100th INDY 500!

It seems appropriate that the 100Th running of the Indy 500 would take place in a time when the best Open Wheel Drivers are on the track once again. After the division which created CART vs. Indy Drivers they are all brought back together and settled into real competition. What is interesting about drivers in this Open Wheel sport, is although the competitive juices are flowing through their veins, this is a very tight group. Friends for the most part. Something else you may not know, there are very few egos to speak of. They are also the nicest people you will ever meet or talk with. Granted everyone who watches "Dancing With The Stars" knows who Helio Castroneves is. And there is no one on the Earth who does not know the name Andretti. Still, these guys (Ok, not Mario) can walk down the street (Ok and not Danica) and no one bothers them. They can live a fairly normal life, living their dream and experience rock star status during a race weekend and have it all go away on Monday morning. Maybe that is one reason why they are not too full of themselves. It's refreshing. The teams and drivers are also painfully aware that with the popularity of NASCAR, Indy Car has to fight for every PR opportunity they can get. Even the World Wide Leader in Sports would rather show a story on a last place MLB team, than take the same amount of time to show an amazing story on an Open Wheel driver...unless ofcourse it is the week of the Indy 500. They actually have races that go on all year. Just like NASCAR. Seems most media and fans are unaware. We can hope that someday the lack of knowledge will go away.
Something that never goes away is the dream to win the Indy 500. For some drivers it is a dream that comes to life and for some a living heartbreak. Ask the Andretti's how they have been so close and so far away from winning at this track. Mario did win it once but it was not without controversy. Michael almost beat his son on the last lap and at the last second they were both passed by Sam Hornish Jr. In the case of Helio Castronoeves and AJ Foyt, it is like being on your very own track where you win on more than anyone!
Indy is elusive, magical, historical. Now it also has the best talent in Open Wheel racing competing...and it only took 100 years. Lets hope everyone watches!

We need more HEART in football

Say whatever you want about Brett Favre. He is too old, should not be playing, etc. But every time he is under center he is playing for the right reason....he loves football. Period the end. Does Tony Romo LOVE football? I don't think so. He might LIKE it alot but love is another story. To LOVE means to sacrifice, to be a leader, to not be afraid to go out on a limb, to endure physical pain. Same can be said for coaches. Everyone wants Mike Singletary's head on a platter, but he LOVES football and he is trying with every ounce of his soul to bring the SF 49ers back to greatness. You can see it in his eyes, and for that matter you have always been able to see that intensity in his eyes. I don't see that intensity in Wade Phillips eyes. All I see in his eyes is fear....he knows the only reason he still has the title of head coach of the Dallas Cowboys is that Jerry Jones is not going to make any coaching changes when the NFL is facing a strike next season. Why offer another coach a big contract when odds are he won't be earning it next season. Jerry is a business man. Too bad because Wade is a solid defensive coach but head coach material, not even close. Not to mention the really good coaches waiting in the wings are Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden who are going to finish this season as broadcasters. By the way, we need both of those men back coaching football because they do coach with heart.

Mark Sanchez has heart, Phillip Rivers is a whiner. Terrell Owens is probably bi-polar but he LOVES this game. Emmitt Smith loved playing this game and endured more pain than most people will ever experience in their lifetime. J'Marcus Russell had too many dollar signs in his eyes to fight for anything. That was clear when Raiders head coach Tom Cable benched him for back up QB Bruce Gradkowski who went out there and left every ounce of his being and body on that field. He found receivers to get the ball to, he studied the playbook waiting for this moment. He was making about $10.00 an hour. You can see the difference. There are alot of reasons for this lack of LOVE but character has alot to do with it.

It is easy to come off as a hero when you win but your true character shines through when you are defeated. Take a look at last years Superbowl. Brew Brees, could not be happier for him. he was shafted by San Diego and written off as a quality number one. Good thing the Saints didn't think so. He is a class act who never gave up regardless of the adversity. On the flip side, Peyton Manning lost in that game.
A game he was suppose to win. And he handled the loss with grace, poise and HEART.
It was a perfect moment for football.

Someday in the next ten years Brett Favre will be coaching high school football in Hattiesburg, Mississippi full time and there is no doubt that every kid that learns the game of football from him, will learn to play with heart.

The TRUTH about Manny Ramirez hamstring issues...

