I love the 80's #2 - WWF Wrestling

I was probably around 12 years old, the first time I watched half naked men running around a ring grabbing, slapping, hugging, and laying on top of each other. No, I'm not talking about porn... I'm talking about the World Wrestling Federation.

I remember it aired on KBHK channel 44 every once in awhile and it was cool. It was like a soap opera for little boys. I'm sure they're story lines were not as nearly as complex as they are today, but for me it was the coolest thing since slice bread.
In the beginning, I liked all of the fan favorites... Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, and the Jimmy "Super Fly" Snuka.

However, I immediately took a liking to Mr. Fuji (for obvious reasons), who was the salt throwing, "bad guy" manager. I remember being the only one in my neighborhood who liked him... everyone else hated him with a passion.

A few years later, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat came along. He is (and always will be) my favorite wrestler for several reasons. First off, he wasn't as popular as some of the other WWF superstars. I've always liked underdogs and he was one of them. Another reason, I liked Steamboat was because he was a nice guy. In fact, he was the exact opposite of Mr. Fuji. They were like the Ying & Yang of wrestling for me. Finally, he was 1/2 Japanese. I mean, how many Japanese wrestlers have there been in the WWF?

My two favorites wrestlers would eventually cross paths. A feud started between The Dragon and Don Muraco, who was managed by Mr. Fuji. Here's a video of a lumberjack match between the two. They were also involved in tag team match-ups. Mr. Fuji would actually show off his wrestling skills with Don Muraco and Ricky would receive help from The Junk Yard Dog. Click here if you'd like to see one of their tag team matches. These confrontations were the peak of my interest in WWF wrestling.

After The Dragon left the WWF, I took a break from watching wrestling altogether. I didn't start watching it again until I became a teacher in the late 90's. I remember most of my students were big Stone Cold Steve Austin fans, while I cheered for The People's Champ. My fascination would only last for a couple of years. It just wasn't the same as before and my interest quickly died out.

These days, I'll still watch wrestling matches from time to time, but it will never be the same for me... like it was when I watched it during the 80's.

I hate being a hypocrite...

I've always hated teams that consistently win. During the 70's, I hated the Steelers and the Yankees. During the 80's, I hated the 49ers and the Celtics. During the 90's I hated the Cowboys and the Bulls. This past decade, I hated the Patriots and the Yankees (again). Actually, I've always hated the Yankees, Celtics, Cowboys, and the 49ers for their winning traditions. Which brings me to another thing I hate...

I hate being a hypocrite! Why the eff, do I love the Lakers? They represent so many things I can't stand... the color purple... the city of Los Angeles (Northern California & Southern California just seem to clash)... and of course their winning tradition.

I've struggled with this for years and today I'll explain (not justify) the history of my hypocrisy. It started back in middle school, when I fell in love with the game of basketball. I'm not talking about watching it on television or collecting cards, I'm talking about playing it.

In the 7th grade, I was one of the shortest people in school, plus I was a little chubby to top it off. However, I could hit an outside jumper... especially from the baseline. Outside of baseball, I never received much praise for my athletic abilities, so when my buddies picked me over taller kids, it felt good and boosted my self esteem.

Remember how everyone pretended to be their favorite superstar when they played? Well, I didn't really follow basketball, so I never did. Until one day someone pointed out that I hit a shot like Byron Scott. I'm not sure if I even knew who Byron Scott was, but after watching a bunch of Lakers games while on a family trip to L.A. I was officially a Lakers fan. During that vacation, the Lakers never lost a game and I was amazed to see how they just dominated their opponents. When I left San Jose, I couldn't name 3 different players on that team. By the time I returned home less than 14 days later, I had memorized the whole team from Magic, to Rambis, to of course my childhood basketball idol... Byron Scott.

Since then, I've never looked back. Sure, I feel guilty for supporting the "evil empire", but I just can't help it. I know I'm a front runner, but I've supported them through thick and thin.

In the early 90's when they struggled after Magic's retirement, I was there. After the 2003/2004 season, they lost Shaq, the Glove, the Mailman, and Fish... but they didn't lose this fan. I'll be a Lakers fan until I can no longer bear the burden. However, I promise you this... If I were to ever stop being a Lakers fan... it would only be while they're on top.

