Happy Holidays all
Just a quick weekly update.
For the first time in 32 years the Hartford Civic Center will have a new name. The second home of the UCONN Huskies will be called the XL Center after the company XL, which is a Bermuda, based insurance company.
College Basketball will be a little more quite in the next few months. ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale had successful surgery yesterday to treat ulcers on his left vocal chord. Vitale plans to return to the air in early February. His has never missed a game in 29 years with ESPN.
Weekend TV viewing
Sunday at 2:30 P.M. on NBC is a special curling event called the Korbel Elite Challenge. The game will be played on the Rockefeller Center Ice Rink in New York City. It will feature 3-time world champions Team Sweden VS. Team USA that won a bronze medal at the 2006 Olympic games.
Just a note for you that have never head of curling, it is a great sport. It is like bocce on ice, so check it out.
This coming Monday World Wrestling Entrainment (WWE) presents their 5th annual “Tribute to the Troops”: holiday special on the USA Network at 9 P.M. It features the stories of military personnel on the front lines, their interaction with WWE Superstars, and their participation in the special live wrestling event that culminated the WWE tour. The WWE “Tribute to the Troops” tour, in the grand tradition of Bob Hope, is the largest celebrity production to visit troops in Iraq, with WWE Superstars visiting 20 forward operating bases in three days.
Marry Christmas to all and to all a good night
I hope my column will be up by the end of the week.
That’s my take.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
sports column #4
It is the best time of year in sports, baseball is in the home stretch, football is right around the corner and basketball is not far off.
I hate the New York Yankees. Some people have accused me of hating the City of New York, as Frank Sinatra sings, “I love New York and It’s the city that never sleeps” If I had a day to just sit and relax at one of the outdoor cafés in New York, I would truly enjoy it. The reason I hate the Yankees is not just that they have 26 World Series championships, more than half than the next team, the St. Louis Cardinals with 10 championships. It is because they flaunt their championships excessively. Just because you are the best team money can buy year after year does not mean you have to shove it in every ones face.
What a story Rick Alickel is. Rick was a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. After arm trouble in 2001 he had Tommy John sugery in 2003, he decided to become an outfielder.
Ankiel made his return to the big leagues on Aug. 9 against the Padres. In this game he hit a home run, what a way to come back!! Hollywood could not write a better story.
I do not understand preseason football. Four games are to many, players get hurt and in the first two games the starters don’t even play. Training camp is over hyped as well. I know hope rings eternal, but come on and play the games that count already.
Now that Barry Bonds has broke the all time home run record, I have been ask to give my opinion to if we should embrace him. No, he doesn’t embrace us why should we embrace him? Also the only baseball player from the old school that he has ever embraced is his godfather Willie Mays.
This week’s spotlight shines on my good friend and fellow Special Olympics athlete Harold Rohloff. Harold competes in Floor Hockey, soccer and for the first time this year Golf. He has worked at Stop and Shop in Putnam CT for 10 years. He also works at the Cinnamon Tree Bakery and assists with gym classes at Woodstock Elementary School. He likes to travel and recently joined a group for a twelve-day cruise to the Panama Canal.
Harold says,” Special Olympics Connecticut gives me a chance to get some physical activity and to have some fun with my friends. I played hockey this winter for the first time and learned the rules and moves of hockey. We have many fund-raisers for Special Olympics Connecticut and I enjoy being part of those activities. I enjoy the State Games where I see people I have not seen for a long time and also meet new people. I have been participating in Special Olympics since 1976.”
That’s my take: I would like to hear yours
Jamie Lazaroff
I hate the New York Yankees. Some people have accused me of hating the City of New York, as Frank Sinatra sings, “I love New York and It’s the city that never sleeps” If I had a day to just sit and relax at one of the outdoor cafés in New York, I would truly enjoy it. The reason I hate the Yankees is not just that they have 26 World Series championships, more than half than the next team, the St. Louis Cardinals with 10 championships. It is because they flaunt their championships excessively. Just because you are the best team money can buy year after year does not mean you have to shove it in every ones face.
What a story Rick Alickel is. Rick was a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. After arm trouble in 2001 he had Tommy John sugery in 2003, he decided to become an outfielder.
Ankiel made his return to the big leagues on Aug. 9 against the Padres. In this game he hit a home run, what a way to come back!! Hollywood could not write a better story.
