Yankees v Rangers, ALCS Game 1 ~ I'll be there!

Cliff Lee pitched a complete game, and the ALCS match-up is set.  Further, I just scored my ticket to Game 1 in Dallas!  I had to rearrange my schedule, but I'm more than excited to see the New York Yankees take on the Texas Rangers and check off another stadium (i.e. Rangers Ballpark) on my tour. 

The Texas Rangers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays earlier tonight, and the minute the Rangers advanced, I was on the phone with US Air changing my existing weekend flights.  Thank goodness I have plenty of dividend miles coming out of my ears and a very flexible schedule, otherwise it'd be basically impossible to continue living the dream!  ****  Direct flights to DFW cost almost $1,500.00 right now and with a connection you'd still pay more than $500.00. 

Friends and family, hopefully I can see you before or after the game this Friday.  Fellow baseball fans, I'll see you at Rangers Ballpark!  Game time is set at 8PM (ET).

****  Still on the hunt for a ticket for the NLCS, Game 1.  I really want to see Lincecum v Halladay.  If you can help me out, contact me: thewirk@gmail.com.


THE WIRK

ESPN 30 for 30: Once Brothers ~ Politics, Friendship, and Basketball

Tonight I watched the ESPN 30 for 30 "Once Brothers" feature and I have so much on my mind that I fel the need to post.  I saw Vlade Divac this summer in Las Vegas, when I was watching NBA Summer League.  I never thought I'd think twice about Divac this year, much less remember Drazen Petrovic.

Drazen Petrovic and Vlade Divac were friends and former teammates for "unified" Yugoslavia, but civil war between the Serbians and the Croatians divided them.  Other notables on that team are Dino Radja and Toni Kukoc.  I wasn't familiar with the specifics of Divac and Petrovic's relationship, until I watched this show.  I'm not Croatian nor Serbian, so I'm not very familiar with the history of the two countries.  I wasn't familiar with the incident that occurred in 1990 World Championships in Argentina (i.e. Divac's reaction to a fan approaching with a Croatian flag) when Yugloslavia defeated Arvydas Sabonis and the Soviet Union for the gold.

What I do remember are the Dayton Peace Acccords that happened in 1995.  I remember the news that the Presidents were meeting in Dayton, because those talks occurred only minutes away from the houses where I grew up.  I remember the Peace Accords put an "end " to the fighting between Croatia and Serbia.  Aside from integrating the political angles, it was enlightening to see the human story behind Divac and Petrovic's relationahip.

Divac was drafted into the NBA in 1989.  According to Wikipedia, "The 1989 NBA Draft has been regarded as one of the worst drafts in NBA history...  Though the draft produced talented players such as Shawn Kemp...eight of the top ten picks were considered busts, including the first two picks Pervis Ellison and Danny Ferry."  ****  HAHA.  Thank you, Wikipedia.

I don't remember Petrovic's entry into the league, but I do remember his premature exit from our lives.  I remember learning that Drazen Petrovic died in a car accident in Germany.  I saw it on the news.  I remember his star shining while he played with the New Jersey Nets.  He had so much promise and talent.  I remember feeling the loss, even though I wasn't a Nets fan.  In the ESPN feature they talk about Petrovic and how he had no problem going against Michael Jordan.  Petrovic had a quick release and ice in his veins. 

Here are some clips compiled of Jordan and Petrovic that I found on youtube.



Petrovic and Divac's performances on the world's basketball stage and successes in the NBA helped to pave the way for other Europeans (e.g. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Peja Stojakovic, Pau Gasol, Dirk Nowitzki) to enter the league.  Human relationships are tough at times, but when you add politics, friendship can often be strained.  They say never to talk about money, religion, or politics.  Politics can enter our lives in the most subtle of ways, but even the keen eye of someone "in the know" can discern the Serbian three-finger salute for what it is, as opposed to "just" a cheer after a 3-pointer is drained...  I remember watching a Sacramento Kings game in the late 1990s, where the salute was given after the shot.  I was watching with someone from Europe who knows basketball.  As soon as he saw it, he said "Whoa!".  What I thought was a simple celebration for a 3-pointer or a clutch shot, meant much more.  I had no idea what I saw meant more than it did, but he knew (i.e. that for some people) the message would be clear. 

