The King Of Pop might have been taken from us but Michael Jackson shall never be forgotten.

“I’ve been in the entertainment industry since I was six-years-old… As Charles Dickens says, “It’s been the best of times, the worst of times.” But I would not change my career… While some have made deliberate attempts to hurt me, I take it in stride because I have a loving family, a strong faith and wonderful friends and fans who have, and continue, to support me.“-Michael Jackson

As someone who grew up in the 80’s, it’s hard to put into words how much Michael Jackson meant. The tragic news that the King of Pop suffered a fatal heart attack, dying at the age of only 50 Thursday was tough to take.

Unfortunately, it was sadly predictable for one of music’s true legends who during the latter stage of a brilliant career chalk full of hits became a frequent target due to much maligned rumors that he abused children. We’ll never really know the truth. Though public perception was that he was guilty and once you are, you become an easy target even if it was never proven.

As we all know unless you were living in a cave the past couple of decades, Michael’s career took a hit following an emotional interview with Oprah in which he revealed that he was sexually abused as a kid. Almost immediately, he was accused of sexually abusing 13 year-old Jordan Chandler. Though never proven with Jackson even having to endure a full strip search, he reached a settlement with Chandler’s father, Evan.

A decade would pass before he was acquitted in a highly publicized case four years ago. Combine that with a rough upbringing, the unfortunate incident during a Pepsi ad that led to second degree burns along with the rare skin disease vitiligo which morphed into a fascination with his skin (surgeries/procedures) and it’s not all that surprising that the all-time great’s heart finally gave out, breaking millions of hearts.

Perhaps it was like one of Jackson’s hits “Heal The World.” A tragic conclusion which just couldn’t be prevented due to heavy reliance on plenty of drugs/painkillers including the dangerous Demerol which might’ve been the final straw early Friday at his Neverland home.

When you have a larger than life superstar who comes under heavy and sometimes unfair criticism, it’s no wonder he turned to drugs which did more harm than good. Jackson also frequently starved himself following the negative publicity in 1993. How long can the body take that kind of pain? It’s not just physical but undoubtedly psychological which as this writer knows can cause the physical, leading to panic attacks and other symptoms.

Unless you’ve experienced severe anxiety/depression, you don’t really know how tough it can get. The mental battle can be physically exhausting. One can only imagine how much pressure Michael was under. That kind of expensive lifestyle can be detrimental, especially when you’re in a depressed state battling daily pains along with emotional demons as he endured. It led to many people he aligned himself with giving him poor advice that only sabotaged his health further.

In reading all the drugs/medications Jackson took, it’s amazing he lasted this long. From our vantage point, the everpopular musician/entertainer who turned the world upside down with his amazing singing voice and moon walk was dead a long time ago. The past 15 years took a toll as he slowly killed himself.

When one looks at all the factors, it’s not too hard to understand why. No human being can take that kind of abuse. Say what you want about Jackson’s odd behavior but it’s impossible to ignore what kind of special person he was. Sometimes, people can be cruel saying so and so had it coming. Oh really? Would they feel the same way if it were someone they were close to?

The reality is we all make mistakes and live with regret. It doesn’t matter how much money or fame you have. If you’re not happy, it’s worthless. Does it change all the good this man did donating millions to countless charities including taking part in one of the most memorable songs along with other musicians, who put their egos aside to sing, “We Are The World,” which he and Lionel Richie co-wrote, raising awareness for Africa? That kind of generosity cannot be ignored.

As someone who loved the magical Thriller album featuring timeless hits “Beat It,” “Billie Jean” along with the selftitled epic “Thriller” video- which is more like a minimovie that may as well be shown every Friday The 13th or Halloween in complete darkness- I prefer to remember how special Michael Jackson really was. Someone who made great music even as a little kid with his older brothers- every bit the part of The Jackson Five.

Even I can recall “I Want You Back” and “I’ll Be There” because they rank as some of my favorite childhood TV memories. It’s really amazing to think what he accomplished at such a tender age. Think of all the pressure and expectations. Yet he flourished like no one ever before producing 13 No.1 singles while selling more than 750 million records worldwide while even being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. No wonder he took home 13 Grammy’s. Guess the No.13 was pretty lucky for Michael.

His 1987 Bad album was memorable too featuring fave “Smooth Criminal,” “Dirty Diana,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” along with selftitled “Bad.” Liberian Girl was sexy. Though I have more fond memories as an adoloscent of Naomi Campbell looking ridiculous in “In The Closet” on 1991 album Dangerous.

Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t include 1979 Off The Wall which featured two more classics “Rock With You” and “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough.” It truly was a different time. One which sometimes, I wonder what happened to. But then, we can also ponder the same with Michael, who now is in a better place hopefully at peace.

