There's Always Next Year, Part 1

In his book Keeping it Real: Everything You Need to Know About Researching and Writing Creative Nonfiction, Lee Gutkind describes the genre as “the use of literary craft in presenting nonfiction – that is, factually accurate prose about real people and events – in a compelling, vivid manner.” So suffice to say, the following tale did happen, but maybe not as elaborate as I portray it here. To me, it couldn’t have happened any other way.

I originally wrote this for my creative nonfiction course in the fall of 2012, one of the eight required online classes that would eventually lead to my master’s degree. It took the whole seven weeks of the course to write and rewrite, and I enjoyed rekindling all of the unforgettable memories. I haven’t revisited it since or really have shared it with any type of audience until now. So I figured what better time than the tenth anniversary of the Boston Red Sox broking the curse and winning the 2004 World Series.

You have to understand that to me and my family, the Red Sox are more than just a sports team. They’re a way of life. As you will see in the following story, the Sox did more than just win a championship in the fall of 2004. They bonded generations of fans and families like mine that was so used to losing for decades. Many fans like my grandfather lived their whole lives and never saw what we witnessed that October. It still gives me goose bumps just thinking about it.

But this tale doesn’t begin in 2004, but in the fall of 2003. Due to its length, I will post the story is segments over the course of the next several days. I hope Red Sox fans can relive some of their own special memories of one of my favorite sports teams of all time. For everyone else, I hope you keep coming back to see what happens next. Enjoy.

"There's Always Next Year"

Thursday, October 16, 2003

I stood staring at the television above my head, clutching a beer in my right hand. The bar was packed to the gills, filled with revelers that were all there for the same purpose. There wasn’t a seat to be found, and even if I wanted to sit down, I don’t think I could have. I was too antsy to sit. Being short helped me blend in with the crowd, and tonight I didn’t mind going unnoticed.

My buddies Jeff and J.M. were out with me on this particular Thursday night. It was Game 7 of the American League Championship Series. My beloved Boston Red Sox had battled through six games with their division rival, the New York Yankees, to end up here. The winner would take the American League pennant and move on to the World Series. The loser would go home.

But this was more than just another game for most Red Sox fans. This was an undertaking that had been going on for the past eight seasons. Since 1996, the New York Yankees had won seven division titles and four World Series championships. The Red Sox had finished second in the division standings to the Yankees since 1998, even suffering a humbling defeat in the 1999 American League Championship Series, where the Yankees beat the Red Sox four games to one. To many, including myself, this wasn’t even considered a rivalry. This was a one sided degradation that we as Red Sox fans had to watch and suffer through year after year. At this point in a decisive seventh game, I had a feeling that both teams finally appeared on even ground.

One must first understand that I was no stranger to the Red Sox’s torrid history. My father, a life-long Red Sox fan who introduced me to this cruel and torturous culture, has owned season tickets since 1972. Some of my earliest memories are attending games with him in the early 1980s. I remember routing for my favorite players when I was a kid: Wade Boggs, Jim Rice, Dwight Evans and even Roger Clemens. My dad’s tickets were in the front row on the third base side, close to the visiting team’s dugout and next to the press box. Going to Fenway and sitting in those seats was second nature to me. We had a great vantage point of the field and the game, and as I grew older I became appreciative of how fortunate I was to have such great seats.

My first recollection of humiliation that my father had suffered for many years came in 1986, during the now famous Game 6 of the World Series against the New York Mets. My parents, my brother and I had gone to a friend’s house to watch the game. Being nine years old at the time, I made the mistake of lying down in front of the television and stretching out on the floor, and eventually I fell asleep. My father woke me up to watch the bottom of the tenth inning with the Red Sox leading 5-3. The Sox got two quick outs, and they were one out away from their first World Series title in sixty-eight years. My father wanted me to witness what had eluded him his whole life. Everyone in that living room, and all around New England, were ready to celebrate. Red Sox pitcher Bruce Hurst was already being named the series’ most valuable player. The television showed the scoreboard at Shea Stadium, which was congratulating the Red Sox as World Series Champions.

Every Red Sox fan who was alive to remember can tell you what happened next. The Mets hit three straight singles, followed by Bob Stanley’s wild pitch and the infamous error that rolled through Bill Buckner’s legs, leading the Mets to score three runs and win the game 6-3. The Red Sox would go on to lose game seven and the World Series. I don’t think I heard my father scream as loud as he did that night, sitting on the edge of his seat the whole time. He led the verbal attack on the television while the collapse took place, like it was the television’s fault. I think I might have had a minor heart attack at the age of nine.

 Standing in the bar almost twenty years later, I tried not to dwell on those memories. Tonight all my focus was on the game. We found our way to Coogan’s right outside Faneuil Hall near Boston’s Financial District. It was a typical Irish bar that served normal pub fare, with plenty of beer to keep the patrons happy. It was a fairly good sized bar and the lights were dim. Pictures and beer signs lined the walls, and many of the tables had been cleared out to make more room for standing patrons. Overall I was enjoying the vibe in the bar tonight. There was a steady level of noise throughout the game that would grow earsplitting when fans cheered in unison from the runs the Sox scored in the second, fourth and eighth innings to build a fairly comfortable 5-2 lead.

At this point I had developed a steady buzz on the beer, helping to alleviate the stress of watching the Sox grind through seven and a half innings. The team’s ace, Pedro Martinez, had pitched a solid game so far, allowing only two runs on six hits. But if there’s one thing that I learned from my years of being a Red Sox fan it was to never get comfortable. The Sox had the tendency to build your hopes up and then tear your heart out the next minute. In big games like this I couldn’t relax until the final out of the game was made.

