Reformissionary

Bears & Obama

Love this Monday Night Football video.

Chicago Sports

Things are looking up for Chicago Sports.  Last year the White Sox won the World Series.  The Cubs have shaken the Dusty off their feet and grabbed what I hope is a real manager in Piniella.  The Bears have returned to Monsters of the Midway form. 

And now, is it possible?  Could the Bulls be moving toward a new era of winning?  They have made some good off season moves and there is a lot of buzz about the team.  But no one expected the 42 point blowout on opening night against the defending champion Miami Heat tonight.  Pretty cool, and it should be a good season to be a Bulls fan.

Super Bowl Shuffle

Thanks to Todd Hiestand for reminding me of this vintage video.  I hope the current Bears team has more rhythm. 

Denny Green Meltdown

Watch the meltdown by Arizona Cardinals' coach Denny Green.  Go to Sportsline, watch the free video on the right side all the way to the end (just a couple of minutes long).  Man, no doubt, the Bears looked awful.  Chicago has a lot to learn, especially Grossman.  But Denny Green's meltdown comes from a coach watching his job slip through his fingers.  Pretty funny.

Bear-ly

I'm not one of those "season of destiny" guys.  But I am a Calvinist, so can you say "predestination?"  The Bears come from down 23-3 near the end of the 3rd quarter to score two defensive touchdowns and a punt return for a touchdown to defeat Arizona 24-23.  The Arizona kicker missed a 40-some yard fieldgoal with under a minute to play.  Unbelievable. 

When you can win after an ugly game (defense gave up two touchdowns in the first quarter and Grossman had 6 turnovers!!!), it says something about a team.  Go Bears!  Read about the game at Sportsline.  Picture from Sportsline.

Cubs to Hire Piniella

Hope in Wrigleyville?

So Long, Dusty

The Cubs finally figured out that they would be better off without Dusty Baker.  Most Cubs fans knew that long ago, and long before this season. 

But at least the Cubs didn't wait until they hit bottom before they started looking to change something.

Clever Birds

Why Orioles fans are smarter than Cubs fans.

The BIG One

Yes, I've returned from my day fishing. Could anyone have guessed that I would land a record breaking Northern Pike from Lake Geneva in Wisconsin?  What an incredible experience! 

I fought the great beast for 2 1/2 hours and finally landed him by jumping in the depths and wrestling him to the point of exhaustion.  I then threw him into the boat and up to the dock where Jim Guinness (yes, the CEO of the world record organization) was on the shore waiting for me after a bizarre set of dreams and visions in the weeks prior to me landing the great fish. 

Fortunately for me Jim gave me 30 minutes to recoup from the epic battle.  That was a good thing because at that point hundreds of people had gathered around the shoreline to see the mammoth fish and hear me retell how I defeated him with unflinching courage and determination.

After my quick breather, I approached the large stage that had quickly been constructed for my moment of glory.  I was still too exhausted to even walk, yet I still found the energy to sign autographs which included photographs of Jimmy Houston. 

Several minutes later, with hands numbed from the fight and tingling with anticipation, I took the microphone and began my story.  Through each gripping detail, more of the crowd broke into tears.  Some tears of agony as they identified with my struggle.  Others tears of joy at the possibility of such a feat!  As even the most salty-mouthed fishermen began to speak my praises, I found myself unable to finish.  It was all too much for me.  Choked from my own emotions, I decided to lead the now massive crowd in a moment of silence for the soul of the world's largest Northern Pike.  And then we fired up the fish fry.

Okay, so I'm lying.  I caught nothing.  But my buddy caught three, including this one.

Gone Fishing

A buddy at our church is taking me out fishing on a boat today in Wisconsin.  I have a pretty good record of catching better fish than my expert fisherman friends, but I think this time I'm in trouble.  I expect my best catch with be a photo or two.  Who knows?  Pray for me to be a successful fisher of fish.  I believe Northern Pike will be the target.

Maybe this could be me later...

OutLandis Behavior?

Ugh.  Look, I waited until AFTER the Tour de France to even post on the event because it's so doped up.  I wanted to be sure all was fine.  And now it appears that TdF winner, American Floyd Landis, may have been testosterone doping. 

