100% 3G (Green, Gold & Grey!): Tennis Anyone? A tribute to MLK Day, and something the NFL could learn from tennis!

100% 3G (Green, Gold & Grey!): Tennis Anyone?:                                                                          Arthur Ashe With the baseball season an overtime or two away, a...

Tennis Anyone?

                                                                         Arthur Ashe

With the baseball season an overtime or two away, and the A's still performing due diligence in regards to signing a catcher (will Sean Murphy, the non-pitching prospect be in Oakland before summer arrives?) and starting pitcher (Brett Anderson and Gio Gonzalez remain available), let's take a look from a different angle.

In honor of Martin Luther King, allow me to recommend reading the book of Arthur Ashe's memoirs, "The Days of Grace." The book is simply a great read, by a wonderful,  American. Despite being a world class athlete, heart disease would plague this great tennis champion. The last chapter of the book is a thoughtful and emotional letter, that Ashe pens to his daughter Camera. The book delves into many interesting topics, and I highly recommend for tennis fans in particular, and sports fans in general.

Speaking or tennis, currently the first "major" of the year--The Australian Open-- is underway "Down Under."  (This event currently resides on my Bucket List!) There is one aspect of tennis that the sport absolutely nails--while professional sports-football in particular bumbles. Instant replay. In tennis, they replay the point, call is made, bang-boom, move on the next point. The crowd joins in with a charming little chant....then boom, the call is made, onto the next point. Well done.

The NFL bumbles (MLB stumbles). They have the technology to get calls right...they simply choose on the side of human error. I just wonder, how many officials--or how many administrators of the officials--have ever coached of played professionally for their livelihood? My guess a few have played, maybe a couple of have coached; the have no idea what being wronged "feels" like. Just so we can all be on the same page or side here, ask the 1972 Olympic Basketball team how they felt about the infamous game with the Russians?

Why do the coaches have to challenge plays? Professional sports have officials, in the land of Oz somewhere looking at the plays. If a call is wrong, see it, call it, overturn it. Move on. Make a decision in 60 seconds. For myself, I am not sure what exactly a catch is in the NFL, or pass interference, or, perhaps most importantly, what conclusive evidence even means?

Officiating may be the single most difficult task on the earth--however, technology is superior! I am not sure if more officials on the field would help....in the booth I know they would help! Perhaps the NFL should take in a little tennis this week, they might learn something.

That Pats-Chiefs game last night was a doozy! As the Raiders are embedded in my sports crest, I do not like the Chiefs, and I can't even think about Tom Brady with having a meltdown of snowy, tucking proportion. That being said, what a second half....and even better 4th quarter! Brady was clutch, and the new quy, Patrick Mahomes, the slinging and side-arm flinging QB found his flashy red sea legs! What a finish!! Heck, those two teams should play every week. (Nice to see both teams balance their collective attacks by running the ball--old school style!)

NFL overtime is just no bueno. I would implement some hybrid overtime system. Teams each would start from the 50 yard line. If the game is tied again, second round, they start from the 45. Each time the game remains tied, they start with the ball 5 yards further back. If they both manage to play 10 overtimes and the game is still scored, well they deserve to tie!? However, in a playoff game....they would have to keep playing from 100 yards our until somebody wins that darn game!

(My second choice to simply play another 15 minutes--after 15 minutes and teams are still ties, play 15 more! I would have loved to see Brady and Co. vs. Mahomes et. al slug it out for 15 or 30 more minutes!)

Regarding the Saints vs. Rams game, well....let's just say, some calls effect games, some calls decide games.  That non pass interference, blow-to-the-head call, that sure felt like a "Decider!?" Not necessarily so, but the Saints were beaten by a call that 'aint.

Party on LA....party on Boston. Party like it's the World Series, 1918! For the rest, tennis anyone?

Kyler Knows, Tigers and Rock'n Roll! (Rant #2)

                                              (I love this picture of Bo so young, so Bo!)

Bo Knows--Let Kyler Play!

Kyler Murray. Heisman Trophy Winner, 9th overall pick in the 2018 Major League Draft by your Oakland A's. (Love the pick by the way, loved it. One of the most special athletes on the planet!)This young man possesses wondrous athletic skills rarely possessed by the highest 1% of the 1%. Just let him play--both sports!

