Exit 55

A Nice TRIP Back in Time (With Video)

rda5512@gmail.com (Rob Adams) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:40:00 +0000

Dock Ellis once pitched a no-hitter. Nothing truly out of the ordinary there. The fact that he did it while high on LSD makes it sort-of-kind-of-maybe unique. It's been put in cartoon form and it's a bad motha-shutyourmouth.

The link to the video is here.

I enjoyed the cameo at the end by the Bucs' legendary play-by-play voice Bob "The Gunner" Prince.

We Have The Yankees

rda5512@gmail.com (Rob Adams) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:34:00 +0000

So true. When all else fails...

It's Madness!

rda5512@gmail.com (Rob Adams) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:11:00 +0000

I visited Mount Saint Mary College (MSMC) tonight for their pep rally gathering. The idea of this was to have a "midnight madness" atmosphere. The intention was in the right place. However you have to crawl before you can walk.

The reality was that the bleachers, which were open on just one side of the gym, weren't even half full. I think we all hoped for a slightly better crowd, but none of us were shocked or disheartened.

The entertainment was headed up by the folks from K-104 (part of the Pamal family, including Hudson Valley Talk Radio) and Rick Zolzer served as the MC. Yes, that Rick Zolzer, as in "The Zolz", the PA announcer for the Renegades, Nets, and Army.

Of course, I couldn't help but laugh when I noticed that Zolz was wearing an Army jacket. Couldn't MSMC have gotten him some garb for the evening?

I've known Zolz for eight years now, but we'd never really spoken much until tonight. He was nice enough to ask me to address the crowd, and so I did. I told them about the excitement of bringing The Mount to the radio (and internet), and how it will sound great on the airwaves if "The Kap" (the Kaplan Center) is full. I said my peace, and was gone within two minutes.

The teams did their thing (layup drills, games with the fans, etc), and somebody hit a half court shot to win a TV. There was free food, and a K-104 DJ stuck around to spin tunes. It had a nice feeling.

Now we need the people to come out.

There is much work to be done at MSMC. While eating dinner, men's coach Ryan Kadlubowski (you better bet I'm going to call him "The Big Lebowski" or "The Dude") came over and chatted with me. We were shooting the bull when he told me that the bus for Stony Brook is leaving at 2:00 on Monday...I had been told that it was leaving at 3:30. So yeah, we need to work on our communication.

This won't be built in a day. But we've got the right people in place to start making it happen.

Yah, You Bet Ya (With Video)

rda5512@gmail.com (Rob Adams) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:04:00 +0000

I'm cooperatin' with ya'.

Still one of the most brilliant movies of the 90's: Fargo.

We used this scene in one of our famous softball videos at Philip Morris/Altria/Kraft, as a parody featuring a player who was from the upper midwest (I think she was actually from Wisconsin who could do a great accent).

If you can't see the video, point your browser here.

Oh, and what the heck, I'll serve this up as a Rule 55. It's legit, you're darned tootin'. I'm not gonna sit here and debate.

The Best I've Seen

rda5512@gmail.com (Rob Adams) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:59:00 +0000

Love him or hate him (not that it's truly worth hating him), Jeff Pearlman writes things that can make you think. Yes I know his anti-Yankees stance (it's bad for them to sign free agents but OK for his Mets) can drive me bonkers, but he can write. He inspires debate, and that's good.

Today he offered up a collection of the best players he has ever seen in the three major sports (a knock to hockey but that's another argument). I have to admit, I have a hard time getting too wound up about his choices. They're not bad.

So what about me? Glad you asked!

Baseball
1) Ken Griffey, Jr. - It pains me to say it but he could just do it all. Sadly, he tended to do it all against the Yankees.
2) Albert Pujols - I really want to pick A-Rod. Really. But Pujols is just that good.
3) Mike Schmidt - Oh I could have taken George Brett (in the same way that Griffey, Jr. beat the Yankees, so did Brett) but Schmidt was amazing. Power, average, defense - the works.
4) Rickey Henderson - First inning...walk, stolen base, move to third somehow, and score. 1-0, just like that.
5) Don Mattingly - Yeah, whatever. Fight me if you want. I know what I saw, and what I saw was a guy who could hit in every way, shape and form, and could field first base like nobody I have ever seen (sorry, Keith). Oh what could have been without the injuries. First ballot Hall of Famer, IF. Just if.

