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Before I get started. I need to mention. When spell checking my articles for mistakes, the suggested replacement word for “Kiffin” is “Coffin” Could this have been a sign?

Al came in early for this press conference today and perhaps he was cranky from getting up from his crypt. Amidst a bizarre press conference Davis accused former head coach Lane Kiffin of "lying" and "propaganda" among other things. Davis also revealed a letter, which he displayed on an overhead projector for the press, that he wrote to Kiffin prior to the Kansas City game outlining the former coach's faults and his bumbling personnel moves. He then proceeded to call Kiffin a baby for blaming the team's losing record on ownership and for throwing defensive coordinator Rob Ryan under the bus. OK. I don’t see anything wrong with what Kiffin is proclaiming yet. He also kept railing about "Mortensen" for breaking the story and accuses Kiffin of leaking the “letter” to the ESPN reporter because "that's the way he wanted to handle it”.

Obviously, this conference was held to show "cause" for Kiffin's firing and if so will allow Davis to get out of paying the rest of Kiffins contract. Davis also accused Kiffin of not wanting quarterback Jamarcus Russell and pouting after he lobbied to push Rob Ryan out to make room for his father, Monte Kiffin. Who will be the interim coach? Davis announced that Offensive line coach Tom Cable will take over the helm of the sinking Raiders ship beginning in week 5. I couldn't think of a worse scenario for Cable to enter into this position.

As the Raiders organization continues its downward spiral and Darth Davis continues to launch his attack on any and all rebels. There may come a time when the only thing that will be propping up the Raiders financially are the residuals from the Simpsons for basing Monty Burns character on Al Davis's look.

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I would have to say that my favorite memory of Yankee Stadium, if not for the many references in the hit television show “Seinfield”, would be Aaron Boones game winning homerun against the Boston Red Sox, or Johnny Damons upper deck homerun as a member of the Red Sox. Let’s also don’t forget that Yankee Stadium was not only a cathedral built for baseball, but has been home to many memorable moments including a concert by the Beatles in 1965.

On September 21, 2008, one of the saddest moments in Yankee history, second only to the announcement of Yankee great Lou Gehrig’s failing health and goodbye to his retirement in 1939. Baseball fans across the country said goodbye after 85 years to a building built on memory after memory.  Never again will any player patrol center field like DiMaggio or Mantle, or sit behind home plate like Berra or Munson, to step into the batter’s box like Ruth or Gehrig. The stadium will close its doors for the final time and those moments and memories of the “House that Ruth Built” will be left in the minds of those who witnessed them.

Great Irish Tenor Ronan Tynan made one last appearance to sing God Bless America one more time as he did during every playoff game in recent memory at the stadium, and one of the greatest pitchers in Yankee history made his final appearance in the only building he has ever called home. Mariano Rivera took the mound one more time to pitch the final inning in the history of the ballpark.  It was a fitting end for one of the most storied and historical buildings in the country. 

So many Yankee greats were in attendance. Whitey Ford and Yogi Berra joined the broadcast booth for a couple innings of stories and memories. They talked about some of the old timers and especially the likes of Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle. Reggie Jackson later joined the booth. He showed his honor and respect for the stadium and talked about how days earlier he had made a trip out to the black seats where he hit his third and final home run during the clinching game of the 1977 World Series.  He said that he was a little teary about the event because he “Felt like I was losing a friend.”

With an appropriate tribute to every great Yankee to ever grace the field, the Yankees and everybody in attendance were treated to one last chance to remember every great moment and every great player together.

Every baseball fan in the world came together to watch this final game at the greatest baseball stadium ever built. This years Yankees team record could not spoil the pageantry.  All that mattered was the Stadium, and the legacy that went with it. Truly a tribute to the sport of baseball.

Sure as the New Yankee Stadium is born. So too are the memories and moments to come from the next generation of Yankee fans and their beloved boys in pinstripes. 

We will miss you - Yankee Stadium 1923-2008

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This past Sunday there are a couple of surprising winners and losers in the NFL. Let’s begin with a dominating performance by the Miami Dolphins on the road against the New England Patriots. The last time New England lost a regular season game was December 10, 2006 against the Dolphins. Stunned again and as end to the Patriots 21 regular season winning streak. Didn’t anyone watch the tapes?

Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown was impressive with his 5 total touchdowns, 1 passing and 4 rushing, against a very haphazard Patriots defense. Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter talked a lot of smack about the Patriots and quarterback Matt Cassel the week prior to Sundays match up then went out and piled up three sacks. Porter hasn’t looked this good in two years. This has to be the biggest upset this weekend although it was not the only upset worth mentioning.

