Wash it Out

The butterflies are multiplying in my stomach while I was watching game five of the World Series. Of course, I had to work so I was on my best “fan behavior” although being quiet and staying still are etiquettes that do not apply to me. My bartenders have learned to root for my teams because when they score, I let them take shots! But with Chris Carpenter on the mound for the Cardinals, they too were worried it would be a sober night…

Thank you sports Gods for the Year of the Napoli! Rangers Catcher Mike Napoli dropped a bomb off Carpenter in Game one of the World Series and then BOOOOM- he hit a game winning double in the 8th to give Texas a 4-2 lead.

But the story that’s been on the sports headlines ALLLL DAY is the “miscommunication” of Tony La Russa to the bullpen. We all know La Russa is one of the best brains in baseball. Personally- I think he was trying to save closer Jason Motte and when he realized his backup plan didn’t go as planned- he blamed the bullpen phone. They still make phones with cords? In a world of more tech-communication devices then we know what to do with, there’s NO EXCUSE. Even if the power goes out, hold up a poster board with random pictures like the Oregon Ducks to communicate to your team. Or have your daughter tweet who you want, well- that tweet might get removed…

“Miscommunication” was clearly the topic of discussion in the world of sports on Tuesday, but no one was talking about what was clearly communicated by St. Louis pitcher Chris Carpenter while heading to a commercial after the sixth inning.

Adrenalin… tourettes… anger management… nope. It’s just another Carpenter profanity outburst directed to Napoli that’s as dirty and nasty as his sinker.

The G-rated translation went something like this: "BEEEP YOU!" "You piece of BEEEEP! BEEEEP YOU!"

Who knew you needed a permission slip to watch game five of the World Series.

Is this an unseen trailer of the Situation and Ronnie on the Jersey Shore? Show some class Carpenter! I get it if you’re emotions are getting the best of you and sometimes the F-bomb is the only word that delivers any verbal justice. But to attack Napoli by calling him a piece of beeeep is like pretending to fist pump and then sucker punching someone in the face. NOT COOL BRO, NOT COOL!

The Texas Rangers- now that’s a cool team and what a fun team to watch. I’m partial, shortstop Elvis Andrus is a good friend of mine- he’s like a lil brother. But I’ve been a Ranger’s fan before Elvis arrived in Texas. Seriously, how can you root against the most energetic Skipper, Ron Washington and his signature “The Wash” move? Every time the Rangers make a key play he looks like he’s playing a running/track game on the Nintendo Power Pad and it’s simply awesome! Who ever said baseball is not fun to watch clearly hasn’t been watching the Texas Rangers all season.

Carpenter, you can have your dirty mouth and I’ll watch Ron Washington’s Rangers “Wash” it out!

Click here to see the YouTube video of “The Wash”.

Click here if you want to watch a replay of Carpenter I found on YouTube, but you will need a permission slip for this one…

Hometown Haters

Never a dull moment from BigBush!

It’s been brought to my attention that because I enjoy picking on Virginia Tech that I’m a “Hometown Hater”. HAHA I guess I’m guilty as charged…

It's no secret that I like to "pick on" VT. If VT was an awful program then it wouldn't be as much fun to pick on them. I respect Beamer and what he has done for the University and the surrounding communities. With the help of a few players who shall remain nameless, Beamer put the Hokies on the map and created a fan base of some of the most diehard fans. Considering that there’s not a lot to cheer for in the mountains of southwest Virginia, its no wonders Hokie fans LIVE for VT football. I think the passion is great for the game of college football, but the bottom line is that I'm just not a Hokie.

Call me crazy, but most of us are not asked in womb where we would like to be born and where we would like to be from. For me, I lived in the same house from birth until I graduated from high school and then moved to South Carolina for college. I knew at an early age that there was world outside of Roanoke Virginia and that world was calling my name. Is it bad that I’ve never been “homesick”? I’ve missed my friends, family, dog and Vinton McDonald’s fries (seriously, it’s the BEST McD’s and I’ve ate at a lot of McD’s), but I never plan on moving back… sorry mom and dad.
I didn't get to pick where I'm from, but I did get to my college football team- and I root for the Tennessee VOLS!

