Teams Go Green...

April 22, 2008 2:49 PM

BRISTOL, Connecticut

Whenever the word “green” was mentioned in the realm of professional sports…. it used to revolve around the substantial number of dollar bills being doled out to athletes.

Now, it’s a two pronged term. Yes, teams still overpay players, but at least they’re saving the planet at the same time.

Today, the Seattle Mariners will celebrate Earth Day before they even take to the field, by sponsoring Major League Baseball’s first carbon-neutral game. In addition to implementing a recycling program for paper, plastic, and food scraps, the team is purchasing “green” power credits to off-set their sizable carbon footprint. This money will fund renewable energy facilities – like wind farms - throughout the northwest. Based on calculations, one ballgame will apparently produce more than 230 tons of carbon dioxide. Contributing factors include flight travel for both teams and umpires, ground transportation for fans, electricity and natural gas used at the stadium, disposal or recycling of waste generated during the game. Mariners CEO Howard Lincoln stated, in a news release, “We know that just buying carbon offsets isn’t enough. This is not a one-time event for us.” Also today, the 2007 World Champion Boston Red Sox with be recognized during a pre-game ceremony for their environmental initiatives, which include the installation of solar powered trash compactors around Fenway Park, and solar panels that will soon help heat hot water.

Not to be outdone, the Washington Nationals have taken things one step forward, and opened their season at home last month in the nation’s first entirely green-built ballpark. Among the environmentally-friendly elements are low-flow plumbing, high-efficiency lighting, recycled building materials, and a 6300 square foot green roof covered with plants, that absorb rainwater, thus reducing runoff to a nearby river. Next up to bat is Citi Field, the NY Mets new stadium, set to open next year. It will feature, among other things, recycled steel beams, concrete made from coal combustion ash, energy and water conservation.

And in the state of New Jersey, home to some of the country’s worst air pollution, the NBA’s Nets did their part by holding a series of “Green Nights,” during which environmental organizations set up booths in the concourse area to educate fans – many of whom were in line for hot-dogs - on how to live a green life.  Like the Mariners, they held a carbon-neutral game earlier in the season. And what better way to grab people's attention than hand out "free stuff?" Five-thousand fans walked away from a recent game with free compact fluorescent light-bulbs.

Of course, all of this is old news to the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles, who were first out of the starting gate with their “go green” initiative, back in 2003. By purchasing renewable energy, tree planting programs, installing solar panels on their stadium, and recycling efforts, the team estimates that it has eliminated the greenhouse gas emissions of almost 1,800 automobiles, and saved 2,300 trees. Even team employees are getting in on the action – anyone who signs up for wind energy over conventional energy will be reimbursed for the cost difference.

Even some race cars now benefit from environmentally-friendly bio-fuel. When Indy car drivers push their pedal to the medal, it is ethanol, which is a byproduct of corn, and not gasoline, that make their cars reach speeds over 200 mph….which is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field in one second. 

All of this is a hop, skip, and a jump in the right direction, but remember, it is only the tip of the [melting] iceberg, and there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. Happy Earthday everyone.

April 22, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

American Gladiators

January 08, 2008 7:16 PM

BRISTOL, Connecticut

On Saturday night, I kicked back on the couch with a bowl of buttery popcorn, and turned my attention to the television, where I was about to witness an all-out battle.  Over the course of four, grueling hours, there were a number of knockout punches, plenty of low-blows, and even a few home-runs thrown in. What kind of sports spectacle was I watching? Boxing? No. Baseball? Not even close. American Gladiators? Mmm..very similar.  I watched the back-to-back presidential debates….which I consider to be the greatest non-contact competition on television. 

Both political parties took part in an intra-squad scrimmage, of sorts. Players on both teams battled it out before a crowd of hundreds…all of whom were crammed inside a chilly college auditorium in New Hampshire. Esteemed journalist Charlie Gibson – of ABC News - played the role of referee. Outside the arena, passionate fans from each team displayed colorful, cardboard signs in support of their favorite candidate. One might even assume there was tailgating in the parking lot…hmm…

From the first pitch, all of the players came out swinging. What started out as congenial conversations between Gibson and each candidate soon turned ugly……ultimately verbal bloodbaths broke out between all of them, much like a bench-clearing brawl between the Red Sox and Yankees.   

