Heir Jordan

There's been a story floating around for a week or so that continues to escalate, causing ME to have an opinion... so, what else is new...

The controversy centers around Marcus Jordan, son of... YOU GOT IT !!!!.... The GREAT, Michael Jordan. MJJ (MJ Junior) is a freshman at the University of Central Florida and a member of the UCF basketball team. (Apparently being the kin to the greatest basketball player of all time has it draw-backs...)

Ok, no big deal right? So, what's the controversy ?!?!? WELL..... it appears that UCF has an athletic apparel contract with Adidas - including footwear (I hate their sneakers, BTW)... See where this is going ??? Marcus, a chip off the ole block, OBVIOUSLY wants to wear.... any guesses ???? AIR JORDANS.... um... manufactured by Nike, of course... why the hell wouldn't he???

This "refusal" has escalated to the point where it could cost UCF $3 million dollars to restructure the existing contract with Adidas that is currently in it's last year anyway. THAT'S total BS... Is this an Adidas/Nike battle, perhaps??? Yes, I absolutely believe in honoring contracts but this just wreaks of exploitation !!!

Let's take a look at the "brief" history of this situation. During UCF's recruiting process of the young Jordan, the Adidas contract situation came up and Marcus was told BY UCF that it wouldn't be an issue... and assured him that he would still be able to wear the shoes so near and dear to his heart... and to his ability - apparel being one thing, BUT basketball sneakers can make or break a player - and certainly Marcus has always worn Air Jordans.

Although ranked as the 115th best HS player in the nation last year, Marcus wasn't necessarily highly recruited... um, hence not attending daddy's alma mater??? None the less, his "ability" to continue to wear his beloved Air Jordans if committing to attend UCF certainly played a critical role in MJJ's selection process.

Important to note is that during this recruitment, UFC officials notified Adidas of the situation and were told that there "would be a workable solution to a unique situation"... armed with that, UCF assured the young Jordan that he could wear the sneakers of his choice - and the Adidas brand JUST doesn't DO IT for Marcus (GO FIGURE !!!)... apparently what Adidas failed to tell UCF is that the "solution" would cost the university $3 million !!! as NOW Adidas is crying "FOUL" !!!

Also critical to note is that previously during this same 5-year contract, a UCF football kicker was allowed to wear a different brand of shoe due to the fit.... with NO penalty to the university... um, I'm not seeing the difference here... sneakers are the most critical part of a basketball player's uniform - they NEED to fit right too... oh wait, I didn't just fall off a turnip truck !!!!!!!!

The difference is we aren't talking about some non-famous football kicker.. we're talking about the son of MICHAEL JORDAN - a multi-kagiillionAIRe spokesman and businessman!!!! Obviously, Adidas has seen an opportunity to "strengthen" their hold on UCF... and fatten their wallets !!! Perhaps I should research the performance of their stock lately!!!!

Adidas is obviously exploiting the university and in turn, Michael Jordan himself.. [FREAK] THAT !!! ... as certainly $3 million would be a huge hit for the university to have to take to be able to honor their promise to Marcus Jordan... quite a dilemma indeed... AND earlier in the week the "penalty" was reported as being "only" $1.1 million... hmmmmm.

Certainly it goes much deeper than this and the actual details of the contract haven't been disclosed... but, I'm thinking the wording is something to the effect of, "... in the event that wearing the Adidas brand is detrimental to the athlete's performance and the university, UCF athletes will be allowed to wear non-Adidas apparel.... (UNLESS they are the child of a world famous multi-millionaire and Adidas can benefit financially by allowing such situation to take place....)

Here's MY pitch, for what it's worth... [FREAK] Adidas and their [crappy] shoes... perhaps MJ should take the "hit" to get UCF through the current contract with Adidas so that Marcus can continue to wear HIS shoes... BUT, in turn, facilitate a contract between UCF and Nike for doing so... uh..... is THAT exploitation too ?!?!?! Right back at ya Adidas !!!!!!!!!

Thanks for stopping in for a visit. It's just my opinion, so please PAHDON it. Y'all come back now, ya heah !! Nuf Ced

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STOP RIGHT THERE!!!!!!!!!!!

A friend on Facebook re-posted this note, as did I... it says it's a true story, which it may be, but the REAL truth is that this shit goes on each and every day and NEEDS to be STOPPED !!!

I'm not going to apologize for my language cuz truth be told, the thought of this bullshit makes me want to puke !!! and rip someone's head off !!!

Anyone who has ever done or even remotely had thoughts of doing such horrendous acts to the child THEY brought into this world out of love needs to be strung up by their balls and beaten like a pinata with a sledge hammer... and I've got an 8-pounder at the ready !!!

This is despicable and well beyond my comprehension as a human(e) being... and God help the person that I ever meet that has done something like this... I don't care if it's my kid or not !!!!

Here's the note verbatim...

"Daddy......it hurts"

"This is A TRUE STORY AND IF YOU DON'T PASS THIS ON YOU DON'T
HAVE A SOUL!!!

My name is Chris ,
I am three,
My eyes are swollen..
I cannot see.

