Legend Revived in the Land of the Midnight Sun

The dead walk, hundreds of people dress themselves as large gourd-like squashes and bumblebees to run through the streets late into the night. Line dances erupt in central blocks of town and somewhere on a baseball diamond a 62 year-old man steps onto the pitchers mound for the most improbable game of his life.

Yup, Fairbanks, Alaska is a pretty unique place this time of year. The summer solstace marks the longest day of the year, and in a state awash in darkness for 6 months, people take the opportunity to get out seriously.

Somehow I ended up in Growden Park, home of the Alaska Goldpanners, at about 10:30 Sunday night. The sun shone brightly as F-16s boomed over the rickety grandstands and the game came under way. The Goldpanners took the field and approaching the mound was none other than the now gray-haired, slightly hobbling Bill "Spaceman" Lee.

The last time the Spaceman pitched at a Midnight Sun game was 1967, hsi last major league game with the Expos was 1982. In an age of 6-7 year major league careers, Lee was a tad past his prime. But he had pulled on a jersey, #337 (Lee upsidedown), and come to play some baseball.

The first inning went quickly, Lee only let a single hit get by him. Every successive inning people chanted "Lee, Lee, Lee" as he took the mound, again and again and again. He had the crowd laughing by scuttling his feet at players on base 40 years his junior. He'd catch a ball from the second baseman after a play, tuck it under his arm and beligerently flap his glove and ask for the ball as if he never got it.

Around 12:04 the sun finally dipped below the horizon, and the darkest period of the day had passed. Anywhere in the lower 48 states the time could have easily been mistaken for 6 or 7 in the evening. The game went on and the field lights stood idle.

His pitches slowed down considerably as the game wore on, but Lee saved face with a fearsome change-up and experience. With each inning he hobbled out the chants grew louder, one drunkard yelling out for minutes at a time "Spaaaacccceeeman!" It wasn't until the top of the seventh that ol' Lee was taken out of the game to a standing ovation.

At the end of the game The Spaceman walked off the field with a cigar in his mouth and another win to add to his career. It was 2:30 in the morning and the sun was just beggining to rise up from behind the mountains.

Rox

Basketball Loose at the Seams

It's Super Bowl XIII, the FLorida sun is beating down on the stadium, fans are crying out in the stands. They want blood, they want action, the want play action and up-the-gut glory. You're a Pittsburgh Steeler, and on the other side of the field the Dallas Cowboys defense is already deployed.

Terry Bradshaw comes into the huddle with the play.

"Alright boys. You linemen block, you running backs run and you receivers look over your shoulder to see if I'm throwing. Ready BREAK!"

Of course this didn't and never would happen at the Super Bowl, so why in the NBA Finals did the LA Lakers and Celtics fall apart in the latter part of the third period?

Things started off well, both teams were executing offensive and defensive maneuvers, screening, passing, blocking and supporting. But something happened after the Celtics one point defecit weakened.

Both teams began rushing back and forth across the court in swarms. No formations, no coverage, nothing but a mob. It wasn't long before Cassel threw Lakers' guard Vujacic on the floor wrestling for the ball.

For a game that determined the outcome of the Finals, the play was decidedly poor. Only the performance of Paul Pierce made the game remotely professional in caliber.

Luckily the refs finally got into the game. The following was overheard in the bar of a remote Alaskan outpost. "They're calling fouls left and right now. Before they were letting men get knocked over, stomped on and flushed down the toilet. What a joke."

The series continues now in Boston, where only a miracle will save the Lakers from a stomping. Expect bedlam in the streets.

In other basketball news WNBA player Becky Hammon is labeled a traitor for joining the Russian olympics team. Hammon enjoys a dual citizenship between Russia and the US. The last time I checked NBA players return to their original countries to compete in the olympics (think Yao Ming) and none of them are called traitors. Please.

Rox

Rockies Pitching on Track?

I about pissed myself today, a win on pitching? Unbelievable. This is the same Rockies that couldn't keep a pitcher in the World Series for more than 5 innings, that swapped out 10 pitchers against the San Diego Padres in the wildcard game. Get me some new undershorts.

Leftie Jorge De la Rosa proved his worth today with 5 shutout innings, allowing only one hit and one walk. Releiver Jason Grilli gave up a hit and a walk while Taylor Buchholz merely hit a batter. Brian Fuentes closed the game for his tenth save in 13 opportunities.

Depth on the mound has always been a weakspot for the Rockies, but De La Rosa proved that while he's not found a starting spot in the majors he's deserved every shot teams have given him.

One first deserves another, as the Rockie's superior pitching also gave them their first win against Chicago in franchise history. The Rockies have now beaten every team in the Major Leagues at least once. Their last place position in the National League West may not be adequate for the Rockies after these turn arounds.

Rox

Lakers Eat It, Facial Expressions No Help

Well, it looks like the Boston Celtics have managed to come out on top again in Game 4, winning 97-91 over the LA Lakers. After a dismal first half of poor defense, sloppy shots, missed free throws and fouls aplenty the Celtics managed to cut a 24 point deficit to put themselves within a win of the title.

LA dazzled sports fans with an early game point-blitz but what surprised me most were the innumerable faces the Lakers managed to make. Even Jack Nicholson donned a few tonsol twisting contortions. If only variety of expression won games.

Sasha Vujajic looks more excited than a pre-pubescent girl at a Miley Cyrus concert here. Either that or he's realized that Ray Allen forgot the Vaseline. Either way, he's going to need some serious counseling before making a return to the court.

It's no surprise that Kobe Bryant's celebrity status has gone to his head. Unfortunately the officials at tonight's game didn't get the memo that he cannot actually be called on blatant fouls. No wonder he was so astonished throughout the game.

I'm not sure what Vladimir Radmanovic is more surprised of here, that his team managed to lose the biggest opening quarter lead in history or that they have cameras that can take photos from this angle.

It looks like Boston is on its way to another championship this year. And why not? They deserve it. The Celtics have been playing well this year and have earned the win.

I can't wait to see the look on Kobe's face as his team is ground into the court.

Rox