Room with a view ... (SF Giants)

*I wrote this the day of the parade but decided to wait to post it. With the sports year coming to an end, the time is now right.


I awoke to a cold, dreary morning here in Austin, Texas. As I laid in bed staring out the window, I wondered how a world class city like San Francisco would celebrate what many, many Giants' fans thought may never happen: A World Championship Parade for the Giants. I wondered how the Giants' station (KNBR) would cover such an event, and finally how the fans would react to the realization that their team won the World Championship.

I spent the better part of the morning listening to KNBR. First, Murph and Mac, and then Gary. There was some giddy up in their tone as they all spoke about the many good times, as well as the bad times, the Giants and their fans have had these past 53 years. At 1:00 pm Central time I turned on the TV and did what I have been doing for the past 25+ years: I watched the Championship Parade. But this time it was different. Yes, it was northern California, but it was San Francisco, not Oakland. It was a warm sunny day in the "City." It was a perfect way to end what Giants' fans believe to be the perfect season. I watched as over one million fans lined the streets of San Francisco, and cheered as their beloved Giants rode by on floats, trolleys, or in convertibles. It brought back many, many happy thoughts I had as a child going to this type of celebration with my Dad and two older brothers. Those were times I cherish, just like many fathers and sons will after me.

As the formal celebration concluded at City Hall, I realized this celebration was more than just a celebration for the Giants and their fans, but also a celebration for all of northern California. As a Bay Area guy and northern Californian for 46 years, I was a proud man. So here's a toast to all my close friends, family, and the rest of the Giants' fans that I have gone out of my way to insult. Your team did it! I will now say what I told you I would never say:

The San Francisco Giants ... 2010 World Champions! Eating crow is a lot easier than eating armadillo.

"Wise Guy"

Hamster ...

Just like a hamster on a wheel, after every loss Wade Phillips just keeps saying the same thing OVER and OVER again. Wade says, "I don't know what else I can do. If I did, I would have done it already." I know what you can do! Leave the Cowboys.

Hey Jerry, I don't know if you know this, but you own a football team. May I suggest you sell the team so you can have the stadium to yourself?

I was asked this morning, "Hey, Wise Guy, are your Cowboys ever going to win another game?" My reply? "Yes! Just as soon as your Longhorns win a home game!"

I know Halloween was yesterday, but the Vikings got tricked, not treated, earlier this month when they traded for Randy Moss. There is a rumor out there that the Bengals want to sign Randy.

After the past 2 weeks, I'm wondering where did you put the Oakland Raiders?

If football were more like the Senior PGA Tour, Brett Favre would be able to play with a cart.

Last, but least ... The reason we sent the Niners/Broncos across the pond to play a football game was the NFL needed to make sure we had a game that was just as exciting as European Soccer.

"Wise Guy"

Please don't feed the Bears ... was Yogi on the bus?

Hey, night club owner, if a motor coach pulls up in front of your club on a Monday night with 25 or so NFL players from your home town, and the first two guys off the bus are Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, please let them in. I don't know if you're aware that we are right in the middle of a recession. Who knows? If you take care of these guys you may get repeat business. There is a caveat. If that bus is carrying the Cincinnati Bengals, or you own a strip club and Pacman Jones is the first to walk off the bus, I suggest a "Closed for Remodeling" sign at the door.

Quick hits ...

I know that I don't give the Big 10 and 12 (soon to be 10) much love, but do you honestly think Michigan State and Missouri are the 5th and 6th best teams in the country? I know you're smarter than that, and will take the home dogs in both games.

Big Pac-10 game this weekend. No! Not the Cal/Oregon State game. The USC/Oregon game! Now just think if Petey were still at USC. Would this game be the battle of the undefeated and these teams currently be two, top five teams in the AP? Ducks win it late. Lane hasn't proven he can win a close one (see Stanfurd and Washington).

Speaking of Bears, Riley will return to form on the road and Cal will lose a close one. Yes! They lose on one of his picks.

The Giants are half-way there. Anyone know where I can purchase a Giants hat?

"Wise Guy"

A Giant Curse?

On the eve of what could be the greatest series ever played by the San Francisco Giants, are you wondering why it has taken 56 years? Are you wondering why such players as McCovey and Mays in 1962, Clark and Mitchel in 1989, and Bonds and Kent in 2002 were unable to do what this year's team is being asked to do? Exorcise the demon of being the bridesmaid, never the bride.

Unlike the Curse of the Bambino or that of the Billy Goat, could this curse be something as simple as a young boy who told a Giants fan, "Not in my lifetime!" Could it be that the Yankees and the A's were just too good, and there was something magical in all those "rally monkeys" in Anaheim?

