Vest No More, Campana Quick, IceBorg Family Wedding

(Zach)
First off, a happy Memorial Day to you all, and a thank you to those in our armed forces past and present.

A Michigan fan's reaction to Tressel "resigning"

I'm not sure what is more surprising.  Jim Tressel resigning, or Jim Tressel not firing Gordon Gee before he quit.

I'm not going to sit here and say that the violations of the players are that bad (granted there are ties to an alleged drug trafficker though).  It's not like they are taking money from bookies or being accused of sexual assault at recruiting parties.  Heck, even at OSU what Tressel did pales in comparison to the patriarch of OSU coaching, Woody Hayes, punching another player during a game.  And that makes the fact Tressel is now gone even more laughable.  If he lies about small time stuff like tattoos and memorabilia money, you have to wonder how large his biggest skeletons in the closet are (perhaps we'll see more with SI's cover story this week).

I'm sick of hearing about how Tressel just made an honest mistake.  If you or me are under review at our job, lie and then are caught in it, chances are we get canned.  Tressel lied like ten times (yes I'm exaggerating...but probably only a little) and finally just got forced out.  Boo frickin hoo.

Who replaces the Vest?  Lot of big names flying around.  I don't buy Urban Meyer.  He spent too much time destroying Big 10 schools at Florida to go to one now.  In fact, I don't buy a big name coach getting this job just yet.  Any other year OSU is a primetime job, but you get the feeling Tressel is getting out before the other shoe drops.  If the NCAA comes down hard on OSU (say a two year bowl ban ala USC and Reggie Bush), then how attractive is the job?

3.8 million reasons and yet he still won't smile

With the Vest gone, Kirk Ferentz is now the Big 10's highest paid coach.  Ferentz makes about 3.8 million, Tressel made 4.1.  Ironic in that both had big problems this offseason.  Ferentz handling of Rhabdo gate is certainly warranting of some criticism, but he certainly didn't dig his hole deeper the way Tressel did.

Since writing this Campana stole another base

The Cubs still stink (although my beloved Rockies are now garbage as well), but Tony Campana is making a nice impression with the big club.  The former I-Cub stole four bases in Chicago's 12-7 loss to Houston on Monday.  He now has five on the year, tying him for the team lead.  With the injuries and mediocrity of the big Cubs, it's been a revolving door between Des Moines and Chicago.  Who has a shot to stick?

I had been off since Friday to attend the wedding of my cousin Ruth in Tulsa.  A thanks to the boss man Murphy for reworking my schedule to help me get down there.  Sounds simple but I've known a few bosses who weren't as accommodating.  I saw virtually my entire family for the first time in ten years since my grandfather passed away.  Obviously a much better reason to gather this time around.

Mazel Tov to my cousin Ruthey

I have now attended a Jewish wedding (for the record the fastest one, only took about 30 minutes), a Catholic wedding, and a Christian wedding.  If I get to a Buddhist wedding I get a set of steak knives.

Really dad, 7 CAR LENGTHS!?!?!?!?!?

I drove out to Tulsa with my dad who came down from Minneapolis.  It's our first road trip in quite some time, and I had plenty of those moments that just make you smile when you think about your dad.  Seeing him enjoy listening for the first time to the Dave Matthews Band CDs I played (he also in turn played some Loretta Lynn which I will begrudgingly admit I liked).  Arguing with him over the speed of my driving (he never drives the 70 speed limit and says I need to stay seven car lengths behind people on the interstate.  Needless to say I drove on Friday because I wanted to be on time for the wedding Saturday night).  Seeing a family photo of him in 1976 where he had so much hair he looked like the second coming of Jesus (maybe Harold Camping thought my dad was serious in 76 when he said the world would end May 21, 2011.  He was just kidding Mr. Camping).  And the ultimate highlight-watching my 60 plus year old dad dance to the "Cupid Shuffle" hip hop song.  He thought it was just another form of line dancing.  I love my old man.

I can (unfortunately) deny that I didn't have any "Wedding Crashers" moments with any pretty bridesmaids.  As for reports that I was seen dancing on the floor, possibly after a few adult refreshments, no comment.

Not 'Wells', 5-year-old Hair, Mediacon

(Chris)

I know the Cubs need pitching, but was Randy Wells, really, ready to come back to the bigs? The rehabbing righty got rocked by minor league hitters, less than a week ago, in Des Moines. The Cubs called him up, and he was once again rocked by minor league hitting --- the Pirates.

Soccer is a photographer's worst nightmare. I was at two games for a combined two hours, on Saturday, and never saw a single goal. Maybe perfectly executed passes should start counting for something.

Kyle Korver did more harm than good, in the Eastern Conference Finals, against the Heat. He's paid to make 3's...plain and simple. He didn't do it. I don't think the Bulls should let him go, but he was an obvious weak link on a really good team.

During my dinner break, I went home to cook some hamburgers on the grill. After about 10 minutes of cooking, there was some kind of bug crawling inside of the grill. We knew our grill getting weak, but if a bug can survive the heat, so can a lot of other things. That was the last straw. We finished them off in the frying pan.

Someone told me that my hair makes me look like a 5-year-old. I guess that's a good thing. Most people think I'm about 40.

I have a question for those of you with Mediacom Digital Cable. Have any of you noticed that when you want to change channels, you press up to move up in numbers, but when you're in the guide, you press down to go up in numbers? For instance, if I'm on Channel 13, and I want to see what's on channel 35, I have to press down to get there. Drives me crazy...but maybe it's just me.



'Hangover II' wasn't as bad as some critics made me believe. The sequel exceeded my extremely low expectations. If you liked the first, you should definitely see the second. It's really not that bad.

I-Mariners, Coe a no-go, LeBron vs. MJ

I-Brewers? I-Royals? I-Mariners? I don't think so. The Chicago Cubs have agreed to extend its agreement with the Iowa Cubs, through 2016. Thank goodness --- I thought for a second I would never get to see Jeff Samardzija, again.

The Barnstormers played their 1st game without John Gregory, in a decade, Friday. It actually seems longer than 10 years, but it's easy to forget that Gregory left Iowa for New York, in 2001. The Barnstormers are now 1-0 in the post-Gregory era. Iowa beat Utah, 50-48, snapping a six-game losing streak.

