Open Letter: A Plea To TNT

Dear TNT,

My name is Keith Deaner. I'm a basketball fan who enjoys the NBA on TNT. I love everyone who is a part of the TNT broadcasts, except Reggie. I love Marv, Harlan, Kerr, The Czar, Chris Webber, Sager's suits, EJ, Jet, and Barkley.

I put up with Reggie because he's not the only person who stumbles over their own words while speaking or says stupid things. I'm can barely speak sometimes because I stumble over my words. It happens and I understand so I put up with Reggie even though he never sells Marv's jokes.

I even occasionally put up with Dick Stockton. He's not the only old fossil trying to stay relevant.

I'm through with Shaq though TNT, he needs to be pulled off the air immediately. Shaq has ruined one of the best studio shows on TV if not the very best. Charles, Kenny, and EJ have great chemistry together and when a Kevin McHale and Chris Webber were brought into the studio that chemistry wasn't ruined. It has been ruined with Shaq.

Shaq is a horrendous broadcaster. I'm not saying that either because I hate Shaq. When you guys announced Shaq would join your team I went with you guys with a clear head. I forgotten the times Shaq called the Kings "Queens" and other times he made fun of Sacramento. I put all that to the side and went into this experiment with a clear mind.

Oh sure I had my doubts. I wondered if an athlete as petty as Shaq could give actual analysis about players he dislikes. I also wondered if he would call Stan Van Gundy, "The Master of Panic" on air or call Chris Bosh "The RuPaul of Big Men" on air. Would he say anything nice about Kobe?

Here's a list of things TNT why Shaq isn't working on your set:

Jim Rome Show Year in Review Open Thread

Okay so this is a selfish post. I know only myself and RJBO enjoy listening to the Jim Rome Show. Today though is one of my favorite Jim Rome Shows of the year, his year in review. It's funny to go back and listened to what has happened this year. If you do enjoy the Jim Rome Show, stop by and chat with us. If you don't like his show, keep moving then.

Open Letter to Bruce Bochy

Before reading this post, watch the video right above. Now that you're done watching that video, I need to apologize to Bruce Bochy. And I need to apologize for a lot of things.

Dear Bruce Bochy,

You don't know me. My name is Keith and I've been a Giants fan since I can remember. My dad took me to my first Giants game when I was a kid when the team featured Bonds, Matt Williams, and Rod Beck. I remember sitting in the family pavilion in right field of Candlestick Park. I remember getting lost in a bathroom at Candlestick. I remember a home run ball sailing through my dad's hands in right field and landing a couple of rows back. The Giants have brought me great joy and pain.

So now that you know my history with the Giants, let me first say I'm sorry Bruce. I'm sorry for calling your firing multiple times. I'm sorry for comparing you to the Swedish chef from the Muppet's. I'm sorry for questioning your lineups, how you handled the bullpen, and for pinch hitting certain players. I'm sorry for doubting you at all.

From here on out, I'm going to try my hardest to never criticize or make fun of you again. I will never criticize you again because you have taken the Giants to the playoffs.

Bruce, you don't realize how far this team had fallen. After the disheartening loss to the Florida Marlins in the 03 NLDS, the Giants have been a joke. They were plagued by the Steroid scandal, thrown under the bus by the Mitchell report, slogged through the remaining Bonds days for he could break the home run record as a Giant (Which was very awkward looking back), and finally decided to rebuild. Okay so you were hear for the remaining Bonds days and the rebuilding. You know how bad things were in 2007, when the Giants only hope was Matt Cain and rookie Tim Lincecum. Now the Giants are looking back at the bad times and are laughing because they are in the playoffs for the first time in seven years.

They're back in the playoffs because of your leadership Bruce. You never let this team quit on the season, when they could have long ago. You were brilliant this year managing this team. The Giants were inconsistent all year long. When they're hitting was hot, the pitching was cold. When the pitching was hot, the hitting was cold. You handled ever situation with grace and your hard work was paid off with a division crown. But you're managing went deeper than that.

This team has some odd characters and that's being nice. It didn't matter because you let them be themselves. You're not Joe Torre or Joe Giradi demanding a facial hair and length of hair policy. You let these guys have their comfort zone and let them be characters. This is the funnest Giants team I've ever watched because of their characters. That's all on you, Bruce. You let Giants fans enjoy more than baseball players, you let us enjoy the complex natures of Brian Wilson, Aubrey Huff, Pat Burrell, Sergio Romo, and Pablo Sandoval. For that I thank you.