I must be stupid,
I must be bad,
What else could have made,
My daddy so mad?

I wish I were better,
I wish I weren't ugly,
Then maybe my mommy,
Would still want to hug me.

I can't do a wrong,
I can't speak at all,
Or else I'm locked up,
All day long.

When I'm awake,
I'm all alone,
The house is dark,
My folks aren't home.

When my mommy does come home,
I'll try and be nice,
So maybe I'll just get,
One whipping tonight.

I just heard a car,
My daddy is back,
From Charlie's bar

I hear him curse,
My name is called ,
I press myself,
Against the wall.

I try to hide,
>From his evil eyes,
I'm so afraid now,
I'm starting to cry.

He finds me weeping,
Calls me ugly words,
He says its my fault,
He suffers at work.

He slaps and hits me,
And yells at me more,
I finally get free,
And run to the door.

He's already locked it,
And I start to bawl,
He takes me and throws me,
Against the hard wall.

I fall to the floor,
With my bones nearly broken,
And my daddy continues,
With more bad words spoken.

'I'm sorry!', I scream,
But it's now much to late,
His face has been twisted,
Into a unimaginable sh ape.

The hurt and the pain,
Again and again,
O please God, have mercy!
O please let it end!

And he finally stops,
And heads for the door,
While I lay there motionless,
Sprawled on the floor.

My name is Chris ,
I am three,
Tonight my daddy,
Murdered me.

And you can help,
Sickens me to the soul,
If you read this,
And don't pass it on.

I pray for your forgiveness,
You would have to be,
One heartless person,
Not to be affected,
By this Poem.

And because you ARE affected,
Do something about it!
So all I ask you to do,
Is pass this on!


IF YOU ARE AGAINST CHILD ABUSE!
Post this as 'Daddy ... It hurts'

If you do not send this to everyone you know
Then you obviously don't care about child abuse.

At first I thought this was just a chain letter
And I wasn't going to send it either,
But now I realize that this is an important situation.


At least 5 children each day from around the world die from child abuse!!!!

This happens across the board, no matter how much money they have or their ethnicity.
Please help."

Have you hugged YOUR kid today??? If not, please do.... and pray for those innocent children that long for the same love, only to be beaten to death for that... they didn't ASK to be brought into this world.. and they also certainly didn't ask to be taken out !!!!

I ask (challenge) anyone with a blog that reads this to re-post it on your forum as well... this fucking bullshit needs to be stopped... and perhaps if even ONE person reads it and can save a child's life, we've all helped a child that otherwise wouldn't have the chance they deserve. Thank you.

Thanks for stopping in for a visit. It's just my opinion, so please PAHDON it. Y'all come back now, ya heah !! Nuf Ced

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Causeway Kids - game from 10/21/09

'Aliens' vs the Predators - New kids on the block

Although not having personally witnessed any of the AVP series of Hollywood's "finest" flicks, I did happen to watch some of the Bruins game last night in which the Predators from Nashville invaded Causeway Street (ok, OFFICIALLY Legends Way BUT... it will always be the Bahston Gahden on Causeway to ME !!!!) to take on an "alien" Bruins team.

What a difference 5 days makes as last nights Bruins team was all but a shell of the team that got bitten in the butt by the Coyotes last Saturday.. ok, ok, ok maybe not a shell ... but the line-up was pretty "foreign" to me... I KNOW ... every NHL line-up is mainly foreign.. GEEEEEEEESH !!!

ANYWAY.... topping the changes to the line-up... Milan Lucic, who was actually a scratch from Saturday's game after breaking his right index finger on a check (NOT a Czech) Friday vs Dallas... cripes, the least he could have done was break it on some one's face !!!!... Milan had his finger surgically repaired and will be "riding the pine" (aluminum?) for at least 4 weeks... but I wonder what effect that screw they inserted will have on Milan's play... or someone else's NOSE !!!

Joining Lucic on the injured list is.... last year's leading scorer, Marc Savard !!! HOLY [CRAP] - Is THIS really happening ??? Well yes, yes it is... Savard suffered a broken foot... wait, what??? When the [freak] did THAT happen ?!?!?! Apparently, Savvy took a shot off the foot in a PRE-season PRACTICE - talk about "friendly fire" - although, it was never diagnosed and he just played through the pain. The injury was re-aggravated (uh, re-broken???) in practice the other day and FINALLY they have gotten Savard off his skates - for the next 4-6 weeks !!!!

Ok, ok, ok off to a slow 3-4 start.... their 2 top forwards out for a month+, things are looking grave, but not impossible... certainly Providence has just what the doctor ordered... call a couple up and off we go right ?!?!?

BUT, as so eloquently stated by Bruins' owner Jeremy Jacobs when asked about the start this season... words like "underachieving" "complacent" and "disappointing" flowed.

SOOOOOOOOOO.. the front office has been very busy this week... shaking up the line-up to try to invoke some spark into a very flat squad... Chuck Kobasew was traded to Minnesota for a few reasons.. least of which was to send a message - shape up or ship out !!! Daniel Paille was obtained from Buffalo for 2 draft picks... Providence standouts Vladimir Bobotka and Brad Marchand were called up to add "energy and enthusiasm", Guillaume Lefebvre continues his yo-yo ride between Providence and Boston... and no doubt players like Steve Begin, Michael Ryder, Dennis Wideman, and the rest of the crew were going to need to step up their play.