From that point on, there was no denying that the race for the White House had begun.

Overall, six republicans, followed by four democrats, took to the stage, all vying for a spot at the top. The front-runners are the all-stars of the team, outplaying anyone and everyone in their path. Without steroids, of course. 

The two democratic front-runners have already become full-fledged rivals. Think Celtics versus Lakers. Hillary Clinton displays the same gritty tenacity and fighting spirit of Larry Bird (although her blonde locks are a bit more coifed than his ever were). While Barack Obama, the new hot-shot on the political scene, oozes charisma and flashes an evervescent smile, much like that of Magic Johnson. Both democrats are giving it their all and are in it to win it, but there’s no mistaking their undeniable differences. 

It’s a similar story on the Republican side of things. Mitt Romney reminds me of Tom Brady. Both Massachusetts men are clean cut, good-looking, dress to impress, and have been extremely successful in their respective careers. Romney’s business exploits made him a millionaire many times over. He even managed to clean up the scandal plagued 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Games. As for Tom Brady? Three SuperBowls in four years says it all. John McCain, on the other hand, plays the part of a grizzled veteran. He has been a part of the game for so many years, and suffered a slew of injuries along the way. And now he’s battling to become the main man. The head coach.

Much like the sport of figure skating, each candidate’s performance that night was determined by a panel of judges, or political pundits.

At the end of this ten month game called presidential politics, it’s up to the fans, or in this case, American citizens, to determine the final outcome once November rolls around. No doubt, it will be a fight to the finish.

May the best man – or woman – win.

Let’s play ball!

January 8, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

State of the Skate

November 06, 2007 12:48 PM

QUEBEC CITY, Quebec

Covering the “Skate Canada” international figure skating competition this past weekend, I broke away from the action one night to stroll along the quaint, cobblestone streets of Quebec City. It wasn’t long before it dawned on me that there were no signs or banners advertising the event anywhere in sight. Surprising, considering that an athletic competition of this magnitude draws the cream of the crop figure skaters from around the world. The host city typically hypes an event by plastering posters on every street corner. Instead, I saw more signs publicizing yesterday’s NFL showdown between the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts….an event taking place in another country. It definitely sent a message about the state of skating in North America.

In a society that thrives on over-stimulation, skating has simply become un-cool. Television viewer-ship is down and arenas are half empty. The vast majority of those who do attend events are women with white hair.  Entities appealing to younger demographics now take the shape of ESPN’s ever-popular “X-Games”…which showcases sports like surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding. Compared to its other action-packed counterparts, like football and basketball, skating operates at a slower pace, and is a bit outdated. Instead of spandex costumes covered in sequins, modern-day athletes favor baggy basketball shorts and flashy sneakers that cost more than my monthly car payment. And performances are often choreographed to classical music, instead of top-40 tunes. This year’s ice dancing theme is folk music.  Need I say more? When I was growing up, Olympic skaters Brian Boitano and Debbie Thomas were as “big” as Roger Clemens and Larry Bird in my mind. But today, my guess is that most kids would struggle to name a top ten skater.

It’s not a stretch to compare figure skating to, say, Michael Jackson. Trust me on this one, it’s not as crazy a comparison as it sounds. Both were “hot” in the 1980’s and early 90’s. People wanted to be them. Act like them. Dress like them. And then scandal struck. For figure skating, it was the Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan “whack on the knee” saga before the 1994 Olympic Games. As for Jacko, his downfall came amidst child sex-abuse allegations in 2005. Today, neither figure skating nor Michael Jackson have been able to stage a comeback.

But is it fair to figure skaters to simply ignore their sport? I must admit that, at times, my eyes tend to glaze over when I watch skating. But I do respect the athletes, and the rigorous training they must endure to “make it” in the sport. Some, like 2006 Olympian Emily Hughes, even manage to balance skating with studying…she’s a freshman at Harvard this year. How many other competitive athletes at her level do this?  Only a select few, like Michelle Kwan, bank big bucks. Most just hope to cover training and travel expenses…many go into deep debt. So why do they sacrifice so much? They do it for the love of the game. How many of today’s athletes can say the same? Maybe it’s time for figure skating to update their sport, so it can appeal to younger generations, who can carry the flame….and prevent it from extinguishing altogether.

