http://m.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=33645015&topic_id=51231442&width=400&height=224&property=mlb" width="400">Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe>Kyle E. Mennighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07550587841150969994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6484714256793868940.post-52526207217032586512013-11-27T16:04:00.001-08:002013-11-27T16:05:01.849-08:005 things this sports fan is thankful for<i>By Kyle Mennig </i><br />
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This Thanksgiving, as with most Thanksgivings, I find myself looking back and reflecting on all the positive aspects of my life I've seen over the past year. Of course, there's the usual family, friends, job, etc. that I'm thankful for, but what has the sports world given me? <br />
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It's been a year of ups and downs (Derrick Rose is cleared to play...he's not ready...he's finally back...he's out again) to say the least. However, (take it from a Mets fan) there's always something to look back fondly on.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. NFL Sunday Ticket</b></span><br />
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This season, I took the plunge. Well, kind of. I bought a special anniversary edition of Madden 25 (because nothing screams fun like having a 12-year-old kick your butt online and have him taunt you throughout the experience), mainly<b> </b>for the fact that it came with 17 weeks of NFL Sunday Ticket Max. Basically, the package allows online streaming of every NFL game that isn't on TV. <b></b><br />
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It's been great, being able to watch any game I want (along with the fantasy footballer's dream, RedZone). But perhaps the biggest reason I'm thankful for it is directly tied to No. 2 on this list.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2. Matthew Stafford</span></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hurry, hurry! You guys are going to want to see this!</td></tr>
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For much of his career, I had never really had a strong opinion on the Lions QB. I never really loved him, never hated him. He was just a pretty good quarterback on a sometimes good team.<br />
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That all changed in Week 8.<br />
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I'm a firm believer that you either love or hate the Dallas Cowboys and I firmly fall into the second category. When Stafford scored his <a href="http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/0ap2000000270414/Wk-8-Can-t-Miss-Play-Stafford-s-game-winner" target="_blank">sneaky game-winning TD</a> (that I was watching through NFL Sunday Ticket), well, my heart grew three sizes in his favor that day.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. The Miami Heat</b></span><br />
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Ugh. I know, I know. I feel as dirty writing it as you do reading it.<br />
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I'm not the biggest fan of them winning another NBA title. However, their photobomb game is impossible to argue with.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">4. Matt Harvey</span></b><br />
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Oh Matt Harvey. Where to begin? For a few short months this summer, you gave Mets fans hope. Every fifth day was a must-see event on par with a holiday with wishes of "Happy Harvey Day!" littering my Twitter feed. And although it was brutally ripped away, it was all worth the pain (well for me at least, not sure if Matt would agree).<br />
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And while you won't be back on the mound until 2015, we'll always have the streets of New York.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5. There's always next year</span></b><br />
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The rallying cry for fans around the world, aside from the lucky few who get to leave it behind for at least one fleeting moment.<br />
<br />Kyle E. Mennighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07550587841150969994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6484714256793868940.post-27928704796192166602013-09-25T15:51:00.004-07:002013-09-25T15:51:53.881-07:00Jensine Falu-Montes scores touchdown for Webster SchroederOn a Friday night in the fall, its not too hard to find a football player scoring his first career touchdown.<br />
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A football player scoring her first touchdown, on the other hand, is a little more rare.<br />
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But that's just what Jensine Falu-Montes did for Webster-Schroeder out in Section V.<br />
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That video's incredible for several reasons. First, it's great to see that team support her the way it does. Every one of those players was ecstatic to see their teammate score, something I unfortunately don't think you could say would happen on every team.<br />
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What I love most, though, is her father's pure, unbridled joy as she crosses the goal line. Hearing <a href="http://www.democratandchronicle.com/videonetwork/2695432865001/Proud-parents-gush-over-TD-scoring-daughter">Falu-Montes' parents tell the story</a> of how they basically dared their daughter to play football and listening to him howl after she scores is incredible.Kyle E. Mennighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07550587841150969994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6484714256793868940.post-5276778785029712932013-08-11T06:39:00.002-07:002013-08-11T06:40:13.158-07:00Tampa Bay Rays pull off hidden ball trick against Los Angeles Dodgers<b>By Kyle Mennig</b><br />
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For the most part, yesterday was humming along as just another day at the office. I had just returned from <a href="http://www.oneidadispatch.com/articles/2013/08/10/sports/doc5206b3ca2df6a217832886.txt" target="_blank">Gravity Fest in Munnsville</a> and was working with Sean down in New Haven on laying out our pages for Sunday's Dispatch.<br />
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As I often do, I had a baseball game on TV. Usually it's a Mets game, but with Terry Collins and company in Arizona playing later that evening I went with FOX's game of the week between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Tampa Bay Rays.<br />
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To be fully honest, I wasn't paying much attention to the game. That is, until the fourth inning. I kind of noticed there was some confusion about a play involving Juan Uribe. Still only half-listening, I quickly snapped to full attention when I heard those three magic words: hidden ball trick.<br />
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Oh the hidden ball trick (or as Gob Bluth would prefer, illusion). Baseball fans often talk about the rarity of hitting for the cycle or pitching a perfect game, but there may be nothing as rare as the hidden ball trick. It does for baseball fans what a good set of twins does for Dwight Schrute.<br />
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Isn't it magnificent?! Why do we love this play so much? It's incredibly rare and there's something about seeing professional athletes pull of Little League plays that's hard to beat.<br />
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But perhaps the best part of the play is Dodgers third base coach Tim Wallach. Perhaps he should have been more keen to his surroundings, but watching him catch Evan Longoria staring intently at Uribe's foot and moving in for a closer look himself is absolutely priceless.<br />
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Fortunately, this tale has a happy ending for Uribe and the boys in Dodger blue. L.A. won 5-0 and Uribe's teammates helped make sure he'll never fall victim to the hidden ball trick again.<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