The B sample needs to be tested to be sure, so it's unfair to call him guilty yet.  But he has been suspended from his team and will be fired if the B sample is dirty.

I would love to see this be a mistake.  I would love to find out that it was simply a surprising result to natural processes that came due to his horrible hip problems and efforts to relieve pain.  But I'm not optimistic.

UPDATE: Landis responds on SI.

Tour de Floyd

With Lance Armstrong in retirement and the Tour de France field torn up by a doping investigation, American Floyd Landis has taken advantage in today's stage (bad hip and all) and will almost certainly be the last man wearing the maillot jaune (yellow jersey) after arriving in Paris tomorrow.  He leads by 59 seconds. 

I remember learning about Floyd back in 2002-2003 and wondering if he was the guy who would follow in Lance's footsteps.  I guess we have our answer, at least for this year.  Floyd will have off season hip surgery though, it's that bad, and that may make future wins very difficult.

Hendry, Dusty, and Stupidity

Ugh.  The Cubs are themselves...again.  Sportsline has this for us from the Cubs GM, Jim Hendry...

Dusty is going to get every opportunity to manage the club and get us out of this hole, and he's going to get an opportunity to manage this club when we get healthy the next couple of weeks also.

An open letter to Jim Hendry...

Dear Jimmy,

If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging. (Will Rogers)

Love,

Steve

iMonk LOVES the Cubs

No doubt about it, the iMonk can't get enough of the Cubs.  He always wore his Cubs hat around the OBI campus a little half-cocked in order to be "relevant" to the youth.  They all thought he was sooooo cool, and they were right!  (I was able to retain the cubbie blue and red in post-processing.)

In the middle, Matthew Smith of Indelible Grace.  On the right?  Ineligible Grace. 

The Masters

The Masters Golf Tournament begins today.  It is by far my favorite sporting event of any sort. 

My life is now complete. 

Final Four

My predictions?  An all SEC final.  Today LSU will beat UCLA and Florida will beat George Mason.  In the final on Monday night Florida will defeat LSU.

March Madness: Illini Lose

Anyone watch the Illini play Washington?  I cannot remember ever seeing such a lopsided game in terms of fouls called.  Unbelievable.  Still, the Illini could and should have won.  But I cannot help but express my disbelief that Illinois shot 2 free throws in the second half.  Washington lived at the line. 

I didn't believe Illinois would win it all.  I have them losing in the final four, and that was a big stretch even for my biased opinions.  But they will go home knowing that a somewhat fairly called game would have probably meant playing in the regionals.  I'm looking forward to seeing who (if anyone) will speak out about this terrible officiating.

March Madness: First Round

First round I picked 25 right, so 7 were wrong.  Two of the 7 were 8/9 matchups.  I picked Southern IL U to beat W. Virginia, but that was just my alma mater talking.  I totally missed NW State over Iowa, Bradley over Kansas, and Montana over Nevada. 

I picked 5 upsets including George Mason (11) over Michigan State (6), Wisconsin-Milwaukee (11) over Oklahoma (6), Alabama (10) over Marquette (7), N.C State (10) over California (7), and Texas A&M (12) over Syracuse (5). 

If you look at the brackets, in each region I was completely right on the outer half of the brackets.  Interesting.  Tomorrow (Saturday) should bring some great games. 

March Madness

March Madness is upon us.  I love it.  Love NCAA basketball.  Here are my pics.

Elite Eight: Duke, Iowa, Pitt, UCLA, IL, NC, Villanova, Florida

Final Four: Duke, Pitt, IL (my team, baby), and Villanova

Duke vs. Villanova >> Villanova wins

Salukis Win MVC

Let's give it up for my alma mater!  The Southern Illinois Salukis won the MVC basketball tournament and are now heading to the NCAA tournament. Go Dawgs!  On a related note, an SIU cheerleader fell on her head and was carried off on a stretcher.

As students, my friends and I would go to every home game.  My roommate would dress up like the "Where's Waldo" guy and walk around the stadium.  Then we would hold up a sign saying "Where's Waldo?"  College fun is the best.

