A native of the city, I have had a love affair with my Los Angeles Dodgers since I can remember. As a young girl some of my fondest memories are watching the game with my dad – listening to Vin Scully and Jerry Doggett on a summer afternoon. I vividly remember Fernando Valenzuela’s arrival and Fernandomania throughout the Southland. That awesome team with Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, and Ron Cey that brought us a championship all those years ago still gives me goose bumps! And Tommy! Oh yes, Tommy Lasorda – I remember being at Chávez Ravine, feeling the ground shake as he ran out to scream at the umpire. Those were the days…

More recently, I have not had so much to be excited about. However, like the rest of the Los Angeles Dodgers loyal, I put up with the high ticket prices, dubious ownership, and lack of a well-thought out plan. I’m there, every season hoping that this one will be different. When popular players like Eric Gagne and Paul LoDuca are traded away, I humbly take the ensuing punishment. When the new owner adds seats to the stadium and makes my usual lower box placement less desirable, I buy another beer and act like it never happened.

Continue reading "My love affair with my Los Angeles Dodgers"

Some girls have guilty pleasures like chocolate or shoe shopping – well, I somehow missed the chocolate gene (hate it!) and I openly admit my shoe addiction without remorse. So, pray tell, what is my guilty pleasure? The Bucs! Ohmigosh! I loooove the Tampa Bay Buccaneers! Why do I feel guilty? Well, being a Los Angeles native that comes from a pedigree of Raiders-Rams-Niners, I always feel I need to explain myself when I root for them. I get that feeling like I was caught listening to Michael Bolton or something (not that I would do that but you get my drift).

I was formally introduced to the team when I moved to the area to start college. I must admit, I started out like every other NFL fan – I hated ‘em! The Yucks were so much fun to root against. Fellow haters and I would make demeaning monikers for the players like Mike I’ll-stop for the future hall of famer. I clearly remember a Bucs loyalist telling me that Tampa has hosted more Super Bowl games than any other city. Whippee! Whatever helps you sleep at night, I guess. One day – all of that changed. I went to a pre-season game one year while a student at the University of Tampa. It was the last one before the start of the regular season – Bucs vs. New England Patriots. Being the smart-ass I normally am, I purchased a Bucs shirt and Pats hat from some parking lot vendors and proceeded to go into the game. I’ll never forget the look on the faces of many of the fans. It was a strange mix of delight and disgust. I can’t blame ‘em though. In my defense - I have always been a football fan. It has been hard for me to get totally behind one team since Georgia’s greed ruined the one I grew up with and the only one that won a Super Bowl in my city abandoned me. I don’t have the luxury of the team I was behind as a child being here today like many of you lucky folks.

Continue reading "My Guilty Pleasure"

Surprise! Surprise! Guess what everyone; professional baseball players are using performance-enhancing drugs. Oh, the horror! Who’da thunk it?

Alright, before you all get on your high horse, let’s take a step back here and examine this closely. What everyone needs to realize is while San Fransicso Giants slugger Barry Bonds may have taken steroids to increase his power, these drugs do not manufacture hand-eye coordination. Remember that he was a more than adequate player beforehand that could already hit home runs – just not as frequently.

OK – what does this mean? Here’s a better example – when I was in high school I had a stint on my school’s swim team. In order to compete, I needed to know how to swim. This included the backstroke, breaststroke, etc. Without this core knowledge of how to perform in the sport, I would not have been chosen to be on the team. Had I taken any performance enhancing substance, this would have given me stamina, strength, and speed. This would not have made me suddenly able to do a stroke that I had not done before. If I couldn’t swim in the first place, no amount of drugs could have taught me how to.

Continue reading "The Devil's Advocate..."

You know, everyone keeps talking about the baseball and steroids debate so I thought I would lighten things up a bit by discussing a less relevant topic. Some in Los Angeles may think this is just as important as steroids, but let’s face it – this only affects us natives and locals who have a serious passion for our Los Angeles Dodgers. Yeah, I am talking about why on Earth is that frickn’ team in Orange County allowed to use our city’s name? Seriously, it really burns me up. Anaheim and Los Angeles couldn’t be more different. I totally resent that those guys profit from using my hometown’s name. If they are so freakin’ great – use your own town.