That was tough...A-Rod, Brett, Bonds, Winfield, Bench, etc are all in the conversation. And no, I won't include pitchers here (Mo, Clemens, Pedro, Maddux, Carlton). Different topic.

Football
1) Lawrence Taylor - redefined the linebacker.
2) Dan Marino - Dominated the quarterback position in a way that opened the door for Peyton Manning.
3) Walter Payton - Sweetness. Say no more.
4) Barry Sanders - Run. Stop. Start running. Touchdown.
5) Reggie White - I wanted more defense in my top 5, though I probably should have Jerry Rice here. But when free agency was coming aboard in the NFL, nobody was more sought-after than the Minister of Defense.

Trust me, I wanted to say Mean Joe, or Lambert, or a Steeler but I would be unfair to do so, especially since so much of their Steel Curtain years occurred before I was 12.

Basketball
1) Michael Jordan - You're kidding, right?
2) Larry Bird - Probably an East Coast thing for me, because I saw more of Bird than Magic. Tough call, because of course next up is...
3) Magic Johnson - You can't go wrong either way.
4) Hakeem Olajuwon - Now don't go me wrong. I like Shaq but I just remember the way that The Dream dominated through college into the NBA. An amazing talent.
5) Dominique Wilkins - I know, I know...where's Shaq? Where's Kobe? Where's LeBron? But they didn't call 'Nique "The Human Highlight Reel" for nothing. Before the Slam Dunk Contest became bor...zzzzzzzzz....ing...Dominique made it come to life.

And yes, friends, I didn't forget the FOURTH major sports:

Hockey
1) Wayne Gretzky - I pondered putting somebody else here. Honestly. Yet I just couldn't do it. He was the best.
2) Mark Messier - It wasn't just the on-ice play. I've never - EVER - seen a better leader. I hope he never gets into management. I don't want to ruin that image of him (kind of the way I feel about Rudy Giuliani).
3) Mario Lemieux - Dominated like nobody, except for Gretzky.
4) Mike Bossy - My first hockey hero. I loved watching him and the late 70's/early 80's Islanders play on channel 9. While I would define myself as a Rangers fan, I'll always have a soft spot for the Islanders.
5) Martin Brodeur - Those who are better at hockey will tell me that I'm nuts to pick him over Patrick Roy but the fact is, this is about who I've seen, and I've witnessed far more of the Devils. Brodeur is billiant.
* Honorable mention: Bobby Orr - Had I really seen him, I would have likely put him at number one. But I was so young, and so not quite into hockey that I would be a fake to list him.

OK, so who did I forget/ignore/disrespect?

Elsewhere...Golf: Tiger (duh), Jack (duh), and Watson...Soccer: Pele (I guess, I'm trying here)...Auto Racing (seriously): Jeff Gordon, Al Unser, Jr....Olympics: too many to list, but Michael Phelps does deserve props...and I'm sure there's more I could do, but we've got the idea.

This strikes me as a good Thursday "Press Box" kind of discussion. Of course then again, they'll all say Chad ChangeHisNameSoHeCanPromoteHimselfSelifhslyInATeamSport, if only to bother me.

Vin Scully Confirms His Return for 2010

rda5512@gmail.com (Rob Adams) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:17:00 +0000

Good news. Vin Scully will be at the mic for at least one more year.

Happy Veterans Day

rda5512@gmail.com (Rob Adams) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:01:00 +0000

I'm sure you can see the note on this photo: "Last row second from right." If you don't recognize him, allow me to tell you that it's my dad, smiling proudly to be an Army solider in 1951.

Pop also made the paper prior to basic training.

He was always so proud to be a soldier, but quietly sad that he could never fulfill his duty, as he was classified as "4F" due to his horrible arthritis (his hips and knees were terrible). He wanted to do his part to defend our country, and serve in Korea.

Unfortunately or fortunately, he stayed here and was safe and sound. My mother, sister, brother, and his eventual 12 grandchildren (I think that's accurate), along with his five great-grandchildren (again I think that's right) are better for it.

And it's soon to be six great-grandchildren, when all factors are considered.

