A Game Like No Other

I've been coaching baseball for six years now. Over that time, I've seen and experienced it all ... the highs and lows ... especially when you're dealing with kids aged 5-11.

Yesterday, however, was a game like no other.

Our team of 11-13 year olds was invited to shadow a group of kids that participate in our league's VIP team. These are all special-needs children, as many of them are either blind, physically or mentally challenged, etc.
They played a game and our kids assisted them in running the bases, catching, throwing, and making plays.

It was a beautiful and rewarding experience for all of us that participated. To see our kids embrace the opportunity and rise to the occasion was truly special. To see our family members in the stands become emotional was very moving. That paled in comparison to seeing the smiles on these kids faces, the determination in their moves, and the overall fun they had just being out there, on a Saturday morning, experiencing just a bit of what we all take for granted.

I hope the experience stays with our kids for as long as I'll remember it, and I hope we have the honor and privilege of being invited back next season. Maybe your league has a similar program... I highly recommend getting involved.

A Few Favorite Blogs

If you take a look on the right column, you'll see a list of some blogs I'm reading. These are just a few of the interesting ones. I'm using Google Reader to keep track of them all, and it really works well.

What are you reading? Post a comment and let me know.

Public Transportation is Fun and Educational

That sounds like something Mr. Rogers would have said, preceded by "OK boys and girls...."

But seriously folks...

I was born in the city, (Philadelphia) and after moving to the suburbs, (New Jersey) spent a lot of time back in the city (New York). I like the city. I like the hustle and bustle (what is bustle anyway?). I like the energy. I like the pace. I like how there are tons of people all doing their own thing but they are still somehow in it together. I like the character, the quirks, the personality of a city.

As far back as I can remember, I've been into buses. Maybe it's because when I was born, we lived in a high-rise apartment and we had a bus that took us into town. It was fun.

Los Angeles is the antithesis of just about everything I just said. I've been interested in the past 10-15 years how our local transit authority, the MTA, has been trying to reinvent itself. To their credit, they've greatly expanded their network. Now there are busways, subways, and light rail lines that cover a pretty good portion of Southern California.

When the busway opened, Matthew and I took a ride. He seemed to enjoy it and it was a neat new experience for him. Same for the subway. On the Metro Red Line, each station has a different theme, and the artwork is really interesting. It's also good for him to learn how to operate the fare machine, how to read the map, where to get off, etc. Do I walk up those steps or down these? Stuff like that. It's invaluable.

We parked at Warner Center, and rode the busway to the Lankershim Metro Station, and then took the Red Line to 7th Street / Metro Center, transferred to the Blue Line, and got off at the Pico Station. We were across the street from the Convention Center / Staples Center. Yeah we might have driven there in less time. But, it was on a Friday, and i didn't want to have to deal with traffic and parking. And, the experience was worth much, much more.

Then, there are the people.

Yes, we live a pretty sheltered existence in suburbia. This is not how the real world lives. Not everyone has a new car (or a car at all for that matter). Not everyone wears the latest fashions. Not everyone eats out all the time. And, not everyone is white.

It's important for the kids not to live in a bubble. On the bus and subway, we were in the minority for sure. We saw young people in suits, people in wheelchairs, older people carrying groceries, and plenty of women on their way home from work that looked probably 10-15 years older than they really were. They looked rundown, sad, and going through the motions. It's good to be around people different than you ... teaches you how to co-exist with others and accept people for who they are. It also (hopefully) teaches you to be thankful for what you have rather than whine and complain about what you don't have.

If you live in the Valley and are going downtown, take Metro. If you're looking for something to do on a weekend day, take your kids for a ride. If they've never been on a city bus or subway, their eyes will open to the world around them and you'll give them a lesson in life worth much more than your $1.25 pass.

LA Auto Show

I've attended the auto show pretty much every year since I was a kid. As a lifelong car enthusiast, it's great to be able to walk around and scrutinize every car without the car salesman vultures hovering over you, wanting to know "what will it take to get you in this car today?"

This year felt different. After all, not only is the economy in the toilet, but so is the auto industry, and in a very big way. With the Big 3 (we need a new name for them because they aren't exactly big anymore) on life support, I wanted to get a sense of how the mood was this year. So .. here are some "random thoughts" from the LA Auto Show.

