It happened again; the death of a sports legend. Red Auerbach died at 89.
Was he a genius? Certainly he changed the game of basketball with his coaching and dealing. As a kid with deep roots in both New England and Philadelphia, I will never forget the epic battles between the great Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. With a gifted supporting cast that included Cousy, Heinsohn, two Joneses and Sanders, Red and Russell won most of the time.
As GM he brought Larry Bird to Boston at the same time that Magic Johnson arrived to play for the Lakers. Together with their teams they ushered in a golden age that fostered the NBA's growth and set the stage for the big money its current stars earn. The Celtics and the Lakers continued their phenomenal rivalry with great teams, classic games and unforgettable championship series.
Nine championships as a coach and seven as GM. He was a genius for his time and will be missed.
Thanks for the memories Red. Enjoy a cigar in his honor.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Who Was Marlin McKeever?
Life after 60. When I started this blog I promised that I would make that one of my topics. I am sure that everything I have written is colored by that, but I have written little about it directly.
Yesterday Marlin McKeever fell in his home. I saw the notice online.
Marlin McKeever was a football player, one of the best of his time. He loved the game so much that he played several positions, and played them well. At USC his last two years he was their leading receiver. He had even been a punter. I guess I first took note of him because his twin brother Mike played for USC too. Both of them were good. Tragically both of them are now dead because of head injuries.
When you are younger you lose people around you who die untimely deaths. Foremost in my life have been Sandy and Bucky, my cousins and like me the oldest children in their families. I also remember the loss of heroes and public figures; chiefly two Kennedys, a King and a Lennon. But when you get into your sixties headlines with names from the past jump out at you.
Marlin McKeever was a linebacker in the NFL, one of the best of his time. When I watch football, I key in on linebackers and how they play. The best were among my heroes including Chuck Bednarik and Dick Butkus.
I always enjoyed watching Marlin McKeever play. Thanks for the memories Marlin McKeever!
My condolences go out to your family.
Yesterday Marlin McKeever fell in his home. I saw the notice online.
Marlin McKeever was a football player, one of the best of his time. He loved the game so much that he played several positions, and played them well. At USC his last two years he was their leading receiver. He had even been a punter. I guess I first took note of him because his twin brother Mike played for USC too. Both of them were good. Tragically both of them are now dead because of head injuries.
When you are younger you lose people around you who die untimely deaths. Foremost in my life have been Sandy and Bucky, my cousins and like me the oldest children in their families. I also remember the loss of heroes and public figures; chiefly two Kennedys, a King and a Lennon. But when you get into your sixties headlines with names from the past jump out at you.
Marlin McKeever was a linebacker in the NFL, one of the best of his time. When I watch football, I key in on linebackers and how they play. The best were among my heroes including Chuck Bednarik and Dick Butkus.
I always enjoyed watching Marlin McKeever play. Thanks for the memories Marlin McKeever!
My condolences go out to your family.
The Little Pest
A true lead off hitter makes a pest of himself. He (she too, but not in the Major Leagues yet) fouls off pitches to frustrate the opposing pitcher, gets hit by a pitch occasionally and chokes up on the bat to slap a single. When he gets on, the lead off hitter motivates his team and makes something happen. Rickey Henderson was probably the best. No Red Sox fan will forget Wade Boggs, one of the two best contact hitters of his generation.
But the 2006 World Series MVP to a 5ft 7in lead off hitter? You bet! David Eckstein was the logical choice to anyone who knows baseball. In an era when the home run makes the highlights on Sport Center, he plays "small ball" with emotion and smarts, just the way the game should be played.
Is there any wonder that the kid has two championships? In the 2002 ALDS he drove the Yankee pitchers, especially Roger Clemens, crazy with his pesky approach to hitting.
Baseball needed an MVP who demonstrates that size, muscle and substances are not what makes an exciting national pastime.
But the 2006 World Series MVP to a 5ft 7in lead off hitter? You bet! David Eckstein was the logical choice to anyone who knows baseball. In an era when the home run makes the highlights on Sport Center, he plays "small ball" with emotion and smarts, just the way the game should be played.
Is there any wonder that the kid has two championships? In the 2002 ALDS he drove the Yankee pitchers, especially Roger Clemens, crazy with his pesky approach to hitting.
Baseball needed an MVP who demonstrates that size, muscle and substances are not what makes an exciting national pastime.