I do not understand preseason football. Four games are to many, players get hurt and in the first two games the starters don’t even play. Training camp is over hyped as well. I know hope rings eternal, but come on and play the games that count already.
Now that Barry Bonds has broke the all time home run record, I have been ask to give my opinion to if we should embrace him. No, he doesn’t embrace us why should we embrace him? Also the only baseball player from the old school that he has ever embraced is his godfather Willie Mays.
This week’s spotlight shines on my good friend and fellow Special Olympics athlete Harold Rohloff. Harold competes in Floor Hockey, soccer and for the first time this year Golf. He has worked at Stop and Shop in Putnam CT for 10 years. He also works at the Cinnamon Tree Bakery and assists with gym classes at Woodstock Elementary School. He likes to travel and recently joined a group for a twelve-day cruise to the Panama Canal.
Harold says,” Special Olympics Connecticut gives me a chance to get some physical activity and to have some fun with my friends. I played hockey this winter for the first time and learned the rules and moves of hockey. We have many fund-raisers for Special Olympics Connecticut and I enjoy being part of those activities. I enjoy the State Games where I see people I have not seen for a long time and also meet new people. I have been participating in Special Olympics since 1976.”
That’s my take: I would like to hear yours
Jamie Lazaroff
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Pollitical Correctness
This is from an blog that I would like to share with you.
Are.
You.
Freaking.
Kidding.
Me?
You know, I've had it.
We can't work in a store and wish customers Merry Christmas because they might get offended.
Stores can't run a sales flyer promoting Christmas Trees because someone might get offended.
We don't send out Christmas cards but Holiday cards because someone might get offended.
We don't get to have Christmas parties but Holiday parties because someone might get offended.
My child can't sing Christmas carols that even remotely mention Jesus or the baby child with his school chorus because someone might get offended.
The nativity I put on my front porch during the holidays is under attack because my neighbors might get offended.
Now Santa shouldn't say Ho! Ho! Ho! because a woman might get offended????
You know what, I AM OFFENDED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm offended that MY RIGHTS as a Christian are trampled on DAILY but I have to step on eggshells because YOU might be offended
!I'm offended that I am subjected to listening to your offensive music, language, and rhetoric but can't say anything because you'll sue me for violating your free speech rights!
I'm offended that my children have EXTREMELY easy access on the Internet to smut and porn (hey, some even gets through filters) but I can't say or do anything because I'm violating you're free speech rights!
I'm offended that when I open my mouth to offer you Christmas greetings or say God bless you when you sneeze you attack me and say I'm forcing my religion down your throat and violating you're free religion rights!
You know what-Get.Over.It!
You have your rights and I have mine!
I have the right to display WHATEVER religious symbols I want to both inside and outside my home.
It's called freedom of religion.
You don't like what you see?
LOOK THE OTHER DIRECTION-THAT'S YOUR RIGHT!
I have the right to say whatever greeting I want to during the holidays.
I can say Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Peace be with You, WHATEVER I freaking want to say.
It's called freedom of speech.
You don't like what you hear?
TURN YOUR IPOD UP LOUDER-THAT'S YOUR RIGHT! Or better yet, ignore me. Trust me, I do it to you when I need to.On that note...
I hope you all have a MERRY CHRISTMAS this holiday season if you sneezed while reading this post...GOD BLESS YOU!
Just a thought!
Are.
You.
Freaking.
Kidding.
Me?
You know, I've had it.
We can't work in a store and wish customers Merry Christmas because they might get offended.
Stores can't run a sales flyer promoting Christmas Trees because someone might get offended.
We don't send out Christmas cards but Holiday cards because someone might get offended.
We don't get to have Christmas parties but Holiday parties because someone might get offended.
My child can't sing Christmas carols that even remotely mention Jesus or the baby child with his school chorus because someone might get offended.
The nativity I put on my front porch during the holidays is under attack because my neighbors might get offended.
Now Santa shouldn't say Ho! Ho! Ho! because a woman might get offended????
You know what, I AM OFFENDED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm offended that MY RIGHTS as a Christian are trampled on DAILY but I have to step on eggshells because YOU might be offended
!I'm offended that I am subjected to listening to your offensive music, language, and rhetoric but can't say anything because you'll sue me for violating your free speech rights!
