Comments From Coach Mike

Baseball 2011

2011-03-30T20:38:00.002-05:00

“This ain’t a football game, we do this every day.” ~ Earl Weaver, former Baltimore Orioles Manager.

Thursday the 31st of March is Opening Day of the 2011 Major League Baseball Season. It will begin with the Atlanta Braves playing the Washington Nationals and the Detroit Tigers playing the New York Yankees. Both games will begin at 1:05pm ET. The official closing of the regular season is scheduled for Wednesday the 28th of September. What happens every day in between is magic!

I know from past experience that I will enjoy the wins and the losses; strikeouts and hits; the amazing fielding plays and the errors that will determine the outcome of a close game. It is the game and it’s starting tomorrow. More on the joys as the season progresses, for now, because it is expected, my “predictions”.

In the American League it will be the Boston Red Sox in the East, the Chicago White Sox in the Central, the Texas Rangers in the West and the Tampa Bay Devils as the Wild Card.

In the National League it will be the Philadelphia Phillies in the East, the Cincinnati Reds in the Central, the San Francisco Giants in the West and the Los Angles Dodgers as the Wild Card.

As a pre-season pick, I again have to go with the team for which I root, the White Sox as the eventual World Series Champions, but I do state that is a pick from the heart although they have a great pitching staff both starting and bullpen, plenty of hitting, great defense and a wonderful manager.

Some other forecasts are that Barry Bonds will still be a pompous ass whether he is found innocent or guilty. Carlos Zambrano of the Chicago Cubs will have his yearly meltdown no matter how much therapy he has received. Bud Selig will still over-think what is needed for Major League Baseball, but the game will continue to flourish in spite of him. But mostly, baseball will be played and we will be better for it!

Let the games begin!

And on a personal note, thanks to all of you that have encouraged me to start writing this blog again. I hope I can create some “magic” with my words.

Relay For Life - Karen's Bosom Buddies

2010-06-07T22:54:00.002-05:00

My sister Karen and my Mom are both breast cancer survivors. Because of this I have become involved in Relay For Life. Due to my other commitments I am not as involved as they are, but I pretty much will do whatever they ask of me as cancer, breast cancer in particular is a horrid disease and a cure needs to be found. In saying this I will confess I have dressed up as Crulella de Ville and a Hula Girl to raise money at relays. This year I will once again don interesting togs to raise awareness and cash to fight back. To illustrate the need to fight back, I interviewed my sister Karen.

As this again isn’t strictly a sports related article, although Karen did play and coach basketball when she was younger I again have included the complete transcript rather than put her answers in prose, as well as not to lose the essence of the communication. What follows are Karen’s responses and thoughts to my questions:

Question: What is "Relay For Life"?

Response: Relay For Life is an American Cancer Society community event & fundraiser. Relays are held in communities to raise funds and awareness in the fight against cancer. The events take place on weekends and involve participants walking through the night to "fight back" because cancer never sleeps.

Relay For Life started in 1985 with one man, Gordy Klatt, walking and running around a track alone for 12 hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society, he raised over $27,000 in that one night - it has now grown to the flagship event of the American Cancer Society.

Question: Why are you involved in this cause?

Response: I am involved because 1 in 3 people will have hear the words "you have cancer" in their lifetime. I want to see a cure in my lifetime.

I have been active in the fight against breast cancer since 2002, having participated in the Avon 2 Day walk for several years. In 2005 my husband John was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. I was working at a farmers market and had met a woman who was involved with Relay For Life, a perfect stranger, invited us to attend the Survivors Luncheon at the Oak Lawn Relay later in the year. Sadly, John lost his battle with cancer and passed away in Feb 2007 but it was then that I realized that we needed to do more and I formed a team and joined the Oak Lawn Relay For Life to honor John's memory. My team is Karen's Bosom Buddies. The team is 15 participants strong and consists of family and friends. We have 4 Survivors on the team and the rest of the team has been touched by cancer in some way.

Question: As a survivor, what does a Relay and cause like this mean to you?

Response: Relay is a time to celebrate, remember and fight back - We celebrate Survivors at the event, Remember lost loved ones and Fight Back to help current patients and raise the much needed money to continue research, patient services and lobbying for legislation to help in the fight.

As a survivor, it is a time to reflect on my past and look forward to the future. This year the theme is "more birthdays”. The American Cancer Society is the official sponsor of more birthdays. It is the hope of every survivor and every cancer patient to celebrate more birthdays.

