OUT SICK BLOG!

04-23-2025

Man it has been a horrible week, one of the worst of my life, I don't think I 've ever felt so sick in my life and pay attention to my podcast when we start and laster on this website Im sure I will start trying to use my platform to rid the world of certain medications that made me feel like this, but thats for another blog at another time. I didn't know what to write the blog about, and I had choice the sports world was on fire with Playoffs in NHL, and NBA, Wrestlemania weekend the Bourbon World had some great news with Bufflao Trace and the world coming together helping after the floods, some amazing releases this weekend, and more, but I decided to take this time in honor of the NFL Draft Week one of the most unknown story of the NFL Draf the story of Jay Berwanger.

The Beginning

This man was a best in college, he was the first ever player to win what is now known as the Heisman Trophy, in college he was unstoppable in 24 college games he acctually scored 22 touchdowns. The story about him and Ohio State is college lore, that says in 1935 he made an 85-yard run in which, as recorded in the NCAA guide, "Berwanger bowled over four tacklers, outwitted two others, and outran the last." In the final minute of his final college game, he made a rambling, evading 49-yard punt return to the 1-yard line against Illinois. He plunged over for a touchdown from scrimmage, place-kicked the extra point, and won the game 7-6. He also had runs of 65 yards against Dartmouth, 57 against Michigan and 97 against Indiana.

Draft Night

There was no doubt who would be the first draft pick in the first ever nfl draft in 1936 At 6-foot tall and 195 pounds, the standout player of his class had just received the first ever Heisman Trophy and been named as the Chicago Tribune’s Big 10 player of the year. He was the origial Travis Hunter, he played both offense and defense, he made the game look like a childs game. Jay played the game like no one we have seen and his talent and the NFL would never be the Same and with the First Pick of the 1936 NFL Draft the Philidelphia Eagles select Jay Berwanger from Chicago University.

The Promising NFL Career that NEVER HAPPENED

In 1936, Berwanger was the first player ever drafted into the National Football League in its inaugural 1936 NFL draft. The Philadelphia Eagles selected him, but did not think they would be able to meet his reported salary demands of $1,000 per game. They traded his negotiating rights to the Chicago Bears for tackle Art Buss. Berwanger initially chose not to sign with the Bears in part to preserve his amateur status so that he could compete for a spot on the U.S. team for the 1936 Summer Olympics in the decathlon.

After he missed the Olympics cut, Berwanger and Bears' owner George Halas were unable to reach an agreement on salary; Berwanger was requesting $15,000, which is around 390k these days and Halas's final offer was $13,500. Instead, he took a job with a Chicago rubber company and also became a part-time coach at the University of Chicago where he could actually make more money he believed. Berwanger later expressed regret that he did not accept Halas's offer.

What Happened to

To continue his athletic pursuits, Berwanger started playing rugby with the Chicago team, which then won 19 straight matches and a national championship, beating the team from New York, which coincidentally had the second Heisman winner, Yale's Larry Kelly. In 2016, Berwanger was inducted into the Rugby Hall of Fame. Berwanger also worked as a sports columnist for the Chicago Daily News, a college football referee and as an assistant coach at his alma mater. He was a Navy officer during World War II.

Every year hundreds of college athletes have the hopes of hearing their name many don't work out, but so many kids will not hear their name and every year there is a story that comes out of the draft, Mr. Irrelevant being the last pick of the draft goes to Brock Purdy, now being an elite QB. Or 7 rounds of NFL Teams passing on TOM BRADY, heck how bout Jemarcus Russel being number one and yeah RYAN LEAF, however the stories of this weekend will live forever, find the story and tell it with pride because you kid will pass it down from generation to generation just as I got to tell the story of Jay Berwanger. I should have written this Saturday April 19th irconically the same day in 2009 that the man who knew Jay Berwanger my Grandfather passed away.

13 APR
2025

2025 Masters, Emotions, Excitement, History Made and some Great Drinks.

My circle ice cube has yet to melt in the glass I was drinking azalisas from. But wow what a week of golf. From the historic stories that we hear, of Jack, Arnold, Tiger and many other to anyone who watched that tournament this week, you will tell the story of Rory for years to come.

From the second you see that Bermuda grass surounded by the beauty of those pink azaleas and to plethera of people going from hole to hole. Its as if you can smell the fresh cut grass through the television, and feel the breeze and you walk the amen corner. The white sands surounding the greens do, may take your breath away as you see it, but for my wife it casues anxiety as your favorite golfer faces them only up by one stroke. (Yes she love Rory, and John Rahm.)

