If you haven't heard already, there is a rumor going around that Reebok might ask Chad "Ocho Cinco" Johnson to pay back funds for jerseys that have already been produced with the name "Johnson" on them.  The reported number going around has Ocho Cinco Johnson (or whatever we're calling him these days) possibly having to pay upwards of four million dollars.  For JERSEYS. 

Um...excuse me?

This might be the dumbest thing I've ever heard. (Minus yet another athlete coming out of retirement...LANCE!)   This is coming from a company (yes you Reebok) that makes a bazillion dollars a year, and who will probably make even MORE money from people wanting to walk around with "Ocho Ciinco" on their backs.  C'mon, it's cool.  You know you want one.


The Bengals haven't had this much press since...well....ever. 

I get making a big deal out of certain things, I really do.  Two of the most reported stories I saw and read this week made sense...but the other one I repeatedly saw has got to be a joke!

First, Brett Favre.  Obviously important. He made his big debut as an official "Jet," and defeated the Dolphins.  Golf claps - as if that wasn't expected.



Next, the unexpected Tom Brady incident.  A torn ACL!  Ouch!  A torn MCL!  Double Ouch!  A season ending injury?  NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!   I live in the DC area, and I swear I heard all of New England yell collectively, "Matt Cassel?  WHO'S THAT?!" 




Lastly, I saw Chad Johnson all over the place.  All I hear is Ocho Cinco this, and Ocho Cinco that.  What?  Who?  Why are we speaking spanish?  Am I on ESPN Deportes?  I don't get it.  I don't understand why a name on the back of a jersey has become such a soap opera.  Maybe someone can explain it to me in a fashion that actually MAKES SENSE. 

I would like to point out two different scenarios in which not only manufacturer's, but fans lose out.

Exhibit A:

Last year, I purchased a number 24, Boston Red Sox, Manny Ramirez t-shirt.  I wore it weekly to bed, until one day I woke up, and Manny was no longer a Red Sock.  My t-shirt had become irrelevant.  Boston was selling Ramirez t-shirts on their website at clearance prices, and poor Majestic had to take a loss because, well, Manny was a popular guy in Boston.  Obviously they were continually making shirts to keep up with those demanding Ramirez fans.  Silly us. 

So in the case of players being traded - why don't teams have to pay the companies like Reebok and Majestic for fees they might lose by having to change or discontinue certain products?

Exhibit B: 

While women's sports aren't nearly as popular as mens, what would happen if a professional womens athlete who had merchandise that was being sold, got married and legally changed her last name?  When Mia Hamm got married to Nomar Garciaparra, what if she legally became Mia Garciaparra?  Should she be responsible for paying the maker of t-shirts and jerseys that read "Hamm" to make up for lost expenses?  I think not.

I can guarantee that whoever makes apparel for professional athletes is going to make money no matter what.  Sure, they might lose some money because the number 85 with the name "Johnson" isn't nearly as fun as "Ocho Cinco,"  but, the money they lose from the "Johnson" jersey', they will surely double by the selling of the new and trendy "Ocho Cinco" jerseys.  Yeah, I said trendy.  So?

Maybe they'll pass along the cost to the consumer.  Maybe they'll jack up the price of the new jersey, and cut costs of the old one to balance it out.  My suggestion then, is to buy the old one, stick some duct tape over the "Johnson," and then write in "Ocho Cinco" on the tape.  it works.

That's what I did with my Ramirez shirt.  Yay for Bay!

(Left, Boston Red Sox closer, Jonathan Papelbon.  Right, Hollywood's resident tool, Spencer Pratt.)

I’m sort of a nerd when it comes to sports. Most people who know me know that I love most any sport, especially baseball. It’s that time of year where I get excited because I know fall is just around the corner, and “October” is mentioned in the same breath as scores on Sportscenter during the 9am live broadcast.

When the playoffs are on the horizon, I am always reminded of just how much I love the game. In the years since the NFL has been established, baseball has sort of lost it’s shiny title of “America’s Past Time.” Violent football plays were the new favorite thing to watch.

There’s something special about baseball. I can try to describe it, but it’s not one of those thing you can bottle up and make tangible. It just is.

