WEB-S&L-Summer-2012

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SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE

Summer 2012

Gilmore runs with the first-team defense during OTAs

By Charles Roberts If organized team activities (OTAs) were any indication, it looks like Buffalo Bills rookie cornerback Stephon Gilmore is on the fast track to a starting position.

At least Bills head coach Chan Gailey certainly hopes so.

“No question about it,” Gailey said, asked if he expects Gilmore to compete for a starting position.

“No question; yes.”

Gilmore, selection No. 10 out of South Carolina in April’s NFL Draft, was among the new faces rounding out the reshaped defense. And unlike most incoming rookies, generally speaking, Gilmore certainly didn’t seem fazed by the speed of the game at its highest level.

As for his soft-spoken, even-keeled personality don’t be fooled; Gilmore plays with a blend of confidence and physicality, traits that helped make him a household name at South Carolina.

That confidence—both on the field and in his voice—was on full display during the Bills’ lateMay/early-June OTAs. “It was faster than rookie minicamp, but it’s what I expected and it ain’t too fast,” Gilmore said after his first practice with the full team. “I think I can come out here and hang with the guys. I think I can come out here and get better every day, and I’ll be alright.”

Stevie Johnson, the team’s No. 1 receiver, was among those who took notice.

“He seems pretty cool,” Johnson said, asked if he’s noticed receivers getting under Gilmore’s skin.

“That’s exactly what we see a lot. I heard he talks a little bit but that’s confidence, that’s the swag that he’s got.

He’s real mellow and he handles business out there. I like his game. …I think he’s going to be one of those dominant cornerbacks in the league.”

Despite finishing sixth overall in interceptions last

Photo courtesy Buffalo Bills

Stephon Gilmore, the 10th overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft, looks right at home in Ralph Wilson Stadium. season, the Bills’ defensive backs struggled, especially down the stretch. As a result, Gilmore’s in and veteran Drayton Florence, who signed with the Denver Broncos soon after being released by the Bills, is out.

“We finished 29th and 31st [in defensive categories] at some point and it was not all the rush,” Bills general manager Buddy Nix said after the draft. “We need some help in the secondary. We said this before, and said before we started this preparation that we would like to take two corners in this draft. So we got one of them.”

Cool and collected, Gilmore doesn’t appear altogether worried about step-

ping in and playing alongside or against veterans.

“It is natural,” Gilmore said calmly.

“Going against these guys every day is going to make me better. So, it’s just me coming down here with that mindset to compete every play and I’ll be good.”

Gilmore finished his three-year collegiate career with 140 solo tackles and seven interceptions. In 2010, his 66 solo tackles were fourth-best in the Southeastern Conference. What’s more, he even saw a little time on offense, completing two of three passing attempts for 68 yards,

also rushing the ball seven times for 37 yards.

In high school, Gilmore was a two-way starter.

Playing quarterback on offense, he threw for 1,771 yards with 14 touchdowns during his senior year, also picking up 1,331 yards on the ground, en route to an additional 23 touchdowns.

But it’s not the glitz and glamour associated with the offensive side of the ball that gets the defensive back moving these days.

In fact, it’s quite the contrary.

“I think I like being physical; I think that’s the strongest part of my game,” Gilmore said. “I love the physical part, the hard-nose part of playing football. I just love playing the game. I’ve been playing this since I was seven years old and I enjoy playing it.”

“He’s got the right mindset; he’s the right type of person,” Bills assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt said of Gilmore. “He doesn’t appear, when you watch him warm-up in drills, that he’s fast as he is, but nobody runs by him. I think playing quarterback [in the past], he’s got a little bit more savvy than what some corners might.

Obviously he’s a size guy.

He’s got size and he can run.

He’s got, and I use the word great, but he’s got great hand-eye coordination ball skills. If the ball’s in the air, he’s going to go after it.”

A native of Rock Hill, S.C., the prospect of moving to Buffalo didn’t scare the 21-year-old Gilmore. In fact, he received a firsthand testimonial from former Bills cornerback Jeff Burris, who also resides in Rock Hill.

“Yeah I know Jeff Burris,” Gilmore said. “His brother actually coached me in high school, so I met him a couple of times. He told me to enjoy myself down here.

There are great people around here. He said I will like it here.”

As for the possibility of playing in the snow, Gilmore noted: “It is something that you have to do.

You still have to play football. You still have to go out there and put your cleats on. It is still football, it is just cold outside. So it is no adjustment. I love playing the game and if you really love playing the game, you will play it in any condition.”

He’s confident, hardnosed, versatile and not afraid of a little snow. It’s hardly a wonder that he was on the Bills’ radar.

Summer 2012

SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE

The backup plan: Young looks to get back on track with Bills

By Charles Roberts

“It’s hard to say what a guy might do,” Bills head coach Gailey said prior to When quarterback Vince OTAs. “When he gets here, Young—the No. 3 selection we’ll teach him the basics in the 2006 draft—signed a and go from there. There’s one-year deal with the no telling what he can do.”

Buffalo Bills, general manYoung, who at 6-foot-5 ager Buddy Nix made it and 240 pounds towers clear that incumbent over everyone at the posistarter Ryan Fitzpatrick’s tion and most job is on the team, secure. threw the ball T y l e r well during Thigpen, OTA sessions last year’s that were No. 2 quaropen to terback, and media, but utility man none of the Brad Smith, q u a rt e r h o w e v e r, b a c k s — could be on including the move.

Smith—ran Time will the wildcat tell whether formation; that move is complex packon or off the ages are genroster. erally installed “We’re behind closed always lookdoors. ing to try to Either way, improve our Gailey affirms team, to get that the deeper and coaching staff to get more will work to competiYoung’s strong tion,” Nix suits. said. “That’s “We tend to what this is; fit the offense it’s a compearound what tition for people do,” the backup Gailey said. quarterback “We don’t job. Not the make people starter.”

Photo by Jeff Barnes fit in to our Having a Move over Tim Tebow, Vince Young is the AFC East’s offense. If he capable best back-up quarterback. ends up, if we backup— get an injury to Fitz and he That’s something that’s Young has a career record ends up playing, we’ll tailor important. You want to be of 31-19—in a division some things to do what he able to be there for each headlined by the likes of does using his movement other.”

Tom Brady certainly doesn’t skills.”

Assuming Young does in hurt. Add to the equation In the meantime, while fact supplant Thigpen as the uncertainty at the posiYoung continues to learn Fitzpatrick’s backup, it tion in New York and his third offense in as many could be Smith who has the Miami, and suddenly, the years, his search for a place most to lose. Entering the Bills look, on paper, to have to rest his head at night is second year of a four-year, improved under center. ongoing. $15 million deal, Smith And for Young, who has “It’s been great,” Young wore a number of hats last voiced his desire to be a said of coming to Buffalo. year, including that of wildstarting quarterback again “I’m still trying to find a cat quarterback.

The at some point, it’s not about house right now. That’s the results, however, were not unseating Fitzpatrick. biggest thing is trying to exactly what the Bills had “It’s been great,” Young get my family settled down. in mind. said of his relationship Overall from the welcome Like Smith, Young is also with Fitzpatrick, during from the fans and the peorather nimble on his feet, the team’s organized team ple in Buffalo and the team, which could make him a activities (OTAs). “With it’s great. It’s been an easy prime candidate to direct quarterbacks, we’re all transition. The biggest the wildcat formation. He together. We’re pretty thing is trying to find a ran an option-style offense much used to each other. place [to live] right now.” all the way to a National We definitely are similar Young has his critics Championship victory in because we think alike, defafter a less-than-stellar college at Texas, and flirted initely in the book. He’s a stint in Philadelphia last with the formation again very smart guy. Certain year and a well-publicized while winning seven out of things I need to ask quesdispute in Tennessee the eight games in 2009 with tions for I ask him. He’s year prior. Nix said the the Tennessee Titans. there right on point with it.

Bills were sold on him after Although the wildcat and That’s how it is with quarbringing him in for a perthe option are two entirely terbacks.” sonal workout. different formations, the “I don’t have the tats that Buffalo is, after all, a one constant is the need for he does,” Fitzpatrick joked buyer’s market. an athletic quarterback. of Young. “He’s 6-foot-5; he’s a big guy. We’re actually similar personalities.

He’s a real nice, easygoing guy. Obviously the relationship with him, with a lot of the other new guys it will grow as we get going. It’s a good quarterback room with Tyler and Vince and Brad. We all get along well.

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Easley healthy and more than easing into on-the-field role

By Charles Roberts Imagine having your lifetime goal dangling right before your eyes, but you just can’t seem to snatch it; almost like a winning lottery ticket on the end of a fishing line, with some prankster reeling it in quicker than you can grab it.

For Marcus Easley, that’s been the case for the last two years. But swap out the winning lottery ticket with a career in the NFL. Entering his third season with the Buffalo Bills, the Connecticut product hopes to finally see the field this year, having never played in a regular-season game due to a pair of significant injuries. Easley missed the 2010 season with a knee injury and was held out last year—after a head-turning preseason—with a heart ailment.

Heading into year No. 3, however, Easley looks like he’s finally ready to make some noise.

“It’s been beyond frustrating, to be honest with you,” Easley said. “But I’m finally ready to go—100 percent. The road to recovery was a long one, but I had no choice but to be patient and work hard.”

