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College Pro Fish and Game Forecast Contests Contact Us KWTX.com Round Rock Express And UIL Agree On 7-Year Deal
/ Article ROUND ROCK (June 10, 2011) -- The UIL Baseball State Championships will have a home at the Dell Diamond for years to come, The University Interscholastic League and The Round Rock Express announced Friday. The agreement secures The Dell Diamond as one of the hosts for the UIL Baseball Championships through 2017. The Dell Diamond has served as a host for the UIL State Championships since 2000.
“We’re excited to have entered this agreement with The Round Rock Express,” said Dr. Mark Cousins, UIL Director of Athletics. “This allows for the most cost-effective option for our member schools. Playing on a field like this gives these student athletes the opportunity to play at one of the best venues in the country.”
The new seven-year deal starts this year, 2011, and runs through 2017. The five UIL classifications will play the semifinal and championship games at both UFCU Disch-Falk Field on The University of Texas at Austin campus and The Dell Diamond.
“We consider our facility one of the best in Texas and feel it is a natural fit to bring some of the best high school talent into our stadium,” Express General Manager George King said. “We are very excited we get to host UIL games at our stadium for many years to come.”
UIL games at The Dell Diamond started on June 8, 2011, with the 1A and 2A semifinals and run through June 11, 2011, with the 5A State Championships. The Dell Diamond hosted 12 of the 15 games of the UIL Baseball State Championships. Sports Spotlight: Axtell Senior Inspires Others By Beating The Odds You must be logged in to post comments.
by David Location: Grapevine on Jun 10, 2011 at 09:22 PM
This was my first trip to the Express home at Dell Diamonds, and after watching the 2A Semi-finals and the championship game there It seems very appropriate to me that this facility be used in conjunction with the UT field as well for the larger classifications. This is a much fairer arrangement with the UIL than the Mansfield ISD stadium and the Cowboy stadium arrangement for football. That arrangement gave an overwhelming favoritism to the larger classifications to play at Cowboy Stadium as opposed to the 1A and 2A schools being forced to play at a average high school stadium, especially when they probably played at a more prestigious site earlier in the playoffs. Lucky me, my hometown played at both the state football championship and lost and then won the 2A baseball championship. Not just for the score, but I think the kids will remember player at UT's stadium during the semi-finals than the championship game at Mansfield ISD's stadium for the state championship. Go Yoe!
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Galaxy qualify for 2013/2014 CONCACAF Champions League By Adam Serrano
Beat Not only did the LA Galaxy advance to their third MLS Cup in four years by defeating Seattle Sounders FC in the Western Conference Championship, but LA also qualified 2013/2014 CONCACAF Champions League on Sunday. The 2013/2014 edition of the tournament will be LA's fourth straight appearance in the continental competition. LA are currently in the Quarterfinals of the 2012/2013 tournament where they will face Costa Rican side Herediano.
Below is a list of MLS' American entrants for the 2013/2014 CCL and how they qualified...
LA Galaxy (MLS Cup Finalists)
Houston Dynamo (MLS Cup Finalsts) San Jose Earthquakes (Supporters' Shield winners)
Sporting Kansas City (US Open Cup winners)
Donovan misses out on Seattle match, hopeful for MLS Cup By Adam Serrano
Beat SEATTLE -- LA Galaxy captain Landon Donovan may have sat out Sunday's 2-1 defeat with Seattle Sounders FC that saw LA advance to the MLS Cup 4-2 on aggregate, but Donovan is confident that he'll be ready when the final rolls around on Dec. 1. Donovan's status for the match in Seattle was always a question mark as he was unable to resume exercising until Friday after suffering tightness in his right hamstring during the first leg at The Home Depot Center a week prior. Without Donovan on the field on Sunday, the Galaxy struggled at times to create opportunties going forward amid an early onslought by Seattle, but were ultimately able to hang on to advance to MLS Cup. But despite not participating in Sunday's Conference Championship clincher, Donovan believes that if the circumstances were different, he could have played. "I think if this was two weeks from now we would have tried to play," said Donovan. "No question."
Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena was quick to echo his captain's sentiments. "If it was a Cup Final tonight, Landon probably would have played," said Arena. "But we wanted to try to do the smart thing and not put him out for the rest of the season.”
After erring on the side of caution with Donovan's injury during the second leg in Seattle, the Galaxy are hopeful that they'll have their captain back at full strength when they host the Houston Dynamo on Dec. 1 at The Home Depot Center.
"You always miss Landon, he’s probably the best playoff player that MLS has ever seen," said defender Todd Dunivant. "He’s clutch and comes up big in these kind of games, so we’re hoping to get him back for the final."
Sarvas' gritty performance key as Galaxy advance to MLS Cup
Beat SEATTLE – Robbie Keane may have scored a goal for the LA Galaxy, but perhaps no player was more effective on the night for the LA Galaxy than midfielder Marcelo Sarvas.
Filling in for the injured Juninho at the start, Sarvas was, the most effective player for Galaxy in a first half dominated by Seattle. Throughout the opening 45 minutes, Sarvas’ ability to win first and second balls as well as make timely challenges help LA survive an onslaught by the Sounders. During the second half, Sarvas continued his stellar defensive play in the second half, ultimately ending the match with eight interceptions and seven clearances on the night.
Sarvas addresses his play below…
(On his great play in tonight's game...)
SARVAS: "I was just trying to do my job. I have the type of personality to try to keep the guys up and I think it worked very well. Of course we knew coming here it was going to be a hard game. Seattle played a fantastic game today and it was a great game."
(On his defensive play...)
SARVAS: "I have to destroy you know. I have to run off the ball and destroy, so I think I did my job."
(On how the first 20 minutes of the game got away from LA and how they regrouped...)
SARVAS: "The first 20 minutes of the first half was very hard. They came and scored their very first goal in like 13 minutes, and also their fans put them more in the game. We had to calm down, but it was a really hard game."
Mark Geiger addresses decision to award a penalty kick to Robbie Keane
Beat SEATTLE— Referee Mark Geiger addressed his decision to award a penalty kick to the LA Galaxy’s Robbie Keane after LA advanced to the MLS Cup Final on a 4-2 aggregate victory.
Below is an excerpt from Geiger, who was asked about the difference of the decision to award a penalty to Keane for a handball on Adam Johansson as opposed to his decision to not award a penalty to Mike Magee for an apparent hand ball by Seattle's Jhon Kennedy Hurtado.
“The hand was in an unnatural playing position, and he was making himself bigger by taking space. His arms were outside of his body. [Jhon Kennedy] Hurtado’s arm was next to his body, he was not making himself bigger, and this was a case of “ball-to-hand.”
Notes from the LA Galaxy's 4-2 aggregate victory over Seattle Sounders FC in Western Conference Championship
Beat SEATTLE - A few notes from the LA Galaxy's 4-2 Western Conference Championship victory over Seattle Sounders FC
*Robbie Keane's penalty kick goal in the 68th minute was his fifth postseason goal and his 22nd in all competitions this season. *Keane has scored in each of his last three postseason game, last player to do that was Landon Donovan in 2011.
*Keane is the first player other than Landon Donovan to convert a penalty for the Galaxy in the postseason other than Landon Donovan was Carlos Ruiz on Sept. 25, 2002 in Game 1 of MLS Cup Quarterfinals against the Kansas City Wizards. *The last player to score more than five goals in a postseason for LA was Carlos Ruiz, who had eight in 2002
*This is the first MLS Cup Final appearaance for ten of LA's 30 players on the roster.
*Nine of the 30 players on LA have been a part of LA's three MLS Cup Final appearances in the last four years. *The LA Galaxy have now qualified for the MLS Cup a record eight times and appeared three out of the last four years.
*The crowd of 44,575 at CenturyLink Field set n MLS playoff record for highest attendance in a non-final in MLS postseason history and the sixth largest crowd in MLS postseason history. *Osvaldo Alonso earned a second yellow card at the closing minutes, which will carry over to the 2013 season opener. The LA Galaxy will take on the Houston Dynamo in the 2012 MLS Cup Final at 1:30 p.m. PT at The Home Depot Center.
Houston win Eastern Conference Chamionship, Winner of Seattle/LA to host MLS Cup By Adam Serrano
Beat The MLS Cup will take place at either The Home Depot Center or CenturyLink Field in Seattle after the Houston Dynamo advanced from the Eastern Conference with a win over D.C. United. The winner of the Western Conference Championship between the LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders FC will host the Cup Final on Dec. 1 by virtue of their regular season point totals, each of which were higher than Houston.
The Dynamo, who were the lowest seed in the Eastern Conference, advanced to the MLS Cup Final after drawing D.C. United 1-1 at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. in the second leg, sealing a 4-2 win on aggregate. Houston defeated the Eastern Conference's highest seeded team Sporting Kansas City in the Western Conference Semifinal as well as the Chicago Fire in the Knockout Round in the before defeating United.
Look ahead to Seattle: Galaxy look to qualify for MLS Cup by closing out Sounders FC
Beat SEATTLE -- We're just a few hours away from tonight's Western Conference Championship Second Leg between the LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders FC.
Remember, the Galaxy hold a 3-0 aggregate lead on Seattle and away goals DO NOT count in this competition. Over 43,000 are expected at rainy and cold CenturyLink Field tonight as Seattle look to fight their way back into the series and prevent LA from advancing to MLS Cup.
Also, the Galaxy will be wearing white tonight against Seattle's rave green. As we get close to game time, check out some my observations and links to get you to kick off...
*The forecast calls for temperatures in the low 50s with plenty of rain, but according to the Galaxy that suits them just fine.
*Key to LA's success in the first leg was the play of goalkeeper Josh Saunders, who will likely be under plenty of pressure on Sunday night.
*Landon Donovan is not only optimistic about his ability to participate on Sunday, but also promises that LA won't be thinking "defense-first" when the match kicks off.
*Meanwhile, head coach Bruce Arena is optimistic that Juninho will be available on Sunday, but if he does not, Marcelo Sarvas feels ready to step in.
*Tommy Meyer will get his first look at the cauldron that is CenturyLink Field and he is relishing the challenge of playing in front of the Seattle crowd.
*For a more general look at the game, LAGalaxy.com staff writer Larry Morgan offers his game preview.
MATCH UPS:
Omar Gonzalez/Tommy Meyer vs. Fredy Montero/Eddie Johnson The most important match up of the night as LA's in-form centerbacks look to hold down a Seattle offensive tandem that is desperate to help Seattle claw back into the series
Christian Wilhelmsson vs. Zach Scott According to Sigi Schmid after the second leg, the Galaxy "found a lot of joy" against Scott in the first leg and expect Wilhelmsson and right back Sean Franklin to attack him at will. Bruce Arena vs. Sigi Schmid
The two veteran coaches are facing a major battle of wits as Schmid attempts to break down Arena's organized Galaxy side that will be eager to hit Seattle on the break. PREDICTED LINEUP: Saunders; Franklin, Gonzalez, Meyer, Dunivant; Magee, Sarvas, Beckham, Wilhelmsson; Buddle, Keane
*Lastly, check out my Three Points to the game
Video Previews: LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders FC By Adam Serrano
Beat MLSsoccer.com has issued a pair of video previews from both sides of the aisle ahead of tonight's Western Conference Championship Second Leg between LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders FC.
Check them out below.
Seattle Sounders FC: Eddie Johnson, Brad Evans and Sigi Schmid
LA Galaxy: Todd Dunivant, Marcelo Sarvas and Bruce Arena
Despite injury concerns, Galaxy prepared for Seattle's Rosales
Beat Whether Seattle Sounders FC will be able to call upon star midfielder Mauro Rosales for Sunday’s Western Conference Semifinal Second Leg is still up in the air, but the LA Galaxy are prepared, should the Argentine be ready to play.
In his first year with Seattle, the Argentine has provided an important cog in the midfield for Seattle either closer to goal or on the flanks, tallying an impressive 13 assists on the year. He has also had great success against the Galaxy this season, tallying three assists in three appearances against LA this season—all three coming in Seattle’s two victories at CenturyLink Field when the Sounders outscored LA a combined 6-0 in the two matches.
However, the Argentine’s productivity tailed off at the end of the season with the Argentine failing to notch an assist since Seattle’s Aug. 25 win over Chivas before picking up a right hamstring strain in the Western Conference Semifinal First Leg against Real Salt Lake.
Should Seattle head coach Sigi Schmid choose to throw on Rosales as the Sounders look to overcome a three goal deficit against LA, the Galaxy are keenly aware that they must be wary of the Argentine. “Rosales has been out for a few weeks, so we’ll see how he does when he comes back in, but he’s a good player, he’s an important player for them,” said midfielder David Beckham. “They like to lump balls forward, get players in the box and cross balls because a lot of their goals have come from crosses and headers this year. I think we have…four players [in the back] playing very well. [Omar Gonzalez and Tommy Meyer] have been playing well and it’s up to us to overcome what they throw at us.”
One of the players, who will likely be tasked with defending the Argentine will be LA left back Todd Dunivant, who admits he faces a stiff test if Rosales plays on Sunday. “Rosales is as good as it gets in this league in terms of wide players and getting service in the box,” said Dunivant. “He’s got double digit assists and he’s really connected well with especially Eddie Johnson this year, but he’s connected well with Montero too. He’s kind of the engine that keeps them going and missing them as hurt them a lot.”
Galaxy ready for the wet conditions at CenturyLink Field on Sunday
Beat SEATTLE – On Sunday night, the LA Galaxy know that to qualify for the MLS Cup Final, they must not only get through a hyper-motivated Seattle Sounders FC side and silence the raucous CenturyLink Field crowd, but also battle through the Seattle rain.
When the Galaxy arrived in the Pacific Northwest on Saturday afternoon, the weather was prototypical Seattle fare with a cold wind and steady rain. By the time kick off rolls around on Sunday evening, the forecast calls for much of the same with rain and temperatures in the low-50s expected.
“It’s exactly what we expected; you know what you’re getting up here,” said Todd Dunivant on Saturday after the team landed in Seattle. “I don’t think it favors one team or another, but it is what it is.”
How players react to the cold and wet weather remains to be seen, but even the Galaxy players from warm climes admit that they were ready for the frigid temps.
“We knew that it’d be cold and there would be wind,” said midfielder Marcelo Sarvas. “It’s actually good weather to play soccer, it’s not the best for me,” but it is good weather. It’s not hot, it’s comfortable.”
While the cold may not be ideal for the midfielder from Brazil, Englishman David Beckham is excited about the prospect of playing in the wet weather.
“I love it, I love playing in the rain. I hope it is cold, I hope it’s wet and it’ll be a nice night hopefully,” said Beckham on Friday. “It’s a lot easier playing in rain then it is running around in the heat. I’m sure it will [rain], the forecast calls is rain so we’ll see.
