The Sandlot

Last night as per the usual Sunday routine, I was watching the newest episode of Entourage. And last night as per usual, Piven, playing agent Ari Gold, dazzled and blew me away. The picture to the right here is from his most recent film, Smokin Aces.

If you're at all familiar with Piven's work you know him as the fiery, sarcastic, brash and over the top kind of character. But last night in Entourage, and for the past 3 weeks, I've noticed a change in his character. He has evolved. Much like his role in Smokin Aces, he is now beginning to show some sensitivity and vulnerability. Not enough to the point where he becomes a Hugh Grant or Ryan Gosling, but just enough to make your jaw drop slightly and give you that "wow" moment.

During last night's episode that moment occurred when he broke down in his office while looking at a picture of him and Vince. I also recently watched Smokin Aces and his performance came up in discussion with Ron yesterday; how he nailed to a tee the portrayal of a man totally strung out and off the deep end with guilt and despair. So it got me thinking how awesome he is and how great his career has been.

One of his first works saw him on Seinfeld, playing George in the Pilot Episode in 1993. His big film break came in the 1994 comedy "PCU", sort of an Animal House rip-off also starring David Spade. He had a small role in "Heat" and was also somewhere in "Grosse Point Blank", but I haven't really seen that entire movie so I don't recall his performance.

Then in 1998 came "Very Bad Things," a brilliant role which sees him run the entire spectrum of acting from drunken party boy, homicidal maniac and broken man. After that a smallish role in "Black Hawk Down" which really showed off his versatility.

Then came "Old School", which probably put him on the map for most people in 2003. In Old School we got to see just how big a dick he could be. And finally. as I've already eluded to, 2007's Smokin Aces and the ongoing HBO show Entourage.

The amount of quality films/TV shows Piven has been in is better than most and more than respectable. Seeing him in Entourage at Cake's house 2 years ago is the sole reason I took interest in the show in the first place. So this is my tribute/man crush post to one of Hollywood's finest.

Looking toward the future Piven has another movie coming out this year, The Kingdom, described as "A team of U.S. government agents is sent to investigate the bombing of an American facility in the Middle East." So I look forward to that and his continuing excellence in Entourage.

April is a great month. For one, the weather starts to get nice and the days become longer. More importantly, April is the month when virtually every pro-sport is in session. The MLB season opens, the NHL is starting its post-season, not that anyone cares but also the NBA is nearing its post-season and the PGA has its first major event, The Masters. The only sport not in session is the NFL, but they have their draft in April so its not like they're dormant.

With all the success the Sabres are having right now, everyone and their mother fancies themselves a hockey fan and proclaims it to be the greatest sport on earth. Hockey is fun, don't get me wrong. I love the game, I play the game and I'm not here to bash. What I am here to do is lay out the sporting hierarchy.

1. The NFL
Professional football is the best sport to play and watch, hands down. Its season length, rules and league structure are perfect. 16 games per regular season, 1 game a week per team. Its violent, competitive and unpredictable and every game matters.

2. The NHL
My only gripe with hockey is that the season is just too long. 80+ games stretching from something like October to June with teams playing multiple times a week. Its just too much. If a team loses a couple games in a row it doesn't really mean anything. Whereas in the NFL, you lose back to back games more than once and you might as well kiss your playoff dreams goodbye. I really can't get into hockey until playoff time. Hockey's playoff atmosphere is very exciting but its usually most of the same teams in the playoffs every year.

3. PGA
Say what you want about watching golf on TV but I love it. The Masters is on this week and admittedly I haven't seen as much as I would like. But the the final round on Sunday at a major is pretty much an unmatched experience. The downside is there's only 4 majors per year and most times the big name stars only play a handful of the normal tour events. And playing golf is also awesome, I've already logged 9-holes so far.

4. The MLB
Pretty much the same boat as hockey only its season is double that of the NHL. 180+ games with the season going from April to October. Again, can only really watch it come playoff time and with Buffalo not having a team its hard to get into it that much, despite the fact I played the game nearly all my life and I love it.

99. The NBA
Basketball just sucks. Put it this way, I'll watch/play almost any other sport over basketball with the possible exception of soccer, unless its chicks soccer. More on that here.