During organized team activities (OTAs), Easley looked like the guy the Bills hoped for when they tabbed him with the 107th pick in the 2010 draft: a sure-handed

Photo courtesy Buffalo Bills

Marcus Easley speedster.

“It just feels good to be back out here with the guys,” Easley said after OTAs. “I know I can help the team, so I’m just glad they stuck with me through this. The coaches have been very supportive and I’ve been working hard in the weight room [and] eating the right things.”

Easley, who is listed at 6foot-2 and 217 pounds, was clocked at 4.39 in the 40-yard dash, coming out of college.

His hands certainly appear to have survived the test of time; as long as he’s up for the task when the bullets go live in the preseason, he should have as good of a chance as any to emerge as the team’s No. 2 receiver, behind Stevie Johnson.

Johnson was present at OTAs, but was held out as a precaution while he recovers from offseason groin surgery.

Bills head coach Chan Gailey said he expects the team’s top receiving target to be ready for training camp, but Johnson wasn’t ready to give out exact dates.

“I’m feeling good,” Johnson said. “They got me doing a lot of work in the pool and in my first day out here doing ladders and strides. Right now we’re a good five weeks and I don’t really feel too much in my groin. It’s just a little bit in my hamstrings. Once we get that out of the way then I’ll be full go.”

“I really don’t know exactly when I’m going to be back,” Johnson continued. “It’s just whenever this little pain goes away. Right now, I feel good.

But I don’t want to step out there, go hard and then something snaps and I’ll have to get back further on the schedule that we were on.”

Regardless of what’s going on around him, it appears that Easley’s ready to roll. Finally.

“I’m just glad to finally feel 100 percent ready to play some ball,” Easley said. “It’s hard waiting and watching, knowing what you could be doing.”

If OTAs were any indication, he could be doing big things in the season to come.

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SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE

From the Publisher Mario Williams may well be remembered as the single most important Bills pickup of the 2012 offseason, but free agency is not the only way to improve the roster and bring in fresh new talent. This year’s draft class was headlined by Stephon Gilmore. The University of South Carolina product brings blazing speed and intensity to the cornerback position.

Already listed as No. 2 on the depth chart, Gilmore should complete a formidable tandem with fellow firstround pick Leodis McKelvin.

Move over Tim Tebow because the Bills now have the best backup QB in the AFC East in Vince Young.

Bringing experience, explosiveness and more than his fair share of highlight reels to the Bills, Young has proven with his time in Tennessee as well as his short stint in Philadelphia that he can come in as a very competent backup or shoulder the load himself over the

course of an entire season.

The only way that seems likely is if Ryan Fitzpatrick has a season-ending injury, which, fingers crossed, won’t happen, but Young may also seem some playing time out of the Wildcat to keep opposing defenses honest.

Speaking of injuries, Marcus Easley is finally healthy and has looked every bit the speedster the Bills thought he would be when they tabbed him with the 107th pick in the 2010 draft. Now in his third year with the team, the University of Connecticut product has looked impressive during OTAs and could easily emerge as the team’s second best receiver this season behind Stevie Johnson.

While the Bills gear up for what should be an exciting year, Sabres fans are just starting to shake off the disappointing end of the season that saw them fall just short of the playoffs. The LA Kings claimed their first

Stanley Cup and even though the Sabres looked good at various points throughout the season, good is not the same as great. It will be years until the success of the recent entry draft can be assessed but it’s clear that the Sabres need at least one or two high picks like the recent cup champions to get them over the hump and put them at an elite level.

Summer is finally here!

We have put together a summer fun pullout with lots of fun activities you are sure to enjoy. Dave Sully, our auto-racing expert, offers up some regional racing favorites.

How about getting in shape while enjoying the warm weather? There are many opportunities regionally to participate in triathlons, cycling events and fun runs. Check out our summer pullout for information on how you can get involved in these exciting activities!

ENJOY THE SUMMER!

Sports & Leisure Magazine 469 Virginia Street, Buffalo, New York 14202 Tel.: (716) 876-2738, Fax: (716) 874-8289 Email to: publisher@sportsandleisuremag.com Check us out on the web at www.sportsandleisuremag.com & www.hugesportz.com

Publisher & Editor Marian Giallombardo Associate Editor Jeffrey Levine Feature Writers Paul Adamo, Robert Caico, Rick Davenport, Mike Dyer, Mike Fox, Ivan the Impaler, Ed Kilgore, Joe Kirchmyer, George Kuhn, Jeffrey Levine, Adam McGill, Brian Michalek, Ron Montesano, Len Mytko, Gary Reeves, Charles Roberts, Dave Sully, John Williams, Rick Zurak (golf editor) Chief Photographer Jeff Barnes Staff Photographers Ryan Bartholomew, Bob Conlon, Nick LoVerde, Joe Valenti, Mike Majewski, Holly Malinowski Cover photos Stephon Gilmore courtesy Buffalo Bills, Stateline late models by Bill Galford courtesy SDC Associates Inc., Mud Pit courtesy Dan Horan Advisory Board Phil Haberstro, Adam Lingner, Denny Lynch Contributing Writers Colin Adams, Ryan Bartholomew, Bob Conlon, Holly Malinowski, Sloan Martin, Bob Plezia, Dave Ricci, Michael Shaw, Kyle Soppe, Coach Steve, Matt Tibaldi, Bob Timkey, Matthew Young Layout & Cover Scott Appleby, Graphic artist Liz Seivert Copy Editors and Office Assistants Len Mytko, Justin Vernold, John Williams Please send your letters, questions, and comments to: Sports & Leisure Magazine, 469 Virginia Street, Buffalo, NY 14202 or e-mail publisher@sportsandleisuremag.com. Please include your name, address and phone number or your letter can’t be published. All letters and responses become the property of Sports & Leisure Magazine, they may be printed, and are subject to editing. Sports & Leisure Magazine is circulated throughout Western New York and Southern Ontario. All rights and trademarks reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without the express written consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited. ©1997 2012 Sports & Leisure Inc.Facebook: Sports and Leisure Magazine and Hugesportz.com

Summer 2012

Summer 2012

Bills future in Buffalo partly sunny

By Ed Kilgore Ch2 Sports Director The news that the Bills have extended their partnership with Toronto for another five years, albeit for less dough than the first five-year $78 million gift, should be welcome news for Bills fans who want their team to stay put in Buffalo. Still, as the deal is being finalized, the development has barely caused a ripple around Western New York and Canada.

Oh, the skepticism about the future of this small market franchise remaining in Buffalo after owner Ralph C. Wilson no longer owns the team continues to grow with each new rumor about a prospective buyer who’d love to grab the Bills when they finally put up a For Sale sign.

Although Wilson, soon to be 93 years old, has always insisted the team will not be

SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE sold during his lifetime, he has given no assurances at all about what happens after he passes. He says he wants the team to stay in Buffalo, but nobody in his family wants to inherit and run the team.

Since the Bills are worth close to $800 million, give or take a few mil here or there, and the estate tax would be substantial, Ralph’s wife Mary and his daughters understandably would put the team up for sale.

Nobody really knows exactly what will happen when that happens, except the rumors about who is in the lead to buy the team and who might keep them here or move will be the fodder for every sports talk show and blog and twitter and column for months.

I do happen to have some encouraging news though, based on a couple sources in position to know what’s going on behind the scenes right now, and believe me, it’s very busy behind the curtain.

Wilson refuses to say anything about what happens when the team is auctioned off, because understandably he doesn’t want the focus about what happens when he’s no longer around to detract from the story of how the Bills are doing on the field. Although Wilson needs a walking aid now and doesn’t travel nearly as much as he did even a couple years ago, I’m told he’s still as sharp mentally as ever and quite excited about this 2012 Bills

team. That’s what he cares about, not five years from now, even though it wouldn’t shock me at all if he’s still around then.

Wilson, I’m told, would love to have Bills Hall of Famer Jim Kelly be a part of any group that buys the Bills, because that would automatically mean the team would remain in Buffalo. Although Kelly makes no secret about his desire to become involved when the time comes, he’s quite respectful of Ralph’s refusal to talk about the future, and besides, he’s still on Ralph’s payroll as a “goodwill ambassador.”

Quietly, and this isn’t coming directly from Kelly, a vetting process has been underway for several months or more, and there are multiple groups anxious to make their best pitch at the Bills when they get that chance.

Supposedly Commissioner Roger Goodell is aware of this movement but will never openly acknowledge any of it, for obvious reasons.

Ralph is still here!

I’m told some of the groups who’ve made it known they’re interested don’t have a clue as to how to go about buying an NFL team and are way out of their league even though they have substantial financial backing.

However, there are at least two or three groups who not only have the financial portfolio to buy the Bills, but who want to keep the team in Buffalo for many years to

Photo courtesy Buffalo Billsi

Welcome Bills Rookies!

Sports & Leisure Magazine would like to welcome the newest members of the Buffalo Bills incoming class. (top row L to R: Cordy Glenn, Nigel Bradham, Mark Asper, Tank Carder, Zebrie Sanders.

Bottom row L to R: John Potter, Stephon Gilmore, T.J. Graham, Ron Brooks.

come.

And that’s not all.

These would-be owners feel the future of the Bills is almost entirely dependant on the eventual construction of a new stadium either in downtown Buffalo or more towards Niagara Falls and Canada.

Not only that, these people would be willing to finance most of the cost of a new stadium privately. I’ll believe that when I see it, because I’m skeptical too, but people I respect insist this is true.

