 Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Bill Walsh Remembered
The world of sports and the NFL lost one of its greatest minds, Bill Walsh, former head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, yesterday from leukemia. Coach Walsh was the father of the West Coast Offense, a short passing offense copied and used throughout the NFL. Walsh has many coaching disciples including fellow Super Bowl winning head coaches like Mike Holmgren, Mike Shanahan, and Jon Gruden.
Though I was never a 49er fan, I respected Coach Walsh and learned from him. He was a perfectionist and prepared incessantly for games. He scripted the first 15-20 plays of a game. His players like Joe Montana knew when to throw a pass and receivers like Jerry Rice knew when to make the cuts. Working together, Walsh, Montana, and Rice won three Super Bowls together and went to the Hall of Fame.
Before preparing for work, writing a blog entry, or getting ready for a day, I map out what I want to do and keep a written "agenda" of what I want to accomplish. In more recent years, I have gone electronic via my Crackberries but like the pen and paper backup. Coach Walsh will be missed be many including myself but his legacy will live on.
Posted by a mournful Tank in NY.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Left for Dead on the top of Mt. Washington...
On Saturday I set out with six friends to attempt the Presidential Traverse in the White Mountains in New Hampshire. The traverse or Prezzie Traverse is a one day hike of about 21 miles and has you summit 9 peaks, most at about 5,000 feet, with an 8,500 elevation gain (and loss) over the day. It starts down on the Dolly Copp road and hikes up the pine link trail to summit Mt. Madison (5366), and then walk along the ridge that will take you over Mt. Adams (5799), then over Mt. Jefferson (5716), Mt. Clay (5583, to be renamed Mt. Reagan?), Mt. Washington (6288), Mt. Monroe (5372), Mt. Franklin (5001), Mt. Eisenhower (4750), and Mt. Pierce (4312). The Team Norm-the open source geek Donna-the trail nazi Ned & Laura, the ones on a mission Walter-the saint Rob-the machine 
Warm Up The trip this weekend took me through 7 states total, or 14% of all 50 states. The states were: New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. On Thursday I drove up with Norm and Donna and Norm took a ride up Mt. Ascutney in Vermont on his bike while Donna and I hiked out to a hang glider launch pad. On Friday while waiting for the entire team to show up (Walter had to fly in from San Francisco), Norm, Donna, and I hooked up with Ian from Business School and went kayaking down the Androscoggin River-18 miles from a dam in New Hampshire to Bethel Maine. It was a great time despite the harsh sunburn I was foolish to acquire. The Prezzie Traverse On Friday we all go to bed by 10pm since we are to get up at 2am to be on the trail by 3am. We get to the trailhead on time and after an attempt to take a "before" photo went array, we get started with our headlamps on. The fun starts right away, we trek right up a hill to gain about 4200 feet in 3.8 miles. We make the whole way to the ridge and then watch the sunrise and attack Mt. Madison. We are all very strong and make it over the mountain and down to the Mt. Madison hut around 7:30am. We all go in and refill our water bottles and take a break. I notice that there are a disproportionate amount of super hot hiker babes in the hut and comment that I want to stay longer. The group calls me a wimp and tells me to move on. (But Norm and Ned agree with me about the pretty girls in the hut.) So we trek over to Mt. Adams. The sun is shining and the mountain, while steep is an awesome sight. There is huge amount of rock to climb over and you really have to scramble (a lot a 4.0 level scramble). The summit is awesome and you can see Mt. Madison and Mt. Jefferson (our next target). The hike over to Mt. Jefferson is a slog, I'm starting to get tired already and the bottom of my feet hurt from the downhill on the rock. I complain but Norm tells me to stop being a "Ned". I am also at the back of the bus at this point, but everyone gracefully waits for me. I get up Mt. Jefferson and there is a 15 foot hill at the top to the true summit. I drop my poles and pack (at Norm's suggestion) and trek up and down (and pee on top). When I get down Norm keeps telling me that I did not do the "real hike" since I left my pack for that 15 foot ascent. I tell him to screw himself and claim "entrapment" and he says that he is not a cop, but I say he is the trail cop. I am starting to get lightheaded and even more slow as we approach Mt. Clay. The hike up Mt. Clay was pretty easy, and I shout out many Reaganisms on the way up for sport. Once were are down there is one thing left before a nice break, Mt. Washington. Mt. Washington I tried to climb Mt. Washington a few years ago on Memorial Day. I had to turn back about 1000 feet from the summit due to a white out. Snow in late May, go figure. The world's worst