Proud Moment For This Fan

Lately, I am sure you all have noticed my drift from cigars and my comments on real world events, deaths of famous people, etc.   I anticipate more posts soon that will revolve completely about cigars.  Everyone can look forward to a review I am working on for cigarsdirect.com.  I am also finishing up a piece on maduro leaves, wrappers and cigars.  My next post will more than likely be my re-telling of another tale from this smoker's corner. 

But, today I saw something in the headline that made me smile just a bit.  It has to be obvious what a huge baseball fan I am and that I make no secret that I am proud member of the Red Sox nation.  Through much of my youth and into the early years of adulthood I followed one ball player particularly close: Frank Thomas. 

While my brother worshipped Ken Griffey, Jr. and my father rooted for Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, my guy was Frank.  "The Big Hurt" got my attention as a kid, because he just seemed larger than life.  While that was supported by his 6'5", 250 pound frame, it was much more than that.  He just seemed to enjoy his time on the field more than most. 

In little league, I wore number 35 in honor of him.  While I never did him justice, he was the player I wanted to be the most.  I met him when I was 22 and asked for an autograph like I was ten years younger.  "Mr. Thomas, you've been my hero since I was real little...please sign this baseball for me."  It was not my proudest moment as a man, but for the kid inside it may have been the best day of my life.  Frank, of course, obliged me with a smile and no hesitancy whatsoever.  Not bad for a guy who only had one at-bat that game.  As he signed the ball, I went on and on about his one at-bat that ended in him advancing to first on a base on balls.  You see, Frank hung in for a 19-pitch at-bat.  Not impressed?  Well, Frank had come into the game to try and get something going.  The opposing pitcher and pitched a three-hit game into the 7th inning.  The pitcher had only thrown 78 pitched thus far and looked to be cruising.  He gave up that third hit on a bloop single just before Frank came into pinch hit.

On pitch 97, after Frank had battled off an array of pitches, carefully chosen his spots and swings, he took his base.  On pitch 98 of the evening, the next batter tagged a line drive to the gap scoring both runners.  As Frank slid into home plate I think I was the only who knew those RBIs belonged to him.  He wore down the pitcher at a key juncture in the game and allowed the game to be tied up.  They scored another run that inning to take the lead and after that there wasn't another base runner for either team.

Frank won that game and nobody knew it.  Nobody really cared.  The paper mentioned his name in the re-cap as the tieing run, but that was it.  I knew.

About 18 months later the Mitchell Report came out.  I was scared and deeply saddened by this hit to baseball.  I scanned the list furiously...no Glavine, no Griffey, no Maddux, and finally no Thomas.  I breathed a sigh of relief.  In my mind there had always been no doubt, but still it scared me as a fan. 

And now, today has come. Frank has returned to the city where his career started and blossomed.  The city of Chicago, the south side's White Sox are retiring his number 35 today and will erect a statue in his honor sometime next year.

"It brought back a lot of memories, thinking about teammates and all the great times and bad times," Thomas said. "It just got to me. Emotion caught up. I'm a very, very proud man today, and this was probably was the proudest day of my life."

For this fan, I couldn't be happier, couldn't be more proud.  You were the best Hurt, we'll miss you on the field, but we'll never forget.  I still haven't.  Thanks.

Remember, be like Frank and know that there is nothing wrong with knowing you are the best.


Regards,

Bear

"THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT, THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT, THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT"- Russ Hodges, 1951

Bobby Thomson is dead at age 86. 

So many times I listened to a recording of Hodges' historical call as a kid.  Whenever I think of baseball, I think of sunny afternoons, the smell of freshly cut grass, hot dogs with mustard, dirt never feeling dirty, and Bobby Thomson. 

Thomson, circa 1951

For this baseball fan, it never seemed to matter that I wasn't alive for his moment.  It never mattered that if forced to, I probably couldn't pick Thomson out of a crowd.  What mattered was the moment itself. 

"The Shot Heard 'Round the World," is a time traveling moment in history.  While the moment lasted merely seconds, it will continue to exist in our hearts and our children's hearts for all time.  

Thomson referred to himself as an "accidental hero."  In many ways, mostly by his own admission, Thomson felt dwarfed in baseball stature compared to some of his teammates.  After all he was surrounded by future Hall-of-Famers Willie Mays and Monte Irvin.  In fact, not many know that it was Mays who was on-deck during Thomson's famous at-bat.  

Nonetheless, while Mays had "The Catch" and Irvin's legend was staked in the Negro Leagues, it is Thomson who will forever be cemented in baseball lore.  

Over half of a century has passed and "The Flying Scot" still heard cheers on the streets of New York.  Old-timers would call out his name, fathers would tell their sons the tale as he passed them in diners, and Brooklyn still cringes when you mention his name.