The Indianapolis Colts rush defense seemed to be lost without Pro-Bowl S Bob Sanders, as the Jacksonville Jaguars ran up and down the Colts both on the field and the scoreboard. Jaguar running backs, Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor had over 100 yards rushing and each regained their 2007 form.

Then there are the Raiders and Al Davis, who will have his chance to fire Head Coach Lane Kiffin today after the Oakland Raiders lost 23-24 to the Buffalo Bills. Wait a second, the Raiders only lost by 1 point to a 2-0 team in Buffalo? That is 2 consecutive games that the Raiders looked competitive.

The person that should really be fired is Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan, who could not figure out how to keep his defense from letting the Bills score a field goal late in the game. If it matters at all, in defeat the Raiders are starting to show their true potential as a young team.

With the Bills having upcoming games at the St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals, are they looking at 5-0 heading into their Week 6 bye? It’s time to start believing it.

Finally, the NFC has the last two remaining undefeated teams and a combined record of 10-2, with the Cowboys ending a losing streak by claiming a victory at historic Lambeau, and beating last year's NFC runner-up, Green Bay Packers.

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Whether it’s major league sports or your little brothers Pop Warner football league, everyone these days seem to be tough on many of our sports officials. Some that are top paid professionals, and many who do not receive any indulgences for their service, and worse yet a lack of respect from both players and fans alike on all levels of play.

So many times it appears that players, coaches and fans are completely off their meds again!

I have many personal experiences but one in particular that recently occurred, making headline news. Veteran NFL referee Ed Hochuli, made what some are calling an unexplainable call that likely cost the San Diego Chargers a loss against divisional rivals, the Denver Broncos last Sunday.

The play occurred with the Broncos at the Chargers 1-yard-line in the final minute. Denver quarterback Jay Cutler dropped back to pass, the ball slipped out of his hands, bounced off the grass and into the arms of San Diego linebacker Tim Dobbins. Hochuli ruled it an incomplete pass. Replay ruled it a fumble, but it was spotted at the 10-yard line, where the ball hit the ground, and given to Denver because the rules did not permit possession to be awarded to San Diego because the whistle had blown. Most are claiming that the play should have never been blown dead? Leaving many Charger fans wondering, why would it even occurred to Hochuli to blow his whistle, therefore ending the play and any chance that the Chargers would gain possession deep in Denver territory.

Hochuli acknowledged that he erred on the call. Apparently, that is not enough for over zealous fans and owners that would like to blame a loss not on how poorly they played their opponent, but by poor officiating alone.

I remember as a young athlete once being told by a respected coach, that if the team really felt they had lost on one bad officiating call, then the team deserved to lose. Meaning if you played your opponent well enough, one call should not change the outcome of a game. I tend to agree for the most.

Officials are subjected to pretty “colorful” criticism at times but, because they thoroughly understand the passion that motivates players, coaches and parents, they normally take criticism with admirable patience. As in this case, Hochuli has publicly admitted apologized, and taken responsibility for his error. This, however, does not mean that insulting referees is “part of the game” which seems to be the popular belief.  It seems that more and more incidents parallel a Domestic Violence scene, involving insults, profane language and some that involve actual physical contact being made to or by the official. Questioning the honesty and integrity of officials, players, fans and coaches alike.

Many arguments arise from coaches, players, parents, and spectators not understanding the rules, referencing outdated rules and even sometimes, yes, not knowing the rules at all. However, it is also true that arguments also result from referees failing to make calls or making wrong calls for a variety of reason ranging from poor positioning during the game to unfamiliarity with a specific rule.

 Last but not least is that sports officials at any level are human and are capable of making mistakes.

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At 71-43 the Angles have the best record in baseball, are on pace for the franchise's first 100-win season and lead the AL West by 10.5 games -- an advantage more than twice as big as that of any other first-place team -- and yet everyone associated with the Angels believes they can play even better. With a commanding first place finish in the AL West, no one in the division ever seriously challenged the Angels.

So as the Anaheim Stadium scoreboards flashed `2008 AL West champions’ and fans held up their own signs, including one that read `I want to go to the World Series.’ Angel’s fans have to ask themselves, if this same Angel team can survive the 2008 postseason. The team that rode K-Rod, hot bats and the Rally Monkey to the World Series title in 2002 was probably less talented than every Angels roster of the Moreno Era including this years team, yet it is the only one to finish on top.

