Let me get my stethoscope out here and do a diagnosis...

First of all...

Please be informed that I am a diabetic...

Secondly...

Please note that many diabetics such as myself have neuropathy...

Not familiar with neuropathy???

Let me enlighten you...

* "Diabetic neuropathies are a family of nerve disorders caused by diabetes. People with diabetes can, over time, develop nerve damage throughout the body. Some people with nerve damage have no symptoms. Others may have symptoms such as pain, tingling, or numbness-loss of feeling-in the hands, arms, feet, and legs. Nerve problems can occur in every organ system, including the digestive tract, heart, and sex organs. About 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes have some form of neuropathy. People with diabetes can develop nerve problems at any time, but risk rises with age and longer duration of diabetes. The highest rates of neuropathy are among people who have had diabetes for at least 25 years. Diabetic neuropathies also appear to be more common in people who have problems controlling their blood glucose, also called blood sugar, as well as those with high levels of blood fat and blood pressure and those who are overweight."

In essence...

I live with foot numbness every day...

But I still have some “feeling” in my tootsies...

Thirdly...

There are other kinds of neuropathy as well...

Such as ulnar neuropathy...

Not necessarily connected to diabetes...

But possibly connected to erratic behavior...

Let me explain...

** "Ulnar neuropathy is irritation of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. It can cause numbness, tingling, and pain both at the elbow and into the hand. The pinky finger and half of the ring finger may become numb and are the fingers most commonly affected by this condition. We see this for many reasons. With the weather getting nicer, we will see it in bicyclists due to the shocks and bouncing that they experience while holding on to the handlebars. It will also happen to people who lean on the inside of their elbow. In baseball, throwers that have problems with their ulnar collateral ligament will sometimes complain of ulnar neuritis due to the stretching of the nerve caused by throwing with an unstable elbow.”

We also see ulnar neuropathy in other sports...

Such as...

BASKETBALL!!!

NBA Basketball to be exact...

The most recent form of ulnar neuropathy...

Was exhibited this past Sunday...

With an elbow so terribly numb...

The player launching it had no feeling as...

His elbow collided with the noggin of another player...

Thus resulting in a concussion to the cranium...

And causing a large dent in the side of said player’s head...

Obviously...

The player who threw the elbow...

Has a severe case of ulnar neuropathy...

No feeling in his elbow whatsoever...

How do we know this for sure???

We know this for sure...

By the subsequent reaction of the "elbower"...

Who had zero concern for his “elbowee”...

Said player continued to march down the court...

Beating his breasts...

And flexing his muscles...

Like he was in a Tarzan movie...

Once restrained...

Said player was sent to the showers...

And eventually given a seven game suspension...

Friendly advice...

Please have your elbows checked on a regular basis because...

If you play basketball...

You might have ulnar neuropathy...

And there are side effects to ulnar neuropathy...

It affects the mind...

You can’t think straight....

You do something extremely stupid...

And miss work for one week....

Remember this...

Ulnar neuropathy is not your friend...

dvt

http://www.freedomscope.com/History/doctor_with_stethoscope.jpg

*(http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/neuropathies/#what)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf3BNRF9ICc

**http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zqvtjwz9KME/S-hqmN7OGiI/AAAAAAAAAB8/KkzymDZYADE/s1600/anatomy-of-the-elbow.gif&imgrefurl=http://yoursportsmd.blogspot.com/2010/05/ulnar-neuropathy.html&usg=__9XbWOzvDg_Kdy02zBUH_njdmhp8=&h=465&w=500&sz=38&hl=en&start=34&zoom=1&tbnid=lEjLAwCo91SptM:&tbnh=121&tbnw=130&ei=0RaaT9TcNIac2AXXkuX8Dg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dneuropathy%2Bof%2Bthe%2Belbow%26start%3D21%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1

http://ronehot1079philly.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/metta-world-peace-elbow1.jpg

http://blacksportsonline.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/James-Harden-Face.jpg

The first round of the 2012 NFL Draft got underway on Thursday evening and there is no doubt that when this post hits the blog-o-sphere, the talk will all be about which players were selected where and which teams were winners or losers in the draft. That said this post will not discuss this year’s NFL Draft. I am, after all, a baseball guy and if the draft doesn’t interest me enough to get me to switch away from The Big Bang Theory, than it certainly is not going to deter me from writing about baseball during the baseball season.

A blogger has to have his standard…right?

So I thought about it, maybe I could discuss the draft in a round-about, baseball-related fashion. After all, the NFL Draft does have a solid tie-in to Major League Baseball. There is actually a fairly rich history of players that have either played both in the NFL and MLB or whom were selected in both drafts.

For instance, let’s look at the Kansas City Royals for a moment. For the latter part of the 1970’s and much of the 1980’s, the Royals were one of the strongest teams in Major League Baseball. But how much different would their fortunes have been had they swayed a couple of stand-out quarterbacks, both selected in the 1979 MLB Draft, to forsake their football careers and grab their gloves?