Come on Billy and Dave, let's work your collective magic. Let's start with the South Bay 49ers. If Kyler is playing in Single-A Stockton this season, what's wrong with a world-class athlete having a hobby?! Instead of playing video games with his mates, he can be perusing through the Niner Way Playbook. Jimmy G is the 49ers man, so Kyler can learn and grow in the position so to speak. The 49ers and the Athletics could share--and bask in the glow--of this PR goldmine. It wouldn't hurt either organization to hit the jackpot, and working together might just be their golden ticket. (The Chargers would be the second choice--a young QB to mentor behind gritty vet Phillip Rivers. We will put the Rams next in line, out of respect. LA would love-love-love Kyler! ) 

Speaking of a team who could use a major shot of positive attention, could the We-Don't-Have-A-Home-Yet-Soon-To-Be Las Vegas Raiders take a flyer on Kyler (I can rhyme now!)!?  Kyler behind Carr....just saying, could be worse hey Raider Nation? The Bay Area's most (un)popular bachelor, Mr. Mark Davis could replicate the bold of his legendary father, who brought us "Bo Knows"--the larger than life 1990's megastar Bo Jackson first suiting up as a Kansas City Royal, then later as a Los Angeles Raider! Chico State grads are typically uber-personal, and what better way for Mark to make a mark than by drafting Murray!?!

Okay I can hear the case already, Bo's career ended due to a football injury. True. (ESPN's 30-For-30 on Bo fantastic. The part with his injury's a little hard to watch--he was just so strong. Like the Titantic, just how could Bo go down for the count?) Athlete's are going to be athlete's. I mean, across the globe, no professional athletes take in pick-up basketball games? Tennis Matches? Boogie Boards? Sand Volleyball? Ski Slopes? Back in the day, my college intramural basketball teams were owned and ran out of the gyms by football players. Athletes are going to play sports and be active--they are competitive, fast-paced and highly-skilled humans after all. The San Francisco Giants know full well that ace Madison Bumgarner enjoys an occasional exhilarating ride on a motorcycle (so did old-timer Jeff Kent--look up that story). Injuries can happen just about anywhere, anytime. Just let Kyler play!

Random Question:  Kyler's tremendous success as Oklahoma's QB came as some surprise. In 2017 Murray backed up Baker Mayfield. You know Baker, now the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, and oh by the way, the winner of college football's most prestigious award, the Heisman Trophy in 2017!  So my question:  with a 5 million dollar contract in his pocket from the A's, was Kyler able to perform with additional swag and confidence, that quite frankly I simply cannot imagine? How many athlete's have guaranteed money in their pocket--from a different profession sport? I tend to believe the confidence Kyler played with the past season, may have been assisted by, as shall we say, "follow the money"(from the movie the Godfather).

What a treasure gazing at  mega-talented Murray competing in both football and baseball would be. I would love to see it with my own eyes, in Oakland during spring and summer, and ideally some other West Coast NFL team later in the fall and winter. Who knows if Kyler can replicate Bo--yet isn't the idea simply tantalizing? His numbers from a year ago on the diamond were off the charts, near .300 batting average and near .400 on base percentage. Watching him, glide, dodge and launch "strikes" versus Alabama was simply awe-inspiring. Let him play, let him play!

Bo Jackson captivated the mind and imagination with his arsenal of athletic power and flair. Kyler Murray, time to audible, you're up!

Finally, a tip of the cap to the Clemson Tigers. Loveable coach, and what a mighty, mighty, collection of football players!!! They rolled though Bama and Notre Dame, rolled two teams with a combined 26-0 record. Wow, wow and wow! (My only question after watching the semi-final and championship game: what exactly is pass interference?).  Just as old school breakfast cereal icon Tony the Tiger would say, "They're great."

Another, nod goes to the movie Bohemian Rhapsody for capturing two Golden Globe awards. If you have ever stomped out to the song "We Will Rock You" or bellowed out to "We Are the Champions", you are going to dig this film. There are some dark moments in the film, however the film tastefully gives a depiction of Freddy Mercury and his Queen bandmates. Perhaps the filmakers glossed over some of the hard core issues of a rock-and-roll band and Mercury's dynamic life in particular, yet this film is old school hollywood--2 plus hours that leave you smiling at the end, humming Queen tunes. Rami Malek's performance as Mercury, absolutely rocked!

Begin Again, All is Well!

Here We Go....

(Note I. : I/We are back. The A's 50th season was a fun one, and in my household, a golden one as my wonderful spouse turned 50. I still am not sure how cool she thought it was to have her name in lights--but my kids and I loved it. As a first time Scoreboard Messenger, I must say, it was absolutely worth it! On the field, after a slow start, the Green and Gold were hot and fun to watch. They hit, they picked it, and they parlayed their way to a bonus game in the Big Apple. Ramon Laureano's catch & throw in Anaheim put the bow on the season. Chappy, Treinen, Krush, Jedi, and co., were surprisingly entertaining and stellar. Management even showed a willingness to add salary late in the year, but more importantly, ownership was taken in the Coli. The Treehouse was a sporty addition, and more fan-friendly seating choices are available in 2019. The Howard Terminal plans have created quite the positive stir! While expectations were exceeded in '18, much like the new stadium plans, now is the time to think Big. With Baby Jesus (Lazaro) set to arrive, the the time has come to raise the bar, and win that final game of the MLB season!)