ALL that being said, the Predators (2-4-1 and having only scored 10 goals this season) appeared to be a good opponent to test the "new look" Bruins' line-up... even with Shawn Thornton being scratched....

NOT SO FAST !!!!!! Be it nerves or inexperience playing together, the Bs came out as flat as ever... back on their heels... and THAT doesn't sound like a good thing when you're on skates !!! The Predators drew "first blood" (oops, WRONG movie - but I DID see that one !!) 5:55 into the game... the rest of the period was all about the "new" Bruins trying to get their skating legs under them.. AND their timing !!!!

Apparently Coach Julien (or MAYBE Jeremy Jacobs paid a visit) had the magic words during the first intermission... 26 seconds into period number 2..... SCOOOOOOOOOOOOORE !!! Michael Ryder put one into the back of the net, with a little help from his friends, NEWLY called up Brad Marchand and Derek Morris!!!!!! It was Brad's very first point (of MANY) at the NHL level... and it knotted the contest at 1....

The tie was short-lived as, despite some very fine network... uh NET-WORK... by Tim Thomas, the Predators went up 2-1 6:17 into the second... can't save em all RIGHT TIM !!!!!!!!!

BUUUUUUUUUUUT.. NOT to be outdone, Patrice Bergeron... NOW moved up to the first line... scored on a tip of a "Z" shot at 12:38 of the same frame... That line had a fantastic shift as Bergy fought tough behind the Predators net, sent a pass out to "Z" and was able to sit in front of the net-minder for Chara's slapper... SCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORE !!!!! game tied 2-2... whew !!!

The 3rd period saw the Bruins putting it all together.... skating, timing, checking... you name it, they were all on the same page.. but despite this - and Tim Thomas "flashing" (uh......) in the Bs net, the score remained tied.... UNTIL !!!!!!!!! Until 8:33 into the 3rd... Daniel Paille gained control of the puck deep and attempted a wrap-around goal... his shot was thwarted but bounced to Steve Begin... a snapshot - SNAP shot - later and the Bs had their first lead of the game... SCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORE !!!!!!!!

The Bs continued to gel through the rest of the contest and Tim Thomas held the fort, especially at the end of the game, not allowing any more shots to infiltrate the net... Bs win 3-2 in ANOTHER come from behind victory !!!

So, although it should have been a 1-sided contest, the Bs came out slow... as the game progressed, so did the level and cohesiveness of the their play - DEFINITELY a positive note to build on... The new kids on the block MORE than held their own and certainly have fit in nicely... MUCH needed... the Bs get right back at it and take on the "Broad Street Bullies" (Flyers) tonight in the city of brotherly love...

Surely there will be no love lost tonight - is there EVER when these teams play ?? ... and undoubtedly the Bs will be without their muscle in Shawn Thornton again... BUT, rest assured, hot off this sweet victory, the Bs should be ready to take whatever the Flyers try to dish out...

Thanks for stopping in for a visit. It's just my opinion, so please PAHDON it. Y'all come back now, ya heah !! Nuf Ced

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Foxboro Follies - game review from 10/18/09

Patriots Bury The Titans in the Foxborough Snow

Well, well, well.... I was going to post a review of yesterday's Patriots game yesterday but am glad I didn't. Although the waiting is the hardest part (TOM PETTY !!!), sleeping on this historic day in Foxborough may, and I repeat MAY, have given me the opportunity to formulate a "different" post - and that's why you all read right???

True that I haven't written about the folks from Foxborough often this year, but that doesn't mean I haven't been following.. EXCEPT for the [frigging] week that FOX decided it was more important to show their Connecticut audience a NY (NJ?)Jets game - good thing CBS has more brains !!!!!

Anyway, I won't rant and rave about the historical nature of yesterday's "contest" as outlined below are the milestones the Patriots achieved.... but rest assured this post won't go rantless as my "mission" here is to bring things more into perspective - hmmmmmmm...

I've been up for an hour and have already read several reports of, "Brady is back!", "Brady plays his best game of the season" and "THIS is the history-making Brady that we all know".... STEP THE [FREAK] RIGHT BACK !!!!!!! (perspective time).

Brady did indeed have a great game yesterday... well, a great 1 half and 1 drive of a game... and being taken out after tossing his 6th TD pass most likely prohibited Tom from having the greatest game by a quarterback in NFL history !!! I agree with Coach Belichick's decision to not risk an injury ANOTHER injury in a game that was decided after the opening drive.

Brady's final stats yesterday were 29/34 for 380 yards, 6 TDs and no interceptions... a QB rating of slightly under perfect at 152.8... EXCELLENT stats at that... especially considering he was pulled after 1 drive in the second half..

