Head hits in football

I read the Sports Illustrated article, "Concussions" in the November 1, 2010 issue this week. The only thing I kept thinking about as I read was how we, or someone, are spending millions to create safer protective helmets to reduce concussions and head injuries in football while we, or someone, are spending less to protect our own society from crime and violence. It just doesn't make sense why we spend millions to protect millionaires in their job, while public servants like police, fire, teachers get less and less. Frustrating and sad.

"Oh, yes...oh, yes...oh, yes!!!" we'll miss you, Ron

This was originally published December 3, 2010: 

It was opening day 1995. I was in the Wrigley Field press box covering the game for the radio station I was working for at the time. It was between innings, somewhere in the middle of the game between the Cubs and Montreal Expos. Sammy Sosa had just hit a line-drive home run that still has to be one of the longest home runs I have ever seen. If it would have been 20 feet to the right, it would have hit the famous Wrigley scoreboard, which, when this was written,  had never been hit in a game. After the shot, the press box was buzzing with PA announcements, phones ringing, typewriters (yep, a few sportswriters were using them) clacking, general discussion of awe among the sportswriters. 

After the inning was completed, I went to the pressroom dining area. I was picking up a cup of coffee and a snack when the guy behind me remarked that he hadn't seen a home run that deep since Willie Stargell of the Pittsburgh Pirates hit one at Wrigley. I turned around to see who made the comment and there was Ron Santo. The legendary third baseman now radio commentator commenting on the amazing hit. Sadly, I was a bit star-struck that day after interviewing Harry Carey, Felipe Alou, and Mark Grace, so instead of striking up a conversation with him, I just nodded and walked back to the press box. Disappointing on my part, but that was Ron Santo in line behind me. 

After my wife called this morning to tell me that Ron had passed the night before, I couldn't hold back some tears. I wasn't sad because I had lost someone close to me and typically celebrity deaths don't affect me all that much (although it was tough to see Sparky Anderson go last month). I was sad because I always thought Ron would see one of two things in his life. Either a Cubs World Series victory or a vote into the Baseball Hall of Fame. I actually thought he might see both. But he realized neither. I don't remember watching him as a player, but the highlights and his statistics say a lot about him as a player. However, as a listener to Cubs radio broadcasts, I did know him as a loyal Cubs fan. I am sure that since college graduation almost 20 years ago, I have easily listened to more games on the radio than I have seen on television. Ron was a staple in our house from April until October. My daughter knew Ron as that Crazy Uncle Ron on the radio.

She might have said one time, "why does that guy keep yelling and moaning." And I would have to say, "Crazy Uncle Ron is frustrated, the Cubs just aren't playing very well today." Ron was the greatest Cubs fan and arguably among some of the greatest Cubs players ever. He will be greatly missed by me and my family. I will be flying my Cubs flag, with the famous "W," this weekend.  God Bless you, Ron!  

Music update

My supposedly interesting music collection listening extravaganza continues. Some recent artists in my car's CD player include: Billy Joel, Madonna, Toad the Wet Sprocket, and Reba. I am searching my CD collection looking for artists, songs, and albums that are iPod worthy. But this week I came across an album that I wish I could go the other way in music listening progression. I would like to take this particular CD and get it on vinyl. The album is Jimi Hendrix The Blues. As I listen to this album, it is just losing something with the scratchiness gone. I remember listening to some Jimi Hendrix on reel-to-reel tape in my college days when I had a reel-to-reel player. The terrible quality of the tape and recording left a raw sound to the music that really seemed to add to the "quality" of the sound. I have been thinking of what other artists I have who I haven't listened to that might fit this unique category, and the Grateful Dead pop to mind. Anyway, Jimi Hendrix is a CD I have come across that is iPod worthy, but I would prefer it on the old record player.

CD Revival Revisited

I am continuing to listen to my CD collection that I started back in August. I am about half way through my collection, and I have found that the mega stars of their time like Janet Jackson, U2, Madonna, James Taylor, Dave Matthews and Sting have lasting value and what I am calling I-pod worthy. In other words I would download the entire album into the I-pod. Most other albums have one or two songs worthy of saving and some leave me scratching my head wondering what I was thinking in purchasing. I am planning a music playoff plan when I complete revisiting the entire collection sometime early in 2011. I will continue updating my supposedly interesting analysis of my music collection.

100,000

I heard a statistic yesterday that the average American gets a new car every four and a half years. It was a timely stat for me because this December 31 my Aztec will be in my possession as a new car for eight years, and on Wednesday it rolled through 100,000 miles. While I did sink some considerable money into it between miles 75,000 to 90,000 miles, it still seems like a well worn "new" car to me. I can't imagine trading it in for a new car. I know the crazy sounds and scrapes that it makes; I know the handling of it to the detail. In fact, I must keep my hands in the 10 to 2 zone on the steering wheel because it is worn smooth. In many ways, it is as much me as it is my car.
This is the second car I have taken to post 100 thousand miles. It is unimaginable to me why we as a society need to trade cars every four and a half years. I enjoy thinking about the different roads the Aztec has been on and where it has taken me. Besides covering most most roads in the central Illinois region to Chicago and the Quad-Cities, the Aztec has taken me to Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama. It has helped me move three times; it has carried my bikes and bike trailer to multiple trail heads, hiking paths, camp grounds, and adventure. It has suffered through listening to Cubs wins and losses on 720AM; it has cheered on Notre Dame and the Bears as well as a few Bulls games on long drives. It has suffered through my eclectic music collections. It brought my daughter home from the hospital after she was born. It has been my home base after numerous races.
I have never gotten a car to 200,000, but maybe this is the one. Let you know in about 8 years.

The Only Road North recommendation

I finished reading a terrific novel today, The Only Road North by Erik Mirandette. It is a book for all of us with adventure in our souls.  It is not just a simple book about adventure for the sake of adventure, it links to life meanings and spirituality. The author, Erik Mirandette, does not dwell too long on events; he describes them simply and effectively probably as he experienced them himself.  The story is about a trip he takes with a small group from South Africa to Egypt.  The mode of transportation is on motorbikes.  As one can imagine, this story includes beauty, danger, and some pretty remote and lonely locations.  He concludes with meaningful observations regarding the trip and the tragedy that occurs. I highly recommend this book as it displays culture, friendship, and adventure on the highest level.  

Movie to See

Last night I watched the movie Everything is Illuminated. A young American Jew goes back to the Ukraine to find the woman who saved his grandfather. The movie had me laughing at the cultural differences early but touching as I became more connected with the characters and the search. The conclusion is a little surprising and left me with lots of questions. I highly recommend the movie though. It is well written and directed.