But that is the Masters for me, watching a week of golf and my wife as much interested in it as I am. Its having drinks in honor of the masters, the Azalela, the Whiskey Sour, (Yes I refuse the mint julip) and Even the Wellers for its the drink of so many of the masters champions.

So many people ask me all the time, "How can you wacth golf all the time its so boring?" I don't see that I watched a guy go into day one thinking he had no chance of winning, to coming out day two and three and going into the clubhouse where everyone thought its over, to him losing the lead hole one today and then getting it back 2 holes later and then losing it with only a few holes to go to winning by a playoff, how is that borning. I saw guys hitting balls around trees, over trees, and evern through trees. I saw ball circle the hold and come out, and even balls leave the sand directly into the hole.

And as I like to do during these events,its nice to relax with a nice drink, and as I began my day with the Azaleas becuase its the drink of choice, then you see your ice cube is still sitting, so you get some Jack & Coke, and then end the game with a Glass of wellers, or my own personal small batch, just to honor the great week gold gave you.

Today was more than a golf game it was a reminder that life can be a mixture of ups and downs, but if you keep your eye on your goal you will acheive that.

Whats in a Record?

04/06/2025

Im writing this just minutes after watching Alex Ovechkin score goal 895, my eyes are still wet from the tears and my throat hurts from screaming so loud, and im not even a fan of the Capitals or really a big fan of Ovi, but respect is respect and from the way you see the team come around him and his family it truly seems like it couldn't have happen to a better person. Congrats Ovi and Congrats to the NHL they are the real winners in this, becaue everyone tuned in and everyone wanted to see him do this, becuase this was the record that would never be broken. So lets look at some records that they say will never be broken.

2632

On September 6, 1995, Ripken surpassed Lou Gehrig's record of 2,130 consecutive games played, becoming baseball's "Iron Man". With the Angels in town,along with President Clinton and VP Gore everyone stood for 22 minutes to appreciate the accomplishment of this man. He showed up hurt, he showed up tired,but he always showed up. Its a recored that will stand the test of time, and here are my theories of why. First pro athletes to me have become a lot "softer" than those of the past. Secondly I feel that with the money these athletes are making today they can retire much earlier and be comfortable. Cal Ripken Jr who not only is an Iron Man, A Hall of Famer, a Rookie of the Year, World Series Champion, 2 time gold Glover 8 time Silver slugger, a All Century team and much more averaged a salary of 6.1 Million Dollars, which is amazing by any means, but if he made 20million a year and was promised another7 million if his batting avg was over 300 he may have sat out a lot more. Its about the business and the dollar signs and endorsements in sports today not the love and passion it use to be, and that is why the 2632 number will never be beat. (The Closest Active Player is Whit Merrifield, at 533 games)

749 Complete Games

CY young has pitched 749 complete games,starting the game on the mound, and not walking off till the final out of the game is something that kids today may have never seen. Considering in 1997 the year I graduated highschool there were a total of 266 complete games, and last year there were only 26. In the past few years, I've seen no-hitters happening by multiple pitchers becuase the manager is so worried about pitch count and making sure the pitcher was rested, I don't get it. I wish my boss would say hey we'll pay you for a full day, but im gunna have Linda finisher your job so you don't get burnt out, you are very important to us, we can't afford to have you work the full 8 hours today. so the record of 749 complete games will not be broken. (The closest active player is Adam Wainright at 28)

100 Point Game! (IF IT HAPPENED)

There is a lot of controversy surrounding this one, Wilt the stilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in one game. On March 2nd 1962 Wilt playing for Philly went up against the Knicks and although there is no video footage or proff the phots and audio and stories tell the tale of 100 pts in one game. Now it makes sense that 7ft 1 and his toughtest counterpart Phil Jordan was hurt. This record is debated and treated as a mythical recrod not only because of all the questions surrounding it, but more because of how far off our athletes today are. We've only had one 80 point game, and out of the thirteen games in the 70's 5 of those are owned by Wilt The Stilt himself. So I don't see todays defense and the amount of time superstarts are rested any 100 point games coming. If one player has 100 points more than likely its going to be a blow out and again the way the sports world is no one is going to play long enough in a blow out for tthat to happen. (Kobe Bryant had 81 points closest ever)