BUUUUUUUUUUUT, if you think that I think that what the "experts" think is true.... YOU'VE GOT ANOTHER THING COMING !!! (Judas Priest), and I offer my review from game 1 of the season against the Bills... Tom's stats that week... 39/53 for 378 yards, 2 TDs and 1 interception... QB rating of 97.8

THAT is the day Brady was back !!!! THAT is the Brady's best game of the season (to date)...

But wait !!! Brady's stats were better yesterday !!! Have I flipped my lid ??? UHHHHHHHH.. perhaps, but in this case I think not. But how can I say September 14 against the Bills was Brady's best game??

"Simply" put.... BECAUSE IT WAS !!! On 9/14, the Patriots were losing the game with 6 minutes to play - yesterday they won the game in the opening drive.... On 9/14, Tom Brady commandeered his 29th career come-from-behind victory - yesterday he was removed in a one-sided contest.... on 9/14 the Patriots NEEDED Brady's arm, only mustering 73 yards rushing - yesterday the ground attack could have won the game (actually they did as the first TD was a 45-yard run by Lawrence Maroney), totaling 193 yards.... on 9/14 the Patriots defense only caused 1 turnover - yesterday they took the ball away 5 times.... on 9/14 the Patriots were playing a quality NFL football team - yesterday they were playing 0-5 (now 0-6) "Pop Warner" rejects....

So yes, yesterday was a great game to watch as a Patriots fan... and although Coach Belichick will always find something to work on, the Pats simply dominated the Titans offensively and defensively. The Titans completed only 2 passes for a TOTAL of -7 yards... AND they couldn't even stop Patriots back-up QB, a free agent rookie, Brian Hoyer, who was 9/11 himself - and even rushed for a score.

Team records set by the Patriots

• Most points in a game (59)
• Most points in a half (45 in the first half)
• Most points in a quarter (35 in second quarter)
• Most total net yards in a game (619)
• Most passing net yards in a game (426, tie)
• Most touchdowns in a game (8, tie)
• Most passing yards in a half (Tom Brady, 345)
• Most passing touchdowns in a half (Tom Brady, 5 in first half)
• Most passing touchdowns in a game (Tom Brady, tie, 6)

NFL records set by the Patriots

• Most touchdown passes in a quarter (Tom Brady, 5 in the second quarter)
• Largest halftime lead (45 points, 45-0)

Other milestones achieved by the Patriots

• The Patriots' 59-0 win ties the largest shutout victory by an NFL team since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Atlanta Falcons 59-0 on Dec. 4, 1976.
• The Patriots 59-point victory ties the largest margin of victory by any team since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, equaling the L.A. Rams' 59-point win over Atlanta on Dec. 4, 1976 (59-0).

The Patriots take it on the road next week - LITERALLY !!!! They will be playing the 0-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers in....... LONDON !!!!!!! They sit atop the AFC East at 4-2 as the Jets got "booted" by the Bills... MAYBE the Patriots are back !!!!!!!!

Please allow me to at this time pray for the family and friends of Jasper Howard, UConn football player that played a key role in UConn's Homecoming victory over Louisville on Saturday. 20 years old and an expectant father, Jasper was stabbed to death Saturday night after that great game in a fight at the school's HOMECOMING dance... To the perpetrator of this horrible act, My buddy Chris Mollo's Asshole Award seems to fit....

RIP "Jazz" Howard......

Thanks for stopping in for a visit. It's just my opinion, so please PAHDON it. Y'all come back now, ya heah !! Nuf Ced

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BsTown Review - 10/18/09

ORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR (NOT Bobby, either)

And, oh yes it was... perhaps I should have found it more than ironic that on the same night the Bruins were facing-off against the Phoenix Coyotes (more in a bit)... ABC Family channel was airing one of my favorite movies (for OBVIOUS reasons), Coyote Ugly - AND just a simple "Channel -" click on the remote away to boot - talk about easy surfing.... and they didn't show the movie ONCE, buuuuuut TWICE. Definitely not a good omen, although I had OTHER things on my mind at the time !!! Apparently so did the Bruins....

Stepping back to Friday night's game... the Bruins rolled... uh, SKATED... into the Big "D" (hmmm, BD... NOOOO... NOT DB !!!!) for their first game away from the GAHDEN ice of this young season.

It was a beautiful contest (or lack there of) for a Bruins' fan to watch. The B's "treated" the Dallas crowd of 17,811 in attendance (IMPORTANT note... you'll see) to a 60-minute, end-to-end display of textbook hockey... dominating the Stars in all facets of the game.

When the dust.... or ice-chips... had settled, the scoreboard read...

SWEEEEEEEEET, right !!!! Boston played their BEST over-all performance of the season... winning their 1st road game - and leveling their record at 3-3 - and conjured up thoughts that MAYBE the "experts" hadn't jinxed them...

BUUUUT, oh what a difference a day (or NIGHT) makes - in MORE ways than one - as the Bruins hit the ground running (or the ROAD.... SKATING) and glided over to Phoenix (Glendale?) ... ok, ok, ok.... PHOENIX !?!?!?!?! WTF !?!?!?! Hockey in the desert ???? do they play on a rink of sand and slap scorpions with broomsticks??? (hmmmm, maybe the Bruins could have done better at THAT "game"... IF they had shown up at the rink)

Apparently they were on their way to the "Jobing.com Arena"... but stopped off here for a few.... HOURS, that is....

