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Home Archives for Sports and Leisure

3/18/2009 By Ben Leave a Comment

NCAA Tourney Picks: Day 1

I've decided to do something a little different with this year's NCAA Tournament and the blog. I'll be posting my picks on a day-by-day basis. Below are a list of tomorrow's scheduled first round games with my projected winners in bold: … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, My Life, Random and Miscellaneous, Sports and Leisure

3/15/2009 By Ben 3 Comments

Hugo Chavez? Say It Ain’t So, Magglio

A mildly disturbing story that makes me wish sometimes we could keep the world of sports / entertainment separate from the larger political world. From an ESPN article about my favorite baseball team's All-Star right fielder and a loathsome, repressive dictator:President Hugo Chavez came to the defense of Magglio Ordonez on Sunday, slamming Venezuelan baseball fans who booed the major leaguer at the World Baseball Classic. Chavez lamented that his friendship with Ordonez prompted catcalls from the mostly Venezuelan crowd during the team's 3-1 victory over the Netherlands in Miami on Saturday, saying the fans who booed the Detroit Tigers slugger "have no shame."... Ordonez, one of Venezuela's biggest baseball stars, appeared in a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, General, PPC, Sports and Leisure, World Events Tagged With: All-Star, Baseball, booed, catcalls, constitutional amendment, crowd, defense, Detroit Tigers, dictator, eliminate, entertainment, friendship, game, Hugo Chavez, loathsome, Magglio Ordonez, major leaguer, match, Miami, mildly disturbing, Netherlands, Opening Day, outfielder, political world, President, proposal, repressive, right fielder, slugger, Socialist, softball, sports, stars, state television, story, television ad, term limits, Venezuela, vote, World Baseball Classic

1/31/2009 By Ben 3 Comments

Obligatory Super Bowl Prediction Error

Following up on last year's colossal mistake, here is my pick for tomorrow's big game: Super Bowl XLIII (Feb 1, 2009 - Tampa, FL): Pittsburgh Steelers (15-4) 21 Arizona Cardinals (12-8) 17 MVP: Troy Polamalu Here's hoping I'm colossally wrong again, and not just because of the President's leanings. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, My Life, National Politics, Sports and Leisure Tagged With: Arizona Cardinals, colossal error, Pittsburgh Steelers, prediction, President, Super Bowl, Troy Polamalu, wrong

1/17/2009 By Ben Leave a Comment

The Detroit Lions Are Doing Something Good for the Cause of Education

Say what you will, the 0-16 Detroit Lions at least are doing something to alleviate complaints that too many top-flight college athletes are jumping ship early and skipping out on finishing their degrees. From today's Detroit Free Press:There has been speculation that the fear of becoming a Lion was one of the variables Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Sam Bradford considered when he opted to remain at Oklahoma. It was also a consideration for Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, who'll return to the Longhorns.... The deadline for declaring for the draft came Thursday. There were surprises along with Sanchez. Mississippi junior defensive end Greg Hardy, who had 8 1/2 sacks and 9 1/2 tackles for loss last season, opted to remain at Ole Miss. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christianity and Faith, Education, Random and Miscellaneous, Sports and Leisure Tagged With: 2010, amateur, college athletes, college football, Colt McCoy, complaints, cream, degrees, Detroit Free Press, Detroit Lions, exceptions, football players, franchise, grapevine, Greg Hardy, Heisman Trophy, miserable, Mississippi, modesty, NFL Draft, Oklahoma, option, overpaid, quarterback, Sam Bradford, talent, Texas

