Newness to Start 2011

Happy 2011 to all of you.

Before you check the newness elsewhere, let me talk about what’s going on here.

Some of you have recently come upon A Sports Scribe because of this and this (click J.E. Skeets' link). Let me welcome you all to the blog and hope you stick around. Take the time to read my bio and the About Scribe page. In case you were wondering, I dislike briefcases, hence why I use my backpack. As for Walt Frazier’s jacket, respect due to him and MSG for delivering the goods.

For those who have followed the Scribe journey since its inception in May 2007, thanks for sticking with it. It’s a constant work-in-progress – or as my fellow Babson College alums would say, “WIP” – but something that strives for better with each post.

For those who have come along in the last two years through Twitter, you’ve been fantastic. The words on here may not have the acerbic tone as far more popular sites, but when I post something here, it’s to make people think or ask questions or just once in a while, appreciate something a bit more. Let’s keep the conversations going in a civil, but still fun manner.

For those who are wondering where to find my ‘legit’ work with the New York Beacon, if you see it in city newsstands, support the hustle and pick up a copy every Thursday.

*deep breath*

Now that we got those words out of the way, let me break down where Scribe is going in 2011.

For the past year, many of you were well aware that the site took a step back because of the MBA studies. Something I learned at Babson while working with its internet radio station was that sometimes, you need to fall back to move forward; take a deeper and more honest look at operations to find the bottlenecks, holes and glitches. You have to fix issues as you are also creating new offerings.

The MBA program – frustration of 45 missed weekends and all – provided an opportunity to flesh out some previous plans fully while developing new ones. The Facebook page is an example of a new wrinkle that may have not been considered for a lot longer time if not for being in an academic and professional incubator that is Metropolitan’s Media Management program. There are countless people who have been wonderful enough to devote time to speak with me about improving Scribe. In lieu of money and Knicks tickets, my gratitude can be best repaid through making this site better based on your thoughts and suggestions.

[I could use some money and Knicks tickets, though, so if any of you have one or both, feel free to let me ‘safeguard’ them.]

What to expect from Scribe this year?

• More original posts: interviews with respected people in the business, roundtables like the popular NBA discussion from last season and personal/professional observations
• Better videos: there will be a couple of unpublished videos uploaded in the coming weeks, but I’m already planning for a couple of stadium visits during the spring and early summer
• Podcasts: yes, you already have enough of these to listen to, but depending on the feedback, the frequency will increase from a monthly podcast to possible weekly editions
• The long-delayed redesign: it exists, people!
• Greater social media: Twitter is tremendous, but for those who love to read via Facebook, you’ll get more. Tumblr may see a shift, but not immediately

So, 2011. It’s going to be fun.

Speaking of fun, 2011 begins with three new contributions.

• In Thursday’s Beacon, you’ll see the obituary for the 2010 New York Giants. If the PDF is made available online, you’ll see it posted on all things Scribe.
• Just as throughout the NFL season, there will be recaps of each round of the NFL playoffs on The Perpetual Post. This Friday, the NFL roundtable will reconvene to give predictions and other thoughts. If you have yet to do so, check the latest; Week 17 in the NFL and a discussion on Donald Fehr as NHL Players Association boss.
• Sticking with hockey, Norman Einstein’s Magazine is back with edition #20. I discuss the raised stakes of the recent NHL Winter Classic between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals. The best, as usual, comes from the rest of my teammates, so please read it all and enjoy. Many thanks to Ozman51, Lizz Robbins and Ken Fang for their contributions.

Go forth and be merry, friends of Scribe.

Quick Site Updates

You may have noticed an addition to the page in the last two weeks on the right hand side. If you haven't "liked" the new Facebook page, feel free to do so now.

Also, take a look at Scribe Favorites; various websites from colleagues, friends and those admired from afar. It's not an exhaustive list, but it will continue to grow over time.

Next, if you haven't checked it out yet, November's edition of Norman Einstein's Magazine is live, dope, funky fresh and the flava in ya ear. Read that sentence one more time, then listen to some Das EFX for the fun of it. In addition, there has been some work for The Perpetual Post that you should take a gander at as well.

