Alex Zanardi : Cannot Be Stopped

April 16, 2015

The Alex Zanardi story is one that most people do not know about. I didn't either until I saw him on a late-night television talk show in November of 2014. He walked out and sat down, and proceeded to tell his story.

Alex Zanardi was born in Bologna, Italy, in 1966. He had an early inspiration for racing when he built his racing karts from a dustbin of pipes from his father's workplace. From that humble beginning, he became involved in European road racing in its various formats.

He moved onto Formula One Racing for a few years with mixed results while enduring crashes and injuries. He moved to CHAMP Car racing from Formula one and became one of its most popular drivers through his daring style and victories.

In the 2000 season, Zanardi was not signed for a team, so he moved back to Formula I racing. In his most competitive race of 2001, he suffered a violent accident at the Euro Speedway Lausitz on September 15th while trying to merge back onto the track. His car was impacted from the side at high speed, severing the nose of the vehicle. Zanardi lost both legs (one at the thigh and one above the knee) and nearly three-quarters of his blood volume. His life was saved due to some rapid medical interaction.

You would think the story ends there. Zanardi was fitted with two prosthetic limbs and began an ambitious rehabilitation program. Zanardi was not happy with the limbs, and so he designed and built his custom legs. He wanted them made to be able to withstand the rigors of race car driving. By 2002, he was back on track in a specially designed car to take test laps, and in 2003, he was back competing. Zanardi has been racing ever since in various formats and cars.

In 2006, Zanardi took up hand cycling as part of an exercise program. With only four weeks of training, in 2007, he achieved 4th place in the New York City Marathon in the Handcycling Division. He took up the sport in earnest to compete in major handcycling events. He won the Venice Marathon in 2009, the Rome City Marathon in 2010, and the New York City Marathon in 2011.   His crowning achievement in this sport was the Gold Medals he won in the 2012 Paralympics in London.

As with Zanardi, there are no limitations. Zanardi completed the 2014 Ironman World Championship with a time of 9:47, ranking 272 overall and 19th out of 247 in the 45-49-year category. He used a handbike for the cycling section and an Olympic wheelchair for the running section.

Zanardi has lived his life with the greatest of passion. Zanardi is the rarest of humans that cannot be stopped to achieve his goals with grace and humility.

Ronda Rousey – Super Bad Girl Power

May 15, 2015

If you don't know who Ronda Rousey is by now, then you haven't been reading enough sports rags or seen anything related to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Of course, she is the most famous face in her sport, but she is also a product endorser, an action movie actress, and model.

Why would I bother writing an article about her when she already gets plenty of publicity? What angle could I take about this talented athlete? I remember one thing she said in an interview that I believe is the driving force behind many athletes with a highly competitive psyche. She talked about the intense need to not just compete but the overriding fear of failure. She is driven to be the best, and there is no satisfaction in just giving a reasonable effort.

You can spot these types of athletes in any sport. They overcome physical shortcomings, upbringing, team sports limitations, and they rise to the top because they hate failing more than anything in their life. They outwork their competition and never rely on their coaches to motivate them. It is like a hidden superpower that comes out when the competition needs to rise to the next level. They are going to fight and scrape until they have conquered.

Ms. Rousey had an illustrious career in judo which peaked at the 2008 Olympic Games. With that bronze medal victory, she became the first American to win an Olympic medal in women's judo since its inception as an Olympic sport in 1992. She reinvented herself as an MMA fighter champion over the past five years. It is safe to say she started the women's cage fighter movement by being unbeatable and an empowering role model for women. I like the attitude of bravado mixed with a good sense of awareness. She appears to be grounded with humility and respect for her sport. Of course, that humility is left behind once she engages herself in a UFC match-up.

Rousey, as a fighter, mixes technique, power, and speed, as witnessed in her last fight that lasted 14 seconds. The last three fights have lasted a whopping total of 96 seconds. Is there any woman out there who stands a chance to beat her? If there is, she has to be someone with a similar drive and fear of failure.

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July 10, 2015

Trying to find a good sports movie is about as difficult as trying to find a good comedy. The majority of sports movies follow the same formulaic plot of the hero that emerges from the depths of despair to being lifted on teammates' shoulders. Now that I think about this, is there any other formula? There are few plot turns here and there, but eventually, the crowd will go crazy, people will weep, life lessons will be learned, and there will only be a few seconds left in the game.

I can accept all of these line items as long as there is some truth to the story. As we all know by now, Hollywood can take a true story and take the parts they like and build a movie from it. They will develop plots and characters and add them to the story but still keep the main character's name and dilemma. This is called "based on a true story."

On a Saturday, my wife and I wanted to relax and watch a movie on our big screen. I am tired of car chases, bombs, and superheroes so I convinced my wife to watch a sports movie. She said, "don't you get enough sports?" We agreed on McFarlane USA, thinking that Kevin Costner had something to do with it.

For this movie, I have forgiven the filmmakers for the stretching of the truth and the embellishments. I like the idea that the film was shot in McFarlane, a small farming town in the Central Valley of California. McFarlane is populated by Latino families where most of their employment is derived from picking nuts, fruits, and vegetables.

The film is based on the life of Jim White, a teacher and coach who moves to McFarlane in 1987 when he is out of options. White has had some troubles in his past with both authority and mouthy kids, which keeps him and his family on the move.  It is an immediate culture shock to the family when they find no hamburgers at the local taqueria.