12/15/2008 By Ben 2 Comments

“Un-American”? Michigan Bailout Rhetoric Reaches Fever Pitch

I can feel the pain of my home state of Michigan (and no, I'm not referring to the bitter cold temperatures we're experiencing here along the Front Range). The angst coming from the Motor City and its environs is palpable. One of the most poignant examples, at least from my perspective, relates to a scheduled weekend appearance by Kentucky's U.S. Senator (and former Detroit Tigers pitcher) Jim Bunning. Detroit Free Press columnist Brian Dickerson ripped Bunning a new one after the Republican Senator voted against the UAW's federal government bailout deal. Dickerson wrote:He may be losing his marbles, but U.S. senator and ex-Tiger pitching great Jim Bunning still has big brass cojones. After all, most of the GOP senators … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, Fiscal Policy, General, Labor, My Life, Sports and Leisure Tagged With: "un-American", angst, automotive bailout, bitter cold, Brian Dickerson, Canadian, Colorado, columnist, committee room, deal, Democrats, Detroit Free Press, Detroit Tigers, economically inept, event, federal government, former pitcher, Free Speech, Front Range, Gibraltar Trade Center, government takeovers, Governor, hearings, hypocrisy, Interior Department, Jennifer Granholm, Jim Bunning, Joseph McCarthy, Ken Salazar, Kentucky, Lansing, lofty clouds, Michigan, Mitch Albom, Mitch McConnell, Motor City, ownership, pain, palpable, poignant example, powerful contrast, ratcheted up, Republicans, Ron Gettelfinger, temerity, Toyota, Tuesdays with Morrie, U.S. Senator, United Auto Workers, vote, weekend appearance

12/1/2008 By Ben 1 Comment

Please Accept My Apologies for the Detroit Lions…Who Make Me Laugh

When people learn that I grew up in Michigan, occasionally I hear the question of whether my sports fan loyalties still lie in the land of my childhood. "That depends," I say. "Detroit Tigers? Detroit Red Wings? Yes." "What about the Lions?" "Uh, check please...." I'm pretty sure I've been cured of that disease. How do I know? Well, reading through DJ Gallo's ESPN Page 2 column this evening, I found myself laughing out loud at this segment: … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, My Life, Random and Miscellaneous, Sports and Leisure Tagged With: 0-16, Barry Sanders, childhood, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, DJ Gallo, ESPN, fast track, futility, holidays, Humor, Michigan, NFL Championship, playoff victory, sports, Thanksgiving Day

11/26/2008 By Ben 2 Comments

What I’m Thankful for #19: Baseball and the Legendary Ernie Harwell

This is one in a series of daily posts I conceived of writing many weeks ago while the election still raged on, as I looked for something to write about of more lasting value. The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving seemed perfectly appropriate for it. Just in case you wondered, the topics introduced are not necessarily in any particular order. I hope the series is of some small encouragement to you, even as my site traffic takes a dive. America's pastime. Come November, the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd seem distant memories. But hope springs eternal in the heart of the baseball fan. For the 19th and penultimate edition of this thankfulness series, I want to express my gratitude for a game - yes, but not just any game. And … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christianity and Faith, General, My Life, Random and Miscellaneous, Sports and Leisure Tagged With: alma mater days, backyard, Baseball, baseball cards, baseball fan, baseball initiates, bat, board game, character, cheating, collecting, college, color, Colorado Rockies, column, creed, democracy, Detroit, diehard fans, disease, enjoyment, Ernie Harwell, excerpts, faith, family room, game, Game 3, gratitude, group outing, Hillsdale College, Hillsdale Daily News, hope springs eternal, local league, memorable, memories, nostalgia, November, organized, pennants, penultimate, race, radio, roar of the crowd, Rockpile, scoreboard, series, Sherco, special, special impressions, thankfulness, Thanksgiving, The Game for All America, Tiger Stadium, Tigers, top row, trading, World Series

11/20/2008 By Ben Leave a Comment

What I’m Thankful for #13: Thoughtful Surprises

This is one in a series of daily posts I conceived of writing many weeks ago while the election still raged on, as I looked for something to write about of more lasting value. The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving seemed perfectly appropriate for it. Just in case you wondered, the topics introduced are not necessarily in any particular order. I hope the series is of some small encouragement to you, even as my site traffic takes a dive. This is an easier kind of surprise to write about than "the surprises God sends my way". And it's quite a surprise that I'm even writing about it. Yesterday, out of the blue and completely unexpected, a co-worker gave me a very thoughtful gift: a baseball autographed by future Hall-of-Fame relief pitcher … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, My Life, Sports and Leisure Tagged With: Baseball, Branch Rickey Award, co-worker, Denver Rotary, Detroit Tigers, free agent, generosity, Hall-of-Fame, Mrs. Virtus, relief pitcher, surprises, thankfulness, thoughtful, Trevor Hoffman

8/22/2008 By Ben Leave a Comment

Sneak Peek at the DNC Podium: Introducing … ObamaTron!