Yeah, yeah, I get it…they get more market share in the media yadda yadda. Another example of greed in the business of sports (yeah, I know, rare). But as someone who grew up with those nice people in OC hating us up here, I think it is horse doody! You heard me – what about all that stuff about how you don’t like us here in LA? We’re so fake and shallow, not to mention liberal. (OC is notoriously conservative for those of you not in on it). You sure like us now that you need our name.

Continue reading "On a lighter note..."

The Target World Challenge is happening at the Sherwood Country Club this weekend. I had it on while I was doing some work and then it hit me…why are the sports journalists asking these guys the same odd question?

Let’s back up a bit…there are some very excellent golfers in this event. Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson, and of course, the ubiquitous Tiger Woods are among those playing. Tiger Woods is obviously the single most important golfer that has ever played the game. His arrival all those years ago shook up the sport and removed the “old white guy” image the game had for so long. He showed us all that golfers are real athletes that are truly dedicated to their craft. Now a more diverse sport welcoming all to its courses, the game is arguably a better one because of him.

Continue reading "Tiger Who?"

Tampa Bay Buccaneers!

Well, today it finally happened! The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have finally returned a kickoff for a touchdown! Woohoo! From a new face nonetheless! I looked outside and there are no donkeys flying but it has been a bit cold…

This game against the Atlanta Falcons was vintage Buccaneer defensive football! With the first touchdown coming courtesy of a Rhonde Barber interception, the D continued to cause turnovers and embarrassment for the Falcon offense. It was quite an emotional game that had the players duking it out on a few occasions! More importantly, the Bucs clinched the NFC South title.

It is always so much fun to watch your team pummel their opponents (37-3)!

Miami Dolphins!

The hapless Miami Dolphins can sleep tonight! They will not go winless this season as they managed to stave off the Baltimore Ravens in overtime. When Matt Stover’s 44-yard field goal attempt was no good, the Dolphins answered with their longest drive this season! Yeah Dolphins!

Continue reading "A streak-breaking day for Florida NFL teams!"

I was working on the computer when I heard the sound. It was that unmistakable sound that a football game was about to start. That wonderful feeling of excitement flushed over me and I mused that I am much like a subject in Pavlov’s experiments. Play that music and I salivate.

Alright - so I am getting off track. Thursday’s game on the NFL Network was the Los Angeles St. Louis Rams vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers. The mighty Steelers won in what turned out to be a pretty good game to watch. I was working through most of the game but had time to notice that Steven Jackson is a really big dude and Ben Roethlisberger has a really big head. Not that I am perfect by any stretch of the imagination as I am sure people would have plenty to say about me if I were on television.

Continue reading "Random NFL Rumblings…"

We hopped on the 47 Express from Van Ness and California this morning and headed over to the stadium. Yup - we were at Monster Park today to see the San Francisco 49ers host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs didn’t really have to worry much about the game’s outcome. The team is playoff bound regardless but the 49ers wanted a win very badly. This game was QB Jeff Garcia’s “homecoming” and possibly Bryant Young’s last appearance.

We got to the stadium early enough to see the kickers practice and other players come out and stretch. Having great seats in one of the end zones, we had an awesome view of the action on the field. As we were waiting for kickoff, Derrick Brooks came over to the edge of the field near us to stretch. From about five rows back some 49ers fans yelled at him – saying that he “sucks”. What? Seriously? Derrick Brooks? Were they nuts? While I understand ragging on the opposing team, I don’t understand when fans are outright disrespectful (and oh so wrong) like that. Here is a guy that has been to the Pro Bowl for most of the seasons that he has played, has a Super Bowl ring, and will more than likely go to Canton. My normally laid-back spouse couldn’t contain himself and asked Mr. Brooks to show them his ring and we’ll see him in the Hall of Fame. I swear he smiled at us - there was no way he didn’t hear the whole exchange.