White becomes the football coach, PE teacher, and life science teacher as his first assignments. He soon finds out that a 15-man football team and unmotivated students are too much for him to handle. His family wants out, but the job offers don't seem to be rolling in at this time. In a glimmer of inspiration, he sees a teenage boy running like no other kid he has seen in this community.

White approaches the principal to start a cross country team, who agrees with his doubts.  White has never coached cross country, and he doesn't have a team. White finds a way to shed his cynicism and destitution and convince a group of boys to join the team. With minimal resources and backing, White slowly builds repore with his athletes.

The beauty of this story is how this down on his luck man and these boys start bonding into a force. These kids are built tough, unlike any other kids that they compete against. These are children of migrant farmworkers who still have to work with their families while going to school and training. The community begins to rally around the team and except White and family as one of their own.

The story further evolves into the finale, with McFarland making it into the state finals. It is the first year that a state final has ever been held and, of course, the inception of the McFarland cross country team.

Hurling and LaCrosse – What’s That?

July 20, 2015

These are two great sports that are many centuries old but receive little recognition. Many more sports fans in the USA have heard of Lacrosse than Hurling. On the contrary, both are getting more popular and especially Lacrosse. Increasingly, high schools are looking to adopt Lacrosse into their sports programs as an alternative to football. Football is not about to be replaced, but Lacrosse offers a less physical toll on the young athlete's body. Hurling rooted in Irish culture is gaining popularity in America, with even some colleges providing the chance to play.

A quick summary of each sport: Lacrosse, a team game played on turf with a ten-player squad that includes one goalkeeper. Players use a netted stick called a Crosse to catch and pass a rubber ball. Players run and move the ball forward to score a goal in a netted cage assembly. Hurling, also a team game is performed on turf with a fifteen-player squad, including a goalie. Players use a Hurley (a wooden stick with a paddle-like top) to advance the ball and swatted handpasses to advance the ball forward and run to put a shot on goal. Of course, rules are applied to both games, which regulate the way the ball is advanced. One player cannot just run down the field with the ball and take a shot at the goal. There are limitations on how long you can run with the ball without passing.

Lacrosse has various versions and dimensions that are played throughout the world. The most common is Field Lacrosse played outside on grass or a synthetic turf field with dimensions 110 yards long by 60 yards wide. Lacrosse has a version called Box Lacrosse which is typically an indoor game with only six players per side, and the field of play is smaller. In Field Lacrosse, the goal sits in a circular crease of 18 feet in diameter.

Hurling field is not always consistent in size, but they can range from 140 to 160 yards long to 90 to 100 yards wide. Each end has H-shaped goals with the posts rising to 20 to 23 feet high with the crossbar standing at around 8 feet. A net extending behind is attached to the crossbar and lower goal posts.

By now, you are probably thinking these are games with players running around with sticks and balls trying to score by either swatting or flinging a ball at a goal. Okay, you are right, except you shouldn't think an opposing player will let you pass and run with a stick as you darn well, please. These are contact sports, and collisions happen. There are defenders in both games who will try to change your course, and that is where the skill lies. As ball-handler, players can use their athleticism and skills to move forward.

The protective gear for both has a significant difference. This difference in equipment affects the gameplay and rules of each becoming an essential part of the sport. The Hurling equipment is pretty basic with the Hurley stick, a helmet, some cleats, and a ball called a Sliotar. Like in baseball with a bat, the Hurley can range in size best fitted for the player and their style. Lacrosse equipment consists of the Crosse, helmet, shoes, ball, and protective pads, including shoulder, arm, rib protection, and gloves. As you can see, the gear affects the type of contact that takes place on the field.

When I first saw a Hurling match at least twenty years ago, I was intrigued by this spectacle of athleticism. Here in the United States, we don't hear much about it, and most sports fans do not know what it is. Ask somebody if they know what Hurling is, and the responses you will get will be comical. Unless you possess some satellite feed from Ireland, Americans will not understand. Some say Hurling is one of the oldest sports still being played, which makes sense. Early players only needed a stick, a rock, a tree, and a few buddies, and the playing happened.

My first recollection of Lacrosse is when I saw it on ESPN being performed by college guys. The game was moving at a higher speed than any other sport I had seen. It was like trying to watch hockey on television, very hard to follow the tiny ball. Now I have seen it being played by men and women, boys and girls in all levels of schools and clubs.

As a sports fan, you have to check out these two games and give them a chance to grow on you. For years, I couldn't take an interest in soccer, but I am starting to understand and appreciate aspects of the game over time. If I ever make it to Ireland, I want to take in a Hurling match because they love it just like Americans enjoy football.

Kelly Slater, Not Just a Surf God

August 5, 2015

Kelly Slater is one of the best athletes ever to come out of the United States, and he is not a household name. Why is that? Because he rides waves and he is not one to seek out the media, the media finds him. He is not only the most decorated surfer since it has been considered a competitive sport but also a great ambassador and philanthropist. What else could you ask for in a professional athlete?

Slater excels in a professional sport that doesn't pay millions and millions for performance. As of 2015 he has earned around four million in purses since his start in 1990. Yes, that is 1990. Slater is forty-three years old and still kicking butt. He is an actual role model for any athlete that takes his craft seriously with dedication, respect, and passion. One doesn't realize what it takes physically to compete as a pro surfer, which requires tremendous strength, balance, and most of all, confidence in your skills.

Slater has been ranked number one on the ASP World Tour eleven times and won more tour events than anybody. He was the youngest to be crowned at the age of 20 and the oldest at 39. He has surfed the world repeatedly and has found his favorite places to be Pipeline in Oahu, Hawaii, and Kirra in Australia.

