No Huddle Offense

No Huddle Offense on Hiatus

2008-09-22T21:23:00.003-05:00

As you might have noticed, No Huddle Offense is on hiatus.

We look forward to returning with the best in sports analysis and commentary. Thank you!

Michael Phelps is the Greatest Athlete Alive

2008-08-16T23:29:00.006-05:00

You may remember this winter we posed the question, "Is Tiger Woods the greatest athlete ever?" Of course our answer was a resounding no. It was our opinion that the designation of "greatest athlete" must involve a sport in which you have to increase your heart rate or at least break a sweat.

Every sport requires some combination of strength, speed, stamina, and precision. But some sports are simply more "pure" than others. Tennis takes more athleticism than NASCAR. Soccer takes more athleticism than diving. Boxing takes more athleticism than archery. You get the picture.

Enter Michael Phelps. In a sport that requires strength, speed, stamina, and precision (One mis-timed stroke can spell defeat), Phelps set the all-time record for gold medals in both a career and a single Olympic Games.

And he did so in every conceivable way. Phelps swam all four strokes. He won a 400-meter medley. He won a 100-meter sprint. He won five individual events and three relays. In some races, he dominated. In another, only teammate Jason Lezak's miracle swim kept Phelps' quest for history alive. And in yet another, Phelps trailed for all but a hundredth of a second: the race's last hundredth of a second.

Phelps' resume in the 2008 Olympic Games: Eight events. Eight gold medals. Eight Olympic records. Seven world records.

His march to history presented the best that sports has to offer. The drama was compelling and unscripted. The pressure was immense from the beginning, and it only grew. This was real reality television. Phelps faced the world's greatest swimmers and won not once, not twice, but eight times.

And that's why Michael Phelps is the greatest athlete alive.

Our Long National Nightmare is Over

2008-08-07T22:43:00.004-05:00

"Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies! Rivers and seas boiling! Forty years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes....The dead rising from the grave! Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!"

Or so sayeth the Ghostbusters in the 1984 film. They might well have been prophesying August 7, 2008 in the Badger State. Indeed, the Favrepocalypse that had been foretold for weeks is finally upon us. And while the lakes turn to blood, the stars fall from the heavens, and Brett Favre dons a New York Jets jersey, Wisconsin looks for answers.

As you've undoubtedly heard ad nauseum by now, no other fan base has ever had such an intimate relationship with an athlete as Packer backers and Favre. For 16 years, Favre, the Packers and Wisconsin have been synonymous.

And so, more than anything else, Favre's move to the Jets creates an unprecedented crisis of identity for Cheeseheads. Who are we? And where do we go from here?

Many Packer fans have renounced Favre. A stunning reversal for a man who could have been elected governor in a landslide just six months ago. There exists a strong sense of betrayal. If Favre had simply taken his ball and gone home when he didn't get his way, all might be easily forgiven. But instead he took his ball and went to the big city. A cardinal sin in a blue collar state filled with small town pride.

Others have forsaken the Green and Gold. At least for now. One emailer to ESPN Radio wrote, "Brett Favre is the best thing to happen in my sports life. I'm shunning over 40 years of being a Packer fan to root for the Jets. Go to hell, Green Bay. Go to hell, Ted Thompson."

Perhaps the question Packer fans (and all sports fans for that matter) should ask ourselves is why we invest ourselves in a bunch of grown men playing a children's game in the first place? We do we spend time, money and emotion on players that leave for a rival city in the blink of an eye? What's the point of being a sports fan?

The answer to these questions just might be the only thing that can reconcile Favre, the Packers, and the fans torn apart by this ordeal.

We root because being a fan means being part of something that's bigger than us. We don't cheer for the Packers just because of Brett Favre or Donald Driver or Aaron Kampman or any other player. Rather, our fanhood is a celebration of our state's heritage and culture. It's a celebration of brats, beer and polka. It's an acclamation of a tiny town that has no business housing an NFL team somehow boasting the league's most storied team.

Favre is not bigger than the game or the team. He's simply one piece of a tradition steeped in history and excellence. A tradition to which he has contributed so much, but one he can never transcend.

So fear not, Packer fans; this, too, will pass. Many of the great ones left the teams that made them famous. Joe Montana. Michael Jordan. Jerry Rice. The list goes on and on. Even amongst Packer greats, this is nothing new. Curly Lambeau, the namesake of the beloved stadium coached his finals seasons with the Washington Redskins. Paul Hornung was traded to the Saints. Reggie White ended his career wearing a Carolina Panthers jersey. Even Vince Lombardi ended on another team's sidelines. But they're all remembered as Packers. And rightly so.

So will Favre be remembered as a Packer. These days are awkward, but in a year or two, all will be forgotten. Even if only in heart, he'll return. Favre was, is, and always will be a Packer at heart.

A Packer Fan's Thoughts on the Brett Favre Saga

2008-08-06T21:15:00.004-05:00

For our first post back from an extended hiatus, we're lucky to have guest columnist Jim Jelinek's lucid and refreshing thoughts on the Brett Favre saga.

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Imagine telling your boss that you retired. After years and years of labor and strain on the body, you have finally decided to call it quits. A few months go by and you get a sudden urge to go back to work. (Mind you this is a dream job you have and not flipping burgers or bagging groceries.) You go back to your boss and ask him for your old job back. One of two things will occur:

1. Your position is still vacant, or there was no person qualified to take your position at the time, allowing your boss to welcome you with open arms.
2. Your position has been filled by your boss because he had to move the company forward with the knowledge that you retired. At best, the boss can offer you a lower position within the company.

Does this story sound familiar? It should since it has been going on since March. (However, if it does not, you probably still believe that chess should be a professional sport and Tiger Woods is prepping for the next major.) Brett Favre has turned the small city of Green Bay, Wisconsin upside-down and inside-out by asking Ted Thompson for his old job back--a job that was given to three-year backup Aaron Rodgers. I am a large Packer fan and grew up watching Favre make the impossible possible. Throwing a pass across his body while on the run was something to marvel at, and I actually can say I learned to throw a football that way because of him. That and the fine art of the shovel pass.

I also like to keep things in perspective. Favre is pretending to be a kid in a 38-year-old body. At some point he has to realize that he cannot play football forever, at least on the professional field (though I hear that the Arena Football League could use a face to promote the sport). In March, he broke down, and with tears in his eyes (as well as in Packer fans eyes nationwide), retired. He claimed that while he could still play the game at a high level, he was just emotionally and physically drained. As much as I hate to say it, I believe him.