I also enjoyed how you managed the alleged clubhouse "cancer's." Aubrey Huff, Pat Burrell, and Jose Guillen had burned bridges with other clubs. They were "cancer's" that no one else wanted and somehow they worked with the Giants (Not Jose Guillen. He may not be a "cancer" but he sucks something awful on the field.) all because of you Bruce. You let these guys be themselves and they gave you no trouble.

You have not just managed baseball games, but you managed out-sized personalities beautifully. When Aaron Rowand and Edgar Renteria were benched we never heard them complain once, this might speak to the high character of Rowand and Renteria more than you, but still you managed their veteran ego's. Rowand and Renteria might have pouted and demanded trades as soon as they were benched if they played for any other manager besides you.

You also did one hell of a job managing the bullpen. This bullpen is so good, that there isn't enough innings for these guys to pitch. You still managed a way to find ways to make every single reliever affective. Also guys like Guillermo Mota and Santiago Castilla have been launching pads in the past, but somehow they were effective all year long.

This team is in the playoffs because of you Bruce and for that I thank you. I thank you for taking this team to the playoffs for letting the players expose their personalities to the fans. This Giants fan is very pleased with you today, Bruce. Job well done.

Sincerely,
Keith Deaner

Ron-Ron Writes Tiger a Letter

I was just writing about Ron Artest a couple of weeks ago. I talked about him drinking Hennessy during halftime of his basketball games. The main part of the story though, I talked about Ron-Ron's honesty. He always speaks his mind and never holds anything back.

Well Ron-Ron's honesty prompted him to write a open letter to Tiger Woods. What follows is pure awesomeness.

Dear Tiger,
In reading the statements you have made, I can tell you are a stand up guy. Please remember only Jesus is perfect. You made a mistake and you admitted your infidelity.
I have made the same mistakes. Before I got married to my wife, I had a baby with another young lady, after I already had two by my girlfriend who is now my wife. We also had another baby which makes three for us and four for me. Two boys and two girls.
My wife is a much better wife than I am a husband. We still argue and disagree after being together 16 years. and I still cope with the fact that there are so many women out there and I choose to stay loyal to my wife.
I want to be home every night, but with traveling I can’t, and sometimes I might want to go to a bar or club and be one of the fellas. Most of the time I stay in, because I have my kids and wife.
I cannot sit here and say the thought to have many women has never crossed my mind. If I were Jesus I could.
I have known my wife for 16 years– since I was 14 years old.
She was my first.
On the way to 2010 we had many ups and downs on the way, mostly my fault. But I really choose to work hard and play ball to support her and my kids. The same reason you are building your legacy.
I have been disturbed by this because there are many people who are happy that this bad news has come out.
There are a lot of sports announcers and regular reporters who are not perfect in their own homes, yet they want to bring you down.
You have done so much for people, the sport of golf, and your family and you gave your wife a life that people can’t even dream of.
I thought you were 36 or 37 until I read the news today. A 33-year-old man who has been a model citizen with so much at stake. This is your first publicly known issue since you started your career, compared to my 50 or more publicly known issues and mistakes.
You have been the perfect role model for me and my sons for longer than anyone I have known.
With the exception of a few legends.
As your fan, I can’t wait to see you golf again.
And us athletes know how much you personally love your family.

One love,
Ron Artest
This is just a fan mail letter to Tiger Woods fans and indirectly to Tiger himself.
Please, everyone support Tiger in these tough times for his family.

Also if you are a sports announcer or regular everyday reporter or blogger please step up like Tiger and tell your wife or husband if you have any skeletons in your closet. Especially if you were one of the few attacking TIGER!!
One Love People

What's funny about this open letter, that's exactly how it is written on his website. There are no spaces for paragraphs.

Anyways you have to love Ron Artest posting an open fan letter to Tiger Woods. That Tiger is one of Ron-Ron's mentor's. Only Ron-Ron would do this sort of thing. He's the only athlete to post an open letter to Tiger Woods. Just another reason why I love him so much. He's one of a kind and I hope he never changes.