Regardless, Happy Veterans Day to the many brave men and women that have kept us safe, and continue to keep us safe, and help preserve the freedom that we enjoy every day.

And yes, Steve-O, serving at Gitmo, where they haven't flung poo at you yet: that includes you. Your girls miss you and, well, we all do. Thanks.

This is Where We Are

rda5512@gmail.com (Rob Adams) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:06:00 +0000

I just popped on the TV, and wound up heading first to CNN, then Fox News. Both have the same "BREAKING NEWS" banner:

"Awaiting Confirmation of the Death of the DC Sniper"

Yep, hard-hitting news.

I will spare you my $ .02 on the death penalty. Those who know me know where I stand, and there's no middle ground.

John Allen Muhammad is due to die, where his accomplice, then-17 year-old Lee Malvo was spared by the US Surpeme Court, who doesn't believe in executing minors.

Again, we're not turning this blog into that. Sadly, the world can't handle certain opinions. Reporters aren't allowed to take such stands, and prospective employers and such don't like those kinds of things.

And that's that. Mr. Muhammad died at 9:11 PM.

By the way, is MSNBC still on the air?

Just What NY Needs: New License Plates

rda5512@gmail.com (Rob Adams) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:12:00 +0000

We're going retro in the Empire State! This is almost the same color scheme we had when I was a kid (1973-86 in that picture).

The question is: WHY?

The answer of course is: the MONEY, stupid!

Here ends the lesson.

Why Am I Posting So Early?

rda5512@gmail.com (Rob Adams) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:12:00 +0000

Because my niece drove from Alabama to New York, and just arrived here.

At 3:52 AM.

Thanks for reading. I have designs on eventually getting back to sleep.

*sigh*

Rob's BG Five, and STILL No Change

rda5512@gmail.com (Rob Adams) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:09:00 +0000

Sorry, a 35-34 loss doesn't change my thinking. The BG Five remains the same.

1) New Canaan (8-0, Last Week: 1) - They beat Greenwich. Barely.
2) Staples (8-0, 2)
3) Pomperaug (8-0, 3)
4) Masuk (8-0, 4)
5) Bridgeport Central (7-1, 5)
6) Greenwich (6-2, 6) - They lost to New Canaan. Barely.

UPDATE! CAT FOUND!

rda5512@gmail.com (Rob Adams) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:07:00 +0000

He was missing.

But he's back. Never mind.

Mount Saint Mary College - Men's and Women's Basketball to be Broadcast on Hudson Valley Radio Network

rda5512@gmail.com (Rob Adams) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:56:00 +0000

This is it - the official press release from Mount Saint Mary College, announcing a certain blogger and a former player as their first play-by-play team.

Mount Saint Mary College - Men's and Women's Basketball to be Broadcast on Hudson Valley Radio Network

For the record, Christine Baker was pleased that I called her a "legend." Yet at the same time, she was a little troubled because, in her estimation, being a legend means she is getting old. Well she can rest easy in that at least she's younger than me. We're going to have fun together.

You won't want to miss the game on December 3, when my WGCH colleague John Spang joins me for the night, as Christine has to miss that one.

Now if I can just shake off the rust, get a coherent scorecard, learn the players names, gain their trust, learn the leagues tendencies, find out when the bus leaves for Boston...

What a Joke (or Section 1=FAIL)

rda5512@gmail.com (Rob Adams) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:17:00 +0000

Kevin Devaney Jr, writing over at Lohud.com, said that Section 1, the governing body of high school sports in the Hudson Valley, has denied the Journal News' request to broadcast games live on their site.

Hmmm...I smell a rat. Follow the money...all the way to Cablevision (via MSG Varsity).

You see, MSG Varsity is carrying games on their channel, but "live to tape" as we say. That means the games are shown at a later time. The Journal News wanted to air them live. See where this is going?

Section 1 Executive Director Jennifer Simmons told the paper:

“Media is growing leaps and bounds and we need to make sure we’re protected as far as live event goes,” Simmons said. “We’re having ongoing conversations at the board level and we’ve decided to put a halt on everything until we’ve looked at it and decided what we’re going to do.”

“We have lawyers going back and forth and each school has a different interpretation. What waivers need to be signed? Do we need one signed by the parents of every player because it’s live? That’s become a big issue.”