Question: What are your goals for this year and beyond?

Response: My 2010 Team goal was to raise $10,000 (as we have done in 2008 & 2009) and we have already exceeded that - but we are NOT stopping now. I believe in my heart that we can make it to $15,000 and will do whatever I can to reach that goal. Our 2011 goal will start at $15,000 because I know we can do it. We fundraise year round, I joke that the only day I don't do anything for Relay is the day after our event I take that day off. I sell at craft shows, events and on-line to raise money for our team and our cause.

We will continue to hold our fundraisers throughout the year. We have 2 Bingo events and several others. Watch Facebook or our team website for info on upcoming events. We strive to make a difference!

My ultimate personal goal is to work for the American Cancer Society. It is my passion and I believe I can do so much more if I am on staff. However, currently I am working on the committee for the Relay for Life / Palos. I am the chairperson for Team Development and fundraising. I am working closely with our American Cancer Society staff partner, Carrie Robinette, to make sure we have a successful and memorable Relay.

Question: Describe what happens at a Relay.

Response: Oh, where do I start....Relay For Life is 12-14 hours out of our regular lives, where we all come together for the cause. We walk, laugh, cry and become one in the fight against cancer.

Relay For Life is usually held at a school football field or park where there is a track to walk. First of all, Relay For Life is a community event. I have heard it described as an OVERNIGHT BLOCK PARTY! Each team is there at the track and is asked to have one member of the team walking the track at all times. While participants are walking there are also a lot of other things happening. There is entertainment, music, games, food and fun. There are decorated tents lining the track for each team that is participating. Teams are encouraged to continue to fundraise at the event, so you will see lots of fun things to do or buy and all the money goes to the cause.

There are a few parts of Relay that I want to mention:

Opening Ceremonies & Survivor Lap - this is the beginning of the event. All the survivors that are present are asked to walk a lap, while the rest of the crowd cheers them on. It is a very emotional lap - the survivors, young and old, some in strollers, some in wheelchairs all dressed in purple tee shirts that say " survivor" or "living proof" walk that track as a Victory Lap. After the lap, the survivors are honored at a luncheon that is donated by a community restaurant.

The day continues with music, entertainment and fun. There are games and activities for kids and adults, selling of goods to raise money. There are "fun laps" that encourage participants to dress up or do silly things (crazy hat lap, turn your back on cancer lap (turn your clothes backwards etc).

The most memorable part of Relay happens at dusk. It is the Luminaria Ceremony.
Throughout the year and at the event, you can honor a survivor or remember a lost loved one with a Luminaria bag ($10 donation). As darkness falls over Relay, the track is lined with the Luminaria bags, glowing in the darkness - lighting the track. The ceremony involves a walk in silence to remember after the names of each loved one has been read. It is the turning point in the event. It helps you to remember your why for being there but also gives you HOPE - hope that what you are doing is making a difference. The track stays lit with the bags the rest of the night...as we walk through the darkness because cancer never sleeps.

The event continues with more activities and socializing through the night. There is a Mr. Relay event, where guys dress up like woman and walk the track for donations...it is hilarious! Ours will be at 10:30 pm and Mike will be dressed in his hula outfit, don't laugh he pulled in over $200 last year at the event!! Come out to see it!!

At day break, around 6am there is a fight back ceremony and closing ceremony. The fight back and closing is the culmination of entire event. We leave the event with the determination to continue the fight against cancer. We also leave the event having made a difference.

Question: What is your favorite part of Relay?

Response: The Luminaria ceremony. It lets me remember my "why" - why I participate, why I am a Survivor, it brings peace and hope to me, there is nothing like seeing all those bags lining the track. In the bleachers is the word HOPE spelled out in lit Luminaria bags. It is a very emotional time for me but it is the most special part of the event.

Question: How can people get involved?

Response: People can do a lot to be involved. The best way to get involved is to go to a Relay For Life event. You can attend or better yet, get a team together and be there for the entire event. The community is welcome and encouraged to attend. You can check www.americancancersociety.org to find a local Relay For Life event or for volunteer opportunities in your area.
If you want more information feel free to email me at karenabruck@aol.com

Question: Can people attend Relay?
Response: ABSOLUTELY! The more the merrier!! Please come out to ours at:

Alan B. Shepard High School
13049 South Ridgeland Ave.
Palos Heights, Illinois 60463

It is June 12 & 13th. We start at 4pm and end at 6am. For more info check our website: www.relayforlifepalos.com. You can come for the day or just stop by - there is no age limit, no entrance fee and everyone is welcome. (Please no pets, smoking or alcohol allowed at the event).

