Daily Bloggings 3/31/10

Thoughts and observations:

Jesse James stepping out on Sandra Bullock? I have 2 questions: What was he thinking? And what was she thinking marrying him??

There is a movement afoot asking for a 28th amendment to the US Constitution which states " The Senate and House of Representatives shall not approve any law that does equally apply to themselves as well". Sounds like a great idea to me....but has about as much chance of passing as term limits and tort reform.

Mo Cheeks was back in the Wachovia Center as an assistant coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder last night. Cheeks was a Philly sports icon and a good basketball coach who was ousted by the Sixers early last season. When is the NBA going to realize that John Wooden himself couldn't coach these millionaires with guaranteed contracts to play with the effort it takes to succeed?

It was probably a foolish prank with a grain of truth to it...but does anyone else think the prosecution of Susan Finklestein and her quest for World Series tickets was a waste of time and taxpayer dollars?

As opening day approaches...hope springs eternal. Even for emotionally beleaguered and abused Cubs fans. This could be the year!!

More soon......

Daily Bloggings 3/30/10

So Jamie Moyer has won the job as the Phillies 5th starter.....he probably only got the chance because of the 1 year contract still owed to him, but he's a class act and I'm glad to see him back on the team.

Just a hunch...but I'll bet Ed Stefanski (if he's still around) is going to wave mega-millions at Villanova Coach Jay Wright. It's about the only way they will fill the stands next season.

Have you been to a hospital emergency room lately? It's a standing room only crowd similar to a World Series game.

If you think winning isn't everything...when is the last time you heard the Philly media ridicule Charlie Manuel's speech?

Are the Flyers this bad or just snakebit with injuries??

I can live with a "soda" tax.....just leave my 5pm martini alone.

More later...ciao friends.

Daily Bloggings 3/29/10

Thoughts....

I am a true blue Republican, but when it comes to healthcare the system is broken and needs to be overhauled. I'm not sure Obama's plan is the answer, but I applaud the fact he is trying to do something.

John Calipari confimed over the weekend that he is a top notch recruiter and a below average game day coach. Even ESPN'S Jay Bilas who normally plays it straight down the middle was befuddled by some of Cal's decisions on Saturday versus West Virginia.

Ex-NJ Governor John Corzine's new job pays him $1.5 million per year....that should ease the sting of his exit from office.

Teen flash mobs = poor parenting.

Actor Robert Culp died over the weekend. His show " I Spy " with partner Bill Cosby was terrific. Culp was one cool dude...and will be missed.

And the beat goes on....until next time.

Daily Bloggings 3/28/10

Stuff on my mind.....

Is it just me or does it seems like Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter is an extremely nice guy and a vast improvement over the prior administration?

Baby faced Butler basketball coach Brad Stevens exhibits a maturity beyond his years and a calm and cool demeanor that transcends to his team's overachieving play on the court. Look for him to land a big time job in the next year or two.

Would Republican Queen elect Sarah Palin be as popular with her base if she wasn't so damn good looking?

Cole Hamels get shelled in another exhibition game and then lauds his effort as good work with some "location" problems while Kyle Kendrick and Jamie Moyer are pitching their butts off for the final rotation spot. How about using some old school motivation and putting Hamels in the bullpen to start the year until his "location" improves?

Ernie Els golf swing is still as smooth as 12 year old single malt scotch with a little Drambuie poured on the top.

I've heard he can be a bit of a jerk, but you've got to hand it to UConn women's bb coach Gino Auriemma as he leads his team towards it's 75th straight win and another national title. And speaking of women's hoops, the 76'rs might want to take a look at Baylor freshman Brittany Griner in the upcoming NBA draft. Her team beat Pat Summit and the Tennessee Vols in the NCAA tournament yesterday, and she exhibits a grit and resolve the Sixers are lacking these days.

Think about it.....if you were Brad Childress and were left twisting in the wind again for the farsical Brett Favre retirement watch for yet another year....wouldn't you trade a second round pick for Donovan McNabb and be assured of at least ONE starting QB this coming season. That tells me that Favre is coming back.

More stuff soon.....thanks for reading.

Top 50

Top 50 COACHES OF ALL TIME.....

