The Future Looks Bright

Change is an important part of life. It challenges you to evolve and to create new ideas and opportunity. When Cory left the show in mid-February, I knew that changes were coming and I did not expect to be a part of the plan. In fact they even asked me where I thought I fit in, and I really didn't have a good answer. Today I was informed that tomorrow would be my last day at 610 Sports Radio.

610 is a special place for me. I started as an intern for Jason Whitlock and Bill Maas the day the station launched. I worked as a remote engineer, produced shows, hosted weekend programing, did nights, mid-days and then got an amazing opportunity to host afternoon drive in the city I was born and raised in. That's a ton in five years. I owe each and everyone of you who listened and allowed me to attempt to entertain you a sincere thank you. The loyalty and passion that each and every one of you showed over the past five years will not be forgotten. This city has the best sports and sports radio fans in the country, and I am lucky to have had the chance to give my takes on the teams I grew up rooting for.

Cory and I were given a golden opportunity from Entercom. Of course I wish could have lasted longer for both of us, but I know that we left the afternoon slot on 610 in much better shape than we found it. And from what I hear, it will be in great hands in the future.

So what's next for me? Many of you that have followed the show know that I am engaged to the most amazing woman in the world, we have been living in separate cities (KC and Phoenix) for 18 months, and this finally gives us the chance to be together. Now is not the right time to announce my future employment plans. (Oh my God, Hamblin doesn't have a job!) I can tell you this there will be some golf and maybe some wine in my future. Yes, wine.

A special thank you to all of my colleagues and management at Entercom KC. You have been nothing but professional during a time where the radio industry has seen changes that have made it better for listeners and advertisers.

For now you can keep up with me here on my blog or on Twitter www.twitter.com/chris_hamblin
www.facebook.com/chrishamblin and email chrishamblinradio@gmail.com


Cheers!

Peter King of Sports Illustrated name drops.

11/10/09 via Peter King's MMQB -Tuesday addition

A couple of weeks ago, I was on a talk show in Kansas City after Larry Johnson ripped coach Todd Haley on Twitter and twice used a gay slur, and the town was aflame with Johnson anger. I thought for sure the biggest problem for Johnson and his continued employment was that he characterized Haley as a small-timer and ridiculed him as a golf coach -- which, if you didn't know, is what he did for a few years after college.

But one of the hosts, Chris Hamblin, set me straight. Johnson's biggest problem was that he'd taken a slap at Chiefs fans, saying when this all blew over, they'd go back to their $5-an-hour jobs, and he'd go back to "cakin' it,'' and the callers were pasting Johnson for days for his backhanded slap. I guess "cakin' it'' must mean taking it easy and earning $5.5 million for being a pretty good running back three years ago.

Read the entire story here.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/peter_king/11/10/mailbag/index.html

Take me out to the ballgame @ Kauffman Stadium.

I thought I could play in the ABA. Fail.

Red Alert Sunday 8/9/09

Rolled into River Falls this evening around 5pm. The Chiefs had the day off so there has not been much activity here on the campus. I saw a few no name guys heading into the cafeteria to have dinner tonight but that was about it. Tomorrow practice starts at 8:50am. I will join Roger tomorrow morning at 8am along with Adam Teicher from the KC Star. Looking forward to a solid 10 days in River Falls as the Chiefs will work towards their first pre season game of the year on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium.

One side note about my drive up here. I stopped at a casino at the Iowa border and played some black jack. It's the first time that I have done that while making this trip. (5th year of TC for me) I won so I am thinking about hitting the one on the Minnesota/Iowa border on the way home. Does this mean that I have a gambling problem?

Talk to you in the morning.

The New "K"

The new Kauffman Stadium feels dramatically different than it used to. I enjoyed all of the new amenities on opening day and 610 Saturday. The wider concourses are a huge addition as well as the SRO seats in right fields and the new seats added above and below the fountains in left field.

There were a few things that concern me about the renovations.

The bathroom situation is a disaster! There is no other way to put it. I don’t know how the ball was dropped on this, maybe it was the removal of the troughs that used to be there but there need to be changes to the restroom set up. No where is it more evident than in the outfield experience. (I know I waited 20 min on opening day.) Take out some of the stalls and add a few more urinals please!

If the lines at the concession stands are as slow as they were opening weekend then we will have major issues. I am giving them a pass on this because when you open as many new options then there are going to be some issues in the first few days.
I expect after one weekend there will be people who overreact about the bathroom situation The Royals you the fans an explanation.

Big 12 tournament 2nd half KU/Baylor

Collins comes out big early in the second half scoring five in a row for Kansas. That cut the Baylor lead to 2 with 16:30 to play.

Baylors offense has cooled from the perimeter.

Sherron Collins big time 3 with 14:55 to play KU ties it up. Great Shot! Add another three for Collins. He is beginning to catch fire.

49-49 12:33 to play.

Tyrel Reed with a huge 3 from the corner gives KU a three point lead.

Markieff Morris tip in makes it a five point Kansas lead with 9:14 to play.

Kansas was an eight point favorite lets see if they cover.

Baylor is playing a 2-3 zone that is giving Kansas problems from time to time. There are a few possessions where they look like they know exactly what to do and others when they look extremely robotic. With 6:35 in the game KU should be having a much easier time attacking the zone. They are not. It has completely taken Cole Aldrich out of the offensive flow for Kansas.

Baylor up 5 with 5 minutes to play.

Baylor up eight on a LaceDarius Dun three. KU is in trouble. Dun has been left wide open the last two possessions and made one of two. 3:40 to play.

Kansas looks tired.

Remember when I said Kansas was in trouble? How about back to back threes from Reed and Collins from Kansas. Now not so much.

65-64 Baylor 2:39 to go.

Collins drives and misses a lay-up putting Kansas in a position where they have to foul with just over a minute to go down 3.

Collins shoots an airball from three. Baylor ball 26.5 seconds to go. Terrible shot. He was wide ass open and shot an airball. Not a very All-American like play. He has been pretty good in the second half up to Kansas's last two posessions.

Baylor up 5 with 18.3 to play. This game is OVER! good night Jayhawks. There will be plenty of tickets available here in OKC this weekend.

69-64 BAYLOR