I'm offended that my children have EXTREMELY easy access on the Internet to smut and porn (hey, some even gets through filters) but I can't say or do anything because I'm violating you're free speech rights!
I'm offended that when I open my mouth to offer you Christmas greetings or say God bless you when you sneeze you attack me and say I'm forcing my religion down your throat and violating you're free religion rights!
You know what-Get.Over.It!
You have your rights and I have mine!
I have the right to display WHATEVER religious symbols I want to both inside and outside my home.
It's called freedom of religion.
You don't like what you see?
LOOK THE OTHER DIRECTION-THAT'S YOUR RIGHT!
I have the right to say whatever greeting I want to during the holidays.
I can say Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Peace be with You, WHATEVER I freaking want to say.
It's called freedom of speech.
You don't like what you hear?
TURN YOUR IPOD UP LOUDER-THAT'S YOUR RIGHT! Or better yet, ignore me. Trust me, I do it to you when I need to.On that note...
I hope you all have a MERRY CHRISTMAS this holiday season if you sneezed while reading this post...GOD BLESS YOU!
Just a thought!
Monday, December 3, 2007
This week in sports
Happy Holidays everyone! I would like to update some stories that are back in the news.
Michael Vick has surrendered and gone to jail before his sentencing on December 10th. He is turned himself in to look sincere in accepting responsibility for his actions. I think this is a PR move to get his sentence reduced by the judge. Remember he also faces state dog fighting charges, with a trial by jury set for April 2 Even if Vick gets 12 to 18 month in prison he still faces more time if he is convicted in the state case, he could miss the next two or three football seasons. His football career is all but over. I hope he is sincere in accepting responsibility for his actions, but I don’t think so.
Barry Bonds has been indicted by a federal grand jury on perjury and obstruction of justice charges. Thank God there is some justice in the world. I’m not sure how Major League Baseball should handle the home run record now. I don’t think you can just erase it from the record books, but I do think you need to do something, like a note in the record books that say Barry Bonds cheated to break the record. The message should also be to don’t lie to a federal grand jury. History might of treated Bonds better if he didn’t lie.
I would like to correct something I said in a previous column. Women’s pro soccer in the US will start back up in 2009. Sorry for any confusion, they have all their financial backers to start in 2008 but want to get everything right for a 2009 start.
College Football needs a playoff because right now they have a mythical championship created by history. When you have no idea who’s going to play for the national championship, it is time for a playoff. In comparison, college basketball has a playoff. The final 65th team to get in to the field is always debated, but the committee always seems to get it right. My idea in college football is to:
1. Have all 11 division 1-A conferences have a championship game,
2. Those winners plus Notre Dame, or any other independent team, who has more then 10 wins gets an automatic bid into the playoffs.
3. Then a committee chooses 4 or 5 at-large teams.
4. The conference title games would be played in December
5. The first round games could be played as bowl games (Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl etc.) on January 1.
6. Then, play down from there until you have a national title game the day before the Super Bowl, and make it a Super Championship weekend.
I don’t think a play off in college football will happen in my lifetime because the bowl games already have so much rich history and are worth so much money for the schools.
My sincere condolences go out to the family of Sean Taylor. What a horrible act, his home was burglarized a few months ago but he was not home at the time. I guess the burglar was back for more and Taylor was unfortunately home this time. This shows that any one in the spotlight is open to being a target.
This week spotlight is on the winners of the 2007 Paralympic Awards. Held on November 24 at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) General Assembly in Seoul, South Korea
The Paralympic Sport Awards 2007 were awarded in five categories, based on performance at the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games:
Best Male Athlete: Brian McKeever (CAN, Cross Country Skiing)Best Female Athlete: Lauren Woolstencroft (CAN, Alpine Skiing)Best Team Performance: Canadian Ice Sledge Hockey TeamBest Games Debut: Thomas Pfyl (SUI, Alpine Skiing)Exemplary Games Official: Dr. Karl Quade (GER)The Paralympic Media Awards 2007 honour members of the media who presented the highest quality and most dynamic coverage of the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, in three categories:Broadcast: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (AUS)Written (Online): BBC Sport Website (GBR) Photo: Mikael Helsing (ESP)The Paralympic Scientific Award 2007 recognized one outstanding contributor (academic or scientific) for research in the field of sport for persons with a disability. Paralympic Scientific Award 2007: Garry Wheeler (CAN)Furthermore, the Paralympic Order, the highest recognition presented by the IPC, was awarded to two persons, who have made an outstanding or long-lasting contribution to the Paralympic Movement and/or to the overall success of the Paralympic Games. The recipients were Mr. Silas Chang (Hong Kong) and Mr. Stavros Stavrianopoulos (Greece).
