What Really Killed Lou Gehrig?

Nearly 70 years after the famed Yankee's death from ALS, which was later named Lou Gehrig's disease, there are recent reports that are re-examining the way in which Lou Gehrig really died.

From World Report and U.S. News:

Brain Trauma Can Mimic Lou Gehrig's Disease

Lou Gehrig might not have had Lou Gehrig's disease. A new study suggests that repeated concussions from playing sports can cause a motor-neuron disorder with symptoms that mimic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the ailment more often known by the name of the baseball great who died nearly 70 years ago. Like many professional athletes then and now, Gehrig often played through injuries, which included concussions. When researchers examined the brains and spinal cords of 12 deceased athletes thought to have died of ALS—all had a history of multiple concussions—they found that the athletes may actually have had chronic traumatic encephalomyopathy, a degenerative brain condition linked to head trauma. It's likely that some people—perhaps even Gehrig—suffered from the condition but were diagnosed with ALS. Two telltale proteins distinguish CTE from ALS, the researchers say. Symptoms of both conditions include weakness or numbness in the limbs, uncontrollable muscle twitching, and gradual loss of movement. The findings, published Wednesday in the Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology, strengthen evidence about the long-term damage of traumatic head injuries, The Wall Street Journal reports.

This comes as a major shock to me and beloved Yankee fans who idolize and continue to remember Gherig. While people are researching this breaking news, take time out to research ALS further and know the signs so that we can combat this killer.

For more information on ALS, visit www. alsa.org

XOXO,

Whitney 

Yankees Kick Off Hope Week 2010

This week, beginning today, The New York Yankees are participating in Hope Week which the Yankees recognize 5 inspirational stories and grant hope to these people in the form of courage, praise, love, and the occassional pool party, games of catch, and so much more for these deserving individuals. The players, coaches, and front office all do their part in ensuring that everyone walks away feeling slightly better about themselves and their lives.

At the end of each surprise for these 5 people, they are awarded a trip to Yankee Stadium so that the players personally connect with these people and to cap off their great personal accomplishments.

Hope Week is sure to be emotionally and spiritually rewarding and such a great thing for these players with such busy schedules to set time aside to do.



XOXO,
Whitney

K-Rod is Down For The Count

 

As if the Mets need to add more insult to injury, Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez had come through big time. Following his disastrous confrontation with his father-in-law which resulted in punches being thrown, spending a night in custody, and losing 2 days pay due, it has been reported that K-Rod has torn a ligament in his pitching hand.

While the Mets are in Houston ready to take on the Astros, Rodriguez is spending this Monday possibly sulking at home because his hand will need surgery to repair and therefore, Rodriguez is out for the rest of the season. The Mets are already 10 games behind division-leading Atlanta and with K-Rod's absence for the rest of the season, the Mets will really have to scramble now to find some footing before October and the playoffs soon approach.

If you want to sound off about this unfortunate event, you can either leave a comment or participate in the WWW Forum found on the top of the page.

XOXO,
Whitney

The Mets Don't Need Any Sympathy

As the Mets continue to struggle to find some footing during the second half of the season, there has been increased talk about the incompetence of the manager Jerry Manuel. With these talks, the proposed solution to this problem is to fire Jerry Manuel. Is this taking things a bit too far?

Yesterday, Mike Francesa had Jerry Manuel phone in to talk about the Mets' struggles which included the ambiguous playing status of Carlos Beltran and questionable pitching. I give Manuel nothing but respect for conducting that phone interview with the most professionalism possible being in the sticky situation he's in but I think he needs to stop beating around the bush and truly find a solution for his team who was 11 games over .500 and are now scrambling to get out of 3rd place and being 8.5 games behind Atlanta.

However, there was some good news last night as Pelfrey pitched beautifully to secure a win for the Mets, 1-0 against Colorado. 

Below is the podcast of the interview yesterday. You listen and decide what needs to be done about the struggling Mets.

XOXO,
Whitney

There It Goes...See Ya! Number 600 For Alex Rodriguez!

Here's a little question I will pose to get you all started: What do Alex Rodriguez and my birthday, August 4, have in common? I'll give you a moment....give up? The answer is milestone homeruns. On Aug 4, 2007, Alex Rodriguez hit his 500th homerun off of Kyle Davies and exactly 3 years later, Aug 4, 2010, Alex hit his 600th homerum off of Shaun Marcum in the bottom of the first to give the Yankees an early jump and to give the fans just what we've been waiting for.

I'm a firm believer in spirits, mystique, and aura and the fashion in which Alex hit his homerun was nothing short of breathtaking. Alex hit a straight shot to monument park as if the old Yankee greats were guiding the ball to its intended path. Positivity flowed throughout the stadium from new faces to familiar faces as well. Alex's ex-wife Cynthia was on hand to show good faith and pass along well wishes.

While I'm slightly jaded because this is the 2nd milestone I've missed on my birthday, I'll end by extending a warm congratulations to Alex and I hope to be there in another 3 years for 700.

