Ralph Whitbeck - Blog - Sports

It's October - that means it's playoff time

Ralph Whitbeck — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:47:50 GMT

Warning! The following blog post is non-technical.

It's October and that means it's just about time for the Major League Baseball Playoffs to begin. This year is particularly exciting for me since the New York Yankees are going into October on fire. Their first opponent? The Boston Red Sox! Great way to start things off.

Flickr posted a bunch of old photo's of playoff past and posted the following photo:

It's such a great photo provided by the Library of Congress. During a game on July 6, 1924, Babe Ruth collided with the wall as he went for a foul ball. He was knocked out and was unconscious for five minutes.

There is just so much going on, you need to look at it for a while just to take it all in. Obviously you have ruth sprawled out on his back with what I assume both team doctors attending to him. One doctor is got a wet clothe on Ruth's face. I would assume he got the clothe from the Coke vendor who is kneeling down with them and has his basket of coke sitting on the bullpen's bench.

Now look at the wall he crashed into. It's solid concrete, no padding what-so-ever. No wonder he was knocked out. And look how much room there isn't for foul territory. He must of been hauling it to try make a play that was apparently borderline fair/foul.

Now let's look at the crowd. Apparently, the right field corner was designated for color folks. I can only see three white guys in the stands. Plus everyone is dressed in a tie and straw hats. Just goes to show it was certainly a different time back then.

There is so much that's different culturally for a game that hasn't really changed much since then. What do you like about this picture?

Tradition: Superbowl Sushi

Ralph Whitbeck — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:30:27 GMT

SuperBowl, for me, is one of the biggest nights of the year for sushi. For the past 10 years or so I usually buy a tray of sushi for SuperBowl and bring it to whoever is hosting. I usually educate people about sushi and get people who are normally afraid of sushi to try it when it's free for them.

This year though I made my own sushi. I made five different types of rolls. A Crab Salad roll (sometimes called classic California Roll), California Roll, a Italian Roll (Pesto, Spinach, Portabello mushrooms and Salmon [raw]), Philadelphia Roll and my famous SuperBowl Roll (Chicken Wing meat and Blue Cheese).

In total, I made 21 rolls in two and a half hours, that's 168 pieces. Needless to say it turned out awesome.

Notice how I made the Wasabi to look like a football it even had the rice laces. I even bought a wooden tray that had a football field painted on the bottom.

I really had fun with this, even though it was a lot of work. The reaction I got though was well worth the trouble.

Hope you enjoy!

NHL: Big shake up this morning in Philly

Ralph Whitbeck — Sun, 22 Oct 2006 16:57:48 GMT

The Flyers General Manager Bob Clarke resigned this morning stating he was “burned out” and coach Ken Hitchcock was fired.

It's about time. This is what should of happened after the end of last season. But now we're eight games into the season and you can argue that the season is shot for the Flyers. With new coaches and young talent coming in it'll be awhile before they hit their stride. By that time they may be to far behind to make the playoffs.

Personally, I don't like Hitchcock, of course I am bias he and his Dallas Star defeated the Sabres in '99 for the Stanley Cup. But like I stated earlier this week he's geared towards the old NHL and hasn't or doesn't want to change for the new NHL that is geared for speed. His Flyers are too slow and not quick enough. Opponents are just going right around them and getting scoring chances and the defense isn't quick enough to get down the ice to score a goal.

This is just the start with the three players waived last week and the coach fired see some trades happening to get some speed in Philly.

Not to brag or anything, ok I am bragging, the Sabres are 8-0 after beating the Hurricanes on Friday and the Bruins on Saturday.

Related News:
Flyers GM Clarke resigns; Hitchcock Fired
NHL: The Philadelphia Flyers need to shake things up
Sabres stay unbeaten, match their best start

NHL: Sabres Jerseys Number One Seller

Ralph Whitbeck — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 15:09:04 GMT

The NHL on Tuesday announced that Buffalo Sabres new jerseys are the number one seller on NHL.com since the Sabres unveiled their new logo in September 16, 2006. Sales accounted for 10% of NHL.com’s total sales during that period.

Sabres jersey sales are up 900% from the same period last year.

OK I just don’t get it. Do people really like the slug? Or are they just supporting the team? I am sure the look will “grow” on people. I particularly love the “new” alternate jerseys, which are the old 1970’s blue and gold jerseys. Of course they aren’t selling those jerseys on NHL.com.

My theory is that it’s just the diehard fans all bombarding the store at the same time to get the new digs and sales will flat line after the initial rush.

I wouldn’t mind though, a Sabres hat ;)

Related Links:
Sabres New Jersey a Hot Item
Buffalo Sabres Jerseys on NHL.com

NHL: The Philadelphia Flyers need to shake things up

Ralph Whitbeck — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 18:32:37 GMT

The Buffalo Sabres are 6-0 after beating the Flyers on Tuesday 9-1. You would think after getting embarrassed by Buffalo last year in the playoffs the Flyers would have made massive changes over the summer just to compete.