In the Seoul Declaration, signed by the IPC and Korean Paralympic Committee President on 25 November, the IPC and all its members committed to advance the rights of Paralympic athletes, achieve sporting excellence, promote values and empower youth.
That my take, I like to hear yours
Jamie Lazaroff
Michael Vick has surrendered and gone to jail before his sentencing on December 10th. He is turned himself in to look sincere in accepting responsibility for his actions. I think this is a PR move to get his sentence reduced by the judge. Remember he also faces state dog fighting charges, with a trial by jury set for April 2 Even if Vick gets 12 to 18 month in prison he still faces more time if he is convicted in the state case, he could miss the next two or three football seasons. His football career is all but over. I hope he is sincere in accepting responsibility for his actions, but I don’t think so.
Barry Bonds has been indicted by a federal grand jury on perjury and obstruction of justice charges. Thank God there is some justice in the world. I’m not sure how Major League Baseball should handle the home run record now. I don’t think you can just erase it from the record books, but I do think you need to do something, like a note in the record books that say Barry Bonds cheated to break the record. The message should also be to don’t lie to a federal grand jury. History might of treated Bonds better if he didn’t lie.
I would like to correct something I said in a previous column. Women’s pro soccer in the US will start back up in 2009. Sorry for any confusion, they have all their financial backers to start in 2008 but want to get everything right for a 2009 start.
College Football needs a playoff because right now they have a mythical championship created by history. When you have no idea who’s going to play for the national championship, it is time for a playoff. In comparison, college basketball has a playoff. The final 65th team to get in to the field is always debated, but the committee always seems to get it right. My idea in college football is to:
1. Have all 11 division 1-A conferences have a championship game,
2. Those winners plus Notre Dame, or any other independent team, who has more then 10 wins gets an automatic bid into the playoffs.
3. Then a committee chooses 4 or 5 at-large teams.
4. The conference title games would be played in December
5. The first round games could be played as bowl games (Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl etc.) on January 1.
6. Then, play down from there until you have a national title game the day before the Super Bowl, and make it a Super Championship weekend.
I don’t think a play off in college football will happen in my lifetime because the bowl games already have so much rich history and are worth so much money for the schools.
My sincere condolences go out to the family of Sean Taylor. What a horrible act, his home was burglarized a few months ago but he was not home at the time. I guess the burglar was back for more and Taylor was unfortunately home this time. This shows that any one in the spotlight is open to being a target.
This week spotlight is on the winners of the 2007 Paralympic Awards. Held on November 24 at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) General Assembly in Seoul, South Korea
The Paralympic Sport Awards 2007 were awarded in five categories, based on performance at the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games:
Best Male Athlete: Brian McKeever (CAN, Cross Country Skiing)Best Female Athlete: Lauren Woolstencroft (CAN, Alpine Skiing)Best Team Performance: Canadian Ice Sledge Hockey TeamBest Games Debut: Thomas Pfyl (SUI, Alpine Skiing)Exemplary Games Official: Dr. Karl Quade (GER)The Paralympic Media Awards 2007 honour members of the media who presented the highest quality and most dynamic coverage of the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, in three categories:Broadcast: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (AUS)Written (Online): BBC Sport Website (GBR) Photo: Mikael Helsing (ESP)The Paralympic Scientific Award 2007 recognized one outstanding contributor (academic or scientific) for research in the field of sport for persons with a disability. Paralympic Scientific Award 2007: Garry Wheeler (CAN)Furthermore, the Paralympic Order, the highest recognition presented by the IPC, was awarded to two persons, who have made an outstanding or long-lasting contribution to the Paralympic Movement and/or to the overall success of the Paralympic Games. The recipients were Mr. Silas Chang (Hong Kong) and Mr. Stavros Stavrianopoulos (Greece).