FYI, I met my wife, got married, and became a Christian at SIU.  Good times.

You Must See This

This is what being a Cubs fan is all about.

(HT: Cardinals Fans)

Bears & 24

I'm glad 24 is coming on now because I need something to get me over my depression caused by the Chicago Bears losing to Carolina.  And the reason?  The Bears' defense is either overrated, or more likely were just flat-out outplayed.  Great game by Rex Grossman, considering his experience level.  This is all on the defense.  I think the coaches failed to adjust to a very different Carolina team (since the November game). 

I will now be pulling for Denver who became one of my favorite teams when we spent three years living in a  suburb of Denver (Lakewood). 

Urlacher Top Defensive Player

Little surprise that Brian Urlacher gets overwhelming choice as top defender of the year.

UPDATE: Bears coach Lovie Smith is also named Coach of the Year.  Good year to be a Bears fan.

Chicago White Sox: Champions

The Chicago White Sox win!!!

Though most everyone that knows me knows that I'm a die-hard Cubs fan, I also believe in "place."  So the cross-town rivalry was put aside for the playoffs and I've been a Sox fan along the way.  It's been a great experience, and though there is no replacing the Cubs in my heart, I have definitely learned to love the Sox too.

(photo credit: sportsline.com)

White Sox Win With Disputed Call

If you haven't seen it, go watch how the White Sox/Angels game ended at the MLS website.  Watch the "Pierzynski's K in ninth" video and the "Crede's game-winner" video.  Some finish.

2nd Chance Lance

Oh geez, let's not Michael Jordan this thing to death.  Lance Armstrong took 6 whole weeks to reconsider his retirement. 

While I'm absolutely enjoying my time as a retired athlete with Sheryl and the kids, the recent smear campaign out of France has awoken my competitive side. I'm not willing to put a percentage on the chances, but I will no longer rule it out.

The motive, it seems, is revenge against the French (at least French officials and labs and such).  Listen, it better not be.  If he does ride again, my prediction (write it down folks), is that some crazed French fan will sabotage Lance on the road by throwing something at him or pushing him down, etc. 

Would he win, barring an incident?  Yep, I don't see any reason to doubt he would.  But the Alps and Pyrenees might not be the hardest part of the course.  It might be a stick in his spokes.

Dopey Lance?

Big stories buzzing about alleged evidence that Lance Armstrong was doping in 1999 (during 1st TdF victory).  No judgments either way here, but waiting to see what unfolds.

Original story from French newspaper
Cycling News
Washington Post
AP
Reuters
Cycling World Divided

The complete text of Lance Armstrong's statement, which was posted on his official Web site late Monday:

"Yet again, a European newspaper has reported that I have tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. Tomorrow's L'Equipe, a French sports daily, is reporting that my 1999 samples were positive. Unfortunately, the witch hunt continues and tomorrow's article is nothing short of tabloid journalism.

The paper even admits in its own article that the science in question here is faulty and that I have no way to defend myself. They state: "There will therefore be no counter-exam nor regulatory prosecutions, in a strict sense, since defendant's rights cannot be respected."

I will simply restate what I have said many times: I have never taken performance enhancing drugs."

UPDATE 8.24 Morning: "The director of the Tour de France claims Lance Armstrong has "fooled" the sports world and that the seven-time champion owes fans an explanation over new allegations he used a performance-boosting drug."

UPDATE 8.24 Evening: Lance said today, "But to say that I've fooled the fans is preposterous. I've been doing this a long time. We have not just one year of only 'B' samples; we have seven years of 'A' and 'B' samples. They've all been negative," he said during a conference call from Washington, D.C."

UPDATE 8.25 at SportsIllustrated.com: "It doesn't surprise me at all that they have samples. Clearly they've tested all of my samples since then to the highest degree. But when I gave those samples," he said, referring to 1999, "there was not EPO in those samples. I guarantee that."

UPDATE 8.25 at Sportsline.com: "There's a setup here and I'm stuck in the middle of it," Armstrong told the Associated Press. "I absolutely do not trust that laboratory."

