Wake Me Up When September Ends

Before I can comment on today's Brown's victory, I have to first go back to last week's loss. The fact that the Browns are not 3-1 is on the shoulders of Romeo Crennel, if for no other reason than his inability to understand what clock management means. Dawson shouldn't have been kicking a 40+ field goal, they should have had time to run a few more plays and get a little closer. Instead on their previous drive with about 3 minutes left, down two scores, they were huddling! Couple that with the bumbling use of time outs and it's easy to know who to blame.

Now on to today. I can't figure this team out, though I predicted today that Brady Quinn will not start a game barring an injury. Not saying that Derrick Anderson has proven he is the answer, not unlike some of his targets, he is far from it. He throws into coverage constantly and badly misses wide open receivers all the time. However, I don't foresee him having 2 terrible games in a row. Eventually he will be an excellent back-up for Quinn, but for now he is the starter.

I don't want to jinx it but I have felt vindicated in my back-to-back fantasy selections of Winslow and Edwards, as they got me another 33 combined points. Unfortunately, the Trolleys, (2-0-1), are going to go into Monday night down 10 points. Good news is that I have Tom Brady left, bad news is Doc C-vert has Carson Palmer still to play.

My favorite part of Sunday though was watching the Steelers lose. Picksburgh was beaten by the Arizona Cardinals. Ken Whisenhunt, former Steeler assistant coach, and an early front runner to replace Bill Cowher, is now the Cardinals head coach. After the game Whisenhunt had this to say at his press conference, "The Steelers, AREN'T who we thought they were!"

Actually while it was a great Cleveland sports day, Browns beat old Browns and Steelers lose, it's really the baseball playoffs that are drawing my attention and ire this week, but more on that tomorrow.

****Editor's Note If you want to know exactly how much respect the Cleveland Browns get from CBS, all you have to know is that the Columbia Broadcasting System his chosen for three straight weeks, NOT to film or air the Browns games in High Definition.

Beer Thirty

After checking in to our "apartment" above these two store fronts, we immediately headed to our second most important stop, Cooperstown Brewery. We nixed the tour and headed straight for the sampling. I liked 6 out of the 7 brews, and took home a mixed six pack excluded the IPA, (never been a big fan). We each got a package that included the Six pack, coasters, t-shirt and 2 pint glasses for $32.00. Bolls got this and another case. This accompanied with the rest of our swag, including 8 new pint glasses of mine, made packing up the Jeep Compass a lot like Tetris on Sunday morning. This space was filled to capacity BEFORE we arrived! Luckily I am the Tetris master. Oh and since I got no love from Rob I sould point out that I am also the parking master, it became my job each time we left or returned to get the Jeep out of the ridiculous parking lot behind our building.

Talkin' Baseball

I realized I didn't have any pictures posted of GC, so here he is with Rob and Bolls taking in an inning at Doubleday Field. It's a pretty cool little park. Afterwards Bolls and I hit the batting cage where I dropped my back elbow and popped 8 out of 10 60 MPH fastballs straight up, Willie Mays Hayes style. "How am I supposed to hit when I can move my arms?"

I've Got You Babe

There was an entire room dedicated to George Herman "Babe" Ruth. Ruth spent a lot of time during his career visiting sick kids in hospitals and corresponding with them. One wall had a framed letter, (over Rob's right shoulder), he had written to a young boy afflicted with Polio, Ruth wrote him words of encouragement, including telling him to picture one day hearing, "Now hitting for Babe Ruth, Rob Thomas." (or whatever the boy's name was. As you can see above The Bambino spent some time with Our Robbie T who has been afflicted with Steve Martin Premature Grayness. (you may see a similar pic on Rob's blog, but this stunt was my idea, and I should get to post it too. Though turning it black an white I stole from him).

Blood, Sweat, and Tears

If I had to pick one player in baseball that I really don't like, it wouldn't be Barry Bonds, it would be Kurt Schilling. He is always opening his mouth when no one cares what he has to say. To the point where he wrote an open letter to ESPN after the 9/11 attacks which led to his teammates mocking him on a the bus singing Yankee Doodle Dandy.

While Bonds alienates the media, Schilling uses it to push whatever his agenda, poloitical or otherwise, is. When he isn't pitching he is always trying to get his face in front of the camera to look good. But his teammates like him...every 5th day that is.

