2. The Sandlot

“You’re killin’ me Smalls.”

Not having a care in the world. Living life and playing the game of baseball. This movie sums up a lot of your parents and grandparents childhood. That is if their childhood revolved around baseball.

One kid named Scott Smalls was having a rough start to his summer. He just moved to a new place, had no friends and hadn’t a clue about playing baseball. Thankfully for him there was one kid in town who was willing to bring him along. Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez.

Benny was considered the best baseball player not just at the Sandlot, but in the whole town. He flew like a jet around the base paths. He could hit the skin off a baseball. There wasn’t anything that Benny couldn’t do on a baseball diamond.

The Sandlot they played at was located next to the lair of “the beast” as they called it. Anything that went over the fence, was now the property of this beast. It was a mutual understanding that is until Smalls took an autographed baseball signed by “the great bambino” Babe Ruth. That same ball was hit over the fence to which they all had to save it and Smalls’ life. Or he would be grounded most severely.

There wasn’t any sandlots for me growing up, but playing baseball was always welcomed and still is. Not as many people to play with, but I don’t hesitate at the chance to even play some catch. I’m sure for my parents and grandparents generation this movie brought back some great memories of playing baseball or even watching the sport.

There is one scene I want to share with you. The sandlot team was just wrapping up a game when the town’s little league team came by to talk some trash. There was a lot of back and forth banter, but it ended with some epic smack.

Phillips: It’s easy when you play with rejects and a fat kid, Rodriguez.

Benny: Shut your mouth, Phillips!

Ham Porter: What’d you say, crap face?

Phillips: You shouldn’t be allowed to touch a baseball. Except for Rodriguez, you’re all an insult to the game.

Ham Porter: Come on! We’ll take you on, right here! Right now! Come on!

Sandlot Kids: Yeah!

Phillips: We play on a real diamond, Porter. You ain’t good enough to lick the dirt off our cleats.

Ham Porter: Watch it, jerk!

Philips: Shut up, idiot!

Ham Porter: Moron!

Phillips: Scab eater!

Ham Porter: Butt sniffer!

Phillips: Pus licker!

Ham Porter: Fart smeller!

Bertram: [sniffs] Ahh.

Phillips: You eat dog crap for breakfast, geek!

Ham Porter: You mix you Wheaties with your mama’s toe jam!

Sandlot Kids: Yeah!

Phillips: You bob for apples in the toilet! And you like it!

Ham Porter: You play ball like a giiirrrrrrrrl!

[entire group stands in shocked silence]

Phillips: What did you say?

Ham Porter: You heard me.

Phillips: Tomorrow. Noon, at our field. Be there, buffalo-butt breath.

Ham Porter: Count on it, pee-drinking crap face!

That’s one reason that I believe this movie has stood the test of time. It brings back good memories and it tells a great story of kids being kids and perhaps embellishing on certain details of “the beast” that lurks over the fence. If you haven’t seen this movie yet, I strongly recommend that you watch it with your parents or even your grandparents so they can restart those memories of their childhood playing at their own sandlot.

This top 10 list is sports movies that I’ve seen. Not what others recommend, but only what my eyes have seen and that I truly enjoy. If you haven’t seen this movie, netflix it, pirate the movie, however you go about watching movies, just do it.

Week 15 Review of the NFL

Tim Tebow’s debut

So what do we take away from the debut of Mr. Tebow? Well, for one that it was about time the Broncos played him. Not that he would help them, but from the standpoint of spending a first round pick on him. Josh McDaniels is out and the interim coach Eric Studesville has nothing to lose or gain by playing him. His stat line wasn’t bad at all. It was pretty good. Eight completions for 138 yards and a touchdown pass. He also ran for 78 yards and scored a touchdown on the ground. His last game in college showed me that he was worth a look at quarterback when he threw for over 400 yards against Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl. The Broncos still need to work out the kinks in Tebow, but they might have something should they bring in the right coach to help further his career. He’s a proven winner and that’s what Denver needs right now is someone who wants to win. Does Kyle Orton or Brady Quinn do that for them?

