Walk Off

"I just can’t look its killing me
And taking control
Jealousy, turning saints into the sea"
--Mr. Brightside, The Killers

Ouch. Opening day is supposed to be all about new beginnings and excitement and optimism, and with one Trevor Hoffman fastball, it all came crashing down. Clint Barmes (who?!?) hit a walk-off, two-run homer off Hoff-daddy to beat the Padres in Colorado, and a great comeback effort from my Friars was wasted. The middle relievers (Linebrink and Otsuka) played well, but Trevor's collapse was hard to handle. I'm moving on...
Great championship game, one of the best in quite some time. Carolina definitely deserved to win, but Illinois fought back--with the three, like they've done all season--and provided a quality finish. Sean May made himself a ton of money last night, but he evidently said that he'll be back next season, which is a little like Matt Leinart returning from a national championship, All-American year. If Marvin Williams sticks around as well, they'll be tough to beat again next year (though Duke brings back Redick and hopefully Williams to go with three McDonald's All-Americans).
No line of the night from the NBA, so over the weekend it's gotta go to Elton Brand. I'm obviously regionally-biased, but when the Clippers pick up a road win, respect's gotta be given. EB finished with 33 and 12 to give the Clips just their eighth win on the road this season. By the way, Lakers in Phoenix tonight. I'm already feeling the pain. Okay, I'm done with hoops for now...
So after 15 months on the job, I finally managed to get Newcastle United into the show. I do a piece every Monday now called "In Case You Missed It," which brings to light a few stories from the weekend that may have flown beneath the radar. In this case, I included a fight from the Newcastle United-Aston Villa game Saturday, an event not uncommon in English soccer matches, except for one thing: the fight was between two teammates. Kieron Dyer (who I really like) and Lee Bowyer (who I don't much care for) got into it in the second half and both were red-carded. It's unfortunate that I had to portray my squad in such a negative light, but I'm taking baby steps here. Next year, I'm vowing that Alan Shearer's farewell tour will be a feature (by the way, Big Al announced that he's coming back for one more year, meaning I have time before I need to travel back there and see him play--I was on the verge of booking a May 15th trip to see them play Chelsea in the Premier League season finale, but I can put it off now for another year).
A couple of cool things from the weekend:
- Kendall Payne leading worship at Bel Air on Sunday morning, which was a welcome change of pace from T.J. and a very apparent difference in the tone and role of the music. She's a great singer (and songwriter) and did an amazing job.
- We have a new roommate (still keeping fingers crossed), with a month's rent already in the bank. Craig's List works, evidently, and he seems like a good dude: Jason Hoover, an Auburn guy.
- First guitar session in quite some time Saturday night with Ryan, and it's about time. Didn't even get to play that much, but anything was better than the void of music that's been in existence for far too long. Proceeded to have a nice long musical (and otherwise) conversation with this girl Sarah, which only reinforced the desire to be playing more.
- Attended a UCLA baseball game Friday night and saw my boy Will pick up three hits (including two doubles), walk once, steal a base (third, after one of his doubles) and knock in a run. Unfortunately, the rest of his teammates couldn't keep pace and a seventh-inning Arizona grand slam proved too much to overcome. Reading the article on the UCLA website, it was noted that Will posted his team-leading ninth multi-hit game of the season. Way to go, buddy.
- You can never really know about a girl right after you've met her for the first time, but I think it's a good sign when you're still thinking (at least a little bit) about her three days later.
There seem to be rumors abounding regarding a period of my life in which I wore Tevas, though I'm strenuously denying all such assertions. Reefs for quite some time and now Rainbows, but Tevas, really? I've got nothing against the rock-climbers and hikers of the world, but I just don't think that's my thing.
Yesterday was craziness, glad I'm able to relax a little bit this morning and write, but sorry it's still shorter than usual. I'll be better, I promise.