UPDATE 8.26 from Larry King Live: "If you consider my situation: a guy who comes back from arguably, you know, a death sentence, why would I then enter into a sport and dope myself up and risk my life again? That's crazy. I would never do that. No. No way."

UPDATE 8.26: "Lance Armstrong received strong backing Friday from cycling's domestic governing body, which said accusations against the seven-time Tour de France champion are "completely without credibility."

BP: Baseball and Enemies

The article that was written about my day at Wrigley Field with a BP sports-writer and rabid Cardinals fan, Tim Ellsworth, was released several days ago on BP Sports and released yesterday on Baptist Press and sent out to their mailing list.  Wonder if anyone will google my name and come here?

Grossman Out AGAIN!

Can't believe it.  Rex Grossman has broken his ankle and is out nearly for the season.  Bears fans are in some form of shock right now.

A Day at Wrigley

Here's Tim Ellsworth's Baptist Press article about our shared baseball experience: "A Day at Wrigley."  He almost says something nice about the Cubs...almost.  It's a very well written article.  I hope you enjoy it.

Keep up with Tim at his blog.  Always good.

Cubs Stomp Cardinals

"Not in my house!"

Tim Ellsworth thought it would be fun to bring a Cubs fan to the Cubs-Cardinals game to see if I would inflict wounds on my person following a shaming by the Cardinals.  Little did he know that he was about to experience a beat-down by a team on an 8 game losing streak.

The day started with more concerns than plans.  I woke up to rain and drove 2 hours through rain on my way to Wrigley.  Before leaving the house Tim called telling me his cell phone was dead and he was taking the subway to get it replaced.  Since he had my ticket and the cell was the means to connecting at the park, I was beginning to wonder if the game was being sabotaged by a sovereign God. 

Though the cell phone situation got fixed, the concerns kept coming.  First, I can't find a place to park for less than $30 bucks.  Then I get a call from my Dad telling me he and my Mom are at the game.  Now, that's great news because I love my parents.  But he is a die-hard Cubs fan who is a known jinx.  This couldn't be a good omen.

I arrived at Wrigley.  Then, just a bit before game time, the rain starts coming down again and the game is delayed 1 1/2 hours.  What else could go wrong?  Well, Tim got a free bag of Swedish Fish at the gate, and I didn't.  What a disastrous beginning of the Cubs-Cardinals game. 

Finally the clouds pushed on and the game got underway.  Could things be looking up?  Nope.  It only took a few pitches from Greg Maddux to allow Albert Pujols to launch a two run homer to start the game.  The Cubs are well-known for getting behind early and staying behind, so I was less than optimistic.  I figured I wasn't even going to get one inning of fun before I felt like the game was over.

But the Cubs then proceeded to score in nearly every inning of the game, including two dingers by Derrek Lee (whose number and name were on the back of my Cubs T-shirt).  Both of his hr's left the park onto Waveland Ave.  Also, after a couple of innings my parents called and said they had some open seats near them which were in a great location down past third base. 

It was a sound 11-4 stomping of the first place Cardinals by the Cubs, and I was glad to be a part of it.  I made sure I announced to whoever would listen that Tim was a Cards fan, and he didn't get much sympathy.  He did get his hair rubbed by a drunk beautician though, and experienced some good music.

As it turned out, the weather was great, the Cubs won, the company was perfect (I got to watch a huge Cards fan get smoked by his sworn enemy), and I loved every minute of it, including the horrible traffic home.  Tim, you can take me out to the ballgame anytime.

Cubs Win!

I don't have time to write my whole post tonight, but here's a teaser of the Cubs-Cardinals experience.

Take Me Out To The Ballgame...

Cubs Weather

Yep, headed to the Cubs-Cardinals game today (or as I like to call it, Cardinals batting practice) with Tim Ellsworth.  The good news is the Cubs have only lost 8 in a row, and considering it's the Cubs that's not so bad.  They have soundly backpedaled away from the wild-card race and are now squarely hopeless, which is right on schedule. 

