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Peace, Out to The Thriller: RIP
June 26, 2009Back in December of 1983, a group of U.S. Air Force basic trainees and a Training Instructor sat together in the lounge at the 3707th Basic Military Training Squadron.
But there was no shouting or standing at attention that night, just a group of people watching a relatively new television station, MTV, for the premiere of Michael Jackson's new music video,"Thriller."
We all sat riveted as the King of Pop escorted vivacious former Playboy Playmate Ola Ray (who would later sue Jackson in a dispute over royalties) from the movies and through the world's best-choreographed graveyard before Vincent Price dropped in for a cameo.
To this day, I still wonder how they convinced Price to use the phrase, "yall's neighborhood" in what Wikipedia later described as his "sinister rap," but it made for a good night and an oasis of calm in a sea of military discipline.
And even though Jackson lived to become a sad parody of himself, he was great once.
Especially that night in December 1983.
RIP MJ.
Posted by Stephen Smith at 2:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Blazing Heat
June 23, 2009In light of all the allegations of steroid use in Major League Baseball, there's just not a whole lot of sympathy left for its players.
But, if you ever feel like softening your approach, just stand outside for a second around noon. Now, imagine having to be out in that heat for two or three hours, running and sweating.
Sure, it's easy enough to say that they certainly make enough money to be inconvienced a bit. But, take heart in the fact that on 100-degree days, the heat makes them earn every penny of those extravagant salaries.
Posted by Stephen Smith at 5:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Oil Bowl Blues
June 14, 2009It would have been a good game, but now we'll never know.
Halfway in-between Dallas and Wichita Falls, the sky began to darken Saturday evening as a storm system rolled into the Texoma area and sat down seemingly directly over Memorial Stadium.
The lightning crackling all over the sky made it abundantly clear that it was far too dangerous to play the game, so for the only the second time in 72 years, there was no Oil Bowl.
A game with so much promise is now doomed to be a footnote in Oil Bowl history.
What happens years from now when one of the players on the Oklahoma or Texas roster tastes success in the NFL or in some other endeavor?
Can they become part of the Oil Bowl Hall of Fame based on their selection for a game Mother Nature took away?
Perhaps the coaches - Mike Chaney of Alvord and Greg Gothard of Velma-Alma - put it best after the after the game when each talked about getting to work with the kids and building new friendships with the players and coaches.
That's the best legacy of any All-Star game and the one tangible thing you can take away with you - even if there is no game.
Posted by Stephen Smith at 3:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Federer and Graf
June 8, 2009Back in the early 90's, Steffi Graf had the same kind of problem with Monica Seles that Roger Federer recently experienced with Rafael Nadal.
Seles appeared to eclipse Graf, especially when it came to Grand Slams. From 1990-1993, Seles posted a 3-1 record against the German and her frustration -- much like Federer's as of late -- was palpable.
Then, Seles' career changed forever after an on-court attack by a crazed fan wielding a 10-inch-long knife.
Seles was never able to return to her pre-1993 form and Graf reclaimed her position as the dominant women's player in the world.
Federer was able to achieve the career Grand Slam this past weekend by winning the French Open, which he had never been able to do because of Nadal. But, since Robin Soderling upset Nadal in the fourth round, Federer's road became somewhat easier.
Ironically, it was Soderling who Federer dispatched to win the open title, so perhaps (to some) the point is moot.
Unlike Seles, Nadal will be back at full strength for Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.
But, for now, Federer can breathe easy.
Posted by Stephen Smith at 11:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
State-Bound
June 6, 2009Windthorst wins 11-1 over Blue Ridge and heads off to next week's state tournament.
Posted by Stephen Smith at 2:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Region II-A Final Update, Game 3, 7th inning
Windthorst leads 11-1 in the top of the seventh and unless Blue Ridge has an 10-run comeback in them (and they don't appear to), the Trojans are headed to the state tournament.
Posted by Stephen Smith at 1:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Region II-A Final Update, Game 3, 6th inning
Windthorst pulling away now with three runs thus far to take an 8-1 lead. The distance between the Trojans and the state tournament just decreased dramatically.
Posted by Stephen Smith at 1:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Region II-A Final Update, Game 3, 4th inning
Windthorst now leads 5-1 and is taking advantage of its scoring opportunities. After stranding eight runners in last night's 5-3 loss, the Trojans put runners in scoring position of two occasions thus far and then reaped the benefits. Windthorst starter Abel Vasquez is pitching well, having limited Blue Ridge to four hits.
Posted by Stephen Smith at 12:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Region II-A Final Update, Game 3
Windthorst leads 2-1 after the first inning. This is the first time in the best-of-three series that Blue Ridge didn't get out to a 3-0 lead after the first inning.
Posted by Stephen Smith at 12:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
