Corncobs, Thoroughbreds, Maize, River Rats, or Scarecrows? Is this really the best we can do for our new NBDL team? I realize it was a contest aimed at involving the public (i.e. potential customers), but maybe the team should rethink this strategy. Am I being too harsh, or do you like one of these nicknames? Maybe I'll warm up to one. I like Corncobs the most, until I realize every guy I know will snicker at the name. River Rats seems okay, except we'd call ourselves RATS!Who wants a logo with a rat on it? Thoroughbreds doesn't work. Scarecrows feels like the wrong state. Maize reminds me of the WNBA. Skywalkers makes the most sense, but owner Jerry Crawford told Marty & Miller the NBA doesn't like it (i.e. afraid of a lawsuit from George Lucas. I don't get that. Our skywalks were here before Luke. ) Vote for your favorite on our sports page...
The Iowa Corn Indy 250 hasn't gone green yet, but it's already a success. The buzz is building, the tickets sold, and the drivers love how fast the track is...
I interviewed IndyCar driver Milka Duno today. The Venezuelan bombshell is a stereotype-breaker if I've ever met one. She's so much more than a pretty face. Milka has four masters degrees and graduated at the top of her class as a Naval engineer. She's a rookie, so she won't win Sunday, but as the only Hispanic driver on the series, she's already an icon...
Also in studio, Spiderman, Helio Castroneves. This guy has charisma to spare. You may know him as the guy who climbs the fence each time he wins, a move copied by NASCAR's Tony Stewart. Like Milka, Helio couldn't have been nicer or more accommodating. It's a refreshing change from many professional athletes... (editor's note: You can watch Keith's entire raw interviews with Milka and Helio on our sports page.)
If Danica Patrick somehow wins Sunday, and it's unlikely on a short track which favors stronger drivers, it would put the Newton track on the map forever. A Patrick win would be a major story across the country, if not the world. She finished third in her last race, so you never know. I do know the track hopes it happens...
Tuesday I had my picture taken, sort of, more in one day than anytime in my life. I was running errands in Des Moines in an Indy car. People were obviously taking pictures of the car, not me. It was amazing to see how people can whip out a camera phone within seconds and snap off a shot. Anyway, I had a blast, and if you missed it, they tell me you can still watch the video on the sports page...
I received my "Best of What's Bugging Andy" DVD. It's worth the $9.95. (You're right, I got a freebie.) You can still order from our sports page...
I'll be ringing the bell, not getting my bell rung, at "Bad Moon Rising", the big MMA event coming up at Wells Fargo Arena June 30th. The popularity of this sport is exploding, and many of the best fighters come from Iowa, partly due to their wrestling roots. It's not for everyone, but for those who love watching gladiators go at it, mixed martial arts can't be beat. Somehow it's safer than boxing...
The Hy-Vee Triathlon exceeded expectations. It was a world class event, and as previously mentioned on this blog, it's only going to get bigger (Olympic qualifier next year). Congrats to channel 13's Sonya Heitshusen for finishing. I'm impressed, Sonya...
The folks who run the Principal Charity Classic should also take a bow. I was out there with my mom & dad and we couldn't believe how well run it was. We'll be back...
How did Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip go from exciting to depressing so fast? I can't remember being so disappointed in a television show, yet I'm watching to the bitter end, which is almost here...
Brilliant move under the circumstances by Drake AD Sandy Hatfield Clubb. Hiring Steve Loney on short notice makes a lot of sense. He's a good guy, and he can also coach. Here's a tip for Loney at no charge: Hand the ball to Scott Phaydavong. Repeat...
Most of us think Sammy Sosa cheated, and not just with cork, and as it turns out he was reportedly a me-first lousy teammate in Chicago. So what should we think now that he's in the 600 home run club? I think if he didn't cheat he would have made it to 400. Maybe...
I was hoping Casey Blake would look ready for ZZ Top but the time his hitting streak ended. The Pride of Indianola went 26 straight games with a hit, longest streak in the Majors this year. Casey's another one of those "good guys"...
Tiger Woods busted out that one size too small shirt for the final round of the U.S. Open---we call it the Meisenheimer---and Tiger looked jacked. So how did he lose to a guy who was smoking? I don't mean playing hot; I mean Angel Cabrera was really smoking, as in taking a drag while walking the course! To think Arnold Palmer used to do it...
