Almost Perfect

Paul Sancya / Associated Press

Last week, Armando Galarraga, of the Detroit Tigers, was on his way to pitch the 21st perfect game in baseball history. But, what was supposed to be the 27th and final out was blown by umpire Jim Joyce. It was a routine grounder hit to the second baseman by Jason Donald, who was called safe by Joyce but was clearly out.

There have been many debates about the call, the issue about replay, and even about reversing the call and giving Galarraga the perfect game. However, for me, the bigger part of the story is the reaction of Armando to the bad call. Instead of over-reacting and going crazy, he gave a sly grin to the ump Jim Joyce. I believe that small act allowed others to feel for Joyce. After the game, Joyce felt really bad and knew that he cost Galarraga the perfect game. The next day, he was emotional before the game as Armando presented him with the lineup cards.

Deep down, I feel this story is about being humble and not letting things, big or little, get in our way and living life. In life, sometimes things don't go our way but we can't let it ruin or disrupt our lives. We must go on with our lives and just enjoy the ride.

These two men will forever be linked. And I thank Armando Galarraga for teaching us this lesson about humility. He is not only what the sporting world needs but also our self-absorbed, celebrity obsessed society needs.

We all strive to be perfect but we always can't be.

First Practice

So, it's that season again. Grade school basketball time! It was our first practice today, the 6th grade boys came out and got a taste of running and getting in shape for basketball season. My friend Jeff, who I coached when he was in 6th grade and sister was in my grade school class (and had my first crush on, but that's another story) and I are the coaches this year. We had 21 kids come out to join the team. That's a lot of kids for the team but we can't cut anybody though we will try to weed out the kids that don't really want to be there. We most likely will have to have two teams for the season. Everything should turn out fine as long as they listen, work hard and have a positive attitude. I've been coaching basketball for about 12 or so years and it's been lots and lots of fun! I enjoy teaching them and seeing them get better on the court. It's gonna be more than a handful this year but it should be interesting. I'll keep you all updated!

30 for 30 - Len Bias

I've been watching this new series on ESPN called 30 for 30, it's a series of one-hour documentaries by 30 different directors of 30 different sports stories over the past 30 years celebrating ESPN's 30th anniversary. They recently had the tragic story of Len Bias.

Len Bias was a 22-year-old, All-American basketball player from the University of Maryland. In 1986, he was drafted by the world champion Boston Celtics. A day later, he had died from a cocaine overdose. One day he was on top of the world, his dreams had come true, and the next day, he was gone. A sad, sad story.

I was a little kid when this happened but I had heard of Len Bias and his death. I was a huge basketball fan as well as a L.A. Laker fan. This was the first time I heard of the actual story and what went on. Like anybody would think, my first thought was, oh man, how could you mess up such a great thing like that?

His death had a huge impact, not only on basketball and the NBA, but also on the fight on drugs in the 1980s and beyond. Len Bias was considered one of the best basketball players on the college level. I saw his jump shot in this documentary and was in awe. He had incredible shooting form. He could have been the rival that Michael Jordan needed in the 1990s. Things could have definitely been different if Len Bias had played a game for the Boston Celtics. Surely, we will never know.

Like always, the death of Len Bias teaches us to never take things for granted and live life to the fullest.

Football Time is Here!

Oh yes, its that time again, football season is here! Gooo...my fantasy football team! Yes, I'm a NFL fan but not a big fan of a certain team anymore. I was, and still am a bit, a fan of the 49ers, especially back in the day. In the days of the Niner dynasty in the 80s and early 90s. But the game has changed and most people are fans of the product of the NFL as a whole. Plus, the big thing of fantasy football leagues and gambling helps the growth and popularity of the sport too. It definitely is great for gambling. It's not an every day or every other day sport, it is a weekly thing so that people can regroup and study and look into every single thing for the up-coming game at the end of the weekend. It is a fun time that fills our Sunday mornings and afternoons and Monday nights and sometimes Thursday nights or Saturday nights, Thanksgiving days and nights...you get the picture!

Inspiration of the Week

Red Bull Profiles

Check out this great story about Ashley Fiolek, the new 18-year old motocross sensation. But she isn't just any ordinary motocross race, Ashley has been deaf since birth. But last night, she made her X Games debut and took home the gold. Ashley was supposed to race in last year's game but was forced out due to an injury.

Ashley is such an inspiration. Sometimes we take our own senses for granted or we rely on them too much. She definitely has to feel her motorbike as she races. She practices and perfects how to feel her bike and I'm sure that definitely makes her a better rider. We will most definitely hear more of Ms. Fiolek. What a great story!