For those unfamiliar with that draft, the two quarterbacks were Dan Marino (4^th Round Pick) and John Elway (18^th Round Pick). Marino was a stellar pitcher in high school that was said to have considered signing with the Royals, but opted out of it when he learned it would cost him his football scholarship at Pitt. On the other hand, John Elway was a solid hitting outfielder but opted to go to Stanford instead of playing for the Royals. Three years later, he was drafted by the Yankees and actually played 42 games in Single-A while he forced the Colts to trade his football rights. 

It is easy to say that the Royals have been bit by the NFL the most times, but they are hardly the only ones. Both Deion Sanders and Brian Jordan followed in Jackson’s footsteps and became two-sport stars. Sanders was the more productive of the two, but found splitting the time between both was hampering his ability to play either. When he finally turned his back on baseball, he truly earned his hall of fame stripes in the NFL.

Another player that was selected in the MLB Draft was Tom Brady, who was an 18^th round pick of the Montreal Expos in 1995, where he was drafted as a catcher out of high school. He would choose to play football for Michigan instead and the rest they say is history.

There is also a bevy of baseball players selected to play in the NFL Draft.

Dave Winfield is often considered on the all-around best athletes of all-time. Aside from his Hall of Fame baseball career, Winfield was a 17^th round rick of the Minnesota Vikings in 1973 despite never playing college football. His selection by the Atlanta Hawks (NBA) and Utah Stars (ABA) made him just the third person to ever be drafted by three different professional sports.

Kirk Gibson is best known for his fist-pumping, game-winning home run in the first game of the 1988 World Series, but few know that the reigning National League Manager of the Year was a 7^th Round Pick of St. Louis Cardinals in 1978. However, he stuck with baseball and despite an injury-plagued career, put up a solid 17-years in the majors.

See, the weekend doesn’t have to revolve completely around football…right?

It's draft day so I figure I'd take a shot at a mock draft for this year. Hopefully it's better than the one I did last year.

1. Indianapolis Colts- QB Andrew Luck

It's already a done deal.

2. Washington Redskins- QB Robert Griffin III

It's basically a done deal.

3. Minnesota Vikings- OT Matt Kalil

The Vikings give Ponder some protection with a franchise left tackle.

4. Cleveland Browns- RB Trent Richardson

The Browns add a great piece to their mediocre at best offense.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- WR Justin Blackmon

Tampa adds another talented wide receiver to put across from Vincent Jackson.

6. St. Louis Rams- CB Morris Claiborne

The Rams add a corner to play opposite Corteland Finnegan.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars- CB Stephon Gilmore

It's a reach, but apparently Jacksonville likes him enough to take him here.

8. Miami Dolphins- QB Ryan Tannehill

The Dolphins get a good quarterback with plenty of potential.

9. Carolina Panthers- DT Fletcher Cox

Carolina needs defensive line help, and Cox would greatly improve the unit.

10. Buffalo Bills- OT Riley Reiff

The Bills add Reiff to help shore up the offensive line.

11. Kansas City Chiefs- DT Dontari Poe

The Chiefs need a strong force in the middle of their defensive line.

12. Seattle Seahawks- ILB Luke Kuechly

Seattle gets a great value pick here, and they'll find a way to use him in their defense.

13. Arizona Cardinals- WR Michael Floyd

Arizona gives Kolb another weapon here.

14. Dallas Cowboys- S Mark Barron

Dallas takes a great safety to improve a secondary that has added more pieces in free agency.

15. Philadelphia Eagles- DE Quinton Coples

Coples is a great value pick this far back in the first round.

16. New York Jets- OLB Melvin Ingram

The Jets are interested in Ingram, and he would be a great pass rusher on that defense.

17. Cincinnati Bengals- CB Janoris Jenkins

Cincy gambles  on the troubled, but talented corner here.

18. San Diegeo Chargers- G David DeCastro

San Diego improves their offensive line with the Stanford guard.

19. Chicago Bears- OT Jonathan Martin

The Bears need help on the O Line and Martin would be a good fit here.

20. Tennessee Titans- CB Dre Kirkpatrick

The Titans need a corner after losing Finnegan in free agency.

21. Cincinnati Bengals- WR Kendall Wright

Cincy adds an offensive weapon to put across from A.J. Green.

22. Cleveland Browns- WR Stephen Hill

The Browns add a speedster to help Colt McCoy out in the passing game.

23. Detroit Lions- OLB Whitney Mercilus

Detroit picks a great pass rusher to improve an already solid defense.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers- ILB Dont'a Hightower

Pittsburgh released Farrior, so they take Hightower here to fill that void.

25. Denver Broncos- DT Michael Brockers

He would be a steal to get here and the Broncos would gladly take him.

26. Houston Texans- T/G Cordy Glenn

Houston needs O Line help especially after releasing Eric Winston.

27. New England Patriots- OLB Chandler Jones

The Patriots like him a lot and if he's here there is no doubt that they will take him.

28. Green Bay Packers- DE Nick Perry

The Packers usually take the best player available and at this point in the draft, they would have to go with Nick Perry.