For now though, an uplift on Ralph Wilson Stadium will buy some time, and a new lease with Erie County would be part of that obviously. But make no mistake about it, “The Ralph” is not the long term home of the Bills, whether they stay around here or move elsewhere. Yes, the stadium has great sight lines, etc., but compared to all the new stadiums either built or planned the stadium is near the bottom of the NFL in many areas.

There are only five stadiums that were built before Rich Stadium was put up in 1973, and virtually every one of them—with a couple exceptions—has had either a substantial face lift since then or a plan to build a new one.

Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City was built a year before Rich Stadium but recently had a $375 million dollar upgrade that makes the Chiefs at least competitive, but by no means even average

Page 5 as NFL stadiums go.

Candlestick Park in San Francisco was built in 1960 but the 49ers will have a beautiful new stadium in nearby Santa Clara open in 2014. Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego was built in 1967 and is in much worse shape than the Ralph, and if San Diego doesn’t agree soon to build a new one, the Chargers could wind up in nearby LA. Soldier Field in Chicago was built in 1924, but nine years ago the stadium was completely rebuilt for nearly $700 million. Even though it is now the NFL’s smallest stadium, seating about 61,000, it is also a beautiful structure right on the Lake Michigan shore line.

Lambeau Field in Green Bay was built in 1957, but the stadium has had two huge renovations in 2003 and 2012 that cost upwards of $700 million.

The situation with the Raiders in Oakland may be just as “in the air” as the Bills’ situation, since the Coliseum was built in 1966 and it’s unclear what may happen next. There is speculation the Raiders might share the 49ers new stadium, but it’s also clear the A’s have plans for a baseball only stadium and won’t be sharing the playfield much longer.

So, the Bills aren’t the only team that could be “in play” for LA, if indeed the rival groups out there ever come up with one plan everybody can live with. There are a cou-

ple beautiful designs on the table, but that’s about it.

Could the Raiders be headed back to LA, especially since the passing of Al Davis?

Possibly.

Still, even with a new owner with lots of money and good intentions, there is no guarantee at all the Bills will eventually get the new stadium they need to survive well into the future.

The partnership with Toronto, and by extension southern Ontario, is of vital importance to the future of the Bills. The NFL wants to increase its exposure in other countries, which is why the St. Louis Rams are now playing one “home” game each year in London. I’m told the NFL isn’t eyeing Toronto as a site for the Bills at all, at least for the short term, due to complications with the CFL among other things. But the NFL loves seeing the slow but steady success the Bills have had gaining some support in Canada even with a mostly inferior product.

But the future of the Bills clearly hinges on No.1 ownership, but No.2 a stadium accessible to Canadian fans as the Bills continue to increase their footprint in Ontario and east to Rochester and beyond.

To sum it up, the Bills could wind up staying around Buffalo for many years to come, but the best thing is for all of us to pray for Ralph C. Wilson to stick around for many more years.

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SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE

Summer 2012

Sabres need new Entry Draft plan if they want the Cup

By George Kuhn It’s been said that the NHL’s Stanley Cup is the most difficult championship trophy to win among the four major professional sports leagues. Playoff games are more intense than the regular season because you’re only playing among the better teams and you must beat them 16 times over eight weeks. Goals are hard to come by because generally it’s the teams with the top 16 defensive records that make the playoffs.

The Sabres put together a few impressive playoff runs recently that ignited the fan base, losing in the finals in 1999 and in the conference finals in 2005 and 2006. While those were good performances, they just weren’t good enough to win a championship. If the Sabres want to win the cup any time soon, they should follow the habits of the recent champions. With the 2012 NHL entry draft now behind us, let’s look at the past entry draft habits of recent NHL champions.

Every Stanley Cup winner over the last 20 years, except two, have had at least one or more players who were selected first, second or third overall in the annual entry draft. Recent cup winners usually have more than one of these elite players; Boston 2011 had two (Seguin No.2, Horton No.3) as did Chcago 2010 (Kane No.1, Toews No.2); Pittsburgh 2009 had three (Crosby No.1, Malkin No.2, Fleury No.2), as did Carolina in 2006 (Staal No.2, Whitney No.2, Wesley No.2); Anaheim 2002 had two (Pronger No.2, Niedermayer No.3). The teams who are exceptions were loaded with Hall of Fame superstars; Colorado in 2001 with Peter Forsberg, Joe Sakic, Ray Bourque and Patrick Roy and Detroit in 2008 with Pavel Datsyuk and Nick Lidstrom. The Sabres currently lack any top three picks or likely Hall of Famers.

The 2012 Stanley Cup champion LA Kings were the latest team to follow this pattern, being led by Drew Doughty who was the dominant player in the finals, even better than playoff MVP Jonathan Quick. Doughty is the model for the ultra-skilled modern defenseman who can play shutdown defense and transition to the attack with superb skating, passing and shooting skills. He dominated games for the Kings in the finals in a manner that a second overall selection should and had Hockey Night in Canada’s Don Cherry mention him in the same sentence as Bobby Orr, high praise indeed.

The Sabres organization is far too competent to earn a top draft pick the hard way by finishing at the bottom of the league standings. But a trade to acquire a top pick soon should be their goal.

Edmonton is drafting first for the third consecutive season and their win loss record shows they have accomplished little after drafting scoring sensations Taylor Hall (2010) and Ryan Nugent- Hopkins (2011). With Russian scoring star Nail Yakupov of the OHL Sarnia Sting rated as the top prospect, there

has been speculation that the Oilers may be interested in trading down as a move to acquire some sorely needed depth in their lineup. The Oilers need some gritty forwards for their third and fourth lines and some NHL caliber defensemen more than they need another scorer for their top line.

The Oilers liked Thomas Vanek enough to sign him to an offer sheet in 2008. Maybe they would trade that number one pick for Vanek, along with a battle tested NHL defenders, say Mike Wilson or Andrej Sekera or a first round pick? Vanek is a valuable player and losing him would be a sacrifice, but at age 28 he’s got at best three years of top production left before he tails off into the downside of his career. Yakupov at age 18 has more upside and another 12 years before he hits age 30.

Recent rumors suggest that Columbus may be interested in trading the second overall pick.

But Sabres Director of Amatuer Scouting Kevin Devine says that there are no superstars like Steven Stamkos available this year and that the top picks like Yakupov are not that much better than what the Sabres will get with their own pick at No.12. In other words, it’s not worth surrendering whatever they would have to give up to move up in the draft.

It’s the organizational philosophy that’s important, recognizing that roster upgrades are essential every season and that any holdover player is expendable, even a star player like Thomas Vanek, if you can get a greater value in return. Even the great Wayne Gretzky got traded in 1988 yet the Oilers won the Stanley Cup without him in 1990. I’m not necessarily advocating that the Sabres should move Vanek who is really the team’s only legitimate goal-scorer and when healthy is perhaps the best sniper in the league. It’s just that the team isn’t getting anywhere and needs to be improved to get to the championship level and you need to give up something of quality to get something back.

There is ample precedent to show the value of retooling your lineup with an entry draft upgrade. Vancouver held the second overall pick in 1999 when GM Brian Burke swung a trade to acquire the third pick.

He used the picks to draft Henrik and Daniel Sedin who were the backbone of the Canucks 2011 Stanley Cup finals team and President’s Trophy winners for the best overall record in 2012.

Boston retooled their team by trading away Phil Kessel to Toronto for a pair of early draft picks including the second overall choice in 2010 which they used to draft Tyler Seguin. While Seguin was the Bruins leading scorer in 2012 he was not a key player in their championship win. But his presence in the lineup showed the importance of a forward-thinking organization not afraid to give up on a player in Kessel who didn’t fit their team concept (he doesn’t like getting hit) and swap him for a prospect with more upside. The

Bruins also added former No.3 overall pick Nathan Horton for the 2010-11 season and he scored a couple of seventh game series-winning goals in the B’s march to the cup.

Boston also got rid of former No. 1 overall pick Joe Thornton after they felt he wasn’t the guy. Their 2011 Stanley Cup victory showed the B’s must have gotten rid of the right guys.

The Sabres finished 11th overall in the NHL standings in 2010, dropping to 15th in 2011 and then to 19th in 2012. This is the record of an average team trending downward. Buffalo ranked 16th in goal scoring and 18th defensively in 2012, again very average. As an average NHL team, the Sabres have limitations, they cannot succeed relying on skill and scoring off the rush, they must play solid defense and grind out the goals playing dump and chase.

This style of play favors big strong forechecking forwards that the team does not have in abundance, which is one reason why their success has been limited.

The Sabres under GM Darcy Regier traditionally draft well and have wisely accumulated extra draft choices for 2012 with two choices each in the first and second rounds. With the 12th and 21st overall selections, Buffalo can continue drafting the type of good players who are available after the top prospects are taken, players like Derek Roy, Drew Stafford and Tyler Ennis who keep the team competitive but have been unable to win a playoff series and have missed the playoffs three times in the last five years.

Or they can make a bold move, package up some veterans and throw in a first rounder and make a play for a top pick. If not this year, then next year when scoring star Nathan McKinnon projects as the 2013 top overall pick.

Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier agrees that it takes dominating players to win a championship but correctly points out that a player can dominate whether selected 15th (like Joe Sakic), or first overall. But The Sabres have been drafting in the mid first round range for years and there isn’t a dominating player in the lineup like the recent top picks who have led their teams to the cup. The Sabres record of drafting and developing players is very good, but without the opportunity to choose among the high end elite players it hasn’t been good enough to win a playoff series since 2007.