Finally, if you haven't joined Twitter, let the random references to excellence such as this compel you to join and follow Scribe.

Perpetual Posting & Photo-ing

A few things:

There's going to be a lot of me this week on The Perpetual Post starting today. Another Week in Review for the NFL (not as many games on my end) and quick thoughts on the Joakim Noah contract from the Chicago Bulls. While I wasn't exactly enamored with the former Florida Gator coming into the NBA, he's turned out to be a lot better than I thought. His wardrobe, however... his attire at the 2007 Draft is burned to memory.

Tomorrow for TPP, I'm throwing out words for a NHL preview, though the season has started and proving to people that Todd Collins did not retire in 1998. The latter may be a moot point for the Chicago Bears if Jay Cutler comes around completely from the concussion suffered against the New York Giants.

If you haven't read it yet or ever before, do check out the chock full o'goodness from October's Norman Einstein's Magazine. Though I did not contribute this month, I will for November.

Next, because cell phones are fantastic these days. here's a photo that was taken on 125th Street last week. For those soccer afficionados, yes, the New York Cosmos are coming back... so I think.

Finally, later today, there will be a new poll on Scribe within the next two days. Keep an eye out for it.

The Latest and Greatest Elsewhere

So, after a few weeks of co-hosting Sports @ the Half on WHCR with ChiChi Anunkor, yesterday was the first time calling in, giving a report on the New York Giants. For the remainder of the season, do yourselves a favor and check for me at 5:15 PM Eastern every Monday.

In addition, every Tuesday, for those who have yet to discover it, there is the NFL Week in Review with myself, Chris Pummer, Brad Goldbach and Alex Prewitt. Always good times and both compliment what you'd see from my work with the New York Beacon... if you can find it, of course.

Also, though there are no words from me this month, check the latest and certainly greatest from Norman Einstein's Magazine. Plenty of you saw The Tenth Inning and my colleagues have a great discussion from varied perspectives around the country. Oh, and check the new bios.

Finally, with the third and final semester in school getting into high gear, you will notice the off-and-on activity on Scribe that has made 2010 a bit of a struggle in terms of substance. All of this academic jazz is to make this blog better when the program is finished this December. With that said, I'm hoping to add some new features to the site as we approach the start of the NHL and NBA seasons, the MLB playoffs and, of course, serving the dope fiends when it comes to football.

For ongoing chatter, random references and any questions, do feel free to follow on Twitter. You'll feel like you won the lottery. Or not.

Say What?!?!: Speaking of the Giants, hats off to the NFL for 'going pink'. If you use social networks, you should do the same.

Footbally Words

Somne of the words put down for this Thursday's past edition of the New York Beacon regarding the 2010 New York Giants:

Just days before Sunday’s opener versus the Carolina Panthers at the New Meadowlands Stadium, you might be wondering who will the New York Giants be this season? Can they still be identified from the Super Bowl outfit from 2007 and 2008 that forced an entire nation to take notice with strong front seven defenders and a steady diet of rushing offense? Or are they going to be the 2009 team that became surprisingly more reliant on a top-tier passing game because of defensive struggles and a running game with less pop?

What can be said is who they hope to be; a team that can create far more turnovers than last year’s unit, which only managed 24 (22nd of 32 teams) and one that can bring a stronger running game to compliment the 11th-best passing offense.

In addition, if you have not read September's edition of Norman Einstein's Magazine, please do. Excellence all around; a good bit of football with boxing and baseball thrown in to take the eyes off the gridiron for a few minutes.
 
Finally, expect NFL thoughts this week for The Perpetual Post and during my fourth guest co-hosting efforts on Sports at the Half of WHCR this Monday at 5PM Eastern.

Labor Day: Plugs and Pictures

First of all, those who truly hustle for a better life and those working to get work, a wishfully Happy Labor Day to you. Even in this Great Recession, there are people who are out in the world trying to not only make a dollar, but make each day better than the day before. No matter how tough the grind can be, I hope all of us can be involved with something in our lives that bring in more than just the paychecks.