321

Brett Favre has the record of 321 consecutive NFL QB Starts including playoffs and sorry Buffalo Fans, I do not think Josh Allen and or anyone will ever break this and let me explain why. First off, the fact we have these concusion protocols in the nfl, and becuase of people like TJ Watt, and Trey Henderson, and the speed and power of a Myles Garret all aiming for the quarter back, its not easy to stay healthy. And because the NFL now stands for Nothing Fan Love, we pay tons of money to watch a game and if its from a clinching team, we may not even get to see our favorite player since we are in the rest em culture. (Josh Allen currently has 115 games)

There are many more, Michael Phelps, Simone Biles, Brady has tons and of course Ricky Henderson steals record will never be touched however, it boils down to me that these records will stand the test of time for a reason, the game has changed and alot we rest our pros,we pay them so much they sit out and retire earlier and earlier. I don't have any hockey records unbreakable, Its going to be hard to break Gretzky's points but the talent of McDavid,Bedard,and many others, it can be, plus unlike the other sports NHL never will be called "SOFT." But maybe in 31 years Ovi's kids will be playing and breaking dads records, no matter what record and who does it, to see it happen live in person or tv will be a moment you will never forget. I remember seeing Petes 4192 and thinking September 11th was a day ill never forget, crazy how that changed but didn't change, I remember seeing Ripken Jr walking around the entire stadium and thinking how amazing it was to play that many games, maybe hes the reason I have a 5 yr perfect attendance record at my job. I will never forget watching Lebron break the scoring record even though I am the biggest ANTI Lebron guy, I clapped with appreciation, and today ill never forget throwing my Hat like it was a hat trick,screaming goal and watching my wife the one who got me into hockey shedding a tear when Gretzky mentioned Goride Howe. The past two days we have told stories to our kids about Gretzky and how this was the unbreakable record, and they may not care as much as we did,but they listened and they learned. That my friends is why records should be appreciated.

Is The NBA Better or Worse?
3-31-2025

I know this is for sure a matter of opinion but I have to say worse to almost unwatchable.

The 1989-90 NBA Season was one of the first seasons that I can say I really followed, like stats crazy, really watching the game, and I remember at 11 yrs old going outside and doing the plays of my favorite players. This may have been because at this time in my life I was a Detroit Pistons fan, which I would stay with until 1999 hold out where I quit watching NBA for years. However back to it, I989 Rick Pitino leaves his job with NY Knicks and headed to lexington to really make a name for himself, Phil Jackson became head coach of the Bulls and well we know what that lead to. Pervis Ellison out of Lousiville would be top draft pick but it was David Robinson, who finsihed his navy career first, who won rookie of the year. But all though all eyes were on MVP Magic Johnson

or scoring leader Michael Jordan, a lot of people were getting excited about the new franchises of Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves, we also had Dominique Wilkens beating Kenny Smith in the Dunk Competition back when it was good. WIth all that going on, this Indiana Farm boy, was outside throwing elbows like Bill Laimbeer and doing cross-overs like Joe Dumars, and yelling MICROWAVE like the kids yell Kobe today. I was doing all this in an INDIANA UNIVERSITY #11 jersey, cause my hero at that time was leading the BAD BOYS of the Detroit Pistons on one of the most epic runs in NBA HISTORY.

Im sure eventually ill write a blog about that team, Mahorn, Edwards, Thomas , Johnson, Dumars, Dawkins, Salley, Rodman, Agurie, Dembo and Long, Williams, Laimbeer, all lead by Chuck Daily.

See that is the exact point im making, you can't see this but I wrote all those players by memory, FENNIS DEMBO, who remembers FENNIS DEMBO I do, becaue I loved my team, it wasn't about the player only you loved the team you followed. Back then it wasn't about multimillionare, 2 of his buddies and a list of scrubs. It was more than 3 on 3. Back then the COACH coached the came. I can imagine someone telling Chuck Daly no! Back during this time basketball was

basketball. The big guys stayed in the lane like your taught in pee wee leagues You had positional players , not 7 footers playing the 3-point lines and point guards shooting half court shots not looking for the best lane or wide open man. Patrick Ewing was the highest paid player at 3.75 million a year, hmmm and Embiid is getting 69 millioin, and Ewing played every game. The players cared abou the games, they played for the love of basketball, not for clicks on social media. They players played to wins a championship not to break a record. They played for the ability to call them selves a champion, not for the ability to have their kid play on their team years later. Basketball has evolved, players are more talented, and in better shape than ever before, but what has it really done, its become a 1 deminitional, group of egotistical, players who forgot the LOVE OF THE GAME. And after this years All-Star break, I have no problem replacing NBA with NHL!

