Yeah, yeah… I know, we do professional sports here, but I couldn’t resist sharing the professionals of tomorrow.

D’Amaie (pronounced “d-ah-may”; the announcer for the race referred to her as “Dam-e”… Crack up!) Davis won the 2010 AAU National Junior Olympics Sub-Midget Girls 1500RW  in Virginia and I’m so ecstatic! I couldn’t believe how filled I became with emotion after watching her victorious race walk. You have to see it for yourself…

I know how hard she’s worked and her dedication paid off. She’s a champion! I could take this story in so many directions… of life lessons, encouragement, etc., but I just want to dote over a precious gift who means the world to me. No, I’m not her mother (although her mom is very dear to me), but rather a maternal bystander who has watched her grow from the very beginning (Uh, let’s reword. LOL!…). From the time her mom started to show until her birth, I was right there. And I loved every minute of it. She just felt like mine from the very beginning (But, not in the crazy, stalk the pregnant woman way.) and all of this just came back to mind while I watched her turn the corners and stay the course for the ultimate win.

I celebrate D’Amaie and her future as a professional athlete or otherwise. With all that goes on in the world (and there’s a lot), it’s so ridiculously nice to well up because of pure joy… nothing more, but pure joy (Sigh.). [Side note: I called her mom after watching the video and got choked up all over again... and Hubby said I sounded like the cowardly lion. LOL! Thanks, Honey... Back to the pure joy moment.]

Hot off the press!!… she was noted in the Baltimore Sun, Sports section…

Ummm, I’m feeling that Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield feeling with this whole Shaquille O’Neal situation. Enough is, well, enough in my opinion. Seriously… Shaq, let your name retire in lights, in grandeur… in the true sense.

If you haven’t heard, O’Neal just signed a 2-year, $3-million deal with the Boston Celtics and my stomach almost literally jumped through my knees and onto the ground (Uh, no exaggeration here!). Why Shaq? You’re 38, a champion, an All-Star, and one of the most prolific big men in the game (Ever!) and you’re gonna add to this tremendous NBA legacy this jumping-jack experiment? It’s crushing (not quite crushing, but you know), and actually appears rather desperate.

I heard Michael Jordan the other day talking about the love of the game and how nothing ever truly quenches that thrill… He continued by saying in his mind he still believes he can hang-undoubtedly-with the youngsters, but that it’s his body that just can’t physically do it any more. I’m guessing this is a bit of Shaq’s reality, as everyone knows he’s a diminished shadow of himself. And can you imagine the massive ego he’s going to have to swallow when he finally says (which I hope is any moment now) “I’m done”?…

I haven’t really written at all about the major leagues this year just because, well, there’s nothing too much to speak on… The game has really, overall, bored me into watching summer NBA games, where the bench talent show off their stuff and, of course, the ups and down of NFL summer camp. But, something of note has crept up and I think it is a small spark in an otherwise dull MLB season (And, there’s a wonderful lesson… Take out your pens.).

So, “A-Rod” (I’m so over tough-guy nicknames outside of high school. LOL!) A.K.A. Alex Rodriguez, of the New York Yankees, is about to make crazy history by being in the elite group of power hitters (6 to be exact) who have achieved 600 home runs. He’s currently at 599 and, frankly, seems to be in some sort of hitting rut. He’s taking his time and telling the media that he’s approaching this hit just like any other, but you know somewhere inside that almondy (Yes, “almondy”) skin, he’s itching for that long ball.

I’m not a fan, really, but I can appreciate the quest. It’s really something else when you’ve gotten so close only to be denied what you believe you rightly deserve. A-Rod appears to be a relatively upstanding guy, so for that reason I hope he achieves his goal. I’ve experienced both… the fallen short gloom and the utter glee of achievement, and, well, I gladly prefer the latter. The thing is (And it’s pretty simple!), there is much to be said about the former. Preparation, proactiveness, and passion are things I take along with me on the journey to achieve. Each one has its place and together, I’m pleased to say, you’ll have the perfect formula. You should really take the onus to achieve, but in order for that to happen you have to sketch out a plan(Uh, yes, okay… You can use my formula.)… A-Rod included. It’s doable… but its always a choice.

[Aug. 29th AMENDED BLURB... University of Texas coach, Mack Brown, said Sergio Kindle's recent fall down two flights of stairs might have been the result of narcolepsy.]

He fell down the stairs? Ummm… okay.

So, Sergio Kindle… the “not-signed-yet-with-the-Ravens” lineman out of University of Texas is in stable condition with a head injury. Guess how? Well, the Ravens gave a report (apparently from Kindle’s dad) that he was celebrating being drafted before he was due to training camp and, well, fell down two flights of stairs (Are your eyes all squinty, too, wondering “what?”?). Like, could he not regain his balance after the first flight?

Ravens’ first pick in the 2010 draft has a head injury and it’s a sad situation because I’m thinking how do you know he’ll be the same? And, uh rah, what time are we talking before he’ll be able to practice with the team? And most importantly, how bad will his second head injury be once his mother is done with him?

I think you can tell that I’m drained by it all, but you know, I just want these guys to think. Your life was about to be what its never been, but now, now there is every real possibility that it will be even worse than ever. Think, fellas, think…

Dwyane Wade, now one of the “Big 3″ for the Miami Heat, made a faux pas the other day…

He was attempting to make the analogy that the media was making and would continue to make “this” into more than what it needed to be. “This” would be the Heat’s mega acquisition of a couple of the NBA’s most sought after free agents, Chris Bosh and LeBron James, to add to superstar and free agent, Wade. The thing is, Wade’s comparison might have been a bit much… he compared this hot topic to that of the unending media coverage of the catastrophe of the World Trade Center. Yes, (close your mouth) the deadliest attack in American history Wade compared the Heat’s new face to.

