Hello and welcome to another Wednesday of deep thoughts. Last week, I mentioned the heavy rain we received and the hassle of our flooded home. The upside of the rains is the benefit to the wildflowers this month. If you have never been to the Texas hill country, April is a great time to visit. The weather is pleasantly warm (usually) and the bluebonnets are on display. As the month goes along, the vibrant blues are joined by the bright red of the paint brushes and the yellows and pinks of other flowers. But for my money…the bluebonnets are worth viewing.

A sea of blue...

Here is the mixture that begins later in April...

Much was written before the 2013 season about the anticipated ineptitude of the Houston Astros. I was more than a little surprised that the Astros won on opening day against the big bats of the Texas Rangers. Of course, until last night…that was the only game that the Stros won. Houston is on pace to set an all time record for strikeouts. But of course, Chris Davis is on pace to hit 120 HRs as well. Basically, one week does not make a season. When Bo Porter was hired to be Houston’s manager, he was an unknown to me. I did not know him as a player or have any idea of what kind of manager he would be. I think we got a pretty good glimpse of what sort of manager he will be Monday night. Each manager expects their hitters to have a plan in each at bat. For each hitter there is a different plan. The Yankees and Red Sox have made a living of plate discipline. If you don’t throw strikes, they don’t swing. This must be what Porter is trying to impart to his young team as he removed JD Martinez from the game on Monday night for swinging at the first pitch. Monday night, Porter and Martinez sat down and had a long discussion. Martinez admits that Porter is the most direct manager that he has ever played for. By removing Martinez, I think Porter got his team’s attention. While there will continue to be struggles this year, if Porter can get his team pulling on the same end of the rope…it is a huge event for this young team. Tuesday night saw the Astros explode on Seattle. The 16 to 9 thumping of Seattle was their 2^nd win and was exactly what this group needed. Of course, I suspect that the pitching rich Mariners will provide more resistance the rest of the series, the victory is significant. The high strikeouts don’t bother me as much if you mix in the long ball. The Astros had to know what they were getting when they added Chris Carter and Carlos Pena. Hopefully for Astros fans, Tuesday night was a sign of things to come and not an anomaly. And hey...they have as many wins as Toronto, with much less pay roll.

Don’t look now but Justin Upton is comfortable in Atlanta. I have listened to several ex players discuss Upton the past few years. It seemed like the DBacks were just not happy with Upton. Despite his early success, there always seemed to be trade rumors. The guys on the MLB channel felt that once Upton was removed from the situation in Arizona that he would be able to realize his full potential. I remain somewhat skeptical, but since I have the Braves as my fantasy pitching staff this year, I am very hopeful that I have finally picked a great staff. I suspect that the Braves and Nationals battle for supremacy of the NL East all season. I know the Reds and Giants will have something to say, but I really think one of these NL East teams will be in the WS this year. Maybe those predictions of Upton for MVP are not so outrageous?

Did you happen to see that Metta World Peace (Ron Artest) returned from a torn meniscus after 12 days? Wow…that really is crazy. Of course, when discussing someone named Metta, crazy is a good word. When reporters asked Artest about his quick return, his answer was…”I am just too sexy for my cat”. Wow…this is one very strange guy...but of course we knew this!.

I think any real football fan recognizes the name of Johnny Unitas. He was truly the beginning of great QB's known for clutch play. I read this week that there is an argument brewing within the Unitas family over which QB should play John Unitas in the upcoming movie, "Unitias We Stand". Joe Unitas has chosen Joe Flacco and John Jr. and others think that Peyton Manning is the logical choice to play Unitas. John Jr. went as far to say that Flacco is goofy. I have nothing against Joe Flacco and have to give him props for winning the super bowl last year...but, Peyton Manning would definitely be my choice. After watching Manning in his Colts helmet all those years, I don't see how anyone else would be better. Who would be your choice to play Johnny U?

I saw today that the Lions are putting Jason Hanson into their ring of honor. I have nothing against kickers, but wonder if any kicker is worthy of a spot in a team's ring of honor? Maybe it is just me, but special teams are called such for a reason. It helps to have a good kicker, but to put them in the ring of honor? I figure that our Gab's Lions fans will definitely weigh in on this...

