Diamondbacks win one!

The Arizona Diamondbacks have had little to cheer about lately, but last night in Los Angeles they picked up a win with a 2-0 victory over the Dodgers.

If only they could make a carbon copy of last night's gem and paste a similar result in the win column in every game down the stretch. Chris Young hit a two-run homer off Dodger Ace Clayton Kershaw, while Ian Kennedy did his job on the mound for  6 1/3 innings and the Diamondbacks' bullpen did the rest. Kennedy allows just two hits and shuts down the middle of the Dodgers' heralded lineup. One win in the books. The Diamondbacks need three more over the weekend to at least close the gap on the second-place  Dodgers.

Wilson JHS 13, Cross JHS 6

My grandson Jadon Price (7), the quarterback of the Wilson Junior High School Wranglers, threw the winning touchdown today when he connected over the middle to his favorite target, fullback Brayden Smith, on a 10-yard pass play that gave the Wranglers a 13-6 win at Wilson Field over the visiting Rams from Cross Junior High School. With three minutes left in the game Price found Smith for a 25-yard gain to set up a first and goal and with 2:40 left on the clock Price hit Smith for the winning touchdown. The game was the season opener for both schools.

Photo: Jadon goes over plays with his teammates

Wilson to host Cross

Junior High Football

Quarterback Jadon Price will lead the Wilson Wranglers into battle today. The Wranglers open their 2012 season as the Rams from Cross Junior High will visit Wilson for a 4:30 p.m. kickoff. Price threw three touchdown passes last Saturday in an exhibition game and hopes to do the same again today. Good luck, Jadon and the Wranglers.

Tale of the tape

The Diamondbacks lose another one. The Reds win again.

Two teams heading in opposite directions.

Cincinnati beats Arizona 5-2 at Chase Field last night and will go for the sweep of the three-game series this afternoon. If the Reds win today (and it is awful hard to bet against them) they will pick up their 80th victory of the season and will leave town with the best record in baseball. On the other hand, the Diamondbacks continue to sink and are on the verge of securing the tag "wait till next year" as the loss last night drops them to 64-66 on the season. It's getting to the point Arizona will need to sweep upcoming, head-to-head games with San Francisco and the LA Dodgers to have a shot at the NL West title. Another loss or two and Arizona might as well bring on some more rookies to finish out the season. Yogi always said "it's never over till it's over" but we're getting closer to Don Meredith's famous line, "turn out the lights... the party's over." After today, it is on to LA for a four-game series with the Dodgers.

D'backs Update: The Cincinnati Reds close out the series with another win today as they come from behind to beat the Diamondbacks, 6-2. Come on Diamondbacks, let's turn it around in LA!

Diamondbacks fall to Padres

The Arizona Diamondbacks are sinking fast while the LA Dodgers are heading in the other direction with their play on the field and up in the trading booth.

The Dodgers prepare for the stretch run by picking up Adrian Gonzalez and Josh Beckett from the Boston Red Sox and now sport a middle of the lineup that includes Matt Kemp, Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez, not to mention Andre Ethier and don't forget Carl Crawford, who also came over in the trade. Fortunately for the Diamondbacks, Crawford is injured and won't see action until next season.

As for the Diamondbacks, they can't beat San Diego as the Padres win again today and leave town after taking three straight from Arizona.


As for trades, Arizona sends lefty Joe Saunders packing to the Baltimore Orioles and they pick up a middle reliever in Matt Lindstrom, who'll report for duty tomorrow. The Diamondbacks now have a pitching rotation which includes three rookies -- Pat Corbin, Tyler Skaggs and Wade Miley. Arizona, after losing three games to the Padres, are now back to .500 ball at  64-64, while the Dodgers are snapping at the heels of the NL West leader, San Francisco, with a 69-59 record.

Congrats to LL World Series winner Japan

Congrats to the team from Tokyo who won the 2012 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. today with a 12-2 win over the team from Tennessee.

Noriatsu Osaka goes 4 for 4 and hits three home runs to lead Japan to another Little League World Series Championship.

Countdown to Wildcats football

The Arizona football season opener is just six days away.

 Coach Rich Rodriquez will send quarterback Matt Scott to the field at Arizona Stadium next Saturday as the Wildcats tangle with Toledo. The Arizona fans will see a whole new look -- new offense, new defense and a string of new coaches along the sideline. It should be a tough season.

Here's hoping Scott can stay healthy along with running backs Ka'Deem Carey, Taimi Tutogi and Daniel Jenkins.  Coach Rod and the Wildcats can't afford the injury bug this year and especially to those four players.  Defensively, the 3-3-5 odd stack will need to get the job done and ask a lot out of linebacker Jake Fischer, safeties Tra'Mayne Bondurant and Marquis Flowers, and cornerback Shaquille Richardson. Once again, those four players need to take the field every week in order for the 2012 Wildcats to be successful.

Go get 'em, Arizona.

