April 3, 2014
STEVE’S SHOW
The Central Sports & Business Report airs tonight, 5:30pm—6:30pm, broadcasting live from Johnny’s Pizza House, Wax Road, in Central, on WPFC, 1550AM, Baton Rouge and on the Internet at JonFineProductions.com. Host Steve Johnson will be joined by CHS Senior Football players Chandler Hollingsworth, Jarred Leget, Tyler Sansone and Shane Smith. The Sponsor of The Week is Aaron Moak with Computer Evolutions.
CLARIFICATION
There was the intention of broadcasting a select schedule of Walker HS Baseball games on 1210AM (and on the internet at JonFineProductions.com). We had, in fact, started to publicize these upcoming broadcasts. Well, unfortunately, due to technical issues at the station, outside the purview of Jon Fine Productions, we will be unable to broadcast high school baseball games this year.
BROADCASTING SCHEDULE:
Thursday, April 3: 5:30pm—6:30pm… with Steve Johnson … broadcasting live from Johnny’s Pizza House in Central
WPFC, 1550AM, BR
Internet: JonFineProductions.com
SportsRadio 1310 Radio, Lake Charles Programming of Interest (also heard on KEZMOnLine.com:
Saturday, April 5: 9AM—10AM: All Things Football with Scott Holtzman
Monday, April 7: 8AM—10AM: The Locker Room with John Goodman and Jim Gazzolo
WE THANK YOU FOR DOING YOUR UTMOST TO PATRONIZE SPONSORS OF OUR PROGRAMMING. THIS HELPS US TREMENDOUSLY IN SUSTAINING OUR WEEKLY LINE-UP AND WILL ASSIST US IN ADDING MORE PROGRAMS IN THE FUTURE. KINDLY MAKE AN EFFORT TO LET SPONSORS KNOW YOU HEARD THEIR BUSINESS MENTIONED ON OUR BROADCAST(S).
THE WIZARDRY OF OS
Assistant Basketball Coach and Head Swimming Coach at Central High School
When I heard LSU’s starting lineup on Saturday, my first thought was, “I can’t believe Paul Mainieri reads my article.” Of course, it wasn’t the same lineup I proposed last week (though pretty close), and it did not produce runs or a win.
From Sunday to Sunday, I can’t imagine a worse week for a baseball team. The tie to Georgia felt like a loss. Back to back walk off losses on the road with an anemic offense despite excellent pitching. Finally, two losses when the offense started showing some life, but as was bound to happen the pitching finally faltered.
As always, we can look at the past week with the perspective that the glass is half full, half empty, or the glass won’t always stay that way.
The people that see the glass as half full know that LSU still has the best pitcher in the country starting each Friday. The pitching staff has performed very well, and is going to get healthier. Bregman is a great hitter that will catch fire, and the veterans will hit better at some point as well. LSU was probably 2 timely hits and a base running mistake away from winning 3 of 5 last week.
The half empty people have a good argument as well. One ace is not enough. A lineup that relies on one player to carry the load is not going to be effective in the SEC. We have seen LSU struggle to score in recent years.
I am one that knows the glass won’t always be that way. Connecticut in basketball is the most reason great example of that. The Huskies lost to Louisville 81-48 on March 8. Less than a month later they are one of the Final Four teams playing this weekend. In the NBA, the Pacers were thought to be the best team in the NBA for 75% of the year. They are 2-6 in their last 8 games, and can’t score 90 points in a game for some reason.
We know LSU will score more than two runs a game and win games in the SEC. The question is whether LSU will be one of the best teams in the SEC and be in position to reach the CWS. Last year’s team had the right mix of talent and experience to sustain and excel in the long baseball season. This year’s team will probably have its ups and downs throughout the season and need to peak in June to make Omaha.
This year’s baseball team has too many new pieces, and the veterans are not able to shoulder the load to sustain the tough SEC schedule. It reminds me of the basketball team in some respects. Hickey, Coleman, O’Bryant, and Stringer needed the freshman play beyond their age. Instead the basketball freshmen were… freshmen, and the LSU basketball team fell just short of their goal.
LSU fans will probably start to feel déjàvu when football season rolls around this year. The football team is going to be counting on true freshman in major rolls to supplement a group of solid veterans. The results will probably be similar to what we saw in basketball this year and are experiencing in baseball this year.
