Perception vs Reality

People aren’t always what they seem.

Last week I sat down with Dewon Brazelton. A Middle Tennessee native who came from nothing, and was given everything when he signed with the Devil Rays for more than 4 million dollars in 2001.

Things didn’t turn out so bright in the Sunshine State for the former MTSU star though. He struggled on and off the mound, and made headlines when he didn’t show up to Tampa’s minor league affiliate after a demotion.

Before sitting down with Dewon I read in articles he was immature, thin-skinned, flaked out, closed off from the media, and just too sensitive…Either the stories are wrong, or the pitcher’s attitude has gotten a major changeup.

He couldn’t have been more outgoing, open, honest and kind. The only correct perception was that he’s too sensitive. He couldn’t stop talking about how much he loved his son. How he’d go to the ends of the earth for him. And how he went into pro sports purgatory to make sure he’d always have him.

Brazelton was a no-show at his demotion because he went to go fight a custody case to see his son. He figured even if he never won another ball game, he wasn’t going to lose Dewon Jr.

Brazelton’s made mistakes and he’s not perfect, but he can cash in on the fact he’s a very good person, and to him that’s worth more than the signing bonus that put a target on his back.

Like I said, people aren’t what they seem. Sometimes they leave you pleasantly surprised.

I learned half of what I know from the worst teacher going. Experience.

Did you ever wake up and the day turns to crap right out of the gate? The alarm goes off at 6:00 am and by 6:01 you feel like having a Maalox Daiquiri? Today was one of those days for me. I’m not going to bore you with the details, but to say today has sucked would be an understatement. Fortunately tomorrow is shaping up to be quite interesting. In the immortal words of Eddie George “I’m built for it”.

Speaking of 27, the former Titans RB sat down with Keith Bulluck for a stellar interview. Eddie’s really coming into form as a broadcaster. It’s been interesting watching him grow. Jeez - I sound like I’m Al Michaels and Eddie is my Bob Costas, Jr. Eddie doesn’t need my help. He’s Eddie Freakin’ George! Anyway - check out Sports Extra at 10:35 for the complete interview.

A little about me: Although I work in sports - my life doesn’t revolve around it. Don’t get me wrong - I dig my gig and know I’m lucky to have it. But some days I feel like a waiter hoping to get the call back after the big audition. And for the record - I’m not a country singer wannabe, nor an actor.

David Lee Roth said it best in his song Experience from the 1994 album Your Filthy Little Mouth (I think it sold around 12 copies, and I bought 2 of them) –

“Is it art, or imitating? Because if it’s art, my whole life’s been finger painting.”

I know how you feel Dave. I know how you feel.

Until next time,
Tim the Producer.

Dwyer’s Beating Me into Blog Submission

As I sit here at my desk, continually being threatened by Dwyer to get onto the blog network, I have been told to write something thought provoking. That’ll take weeks, not the 5 minutes I have before Tim Hardiman starts yelling at me to get out the door. Actually, we’re in a rush to go interview Dewon Brazelton, the former MTSU pitcher who is in town throwing against the Sounds this week. So I have done what has been asked…. I am now in the world of bloggers…But thought provoking will have to be put on hold right now. Timmy and I have to go make tv magic.

A Whole New Blog

This blog, like many, will be a work in progress. We will add links to the site so that it will be one stop shopping. Bios of the folks in the office are coming so that you can learn a bit more about the people makes the posts. We will also be adding moving video so that things that we cover but get chopped down to a manu-second can get a full play here. As you might know, in the blogosphere the rules are, there are no rules. However, we like to play nice in here so any really mean personal attacks won’t be tolerated. Sara will be posting very soon, right Sara?

I Love Blogs! Blogs - Blogs - Blogs!

Well – here we are right in front of your naked steaming eyes! (Sorry, stole that line from David Lee Roth)

Here’s the deal folks: we are smack dab in the middle of what we here at The Deuce call “The Off-season”. There are pros and cons to it. The upside being the days are sometimes shorter. Instead of putting in the usual 12 hour days 6 days a week, you sometimes work 6 hours – maybe 5 hours – maybe 30 minutes – a day depending on what’s happening. The downside is we basically are searching for unusual stories that normally wouldn’t get covered when the Titans, Preds, UT and Vandy are in full gear. It’s an indelicate house blend. I either go nonstop, or play guitar at my desk. Right now, I’m teaching John Dwyer “Stairway To Heaven”.

The bottom line being: If you know of any 3 legged soccer players that are lighting it up, drop me a line. Come July, it gets crazy in here.

Johnny D is guiding me as a type this inaugural entry. “Doesn’t have to be long. Learn to edit yourself. Less is more Timmy.” - Blah Blah Blah - The guy gets his own webpage and all of a sudden he’s the Obi-Wan of the blog-o-sphere. I wouldn’t be typing this if he wasn’t sitting here right beside me.

Less is more. I couldn’t have said it better myself John. Now, here’s how you play a C chord.

Until next time…

Tim