My Letter to Tiger (Ron Artest Blog)

Open Letter to San Francisco Giants GM Brian Sabean

Warning: This open letter contains strong Lagrange that might not be suitable for minors. Take precaution before reading this letter.

Dear Mr. Sabean,

Let first say that I am a huge San Francisco Giants fans. I am proud of the work you have done over the years with this team and I am especially proud of the team this year. They are scrappy, they hustle, and they win the hard way. I love the pitching staff, especially Lincecum and Cain. I love the improved play of Pablo Sandoval. I can't wait till the day Buster Posey and Angel Vilalona make it to the major leagues. But this shit has to stop!

Trade for a fucking bat. This team has a harder time scoring than a 17-year-old Star Trek fan. And right now the pitching staff is burned out because they have had to carry this team the entire season. I know you don't want to trade away Lincecum, Cain, Madison Bumgarner, or Tim Alderson. But please take a fucking chance!

You used to be great at trading away pitching prospects for either a veteran bat or pitcher. Look I know your trade for A.J. Pierzynski for Joe Nathan and Francisco Liriano didn't work out they way you wanted it. I know you have been crushed by the fans and media because of this trade. But you have take a risk.

This team has a chance to compete for a playoff spot this season. And you shouldn't waste the talents of the pitching staff. You have a once-in-a-lifetime pitching staff with three pitchers who previously won Cy Youngs and two who could have a chance winning the award this year. You shouldn't waste this great opportunity. This team can win the World Series with this pitching staff. But we still don't have a bat.

If you don't mind I would like to make you a list of players that you should use for trade bait.

Bengie Molina- This is the last year of his contract, so a team like the Indians or A's wouldn't mind trading for him. Besides he is a bad influence on Pablo Sandoval. Molina swings at everything and he is a piss-poor cleanup hitter.

Madison Bumgarner- Look I know he is a prized prospect. But so was David Aardsma, Jerome Williams, and Jesse Foppert. And look how their careers ended up. You have never seen this kid pitch in the majors and have no idea if he is the next Tim Lincecum or the next Jesse Foppert.

Tim Alderson- You already have Lincecum and Cain. Take a chance.

Jonathon Sanchez- He just threw a no-hitter. You can't tell me a team isn't interested in Sanchez.

Brian Wilson- He is going to give you, Bruce Bochey, or a fan a heart attack one of these days. He is one of the best closers in baseball, but Sergio Romo could easily take his place. I'm sure there is a team looking for a closer.

And here is a list of players you should look into trading for.

Victor Martinez- He can catch and play first base. And I am sure the Indians wouldn't mind trading him away. They are already in the process of a firesale. Offer them Sanchez and Bumgarner and see if they like the offer.

Matt Holliday- He also only has one year left on his deal. He could be the ultimate risk, but he could come with the ultimate reward. Holliday has playoff experience and if he leaves next year for free agency, you will be given a high draft pick.

Mark Teahen- He's already familiar with the area. After all he went to college at St. Marry's. Also he is an RBI machine. And guess what's wrong with the Giants? You guessed, the Giants have a hard time driving in runs.

Take a fucking risk, Sabean. Your job is on the line here. You are on the last year of your contract and the only way the Giants bring you back if they make the playoffs. And they won't make the playoffs with this shitty lineup they keep trotting out there everyday. Take a fucking risk! I'm tired of seeing Bengie fucking Molina as the cleanup hitter.

Thanks for listening to me and sorry about the harsh language, but it had to be said.

Sincerely, Keith

Baseball Update: Open Letter to Myself

The Baseball Update is a look at the happenings around Major League Baseball

Yesterday I wrote an open letter to Chicago Cubs fans. Today my conscious is writing an open letter to me.

Hey buddy,

It's your conscious. We haven't spoken in a while. Well we haven't talk since that one night. You might or might not remember that night. Anyways I'm back and we have to talk again.

Look I know you are a huge San Fransisco Giants fan, but lets be realistic. You blasted Cubs fans for not being realistic about their teams chances of making the playoffs. Well I am here to blast you for not being realistic when it comes to the Giants chances of making the playoffs.