Spaceman Lee, The Rocket toe the rubber

It sounds crazy but two former major league pitchers -- one a 50 year old and the other 65 years young, returned to professional baseball this week. Roger "The Rocket" Clemens tosses 3 1/3 scoreless innings and strikes out two batters in the Sugar Land Skeeters 1-0 win. The Skeeters, a Houston-area minor league team,  are members of the independent Atlantic League.  Out on the West Coast, Bill "Spaceman" Lee, 65, tosses a complete game before a sellout crowd of 1, 265 in Sam Rafael, Calif. and gets the victory in a independent North American League game. Lee throws 94 pitches, 69 of them for strikes and doesn't walk a batter in his nine innings on the mound.

Photo: Lee showing the "kids" how it's done.

quarterback watch

Bookemdanosports local football update

Two of my teammates on the Tucson MSBL Blackbirds watched their sons perform last night as the 2012 high school football season got underway. Lions quarterback Cody Rochon (son of Rick Rochon) scored three touchdowns as Mountain View won their opener with a 25-17 win over Marana, while Panthers quarterback Thomas Bolen (son of Tom T-Bone Bolen) scored on a 5-yard run and threw for 101 yards against Palo Verde as the Panthers dropped their opener to the Titans, 14-7.  Bolen connected on eight of his 26 passes, while Rochon went 7 for 15 and threw for 152 yards. Rochon connected on a 25-yard TD pass, ran another one in from 19 yards out and also scored by returning an onside kick 40 yards. My grandson, Jadon Price (son of Michael Price), gets his start at quarterback for the Wilson Junior High Wranglers on Wednesday. Go get 'em, Jadon, and good luck the rest of the season to Thomas and Cody.

                                                  Att-comp       Yds          TD    Int
Thomas Bolen -QB Amphi         8    26           101           1       0

Cody Rochon - QB Mtn. View    7    15           152           3       0

Jadon Price- Wilson JHS            0      0            0              0       0
                                                    (season starts Wednesday)

        

Final rehab in the books

Still on the DL.

I had my final rehab visit on Tuesday. I still have some stiffness and a lot of kinks to workout. Most of the soreness seems to be just above the right ankle. According to the physical therapist, I just need to keep going with the exercises and keep stretching. I went to the ball field yesterday and I wanted to play, but my teammates on the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) talked me out of it. I did take some cuts during batting practice and made a hand full of practice throws, but then walked off the field and headed for the health club.

I'll see where I'm at in another 10 days. It's been quite a haul since the operation on May 25, and I'm trying my best not to push it. The big question: Can I push off on the foot after I make contact with the ball in the batter's box? I hope to find out that answer around the first of September.

Could my grandson be the next Nick Foles?

Could my grandson, Jadon Price, become the next Nick Foles?

 Jadon was named the starting quarterback for Wilson Junior High School earlier this week. Jadon has five years of experience playing in the youth football leagues in Marana and it's now time for him to move up to the big time and quarterback the Wilson Wranglers. Jadon, who plays baseball year around, will don the football pads and call the signals for the Wranglers, who will begin their 2012 season in September.

Congrats, Jadon!

Photo: Jadon Price ready for action.

Are the Nationals, Reds the best two teams in the MLB?

Are the Washington Nationals and the Cincinnati Reds the best two teams in the major leagues?

 On paper, it certainly looks that way.

The Nationals have lost just 23 times away from home this season and have won 41! They do their best work away from Washington, similar to our politicians! Whoops, let's don't go there.

At home, the Nationals are a respectable 36-24, which all adds up to the best record in baseball at  77-47. The surprising Reds, on the other hand, sport a 76-49 record and are 19 games over the .500 mark at home and eight games above that mark with their away games. On paper, the two National League teams are outdistancing themselves from the top two teams in the American League -- the Texas Rangers (72-51) and the New York Yankees (72-52). As we head down the stretch, we'll see who prevails. But there certainly is some good baseball being played with six weeks left in the regular season.

Diamondbacks split 4-game series with Miami

The Arizona Diamondbacks got all they could ask for from two rookie left-handers today.

Tyler Skaggs in his first start for the D'backs goes 6 2/3 innings at Chase Field in the first game of a doubleheader as Arizona shuts down the Miami Marlins, 3-2, and then another rookie, Wade Miley,  who seems more like a veteran hurler, wins his 14th game of the year as he tosses eight shut out innings as the Diamondbacks win the nightcap, 3-0.

After losing the first two games of the four-game series with the Marlins, the Diamondbacks come roaring back and remain three games over the .500 mark at  64-61. With 37 games remaining in the regular season, the Diamondbacks now set their sights on the visiting San Diego Padres as the 10-game home stand continues. Aaron Hill led the Diamondbacks offensively in the first game today, going 2 for 3 and driving in three runs -- including a home run, while Paul Goldschmidt led the way in the nightcap with an RBI-single, a double and a run scored.

Photo:  Skaggs gets a win for D'backs

My fantasy football draft

The automatic draft in my UPC Hood Fantasy Football League took place overnight.

Once again, the top NFL quarterbacks found there way to the other nine teams in our 10-team league.

It could be worse as my team, Team Priceless, did end up with Dallas quarterback Tony Romo. I'm allowed a second QB to come off the bench and the auto draft selected Oakland's Carson Palmer, but I think I'll try to pick up Baltimore's Joe Flacco off of waivers. I'm not sure Palmer is going to score me a lot of fantasy points this season. The Palmer-Flacco deal will be the first of many moves I'll make this year.