On February 1, 1972, Slater was born in Cocoa Beach, Florida, where he still owns a home. He became obsessed with surfing at an early age and got in his early teens. He was able to turn pro in high school and was soon traveling the world.

In addition to being an immortal surf god, Slater is a fine guitar player, a +2-handicap golfer, practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and has been in countless television shows and movies. As you see, he uses his mind and body to a high potential and lives his life to his own drummer.

Slater supports several charities, such as Reef Check, which mission is to protect reefs in California. Slater is on the Board of Advisors for the Ocean Advocacy Advisory Board and the Sea Shepherd Conversation Society. He is also a fundraiser and spokesperson for suicide prevention awareness. He has surfed in events for Surfers against Suicide.

Lastly, in 2010 he was honored by the US House of Representatives for his outstanding and unprecedented achievements in the world of surfing and for being an ambassador of the sport and excellent role model. Kelly Slater is one rare individual that keeps excelling when others retire at a much earlier age. What an inspiring guy for us older folks and a role model for all of the youngsters.

Sports Roll on through the Summer Heat

September 11, 2015

I was at the park today, and it was 100 degrees outside, and a youth soccer team was practicing. These were kids ranging from ages 7 to 8 years old. The coach had them running drills and jogging while he was barking out commands. The coach (Sargent Slaughter) had no water cooler, no shade cover, and was nowhere near a tree. Was this some boot camp for kids that their parents thought would toughen them up?  I wasn't pleased with this type of coaching, but I am not coaching youth soccer. I wonder if these kids will start hating this coach and dreading soccer after this type of behavior.

This has been a brutal summer with heat temperatures staying high for long periods. Is this the new normal?  If so, we will have to make extra efforts to avoid heat exposure and the effects. I saw a neighborhood worker who was doing some lawn maintenance faint in an afternoon heat blast. It is an epidemic that will sneak up on everybody who doesn't accept that the sun is getting harsher.

When it comes to our beloved sports and the effects of the high heat and humidity, how many deaths does it take before reality takes hold?  Every team and every sporting event needs to consider that a small little water bottle is not the only answer. For a little more effort and equipment, heat stroke and exhaustion can be avoided, not to mention skin exposure issues.    The new normal should be hydration and shade, along with training for signs of heat exposure.

Have you ever heard of the footrace through the desert called Badwater? It is an ultra-marathon over a hundred miles in the Mojave Desert, with temperatures rising over 110 degrees.  I know there are some extreme sports, but this one pushes the human body to the limit. I am still trying to uncover the reason why this race is appealing. I know self-torture could be one reason, self-hate, or it most likely the people who want high achievement. I am not sure what the prize money is, but I am sure it is not getting much TV money. So, the point being made here is that with the extreme heat not going away, these types of races will be the new normal.

Is Conor McGregor for Real?

December 17, 2015

Beyond the brash showmanship lies a young man punching and kicking his way to the UFC Feather Weight Championship. The much-anticipated championship fight on December 15th against Jose’Aldo was done in a 13-second flurry, the fastest championship knockout in UFC history. Aldo attacked first and landed one punch, but McGregor countered with a hard right that connected and floored Aldo. McGregor pounced and finished with a couple of hammer blows. Unsurprisingly, that is the style that McGregor uses, fast and furious but with precision hits. There is no wasted energy, dancing and prancing, and long grind out floor work, and he gets the job done as quickly as he can.

The biggest weapon in his arsenal is his mighty and quick straight left hand that is like an air hammer. If he doesn't smack you with that knuckle sandwich, there is a good chance he will land a kick upside your noggin with a wheel kick. The record shows 19 -2 spanning UFC and CWFC (Cage Warriors Fighting Championship) with 17 knockouts.

McGregor is just peaking as a fighter and will most definitely be in the mix for a few years or as long as he can keep healthy. Now that he is on top, everybody will want a piece of him and shut him up. No doubt he talks a big game, and that is part of the scene when you sign on to fight him, but you better have a good plan to beat him. You will sustain blows, and if you fend off most of them, you might have an opportunity to grapple if that is your game.

McGregor is the biggest show in town for UFC, taking that mantle away from Ronda Rousey, who is still smarting from her loss to Holm. The challenge now is to find worthy opponents who will keep the train moving forward. The world is in the palm of his hand now, and it's exciting for UFC to have another big-time celebrity in their fold.  I don't know what motivates him now, there will be bigger paychecks, or maybe he wants to build more of the legend and the brand. Whatever he does, he's got the mojo going forward. Cheers to Conor McGregor!

Surfboards, Dog Sleds and Toyota’s Rule

February 26, 2016

When the Super Bowl hoopla ends, the media coverage landscape expands, and all the other cool things in sports finally receive more publicity. The three I want to mention are the Yukon Quest Dog Sled race in Alaska, the Titans of Mavericks Surfing Contest, and the Daytona 500. All of these epic events are arguably the marquee ones in their sport. The Yukon Quest is the 1000-mile dog sled race from Fairbanks to Whitehorse in Yukon Territory. The Titans of Mavericks is the most intense big wave competition in Half Moon Bay, California. Lastly, the Daytona 500, which every racing fan loves more than any other road race.

Mavericks surf contest is a world-famous and long-running spectacle. The epic waves that are enormous 30 to 50-foot-high behemoths full of spirit and unpredictability are only ridden by a select few. Almost every surfer has a wipeout in the competition, and depending on how bad your spill sometimes determines how well you will do. Nic Lamb, an American from Northern California, outlasted 23 competitors and a big wipeout to capture the $120,000 purse.