To be clear, the basketball team had their moments this year. The football team will look very good at times in the fall as the baseball team still has a chance to have a strong season. The point is that all of these teams are or were counting on many new players to play above their age and experience with veterans expected to carry a load slightly above their ability. In the SEC, that formula does not typically meet the expectations of LSU fans.
HEY REF
I’m running another “Best of Hey Ref” this week that originally ran on Jan. 20, 2011. When I heard that LSU’s junior forward Jonny O’Bryant had decided to forgo his final year and enter the NBA draft all I could think of “this ain’t really news”. Well, maybe the only reason to consider it NEWS is because he’s a local player. I don’t consider it NEWS simply because each and every year young men in all of the three major sports bolt to live their dream of making it in the professional ranks.
And I can’t blame them for doing so because what the NCAA has become is a billion dollar slave master. Again, I am 1,000 percent in favor of the players getting paid because in Hey Ref’s world they are EMPLOYEES. I don’t intend to debate the issue this week and instead will ask you to re-enjoy some of my wisdom. So without further delay… … …
And they’re off! I’m not referring to the Kentucky Derby or any other horse race. No what I’m talking about is the annual Dash for the Cash in the NFL’s rookie and free agent draft. Many delusional young men will fall victim to greed and ignorance. Call me old school but I just can’t see any reason why so many 19 – 20 year old athletes believe they’re ready to compete with the big dogs unless it’s totally money clouding their ability to reason.
All I can say to the masses is “beware; there’s sharks in the water”. Many of these kids can’t balance a checkbook much less have the ability to invest millions of dollars that’ll be thrown at their feet. What’s even sadder is the cold hard fact that the vast majority of them come from poor families. Almost from the first time they strap on a uniform they’re told “the only way to make it is by playing a professional sport”.
No doubt many won’t have the opportunity to do anything but play a professional sport. But these young men need and should stay in school to acquire the book-smarts that will allow them to handle multi-million dollar contracts. Today’s professional salaries and contracts require an Einstein style mentality just to figure out the language they’re written in.
I can give you two perfect examples of what I’m talking about. Back in the day a young kid coming out of Pittsburg University, Tony Dorsett, was signed by the Dallas Cowboys. He signed at the time one of the wealthiest contracts in NFL history. He had a great career; leading them to multi-playoff seasons and two Super Bowl Titles. In the final year of his contract he was so far in debt to the Cowboys (reported to be in the excess of $400,000) he had to play that year “free” since no other team would trade for him. After that final year he was traded to the Denver Broncos, injured a knee and never played another down in the league.
The other case was J. R. Richard of the Houston Astros. He was their ace pitcher in the late 70’s who led them in almost every category; wins, complete games, victories, strikeouts, etc. After his playing days he was found living under a highway overpass. He was the toast of Houston; the man who had made millions was now destitute. Unable to handle his millions he lived in homeless shelters until the story broke and Major League Baseball then took steps to help one of the finest players of all times. I’ve often wondered what’s happened to these one-time heroes.
I raise this issue because many of these very same men being courted by professional teams will also fall prey to swindlers that’ll do everything possible to cheat them out of every cent they make. I’d like to use Peyton Manning as an example of what today’s modern athlete should strive to emulate. He had fame before stepping onto a collegiate field. He didn’t want to be compared to his very famous father so he enrolled at Tennessee. He was also tempted to come out early and sign for millions of dollars. As we all know he stayed in school, got his degree and has become one of the finest players to ever don an NFL uniform. He’ll soon sign a new contract that’ll make him the highest paid player in the entire history of the league.
I’m not about to say every player that stays in school will have his success. But the odds are that those smart enough to get an education will be better prepared to invest their money wisely and be financially secure long after their playing days are well behind them. A long stay on the “Big Stage” is never a guarantee when you’re talking about a 300lb. linebacker slamming you to the ground. Even on carpet there’s nothing for sure, no matter how thick the padding!
Sadly to say I believe some agent has told Steven Ridley that his future is paved in gold. That’s hardly the case when talking about the ex-Tiger running back. Yes he does possess the ability to break one or two runs for long gains but he doesn’t have the maturity or the skills needed to be a prime-time player. It’s called “seasoning” and one more year in purple and gold will enhance the skills he’ll need to be a first stringer.