I am going to "borrow" something from SI today. Do you remember the spot that they use called signs the Apocalypse is upon us...

Did you grow up riding a bike? I know that I did. It was a great form of transportation and also provided great exercise. Hyndai engineers have developed something called E4U. This "egg" goes up to 20 mph. I think someone at Hyndai needs to be slapped. Actually, I have a better idea. We should send fired basketball coach Mike Rice to Hyndai to be the research and development "coach". Maybe he can motivate them to research in a different area...

                                                                                        The music sucks too...

I am sorry that my post got up late today. I fell asleep writing m blog and had to finish this morning...

That is all I have today, but I will leave you with a bit of Jack Handey...

It's probably not a good idea to be chewing on a toothpick if you're talking to the president, because what if he tells a funny joke and you laugh so hard you spit the toothpick out and it hits him in the face or something.

A funny thing is if you're out hiking and your friend gets bit by a poisonous snake, tell him you're going for help, then go about ten feet and pretend YOU got bit by a snake. Then start an argument about who's going to get help. A lot of guys will start crying. That's why it makes you feel good when you tell them it was just a joke.

Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave a few deep thoughts of your own...

Well it wouldn't be an appropriate blog, without me mentioning the release of a long time favorite player of mine yesterday by the Tigers. He was the last player from that 43-119 team, that did not have much of a chance to win because they were loaded with AA and AAA players and did not stand a chance against anyone that year. The question remaining in my head, is how the hell did Ryan Raburn survive not being sent to Toledo? But as all things go, they must end sometime and it was time for Brandon to go, hope someone picks him up that needs a great defensive player, who may not hit for average but pick everything hit his way.....

It leads me to this, back in the 70's it was acceptable for a position player who could play his position but not hit for average the Tigers had Aurelio Rodriquez and Eddie Brinkman as examples. Couldn't hit there way out of a wet paper bag with a hole and a road map to get their asses out of that bag, but when you hit a ball their way you may as well headed from the batter's box back to the dugout, because you were out nearly every time. Every team has their Brandon Inge's, and they deal with it because they know what he lacks at the plate he makes up for by saving them runs out on the field with their glove. Brandon will be sorely missed by the Tigers and my daughter Taylor, she was his Tiger when she was 3 and learning about baseball.

Thank you Ben if this was truly your last game as a Piston, I really enjoyed coming down to the Palace and watch you play.  You understood your role as a Piston, and were a major reason they brought a title back to Detroit in 04' Your fans wish you would stay another year, but understand that its time to watch your children grow up. The Pistons will be fine, because from the looks of the kids coming out of college this year, they will find your replacement for many years to come.

Dear Metta World Peace:

No offense, but I remember when you were a member of the Indiana Pacers and went into the stands one evening at the Palace and assaulted some fans. Sorry my friend I do not believe the sincerity in this apology, because I have seen your ignorance before first hand.

When and who will you snap on again, and then claim it was an accident and make it all better? Did David Stern forget about the incident at the Palace a few years back, if he had remembered you may have been suspended a whole lot longer than 7 games, or the first round of the playoffs if the Laker's get lucky enough to get by without you on their bench. I guess that is the benefit of playing for the Laker's and not the Pacer's, because you were suspended a whole lot longer than this for what you did that night.......

I just did not come here today to slam and rip World Peace, I wanted to show you a soft side that came from his site about his daughter's battle with cancer. It shows there is a human side to this man, and may explain his anger but still is no excuse for his actions.........

I was going to talk about the NFL Draft today, but I am still puzzled by the Lion's first pick Riley Rieff. Can he run the ball up the middle, cover a wide receiver going deep and going over the middle? I think not, he may plug a hole on the offensive line but he will not help cover up the Lion's real weakness, their defensive secondary. I will leave it at that for the moment......

