In the late 80's Jeffrey Landrigan was convicted of second-degree murder and sent to an Oklahoma prison. He served his time there for as long as he could stand it and then staged an escape attempt... and it worked. Hell, it's Oklahoma. He probably just told the guard he was the warden and ordered him to let him out.
Rather than look at this "get out of jail free card" as a gift to start a new life, Landrigan sunk back into his old one. A year after his escape he held up a store in Arizona - armed robbery that went awry. He strangled the clerk and killed him. This time, Landrigan was headed straight for death row.
Last night at 10:26pm mountain time, the state of Arizona executed two-time murderer Jeffrey Landrigan. It was as typical as a death sentence can be executed. Landrigan ordered his final meal: steak, fried okra, french fries, strawberry ice cream and a Dr. Pepper. Then just before the state administered the lethal injection, the condemned was offered the chance to say his last words.
"I would like to say 'thank you' to my family for being here and all of my friends," Landrigan said, and just when you thought he was finished he uttered the final thing he would ever say.
"Boomer Sooner."
We may have 3 losses, but we're not that guy. Hook 'Em!
================
You can't make this shit up:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/10/27/arizona.execution/index.html
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
Copy - Paste - Broadcast
So we have this new robot at work. His name is EARL - the Enhanced Automated Robotic Launcher.
It throws bowling balls.
The idea is that it will throw a ball EXACTLY the same way every time so you can take the variables out and test how different balls react, different pins, lane oil, lane surface - you name it. It's a research tool.
We held a media event to get some coverage for this thing and most of the local news outlets came. That's cool. Whatever. Our hook was that we had a big-time pro bowler show up to bowl a match against the robot. Man vs. Machine. Smart idea.
In the old days you just hope that one of the local TV stations does a story that's kind of cool and puts it on an affiliate feed and the next thing you know the CBS in Pittsburgh is running a little video of the thing. That was the old days.
In this NEW world - things are different. I put together our OWN feature story - video and interviews that I shot and edited myself - so we can control the message and commit more time to it than the typical newscast would.
Then we put that story on youtube, facebook and twitter and distribute the link to any media outlets who will listen.
Typically when we do this for a bowling tournament we'll get maybe 2,000 views in the first week. Not bad when you do 4 or 5 of them at an event, especially because your average media outlet isn't really interested in who's leading after the qualifying rounds of a youth bowling tournament.
For this "Man vs. Machine" story, we've had 50,000 views in 2 days and it's still going up.
Why? Because it's something different. "Did you see the dude bowling against the robot?" It's something that transcends the sport. It also has a niche. Technology websites are interested in the robot angle. Popular Science picked it up. Gizmodo and coolest-gadgets followed. CNET and the Huffington Post put it out there. Sites you've never even heard of jumped on board: technovelgy, politifi, blodic, liquida... a google search for "bowling robot EARL" turns up pages of results.
But there's something else at work here. We wrote a nice "newspaper-style" story. That's not being passed around. It's the video element... and the best part? All of these media outlets don't have to DO anything! They don't need to send a reporter and photographer. They don't even have to take a bunch of raw video and mold something out of it. They get a ready-made feature with a little personality to it and an interesting topic. Every one of these sites is looking for cool content. They all want "clicks." And very few of them have many staff members to speak of. "Man vs. Machine" is always fun... and all I have to do is re-post this link? Sure, why not!
It's the "new journalism" in a microcosm.
And because it's been shared all over, other more traditional media outlets took notice. We got a request for video from Discovery Channel Canada today and from the NHK network in Japan.
Take a look at the story yourself and pass it around to your friends. No, seriously, do it. It's easy. Post the link on facebook... e-mail blast it to your buddies... maybe a tweet... because that's how it works nowadays.
You, too, can be a journalist. Just click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8yMFdPD68c
It throws bowling balls.
The idea is that it will throw a ball EXACTLY the same way every time so you can take the variables out and test how different balls react, different pins, lane oil, lane surface - you name it. It's a research tool.
We held a media event to get some coverage for this thing and most of the local news outlets came. That's cool. Whatever. Our hook was that we had a big-time pro bowler show up to bowl a match against the robot. Man vs. Machine. Smart idea.