In the Angels' three playoff appearances since then they've been eliminated each time by the eventual World Series Champions. First by the machine that was the miracle Red Sox in 2004; then by what Scioscia calls "a buzzsaw" of White Sox pitching in 2005, and finally, by a dominating Red Sox squad last October.

After their World Series title in 2002. The Halos have been consistently loading up on talent and their payroll every year since 2004, when billionaire Arte Moreno effectively took control of the franchise. They've added key parts each off-season and have become the class of their division. Is it enough?

Enough to win four division titles in five years. Not too shabby, especially when you consider the rash of injuries that always seem to hit this team at the worst moment. A bullpen in 2008 that showed signs of considerable weakness, an offense that could barely scrape together two runs on a night, a team that has had to battle years of the likes of Mo Vaughn, Von Hayes, Lee Stevens, Kevin Appier, bus accidents (OK, only one), a curse, Disney ownership, Cookie Rojas as manager and those awful periwinkle blue uniforms.

There are two types of teams that dominate the regular season: teams like the 2007 Red Sox that go wall-to-wall and translate their success into the playoffs, and teams like the 2001 Mariners, whose record-tying 116 wins seemed inconsequential when they were dominated in the ALCS by the Yankees.

Will we see a 2002 Angels baseball club in the 2008 postseason? I think we will. Look for the Angels to continue their dominance.

Look out Michael Phelps ... here come the Angels.

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There is a sign on the way out of the Raiders locker room as they head out to the practice field. Its says, "I'm in". The players all smack it and repeat the slogan each time they are headed out.  However, this year like recent years, I think this slogan may be only part of what the true meaing may be. " I'm in for  a long season", and it all started this past Monday night.

 There is not much good to be said about a performance as humiliating as the Oakland Raiders put on in their season opener against the Denver Broncos. The offense sputtered and misfired, but was completely overshadowed by the complete ineptitude of the entire defense. This game was the perfect storm of misery for the Raider Nation.

 I really felt sorry for JaMarcus Russell and Darren McFadden last Monday night. As I sat a watched the game some part of me just wants to let them go play for a real football team. Imagine what they could do if they had teammates who could catch, block, tackle and could maintain sanity on the football field for the entire game. Even they could not prevent the nationally televised 41-14 debacle against the Broncos on Monday Night, and probably will see their talents wasted for as long as they remain with the Raiders or until something dramatically changes.

 The franchise just isn't for good players anymore. This franchise is about under experienced coaching, and a defense loaded up with high dollar players that couldn't come close to stopping any team with an offense capable of mustering a mediocre attack. In fact, the Raiders defense, better known as the “Escort Service”, featured high-priced CB DeAngelo Hall self destructing with multiple personal fouls, and a repeated roasting by rookie Denver WR Eddie Royal. 

This franchise is about overpaying former Bronco WR Javon Walker, who didn’t even make it into uniform to face off against his former team on Monday Night. This franchise is about lame penalties, blown tackles, and dropped passes. This franchise is mostly about Al “Grandma” Davis. NO, it's all about Al. Sure, he will blame all those around him, but this alone is his creation. “Commitment to Absurdity”. This franchise does not deserve the like’s f Russell, or McFadden. By all indications, this franchise is going to do its best to ruin Russell and McFadden as swiftly and as painfully as possible.

"When things don't happen to go too good for the team, you kind of wish you did more," said Russell, who completed 17 of 26 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns and did not throw an interception. "But I did pretty good”. 

How can Russell lead this disenchanted franchise to any wins this season when his starting receivers are Ronald “Too Slow” Curry and Ashley” I got cut by the 49ers” Lelie?

Russell did not escape Monday Nights Massacre unscathed, however. He himself experienced some bumps of his own, including a lost fumble in the first quarter, and dropping the ball as he prepared a long lateral to HB McFadden.

However, Russell managed to fired some laser passes that would have done damage to the Bronco defense had they been caught. It just didn't matter.

How is McFadden supposed to turn in 100 yard games when his blockers commit holding penalties and his offensive unit can't keep it together long enough to get close to the end zone? McFadden, who left the game early with an apparent shoulder injury in the second half but said afterward he was fine, never quite broke off the huge explosive run against Denver.

It's not Russell and McFadden's fault that they could not save the Raiders on Monday night. They are fighting the tide of history and the effects of prolonged franchise decay.

It will take all Kings Horses and all the Kings Men to put the Raiders Franchise back together again.

 Stay tuned for my next blog as I talk about the Anaheim Angels already clenching the AL West and the possibilty of a LA Dodger Postseason.