One of the most talked about football recruits for the Iowa Hawkeyes, this off-season, has been Rodney Coe. The high school All-American was supposed to attend Iowa, this fall. He's coming to Iowa all right --- but he'll attend Iowa Western Community College. Coe's grades weren't good enough to get into Iowa, therefore he'll try to get his grades up in time for the 2012 season. It worked once before. Remember when Shonn Greene spent the 2007 season at Kirkwood Community College, in Cedar Rapids? The season season, he was one of the best backs in the nation. Obviously, that's an extremely rare case, but we shouldn't write Coe off, just yet.

Quick, name the last (and only) Cyclone to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft? If you said Troy Davis...you're wrong. Seneca Wallace? No. Ellis Hobbs? Nope. It was George Amundson, in 1973. Honestly, I had never heard of the guy. Apparently, he was a great running back with the Cyclones --- not so much in the NFL. Houston selected him 14th in the '73 draft. He only played in 29 NFL games, averaging less than three yards a carry.

Amundson wasn't an NFL great,
but he had a great 'stache.

Anyway...my point is, the Cyclones may have their 2nd first-round draft pick, in 2012. Offensive tackle Kelechi Osemele has been named to Phil Steele's pre-season first-team All-American list. I think he'll go on to have a better NFL career, than George Amundson.

Former British Open champion, Tom Lehman, is the last commit to next week's Principal Charity Classic. Hopefully, this year, he actually comes. Last year, he committed, and decommited, in the same week.

I've watched game 7 of the Eastern Confernce Finals (obviously, I'm talking hockey, because the Bulls lost in 5), tonight. Some dude for Tampa got hit in the face with a puck. It really looked like someone shot the guy's nose off. http://crashthecrease.com/2011/05/27/video-steven-stamkos-takes-puck-in-the-face/   A few minutes later, he was back in the game. Ridiculous.

Speaking of the NBA. Cool it with the "Is LeBron better than MJ" talk. Until James gets to at least 3 titles, let's take it easy. I think people are getting all crazy because he finally has shown that he has some 4th quarter gusto. We'll see if he can take over the 10's (teens, whatever), like Jordan dominated the 90's.

ESPN Book, Hangover II, Blue-Bird Buses

The book, "Those Guys Have All The Fun: Inside the World of ESPN" arrived today. It's by the guys who wrote the great inside story on Saturday Night Live, "Live from New York". Among the quotes in the ESPN book, this gem from Bob Ley on the departure of Keith Olbermann, "We felt not so much relief when Keith left as unrestrained f---ing joy. People were thrilled." The book is 763 pages. I may need to cut down on blogging. And working. And sleeping. And eating...


Heard from several people who have already seen The Hangover II. While they say it is exactly the same plot, with many of the same set-ups and jokes, I didn't hear from anyone who didn't laugh a lot and recommend the movie...

It's gotten so bad at Ohio State, even the student newspaper is breaking stories on football players selling conference championship rings and brokering preferential car deals. Jim Tressel will survive. Why? Because of those rings, and the 9-1 record vs. Michigan...

I still can't believe the Bulls blew a 12 point lead with less than four minutes to play. It's obvious Derrick Rose needs help...

The Iowa Cubs had a crowd of more than 10,000 fans for Thursday afternoon's game. I can't believe how many Blue Bird buses there were. I also can't believe those buses basically look the same as when I rode them...

Mavs Fans, Bonds Heart, Oprah's Exit

The Lakers hired Mike Brown as head coach. Wait, what?...

Well Mavs, it's up to you. We're all behind you now. You have to beat the Heat...

Kyle Korver is a good guy with bad timing. Korver's shooting slump couldn't come at a worse time, and if he were hitting his usual threes, maybe the Bulls wouldn't try to send Derrick Rose at LeBron James with the game on the line and little chance of Rose making the shot...

Props to Barry Bonds for offering to help the kids of the beaten Giants fan, Bryan Stow. Who knew Barry had a heart?...

It's late May and my son and his baseball teammates looked so cold in the wind chill Wednesday night I wondered if they were having fun. They were, but enough already with the weather, both the crappy and the severe...

Kyle Busch was ticketed for driving 128 in a 45 mph residential area. Can you still race NASCAR if they suspend your license?...

I was late to work Wednesday. It was an early out at school, and one of my boys started watching Hoosiers. I've seen it 57 times and I still got caught...

Hines Ward won Dancing with the Stars, and maybe this isn't fair, but I think less of Ward now...

How was Oprah's exit? I missed it. The woman is a singular talent, and created an empire few will approach, but I didn't watch her show. I'm a man...

Hangover Fears, Memorable Exits, Devasating Pictures

Since first seeing the Hangover Part II commercials, I've been concerned the movie will be a big letdown. It appears the plot is exactly the same---minus the surprises---but placed in Bangkok. It's the sequel syndrome, as seen in Ghostbusters 2, among many others. Well, my fears appear realized. Will Leitch, a writer I respect, says Hangover 2 is bad, and rates it a D+ (Will loved the original). At Rotten Tomatoes, only 28% of film critics recommend the movie, and all say it's the same plot. Still, the movie is expected to make $100 million its first week, and $9 will come from me. I've been warned. So have you...

In better news, 91% of critics recommend Kung Fu Panda 2, and since I'll be seeing that too---what a pendulum swing that is---I'm glad it looks promising...

I don't care much who wins American Idol even though I've watched another season. Both teens are talented and seem nice, but neither sings songs I'll buy...

Someone hit Jennifer Lopez's eyebrows with Miracle Gro...

Tuesday, Oprah says goodbye. I don't watch Oprah, but her final show got me thinking about the greatest exit I ever saw a star make, and he was television's greatest star, Johnny Carson...

Locally, Andy Fales made a memorable exit from SoundOFF, but he came back. Does that count?...

When I picked the Heat in five, I caught a lot of grief after game 1. Not so much after game 4...

The Tuesday tornado warning for Joplin is just piling on. Uncle. Enough. This stunning before and after picture of the town is devastating:

Rapture Fatigue, Speedway Convert, Wedding Singer

I hate it, but I don't believe Lance Armstrong. Ex-teammate Tyler Hamilton is the latest witness to reportedly testify under oath that Armstrong doped and cheated his way to seven straight Tour de France titles. Unless several cyclists who used to vouch for Armstrong are now lying, and willing to risk prison just to make Armstrong look bad, Lance better figure out his next move. The walls are closing fast...

Good to have high school baseball and softball seasons back in swing. When I moved to Iowa 21 years ago, I had never heard of playing high school sports in the summer, but I like it...

I can't believe the video I've seen of the devastation in Joplin, Missouri. It looks like a bomb went off...