In the old days you just hope that one of the local TV stations does a story that's kind of cool and puts it on an affiliate feed and the next thing you know the CBS in Pittsburgh is running a little video of the thing. That was the old days.
In this NEW world - things are different. I put together our OWN feature story - video and interviews that I shot and edited myself - so we can control the message and commit more time to it than the typical newscast would.
Then we put that story on youtube, facebook and twitter and distribute the link to any media outlets who will listen.
Typically when we do this for a bowling tournament we'll get maybe 2,000 views in the first week. Not bad when you do 4 or 5 of them at an event, especially because your average media outlet isn't really interested in who's leading after the qualifying rounds of a youth bowling tournament.
For this "Man vs. Machine" story, we've had 50,000 views in 2 days and it's still going up.
Why? Because it's something different. "Did you see the dude bowling against the robot?" It's something that transcends the sport. It also has a niche. Technology websites are interested in the robot angle. Popular Science picked it up. Gizmodo and coolest-gadgets followed. CNET and the Huffington Post put it out there. Sites you've never even heard of jumped on board: technovelgy, politifi, blodic, liquida... a google search for "bowling robot EARL" turns up pages of results.
But there's something else at work here. We wrote a nice "newspaper-style" story. That's not being passed around. It's the video element... and the best part? All of these media outlets don't have to DO anything! They don't need to send a reporter and photographer. They don't even have to take a bunch of raw video and mold something out of it. They get a ready-made feature with a little personality to it and an interesting topic. Every one of these sites is looking for cool content. They all want "clicks." And very few of them have many staff members to speak of. "Man vs. Machine" is always fun... and all I have to do is re-post this link? Sure, why not!
It's the "new journalism" in a microcosm.
And because it's been shared all over, other more traditional media outlets took notice. We got a request for video from Discovery Channel Canada today and from the NHK network in Japan.
Take a look at the story yourself and pass it around to your friends. No, seriously, do it. It's easy. Post the link on facebook... e-mail blast it to your buddies... maybe a tweet... because that's how it works nowadays.
You, too, can be a journalist. Just click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8yMFdPD68c
Monday, October 18, 2010
Great Expectations
Since you were little you've been told that it's dangerous to "put all your eggs in one basket." That's especially true in the world of college football, and yet I see it over and over again: a team and its fans load their entire season's worth of hope on one game.
The Aggies do it every year... but those inferiority issues aren't even interesting anymore... so let's move on. Recently I've actually heard a Sooner fan say, "I don't care if we go 1-11 this year as long as we beat Texas." Really?
As a Longhorn fan I'm not saying we're immune. I cringe every time I hear our fans chant "OU Sucks!" after putting another touchdown on Wyoming. Doesn't make sense to me, but I know it happens. Sometimes one game feels bigger than the season. This year, for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, that game came this past Saturday in Lincoln.
There are plenty of reasons why the Texas game was the one to circle on calendars all across the corn belt: Losing the Big 12 Championship on the final play after the 1-second controversy. Leaving the conference and making no bones about the fact that part of the reason was they were tired of being treated like Texas' little stepbrother. Their crazy-easy schedule to start the season providing no real competition until the Longhorn game... and speaking of schedules, there's the fact that Oklahoma isn't on the Nebraska slate this year. It definitely adds up to a big game.
So ok, circle it on your calendar. That's all right. We all have big games we look forward to seeing. But Nebraska took it several steps too far. There's the "Beat Texas" video that surfaced during the offseason - not posted by some crazed fan, but actually produced by the University! There's the "redoutaroundtheworld" website that launched with a banner across the top with the date October 16, 2010 - pointing to the Texas game. There are RED-emption t-shirts with a :01 clock on the front. I saw a LOT of those on the game telecast this week. They went all-in.
So what happens when you lose that game? At home? To a 2-loss team? What happens when all those preparations, all that smack-talk, all that expectation goes flying out the window? Well, first of all, it devastates your season. Most pundits agree that Nebraska just went from National Championship contender to precarious BCS hopeful. But more than that, it sucks the wind out of what should be a very nice season. The Huskers are doing some special things this year with a freshman quarterback that has the potential to become one of the biggest weapons in the game. Husker Nation was talking about him as the Heisman frontrunner this week. When he wasn't beating Texas they put him on the bench. That's how much this one meant to Nebraska. They're a program that is seemingly on the way up, and yet I heard one Husker fan quoted as saying that they may "never be good again." Come on, guys. It was only one loss.