Our new sports guy, Chris Hassel, is a natural on air, and has a sixth sense for finding famous people to help him do his job. While covering the Western Junior Open at Wakonda, Chris walked up to a gentleman in his forties to ask if he knew if one of the golfers on that hole was Kirby Pettitt of Carroll. The guy said "yes", Chris walked back over to Shawn Terrell, and said, "that's Dan Marino!". Marino was nice enough to give us an interview even as his son, Joe, was playing... (editor's note: Marino interview also on the sports page)
Good move by Michelle Wie pulling out of the John Deere Classic. I think it's her wounded psyche more than her injured wrist, but she needs to get her mojo back...
I saw Ocean's 13. Much better than 12. Not as good as 11... B
The kids and I love the original Sandlot so much that we just rented the straight to video Sandlot 3. It's not a great film, but it's a good family movie with a positive message about being a good person. B-
Paul Shirley's book, Can I Keep My Jersey, is terrific. Shirley is a great storyteller with a good story to tell. If anything, he's too smart and witty for his own good at times, but that's a nice change when reading an athlete's book... (final editor's note: Shirley's book signing talk from Ames is also on our sports video page)
B-Ross sits in on SoundOFF this Sunday; KXNO's Marty Tirrell the following week. Hope you can join us. Thank you for giving me some time now...
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14 comments:
Wow Keith. This has been a busy last 2 weeks for sports, first the Triathlon and now the race @ the speedway. Good job on keeping up with it!!! Coverage was great, keep up the good work. Congrats to Chris, his coverage on the triathlon was awesome. Have a good weekend everyone. Stay cool.
The nicknames suck, and judging from the blogs, everyone else agrees. They (don't know what else to call them) will probably change the name and speculation is it will be the Skywalkers. Only problem with that is Crawford said on Marty and Miller that the NBA wouldn't allow that name. I'm smelling something funny going on over there.
Excelllent point on the Skywalkers. I'll go back and add that. The name is a slam dunk. Thank you.
I know I'm a week late, but big ups to Hy-Vee for their presentation of the Triathlon! I'd never seen one before, certainly never participated in one, but the experience on Sunday made a fan out of me! Hy-Vee made all the right moves with this thing, and WOW! What incredible athletes. Looking forward to next year's event.
Great coverage (as usual) by the WHO team, as well.
Cheers
I'm right there with you on the nicknames. I saw them yesterday and proceeded with some pretty heavy eye rolling. As an Iowan living in Chicago I can only imagine the thoughts of the public with our corn-referenced nickname. Are we thinking golden uniforms with plaid crossing stripes. Maybe some tasseled hats? I vote no for the whole slate.
Keith,
I am a loyal viewer of Channel 13, and I think you all do a great job; however, I was disappointed that you barely gave any attention to the Men's City Golf Tournament that was last weekend. Those guys work hard and deserve a little bit of time in the spotlight.
When I heard heard the list of team name finalist I thought for sure it was a practical joke.
The Men's City Golf Tournament did deserve more coverage, as did other events, but when you play the same day as the Hy-Vee Triathlon, it handcuffs us, and other media outlets. The Knoxville Raceway just had a big weekend but we were unable to get there with everything going on in Newton. It's not always fair, but we do the best we can. Thank you for your feedback.
Theteam names are pretty stupid. I'd rather jump face first down a flight of 75 steps than have to choose between one of those names. Why not call them the Iowa Brady Quinns?
The suggested team names were awful, and when I read them, I thought, "you must be kidding?" I did read in the paper where Marc Hansen suggested "Des Moines Energy" and I thought that was much better. "Corncobs"??? Geez, if we can't do any better than that, we're idiots.
B. Ross was great Sunday on SoundOFF!! He kept me laughing. Keep up the great work!!!
Thank goodness they are scrapping the names for the NBDL and coming up with their own! That scared me for a second. I mean, how many people get upset when ESPN or any other station shows cornfields and stuff when they're broadcasting a game in Iowa? How stereotypical were those names? I am ashamed of Iowans....
Told you on 6-22 something smelled funny. Genious move by Crawford. If it weren't for the horrible choices I, and most others, wouldn't have given a crap about this.
Hat's off to the Iowa or Des Moines ???? for manipulating us.
the web says your blog was updated on 6/28 but the page it displays is still from 6/21. What is up with that?
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