Kareem deserves and will get a statue ~ Patience...

I have to make this quick since I have some place to go, but here it is...

I was thinking about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar today.  Come on!  As if you weren't also.  LOL.  Anyway, I was thinking about Kareem and it somehow reminded me about all those girls who have been dating men forever and are impatiently "waiting" and nagging their significant others about getting engaged. 

I love Kareem.  I skipped a day of medical school to go to the local MC Sports to have him sign a Lakers hat and take his picture.  My dad went to some auction a million years ago and came back with an autographed Kareem picture.  I went to a Los Angeles Dodgers game and Kareem threw out the first pitch.  I will never forget it. 

I don't know the specifics about the relationship with the Lakers and Kareem, but I do know the history.  5 titles.  He's a center.  He's THE big man (i.e. behind Bill Russell).  I can't finish Bill Simmons' "The Book of Basketball", because of all the Kareem bashing.

All I can think about is the poem I once heard...

Patience is a virtue
Possess it if you can
Seldom found in women
Never found in men!

Don't worry Kareem...  Unlike those ladies nagging their men for a ring, I can guarantee you that you'll get what you want.  You will get your statue and when you get it ~ I'll take a trip out to LA to check it out!

I need to get a Skyhook shirt: http://store.kareemabduljabbar.com/skyhook-tshirt2.html


THE WIRK

StubHub is 10 years old ~ Win an ultimate fan experience

StubHub is 10 years old and the ticketing site is "Celebrating by giving our fans a chance to win one of 10 Ultimate Fan Experiences."  I've used StubHub numerous times in the past and have always been happy with their service and ease of use. 

There are 3 prizes that are currently up for grabs on the website.

1. Your Personal Dream Event (contest ends 9/10)
2. ESPN College Football Experience (contest ends 9/10)
3. Unforgettable Dodgers Day (contest ends 9/4)
• According to the website, you could…
• Meet a Dodger legend during a pregame behind-the-scenes tour of Dodger Stadiu
• Watch batting practice on the field and see the game from 4 VIP Dugout seats
• Have 2 children participate in the Dodgers' Kids Take the Field promotion
• Receive an autographed baseball from a current player
• Transportation and hotel accommodations provided.  

Being that I'm not really into college football and that I've already seen the Los Angeles Dodgers play this season, I entered to win my personal dream event. 

For the dream event, per the StubHub website, you're required to upload a photograph (the “Photograph”) that is relevant to the event in which you indicated you would like to be entered and provide a description in 50 words or less that will “Tell us why you should win the ultimate fan experience” (the “Description”). 

Limit one Entry per person/email address per Event.  Winner to be announced on 9/22.

Enter so you have a chance to win a prize, and please wish me luck!

THE WIRK

Manny Ramirez to help Chicago White Sox postseason push

As someone who watched Manny Ramirez when he was with the Los Angeles Dodgers once and numerous times while he was with the Cleveland Indians, I look forward to him joining former Tribe teammate, Omar Vizquel, on the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday.  ****  If only Manny could've picked up a couple of weeks ago, when the White Sox were "in town" so I could've seen more of a Tribe reunion (i.e. with Jim Thome on the field for the Minnesota Twins).

As someone who has "adopted" the Minnesota Twins, I'm also curious to see how the addition of Manny affects the White Sox and Twin's race to the finish (i.e. the post season) since the White Sox are currently only 4 games back...

I remember Manny's glory days in Cleveland.  The city loved the Tribe and it wasn't easy getting a ticket to the game since the team was so talented (i.e. Sandy Alomar, Roberto Alomar, David Justice, Jim Thome, Kenny Lofton, Manny Ramirez, Jose Mesa, and Omar Vizquel etc.).  It wasn't uncommon for me to see them running around town, at the movies on a Sunday, or just miss them as my car was going in for inspection.  ****  Ugh.  Now I'm reminiscing about the good old days at Jacobs Field in Cleveland and watching post-season games at Nautica...  Those were great times with friends.  Too bad the Atlanta Braves had the Tribe's number those years...