I wanted to thank the Cubs for deciding to play the worst baseball of the year in the week leading up to me attending my first game at Wrigley Field since I was a kid.  At least they found out how to lose this year with they guy who is arguably the best player in baseball, who also, by the way, is in the worst slump of the year and couldn't hit the ball off a tee.  At least we should be thankful that they haven't chosen to stay in the race long enough to find a fan to blame for why they lost.

If that isn't enough, I also want to thank the weatherman for breaking our 80 year drought today with guaranteed rain this morning, and very likely severe storms in the afternoon for our afternoon frolic with the Cubbies.  Bravo.

Other than that, I expect a fit of extreme public gloating to follow a win by the Cubs today, because as bad as they are and as surely as they should lose, I can't help but think that something good has to happen by accident someday.  And I think today is that day.

Fighting Illini

I know some people get offended over sports teams names and mascots that concern Native Americans.  And I want to show proper concern, which is difficult for a white American who grew up in Illinois, lived in the city of Pontiac, played on a Jr. High team named the "Warriors," went to a High School where the team was named the "Indians" and had a school newspaper called "The Chief," and rooted all my life for the UofI "Fighting Illini."

As someone named "McCoy," I hope the "Fighting Irish" will change their name.

Cubs-Cardinals Showdown

Yes it's true.  I'm allowing a Cardinal's fan to take me to Wrigley Field to watch a Cubs-Cardinals game. 

Tim Ellsworth, "foaming at the mouth" Cardinals fan and Sports fanatic at Baptist Press who also has a fine blog, has invited me to the game this coming Thursday.  He wants to see if our Christian brotherhood will be able to overcome the bitter hatred between the Cubs and the Cardinals. 

Cawley-Armstrong

Kevin Cawley has been chosen to portray Lance Armstrong in the movie about his remarkable story from cancer to Tour de France champion.  He will ascend mountains a little slower than Lance, but he is "larger than life" nonetheless and is a perfect fit for the role.

"Kevin can't fit into my shoes, but like me he is all heart.  I'm glad my life will be forever remembered through the unmistakable presence of this talented young man."
- Lance

Looking forward to it Kevin. 

(HT: Joe Thorn)

Almost Seven

Lance Armstrong will win his seventh Tour de France tomorrow and he didn't want to do it without winning a stage in this years race.  He won today's time trial, an exciting stage, and tomorrow will head to Paris with Champagne in hand. 

Honestly, I've seen more exciting TdF's.  More attacks, more doubts, more challenges, more crashes.  But this was one when Lance is not at his peak and still able to dominate.  Congrats Lance!

George Hincapie

I'm a big Tour de France fan, as some of you know.  I cheer out-loud at my TV when Lance Armstrong is taking on the mountains and Jan Ullrich and Ivan Basso and the rest.  But today was a special day for someone else, another American rider on Lance's team. 

Long time teammate of Lance, George Hincapie, was on an early breakaway at the front of the race.  He was in a group of 14 riders, and then some dropped off in the mountains, and then more dropped.  Finally George and Oscar Pereiro (Team Phonak) were left alone for the last few kilometers.  George out sprinted Pereiro for the win in today's stage, which was considered the hardest stage of this year's TdF.

Hincapie is known as the lieutenant of Armstrong, not someone trying to win a stage.  He races to win in classics, which are one day races held in the spring.  During the Tour his job is to help Lance stay protected and toward the front of the peloton (the peloton is the main group of riders).  He basically does a lot of hard racing every July just to prepare Lance for victory.  But because Lance was doing fine in the overall TdF standings (he will likely win now) and because George had a chance to try to win, the team told him to go for it. 

It was a great day for Hincapie, for American cycling fans, and for anyone who has any idea how hard Hincapie works for the success of someone else.  It was George's day, and I was glad to experience it.

Anti-All Star Team

This is a pretty funny article on baseball's anti-all star team.

Golfing Christians

"Good golfers are bad Christians.' - Mark Driscoll

I must be an amazing Christian after the two rounds of golf I played on vacation.

TdF: Team Time Trial

Now that we are home I was able to catch the Tour de France on OLN.  I watched the fourth stage today which is the team time trial.  All nine riders for a team leave at the same time and race together, taking turns "pulling" (out front) and "drafting" (riding behind each other). 

