by sports guy Tony Blasi

Fan’s have been waiting for it for days. Finally, Russ Dillingham’s apprehension of a fugitive in Lewiston, Maine, is now available on DVD for only $2.95.

You’ll cheer as Russ drops everything to make a citizen’s arrest. You’ll discover that Russ is a kind man who laughed at danger when he was asked to put it all on the line for the Twin Cities. You will want to see all the action on this two-minute DVD, with archival black-and-white footage of Dilligham’s other heroic efforts in the Pine Tree State. There are extra features, including comments from Tony Blasi, Randy Whitehouse and Mark Turcotte, and heart-warming interviews with all the major networks. You’ll hear Russ speaking fondly about his pets on the BBC, Radio-Free Europe and a one-on-one interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Watch Russ bring a tear to the public’s eye during a candid interview on CNN.

No American should be without this precious DVD. Just listen to this heart-pounding narration as the loveable Russ closes in on the fugitive”

“Russ Dillingham – a man among photographers, a family man, a man who knows how to take pictures, a guy who just loves his country, was taking pictures on just another  assignment. That’s what Russ does – take pictures, and he takes pretty darn good pictures, too.

“Last Thursday, Dillingham was doing what he does best – taking pictures. And pretty darn good pictures, too. Dillingham, a man among men, was roaming the neighborhood with his trusty camera, when the call came in on the police scanner. Russ didn’t blink an eye as he headed into danger. Russ Dillingham could not give a damn about danger. All that mattered was a good shot, and Russ takes pretty darn good shots, too.

“Dillingham watched from the ground as police pursued the suspect to a third-floor balcony where the fugitive made a leap for freedom as Russ caught all the action on his trusty camera. Dillingham snapped away as the fugitive sailed to the air and then jumped to the ground.

“That’s when Russ got the call. And Russ answered with all his might because he is what America is all about. Russ, a man who understands what it means to sacrifice for the greater good, just had to step in help the police when they requested the ace photographer’s assistance.

“Russ dropped his camera and pounced on the suspect as both men fell to the ground. But Russ, a guy just doing his duty as an American citizen, held his ground as police moved in to mop things. Dillingham had just become a hero to all of us.

“What can we say about this kind and gentle photographer. Perhaps, we’ve said too much. Anyway, nice going big fella. We all you a debt of gratitude.”

Remember, call 1-800-Russ and order this DVD, which will continue to inspire Americans for generations to come.

By Tony Blasi, the sports guy

You never think about them dying. It just isn’t possible. But when they do pass into eternity, they take a part of us with them, leaving us all feeling sad, lonely, and a bit older.
Dennis Johnson was one of Boston’s heroes. He died at 52 on Thursday while coaching in Texas. He played for the Celtics when they ruled the NBA with guys like Bird, Ainge, Parish and McHale. The affable point-guard played pivotal roles when Boston snatched NBA titles in 1984 and ‘86.
When you grow up in Beantown, you are bound to run into to these larger-than-life types like Johnson. I had the privilege of sitting behind Yaz at the Kowloon in Saugus, Mass., witnessed Terry O’Reilly buy a pizza in Revere, and watched Larry Bird open a newspaper in front of his familiar face to shield himself from annoying fans at Logan Airport.
Big deal, you say! Damn right it is. Every Greater Boston guy loves dropping names. I am no different.
And every Bostonian has a story about bumping into a sports icon. The big city is like that. I loved Boston’s nightlife and its endless supply of beautiful women. But when you couldn’t get a girl’s phone number and your beer got warm, it was great to see one of Boston’s finest walk in with his entourage.
Here’s my brush with a Celtics celebrity. My friend and I were heading down an escalator at the Marriott in Boston. We spotted Dennis Johnson. Someone called out, “DJ.” Johnson looked up, smiled and waved. He was not annoyed, but proud, the kind pride that brought the Boston Celtics a couple of championships.
Thanks for the memories, DJ. You were called away too soon.

Tony Blasi is a sportswriter at the Sun Journal in Lewiston, Maine. He grew up in Revere, Mass.

After two mind-numbing weeks, all the hype and crap surrounding another Super Bowl comes to a freakin’ end Sunday.

Two weeks of heart-wrenching stories about Peyton Manning’s sore thumb or a teary-eye tale about a 105-year-old Bears fan who traveled by lawn tractor to see the BIG game in Miami will no longer take up space in a newspaper or suck up prime time on national television.

