Southern Baptists extend invitation to University of Texas and other Big 12 schools

Resolution concerning Expansion of Southern Baptist Convention and the Kingdom of God through the Great Commission Resurgence and Conference Realignment

June 15, 2010

WHEREAS, Historically, Southern Baptists have resisted ecumenism while embracing Christian brotherhood and cooperation with other groups representing Christianity and

WHEREAS, We have witnessed in recent years the portrayal of denominations as barriers to be overcome on the road to unity; and

WHERAS, WE have seen millions of college age Christians leave the faith of their parents behind while studying for future employment and enjoying college sporting events; and

WHEREAS, Southern Baptists must be radically committed to the expansion of the Kingdom of God and the influence of the Southern Baptist Convention by new and innovative means in the face of post-modernity and the increasing hostility to Biblical Christianity, including the Great Commission Resurgence; and

WHEREAS, Southern Baptist influence is strongest in the region of the country under the dominion of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Big 12 Conference; and

WHEREAS, interlopers representing Hedonistic interests of the Secular PAC 10 and the Catholic Rust Belt controlled Big 10 have begun to expand their reach into regions under the jurisdiction of the BIG 12 and Southern Baptists, stealing universities from non-SBC strongholds Colorado and Nebraska; and

WHEREAS, True Biblical unity can only be realized in the bond of truth, and never at the expense of Biblical truth; Now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, That the Southern Baptist Convention meeting, June 15-17, 2010, in Orlando, FL, urges the Boards and Agencies of the Southern Baptist Convention to offer membership into the Southern Baptist Convention to the University of Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Missouri and Oklahoma State, as well as maintaining the historic position of Southern Baptists as they cooperate with various other groups in appropriate evangelistic enterprises, and on issues of justice, morality, religious liberty, education and FOOTBALL both at home and abroad; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That inclusion of the Baylor University, a Texas Baptist affiliated university, is dependent upon both obedience to the doctrines of the Southern Baptist Message and Faith, 2000 and the improvement of its football program; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That inclusion of the University of Kansas, Kansas State University and Iowa State University into the Southern Baptist Convention’s expansion plans is dependent upon greater success in football, as the expense of “urban” sports such as basketball; And

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Southern Baptist Convention membership urges the Southeastern Conference (SEC) to consider membership and inclusion of the new SBC related college programs at its next Annual Meeting, and that the previous BIG 12 prayerfully considers the offer from both the Southern Baptist Convention and SEC.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That such efforts not commit Southern Baptists to any organizational or long-term relationship which would risk possible compromise of historic distinctive or the unique witness of Southern Baptists to the world and football related activities; and

FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED, That we encourage Southern Baptists to maintain their commitment to the SouthEastern Conference (SEC) by giving priority in time, talent and resources to the work of this football and Christianity influenced region.

realignment fever is not just for colleges. It is for churches, too.

Orlando- The past few weeks have seen a flurry of activity among NCAA universities as the Big 10 began the present flurry of activity of mascot trading among athletic conferences. Power conferences such as the Big 10 and Pac-10 attempt to expand their horizons into new territories in a Jabez-esque fashion while the Big 12 fails to keep the hordes of marauding orcs of the Sauron-like commissioners of those conferences outside their gates. In its typically copycat fashion, the Christian church has chosen to respond in similar fashion.

At a recent meeting of the leaders of the Gospel Coalition and Southern Baptist Convention in advance of the SBC meeting in Orlando, FL, possible expansion was discussed. It is believed that the Gospel Coalition, consisting of SBC pastors, as well as those of other conservative denominations and mega-church pastors like Josh Harris and Mark Driscoll, is willing to allow itself to move to this powerful conference. However, negotiations hit snags on 2 main issues, Infant Baptism and alcohol.

The SBC has offered membership to all Gospel Coalition represented churches, even those that practice Infant Baptism. However, each of these churches must show willingness to change its view on alcohol consumption. Convention spokesman, Lewis Granger told reporters, “We are willing to take the bold step of offering membership to practitioners of infant baptism for the sake of expanding our membership base and creating new revenue sources coming from an increased number of churches. However, we will not release our convictions that alcohol consumption, while not specifically banned in the Bible, is wrong. No increase in numbers of young people will change that. Plus, as we know, they can still drink. They just keep it on the down low.”

Gospel Coalition members from Presbyterian churches, as well as Mars Hill Church in Seattle have released a statement that they will not join the new expanded SBC. Instead they will create a mega-conference with the American Anglican Church, Presbyterian Church in America, the Origins network and conservative branches of mainline denominations in which alcohol consumption is not forbidden. Invitations are to be extended next week.

Seeing these realignments as a threat to their existence, the Emerging Church networks have chosen to formalize membership and admit to its Liberal leanings by creating a new conference (“we are not a denomination,” explains spokesman Steve Knight). The groundwork has been laid in the past, but invitations will be given to major US denominations, including the Presbyterian Church(USA), United Methodist Church, United Church of Christ and non-Southern Baptist baptist groups. Hopes are growing amongst the leaders of these groups.

Says Knight, “We expect to compete in the future with the mega-SBC and Gospel/ Beer Coalition for book deals, events as well as people. As you may know, our openness on pretty much every subject, besides social justice, ecumenism and economic redistribution make us attractive to anyone left of center on anything. We have asked most African American denominations to join, but our lack of relevance to their daily lives leads them to consider staying put. We will keep asking, and keep growing.” When asked if invitations will be extended to Sojourners, leaders of the new Emerged Church Conference were coy, due to recent incidents related to diversity.