50. Chuck Daly

49. Hank Iba

48. Eddie Robinson

47. Pete Newell

46. John Madden

45. Leo Durocher

44. Larry Brown

43. Sparky Anderson

42. Tommy Lasorda

41. Lou Holtz

40. Dick Vermeil

39. Tom Landry

38. Bobby Bowden

37. Joe Gibbs

36. Pat Riley

35. George Allen

34. Bobby Cox

33. Casey Stengel

32. Gino Auriemma

31. Ara Parseghian

30. Pat Summit

29. Al Arbour

28. Toe Blake

27. Bud Wilkenson

26. Joe Torre

25. Bo Schembechler

24. Woody Hayes

23. Tony LaRussa

22. Walter Alston

21. Tom Osbourne

20. Herb Brooks

19. Bill Walsh

18. John McGraw

17. Connie Mack

16. Mike Kryzewski

15. Bill Parcells

14. George Halas

13. Bobby Knight

12. Bill Bellichick

11. Adolph Rupp

10. Chuck Noll

9. Knute Rockne

8. Dean Smith

7. Scotty Bowman

6. Bear Bryant

5. Joe Paterno

4. Red Auerbach

3. Phil Jackson

2. Vince Lombardi

1. John Wooden

Comments....your list??

<>

Daily Bloggings 3/26/10

Chester R. Simmons

The man who helped create the media mega-monster ESPN and was the founding commissioner of the United States Football League died yesterday of natural causes at the age of 81.

A native of Pawtucket, RI and a graduate of the University of Alabama, Simmons was a visionary and a risk taker. He left the comfort and security of NBC Sports to structure a foundling 24 hour sports network in the then pioneer wilderness of cable television. Once the wobbly idea took hold and was able to stand on it's own, Simmons took on the daunting task of challenging the NFL and headed the USFL in 1983. His television contacts brought the league immediate credibility hammering out deals with ABC and ESPN that provided the shaky football foundlings an IV bag of financial support.

Chet Simmons was a man of rare courage and commitment. I am grateful to him for his hand in helping the USFL survive for three glorious years......and he will be missed.

Notes.....

Dwight Gooden was arrested for drug possesion and child endangerment. This one time superstar with the unhittable fastball has had his life spin out of control since he left the game. I would hope the NY Mets would step in and give him the rehabilitation support he obviously desperately needs.

Butler over Syracuse......K State over Xavier in 2 overtimes.....this NCAA tournament is one for the ages.

Andy Reid's comments about Sheldon Brown were borderline shocking...."The good news is Sheldon is under contract and has been able to make a living over the past years?" To me Brown has always been a class act and deserves better public treatment.

Donovan McNabb's tenure as an Eagle is about to end. In my opinion McNabb has been an above average talent but was inconsistent as a passer and seemed to come up small in big situations. We don't know what Kevin Kolb can do.....but McNabb has had ample oppotunities to win the big game and has usually come up short. The Eagle's desire to move McNabb has little to do with winning and everything to do with not paying him another mega contract.

The fickle nature of life was aptly represented this morning when I read that one time QB superstar Ryan Leaf pleaded guilty to drug and burglary charges and received 10 years probation. Leaf and Peyton Manning were neck and neck in the draft ratings coming out of college. Manning's career path has included a Super Bowl victory and a certain induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Now Leaf has a criminal record and will have a tough time getting a job coaching a high school team. Unbelievable.....

Changes.....

Due to publishing concerns.....A View From the Dimly Lit Spotlight will be making some changes.

Up until now, this blog has been comprised mostly of short, anecdotal stories surrounding famous and interesting people I've been fortunate enough to meet. These stories are now available in my book An Improbable Journey which is currently available for purchase at http://www.publishamerica.com/ and will soon be available on my website http://www.kendunekbook.com/

I have compiled enough stories for a second book which I am in the process of editing and will be available later this year.

Because of this, from now on my posts will be of a more current nature.....commenting on sports, politics, human interest stories, and topical events.

I am so grateful for the legion of followers that check this blog on a daily basis, and I promise to KEEP BLOGGING as long as you KEEP READING.

