Frank Robertson's Blog

I had one of the more fun assignments I've had in a long time today. Photograper Joe Peters and I covered the renaming of Legends Field. It is now known as George M. Steinbrenner Field in honor of the "Boss."

Over the years, George Steinbrenner has been one of the more colorful characters in sports. Surely, he is one of the most demanding. Then again, how do you argue with the Yankees' success on the field?

He seems "grandfatherly" now and has essentially turned the business over to his sons. The renaming of a ballpark in Tampa has as much to do with his contributions to this community as it does his ownership of the Yankees. His philanthropy is well documented and he's never been one to seek much attention for his generosity. I hope that's a tradition his sons carry on as well.

You could tell the "Boss" was moved by today's ceremony and the crowd giving him a standing ovation was as well.

Although some critics may think it trivializes spring training, I think it's awesome that Billy Crystal got to suit up for the Yankees today and hit lead-off. I relate so strongly to his passion for the Yankees because I grew up in New Jersey during the Mantle, Maris, Ford and Berra era. In the documentary "Baseball" by Ken Burns, Billy described his first trip to Yankee Stadium as a young boy. It mirrored my own experience when he talked about walking around the warning track after the game to look at the monuments in center field.

It doesn't matter that he struck out in his only plate appearance. Just getting the chance to say, for one day, "I'm a Yankee," has to be the experience of a lifetime. He represented all of us "baby boomers" who would have loved the same opportunity.

Ok, I am a news anchor but have also worked in the sports department during my years here at FOX13.  So, I guess that entitles me blog a bit about the Bucs.  After watching last Sunday's convincing win over the Rams, I am more than impressed with the athletic ability, decision making and leadership qualities Jeff Garcia brings to Tampa Bay.

There were two plays that stick in my mind from last Sunday's game.  Both involved Michael Clayton.  The first was number 80 dropping a pass.  Then, he made a reception and fumbled it.  Fortunately,  Alex Smith was there to fall on it.  Garcia ran directly to Clayton and must have told him to keep his chin up.  From what I've read, however, his admonition was a little more colorful and animated than that.

I'm not the first to say it, but I wish our QB was 27 instead of 37.  Then again, perhaps he wouldn't have that "veteran" leadership he now clearly possesses. Let's just hope the offensive line can keep him healthy for a full season. 

I just read on the wires that New York Yankees first baseman/designated hitter Jason Giambi will not be punished by MLB Commissioner Bud Selig. Giambi has all but said publicly that he's used performance enhancing drugs and apparently cooperated fully with former Senator George Mitchell in his ongoing investigation into steroid use by major league baseball players. The Commish also pointed to Giambi's community and charity work as a reason to cut him some slack.

Some will argue that Giambi is getting a free pass while the new home run king, Barry Bonds remains under scrutiny unfairly. First of all, Giambi is not even close to breaking one of baseball's most sacred records. But, more importantly, he does come across as approachable and a genuinely nice guy. In fact, I met him once here at FOX 13 when he played for the Oakland A's and he didn't seem to have an arrogant bone in his body. Whether it's deserved or not, Bonds' reputation is quite the opposite. So, as we've seen so many times before, perception becomes reality.

After a weekend of wall to wall basketball, I realize what I love about the NCAA tournament.  It's "David vs. Goliath" match-ups that sometimes produce surprising results.  Winthrop's opening round victory over Notre Dame is the best example of what can happen in a one loss and you're out format. 

The beauty of the small school versus "Big Time" program is that it could never happen in football.  I'm not even aware that Winthrop has a football team, but I am sure that the Fighting Irish would never be on their schedule.

Unfortunately, Winthrop's brief run through the tournament ended on the weekend, but its fans can still savor that opening round win.  For now,  Butler can carry the banner of the mid majors into the Sweet 16.  Unfortunately, for the Bulldogs, their next opponent is Florida.  At times on Sunday, the Gators looked vulnerable, but still won.  So, it occurs to me their best basketball may still lie ahead.

 

 

Like most of us, my interest in this Sunday's Super Bowl is heightened by the presence of Tony Dungy on the Colts' sideline and Lovie Smith on the Bears' side of the field. How can you root against either one of them? They are both class guys, but I guess my sentiment is stronger for Coach Dungy says he's been at it longer and presided over the Bucs' transformaton from perennial losers to championship contenders.

I must hasten to add, however, that allegiances to either coach have nothing to do with the how the game will turn out. I realize that the oddsmakers have made the Colts a touchdown favorite. I recall another Super Bowl when the Colts were a prohibitive 17 point favorite over Joe Namath and the New York Jets. You may remember how that turned out.

So, here's my argument for why Chicago may end up winning the game. DEFENSE! If memory serves me, the Bucs were underdogs to the Raiders four short years ago. Ultimately, however, the NFL's number one offense was no match for the league's number one defense.

It will take more than solid "D" for the Bears to win though. They also have to establish an effective running game which I believe they can with Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson. Until the playoffs, the Colts looked very soft against the run.

If, on the other hand, this comes down a match up between the two quarterbacks, Peyton Manning and the Colts clearly have the upper hand. No disrespect Gator fans, but Rex Grossman doesn't have the experience yet to take over a game. In fact, I think his objective should be not to lose the game by turning the ball over.

No matter who you're pulling for, remember there are no guarantees unless your name is Joe Namath. He made good on his promise that his Jets would beat the Colts 38 years ago. By the way, that game was played in Miami.

The hype surrounding Saturday's showdown between Number 1 Ohio State and Number 2 Michigan is suddenly tempered by the passsing of legendary Michigan coach Bo Schembechler. Or, does it add another emotional dimension?

Whatever the implications, the passing of Coach Schembechler stirs a lot of memories for me. Bo graduated from and later coached at Miami of Ohio. Miami is a long standing rival of my alma mater, Ohio University. In fact, our General Manager Bob Linger, Account Executive Glenn Marsh and Director Ron Mullen are all proud Bobcats.

Well under the radar is the fact that Ohio University has clinched a spot in the Mid American Conference Championship game on November 30th. Ohio has one remaining regular season game at (where else?) Miami of Ohio. A win there would complete a 9 and 3 season.

Regardless of the outcome, Ohio is virtually guaranteed its first bowl appearance in 38 years. In the fall of 1968, Ohio completed a 10 and 0 regular season before losing in the Tangerine Bowl to the University of Richmond. At the same time, the Ohio State Buckeyes completed a perfect regular season and claimed the national championship with a victory over Southern California in the Rose Bowl.

The coach at Miami of Ohio during that season of '68 was Bo Schembechler. The next year Coach Schembechler would take over at the University of Michigan and another dimension was added to that great rivalry as Bo and his mentor Woody Hayes became the focus of the annual Big 10 showdown.

So, if you believe in history repeating itself, Ohio University's first bowl appearance since '68 may also signal another national championship for the Buckeyes.