November 6, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

An Ode to Boston

October 24, 2007 3:59 PM

BRISTOL, Connecticut

Yesterday's New York Times declared October, 2007 as "Heaven in New England."

And to tell you the truth, I couldn't agree more.

In the interest of full-disclosure, I must admit to the fact that I am a lifelong Boston sports fan, sticking by my hometown teams through thick and thin, heartache and heartbreak, and annually uttering the phrase that is instilled into every Bostonian at birth - "this could be the year."

The Boston Red Sox, who, for 86 years, until their 2004 Championship, were looked upon as the bridesmaids of baseball, enter the World Series tonight as the 2-1 favorites against the Colorado Rockies. The Bo-Sox are looking to end their three-year drought without a title. Three years? Who would have ever thought?

The New England Patriots are undefeated, unstoppable, and the undeniable favorites to go all the way this year…led by heart-throb, quarterback Tom Brady, who Esquire Magazine recently dubbed the "Best Dressed Man in the World." Because of him, the roles in some households are now reversed, with women asking their husbands, "are you ready for some football?"

And the Boston Celtics are kicking off their season with more promise than the parquet floor has witnessed in decades, with Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen being hailed as the new Big Three….gracing the cover of this week's Sports Illustrated, before even playing in a regular season game together.

Some Bostonians have deemed this resurgence of prosperity amongst our sports teams as the ultimate reward after decades of disappointment. But this is unfamiliar territory for us. And some, it seems, can hardly contain themselves.  After cheering on their football heroes in Miami against the Dolphins last Sunday, the majority of the crowd, who were incidentally decked out in Patriots blue, started chanting "Let's go Red Sox" as the 49-28 blowout came to a close.

It's inevitable that every successful season brings out those who hop onboard the bandwagon. These are the same people who suddenly develop a Boston accent by watching "Fever Pitch" for the first time, or eating Brigham's "Reverse the Curse" Ice Cream.

The latest passenger to throw his hat into the ring is none other than 2008 Presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani, who yesterday announced his candidacy to become a member of Red Sox Nation. This is the same former Mayor of New York, who has a sign on his desk that reads, "Yankee Fan-In-Chief." The New York Post, for one, is having a field day. This morning's front page featured the headlines "Rudy the Yankee Flipper: Mass-Kisser Roots for Red Sox." Ironically enough, the Republican dropped the bombshell while campaigning across the Democratic hot-bed of Massachusetts, giving strength to the claim that this is all just a political ploy. But Giuliani insists he simply wants to "root for the American League team in the World Series." How patriotic of him.

But everyone loves a winner, right?

Especially this journalist, who is sure to root on her Red Sox tonight…in an unbiased fashion, of course.
 

October 24, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

Boys Behaving Badly

September 17, 2007 5:01 PM

BRISTOL, Connecticut

Cheating is bad. But losing is worse. That’s a common sentiment shared by many teams across the spectrum of professional sports these days.

Athletes once claimed they played for the love of the game. And we believed them. But, as tennis great Martina Navratilova once stated, “Whoever said ‘It’s not whether you win or lose that counts,’ probably lost.”

These days, athletes have a win-at-all-costs mindset. So, why go to great lengths in order to attain superstardom status? Because victory comes hand in hand with fame, glory, and, most of all, endless financial incentives in the form of endorsements.

What effect does this do-or-die mentality have on the average fan?

I went to bed on Sunday night, pumped up, after my beloved New England Patriots crushed the New York Jets, giving them their first win of the season. Eight hours later, I felt a knot in my stomach, as I watched SportsCenter detail allegations that the Pats; winners of three Super Bowls in four years; had cheated by stealing secret signals from the opposing team via videotaping.

I was outraged. I felt betrayed. It was almost like a beloved boyfriend had cheated on me. This once-squeaky-clean team had committed the ultimate sin in sports. For the current season, they arguably have the strongest roster in the NFL. So, why did they feel the need to cheat?

