'Roid Rage

It just never ends. I was shocked when I found out Alex Rodriguez was found to have used steroids. He was supposed to be the savior of baseball through the Steroids Era, and he failed. I was shocked when I found out Manny Ramirez was found to have used steroids, too. He was one of the most feared hitters in the Major League Baseball, but it was all a fraud. Now? I honestly wasn't surprised when reports surfaced that David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez (yep, again), are also on the same list as A-Rod of players testing positive for steroid use in 2003. Ortiz is another of baseball's great clutch hitters (or was...though he's getting back in his groove), but sadly, the steroids reports are no longer surprising. In fact, I would venture to say they're expected, if not already assumed.

So now what? Out of 104 player's names on an anonymous, confidential list of positive steroids test from 2003, only a few names names have been released: Ortiz, Ramirez, Rodriguez, and Sammy Sosa (geez Sammy, way tot bust up the alliteration). All big names. All illegally released (or leaked). Absolutely ridiculous. First of all, why did none of this come up in the Mitchell Report (or click here to read the summary in lieu of the 409 page report), the 2007 report commission by the government and headed by US Rep. George Mitchell to wrap up all steroids allegations? Secondly, who's leaking these names? The testing was anonymous and only MLB and the government have access to the sealed file. Whether it's an MLB staffer or a fed, there's a leak on the inside somewhere. And to boot, it's a federal crime. Also, why didn't Ortiz know about the positive test, or so he claims? Either he was stalling to talk to agents and lawyers, or he really didn't know. And I hope it's now the latter; if it wasn't bad enough to blindside the fans, it's ridiculously unfair to blindside the players...Finally, why are these names just trickling out? If you're leaking the list, man up and leak the whole thing. It's unfair to Manny, A-Rod, Big Papi, and Sosa (damn Sammy, get a sweet nickname...Slammin' Sammy ruins my rhythm again!) for them to be singled out. Yes, they're the biggest headline-making names and allows for idiot journalists to focus in on just one player at a time, but it's not good publicity for baseball. Every time a name is released, the anti-steroid, anti-baseball sentiment spikes and the rumors and reports fly off the shelves. Slowly but surely, tensions ease (for a month or two), and then the cycle starts over again. It's a painful situation for the players, teams, owners, and most of all the fans. It's taxing. It's tiring. And it needs to end. Two options:

1. Seal the List. For Good. Sniff out the leak, stop releasing names, and persecute the heck out of the rat. After all, it's a federal offense and someone's gotta make an example to keep this from happening again. Is it fair? Almost 100 players get off for free while the superstars named that's year take all the blame. It's immoral for sure, but at least it's legal.


2. Spill the Beans. Release all the names and get it over with. No more names trickling out, no more circus acts in the clubhouse, and all the guilty parties will be known. Yes, things may be hectic for a while, but one spike is more manageable and less taxing than repeated flare-ups. But it's illegal...So unless the seal is removed, then someone's gotta break the law.

But seriously, enough's enough. A slew of players and managers, including Torii Hunter and Ozzie Guillen, have said it's time for the list to be released. There's only so much of this reporting that everyone can take. I too think the list should be released. The Steroid Era is essentially over, and with all the names released then we can stop dwelling on the darker days of baseball.

And you know the craziest part of it all? Jose Canseco was right...the whole time. He was chastised for releasing his two books detailing the Steroid Era, and no one believed him, but as it turns out, he was right all along. Here's his take on today's news: "When you tell me something I didn't already know, I'll be surprised". I think I would start taking Canseco seriously (even if he challenged Vai Sikahema, a former NFLer to a boxing match..and lost. Badly. The video is hysterical). And now Canseco says MLB has a huge problem on their hands: though he refused to name names, he said there is a steroid user in the Hall of Fame. McGwire, Sosa, Palmeiro, Bonds, and Co. haven't made it in yet, and hopefully the Baseball Writers of America will take a stand and ban them from the Hall. But if what Canseco says is true, and I believe it is, then I am seriously worried for baseball when that controversy explodes. But for now, let's stop the bleeding. Release the list and end the tortuous cycle.

P.S. For another, albeit similar take on this, check out Curt Schilling's blog (I wouldn't be surprised if his name was next...). Always controversial, never afraid to speak his mind. Et voila.