If you don't know much about Mavericks and are interested in surfing or like watching like most of us, you can find plenty of documentaries and YouTube clips to get the feel of the event. The contest has grown beyond cult status to a must-see for surf fans, and curious lookee loos. The 24 contestants were given 48 hours to arrive from all around the world. Last year there wasn't an event because the waves never got to the size that warrants the competition. This year they were consistently coming in at 35 to 40 feet all day.

The next on my list is the Yukon Quest held in Alaska and the Yukon Territory, which finished on February 15th. This race is the granddaddy of all sled dog races, separating the well-prepared and trained from the lesser. The competition is a 1000 mile journey through all kinds of conditions of weather and terrain. Yukon Quest is an actual test of the capacity of humans and canines and a tribute to the strength of the ancient bond that unites them. Of course, the Quest is not the most compelling of spectator events but more of a scene to be part of as the towns of the north embrace their competitors and the beloved sport as their own.

This year's winner was Hugh Neff, an Alaskan musher who crossed the finish line 9 days after the start. The 48-year old musher won once before in 2012. He remarkably led the majority of the race. This time around, the contestants had to withstand blizzards, equipment failures, and sick dogs in this grueling race. The winner's take was $35,000 out of a pool of $115,000. It doesn't seem like a lot compared to other sports, but then again, only a few and notable can endure such an event. The history of this race is a good read, so check it out. Plenty of information is on the internet.

Last but not least is the Daytona 500. First, we had the man versus wave in Mavericks. Second, we have man and dog against the elements of the Yukon and now man and machine to persevere against other men and machines. The Daytona 500 took place on February 21st, and the winner was Denny Hamlin, one of the closest finishes ever captured on video. It looks like he won by less than 1 foot, coming in at top speed, certainly the narrowest in Daytona history.     Hamlin beat out Martin Truex, driving Toyota's, which was part of their domination in this year's event. The victory was also a first for Joe Gibbs Racing whose been competing here for 23 years.

What makes the Daytona 500 the Super Bowl of auto racing? It's the fact that it is always held in February and the first official NASCAR race of the season. Daytona gets the most extensive viewership of any other race, including the Indy 500. It is very prestigious to win since its inception in 1959. Daytona International Speedway is sacred ground in racing, and Richard Petty owns the most victories (7), and Chevrolet has the most wins with 23.

As you can notice, these are not mainstream sports with the slight exception of the Daytona 500, but it too doesn't receive the full recognition as the other 4 and 5. There is something cool to follow for all sports fans; even if they are hard to find on the television, you can always find them online. These events usually occur in that small window of media absence when the NFL is not ruling the airwaves. Next year, check-in with one of these events, and you will find it a breath of fresh air from the typical offerings..

Iditarod 2016, The Last Great Race on Earth

March 26, 2016

First, there was the Yukon Quest held in February, followed by the Iditarod, the most storied race in dog sledding and incomparable to any other race in the world. The Alaskan race spans 1000 miles through some of the roughest and beautiful terrains Mother Nature can offer. The biggest obstacle besides the trail itself is the temperatures that plummet below zero degrees Fahrenheit and winds that cause loss of visibility. The race begins in Anchorage in south-central Alaska to Nome on the western Bering Sea coast.

This is an event for all of Alaska, and it's so embraced in its culture and history. The race pits man and animal against nature in the wildest that Alaska will present. The Iditarod route is now a National Historic Trail which began as a mail and supply route from the coastal towns of Seward and Knik to the outlying mining camps. Not only did the trail get so dependent on the dog sleds because of mining, but to bring medical supplies to fight off Diphtheria which ravaged Nome. Through the years, the town and villages relied heavily on their services to see why they are part of the lore of Alaska. The race was also a way for the sled dog culture to be preserved and the Alaskan huskies, which were phased out by snowmobiles.

The race itself is unique in the way mushers and their dog teams maneuver through the geography. The mushers come worldwide to compete even though the winnings are sparse compared to the winners in other sports. Most of the mushers rely on financial sponsoring and assistance to afford the teams of dogs. A lot of planning and strategy goes into this race, along with year-round training.

This year's field has brought together teams from all over the world. The team that persevered, in the end, was Dallas Seavey, who set a new Iditarod time of 8 days, 11 hours, 20 minutes, and 11 seconds. He beat his dad, Mitch Seavey, by 45 minutes. This is Dallas' fourth Iditarod victory and a follow-up to last year.  It appears Dallas is on his way to be the most celebrated musher of all time because he is only twenty-five years old and looks like he can do this for another twenty years. The take-home prize was $75,000, and the new truck, which may seem meager capered to other sports, but that number keeps getting higher every year.

This year had its troubles aside from the lack of snow in Anchorage, a tragic crash when a snowmobile ran into a couple of teams of dogs and killed one and injured others. The accident happened at night, and the driver admitted he shouldn't have been out driving. He was charged with various counts of criminal misdoings. In addition, a lot of the mushers were ill before the race starts with multiple degrees of flu and cold symptoms. Twelve mushers out of the starting 85 have to quit. Seavey said he felt horrible when the race started and didn't feel somewhat better until the second half.

Of course, we have dog athletes beloved by their owners and are treated with the utmost care and respect. The lead dogs of Dallas Seavey's team are Reef and Tide. At his victory speech, Seavey credits his dogs for pulling him through the nights due to his illness and his fatigue that was a battle through the whole race. This is just one reason the Iditarod is a great race like no other in the world.

