Hi there. Got lots to cover so lets get hit the ground running with Upset Specials. Another 0 for 2 week. Tulsa lost to Oklahoma St in game that due to weather delays didn't finish til 3:35 in the morning! As for the pro, well so far this year the Kansas City Chiefs have been outscored by a combined score of 88 to 10!. First, this weeks college where the Temple Owls almost beat Penn State a couple of weeks ago. This week they get that upset win over the Maryland Terrapins and those ugly uni's they will wear this week! For the pro, this weeks slate of games doesn't blow me away but if I have to pick one, take the Bears as a home underdog to beat the Packers.
Football rules the world and once again we saw it agan has when Texas A@M bolts for the SEC and both Pitt and the 'Cuse leave the Big East for the ACC. The tv money that is passed out for football is mind blowing. If big time college football ever had a play-off. Third world countries could fix their economies with the money that the networks would pay for the rights to those games. I'm not kidding either. I'm unsure what to make of the Big East defections. I sense that somewhere down the road that the football playing schools will leave and the Big East will go back to being just a basketball conference made up of the catholic universities that don't play big time football. It has gotten out of hand and no one is guarding or protecting the cookie jar.
I saw a photo of vandalism that really torked me off. Someone actually stole the glasses off the statue of Ernie Harwell at Comerica Park in Detroit! That is so wrong. In Chicago, at the statue of Harry Caray in front of Wrigley Field, they put open cans of beer in his hand.
I discovered a new addiction online and its called World Golf Tour. They claim its the most life like golf game out there. I'm a believer. I putt as bad on that game as I do when I play real golf!
After seeing Win McMurry in a magazine, I might just have to start watching the Golf Channel and she has an open invite to join one of my foursomes anytime.
Admit it guys, you only watched the Emmy awards show to see what Sofia Vergara from Modern Family was wearing and how hot she was going to look.
I don't get what the big deal is about Will Arnett. Now he's got another new tv show. This time on NBC called Up All Night and it co-stars Christina Applegate.
Both the season premieres of How I Met Your Mother and Big Bang Theory were awesome. I would mention some of the highlights but I don't want to give anything away if John or Dan hasn't seen them yet.
I think I have to find and try a pint of the new Ben and Jerry's flavor, "Schweddy Balls." Just the name itself must make it good.
Did you really think that Ron Artest, a.k.a Metta World Peace was going to win Dancing with the stars did you?
What a crying shame. Bethany Frankel was lost at sea for just only 20 hours. I would have liked it better if were like say... a week or more.
High School football the next two Friday nights in Lake George. Enjoy the weekend. Sending out some hellos to the gym freaks at Core...Leccese out.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Upset Specials and I need an adjustment
Hi there. Well before we get to this weeks Upset Specials which last week we went 0-2 as both Hawaii and the Vikings lost. A couple of things. Will anyone actually be watching the Emmy awards Sunday night? I didn't think so. Also a couple of notes came from one of Tinsletown's favorite actor/actress couples. First was seeing Angelina Jolie wearing a gold handcuff type accessory to her handbag. There's a lot of worse things in life than being handcuffed to Angelina Jolie don't you think? Also Brad Pitt said he made a mistake in marrying Jennifer Anniston. O.K. I would have to disagree, but he has seemed to have rebounded nicely from it. I wonder if Angelina at least got rid of any Billy Bob Thorton references whether it be through having body art removed or that vile of blood that she used to wear around her neck. That was just plain freaky even for vampire standards.
Well we finally have picked some peppers and the potatoes from the garden. I was somewhat disappointed with the yield from the potatoes. As for the peppers, considering that when I started them inside they were doing great. Put them outside to harden and get used to the outside, they were on the verge of, "I guess I'm going to have to replace them and buy a few plants from the local garden store." They came back from the dead and will make a nice early fall harvest along with some leftover eggplant and tomatoes that are still gowing.
I think I'm heading back to the chiropractor for a little treatment on my lower back. It had been feeling great with no problems. Yesterday I go into the gym to get my workout grove back in gear again. I sit down to change my sneakers and something all of a sudden didn't feel right. I think my body is rejecting Global Fitness and wants me join the freaks at Core, LOL.
Thanks to my friend Mark Mulholland for the nice story on Core he did on the local news Thursday night. He discovered what I've known and been around for years. An amazing group of people and I can't wait to be reunited. I think next week my exile will be reduced to under 100 days and counting.
