Wednesday December 23, 2009

Dear Sports Santa

Dear Sports Santa
As a 41-year old man I stopped writing Santa Claus at least two or three years ago. But we had an interesting segment on my radio show where we asked callers to give us their list from their Sports Santa. So here is my letter to Sports Santa:

Dear Sports Santa,

I know there is no chance to ask for my team to have what Texas has. The Longhorns are number one in the nation in the pre-season baseball poll, number two in this week’s basketball poll and as the second ranked football team they will face Alabama in the BCS National Title Game.

Sure, I could ask for it but it would be like those teenagers who ask for a Ferrari or the little girls who ask Santa Claus for a pony. We all know that ain’t happening.

For the immediate future, I think it is OK to ask for a bowl win Sunday night. I want to see these seniors go out on a high note. I would like to see Thomas Austin, Michael Palmer, Ricky Sapp, Crezdon Butler, Chris Chancellor, Kavell Conner and Kevin Alexander play well in the win. Hopefully Jacoby Ford finishes with another great game. And Sports Santa, you could really make my day with C.J. Spiller breaking the all-time all-purpose yardage record. That is not being greedy is it?

January would be a lot warmer if you could deliver a few ACC wins for Coach Purnell and the boys. The first six games are brutal with two against Duke, one with North Carolina and road trips to NC State and Georgia Tech. If Clemson can survive that stretch the schedule eases up in the final 10 ACC games and while I am hoping for a 9-7 or 8-8 ACC record, if you wanted to deliver anything better that would be appreciated.

On the subject of basketball, an ACC title in the future would be my dream car. I’m just saying, Sports Santa, that if you feeling generous…

At least a win in the NCAA tournament would be a nice addition to the building of the program and if you could throw in a commitment from Damien Leonard that would be nice too.

Speaking of commitments, I know the 2010 class is almost completed but you could throw in Justin Parker that would be appreciated. Is it too early to ask for Tony McNeal, Shon Carson, Charon Peake, Jay Rome, Brandon Shell, Jerome Maybank, Phillip Dukes, Stephone Anthony and Lateek Townsend?

Sports Santa, I usually don’t worry too much about baseball in the past because the Tigers have been so good for so long but this pitching staff took some hits so maybe a little help in that department big fella?

How many more cookies and how much more milk would it cost me to get some more ACC titles in our Olympic sports? No offense but you have been kind of tight in that category the last few years. I know a lot of fans spend more time on football but any ACC titles you can get down the chimney in the Olympic sports sure would be appreciated.

Sports Santa, I know you have been watching and I know you have been making your list and checking it twice. Yeah, I could have been a better fan too. If I promise to be better this year will that get me anything? I promise to lay off the administration in Sikes and Jervey/McFadden if you could deliver those championships. I know I have been a bad boy and have been harsh so if you just deliver some sports top 20s then I will lay off of the U.S. News and World Report Top 20 stuff. Is that a deal? You give me an ACC title in football or basketball or baseball and a couple in the Olympic sports and I will make it sound like we really don’t have issues. I will try to not yell at the refs as much. Promise!

Sports Santa, thanks for the 2009 World Series title for the Yankees. Is it greedy to ask for number 28?

Also thanks for giving me and Ryan so many great sports memories from this past year, Sports Santa. He loved watching the bowl game in Jacksonville and it would have been nice to win but it was a great trip. The same for the ACC title game in Tampa. Ryan loved watching his Tigers pound Coach K and his Dukies in Littlejohn last winter also. I really appreciate that one. Thanks for letting Ryan and I get to so many Clemson sporting events this year. I don’t take any of them for granted. Next year he wants to be able to drive to some of the games and I know you will make that happen. Also, Ryan wants to sit on the hill with his friends and I know that will happen this year also. I did promise him we will go to the new Yankee Stadium this summer so anything you can do in that department will be appreciated.

Hey Sports Santa, while I am asking, any help with my golf game might be bring more cookies next year also. Deal?

Thanks for everything. I hope you and Mrs. Sports Santa enjoy the next year. I hope I have not asked for too much.

Thanks in advance,

Mickey

P.S.-For the past three times we have played Georgia Tech in football we have been called for holding on a crucial play on the final drive of the game. Is there any way we could avoid that call when Tech comes to the Valley this year?

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
*If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
*If you would like to add someone to the list please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*If you want the reason for the prayer to be added to the name please specify in your e-mails.
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list

Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, Larry in Naples, FL, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Jo Ann Bachman, Frank Taylor, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard, Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Christine Hepfer, Daniel Rosborough, Amy Murphey, Jack Huffman, Nancy Winkler, Dr. Nancy Strom Morgan, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Kaitlyn L, Eric Boessneck, John Bowers, Jimmy Ness, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, John Petrey, Chalmers Carr, Drayton Melton, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Ann Fallaw, Bob Pollock, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs, Mike Kingsmore,Perrin Seigler, Carole White Begley, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, Steve Cato, the Nicolopulos family.