BroLance (A poor play on Bromance)

So today finally marked the end of the 3500km, 3 week, king of all cycling races--the Tour de France. As some of you, or at least my followers probably know, Lance Armstrong is one of my life's role models, an absolute inspiration, and a real-life superhero. And to see him stand on the lowest rung of the podium on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, with the Arc de Triomphe, and not clad in the yellow jersey was a strange sight to say the least. It had never happened before, Lance not finishing the race on top. But no one, not even the bad-mouthing French who look for any and every way to hate Lance Armstrong, thought badly of Lance today. Three and a half years without cycling competitively and at 37 years old, Lance came back and nearly on top. It's crazy that anyone could leave a sport like cycling and return over three years later and be competitive. But Lance one-upped the odds. Not only was he competitive, but he re-asserted himself right at the top of the sport like he never left. What a remarkable feat. This year's Tour just adds another chapter in the storied life of Lance Armstrong.

So he is human. He can't always win. But that just makes him all the more likeable, which is exactly what he needed. Announcing his return, Lance never said he was coming back to win (although it clearly was a great motivator), but to raise awareness for his Livestrong foundation and campaign for finding a cure to cancer. Lance rode for Astana for no salary. He rode hand-painted bikes which will be auctioned off with proceeds going to Livestrong (on the final stage, his bike was covered in dead butterflies). He promoted Livestrong in the Tour Down Under, the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, and every other race on his docket. He scheduled meetings with heads of state and cancer researchers worldwide, before, after, and during his races. And he once again proved that even if you're down, you're never out of it. Hats off to Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck for placing 1st and 2nd in the Tour, but Lance and Livestrong were clearly the real winners. And if his work with Livestrong didn't make him enough of a winner, he brought up TV viewership of the Tour almost 60% from 2008. Maybe, as Lance says, it's not all about the bike. This year's tour proved it's all about Lance.

Furthermore, Lance announced his sponsor for the Tour de France in 2010--yes, he will ride again!--is Radio Shack. Thus, after Columbia-HTC and Garmin-Slipstream, Team Radio Shack will be the third major American team in the professional cycling circuit, truly a sign that the sport is gaining in popularity in the US. For lots of Americans including myself, seeing an American (regardless of the fact that it was my role model) standing on the podium at the conclusion of the greatest race in the world is a huge motivator to pursue cycling, whether it be as a hobby or as a career. Though it's a year away, next year's tour promises to be even greater than this year's Tour; Contador will be on a new team, Lance will ride for Radio Shack with a full year under his belt, the Schleck brothers and Bradley Wiggins will be stronger, and maybe well find out if anyone will ever beat Mark Cavendish on a sprint...I can't wait.

Kickin' The Bucket

So I guess this is sort of the home-stretch of summer...under 4 weeks until I head off to school, my work in the organic chemistry lab I've worked in this summer is coming to a close, and I'm realizing I have less and less time to see all the people I won't see for another 5, or possibly 12 months. This weekend was a great way to start it all off: Thursday I went to NYC and spent the day, albeit mostly alone, to get my visa! I got to see a bunch of people there at night though (Madison, Emma, Ray, and my sister), had a great time, spent the night, and came back in the morning. I spent the rest of Friday and all of Saturday with my co-workers from the past two summers, and we always have a good time. I visited them all at work (a day camp for inner-city kids in Philly) and a ton of kids remembered me, which was a totally awesome feeling. Saturday I went out with them again for a day of fun: tubing on the Delaware River, dinner, shopping, and hanging out/relaxing poolside at night. I hadn't seen them in a really long time, so seeing them was a great time. Finally, yesterday I saw Bruno with my dad and brother, which was hilarious. Yea, it was inappropriate and insensitive, but if you didn't think it was funny then I seriously doubt you have a sense of humor.

So far, I've covered all my bases. Some family time, some friends time, and some time preparing for next semester. Plus, I've been watching the Tour de France--sadly, Lance looks like he's relinquishing his chances of winning the tour to Alberto Contador, but 2nd place isn't bad for a 37 year old man. Yet he still maintained his graciousness, even in defeat, and I believe he is one of, if not the classiest athlete in all of sports. In any case, managing all my time like this had me really thinking about my future, both near and far. Thus, I've come up with a sport-y Bucket List of things I want to do in the next 20 years, inspired by ESPN's Rick Reilly. Check it out, it's a great article, though I would certainly differ from a few of his. But I guess that's why everyone has their own bucket list.