Bringing America Together
03-24-2025

Bourbon and America

I grew up always hearing the "Its as American as baseball and apple pie" , and I took a lot of pride in that, cause I grew up with a grandfather who ONLY BOUGHT AMERICAN. There are only a few things in this world that can claim to be uniquely American, the soothe sound of jazz, the great game of baseball, that sweet taste of apple pie, and yes that great aged drink of Bourbon.

What makes it Bourbon.

First for those just starting let me explain what makes it bourbon and not just whiskey? Bourbon is a specific type of whiskey, and while all bourbons are whiskey, not all whiskey is bourbon. Bourbon is an American whiskey made with at least 51% corn and aged in new, charred oak barrels Again notice I said American Whiskey.

The Name Bourbon

The name Bourbon itself is a great American mystery. Some people claim its from Bourbon county KY, becuase it was invoiced out of Bourbon County, however it was not practive to invoice whiskey, so I don't personally belive that. I have also heard that people belive it was meant to show prestige as in the royalty from the French House of Bourbons, but most of the traditionalist belive that Kentucky Whiskey started becoming more popular in New Orleans and on Bourbon Street made a huge impact. And as more and more people would be back home would request the whiskey they drank a bourbon street, after a while the bar keeps would understand what people meant when they said that Bourbon Street, later shortened to Bourbon whiskey. However Bourbon officially became a "distinctive product of the United States" and therefore an American whiskey only, when the United States Congress passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 19 on May 4, 1964.

America They Way I Wanna See It

There are so many other ways I see America in Bourbon. When 9/11 happened what so many ppl remember most is the way we came together and the way we joined together and that emboddied everything America stands for. The joining arm and arm, not caring about color or creed but we stood for AMERICA and we stood together. In the early 90's Heaven Hills Distillery looses 50 million dollars and 7 Wharehouses full of barrells and basically the company looking at pure distruction, what happened? The 7 majors and the main competitors came together and offered their spaces, they offered thier stills, 3 years they made their bourbon in their competitiors stills until they were able to build again, and that is the America I vision.

Walking into a bar where a stranger becomes a friend because of a common love for bourbon, thats America. Running into the same person everytime a new release is announced at your local liquor store thats America. From the Great Grandparents to the grandchildren today who work at the same distillery their kin did, thats America. Its that glass of bourbon my grandad drank as he told stories of war, as he fought for this country that I will always say is the best and will always love, thats America. There is not a bad bourbon just difference of opinions, and there isn't a bad America just difference of opnions.

One Shinging Moment - 03/16/2025

Well it is that time again, the coldness of February has gone, houses are decorated outside with Leprechauns and rainbows, and the inside of many of those homes are filled with brackets and self-proclaimed NCAA experts breaking down each pick, and wives filling out their brackets based on who has the best Mascot. Yes its March Madness

When it comes to the championship of a season is there anything better? Its a tournament like this, that can take an unkown college from Washington from obsurity into a household name. A tournament where no matter what college you are rooting for and nomatter who you chose to win, we all combine together root for one kid or one coach or that one team, becasue the story painted by the media.

To me this is more than just another championship, At my house growing up we would all do a bracket (Before Online exsisted) and we would hang them on the refridgerato and each game it was great when you can mark out the picks our family members got wrong and brag how we'd win. The name of the restaurant boldly written on top as that was our prize if we win. And yes I would always have PONDEROSA up top proudly displayed.

Now that I have my own family even my granddaughter we do the same thing just now on line and we never actually go to the restaurant,and heck there isn't a Ponderosa within miles to eat at now.

This is one of those events that every year as it gets closer and closer, we start hearing stories. Some of those stories are probably fisihing stories, like how great you were at the office pool,or how you were the only person in the WHOOOOOOOOOOOLE WORLD that pick the 12th seed to beat the 5th seed. But some of those stories live on forever in our minds, and that is why we love March Madness. And some of those stories from a basketball game have taught me life lessons.