29. Baltimore Ravens- C Peter Konz

Konz is a good, versatile lineman who will strengthen the Ravens interior O Line.

30. San Francisco 49ers- OLB Courtney Upshaw

The 49ers add another piece to their great defense.

31. New England Patriots- S Harrison Smith

The Patriots also like him, and they will take him here if they don't trade this pick.

32. New York Giants- RB Doug Martin

Their running game struggled and they lost Brandon Jacobs. With no other glaring needs, Martin would be a good pick here.

Chris Jericho's band, Fozzy, is tour the United States. He might take time off from the WWE to tour with the band.

Karma is expected to return soon. She will be feuding with Beth Phoenix.

Buff Bagwell was in a car accident when he had a seizure,went across the medium, and flip. He has a broken neck, his face and jaw are messed up. He is expected to recover. 

Hello Gabbers

Wow It’s Thursday again , not sure where the week went but it fly bye. Happy draft day as well. Tonight the NFL Draft and they have put restrictions on teams not to let who they are drafted out to the media before the pick so . SHHHH between you and me now keep this quiet the Colts are going to take Andrew Luck with the first pick. I know I’m not supposed to say that so keep it quiet. Maybe I shouldn’t say this but the Redskins are thinking about RG3 keep that quiet as well.

Are you a draft person? I’m not let me know who the Pats took and I’m good to me it's like watching paint dry.. I was talking to a friend at work he loves it. He says if it was in the day he would take the day off. He is taking some post masters classes and said he isn’t going to class on draft night. He says it’s like Christmas for him. I guess to each there own. Like I say I’ll watch some of the first round but there are two NHL game sevens on tomorrow night.

Speaking about game seven is there anything better doesn’t matter if it’s the first series

Or the last game sevens are great. Last night my Boston Bruins went down in game seven on a heads up play by the Capitails Joel Ward popping in a rebound with 2:57 left in OT. It was a tough loss for the defending Stanley Cup Champs. But what a greats eries every game was decided by a goal. Give the Capitails credit with there hot Rookie Goalie Brandon Holtby. Tomorrow the Rangers may bow out to the number 8 seed Ottawa as well as zNew jersey and Florida. It’s anybody’s game.

The NHL must be beside itself with 3 of the 4 Eastern Conference series going 7 in the first round. We talk often about parody in the NFL well what about the NHL. Boston, Vancouver, Chicago, Pittsburgh and Detriot are all out in the first round. This is just a wild set of playoffs this season it’s been a blast and will continue to be right up to the end.

I was talking to some of our Little League Coaches and the age director for our division and I was saying damn I just love the game of baseball. I love being around it watching , coaching, it and umpiring it. The game is just special. Maybe it’s about living in the Northeast once baseball starts it’s a sign of good weather and summer is near. Maybe some of our winters are hard it’s just away to get back outside doing something fun. I just can’t get enough.. I was fortunate enough to get a gem of a High school game yesterday a 1-0 pitchers duel were kids made plays all over the place. I must say the new BBCore bats used in high School Baseball have nade the games in my opinion a lot more competitive. I love when pitchers throw well and players make good solid plays that was the case yesterday. The visitors scored in the first inning and that pitcher settled down. The kid on the other side was pretty consistent. Both kids had a killer curve ball that would hit the outer edge of the plate.. It frustrate the hell out of hitters.

Updates from LIl Lanz

Saturday was opening day it started off with a parade through the middle of our down from the Town common , (I live in New England , Town commons and churches are big here) to the little league field. Every division from TeeBall to Majors and including softball. It’s awesome all the kids in their uniforms waving to parents and grandparents. Who line the streets. The best part of it was the kids walked down Main street and down another Main road that funnels into Main street and the confused look on a line of the drivers in a line of cars trying to get out to I95.

So the kids on my team start waving to these folks  sitting in traffic. The reactions were priceless they kids got some smiles and waves back. They got people looking away and not acknowledging them. They got nervous waves and a few people just looked annoyed. I think one women was pissed when one of the cops on traffic control was waving to the kids. After the parade few pols spoke and to their credit they realized it was about the kids and they kept it short and sweet. After the parade we had the Minor League Tucson Sidewinders playing at 12:15

Tucson Sidewinders had a tough loss to Mohing Valley Scrappers blowing an 8-1 lead and losing in sort of a Red Sox fashion at the end 16-11. It was funny.(Last Night the Sidewinders beatSalem Kieser Volcanoes in a blow out) at 2:30 Major League son had a game for his Blue Jays which I’m the 4^th coach on . (basically, I step-in when one of the other 3 guys can’t) The guy a coach the Sidewinders with is a coach on the Giants who the Blue Jays played Saturday so it was funny to be together and than being in opposite dugouts. The Lil Lanz's did ok. Minor League Lanz walked once aK’d and grounded out. Major League Lanz K’d twice walked and was thrown out stealing second.. Jays beat the Giants 1-0..

That’s all folks enjoy the draft.