 I'm fairly strong with receivers as I obtained Hakeem Nicks (NYG), Jeremy Maclin (Phi), DeSean Jackson (Phi) and Percy Harvin (Min). I did get lucky at tight end as I pick up former Wildcat Rob Gronkowski (NE) and I also will have two pretty good running backs in Chris Johnson (TEN) and DeMarco Murray (DAL). I will have kicker Dan Bailey, also of Dallas, and my defense will be the Philadelphia Eagles. So my  Team Priceless  roster has a Cowboys-Eagles flavor to it. I'm not to crazy with my boys on the bench, which includes Jonathan Stewart (RB-Carolina), Santonio Holmes (WR-NYJ), Laurent Robinson (WR-JAC) and tight end Jacob Tenne of Denver, the latter, of course, will be seldom used if Gronkowski stays healthy.

All in all, not too bad of a draw. A lot better than last year, I must admit. Let's tee it up!

Drew gone!

I'll miss Stephen Drew.

The 29-year-old shortstop gave the Arizona Diamondbacks six good years, although the injury bug kept him out of the lineup for most of 2011 and half of the 2012 season. He's a smooth hombre at the shortstop position and he'll fit in well with the Oakland A's.

When he gets his stroke back, chances are he'll put a hurt on the Diamondbacks in the near future. I thought weeks ago that we might lose right fielder  Justin Upton, instead it's Drew who clears out his locker at Chase Field and heads elsewhere. Good luck, Stephen. It's just business and the crazy things that happens when the free agency market raises its ugly head and causes some last-minute shuffling. Oakland gets a five-star player in my book.

Luckily, we still have Willie Bloomquist, John McDonald and rookie Jake Elmore to fill the void. Lost in the shuffle for now will be 23-year-old Sean Jamieson, who was part of the waiver trade announced late Monday night. Jamieson, who was selected in the 17th round of the 2011 draft, played in 118 games for Class A Burlington this season and will report to Class A South Bend for the Diamondbacks.

Clemens has an open invitation to play for the TOTS

Roger Clemens (photo above) will take the mound for the Sugar Land Skeeters Saturday as he makes his return to professional baseball at the age of 50. If things don't pan out for the Rocket this weekend, we should let him know that he has an open invitation to play for the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS), the oldest organized baseball team in the country.

 On second thought, Clemens would have to wait another ten years before he would become eligible for the TOTS. But, we'd love to have him. He'd have it pretty easy with the TOTS -- we play only seven innings, there is no stealing bases,  and it only cost five dollars a month. On second thought, Jaime Moyer is welcome, too. Rumor has it Clemens can still bring it and has been clocked at 87 miles per hour with that fastball of his. Could this be just a weekend outing for Clemens or is this a stepping stone for his return to the Majors after a five-year absence?

Hill leads Diamondbacks to win over Astros

Aaron Hill filled up the box score on moving day in Houston. The Arizona second baseman hits two home runs, goes 3 for 4, scores three times, reaches base on a walk and hammers in two runs as the Diamondbacks sweep the Astros with an 8-1 win today. The Diamondbacks hop on a plane and head back to Phoenix later today sporting a regular season won and loss record of 62-59.  Ian Kennedy (11-10) goes six inning today and gets the win. Miami awaits. The Diamondbacks set up shop for a 10-game home stand, including a four-games series with the Marlins with the opener scheduled for tomorrow night.

Photo: Mr. Hill

D'backs need to remain focused in getaway game in Houston

The Arizona Diamondbacks need to take care of business again today in Houston.

The D'backs need to complete the sweep and return home for a four-game series with Miami. Arizona knocked off the lowly Astros 3-1 on Friday and on Saturday they used a nine-run fifth inning to roll over Houston, 12-4. Today's game gets underway within the hour and there's a lot of commotion going on in the Houston dugout as their manager Brad Mills was fired late yesterday, leaving the young team in search of a new manager and a new direction.  The Astros will look to interim manager  Tony DeFrancesco, the Triple-A manager in Oklahoma City, to lead them into action today.

The Diamondbacks, on the other hand, need to keep the pedal to the metal  as they send  Ian Kennedy (10-10) to the mound in hopes of grabbing the club's 62nd win, which would put them three games over the .500 mark. Go, D'backs!

Time to get serious in the gym

It's been three months since my foot operation. It's time to get serious in the gym. My final rehab appointment is slated for Tuesday and it's time to take advantage of the Silver Sneaker Program at my local fitness center. I went 10 miles on the stationary bike yesterday and hit the weight room. I did some light lifting and stretching. The foot looks pretty good, except for a nice L-shaped scar, which will probably be a permanent fixture.

I managed to throw the ball around earlier in the week, just moments before my Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) teammates took the field for one of their weekly games. It felt good just to toss the ball around. I'm trying my best to stay off the playing field and give it another month. It's hard to believe that September is just around the corner. Heck, two weeks from tomorrow is the Arizona Wildcats' first football game as Toledo comes to town for the opener. Of course, my goal is to play in the Men's Senior Baseball League (MSBL) World Series, scheduled for mid-October in Phoenix. Two months to get this thing in gear. Wish me luck!