The most interesting story about Schilling this year were the reports that his bloody sock from the 2004 playoffs was doctored. Schilling had supposedly had a tendon sutured so that he could pitch in the playoffs, he did and the cameras kept focusing on how his ankle was bleeding and what a hero he was. But as one ex-teammate said it's funny how no one questioned why the stain never got bigger. Anyway, I told the sock I still thought it was number one when I came across it in the Hall.

Cleveland's Got Larry Doby, Brooklyn's Got Jackie Robinson

Everybody knows that Jackie Robinson was the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era. Breaking baseball's color barrier 60 years ago, he was a fantastic ball player and the right person for the moment. He is in the Hall of Fame and has had his number 42 retired by every team in MLB. However there is a forgotten man in this story, Cleveland Indian Larry Doby. Larry was the first black player in the American League, entering a mere 11 weeks after Robinson. It's true Jackie paved the way for black players in all the cities he played in, but you know what? He didn't play in American League cities/parks. Doby was the first African American in all of the cities, dealing with the insults, hate, and threats all on his own.

One of Doby's game worn Jersey's

While Jackie has gotten all the accolades he deserves it took until 1998 for Doby to get elected to the HOF, and this was by the Veteran's Committee, not the sports writers. It was said in '97 when Robinson's number was being retired, and Doby's accomplishments ignored, that being the second black in baseball was like "being the second man to invent the telephone." It's not like Doby was just a black ball player, and happened to be the first in the AL. He was a 7 time All-Star, won Batting and Home Run crowns, and was also the second black manager. Doby passed away in 2003, and unfortunately continues to be a foot note in this part of Baseball's history. To me what he did was just as difficult and Cleveland's Bill Veeck would stil have signed Doby without Branch Rickey doing it first with Robinson.

To me this is just one more sign of Cleveland being a second class citizen in the world of the national sports media.

He Belongs... Induct Donnie

I had a few different pictures taken of my protest of Don Mattingly not being in the Hall, I figure this one is the best. The two plaques next to me are 2007 inducties Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn. I am standing where Donnie Baseball's face should be in 2008.

Standing(s) On the Edge of Summer

In my opinion one of the things that made the trip so great was that the Indians were in first place. It just made a trip dedicated to baseball all that much better. Of course the Yankees v. Red Sox were on both nights, and we had to watch the crawl to get Indians scores, but who cares when you see the updated standings posted outside of the Hall of Fame and there's the Tribe not only leading the Central but catching the leaders of the other two.

Cheeseburger in Paradise

One of the best parts about our trip to Cooperstown was the food. Nothing worse than going on a vacation and overpaying for terrible food. We had dinner Friday night at Nicoletta's, a mid-upper scale Italian restaurant. Not that you'd have noticed the classiness from GC who didn't take his hat off. Saturday's lunch is pictured here, we had burgers at the Cooperstown Diner. Max. Capacity 13 people, and with burgers this size they were probably breaking fire codes. I literally had to break the center in half to get it in my mouth. I've seen smaller meat loafs.

The Frost is on the Pumpkin

Took an artsy little pic of Bolls and his new orange Cooperstown shirt in the "pumpkin patch" next to where we stayed, the place behind him, T.J.'s is also where we enjoyed complimentary breakfast both mornings. There was also a basket of famous gourds outside too, but I didn't recognize any of them.

It couldn't have been more than 43 degrees this Sunday morning before we left.

This Letter

Okay, I want to move any discussion about what letter was written and who thought it shouldn't be to a separate post. This seems like an interesting topic, one I knew nothing about. The original anonymous comment about it was topical, and I understand why someone would feel the need to respond. However, I want to move this fight away from my post about a young boy dying.

I had not heard this about the letter, but I believe the person who informed us of it to be in the know. That is is it is who I think it might be. If nothing else I think it's safe to assume they are a teacher and chose to remain anonymous for fear of ramifications at work. Now, as to why the person who declared this just a rumor would hide their identity I have no clue. You don't jeopardize anything for saying what you think and stand to gain respect for standing up.

Anyway, I hope this isn't but I have a strong feeling it is true. And I'll admit that's about all I'm brave enough to say about it at this point, other than thank you Mr. Donatone for doing the right thing here. All I ask is that if this requires further discussion please do it here, I am all for debate and arguing but not when attached to a post that I cried while writing.