Christianity Today’s Andy Crouch believes this is just the beginning of a complete overhaul of the denominational structure of the United States. “Don’t be surprised to see some of the groups consider aligning with those groups they were historically predisposed to hate, like the SBC and Catholics or Mormons. I expect groups like the Emerged Church to join forces with Reformed Judaism and Buddhism. However, their overtures to Islam will be rebuffed. Islam does not need them as it expands on its own.”

Free agents like Rob Bell, Donald Miller and Tim Keller are yet to announce their future plans, leading to speculation they will begin their own conference.

Sports Gehenna

these are my final words on the 2008 football season. For some of you this will come as a relief...

I have a few thoughts on how last night's game fits into the anti-pantheon of worst travesties in MY singular sporting experience. I have considered many names for this Anti-Rushmore, but settled on Gehenna. These are the great HOSINGS, the Gehenna Games!

In my Gehenna of sports travesties,* last night's Super Bowl XLIII debuted in the Top 3 supplanting worthy games like Game 6 of 2002 Western Conference Finals, the 1999 Fiesta Bowl, Super Bowl XL, Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, Wide Right #2 and Wide Right #1. I could go on and on with this Bottom 10, but will not.

As of now, the 3 greatest travesties are as follows...

#1 Game 6 of the 1985 World Series between the Cardinals and Royals. The infamous call by Don Denkinger cost the Cardinals the World Championship. Never has such a travesty happened in sports history. Never has 1 call so obviously cost 1 team a championship. I wore black to my high school the next day and a black armband for a week.

link to the call

#2 The 1996 NCAA football National Championship (along with the 1997 Sugar Bowl). This is too complex to explain here in detail. However, in 1996 the #1 ranked UF Gators were defeated by the #2 ranked FSU Seminoles. Through a number of dominoes falling into place, the Gators were rewarded for losing to FSU and granted a rematch. That is correct, FSU beats the #1 Gators in the final game of the season and is punished for this by playing the team it beat for the National Championship. The Gators LOSE and win. There are a number of ways this could have been avoided, which I will not go into here. Needless to say, The Gators won the rematch that should not have been played, except the suits made it happen.

#3 Last night's game- Super Bowl XLIII. Never has a Super Bowl seen such obvious bias in officiating obviously effecting the final outcome of a game (yes, SB XL was even worse, but the final score was not as close). The calls were so bad that the Cardinals had to use their challenge to overrule 2 obvious blunders. The referees called horrible penalties (holding, roughing the passer, roughing the holder) against the Cardinals and missed obvious Stealers penalties (Holmes celebration in the end zone worthy of 15 yards on kick off). They even missed the first safety (luckily the Cards did it again the next play). 

If the final play of the first half and Holmes TD had been called the other way, neither would have been overturned. The video was inconclusive on both plays (yes, I think Holmes scored. No, I don't think Harrison did). But, the travesty was the final Cardinals play of the game. That was not a fumble, yet the referees chose not to look at the film... IN THE MOST IMPORTANT GAME OF THE YEAR. This is not acceptable and everyone involved should be ashamed and lose their jobs. Does this mean the Cardinals would win? Not necessarily. But, I will put even money on Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald with 1 play in the end zone (especially with the 15 yards from Holmes' penalty and the 15 yards for some Stealer taking off his helmet) 30 yards closer.

And the world should have seen it. If you do not believe me, turn over the ESPN and ESPN2, along with sports blogs like Deadspin. Everyone not in yellow and black knows this and is talking about it.

On top of this, you should have been near Raymond James stadium yesterday. The Stealers fans were nasty, pasty people... taunting Cardinals fans (when they outnumber us 50-1) with expletives and threats, taunting Street Evangelists and looking like they will assault him, andsowing general mayhem and menace. Come to think of it, they make Cowboys fans look respectful. The Stealers fans have pushed the Stealers to supplant the Cowboys in the 9th Circle of Sports Hell.

Congrats to all in my Gehenna of Sports games. Go Cards!

In my alternative universe. I refuse to acknowledge the "champions" of their respective sports leagues in these years, along with the 2002 Lakers championship and a few others.

Ok, I am done. Pitchers and Catchers report in less than 2 weeks to Spring Training. C'mon, Manny- sign with the Cards for 2 years.

*these are caused by outsiders to change the outcome of something personally good to something very bad, of no fault to the losing team and due to no special play of the winning team. These are usually perpetuated by men or women in stripes, suits or umpiring outfits. There are the bad calls, etc. Bad luck can also play a part, especially unfortunate injuries, coaching debacles and cheating, but the rule of thumb is officiating.

Congratulation Stealers on their accomplishment

I would like to Congratulate the Stealers and their fans from _ _ittsburgh* on moving to the top/ bottom of another list, besides the one the referees and NFL have chosen to bestow upon the Rooney family (thanks to the officiating in SB XL and XLIII).

They have entered Rick's Ninth Circle of Hell Teams moving fast up (or down) the chart to an afore-unmentioned super secret 10th Circle. For a number of years they had lived in relative obscurity in Purgatorio or Limbo (Circle 1), only moving to 8 when the officials helped them beat the Seahawks in XL (circle 8 is reserved for those engaging in treachery and conscious fraud).

They are now in the 9th Circle of Hell, moving towards its center where the Cowboys and Florida Gators reside. They have joined the Miami Hurricanes, New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs and Dawyne Schintzius. They have moved deeper into the abyss than the Lakers, Houston Astros, New York Mets and LeBron James reside. 