In the Seoul Declaration, signed by the IPC and Korean Paralympic Committee President on 25 November, the IPC and all its members committed to advance the rights of Paralympic athletes, achieve sporting excellence, promote values and empower youth.
That my take, I like to hear yours
Jamie Lazaroff
Friday, November 30, 2007
Couch Potato
Weekend Sports TV Preview
Today Friday
Tennis: Davis Cup Final USA Vs. Russia 4 P.M. on Versus
NBA: Celtics at Miami Heat 8 P.M on ESPN
Saturday
College Football: Army Vs. Navy Noon on CBS
Ironman Triathlon 4:30 P.M. on NBC ( my best show of the year)
Tennis: Davis Cup Final USA Vs. Russia 3:30 P.M. on Versus
Sunday
Davis Cup Final ( If Needed) 4 P.M. on Versus
Bowling 1 P.M. on ESPN
College Football : BCS selection Show 8 P.M. on FOX
Monday
NFL : New England at Baltimore 8:30 P.M. on ESPN
Enjoy and Sunday you may go Christmas Shopping
Monday or Tuesday I hope to have a weekend TV review.
Jamie Lazaroff
Thursday, November 29, 2007
column #3
Although, this is a national blog, I was born and bread in New England and still reside here. It is great times to be a sports fan in New England. The Red Sox are in first place and just pulled off a great deal. In basketball, The Celtics are back on the map.
First up the red sox just signed Eric Gagne from the Texas Rangers. What a pick up, I know that Gagne has been injured the last few years, but with Jonathan Papelbon and Gagne, the bullpen is all set. If the bats can get hot and the starting pitcher can get going, the Red Sox will be fine and win the American League East.
I have some questions about the Celtics deals to get Kevin Gannett and Ray Allen. To get KG the C’s had to give up most of their young players. Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green (the slam dunk champion this year) and Sebastian Telfair are all under 22 years old. To get Ray Allen on draft day they had to give up Delonte West who is under 22 and lead the team in assists last year. I would choose between KG or Allen because they still have all star Paul Pierce. My opinion is that two star players are better then three, because:
A. They have to divide playing time
They don’t have to give up most of their roster of young players.
C. It just makes more mathematical sense.
The Celtics still have Kendrick Perkins and drafted Glen Davis (Big Baby) from LSU. The immediate future is bright but how are all the pieces going to fit together will be the question?
I’m not a fan of fantasy football because I like rooting for a team (New England Patriots) and not individual players. It may enhance the football watching on Sunday for most people but it’s just not for me. Speaking of the Patriots, I can see another Super Bowl championship this year. Randy Moss will fit in nicely with his new team.
This week spotlight come for the Parolympics website. Paralympian Lee Pearson from Great Britain has added three more titles to his impressive career at the 2007 International Equestrian Federation (FEI) World Para Dressage Championships in Hartpury, Great Britain.Being born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenital, Lee Pearson made his competitive debut in 1998 and from there became one of the most successful riders in his class. At his first Paralympic Games in Sydney in 2000, he already won three gold medals and did so as well in Athens in 2004.Even though his horse Blue Circle Boy has retired before the 2007 FEI World Para Dressage Championships, he once again won every competition he competed in.Lee has been nominated several times for the Laures World Sport Award and also for the Eurosport Sport Star Award, which he won in 2004. In May 2007, he became the first chairman of the FEI Athletes Committee.
Career Highlights:
· Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games – Three gold medals
· ATHENS 2004 Paralympic Games – Three gold medals
· 2007 FEI World Para Dressage Championships – Three gold medals
That’s my take: I would like to hear yours
Jamie Lazaroff
First up the red sox just signed Eric Gagne from the Texas Rangers. What a pick up, I know that Gagne has been injured the last few years, but with Jonathan Papelbon and Gagne, the bullpen is all set. If the bats can get hot and the starting pitcher can get going, the Red Sox will be fine and win the American League East.
I have some questions about the Celtics deals to get Kevin Gannett and Ray Allen. To get KG the C’s had to give up most of their young players. Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green (the slam dunk champion this year) and Sebastian Telfair are all under 22 years old. To get Ray Allen on draft day they had to give up Delonte West who is under 22 and lead the team in assists last year. I would choose between KG or Allen because they still have all star Paul Pierce. My opinion is that two star players are better then three, because:
A. They have to divide playing time
They don’t have to give up most of their roster of young players.
