The Merrill Dubrow Blog

Wade Boggs

Growing up I always knew that Wade Boggs ate chicken before every game. He would also come out of the dugout at the same time every game at 7:17 to do wind sprints. 

Last night I was watching the Dallas Mavericks take on the Indiana Pacers and newly acquired star Caron Butler was chewing straws during the game. Yes, I said that right — apparently he chews 12 straws during a game and 60 — yes 60 — every day. I thought it was a joke until the announcers actually got some straws and started to chew them as they were announcing the game.

Jason Terry — the night before every game, Terry goes to bed while wearing the shorts of the next day’s opposing team.

And there was tennis great Bjorn Borg who for good luck always grew a beard during Wimbledon.

Baseball player Jason Giambi had a different superstition. When he went into a slump he would wear a golden thong to get him out of the slump.

• What do you think of the ones I listed?
   
• What are some of your favorite superstitions that athletes have?
   
• When you are playing sports do you have any of your own?

I look forward to reading your comments.

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In less than 350 days the 2011 Super Bowl will be played in Dallas, Texas. Less than 20 miles from where I live is Cowboy Stadium and home of a special event.

Time to get creative, think out of the box and plan the halftime show.

As you are thinking of acts, here are a few things to remember: the audience is global and covers all age groups. So whatever you do really needs to appeal to everyone. Since Dallas does things big, MONEY is NO object. You have an unlimited budget.

As you are trying to Sfigure out who you might want, here is a list of the last 11 super bowls halftime shows:

I will go first. How about Diana Ross and Jon Bon Jovi–a combination of old and young. Great songs that will be played on the radio forever. 

• What do you think of my choice?
   
• Who is your halftime show for the 2011 Super Bowl?

And who knows since it is in Dallas you never know what kind of surprise I might have up my sleeve for anyone who posts a comment.

I look forward to reading your thoughts.

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Ok the final stage is set. We now know that the Indianapolis Colts will be playing the New Orleans Saints in the Super Bowl. The question is what will happen?

• Will it be an offensive show?
   
• Will Peyton Manning and Drew Brees each throw for over 300 yards?
   
• Does Reggie Bush fumble or score 3 touchdowns?
   
• Does Colston have a big day?
   
• Does either defense step up to the plate and stop anyone?
   
• Who do you think will be the MVP?
   
• Who wins the game?

Ok, readers. I have obviously asked a lot of questions. Here is what I think will happen: Both offense units come out on fire. They score early and often and I could see the first quarter ending with a total of 21 points.  At the end of the day the Colts win 35-31 in a great game! The MVP will be the QB of course. Mr. Manning will throw for over 375 yards.

Ok your turn. What do you think will happen in the big game?

I look forward to reading your predictions.

Posted in Sports | Post Comments (15) »

Curtis Martin Quiet Superstar?

Here I am at LaGuardia Airport on a very cold morning in December. It’s around 5:30am and I am reading the NY Daily News prior to boarding my flight. The article I was reading mentioned Curtis Martin who I believe was a superstar. The only thing is, I am not sure how many people would agree with me because he did things very quietly. Even though he played his NFL career in New England and New York – clearly two of the biggest sports markets, he went quietly about his business. He rarely made the headlines. I don’t recall if he was ever in trouble with the law. I was curious on where he ranks with the all time greats. Did you know that Curtis Martin . . .

• Only missed 8 games in his 11 year NFL career
   
• Retired at 32 years old
   
• Ranks 3 all time in career rushing attempts
   
• Ranks 3 all time in touches
   
• Ranks 4 all time in rushing yards
   
• Ranks 7 all time in yards from scrimmage
   
• Ranks 10 all time in rushing yards per game
   
• Ranks 10 all time in all-purpose yards

I must admit I didn’t know most of those stats. After thinking about Curtis, I then started to think about quiet superstars–athletes that go about their business and have amazing stats but either play in a small market or are so quiet they are often overshadowed by other athletes.

Another one came to mind very quickly. Dirk Nowitzki is an amazing talent. He reminds me a lot of Larry Bird. Yes Dirk is taller but both athletes were very smart on the court, played well above their athletism, made teammates so much better and had unbelievable stats.

Did you know that Dirk Nowitzki . . .

• Ranks 15 all time in career free throw percentage
   
• Ranks 23 all time in points per game
   
• Ranks 25 all time in defensive rebounds per game
   
• Ranks 30 all time in career free throws
   
• Ranks 34 all time in points

The list goes on and on with Dirk. The interesting thing for me is he is ONLY 30 years old.

