The Greatest Show on Earth

I have seen the greatest show on earth...and it's called Pearl Jam. I was one of the lucky 18,000 that were in attendance Tuesday night when the best rock band in the world played the greatest venue in the world, Madison Square Garden. I have to be honest, I've had a 16 year love affair with P.J. since the first time I heard Black back in 1992. Their stories and songs are poignant, poetic... perfect. They're comprised of a group of great musicians but the best instrument on the stage rests in the throat of lead singer Eddie Vedder. His beautiful baritone is flawless, never missing a note. And while I don't always agree with Vedder's politics we can agree on something... war sucks. When he sang a song inspired by a wounded war vet that he's recently met, it was as thought-provoking and meaningful as anything ever written or performed by the great activists, including the likes of Guthrie, Dylan or Lennon. It was a two and a half hour marathon that I will never forget. I now have one last Pearl Jam wish. I want to be in Cleveland in 2011 when the world's greatest band is inducted into the world's greatest musical shrine, The Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. So thanks guys for giving me a night I'll never forget.

Rufus

Confession to Make...

I figured I'd come here to make a confession. It's been, what, 33-years (almost) since Boston last played a game in Cincinnati. My first chance to see the Red Sox and the Reds in Cincinnati...ever...and guess what? I watched, maybe, 10 pitches from the game. Wasn't out on a story, wasn't busy editing. What was I doing? Glued to Tiger's back 9 at Torrey Pines.

Fox19 sports editor Eric Staub (you might recognize his work on the weekly Carstar collision play or just about any good editing with music, effects, etc you might see during our weekend shows) and I were discussing why we like to root for Tiger. Eric, is a huge Tiger fan. I've always rooted for him, but never really knew why. I'm not a bandwagon guy, in fact, I'm the cliche pull for the underdog sports fan. But, there's something about Tiger that I'm drawn to. And, I think I know why.

No, it's not the bet I have with my brother that he'll have 25 majors by the time he's 40-years-old (although the prize in this bet is great...the loser...has to buy and drink a six pack of beer...of the winner's choice...hmmmmmmm...I hope Matt likes Nati' Light!). I root for Tiger because I want to say 'I watched the best'...'I witnessed history." I want my kids to say, "Dad, how good was that Tiger guy?" Wouldn't it have been cool to be around to see Babe Ruth play? That's kind of what we get to see watching Tiger. The best...in his prime.

I promise to watch more of the Reds game tomorrow. Youk is playing and Volquez pitching is must watch TV for me. But, if you hear loud clapping from the Fox19 newsroom during the middle of SportsWrap tomorrow night...forgive Eric and I...Tiger has a late tee time tomorrow...

- Joe D.

Tuesday Thoughts

- Josh Hamilton now has 4 home runs in 4 consecutive games...what a season!

- But, I still think the Reds did the right thing trading for pitching. Volquez is legit and...

- How about the other player in this deal...Danny Herrera? Man, that guy is small! But, what a major league debut. Striking out Howard and Burrell with the bases loaded takes you know what

- Do you have players you just for some reason don't like? I'm talking about players that are good, seem to be good people, but you just can't jive with? I added Chase Utley and Joba Chamberlain to my list today. No major reason why. They seem like cool people and are great athletes. I just don't like Utley's swing...and I wish someone would bend Joba's hat bill...and get him a new number

- Who would've thought Aaron Harang would be 2-8? Man, I chalked up 14-16 wins for that guy before the season started

- I have a feeling Homer Bailey is going to pitch well this season. Just a hunch.

- Has anyone else noticed Ryan Freel's bubble blowing? Well, it's actually not bubble blowing all the time, but he always lets his wad of gum hang on when he's making a big play. The dash home on Saturday...gum out. The diving catch on Tuesday...gum out. When he hurt his hamstring...gum out. Just a random observation.

- Sweet, 300 is on...

- Chad......the back-pedaling begins...

- I'm having a heated debate with a college buddy about future Hall of Famers. He thinks Jeff Kent is a first ballot lock and Chipper Jones is an "eventually gets in" Hall of Famer. His argument is Kent produced his numbers as a 2nd baseman. That's fine, Kent will get in, but Chipper is just a better baseball player and will be a first ballot HOFer. Kent should lose a few votes for the 'stache, too.

- Alright...time to get my Leonidas on...

- Joe D.

Monday Thoughts from a Sports Fan

Watched a bunch of sporting events today...here are some random thoughts:

- I had a great debate with Derek "Big Red" Froelich (our chief news editor) about how the old Celtics and Lakers teams would do against the current Celtics and Lakers teams. He doesn't think the '80's teams could keep up with today's teams. Certainly, I think a team of Magic, Byron Scott, Kareem, Worthy and Cooper could (and I think would) beat either team in the NBA Finals this year. The Celtics team of Bird, McHale, Parrish, DJ and Ainge might not seem like they could hang athletically with today's guys, but who is going to bet against that bunch? I'd put my money on the '80's teams against these two teams this year.

- I was out at Lakota West high school today as the Firebirds get ready for the State Final 4. Those kids love Jay Bruce. They used words like "stud", "beast" and "monster" to describe his game.

