We all survived the Christmas rush as we head toward amateur night and 2012. It was a busy week around the lanz household. I caught a nasty cold on Wednesday. Felt lousy all day Thursday took the day off. I rarely call in sick but slept must of the day. I ended up Refereeing a Basketball Game on Thursday Night, (I probably shouldn’t have been, but in some strange way I think it helped). As matter fact my brother official looked at me and said you probably shouldn’t be here. It was solid effort in an OT game and yeah ! I could have been better.

Friday Night brought first wave of company, we had few close friends over had a nice meal and good conversation just what the holiday is about. On Saturday the Mrs and I started the day off getting some last minute odds and ends before me and one of the lanz Twins headed to the Pats Game. We called him into our bedroom before leaving for the game and gave him early Christmas present; a New Tom Brady Shirt. The kid was just jacked and pumped as Pete Carol would say.

I’m sitting in my seats at Gillette and the usual guys sat in front of me.  The folks next me weren’t the same the guy tells me he got the tickets from his cousin and that he and his wife live in Hawaii. I  started talking to him and the guy was from my hometown and has been in the USAF for 22 years we started talking about guys from home. It ends up we knew a lot of the same people despite a 10 year age difference. It was awesome great conversation during the game.Thank You for your service Airman Crowley.  The game itself was a tale of two halves. I do have to say I was very impressed with Reggie Bush. He leaped over a Patriot and Then a few minutes later they show the Bengal Guy go over the Cardinal on the scoreboard.

I made record time out of Foxboro I was back to my house by 5:15 . It usually a 45 minute ride and add at least an hour escaping from the parking lot and getting to I-95. .

More friends Christmas Eve with the 7 fishes for that Italian type Christmas. In my house it’s more like 3 fishes and some steaks and Ribs and big salad. No pasta. Some of the lanz’s are allergic to shell fish and our guests didn’t eat things from the ocean. So it was lobster, shrimp Calamari. Good thing all this stuff .

The Little Lanz's aren't the most dedicated patriot fans in the world, one rather the Ravens, one the Falcons and of course one the patriots. Naturally the Brady jersey was joined by a Matt Ryan Jersey and a Joe Flaaco jersey (Ok the kid has an Ed Reed and I simply refuse to buy a Ray Lewis Jersey). They were thrilled to the fact they didn’t take those Jerseys off for 4 days.

The Mrs took the boys to the dentist and he said I looked at all the Quarterbacks and Ryan no cavities, Flaaco looks good as does Brady. You have to love a dentist with a sense of humor.

On Sunday I had no intention of watching the NBA . But I  tuned into the Celtics and Knicks game ended up being entertained and I watched the end of the lakers and Bulls and was entertained. The other night The Celtics played the heat a I switched to Pitt and Notre Dame and last Night I went back and forth between the Texas Football Game and Louisville and Georgetown. I still like college hoops better than the NBA and fell asleep before Texas Game and the Louisville game ended.

To all of you at the Gab have a Safe and Healthy New Year

Randy Orton will be out for 6 months due to a shoulder injury.

Party Rock dominating ScottJax?? Another pro team in Detroit?? Torrealba slaps an Ump?? Little tibit about World War I, ScottJax message to the gabbers, in this weeks edition of:

You ever listen to a song and then for a couple of days, the song dominates your brain? Well I have not been able to shake LMFAO’s Party Rock. I just love the music. I just want to shuffle, but with the hip that ain’t happening. So for those that have never heard it before, or have heard it, and want to listen to it here it is:

There is a 30 second commercial so please be patient.

Note: Redfoo (the one with the white glasses) is the son of music legend Barry Gordy, while Sky Blu is his grandson. Redfoo is also a former brother-in-law to Jermaine Jackson.

Did the NFL really hide evidence linking concussions to long-term neurological problems?

That’s what ex-Miami Dolphin players Patrick Surtain, Oronde Gadsden and 19 other former NFL players think. They filed a lawsuit the other day. The players also claim the NFL made misrepresentations about the seriousness of their injuries "with the intent of inducing NFL players, including plaintiffs, to return to play as soon as physically possible after having suffered a football-related concussion and to promote an aggressive style of football that would attract viewers."

The NFL denies the charges and says the safety of the player has been a priority.

This lawsuit is not the first pertaining to concussions. In August 2011, Jim McMahon and six other former players sued the NFL, as well as other former players who filed a lawsuit in Atlanta.

All the lawsuits have the same basic format, the NFL held information regarding concussions and the long term effect it has to neurological problems.

Catcher Yorvit Torrealba, a player for the MLB Texas Rangers and Leones del Caracas of the Venezuelan League, was suspended for 66 game for striking an umpire during a game. After striking out, Yorvit got in the face of the umpire and eventually hit him in the mask with an open hand. The suspension will last for the remainder of this season and all of the next season of the Venezuelan League. Suspensions in winter ball do not carry over to Major League Baseball.

"I wanted to express my sincere apologies to all parties for my actions during the Venezuelan Winter League game on Friday," Torrealba said in a statement Monday. "I have extended an apology to the Rangers organization as well. I am embarrassed for my conduct, and personally relayed that feeling to the umpire after that night's game. On the field, I strive to be an example for children, especially those in my native Venezuela, and I regret my actions. I understand the reactions to the incident and will make every effort to set a positive example in the future."

I only thought that Detroit had the Tigers as winners. Now it looks like they have company.

Congratulations go out to the Detroit Lions who finally made in the NFL playoffs after a long drought. It was a joyous occasion as the fans were chanting “Playoffs, Playoffs,” and QB Matthew Stafford going around the stadium high-fiving fans.

This is the Lions first playoff appearance since 1999.

