Last Thoughts for 2008
A Year has come and gone. Fast, wasn't it. In lieu of a traditional year-in-review, I wanted to try something differnet. Here goes:
2008 was the year for...
Records being broken like they were going out of style...
Unlikely Champions...
Unlikely Runner-Ups...
Goodbyes...
Introductions...
History...
Scandal...
Seeing Russia from your House...
Olympics...
Captivation...
A Millionaire from the Slums...
Personal Glory...
Personal Sadness...
Success...
Failure...
Hope...
Change...
I guess when you break it down, this year was just like any other. May the New Year bring about Happiness, Love, Success, and Laughter. And thank you once again. Without you, this would be nothing.
Thanks for returning to The Blog of Champions!
Dolphins Bite
I hate to brag. I really do. But, if I'm not mistaken, I was one of the only ones to pick the Dolphins to make a run at the playoffs. Don't believe me? Look here. (Granted, I also picked the Rams and Texans for breakout years. I also picked the Titans to be a disappointment. You can't win 'em all.) Forget about the fact that I have a potential career as an oracle. The Dolphins turnaround is unbelievable. Incredible. They went from 1-15, to potentially 11-5 and a division title. Incredible. Was it all Parcells? Was Cam Cameron that bad? We're not sure. The Wildcat has been great, obviously. Joey Porter is back to his Pittsburgh days. And Pennington should get MVP consideration. Whatever turned it around, I'm glad. It makes me look smart.
Great Goal
This might be one of the best hockey goals I've seen in a while. Take a look:
Just outstanding, right?
Beautiful, isn't it?Catching Up
First off, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Hopefully they were filled with love, laughter, family and friends.
I saw a great movie today. My family's tradition is to see a movie on Christmas Day. Past flicks included the Aviator and Meet the Fockers (on the same day, no less). Today was Slumdog Millionaire. Everyone should see it. No. Everyone must see it. It is the best movie I have ever seen. Now, wait a minute. The best movie you've ever seen? That seems like an absolute statement. Explain. I'm glad you asked. Slumdog Millionaire, a movie based on destiny, hope, and love, is one of those movies that you do not want to end. I, and the fifty other people in the theatre, stood up and cheered. I won't give away the movie- it would be rude of me to. But I will say this. Anyone seeking a heartwarming movie should see this. If this does not win the Oscar, I will yell in protest.
I'm dying to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. That I might see Saturday. Any other suggestions?
Moving away from movies, I want to speak of the hot topic. The Yankees. More specifically, the Yankees spending like it's going out of style. How could they do this? We're in a recession! This is blasphemy! Money doesn't buy championships! This is a classic case of the rich getting richer. Before you get riled up, let me you stop there. No, it won't matter that the Yanks are actually spending less money this year than last year. No, it doesn't matter that the Yankees got the three best players on the market. All that matters is that they used their economic muscle to push and shove their way to the top of the baseball pyramid. And even though I'm a biased Yankee fan, it doesn't bother me. All of my non-Yankee fan friends, were up in arms. Why? Because the Yankees have the most money? If you won the lottery, would you keep the money? No! You'd spend it. And that's what the Yankees are doing. They're spending the money they have. Wait a second. You're championing this absurd spending in an economic downturn? People are hurting, and you want the Yankees to keep spending? You could care less about the people in trouble, and more about winning a championship. I do care that people are struggling. It sucks. Recessions are friends to no one. But baseball works differently. This isn't the real world. This isn't even close to the real world. The minimum salary is close to -if not more than- the President of the United States salary. So this economic downturn isn't affecting baseball. It may look bad that they're spending upwards of a half a billion. It does. But it doesn't ruin the game of baseball. They're playing by the rules. Last I checked, that was fine by me.
Speaking of economy, I have one pet peeve. Every day we hear something along the lines of this: In this economic crisis of ours, or, the economy continues to spiral downwards, or, in this time of economic peril, or something along those lines. The more we continue to say we're in a crisis, the longer we will be. We are in a crisis. But the more we say it, the more people panic. And that does no one good.
In terms of the blog, posting might be scarce these next couple of days. Family functions to attend, dinners, holiday parties, the list goes on. If I don't talk to you, have a wonderful holiday season, and a happy New Year. We all deserve it.
Stevie Franchise Traded
In one of the biggest ironic moments in sports of the last decade, Steve Francis 'Stevie Franchise' was traded from the Rockets to the Grizzlies. Why the irony, you ask? Francis was originally drafted by the Grizzlies. He didn't want to play there. Back then, the Grizzlies were in Vancouver. So he requested a trade. And got traded to the Rockets. Now, years later, he's going back to where it all began. The place he refused to play in. Amazing. Granted, Francis isn't the player he once was. Not even a shell of it. He's just a guy with two bad knees. Maybe, just maybe, he can regain his form. In the place where he wouldn't play. How ironic.
Hockey at Wrigley starting to take shape
The second NHL Winter Classic is coming up, pitting the Red Wings vs the Blackhawks at Wrigley Field. Here's a time lapse video of the making of the ice:
Pretty cool. Hopefully this Winter Class will be as good as the first one.
No, I don’t think the Celtics will ever lose
The Boston Celtics are on a roll. Let me rephrase that. The Boston Celtics are on a historic roll. A roll to the tune of 19 straight wins. The best roll in team history. One of the best rolls ever. They are 27-2. I don't think they will lose again. All kidding aside, the Celtics are not only the best team this year, they are the best team next year. Lock it up. The Celtics will have a three-peat, provide they stay healthy. I cannot wait for Christmas. Not for the holiday cheer. No, for the Lakers and Celtics. Oh what a game it will be.