Question: Where can people donate?

Response: You can go to our webpage: www.relayforlifepalos.com and donate to our team (Karen's Bosom Buddies or find a participant by name and do an online donation). If you prefer to mail a check, make it payable to American Cancer Society and mail it to me at:

Karen Bruck
6612 W 103rd St
Chicago Ridge, IL 60415

We are also running the concession stand at the event as a team fundraiser, so if you'd like to make an in-kind donation, we are looking for cases of bottled water, cases of pop, cases of potato chips etc. Contact me to make a donation.

Question: Anything else you would like to add?

Response: I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my supporters, for the generous donations. I also want to thank my Team - Karen's Bosom Buddies - I love you all and thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do! Because of all of you - there is HOPE! Hope for a cancer free tomorrow...a world with more birthdays.

Please know that the American Cancer Society can be reached 24/7. You can access the website www.americancancersociety.org or call 1-800-ACS-2345 and get help anytime. They offer many programs for cancer patients, caregivers and survivors - please support this worthwhile cause. We have all been touched by cancer!

The only addition I have is a gentle plea. We have all lost a family member or a friend to some sort of cancer, my cousin Jack and uncle Marty to lung as well as my aunt Pat to several forms in the past couple years. But we also all know survivours and Relays will produce more! Come out and support this cause. See me in various costumes (Snack Fairy), I think I will be auctioned off this year (Chicago Salmon 1858 Base Ball Uniform) as well or whatever the team dreams up. If you wish to make a donation for my walking, click here. Thank you!

Perfect, Well Almost

2010-06-07T18:11:00.002-05:00

I once heard it said that officiating is the only job where you have to show up the first day perfect and get better everyday thereafter. An official may not be always right, but they are always the official dispensing the rules and the judgments of the game. I say this in print but there have been times when I’m playing or coaching that this is the furthest thing from my mind or actions.

In a prior post I “predicted” that Baseball Commissioner ‘Bud Selig will still get it wrong and be one step behind any issue.’ When I’m wrong, or in this case partly wrong, I admit it. Bud did the right thing in NOT reversing or over-ruling an umpire’s decision, but still was his clumsy self by promising to examine baseball’s expanded use of instant replay. Give it a rest Bud, the game is in great shape and doesn’t need review of “close” calls. It’s in great shape not because of you and what you do, but because of decent and fair human beings like umpire Jim Joyce and Detroit pitcher Armando Galarraga.

Last week Galarraga came within one out of pitching the 21st perfect game in history. A missed call by Joyce at first cost him his part of baseball immortality. And what was Galarraga’s immediate response, he smiled and went back to the mound and finished the game. No yelling and screaming, no jumping up and down, no berating the man, he went back and did his job.

In the aftermath, many called for Bud Selig to overturn the decision and give him the perfect game. Thankfully, it didn’t happen. Many are calling for expanding replay to get this type of plays right. I respectfully disagree. The human element has always been in the game and should be. Let’s not bog down the game as football has with their replay system. Just because technology is available, it doesn’t have to be used. Let managers argue if they chose, but let’s not throw a hat or something lame on the field to “challenge” the ruling, just throw the hat in disgust during the argument and get ejected as historically has happened.

What did happen was that Jim Joyce admitted that he blew the call to Galarraga and apologized to him and Jim Leyland the manager after the game in the Detroit clubhouse. Both understood and accepted. On Thursday, Galarraga took the lineup card to home plate and presented it to Joyce and patted him on the back in a public display of sportsmanship. Tigers’ owner Mike Ilitch also awarded Galarraga a Corvette, a wonderful gesture on behalf of the team. All the main parties have shown class and dignity.

A call was blown, but everyone got it right in the bigger picture. I feel badly that Armando didn’t get his perfect game, but he showed us all he understands his fellow man.

One other note, Milt Pappas, the former Chicago Cubs pitcher who lost his bid for a perfect game on September 2, 1972 due to a two out walk in the 9th inning said that instant replay should be installed for just this type of situation, although he feels balls and strikes should remain subjective. Just thinking out loud here, but maybe Pappas could learn something from Armando Galarraga as he still maintains home plate umpire Bruce Froemming squeezed him on two “close” pitches after getting a 2-2 count on pinch-hitter Larry Stahl which resulted in the walk that broke-up the perfecto. Pappas did get his no-hitter by retiring the next batter Garry Jestadt. While Froemming has never admitted he made a mistake and contends he was right (replays do show they were very close), just let it go Milt, 38 years of being a whiner hasn’t changed the call, it shouldn’t and it won’t.