Beckham isn’t alone in his excitement as forward Robbie Keane believes that the wet field could serve the Galaxy well.
“If it’s raining, that’s something that I’m used to,” said forward Robbie Keane. “It won’t really affect me, but I like playing when it’s raining because the pitch is a lot faster and moves the ball a lot quicker and the way that we play, I think that could suit us because we like to get the ball down and play quick, so that could only help us. Of course, they’ll have an advantage because they’re used to playing on that pitch on a regular basis, but for us, that’s the way we play—quick and fast—so I think it could help us."
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David D. Kautz
David D. Kautz July 29, 1950-Mar. 17, 2013 Formerly of San Lorenzo David passed peacefully on Sunday March 17, in Modesto CA. David attended and graduated from San Lorenzo High School, Class of 1969. He was widely known as "Davey" during that time. All through his life he was a major participant in the Special Olympics in the East Bay Region. Along with that he was an avid bowler and a respected basketball and baseball coach throughout the years. A loving son, brother and uncle David will be greatly missed. He touched the lives and hearts of everyone he spent time with. He is survived by his mother Nancy, father Dave, his six siblings Don, Ted, Jeff, Kathy, Paul and Molly. Also two generations of nephews and nieces. In lieu of flowers, if desired, you may choose to make a donation to the Special Olympics or the Children's Hospital in S.F. in David's name. Published in Inside Bay Area on Mar. 29, 2013
Please restore the Guest Book to share in the life story for David D. Kautz
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"I remember Davey when we were at SLZ High together. To show you how much his classmates loved him, I..."- Geoff Thatcher
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Botha ready for Boks
4 June 2012 07:47am
By Westgate, Rob Cole
Mouritz Botha was born in South Africa
Mouritz Botha was born 200 miles north of Durban, but the England lock isn't expecting friendly homecoming this weekend.
The Saracens player knows all about the conditions his England team mates will have to endure, as well as the psyche of the Springboks, and is expecting a major physical challenge when the first of three tests kicks-off in Durban on Saturday.
"It is going to be by far the biggest challenge we have faced as a group. We will have to be ready," said Botha in the wake of England's 57-26 warm-up victory over the Barbarians.
"For me, it is quite a surreal feeling but I am looking forward to getting out there. In a way I feel like I am representing two countries, so the best way to do that is to play well.
"I am not looking to prove a point at all. I just want to make people that know me proud because of the way I perform."
New Springbok coach Heineke Meyer will be looking for his forwards to impose themselves physically on England over the course of the series and Botha's clubmate John Smit suggested after the Baa-Baas match that England might be drawn into "warfare" over the course of their tour.
"Those guys are going to be fired up, but that isn't any different to a lot of countries. There are a lot of men with too much testosterone getting ready to smash each other up," said Botha.
"That's what I love - you want to go out there and have a physical confrontation. After that you feel good and shake your opponent's hand. It gets left on the field and everybody is satisfied."
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LSU News
Offense Held In Check in Losses to Mustangs
Wed, Apr. 3, 2013 - [Baseball]
Riverside, CA - The Golden Eagles were looking to carry momentum from their most recent victory over Oregon Tech into today's doubleheader at The Master's College. Instead, the Golden Eagles dropped both games of the doubleheader 10-0 and 10-1.La Sierra was held to just three hits in the two games, one in the first game and two in the second game.Each of the two games consisted of one big inning for the Mustangs that broke the game open and helped them cruise to victory in seven innings. In Game 1 it was a six-run sixth inning that put the game out of reach. Similarly, in Game 2 it was a seven-run fifth inning that took a 3-1 lead and made it a 10-1 lead. The loss drops the Golden Eagles to 2-24 on the season. The team will travel back to Cal State San Marcos this weekend for games on Friday and Sunday.
Baseball LSU at
California State University-San Marcos
Rescheduled from 3/2
University of Antelope Valley
LSU at
Softball Menlo College at
Menlo College at
Which are you looking forward to the most?
Golden Eagles Athletic Season
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Oklahoma City Survives in the Ninth Inning
Stars eliminate Cal State San Marcos on Walk-Off Homer
GULF SHORES, Ala. - (Updated Schedule & Box Score) Sophomore catcher Kylee Rounsaville struck a walk-off home run on the first pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning as Oklahoma City recorded a 1-0 victory over Cal State San Marcos in an elimination game Tuesday at the NAIA Softball National Championship. Oklahoma City will advance in the tournament and play Brenau (Ga.) in an elimination game at 5:30 p.m. CDT.
The Yukon, Okla., native was one of five Oklahoma City batters to record a base hit at the plate, while serving as the catcher for senior pitcher Lily LaVelle, who recorded her sixth victory of the tournament. LaVelle struck out ten batters, including five in the first three innings. Cal State San Marcos (55-6) managed six hits on the day, two by sophomore shortstop Alex Miller. Junior pitcher Courtney Allen took the loss, striking out two. Cal State San Marcos had three hits in the first inning, including back-to-back singles by Alicia Ingram and Kaitlin McGinley. After an infield single by Miller loaded the bases, LaVelle managed to record a strikeout and lineout to end the inning. Cal State San Marcos ended up stranding 10 runners on base in the game.
In the third inning, Oklahoma City had runners at second and third with one out. Lee Ann Lopez attempted a squeeze bunt, however Tori Joyner was tagged out at home for the second out and a groundout ended the scoring threat. Cal State San Marcos put two runners on with one out in the ninth inning. Miller, who started the inning with a leadoff single, was forced out at third for the second out, and LaVelle struck out the batter to close out the inning. Rounsaville swung on the first pitch in the bottom of the ninth and cleared the fence down the left field line. "I was struggling the whole game, but had a feeling that something was coming." Rounsaville said. "I wasn't expecting to hit a home run, I was expecting something off-speed and low and outside. She (Allen) brought me tight and in, and I turned on it and roped it."
The Stars look to continue their championship dominance with a national record eight titles and 109 wins in 26 appearances.
Concordia (Calif.) won the 2013 NAIA national championship.
SOFTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
PLAY SOFTBALL IN THE NAIA
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Louisiana Tech hires Holtz as head football coach SportsMatt Boudreaux Sports Reporter Share
Friday, December 14, 2012 - 9:26pm Recently fired head coach Skip Holtz, has found a new football home in Ruston, Louisiana. Holtz was named the next head coach at Louisiana Tech Friday.
He was fired after three seasons at South Florida and will replace Sonny Dykes who left to take the head job at Cal.
He was 16-21 in three seasons there. The Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech won nine games this season and led the NCAA in offense.
This is his forth head coaching job after stints with Connecticut, East Carolina and South Florida.
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... What to Watch: NBA player Jason Collins announces he's gay
NBA free agent Jason Collins has come out as a gay man in Sports Illustrated, making him the first openly gay active player in any U.S. sports league, the Associated Press reports. Collins played for the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards this past year. He said in the Sports Illustrated interview, "I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation." Former President Bill Clinton, whose daughter attended Stanford at the same time as Collins, issued a statement supporting Collins' decision to come out and expressing hope that he would be similarly supported by the NBA and his fans.
Aisha Tyler, known for voicing Agent Lana Kane on "Archer," visits "Hawaii Five-O" tonight. Tyler plays a talk-show host who shadows the squad with a camera crew. Things get a little too real for the talk-show host when Wo Fat shows up. CBS 10 p.m. EST.
Hot video: Camel almost bites baby's head
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Michael Vick: 'I have to put Eagles on my back'
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick (7) reacts against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Easgles 28-13. / Derick E. Hingle, U.S. Presswire by Robert Klemko, USA TODAY Sportsby Robert Klemko, USA TODAY Sports Filed Under
Michael Vick can't go anywhere to escape the disappointment with the Philadelphia Eagles. Not even a charity mission to Superstorm Sandy-ravaged Atlantic City, N.J.
The quarterback is making a $50,000 donation to the Red Cross' relief efforts, and he spent part of his Tuesday speaking to high school students and visiting a local shelter for displaced residents. More than a few people wanted to know why the Eagles lost 28-13 Monday night to the New Orleans Saints, making both clubs 3-5.
The Saints have an excuse for a poor first half: Their season was blown of course by the NFL's bounty investigation.
And the Eagles?
"People want to know the reason behind the loss, so I had to break it down to them," Vick told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday. "You just let them know that it's just football. It takes a total team effort to win football games. Young kids have to learn that and learn not to point the finger early."
If the occasion of four losses in a row at midseason is too early to point fingers, when is the right time? Vick's younger brother, Marcus, assigned blame Monday night, demanding a trade for his brother during the game in a curse-filled Twitter rant that criticized the offensive line. He has since apologized.
Michael says he had a heart-to-heart with his brother, and is assured that won't happen again.
"Coach wasn't seeing into it, and my teammates weren't seeing into it, and nobody said anything about it," Vick said. "They know me as a person and they knew I would get to the bottom of that and they knew that I'd handle that."
But his brother's outburst isn't nearly Vick's chief concern. His offensive line has been ravaged by injuries. Starters Jason Peters, Jason Kelce and Todd Herremans are lost for the season. Vick has been pressured, hit or sacked on a third of his dropbacks this season, and he's thrown the ball away a league-high 17 times.
At this point, Vick feels as if he needs to "kinda, sorta" put the team on his back.
"I have to make plays that I know I can make and kind of put the team on my back a little bit," Vick said. "But we have a lot of great players, and I've just got to play at a high level. I've got to bring everyone else with me."
Vick said he was worried about injuries early in the season, forcing him into bad throws. That mentality is no more.
Vick said he refuses to worry about coach Andy Reid's long-term future with the team. Reid long ago tied his tenure in Philadelphia to Vick's success. Vick is due $16.5 million if he's on the roster next season. Reid's contract is up after next year, but Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said in August he needed to see "substantial improvement" from the team for the coach to keep his job.
Instead, the Eagles have regressed, fueling speculation that Reid and Vick's jobs are in jeopardy.
And though Vick has admitted to feeling the pressure from the media in several instances this season, he and Reid aren't discussing matters beyond Sunday's NFC East game against Dallas.
"We don't think about it and we don't talk about it," Vick said. "We think about the next game and how to win it. That's what's most important. Everything else is a distraction."
Copyright 2014 USATODAY.comRead the original story: Michael Vick: 'I have to put Eagles on my back'
But offensive line is a mess and the Philly QB has been battered this season A link to this page will be included in your message.
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COMMENTS Players say friendship will remain forever
Havelock senior Malcom Ashley, left, and Anthony Fisher celebrates Ashley's sack of Concord QB B.J. Beecher during the 3A state championship game in Winston-Salem.
Byron Holland, Sun Journal
By Ken Buday, Havelock News
HAVELOCK — Malcom Ashley still remembers one of his first football practices at Havelock High School. He matched up against Corey Robinson, who now starts on the offensive line at the University of South Carolina.
“I got killed,” said Ashley, a senior defensive end for the Rams. “I got smacked, and I flew.”
Fellow lineman Kendal Vickers did not do much better.
“I remember my first day of conditioning, I almost died,” he said. “I almost passed out. I was so out of shape.”
In four years, they went from out-of-shape tackling dummies to state champions.
Havelock’s senior class has enjoyed more success in the football program’s 50-year history than any other, reaching four eastern regional championship games and winning two state championships.
“It’s been a great experience,” quarterback Pharoh Cooper said of playing football at Havelock High. “We won two state titles back to back, going out as state champs our senior year. We’ve all been together since our freshmen year, and we have great chemistry.”
As freshmen, many of the 2012 seniors played on a junior varsity team that went 9-1. Some were then brought up to the varsity team for the 2009 playoffs. Havelock reached the eastern championship game but lost to Eastern Alamance, ending the season with a 13-2 record.
As sophomores, Cooper, Vickers, Ashley and other current seniors were on the varsity roster the entire season, which again ended with a loss to Eastern Alamance in the eastern title game.
In 2011, Havelock went 16-0 and defeated West Rowan for the state championship. Cooper caught two touchdown passes and was named the offensive MVP for the Rams in the game.
This season, the Rams again won the state title, beating Concord in the title game 55-21, with Cooper being named the game’s most valuable player.
In the four years they were part of the program, Havelock’s varsity football team went 55-7.
“We knew after their freshmen year that they had a chance to be a special group,” Havelock coach Jim Bob Bryant said of this season’s seniors. “Most of the seniors started on the varsity as sophomores. They won the conference and made it to the eastern finals that year. They’ve grown up in the program for four years. We knew they had a chance to be special.”
Bryant gets emotional when he talks about the contributions the seniors have made to Havelock football.
“They mean a lot,” he said. “They’re one of the main reasons that Havelock football is back where it needs to be and hopefully where it’s going to stay for the next several years. For what these guys have not only done on the field, but what they’ve done off the field in being good citizens and being good role models for our younger players, we’re sure going to miss them.”
For their part, the players said they never looked at the big picture.
“I never really thought about it,” Vickers said. “I didn’t really start thinking about it until our junior year, about how good we were.”
Now that they’ve played their final games, each will carry memories with them.
“I just remember all the good times hanging out with my buds,” Ashley said.
Vickers said the senior football players would always have a special bond.
“All of us are always going to be friends,” Vickers said. “We’re always going to calling each other and talking to each other. We’re always going to be able to be in touch. It’s been a good friendship with everybody.”
Ashley is expected to play football at East Carolina, while Vickers and Cooper have both committed to South Carolina. The other seniors have college and careers ahead of them as well.
But they will always have those four seasons of football at Havelock High.
“It went by fast,” Cooper said. “My freshmen year to now, it just went by real fast.”
COMMENTS HAVELOCK FOOTBALL: Seniors leave legacy of excellence
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8 m ago In Nassau construction work on Seaford-Oyster Bay Expwy/Rt-135 NB between Merrick Rd/X1 and Hempstead Tpk/NY Rt-24/X7
'Fox and Friends' host, Massapequa native Brian Kilmeade gets NCAA award on air
Thursday July 18, 2013 6:15 PM
By Quinn O'Callaghan
Josh Looney, assistant director of NCAA Division II, left, presents a Lifetime Achievement Award to "Fox and Friends" host Brian Kilmeade, far right, on the show. (July 17, 2013) (Credit: Fox News)
"Fox and Friends" host Brian Kilmeade spent some time outside Fox News Studios in Manhattan on Wednesday morning, showing off some old college soccer skills.
It was far from a normal day on set for Kilmeade, a Massapequa native. During the show, the former C.W. Post Pioneers soccer player was presented with the NCAA Division II Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award was in honor of the 40th anniversary of the creation of NCAA Division II athletics. As he accepted the award, Kilmeade said he loved playing at Post, and was accepting the award on behalf of everyone who “would try extremely hard and was just OK or good.”