* I will no longer call that team from that city what others call them. From now on, it is the Stealers and they are from a city that I have chosen to designate in a manner that realistically depicts its circumstances. The P has been changed to 2 letters a bit more colorful and descriptive of the city.

If this sounds like bitterness... It is. Nothing fuels rivalries and sports like bitterness. 

what I submitted to Ellen to get Super Bowl tickets

I am sure I will not win them, even though I believe my essay is superior to that of others submitting theirs to Ellen for Super Bowl tickets. It was supposed to show how you were the biggest fan, it had to be oringinal and it had to be funny. Hopefully I accomplished this, even if I will be watching the game from someplace not called Raymond James.

Here is the essay:

You will doubtlessly receive many more essays from Steelers fans, but have no compassion upon those requests. After 7 Super Bowls, they have had their chance. For a lifelong Cardinals fan living 3 miles from the stadium, this could be the only chance I get. If it took 60 years to return to a championship game, next time I would be 100 yrs old. While I may have good genes, these are not odds I want to take.

I am cheap: no hotel, no plane fare; just tickets. In a recession you need to allocate your resources in a responsible manner and I am here to help. Don't spend precious money willy nilly like Merrill Lynch redecorating the CEO's office. In the immortal words of Jerry Maguire to the most famous Cardinal of all time, Rod Tidwell; "Help me, help you."

Ellen, I mean that.

Do not pick the fan from Phoenix who has "loved" the Cardinals for a short time. Do not pick the St. Louis resident who let them go. Pick the guy who has no reason to root for this team yet deeply loves them anyway. Pick the guy who has more character than a Cowboys fan. Anyone can like that team, but it takes someone codependent to love the loveless, for over 30 years… from a distance. Pick the guy who could have picked a good franchise but instead chose to give his heart to the girl who broke his heart needlessly over … and over.

Sure, he has been infatuated with prettier girls along the way. He fell for the supermodel from San Fran in the '80s, considered the new girl in town when the Rams came calling, was intrigued by the wild, unpredictable girl from Green Bay and even briefly dated the total package while living in New England. But his true love, the dysfunctional one forgotten in the desert, was always on his mind.

And when she came calling in Tampa, he had no way to see her. Help me see my first love. It is up to you.

on being a Tampa fan of the Arizona Cardinals

I am sure some of you that read my blog cannot wait until the Super Bowl is over. You do not want to read yet another sports related posting. I cannot help it if I have been incredibly lucky as a sports fan with my Cardinals winning the World Series a few years back, my Spurs winning every other year and the great history of the Seminoles. Heck, even my adopted teams (due to proximity) like the Rays and Patriots have had recent success. However, nothing prepared me for the Arizona Cardinals to reach the Super Bowl in Tampa.

Security is tight around the city and the adult businesses are bringing in talent from around the nation. The blimp flew over my house yesterday and the roads are getting clogged. We drove by the stadium on Sunday and it looked like a Taj Ma-(foot)Ball. One day the city looks normal and the next day we look like Beijing during the Olympics. And then there are the Steelers fans.

There are a number of reasons for so many Steelers fans in my city. First of all, many are snowbirds and spend their winters here instead of braving the lake effects snow and ice. Secondly, they are the most successful franchise in NFL history with fans all over the nation, especially in a place like Florida with all the transplants. Arizona is a nice place for retirees, snowbirds and transplants, so they probably have as many Steelers as Cardinals. However, this is getting ridiculous.

I was looking for some newer Cardinals paraphernalia to mark the occasion and to wear on Sunday and could find nothing beyond a $100 Kurt Warner "jersey" and the Super Bowl crap with both teams (or the NFC Champion shirt- I am waiting for World Champion shirt) emblazoning the front. I mean nothing is here. I can get shot glasses, mugs, sunglasses, thongs, onesies and holsters in the yellow and black of the Steelers, but nary a thing of interest with the Cardinals on it. Sure, they have sucked forever and have no fan base, but they will be here in a few days (and people love to jump on bandwagons) so don't make it look so much like Pennsylvania around here.

I was looking for a place to watch the game, since Super Bowl tickets are looking more and more unlikely (where can a Tampa resident that loves the Cardinals get some love?) and found no bars hosting Cardinals fans. Sure, some "fans" will be there on Sunday rooting against Pittsburgh, but nothing for real fans. Of course, in the paper they listed 20 bars for Steelers fans.

So, what do I do? I can watch it at home or with people that don't care about the game. Or I can get my butt handed to me at a Steelers bar. Gentry thinks I should stand outside the stadium and beg (but, if that does not work I miss the game). I really need someone from the Tribune or St. Pete Times to do a story on me and get me into the game. Hey newspapers and TV stations. find me. I am right here! Give me tickets!

I would be a great correspondent as the Tampa Cardinals fan at the game.

Go Cards! Steelers Suck (unless they are playing the Cowboys)!

* I am mentioning the media outlets here, just in case they google themselves (News Channel 8. WFLA, Tampa Tribune, TBT, Creative Loafing, WTVT, Bay News 9, WTSP, WFTS, ESPN, WMOR, WTOG, WTTA, WWBA, WLVU.

Super Bowl Reading

I remember the day my Cardinals drafted Larry Fitzgerald out of Pitt. I had followed him all season and knew he was special, as was his story, which included a sportswriter dad, mom that died young of breast cancer and high school years as a ball boy for the Minnesota Vikings. That early affiliation with the Vikings assured me that my Cardinals would get him. Our coach at the time, Dennis Green, was the former Vikings coach and knew the family well.