So the draft plan isn’t getting us any closer to the Stanely Cup. But the abundance of early picks will allow a restocking of the prospect pool. Maybe some picks will be flipped for some veteran help at forward. The free agent moves with Ville Leino and Christian Ehroff haven’t worked either. It’s time for Plan C, make the move for draft day in 2013 to acquire a top pick that could bring Buffalo the kind of talent that history shows is necessary to win the Cup.

Photo by Andy Marlin and Getty Images

Drew Doughty was the dominant player in the finals, leading LA to the 2012 Stanley Cup championship. He was the 2nd player selected in the 1998 NHL entry draft.

Coach Steve the Motive8 Guy

Mental toughness: No room for fear!

I have worked with many athletes, young and old, who said they cracked under pressure. They did all the right things physically to become the best, yet at game time they were distracted or even psyched out. How can mental toughness training help?

Mental toughness, as I teach it, is the ability to turn stress or pressure into success and achievement upon command. In sports and in life, it means being able to do what you know to do, no matter what!

In the world of sports, mental toughness means giving your body permission to do what you have trained it to do—even when your opponent looks tough, you feel less than your best, and fear is trying to creep in. The secret is to concentrate

on positive thoughts, or goals. When your mind is focused on the goal, there is no room to think about things you fear.

For example, in baseball the batter at the plate is focused when he is thinking about hitting the ball. On the other hand, if his mind is considering a negative thought—like the unpleasant sensation of the ball hitting him—the reaction of the body will be to step out of the batter’s box. It defies all logic, really.

Why would anyone want to move into a position that lowers, or even eliminates, any chances of success?

Yet fear and pressure can make an athlete do the opposite of what makes sense.

I have helped many athletes, in a variety of sports, overcome fear and develop mental toughness. Using breathing techniques, visualization, and mantra statements, I have seen athletes move from despair to triumph! Winning is not just the result of training the body. Learn how to engage your mind and perform your best under pressure. I will be happy to show you how.

Coach Steve is a Break-Through Performance Coach who works with executives, professional athletes, families and youth. He bases much of his work on Dr. Denis Waitley’s highly-acclaimed The Psychology of WinningTM and is the only licensed facilitator of this program.

If you would like to learn how Coach Steve can help you with your own motivation, whether in sports, career or other areas of life, please visit his website at www.imagynesports.com. You can also call him at (716) 810-4660 or reach him by email at coachsteve@imagynesports.com.

Summer 2012

SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE

Fantasy baseball

By Mike Fox As we suspected, Albert Pujols appears to have overcome what is becoming his ritual slow start, but the future may not be so clear for others who have had trouble getting out of the starting gate.

Even more difficult might be prognosticating the difference between “early overachievers” and those on Photo courtesy MLB Pressbox their way to a Adrian Gonzalez and the rest of Red career year.

Sox Nation have been feeling blue, but T h e r e ’s better days should be on the way. nothing like a debilitating Crawford were slated to injury or three to sabotage begin rehab assignments what looked to be a wellas this issue of S&L went laid draft plan—as the to press. They should proowners of Ryan vide a much-needed shot Zimmermann and Evan in the arm to the Boston Longoria can attest—but offense, making this a sometimes injuries to good “buy low” time for players can also adversely them, as well as Pedroia affect the stats of their and A-Gonz. healthy teammates. The Adam Jones seemed Boston Red Sox have spent poised for greatness in virtually the entire season 2009 when the then-23trying to replace table-setyear-old smacked 19 ting outfielders Jacoby homers in less than 500 atEllsbury and Carl bats. After mediocre camCrawford, and it hasn’t paigns over the next two been pretty. Free agent years, even his staunchest signee Cody Ross was fans were starting to wondoing an admirable job of der, but Jones has spent helping to fill in the gaps, the first three months of but then he got injured this season laying our too. Adrian Gonzalez has fears to rest, currently on managed only five homers, pace to shatter his career and his .263 batting averhighs in all standard fantaage is 75 points lower than sy scoring categories. last year’s career-best .363 Asking him to maintain mark. Former AL MVP his position among the top Dustin Pedroia’s stats are ten overall batters over the down across the board, second half might be a bit most notably his meager of a stretch, but he should three stolen bases. Kevin have no problem finishing Youkilis, battling injury in the top ten among outissues of his own, is batfielders. ting only .224, 60 points Billy Beane is so good at below his career average. assessing baseball talent Even more notable is the that they made a movie fact the Greek God of about him.

Mr. Walks has drawn only 12 Moneyball’s latest coup free passes in his first 141 was stealing Josh Reddick plate appearances. from the Boston Red Sox Ellsbury, Ross and

Page 7

Collecting Memories for closer Andrew Bailey during the off-season.

Reddick showed us flashes of promise during his stints in the majors over the past few years, but he’s vaulted into the top 50 overall roto players this season after being given a full-time job with the A’s. Oakland’s supporting cast leaves much to be desired, so Reddick will likely lose that top-50 status over the second half, but he’ll remain a strong fantasy option nevertheless. If you play in a keeper league, his dirtcheap price could earn him a job with your squad again next year.

We were all pretty sure that a Blue Jay player carrying dual-position eligibility would rest comfortably among the fantasy leaders at the halfway point of the season, but surprise, it’s Edwin Encarnacion who holds the honor, not Jose Bautista. Encarnacion’s poor defense has often cost him at-bats throughout his career, but the Blue Jays have finally stopped pretending that he is capable of fielding third base at a major league level. Limiting him to starts at first base and designated hitter has helped Encarnacion earn full-time at-bats this season, and the resultant offensive explosion bears an uncanny resemblance to Bautista’s 2010 breakout season, including the fact that both waited until age 29 to finally figure out major league pitching. My gut feeling says that Encarnacion simply cannot maintain this pace for another three months, but I still have ample cause to wonder. His .283 BABIP is right in line with his career mark, suggesting his current .290 batting average isn’t a fluke. And remember, nobody thought Bautista was going to sustain his pace for a full season in 2010 either, so precedent has been set in Toronto.

with Mike Dyer

Buffalo oldster makes pitch for players from the 1950s It was an easy decision in 1953 for Buffalo native Ken Fremming. Allow Topps Co. to make a baseball card for him and he’d be paid $50. Or take a new wristwatch from Bowman Co. and permit that firm to honor his face with a baseball card.

Fremming, hard-throwing right-handed pitcher, says he took Bowman’s offer. “But, that watch was only secondhand,” the Kenmore resident said. “It wasn’t new.”

Fremming, now 83, was expected to bolster the Detroit Tigers pitching staff in 1953. He returned from two years on the Army and reported to Tigers skipper Fred Hutchinson in top shape. But his arm wasn’t ready. ‘‘I messed up my arm,’’ he said. “I hadn’t thrown a baseball in two years. I soon developed bursitis.”

Fremming came out of Fosdick-Masten Park High School in Buffalo, graduating in 1947. He looked to join a Tigers team that included pitchers Hal Newhouser, Virgil (Fire) Trucks, and Dizzy Trout as well as veterans Vic Wertz, Hoot Evers and Gerry Priddy.

The 6-foot-4 Fremming mowed down batters in the New York-Penn League. He hurled a no-hiter for Jamestown in 1947, holding Wellsville hitless.

Fremming appeared a nobrainer for the big leagues after being chosen the only Western New York athlete to the 1946 American Legion championship game in Chicago. “Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner were the managers,” the pitcher said.

“There were scouts from many teams at the game and the New York Giants tried to sign me. They didn’t know Detroit already had me signed.”

Fremming sailed through

Photo courtesy Ken Flemming

LOTS OF TALK: Buffalo native Ken Fremming, top right, discusses the finer arts of baseball with friends from the Buffalo Bisons and Boston Red Sox. Fremming retired from the game in 1955. the minor leagues, winning 17 games one year and 15 the next season.

Now a member of the Chautaugua Sports Hall of Fame and Western New York Hall of Fame, Fremming says he wishes present big league pitchers would challenge the batters more.

“I could throw hard, especially when someone dug in,” he said. “Pitchers would throw at batters’ heads to get them off the plate. And if you were really mad at them, you’d throw at their hips because they couldn’t get out of the way.” “(Opposing players) were the enemy back then,” he adds. “Players were treated like cattle. I wish my friends could sit in a dugout then and see how tough it was to play.

Guys would slide hard into second base, breaking up a double play.”

Oh, there’s nothing wrong with the athletes in 2012, he says.

“I see athletes are better now,” Fremming said. “But they’re all businessmen, not

competitors.”

After his playing days were completed in 1954, Fremming spent 37 years in the dairy and beer businesses.

He is the father of six, grandfather to four and great grandfather to three.

When he’s not watching baseball, Fremming can be found on the local golf courses. “I have a good time playing golf, but I’m the worst golfer in the area,” he said.

Upcoming Shows Amherst sports card show promoter Rob Schilling says the next big area show is slated for Oct. 14 at the Hearthstone Manor in Depew.

A summer sports card show is tentatively set for Aug. 5 at the Leonard Veterans of Foreign Wars Post on Walden Avenue in Cheektowaga.

