Til the Next Episode

So Brian and I have a lot going on this week and though we know you rely on our daily wit and musings (along with trivia, well mostly trivia), we are going to be taking a week off. So, enjoy your week leading up to and Memorial Day. I'll be back with Brain Droppings next Tuesday. In the meantime, enjoy this senselessly clean version of a perfectly dirty song. Lata

Guest Blog: "Nerves" by Josh Cahill

Not only has Josh been a great friend to me (Jeremy) since we were in college together, he has also been a supporter of GRH since Day 1. I think he was even our first official follower on Twitter (get with it if you're not following, by the way). Today, he takes us into a world that may be more nerve-racking than cheering for the most-beloved sports team. I don't want to spoil it, so I'll let you read it for yourself. Thanks Josh!

Not gonna happen.  Down 11-3 with only four innings left to play.  We came back and won once already this season down 8 runs, but this is the playoffs.  Not our day.  The team we pull for will regroup and play again Saturday in a “win or go home” contest”.  Our turn to hit, only 12 outs left.  First batter gets on base, then the next, then there’s a line shot in the gap to score both.  We chip away with 5 runs, then our defense suddenly wakes up and gets our defense out of jam, limiting the damage to one run.  The bottom of our lineup keeps the rally going, with great baserunning.  Our weakest hitter legs out an infield single & crashes into the first baseman, drawing blood.  No time for a sub, gotta get bandaged up & get back out there.  Within 2 innings, we’re now up 13-12.  Alright!  Time to lock this down!  But then our defense lets us down and we go from 1 up to 4 down in only one ½ inning.  Down to 6 outs.  We gave it a good run, heck, we even took the lead back, but we certainly can’t survive another surge like that.  Only we did.  The bats remained hot & another 5 runs got tallied in the home half of the inning.  All we need are three outs to cap an amazing comeback.  Again.  First guy up rips a double.  Ugh.  Next guy lines to the SS, who flips back to second to double off the runner.  Then another infield fly lands safely in the glove of our SS and it’s over.  18-17.  We hoot and holler and hi-five each other watching the players excitement over another remarkable comeback.  The highs and lows of the sports fan.

The aforementioned recap would have been amazing enough if you were watching the Braves or your favorite MLB team on TV or perhaps at the ballpark.  Or perhaps your local area minor league affiliate, or even perhaps your alma mater.  As it turns out, none of those would be correct when citing the source material for the story. 

What you just read was my view last night of my eight year old son’s little league postseason tournament game.  And it may have been one of the most nerve-wracking fan experiences I’ve ever been a part of.  My son’s team has made it a habit of pulling out remarkable comebacks this year, including last night.  They stand only a couple of games away from winning the league championship.  As a fan, I’ve know that this only ratchets up the excitement of what may come, but also how badly it could end (think 2012 SEC Championship Game, 1993 World Series Game 6, etc).  The kids have been great, and are learning a lot about baseball and life. 

We all get nerves watching our favorite teams play.  I’m an unapologetic fanatic of UGA, Philly pro sports teams, and anyone playing the Gators or the Dallas Cowgirls.  I have seen plenty of amazing and electric sporting events in my (almost) 38 years on planet Earth.  Many have even been in the company of one of the founders of GRH.  But watching your kids in completion (sports, dance, debate, etc.) takes your level of investment in the event to a whole other level.  Especially if they are young.  You can’t really make a big deal about a booted ground ball or a strikeout.  They know they messed up, but they’ll keep battling.  No need to pile on.  But you are there for them, not only as a parent, but as a fan.  It’s why I love sports.  And it’s why I can’t wait to get back out there Saturday to cheer them on (trying my best not to toss my hat down in disgust when things go wrong).

An update: I happen to know that Josh's son won the Championship on Saturday. Congrats Zachary! You too, Josh.

Trivia Challenge (Week 3)

Here's how it works:

1.Over 20 weeks, we will be asking a trivia question each Thursday. The challenge started Thursday, May 1, 2014. 

2. Answers must be submitted to groundrulehuddle@gmail.com by 11:59 PM Eastern Time the day the question is posted. 

3. Scoring will be based on each week's question. 

4. During the 20th week, we will have a final bonus question that allows for movement on the leaderboard. 

5. The winner will receive an Amazon Gift Card and an opportunity to be featured on the blog. 

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING CHANGES TO THIS CHALLENGE

6. FOR EACH PERSON YOU RECRUIT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TRIVIA CHALLENGE, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL 2 BONUS POINTS. THE SAME RULE APPLIES TO YOUR RECRUITED FRIEND AS WELL (EACH PERSON THEY RECRUIT, THEY WILL RECEIVE 2 BONUS POINTS).