Only the Good Die Young

I have a couple of things I wanted to post about today, such as my Cooperstown trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame, or a post declaring the Browns were now going to the Super Bowl. Instead I need to write this to tell you about a real hero. His name is Sid Dowdley III, he is 14 years old and he died a week ago on Sunday.

Sid was with his family at a church picnic at Lake Pymatuning. He was in a boat with some relatives when his 3 year old nephew jumped in the water, Sid jumped in after him, got the little boy out and then got caught up in the murky water. He was underwater for 40 minutes before finally surfacing, we was taken to a small Andover medical facility where he was stabilized, (those of you who were there when Brendan broke his leg know where I mean), then flown to Akron Children's Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 11:07 pm.

I have to admit I only knew Sid a short time, I spent 3 weeks with him at Summer School this year, but he was the kind of kid who has a lasting effect on those who came into contact with him. I wondered to myself if Sid was really as good of a kid as I thought he was, as I stated my time with him was limited. I saw Sid as a leader, the other boys flocked to him, he had a great big smile and was at the center of the group. Not because he was the coolest boy in the class, or best athlete, or smartest, (though he was probably near the top in all three of those categories), and the other boys wanted to be his friend to be viewed as cool as well. Sid just had the type of personality that people, boys, girls, adults, old people, are drawn to.

When the other boys would pick on each other, Sid didn't. Again I knew him very little but these other 8th grade boys made fun of each other like 8th grade boys. But Sid stayed above it. Sid had the height, muscle, and athletic ability that when you heard Sid wanted to be a professional basketball player you didn't just group that aspiration with all other 14 year olds who are going to be athletes, rappers, singers, or actors. Then you read his obituary and find out Sid's dream was to be a U.S. Marine. With all that is going on in our world today how many 8th graders are seriously thinking about that kind of a life? Knowing this about Sid it makes perfect sense that he would put his life in harm's way to save someone else without a second to think about the danger.

Flexing his muscles was listed as one of Sid's hobbies,
and I know Sid would want the girls to see this one.

Every thought I had about what kind of person Sid was was confirmed today at his calling hours and funeral today. The amount of tears shed by his classmates was overwhelming. Even in death his friends just wanted to be around him. I watched as the same kids went up to the casket over and over again, by themselves and with different combinations of friends.

Sid's father is confined to an electric wheelchair, and judging by appearance is a bit older than the average father of a 14 year old boy. I heard a story today that on Friday nights if there was a dance, a game, or a party Sid wouldn't go, Friday was his night with his dad. Others told stories about Sid volunteering at nursing homes and his dedication to his church. To paraphrase the words of one of Sid's teachers from Washington Elementary, Sid was the kind of person you hope your kid will be like, smart, cool, good looking, athletic, competitive, and caring.

I have a lot of good things in my life, but if I had to thank God for one thing today, it would be the opportunity to have known Sid Dowdley.

Send in the Clowns

I think it's important to start off this post by mentioning that I have never once referred to the Cleveland football team as the Clowns before. I get irritated when people do it, not so much when it's people that don't like them but when it's the fair weather fans that jump ship. Problem now is I'm not sure there is a ship left to jump from. This team is terrible, and it's just not terrible like it was in '99, it's worse. This team HAS talent! Lot's of it actually, yet but when they put it all together on the field it looks just as bad as it has since Ty Detmer took his final snap. I know it's only one game, but really it's not, it's 8 years of business as usual. And business sucks!

To me this means the front office has done it's job, they have gone out and gotten big players at key positions. The players have the talent and desire to win. That leaves the coaching. I hated Bill Belicheck when he was here, or at least at the end of his time, but I never doubted his ability to correct a game plan at half time. Romeo Crennel seems to have learned nothing from his years of watching this in the locker room. He is the rotten apple from the Belichick coaching tree. It appears the only thing he ever learned from Bill was how to be a jerk to the media.

It is my belief that at this point the only reason he won't play Brady Quinn is because of the stupid game he has played with reporters all pre-season. If nothing else he had a chance to give the kid some real live NFL snaps today in a game where the pressure to win had long since vanished. I know the Steelers didn't let up but that's the way it should be. Instead he created a QB controversy over two guys that shouldn't be starting in 7 weeks anyway. I've stuck by Charlie Frye long enough, this was the last chance he deserves, and I still think he's better than Anderson. That means they must either play Quinn or go get Byron Leftwich. The way I see it is if Brady isn't already better than these two then he's already a bust.