- Considering I was there on opening day, the attendance was down substantially. Even in the one smaller room with Rolls Royce, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, etc. where it's almost impossible to move, there was plenty of elbow room in there. And, something just felt strange looking at a $430,255 Rolls Royce these days.

- The displays were more like regular trade show displays. Not many were flashy. While Mercedes had a display, it lacked the pizazz of earlier years. No technological highlights. Just the cars, for the most part.

- Toyota had what felt like the largest display. And, if you add Lexus and Scion in the mix, it felt like it took up almost half of the main hall. A lot was focused on hybrids. Scion is cool. Their display is very "hip" as is their marketing strategy. Why can't the domestic makers do this kind of thing? Toyota is what GM was and should have become. A car in every price range, for every niche, and it's the best car in it's class. Look at a Toyota Corolla. Better built and "feels" better than a Buick costing 3 times as much.

- Buick was depressing. Kinda funny to see one of those models tout the features of their "newest" SUV or crossover, or whatever the hell they call them now.... since the car has been out for at least 2 years already. There were maybe 3 people watching her, and less than 10 in the whole display. Why is GM dead? Just take a look at Buick ... there is no reason for that division.

- Interesting seeing Smart next to Hummer. (not dignifying with a link). Hummer had a very small display and man... you've gotta be one helluva salesman to move one of those beasts these days.

- Pontiac G8 is a neat car, and the G8 GXP is a monster.. Corvette engine. But, it was up on a turntable by itself. You had no way of getting close to the car.

- Every GM division's display was pretty standard-fare. Even Cadillac, the "star" of GM, had the CTS-V off by itself and locked. Makes no sense.

- Ford is offering a $50 MasterCard debit card to anyone who wants to come in and test-drive a car. If I accept it, and they get the loan they are looking for, am I essentially paying myself? How come Toyota and Honda don't have to resort to paying people to test drive? Ford was touting the Fusion Hybrid. Sit inside one. Better than the old Taurus, but the thing still has that rental car feel. Now go sit inside an Accord or Camry. Game over.

- Honda had a really cool concept sports-car and their new Prius-fighter hybrid. Better looking than Prius, and knowing Honda, will be more driver-oriented. Should be a winner.

- Acura is weird. I still love the original Legend and Coupe from 1988, but it seems that while Lexus and Infiniti have carved out their niche and identity, Acura hasn't. One thing really holding them back is no V8. The TL is their bread-and-butter car. Have you seen the new one? Holy shit... it's got to be of the ugliest cars i've seen in a long time. Honda is known as being very conservative, but they went to the extreme in the other direction with this car. Take a look at the front and back end.

- A lot of interest in the new BMW 7-series. Big improvements inside, but the exterior is still rather austere. The M3 may have the best steering wheel I've ever felt in a production car.

- I love Audi. It may be the one company where I really like every model they put out. Sat in an A8L. Wow. Not as fluid as a Mercedes, but really well-done. Love Audi styling.

- The Infiniti G37 convertible is gorgeous. (In full disclosure, I drive an Infiniti). What got me is how it looks with the top up ... it looks better than the coupe because the rear side window is more rounded on the convertible, and gives it a more classic coupe look. I'm not a big convertible guy in terms of wanting to own one as a daily driver, but I'd consider one of those.

- Matthew liked the VW CC, which is sort of a poor man's Mercedes CLS. Very nicely done inside, and the styling is really pretty. Pretty? Yeah... the CLS and the CC are feminine-looking cars. Poor VW though... great cars, but since the Japanese arrived, they have never been able to compete. Note to VW ... on that shark-tail antenna thing on the roof... make it body-color like everyone else. Seeing it in black on a white car just doesn't work.

- The star of the show? Ferrari California? Nope... it's the Hyundai Genesis! Huh? Yeah.... remember back in the early 90's when the Lexus LS400 came out, and people were wondering if you'd spend $38K on a Toyota? Well, Hyundai is going to get you to wonder why you'd spend $65K on a Lexus when you can have a V8, nice conservative styling, great quality, loaded to the gills... all for $41K. Yeah it's a Hyundai. Not a Bimmer or Benz. Or even a Lexus or Infiniti. Get over it. I've seen a few on the freeway and it looks and feels better in person.