Of course, I wish he’d been able to do his final 50 concerts that were scheduled for next month in London on July 13, 2009. Instead, we’re left with too many lingering questions as to why. The wall to wall TV coverage makes me sad.

We lost a great person. Let’s remember him the appropriate way.

FIVE FAVORITE VIDEOS TO REMEMBER THE KING OF POP

Don’t forget. Legends Never Die!!!!!

Roger Federer made tennis history Sunday finally winning the one slam that had eluded him tying Pete Sampras and becoming the sixth man to complete the career grand slam.

Tennis history was finally made today in Paris when Roger Federer finally won the one grand slam title that had eluded him- laying claim to the greatest of all-time with a straight sets 6-1, 7-6 (1), 6-4 win over surprising No.23 Swede finalist Robin Soderling to capture the French Open.

At age 27, Federer becomes just the sixth man to win all four slams completing the career slam. The Swiss Maestro joins exclusive company that includes Rod Laver, Don Budge, Fred Perry, Roy Emerson and the last man who did it exactly 10 years ago fittingly presenting him with the trophy, Andre Agassi.

Facing the man who upset four-time French Open champ Rafael Nadal, nothing was going to stop Federer from finally making history not only becoming the sixth man to win all four slams but tying Pete Sampras’ slam record 14. Wimbledon is three weeks away and with it comes the distinct possibility that Roger can break the record at the place he’s won five times (2003-07) before his biggest rival Rafa got him at arguably the greatest final ever seen.

Does anyone not want to see the rematch pitting this time Nadal as No.1 vs Federer No.2 with it all on the line? Of course, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic could have something to say about it. I still wouldn’t count out Andy Roddick, who had his best showing at Roland Garros making the Round of 16 before Gael Monfils took him out in straights. Andy has played better this year staying in longer rallies and volleying more. But he’ll be a lower seed which means a likely tougher road. Could he face a Nadal, Federer, Murray or Djokovic in an intriguing quarter? Who knows.

Today though is about Federer, who was simply brilliant finishing with 16 aces, only two doubles while smacking 58 winners to only 24 unforced errors.  He served remarkably well and took advantage of a nervous Soderling, who’d never been past the third round in any slam until his great run the past two weeks. Credit the 24 year-old Swede for at least fighting the last two sets. He finally started serving better and hitting some of those big shots we saw against Nadal that also enabled him to rally from 1-4 down in the fifth past Fernando Gonzalez in the semis. But as he later said during the trophy presentation, Roger was simply too good today.

The toughest moment for him actually came when a crazy spectator ran on the court approaching Federer with a flag before Roland Garros security surrounded the idiot. The best part was when one security guard finally tackled him on Soderling’s side of the court. Just nuts. See for yourself:

Yikes. Who knows what this nutball was thinking? We already had that sick German attack Monica Seles in Hamburg ruining her career. Insanity. Thankfully, nothing bad happened with security responding swiftly.

And so Federer is now in a class by himself with the heavy weight finally lifted off his shoulders. How will Wimbledon go? Nadal pulled out of the Queens Club tuneup. Is he doing so to rest a little more from a very busy schedule? All I know is I want to see another classic final between the two best players the sport has.

Congratulations Roger!!!!!

Today’s pics of the day come from last night’s Staten Island Yankee game taken versus the Oneonta Tigers over at the beautiful ball park by the Ferry Terminal:

Our pic of the day is one of my favorite female tennis players. Gabriela Sabatini still looks good:

Copyright Getty Images

 

That’s the former 1990 U.S. Open champion who was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame in 2006 at the recent men’s final between Nikolay Davydenko and Rafael Nadal in Key Biscayne last weekend. Davydenko won the match in straights also beating Andy Roddick after his big quarter win over Roger Federer.

Sabatini was always really good looking and was my first tennis crush. Who didn’t fantasize about the beautiful gal from Argentina? She also was a pretty good tennis player who just came along at the wrong time when Steffi Graf was dominating the game. Sabatini’s signature shot was her one-handed backhand. Still one of the prettiest backhands the game’s ever seen.

Her upset win over Graf in 1990 here in NYC turned out to be Sabatini’s only grand slam singles title. She did reach a couple of other finals including 1991 Wimbledon where Gabby fell in a close three set battle to Graf 4-6, 6-3, 6-8.

Sabatini’s career best ranking on the WTA tour was No.3 that same year in which she won five titles but ultimately fell short of reaching No.1 in the world.

She still had a pretty good career and did alright off the court releasing successful perfume lines. Ya think this helped the cause  much?

 

An oldie but goodie:

Our pic of the day is back and it’s coming from that great walkoff courtesy of the bat of Washington Nationals’ star third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. So enjoy the first of many great baseball moments 2008 style!