Ok, ok, ok... I SEE their point !!!!!!!!!

But, Jobing.com (Arena) ???? Has anyone ever heard of that website ??? Limited research shows it to be a job finder service (hmmmmm, perhaps I need to do further research) but wouldn't JOBBING.com be the correct spelling??? (just saying.. and I'm a math guy anyway)... I guess it makes no less sense than hockey in the desert.

Speaking of anyway.... although Phoenix leads the Pacific Division this year, apparently their fans had no interest in attending the game - not EVEN for the FREE A/C (thank a Facebook friend for that one) of the arena..

If the reported attendance of 9,162 or so fans is correct... THEN I'M THE SECOND COMING !!!! AND that place seats 100,000 - NOT !!!!! on both counts as I'm certainly no saint and the arena officially seats around 18,000...

SOOOOOO, as a "math guy", I'd say 1,162 in attendance is MUCH more accurate - there were more empty seats than will be at my funeral... uh, hopefully !!!! Cole Wright of NESN summed it up comically on the post-game show.... "Apparently all the Coyotes' fans showed up dressed as red seats for Halloween" (um, all the seats in the arena are red) But come on... the area has a population of 5 million and they can't fill that dump??? Broomsticks and scorpions is looking more appealing everyday !!!!

ANYWAY....... I won't bore you with the LOW-lights... suffice to say the Bruins had other things on their minds (see above - A MUST-see movie... but rent it or buy the DVD... the commercials interfere with the "flow"...).

But our boys came out flat and and were steam-rolled in the second period... SHORTLY after finally "netting" one to make the score 2-1 (ok, STILL a chance to pull it out), the UGLY "climaxed" as the Coyotes "scored" twice within like 45 seconds.... WHEW !!!!!!!!!! Quite a performance !!!!!

So, the Bruins ship their butts back to Bahston to take on the Nashville Predators on Wednesday... HOLY [CRAP]... if Dolly shows up, they're SCREWED... (they wish !!!!)

Thanks for stopping in for a visit. It's just my opinion, so please PAHDON it. Y'all come back now, ya heah !! Nuf Ced

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Welcome to Bs Town !!!!

Well, here's the ole switcheroo... Obviously, I need to switch gears... AND SUBJECT MATTER.. as the Sox have been swept into hibernation... SOOOOOOOOOOOO... here we GOOOOOOOO!!! No worries though, I'll still post updates of the winter happenings at the Fens, to keep you abreast (I love THAT word !!!) of moves being made by Theo and the crew...

Here's my virgin (uhhhhhh) Bruins post.... BEAR (get it???? OH, GOOGLE what a bruin is !!!) with me... I hope I don't [mess] up !!!!

Well, apparently I'm off to a shaky start here - much like our beloved Bs who sit at 2-3.... BUT, I blame the so-called "experts" for jinxing our boys !!! Why the [freak] did they predict the Bruins as pre-season favorites to bring home Lord Stanley's Cup !?!?!?! Don't get me wrong, I definitely believe that's a possibility, BUUUUUUUUUUUT.... the "kiss of death" has been cast !!!! NAG DABBIT !!!

Claude Julien is undoubtedly one of the greatest coaches in Bruins history... ok, I may be a BIT partial here... but if you look at the demeanor of the hometown coaches... Tito, Belichick, and "Doc" Rivers, it's OBVIOUS that you can catch more flies with honey (was THAT a Winnie the Pooh BEAR reference ?!?!?).... ok, ok, ok they ALL certainly have their moments... hell, so do I !!! but, certainly their low key mentality has helped make Boston the greatest sports town in the country.....

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT..... PITTSBURGH ?!?!??! How the [freak] can Pittsburgh be the #1 sports city in the country?!?!?!? What have the Pirates done for you lately ??? - OR in the past 17 years ???.... And what is THEIR NBA team called... OH WAIT... THEY don't have one !!!!!!!!!!!! Appalling !!!!!!!!! Sorry for that rant....

Anyway, the Bruins have one of, if not the, absolute best and most experienced organizations ever assembled in professional hockey and Claude brought that statement to the pinnacle last season.... bringing home the Jack Adams (NOT to be confused with Jack Edwards - more in a bit) Trophy, annually awarded to the best head coach in hockey.... in JUST his second year behind the Bruins bench !!!!

Winning an award like that is not only a testament to the coach and the front office, but to the team itself... and CED (ok, I still need to toss those around !!!) front office has once again surrounded Julien with one of the better line-ups in the game..

Anchoring the squad once again is AMERICAN (you all know how many Americans are in the league !!!) goal-tender Tim Thomas. Thomas, always a steady net-minder, mind you (was THAT redundant???), brought his "flashy" and sometimes "reckless" style to the top of the mountain last season.. and emerged as the creme de la creme.. ok, let's keep it American here.. the CREAM OF THE CROP !!! as a First Team All-Star (and winning goalie of that game), winner of the Vezina Trophy - awarded to the top goalie in the league... and co-winner of the Jennings Trophy for fewest goal allowed... Even at the age of 35, I'll take THAT anchor any day !!!