Now, I get it… I actually heard the sound bite and it wasn’t that bad. I casually shrugged my shoulders and thought to myself that using this time in history might be a bit much, but I felt no malice associated with it. He felt the enormity of the situation and wanted to give what, he thought, would be a justifiable and clear comparison. He quickly sent out an apology, before (well… during) the swarm of analysts and media alike could jump at the chance to catch blood in the water (Love the animal/insect references…).

We’ve all done it… That insert-foot-into-mouth feeling. I just think people should look at the intent of the thing. You could tell his demeanor was nothing associated with conflict or evil dealings. Yes, it was bad wording and timing… and yes, basketball isn’t that serious. But, my focus is to always look at that heart of the matter. His heart was in the right place. Give the man a pass!…

So, I’m finally at the point where I can wrap my head around everything and actually comment… Last week was just too much and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and hearing…

First, I have to say that, again, the hype around someone who hasn’t won a thangggg is mind boggling to me… But I digress. The Cavaliers majority owner, Dan Gilbert, took me over with his ignorant and emotionally stated comment regarding LeBron James’ relocation decision. Now, I’m maintaining a more positive and upbeat stance on this versus going the other route, but I can see the points stated regarding misplaced loyalty, racism, and the like. I guess my biggest question is, who cares? I mean, really. Now, my mother (69 years young I add) is a popular culture guru, which is weird in and of itself, and when she kept updating me on the latest LeBron happening I just thought, why me?

After experiencing from the comfort of my couch, a wonderful championship run by the L.A. Lakers, I am involuntarily dragged through the mud of the LeBron train and I’m drained, truly. I’m happy for him… Well, more indifferent, but we’ll call that “happy” instead. Maybe he’ll finally win the big game with the Miami Heat and then, finally, I would be more agreeable to the world stopping for a champion.

And to sum it up, surely CNN, Good Morning America, and primetime television shows (to name a few) can find something else to talk about and someone more deserving to interview… Wait, how ’bout that Harlem NY guy, Geoffrey Canada,  who is changing the world (literally) one block at a time. This world is hilarious…

The title is all the excitement I can muster…

Hubby and I were talking about it earlier and we agree: This time of year sucks when it comes to sports. I mean, baseball can’t hold the attention of anyone unless they live in L.A., New York, Florida, or Chicago (I’m a witness that Chicago baseball is a world by itself.). And, if I hear another word that begins with “Le”… Lethal, Legal, Lead, anything close to LeBron, I think I will pull out each of my twists individually. Does anyone realize that this “King” has no jewels… not one? At least with all the hype they would show Dwyane Wade the same or even more respect (air time) because he actually has a ring… Off that and on to other summer-time boredom…

Tiger Woods is sucking on the course and paying out the benjamins to wifey… Actually, the payout contraversy is more exciting than his play. Federer was knocked out of Wimbledon and Serena made it… Of course she would because her competition was non existent. I mean, I’ve flipped through every sports channel and nothing (I have been enjoying soccer though, I must say. Stop it, Kid!)…

Is it just us or are you feeling a sports void, too? If I didn’t have True Blood and the anticipation of Big Brother I don’t know what I’d do during these dog days of summer.

The FIFA (What this stands for is below. Geesh!) peeps are thinking of taking away all instant replays and anything showing past plays within the game of soccer. Of course, this is much to the dismay of Americans, of which are seemingly in the few who want this latest and greatest in technology to remain.

The thing is, the umps are getting it wrong. Simple as that… The point of the game is to get goals and if the ump is disallowing them, when they’re so rare in the first place, it makes for a dull game. Some say that’s the point (not the dullness), that the game is subjective and that’s the beauty that should remain.

I’m all about replays… I think in this new age of being able to see everything when you want and need to, that not allowing this advancement would leave the game antiquated. I’m interested in hearing thoughts on this one ’cause it’s possibly a grand transition in sports (or not… LOL!). Overall though, I’m not the biggest fan of change. I like familiarity. I like knowing things will remain the same… I mean, especially when something isn’t broken, you know? That’s just me…

FIFA=International Federation of Association Football (French: Fédération Internationale de Football Association)… It was way too long to explain above…

I’m sitting here watching the soccer (futbol) match between Slovokians versus the Italians and the commentators announced the sporting story of the non-stop tennis match.

If you haven’t heard, it’s this crazy game going on at Wimbledon. U.S. player, John Isner, and French opponent, Nicolas Mahut, are playing to the death, literally. At first (at least for me) it was like ‘wow’ these guys are both champions, but now… well, now, I’m just thinking its quite a bit.

I was watching PTI (Pardon the Interruption) yesterday, and Wilbon and I shared the same sentiments. The ups and downs of the game went from being amazing to boring to just enough. The game is in its third day and has become something of an epic battle… (That was someone else’s description, not mine. “Epic” is a bit much.). The match lasted 11 hours and 5 mins… Drained.

Oh, and wait, the American won! But everyone is so drained that the cheers are like sighs of relief. This is a crack up. I guess the pain, the bleeding toes, and delirium was worth it.

And wait (yet again)… Don’t ask me to stand in front of the score board to take pictures and I just got my socks rocked. People are hilarious. Back to soccer…

Call it ESP, 50/50 chance, purple being my childhood fave color, or L.A. being one of my best vacation spots… I knew they would do it, again… I said it at the beginning of the NBA season and didn’t waver. When you believe something and can’t shake it, go with it. Just go with it!

Congratulations, Lakers, on your win over the Boston Celtics for the 2010 NBA Championship!