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!

1997/2007, Is there divine intervention for Tribe?

There are times when creativity and effort means little. This is one of those times for me. I have developed several coincidences between the 1997 and 2007 Cleveland Indians. Rather than making a poetic and passionately done opening, I'm just going to list them now. Don't sue me, I'm badly deprived of sleep.

1. Victor Martinez hits first Indians homer in an All-Star game since Sandy Alomar JR. in 1997 (also a catcher)

2. Jim Leyland managed both the All-Star team and the 1997 Marlins.

3. Kenny Lofton is now back in Cleveland. He was an Indian during each of there mid 90's/early 2000's playoff teams. Except 1997.

4. The Indians were not expected to win the World Series in 1997. Diddo for 2007. That team may seem better but the competetion was easier, Tribes a reliever away from having a better overall team then 97.

5. 1997 and 2007 both end in seven. I always save my best arguements for last.

There it is. May not seem special but I'm using it as some added hope. On a serious note: I am eager to see how the trading deadline unfolds. I wanted a hitter. Welcome back # 7. Another veteran reliever coupled with more solid Jake Westbrook outings means this team is solid in all areas. Four quality starters, an improved batting order in terms of depth and speed, solid bullpen. Expect a full report soon...

754 down, 1 to go

We are on the brink of history here people. Whether you agree with it or not, Barry Bonds will break the all-time home run record sooner rather than later. As a fellow sports fan, I urge all of you to watch as many of his upcoming at bats as you can because they could be some that you will remember for a long time.

B-squared sent one into the stands last night against the Marlins, bringing his total to 754.

Bill Cowher ===> Mike Tomlin

Steelers training camp opens today which means .... "The Mike Tomlin Era" has officially begun in the land of the Black and Gold. And I for one, AM HAPPY Bill Cowher has left the holy land.

Unlike most Steeler fans, I call it like it is. After capturing our fifth title in Super Bowl XL, anyone with a pulse could tell that Cowher's passion for the game was waning. And to be perfectly honest, it was understandable on my end because of what he had accomplished during his 15 seasons in Pittsburgh.

Now, I had missed only a handful of games since 1992 and to see Bill Cowher laughing/hugging/smiling before the game was just simply unnerving to me. What had happened to the Cowher that inadvertently spit on everyone? I missed the coach that grabbed his players by the collar and threw them around if they messed up. He even reduced some to tears (Kordell Stewart) because he was so passionate about his profession.

Now am I saying Cowher was not a great coach? HECK NO. But it was obvious that all parties involved needed a change.

Check out this article on Mike Tomlin. To me, he sounds like exactly the type of guy you want as your coach. We will find out soon enough.