Not to rub it in, but the Stanley Cup finalists are now both sitting at home watching the playoffs on television. I give the Capitals and Kings credit, they played two great series and the Caps got a great goal in what turned out to be a great series to watch on television. The Wings sucked badly during their series against Nashville, but Rinne was the real reason they are also at home, he outplayed Jimmy Howard the whole entire series. I guess I am not much of a fan of the Flyers and Pens, but I am glad that Sid the Kid and his team of crybabies are gone, and I do not care much for the Flyers so I hope someone takes care of them in the next round. 

My buddy told me once that its not a hockey game unless there are fights, and he was pissed off when the NHL tried to eliminate them from the sport entirely. The sad part is I actually agree, I believe half the stick and elbowing to the heads causing the concussion issues are caused by the NHL not letting the players take out their frustrations on a player that pissed them off. I believe they should let them get it out of their systems, because most of the time they do not fight a second time anyway. It does not really slow the pace of the game down, it adds to the entertainment value especially if the fight is a good one. He also hates the 4 on 4 and shootout at the end of overtime, he believed in 5 on 5 and sudden death overtime 20 minutes or until a goal is scored. No points for losing in overtime or shootout, because why should a team be rewarded for losing? Bring back Center Ice and the two line pass, so that teams like the Penguins can cherry pick and score easy goals. Make the goalies fair game if they come out of the crease, and eliminate that blue patch that protects them. If you notice, they use their sticks as well as the position players on opposing players in front of the net and should not be protected like they are the superstar players most goalies aren't in the first place. Finally, stop protecting the superstar players like they are Gods, and make them fair game also. They seem to get penalties called by the refs if the opposing team touches them, if you make them accountable for their actions then maybe players like Daniel Sedin will not swing his stick or take liberties on others. He clearly got what he deserved, and a few years back he would have got the crap kicked out of him and the other player involved would not have been suspended for getting his revenge.....

As I close out my blog, I will say one more thing get rid of the Designated Hitter. The reason the pitchers are getting away with intentionally hitting opposing batters in the American League is there is no course of retribution other than the opposing pitcher hitting a member of their team which normally results in a ESPN highlight the next day. When I was growing up, if you threw at a player you had better put catcher's equipment on because Tom Seaver or Nolan Ryan was going to bust your ribs the next time you batted.....

Thank you for reading my post, hope you enjoyed my rants and raves...

Where did this weather come from?? Do you know your friends?? Really?? Two legends retire?? New Jersey Nets?? What, the Nets?? Yep. Even a Military Fly-by. All this in this weeks edition of……..

I got up Monday, went outside and came back into the house wondering who the hell turned up the air-conditioning outside?? It was cold. But, as a transplant New Yorker, I went back outside in my shorts and t-shirt and went about doing my errands for the day.

It was in the 40’s in Jacksonville, Florida, well below the temperatures it has been during the months of February and March. We have had an unusually warm winter, with no threat of hurricanes this season. Wow, remarkable.

If your up North, sorry about the snow storms, especially in Ithaca, New York. They got hit bad.

Do you really know your friends???

He’s not a sports personality, nor is he an athlete. None of you know this individual. His name is Sean, and he is a mail handler where I work at. I have talked to him while on a break or at lunch, from time-to-time. He seemed liked a nice guy until last Monday. On April 16^th Sean robbed the Sun Trust bank on Beach Blvd in Jacksonville, Fl. He walked up to a teller, gave her a note that said “I am armed.” The teller gave him money and he left the bank. Sean, on a tip from an individual who seen his picture in the Florida-Times Union, was arrested on Tuesday. Everyone at work was shocked, as this individual seemed to be a nice person. One of our co-workers lived across the street from him and he seemed okay outside of work. That is a picture of him robbing the bank.

What I am leading to is that regardless of whether a person is a athlete, coach or your own neighbor or friend for a long time, you can possibly never really know the individual as well as you think.

Major League Baseball and the players’ association have informed teams and agents that there will no longer approve personal-service deals and special “milestone” bonus clauses in future contracts with players and teams. A-Rod, Albert Pujols and Ryan Zimmerman have contracts with either milestone clauses and/or personal-service clause.

Congratulations go out to the Cincinnati Reds who won their 10,000 game in franchise history. The Reds join the Cubs, Giants, Dodgers, Braves and Cardinals.

I didn’t do anything!! Yeah right.