The cornerstone and rock of the defense is once again Zdeno Chara... OBVIOUSLY not American... but he IS 7 feet tall on skates.. AND he IS the reigning Norris Trophy winner, awarded to the best defensive player in the league. You won't be reminded of Bobby Orr here, but at 7 ft tall and the wingspan of Rodan, Chara can close gaps and poke check from ridiculous angles - not to mention he has the hardest (fastest) shot in the NHL... and although NOT a fighter, Zdeno stepped up his physical game last season... most likely a key factor in winning the award..

Helping "Z" keep the opposition out of the Zone is a "motley crue".... NOT !!!! The Bs defensive CREW is more than capable of providing the support needed to drive toward the Stanley Cup... perhaps not many household names (defense in hockey being like offensive line in football), Dennis Wideman, Andrew Ferrence, Mark Stuart and newly acquired Derek Morris promise to provide lots of action in the defensive zone.. and do NOT be surprised at their prowess offensively...

Ah, the front lines..... although Kessel-less (grrrrr - was THAT a bear growling???), Boston's front line-up is a virtual all-star team in itself... a perfect mix of youth, experience, finesse and down right toughness.... reminiscent of the Big Bad Bruins of old !!!!

Toddlers Patrice Bergeron (24) - having bounced back last year from almost having his career ended the year before - and David Krejci (23) are absolutely "ice ballerinas"... although THAT comment comes from someone who can NOT skate !!!.. AND, while you're watching these 2 skate circles around you, you'd better hope SOMEONE has an eye on Marc Savard, Marco Sturm, Blake Wheeler and elder statesman Mark Recchi...

Youth, finesse and experience covered, that leaves toughness... true that "Z" and Bergeron have no issues getting physical BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT.... Milan Lucic and Shawn Thornton are definite throw-backs to the Bruin style of old.. despite the league's efforts to reduce the fisticuffs involved, Milan and Shawn continue to be the "beef" on the team and will drop the gloves if you look at them wrong !!!!

But do NOT be lulled (or punched) to "sleep" at Lucic's "tough-guy" facade... this kid (21) is a TRUE mix of skill and toughness... OK, I AM partial here as he is my favorite current Bruin... but this kid's style is eerily reminiscent of probably my all-time favorite Bruin... NOPE... NOT Bobby Orr..... WHAM BAM CAM !!!.... Cam Neely... ole #8... ok, BRUINS #8 !!!!

And remember that front office mentioned earlier???? MR. Cam Neely just HAPPENS to be Vice President and Alternate Governor... what ever the [freak] THAT means... It MEANS, there's no wondering why Milan is a Bruin OR why he's my favorite current Bruin !!!!!!!

This just in... here's the Bruins latest acquisition... not really, but this is nasty !!!! This happened during a mini 1 on 1 competition !!! you HAVE to watch, this kid is probably like 10 years old....

Ok, "brief" team preview aside.. I HAVE to share my opinion on something here (GO FIGURE !!!)... The building that the Bruins play their home games in... WILL SOMEONE MAKE UP THEIR [FREAKING] MINDS !?!?!?! Not about where... but about what to call this place !!!!!!

For a bazillion years, the Bruins (and Celtics) played in the..... BOSTON GARDEN !!!!! (may it rest in pieces)... THEN.... the current facility was "born"... as the Fleet Center (and actually was named the Shawmut Center prior to it's birth - Fleet Bank buying out Shawmut Bank before the doors even opened).. ok, obviously named for Fleet Bank (financial reasons)... great new state of the art (at the time) home... SWEEEEET !!!!!!!!! home....

BUT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Due to the "stability" of the banking business and the constant selling of the naming rights for the facility, the building has undergone many name changes (if you include the 2005 eBay auction for charity that sold the the naming rights 30 times - but only for 1 day periods - THAT I can accept)... BUT, TD BankNorth Garden, TD Bank Garden or TD Garden (CURRENTLY), no mater how you slice it, it's STILL the Boston Garden... SO JUST [FREAKING] NAME IT THAT !!!!!!!!!! Nuf Ced

OK, so for those who are not hockey fans..... WHY THE HELL NOT !?!?!?! Here's to hoping I have sparked at least a bit of curiosity... and with "color" announcer Jack Edwards (at the very least, the most emotional announcer in the "game") calling the "shots", it proves to be an experience you'll never forget... And for all you guys... Kathryn Tappen (um, hell yeah I would) does the intermissions !!!

Thanks for stopping in for a visit. It's just my opinion, so please PAHDON it. Y'all come back now, ya heah !! Nuf Ced

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Louis Vincent Albano - Good-bye Captain

I take the easy way out today and copy the Wikipedia article on Captain Lou Albano, truly a pioneer in the sports/entertainment industry. As a child growing up, the WWWF was an important part of my relationship with my father - and Lou Albano was an important part of the WWWF. For that I thank Louis Vincent Albano - may you rest in peace....

