Tebow HR video
Great, as if Tebow mania needed any more fuel for the fire. First pitch ever in his professional baseball career and he hits a home run. Seriously? As if this wasn't enough of a frenzy, circus, spectacle, dog and pony show, overall straight up ridiculousness full blown shit show. I mean am I the only one sick of Tim Tebow? Although I have to say the shot of the crowd is hilarious. There is like 30 elderly folk who are there most likely in between nap time and the afternoon showing of Matlock.
Let's be honest, the guy won't make the majors, and if he does, it's all for publicity. He is going to hit about .220 once he faces competition, and strike out at least 33% of his at bats. Hopefully by then he can finally ride into the sunset of irrelevance.
Nov 23, 2013
Through a Dad's Eyes
As we recognized Prematurity Awareness Day last weekend, it got me to thinking...why not share my story. Many of you know our families story, but I wanted to share a different perspective of the roller coaster ride that has been the last two years of my life. So I'm taking a break from sports (somewhat) to share Austin and Cole's story through their dad's eyes.
It all happened so fast and to be honest if I told you that I remembered all of it, I would be lying. From getting the call at work to driving to the Central Vermont Medical Center and then to Dartmouth, it seemed like an hour when in reality it had already been a full day. After a couple of days sleeping on a hospital recliner it was back to work for me and nightly trips from our home in Montpelier to Dartmouth. Honestly, working was the hardest part for me, having to be away from my family. I was miles away from where I wanted to be, always hoping for a good call, but expecting a bad one. Those crazy solo trips lasted for a week until January 28th when Austin and Cole arrived at 31 weeks, both weighing under 4 lbs.
The first hour of their lives was one that I will cherish forever. After meetings with various doctors whose faces I vaguely remember, I spent the next hour alone with my two boys for the first time. I was the only one allowed in the room as they were placed into separate incubators. While all this was going on, I found myself praying for the first time in years. It wasn't my finest hour, spending most of it scrambling around trying to make sense of it all and trying to be where I was supposed to be. It is also a time that I always reflect on when I think times are rough on me, imagining what they were going through during that first hour. Right then, I knew it was going to be a long road, but a road I was so happy to be on.
When you deal with events like this, you learn to cheer for the small victories. Days like leaving one NICU for another NICU closer to home. Bigger events were celebrated louder like when the tubes disappeared, breathing on their own became easier and the alarms faded away. Through the first couple of months there were countless tests and not to sound pessimistic but one of them had to turn up something right? Wrong. The boys fought through and were finally able to come home after 41 days spent at the two different hospitals.
One thing I have learned over my first two years of being a dad is how you need to have a positive outlook for your kids no matter how stacked the odds seem to be against them. There have been selfish moments don't get me wrong. On trips to the hospital, many thoughts race through your head. Thoughts like, are one of these tests going to turn up something that prevents my kids from playing sports? While this kind of thinking is shortsighted, especially for someone working in the Mental Health field, I think it only made me like any other person.
There have been plenty of athletes who have persevered through various disabilities. You can't help but be inspired when you come across stories like All-American wrestler Anthony Robles who won an NCAA championship in 2011 despite being born without a right leg or the story of Jason McElwain who erased autism stereotypes a few years ago after scoring 20 points in a high school basketball game. These types of stories helped me realize there could be a way for my kids to follow their dreams no matter what challenges they were dealt. Thankfully though it has been so far so good.
With hopefully the toughest of times behind them, Austin and Cole are now active and healthy 22 month year olds. They were even up cheering for their first Red Sox World Series championship last month (it took me 17 years). Like I mentioned earlier, we learn to cheer the small victories and celebrate the big ones.
Nov 21, 2013
Pigskin Picks- Week 12
Wow, week 12 already? It seemed like just yesterday I was picking the Jaguars to get slaughtered, and yet here I am about to write the same thing. Here are the week 12 predictions:
Tampa Bay @ Detroit
Don't look now, but the Buccaneers are on their first win streak of the year. The 2 wins matches the same total of the Texans, Vikings, and Falcons, all playoff teams last season. Those in Tampa shouldn't be getting too confident though. The Lions allowed the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger to show up last week, something that hadn't happened in some time. The Lions are still a dangerous team though, watch out if they catch fire at the right time down the stretch.