Finally, I will be doing some media events and book signings starting in April. Certainly I will make these known on the blog, and your support would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for reading....and believing! ~ Ken

Madness or Insanity??

Let's see....

Round 1

University of Ohio over giant Georgetown

Murray State vaults Vanderbilt

Ivy League Cornell topples Temple

Old Dominion ousts Notre Dame

Villanova almost derailed by Robert Morris

Round 2

Northern Iowa nips Kansas

Michigan State moseys by Maryland on a buzzer beater

Cornell whips Wisconsin

Saint Mary's stops Villanova

My statement several blogs ago stands.....there is nothing like the NCAA basketball tournament. It captures the essence of sport.

I know...I know. Some kids have no intention of graduating. Many coaches use schools as a career stepping stone and leave a wake of violations and a mess to clean up.

Be that as it may, can the drama of the one and done format and the last second heroics of an end to end drive culminating with a game winning three pointer at the buzzer be matched anywhere?

For me, the opening rounds are my favorite. This year my interest in the tournament will continue as I watch Northern Iowa, St. Mary's, and Cornell continue their quest to turn the world of college basketball on it's collective ear.

Get the glass slipper ready....and while you're at it fill it with champagne and toast these mighty mites as they battle the big boys.

It really doesn't get any better than this.

Stolen Dreams

BURT REYNOLDS

Lewis Medlock in DELIVERANCE….Paul “Wrecking” Crew in THE LONGEST YARD…. and Detective Tom Sharkey in SHARKEY”S MACHINE were all played by one of Hollywood’s hottest actors in the 70’s; screen idol and matinee heartthrob Burt Reynolds. However, his most famous role may have been as Bo “Bandit” Darville in the 1977 hit SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT.

Opposite the legendary actor Jackie Gleason as Sheriff Buford T. Justice, Sally Field as Carrie, and singer/actor Jerry Reed as Cletus Snow, Reynolds captivated mainstream America with his laughable escapade as he went on a cross country mission illegally transporting 400 cases of Coors beer (which was available only west of the Mississippi River then) into Georgia in time for the Southern Classic truck rodeo in Georgia. Most of the film is devoted to him and his partners crashing roadblocks and avoiding arrest as he drove Gleason crazy with his antics until he made it to his destination with ten minutes to spare.

Reynolds had a reputation with the ladies as well, having rumored relationships with Tammy Wynette, Lucie Arnaz, Adrienne Barbeau, Lorna Luft, Chris Evert, Dinah Shore, and his Smokey co-star Sally Field. He was married to Laugh In’s Judy Carne and Loni Anderson of WKRP in Cincinnati, but both ended in divorce.

The actor was also a minority owner in the USFL’s Tampa Bay Bandits, which were obviously named after his role in the film. Having been a scholarship football player collegiately at nearby Florida State in Tallahassee, he was able to parlay his love of acting and football into a professional franchise named after one of his characters. Coached by Steve Spurrier, the Bandits displayed a high spirited offense led by ex Eagle QB John Reaves and running back Gary Anderson. Although competitive with a 3 year franchise record of 35-19, they were not quite able to reach the elite stature of the league’s best teams, and never made it to the championship game.

The Philadelphia Stars scrimmaged the Tampa Bay Bandits in February of 1983. As I took the field pregame for an inspection of the turf conditions, Reynolds was playfully having a catch with a ball boy in the middle of the field. Although standing near him, I had my “game face” on and fought the urge of going up and shaking his hand; preferring to finish my ritual undistracted even though he was one of the hottest names in the world at that time.

You really would have a hard time beating the acting career and the romantic prowess that Reynolds had over the years. But the Bandits couldn’t beat the success the Stars had on the field. And to me….that was worth far more than a truckload of free Coors.

Book is available!

Go to http://www.publishamerica.com/ and search "An Improbable Journey" book can be purchased online.

Look for my own website to purchase the book that will be operational soon. Address is http://www.kendunekbook.com/

More stories to come.....Willie Mays, Burt Reynolds, Randy Pausch, Willie Mosconi, Evander Holyfield, Henry Fonda, and more! Stay tuned!!

More stories when I return from Florida.....thanks for checking in!

~ Ken