scottythecomic's whimsical rantings

Last night I splurged and sat right behind the bench for the Dallas Stars preseason match against the depised Chicago Blackhawks.  And what a game it was!  Before 6 minutes had elapsed three fights had occured.

As the night progressed pucks, fists and blood rained on the ice.  At one point in the 3rd period both penalty boxes were so full there was standing room only. I remarked to Dave Tippett that "they" needed to build a second story on the box. If he heard me he didn't let on, although I did catch a smirk.

Chicago's Kyle Beach (#12) was vocal and was leading his Blackhawks on.  I hollerd at Sean Avery and said, "Avery, you have to take that Beach out, man!"  He nodded in the affirmative. At the end of the 2nd period he called me over and said, "Wait 'til the 3rd period."

The 3rd period erupted with more brutal hits and an abundance of fights. I lost count at fifteen. I don't even remember the number of hits per team but I know there are a lot of sore bodies this morning.

Dallas's Sean Avery (#16) came out in the 3rd and commenced to beating Chicago's Ben Eager (#55) like a drum, grabbing him in a headlock and sliding past the home goal, crashing into the boards. Avery took a double minor and Eager was later ejected.

Dallas had many golden opportunities on the power play but failed to deliver more than twice. Chicagos's Antti Neimi was stellar in his defense of the goal. Chris Conner (Dallas #25) was like Jesse Owens running against a H.S. kid. No one could catch him on the ice. Brenden Morrow (#10) and Ribiero (#63) sat out the contest as did Phillipe Boucher (#43) and Zubov (#56).

The Blackhawks prevailed in the shootout for the hard-fought victory. I counted no less than 15 fights, 3 misconducts and a match penalty. There was a total of 138 penalty minutes.  It was a great night for old-schoolhockey and I am inspired by the talent and motivation of our 2008-2009 Dallas Stars.

Tickets are available at 214-Go-Stars.

See you at the game!

French teams: All white

With 5 primetime games, this season looks to be a great one!

Sun, Sep 7 @ Cleveland (FOX) 3:15 PM   Mon, Sep 15 PHILADELPHIA (ESPN) 7:30 PM   Sun, Sep 21 @ Green Bay (NBC) 7:15 PM   Sun, Sep 28 WASHINGTON (FOX) 3:15 PM   Sun, Oct 5 CINCINNATI (CBS) 3:15 PM   Sun, Oct 12 @ Arizona (FOX) 3:15 PM   Sun, Oct 19 @ St. Louis (FOX) NOON   Sun, Oct 26 TAMPA BAY (FOX) NOON   Sun, Nov 2 @ New York Giants (FOX) 3:15 PM   Sun, Nov 9 BYE     Sun, Nov 16 @ Washington (NBC) 7:15 PM   Sun, Nov 23 SAN FRANCISCO (FOX) NOON   Thurs, Nov 27 SEATTLE (FOX) 3:15 PM   Sun, Dec 7 @ Pittsburgh (FOX) 3:15 PM   Sun, Dec 14 NEW YORK GIANTS (NBC) 7:15 PM   Sat, Dec 20 BALTIMORE (NFLN) 7:15 PM   Sun, Dec 28 @ Philadelphia (FOX) NOON  

Let's go Cowboys!

Despite a slow start the Dallas Stars now find themselves atop the Pacific Division with 79 points and a record of 37-21-5.  Having won 9 of the last 10, the Stars find themselves but 10 points behind the NHL points, lead trailing the reviled Detroit Red Wings.

The last two wins were impressive.

Friday night the Stars were in LA to face last years Stanley Cup champs, the mighty Anaheim Ducks. With Neidermayer and Teemu Selanne back in the lineup, the Ducks have bolted into contention.  But the Stars handed them a defeat for a 4 point additional separation.

Sunday, the hated Red Wings (the best team in the NHL) faced a determined Stars defense, still short veterans Boucher and Zubov.  Marty Turco earned his first shutout ever against the Wings as Nicholas Hagman scored the winning goal in the 3rd period. Detroit sulked away with their 6th consecutive loss.