C. It just makes more mathematical sense.
The Celtics still have Kendrick Perkins and drafted Glen Davis (Big Baby) from LSU. The immediate future is bright but how are all the pieces going to fit together will be the question?
I’m not a fan of fantasy football because I like rooting for a team (New England Patriots) and not individual players. It may enhance the football watching on Sunday for most people but it’s just not for me. Speaking of the Patriots, I can see another Super Bowl championship this year. Randy Moss will fit in nicely with his new team.
This week spotlight come for the Parolympics website. Paralympian Lee Pearson from Great Britain has added three more titles to his impressive career at the 2007 International Equestrian Federation (FEI) World Para Dressage Championships in Hartpury, Great Britain.Being born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenital, Lee Pearson made his competitive debut in 1998 and from there became one of the most successful riders in his class. At his first Paralympic Games in Sydney in 2000, he already won three gold medals and did so as well in Athens in 2004.Even though his horse Blue Circle Boy has retired before the 2007 FEI World Para Dressage Championships, he once again won every competition he competed in.Lee has been nominated several times for the Laures World Sport Award and also for the Eurosport Sport Star Award, which he won in 2004. In May 2007, he became the first chairman of the FEI Athletes Committee.
Career Highlights:
· Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games – Three gold medals
· ATHENS 2004 Paralympic Games – Three gold medals
· 2007 FEI World Para Dressage Championships – Three gold medals
That’s my take: I would like to hear yours
Jamie Lazaroff
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
column #2
Sports are strange in the summer some times it slow and some times there is a lot of news. This is one summer were there is a lot of news.
Finally some good news in sports. The baseball Hall of Fame inducted two of the greats of the last era. Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr played with the same teams through out their whole careers. Tony Gwynn won eight batting tittles with the San Diego Padres. My best Tony Gwynn moment was at the 1999 All-Star Game in Boston when Ted Williams came out and in the middle of all the All-Stars on the field there is Ted and Tony sharing a special moment and then Ted asks for Tony’s help to throw out the first pitch. I cried that night; I remember it like it was yesterday. My best Cal Ripken Jr. moment was the night that he broke Lou Gering’s consecutive games streak at 2131. Again I cried and remember it well. To end up at 2632 consecutive games with one team, the Baltimore Orioles is just amazing.
I’M a big soccer fan, so when David Beckham signed with Major League Soccer and the Los Angeles Galaxy, I was at first excited. The more MLS talked about him changing the fate of American Soccer the more I think it will not happen that way. David Beckham is still a great player, don’t get me wrong, but Americans like to play soccer and not watch it, one player will not change this. I don’t think Beckham should have played in his first game, an extabion. He has a knee injury and could have been injured more.
On a sad note, one of the great sportscasters of our generation passed a way this week, Bill Flemming. He reported on every thing from NASCAR to Barrel jumping for ABC’s Wide World of Sports. This reminded me how much I miss Wide World. I can remember one day watching Wide World and can remember what was on that day, the Grand National for England and the Baja 1000. Some kids idolieyes sports stars, my idol is Jim McKay and I wanted to be just like him. Those were the good old days.
I can understand what the PGA tour was thinking when they added the FedEx cup points completion. But I don’t think it is working, points system works if all the athletes play the same number of events. I do hope all the top 144 players play in the playoff and the tour can make this thing work better next year.
This week’s spotlight is on a father and son team from Massachusetts, Dick and Rick Hoyt. You see Rick was born in 1962 with the umbilical cord coiled around his neck and cut off oxygen to him brain. But in 1972 his first words, using a special computer, was “Go Bruins”. Rick was a sports fan, but he wanted to compete, and he did in 1977 in a five-mile benefit run for a paralyzed lacrosse player with his dad pushing him in his wheelchair. That night Rick told his dad that he just didn’t feel handicapped when we were competing. So the story go on and in 1981 they entered the Boston Marathon and finished in the top quarter of the field. After 4 years of marathons, Team Hoyt attempted their first triathlon, not just any triathlon but the Ironman in Hawaii. I saw the story on the TV coverage of the Ironman, let me just say I cried. Each time they competed it touched me the same way. What a great story of a fathers love for a son and of the true meaning of inclusion. Please go towww.teamhoyt.com and lean more about this unbelievable story. As Rick said: “The message of Team Hoyt is that everybody should be included in everyday life”. That is a message for everyone to live by.