Are you as sick and tired of the Rapture talk as me?...

Ray Lewis says if there's no NFL season, crime will rise. That's a chilling thought from a guy who knows something about crime...

The Iowa Speedway expected a dip in attendance for this Nationwide race, and had it---two races in one season bound to make some people choose one or the other---but overall, another successful weekend with a national television audience. Our "Murph & Andy Show" producer, Andrew Downs, the latest to experience a race in person for the first time. Andrew says he still won't watch a race on TV, but won't miss many at the Iowa Speedway. AD was surprised how much he liked it...

There is no better Saturday Night Live host right now than Justin Timberlake. I can't believe I'm in awe of the all-around talents of the guy who was lead singer for the boy-band NSYNC, but Timberlake is for real. Only Alec Baldwin is in his league...


The Des Moines Playhouse is staging The Wedding Singer through most of June. It's a musical based on the popular Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore movie. Here's where you can help... The play is set in 1985, and the Playhouse is celebrating the era's fashion with photos of '80s wedding couples. Scan your photos and send them to info@dmplayhouse.com.

The Playhouse also needs cassette tapes. Remember those? The set designer is making a show curtain from the tapes. The cassettes are strung side-by-side, and then the actual tape is hanging down. Can you picture it? The Playhouse needs about 800 more tapes. You can drop tape donations off at the Playhouse. Don't be surprised if you have more trouble parting with that Tears for Fears or Motley Crue tape than you expected...



-Keith

Iowa Takes Checkered Flag, Bulls Feeling The Heat, Chill Out

(Zach)

As they have since they opened the place, the folks at the Iowa Speedway and the fans hit a homerun at the John Deere Dealers 250.

Little surprised to see attendance dip a bit.  At just under 38,000 they still had a sellout, but it's well below the 55 and 56 thousand crowds of the past two years.  Guessing knowing another event is still left coupled with many of the Sprint Cup drivers taking this one off cut into it.

You wonder if there is, privately, any disappointment over the fact Ricky Stenhouse Jr. took the checkered flag.   I think even Stenhouse thought Carl Edwards was going to win, and it certainly would have been the better story considering Edwards signature celebration and the fact he went out of his way to race here just hours after winning the All-Star race on Saturday night.  But Stenhouse, who won his first race in 51 starts, was game to take one of the top Sprint Cup drivers down.

This was actually my first time at a NASCAR event.  I've never been much of a fan in the past save watching a big race or two (Daytona 500).  But I will say that actually going to the race and watching is a fantastic experience and much more entertaining than watching on TV.  Not to mention fans got a college football tailgating type experience before and after.

I think it is a matter of time before Iowa gets a Sprint Cup event.  Could be awhile, could be soon.  I'm not an expert on how you get the races, but obviously for Iowa to get one someone else would probably have to lose one.  Size of the track may also be an issue.  Either way, in a sport that has seen popularity wane, the Iowa Speedway is a draw they will do well at in any time.  I think the key is that, in addition to Iowa, it's a draw for racing fans in the Dakotas, Minnesota and Nebraska who don't have any NASCAR outlets.  A Sprint Cup event would bring people from all over the Midwest.  And I think, after talking with Rusty Wallace and track officials leading up to this racing season, there is a quiet confidence in Newton that it will happen.

The biggest problem the Bulls have right now is that Miami's Big Two of Dwayne Wade and LeBron James has become the Big Three it was (allegedly) supposed to be.  Chris Bosh was good in game one and dynamite in game three.  The Heat are tough enough with two superstars and probably impossible for the Bulls if Bosh isn't just a third wheel.  If the Bulls don't win game four I think you can kiss them goodbye.

A suspect is in custody in the case of the Giants fan who was beaten to near death at a Dodgers game earlier this season, and hopefully arrests are imminent.  I hope that these lowlife scumbags lived every day since their crime in fear of being caught and felt the walls closing in on them.

I spent most of the past week at the Blue Oval for State Track.  Lot of great performances and a lot of great fans.  35,000 came to Drake Stadium over the course of the weekend and were there, rain (and we saw plenty on Friday) or shine.  With the Drake Relays and, this year, the NCAA Championships we see plenty of track here in Des Moines, but seeing the joy and celebration of kids who win is as good as it gets.
   
Most of the staff at the stadium and on the ground was awesome and did a fantastic job.  But a chill out shout out to a few people who denied me access on Thursday because there was a mixup and they couldn't find my press pass (thanks to the folks at the main gate that did let me in who saw my painted news vehicle, Channel 13 polo, and the multi-thousand dollar camera, and had a grip on reality) and on Friday who scolded me for using the only microwave in the press box and interrupting a "busy work area" (at the time the stadium was completely empty because we were in a rain delay).  Seriously guys, a high school track meet is not the Olympics, I am not a terrorist, and you are not Seal Team 6. 

Huge Day, Local Pizza, Rapture

Saturday was one of the busiest local sports days I've ever been a part of. There was news from just about every sport:

Nascar - Brett Moffitt becomes first Iowan to win at Iowa Speedway.
Football - Four Hawkeye greats sign autographs for nearly 500, in Van Meter.
Basketball - Hoiberg signs Percy Gibson, ranked top big man in Michigan.
Baseball - Tucson pitcher uncorks worst wild pitch I've ever seen at I-Cubs game.
Soccer - Menace score four goals -- in one half!
Track - Several records set on final day of state track meet.

It was quite the day in the sports office. Thanks to the IceBorg, and Keith Murphy, for their hustle.

I haven't watched much Cubs baseball this season but the 8th inning, on Saturday, was fantastic. Few sports fan piss me off more than Boston sports fans.

I have a friendly wager, with a friend, that Dallas won't win the NBA finals. I'm beginning to regret that bet.

I'm pulling for Michael Annett to make it an Iowa sweep, Sunday, in the Nationwide race. I interviewed the Des Moines native, on Friday. He said his Mom was bringing his favorite Des Moines pizza to the track. I was expecting Fong's, or Big Tomato, but Annett says his favorite is pizza from The Tavern. It's good pizza...but it's not great pizza.

Insert rapture joke here ------>

1918 All Over Again, R.E.M Is Wrong, Parents Behaving Badly

The Cubs and Red Sox at Fenway for the first time since 1918, and the Cubs pick up right where they left off 93 years ago---losing...


