Deep Thoughts With Derek Castillo

T.O. to the Rescue!

derekcastillo — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:35:09 +0000

Terrell Owens comes to the rescue of a writer for ESPN.com. The writer was involved in a car accident after the ESPY Awards in L.A. But read the writer’s account. He doesn’t sound too grateful.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Terrell-Owens-is-a-sweet-sweet-man?urn=nfl,94984

Hamilton Not the Only Rangers Story In New York

derekcastillo — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:05:10 +0000

Josh Hamilton’s splash at this week’s All-Star game was great. It had baseball fans buzzing. I admit, it was riveting to see him smack balls all over historic Yankee Stadium.

Ranger fans should be excited. But, they should also be excited to see the comraderie that he has brought to the team. I loved seeing Michael Young, Ian Kinsler and Milton Bradley root like little kids for their teammate in the Home Run Derby. It was great!

That was no act. It looks like this team isn’t a bunch of individuals, like some in previous years. This team is truly one unit. Hopefully, that will pay off in the second half of the season.

My Old Pal Delivers a Knockout!

derekcastillo — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:25:05 +0000

The great rapper, L.L. Cool J said, “I’m gonna knock out, Momma said knock you out!” That’s exactly what former NFL player, Vai Sikahema, did to Jose Canseco this past weekend in Atlantic City! I feel sorry for the folks that paid money to see the bout. It was over in 30 seconds!!!

Vai trained for weeks and gave his purse to the family of a fallen police officer in Philadelphia. Sikahema is a sports anchor in Philadelphia and we worked together for two years. He’s a family man who never backs down from a challenge. See more of the fight here : http://www.nbc5i.com/slideshow/news/16868267/detail.html

Way to go Vai. I love his comments about Canseco after the fight was over, “He came here in first-class and now he is riding home in coach. That’s how we roll in Philly!” Love it!

Back Rested and Tanned

derekcastillo — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:16:01 +0000

I just got back from a week-long vacation in Cancun. I had a great time in Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Coba, Puerto Morelos and Cancun.

I highly recommend Coba. It’s about 30 miles inland from Tulum and offers rustic views of Mayan pyramids and ruins. Coba thrived in 500-900 A.D. and was linked to Chichen Itza by a common road. The city had more than 50,000 inhabitants. Not many turists here and many ruins are overrun by jungle.

The ruins are spread out by 1/2 a mile or more. We got around on bicycles. Also, be sure to climb Nohoch Mul. It’s the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan (42 meters). The view on top is worth it! That’s me to the left after the long climb.

Hyndman: A Tough Nut To Crack

derekcastillo — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 02:08:22 +0000

Not really. The new FC Dallas head coach is quite personable and forthcoming. We chatted live on Sports Extra tonight. Schellas Hyndman coached at SMU for over 20 years and is a martial arts afficionado.

Hyndman used to be big into Combat Ki… a form of martial arts. This guy is tough… he even takes kicks and punches in the groin!!!! OUCH!!! DOUBLE, TRIPLE OUCH! Don’t believe me? Check it out for yourself here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=45hWbIy5Fkk

T.O. Goes To Court

derekcastillo — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 04:03:34 +0000

…. and I don’t think it’s a good idea. Cowboys wide receiver, Terrell Owens, played in a charity basketball game on Saturday in Washington, D.C. He didn’t just jog up and down the court, he was going nearly full speed and at one point slipped while going for a loose ball. It was an innocent spill, but when I saw that I couldn’t stop thinking of the 34-million dollar deal he just signed to essentially end his career with the Cowboys.

I saw lay off the basketball court T.O…. this team needs you.

Greg… You Have Nothing to Worry About

derekcastillo — Thu, 29 May 2008 22:39:38 +0000

Greg Ellis is a great guy, but he worries too much. All he did last year was have a career year. He finished with 12 1/2 sacks and made the Pro Bowl. No way Wade Phillips is going to keep Ellis off the field in favor of an inexperienced second year player.