“I think most of us play in college and know we have to do something else after,” said Kilmeade on "Fox and Friends."
LIU Post soccer coach Andreas Lindberg also attended the presentation and ran through some drills with Kilmeade on air.
Each of the 24 conferences currently in NCAA Division II selected two former athletes from their conferences that they perceived as representative of Division II’s core values, in particular the balance of athletic ability and post-college professionalism.
Josh Looney, associate director of NCAA Division II athletics, said Kilmeade is a perfect representative of the division.
“Brian wrote down his goal in a 1982 media guide at Post, to work in television and entertain people,” he said in an interview after Kilmeade was given the award Wednesday. “He worked at his goal and accomplished it, and that’s exactly what we represent.”
Donna Orender, a fellow native Long Islander and Elmont High School graduate, also received a Lifetime Achievement Award. Orender was a college basketball star, gaining All-American status while playing point guard for Queens College before playing professionally from 1978 to 1981 in the short-lived but pioneering Women’s Basketball League.
Since leaving basketball, Orender served as a PGA executive and president of the WNBA from 2005 to 2010, according to her bio page on WNBA.com. She is now the CEO of Orender Unlimited, a marketing company.
Tags: Massapequa , Brian Kilmeade , Donna Orender , LIU Post Related
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49ers Roster
The Accolades Keep Coming For Justin Smith
@Tre9er
Mmmm! Is that bubblegum scent in my chin-strap? I'll have to ask Goldie after I crush this mortal weakling. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
While we have all known for years what a beast Justin Smith is and has been, it seems that the rest of the casual NFL and it's fans only recently caught-up with us. As a result, Smith has received a number of distinctions and made more than a few elite lists in the past year.
Not only did he earn a spot to the Pro Bowl for his efforts in 2011, but he was named to the AP All Pro team (first team at DT, 2nd team as DE) and recently came in ranked 17th out of the top 100 players in the NFL (as listed by NFL Network).
Some guys who've been high on Smith for about as long as we have are none other than Pro Football Focus. PFF is one of the few organizations that have someone watch every single snap and evaluate each player: responsibilities, effectiveness, etc.
Over the past week they've been looking at defensive linemen as it pertains to pass-rushing. Today they released a piece ranking the interior defensive linemen by number of pass-rush snaps, total pressure, and pass-rush productivity.
It isn't a huge surprise to me who was on top of all three of those lists.
After the jump we share some of the stats.
According to PFF, nobody rushed the passer from an interior defensive lineman spot more than Justin Smith, who did so 1,592 times over the past three years.
During that time, Smith was responsible for 187 QB pressures for a pass-rush productivity of 9.6. Thanks to reedkrase for the formula used to come up with this grade: Pass Rushing Productivity = ((Sacks + 0.75*(Hits+Hurries)) / Pass Rushes) * 100
Just the sheer volume of snaps Smith goes after the QB at a nearly 300lb. size is remarkable. Add to that, we never see him seem gassed and he's always going full-speed. It takes intense preparation of the body to be able to keep going like that...something that fits right in with the blue-collar mentality of this team.
Conversely, among the worst in pass-rush production was none other than former 49er Aubrayo Franklin. Of course, his job wasn't really to rush the passer anyway...and I guess it's a good thing it wasn't.
For Smith we can only hope he can continue to turn in snaps, games, and seasons like this...at least until he's able to hoist a Lombardi Trophy as reward for his efforts.
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49ers History
49ers Season-In-Review
2013 NFL Playoffs
Super Bowl 2013: 49ers vs. Ravens
Super Bowl 2013: 49ers players agree, it began in Philadelphia in 2011
By Dylan DeSimone
@DeSimone80
Scott Halleran
Patrick Willis and Justin Smith reflect on the turning point for the San Francisco 49ers. Both men traced it back to 2011 in Philadelphia.
Every great story has a beginning.
For the reborn San Francisco 49ers team, it began on October 2nd, 2011 in Philadelphia, PA. On that Sunday, the Niners were set for their fourth regular season game under new head coach Jim Harbaugh. At 2-1, they went on the road to face a much-hyped Eagles team.
They had key pieces returning from 2010, which included Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy. They also landed the offseason's most coveted free agent when they signed Nnamdi Asomugha. But that didn't stop them from signing Jason Babin, Cullen Jenkins and trading for Domique Rodgers-Cromartie.
The high-powered Eagles started fast, and before the 49ers knew what hit them, they were down 20 points. This blue-collar 49ers team looked like the 49ers team of old. The went into the locker room at halftime down three scores -- stinging with that familiar feeling.
The 49ers define what followed as the turning point for the franchise.
San Francisco lineman Justin Smith touched on the subject with the media on Wednesday.
On what changed the team into a Super Bowl contender:
We go to Philadelphia, they are up 20-0 at halftime, and we are able to come back. I think it just kind of cemented this group, like ‘OK, we've got something here, let's keep rolling. We are not feeling our way through the season anymore. We are starting to believe.' That winning attitude starts coming out. Even in Atlanta, we are down 17-0, the sideline never wavered. It's just a testament to the guys and the confidence and ability of this team to come back; score, stop them and get it fixed.
Patrick Willis made it a point to mention the Eagles game a day before Justin Smith did. As the two unquestioned leaders of the team, both men were able to point to this game with some conviction and say, 'that's when it took off for us.' This is when the team really "started to believe" as Smith said.
Willis elaborated on that day.
On whether there was a moment he could see a turning point:
The turning point for me in understanding what we have - anyone can pat you on the back, laugh with you, cut up with you when things are going good. It's when you go through those hard times, when you're in the heat of battle and things aren't going so well that you really find out a true man's character. Last year we were playing against the Eagles and the Eagles jumped out on us big time. We went into the locker room down 17 points. I've been part of a locker room whether it's players or coaches where guys are pointing the finger at one another. Guys are mad and saying this and that.
For some reason, that locker room, the coaches and the players came in and we were all like, ‘We've got ourselves in this. We have to get ourselves out.' Coach Harbaugh was like, ‘They said it wasn't going to be easy, but we don't like easy. We got ourselves down we have to fight out of it.' Our defensive coordinator, Coach (Vic) Fangio came in. He had every reason to go crazy on us. He said, ‘Guys you know what we got to do. Just calm down. Settle down and let's go play.' I just remember sitting back and watching him and being like, ‘Wow.' Whether we lost that game or won that game, to me, just to have that was amazing. Fortunately, we were able to go out there and win that game. Which put in more perspective the kind of leadership we have within our head coach and other coaches.
On what changed in the second half against the Eagles in 2011:
We just came out and calmed down, but the biggest thing was having our coaches believe in us the way they did. And having the players believe in one another the way we did. That's the key. I feel like if we came in there at halftime and everybody would have been yelling at one another and coaches yelling and cutting up; I don't think we would have gone out there with that kind of mindset. Let's just calm down and focus. We all believe in one another so let's go do it as opposed to going out there mentally mad at him.
On a day where Michael Vick had 491 yards of total offense, the 49ers rose to overcome a 23-3 deficit on the road with less than two quarters left of play. The 49ers defense did not allow a single point and the offense finally found a rhythm.
Vernon Davis and Frank Gore stepped up big time for the Niners in this game, just like they did against Atlanta in the NFC Championship. Gore had 15 carries for 127 yards and a touchdown, while Davis had 4 catches for 45 yards and a touchdown.
The defense came alive, making plays in the second half. Between the tackling from NaVorro Bowman and Dashon Goldson, the Niners were swarming. Aldon Smith also finished the day with 1.5 sacks on the elusive Vick. And perhaps the game-defining play was when Justin Smith ran down Maclin and punched the ball out, sealing the game for the Niners.
One of the things we've learned about Harbaugh's Niners is that when their backs are against a wall, that's when they play their best football. It began in Philly, but we saw it happen it two weeks later in Detroit with a game-winning TD to Delanie Walker.
It happened again in Week 9 at Fed Ex Field against the Redskins. It was neck and neck until the 49ers finally broke a play open -- a swing pass that resulted in a Bruce Miller touchdown.
How about a week later when the 49ers returned home to Candlestick to host the New York Giants?
The 49ers and Giants were battling and right when it looked like Eli Manning and his squad was going to take this game back, Justin Smith and Patrick Willis combine to make the game-sealing play. Manning was looking for his tight end, but Willis jammed him -- disrupting the timing -- and Smith put his arms up to bat down the quick pass. Game over.
And I'm sure you don't need me to reiterate how things played out against the New Orleans Saints in the 2011 Divisional Round.
The 49ers are a second half football team. They simply don't quit until the clock strikes double zeros. That day in Philadelphia really changed everything and gave this team an identity.
Follow @DeSimone80
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F. Dale Lolley Column
Sportsmanship takes a beating
Integrity lacking in hoops game
The first thing you see when you visit the WPIAL website is the district’s sportsmanship message.
In part, it reads, “The WPIAL reminds member schools to act proactively … to emphasize the importance of good sportsmanship at all athletic events.”
One has to wonder if that message was forgotten Wednesday night in an effort to get a player an individual achievement.
When is an achievement not really an achievement? When it is accomplished in a less than sporting manner?
It can be argued that was the case Wednesday night when California’s Courtnee McMasters scored 56 points in a victory over winless Mapletown.
McMasters is a very good basketball player, one of the best girls players in the area. In fact, she entered this week ranking second in Washington and Greene counties in scoring.
The Mapletown girls basketball team, on the other hand, is – how can we put this delicately? – not good.
The Maples not only don’t have a senior player – the only one they began the season with, Marissa Wrick, was lost to an injury early in the year – but they don’t have a junior, either. The entire team is comprised of freshmen and sophomores. In essence, they are a junior varsity team playing a varsity schedule. Not surprisingly, they’ve lost every game they’ve played, each by a large margin.
Mapletown’s 81-31 Section 3-A loss to California was no different, except for this: McMasters played well into the fourth quarter and scored 56 points.
Why would playoff-bound California leave its best player in a game it was leading 61-27 entering the fourth quarter? Because McMasters began the game with 910 career points.
To his credit, California head coach Chris Minerd approached Mapletown head coach Mike Holloway before the game and told him the Trojans were going to try to get McMasters as many points as possible to get her closer to 1,000.
And, according to Minerd, Holloway said it was OK.
But what was he supposed to say? No?
It’s likely McMasters could have scored 56 points – maybe more – without the approval of Holloway.
But just because Holloway said it was fine, that didn’t make it the right thing to do. There is sportsmanship to think about.
And having a player go out and try to score as many points in a game that is certain to be a blowout tickles the line of good taste.
Would it have been so bad, for instance, if McMasters, who entered the week averaging just under 21 points per game, scored 40 points against the Maples before giving way to the reserves?
That would have left her 50 points short of 1,000 with at least three games – two in the regular season and one in the playoffs – remaining to play. She scored 18 points in a loss to Avella Thursday night and would have needed only 32 in two games to reach 1,000 career points.
Perhaps the bigger question should be, was it really worth throwing sportsmanship out the window to achieve an individual milestone?
Basketball is, after all, a team game. And if you can’t achieve your personal goals within the context of winning the game, then maybe they aren’t meant to be.
Countless other teams could have run the score up or had players put up 50 points against the undermanned Maples.
They didn’t.
In fact, the 81 points scored by the Trojans was 15 more than anyone else chose to score against the Maples.
Most teams chose not to embarrass the Mapletown players. California, which was in Mapletown’s shoes not all that long ago, chose to try to get McMasters a career milestone.
But in doing so, the Trojans cheapened the achievement.
F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.
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Should Yankees pursue Cuban defectors Yenier Bello and Odrisamer Despaigne?
Will the Yankees hold onto their promise to start spending big internationally?
The Yankees have spent almost $500 million this offseason, adding the likes of Masahiro Tanaka, Jacoby Ellsbury, Carlos Beltran, and Brian McCann. Unfortunately, they also lost Robinson Cano and Alex Rodriguez, leaving the infield to rest on a Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira coming back from injury-riddled seasons. The Yankees have previously spoken about looking internationally to supplement a weak farm system, so if they are planning to spend big on this kind of talent, then it's time to start opening up the wallet.
Catcher Yenier Bello and right-handed pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne both previously defected from Cuba and have finally been unblocked by the Office of Foreign Asset Control after months of waiting. That last hurdle has been passed and now they are free to sign with major league teams. Should the Yankees be interested?
I previously wrote about Bello in November. At the time, it was believed that the Yankees were interested in the 28-year-old backstop, along with the Rangers, Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Phillies. I reported that "from 2003-2011, Bello hit .276/.324/.458 with 82 home runs while throwing out 50% of potential base stealers," which sounds like decent production out of the catcher spot. Unfortunately, given his age, it doesn't make him much of a prospect:
No. Non-prospect. RT @RNewsX I know Y. Bello has a big arm & some pop. How is he behind the dish? Decent backup C prospect?
— Ben Badler (@BenBadler) January 25, 2014
Bello would likely be able to start in Triple-A before making a move to the majors, but given the Yankees' current boom of catchers in and around the majors, it doesn't seem worthwhile to bring him in, even if he's not too expensive. Gary Sanchez will be in Double-A, J.R. Murphy and Austin Romine are both ticketed for Triple-A, and Francisco Cervelli and Brian McCann will probably be the major league catching tandem. Why throw another player into that mess? They traded Chris Stewart to try and fix that very problem.
I wrote about Despaigne all the way back in October when it was reported that the Yankees were one of several teams to scout the righty. He has had two showcases this month and may have another before he signs with a team. There's a little more information on him than with Bello:
The 26-year-old right-hander has pitched in Cuba for eight seasons and owns a 51-39 record with a 3.65 ERA, though his final season might have been his best after he posted a 2.58 ERA. He finishes his career in Cuba with a 6.4 K/9, 3.7 BB/9, 8.8 H/9 in 957.3 innings. Despaigne can be considered a workhorse, having pitched in at least 20 games every year since 2010. In the 2012 season he combine for 30 starts in 220 innings between the regular season and the playoffs. He also pitched for Cuba in the World Baseball Classic along Aroldis Chapman and Jose Abreu.
When compared to recent defectors Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez and Dalier Hinojosa, Despaigne has a better strikeout rate and ERA, but a much higher walk rate. He also eclipses them both in innings pitched and starts since the 2010 season. The Phillies signed Gonzalez to a three-year, $12 million deal, while the Red Sox signed Hinojosa for $4 million. Despaigne is younger than both, however Obstructed View says he might not be worth a pricey investment.
