NSN Blog

So I have been on vacation for awhile, since the day of the terrible bombings at the Boston Marathon. Of course, a lot has happened since that forgettable day. I am one that obviously bleeds red, white, and blue so it’s tough for me to not get into trouble when commenting. Some of my Facebook page comments have already irked a few. It was great to see some of the tributes at Fenway Park toward Boston’s law enforcement officials who worked so hard to get suspect/loser #2 into custody. Suspect #1 got what he deserved in my opinion. It sounds like, after seeing the news this morning, that there may be a connection to others who could possibly be involved too. The whole thing is scary but I love the fact that Bostonians, along with New Englander’s, remain resolute about next year’s marathon. Some say it will be bigger than ever which is hard to believe, but would great if it indeed happens.

A little over a week ago I blogged about the Red Sox corner infielders needing to pick up their game at the plate. Apparently, Mike Napoli got the memo and it was lost upon Will Middlebrooks who continues to struggle, and struggle mightily I would add. Red Sox fans are growing tired of some really bad at bats by the young third baseman, but, I still think we need to give him some time. He’ll get it figured out-at least I hope so. Some Sox fans are griping in social media circles about Youk being in a Yankees uniform while Will goes through a sophomore slump. In the case I’m saying, just give it a little more time. If it’s mid-May and this is still happening, we’ve got trouble.

That guy Herrera can flat out throw the ball for KC huh? How long before he has Tommy John surgery? And he wasn’t even the closer last night. LOL. KC isn’t that bad in my mind.

I couldn’t believe the Tampa Bay Bucs gave up what they did to get Darrelle Revis. The Jets get the 13th pick in this year’s NFL draft and a conditional selection next year. Revis, gets 96 million dollars-though none of it guaranteed in the six-year deal. More than likely that conditional pick will end up being a 3rd rounder should #24 end up on the Bucs roster on the third day of the 2014 NFL calendar year. It seems likely that will happen. The Bucs are “thrilled” with the deal. I also couldn’t believe that the Jets couldn’t have signed him to the same deal-with no guarantees like the one he signed with the Bucs-and kept the face of their franchise! The move seems strange by New York, but then again, doesn’t everything the Jets do? I have mixed emotions on this one as you can tell. On the one hand I don’t think you’d see me giving up a couple of picks for a guy coming off major knee reconstruction if I was the GM. On the other, from a PR standpoint if I’m the Jets, I better be ready to make a big time splash in the upcoming draft with my two top 13 picks! All of it tells me Rex Ryan is on his way out the door. It seems like a set up for failure to me for New York. If Rex is shown the door though, at this point, it can’t be a bad thing for the Jets long term. The guy is a circus all by himself.

Call me crazy, continuing my NFL talk, I’m hoping on a wing and a prayer that somehow the Vikings have a chance to grab EJ Manual. I think he has a chance to do something big. And judging by what some of the NFL “experts” are saying that may be the case. Minny has the 23rd and 25th pick. Undoubtedly they’d have to trade up to have a chance. Let’s do it! After seeing the success of Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson-who Manual has been compared to, I’m all for a rookie quarterback, and NOT PONDER, running the show.

An emotional weekend in the Boston area
The reaction at sports venues across the country when the news was released that the 2nd suspect was captured was unbelievable.
It sent chills up and down my spine.
I was not able to watch the Red Sox-Kansas City game on Saturday even though I did watch the clips later.
After I was done with the Castleton softball video cast on Saturday the first thing I did when I got in the car was to turn the game on and at that time Daniel Nava was at bat. Of course I heard the three run homer.

Yesterday was Vermont Day which was very special for West Rutland's Olivia Gawet who sang the National Anthem, the official bat girl was Cayley North of Ira and the official bat boy was Liam Mulholland of Westminster and Henry Burke of Cabot sang "God Bless America".
The Kansas City and Red Sox starting line-ups were announced on NESN by Ryan and Riley Canty of Shelburne, the son and daughter of Joe Canty formerly of Mendon. Their uncle is Mike Canty of Mendon, who has run in the Boston Marathon multiple times.
Rachel Olanoff of Rutland the Boston police officer who is on the cover of this week's Sports Illustrated was introduced to the crowd at Fenway last night. She is now Rachel McGuire.

Now to the games.... The Red Sox lost twice, but in game 2 I thought Allen Webster pitched very well in his major league debut. I know he'll be sent down, but I'd like to see him get another shot very soon.
I retired after the 9th inning because I wasn't very optimistic with Andrew Miller coming in. I didn't trust his control and I guess I was right.

Shame on you Al Michaels!

George Commo's Blog - Sunday 4-21-13
I hope I'm wrong but I have the distinct feeling that yesterday was an indicator of exactly how the NBA first round series between the Celtics and the Knicks is going to go. Boston will be in every game ... they will have opportunities to win ... but they won't score enough ... and they won't win enough. Jeff Green put up 26 yesterday and the Celts still lost the game ... that is a bad sign.

Have you noticed ... both the Bruins and the Canadiens are stumbling down the stretch in the NHL ... the Stanley Cup playoffs are just a little over a week away and right now the hottest teams in the East are Pittsburgh (Sidney who?), Washington and the New York Islanders ... yes THOSE New York Islanders! Out West everyone is thinking Chicago or Anaheim ... but don't forget the defending champs. After a slow start the LA Kings are clicking along on all cylinders.
A week away ... I can't wait!

George Commo's Blog - Saturday 4-20-13
The phrase will be out there today ... we'll all hear it. Many of us will use it. Today in Boston folks will be looking for ... hoping for ... a return to normalcy. After stirring renditions of the National Anthem they'll drop the puck at the Garden at 12:30 ... throw the first pitch at Fenway a little after 1:00 and things will all get back to normal. If it were only true.
Yes, the games will be played, and thousands of other every day Saturday type activities will return all around the Hub. But while we all want to put the horrific events of the past week behind us, I think it is going to be a long time before anything is "normal" again. I guess our one hope should be that those events themselves never become "normal". If we can at least accomplish that we will have started down a very long path toward normalcy.

George Commo's Blog - Friday 4-19-13
When Jack Healey and I sat down during an episode of The Really Big Sports Show a couple of years ago to discuss who might make up the first class of the New Vermont Sports Hall of Fame we both totally forgot about one guy. Then when the class was announced we said "Oh yeah, how could we have for Bob Yates?"
Bob Yates passed away earlier this week at his home in Texas. His credentials are pretty impressive. A football star at Montpelier High School ... a first team All American on a Syracuse team that won the 1959 national championship ... and then a six year career with the Boston Patriots. He was then and remains today the only Vermont native ever to play in a regular season NFL game. He then went on to a long coaching career, including eight years as head coach at Burlington High.
It was easy to forget I guess ... he had been away from the Vermont scene for a while ... but I for one am glad the committee at the Vermont Hall remembered. Coach Bob Yate's selection was a no brainer. RIP Coach!