So, who wants it?

The question is what’s “it”? A division title? A conference championship? Or the Super Bowl title? This past week has shown that there are a few teams ready for all of the above and some that have fallen flat. The Giants epic collapse at home against the Eagles has put them on the outside looking in. The Jaguars had the division title in their grasp, but couldn’t finish the job in Indianapolis. The Jets came back to life on the road in Pittsburgh. They prefer to play on the road with a 6-1 record this year. Tampa Bay is still alive for a playoff spot, but allowed the Detroit Lions to end their win less streak on the road in overtime. Chicago won their division on Monday night. Atlanta, New England and Pittsburgh already have a playoff spot clinched, but time is running out for them to clinch a first round bye.

The stretch run

Week 16 has a slew of games that have playoff implications. Don’t bother watching the Thursday or Christmas day games. Lets face it, there’s no point in watching anything other than the final score of those two games.

San Francisco (5-9) vs. St. Louis (6-8)
Does anyone want to win the NFC West? This game will probably decide it once and for all. Or the Niners will win and insure a team with a losing record makes the playoffs. Anything can happen.

Baltimore (10-4) vs. Cleveland (5-9)
The Browns hate the Ravens and this would make their season if they prevent the Ravens from winning the AFC North. Baltimore needs to keep pace with Pittsburgh who will be hosting Carolina on Thursday night.

NY Jets (10-4) vs. Chicago (10-4)
The Bears had an easy win against the Minnesota Vikings. The Jets regained some lost confidence with a win at Pittsburgh. Chicago has nothing to play for, except seeding, but the Jets have a better road record (6-1) than Chicago’s home record (4-3).

Washington (5-9) vs. Jacksonville (8-6)
The Jaguars failed to win the AFC South once already and will need to avoid a letdown. The Redskins nearly beat the Cowboys with Rex Grossman and might be primed for an upset victory against a playoff hopeful.

Tennessee (6-8) vs. Kansas City (9-5)
The Chiefs are sporting a perfect record at home this year. With a big road victory over St. Louis last week they want to clinch the AFC West as soon as possible. The Titans played up to par against division rival Houston. They want to finish the season 8-8 to salvage a disappointing year.

Indianapolis (8-6) vs. Oakland (7-7)
What looked to be an easy win for the Colts at the beginning of the year, it now looks like a Oakland win if they can run the ball more effectively than Jacksonville did last week. The Colts need to be perfect on defense and Oakland will need to keep the ball out of Peyton’s hands.

NY Giants (9-5) vs. Green Bay (8-6)
If Aaron Rodgers plays, the Packers should be in good shape. If not, the Giants should be more at ease. They need this game more than Green Bay, but both are fighting for a playoff spot. This is the number two game to watch this week.

Seattle (6-8) vs. Tampa Bay (8-6)
They both still have a chance at a playoff spot. The Seahawks need to win out and so do the Buccaneers. It will come down to who wants it more. I’d say Tampa Bay, but that was the case against Detroit.

New Orleans (10-4) vs. Atlanta (12-2)
The Saints were within one game of the Falcons until their defeat at Baltimore. The Falcons win and the NFC South is theirs. The defending champions against the possible NFC champions. What a way to end Week 16.

3. Major League

It’s a classic and really a modern portrayal of baseball. A team of no-names become contenders for one of the losing franchises in the sport. The team of no-names is played by an awesome cast led by Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Wesley Snipes, Corbin Bernsen and Bob Uecker. This movie hits a bit of a personal note for myself as former catcher and 1981 World Series Co-MVP Steve Yeager was cast in the movie as well.

In the summer of 2008, I was hired to be the play-by-play announcer for the Golden Baseball League’s Long Beach Armada baseball team. The manager that year happened to be former Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Steve Yeager. My first face-to-face meeting with Yeager was epic to say the least. He’s a fun guy to be around, but sometimes it’s hard to tell when he’s being serious or playful. Once you’ve figured it out, it’s a blast to be around him.