Even with Tanaka in the fold, the pitching staff has some openings, especially in the bullpen. Despaigne might not be ready to go right into the majors upon signing, but it's not like there is anyone really blocking him to at least crack the majors after some time in Triple-A. It seems like managing his control issues will be key for him, so that is something to watch. Maybe the Yankees also move him to the bullpen at some point too, as Ben Badler of Baseball America seems to think is in his future.
Pretty fringy. Maybe a bullpen arm. RT @MattDWhitaker Is Odrisamer Despaigne a guy to keep an eye on or is he more of a flyer?
A third player out of Cuba, shortstop Aledmys Diaz, is still deemed to be ineligible by the OFAC until February 19 for falsifying documents. Right now he is training in Arizona and will have showcases there and in Florida next month. I wrote about him in December, where I pulled from different sources to paint a picture about the 23-year-old right-handed shortstop:
From MLB.com:
While he is known for "his ability to hit for power and average, Diaz is [also] considered an average runner with an above-average arm."
From CBS Sports:
Diaz hit .315/.404/.500 with 12 home runs in 270 at-bats during the 2011-12 season in Cuba, his last before defecting. He hit .308/.401/.444 from 2008-12. Reports on his defense are mixed, which is why some teams expect him to move to the other side of the bag.
From Viva El Birdos:
Looking at his statistics over his career in Cuba, he seems to have a middling bat. Dan Moore of Viva El Birdos looked into Diaz back in January, declaring "The Davenport Translations, an attempt to translate his numbers into an MLB context, help a little-from 07-08 (in which Diaz drew 32 at-bats) to 10-11, they make him look like a punchier Daniel Descalso, with a line of .258/.320/.353."
If that projection is legit, I would sign up for that right now. It might not be something great or special, but it definitely would be useful. The Yankees have almost nothing in regards to internal solutions at shortstop, so even Descalso-levels of production would be welcomed if he can provide better defense than Eduardo Nunez. They don't need a superstar, they just need someone who is useful.
We should be hearing a lot more about these players soon, but we'll see how the Yankees act here. This is the time to prove their dedication to the international market, especially after Tanaka. If it was up to me, I'd go after Despaigne and Diaz (when he becomes available), but probably let Bello go elsewhere.
Masahiro Tanaka will wear No. 19 with the Yankees in 2014
Yankees sign Masahiro Tanaka: Did the new posting system work?
Yankees GIFs: Fond memories from the 2009 World Series, Game 2
Brian Cashman: The Yankees' infield & bullpen questions are going to have to answer themselves
Yankees sign Masahiro Tanaka: Alternative New York Post covers
International free agent Yankees-related news and rumors
Yankees have shown interest in Hyo-Joon Park of South Korea
Yankees Rumors: New York plans to spend big on the 2014 international amateur class
Yankees International Free Agent Target: Aledmys Diaz
Will new posting rules cool the Yankees' pursuit of Masahiro Tanaka?
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Sutil not looking too far aheadTuesday 06-August-2013 12:53Adrian Sutil admits he "knows where he wants to go" next year, but feels "it's a bit too early" to start talking about it.
After losing his Force India seat to Nico Hulkenberg in 2012, Sutil returned to Silverstone squad this year and he has done a good job in the first half of the campaign.
He is currently 11th in the standings with 23 points with his best performance to date coming in Monaco when he finished P5.
With F1 on its annual summer break, a lot of attention has turned to next year's driver market and it appears the sport might be in for a merry-go-round.
Sutil, though, feels the time is not quite right to talk about his future.
"I am now half a year in, acclimatised myself to life in F1 again and all the procedures are now perfect, I can go almost 100 per cent on my performance," the German is quoted as saying by Autosport. "Let's see what the future brings, I don't know.
"There are some interesting seats available but it depends on certain drivers moving, and then the carousel turns. It's a bit too early.
"I have my goals, I know where I want to go; I have my plans for the future.
"I won't tell it now of course, it would make things too easy. But I'm a loyal person to this team, and whatever I do I will speak to Vijay first."
Drivers who are competing for seats outside the big teams are struggling to hold onto their places if they don't have big financial backers, and the German admits it's a difficult situation both for drivers and teams.
"It's difficult - in F1 the money is not really there," Sutil said. "The top teams are doing very well, but the teams outside that are struggling to survive.
"They need drivers with sponsorship because they can't get it themselves, so sometimes with rare nationalities it is easier to get sponsors and that's why teams are looking for these kinds of drivers.
"The best package would be a great driver, able to be World Champion, with a big sponsorship; then you have no problems.
"[For a team] this is the best thing that can happen: that's natural."
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Ravens win the battle for Elvis Dumervil with 5-year deal
Denver Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil (92) reacts on the sidelines after giving up a touchdown pass to the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter of the AFC divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field. / Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports by Jim Corbett and Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sportsby Jim Corbett and Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sports Filed Under
The Baltimore Ravens have won the Elvis Dumervil Sweepstakes, coming to an agreement with the former Denver Broncos defensive end Sunday.
Dumervil's contract is worth a maximum of $35 million, according to a person informed of the terms of the contract. The person, who spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because the financial details weren't to be discussed publicly, said the contract includes $8.5 million in the first year of the deal and there's a $3.5 million injury guarantee next season, for a total of $12 million guaranteed.
If that injury guarantee sounds familiar, it's because the Broncos also offered Dumervil $3.5 million in an injury guarantee in the second year of a reworked deal. He and his former agent initially balked at the offer and then accepted -- too late.
It wasn't a full-page ad in the local newspaper, like Ed Reed's goodbye to Ravens fans, but Dumervil posted this on his Twitter account Sunday night:
"Can't say enough about the Broncos fans, my great teammates, equipment staff, training staff, media staff, Mr. Bowlen, Coach Fox, John Elway and the city of Denver. Its been an unforgettable 7 years. I am looking fwd to this next chapter of my career."
(Memo to Roger Goodell: With the Ravens still looking for an opening day opponent to play on the road, how about the Broncos? It's not only a playoff rematch, but the Ravens would be bringing Dumervil and his contract drama with them.)
With former Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora close to a deal with the Atlanta Falcons, that most likely leaves the Broncos to choose between former Falcons defensive end John Abraham and former Indianapolis Colts pass rusher Dwight Freeney -- although the Miami Dolphins could be in the mix, too.
At last week's owners meetings, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said he had reached out to Dumervil's new agent, Tom Condon, to express interest in the free-agent pass rusher, who was on the street following the infamous fax fiasco.
Dumervil, 29, rang up 63.5 sacks with Denver and initially intended to re-sign with the team despite taking a $4 million paycut -- only to be cut when he and his former agent missed the deadline to turn in his re-worked contract by six minutes.
The Broncos owed Dumervil $12 million for the 2013 but told his former agent Marty Magid that they intended to release him unless he took a pay cut. Dumervil agreed at the 11th hour to sign a contract that would have paid him $8 million in 2013, but Dumervil and his former agent didn't get the paperwork faxed to the team in time by the 4 p.m. Eastern deadline.
The Broncos remained interested in re-signing Dumervil, until the Ravens swooped in Sunday in a bid to make up for the free-agent defections of pass-rushing outside linebacker Paul Kruger to Cleveland, inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe to Miami, safety Ed Reed to Houston and the retirement of veteran linebacker Ray Lewis.
Dumervil finished second on the Broncos in 2012 with 11.5 sacks. But the question remains: Did he really want to return to Denver if he had a choice?
Broncos president John Elway issued a gracious statement, but he probably feels as though he was nearly played by the (ex) agent and then totally played by the player.
"As we have from the start of this process, we worked diligently over the last week to find a way for Elvis Dumervil to remain a Denver Bronco,'' Broncos executive vice president of football operations John Elway said in a statement. "Although we made multiple contract offers to Elvis after being forced to release him, we were unable to reach an agreement and are now moving forward without him.
"Elvis was a team captain and a talented player who made a great impact during his seven seasons in Denver. I appreciate all of his effort on the field and the work he did in the community. I wish Elvis all the best as he continues his NFL career.''
The deal is contingent upon Dumervil passing a physical, and the Ravens said he will take the physical on Tuesday.
The reaction in Baltimore was immediate. Offensive tackle Michael Oher tweeted, "Awesome, awesome, awesome pickup."
When asked about Dumervil, Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs told the team's website: "I'm a fan."
Dumervil has a relationship with Ravens linebackers coach Don "Wink" Martindale, who was the Broncos' linebackers coach in 2009, when Dumervil had the best season of his career.
Dumervil came to Denver as a fourth-round pick in 2006, part of a blockbuster draft class that was perhaps the best of Mike Shanahan's tenure with the Broncos.
That class included first-round pick quarterback Jay Cutler, wide receiver Brandon Marshall (fourth round), tight end Tony Scheffler (second round), guard Chris Kuper (fifth round) and Dumervil.
Cutler was the first to leave, in a 2009 trade after a nasty feud with Josh McDaniels, Shanahan's replacement as head coach, and Marshall and Scheffler were traded after the 2009 season (both also quarreled with McDaniels).
Now only Kuper remains, though his future with the Broncos is far from secure. Though Kuper has been a team captain and is the offensive line's unquestioned leader, he has had multiple ankle surgeries in the past year, as well as a broken forearm. The Broncos signed guard Louis Vasquez on the first day of free agency, a sign of long-term concern about Kuper.
Kuper and left tackle Ryan Clady, a first-round pick in 2008, are the only remaining draft picks from the Shanahan era.
PHOTOS: USA TODAY Sports' Top 50 free agents
Copyright 2014 USATODAY.comRead the original story: Ravens win the battle for Elvis Dumervil with 5-year deal
World champions agree to terms on a 5-year-deal with former Denver Broncos defensive end A link to this page will be included in your message.
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Never a week off for Belichick The coach just won’t spend it studying a team he may not face.
By Howard Ulman The Associated Press FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Bill Belichick doesn’t have much time to rest during the Patriots’ bye. He’ll study ways to improve his own team and beat three potential playoff opponents. click image to enlarge
New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount, left, celebrates his touchdown against the Buffalo Bills with Danny Amendola, center, and James Develin, right, in the fourth quarter Sunday in Foxborough, Mass. Select images available for purchase in theMaine Today Photo Store
Just as he’s done so many times before. New England’s coach won’t know until late Sunday afternoon who his team will host the following Saturday night in the divisional round, Cincinnati, Indianapolis or Kansas City. “We can maybe do some preliminary work, but there’s a good chance that if we work on all those teams,” Belichick said, “then two-thirds of it is going to be, I don’t want to say a waste of time, but a waste of time for the moment.” So he’ll also review recent games of the Patriots (12-4), who have a first-round bye for the eighth time in his 14 seasons as coach. “It starts with just the Patriots,” Belichick said. They’ll face Cincinnati if the Bengals beat the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. Otherwise, they’ll play the winner of Saturday’s game between Indianapolis and Kansas City. The Patriots lost to the Bengals 13-6 after winning their first four games this season. They haven’t played the Colts or the Chiefs this year. Whoever they face, defensive end Chandler Jones knows the Patriots will have to be even more disciplined than usual. During the postseason, “mistakes can’t be just limited, but they have to be eliminated,” he said. The Patriots clinched the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye with a 34-20 win over Buffalo on Sunday. LeGarrette Blount set a team record with 334 all-purpose yards by rushing for 189 and returning two kickoffs for 145. He also ran for two touchdowns for the second straight game. The four-year veteran is one of several key players who are in the playoffs for the first time. Three rookie draft picks started against the Bills – cornerback Logan Ryan, safety Duron Harmon and linebacker Jamie Collins. And two 23-year-olds who had joined the Patriots as free agents, Chris Jones and Sealver Siliga, started the game at defensive tackle. “I almost think it’s a good thing that we’re a young team because sometimes these guys don’t know any better,” special teams captain Matthew Slater said. “Who knows? Maybe if we were an older team, it would be like, ‘Oh, man, I’ve been in this situation before and it hasn’t gone well.’ With these young guys, they just keep their nose down, they keep grinding, they bring a lot of energy, they’re dedicated to what they’ve been asked to do.” They’ve gotten their chances because of season-ending injuries to defensive tackles Vince Wilfork and Tommy Kelly and linebacker Jerod Mayo. Two starters in the secondary, safety Devin McCourty and cornerback Alfonzo Dennard, were sidelined against the Bills. Perhaps the biggest unexpected contribution for the Patriots came from Julian Edelman. Getting a chance to play more after wide receiver Wes Welker left for Denver, Edelman caught 105 passes. In his other four seasons, he totaled just 69. “It’s cool and everything, but you really go out and you play for other things,” he said, “like playing in the last game of the year and winning that game. We put ourselves in an opportunity to go one step closer to that.” The Patriots had a bye last season, beat Houston 41-28 in the divisional round then lost the AFC championship game to Baltimore 28-13 in Foxborough. In the offseason, they traded with Tampa Bay for Blount. Like many of his teammates, he provided a surprising boost. “It’s so hard to know how it’s all going to turn out,” Belichick said. “Of course, it’s good to see that guys that you’ve brought in have been able to fit in, not all of them obviously, but some of them have been able to fit in and contribute. It’s a long process and one that takes a lot of different twists and turns.” But the Patriots ended up where they usually do, in the playoffs. “It’s a good spot to be in, but we’ve got to go out there and take advantage of it,” quarterback Tom Brady said. “Anything can happen if you don’t go out there and give it your best. We’re going to try to be our best in a few weeks.” NOTES: The Patriots made three practice squad moves, signing offensive lineman R.J. Mattes and linebacker Taylor Reed and releasing offensive lineman R.J. Dill. ... In Robert Kraft’s 20 years as owner, the Patriots have made the playoffs 15 times and are 20-11 in the postseason.
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Comment | Print | NFL will fine teams after a certain number of illegal hits
Foxworth: Players don't trust Goodell, NFL
Goodell paid more than $29 million by NFL in 2011
Posted Feb. 16, 2013 @ 10:26 a.m.
Williams gets reinstated, joins Titans' staff
Blandino named NFL VP of officiating
Goodell: 'Absolutely' would let son play football
Adolpho Birch
Art Rooney Jr.
INDIANAPOLIS — The NFL plans to discipline teams this season if their players reach or surpass a certain number of illegal hits, league vice president Adolpho Birch announced Tuesday.
The punishment is likely come in the form of a fine, but Birch said commissioner Roger Goodell has the ability to go further than that if he feels it is necessary. Stripping teams of draft picks could be one other option he considers.
Birch, who said the issue is related to club accountability, discussed the policy with the teams at the NFL owners meeting Tuesday as part of the competition committee report.
"The basic point of it would be to check the number or fines and the level of fines that are going out for infractions that relate specifically to various safety violations, whether it be spearing or late hits or things that we think particularly relate to head and helmet issues, and try to monitor those over the course of the year," Birch said. "As a club's total gets higher, to a certain threshold, then we will enforce some penalty and payback for those clubs to help encourage them to stay below that threshold."