Secondly, a quick plug for my third co-hosting effort on Sports at the Half on WHCR today at 5PM eastern. As always, respect due to ChiChi Anunkor (follow her insanity on Twitter) for having me on. Obviously, we'll talk about the Jets finally giving cornerback Darrelle Revis his much-desired payday, but hopefully, we can move beyond the hype and talk about the substance of this upcoming NFL season.

Third, for tomorrow, when you're crying in your breakfast about the unofficial end of summer, there will be some photos from the Ballpark at St. George, home of the Single-A Staten Island Yankees. For the first time, I'm happy to report that the long-awaited New York City Baseball Park Tour is complete. A proper post will be dedicated for that, but here are a few pictures of the decade-old venue.

Finally, if you haven't, please check the latest from another edition of Norman Einstein's Magazine and The Perpetual Post (including a sportish response about the State of TV).

While You Wait: Norman Einstein's, Perpetual Post & Radio

So, if you've been following Scribe on Twitter, you know this writer is back in the football beat, though keeping a close eye on other happenings. Though this blog has not been as frequently updated as planned in this time off from school, it's all in hopes of making sure that from this point on, Scribe is better than ever before.

You have also been following the track of Hurricane Earl (or laughing at the gloomy reports from the east). It's thrown a wrench in some travel plans for this Labor Day weekend, so feel free to take advantage of the extra time to catch up to the latest Scribbles Elsewhere.

In this month's Norman Einstein's, my piece explores the not-so-discussed history of integration in the NFL. However, you should check out the remaining excellence from my teammates Alex Birdsall from There Are No Fours (Tragedy & Transcendence: Armando Galarraga's Imperfect Game), Patrick Truby from There's No 'I' in Blog (Hardball Heroes: A Conversation with Amber Roessner), Brian Blickenstaff of Touch & Tactics (48 Seconds: Curtis Johnson Jr. Fights for a Dream), Andrew Reilly of the widely-referenced 35th Street Review (Uneasy Lies the Bear That Wears a Crown) and of course, the Head Coach known as Cian O'Day (Thorn from the Lions' Paw).

In addition, Chris Pummer and I discuss the potential 18-game NFL regular season on The Perpetual Post. There will also be words on the state of television, which will have a slight sports perspective from my end.

Also, for some unexpected visuals, check out the latest from the Scribe Tumblr account.

Finally, if you haven't been able to catch if in the last two weeks, I have been a guest host for WHCR's Sports at the Half. Chi Chi & myself have been mostly talking up football, but there's more to come with the US Open and other events. I will be back in the studio this Labor Day at 5PM since I have no life.

Norman Einstein's Newness

Photo credit to dispo

After two months away, this Scribe jumped back in the Norman Einstein's fold with a new piece about The Guy in South Beach.

Yeah, mentioning him on the day that the NFL's version of John Kerry is calling it a career (AGAIN) is like throwing grease in a kitchen fire. Yet, as most other matters in the sports world, this is a different perspective. From a child's eyes... sort of.

Now, unlike the moniker of The Golfer, where sheer media exhaustion and the salacious nature of it all just made the Danielle Steele-ish name work, TGiSB is more about seeing the hell fire & brimstone laid at his feet thanks to The Decision. Since the mere sight of his name sends so many into a blind rage, this moniker will be used from here on out.

In the meantime, the rest of the magazine has the usual rounds of excellence. Ted Walker of Pitchers & Poets walks you through your baseball team's losing season. Andrew Reilly talks up a pretty special 1985 Topps rookie baseball card. And of course, the Maestro, Cian O'Day takes in NYC's other baseball rivalry through a photo essay. Along with a July recap and forward look into August, this month's edition should give you a wealth of reading goodness.

Don't forget the work with The Perpetual Post, including recent insights on the Dan Haren trade, Turner/Sports Illustrated vs. ESPN and Patrick Ewing as future head coach. There will be plenty more later this week with TPP.

Say What?!?!: I won't lie, I get a kick out of knowing that Brett Favre's middle name is Lorenzo. He may annoy many, but to me, it's kind of cool in a "really? HA!" way.