Thug Metta World Peace better get a big suspension for his flagrant foul on Hayden. I don’t give a flying pig, what Kobe says or anyone of the so-called NBA analysts say about how Metta World Peace is such a nice guy. The guy is a thug and should be dealt with. Take a look at the clip.

His new name should be Metta Thug You!!

In case we forget, how about Ron Arrest, oops Artest going into the stands.

David Stern issued a 7 game suspension for Metta World Peace. Not a big enough statement. Suspend him for the rest of the season, that would have said something to him and the players in the league.

He is considered one of the greatest to ever play his position. Denver Bronco Safety, Brian Dawkins, announced his retirement after playing 16 years in the NFL. No one played longer at safety than Brian. The “Wolverine” played for the Eagles and Broncos and finished his career with 17 fumble recoveries, 26 sacks, 37 interceptions, 42 forced fumbles (most ever by a defensive back), and 98 pass breakups. Dawkins was named to the NFL’s All-Decade team of the 2000’s and had nine Pro Bowls.

Our hats off to Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez who retires after a 21-year career with the Texas Rangers, Florida Marlins, Detroit Tigers, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Houston Astro and Washington Nationals. He had 2,844 hits, 311 homeruns and 1,332 RBI’s. An MVP winner in 1999, Pudge also won 10 straight Gold Gloves and went to 10 consecutive all-star games.

New Jersey Nets played their last game in New Jersey this past Monday. As a Net fan from their days in the ABA, I am glad they are leaving the State. The Nets should have never left Long Island, but at least they are coming home. Okay, maybe not on Long Island where they played their first season in the NBA, but to Brooklyn New York, which will only be a LIRR away.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie wished the Nets "good riddance" on their way to Brooklyn. To that I say kiss my ass. You and your sorry ass State could have supported the team for all these years. Even though the Nets suck, when they had the two great teams that went to the Finals they didn’t draw until the Finals. So keep inhaling the foul smelling shit that comes out of Elizabeth, New Jersey.

During my time in the military, I have seen many air-shows and fly-bys. But never have I seen anything quite like this. Check out this fly-by..

Til Next Time

Scott

Name changes, Jim Quits, catch of the year, and more in this edition of Rants and Raves.

Ron Artest is trying to have his name changed. Yep, you read it right. His attorney’s filed a petition in Los Angeles Superior Court, last week, seeking the name change. His new name he is requesting, Metta World Peace. He has done charitable work on mental health issues, and he has testified before Congress to support legislation concerning mental health care.

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I Quit!!!!

Okay so he was turning the Nationals around. But why do this?? What a team player former Washington Nationals manager Jim Riggleman is. He quit his team when he resigned, last Thursday, because he felt Nationals ownership wasn’t committed to him for more than the current season. Could you imagine Albert Pujols did this. He is at the end of his contract. What a loser Riggleman is. I hope he never gets a job in baseball again.

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This has got to be the catch of the year…Watch this video and see….

Outstanding catch. God bless this Vet.

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What has happened to American tennis?? Where is the talent?? This country use to dominate the Tennis world. Now, we are nothing more than runner-ups, and even that’s not true. Once the Williams sisters retire there is nothing on the women’s side. There is nothing on the men’s side who can dominate. Andy Roddick has to be the most overrated American men’s player ever. Oh well, at least the foreign women are cute, and I sure do like it when Maria gunts.

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Speaking of tennis, Roger Federer lost in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 5 sets. But what was amazing to this point was going into this match Rogers was an outlandish 178-0 when he was up two set to none in a tournament. That’s greatness.

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 Speaking of what happened. Where are the American golfer’s??? You would think winning a tournament which can earn you over $1 million dollars a week more people would get involved. With sponsors, and earnings an above average player can rake in $5 million easy.

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Congratulations go to the South Carolina Gamecocks (55-14), who won the NCCA baseball tournament to become a two-time National Champion. In the process, they went 10-0 in the tournament, and with streaks of 16 NCAA tournament wins and 11 straight in the CWS are both records.

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I want to wish all the Gabbers, a wonderful 4^th of July. We are having a cook-out on July 3^rd, when most of the family is off from work.