Papi Goes the Weasel!

Seems like just yesterday when David Ortiz and Alex Rodriguez were sharing a drink and a cigar on the golf course at Ortiz's charity golf touney. Through all of the allegations and scandal that ARod was dealing with, all was well in the cozy seat of a golf cart in the sun drenched beauty of the Dominican Republic.All was right with the world.....ahhhhhhh.

Well, A funny thing happened today on ESPN radio. The ever so boisterous talk show host Colin Cowherd had a chat with Joe Tacopina and within a blink of an eye, buried one of ARods few remaining friends in baseball. That bridge was burned when this comment was made by Tacopina...

“No one else was compelled to say anything and no one else did say anything,” Tacopina said about the time period when a Selena Roberts book was released detailing Rodriguez’s alleged PED use and the Times story broke. “People were denying stuff. And I’m not gonna start naming all the other players, but some of them are God-like in Boston right now, and people seem to forget that … Alex came clean and admitted something when he didn’t have to.” 

Let's get real, no one is really surprised by this comment. Ortiz has dealt with allegations of steroid use for years now and for good reason, as Cowherd stated...

When it’s too good to be true, it is … Here was a guy in May of 2009, batting .222 with a slugging percentage of .300, no injuries and he couldn’t hit … He’s significantly better today than several years ago. Interesting story. The story of David Ortiz hitting .733 is about as believable as Big Foot.” 

Although, with it coming from the mouth of Tacopina, this will certainly have an immediate backlash. Let it be known though, it certainly won't be coming from Yankee fans! 

The steroid accusation is so freely used by Sox fans (2nd only to "buying our team") as the reason for the Yankee's championship success. Even after Manny Ramirez and his suspensions for anything from steroids to his...female fertility pills..heh, heh...Manny being Mary? Anyway, it still seems that it just disappears within the gates of Red Sox nation. 

I figure, if ARod is going to keep shooting off cannons while the ship sinks, why not aim it at the Red Sox?

Why the Yankee signings will work

It's so easy to see this all crumble down on our heads. With Robbie leaving town and the infamous number that makes any pinstriped fan cringe (189), it is so easy to be timid with your enthusiasm for the upcoming season. Well, don't be!

The signings of Ellsbury, McCannn and Beltran bring more than just some extra pop in an annemic line up. These players are intense winners and that seems to be something that has been missing lately. The first thing that came to my mind with each signing was the intensity of each player. From McCann blocking the plate last season as a taunting Carlos Gomez rounded the bases, to Ellsbury screaming around the basepaths and diving without abandon to Beltran getting clutch hit after clutch hit in the playoffs. These guys come in with something hanging on their sleeves that the likes of A-Rod and Cano couldn't bring, and that's heart.

I know the Yankees aren't done yet and to be honest I am excited about what is coming next, but as of now I am thrilled with the new additions.

What's the worst that could happen?

I recently applied for a writing position with a sports related web site...this is the break down. (figuratively, not literally)

Saturday morning  I woke up at about 6:00 and started the regular routine. First check to see if the little man is up, next coffee and finally, take a spin on the web. ESPN, CBS Sports-line, Twitter, Facebook...etc. Well, as usual, nothing exciting happened from the night before and other than an occasional humorous update from random "friends" on Facebook, it was the same ol', same ol'.

Then something struck me while checking a few other sites, it was all the same random cookie cutter stories and articles. I mean, if I read 3 different sports articles, I couldn't tell you the differences between them. It was just frustrating and kind of confusing that these guys didn't have any more to add. It was so robotic and only could have been worse if it came through on a telegraph machine. I don't know if it was this particular morning or if it just never really bothered me...but, it really irritated me this particular morning.

After a few more desperate searches something clicked. This led me to remembering a site that had an open application process that I never really taken seriously before this morning. Well, package the frustration along with my wife telling me that I should write more, then throw in a big old helping of "I know I can write better than these guys, how hard could it be?" and what do you get?