Now for Opie's Upset Specials. First is the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs are 8 point dogs on the road in Detroit. Take the Chiefs as they rebound from that home humiliation loss to the Bills and take it all out on the Lions. Now for the college upset special. Three games featuring big time programs with great histories and tradition. Not touching any of those. Last year I picked the Tulsa Golden Hurricane over the Golden Domers of Notre Dame. This week I'm heading to Oklahoma where the wind blows mighty on the plain. Where the air is sweet, it smells like meat. (Oops, sorry I channeled Cloutier for a minute there!) I'm liking Tulsa as a home underdog to beat the Cowboys of Oklahoma State.
I don't what shocked me more in football last week. That Queensbury scored 48 points including 4 td passes in a loss; or the Bills scoring 41 and won on the road against the Chiefs. Football tonight on WWSC from Corinth...Leccese out.
Well we finally have picked some peppers and the potatoes from the garden. I was somewhat disappointed with the yield from the potatoes. As for the peppers, considering that when I started them inside they were doing great. Put them outside to harden and get used to the outside, they were on the verge of, "I guess I'm going to have to replace them and buy a few plants from the local garden store." They came back from the dead and will make a nice early fall harvest along with some leftover eggplant and tomatoes that are still gowing.
I think I'm heading back to the chiropractor for a little treatment on my lower back. It had been feeling great with no problems. Yesterday I go into the gym to get my workout grove back in gear again. I sit down to change my sneakers and something all of a sudden didn't feel right. I think my body is rejecting Global Fitness and wants me join the freaks at Core, LOL.
Thanks to my friend Mark Mulholland for the nice story on Core he did on the local news Thursday night. He discovered what I've known and been around for years. An amazing group of people and I can't wait to be reunited. I think next week my exile will be reduced to under 100 days and counting.
Now for Opie's Upset Specials. First is the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs are 8 point dogs on the road in Detroit. Take the Chiefs as they rebound from that home humiliation loss to the Bills and take it all out on the Lions. Now for the college upset special. Three games featuring big time programs with great histories and tradition. Not touching any of those. Last year I picked the Tulsa Golden Hurricane over the Golden Domers of Notre Dame. This week I'm heading to Oklahoma where the wind blows mighty on the plain. Where the air is sweet, it smells like meat. (Oops, sorry I channeled Cloutier for a minute there!) I'm liking Tulsa as a home underdog to beat the Cowboys of Oklahoma State.
I don't what shocked me more in football last week. That Queensbury scored 48 points including 4 td passes in a loss; or the Bills scoring 41 and won on the road against the Chiefs. Football tonight on WWSC from Corinth...Leccese out.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Upset Specials and an unbelievable trip
Hi there. Well its good to be back from a 5 day trip to South Carolina. Perfect weather, had my fill of shrimp and fried oysters (not enough), and some amazing photos I got to take. I also played a lot of golf. The most beautiful golf hole I have ever played is the 9th hole at the Ocean Point golf links on Fripp Island. A par 4 slight dog leg left that makes its way along the Atlantic Ocean. The view from the tee is breathtaking and if you're on the right side of the fairway, the ocean crashing up against the sea wall is killer. If the miracle occurs and I ever get married (don't hold out your hopes for that ever happening LOL!) I want the vows to take place on the 9th green and then have a best ball scramble format reception on that golf course!
I like to compare golf to that pretty girl you like. You talk, get to know her real well and discover you have some things in common. There's a connection. Then just when you're ready to ask her out, she punches you in the gut by telling you she's dating some guy ten times better than you. You become depressed and just when you've given up hope in never seeing or talking to her again, she breaks up with that guy and comes back into your life and the process starts over again. Now for the golf analogy. You think you're playing well and everything is good. Then wham the punch comes! You're spraying drives left and right missing the fairway, mishitting iron shots or missing every putt including the tap in gimmees. And just when you're ready to chuck your clubs into some bottomless lake, you hit a perfect shot on some par three and tap in for birdie. All is good with the world again. It happened to me Wednesday.
Would someone tell Jets coach Rex Ryan to just shut up please! Get some duct tape for that fat a--es mouth and seal it real tight. Look I'm no Cowboys fan, but I'm making an exception Sunday night this one time.
