Conservatives have no place on Thanksgiving

Con·serv·a·tive - holding to traditional attitudes and values and cautious about change or innovation, typically in relation to politics, religion or football.

Innovation - the introduction of something new

In 1989, Charlie Weis became a first-time head coach at Franklin High School in Somerset, NJ, installing a run-and-shoot offense, guiding Franklin Township to a 10-1 record and a state title. A much slower paced formula seemed innovative for Weis as offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots and Tom Brady from 2000-2003. Stops with the New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, University of Florida, University of Kansas, University of South Carolina(twice) and the University of Notre Dame should be classified as conservative.

The oldest schoolboy rivalry in Southern Ohio is neither conservative nor innovative. Ironton High School has played Portsmouth 125 times since 1899. The first meeting ended in a scoreless tie, 0-0. The game was a double-header for Ironton, which also played to a scoreless tie against rival Ashland, Kentucky. Portsmouth and Ironton are deadlocked in the series at 58-58-9.

In 1997, Ohio changed the rules for ties. If a game is tied after regulation, each team gets an offensive possession from the opponent's 20-yard line. If no winner is determined after one round of possessions, overtime play continues until a winner is determined. Now that's innovative.

Lower Merion and Radnor High School in Pennsylvania meet each Thanksgiving with a lot riding on its outcome. The annual football game played since 1897 has been a great rivalry with Lower Merion holding a slight edge over Radnor, 56 wins, 55 losses and 11 ties. Radnor High School grants the students of the school a half-day on the next school day if the school beats Lower Merion. However, the students of Lower Merion do not enjoy any similar reward.

Nobody noticed when the diminutive Timmy McCarthy brought the water bottles onto the field for Radnor during a fourth quarter timeout. Little did the Lower Merion defense know that Timmy would be staying in the game lining up at the tight end position next to the right tackle.

While in the huddle, Timmy took the ketchup packets from his pocket and spread the ketchup on his knee pads. His white pants now had the look of a player who worked in the trenches. When the teams broke the huddle, the defense didn't recognize that he was by far the smallest player on the field.

Most high school coaches like to run the ball and throw mostly on third downs. Screen passes are quite prevalent and trick plays are generally used in the season's final game.

Plays like Red Rocket Right, Hook and Ladder, Statue of Liberty, Fumblerooski, Fake Punt, double and triple reverses usually get snuffed out before the play unfolds. Lower Merion never saw "Heinz 57" coming.

It helped that Timmy McCarthy's older brother Tommy, was the starting QB. Other than the fact that Timmy might get trampled coming off the line, the play was called with Radnor facing a third down and one at midfield. Tommy took the snap from center and threw a short pass in the right flat to Timmy. The ketchup on the knees never touched the ground as Timmy caught the pass and lateraled to his brother who ran down the right sideline untouched.

Thanksgiving Feast with All the Fixings - Rachael Ray

“All Rachael wants is to go to bed knowing that everyone who came to Thanksgiving dinner couldn’t have had a better meal and is stuffed beyond belief.”

Herb-Roasted Turkey with Dried Plums, Parmesan Flats, Goat Cheese Truffles, Cranberry Sauce, Autumn Greens and Apple Salad, Mushroom Stuffing, Calabaza Squash with Golden Raisins and Pine Nuts, Chive Mashed Potatoes, German Chocolate Pecan Pie, Orchard Fruit Pie, and plenty of Ketchup.

One high school play from scrimmage. One half day off from school. One win on Turkey Day. Not a chance I'm playing my senior year, said Timmy. "I only have, but the one brother."

Happy Thanksgiving

Paul Murphy

Follow me on Twitter at @_prmurphy

Hurricane makes it to The Show and brings home a special guest

UMSportsHall of Fame:

Warren Bogle was one of Coach Ron Fraser's most durable and consistent pitchers in the early years of the Miami Baseball Program. Back before Hurricane Baseball was THE place to be in South Florida, he helped lay the groundwork for the building of Mark Light Stadium and the glory years to come. The Lyndhurst, New Jersey native set standards for future players to reach, and was described by Coach Fraser as one of the most selfless and competitive team players of all time for UM Baseball.

In his two seasons at Miami, "Bog", as he was known to his teammates, would lead the team in victories and innings pitched each year. His 9 complete games in 1966 was a then-school record. His earned run average that year was 2.52. His 15 career complete games still ranks 6th on the list. He struck out 242 opponents in 191 career innings for an average of 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings...a record that stands today. Bogle struck out a then-school record 128 batters in 1966, back when UM played fewer than 40 games. He recorded 17 strikeouts against Rollins College on May 6, 1966. Ever the tough competitor, and back before designated hitters, Bogle hit for himself and had a career .329 average and .523 slugging percentage. In 1967, he led the team, slugging .620.

Drafted in the fourth round (73rd overall) of the 1967 Major League Baseball Secondary draft by the then Kansas City (now Oakland) Athletics, Bogle made his major league debut in Yankee Stadium on July 31, 1968, becoming the FIRST Miami Hurricane baseball player to do so. He lasted 4 2/3 innings, striking out seven and allowing a single to outfielder Mickey Mantle. "At least, I kept him in the ballpark," said Bogle.

The 21 year old youngster appeared in 16 major league games. He fanned 26 batters in 23 innings, walked eight, allowed 11 earned runs, 4.30 era, one balk, and no decisions. Bogle batted five times, striking out against tough lefthanders(Steve Barber, Dave McNally, Mike Cuellar, Tommy John and Sam McDowell). He gave up the first major league home run to outfielder Merv Rettenmund of the Baltimore Orioles in an extra innings loss. Rettenmund sent the Orioles' ball boy to the Athletics locker room to have the ball signed by Bogle. After telling the kid to get lost, A's catcher Jim Pagliaroni told Warren that "this ain't high school. Sign the damn ball."

The 1968 Athletics featured four future hall of famers: Reggie Jackson, Rollie Fingers, Catfish Hunter and Tony La Russa. The team also included young stars, Bert Campaneris, Joe Rudi, Sal Bando, Rick Monday and Blue Moon Odom. The hitting instructor was former New York Yankees centerfielder, Joe DiMaggio.

Warren had only one brief conversation with Joe DiMaggio. After informing the former Yankee legend that his mother was Italian, they made plans for a postgame meal in Lyndhurst. Sal Bando, Joe Rudi and Tony La Russa tagged along.

There was never any mention of hitting streaks, Marilyn Monroe or who's the greatest outfielder. The topic was Italian Food Forever – Those who eat well, eat Italian. Mrs. Bogle won MVP.

A torn tendon in the pitching arm ended the brief career of lefthander, Warren Bogle. Following a stint in the minors in Iowa City in 1969, Oakland A's pitching coach Sherm Lollar told Bogle "that he should return to the University of Miami and finish his degree."

The best day was pitching in Yankee Stadium in front of two busloads of folks from Lyndhurst. The best night was when the Yankee Clipper came for dinner.


Paul Murphy

Follow me on Twitter at @_prmurphy