Monthly Archives: May 2008

One week and counting

May 22, 20082:15 p.m.

Until New York. And I’m ready. We’re seeing a Mets-Dodgers game on Friday and I’m going to do my best to hook up with Mike Pelfrey, formerly of Wichita State. Pelfrey has struggled with the Mets since he arrived in New York and it’s a strange situation. Any Shockers baseball fan knows this guy has the arm _ and the head _ to be a big league star. Yet’s he’s 2-5 with a 5.00 ERA. In his next start after no-hitting the Washington Nationals for almost seven innings, he was shelled by Atlanta. I want to see what his thinking is and spend some time with him in his home in New York. I hope that will happen.

On to some other things:

American Idol was, overall, a disappointment this year. Too much controversy. The finalists were talented, but not especially likable. It’s just been a strange season. I have no problem with David Cook winning, but I’m not sure he’s “star” material. He’s a pretty good singer and a pretty good rocker and a pretty good player. But is he great at anything?

David Archuleta, on the other hand, is a great singer. Great. But he’s also weird. Weird. Great and weird usually don’t cut it, with some exceptions. Michael Jackson comes to mind. But Michael Jackson wasn’t always weird, was he? And it’s probably a little unfair, not to mention unkind, to refer to Archuleta as weird. Maybe it’s just that he’s so young. But have you ever seen anyone with less stage presence? Or a more one-dimensional repertoire. Yet, with all his faults, he might be the best pure singer in Idol history. He desperately needs to get away from that father of his and get into the hands of somebody who can help him with performance skills. He has the voice.

I thought I had recorded the American Idol finale, only to discover I hadn’t. What a dolt I am sometimes. I guess I can try to watch the show online. So far, though, it doesn’t feel like I really missed all that much. So we’ll see.

Had dinner last night with my friend, Denise. You’ve heard of here, I’m sure. She’s moving to California next week, on the same day I’ll be in New York watching the Dodgers-Mets at Shea. I will definitely miss her and her son, Jake. And their two dogs, Emma and Benny. She’s driving her truck to Cali with Jake, his friend and the two dogs. Should be a blast.

It was enjoyable having Woody Austin on our radio show yesterday. He’s an engaging guy and very interesting to listen to. Plus, he knows something about other sports, so he’s able to hold his own with the incredible brain power that exists on that show. He knows more than Savage, I’ll just put it that way. Of course. . . no, i won’t go there.

I’ll be sharing my opinions on a variety of matters in this blog in the coming days. And, of course, counting down the days until I’m sitting on the floor inside Madison Square Garden, watching the greatest band of all time. It’ll be my 18th time to see the Archies and I’m really looking forward to it.

By Bob | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (1)

Maurice Evans

May 13, 200812:01 a.m.

I was driving on Waterman today, on my way to meet friends for an after-work drink, when Maurice Evans called. I had been attempting to set up an interview with Evans, a guard for the NBA’s Orlando Magic, since last week. He called on an off day during the Magic’s Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series against the Detroit Pistons, which the Magic trails 3-1 going into Tuesday night’s Game 5.

Evans, from Wichita Collegiate, has always been one of my favorites. He played to seasons at Wichita State before his relationship with Randy Smithson, then the Shockers’ coach, went south. Then Evans transferred to Texas, where he played before going on to the NBA. he has been with Minnesota, Sacramento, Detroit, the LA Lakers and Orlando during his career and has had his best season with the Magic, averaging 9.3 points per game.

Evans is a restricted free agent after this season and said he’ll entertain all offers, including those from Europe.

“I’d like to sign a long-term deal somewhere to finish my career,” he said. “I think I’ve definitely done some things this season to enhance my value.”

Evans moved into Orlando’s starting lineup midway through the season and has been there ever since. Not only does he contribute offensively, but he often draws the most difficult defensive assignment.

“I normally guard the other team’s shooting guard,” Evans said. “So, one night I might be on Kobe Bryant, the next night I might be on LeBron James or Tracy McGrady. Or I might draw somebody who isn’t quite as well known, like (Detroit’s) Richard Hamilton, who is a very tough guy to guard. There are no nights off, but that’s what makes it a lot of fun.”

Fun? Guarding players like Bryant and James is fun?

“Mentally, it’s a real challenge,” Evans said. “But you can’t back away from those opportunities.”

Evans said it has taken him a while to become the complete player he has become. He entered the NBA with the reputation as a scorer; his 22.6 points per game as a sophomore at Wichita State was one of the highest totals in the country that season.