After Uribe was fooled by the hidden-ball trick, his <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers">@Dodgers</a> teammates made him a present: <a href="http://t.co/4sIkf558Yy">http://t.co/4sIkf558Yy</a> <a href="http://t.co/xdolKKrKrJ">pic.twitter.com/xdolKKrKrJ</a><br />
— Cut4 (@Cut4) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cut4/statuses/366366527559176192">August 11, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
Kyle E. Mennighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07550587841150969994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6484714256793868940.post-61899473142542311452013-06-17T12:42:00.001-07:002013-06-17T12:45:29.501-07:00Defending the mess... er, Mets' celebration<b>By Kyle Mennig </b><br />
Sunday afternoon Kirk Nieuwenhuis gave many a Mets fans (and their fathers - mine included) a fantastic Fathers Day,<a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_06_16_chnmlb_nynmlb_1&mode=video&content_id=28081883&tcid=vpp_copy_28081883" target="_blank"> blasting a three-run home run</a> to give the boys from Queens a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs.<br />
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As many baseball fans already know, you might as well change Citi Field's name to Mudville, because there has been little to no joy to be found this season (or many others this century). The Mets "improved" to 21-39 with the victory, prompting this little gem from Bob Costas.<br />
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Sure, the celebration was a little over-the-top (are they spanking him?). But the decline of Western civilization? Reign it in a little Costas. <a href="http://www.amazinavenue.com/2013/6/17/4437562/new-york-mets-bob-costas-walks-off" target="_blank">Matthew Callan's piece</a> over at Amazin' Avenue does a great job summing up why Costas' outrage is so ridiculous and considers that it's likely a result of Costas' career in decline that led to his little joke.<br />
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But there's a little more. For the Mets, a four-run game qualifies as an offensive explosion, much less a four-run inning. For me, the celebration is an exhale, coming with it the thought that maybe it will get better even though I know it most likely won't. But why not bask in that moment of hope that has been all too brief this year?<br />
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Also, take a look at <a href="http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?topic_id=9781914" target="_blank">MLB's walk-off page. </a>Nearly every thumbnail on the page features a team mobbing players at home plate, celebrating the most exciting way to win a game. The Cardinals, the Marlins, the Indians, the Braves all celebrate in similar fashion so why should the Mets be any different Costas. Why should New York's "other" team have to solemnly walk off the field to ponder their fate as potential cellar-dwellers?<br />
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The remark was a little different than his other holier-than-thou moments in recent years (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOi7If0zW9s" target="_blank">gun control</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdSBxeAtO34" target="_blank">end zone celebrations</a>) in that it was more of an off-hand quip than a planned soap-box session. Still, taking morality lessons from a guy who uttered the following line is a little hard for me to stomach.<br />
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<a href="http://www.hark.com/baseketball/youre-excited-feel-these-nipples" style="color: #dddddd; font-size: 9px;" title="Listen to You're Excited? Feel These Nipples! on Hark.com">You're Excited? Feel These Nipples!</a><br />
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Bob, you want to talk about the decline of Western civilization? Let's start with that little gem and move forward from there.Kyle E. Mennighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07550587841150969994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6484714256793868940.post-67619900054782872432013-03-23T15:06:00.001-07:002013-03-23T15:07:34.313-07:00March Madness as fun as everIs it just me or has this year's NCAA men's basketball tournament been really enjoyable?<br />
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I mean, of course it's usually a lot of fun, but it seems like there's something more this year.<br />
Part of it for me is that this year a dream of mine was finally realized.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I knew having every board game in the history of mankind would pay off one day.</td></tr>
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Seriously, that is a thing of beauty that should bring tears to your eyes. Four screens, four games, not having to miss a minute of action. Throw in the fact that I had nearly the entire day off Thursday and, well, there's still a pretty sizable dent in my couch. But my remote seemed appreciative for the break.<br />
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Day One offered a solid start to the madness. Southern was an early darling but came up short in it's upset bid against Gonzaga. Marquette also avoided an upset at the hands of Davidson with a late rally aided by a heartbreaking Wildcats turnover in the closing seconds. St. Mary's also rallied in an attempt to upset but missed a last-second 3-pointer that would have beat Memphis. An easy Syracuse win and the day's big story, Harvard's upset win over New Mexico, were the late highlights.<br />
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I spent much of the day Friday away from my four-screen heaven and at the office, so I missed most of the early action. Fortunately I was home in time to witness the upset of the year, seeing Syracuse fans' new second-favorite team Florida Gulf Coast University beat Georgetown.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GIF from SB Nation</td></tr>
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In only its second year of eligibility for the Big Dance the Eagles soared, using an array of high-flying dunks and some clutch free throw shooting to knock off No. 2 seed Georgetown.<br />
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Seeing the <a href="http://d1scourse.typepad.com/blog/2013/03/double-digit-seed-trouble-for-hoyas.html" target="_blank">Hoyas knocked out early</a> is becoming a tradition on par with the Masters. In John Thompson III's 10 years at the helm Georgetown has been knocked out by double-digit seed five spots below it in five of them. He joined Bob Knight and Jim Boeheim as the only coaches with that dubious distinction, although it took those two 30-plus years to do it.<br />
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Not that I think Thompson's entirely to blame. Actually, it's bad timing on his part. He took over during a different era from Knight and Boeheim, a time when parity reigns. We've all heard commentators bemoaning the loss of the four-year player and how it hurts the game.<br />
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They may be right from November to February but March is a different story.<br />
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Just ask Florida Gulf Coast and its new fans in the Salt City. Kyle E. Mennighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07550587841150969994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6484714256793868940.post-63733793762017610772013-03-18T16:36:00.001-07:002013-03-18T16:38:22.987-07:00Saying so long to the Big East is difficultAs I'm sure you may have heard by now, the Big East as we know it is no longer. Sure, there will still be a Big East, but it feels like the days of the conference's dominance closed with the doors of Madison Square Garden Saturday night.<br />
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Seeing those memories end is especially hard for me personally growing up a Syracuse fan. One of my earliest memories is watching Ryan Blackwell sink St. John's in the semis in 1998.<br />