Photo: Yours truly. It's a long road back.

Goldy, Young hit back to back homers in 9th to beat Cardinals

The Arizona Diamondbacks looked to be in one of those all too familiar downward spurts.

They had already dropped two games in a row to the Cardinals in St. Louis, the first one on Tuesday and then again last night. It looked like the Cardinals were going to make it three in a row tonight and send the reeling Diamondbacks on to Houston two games below the .500 mark. For eight innings, the Cardinals' pitching staff had held the D'backs scoreless and were enjoying a 1-0 lead. But with one out in the top of the ninth,  Paul Goldschmidt steps to the plate to face the Cardinals' closer Jason Motte. Goldschmidt then sends Motte's ninth pitch in the at bat into the seats in left centerfield to get Arizona even and Chris Young follows with a blast over the left field fence to give the Diamondbacks a 2-1 lead. Arizona manager Kirk Gibson then hands the ball over to J.J. Putz in the bottom of the ninth and the Cardinals go 1-2-3, allowing the Diamondbacks to steal one in St. Louis.  Arizona picks up a game on the LA Dodgers (65-54) in the NL West and will carry a 59-59 record on to Houston. The Dodgers lost in Pittsburgh today, 10-6.

Photo:  Goldschmidt goes yard again!

An afternoon delight

Felix Hernandez  hurled a perfect game just moments ago at Safeco Field in Seattle.  Hernandez struck out 12 Tampa Bay batters as the Mariners beat the Rays 1-0. The hard-throwing right hander records the third perfect game this season and 23rd in major league history.

Photo: Felix Hernandez

I can only imagine...

Johnny Pesky -- the great third baseman, shortstop and manager of the Boston Red Sox --  died last week at the age of 92. I can only imagine what it must have been like to walk around in that man's shoes for the sixty years he walked with, played with, and managed many of the greatest Boston Red Sox players that ever lived.

His home for so many years was Fenway Park. Oh, what it must have been like to have been him, sitting on the dugout steps and eyeing the cheering Boston crowd in front of him. In his playing days, what it must have been like grabbing a Louisville Slugger and sauntering up to the plate to face the likes of Yankee great Whitey Ford, who would have been in his prime at the time. Or, what it must have been like to have Yankee catcher Yogi Berra gnawing at him from behind the plate. Or, what it must have been like to play alongside Ted Williams or Dom DiMaggio.

The years fly by quickly and we all sit back and relive our past from time to time. Just think what it must have been like for Johnny Pesky to sit back in his favorite recliner  and without any trouble at all  relive  his "days of summer." I can only imagine.

D'backs salvage final game of series with Nationals

The Arizona Diamondbacks received seven strong innings from Patrick Corbin and were led by Paul Goldschmidt at the plate as they salvaged the final game of the three-game series with the Washington Nationals today at Chase Field. Goldschmidt (in photo above) went 2 for 4, scored twice and drove in three runs in the Diamondbacks 7-4 win. Corbin (4-4)  allowed four hits and two earned runs, while striking out seven.  He did not walk a batter. The win kept the Diamondbacks over the .500 mark for the season as they improve to 58-57. Arizona keeps pace with the Giants and the Dodgers who both won today. San Francisco beat the Rockies, 9-6, and the Dodgers shutout Miami, 5-0.

It's on to the closing ceremonies

Bookemdanosports final 2012 Summer Olympics Update


It's  on to the closing ceremonies. It's been fun, especially for the athletes from the United States. The final medal count shows the USA as the top dog with 46 gold medals, 29 silver and 29 bronze, a total of 104 for the Americans. Congrats, to all the athletes from all the countries. They put on a great show.

Team USA wins gold in men's basketball

Bookemdanosports 2012 Summer Olympics Update


Spain battled the U.S. men's team for the better part of three and a half quarters, but in the end the Americans distanced themselves from the Spaniards in the final moments and won the gold medal in men's basketball at the XXX Olympiad in London by a score of 107-100. Kevin Durant scores 30 points in the win, while Pau Gasol led Spain with 24 points. The win gives the U.S. 46 gold medals at the Olympic Games and 104 total medals as the 2012 Games reaches its final hours of competition.

Current Team USA medal count:   Gold  46  Silver  29  Bronze  29

Varner adds gold in wrestling on final day

Bookemdanosports 2012 Summer Olympics Update


A surprising gold medal by American Jake Varner in 96kg freestyle wrestling gets the final day off to a a good start at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London for the Americans.  Varner's gold increases the Americans gold medal count to 45 and overall total to 103 as the Olympic fans await the conclusion of the gold medal men's basketball matchup between Team USA against Spain.

