Carmichael Dave: Yes, #BlameDeuce

I love Deuce Mason.

If you're not familiar with him, tune in 12-3 Monday thru Friday on Ye Olde Sporty 1140.

I first met Deuce on a Kings message board. He was 15, or 16, HUGE Kings fan, and messaged me looking for internships at KHTK. I obliged, got him in on my night show, and the rest is history.

I'm not taking credit (or blame) for Deuce, he worked his ass off and got his own show through sheer determination. Being that he's like 18 years old and has a midday show in a top 25 market is pretty sweet. It's a good story.

I've always looked at him as a little brother, and even had a hand in his name. His real name is Dave, and he is from Carmichael. The old joke of a night host on the station dubbed him "Carmichael Dave Jr", which morphed into "Carmichael Dave the second", which morphed into "Deuce".

In other words, I have a connection with the kid.

I put that out there to hopefully cushion the tough love that's about to rain down.

A's played the Royals last night, in a one game winner-take-all game. To understand Deuce, he enjoys "calling his shot". At one point, the A's took a 7-3 lead, and Deuce tweeted this:

I recoiled in horror, went after him, and he responded with this:

A coffin and some shovels. Deuce had called his shot.

What happened next?

You know what happened next.

There are those who do not believe in jinxes. That's perfectly fine, there's really no logic behind a jinx, especially a sports fan jinx.

I yell at the TV when I don't like something: They can't hear me.

I watch Kings games at home with my bobbleheads in front of me: They can't really see.

If I'm watching the game with friends, and the Kings go on a run while one of them is outside? They can't return until its over: The players don't know.

Last year when FSU was down to Auburn in the National Championship, they started their comeback while my Dad was inside putting my kids (his grandchildren) to bed. When he was done, he tried to come back in the room. He was denied and asked to watch inside.

Keep in mind my Dad actually ATTENDED Florida State University. So did my mother. It might be the final time I ever experience a national championship with my Dad, who RAISED me on FSU football.

But had I let him back in the room, FSU would've lost, and thems the breaks. Right? Makes total sense.

My dear friend Kevin Sherrets, who actually helped get ME my job at KHTK back in the day, is now the assistant program director at a Denver sports station. We lived together for a while. Love the man.

But not that long ago, when the San Francisco Giants were 5 outs away from their first SF title against the Angels, my phone rang. Caller ID said "Kevin Sherrets". Despite my best friend Brett sitting next to me screaming "DON'T ANSWER IT", I did. Kevin (an A's fan) promptly congratulated me on a World Series title.

Dusty pulls Russ Ortiz. The rest is history.

I've never forgiven him.

In 2002, the Kings were up 3-2 on the Lakers. The then morning show on KHTK decided to hold a "funeral" for the Lakers, prematurely celebrating a Kings series win.

Game 7. 16-30 FTs, 2-20 3P. The rest is history.

I still haven't forgiven Whitey Gleason.

A young Deuce Mason listened intently. But evidently didn't learn.

Once the A's lost yesterday, the hashtag #BlameDeuce began to trend on twitter. People took to photoshop to express their anger. I love them for it. The most talented people in the world are angry Sacramentans on twitter.

Here are some examples:

But in the end, an amazing thing happened late into the dying day of September. With the A's suffering a gut punch loss of epic proportions, and everyone taking to twitter to vent, what was the top trending topic??

Jinxes may not be real. But I believe in them. If for no other reason, because it can't hurt. On the slight chance the sports gods are paying attention, the last thing I want to do is piss them off. And that's why I'll be wearing the same underwear until if and when my Giants are out of the playoffs.

That, and I'm lazy.