I was surprised to see over the summer that they didn’t do anything. They kept their coach, even extending his contract by three years, Ken Hitchcock, who arguably is stuck in the old NHL of the pound and grind your way to victory. They are still relying heavily on Peter Forsberg who had to have ankle surgery over the summer. Thank god for the Flyers that he only needed surgery on one ankle cause if he needed it on both they were saying he’d be out till January.

Then there is their pitiful goal-tending. Here’s a team that could use a new starting goal tender. As much as I love Marty Biron of the Buffalo Sabres, he could possibly save this team some face this year if the teams could work out a deal. But the clincher is the feud that Hitchcock is having Robert Esche. Esche apparently said his coach has an empty head. Well guess who didn’t pull their goalie during the 9-1 route? Guess it was a lesson in humility Hitchcock was teaching Esche.

Well as if the GM’s in Philly finally woke up and they started making some changes yesterday. They put Petr Nedved, Niko Dimitrakos and Nolan Baumgartner on waivers and called up a couple of rookies with some passion from their farm team. It’s a good first start clearing some of their dead weight from the first six games. I still think they need to fire Hitchcock and get someone in there that the players respect cause right now they have no respect of their coach and once the respect is gone there is no fire in the team.

I guess you could say that the Flyers are the last team to figure out that this is the new NHL and they need to adapt to be able to compete.

Related News:
Sabres stay perfect with rout of Flyers (CNNSI)
Philly puts three players on waivers (CNNSI)
Flyers agree to three-year contract with Hitchcock (CNNSI)

*Disclaimer: I am a hardcore Buffalo Sabres fan but I watched intently over the summer expecting massive changes in Philly and now I think they need to really wake up and understand they are going to fail unless something is done.

Here's a better look at the Sabres new logo

Ralph Whitbeck — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 23:58:00 GMT

STILL hate it...no no no I LOATHE IT!!

Buffalo Sabres unveil new jersey's

Ralph Whitbeck — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 23:38:58 GMT

Um wtf???

"I think fans like the jersey, but they really love the team," Sabres managing partner Larry Quinn said.

Ah...no, no we don't...they are hideous and don't have any of the former Sabres feel. They remind me of the Atlanta Thrashers jersey's.

The new jersey's should of been last years red alternate jersey's.

Although the only cool thing you did was bring back the 1970's jersey as the new alternate jersey but ffs bring back the old jerseys and don't start the season with this debachery.

Since when has Reebok and Nike become experts on designing jersey's and logos. This is the second team I have seen a sneaker company ruin a jersey/logo.

Check out this hole in one

Ralph Whitbeck — Sun, 04 Jun 2006 15:53:34 GMT

Sabres lose game 7 to Carolina

Ralph Whitbeck — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 13:34:42 GMT

At least it was a fantastic series. But now the season is done. Carolina and Edmonton for the Cup now.

And I will shock people by saying GO CAROLINA!!!! I don't want that suck ass bastard Micheal Peca to get his greedy hands on the cup.

Sabres Beat the Senators

Ralph Whitbeck — Sun, 14 May 2006 05:13:07 GMT

Click here to listen to Rick Jennerette call the OT goal

Opening day of little league

Ralph Whitbeck — Sat, 06 May 2006 20:53:04 GMT

Man why every year....no matter that it was 70-80 all week long...today was rainy, cold, wet, windy and downright miserable for the kids first game.

Every year same thing.

I think they had fun though. It's fun to watch the little kids and Brandon moved up a league this year and I am just blown away at the level they play at now. Brandon won his game 8-6.

Here are some pictures from my Jordan's game today.

Sabres Take one from the Ottawa Senators in OT

Ralph Whitbeck — Sat, 06 May 2006 20:40:36 GMT

I called it before the game...this series is going to be awesome. You have two evenly matched teams. Speed, goaltending, offense, defense. I have to lean on the side of Lindy Ruff for Coaching though....I mean what other coach can coach as long as he has with the same team and build a team based on a hard working team.

Last nights game was one the fans could really enjoy...especially if you are a Sabres fan.

Back and forth, back and forth...three goals in the final three minutes of regulation play to send it into overtime where the Sabres got the game winner 18 seconds in. Such a great game.

Here are the highlights from the game.

CNNSI Blogger says Philly has a chance lynch mob ensues

Ralph Whitbeck — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 01:11:39 GMT

This is great. Mike McAllister of CNNSI writes a blog giving his analysis of all the 0-2 teams that are in the first round right now...one of them being the Flyers that the Buffalo Sabres are totally man-handling right now.

Out of the four teams that are 0-2 and that are half way to golfing right now....the only team he didn't pick to be done and over with...that's right Philly.