USA reaches century mark in medals

Bookemdanosports 2012 Summer Olympics Update


Team USA reached the century mark and then some today, Day 15, at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Leading the way with gold medals were the women's 4x400 women's relay team in track and field and the women's basketball team. Sue Bird and Candace Parker led the Americans to an easy win over France, 86-50, in the gold medal game. On the track, it was DeeDee Trotter, Allyson Felix, Francena McCorory and Sanya Richards-Ross finishing nearly four seconds ahead of the Russians in a time of 3:16.87.  The U.S. men's 4x100 team took silver today as the Jamaicans won the gold. David Boudia added a gold medal today in the 10-meter platform diving event.  A University of Arizona athlete, Brigetta Barrett, won the silver medal in the high jump with a personal best 6 feet, 7.92 inches. Anna Chicherova of Russia won the gold. The U.S women's volleyball team had to settle for the silver medal today as Brazil shocked the Americans in four sets. Scott Coleman won a bronze in wrestling and Georgia Gould captured a bronze in cycling-mountain bike. All in all, the Americans added eight medals to their total count, and with one day remaining, the USA athletes have in their collective hands 44 gold medals, 29 silver and 29 bronze. China remains in second place with 38 gold, 27 silver and 22 bronze.

Photo: A silver for a Wildcat...way to go, Brigetta!

Team USA medal count:  Gold  44  Silver  29  Bronze  29

Congrats, to local Little League team

Congrats, to the Tucson Rincon Little League team which came within two wins of the this year's World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

Rincon lost 6-5 to Hawaii yesterday in San Bernardino, Calif. and were eliminated from the Western Regional Tournament. Two Tucson Little Leagues teams  -- one from the Cactus Little League in 1973 and the other from the Tucson International Little League in 1986 reached Williamsport and the world series championship game. Rincon won the Arizona State Little League Championship last month by beating Arrowhead from the Phoenix Glendale area. Rincon is a member of District 12 and its home field is Purple Heart Park in the Vail area.

OK you old duffers, beware of the movie , Hope Springs

It's pretty well documented that this blog focuses on folks in their "sunset years" and with an emphasis, more often than naught, on being an over-60 athlete who refuses to be a couch potato and tries his or her level best to remain active. But just how active are we? When I say "we" I mean a little closer to home. In other words, I'm talking about just how much of a robot I've become. I start every morning with my better half (Suzy Q) having a cup of coffee, eating two eggs over medium and a slab of bacon. I pick up the morning paper out of the driveway, head back inside, pull out the sports page and hand the rest of the paper to Sue.

I proceed to dissect every box score, read every sports story from beginning to end. With a little twist that is! I've already been up for two hours and have surfed the Internet and have already read the same stuff online. By eight o'clock in the morning, I'm ready for bed! Not really. Fast forward to eight o'clock in the evening when the local news is done and maybe a one-hour rerun of CSI and then it's off to bed. I'm kidding a little here. I do realize I'm a little more active than that.

We take in a movie now and then, taking full advantage of the senior rates, of course. So, yesterday afternoon we mosey into the theater to see the new Meryl Streep-Tommy Lee Jones flick, Hope Springs. A great movie for the 60-and-over, AARP crowd. After about an hour and a half, I was squirming in my seat. Arnold, played by Jones, is a partner in an accounting firm in Omaha, Nebraska. Arnold has been married for 31 years and is still working, still providing the "good life" for his wife, Kay.

 Kay, played by Streep, is already up and has fixed breakfast as she slides some eggs, and one slice of bacon in front of her well dressed-for-work husband. Arnold reaches for the morning paper, the Omaha World Herald. He finishes the paper, gives Kay a kiss on the cheek, grabs his briefcase and leaves for work, knowing full well that he'll be back in eight hours in time for dinner and some meat and potatoes. After dinner, Arnold settles into his favorite recliner and watches the golf channel. It isn't long before Arnold is fast asleep and is then nudged by Kay. He gets out of the chair, turns out the lights and heads upstairs to bed.

This scenario, of course, is played out day after day with very little variance. What happens next in Hope Springs, is not for this blog to undertake, but take my word for it, the movie is a good one. There's a lot of laughs and they all aren't coming from Steve Carell, who plays a renowned couple's specialist in the town of Great Hope Springs. Carell actually plays the "straight man" in the movie, while Streep and Jones provide all the laughs. Take my word for it, you'll want to spice up your life after you sit through this one.    

U.S adds two more gold medals on Day 14

Bookemdanosports 2012 Summer Olympics Update


The United States freestyle wrestler Jordan Burroughs brought home a gold medal and the women's 4x100 relay team won the gold medal in track and field today, Day 14,  of the XXX Olympiad in London. The two gold medals, along with a silver (men's 4x400 relay team, track and field) and a bronze by Paige McPherson in women's taekwondo gives the U.S. 94 medals, 13 more than China ( 37 gold, 25 silver, 19 bronze). The United States men's basketball team sailed through their semifinal today as they pounded Argentina 109-83 and will face Spain on Sunday for the gold.   Kevin Durant led the Americans in scoring with 19 points.

Olympic note:   The USA women's 4x100 relay team of  Tianna Madison, Allyson Felix, Bianca Knight and Carmelita Jeter not only won the gold medal but shattered the world record in the event with a time of 40.82 seconds. Photo below: USA 4x100 relay team celebrates.

Team USA medal count:  Gold 41  Silver  26  Bronze  27

Spain beats Russia in basketball semifinal at XXX Olympiad

Bookemdanosports 2012 Summer Olympics Update


Spain, trailing for most of the game, jumped ahead of Russia with seven minutes remaining and went on to win 67-59 today in London to reach the men's basketball gold medal round at the XXX Olympiad. So, Team USA knows who their opponent will be, if they take care of business and knock of Argentina in the other semifinal later today. Led by Pau and Marc Gasol, Spain shook off a horrible shooting effort in the first half to beat the defensive-minded team from Russia. Spain awaits. As expected, it should be Spain versus Team USA in the final on Sunday. Argentina still has a shot, but I'm putting my money on Lebron James and Company.

