Having a Ball- The Baseball Hall of Fame in between Naps

A quick wrap up of Major Sporting Events from the past week and my opinions on a specific topic in the Sports World.


I was thinking over the weekend that this is a really slow time in the sports world. But don’t take my word for it; check out the Home Page of any major sports Website. Major League Baseball is entering the “Dog Days” of the season. The NFL is a week away from starting up Training Camps. Golf is pretty non-existent until the PGA Championship next month. There were a few events in some of the minor sports and we’ll be able to review them since things are so slow.

One event that did occur over the weekend was this years Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Unless one of your favorite major league rs is being inducted, most pass on this riveting event. That being said, every time this event rolls around, it sparks a big debate on one person who many believe should be inducted, but hasn’t. Pete Rose. This week I’ve chosen to share my thoughts on the big question. Should Pete Rose be inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame?

But first, a quick Sports Wrap up…

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

While many teams are positioning themselves for a playoff run, most of the talk is on Free Agency. The St Louis Cardinals acquired Outfielder Matt Holliday from the Colorado Rockies, which seems like a great move. Since the move, the Cardinal’s have lost 2 of 3 and fallen out of first place heading into a tough series with LA Dodgers who have the best record in Baseball.
Everybody is talking about the Toronto Blue Jays Pitcher Roy Halladay being traded.. The top contenders are the Philadelphia Phillies, LA Angels, LA Dodgers, and Texas Rangers. I’ve heard a lot of talk that the Red Sox and Yankees were in the mix. I think this is a fantasy, generated by fans of these two clubs. There is no way the Blue Jays would trade their best player to a team in the same division. It will never happen!

Taking Charge

LA DODGERS -
Still poses the best record in Baseball and have a 9 Game lead in their division. However they are playing .500 for the last couple of weeks. They are playing like they are bored.

NY YANKEES-
Have been on fire for a month. Still only 2.5 games ahead of the RED SOX but if this play continues, they will take complete control. Many road games coming up, We’ll see.


PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES-

Have quietly taken a 7 game lead in their division. Right where they were last year. In one of the weakest divisions in baseball they should be set for playoffs.

LA ANGELS

Have won 12 of 14 and taken a 4 game lead in their division. This all happening, with 2 of their best hitters on the bench. The lead should grow as the season wears on and they get healthy. Count on them to be back in the playoffs.


On the Edge

EVERYBODY IN THE CENTRAL DIVISION OF BOTH LEAGUES
Except Cleveland, Kansas City, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh

Both divisions are going to be great to watch down the stretch.

TEXAS RANGERS-
Won’t go away. Have given a little ground to the Angels over the past couple weeks. Is the annual nosedive around the corner?

BOSTON RED SOX.-
Can beat the Yankees. Solid Team, but they better be careful , the Wild Card is no Guarantee this year


TAMPA BAY RAYS-
Still a solid shot at making it back , but need to win within their division.


CHICAGO CUBS-
This was a tough one. They are only a ½ game up as I write this. However, they have climbed back in it and are playing the best baseball in the division. Remember, this team held the best record in the NL last year.

COLORADO ROCKIES-
2 and 3 since the Holliday Trade. Lead the Wild Card race, and their competition is in their division… San Francisco. Have been very good since Tracy took over.

SAN FRANCISCO-
Still hanging on but really dropping. Have the best 1-2 punch in baseball starting pitching. Need a bat, but if they can hang on and make the playoffs anything can happen with that pitching.



Season Over

EVERYBODY ELSE



NFL
This is the week Bret Favre gives his announcement on whether he will be returning from retirement, to play for the Minnesota Vikings, Right????? Riiiiiight……….


NASCAR

I heard Jimmy Johnson won the All State 400 at Indianapolis. OK here is the thing. NASCAR promotes itself as the people’s “sport”. They say that’s why it’s so popular, everybody can relate. Recently there has been a big decline in the popularity of the “sport”. They are losing sponsors left and right and I’m sure the economy has something to do with that.

They need to contract a little just like every other franchise that goes through tough times. They race something like 44 weeks out of the year for crying out loud.