Four months have passed and now Favre wants his old job back, placing the Packers in a uncomfortable situation. Do they bring Favre back as the starter and make Rodgers sit another season? Doing so would cause several problems, the biggest being Favre pulling this again after next season. Rodgers has the right to prove his value in the final two years of his contract, and another season on the bench would basically kill any chance the Packers had to resign him. After all, why would Rodgers resign with a team that could not cut ties with a man who refuses to give in to the inevitable? I also do not believe in the two rookie quarterbacks can pick up the offense quickly enough in two years should Rodgers leave town.

Should the Packers bring Favre back as the backup quarterback? That option pretty much kills Rodgers' chances on being a decent quarterback. Every time Rodgers would look over to the sidelines he would see Favre standing there, just waiting for him to blow a pass or misread a route and get back on the field himself. Some fans might not even go to games to watch the game, but to catch a glimpse of a Hall of Famer standing on the sidelines. That would be too much pressure for any quarterback in the NFL to handle.

Ted Thompson would also never consider just releasing Favre to free agency. Thompson likes his draft picks as much as Packers fans like their brats.

So the last option would be to trade Favre. But to whom? The consensus right now is to the New York Jets or Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but Favre does not want to play at either place. The craziest place to trade him would be within the NFC North Division. But crazy might not be a bad place to be to end this face-off. Sending Favre to Minnesota or Chicago (sorry Detroit, you have your own AARP member at quarterback) might be a good way to pick up some draft picks while cutting losses. Both teams are good and are in need of a competent quarterback. Neither have great receivers, though, making Favre shoulder most of the offense again. If Favre claims he can still play at a high level, send him to a division rival and make him prove it. It would not only make the rivalry the best that the NFL had ever seen, but Rodgers could put it on himself to beat Favre and end the speculation of Farve being a better quarterback option for Green Bay. And if the Packers cannot beat the team Favre lands on, they only have to wait a year or so before Brett finally hangs it up for good.

I had hoped that Favre would not have tried to unretire. I knew it would put both the team and Favre at odds, and nobody will be able to win at that. No player is or will ever be greater than the team itself, and Favre has to realize that. I remember Thompson being asked during a press conference whether he asked Favre for his input, and Thompson responded that the Packers are his team and not Favre's. I fully agree with him. Could you imagine what would have happened if the Dolphins organization asked for Marino's input on their running back situation?

I would like to see Favre take leadership with this ordeal and be the team player he used to be, when he renegotiated his contract several seasons in a row when the Packers needed room under the salary cap. Anybody who has seen or heard Favre knows it is not about the money. Dreams have to come to an end whether we like it or not because at some point we have to wake up to face the day. I will remember Favre with fondest memories, but the point is that the sun has set in Green Bay, and soon the gunslinger will have to ride off into the sunset.

When Your Sport's Popularity Rests Entirely on One Player, It's Probably Not a Good Thing

2008-06-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

A week ago Tiger Woods completed what might become the most storied victory in PGA Tour history. Hobbling around with a torn ACL (which takes two years to heal for an NFL running back) and a double stress fracture, Woods won a 19-hole playoff to capture the US Open title over Rocco Mediate.

Just days later, Woods announced that he would undergo season-ending knee surgery. That flushing sound you hear is golf ratings going down the drain. The sport's ratings are entirely tied to the success of the greatest golfer in the world. Everyone else on the tour is merely the supporting cast. It's Tiger's world, and they're just golfing in it.

At this point, we can't help but to ask, how healthy can a sport be when it's popularity is entirely dependent on one player?

Are any other players on the PGA Tour even slightly interesting? With Tiger last weekend, golf was a television ratings giant. Without Tiger, golf would be slightly more relevant than the WNBA. We'd argue that this means the sport itself is simply not interesting to many people. Sports fans will tune in to see greatness at work, but unless something historically amazing might happen, they'll look elsewhere for entertainment.

In fact, you can diagnose the health of almost any sport in a similar manner.

American soccer is in the same boat as the PGA Tour. Nobody paid attention until David Beckham came over. Then again, we bet Major League Soccer's popularity would soar if a team signed Michael Jackson to play forward. It's just the nature of the celebrity culture we live in.

On the other hand, the NFL, far and away the most popular sport in the nation, is at the top of the sports food chain. An inconsequential late-season game between two 4-10 teams draws a greater audience than NBA or MLB Playoffs. Of course, star power always increases ratings, but the game is entertaining enough that fans will tune in to mediocrity in stunning numbers as well.

We love to make fun of NASCAR, but it's a healthy, popular sport, too. It doesn't matter if Earnhardt or Gordon wins. People still watch.

Need another example? How about the Olympics? Later this summer, we'll all tune into the Olympics, despite the fact that in four months none of us will remember any of the athletes' names. Now that's good TV.

Major League Baseball is a little less popular. It doesn't necessarily depend on specific players, but it does rely on specific teams. We're all sick of the Red Sox and Yankees, but there's a reason this rivalry is shoved down our throats: People are interested. Come October, America will watch the playoffs if the Cubs, Yankees, Cardinals, Dodgers or Cubs are involved.

If the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays square off in the World Series (Don't laugh. It's more than possible.), we wouldn't be surprised to see the games pre-empted by "Bass Fishing With the Stars." (Thanks, Fox Network!)

Maybe we can catch the Fall Classic on ESPN 12--if they're willing to bump a re-run of the 1997 World Series of Poker.

But take heart, PGA Tour executives. Not all is lost. Be thankful you're not running the NBA, where even talented stars aren't enough to drive ratings. Tim Duncan is one of the greatest players in basketball history. But when his Spurs are in the NBA Finals, it's a ratings disaster. It's not enough to be great in the NBA. You also have to be interesting.

And when all seems lost, at least you're not running the NHL, where nobody finds the game, the teams or the stars even the slightest bit interesting.

The Stadium Tour Rolls on Through...Madison, WI?

2008-06-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

The Kohl Center in Madison was a good time so we'll stick around to provide a review of the Mad City's baseball stadium. "Baseball stadium?" you say. Perhaps we mean Milwaukee?

No. Madison's Warner Park is home to the Madison Mallards of the North Woods League. It's basically a bunch of college players staying in shape through the summer. As such, it can't compare to the professional and collegiate stadiums on the tour. So we won't score it. But it was a good enough time to recap here in the No Huddle Offense.

1. Access - Like we said when we headed to the Kohl Center, Madison isn't a hard town to get to. Warner Park is even easier. The Mallards are a pretty popular act in a college football, basketball and hockey town that is starved for athletics in the summer months. As such, you better get there early to find a parking spot.