With one out in the inning, the Yankees’ shortstop and team captain, Derek Jeter, came up to bat and hit a double to right field. This was followed by Bernie Williams lining a single to center field, which allowed Jeter to score. Yankees now trailed 5-3, and I might have had my second minor heart attack at the age of twenty-six.

At this point Red Sox manager Grady Little made his way to the pitcher’s mound, and I breathed a brief sigh of relief. Pedro pitched a great game, but at over one hundred pitches, it was time to hand it over to the Red Sox bullpen. Red Sox reliever Alan Embree was warming up and ready to come into the game. Instead, after a brief talk with Pedro, Grady gave him a pat on the back and headed back to the dugout.

“What’s he doing?” I said under my breath to no one in particular.

“Why is he leaving him in the game?” I raised my voice even louder to anyone that would listen. 

“WHY IS HE LEAVING HIM IN THE GAME??!!??” I said one last time, hoping somebody could explain to me what I was witnessing on the screen.

At that moment all of my impending fears came true. The Yankees hit two straight doubles and scored two more runs, tying the game at five. The entire bar could only watch in disbelief. The game was now going into extra innings, and I was almost certain how it was going to end. The Yankees’ Aaron Boone confirmed the notion I was feeling in my gut. In the bottom of the eleventh inning, he hit the first pitch he saw down the left field line for a home run. The Yankees won the game 6-5 and took the American League Pennant with them to the World Series.

We left the bar shortly thereafter and made our way through Faneuil Hall, speechless to what we just witnessed. I felt like I had been punched square in the stomach. The loss resonated in the air, along with the smell of late night street vendors selling sausages and steak tips. We questioned each other and cursed Grady Little for leaving Pedro in the game. What was going through his mind? Could he not see Pedro was tired? Throughout the whole series, Little had consistently gone to his bullpen, especially to relievers Mike Timlin and Alan Embree, in the late innings. Why didn’t he stick with the same successful formula? Why, why, why? All we could do was ask the unanswerable questions and ponder what possibly could have been. At some point I muttered the saying that had become familiar with Red Sox fans for decades.

“Well, there’s always next year….”

January, 2004

I was at work like any other day. With the holidays just passing, things were relatively quiet around Boston University. I worked in the lending department at the local credit union on campus, and the flurry of loan applications had quieted down significantly since before Christmas. Members were still looking for money, but not as much as they needed for holiday shopping.

Much time had passed since Game 7 and the wounds were beginning to heal, but it was still a lingering memory. My father would be going to Fenway to turn in his order form to renew his season tickets with Spring Training about a month away. He was the president of the credit union, and we had the convenience of occupying an office relatively close to the ball park.

My dad happened to be in Venice, Florida on October 16, 2003 for Game 7. Venice is a quiet town on the Gulf Coast just south of Sarasota, where his brother Ray had moved in 1986. During the winter months it hosted many people from Massachusetts escaping the cold New England winter. For these older travelers, Venice is a great place to kick back and relax for a few months, and my dad enjoyed making trips there to visit his younger brother.

My father was watching the game with Ray and my cousin, Josh. Ray was a Red Sox and baseball junkie, and his living room was filled with baseball memorabilia and pictures of old Red Sox players. As soon as Boone hit the home run, Ray stormed off to his bedroom, not even seeing the ball land in the left field stands.  He wasn’t seen for the rest of the evening. The phone rang a few minutes later. It was Josh’s sister calling from Massachusetts, crying into the phone. Josh tried to console her, telling her it was only a game. For my dad, this was another crushing defeat in a long line of losing and embarrassment, going back many years.  For a younger fan like Josh, he finally joined a club of cynical Red Sox fans like his father and uncle, and Boone’s homer was his admission. But even the devastating loss would not discourage my dad from renewing his tickets. The thought of giving them up never entered his mind.

My father has owned his tickets since 1972. When he first approached the Red Sox about purchasing season tickets, they allowed him to visit the ballpark and personally pick out his seats. The ticket package that he owned originally began as only Sundays, opening day and holidays, such as Marathon Monday on Boston’s Patriots day every April. He eventually expanded this package to full weekends, now incorporating Saturday games.

My dad’s memories and suffering of being a Red Sox fan went back to his childhood. My late grandfather, who never witnessed the team win the World Series in seventy eight years, influenced my dad in the game of baseball and the Boston Red Sox. My dad was nineteen and stationed in Vietnam in the fall of 1967 when his sister sent him a care package of press clippings, all on the Red Sox Impossible Dream season. He was in attendance in Game 6 of the World Series in 1975 and witnessed Carlton Fisk’s monumental home run down the left field line, only to return to Fenway the following night to see the Red Sox lose the decisive Game 7 to the Cincinnati Reds.

The losing ways continued in 1978 when I was only a year old. The Red Sox squandered a fourteen game lead in the American League East to the New York Yankees that was highlighted by the “Boston Massacre”, a four game sweep by the Yankees at Fenway that would tie both teams on top of the standings. The teams would face off in a one game playoff for the division on October 2nd, and Bucky Dent’s three-run home run that barely reached over Fenway’s Green Monster put the final nail in the coffin of the Red Sox season. Then there was 1986. Aaron Boone’s home run was just another reminder of these torrid memories.

Although my dad was always hopeful about his team, he felt there was always the same mindset amongst fans. How will the Red Sox find a way to lose this time? Will the team always be losers? Will this year finally be the year? It always seemed to be the case, no matter what the situation. After eighty-five years of losing, he couldn’t help feel this way about the Red Sox. This was an attitude that I was also lucky to inherit.