U.S. athletes reach 90 in medal count

Bookemdanosports 2012 Summer Olympics Update

The Americans won nine more medals today in London. Five of the medals were of the gold variety with the U.S. women's soccer team the top headliner as they beat Japan in the final, 2-1. The women's team also won a gold in water polo and a gold in boxing as Claressa Shields won the first ever gold medal in the sport for a woman boxer from the United States. The title of "world's greatest athlete" goes to Ashton Easton who wins the gold medal in the decathlon today for Team USA, while Christian Taylor won the fifth gold of the day in the men's triple jump.  The United States lengthened its lead in the total medal count over second place China, 90 to 80.

Team USA medal count: Gold  39   Silver  25   Bronze  26

D'backs earn a series split in Pittsburgh

Jason Kubel hit two home runs to help the Arizona Diamondbacks to a  6-3 win on getaway day in Pittsburgh. The D'backs earn a split of the four-game series with the Pirates and finish the road trip with six wins and four losses.

Lefty Joe Saunders gets the win today and is now 6-8 on the season. The Diamondbacks return home tomorrow night for the opener of a three-games series with the Washington Nationals. Arizona improves to 57-55.

USA women win gold in soccer

Bookemdanosports 2012 Summer Olympics Update

In front of a crowd of  80,203 at Wembley Stadium in London, the United States won the gold medal in women's soccer today with a heart-stopping 2-1 victory over Japan. Carli Lloyd scored both goals for the Americans, one in the early moments of the first half and the other early in the second half. Goalie Hope Solo defended her territory through out the match -- including a diving block with just eight minutes to go. Congrats, Team USA!

Photo:  USA women's soccer team celebrates their gold!

U.S men's and women's b-ball teams slip by Australia

Bookemdanosports 2012 Summer Olympics Update


The U.S men's and women's Olympic basketball teams had their hands full from the two teams from down under. Kobe Bryant scores 20 on Wednesday to lead the U.S. men's team to a 119-86 victory as the Americans move on to the semifinals at the Summer Olympic games in London. Lebron James records a triple-double with 11 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists. The U.S women's team slips by the stubborn team from Australia today 86-73 in their semifinal game behind the play of Sue Bird (13 points), Diana Taurasi (14 points) and Tina Charles (14 points).  The U.S. women's team will go for the gold on Saturday against the winner of the other semifinal played later today, which pits Russia against France. The U.S. men's team will take on Argentina on Friday, while Russia and Spain will battle in the other semifinal with the winners to play for the gold medal on Sunday.

USA medal count at 81

Bookemdanosports 2012 Summer Olympics Update 

Another good day in London for the Americans. Team USA picks up 11 medals on Wednesday, including four golds, three silver and four bronze. On the track, Team USA wins seven medals, spearheaded by gold-medal finishes by Allyson Felix (women's 200 meters), Brittney Reese (women's long jump) and  Aries Merritt (men's 110m hurdles), while over on the beach volleyball court,  Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings win the gold over fellow Americans April  Ross and Jennifer  Kessy, who settle for the silver medal. The Americans regain the top spot in medals with 81. China is second with 77.

Team USA medal count:  Gold   34   Silver  22   Bronze  25  

USA basketball teams set for medal rounds

Bookemdanosports 2012 Summer Olympic Update

Both the USA men's and women's basketball teams cruised through pool play in London and now get down to serious business. The men's team tangle with Australia today in the quarterfinals and the women's team will take on Australia tomorrow in the semifinals. Both teams went 5-0 in pool play with only one glitch on the radar -- a close game against Lithuania by the men's team in Game 4 at the XXX Olympiad.

Who is this Johnson kid?

Who is  this Johnson kid?

 The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired Chris Johnson on July 27 from the Houston Astros. At Houston, Johnson hit eight home runs and drove in 41 in 92 games. Since he put on a Diamondbacks uniform the man has gone crazy at the plate. In eight games with the Arizona  Diamondbacks,  Johnson has hit five home runs and has knocked in 15 runs.

He hit two yesterday in Pittsburgh -- one in the eighth inning and another in the ninth inning, as the Diamondbacks rolled over the Pirates, 10-4.

75 days!

It's been 75 days since my foot operation. Seventy-five days! It seems like 75 months.

 I'm happy to report I'm on the mend. I'm into my second week of rehab and hope to end the rehab process before the end of the month. I threw the boot away last week. It now sits in my closet along with five pairs of tennis shoes that I never wear. Could I possibly be back on the ball field by the middle of September? I've hit the health club a couple of times and started working on my upper body. I'm up to 20 minutes on a stationary bike, so things are looking up. Hopefully, I'm on track for my version of "spring training" in September and just maybe I'll be ready for the Men's Senior Baseball League (MSBL) World Series in Phoenix in mid October.