The Denver Post this morning gives a sneak peek of the Democratic National Convention podium inside the Pepsi Center (H/T Complete Colorado). My first reactions to what the podium looks like: An acid trip back to the 1970s (can you imagine Jimmy Carter giving a speech there opening night)? The set of a cheesy Fox TV reality show (Bill Clinton might just fit in onstage)? ... Or how about the movie Tron? Whatever it is, the podium may be another piece of the poor planning that may threaten a Barack Obama post-Convention bounce. Or maybe he can just get bounce from a Lightbike ride... The DNC craziness has just barely begun. Keep up with coverage you won't find anywhere else at the Peoples Press Collective. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: General, Labor, My Life, National Politics, Random and Miscellaneous, Sports and Leisure Tagged With: 1970s, acid trip, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Complete Colorado, Democratic National Convention, Denver Post, grassroots media coverage, Jimmy Carter, Peoples Press Collective, Pepsi Center, podium, reality show, speeches, Tron

8/19/2008 By Ben Leave a Comment

Hot Air Tour to Highlight Global Warming Debate Comes to Colorado

Watching hot air balloons might never have been so much fun as this: Americans for Prosperity's Hot Air Tour is coming to Colorado, starting tomorrow (Wednesday) morning at Broomfield County Commons Park (13200 Sheridan Blvd). What am I talking about?Climate alarmists have bombarded citizens with apocalyptic scenarios and pressured them into environmental political correctness. It’s time to tell the other side of the story. Americans for Prosperity is working hard to bring you the missing half of the global warming debate. What will the impacts of reactionary legislation be for you, your family and our economy? Be among the first 50 to pre-register online for the Broomfield event tomorrow - or for events later this week in Fort … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Climate Hysteria, Colorado Politics, Energy, General, National Politics, Sports and Leisure Tagged With: Al Gore, Americans for Prosperity, Broomfield COunty Commons Park, climate alarmists, Colorado, Colorado Springs, Denver, energy record, environmental political correctness, Family, Fort Collins, free T-shirt, future savings, Glenwood Springs, global warming debate, Grand Junction, hot air balloon, Hot Air Tour, Jim Pfaff, Mark Udall, Pueblo

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About Me

Ben DeGrow
Grateful and growing Christian, devoted husband and father of 3, public policy analyst, returned to Michigan by way of Colorado, conservative writer, lifelong learner, Detroit Tigers fan.

Recent Posts

  • AI-Enhanced Cyberbullying: The Dark Side of Teen Innovation
  • My Baker’s Dozen of Top 2023 Reads
  • Common Learning Disabilities in Children
  • Tips to Teach Kids to Set and Achieve Goals
  • The Christmas Music Countdown You’ve Been Looking For: 2022 Edition

Colorado News

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National News and Politics

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Blogs Extraordinaire

  • American Thinker
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  • E!! The True Conservative Story
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  • Hugh Hewitt
  • Instapundit
  • LaShawn Barber
  • Lileks
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  • Michelle Malkin
  • NRO's The Corner
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Completing the Blogroll

  • Alarming News
  • Black Five
  • Blogs of War
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  • Flypaper
  • Fraters Libertas
  • Historical Conversations
  • IMAO
  • Jay P. Greene
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Christian Commentary et al.

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Conservative and GOP Sites

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Colorado Blogs

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Other Sites

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Rocky Mountain Alliance 2.0

  • Reclaim the Blue
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To Contact Me:
bendegrow-at-gmail.com

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