The I-Cubs deserve sunny skies and perfect weather for baseball. It's been the roughest of weather starts at Principal Park this spring. The Cubs played to another small crowd Friday night, but came back to beat Tucson in the bottom of the 9th,11-10...

Who are the nutbars who come up with this nonsense that the world is going to end on a particular day? So far I've survived several Armageddons, not counting the Bruce Willis movie which I kind of liked, and I'm confident I'll be back at the keyboard Sunday night...

After the obscenity-laden screaming match in front of two baseball teams full of six year olds at Holiday Park in WDM, Andy and I talked on the radio how we couldn't believe that adults couldn't control their tempers and emotions enough to keep from embarrassing themselves and scaring the kids (according to the Des Moines Register story, both teams had to be moved away from the shouting match, and the game was eventually cancelled). Well, we quickly learned that even at the age of six, parents can make fools of themselves. Caller-after-caller to our radio show talked about the nightmares they'd seen. The umpire who called had the most eye-opening, yet disturbing stories. Come on, let the kids have fun...

Erin Kiernan will head to her first race at Iowa Speedway Sunday. She won't be disappointed, even though she's not a "racing fan". It's a fun experience. I'll be there too...

Expect a big crowd at Van Meter High School Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The Bob Feller Museum is bringing in former Hawkeyes Bryan Bulaga, Shonn Greene, Tony Moeaki, and Brad Banks. So many fans have already signed up for autographs, they had to move it from the museum to the gym...

Big thanks to Chris Hassel and Zach Borg for doing such a great job Friday. Working in the rain is no fun, and they both turned that negative into a positive. I appreciated it---while staying dry in the studio...

Have a great weekend.
Keith

Is The World Going To End? And No I'm Not Talking About Cubs v Red Sox

The Thunder decided to make it a series. We'll see how much Russell Westbrook mopes after being benched in the fourth quarter. I'll stick with my pick of the Mavs in seven...

More accusations of Lance Armstrong cheating. Are there many people left who think Lance was somehow clean, while all around him were doping, yet he won every time? I'm sure there are. I don't believe in Lance being clean, but I believe in all the amazing work he's done through Livestrong. That's enough for me...

The Red Sox have won six straight. You didn't really believe they'd stay down long did you? Not with that line-up. Cubs and Red Sox at Fenway Park this weekend. I'd give up one of Andy's paychecks to be there...

Jason Giambi hit three home runs Thursday night? Steroid check...

The I-Cubs are back, and so is the rain. This is familiar...

I'm too excited there's a Little Caesars opening in our neighborhood...

What's this about the world ending Saturday? I'll be at Little League in the morning and afternoon, and Iowa Speedway at night. Does anyone know the specific time it's supposed to end?...

Cyclone Fanatic's Chris Williams (former sports intern!) says The Chiz will write a book. I hope he has at least one chapter explaining why ISU looked so poorly coached for two seasons...

Have a great weekend!
Keith

A-Rod Done, Killebrew Gone, Warner Back

Adam Robinson being done at Iowa is not a surprise. Though Kirk Ferentz never completely shut the door, I would have been shocked if A-Rob played another down for Iowa...

I thought the Heat would beat the Bulls in six games. I still do...

Harmon Killebrew's death hit a number of people in Iowa like a death in the family. It's hard to explain why baseball idols mean so much to us, but they do. Killebrew was the real deal. He will live on in many ways, including the uppercut swing silhouette in MLB's logo...

The Barnstormers "big announcement" Wednesday wasn't really that big. Kurt Warner is returning next week as part of the NFL Network's broadcast team. Former Hawkeye quarterback Paul Burmeister will again partner with Kurt on-air. Good to have Warner back, just not unexpected...

Bryan Bulaga sure seems like a nice guy. He told me today he's excited to be in Van Meter Saturday with Shonn Greene, Tony Moeaki, and Brad Banks. Fans of the Hawks, Packers, Chiefs, Jets, and Barnstormers will take over the gym between 11-2...

I've had several people tell me Bridesmaids is the funniest movie they've seen since The Hangover...

Weekend in Salisbury. Wait, What?

Just back from a few days at the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (NSSA) awards convention. It was a great weekend of camaraderie, discourse, and laughs. It's always nice when you're reminded why you chose the career you did, why you still love it, and why you want to improve. The weekend in Salisbury, NC---home of the NSSA Hall of Fame---did all that for me, and I'm grateful my boss sent me, and my friend and colleague John Walters encouraged me to go...

If you'll indulge me, I thought I'd share a few pictures from the trip. You'll be able to tell when my camera battery died and I had to go to the Blackberry with no flash:

Mike Tirico is the National Sportscaster of the Year. He's a consummate pro, makes the difficult look easy, and is a nice guy to boot. Ron Jaworski and Curtis Strange attended just to see Mike accept his award.

Gary Dolphin and I laughed for two days watching Ask Dolph skits from SoundOFF and quoting our favorite lines from Wedding Crashers. Also featured in this photo: a lot of the wall.

The Neil Diamond impersonator had us singing all the cheesy lyrics, some of which make no sense, but hey, I grew up on Neil. My mom loves the Jewish Elvis.

This is an attempt to look tough while wearing Hawaiia leis. Impossible. Dolph looks like Clint Eastwood trying to read an eye chart.

Dolph with the voice of the Tennessee Titans, Mike Keith. Mike has had that job for 12 years, and he's still young!

I've got to get back into golf. While 99% of the sportscasters and sportswriters were golfing, I took the historic tour of Salisbury on a trolley with (mostly) their wives. At least Sports Illustrated/NBC's Peter King also took the tour, which helped keep me from losing my man card.

Yes, Blackberry time. Peter King seemed genuinely surprised and humbled to be the National Sportswriter of the Year. Anyone who reads Monday Morning Quarterback is not surprised.

Took this pic myself. Can you tell? Bob Ryan was inducted into the Hall of Fame along with Bob Uecker and Brent Musburger. I loved Bob's comment that Sport is different from Entertainment because Sport is unscripted and you never know what you'll see. It's the ultimate reality show.

There was an amazing silent auction to raise money for NSSA. I bid on this autographed Dr J jersey, but came up WAY short. Good thing too. I don't even have a man cave yet.

Andy, Hassel, and Bryce Miller all thought I should drain my bank account for a signed Soup Nazi pic. Seinfeld fans understand.