In an era where superstars are usually very vocal . . .

• What do you think of my choices for quiet superstars?
   
• Who makes your list?

I look forward to reading your thoughts and comments.

Posted in Sports | Post Comments (7) »

In the past I have been to Lincoln Financial Field, Qwest Field, Gillette Stadium, Qualcomm Stadium, Great American Ball Park, U.S. Cellular Field, Progressive Field when it was called something else, CITI Field, Miller Park for the All Star game, Citizens Bank Park and Petco Park for a private tour, and many, many other stadiums. I actually love going to any professional stadium for the first time. I really enjoy looking around and seeing the different aspects of a stadium.

All of those stadiums have one thing in common. They all have naming rights to the stadium. Most stadiums do. There are two of the more prominent stadiums that don’t have names. These two stadiums might be the biggest and best known franchise in their sport and also may not need the money.

The two stadiums I am talking about are Cowboys Stadium and Yankee Stadium. Both stadiums are brand new and both are nameless until today.

Let’s get creative and give them some new names!

I will start.  Here are a few of my choices:

Cowboys Stadium

1. Monster.com Park
    
2. The Frito Bowl (After Frito-Lay)
    
3. Comerica Park (since Comerica bank recently moved to town)
    
4. Shack Attack Place (after RadioSHACK)
    
5. Penney Place (After JC Penney)
    
6. Jerry’s Playground

Yankee Stadium

1. The House That Money Built
    
2. Jet Blue Field
    
3. Gotham Park
    
4. Continental Stadium
    
5. The Big Apple Circus Field
    
6. AIG Park

Okay, your turn.

• What do you think of my names?
   
• Any of them a winner?
   
• Do you have any creative names?

I look forward to reading your comments.

Posted in Sports | Post Comments (4) »

Wade Phillips

I hate to see someone lose their job, I hate to see someone’s contract not get renewed and I really, really hate to see someone get fired. With all of that said, no matter what happens moving forward, Wade Phillips CAN’T be the coach of the Dallas Cowboys for the 2010 season. Here are a few reasons why:

1. He is too nice of a guy
    
2. He is Jerry Jones’ puppet
    
3. He can’t win the big games
    
4. He can’t win in December
    
5. I don’t think he is great with the media

All of that is JUST MY OPINION. I have never met the man and I am not in the inner circle of the Dallas Cowboys.  But here is what I do know. The Dallas Cowboys deserve a great coach! The Dallas Cowboys deserve someone that every year will give them a chance to win the Super Bowl. The Dallas Cowboys need a coach who can make a positive difference in every football game. The Dallas Cowboys need a coach that can argue and win some arguments with Jerry Jones. The Cowboys are one of, if not the biggest sports franchise in the world, and the fans, Dallas community, NFL and past players all deserve the best.

Sorry, Wade.  You need to go.

Jerry Jones is a great marketer and businessman. Extremely successful. More successful than I will ever be or ever dream of but I think he should look himself in the mirror and relinquish some of his football duties and decision making.

I believe they should hand the keys to Cowboys Stadium, the team and the entire football operation to Bill Cowher.  He is a great coach and will allow Jerry to hoist the Super Bowl trophy very, very quickly!

And by the way.  How cool would it be if he was able to do that his first year with the Cowboys with the Super Bowl being played in Dallas.

Your turn.

• Do you agree with my assessment?
   
• What do you think of my choice?
   
• Who do you think should coach the Cowboys in 2010?

I look forward to reading your comments.

Posted in Sports | Post Comments (11) »

Many of us love sports. Many of us have opinions about sports and athletes and frankly some of those opinions can be very strong and in many cases wrong. Well I am no different.  Please read on and you will see what I mean.

Dear AROD,

First of all before I congratulate you on being part of the NY Yankees 27th championship I need to apologize. I have said for many years that you would NEVER win a World Series ring. I had truly believed that you were a special player in April thru September but on the highest stage against the best teams your performance was less than stellar. I had also believed you were a selfish ballplayer and a person that didn’t make teammates better. Well I couldn’t have been any more wrong. Yes you had an amazing regular season and performed at the highest level, but that continued in the playoffs and frankly without YOUR performance, the NY Yankees probably wouldn’t have won the World Series.

I must also say that I grew up in Boston, love the Red Sox and dislike the NY Yankees. So for me to write this was very difficult.

I wish you only the best in the off season and a speedy recovery if you have surgery.

