While I know Easter is a holy and solemn day for Catholics you have to love the other aspects of the holiday as well. For many it’s the spring version of Thanksgiving and Christmas as it often brings families together and despite changing times it’s a holiday when people actually get dressed up. We attended mass yesterday morning at St. Joseph’s Church in Toms River and I especially enjoyed seeing all the young children dressed up….little girls in their Easter dresses and boys wearing matching outfits with bright colors. At a time when we have gotten more casual than ever Easter Sunday is a day when formality is fashionable whether for church or taking part in an Easter Parade on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights or Point Pleasant Beach.
I would have to imagine that many families spent part of the day around the television in the late afternoon watching golf or more specifically the final round of the Masters in Augusta, Georgia. I’m sure a dinner or two was interrupted by what took place in a truly memorable final round which saw charges by Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods and ultimately a three-man sudden death playoff won by Angel Cabrera of Argentina. Actually it was more a tournament lost by Kenny Perry, who blew a two-shot lead with two holes left to play as he came up short in his bid to become the oldest Masters winner. On a day that celebrates family the 48-year old Perry winning would have been a better script but sports does not work that way.
Actually there was a perfect ending on Easter Sunday. That being the safe return of Captain Richard Phillips off the coast of Somalia and the end of a 5-day high-seas hostage drama. We can all celebrate this one.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Friday Stuff
A little of this and a little of that heading into Easter weekend:
Opening night of the Lakewood BlueClaws 2009 season featured an unusually mild evening, an enthusiastic crowd, the Phillies World Series Trophy and another season-opening loss for the home team. Just under
7,000 fans were on hand at FirstEnergy Park and unlike most of the previous openers they were not bundled up in blankets and wearing hats and gloves…some even had shorts on. However the one trend that did continue was a BlueClaws loss, 2-1 to the visiting Delmarva Shorebirds. Lakewood won it’s first-ever home opener in 2001 but has lost every one since….that’s 8 in-a-row. The BlueClaws are home for the rest of the weekend before embarking on a 7-game road trip.
Joe Leone’s is known around the area for their great Italian food and catering and the day before Easter would figure to be a very busy one at their retail locations in Point Pleasant Beach and Sea Girt. That’s why Joe decided the make tomorrow one in which he could help the victims of this week’s devastating earthquake in Italy. He will donate 10% of all purchases tomorrow to relief efforts and in addition there will be an outdoor festival in the parking lot of his store on Route 35 South in Point Pleasant Beach from noon to 8pm. With the help of his vendors 100% of the proceeds from the festival, which will feature food and music, will go to relief efforts. Joe Leone himself will travel to Italy next week and deliver to the money to those in need.
The band Hometown Roll and Bum Rogers Crab House in South Seaside Park will team up on Saturday, April 25th to hold a fundraiser for Ocean of Love. The event starts at 3pm and will feature afternoon activities for kids and families and then music in the evening. The Magnums will play at 6:30 and then Hometown Roll will take the stage at 9pm…the evening will also feature a free buffet and Chinese auction. Tickets are just $5 per person and can be purchased at the door with will proceeds going to Ocean of Love…a non-profit organization that assists Ocean County children with cancer and their families.
Opening night of the Lakewood BlueClaws 2009 season featured an unusually mild evening, an enthusiastic crowd, the Phillies World Series Trophy and another season-opening loss for the home team. Just under
7,000 fans were on hand at FirstEnergy Park and unlike most of the previous openers they were not bundled up in blankets and wearing hats and gloves…some even had shorts on. However the one trend that did continue was a BlueClaws loss, 2-1 to the visiting Delmarva Shorebirds. Lakewood won it’s first-ever home opener in 2001 but has lost every one since….that’s 8 in-a-row. The BlueClaws are home for the rest of the weekend before embarking on a 7-game road trip.
Joe Leone’s is known around the area for their great Italian food and catering and the day before Easter would figure to be a very busy one at their retail locations in Point Pleasant Beach and Sea Girt. That’s why Joe decided the make tomorrow one in which he could help the victims of this week’s devastating earthquake in Italy. He will donate 10% of all purchases tomorrow to relief efforts and in addition there will be an outdoor festival in the parking lot of his store on Route 35 South in Point Pleasant Beach from noon to 8pm. With the help of his vendors 100% of the proceeds from the festival, which will feature food and music, will go to relief efforts. Joe Leone himself will travel to Italy next week and deliver to the money to those in need.
