Screw GI Joe, Teddy Ballgame was the real American hero

I would like to preface this week's perspectives by extending a THANK  YOU to all the servicemen and women for their unselfish service.

Tillman and Williams are True Heroes

Professional athletes are looked upon in high regard by most of  society for a variety of reasons. First of all they get to participate  in something we used to do all the time as kids, and thats playing  sports. They also get paid very handsomely for it, for the most part.
 
Plus they are part of a profession that is unscripted. It's no wonder  that so many people look upon athletes as heroes.

Ted Williams was born on August 30, 1918 in San Diego, California. I  don't know where to even begin with all the accomplishments that this  guy achieved. I think that when Irving Berlin composed the song  Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better), that he was referring to Ted  Williams and I am about to tell you why.

Teddy Ballgame could have taken the easy way out, and played baseball  at Navy, rather than serving in World War II. Williams instead wanted  to be a naval aviator and was a highly successful one to say the  least. He not only pulled double duty by playing baseball and serving  the military, he served in two different wars. He served in World War  II from age 24-27 and then again at age 34 in the Korean War. He wasnt  folding napkins in Korea either, and was awarded an Air Medal for his... [More]

We're lucky to have Chucky for MNF

Kudos to ESPN for hiring Jon Gruden to replace Tony Kornheiser in the Monday Night Football booth. For the past 3 seasons, we had to endure 3 years of mediocrity from the MNF annoucing crew, primarily due to Kornheiser's inadequacies.   Mike Tirico and Ron Jaworski both know the NFL quite well, but Kornheiser seemed to drag everything down because of his babbling nonsense. Jaworski, who is one of the nicest and classiest guys in the business, seemed to have enough of Kornheiser's shenanigans last season as well.
 
I was shocked when I first heard that Kornheiser was given the job in 2006. I think that the show he is known for (Pardon The Interruption) is fantastic. However, if you really pay attention to him on it, you know his current knowledge on the happenings of sports, is subpar at best.    The guy happened to be a part of one of the most storied programs in ESPN history and company executives thought that could translate over to the NFL and Monday Night Football. I cant fault him for taking the MNF gig. ESPN should be ashamed they hired this guy.
 
ESPN, and all major networks, here's a simple request.  Instead of hiring someone to cater to someone who may not be an average fan, hire someone who will give the average football fan the knowledge and insight to want to come back and watch more. In the meantime, thanks for the upgrade.
  NBA Starting to Become More Competitive
 
I get frustrated when I see ... [More]

Time to blow whistle on NBA officiating

We have seen some great drama unfold thus far in the playoffs. "Big Baby" Glen Davis showing you can never underestimate the heart of a champion when he hit a 21 foot shot at the buzzer. Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony have not only been money in the bank on the court so far this postseason, they have been money in the bank for bettors, going a ridiculous 17-0 against the spread (depending on what number you got on the Cavs and Nuggets on Monday night.  But bettors could have laid 9.5 with the Cavs and taken +2.5 with the Nuggets).   While things have been thrilling for the most part, there has been too much involvement from officials at key junctures of games. Also, whats the deal with two different types of flagrant calls to choose from? Now this is just starting to get ridiculous. Twenty five years ago in one of the most popular NBA Finals ever, Kevin McHale hit Kurt Rambis with the clothesline heard round the world. Ok. it was at least seen throughout the Forum. In today's NBA, McHale would have been certainly been thrown out of that game and suspended for the following game. The refs let the highly competititive and talented players play and the series ended up being a classic largely due to the great NONSTOP action and high scoring games.   Just because there are different types of flagrant calls in place does not mean that referees need to start implementing them. Looking at the remaining teams left in the postseason, we have are the makings for an... [More]