Don't believe me?  Seems as though he wasn't the only one who picked up on the messaging.  Here's one article I found on the subject:  http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/content?oid=14137.  Nevertheless, I don't want to talk politics.  I do want to let you know though, that if  you haven't seen the ESPN 30 for 30, "Once Brothers", see it.

In fact, if you aren't watching these shows, you really should catch up and maybe even pick up the gift set.

Further, if you're a Drazen Petrovic fan, I just noticed that you can pick up his jersey.

**** Do me a favor, if you liked this post or any other of the posts in this blog, please go to the upper right hand corner of this blog and vote for me for Blogger of the Year. It only takes a second. Thanks!



THE WIRK

Brett Favre's voicemail or his 500th TD pass ~ What do you care about?

I don't know about you, but I don't want to hear every professional football player's inappropriate voicemail message nor do I really care about any inappropriate text messages.  I heard Favre's voicemail on Friday on the radio.  I don't condone infidelity, but I do think it's a personal matter between him and his wife.  Further, as long as there are no charges/convictions against him, I think it's a dangerous precedent for the NFL to "set" (i.e. to punish these types of behaviors as an offense to the code of conduct).

That's my 2 cents.

Now back to the business of the New York Jets v Minnesota Vikings, MNF match-up...  Congratulations to Brett Favre on his 500th career touchdown pass (i.e. of which  Randy Moss was the recipient)!  The Vikings are still down 7-15 with the 3rd quarter coming to an end...

Now that this blog post is done, I can start leaving inappropriate voicemails!  HAHA.  Just kidding.  Obviously, I need to order a voice changer first... Duh...  :-P

THE WIRK

Giants v Phillies for the NLCS ~ Lincecum v Halladay, Game 1

Well, the NLCS match-up is set, and I can't wait to see the San Francisco Giants play the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park!  Game 1 has Tim Lincecum going up against Roy Halladay, and it should be an amazing battle... 

I guess it's time for me to hunt down some tickets and try to rearrange my schedule, since I really don't want to miss this match-up...  If you can help a girl out with access to tickets, please contact me via email at thewirk@gmail.com. 

If the Giants are more your "flavor", then I recommend you buy the Pablo (i.e. Sandoval) Panda hat like my friend, Mandy.

Panda hats, not your style?!?!  Well, for those of you that cheer for the Phillies, how about a Halladay jersey?!?!

****  The Giants victory today, was the last note of Bobby Cox's 29-year song as Manager of the Braves.  Thank you, Bobby, for all you've done for the Atlanta Braves and Braves' fans everywhere.  Enjoy your retirement!


THE WIRK

"Incidentally, what's your policy on Columbus Day?" ~ You, Me, and Dupree

For all of us that worked on Columbus Day, here's a clip from  the movie "You, Me, and Dupree": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B47OyIcS-TA  Unfortunately, whoever uploaded it to Youtube, doesn't disabled the embedding feature.

Here's the dialogue if you're too lazy to click:

Dupree: I'm a people person, very personable. I absolutely insist on enjoying life. Not so task-oriented. Not a work horse. If you're looking for a Clydesdale I'm probably not your man. Like I don't live to work, it's more the other way around. I work to live. Incidentally, what's your policy on Columbus Day?


Interviewer: We work.

Dupree: Really? The guy discovered the new world.


THE WIRK

Redskins defeat the Packers in OT ~ Hail!

I'm not sure when it happened, but my friend, Kanak, has become a football fan.  She had tickets to the Green Bay Packers v Washington Redskins game on Sunday, and when I offered to sell them for her, she refused.  She said she wanted to go to the game.  When I picked myself off of the floor, I knew I was going to have to rally "early" (i.e. wake up in the AM) on Sunday and go with her.

****  Incidentally, the night before some guy took my cell phone home with him.  He said I dropped it.  I think he stole it.  Regardless, I offered him $100, if he brought my phone back to me before 10AM (i.e. he called me around 9AM).  For those of you that think that's a bit much, you have no idea what it's like to explain the situation to AT&T that your phone has been stolen and you want to replace it.  The amount of time and energy I'd waste to discuss this issue with those people, is far less than $100.

