In this special edition of Get Home Safe, Bill Barnes and I get back together to reminisce over the many events that have taken place since our last recording a few years ago. Let's just say he has plenty to rant about. We cover the fire tragedies taking place in Los Angeles and why it is a direct result of incompetent leadership. We also chat about the upcoming term of President Elect Donald Trump and what changes we hope to see early on. Barnes has a new job that takes him outside of California quite often, so he has plenty of daily drama to report on. Additionally, we look back to when we used to do a weekly episode and wonder if maybe we could throw something together every once in a while to keep the fans craving more.
On this special Independence Day episode, I'm joined by my brother Sam Heersema from his bunker in Orange County. We chat about some memories from the 4th of July and its powerful significance. Sam and I also ramble about ways to stay motivated on the daily grind. A lot has changed over the years but our brotherhood remains stronger than ever. When Sam and I get together, nothing is off the table. Happy Independence Day!
Happy Holidays everyone! Yes, that's how dumb it sounds in the winter also. When pursuing goals, are you completely committed or just going through the motions hoping big things happen? Why do umpires eject players or managers when they clearly were the ones at fault in missing a call? When you make plans and they don't go your way, how do you respond to the adversity? Life is not what happens to us but rather how we respond to what gets thrown at us.
I graduated high school 20 years ago to the day of this release and share some brief thoughts on a reunion from over the weekend. There is a movie that everyone needs to see immediately. The Denver Nuggets and Las Vegas Knights were recently crowned champions of the NBA and NHL respectively, but I'm most excited for the College World Series that begins this Friday. Do you only pray to God when you need a favor? Are you only looking for signs from Him that point you in the direction you want to go and ignore the ones that might offer the alternative you don't want to hear? After some theological questions I vent about false narratives revolving around umpire ejections and give my two cents to make it make sense.
Happy Mother's Day! I look back on memoires of my mother Diane. As I grow older, I wish I had her around for sound advice and to push me in areas I should improve on. I've made a decision to get back to church and am very excited about two possible fits. My heart is heavy on days like these but my head is full of motivation. I have some very big goals in mind and finally have a blueprint of how to achieve them. Just like bad things often do, good things can also come into our lives at the most random times. As Davy Crockett once said, "Be sure you're right, then go ahead."
Robert James is a Ring Announcer in both Professional Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts. He and I crossed paths on the baseball field years ago as we umpired at the collegiate level. Robert grew up in in East Los Angeles and served our country in the United States Army after high school. He is very passionate about climbing the ladder in the combat sports industry and shares what it's like having best seat in the house. It was a pleasure to catch up with Robert especially with the Canelo vs Ryder fight and UFC 288 both going down this evening.
I make a big announcement regarding a new platform you can now watch our show on in addition the current options. Do you have any idea what it feels like to go extra innings? Have you ever wanted to do something for almost 20 years and just never got around to it? I offer a breakdown of a new pattern I'm seeing in professional baseball in response to the new game with a pitch clock. I also think you can do almost anything for 20 minutes if you break it down to that time frame. Finally, did George Orwell predict this is where we would be today in his book 1984?
In a super short episode, I share my thoughts on work ethic and work habits. Do you truly get out of it what you put into it? Can you expect gratification, and can it be fulfilling at all? Are you working hard or hardly working? I also ramble about food and how sometimes it's hard to see any results right away regardless of if you're eating good or bad. What a great weekend of sports with the Ryan Garcia vs Tank Davis fight and of course the Los Angeles Kings' postseason run!
I open this week's show with an analogy from my umpiring days. Sometimes, towards the end of a job or task, we can lose focus because it is almost over. That feeling you get in the 8th inning should instead ignite a more intense focus rather than let down your guard where making mistakes are more likely. In honor of the upcoming NFL Draft, I list 10 moments from my life I would have either done again, done differently, done less of, or not done altogether. Finally, I'm always ready for a good boycott but not for the reasons you would think.
Happy Easter! I recap the Final Four and make the case that UConn is officially the most consistent winning basketball program in America. I also applaud the San Diego State Aztecs who set themselves among the greatest moments in all of San Diego sports history. One thing I'm constantly working on is a fear of failure and am in the middle of a much needed break at work. Is it better to get right back on the horse after falling or is taking some time to recover a better method? Finally, after rather publicized events in the Women's National Championship, I offer up the key differences between Trash Talk and Taunting.