Question:  Why does Cleveland appear to be the farm team for every major sport?

Regardless, here's my prediction:  The Minnesota Twins maintain their spot on top of the AL Central.


THE WIRK

Dodgers v Padres @ Petco Park, July 28 ~ Support After-School All-Stars

I have a great friend in San Diego who's been working closely with San Diego Chargers linebacker Shaun Phillips in support of Arnold Schwarzenegger's After-School All-Stars (ASAS).  I saw a message she posted about an upcoming event, that I need to share with you.  I remember what it was like to wait for my mom or dad to pick me up after school.  These days it's basically a norm to have both parents working.  After school activities are beneficial in so many ways.  Learning doesn't stop when the school day ends.  Children need after school activities that are positive and promote maturity.  Parents need to find after school activities that enrich their children's lives (e.g. giving back to the community, exercise, and/or learning, etc.).  After-School All-Stars is a program that is near and dear to my heart for so many reasons!

Here's the scoop:

For those of you that enjoy baseball, why not go to beautiful Petco Park and see the San Diego Padres play the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, July 28 at 7:05PM?  50% from every ticket purchased with the ASAS promotion code goes to the organization.

Honestly, what are you waiting for? 

Go to the link and purchase your tickets here, on the Padres promo ticketing site. 
Don't forget to use Promotion Code: ASAS

For those of you out there with deeper pockets, there are also sponsorship opportunities, and 50% of all proceeds go directly to After-School All-Stars.  If you're interested in purchasing a package contact Ryan Eifler at (619) 795-5162 or reifler@padres.com.

• $1,650 SPONSOR PACKAGE
• 50 Upper Reserved Tickets
• 50 Upper Reserved Tickets ASAS Kids
• Scoreboard Welcome Message
• $3,280 SPONSOR PACKAGE
• 100 Upper Reserved Tickets
• 100 Upper Reserved Tickets for ASAS Kids
• Scoreboard Welcome Message
• Autographed baseball

****  Additional information about Arnold Schwarzenegger's After-School All-Stars and Shaun Phillips is at the end of this post.  I didn't want the event to get lost in a lot of text, but I want you to have the information.

THE WIRK

--------------------------

Information about After-School All-Stars:

After-School All-Stars(ASAS), but was founded by Governor Schwarzenegger in 1992, who still serves as the honorary chair. We currently have programs in 13 cities across the country serving 80,000 kids daily, including 16 schools in south bay San Diego. Providing academic, enrichment, and sports-based programming for San Diego’s under-privileged youth, ASAS is creating memories and opportunities that at one time seemed out of reach for their young participants. They reach the children who need the programs most, serving over 3,700 children annually in San Diego, 80 percent of whom qualify for the federal free and reduced price lunch program. 78 percent of our participants identify as Latino/a, -- the population that experiences the region’s highest rates of poverty, attrition from high school, and instances of obesity.

As you know, after-school hours are a critical time for youth and have a direct impact on how well that student does in school. That time can represent either an opportunity to learn and grow, through quality after-school programs, or a time of risk to youth's health and safety. The after-school hours are the peak time for juvenile crime and risky behaviors such as alcohol and drug use. Most experts agree that after-school programs offer a healthy and positive alternative. These programs keep kids safe, improve academic achievement and help relieve the stresses on today's working families. They can serve as important youth violence prevention and intervention strategies, which is why it is so important that our community get behind after-school programs, such as After-School All-Stars. Every day in the United States as many as 15 million children leave school with no place to go. After School All Stars offers a proven alternative for these children. They engage them in activities and on-going relationships that increase confidence and encourage success in all areas of their lives - at home, in school and in the community. Their mission is to help kids succeed in school and in life

Information about Shaun Phillips:

In the last six NFL seasons, linebacker Shaun Phillips has established himself as one of those confident yet understated work horses. He does his job effortlessly, while opponents study him nervously across the line of scrimmage. He seamlessly stepped into his role with the San Diego Chargers and made an immediate impact with 11.5 sacks, the second most by any lineman in the league. No doubt, this “secret” NFL talent is becoming a household name and in 2009 he was able to prove that with 59 tackles and 7 sacks. Phillips was selected by San Diego in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft and described as a “steal” by the Chargers front office. He finished his collegiate career as Purdue’s all-time leader in sacks with 33.5, and was named a second-team All- American his senior year. He has unquestionably exceeded the expectations that usually accompany a fourth-round draft pick. Phillips is a stellar pass rusher with explosive reaction and an incredible knack for harassing the quarterback. But he is not content to leave his accomplishments where they stand, and he continually strives to improve himself both on and off the field. He enjoys directly communicating with fans in social networks and has an active presence on Twitter with more than 359,000 dedicated followers.

Follow Shaun on Twitter: http://twitter.com/shaunphillips95
Shaun’s Official Website: http://www.spf95.com/f2/index.html

Dodgers defeat the Pirates at Dodgers Stadium ~ My 65th venue

I decided on Thursday night to go to LA.  After finding a really inexpensive fare on Orbitz, I was ready to go.  Lucky for me, I have someone in LA that wanted to do the same things I did over the weekend, so I was in business.  On Thursday night, he and I looked at tickets for the Pirates v Dodgers game...  Stubhub to the rescue!  We had excellent seats and a parking pass.  ****  Getting the tickets ahead of time was a good plan, since I didn't see a single scalper.

I'd never been to Dodgers Stadium.  It was my 65th venue, and I could not have dreamt of a better time.  Upon arriving to the ballpark, we were given free LA Dodgers hats in UCLA colors.  Random.  Turns out it the Dodgers are trying to "partner with" or associate themselves with UCLA or something like that, because there were plenty of UCLA tie-ins throughout the night.  

As we walked around the concourse to our seats, Scott (i.e. who I've known since I was 6 years old, in 2nd grade!!!) said, "Look, there's Kareem Abdul-Jabbar."  What?!?!  How random was that?  I thought he was kidding, but sure enough Kareem was down on the field.  

For those of you that don't read this blog (i.e. shame on YOU!) and don't keep up, you should know that I love the old school Lakers.  Plus, I'm a huge Kareem fan.  ****  I once skipped a day of medical school to go to the local MC Sporting Goods to get Kareem's autograph.  It was worth it.  I even drug my friend, Brian, with me ~ but honestly he needed little convincing.  

Scott and I had excellent seats (i.e. right behind home plate, row H). 

Kareem threw out the first pitch. 

Here's the video that I shot of Kareem's first pitch.  You might want to turn your head to the side.

There were homeruns and the Dodgers ended their losing streak.  Weather was perfect and the Dodger dogs didn't disappoint!

Great seats @ Dodgers Stadium

Dodger Dog

Vin Scully

Dodgers win!

An excellent experience for my 65th venue and a trip to LA... What a great Friday night!

THE WIRK

2 cents on Dez Bryant and then I'm off to the Dodgers game!

I was asked earlier for my 2 cents on the Ireland and Dez Bryant situation.  Here's my 2 cents:

If you tell me that your dad was a pimp, and you say that your mom worked for your dad ~ then yes ~ I'd ASSUME your mom was a prostitute. HOWEVER, I'd probably catch myself and not ask outright the question nor would I be that explicit.  I'd simply ask what she did.  For example, she could have lined up Jons or handled money or been a housewife.  WHO KNOWS.  The issue and controversy has more oomph because Mother's Day is coming up, and people who are raised properly know that you DON'T say anything bad about anyone's mom PERIOD.

Anyway off to the Dodgers game ~ Venue 65, here I come!!!  Go Dodgers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates!


THE WIRK