Al Davis

Raiders owner Al Davis passed away today at 82. Fans can just remember now and past decade of Raiders futility. But look back when he arrived in the 60s making the success through the 70s and 80s. His visionary ideas brought not only championships to the team but contributions to the league itself. He's George Steinbrenner before Steinbrenner took over the Yankees. He would do anything to win at all costs. He battled and fought against the league that would benefit his along bucking the trends and do it his own way. His rebel attitude and leadership took every officials, owners, players, and fans by storm that some have embraced. Call him crazy but the man bleed black and sliver all the way and is true face of Raiders. Whether its his dealings of AFL/NFL merger to Super Bowl victories to crazy draft moments to battling the coaches and players his rule with an iron fist making sure its his way to win or the highway. When I hear Frank Sinatra "I Did It My Way" one people I would think of is him. Rest in peace Al.

Bret Favre please go away

Brett Favre proves once more to be a hypocrite and attention seeking whore. His recent comments on Aaron Rodgers:

What a jealous selfish shell of once "great" player. Is Bret Favre ego so fragile he rather continue put down Aaron Rodgers at all costs. How many titles do you expect him lead right away? In his first year as starter? It hurts Bret Favre so bad that it took Aaron Rodgers three years to lead the Packers to Super Bowl as starter while it took him five years. The fact Rodgers did it with a team hobbled with injuries having rely on 3rd and 4th string receivers and backups running backs and tight ends. Bret did it with a healthy supporting cast of Antonio Freeman, Reggie White and Desmond Howard. It also hurts Favre ego that its Aaron Rodgers in the limelight of Packers and NFL fans, not him. Fans these days remember Bret Favre for having over dramatic offseasons of can't deciding to play or retire for multiple years along a texting pictures of his penis to Jenn Sterger.

When Aaron Rodgers asked about the comments what did he do? Aaron Rodgers just deadpanned and commented about his teammates and how well team played. That is how to be a leader and a team player, something Bret Favre forgot in his final seasons of his career.

Brett Favre just go away. Quit being a whore of your own self. Let someone else have the fame instead your bitter tired ass.

Ozzie leaves Windy City for South Beach

Era of Ozzie is over in Chicago. Outspoken never lost for words manager Ozzie Guillen received his release from White Sox and signs to manage Florida Marlins for 2012. Marlins sent two players to White Sox for compensation. For 8 seasons Ozzie successfully led White Sox to multiple playoff runs, division titles, and World Series championship ending White Sox 88 year champion drought. He brought more attention to himself than the team for his "shoot hard" rants and comments. The last few seasons been filled disappointment and his relationships with front office strained. Ozzie gets a fresh new start in Miami with inept run team. Marlins organization would favor one player and demotes those that disagree with front management. This could go get wild especially Ozzie gives ownership favorite boy Hanley Ramirez a much needed butt kicking. It looks to be explosive next year in Miami.

Tony Romo Redeems Himself Playing Tough

After last week debacle which his fumble and ill-timed interception caused New York Jets to comeback and beat the Cowboys Tony Romo felt the heat from fans and the media. Despite performing well the label "choke" hung over his head questioning can he produce under pressure and be clutch when needed in the 4th quarter near the end of the game. On Sunday he redeemed himself. Playing against 49ers he gets taken out of the game when he got hit hard suffering rib injury. He came back in 4th quarter delivering a comeback from 10 points down to tie the game going into overtime. In overtime he made a clutch 77-yard throw to receiver Jesse Holley who took it to 49ers one yard line. It resulted game winning field goal giving the Cowboys a win 27-24. The next day it was revealed he played with a broken rib and punctured lung. Now that big balls. You hear that Jay Cutler? After a week of taking stinging criticisms an injured Tony Romo bounced back with a gutsy performance.

Legend of Mariano Rivera

On Monday Mariano Rivera earned career save 602 breaking Trevor Hoffman record in career saves and looks to continue to add more in the record books. Ever since he broke in the league and became full time closer in 1997 he been nearly unstoppable. His signature pitch cutter have baffled batters and closed out games for the Yankees. In era where closers are effective for 5-7 seasons he continue to come through for 15 seasons. His importance to the Yankees allow the team to win multiple divisions, pennants, and World Series. Combined with his record of 42 saves in the postseason and 4 from All-Star game he has total of 648 saves. There are times he looked human on the mound, but continue to persevere under intense pressure. Looks like he's not stopping anytime soon as he continue pile more onto the record books.

The end of Kerry Wood?

Kerry Wood season ends with a torn meniscus and possibly his final season of his career if Cubs doesn't bring him back for next season. It all based on Cubs decision to re-sign him for next season. If Cubs choose not to re-sign him its end of Wood's career. The fireballer rose as one top pitchers of the league for few years only to have his career derailed with numerous arm/shoulder injuries. Despite his numerous setbacks he continued to bounce back to pitch as a closer and relief pitcher. Coming back to the Cubs this season he performed well on a very disappointing team shows he can still go. His career have so many "what ifs" but he continue on to the mound and pitched. With another injury and contract uncertainty its likely he played his last game.