1. Run a Marathon. Hopefully in under 4 hours. I've been exercising a few times a week to keep my body in shape, but I think it will take a lot more time, a lot more exercise, and a lot more dedication to run a marathon. I was never a great (or good) athlete, so completing one of the most difficult challenges in all of sport would be an incredible accomplishment for me.

2. Complete a Triathlon/Iron-Man. Pretty much along the same lines as the marathon, but it takes a completely well-rounded athlete to do this. Yes, I can swim 1.5km. I can bike 40km. And I can run 10km. But consecutively? I don't stand a chance. Moreover, an ironman is truly epic: 2.4mi swim, 112mi bike, 26.2mi run. A marathon AFTER swimming and running?! That's downright insane. But hey, hopefully I can give it a shot someday.

3. Catch a foul ball. I've been to at least 100 baseball games in my life, I've never caught an elusive homerun or foul ball. You figure once in my lifetime, I'll be one of the lucky 20-30 fans a game who catch a ball. Out of 40,000. If nothing else, Karma will hopefully send one my way.

4. Attend a championship clinching game, hopefully for one of my favorite teams. I can't imagine a better feeling than seeing your team win a championship, in person, surrounded by thousands of strangers with the same feeling as you.

5. Play a round of golf at Augusta National. Even though I'd have to pay an arm and a leg to get in, and even though I stink at golf, it's iconic. There's so much history there. Not to set foot on the hallowed grounds of Augusta, where so many legends have walked before, would be a crime.

6. Dunk on a basketball net. Yeah, its 10 feet tall, but this is what a bucket list is for! Plus, I would take it even if Shaq picked me up, let me sit on his shoulders, and I dropped the ball in.

7, 8, 9. Attend an event at each of the following (this could be a separate bucket list all in itself): Fenway Park (Red Sox vs. Yankees, on the Monster preferably). Wrigley Field, afternoon game. Wimbledon. See the Tour de France ride down the Champs Elysees. Kentucky Derby. The Masters. Ohio State v. Michigan at the Horseshoe. See a cricket match. And go to the World Cup.

10. Ride in the Tour de France. I watch this event every year, and I love cycling. I'm a pretty good climber, and if I ever found the motivation (besides this Bucket List) to train and excel in this sport, then riding in the TdF would be my ultimate dream...some kids want to be astronauts, I want to ride up the Alpe d'Huez--the most difficult and storied climb in the history of the tour, pictured here. I don't need to win, I don't even need to come close. I just want to do it. Hey, I can dream, can't I? While my head's in the clouds, how bout making it to the Olympics?

I like to set lofty goals...so sue me. It could happen. And if and when they do, I'll be sure to let you know and rub it in your face.

P.S. Any suggestions? Additions? Replacements? Let me know!

P.S.S. I love lists. My friend Nate wrote a great blog entry on the Top 10 moments of the year thus far. Check it out, fo sho.

Palahni-yuk?

So I finished reading my third book of the summer. I don't think I've read three books this quickly since...well, never. Granted, one of them was Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (less than 2 days til the movie!!!!) because I needed a refresher, but the other two were both written by Chuck Palahniuk, my new-found favorite author...which is of course a meaningless title because I barely ever read. Nevertheless, I love his books. I love how he writes and I love what he writes about. If you didn't know, Chuck Palahniuk wrote Fight Club (now a movie starring Brad Pitt and Edward Norton) and Choke (which also recently became a movie). He's also written 8 or 9 other fiction books, each one more grotesque and slightly disturbing than the next. Maybe it's because I find books and stories so boring that I like his books (even weirder is that I was excited to find out he may write a sequel to Rant. Me excited about a sequel!?). Thus far I've read Choke, about a sex-addict who purposely chokes on food in fancy restaurants for money, Pygmy, Chuck's newest book about a foreign exchange student with plans to destroy America, and Rant, a story about a man ("Rant" Casey) living in the future who is the source of a world-wide, fatal epidemic. His books are exciting, his stories are fun and different (and maybe even a little gross), and his characters develop incredibly well over the course of the book. I'm not really smart enough to give you a whole book review or analyze and critique his writing, but his writing style is definitely really cool (Yep, I described his style as cool. Clearly I read a lot of books and always paid attention in English class...). For instance, Pygmy was written entirely from Pygmy's point of view, so the entire book is written in broken and jumbled English. Rant on the other hand is written as an oral history, so the whole book is a compilation of interviews of his family, friends, and other experts. Each book offers something different and new, and Palahniuk's writing is so versatile that there's a book of his for everyone. And there's always a twist in his books...but obviously I can't tell you cuz that would ruin everything.