A man of great composure and love for the game played 15 seasons with the Giants, Milwaukee Braves, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, and Baltimore Orioles.  The other half of the story, Ralph Branca (the man who threw that now famous pitch to Thomson) would later join forces with him on national tours to describe the moment from both perspectives.  

Thomson and Branca were a part of the "Dodger-Giant War," that existed before both teams moved to the West Coast.  But what was simply a historical rivalry, became legend overnight.  

The passing of this legend brings sorrow to the heart of this writer.  Fortunately, he's in a place where he can run and play again.  There really is something special about heroes.  

So, here's to Bobby Thomson, a humble man, but nonetheless, still one of the best. And there is nothing wrong with knowing you are the best.  

Regards,

Bear 

  

Is it really how you play the game?

On April 29, 2010, Robin Laird the best pole vaulter for South Pasadena High School had the moment that every athlete dreams of. If she cleared her next jump, her team would win the meet, League Championship, and beat their rival Monrovia High School. Laird had apparently gone all season long doing everything the same. Stretches, warm-ups, and focusing on her goal: to clear the pole. On April 29th, the moment had come. No matter what, this next jump would be a defining moment for her in athletic career, no matter how short or long.

She cleared the pole with little difficulty and her team erupted in celebration. The 75 people in the stands (hey, it’s high school track) went nuts. South Pasadena had won another league championship thanks in part to the poise and skill of Laird.

You knew there was a “but” coming, didn’t you? Monrovia coach Mike Knowles, a 30-year coaching veteran of high school track and field, made a fateful walk over to the official’s table. He pointed to his wrist and pointed to Laird. What Laird had on her wrist was a friendship bracelet, a piece of string, that she had probably worn all season and definitely while she just made that last jump.

Section 3, Article 3 of the National Federation of State High School Associations -- is clear: "Jewelry shall not be worn by contestants." So is the penalty, and in the time it takes to read "the competitor is disqualified from the event," South Pasadena's win was transformed into a 65-62 victory for Monrovia.

So there it is. You can read the story through the link below, but yep there it is.

LINK TO STORY:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/highschool/05/11/track.controversy/index.html

I am disgusted by the lack of sportsmanship displayed by a “veteran” teacher. Yes, he is a coach and coaches are hired to win, but sportsmanship needs to come into play at all times. I think South Pasadena coach P.J. Hernandez asked it best, “Coach, you really want it to come down to this?” I, nor Hernandez, nor his team questions the validity of the rule and the judgment that was made, but the way it went down comes into question. Why not say something earlier? Knowles made no secret of the fact that he saw the infraction before the jump as he studied Laird before the jump. Absolute chicken shit! Monrovia should feel cheapened with their championship honors and if I was on that team, I wouldn’t accept any trophy or honor bestowed upon me for an accomplishment I did not earn.

As for Robin Laird, her tears were not out of self pity, but as she claimed later, “I was disappointed that I let down my team and my coach.” Robin, I don’t know how far your skills in this sport will take you, but my modest hope (which means little) is to see you one day on an Olympic stage in the same situation. Of course, the end will be much different, the moment will end with you hoisting your arms with a bright gold medal dangling from your neck.

I take no shame in my proclamation, “There is nothing wrong with knowing you are the best.” So, to Laird, Hernandez, and the members of South Pasadena Girls’ Track and Field team I say to you just that. YOU ARE THE CHAMPS! Nobody can take that away from your hearts and minds. To Knowles, my disgust with people like you shows no mercy and knows no bounds. I sincerely hope the stink from your shameful act follows you to the day you die. Upon which your tombstone should read, “Here lies Coach Knowles, we know God will forgive, because everyone else couldn’t.”

Many of my readers are athletes and competitors. Some high school, some college, and some church league, how does this make you feel? I have clearly stated my opinions on the matter, but I am eager to hear yours as well.

As for Robin and her teammmates, there is NOTHING wrong with knowing you are the best!

Regards,

Bear

Legends Remembered: Wooden & Hopper

This post seems odd in comparison to my past entries, but I wanted to put down some thoughts about the lives of two separate individuals in the wake of their passing.  The only similarities between John Wooden and Dennis Hopper was that they were both politically conservative, found their careers in L.A., and were both men. 

Wooden was nicknamed, much to his chagrin, "The Wizard of Westwood," for his amazing career as the men's head basketball coach for the UCLA Bruins.  He is one of only three men who has been enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player and coach.  He led the Bruins to ten national titles, four perfect seasons, and over 600 wins in 27 years. 