I can’t relate.

Here is a great idea to get more viewers. Instead of having the cars drive around in circles, have them race city to city. Maybe have them drive 10 laps around the track when they get there to finish. Every time they need to change tires, they actually have to pull into a service garage. Get out, sit in a smelly waiting room. Be forced to eat a stale doughnut and a bad cup of coffee. Wait two hours and then pay $500 out of their own pocket, on the spot. Same goes for gas! Every time they fill up, they got to get out and pay at the pump with their own credit card. And if any part breaks on the car, they got to order the parts and wait for a teenage kid to deliver it in a pick up truck.

It could be like a Soap Opera for guys. “As the Wheels Turn”

In this weeks episode, Tony Stewart has a melt down as he is told his car won’t be ready for 2 more days and is forced to drive loaner car.

Or…. Jeff Gordon refuses to stop for gas even though he is almost on empty, hoping he’ll find a better price up the street.
Now that’s something I can relate to..

TOUR DE FRANCE

Alberto Contador won the Tour de France over the weekend. This is his second in a row. I know these guys are tremendous athletes, and I don’t want to take anything away from them, but I think we need to rethink following this event as a sport. I mean the guy rode most of the last leg of the event not only carrying, but drinking a huge bottle of Champagne. That’s illegal in most countries, isn’t it?



WNBA

Please……



PETE ROSE AND THE HALL OF FAME


Every year I go back and forth on the issue of whether Pete Rose should be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Pete Rose was a dominant Player when I was growing up. When he played for the Cincinnati Reds, I was a huge Dodgers fan. The two teams were big rivals, and I had a chance to see him play in person a number of times.

It wasn’t until I got older, that I realized what I was fortunate to have seen, one of the best players to have ever put on a uniform in the history of baseball.

Here is a look at some of his accomplishments:


More Hits than any player in the history of Baseball- 4256
More Times on Base than any player in the history of Baseball – 5929
More Games Played than any player in the History of Baseball – 3560
17 All-Star Games
World Series MVP
Rookie of the Year
2 Gold Gloves
2nd All Time in Doubles
6th All time in Runs Scored

Pete Rose is Baseball.

The reason Pete Rose is not in the Hall of Fame is that he has been accused of and later admitted to betting on Baseball. Although the actual betting was legal, ever since the Black Sox scandal in 1919 this offense has carried with it a life time ban from Baseball.

This decision was made to protect the integrity of the game. In 1919, players from the Chicago White Sox ( The best team in the league hands down) fixed the World Series and threw 3 games to Cincinnati. The White Sox shockingly lost the series. Although never convicted, 8 players from the team, including Shoeless Joe Jackson were banned from Baseball for life. Like Pete Rose, Joe Jackson has always been considered one of the best players to have ever played. It has never really been proven that Joe Jackson did anything to throw a game or even a single play, but he is still suspended today.

There are differences between the Black sox scandal and the issue with Pete Rose. The first is that Pete Rose was not a player at the time. He had already retired and became manager of the Cincinnati Reds. The Black sox scandal involved actual players.

The second is that he never bet on his team to lose. He always bet on his team to win. The players involved in the Black Sox scandal purposely lost to collect money on the side.

I understand that even betting on your team to win could somehow adversely effect your teams performance in other games, but there is still a big difference in betting to win or betting to lose.

I think in order to look at this logically we need to look at the playing career of Pete Rose. We need to judge him on that alone. It’s what he did on the field that made him one of the best, and is what should be honored. Lets face it, he was a horrible manager and would never be recognized for his managerial accomplishments anyway.

I hated Pete Rose when he was a player…. because he was so good. And, because he was so good, it’s why I’m rooting for him now. He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.


The Commissioner of Baseball, Bud Selig has recently been contemplating reinstating Pete Rose, making him eligible for induction to the Hall of Fame. He’s prevented this for 20 years because he says it would hurt the integrity of the game. But what hurts Baseball more? Pete Rose not being in the Hall of Fame? Or me not being able to share memories of the greatest player I ever saw take the field with my 5 year old son?

