Day 112

I was off yesterday, in Cleveland for the aforementioned wake of my friend Rob's father. It was my first wake and I was very worried about having to see a dead body. Luckily, the casket was closed. The reason, however, was that his father had become so weak and frail that he didn't want anyone to see him that way. It was great to see Rob. He was so appreciative of my efforts to be there, but like I have said before, it is something that I had to do. I am so sensitive to loss, especially when someone loses a parent. Top that with the fact that this was one of my best friends growing up and I had spent so much time with his family. I spent close to an hour at the funeral home and was able to spend a solid 30-40 minutes talking to Rob. I used that time mostly to listen to him and answer his questions about what the next few days and weeks are going to be like. Even though it was only for a short time, I was so glad that I was there for him. The downside of this is that this brought all of those old feelings back to me. Remembering what it was like in that situation that Rob is now in. It is a place I don't like going back to, but it was inevitable. On the way home, the weather in both Cleveland and Chicago was bad and the Southwest gates in Cleveland were an absolute zoo. We ended up taking off about 40 minutes late which was no big deal, but the turbulence was some of the worst I've ever been a part of coming in for the landing. So we were finally on the ground, and Midway was on a hold for all aircraft and all of the gates were full. Even though we had landed, we had to sit on the runway for 45 minutes extra. A long day became longer. Such is life.

Lets talk about other things. Mike Davis resigned yesterday as the head basketball coach for Indiana University effective at the end of the season. This brings to an end the tumultuous 6 years of rumors, outbursts, and questionable quotes to the media. IU is on the verge of missing the tournament for the third straight year, which should never happen at a basketball power. I know Mark P and other IU fans are concerned about the future of this program as many of Davis's players have already said they will transfer to go with him, including arguably their two best players in Robert Vaden and D.J. White. I think IU takes two steps backwards before the can go forward. The problem for the likeable Davis was that he was thrust into this position before he was ready. He wears his heart on his sleeve and it sometimes gets him in trouble. Couple that with the fact that you never want to be the guy after THE guy. And that guy was none other than Bob Knight, one of the most imposing figures in all of sports and an icon in Bloomington. Davis will bounce back and get another job in the south, where he recruits unbelievably well. For old times sake, I put a photo on the blog of one of Mikey D's best all time outbursts a few years ago against Kentucky, where he ran onto the court and berated an official in the middle of the play for missing a foul call.

I read a report this morning online that former Indian great, and at one time, my all time favorite baseball player, Albert Belle was arrested in Arizona for stalking his ex-girlfriend. Albert has had so many off the field problems in his life, but he has managed to stay off the radar since retiring 4 years ago because of complications from his arthritic hip. This is just the latest in a string of issues that revolve around his bad temper. Everyone knows the history - running over kids who egged his house on Halloween, a profanity laced tirade to NBC's Hannah Storm during the 95 World Series, throwing a ball into the stands at a fan who was berating him. The list goes on. I actually feel sorry for Albert as he was one of the smartest and best hitters i've ever seen. Everytime he was up, I though he was going to go deep, and he was so clutch. I hope this story isn't true, but i've got a bad feeling that it is.

Song of the Day: "All the Young Dudes" by Mott the Hoople