College football season is underway and here were the five biggest upsets in the openers. Continue Reading

Real Sports Heroes visitors—-

Thank you for your positive comments about our website which was redesigned by  jimirig and put up this week. We are delighted with the new look and would appreciate your making our site one of the links of your computer’s Favorite Places. Please visit often and send me your comments and questions, using our website to do that.

RP

Your new website looks great!

Lois B.

Excellent ! Anyone interested in sports or people will love this site. This is now one of my ‘favorites’ and of course, I’ll share it with my family and friends. Keep up the great work.

E. Bleuel

Hi, Ross……..

I would like to see Aaron Rodgers do well as the Packers quarterback to just shut up the indescribably obnoxious Green Bay fans who think Christmas is celebrated to commemorate Brett Favre’s birthday. What we have endured on the evening news for three years was getting really stale. (Can you tell I’m not a big fan?) Here’s how the news (in April) treats the Packers here: “Good evening. A man with a nuke is holding the Governor and 150 state employees hostage in the capitol.  20 people are dead.  An explosion has knocked over the Sears Tower. Mayhem in the streets of Chicago.  BUT FIRST, our top story, and for that we’ll go live to the Packer training facility.”  I’m only slightly exaggerating.

Best to you,

Craig
Milwaukee
A transplanted 49er fan

Ross,

Is this the year for the Cubs, finally?  Will the Mets sink again? And, what about a Cy Young Award for Tim Lincecum? I think Lincecum should get a good look. That lifeless Giant offense has cost him two or three victories and the bullpen has blown at least three more for him when he left with a lead. Still, he’s 15 and 3 with a 2.43 ERA and a league-leading 210 strikeouts.
You have a great website…..positive news….something we need more of.

Adam K.

Palo Alto, Ca.
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Ross:

It would not surprise me, Adam, to see the Cubs win the N. L. pennant, but I’m leaning toward the Angels in the World Series. The Mets and Phillies could go to the final weekend before they decide the East. I think Brandon Webb will win the Cy Young, but Tim is deserving too. And, how about C. C. Sabathia? Going into this week,  he hasn’t lost a game for the Brewers. He’s 9 and 0 with the Brewers in 11 starts and 6 complete games and an ERA of 1.54. Pretty impressive!

The Olympics are over. America won the most medals. China claims it won more golds, but U. S. officials say not if you count individuals who were part of teams, like basketball, volleyball and swim relays. In that case, it was 125 to 74, U.S. of A. Continue Reading

“What’s my handicap?”

The National Amputee Golf Association was founded in 1954 when a small group of amputee golfers who enjoyed friendly games of golf decided that regional tournament play in several cities was next. The NAGA now has 2,500 members worldwide. Continue Reading

Dear Ross,

I am not a big sports fan, but love your columns and show. Looking at the “Notebook,” regarding the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks, it looks to me like the Dodgers are at a distinct disadvantage in that more of their games are road games. How have the two teams done this year, road vs. home games, and how have they done against each other?

Elaine Warner
Edmond, Oklahoma

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Ross:

After Sunday’s games:

HOME     ROAD    TOTAL

ARIZONA                   37-28      31-34     68-62     —-
LOS ANGELES            39-30      26-35     65-65     3

HEAD-TO-HEAD

ARIZONA                   7 wins     4-2 in Phoenix & 3-3 in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES            5 wins     2-4 in Phoenix & 3-3 in Los Angeles

Elaine, the teams will play three games August 29-31 in Phoenix, and three games in Los Angeles September 5-7, and will not face each other the final three weeks.

Ross,

Back in the late 60′s or early 70′s, before you became a Dodgers announcer, I called channel 4 sports in L. A. and you answered the phone. You graciously answered a question I had pertaining to a Dodgers game schedule. You are a true gentleman.

As a Dodgers announcer, you were excellent. It’s good to have you back on the radio.

God bless you.

Bill Hammond

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Ross:

Thanks, Bill, for taking the time to write, and for your comments.

“Is Michael Phelps the greatest Olympian ever? That’s not for me to  judge, but 8 gold medals in 8 races is very impressive.” Continue Reading

I got to meet Mr. Porter last night at his grandson’s basketball game. It was a thrill for me, and I must have jibbered like a monkey. Nonetheless, he was gracious, introduced me to his lovely wife, and his visiting friends, and handed me his card. I have enjoyed visiting this site today and listening to his distinctive style. I hope there is more to come. We need to hear more about the remarkable things these gifted people have done to help others.

Fred Blattner
West Hills, Ca.

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Ross:

It was a pleasure to meet you, Fred, and I want to congratulate you for taking the time to coach your son’s basketball team. (It’s a group of 11 and 12 year olds). They displayed good sportsmanship and played a good game, winning  by three points. As you said, “I just want to see them have fun.” Our grandson, Austin, had never played basketball until this summer. He was fortunate to be placed on a team coached by Mike Warren, an All-American at UCLA and captain of two NCAA champion teams in 1967 and 1968. Mike showed extraordinary patience with the youngsters and worked on improving each one’s game while exhibiting kindness in the process. Austin learned a lot, was happy, made a basket at the final buzzer in his last game, and is already looking forward to playing again as soon as the new season begins. Men like Fred and Mike don’t get paid for what they do unselfishly, but they and others like them are to be commended for their positive contributions to our youth.

RP

Dear Ross,

My wife and I do not agree on something, and we decided to ask you to give us the correct answer. We both know Michael Phelps won eight gold medals in these Olympic games and six gold medals in the 2004 games so his 14 are the most by any Olympian. But, my wife says Michael does not have the most overall medals in the history of the Olympics. I think he does. Who is right?

Larry Stone
Phoenix

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Ross:

For your sake, Larry, I hope you do not have a bet or wager on this question. Mrs. Stone is correct. Adding two bronze medals that Phelps won in Athens, his Olympic total is 16. A Soviet gymnast named Larissa Latynina, won 18 in three Games, including nine golds.  Perhaps a lovely corsage from your local florist will make the wife happy, and keep her from bragging to your friends. Some might call it a “hush” bribe, but who cares?

Bonnie and Ted

Hi, Ross !

Did I hear someone say that Michael Phelps had an anxiety disorder as a young man?
Our son, Raymond, who is nine years old, has had hyperactivity issues we have been trying to deal with in the last year. Thanks for any information you can share with us.

Bonnie and Ted Gilbert
Odessa, Texas

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Ross:

Yes, you are right. Michael Phelps was diagnosed with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as a youth. He started swimming at seven for several reasons. His two older sisters were driven by their mother to the pool for a team practice, and rather than sit around and wait for them to finish, he began to swim. The other reason was to provide Michael with an outlet foir his energy. By the time he was 10, Phelps held a national record for his age group. At 15, he became the youngest American male swimmer at an Olympic Games in 68 years, and finished fifth in the 200-meter butterfly. Five months later, while still 15, Michael shattered the world record in that event, making him the youngest man ever to establish a swimming world record. I know you will find the right treatment for Raymond.

RP