AP Photos Courtesy Getty Images by Drew Hallowell

Here’s also a nice shot of the brand new ballpark:

Our pic of the day features Slovakian Daniele Hantuchova, who easily won her third round match over Spaniard Virginia Ruano Pascual 6-2, 6-2 to move into a Round of 16 match-up against Russian Maria Kirilenko- who upset sixth seeded Russian Anna Chakvetadze a day prior 6-7 (6). 6-1, 6-2. 

The 24 year-old ninth seed’s draw looks promising. If she gets through Kirilenko, she could play streaky Russian Nadia Petrova for a chance at her first ever slam semifinal.

Hantuchova’s always had the ability to go far in a slam but never a great draw. We’ll see if she can take advantage.

Here, she looks very elegant visiting a Versace store in Melbourne.

 

 

Sometimes a picture can say so much. There probably weren’t enough words for winning LSU quarterback Matt Flynn here as he celebrated his Offensive MVP trophy in style thanks to a career best four touchdowns in the senior’s final game- leading the Tigers past the Buckeyes for the BCS national championship last night in New Orleans.

He certainly was money and richly deserved the high game honor. What a way to go out!

It’s been a while since I had one of these but with it being a brand New spankin’ Year and all, I figured what better time than now to start.

Especially when it’s such a nice shot of Slovakian tennis star Daniela Hantuchova. She’s a looker alright on and off the tennis court. And I don’t care what kind of language you speak. In any language- Russian, Slovak, English…she’s quite stunning.

She also has a little game to go with her package if you catch my drift.

Last year was a solid season for the 24 year-old ninth ranked WTA player. She took home her third title at Indian Wells and reached the Round of 16 in a couple of slams. Her record of 52-28 helped boost her ranking back into the top 10- the highest its been since 2002 when she finished ranked No.8.

So, can she take her game to another level and maybe crack a slam quarterfinal- something she hasn’t accomplished since the 2003 Australian Open?

It will most likely depend on who’s in her draw. She’s had the unfortunate luck lately of running into Serena Williams. As any tennis fan knows, a motivated Serena can beat anyone on the WTA tour.

She seems to raise her game when she’s down under where she won last year for the third time. However, even years haven’t treated her well in Melbourne. So we’ll find out soon enough.

In the mean time, let’s enjoy another Hantuchova shot from her hard fought three-set win over Russian Dinara Safina. A solid player in her own right.

Safina does have a solid all around game which includes a deadly forehand which can find angles from anywhere on the court. The key is whether she can maintain consistency and mentally keep it together. She’s been known for melting down in big matches. But this is also a young woman who only a couple of years ago posted one of her biggest wins in Australia over Serena.

So she’s fully capable of playing some good tennis. We’ll certainly be following her plight when the Australian Open begins the following week.

Today’s picture of the day comes courtesy of the revamped Ralph Wilson Stadium which is finally ready for the second ever NHL Hockey Heritage Outdoor Classic. Here, a few Sabres get in some practice time to familiarize themselves with the created ice rink.

They’re supposed to faceoff against rating Hart Trophy winner Sidney Crosby and the Penguins on New Year’s Day with the activities set to get underway at 1 ET/10 PT tomorrow on NBC.

It is expected to snow up in Buffalo. Hopefully it will be of light variety so the festivities aren’t delayed which would be a complete debacle for the league.

More than 73,000 spectators are expected to be there for this exciting event.

“Today was fun, (Tuesday) will be a lot more serious, get down to business,” Buffalo defenseman Brian Campbell told the Associated Press.

“We’re privileged to be part of this,” Pens’ coach Michel Therrien stated. “But in the meantime we’ve got to understand this is a regular-season game, and I’m sure Lindy Ruff (is saying) the same thing. He wants to have those two points and we want to have those two points.” 

While today’s weather conditions were picture perfect, that’s not expected to be the case tomorrow where they’re forecasting temperatures to drop into the mid-20’s and maybe reach 32 degrees with a 90 percent chance of snow.

“I think we were kind of spoiled with the weather,” the 20 year-old Crosby pointed out. “Everything seemed pretty perfect. Have to see tomorrow how it is. If it’s a little bit colder maybe you adjust.”

“Things that we can’t control – the weather – we can adjust for it,” Sabres’ netminder Ryan Miller noted. “But it’s going to do what it’s going to do.”

If they do get snow, there’d be nothing better than seeing players fight through some light flakes with windy conditions.

Pond hockey. For now, just wait and see.

Our pic of the day comes courtesy of the Trenton Thunder’s 10-5 Game Four win over Akron which helped them wrap up their first ever Eastern League Championship. Congratulations to the entire Yankee Double-A farm team in helping deliver the franchise’s first ever title in 14 years!

Congratulations to everyone involved!