Chad Ochocinco. Known for his over the top personality and media antics that people like to criticize. But honestly, he's a really good guy! This season especially I have just been flabbergasted with his some of the things he has done. Last week, the Bengals game was not going to be shown on the local networks because the game had not sold out, even after an exension was granted to the team. Many of the fans in Cincinnati would not be able to see the game because of this.... but Ochocinco would not have that. Using his partnershp with Motorola as well as his own money, Chad decided to purchase the rest of the tickets. Instead of re-selling them Mr. Ochocinco chose to distribute them for free to the first 1200 people that got to the game. By doing this, he no only gave thousands of people the ability to watch the game at home, but people that may not be able to afford to go to an NFL game the opportunity to go. Seriously, how cool is that? And somehow this story gets twisted into him boosting his ego. Honestly, to whoever says that: it says more about you than criticize him for doing the right thing. I'm willing to bet that it's not the first time that a team hasn't been shown on it's local station, but how many times to the players with plenty of cash in their pocket take the initiative and open up a window of opportuniy for thousands of people by doing something so simple.
After his name change Chad Ochocinco was critized and berated, being called "Ochophsyco." But I have a question, why? I don't believe that he has been accused of rape or involved in a shooting outside a club. But that wild man did change his last name!! Cause you know- that's never been done!! ugh. people make me sick. And so what he likes social networking? The man is enjoying life, and in a position to make a difference. I, personally, am excited for his newest embarkment, OCNN, the Ochocinco News Network. He will be the first to admit that his networking is tiem consuming. But their is a very big filpside to what he does that seems to go unnoticed. "This is how I stay out of trouble. I don't go to clubs, I don't drink, I don't party." It seems more and more everyday that he is someone that parents should point out to their kids. He is a great role model. Now all he needs is Jesus.
~Love, Hope, Peace & Blessings~
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
with a little help from your friends.... the umpires.
So, after watching the final out of the Dodgers' 2009 season and shedding tears as I type, I cannot help but feel bitter and enraged. The proceeding may be full of rage & should be read with caution, because neither of us know what is going to be said.
I have had 2 main issues with the NLCS this year; the umpiring and the new "home field advantage" that is not an advantage.
Let's begin with the new system of 2-3-2 that was put in place. It is stupid. Utterly stupid. I am at a loss and have great difficulty understanding how it is an advantage or a step-up form the 2-2-2-1 system. I do not think it is an advantage to play two games at home and then 3 on the road. Like the Phillies demonstrated, if a visiting team wins just one game in the first 2 games, they have the possibility of clinching at home. This is not a benefit to the team that has "home field advantage." Luckily for the Phils, they just needed the umpiring advantage to win this series.
There are at least 5 men out there that are ungrateful for TBS to have created the "pitch trax." For those of you that are unaware of this new technology, it is a box on the side of the screen with the strike zone, and it locates the pitches. Now I understand that it is an approximation, however, when a ball is shown in the center of the strike zone and the batter is surprised by it being called a ball, I just cannot convince myself to belief that the man behind the plate is correct. On more than one occasion did this occur, coincidentally though, it seemed that only the Dodger pitchers couldn't locate the umpire's strike zone as well as they could find the pitch trax strike zone. This is not the only indication that there was a biased gentleman calling the game. The Dodger pitching has not given up as many walks as they did this series. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but I'd be willing to bet that the number of walks for the Dodgers are suspiciously higher than the Phils throwers'. With the exception of Sunday's game with Hiroki Kuroda, I will not allow myself to believe that they have more talent on the mound. And when George Sherril can't get the call, that's sayin somethin!! It isn't fair. If you are going to win, do it with your own players, not the umpires.
So, looking back on 170 games of baseball, it was a good run. It's tough to swallow the season ending loss, but in the grand scheme of teams, the Dodgers were one of the final four. And I think that's what makes tonight so difficult. It serves as comfort to think that every other team is going to have to deal with these same emotions, but it sure as he** does not take away the pain. I'm nervous to see what this off-season holds, but am reassured that Ned Colletti will be at the helm making deals and decisions as he does so well. The McCourt divorce hopefully will not tear the organization apart, and it is unfortunate that this comes when the franchise seams to be moving in the right direction. I hate being faced with the reality that when I turn on K CAL or Prime Ticket next spring, not everyone is going to be there. Don Mattingly had a phone interview with the Cleveland Indians this week, and I not-so-secretly hope that he doesn't get the job. In my fantasy, he would stay around one more year, then take over when Joe Torre leaves after his contract runs out after the 2010 season and he retires. I would also like for Brad Ausmus to retire from his playing career this off season, and return within the organization and step in as manager after Mattingly.
So no, I'm not going to give the Phillies this one, and no I do not think they are the better team, and yes I may sound like a poor sport, but no, I really don't care right now.
Love, Hope, Peace & Blessings
I have had 2 main issues with the NLCS this year; the umpiring and the new "home field advantage" that is not an advantage.
Let's begin with the new system of 2-3-2 that was put in place. It is stupid. Utterly stupid. I am at a loss and have great difficulty understanding how it is an advantage or a step-up form the 2-2-2-1 system. I do not think it is an advantage to play two games at home and then 3 on the road. Like the Phillies demonstrated, if a visiting team wins just one game in the first 2 games, they have the possibility of clinching at home. This is not a benefit to the team that has "home field advantage." Luckily for the Phils, they just needed the umpiring advantage to win this series.
There are at least 5 men out there that are ungrateful for TBS to have created the "pitch trax." For those of you that are unaware of this new technology, it is a box on the side of the screen with the strike zone, and it locates the pitches. Now I understand that it is an approximation, however, when a ball is shown in the center of the strike zone and the batter is surprised by it being called a ball, I just cannot convince myself to belief that the man behind the plate is correct. On more than one occasion did this occur, coincidentally though, it seemed that only the Dodger pitchers couldn't locate the umpire's strike zone as well as they could find the pitch trax strike zone. This is not the only indication that there was a biased gentleman calling the game. The Dodger pitching has not given up as many walks as they did this series. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but I'd be willing to bet that the number of walks for the Dodgers are suspiciously higher than the Phils throwers'. With the exception of Sunday's game with Hiroki Kuroda, I will not allow myself to believe that they have more talent on the mound. And when George Sherril can't get the call, that's sayin somethin!! It isn't fair. If you are going to win, do it with your own players, not the umpires.
So, looking back on 170 games of baseball, it was a good run. It's tough to swallow the season ending loss, but in the grand scheme of teams, the Dodgers were one of the final four. And I think that's what makes tonight so difficult. It serves as comfort to think that every other team is going to have to deal with these same emotions, but it sure as he** does not take away the pain. I'm nervous to see what this off-season holds, but am reassured that Ned Colletti will be at the helm making deals and decisions as he does so well. The McCourt divorce hopefully will not tear the organization apart, and it is unfortunate that this comes when the franchise seams to be moving in the right direction. I hate being faced with the reality that when I turn on K CAL or Prime Ticket next spring, not everyone is going to be there. Don Mattingly had a phone interview with the Cleveland Indians this week, and I not-so-secretly hope that he doesn't get the job. In my fantasy, he would stay around one more year, then take over when Joe Torre leaves after his contract runs out after the 2010 season and he retires. I would also like for Brad Ausmus to retire from his playing career this off season, and return within the organization and step in as manager after Mattingly.
So no, I'm not going to give the Phillies this one, and no I do not think they are the better team, and yes I may sound like a poor sport, but no, I really don't care right now.
Love, Hope, Peace & Blessings
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