- Then of course downstairs are all of the guys selling wheels, conversions, toys, books, cleansers, and all other types of assorted shit. Several empty booths this year. More guys selling model cars... although they all had pretty much the same selection.

It was a fun show, and great going with Matthew. We were there for at least 6 hours, and he loves getting into and checking out all of the car's features. Walking through one of the halls, he asked if I wanted to see Chrysler. I said under my breath that next year, there might not be a Chrysler anymore. We did walk through their display to get to the next hall, and there was a sticker on each car that said "Wi-fi". Does each model have wifi? How about making a bigger deal about it. Lame. Until next year ... will be interesting to see how the industry will change over the next 12 months.

If you went to an auto show or are into cars, post a comment and let me know what you think.

World Series prediction

Tough one here.... the Rays are on such a roll right now, but they could be spent from that tough series against the Red Sox.

The Phils beat two relatively weak teams in the playoffs (at least compared to AL teams), and they've had a long layoff.

The big guns for the Phils have been too quiet and you know they are going to wake up at some point.

Being born in Philadelphia and always being an NL fan, I think this just might be the Phillies year. 2 more reasons: 1. I love Citizens Bank Park. 2 I hate the DH.

One more thing... what the hell do you call that surface on the field in Tampa? Sure is hell aint grass... get rid of that stuff. It's an embarrasment.

How many games? (I know you're asking) Well... I want every World Series to go the maximum of 7 games... it makes for great baseball and it makes the off-season that much shorter.

Enjoy!

Shame on the Networks

Now that we've reached the Championship Series in each league, the networks take over for both TV and radio broadcasts.

Baseball has long been known for great local announcers ... from Mel Allen for the Yanks, Red Barber for Brooklyn, Harry Caray for the Cardinals and later the Cubs, Bob Prince for the Pirates .... the list goes on and on. Players come and go, but it's the continuity of the broadcasters that helps you develop a relationship and affection for your team.

It just so happens that this year, the NLCS teams have two of the greatest broadcasters ever.

Since 1971, Harry Kalas has been the voice of the Philadelphia Phillies. Besides his deep voice that you may recognize from his NFL Films work and many commercials, he's coined many catchy sayings over the years that have endeared him to Phillies fans. The team itself has named a restaurant at their ballpark in his honor.

And then there is the legend. For 59 years, yep... 59, Vin Scully has been the voice and the face of the Dodger franchise. He called games in Brooklyn, and has been in LA as long as the Dodgers have. He was voted Sportscaster of the 20th Century. He was named Dodger of the 20th Century, yet never threw a pitch, scored a run, or even donned a uniform. I've written enough about my affection towards him that I won't repeat it here.

My point is that it's such a shame that these legends will be spectators next week. They know their teams intimately. They have the unique perspective that nobody else does. The Phils and Dodgers battled it out several times in some great playoffs during the late 70's, and both were there for it all.

It's probably all about money and contracts, like everything else these days. But, why not do something for the good of the game, for the benefit of the fans. How great would it be for Dodger fans to hear Kalas' great voice ... to hear his unique perspective. Older Phils fans know Vin from the 80's when he was the voice of NBC's Game of the Week, but wouldn't a newer, younger group get a kick out of his knowledge?

Baseball is about history and tradition ... If you're reading ESPN and Fox, let these legends be a part of it!

Ok I was wrong

What an unpredictable and improbable postseason so far.

The White Sox win 2 just to get in and the Rays haven't crashed and
burned ... yet.

The team with the best record in all of baseball is on life support
and they have to win 2 in a row at a place where the home-field
advantage may be the most daunting anywhere.

The Phils are doing pretty much what I expected and I knew that CC's
tank would run dry at some point.

And then there are the Dodgers. The team with injuries. The team with
the shortstop that hasn't played since May. The team where a guy from
AA Jacksonville was the starting third baseman on opening day. The
team who hosted a visiting Manny at the Coliseum in March only to find
him wearing our uniform a few months later. The team with a 20 year
old lefty who would be huge down the stretch. The team with a moody
hall-of-famer second baseman tell the 59-year veteran voice of God
broadcaster that he talks too much. I could go on and on.

It's been a crazy season and it ain't over yet. This kind of stuff us
what makes this game like no other and I plan on enjoying the rest of
the ride, however long it lasts.

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