Oh, the memories, Blog enters fourth year

Frank C.
This is Dan from West Covina, I just want to make it clear that I've never ran my mouth or have never said anything negative towards you, can you tell me where and what time this post happened?
I look forward to seeing you at a game sometime.
from Dan.

Joe ...

Man, how do you come up with these little "jewels" that was clutch and fun too I had Monica searching just to see if we could find anything and promised her I'd buy lunch if she found out who it was......Don't worry I bought anyways, just because I'm a nice guy.

That's right Frank you weren't around (I don't believe) when the "Aram is the Clone - The Clone is Aram" controversy was going on. Some disgruntled Trib phone "jockie" was pissed he didn't get some stringer job and claimed we were one and the same,very funny stuff back then and NO, no drugs either.

Oh and just so you know Frank, I always thought the way some of these "knuckleheads" ganged up on you was total B.S. Despite what you may think Frank, The Clone never reign supreme.Frank, sorry I let you down AGAIN with my "man love" for Aram...it's just my feminine side coming through.Yeah that's it a nicer gentler Clone. Actually Frank your a good guy and you "Get it"!

Well my work is done I dropped what......four names Aram, Monica, Frank and Joe Amat.

Thanks again Joe great stuff!

I AM OUT!

GOODNIGHT NOW!

Mike the Clone

Wasn't there another sports writer around 1998? He went off to write a novel I believe. Hill or something? Joey mentioned once that he has a talk radio show now? Guy was awesome!

As far as Aram. and this is not to start a fight so please let's not go there, but the only thing I will say about Aram original statement is:

"Best laid plans"...

the blog was at it's all time worst in those Aram days. Yes Mike the Clone reigned supreme but guns were always ablazing....from every direction! The first guy that got it was some poor smuck from St. Paul...who made the mistake of giving up his name...a fatal flaw if the blog was honest with it's self. Next came Joe Norys from Rowland who Aram actually "outed" by accident. Wonder what ever happened to them. That family was very close and came unglued on his blog lashing out in ways I'm sure they regret to this day.

The blog is going to be better now that's for sure. Fred really finally had a psycho on his butt and ...well when it gets scary ...things change...until then it was the wild wild west up in here! And that's no joke!

There will always be the funny nuts that come on here and tag line Amat sucks or so and so blows and scab pick on old wounds but finally the blog moderators have woken up and said enough is enpough! And in the end that's what I've waited for. I never like leaving when someone still wants to run his mouth and has something to say but now that everyone will register or at least attempt to behave I'm happy to let the "big dogs" run the show. And ultimately that's why the blog exists to blow off steam and to blow up your school, team, player or, if truth be told, "yourself".

I do find it odd that Mike The Clone is still name dropping and man crushing on Aram..Mikey..NO ONE THINKS YOU'RE ARAM BUT YOU!..that's hilarious. This new found forum is your ticket to international fame...believe that! LOL Thta's rich..Aram thinks he's Affleck and Mikey thinks he's Aram...talk about good drugs!!!! Bring back the 70"s!!!!!

Joey take good care of the blog. You are without question a Giant ...in the Land of the Blind...the One Eyed Man is King!!!

My work is done and almost everything I predicted came true...coaching matters!....'nuff said! Besides when a good guy like Dan starts to run his "mouth" at me I know it's time to step back and let others enjoy the blog. Dan no hard feelings...maybe you just got caught up in the "frank is fair game..."game" and well I still think you're a great blogger. West Covina is lucky to have you! So say Hi when you see me.

Last week I took a 8 day run from home to Vegas to Ventura to Pismo Beach to Big Sur in my famous "green spotted" Black Beauty...just me...it was sweet! Good food, good tunes and well ..PCH at midnight with a full moon, top down cruising hearing that engine roar...well it was a good time to think and think back. Time to start a new company and get back to doing what I love to do...make things from nothing! Besides when this "meltdown" turns there will be money on the floor! You heard it here first! LOL

Fred and Aram...like I said from the beginning...it was always in your power to be "powerful"...now at least you are. The thing with power is "use it or lose it"...and with this blog you both lost "it". The blog will see better days....and like Journey...it will be a "guilty pleasure" from time to time for me. Although Steve Perry has yet to bless my "9"...wonder why?

Although Steve Perry RULED!!!!!! the day...back in the day.

Best of luck with the new system Fred...I'll wait until the "sugar" live fest is over and check back in when the sugar high wears off !

Time for my next "run".....rrrrrrrooooooaaaaaarrrrrr baby rrrrroooooaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrr !!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I was in high school in the mid 80's, it was a guy named Johnny Bender, who was still here when I started stringing in the mid 90's. Steve Hunt was the best and most respected in my opinion, and Jim Barrero was truly one of the best, and wish the Times didn't steal him from us.