My father also didn’t believe in the so-called Curse of the Bambino, the stigma hanging over the organization since it sold its prized player, Babe Ruth, to the New York Yankees after the Red Sox won the World Series in 1918. The Babe would go on the be one of greatest players that ever lived and the Yankees became one the most successful team in all of sports, winning twenty-seven World Series titles. Since the Red Sox sold Ruth, they had not won a World Series, accentuated by a string of bad luck and by some monumental collapses and losses. The story of the Curse was even publicized in a book by local Boston sportswriter, Dan Shaughnessy. My dad felt that Shaughnessy secretly rooted for the Sox to lose, just so the theory in his book would hold up. This was also an opinion that strongly rubbed off on me.

A lot had happened over the winter for the Red Sox, leading me with a sense of optimism for the new season. The team had hired a new manager, after deciding not to renew Grady Little’s contract. The Red Sox announced in early December they were going to hire Terry Francona, just a week after they had made a trade for Arizona Diamondback’s pitcher Curt Schilling.

Schilling played a big part of the Diamondbacks team that won the World Series in 2001, sharing the Most Valuable Player honors with fellow pitcher Randy Johnson. He was considered a big game pitcher, and was exactly what the Red Sox needed. Schilling played under Francona in Philadelphia from 1997 through 2000, and many members of the Boston media speculated that Schilling would come to Boston only if the team hired Francona.

Personally, I loved the trade for Schilling. He was a perfect complement to Pedro Martinez in the rotation, and I felt the Sox placed themselves as the frontrunners to win the American League East Division. I didn’t know much about Francona though, only that he didn’t have a great track record in Philadelphia. There were other candidates for the position, such as Los Angeles third-base coach Glenn Hoffman and Anaheim bench coach Joel Madden. I only knew Hoffman from his playing days with the Sox in the early 80s. I was leaning with the media, and thought that Francona was hired to appease Schilling. I guess only time would tell how Francona would do.

On this particular day in January, my dad came down from his upstairs office and approached me at my desk.

“I’m heading up to the park,” he said.

“Are you sure?” I responded mockingly.

“Yes I’m sure. Do you want to go for a ride and grab some lunch?” I agreed.

We exited out of the back of the building to the small lot where his car was parked. It was at least a ten minute walk to Fenway, and on a January day in Boston, we were not going to fight the cold. We drove through the area of B.U. known as South Campus, mostly made up of dorms right off Beacon Street that bordered the town of Brookline. Since it was winter break and there were no students around, the campus was quiet.

While in the car my dad enjoyed listening to the local sports talk radio, which at one point I listened to religiously. Over time I would grow angry and frustrated with many of the fans that would call in to express their opinions, and eventually I just gave up and couldn’t listen anymore. The hot topic right now was the New England Patriots, who were about to begin the playoffs and make a run at another Super Bowl. I was just glad the conversation had moved away from the Red Sox and their decision to hire Terry Francona. The media was already burying the guy for his lack of success in Philadelphia, and he hadn’t even managed a game in Boston yet. Neither one of us couldn’t stand the pessimism that made up the Boston sports media, but for some reason my dad still subjected himself to the geniuses on the radio. 

We soon reached Fenway and made our way to the ticket office. As we drew closer to the park, I felt a little of the anticipation of the coming season, even in the frigid temperatures of a Massachusetts winter. For me it was more than just being a Red Sox fan, but the return of the game of baseball. It was something I looked forward to every spring, and this year would be no different. 

2014 NFL Preview

As the summer winds down and we head into another NFL season (thank God), it’s a good time to look back at some of the offseason stories that dominated the headlines and how they will influence the upcoming season. Apparently Jonny Manziel and Michael Sam were the only players selected in May’s NFL Draft. Star Cleveland Brown wide receiver Josh Gordon was suspended for the year for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, and ruined countless fantasy keeper leagues. Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Justin Blackmon, who has been suspended indefinitely for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, was arrested for marijuana possession, making this his overall third arrest. Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice knocked out his fiancé then was caught on camera dragging her out of an elevator. San Francisco 49ers Aldon Smith has been suspended again for substance abuse and violating the league’s conduct policy. Even Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay decided to get in on the action, being arrested for impaired driving while being found with a pharmacy of prescription drugs and $29,000 in cash. There have been other arrests for DUIs, assault and battery extending from nightclub fights, and even a hit and run. The list seems to go on and on.

So what about some of the top stories that will take place on the field and not from a courtroom or jail cell? Are the Seattle Seahawks good enough to defend their title (Since the Patriots repeated in 2005, no other reigning champion has made a return trip to the Super Bowl the following season)? Will we see the Manning face early in the playoffs or can Peyton lead Denver to a Super Bowl victory? Will the Dallas Cowboys continue to drown in mediocrity? Can RGIII stay on the field and make the leap to a top tier quarterback? Besides Johnny Football, will fellow rookie quarterbacks Blake Bortles and Teddy Bridgewater succeed in the NFL? Who will be this year’s Kansas City Chiefs? As we learn week to week in the NFL, nothing is certain and anything can happen. It all makes Sundays matter again.