To see the way the towns along the trail embrace the mushers and dogs is remarkable. You have to remember that this is Alaska in the winter, and the population in these towns is not booming with people. The citizens come out of the wild winter to celebrate and cheer on their participants. I love seeing that this event is still going strong almost a hundred years later, reminding me of the other great race in the world, the Tour de France.

Working Out – Day One

August 4, 2016

Reality hit hard when I was standing in the buffet line of the cruise ship. I am no waistline denier, but I know my belly has gotten to the point where tucking in my shirt can never be pulled off effectively. Thank God there are fashionable tropical shirts and the overall decline of dress styles that have taken over the American male dress scene. Dressing for success no longer requires a suit and a tucked-in shirt and slacks, but a Tommy Bahama shirt can get you by in most situations.

So, there I was in the buffet line, looking around at my fellow men and the quantity of food being piled onto their plates. I don't know how these cruise ships stay afloat when they have to haul this much food and carry the load of thousands of buffet line eaters. Men were piling their plates so high as if they were hibernating for six months. When I got home, I knew that I was going to get to work in the gym.

The last year has been rough on my body but good for my brain. My wife and I have been hooking up with a group of folks whose source of fun revolves around dining.  Don't get me wrong, the quality of food I have eaten has often been delicious, but consuming dessert late in the evening will eventually take its toll. Somewhere and somehow, I know I have to get this body moving and strengthened. The saddest thing I saw on the cruise ship was all men over forty carrying the barrel around their waist and not looking very healthy. The question is, how does an older person work out.

Most of the information I see on the internet, and the magazine rack about fitness is geared for younger guys and gals. I also can't see myself doing CrossFit or some torture in the form of Tough Mudder. I don't have a desire to crawl under barbed wire or climb a wall with a rope.  For one thing, I would blow out a knee, then I would be down for the count and would most certainly turn into Jabba the Hut.

Where am I starting; my height is 6'2," and I weigh 225 pounds. I am not sure what the ideal weight is, but I know muscle must replace fat, and inches need to come off. Secondly, I need to strengthen the core, become more flexible, and have better balance.  When you hit fifty years old, the goal is not to have big muscle arms and a six-pack of abs (of course, we all desire it) but to gain physical strength and perform the sports and activities that I enjoy.

Day one is probably consisting of lifting some weights, some squats, some cardio, and stretching. I am sure all the fitness experts can tell me dozens of things to do, but I know I need to ease into this. I want to enjoy the road to better physical fitness this time around versus making it drudgery and just another thing you have to do to survive. My goal is to get in great shape and reap the benefits of improving my tennis, golf, baseball, and bicycling endeavors.  I also want to run a marathon soon before it's too late. So here I go, join me in the pursuit of becoming one of the people you don't see in the cruise buffet line.



Open Andre Agassi

May 1, 2014

Before I even opened this book, I had a preconceived opinion of Andre Agassi. For me, he was the guy who had the lion mane of hair, oddball tennis outfits and was married to Brooke Shields. In the camera commercials, he was the guy who blurted out the slogan, "image is everything."  I knew he won a few major tournaments and played well into his thirties. The book "Open" was recommended based on how well it was written with its depiction of the tennis world and the life of a professional athlete.

As I read page after page, I was transfixed into Agassi’s life path and how he ended up where he did. Agassi is adamant about stating his reluctance and distaste for the sport in which he was a champion. The story details his early life with his father’s pressure for him to succeed at tennis. The main reason I couldn’t put this book down is the way the writing is so vivid in its events and situations in hand.

He describes in great detail the events in his early life that shaped his upbringing. One of those events that I remember most is the challenge match with the Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown. Agassi was a young lad at the age of ten. His dad bet Brown ten thousand dollars that Andre could beat him in a match. The most prevalent and underlying thread throughout the book is his dad's influence over his demeanor. His dad's persona shaped Andre's life, both good and bad. Agassi lays out chronologically in a riveting storytelling style the key points that influenced his decisions.

My most enjoyment from this book is how Agassi describes his thoughts about his opponents, especially his arch-rival, Pete Sampras. Agassi breaks down his championship matches, from his strategy to his training regimen and mental state. It's such a fascinating read to hear about the struggles to gain opponents' psychological and physical edge.

Lastly, we get to read about his walk with fame and how he dealt with it. You get to go behind the scenes in which celebrities live. Agassi holds nothing back, and when you finish reading it, you learn, you're entertained, and you can recommend it to sports fans and anybody.

Born to Run Author: Christopher McDougall

June 5, 2014

Bruce Springsteen did not inspire this book, but an Indian tribe in Mexico did. It has nothing to do with music but has everything to do with running. I heard about this book as being entertaining, thought-provoking, and myth-breaking in its approach, and it delivered. Before reading this book, I knew nothing about running. If I ever decide to pursue running, I would have a solid basis of knowledge.

The book pulls together storytelling, history, and technology in a one-page turning combination. The book introduces a case of real-life characters that all have a love for long distance running. The author answers some big questions: Why did our ancestors outlive the more robust and more intelligent Neanderthals? Why do expensive running shoes increase the odds of injury? Just the fact that these questions are being asked is enough for me to keep plowing through this book.

Born to Run centers around the discovery of the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico and their  running habits. The book credits them as the greatest long-distance runners in the world. Their simple approach to running is what is so captivating. They have no real secrets, except they enjoy running more than anything else. They can run forever without the perils of injury and training. It is a fantastic testament to our ancestry and how running has always been part of the human experience.