Suffice it to say that summer was truly one of a kind. I was doing what I loved to do and at the same time, I was working with former and aspiring big leaguers. Unfortunately the league was not as forthcoming and we parted ways after 2008. Yeager did the same and the Long Beach Armada played their last season in the summer of 2009. That summer and the movie “Major League” to me are similar in so many ways.

The unquestioned leader for the Cleveland Indians in the movie “Major League” was Jake Taylor (Tom Berenger). Two no-name players Ricky Vaughn (Charlie Sheen) and Willie Mays Hayes (Wesley Snipes) had talent, but didn’t know how to utilize it to their full potential. Roger Dorn (Corbin Bernsen) was “high priced talent” but was a major part of the Indians turn around. Uecker’s character, Harry Doyle was the play-by-play voice of the Indians and had a great comedic charm to his role, which he does in real life as the play-by-play voice of the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Armada didn’t have high priced talent, but there were quite a few players that had seen time in the majors. They didn’t hit their peak until the second half of the season, just like the Cleveland Indians did in “Major League.” The Indians had an owner that wanted them to lose so she could move the team to Miami. The Golden Baseball League owned the Long Beach Armada and they didn’t want them to lose, but they sure weren’t looking out for the team’s best interest.

The Indians were traveling on a crappy plane that became a crappy bus. The Armada on one road trip had a bus driver that didn’t know where he was going and his company gas card wasn’t accepted at most gas stations. The Indians had no hot water or proper materials for their locker room. The Armada’s white pants were washed with dark colors that turned them into pink pants. You can imagine the reaction of Yeager when that happened. Priceless.

Very similar incidents, but it didn’t affect either team on the field. The one fact that I will reveal now if you haven’t watched “Major League” is that it didn’t result in the Cleveland Indians winning the World Series. They beat the rival New York Yankees, but how did they do in the playoffs? Long Beach made the playoffs, but were ousted by their rival the Orange County Flyers. Still, every time I watch this movie, even before I worked for the Long Beach Armada I can always laugh at the antics or one-liners that were uttered.

Steve Yeager’s one line in the movie came in Spring Training when he and the manager Lou Brown were wondering why this power hitter, Pedro Cerrano, wasn’t picked up by anyone else after crushing some pitches out of the ballpark. The answer came after Yeager talked to the pitcher.

Lou Brown: [after seeing Cerrano hit a few fastballs out of the park] Jesus, this guy hits a ton, how come no one else picked up on him?

Duke Temple (Yeager): Alrght Eddie, that’s enough fastballs throw’em some breaking balls.
[Then, Eddie throws Cerrano a curve ball, which Cerrano swings and misses]

Harry Doyle was saying things that were going through my mind that I wanted to say on-air, but knew better. The fact is that 99.99 percent of what I wanted to say was to be directed at the Golden Baseball League. I will give you one example. There was a double header one day and the first game was being delayed by 45 minutes. Why? The league didn’t have enough baseballs for both games. They only had one case for two games. So naturally as the play-by-play announcer, I came on the air and told the truth. I said something to the effect of,
“the first game of the double-header today is being delayed due to the lack of baseballs for both games today here at Blair Field.”
I wasn’t going to lie. I felt it was the right thing to do, plus it was funny as hell that you can forget to have enough baseballs for a double-header.

Bob Uecker did a phenomenal job with his character. Here are a few of my personal favorite one-liners.

Harry Doyle: [after Vaughn was tossed from the game] So, an eerie start for the Erie warriors as they drop a heartbreaker to the Yankees, nine to nothing. The post game show is brought to you by…
[Rifles through papers]
Christ I can’t find it, the hell with it.