Since that day, paired with Boldin (an FSU guy), I have watched Larry Fitzgerald finally arrive as the best receiver in the league (he was already there, but no one noticed until these playoffs). As you watch him this week, notice the difference between him and every other big name receiver in the NFL (he is not called "The Anti-TO" for nothing).

Also, here is a nice story Larry and his dad. 

yes, I am linking to a Rick Reilly story

GO CARDS!

evolution of an Arizona Cardinals fan

St Louis Cardinals begat 

Daytona Beach Islanders farm club begat

Stan Musial pitching in 1940 begat

Raymond Bennett as fan of team/ player begat

Rick Bennett in 1968.

Raymond Bennett took Rick Bennett, comic book fan, to Baseball Hall of Fame in mid 1970s.

Stan Musial Fan, Raymond introduces Comic Book Fan, Rick Bennett to HOF and Stan "The Man" Musial.

Rick thinks Stan "The Man" is cool because he shares nickname with Stan "The Man" Lee of Marvel Comics.

Raymond buys Rick souvenirs and Rick becomes fan of Stan Musial and St. Louis Cardinals.

Rick sees no difference between baseball Cardinals and Football Cardinals. They share city, name and colors.

Rick even likes St. Louis Blues in a sport he knows nothing about and wishes NBA team was in St. Louis.

Rick now likes NFL Cardinals and Dolphins (only Florida team).

Miami Dolphins defeat St. Louis Cardinals 55-14 on Thanksgiving. 

Rick never forgives Dolphins. Tampa Bay Bucs get team. Rick does not care. Rick likes Jim Hart.

NFL Cardinals leave St. Louis. St. Louis does not care. Rick mourns. 

St. Louis secures Rams. Rick feels nothing. His (football) heart followed Cardinals to Arizona.

Cardinals continue to suck. Rick thinks maybe next year. It is never next year.

Luckily Rick has Baseball Cardinals, the 2nd most successful MLB franchise, ever.

Rick follows 49ers, then Packers, then Jags, then Bucs, then Patriots- all of whom he still likes, but his heart still belongs to Cardinals.

Cardinals even make playoffs in 1998 and defeat Dallas Cowboys, whom he hates.

Cardinals quietly secure good draft picks while destroying good coaches.

The right Coach and players come together.

The Cardinals make the playoffs. The Cardinals win. The Cardinals win. The Cardinals win.

The Cardinals are in Tampa for Super Bowl. 

Lifelong Cardinals fan living in Tampa needs tickets. 

refelctions of a lifelong St. Louis/ Arizona Cardinals fan

To be an Arizona Cardinals fan is to be a happy person today. 

To be an Arizona Cardinals fan since 1975 (or so) is to be an even happier person today. I almost cried last night (but stopped. my kids already thought I was a little nuts stomping around, freaking out, barely able to breath, etc.).

To be an Arizona fan that has lived with Cowboys fans, lived in Cowboys territory, suffered through lost seasons where we were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs by the 3rd Quarter of the Season's 1st game, seen great draft picks bust here and excel elsewhere (Hearst, Rice among the names), watched a team leave St. Louis because they were such a failure the town did not want them and have to have secondary teams to watch and cheer so I could get though the season (thanks to surrogates like the 49ers, Bucs, Patriots and Packers over the years). 

I have listened to or watched drafts yearly since the mid-80s, each year thinking we got our hands on someone that would put us over the hump or watched the hiring of a new coach, wondering if the Bidwells had finally found the right man and would give him the talent and patience needed. I have suffered through embarrassing losses and watched upstarts end up winners, always wondering when our time would come. 

I have thought Neil Lomax, Timm Rosenbach, Jake Plummer and Mat Leinart were the potential savior of our franchise, thinking one of them could reach the level of Jim Hart, my childhood QB. I would have never guessed it would have been a 37 year old castoff. I have seen great receivers lost in the desert heat and am seeing the emergence of possibly the best receiver to ever play the game.

As a child I remember the embarrassment of the 1977 Thanksgiving game in which the Dolphins (my other favorite team at the time) beat up on the Cardinals 55-17 (I have never forgiven the Dolphins).

I have physically watched them lose in Washington, Dallas (3 times) and Tampa. I have driven 20 hours straight to watch them beat a supposedly superior Redskins team in Tempe on a missed field goal and on television I have seen them win 1 playoff game before this season. 

And I have seen a team no one respected or thought should be in the playoffs beat 3 favoritesto take their deserved place in a Super Bowl!

This week I will give you a couple of more such reflections because I deserve this as someone that has stayed with a pathetic franchise while the rest of the world jumped on the bandwagon of a winner (yeah, Dallas fans I am speaking to you- even if you picked them at 5 or 6, you were backing a winner).*

I know this hill is high to beat the Steelers, but we have persevered so far this year. We can attain it. I, for once, am happy about my own team. I can cheer for the team I have always wanted to see in the game (in Tampa).

BTW, find me tickets. I deserve them and live less than 5 miles from the stadium.

*Bucs fans pre Dungy are exempt from this judgment.

warning to my readers- sports posting ahead

I am happy for blogger, drummer and Arizona Cardinal fan, Zach. But, he has only suffered through the pain of being an Arizona Cardinal fan*. I, on the other hand, have suffered through the lifelong stigma, frustration, embarrassment and resignation of constantly explaining myself as an Arizona AND St. Louis (football) Cardinal fan, one that has never lived in Arizona or St. Louis. Most St. Louis fans' hearts did not follow the Cardinals, plus they got the Rams a few year later. So, my NFL experience has been more painful due to misplaced loyalty.