Gregory Out, Drake Gone, Fan Escapes

(Chris)

After serving parts of 10 years as head coach of the Barnstormers, John Gregory decides to step down. The 72-year-old had quite a career, with Iowa. He led the Stormers to back-to-back Arena Bowls in the mid-90's, and helped shape Kurt Warner into one of the most prolific NFL quarterbacks of all-time. Gregory will stay with the Barnstormers as a team consultant. Defensive Coordinator J.T. Smith has been named the interim coach. If the 2-7 Barnstormers make the playoffs, I'll shave my head --- and my chest.

Drake is getting a lot of mileage out of its trip to Africa. We've talked more about the Bulldog football program, in the past month, than we have in the 4 years I've been here. The kids get to climb the highest mountain in Africa, help kids at an orphanage, and play the ever first college football game on African soil. Kudos to Drake. Great cause, and great marketing.

We talked a lot, on Murph n Andy, today, about autographs. Andy is a big autograph guy. I'm not. One person called in and rattled off the names of several stars that he's ........ (wait for it) ....... peed next to. It really made me feel like I've been missing out, because I refuse to use urinals. That's another story, for another day.

What's Buggin' Andy was right on, this week. The 'tip' is getting out of hand. I tip my waitress, and my cab driver, but I won't go much further than that. Every time I go to the tropics, for vacation, I get a kick out of the shuttle drivers that take you back and forth from airport, to hotel. They put the tip cup right up on the dash, and there's always a crisp $20-dollar bill sticking out. When I hand him a pair of ones, he doesn't dare put them in the cup. He wants everyone to think $20 bucks is the going tip.

I still get all jacked up when I think about the Taj Gibson facializing the Heat, in game 1, Sunday. As a Bulls fan, I've seen 6 NBA championships, but I haven't seen the Bulls get this far since I was in 7th grade. If you're not watching 'Game of Thrones', on HBO, you should start. A casual channel flipper will say it's like 'Lord of the Rings'. It's not. Give it a try. You're going to need something to pass the time until the new season of 'Curb' starts up.

It turns out Ben Jacobson wasn't offered the Texas A&M job, as we expected. He says that he told the Aggies he was no longer interested, before they decided if they wanted to hire him or not. He told the Des Moines Register that A&M told him it was between him, and one other candidate. That candidate was Billy Kennedy --- the new head coach in College Station.

One of the greatest spectacles, in sports, is when a fan rushes the field, and evades security. Usually, they get caught --- not this guy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7B4gic-qU

Jacobson Stays, All Iowa NBA Finals, World's Most Interesting Man Has A Problem?

(Zach)

Not sure what to make of the Ben Jacobson situation, other than that it's good for UNI that he's staying.  If he had a shot at the job, it's hard to imagine him not taking it.  Aside from the bigger conference and (I assume) a nice pay raise, A&M is a program that's been to the NCAA Tournament for six straight years.  An MVC coach (Mark Turgeon) succeeded there too.  If Jacobson did have a shot at getting it and turned away, maybe he's committed to staying at UNI for a while....

....that or he knew he wasn't going to get the job and withdrew.  UNI's style works in Cedar Falls but, as we saw at Iowa State with Greg McDermott, it doesn't always translate in the Big 12.  Run a boring offense at a big school (as McDermott and one Todd Lickliter did at Iowa) and patience wears thin. 

Jacobson is a smart dude.  He knows he has a good situation now and, after seeing McDermott's tenure at ISU go south, won't be quick to jump to a bigger job.  Sooner or later I think he'll move on, but I don't think he'll go somewhere in need of a complete overhaul.  And don't be shocked if we soon hear of Ben getting another pay raise from UNI.

George Niang looks like a pretty good recruit for ISU.  Good schools were after him and the Mayor was able to lure a kid from Massachusetts in a time when the Cyclones haven't been relevent in the Big 12 hoops scene for a little while.  I'll save you the "he's not a transfer?" joke.

It's not the matchup the NBA wants to see, but we Iowans could have a vested interest in the NBA Finals if we get Bulls v. Thunder.  Nick Collison and Kyle Korver aren't superstars, but they're the kind of role players and character guys that EVERY team needs to win a title.  Imagine what it will be like if, in a few years, Harrison Barnes becomes a superstar and carries a team deep in the playoffs.

Speaking of Da Bulls, impressive second half.  As I write this Taj Gibson just dunked on the Heat again.

As I was working, I heard a loud scream when Gibson had his last big dunk in the fourth.  It was Hassel.  For a moment I thought he'd been shot, yet he was celebrating.  And it was a 20 point game at this point.  If the Cubs ever, by some fluke of nature or God, win a World Series, I'm convinced Chris will probably die when they get the 27th out.

Has anyone seen the recent ICubs box scores?  This team needs pitching like the Barnstormers need a kicker (or four).

Am I the only one who thinks "The Most Interesting Man In The World" isn't looking too good in the most recent ads?  He looks tired and worn out, and I don't buy his whole "I don't always drink beer" line.  Since beer dehydrates, maybe he won't be so thirsty all the time if he just grabs some water.

To add on to a topic yesterday, I saw those End of the World on May 21 billboards and, after googling it, turns out they have the time that Judgement Day will start.  6 PM eastern.  Really?  Folks out east seem to have the idea the world revolves around them anyway, and now apparently the end of the world does too?  Would it be too much to ask the Almighty that he end the world at 6 PM CENTRAL TIME?

Jacobson Courted, Podolak Recovering, Judgement Day

(Chris)

Northern Iowa's Ben Jacobson is in the running for head job at Texas A&M. He would be a fool not to, at least, talk to the Aggies, and it appears that's exactly what he's doing. ESPN is reporting that A&M officials are meeting with Jacobson, in his native North Dakota, Saturday night. However, multiple media outlets are reporting that Murray State's Billy Kennedy has the inside track.

'Jake' just signed a 10-year extension, in 2010 (which means absolutely nothing, other than the fact that he's getting more money from UNI). He's making 450K a year, with a 25K increase, each season. If he gets the A&M job, his salary would, at the very least, double in size. The Aggies spend three times as much on their basketball program, than Northern Iowa. There's something to be said for staying at a small school, and building a tradition, but what more can Jacobson accomplish? In 2009-10, they won 30 games, and went to the sweet 16. In my opinion, if he finds the right opportunity (and A&M is a great opportunity), he should move on. But, I don't think he'll get the job.

Ed Podolak continues the grueling recovery process, after being struck by a car while crossing a Scottsdale street, in February. He's nowhere near 100% but he's light-years ahead of where he was just a couple months ago. Ed says he's been visiting the Hawkeye coaching staff, in the afternoons, after his morning therapy session, at University Hospitals, in Iowa city. He says he'll be ready to join Dolph in the booth when the Hawkeyes open the season, September 3rd.