2. Fans - I didn't expect much from the fans. The University of Wisconsin is the only school in the Big Ten without a baseball team. And there's no minor league team around. But this squad of amateurs draws a bigger crowd than many major league teams. The fact that many of the attendees are college students adds a fun element to the experience.

3. Exterior Architecture - It's an amateur park. There's really nothing to see. Except for a gigantic inflatable duck that graces the entrance of the park.

4. Interior Architecture - While the Mallards are nowhere near Big Leaguers, they definitely have talent. And dollar for dollar, it's some of the highest quality baseball you'll get to see for the price. The inside of the park is like a high school field; every seat is close to the action. As a result, the crack of the bat will never be louder.

5. Food - This looks like a good time to mention what brought us out to the Mallards game in the first place. Mrs. No Huddle Offense was out of town so my good buddy Jay and I planned on getting together, grilling some red meat and watching some baseball on TV. However, the recent flooding in Iowa moved a game against Waterloo to Madison. To draw a crowd for the last-minute change, the Mallards offered $12 tickets featuring all-you-can-eat brats, hot dogs, popcorn and soda. Like I told Jay, "I can't afford not to go!"

In fact, on the way to the park I told Jay, "If I don't have diabetes by the end of the game, this night has been a failure."

There is a caveat; the all-you-can-eat deal only extended through the first five innings. At first this seemed like a downer. Between Jay and I, four brats, two hot dogs, two popcorns and five sodas, the "five inning rule" seemed more like an act of mercy than a restriction. The food was delicious, but six days later my stomach is just starting to feel healthy again.

6. Surroundings - Nothing of note. There's a pretty ghetto Wal-Mart not far away, we guess.

7. Local Flavor - Like there should be at a Wisconsin baseball game, there's lots of grilled meat: brats, hot dogs, burgers, and other sausages. There's also a pretty impressive assortment of beers, including microbrewery offerings from New Glarus.

8. Team Prestige - We're talking about the Madison Mallards of the North Woods League. Rivals include the Green Bay Bullfrogs and the Wausau Woodchucks.

I dunno guys. You tell me...

9. Signature Quirk - Warner Park offers a pretty sweet section in right field where you can get an even greater all-you-can-eat spread than Jay and I got. Oh yea, it's also all-you-can-drink. Get your stomachs, bladders and livers ready.

10. History - The ballpark features a nice display of Major Leaguers who played with Madison before their pro careers. "Wow! I didn't know all these Major League players played here!" I excitedly told Jay when I saw the display.

"Oh, wait. I've never heard of any of these guys."

11. Atmosphere - If you've ever paid to see amateur or minor league baseball, you know the draw is in the atmosphere. You're not going to find a ton of baseball purists; you're going to find a lot of families with young kids looking for ice cream and mascots.

And the Mallards deliver in this department better than anyone. The team sports three mascots: two ducks and an anthropomorphic piece of chewing gum. (Your guess is as good as ours.) Out-of-play foul balls returned by kids earn a prize. After each inning, there's some sort of crazy, frenzy-inducing promotion. Karaoke. Races. Air guitar contests. Heck, foul balls are ever sponsored. Throughout much of the game, music is played. It's turned down as the pitcher begins to wind up and turned right back up as soon as the ball hits the catcher's mitt.

The entire game is an exercise in managed chaos. Everywhere I looked, something silly was happening. And I love it. I think I even developed a case of ADD to go with my diabetes by the end of the game.

Perhaps the most emblematic description of the atmosphere--and the quote of the night--came from Jay, who said, "I'm gonna hit the bathroom....I was gonna wait 'til the end of the inning, but I didn't want to miss the promotion."

Well said.

Link of the Day: Sneaking Beverages into the Stadium

2008-06-18T22:27:00.004-05:00

When Christmas comes around, my family always wants to know what I'd like for Christmas. Invariably, though I'd like a great many things, I can never think of what to tell them.

Enter the Beer Belly. A cooler built to look like a beer gut so you can sneak it into the stadium rather than pay $3 for a soda or $6 for a beer. No matter what anybody else says, this is proof positive that capitalism is a great, great way to run the economy.

Yay! Basketball is Finally Over!

2008-06-17T22:49:00.003-05:00

We're happy the NBA season is over, too, Kevin Garnett.

Oh.

You're celebrating winning the NBA title?

Cool. We'd be happy, too. After all, you've been working toward this moment since the season began four years ago.

Here are some quick-hit thoughts on the end of the NBA championship:

We've made no secret of our disdain for all things Boston. Still, we're happy to see the Celtics win the title. (After all, if they didn't, it would mean Los Angeles would have.) Kevin Garnett didn't have a great series, but it was wonderful to see him have a big game in the clincher. A selfless man in a league that's been known for selfish guys.

We're equally happy to see Ray Allen, Doc Rivers and Finals MVP Paul Pierce succeed. The embattled Rivers's triumph after losing his dad was a special story.

When the playoffs started (I think it was back in the 90s), remember how all the buzz was about how great the Western Conference Playoffs would be? Except for a pretty sweet series between the Spurs and Hornets, what happened? Almost everybody played dead while the Lakers steamrolled the conference before falling to the Celtics.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference was filled with a number of great series from the first round on.

It's time for the Kobe Bryant-Michael Jordan comparisons to stop. I can't imagine MJ getting spanked by 40 as his team bowed out of the finals.

It's undoubtedly been a great year for Boston sports. But you've got to think in the months and years ahead they'll wonder what might have been. A miracle David Tyree catch away from holding the titles in all three major team sports, including a perfect Patriots team. It wasn't to be. Make no mistake: this will be looked back upon as a major blemish on a very special year.

Phil Jackson, a retirement community in Palm Beach is waiting for you.

No Huddle Offense Goes on the Power Play at the Kohl Center

2008-06-16T22:30:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Kohl Center, home of the University of Wisconsin Badger basketball and hockey teams. We've been to the Kohl Center for more games, quite possibly, than the rest of the venues on our tour combined. It's one of our favorite places in the sports world, but we'll try to keep it objective in the rankings. Enjoy.

1. Access (5 points) - Madison isn't a hard town to get to. Nor is it a tough place to find your way around. Find your way through the city's series of one way streets and you'll have no problem getting to the game. 4.5/5 points

2. Fans (5 points) - The University of Wisconsin sits among the elite in the Big Ten in attendance for the big three sports: football, hockey and basketball. While Camp Randall Stadium's capacity is tens of thousands less than a few of its conference rivals, basketball and hockey need to pick up the slack. And do they ever.