Walking into a baseball stadium, having your ticket torn, and sliding it into your back pocket to keep as a souvenir is just the beginning. Walking out from the mezzanine and catching that first view of the lush, green grass contrasting against the freshly wet dirt that lines the bases….it’s so pretty. Sometimes the smell of the dirt even makes its way up your nose as the wind blows it off the field. If you’re lucky, you might get a whiff of the freshly cut grass too.

I’ve been lucky enough to have attended games at three of the most historic parks in America. Wrigley Field, Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park.

I’ve cheered for the Cubs since I was 8 years old. Living in Indianapolis at the time, team choices were the Cincinnati Reds, the Chicago White Sox or the Chicago Cubs. The natural choice was to gravitate towards the Cubs, because that’s who my Dad cheered for. When I was 9, my Dad and I took a little road trip to Chicago to see the Cubs play at Wrigley. I can remember vividly, walking up to the entrance of the stadium and seeing the giant, inviting sign that read “Welcome to Wrigley Field.” The stadium seemed to tower over me, as though it could #### me up at any time. There was something extraordinary about being in such a historic place. The contact of the bat and the ball seemed to crack a little louder, the cheers were a little more enthusiastic, the grass was a little greener, and the hot dogs tasted a little better. When the 7th inning stretch came, we all sang along with Harry Caray as he belted out “take me out to the ballgame.” 38,100 individual fans, all singing in perfect unison, a family, rooting for their beloved Cubbies. I learned that day that the correct way to sing the song is to sing “root, root, root for the Cubbies…if they don’t win it’s a shame…” I’ll never forget that day, where it seemed as though the stars of baseball were playing specifically for me, on the prettiest stage of all.

When I was 18, I made the trek to New York to see the Yankees play at Yankee Stadium. I was never a fan of the Yankees, so I was just there for the game itself. We walked through the streets of New York on a humid Saturday morning, passing a Juvenile Detention center along the way, and past the families waiting to visit the delinquents. To me, there was nothing special about the stadium. With all of the history that had been made on those grounds, I felt let down. I felt deflated. It felt....dare I say...ordinary. While I have all of the respect in the world for Yankee fans and the Yankee dynasty, I just couldn't get into it. The legacy and fans are hard to find in any other sport, so let me just reiterate that I have a lot of respect for the entire Yankee organization. . With that said though, my experience was based on the fact that I witnessed fights as opposed to commaradrie. I encountered more police than happy fans. And quite frankly, I was more impressed with the NYPD than i was Yankee Stadium. I can usually adapt to whatever stadium I’m in and root for the “home team,” but in New York, I just couldn’t do it. It was missing that certain je ne sais quoi. There was no sparkle…just a lackluster building, smelling of beer and peanuts. I was grateful for the experience, but I just wanted to get outta there.

 

When I was 27, I FINALLY realized a dream and got up to Boston to see a Sox game at Fenway. Fenway was my crown jewel. I LOVE the passion that Boston has for their team and I was excited to experience that first hand. Before we even walked into Fenway Park I felt like we were in the presence of magic. The grounds surrounding Fenway just beg you to walk upon them. I walked under the Green Monster, gazing up at just how monstrous it really was. Walking through the turnstile, I glowed. I was giddy. The stadium was old, yet somehow still young. The field was weird in it’s odd positioning, but it still worked. The fans were 1,000 times better than any group of sports fans I’ve EVER encountered. Passionate, forgiving and jubilant. Let down more than lifted up, they’re the first to say “maybe next year.” You couldn’t ask for a better environment. Fenway reminded me a lot of Chicago. The two cities actually remind me a lot of each other as well. Booming metropolises filled with down to earth people who love their teams. The stadiums have such an energy surrounding them. You can’t deny it - you have to embrace it - become part of it.



Some people claim that baseball is too slow and too boring. But I wonder what they’re watching when they say that. The incredible leaps, off balance throws, monster home runs and questionable pitches make it a thrilling game. Baseball might not be the most popular sport in America anymore, but it’s still fantastically exciting. If you don’t recognize that, then well, you’re just missing out on all the fun.

I'm having a hard time rooting for just one team this season. I'm not a hardcore fan of any of the playoff teams, so to pick one team and stick with it has been difficult for me this year. The Cubs are out, which means I historically root for the sentimental favorite. Or the underdog. But wait, this year the Sox are the sentimental favorite and the Indians are the "underdog." How the heck am I supposed to choose?