The band Hometown Roll and Bum Rogers Crab House in South Seaside Park will team up on Saturday, April 25th to hold a fundraiser for Ocean of Love. The event starts at 3pm and will feature afternoon activities for kids and families and then music in the evening. The Magnums will play at 6:30 and then Hometown Roll will take the stage at 9pm…the evening will also feature a free buffet and Chinese auction. Tickets are just $5 per person and can be purchased at the door with will proceeds going to Ocean of Love…a non-profit organization that assists Ocean County children with cancer and their families.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Batter Up!
It looks like the sun will shine on the Lakewood BlueClaws as they begin their 9th season tonight against the Delmarva Shorebirds at FirstEnergy Park.
As one who has sat through and even broadcast some miserable home openers this one should be quite nice with temperatures in the upper 50’s for first pitch at 6:35.
As I have said before it’s hard to explain the phenomenon that is the BlueClaws, a low-level minor league baseball team that has been simply a grand slam since the very beginning. The team annually leads the South Atlantic League in attendance and last year drew more than 425,000 fans,
an average of more than 6,000 for each of their 70 home games. This despite some rough weather during the first month of the season as once it warms up and the school year comes to an end fans will flock to the park.
These fans for the most part are rooting for players they have never heard of but those who have followed the BlueClaws since 2001 have seen players like Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels call Lakewood home and they of course helped the Phillies win the World Series last fall. Who are the Phillies of tomorrow who will wear the BlueClaws uniform tonight? It could be 18-year old outfielder Zach Collier or 18-year old pitcher Jason Knapp of North Hunterdon, who will make the start tomorrow night.
Regardless of the players FirstEnergy Park has become a very popular destination for entertainment and that’s really the key to this whole thing.
Baseball is only part of the experience as a BlueClaws game is a family gathering for many. At any time you’ll see kids running around in the outfield playground or in the right field arcade. Speaking of kids the Claws will feed those under the age of 12 for free all season long. Once kids enter the park they will receive a voucher for a hot dog, chips and a soda which can be used that night or any other game. Just another great move by a team and business that has become a fixture in the community.
By the way all 140 BlueClaws games can be heard on the Shore Sports Network, 1160 WOBM AM and Fox Sports 1310. Greg Giombarrese is the lead play-by-play announcer and will be joined on the broadcasts by Josh Ellis.
As one who has sat through and even broadcast some miserable home openers this one should be quite nice with temperatures in the upper 50’s for first pitch at 6:35.
As I have said before it’s hard to explain the phenomenon that is the BlueClaws, a low-level minor league baseball team that has been simply a grand slam since the very beginning. The team annually leads the South Atlantic League in attendance and last year drew more than 425,000 fans,
an average of more than 6,000 for each of their 70 home games. This despite some rough weather during the first month of the season as once it warms up and the school year comes to an end fans will flock to the park.
These fans for the most part are rooting for players they have never heard of but those who have followed the BlueClaws since 2001 have seen players like Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels call Lakewood home and they of course helped the Phillies win the World Series last fall. Who are the Phillies of tomorrow who will wear the BlueClaws uniform tonight? It could be 18-year old outfielder Zach Collier or 18-year old pitcher Jason Knapp of North Hunterdon, who will make the start tomorrow night.
Regardless of the players FirstEnergy Park has become a very popular destination for entertainment and that’s really the key to this whole thing.
Baseball is only part of the experience as a BlueClaws game is a family gathering for many. At any time you’ll see kids running around in the outfield playground or in the right field arcade. Speaking of kids the Claws will feed those under the age of 12 for free all season long. Once kids enter the park they will receive a voucher for a hot dog, chips and a soda which can be used that night or any other game. Just another great move by a team and business that has become a fixture in the community.
