Lots of people like to go rock climbing.  The great outdoors, fresh air..  the exhilaration.  But after seeing Alex Honnold scale the face of a mountain, calling it climbing seems ridiculous.  Lara Logan featured Alex on 60 Minutes…. and it was fascinating, jaw-dropping and more than a little scary.  Alex, who’s 26, is from Sacramento… and he’s the Leonardo da Vinci of climbers.  What he does is called free-soloing.  He climbs mountain faces and rocks without ropes… no climbing gear, no hooks, harnesses… no nothing.  Of course, one little slip… one loose rock and you’re gone.  I know, it’s insane.  He’s the first person to free-solo climb up the northwest face of Half Dome, 2,000 feet straight up in Yosemite.  He’s climbed rock walls people wouldn’t tackle WITH ropes.  Alex, I’d rather you not do this anymore.  I’d like you to see age 30… but I don’t suppose you’ll take my advice.  Lara Logan.. thanks for the story.

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Oh the 49ers didn’t do much.  They only came from 20 down midway through the third quarter to upset the Philadelphia Eagles on the road… and are now an unlikely 3-1.  Yeah the Eagles, known as The Dream Team, amassed a staggering 500 yards on offense… and Michael Vick is as dangerous as advertised.  So how in the world did this happen?  That’s what Philly coach Andy Reid is wondering.  His tight-lipped post game comments were priceless… he was STEAMING.  Did the Eagles aid in their embarrassment?  Of course… two field goals missed and a couple of big fumbles.  But the 49ers took advantage… and with every first down, every completed pass, every dive into the end zone…. their confidence grows.  And it looks like DeSean Jackson likes to trash talk before the game’s over.  You know what that makes you?  1-3.  Hilarious.

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I was wrong about Moneyball.  I thought it unlikely that anyone who’s not a baseball fan would be very interested in stats, on-base percentage and the Oakland As.  But sure enough, it’s scoring big box office numbers… and as baseball movies go, it’s got plenty of mainstream appeal.    But Moneyball is not just about baseball is it?  It’s for anybody who’s ever dreamed of taking on the big guys, of challenging the way things are…  and it’s about believing in yourself.  I loved this movie.  Finding undervalued players is at the core of the story.  And I was wondering if there’s a sabermetrics for offensive linemen?  I mean the 49ers could use some help there…

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And I thought the Giants Faithful were a little down.  They’re downright giddy compared to what Boston Red Sox fans must be feeling today.  What happened last night, the culmination of a horrendous free fall… was cruelty personified.  They went into September with a nine game lead.. and squandered it away.  No matter how you try and explain it… injuries, weariness, bad karma, the moon not in alignment… you can’t go 7-20 down the stretch and expect a parade.  And the Atlanta Braves, who had a ten game lead over the Cardinals in late August… couldn’t gather any momentum, and lost their final five games.  Goodnight.  The offseason can be a long, cold stretch.  It’s especially lonely when you can’t help but feel.. that you choked.

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A T & T Park has been a packed house all season long for the World Champion Giants… and the energy and love from millions of fans is not lost on the players and management.  As the season winds down, I’ve watched Bruce Bochy, Ryan Vogelsong, Tim Lincecum, Cody Ross and so many others express their thanks to a loyal fan base that has allowed them to play their hearts out… to reach for their dreams.  Fans matter.  It reminded me that The Eagle has loyal fans too..  who know us, reach out to us, question us… and appreciate the best in Classic Rock.  You make our shows successful, and help support dozens of worthy causes.  Believe me, without you… we’re not here.  Thank you for allowing us to do what we love.

My reaction was…”Wait a minute… what just happened there?”  Late in the Bears-Packers game, the Chicago Bears nearly  pulled off one of the great misdirection plays in the history of televised football.  The Pack, with a comfortable lead, punted to Chicago.  Then, things got more than a little weird.  Devin Hester, the most dangerous return man in football, pretended to drift under the ball… and so did his teammates.  The Packers headed straight for him.  But the ball actually came down on the other side of the field, where it was caught by Johnny Knox, who streaked down the right sideline for a touchdown… or so we thought.  A holding call negated what will be remembered as one of the coolest trick plays in the NFL archives.  Actually, Joe Buck didn’t get too excited about it… I kind of wish Al Michaels had the call.

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Of course it’s a dagger in the heart of the ever loyal Giants fans, who’ve grinded out every at-bat, every heartbreaking loss.  But come on, it’s been damned entertaining.  With the absolutely woeful, impotent offense… these guys should have finished in the cellar.  Only the pitching has kept them in contention for this long.  I mean, it seems like they’ve lost 100 games 2-1 or 1-0…. It happened over and over again.  I know, if Tim Lincecum had been with the Yankees, he’d be 21-6.  Same with Matt Cain. We get it.  But it’s a tough game, and there’s a fine line between an empty stadium and a packed house.  You played your asses off, and it didn’t work out.  So hold your heads high.  All in all, it’s been quite a ride.  Can’t wait for spring training.

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In a story that has rocked the poker community, the US Justice Department has accused principals of Full Tilt Poker… of defrauding thousands of online poker players out of more than $300 million that is still owed to them.  This isn’t some nickel and dime website… it’s been one of the best known, heavily promoted sites out there.   A US attorney said “Full Tilt was not a legitimate poker company, but a global Ponzi scheme.” And those named in the civil suit include Howard Lederer and Chris “Jesus” Ferguson.   Yikes.  Those who follow the game will tell you that these two don’t exactly fit the profile of “sleazy crooks.”  They’re two of the best known players in the world, whose reputations were impeccable.  Until now.  In any case, this doesn’t look good… and I’m anxious to see how this all shakes out.  All I know is… you just can’t put a guy named “Jesus” behind bars.

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I agree with Monty Poole of the San Jose Mercury News.. who’s recent story suggests that success can be hazardous to your career.  Yeah, prosperity can be costly.  The Golden State Warriors had gone years without sniffing the playoffs.   Then, not long after upsetting top seed Dallas one year, GM Chris Mullin was gone.  The last time the 49ers won the NFC West, they actually made it to the second round of the playoffs.  Not good enough… Steve Mariucci was fired.  Rick Adelman had a marvelous run with the Sacramento Kings, and he was then run out of town.  The Giants took it to Game Seven of the 2002 World Series.  What happened to the manager, Dusty Baker?  Oh, gone.  And now, not even a year removed from the uncontrolled euphoria down Market Street, the World Series Champions’ top guy, Bill Neukom, has been escorted out of the building.  So there it is.  Give it all you’ve got… play your heart out… then watch your back.

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As the Giants’ season comes to an end, those of us who’ve lived and died with every pitch know the highs and lows of trying to do the near impossible… repeat as World Series Champions.  But they sure have been fun to watch.  There are new kids coming into their own.. Brett Pill, Brandon Belt, Brandon Crawford and Madison Bumgarner.  And Ryan Vogelsong has been the feel-good story of the year.  But I don’t think I’ve seen anyone play the game with more joy, more enthusiasm than the Panda.  Pablo Sandoval.  He looks like he embraces every moment of every inning with a free-spirited, unapologetic love of the game, and it infuses those around him with the same spirit.  The other night, I saw his reaction when a teammate hit a home run.  With legs that must be bone-weary, the Panda jumped so high, his head hit the top of the dugout.  Watching Panda.. has been a joy.  Now, Brandon Belt?  He’s kinda dour.

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