As a reporter, your number one job is to get the story RIGHT....right? In this day and age that does not seem to matter. How sad. And I am calling out my friends on Sports Radio. There is something about giving your opinion on radio that makes it ok to get the story wrong. Covering the Dodgers everyday, I see Manny Ramirez, Ned Colletti, Joe Torre, Scott Boras and most important for this story, Dodger head medical trainer Stan Conte. Recently there was a stir during batting practice at Dodger Stadium. Stan was talking to Scott Boras. Joe was huddled with Ned and there was no Manny anywhere. But the buzz was all about Manny. He was still in Arizona at the Camelback Ranch Facility working with trainers on his strained Hamstring. Let me preface this by saying, it is the Dodgers decision to send Manny and Keep Manny in Arizona. Not Manny's decision. But on this day, the question was still, when is Manny coming back? The news was not what Joe Torre was hoping to hear. Stan Conte had flown out the Arizona to see Manny earlier that day and said he is simply not ready to be an everyday outfielder, YET. Stan explained in detail that Manny is 38 and as we age, simple injuries heal at their own pace. Period. There was no real time table as to when they could reasonably expect Manny back and no one on a struggling team wants to hear that.
So now we deal with how this is interpreted in the Media. Manny is a legend, he has been portrayed as a big star who has "given up" on his former team when he was unhappy. But in Los Angeles we have NEVER seen THAT Manny. I have seen Manny Ramirez do More for his team mates in the locker room and sign more autographs for his fans than almost any other player. If a guy can not run the bases because of a physical injury, that is not calling it in. Manny is not unhappy in Los Angeles, he is hurt. I know that is not the talk radio version of Manny, it's just the truth. If Manny does anything, he is put under a microscope and reporters LOVE that. But to twist a story about an injured player is pathetic. By the way, these reporters are arrogant and it's their job to trash everyone. And, they are NEVER at Dodger stadium, NEVER. They have no clue as to what is really going on.
Manny is still in Arizona and the Dodgers are in trouble. It did not help that the Dodgers took the Mannywood sign down at the stadium. But it all makes for a dramatic story right? One that is to be continued.

MANNYS MUM AS ARE THE DODGERS IN BOSTON

So Manny returned to Fenway for the first time since the trade. First time ever in Dodger Blue. Manny decided to not talk to the media over the three game series, but we were all there anyway. The more I know about Manny, the more I understand that he is attempting to not make the same mistakes he made in Boston. One huge one is talking too much. Manny knows no matter what he says, it will be twisted. So saying No Thanks to interviews in Boston and some in LA makes the media mad....too bad. What is he going to say anyway? Nothing we don't already know. "Hey Manny, what was it like to hit a home run over the green monster in Dodger Blue?" Manny..."Same as it did when I played for the Red Sox". Manny did genuinely hug Papi when they met on the field for batting practice. Since Manny did not talk to the media, the Vulchers in Boston were scolded by Terry Francona who explained to them on day one that he was not going to discuss Manny's every move each day.

The real story is that the Dodgers got swept. The offense looked lethargic even with Manny's Homer. Ethiers swing is way off and Matt Kemp is swinging at everything. Even having Rhianna in Boston did not help. Maybe she better not come back to Los Angeles. The Dodgers have 3 more with the Angels who also just swept them AND 3 with the Yankees at Dodger Stadium. This inter league play is not much fun for the Dodgers thus far.

Back to Manny who did sit with me on camera two weeks ago about a story I was doing on Kenji the Dodgers interpreter for the non English speaking players. And what everyone forgets is, Manny is one of them. Yes, Manny speaks English, but he's not completely fluent. He was very candid with me about how much the interpreter has helped him since coming to Los Angeles. Sometimes it is easier for Manny to say nothing rather than risk saying something the wrong way. There was nothing to say in Boston anyway accept ADIOS!

MLB All Star Game votes....who is voting? who is going?

I started to pay attention to the All Star Votes this year for two reasons. One, the game is 50 Miles from my house. And Two, I will more than likely be covering it which means I better be paying attention.

Although the Angels are the official hosts, that other LA is team is on a tear. Quietly and dramatically. Three walk offs in the last three games and they had the best record in all of baseball in the month of June. Yes, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

So lets get down to business with this voting stuff. In the National League, it's all about the Philly's. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Placido Polanco, Carlos Ruiz, Jayson Werth, Jimmy Rollins. I am talking top first or second spots in voting. Don't get me wrong, I know and like alot of these guys, but is this just a repeat of the last World Series..... and I have not even gotten to the AL yet! JImmy Rolllins? He has been on the DL since practically Spring Training! Although Albert is leading his top spot by more than 500 thousand votes, David Wright is inching his way ever closer at 3rd base but no one on the NL West leading Padres is even mentioned! This is obviously a popularity contest that consists of crazy fans who have nothing better to do in New York and Philly than to find every way possible to submit votes for this game. Dodger fans need to step up the hysteria! Andre Ethier is the obvious choice and is moving up in the outfield. By the way if David Wright does not make it, I may not even go!