Boy what a rough off season for hockey. First the deaths of enforcers Derek Boogaard, Rick Rypien and Wade Belak; and now the tragedy in Russia where 36 members of the Lokomotiv Yaroslav team died in a plane crash earlier this week on their way to their league opener.
Randy Edsall decided to leave UConn to coach at the University of Maryland. He said it was his dream job. Did you see the unis Under Armour gave the Terps to wear in their first game he coached for them? Man those things made anything the Oregon Ducks have been sporting the past few years fashionable and good looking. Talk about double bag ugly! Where's Tim Gunn when you need him?
Finally this weeks, "Opie's Upset Specials." Last week 1 for 2. Won on Northwestern and lost on Fresno State. First the college upset special where Hawaii heads to Seattle to take on the Washington Huskies. Take those Rainbow Warriors who are actually playing at a time most people on the east coast can watch! Now for your first pro upset special. Interconference match up between the Chargers and Vikings in San Diego. I'm not sold on the 'Bolts who Peter King is picking to go the Superbowl against the Falcons. Go with Donovan McNabb and the Vikings in an upset.
Albany Academy at Hudson Falls on Talk 1450 WWSC Saturday at 1:30pm...Leccese out.
I like to compare golf to that pretty girl you like. You talk, get to know her real well and discover you have some things in common. There's a connection. Then just when you're ready to ask her out, she punches you in the gut by telling you she's dating some guy ten times better than you. You become depressed and just when you've given up hope in never seeing or talking to her again, she breaks up with that guy and comes back into your life and the process starts over again. Now for the golf analogy. You think you're playing well and everything is good. Then wham the punch comes! You're spraying drives left and right missing the fairway, mishitting iron shots or missing every putt including the tap in gimmees. And just when you're ready to chuck your clubs into some bottomless lake, you hit a perfect shot on some par three and tap in for birdie. All is good with the world again. It happened to me Wednesday.
Would someone tell Jets coach Rex Ryan to just shut up please! Get some duct tape for that fat a--es mouth and seal it real tight. Look I'm no Cowboys fan, but I'm making an exception Sunday night this one time.
Boy what a rough off season for hockey. First the deaths of enforcers Derek Boogaard, Rick Rypien and Wade Belak; and now the tragedy in Russia where 36 members of the Lokomotiv Yaroslav team died in a plane crash earlier this week on their way to their league opener.
Randy Edsall decided to leave UConn to coach at the University of Maryland. He said it was his dream job. Did you see the unis Under Armour gave the Terps to wear in their first game he coached for them? Man those things made anything the Oregon Ducks have been sporting the past few years fashionable and good looking. Talk about double bag ugly! Where's Tim Gunn when you need him?
Finally this weeks, "Opie's Upset Specials." Last week 1 for 2. Won on Northwestern and lost on Fresno State. First the college upset special where Hawaii heads to Seattle to take on the Washington Huskies. Take those Rainbow Warriors who are actually playing at a time most people on the east coast can watch! Now for your first pro upset special. Interconference match up between the Chargers and Vikings in San Diego. I'm not sold on the 'Bolts who Peter King is picking to go the Superbowl against the Falcons. Go with Donovan McNabb and the Vikings in an upset.
Albany Academy at Hudson Falls on Talk 1450 WWSC Saturday at 1:30pm...Leccese out.
Friday, September 2, 2011
The return of Football and Upset Specials
Here I am on the eve of another high school football season and with college kicking off this weekend and the pros next weekend its's time for the long anticipated return of...drum roll please! Opie's Upset Specials! Every week through the college and pro season I will pick two possibly more upsets and the motto is, "Don't bet the ranch, because you'll lose the ranch!" These are fun picks and not for serious betting or gambling purposes. If you listen to me, you have some serious issues and should talk to Dr.Drew Pinsky about this and other things. O.K with the NFL kicking off next Thursday night, I've got 2 college picks for you get you in the football mode. First we head to Chestnut Hill in Boston Mass to the house that Doug Flutie built known as Boston College. They open at home against the Wildcats of Northwestern from the Big 10 plus 2. Take the Wildcats over the Eagles. Second upset special takes us out west where the Bulldogs of Fresno State are 10 point underdogs to the Cal Golden Bears. Like the Bulldogs to beat Cal in this neutral site game being played at Candlestick Park.