We’ve already erased 10 years of the game because of the steroid scandals. Lets not lose another 20.

Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame.

In Search of American Cuisine - Texas

Whenever I think of Texas I think of Barbecue. However to be fair to Missouri, Tennessee, and North Carolina, I don’t think I could dedicate Barbecue to Texas. I’ll choose to dedicate a week to Barbecue, using recipes from all these states in the coming weeks.

I have spent of 12 years of my life in Texas. I was born in San Antonio. With all my time there I have been able to spend time in many different cities of the state. Besides Barbecue there are a few foods that are prominent throughout the state. There is one food that everybody has enjoy, no matter where you live. There are thousands of versions, and everybody thinks they prepare it the best. That’s probably why is it is such a staple of American Cuisine.

This food is so popular that it is the Official State food of Texas. How could I not dedicate this Food to Texas? We are talking of course of…

CHILI

Sorry Cincinnati, Ohio…. It's no Contest.

When we try to look back at the origins of Chili, things get a little confusing. One thing we are pretty sure of is that it did not originate in Mexico. The reason we are confident of this, is that it is not there today. This heritage has not changed their food culture over the centuries, so its doubtful that it originated here.

There are legends that it originated in Spain in the 17th century using Venison. There is another story that it originated when families emigrated from the Canary Islands to colonize what is now known as San Antonio in the 18th Century.

Many believe it originated around 1850 by Texan Cowboys on Trails to and From California. I choose to follow this legend. It mean come on!! What do you think of when you think of Texas? Cowboys and Cattle out on the trail!! Right?? Yep, I’m sticking with this Legend.

So what’s in Chili?? Well , its a lot of good stuff mixed together. As mentioned there are many different recipes. But there are 3 main ingredients. Meat, Tomatoes, and Peppers. After that it’s up to you and your taste.
I chose a recipe that I’ve used for years and cook often. I try to incorporate the ingredients that are popular in most Texas Chili recipes. My recipe does not include beans, but DON’T let anybody tell you that real Chili doesn’t have beans. There are fabulous Chili recipes that have beans as an ingredient, just not this one.

In the interest of time I use Dried and Canned Spices. Obviously the use of fresh peppers and tomatoes can’t hurt , but to be honest the flavor really doesn’t change much so we’re going with this option.

RECIPE

3 Pounds Sirloin or Round Steak cut into ½ inch pieces
( Round Steak is a little less expensive but tastes fabulous in Chili)
2 - 28oz Cans Crushed Tomatoes with Juice
1 – Can Tomato Paste
2 – 4oz Cans Diced Green Chilies
1 – 4oz Can Diced Jalapeños (Optional)
5 Teaspoons Minced Garlic( 5-7 Cloves)
2 Teaspoons Chopped Dry Oregano
1 Teaspoon Onion Powder
3 Tablespoons Chili Powder
2 Tablespoons Ground Cumin
2 Teaspoons Salt
2 Tablespoons Ground Pepper
1 Cup Chicken Stock
1 Bottle Premium Beer
1 Teaspoon Masa
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

All of the Chile spices are in the Chili Powder , however to add a bit of texture I prefer to add the Green Chilies as well. These chilies are mild in flavor but really do enhance the dish.

Cooking

Chop Steak into ½ inch pieces. ( Most Meat departments have Steak already chopped and Prepackaged. If you can find this, get it. It saves so much time.)

Heat a Cast Iron Skillet to Med High Heat. Add Tablespoon of Olive Oil. Add meat and season with 1 Teaspoon of Salt. Cook meat until browned.

Remove Browned Meat into Dutch Oven or Large Cooking Pot.
Add Garlic to Skillet and cook until Garlic starts to turn Brown
Remove Garlic from Skillet to Cooking Pot along with all Juices.

Heat Stove Top to Low and add the following ingredients to Cooking Pot in this order.

Green Chilies ( For more heat, you can substitute 1 can of Jalapeños for 1 can of Green Chilies)
Oregano
Onion Powder
1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
Salt and Pepper
Stir and add Crushed Tomatoes
Stir in Tomato Paste
Chicken Stock
Bottled Beer ( Choose one you like , NO LIGHT BEER! )


Cover and Cook for 45 Min. stirring occasionally.

