Category Archives: Sports
OTC: To Write Or Not To Write, Which Is Nobler?
“Split’s health is his business. If he wants information to go public, that’s fine. Otherwise, you’re a grade A jerk for taking Split’s most personal information public. Split has a right to privacy. You have no right violating it. You have a legal right, but no moral or ethical right. I don’t see how you can sleep at night. But I’m sure you don’t care.”Scott, KCC Comments
GH: I was not surprised that my decision to report this unfortunate news about Paul Splittorff’s rapidly deteriorating health and his battle with cancer on two fronts painted me in the eyes of some as a heartless, sensationalistic ass. Did I weigh the personal repercussions and attacks to my professionalism before deciding to post this story? Not really. I understand that these are simply byproducts of being a reporter and a journalist.
“Really poor journalistic work here. And you can hide and say you’re not a ‘journalist’ since you’re blogging, but it’s a pretty unethical violation of Splitt’s privacy.”
Max, KCC Comments
GH: It is my opinion I did follow journalistic ethics in writing this story. Whether the subject of the story is pleased or not that the report is being made public is not part of the equation in deciding whether or not to tell the story. Does it matter that I like Splitt and have even shared some fun one-on-one conversations? No. Is it easy to write a story you know a well-liked and respected man will be unhappy reading? No.
Royals Great, Paul Splittorff, In A Losing Battle With Cancer
Paul Splittorff spent his 15-year MLB career with the Kansas City Royals befuddling major league batters as a talented southpaw on the mound. The past two seasons he has done the same to Royals fans who have tuned in to Royals TV broadcasts on FoxSports. Splittorff was there for opening day in 2010 but his voice was gone. The longtime Royals’ analyst’s speech was slurred. He had people asking if he had suffered a stroke. Splittorff quickly brushed off all questions about his health by saying he had simply caught a virus and that he expected his voice to recover soon. Fox removed him after the 2010 season opener but he returned to the broadcasts later last season. After returning, his voice seemed no better despite the layoff.
Splitt has been there for almost every Royals’ home game I’ve watched this season and sounded worse than ever. His speech issues again have sparked a number of rumors and questions as to what is affecting his speech. I have confirmed with people close to Splitt that he has been suffering from both throat cancer and melanoma now for some time and he appears to be close to death. He recently was administered Last Rites by his priest in his KU Medical Center hospital room. He is not expected to make it through the week.
OTC: Scott Boras Expects Hosmer’s Future Free Agency To Be “Eventful”
“Agent Scott Boras on Thursday shot down any hopes the Kansas City Royals had of signing burgeoning star Eric Hosmer to a long-term extension, telling Yahoo! Sports he expects massive increases in television revenue to change the landscape of salaries in baseball.”Jeff Passan, writer, YahooSports.com
GH: Boras managed to get Hosmer a $6-million signing bonus from the Royals out of high school. It makes some sense that Hosmer will listen to his well-paid agent when and if the Royals come calling this season with an offer to lock him up with a long-term deal. But will TV revenues really increase to a point where another fountain of cash will inflate MLB free agency? Times are changing and not in a good way for professional athletes. Boras might want to check with what is happening in the NFL.
“You can’t look at the markets of the past. For players like Hosmer, as you go back and look, as [Mark] Teixeira had his own market and [Prince] Fielder had his own market, Hosmer will have his own. And something tells me it’s going to be a rather eventful one.”
Scott Boras, YahooSports.com
OTC: Hosmer’s 1st Homer Is At Yankees Stadium / Royals Superfan Chris Interview
“Oh my God!”Illeana Hosmer, Eric Hosmer’s mom in the stands at Yankee Stadium, after her 21-year-old son hit his first MLB home run, FSRoyals
GH: Hopefully, this will become old hat for Hosmer and his clan. But on this night in the Bronx, it was a very special moment for Hos and his parents. I cannot even imagine how all this must feel for his mom and dad, who just three years ago were watching him play ball in high school.
“I think Hosmer will hit his first major-league home run at Yankee Stadium during this series.”
Kevin Kietzman, prior to the Royals/Yankees series this week, 810 AM
GH: Good thing KK didn’t predict Hosmer was heading to the Big 10.