Second year linebacker, Anthony Spencer, is getting a lot of work at OTAs. Reportedly, that is why Ellis has been a no-show. Really… there is no reason for Ellis to be there. He’s a 33-year-old, 11-year-veteran who knows how to play the game really well. He’s also a little over a year removed from a severe Achilles injury. I wouldn’t want to see Greg on the field until Oxnard.

Greg, take a chill pill and take a break. You deserve it.

Lessons From Chandler

derekcastillo — Tue, 27 May 2008 20:07:44 +0000

I’ve been in the TV business for nearly 20 years and have done hundreds of stories, but no story affected me more than the Chandler Jackson story. That’s Chandler’s picture below. If you haven’t seen the story, grab a box of tissue and click here : http://video.nbc5i.com/player/?id=255725

Stories that involve the death of a loved one are tough to tell. A story on the bizarre death of a child is even harder to tell. I have a son that is just four years younger than Chandler was when he died. When I was writing this story for air, I couldn’t help but think of my own son.

Chandler’s mom, Charmane, talked about the things she missed about her son… running her fingers through his hair and seeing him burst through the front door after school. I realized it’s the little things that we love about our kids.

I love when my son laughs. I love hearing his laughter while he’s watching SpongeBob Squarepants or Drake and Josh. I love when he reads to me. I love seeing him run with the pigskin at his football game. I get a kick out of him trying to rap like a rap star. It’s the little things.

Charmane’s best advice in our interview was not to sweat the small stuff. Don’t get too mad when your son or daughter leaves clothes on the floor or doesn’t make up the bed. She also urged all parents to spend quality time with your children. Quality time isn’t driving them to and from baseball practice or dance lessons. Quality time is one-on-one… reading, talking, singing, laughing.

So treasure the little things. Dont’ sweat the small stuff. Cherish the time you have with your children. Love your kids like there’s no tomorrow, because there might not be a tomorrow.

You can learn more about the Chandler Hugh Jackson Foundation at www.chandlersfoundation.org

Cats Want No Part in “BobbleFeet” Doll

derekcastillo — Mon, 26 May 2008 03:01:00 +0000

Some got a little chuckle over the St. Paul Saints minor league baseball team’s giveaway today in their game against the Fort Worth Cats. The team gave away miniature dolls depicting bobbling feet under a bathroom stall. Obviously, the dolls poked fun at Idaho Senator Larry Craig’s bathroom troubles at the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport a few months ago. The team says the doll coincides with national Tap Dance Day. Yeah, right! I think it’s kind of funny, but featuring the dolls at a minor league game probably isn’t the best idea. Can’t you just hear little Johnny asking his mother, “Mom, why is that man taping his feet while he’s going number two?”

The Fort Worth Cats aren’t amused. Here’s a response from Cats Owner, Carl Bell: http://www.fwcats.com/feature_display.cfm?id=201

Turco’s A Cool Customer

derekcastillo — Mon, 19 May 2008 03:12:16 +0000

Ever since I’ve been here in Dallas-Fort Worth, Marty Turco has been the goaltender for the Stars. I love goaltenders, because many are small guys like me. Any guy under 5’9″ that can play a sport professionally has my utmost respect. (I know Turco is listed as 5’11″, but he’s not close to 6 feet!).

He became the starter in the 2002-2003 season and has never looked back. When you talk to Marty, you hope for some emotion… some elation… some frustration… some bulletin board material, but it’s never there. Marty is a cool customer. He’s as cool as they come. I think that is what makes him one of the best goaltenders in the game. He doesn’t get too high, he doesn’t get too low. That is huge for someone in net.

We peppered him with tough questions when he signed that fat contract a few years ago and then played lousy in the playoffs again. He answered everything with a calm demeanor. We asked him about the Stars lack of success in the playoffs. Marty answered truthfully and calmly. We asked him about never winning as a pro at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. Did he get upset? Not Marty.

That’s why it was good to see him win at the Joe… finally. Stars fans are hoping he can do it again… when or if there is a Game Seven.