First high school football broadcast is tomorrow at Glens Falls High. Glens Falls versus Niskayuna .1:30pm kick off with the pre-game at 1:20 on Talk 1450 WWSC. Looked over the schedule and I have to wonder what did Pat Liverio and the Amsterdam Rugged Rams do to anger the Section 2 scheduling committee? Playing their divisional games in the first 5 weeks. Plus what a tough way to open the season. Queensbury, Burnt Hills on the road and then Glens Falls. Well if you don't how good your team is going to be at the start of the year, this a good way to find out real fast.
Heading to South Carolina on Sunday for a couple days of rest, golf and some good seafood. Enjoy the long weekend...Leccese out!
First high school football broadcast is tomorrow at Glens Falls High. Glens Falls versus Niskayuna .1:30pm kick off with the pre-game at 1:20 on Talk 1450 WWSC. Looked over the schedule and I have to wonder what did Pat Liverio and the Amsterdam Rugged Rams do to anger the Section 2 scheduling committee? Playing their divisional games in the first 5 weeks. Plus what a tough way to open the season. Queensbury, Burnt Hills on the road and then Glens Falls. Well if you don't how good your team is going to be at the start of the year, this a good way to find out real fast.
Heading to South Carolina on Sunday for a couple days of rest, golf and some good seafood. Enjoy the long weekend...Leccese out!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Surviving Irene and time to kick off High School Football!
Hi there. Well its been one busy week. Between checking out high school football practices and scrimmages, the visit to the Washington County Fair and some tropical storm action on Sunday, my plate was full.
I hope everyone is O.K. after Sunday's storm and the damage was minimal. I lucked out. My folks home in SC is O.K. Just some pine straw all over the place and they weren't even in the area. They were in Colorado at a wedding so everyone was spared and my home here didn't even see any branches come down with the high winds and heavy rain we got.
First is the high school football visits. The thing I was impressed with the most in visiting practices were the numbers. Especially in the smaller schools. They are holding steady or actually going up. Warrensburg had over 30 kids playing. Mike Leonbruno said they haven't had over 30 come out for the team in a couple of years. Lake George should be O.K and both Salem and Spa Catholic will be fine with there numbers too. Spa Catholics' size impressed me. Fort Edward's problem isn't so much the kids aren't going out for football, it's the lack of boys actually entering the school. With the big schools its always about who's going to step up from JV to the Varsity from graduation.
Impressions of what I saw.
Glens Falls, Hudson Falls and Lake George for them to be successful, the line play has to come together. Also Hudson Falls has find its next feature running back to run the power I formation it uses.
Fort Edward has that same problem in finding a running back to replace Justin White who rushed for over 1,000 yards last year.
South Glens Falls has a sophomore starting at QB and he replaces Jordan Greene who was a huge part of the offense for the Bulldogs the past two seasons. It will be interesting to see how the other receivers and backs respond to having an underclassman under center. It's normal at the small school level for a freshman or sophomore to start and play for 3 or 4 years. At the big schools, the kid is either an injury replacement or really talented.
The key to Queensbury is their line. If they are big and physical and can dominate a game, they can be tough to beat especially if they're ahead. When that tight double wing is clicking anyone can run the ball behind that line.
Warrensburg is now running Queensbury's offense and if they can pick up the nuances of the double wing quickly, they could surprise some people. One more thing about the Burgers. If the West Virginia and Wisconsin football programs had a baby, the helmet would look just like Warrensburg's new look. Having a hard time getting used to it. It's navy blue with a yellow gold W. I loved the Las Vegas gold with the navy blue W. I thought Warrensburg's navy blue jerseys with the gold pants were the sharpest looking home attire in the area.
One thing from my visit to the Washington County fair. Be careful what you wish for. I've told the story on more than one occasion how a couple of years ago I was at the fair, took the risk and ate an order of 6 fried Oreo's that were covered in powdered sugar and came with chocolate sauce to dip them in. Well I was wondering if anyone had ever tried dipping a Pop Tart in batter and frying it. I go past the guy who I bought the Oreo's from and guess what was staring at me right in the eye? Deep fried Pop Tarts! No I didn't try them. My priority was the maple house for a cup of coffee and some maple cotton candy. Maple sugar and caffeine in my system is a scary and potentially lethal combination ,but I have to admit it was soooo good.
