Post World Series Headlines

The Phillies beat the Rays, finish fourth in the AL East.

Yankees sign Manny. Joe D rolls over.

Selig makes a decision. He WILL take fries with that burger.

Nomar sighting in Boston. Begs for forgiveness. Theo says nothing.

The Monday Morning Fullback

1. My new favorite coach in any sport is Mike Singletary. In his first game as a NFL head coach he sent a player to the showers and called out his team. Mike spelled out to his batch of spoiled brats there was no 'I" in TEAM and if anyone thought there was had better take a remedial spelling course. Can you imagine if other professional coaches take this lead? We could clean up the kids in no time. Only wish TO was still a 49'er.
   
   
2. "Midnight Lute" struck again. This time he swooped in and plain old quit. There are rumors of health issues and if there are then I apologize in advance. But this guy single-handily may have destroyed an University of Arizona basketball program he built from the ground up. He's always been a bit pompous but the guy could coach. My troubles with Lute are two-fold. First as one of the highest paid if not the highest paid employee of the State of Arizona, we fellow tax payers deserve the truth, and I for one can handle the truth. Secondly, he just played with the lives of kids who had looked to him for his expertise. A complete recruiting class is gone and players who might have left after last years travesty are stuck with their third coach in as many years. Tucson is going to start looking a lot like Corvallis and Pullman
   
   
3. We are heading down the homestretch of the presidential campaign and why is it Obama continues to get a free pass? I know McCain is no treat but when did the mainstream media decide tough questions aren't part of the process. Hey folks, it's tougher than tough out there and the next bozo who works out of the West Wing had better be prepared for the toughest job of his life. America will be watching and we we remember.
   
   
4. Fox, Fox, Fox. Let me count the ways I hate thee. At the very least they set a record for viewership in the 1:30-2:00 AM time slot for Friday's or was it Saturday's game three of the World Series. All 1000 of those glued to their sets get an 99 cent gift certificate to the Waffle House.
   
   
5. Bud Selig. You're a bigger moron that I even thought. Repeat after me. I am the commissioner of Major League Baseball. The World Series is a premier event. Get rid of Fox. Now. And find a national television network (NBC) that pledges to showcase the World Series. Not run away and hide from College Football on Saturday and NFL on Sunday. You are the problem for the sport. Do us all a favor and pull a Lute Olson.
   
   
6. The NBA starts another season this week, oh boy, so look for my predictions for the 2008-2009 season. I'll have a couple of surprises.
   
   
7. Let's get this boring World Series over and get on to the Hot Stove League.

"The Monday Morning Fullback"

I was thinking over the weekend about this "Joe the Plumber" phenomenon. It just amazes me how quickly the liberal print and broadcast media can jump on a guy like Joe, find info about back taxes owed, the status of his plumbing license, his personal life etc. and then basically give a free pass into any connection Barrack Obama, the leading presidential candidate might have with a known terrorist, Bill Ayers, a convicted felon, Tony Rezko, a wacko pastor, Jeremiah Wright and ACORN. Seems to me they have asked more questions about a plumber from Toledo, Ohio than they have all the above mentioned items combined. Oh to be the "anointed one"

2.) Fox is looking at the lowest rated World Series of all-time. Rays-Phillies will even stretch the limits of nonsense Tim McCarver can spew. I guess they'll give us more close-ups of the crowd. And how many "American Idol" singers are lined up for the National Anthem?

3.) Texas looks tough to beat. At least for now. Think how good they must really be because the last time I looked Mack Brown was still the head coach.

4.) Walking the beaches in San Diego sure can beat whatever ails you.

5.) Finally, thank God. Red Sox Nation is in tears. I can watch the World Series now if I want. Could be a start to a very long year for the Beantowners. Patriots stink and won't be making the playoffs. Celtics will prove to be a one year wonder and the 2009 AL East already has the Red Sox penciled in for fourth place.

I Love America

I recently returned from Italy, my first time out of the country other than Canada and my first real vacation since 1981. I finally got a stamp in my passport. Here are my takes.

1.) Rome is a big city, not unlike NYC. Great attractions. Loved the Coliseum and Vatican. Didn't see the Pope. Traffic is brutal. Smart Cars and scooters everywhere. No street signs. Got lost more than once.

2.) Did I mention the food was incredible.
3.) Train travel to Assisi, Florence and Naples was great. High speed and very relaxing. Why we don't have this in the USA?

4.) Did I mention the food was incredible.

5.) Everywhere we went people knew all about McCain/Obama. Most were surprisingly rooting for McCain. All expect some moron store owner in Assisi. People know it's in their best interests for the U.S. to be strong and prosperous.

6.) Pompeii blew me away. They had "fast food" nearly 2000 years ago. Felt eerie walking along the streets.

7.) The Mediterranean was blue and beautiful. We were the last ones in the Blue Grotto for the day. Nothing like Irish luck.

8.) I had art museum burnout by the time we left our last museum. It's too overwhelming. I didn't care much for Renessance art, how many Madonna's did they paint? My highlights were "David" and the Sinstine Chapel. Awesome is not enough to describe. Anything by Michaelangelo had my attention. If he was a free agent on the market today, he'd blow away a guy like A-Rod. The boy has talent galore.

9.) Did I mention the food was incredible. I was shocked when I weighted myself on my return and found I hadn't gained a pound. Maybe walking 10 miles a day had an effect.

10.) Lastly, I will never again fly coach and will never again fly US Air to an international destination. My eight year old granddaughter would have been scamped. And their on board personel were ruder than rude. It's First Class for me for now on or I'm not departing. It was sure great to visit a new land and new people but give me the good old USA anytime.