And so the Huskers leave the Big 12 after this year with a 1-9 record against Texas. Maybe THAT's why they REALLY wanted out. They lost those games in just about every way imaginable - and there were definitely days when they were the better team. This year, however, it was different. This year they made it personal. This year they decided it was going to mean everything. I'll say it again - it was only one loss. But it was the one they couldn't afford... because they set it up that way.
The Aggies do it every year... but those inferiority issues aren't even interesting anymore... so let's move on. Recently I've actually heard a Sooner fan say, "I don't care if we go 1-11 this year as long as we beat Texas." Really?
As a Longhorn fan I'm not saying we're immune. I cringe every time I hear our fans chant "OU Sucks!" after putting another touchdown on Wyoming. Doesn't make sense to me, but I know it happens. Sometimes one game feels bigger than the season. This year, for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, that game came this past Saturday in Lincoln.
There are plenty of reasons why the Texas game was the one to circle on calendars all across the corn belt: Losing the Big 12 Championship on the final play after the 1-second controversy. Leaving the conference and making no bones about the fact that part of the reason was they were tired of being treated like Texas' little stepbrother. Their crazy-easy schedule to start the season providing no real competition until the Longhorn game... and speaking of schedules, there's the fact that Oklahoma isn't on the Nebraska slate this year. It definitely adds up to a big game.
So ok, circle it on your calendar. That's all right. We all have big games we look forward to seeing. But Nebraska took it several steps too far. There's the "Beat Texas" video that surfaced during the offseason - not posted by some crazed fan, but actually produced by the University! There's the "redoutaroundtheworld" website that launched with a banner across the top with the date October 16, 2010 - pointing to the Texas game. There are RED-emption t-shirts with a :01 clock on the front. I saw a LOT of those on the game telecast this week. They went all-in.
So what happens when you lose that game? At home? To a 2-loss team? What happens when all those preparations, all that smack-talk, all that expectation goes flying out the window? Well, first of all, it devastates your season. Most pundits agree that Nebraska just went from National Championship contender to precarious BCS hopeful. But more than that, it sucks the wind out of what should be a very nice season. The Huskers are doing some special things this year with a freshman quarterback that has the potential to become one of the biggest weapons in the game. Husker Nation was talking about him as the Heisman frontrunner this week. When he wasn't beating Texas they put him on the bench. That's how much this one meant to Nebraska. They're a program that is seemingly on the way up, and yet I heard one Husker fan quoted as saying that they may "never be good again." Come on, guys. It was only one loss.
And so the Huskers leave the Big 12 after this year with a 1-9 record against Texas. Maybe THAT's why they REALLY wanted out. They lost those games in just about every way imaginable - and there were definitely days when they were the better team. This year, however, it was different. This year they made it personal. This year they decided it was going to mean everything. I'll say it again - it was only one loss. But it was the one they couldn't afford... because they set it up that way.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Texas Toast
Here’s to the Rangers. In one game they have matched their franchise record for playoff wins. Ron Washington is now tied for most postseason victories by a Texas manager. This afternoon he could take the lead. Winning a series would be a huge step for this club. But don’t just do it for yourselves, Rangers.
Do it for Ted Williams. The first manager in Texas. His frozen head nods in approval.
Do it for Ferguson Jenkins. He was the first real ace on this team. Don’t let Cliff Lee make you forget Fergie.
Do it for Toby Harrah, Gaylord Perry and Bert Blyleven. That 1977 team won 94 games but missed the playoffs. They wouldn’t have that many wins again for another 20+ years.
Do it for Buddy Bell and Charlie Hough. They WERE the Rangers of the early 80’s and they never even sniffed the postseason.
Do it for Bobby Valentine. The Rangers won 25 more games his first year than they did the year before. He got the fuse lit for what was to come.
Do it for Kevin Brown, Julio Franco, Ruben Sierra, Pete Incaviglia and Steve Buechele. They toiled long and hard in Texas but never found themselves in the postseason.
Do it for Jose Canseco. The ball careening off his head and straight over the wall for a home run will forever be the “America’s Funniest” moment that defined the frustration of the early 90’s.