Allright Yankee fans, we can officially throw A.J Burnett into the closet that includes Kei Igawa, Kevin Brown, Carl Pavano and Javier Vasquez.
Eli Manning in an interview with Michael Kay thinks he's an elite quarterback in the NFL. Look Forrest Gump, elite quarterbacks don't throw 25 picks like you did last year and can actually get the plays off before the play clock runs out like you seem not to be able to do on more than one occasion.
I think Derek Jeter will be just fine after breaking up with Minka Kelly, don't you? Someone is out there for him. As long as her last name isn't Kardashian I'll be fine.
Why couldn't Hurricane Irene's winds or heavy rains at least cause some damage to CitiField? I would have been very happy if that had happened.
Finally, on to the garden. It's been a good year so far. Tomatoes are being harvested and peppers and the potatoes are next on the list. Saturday I'm on the phone with my sister when I see two chipmunks chasing after each other around my patio. How cute! Now we have a "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom" moment. One of the cute, furry little rodents heads for my tomato plants, climbs one of cages and picks one in his mouth. Brings it over to the patio and starts eating it while I'm watching through my patio doors. It eats half of it and then goes back for another! I knew I had deals with the hummingbirds and squirrels, but now I have to make peace with the chipmunks!
Four days til first football game on WWSC and five til I'm on a plane headed to South Carolina...Leccese out
I hope everyone is O.K. after Sunday's storm and the damage was minimal. I lucked out. My folks home in SC is O.K. Just some pine straw all over the place and they weren't even in the area. They were in Colorado at a wedding so everyone was spared and my home here didn't even see any branches come down with the high winds and heavy rain we got.
First is the high school football visits. The thing I was impressed with the most in visiting practices were the numbers. Especially in the smaller schools. They are holding steady or actually going up. Warrensburg had over 30 kids playing. Mike Leonbruno said they haven't had over 30 come out for the team in a couple of years. Lake George should be O.K and both Salem and Spa Catholic will be fine with there numbers too. Spa Catholics' size impressed me. Fort Edward's problem isn't so much the kids aren't going out for football, it's the lack of boys actually entering the school. With the big schools its always about who's going to step up from JV to the Varsity from graduation.
Impressions of what I saw.
Glens Falls, Hudson Falls and Lake George for them to be successful, the line play has to come together. Also Hudson Falls has find its next feature running back to run the power I formation it uses.
Fort Edward has that same problem in finding a running back to replace Justin White who rushed for over 1,000 yards last year.
South Glens Falls has a sophomore starting at QB and he replaces Jordan Greene who was a huge part of the offense for the Bulldogs the past two seasons. It will be interesting to see how the other receivers and backs respond to having an underclassman under center. It's normal at the small school level for a freshman or sophomore to start and play for 3 or 4 years. At the big schools, the kid is either an injury replacement or really talented.
The key to Queensbury is their line. If they are big and physical and can dominate a game, they can be tough to beat especially if they're ahead. When that tight double wing is clicking anyone can run the ball behind that line.
Warrensburg is now running Queensbury's offense and if they can pick up the nuances of the double wing quickly, they could surprise some people. One more thing about the Burgers. If the West Virginia and Wisconsin football programs had a baby, the helmet would look just like Warrensburg's new look. Having a hard time getting used to it. It's navy blue with a yellow gold W. I loved the Las Vegas gold with the navy blue W. I thought Warrensburg's navy blue jerseys with the gold pants were the sharpest looking home attire in the area.
One thing from my visit to the Washington County fair. Be careful what you wish for. I've told the story on more than one occasion how a couple of years ago I was at the fair, took the risk and ate an order of 6 fried Oreo's that were covered in powdered sugar and came with chocolate sauce to dip them in. Well I was wondering if anyone had ever tried dipping a Pop Tart in batter and frying it. I go past the guy who I bought the Oreo's from and guess what was staring at me right in the eye? Deep fried Pop Tarts! No I didn't try them. My priority was the maple house for a cup of coffee and some maple cotton candy. Maple sugar and caffeine in my system is a scary and potentially lethal combination ,but I have to admit it was soooo good.
Allright Yankee fans, we can officially throw A.J Burnett into the closet that includes Kei Igawa, Kevin Brown, Carl Pavano and Javier Vasquez.