The Patriots incident is only the latest in a long string of mishaps this past summer.

The sports section of the newspaper reads more like a crime blotter. Tennessee Titans cornerback PacMan Jones showered 40 strippers with dollar bills this past summer; sparking a triple shooting outside a Las Vegas nightclub. Charges against him are pending, and he is suspended for the entire season.

Instead of dogging the opposing defensive line, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was charged with committing heinous crimes against man’s best friend for his involvement in a dogfighting operation. He currently awaits sentencing.

And don’t forget the world of hoops, which was dominated by hoopla over the past few months. NBA referee Tim Donaghy, who gets paid to enforce rules on the court, had broken them off of it by gambling on different teams.

Are the Patriots the only team in the NFL to turn to illegal measures to win? Absolutely not. Is there cheating in other sports besides football? You better believe it.

From modern-day doping in sports like baseball, to the robust history of performance-enhancing drugs in cycling, nothing seems clean anymore.

Like it or not, cheating has been around since the dawn of sports. The question is, however, what is criminal activity, and what warrants fans to look the other way? You need only travel across the city of Boston for more examples.

In the 1970s, the late, great, Boston Celtics general manager Red Auerbach was legendary for shutting off the heat and hot water in the Boston Garden locker rooms of visiting teams during the frigid Boston winters.

And, during the 1981 Eastern Conference Finals, the Philadelphia 76ers allowed CBS to turn a camera inside their timeout huddles. So, the Celtics, knowing this type of intel was invaluable, sent a bellboy into their locker room before every timeout to watch the TV, in order to know what their opponents were planning. He would then run out and alert the team.

Are these incidents as bad as Barry Bonds being accused of steroid use? And is steroid considered as bad as points shaving?

This epidemic of boys behaving badly begs the question: what about the women?

Our American girls are going for gold oversees in China right now, competing in the Women’s World Cup of soccer; a group of talented athletes who reign superior in their sport, with no wrap sheet among them. They endure tough training camps, surviving off of stipends.

Endorsements are far and few between when it comes to women’s professional sports, and so, as badly as they want to win, it all may just be for the love of the game.

Imagine that!

September 17, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

A Different Kind of "Team"

August 06, 2007 4:13 PM

BRISTOL, Connecticut

I consider “sport” to be a metaphor for “life.” All of us face opponents, both big and small, at any given time.  Some we tackle solo, while others involve a team effort.  And in the end, there are those that conquer and come out victorious, and others who are defeated by the challenges they face.

Last week my former colleague, and friend, “Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts, bravely revealed to viewers that she is facing her biggest, most frightening foe….breast cancer. The former college-basketball star is once again a rookie, this time thrust onto a team of women who suffer from the same disease….over 200,000 will be diagnosed this year alone. Breast cancer survivors make up a powerful network that rivals even the biggest and best teams in all of sports. Many become advocates and lend their voice to those that don't have one. Others rally around their comrades and shower them with support in every way, shape, and form….to try and help each individual come out a “winner.”  Robin has alread received an overwhelming number of encouraging letters and emails. She has never met the majority of those who have written, which is a testament to what a “team” is all about. Today she posted the following message on ABCNews.com: "I have truly been touched by your e-mails and messages of support... I am incredibly grateful that my surgery went well Friday. Thanks for all the prayers - I owe you big time! Thank you for sharing your stories. You inspire me more than you could possibly know. My family and I are eternally grateful."

One of Robin's new “teammates” is North Carolina State women’s basketball coach Kay Yow, a mutual friend of ours. A Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, Kay has accomplished more than most in her line of work. She is a fighter…a competitor….and a breast cancer sufferer. She once again finds herself is in the fight of her life, giving it her all, determined to conquer this deadly disease. Kay has instilled these qualities into the young women she coaches. This has made them better players. And people.

