Bold Announcement

Let me prefice this by saying I realize I may get some heat for this. Anything from "Baseball is boring", "you turncoat motherfucker", etc. Now to the good stuff...

I'll admit that I am EXTREMELY excited for the upcoming baseball season. I'm not entirely sure as to why, but all of the main components of the game... being outside on a warm summer day with a cold beer and a stale hot dog in hand, the history, the beauty, are all resonating deep within my heart this spring. I have a fantasy baseball team for the first time in 5 years, I'm reding articles, the whole 9.

With this new found joy, I came to a conslusion that while I may be unsure about, for some reason "FEELS" right. I am throwing my hat into the ring for 1 of the hard luck cases in recent memory. I'm becoming a Phillies fan.

I've been raised a Red Sox fan, and the moment they won the Series a few years back will not only be a night, but a solid month of non-stop memories, culminating with a sick me counting outs and hugging my Mom after the final out, finally believing in the truly unbelievable.

The thing with that is this.... it wasn't "mine". I was forced into the Red Sox Nation with the same atmosphere as your parents deciding which religion is best suited for your needs. While there is a lot of history in that, and the stories out of the Nation that fateful fall actually made me well up with tears in some cases, I was somewhat at arm's reach from it. I didn't grow up living and dying with every season, I became a fan by proxy. My grandfather was an alter boy with Yaz when they were kids, and in turn, my family became Sox fans when Carl made the team. So while that story will forever be a part of Kwasnieski family lore, it's not a reason to root for the Sox. it's a reason to root for Yaz.

Here is what I DO remember as a kid and professional baseball. Going to the Vet with my grandfather (die hard Phightin Phils fan), going to the Dog House on the way up to the game, and stopping for pizza on the way home. Without fail, every time. I remember the give aways, Juan Samuel being my favorite Phillie (he wore my favorite number 8), laughing at Von Hayes and his nose being the size of Kenya, wondering how Ken Tkulve could throw like that, etc. It wasn't wins and losses, it was true fandom as a kid, and it was bliss.

So while the interest faded as I grew older, when I stopped collecting baseball cards, and my interest turned to football and basketball, I became disinterested in all things Phillies. The Len Dystrka, Mitch Williams, John Kruk years (and another epic city of Philadelphia melt down) had absolutely zero impact on my life. Unlike the Sixers getting crushed by the Lakers in 2000, or basically every year I've been a Charger fan. Which is why it's ironic that I lost interest after the stories came out how "tainted" those teams really were.

So while I tuned in for Cal's streak, the home run summer of Mac and Sammy, and watched the playoffs, my heart was never truly in to it. Which is why this year is different. I'm excited, I need a place to put my unbridled passion. Re-capture my youth. Create memories. I need something thats "mine" (like the Chargers and Sixers are). So I stumble upon a team with young stars and a rabid fan base awaiting something to grasp on to. I read all the great things about their players, Aaron Rowand giving everything on the field, I read this about Ryan Howard (http://articles.phillymag.com/articles/ryan_howard_is_not_a_creep_a_cheat_a_liar_or_a_fraud/ ), and it hits me. All of this is SUPPOSED to happen.

So Phillies, you've gained a fan. While 1 of my deeper regrets was not repaying my grandfather by taking him to the new Citizens Bank park, with his son, 3 grandchildren, and great grandchild, as we discussed, before his death last year. I can do it post mordum. I can be along for the ride, no matter where it takes me. I can rekindle the joy I had as a kid. I can re-live memories with friends and family. I can love a sport that brought me in to all the other sports avenues all over again. I can be a fan, and make it truly mine.

Lets play ball......

Real.

Ok, look, I know. I should have just re-named this blog "All things Gilbert", or something to that effect. But do yourself a favor and read this http://www.nba.com/blog/gilbert_arenas#070322_01 (yes I didn't do all the cool little html code, just read it).

Yes, there are grammar mistakes, it's a little long, but it's easily the most refreshing thing an athlete has said in quite some time. I could not agree more with everything written.

What he is conveying is what each and every one of us strives for in life. To be able to laugh at yourself, have fun, and recapture a youthful exuberence we all aspire to achieve. We always long for the days when we were young, and could go out and be silly. Gilbert IS doing that.

It's the reason I enjoy going to sporting events so much. It's ABOUT that moment, that temporary reprieve from the world's realities. I want to laugh, joke, be with friends, cheer, boo, and see things not many can do. I know they may be over paid, and it's just a big business. But when you look inside of all of that, every so often, you find someone like Gilbert Arenas. it's refreshing, it's honest, it's everything YOU would do if given that same chance.

He connects with the every day fan, and it's a vital reason why he has becomed loved by the likes of myself, and the "younger" "blogger" generation. He may not be a "hero" by definition, but you sure can do worse than a guy who is a great father, loves living life, smiles, enjoys other company, and accomodates his fans.

We all have a tendacy to make life a bit too hard sometimes, I fall victim often myself. Then you read the thoughts from someone, albeit one in a different place in life, and it puts things in perspective. From counting blessings, remembering how great life is, to stopping and just smile every once in awhile. Gil's blog may as well be a mission statement to what sports, and why we watch, is all about.

Go out there and laugh kids. Enjoy the ride.

Millennium Pong

Um.... fuck and yes! This is EVERYTHING that is right with drinking. Game was Beirut, EASILY the greatest drinking game man has created. They used 1000 cups! This truly is the Lord's work. Only thin that is a let down of this video is the fact that HOW DO YOU NOT SHOW THE FINAL SHOT!!!! After 999 makes, you HAVE to show that. That guy deserved his due glory. I miss college, however brief it lasted.


Yes, I know I'm pussing out by just posting youtube videos. Get over it. This has been some quality shit.

What better fitting way to come back

I've been so pre-occupied with bullshit, LR has taken a backseat. To come back, I've found the PERFECT youtube vid.

Josh Smith EASILY would have had the dunk of the year here (much like how much riveting content I would have posted since I've been gone).

Josh Smith is in my top 5 players in the NBA. No, thats not a typo. If I'm starting a team, I go with Steve Nash, Amare, and Josh Smith. Those 3 guys win you a title this year.

Hopefully I'll be back with a vengence here now. Key word... I hope....