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I don't remember anything else about that team or that season but watching Ryan Blackwell's shot in the corner and seeing those guys pile up after the win will always be with me.<br />
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That would be the first of so many more memories. I remember <strike>skipping an afternoon class</strike> when a fortunate class cancellation in 2006 allowed me to watch an on-the-wrong-side-of-the-bubble Orange squad led by an "overrated" senior play Cincinnati. I remember whipping my bright orange hat at my 9-inch TV after a stupid foul in the closing seconds. And I remember yelping louder than Bill Raftery when Gerry McNamara's running 3-pointer fell and a group of guys running out into the hall and celebrating.<br />
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Of course, that was just the start. I remember him doing it again against Connecticut, feeding Eric Devendorf for the game-winner against Georgetown and I remember the Orange beating Pittsburgh and McNamara donning the "Overrated?!!" shirt after his triumph. Fittingly, ESPN's theme for the tourney was "Remember the Name," which will always be referred to as "Gerry McNamara's Music" in my neck of the woods.</div>
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That was the most memorable tournament but the Syracuse-UConn matchup three years later was my most memorable game. Eric Devendorf (why do so many of my Big East memories revolve around Devo?) appeared to cap a regulation thriller with a miraculous 3-pointer, jumped on the scorers table and ultimately had his shot waved off. Nearly one full game, several missed UConn buzzer-beaters, what felt like at least 20 Paul Harris missed layups and a memorable appearance by walk-on Justin Thomas later the Orange had a victory in the wee hours of the morning. </div>
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I'll remember the shock I felt when I found out my parents were still awake when it ended, as well as making it in to work by 7:00 the next morning. Perhaps what I'll remember most is discussing the game with complete strangers at the gas station. I'm not the easiest person to get along with at 6:30 a.m. with a full night's sleep so it's usually pretty bad when I don't get half a night's sleep. But this morning was different and I wasn't alone.</div>
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Certainly, there were other memorable teams, games and names over the years, Kemba Walker and Kevin Pittsnogle being two of my favorites (names, of course).</div>
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The biggest constant throughout the years was at the end of every Syracuse run my dad would say "one year, I'd love to make it down for the Big East tournament." Every year he said it and every year I thought I'd be there with him. Not anymore.<br />
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Sure, there will probably be some magical moments for Syracuse in the
ACC tournament but will Dad say someday I hope to get down to Greensboro for this tournament? Will I want to go with him? Will we find someplace to eat that isn't Denny's?<br />
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For now nobody knows, but I'm sure it will never have the same mystique as MSG on a mid-March Saturday night.Kyle E. Mennighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07550587841150969994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6484714256793868940.post-81605579781966984582013-03-04T16:14:00.002-08:002013-03-04T16:14:33.790-08:00State bowling tournament a unique event<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wvRM0flcp6k/UTUzWyc-8PI/AAAAAAAAALg/ri58Vd757Ng/s1600/IMAG0406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wvRM0flcp6k/UTUzWyc-8PI/AAAAAAAAALg/ri58Vd757Ng/s320/IMAG0406.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, that's a Kobe Bryant Fathead.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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In case you missed it, Camden's boys bowling team made its first trip to the state bowling tournament Saturday and <a href="http://oneidadispatch.com/articles/2013/03/04/sports/doc51328a666a4a5917603751.txt" target="_blank">did very, very well.</a><br />
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This was also my first trip to the state bowling tournament, and boy was it a unique experience.<br />
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First, imagine a normal sized crowd for a different event - say basketball or volleyball. Now picture all these people not in a gym, but in a very constricted space between the lanes and the back wall of the Strike N Spare in Mattydale.<br />
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"Definitely loud," said Camden bowler Andrew Bourgeois of the event.<br />
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"Hectic and loud," added teammate A.J. Welch.<br />
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Maybe the intense battle for third place between the Blue Devils and Greece-Athena had their two lanes a little louder than the rest. Supporters of each squad got louder and louder with each ball thrown. The Spartans cheering section even had chants for five consecutive strikes as well as a guy waving a Kobe Bryant Fathead throughout the match (because, well, why not?).<br />
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Fans from both sides also got to witness an impressive performance from G-A junior Bryce Hook, who bowled 11 straight strikes to start the fourth game. The raucous crowd did fall silent during his last ball, soaking in the fact that they could be witnessing history. Their voices merged into one audible groan when the dust settled and three pins were left standing, leaving Hook with a 297 game.<br />
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Perhaps the most impressive feat was put up by bowlers from around the state. During such a heated competition its easy to lose ones head and vent frustrations at teammates or opponents. It wasn't the case Saturday as bowlers cheered for each other and carried themselves with great poise.<br />
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"It was nice," said Bourgeois. "A lot of people were very friendly. I had a good time."<br />
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And I'm sure he wasn't alone.Kyle E. Mennighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07550587841150969994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6484714256793868940.post-57241410994337044782013-02-19T15:00:00.001-08:002013-02-19T15:00:49.458-08:00Who are the greatest sports movie announcers?There are several aspects that go into making an outstanding sports movie. "Rocky" has the likeable underdog squaring off with the undisputed favorite again and again (and again and again and again and again), "Caddyshack" has several off-the-wall characters that keep you in stitches throughout and "Field of Dreams" looks at the emotional impact a game can have on our lives.<br />
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However - as the best ones are in real life - the announcers who describe the on-field action often slip through the cracks even though they may make the movie. There are several great ones and here are some of my favorites.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn1.screenrant.com/wp-content/uploads/caddyshack-unscripted-scene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://cdn1.screenrant.com/wp-content/uploads/caddyshack-unscripted-scene.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Oh, he got all of that!"</td></tr>
