Second place is "first loser"

I figured it was about time for my first blog entry, and I found a fitting topic.
Ohio sports teams and figures just cannot seem to avoid second place since the beginning of the 2007 calendar.
Let's review:

Jan. 8: Gators beat Buckeyes for NCAA D I-A Football National Championship

Apr. 2: Gators beat Buckeyes for NCAA D I Basketball Championship

June 14: San Antonio Spurs defeat Cleveland Cavaliers for NBA Championship

July 29: San Jose SaberCats defeat Columbus Destroyers for AFL Championship

Aug 4: Delaware Cows lose in Lake Erie League championship

Aug 5: Tiger Woods defeats LeBron James for ESPN "Who's Now" Title

Okay, so maybe those last three are added tounge-in-cheek. But, outside of the Super Bowl, all of the major championships settled in this calendar year that people actually pay attention to have included an Ohio team losing.

I can't complain over reaching the championship round or game. Both Buckeye and Cavalier hoops made unexpected runs to the final stage. Their losses in the finals don't take away from the great seasons that they had.

Buckeye football's humiliating loss was a bit of a different story.

The problem is, the later in the season your team gets eliminated, the more painful the loss is. It's just a fact of life. So, Ohio sports fans have been legitimately stabbed in the heart three times.

We can only take so much. I would love to see the Cleveland Indians reach the World Series, but it will take an indefinite amount of years off of my life should they also fall victim to the second place curse.

At least I don't have to worry about the Browns going a long way only to break my heart.
They will take care of that by week 5.

Buckeye Tidbits ...

I'd like to apologize to all of my faithful readers out there for my lack of posting this past week as I was lucky enough to spend it vacationing in South Carolina. Anyways, even though I can take a break for a week, Buckeye football never stops. Here are some headlines/stories that have caught my attention:

2002 National Championship Solidified?

As Buckeye fans, we all remember the "controversial" call towards the end of that historical game that many opposing fans continue to mindlessly gripe about. Much to their displeasure, it seems that the referees agree with us! In fact, they are calling it one of the greatest calls of all time!

I have always just pointed to this if someone questioned the call:

Buckeyes and Wings?

While they are usually a good combination for us fans out there, it does not seem to be a good combination right now for one of the best restaurants out there.

Army Retreating

Looks like Army does not want to play with the big boys anymore. Honestly, I could not be happier about this. Let's let Notre Lame continue to beat up on the service academies and schedule a formidable opponent. This is by no means a knock on OSU scheduling; I just personally enjoy these out of conference home and home series with other BCS Conference opponents. Both of these games would have been a bore to watch anyways.

Buckeyes ready to start over ...

Good article here on the Bucks mentality going into the season. They are ready to put "that" game past them, and so are we! Here's to the '07 season!

Buckeyes and Wolverines continue to disagree ...

Looks like the Bucks and Wolverines will take their rivalry to another level, this time off the field. Michigan has signed with Adidas. OSU, of course, has a deal with Nike. Sigh -- looks like I will have to add Adidas to the list of products I boycott (Gator-ade being the only other current member).

Buckeye Fans Bill of Rights

I wasn't aware that there was a revolution going on but apparently there is. A must read for all Buckeye fans!

Get well coach Matta!

Thad Matta, one of the most exuberant coaches in college basketball, underwent another surgery on his back this past week. I don't know what Thad will do if he is not able to run/jump up and down the Buckeye bench this year. Get well coach!