Perpetual Postin' & Toastin'

Been pretty active on The Perpetual Post this week. Do yourself a favor and check out the latest.

• The aftermath of The Decision (and if you haven't, the previous Scribe post)
• World Cup thoughts from abroad (and on-location thoughts from Germany)
• 3D television

The podcast from Wednesday night was a fun and lively discussion on the first two topics. Hopefully, it will be archived soon for your listening pleasure.

Also, though I've missed the last two months, you should check out another fantastic edition of Norman Einstein's Magazine. As usual, all-around goodness.

That's it for shameless plugging.

Playing Catch-up/World Cup Art

Yeah, I know. It's been a while.

To somewhat make up for weeks of lost time, here's a quick update.

• Permanent new site design may be ready, but the implementation of it is not. Considering changing the Blogger design temporarily as I wanted to shake things up before...
  
  
• ...taking a trip to Frankfurt, Germany & London, England from June 20th until at least July 2nd for the MBA program. However, because of the bountiful sporty things going on in those cities & nations, Scribe will have a heap full of newness for your eyes.
  
  
• Though I did not contribute to June's Norman Einstein's Magazine, expect my return for July's edition. It'll be based on my trip to Europe, but I have to decide between four potential topics.
  
  
• As usual these days, I've been more active with The Perpetual Post than this blog. Check out the latest, including a World Cup Roundup from the first weekend of action.
  
  
• Sticking with the World Cup, these were images I captured from ESPN's display at the Time Warner Center in midtown Manhattan earlier today. Didn't get a picture of all 32 nations, but if you have the chance to check them out before the tournament ends, do so.

Got Some Catching Up to Do

Almost a month since the last post is a crying shame. However, time off from classes and Scribe just meant that it was being spent elsewhere.

Here are the two latest contributions to The Perpetual Post (Twitter);

• Jessica Bader and I discussed a topic covered in this space before; the paucity of African-American players in Major League Baseball. Yet, we covered where college recruitment stands in this issue
• Howard Megdal and I revisited another long-standing baseball controversy; was it Walter O'Malley's fault that the Dodgers left Brooklyn for Los Angeles or 'master builder' (be mature) Robert Moses

Meanwhile, the May Edition of Norman Einstein's Magazine is promising to be another goodie, but many of you might want to revisit April's where I gave advice to novice sports fans, notably women who want to become more familair with the games beyond what may be expected of them.

Usually, there's a follow-up for each contribution and there was one that has been sitting in draft for weeks. While there won't be for the May edition, the follow-up for April will be ready for your eyes on Monday. Why? Well, many folks already started their weekends, but also, there's enough stuff for you to read, isn't there?

Meanwhile, always keep an eye on Scribe's Twitter page.

Grand Opening of Red Bull Arena - Part 1

So the video is halfway done as there's a ton I have to sort through, but unfortunately, some family matters and school work have come up.

Until the video is completed, here is a slideshow along with The Perpetual Post piece on Red Bull Arena from myself and Howard Megdal.

Perpetually Posting

Ladies & gents, check me out!

This week, there'll be a lot of Perpetual Post work this week. Tonight, I'll jump onto another podcast, discussing NFL free agency with Chris Pummer. Chris and I will bring the discourse to text tomorrow on the site.

Later this week, I will be covering Opening Night for Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ. In addition to talking about the stadium's atmosphere and structure for TPP, I will also give you the first new Scribe video for 2010. For those who didn't see the previous look during its construction, check out last spring's post.

Next week, we will roll out divisional previews. I'll join the conversations on the National League East and Central along with the American League Central.

Finally, in relation to Scribe, your next roundtable is coming later this week; this time, the focus is shifted to the NHL. If you have yet to check out last week's NBA roundtable, do yourself a favor and take time to read parts one and two.

Now, before you ask about college basketball, anyone who has been on this space knows that there's not much said about the game. Last year, for the first time since I could remember television, I didn't tune in for one second of the men's tournament (I did watch the women's final, however). Also, for the third straight year, I did not fill out a bracket.

