Michael Jackson 1958-2009

Like most people I was shocked to learn of the death of Michael Jackson. I truly am a child of the 1980s (born in 1977) and I heard someone say his music was the soundtrack of our lives. That is pretty accurate, at least my childhood.

Thriller was one of the first albums, if not the first, I ever remember having. I still have it (on vinyl). I used to listen to it all the time. In fact I wasn't allowed to listen to the song Thriller if my sister, who was a couple of years younger, was in the room because Vincent Price's creepy laugh at the end scared her! I vividly remember the We are the World phenomenon, and I also remember when the Black or White video debuted on FOX to HUGE fanfare.

I hadn't really thought about MJ much recently, though I was aware of the upcoming "comeback" tour. But I was truly saddened by the news, and grew more sad the more I saw the news coverage, the retrospectives and the obligatory video montages. I literally had to make myself turn off the TV in the living room last night (early this morning). I was GLUED to the coverage on CNN etc. and the non-stop music videos on one of the MTV channels. When I did finally go to bed (sometime after 2 am) I turned on BET on the bedroom tube and fell asleep to the sounds of Dirty Diana and the like.

I believe Michael is my generations' Elvis equivalent. Statistically as an artist he was probably bigger, and his early death will add to his legend-status, and comparisons between "The King" and "The King of Pop." And I wonder if he had still owned his Neverland home when he died, if it would have become like Graceland someday.

I hope he is remembered for the INCREDIBLE talent he was, and not all the other crap that went on in his life.

For the record, my favorite Michael Jackson song is Beat It. I have changed my phone ringer to Beat It in honor of the late great Michael Jackson!

Father's Day

Just a couple of quick thoughts on this warm and humid Father's Day.

It was oddly appropriate that on Father's Day the guys on the Grizzlies team chose "The Great Outdoors" as our movie on the bus on the way to Marion this morning. It is appropriate not because of the father-son theme (sort of) in the movie, but more so because it was one of my dad's favorite movies. He loved all those kinds of movies. He called them "Sunday afternoon movies" and would have been content to spend his father's day in his chair, surrounded by his kids (me and three sisters), watching a movie like "The Great Outdoors." Really almost 80s comedy with the likes of John Candy, Dan Akroyd, Chevy Chase etc. would have qualified as a "Sunday afternoon movie."

If you don't know, my sisters and I lost our dad in September of 2007. I miss him every day and I'm thinking about him on this Father's Day!

As much as I love doing what I do on the radio and being around sports, I can't imagine not being a father. It is literally hard for me to remember a time when I wasn't, though it has only been 4 1/2 years. My two daughters make me more proud everyday. They amaze me, make me laugh, sometimes make me crazy, often wear me out, and I can't imagine loving anyone like I love those two girls!

I hope I do as well as a Father as my dad did...

Happy Father's Day everyone!

Extra points

-Good crowd of 2,974 today. perfect weather, lots of school-aged kids
-Pitching was solid. One earned run, 10 strikeouts
-Rothford looks like he's healthy and swinging the bat well. What a weapon to have in the lineup!
-Holdren, too, looks healthy. Can you imagine Holdren and Rothford 3-4 in the lineup. I like it.
-Third base will be an interesting spot. Carter McQuigg held down the fort last year and did well to round out the season. Adrian Cantu is challenging him this Spring. Each had a hit today. Cantu flashed some leather at third.

It was a fun afternoon. Training goes on and we'll see how things go...

Grizzlies win 6-2

Maschino tossed a good ninth. Struck out the side. Two teams will finish out the bottom of the ninth, and play another tomorrow at Southern Illinois.

John Maschino (1 year player from the Central League) on to pitch the ninth. Maschino may very well be audtitioning to close. Eric Ridener is out for some time with a broken finger.

Shannon Sprouse tossed the eighth. Gave up one on a hit, a walk and a hit batter. Grizzlies got a hit in the bottom of the inning.
Grizzlies lead 6-2.

Rojas went full on all three hitters...and struck out all three hitters. Shannon Sprouse pitching the eighth. Carter McQuigg got a hit in his first at-bat today in the bottom of the seventh, but was left at first.
Still 6-1 Grizzlies.

Justin Lilly and Sean Seibert each toss good innings. Lilly had a 1-2-3. Seibert gave up a double. Newcomer LHP Wilmer Rojas (rookie from White Sox org.) on to pitch. Going to seventh inning now, lots of changes.
Grizzlies lead 6-1 still.

Grizzlies pick up three in the fifth on four hits and a pair of walks. Rothford, Steve Mena and Dan Maycock with RBIs in the inning. Grizzlies lead 6-1.

Boeschen tossed two perfect innings, Justin Lilly on to pitch as we start the fifth here.

Grizzlies get a pair of runs in the bottom of the third...Holdren gets an RBI double. Rothford drives in a run with a SAC fly.
Grizzlies lead 3-1.

Joel Boeschen on to pitch for the Grizz at the start of the third...