Do it for Tom Grieve. He played here. He was the General Manager. Now he’s in the broadcast booth. The franchise drafted him in 1966 and he’s still waiting.
Do it for Nolan Ryan. He gave the Rangers the last 5 years of his career and now gives more than ever.
Do it for 1500 South Copeland Road in Arlington. It was once the site of a 40,000-seat stadium that saw Nolan’s 5,000th strikeout and 7th no-hitter, but never saw playoff baseball.
Do it for the late Johnny Oates. The only manager to take the Rangers to the playoffs previously, but never able to break through that door.
Do it for Will Clark, Rusty Greer, Juan Gonzalez and Rafael Palmeiro. They proved that the Rangers could get there, but were never able to get past the Yankees.
Do it for Pudge.
Do it for Mark Holtz. Leukemia took him too soon, but his "Hello, Win Column" sure would look great on the jumbotron as the Rangers celebrate on the field.
Do it for Alex Rodriguez and Chan Ho Park. Many people still see those two guys as the reason success has come so slowly. A playoff series win would sure mend some fences.
Do it for Eric Nadel and Chuck Morgan. It’s hard to find radio voice/public announcer combos with this kind of longevity together.
Do it for Michael Young. He’s given this team a batting title and an entire career. Every one of the 1500+ games he’s played have come in a Ranger uniform.
Do it for Josh Lewin. The quirky play-by-play guy left Detroit in 2001 presumably to find a better team. The Tigers have been all the way to the World Series since then.
Do it for Josh Hamilton. Because great comeback stories need happy endings.
But mostly, do it for the fans. 38 years is a long time to wait for a win in a playoff series. Too long for such a great sports town. Let’s pop the top on that champagne this weekend and have a long-overdue Texas toast.
Do it for Ted Williams. The first manager in Texas. His frozen head nods in approval.
Do it for Ferguson Jenkins. He was the first real ace on this team. Don’t let Cliff Lee make you forget Fergie.
Do it for Toby Harrah, Gaylord Perry and Bert Blyleven. That 1977 team won 94 games but missed the playoffs. They wouldn’t have that many wins again for another 20+ years.
Do it for Buddy Bell and Charlie Hough. They WERE the Rangers of the early 80’s and they never even sniffed the postseason.
Do it for Bobby Valentine. The Rangers won 25 more games his first year than they did the year before. He got the fuse lit for what was to come.
Do it for Kevin Brown, Julio Franco, Ruben Sierra, Pete Incaviglia and Steve Buechele. They toiled long and hard in Texas but never found themselves in the postseason.
Do it for Jose Canseco. The ball careening off his head and straight over the wall for a home run will forever be the “America’s Funniest” moment that defined the frustration of the early 90’s.
Do it for Tom Grieve. He played here. He was the General Manager. Now he’s in the broadcast booth. The franchise drafted him in 1966 and he’s still waiting.
Do it for Nolan Ryan. He gave the Rangers the last 5 years of his career and now gives more than ever.
Do it for 1500 South Copeland Road in Arlington. It was once the site of a 40,000-seat stadium that saw Nolan’s 5,000th strikeout and 7th no-hitter, but never saw playoff baseball.
Do it for the late Johnny Oates. The only manager to take the Rangers to the playoffs previously, but never able to break through that door.
Do it for Will Clark, Rusty Greer, Juan Gonzalez and Rafael Palmeiro. They proved that the Rangers could get there, but were never able to get past the Yankees.
Do it for Pudge.
Do it for Mark Holtz. Leukemia took him too soon, but his "Hello, Win Column" sure would look great on the jumbotron as the Rangers celebrate on the field.
Do it for Alex Rodriguez and Chan Ho Park. Many people still see those two guys as the reason success has come so slowly. A playoff series win would sure mend some fences.
Do it for Eric Nadel and Chuck Morgan. It’s hard to find radio voice/public announcer combos with this kind of longevity together.
Do it for Michael Young. He’s given this team a batting title and an entire career. Every one of the 1500+ games he’s played have come in a Ranger uniform.
Do it for Josh Lewin. The quirky play-by-play guy left Detroit in 2001 presumably to find a better team. The Tigers have been all the way to the World Series since then.
