*Popping the leather in the Lounge.....
Well, down in the Arizona, the A's are begging to get to work. I have just got to say, it's been a while since my expectations have been so sky high! The A's have done something this offseason, that haven't done in a longggggg time--that is pay top dollar for a reliever! The Green and Gold are essentially all in by a paying a reliever in his prime! Jim Johnson is going to make $10 plus million bones--I mean, just that sentence people, the A's are spending some dough!
Let make take you back to another, excruciating time to recall, 2003. At the end of the season, the A's were unable to hang on to closer Keith Foulke. Remember? Even thought Foulke lost Game 4 to the Red Sox in Fenway....well, when the A's lost Foulke, they lost again. In 2004, who won the Series? Come on, think, that's right, it was the Red Sox.
(Isn't a real story of this off season why the A's didn't want to spend the money on Balfour? Was it his age, or was it the Detroit meltdown? Then for a subplot, the Orioles pull a contract after a physical. By the way, the rager signed with the Rays, who will be playing the Orioles. Don't dig in Bird hitters, don't dig in! The right field crew at the O.Co are going to miss the guy.)
I alluded to Spring Training above, and if you haven't gone, make the trip. In fact, if you have kiddos and pets, plan on Spring 2016. Easter will be in late March, and I wholeheartedly recommend you take the loved one to Arizona. Leave the kids and pets with your favorite brother or sister, or mom or dad, and everything will be just fine. (If they hem and hah a little, tell it's a valentine/anniversary date the two of you have been planning forever. Just trust me.....) The weather is nice, see some of your favorite players and stars from years gone by--if your luck, maybe the Phoenix Suns will be playing, or even the Coyotes? You can shop, see movie, dinner, enjoy a little pool time, weather is nice; and the people are just so laid back. You don't have to thank me, just pay it forward. One suggestion: if your loved one is temperature sensitive, go to parks, and or buy tickets with seats in the shade. I said trust me right?
Speaking of Arizona, Tempe might just be locale number 1 for the sports minded college type person. Think about Arizona State for a moment.....Pac 12 school, with the Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Coyotes, and Suns all right there! The Pro Golf Tour pops in too. Are you kidding me. For a would be journalist, how could you not want to go there unless you absolutely love snow? (If you love snow, think Flagstaff.)
Thus Arizona State, with your Walter Cronkite School of Journalism--beat that one--you just have one important item left to do. Just remove the Devil from your name. It is that simple--the Rays did it, and good things happened. I am just saying, without getting too deep, just trust me. Change the Mascot and "good" things will follow!
Just to add a little spice to my life, I am officially becoming of the Arizona Diamondbacks band wagon. Need to make life with all of the Kill-Joy Giants fans and the Evil Empire Dodger fans. The Padres, everyone loves San Diego already so what is the point? Colorado, well, sitting in the bleachers in Coors field sure will be interesting now won't it! (Even though they play in Colorado, will they have a "Bud" night? Heh Heh.)
Going for the Gold.....
USA vs Russia men's hockey game epic; reminds back in 1980--I actually listened to the game on the radio. Such a tough call on the Russians though...score a goal, but is nullified because the goal was out of place. What? If the USA had lost on a goal like that--you can bet, goal would be mounted differently around the globe! Man, I just don't know about that one....great drama however. The Olympics have lacked theatre, and I wonder if it simply because there is indeed so much sports on TV. The Olympics used to be a big deal, and know, well, they are just another blip on the screen. There have been some scary moments, and some very heart warming and heart breaking moments, but in general, has there been any can't miss moments? The coolest item thus far, the white go-go looking boots that were worn by the sign carriers during the Parade of Athletes. White go-go boots are so hip on any occasion!
My real question is this. During the downhill skiing, where are all the people at the top of the hill yelling: "Aye Yay Yay Yay Yay Yah" wheb the skiers begin their decent? I really miss all of that wonderful yelling!
Thus to Franz Klammer, Peggy Fleming, and that great story that was the 1980 Gold Medal Men's Olympic Hockey Team, I raise my glass to you!
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