Did you know that on December 25, 1914, during World War I, British and German troops observed an unofficial true and they even played football together on the Western Front.

Interesting…

I want to take this time to thank the Gabbers on a wonderful 2011. You guys and gals make it a pleasure to do my weekly blog.

On behalf of my wife, Raye, and I would like to wish you and your family a safe and Happy New Year. May all your dreams come true!

Hey Gabbers, while I am sitting here in Michigan freezing my ass off today it came to mind that there is only another month remaining before the Cardinals begin to defend their World Series championship without Prince Albert and Tony LaRussa in the dugout. I wondered to myself how well this season will go for them, unless they pull a Prince Fielder out of the magic hat to replace him. Hell they can afford to do it now, the Angels parted with the millions of dollars for Prince Albert so why not?

The Tigers on the other hand concern me right now, because they really have not done anything to improve themselves as a team. I know the team is deep at all positions, with players to fill their needs in Toledo. But the fact remains when Laird and Dotel are your big signings over the winter, it still leaves major gaps to be filled in order to make a serious run at a World Series. Opening day brings the Red Sox to Comerica Park which used to be scary at best, but right now they do not seem to strike fear into my heart for whatever reason. Actually, this is just what the Tigers needed a real series right off the bat to test them and help them focus on the task at hand, another Central Division title.

I realize the Indians have gotten better through free agency, while the White Sox, Royals and Twins seemed to lose out a bit, with the Twins and Sox taking major hits by having Buerle, Kubel, Cuydyer and Nathan go to other teams. I like the Tigers chances a repeat, just for those reasons......

I now realize that the College Football Bowl Season has gotten way out of hand, they now have a bowl game in just about every place imaginable except in my hometown of Mt. Morris, Michigan. Hell I will not be surprised if someday they do not have "The Beezer Bowl" played in his hometown one day, just so two colleges can make some money for their programs.

Last night, I witnessed one of the better hockey games I have seen in quite a long time, played between St. Louis and Detroit. This was old-school hockey, grinding it out in the corners, body checks and cross checks in front of the net. Everything but a fight, these two teams are so evenly matched and could potentially play each other in the first round of the playoffs in April. Heck I can't wait until New Years Eve, they play each other again.......

I am going to go out on a limb tonight and predict that the Lions will beat the Packers on Sunday, more because they have something to play for and Green Bay does not. I am also going to say this, this was the wrong picture for this portion of my blog, however they will also ruin some teams playoffs this year. I would not be surprised if they go a little further in the playoffs this season that what some of the experts are saying. I would not want to face this team, because they are playing with the confidence that they go into any stadium and win, no matter who their opponent is on that particular week. I will take my punishment if they bow out in the first round, but I do not believe this will happen since they have played all of their potential first round opponents and competed against them rather well.

Hat's off to Jerry for running the table in the Gab Leagues this fall, we will see if he can gather the fourth one when the playoffs start in a couple of weeks.........

For those of us freezing this winter, just keep the warm thoughts that spring training is not that far away

Hello and welcome to another Wednesday of deep thoughts. Although Christmas has come and gone, the joy of the season lingers on. As I sit contemplating this blog, I realize that what makes the holiday time special to me is the time that I am able to spend time with my family. Each year that passes, makes each Christmas more valuable than the one before. One thing that I also value is humor. Although my sister lives in Kentucky, she is always looking for something different to crack me up. This year, she bought me a very special gift:

This is actually a video that my daughter put on facebook, but I could not figure out how to post the entire video. I am holding a finger. When you pull the finger you get various fart noises. It is the simple things in life that make the difference! Pull my finger..

You may remember the tragedy last summer in Arlington. Josh Hamilton threw a ball into the crowd and Shannon Stone fell to his death while attempting to catch the baseball thrown by Hamilton. Apparently after the accident there was some thought about no longer allowing players to throw balls to the crowd. Shannon Stone's mother wrote to Josh to urge him to "keep throwing those balls...because it is so important. That is why daddies bring little boys to the games for memories like that." In a New York Times article, SuZann Stone also related a story of how Shannon's father Al, once caught a ball from Buddy Bell. Shannon loved Bell much like his son Cooper idolized Josh Hamilton. The ball quickly became a family treasure. Because of this, they knew why Shannon made such an effort to catch the ball thrown by Hamilton.

How many treasures do you have in your family? There is more to sports than just the game. Fans have a passion for the games we follow. A ball to some is a treasure to others. Why would a father risk his life for a baseball? I think the truth is that the ball represented much more than just a baseball acquired at a professional game. The souvenir baseball represented a ball game shared by father and son. The ball represented a memory of a special time. Sadly, young Cooper Stone will carry a different memory of that day in Arlington. 

 Drew Brees eclipsed Dan Marino's record for passing yardage Monday evening against the Atlanta Falcons. I have always rooted for Brees, but found it difficult to watch as I was nursing a small lead and my opponent's fantasy QB was Brees. It was inevitable. I knew it was going to happen, but it was difficult to be too happy for Drew's accomplishment. But, I found it rather funny that the Atlanta players grumbled that Brees threw the ball with the game in hand. Correct me if I am wrong, but the reason that Brees was in a position to break Marino's record is because New Orleans throws early, late and in between...right? Should New Orleans have run a few plays on the ground to run out the clock? It was a home Monday night game with a chance to set a new passing record. If this was a high school or even a college game, I might have a different opinion, but I have to say...hey Falcons quit whining and stop the Saints if you don't want the record set...

That's all I have for today, but I will leave you a bit of Jack Handey to take with you...

I bet one legend that keeps recurring throughout history, in every culture, is the story of Popeye.

What is it that makes a complete stranger dive into an icy river to save a solid gold baby? Maybe we'll never know.

Feel free to leave a few deep thoughts of your own...