1983 N.C. State was a 6 seed in , which may seem a bit high to be considered a Cinderella. But the Wolfpack won it all that year, taking down some mighty opponents. N.C. State beat Virginia, which had Ralph Sampson, and Houston, which had Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon.

Jim Valvano was also one of the most charismatic coaches of all-time, and the Wolfpack won the national championship in just about the most dramatic fashion possible. I was very young, and didn't understand the magnitude of what I was seeing, but years late when cancer took Coach V and his words Don't give up don't ever give up,ring daily with me still. His voice many times saved my life

1984 watching Patrick Ewing, David Wingate and Reggie William wasn't a lesson in how Pick and Roll should be done but it was where I first really learned about segregation and race issues in the country. Patrick Ewing still today one of my favorite players, but another shining moment that taught me about life.

1987 was one of the most emotional years for me when it came to NCAA basketball. Growing up and living in a small town in Indiana,as well as being apart of one of the best teams in Indian AAU basketball, you rooted for your hoosier and that was a have to. Indiana lead by Steve Alford and the legendary coach Robert Montgomery Knight were knocking down every team they played and if you lived anywhere near INdiana you knew beyond a shadow of a doubt this is your year. So I had all of that going but personally I was in the midst of finding who I was as a player and there was this guy over at Syracuse by the name of Derrick Coleman and boy of boy was I a Fan. I began wearing 44 and that numbers stuckwith me my enitre life becuase of that man. No one could have predicted it but Indiana vs Syracuse was the championship game. Even though I loved Coleman and my walls were covered in his posters, when he missed the front end of a one and one, I cheered for him louder at that time more than I did any amazing dunk, or rebound he ever got. And as Keith Smart drained the three to win the game, it was at that point in life I realized what love and loyalty is.

1990 Taught me a huge lesson as well, The Loyola Marimount Lions made an Elite Eight run as an 11 seed that year, led by head coach Paul Westhead. This team was a blast to watch. It averaged 122.4 points per game, which led the NCAA for the third year in a row. Westhead and the Lions were certainly ahead of their time, embracing fast pace and 3-point shots like we see from todays' NBA. But as you watched them you saw a black band with the numbrer 44 on each player remembered their teammate who passed away not long before the tourney. But it was Bo Kimble who taught me that it was bigger than basketball. When we couragiously walked up to the line and shot 3 free throws left handed to honor his best friend and teammate Hank Gathers. He made all three and not a dry eye in the house. For that day it was much more than basketball. And in the opinion of this guy, if Hank would have lived and played on we wouldnt be talking who is the best MJ or Lebron he would have been the one we speak about.

Laetner's shot over UK, 1992...one of the great teams of all time beats one of the great programs. Laetner's antics earlier in the game made him a villain and made the final shot even more dramatic. We learned what true evil was then.

In 1993 Chris Weber called a time out they didn't have causing the Fab 5 the greatest team assembled to lose and quickly you learned one small mistake could have great consequences.

1998, we learned it doesnt' matter where you come from, how small your feel, you truly understood what was meant when people said its not the size of the dog that matters, but the fight of the dog, when Bryce Drew of Valporaso Indiana becaue the household name that year.

It was March Madness that introduced us to this small college of Davidson and a fellow by the name of Steph Curry, we saw Butler University escape obscurity and become one of the powerhouses over a stretch.

Coaches like Coah K, Bob Knight, Jimmy V, John Thompson, The Shark, Pitino, and many more made their names in March. March Madness and Dick Vitale, all of these are names we talk about every March.

As I am finishing up this blog, I am pausing to watch this years selection show and screaming because Indiana did not make it. Wondering what the story is this year,will it be Duke coming back as the top team with Cooper Flagg, or will we get a great Cinderella story with the Montana Grizzlies?

We are going to get introduced to redshirt freshman 7 foot 9 yes 7 foot 9 Olivier Rioux as we watch Florida possibly make a deep run, you'll see names like AniwaniwaTait-Jones from UC SAN DIEGO that you'll never forget.

No matter what happens this year a story will emerge that we will never forget, it could be agood vs evil a david vs goliath, or it could be one of courage and overcoming obstacles, it could be a gon't give up don't ever give up moment, but no matter what it is what starts out as Madness today March 16th will end April 7th with ONE SHINING MOMENT

Why Bourbon and Sports 3/9/2024

We are starting our journey to become the blog, community, and podcast centered around bourbon and sports. In the past I had a very successful pocast centered about some important topics and after stopping that part of my life when I decided to get back into the podcast/blog world I realized in order to succeed I needed not just to dive into a topic I enjoy but I had to find something I was passionate about. I didn't think spending most of my time listening to "The Wiggles" sing "Rattlin Bog" with my granddaughter and falling asleep in my recliner would be enough to entertain, or upsetting the Funko World by opening all the boxes to display my collection would make a great topic, so use my passion for bourbon and sports.