The most irritating thing is we've waited 8 months for this game, been excited about it since at least the draft in April, and it was over within 60 seconds. This team doesn't even give you any hope or anything to cheer about. When Anderson actually was moving the team I told Ron that as a Browns fan you can't even get excited because the more you get caught up in it the longer the drop off is when they make the big mistake. Which they did, Anderson got the ball stripped and fumbled.

4 penalties on a punt, I've never seen 3 on one team on one play. The one series when Frye looked okay, they got a big first down, and Winslow gets called for a push-off except not only didn't he use his hands, he was within 5 yards.

I have a lot more to say, but the Tribe just won so I'm going to focus on that before I can't sleep. They look like they are going to be the only exciting game in town until at least June if the CAVS are still around. Those of you who choose to waste money and an ENTIRE day and a lot of money going to the Browns game, why don't you save that money and get tickets to an Indians home SERIES, or a play-off game?

Fat Bottom Girls

How much more proof do you need?

GET ON YOUR BIKES AND RIDE...
Then go face first through a windshield

Here we go Brownies, Here We Go!

Fat

What's the only thing worse than a big fat dumb hillbilly Steelers Fan?

His bigger fatter dumber hillbillier wife!

GO BROWNS!!!

Sometimes a Fantasy

Good morning, gentlemen. Welcome to another season of Trolley's Football.

The obvious follow up post to yesterday's is the boring post about who I drafted. I went into this draft without buying a magazine or even knowing who was available after each team's one keeper was subtracted from the mix. I went into the actual draft with a hangover and a cold beginning that I still have.

Of course none of this matters because I have the worst luck anyway. You want to see Payton Manning throw more INTs than TDs put him in Trolley red. Another problem I've had with my team is that as the Browns fall out of contention, usually mid October, I lose interest in my team.

Anyway, this year I just unapologetically took who I wanted, (i.e. Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow), these picks weren't reaches where they were selected but I believe 100% that my luck has had a direct negative effect on the actual players health. I actually had both of these players on my roster when they ended their seasons with injuries early on in their rookie years. Anyway even the untrained eye will see patterns such as Browns, Buckeyes, and AFC North players.

Without further ado, your 2007 Raleigh Trolleys:

QB
Tom Brady 2
Eli Manning 9

RB
Willie Parker K
Rudi Johnson 1
Brandon Jackson 6

WR
Laverneus Coles 3
Braylon Edwards 4
Terry Glenn 8
Anthony Gonzales 10
Tedd Ginn 15

TE
K2 The Soldier 5
Troy Scheffler

K
Robbie Gould 12
Rob Bironas 14 (When you gonna kick it now, ah kick it now, starting kicker for the BYE Bironas)

DEF
Ravens 7
49ers 13

I am the Lizard King, I can do Anything!

Alright, this is not an actual song name, but it was uttered in a drunken haze by Jim Morrison. It also makes a good title for this post as Roni and I started our night at The Winking Lizard with the glass of the month filled with 1 liter of Great Lakes Brewing Oktoberfest. After this Beerfest inspired move we went on to a bottle of the High Seas Small Craft Warning pilsner, there was another beer after that but I'll be damned if I have any recollection of what it was called. There was also a Washington Apple shot mixed in, for reasons you can't even fathom. All of this was rounded off with a few BL's once we got back to Ron's parents. Thanks to Tiara of course who was a very responsible DD for not only us but also her little brother McLovin, who was using a fake ID since he's a few moons short of 21. I have now known Andrew for a long time and can't even begin to work the formula that can explain how he isn't of age yet. Although, his smoothness with a decently attractive waitress should of had the ATF flying a chopper overhead, "HEY! can I get a beer?"

This was our annual pre fantasy football draft tradition, I unfortunately missed out on the Swenson's with the Severtis' portion of the evening this year. Around 3AM we created a cure for cancer and solved world hunger, but unfortunately couldn't remember any of it in the morning. Luckily, we did remember our pledge to continually repeat "ay bay bay" until other team owners looked upon us with murderous rage.

Ron also tells me my head is more sculpted and/or aerodynamic, I think that may be a back handed compliment referring to a thinning of what was once a luxurious mane.