Louis Vincent Albano^[4] (July 29, 1933 – October 14, 2009) was an American professional wrestler, manager and actor. With an over-the-top personality and a penchant for boisterous declarations, "Captain" Lou Albano was the epitome of the antagonistic manager that raised the ire of wrestlers and incited the anger of spectators. Throughout his 42-year career, Albano guided 15 different tag teams and four singles competitors to championship gold.^[4] A unique showman, with an elongated beard, rubber band facial piercings, and loud outfits, he was the forefather of the 1980s Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection. Collaborating with Cyndi Lauper, Albano helped usher in wrestling's crossover success with a mainstream audience. Capitalizing on his success, he later ventured into Hollywood with various television, film, and music projects.

Contents [show]

[edit]Early life

Albano was born on July 29, 1933 in Rome, Italy.^[5] His family moved to the United States and settled in Mount Vernon, New York. He played football at and graduated from Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, New York.^[6] After briefly attending the University of Tennessee on a football scholarship, Albano left school to join the Army.^[4][7] During his tour, Albano became interested in professional wrestling when he was working at a bar as a bouncer and met two wrestlers.^[4] Albano made his professional wrestling debut by beating Bob Lazaro in Montreal,Quebec in 1953.^[4]

[edit]Professional wrestling career

[edit]World Wide Wrestling Federation

Albano achieved moderate success as a tag team performer with partner Tony Altimore.^[8] Dubbed The Sicilians, Altimore and Albano competing as a stereotypical Italian gangster combo.^[4] Their realistic depiction of their characters caught the attention of actual mafiosi.^[4] In 1967, they won theUnited States Tag Team Championship from Arnold Skaaland and Spiros Arion.^[4][8]

Following the encouragement of fellow wrestler Bruno Sammartino, Albano transitioned from wrestling to announcing.^[4] He transformed himself into the brash, bombastic manager Captain Lou Albano. With a quick wit and a grating personality, Albano delivered memorable promos that made him wrestling's most villainous manager. He earned the scorn of the wrestling audience as he attempted to dethrone World Wide Wrestling Federation superstar and WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino. In 1971, Albano achieved his objective when "Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff ended Sammartino's seven year reign as champion.^[4] For the remainder of the 1970s, Albano's cadre of loyal henchmen were unable to resecure the championship once Sammartino won it back.^[4]

Albano guided singles wrestlers Pat Patterson, Don Muraco and Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine to the Intercontinental Championship.^[4]Furthermore, Albano guided fifteen teams to the WWWF World Tag Team Championships, including The Valiant Brothers, The Wild Samoans, The Blackjacks, The Moondogs and The Executioners.^[4][9] By the end of his career, Albano managed over 50 different wrestlers who won two dozen championships.

Albano could also help elevate wrestlers by splitting from them. In 1982, despite being managed by the villainous Albano, "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka was becoming a fan favorite due to his high-flying ring style. An interview segment revealed that Snuka had no legal contract with Albano, and thus was able to leave his manager.^[10] Shortly thereafter, a bloody beatdown by Albano, Fred Blassie and Ray Stevens, helped transform Snuka into a sympathetic figure, and triggered the most successful period of his career.^[11]

[edit]Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection

Main article: Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection

During the 1980s, Albano appeared in Cyndi Lauper's music videos for her hit songs "Girls Just Want to Have Fun", "She Bop", and "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough" Parlaying the venture, new WWF owner Vince McMahon devised the Rock 'n' Wrestling storyline, a collaboration and cross-promotion between the newly renamed WWF and elements of the music industry.^[12] During a public appearance at Madison Square Garden, Albano made sexist comments that outraged the singer and non-wrestling fans.^[7] Furthermore, on WWF television, Albano made the audacious claims that he was Lauper's manager, that he had secretly written her songs, and that he was the architect of her success. The two settled their differences on the MTV/WWF special The War to Settle the Score. Following Lauper's victory at the event, Albano apologized to Lauper and instantly became a fan favorite and the voice of Rock 'n' Wrestling. It was also explained that Albano had undergone surgery to remove "calcium deposits" on his medulla oblongata, and that the operation had removed his evil tendencies.^[13]

The crossover storyline, coupled with the Hulkamania phenomenon surrounding then-WWF champion Hulk Hogan and the first WrestleMania, triggered a period of unprecedented success for not only the WWF, but for the professional wrestling industry as a whole.^[1] Moreover, Albano helped cement wrestling's place within pop culture. Following the colossal success of the Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection, Albano left the WWF in 1986 to focus on various projects. Except for a brief return in 1994 to co-manage The Headshrinkers, Albano was retired from the wrestling industry.

[edit]Television and Film

Capitalizing on his new found celebrity, Albano began appearing in a vast array of television and film projects. Throughout the late eighties, Albano appeared in Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling, 227, Miami Vice, Hey Dude, Brian De Palma's Wiseguys, "Complex World" and the 1987 wrestling movie Body Slam. Expanding into music, Albano managed and performed with rockers NRBQ. He was immortalized in the song "Captain Lou" on their Lou and the Q album. Albano also periodically appeared on the John Davidson version of Hollywood Squares.