Basketball tickets have been sold out for years. And men's hockey, even in down years, perennially leads the nation in attendance. The student sections are tenacious. At hockey games, the fans are led by Phil, the team's unofficial cheerleader. Decked out in his trademark white turtleneck and always sitting up by the glass, Phil unifies the students and other fans in support of the Badgers. 5/5

3. Exterior Architecture (10 points) - Of course this category is where hoops and hockey get killed in the ratings; they just can't compare to football stadiums and baseball parks. Still, while the Kohl Center isn't an architectural marvel, it's a pretty sweet and modern looking arena. In a 2003 stunt we dubbed "Urban Camping," my friends and I camped out in front of the building for a couple nights while waiting for hockey tickets. So perhaps, I'll always have a bit of affection for the shimmering glass exterior and the glow of the big, red sign. 6/10

4. Interior Architecture (10 points) - The Kohl Center is clean and crisp. And it probably should have been built bigger to accommodate the huge crowds. The arena's modest capacity provides a sort of intimacy; the fans are close to the game. Even the third tier, though pretty highly elevated, provides seats that are not removed too far from the action on the court or the ice. The sight lines are great. The only complaint is the bland concrete concourses. 8/10

5. Food (10 points) - The Kohl Center has all the basics you could ask for: hot dogs, nachos, candy, soda, pizza, etc. While we'd love to see a little more local flavor, they do serve brats--A Wisconsin requirement. That's certainly worth an extra point. Always a sucker for good deals, we love that the sodas come with souvenir cups. Our kitchen cupboards are stocked full of them. 6.5/10

6. Surroundings (10 points) - There's not a ton to do immediately outside the Kohl Center. It's largely surrounded by university residence halls and dingy college housing. But when the final horn sounds, you don't have to go far to find a good time.

The Nitty Gritty, Madison's official birthday bar, is just a block away. If you head there on your birthday, you can drink for free all night. And local landmark State Street is just a couple blocks further. While there's plenty to do on State Street, you will want to be sure to get a pre-game bite to eat at State Street Brats. (Just call it "brats" and you'll blend right in with the locals.)

While State Street is a good time, after the game we advise checking out the bar scene on University Avenue. The Church Key and Red Shed are two of the foulest, most disturbing bars you'll ever enter, but you won't regret going there. If you remember them the next morning that is. After your postgame bender, getting some specialty pizza (Tortellini, french fries, and steak are just a few of the notable toppings) at Ian's Pizza is a MUST. 9/10

7. Local Flavor (10 points) - As we mentioned before, brats are served. The band plays polkas. And fans in the student section show up in anything from cow suits to beer mug hats. 5/10

8. Team Prestige (10 points) - The Badger Hockey program is one of the elite programs in the nation. Its latest national championship came just two years ago. To go back a bit more, 1980 Olympic MVP Mark Johnson (of Miracle on Ice fame) won a national championship with the Badgers. Meanwhile, the basketball program doesn't have quite the same legacy, but it has become a national power and a Big Ten powerhouse over the past decade. Men's basketball reached the Final Four in 2000 and was ranked number one in the nation for a short time in 2007. Balancing the success out, and we get a solid 7/10.

9. Signature Quirk (10 points) - Lack of a signature quirk is definitely the Kohl Center's biggest flaw. There's nothing outside the arena or inside the seating bowl that really grabs the eye. A photographic display commemorating great moments in Wisconsin athletics is neat but could really stand to be expanded. This blown glass artwork is probably the closest thing you get to a signature. Not good. 1/10

10. History (10 points) - The Kohl Center opened in January 1998. So there's only ten years of history to draw upon. It is worth noting that No Huddle Offense first asked Mrs. No Huddle Offense to go on a date during the aforementioned Urban Camping trip--though that's probably not the type of history you're interested in. In that case, we can look to the 2000 Final Four team and the 2006 hockey National Championship teams, which played their home games in the Kohl Center. 6.5/10

11. Atmosphere (10 points) - Since the Kohl Center opened a decade ago, Wisconsin Badger basketball has compiled a home record of 125-11. Under current head coach Bo Ryan, that record is 102-7. One of the reasons for the strong play at home: an atmosphere that ranks among the best in college sports. Basketball's "Grateful Red" and Hockey's "Crease Creatures" help create one of the most intimidating environments in the NCAA.

"The Kohl Center has an atmosphere unlike any other in college sports," said Patti Reis, who has held hockey season tickets for the last five years. "Whether you're inside enjoying the game or sitting outside for five days waiting for tickets."

The Kohl Center certainly features its share of cool frenzy-inducing scoreboard montages, sound bites, and bells and whistles. But the arena's energy is really enhanced by the University of Wisconsin Marching Band. The band turns up the heat throughout the game, but it's at it's best after the second intermission of a hockey game. That's when the student section turns into a big, red choreographed dance party. From "Tequila" to the Rocky Horror Picture Show's "Time Warp" to a collection of other favorites, the entire section shares in one crazy dance routine.

10/10

Total: 68.5/100

There's really nothing spectacular about the construction of the Kohl Center. No amazing architecture. No signature quirk. Nothing incredibly aesthetically pleasing. But it's what's inside that makes this a great place to watch a game: the fans, the passion, the band.

And, oh yeah--Don't forget to hit up the fine eating and drinking establishments on campus. You may not remember the experience, but you definitely won't regret it.

A Tribute to Fathers

2008-06-12T00:00:00.004-05:00

The following column originally appeared in the Fathers Day 2005 edition of the Appleton Post-Crescent.

The words are three years old, and I'm now 14 months into being a father, myself. But the sentiments remain as true as ever. My admiration for my dad has only grown.

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In early April, my fiancee and I took a break from our studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to visit my family back in Greenville for a weekend.

During our time off, I persuaded my parents to join us in watching one of my favorite movies, Field of Dreams, which I watch at the beginning of each baseball season.

Halfway through the movie, I realized my parents probably had no idea why I wanted to watch this movie with them. With a less-than-spectacular performance by Kevin Costner and a plot that frequently bordered on ridiculous, their confusion was probably justified. However corny they may have found the movie to be, I wanted them, especially my dad, to see its incredible ending.

If you've seen Field of Dreams, you probably remember the final scene where Ray Kinsella (played by Costner) gets the opportunity to play catch with the ghost of his father. This simple game of catch washes away years of bitterness, heartache and estrangement between father and son.

The final scene always makes me contemplate the bond that a game of catch creates between fathers and their sons and takes me back 12 years to the summer of 1993. Easily the worst player on my Little League team, I wanted nothing more than to learn how to throw, catch and hit a baseball. My dad recognized this and, despite having little baseball knowledge, spent countless hours practicing with me in the backyard.