Prediction: Lions 31 Buccaneers 20
Jacksonville @ Houston
Well I've been calling for a Texans win for weeks now to no avail, but I'm sticking with them again this week. The Texans have been bad, but the Jaguars take bad to a whole different level.
Prediction: Texans 28 Jaguars 17
Minnesota @ Green Bay
This rivalry game could be an interesting one to watch. The Packers have been unable to find the winning column since superstar QB Aaron Rodgers went down. In order to remain in the thick of the playoff hunt, the Packers need to win this game. As long as the Vikings continue to lack a reliable quarterback, they will be hard pressed to put together a few victories. The Packers should take care of business on the frozen tundra.
Prediction: Packers 24 Vikings 20
San Diego @ Kansas City
The Chiefs faltered last week against the Broncos as predicted by most. They have the chance to bounce back with a win against the respectable Chargers. For San Diego on the other hand this is a chance at a win that could inject some life into their hopes of extending their season.
Prediction: Chiefs 26 Chargers 21
Carolina @ Miami
Following the Chiefs loss last week the Panthers are now statistically the hottest team in the league. Coming off a nail biter victory against the Patriots, there isn't much that scares the Panthers at this point. A road trip to face off against a fledgling Dolphins team shouldn't be much of a hurdle.
Prediction : Panthers 23 Dolphins 17
Pittsburgh @ Cleveland
In an AFC where the final wild cars spot is anyone's for the taking at this point, this matchup has some significance. Both teams sit at 4-6 and look for a win to spark the team. The steelers finally looked decent last week, but there is no proof this team can do it again in consecutive weeks.
Prediction: Browns 21 Steelers 20
Chicago @ St Louis
Despite losing their starting quarterback, the Rams have somehow remained a somewhat respectable football team. The Bears are a team that badly needs to rattl e off a couple wins to build some self confidence. If they can't pull one off this week, they suddenly find themselves in hot water headed down the home stretch.
Prediction: Bears 23 Rams 19
NY Jets @ Baltimore
The Jets showed last week why they shouldn't be in the playoffs, playing terribly against the Bills. The Ravens are a team that has the potential to take a step forward as a talented team capable of claiming a playoff position. This could be a statement game for the Ravens.
Prediction: Ravens 24 Jets 16
Tennessee @ Oakland
The Titans were once a team that looked like they had a chance to be successful. Two straight losses later and they're suddenly looking like a less than mediocre team. The good news for them is the competition this week isn't much different. This one could go either way but I think the Titans get back on the right path.
Prediction: Titans 23 Raiders 20
Indianapolis @ Arizona
This is a great test for a Cardinals team fighting to prove their legitimacy. If they can figure out a way to take down the Colts then there is no more questioning the Arizona squad. Andrew Luck will lead what we know is a dangerous Colts team.
Prediction: Colts 26 Cardinals 24
Dallas @ NY Giants
An NFC east rivalry showdown with possible playoff implications. Who'd have thought the Giants would be in this position. As poorly as they played in the first meeting, the G Men still should have won. They won't make the same mistakes this time around.
Prediction: Giants 28 Cowboys 24
Denver @ New England
A possible AFC championship preview? It will be interesting to see how these two matchup. My hunch is that the Pats can't cover all the dangerous targets Peyton Manning has at his disposal. While a road win in New England won't be easy, I think the Broncos can really prove they are an elite team this week.
Prediction: Broncos 31 Patriots 24
San Francisco @ Washington
What better way to snap a losing streak than to face the faultering Redskins? This could be just what the 49ers need to right their ship. Although Washington could themselves wake up soon, San Fran should cruise to victory.
Prediction: 49ers 26 Redskins 21
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