While my friends in elementary, middle school, high school and college were cheering the Dolphins, Cowboys and Steelers, followed by the Bucs, Jags, Redskins and Falcons (almost as bad), I had resigned myself to my poor choice at 6 years old of the Cardinals. It was simple. My dad took me to the Baseball Hall of Fame where I fell in love with Stan Musial. He was called Stan the Man, as was the writer of the comic books I liked. I liked red. I liked birds with tall crests. My dad grew up in Daytona watching the Cardinals minor league team, seeing Stan Musial pitch. I was hooked.

Naturally a child of that age in an area with little pro sports (the Dolphins were the only pro sports franchise in Florida) does not make logical decisions. So, if I liked the Cardinals in baseball, I would like the Cardinals in football. The other choices, Cowboys and Steelers were deemed trendy (and I am glad I did not pick the Cowboys- I learned character unlike Cowboy fans). I did like the Dolphins too, until they beat the Cardinals 55-14 on Thanksgiving Day in 1977. I have disliked the Dolphins since that day.

Over the years, as the follower of a pathetic franchise, I have learned to care for other teams. I loved the 49ers for a long while, until Young, Rice and Montana were gone. I went through a mild infatuation for the Raiders in middle school due to the uniforms and a fellow named Plunkett, but got over that quickly. I cheer for the Bucs and Jags, knowing one of those would be my team, had I been a bit younger or less loyal and I love the Patriots, living there when Bledsoe went down and a youngster named Brady took them to the Super Bowl. The only other warm spot in my cold heart is for the Packers, my dad's favorite growing up and the place I could watch Favre play (plus, their uniforms are always my favorite).

So, there you have it. Way too much knowledge into why I picked a perennial loser, one I have traveled straight from Fort Worth to Tempe to watch play, seen for free in Dallas a number of times, because no one wanted the tickets and even seen in Tampa (every pro football game 

I have ever seen- 6 in all- has included the Cardinals). I was happy in 1998 when we were a wild card and beat the disgusting Cowboys (they have not won a play off game since we have). I am ecstatic now, even if we get beat in the first round.

Congratulations to the NFC Western Division Champs (the worst division in football)... Your 2008 Arizona Cardinals!**

* I do laugh at the irony of all the Arizona fans talking about their first hosted playoff game since 1947 and their first division championship since 1977. Like any of them, not originally from STL (like 100 of you), have any stake in that history.

** I am almost happy for the Bidwell family, the ones that ran this franchise into the ground and whose patience for building a winner was misplaced in favor of quick fixes that never worked. Thanks to the Bidwells for picking Whisenhunt as coach, allowing Green to pick Larry Fitzgerald, giving me Boldin (sign him to a longterm deal worth lots of money). Thanks to Coach Ken for yanking Matt in favor of Kurt and knowing how to keep the talent happy.

Tony Romo's Night on the Town with Doc

I hate the Dallas Cowboys and care little for the drama that surrounds them except when it causes them to lose. Their QB is a bit overrated and loves the spotlight too much. But, then he goes and does something like this (link).

same story, with Paul Rudd's reaction.

Crap. That is very cool and I have to respect it.

I AM NOT AN IDIOT!!!

now I am having a very bad year in one of my fantasy football leagues. While #4 in points, I am in 9th place (out of 10 teams). However, just because I am having an off year, it does not mean that I am a complete idiot (I just had a bad draft and have had bad luck in matchups).

The guy in 1st wanted to trade me Roy Williams and Torry Holt for Anquan Boldin. In less games, Boldin has more points than those 2 combined! Sure, Williams will get more points as he gets settled into the groove in Dallas. But, Holt is 32 years old and clearly lost a step. And , Boldin is  a top 5 receiver in the NFL. Do I not know this?*

Of course, the way my season is going Boldin will suffer a season ending ankle injury next Sunday.

*by the way, someone tried to steal Boldin from me last year... probably the same guy. As an FSU alumni and Cardinal fan who has blogged about Boldin in the past, I am offended.

a note to Red Sox Nation

It is quite pathetic that I feel the need to justify my desire to root for the Tampa Bay Rays (where I live) this year at the expense of the ubiquitous Boston Red Sox. I have taken the fair amount of abuse and smack talk from these people, none of which grew up in Boston... they lack the charming pugnaciousness of your typical native Southie.

During the past 2 weeks I have been accused of treacherous behavior, band wagon jumping and non-loyalty. I feel like a Republican that has seen the lack of vision from his own party and chosen to vote for Obama, treated with contempt by the loyalists to a dying empire in light of the potential future, attacked as unpatriotic for seeing through a different prism than those unable to see beyond partisan rhetoric (does this equate Sarah Palin to Coco Crisp?).*

Like picking Obama early, I have been thinking the Rays could make it to the WS when all other doubters were waiting for a collapse. They are managed better than almost anyone in the majors and they were built for an entire season and playoffs, unlike the Mets, Angels or Cubs. None of you believed they could win, even yesterday. I did.

To those fans, I point to the following...

1. I am a lifelong Cardinals fan. No other team is in the same ballpark. I will root for the Cards above all other teams until my last breath (even if one of my sons plays on an opposing team). The Red Sox never were. The Rays never will be. But, I can like other teams. As Stephen King said, the Red Sox are my wife, but the Rays are my mistress." **

2. I chose to root for the Red Sox as my AL team for a number of reasons including, a) they are not the Yankees, b) the charm of rooting for a team striving for the top, yet not attaining it, c) I moved to Boston and there was fever in the air, d) I was watching and rooting for them in 86 against the Mets (whom I hated)- I have had a soft spot in my heart since 86 (they had been #2 for 15 years when I moved there).