7. FURTHER, IF YOU WRITE A BLOG ENTRY THAT WE APPROVE OF TO BE FEATURED ON FRIDAY, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL 5 BONUS POINTS. THERE IS A 1 BLOG ENTRY LIMIT. 

WEEK 3 TRIVIA QUESTION (5/15)

No Outside Resources. This means you cannot use other people, the internet, or other means to help your answer. 

1) Name the Top 5 NCAA programs for College World Series Titles. You will receive 1 point for each correct answer. You can only list 5 guesses. (HINT: 3 PAC-12, 1 SEC, 1 Big 12, 1 ACC, 1 NON-AQ - Several teams tied at 5th. Will accept any of them).

USC (most), LSU, Texas, Arizona State, Arizona, Miami (FL), Cal St-Fullerton

2) You will receive an additional 2 points if you guess all correctly.

3) You will receive an additional 2 points if you guess which program has won the most.

Week 3 Scoreboard
Name	Week Score	Cumulative
Bruce*	2	20
Bryan	9	20
Derrick	3	14
Josh*	4	10
Jarred	2	11
David*	9	28
*Note: Extra points for Blog Submission

Check out the Question and Leaderboard from Week 2

Elite Coaches Since 1990: No. 7

7. Joe Torre 

I typically don't view MLB Managers in the same light as other coaches because their role is a little different than most coaches. Whereas basketball coaches are responsible for strategy, fundamentals, and managing a roster, at the professional level, baseball coaches "manage" more than "coach." In other words, they are more involved with strategy than development. 

However, Joe Torre must have been doing something different than other managers during his era. That is why I put him on this list. Sure, the Yankees are the best baseball franchise of all time and consistently have one of the largest budgets. But, those factors don't guarantee success. Look at the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Cowboys, two of the most successful and high budgeted teams...they haven't been performing at elite levels recently. 

 

During his tenure with the Yankees from 1996-2007, Torre won over 1,150 games and led the Yankees to 6 World Series appearances, winning 4 of them. Further, he took the team to the post-season every year he was manager and won 6 AL East pennants. And, in 1996 and 1998, he was named AL Manager of the Year.  Joe Torre deserves a spot on this list. 

Don't forget to check us out @GRHuddle. Who do you think are elite coaches? Submit your feedback to us with the hashtag, #GRHEliteCoach


No. 8: Mike Krzyzewski

Brain Droppings Thoughts on Michael Sam

Donald Sterling continues to baffle everyone and has dominated the headlines of off the court news for two weeks now. But as I alluded to last week, the biggest "on field" story in sports this weekend was the NFL Draft. The Draft always has compelling story lines. Day one was all about Johnny Manziel and how far he would fall after not being picked with the #1 pick. By the way, Cleveland got themselves a hella good back-up QB there. Day two was about teams filling their rosters with talent. The last day turned out to be the Michael Sam show.



Usually, the 249th pick in the draft doesn't warrant a lot of attention. Last year the Falcons took Sean Renfree, a QB from Duke. In 2012 the pick was Trevor Guytom, a DE from California to the Minnesota Vikings. Arizona took WR Demarco Samson in 2011. You get the picture, not a lot of guys you have heard of. But this year, there was big news with the 249th overall pick. The St. Louis Rams selected Michael Sam, a DL from Missouri. On paper, this pick seems kind of like a steal. Sam was the 2013 Sec Co-Defensive player of the year. Usually guys like that go earlier. However, in this instance, Sam's draft stock dropped because prior to the combine, he came out as gay. Here's how Michael Sam reacted in case you haven't seen it (and no, this isn't the cake video).

So, will Michael Sam's career be special or more like the 7th rounders I mentioned earlier. There's little doubt that he has broken a barrier. The problem is, will he become a star or not? He ran a 4.9 at the combine and his lifting reps left a little to be desired. He's undersized for the position he'll play in the NFL and he'll be playing behind two of the more productive defensive ends in the NFL for the Rams, that is if he makes the team. St. Louis has already made positive head lines by merely drafting him and breaking the Sexuality barrier in the NFL (officially, at least). However, Sam will be entering into a macho culture that has already had to reprimand players for speaking out on Twitter. Can the Rams cut him without any backlash? Will it be a necessity of holding the team together or can they accept it if he is good enough to make the team? Jackie Robinson had a special demeanor that allowed him to endure the hate spewed at him when he broke the race barrier in baseball. Does Michael Sam have the same kind of make-up? He will hear it from not just opposing fans, but opposing players and possibly even feel a chilly welcome from teammates. I commend him for doing what he is doing. There's little doubt that it's a big deal and I hope it opens the door for other players to feel comfortable enough to join him in being public with his sexuality (though it really doesn't matter and is none of our business). Whether other players will feel safe doing that will be partially determined with how Sam is greeted in his rookie season. GRH wishes him the best of luck.