In the meantime, I'll continue to pluck away on my laptop. By the way, I finally burned out my old laptop and was forced to purchase a more updated model. It's called a MacBook Air and so far it keeps up with my daily words of wisdom.  My blog recently reached a thousand posts, plus a couple of unpublished stories (you can find those in my pages section). I must admit, I'm tired of sitting. This old timer is ready to get back on the ball field.

Wish me luck!

Raisman wins gold medal

Bookemdanosports 2012 Summer Olympics Update

Team USA gymnast Aly Raisman won a gold medal today in London with her performance on the floor exercise. She also garnered a bronze medal on the balance beam and was the only USA athlete to grab a gold medal on Day 11. China still leads the medal race with 73 total medals, while the Americans are at an even 70.

Team USA medal count:  Gold 30  Silver  19  Bronze  21

U.S. pole vaulter Suhr wins gold

Bookemdanosports 2012 Summer Olympics Update

Team USA women's pole vaulter Jenn Suhr was the only gold medal winner for the Americans on Monday in  London. In blistery conditions, Suhr wins the event with a vault  of 15 feet, 7 inches (4.75 meters).  China still holds a one medal lead after Day 10. China has 64 medals (31 gold, 19 silver, 14 bronze), while Team USA is at 63 medals (29 gold, 15 silver, 19 bronze)

The Blade Runner and the Lightning Bolt

There were two winners in London on Sunday -- one with a medal, and one without.

USA medal count moves to 60

Bookemdanosports 2012 Summer Olympics Update

A quiet day in London on Sunday as far as medals were concerned for Team USA. The Americans picked up a gold medal in track as Sanya Richards-Ross won the 400m final  and a gold in tennis with a mixed doubles victory as Serena and Venus Williams prevailed. Team USA stands at 60 medals.  China has hauled in 61 medals (30 gold, 17 silver and 14 bronze). The USA count:  Gold  28  Silver  14  Bronze  18.

Diamondbacks can't get it done in Philly

The Arizona Diamondbacks couldn't get it done in Philadelphia.

The D'backs lose 2 of 3 to the Phillies -- including today's 5-4 loss. Arizona gets three homers as Chris Johnson, Stephen Drew and Paul Goldschmidt all go yard today but the D'backs couldn't hold on to a 4-3 lead as Philadelphia plates single runs in the eighth and ninth innings. Arizona falls to 55-53 and fails to pick up any ground on the Giants and the Dodgers.

The Diamondbacks head for Pittsburgh and take on the Pirates tomorrow night.

Team USA adds 11 medals on Day 8

Bookemdanosports  2012 Summer Olympics Update


Team USA adds 11 more medals on Day 8 at the Summer Olympics in London. Five of them are of the gold variety as Michael Phelps and the men's relay team win the 4x100 medley. The women's team followed suit with a world record in the medley, while over on the tennis court Serena Williams (photo) blows past Maria Sharapova  6-0, 6-1 to capture the gold. The win today by Phelps gives him a career haul of 18 Olympic gold medals and 22 overall. Unbelievable! Additional gold medal winners today included Jamie Lynn Gray in the 50m rifle shooting and back on the tennis court it was the USA men's doubles team of Mike and Bob Bryan with the gold medal win.

Team USA medals update:   Gold  26   Silver   13   Bronze   15

Upton hits No. 100

The Diamondbacks' Justin Upton hit his 100th career home run on the same day his brother, B.J Upton, cranked his 100th round-tripper. Justin's shot help Arizona beat the Phillies 4-2  in Philadelphia last night as the Diamondbacks keep pace with the Giants and Dodgers. B. J. Upton's blast helped Tampa Bay to a 2-0 win over Baltimore.

Photo: Arizona Diamondback Justin Upton

USA women's basketball team moves to 4-0

Bookemdanosports 2012 Summer Olympics Update

The USA women's basketball team moves to 4-0 in London as they down the Czech Republic 88-61 in an Olympic qualification game on Friday. Diana Taurasi led all scorers with 18 points on 6-for-13 shooting, while Tina Charles scored 16 points on 7-for-16 shooting and grabbed 15 rebounds. China will be the foe for Team USA on Sunday. Go get 'em, Team USA!

Photo: Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi leads Team USA to 4-0 start in London

The headliners in Week 1 at 2012 Summer Olympics

The Americans soar in London...

Michael Phelps

Gabby Douglas

Diana Taurasi

Lebron James

Missy Franklin

The "Fab Five"

Kayla  Harrison

Kristin Armstrong

Vincent Hancock



And there's plenty more to come as track and field gets underway in Week 2...

Bernie Laget

Ashton Eaton

Go, USA!

American swimmers add 3 more gold medals on Day 7

Bookemdanosports 2012 Summer Olympics Update

Team USA added three more gold medals on Day 7 -- all in the pool, as Michael Phelps brings home his 17th  gold and  21st  Olympic career medal with a win in the 100m butterfly, while Missy Franklin storms home in the 200m backstroke and sets a world record  in the process. The third gold of day goes to 15-year-old Katie Ledecky, who swims to victory in the 800m freestyle. China picked up two gold medals in badminton, but trails the USA by one gold and one medal overall (43 to 42).