weather has been recorded on top of Mt. Washington and it is the highest peak in the Northeast. There is a cog railway that takes tourists up to the top and Norm jokes when I tell him I may quit at Washington that my ride down is the cog rail. I say that the cog railway is for wimps (a direct jab at Ned and Laura who took it down last year when they were finished for the day.) Norm has to visit the men's room (a la natural) and I stay behind and we summit together. We see a sign saying that the summit is 1.1 miles and we know it is about 1300 feet gain. Ug. After about 20 minutes of hiking we hit a sign that says .9 miles. We say that THEY LIE! The summit seems to be getting further away as we climb. It starts to rain. The cog rail comes by and blows tons of black smoke at us, mocking us. (Later I learn that you are suppose to moon the tourists on the train, I wish I knew this custom beforehand-now I know for next time.) We reach the summit around 1pm and Donna is waiting for us on the top, she climbed Mt. Washington earlier that day and was going to do the rest of the day with us. Norm and I go straight to the summit and then to the tourist observatory and restaurant where the gang is waiting for us. Technically we summited first since they went straight to the observatory to get out of the cold and rain. At this point I was still very lightheaded but knowing my body well I knew I was not dehydrated or sick. (Later I would determine it was the sunburn, since I had the same feelings on Sunday and Monday when I woke up.) I considered walking down Washington with Donna but she wanted to hike a little longer and since I was fine muscle and cardio wise I figured what the heck, so after a chili lunch on top of Mt. Washington I walked down to the Lake of the Clouds hut with the team. Norm promised "no more rocks" and that the southern traverse is "just like the Catskills." He lies. The Rest of the Peaks I was slow but the view was awesome upon arrival. It compares to the Italian alps. Donna and I decided to trek down to another path to bail out early but eventually decided to truck on. We went around Mt. Monroe (a shitty president) while the rest of the team went over the top and we waited for them at the bottom. Then we moved on to Mt. Franklin and I was going so slow that Donna was enticing me with snickers bars to move faster. We caught up with the team and later on circled around Mt. Eisenhower while they went to the top and then we all went up Mt. Pierce together. From there it was about 3+ miles to the car but it took us 2.5 hours to get there, finishing up at 9pm, coming out in the dark in headlamps. We treated ourselves to McDonalds (only thing really open) after we got the cars. Would I do it Again? Having completed the entire Presidential Traverse and 6 out of the 9 peaks (technically I did not get to the top of Pierce, there was a little run up and run down that I skipped) it was a hell of an accomplishment. In total it was an 18 hour, 21 mile hike. I felt ok the next day, just a little stiffness in my quads. That said, I see no reason to do it all in one day except for pure ego. I have had other long days, days that were necessary: summiting Mt. Rainier was an 18 hour day-but there is no other way. Climbing the Western Breach on Mt. Kilimanjaro was about a 10 hour day and there is really no other way either. The slog over Kala Pattar into Everest Base Camp was another 12+ hour day, but there is no other paths to take. So would I do it again? Honestly after about 12 hours I was not having fun and after about 16 hours I just wanted it to be over. I see no reason to do it all in one day. The only reason to do it in one day is pure ego and at the end of the day shouldn't you enjoy it more? (Also if I tell my friend's I did the Prezzie Traverse, they would say, is that in Washington DC?) I would do it again, but I would do it over 3 days and that is my advice to anyone. Take the time and enjoy it. The the Presidential Traverse has 3 huts you can stay at. Start where we did (but at a reasonable hour, like 9am) and hike to Madison hut, that will take you about 7 hours. Then stay overnight there (bring earplugs) and then trek to the Lake of the Clouds hut the next day, that will take you about 8-9 hours. Spend the night there and then do the rest of the southerns all in one day, about 7 hours or so. Was I really left for dead? No, my friends may have talked me into moving on when I was not feeling that well, but it was my call to move on. But I did have fun telling them every hour or so that I was left for dead. Posted by Steve in New York.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
To Trade or Not to Trade
Tuesday's trade deadline is almost upon us. Many major league teams face the dilemma of being buyers or sellers at the trade deadline. Teams have to decide whether to give up promising prospects to contend for now or get prospects for a player another team now. Omar Minaya said last week trades have to be fair to both teams.