Breath easy, folks. Come Sunday, it’s all over. Can’t take it? Neither could I. Look, even if the Patriots had reserve seats for Sunday’s Bowl game, one week of nonsense would be fine with me. How much is too much? Why is it necessary for the conference champions to go on sabbatical for 14 days while fans twiddle their thumbs and are force-fed fluff pieces about Manning’s hair color?

What other sport takes two weeks to settle a national championship? Not one! Baseball, hockey and basketball refuse to waste fans’ time and money. These sports don’t have that amenity of conjuring up mass hysteria over two long weeks, especially when teams in those sports go head-to-head in a four-out-of-seven game format. Two weeks is way too long for many us, and then of course, there is a two-hour halftime marathon that gives fans ample time to get to the corner store to replenish their comfort food.

For football fans, it is hurry up and wait – in the middle of winter. For me, I would be content with a one-week blitz of shock and awe of NFL stories.

And for the record, I am concerned for Manning’s sore thumb. I am siding with the Colts on this occasion. The Bears deserve a comeuppance for what their infamous “46″ defense did to the Patriots in Super Bowl XX. Chicago took apart New England and quarterback Tony Eason, 46-10. The Bears defense sent Eason running for cover as Chicago ran amok.

I am banking on the Colts making a wild ride to victory.

Good Sport, by sports writer Tony Blasi

So long as there are lonely, miserly, conniving, and self-centered men like Henry F. Potter, who enjoy treating the human race with contempt and scorn, there will always be a need for affable underdogs like George Bailey in the world.
We can’t do it without you, George, and we need you more now than ever, especially in this digitalized, celebrity-obssessed culture.
You see, George Bailey gets it. He understands what is important in life. He’s got his priorities straight. And unlike Potter, who makes Dicken’s Ebeneezer Scrooge seem like a choir boy, old George believes that all people deserve respect, and for him, there is no compromise between right and wrong. George won’t sell out the old Buildings and Loans when the sly Potter dangles a lucrative offer to join the old man¹s corrupt, corporate machine. You can’t say that about many politicians. But George can’t be bought simply because he believes in the greater good.
I realize Mr. Bailey is a fictional character conceived by writer Philip Van Storen Dern, who wrote a short story called, “The Gift.” Director Frank Capra, a Hollywood icon whose movies depicted the common man as heroes, turned this unique story into a precious movie. That’s why “It’s a Wonderful Life’s” timeless message never gets old. And each year, another generation discovers this classic and can’t stop rooting for George Bailey to put that no-good Potter in his place.
And yet, it took years for this masterpiece to find its way into the public’s hearts. When it was released in 1947, the movie was considered a flop. Americans had just spent over a dozen years digging themselves out the Great Depression and fighting war. Nobody wanted to hear about some guy taking on the town’s robber baron or watch a man descend into depression and nearly take his own life.
But the movie began to grow on us. And those of us who don’t make six figures know where George Bailey is coming from. George Bailey is the quintessential average guy, making ends meet each month, and that’s why a majority of us can identify with this caring character. And that is why we would rather see George throw Mr. Potter off the bridge instead of Bailey taking the final plunge. But then again, Clarence would not get his wings.
Look, the world is a god damn mess. But then there’s this guy like George Bailey, who is working his ass off while fending off Potter’s consuming greed. Bailey makes sense in a climate that has become rife with paranoid and self-righteousness.
This holiday season, when you feeling commercialism and relatives closing in on you, and you are thinking about calling Clarence to avoid suicide, just drop in a tape or DVD of “It’s a Wonderful Life” on Christmas eve for some annual, old fashion inspiration and common sense.
Don’t you see, you really do have a wonderful life. And any day above ground is a good day. Just ask old George Bailey and his sidekick, Clarence.

At every newspaper I’ve ever been to, sports writers huddle up in a corner somewhere and keep largely to themselves. I try to hang out with them once in a while, but I never get their jokes. I’d avoid the surly bastards altogether, but where else am I going to catch the Sox game when I’m working the late beat?

Remarkably, I’ve found that these cliche-spewing, stat-memorizing, pool-forming sports guys have lives somewhat similar to the rest of us. I’ll open things up for some of their thoughts. Wagering is completely encouraged. Just remember: there’s no crying in blogball.

Or something.