Along the way, the author, Christopher McDougall, intertwines his running abilities, other ultra-marathoners, and the Taramhama. He puts together a great story of these cast of characters coming together for a conclusion. Also, McDougall puts together his arguments and theories about running and the current state. Lastly, I can pull from this book that I can never forget; relax and enjoy the experience if you are running. If it feels like work, you're working too hard. Well, we have to see about this.

The Sports Gene – David Epstein

July 11, 2015

I don't ever recall reading or seeing many books about the science of athleticism, particularly one that handles genetics and the athletic body. The Sports Gene not only educates but it provokes thought and introspection.

Who hasn't wondered why some athletes run faster or longer, are stronger, or have better hand-eye coordination? The Sports Gene tackles these subjects, with such chapter titles as; "The Warrior-Slave Theory of Jamaican Sprinting," "Beat by an Underhand Girl," "The Talent of Trainability," and "The Big Bang of Body Types." Each chapter presents the condition, such as why Jamaican's are world-class sprinters. Then Epstein proceeds to explain his theory using data, interviews, and examples.

There is plenty to chew on about what it takes to become an elite athlete and the theories behind the practice and developing muscle memory. This book attempts to develop theories about the debate of nature versus nature. I appreciate that Epstein engages the readers and keeps the science at a very accessible level. Epstein also skillfully handles the topic of genetics and race, which is always a sensitive subject.

I am ready to reread the book because I poured through it so fast. Every sports fan should read this book because you will never look the same at elite athletes again. You will begin to understand how they become elite and how they separate themselves from other competitors. As far as gaining insight into improving our athletic prowess, it is still practice, practice, practice.

RA Dickey, “Where I Wind Up” RA Dickey with Wayne Coffey

July 15, 2015

I know the book has been out for two years, and RA Dickey has since left the New York Mets, but I finally got around to reading it. As a baseball fan, most books about baseball are short on content, but surprisingly this book kept it going throughout. You will appreciate the look inside Major league clubhouses, the art of pitching, and mainly the trials and tribulations of a journeyed major league baseball player.

Unless you are a baseball geek, you probably don't know Dickey's story. Like any good biography, we get to see his rise to glory and all of the crashes and burns along the way. His story is unique because he is a ballplayer that had to endure more than most to get to the big leagues. A big-league player that doesn't ink his first big multi-million-dollar contract until well into his late thirties is about as rare of a baseball story as you can get. Sometimes the story is heartbreaking to read, and you have to put the book down for a while.

RA Dickey's story doesn't begin with how he became this professional baseball pitcher but probes into his psyche and mental makeup. Some kids are born into poverty and have to overcome disadvantages, but Dickey had hardships from his family situation. He was such a good ballplayer as a young man that he wrote his own ticket to the big leagues.

Like many promising athletes, Dickey endured injuries that constantly reminded him how easy it is to fall from grace. Somehow Dickey hung in there, and at his darkest moment, he found his saving grace in his wife and religious faith. During his long path to redemption and his career was nearing the end, he was introduced to a new pitch, the knuckleball.

Dickey was pessimistic about throwing this pitch but realized that this would be his only chance to get back into the big time. It took a couple of years of relentless tinkering and tutoring from others who had mastered the pitch before he achieved any success. Baseball fans will love this section of the book that tells how he began to grasp the technique of this obscure pitch.

Dickey does make it back to the bigs as a reinvented pitcher. It was a little rough at first, but he began to find his stride and success with the New York Mets. Dickey does achieve the pinnacle of pitching by winning the Cy Young Award in 2012.

The book is aptly named “Where Ever I Wind up" because Dickey has played for many organizations in towns all over the United States. His wife and children were subjected to a lot of this movement, which is as much a testament to them as it is to him. This story is written honestly with very personal insights, and of course, this book has a happy baseball ending.

Moses Malone, Chairman of the Boards

September 14, 2015

Moses Malone passed away on Sunday, September 13th, at the age of 60.  If you watched professional basketball in the mid-seventies through the eighties to the mid-nineties, you had to see one of the first players to leap from high school to the professional ranks. He started his career in the America Basketball Association with the Utah Stars as a 6' 10" center straight out of Petersburg, Virginia. He was given a scholarship for the University of Maryland but was drafted by the Utah Stars in the third round.

The Utah Stars folded shop after the 1974/75 season, so Malone signed on with the St. Louis Spirits for the next two years. He had a good stat line with 17.2 points and 12.9 rebounds per game. Not bad for a twenty-year-old kid playing in the ABA in its final heydays. The ABA merged with the NBA for the 1976 season, and Malone ended up on Portland but was traded to Buffalo to make room for Maurice Lucas. That venture didn't last long before he was traded again to the Houston Rockets for two first-round draft choices.

In Houston, Malone was finally able to get playing time and soon after that developed into a ferocious rebounder. He remarkably broke the NBA record for most offensive rebounds in a season with a mark of 437. That was his trend throughout his career by always leading the league in offensive rebounding and being one of the top overall rebounders. Let's not forget that he also could score with an average of 20 points per game. He would win the Most Valuable Player trophies with the Rockets during the 1978-79 and 1981-82 seasons.

Malone became a free agent with the Philadelphia 76ers for the 1982-83 seasons, signing a six-year deal. He was now on a powerful team with Julius Erving, Andrew Toney, Maurice Cheeks, Bobby Jones, and Darryl Dawkins, who just passed away a few weeks ago. They won the NBA crown that year, and Malone was MVP of the league as well. His second consecutive with two different teams, a feat only done once before by Barry Bonds in baseball.