Eli Manning in an interview with Michael Kay thinks he's an elite quarterback in the NFL. Look Forrest Gump, elite quarterbacks don't throw 25 picks like you did last year and can actually get the plays off before the play clock runs out like you seem not to be able to do on more than one occasion.
I think Derek Jeter will be just fine after breaking up with Minka Kelly, don't you? Someone is out there for him. As long as her last name isn't Kardashian I'll be fine.
Why couldn't Hurricane Irene's winds or heavy rains at least cause some damage to CitiField? I would have been very happy if that had happened.
Finally, on to the garden. It's been a good year so far. Tomatoes are being harvested and peppers and the potatoes are next on the list. Saturday I'm on the phone with my sister when I see two chipmunks chasing after each other around my patio. How cute! Now we have a "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom" moment. One of the cute, furry little rodents heads for my tomato plants, climbs one of cages and picks one in his mouth. Brings it over to the patio and starts eating it while I'm watching through my patio doors. It eats half of it and then goes back for another! I knew I had deals with the hummingbirds and squirrels, but now I have to make peace with the chipmunks!
Four days til first football game on WWSC and five til I'm on a plane headed to South Carolina...Leccese out
Monday, August 22, 2011
Going to camp and the Washington County Fair
Hi there. Just re-adjusting my body clock after a week of filling in for Dan on the Club and having fun with Pete. I tell people that one of the best things to do is a fill in stint on another show. It's a great change of pace and re-energizes you for your regular air shift. That's why you'll find me Saturday mornings on Hits 95 Nine. I love playing the more current music once a week and its more relaxed.
These next two weeks are going to be bear of a time for me This week its about heading to football training camps and the Washington County Fair Tuesday. Then the weekend comes and its all about more high school football. Definitely 3 and possibly 4 football scrimmages on Saturday, followed by Section 2 media day in Albany on Sunday. Then its ramps up getting all the stuff ready for the first broadcast September 3rd. Calling the high schools and getting rosters with numbers on them. Plus there's final 2 weeks of the Saratoga meet with the Travers this Saturday. I've still got to find time to get my car serviced and go to gym. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. It's called leaving for vacation on September 4th.
Moving on. The University of Miami is in some serious trouble with all the allegations that this Bernie Madoff wannabe ponzi schemer is spilling the guts about his ties to the program and what improper benefits he was giving athletes. I've written many times that the NCAA does a lousy job of policing its institutions and they don't have the family jewels to impose the Death Penalty on some of these schools who either commit major violations or are repeat offenders with their basketball and football programs.
Georgetown University's basketball team goes on a goodwill tour to China and what happens? One of the nastiest on court brawls takes place between the Hoyas and one of the pro teams over there. They were calling it awful and terrible. It brought a tear to my eye. Brought back memories of the "Hoya Paranoia" years when Patrick Ewing, Michael Graham, David Wingate and Horace Broadnax played for them in the 80's.
If you missed it, Dennis "The Worm" Rodman was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Look Rodman was eccentric but one hell of a defender and rebounder. He drove you nuts on the court with his antics. I watched his speech and he was humbled by the honor. Still trying to figure out how he got Carmen Electra to marry him.
Chris Mullin, one of my top 5 all time favorite basketball players on the face of the planet period was also inducted that night. It was good to be a St.John's fan when he played.
Went to the track Thursday and thanks to my lack of betting ability was able to lighten my wallet enough to make weight if I wanted ride in a steeplechase. The problem was the, "you have to be the this tall to get on the horse" sign. I was about 8 to 9 inches over.
I wanted to know what was so special about a "Shake Shack" burger. Tried one and it was no big deal. I've had better. At least now I don't have to go CitiField to get one. The best burger I've eaten hands down was at this sports bar called "Good Old Times" near Madison Square Garden. The fries were even better. They were that good! My dad and I could finish off a plate in record time before heading to a Rangers game.
I still don't get what the big deal is over the Iowa straw poll and how it will affect primary season when it starts next February in New Hampshire and South Carolina.
Tony Bourdain was asked a question of who he thought the worst cooks on the Food Network were. He said his usual two in Rachael Ray and Sandra Lee, but he also threw in Paula Deen that category and made his usual comments. Paula didn't take kindly to Tony's answer. Don't mess with her,Tony. She's one of those crazy aunt's you had growing up with a Southern accent to match.