In March 1989, on Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, Albano had his trademark beard shaved on the air in order to star as the iconic video gamecharacter Mario in The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!. Along with Danny Wells, he co-starred in live action segments during interludes of the Mario cartoon, as well as providing the voice of his animated counterpart.

In 1992, Albano appeared in the John Ritter film Stay Tuned as the ring announcer for a wrestling match of the "Underworld Wrestling Federation" pitting Ritter and Pam Dawber's characters against two demonic wrestlers.

In 1996, Albano was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame.^[1] Two years later, he co-authored the book The Complete Idiot's Guide to Pro-Wrestling along with Bert Sugar.^[14] In his final years, Albano was semi-active in the wrestling industry with appearances at reunion events, conventions, and WWE programming.^[15][16]

During the 1990s and early 2000s, Albano could often be found on local cable television promoting small businesses in Putnam, Westchester, and Dutchess Counties, NY, employing the same over the top style that characterized his 1980s stardom.

[edit]Personal life

During the 1990s, Albano shed 150 pounds (70 kg) following a health scare. In May 2005, Albano suffered a heart attack, but later recovered.

In 2008 he released his autobiography, "Often Imitated, Never Duplicated"^[17] with the foreword written by Cyndi Lauper.

Albano was one of five children born to Dr. Carmen Louis and Eleanor Albano, both deceased. The other Albano siblings are Vincent, George, Eleanor, and Carl.^[18]

Albano's brother, Carl, taught health for 32 years at Ridgewood High School in Ridgewood, NJ, and was head of the Ridgewood High health department from 1974 until 2001.^[18] Carl Albano's students have noted that he used his brother Lou as an example of the difference between crazy and unique.

[edit]Death

Albano died of natural causes on October 14, 2009, aged 76, while under hospice care at his home.^[19] He is survived by his wife Geri, four children and 14 grandchildren.

[edit]Championships and accomplishments

• Cauliflower Alley Club

• Other honoree (1995)

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated

• PWI Manager of the Year (1974, 1981, 1986)
• PWI Stanley Weston Award (1994)

• Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum

• Class of 2009

• World Wrestling Entertainment

• WWF Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)^[1]
• WWWF United States Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Tony Altimore

• Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards

• Best on Interviews (1981) tied with Roddy Piper
• Worst Worked Match of the Year (1985) vs. Freddie Blassie at Nassau Coliseum

[edit]Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f} "Lou Albano's Hall of Fame Profile". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-10-06.
2. ^ Associated Press (10/15/2009). "Pro wrestler, music video icon Albano dies at 76". Retrieved 2009-10-15.
3. ^ "Wrestler, Pop Icon Captain Lou Albano Dies At 76". cbs5.com. Oct 14, 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
4. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m} Van der Griend, Blaine (October 14, 2009). "Captain Lou Albano passes away at 76". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-10-14.
5. ^ Salazar, Christian (October 14, 2009). "Pro wrestler, music video icon Albano dies at 76". The Associated Press. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
6. ^ Stepinac Crusaders website
7. ^ ^{a b} Pro Wrestling Radio Interview
8. ^ ^{a b} Ellison, Lillian. First Goddess of the Squared Circle, pp. 166–167.
9. ^ Lou Albano - Rotten Tomatoes Celebrity Profile, retrieved on 2009-10-15.
10. ^ Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka vs. Ray "The Crippler" Stevens, Madison Square Garden, New York, NY, December 28, 1982, retrieved on 2009-10-15.
11. ^ Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka - Wrestling Legends - WWE Hall of Fame legend - Media Man Australia, retrieved on 2009-10-15.
12. ^ The Wrestling Museum Hall of Fame Induction Article
13. ^ Washington Post, April 1, 1985, retrieved on 2009-10-15.
14. ^ ISBN 0028639618 (2nd edition, 2000)
15. ^ Capt. Lou Albano's wrestling swansong comes Saturday in Shillington, 6/19/2008, retrieved on 2009-10-15.
16. ^ Bret Hart Offering Comments On Vince McMahon Tonight On Raw, Reported by Daniel Pena on 06/11/2007, retrieved on 2009-10-15.
17. ^ SLAM! Wrestling review of Lou Albano's Autobiography
18. ^ ^{a b} Carl M. Albano Obituary, retrieved on 2009-10-15.
19. ^ Pro wrestler, music video icon Albano dies at 76, retrieved on 2009-10-15.

[edit]References

• Foley, Mick (2000). Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks. HarperCollins. ISBN 0061031011.
• Ellison, Lillian (2003). The Fabulous Moolah: First Goddess of the Squared Circle. ReaganBooks. ISBN 9780060012588.
• "WWE Hall of Fame Profile"
• "Wrestling Museum Hall of Fame Induction Article"

[edit]External links

Professional wrestling portal

• Albano dies at 76
• Offical website
• Lou Albano at the Internet Movie Database
• WWE Hall of Fame profile
• Online World of Wrestling profile

Preceded by Peter Cullen 1983-1985 Saturday Supercade

Voice of Mario 1989-1990 Super Mario Brothers Super Show

Succeeded by Walker Boone 1990-1992 The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 &Captain N & Super Mario World

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