This weather is absolutely ridiculous. It was 96 degrees, on Tuesday, and it won't even reach 56 degrees, today. My wife is using it as an excuse to have both her winter, and summer clothes, all over the house.

I'm hearing that the world is going to come to an end, May 21st. You may have seen the billboards around town. I really hope this isn't true --- I have January 1, 2012, in the 'Channel 13 End of the World Pool'.

I just heard the FOX national announcer say that Cubs fans are really excited about the future of the Cubs. That couldn't be further from the truth, at least for me. I've been watching Cubs games since 1990, and I have never been this disinterested in a season. I used to watch every single game, even when they were awful, in the 90's. Back then, they at least had Sammy Sosa, and Harry Carry.

The Cardinals have fallen out of first place. #woot

Don't. Mess. With. Hampsters. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMkSWP2o11U

Barnstormers Blitzed, Hellboy Dazzles, School Daze

What in the world is wrong with the Iowa Barnstormers? Other than leaving town, Friday night had to be the low point in franchise history. The Stormers trailed 49-7 in the first half, and lost by 52. It could have been more. The Sharks showed mercy. Iowa has a bye week, and you have to wonder how many changes an already frustrated ownership and management group will make. The buck stops with head coach John Gregory. He's a good guy and a proven winner, but something is really wrong with this team...

How 'bout Hellboy! Des Moines Hoover alum Jeremy Hellickson pitched his first major league shutout Friday night...

Two sandwiches named after local sports celebrities are running in the top three of ESPN's Fanwich contest. The Emmenecker Challenge from Jethro's is first, the Zach Johnson #3 hoagie from Manhattan Deli is third. I voted for the Zach Johnson. The Emmenecker is a sight to see, but not really anything I'd ever think about eating. The Zach Johnson hoagie, delicious...

I've read several reviews of Bridesmaids that make it sound like a female Hangover, and they mean it in a good way. Meantime, I'm worried about the Hangover II. It appears they tried to make the same movie with a different location. That almost always disappoints (see Ghostbusters 2, for example). I hope I'm wrong...

American Idol needs a new voting system. If you don't appeal to teenagers, you're out. James Durbin and Pia What's-Her-Name should be in the final 3...

Went to my sons' school carnival at Perkins Friday over my dinner break. Rain forced it inside, and it was absolutely BONKERS. My son Colin, 7, said he asked three girls to the dance, "They all said no, but one nearly said yes." Not discouraged. Then at the dance, he just watched everyone getting footloose. My wife asked Colin, "Why aren't you dancing"? Colin said, "I'm waiting for a slow dance. Then I'll ask a girl." He's pretty focused for a first-grader...

I'm headed to the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association convention this weekend in North Carolina. I appreciate the opportunity. I understand I'll be the only one there not golfing, so I should have time to blog and tweet...

-Keith

Bad Driver

The sports world brings us its share of head-scratching stories, but the one out of Lee County really packs a wallop. The Iowa State Patrol arrests Fairfield girls golf coach Susie Steinbeck for OWI early Tuesday morning as she's driving her team to a meet. The 59 year old Steinbeck had a preliminary blood alcohol level of .212, nearly three times the legal limit.

Was Steinbeck (allegedly) drunk from the night before, earlier that morning, or both? It's an alarming story and a parental nightmare. We expect our kids safe at school. The most chilling detail comes from Bryce Miller's story in the Des Moines Register. Here's a text from passenger Elizabeth Hamilton to her parents at 7:19 a.m.

“Ohh myy goshh susie is going to kill us! She cant stay on the road! So in case this is the last time i talk to you i love you! :)”

Fortunately, a witness saw Steinbeck's SUV swerving all over the road and forced a vehicle intervention. Following Stenbeck's arrest, the six student-athletes were driven safely to their meet in Keokuk.

Fairfield High also did a good job of notifying parents and putting details on its website. Transparency is always the best idea, even when it's not news you enjoy giving.

Thank God those girls are okay.

-Keith

Wonder Woman's New Costume, Schlicher No Longer Kicker

I blogged about sports Monday, but it was Wonder Woman who spurred the most feedback. As you made sure I know, and I appreciate it, Wonder Woman's costume for the new NBC show was widely derided by fans. The most common criticism was "trashy". Here's the new look (and the old):

What do you think?...

WHO-HD 13.3 (Antenna TV) will provide many Cubs and White Sox games the rest of the season. For the entire list, go back to the sports page. You can't miss it...

Nothing is causing professional athletes more trouble than Twitter---well, nothing this side of baby mamas. Reggie Bush is catching way too much flak for saying he's enjoying the NFL lockout. As the NFL Network's Paul Burmeister confirmed to me today, many players feel the same. They hate the off-season workouts. Bush was being honest, which we say we want, but then he's hammered for it...

Dwight Howard saying the Orlando Sentinel is running him out of town is ludicrous. Howard is just used to having his butt kissed, and he likely has an eye on the door. Howard wants to make the media a scapegoat...

I don't think Bulls fans miss the Kirk Hinrich era. Man, Derrick Rose was great again Tuesday night...

The Barnstormers have now cut four kickers. Former Hawkeye Kyle Schlicher the latest to get the boot. At this rate, Ed Wilson will kick by the end of the season...

Godfrey Gone, Lakers Lost, Wonder Woman

Fred Hoiberg believes in second chances, in some cases third chances, so you know Hoiberg's had enough of Calvin Godfrey. Police arrested Godfrey for marijuana possession Saturday night. On the surface, that doesn't strike me as being as serious an offense as drunk-driving, yet Jordan Railey remains on the team, even after another run-in with police. Whatever Godfrey was suspended for mid-season---ISU never said---Hoiberg reached his limit. Post-suspension, Godfrey provided a real lift for the Cyclones and showed flashes of big-time potential. It's definitely a blow...

Iowa is one of several schools Tyler Gabbert will consider transferring. Tyler Gabbert is the younger brother of former Missouri star Blaine Gabbert. Blaine is the main reason Hawkeye fans pay attention to Tyler. Tyler finished Missouri's spring drills as the backup QB. That job does not interest him...

I love that the Lakers were swept, and they went out like punks, but now the NBA playoffs are less interesting...

There is nothing that makes less sense than someone thinking a no-hitter alert somehow jinxes the no-hitter. Yes, I'm talking to you Andy Fales...