Malone never had a championship season after that but went on to play for Washington Bullets, Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks, the 76ers again, then finishing his career with the San Antonio Spurs. Here is a list of his Basketball Achievements:

NBA Champion (1983)

NBA Finals MVP (1983)

NBA MVP (1979, 1982, 1983)

12-time NBA All-Star

ABA All-Star

4 - All-NBA First Team

4 - All NBA Second Team

NBA All-Defensive First Team

NBA All-Defensive Second Team

6 - NBA Rebounding Leader

NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team

ABA All-Time Team

Moses Malone was an all-around great player who made others around better. He will always be known as the king of the rebound, most notably the offensive rebound. He had an incredibly long career for a large man and was very productive to the end.  Salute Moses Malone!

Stephen Curry, the Whole Package

November 16, 2015

There are plenty of lofty adjectives to praise Stephen Curry because his performance this year has reached a new dimension. Even up to last year, I often got upset with him because he was making too many turnovers. He is now playing at a level where he is no longer turning the ball over, and he is doing everything and anything possible on a basketball court. He is playing like a combination of Kobe Bryant, Pete Maravich, and Nate "Tiny" Archibald, which means he is making unbelievable shots, dribbling, and handling the ball with wizardry. He is fun to watch and ascends the game to a level of entertainment sorely lacking in the NBA.

Plenty of distractors will say that he is just a jump shooter who lives and dies by the three-point play. I thought that talk would go away after the Warriors won the championship against his anthesis, LeBron James. LeBron James is everything that Curry is not and vice versa, except that each of these guys makes their teammates better. What I have seen this year is a more aggressive attempt to do even more. He is playing better defense, more opportunistic, and elevating his game to complete player status. This is where Michael Jordon evolved when he started being named to all-defensive teams.

When teams attempt to corral Curry, his teammates step up their game and propel the Warriors to victory. When you thought you have him defensed, he will launch a thirty-foot jumper from way beyond the arc and ignite his team. No player in the NBA has this kind of range consistently. In addition, just a small handful of players become more focused and determined to win at the end of the game.  I see LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, and Curry as the most dynamic players you want to have the ball at the end of the game.

I did mention that Curry is fun to watch and not just because I am a Warrior fan. You can see that he is having fun, and when he makes an extraordinary play, he smiles and enjoys the moment. He has been making plays that the Harlem Globetrotters are not even making. I don’t see a better dribbler in the league because of all the behind the back and between the legs dribbling done on a nightly basis. I tried to use as many adjectives as I could, but I think a noun is better suited, like "the whole package." Curry is a player at the height of his game, a joy to watch, good for the fans, and lastly, a role model for youngsters.  Salute Stephen Curry

Bryant and Manning, The Best of an Era

December 10, 2015

Two athletes that are arguably in the top tier of their respective sports are soon heading back to the locker room for the final time. I don't know if Manning has outwardly said he is retiring, but I really can't see him lacing them up for next year. Manning has played for eighteen seasons, for the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos. He will turn forty next year and has diminished arm strength and body movement. I don't see him as the type to play second fiddle on the sidelines while some fresh-faced kid is giving it a go as starting quarterback in the NFL. Bryant announced his departure after this year on his terms after twenty years with the Los Angeles Lakers.

I have seen my share of great basketball and football players, but these two guys are in the top ten all-time in their sports. You can review their stats and compare them with other players from other eras and years, but they also pass the eye test. There is no statistic for being clutch. Kobe Bryant was a big-time, big-game player who had ice in veins in the pressure-filled games. Like Michael Jordan, whom he gets compared within the NBA history folklore, he took over those big games and sometimes seemed liked they were willing their team to win. Nothing was going to stop them.

Peyton Manning does have his critics for not winning enough Super Bowls to everyone's liking, but football, more than other sports, is the ultimate team game. He will always be remembered as a player that made everyone around him better. He exudes confidence and control of the game when he is on the field. He is very animated on the line, but that is part of the skill set that he offers. The animation is there for distraction to the defense and signals to his offensive players. Manning has always been a part of winning teams and being the quarterback. He should take most of the credit for those victories.

These types of athletes are few and far between. Like Manning, Tom Brady plays in the same era, and they are the only quarterbacks that are still around who are considered to be on the all-time list of greats. As far as Kobe, he stands alone in his era as a legendary player, still lacing them up. When they retire, there will be a long void before we see their like again. It has been a pleasure watching them. Unfortunately, I had to root against them more times than not. You look back at the time you invested watching them, and how they are part of your life span, you appreciate their talents even more. Salute Kobe Bryant and Peyton Manning!

Kwahi Leonard versus Draymond Green

January 22, 2016

They seem to be the same type of player playing the same position for teams that play similarly. Both guys are outstanding defensive players, both progressing as two-way players that are ascending in skill level. Arguments always get started when you start comparing this guy to that guy, but both, in this case, I am not arguing who is better but how they are more similar.

Kwahi Leonard was the defensive player of the year last year, with Green coming in second, and this year he is also leading the league in three-point percentage. His offensive skills are improving, like his ability to create his own shot, which is the true mark of an excellent offensive player. His touch and jump shooting rhythm are more consistent, along with ball passing. Leonard possessing both length and quickness are the hallmark of a prototype NBA body. Leonard is also a quiet battler and good teammate who perfectly fits Greg Popovich's offensive scheme. On the defensive side, he has the ability to match up and guard 90% of the players in the NBA. I wouldn't put him out on the perimeter, but he has done it when called upon. Leonard is a complete shutdown defensive player whose quickness and length allow him to fill space in the zones.  He helps out the ageless Tim Duncan crash the boards and move the rebounds out to fast breaks about as well as anybody in the league.