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<b>5. "Caddyshack" - Carl Speckler -</b> Okay, so Murray's memorable grounds-keeping goof isn't a paid announcer and sure, he isn't announcing for anyone but himself. Still, how many golfers haven't mumble-shouted "It's in the hole!" on the course or just while walking by a bed of flowers. I've hit dandelions in the yard and done it, don't act like you haven't (or haven't at least wanted to). "<a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=carl+spackler+cinderella+story&mid=9A0D1F246B664CF6FBFC9A0D1F246B664CF6FBFC&view=detail&FORM=VIRE1">Cinderella story</a>," and "it's in the hole," get a lot of love but my favorite part of Spackler's glorious moment is how he hits in 2-iron 105 yards, his 5-iron 155 yards and his 8-iron 195 yards. Gets me every time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ww3.hdnux.com/photos/10/36/13/2220766/5/628x471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://ww3.hdnux.com/photos/10/36/13/2220766/5/628x471.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"You know, I love to see a fat guy score."</td></tr>
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<b>4. "The Replacements" - John Madden and Pat Summerall</b> - This Keanu Reeves' flick about a never-was QB leading a bunch of misfits to the playoffs doesn't usually top any list of go-to sports movies but it's definitely not the worst you'll see. Madden and Summerall - one of the classic broadcast teams of all time - definitely shine, lending credibility to the film... for the most part. Madden's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_fI75ulylQ&feature=player_embedded#!">old saying in sports</a>" aside.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sportsgrindent.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/493512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://www.sportsgrindent.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/493512.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"What an unfortunate thing to happen on dozen egg night!"</td></tr>
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<b>3. "BASEketball" - Bob Costas and Al Michaels</b> - Another pair of well-known broadcasters but their appearance was almost the polar opposite of Madden and Summerall. Costas and Michaels were unleashed in the "BASEketball" booth, saying things that they'd never really be able to say on the air. They're also probably not fit for this space as well, so moving on...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ma1ppeF4Nu1rq89bvo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ma1ppeF4Nu1rq89bvo1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Do you believe in unlikelyhoods?"</td></tr>
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<b>2. "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story"</b> - Cotton McKnight and Pepper Brooks - The "Ocho's" dream team, played by Gary Cole and Jason Bateman - steal just about every scene they're in. McKnight does a straight play by play - for the most part - while Brooks offers insightful analysis such as "word, Cotton." They're the perfect duo for the Regional Dodgeball Open.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn0.hark.com/images/000/320/652/320652/original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://cdn0.hark.com/images/000/320/652/320652/original.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Don't worry, nobody's listening anyway."</td></tr>
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<b>1. "Major League" - Harry Doyle</b> - I completely understand if you took issue with any of my choices 5-2, but there is nobody better at movie announcing than Bob Uecker's Harry Doyle. It's hard to pick a favorite line ("He leads the league in most offensive categories, including nose hair," "The post-game show is brought to you by... Christ, I can't find it. To hell with it," or "Well, you can close the book on Kellner. Thank God" are all up there) but easy to pick the most well-known. Whenever there's an extremely wild pitch thrown at any baseball game at any level it's always a rush to see who can say "Just a bit outside" first.<br />
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What about you, who's your favorite film announcer?<br />
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<br />Kyle E. Mennighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07550587841150969994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6484714256793868940.post-79476851292445238232013-01-17T09:24:00.002-08:002013-01-17T09:24:46.789-08:00Why we care about Manti Te'o's fake girlfriend<a href="http://simplyread.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/oops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Quick recap. Notre Dame linebacker and Heisman-trophy hopeful Manti Te'o tragically had his grandmother and girlfriend both pass away on September 11 of last year, making his story one of biggest of the college football season. Until yesterday, of course, when Deadspin made it the biggest college football story of the millennium by reporting his girlfriend never actually died because <a href="http://deadspin.com/5976517/manti-teos-dead-girlfriend-the-most-heartbreaking-and-inspirational-story-of-the-college-football-season-is-a-hoax">she was never actually real</a> to begin with.<br />
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When the story broke yesterday it was immediately everywhere and most people still couldn't get enough. It was the last thing I checked before I went to bed last night and the first thing I checked this morning. I'm sure I wasn't alone, which led SB Nation to ask this morning <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/1/17/3886280/manti-teo-fake-girlfriend-hoax">why we care so much.</a> It's a question I didn't really think about until after I read it, but there are certainly a lot of reasons. So here's my response.</div>
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For starters, we all love a good scandal. All we need to do is look at what dominated the news cycle before the Te'o news broke. We had days (was it weeks?) of different people reporting that Lance Armstrong was going to confess he doped to Oprah. First it came out that he would admit it in the interview. Or not. Then he did, according to sources. Then Oprah weighed in. There were dozens of stories with the same basic premise that he confessed. I read nearly all of them and still want to see the interview (which I'm sure is exactly how Oprah planned it).</div>
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Second, it was shocking. I mean how often do you hear about famous athletes persevering through the loss of a loved one? Torrey Smith did it in the NFL this year and everyone remembers Brett Favre on Monday Night Football after losing his father, so it's a pretty common occurance. Players are human and we all suffer losses, so it happens. How often has the loved one turned out to be fictional? Once, that I know of.</div>
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There's also the mystery of how much Te'o was involved. He and Notre Dame are denying his involvement, but Deadspin implies that he knew. So now we all want to know how much he knew. I've been somewhat anti-Manti since his father <a href="http://www.imagecpr.com/imagecpr.com%20uploads/2013/01/Fan-Club.jpg">blacklisted the Honolulu Star Advertiser</a> for publishing a picture of Te'o missing a tackle.</div>
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Does that have something to do with the fact that I'm not buying Te'o's innocence in the hoax? Probably. But seeing as Te'o and Notre Dame were already less than forthcoming with what they knew, as well as Brian Te'o's attempt to control what the Star Advertiser publishes also make me think the son and father were more involved than they're letting on. </div>
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Finally, the hoax touches on another hot-button issue: sexual orientation. Reading the story I wondered if this could be an elaborate scheme to protect Te'o. Again, <a href="http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2013/01/17/is-manti-teo-gay-girlfriend-notre-dam/">not alone</a> on this one. Now clearly I have no idea if this idea is true, but it's definitely a possibility which definitely adds to the intrigue.</div>
