This is the night the Philadelphia Phillies franchise, which played its first game in 1883,  can win only the second world championship in 126 seasons. The other was in 1980. Continue Reading

Are you ready for a Penn State-Texas Tech game for the national championship in college football? Continue Reading

“A Cure is in Sight”

“Vision Walk” is the national signature fund raising event for the “Foundation Fighting Blindness.” Forty-two walks featuring 25,000 walkers are taking place across America. Since the first Vision Walk in 2006 this program has raised $ 5 million for sight-saving research. Continue Reading

Dear Ross:

Are you surprised that Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow of Florida is not getting more publicity this fall?  He’s having a solid season in a tough conference.

Joe

—  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  — -

Ross:

Tim Tebow is not only an outstanding football player, but I’m sure you are aware, Joe, that he is an even better human being. Tim has been overshadowed this year by the magnificent play of quarterbacks Colt McCoy of Texas, Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford, and Chase Daniel of Missouri. Because he has won the award, Tebow gets to vote now in the Heisman balloting. Tim says at the moment he is leaning toward McCoy, who has completed 80% of his passes this season for number 1 rated Texas.

Hi, Ross:

Do you believe the Dodgers will be able to sign Manny Ramirez to a new contract?

Kelly
Alhambra, Ca.

—  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  — -

Ross:

If all the Dodgers offer  Ramirez is a two-year contact, Kelly, I do not expect him to stay in Los Angeles. Manny is going for either a four or five year deal, and likely will get it from some team. Mets general manager Omar Minaya is known to want number 99, and with that franchise moving into a new stadium and competing at the gate with the Yankees, that could be the place.

Ross,

I hear a lot of people on sports talk shows, even some hosts of those programs, making predictions the Lakers will win the NBA this season. Do you think that way?

Doug
Culver City, Ca.

—  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  — -

Ross:

I believe with Andrew Bynum back and healthy, and Pau Gasol with the team from the start this season, the Lakers are definite favorites to win the Western Conference. But, the Boston Celtics are the champions, Doug, and may still be the best team in the league. We’ll find out in June.

There were fewer upsets in college and professional football over the weekend than at any time this season.

Maybe the oddsmakers are getting a better feel for the strengths and weaknesses of the teams or maybe the cream is rising to the top with the superior talent starting to put favorites in a more commanding position. Continue Reading

If you believe the numbers…..the better teams won baseball’s League Championship Series. Continue Reading

There have been 13 pitchers who won three games in one World Series, and eight of those did it by 1920.  Christy Mathewson of the 1905 Giants is the only man to toss three shutouts in a Fall Classic. Continue Reading

Hi, Ross.

Though Joe Torre is a Hall of Fame guy and Hall of Fame clubhouse guy, I can’t remember anybody OVER MANAGING A PITCHING STAFF as much since Gene Mauch with the Phillies in 1964. I continue to believe there is no more important position on the 25 man roster than the top notch closer. He shortens the game to eight innings. Brad Lidge of Philadelphia proved it once again. Jonathan Broxton doesn’t have the command to be the Dodgers closer and hasn’t shown the consistent mindset either. He definitely has the heater.

If the Dodgers don’t pay the dough for Lowe next year and want to try and sign Manny, they should trade their best athlete on the squad—Matt Kemp—for a starting arm. The anvil that Andruw Jones and Juan Pierre have around Ned Colletti’s neck necessitates that move. As great as Kemp’s upside is, he still is not a great instinctive player.

Harry Bluebond
Los Angeles

—  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  — -

Ross:

No team has more free agents than the Dodgers—about half the team. Harry, it will be an interesting off-season for the decision makers at Chavez Ravine.  What do you think the fans’ reaction will be if they don’t bring Manny back?

Dear Mr. Porter:

My son is 12 years old and I would like to enroll him into the MLB Urban Youth Academy. How can I do that?

Michelle Faitala

—  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  — -

Ross:

Please send a letter, Michelle, to Darrell Miller, Director, Urban Youth Academy, 901 East Artesia Blvd., Compton, Ca. 90221.

I have bookmarked your website and have started listening to the vignettes. Very enjoyable and I’ll be checking in regularly.  Take care.

Ryan McGowan
Claremont, Ca.

—  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  — -

Ross:

Good to hear from you, Ryan.  We have about 155 vignettes available to hear on Real Sports Heroes.com and hope everyone enjoys them.

It was a pleasure meeting you and your wife the other day. It was 1973 when you interviewed me on the high school basketball Game of the Week.  You have always been a real professional and I will enjoy your website.

Don Palmer
Thousand Oaks, Ca.

—  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  — -

Ross:

Thanks, Don. It was good to meet you and your wife.  I  often have former highschool basketball players tell me they played in a game that we televised on channel 4. It’s amazing since that was 35 to 37 years ago. You played for Cleveland High in Reseda, the alma mater of two time Cy Young Award winner Bret Saberhagen of the Royals.

We lost one of the nicest men in our profession when Gil passed away.

Although we were on competing newscasts in the 1970′s, Gil Stratton was always friendly and personable.  He had a smile on his face any time we saw each other. When you look at what he accomplished, his days on Broadway, in the movies, television, and umpiring baseball games, Gil had a rich life.

1922-2008

R.I.P. Gil