3) However, some things happened; a) we moved from Boston (which changed nothing), b) they won 2 World Series, c) their fans got greedy, self centered, obnoxious and had a sense of entitlement (in other words, they became Yankees fans), d) the band wagon nature of the Red Sox Nation- there were few pre-2000 fans I could find (they jumped on the wagon and complain about any other wagon jumpers), e) some of their players rub me the wrong way, especially Coco Crisp, f) the fans and media got more obnoxious as the Rays got better, g) the luster began to leave when, to win their first WS in 86 years, they beat my beloveds.

4) Regarding the Rays; a) I am a native Floridian and we only got baseball teams post- loyalty oaths, b) I have followed them since their inception, mostly through my dad (got me a G-d awful original t-shirt), c) they have been building quite the team for a few years and I have been waiting for something good to happen, d) the new uniforms are snazzy, e) all teams that suck for a number of years get a bandwagon, including the Red Sox and Cubs when things move into a better direction, f) did I mention.... that I live here?

5) my children are in the midst of picking their teams. We live in Tampa. They (especially Aedan) are picking the Rays over the Red Sox (and maybe the Cardinals). I will support this. Plus, the Rays have kindled an interest in baseball for our kids (after watching them in person). If the Rays make my kids like baseball, they get some serious props and loyalty.

6) If the Rays and Cards were in the World Series against each other... make no bones about it, there is no competition for my loyalty.

So, Red Sox fans- get off your high horse, unless you are a true Native. If you are not a native, you jumped on a bandwagon some place along the way. There is nothing wrong with that... just don't begrudge Rays fans that have done the same. This team is plucky, well managed, has a small budget, young players, a good farm system and serious talent. In other words, they did it the right way. Plus, a guy that just got called to the majors made the save. Seriously, 69 Mets are nothing.

Go Rays! And Red Sox fans... get over yourself. You had a great season and were beat by an evenly matched, slightly better team. Raise a toast in their direction and remind yourself they kept the Yankees home. As the great Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe said, "So now you know. Experience is nice, but nothing beats talent. The best team in the American League is going to the World Series."

* little over-the-top, I admit.

** my loyalty is in this order

1. Cardinals- not subject to change

below subject to change

2. Rays

3. Red Sox

4. Marlins (beat the Cubs and Yankees in 2003)

5. anyone playing the Cubs with a potential to embarass them.

6. anyone playing the Yankees with a potential to embrass them.

7. anyone playing the Astros with a potential to embarass them.

8. anyone playing the Braves with a potential to embarass them.

9. whoever has a great story.

10. anyone with a player I really like.

What to Do Tonight (a media heavy diet)

Unlike most nights when there are little media choices to distract us, tonight offers a conundrum.

I have TiVo, but can only record one thing while recording/watching another. Plus, there is an offering outside of our house. What should I do?

1. Art*Music*Justice tour in Tampa. Derek Webb, Charlie Peacock and others I don't care one way or another about will be singing and raising money for International Justice Mission. It begins at 7PM and costs $20 at the door (plus there are 5 artists involved and a babysitter is needed). In theory this is the best option, but the associated stakes are a bit too high.
   
2. We still TiVo CSI- We have been with it since the beginning. However, due to the advent of other shows and the loss of major characters, we have tentatively decided to forgo watching this show. It is still an option though. It begins at 9PM.
3. Our regular Thursday night lineup includes My Name is Earl and The Office. It is a non-negotiable that this will be watched. We are just not sure it will be watched tonight. It begins at 8PM and there are a couple of lesser quality shows in the midst.
4. Thursday night college football on ESPN features by Alma Mater, Florida State against NC State. FSU, while still not at its recent glory is better than most assumed. It would be nice to see them go 5-1. This begins at 7:30PM.
5. Lastly, in what may be the trump card for all other evening events (if Kristi approves), The Rays can clinch an improbable journey from worst record in baseball to World Series favorites tonight against the Red Sox, whom I used to care more deeply for than today (thanks obnoxious band of fans with entitlement issues and Coco Crisp). The Rays celebration hopefully begins at 8:07PM.

What would you do?

impressive leadership (and lack of meetings)

You, like me, might tire of the latest "leadership" technique, book or method; with people telling you about John Maxwell's latest 23.4 Rules, Laws, Guidelines or secrets. However, every once in a while a story comes along that is worth reading because it exemplifies good leadership... knowledge of self, knowledge of team, intuition, wisdom and timing. 

Joe Maddon the very impressive manager of the future World Series Champion Tampa Bay Rays (hopefully this year) has had only 3 meetings this year with players. He is known as the easiest going manager in baseball with few rules and very little temper. When younger, he would have countless meetings until he realized no one listened. So, he decided to have Team Meetings only when needed, which is 3... in a year.

His first was before Spring training got going (February 20). His second was after losing 7 in a row (and in the outfield- and not yelling). His last meeting was after a road victory as the Rays were up by 1 in late July. He lit into the team for lack of effort and tore them a new one.

Then... no more meetings. Impressive to me.

Here is the story on the (hopefully) Manager of the Year.

on watching sports I don't care about by people I don't know making money for a government I don't respect... because I am an AMERICAN

so many people I know get interested in sports every 2 years, alternating between summer and winter. these people do not like sports usually, but become terribly interested when NBC declares that we must care about relatively minor sports which matter none, beyond a few people because we are AMERICANS.