Who Should I Follow?!? (05/12)

Here are some interesting Twitter accounts for you to follow:

Brian

1. @VincetheCat_ (Vince the Cat): This cat LOVES Auburn and Subway

2. @RudyTheParrot (Rudy the Parrot): What's not to like about Rudy the Parrot? 

3. @dril (Wint): Did JD write this too? Not sure what this account means.

Jeremy (passed on by GRH reader, Margaret Inscoe @leggomymeggo84

1. @h_salamanca: Think you heard the last of ol' Hector Salamanca in Season 4 of Breaking Bad? Think again. ding ding.

2. @frattybaseball: Golf is fratty? I think not.

3. @admcgarity: It took Mr. McGarity a few years to jump on the Twitter bandwagon. But if you are a UGA sports fan and want the latest on updates to the Dawgs winning SEC and National Championships, go ahead and follow the AD.

Guest Post: Nothing Like Playoff Hockey

Our latest Trivia Challenge began recently. As a part of the challenge, we are giving participants a chance to earn extra credit by submitting a blog entry (that we accept) for Friday.

This week, David, submitted a blog posting as a guest. Here is a quick profile of David:

David Aldridge is a freelance sportswriter who has written for various publications, including USA Today, Bleacher Report & Duke Report.

In addition, David is a fellow UGA Grad and blogger who runs a blogging site, called "From Ballparks to BBQ." If you get a chance, check it out.  

The focus of David's blog is primarily food, sports, and travel. Whether it's a restaurant review, a game preview, or what to do in a city, David covers it. 

I don't think it's any secret that Jeremy and I are not the biggest fans of hockey. Thus, we felt bringing in an outside perspective from someone who at least values hockey could diversify our blog. Here is what David had to say:

"Nothing Like Playoff Hockey"

I couldn’t care less about the NHL for 10 months out of the year. I don’t know which divisions are home to which teams. I can’t name 10 players in the entire league. And I have no idea how the point system works.

Then, for two months out of the year, none of that matters.

When it comes to the NHL playoffs, I’m completely captivated.

The speed and physicality of the game make it extremely interesting to watch for any sports fan. Unlike every other sport where players are becoming more sensitive and soft, hockey still demands toughness from each individual on the ice.

Playoff hockey keeps me on the edge of my seat.

It could be the incredible toughness of the players, who will throw themselves in front of a puck that’s traveling near 100 mph to make sure it doesn’t reach the goal. These same players show their borderline insanity when deciding to take the ice despite dealing with injuries such as broken ribs, dislocated appendages, and missing teeth.

It could be the unpredictable nature of the NHL playoffs, where it’s not uncommon to see a No. 8 seed knock off a top seed, or a road team steal home ice only to see it taken away from them in the very next game.

Maybe it’s the fact that all the teams are competing for the most sacred trophy in sports. Lord Stanley’s Cup was commissioned in 1892 and there’s a certain mystique around this trophy that you won’t find in any other league. Unlike the other sports in North America, a new cup isn’t made every year for the NHL Champion. The winner retains the cup until a new champion is crowned, and that new team takes ownership of the cup. There’s a reason hockey players are so superstitious that they won’t touch the cup unless their team has won the trophy.

And there’s nothing quite like overtime in postseason hockey.

Sudden death overtime in the NHL playoffs will take your breath away. A team can gain possession of the puck and have a shot on goal in a matter of seconds, and it only takes that long for an entire series to change.

Last season’s Stanley Cup Finals showed how quickly momentum can turn.

With 1:46 remaining in Game Six of the series, the Boston Bruins held a 2-1 lead over the Chicago Blackhawks and appeared to be poised to send the series to a seventh game. Then, the Blackhawks scored an incredible two goals in a span of 17 seconds to take the lead and clinch the series, giving them their second Stanley Cup Championship in four seasons.

In the amount of time it usually takes an NBA team to take one possession, or an NFL team to run a single play, or a pitcher to make one pitch, the Blackhawks mounted a miraculous comeback that gave them a title.

Boston fans experienced the optimism of victory followed by the agony of defeat in the blink of an eye.

If you’ve never watched playoff hockey, I encourage you to give it a try. Don’t worry if you don’t know who the players are and aren’t sure about which team to root for. Just sit back and enjoy watching these incredible athletes play the game hard and give it their all.

If you’re a true sports fan, I promise you’ll be entertained.