Mike Dyer of Cheektowaga is the author of two sports books and spent 47 years writing about sports for New York newspapers. He has voted for the Baseball Hall of Fame since 1983. Contact Mike by sending to mikedyer59@yahoo.com.

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SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE

Summer 2012

The best seat in the house: VIP Seats

By Jeffrey Levine the resale market and was a street business [scalping] not known for their custo a legitimate establishAlmost 20 years ago, tomer service. Good tickets ment.”

Nick Giammusso had an were hard to get and, not When the Aud closed its idea so simple yet ingensurprisingly, the corporadoors in 1993, Nick and his ious it was surprising that no one had thought of it at the time; provide a secure and easy way for fans to be able to buy and sell their tickets.

“I used to run the box office at Memorial A u d i t o r i u m , ” Giammusso explained.

“I saw that there was a need; no one was taking care of customer.

When I was manager in the 80s and 90s, clients would come up to me all the time and say I didn’t know this show came up on sale Photo courtesy Nick Giammusso and now it’s sold out.

VIP Seats, located on Main Street in Williamsville, is your local Then someone would source for events throughout the country. say I bought these eight seats but I can’t tion that basically cornered sister Della both found go. My response was no the market was not overly themselves without a job. refund, no exchange. There concerned with catering to With less than a $1,000 for was always someone who the needs of the buying start-up funding, the wanted seats and always public.

Giammussos began VIP someone who had tickets Call it David vs. Goliath, Seats with little more than a that couldn’t use them. The but Nick and Della wanted fax machine, telephone and concert promoters and to do something better. a used computer. Although sports teams already got “We try to give every the idea of reselling tickets their money so they didn’t client a VIP experience,” was not new at the time, want to go through the Nick explained. “Basically the way the Giammussos process to resell. In the just treating them like gold. went about doing it was. early 90s I saw the need for It’s what we do for every Ticketmaster more or less a service like ours. customer. Everyone thinks maintained a monopoly on Basically, we took what was

they’re going to get ripped off in the ticket industry.

We try to be straightforward with pricing. Our customers know they’ll get a good ticket delivered on time.”

Over the years, each one of those customers has added up, totaling over 50,000 during VIP Seat’s 18 years of business. Although it would be impossible to go through the story of each satisfied customer, there is one in particular that stands out in Nick’s mind: “I got a call one afternoon a few years ago from a guy in a New York City hotel who wanted tickets to the Yankees game that evening… While the client was at dinner I made arrangements to have the tickets delivered to him right at the restaurant. I got a call back from the client who said it was amazing.

He then asked how old I

was and do I know who Tony Orlando is? He said, ‘I’m Tony Orlando but I go by the name of Michael Cassavitis.’ That’s the type of work we do.”

Today, VIP Seats sells event tickets for individuals, groups and businesses to many hard-to-get events all over the world. They are even able to offer special access to events, such as a recent backstage meet and greet with Aerosmith. If you want to see it—sporting events, concerts, theatre—chances are good that VIP Seats will be able to take care of you and in the process make a customer for life.

Despite their success, the Giammussos have stayed true to their roots, a lesson they learned while watching their parents build up a small business after emigrating from Italy. Their office is located in Main

Street in Williamsville and even with the internet they still have customers stop in to buy tickets the old-fashioned way; box-office style.

It is those personal connections that keep this familyrun business growing strong and anchored in Buffalo.

“This is where we live; this is where I have my family” Nick said. “Western New York is perfect. We could be anywhere. But this is where we started and this is where our roots are. I love it here. We’ve got everything here: skiing an hour away; the Sabres; and in the summer there’s nowhere better to be. The weather’s perfect and there so many outdoor shows.”

For more information on VIP Seats or to buy tickets to an event anywhere throughout the country, visit www.vipseats.com.

Summer 2012

SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE

Page 9

Page 10

SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE

2012 Meet at Buffalo Raceway winds down

By Matthew G. Young

potential as horses generalprompting for more speed. ly don’t hit their peak perWith a 28 second final The racing world was formance levels until they quarter, Steelhead Hanover shocked when I’ll Have are a bit older. “I think finished 4-1/2 lengths Another was scratched you’ll hear a from the lot about this Belmont Stakes guy in the and denied a future,” chance at capM o r r i l l turing the Triple added.

Crown this year.

After the On the other Belmont side of the state, weekend is there was no the final lack of excitestretch of the ment at Buffalo 2012 Buffalo Raceway celemeeting. The brated on June 9 season goes and 10 with a until July 22, full card of 12 and after this, races and a total Photo by Paul White the horses of $6,000 in free Steelhead Hanover Steals the Show with Track and their betting vouchers Record Performance at Buffalo Raceway. teams will over the two shift over to Batavia Downs ahead of the second place days of the Belmont weekfor the summer and fall finisher, JK Panache. “It end. meet. was a great mile,” Buffalo Already this year, a track This isn’t the end of the Raceway’s Jonathan Cramer record has been broken at action though for Buffalo commented.

Steelhead the Raceway. Steelhead Raceway. Over the Father’s Hanover is trained by Joe Hanover set both the threeDay weekend they will be Pavia, Jr. and is owned by year-old and the all-ages having pony rides, cotton Agc Stables, Dijo Racing, J. record at the one mile discandy, and even a giveaway Barbera, and S. Held. tance with a time of 1:52.3. featuring electronic items Despite running a track This was accomplished on including an HD television record for the mile, May 12 at the Buffalo leg of and Blu Ray products. On Steelhead Hanover is very the New York Sire Stakes, July 14, the track is taking likely to improve. “He and has been undoubtedly part in a national celebracould have gone a lot one of the biggest hightion called “Back to the faster,” Morrill said. “I had lights of the 2012 season.

Track.” This promotion will him totally under wraps in Driven by Jim Morrill, Jr., consist of plenty of activithe stretch.” In fact, the the pacer started out his ties for both kids and adults three-year-old ran a 1:51 as record-breaking run in alike. There will also be a two-year-old at Dover third place and held his lucky program contests and Downs, according to ground until the quarter a free betting voucher giveMorrill. This shows that the mile mark and then away. horse has quite a bit of responded nicely to a

Summer 2012

Doctari’s Fishing Forum

with Rich Davenport

Fishing starts its summer fireworks display Summer seems to arrive early in WNY after a warm May stoked water temperatures summer levels. Bass, catfish, and every other soughtafter game and pan fish seem to settle into summer patterns early, affording hours of enjoyment for persistent anglers across the region.

Bass Lake Erie trophy bass seekers find success plying waters over changeable topology in depths between 20 and 30 feet, from Brocton Shoals to Seneca Shoals. The invasive round goby seems to comprise the bulk of Lake Erie’s big bass diet, affording rapid growth and size, but potentially lowering the overall lifespan. Tube jigs sprinkled with purple and goby imitating plastics prove irresistible when hopped along the bottom in and around spawning grounds.

Action continues throughout the day this time of year.

Statewide black bass season opened in NYS on June 16, but conditions seem to have bass acting more like it is midJuly, as both the largemouth and smallmouth variety hunker into ambush points along weed lines and other good bass-favoring structure. Jerk baits worked in and around emerging weed beds is tough for bass to resist, as is a Carolina-rigged salamander dragged across feeding flats.

Chautauqua Lake seems to get most mention for hot action around installed docks and in areas near drop-offs. Do not overlook Cassadaga Lakes either, as this smaller water is a perfect option when winds kick up Lake Erie or Chautauqua into a bumpy mess. Closer to Buffalo, the barge canal is heating up as waters clear and bass settle into areas near deadfalls and emerging weeds. Plastic worms, Texas-rigged, are hard to beat. Other super area bass factories include Conesus and Honeoye Lakes, with July being a great time for top water presentations like buzzbaits and jitterbugs worked along weed lines and docks during early morning and evening hours.

Catfish The channel catfish runs hit full swing in June and into July, as big, spawning Lake Erie catfish invade creek waters in advance of their annual spawning rites.

Cattaraugus and 18-Mile Creek feeding Lake Erie now has tremendous numbers of large catfish cruising deeper waters, with many specimens exceeding the 20 pound mark ready to rumble. Dead baits like raw shrimp or stew beef show irresistible to hungry cats, but do not overlook a night crawler either. Present baits in areas where current changes show for best results.

A muddy stain after a good rain usually keeps catfish active all day, while clearer

Photo by Rich Davenport

Big channel catfish invade great lakes streams, like this 17+ pound fish caught by Tonawanda angler Dave Brant. waters forces anglers to concentrate on early morning hours, and dusk through nightfall.

Walleye Lake Erie’s most sought after game fish start increasing their feeding activity after recovery from the rigors of the spawn. Night trollers and casters working the shallow waters off Woodlawn Beach after dark with stick baits report feeding activity in depths between 12 and 18 feet. Open water-trolling shows best well west of Dunkirk Harbor, with hot action happening from Brocton Shoals to the PA State line in depths ranging between 50 and 80 feet of water. Stick baits and worm harnesses work wonders in June, setting rigs to present to fish anywhere from five to 20 feet off bottom, depending on conditions. A slow troll of two miles per hour or less is necessary.

Inland waters start heating up with walleye moving in and out of weeds during dawn and dusk hours. Chautauqua Lake’s North Basin and waters around Long Point State Park show best when working jigs tipped with a night crawler or minnow with effective depth varying depending on light levels.

