The Quest for "it"

Remembering Steinbrenner

                    Hey There!

I am in my 39TH YEAR and I have been a NY Yankees fan for 33 of them, and anticipating to be a fan for a lot more.  I have been fortunate to have been born a Yankee's fan, and I am fortunate to have been born a Yankee's fan during the lifetime of  George Steinbrenner III  and Bob Sheppard. This past week has seen the fall of  these two NY Yankee icons. Affectionately known as "The Boss," and Bob Sheppard the "Voice of God"  and the "Voice of Yankee Stadium," I never personally had the good fortune to meet either man, yet I still had a relationship with both. 

From the first moment I heard "Welcome to Yankee Stadium" 31 years ago I knew it was gonna be a special relationship.  Bob Sheppard just exuded class and commanded respect by the way he spoke over the Yankee Stadium PA system. Even players, baseball giants, who will be going to the Hall of Fame, and ones that are already in the Hall of Fame were reduced to wide-eyed appreciative spectators when they heard their names announced. I am very happy and fortunate to have been a NY Yankee fan during his tenure,and to have been able to experience his legend.  George Stienbrenner ...well, what can you say. 

Every fan wants their team to win all the time, and Mr. Steinbrenner basically made that happen through his navigation in his quest for "'it".  He brought us 7 World Series Titles and 11 American league pennants in 37 years.  Generations have come and gone without ever seeing one world title from their team.  So all I can say simply and humbly is, thank you gentlemen, thank you so much for giving us so much during your quests.

-Article by Che Diaz 

*photo courtesy of Esquire.com

NFL Hall of Famers Congrats!!!

Hey There! 

I want to take a moment and welcome everyone to- the sports quest...August is here...which means NFL training camps as well as Collegiate programs are getting into full stride. The first week of August also sees the new enshrinement class into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. As well as the epic meaningful matchups between the NY Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. We'll start with the enshrinement. Congatulations are in order for Bruce Smith,Rod Woodson,Derrick Thomas,Bob Hayes, and Ralph Wilson Jr.

  

Bruce Smith gave an eloquent speech, much the polar opposite of his fearsome and ferocious style of play. His brillance and competitiveness earned him the all-time sack leader title and his rightful place in the hall. Rod Woodson provided a couple teams with his grace and skill but the majority of his Hall Of Fame career was with the Pittsburgh Steelers. That is where Mr. Woodson crafted his coverage skills. Rod Woodson's 12, yes 12 'pick-six' are still and all-time NFL record. Derrick Thomas' career was cut short when he was involved in a life and career ending motor vehicle crash. In an instant, the man that created complete chaos in the opposing team's backfield while punishing those that did make it into the Chief's secondary,had his young life snatched from and us.

  

The profound effect Derrick had on people was clearly displayed in the tears that flowed from his former head coach's eyes during the enshrinement ceremony. Bob Hayes, or rather 'Bullet' Bob Hayes, as he was known by around the league, finally received some vindication by getting the nod to be enshrined amongst the immortals. Bob Hayes, who also has passed on, was known as the fastest man in the league and the world. Bullet Bob is the only man to boast a Super Bowl ring and an Olympic gold medal. Two to be exact and both coming with world records at the time. Bullet Bob was a key player to the Dallas Cowboys' first Super Bowl victory in 1972. Bullet Bob also set and held 14 records and 22 overall Dallas Cowboy franchise marks. Bullet Bob was also enshrined in the vaunted Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor in 2001.  Bob Hayes passed on in 2002.

 

Finally, Ralph Wilson Jr. His insight, brillance, and forward thinking gave us the modern game of the NFL as we know and see it today. His accolades and achievements are so numerous and distinguished we can only scratch our heads and say -"Thank You sir." And to all the Bills fans out there, -"Nobody circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills".

 

 Congratulations to 2009 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement class.

 

-Article by Che Diaz