I must admit that a marketing strategy and latent patriotism do not make me a sports fan. If my college was playing football against the Canadians, I could muster some interest. But, I cannot get motivated to watch somebody (besides my kids) swim... or jump high (and I was on the track team)... or throw heavy objects... or bounce around on a beam... or overpaid stars play one of my favorite sports against people I have never heard of... or run all with the possibility of drug tainting or death by asthma.

Oh yeah, and in a country with a government that is among the worst abusers of human rights in the world, will be responsible for the environmental destruction of our planet if it does not change its ways, makes money off the backs of peasants, jails Christians, and will make billions of money by "cleaning ups its act" for a few weeks in August. Yes, there are a few compelling human interest stories and a great moment or 2 each year, but I can see them on SportsCenter Sunday mornings. I am surely not watching hundreds of hours looking for one.

So, call me unpatriotic, a curmudgeon or stupid. But, there will be little or no Olympics in my house this year.

btw- I do watch some winter olympics, only because i like to see people on small pieces of graphite move at ridiculously high speeds down mountains.

my traitorous basketball life

much to the chagrin of some of my readers, I will bring up the dreaded topic of sports (sorry).

As you may know I am one of the few white people in America that defines himself as a fan of Professional Basketball (as in NBA, not NCAA- which is also professional). I am proud to admit my love for a sport in which I can watch 10 men run up and down a hardwood floor attempting to put a ball in a basket with the precision ofa longrange sniper, the speed of sprinters and the grace of ballet.

I make so apologies for this and I make no justification for its faults. The refs have too much power, flopping is too evident, certain players and teams get beneficial treatment from the refs, no traveling is ever called, the dunk is emphasized at the expense of the 20 foot jumper or lay up and too many flagrant fouls are called for things that used to be just good hard fouls. All bad.

I make no efforts to hide my disdain for Shaq, LeBron and Yannick Noah's boy. I make no apologies for my love of Timmy, KG, AI and Manu. I love Magic and respect Kobe. The Admiral is my alltime favorite and I don't particularly like MJ. I am an unabashed Spurs fan and would kill to have the Hornets or Sonics move to Tampa.

However, what I must confess to you is my disloyalty to the team of my youth. I became an NBA fan as a child watching Magic Johnson, Kareem and James Worthy (and the token white guy- Rambis) epically battle Bird, McHale and Parrish (plus the hated Ainge). I loved the Lakers as a child and hated the Celtics (and moreso the Pistons). For some reason I felt it was racist to like the Celtics. Plus, Magic was the greatest teammate ever and I still contend he was every bit the BBall player MJ was (even if he bugs me anytime I see him on TV). I even had a Magic poster on my wall.

And then something happened. Actually, 2 things...

1) The Spurs drafted David Robinson, the single greatest college basketball
player EVER. One of my best friends, with scholarship offers to many major colleges chose to attend the Naval Academy because of Robinson. However, he did not realize that the program was Robinson alone until his sophomore year, when Robinson was gone. But, he told me stories of The Admiral... his kindness to younger players and his tenacity on the court.

When he joined the Spurs, my loyalties were split.

2) Magic got HIV and retired. My team was gone. I had been loyal to the players (the NBA is a players league for good or bad). I tried to stick with them, but then the unthinkable happened. The picked up Shaq during free agency. I was done. I hated Shaq.

My loyalties we no longer split. I was now a Spur. And, the Spurs have been kind to me. They have given me more than a small market franchise has ever given a fan (besides Green Bay).

And then something else occurred. I moved to Boston. I went to the (new) Garden. I fell in love with Paul Pierce. I would endlessly debate my Associate Pastor, an Antoine Walker fan (oops, how is he doing?). I would root for them when my Spurs were not involved. I would mourn the destruction of the franchise at the hands of the dreaded Ainge. Until...

They picked up my favorite non-Spur in a steal. When KG came I knew all was good. I had 2 teams to root for. And one is still alive.

And I am a traitor. Not to the Spurs (I would root for them against the Celtics). But to the Lakers of my childhood.

Sorry.

Go Celtics. in 6

ranting about Spygate

As I helped my wife out with our youngest child today, I turned on ESPN to get the latest. I had forgotten that today was SpyGate Day and Matt Walsh would speak to Roger Goodell and Senator Arlen Spector about his tapes and knowledge of the videotaping of team signals and walkthroughs.

It is my hope that this story will die. I think it is quite possibly the biggest non-story of the NFL in years. Yes, I like the Patriots. No, I don't like everything about their coach. By the way, my favorite football team resides in the desert of Arizona, followed by the the teams of the major Bay areas (minus Oakland- I like the Mass Bay, The Tampa Bay, San Fran Bay and Green Bay- I need all that water to make up for the lack of water in Arizona). So, I am biased, but no more than your typical Eagles, Bears or Giants fan. The ridiculous amount of hypocrisy and jealousy that have kept this non-story alive baffles me.

Get over it. Here are the facts...

1. Arlen Spector is a whiny Eagles/ Steelers fan. He is abusing Senatorial power for a vendetta. He does not understand football or its rules yet he insists on meeting with a camera boy because his precious football teams get out coached.

Where was Spector when the Broncos were "cheating" the salary cap, a much more egregious sin than Spygate (and where was the outrage?). Where was Spector when the 49ers did the same thing? Where was Spector when the Dolphins were wearing mics to listen to opposing plays? Where was he when half the Carolina panthers were caught on steroids? Nowhere, because it did not affect him. This is not steroids and Congress should have never had 1 meeting regarding that.