With the aforementioned injured players returning soon, the defense should improve even more and provide the Stars solid footing going into the playoffs.  With Turco and Smitty in goal, we can go all the way. The last two games are proof positive that the Stars can bring another Stanley Cup to Dallas, Texas.

As things heat up in the NHL one can expect the hits and fights to come even harder and more frequent. Last night Linstrom was belted near unconcious by the Avalanche's Ian Laperriere. The fisticuffs erupted shortly thereafter.  Expect more of the same intensity as teams literally fight for a chance at the playoffs.

I've been a sports fan all my life and can honestly say that nothing is more exciting to see in person than a professional hockey game. Get out and support your Dallas Stars - it's a great time and an inexpensive pleasure.

It's that time of year again and I am excited!

The NHL is back and it is high time for some knucklebustin', puck slappin', good old times at the AAC.  The Stars have pretty much returned with the same team as last year save for a couple of good looking players.

Modano and Morrow missed a combined 65 games last year and yet the Stars managed to make the playoffs.  A healthy pair of Stars will take this team deeper into the playoffs.

This year I decided to buy seaon tickets and join the Havoc Fanatics in Section 332.  This ever-growing group is rife with knowlegable and respectful hockey fans who love and respect the game.

Come on out and see a game this year.  It's better than the NFL and on ice to boot!

When the lights are off inside Texas Stadium at 4am and you're walking the field, you can still hear things. This weekend we worked American Idol and had the run of the place. Because of several shows, I've become very familiar with the aging venue. When I crossed the star on my way to the A.I. production office I could visualize T.O. disrespecting the logo he now represents. And I could hear the blindsided hit put on him by George Teague.

As I walked around the suites sipping on an OJ, I could almost hear the revelers of old cheering on Tom Landry's teams. Now the suites are mere rooms with aging furniture but with a great view that only gets better. The concessions area hasn't changed except for smaller portions and higher prices. Inside the bowels of the historical sports palace locker rooms fit for a contemporay high school team cause one to flash back to a simpler time when pro football players didn't get shot and/or break the law.

A new stadium may indeed move the Cowboys on to greater things and more trophies. Surely it will be a venue that is unparalleled in amenities and the proverbial bells and whistles.  And yet, I'll miss the old stadium. As Bob Dylan lamented, "Times they are a changin'."  It makes me wonder if engineers couldn't design a new stadium that was akin to a Transformer. In that manner, a new stadium would never have to be torn down or put to pasture, but rather facets of it could be changed internally.

That a Transformer of a stadium would be innovative is a given. But mainly I'm big on nostalgia and hate both that the our playing field in archaic and that we're about to lose it to the winds along with our fading memories.

We've only a couple of seasons to get some fresh memories to last us as we transition to the new stadium. So go get us some fresh memories, "Boys!

Ok, I wish it were true but its not.  I'm seeing red.

Rangers GM Mr Daniels has now dealt Rangers reliever Eric Gagne to the Red Sox for 3 jokers...er, players to be named later.  Why oh why?!

The one thing we need is pitching, pitching, pitching!

Oh, and it is rumored that the Chef who works the grill in centerfield was also traded for a burritto vendor to be named later (after ICE cuts him loose), a sous chef recently fired from Hell's Kitchen, and my ex-wife who couldn't flip a burger with two trampolines.

Are you ready for some football?

It's bad enough that the likes of many politicians want to enact Stalinist laws to equalize the playing field in America.  But this year NASCAR is doing it rather than talking about it. Indeed, since the beginning of the season, NASCAR officials have remained adamant in their collective quest to develop their cloned Car of Tomorrow (COT).

Michael Waltrip faced the early wrath at Daytona and was docked 25 points. Then Dale Jr was caught weeks ago with an illegal spoiler on the deck of his trunk. The resulting draconian action by NASCAR dictators was to penalize Jr 100 Chase points, 100 car points, and suspend Crew Chief Eury for 6 races.