Our time practicing developed my skills, allowing me to play on several traveling teams over the next few years. Though I never made it to the majors, my dad's efforts made it possible for me to make friends and memories on the baseball field--friends and memories that I hold dear to this day.

However, of all the games, practices and road trips, the memories I cherish most are of playing catch with my dad in the backyard.

Fathers everywhere thanklessly give their time, energy and love, glorying in their children's every triumph and suffering in their every disappointment. Dads find meaningful ways to bond with their children. In my case, it was baseball. For others, it's Boy Scouts, music, traveling or countless other shared activities.

Still, our society is reluctant to acknowledge fathers' contributions to their children's lives. Apparently, great fathers don't translate into great news stories. The few fathers who do make headlines tend to be the abusive or delinquent ones.

Even our popular culture gives little credit to fathers. Television ads market products capable of dealing with hapless fathers' inability to manage their own lives, much less their families'.

Sitcom dads like Homer Simpson merely reinforce this stereotype. And while everybody may love Raymond, his character has served to portray fathers as incompetent.

There are many examples of the bumbling dad stereotype. Few intentionally demean fathers, but the real-world impact is that dads simply aren't recognized anymore.

However, even in a society that tells us fathers are no longer essential to healthy families, all is not lost. There's no better day than Father's Day to begin appreciating all that dads do to enrich our lives.

Such appreciated need not come in the form of a mass-produced card. It might not even come with words. True appreciation might be as simple as a day at the beach or an afternoon of fishing together. Or sharing a game of catch.

True appreciation is whatever leads you to realize that your personal field of dreams just might be your own backyard.

Love, appreciation, and recognition of fathers' love and sacrifice can come in any number of ways. I'll be getting married in a year. Somewhere down the line, my fiancee and I plan to have a family of our own. And when that day comes, my greatest aspiration is to be half the dad my father is.

Thanks, Dad. And to all fathers, have a happy Father's Day.

Motivational Locker Room Speeches by Politicians

2008-06-11T23:33:00.004-05:00

You'd think after our discussion on the Komen Foundation, we'd learn not to get political.

Well, unfortunately, not. But this one is all in fun, so no offense intended to anybody. We found a Barack Obama quote generator and filled in some sports concepts to write a speech for him. Trust us, Obama. Wisconsin's a swing state, and this will work!

Generate a Barack Obama Quote!

"These people haven't had playoffs for fifty years. So you can't be surprised if they get bitter and cling to their Minnesota Vikings and their Chicago Bears and their the New England Patriots. That's what my campaign is about. Teaching all the little people in this country that they can have Green Bay Packers."
Generate your own Obama quote at Buttafly.com

Because One Stupid Idea Deserves Another

2008-06-10T21:06:00.004-05:00

If you regularly view ESPN's SportsCenter, you're probably aware of the program's newest running segment: Titletown, USA.

The Worldwide Leader will tour the nation showcasing 20 cities, each of which claims to be deserving of the moniker "Titletown." It's an idea as stupid as it is contrived. Perhaps we should expect nothing less from the network that brought us "Who's Now?," another lame segment in which the empty suits at ESPN asked us to decide which athlete was the most "now." I think being "now" must mean you're cool? (Man, whoever invented that segment is so hip! So much street cred!)

Anyway, after all 20 cities make their case, viewers will vote on which city is the "real" Titletown.

This might be a decent concept if Green Bay and its 12 world championships hadn't already held that moniker for decades. However, the tiny city in Northeast Wisconsin does claim the nickname, and so this segment reeks idiocy. It certainly appears to be just another lame attempt to herald Boston as center of the sports universe. (Note to ESPN executives: Nobody outside New England cares.)

Though 20 cities battle to be named Titletown, USA, there are only two ways this disaster can go.

Either America's sports fans will agree that this idea is ludicrous and select Green Bay. Or another city will fraudulently pose as Titletown to the detriment of the credibility and reputation of ESPN.

Still, we here at No Huddle Offense are a kind and benevolent bunch. We don't want ESPN to look dumb alone. So we're asking you to vote for who is the next "Big Apple."

Maybe New York retains the title. Maybe Appleton, Wisconsin does based on its name. Maybe it's Seattle as the biggest city in a state famous for growing apples. You be the judge. Vote using the buttons in the upper right corner of the blog.

Video of the Day: Major Leaguers for a Day

2008-06-10T07:34:00.004-05:00

We've got some big posts coming up, but we came across yet another video that we can't resist sharing with you all.

A group called Improv Everywhere got together to turn some unsuspecting little leaguers into big league stars for a day.

Ten Years Ago This Week

2008-06-09T00:00:00.001-05:00

One of the NBA's greatest moments turns 10. Do you remember where you were?

Everybody Loves a Good Tirade

2008-06-05T23:36:00.002-05:00

It's no Dennis Green or Jim Mora, but it will do. Here's Seattle Mariners manager John McLaren's recent eruption.

Fast Food Update

2008-06-03T23:06:00.005-05:00

It happens all the time.

A sports season ends, and before the trophy is even engraved, ESPN, SI and all the other sports outlets are predicting the next year's champion.

Well, we here at No Huddle Offense are no better. Just over a month after we named Chipotle the best fast food restaurant in America, we're looking forward to next year. At the suggestion of regular reader Adam, we've got our eyes on who is moving up in the world of fast food.

After a particularly satisfying fast food encounter, there's a new sheriff in town. Chipotle is no lock to repeat--even as the winner of the Pseudo-Ethnic Mexican/Italian Region.

That's right, Taco Bell has exploded onto the scene. Value is now the name of the game, and T-Bell is where it's at.

Last night, Mrs. No Huddle Offense and I shared a delicious and filling meal. We each chowed down on two double beef burritos. And we left completely satisfied after spending only $3.74. You can scarcely get a meal for one person at most fast food locations for less than $4.

We love Subway's $5 foot-longs. And we're glad that Quiznos has copied them offering large subs for the same price. But dollar for dollar, nobody in the fast food world holds a candle to Taco Bell right now.

No Huddle Offense heads to the Sommet Center

2008-06-03T22:02:00.006-05:00

This year's Stanley Cup Playoffs featured one of the greatest games in NHL history as the Pittsburgh Penguins outlasted the Detroit Redwings 4-3 in three overtimes. In that spirit, we'll head to the only NHL arena on our tour (at least thus far), the Nashville Predators' Sommet Center.

Nothing says hockey like Nashville, right? OK, not so much. But even if the Music City isn't exactly a hockey haven, if you're an NHL fan is a great place to catch a game--if only for the post-game party scene.