By the way all 140 BlueClaws games can be heard on the Shore Sports Network, 1160 WOBM AM and Fox Sports 1310. Greg Giombarrese is the lead play-by-play announcer and will be joined on the broadcasts by Josh Ellis.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Honoring Region 6 High School Wrestlers
The shore area clearly has become the hot spot in New Jersey when it comes to high school wrestling so last night’s Region 6 Wrestling Banquet took on the theme of a giant celebration of greatness. A few hundred attended the annual event at the Robert B. Meyner Reception Center at the PNC Bank Arts Center which is hosted by the Region 6 Coaches and is truly a wonderful way to end the long season. All wrestlers who finished 1st, 2nd or 3rd in the regionals are not only invited but given awards and nearly all of them were in attendance. There were special tributes to the six New Jersey State Champions…Vin DelleFave (TR East), Mike Morales & Steve Santos (Brick Memorial), Nick Visicaro (Long Branch), Glenn Carson (Southern) and Jimmy Lawson (Manchester). In addition Long Branch coach Dan George was honored as the Coach of the Year and his Green Wave team saluted for finishing #1 in the state.
It was the first time I attended the annual banquet and I was there to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, which while not deserved is greatly appreciated. I was selected by the committee for my contributions to the sport over the three decades I have worked at WOBM and I am humbled and grateful for the honor. However it was the other Hall of Famers honored last night who best symbolize a sport which tests dedication and desire like no other. Toms River East coach Warren Reid and former Central Regional coach Pat Lynch were both introduced by their sons, which in itself is truly special. Glenn Carson Sr. was inducted as a College All-American from his days at Trenton State and he was also introduced by his better-known son and state champ Glenn Carson Jr. Former TR East champion Vin Salek,
Ex-CBA standout Dave Santamaria and former coach and official Ray Visbeck made up the rest of the class of 2009….a group brought down by my presence.
It was a terrific evening filled with many highlights, including a tremendous introduction speech of Carson by his coach John Stout. Special thanks to Region 6 President Rob Nucci of Raritan and Master of Ceremonies Denny D’Andrea for allowing me to be a part of it.
It was the first time I attended the annual banquet and I was there to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, which while not deserved is greatly appreciated. I was selected by the committee for my contributions to the sport over the three decades I have worked at WOBM and I am humbled and grateful for the honor. However it was the other Hall of Famers honored last night who best symbolize a sport which tests dedication and desire like no other. Toms River East coach Warren Reid and former Central Regional coach Pat Lynch were both introduced by their sons, which in itself is truly special. Glenn Carson Sr. was inducted as a College All-American from his days at Trenton State and he was also introduced by his better-known son and state champ Glenn Carson Jr. Former TR East champion Vin Salek,
Ex-CBA standout Dave Santamaria and former coach and official Ray Visbeck made up the rest of the class of 2009….a group brought down by my presence.
It was a terrific evening filled with many highlights, including a tremendous introduction speech of Carson by his coach John Stout. Special thanks to Region 6 President Rob Nucci of Raritan and Master of Ceremonies Denny D’Andrea for allowing me to be a part of it.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Legalizing Sports Gambling
It appears the issue of legalized sports betting in New Jersey is not a dead one now that State Senator Raymond Lenik has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn a ban that limits sports betting to just four states in the country. Today’s Asbury Park Press editorial is in support of Lesniak’s action and I could not disagree more.
It’s easy to say that legal betting on football, basketball and other sports would produce revenue for our cash-strapped state because it would. We all know there is plenty of illegal sports betting taking place so why shouldn’t New Jersey get in the business and give their struggling racetracks and casinos a badly needed shot in the arm? The Press editorial says legal sports betting would generate $100 million a year in tax revenues and that’s not the kind of money to be ignored.
In times like these you need to look a ways to generate income and there is no question there is money to be made in the sports betting business but the question that needs to be asked has to do with the downside and I believe there is plenty of it. If you make sports betting legal in New Jersey you will create an entire new breed of customers who will clearly become compulsive gamblers. Sure there are ways to make a bet now from overseas internet sites to neighborhood bookies but once you make it easy and legal you will attract those who don’t be on line and don’t know anyone to take their action.
Most of us who bet do so through office pools, fantasy leagues, etc and most of that is pretty harmless. But all bets are off once you can legally go on line or spend a day at a sports book just a few minutes away. Just like the state is trying to grab money when they need it so will those who think they know more than the next guy and many of them will get in trouble.
Another victim of legal sports betting will be the athletes themselves who will be under even greater scrutiny the next time they drop a pass or miss a layup that would have beaten the point spread.
There is money to be made if sports betting were legal in New Jersey but are the consequences worth it?
It’s easy to say that legal betting on football, basketball and other sports would produce revenue for our cash-strapped state because it would. We all know there is plenty of illegal sports betting taking place so why shouldn’t New Jersey get in the business and give their struggling racetracks and casinos a badly needed shot in the arm? The Press editorial says legal sports betting would generate $100 million a year in tax revenues and that’s not the kind of money to be ignored.