Birch wouldn't offer a specific size of the fine a team that qualifies could expect, but he said it would be "significant and reasonable."
"It is going to be implemented," Birch said. "Some of the details we're still working out, but the commissioner was clear that it's something that he wants to put into place this year."
At least three teams would have qualified for the fine had it been enforced last season, according to Birch. Steelers president Art Rooney II said Tuesday his team would have been one of the clubs that qualified for the penalty in 2010. Rooney and Steelers players felt they were unfairly targeted by the league as it cracked down on hard hits last season. Steelers OLB James Harrison was fined $100,000 for hit infractions last season.
"I think that will have to wait and see how (the new policy) works, but I hope that it's used judiciously, let's put it that way," Rooney said Tuesday. "We had some discussion about it and I think there will be a little more discussion about it. If it's something that's needed and gets the point across in certain limited occasions, maybe it will work.
Rooney was asked if he felt the threat of additional discipline for illegal hits was necessary.
"I guess I would say I'm not sure it's needed at this point, but I'm not going to jump up and down and cry about it at this point," he said. "We'll see how it works."
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Nick Young to Re-Sign With Washington WizardsTimberland Euro Hiker
Monday, December 19th, 2011 at 10:00 am | 7 responses
Bismack Biyombo Had to Pay $1.5 Million for Right to Join Bobcats
At long last, Bismack Biyombo’s dream of playing in the NBA has come true, but it’ll cost the 19-year old big fella a lot of money. Per the AP: “Forward Bismack Biyombo is free to join the Charlotte Bobcats after agreeing to pay the buyout clause to release him from his contract with Spanish club Fuenlabrada. Fuenlabrada said Monday that Biyombo had agreed to pay the $1.5 million clause that will free him from the remaining two years of his contract. Biyombo, the seventh pick in this year’s NBA draft, had sought to avoid paying the fee, but his civil suit against the team was dismissed by a Spanish court late last week.”
Tags: Bismack Biyombo, Charlotte Bobcats
http://cnbc.com JTaylor21
Sheeeeeeeit, might as well pay 1.5 mill to join the NBDL.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrfCixsd2N8
yes! my man b**chsmack
Good for the Bobcats, they get to find out sooner rather than later whether he’s a bust or not.
Oh WOWW, I didn’t think anyone would want to pay that large sum to get out of a contract.
does he know what team he is joining?
http://www.acb.com A l a n
@niQ JC Navarro paid around 3 millions to Barcelona, Rudy Fernandez and Rubio had problems with it too and Pau Gasol had to sign that if he came back to Europe to play, whenever that is, if it is at all, he has to return to play with Barcelona.
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[SMH | Text-only index] Neill hungry and ready to face the Heart
Sebastian Hassett, Sydney
LUCAS Neill claims he took a pay cut when shunning Melbourne Heart for Sydney FC, but whether promises were broken, the scene is set for a sizzling encounter when the two clubs clash on Sunday at AAMI Park.
There's bound to be some frayed nerves this week as Heart coach John Aloisi, previously a good friend of Neill's, comes to grips with the defender back-tracking on a verbal agreement to become arguably the biggest signing in Heart's history.
Heart chief executive Scott Munn said Neill had stretched some long-term friendships, and the Socceroos skipper admits he is sorry if Heart believed the deal was done.
''I did give an indication that I would be excited by the opportunity of going to Melbourne. There was never a case of leveraging one club against the other but the opportunity then became very real to join Sydney,'' he said after his first training session with the Sky Blues.
''It was a difficult decision but an easy one from a family point of view, being born and raised in Sydney.
''To the Melbourne Heart board and to John Aloisi and [assistant coach] Hayden [Foxe], I apologise if I gave too much of an indication that I was heading down to Melbourne and I wish them all the best. In an ironic way, I look forward to playing against them in Melbourne.''
Neill said he was joining his home-town team for less than Heart offered him.
''We made that very clear that it wasn't financial. I think it's well documented that Melbourne's offer was $100,000, and I've signed for $70,000,'' he said. ''As far as being gazumped at the last minute, there was never a question of money. My intention has always been to come here for football reasons.''
After getting Neill to sign, Sydney coach Frank Farina was delighted to pinch his man away from a top-six rival.
''I actually spoke with Lucas two or three weeks ago while he was still in the Middle East because I'd heard there was a chance he may come back or be looking to come back to Australia,'' Farina said.
''This was not something that happened overnight. From our point of view, when you've got the national team captain in your city, and he is from your city, it was really a no-brainer that we were going to try and get him. I'm sure he can bring something extra to us in terms of our battles to try and make the top six in the last six games.''
Neill was unequivocal about what he felt he could bring to the club for the rest of the season.
''I'll bring hunger. I know it's a short period of time. Whatever impact I can make, I'm excited by. Already having one day's training session with the guys it feels good,'' he said. ''There's definitely a belief and a confidence within the group. When I get my chance, I want to take it. I'm not just here to make up the numbers, I want to push for S
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Jones Urges Patient Approach
Last Updated: March 28 2013, 16:49 GMT
Liverpool goalkeeper Brad Jones believes building rather than buying success will prove to be a source of greater pride at Anfield.
Brad Jones: Liverpool are building for the future
With owners Fenway Sports Group looking to run the club on a more sound footing with Financial Fair Play in mind, the Reds are never likely to be in a position to compete with Europe's biggest spenders.
While the Americans have provided funds for significant purchases in the past, there is still a desire to see more value for money attained in the transfer market.
So with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Andre Wisdom and Suso all making significant contributions to the first team this season, the intention is for the club's academy to play a bigger role in the future.
Jones believes this, added to the progress made under manager Brendan Rodgers, points to a brighter future as they look to regain Champions League status.
"It is difficult to say (how much ground we have to make up)," said the Australian, speaking at an event for charity Anthony Nolan.
"The likes of Chelsea and Manchester City have spent unbelievable amounts of money. Liverpool haven't necessarily done that.
"It was documented a couple of years ago when the new owners came in and spent a fair bit in one go but you have to remember £50million of that came in from Fernando Torres.
"If you ask the teams that have, shall we say, 'bought' a winning team I don't think their fans will care because they have won something.
"But if you get to the top from building I think the fans grow with the team.
"When you get there there will be that extra bit of pride but for us we just have to keep building on what we have got and what the club have done."
Jones added: "The club aren't trying to go out and buy the league in one season.
"The owners are quite clever, they have seen it in other sports. For them it is a slow process, it is not going to happen overnight.
"I think they will be happy with what they have seen this season and obviously they will want it to move forward and make that next step and hopefully that will be next season.
"That is the direction we're going in and it is a good place to be."
Jones and his partner Dani Lawrence are prominent supporters of Anthony Nolan, the UK blood cancer charity, after the goalkeeper's six-year-old son Luca from a previous relationship died from leukaemia in November 2011.
They were present at an event at Anfield, also supported by the Liverpool FC Foundation, aimed at promoting the donor register.
"It was something that, after we lost Luca, we wanted to spread the word and get people on the list and have a legacy for him," explained Jones.
"When people hear bone marrow transplant they think 'pain' and it is really not like that, it is more like giving blood, and it is trying to get rid of those negative connotations.
"We are in a privileged position where I am at a massive club and people will follow what we do and listen to what we are saying.
"Obviously it is a positive to get people on the register and that means there is more chance of people getting a donor.
"We are trying to help others because it wasn't until we were there we realised just how hard it was."
Mark Haig, head of operations at the LFC Foundation, said the club occupied a unique position in being able to reach areas of the community others could not.
"The Foundation is quite broad but this initiative around Anthony Nolan we are very much supporting because we have a very close relationship with Liverpool NHS," he said.
"We can actually connect easier than agencies like the NHS because of the power of the LFC badge and the way people respond to it in different ways."
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Reigning Olympic downhill champion Lindsey Vonn has admitted defeat in her battle to recover from injury and defend her title in Sochi next month.
Lindsey Vonn: Struggling with a knee injury
Vonn has been struggling to recover from a serious right knee injury she sustained in the first race of the 2013 World Championships in Schladming last February.
The American returned to snow in August but suffered a setback during training in November and has now acknowledged the Games will come too soon.
In a statement posted on her official website, Vonn said: "I am devastated to announce that I will not be able to compete in Sochi.
"I did everything I possibly could to somehow get strong enough to overcome having no ACL but the reality has sunk in that my knee is just too unstable to compete at this level.
"I'm having surgery soon so that I can be ready for the World Championships at home in Vail next February.
"On a positive note, this means there will be an additional spot so that one of my team-mates can go for gold. Thank you all so much for all of the love and support. I will be cheering for all of the Olympians and especially team USA!"
Vonn has won four overall World Cup titles and six consecutive downhill season titles, including in her injury-abridged 2013 season.
She tore her anterior cruciate ligament in her crash at Schladming, and re-tore the ligament during training in November.
Despite her setbacks Vonn consistently maintained her belief that she would recover in time to defend her title, but had struggled since returning to competition last month.
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SBD Global / March 1, 2013 / Bundesliga Reveals Economic Secrets
Premiership Rugby, StubHub PartnerClose To 9 Million Watch German CupF1 Planning To Launch Masters SeriesDynamo Dresden Receives City SupportHulkenberg Rubbishes F1 Driver StrikeLocal Broadcaster To Women's CL GameISL To Provide Relief To Oldest ClubsBCCI Convenes EWC Meeting On SundaySeven Wants Afternoon Good Friday GameRugby CEO: Champions Cup Worth Wait
SBD Global/March 1, 2013/Leagues and Governing Bodies
German Football League's Dirk Meyer-Bosse Reveals Secrets Of Bundesliga's Success
German Football League (DFL) Head of Business & Specialist Media Dirk Meyer-Bosse talks the Bundesliga's continued success.The German Bundesliga is one of the top int'l football leagues, and with new records in revenue and attendance, it might well be the most economically stable league in all of Europe. SBD Global Staff Writer HJ Mai recently talked to German Football League (DFL) Head of Business & Specialist Media Dirk Meyer-Bosse about the league's secrets for on and off-field success.
Q: The Bundesliga recently published the “Bundesliga Report 2013” in which it announced a new revenue record of more than €2B ($2.6B). What kind of financial numbers are still achievable for the league? What are the next goals?
Dirk Meyer-Bosse: The figures show that the Bundesliga has set its eighth consecutive revenue record. With exactly €2.081B ($2.72B), the 18 professional clubs have broken the €2B mark for the first time during the ’11-12 season. German Football League (DFL) CEO Christian Seifert said at the official presentation of the "Bundesliga Report 2013" that based on these figures the goal has to be to solidify the position and ideally continue to improve it. In addition, Seifert said that based on the result, clubs and the league can look optimistically to the future and be somewhat proud of what they have accomplished over the last several years.
Q: What are the reasons that German clubs apparently budget more responsibly than clubs in other European top leagues?
Meyer-Bosse: The liabilities of Bundesliga clubs have increased by a distinctively lower percentage than in other European top leagues. The reasons for it are widespread. An important reason is certainly our Europe-wide recognized licensing system. Another factor is that clubs continue to invest heavily in talent development. Collectively, one can outline that prudence on the expenditure side as well as targeted investments in on-field performance and infrastructure build the foundation for the successful development of the Bundesliga. Q: The Bundesliga is arguably the most economically stable league in Europe. What is the Bundesliga’s secret, and why do other leagues struggle to reach a similarly stability? Meyer-Bosse: It can’t be our duty to comment on the development of other leagues. A reason for the Bundesliga’s economic success is certainly that by increased revenue, increased profit and increased investments in youth academies, the overall wages/revenue ratio for players and coaches has decreased to 37.8%. In comparison, European first-division clubs have an average overall wages/revenue ratio for players and coaches of 64%. On the investment side, the youth academies take on a core role. Since ’01, every single professional football club has to have a youth academy. Since then a total of €713M have gone into supporting young talents. During the previous season, clubs have for the first time invested more than €100M ($131M) in a single season in those academies. Players who have come out of those youth academies include Mario Götze, Marco Reus, Thomas Müller and Bastian Schweinsteiger. This is the foundation for the Bundesliga’s on-field success. Q: More than 50% of the Bundesliga’s revenue comes from sponsorship and media rights deals. Do you see any growth potential in those areas? Meyer-Bosse: The Bundesliga has a revenue mix, which is evenly distributed on three solid pillars. These are in addition to sponsorships, which accounted for €553M ($723M) last season, income from media rights of €546M ($714M) and ticket sales of €440M ($575M). The Bundesliga is not depending on one single revenue stream. The new media rights period will start from next season on. The new deal will increase the league’s media rights revenue by 52% in comparison to the previous deal’s duration and run through ’17. For everything else, we just have to wait and see. Q: The introduction of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations makes many clubs and leagues in Europe break out in a sweat. What is the Bundesliga’s take on the issue of Financial Fair Play? Meyer-Bosse: The Bundesliga welcomes the guidelines of Financial Fair Play. Christian Seifert has recently called for a consequent implementation of the rules. Q: How do you want to keep the league’s average attendance of more than 44,000 per game, or do you even see growth potential in this area? Meyer-Bosse: The Bundesliga is after the American NFL the second most-attended sports league in the world. As a matter of fact, we are No. 1 when it comes to football. This popularity is tremendous. Further records depend on which clubs are qualified to play in the Bundesliga according to existing promotion rules. This season alone, we have seven clubs playing in stadiums that fit a maximum of 35,000 people. Therefore it is a challenge to keep the current record, which is the seventh in a row, of an average attendance of 44,293 people per game. Even more so, if you consider that stadium occupancy rates in the Bundesliga are already at 93%. Clubs and the league, however, will do everything they can to continue to stay attractive for fans.
Leagues and Governing Bodies, Europe
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Tom Heckert Quotes
"The top 32 guys we have on our board, I'd guess that about 28 of them will be taken. There might be 15 of them that don't turn out that good. You hope that you're not on that side of it."
Author: Heckert Quotes
"We had a lot of contributors, and that helps the whole process. Some guys just never get a chance to play and sometimes they leave before they get a chance to develop."
"It's very open. It could go any of the three ways."
"You can't miss on Bush. He's everything you want."
"The chances of you hitting on a big-time player would be Vince Young."
"I feel like I'm leaving a U2 concert,"
"He wanted somebody [with strong convictions]. I think that's one of the reasons he hired me. He thought I would have strong convictions on guys and tell him. Now, we don't agree on everybody. But we come up with a mutual decision on whether we like a guy or don't like a guy."
"He's a talented guy. I think there's a few guys like that, that are probably not going to come in right away."