Harvesting tomatoes finally along with the squash, cucumbers and beans. Up next potatoes. Lets hope those bags were worth the investment.
Finally, I'm bringing up Kim Kardashian's wedding for two reasons. One, I was very disappointed not to get an invitation to the nuptials because I'm willing to admit to being a Nets fan. And two. How much money do you think she made from the dollar dance?
Only 10 days til Rutgers home opener and 12 days til Niskayuna at Glens Falls. See you at the fair and don't bring any fried Oreo's over to me at our broadcast location please!..Leccese out.
These next two weeks are going to be bear of a time for me This week its about heading to football training camps and the Washington County Fair Tuesday. Then the weekend comes and its all about more high school football. Definitely 3 and possibly 4 football scrimmages on Saturday, followed by Section 2 media day in Albany on Sunday. Then its ramps up getting all the stuff ready for the first broadcast September 3rd. Calling the high schools and getting rosters with numbers on them. Plus there's final 2 weeks of the Saratoga meet with the Travers this Saturday. I've still got to find time to get my car serviced and go to gym. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. It's called leaving for vacation on September 4th.
Moving on. The University of Miami is in some serious trouble with all the allegations that this Bernie Madoff wannabe ponzi schemer is spilling the guts about his ties to the program and what improper benefits he was giving athletes. I've written many times that the NCAA does a lousy job of policing its institutions and they don't have the family jewels to impose the Death Penalty on some of these schools who either commit major violations or are repeat offenders with their basketball and football programs.
Georgetown University's basketball team goes on a goodwill tour to China and what happens? One of the nastiest on court brawls takes place between the Hoyas and one of the pro teams over there. They were calling it awful and terrible. It brought a tear to my eye. Brought back memories of the "Hoya Paranoia" years when Patrick Ewing, Michael Graham, David Wingate and Horace Broadnax played for them in the 80's.
If you missed it, Dennis "The Worm" Rodman was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Look Rodman was eccentric but one hell of a defender and rebounder. He drove you nuts on the court with his antics. I watched his speech and he was humbled by the honor. Still trying to figure out how he got Carmen Electra to marry him.
Chris Mullin, one of my top 5 all time favorite basketball players on the face of the planet period was also inducted that night. It was good to be a St.John's fan when he played.
Went to the track Thursday and thanks to my lack of betting ability was able to lighten my wallet enough to make weight if I wanted ride in a steeplechase. The problem was the, "you have to be the this tall to get on the horse" sign. I was about 8 to 9 inches over.
I wanted to know what was so special about a "Shake Shack" burger. Tried one and it was no big deal. I've had better. At least now I don't have to go CitiField to get one. The best burger I've eaten hands down was at this sports bar called "Good Old Times" near Madison Square Garden. The fries were even better. They were that good! My dad and I could finish off a plate in record time before heading to a Rangers game.
I still don't get what the big deal is over the Iowa straw poll and how it will affect primary season when it starts next February in New Hampshire and South Carolina.
Tony Bourdain was asked a question of who he thought the worst cooks on the Food Network were. He said his usual two in Rachael Ray and Sandra Lee, but he also threw in Paula Deen that category and made his usual comments. Paula didn't take kindly to Tony's answer. Don't mess with her,Tony. She's one of those crazy aunt's you had growing up with a Southern accent to match.
Harvesting tomatoes finally along with the squash, cucumbers and beans. Up next potatoes. Lets hope those bags were worth the investment.
Finally, I'm bringing up Kim Kardashian's wedding for two reasons. One, I was very disappointed not to get an invitation to the nuptials because I'm willing to admit to being a Nets fan. And two. How much money do you think she made from the dollar dance?
Only 10 days til Rutgers home opener and 12 days til Niskayuna at Glens Falls. See you at the fair and don't bring any fried Oreo's over to me at our broadcast location please!..Leccese out.
Monday, August 15, 2011
19 days til opening kick off
Hi there. Well August 15th has arrived and that means in 19 days John Pratt and I will be in the press box at Putt LaMay Field at Glens Falls High for the first football broadcast of the 2011 season on WWSC. My off season has ended and its back to doing play by play of high school football, basketball and ice hockey games on the radio. It's amazing how fast the 5 months have flown by since we wrapped up the 2010 -2011 school sports year in Utica.