Miss USA 2010 - Recap

2010-06-07T16:50:00.001-05:00

Well, as most of you already know Miss Illinois USA, Ashley Bradarich wasn’t crowned Miss USA 2010. That honour went to Miss Michigan USA Rima Fakih. My congratulations.

In the Online Voting, Miss Ohio USA, Amanda Tempel had 36% of the vote, followed by Ashley with 33% of the vote and in third place, Miss Texas USA Kelsey Moore with 5% of the vote. Thanks to all of you that answered my request to vote, it is appreciated.

I guess I don’t understand these pageants and probably never will, but it was fun to see a young women up on stage on TV that I actually know and remember watching play basketball. Ashley showed considerable poise and class throughout the pageant. She carries her Miss Illinois USA title with pride and will continue to live a responsible and giving life. I encourage you all to read her blog and continue to learn more of this wonderful young women’s journey.

To Donald Trump, please dump Joan and Melissa. Their presence added no value to the show, nor could they possibly have contributed anything positive to these young women.

Ashley Bradarich – Miss Illinois USA 2010

2010-05-13T14:43:00.002-05:00

Let me begin by saying I don’t really know much about the Miss Illinois / Miss USA Pageants, nor truthfully have I ever really cared to look into the specifics before now. Sandra Bullock’s Miss Congeniality was about as close I got. I do however know a few things about Ashley Bradarich the reigning Miss Illinois USA who will compete this Sunday May 16th for the title and honour of being Miss USA. Let me introduce you to this wonderful young woman.

I have known Ashley since she was in grade school as our families are friends. She was always a very caring, giving kid. Sincere in every way, a hard working student, a good athlete and just one of those kids you know will do well in life. She played sports, took Irish Dance lessons, played the piano, wrote poetry and spoke with adults as easily as her friends. Her and her four siblings stayed with us one week while her parents were on vacation; we went to church that Sunday which happened to be Palm Sunday in the Catholic Faith, so of course everyone was given a palm branch. Ashley made a cross out of her palm branch and then gave it to me. I still have that hanging on a leather lace from my baseball glove on my rearview mirror in my car some 12 years later.

Ashley is 24 years old, a graduate of Lockport Township High School and the University of Illinois. She is employed as an Art Director for a marketing firm in Chicago. She is as active as ever and STILL calls me Coach Mike.

I recently asked Ashley if I could interview her for my blog and she responded, “My short answer ... YES! I would be honored!!”

Since I am new to this competition as are probably most of my readers, I have included the complete transcript rather than put her answers in prose, as well as not to lose the essence of the communication. What follows are Ashley’s responses and thoughts to my questions:

Question: What are the Miss Illinois / Miss USA Pageants? And how does it differ from the other competitions?

Response: The goal of the Miss USA program is to provide an opportunity for young women to better themselves; the pageant encourages the contestants to gain self-awareness, self-confidence, individual pride, and greater social awareness. It certainly has for me. What most people don't know is that the Miss USA pageant is actually completely unrelated to the Miss America pageant ... they are two completely different systems. The Miss USA system consists of an evening gown, swimsuit and interview competition. Miss America has those three, plus talent.

Question: How did you get involved in this competition?

Response: I have always been someone who is looking for the "next big thing." It keeps me from being bored! I was trying to get involved in something new, something challenging, and something I could work toward, and this just sort of fell into my lap. I tried for the first time in December 2008 and came in 2nd runner up out of 88 girls. When I realized it was something I could actually be "good" at, I tried a whole lot harder and it paid off. I was awarded the crown, the title of Miss Illinois USA and the chance to compete at Miss USA in November 2009 during my second attempt.

Question: What are your goals / what do you want to achieve from this?

Response: My main goal with this pageant was to prove to others that the negative stereotypes of pageantry can and will be broken. Most people view pageantry as something for brain dead women who don't eat. I don't see myself as that, and I don't think others do either. I graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Graphic Design and a minor in business. I am an art director at a top marketing agency in Chicago, and being "fit" does not come easy. I work hard at the gym, am a very active athlete, and try to watch my portions as best I can. I want young women to know that I was teased in grammar and high school, and that I am just a normal girl who went through the same hard times that they did. If I can find my self-worth and make my dreams come true, they can too. I want young women to know that anything is possible if they work hard and believe in themselves.