Continue reading "It’s interesting how different fans look at things…"

Where has the season gone? Have I really been working that much? Yeah, I must have been since I didn’t realize I witnessed Bryant Young’s last home game with the San Francisco 49ers until it was almost over. I hate when I don’t get to pay attention to football!

At any rate, as we approach week 17 it is time to get everyone’s two cents and crazy predictions. This is the time in the season where we get those wild scenarios about teams that need help getting into the playoffs. You know, like they need four teams to lose and another two in different divisions to win. Someone is bound to blow the fact that they have control of their own destiny as well. The New England Patriots will also be interesting to watch and see if they can get into that elite class that is only occupied by the 1972 Miami Dolphins. They are playing the New York Giants so if they sit their starters out there is always the chance they’ll lose…we’ll see.

Continue reading "The playoffs are almost here!"

What has happened to the NBA that I grew up with? I must admit, I have paid less attention to my Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA in general in the last season or two. Even so, I really feel like there is something missing.

I remember Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and James Worthy. I recall how cool Pat Riley was as the head coach. I can still hear that Red Hot Chili Peppers song about the Los Angeles Lakers…

All those championships, the teamwork, the feeling you got when you watched them play – I can’t seem to find any of that today. Now my team seems to be riddled with prima donnas and disappointment. I can still remember where I was when Kobe Bryant was accused of hurting that young woman in Colorado. I believe that was the beginning of the end. While I kept an open mind at first, I eventually soured to the whole thing. This young star had lost some of his luster in my mind. After things blew over and he started bad-mouthing Shaquille O’Neal and Phil Jackson my attitude toward him was tainted further. This is not endemic to Los Angeles either; other players have made mockeries of the teams that pay them millions. Now don’t get me wrong – I can totally appreciate trying to get the most salary from your employer. I am also a staunch proponent to speaking up when you think something is wrong. But honestly, some of these NBA divas go too far! I guess when I hear complaints about one of the best centers to ever play the game and a hall of fame caliber coach; I have to scratch my head.

Continue reading "Hope for the NBA?"

As I was watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Carolina Panthers today I saw a ray of hope. Actually, I saw several – the young defense and Luke McCown. Yeah, I know, they stunk up the place at the end of the game but at least they gave it a real try. You have to remember that many, if not all starters were out at that point. Plus I wonder if Monte Kiffin stops paying attention by the 4th but that’s a different story…

In the first half I noticed that there are some really strong young guys that are following in the footsteps of that great, Super Bowl winning D. Barrett Ruud has over 100 tackles for the year. Phillip Buchanan has about 59 tackles on the year and an interception today (his second this season). In addition, Jermaine Phillips has 83 tackles for the season. Don’t forget Jovan Haye and Gaines Adams with 6 sacks apiece. I was so excited when the broadcasters were announcing those stats that I almost tripped on my way to the kitchen! Luke MCown is proving to be a viable backup as well. While he does make some rookie mistakes, he completed 21 of 28 passes against Carolina. Overall, his completion percentage is just over that of Jeff Garcia. I sit in excited anticipation for the game next week. I only wish I could fly out and actually be there! Fire them cannons!

Continue reading "Shining Stars"

While attending college at the University of Tampa, I noticed the awesome fact that the area is rich in professional sports! The Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are relatively close to each other and easily accessible. The closest NBA was the Orlando Magic, but I got to catch a pre-season game at the Ice Palace one year. I felt really spoiled since I grew up in a place where everything was much more spread out and harder to get tickets for. To make things even better – there was plenty of golf and tennis around. I only wish the USF Bulls were as good as they are now when I was there. I didn’t complain though, I was able to go to the games free since my school didn’t have football. (They did at one time; John Matuszak is a U Tampa alum!)

Continue reading "Something's wrong with Tropicana Field?"