1. Access (5 points) - I caught a Predators game on a Tuesday evening during a business trip. It wasn't easy to get there. I took a cab, and it took seemingly forever. The cabbie wouldn't even take me all the way to the arena because he didn't want any more wasted time without the odometer--and the price--rising. With the gridlock, I can't imagine personal vehicles or public transit faring much better. 1/5 points

2. Fans (5 points) - Well, the crowd seemed alright the night I was there. On the other hand, the franchise is almost certain to move because there's little interest in hockey in Nashville. Why did this city get a team? 1.5/5

3. Exterior Architecture (10 points) To be fair, hockey and basketball arenas are never going to fare as well in this category as football or baseball stadiums. So while the Sommet Center's exterior can't hold a candle to the cathedrals of those two sports, it is a pretty attractive venue, built as part of a gorgeous downtown. 8/10

4. Interior Architecture (10 points) - Again, it's a pretty basic hockey arena. But there's not a bad seat in the house, so we'll give it seven points. 7/10

5. Food (10 points) - As someone who loves to sample sports venue cuisine, I was hoping for a nice array of concession stand options. After all, the company was footing the bill, right? I settled for a couple hot dogs and a soda. The hot dogs were good, but the menu desperately needed more options. 2/10

6. Surroundings (10 points) - Now here's a category where the Sommet Center is built to succeed. It's located right in beautiful downtown Nashville. If you visit, you'll be tempted to move here. Seriously. The Predators' rink is located right next to the Country Music Hall of Fame. It's also by a great stretch of bars.

Even if you don't like country music, you will in Nashville. Grab a cold beer and get ready to "Holler and Swaller," as the locals like to say. You can check out bars where numerous country music stars--including the legendary Willie Nelson--were discovered. Furthermore, you never know when you might stumble upon the next great country star. And the karaoke bars don't feature your usual rag-tag assortment of dropouts and rejects. The talent is phenomenal. The post-game scene is as good as it gets in pro sporting venues. 10/10

7. Local Flavor (10 points) - Well, you get to see Tim McGraw on the scoreboard singing about hockey. And the crowd often sports famous musicians or Tennessee Titans players. But that's about it. Can't we at least get some southern food in the concession stand?! Still upset about that. 2/10

8. Team Prestige (10 points) - Well, the team has only been around a decade. And it's never advanced past the first round of the playoffs. 2/10

9. Signature Quirk (10 points) - The 22 story mock radio tower celebrating the Music City is kind of neat, but we're not sure it does a ton for the stadium experience. 3/10

10. Atmosphere (10 points) - The atmosphere is, like much of the rest of the Nashville Predators experience, unremarkable. Here's a video of the player intros that isn't terrible, but isn't special either. We prefer this intro recorded by kids in their basement. We'll add an extra point because Gnash the mascot does some pretty cool stuff, including repelling from the rafters. Sweet. 3.5/10

11. History (10 points) - Just ten years of unspectacular hockey. The arena has hosted numerous NCAA March Madness tournament games though, so that's a big plus. 2/10

Total: 42/100

Wow. I'm depressed and nearly catatonic after writing this one. There is nearly nothing interesting about a Nashville Predators game. If you like hockey, see a game. But whatever you do, be sure to hit the honky tonks down the road after the final horn sounds. You won't regret it.

Link of the Day: The Best and Worst of Sports Video Game Innovations

2008-05-31T08:14:00.002-05:00

It's been awhile since we've done a link of the day, but this article by ESPN.com's Patrick Hruby seems worth it. It takes a look at the best and worst innovations in sports video game history.

Here's a quick example of one of the features heralded by Hruby:

Franchise Mode

Sure, he landed Randy Moss for two magic beans on the dollar. And yes, he's the architect behind pro football's only current dynasty. But so what? You could do a better job than New England Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli. And you know this because your Patriots squad features a backfield of LaDanian Tomlinson and Adrian Peterson, with Terrell Owens bookending Moss. Ah, the joys of franchise mode -- "SimCity" for gamers who prefer draftology to urban planning, fantasy sports you can actually play, the ultimate athletic power trip. Why should Jerry Jones get to have all the player-trading, stadium-creating, popcorn-price-inflating fun? Why should UC Irvine's football team play fifth fiddle to USC? Why can't the Arizona Cardinals become the Mexico City Banditos? In franchise mode, you can remake the sports world as you see fit, even right real-life wrongs. The Chicago Bears can draft a competent quarterback. The Phoenix Suns can take back the Shaq trade. Notre Dame can win at least one BCS bowl game in a 10-year span. All things are possible -- and likely probable, assuming you turn the "CPU trade override" function off.

Major League Soccer is apparently much cooler than we initially suspected

2008-05-29T20:35:00.006-05:00

We have to confess that we're not big soccer fans here at the No Huddle Offense. It's not that we don't want to like soccer. We're trying to understand the game and develop an appreciation for it. In fact we even watched much of the World Cup in 2006. But we just have a hard time watching a two hour game in which one point is scored.

We've never seen a Major League Soccer game, in person or on TV. The World Cup is one thing, but a third-rate professional league? It's a bit difficult to take seriously. Sure Beckham plays over here now, but it's not for the quality of the soccer. It's so he can get more famous.

But we came across a video this week that makes us think maybe we've got the MLS all wrong. It turns out our hooligans are just as crazy as the finest in Europe.

Apparently, MLS fans are allowed to throw streamers on the field while the match is going on. Sounds pretty innocuous, right? There were streamers at No Huddle Offense, Jr.'s first birthday party last month, and he didn't get too out of control.

The May 24 game...uhhh, I mean match...between the Columbus Crew and the New England Revolution did. In fact, it got so out of control that MLS is investigating an incident where Columbus fans hurled dangerous objects, flares, and racial slurs at the visiting Revolution following forward Kheli Dube's game-winning goal.

Of course we at No Huddle Offense condemn racism and violence without exception. But there's no denying the video looks like a pretty good time.

Stadium Tour: U.S. Cellular Field

2008-05-28T20:31:00.009-05:00

Ah, U.S. Cellular Field. Or as we and most of the locals still call it, "New Comiskey." The ballpark has a reputation as a dumb because it sprung up right before the wave of retro brick-and-glass ballparks. But a recent makeover has really spruced the place up, and it's a nice--if expensive--place to catch a game. Let's take a closer look. Oh, and please enjoy the image and video links.