OTC: JoPo Leave Kansas City With Only Memories
“I still love Kansas City. I love it in ways I never could have imagined that day Dinn (Mann) picked me up at the airport. What do you think? Now I know what I think. I have lived here longer than any other place. I know this place, know its rhythms, know its flaws, know its music. When my flight lands at KCI, I feel that thing Tom Sorensen talks about. I feel Home. Capital letters: Home. And … now we’re moving. Well, you didn’t think that I would write all this if we were staying, did you? We are moving to Charlotte, N.C. for many reasons, personal and professional — it is the right thing for us…”Joe Posnanski, announcing his family’s move to Charlotte in Wednesday’s Kansas City Star
GH: I have a unique perspective of JoPo’s time here in Kansas City if only from the fact I was writing for The Star when Joe was hired. While he hasn’t written for The Star as a fulltime columnist for almost two years, it speaks to his following in Kansas City that his decision to move to Charlotte would rate a column in his former newspaper. I have compiled here some thoughts of JoPo and my memories of his time with The Star.
OTC: Topeka’s Mark Turgeon Takes His Talents To Maryland
“Aggies: Thanks for a great 4 years. I was proud to represent Texas A&M University. It is truly a special and classy place.”Mark Turgeon, in a message to the TAMU fan base after resigning to take the Maryland job, Twitter
GH: The college basketball coaching carousel got another hard tug when Gary Williams resigned from Maryland and Mark Turgeon bolted A&M to replace him. Will the Topeka kid be a success in the ACC? Read on.
“(Mark Turgeon) wasn’t (Maryland’s) first choice. They went through like five guys apparently.”
Todd Leabo, 810 AM
GH: Maryland looked at high-profile candidates before “settling” for Turgeon. This is not a hire that will cause season ticket sales to spike in Terp territory but one I think will prove to be successful. Not everyone agrees.
Todd Leabo, 810 AM
GH: Maryland looked at high-profile candidates before “settling” for Turgeon. This is not a hire that will cause season ticket sales to spike in Terp territory but one I think will prove to be successful. Not everyone agrees.
“If Maryland’s inability to land (Arizona’s) Sean Miller as its basketball coach can be analogized to an open layup that was blown over the rim, how best to describe the Terps’ decision to hire Mark Turgeon? One might say it’s like shooting at the other team’s goal. Pursuing Miller was the right idea but horribly executed.”
Mike DeCourcy, SportingNews.com
OTC: Tyler Gabbert Transfers Out Of Mizzou
“University of Missouri redshirt freshman quarterback Tyler Gabbert has decided to leave the football program, to pursue other playing opportunities, as announced today by Head Coach Gary Pinkel. Gabbert came to Mizzou as part of the 2010 recruiting class, and enrolled a semester early at MU. He took part in the last two spring camps, and redshirted during the 2010 season.”Chad Moller, Missouri Assistant AD, press release
GH: Maybe not a bombshell but at least a tremor through Pinkel’s football program. Just days after former Mizzou QB, Blaine Gabbert, is drafted 10th overall by Jacksonville, his younger brother drops out of what many thought were a highly competitive starting QB battle at Mizzou between him and James Franklin. Read on.
“One thing I’ve learned, people who are very jealous and insecure about themselves talk down about people on twitter. Sweet life!!”
Blaine Gabbert, Twitter
GH: Just a guess here but I’m pretty sure big brother Blaine was commenting about some of the snaky tweets regarding Tyler’s departure. Read on.
OTC: Royals Bring Baseball Hysteria Back To KC W/ Surprising Hosmer Call Up
“He’s ready. It’s as simple as that. He’s in a league of his own. … The kid’s producing down there. The time’s right. He’s comin’.”Ned Yost, 810 AM
GH: I heard the Royals’ manager utter these words live on Sports Radio 810 as I flipped on my car radio while dodging ominous thunderstorm clouds moving in swiftly from the southwest about 4:30 PM Thursday. Did he just say Eric Hosmer is comin’? I cranked the volume knob into double digits and smiled as my pulse and imagination began to run wild.
“Homers called up.”
Joel Goldberg, FSRoyals sideline reporter, Twitter
GH: Goldberg later corrected his misspelled tweet but I kinda liked the original version.
Joel Goldberg, FSRoyals sideline reporter, Twitter
GH: Goldberg later corrected his misspelled tweet but I kinda liked the original version.
OTC: Is Waiting Kila-ing Royals’ Chance At Pennant?