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Those are just a few reasons why we're so invested in the story, and I'm sure there are dozens more. </div>
Kyle E. Mennighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07550587841150969994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6484714256793868940.post-65339558555612462612013-01-10T18:33:00.001-08:002013-01-10T18:33:24.755-08:00Baseball writers wrong with Hall of Fame votes<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/0901/pop.culture.hot.list.0102/images/roger-clemens(bruty).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/0901/pop.culture.hot.list.0102/images/roger-clemens(bruty).jpg" width="166" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Hi, can I come in?" "NO!"</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Baseball Writers Association of America created quite a stir Wednesday when we found out they weren't electing anybody to enter the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2013. The reason, of course, being that previously assumed-to-be first ballot HOFers used performance-enhancing drugs during their careers. <br />
<br />
For guys like Roger Clemons, Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa the writing has been on the wall for a while now. Nobody really expected them to make it in this year, and none of them were close. Unfortunately, the guys who weren't publicly suspected of using and possibly put up great numbers while clean against players wielding superhuman strength weren't let in either (see: Biggio, Craig).<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/EXID4275/images/Black-Knight-monty-python-380120_800_441(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/EXID4275/images/Black-Knight-monty-python-380120_800_441(1).jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"None shall pass"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When the news initially broke I wanted to use this space to voice my opinion. However, I waited a day because my opinion at the time was basically a stream of vulgar insults of the BBWAA that wasn't fit to be read by children (this is a family space) or adults for that matter. I've reflected for a day and I still think that the BBWAA is completely and utterly wrong on several fronts, but I can more address them more coherently now.<br />
<br />
My first, and biggest, question is what gives these writers the right to stand at the gates of Cooperstown like<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eMkth8FWno"> the Black Knight from "Monty Python and the Holy Grail?"</a> It's been said ad nauseum that these are the same people who turned a blind eye to the rampant drug use in the sport. It's a legit issue.<br />
<br />
I remember being in sixth/seventh grade when Mark McGwire and Sosa were racing to topple Roger Maris' single season home run record. I remember a friend writing a paper on the chase, and how both of them were using some kind of performance-enhancing substance. I argued it was just creatine and androstenedione (whatever those were) and nothing illegal, but he told me I was wrong. If a seventh grader at Stockbridge Valley can do more to expose drug use in professional sports than the BBWAA.... Well, maybe the Hall of Fame vote should be put in someone else's hands.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img2.bdbphotos.com/images/orig/a/r/ar1pv8465p6s1rv6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://img2.bdbphotos.com/images/orig/a/r/ar1pv8465p6s1rv6.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 'stache deserves its own plaque.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Just as long as it isn't the enshrined Hall of Famers. Several <a href="http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2013-01-10/baseball-hall-of-fame-2013-vote-roger-clemens-barry-bonds-sammy-sosa-denied?modid=recommended_1_5">applauded the BBWAA</a> for keeping those despicable cheats out of Cooperstown's hallowed grounds. For some reason, Dennis Eckersley is the one that really ticks me off. Maybe it's mustache envy, but more than likely it's the fact that he's more hypocritical than the writers. Eckersley's plaque features (in addition to the 'stache, of course) an Oakland A's cap. You'll remember Eck was a part of those Bash-Brother A's teams from the late 80s. You know, the kind of Patient 0, if you will, of the PED outbreak. It's easy for Eckersley to get on his high horse now, but he wasn't saying much when McGwire and Jose Conseco helped power him to a World Series ring. Actually, if guys like Mike Piazza and Jeff Bagwell are lumped in with the known users shouldn't Eckersley be as well? To protect the "integrity" of the game maybe we need to start booting guys out. Think that would change his tune?<br />
<br />
If you think that Bonds, McGwire, Sosa and Clemens don't belong in the Hall because they cheated that's fine. I'm not disagreeing with you. But to have the writers and players who watched it happen be the people keeping them out is a bit like letting the nuts take over the nut house.<br />
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<br />Kyle E. Mennighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07550587841150969994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6484714256793868940.post-24202971640165297982012-12-24T11:56:00.001-08:002012-12-24T11:56:49.402-08:00Syracuse fans put new twist on Christmas carols<script src="//storify.com/OneidaSports/syracuse-christmas-songs-sweep-twitter.js?header=false&border=false"></script><noscript>[<a href="//storify.com/OneidaSports/syracuse-christmas-songs-sweep-twitter" target="_blank">View the story "Syracuse Christmas songs sweep Twitter" on Storify</a>]<h1>Syracuse Christmas songs sweep Twitter</h1><h2>Orange fans share their CNY-themed holiday hits</h2><p>Storified by <a href="http://storify.com/OneidaSports">Sports Desk</a>· Mon, Dec 24 2012 11:56:10</p><div>Every year around this time the radio is flooded with songs celebrating the spirit of Christmas. On Christmas Eve some Syracuse fans combined their holiday and Orange spirits in song.<br><br>Rakeem Christmas' name provided a field day.<br></div><div>#SyracuseChristmasSongs "Have a Jolly Rakeem Christmas"Dave from WTKW/WOUR</div><div>#SyracuseChristmasSongs And that other Rakeem Christmas classic "Jingle Bell Rak"Dave from WTKW/WOUR</div><div>"Rakeem Christmas' Shoes" #SyracuseChristmasSongsKyle Mennig</div><div>Others just had to be done.<br></div><div>"I'll Be Dome For Christmas" #SyracuseChristmasSongsChuck Fiello Jr.</div><div>And some were really clever.<br></div><div>"McNabb Yourself A Merry Little Christmas." #SyracuseChristmasSongsChuck Fiello Jr.</div><div>All I Want for Christmas Is Scoop #SyracuseChristmasSongsLouis Milman</div><div>"Little Drummer Baye" #SyracuseChristmasSongsKyle Mennig</div><div>But only one could be the best.<br></div><div>#SyracuseChristmasSongs @OrangeChuck "We Triche You a Merry Christmas"Dave from WTKW/WOUR</div></noscript>Kyle E. Mennighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07550587841150969994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6484714256793868940.post-86233001382021083512012-08-24T14:48:00.000-07:002012-08-24T14:48:02.522-07:00Best Fantasy Football picks 2012: A guide to building your team<script src="http://storify.com/DigitalFirst/best-fantasy-football-picks-2012-a-guide-to-buildi.js?header=false&border=false"></script><noscript>[<a href="http://storify.com/DigitalFirst/best-fantasy-football-picks-2012-a-guide-to-buildi" target="_blank">View the story "Best Fantasy Football picks 2012: A guide to building your team" on Storify</a>]</noscript>