After a recent trip to an LA Kings game, I'm ready for more hockey in my future. The World Baseball Classic was phenomenal, but the biggest challenge moving forward is how to get more top pitchers to participate for the USA. The NCAA Basketball Tournament has also been wild and has left us with two Cinderellas that are vying for a spot in the National Championship Game. Sometimes at work I hear phrases that make me laugh; I totally can relate but I still find them comical. This week I became an official member of an organization that has been around since the 1860s. Do you let compliments go to your head and criticisms go to your heart?
After a break for a few weeks, I return to get back on schedule during one of the best times of the year. Not only does March Madness start today, but we also have the World Baseball Classic in full swing and plenty of other action on the sports calendar. I tell a story from an incident I witnessed between the Cal State Fullerton and Texas baseball teams. Other topics include jersey retirements, a celebration injury, and how the pitch clock might be efficient after all. I also take a deep dive into why people lie. We have been fed plenty of dishonesty the past few years and my only question is simply why?
The one and only Bill Barnes returns for his first appearance of 2023. We discuss a wide range of topics that include the corruption amongst our leaders, why the late call in the Super Bowl was righteous, and how he continues to age well with grace. Bill also takes questions from some of our very loyal listeners and his answers never disappoint. He has high praise for the lovely Ms Donna and celebrates another year of sobriety from umpiring baseball along with me as a new season has just begun. With enough pressure from our fans, maybe we can persuade B2 to come back on the show sooner rather than later. Bill Barnes is a retired police officer and college baseball umpire who never holds back on his opinions.
Last week was our 400th episode of GHS and we celebrate that big milestone on today's show. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 57, but the result left many people upset at the officiating toward the end that overshadowed the previous four hours. I dive into the three constant criticism camps that most fans or media seem to always pitch their tent under. I also bring up a pattern I'm seeing in life where no matter what you say or do, your side of the coin is never allowed to come up. In other randomness, I share a couple weird Uber stories, rant about men vs women inviting company over, and wish a great friend a very happy birthday.
Full reaction to both the AFC and NFC Championship Games as we are now set for Super Bowl 57. I attempt to stand up for officiating after the craft took a major hit in multiple sports over a tough weekend. I call out Lebron's theatric tantrum as one of the worst displays of immaturity we've ever seen. I also offer up some experiences from the field when coaches would ask me to look for something, and they were still mad when I would then see it. If EVERY team out there thinks that officials are out to get them, then ironically that disproves the theory.
I make the case that it's time to remove the Dallas Cowboys from among the most elite franchises in professional sports. They have simply not lived up to expectations as I compare their unsuccessful streak to the likes of the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Yankees. Sometimes, you just need to move on. I also give my two cents on who I think are the most tortured fan bases in the NFL. Additionally, I do a brief dive into Championship Sunday which features two amazing title games in the AFC and NFC. Outside of the sports world, I examine the media's instant hopeful reaction to another tragedy and why we need to pay attention to when silence is censored.
I recap the Wild Card Weekend in the NFL and congratulate the Dallas Cowboys for their first road playoff victory in 30 years. Tom Brady didn't even have a license to drive a car way back in the 20th century when Dem Boys last accomplished such a feat. That said, the enemy of my enemy is my ally and I have no choice but to pull for America's Team as they face the gold medalist of annoying teams in the next round. I blast the Chargers for their lack of accountability and offer up possible perspectives of the officials who took on a ton of deserved criticism. Random thoughts took me to ask just how many pairs of shoes can a man have before it becomes a Man Card Violation. Mirrors are still legal in this country for now, but it's only a matter of time before they're outlawed for the hurtful feelings created by what looks back at the beholder.
After a terrible National Championship Game, college football has officially come to an end. In regard to sad endings, I ask when the right time is to take down the Christmas decorations, and you won't be shocked by my timetable. I examine the rumors that Sean McVay is considering stepping away from coaching at just 36 years old. It's playoff time in the NFL and that means predictions of all six games this most glorious weekend. On a serious note, how many young athletes need to fall due to medical conditions until we are allowed to start asking why this is happening? On a not so serious note, I combat the charge that says soccer is the most popular sport in the world and how that logic is extremely flawed.
We officially kickoff the 4th season of the podcast with a recap of the amazing games in the College Football Playoff and the huge blown lead by the USC Trojans in the Cotton Bowl. On a serious note, I react to Damar Hamlin collapsing on the field in Cincinatti and offer some thoughts on the matter. Other topics include me attending a wedding solo out in LA on Friday night and driving later hours for Uber on New Year's Eve. I don't do resolutions, but I'm excited for another season full of random thoughts and even stronger opinions. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