2019 Resolutions/Wish List

1.  Spend, Spend, Spend. In 2018, the A's spent $80 Million on payroll. While Beane and Co. have proven they can buy in to the MLB postseason spending frugally, to advance in the postseason, it takes a big billfold. The Brewers spent nearly $109 Million, and nearly crashed their way into the fall classic. Let's start with breaking the $100 Million plateau! The Jackson Profar trade a tremendous start--he's a young, powerful switch-hitting and athletic Jed replacement. Naturally he is younger and less expensive. Signing veteran reliever Joaquin Soria, solid. Next on the agenda: bolster the catching position, add a left-handed reliever, and add a savvy, healthy, innings eater sidekick to go along with here-gone-here Mike Fiers. Then, at the deadline, add a dealmaker ace, and perhaps if need be a left-handed bat!

(Note II:  Lucroy. What really happened there? It was reported that the A's and Lucroy maintained some difference of opinion on the veteran's worth. One report mentioned the A's had offered Lucroy around $4 million; then last week the beaded one signs with the Angels for what appeared to be a very low figure in the 3 million range.  What gives? Did the A's simply not want Lucroy back? (He scuffled at the plate and didn't seem to frame well, but he did hold together the pitching staff, and down the stretch had a knack for throwing out opposing runners at key times.) Did Lucroy prefer SoCal? Is heir apparent Sean Murphy, the #3 rated A's prospect soon to be in Oakland? Another trade percolating under the surface?)

2. Attend, Attend, Attend. A's fans rolled in the turnstiles at an average of just over 19,400 per game. The schedule brings in the Cardinals & Brewers for interleague games, along with those wonderful Giants. Take (or should I say bring?) the kiddos to a fireworks game--can't go wrong with that call. If (or should I say when!) you do, plan on the Wave, lots of sugar and caffeine, but it is a good time for the family! Tailgate, food trucks, The Treehouse, options abound. No excuses, 20,000 per home game should be the goal--although, why not lucky 21,000?!? Bring a friend, attend, attend, attend.

3. No Game. Now I am old, and appreciate listening to A's games on the radio. Ken Korach in particular. Super-Sub Roxy "Sure Hands" Bernstein is a favorite of mine as well! The A's relationship with 95.7 The Game, well, perhaps it suffered from a lack of communication and expectations. It is pretty apparent the A's didn't pay the bills (The Warriors and the NFL appear to?). Interestingly, the only time A's chatter was really chattering was the week before or and during the interleague matchup with the Giants. The games were "bookended" around the Star Game, and quite frankly, it was wonderful. Across the dial, A's banter could be heard. KNBR 680, the Giants flagstation even joined in. Music for the ears. As summer went on, the green air faded away. A solution to have "All A's, all-the-time" has to exist in the universe (I am available if need be!). The Game host Kris Townsend would naturally be the lead, as he has carried the Athletics load on the airwaves. Will the A's be the first to provide some new innovative streaming sort of programming? Dave Kuvall has been great, and if can deliver on this one, I will forever refer to him as BIG DAVE. Think Big. Regular, scheduled programing please and thank you.

(Note III.:  Originally, 3G was a blog dedicated to my Athletic Crest. The Oakland A's, The Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and the Raiders, formerly twice of Oakland. For the time being, I will focus primarily on the A's. The Irish, well, 12-0 ain't bad, but Bama and Clemson own the college football world right now. The Raiders, well.....fool me once, shame on me, fool me once, shame on you. The Raiders have now left town twice. Much like the Lucroy question above, I would really like to know what happened last year to the Raiders in Washington? I am certain there was SOMETHING. I have my theories, but I will save those for another day. Teaser: my gut tells me somehow the $25 million heck-of-a-guy quarterback was smack dab in the middle. Quick non sports note. The movie Bohemian Rhapsody was off the hook outstanding. If you have ever enjoyed We Will Rock You or We are the Champions, you will dig the movie. Holmes and Watson on the other hand, well if you love Will Farrell maybe. My daughter is and was steamed I chose the kind-of-sort-of-comedy. If you are a fan of Sherlock Homes, Do Not Watch this movie. Finally, my wife loved the NHL outdoor hockey extravaganza played in Notre Dame Stadium today. She has been humming the ND fight song throughout the day. Thank you NHL--I think you just landed me a future trip to South Bend for a football game--hockey too perhaps! To a wonderful, content, and blessed 2019. Brian "Fonz" Fonseca.)