Moving over to the American League. Angels outfielder Torii Hunter is practically single handily hosting this event and for that, he needs to be in game. O but wait, he doesn't wear Pin Stripes. I am happy to see the World Champs represented. Even if they weren't the World Champs, Jeter can come to any event as far as I am concerned. But add on in the votes for Texiera, Cano, Arod. I am relieved that Torii is beating out Granderson, Swisher and Gardner. Keep voting Angel fans!

I was always under the impression in the end, one or two guys from every team come and are represented. The best players from every team. A virtual candy store of the best of the best. I once had a camera guy who had to take a break because he had to fill out his All Star Ballot. Not just one either. All I can say is, if you want to see your team represented and you are not a Yankee or Philly fan, VOTE!

12 TIMES A CHARM!

No matter how old or young you are, you know about the Lakers and the Celtics playing for the Championship. My friends son who is nine was hoping from the Suns and Magic. His reason was that the Lakers and the Celtics always play in the Championship! He's right. Folks a little older than nine relish in the lush history these two teams share. Fans from Boston to Los Angeles are eating and breathing this rivalry. Just last night at the Dodger game, two Boston fans, sitting in the most expensive seats at the stadium had no problem showing off their bright Garden Green t-shirts complete with BEAT LA on the back. Good thing they were not sitting in the pavilion.

The pure Agony and Ecstasy of it all. And the Lakers experiencing both. They are the current World Champions, Ecstacy. They did loose to the Celtics last go round, AGONY! For the Celtics they have been on a roll all the way through the playoffs. Before that, it was all about the Cavs winning the east. The Celtics were not even a blip on the radar. Although Le Bron and his off season plans still dominate the conversations, the Celtics blew through Cleveland like a bad cold. The nasty kind. Now the Lakers have to wonder of they are immune or contagious to whatever the heck the Celtics have. Be assured that Kobe Bryant is taking his Zinc. Infact Phil is probably handing it out to the whole team. Game on, tomorrow.

APPROACHING THE ELEPHANTS IN THE ROOM...

As June approached for the Los Angeles Dodgers, there are two HUGE story lines that will become very apparent. "Manny goes back to Fenway Park". This is for the first time since the trade". Then right after, "The Yankees are coming".

Joe Torre will be willing to talk about his love for Derek Jeter and his fond memories he spent in Pinstripes. There is no doubt in my mind that he is also relieved that THEY are coming to Dodger Stadium instead of the Dodgers going into the New Yankee Stadium. The one Joe was not apart of. What is interesting about baseball players is they very rarely show emotion. If you ask Joe or Manny how badly they want to beat their former teams, they will both say that they want to beat every team they play. The real fun will come when reporters try and think of a million different ways to ask this question to get a different answer!

When the Yankees come, Dodger stadium will turn into NYC west. There will be a million FOT's (Friends of Torre) sitting in the "Good Seats" for every game. Although the Dodgers are not allowing the purchase of just one Yankee game ticket, (you have to buy a multiple game package) there will not be an empty seat in the house.

When the Dodgers go to Fenway,(those games already sold out)it will be a media east coast circus. I love covering east coast games. The media resemble a lioness stalking her prey. It's hilarious! I have seen the pushy approach, the Big Network Reporter, the Rude question reporter, the reporter who looks like she is a prostitute to get attention. I'm not making any of this up, it's the East coast. LA has TJ Simers, but the east coast has everyone! The thing that is most amusing is the athletes "get it" and no one "gets it" more than Manny! Manny has seen it all, heard it all, laughs at it all! I love this about him. Watching someone who does not react to the obvious is a real skill. Manny may be embarking on 550 homeruns but his real gift is not swinging the bat but keeping it in check.

Since Manny has been a Dodger, we have never seen that Bad Manny. EVER. Not once. Sure he does the occasional leave the locker room early. So does everyone else. Not different. He always has time for a picture or an autograph. Maybe Joe Torre has something to do with that. There is something about Joe that makes you want to be better, as a person. Not just a ball player. No disrespect to Terry Francona or any other manager but Joe is Joe.

Which goes back to, how bad does Joe want to beat his former team at Dodger stadium? I'll keep you posted.....