IN YOUR FACE- NEW CATCHER'S MASK

We are running a feature on "Open Season" today at 3:05 PM (pt) about a revolutionary new catcher's mask 
that has shock absorbers built into it. 

Tyler Flowers of the Atlanta Braves,
 has been wearing it this season 

and several other MLB catchers and umpires
 are wearing the new gear which is supposed to 

cut down on "impact" by up to 50% over traditional masks.

I'll talk with the inventor of the "Force 3 Pro Gear Defender" mask, Jason Klein, and with Tyler Flowers on "Open Season" today. 
It is a fascinating concept, 
especially with all the current talk about concussions. 

This product just might keep catchers safer and, in the process, keep them on the field. If you have a catcher in your family, I highly recommend that you check out today's show.

Here is the link to to the Force 3 Defender site:

http://www.force3progear.com/masks

Tune in KCAA- AM-1050/FM-106.5 
for "Open Season." 
Streaming at www.kcaaradio.com
**

ALI + ME!

I listened on the radio when he 

knocked out Sonny Liston, but

  I didn't meet Muhammad Ali until 1981 

when he was preparing to fight Trevor Berbick

 in the "DRAMA IN THE BAHAMS" in Nassau. 

It was Ali's comeback bout after losing to Larry Holmes.

We met a few times more. 

This picture from a charity event 

in Los Angeles in the early 1990's. 

The last time I saw Ali was in the mid 1990's

 at a reception for him at the LAX-Hilton. 

He was slowed by Parkinson's, 

but managed to "spar" for a few seconds

 when he entered the ballroom.

 The "champ" worked the room, met his fans.

He spent time talking with my wife and me and 

he graciously signed two pamphlets for my daughters 

and then floated towards the exit.

Ali stopped in the double-doorway 

and with his back turned to all of us, 

the champ stood there for a few moments 

and then "levitated." 

I know it was a trick, but I swear 

that I saw light between the floor and Ali's feet.

When he was convinced that we were all duly dazzled, 

the champ "descended" 

and walked down the hallway into the light.

He was always a showman, even with Parkinson's weighing him down and slowing him up. The disease could quiet his huge voice, and slow his incredible motor skills, but it could never steal his mind, his humor, or his compassion for others.

From a distance, 

I learned a lot of lessons from Muhammad Ali 

and none of them had anything to do with boxing.

You will be greatly missed, champ, 

and you will always be 

"THE GREATEST".

**