I tried to get Andy to back Animal Kingdom for the Derby, but Andy didn't listen. Animal Kingdom was a long shot who paid big. (Actually, I just picked the name because of Andy's love for animals.)...

The Iowa Speedway knows a good way to get nearly all Iowans involved: hold a Hawkeyes vs Cyclones event. It happens Wednesday...

Is there anyone in NASCAR who wouldn't like to punch Kyle Busch right in the forehead?...


Pacquiao vs Mosley was duller than a city council meeting...

I saw Erin Kiernan with a Wonder Woman coffee mug today. Erin didn't realize NBC has a new Wonder Woman starting soon. One of the former stars of Friday Night Lights has the lead. Adrianne Palicki played Tyra. Here's the new Wonder Woman:

Happy Mothers Day!

(Zach)

Hope all the moms out there had a great Sunday and to my mom in Colorado, Shari Beck.  I was at the I-Cubs game today and I remembered all the I-Cub and Rockies games she took me to growing up.  Back then I thought it was because she liked baseball too.  Not that she doesn't but I think it was more about spending time with me.  Thanks mom.

Can't figure out what's going on with the I-Cubs.  It's been more than two weeks since they won consecutive games and they've been outscored 46-22 on this homestand.  They've been as mediocre as the Big Cubs.

Atlanta just will not go away.  I'm getting the feeling this one goes the full seven.  Even with homecourt, I don't know that Bulls fans would feel to comfortable with that the way the Hawks have played.

David Stern could not save the Lakers.

LA is a great team, and I wouldn't say their window to win some more titles has shut, but when they flame out it is an EPIC fail.  Usually great teams show a little more fight, but  they always have attitude issues when things start to go south with guys like Bynum (more on him below) and even Kobe before he matured (when he and Shaq couldn't get along).  Getting owned by the Pistons in the Finals in Shaq's last year.  The Game 6 in the Finals against the Celtics a few years ago where Boston nearly beat them by 40.  Today was worse, and it was only the second round.  And Ron Artest didn't even get into the fray. 

Do us all a favor and walk away from the game.

Andrew Bynum is a waste of seven feet.  You can seldom get the guy on the court because he's more fragile than a China doll and he has yet to develop into the impact center people thought he would be coming out of college.  Turns out he's a punk too with that flagrant foul.  The Lakers should dump this clown and the NBA should give him a big suspension at the start of next year.

While editing I got a call on this old school telephone probably left over from the 1980's from some guy who wanted to know English Premier League scores.  Thank God for the Internet.

You know that terrible actor who plays the talk show host in those awful Geico commercials?  I think Chris (rightly so) called him the worst actor he's ever seen.  Yeah, I saw the guy in a second ad recently for DiGiorno.  HOW THE HELL DOES THIS DOOFUS KEEP GETTING WORK? 

I'd go with firing you but apparently I don't "get" advertising

When did ad agencies stop being like Mad Men?  I'd seriously like to be a fly on the wall in the board room when they're kicking around ideas for who to put in these ads.  "Hey, I've got a great idea for a fresh new way to sell our pizza!  Lets cast the kid from the Geico ads!  Uh, boss, I'm pretty sure somebody in a coma could pull off a better acting job then him.  No, he's amazing, clueless D-Bag is the new "in" style!  But if the guy looks like as interested about being in the ad as he would be sitting through his English Lit 101 lecture, will people really be more interested in buying our pizza?  Yes!  Pay whatever it takes to get this rising talent!"  Can Don Draper please slap some sense into these fools?

Hazzel Dazzle Sick/IceBurgundy, Gregory Gone, Endless Pregame

(Zach)

Chris got sick on Friday and thus I had my Ron Burgundy moment to fill in on the anchor desk for the first time since coming to WHO.  I don't think I've ever met any college kid or young guy in the sports broadcasting business who doesn't want to anchor.  I should know, I was one of them not long ago.  Don't get me wrong, it's fun every so often, but I lost interest in it the last few years other than using it to try and get out of Fargo.  I've never liked being in the office all day and tied to a desk (well that and makeup).  I'd rather be the dude at Kinnick Stadium shooting the game than watching it as I get ready to anchor.  That said, check back with me in ten years when I'm pushing 40 with a family.

Always enjoy watching the Kentucky Derby even though I don't get into horse racing.  Since it's been so long since our last triple crown winner, it's easily the Super Bowl of horse racing.  Big fans of the sport have to hope that changes.  Horse racing has never had the kind of popularity since the last triple crown.  Don't know that it will happen this year, but Animal Kingdom had a helluva a finishing kick.

I hate the fact we seemingly get more pregame than the Super Bowl for a two minute race.  And I never understood lumping horses in with human athletes.  I can remember the end of the millennium countdowns where Secretariat was listed as the 37th best athlete of the century.  Huh?  These horses are BRED to race, they're born to race.  I'm sure there will be breeding for human athletes in the future when we have flying cars, but until.......   

I think John Gregory is done with the Barnstormers.  Nothing on him, some of their losses have been tough luck.  But when management gives you the "vote of confidence" and demands a quick turnaround, 71-57 in the L column won't do it.

I thought Todd Wellemeyer was done on Thursday after getting tattooed in his first outing.  Saturday he made it official.  Not a bad career at all.  Probably wishes he'd retired AFTER winning the World Series ring last year.

I think the Lakers are beyond David Stern's help now.

The first round of the NHL playoffs were great, but the second round has been a buzzkill.  Pretty much every series has been out of hand quick.

A friendly reminder boys and girls on behalf of Chris, remember to thoroughly wash and rinse your hands after eating, using the can, or picking your nose.  Keep it classy Des Moines.

Great Day

Beautiful day for baseball in Des Moines Thursday. Cade's teacher, Mrs. Enloe, gave me the green light for some father/son bonding at Principal Park. The sun was out, the crowd excited, and no one noticed how badly the home team was beaten. Cade scored a batting helmet full of Dippin' Dots---though I wanted the nachos---and a foul ball. That's a good day. For both of us...

I can't fully explain why I feel so happy at the ballpark, but I do. Maybe it's as simple as feeling like a kid again...

Stern's Nervous, Iowa's Mt. Rushmore, Maxim 100

The Lakers lose the first two games at home. This is great news for those who want to see someone else win the title, bad news for the NBA. Lakers=ratings. David Stern may make the Mavericks play with four in the next two games...