Do it for Josh Hamilton. Because great comeback stories need happy endings.
But mostly, do it for the fans. 38 years is a long time to wait for a win in a playoff series. Too long for such a great sports town. Let’s pop the top on that champagne this weekend and have a long-overdue Texas toast.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
United Nations
I've always enjoyed international competition. From as far back as I can remember I would always get fired up when the Olympics rolled around. Summer or winter - from Greco-Roman wrestling to the random "ski and shoot" freak show that is the biathlon - if the competitors are wearing their flag on their shirts, count me in.
This week, for the second time, I spent several days covering international bowling and I think I understand it better now than I did when I was a kid: international competition really is sports at its finest.
Walk through the concourse during one of these weeks and you'll hear all the different languages... Europeans alongside Asians and Africans - all of them smiling and chattering.
In a world of contract disputes, holdouts and lockouts it's rare to see people who are truly performing at the highest level for a greater cause. Egos are checked at the door. The years of hard work stand for something more than a paycheck or a trophy here... and perhaps best of all - the athletes are so happy to be there.
This week Brazil brought a woman who HAD to be pushing 60. El Salvador didn't even have enough players for the team competition. The Bahamas fielded a full squad, but out of 60 bowlers, 4 of theirs finished 57th, 58th, 59th and 60th.
You know why that's great? Because when those bowlers boarded a plane in Nassau they knew they had zero chance of coming home with a medal... and they didn't care. They were so happy to represent their country. So happy to rub elbows with the best of the best in the sport they love. And when the Bahamas DID put together a nice game or two, they were laughing the loudest, doing what seemed to be choreographed dances... it was the pure joy of sport. Good luck finding that in your hometown NBA arena.
The Venezuelan team had an elaborate set of cheers in Spanish for just about every scenario. I can still hear the mother of one of the Colombian girls yelling at the top of her lungs, "Colombia, alli! Colombia alli! Colombia alli alli alli!"
The athletes who actually won swelled with pride. A Canadian bowler cried when she learned that her trios group had won the gold medal. I could hear every word of "Oh Canada" as their entire contingent sang aloud. The American bowlers, so used to winning on the biggest stages, were clearly humbled and proud to hear their national anthem play.
Transcending borders. Above the commercial fray. Passion without taunting... free of hubris. That's the way sport is supposed to be. Hurry up, 2012. I need some opening ceremonies - stat!
This week, for the second time, I spent several days covering international bowling and I think I understand it better now than I did when I was a kid: international competition really is sports at its finest.
Walk through the concourse during one of these weeks and you'll hear all the different languages... Europeans alongside Asians and Africans - all of them smiling and chattering.
In a world of contract disputes, holdouts and lockouts it's rare to see people who are truly performing at the highest level for a greater cause. Egos are checked at the door. The years of hard work stand for something more than a paycheck or a trophy here... and perhaps best of all - the athletes are so happy to be there.
This week Brazil brought a woman who HAD to be pushing 60. El Salvador didn't even have enough players for the team competition. The Bahamas fielded a full squad, but out of 60 bowlers, 4 of theirs finished 57th, 58th, 59th and 60th.
You know why that's great? Because when those bowlers boarded a plane in Nassau they knew they had zero chance of coming home with a medal... and they didn't care. They were so happy to represent their country. So happy to rub elbows with the best of the best in the sport they love. And when the Bahamas DID put together a nice game or two, they were laughing the loudest, doing what seemed to be choreographed dances... it was the pure joy of sport. Good luck finding that in your hometown NBA arena.
The Venezuelan team had an elaborate set of cheers in Spanish for just about every scenario. I can still hear the mother of one of the Colombian girls yelling at the top of her lungs, "Colombia, alli! Colombia alli! Colombia alli alli alli!"
The athletes who actually won swelled with pride. A Canadian bowler cried when she learned that her trios group had won the gold medal. I could hear every word of "Oh Canada" as their entire contingent sang aloud. The American bowlers, so used to winning on the biggest stages, were clearly humbled and proud to hear their national anthem play.
Transcending borders. Above the commercial fray. Passion without taunting... free of hubris. That's the way sport is supposed to be. Hurry up, 2012. I need some opening ceremonies - stat!
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