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As the close of the 67th California League regular season comes to an end, so does another year closer to the end of a Bakersfield baseball era. A club that has had over 200 former and current major league ball players is on the edge of extinction, but it’s not the first time.

A simple stroll around the ballpark's outdoor concourse shows banners of players like Hall of Fame pitcher Don Drysdale, who began his professional career in Bakersfield in 1954. Hanging from the walls of Sam Lynn Ballpark are banners of Pedro Martinez, Mike Piazza, Eric Karros, and Johnny Callison. Most recently Texas Rangers second year sensation, Josh Hamilton, hailed his start in a Blaze uniform.

Over the past 67 years the Bakersfield franchise has seen its share of changes. In 1968, the Bakersfield Bears switched affiliations from the Philadelphia Phillies to the Los Angeles Dodgers and took the Dodgers nickname. In 1976, Bakersfield and Visalia dropped out of the California League and the Dodgers switched affiliates to Lodi. In 1984, the Bakersfield Mariners switched affiliations from the Seattle Mariners to the Dodgers and again took the Dodgers nickname. In 1995 the Dodgers switched affiliates to the San Bernardino Spirit and Bakersfield became a co-op team known as the Bakersfield Blaze. Since 1997 Bakersfield has been the A affiliation for the San Francisco Giants, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and to present the Texas Rangers.

So the news and rumors surrounding the recent departure of the club after the 2009 season should come at no great surprise to anyone. So blame it on a sub par ballpark or the multitude of other speculations about the teams move, but it all comes down to this.

Despite what Blaze Owner D.G. Elmore says. I personally feel that shifting the blame to the Cal League inciting that the decision is beyond him, is nothing more than a weak attempt to shift the blame to the league and the Rangers Ball Cub rather than to admit that the Ownership is not intent on staying in Bakersfield.

Earlier this year, Condors owner Jonathan Fleisig acknowledged that he had expressed interest in buying part of the team to Elmore but was only rejected in his attempt to keep the Blaze in Bakersfield. Only part ownership or a partnership was proposed, Fleisig said.

I have personally attempted to get seek out answers, regarding the possible Blaze relocation, by contacting the Elmore Sports Group. I have searched their website. To date have had no response or acknowledgement. The fact of the matter is the Bakersfield Blaze are nowhere to be found on their organizations website, questioning the ownerships interest in their Bakersfield franchise at all.

Now some you are going to rant and rave that I am not being fair. Well you may be right, but before you all dog pile me. I equally put as much blame on the City of Bakersfield and Kern County. Maybe Bakersfield could learn from the city of Visalia who have already started see some dividends after deciding last year to commit $11.6 million to spruce up Recreation Park in order to keep Minor League Baseball in town.

Long time Blaze supporter and season ticket holder, Mayor Harvey Hall has been going to baseball games in the stadium since 1948. He has served as a batboy, scoreboard operator and PA announcer for the various minor league teams that have been in the ballpark. He was quoted in 2004 saying, "We want to have a minor league baseball team, and they can't exist without the fan support,” The mayor also addressed talk of a new stadium replacing the poorly built and situated present facility. "You can't have a new stadium until you have a team on the field and you have fan support," he said.

Well that may be true, but you won't have fan support until you have a ballpark that will maintain any legitimate affilitation, as well as attracting new fans to boost attendance. Sam Lynn Ballpark although full of history and lore, has become a dilapidated ancient relic, and lets face it. Who cares about the Texas Rangers?

Does anyone see the problem here? Or is it just me?

Lets face it. The current agreement between the city and the ownership, the ownership and the Cal League and the Cal League and the Texas Rangers is all wrong. Everyone wants something from someone else, and no one else is willing to give it. So is it too much to ask that a cooperative plan be put in place to save professional baseball in Backwardsfield? 

If we peer back to the Golden Age of baseball in Bakersfield, it demonstrates the love for Bakersfield Baseball. In 1955, a civic-minded businessman and some baseball fans came to the rescue of the Bakersfield franchise when the Brooklyn Dodgers ended their two-year agreement with the club. They subscribed $28,500, at $100 per share, establishing a locally owned corporation that sustained the club and saved minor league baseball for the city of Bakersfield. 

In closing it’s the fans and the residents of Bakersfield that get burned by the Blaze on this one. Once again, we are at the mercy of greedy ownership and bureaucratic incompetence. Baseball fans will not mourn the passing of the Blaze, but the rich tradition that has been part of the Bakersfield landscape for almost three quarters of a century.