Tech fans always want to talk about the past and that 2009 Chick-fil-a bowl game where UT lost to VT. UT was ranked 8th in the SEC and Tech was ranked 2nd in the ACC that year. Funny, Tech fans never mention 1994 loss to UT or the lack to National Championship banners hanging in Lane Stadium….

UT is ranked ninth on the list of all-time most wins of major college football programs as well as second on the list of most wins in the SEC, just behind Alabama's Crimson Tide. Oh and six national titles- not too shabby. It’s pretty obvious that the past few years haven’t been as bright as Dooley’s orange pants, but I’ll watch an SEC battle of the basement game before an ACC championship game. The SEC is the powerhouse for college football and that famous chorus “Rocky Top, you’ll always be Home Sweet Home to ME” it defines my team win or lose.

So, to all those diehard Tech fans: I love your passion and I think college football is one of the best sports to watch. I just don't think you HAVE to root for your hometown team just because that's where you are from and I’m not the only one from southwest Virginia who agrees. Big Bush is UVA fan, but in the world of hometown hates, he’s my idol. (See picture above.)

In America, you can be a fan of any college football team you choose. God Bless America and God Bless the Tennessee VOLS!

Lady Luck!

The sports gods were looking out for me during week of two NFL games. I play in a weekly pick-em style pool and by playing smart, I WON! Instead of being responsible with the win and saving the money, I booked a flight to Dallas for the Monday Night match up between my Washington Redskins and arch rival the Dallas Cowboys.

The sports gods were still on my team the next day when I was given three tickets to the game. Did I mention they were cushioned seats, seven rows from the field and on the fifty yard line? BALLLLLLIN!

Yes, I’m very thankful and lucky to know the White family who gave me the tickets. They invite me to EVERY home Redskins game with my own parking pass. I have no idea how I got so lucky, but I am forever indebted by the generosity of the White family.

While boarding the flight, the airline announced that all Dallas fans would board last. I literally laughed out loud. The man next to me didn’t find the comment as humorous as I did- he must have been a Dallas fan…

I was so excited the day before my flight that I couldn’t sleep until I boarded the airplane. Like most small children, I fall asleep in moving vehicles when I’m the passenger. I was out cold before I could hear that “the closest exit could be behind you.”

I landed early enough to still get Chik-fil-a breakfast, my favorite! At this point I was pretty sure my luck was going to run out and that I was going to get beat-up by a crazy Dallas fan… Cooler is packed with ice, tailgate shopping is complete and my Brandon Banks jersey is on! Oh, it’s game time now!

As a die-hard Redskins fan (don’t laugh, I’m loyal) I will give it to Dallas fans, they were pretty cool. Southern hospitality and Dallas drunks; what a great combination!

This fantasy of a stadium in Arlington, TX is really a FANTASY stadium! I’ve never denied that I would love to spend a day with Jerry Jones, he seems fun. And then he built Cowboy Stadium and now I really want to high-five Jerry in person! Every inch of the stadium is first class, crystal clean and full of entertainment. Oh and that big screen you’ve heard about… my neck still hurts from looking at it. Who ever said “everything is big in Texas” wasn’t joking. Well done Jerry Jones, well done!

Just as I was trying to send a thank you text to the White’s I turn around for the BEST surprise and see the White’s in Redskins jerseys! Knowing that staying in my seat and being quiet are two skills I consistently lack, they showed up and made sure I had Redskins fans behind me.

I’ll be honest; this was the calmest I’ve ever been during a Redskins loss. Not because as a Redskins fan I’m used to losing, but because the atmosphere was so much fun. I’m still shocked that Dallas fans were so fun; I laughed more than I yelled. We all knew the game was more like watching a soccer game than a football game. The truth is that both the Redskins and the Cowboys haven’t been the teams they “used to be” in the past few years, but the rivalry and respect is still strong. As much as we hate each other on the field, we both hate the Eagles more.

Dallas won the game, but when it comes to the cheerleaders- both teams are beautiful but based on hair-ography and choreography- the Redskinettes win, hands down!