He has never been a team’s first scoring option in the NBA, though, and has learned to accept his role. He is still capable, though, of having a big scoring night.

“I might score on a dunk, on a cut, on a three-pointer or on a one-dribble jump shot,” Evans said. “I think I have become a more complete player because I’m able to make things happen on the fly. I’m just as comfortable shooting the three as I am taking the ball to the basket.”

Evans will be 30 in November, so he is eager to see what happens during the offseason. With just a few years of earning power left in basketball, he’s looking for a multi-year deal that will pay him well.

That could mean, he said, going to Europe to finish his pro career. However, he’s hoping the Magic, or another NBA team, will step up and offer him a lucrative multi-year deal, something he hasn’t gotten yet during his vagabond NBA career.

When Evans, who played at Wichita Collegiate, called, I pulled my car over on a side street and jotted down notes on a blank sheet of paper I just happened to have in the car. I didn’t want to miss the interview.

He was polite and interesting to talk with.  It’s always amazing to me to watch these native Wichitans, whom I have followed since they were in high school, grow up. It’s nice that Evans has gotten a chance to play in the NBA and, with Orlando, to become a mainstay.

Here’s hoping his career lasts a few years longer.

“I think I’m in the prime of my career,” Evans said. “I can still do everything I want to do and I’m healthy. I’m still going strong.”

By Bob | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (1)

Mother’s Day

May 12, 20082:06 p.m.

Yeah, one day late. That’s really how I operate. I spent yesterday thinking a lot about my late mother, who passed away in 1990. She was, in many ways, the driving influence of my life. And I mean that in both a good and a bad way. I rebelled against her tremendously, yet there is no question I am more like her than I am my kind, gentle father.

Kind? Gentle? Not two words often used to describe me. My dad had everything to do with my love for sports and, especially, the St. Louis Cardinals. He was such a great guy and he could do anything. I have written about my father quite a bit in my years at The Eagle, but not so much about my mom. It was a complicated relationship, as many mother-son relationships are.  We spent a lot of time at odds. There were aspects to her personality that repelled me, honestly. Yet I am so much like her. I have her personality _ the good in her personality. And probably some of the bad, if I’m being completely honest with myself. I don’t like being completely honest with myself, really. I love lying to myself; and find that I often believe my own lies.

Anyway, I’m not going into great detail about my relationship with my mom. Frankly, that would be kind of weird to do on a blog, even though I know some people use these blogs to pour our their souls. Believe me, I’ve poured out my soul concerning my mother to every therapist in Wichita. That’s just a joke. Really.

I’m thankful for my mom’s wit and humor and intelligence. She finished only the eighth grade, but she was a voracious reader and she gained an incredible amount of knowledge from all of that reading. There were many things about my mother I respected. She could entertain a room full of people and have them all laughing hysterically. I was amazed by her ability to be laugh-outloud funny. And she was so good to my son, Jeff, an absolutely incredible grandmother.

The good definitely outweighed the bad and my mother is, without a doubt, the most influential person in my life. So, a Mother’s Day doesn’t pass without me thinking about her. And thinking about her a lot.

By Bob | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (1)

Three Dog Night

May 11, 200811:42 a.m.

I know now that I’m a grown-up and I know I am mature. I had some doubts, but Saturday night convinced me. Compared to some other idiots who attended the canceled Three Dog Night concert, I’m a model of civility.

Here’s the deal: I stood around near the West Bank Stage for a couple of hours, waiting for one of my all-time favorite bands to perform. Three Dog Night were my boys when I was in junior high school. I knew all their songs, bought all their records. So, despite the fact that several people who had earlier said they were going to the concert with me backed out, I went. It was really cold, so after walking from my car to the stage and standing for about 30 minutes, I decided I needed a heavier jacket. So I walked back to the car, which was probably a 10-minute walk or so. By the way, walking doesn’t hurt anyone. In fact, it’s rather enjoyable, even in less-than-perfect elements. This is another hang-up I have with Wichitans, who just hate to walk.

Anyway, back to the Three Dog Night show. Shortly after some people came on stage to announce the band, it started raining. And blowing. Really blowing. The wind knocked over the keyboards and they toppled to the ground with some force. Eventually, someone got in front of the crowd and announced the concert had been canceled. I couldn’t believe the reaction from some people, who jeered the announcement with lots of profanity. Un-freaking-be-lievable. How stupid are these people? THE KEYBOARDS WERE TRASHED!!!! It was a nasty, nasty night.