“Kila Ka’aihue is hitting .195. (Eric) Hosmer is hitting .439 (in Omaha). That’s .439! The disparity is just crazy! It’s ridiculous!”Steven St. John, 810 AM
GH: Ka’aihue is slumping just when he needs to be producing and proving his worth at the big-league level. Wednesday night he came up in the ninth with the tying run on second base with two out and flied out weakly to right. Meanwhile, Hosmer went 3-for-5 for Omaha and raised his average from .430 to .439. That will get people talking about moving Kila down and Hosmer up. Read on.
“What the hell do you gotta do to get called up in this organization? … They need to start generating some excitement out at the ballpark. They need to generate some excitement in that clubhouse. … I want Dayton Moore to tell me why this kid isn’t ready.”
Soren Petro, campaigning for Hosmer to take over at first base for the Royals, 810 AM
GH: The media and fans have been patient with Dayton Moore’s vision of the Royals future. Some would say catatonic. But the whiff of success the Royals have shown the first five weeks of the season has us hungry for more than promises. If the future is now, Moore and Yost need to seize the opportunity. Waiting has never worked for this franchise in the past.
Soren Petro, campaigning for Hosmer to take over at first base for the Royals, 810 AM
GH: The media and fans have been patient with Dayton Moore’s vision of the Royals future. Some would say catatonic. But the whiff of success the Royals have shown the first five weeks of the season has us hungry for more than promises. If the future is now, Moore and Yost need to seize the opportunity. Waiting has never worked for this franchise in the past.
OTC: Nick Wright Nails Chiefs Draft W/ 5 of 9 Correct Picks
“Some people think I’m arrogant and this probably isn’t going to help.”Nick Wright, after he predicting 5 of the Chiefs’ 9 draft picks correctly prior to the draft, 610 AM
GH: I heard Wright play an audio clip Monday from one of last week’s shows where he impressively nailed five of the Chiefs picks. He named Baldwin, Hudson, Houston, Stanzi and Powe. He didn’t just list a bunch of names as possible Chiefs’ picks, Wright went round by round and named all five of these players. He didn’t get them all in exactly the correct round but who cares? If 610 Sports hasn’t put together a promo add highlighting Nick’s picks, what the hell are they waiting for? The kid needs all the help he can get when it comes to sports credibility and this kind of pub can only help.
“I’ll send out a tweet Gabe and try and help you out (collecting Twitter followers).”
Nick Wright, to the Chiefs’ fifth-round pick, Gabe Miller, a DE out of Oregon State, 610 AM
GH: I chuckled when I heard Wright tell this new Chief he would help him out, with a tweet to his followers. I missed Wright’s tweet. He is the only member of the Kansas City media who has chosen to block me from his tweets. Some guys have thicker skin than others. Wright’s appears to be onion-skin depth.
OTC: Athletes Take To Twitter To Express Pro & Con On Osama Killing
"What kind of person celebrates death? It’s amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard speak. We’ve only heard one side."Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers running back, after the breakout of celebrations across America after news broke that Osama bin Laden was killed by a team of US special ops, Twitter
GH: Athletes took to Twitter (along with everyone else) to express their opinions of the news bin Laden had been killed. Some, like Mendenhall, were not as excited to see America celebrating OBL’s demise. I am curious as to what news vacuum Mendenhall frequents in that he pretends to not know bin Laden’s “side” of terrorism. Read on.
“We just looked like the Afghan people, a decade later. That’s not what we should be doing, celebrating with beers and all that. I didn’t agree with that. That’s just me.”
Chris Douglas-Roberts, of the Milwaukee Bucks, Twitter
GH: We could always cut the heads off a few innocent people on live television to commemorate the event. I kind of think beer was invented for occasions like Osama’s death.
OTC: Chiefs’ 2011 Draft Gets Mixed Reviews From National Media But Locally It’s A Hit
“I like (the Chiefs’ draft). It could blow up in their face…but the consensus is they’ve put enough quality athletes in the locker room (to overcome a few players with questionable character).”Soren Petro, 810 AM
GH: What a difference a year (and 10 wins makes) for our Chiefs. After Scot Pioli went with the altar-boy draft in 2010, he came back with the biker-bad ass draft in 2011. Can he and Todd Haley mold the new bad boys into shape by exposing them to the plethora of team captains they have assembled in the Chiefs’ locker room? It will be interesting to see if the Crips or the Scouts win out at One Arrowhead Drive.