"They're all just small guys. I think you'd better be able to adapt to it on your team, or you're not going to be able to get good players. The days of the 250-pound linebacker, those are gone, because people want guys who can run... . Everybody wants the 280-pound guy that can rush the passer, but that guy doesn't exist. So you don't have much choice."
"With two in the second, we're getting lots of calls. We've talked to just about everyone in the league, and it seems as if more people are asking us if we want to move up rather than the other way around."
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FEATURE: Masai warriors aim for Lord’s - Taipei Times
Wed, Jun 19, 2013 - Page 19 News List
FEATURE: Masai warriors aim for Lord’s
AFP, OL PEJETA, Kenya
Masai warriors pose after a Twenty20 match against the Ambassadors of Cricket from India at the Ol Pejeta Conservency in Laikipia National Park, Kenya, on June 6.Photo: AFP
With lions lurking in the long grass, a barefoot Masai warrior gallops into a sprint and swings his spear arm, delivering a fast-paced cricket ball straight at the wicket.Dressed in flowing red skirts and draped in colorful bead necklaces, the warriors from the legendary Kenyan tribe are one of the world’s most unusual and unlikely cricketing teams.“It is a sport that at first seemed very strange to us,” said Robert Kilesi Piroris, 28, Masai warrior and cricket player.“But today the game brings us and the community together, and we love it,” he added, speaking as he waited to bat in a friendly match against India’s Ambassadors of Cricket on a pitch mown out of the rolling grass savannah of northern Kenya, with giraffes strolling past in the distance.It is doubtful that one could find a place more different from the birthplace of the sport on the manicured grass of England’s famous Lord’s Cricket Ground.Yet that is exactly where the Masai hope to go, after they were invited to join an international competition at the renowned venue in August, at the Twenty20 cricket “Last Man Stands World Championships” in London.“We can show the world that we may look different to those dressed in cricket whites, but can still play the game,” captain Sonyanga Ole Ngais said.The team need to raise funds by drumming up support and sponsorship for the trip, but have already shown their ability to take on an international tour, playing in South Africa last year in short-format Twenty20 games.Freddie Grounds, a major in the British Army, which trains troops in the Laikipia region of Kenya, joined the match to make up numbers on the visiting Indian team.
“It’s an amazing experience and sight to see them play here,” Grounds said, but added that it would be nothing compared with the sight of the warriors playing at Lord’s.“Lord’s is the spiritual home of cricket... I guess that the traditional members of the MCC [Marylebone Cricket Club, the owner of Lord’s] will find it all a bit bizarre, but if they can get there — and let’s hope they can raise sufficient funds to do it — you know, people just won’t be able to believe themselves,” Grounds added.British troops stationed in Kenya keen to encourage the Masai are even helping out to clear a cricket field for the team, since the players currently have to walk for several hours from their dispersed and remote villages to reach a training ground.However, the Masai team are not simply about playing a good game, but also about raising awareness of key issues that their community faces.They visit schools to talk about AIDS prevention, early marriage, gender equality, environmental protection, and battling alcoholism and drug addiction.School children who turn up to watch the games are treated to entertainment on the sidelines and during breaks in the game such as simple dramas and songs focusing on HIV awareness.Tents alongside the grounds also offer HIV tests to encourage people to know their status.Another key issue that the cricketers flag is the impact rampant poaching is having on wildlife.“We’ve come to watch the game, but we learn about the problems of poaching too,” said Murunga Tialolo, a schoolboy at the match, proudly showing the posters displayed near the pavilion of British Army canvas tents.Cricket, imported into Kenya during British colonial rule, is played in scattered schools and in the east African country’s largest cities.
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Joey Knight
Leavitt warns players: Recruits are coming
Wednesday, April 8, 2009 9:22am
Of all the messages USF coach Jim Leavitt has reiterated in post-practice interviews this spring, the most consistent has been steady talk of "an influx of players this summer like we've never seen."
Leavitt has tossed out big numbers, both in the total number of players coming in -- as much as 35, counting invited walk-ons -- and the number of newcomers he believes could play this fall, as much as 20, a figure likely inflated with the hope of motivating returning players to improve themselves this spring. On Tuesday, Leavitt ran through a list of individual players who have had good springs, but expressed a general disappointment that others have not stepped up in anticipation of competition from recruits coming in this fall. "We have some really good football players. We're not a very good football team right now," Leavitt said. "It's evident of all the seniors we lost in the last year, losing about 24 seniors, and it's going to be interesting to see as we go through all this ... I want as many of these guys to come along as they can this spring, because if it's even, we're going to go after the guys coming in this summer. This will be a very young football team in the fall. It'll be a talented team. I don't know if it'll be a good team or not." Leavitt hopes to avoid the up-and-down nature of the past two seasons, when the Bulls have opened strong, rising into the top 10 in the national polls before an October collapse that has taken USF out of the polls and out of contention for a Big East crown. A lack of depth has factored in those second-half collapses, so Leavitt wants to address that before the upcoming season. "The last two years, we came out like gangbusters and had dead slides after getting up to No. 2 in the nation and 10 in the nation," Leavitt said. "It shows we've had some talent around here. Both years we've had some guys injured, and the guys that came in to play weren't ready to play. It showed we had to develop more depth, and I think we'll start to see some of it with the recruiting class we have coming in. But it's really important that some of these guys realize that in the fall there's not going to be as much patience -- if you're not at the top of your game, boom, all the sudden, you might not see the field again. That's the reality right now." Leavitt was particularly unpleased with the offensive line, which lost four starters and has had its top two returning players, Jake Sims and Zach Hermann, limited by a hand injury and concussion, respectively. With Jeremiah Warren out while focusing on his academics, the Bulls have often gone without their top seven linemen from last season, and Leavitt hasn't been impressed by what was left after that. "There's nobody on the o-line that I think is good enough to play for us right now today," Leavitt said. "We've got a lot of work to do there. Tight end we don't have anybody yet that I think is good enough to really go after it. We've got some competition there, but losing Cedric (Hill)." -- Here's Leavitt's explanation for why defensive end George Selvie won't play in Saturday's spring game: "I know what he can do. Wouldn't we all feel ridiculous if he plays in the spring game and something happens to him? What would y'all say to me? What would be the first comment: 'Why are they playing George in the spring game?' right?" Leavittt played Selvie in last year's spring game -- he had three sacks -- after a season in which he was a consensus All-American, but Leavitt said he wasn't in the game long, as has been the case with other established Bulls stars. "I don't know -- did we? I don't think (we did) much," Leavitt said of Selvie last spring. "It's like Andre Hall, I pulled him early. I remember one coach was mad at me, because they were up by a lot and I pulled Andre and they ended up losing. George was a sophomore last year. Does George need the spring game? You always need to practice and get better, but we're not going to have him." -- Senior Chris Robinson has spent the spring listed as the starting strongside linebacker, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll have a major role on the defense this fall. The Bulls might as well count the nickel package as its base defense, as often as they face spread offenses, and Robinson comes off the field in the nickel, with Kion Wilson and Sabbath Joseph as the starting linebackers. Asked about his overall linebacker play Tuesday, Leavitt didn't mention Robinson at all. "Our middle linebacker (Wilson) is good. He can play," Leavitt said. "Sabbath is pretty good. We've got Donte Spires back out, and he's been going to school right now, academics, but he has a chance to be really good. We've got a junior college linebacker (Jaquian Williams) that's really good, a kid out of high school (Sam Barrington) who turned down Miami that's really good. And with more people playing so much with five DBs, because of those spread offenses, you almost are only playing two linebackers. If that's the case, we've got some strength there." -- Leavitt mentioned signee Steve Jacques on Tuesday as a possibility to play this fall, the only incoming linemen he mentioned in that context after junior college transfers Carlos Savala and Jamar Bass. "He's physically strong enough, benching about 420 right now, has good strength," Leavitt said. "He's about 310 pounds, about 6-4, real good wrestler, has leverage. I think he might have a chance as a freshman to play a little bit as a backup. (At guard?) Probably, but we're going to snap him (at center) a little bit."
[Last modified: Thursday, May 27, 2010 6:14pm]
South Florida Bulls fans, you've come to the right place: the USF Sports Bulletin blog. Tampa Bay Times sportswriter Joey Knight, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin, and we invite your participation in the comments area. Follow the Times' coverage of USF athletics on Twitter.
E-mail Joey Knight: jknight@tampabay.com.
Bulls News
USF wins men's, women's conference tennis tourneys
Atlanta takes USF's Inga Orekhova in WNBA draft
USF basketball fills coaching staff positions
Former East Lake QB DiNovo makes case at UCF
IHRA's all-female Jet Dragster team ready for takeoff
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Rays' Hernandez starts well, finishes poorly
MARC TOPKINTampa Bay TimesTuesday, March 26, 2013 5:30am
CLEARWATER — RHP Roberto Hernandez's outing went from good to bad quickly Tuesday, but he didn't appear to hurt his chances to win the final spot in the Rays rotation.
Hernandez started very well against some of the Phillies' top hitters, allowing only one hit in four quick innings, throwing only 35 pitches and getting nine ground balls for 10 outs with his trademark sinker. Then over his final two innings he inexplicably allowed 10 hits and a walk on 51 pitches leading to nine runs in what ended as a 10-1 loss.
A decision on the fifth spot will be made after RHP Jeff Niemann, who is competing with Hernandez, pitches today.
Manager Joe Maddon said he was "not displeased" and that Hernandez's overall outing was better than the numbers showed.
"There was a lot of balls on the ground, I thought the ball looked alive from the side and he was really pitch efficient, which is important," Maddon said. "With our regular season defense in the right spot it could be good. So I was not discouraged at all."
Hernandez said he felt fine and didn't know why the results were so dramatically different. "I didn't change nothing," he said. "I don't know what happened. I think the ball was a little bit up."
MOORE WOES: Maddon said he is "curious" to see how LHP Matt Moore performs in the regular season after Moore continued a poor spring with a rough Monday outing.
"He's not been nearly as sharp as we need him to be or what he can be," Maddon said. "I watch him, he's well, he's healthy. His delivery is sporadic where he's on time sometimes and sometimes he's not. He threw some really good curveballs (Monday) and others were bad. … He's got a great arm, he's a young guy. I tend to be on the patient side, we tend to be on the patient side. Knowing his history that he normally goes though these problems early in the season, I'm not overly concerned. Of course, I'd like to see better. And better being not results necessarily but better command of the fastball, consistency of where the pitches are going. That's the one thing we're probably not seeing."
PITCHING IN: RHP Fernando Rodney today makes his first appearance since returning from the World Baseball Classic, where he pitched often and well. The Rays gave him a week off, and he said he is ready to get back into game mode. "The hitters are ready to go, everybody is close to ready to go," Rodney said. "I'm going to try to do the same that I've been doing. I'm not going to change nothing. Just try to throw first pitch for a strike." … RHPs Alex Cobb, Kyle Farnsworth and Joel Peralta will pitch in minor-league games today in Port Charlotte.
GAME DETAILS: The Rays (15-15), who have lost six of seven, managed only three hits. … LHP Cesar Ramos allowed two hits over 12/3 innings.
MISCELLANY: With the Rays bringing only a few regulars, OF Drew Vettleson, a 2010 first-round pick ticketed for Class A Charlotte, started in rightfield, going 1-for-3. … New TV crew member Kelly Nash will make her debut today during the Sun Sports broadcast. … Maddon said had 3B Evan Longoria been healthy all of last season "without exaggeration, I think we could've won 95 games."
.FAST FACTSFamily affairSenior adviser Don Zimmer is excited to be honored with ceremonial first pitch duties at Tuesday's season opener — even though he likely will have his son Tom handle the actual tossing."I'm an old man," Zimmer said. "I don't know if I could throw it 10 feet."Zimmer, 82, will be joined by other members of his family on the field for the start of his 65th season in pro baseball and 54th big-league opener. After missing most of spring training due to health-related inconveniences of traveling to Port Charlotte, he said he is looking forward to being at the Trop for all home games.Tampa saxophonist BK Jackson, a frequent performer at the Trop, will handle national anthem duties.Marc Topkin,Times staff writer
Rays' Hernandez starts well, finishes poorly 03/26/13
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Ed Balls 'humbled' as he meets octogenarian runner
Ed Balls, the shadow chancellor, today said he was “humbled” to meet an 85-year-old who is the oldest woman running in this year’s race.
Ed Balls prepares to run his second London Marathon along with the this year's oldest runner Iva Barr, left Photo: PA By Peter Dominiczak, Political Correspondent
6:34PM BST 11 Apr 2013
Mr Balls is running the marathon for the second year and is hoping to raise a total of £100,000 for charities Action for Stammering Children and Whizz-Kidz.
The shadow chancellor appeared alongside 85-year-old Iva Barr, who is also running for Whizz-Kidz. “I'm humbled that Iva is running it at 85," Mr Balls said. "I think she's a bit faster than me as well."
Mr Balls also responded to a jibe from fellow Labour frontbencher Jim Murphy, who said he could beat the shadow chancellor's time while carrying him on his back. "Jim Murphy has offered to carry me on his back and still do a faster time than me and if things get a bit tough around mile 14, I might have to take him up on his offer," Mr Balls joked. Related Articles
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Mr Balls is raising money for charities Action for Stammering Children and Whizz-Kidz. Mr Balls has struggled to overcome a stammer and is a long-term supporter of Whizz-Kidz, which provides mobility equipment to disabled children. He is hoping to raise around £30,000 in sponsorship to add to the £70,000 from his previous attempt. He completed last year’s race in five hours and 31 minutes and is hoping to complete next month’s even in under five hours. In a recent blog posting Mr Balls wrote: “When I completed my first ever London Marathon last year – at the age of 45, in a time of 5 hours 31 minutes – I thought it would prove to be my last. “Yes, it was a great feeling running down the Embankment with the crowd cheering, and up the Mall to complete the course. But the euphoria only lasted so long before the pain really set in. “My whole body ached for days. My left ankle was clearly injured and my right knee – which had seized up at the half-way point and nearly stopped me finishing – was agony to move. “No surprise, then, that in the days and weeks afterwards, the phrase ‘never again’ was constantly on my lips when I was asked how it had been. Even the prospect of taking part in the Great North Run over half the distance made me shudder. “And yet, one year on, I’m ready to run the Marathon again. After all, when the charities for whom I ran last year – raising almost £70,000 in the process – asked me if I’d do the same again, I just couldn’t say no.”
You can sponsor Mr Balls here.
Labour »
Peter Dominiczak »
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- Telegraph
Athletics: Usain Bolt keen to burn up track against Asafa Powell
The 100metres clash between Jamaicans Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell in Stockholm tonight should see the lighting of the blue touch paper before the real fireworks in Beijing.