Question: Do you feel that the swimsuit competition “objectifies” women? Would you like to see this changed?

Response: This is controversial for me. Before being involved in pageantry I most definitely would have said, "Yes." This was difficult for me to compete in at first, because I couldn't find the purpose for it. In my mind I wondered, "Why do they need to see me in a swimsuit? I'll never be in a swimsuit during appearances if I win? What is the reason for this?" However, after being involved in pageantry longer, I realize that it is more than just "a girl in a swimsuit." It is about evaluating the care a woman takes of her own body. We are critiqued in interview to see if we are right for the job of being a public speaker, we are critiqued in evening gown to see how we demonstrate poise and elegance as a woman, and we are critiqued in swimsuit to evaluate our confidence and the way we take care of ourselves. I think confidence is everything in this competition, and the swimsuit category is what can make it or break it.

Question: When you win, how will your life be changed?

Response: I like that you say, "When" I win. I hope I win! It’s a 1 in 51 shot, but I've definitely given it my best shot thus far. Whoever takes home the crown at the Miss USA Pageant will be immediately whisked away to her new high rise condo in the center of New York City. She receives a salary, a complete wardrobe, public speaking and modeling contracts, as well as hundreds of other perks and prizes completely worth a young woman's while. She will spend her year traveling and speaking to different groups of people, trying to raise awareness for breast cancer and AIDs, and will have the opportunity to represent the United States in the Miss Universe Pageant. Having this experience would change MY life, because it would give me an opportunity unlike any I would otherwise be subjected to. I would have the chance to reach out to young women with my message on a much bigger level, I would be able to fully embrace my love of travel and adventure, and I would get to meet people that would undoubtedly enhance my life. I hope so much this comes true for me, but if it doesn't, I know the girl who gets that chance sure is a lucky one.

Question: What was it like throwing out the first pitch at a Cubs game on April 27th?

Response: That was so cool. It was neat being on the field, touching the dirt, and seeing the stands from the players' points of view. As I walked out to the mound all I could see was the catcher in front of me, and I hoped so much that I would be able to throw that ball right in his glove. I did, thank goodness, but my one regret is that I rushed off the field and didn't take a second to look up from the mound. It was such a fast, exciting moment that it was hard to stay focused. I just wanted to make sure I didn't look like a nonathletic girl in front of all those people! Regardless, it is something I will never forget.

Question: Is a similar event planned with the White Sox?

Response: No similar event is planned just yet, but I can say it is in the works!

Question: How much of a time commitment is this for you?

Response: I can make of this what I want. My directors and appearance coordinators offer me opportunities and it is always up to me whether or not I'd like to attend. Since this is only one year of my life, I have wanted to do absolutely everything that has been offered to me, which has the tendency to make my weeks somewhat intense. Some weeks I might have one event, and other weeks I could have four. It just depends on what's going on, and what I'm available to do!

Question: Did playing sports earlier in your life prepare you for this?

Response: Absolutely; I think being part of a team, learning to work with other people, and having goals helped me immensely in this competition. I played softball and water polo, and I was also a swimmer. For each of these sports I had goals I set for myself and did whatever I had to do to try and reach them. I learned how to improve with practice, ask others for help when I needed it, and how to be competitive. In a way, I find pageantry to be a very intense sport. After all, it IS a competition with a whole heck of a lot of preparation, just like anything else. And boy ... those pageant girls are even more vicious than the ones in water polo!

Question: What will you do after this is all over?

Response: When Miss USA is over I will either live in New York as the new Miss USA (fingers crossed!) or go back to my full time job. Eventually, however, I would like to utilize the experiences and contacts I gained during this experience to help young women better them-selves whether it is through pageantry or by some other means. I would like to open my own studio that would incorporate my skills as an artist, as well as my skills as a public speaker and role model. One thing this year as Miss Illinois USA has taught me is that I work much better being with people than sitting behind a computer. I want to reach out to others, learn from them, and teach them, with the hope that we will inspire each other. It’s something I didn't realize the power of before this year, and I want to help others know the greatness in numbers, and also, the extraordinary strength of women.