Team USA medal count:  Gold  21   Silver  10   Bronze   12

Photo: Missy Franklin a winner

Records fall as Team USA explodes in win over Nigeria

Bookemdanosports 2012 Summer Olympics Update

In the highest scoring basketball game in Olympic history, the USA men knocked off Nigeria 156-73 today in London. Carmelo Anthony scores 37 points to lead all scorers as Team USA netted 49 points in the first quarter to get the party started. The Americans tally 29 three-pointers, just one of the many records set in today's game. The Nigerians made only 28 field goals for the entire game. It should get a little tougher for the USA men as they take on Lithuania on Saturday. By the way, the 156 points scored today beats the old record for points by 18!

Team USA overtakes China in medal count

Bookemdanosports 2012 Summer Olympics Update

It was a good day for Team USA at the 2012 Summer Olympics. The Americans captured six gold, one silver and a bronze and takes over the lead in the medal count 37 to 34 over China. The U.S. and China are tied with 18 gold medals, but the Americans have a slight edge with nine silver and 10 bronze, while China owns 11 silver and five bronze at the conclusion of  Day 6. In swimming, gold medals went to Michael Phelps (200m individual medley)  Rebecca Soni (200m breaststroke) and Tyler Clary (200m backstroke). Clary's time was an Olympic record with a 1:53.41 clocking, while Soni's time was a world record as she came in with a time of 2:19.59. Phelps picked up his 16th career gold medal and his 20th overall. Gabrielle Douglas picked up her gold medal in gymnastics for her performance in the all-around, and Kayla Harrison won the first Olympic gold medal for the U.S. women in judo. Team USA won gold in the women's eight rowing event.

Team USA medal count:  Gold  18   Silver  9   Bronze  10

Looking back...my childhood, Part III

I recently posted remembrances of my childhood. So, it has been documented that I was sort of a pistol growing up. In 1953, we lived in the center of town, somewhere by Euclid and Park. Tucson was a small town then. I could walk to school, go down to the YMCA, and pretty much bicycle my way all over town.

My parents worked, so it was up to me to get myself ready for school, lock the front door and skip my way down four or five blocks to school and my first-grade class. 

Times sure have changed. 

At any rate, it took me a while to accomplish my morning ritual without getting myself into too much trouble. However, I do remember one particular morning. I was running late and had to get the lead out. So, I quickly brushed my teeth, poured some stuff on my curly hair, grabbed my lunch box, and headed out the door. About halfway to school, I smelled something. It was a strange odor. Once in class, all my classmates looked at me and giggled. Somehow, I had grabbed the wrong bottle in the medicine cabinet and poured Mercurochrome on my head.

I still remember the hair-raising experience.

Photo: My first-grade hair dressing!

The Reds are setting a blistering pace, much like their closer Chapman

With 19 wins in 22 games, the Cincinnati Reds are setting a blistering pace, much like their hard-throwing closer Adonis Chapman.

As of this morning, the Reds have the best record in baseball with a record of 63 wins and 41 losses. Whether the Reds are at home or away, doesn't seem to make a bit of difference. Cincinnati is 33-19 at home and 30-22 away.

USA women's basketball team move to 3-0

Bookemdanosports 2012 Summer Olympics Update

Taking a page out of the USA men's team, the women's team let their bench do the talking on Day 5 at the XXX Olympiad as the Americans ate up Turkey 89-58. Angel McCoughtry came off the bench to score 18 points as Team USA moves to 3-0 in pool play and will take on the Czech Republic on Friday.

Photo: Diana Taurasi goes up for two!

All eyes are on the Netherlands hockey team

By far the prettiest team at the XXX Olympiad is the women's hockey team  from the Netherlands. And by the way, the have a victory over Belgium to their credit.

Goldschmidt, Johnson, Montero lead D'backs to series sweep over Dodgers

Paul Goldschmidt had three hits, Chris Johnson collected two more and Miguel Montero made his second hit of the day, a two-run homer, add icing to the cake as the Arizona Diamondbacks sweep the Dodgers with a 4-0 win today.

Patrick Corbin hurls six shutout innings and the Diamondbacks' bullpen did the rest. Arizona, at 54-51, head for Philadelphia and a series' opener Friday against the Phillies. Way to go, D'backs!

Americans, China still battling for medal lead

Bookemdanosports 2012 Summer Olympics Update

China has reached 30 medals at the XXX Olympiad, but Team  USA is breathing down their neck with 29 medals and counting. Thursday looks to be a big day for the Americans, so chances are good Team USA could be in the top spot, medal wise, by the end of Day 6. On Day 5 the Americans add three more gold medals to their totals and three bronze. Kristin Armstrong led the way with a gold in cycling and U.S.  swimmer Nathan Adrian captured the gold in the men's 100m freestyle. The American women's relay  team -- composed of Missy Franklin, Dana Vollmer, Shannon Vreeland and their anchor leg swimmer Allison Schmitt -- won gold in the 4x200 freestyle relay. Arizona Wildcat Alyssa Anderson will also receive a gold medal as a member of the women's relay team. She swam in the preliminary round and helped the USA team reach the final. Congrats, to Alyssa and all the medal winners.

Team USA medal count:  Gold  12   Silver  8   Bronze  9