This is really tough for me to write as I start to tear up and shake while I type this message. This is not just another friend, brother, or son we are missing. It is a man with desire, passion, and determination for everything he does. He loved his family and his friends and I remember Diesel telling us the stories of his mother backing him up at sporting events. These are the classic times that we will remember with Riley.
Another thing. I feel like I have to write this because of a couple reasons. One, because I am on Facebook 24/7 right now looking up pictures that people have put up and all the notes people are writing, plus all the messages on his wall. It kills me to see a person from our grad class, especially Riley Delaney, pass on. When I got the phone call saying that Riley past away I was in complete shock, as everybody was. "Really? Is this happening? Riley? The man I hugged, shared grad with and shared some of the most amazing memories with is not here anymore?" It is surreal isn't it? To think about this?
As soon as I get back in my dorm room, I immediately think about Riley. I go on Facebook, look through his photos, videos, and comments, and just start tearing up. Especially the videos. Wow, the man is truly one in a trillion.
I'm sure all of North Delta is hurt from this tragedy. The guy knew everybody and everybody knew him. He is a hero and is the nicest fullback/linebacker anyone knows. And by everything I have read and seen, this is the truth.
My condolences go out to the Delaney family. One of the strongest families I know but even the Delaney's are going through a rough time right now.
Perspective comes out from Riley's passing. School? Sports? Money? No. Relationships matter. Friends matter. Family matters.
Diesel. You were and still are one of a kind. A guy that we could joke with, have serious talks with, get pumped up with, party with, and be friends with. You are truly one of a kind Diesel. I know you will be looking down on us, giving us an odd lucky break or two. You have one the biggest hearts and everyone knows that. And you know how you said that we'll party when I get back? Well, when I get up there with you my friend, everyone knows we will.
To Diesel.
The man, the friend, the brother, the son.
We love you bro. "Left Side. Strong Side."
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
There's the Big Ticket, and then there's the Classic Raincheck
I am talking about Kevin Garnett and Glen "Big Slob" Davis. I have a lot of respect for "Big Baby." A lot of us saw his profile on ESPN where they talked about his rough childhood with his mother being a drug addict and a prostitute. So what Davis has done is truly remarkable coming from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He had to be a role model for his two sisters. But, when it comes to basketball, I am not his biggest fan.
At Louisiana State University, Big Baby was an icon. He dominated games with his 6'9", 300 lbs. stature. In his sophomore year, Davis was on the All-American Second Team and won the SEC Player of the Year. Because of his size, he dominated the young college players and did all his work inside. He averaged 17.7 points and 10.4 rebounds in that sophomore year. However, Davis quickly found out that the players in the NBA are that much bigger, stronger, and faster.
These are the reasons why Glen Davis should be riding the pine, so to speak, for most NBA teams. First of all, his shot is awful. He shoots the ball like Shaquille O'Neal and hey, even Shaq can make the odd outside shot. Second of all, he is not Kevin Garnett. Since Garnett was injured and likely not playing the rest of the season, the Celtics and Boston fans were leaning on Big Baby. I know nobody is going to argue this point but after he hit the game winning shot in game four, everybody thought he was the savior and because of him, they were going to win the series. Even Lebron was on the Big Baby bandwagon saying that the 'Celtics are going to be tough because of Rondo and Big Baby.' In addition, Davis takes way too many shots for the size that he is. I believe he has realized he cannot dominate in the NBA and tried to develop a shot. I say give the ball to your superstars, aka Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, and even Eddie House and Stephon Marbury.
Now it is time to back this up with stats. The best game, arguably, that the Celtics had was game two against the Magic. Davis took smarts shots, only taking five shots, making four, and went five for six at the line ending up with 13 points and more importantly winning by 18. Also, in game five against Chicago, Big Baby went 7 for 11 from the field and and 7 for 8 at the line in 41 minutes of action, getting the win. This is the most shots Glen Davis should be taking. He should definitely not be shooting twenty shots a game.
Thank goodness for next season when I don't have to see Davis' ugly shot twenty times a game and the best power forward comes back to play for the 17 time Larry O'Brien Trophy winners, the Boston Celtics. Glen Davis, you are a great guy but you will always be an average NBA player who won a championship or two.
Lastly, directed right toward Big Baby and to change the quote of Tom Hanks in A League of Their Own, "There's no crying in basketball."
At Louisiana State University, Big Baby was an icon. He dominated games with his 6'9", 300 lbs. stature. In his sophomore year, Davis was on the All-American Second Team and won the SEC Player of the Year. Because of his size, he dominated the young college players and did all his work inside. He averaged 17.7 points and 10.4 rebounds in that sophomore year. However, Davis quickly found out that the players in the NBA are that much bigger, stronger, and faster.
These are the reasons why Glen Davis should be riding the pine, so to speak, for most NBA teams. First of all, his shot is awful. He shoots the ball like Shaquille O'Neal and hey, even Shaq can make the odd outside shot. Second of all, he is not Kevin Garnett. Since Garnett was injured and likely not playing the rest of the season, the Celtics and Boston fans were leaning on Big Baby. I know nobody is going to argue this point but after he hit the game winning shot in game four, everybody thought he was the savior and because of him, they were going to win the series. Even Lebron was on the Big Baby bandwagon saying that the 'Celtics are going to be tough because of Rondo and Big Baby.' In addition, Davis takes way too many shots for the size that he is. I believe he has realized he cannot dominate in the NBA and tried to develop a shot. I say give the ball to your superstars, aka Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, and even Eddie House and Stephon Marbury.