By Tom Knight
11:59PM BST 21 Jul 2008
Bolt, who improved the world record with his 9.72sec in New York at the end of May, meets Powell, the former world record holder, at the DN Galan meeting in a stadium famous for the 83 world records set there since the city hosted the Olympics in 1912.
A stadium record would be worth claiming for either man as it brings the bonus of a one-carat diamond, worth £5,000. The record belongs to Powell, who ran 9.86 in 2006.
Both men are heading for the London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace on Friday and Saturday, when Powell will take on the world champion, Tyson Gay, over 100m and Bolt runs in the 200m.
In the meantime, Bolt is concerned that a forecast of poor weather could make the Stockholm race something of a damp squib. “It’s cold for me,” he said. “I prefer to run in warmer weather. I’m from tropical Jamaica. I hope the weather changes.”
In Athletics
Sporting stars to light up 2014
Seb Coe: Mo trains like a true champion
'Motherhood could make Ennis even better'
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Local marbles players sought national championship in 1948
---- — Louis Parisi and Eugene Platt of Oneonta had good aim when it came to the game of marbles. So good, in fact, their skills earned them an all-expenses-paid trip to Wildwood, N.J. in June 1948.College basketball has its annual “madness” in March during the NCAA Tournament. In a similar fashion in the late 1940s, public school students in our area and across the nation looked forward to the National Marbles Tournament.Marbles tournaments in the Oneonta schools dated back to around 1935, but the grand prize was that of pride in being a good shooter. Those contests were limited to the elementary schools.The 1948 tournament was new and of a much grander scale, as 14 school districts from across the region had hundreds of hopeful boys and girls looking to go to Wildwood. The major local sponsors included The Oneonta Star and WDOS radio, the latter being owned by the newspaper at that time.Clifford McVinney, vice-principal and guidance counselor at Oneonta High School, was in charge of Oneonta’s tourney. The way the tournament was set up, local school playoffs took place from May 12-24, with four winners from each school eligible to move on to a meet on Saturday, June 5, at the regional championship held in Oneonta. Two winners from the 14 school districts would then be escorted to Wildwood for the national championships between June 20-25.“Well over 1,000,000 marbles experts now are practicing up on their shots,” it was reported on Saturday, May 5 in the Oneonta Star. Winners who came to Oneonta on June 5 would be treated to lunch and awarded prizes. Additionally, “moving pictures will be taken during the championship play.”The big day arrived and the regional tournament was scheduled to be held on the Oneonta High School playground, at the corner of Academy and Grove Streets. An Arc Otsego building is found there today. Unfortunately a heavy rain fell so the contests had to be moved indoors to the high school gymnasium.Oneonta High coach Hurley McLean oversaw the contests of 48 finalists, and WDOS broadcast the final contests in the early afternoon. Students from Franklin, Treadwell, Gilbertsville, Unadilla, Sidney, Worcester, Roxbury, Milford, Walton, Delhi, Laurens and Oneonta competed at 15 marbles rings.Two were left standing in the end. Both were students of the Chestnut Street School, where the Calvary Hill Retreat Center is today, 290 Chestnut St. In the finals, Louis Parisi, 10, defeated Eugene Platt, 13, seven marbles to six.While the “mibs” were flying in heated competi
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2014 Miami Dolphins News
2014 NFL Free Agency
Dr. James Andrews Says Jake Long Looks "Great," Isn't "Worried About Him At All"
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Miami Dolphins All Pro left tackle Jake Long, set to hit free agency next week, has received a clean bill of health from Dr. James Andrews. Andrews conducted surgery on a torn triceps muscle that ended Long's 2012 season early. According to Andrews, Long is "the kind of kid you want."
The Miami Dolphins are set to let several key members of their team test the free agent market next week. Perhaps the biggest name available in free agency this year is Miami's left tackle, Jake Long. Long is a four time Pro Bowl selection, in just five years in the league. He has been one of the top two tackles in the league during his career. However, injuries, and a seemingly degraded playing level, have the Dolphins ready to let Long walk away in free agency.
In 2012, Long missed four games after suffering a torn triceps muscle. He had to have surgery, which was performed by the renowned Dr. James Andrews. The doctor visited with Long on Wednesday, giving him a full clean bill of health.
"I just saw him and he looked great," Andrews told Yahoo! Sports.
However, the triceps muscle is not the only concern with Long. The Dolphins' number one overall pick in 2008 has battled an ankle injury, back problems, knee injures (which needed surgery), and a torn biceps muscle (which ended his 2011 season early).
Andrews, according to Yahoo!, asked Long about his surgically repaired knee as well. "I asked him about his knee and he said it's the best he has felt in years," Andrews said in the report. "Like I said, this is the kind of kid you want. I'm not worried about him at all."
Andrew recommended Long take another month to finish healing, but said, if the NFL season started today, Long would be cleared to play.
Which brings us to the current free agent situation. Long is thought to be looking to receive an average salary of around $11 million per season with his next deal. The injuries and degraded play make the Dolphins, and presumably several other NFL franchises, weary of giving him a contract that large. However, all it takes is one team to offer the money, and Long will be on his way out of Miami.
The Dolphins have said they want Long back, but clearly have a value in mind for their tackle. Can the team allow Long to walk away, and hope they either land a free agent or draft a prospect to strengthen up the offensive line Long is leaving?
We'll know this week, as Miami general manager Jeff Ireland has stated tomorrow, March 8, is his own personal deadline to re-sign players, keeping the players from negotiating with other teams during the NFL's new "legal tampering" period from March 9-March 11.
The Dolphins could also let Long hit the market, hoping that he realizes he's not going to get the elite tackle money he thinks he is worth, and that signing back with the Dolphins for less money makes the most sense.
The NFL free agent signing period begins at 4pm ET on March 12.
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Blackhawks hoist Stanley Cup for first time since 1961Associated Press6/10/2010 9:17:08 AMPHILADELPHIA -- There was no red light, just Blackhawks flying over the boards in celebration.
Sticks and helmets were thrown, scattered all over the ice and still no signal for a goal.
After a brief review, there was no dispute -- the Chicago Blackhawks were the Stanley Cup champions.
Patrick Kane sneaked the puck past Michael Leighton 4:06 into overtime and stunned Philadelphia to lift the Blackhawks to a 4-3 overtime win in Game 6 on Wednesday night for their first championship since 1961.
No one but the Blackhawks appeared to know what was going on for a few frozen moments. Kane and his linemates seemed the only players on the ice who knew the puck found the side of the net. The goal light never went on, but that didn't stop most of the Blackhawks from storming the ice and mobbing each other in celebration.
Kane will go down as scoring one of the biggest goals in team history.
"I was just hoping to God it was just an actual goal," said captain Jonathan Toews, the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP. "They came back hard in the third and we just stuck with it."
Kane raised his arms right away and skated behind the net, knowing the goal was good. While the Flyers sat on the bench in stunned silence with confused looks, the Blackhawks began to celebrate in their own end around goaltender Antti Niemi.
"I knew it went in right away," Kane said. "What a feeling. I can't believe it. We just won the Stanley Cup. I can't believe this just happened. ... It's something you dream about, scoring the final goal in the Stanley Cup finals."
Before reaching the group hug, Kane stooped to pick up some loose ice shavings -- looking like a mischievous kid on Christmas ready to throw a snowball in the backyard.
"There's so many great things about winning a Stanley Cup. This is it," Toews said. "This is the best feeling you can ever get. I just can't believe it's happened."
Toews was first to touch the Cup, taking it from commissioner Gary Bettman and hoisting it above his head in triumph. Marian Hossa, whose last two attempts at a title were denied the last two years with Detroit and Pittsburgh, was next. He lifted it and bench-pressed the big trophy, snapping his head back in exhilaration.
"I'm so happy I finally did it," Hossa said. "We couldn't just
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UTSA's Burnett nabs Steve McCarty Citizenship Award
By Kyle Stephens
UTSA Sports Information Director
(May 24, 2006)--UTSA senior track and field student-athlete David Burnett (Corpus Christi, Texas/Carroll HS) and Amelia Mayeaux of Stephen F. Austin were chosen as the first recipients of the Southland Conference's Steve McCarty Citizenship Awards. The pair will be recognized at the SLC Honors' Ceremony at 7:15 p.m., June 1 in Galveston, Texas, at the San Luis Resort Spa and Conference Center. The Steve McCarty Citizenship Award recognizes a Southland Conference male and female student-athlete who exhibits outstanding qualities in citizenship, sportsmanship, leadership and community service. In addition to the overall conference recipients, others nominated will also be honored with campus awards.
McCarty retired from SFA on August, 31, 2005. The Alto, Texas, native had been with SFA for 21 years, the last 15 as athletics director. McCarty is a two-time graduate of the university and is also a member of the SFA Alumni Association's "Football Coaches Hall of Honor." In addition, he will be inducted into the Southland Conference Hall of Honor on June 1.
"In the first year of this award, it's appropriate that David and Amelia were selected," league commissioner Tom Burnett said. "Their eagerness to fulfill community service and give back to others is exemplary, and is indicative of the type of student-athletes this award was intended."
From day one on campus, Burnett, a senior sprinter on the UTSA track and field team, demonstrated his willingness to adjust for the benefit of others by switching from the 100- and 200-meter dashes to the 400-meters.
At last week's SLC Outdoor Championship, Burnett scored three points for the second-place Roadrunners by placing sixth in the 400 with a time of 47.65. He also ran the anchor leg of the 4x100-meter relay team which placed fourth with a time of 40.59 seconds.
In 2005, Burnett was the SLC Indoor champion in the 400-meter run with a time of 49.19 and finished fifth outdoors at 48.28. He has scored points (top eight) in the 400m at the last three SLC Indoor and Outdoor Championships and helped the 4x400-meter relay team to top-three finishes at two outdoor meets. Credited as a "team leader" by head coach Aaron Fox, Burnett is also labeled as a gracious winner who never gloats in any way about his performance. After races, he can always be seen shaking hands with his competitors. He has been recognized by others for this character as he was a finalist for the John Wooden Golden Cup Citizenship Award.
Off the track, Burnett has worked his way up the ladder to the coordinator of intramural programs position with UTSA Campus Recreation, where he is responsible for entries, scheduling and officials training for more than 10 sports.Burnett also stands out within the Roadrunner athletic department as a leader and willing volunteer of his time to help with many community service projects. Included was the inaugural "Swipe for Kidsake!" program where UTSA student-athletes donated swipes from their on-campus meal program towards a free meal for 75 children at the Roy Maas Alternative Center, a refuge for abused or run-away children. Burnett has also volunteered at the Elf Louise Christmas Gift Wrapping Project, the Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Relief Program, Roundball Ruckus, NBA Hoop It Up and the HEB Buddy/UTSA Christmas Project.
As part of his job with the UTSA Campus Recreation Department, Burnett works freshman orientation camps, helping with team-building activities. He is also an active member and praise and worship leader with UTSA's FCA and served as chair of the public relations sub-committee on the UTSA SAAC in 2004-05. He was elected by his peers to serve as SAAC President for the 2005-06 academic year.
The kinesiology major was recently asked to be on the UTSA Dean's Advisory Council. In that role, he meets with campus administrators to discuss student needs and helps with incoming freshman class advising. A volleyball student-athlete from League City, Texas, who graduated this month with a degree in marketing, Mayeaux serves as the president of the SFA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and secretary of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes group at the university. In September, before the volleyball season was underway, Mayeaux suffered a career-ending injury and was not able to don a Ladyjack uniform for what was going to be her final season as a Ladyjack. At a time when many would have folded and walked away, Mayeaux continued her 'Jack ways, showing up and supporting her team.
As president of the SFA SAAC, Mayeaux is dedicated to the concerns and welfare of all student-athletes. She worked to establish programs to bolster student-athlete attendance at as fans at all SFA sporting events. Over the years, Mayeaux has been very instrumental in establishing various community support projects for all student-athletes and students alike, In the fall of 2004, Mayeaux learned about a local church program looking for a way to provide Christmas gifts for underprivileged youth in their "Glory Gang" program. She stepped in with the "Blessing Tree" program where student-athletes, coaches and staff were able to select a youth and provide a "blessing" for that youth's Christmas. The Blessing Tree has provided almost 300 Christmas gifts in the last two years.
The SFA student-athlete Bowl-4-Cans program was also started under Mayeaux' leadership. The annual event has student-athletes donate canned goods for a local homeless shelter in return for a night of bowling and fun. In addition to the SLC honor, Mayeaux also earned the first-ever SFA Steve McCarty Citizenship Award.
University CommunicationsContact Us
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Seniors key to another title run at Thomas Jefferson
By: Jake Young Email Updated: Mon 9:49 AM, Aug 08, 2011
By: Jake Young Email Home
/ Article Sunday, August 7, 2011
Louisville, GA - The state championship game and Thomas Jefferson football are pretty much synonymous at this point. The Jags went to five straight title games before last year, but then the streak came to an end.
In 2011, it's all about getting back on track, and that track is a little higher than most other teams. This is a squad that measures itself on getting to that title game, and these seniors know that. Lucky for the Jags, there are a lot of them at key positions. All of the strengths of the offense are back, and they don't intend on tasting an early playoff exit again.
"I think, for this group of seniors, they're kind of on a mission right now," says Head Coach Chuck Wimberly. "They don't want to leave Thomas Jefferson without making it to the state championship game, and I think that's important to them. I think the kids around them have really responded to them, and I think that's the whole goal for everybody right now."
Senior Quarterback Chase Walden adds, "As the coach pointed out earlier, we've never won anything as a team. We've won individual stuff, but our senior group has never won anything as a team, and we want to get that done."
The offense should be plenty strong, particularly in the backfield. Walden and big time backs Austin Dressel, Nick Whitmer and Michael Bridges all return.
Thomson names new football head coach Operation Football Live Videos
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Home Sports Hot Topics Olympics Olympic Stories
Deal reached for West Ham to move to Olympic venue Friday - 3/22/2013, 4:21pm ET
By ROB HARRIS AP Sports Writer
LONDON (AP) - Premier League club West Ham will move into London's Olympic Stadium, ending drawn-out negotiations over the future of the $783 million venue that hosted the opening and closing ceremonies.
Under the 99-year deal announced Friday, West Ham will make the short move from its 35,000-capacity Upton Park stadium to the revamped Olympic arena in 2016.
The 80,000-seat stadium, which also hosted the track and field competition at the 2012 London Games, will be downsized to 54,000 seats and reconfigured with a new roof and retractable seats.
"This is a truly momentous milestone for London's spectacular Olympic Stadium ensuring its credible and sustainable future," London mayor Boris Johnson said. "Through this deal with West Ham United FC, we are defying the gloomsters who predicted this landmark would become a dusty relic."