When I asked Kay about the range of emotions she has experienced while battling what is now her second bout with breast cancer, one thing is for certain….attitude is everything. She explains: “From the time I was first diagnosed I realized that, Kay, don’t wallow in self pity,” she said. “You’ll drown. Don’t wallow, but we’re human, it’s ok to have some pity, but swish your feet and get out. Attitude is a choice. We have zero percent control over what happens to us. I feel like I had zero control over getting cancer. But the good news is I have one hundred percent control over how I will respond to dealing with cancer. That’s when the ball is passed to me. I’m dealing with something tough. But I have the opportunity to learn things I never would have learned without going through this. I just have to be aware and alert and don’t miss it. That’s the thing that I don’t want to miss, what I can take from this, that would not only help myself to help other people. In every challenge there’s a great opportunity. And I know that from sports. I’ve been in sports all my life. I’m battling the greatest opponent. Even the home court of my arch rival is nothing compared to this. But the same feelings, that same determination, that same drive, everything about sports, these are the same feelings I have against this opponent.”

Both Robin and Kay are mentally tough, and spiritually strong….two necessary tools to help them come out on top. And if they need a pick-me-up, there are thousands of “teammates” who have got their back.

August 6, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Do the "Queue"

July 05, 2007 9:25 AM

WIMBLEDON, England

I hate waiting in line. It’s as painful as listening to Paris Hilton give an interview…guaranteed to make me insane in under a minute.  With that being said, you can imagine the look on my face as I strolled out of the All England Club on this unseasonably cold summer night, and encountered a colorful crowd lined up along the road that runs parallel to the venue. The majority of tickets to Wimbledon are typically sold to coporate sponsors or members of high society. So if the "common folk" want to sit in the stands....the thing to do is “queue.”

Tents are set-up on the sidewalk for as far as I can see. This is serious stuff. An estimated two-thousand people queue up each night during Wimbledon; thousands more queue during the day. Approximately five-hundred tickets for centre court and court one are available each day for the first nine days. A further six-thousand ground tickets for outside courts are available each day.

Some read books to pass the time, others play board-games. Many arrive armed with a bevy of beer…and a few even fire up the old "barby." The bobbies dressed in black who patrol the street at night say the majority are well-behaved. But in order to queue, you have to play by the rules. Tents are allowed to be set-up an hour after the gates shut (usually around (9:30pm)….and wakeup is at 6:30am sharp, when everything must be packed back up again.  But why put yourself through this, and endure an excruciatingly long wait, when you can just watch Wimbledon on tv?

“It’s the experience, the atmosphere,” said Beth Howe, who had settled into line around 2pm with three of her closest friends, all of whom were sitting in a circle, flipping through a collection of British tabloids. When I told her that some people (i.e. “me”) might consider her crazy for waiting in line all night....she shot back, “You’d be crazy not to do this. Wimbledon is a British institution. And queue’ing is an tradition” One of her accomplices, Kate Darch, was eighteen years old when she first “queue’d.” Ten years later she's back for more, with big plans once she sets foot onto the hallowed grounds:  “Center Court…that’s our goal. Especially with Andy Roddick and Roger Federer playing....they are definitely worth the wait.”

This time-honored tradition attracts all ages. And sometimes you to look at things through the eyes of a child to understand the fun in it. "You get to stay up late and eat junkfood," says nine-year old Emma Moolman. She goes on to explain that she is an aspiring tennis player…and likes what she sees in Roger Federer. “He has good technique and he doesn’t lose his temper,” she says with conviction. Her mom, Jacomin, reveals, “it’s not very posh to queue.” She kept it a secret from her friends until she was caught red-handed, when one of them happened to walk right past her, as she was setting up her tent on the sidewalk.

It dawned on me that Americans actually queue quite often. The most recent episode involved the iphone. Some fanatics waited in line for a week....to be among the first to buy this highly-coveted piece of technology. Being a big fan of Apple toys myself, I wondered if I would ever succumb to the temptation and join in on the frenzy?” Well....maybe. But it would still be as painful as a Paris Hilton interview. Hey wait, I bet she doesn't have to wait in line.....

July 5, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

WIMBLEDON STEPS UP SECURITY

July 02, 2007 12:45 PM

WIMBLEDON, England

There's nothing like an attempted terrorist attack - or two - to wake the world of Wimbledon from its sleepy hollow.

With the security-status in England now being classified as “critical,” the All Englad Club has taken major steps to beef up safety.

