“The Horse, that most noble of all animals, has ever  borne the burden of man’s vices and virtues, as well  as the weight of his body.” _Borden Deal

Prehistoric nomadic tribesmen of middle Asia first domesticated the horse around 4500 B.C. They also left early picture records of horse racing. Continue Reading

Here are the five games that I am looking forward to seeing in the opening week of the season. Continue Reading

Our 14-year-old grandson, Jon, was visiting us recently and since he had never seen my favorite sports movie, “Hoosiers,” Lin and I decided to pull out the DVD of the 1986 film and watch it with him.

If you haven’t seen it yet, (I urge you to rent or buy a copy) or don’t remember the story, “Hoosiers” is about a small town Indiana highschool basketball team that wins the state championship. The film is set in 1952 when all high schools in Indiana, regardless of school size, competed in one state championship tournament. That was the case until 1997. Continue Reading

Michael:

Hello, Mr. Porter,

Just wanted to say I check your site regularly online and enjoy your stories, oral and written. Keep it up ! And like any other good Dodger fan, I still miss you on the games.

Michael Green
Las Vegas

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Ross:

Thank you, Michael, for your note. I appreciate your thoughts.

Tony:

I’m so glad to know you’re still on, Ross ! Where can I hear the show?

Keep it up, Ross!

Tony Roberson
Los Angeles

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Ross:

Tony, it’s good to hear from you. The best place to hear “Real Sports Heroes” is on our website—–www.realsportsheroes.com We have 200 one-minute vignettes that you can hear, and 141 sports personalities at the moment.

It is also heard on the weekends on the “Peter Greenberg Show” on approximately 130 radio stations, plus XM Radio and the Armed Forces Radio Network. In southern California, it can currently be heard on KLAA, 830-AM, which is the Angels’ flagship station in Orange County and KGIL, 1260-AM, in the San Fernando Valley.

Ross:

How can a team involved in a pennant race like the White Sox continue to give the ball every fifth day to a guy like Jose Contreras when he is not only 5 and 13, but has one of the highest ERA’s in the majors—5.42? Surely there must be someone in the bullpen or in the farm system who can do a better job.

Burt Prelutsky
North Hills, Ca.

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Ross:

It’s like Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen was reading your mind, Burt. He has sent Contreras to the bullpen after his disastrous start against the Yankees on August 29. Guillen has been hoping that former National League Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy was about ready to join his starting rotation. But Peavy had to leave his fourth rehab start Saturday night after 3 1/3 innings because of tightness near his right elbow. He had been hit by a line drive on August 24. Jake was hoping to start for the White Sox on Thursday, September 3, but Guillen says that won’t happen. Chicago has no chance to be the wild card and is seven games behind in the loss column in the A. L. Central entering this week so it doesn’t look good for the Pale Hose. With rosters expanding Tuesday, the Sox may give some minor league pitchers a look.

Earlier in this baseball season, I made a prediction that the Dodgers would win the National League West by at least 10 games.

That’s before one of my favorite people in the game, Jim Tracy, became manager of the Colorado Rockies. Continue Reading

“How are you, your honor? “

Since May, that is how one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players of all time has been addressed. Continue Reading

Burt:

Ross:

I just saw the box score of yesterday’s Angel game (August 18), and I don’t think I’ve ever seen one this late in the season when everyone in the lineup had an average of .300 or better. Have you?

Burt Prelutsky
North Hills, Ca.

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Ross:

No, I haven’t, Burt, and the reason is that I had not been born the last time it happened. My friend, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch did some research and found these facts. The last time one team had a .300 hitter in all nine spots in the batting order was September 9, 1934 when the Detroit Tigers did. And, not since 1930 had there been nine with at least 225 at-bats when the Cardinals and Giants both achieved the rarity.

P. S. from Burt:

The only thing more amazing is that Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer was trailing Ichiro Suzuki by about 8 or 9 points in the American League batting race a short time ago, and the last time I looked he was leading Ichiro by about 18 points….and Ichiro hadn’t gone into a terrible slump.