Ashley has a blog of her own detailing her time as Miss Illinois USA. It is a delightful read, filled with humour and great insights. Please check it out. Also tune in to the Pageant this Sunday at 6pm Central on NBC, as they say, ‘check your local listings’ and if you are so inclined and I do ENCOURAGE it, please vote for Ashley at Miss USA 2010 Online Poll.

All the best Ashley, you’re always a winner in my book. And to the Chicago White Sox organization, get on the stick and get Ashley out to your park. Love you kid!

Catching Up

2010-05-12T22:58:00.001-05:00

Don’t pay the ransom honey, I’ve escaped. Well, not really. Nor have I joined the Witness Protection program. Suffice to say it’s been a very hectic month away from my writing. College visits with my youngest daughter Kathleen. An awards dinner for my son Michael (he’s a double major, Religion and Psychology and won a Departmental Religion Award) in Wisconsin. Illinois Hoopla Basketball Tournaments in Elgin, Joliet and Naperville as well as a college observation tourney at A.S.U. in Tempe. Picking my daughter Colleen up from college and moving her back in to our house for the summer. Plus lots of little things that just kept interfering with my sitting down to write! My apologies and please continue to check the site!

Well, had I been writing, here are some of the topics I would have covered:

Phil Mickelson’s Master’s win at Augusta was fitting. He’s a class act who after learning his wife Amy had breast cancer, left the tour to be with her. Shortly thereafter his mom was also diagnosed with the disease. How many other athletes would have re-acted the same way? Amy was on hand for the victory and Phil declared her to be his inspiration. Tiger, maybe you can learn something!

On the learning theme, LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavs and Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls, you may take a page out of White Sox Coach Harold Baines book as he use to wear a tee shirt under his jersey which read, “Shut Up and Play”. Now Harold took this to the extreme, but until either of you win a championship, stop believing your press clippings and just play the game! And LeBron, stop the dancing on the sidelines too; its bush and showing up your opponents which in the old days would have gotten you dropped in the lane with a hard clean foul. If you’re the “face of the NBA” then ACT like it.

Hey Michelle were you watching? Brian Davis called a two stroke penalty on himself after nicking a loose reed during his backswing on the first playoff hole giving Jim Furyk the win at the Verizon Heritage. Ah, Rule 13.4 cost him a victory and quite a bit of money, but sealed his reputation as a professional and honourable player.

Representative Henry Waxman (D-California), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce said MLB and their Players Union should take action to end the use of smokeless tobacco in the Majors; a policy has been in effect for Minor League players, coaches and staff since 1993. While I applaud this initiative, shouldn’t a member of Congress have something better to do right now then to try and dictate policy in MLB? If the smokeless product is dangerous and it is, then make it illegal. Don’t preach to MLB. Or is it just a case that every time a player spits, it’s a free commercial?

Kudos to Stan Van Gundy, coach of the Orlando Magic for his comments on Michael Jordon as an owner: "Let's give Larry Brown and the players the credit. Come on, Michael Jordan hasn't had time to do anything as an owner that would affect anything. I understand we're all supposed to bow down at the altar of Michael Jordan, but come on now, guys. Not in this case. He's been the owner for what, a month? They're playing with the same roster." Well said Stan!

Rest in Peace William Earnest “Ernie” Harwell (January 25, 1918 – May 4, 2010). He was a sportscaster for 55 years, 42 of which were spent with the Detroit Tigers. You will be missed!

Lastly, congrats to Dallas Braden of the Oakland Athletics on his per game Sunday! Hey A-Rod, stopping trotting across this guys mound, he plays without the ‘roids.

Opening Day 2010 – Mark Buehrle

2010-04-06T01:00:00.001-05:00

You’ve seen the email that goes around asking you to answer 15 questions and then send it to other folks; they change your answers to theirs and send it out to you with their friends and so on. One of the questions is always, “What is your favorite holiday?” And my answer is always the Chicago White Sox Home Opening Day. It’s Christmas, Thanksgiving and my birthday all rolled into one. The day did not disappoint.

