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Interview: Elliott Kalb

Elliott Kalb is a five-time Sports Emmy winner, working for NBC Sports for 15-years, and currently for HBO Sports, TNT, and CBS-Westwood One Radio Network. Known to many as Mr. Stats, he's written two books, posted an excellent article with us and now he sits down with me to answers some questions.

Who's been your favorite interview so far? Most surprising?Since I've been promoting my books, my favorite interview has been Hall of Famer Rick Barry, who hosts a talk show on KNBR in SF. He told me that I should have ranked him 24th all time, since that was the number he always wore. I ranked him 22nd.

Over the years, I've had a chance to interview (or write questions for) most great athletes of the last two decades. My favorite was talking to Pat Riley about his ability to teach and motivate. I asked him if he felt he was wasting years teaching (mainly) to 12-millionaires, rather than hundreds of young people in a classroom. Riley is a tremendous interview.

What's the most memorable sports moment you witnessed live?Where do I begin? I produced NBC's baseball coverage from the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where the USA team defeated a heavily favored Cuba team. I was there at the 1988 World Series, when Kirk Gibson hit a miraculous homer. I was there for each of Michael Jordan's 35 NBA Finals games. Super Bowl XXIII, when Joe Montana led a last minute comeback. The last two Super Bowls, when the Patriots narrowly defeated the Panthers and Eagles. Game 7 of the 2003 Western Conference Finals between the Kings and Lakers. Game 7 of the 2000 Western conference Finals, when the Lakers overcame a 15-point defecit to the Trailblazers. Game 7 of the 1997 World Series. Game 7's are almost always memorable.

Who's your all-time sports hero?Wilt Chamberlain was my hero growing up. I've been chronicling the career of Shaquille since he came into the NBA, and very proud that I was the first to write that he was the best of all time.

What's been the harshest criticism of your "Who's Better, Who's Best? in Basketball" book?That I ranked Shaq first merely to sell books.

What's your reaction to the Congressional hearings with MLB regarding steroid use?If Congress wanted truly to help kids (as they said) they would worry about stopping the sale of alcohol at sports events. Congress found a way to look good. Bud Selig was made to look a fool. Of course, he wants a tougher steroids policy, but his hands are tied by the players association and Don Fehr.

Who do you think will be the #1 pick in this year's NFL Draft? Why?I follow the NFL, the NBA, and MLB very closely. I'm afraid I don't have the time to follow college football the same way. I do know the Niners need a quarterback, and the Dolphins need a running back.

When the next group of players is picked, who do you think should be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame?One of the best trios of all time left the game in 2001. Tony Gwynn, Cal Ripken, Jr. and Mark McGwire. When it is their turn, I am looking forward to that. Guys like Tony Perez or the recently retired Roberto Alomar are close, but no cigar in my opinion.

Do you think gambling hurts or helps collegiate sports? Professional sports?I love fantasy leagues, but I think they are starting to hurt sports because anytime players and/or fans care more about individual stats than team goals, it hurts the sport. No doubt pools help interest in the NCAA tournament.

Do you miss the NHL? Do you know anyone that does?I'm afraid I'm not much of a hockey fan. I feel for the many people who make their income off of the sport, though.

Do you think professional women's leagues like the WNBA will succeed in the long run? Why?The women's leagues have created a niche. It will never rival the main sports, but I am happy for those involved and the people that enjoy them.

What do Bob Costas, Cris Collinsworth, Dan Marino and Chris Carter think of TheSportsCritics.com?They all enjoy debating the issues, so I'm sure they would like the site.

When will your book signing tour make it to Southern California?I will be in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 14.

It's draft time and the following people make up the draft for your sports organization. Which people are FIRST ROUND picks, which are LAST ROUND picks and which go UNDRAFTED? Why?

Barry BondsFIRST ROUND - Greatest baseball player of all time.

Michael JordanFIRST ROUND - Greatest non-center to ever play in the NBA.

Pete RoseLAST ROUND - As a manager, he bet on his own team some days, which means he bet against his team on others...that's what I have a problem with.

Bill ParcellsFIRST ROUND - I worked with Bill and I am one of his guys. A Jersey guy. A guy he can hang with at the diner. A guy that is loyal to him, and would go through a wall for. He needles me, gets on my case, and made me work twice as hard for him as anyone else.

Jose CansecoLAST ROUND - I wrote a better baseball book than him--an old fashioned baseball book that could have been written at any point in time...but this schmuck has the best-seller?

Kobe BryantLAST ROUND - I wrote in the NBA book almost two years ago, that any great perimeter player (Tracy McGrady, for instance) would have won those three titles that Kobe won. Shaq made the difference. He has proven me correct.

Bill BucknerSECOND ROUND - I still think of him as a batting champ, an excellent hitter, and he should have been replaced for defense in the 9th inning of Game 6 of the 1986 WS.

Brett FavreLAST ROUND - Still can't stomach him after he let Strahan sack him intentionally for record.

Billy MartinVery underrated manager...and as a longtime Yankees fan, he'll always have a place in my heart.

Bobby KnightFIRST ROUND - I like Parcells, so I like Knight. Of course. He represents so much about what is good for his sport.

Mark CubanFIRST ROUND - Owners I like more than him: Al Davis, the Maloof brothers. Also, although he wasn't an owner, Pat Croce has been a friend, role model, and the real deal.