I went to the Saturday home opener in Boston this year. Sat out in right field at Fenway and loved every second of it. The Boston fans are incredible, and being in that tiny stadium made me feel alive with energy. It's indescribable really. I could try to paint a picture of how green the green monster really is. How amazing the hot dogs were, or how loud and hilarious the Red Sox Nation really was. But my describing it just wouldn't do it justice. If you're a fan of baseball, you must see the Sox play at Fenway in your lifetime.

It's hard not to root for Boston. How can you be anti Curt Schilling? Or anti David Ortiz with his big, goofy grin, clapping his paws in excitement as his teammates do well. How can you not love a guy named Coco Crisp? I could go on about Manny Ramirez, Mike Lowell, Jason Varitek and Kevin Youkilis, but I won't. You get the picture.

I will however, take a moment to discuss the hurricane that shal now be known as JD Drew. For a guy who's been accused of lacking passion, JD Drew sure seems to be showing his desire to play. A grand slam in the first inning of game six, putting the Sox in position to force a game seven? Someone wants to go to the World Series! Drew is new to the Sox this year. He signed a five year deal for $70 million, which some thought was a risky move. Drew was dealing with shoulder injuries at the time of the signing and the Sox were smart enough to insert provisions into the contract. If Drew were to sit on the disabled list for more than 35 days, the 4th and/or 5th year of the contract could be voided. How's that for a reason to relight the spark of passion?

Drew has been an integral part of the playoffs this year and I'm not trying to take away from any of the other guys. It's just exciting to see a newcomer do so well in a town that just wants their team to win.

On to the Indians.

I have a secret to confess. I'm a Grady Sizemore fan. The guy is fearless. He is an excellent defensive player, and is a force to be reckoned with when he steps up to the plate. I tried to dislike him, I really did. But it's pretty much impossible. He doesn't reek of ego or entitlement. He shows up, he does his job, and he does it well. How can you dislike a player like that?

As much as I like Grady Sizemore, I like the Red Sox as a whole just a little bit more. I can't not root for the Sox. Their history, their passion and their drive just pulls me in. Yes, I'm definitely rooting for the Sox.

But wait, wouldn't a Grady Sizemore v. Matt Holliday match up be incredible to watch? Maybe I should root for the Indians.

No. Definitely the Red Sox. Unless I cheer for the Indians. Indians are the underdogs you guys! But the Sox have more history and infamy. Reverse the curse! Again! Now that I think about it, I do like the color Red. But I love blue. The city of Boston is so great. So much history. But Cleveland is fun too! The Rock n Roll Hall of Fame is there, the people are wonderful! Eenie, meenie, miney, mo....

Go Rockies.

One of my earliest memories as a child is going to baseball games with my Dad. When my Mom was studying for her CPA exam, we would take trips from Indianapolis to surrounding cities like Cincinnati and Chicago to see baseball games. My first and most vivid memory of that time was going to see the Cubs play at Wrigley Field. I remember exactly where we sat, how green the ivy on the outfield wall was, and most importantly, singing "take me out to the ballgame" with Harry Caray himself.

To me, there is nothing more "American" than a baseball game. Tickets are typically cheap, you're plenty entertained, and hotdogs just taste better.

I've always wanted to have a "life list" of things that I want to do, and I've decided that one task on my list is going to be to visit each of the MLB stadiums. It's something I think is within reach during my lifetime and I look forward to completing it someday.

The big three parks to me are Wrigley Field, Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park. I've been able to step foot into each of those historic stadiums, and it's only made me thirst for more.

Viva la baseball.

Fenway Park, Boston - 2007
Yankee Stadium, New York - 2000
Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim
McAfee Coliseum, Oakland
Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City
Metrodome, Minnesota
Rogers Centre, Toronto
Tropicana Field, Tampa Bay
U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago
Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore - 1997
Jacobs Field, Cleveland
Ameriquest Field, Arlington, TX
Safeco Field, Seattle
Comerica Park, Detroit
Wrigley Field, Chicago - 1987
RFK Stadium, Washington DC - 2005
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
Shea Stadium, New York
Dolphin Stadium, Florida - 1999
Coors Field, Colorado - 1997
Turner Field, Atlanta -
Chase Field, Arizona
Minute Maid Park, Houston
A####mp;T Park, San Fransisco
Miller Park, Milwaukee
PNC Park, Pittsburgh
Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati - 1987
Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia
PETCO Park, San Diego
New Busch Stadium, St. Louis