Kyle E. Mennighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07550587841150969994noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6484714256793868940.post-19370098710382691252012-08-13T19:24:00.002-07:002012-08-13T19:24:08.515-07:00Camp adventures: Buffalo Bills at St. John FisherMy second training camp stop this summer was in Pittsford for Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher. Actually, I stopped at Pittsford Mendon High School and hopped on a big yellow bus for a 10-minute ride to the college. Talk about a trip down memory lane, I half expected someone to make an inappropriate comment about my mother.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-39rpP4d1Dh0/UCmyN1ulaCI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/ZtzDDgTdCyg/s1600/DSCN4608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-39rpP4d1Dh0/UCmyN1ulaCI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/ZtzDDgTdCyg/s320/DSCN4608.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shuttle/time machine to St. John Fisher.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I won't lie, as soon as I arrived at Bills camp I was much more impressed than I was with the Giants camp at the University at Albany. The Giants had a small merchandise tent set up off the sidewalk on the way to the field, which paled in comparison to the Bills air-conditioned big top that was half gift shop, half exposition hall. There were games, ticket sales, media guides and even free blood pressure screenings by the Wegman's School of Nursing, which is located on the campus.<br />
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Upon exiting the tent I was greeted with a stand offering deep-fried Oreos, deep-fried macaroni and cheese and a variety of other fried food options. I wasn't sure if I was still at Bills camp or if the tent housing the gift shop was actually some sort of space-time wormhole to the New York State Fair.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pv93Bd9O8eM/UCm0AI6KjfI/AAAAAAAAAKY/tZxG4r_TUY0/s1600/DSCN4618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pv93Bd9O8eM/UCm0AI6KjfI/AAAAAAAAAKY/tZxG4r_TUY0/s320/DSCN4618.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh yeah, there was a football practice too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But there wasn't just fried food, there were burgers, hot dogs, fresh-squeezed lemonade and other concessions in a few different areas around the field. There was so much going on, including a large kids play area that I wanted to try myself, it was easy to forget that there was a football practice going on.Kyle E. Mennighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07550587841150969994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6484714256793868940.post-2635353373145314472012-08-06T18:37:00.000-07:002012-08-06T18:37:01.814-07:00Camp adventures: Giants at the University at AlbanyLast week I was lucky enough to attend New York Giants training camp at the University at Albany, and I thought I'd share some observations that didn't make the story.<br />
<ul>
<li>Comfortable shoes are important for training camp. Getting from the parking lot to the field was a 15-minute walk, and then there was more walking around the fields, and a 15-minute walk back to the car. I'm glad I wore sneakers.</li>
<li>Making sure the camera has fully charged batteries is also important. I snapped one terrible picture before mine died. I used my cell phone for the rest of the day, but it doesn't let me zoom in too far.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1exCCgqSWC8/UBsnv3IRNsI/AAAAAAAAAKA/ssLGLqdVxvI/s1600/IMAG0073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1exCCgqSWC8/UBsnv3IRNsI/AAAAAAAAAKA/ssLGLqdVxvI/s320/IMAG0073.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, one of those red dots is Eli Manning.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li> Weather forecasts are often inaccurate. One of the problems with attending training camp is it's a long drive, and if it rains the players go inside and you go home. The day I went there were storms predicted before camp was scheduled to start, but they arrived late. Fortunately they arrived near the end of practice, so I was able to see a good chunk of it.</li>
<li>Giants fans are kind of quiet. I know, I was shocked too. I noticed some shyness after they lost their second game to the Redskins last season, but I thought they overcame it after the Super Bowl victory. I guess I was wrong because quite a few fans I asked to talk about the team at camp weren't interested.</li>
</ul>Kyle E. Mennighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07550587841150969994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6484714256793868940.post-41728274003565097812012-07-24T18:24:00.000-07:002012-07-24T18:40:26.788-07:00Some things never get oldTwenty-nine years ago Tuesday Kansas City Royals' third baseman George Brett hit a go-ahead two-run home run against New York Yankees' closer Goose Gossage. After examining his bat the umpires ruled Brett out because of excessive pine tar on his bat, and, well, I'll let the video speak for itself. <br />
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Watching Brett leap out of that dugout with that crazed look on his face is one of those things I'll never get sick of watching.
Also on that list are:<br />
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<center><b>Vince Carter hurdles Fredric Weis</b></center><center><b> </b></center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XMrPjl-927Q" width="420"></iframe><br />
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There are so many amazing things in this video I don't know where to start. Vince Carter with hair. Vince Carter playing defense. Vin Baker on an Olympic team that won gold...
Read that last one again.
But by far the most amazing is the 6'6" Vince Carter leaping over the 7'2" Fredric Weis and throwing the ball through the hoop. Ridiculous.
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<center><b> </b></center><center><b>HE DID WHAT?!?!</b></center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lQmyLLxRNcA" width="420"></iframe><br />
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Apparently the year 2000 was a banner one for a 14-year-old sports fan. Antonio Freeman's pinball catch in overtime to defeat the Vikings is unbelievable, but more memorable is the reaction of announcers Al Michaels, Dan Fouts and Dennis Miller. I still use "he did what?!" way more often than I should.
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<center><b> </b></center><center><b>Tiger's Masterful chip</b></center>
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As a college freshman I rarely watched professional golf, but I decided to tune in for the end of the 2005 Masters. I remember watching the shot and thinking "Tiger, that isn't even close," but then the ball kept rolling... and rolling... and rolling. Then it stopped before deciding to take that last half roll and drop in the cup.
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<center><b> </b></center><center><b>The Helmet Catch</b></center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/27XeNefwABw" width="420"></iframe><br />
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He catches the ball with his helmet. Enough said.<br />
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What about you, what sports moments can't you get enough of watching?Kyle E. Mennighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07550587841150969994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6484714256793868940.post-36610316232915612592012-07-12T18:50:00.000-07:002012-07-12T18:50:08.169-07:00'92 Dream Team would crush the 2012 OlympiansLos Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant recently made headlines proclaiming this year's Olympians could beat the original 1992 Dream Team. I think Kobe needs to brush up on his Aerosmith: "Dream on."<br />
<br />Bryant's logic is the players on the 1992 team were near the end of their careers, while this year's players are in their primes. Sure, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were near the end of their careers, but, with the exception of Clyde Drexler, every other player on the team played into the 2000s. Honestly, I have a hard time envisioning Kobe playing eight more years in the NBA. <br />
<br />
Also, who on this year's team matches up with Patrick Ewing and David Robinson? Tyson Chandler and <strike>Anthony Davis</strike> <strike>Blake Griffin</strike> Anthony Davis? Sure Davis swatted shot after shot against Kansas, but the Dream Team is an entirely different monster.<br />