- Does anyone else pick up their phone and start texting/calling their buddies every time Jay Bruce does anything at the plate? Man, I can't think of the last time this city was so excited about a player. I don't think Homer created this kind of buzz. I'm gonna' say Carson Palmer.

- Man, I thought GABP was a small yard. It seems like routine fly balls are 10 rows deep at Citizens Bank Park in Philly. That place is just torture for pitchers.

- Bright spot for the Reds - Gary Majewski. Told the media on Sunday he's sick of coming up here and not doing his job. He's running out of chances. He knows it's time to perform.

- I think Joey Votto is on pace to set an MLB record for first baseman assists in one season. The guy seems to have 3 a game.

- I hope you saw some of the quotes from Junior today. I just wish he would open up like that with the TV folks here in Cincy. Kind of stinks for us that he said such great stuff in Philadelphia.

- I always keep the MLB scoreboard on my desktop at work to keep an eye on other games. Every time I look up Josh Hamilton is getting on base. What a stud. I hope he plays 150+ games. His numbers could be awesome.

- Speaking of all-stars...if they named the rosters today...I'm thinking Volquez and maybe Cordero for the Reds.

- Oh, and as far as post-season awards. There's a chance the Reds could have three candidates for rookie of the year. Votto (who is still considered a rookie), Cueto and Bruce. Certainly, Cueto and Bruce have a lot of catching up to do. But, with the talent they've flashed, who knows.

- Funny moment on Sunday. I stopped Volquez to translate a Johnny Cueto post-game interview for us. He happily agreed, but when we got back to the station, we could barely even tell what Volquez was saying in english. I guess it helps to have a translator who speaks very clear english. Also, I'm sure when they're speaking spanish to each other, they're no doubt making fun of me. That's cool.

- Cueto's outfit on Sunday. White button-down shirt, black dress pants, white shoes. Awesome. Twice he smiled when I was speaking english...when I said "shoes" and when I said "no-hitter" (referencing his no-hit bid into the 6th inning)

- Watched the overtimes of the Stanley Cup Finals tonight. Overtime Stanley Cup hockey rules.

- Hockey announcers are good. What a hard sport to call.

- I'm going back and forth between the College World Series regionals and 'Hoosiers' right now. I'm to the point in 'Hoosiers' now where I only enjoy the basketball scenes. Watching Gene Hackman nearly devour that woman with his lips on the farm is gross. Sweet, Shooter is about to stumble onto the court drunk...I love that part...

- Joe D.

Hockey Town

Here are some of my observations from covering Game 2 of the Kelly Cup finals at U.S. Bank Arena Sunday night:

- I haven't been to a sporting event that exciting since covering the NCAA tournament in March
- The Cyclones play very "pretty" hockey. Almost to a fault. Head coach Chuck Weber wants them to muddy up the crease and get more ugly, tip-in goals
- Surprising number of Las Vegas fans in the building. I'm sure they were family and close friends, but a few dozen people in enemy colors was a surprise
- There's really nothing better than a hockey game that's a scoreless tie with less than 5 minutes to play. At that point, it's basically sudden death.
- Tough break for Cedric Desjardins. He played a great game. Stopped about a half-dozen should've-been-goals, but the one that got in was just a bad break.
- Chuck Weber said the winner of this series will be beat up and bruised by the time it's done. I believe him after watching that game. Those two teams don't like each other
- The Cyclones aren't upset about the loss. They feel like they played a very good game, but caught a bad break. They said they knew the series wouldn't be a 4-game sweep and were prepared to win big games on the road
- I heard a fan tell an usher as he left the game, "best $10 I ever spent! I'll be back!" Couldn't agree more.

- Joe D.

Why Cut Odell Now?

The Bengals stood by Odell Thurman through various substance abuse transgressions, a DUI, a two-year NFL suspension and a reinstatement. Marvin showed him "tough love" along the way, by kicking him out of the locker room. But right before Thurman could finally play again, the team cut him. Why now?

The centerpiece on a 2005 defense that created turnovers like you and I drink ice water, Thurman led the team in tackles. The Bengals D never re-captured its playmaking identity with Thurman out of the picture. So he must have really ticked Marvin and Mike Brown off to get a pink slip.

Reportedly Marvin told Thurman's agent that Odell "wasn't around the stadium enough", in so many words. Odell's grandmother recently passed away in Monticello, GA, and Thurman traveled back for her funeral. Betty Thurman helped raise Odell, who lost his mother in a car accident when he was 10 years old. The LB missed voluntary workouts, a chance to "catch up" on the football field, to tend to family matters.

But it has to go deeper than that. Maybe Odell wasn't showing the team enough commitment when he wasn't coping with family issues. I know if I was in Odell's shoes, with so much to lose and this my last chance in Cincinnati, that I would be living at the stadium, in my coach's office, and in the weight room, in an effort to re-gain the trust that was broken with a series of bad off-the-field decisions.

Shortly after Thurman's reinstatement, Marvin Lewis said "He needs to do things the right way. Constantly." Evidently that inconsistency convinced Marvin to part ways with one of the best defensive playmakers PBS has had in some time.
~Zach

Zach Loves the Dunn Chatter!

I forgot to sign my comment.
But I love the Dunn Chatter.
And I love Cincinnati.
---Zach Wells