AFC

Playoff Teams: (1) New England Patriots, (2) Denver Broncos, (3) Indianapolis Colts, (4) Cincinnati Bengals, (5) San Diego Chargers, (6) Pittsburgh Steelers

AFC Championship: New England over Denver

NFC

Playoff Teams: (1) Seattle Seahawks, (2) New Orleans Saints, (3) Green Bay Packers, (4) Philadelphia Eagles, (5) San Francisco 49ers, (6) Chicago Bears

NFC Championship: Seattle over Green Bay

Super Bowl: Seattle over New England

AFC East

New England Patriots (13-3)

Miami Dolphins (7-9)

New York Jets (6-10)

Buffalo Bills (6-10)

Rob Gronkowski

The Miami Dolphins have moved past last year’s Richie Incognito/Jonathan Martin controversy, removing several members of their coaching staff. They have a new offensive coordinator, and heard coach Joe Philbin and quarterback Ryan Tannehill are going to be pressured to make a run towards the playoffs, each in their third year. The Jets brought in some additional offensive weapons with quarterback Michael Vick, running back Chris Jonson and receiver Eric Decker, but it’s still not enough to add significantly to their win total of eight from last year. If the Jets want to compete for the postseason, quarterback Geno Smith needs to progress as a starter in his second year and cut down on his turnovers. The Bills have a talented defensive led by their front four that will keep them in games, but quarterback E.J. Manuel will need to stay on the field and prove he’s a legitimate NFL starter for the Bills to improve. That leaves the New England Patriots to win their sixth straight division title. Their defense has improved with the addition of cornerback Darrelle Revis, and tight end Rob Gronkowski is scheduled to be ready for Week 1. With the additions and defense and a healthy Gronkowski, the Patriots are a better team that went to the AFC Championship last year. The Pats will post the best record in the conference and will host the AFC Chamionship, which will make the difference against Denver. With quarterback Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick still in charge, look for the Pats to make another trip to the Super Bowl.

AFC North

Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)

Baltimore Ravens (8-8)

Cleveland Browns (5-11)

Andy Dalton

The top three teams in this division can all compete for a playoff spot. The Steelers are looking to bounce back from another 8-8 season, and will need more of a boost from second year back Le’Veon Bell and the running game to increase their win total from last year. Baltimore has brought in new offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak, who will also need to improve the running game for the Ravens to make the playoffs. Although their defense could be interesting, the loss of Browns receiver Josh Gordon for the year could hurt the offense, especially if the indecision at quarterback becomes a distraction. The Bengals are still the most talented team here, but newly paid quarterback Andy Dalton needs to step up and win in the postseason when it counts.

AFC South

Indianapolis Colts (11-5)

Houston Texans (7-9)

Tennessee Titans (6-10)

Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)

Andrew Luck

The Jaguars made the right choice by taking quarterback Blake Bortles in this year’s draft. He was impressive during the pre-season, but he still might be a year away. The Titans will once again have to rely on quarterback Jake Locker, who in his third year might be his last chance to turn Tennessee towards a winning season. Even with adding first overall pick Jadeveon Clowney alongside defensive end J.J. Watt, the Texans have a gaping hole at quarterback. With a healthy Reggie Wayne, the Colts have a talented group of receivers for emerging quarterback Andrew Luck, and will win a second straight division title in an overall weak division.

AFC West

Denver Broncos (12-4)

San Diego Chargers (10-6)

Kansas City Chiefs (8-8)

Oakland Raiders (4-12)

Philip Rivers

The Chiefs came out of nowhere last year to win eleven games and make the playoffs. Their defense is still pretty solid, but a more difficult schedule this year will lead to fewer wins. The Chargers also made a late season surge to sneak into the playoffs last year. Their offense, led by quarterback Philip Rivers, has the capability to put points on the board and make another trip towards the playoffs. The Raiders brought in some new pieces to revamp their defense, including fifth overall pick Khalil Mack, but they have an unsettled quarterback situation, and wins are going to be hard to come by. The division still belongs to the Denver Broncos. With great regular season quarterback Peyton Manning still at the helm, most of the pieces of their record setting offense are back, and they added some quality veterans on defense. They lost receiver Wes Welker for the first four games due to a suspension and post a difficult schedule, but Denver has enough talent to be an elite team and make a deep postseason run.

NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)

Dallas Cowboys (8-8)

New York Giants (7-9)

Washington Redskins (6-10)

LeSean McCoy

Nobody is more on the hot seat than Cowboys coach Jason Garrett, and owner Jerry Jones has little patience for mediocrity. Their offense is one of the best in the league and should be able to keep them in games, but their defense is on the far opposite end of the spectrum. The Giants success will hinder on which Eli Manning decides to show up this season. If it’s the Eli that tossed twenty-seven interceptions last year, then the Giants are in trouble. The same can be said for Redskins quarterback RGIII. Besides staying healthy, Griffin needs to learn to pass first and run second and utilize the offensive tools around him. His advancement as a quarterback will determine the success for the Redskins. Coach Chip Kelly’s offense translated well from the college game to Philly last year, and there’s no reason to believe that it will take a step back. As long as quarterback Nick Foles and leading rusher LeSean McCoy are orchestrating the offense, then the Eagles should win their second straight division title.

NFC North

Green Bay Packers (11-5)

Chicago Bears (10-6)

Detroit Lions (7-9)

Minnesota Vikings (4-12)

Aaron Rodgers

The Vikings will need to be more consistent at quarterback if they want to add to their five wins from last year. Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is a step in the right direction, but he’s going to watch starter Matt Cassel to begin the season. Although Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford’s completion percentage and total passing yards have decreased over the past three seasons, he is part of the most dynamic quarterback/wide receiver combination in the league with Calvin Johnson. If Stafford’s turnovers increase for the fourth straight year, then the Lions playoff hopes look bleak. The Bears lost four of their last six games last season to miss out on the playoffs, but their offense was one of the league’s best, and most of its components including running back Matt Forte and receiver Brendan Marshall are back. The signing of defensive end Jared Allen should help bolster the Bears defense. As for the Green Bay, as long as Aaron Rodgers is still under center, the Packers are the team to beat in the division. This was evident last season when the Packers lost Rodgers for seven weeks after he broke his collar bone, going 2-4-1 during that span. Bringing in defensive end Julius Peppers to play alongside linebacker Clay Matthews is going to cause headaches for opposing quarterbacks. With a healthy Rodgers, the Packers can make a deep run in the playoffs.

