As an athlete who endured the sting and shame of an 0-20 season, I may be qualified to talk about how awful losing feels. Jo-Jo Reyes of the Toronto Blue Jays found his way into a terrible losing streak with a 3 year winless streak that tied the record for most consecutive losses as a baseball pitcher at 28 games. With the drive to put more people in the stands it is a wonder he made it that far without being unceremoniously vanquished to a career of minor league anonymity.
He did get a Gatorade Shower It had to be the best shower ever because that kind of losing is torturous. A huge sigh of relief occured as Jo Jo took the wind out of the Cleveland Indians sail with an 11-1 win.
As an athlete that has experienced that degree of losing, I was relieved for Reyes and happy that he has been able to turn the corner and see some daylight because his days were dark. He probably had a very heavy heart and was emotionally drained. Although a gatorade shower to celebrate the end of a long losing streak seems ridiculous, I am ecstatic that he was able to see his way through this. Afterall, not many major league baseball pitchers survice an 0-28 run. Stuffing the American League leading Indians is only iceing on the cake. I hope he goes on a run of 28 wins at this point. You can do it Jo-Jo! I am rooting for you!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Deja Vu-Hockey Puck To The Leg Could Have Been Fatal
At the beginning of this week a friend came in to work after taking an ice hockey puck to the calf area at about 100 plus miles an hour. I bet you are saying to yourself, "That has got to hurt". You would be right!
The reason I bring this up is many years ago, the TKE Tau Rho Chapter at Cal State University San Marcos almost lost Brian Vitek. Taking a trip down memory lane, Brian suddenly fell ill with a blood clot traveling to his lung and almost taking his life. Brian would tell you that doctors indicated that it was entirely possible that an injury resulting in taking a puck to the leg was likely to be the culprit. It is scary because I saw Brian in the hospital and it was a close call.
The advice I gave Jesse, who came into the office was to get that checked out and that was largely because I had seen this all before. Jesse is a guys guy and of course his view of life and injuries all revolve around the hey" I will just tough it out mentality". As Jesse experienced more pain, he did heed the warning and go get an MRI which confirmed a big blood clot and the statement by a doctor that the consequences of not seeking medical attention could have been dire. Experience has helped me protect someone I care about. I would not wish a blood clot on anyone but Brian's experience and triumphant return to health has given us all an opportunity to help somene that has sustained a leg industry like this, go get medical intention immediately. This story may indeed help you save a life! Pass it on!
The reason I bring this up is many years ago, the TKE Tau Rho Chapter at Cal State University San Marcos almost lost Brian Vitek. Taking a trip down memory lane, Brian suddenly fell ill with a blood clot traveling to his lung and almost taking his life. Brian would tell you that doctors indicated that it was entirely possible that an injury resulting in taking a puck to the leg was likely to be the culprit. It is scary because I saw Brian in the hospital and it was a close call.
The advice I gave Jesse, who came into the office was to get that checked out and that was largely because I had seen this all before. Jesse is a guys guy and of course his view of life and injuries all revolve around the hey" I will just tough it out mentality". As Jesse experienced more pain, he did heed the warning and go get an MRI which confirmed a big blood clot and the statement by a doctor that the consequences of not seeking medical attention could have been dire. Experience has helped me protect someone I care about. I would not wish a blood clot on anyone but Brian's experience and triumphant return to health has given us all an opportunity to help somene that has sustained a leg industry like this, go get medical intention immediately. This story may indeed help you save a life! Pass it on!
Jim Buss-The New Laker Dictator
So the word in the press is that Jim Buss, son of Laker's owner Jerry Buss, made the decision to hire Mike Brown. Let me preface my coming negative sentiments about this situation as an Outside Laker Fan Looking In by saying that I like Mike Brown and believe he could succeed as a Laker Coach.
What I am concerned by is the fact that the Laker reigns are being handed over to Jim. I believe Jeanie Buss has better business acumen and has better skills to be the Laker Family Leader and decision maker. News reports have indicated that Jim is the guy and that he was the one responsible for the coaching hire. Laker fans have also been told that Kobe Bryant was not consulted on the hire. This is not fair for either Coach Brown or Kobe who openly pined for Brian Shaw as Phil Jackson's replacement. If Jim was smart, he would have consulted Kobe and had Mike Brown and Kobe speak before the hire but noooooooo, Jim had to puff his chest out and exert his impending coronation as Laker Leader and hire Mike without doing either. This is a dis-service to Kobe and Mike Brown. We now have a capable young Coach who may have Kobe take his slight in the hiring process out on the him and that does not benefit Coach Brown, the Laker Team and the Organization.
There is a small window left with Kobe Bryant. It is hard to understand why Jim would do what he did. There is nothing wrong with the hire. Mike is an intelligent, motivating and demanding coach. He is a defensive minded coach and that is good for the Lakers. I just wish that this was handled in a way that did not put Kobe and team and Coach Mike Brown in such an avoidable, awkward situation.
I hope this works out, but if Jim continues to make decisions with the sole goal of proving who's the man, then the Laker Organization may find the turmoil it found after shipping Shaquille O'Neal to the Heat. As a Laker fan, I don't want any part of that!
What I am concerned by is the fact that the Laker reigns are being handed over to Jim. I believe Jeanie Buss has better business acumen and has better skills to be the Laker Family Leader and decision maker. News reports have indicated that Jim is the guy and that he was the one responsible for the coaching hire. Laker fans have also been told that Kobe Bryant was not consulted on the hire. This is not fair for either Coach Brown or Kobe who openly pined for Brian Shaw as Phil Jackson's replacement. If Jim was smart, he would have consulted Kobe and had Mike Brown and Kobe speak before the hire but noooooooo, Jim had to puff his chest out and exert his impending coronation as Laker Leader and hire Mike without doing either. This is a dis-service to Kobe and Mike Brown. We now have a capable young Coach who may have Kobe take his slight in the hiring process out on the him and that does not benefit Coach Brown, the Laker Team and the Organization.
There is a small window left with Kobe Bryant. It is hard to understand why Jim would do what he did. There is nothing wrong with the hire. Mike is an intelligent, motivating and demanding coach. He is a defensive minded coach and that is good for the Lakers. I just wish that this was handled in a way that did not put Kobe and team and Coach Mike Brown in such an avoidable, awkward situation.
I hope this works out, but if Jim continues to make decisions with the sole goal of proving who's the man, then the Laker Organization may find the turmoil it found after shipping Shaquille O'Neal to the Heat. As a Laker fan, I don't want any part of that!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)