The White Sox played the Cleveland Indians at Comiskey Park II with Mark Buehrle on the mound surpassing fellow lefty Billy Pierce's team record with his 8th straight Opening Day start. Buehrle held the Indians scoreless for seven innings allowing only three hits and striking out three while spotting his fastball and throwing his straight change. But the play that marks this game and will probably be on all the highlight reels all season came in the 5th inning while pitching to Lou Marson. Marson hit a shot back up the middle which Buehrle blocked with his left leg; it ricocheted into foul territory on the first base line, he chased it down and with his glove hand, flipped it through his legs to Paul Konerko his first basemen who in turn grabbed it with his bare right hand for the second out of the inning. Truly amazing and it looked even better as the replay was shown from a couple angles. Buehrle was looked at by Herm Schneider, the trainer to make sure he was alright, got the third out and walked to the dugout to a standing ovation. He completed two more innings before being relieved in the 8th by J.J Putz and Matt Thornton closed out the 9th for the White Sox 6 – 0 win.

Might as well pencil Mark in for a Gold Glove right now. If you missed the game, check out the highlights on any of the sports channels, they’ll be showing that replay for days. YouTube has it as well.

Joe DiMaggio, the Yankee great once said about Opening Day, “It’s like a birthday party when you were a kid. You think something wonderful is about to happen.”

Monday it did. Thanks Mark.

Baseball 2010

2010-04-05T11:22:00.002-05:00

Well I’m not Carnac the Magnificent, the Johnny Carson character who “ascertained the answer without ever having seen the question” but since you asked I will give you my “predictions”.

In the American League it will be the NY Yankees in the East, the Chicago White Sox in the Central, the LA Angels in the West and the Tampa Bay Devils as the Wild Card.

In the National League it will be the Philadelphia Phillies in the East, the St. Louis Cardinals in the Central, the LA Dodgers in the West and the Colorado Rockies as the Wild Card.

As a pre-season pick, I have to go with the team for which I root, the White Sox as the eventual World Series Champions, but I do state that is a pick from the heart.

Some other forecasts are that Jerry Manual of the NY Mets will be the first Manager fired. Carlos Zambrano of the Chicago Cubs will have his first meltdown in May even though he has promised to change his ways for the sake of his daughter. Manny Ramirez of the LA Dodgers will still be “Manny”, playing by his own rules. Bud Selig will still get it wrong and be one step behind any issue.

There will be pitching gems and walk-off homers; poetic double plays and errors; inspired decisions and bone-headed gaffs; winning streaks and losing streaks; dramatic victories and heart-breaking losses; but most of all there will be baseball.

Let the games begin!

Those Pesky Rules

2010-03-29T23:00:00.001-05:00

I’m sitting here at my computer, I don’t really use the ancient typewriter to pen my posts and next to me is a copy of The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White. This is the authoritative book on rules of usage, principles of composition, and various other valuable reference points. It is considered by many professional writers, Stephen King to name just one to be a “must read” companion. It has occurred to me that perhaps someone should put together a book similar to this for say, the rules of golf. This would alleviate any further issues for poor Michelle Wei. Oh, wait. There is such a book; 2010-2011 Rules of Golf, yes that probably would cover the need.

Hmm, I wonder why a LPGA golfer like Ms. Wei wouldn’t own this book. It seems for a mere $5.95 online at http://www.golfgalaxy.com plus tax and shipping she would save herself some woe. I believe she could even read the rules online at http://www.usga.org/Rules if the cost of the actual book seemed out of line to her. But once again Ms. Wei has issue with a rule; she incurred a two stroke penalty for grounding her club in a hazard, this time at the 11th hole in Sunday’s Kia Classic at La Costa. It ended up costing her about $91,000 as the penalty dropped her to sixth instead of her being tied for second place. And unfortunately her pleading afterwards was caught on camera.

As anyone familiar with her career knows, she was disqualified in 2005 for signing an incorrect scorecard when she didn’t add a penalty for an illegal drop; in 2006 by hitting a piece of moss in her backswing in a bunker, she incurred a two stroke penalty and later claimed she knew the rule, but apparently knew it wrong; then in 2008 she was disqualified after the third round when it was found she had failed to sign her second round scorecard. These along with the grounding rule may be silly, may not be needed, nor even interpreted correctly, but they are there to be adhered to by professionals and even by duffers like me.

I openly admit Michelle Wei would outclass me on any course. She would smoke me by 30 strokes I’m sure. But please, somebody, anybody, supply this women a copy of the rules and then sit with her to ensure she actually reads and understands them. She is a media darling for her play, looks and young age. The same reasons she is considered one of the LPGA’s biggest draws, and I’m sure those attributes helped her received the exemptions to play in PGA events; it helps with ratings. But with her game, she doesn’t need the drama.