“How do you grade the chiefs on the draft? … I don’t grade teams after draft. Fruitless exercise.”
Peter King, writer for Sports Illustrated, Twitter
GH: A fruitless exercise? It is football, Peter! The whole notion and existence of the sport is pretty much meaningless when compared to the necessities of life. But as a professional who makes his living analyzing and commenting on the game, we expect you to do your job. What a pompous ass this dweeb can be.
Peter King, writer for Sports Illustrated, Twitter
GH: A fruitless exercise? It is football, Peter! The whole notion and existence of the sport is pretty much meaningless when compared to the necessities of life. But as a professional who makes his living analyzing and commenting on the game, we expect you to do your job. What a pompous ass this dweeb can be.
OTC: Chiefs Grab Pitt WR Jonathan Baldwin In Shocking 1st Round Knockout
“I like the pick. I said there is no one in Kansas City more qualified to talk about (Jonathan Baldwin) than me because I’ve seen him more than any of you coming from Big East country.”Danny Parkins, a Syracuse grad and the new mid-morning host on 610 AM
GH: Parkins did a good job in laying out his knowledge of Baldwin and then getting opposing viewpoints of the former Pitt wide receiver from different Pittsburgh sources. Read on.
“Of course Bill Hillgrove is going to like the pick! He’s the voice of the Panthers, Danny! You might as well of had the school mascot on to tell you about Jon Baldwin!”
Andrew Filliponi, post-game host for Pitt Panther football, in an interview with Danny Parkins, commenting on an earlier interview Parkins did with Hillgrove, 610 Sports
GH: Filliponi came out of the blocks firing in his interview. He destroyed Hillgrove’s credibility with these two opening sentences. 810’s Soren Petro also had the cheerleading Hillgrove on his Friday show. I immediately thought of Bob Davis being asked to evaluate a Kansas player. Not much objectivity when it comes to talking to the “voice” of any team. Hillgrove was a poor interview choice but at least Parkins balanced his show with the sarcastic and entertaining Filliponi. Read on.
Andrew Filliponi, post-game host for Pitt Panther football, in an interview with Danny Parkins, commenting on an earlier interview Parkins did with Hillgrove, 610 Sports
GH: Filliponi came out of the blocks firing in his interview. He destroyed Hillgrove’s credibility with these two opening sentences. 810’s Soren Petro also had the cheerleading Hillgrove on his Friday show. I immediately thought of Bob Davis being asked to evaluate a Kansas player. Not much objectivity when it comes to talking to the “voice” of any team. Hillgrove was a poor interview choice but at least Parkins balanced his show with the sarcastic and entertaining Filliponi. Read on.
OTC: Moving Gordon To First Is Another Move Backward For Royals’ Future
“I look at Alex Gordon as a delicate rose. I do not want to disturb or upset him. Maybe he’ll be just fine. I wouldn’t mess with him.”Nick Wright, after Ned Yost decided to move Gordon from left field to first base to make room for Jarrod Dyson in center field, 610 AM
“My biggest fear now is that they are going to jack with Alex Gordon. Why would you mess with Alex Gordon as well as he’s hitting?”
Kevin Kietzman, 810 AM
GH: The move to place Gordon back in the infield is more than curious. I think it is ridiculous and an attempt by the Royals to grab a few meaningless wins here in April to improve their gate at their upcoming homestand.
Kevin Kietzman, 810 AM
GH: The move to place Gordon back in the infield is more than curious. I think it is ridiculous and an attempt by the Royals to grab a few meaningless wins here in April to improve their gate at their upcoming homestand.
OTC: NFL Lockout Suspended / NFL Draft Not Deep On Qbs
Lester Munson, saying the judge worded the judgment so strongly that it will be difficult for the owners to get it turned around, ESPN
GH: Let’s hope so. I can’t think of a news item I have been less interested in than the NFL lockout. What the owners and players should realize is that we just want football. We don’t care who makes the money since it’s all coming out of our pockets.
“People don’t seem to be very interested in the (NFL) schedule or the draft at this point.”