Because of personal preferences and a rather unwelcoming experience covering a Big East game four years ago, I've pretty much shut myself away from the amateur game. However, as some have noticed on Twitter, I have been asking for NBA prospects that I should keep an eye on. It's understandable that some out there may not like this stance, but considering how little I've seen of John Wall and how I just learned who Evan Turner is, I figured this would be a good time to turn into the game with some interest.

I just hope for you Kentucky fans that John Calipari doesn't get another coaching brainfreeze as he did two years ago for Memphis.

Say What?!?!: Speaking of March Madness, if you missed this month's edition of Norman Einstein's Magazine, take a walk with me and Rodney Brown.

Scribe Updates - I Still Love You

It's been a rough three week stretch for your 45,329th favorite blogger. Between midterms, papers and... life, you haven't had much to read on here and there has been shockingly little promotion of other works. Here's where things stand now before you check out some newness:

• This week, you'll have a couple of roundtables coming your way on the NBA & NHL as they are steamrolling towards the postseason.
• We're doing MLB division previews at The Perpetual Post. I will take a look at my favorite division to watch in the last two years, the National League West. Top notch pitching, overlooked defenses, enviable weather, Arizona's 975 uniform combinations. There's a very good chance that I will add chatter for another non-eastern division as well.
• I underpromoted this month's edition of Norman Einstein's Magazine, which is a shame. However, as we strive for, the works is always timely. Do yourselves a favor and read the goodness.
• I don't find myself that interesting of a person, however, I invite you to ask questions that may be too long for Twitter, but just as easy to access. Get your Formspring on about all things sports and whatever else comes to mind.
• Finally, a site design update: closer to launch than it appears.

The Deleted Scenes for "Hardwood Graduation" will be published later this afternoon.

From Elsewhere: Yankees in Camp and Brittney Griner

So after months of slightly bashing baseball fandom and management, I’m getting back in the leather, rubber and cork mode. For the New York Beacon, there’s a small (very small, no PDF yet) spring training preview of the World Series champs as the Yankees started camp recently. Basically, it’s a quick comparison of how camp was last season (with far more distractions) in contrast to today (relaxed in going for the repeat). Not much special to say.

Meanwhile, for something far more substantive, check out Wednesday's contribution to The Perpetual Post. Howard Megdal and I discussed the professional prospects of Brittney Griner, the freshman sensation of the Baylor Lady Bears.

She’s the curious case in light of a boastful claim from NBA Commissioner David Stern that a woman will play in the NBA within a decade. Now, whether or not this is true, we don’t know. However, it appears from both Howard and me that she may not be that player, but can be a transcendent professional, regardless.

Here's the recent Outside the Lines feature on her:



As old school hip-hop wannabes used to say, “Check me out, homes!”

In the next week, expect plenty more from outside of Scribe, including another timely essay for March’s Norman Einstein’s Magazine and baseball previews for The Perpetual Post.

Some Updates On and About Scribe

A brief update:

• The lack of activity here is not for a lack of inspiration. Energy, perhaps, but not inspiration.
  Over the past ten days, I've been focused on a lot of Scribe-related matters that may have little relevance to the readers at the moment, but deal with the future of the blog. It's all nothing but chocolatey goodness, but it's been a bit taxing to take care of them in a timely manner. Unfortunately, you haven't had anything new to read here, but that will change with a break in the action tomorrow.
  
  
• If you have been following my work in recent weeks, you know that I am a contributor to The Perpetual Post. Chris Pummer and I had a discourse on the absolutely and ridiculously dominant Lady Huskies at the University of Connecticut. While Chris prepared for hate mail, do yourselves a favor and read it without wanting to kill him, okay? Also, there are great discussions about all topics that may pique your interests, so I implore you all to subscribe.
  
  
• The much anticipated changes to the site are coming rather soon and I hope you will enjoy them as much as I do.
  
  
• Despite a personal lack of enthusiasm of extended calistenics the reporting of pitchers and catchers, I will start scribbling on the Yankees' beat for the New York Beacon starting next week. For that reason, expect a few roundtable posts featuring some new voices alongside established ones to help fuel the fire for us all going into the 2010 campaign.
  