It was a tough one because he only had the gig for a couple months. (Set me straight if I'm wrong on that one) How about (drum roll please......)

We all know the names Spoon, Hunt, Barrerro(obviously my favorite - sorry guys!), Laques, Ramirez... and now Tolegian and Robledo...(did I miss any since Spoon?) but ... Dave Melendi !!! WHO?!? His time in Sports seemed pretty limited and his departure was quick - and uneventful in the paper.

AT was a breadth of fresh air for me... was not a Melendi fan for that brief stint. Maybe a good guy, but seemed to take the negative spin or controversy and, if I remember, kinda threw a couple kids under the bus for poor performances. AT and Freddy have been a little more, shall we say, compassionate, when it comes to players.

You guys that grew up locally like Fred, Aram, Steve, Jimmy, etc must think it's really cool. To grow up reading the local paper and then being the guy with the byline. Something to be proud of. Really. I was so happy for Jim when I saw his photo next to his forst Friday feature. Congrats and thanks.

Before Dougie it's a bit blurry. I think it was Art Wilson. Sometime before that I remember a guy named Chuck Nigash? Jim Rhode? Wehsimer? It gets a bit blurry. And the order is rough... just names I remember. Anyone else?

Yeah I was going to say Hunt too. I'm punting.....

OK Joe you're killing me who is it. You know it's going to be bugging me all day now. (laughing)And yes I still "lurk" it's fun too see you set these youngsters straight all the time.

And Bro Bro you know damn well you had that "Honey" machine going on in that office. And hey I noticed my girlfriend Nisha isn't listed in Pocatello anymore what is up with that?

Had some fun here....

Late Guys!

Out!

Mike the Clone

David Moore?

I know who it is too and his was a very brief reign. Great guy. Heard from a friend he's doing great in N.Y.

By the way, you guys are too kind. Office "honies" is generous at best. I miss me some Victor's Villa with Freddie R.

Well I know who it is, but that's not fair. How about this, his initials are D.M.

Good guesses... both... but no. Morales is still around writing boxing for the papers. I don't think he was ever a prep editor. Gabe.. good guy - went to HS with Trent Dilfer you know (that was for you Fred) I'm pretty sure there were TWO prep editors between Laques and AT.

Gabe Laquez

Could it be Robert Morales?

Aaahh, Miggy, can't be dropping hints! I think it's kind of a tough one because everyone can go from Spoon to Hunt to Barrero to... HA - they thought I'd keep going!

Any other contributions to fill in the lineage?

We'll give'em 'til tommorrow AM then you win the prize

I know who was the prep editor before AT, but that would be cheating since I was sitting next to the guy at the office before he departed for New York.

Maybe AT was a visionary. How about this,

"There are rules, though.
No prep athletes will be maliciously bashed. Don't hate. Constructive criticism is fine, but the line will be drawn.
No coach will be subject to personal attacks. If you want to question strategy, feel free to do so. If it gets too personal, I won't run it. Constructive criticism is fine, but the line will be drawn.
Teams, schools and even reporters/media outlets (Oh my!) are all fair game. Feel free to offer your opinions, good or bad, but please back them up with something tangible. Low IQ replies to topics simply won't run."

Maybe we should post that in the margin just as a tribute to AT and a reminder to the visiting knuckleheads.

And guys... Oh fer Two on the guesses. Keep tryin'

(MTC... I knew you were lurking in the shadows out there !:?)

Lonnie Teper!!!

Was it Scott Wolf ?

Trivia time (Fred there should be an award for this one)

Who was the SGV Trib Prep writer **immediately** before AT?

The San Gabriel Valley just wasn't big enough for Aram. He has since gone on to work for foxsports.com were he continues his outstanding job. You can actually read A.T.'s MLB Power Rankings which can be found here:
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/powerRankings

Keep up the great work Fred, Steve and staff, the blog has never been better.
Can't wait for the Two-Minute Drills this Fall.

-Reg

Time truly does fly by, doesn’t it Fred.

AT and I still keep in touch with one another sharing stories, but now talking about the Westside "honies" and of course what is going on here in the blog. Despite what the conspiracy theorist think AT and I are not one and the same. He still cracks me up.

I don't know how you do it Fred with all the sophomoric non-sense that goes on here now, but it’s nice to see the “old-timers” chime in and add some sanity and knowledge when they can.

Congratulations Fred on the blog, it’s hard to believe it has been that long.

I AM OUT!

GOODNIGHT NOW!

Mike the Clone

P.S. And goodnight Nisha Gutierrez wherever you are!