<br />
The original Dream Team was also full of ferocious defenders. If you throw Carmelo Anthony on Scottie Pippen, Pip would go for 50 and hold Carmelo to 12. Easily. And after watching Chandler duck every time LeBron James went up for a dunk during last year's Finals, I'd hate to see what Michael Jordan and Co. would do to him.<br />
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The biggest edge the '92 Dream Team would have over this year's squad is killer instinct. Johnson and Bird were in constant competition throughout their careers to one-up the other. Jordan and Pippen battled with the Bad Boys. The other guys were always measured against Jordan, and wanted to take him down. I have a hard time imagining today's practices are intense <a href="http://www.gq.com/sports/profiles/201207/dream-team-20th-anniversary-1992-olympics-usa-basketball?printable=true">as they were in 1992. </a><br />
<br />
These guys are looking forward to playing with their buddies for the world to see. Those guys wanted to destroy everything in their way, including each other. Kobe has that same mentality, but doesn't realize some of his teammates lack it. <br />
<br />
That mentality is what makes him bold enough to make such a foolish prediction.<br />
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It's also why he doesn't realize he's wrong.<br />Kyle E. Mennighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07550587841150969994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6484714256793868940.post-54177000241057367272012-07-06T19:04:00.000-07:002012-07-06T19:04:35.352-07:00Top 5 sports movie quotesYesterday our sports editor here at the Dispatch, Perry Novak,
charged us with the impossible task of naming the top movie quote of all
time as he was on his way out the door. Maybe he was curious or maybe
he was looking to rub in that, "there's no place like home." (Did I
mention he was off for the night?) Either way, he got me thinking, and I
compiled my five favorite sports movie quotes, in no particular order.<br />
<ol>
<li>"If you build it, he will come." - Ray Kinsella, "Field of Dreams." - How Perry left this one off his all-time general movie quote list baffled me, <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/high_school/softball/softball_joy_in_mudville_Ql67iongjSfeMoqtpRz2DN">he's lived it</a>.</li>
<li> "Yo Adrian!" - Rocky Balboa, "Rocky." - One of those iconic quotes that I knew who said it before I ever saw the movie.</li>
<li>"Juuuust a bit outside." - Harry Doyle, "Major League." - I've never played a family softball game without hearing this gem, courtesy of Bob Uecker.</li>
<li>"So I got that goin' for me, which is nice." - Carl Spackler, "Caddyshack." - Bill Murray's improvised, imaginary "Cinderella story" soliloquy gets most of the love, but I prefer the "Dalai Lama" anecdote. Big hitter, the Lama.</li>
<li>"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose and sometimes it rains." - Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh "Bull Durham." Truer words have never been spoken.</li>
</ol>
The best part of these lists are they're open for interpretation. Feel free to leave your favorites in the comments.Kyle E. Mennighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07550587841150969994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6484714256793868940.post-48151043122675650932012-06-21T19:02:00.003-07:002012-06-21T19:02:44.361-07:00Oneida trio take home medals at New York Senior Games<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gas1LZ59F9k/T-PRSnCjnbI/AAAAAAAAA78/SnQuawMieTk/s1600/06_22_seniorrunner469%28web%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gas1LZ59F9k/T-PRSnCjnbI/AAAAAAAAA78/SnQuawMieTk/s320/06_22_seniorrunner469%28web%29.jpg" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robert Wilde</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At 90 years old, the fact that Oneida resident Robert Wilde even competed in the
New York State Senior Games June 9 in Cortland was impressive. That he took second in the
100, 200 and 400 meter races for the 90-94 age division makes the accomplishment even sweeter.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mTH81w9LLnU/T-PRmMurW1I/AAAAAAAAA8E/0k8OAA6OeB0/s1600/06_13_senior+medals.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mTH81w9LLnU/T-PRmMurW1I/AAAAAAAAA8E/0k8OAA6OeB0/s320/06_13_senior+medals.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bob Heller, left, and Pat McCarthy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Wilde and fellow Oneida residents Pat McCarthy, 86, and Bob Heller, 87, each took home medals from the senior games. They are a great example of staying active and healthy irregardless of age. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6484714256793868940.post-58863024681964722072012-05-15T18:27:00.003-07:002012-05-15T18:30:00.672-07:00Oneida softball has memorable Morabito Tournament<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">By PERRY L. NOVAK</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Dispatch Sports Editor</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Twitter.com/OneidaSports</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Having a front row seat at
sporting events has its advantages, especially when it's a big game. The ones
that usually stand out the most are championships. A few years ago I was lucky
enough to witness Hamilton's record setting comeback in the boys soccer state
final then soon after to see Sage Hurta's stunning comeback to win the state
cross country title for Hamilton.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UTFLhiqL9H8/T7MCTE_ZvuI/AAAAAAAAA7w/J2evVxAyT_Q/s1600/05_16_ohs+softball+team+pic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UTFLhiqL9H8/T7MCTE_ZvuI/AAAAAAAAA7w/J2evVxAyT_Q/s400/05_16_ohs+softball+team+pic.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Oneida's softball team poses for a photo after its 2nd place finish</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And the past three years
I've been fortunate to watch Oneida boys win the state pentathlon title with a
different athlete each year. The list goes on, and this past weekend another
event moved into my top 20, but not because a team won a title. No, Oneida's
softball team finished second at the James "Ace" Morabito Memorial
Invitational and that feat was, perhaps, the finest in the program's history.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The Morabito has been around
for 31 years and, incredibly, each year for the past few decades one of the
squads in the 16-team field has gone on to win a state title. This past weekend,
12 Class AA teams, three Class B and Oneida - the lone Class A entrant -
battled for two days. More than half the field entered was state ranked and the
host school, Windsor from Section IV, was the defending state champion in Class
B. All the teams played two games Saturday and two more Sunday.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Oneida, state-ranked but
toward the bottom in Class A before the weekend began, was not picked to fare
overly well as its bracket was tough. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Well, Oneida defied the odds
and won its first two games. First up was Chenango Forks and an early homer
gave the Section IV team a lead. Oneida rallied to tie the game as Jenna Didio
had the key extra-base hit. Coach Mike Curro's team then beat the Class B foe
4-2 in eight innings to earn a berth in the quarterfinals against Class AA
North Rockland.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Things did not go well for
Oneida until the last inning. Down 5-2, Curro's kids rallied to win 6-5. While
Didio and senior pitcher Maria Rocco led the way as usual, the rest of the
lineup contributed consistently.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The next foe, Windsor needed
no such drama in its first two games. The Black Knights beat both foes via the
mercy rule and it appeared Sunday's noon semifinal might be a mismatch.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It was, but not the way most