Doyle: [Vaughn is coming out to pitch] So, here is Rick Vaughn, the one they call the “Wild Thing”. So, he sets and deals.
[Vaughn throws a wild pitch]
Just a bit outside, he tried for the corner and missed.
[Vaughn throws another wild pitch]
Ball 4.
[Vaughn throws another wild pitch]
Ball 8.
[Vaughn throws another wild pitch]
Low, and he walks the bases loaded on 12 straight pitches. How can these guys lay off pitches that close?

Doyle: [an Indians pitcher is removed from the game] Well, you can close the book on Kellner.
[under his breath]
Thank God!

Doyle: In case you haven’t noticed, and judging by the attendance you haven’t, the Indians have managed to win a few here and there, and are threatening to climb out of the cellar.

Doyle: Just a reminder, fans, comin’ up is our “Die-hard Night” here at the stadium. Free admission to anyone who was actually alive the last time the Indians won a pennant.

There is another one, but I challenge to find it and let me know. This movie as you can see hits me on a personal note in my life. The players, the manager, Yeager and Uecker. Baseball is by far my favorite sport to cover, even though it might not show. I guess it’s because of the amount of great movies that have been made over the past couple decades. This is a must see movie. Yes, I believe it’s better than Rocky, Rudy and Caddyshack. Numbers 6, 5, and 4 respectively on my list. It’s partly because of the personal connection, but I just love watching great baseball movies.

Week 14 Review of the NFL

The NFC West deserves a playoff team

Yes, it’s a sad division when the leaders have a record of 6-7 and one team is a game behind them with a record of 5-8. There has been a lot of talk once again about not letting a team that finishes with a record under .500 into the playoffs. Regardless of winning their division. I don’t like it, but what’s the point of having divisions? It creates rivalries and you know that I like rivalries. Those die hard fans of those teams won’t have anything to cheer for if they know their team has no shot at the playoffs. The best idea to help offset the problem is to re-seed the playoff teams. Yes, you win the division you’re in, but you don’t get to host a playoff game. That seems a bit harsh, but who’s to say you can’t make it to the Super Bowl or even win it by playing all your playoff games on the road? It’s been done before. Does the NFC West deserve to have a representative in the playoffs this year? Absolutely. I’m not saying that because I’m a 49ers fan. I’m saying it for the Rams and Seahawks fans as well. Do away with the divisions if you want to exclude them. That’s the only I see that working going forward.

The flaw with the NY Jets

What it boils down to is one word for the Jets, leadership. Who is the leader? Rex Ryan? The head coach is supposed to be the head coach, not the leader. I hope it wasn’t supposed to be Mark Sanchez. That’s not working. I haven’t heard a peep out of anyone on the defense since the season started. Darrelle Revis talking trash to Randy Moss doesn’t count. LaDainian Tomlinson is staying low key like his days in San Diego. Braylon Edwards is making things worse by talking to the media. I don’t see a leader. Burying a football after getting blown out on national television by the arch rival New England Patriots? Being frank, what the hell was the point of that? It didn’t work against the Miami Dolphins. The answer became apparent after that Jets strength and conditioning coach stuck his knee out tripping a Miami Dolphins player. Where ever their leadership was had disappeared during that game and the week before too. Talking a lot works when you have the right players to push the right buttons when you go into a losing trend. Where are those players for the Jets? The coaches are supposed to coach the players, not trip…err…ugh…play for them. Unfortunately it might be too late for them. The AFC is a lot better then they thought it would be.