I'll try to get to a practice or two this week, but its doubtful. I'm going to the track Thursday after I get done with the Morning Show. Next week the heavy work gets done. Getting out to morning practices at different schools everyday except for Tuesday when I'm at the Washington County Fair. Catching up with and talking to coaches I prefer watching practice with pads on as teams prepare for scrimmages next Saturday. I'll be heading to three of them that day. Fort Edward, Hudson Falls and a night scrimmage in Lake George. Then a week from Sunday its media day down at UAlbany where I can talk to the coaches of teams south of Saratoga and get rosters from them. They're are a couple of coaches I really have good relationships with and make a point to talk to. Classification football forces you to do so. Think about it. Hudson Falls plays teams like Cobleskill, Cohoes, and Schalmont. The small schools play Rensselaer, Catholic Central, and Bishop Gibbons. Its nothing like the good old days of the Foothills Council and Northern Adirondack League.
When it comes to the big schools like Queensbury, Glens Falls, S.Glens Falls and Hudson Falls, I wonder how competitive the teams will be in tough divisions and Class A is going to be real tough. Troy and Niskayuna have dropped from Class AA to Class A which already has Burnt Hills/Ballston Lake, Lansingburgh and never count out Amsterdam or Bishop Maginn.
As for the small schools. The big' "N" word always comes into play. That word is numbers. How many kids will actually turn out? I'm seriously worried about schools like Salem, Fort Edward, Lake George, Greenwich and Warrensburg. I'll throw Corinth in that group too. Two or three injuries can put schools like that on the cusp of the required minimum amount of players needed to field a team. Will Saratoga Catholic have enough kids to come back and play a varsity schedule after not having enough last year? Soccer has nothing to do with the lack of kids playing football. You have to be really committed to playing football and hitting the weight room during the off season. Between summer jobs and other distractions, the kids aren't as motivated as they used to be. Times have changed from the days when you played because all your friends played and it was another way to hang out with them. Also football is an expensive sport to play, like ice hockey.
One more note. We'll be putting a WWSC sports page on Facebook that will highlight the games we are doing on the radio, the student athletes Joe Pezzulo will be featuring on the Sports Academy and other points of interest. I hope the rain stops...Leccese out.
I'll try to get to a practice or two this week, but its doubtful. I'm going to the track Thursday after I get done with the Morning Show. Next week the heavy work gets done. Getting out to morning practices at different schools everyday except for Tuesday when I'm at the Washington County Fair. Catching up with and talking to coaches I prefer watching practice with pads on as teams prepare for scrimmages next Saturday. I'll be heading to three of them that day. Fort Edward, Hudson Falls and a night scrimmage in Lake George. Then a week from Sunday its media day down at UAlbany where I can talk to the coaches of teams south of Saratoga and get rosters from them. They're are a couple of coaches I really have good relationships with and make a point to talk to. Classification football forces you to do so. Think about it. Hudson Falls plays teams like Cobleskill, Cohoes, and Schalmont. The small schools play Rensselaer, Catholic Central, and Bishop Gibbons. Its nothing like the good old days of the Foothills Council and Northern Adirondack League.
When it comes to the big schools like Queensbury, Glens Falls, S.Glens Falls and Hudson Falls, I wonder how competitive the teams will be in tough divisions and Class A is going to be real tough. Troy and Niskayuna have dropped from Class AA to Class A which already has Burnt Hills/Ballston Lake, Lansingburgh and never count out Amsterdam or Bishop Maginn.
As for the small schools. The big' "N" word always comes into play. That word is numbers. How many kids will actually turn out? I'm seriously worried about schools like Salem, Fort Edward, Lake George, Greenwich and Warrensburg. I'll throw Corinth in that group too. Two or three injuries can put schools like that on the cusp of the required minimum amount of players needed to field a team. Will Saratoga Catholic have enough kids to come back and play a varsity schedule after not having enough last year? Soccer has nothing to do with the lack of kids playing football. You have to be really committed to playing football and hitting the weight room during the off season. Between summer jobs and other distractions, the kids aren't as motivated as they used to be. Times have changed from the days when you played because all your friends played and it was another way to hang out with them. Also football is an expensive sport to play, like ice hockey.
One more note. We'll be putting a WWSC sports page on Facebook that will highlight the games we are doing on the radio, the student athletes Joe Pezzulo will be featuring on the Sports Academy and other points of interest. I hope the rain stops...Leccese out.
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