Merrill

Well I did it. For years I have been bashing AROD and now feel a little better apologizing to him. I realize that he will never read this blog but I still wanted to apologize.

• Is there someone that you have bashed that you would like to apologize to?
   
• What would you say to that person?
   
• Have you shared your new opinion on that person with your friends?

I look forward to reading your comments.

Posted in Sports | Post Comments (5) »

Do the NY Yankees repeat in 2010? This is a painful discussion for me to have. Clearly they will have the highest payroll in baseball and they will make the playoffs in 2010 for sure. The question is do they repeat? This hasn’t happened since the NY Yankees did it in 1999 and then again in 2000. Even though the Yankees will be the favorite to repeat, I believe they will come up short in 2010. Do you agree?

The Boston Celtics win their division by 20 games? The Celtics are great, and if their big three stay injury free they will go to the NBA finals. Their division is horrible and they should coast and win it by 20 games! Do you agree?

Indianapolis Colts play the New Orleans Saints in the Super Bowl? Both teams are 9-0 and lost along the way but both records are still unblemished and undefeated. I say no that only will they not meet in the Super Bowl. NEITHER team makes it! Do you agree?

Is Tiger Woods slowing down? He has had some injuries and hasn’t won a major since the US Open in 2008. I don’t believe he is slowing down. He is still the best in that sport and has a chance to win every single week. Do you agree?

Terrell Owens plays for a good team in 2010? As I type away, Owens is on a pace for less than 50 catches for the year. His days in Buffalo are almost over and he needs to forget about signing for the most money and signing with a good team with a great quarterback.  Perhaps he should call Randy Moss and get some advice. Do you agree?

I look forward to reading your comments, opinions, and whether you agree or disagree with me.

Also please let all the readers know if you have any other predictions you would like to toss out.

Posted in Sports | Post Comments (8) »

Nomar Garciaparra

As you know, I love baseball. Over the past decade there has been so much movement with players, it is sometimes challenging to keep up with the player and their new team. Some of those changes worked out and some didn’t. Some players never should have taken the money and switched teams and they would have been better off and perhaps happier if they had stayed where they were. Remember the grass isn’t always greener somewhere else. 

Here are a few examples of what I am talking about:

Nomar never should have left the Redsox.  Yes he was traded, but really forced the Redsox to do so.  He was amazing in Boston and could have been incredible for many years if he had taken the Redsox offer–which as I recall was fair at 60 million for 4 years.

Manny Ramirez never should have left the Indians. Manny had great numbers in Boston and has done ok in LA but how happy is he? In Cleveland he had great stats and was in a small market where the media isn’t in your face 24/7. I have a feeling (just my opinion) he loved it there and wish he stayed and oh by the way–the Indians offered almost as much money as the Redsox.

Now your turn.  Who makes your list?

Please fill in the blanks.

_______  should have never left the __________?

I look forward to reading your comments.

Posted in Sports | Post Comments (11) »

So there I am in Las Vegas with five of my friends. It’s a Sunday in February and the big game is only a few hours away. No, I am not referring to a poker tournament or a black jack table. I am referring to the Super Bowl. This game would be amazing. It has my undefeated New England Patriots against the New York Giants.  Since the Patriots had beaten the Giants a few weeks earlier and they hadn’t lost in over a year, one could make a case that they would win this game as well. I actually don’t really want to spend too much time on the game (congrads again Giants fans) but rather one play and one football player.

His name is David Tyree. He was born in NJ and was a sixth round draft choice of the Giants. He didn’t catch a lot of passes during the year but during the Super Bowl that all changed. He made one of the most amazing catches ever. It made every highlight reel and in fact I believe was the ESPN play of the year. The play was known as the "helmet catch." David leaped high over everyone (especially Rodney Harrison) to make an amazing catch and help lead the Giants to a Super Bowl victory. Without that catch they probably would have lost the game.

I am sure there were a lot of people, myself included, who thought this was David’s coming out party. Next year would be a break-out year, a perennial Pro Bowl player and who knows–the hall of fame. Ok maybe I am stretching it a little bit.

Yes he got hurt the next year in training camp and a few weeks ago the Giants cut him.

• What happened?
   
• Did he not work hard enough?
   
• Was that his only moment to shine?
   
• Did he lack talent?
   
• Did he get complacent?
   
• I am sure we all know people who haven’t reached their full potential — was David one of them?
   
• What advice would you give him?

I look forward to reading your comments.

Posted in Sports | Post Comments (1) »