Here we are in 2010, and once again the Giants are at the doorstep of immortality. Could that curse of the young boy creep up and once again bite the Giants? Could the Rangers stick another dagger in the hearts of Giants fans worldwide as the Rangers become the 20th different team to win the World Series since the Giants moved to San Francisco in 1958? Or, could this band of no name players and a kid pitcher named Timmy, finally break through and become that 20th team?

As a lifelong Giants hater and one who often said, "Not in my lifetime," I will make a declaration on this blog to honor those long gone Giants fans who never witnessed a San Francisco Giants World Championship. I will purchase and wear a Giants hat for 56 days if they do the unthinkable and I live to see another day. If the Rangers win, I will purchase a Rangers hat and smile knowing that it is now 57 and counting!

"Wise Guy"

The "Derrik Coleman" of the NFL

I have just labeled the Dallas Cowboys the "Derrik Coleman" of the NFL. You're probably asking yourself, "Wise Guy, what are you talking about?" Let me explain. After another loss on Sunday, most, if not all, of the experts on the many networks covering the NFL have said the same thing. The Cowboys are the most talented team in the NFL, and you can't write them off. Most of you NBA junkies know from the early 90's that Derrik was one of the most talented players in the NBA. More natural talent than Michael. He just didn't have the work ethic to live up to his potential. Now please tell me that is not the Dallas Cowboys. The "Wise Guy" has written the Cowboys off, and would personally drive out to Raleigh, North Carolina, and pick up Coach Cowher at season's end. Stay tuned ...

I was able to catch some of the Raiders/Niners game, and can honestly tell you I have seen more offense at a FIFA World Cup final. Now that I think about it, most of those soccer players had a higher QB rating than Jason Campbell. I heard the Raiders' fans were pretty well behaved. They realized that after many drinks, they performed like their QB. They could throw a punch, but wouldn't hit anything.

Just like the 90's, the Cowboys and Niners are battling for the top spot. Only this time, it's for last place.

"Wise Guy"

How does that saying go, "Death, taxes, and ...

Yes, Riley throwing a couple of picks. Another embarrassing loss for the Cal Bears. I know I wasn't the only one hoping the band would start the second half. They are better prepared, and probably tackle better. Until there is a change in our starting QB, I will spell Coach Tedfurd just like Cal fans spell Stanfurd.

USC, did you forget to bring that 118th ranked passing defense to Saturday's game. If you play the rest of the season like you played Saturday the conference is in big trouble, but I'm betting you remember where you put that defense and will lose big to the Oregon schools.

Ohio State fan, you really didn't think you were the best team in the country. You're not even the best team in the Big 10, and that is pretty funny!

SEC fan, you guys rock. Not! After crushing #1 ranked Alabama, South Carolina loses to that football power Kentucky!?!? Florida is playing like they're being coached by Keith Urban, not Urban Meyer. Good thing LSU scheduled a game against Mc Neese State and didn't have to win a third straight game because of a fluke. Has Georgia won this year?

Big 12 fan, Nebraska really showed its true colors by losing to Texas. Yes, that same Texas that got rolled by UCLA. Now you're trying to get me to drink the Oklahoma punch. The Sooners are the best team in college football just like my Bears are going to the Rose Bowl.

Last and least, Oregon Fan. Yes, you are the best team in the country but that is only until your parole officers leave town. And to the team that plays on the "Smurf Turf," this is a grown-up blog. You get no love!

Wise Guy

Life of Riley

Here we go again, another big game. My Bears are at a crossroads this weekend. A win over those hated Trojans of USC, and Cal is back in the hunt for the conference title. A loss and the Bears are back to another lackluster season we have all become accustomed to, and that "invite" to one of the many ... what "bowl" is that again?

What makes this game different from so many like it before is that it rests on the arm of Kevin Riley, or should I say feet? Yes, Riley has been in this position many times in his 4 years at Cal, but this is the first must-win game as the senior QB. Cal has two very good, if not great, WR's in Marvin Jones and Keenan Allen, and All Pac-10 TE Anthony Miller. Led by Shane Vereen, Cal has one of the best rushing teams in the nation. Throw in a defense ranked eighth in all of college football, and we have a team that is ready to challenge any team in the conference. Which takes us back to Riley, a QB that seems to have his worst days playing in what are supposed to be the biggest games of his career.

Riley's legacy -- or lack thereof -- will ride on tomorrow's outcome. So, for the moment, let's not look to next year where we seem to have a plethora of young QB's waiting for their opportunity, a team that should be a top 10 team, and a possible Rose Bowl birth. Let's all get behind Riley, and just maybe tomorrow will be the one time he wins one of those "biggest games" of his career, and parlays that into wins in the next two "biggest games" of his career against Oregon and Stanford. And maybe Christmas comes early this year.

Go Riley!!!

Wise Guy