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REPORTING FROM THE JOCK-O-SPHERE

by Evan Bartsch

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"Oh, don't think I forgot, let you slide / Let me ride, just another homicide"

Jocks blog. We report. (You decide.)


Tricia Byrnes: Footloose in Utah

Tricia updates the plot of Footloose with a modern day twist—instead of anti-dance, it's anti-ramp:

"In classic Utahian fashion, the Salt Lake City Health Department has banned skate ramps in backyards," she writes.

"Not only is Utah the home of such awesome inventions as 3.2 beer and no Halloween on Sundays but they are now the proud owners of the 'you can't skate in your own backyard or we'll fine you' law.

"Heaven forbid any Salt Lake child get inspired by the Dew Tour and decide to build a ramp in their back yard and get all rad and stuff. Now in all fairness the law is on the books under the guise of 'noise pollution' but I am pretty sure giggling kids jumping on trampolines or splashing around in pools in their plastic water wings make some pretty heavy noise pollution.

"I'm just saying, we had a skate ramp in our backyard growing up and instead of my brother and his friends sniffing glue in the park they skated that thing everyday, the glue-sniffing came later. And yeah maybe the neighbors weren't that stoked on it but then again they weren't that stoked on anything unless it revolved around polo ponies or yachting."

The people have the power, Tricia. Let's organize a ramp-in or something and turn this thing around. The Jock-o-Sphere is always looking for a good cause.

Red Sox Insider: Sox Musical Stylings

Check out some of the throw backs on the updated Red Sox walk up music detail:
Position Players:

Ellsbury - "Cherub Rock", Smashing Pumpkins
Coco - "Sexy Can I", by Ray J, featuring Yung Berg, and "Lollipop" by Lil' Wayne
Bay - "Alive", Pearl Jam
Drew - no music by choice
Kotsay - "Low", Flo Rida
Ortiz - Just gave us a CD and said play track 18. He also has "Get Buck in Here" by DJ Felli Fel
Varitek - "Kryptonite", 3 Doors Down
Bailey - "Moby Dick", Led Zeppelin
Pedroia - "**** wit Dre Day", Dr. Dre
Youkilis - "Push It To The Limit", Rick Ross
Lowell - "Iron Man", Black Sabbath
Lowrie - "The Kids Aren't Alright", The Offspring
Casey - "Even Flow", Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam twice, Led Zeppelin, Sabbath and Smashing Pumpkins, too? That's a pretty strong classic showing, Red Sox, way to represent. Our favorite? Pedroia rollin' heavy with Dr. Dre. So fitting for the smack talking 170 pounds of mouth with the big game.

Click here to view the entire list.

Haruki Nakamura: Learning The Game Again

The rookie safety from the University of Cincinnati loves playing D for the Ravens, but learning from Ed Reed? That's another thing:

"From the safety position, it's hard to learn from Ed [Reed], because Ed does things that a lot of people can't do, honestly," he writes. "But sometimes, it's being able to let things unfold in front of you, especially as a rookie, instead of jumping to conclusions. That's one of the things I'm trying to focus on, to let things happen instead of getting ahead of myself. It's almost like learning the game again. You had a pace you set in college, and now you have to do it again at the next level."

Tom Stober: Back Pain and Koi Fish

BMX Pro Tom Stober is down in the dumps with back pain, but his paint marker cheers him up:

"Man, I can't take this," he writes. "My back is hurt again. I had to give up my spot at the last Dew Tour. I got another epidural shot, but I have only ridden a few days and the pain is back. Got an appointment with a back surgeon coming up…great. I've been doing some art work to keep my mind occupied. Here is a koi fish I just drew on my frame with a paint marker."

Ronda Rousey: Therapy? I Don't Need No Stinkin' Therapy

"Okay so the other week I was in Cambridge with my sister Maria and her 5 month old genius, Eva," she writes.

"Anyway we were going through urban outfitters (one of my all-time favorite stores) and saw the book I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell by Tucker Maxx on the shelf.

"So while flying here and there I start reading this guy's chronicles of alcohol abuse and debauchery  and not only is the dude hilarious, but after a few chapters I was convinced he was a genius and I wanted to have like 15 of his babies.

"Was I dropped on my head as a baby?! This guy is a complete womanizer with a talent for colorful insults and why do I think that's awesome? This can't be healthy. My mom and coaches have been trying to get me to go to therapy forever, I'm starting to think I should listen."

Ronda stopped by to chat with the Jock-o-sphere in July and her love of Pokemon came up. I don't know if the writing's been on the wall for therapy, but she certainly does have some unbridled enthusiasm issues. Passion, that's a good thing, right?


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