Yellow Perch Jumbo jack perch are all the rage on Lake Erie, with schools setting up in depths between 59 and 62 FOW, off Sturgeon Point to EvansAngola Bar. Emerald shiners presented vertically just off bottom draws strikes throughout the day, but you have to find the perch packs first, a tall order when winds whip up waters, scattering settling schools.

Chautauqua’s ring back bounty continues to delight ages young and old with their near shore presence, and

although not as big as Lake Erie fish, Chautauqua Lake yellow perch show about as well as ever. A worm or minnow set under a float will delight young and old alike with constant action throughout the day.

Great Lakes Charters If you’re new to the area or have never fished the Great Lakes, a good way to get familiar is to hire one of the many charter captains for a day or half-day trip. Most captains can accommodate up to four anglers, provide all the bait and tackle (bring your own beverages and food) and offer tremendous insight into fishing either off Lake Erie or Ontario. Charters are available out of Wilson, Olcott and Oak Orchard harbors on Lake Ontario, and Buffalo Small Boat Harbor, Sturgeon Point and Dunkirk Harbors on Lake Erie. Hiring a charter is the perfect Father’s Day gift, offering excitement and a learning experience in the process. For more info on area captains, check out http://www.greatlakes.org/ny/elecba/members.html or http://nyfisherman.net/lakeontariocharters.h tml to find the right trip for you.

Remember, take a kid fishing and give the gift that lasts a lifetime.

Rich Davenport is co-founder of WeLoveOutdoors.com, an avid Outdoorsman and member of the NYSOWA. His works are also published in NY Outdoor News, Walleye.com and the Buffalo News. Rich is also the Recording Secretary for the Erie County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, Secretary of the Western NY Environmental Federation, member of the Erie County Fisheries Advisory Board and is the Co-Chairman and Region 9 Rep NYSCC Big Game Committee. Email rich@weloveoutdoors.com.

Summer 2012

SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE

Page 11

BRODIE LEE’S LAST ENGLISH-LANGUAGE INTERVIEW (AT LEAST FOR AWHILE)

Photo by Jeff Baron

Brodie Lee is not a nice person. wrestling fans know, Article VII, Section B, Paragraph 7, Subclause (k) of the International Wrestling Journalist Bylaws And Protocol (IWJBAP) dictates that all interviews of foreign-nationals shall be printed in the language of the home federation.

Note: any portion in italics are not the actual word(s) used by Brodie, but rather, my interpretation due to the noisy conditions.

ITI: Who trained you to wrestle?

BL: Rik Matrix. He’s a great trainer, but he’s absolutely nuts. I trained along with Kid Justice, Rhythm & Booze, as well as Flex McTuffington. If there’s anyone locally who deserves to make $1 Million in wrestling, it’s Rik Matrix, but he won’t, because he’s a nutjob.

ITI: What made you want to be a pro wrestler?

BL: The feud between Jake Roberts and Rick Rude. When I finally got bigger than my older brother and was able to kick his behind, I knew I wanted to do this for a living.

ITI: Can you list all the countries you’ve wrestled in?

BL: All across the US, Canada, England, France, Germany, Japan and back.

ITI: Tell us the differences amongst the fans in these various lands.

BL: US fans are the worst.

Japanese fans are the best; they believe in the product, have heart, and are proud of wrestling.....

In Japan, if I punch someone in the face, they cheer. Here, if I punch someone like Ron Falco in the face, they boo.

ITI: Did you try to take in any of Japan’s wrestling history before going there?

BL: I looked at tapes of Bruiser Brody and Stan Hansen. I don’t do exactly what they did, but I know (the fans) are waiting for a big bad American to come in there and kick butt.

ITI: Do you drive your Big Rig to Japan?

BL: No. They put me in this little plane. I get off the plane, I punch people, I have to ride in one of their small trucks, and it angers me, so I punch more people.

ITI: So they don’t like you in Japan?

BL: Yeah...that’s the idea ITI: In Dragon Gate USA, you teamed with former Sumo champion Akebono.

BL: Akebono couldn’t be

a cooler guy; he’s a legend.

But then he started dancing with Orsirian Portal; I lost all respect for him, because I don’t do that garbage....

I categorically don’t dance, Ivan. That’s why the next night, I beat his fanny, something even Big Show couldn’t do.

ITI: Did you like working in England?

BL: I vehemently hate England. It costs you $15 to ride on the subway. I bloody hate England.

ITI: Are you still angry about losing the NWA NY Heavyweight Title tonight?

BL: Yes. I won the belt fair and square. I defended it fair and square, but I was forced to defend it again by that ignoramus Chip Stetson.

ITI: Who’s your favorite person to work with, in terms of match quality?

BL: Anybody but Nick Ando....Maybe Cheech Hernandez... not Ron Falco....not Nick Ando....not Coconut Jones....not Maximo Suave....not Nick Ando...it’s probably Cheech Hernandez.

ITI: Just what are your thoughts on Nick Ando?

BL: He’s a blithering drainpipe.

(Upon hearing his name mentioned, Nick Ando walks over) BL: This is Nick Ando.

He’s a huge disappointment to the Rochester wrestling scene.

NA: I have NO corner moves, but I bought a lot of tickets from Brodie.

ITI: But isn’t Nick Ando a tag team champion?

BL: In Rochester, that means almost nothing.....

NA: I’m horrible. Nobody should book me (Ando walks away).

ITI: Which lessons did Superstar Rob Schulz teach you?

BL: He taught me the Meaning of Charisma and how to mess with C.J. Mooney. (Dewey’s father then brings over vanilla birthday cake for all to share. Suddenly, a Ron Falco fan comes up to Brodie...)

RFF: Brodie- Run from the Bullet!

BL: What?

RFF: Run from the Bullet! Run from the Bullet!

(Falco fan then scurries away) BL: That’s pretty good... I may use that when I go to to ...er, when I go to Japan.

ITI: I understand you’re a big hockey fan.

BL: The biggest.

ITI: You’re a Maple Leafs fan. You were born in Nebraska and have been working in the Buffalo/Rochester area.

Why the Leafs?

BL: Buffalo is the closest hockey team to here, but everything about Buffalo is

awfully nauseous. Toronto is the next closest city, and the Leafs are one of the greatest franchises in hockey history.

ITI: But they haven’t won the Stanley Cup since 1967.

BL: That’s right, Ivan; 1967, you incorrigible soil farmer. If you wanna talk about it more, we can go outside.

ITI: If you weren’t a pro wrestler, what would you do with your life?

BL: (pauses) I’d drive my truck all over the country, meet all the Rest Stop Rats, procreate, and live out the rest of my life.

ITI: What would you want people to know about Big Rig Brodie Lee, outside of wrestling?

BL: I’m a sensitive guy. I like long walks on the beach, big boots, and farmfresh broiled haddock.

There’s so much more we could write, but Brodie threatened me if something came out that he didn’t like.

Some of it I printed anyway; some I didn’t. Hopefully, he won’t give me a J-Boot or Truck Stop when he gets back from the Far East.

Weeks later, we heard that a funny thing happened on his way to Japan.

Big Rig took a non-stop Alleghany Airlines flight from Rochester to Tokyo, with layovers in Florida, Medicine Hat and Boise.

For reasons unknown, he got off the plane in Florida and remains there to this day. His exact whereabouts are a mystery, but certain people (not This Reporter) have heard from him.

When I ask for information, they’re lukewarm about saying anything, so I don’t harp on the matter.

Why? I don’t want him punching me in the face.

UPCOMING EVENTS Fri. 6/22 - TNA Impact! Coca-Cola Field - Buffalo, NY - 7:30 p.m.

Sun. 6/24 - CHIKARA Pro Pastime Athletic ClubSyracuse, NY Sun. 6/24 - TNA Hamilton Convention Centre - Hamilton, ONT, Canada - 6 p.m.

Sat 7/14 - NWA NY Eagles Club, 1200 Buffalo Rd. - Gates (Rochester) NY - 6:30 p.m.

Sat. 8/18 - BCW Youngstown, NY - details TBA Sat. 8/18 - ESW - St.

Johnsburg Fire Hall- Ward Rd. - N. Tonawanda, NY 6:30 p.m.

Sat. 9/22 - UFC - Air Canada Centre - Toronto, ONT, Canada - 5 p.m.

Sat. 10/13 - Ring of Honor - International Centre Mississauga, ONT, Canada - 7:30 p.m.

MULTIMEDIA “Wrestlevision Presents No Limits TV,” is from Big Guy Productions, a nonpublically traded company. For Suburban Erie County, it’s on TimeWarner Cable Ch. 20 every Saturday at 4 p.m., with replays Mondays at 11:30 p.m. Yes, there are new classic matches currently airing!

Listen to The Pain Clinic every Saturday at 10 a.m. on WHTK-AM (1280) in Rochester; you can also listen at www.feelthepain.net.

Turnbuckle Talk is also on the wireless every Monday night at 7 p.m. on WBNY-FM (91.3) in Buffalo.

Finally, Wrestlevision is now on the latest form of “social media,” The Twitter. Appropriately, the address is @Wrestlevision

Trivia quiz

By Mike Fox

June has arrived and soon baseball will claim its summertime monopoly on the major league sports stage.

As you fire up your grill and fill your cooler with refreshing beverages, we offer some reminders of the notable—and dubious— records of some of the Boys of Summer.