Where did this passion come from and why is it so important to me, let me explain. Today we see the "Tv Dads" drinking beer like crazy, Homer Simpson with his Duff, Hank Hill always drinking his Alamo Beer, Peter and his Pawtucket Ale, Dan Conner his Canoga Beer. But when I was young I remember watching TV with my Grandad and seeing Humphrey Bogart, always coming home hanging his sports coat up and pouring a glass of whiskey, or Ward Cleaver and his glass of brandy,and JR Ewing with his private reserve of Bourbon. So growing up I always wanted to be that guy who wore a cool hat, a nice suit jacket and had a whiskey cart by the door.

Today I wear a lot of hats all ball-caps and can't tell you the last time I had a suit coat on, but I have my whiskey cart, and bourbon is my drink choice. Its the story behind the bourbon, the men and women who pulled the wagons full of barrels. Charring barrels, The origins of charring barrels are unknown, but some theories include making staves more pliable, appealing to French settlers, and avoiding fish-like flavors. How bout Evan WIlliams who founded the first America Distillery and still going strong today. Bourbon isn't just a drink its a story, hell if it wasnt for bourbon we wouldn't have straws. The only drink you could have during prohibition. (as long as you had a perscription) Each glass is unique, the sip, the shot, the mix, all came from the same bottle, but that bottle along with hundreds of others, came from a barrel and that barrel has a story.

For me its that bottle of Wellers my wife got me for a gift and the story of how she came about it, its the first Bottle of Knob Creek I bought, its the old fashions made from Evan WIlliams, to the first taste of Blantons,each one of those has a story. Its the smell of a freshley opened bottle of Jim Beam, the look of the "RED WAX" top of a bottle of Makers. For me every time I grab that that Bourbon Glass, and have an Old Fashion after a stressful day its the smell of my grandpa or each of those life lessons hed teach me. The burn as it goes down is a reiminder of the love my grandpa taught me as he took care of my grandma, so the passion of bourbon to me is much more than is it single barrel or double barrel, its something that shapes my life.

And for the sports passions just spews out. The good vs evil the, the rollercoaster ride that 18 holes at Agusta takes us on, the "One Shining Moment" that we get every March. Its the smell of the grass as you walk into the baseball stadium, the crunch of the peanuts as you walk to your seats, the sounds of the cheers, and the announcer, and everyone around you, all being silenced by a man yelling "Get Your Hot Dogs, COooooooooold Beer Here!"

When I think of sports I think of the tears I shed when the team manager got to dress out on Senior night aftr 4 yrs of handling laundry and the entire team ralleying around him as he scores a goal. Its the smiles on my face as my granddaugter dances to Usher in her "GO TAYLORS BOYFRIEND" shirt. Its the nod or simple hello to a complete stranger because you both have the same ball cap on. Its the Chants of USA from my wife as I have to root agains my favorite hockey player since he is Canadia during the Nations Face Off. Its a 16 beating a 1 seed, its a 9yr old shooting a shot in his back yard as he yells "KOBE!!!!!!!!." The passion of sports is watching men who spent most of their lives proving how manly they are, now wearing a pink 22 Catilin Clark shirt. The Passion of sports is my family telling the story about how funny it was when the Cubs won the world series and I ran around the house in circles crying.

In 1988 as a 10 year old kid I watched a injured Kirk Gibson come on to pinch hit in the bottom of the ninth game one of the world series, and as he hobbled with his torn hamstring to the plate to face Dennis Eckersley and hit a walk off home run, pumping his arms as he round the bases, I remember thinking how cool would it be to bring the world together and for one quick moment every care in the world was gone, and that swing of the bat is all we spoke about, so 36 years later I don't have a torn hamstring but every bone in my body crack, snapples, and pops when I stand up and Drinking In The Bleachers With Pop Pop is my chance to Kirk Gibson, so I hope you will join us on this ride, read the weekly blog, listen to our podcast when they begin, and come out and join us on our live events in the future.