Father's Day Story

For the last two weeks, I've been writing in this blog about different sporting events. Mainly about the NBA Finals, the College World Series, and even a little tennis. However, I want to shift the focus of my blog to a new perspective from this point forward. Don't get me wrong, this will still be a sports blog, but I want to bring more passion and personality to it. I want to tell you great sports stories. So from now on, I'll try and bring you a more personal touch and still give you great information in the process. So on this Father's Day, it's only right to bring you a story about a father, a son, and sports.

On April 2 of this year, Todd Kalas jumped in his vehicle and drove to Clearwater, Florida. His impulse wasn't something that was typical for him. See, Todd Kalas has a broadcasting job with the Tampa Bay Rays, and generally it keeps him rather busy. However, on this faithful day, he felt the urge to go visit his father, Harry Kalas, at the Phillies spring training facility. Little did he know that it would be the last time he would see his father alive. As most of us MLB fans know, the legendary broadcaster passed away on April 13 just shortly before he was suppose to announce a Phillies baseball game. It's difficult for Todd to understand why he drove there on that day. Todd recalls,"I don't know why, but I felt it was necessary to be at that game and spend a few minutes together afterward." Since Harry Kalas' death, baseball fans from across the nation have shared memories of the broadcaster as a warm and generous baseball fanatic. Todd Kalas recalled the same qualities in his father. "He was incredibly compassionate to everyone he met," Todd Kalas said. "He didn't just give people a quick handshake or brush-off. He was consistently generous with his time. I try to live up to that, and I can't always do it." As most of you know, last season the TB Rays played the Phillies in the World Series. Todd can barely believe it happened. "I think there was something else at work for that to happen in what turned out to be his last season," Todd Kalas said. "The odds were one in a million of the Rays and Phillies playing each other in the World Series, and for that to be our final season together. . . . We really cherished every moment we had together during that time." So on this Father's Day, let us remember that time is fleeting. It is just a small drop of sand in the hourglass of humanity. Don't let it pass you by without cherishing every opportunity to love those that love you, and to bring compassion and joy to others.

Bryce Harper....remember the name!

The MLB draft has come and gone for the 2009 season. We all heard the name of Stephen Strasburg, and we heard how he would eventually throw the baseball harder and faster than any other human being in the history of the game. He's been clocked at 103mph, but by the time he's through maturing, his velocity could max out at 106 or 107mph. The fastest pitch ever thrown has been highly debated, some say Nolan Ryan, others say Mark Wohlers, and recently it's been said that Joel Zumaya was clocked at 104.8mph. No matter what the answer is, Strasburg should obliterate it in the next few years. However, what if I told you there was a 15 year old kid that could hit a baseball 570ft? What if I said, at age 16, this same kid hit the longest homerun in the history of Tropicana Field? Would you believe me? What if I told you, this kid's bat speed is faster than Mark McGwire's in his prime, that he runs so fast he's scored 6 times on wild pitches this year....from second base, that when he catches he picks off players on his knees, and when he pitches he can throw a fastball 96mph? Incredible huh, but true. Bryce Harper's so good, in fact, he just quit high school so he could get his GED and enroll in junior college to play a higher level of baseball. Not only will the baseball be more challenging, but it will also make him eligible for the 2010 draft and most likely the #1 overall pick. So why is there all this fuss about him leaving high school early, and why is everyone saying his parents should know better than to let him do this? If he's the overall #1 pick he'll make at least $30 million guaranteed, and be set for life. I understand that education is important, but a good education is a means to an end. You graduate high school and college in order to get a better job and make more money for yourself. Why finish college or high school for that matter, if you can make the money before then? Education is a means to an end...Bryce Harper's means to an end is baseball. Let him pursue it, let his parents do what's best for him, and just sit back and enjoy the show.

Baseball and More Baseball!

The College World Series kicked off in Omaha on Saturday, as Arkansas took out Cal State Fullerton 10-6. LSU also defeated Virginia 9-5. In today's action, UNC will take on Arizona State at 2pm and Texas will play Southern Miss at 7pm. I'm really intrigued by the UNC vs. Arizona State matchup. This should be one heck of a baseball game. Both of these teams have excellent pitching, and this very well could be a pitching duel. Southern Miss has been the Cinderella thusfar in the tournament, so we'll see if they can keep their magical run alive as they play a gritty and tough Texas team.

Interleague Play Heats Up

Interleague play kicked into high gear on Friday evening as the Subway Series got off to an interesting start. The NY Metropolitans had the Yankees beat in their own ballpark, but ultimately gave the game away on a routine pop up to the 2nd baseman with 2outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Way to go Mets! In other news, Toronto's ace pitcher, Halladay was pulled in the 4th inning of tonight's game because of a groin injury. That's a huge loss for the Bluejays if he's out for any length of time at all.

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Lakers win or Magic lose?

Lakers knocked off the Magic 99-91 in OT of Game 4 to take a 3-1 lead in the series. However, it wasn't the Lakers that won this game. It was the Magic that lost it. The Magic was up 5 late in the 4th quarter and basically gave the game away. Derek Fisher hit a big 3pt shot with less than 5 secs to go to tie the game and send it into OT. It was all Lakers in the OT period, and they pulled away late. However, the Magic can only blame themselves for this loss. They had 19 turnovers in the game and 15 missed freethrows, including two huge freethrows that Howard missed late in the 4th that could have sealed the game. Give the Lakers credit though, they took advantage of a young Magic team that hasn't found a way to close games out yet. With the loss, this will put the Magic's back against the wall. Every game from here on out will be an elimination game, so let's see the Magic react. My guess is they'll come out hard and probably take Game 5, but the Lakers should close this thing out in Game 6.

NBA Finals Preview

Game 4 of the NBA Finals will be played Thursday night in Orlando, and this game will go a long way in deciding who will win this year's NBA title. If the Magic can continue to make Kobe a passer instead of a scorer, then they'll have a chance to pull off another close victory. However, if they let Kobe get his points then he could very well put the nail in the coffin Thursday night. Quite frankly, the best closer in the game (Kobe) choked in Game 3 as he committed key turnovers down the stretch to give Orlando the win. However, give Ron Jeremy....I mean Stan Van Gundy credit for making the correct adjustments and sending multiple double teams at Kobe. Kobe tried to force his way through the double teams rather than giving up the ball to his teammates, and that ultimately cost them the victory in Game 3. It'll be interesting to see how Phil Jackson counters and what adjustments the Lakers will make in order to free Kobe up more.

Basketball and Baseball....oh my!

It was a great day to be a sports fan! You had the 3rd Game of the NBA Finals, some good MLB action on the diamond, and the first day of the MLB draft as well. First off, Dwight Howard and the Magic held on to win over Kobe and the Lakers 108-104. The Magic shot the ball much better at home, and led basically the entire way. However, the Lakers did make a run at the end of the game only to come up a little short. This was a huge W for the Magic as it closed the series to 2-1. Now, if the Magic can come up with another home win, next time out, they'll make this thing a series after all.

Just a little news concerning the MLB draft that kicked off today, Stepen Strasburg, the 103mph throwing phenom, was taken first overall by the Washington Nationals. The Nationals had the first pick last year and couldn't come to terms with Aaron Crow because of Crow's $4 million request. If they think they're going to sign Strasburg for less than $4 million, then they're sadyly mistaken. Look for this kid to set a new bar in terms of money because of his flame-throwing ability. Speaking of Aaron Crow, he was drafted 12th overall this year, by the KC Royals. He looks to be ready to pitch by 2010, and should be a helpful arm for the Royals in years to come.