NFC South

New Orleans Saints (12-4)

Carolina Panthers (9-7)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)

Atlanta Falcons (6-10)

Drew Brees

The Panthers lost most of their receiving core, which is going to pose problems for quarterback Cam Newton. Their defense is still one of the tops in the league, and will be able to keep them in close games. Atlanta is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 4-12 season after going 13-3 in 2012. They have star receiver Julio Jones back from a foot injury, which will help quarterback Matt Ryan and the offense regain some of their former success. Tampa has the capability to improve with the return of Doug Martin anchoring the running game, and new coach Lovey Smith will get the most out of an already talented defense. The Saints have improved their defense and still have a top notch offense led by quarterback Drew Brees. They have the talent to win the division and be one of the top playoff seeds in the NFC.

NFC West

Seattle Seahawks (13-3)

San Francisco 49ers (11-5)

Arizona Cardinals (8-8)

St. Louis Rams (6-10)

Russell Wilson

Too bad St. Louis. The Rams are talented and had the capabilities to be a surprise playoff contender until they lost quarterback Sam Bradford for the season to another ACL injury. They are well coached and should be competitive, but losing Bradford and a tough schedule will be their downfall. The Cardinals lost some pieces of their defense, which could cost them in the win column as well as their playoff hopes. The 49ers have their problems off the field, but they’re an experienced and talented team that knows how to win. The Seahawks are still the elite of the NFC. The majority of their top ranked defense is still intact, they have a healthy offensive play maker in receiver Percy Harvin for the full season, and they boast the best home field advantage in all of the NFL.  Going into his third year, quarterback Russell Wilson is just entering his prime, and already holds the record for most regular season wins by a quarterback through his first two seasons with 24. Seattle has all of the tools to repeat as Super Bowl Champions. 

          

Betting on the 2014 Emmys

Has there honestly ever been a better time for television, especially when it comes to drama? Just look at the shows nominated for outstanding drama in this year’s Emmy race. When all is said and done, Breaking Bad and Mad Men could arguably be considered two of the top dramas to ever grace the small screen. Game of Thrones isn’t far behind, and time is only going to tell with True Detective. In addition to this current era of top notch programming, we never again have to miss an episode with the help of DVR, video on demand and streaming services. Even Netflix has entered the Emmy race, first with House of Cards and now with Orange Is the New Black. Who would have thought?

How did television come to the point where it’s surpassed movies as our main source of entertainment? The 80s gave us Hill Street Blues, which forever changed the landscape of not only police shows but television itself with its character depth and innovative camera work. During the 90s, there were the network standards Law & Order and ER along with the supernatural and bizarre such as The X-Files and the short lived Twin Peaks. These were all quality shows, but it was HBO that pushed the envelope and paved the way for the modern drama.

In July 1997, HBO aired its first hour-long dramatic television series about Oswald State Correctional Facility and the inmates of the unit known as Emerald City. Oz to say the least was the first show of its kind. Holding nothing back while bringing us into the violent and insane world of prison life, to describe it as deep and disturbing is an understatement. Although it wasn’t as popular as its eventual HBO contemporaries, it reached depths that could never be touched on by any mainstream network series.

Two years later, HBO continued in the drama category and premiered The Sopranos. After that came The Wire. If The Sopranos is the greatest drama series of all time, then The Wire is number two, (or vice versa depending on whom you ask). But while not only being immensely popular, The Sopranos provided us with a likeable protagonist that just happened to be a narcissistic and sociopathic New Jersey mob boss, being the first television antihero of his kind. Without Tony Soprano, we might have never been introduced to Vic Mackey, Jax Teller, Dexter Morgan, Nucky Thompson, Don Draper, Walter White, Ray Donovan or Frank Underwood.

During this upcoming television season beginning in September, we will say goodbye to Boardwalk Empire, Sons of Anarchy, The Newsroom, Justified, and eventually Mad Men next spring. With the way things are going, there’s sure to be new and addicting dramas that will take their place and make their way into the Emmy spotlight. It’s only a matter of time. For now, we have all of Monday night’s nominees. To add more intrigue to the evening, let’s look at the odds and make some picks in some of the major categories. Let the drama unfold.

(Odds figured by Bovada)

Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Allison Janney, Mom: 1/8

Kate Mulgrew, Orange Is the New Black: 7/2

Julie Bowen, Modern Family: 30/1

Anna Chlumsky, Veep: 50/1

Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live: 50/1

Mayim Bialik, The Big Bang Theory: 50/1

Janney is definitely one of the highlights of Mom, the sitcom about a mother and daughter that argue and bond with each other between their trips to AA. Last weekend at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, Janney won for her guest role in Masters of Sex, adding to her four previous wins for her work in The West Wing. The odds are in her favor, but I try to look for a relatively decent payout if I’m making any type of bet. That’s why I’m going with Mulgrew for her portrayal of Galina “Red” Reznikov, the Russian prison cook at Litchfield Penitentiary. Red is the mother figure to many the other inmates, displaying a strong exterior that deeply cares for her girls. The show has an exceptional ensemble case, and Mulgrew is one of its standouts. At the same awards that Janney won for Masters of Sex, Uzo Aduba won for outstanding guest actress in a comedy series as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren in Orange Is the New Black (although she’s more of a cast regular than a guest actress). Mulgrew will keep the winning streak alive for the Netflix series.

Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine: 2/3

Tony Hale, Veep: 12/5

Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family: 5/1

Ty Burrell, Modern Family: 12/1

Fred Amisen, Portlandia: 20/1

Adam Driver, Girls: 50/1

Who doesn’t enjoy a dose of life advice from Phil Dunphy? I would give Burrell the edge over his co-star Ferguson and the rest of the nominees. All of them except for Braugher. Not normally known for comedic roles, Braugher is hysterical as gay police captain Ray Holt of the 99th Precinct in Brooklyn, New York. His deadpan facial expressions define his character, never revealing if the strict captain is happy, sad or genuinely displeased with his ragtag group of detectives. It’s not a substantial payout, but at least your money is safe. This should be the first recognition of many for Braugher as he continues in this role.

Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad: 1/4

Christine Baranski, The Good Wife: 5/1

Joanne Froggatt, Downtown Abbey: 10/1

Christina Hendricks, Mad Men: 20/1

Lena Headey, Game of Thrones: 20/1

Maggie Smith, Downtown Abbey: 20/1

The Television Academy gave the nomination this year to Lena Headey for Game of Thrones instead of last year’s nominee Emilia Clarke, and deservedly so. Although Headey’s character Cersei Lannister may be the most dislikable queen on television, she had to endure the death of her son and her troubled incestuous relationship with her twin brother. Headey did a masterful job of channeling Cersei’s anger and torment all season long, whether it was directed at one of her brothers or her father. As good as Headey was, the award will go to the heavy favorite Anna Gunn as the equally anguished Skyler White. This will be the last round of awards for Breaking Bad, and the show went out on top, highlighted by the ‘Ozymandias’ episode. This was all of the actors at their best, including Skylar’s emotional confrontations with her sister, son and epic final face-off with her husband. Gunn will take home her second straight Emmy in this category.

Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad: 2/5

Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones: 5/2

Josh Charles, The Good Wife: 9/1

Jon Voight, Ray Donovan: 15/1

Mandy Patinkin, Homeland: 40/1

Jim Carter, Downtown Abbey: 50/1

Last year I picked Paul to win, only to be upstaged by Bobby Cannavale for his role as Gyp Rosetti in Boardwalk Empire (really???). Although Paul is the favorite to win again, he’s going to miss out for the second straight year. You have to love Jon Voight as the self-centered and neglectful father Mickey Donovan, who also beat out Paul at the Golden Globes in January. The odds for Voight are very tempting, but I’m going to take a chance on Dinklage. Spending most of his time in a dungeon cell, this season might be Dinklage’s finest yet as Tyrion Lannister. His final “confession” at his trial in ‘The Laws of Gods and Men’ episode belongs in the same time capsule as his speech from ‘Blackwater’ in Season Two. There are a lot of contenders here, but the award belongs to Dinklage.      

  

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep: 1/10

Taylor Schilling, Orange Is the New Black: 6/1

Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation: 10/1

Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie, 40/1

Lena Dunham, Girls, 50/1

Melissa McCarthy, Mike & Molly: 50/1

I’m going to miss Parks and Recreation this fall. The final season of NBC’s last great comedy series (sorry Community, you got a raw deal) is scheduled to return mid-season, so this isn’t Amy Poehler’s swan song. You also can’t ignore Schilling here, whose portrayal of Piper Chapman as she succumbs to the depths and culture of prison life is so authentic. The payout odds make Schilling a nice choice. It’s too bad that Louis-Dreyfus is still at the top of her game as the often misconstrued Vice President Selina Meyer, providing some of the best one-liners and insults you’ll find on television. Louis-Dreyfus has won this award two years in a row, and she’s not ready to give it up just yet.

Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory: 5/9

Ricky Gervais, Derek: 3/1

Louis C.K., Louie: 7/1

William H. Macy, Shameless: 7/1

Don Cheadle, House of Lies: 30/1

Matt LeBlanc, Episodes: 30/1

I said this last year and I’ll say it again: everyone loves Sheldon Cooper. Parsons has won this award three years straight, and similar to Louis-Dreyfus he’s not ready to hand it over. I like the odds on Louis C.K. and Macy, but I don’t see any of the other nominees pulling off the upset. Your bet is safe with Parsons.

Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Robin Wright, House of Cards: 4/5

Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife: 3/2

Claire Danes, Homeland: 11/1

Kerry Washington, Scandal: 13/1

Lizzy Caplan, Masters of Sex: 15/1

Michelle Dockery, Downtown Abbey: 33/1

I always felt as long as Claire Danes continued to play troubled CIA agent Carrie Mathison that she would be a lock for this award. The suspense of Homeland has slipped since its first season (it’s not even nominated for Outstanding Drama Series), and as a result so has Danes. All signs point towards Wright as the manipulating and power hungry politician’s wife Claire Underwood to walk away with the award, but I’m picking the long shot Caplan. As Virginia Johnson, she plays a challenging character researching a topic that was controversial and unheard of for its time. Caplan brings strength to the character that was synonymous with Johnson. Look for the first time nominee to win the Emmy.

Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Matthew McConaughey, True Detective: 1/3

Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad: 3/1

Kevin Spacey, House of Cards: 9/1

Jeff Daniels, The Newsroom: 30/1

Woody Harrelson, True Detective: 30/1

Jon Hamm, Mad Men: 50/1

Talk about heavyweights. This is one of the best groupings of leading characters you will ever see, and I wouldn’t be surprised if any of these actors walk away with the award. I could make the same argument for Cranston as I did for Gunn, awarding him one last time for his role as drug kingpin Walter White. Unfortunately for Cranston he’s up against McConaughey, who was a marvel as the troubled detective Rust Cohle. Filled with his unsettling views on life and death, Cohle was a character for the ages, and barring a miracle we will never see him portrayed again. McConaughey is going to keep his hot streak rolling by adding an Emmy to his fresh Oscar win.   

Outstanding Comedy Series

Orange Is the New Black: 3/2

Modern Family: 2/1

Veep: 4/1

Louie: 10/1

The Big Bang Theory: 10/1

Silicon Valley: 30/1

The safe bet for the past four years has been Modern Family, going for its fifth straight win in this category. Unlike Louis-Dreyfus and Parsons, there’s going to be a new winner this year. I thoroughly enjoy Silicon Valley, which is well written, clever and hilarious. The underrated newcomer doesn’t have the popularity to overtake Modern Family, but Orange Is the New Black does. Modern Family, although still enjoyable, leads us through the same routine every week. It’s not as fresh as it used to be. Orange on the other hand shuffles multiple plot lines and delves into the lives of its many characters, keeping viewers engrossed in every one of them. There are not many shows on television that do that. Although it’s not your typical laugh out loud comedy, Orange Is the New Black will dethrone the reigning champ, and has the capability to hold the title for years to come.                 

Outstanding Drama Series

Breaking Bad: 1/5

True Detective: 7/1

Game of Thrones: 8/1

House of Cards: 9/1

Downtown Abbey: 50/1

Mad Men: 50/1

It would almost be a sacrilege to not acknowledge Breaking Bad for its last season and for that reason alone, it might take the award. But for my final bet of the evening, I’m laying my chips down on True Detective. Over the course of its inaugural season, it only became better week after week, drawing us in with its excellent writing and character development (including the Louisiana countryside). The six minute uncut single shot at the end of the “Who Goes There” episode is so incredible that I had to re-watch it again to confirm that I just witnessed it. True Detective has the potential to be an Emmy contender as it moves forward, but it’s going to be difficult to repeat its excellent first season. It was the best drama and one of the most talked about shows this past year, and it will earn the top prize of the evening.        

MLB Mid-Season Awards

Last year the Boston Red Sox were a team of destiny. They had it all: top-notch pitching, timely hitting, great chemistry and a little luck. They came out of nowhere to surprise everybody and win the World Series.

This year, not so much.

Through 95 games, the lowly Sox are 43-52. As a team, they are batting a putrid .246 and averaging just under four runs per game. Only Houston, the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota have more strike outs in the American League. I wasn’t expecting them to necessarily catch lightning in a bottle again, but to be this bad? If it’s any consolation, the 2012 World Series champions San Francisco Giants were 43-51 at the All-Star break in 2013 and missed the playoffs. In fact in the past ten years, only five times have the defending World Series champions made the playoffs the following year (2012 Cardinals, 2010 Yankees, 2009 Phillies, 2008 Red Sox, 2005 Red Sox).

This season going into the All-Star break, there are 17 teams within 3.5 games of a playoff spot, including the division leaders (Baltimore, Detroit, Oakland, LA Angels, Seattle, Kansas City, Toronto, Cleveland, NY Yankees, Washington, Atlanta, Milwaukee, LA Dodgers, San Francisco, St. Louis, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. Whew!). Parity has become contagious in baseball, and any of these teams have the probability to play deep into October. At the moment the Oakland A’s are the relevant frontrunners, and showed they are serious with the trade for pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel. But there’s still a lot of baseball left to be played, and it all has the makings for a couple of great months ahead. Before the games pick up again this weekend, let’s see who was deserving during baseball’s first half.

A.L. Rookie of the Year - Jose Abreu, 1B, Chicago White Sox

I would have gone with the Yankees Masahiro Tanaka if not for the recent troubling news of the UCL tear in his pitching elbow. Tanaka is tied for the lead in the AL in wins and has the Yankees thinking playoffs. Plus when you’re in the early discussion for the Cy Young, the ROY should come easily. But since Tanaka is going to be on the shelf for at least six weeks, the clear winner is Abreu. He leads the AL in home runs at the break with 29 and made the All-Star team, all while missing 14 games due to an ankle injury. After Tanaka, Abreu is a no-brainer.

N.L. Rookie of the Year – Billy Hamilton, OF, Cincinnati Reds

This is another no-brainer. Hamilton leads all N.L. rookies in hits (95), runs (47), and is batting .285 through 90 games. He is also third in all of baseball with 38 steals. He is the table setter for a Reds team that is 1.5 games out of first in the NL Central division. Hamilton was the top NL rookie on many pre-season lists, and is living up to expectations.

AL Cy Young – Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners

King Felix is leading a pitching staff that is second in the AL in ERA (3.16) and first in opponent’s batting average (.226). He is second only to Tampa Bay’s David Price in innings pitched (144.1) and strikeouts (154), but leads the AL in WHIP (0.90) and ERA (2.12). He had a masterful game on June 8^th, striking out 15 batters while giving up no runs over seven innings. The Mariners as a team are batting just .245, but thanks to Hernandez Seattle has a 51-44 record and currently holds the second Wild Card spot. He earned to be the starter for the AL in the All-Star game.