Draymond Green is a force in every game for the Warriors. The one game he missed this year turned out to be a loss to Utah. Draymond Green is a chameleon on the court. He has played every position at times and feels comfortable doing it. Green currently leads the league in triple-doubles (rebounds, assists, and points) with eight. Of course, it helps to be playing alongside Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, but he is excelling immensely. Green is hitting threes and moves the ball well in the weaving offense of the Warriors. Green is ferocious on defense this year, playing even better than last year. Green is all over the defensive side and has the uncanny ability to get position on bigger and taller players.

These guys are invaluable to their teams and wouldn't have the record they do without them. They both make everybody around them better by being smart and focused. Green is a vocal leader while Leonard is quieter, but the results appear to be the same. They both are six-foot-seven, weighing around 230 pounds, and Green is 25 and Leonard is 24. They are contractually locked up for years with their teams and will be competing against each other for a long time. Suitable for the NBA and good for us fans.

I am looking forward to the showdown on January 25th, Spurs at Golden State. Salute Kawhi Leonard and Draymond Green!

Stephen Curry: Sometimes the Young Guys Rule Too!

March 4, 2016

Stephen Curry, the all-world point guard for the Golden State Warriors and reigning MVP, is becoming one of those athletes relished for being a good ambassador for the sport. He carries himself with confidence and pride, but it also looks like he is playing with a lot of joy. On the contrary, in the media, more and more quotes and articles are attributed to ex-professional basketball bemoaning his skill set, style of play, and overall ability to compete in their era. These guys can't help themselves from sounding like bitter old men. Can it be they want to have an opinion that they think is indeed debatable?

I can understand fans giving it their best shot and comparing their beloved team and athletes of days gone by to the current crop of offerings. This type of bar top analysis is just what it appears to be, a hypothetical mish-mash that is better served with more beer. The backlash from some current ex-basketball players saying that Stephen Curry would not be as successful in their era is embarrassingly false. Stephan Curry would be good, possibly great in any era, hands down because he possesses the skills that make other players great. He is a proficient shooter, very quick and hard to defend, a fantastic ball-handler, and a skilled passer. I don't see how that doesn't translate to any court, anytime, any era. Nonetheless, the whole Golden State Warrior team also gets scrutinized because they are so good, which is another reason the old guys feel threatened and need to stick up for their eras.

The breakdown and comparison of eras across all sports; It crosses all cultures, upbringing, and past days of glory, and every older person will defend their time in the sun. I am no different in saying how I played baseball every day during the summer when I was a kid and didn't need an adult to organize it. Now kids need a league to play in, and they also are playing year-round. We could play any sport anywhere, and then there were the games we made up because we didn't have the proper equipment. We were self-sufficient, rode our bikes to the park, not in Mommy's SUV, and played until we were done, not when their parents said so. We developed our sports skills with our buddies, and we also learned by watching the great athletes on TV. There, you have my bitter old guy appeal for my era.

If Stephen Curry was around when I was ten years old, you be damn right I would try to copy his game. Just think, I would be shooting 20-foot jumpers and dribbling behind my back. Oh wait, we did have guys like that, Pete Maravich, Dr. J, Nate Archibald, Jerry West, and best of all, we had the Harlem Globetrotters. After all, isn't sports supposed to be joyful to watch? If a player is so fun to watch or a team plays with great precision and skill, that is the sport in its finest moment.

March Madness…Let the Guessing Game Begin

March 16, 2016

March is always a solid time for sports viewing while you are still huddled in your house. The NBA and the NHL are in the final quarter of the long season, and baseball spring training is just for those who really really care. The dessert is March Madness, the only time you can see schools like Butler or Gonzaga colleges play basketball on national television. College Bball is not for everybody because you get spoiled by the NBA, and the large and prestigious schools are all you hear about.

I, like many, enjoy being in a pool with my best guesses on the bracket but never have big money riding on it. Some years there are clear favorites, and you ride them like a donkey, and other years you bet on those sure things, and then they leave you high in dry in the second round.

Aside from playing pin the tail on the donkey for my bracket picks, I just like watching the Sweet Sixteen. There, you have separated the contenders versus the pretenders, and your viewing time isn't wasted. How cynical is this? not so much. It's my honesty and how much I want to spend my precious free time. There will always be a team like Kentucky, Kansas, North Carolina, Duke, and Syracuse in the final rounds, but you hope the lower-seeded teams pull off a run. It doesn't always happen, but you do get to see some crazed fans of these smaller programs going bonkers for their team.

If you have your alma mater in this showcase, then this just about seals this as must-see TV. I have a buddy who went to Cal Berkeley who is in this year's tourney. Cal doesn't make a lot of appearances in the tourney, so when they do get in, it is bigger than the Super Bowl. You don't even have to know their players or seen any of their games, but if they are in the big show, you start wearing your gear and rooting on the boys or girls.

The tourney does give all of us NBA fans a chance to see kids who are potential pro players. Some players get drafted by how well they performed in this tourney; others get downgraded for wilting in the big games. Another aspect I look for is the teams that have a lot of seniors. It's so rare to see teams with a starting senior squad. The reality is that the NBA has robbed the collegiate level of their star players when they often have only played one year or maybe two. I understand the draw of a big contract, but it is so rare that a 19-year-old kid will amount to much riding the bench in the NBA. The media will build up these young stars in college, so this tourney could be your only chance to see them playing a whole game. Go, Cal Berkeley!