Brett Favre’s streak ends

So now that it’s over, I’m supposed to ramble on about how impressive the streak is and how it will go down as one of the most hallowed and difficult accomplishments in sports. I’m not going to do that, but I will admit that it’s an impressive streak. How can you not say that it is? 297 consecutive starts as a quarterback in the NFL. Pretty damn impressive. I can’t say that I have as much respect for the man behind the streak as I did when he retired the first time as a Green Bay Packer. It was strange to see him playing one year for the New York Jets. He got his wish playing for the Minnesota Vikings and stuck it to the Green Bay Packers last year in both games. He nearly made it to the Super Bowl, but he reverted back to the “Ol’ Gunslinger” mentality and his last pass was to be an interception. The streak has now freed him and really the NFL too. Why even bother covering the Vikings anymore? Their season is over. Favre’s career is over (we hope). What else does he have to play for? No one will probably come close to that 297 number. Peyton Manning still has a ways to go and I don’t see him playing til his hair color changes. Favre should have gone out last year on a high note, but his pride was too big and the Vikings too desperate to let him walk. It was a disaster in the making and his reputation took a hit with a “sexting” scandal. The streak has ended and maybe, just maybe, so will the Brett Favre coverage.

MLB Winter Meetings Recap

It’s been a while since I discussed baseball. I figured now is the best time. The Winter Meetings are done, but the wheeling and dealing for the most part isn’t. Time to see who helped themselves and who decided to stand pat going into the new year.

Boston Red Sox
When they lost C/1B Victor Martinez and 3B Adrian Beltre early in the free agency period, you just knew that GM Theo Epstein was going to have a plan or already had one before the off-season began. They were in constant talks with the San Diego Padres about 1B Adrian Gonzalez. The deal was struck before the winter meetings and they didn’t give up all of their top tier prospects to get him. Then Boston fills another need by signing LF Carl Crawford to a 7 year deal worth 142 million dollars during the winter meetings. They overpaid for Crawford and will for Gonzalez, but their lineup is set for the next decade with those two bats.

Chicago White Sox
Signing 1B/DH Adam Dunn was a sleek move by GM Ken Williams. He didn’t have to give him a massive contract and that gave the White Sox enough room to re-sign 1B Paul Konerko and C A.J. Pierzynski. They still have some work to do with their bullpen, but keeping their potent lineup intact and adding Dunn will help them compete with the Minnesota Twins for the AL Central title.

Baltimore Orioles
They went after a new third baseman and shortstop, via the trade rather than free agency. Arizona Diamondbacks 3B Mark Reynolds has tremendous power, but strikes out way too much. His .198 batting average scared away most teams, but Baltimore should have enough patience to wait for that to come around. J.J. Hardy hasn’t live up to his potential and this is probably his last chance of being an everyday shortstop. The Orioles acquired Hardy with utility infielder Brendan Harris from the Twins. Baltimore didn’t have to give Minnesota or Arizona top prospects for their new left side of the infield.

New York Yankees
Derek Jeter says that he was “angered” by how the contract negotiations were handled. Now the Yankees took a hit, but Jeter’s agent to my knowledge said that he was perplexed by the Yankees stance. They were able to bring back their captain and are still in the running for starter Cliff Lee. However, that’s the problem. If the Yankees are the number spot for Lee, why hasn’t he signed yet? Biding his time I’m sure. Or it could be that the Texas Rangers might have a chance of signing him after all. That can’t be the case of course.

Los Angeles Angels
We all presumed that the Angels were going to make a splash in the offseason. When owner Artie Moreno announced publicly that he was going to open his checkbook to improve the team, everyone assumed that the Angels were going to get their guy(s). It didn’t happen with LF Carl Crawford and it won’t with closer Rafael Soriano. The Angels so far have signed left handed relievers Hisanori Takahashi and Scott Downs. Will they sign 3B Adrian Beltre? All signs point to no, but it’s a hard lesson learned for Artie Moreno that you don’t announce you’re going to spend to only come up empty.

San Diego Padres
They won’t be trading away their closer Heath Bell before the season starts, but it will happen before the 2011 season ends. Adrian Gonzalez was not going to be in San Diego past the 2011 season and the Padres received maximum value for him. The Padres are apparently giving up on having back to back winning seasons for the first time since the ’06-’07 seasons. They did make some subtle moves by acquiring CF Cameron Maybin from Florida and SS Jason Bartlett from Tampa Bay. Those moves and others they make won’t sit well with the fan base that would rather go to the beach than watch the Padres without Gonzalez and Bell.