B.S. Plain and simple. Devaney follows that up:

Basically, the concern with a live event is over what could happen that Section 1 wouldn’t be able to control (i.e. a brawl, serious injury, etc.). Simmons also said there’s concern over what a broadcast could do to the attendance, and revenue, although she said that “was part of it but not a huge part of it.”

So what would they do to radio broadcasts? Same garbage? Please.

A big BOO on Section 1 for this. Even the CIAC doesn't screw this one up.

For Your Listening and Viewing Pleasure

rda5512@gmail.com (Rob Adams) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:17:00 +0000

A little U2, as joined by Yankees superfan Jay-Z.

Greenwich/New Canaan Postmortem

rda5512@gmail.com (Rob Adams) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:21:00 +0000

Once upon a time, I compiled my top 10 football games that I broadcast - Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

I may need to update that because I called an instant classic last night.

Sean Patrick Bowley has a great blog post up about the game.

Over at the FCIAC Football Blog, Jason Intrieri, Tim Parry, Matt Levine, and yours truly discussed the game.

Dave Stewart gives his account at the NCAdvertiser.

Jesse Quinlan has his say at the Greenwich Time.

As for me, we had a power outage in the booth, and thanks to my entire crew for keeping their heads on straight as we worked through a long night. The analysis of Sean Kilkelly, Chris Erway, Nick Fox, and Chris Kaelin was spot-on all night. Rob Crowley did a nice job of keeping it all on the air. Then there was that penalty...

It sounds like - based on the accounts that I've heard - Greenwich lost their collective composure late in the game. That's very bad, especially since it seemed like the game was heading towards a crazy finish (after the craziness of the two-point conversion by New Canaan). If the personal foul penalty was legit, then so be it. I'm going to have to assume, based on things that I've heard from those closer to the play, that the unsportsmanlike penalty was also blatant and legit. Still I'm of the opinion that those in the striped shirts should not play a role in the late moments of a tightly contested game, just as I railed about that on the air during last week's Brunswick/Salisbury tilt.

For those in the stands and on the air, how could you not want that heart-stopping moment of a final play - be it a possible Greenwich TD, or Oliver Ostrowski, trotting on to kick a winning field goal?

Anyway, I'd have to say the better team won - but barely. New Canaan is beatable, and Greenwich could have beaten them, but they didn't. With that, the Cardinals season now hangs in the balance. They get St. Joe's next Friday night at Cardinal Stadium.

Still Missing Bobby

rda5512@gmail.com (Rob Adams) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:07:00 +0000

This made me happy to see. From the parade, via Mark Feinsand's Twitter page:

Suzyn's favorite sign: "Win one for Bobby" ... fans still love Murcer

I quite agree.

A Classic Commercial (with VIDEO)

rda5512@gmail.com (Rob Adams) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:22:00 +0000

The Huffington Post has a collection of what they termed "the 17 most annoying commercials." I agreed on some, though I disagreed with the inclusion of the Geico cavemen, the Quizno "rats" ("We love the subs!"), and the Free Credit Report dudes. Plus they included a classic 1980's Brooklyn ballroom commercial.

So that got me pining for the days of my youth, when this was a constant part of my daily diet (on channels 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 11):

(The link is here.)
Ah yes, the Ritz Thrift Shop. One of the truly classic New York commericals.

The Look of a Champion

rda5512@gmail.com (Rob Adams) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:10:00 +0000

Sadly, Sean remembers none of watching the final out last night. His first words this morning, upon looking at the TV this morning was, "we won the trophy?"

Yes Sean. They won. Enjoy your first championship as a fan. I remember 1977 like it was yesterday. Only difference was I was wide awake and watched the whole game. But then again, I was almost nine.

The Magic Moment (With VIDEO)

rda5512@gmail.com (Rob Adams) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:26:00 +0000

This likely won't be up for long, but here it is for now(the link is here)

I guess the world isn't right unless the Yankees are the ultimate villains. The jealousy is over the top, and the complaining about the lack of the salary cap is off the hook.