Well, you get an under-educated contractor, fumbling his way through an application, along with a "test article" which I really "thought" came together great. I showed it to my wife and she proof read and corrected a few things, but overall thought it was pretty good. Then, I hit the big orange button "submit application"

The following Monday morning I was taking a break at work and I checked my mail. It was a reply from the aforementioned site!

Wow, that was quick, that's good right?.

It was bad, I was shot down, with a classic rendition of "you're not what they are looking for at this present time.".

It didn't break my heart. I mean, honestly, I didn't really think I was equipped enough in the first place. I know that I am not up to par when it comes to a higher education. I have not taken any college courses on writing and I skipped my fair share of English classes in high school.(Heck, its starting to get to the point where I have to Google my sons random questions.)You know what though, I know that I can captivate an audience on paper, and I also know that I can learn the rest as I go on.

How do I know that?

Good question, and the answer is actually a two part....er.

1. I have faith. I had faith when I met my wife. I had faith when we had my son. I had faith when we finally found our Church. I had faith when I stared my own business.(not as much as my wife though) I just have faith that the Lord is going to lead me to what I am here for, and I will do it through him and for him.

2. Well, all right..even with faith I don't have factual evidence. This isn't CSI folks and until it happens, I can't give you any proof. BUT, I took the chance, I took that leap of faith and I believe that if I keep jumping, eventually it's going to happen.

Now, I'm not saying this is going to work with everything in life. Life is not a fortune cookie, everything does not apply just because it sounds good on paper. I know that I couldn't go try out for the Yankees this spring. I know that I couldn't go up on the "Voice" and get Blake Shelton to turn his chair around for my rendition of  "Friends in Low Places" and I most certainly know that I could never, EVER, learn how to speak Spanish! (even know my 6 year old is nailing it) Yet, in the end, I know that I have a chance to write, somewhere, for someone.(Heh, funny/stupid thought, what if I did end up writing for fortune cookies?)

So, after this drawn out pity party, I just want you all to know that, not only have you had to hear me whine about my rejection for the past few paragraphs...but you will have to continue reading in the future. I don't care if you are reading Sports Illustrated in the waiting room or just cracking a cookie at the local China Buffet, I'm going to be writing somewhere.

You don't say?

With my Twitter account split right down the middle with sportswriters and Christian influences, I was updated on the latest "gufaw" in the sports world early this afternoon. Apparently, on ESPN's College Gameday, Lee Corso let lose the biggest of the four letter curse words...fudge!

All right, like the beloved "Ralphie" he did not say fudge, it was the big dog. This lit up Twitter like a Christmas tree and of course, everyone had their say. Anywhere from comments of disbelief, to those that supported and even congratulated him. It really was a strange mix, and after awhile it was becoming a bit disturbing. Not disturbing because of how the social media reacted, but more disturbing because Mr. Corso's career could be over. He was a beloved co host known for his "giant heads" and outfits from whatever school he picked to win at the end of the show. Although, this little mistake on such a huge stage such as ESPN, could cost him his job.

“The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. “ Dorothy Nevill

Wasn't hard to find a quote to go along with this situation! The word really is a powerful thing, think about it. What smaller action could you do to lose your job, end a relationship or really hurt a family member? I myself, am constantly checking what I say with a 5 year old under my watch.

That boy is like a a sponge, you parents know what I'm saying. I will say a word under my breath and the boy will be across the yard with headphones on and sure enough, a week later "Daddy said blah, blah, blah....what does that mean!?" Cue wife eyes now. (sigh)

It got me thinking of a service that we attended about how strong words are. They put up a collage of children with words printed on them and their was a video of verbal abuse. Our Pastor was on fire that day, he really hammered the point across. He also made it very clear that "the Word of God" was the best way to learn to keep your tongue. Their was a passage, and of course with my memory I had to go back and find it..

If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to harness the whole body...Indeed we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn (or control) their whole body. James 3:2-3


Well, I know I'm not perfect. None of us are outside of the big man upstairs, but we sure can try. It is easy to look at what someone said and pick at them (or support them) for saying it. It is so easy to lose your tongue but continue to pray on it, read the word and use your head and remember to choose your words wisely...you never know who could be listening. (once again...wife eyes!)