1. Bert Blyleven is the only pitcher ever to surrender 50 home runs in one season. Who is the only active pitcher ever to serve up 46 in a season? a. Colby Lewis b. Bronson Arroyo c. Josh Beckett d. Mark Buehrle 2. Who holds the all-time record for most plate appearances in a season, with 778? a. Jimmy Rollins b. Pete Rose c. Derek Jeter d. Juan Pierre 3. Roy Halladay leads all active pitchers with 66 career complete games.

Who ranks second among active pitchers with 50 complete games? a. Andy Pettitte b. CC Sabathia c. Cliff Lee d. Livan Hernandez 4. Only three active players rank among the top 50 all-time in career batting average: Albert Pujols, Ichiro Suzuki and who?

a. Derek Jeter b. Matt Holliday c. Miguel Cabrera d. Joe Mauer 5. Babe Ruth holds the all-time record for most total bases in a season, with 457. Who is the only active player ever to have 400 or more total bases in a season? a. Alex Rodriguez b. Adrian Beltre c. Todd Helton d. No active player has ever had 400.

6. Sixteen active players have hit at least 50 doubles in a single season. Who is the only one to reach that mark three times in his career? a. Bobby Abreu b. Dustin Pedroia c. Nick Markakis d. Brian Roberts 7. Only three active players have ever had 150 or more RBI in a single season: Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez and who? a. Miguel Tejada b. Ryan Howard c. Mark Teixeira d. Prince Fielder 8. Who is the only active pitcher other than Francisco Rodriguez and Mariano Rivera to have 50 or more saves in a season? a. Jose Valverde b. JJ Putz c. Jason Isringhausen d. No other active pitcher has ever reached 50.

Photo courtesy MLB Pressbox

Miguel Cabrera is a hitting machine, but how does his batting average compare among active players?

9. Now that Kerry Wood has retired, who is the only active pitcher with at least 1,000 innings pitched averaging at least 10 strikeouts per nine innings pitched? a. Felix Hernandez b. Justin Verlander c. Tim Lincecum d. No other active pitcher is averaging 10 or more.

10. Roy Halladay is the active leader for most innings pitched in a season, with 266. Who was the last pitcher to throw 300 or more innings in a season? a. Phil Niekro b. Steve Carlton c. Dave Stewart d. Charlie Hough

Answers 1. b 2. a 3.d 4. d 5. c Helton did it in 2000 and 2001.

6. d 7. a 8. d 9. d Wood, Randy Johnson and Pedro Martinez are the only pitchers in history to average 10.

10. b.

By0 Ivan the Impaler It was hours after “Big Rig” Brodie Lee’s last match in Rochester. He successfully defended the NWA NY Heavyweight Title against Ron Falco; after the contest, Brodie said he was headed to Japan and taking the title belt with him.

Commissioner Chip Stetson told the crowd that Brodie was still contractually obligated to a rematch against the man he beat for the title - Cheech Hernandez- and that the match would be held then and there. Cheech went on to regain the belt, leaving the Big Rig spittin’ mad.

As usual, the wrasslers gathered at a noisy Woody’s II in Henrietta for the “after-party.”

Following wrestling tradition, the good guys stayed on one side of the building, drinking Gatorade, soda pop and warm milk while signing autographs for the fans. The bad guys were on the other side, drinking cheap beer, hard liquor and sneaking outside for smoke breaks.

Did I mention it was noisy?

The 6-foot-7, 285-pound Brodie sat alone in the bad guy’s section. He previously agreed to this interview, but looked like a man who didn’t want to be bothered. I asked again rather nicely; after he grabbed another beer, he motioned for me to sit down.

Born in Lincoln, Neb., Brodie temporarily settled in this area for a few yearshe was (and still is) a truck driver, and a truck driver NEVER permanently settles. Big Rig built quite the resume- numerous appearances in the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500, 3 NWA NY Heavyweight Titles, plus unifying the NWA NY Kayfabe Dojo and TV Titles.

He also held the NWA Empire (now ESW) Heavyweight Title, is a 2 time Squared Circle Wrestling Champ, and was Jersey All Pro Wrestling’s Heavyweight, Jersey State and tag team champion. His partner for the JAPW tag belt was the diabolic Necro Butcher, whom you recall from the hardcore match in the award-winning film “The Wrestler.”

Mr. Lee also wrassled in Ring of Honor, CHIKARA, Combat Zone Wrestling and EVOLVE as well as Dragon Gate USA, where he teamed with (and later turned against) former sumo superstar (and Wrestlemania participant) Akebono. In Japan while working for Dragon Gate, he was part of the Blood Warriors. Brodie wrestled throughout the USA, Europe, Canada and Japan; as Johnny Cash, the patron saint of truck drivers, sang “He’s been everywhere.”

With Brodie going to Japan, this will be his last English language interview for awhile.

As all

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SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE

Summer 2012

Canisius comes up big

Congratulations to the 2012 MAAC Men’s Lacrosse Champions.

Community Sports Report Rochester may have had a big MLL championship with the Knighawks to celebrate, but Buffalo recently brought home a title of its own.

The Canisius College men’s lacrosse team held Siena College without a goal in the second half, rallying for a 10-9 victory to win the 2012 MAAC Championship on the campus of Marist College in May. Senior Jimmy Haney

(Cicero, N.Y.) scored a game-high four goals and was named the MAAC Tournament Most Valuable Player. Senior goalkeeper Sean Callahan (Orchard Park, N.Y.) made eight saves on the day and also earned MAAC All-Tournament Team honors. Seniors Simon Giourmetakis (Edmonton, Alberta) and Travis Gibbons (Owen Sound, Ontario) each scored two goals for the Griffs on the day.

able to make the adjustments at halftime, and we found a way in the end to defeat a quality opponent in Siena.

Down 9-6 at the half, Canisius (6-7) drew its third man-up opportunity of the game and Giourmetakis set up Gibbons, who cut the Siena lead to two goals early in the second half. That goal would be the only scoring of the period as Callahan made three saves in the third quarter to keep Siena off the scoreboard.

Photo courtesy Canisius College Athletics Haney scored his third goal of the day when he beat his man behind the net “This win is a testatment and finished while cutting to our senior class, the 16 around the crease to cut the seniors who have led this deficit to 9-8 with 13:33 team to a conference chamleft. The Griffs were able to pionship,” Canisius coach kill off a 60-second man-up Randy Mearns said. “We opportunity for Siena, and had to battle to get into the Callahan made a pointtournament, and we are blank stop on a shot from playing our best lacrosse of the back post to keep it a the season at the right one-goal game with just t i m e . ” over 10 minutes remaining.

“Our team didn’t really exeNeither team could generate cute the game plan in the a shot offensively until the first half,” coach Mearns Griffs tied it with 3:29 left. continued, “but we were

Junior Joe Rautenstrauch (Buffalo, N.Y.) drew the defense in and found Haney for his fourth of the day, tying the score at 9-9.

The Griffs then took their first, and only, lead of the game with 1:45 left on a goal from Edwards, when the MAAC Rookie of the Year went around the cage and fired it into the upperright corner. Callahan made a save with just over a minute remaining, and the Griffs forced a turnover with 20 seconds remaining to seal the win.

Callahan made eight saves to earn the win. Siena (11-5) didn’t score a goal in the second half for the first time in 28 games.

Canisius won the opening draw of the game and had two good looks in the opening minute of the contest, but Siena goalie Tom Morr made one save and the other shot went off the post.

The Saints scored first 1:55 into the game, but the Griffs came right back and knotted it at 1-1 on an unassisted goal from junior Nick Caldiero (Buffalo, N.Y.) just over three minutes into the game. Siena then scored three straight goals, building a 4-1 lead with 8:23 left in the first quarter. Canisius stopped the run Haney picked up a loose ball and scored with 7:18 remaining to cut the deficit to two.

Canisius made it a onegoal game, scoring on their

second man-up opportunity of the quarter. Giourmetakis scored from the right side off a feed from freshman Tim Edwards (Jamesville, N.Y.). The Saints stopped the run with a goal from Chris D’Alberti with 52 seconds remaining and took a 5-3 lead into the second quarter.

Canisius scored the first two goals in the second quarter as Gibbons scored easily after a nice drive and dish from senior Brendan O’Hagan (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) to again make it a onegoal game. Haney then had his second of the day when he spun around and fired it low past Moor to tie the game at 5-5. Siena then scored three straight goals, and Giourmetakis stopped the run with his second of the day off a long feed from junior Hugh Weir (Saskatoon, Sasktachewan).

Siena pushed the lead back to three goals just 32 seconds later on the third goal of the half from Danny Martinsen and took a 9-6 lead into the locker room.

Canisius, who also won the 2008 MAAC Championship, went on to play eventual champion Loyola Maryland in the opening round of the NCAA. Their five goals on the champs was a respectable outing and two more than NCAA runnersup University of Maryland hung on them.

Local collegiate track and field crosses finish line at nationals

By Adam McGill The 2012 collegiate track season has proven to be one of the most successful ever in the history of the Western New York. The area was able to watch several of their own head to the track and field championships this year, as seven local collegiate athletes participated in their respective championships earlier this month. Below is a full wrap up of their performances: Jimmy Campbell, Buffalo State Campbell (Owego) made the trip to Claremont, California, for the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships and was the only athlete from a local men’s team to make the journey. He ended up being scratched from the race, but it still does not take away from the amazing season he put together. The sophomore is the team’s premier middledistance runner and will be a strong part of the Bengals’ track program for the next two years.