1. Access (5 points) - The Cell is as easy to get to as any Chicago attraction. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean much. Though the ballpark is right off the highway, you'll still have to battle city traffic. Fortunately, you can also take the CTA's Red Line, which drops you off right at the stadium. 3/5 points

2. Fans (5 points) - White Sox fans are a tricky bunch to describe. The atmosphere at the stadium was nothing less than electric following the team's 2005 World Series championship. The last two years, however, it's been a bit iffy. Some diehards, but a lot of lukewarmness. Furthermore, there are the bizarre incidents of fans attacking coaches and umpires. To top it off, the Cubs' favored status in the city places a gigantic chip on the collective shoulders of the fan base. Truly a unique situation. 2.5/5

3. Exterior Architecture (10 points) - U.S. Cellular doesn't offer a whole lot from the outside. As a result, there's not much to say other than the place isn't a complete eyesore. 2.5/10

4. Interior Architecture (10 points) - Upon attending my first game at "New Comiskey," my expectations were low. I'd always heard that the stadium was a disgrace compared to the architectural wonders built since the early 90s. So I was delighted to find out that the stadium's interior is quite pleasant. There's nothing particularly spectacular, but comfortable seats, good views, and cool earth tones provide a very calm, organic feel to the ballpark. The only complaint is that the upper deck is so far removed from the playing field that you might want to bring binoculars. 7/10

5. Food (10 points) - The Sox offer an impressive array of grease-filled delicacies. Beyond the standard hot dogs and pizza, the concession fare includes various kinds of sausages and all sorts of other goodies. Mrs. No Huddle Offense is partial to the Dove Bars. You won't go unsatisfied trying to eat at a White Sox game. 9/10

6. Surroundings (10 points) - The best I can say about the U.S. Cellular Field neighborhood is that I've never been stabbed leaving a game. The park isn't in a nice part of town, and there is absolutely nothing in safe walking distance worth visiting. Not getting stabbed earns the Cell a single point. 1/10

7. Local Flavor (10 points) - From the food (a plethora of sausage, pizza, and Italian beef) to the postgame music (Sweet Home Chicago), the White Sox do a nice job of incorporating Chicago culture into the stadium. Furthermore, if you sit in the upper deck, the walkways just outside the concourse provide a brilliant view of the skyline. 8/10

8. Team Prestige (10 points) - The White Sox are one of the oldest teams in baseball. They play in the third largest market. And they've won a World Series in the last three years. Sounds pretty worthy to us. 8/10

9. Signature Quirk (10 points) - Cubs fans throw the ball back. The Mets have their home run apple. But the best home run celebration in baseball is Comiskey Park's signature quirk: the exploding scoreboard. Whenever a White Sox slugger goes yard, the scoreboard's trademark pinwheels come alive, and home team lights up the sky with a frenzy-inducing fireworks display. 9/10

10. Atmosphere (10 points) - If the exploding scoreboard is the most exciting part of a Sox game, the player introductions are a close second. An increasingly dramatic video montage of the team's history plays on the scoreboard. As it reaches its crescendo, AC/DC's Thunderstruck blasts over the loudspeakers while the team takes the field. Fireworks and the scoreboard are, of course, involved. Words can't quite do it justice. I'm not even a Sox fan, and it gives me goosebumps. 7/10

11. History (10 points) - The Stadium isn't quite 20 years old yet so there isn't a ton of history. But there have been some great players, playoff runs and the magical 2005 World Series Championship. 6.5/10

Total: 63.5/100
Throw out your old primary school grading scales for these. Sixty points in not an F. We use the whole scale. So if 50 is average, Old Comiskey's 63.5 rating tells us that Chicago's South Side is a great place to take in a game.

The Best Stadium Experiences in the Land

2008-05-27T19:59:00.005-05:00

There are few buildings capable of bringing more joy to a city than a sports stadium. When built right, it can become the cornerstone of a town--a place that brings people together under one roof and one identity.

No two stadium experiences are alike. Some ballparks and arenas are old. Some are new. Some are ugly. Some are works of sheer beauty.

And so, we'll look at the professional and collegiate venues at which we've watched games. We'll examine everything from the architecture to the mascot. And then we'll rank each of them on an 11-category, 100-point scale. And we invite you to do the same as a guest columnist. Any stadiums, arenas, or even golf courses, feel free to send your ratings and explanations for each venue to nohuddleoffense@gmail.com.

We've been to games at nine venues, but these nine include three of the finest in sports. Plus we'll be visiting and reporting on a tenth next month.

Over the coming weeks, we'll discuss the following stadiums and arenas:

Wrigley Field--MLB's Chicago Cubs
The Sommet Center--The NHL's Nashville Predators
The Kohl Center--The NCAA's Wisconsin Badger hockey and basketball teams
Notre Dame Stadium--The NCAA's Notre Dame Fighting Irish
US Cellular Field--MLB's Chicago White Sox
Camp Randall Stadium--The NCAA's Wisconsin Badgers
Welsh Ryan Arena--The NCAA's Northwestern Wildcats Basketball
Miller Park--MLB's Milwaukee Brewers
Lambeau Field--The NFL's Green Bay Packers
The Great American Ballpark--MLB's Cincinnati Reds (Future Visit)

Obviously, this is a Midwest-heavy list. That's why we need your help. Let's diversify this list a bit. Using the categories listed below, we want guest columnists to rank sports venues. Stadiums. Ballparks. Arenas. If you've been to the Masters at Augusta, tell us about that. If you've been to the World Cup, we want to know! Daytona 500? You get the picture. On to the categories:

Access (5 points) - How easy is it to get to the stadium? Does it require a lot of time or money?
Fans (5 points) - A stadium experience is only as good as the home team's fans. Do they add to the experience, or are they napping through the competition?
Exterior Architecture (10 points)- How does the stadium look from the outside? Is it an impressive sight? Does it fit into the landscape, or is it a tacky eyesore?
Interior Architecture (10 points)- Does the architecture work once you get inside? How's the view? Are there good sight lines? Are the seats comfortable? Is the interior visually appealing?
Food (10 points) - You don't NEED to eat to have fun at the ballpark, but it certainly can't hurt. How do the concessions fare?
Surroundings (10 points) - Desolation can throw a wet blanket on any stadium experience. A great downtown scene or a parking lot full of tailgaters enhances the pregame and post-game festivities.
Local Flavor (10 points) - There's nothing worse than a cookie cutter stadium experience. We want local music, food and architecture to spice up a game.
Team Prestige (10 points) - A baseball game always feels a little bigger at Yankee Stadium. A little less so at Northwest Michigan State Technical College of Detroit.
Signature Quirk (10 points) - Most truly great stadiums have one or two quirks to set them apart. The Green Monster. The Dawg Pound. You know what we mean.
Atmosphere (10 points) - There's two ways to score points in this category. Either provide a subtle old-timey feel that makes you think you're an extra in Field of Dreams or bring the hype with elaborate player introductions, fireworks, mascots, and montage videos.
History (10 points) - Ruth. Mantle. Lombardi. Jordan. Halas. Bird. If these men roamed the field or the floor, the venue's getting a 10.