Grizzlies tie the game with a run in the bottom of the inning. Rothford, and newcomer Steve Mena led off the inning wtih hits. Cantu moved Rothford over with a fielder's choice. Former Rascal Dan Maycock singled to drive in Rothford
Tied 1-1

Miners get an unearned run in the second inning. Adrian Cantu misplayed a grounder at third to put Ketron on with one out. He scored on a SAC fly later in the inning. Cantu atoned for the error with a nice bare hand play to end the inning.
1-0 Miners

GRIZZLIES vs. MINERS 5/12

Just about ready to roll here from GCS...

Here are the starting lineups for the two teams...

Southern Illinois
Gered Mochizuki SS
Tony Roth 2B
Brad Miller 3B
Jereme Milons RF
Brandon Ketron C
Andy Preston 1B
Kevin Koski LF
Tyler Kmetko DH
Travon Jackson CF
Danny Zeffiro RHP

Grizzlies
Stephen Douglas CF
Bradnon Peters 2B
Stephen Holdren RF
Chad Rothford 1B
Steve Mena LF
Adrian Cantu 3B
Dan Maycock DH
Kevin Kotch C
Casey Gordon SS
Nathan Melek RHP

Grizzlies vs. Miners Exhibition tomorrow

I'm planning on doing a little blogging from the pre-season game tomorrow afternoon against the Miners. It won't be pitch by pitch, and probably not even every inning, but I'll keep you updated on what I think is important and give you some notes on the game. Game time is 12:05 CT Tuesday afternoon.

Join me, won't you?

Tracking the Cougars

SIUE basketball has signed two recruits for next season. Check my KFNS/SIUE blog for my thoughts...

Here it is

Grab your spoons...I'm stirrin' again!

Ok amid much pressure from certain colleagues-namely Kelly Rhyne at SIUE-I'm forced to post here. As a side note I plan to update the blog at KFNS.com over the weekend regarding the new signees (what I know) for SIUE men's basketball. That being said here are a couple of things that have me stirring...

Blues Playoff Thoughts....
People who know me know I am NOT a Blues fan, but even I must admit the recent run stirred the homer in me. I even watched a bit of some of the games. I have three thoughts. First has there ever been a better playoff beard than the one goalie Chris Mason sported during the playoffs? Hard to believe if there was.

Second, the television broadcasts just aren't the same minus Ken Wilson (right). He was more crisp, had a better pace and no one brought more excitement. Just one guy's opinion. Oh Baby!

And speaking of voices, as we were, how about another season behind the mic for my good friend Tom Calhoun. The P.A. voice of the Blues makes that atmosphere. I didn't get to a game in person this year, but I didn't have to. Anyone who attends games knows what I'm talking about. And this summer, as always, you can catch him at Grizzlies games too! Make Some Noise!

SIUE Softball...
One team that NOBODY here at SIUE worries about when it comes to making the transition to Division I is the softball team. Head Coach Sandy Montgomery has her team playing outstanding-which is nothing new. They were Division II National Champions in 2007 and have barely missed a beat since. They are 36-10 and have an RPI in the 40s. The last two home games come up next week Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday is a double-header beginning at 5:00 and there is all kinds of things planned around the game. There will be free food and drink, giveaways and a general party atmosphere. KFNS Radio will be out promoting the event throughout the afternoon and I'll have the game live on WSIE (88.7FM in the St. Louis area).

Sad Story...
Grizzlies manager Phil Warren sent me this link. Sad story about a high school baseball player in Missouri who was killed after being hit by a pitch.
Here's is the story from the Post's website

New Voice...
We have a pattern here today, don't we? Anyway Adam Young will be joining me on Grizzlies' home broadcasts this year. Adam is a junior comm major at SIUE. If you've listened to any Grizz games or SIUE events over the past year or so, you have no doubt heard me mention Adam's name countless times. He has worked his rear end off as the studio engineer for most of our games. You may have even heard some of his work on men's basketball features. I think he'll do great, and the best thing is we already have a great rapport, and that will only add to the broadcasts. We'll have a fun summer, and that should translate (hopefully) to some entertaining games on the radio!

There you go...a new post...I may go away for long periods, but I always come back, don't I? Thanks for sticking with me.

Don't go anywhere

I'm still here. I realize I haven't written in a while here (followers of this spot will know that's not a shock) And while I do tend to go a while between posts I haven't abandoned the space. KFNS Radio in St. Louis has set up a spot for me there to blog on SIUE Cougar basketball, so that's where some blog time has been spent. We're getting closer and closer to Grizzlies baseball and I'll be back to provide play-by-play for the Grizz this summer, and I'll be adding more updates here as well. Thanks for sticking with me. If you'd like to view the blog at KFNS it can be found here!

Sad News

I am saddened today to learn that former Negro League star "Prince" Joe Henry has passed away at the age of 78. I had the pleasure of meeting and visiting extensively with Joe during our 2007 season. I valued our interview. What a guy and what stories he had! Here's a link to my earlier blog post.

I don't know if the links will all work from the original piece, but the audio link there to our site will get you to the Grizzlies site and you can hear some of the interview I did.

My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones today. He will be missed by me and the Gateway Grizzlies.