At Sonoma last week both the #24 Of Jeff Gordon and the #48 of Jimmie Johnson were parked for "violating the rules." Subsequent penalties fell in line with Dale Jrs to a tee. At least NASCAR is consistent with their nonsense.

Racing has always been about going fast and getting an edge on the next guy to go even faster.  Since Karl Benz 's first automobile race in history, driving his1894 Velo, men and women have sought a way to go faster. Countless hours have rewarded the diligent...until now.

NASCAR's rulers have decided that the time is past due when all racers need be equal.  To that end they are penalizing ANY modification on the COT, even those NOT covered in the rules, as in the case of the latter two instances.

When all is said and done NASCAR will have alienated their fan base. Spectators can expect to see 43 cloned cars on the circuit full time in '08. Not only will fans be cheated out of real racing, but Detroit and auto manufacturers will see a decline in the new technology that emerges from clever racers who heretofore, worked in the gray areas to make cars go faster.

Even ear plugs won't keep one from hearing this death knoll in NASCAR.

As I hoped for in an earlier blog, the ever popular Dale Earnhardt Jr is signing a contract with Hendricks Motorsports today.  Rick Hendricks' drivers have won 6 NASCAR Championships in the past 12 years and, since Jr is about winning one himself, this appears to be the perfect fit.

Hendricks currently fields 4 teams, with drivers Jeff Gordon (4 championships), Jimmie Johnson (current reigning champion), Kyle Busch and Casey Mears.  Kyle's contract expires at the end of the '08 season but the word is out that he wants out of his contract.

Race fans will remember that Busch crashed the #5 car earlier this year here in Texas and then left the track without telling anyone. The crew patched the Chevy up and guess what - Dale Jr jumped in it and drove the car to the finish.  To me, that's the epitome of a racer - driving even when there's no chance of winning.

Too, Hendricks has strong ties to the Earnhardts, having provided a car to Dale Sr in a Busch race at Lowe's in 1983. Dale Sr won that race. Oh, and by the way, Hendricks partner in that venture was  Robert Gee, Jr's maternal grandfather.

The ever dominant stable of Hendricks cars and drivers appears to be adding a new powerhouse to the lineup.   I'm certainly looking forward to the '08 season when Jr has a great car consistently. Now if we can only convince Jr's fans to stop tossing beer bottles at his new teammate, Jeff Gordon, everytime he wins we'll be on to something!

I heard the talk before and during spring training - Sammy Sosa was washed up,  his Bob Seger "Glory Days" were the stuff of lore.  Moreover, the sports jocks all doubted he'd make the roster.  But he did.

And where do we find Sammy now?  Well, he has belted a modest 10 round trippers, yet is tied for 2nd for the team lead with Adam Kinsler, behind Teixeira with 11, sitting 13th in the AL. He also leads the woeful Rangers with 43 RBIs., good enough for 8th in the AL. His slugging percentage is a respectable .464 and he doesn't have to field thanks to the AL DH rule.

Sammy is on pace to hit 35 homers and top 125 RBIs.  Hmm, not too shabby for a guy who sports journalists wrote off just a few months ago. Sammy is still a crowd pleaser and star the Rangers let get away when he was here the first time. They cannot afford to lose him now.

Kudos are in order for the actions of Penn State coach, Joe Paterno.  Coach P tookmatters into his own hands when thuggery encroached in on the Nittany Lions.  An off campus fight by some football team members left Paterno with some soul searching.

In the end Joe decided to punish the entire team.  The punishment consists of a "police call" of the non-threatening variety.  Indeed, rather than a day off after a home game, the Lions players will pick up the litter at their stadium the day after the game.

This move is sure to cause a stir among those who value emotions over common sense.  To me it is a bold move by a man with honor and respect not only for the NCAA and college football, but for decency.

We need more leaders like Joe Paterno.

If I could wave the magic wand (bat) over all of Major League Baseball, Barry Bonds would never hit another homerun and the integrity of one of baseball's cherished records would be upheld.  Moreover, were it possible, I'd have at minimum, an asterik next to all of Barry's records with an explanatory footnote: Indicates Steroid Usage.