Check Out This Guy

2008-05-23T00:22:00.002-05:00

Props and admiration to the commenter who submits the best photo caption for this gem.

(I'd offer a free sports-related post as well, but generally our policy is that we'll publish anything with a half decent point that's coherently written.)

Spygate Ends; Real Stupidity Begins

2008-05-20T21:03:00.003-05:00

Nothing like a little abortion debate to clear out our regular commenters. Good news, regulars; you can return. We're back to sports full-time. There was a bit of notable sports news last week. And fear not, it did not go unnoticed by your trusty friends here at No Huddle Offense.

Spygate is history. Unless you're a geriatric busybody senator that is. Though a much-anticipated meeting between former New England Patriots video guy Matt Walsh and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell revealed that there are no further video infractions (including the alleged 2002 Super Bowl walkthrough tape), Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter is pressing for a Mitchell Report-style investigation into the matter.

It's reasonable to argue that Congress had a legitimate interest in combatting steroids in baseball. But it seems like a stretch to insist the legislature of the world's only superpower has a compelling reason to get involved in Spygate. Is Specter worried that high school athletes around the country will start video taping their opponents' plays? Ha!

(For what it's worth, we've been vocal critics of the Patriots and their unsavory behavior. We have always argued that the videos did provide a significant competitive advantage. If there was no advantage, New England surely would not have continued cheating even after being warned by the league.)

We're generally a bit suspicious--if not incredulous--when a member of Congress decides to go after a public figure for shady dealings. Representatives and Senators in both parties are about the most corrupt, least reputable people in America. It's the nature of the job. Isn't it a bit hypocritical for Specter to lead a witch hunt because somebody cheated playing a children's game?

On the other hand, if investigating the NFL keeps idiots like Specter and his fellow blowhards in the Senate from getting involved with the real issues that affect this country, we won't complain.

How Much Do Baseball Managers Really Matter?

2008-05-14T20:34:00.003-05:00

Managers on the hot seat has become a hot topic in a number of baseball cities over the past week or so. Though we're just over six weeks into the season, fans of under-performing teams are looking for change. Joe Girardi's Yankees are floundering. The Brewers are getting hot, but last week Ned Yost's club suffered two straight series sweeps. And Chicago White Sox skipper Ozzie Guillen has once again found the Windy City's doghouse.

Still it's worth examining to what extent managers really impact their team's performance. Baseball is unlike every other sport. There is little strategy. No playbooks. Team chemistry has little impact. And teamwork doesn't factor into the game much. Shaq needed time to adjust to his new teammates when he was traded to the Phoenix Suns. NFL rookie quarterbacks sometimes need a full season to learn the offense. A baseball player can be traded and step into his new team's lineup the very next day.

Phil Jackson, Bill Parcells and Herb Brooks have earned the genius label by winning championships and by turning mediocre rosters into contenders. But in baseball, you simply can't win without a quality roster.

The Brewers recent struggles were highlighted by two of the top six players in the lineup sporting batting averages under .200 and starting pitchers unable to get past the sixth inning. How much control does Brewers manager Ned Yost have over this?

Good coaching staffs are certainly able to find mechanical flaws that need to be corrected. But this can hardly turn around an entire roster full of struggling players. Furthermore, this responsibility largely falls upon the shoulders of the hitting and pitching coaches. A manager, no matter how good he is, simply can not coach a player's batting average up.

So where does a manager matter?

Keeping control of the clubhouse. It's a bit cliche, but a manager sometimes must do just what his title implies: manage. Ball players are professionals, but the expectations of the fans and the media do create a lot of pressure. Managers can help keep the players loose and the clubhouse under control.

Strategy. While there isn't much in baseball, the difference between good and bad strategy can determine who wins a close ball game. When to steal. When to bunt. When to make a lineup change. Sometimes the best move is not to make one at all. Traditional baseball managers often like to sacrifice bunt a baserunner to second. However, this doesn't always make sense. A leadoff runner who reaches base has about a 40 percent chance of scoring that inning. A runner on second base with one out has a lesser chance of crossing the plate. Great managing means knowing when to eschew tradition in favor of higher success moves.

Bullpen management. For a contender, this might be the most important thing a manager can do. Over the course of a season, wear and tear takes a toll on pitchers. Last season, bullpen mismanagement cost the Milwaukee Brewers their first trip to the playoffs in a quarter century. Knowing when to pull a starting pitcher, when to give a reliever a day off, and how to effectively eat innings with the bullpen can determine whether a team is still playing come October.

Baseball's best managers don't necessarily have any secret knowledge or brilliant understanding of the game; they simply make fewer mistakes than everyone else.

Anyone who is still not "aware" of breast cancer, please raise your hand

2008-05-10T07:00:00.005-05:00

Anybody? Anybody? Bueller? Nobody? OK, we're in agreement: Everybody is aware of breast cancer.

Mother's Day is Sunday, and once again, Major League Baseball will pull out all the stops in an effort promote breast cancer awareness. Some players will use pink bats. Droves of fans will sport pink baseball caps bearing their team's logo. In many cities, proceeds from tickets will go to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

The fight against breast cancer has become more than an awareness campaign; it's become trendy. Truly a remarkable marketing campaign. Could you ever imagine diabetes or cystic fibrosis or bird flu becoming a fashion statement?

While we tease, we certainly have nothing but respect and sympathy toward all those battling breast cancer as well as their families and friends. The affliction has caused a great deal of sadness and suffering, and Major League Baseball's intentions are honorable in attempting to help end breast cancer.

Sadly, Major League Baseball has chosen a regrettable organization to partner with in the an otherwise noble cause. The Komen Foundation has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to America's largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood. Abortion has been inextricably linked to causing breast cancer.

"Because of the increase in breast cancer cases after an abortion, there will be at least an additional 44,000 cases of breast cancer of which 25% or 11,000 additional women will die of breast cancer every year," said John C. Willke, MD.

And yet the Komen Foundation pours money into Planned Parenthood. Even if you don't share our deep personal abhorrence of abortion, it's an outrage for an organization fighting breast cancer to financially support a cause that leads to breast cancer. What's next--an AIDS awareness foundation donating used syringes to drug addicts?

Shame on you, Susan G. Komen Foundation. Women deserve better.