Reading through the comments you can see the Buffalo Fans are furious with this prediction. They are frustrated that the national media won't give Buffalo the credit they deserve. They are a top calibar team but you wouldn't know that if you were anyone but a Sabres fan because the media just doesn't want to talk about the Sabres.

Quick links for the hump day

Ralph Whitbeck — Wed, 08 Mar 2006 15:35:34 GMT

Just a couple quick links to start off the day.

30Boxes sets up e-mail and SMS reminders...this was the feature that allowed me to uninstall Sunfire.
Our CEO at BrandLogic, Hampton Bridwell has his second article, The Keys to Revitalizing a Mature Brand, published on Chief Marketer.
CNNSI has an excerpt from a book exposing Barry Bonds for the cheat that he is.
Pictures of Google's Facilities, it's amazing people get anything done over there.
Of course what kind of blog would I be if I didn't link to the latest Origami minitablet pics from CeBit.

Another video of the Autistic basketball player

Ralph Whitbeck — Sun, 26 Feb 2006 19:01:13 GMT

Update: Seems You Tube pulled the CBS video so here is another one.

>

Rochester Basketball Player scores 20 points in final 4 minutes...he's also Autistic

Ralph Whitbeck — Sat, 25 Feb 2006 00:02:16 GMT

My dad called me a work tonight all in a frantic..."you going to be home by 7PM?"

"Probably"

He proceedes to tell me about this report that's going to be on CBS. He said he also saw it on the internet on AOL.

But apparently a Autistic High school senior whose father coaches for Greece Athena High School right here in Rochester, NY had his son on the team getting water managing the equipment and so on. So in the last game of the year he let him dress and sit on the bench. (Update: After reading the article and learning more about the story...the coach was not the kids father...I am leaving it in here though as is as that's the way my father told the story to me.)

With the team up by double digits with four minutes to go he let him in the game to have a shot.

What happened was a miracle. His first couple of shots were airballs but then he caught fire sinking 6 3 pointers in a row.

Here is the complete article be sure to watch the video.

Truly amazing.

Update: I read today that Greece Athena beat Greece Arcadia in the first game of the Section V NY Sectionals Playoffs. 66-42. No doubt Jason had a hand in that victory in some way.

Here is the original local news coverage of the story from WROC Rochester (CBS)

Aparently Universal Studio's has contacted Jason's family about the story.

US and Canada out in Mens Hockey at Winter Olympics

Ralph Whitbeck — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 15:01:54 GMT

So yesterday was the first round (quarterfinals) of the tournament after the round robin play for the last week. US squeaked into the tourney after losing three in a row with help from Kazakstan of all countries.

Canada had a lack luster performance as well, getting the ire of Wayne Gretzky over the weekend.

So why did these teams do so bad? Well here's my opinion and it's probably not going to be popular.

Professional players is what doomed these teams...yep the exact opposite of what you were thinking.

These players haven't played together all year...the last time the practice together was probably back in August before the NHL season started. They are then uplifted from the middle of their season transported between 6-9 timezones over to Italy and expected to perform with horrendous jet lag. Well that was the excuse the media allowed when US tied Latvia the first day.

My opinion is these athletes are honored to play for their countries but playing isn't really first on their list. I mean if they get hurt playing in the Olympics they are out a lot of money when the season starts. It's a high risk for the player and the team that's letting them go over there.

US and Canada probably have the highest number of professional players from the NHL compared to the European's who probably have few on each team. The difference? The difference is because the majority of the team is not professionals they probably have the chance to practice together a lot more before the start.

Team USA should not be a hack team of NHL All stars cause that doesn't seem to work very long...look at Men's Basketball two years ago (they embarrassed us). Team USA should just go back to getting college kids to play for 2010 and create another "Miracle" team that beats the professional teams. Now that is a team I could really rally behind...these professional teams are just boring to me.

Woman's hockey was more exciting to me this year with the huge upset Sweden delivered to Team USA.

Reading the CNNSI Article about Team USA's failures this quote stuck out at me..."The only player who might have made a difference was Ryan Miller, the Buffalo Sabres goalie who had a broken thumb when Waddell was forced to finalize his roster in late December." I totally agree, would it help them advance to the next round? Chances of that are high in my opinion, but to win the gold probably not. At least they could of been more respectable.

CNNSI Highlights The Buffalo Sabres

Ralph Whitbeck — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 17:03:58 GMT

CNNSI is surprised at how well the Buffalo Sabres are doing. I am not. I knew before the lockout that they were a team up and coming. They got a owner that truly cares about the team/sport first and making money second. Tom Golisono is the best owner they have had, ever.

After the lockout as the rest of the league was squeezing inflated salaries into their salary caps the Sabres set a budget of $10 million under the cap. They got rid of Satan and Zhitnik who in my opinion were useless anyways, although they were fan favorites.

It will be nice to have a playoff season again. It's been a few years. The playoffs is were hockey really gets exciting. And if they win the Stanley Cup this year all the better (as long as they call it no goal this time).