Now it is time to back this up with stats. The best game, arguably, that the Celtics had was game two against the Magic. Davis took smarts shots, only taking five shots, making four, and went five for six at the line ending up with 13 points and more importantly winning by 18. Also, in game five against Chicago, Big Baby went 7 for 11 from the field and and 7 for 8 at the line in 41 minutes of action, getting the win. This is the most shots Glen Davis should be taking. He should definitely not be shooting twenty shots a game.
Thank goodness for next season when I don't have to see Davis' ugly shot twenty times a game and the best power forward comes back to play for the 17 time Larry O'Brien Trophy winners, the Boston Celtics. Glen Davis, you are a great guy but you will always be an average NBA player who won a championship or two.
Lastly, directed right toward Big Baby and to change the quote of Tom Hanks in A League of Their Own, "There's no crying in basketball."
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Royality in KC
Zack Greinke is a stud in Kansas City. The 25 year old not only has started 6-1, losing his last start, but the Royals are leading the central division in the American League. Look at these numbers. Greinke's ERA is a minuscule 0.51, he lost his first game this season in his last start and only let up one run, he has completed four out of seven starts, and he has 59 strikeouts compared to his 8 walks. This guy is on fire.
But that is not what makes Greinke a man to talk about. The 6'2", 200 lbs. right hander, hailing from Orlando, Florida had Social Anxiety Disorder and found this out early in his days as a Major League pitcher. The talented pitcher would throw 95, even 96 mph in practice and when he would start for the Royals Greinke would throw anywhere from 84-89, with his fastball. That is what makes this kid so special.
Every coach in the organization told him to let it go. Just let it go. Which was probably right in most cases, but not Greinke's. But it got worse than this. He started throwing 50 mph curveballs and in the next spring training, he could not even concentrate on pitching and baseball. This was in 2006 and right then in spring training, he told the Royals coaching staff that he had to get away from baseball.
This made Greinke the pitcher he is today. He came back late in the 2006 season, with new medications that were working great, but pitched in only three games and he realized that baseball is just a game. And in 2007, he was back. In one story, before one game, one of his teammates was asked where Zack was just before gametime. His response: "He's probably sleeping somewhere." He then went 7-7 in 2007 and 13-10 in 2008 on a bad Royals team.
Remember, in whatever sport or game you play, it is just a game. And when adversity hits you, you can get through it with hard work and making the right choices, just like the potential 2009 Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke. I wish Greinke the best of luck the rest of the season and the rest of his career. He deserves it.
But that is not what makes Greinke a man to talk about. The 6'2", 200 lbs. right hander, hailing from Orlando, Florida had Social Anxiety Disorder and found this out early in his days as a Major League pitcher. The talented pitcher would throw 95, even 96 mph in practice and when he would start for the Royals Greinke would throw anywhere from 84-89, with his fastball. That is what makes this kid so special.
Every coach in the organization told him to let it go. Just let it go. Which was probably right in most cases, but not Greinke's. But it got worse than this. He started throwing 50 mph curveballs and in the next spring training, he could not even concentrate on pitching and baseball. This was in 2006 and right then in spring training, he told the Royals coaching staff that he had to get away from baseball.
This made Greinke the pitcher he is today. He came back late in the 2006 season, with new medications that were working great, but pitched in only three games and he realized that baseball is just a game. And in 2007, he was back. In one story, before one game, one of his teammates was asked where Zack was just before gametime. His response: "He's probably sleeping somewhere." He then went 7-7 in 2007 and 13-10 in 2008 on a bad Royals team.
Remember, in whatever sport or game you play, it is just a game. And when adversity hits you, you can get through it with hard work and making the right choices, just like the potential 2009 Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke. I wish Greinke the best of luck the rest of the season and the rest of his career. He deserves it.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Hockey in America
Americans and Hockey. It is like the sport does not even exist. I came from Hockey 24/7 to no Hockey at all. No one in America follows it nor do they care at all. I do not understand this one bit. For one, Hockey is the fastest sport in the world. They are going up and down the ice constantly and there is a reason why the guys are only out there for 45 seconds at a time. They are giving it all they got for that short period of time. Another thing I don't understand is that Hockey is a very violent sport and Americans love violence. Football is the most violent sport and Football is like Hockey in Canada, it is on the sports channels all the time. Comcast even showed the spring Football game at the University of Oregon! Also, UFC is one of the fastest growing sports and everybody loves it because of its blood and brutality. Lastly, I do not think people realize how athletic a person has to be to play Hockey. They are agile, they are extremely strong, and how many people in this world can deflect a 100 mph slapshot into 6' by 4' net?
So all I'm asking is maybe when Matthew Barnaby or Barry Melrose talks on Sportscenter or the Penguins and Capitals are playing on Versus, just take a second, watch, and just maybe you'll like it.
So all I'm asking is maybe when Matthew Barnaby or Barry Melrose talks on Sportscenter or the Penguins and Capitals are playing on Versus, just take a second, watch, and just maybe you'll like it.
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