The integrity of baseball is important if it wants to continue to lay claim to being an American pasttime.  Thankfully, there is virtually no thuggery as contrasted with the NFL and the NBA, yet the sport is still tainted with the likes of Bonds, Ramirez and McGwire, and any other user of steroids.

The current homerun record holder is Hank Aaron, with 755 steroid free roundtrippers.  If you know anything about Mr Aaron, you know that he is a model of integrity and a true lover of the sport.  Too, if the day ever approaches when his record is eclipsed by an honest and drug free player, I'd bet a dollar to a foul ball that Hank would be there celebrating as well.

As it is, Bonds lacks 11 homers to date of surpassing Hank's long standing record.  I thus submit that in the interest of baseball and sports, that pitchers refuse to pitch him anything in the strike zone.  Consistent walks and a few beanballs at Barry would suffice in sending a message to the entire MLB that steroids will not be permitted to destroy the integrity of the game. Before long, even the disgraced Bonds would know to throw in the towel and abandon his quest for the record.

Jeff Gordon motored across the finish line at Talledega Superspeedway to win for the 77th time in the  "Aaron's 499" Sunday afternoon, breaking a 6th place tie on the all-time win list with the late, great, Dale Earnhardt.  Amid cheers, a chorus of boos and more than a few tossed beer cans, Gordon had to inquire of the race results because of his confusion.   "Is it over?" he radioed his crew. "Is it over? Is it official?"

A caution flew four laps from the finish setting up what Fox commentators call "Overdrive," that is, a green/white checker 2 lap dash for the win.  As the cars rumbled past the starters stand getting the one lap to go signal, Gordon lead, followed by Jamie McMurray and his teammate, Jimmie Johnson.  But a multi-car wreck on the restart froze the field giving Gordon the historic win.  An angry Tony Stewart who had charged to the front but was wrecked by McMurray, gestured wildly at the driver of the #26 as the cars continued to circle the track and NASCAR officials sorted out the results.

Several arrests were made by Sheriff's deputies as drunken and angry fans attempted to pelt the #24 Dupont Chevrolet with a flurry of beer cans.  The despicable and unsportmanlike behavior was met by a modicum of grace and wisdom from the ever amiable Gordon when interviewed in the winners circle.  "I never started a riot before," he laughed as Rick Hendrick, the team owner, basked in the victory nearby., "But I respect all of the race fans here today."

Gordon's fast start to the 2007 season already has him leading the points race by 203 over Jeff Burton, who was involved in a wreck and finished 34th, 41 laps off the pace.  With the new system awarding bonus points to race winners and lap leaders going into the final 10 Race for the Chase this year, Gordon proves to be the one to beat.  Let's just hope the fans in Richmond next Saturday night are content to drink their beer rather than throw it, and thus avoid a fast lap to the pokey as several Alabaman's did.

Few and far between are venues that cater to the fan.  Texas Motor Speedway (TMS) is one of these.  Bruton Smith's vision to build a quality complex became a reality in Denton County some 11 years ago.  Subsequent to its innagural season Smith and his competent employees have seen fit to improve the facilities.

Traffic is no way near as bad as leaving a Cowboys game.  The ingress and egress are smooth for a crowd of TMS' magnitude.  There is plenty of free parking, rest rooms, and the facilities are unmatched.  Too, TMS is one of the rare venues that allows its fans to bring their own food and beverages INSIDE the track. The track is a fun filled, exciting and adventurous haven for young and old alike.

As for the entertainment it is fantastic.  To those who have no clue as to how "going left" for 500 miles can be so exciting they fail to see how a quarter of a pound of air pressure can determine whether a car wins or crashes into a wall at over 185 mph.  The true race fan cannot fail to have a chill running up his/her spine when those colorful cars and their drivers pass by at speed.  For those who've not tasted the thrill that is a TMS event, I invite you to partake of an experience you won't soon forget.  Thank you Bruton Smith and staff for thinking of us Texans when planning TMS!