All rights in the video go to Major League Baseball, The New York Yankees, and the YES Network

XOXO,
Whitney

A Special Birthday Greeting From The Birthday Girl

Well, I've waited for this day and now it's here. Today is my birthday! 22 years ago, August 4, 1988,  I burst through the birth canal and have been unstoppable ever since. While I would like to relish in this day, I want to send a special birthday greeting to my fellow Leos who were born on August 4th as well. This includes celebrities and non-celebrities.

But, touching on the celebrity aspect, when I was 9, I remember researching people who shared the same birthday as mine. I was surprised and quite enamored with the people on this list. As I've gotten older, the list has grown to include our current president. That's right, Barack Obama was born on August 4th!

So, enough with the chit chat, here's the list of SOME of the many folks born on this day:

Percy Shelley-Poet(husband of Mary Shelley who wrote Frankenstein) Aug 4 1792- Jul 8 1822

Louis Vuitton- Fashion- Aug 4 1821- Feb 27 1892

Louis Armstrong- Jazz musician- Aug 4 1901-July 6 1971

Billy Bob Thornton- Actor-Aug 4 1955- present

President Barack Obama- 44th President- Aug 4 1961- present

Roger Clemens- Baseball pitcher- Aug 4 1962- present

Jeff Gordon- Nascar driver- Aug 4 1971- present

Marques Houston- Singer- Aug 4 1981- present

Cole & Dylan Sprouse- Actors- Aug 4 1992- present

Tiffany Evans- Singer- Aug 4 1992- present

Happy Birthday to us all!

XOXO,

Whitney

Top 10 Couples Who Should Reunite...

While I continue to wait for Alex to hit his 600th homerun I've decided to write a "Top 10" list of the couples who I feel should give their relationships a second chance. Remember, this is just an opinion so here goes:

10. Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee- A couple who have been through it all, a sex tape and 2 children, these two brought excitement to their union and this is what helped them break up, reunite, and break up again. I think they should give it another go around and try again. Good luck Pam and Tommy.

9. Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe- From their days in Cruel Intentions to marriage and 2 children later, Reese and Ryan called it quits shortly after she won her Best Actress Oscar for Walk The Line. Reese has moved on and continued to make movies while Ryan has been at a stand still. These two need to get back together to rekindle their young love and to keep Ryan afloat.

8. Justin and Britney- Remember when they showed up at the VMAs in 2000 and wore matching denim? Those were the days when they were in love and Britney had a grip on reality. They should reunite because Britney could definitely use a stable influence in her life and I'm not convinced that they've gotten over each other. Especially when Justin's mother publicly professed her love for Britney and not for his other girlfriends.

7. J.Lo and Diddy- This hip hop pair were all the rage in the late 90s early 2000s. J.Lo's impeccable talent and Diddy's knack for business was a plus for this talent and although she's moved on with the incredibly talented Marc Anthony, and I approve, in my mind they'll always be an item.

6. Bruce Willis and Demi Moore- 11 years of marriage,3 children, and 2 highly successful movie careers, it's a shame that these two got divorced. What gives them extra bonus points is that they've remained on amicable terms for the children and they're so loving towards each other. Demi and Bruce remarry please!

5. Brad and Jennifer- This blond pair were so chill and adorable. Brad's alleged infidelity with Angelina Jolie was the reason for their split and since then things have been pretty unstable for them. Although Brad and Angelina have 6 beautiful children and Jenn still has her career, things could be better for the two. Guys, I wish you the best of luck.

4. Mariah Carey and Derek Jeter- Now, this awesome twosome have acquired longevity in careers that many don't survive for more than 5 years, baseball and music. When they first dated in 1997, Mariah was 9 years into her illustrious career and Derek was 1 year into being NY's hottest baseball players. A deadly combo this was and increased media influence was the reason for their split. Derek and Mariah, you two are grown and need to give this another try.

3. A-Rod and Kate Hudson- The NY Yankee's talented mental case dated movie royalty for nearly a year and her relaxed, down to earth persona gave Alex the confidence needed to secure his 1st World Series win and NY loved him. But, being the media whore he is, Alex ditched Kate and has since moved on to Cameron Diaz. While I would love for Alex and ex-wife Cynthia Scurtis to give it another try for their 2 girls,  Kate and Alex are just as cute.

2. Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush- The Saint and The Sinner caught all media attention 2 years ago and things only heightened when Reggie won his 1st Super Bowl title. After splitting, reuniting, and splitting again, Kim has since moved on and so has Reggie. I think they were uber hot together.

1. LeBron James and The Cleveland Cavaliers- LeBron is a born and raised Clevelanite and the Cavaliers was the first team to give him a shot. 7 years and nearly billions later, LeBron left Cleveland in a special entitled The Decision and boy has Cleveland retaliated. From nasty letters to fans burning his jersey, LeBron has felt the wrath of biting the hand that feeds him. I wish both parties nothing but the absolute best.

Well folks, there you have it! Stay tuned in the upcoming future for more "Top 10" lists during slow weeks in sports.

XOXO,
Whitney