NL Cy Young – Clayton Kershaw, L.A. Dodgers

Kershaw began the season on the DL and didn’t make his regular season debut until May 6^th, but since then he’s been nothing short of brilliant. He hasn’t lost since May 28^th and has won his last eight decisions. His most impressive stat is the 41 scoreless inning streak that lasted over six games from June 13^th through July 10^th. And I almost forgot to mention the no hitter he tossed on June 18^th. He currently doesn’t have enough innings pitched to rank among the league leaders, but if he did he would be first in ERA (1.78) and WHIP (0.83). His dominance has the Dodgers at the top of the NL West.

AL MVP – Mike Trout, OF, L.A. Angels

The shelving of Toronto’s Edwin Encarnacion to a quadriceps injury could drop him off the list. An argument could also be made for Baltimore’s Nelson Cruz, who has fit nicely in the middle of the Oriole lineup. Although both sluggers find themselves on top of the home run and RBI list, they’re falling short to Trout in batting average. Along with being fourth in the AL in homers (22) and tied for third in RBIs (73), Trout is batting .310. He’s also second in the AL in runs (65), OBP (.400) and slugging (.606) while playing a tough position in center field. He’s the best player on an Angels team that has the second best record in baseball (57-37) and is in the hunt for the AL West division title.

NL MVP – Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates

This might be the toughest race to call at the moment. You can definitely make arguments for Colorado’s Troy Tulowitzki and Miami’s Giancarlo Stanton. But I find it hard to cast votes to players whose teams’ playoff hopes look bleak. McCutchen is second in the NL on OBP (.420) due to leading the league in hits (115) and walks (58). He’s also tied for second in the NL in RBIs (61) and has 15 stolen bases without being caught. And similar to Trout, he plays a good center field. Once again McCutchen has the Pirates in the playoff mix in a competitive NL Central division.

AL Manager of the Year – Lloyd McClendon, Seattle Mariners

Let’s be honest. Before the season began, did anyone pick the Seattle Mariners to be in the hunt for a playoff spot? Not this writer. By the numbers Seattle’s offense doesn’t look that good, but pitching and defense is winning them ballgames. The Mariners have a tough road ahead playing in a division with Oakland and the Angels, so if they can somehow hold onto the second Wild Card spot and make the playoffs, McClendon deserves the award.

NL Manager of the Year – Ron Roenicke, Milwaukee Brewers

Just like Seattle, nobody picked that the Brewers to be in first place and hold the second best record in the NL at any point during the season, especially in a division with the St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds. Milwaukee has been on a slide of late, losing eight of their last ten going into the break. But to be where they are right now in a tough division, it’s hard to make an argument against Roenicke.

LeBron and the State of the NBA

Congratulations to LeBron James and the Miami Heat on winning their third straight NBA Championship. King James, willing his team to victory, has cemented his legacy as a three time champion with other legends such as Jordan, Bird and Magic. It really was a series for the ages.

Wait, what?

So you’re telling me that the greatest team assembled since the 96 Bulls, the 86 Celtics and the 72 Lakers that were supposed to win not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5, not 6, not 7 titles were manhandled in five games by the San Antonio Spurs? How could they have lost? They weren’t a match for the aging Spurs? Maybe the pain in LeBron’s legs weren’t from cramps but from carrying Dwyane Wade’s useless carcass on his back.

First how about giving the Spurs a little bit credit? They played ultimate team basketball and put on an interior passing clinic during the Finals. They have the best coach in the game, whose in-game interviews are Belichickian in style and providing relevant information. They have been seething since last year’s loss in the Finals and had a personal vendetta to take down the Heat. The Spurs are a throwback team to the golden age of the NBA from the 80’s and 90’s that is desperately missing in the league today.

But I can understand why all to talk has been focused on LeBron and the Heat. LeBron is the best player on the planet. His legacy is going to be negatively affected by this loss. Out of all of their finals’ appearances, this was the easiest path they probably ever had through a torrid Eastern Conference. They swept the inexperienced Charlotte Bobcats, dismantled the failed experiment Brooklyn Nets to finally beat the Indiana Pacers, who lost their team identity sometime back in March. Why wouldn’t they three-peat?

Maybe part of it was because of comments like this from the team’s leader and the league’s best player while down 3-1 and facing elimination.

"It's basketball," said LeBron. "I understand it's the media and the sport is the greatest sport in the world. I love it. It's done so many great things for me, but it's just basketball. It's just basketball."

In the scheme of life, LeBron’s comments of “it’s just basketball” couldn’t be truer. It’s an entertaining sport to watch and enjoyable to play, but in the end it’s a simple game. There are more pressing issues in life and around the world. But when you’re team’s back is against the wall in a do or die game? Larry Bird once called his teammates a bunch of woman. Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas were longtime friends during their playing days, but they never contrived to play on the same team together. It would have been unheard of. Michael Jordan is so competitive that he called out Byron Russell in his hall of fame speech.

Don’t get me wrong. As I said LeBron is the greatest player on the planet, but does he possess the tenacity and absolute desire to do anything to beat his opponent that made Bird, Jordan and even Kobe Bryant elite? Does Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, or any of the top players on the NBA have this attitude? I would have to say no. So for the time being we can hold off on placing LeBron on any NBA Mount Rushmore. 

LeBron has until June 30^th to decide if he’s going to opt out of his contract or stay with the Heat for the 2014-2015 season. Will he, Wade and Chris Bosh reunite to make another run at a title or will LeBron shake up the NBA again? Will he take his talents to another team with a better supporting staff or continue what he started and pledged in Miami four years ago? The people of Cleveland will tell you there’s no such thing as loyalty when it comes to LeBron James. Whatever he does decide to do, we have to remember that it’s just basketball.