Pedro MartinezFIRST ROUND - One of the greatest of all time. I ranked him 29th all time, and he'll be better than Koufax if he does anything in the back end of his career.

Terrell OwensWho's Better, Who's Best? I'll take Randy Moss and Teri Hatcher over T.O. and Nicolette Sheridan.

posted by nwwhimy @ 11:32 PM 0 comments

Not Your Average Electric Scooter Anymore

With so many styles and features, these arent your average scooters and theyre not just for kids anymore!

Both adults and children can gain from the pleasure and convenience of electric scooters. Whether your children want a fun way to zoom around the neighborhood, or youre college student without transportation to class, or your work commute is too hard on your feet, almost anyone can benefit from an electric scooter.

Most electric scooters are easily compactable, using no dangerous fuels, have short charging times, and quiet motors. Ride your scooter to work or school and store it under your desk. Save time and skip the walk, save money on gasoline, and even do a small favor for the environment. Not only are electric scooters practical, theyre fun!

With quiet riding electric scooters, there are no smelly fumes and no need to mess with gasoline fuel. Plus scooter batteries are recyclable. While many riders choose scooters for the entertainment value, these earth-friendly vehicles are a sensible alternative to automobiles.

There are dozens of scooters to choose from, such as ZAP, GoPed, or Razor just to name a few. Your first step toward purchasing your new scooter is to make a list of what youre looking for. Manufacturers tailor some scooters for children, with a weight limit and a lower maximum speed. But other scooters go faster and further, supporting more than 200 pounds.

Scooters can cost from under $200 to over $1,000. Whatever your needs, youre sure to find a scooter in your price range. You can even choose an electric scooter with a seat.

Electric scooters are battery powered and rechargeable. Most charging times are less than eight hours. Your scooter may even have a quick charger.

Do you want to travel in style or do you just want to play in the backyard? There are trendy seated scooters complete with a headlight and rearview mirrors, usually priced around $2,000. More basic stand-up types vary in speeds and range. There are even off-road and stunt scooters for the more adventurous.

Even if your scooter is designed for a multitude of uses, be sure to observe safety. Wear proper attire and obey traffic laws. Avoid quick moving or congested traffic, give pedestrians the right of way, and operate your scooter defensively.

Make sure the scooters age recommendation suits your childs abilities. For example, Razor makes an easy to control, three-wheeled scooter suitable for children as young as two.

Just like learning to drive, you should thoroughly read the users manual and practice enough to feel comfortable before heading out to the open road. And just like your car, dont drive your scooter while drinking alcohol. It might be a toy, but it can still be dangerous. Find out your local laws regarding scooters in public places. While gas-powered scooters are not allowed on public transportation, you may be able to tote your scooter on the bus.

Take care of your scooter and it will provide you with years of entertainment. Since there are relatively few moving parts, electric scooters are reliable and durable. Many scooter manufacturers sell replacement parts online. Most adults can assemble and repair parts. However, having some bicycle mechanic knowledge certainly helps. The drive belt that powers the scooter is similar to a bicycles chain system.

Once you find your perfect electric scooter, make sure you are ready for curious questions and amused onlookers. Scooters are growing in popularity. Manufacturers are developing more creative designs and innovative features each year. Get ready to enter a new world of enjoyment and convenience with your new electric scooter.

Copyright (c) 2006

posted by nwwhimy @ 9:51 PM 0 comments

The 5 Commandments Of Website Promotion

Website promotion is truly the reason behind internet marketing. The purpose of all your internet marketing activities is to drive traffic to your website so that your website can make the sale, or otherwise generate revenue for your business. There are literally hundreds of tips and techniques for promoting your website and driving traffic your way. However, there are some that stand apart from others as proven effective website promotion techniques.

Some of the most effective website promotion methods I've experienced include:

- Search engine marketing
- Pay-per-click advertising
- Link exchanges
- Buying traffic in bulk
- Email marketing

Some other fairly effective methods include participation in newsgroups and online forums, operation of referral programs, banner advertising, and issuance of press releases to gain exposure from the media. Placement of classified advertisements in newspapers, ezines, magazines, trade publications and in online directories is also somewhat effective.

One of the most wildly effective methods of internet marketing that is absolutely free and really drives tons of traffic to a website is giving away free, expert content to be republished. The trick to driving traffic from your give-away content is to provide a link back to your website as part of the content and giving others permission to publish your content for free as long as they leave it unchanged. This is an incredibly effective way to get the link to your website published and presented to an audience that is interested in the products or services you provide. There is a great demand on the internet for high quality, expert content so it should be no problem to get your articles picked up and published. There are a number of free content sites, some general and some industry specific, where you can display your articles for website owners to view and download.

Whatever methods of website promotion you choose for your internet marketing program be sure to monitor the results. The server logs provided by your email host should tell you where your traffic is coming from. This is an exceptional tool for managing your internet marketing program as well as for planning your future website promotion activities. If a website promotion method seems that is not working for you after you have given it adequate time, then change your strategy and methods a bit to get the best results from your internet marketing program. The key to success is staying on top of your website statistics and spending your marketing money wisely on the methods that work best for your business.

Copyright 2006 Jason Tarasi

posted by nwwhimy @ 2:23 PM 0 comments