Injuries are part of the game and when he mentioned a fellow player that broke his collar bone then fell in the draft, it’s that doubt he’s got in his mind that’ll keep him on special teams. Mr. Ridley needs to be well informed that EVERY running back in the NFL has his basic skills so I doubt he’ll be setting any new rushing records for quite a while. I wonder if he remembers another fellow ball carrier named Billy Sims?
Before I signoff can I ask if anyone has seen the new dollars being paid to NFL owners from the various television networks? Everyone is well aware the CBA with the players expires in March yet the 32 emperors will be paid by ESPN an astonishing $1.1 BILLION PER YEAR for the next three years, although the actual amount will be closer to $2 BILLION a year!! DirecTV is paying $1 BILLION a year until 2014. Fox, CBS and NBC will also be anting up another $2 BILLION a year.
These amounts are contained in the NEW contracts just signed by these parties. The wording has also been changed to “payments are guaranteed for the first year, 2011, even if there’s a WORK STOPPAGE”. Pay close attention to the NEW words, WORK STOPPAGE. Nothing in the contract defines STOPPAGE. Both parties agree that even a LOCKOUT will be considered a WORK STOPPAGE!! Even though every contract for the past seventeen years has a clause stating the “owners MUST negotiate (make an effort in good faith) to MAXIMIZE REVENUE FOR PLAYERS” there’s nothing in these new contracts to pay any player, ONLY THE OWNERS!!
Gonna be a LONG, rough off-season,
Til next week… …
The Rotary Club of Livingston Parish
Rotary Bull
By Ivy Graham
“Service Above Self”
Please visit our website at www.rotaryclublp.org.
This week’s meeting:
• This week’s meeting will be held at Big Mike’s. We have all returned from District Conference full of awards, knowledge, fellowship and goodwill. Get to Big Mike’s on Friday and share in all the fun!
Last week’s meeting:
• Our club has a brag jar. Better bring your dollars folks!
• Supply list for animal shelter was distributed.
• Supply lists for the veteran’s house were distributed.
Upcoming Events/Projects:
• Choices
• District Assembly May 17th
Note from the President:
• April is Rotary Magazine month. You know that publication you get in the mail each month. The same one you read cover to cover begging for more Rotary news
Yea, THAT magazine!
Guest Speakers and General Membership Meeting Dates:
• Apr 11 – Guest Speaker, Dr. Dennis
• Apr 25 – Guest Speaker, Casie McMurray
• May 9 – Guest Speaker, Randy Rogers
• May 23 – Guest Speaker, Layton Ricks
• June 13 – Guest Speaker, Bobby Fletcher
Brags:
• I think it’s best to recapture the words of our fearless leader this week…
“This past week at District Conference our club was formally honored not once but twice! We received 1st place in Highest Membership Growth and we received an award for Best Club Project. To add to that, we were given many accolades offline by several other Rotarians about our involvement in everything we do in our community. We have increased our membership by 66%; we have spearheaded the renovation of a WWII Veteran’s home; we have donated books for each guest speaker; we have bridged the Choices program funding of Taco Bell and District 6200 to be implemented by an engaged Chamber of Commerce Leadership group; we have supplied Women Outreaching Women with items to sell for fund raising; we have raised the funds and will build a storage facility for the Denham Springs Animal Shelter; we have engaged our social media to levels we never imagined; we have totally revamped our internet presence; we are on the radar of our parish, our district, and Rotary International. We are truly impactful, relevant, and offer a purpose for others seeing our work to engage in. I can recall each members’ participation in making all that we have accomplished possible. If there were an award for percentage of club member involvement and participation, we’d win that too! I hope that each member is as excited as I am not only about what we were recognized for last week, but for what we will continue to do while we grow our capabilities. We have a story to share, a story each of us had a hand in, one we can be extremely proud to tell.”
The only honor our club received left off this list was given to our President in gratitude and appreciation for his service to this country. We all appreciate his sacrifices to ensure our freedom.
Members:
• Your quarterly dues will be emailed. Keep a lookout! AND Please kindly and timely submit your payment to Lisa Casas.
• Shirts for sale only $7.00 for members. These things are selling like hotcakes!
JON IS PROUD TO WORK AS A MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE FOR SPORTSRADIO-1310-KEZM-LAKE CHARLES, IN ESTABLSHING THE “DOLLAR A HOLLER” MARKETING PROGRAM AND HELPING SELL SULPHUR HS FOOTBALL BROADCASTS AND BARBE HS BASEBALL PLAYOFF BROADCASTS.