In times like these you need to look a ways to generate income and there is no question there is money to be made in the sports betting business but the question that needs to be asked has to do with the downside and I believe there is plenty of it. If you make sports betting legal in New Jersey you will create an entire new breed of customers who will clearly become compulsive gamblers. Sure there are ways to make a bet now from overseas internet sites to neighborhood bookies but once you make it easy and legal you will attract those who don’t be on line and don’t know anyone to take their action.
Most of us who bet do so through office pools, fantasy leagues, etc and most of that is pretty harmless. But all bets are off once you can legally go on line or spend a day at a sports book just a few minutes away. Just like the state is trying to grab money when they need it so will those who think they know more than the next guy and many of them will get in trouble.
Another victim of legal sports betting will be the athletes themselves who will be under even greater scrutiny the next time they drop a pass or miss a layup that would have beaten the point spread.
There is money to be made if sports betting were legal in New Jersey but are the consequences worth it?
Friday, April 3, 2009
R.I.P. E.R.
Most TV shows come and go and while they may be missed are pretty much forgotten. Others leave a lasting impression which will find you reminiscing often about episodes and characters years after they have left the air.
For many of us “ER” will fall into the later category as its 15-year run ended last night and so did one of the best TV dramas of all time.
The show debuted in 1994 and it did not take long to know that life at County General Hospital in Chicago would be shown in a very different fashion then previous medical shows. It was fast-paced, gritty and at times even gross but it was also very real and griping. The characters were believable, partly because they were flawed in many ways which made viewers want to hug them and at times even punch them.
“ER” introduced us to George Clooney as Dr. Doug Ross, had us shed tears over the death of Dr. Mark Greene, played by Anthony Edwards and somehow made us care about dozens of people who came and left the show over a decade and-a-half. None of the main original cast members were regulars over the final few years and the ratings slipped over time but it was still compelling TV. The writers managed to bring new characters into
County General and you found yourself getting caught up in their lives and would shed a tear when one would leave and would mark that occasion by hanging their nameplate on the wall in the hospital basement. Over time that list grew from Dr. Benton to Nurse Hathaway to Dr. Lockhart and like all TV shows this one would come to an end and did after 331 episodes.
“ER” may not have been real but it was real good television and for those like me who watched from the very beginning you feel like a part of your
life is now over…at least your Thursday night life. So goodbye to Carter, Morris, Romano, Kovac, Neela and even Frank at the front desk. Thanks for the memories.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
News From Kevin
Today is one of those bittersweet moments in which I get to announce something that is both joyful and sad at the same time. This July would have been my 30th anniversary at WOBM and while it would mean nothing to anyone else it would have had special meaning to me. I think back to when I started here and I was one of the two or three youngest persons in the building…now I’m on the other side.
However when this July comes around I will not be here which I’m sure will please those who have had enough of me for nearly three decades. Those who listen with regularity know that sports have always been and probably always will be my great passion as is my love for Penn State football.
So the opportunity to broadcast Nittany Lions football was one that I simply could not turn down especially when it came with a job working in the school’s athletic department.
So my 29 plus year tenure here will come to an end on June 1st. Today is certainly not the day to say “goodbye” but rather I wanted to just let you know as I will be around for the next couple of months. I will continue to do the Hometown View for as long as they let me and handle my other tasks as
well. But come the fall I will be in Happy Valley and I’m looking forward to it…with many reservations.
The only other thing I want to tell you right now is…….
APRIL FOOL’S!
However when this July comes around I will not be here which I’m sure will please those who have had enough of me for nearly three decades. Those who listen with regularity know that sports have always been and probably always will be my great passion as is my love for Penn State football.
So the opportunity to broadcast Nittany Lions football was one that I simply could not turn down especially when it came with a job working in the school’s athletic department.
So my 29 plus year tenure here will come to an end on June 1st. Today is certainly not the day to say “goodbye” but rather I wanted to just let you know as I will be around for the next couple of months. I will continue to do the Hometown View for as long as they let me and handle my other tasks as
well. But come the fall I will be in Happy Valley and I’m looking forward to it…with many reservations.
The only other thing I want to tell you right now is…….
APRIL FOOL’S!
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