The Mets and Yankees are lucky to be contenders but it's not clear what they will do. Omar said that he is looking for eighth inning bullpen help. The Yankees need to get anyone for Kyle Farnsworth (AKA Yankees Team Cancer). There were rumors of a deal with Colorado to a recent Yankees radio broadcast. Ron Villone and Scott Proctor could be on the dock.
Due to the dearth of available quality starting and relief pitching, I doubt there will be a blockbuster deal unless you think Jose Contreras is an ace.
I think the Mets and Yankees should keep their cards close to their vest and not deal unless the Red Sox want to deal Okajima and/or Papelbon. You and I have a better shot of winning the Lottery than those guys being traded to us. 
Seriously, the Mets and Yankees have great team chemistry and you don't want to mess with that. Anyway, both teams will hopefully add players coming back from injury, touch wood. Hughes, Karstens, Rasner, and Giambi are expected back within the week or two for the Yankees and Pedro for the Mets in the next few weeks or so, God Willing.
Giambi should pinch hit and be happy that he is not in more trouble. Phillips is a better first baseman and more consistent hitter. Mientkiewicz is on the mend and will hopefully be a late inning defensive substitution after a Giambi at bat.
Posted by the Tank in NY.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Welcome to the Baseball Hall of Fame Tony and Cal
Congratulations to Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken, Jr. for their induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame tomorrow. Super Twin Gil and I attended Cal's last regular season away game at Yankee Stadium. It was actually supposed to be the last game of his career but the 9/11 attacks changed the schedule.
By all accounts especially those from San Diego Rich and friends, Tony Gwynn was an all around good guy.
Players who have played their entire careers with one team are a dying breed and Tony and Cal are to be complimented for doing that. Congratulations Tony and Cal!
Posted by the Tank in NY.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Barry Bonds Is Lucky Not to Be in the Tour De France
Steve commented on Wednesday about Bud Selig doing the right thing and following Barry Bonds to San Francisco in his pursuit of Hank Aaron's mark. I think Selig was in no-man's land -- damned if he did, damned if doesn't. Like Steve, I have and will boo Bonds. For instance, Medford Bob and I were at the Giants-Mets game at Shea where Lastings Milledge hit his first MLB home run last season.
Imagine a different scenario if Bud Selig went to San Francisco and kicked Bonds off Giants. He could not break Hank Aaron's record. That's not going to happen in MLB because the players union is too strong but it just happened in cycling. For instance, Mark Rasmussen was in the lead after Wednesday's stage when his sponsor, Rabobank, kicked him off their team and the Tour de France.
As Steve noted, Bonds has NOT been indicted or even convicted, much less formally charged. Therefore, he has a right to play on. Reading between the lines and reviewing various media outlets, Bonds is winning the game of chicken. Bonds knows he took steroids but knows MLB is even dirtier. If MLB presses him, Bonds will take MLB down with him. If there is an explicit gentlemen's agreement between thieves, MLB will let Bonds break the record in return for Bonds stepping aside after the season is over. I don't have confirmation from Bonds and/or MLB offices because this is something they would never admit to.