anyone would have thought. No, Oneida scored early and often, played almost
perfect defense and Windsor committed many errors. Down 6-0, the hosts scored
twice and seemed ready to break out against Rocco in the middle innings. But
Oneida answered immediately with two runs then scored three times late in the
game to beat Windsor 11-3 via the mercy rule.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The way Oneida won its semi
was the same way it won the first two games. Everyone did something and no one
appeared intimidated. Katie Buda did her job leading off, Didio and Rocco hit
for power despite their small stature, Lasalle, Casey Woodcock, Jaclyn Cavanagh
and, well, all the upperclassmen hit, ran, threw and caught well. And then
there was Lexi Skibitski, the eighth grader in the heart of the lineup and
playing second base who seemed as unflappable as her older peers. She, too, hit
well and played the field effectively.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">They all continued to do so
in the final against Class AA Corning. But the bigger, more athletic Hawks
scored a run early and added another later for a 2-0 lead and C.W. Post-bound
pitcher Quincy Lewis shut down every batter to preserve the championship at
Mudville.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It did not seem to affect
Oneida, now 14-2-1 and state-ranked No. 9). The team accepted its runner-up
award with heads held high.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">"Oneida,"
tournament founder Bill Shaw said during and after the tourney, "was the
surprise team of the tournament."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Oneida, like every other
softball team, has one player at every position on the field, and that adds up
to nine. When you have uncanny chemistry to go along with great coaching,
dedication and athleticism like Oneida does, it seems to add up to a perfect
10. And those who have watched Curro's team all spring should know that comes
as no surprise.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6484714256793868940.post-42190228446479851802012-05-08T17:29:00.002-07:002012-05-08T17:30:30.211-07:00VVS students named scholar athletes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here are VVS' scholar athletes for the spring sports season:<br />
<b>Softball -</b> Autumn Chapman, Erin Confer, Kayla Conte, Alexia Cooper, Celeste Coy, Jenna Dunne, Jolene Durant, Sam Kogut, Taylor Ligoci, Ashley Palmer, Rebecca Przybylski, Allie Szczerba and Tasha Wilson.<br />
<br />
<b>Boys Tennis - </b>Christopher DeNova, Dylan Duchene, Nicholas Fletcher, Andrew Kane, Matt McCall, Ben McEwen, James Neverette, Travis Regner, Devin Vallee, Paul Ziarko.<br />
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<b>Boys Golf - </b>Zach Hubbard, Scott Johnson, Matt Kimball, George Netzband, Evan Pritchard, James Renwick, Connor Shay.<br />
<br />
<b>Girls Golf -</b> Alicia Gowens, Cecelia Kaido, Molly Mumford, Jacqueline Neverette, Nicole Scotto, Micaela Shay, Amanda Snizek, Emily Wagner.<br />
<br />
<b>Girls Track and Field -</b> Tamara Beal, Morgan Bernier, Makenzie Conroy, Margaret Curtis, Molly D'Agostino, Jessie Dixon, Cassie Dunbar, Devon Dunbar, Sam Ernest, Caitlin Faulkner, Kayla Fazekas, Ronnie Judge, Alexis Kavanaugh, Kerry Miley, Sam Netzband, Jamie Noble, Christine Oliver, Sahara Post, Kayla Prentice, Brianna Rascoe, Jessica Smith, Melinda Stanton, Megan Theriault, Annamarie Visalli.<br />
<br />
<b>Boys Track and Field -</b> Vinnie Bailey, Jacob Bitz, Erick Faherty, Gabriel Faherty, Brett Field, Michael Hilliker, Samuel Htun, Austin Lynch, Ryan Oliver, Nick Stoltz, Dan Thayer, Justin VanDuLutigaarden, Colin VanNamee, Hunter Woodcock. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6484714256793868940.post-35999503434724763952012-04-19T13:00:00.000-07:002012-04-19T13:00:52.950-07:00Mohawk Valley Wrestling Club competes in Germany<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="color: black;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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</style> <![endif]--> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ujOHAP4kPlk/T5BupR7tDaI/AAAAAAAAA7o/02hvAK1iD_w/s1600/04_20_mv+wrestling+club.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ujOHAP4kPlk/T5BupR7tDaI/AAAAAAAAA7o/02hvAK1iD_w/s320/04_20_mv+wrestling+club.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;">Members of the Mohawk Valley Wrestling Club recently competed in several tournaments in Holzgerlingen, Germany. Wrestlers, coaches, referees and chaperones left Syracuse on April 5 for the trip that combined wrestling with the sites, culture and lifestyle of Germany. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;">The team is, from left (front row) Kasey Proper (VVS), Connor Russ (Canastota), Wes Blanding (Chittenango), Nick Petroff (Cazenovia), Tyler Heggelke (W. Genesee), Cody Carbery (Chittenango), (middle row) Mike Vreeland (M-E), John Regan (Chittenango), Alex Moss (ES-M), Anthony Finocchiaro (Canastota), Barney Prince (M-E), Matt Fisher (Oneida), (back row), chaperone J. Regan, coach M. Letcher, Jack Buell (S-E), Brad Lucas (Cazenovia), Vice-President Bob Rose , Anthony Rafkis (Baldwinsville); Ben Honis (J-D), Brian Ervin (VVS) and coach P. LeBlanc. The MVWC is in its 30th season of existence.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6484714256793868940.post-34546928980023599342012-04-11T12:11:00.001-07:002012-04-11T12:19:02.258-07:00Rare switch-pitcher to feature in Syracuse this summer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JmanFQGwKbo/T4XY3_LqIEI/AAAAAAAAA7c/jXhtis6iNzQ/s1600/04_12_Venditte.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JmanFQGwKbo/T4XY3_LqIEI/AAAAAAAAA7c/jXhtis6iNzQ/s320/04_12_Venditte.JPG" width="202" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Pat Venditte throwing righty</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I first read about reliever Pat Venditte when <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=4145564">ESPN columnist Rick Reilly brought him to national attention in this article</a>.<br />
Venditte is a switch-pitcher for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees who throws right-handed or left-handed depending on what side of the plate the batter prefers. Because he uses both arms, he can last longer in a game than a traditional reliever.<br />
According to his team bio, Venditte is the only ambidextrous pitcher in professional baseball. He is a natural righty but has been throwing with both arms since he was three years old.<br />
The 26-year-old reliever has worked his way up through the minor leagues since he was drafted out of Creighton in 2008 and even inspired a new rule.<br />
The need for the rule arose from a situation that turned comical when Venditte was pitching for the Class A Stanton Island Yankees against the Brooklyn Cyclones. With a runner on first and two outs in the ninth, Venditte needed to retire switch-hitter Ralph Henriquez to earn a 7-2 win for the Yankees. The two went back and forth between throwing and batting righty and lefty until the home plate umpire was forced to intervene. Eventually, Venditte struck out a frustrated Henriquez to end the game.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/yDyCRTlKllk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Under the new rule, a pitcher must visually indicate to the umpire, batter and runners which hand he will use to pitch to the batter. <br />
For CNY baseball fans, there should be plenty of opportunities to check out the first switch-pitcher in pro baseball in about 100 years. Not only do the Chiefs have plenty of home games left against the Yankees, but Scranton/W-B is playing 10 "home" games at Alliance Bank Stadium while its own park is under construction. <br />
Using a six-fingered glove that fits both hands, Venditte entered the game in the fourth inning of the Chiefs-Yankees game Monday in Syracuse. In three innings he allowed no runs on one hit, one walk and four strikeouts.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0