Kanak picked me up for the game, and we drove to her work and then walked to our friend JV's place.  The few blocks might as well have been a few miles, because I was in no mood for a Sunday morning stroll.  JV's sister drove us to FedEx Field.  I slept in the car on the way. 

View from the seats

Entering the stadium with the game underway, I just wanted to sit and enjoy the game.  I honestly couldn't have cared less about the outcome.  It was a gorgeous day, and I was just excited to be around friends. 

Our friend, Erin, "Don't Stop Believin'"

With Ari and Rod (aka "the Donkey")

With my girls: Kanak, Taters, Marin, and Jena

Kanak was asking questions throughout the game and following the action.  I haven't had to explain penalties (e.g. holding, offsides), football basics (e.g. downs, offense, defense), or that they're yelling "Coooooley" instead of "boo" (i.e. when Chris Cooley does something good) in a long time.  However, I couldn't help but notice that she's definitely been learning the game the past few weeks.  ****  Yes, Kanak, I was impressed.

The game turned out to be a good one!  It went into overtime.  When Green Bay won the coin toss, I assumed that the Packers would win.  When I watched them miss the field goal, I was shocked.  Overtime was stressful, but ultimately the Washington Redskins defeated the Green Bay Packers 16-13, thanks to Graham Gano's field goal... 

Sorry Packers fans.  You lose, and Aaron Rodgers has a concussion and may not play on Sunday. 

I'll admit, I'm not really Redskins fan, but after that performance ~ Hail to the Redskins! 

****  If you ask me, Redskins' fans should buy my tickets to go to all the games for the rest of the season, since the 2 games I've attended they've won.  If you don't remember, I was in Philadelphia last weekend.

Question:  Stadium dog for $6 or two hotdogs for $10?  Which would you choose?


THE WIRK

Teixeira hits a homerun and Yankees defeat the Twins - ALDS, Game 1

Last night was the first night of the MLB postseason.  I was able to attend Game 1 of the ALDS between the New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins.  Earlier in the evening, baseball fans were treated to something special when Philadelphia Phillies' pitcher, Roy Halladay, pitched a no-hitter!



Wow.  Coming off watching the celebration in Philly, I was expecting big things at Target Field.  I didn't witness a no-hitter, but I did see a great game.

CC Sabathia and Francisco Liriano went pitch to pitch, but the bats were hot also.  10 runs were scored, but the Yankees ended up winning 6-4.

CC Sabathia on the mound

My 3rd base favorites, Alex Rodriguez and Scott Ullger

Twins congratulating Cuddyer after his home run

There was not a no-hitter to witness at Target Field.  In fact, the crowd seemed to "boo" a bit when Sabathia hit Thome in the arm with a pitch.  Come on, people!  That's no big deal.  Don't you know that that's how former Tribe players greet each other?!?! 

The Yankees were down 0-3 for a few innings, but then the Yankees found their offense.  I was sitting next to Kunal, a Yankees fan, and he was stressed for most of the game.  I think he finally relaxed in the 8th or 9th inning.  What most people thought was a "gimme" game for the Yankees turned into a bit of a nail biter, even though the Yankees were up 4-3 heading into the bottom of the 6th.

In the bottom of the 6th with Sabathia loading the bases, I started to panic.  However, he was able to work himself out of the jam after only walking in one run.  Great. Game was tied at 4.

In the 7th, with Nick Swisher on base, Mark Teixeira hit a home run to put the Yankees up 6-4.  That would be the final score of the game! 

Mariano Rivera handled the rest.

In today's game that starts at 6:37PM ET, Andy Pettitte takes on Carl Pavano. 

Should I stay or should I go now?!?!

Oh and  I have to mention that since Randy Moss returned to the Minnesota Vikings yesterday, it seems like the people in Minneapolis dusted off their Moss jerseys and decided to wear them to the game.  Welcome back, Randy.  Seems like Vikings fans can't wait to see you.

Lastly, guess what?!!?  I found $20 on the ground on the concourse.  Woohoo! Winner!!!  :-P

Fan of Teixeira?  Pick up a shirt.  Man his name is hard to spell...  "I before E, except when sounded like Teixeira"...


THE WIRK