More on Reynolds
A couple hours after I posted on The October Surprise I got into my car and heard a report that Tom Reynolds has a slight lead over Jack Davis in the most recent poll.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
The October Surprise
There he is front and center on the front page of yesterday's The Buffalo News announcing that President Bush has declared Western New York a major disaster area. What does that mean? It means that Tom Reynolds, U.S. House of Representatives, Republican, 26th district New York State, has brought more federal dollars to our region hard hit by the "October Surprise" snow storm. (Really, that's what local media has been calling the storm that dumped two feet of wet heavy snow on Thursday and Friday, October 12 and 13.)
Clearly on the defensive just three weeks ago because of the Foley scandal, Tom Reynolds seems to be rebounding because of his swift response to the storm. Sure there has been criticism because he brought FEMA in for an extensive tour that included the wealthy suburb of Amherst (in his district) but not the city of Buffalo (not in his district). That criticism will fall on deaf ears for many of his constituents, the point is that he had the clout to make a difference where they live.
If you know Reynolds (full disclosure: I moved out of his district intentionally a couple years ago.) you know that he is a firm adherent to Tip O'Niell's mantra that, "All politics is local." He knows how to bring home the bacon.
When the Foley emails to a former congressional page surfaced, Reynolds was put on the defensive because all he did was report them to his boss, Speaker Dennis Hastert, Republican, Illinois. He seems to have known of the emails as early as last spring, reported them to Hastert, and done nothing more. As more of the scandal got out Reynolds felt the increasing heat. Initially he laid low, but eventually a downstate media expert put Reynolds in an ad for an apology to his constituents. The congressman looked very uncomfortable on camera. He spoke haltingly and seemed to be sweating as his face filled the screen.
Jack Davis, the Democratic Candidate aiming for Reynold's seat inched into a narrow lead. Now Mr. Davis may not really be a Democrat, and he certainly is not a politician. He is kind of a Johnny One Note; a businessman against free trade.
Then came the October Surprise, a snow storm. The paid political ad apologizing was bad; the ad running now is effective. Jack Davis was on a local radio show in the spring. He seems to be against federal pork and was also quoted as having questions about member items by The Buffalo News. Reynold's ad makes the point that Davis would not even bring home dollars for a fire truck for the local "first responders."
Stepping out against federal pork barrel spending (the multimillion dollar bridge to nowhere in Ketchikan, Alaska is an example of federal pork) is admirable for a politician. But it won't get you elected, especially if the people in the district are trying to figure who is going to pay for getting rid of all those downed trees and tree limbs.
Prediction: Tip O'Niell was right. All politics are local and barring another October Surprise, Reynolds will retain his seat. He should thank Mother Nature.
Clearly on the defensive just three weeks ago because of the Foley scandal, Tom Reynolds seems to be rebounding because of his swift response to the storm. Sure there has been criticism because he brought FEMA in for an extensive tour that included the wealthy suburb of Amherst (in his district) but not the city of Buffalo (not in his district). That criticism will fall on deaf ears for many of his constituents, the point is that he had the clout to make a difference where they live.
If you know Reynolds (full disclosure: I moved out of his district intentionally a couple years ago.) you know that he is a firm adherent to Tip O'Niell's mantra that, "All politics is local." He knows how to bring home the bacon.
When the Foley emails to a former congressional page surfaced, Reynolds was put on the defensive because all he did was report them to his boss, Speaker Dennis Hastert, Republican, Illinois. He seems to have known of the emails as early as last spring, reported them to Hastert, and done nothing more. As more of the scandal got out Reynolds felt the increasing heat. Initially he laid low, but eventually a downstate media expert put Reynolds in an ad for an apology to his constituents. The congressman looked very uncomfortable on camera. He spoke haltingly and seemed to be sweating as his face filled the screen.
Jack Davis, the Democratic Candidate aiming for Reynold's seat inched into a narrow lead. Now Mr. Davis may not really be a Democrat, and he certainly is not a politician. He is kind of a Johnny One Note; a businessman against free trade.
Then came the October Surprise, a snow storm. The paid political ad apologizing was bad; the ad running now is effective. Jack Davis was on a local radio show in the spring. He seems to be against federal pork and was also quoted as having questions about member items by The Buffalo News. Reynold's ad makes the point that Davis would not even bring home dollars for a fire truck for the local "first responders."
Stepping out against federal pork barrel spending (the multimillion dollar bridge to nowhere in Ketchikan, Alaska is an example of federal pork) is admirable for a politician. But it won't get you elected, especially if the people in the district are trying to figure who is going to pay for getting rid of all those downed trees and tree limbs.
Prediction: Tip O'Niell was right. All politics are local and barring another October Surprise, Reynolds will retain his seat. He should thank Mother Nature.
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