Rant was one of the weirdest books I've ever read, but fun nonetheless. Palahniuk's descriptions of people and places (not just in Rant, but in all his books) are so powerful and poignant that the story comes alive in my head. With that in mind, Chuck's books are also seen as disgusting by his detractors and critics. His descriptions of Rant include stories of how he can identify a person by their used condom or tampon, and how he can tell what a girl ate for dinner 2 days ago by...well, it's just not appropriate. But to me, that's what makes his stories fun, different, intriguing, and captivating. Next on my reading list is Invisible Monsters, another one of his books, and then Fight Club, seeing as it's my #1 favorite movie and I've never read the book. So I highly recommend Chuck Palahniuk if you're in the mood for a crazy and slightly disturbing story. They're fun, a pretty easy read, and it'll take you for a wild ride.

PS If you've read his books or read one in the future, let me know what you think!

The 8th Wonder of the World

Was there a more beautiful sight yesterday than that of the Astana cycling team in Southern France, pushing through an incredibly difficult Stage 4 Tour de France team time trial? Absolutely not. After a 4 year break from the Tour, the team time trial returned and did so in style, with the ultra-talented Astana team cruising to victory on a technically difficult course and setting up great suspense and drama for the next 18 days of the Tour. For those unfamiliar with the subject, the team time trial is an event in which teams (of 9 people each) race alone on a designated course. The Tour is of course a team event as well as an individual event, so this stage was a very important one. Teams usually align themselves in single-file formation--see the picture--for drafting, so only one team member is exposed to the wind, thus working significantly harder, at a time. Yesterday was unique in that the crosswinds forced teams to align in echelon-formation, a slightly diagonal line to protect themselves from wind blowing against them at an angle. The team records the time of the 5th rider to cross the finish line, thus 4 riders are "expendable" though it is unwise to lose riders--the more riders in formation, the more people rotate to spend time "pulling" against the wind, and the faster a team can go. Of course it is also unwise to slow down to wait for struggling team members, so the strategy of the event can be fairly complex.

Team Astana dominated the team time trial yesterday, easily beating the 19 other teams en route to the stage victory. A nice rivalry has formed between Astana, Team Columbia-HTC (pictured here--Mark Cavendish is wearing the Green Jersey as the best sprinter so far), and Team Garmin-Chipotle (I love the sponsored names), with Astana the only non-American team in the triumvirate (wow, that is a beautiful vocab word and I have no idea where that came from in my head) of powerful biking teams. The beauty of the team time trial though is truly astounding (insert Astana/astounding pun here). The speed and power generated by Astana was incredible, almost as breath-taking as the elegance and grace with which the Astana rode. Riders were moving at speeds approaching 40 mph...on a bike...on flat land...with a crosswind. It might be hard for non-bikers to appreciate, but it's stunning to think a "train" (as bikers say) of riders can move as fast as you drive your car, and they have to manually push against the wind. That's the power and speed of it. Then, each team member perfectly tucks behind another, all the riders cycling in rhythm with a perfect rotation (cycle, if you will) of riders going from the front to the rear of the drafting line. Graceful and elegant, indeed. And consider that all the riders are wearing almost the exact same outfit on nearly identical bikes in the sunny countryside in Southern France and the team time trial is aesthetically pleasing, to boot.