The move comes on the advice of police following events in London and Glasgow last week.

The most recent measure came around 4:00AM today, as concrete barriers were placed in front of gates, preventing vehicles from entering the premises. Everyone, including players, must enter the venue on foot.

“I think that Wimbledon has to do the best thing that they can do to put on a successful event and safe for the competitors and for the fans, said Venus Williams. So whatever it takes, in this day and age, I think is necessary.”

Ian Ritchie, Chief Executive of the All England Club, doesn’t believe the new procedures will effect the psyche of the players. “I think most players are familiar with security  measures,” he said. “They have accepted that they have to go through these sorts of things and I think the positive side is that they want to see steps being taken. I think that’s true for most spectators, as well.”

The mood amongst tennis fans in the stands of Wimbledon has been surprisingly upbeat. They echo the sentiments of many people in and around London, who are determined not to let the threat of terrorism take over their lives.

If you don't go on with your life, the [terrorists] win," said Sam Boyca. Adds Debbie Vivian, who waited in line for an extra twenty to thirty minutes this morning, "I'd rather them be safe than sorry here. [The new security measures] are definitely an inconvenience, but I'd rather they keep up safe because big events like this are a target for terrorists."

Security is nothing new to Wimbledon. Days before the event even kicks off, bomb-sniffing dogs scour the grounds in search of suspicious scents and bags are checked upon entering the gate. Since the attempted bombing in London last week and the attack on an airport terminal in Glasgow, the dogs have stepped-up their patrol of the grounds, security personnel have become increasingly more visible as they keep their eyes peeled for suspicious activity. Helicopters have begun to patrol the sky on a more regular basis, and each and every bag is thoroughly check by a security office before you are allowed to enter the venue. The search has become more thorough to include umbrellas, which are now required to be opened and checked. And laptops are powered on to ensure they are real and not disguised as an explosive device.

“The safety and security of all those who attend the Championships, in whatever capacity, is of paramount importance to us and I am sure everyone will understand why these sensible precautions are necessary,” adds Ritchie.

July 2, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

WELCOME TO WIMBLEDON

June 27, 2007 12:35 PM

WIMBLEDON, England

Green triggers a special feeling of sports-euphoria in me like no other color. In my younger days I donned the color as I took to the playing fields in the town of Billerica, Massachusetts. It signified an extraordinary sense of school pride.

Green is also the color of Boston’s biggest, bad’est, monster of them all….the Green Monster, that towers over the outfield at my favorite place in the world, Fenway Park. This symbolic structure often intimidates opposing players.

And today, as I walk through the cast- iron gates of the All England Lawn Tennis Club for the first time, I’m taken aback by the abundance of green….courts, balls, fences, and walls….topped off by the lush lawns that blanket all twenty of the coveted tennis courts. On these, the sacred grounds of Wimbledon, green stands for history and tradition.“It’s amazing here,” said 2004 women’s champion Maria Sharapova. “I get goosebumps.”   

“Wimbledon” is the oldest event in tennis, dating back to 1877….and it is widely considered to be the most prestigious, as well. Tradition often takes precedence over contemporary customs here. Players are required to wear all-white, and women working on the grounds don ankle length skirts. I asked one woman, in her twenties, what she thought of the old-school attire. She rolled her eyes, and moaned, “tradition...”

But this year comes a bevy of breakthroughs, slowly ushering in signs of modern reality.

For the first time, women will receive prize money equivalent to their male counterparts.
When Billie Jean King won the first-ever ladies open singles championship, she was awarded $1,500….compared to the $4,000 men’s champion Rod Laver pocketed.
"You know, I think it sends a great message," Serena Williams said. "It's a step in the right direction, I mean, for not only tennis, but just for women's sports and just for all women." This year’s prize? A mere $1.5 million.

An exciting piece of technology also debuts today. The “hawkeye” is bringing with it high hopes of making the game more exciting for fans in the form of instant replay.  This high-speed, multi-camera system tracks the ball….and questionable calls are reviewed on screens inside the stadium for all to see.