That’s my take; I’d like to hear yours
Jamie Lazaroff
Jman200086@netscape.com
Some information about the Hoyt family come from “Team Hoyt: Racing towards Inclusion” by David Tereshchuk-www.teamhoyt.com/history
Finally some good news in sports. The baseball Hall of Fame inducted two of the greats of the last era. Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr played with the same teams through out their whole careers. Tony Gwynn won eight batting tittles with the San Diego Padres. My best Tony Gwynn moment was at the 1999 All-Star Game in Boston when Ted Williams came out and in the middle of all the All-Stars on the field there is Ted and Tony sharing a special moment and then Ted asks for Tony’s help to throw out the first pitch. I cried that night; I remember it like it was yesterday. My best Cal Ripken Jr. moment was the night that he broke Lou Gering’s consecutive games streak at 2131. Again I cried and remember it well. To end up at 2632 consecutive games with one team, the Baltimore Orioles is just amazing.
I’M a big soccer fan, so when David Beckham signed with Major League Soccer and the Los Angeles Galaxy, I was at first excited. The more MLS talked about him changing the fate of American Soccer the more I think it will not happen that way. David Beckham is still a great player, don’t get me wrong, but Americans like to play soccer and not watch it, one player will not change this. I don’t think Beckham should have played in his first game, an extabion. He has a knee injury and could have been injured more.
On a sad note, one of the great sportscasters of our generation passed a way this week, Bill Flemming. He reported on every thing from NASCAR to Barrel jumping for ABC’s Wide World of Sports. This reminded me how much I miss Wide World. I can remember one day watching Wide World and can remember what was on that day, the Grand National for England and the Baja 1000. Some kids idolieyes sports stars, my idol is Jim McKay and I wanted to be just like him. Those were the good old days.
I can understand what the PGA tour was thinking when they added the FedEx cup points completion. But I don’t think it is working, points system works if all the athletes play the same number of events. I do hope all the top 144 players play in the playoff and the tour can make this thing work better next year.
This week’s spotlight is on a father and son team from Massachusetts, Dick and Rick Hoyt. You see Rick was born in 1962 with the umbilical cord coiled around his neck and cut off oxygen to him brain. But in 1972 his first words, using a special computer, was “Go Bruins”. Rick was a sports fan, but he wanted to compete, and he did in 1977 in a five-mile benefit run for a paralyzed lacrosse player with his dad pushing him in his wheelchair. That night Rick told his dad that he just didn’t feel handicapped when we were competing. So the story go on and in 1981 they entered the Boston Marathon and finished in the top quarter of the field. After 4 years of marathons, Team Hoyt attempted their first triathlon, not just any triathlon but the Ironman in Hawaii. I saw the story on the TV coverage of the Ironman, let me just say I cried. Each time they competed it touched me the same way. What a great story of a fathers love for a son and of the true meaning of inclusion. Please go towww.teamhoyt.com and lean more about this unbelievable story. As Rick said: “The message of Team Hoyt is that everybody should be included in everyday life”. That is a message for everyone to live by.
That’s my take; I’d like to hear yours
Jamie Lazaroff
Jman200086@netscape.com
Some information about the Hoyt family come from “Team Hoyt: Racing towards Inclusion” by David Tereshchuk-www.teamhoyt.com/history
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Hello my name is Jamie Lazaroff and welcome to my first post. I’m a huge sports fan whose happen to have a disability. I like all sports and have strong opinion a about just about all of them. My column will not be about just people with disability in sports but about my opinion on the issue of the week.
Were do I start this week. We have the NBA referee betting scandal, we have Michael Vick in the NFL being indicted on federal dog fighting changes, we have the on going Barry Bonds on the brick of breaking the home run record and should Hank Aaron and the commissioner be there we he breaks it. On top of that you have the Tour de France and that doping scandal.
I like to start with Barry Bonds. He have not been indicted by the grand jury yet, if he breaks the record before he is indicted at lest the commissioner needs to be there because ever if you like Barry Bonds or not (and I do not) you have to respect him for breaking one of sports most hollowed records. In this country you are incite till prin gurry and as they see the jury is still out if he used steroids and all we have to goby is two books, one by a former teammate.
