The two doctors that I saw last week both said that I was in very good health based upon a number of blood results and could continue writing my sports blog. They both agreed that because I am able to socializes on occasion with a beautiful girl 57 years younger then myself might be a contributing factor. (See photo February 23, 2017 issue). I have a growth on my right ear and saw one doctor hoping to get a referral to a plastic surgeon. Instead I need to see my dermatologist which won't be until the end of May. My doctor doesn't seem worried so I have not going either. Only one problem three people have already called me Dumbo.
Being able to date a young girl 57 years younger seems almost impossible. But it isn't when you look at the facts. When I go to buy a bottle of liquor I am asked for my id. That means the clerk is not sure that I am even 21 years of age most likely because I am clean shaven. Many young males grow beards today so they can look 80 years of age. Its called the Copy Cat generation. Yes, I am aware that it is a state law to check everybody's id who purchase a bottle of liquor. In other words someone in power in Sacramento who hates drinkers decided to use his or her power to harass those who drink. Remember the legislators in California are liars. The latest example is the new Transportation Act that will increase the cost of gasoline about 10 cents a gallon plus raising vehicle fees. This is done under the pretense to fix our roads. For 67 years I have been paying a tax at the pump to keep up the roads. It is now admitted that much of that money has been used to pay off cronies by the fact that they say this time 'we mean it'. With money they plan to collect the cost per pot hole is about $100,000. If you believe these liars then you deserved to be Dumbo.
New Name
Comcast Sports is now called NBC Sports Bay Area. Even at 83 I earn something new almost every day. The other day I learned that NBC stood for National Broadcasting Corporation. I always though the B stood for Baloney because they were always so full of it. They have added one new show The Happy Hour which stars Johnson, Papa and Ratto a very good trio who know and discuss sports. They spit in the face of Jesus Christ a couple of times. That's to be expected on NBC. During the first week they learned that they could drink legally on the air. Their first show this week didn't even mention drinking. In other words someone who hates drinkers got to them so the show isn't as much fun. It takes place during cocktail hour so it was fun to have a drink with them as they discussed sports.
Greg Papa brought up the fact that the crowds at Oracle Arena this year to see the Warriors play have been much quieter. They are no longer the loudest in the NBA. The trio discuss some possible reasons one being that they use to tear down the rafters when Curry made a 40 footer to close out a quarter. Now they expect him to make it. At least they are not booing him if he misses.
Another factor might be that corporations have many of the tickets and they give them to their clients. Its possible that some of the clients do not know a tennis racket from a basketball. Or maybe they don't recognize the Warriors when they are not wearing their Chinese Communist uniforms.
Ratto pointed out what we have been saying for years. The fans are starting to figure out that most of these games mean nothing. They are paying hundreds of dollars to see a warm up game. It has to be said that in almost all occasions the Warriors play an very entertaining game.
The Season Begins
After 82 warm up games and about 10 pre warm up games, the NBA season finally tipped off over the Easter weekend. I was attending a very nice Easter dinner thrown by a very good friend in my area so I missed the Warriors first game victory. From what I have heard it seems that the Warriors are out to revenge last years collapse. If they keep up that attitude and stay reactively healthy they should win the 16 games necessary for the NBA title. Preventing a second game let down is crucial for this series.
The AL West
We mentioned that we would comment on the AL West race this year because some of our blog members follow the A's, Angels or Rangers. At this point of the season they are all under .500 with the Astros taking an early commanding lead. I noticed in the past that the Western Division race can change dramatically. The teams seem to have long winning and long losing streaks which in most years makes the race dramatic. Its way too early to see what will happen this year.
Winter Workshop
Every January many of the major league managers attend a few days workshop in Florida to learn the latest trends in the game. This year it focused on the number 2 batter in the lineup being one of if not the best hitter. Obviously Bochy attended and so did Madden of World Champion Cubs. It was conducted by a professor of statistics from Princeton who also has degrees from Yale and Harvard. The strategy should be evaluated at the end of the season but so far the trend has been very negative. Belt is bating second for the Giants and every time I look at the Giants game I see him walking back to the dug out after striking out. I hate to say this but he seems to get worse every year. Then if you remember the star third baseman of Cubs Bryant who led the Cubs last year is now batting second. So far he is hitting.212 and the World Champions are playing sub .500 baseball.
Length of Games
After the first couple of weeks of the season baseball games are averaging 3 hours and 5 minutes. Many of the commissioners ideas to speed up the game were rejected by the players union as if the players are paid by the hour not by salary. Concession stands are booming.
Baseball has to get real. The biggest delay in the games comes from relief pitchers. They are all taught to delay, throw to first, call out the catcher to discuss dinner, all to make the batter anxious.
There were 98 relief pitchers used last Sunday in the majors. No wonder the games are so long.
Baseball instant replay looks so stupid. Baseball needs to clarify the purpose so as not to ruin the game with people in New York after five or six brandies trying to call a play. The purpose should be to correct the obvious errors not try to get every play right by looking at six different angles for five minutes. This can be done by someone like the official scorer watching a replay in the press box for 30 seconds. If he can't decide then the play stands as called. No challenges by the managers. If the official see a possible error on a call a red light flashes on the scoreboard and the result is rendered in 30 seconds.
The Giants
Its hard to get excited about this team. Something is missing. I know they have numerous problems but it is hard to pick the major one. Super Z one my blog members from Pleasanton told me last winter that Giants pitching was weak. I had the opinion that it wasn't bad. Its bad! Hitting is horrible. Again this year they lack power and need more batters that drive the ball between the outfielders with authority. Its lacking. Losing Posey for a week has hurt. He got beaned by a fast ball thrown right at his head. Now he is a foul tip away from possibly ending a career.
I am not a fan of Bochy's lineup.. Span leads off and they have no other choice. Panik is a natural #2 hitter and if he stays healthy will lead the team in batting. Why he is batting # 8 is a complete mystery to me. They have Belt batting second I suppose so he might get more fast ball and he keeps striking out. Pence is no #3 hitter. Strikes out too much. Needs to bat #6. Posey best bet is #3. If the Giants had a choice they would leave #4 spot vacant. Crawford probably the best answer. Fifteen homers from your clean up man is not going to do it. As mentioned before Nunez has the potential to be a very good hitter but he thinks of himself before the team. Parker almost killed himself Saturday crashing into the left field wall making a great catch. He is out 8 -12 weeks. He wasn't hitting anyway. His play reminded me Pete Reiser a Brooklyn Dodger center fielder who was noted for crashing into the wall at Ebbets Field.
49ers and the UofA
I read not too long ago that former USC quarterback Matt Barkley had signed with the 49ers. He will be one of about four qbs trying to make the team. The 2013 photo at the right shows Matt with my granddaughter Emi Knous. When this photo was taken Matt had just decided to stay his senior year at USC a decision as history has proven that cost him millions of dollars.Emily in the meantime will enter the University of Arizona next January on a soccer scholarship. She has already broken one record at the UofA. Her athletic scholarship award has more academic money included then any other athlete in the history of the school. That makes the soccer coach very happy since she now has more money to recruit additional players.
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