Good Guy Leaving Chargers For Promotion

SignOnSanDiego.com > San Diego Chargers -- Linebackers coach bolting to 49ers

Greg Manusky is part of our community but will be leaving for a great opportunity with the San Francisco 49ers. I don't know Greg but I know a lot of folks who do. Greg did do me a favor when I was umpiring my first game behind home plate; my padding wasn't on correctly and he helped me fix it. Best of luck to Greg.

Fun With Youth Sports

This happened at our sports park the other day:

Seems a grandfather took exception to something one of the other fathers said about one of the players on their football team (the player in question apparently not belonging to either of the “gentlemen” involved in the discussion). By the time I noticed what was going on, they were in the process of one upping each other as to who was going to more effectively beat up the other (The Grandfather was offering up the other player’s father, who apparently was not present at the time). I walked between them and suggested that this wasn’t appropriate behavior in front of the players (several of whom were standing around watching). The grandfather turned around and left. The father stayed where he was for a while, putting some distance between them.

Shame On MSNBC

Tiger Woods goes out and wins a remarkable British Open and MSNBC's web site (no link for them because they suck today) has a headline about him crying with a big picture of Tiger crying. As everyone knows Tiger's father died pretty recently. Of course Tiger will have a ton of emotions but why can't "they" just leave that alone. Celebrate the victory but don't exploit Tiger's emotions. Bravo, Tiger Woods!

My Token World Cup Report

Link from Drudge

BREITBART.COM - Italy Beats France for 4th World Cup Title

Italy let France do nearly anything it wanted Sunday, except win the World Cup. That belongs to the Azzurri, 5-3 in a shootout after a 1-1 draw.

This may be my only soccer post ever but I've got to comment about World Cup. First of all, I love the idea of real world championships such as what soccer has. I'm glad baseball now has the World Baseball Classic. I enjoy seeing countries rooting on their teams.

Now the bad.... having a soccer championship decided by penalty kicks is like having the World Series decided by a home run derby. Play sudden death overtime until someone gets a goal.

The worst part is the horrible display of sportsmanship by French captain Zinedine Zidane. In overtime he headbutted an opponent in the chest and got ejected. I guess he's some legendary soccer guy but he really screwed that up and is a French national disgrace.

Winter Olympics 2006

I don't think I've watched as much Winter Olympics since about 1984 as I have this year. I initially only watched because my 11 year old was curious. I've enjoyed some of the speed skating (both short and long track) despite the behavior of some of the Americans, the traditional skiing (don't really care about the acrobatic type stuff) and the ski jumping. The medals sure are ugly though!

Poker on ESPN

My son had a great observation at dinne tonight; he asked why does ESPN show Poker but not surfing. That's a very great question. Why the heck is poker on any sports channel at all? It's not a sport! Put it somewhere else but not ESPN. Surfing is an amazing sport and beats the heck out of poker, that's for sure.

Bayless on Annika

ESPN.com: Page 2 : Join the men, Annika

I say go for it, Annika. Do it the right way. Go to Q-School in the fall and earn your PGA card. Work through the first-tournament jitters. Let the hype die down. See if you can relax and win.

This would be a real story and some real pioneering. That would be worthy of some real news. Her beating the heck out of other women means she's a great woman golfer. Does she want more?

"Annika Sorenstam is not a female, golfer, she is a golfer" - NOT!

ESPN.com - GOLF - Sirak: Appreciation day

If Sorenstam wins this U.S. Women's Open under the kind of pressure she has placed upon herself, and against the quality of competition she faces this week, she not only will be three-quarters of the way to the Grand Slam but also should be well on her way to being recognized as the dominant athlete she is. The tendency is to define achievement narrowly, place it in a convenient category and put it on what's deemed to be its proper shelf. But make no mistake about it: Annika Sorenstam is not a female golfer, she is a golfer. The voyage of personal discovery she embarks on this week will be well worth the watch. Enjoy it now. Future generations certainly will when they look back on Sorenstam's achievements and wish they had seen her play.

At the risk of being called a sexist pig, if Annika Sorenstram wants to be known as more than just an amazing woman golfer, she needs to play in the PGA. I'm tired of ESPN trying to push this story. Of course there is a confict for them since they are broadcasting a ton of women's golf. BTW, can Tiger Woods go play in the LPGA? Imagine if that happened! Sure, I am impressed that Annika is dominating women's golf but to have the "great woman golfer" label removed she needs to go play in the PGA and dominate there.

Kobayashi Eats 53.5 Dogs

ESPN.com - GEN - Top dog: Kobayashi sets wiener-eating record

The Michael Jordan of eating strikes again.

I Surfed Today

After 11+ years I finally got back into the ocean with my good friend Kirk who's out for a conference from San Antonio. Thanks to my pastor I was able to find some surf racks for my SUV for cheap. I was just excited to get in the water again. The wet suit was a bit tight (I've had it for over 12 years) and I forgot to wax my board (an 8'6" G&S that I got about 12 years ago also) so it was a bit slippery out there. There was a nasty little riptide and too much kelp. Despite all this I was actually able to get up on my board for a few seconds. I didn't expect that to happen so I'm pretty jacked.

Great stuff and we're going again before Kirk goes back to Texas.

Adult Dodgeball!

FOXNews.com - Foxlife - Dodgeball's a Hit With Adults

How cool is this? As long as Big Unit isn't on the opposite team.

Eli Manning is Smart Avoiding the Chargers

ESPN.com - NFL/DRAFT04 - Papa Manning to Chargers: Don't draft my son

The Chargers are one of the worst franchises in sports. The owner is all about fleecing San Diego (and probably moving to LA) and the head coach is horrible with quarterbacks in his career. As a San Diegan it would be great to have Eli Manning as the QB but as a sports fan I want to see him do well. The Chargers, as the franchise stands now, will probably wreck a great career.

The Masters

I'm not the biggest golf fan but I started watching The Masters about when Els was on the 13th hole. The hour that I watched was one of the greatest sporting events I've ever seen on TV. I had to leave when Mickelson was on the 17th to go to Easter dinner (priorities!). I was so glad Mickelson won. An amazing bit of golf by lots of different players. I'll be watching more golf, that's for sure.

Poker on ESPN

I just can't believe that I'm seeing poker playing on ESPN. Well, I guess if they can have a Spelling Bee then anything is possible. The only thing worse is ESPN's attempt at a "reality" show with the tryouts to host Sports Center.

Bring on Baseball

This coming Super Bowl may be the least anticipated one in history. I can't wait until pitchers and catchers report.

Which Trophy Would You Want?

I'll take the one on the left!

He Didn't Even Have a Playbook?

ESPN.com - NFL - Hoge: About more than money

I don't follow football as much as I used to but this article about Steve Spurrier quiting as head coach of the Washington Redskins caught my eye. I thought it would be a nice article about how Spurrier left for higher reasons for money. The bottom line, he took the money and ran. He didn't even have a playbook. If it's not about the money then he needs to give some back.