Since last year, iBerkshires.com has enjoyed working with ESPN Radio personality and motivational speaker Wayne Soares. His weekly Sports Rap column has been a great addition to the iBerkshires.com community website. We'd like to thank Wayne for sharing his insight and humor with us, and wish him the best in his new endeavors.
One of the most used phrases in the history of our English language: "All good things must come to an end." So it is with a heavy heart that I sadly convey to all of you Sports Rap readers, that this is my last column.
Being a public speaker has afforded me the opportunity to be recognized at wonderful levels of the corporate, college and high school levels. So, quite frankly, I would have to be nuts to refuse a recent two-year deal with a national company who would like me to tour the country and present my message to a variety of entities. Enough said, I am paid to write about sports this week and that's what I plan to do!
Spring training is here and with the weather that we've been having, it's enough to get every member of Red Sox Nation pumped (even if our rotation/pen doesn't match up with the likes of Clemens, Pettite, Wells, Mussina, Contreras, Hitchcock and Weaver). How the Sox will fare this year will obviously depend on Pedro, Lowe, Wakefield, Fossum, and Burkett. Doesn't sound like much but remember that this club won 93 games last year and lost Nomar and Manny for considerable amounts of time. Put me on the record, the Red Sox WILL re-sign Pedro Martinez before the end of spring training.
I do like Theo Epstein's off-season acquisitions of Todd Walker, Ramiro Mendoza, Mike Timlin, David Ortiz, and Kevin Millar. I think the latter is the perfect player (on the field and in the clubhouse) to complement this team. I am not sold on Jeremy Giambi or Bill Meuller. However, I do think Giambi can contribute offensively, if given enough plate appearances. I hate to say it ladies & gentleman, but after having not won a World Series in two years, and being led by The Most Powerful Man in Sports, The Yankees again are the team to beat in the American League East.
In an era of high competition, athleticism and male chauvinism, how refreshing is the current streak of the UCONN Women's hoop team?
Amateurish behavior
Are you sick and tired of hearing about LeBron James and his amateur status? All the people that claim to be in his "posse" should stop smiling at the cameras and start advising this kid. I still have no idea what the hell LJ's coach Dru Joyce has done to help matters. A high school coach (especially in this situation) should be a mentor and provide direction. Ray Charles could have written a better road map for James.
It seems Texas Tech coach Bobby Knight has been doing some post game substitutions lately, sending his son Pat to news conferences instead of going himself. The General's explanation is that the younger Knight needs some hands-on experience in dealing with the media. Because when it comes to being mean, vicious, condescending and egotistical, you can only learn so much from watching your dad on TV.
Whether you like him for the job he did in Boston or not. You have to admit that Rick Pittino can coach in college. Pittino has turned the Louisville Cardinals program around with the help of senior point guard Reece Gaines. At the end of last week, the Cardinals were No. 2 in the nation. Imagine what Pittino will do when he has his own recruits on the parquet?
How can the NBA continue to put up with the likes of Indiana's Ron Artest? This guy gives new meaning to the word time bomb and should be dealt with severely. Come to think of it, look who Artest plays for. The late-great Celtic's voice Johnny Most would be having a field day with Artest and "The Prophet" coaching on the sidelines.
After 14 major league seasons, outfielder David Justice is calling it quits. A three-time All-Star, Justice cited his decision as a "diminished desire to play." He finishes his career with two World Series rings, 305 home runs, 1017 RBI's and a .279 batting average - .283 if you count the hits he had on Halle Berry when they were married.
Umpire John Hirschbeck was suspended 10 days for using "salty" language in a conversation with a ML executive recently. Several weeks ago, fellow ump Bruce Froemming was fined and suspended by execs for using an ethnic slur against the umpire's Schedule Coordinator (a woman). Looks as if they'll be car pooling to sensitivity training together.
He cries, he sulks, he plays erratically, he doesn't show up and he costs a lot. It's not a new toy from Hasbro, it's the Vin Baker doll that the Boston Celtics purchased. Thank you Paul Gaston. You were as much help to this franchise as France and Germany have been to the United States of America in our recent crisis.
Beat LA?
I have had faith in the LA Lakers all along. You don't win three consecutive championships and then fall off the face of the earth with two of the best players in the game in their prime. The Lakers are hitting stride in the second half of the season and did not panic when they were playing badly at the beginning of the season. I don't think they'll win another ring but I do think they will be in the finals at the end.
Ever make toast in the bathtub? That's what I think will happen with the Bill Parcells - Jerry Jones relationship. However, I do think that they will forge a good working relationship to restore the Cowboys to prominence. Both Parcells and Jones have huge egos and neither gentleman wants to have the letter L affixed to his forehead in this marriage.
The Bruins will be great only if they can acquire three more Joe Thornton's. Hats off to Detroit's Brett Hull for scoring his 700th goal last week and, also, for evoking memories of the great Howard Cosell. Hull, was simply, "telling it like it is" in his interview with Sports Illustrated this week, calling NHL Owners "Neanderthals" and players, "way overpaid." Hey BH, keep shootin!!
Howaad Cosell
Speaking of The Mouth That Roared, I'm reminded of a great story Al Michaels told at a recent Radio & TV Awards banquet in New York involving Howaad. After completing a Monday Night Football telecast in Philadelphia, both Cosell and Michaels headed back to the hotel in their chauffeur-driven limousine (Howard was already into his post game martinis). After taking a short cut on a side street the limo driver was alarmed to see a fight between two youths, surrounded by a crowd of 10-15 teenagers.
After screeching to a halt, Cosell became annoyed at the driver's insistence that everyone "lock the doors and stay in the car." Feeling the vibrant effects of Smirnoff he gets out of the limo with his yellow ABC Sports jacket and a horrified Michaels looking on. Cosell approaches the two figures as the small crowd can't believe their eyes. After pausing dramatically, Cosell finally exclaims in perfect Cosellian dialect. "It is in unequivocal fashion that I point out to you, as the aggressor of this banal and barbaric display.....you are of considerable and immense proportions.....seemingly, dwarfing your opponent, in a David vs Goliath scenario. Therefore, my young man, I would like to impress upon you to show the courage and to show empathy.....display the intestinal fortitude on what this great country was founded on and shake this man's hand and end this debacle."
The awestruck youth slowly extended his hand and Cosell bellowed, "Ali and Frazier couldn't have shown more class." He proceeds to get back into the limo, look at an equally aghast Michaels and say, "Al-a-rooh, baby......just another day in the City of Brotherly Love."
So Long, MJ
I am so happy to see Michael Jordan calling it quits. Although he showed flashes of brilliance in his final All-Star game, there were times when he played like Vernon Jordan. To date, he is the best player to ever put on a pair of sneakers. He has done wonders for the game of basketball and his impact has been invaluable. If anyone deserves a platform of praise and respect to go out on it is MJ. I now hope he shows everyone in the world what a great basketball executive he can be.
As far as kudos go, I would like to thank the wonderful people at Boxcar Media for providing me with a superb media outlet to voice my opinions on a weekly basis (especially Rob and Anthony). I would be remiss if I did not convey my sincere and heartfelt thanks to OA. A person who constantly ducks the limelight, his guidance and most importantly, friendship, has been wonderful. Lastly, I would like to thank the readers of my column. I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I've enjoyed writing.
Best wishes for a safe, healthy and successful 2003.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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