2. This stuff always happens in sports. Teams will use any means necessary to get a competitive advantage. Every team in the NFL tapes opposing teams and their signals. The difference is this. A disgruntled ex-patriots coach decided to rat out his former team. He had been part of it and was doing it himself. These guys learn it from each other. Plus, you can photograph the same signals and formations, you just cannot video tape them (where are they living? the 1920s? What a stupid guideline).

The other difference? The Pats were better at evaluating the content and using it to their advantage. The other teams need to figure out how to win- this includes my Cardinals. If the Cardinals caught caught doing this- AND WINNING, I would be laughing hysterically. So would you, if it was your team.

3. People need to get over their sanctimonious hand wringing. In Little League we tried to steal signals and yell at opposing batters to take them off their game. In tennis we play head games with other players. In basketball we flop and put up thundersticks as opposing players shoot free throws. In the NFL they steal each others signals. It goes on. If winning is important, then we will try to win. Videotaping other teams and stealing signals should not be illegal. It is so low on the "what is wrong with sports" meter that I cannot even justify its inclusion. It is the illegal immigration of sports. Much noise, but no real problem.

You want to know something? I would do it too. If we were playing, I would not steal your playbook, because that is stealing something tangible. But, if I could figure out what you meant when your hands went in a certain direction, I would. If I had to video tape it to figure it out. I would. You don't want someone stealing your signals? Change them. Get better at it than the other guy.

And just move on to a real story.

Boston VS. New York redux

As we prepare ourselves for the Super Bowl match up between the 2 most arrogant cities in America, the rest of the nation must hear an onslaught of Boston vs. New York press, extending to football. It was bad enough for the rest of the country to listen to constant babble from the press regarding the Red Sox and Yankees, now people are beaten into submission by Patriots vs. Giants.

Will it stop?

Heck no. In fact, here is more...

ESPN shows us the logical evidence of a New York Curse of Mo Lewis (the LB that hurt Drew Bledsoe in 2001 giving Tom Brady a path to glory). In this hilariously detailed report, ESPN Researcher Mark Kelly explains that the fortunes of New York sports and Boston sports have been on opposite trajectories since that day (baseball, football and basketball). Read here.

As one unaffected by years spent in Boston, 2 children born in the city and a church I planted there, I am able to look at the competition between the 2 cities from a completely neutral and unbiased position. I can look at the evidence and decide the superiority of 1 city over the other based upon the following factors- and more as I think of the (which, when added up decide the Super Bowl Winner).

Cheers vs. Seinfeld Cheers
As great as Seinfeld is, the most iconic ensemble series of all time is Cheers. Seinfeld was allowed to be itself because of Cheers.

Kennedys vs. Rockefellers Push
Money vs. Power is the central question

Roger Clemens vs.Roger Clemens Boston Clemens
This would be quite close considering the Cy Young and World Series success Clemens had in NYC. However, Roger was juiced in NYC.

Ted Williams vs. Joe DiMaggio Push
Not as close if you add all of the Yankees icons, but quite close between these 2. Career numbers of beloved status make this a push.

Babe Ruth vs. Babe Ruth New York Ruth
People forget how great Ruth was as a Red Sock. Still, it is no contest.

Bill Russell vs. Willis Reed Russell
As much of a mismatch as Ruth vs. Ruth. Knicks basketball has one icon known for 1 great game.

Boston Clam Chowder vs. Manhattan Clam Chowder Boston
Please

Harvard vs. Columbia Harvard

The Departed vs. Goodfellas Departed
We could argue for days on this subject. I will ask Oscar to decide.

Although closer than we would imagine, Boston wins going away. I will continue the contest as the week proceeds.

This post has no original thoughts (do any of my posts). Gary Shelton wrote about the street fight between the cities on Sunday in the St. Pete Times. Read here.

my favorite football players

Since I just mentioned Brett Favre as 1 of my favorite players ever, I thought I would give you my Top 10 (I have had to watch them, not just hear about them from dad). Yes, I know there is a disproportionate number of FSU Seminoles (sue me).

Honorable mentions include Randall Cunningham, Michael Irvin (on the field only), Rob Moore, Pat Tilley, Neil Lomax, Jim Hart, Walter Payton (played for the wrong team), LT, Doug Williams, Otis Anderson, Eric Dickerson, James Lofton, Ronnie Lott, Marvin Harrison, Donovan McNabb, Jim Plunkett, Kenny Stabler, Marshal Faulk and Deon.

give it a couple of years- Anquan Boldin










10. LeRoy Butler- created the Lambeau Leap and had one of the greatest plays in FSU history (I was there vs. Clemson)







9. Randy Moss- i can care less about his rep (I like AI also). He is the most talented and beautiful receiver I have ever seen.






8. Tom Brady- i cannot explain what it was like to live in Boston and watch an untested 6th round pick lead them to a Super Bowl. I will always be grateful for that.







7. Jerry Rice- delightful to see. His work ethic embarrasses the rest of the world.









6. Derrick Brooks- one of the best Linebackers ever and a great man. What he has done for the community and his alma mater is unparalleled.








5. Joe Montana- watching him made me love the 49ers. If they were behind with 2 minutes I knew they would win (I feel the same about Brady now).







4. Warrick Dunn- Lee Corso said he would never make it in the NFL. He had one of the greatest plays in FSU history and his philanthropy is phenomenal. One of the best people in sports.





3. Steve Young- as a southpaw, I feel a connection to my favorite Mormon of all time. I love to watch him run.






2. Brett Favre- it is all about attitude. If you don't like him, you may need to see if you are human.









1. Barry Sanders- simply the greatest football player I've ever seen. What he did to opposing players with his ankles is a thing of beauty. It is like watching ballet with pads.