Ross:

You’re right, Mr. P. After games of August 1, Suzuki was batting .363 and Mauer .353. After games of August 23, Mauer was hitting .378 and Suzuki .359. Ben Austen of The Wall Street Journal had some interesting notes on Ichiro, who needs 16 hits to make this the ninth consecutive year he has reached the 200-hit milestone. Suzuki already holds the record for the most base hits in a season with 262. Of his 1,989 hits with Seattle, an astounding 81 % have been singles, a higher proportion than any modern-era player with at least a .320 average. More remarkably, nearly one in four of his hits NEVER left the infield. The problem: singles don’t translate into runs as well as other kinds of hits. And, when Ichiro is not hitting, he very rarely walks. Despite leading all batters in hits this season, he ranks number 25 in on-base percentage and number 39 in runs scored.

Clyde:

Hi, Ross:

Here are my baseball picks……….
National League——St. Louis, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. Wild card: Colorado I like the Cardinals over the Phillies in the NLCS. Holliday was a great pickup. Dodger pitching is a little shaky. I do like Sherrill. American League—-Angels, Yankees, and Tigers. Wild card: Red Sox, barely over the Rangers and White Sox. I will go with the Yankees over the Angels in the ALCS, but I hope I am wrong. The Angels pitching is a little suspect. I am rooting for a Freeway Series—-Dodgers and Angels. Doubtful, though.

I heard you twice the other day on Real Sports Heroes on 830-AM radio, the Angels station in Orange County. John Lackey was on one show, and I enjoyed them both.

I’m glad football is almost here. Was hoping no team would sign Vick, but the Eagles did. Good luck, Reid. Go 49ers, I’m hoping for 9 and 7. Go UCLA, I’m hoping for 7 and 5, possibly 8 and 4.

Clyde Smith
Riverside, Ca.

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Ross:

I’m in agreement with you, Clyde, on the eight teams you have predicted to be in the playoffs. I’ll differ on the league champions, predicting it will be the Angels against the Phillies in the World Series although their closers, Brian Fuentes and Brad Lidge, scare me.

Jon:

Hey, Ross,

What do you think of Sam Querrey? What is his background? How do you think he will do in the upcoming U. S. Open? I loved the two Dummy Hoy stories. Keep up the good work!

Jon L.
Ventura

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Ross:

I’ve been following Sam’s tennis career for a long time, Jon, because he grew up in Thousand Oaks, California, only 20 miles from our home. He began playing tennis when he was four, was an outstanding junior player, turned down a full scholarship to USC, and turned professional in 2006. He’s 21, 6-6 and weighs 200, has a powerful serve and a good forehand. In 2007, Querrey served 10 straight aces in a winning match against James Blake which is believed to be an Open era record. Andre Agassi has predicted Sam will be America’s next tennis star. Right now, he’s the number 4 U. S. mens’ player and 26th in the world rankings. He has won over 1 1/2 million dollars since turning pro, has captured tournaments in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, and defeated Andy Roddick in Cincinnati this month. I expect great things of Sam. It would be super if he reached the quarterfinals at the U. S. Open. Lin and I are pleased you enjoyed the columns on Dummy Hoy who was a truly remarkable baseball player despite his deafness.

Craig:

Ross,

Can anybody get by the Florida Gators this year? Of course, anything can happen, but is it fair to assume that if they beat LSU in Baton Rouge—it’s over?

On the same subject, in your opinion, who are the top Heisman Trophy candidates besides Tebow and Bradford? Are voters less inclined to vote for them because they have won one already?

Craig Kelly
Shorewood, Wisconsin

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Ross:

You’re right, Craig. Anything can happen. Who thought Ole Miss would win in the Swamp last October? With only four of its 12 regular season contests on the road, I agree with you that the major test for Florida will be the night game October 10th at LSU. I do not see Kentucky, Mississippi State or South Carolina beating the Gators even with home field advantage. One defeat will not cost them a chance to be in the BCS title game in the Rose Bowl. In each of the past three seasons, the eventual national champion lost one game. Being in the SEC, Florida can use its strength of schedule to an advantage. But playing Charleston Southern, Troy and Florida International? Come on, that’s pitiful!

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy is the sentimental favorite to win the Heisman this year. He, Tim and Sam are all so talented and deserving. I think some voters would go for Colt to let him join the other two as winners. But, it depends on what type season everyone has.

“He made thousands of fans cheer but never heard a one.”
David Risotto

Going to Bat for “Dummy” Hoy Continue Reading

For nearly two years now, Real Sports Heroes has focused on living sports figures who are making a difference in society. We will continue to spotlight those people who are giving back in a multitude of ways. Continue Reading