We were thrilled Thursday night to be honored by the Tampa Bay Lightning as they presented us a check for the V Foundation in the amount of $60,000. This was all due to uniting with Coach Jon Cooper in a big event that he put on. Jon put together a fishing tournament and had me as the guest speaker at their banquet. Together we raise money for the V Foundation to help kids battling cancer.

I can’t thank the Tampa Bay Lightning enough.  As they are a first class organization starting with their owner Jeffrey Vinik and the head of the Lightning Foundation Elizabeth Frazier, and all the people involved administratively and in terms of the coaching staff and players.

They are awesome baby with a capitol “A”.

 

It was over a century of waiting, but the Cubs finally did it, winning another World Series.

Game 7 was so special, so the 108-year wait was worth it. The Cubs had a winning attitude and so did the Indians. Terry Francona and Joe Maddon did great jobs.

Ben Zobrist won MVP of the World Series and I was so happy for him. I used to watch him with the Rays and he is a winner.

Congrats to both teams on a classic. Congrats on the Cubs for getting that gold trophy. Coming back from 3-- down in the series was special.

My wife and I had a great time at the University of Notre Dame for a football weekend verse Miami. We were also joined by my daughter Sherri and her husband Thomas who are both graduates of the university. In fact, they were student athletes, Sherri played tennis and Thomas played football. They are proud graduates of this prestigious university.

They had a fantastic weekend. Also accompanying us were my three grandchildren, Ava, Connor and Jake. They had a fabulous time touring the campus and seeing the various building and just enjoying the entire festivity. Football weekends at Notre Dame are absolutely unique and special. We love them dearly.

What made it an even greater weekend was that the Irish found a way to win late in the game and to beat Miami and get a big win which they needed badly.

If you thought it would be easy to go through an undefeated season, look at what happened last weekend.

Four schools that were previously unbeaten lost, all on the road. Texas upset Baylor; West Virginia fell to Oklahoma State; Nebraska lost at Wisconsin; Boise State was stunned by Wyoming.

Also, Michigan did not have an easy time at Michigan State. Clemson struggled but got past Florida State,

You really have to earn your way to the college football version of the Final Four!

I was thrilled to be the speaker for the Middle Tennessee St. University Tip Off Luncheon. A sell out crowd of 700 attended, as the Blue Raiders, who upset Michigan St last year during March Madness, were introduced. I was brought up to speak by Coach Kermit Jr. Davis who has done a quality job during his 15 year tenure. I also enjoyed being part of Murphy Madness during the evening show.

This should be one of the most interesting World Series match-ups. Terry Francona and Joe Maddon have been there before, and it will be a chess match between two great baseball minds.

The Cubs last won the World Series in 1908. The Indians also have a long futility streak. One will end here.

It is fun to see Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller in this series. Both came to their respective teams in deals from the Yankees around the trade deadline.

There is so much young talent in this series. Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, Francisco Lindor, Jason Kipnis and the list goes on and on.

I will go on a limb and pick the Cubs to win it in seven thrilling games.

Which team is the best in the NFL? We will determine that at the Super Bowl, but for now, there is a short list of contenders.

The Dallas Cowboys moved to 5-1 with an impressive win at Green Bay. The Patriots also climbed to 5-1 by beating the Bengals.

The Minnesota Vikings are still unbeaten at 5-0 but had a bye this weekend.

The Seattle Seahawks moved to 4-1 by edging the Falcons. Buffalo, Washington, Oakland, Denver and Pittsburgh are all 4-2, as is Atlanta.

Things are pretty wide open in the NFL, which means excitement galore.

We had a great time at the Notre Dame Stanford weekend. It didn't turn out as we would have liked as the Irish lost to Stanford and are now sitting at 2-5. However, it was a great time that I shared with some great people who were vital in my early career. I took with me three former players who played for me at East Rutherford High School. Joe Solimini, Dwight Hall, and Charlie Rusconi were three major contributors to our two championships.

We had a fantastic time sharing many memories. Also joining us was Brian Roberts, former major leaguer of the Baltimore Orioles, and he brought along his father in law Dan. We had a great time talking about many of his great moments in his career.

It was a wonderful weekend that my wife Lorraine and I got to spend at Notre Dame.

I had a blast last night speaking at a big event put on by Jon Cooper, head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, as he put together a fishing tournament to raise money for the V Foundation and pediatric cancer research. He is a great coach who cares very much about young people.

Tony Colton, who is a 16 year old cancer survivor,  gave an outstanding speech sharing his courageous struggles over the past 5 years.

Also in attendance was Hall of Famer, Phil Esposito, as well as one of the best owners in all of sports, Tampa Bay Lightning owner, Jeff Vinik.

It was a fantastic night and the tournament takes place tomorrow with Tampa Bay Lightning player`s on each boat.

Another weekend of college football is in the books. The race for the top four spots in the playoff in pretty competitive,

Right now, I see six teams leading the way for the four spots. Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, Clemson, Washington, and Texas A&M stand out to me. Washington and Michigan each put up 70-plus points on the board last weekend.

This will play itself out. College football fans are the big winners.

The major league baseball regular season is over and now it is playoff time.

It should be excitement galore in the Big Apple as the Giants and Mets meet in the NL wild card game. Toronto and Baltimore meet in the AL wild card game.