And as if that wasn't enough, the team time trial stirred up all kinds of drama in the overall standings. In stage 3, the peloton (main pack) of riders was split in two by an attack by Team Columbia in crosswinds, with Lance Armstrong making it into the front pack and most rivals stuck in the rear. Though Lance remained 40 seconds back of Fabian Cancellara for the overall lead, he leadfrogged teammates Andreas Kloden, Levi Leipheimer, and most importantly, main rival Alberto Contador (the Spanish time trial champion--he's wearing the Spanish colors in the picture) and moved from 10th place to 3rd place. The drama between Armstrong and Contador is of course well-documented, with two (or really four) viable Tour contenders on one team. [Again, for those unfamiliar, a team usually has just one leader and the other 8 riders on a team do everything the can to support that rider--pulling the wind, setting a tempo/cadence, pacing a leader uphill, and more. Thus a team with 2 leaders can be torn; even though it is early, Lance jumped over Contador instead of helping him to the front. As Lance said about himself, "I've won 7 tours, so I think I deserve some credit." And of course he does. But until his comeback, this was Contador's team and it will be a real battle between these two supposed teammates to see who emerges. Thus, the drama between them.] Anyway, with Lance behind Cancellara (the Swiss time trial champion) by 40 seconds, Astana needed to ride 40 seconds faster than Cancellara's team Saxo Bank. Turns out, after 3/4 of the course, Astana was up by 41 seconds, good enough to remarkably put Lance back in the leader's yellow jersey. Astana finished 40 seconds behind...a virtual tie between Cancellara and Armstrong. Reverting back to hundredths of a second, Cancellara retained the lead by the slimmest of margins, 0.22 seconds. So with Lance less than half a second off the lead, the tour is getting very interesting. Plus, with Lance 2nd, Contador 3rd, Leipheimer 4th, and Kloden 5th, Astana has 4 riders in the top 5...incredible. Oh, and we're headed to Lance's home away from home, the mountains. As if the tour hasn't already stirred up enough drama, Fridays HC (hors categorie, beyond category) climb to the finish in Spain will be a spectacular sight. But still not as stunning as yesterday's team time trial. You can keep up with TdF news and results here!

A Weekend of Independence

Such a cheesy title, I know. This week(end) I went down to the Jersey shore with some friends for a few days of fun and relaxation, free of parents and free of work. It felt so good just to get away for a little while and chill out under the sun and in the cool, seaweedy waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Obviously, my shiny white skin got a little burnt (and a little tan too?) but hanging out was well worth it. Here's a BRIEF overview of the weekend, no need to go into such detail:

Wednesday evening, Lizzy picked me up and drove to the shore, getting there around 7:30. We drove around Ventnor/Margate, then returned to the condo and walked to Sack O' Subs for dinner. My pizza steak hit the spot...until I realized just how much I ate and quickly sunk into a food coma. We went back to the condo, turned on the TV and watched Pirates of the Caribbean. A tradition was quickly born: Rummy 500 Card Night for Lizzy and me, and the inaugural event was won by yours truly.

Thursday morning we watched Serena Williams' semifinal match at Wimbledon and strolled down to the beach. Usually I can't sit still for more than 5 minutes at the beach between the hot sun (and my pale skin) and the refreshing ocean waters, but the entire weekend I managed to just relax, apply some sunscreen, and actually read. And I hate reading. But between Rant, by Chuck Palahniuk (my absolute favorite author) and re-reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, I was set. We laid out most of the day, went to Jalapenos (a fantasticcc salad place), and came back to the beach to find our belongings nearly swallowed by high tide. We romantically walked the beach to Atlantic City (Lizzy and I have a strange habit of doing very couple-y things even though we're not dating. We went to a Coldplay concert together surrounded by couples of all ages, go to Phillies games together, went to one of those high school/middle school carnivals together and rode the gravitron by ourselves, and now our walks on the beach) and back and gathered out stuff from the beach. Returning to the condo, we took a dip in the uncomfortably warm pool, showered, and snacked while watching the Phillies game. Rummy score: Marshall 1, Lizzy 1. Lizzy's friends Eileen and Liz joined us Thursday night, and we hung out in the condo before embarking on a LATE night walk to Atlantic City. And by late, I mean we foolishly didn't leave til about midnight. I spoiled my virgin eyes by going into some casinos to use the bathroom, Lizzy almost got picked up by a super-senior citizen who thought she was a prostitute, and we didn't get back til 4am. All in all, a great day. (PS the picture is of Lizzy and her...old friend at 2am outside the casinos in AC. HAHAHA.)

Friday, we went back to the beach. Gorgeous weather, perfect beach (and pool) day. We were way too tired to go out again Friday night, so Lizzy's dad (who drove down to the shore in the morning) took us all out to dinner at Lamberti's, which was excellent Italian food, and an even nicer setting as we were outside on the bay to watch the sun set. And sadly, Lizzy claimed victory in our best-of-three Rummy night, 2-1.

Saturday was more of the same. First watched Serena beat Venus, then headed to the beach. Went in the ocean, read some more (which, again, is really weird of me), and got some color. Even though it was July 4th, the beach wasn't swarming with shore-goers, or at least not in Ventnor. We sat out for a few hours, then packed up our stuff and cleaned off at the condo. We headed home, but not after an absolutely perfectly beautiful weekend down the Jersey shore. Free of parents and free of responsibility. Happy July 4th weekend to all!