He was a man driven by faith and a quest for perfection.  He was once quoted, saying, "I have always tried to make it clear that basketball is not the ultimate. It is of small importance in comparison to the total life we live. There is only one kind of life that truly wins, and that is the one that places faith in the hands of the Savior." 


UCLA celebrates a day in his honor every year on February 29th.   His legacy has and will continue to stem for lifetimes to come.  He taught his teams the meaning of working together, and he had only three hard-and-fast rules -- no profanity, tardiness or criticizing fellow teammates. 


He lived his life by a small list that his own father gave him upon his elementary school graduation:

• Be true to yourself.
• Make each day your masterpiece.
• Help others.
• Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.
• Make friendship a fine art.
• Build a shelter against a rainy day.
• Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.

Over the years, he added three of his own maxims to his credo.

• Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.
• Flexibility is the key to stability.
• Be quick, but don't hurry.

Wooden was a man of simple, yet traditional values.  In a 2009 interview, John Wooden described himself politically as a "liberal Democrat," who had voted for some Republican presidential candidates.  Never wanting much for himself, he never made more than $35,000 in on year, and kept his retirement present (a blue Mercedes, given to him by UCLA) until the day of his death, never opting to buy a newer car. 


"He had as little ego as anybody I've ever known. He would never give advice, but he would always give opinions," Jim Harrick recalled, another former head coach of the UCLA Bruins. "I happened to be the coach during the time that went from the short, short pants to what he called the bloomers. He thought that was the worst thing that ever happened to basketball."


Nell, Wooden's wife of 53 years, died of cancer in 1985.  His health permitting, he visited her graveside every month on the 21st.  He took with him a handwritten love letter in hand that he would lay on a pillow that she laid her head on for the length of their marriage.  Besides his son and daughter, Wooden is survived by three grandsons, four granddaughters and 13 great-grandchildren.

It seems strange to most people to mention Dennis Hopper and the word legend in the same sentence.  He was often dwarfed by his co-stars, which to name a few have included James Dean, John Wayne, Jack Nicholson, Marlon Brando, Paul Newman, and Gene Hackman.


His passing, at age 74, seems all too soon.  He was laid to rest in his beloved adopted hometown of Taos, New Mexico.


He was born in the Old West town of Dodge City, Kansas, and much like the gun-slinging legends before him, he set out for his own legacy.  He was one of the pioneers of acting by being one of Lee Strasberg's first students at the Actor's Studios.  He overcame a lengthy battle of addiction to drugs and alcohol to have an amazing career that lasted over half a century and included many on-screen accolades.


What is not well-known is his success and life in the world of other arts. Hopper was a prolific photographer, painter, and sculptor.  His photography is known for portraits from the 1960s. His painting style ranges from abstract impressionism to photorealism and often includes references to his cinematic work and to other artists.


Ostracized by the Hollywood film studios due to his reputation for being a difficult actor, Hopper eventually turned to photography in the 1960s with a camera bought for him by his then-wife, Brooke Hayward. During this period he created the cover art for the Ike & Tina Turner 1966 release River Deep – Mountain High.


Hopper became a noted photographer, and herald writer Terry Southern profiled Hopper in Better Homes and Gardens magazine as an up and coming photographer in 1964.


He began working as a painter, poet, as well as a collector of art during this time as well.  One of the first art works Hopper owned was an early print of Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans bought for a mere $75.


On the Gorillaz album Demon Days, Hopper narrated the song "Fire Coming out of the Monkey's Head."


In May 2009 it was announced that Hopper would be the subject of an upcoming biography by American writer Tom Folsom.  Hopper: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream.  The subtitle is a direct reference to the Hunter S. Thompson book Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

He was a noted Republican, often supporting the GOP and its candidates, until 2008.  He threw his support in favor of Barak Obama.  He had said that his reason for not casting his vote republican after over 30 years of doing so, was the selection of Sarah Palin, as John McCain's running-mate.

In March 2010, it was announced that Hopper would be honored with the 2,403rd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in front of Grauman's Theatre.  Surrounded by friends including Nicholson, Viggo Mortensen, David Lynch, Michael Madsen, and family and fans, he attended, weakened by his battle with prostate cancer.

Days after, it was reported that his health diminished even further, weighing less than 100 pounds, and unable to carry on long conversations.  According to his attorney and spokesperson, Hopper was terminally ill and unable to undergo chemotherapy to treat his cancer.

He is survived by five ex-wives, six children, and two grand children.


Two different men.  Two separate lives.  Both remembered for their talents and approach to life.  While each man carried themselves differently, they easily lived a life where they both knew that There is Nothing Wrong with Knowing You're the Best!"


Regards,


Bear

VIVA LA REVOLUTION! Paradigm makes a splash onto the scene of the cigar world.