And finally, Wimbledon is about to “raise the roof.” Literally. A state-of-the-art roof is set to be constructed over center-court to combat the number one enemy of all outdoor events…rain…and the delays it brings with it. Renovations have begun to complete the roof by 2009…giving Center Court a much different feel. “It’s much more bright,” noted defending champion Roger Federer. “It’s definitely going to play different, that’s for sure. More wind being able to come into the stadium,” he adds.

All of these changes should make for an exciting event.   

Stay tuned!

More to come…….

June 27, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Meet the Indy 500's Odd Couple

June 08, 2007 10:24 AM

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana

On an average Sunday afternoon, soft-spoken Sam Hornish Jr. cruises past the corn fields that line the roads of his northwestern Ohio in a burly, black pickup truck. Meanwhile, his counterpart, extroverted Helio Castroneves, takes to the showy streets of South Beach in a luxurious Lamborghini.

Meet IndyCar's version of the odd couple.

Each are different in terms of personality, but both know how to put the pedal to the metal -- and win. "We're both pretty much fighters," Hornish told ABC News. "We have similar accomplishments." The 28-year-old Midwesterner takes to the track on Sunday as the defending champion of the Indianapolis 500 after a dramatic, come-from-behind finish last year. In fact, he went on to win the 2006 IndyCar Championship for the first time in his career.

Castroneves is no slouch either. He's a two-time Indy 500 champion and enters this year's competition as the winner of the prestigious pole position, which earned him the coveted No. 1 starting spot in the race. "Sam and I are pretty different [away from the track]," Castroneves pointed out. "I believe it begins where you grow up." For Hornish, that would be the tiny town of Defiance, Ohio. Population: 16,000. Number of traffic lights? Very few. Hornish has become the pride and joy of this sleepy hamlet. "There are so many people around here that have been so supportive," he said. "The local paper has promoted me so well. And there are people from town who go to five, six, seven races a year. That's one of the things that's best about it for me -- when I accomplish something I feel like they accomplish it too." Hornish is as cutthroat as they come behind-the-wheel, but once he steps out of the car it's a different story. "I don't have a whole lot of confidence outside the car. There's a lot of things I wish I could do better -- do better with the camera and promote myself better. But it's not me. I'm not up there doing that song and dance because it would come off too fake. I'm glad I'm smart enough to know that's not me." He goes on to add, "There's something about the car -- I'm a different person. It's like going in the phone booth and changing."

When talk turns to his colorful teammate, Hornish breaks into a grin. "Helio is obviously a lot more outgoing, a lot more song and dance than I am in a lot of ways," he said. "He is one of the only people I know of in the world who looks at the alarm clock in the morning and instead of saying, 'Crap, I have to get up,' jumps out of bed, when the alarm hasn't gone off yet, and says, What am I gonna do today?'"

When asked to sum up his personality using three adjectives, Castroneves said: "Three words are not enough.I would have to say I'm a passionate person. I'm obviously happy, I enjoy life. And I'm focused -- especially when I'm in the race car." Catroneves now lives in Miami, Fla., but believes his homeland shaped who he is today. "Everybody there is warm and welcoming. I have some of those characteristics," he told ABC News. Known for his electric energy, and effervescent smile, this Brazilian native is nicknamed Spiderman for his tradition of climbing the fence to celebrate with fans whenever he wins a race.

Like Hornish, Castroneves is in the zone when he's on the track. "It's very hard to describe what you're feeling inside the helmet.You're so focused, so intense, that when you finish it's like 'Wow,'" he said. "I have a great group of guys. One of the first things that comes to my mind is to thank them. I'm driving the car but also driving my team to happiness. It's a team sport."

Come Sunday, some 350,000 spectators will descend upon the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Both teammates say they are in it to win it. "I don't feel good, I feel awesome, I feel great," said Castroneves. "I've been preparing very hard. Not only mentally, but physically as well. As long as I keep working, keep sharp, we'll be good to go."  "Winning the Indy 500 was every emotion from being 100 percent excited and feeling on top of the world, to feeling this giant amount of relief taken off my shoulders," Hornish added. "The way I look at it, there's no reason why [I] shouldn't win again. I just need to go out there and be smart. I know how to do it now, been there, done that."

Gentlemen, start your engines.

June 8, 2007 | Permalink