Noah Syndergaard and Madison Baumgarner are scheduled to meet in a thrilling pitching match-up in the NL wild card.

The second season is here and it will be thrilling, baby!

I had a real thrill as I was honored by the East Rutherford, New Jersey Civic Pride Association as Man of The Year. It was quite a celebration at Il Villagio in Carlstadt, New Jersey as I saw so many old friends and acquaintances, as well as a number of ESPN people who came to support me. Many of my former players from when I coached at East Rutherford High School, where we won back to back state championships in 1970 & 1971, were in attendance.

The Organization presented a check for $10k for the V Foundation that will go towards the John Saunders Research Grant.

I got the chance to spend time with family, friends and many young players who helped me realize my dreams.

They named the basketball court at the Grove Street playground, where many of my young players use to practice and workout, "The DIck Vitale Courts". It is a night I will always remember!

As we enter the fourth week of the NFL season, it is hard to believe that only five teams are still unbeaten.

When you look at the five, it is also surprising.

The Eagles are undefeated with rookie Carson Went at quarterback. Philadelphia is coming off a blowout of the Steelers.

The Vikings have not lost despite the season-ending injury to quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, followed by running back Adrian Peterson going down.

The Broncos are unbeaten even after Peyton Manning retired. Trevor Siemian has done a solid job at quarterback.

The Ravens have played in several Maalox mashers but still have a zero in the loss column.

Finally there is the Patriots, 3-0 even without Tom Brady in the lineup. Bill Belichick is one of the greatest NFL coaches of all-time.

We had a great time visiting the University of Notre Dame for the weekend. I went with my daughter Terri`s family and my wife Lorraine. Always a special time visiting this campus. Unfortunately, they were defeated by the Blue Devils. It`s a tough time as a football fan because Notre Dame currently has a 1-3 record.

I enjoyed speaking at the bookstore and sharing the game of life to fans and those that gathered.

We will be back for two games this year, as Notre Dame takes on Stanford and Miami as I return back with my daughter Sherri and her family. Let`s Go Irish!

 

It was a wild weekend in college football.

Wisconsin opened some eyes with a big win over Michigan State. Tennessee came back from a 21-point deficit to beat Florida. Stanford rallied to get past UCLA. Texas A&M remained unbeaten by besting Arkansas.

Notre Dame was stunned by Duke. That loss cost defensive coordinator Brian Van Gorder his job. LSU lost to Auburn and Les Miles was fired as head coach. Georgia was blown out by Mississippi.

Next week included a big ACC showdown between Louisville and Clemson.

It has been an exciting start to the college football season. Alabama and Ohio State are ranked 1-2 in the polls, Louisville has been on fire, including a blowout of Florida State. There have been upsets galore too.

This figures to be another fun weekend as several ranked teams go head-to-head. Michigan State meets Wisconsin, Georgia visits Mississippi State, Tennessee is at Florida, Arkansas and Texas A&M square off in Arlington, Texas. Other games of note include Penn State vs. Michigan, UCLA against Stanford and Florida State against South Florida.

Enjoy another fun weekend of gridiron action!

Last night Buster Posey and his wife Kristen hosted a gala to raise money for the V Foundation for pediatric cancer research. It was off the charts! The passion and dedication that the Posey`s have to help kids is unbelievable. They are my kind of people.

Buster Posey, a baseball superstar, MVP, Rookie of the Year, three times World Series champ has never forgotten where he came from. He and his wife do so much including extending a hand to help young kids.

Winner of American Idol, Phillip Phillips, entertained and did a fantastic job. It was a wonderful night with laughter, emotion and jubilation as we raised $500,000 for kids battling cancer. It was awesome with a capital A!

I want to thank Larry Baer, President of the Giants, as he and his staff demonstrated throughout the entire evening.

 

My wife Lorraine and I were thrilled to share a day with Kristen and Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants.

Baseball superstar, Buster, is an MVP, Rookie of The Year, and three time world series champ with the Giants. I am honored he has united with me to raise money for kids battling cancer.

We spent the day at UCSB Benioff Children's Hospital where we got the opportunity to share words with a number of youngsters and pass out gifts. We gave away autographed basketballs and baseballs to the youngsters and their families.

Tonight Buster and I host a Gala at the AT&T ball park where we hope to raise a quarter of a million dollars for pediatric cancer research. Its been great sharing time with Buster who is an MVP both on and off the diamond.

I had a great time as guest speaker at St. Charles Prep School in Bexley, Ohio. I met so many outstanding students as I had the opportunity to speak in front of over 600.

It is a quality school that was established in 1923. 99% of every class goes on to to college and the discipline and work ethic from the young students is amazing.

I got a chance to meet some outstanding people including the principal, James Lower.

I also had the opportunity to speak at a banquet, which was a fundraiser for the school, to raise money for kids in need. Lorraine and I had an absolutely great time at St charles Prep. Thank you to all!

I am a big fan of tennis. My two daughters played in college ay Notre Dame. I love the sport and I really enjoy attending the U. S. Open.

You get to see the biggest names in the sport, up close and personal. Whether it is Serena Williams or Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray or Venus Williams, the big names are right in front of you. Catch them on the court at Ashe or even on the practice courts.

It is great to see the emotion of the sport in person. There were a lot of great matches while I was in attendance. I also enjoyed meeting a lot of avid sports fans. Flushing Meadow is a great venue and I had a blast at the Open!