Let's face it, they aren't going to make the playoffs or win the NL West. I know you hate the Dodgers and I have even heard you say you wished their plane would crash into a side of the mountain(not cool). But the Dodgers are just too good. Even without Manny. They have a lineup that can win a World Series and even their pitching staff isn't missing Derek Lowe or Brad Penny. You tried convincing yourself(without my help) that the Dodgers didn't have the pitching staff to compete with the Giants. Wrong! They have a pitching staff that can compete with anybody in the National League or the American League. Look I know this hurts, but it is the truth. You need to start listening to me.

Also stop telling yourself the Giants are one trade away from making a run. Their not. You think Nick Johnson and Dan Uggla can have that type of impact on this team. Look around at who the Giants send on the field everyday. For Christs sake they are batting Aaron Rowand leadoff. He was suppose to be the teams power hitter and he is batting leadoff! And Bengie Molina isn't a cleanup hitter. He would be a very nice third or fifth hitter in another lineup, but he is not a cleanup hitter. Don't get me wrong Bengie is one of the best hitting catchers in the majors. Hell he might be the only All-Star this team is fielding everyday.

What I am trying to get across to you is that one single trade isn't going to solve anything. The Giants hitters swing at too many bad pitches and swing at too many first pitches. Hell they swing at everything that is within 50 ft of the plate. And you think Dan Uggla can solve their problems? Keep dreaming buddy.

I know this talk has hurt, but it's for your own good. You need to start listening to me, when it comes to these issues. I am here for you, remember that.

Sincerely, Your Conscious

P.S.- If any of your friends need advice about their teams, remember I am here.

Baseball Update: An Open Letter To Cubs Fans

The Baseball Update is a look at the happenings around Major League Baseball

Instead of looking at the entire NL Central this week, I thought I would write an open letter to all the Chicago Cubs fans.

Dear Chicago Cubs fans,

Let me start by saying I feel for you. You haven't seen a World Series win by your team in over 100 years and haven't seen the team in the series since 1945. Trust me I feel for you. Since the Giants moved to San Francisco they haven't won a World Series. Sure they have been to three of them in San Francisco ,but they didn't win. They were robbed by Bobby Richardson and the Yankees in 62, robbed by an Earthquake in 89, and robbed by Dusty Baker in 02(see we do have common ground, we both hate Dusty Baker). Like yourself, I want to see my team win a World Series badly. Like you, I keep telling myself if the Phillies can win one so can we. But unlike you, I realize my team isn't going to win the Series this year.

I already see you are blaming the umpire for Carlos Zambrano's meltdown from yesterday. You might as well blame the umps for all the injuries on the team, because that is how ridiculous it sounds. The ump was in the wrong yesterday, he did blow that call. But Zambrano must keep his cool and not take out his frustrations on a poor and helpless Gatorade cooler. But sadly his tirade will be the signature moment of your season.

The Cubs season has been an entire meltdown. This was the year the Cubs were suppose to right the ship(of course we said the same thing last year). This was the year the Cubs had pitching(the same thing was said in 03). And this was the year the Cubs had all the offense they needed to compete with the Phillies and Red Sox. But sadly injuries have put the Cubs into a tailspin. Sure the Cubs are only four games behind the Cardinals for first place. But let's be realistic, there is no way the Cubs make the playoffs this year.

The Aramis Ramirez injury is just too costly to the offense. He was the glue in the middle of the order. Since he has went down with a shoulder injury, the Cubs offense has gone from one of the best in the league to one of the worst. Right now the team is 25th in the majors in team average. Hell even the Giants have a better team average. The other Cubs hitters have been exposed since his injury. Derek Lee's disappearing act hasn't help though.

Also though you are finding out the true story to Rich Harden's career. Harden is perennially injured. He can never spend the entire season without at least making one trip to the DL. Oakland A's fans found this out a long time ago.

So you can keep telling yourselves the Cubs will make the playoffs, even though they are really just feeding off of week opponents. Hell I keep telling myself the Giants will win the NL West(which isn't true because the f-ing Dodgers aren't going anywhere). But that's all right. Because we have both witnessed our teams over the years disappoint us, but we keep coming back to them. There is always next year. That is something I have told myself about the Giants, and HBO documented you telling yourselves that.

Hopefully we can keep in touch and maybe schedule a therapy session together. Until next time.

Sincerely, Keith