Charm City

When I look at the violence that is going on in Baltimore, I get a twinge in my heart strings. I consider B-more my second home. It's where I graduated from college. For all intent and purposes, it's where I became a man. I lived there for six years. I have developed (and maintained) a very large number of friendships that I cherish to this day. These friendships helped me through a dark time in my life when I was in the process of regaining my normal life.

So yes, I didn't grow up in Baltimore, but it's like Tom Hagen told Sonny from the movie "The Godfather" when Tom told Sonny, "I'm as much a brother to you as Mike or Fredo." I don't know any of these people that are rioting now, but I do hurt on various levels.

Maybe the revolution is being televised.

Now, I only took a couple of Political Science classes in college and I don't have a great master plan like the rapper YZ to stop the violence, but I do have a suggestion for down the road. And if you know my blog, you know what it is.

Sports.

Bring back (or enhance) sports from the ground up. I am talking about enhancing the Pop Warner or BBL leagues. Let's give our kids a opportunity to see how far they can throw a football instead of a brick. I am talking about a grass root effort to give our future a chance at positivity. While it may seem far fetched or corny, right now our generation doesn't see anything at all. Some of my boyz are actually doing stuff like this now in their communities.

I'm the first one to admit that it will very difficult and the angel (not the devil) is in the details. Just think about it.

Abbondanza!!

As the Christmas song goes, it's the most wonderful time of the year. It's one of those sweet spots of the sports year that for me, as a sports junkie, lives for.


First, you got the baseball season staring in full swing. My Nationals, while off to a slow start, found a groove this past weekend with a sweep of the Phillies. As usual, my hopes are high as we have possibly the best starting rotation in the bigs, headed by the signing of former Detroit Tiger  Max Scherzer. I personally can not overlook Jordan Zimmerman, who ended last year's season with a no hitter.


Next I'm enjoying the beginning of the National Hockey League playoffs. I always fantasized that I would have been an defenseman if I knew how to skate. I am still amazed that it is the one team sport that allows players to fight each another. What helps me to enjoy my smorgasbord is that my Washington Capitals are in the thick of it with a first round battle against the New York Islanders after missing the playoffs last year.


The main course is the NBA playoffs. As usual, the drama is everywhere. Will the Spurs repeat? Will Bron-Bron bring his championship tour home with another title?  Can my Wiz go to the next level or just stay at the same level as last year? They got off to a good start this past weekend with head coach Randy Whittman's sixth road win in his first seven against the second seeded Toronto Raptors. He is the first NBA coach to achieve that feat.


There was even some championship boxing and pro soccer thrown in as well this weekend.


Bon appetit!!




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