Latest addition to the bobblehead collection - Kyle Blanks

The latest addition to my bobblehead collection: Kyle Blanks. I obtained this through a seller on Ebay. I have always like Kyle Blanks when I saw him coming up the Padres ranks. Those who remember his 2007 Bowman autograph card where has this intimidating "I'm dead serious" nonsense look on his face that what he really looks like when I first saw and met him when he was playing for Padres AA club San Antonio Missions. He has this aura on intensity around him. That what drew me being a fan of him. His approach is no words, swing the bat, hit balls, and take names. After spending this most of the season in the minors I'm glad he's back up in the majors. I see lots of potential in him and be one of key players of Padres from now and the future.

Views of a game - Round Rock Express and New Orlean Zephyrs - August 21

My second visit at Dell Diamond Field in Round Rock, TX for Express/Zephyrs game felt different. Last I been was two years ago when it was Astros affiliate club. Now its Rangers affiliate club. More on that later on.

For the game its a wild affair with Zephyrs scoring total of 7 runs in first three innings. Express tries to make a comeback but fell short as Zephyrs won 7-5.

Rangers top prospect Martin Perez was out of control getting roughed in 2 innings with 6 runs all earned and 8 hits.

Zephyrs starting pitcher Darin Downs do no better as he dinged in 4 innings with 5 runs all earned and 10 hits. Reliever Garrett Parcell perform well in 2.2 innings to get the win.

Leonys Martin and Val Majewski are bright spots of Express offense.

Mike Cevernak is offensive player of the game for Zephyrs.

The game has appearance of Chris Coghlin and Logan Morrison.

As for the ballpark its a different feel. When I looked around it was all decked of Rangers with the banners, the logos, and the program. What it didn't mention is its past. Everything when they moved to Round Rock at 2000 to 2010 wiped out. Not one mention of it on game program. They just mention about 2011 acting like its a brand new team when its not. It disappoints me they refuse have anything do with the past.

When I used to live in Midland and go to the games the Midland organization acknowledge their past from the teams they used to be affiliated with along former team names, and the players that was on the roster. The past is shown on with the team logos on top of visiting club dugout and the programs.

I wish Round Rock Express, at least, show who they were in the past like Midland Rockhounds did. They choose to ignore like it never happened.

Views and shots of a game - Astros vs Giants - August 19

Drove to Houston on Friday for Astros game as they took of Giants. It was umbrella night so I got my souvenir giveaway. Starting pitchers of the game are Wandy Rodriguez and All-Star pitcher Ryan Vogelsong. My seat is from 3rd level of the stadium.

Murial of Jeff Bagwell 449 homeruns and Craig Biggio 3000 hits.

Retired numbers of Astros players.

Wandy Rodriguez pitching on the mound. He went 8 innings with 8 strikeouts, 5 hits, and no runs along going 1-2 with 2 RBIs.

Clint Barmes moving out of the way from inside pitch. He went 1-2 with 2 runs.

Carlos Lee swinging and missing being unproductive as usual. 0-4 for the big useless lug.

Made my way down at 7th inning to get these shots:

Guillermo Mota catching the ball during his warm on the mound

Jimmy Paredes at bat. Tries hard but swinging for strikes instead of hits. He went 0-4 with 3 striekouts. He will get better.

Brian Bogusevic big swing in the 9th which netted this:

Jeff Fulchino pitches a scoreless 9th with 2 strikeouts to end the game. After the game he gets sent down to AAA.

Astros beat the Giants 6-0. This includes fine performance from catcher Carlos Corporon, who was batting .176, went 3-3, RBI, and 2 runs against All-Star pitcher Vogelsong. J.B. Shuck went 1-3 driving in team's first 2 runs of the game. Brian Bogusevic throw at home plate nailed Aubrey Huff who end up throwing a huff afterwards.

I enjoyed the game cheering my guts out for the Astros. In season where there's hardly to cheer about call this one of bright highlights of the season. I saw a young team while raw played very hard on the field. To win one over All-Star pitcher and defending champs with 1/3 of Giants fans in attendance is a great feeling to Astros fan. It gave fans a glimmer of hope for next year improvement. Here's to Astros play and hope they play spoiler for rest of the season.

Thunder Thome enters the 600 Club

Jim "Thunder" Thome became 8th member of 600 Homerun Club as hit homeruns number 599 and 600 on Monday. I'm glad he reached no. 600 and been one of my favorites. The guy just goes on the diamond, practice, works, and play hard at his best. Even through and after the "steroid era" he continues to hit homeruns. He's a team player who never put himself above the team. Any team and player would love to have a teammate like him. No frills, no flash, no flamboyance, just hit, take names, and get ready for the next at-bat. A very classic hard worker of his craft. If Thome didn't make it to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot something is seriously wrong with the voting system. Congratulations to Jim "Thunder" Thome for history reaching achievement.