Brian Baldinger, talking to Bob Fescoe and Josh Klingler, discussing the lack of fan interest in the lockout and therefore the NFL, 610 AM
Brian Baldinger, talking to Bob Fescoe and Josh Klingler, discussing the lack of fan interest in the lockout and therefore the NFL, 610 AM
Take 26.2: Part II / My Time At The 2011 Boston Marathon
Part II / Click on this link for Part I
The start of the Boston Marathon is not only thrilling but emotional. My eyes misted as I flew down that first hill out of Hopkinton, realizing my feet were moving forward toward Boston in the oldest, grandest, most-storied marathon in the world. I knew I was not alone as tears also fell from the eyes of my fellow runners.Take 26.2: My Time At The 2011 Boston Marathon / Part I
The cannonballs that have taken up residence where my thighs once resided still roll and stab with each forward step. Curbs look like waist-high cement walls to my post-marathon bod. It is in this state of repair that I pen this tale of my trip from Hopkinton to Boston for the running of the 115th Boston Marathon.As marathons go, I am pretty much a noobie. At least that’s what my son calls rookie Xbox players who get trampled by his “supreme awesomeness.” As I approached the age of 55 the summer of 2009, I decided it was now or never to run 26.2. I picked the Tucson Marathon in December because it was downhill and well, it was Tucson in December. Think of the scenery. And even the mountains.
Take 26.2: GH Takes On The 115th Running Of The Boston Marathon
Friday morning my wife and I board an airplane at KCI and head east where I’ll run in the 115th Boston Marathon. The 26.2 mile race starts at 10:00 AM (ET) Monday in the small burg of Hopkinton, MA. It follows Route 135 northeast through Ashland, Framingham, Natick and through the screaming coeds at Wellesley College near the halfway point. Then it’s on through Newton and up one of the sport’s most feared and revered icons just past the 20-mile mark, Heartbreak Hill.It is this hill that concerns me most. It is this hill that has driven me over the past six months to take the harder, hillier training run instead of the flatter, faster course. Snowy weather, cold north winds and winter dark mornings have been my companion as I attempted to prepare for Heartbreak Hill. Am I ready? I don’t think anyone can adequately prepare to run up a steep three-part 1.3 mile incline 20 miles into a marathon – and then run the final five miles to the finish in raucous Copley Square.
OTC: Kobe’s Mouth Is His Problem, Why Make It Yours? / Big 12 Deal Good For KC
“I think it’s very easy for a straight white guy to say that words are (meaningless), slurs are no big deal. … You know, that’s a terrible lesson for kids to learn – that’s sticks and stone may break my bones but words will never hurt me. Words can hurt you so much more.”
Nick Wright, on Kobe Bryant being fined $100K for calling an NBA referee a faggot, 610 AM
GH: Count me among the straight white guys who don’t get it. Why should words be harmful? It is up to the recipient of a slur to determine whether or not they are going to be harmed or impugned by a verbal attack of another. Why would you grant your assailant this victory over you? Name calling is the one of the most overhyped and ridiculous practices that continues to breathe life because of oversensitive adults. Kobe was/is an idiot. Who the hell cares what he is yelling at a ref? Everybody needs to get over the color of their skin, their sexual preference, their god, yada, yada, yada — and the fact so many of us differ in many ways. We are not the same. Live with it.
OTC: Alex Gordon, Frank Martin, Josh Selby In Today’s News
“Just don’t strike out, Alex.”Steve Stewart, Royals radio play-by-play, with Alex Gordon up in the seventh Tuesday night with no outs and runners on first and third and the Royals tied with the Twins 3-3, Royals Radio
GH: Gordon went down swinging on the next pitch. Butler and Francoeur also failed to drive in the go-ahead run and the Royals ended up losing the game in the 10th. I am rooting hard for Gordon this spring. He needs to be good and so far he has been. But I just can’t see him as the three-hole hitter with his propensity to swing and miss. A professional hitter does not strike out with a man on third and no outs. He simply cannot. Gordon does too often.
“I’m not completely sold on Gordon but I’m convinced he’s made some major changes. Because the pitches they used to strike him out on all the time he is now hitting the opposite way for doubles. The guy’s playing great defense in left field too!”
Nate Bukaty, 810 AM
GH: No one is completely sold that Gordon is a who we thought he might become. It’s only mid-April for starters. But Royals fans desperately want this guy to succeed as much as anyone who has ever worn the blue.
Nate Bukaty, 810 AM
GH: No one is completely sold that Gordon is a who we thought he might become. It’s only mid-April for starters. But Royals fans desperately want this guy to succeed as much as anyone who has ever worn the blue.