It was an exciting stage.  Lance Armstrong and team Discovery Channel (formerly U.S. Postal) were the second to last team to start the race.  As they crossed the line they were in first place, but the pace of the final team (CSC) who was still on the course was faster as they tried to defend the race leader who is an American on their team. 

But Discovery Channel was too strong and CSC finished 2 seconds behind.  Lance has now taken over the maillot jaune (french for yellow jersey), which is worn by the race leader.  I wouldn't be surprised if Lance loses it over the next few days as the sprinters win some very flat stages, but he will likely regain it in the mountains sometime after this Saturday.

If you can't catch the TdF on TV, then keep up at Sportsline.com where they have updates every few minutes of the race.  Also check out The Paceline.

Tim Ellsworth

Tim Ellsworth, sports writer at Baptist Press (really the sports guru at Baptist Press Sports), has informed me that he has a new blog up.  I'm going to be reading it.  He will be talking plenty of sports, but hits other issues as well.

Tim, I'm looking forward to seeing if you say anything about the Tour de France, one of my favorite sporting events.  Go Lance!  And be kind to the perpetually mediocre Cubs and you and I will get along fine.

Cubs Are Making Noise

Cubs have won 7 straight.  They have had at least 10 hits in each of the last 7 games.  Derrek Lee is batting .389 and is 11 for his last 13 at bats (8 for 8 in his last two games).  The pitching is getting better even without Prior and Wood, including a 1 hitter yesterday (Zambrano) and a 4 hit shutout tonight (Rusch). 

UPDATE 6.6.05: Good article on Derrek Lee on the front page of Sportsline.com today.

This is fun baseball, and the race for the playoffs is getting tight.  After a pitiful beginning of the season, this may be an interesting summer after all

Cubs Need Pitching

I say the Cubs need to draft this pitcher. 

And They're Off...

After spending about 6 years in Kentucky (3 of those in Louisville), I'm used to getting excited for the Kentucky Derby.  Today is Kentucky Derby 131 at Churchill Downs in Louisville. 

I know very little about the horses, jockeys, trainers, or favorites this year.  But we gained great respect for the history and pagentry of the race.  We even lived on a street named "Mint Julep" while in the bluegrass state.

If you have a chance today, turn on the tube and enjoy something different.  Post time is 6:04pm eastern.  Don't be late!  These guys are fast. 

Andy Roddick Rules

This is really cool.  Andy deals honestly with the point that would have won him the match, and ends up losing. 

Sportsline.com front-page story title as of midnight says "Roddick's good-guy move backfires."  What a dumb thing to say.  It's just good, honest sport.  I guess for Sportsline winning and losing is the bottom-line. (See also Sports Illustrated article)

Armstrong Near Finish Line

We new it was coming someday soon.  For real fans it's all too soon.  Lance Armstrong is near the finish line of his career as he announces this summer's Tour de France as his final professional race.

Let me just say that as a Lance and cycling fan, I'm much more eager for him to be a dad than race anymore.  Wouldn't it be great if fans really wanted athletes to put family first? 

Mountain Bikers Need Trails

Click on this pic to get the full effect.  If this picture isn't evidence that mountain bikers need trails, there is no evidence.  This is an advertisement from the International Mountain Bicycling Association.

I've been a mountain biker for 4 years now, and ride a full-suspension Giant VT1 modified.  Now that I'm a pastor, and living in the flats of Northern Illinois, it's harder to find and ride trails.  It's hard enough to just stay in shape!  But I'm doing my best to keep up this passion of mine.

Ride on.

Fighting Illini

March Madness has never felt so good. 

The University of Illinois "Fighting Illini" are continuing to knock off opponents on their way to (dare I say?) a national championship.  Their almost perfect season wasn't a fluke, but the work isn't done.  Their next game is Saturday night against Arizona, and it looks to be a tough one.  As a lifetime Illini fan who grew up an hour from UofI, this is fun. 

Seven

One of the most incredible feats of any living human has to be everything accomplished through the continuing saga that is Lance Armstrong.  He has now decided to go after Tour de France win number seven.  Incredibly good news for cycling fans and LA fans.