  
• Speaking of roundtable, now that the NBA trading deadline has passed and the NHL will return from its Olympic break over a week from now, there will be similar discussions for the masses in the next two weeks.
  
  
• I only have two heroes. There's one I miss every passing second of the day, but I'm grateful to know that I will always enjoy the guidance and love from the other. Happy birthday, Mommy!

You Like to Read? Read These

It’s been a while since Scribe delved into business matters. So while being a bit tied down at the moment, here are three stories for you to chomp on.

Tebow's NFL moment: If you didn't catch it from the New York Times, Advertising Age delves into details of one of the ads that will appear in the upcoming Super Bowl. I want to hear your thoughts on this one in light of controversies in past years.

Remember how NBC's REALLY Bad Day Began?: It was news that the network stood to lose about $200 million on the upcoming Winter Games. The always-on-point Richard Sandomir discusses many of the issues the Peacock ran into as the economy decided to nose dive. So while the late night talk fiasco made NBC a punching bag, this is arguably of greater concern (especially since Comcast wants to use its soon-to-be property as a huge leveraging platform when bidding for sporting events in the future).

There are some things that... well...: I'll leave you to this one as well. As soon as I wrap my head around it, I'll say something more.

Later this afternoon on The Perpetual Post, Chris Pummer and I discuss the legacy of newly-retired Curtis Joseph. I know puckheads are waiting to rip my head off on that one. Leave happy, lavender-laced comments, please.

Perpetual (II)

As hilarious as this Sports Illustrated photo is (and it IS hilarious), this is also the lone mention on Scribe regarding Tiger Woods' personal problems. You stay classy, Jacksonville Jaguars.

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As mentioned in previous ramblings, I've been writing a ton outside of Scribe in the last two weeks. This week was my debut with The Perpetual Post. On top of the usual chaos, there was also appearing in a podcast (which will appear soon, I hope) and writing two articles:

Allen Iverson's Return

Bud Selig's Legacy

This is a blessing, considering that at least until the start of the new year, there are going to be relatively short articles for the New York Beacon.

With TPP, I'll have the chance to discuss more basketball-related topics. It's a win-win for both sides not only do I get to write about the NBA for the first time outside of Scribe since 2006, but for TPP, there's another person on the roster that is willing to plop $170 on NBA League Pass per season.

Also, I'll add to the discourse of several different sports as well. The Selig discussion is a little more up my alley than, say, specific Winter Meeting moves. Yet, you'll see some of the same chatter with TPP that you'll see here on Scribe.

The Perpetual Post has sports as a spoke on a rather large wheel that includes news and politics, media and entertainment, culture and humor. While there's a very miniscule chance you'll see me enter those realms, there are some rather engaging conversations to be had.

While there are plenty of changes afoot for 2010 (all good ones, best believe it), it's been great to get a headstart on the new year with adding The Perpetual Post to my plate.

And now, onward to trying to figure out what will go in Issue 8 of The Norman Einsteins...

Perpetual

This week will be the first since early November that Scribe takes a turn towards the NBA as it has been a pretty intriguing start to the 2009-10 season so far.

Hopefully, you have taken a look at last Friday's Roundtable discussion that I joined for NBAToday.net, but that's not all. By tomorrow, you'll see my first written effort for the Perpetual Post in which there will be a discourse on Allen Iverson's return to the Philadelphia 76ers. Another will follow in relation to the legacy of Bud Selig as he will step down as the Commissioner of Major League Baseball after the 2012 season.

Tonight, however, you can check out my return to radio (sort of speak) on Perpetual Post Radio.

Howard Megdal, the editor-in-chief, has an outstanding site with a strong roster of contributors (including this guy) that put whatever I am doing to shame. You can gather that I'm more than thrilled at the chance to join this forum.

Because of a hectic Monday, a post that I am working on is being pushed back a day, but I want to solicit thoughts from the masses before it goes up. Did anyone catch this segment on ESPN's (underrated) Outside the Lines?