After 45 Minutes remove cover and Stir in Cumin and Remaining Chili powder

Cover and Cook for another 30 min. After 30 Min add Masa to thicken if desired and heat uncovered for a few minutes.

Your Chili is now ready.

Makes 6 –8 Servings.


If you have a recipe for Chili that you would like to share , please send it and I will post. Be sure to vote on this weeks selection in the upper left hand corner of this page.

Next week......We go to the North East.

Hot topic - Health Care Reform

The big topic this week in our country is Health Care Reform.

This has been a hot debate. You can't go anywhere or talk to anybody that doesn't have an Opinion.

So what is Health Care Reform?

The President, Congress, insurance companies, providers, and health care consumers like you are all talking about it. But the simple answer to "what is health care reform" is, well, there's no simple answer. But whatever the answer is, it's likely to have a profound effect on many Americans.

It would be nice to explain in a simple way Health Care Reform. But we can't. Our Health Care System has a lot of parts. It isn't really a system at all. There are Private Payers , Government Payers, and private providers. Its full of Holes and Gaps . With all this, 46 Million people in this country are not insured at all.

Before we dive in I would like to make a few observations I've seen over the past year or so concerning this topic.

A wise person once said "Never discuss Religion or Politics in an open setting". The reason I bring this up is that this issue has become completely Political. I've been really struggling with why this is. It would be a good bet , that your view on this topic would be right in line with your political affiliation. Sure there are exceptions to the rule, but in general this is what I have observed.

Folks we are talking about fixing a huge problem in our country. Its unbelievable to think that there are people out there who will say anything to make sure we have no changes. I wonder why that is?

So just as a refresher, here is what we are dealing with, and what we are trying to change.

46 Million Americans don't have any type of Health Insurance at all. So if they get sick or Injured, they have to pay cash or even worse , go without treatment.

30% of every Dollar Americans spend on Health Care is wasted on Unneeded tests, Emergency Room visits that aren't really emergencies, and care that just doesn't improve Health.

Americans spend more on Health Care than any other Nation, but it doesn't make us healthier, and we don't live longer.

We take care of Illness, but we do little to promote Health.

I think we all would agree that we would like to change these issues.

But how?

Government is looking many options.

One option is to guarantee that anyone can get insurance regardless of their health, even those with pre- existing conditions.

There is another option that goes even farther. It would REQUIRE that everyone has coverage.
The first question that comes to mind is why would we want this option? This would be so that people wouldn't wait until they are sick until they apply for coverage. If that happened we would only be insuring the sick , and that would raise the cost for everyone and defeats the whole purpose of Health Insurance. Insurance works because everybody contributes, which in turn, spreads out the costs.

Another idea is to let people choose between a Government plan like the one Government employees have today, or private plan. Choose whats right for you.

One idea is to start over. Let the Government administer Health Care like it does the Post office and Education System.

Whatever is decided the Government will have to help some Americans to pay for coverage. That means that it will come with a price tag for tax payers.

So the real question is how do we make Health Care less expensive.

Technology- Make the industry more efficient. Making medical records electronic , which would reduce paperwork.

Pay Doctors and Hospitals for "Quality of Care" instead of Quantity. This ensures patients pay for the right care at the right time.

Taking a more preventable approach to Health Care. This includes exercise, eating well and education. An astonishing 70% of Health costs today are from preventable chronic diseases.

You see its NOT about Nationalizing Health Care!!

Its about fixing a broken segment of our country.

We do this to strengthen our Nation. To invest in our children's future, and to make our society stronger.

We have all paid taxes for our public school system for as long as we can remember. We do this for the same argument. My children happen to go to a private school , but I have never had a thought of not paying taxes for education to better our society , just because I don't happen to use the system.

This isn't political . Its just common sense....

I look forward to your thoughts !

Hot Topic of the Week is Posted every Wed.

*Some Statistics and Excerpts used in today's Blog are from staysmartstayhealthy.com