There's only one David Beckham

"There's only one David Beckham, one David Beckham" the chorus that used to ring out around the theater of dreams - Old Trafford - home of Manchester United FC. Now the same chorus will ring out at the Home Depot Center in Carson California, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy.

I have a confession to make. I love David Beckham. For years he was the hero of the Man U faithful and now he is heading to the USA to help grow the game. Of course the naysayers (ESPN) are saying this won't increase the popularity of the game in this country at all. I'd like to disagree.

Hockey no longer has a national TV deal, the NBA and baseball have ever dwindling numbers. I think the time is perfect for the ascendancy of the beautiful game. Last summer's World Cup final had more TV viewers in the USA than the World Series did. Don't forget that the "Big 3" sports in this country were horse racing, boxing and baseball 50 years ago.

I will purchase tickets for the first LA/Dallas featuring Becks when they go one sale.

"There's only one David Beckham, one David Beckham"

2006 in Review

As I reflect on the year that was, I came across this winner of a 2006 Darwin award.

(Belize) Benjamin Franklin reputedly flew his kite in a lightning storm, going on to discover that lightning equals electricity. However, certain precautions must be taken to avoid sudden electrocution. Kennon, 26, replicated the conditions of Ben Franklin's experiment, but without Ben's sensible safety precautions. Dennon was flying a kite with a short string that he had extended with a length of thin copper wire. The copper made contact with a high-tension line, sending a bolt of electrical lightning towards the man. Just bad luck? Kennon's father told listeners his son was an electrician, and "should have known better." Kennon is survived by his parents, six sisters, and five brothers.

I hope that 2007 has a few more brighter days (and people).