Great to hear television icon Michael J. Fox will return for the Principal Charity Classic Pro-Am. Fox gives clinics in comic timing---even with Parkinson's...

On the Murph & Andy Show Wednesday, we asked our listeners to help us decide Iowa's Mt. Rushmore of sports. Candidates didn't have to be born in Iowa, just thought of as Iowans (e.g. Fred Hoiberg, born in Nebraska, known as an Iowa guy). We decided on: Bob Feller, Dan Gable, Nile Kinnick, and Kurt Warner. There were many passionate suggestions, but no one convinced us to knock one of the previous guys off the mountain. There's not much diversity---four white guys---which also makes it like Mt. Rushmore. Our top female was four-time Olympic medalist Shawn Johnson. The most frequently mentioned African-American was Jack Trice...

As I type, the Red Sox just rallied to tie the Angels in the bottom of the 9th at Fenway. It's 1:20 a.m. in Boston after a long rain delay. To quote Roy Hobbs, "God, I love baseball"...


Feds ask NCAA "why  no football playoff?" I know we got Bin Laden, but let's go to work on bringing our troops home, the economy, gas prices, or something else more important than football...

After last night's blog, livingbig wants to know why I mentioned the Maxim Hot 100 list http://www.maxim.com/amg/GIRLS/Articles/2011+Hot+100, says it seems like it's out of place. Out of place? Everything in these random collection of scatter shot thoughts doesn't really belong to any theme. It's just a stream of consciousness. I hope you find something to enjoy each day. Not all are for everybody... (Minka Kelly represents my favorite show, the soon departing, and criminally under-watched Friday Night Lights)


Thanks for stopping by...

The Voice, The Pitcher, The President

My favorite tweet of Tuesday comes from 6 foot 6, 300 pound ISU offensive tackle Zach Spears: @Zacklopedia: Been waiting for The Voice since the second it got over last week! I like The Voice too. NBC desperately needs a big hit. The Voice is it...

Andre Ethier just passed the halfway point to Joe Dimaggio. 29 and counting...

Francisco Liriano goes from possible demotion to no-hitter. Liriano didn't seem to have no-hit stuff, but the White Sox couldn't have been more helpful, and a no-hitter it is. Good, maybe Twins fans will cheer up...

Once we learned former Indianola basketball star, and Cyclone walk-on, John Lamb had already left the ISU basketball team, his Monday drug arrest became a near non-story (except to Lamb, his friends, and family, of course)...

The Heat were a lot more fun when they seemed like a dysfunctional mess...

I enjoyed Chris Hassel's story on all the screaming kids at the Character Counts rally. It really will make your ears bleed. In a good way...

57 million Americans watched President Obama announced that the U-S military hunted down and killed Osama Bin Laden. 57 million Americans after 10 p.m. on a Sunday. For perspective, that's half the Super Bowl audience, which is the record...

Maxim just released its Hot 100 list. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is #1. I don't know who that is. But here's a picture:

Bulls Flop, Early Exit, Hassel Facial

Pulling into the driveway after the 10 p.m. news, friends I haven't seen in a lonnnng time call from El Bait Shop, their wives are seeing Mama Mia, please come by for just one. Can't say no to that. The older you get the harder it is to catch up. Glad I turned around. And I did have just one...

Memo to all Iowa State assistant coaches: If you have more than one, call a cab, a friend, or walk. Two OWI's in a week is two too many. Enough...

The Bulls bring Jim Cornelison, Blackhawks National Anthem singer, to raise the roof before game 1 of the Eastern conference semifinals, and it works. Until the game starts. Then the Hawks just shoot the lights out and show it's going to be a series. Plus, MVP Derrick Rose hurt his ankle again. Uh-oh...

The Lakers blow a 16 point lead to the Mavericks. The Mavs! Now, the Lakers will win eventually, but LA just doesn't seem interested in making any series easy...

Ratings for the NBA playoffs are WAY up...

Had a great time with the family at the Barnstormers game Saturday, but it's the first time I've ever seen the fans head for the exits early...

My son, Cade, pitched his first baseball game Sunday. He did his best, but I aged at least a year...

New addition to the SoundOFF set: "Everybody say Coot-uh!"


I arranged to have Andy "punked" on our radio show Monday by having Bella Salon and Spa show up to give Andy a facial. Andy didn't make it to work, so Hassel had to suffer the prank. Only he didn't suffer. He LOVED it. I think he's turning metrosexual:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6uUVxDG7UI

Ten Years Later, Justice is Served

(Zach)

I basically had this blog all laid out at 9:30.  Plenty of sports topics, some mundane, some thought provoking, but in the scope of things, nothing that important.  Every now and then the real world shakes us from the out of the toy department that is the sports world.  It seems like it isn't that often we get GOOD NEWS.....

Osama Bin Laden is dead.  My first emotion, after the sudden shock had worn off, is the one I get when I see my favorite team hit a walkoff homer, a buzzer beater, or a field goal in overtime.  Multiplied by about a billion.  This is the ultimate win, one that will last, I hope for a while.

Then it hit me.....ten years.  The memories of that day, of watching the towers fall, of the fear and terror.  It made me want to cry.  It will never bring back those lost, but it is a reminder to never forget.

And then to see the unity.  If there was one good thing that came out of the nightmare of 9-11, it was the brief moment where everyone dropped their differences and came together.  We'll always be a country with divisions, but to see people react to this news, to see the people celebrating at the White House, it felt like we had that unity again, for however long it may last......

Evil will go on, and people will always try to attack the life and liberty of this country and the world.  That won't change.  But today is a reminder that justice, no matter how long it takes, is always served.

I'm sure the political spin will begin in full force and we'll hear who gets credit.  First and foremost-our fighting forces and the people who, for ten years, have worked tirelessly to bring in this man.  Since 9-11 the noose has been closing slowly but surely.  I personally thought Bin Laden would probably turn up dead in some cave in Afghanistan, resources exhausted.  That he was killed at the hands of an American team of soldiers, and that none of them perished as well, make the symbolism and importance of this that much more impactful.

A special shout out to some of the callers on SoundOFF, which included a few current and former members of our armed forces.  I thought it was a stirring, poignant, and funny piece of television at the same time, and I think we were lucky to get a chance to broadcast on this kind of night.

Tomorrow this blog will go back to the victories and losses in the sports world.  Tonight we celebrate the victory of our country.  Thank you to our troops, thank you to those helped make this victory possible, and God Bless the USA.