I’ve been reading a lot of literature on cigars these days and it seems to me that there is a lot going on in the industry. Many folks have told me that it’s a bad time to get into the industry with all the smoking bans and taxes being implemented. While all this may be true, lately I tend to err on the side of positivity.


For me, there are exciting things going on in the world of cigars. Very soon I suspect it will be possible to purchase Cuban puros legally. If, or, when the borders open, it will allow very successful and prominent tobacco families/companies to get re-acquainted with the lush Cuban soil and product. Can you imagine the blends that will hit the market? The event will truly be an evolution.

However, until then all we can do is wait, be patient and as our friends at Revolution 262 have coined, “Smoke the Revolution!”

The selected cigar that is being reviewed for this post is of direct result of this blog and the wonder that is the cigar industry. Revolution 262 (known hence forth as 262) was started by 3 stogie enthusiasts in 2009. Yeah, you heard that right, 2009! When I first started smoking and began to flip through the pages of every cigar magazine I could get my hands on, I noticed a lot of the same thing when it came to advertising. “A 100 year tradition”, “A family affair,” and of course, “Making the world’s most premium cigars for over a century,” were just some key phrases I read on nearly every ad.

Tradition is a wonderful thing. And let’s face it; it’s the backbone of society and culture.

However, every once and a while it is good to have, say… a revolution?

Yes, revolutions have driven cultures for centuries and have been the cause and, ultimately, the foundation for some of the world’s greatest things. Government, religion, art, and industry have had several revolutions throughout history that have kept with the pulse of the human race.

Wow! That’s some big talk to introduce a company that just got its roots settled. Well, not to pass the buck, but they started it. Their own website is smoketherevolution.com. The motto of the company came from the team’s desire to fight the regulations that are impeding on the personal freedoms of individuals. They even have their own “manifesto,” that is published on their site. These guys are serious, and that takes us to the matter at hand: The Paradigm.

I was actually given my first Paradigm by a recent acquaintance named Ryan. Ryan is a lot like me, works in a cigar shop, enjoys a good smoke, is married, and he’s male. Hey, I said he was an acquaintance, not my soul mate. Ryan and I got to talking about cigars and about my blog. He told me that he had recently joined team 262 (e-mail him at rrodriguez@smoketherevolution.com) and was their new rep in Texas. And it is with his generosity that I was able to enjoy this smoke and review it for you all.

The Paradigm is 262’s first release and was pushed onto the scene in January of this past year. This cigar combines an unprecedented blend of cubito tobacco, as well as tobacco hailing from four different countries: Columbia, Honduras, Brazil, and Nicaragua. Ryan selected the box pressed toro (6x54) to have me sample.

The Brazilian wrapper was a deep, dark maduro in color with an oily sheen that almost glistened. The stogie sported a foot band, with an emblazed “Smoke the Revolution” logo. The unlit aroma was dominated by earth, oak and some subtle sweet clove. The cold draw was consistent with the pre-light smell, and I was excited to light it up.

The cap came off clean and the cigar took the cool lighting well as it burned nicely. The smoke’s bouquet never overwhelmed, but was amazing from the beginning. A dominance of earth was complemented by nuts, oak, cocoa, and clove.

The first few puffs were consistent, with toasted nuts and clove coming through more prominently with every inch. The draw never did come through for me and I did spend the entire smoke fighting it. However, as disappointing as the draw was, the burn could not have been more perfectly even.

The ash held impressively as it finally fell after almost two inches. The amazing medium body flavor morphed into a complex center and finish of full flavored bliss. Not one to let the draw get me down, I enjoyed every bit of this cigar’s flavor and aroma. The center’s complexity even gave way to a sweet subtle berry that married well with some spice and the continued clove.

The finish was a triumph for me. With all that flavor and fragrance, the finish was short, but the lingering aroma had even my wife and dog impressed.

262 did not hit a grand slam, but a solo shot seems appropriate here. The construction was masterful, the burn was perfect and if I compliment the aroma one more time, I feel I may just overhype it. Great job 262! I can’t wait for the revolution to spread.

My Ratings:

Appearance - 10
Pre-light taste- 9
Construction - 9
Draw - 5
Burn - 10
Aroma - 10
Flavor - 9
Balance - 9
Finish- 10

Total Rating: 9.0



Remember guys and gals, there is nothing wrong with knowing you’re the best! Smoke and toast to the revolution!



Regards,

Bear

 
p.s. In Texas, you can only find 262 Paradigm cigars at Bon Ton Roule (http://www.bontonroule.com/) or Pop's Safari Cigars and Fine Wines (http://www.popssafari.com/) both located in Ft. Worth.