Vintage Base Ball – My Start

2010-03-24T01:00:00.000-05:00

In the fall of 2006 I was contemplating “retiring” from baseball. I had been playing some kind of baseball or another for 43 straight seasons, the last nine in a 30 and over baseball league in Woodridge, Illinois. The team wasn’t overly successful, but that wasn’t the reason for my thoughts, it was more the fact that several of the players on the team just seemed to go through the motions, didn’t take it seriously and worse yet, felt they were entitled to “special rules”. (In some future post I may discuss that new attitude of not taking responsibility for anything that is so prevalent in today’s athletes, pro and otherwise, but not here.) As someone who is definitely of the “old school” (or as it was said in the Chicago Tribune of Bill Wirtz, the deceased owner of the Chicago Blackhawks, ‘the dirt the old school was built upon’) the prevailing attitude kept me from enjoying myself. I realized the issue was with my enjoyment, that I couldn’t accept this way of playing from my teammates. My gut told me it was time, that my feelings for the sport, that my approach was from a bygone era.

Then while paging through an old issue of Sports Illustrated I saw a couple of paragraphs concerning Jim Bouton discussing something called Vintage Base Ball and his desire to put a federation of the teams together. I vaguely remembered an old teammate of mine, Marc Maznaritz telling me of “an old-timers game” at a county fair a few years back where they played with a leather ball, but no gloves and wooden bats. Well, it was a quick internet search later and I was pouring through more information about the “movement” than I thought possible. Within a couple days I was speaking with a gentleman named Gary “The Professor” Schiappacasse who had a least as much love for the game as I have. By spring 2007 I was playing 1858 Rules Base Ball in my 44th year of playing the game. I was playing on a team called the Chicago Salmon with men whom felt the same way that I do. We played other teams of men (and a couple women) in the Midwest with communities supporting the original ideals of the game. Playing to win; but more, just playing for love of the game. This was my start. More on the joys later.

SPRING

2010-03-19T01:25:00.001-05:00

With apologies to Alfred Lord Tennyson’s “Locksley Hall”: Ah Spring, when a young man’s fancy turns to baseball! As with the love of a woman in Tennyson’s verse, baseball too brings the same hopes and dreams, the same expectations of enduring happiness, the same joy to my heart.

Spring is in the air; well at least it is in the southern and western states, but Illinois is getting a small taste of it. Major League Baseball’s training camps are in session. Players have been toiling under the warm sun of Florida and the high skies of Arizona. Hopes abound, both for the young men with a dream and the fans of all the franchises that didn’t quite win it all last year. That is the concept of spring training; everyone has a chance at this point, it’s a new beginning. Every young arm is under consideration, everyone has the potential to be a star hitter, or a defensive standout.

Of course reality is by March 20th, the Vernal Equinox arrives; the calendar start of spring when the managers will determine which if not most of the arms they want to take north, the position players will almost be set and the true hitters will have emerged. The dreaded words, “Optioned to” and “Released” begin appearing in print, sometimes with a familiar name, but most often with the name of a hopeful which didn’t quite make it this year. Approximately two weeks later Opening Day will divide the teams into undefeated and winless teams, with the rest of the season lying ahead. And that is the same with this blog, we have a taste of what will be and more will come. It is a new beginning!

Sit back and cheer for your team. Live and die with their victories and defeats. And join me right here for a glimpse into the way I see sports, not only baseball but much more.

WELCOME

2010-03-18T23:07:00.001-05:00

Welcome to “Comments From Coach Mike”. Several years ago I wrote a monthly commentary column under the same name for the now defunct WISN – Worldwide Internet Sports Network.

It was a pleasure working for Brian Myre and WISN in those days and I have missed the opportunity to share my thoughts, experiences and views on sports (mainly, my passion for baseball) as well as the interaction that was encouraged with the readers of my column. I regularly received feedback on my “comments” and took full advantage of developing correspondence relationships with many folks around the country. Opinions and loyalties tied to teams / athletes can spark good natured “debate” which opens fans to new ideas. On a selfish front, a creative outlet has been missing in my life since those days; a void which I hope this venue will fill.

With these thoughts in mind I will begin publishing posts containing “commentary” very similar in content to my old “Comments” columns, calendar events of interest both local to the Chicago-land area and nationally when feasible, tips, quips, quotes, reviews, some “shameless plugs”, as well as news and views of my new love 1858 Rules Vintage Base Ball.

Please feel free to comment and join in the fun!

~ Coach Mike