I'm a man of character and would never kick a man when they're down.

My 2004 Star Wars Heritage Sketch Card Collection

I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before... but I'm a nerd and I'm proud of it (at least for now). If you ask any of my family members, friends, students, girlfriends, co-workers, and any other important people in my life... they'll tell you... I love playing golf... collecting sports cards... eating food... and watching anything related to Star Wars.

Star Wars has been a part of my life since I was 5 years old. As a child, I collected the trading cards and action figures and went to see Episodes IV, V, & VI in theaters. I even had the sheets on my bed until probably the 5th or 6th grade.

When A New Hope was re-released in theaters in the late 90's, I was one of the freaks who waited in line for 8 hours to watch it on opening day.

I have no idea what ever happened to my original cards, but when I started collecting cards again (probably around 2008), I bought a box of 2004 Star Wars Heritage. The cards were cool and have a design that's similar to the original product. But, what really caught my eyes was this sketch card:

I immediately went back online and bought 6 more boxes and pulled these:

I can't remember why I didn't buy more, but I'm glad I was able to pick up a handful of these sketch cards. I love the fact that each of them is a small, unique masterpiece that was once held by the artist him/herself.

If I ever have to sell my collection for any reason, I guarantee that these sketches will be one of the last things to leave my possession.

Sports Card Bust #12: Kwame Brown

This article was originally listed last night, but due to "font" issues... I deleted the original article and have relisted it.
On the eve of game 7 of the NBA Finals, I feel it's my duty to pay homage to one of the biggest Sports Card Busts of the decade. Without Kwame Brown, the Lakers may not have acquired Pau Gasol. Without Gasol, there's a chance that Kobe would have demanded out of L.A. Without Kobe, the Lakers aren't in tomorrow night's game.
In 2001, Kwame Brown was drafted by Michael Jordan and the Washington Wizards with their #1 pick in the NBA draft. He originally signed a letter of intent to play of the University of Florida, but backed out to enter the draft. Obviously, expectations were high because he was the #1 pick in the draft... plus Mr. Airness made the decision to draft him.
Unfortunately, Mr. Brown never lived up to those expectations. He's averaged 6.7 ppg, 1.0 apg, & 5.4 rpg over the past 9 seasons. I'm sure Washington was excited to dump him off to the Lakers.
As a Lakers fan and a sports fan in general, I was disappointed and frustrated with Kwame Brown. It sucks to hear that a player on your team isn't trying their hardest and unfortunately that what was frequently being reported.
However on February 1st, 2008 the basketball gods answered Lakers fans' prayers and sent them a gift. In one of the most lopsided deals in NBA history, the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol for a couple of 1st round draft picks, Marc Gasol, a couple of role players, and of course the man of the hour, Mr. Kwame Brown.
So I want to wish all of my fellow Lakers fans the best of luck. I'm sure either way it'll be one helluva game. But it makes you wonder, would the Lakers be in this position without Kwame Brown?

Sports Card Bust #11: Jason Bonsignore

The #4 pick in the 1994 NHL draft...

The next addition to my Sports Card Bust PC was once labeled the next Mario Lemieux. Jason Bonsignore attracted scouts attention after scoring 108 points in two seasons at Greece High in New York. A few years later, he began playing in the OHL. That's where scouts started drawing comparisons to Super Mario due to his size and similar playing style. The Edmonton Oilers jumped all over the hype and chose Mr. Bonsignore with the 4th overall pick in the 1994 NHL draft. He is the highest draft pick in Oilers history and unfortunately their biggest bust.

His NHL career lasted 4 seasons, in which he played a total of 79 games. He managed to score an astounding 3 goals and had a total of 16 points. The last time he played in an NHL uniform was during the 98/99 season with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Since then, he's played in a few different leagues and even in Europe. Unfortunately, he won't be remembered for any of those things. Nope, Super Mario 2 shall be remembered as being a huge bust and will now reside in my Sports Card Bust PC.