If Bonds doesn't step aside at the end of the season, don't be surprised if the feds step in and try to bring up the fact that Bonds may have perjured himself. With the 2008 Presidential Election upon us, you don't want politicians of all stripes tampering with baseball, especially MLB's anti-trust monopoly exemption. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) needs an issue to energize his lagging presidential campaign and don't be surprised if he redoubles his past commendable efforts in cleaning up steroids, the perfect non-partisan issue that doesn't go against special interests like campaign finance reform does.
As Steve blogged a couple of months ago, cycling has been plagued by doping performance enhancing scandals but is trying to clean it up. Both sports need to be cleaned up and cycling is taking the right steps in cleaning up its image. If Selig, MLB owners, and the players union are smart, they'll do the same because they don't want to play chicken with Senator McCain, a man who spent seven years in a North Vietnamese prison.
Posted by the Tank in NY.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
#299 for Glavine and #499 for A-Rod
Steve and I hoped to travel to Shea last night to watch Tom Glavine win his 300th but he couldn't hold the lead in LA last week.
However, Tom did the next best thing and won his 299th game last night. Tom Glavine fought through a tough bases loaded jam in the first inning to lead the Mets to a 6-3 victory. His batterymate and Greenwich, Connecticut, neighbor, Paul Lo Duca, had four RBIs.
Congratulations are also in order for A-Rod for his 499th home run in Kansas City last leading the Yankees to a 7-3 victory.
A-Rod will get his shot at his 500th home run tonight in Kansas City while Glavine will have to wait for wait for his first attempt at 300 will come next week in Milwaukee. Good luck A-Rod and Tom!
Posted by an excited Tank in NY.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Bud Selig Made the Right Call
With so many scandals in the world of sports, I decided to comment on the Barry Bonds scandal. Now that MLB commissioner Bud Selig has decided to come to San Francisco games there is a little less suspense in the air, but Bud did not really give Barry a ringing endorsement, he said: "I felt it was the right thing to do," Selig said of joining the Bonds chase Tuesday in San Francisco. "I decided I would rather be here than sitting at home watching the game on TV and listening to my wife grumble about me watching the game on TV." The bottom line is this. The home run record is the most sacred of all sports records in the USA. The baseball commissioner has to be there, even if we get Barry Bonds-756*. Last time I checked we are not living in the Soviet Union, but in the USA where everyone is innocent until proven guilty. The media has convicted the man already. Everyone thinks he has cheated, even Patrick Arnold. While I personally believe that Barry Bonds has been cheating and I also feel that in the late 90s after the strike Selig turned a blind eye to the cheating, so he is at fault as well. At the moment, there is no clear and convincing proof that Barry cheated. Until that proof surfaces, we have to treat Barry with the respect he deserves. That said I will still boo him at Shea. Posted by Steve in New York.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Playboy's Miss November 2007
Life is about beating the odds and I recently beat them in Los Angeles -- I met a supermodel. Yes, on July 4 of all days celebrating America beating the odds as the 13 fledgling colonies declared and won independence from England.
I was on vacation but had to file this report as another SteveAndTheTank.com exclusive. Months before the rest of the world will know her name and face, I met Playboy's Miss November 2007, Lacey Von Erich. Lacey is the daughter of wrestling legend Kerry Von Erich. Kerry was another of the many professional wrestlers to tragically die young.
What's Lacey like? She's really nice and down to earth. We are pictured below at an LA bar.
We hung out with mutual friends and I spun her around to the tune of Lynyrd Skyrnyd's "Sweet Home Alabama".
Life is about living your dreams and I am thankful to live one of mine and meet a supermodel. To quote "Journey", "Don't Stop Believin'" -- see you at the Playboy Mansion.
Posted by the Tank reporting Live from Los Angeles, California.
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