So today, on "The Press Box", I've decided that we will not only celebrate the Yankees' 27th title, but we will address the whining. We will dig into the salary cap, the money, and all the other garbage. I know Nick Angotto will join us from Hawaii. I hope you will call in as well - 888-454-3378.

We'll talk to you live at 2:00 PM Eastern.

And by the way, congratulations to the Phillies on a terrific 2009, and a good World Series. I have a lot of respect for them.

UPDATE: And of course, the SOB's at MLB got the video removed. Losers. Seriously.

It's a Beautiful Morning

rda5512@gmail.com (Rob Adams) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:11:00 +0000

I didn't dream it. It was real. The World Championship has come home. We'll talk about it on "The Press Box" later today.

One Last Thing

rda5512@gmail.com (Rob Adams) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:14:00 +0000

OK, I'll leave you with one more thing.

Who won the World Series MVP?

Hideki Matsui.

What's Hideki Matsui's uniform number?

Fifty-five.

Cool.

This is a whole new Rule 55.

Good night, y'all.

Team of The Decade?

rda5512@gmail.com (Rob Adams) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:06:00 +0000

A few have tried to say the Yankees are the Team of the Decade, for what that is worth.

Let's review...

2000 - Yankees over Mets
2001 - Diamondbacks over Yankees
2002 - Angels over Giants
2003 - Marlins over Yankees
2004 - Red Sox over Cardinals
2005 - White Sox over Astros
2006 - Cardinals over Tigers
2007 - Red Sox over Rockies
2008 - Phillies over Rays
2009 - Yankees over Phillies

So what do we have? Yankees: two championships. Red Sox: two championships. Everybody else has one. The one thing that might - MIGHT - give the edge to New York is the total World Series appearances (four, versus two for Boston).

It's irrelevant, to be honest.

The parade is Friday. I'm not a fan, and have never been to one. I would like to take Sean but imagine I would be in for a fight, so that's probably not happening. Since it starts at 11:00 AM, I doubt I'll go, since I have this little old Greenwich/New Canaan game to broadcast on WGCH. I'll give it all some more thought.

I'm going to bed now.

A Few Final Thoughts

rda5512@gmail.com (Rob Adams) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:28:00 +0000

Almost time to call it a night, but I have a couple of parting shots.

The Yankees opened the original House with a championship in 1923. They opened the new House with a championship in 2009.

They're one of a select few to open a new building with a title. Coincidentally, the Red Sox are one - having beaten the New York Giants in 1912, the maiden year for Fenway Park.

They did it the right way. Now I'm no fan of these on-field trophy presentations, but they did it with class tonight. They acted like Yankees - a team that can stand with Ruth and the others.

Read these words and drink them in:

Alex Rodriguez - Champion

Seems weird, no? Yet it's time for the haters to shut up - officially.

No complaints with the MVP. Hideki Matsui was tremendous. Derek Jeter was terrific, as was Rivera. Pettitte had a decent Series. For me, it came down to Mo or Godzilla. I probably would have have said Mariano.

My Carmel soft toss Phillies team (ironic, no?) gave me a gift card to The Sports Authority months ago and I haven't used it (in part because I have a strong dislike for The Sports Authority). Yet tomorrow (or later today, I should say) I might pop in and use that gift card.

Besides Sean, there is somebody else I'd like to have shared this with. That's OK, but with Sean being asleep, I get kind of tired of watching these games alone.

I don't think my cell phone has ever been noisier. Constant texts came flying in (and out) after the final out. Facebook and Twitter were also nutty. My first attempt at posting the celebratory note failed. And yet I continue to read very bitter, and stupid comments (including one about a salary cap - ain't happening, and shouldn't happen).

Why is it so tough to stay quiet? And why try to bring people down? You only look like a jerk when you say things like this. Be graceful when you win, and dignified when you lose.

That being said, there are a lot of classy people who have sent notes over - including a few Red Sox fans. That's why I think Sox fans are generally pretty cool. The real ones get it, and appreciate baseball history.

What is it that "The Press Box Playmakers" (DeMer, ~F.O.X.~, and The Janitor) say to me? "Don't hate. Appreciate." How true.

The Yankees are the world champions. Wow.

CHAMPIONS!

rda5512@gmail.com (Rob Adams) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:01:00 +0000

Peter Abraham just put this up on Twitter. SWEET!