The referee betting scandal in the NBA is a black eye to a once proud league, but this does not surprise me. I can see how basketball could be fixed. Where have had game fixing scandal in college basketball for years, Boston College had a game fixing scandal just in the last few years. I have gone to a lot college, pro women and high school games college and pro women as well as high school and I can see how easy it could be to fix game. What does surprise me is that it to this long to get to the NBA, but with younger and younger people in your league both player and offices it was bound to happen.
Michael Vick is a sad story. I’m not an animal person at all but I do have an sfore side for dogs. I think the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL did the right thing by not allow Michael Vick from training with the team. At the point I do not think he should play football this season because his trail will probably going on doing the season and it would prove to be a distant for himself and the rest of the league.
I’m not every torching the Tour de France. It just have too may problems. I do not think cycling can be fixed. It is a hard sport and I do not think you can cycle three to four days in the high, high mounthers with out some thing in your body. Bodies are not build to take the phenisment of two to three weeks on a bike.
As I said at the start I would like to spotlight one athlete with a disability each week. This week I would like to spotlight Oscar Pistorius. Oscar is a double amputee athletics (track and Field) world record holder from South Africa. He his been in the news rectictly because he has a dream. He would like to run in the 400 meters in the Olympics next year in Beijing. You see Oscar is a double amputee. His running prosthetics are j-shaped carbon fiber blades. The world governing body thinks because his prosthetics is curved and tapering that it gives Oscar an unfair advantage. In Oscar’s first race against the best able bodies athletes Oscar was well off the pace in wet conditions. Oscar is co-operating with the IAAF on future research. I think Oscar can get better over time running with the best in the world. I do not know if his prosthetics gives him a unfair advantage. I will let you know the finding of the research in the fall.
That is my take, I like to hear yours.
Jamie Lazaroff
Jman200086@netscape.net
Were do I start this week. We have the NBA referee betting scandal, we have Michael Vick in the NFL being indicted on federal dog fighting changes, we have the on going Barry Bonds on the brick of breaking the home run record and should Hank Aaron and the commissioner be there we he breaks it. On top of that you have the Tour de France and that doping scandal.
I like to start with Barry Bonds. He have not been indicted by the grand jury yet, if he breaks the record before he is indicted at lest the commissioner needs to be there because ever if you like Barry Bonds or not (and I do not) you have to respect him for breaking one of sports most hollowed records. In this country you are incite till prin gurry and as they see the jury is still out if he used steroids and all we have to goby is two books, one by a former teammate.
The referee betting scandal in the NBA is a black eye to a once proud league, but this does not surprise me. I can see how basketball could be fixed. Where have had game fixing scandal in college basketball for years, Boston College had a game fixing scandal just in the last few years. I have gone to a lot college, pro women and high school games college and pro women as well as high school and I can see how easy it could be to fix game. What does surprise me is that it to this long to get to the NBA, but with younger and younger people in your league both player and offices it was bound to happen.
Michael Vick is a sad story. I’m not an animal person at all but I do have an sfore side for dogs. I think the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL did the right thing by not allow Michael Vick from training with the team. At the point I do not think he should play football this season because his trail will probably going on doing the season and it would prove to be a distant for himself and the rest of the league.
I’m not every torching the Tour de France. It just have too may problems. I do not think cycling can be fixed. It is a hard sport and I do not think you can cycle three to four days in the high, high mounthers with out some thing in your body. Bodies are not build to take the phenisment of two to three weeks on a bike.
As I said at the start I would like to spotlight one athlete with a disability each week. This week I would like to spotlight Oscar Pistorius. Oscar is a double amputee athletics (track and Field) world record holder from South Africa. He his been in the news rectictly because he has a dream. He would like to run in the 400 meters in the Olympics next year in Beijing. You see Oscar is a double amputee. His running prosthetics are j-shaped carbon fiber blades. The world governing body thinks because his prosthetics is curved and tapering that it gives Oscar an unfair advantage. In Oscar’s first race against the best able bodies athletes Oscar was well off the pace in wet conditions. Oscar is co-operating with the IAAF on future research. I think Oscar can get better over time running with the best in the world. I do not know if his prosthetics gives him a unfair advantage. I will let you know the finding of the research in the fall.
That is my take, I like to hear yours.
Jamie Lazaroff
Jman200086@netscape.net
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