Jazmin Dunham, Buffalo

State Dunham (Rochester) set a school record earlier in the year in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.30 seconds. The sophomore earned a trip to the Division III National championships as the ninth seed in the event, but was unable to finish her race due to reoccurring back spasms. Dunham will be another bright spot on the Bengals’ team for years to come and she has gained some valuable experience this season.

Rob Golabek, University at Buffalo Golabek (Hamburg) has been one of the best throwers in the history of the university, as he earned his fourth consecutive trip to the Division I National Championships this year.

The senior had a strong throw of 61-0.25 feet (18.60 meters), and he grabbed a 12th place finish on the nation’s biggest stage. It was a great end to Golabek’s outstanding collegiate career, where he seemed to set a school record with each throw.

Golabek anchored the Bulls’ field program over the last four years and has certainly left his mark on the Western New York track community.

Asia Henry, University at Buffalo Henry (Rochester) is only the second female track athlete from UB to earn a trip to the Division I National Championships.

The middle-distance star raced in the 800-meter run against some of the best in the business, and she certainly made a name for herself. The sophomore placed 14th out of 24 runners, with a time of 2:04.65, as she set a university record with her sizzling time.

Sasha Henry, Buffalo State Henry (Mt. Vernon) also made the journey to the Division III Championships, but her 19th place finish in the 100-meter dash did not allow her to move on to the finals. Henry still improved dramatically in her third season and will without a doubt be the Bengals best female sprinter next year.

Erica Johnson, Buffalo

State J o h n s o n (Poughkeepsie) finished her amazing career by receiving All-American Honors for the seventh time at Buffalo State.

Johnson placed second in the 100-meter dash at the S U N Y A C Championships, and her time of 11.84 seconds, broke a school record that she set earlier in the year. Johnson will be remembered as one of the best sprinters in the history of Western New York track and field.

Jessica Walker, Buffalo State Walker (Rochester) also traveled to the west coast for the D-III Track and Field Championships. Walker ended up placing 11th in the triple jump with her best jump being an impressive 11.75 meters.

The senior has ended her career with three SUNYAC Championships under her belt, and she even earned AllAmerican honors in the triple jump in 2009.

Photo Paul Hokanson/UB Athletics

Only a sophomore, Asia Henry has already re-written the record books at UB.

Summer 2012

SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE

Wally Backman: Doing whatever it takes to bring a winner to Buffalo

By Joe Kirchmyer Wally Backman’s stellar playing career as a second baseman included winning a World Series ring with the legendary 1986 New York Mets team that included a colorful cast of characters such as Dwight Gooden, Gary Carter, Keith Hernandez, Lenny Dykstra and Darryl Strawberry. A career .275 hitter, Backman would later catch the coaching bug and eventually rejoin the organization that produced his best playing days.

Backman is now in his third year with the Mets organization and his first year as manager of the Buffalo Bisons. I had an opportunity to have a conversation with coach Backman in his office at Coca-Cola Field one recent afternoon while he was preparing for a game that evening against the Rochester Red Wings: Sports & Leisure Magazine: Your best playing days were with the New York Mets. As a coach, did you feel any added pressure rejoining the organization because of that?

Wally Backman: I don’t think so. Fred and Jeff

[Wilpon] gave me another opportunity to do what I like to do.

S&L: Overall, what’s your impression so far of the Buffalo Bisons organization?

WB: I can’t imagine there being a better facility in Triple A than what’s here in Buffalo. The field is great, the clubhouse is great, the hitting facility is outstanding. When you need to get extra work in when it’s cold (outside), we have the facility to do that here. And the front office here is second to none.

Communications…it’s the way they communicate with you.

S&L: It took all of seven innings for the injury bug to strike the New York Mets this season, which resulted in the immediate call-up of one of your players. As a coach, how do you keep your sanity when that happens?

WB: I don’t let it bother me. It’s really out of my hands. The injuries are going to happen. Our job in Buffalo is to win, and also to prepare these guys for the big leagues and make sure they’re ready.

S&L:

You

must

be

pleased with the success of the players who have already been called up?

WB: Absolutely. The first thing I told [Kirk] Nieuwenhuis is don’t come back, and he’s been on a tear ever since. There was some speculation about him making the major league roster this year, but because of the injury he had last year, the organization felt he needed to get more atbats here in Triple A. We thought maybe by June he’d be ready. But with the injury (to Mets OF Andres Torres on Opening Day), it was a very early June for him.

S&L: You never want to rush a player to the big leagues, but what about Bryce Harper (of the Washington Nationals)? Is that good for a player? He’s still a teenager.

WB: He’s a mature 19. I think you have to look at— especially in a young kid— what his maturity level is.

There are some guys who are 23, 24 who are still immature to be playing in the big leagues. Is he (Harper) ready to go up there and stay? Time will tell. We found a couple of holes on him when we were pitching to him (in AA).

But he projects to be a superstar someday, and hopefully, for his sake, he’s another kid who’s up there to stay.

Page 13 think team chemistry and the players finally getting to know each other has made a big difference of late. It’s a good team and they play very well together.

S&L: What are your goals for the remainder of season?

WB: What we’re doing right now, staying consistent.

Getting [Matt] Harvey S&L: Getting and [Jeurys] Familia away from baseball better is one of our for a minute, have big jobs. They’re you had a chance to young and they’ve explore Buffalo and been pushed to this Western New York level, but we’ve got to yet? work on command WB: I’m telling with them. We want you that the restauto make them good rants here are as starters when they get good as any! I live to the big leagues. right here in the Their development is city and I’ve been very important to us. around the city, but Photo by Jeff Barnes We’ve also got guys to really explore it?

New Bisons skipper Wally Backman on the 40-man roster No, not really. My returns to the Mets organization where he here like Lutzie (Zach wife was here. She’ll has had so much success.

Lutz) who just came go back and forth. back and we’ve got to She likes the area.

S&L: The team is off to a work with him at first and They explored it way more pretty good start. Have third base. The things we than I have. My son was there been any surprises so were working on before he here with his girlfriend for a far? went up there, we have to while and they took a limo WB: We were never really continue to work on and and did the wine-tasting able to get everyone togethoverall just make him bettour, so they’ve done a lot er until the last few days of ter. We expect—and the more exploring than I have. spring training and we players expect—to win, so I have three days off during started out 5-5 or so and we’re trying to do whatever the All-Star break and I plan had the lead in just about it takes to do that. on fishing in the lake here. all of the first 10 games. I

Santino (The Italian Assassin) Castricone moves up in weight class to capture his second title within one year for the United States Muay Thai Association on June 2 in front of a packed house at Lux Nite Club on Chippewa Street for Castricone’s kickboxing/muay thai at its best. Team Castricone took a clean sweep with wins by Marcus Cuervas (unanimous decision) a second-round TKO for Alex Petruzek, a third-round TKO for Joe (The Animal) Yammarino and a 3round TKO for Anthony (Up-Stairs) Decenzo.

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SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE

Locust Hill shows its power

Photo by Ryan Bartholomew

Shanshang Feng battles the conditions and the course to win her first title on tour which also is a Major.

By Ryan Bartholowmew ugly rumors that this may under par for any tournabe the last year a tournament, let alone a major. He Locust Hill Country ment will be held at Locust would explain to me why Club showed its presence Hill as no contract has been and I totally agreed. You during this year’s Wegmans signed for the next few want these athletes to be LPGA Championship, years. Locust Hill has been challenged; to think and making it one of the hardthe home to the Wegmans have the risk / reward disest courses these terrific LPGA since the tournacussion for each shot. To athletes had to endure. In ment was founded in 1977. see how the athletes can addition to the already long The tournament was bithandle adversity and fruspar-72, 6,530-yard course, tersweet this year. Sure a tration when things don’t tight fairways, tall rough, young, wonderful, wellgo well because of the conand harder pin placements, spoken 22-year-old woman ditions. Golf isn’t about Mother Nature added her won for the first time on beating the other players; likes to the festivities as the tour, which is exciting it’s about being the best at well. For the most part, she for the game, but on the handling the course and its held off during play but let other end, it could be the surroundings. After all, herself be known before last year for the tournathey say golf is 90 percent the tournament with, ment. Also, this year’s tourmental. Courses need to appropriately enough, golf nament will be the last for start living up to that and ball size hail, as well as one of the great ambassathis year’s LPGA throughout the four-day dors of the game of golf.

Championship at Locust event during the night Grace Park (Ji Eun Park), Hill did just that. hours. after 13 years on the tour, Shanshan Feng shot a 5The major was held from officially retired from the under par 67 her last round June 7 - 10 and you want LPGA after her last round to come from behind and the LPGA Champion to on Sunday. She had a wonwin the Wegmans LPGA earn her accolades by playderful collegiate and proChampionship by two ing a challenging course fessional career winning strokes over Mika that makes you think at many events and will sureMiyazato, Stacy Lewis, each shot and play with as ly be missed. Her name fits Suzann Petersen and Eunmuch skill as you can her game and persona to a Hee Ji. This was Feng’s first muster up. There were only tee. We wish her the best LPGA tour win and she has 14 players that were even and full happiness away become the first woman or below par, which is usufrom the game of golf. She from the mainland of ally a sign of a good major. will surely be missed.

China to win a major tourMy grandpa would always nament. get mad at the TV when he There have been some would see scores around 10

Summer 2012

Summer 2012

SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE

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