Now, if you want to be angry that the concert wasn’t held indoors, I guess I get that. However, the whole idea of the River Festival is to be outside. Duh. It’s not Danny Hutton’s fault, or Cory Wells’ fault, or Jimmy Greenspan’s fault that the weather did not cooperate.

I was ashamed of these morons who couldn’t come to grips with the cancellation.

Needed to get that off my chest.

By Bob | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (3)

Rain delay antics

May 7, 20087:24 p.m.

We’re all sitting here in the press box at Eck Stadium, waiting for the rain drops so subside and for the Wichita State-Arizona State game to begin. I see some Shockers coming out to begin the process of removing the tarp, which is a good sign. Rain delays are at once boring and fun, if there can be such a thing.

Rain delays force you to actually interact with the other people in the press box. I suppose I could have just sat here next to my computer and surfed the Internet. But I kind of like to make the rounds and I got to talking to my good friend about Ted Woodward and reminiscing about the funny actors and comedians we admire the most. I asked my Eagle colleague Paul Suellentrop to give me his list of five top comedians or comedic actors and I asked the same of Ted. So our lists are forthcoming.

I have also been playing an e-mail version of word association with a friend of mine during this rain delay. I caught up a bit with Bruce Haertl and Shane Dennis, who are doing the game on television tonight. I’m a virtual social animal during rain delays, and I’m positive people appreciate that about me.

OK, time for our lists. By the way, Suellentrop is in deep thought while he attempts to come up with his top five. So I’ll list mine first:

1) Don Rickles _ Hands down, the funniest human being on the planet. I literally cry every time I see him. He’s the rare comedian who can be funny even when he’s not funny. In fact, he might be funnier when his stuff falls flat.

2) Don Knotts _ He was spectacular in The Andy Griffith Show for five years. As Ted reminded me, Knotts won five Emmys in those five years, which is unprecedented.

3) Jonathan Winters _ He had an old variety show back in the day and it was a show I never, ever missed.

4) Carroll O’Connor _ There will never be a better character on television than Archie Bunker.

5) I need to come up with someone at least a little bit contemporary here. I’m sounding really, really old. So, how about Bill Maher. Yes, he’s liberal. But so am I. And what a wit.

OK, now for the lists of Woodward and Suellentrop, two true comedy enthusiasts.

Woodward’s Top 5

1. Don Rickles

2. Paul Lynde (Oh my god, how could I have left him off my list?)

3. Jack Benny (I love him, too)

4. Larry Storch (of F-Troop fame)

5. Charles Nelson Reilly (Ted, to this day, watches Match Game re-runs)

Suellentrop’s Top 5

1. Jerry Seinfeld (hard to argue)

2. Mel Brooks (I wish I had thought of him)

3. John Belushi (again, duh)

4. Steve Carrell (I would put him at my No. 5 if I had it to do over again)

5. Steve Martin

Man, I really like Paul’s list. Feel free to send along your top five.

By Bob | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (5)

Hey everyone

May 5, 20082:44 p.m.

Got out Sunday for my first round of golf for the year. The first few holes were pretty brutal. It always takes me a few rounds to find my swing, but I was pretty pleased. Because it was the first time out, I didn’t keep score for the first nine holes. But I played pretty well on some of those holes and decided to keep score on the back 9. I shot a 43 and had a couple of birdies, which kind of makes my day. I don’t get many birdies, so to have two of them on the first day out is, to be honest, a very impressive athletic achievement. At least in my eyes.

As I’m writing this, my son is interviewing Danny Hutton. It’s a big deal. Why? Because Hutton is one of the founding members of Three Dog Night, my favorite group during my junior high and high school days. Three Dog Night is playing the River Festival on Saturday night and I will be there. There are still four original members in the band and when last I heard them, about three years ago, these guys could still play. I’m anticipating they still can.

I’m going to try and get out and play golf again this week, and again on the weekend. Now that bowling is over, I have some spare time. Yes, I said spare time. We haven’t decided whether we’re going to bowl again next season, which begins in early September. It’s a long, grueling season which spanned football, basketball and baseball seasons. And many bowlers in our league told me that they bowled in one or two other leagues. When they told me that, I just nodded and backed away. Actually, bowling has been a lot of fun and I’m sure we’ll give it another try. I am, however, still rattled about losing my bowling ball about halfway through the season. It just disappeared. We have deduced that the ball was stolen, but why would anyone steal a bowling ball. It’s the great mystery of the bowling season.

By Bob | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (1)