West Ham will have primary of use of the stadium, although the venue will retain the running track and stage other sporting events and concerts.
"It's had all the legendary moments from the summer in here," West Ham midfielder Joe Cole told The Associated Press. "We hope we can put more great nights on for the West Ham fans."
Britain hopes the stadium can be used for 2015 Rugby World Cup matches, a year before West Ham is expected to move in for the 2016-17 season. The stadium is also scheduled to host the World Championships in track and field in 2017.
West Ham was chosen as the preferred bidder after legal challenges from London clubs Tottenham and Leyton Orient.
With the new contract signed Friday _ despite Orient pursuing another protest through the courts _ West Ham officials criticized the previous policy of keeping soccer clubs out of stadium plans.
"It wasn't even foolhardy _ it was a form of arrogance," West Ham co-owner David Gold said. "A child would know that the main issue after building the stadium for the Olympics is what is happening in the future.
"The only way athletics is going to enjoy any kind of success is that they've got to join another sport."
West Ham will pay only $22.7 million of the conversion costs, which are expected to exceed $227 million for the publicly-funded stadium. The club will pay an annual rent of around $3 million, which would be reduced if the club is dropped from the Premier League
The team will share revenue from any naming rights deal and match-day catering with the company in charge of securing a legacy for London's Olympic venues, which is headed by Johnson. West Ham will keep the cash from ticket sales.
The move to the stadium is expected to significantly raise the value of the club. If West Ham's owners sell in the next 10 years, they will have to give a portion of the sale to the legacy company.
Critics have questioned the fairness of West Ham's deal for a stadium built with public funds.
"West Ham are basically getting a stadium costing more than 600 million pounds for just 15 million pounds and a small amount in annual rent," former sports minister Richard Caborn said. "I do welcome the fact that the future of the stadium has finally been secured, but we should also realize that the public sector is picking up the tab."
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January 7, 2011Texas A&M Plots Return to ProminenceBy Kyle AdamsAs Texas A&M prepares to renew its rivalry with LSU at the Cotton Bowl (which, as would be expected in the illogical world of college football, is not played at the actual Cotton Bowl), Aggies fans may feel like they've been here before. And they have.
In 2006, coming off a 9-3 season, the Aggies appeared poised to break out of the mire of mediocrity they had found themselves in ever since winning the 1998 Big 12 title. Buoyed by a win over 10th-ranked Texas (the team's first since 1999), A&M headed to the Holiday Bowl with high hopes. Instead, the Aggies received a rude 45-10 awakening at the hands of Cal. After a disappointing season in 2007, coach Dennis Franchione was gone.
But talk to any Aggies fan, and they'll tell you that this team is different. Coach Mike Sherman not only brings a level of experience and confidence Franchione never possessed, but, more importantly, the once vaunted defense has enjoyed a resurgence under first-year coordinator Tim DeRuyter.
After languishing near the bottom of college football for the past several seasons, the Aggies rank 14th in rushing defense (117 yards per game), 27th in scoring defense (20.3 points per game) and in the top 50 in total defense (357.5 yards per game). It's no longer a stretch to say that the "wrecking crew" is back.
Another thing this year's team has over the 2006 squad is its performances in so-called "statement" games. Granted, the 2006 team only lost to Oklahoma and Nebraska by a combined two points. Still, the 2010 Aggies beat Oklahoma by 14 and topped Nebraska by three under the lights at a raucous Kyle Field.
Which brings us to the Cotton Bowl. After a 3-3 start, a Cotton Bowl berth may seem like icing for a team making baby steps back to national relevance. But for A&M, a school with all the pieces in place to be a perennial contender - a rich recruiting base, top-notch facilities as well as cherished traditions and a psychotically loyal fan base - beating a premier SEC team is a necessity if it hopes to contend again for actual championships.
Win or lose, this will be the first year A&M finishes in the top 25 since 1999. Looking ahead, however, a win would put the Aggies in the top 15 and could propel them into the preseason top 10 next year, which, in the twisted world of the BCS, can be the difference between a national championship berth and a consolation prize.
Additionally, a win would provide an immeasurable psychological boost to a program with a dismal recent history in bowl games. The Aggies have only won three bowls since 1990, the last of which was the 2001 Galleryfurniture.com Bowl (no, you can't even really consider that a bowl). So, after a forgettable decade, the team really has no room for regression.
Throw in the fact that the game will mark the first against historical rival LSU since 1995 and you have the makings of the most crucial of all the statement games the Aggies have encountered this year.
The good news for Aggies fans is that this team is different. The Aggies haven't lost since Sherman replaced struggling quarterback Jerrod Johnson with receiver Ryan Tannehill. And following their coach's lead, they've adopted a mentality that says big wins over premier opponents aren't upsets. They're to be expected.
So, things truly do look brighter in College Station. Which is why the stakes for this Cotton Bowl are so high. The better you get, the bigger each game gets.
And for the first time in over a decade, it looks like A&M has a team that thrives on that reality.
Kyle Adams is an editor at RealClearPolitics. He can be reached at kadams@realclearpolitics.com.
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Home > Topics > Sports > Hockey Future is now for Flames’ emerging blueliner BrodieYoungster logging big minutes with Bouwmeester out the doorVicki Hall, Calgary HeraldPublished: Tuesday, April 09, 2013At age 22, a large number of T.J. Brodie's high school classmates are on the verge of graduating from university with a fancy piece of paper to show for four years of study.Understandably, the smooth-skating rearguard feels like he is attending an institution for higher learning - albeit of a different kind - this season with the Calgary Flames.Call it a crash course in the life of a top-four defenceman in the National Hockey League.Calgary Flames defenceman T.J. Brodie tries to move the puck with Canucks Zack Kassian on his heels during Saturday’s game in Vancouver.Derek LeungEmail to a friendPrinter friendlyFont:****"It's nice," Brodie says of the massive increase in workload. "The more you play, if you make a bad pass or something, it's a lot easier to forget about it if you go out the next shift. You don't have to sit on the bench and think about it, and then the next time you're out there, you're a little bit nervous, because you don't want to do it again."I think playing a little bit more, it's definitely a little easier."Playing a little more? In the absence of the departed Jay Bouwmeester and the distracted (new papa) Mark Giordano on Friday night, Brodie logged a career-high 26:27 against the San Jose Sharks.Less than 24 hours later - with Giordano back at his command post - Brodie patrolled the blueline for 22:03 on Hockey Night in Canada against the Vancouver Canucks."During the Vancouver game, it obviously starts to catch up to you," he concedes. "But in the third period, I felt pretty good. I think I got my second wind."He shrugs."Sometimes, you're sore. Sometimes, you're whole body is tight. It's just part of the game."The game has changed since the trade deadline in Calgary with the Bouwmeester and Jarome Iginla trades signalling the official start of a long awaited rebuild.All eyes are on the kids to see where they might fit on the long-term organizational depth chart."Remember right from the start of the year. I mentioned T.J. Brodie's name," head coach Bob Hartley says. "He's our future on the blueline."The future and, to some degree, the present."Right now, he's logging lots and lots of ice time," Hartley says. "I see big, big improvement in his defensive game."For that, Hartley heaps credit on associate head coach Jacques Cloutier - for countless hours reviewing video with the organization's No. 1 defensive prospect - and Brodie himself."He's a great young man," Hartley says. "He wants to learn. He listens, and he applies himself."The road to the NHL initially proved rocky for Brodie, a fourth-round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Fresh out of junior, the Barrie Colts product cracked Calgary's opening-day in 2010-11.After just three games with the big club, the Flames dispatched him to the minors where, according to general manager Jay Feaster, he failed to give the American Hockey League the respect that it deserved.No one is accusing the kid of anything of the sort these days as the six-foot-one, 182-pounder moulds his game daily under the watchful eye of fans desperate for any reason to believe in the future of this franchise.In 37 games, Brodie has one goal and seven assists for eight points."I think you're starting to see he's getting more comfortable," says fellow defenceman Chris Butler. "He's starting to contribute in a lot of different areas, and he's a world-class skater. If you look at him in the defensive zone, he's very good positionally. He does a great job finding loose pucks and transitioning the puck and skating out of our zone. "He's a guy that I think could potentially log a lot of minutes for a long time." 1
Related Links Lose, Flames, Lose!Flames veteran Tanguay digests life on a rebuilding NHL squadFlames notes: Your draft lottery lowdownGame Day: Vancouver Canucks at Calgary Flames Top Sports Stories
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May 24, 2007Schiano builds Rutgers into true contender
One of the lowest points in a long history of low points for the Rutgers football program came in April 1996.
The '96 Scarlet Knights, a team that would go 2-9 that fall, managed to lose their spring game. That team lost 10-6 to a team of Rutgers alumni, whose starting quarterback hadn't thrown a pass in pads in 10 years.
Adding to the embarrassment, the alumni laughed and cracked jokes along the way and knocked one of Rutgers' starting defensive ends out for the season with a knee injury.
Contrast that with an April day in Piscataway in 2007.
A school-record 11,079 fans attended the Scarlet Knights' spring game on April 21 to watch Rutgers practice � without injured Heisman Trophy contender Ray Rice, no less.
In that crowd was Rutgers' most famous fan, The Sopranos star James Gandolfini. His cameo at the Rutgers spring game was nice and all, but he can't play offensive line.
Lucky for the Scarlet Knights, Anthony Davis can. The four-star offensive guard ranked the No. 68 player in his class could have gone to Ohio State's spring game. Or Notre Dame's. Or USC's. But the 6-foot-6, 350-pound lineman needed only to drive around the corner from Piscataway (N.J.) High for his college home.
The 2007 spring game was a day Greg Schiano hoped for since he returned to his home state in December 2000, to the school considered to be the birthplace of college football.
It was mostly downhill from 1869, though. From 1991-2004, Rutgers was 18-75-1 in the Big East, including a 25-game losing streak in the conference. Schiano was there for the final years of that stretch, going 3-20 in his first two years.
In the process, though, Schiano set the stage for the reclamation. He helped renew passion for the school, used an aggressive recruiting strategy and paired that with shrewd marketing and advertising.
Rutgers, which had made only one bowl game in its history before 2005, has played in the postseason the last two years. The Scarlet Knights earned their first bowl win in school history last year.
An 18-7 record over the last two years captured the attention of the nation. It was topped by Rutgers' 28-25 win over undefeated and No. 3 Louisville on Nov. 9 for a 9-0 start. The national television broadcast was the second most-viewed Thursday college football game in ESPN history with more than 4.6 million viewers.
"We knew we were turning it around," said fullback Brian Leonard, who spent five years at Rutgers before becoming a second-round pick in April's NFL Draft. "We worked so hard. Every win was tough to get. Every win felt better at a program like Rutgers."
The State of Rutgers
Where Rutgers has been: The first game in college football was a Rutgers 6-4 win over Princeton in 1869. Since then, it has been a struggle. From 1990-2004, Rutgers had more seasons with double-digit losses (three) than seasons with winning records (two). Since 1987, Rutgers has had two four-year droughts without a pick in the NFL Draft.
Where Rutgers is now: Under Greg Schiano, the Scarlet Knights have made consecutive bowl games for the first time in school history. Going 11-2 last year and 7-5 in 2005, Rutgers put together back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1991-92. In 2006, Rutgers entered the polls for the first time since 1976 and was ranked as high as No. 7, the Scarlet Knights' first time in the top 10.
Where Rutgers is going: Rutgers starts the 2007 season expected to contend for the Big East title. Running back Ray Rice will receive Heisman mentions after rushing for 1,794 yards and 20 touchdowns last year. Rutgers' incoming recruiting class was ranked 37th in the nation. The class included three four-star prospects, offensive lineman Anthony Davis, linebacker Manny Abreu and athlete Mason Robinson, from the state of New Jersey.
Selling the program
For most top recruits, Schiano's sales pitch in 2001 and '02 would have been laughable. For Rutgers, though, it was the equivalent of promising the moon.
"I knew Rutgers was on the bottom of the Big East," said Leonard, who was recruited by several top programs out of Gouverneur, N.Y., in the class of 2002. "I knew they weren't very good. He told me, 'When you come here, we might not go to a bowl game in the first couple of years.' "
But Schiano also told Leonard and the rest of the class Rutgers would be in a bowl game before they left Piscataway, even though Rutgers' only bowl appearance to that point was a loss to Arizona State in the 1978 Garden State Bowl.
Leonard picked Rutgers in large part because of the loyalty it showed his brother Nate. After Nate Leonard tore his ACL in high school, most schools that were recruiting him backed off - but not Rutgers.
Also in one of those early classes was Pedro Sosa of Union City (N.J.) Union Hill. Sosa will begin his third season as Rutgers' starting left tackle in 2007.
"He sold him that, 'Do you want to go to a place that's established and be a spoke in a wheel, or do you want to be the rubber of the tire that touches the road?' " said Joe Rotundi, who coached Sosa in high school. "That's the way he made those early recruits feel. Almost, 'Are you man enough to take the challenge?' That intrigued Pedro. He wanted to be that guy that was there in the beginning."
Leonard, Sosa, linebacker Quintero Frierson and wide receivers Shawn Tucker and Willie Foster were all in that mold. They were recruits looking to make a mark at Rutgers despite offers from other, more established programs.
"It's a now, instant society," Schiano said. "We did a good job finding the right people for our program. They weren't 6-3, they might have been six-foot, but they loved the game."
Rutgers hasn't struggled for the last few decades for lack of football talent in its back yard. That talent has just gone elsewhere.
The area has produced USC wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett and Wisconsin linebacker Jonathan Casillas (New Brunswick), Penn State defensive linemen Tamba Hali (Teaneck) and Jay Alford (Orange), Miami tight end Greg Olsen (Wayne Hills) and Boston College linebacker Brian Toal (Wyckoff), among others, over the last few years.
From his time as an assistant at Hoboken, Rotondi - a 22-year coaching veteran in New Jersey - remembers a streak of eight Division I-A players who never considered Rutgers.
Rutgers would offer a scholarship, the recruit would say, "That's nice, thank you," and then go on to play at Penn State, Boston College, Syracuse or Notre Dame.
When Schiano arrived, he wanted to remind high school prospects that Rutgers was, in fact, the state university of New Jersey.
"Kids grow up in Alabama wanting to play for Alabama. Kids grow up in Texas wanting to play in Texas," Rotondi said. "I guess that culture has started to change in New Jersey. He started getting the high school football coaches and kids in the state to believe in their state university."
Schiano changed that because there was no bigger fan of football in New Jersey than Schiano. If his affinity for New Jersey wasn't enough, he surrounded himself with more Jersey guys.
Five members of his 12-man football staff are from New Jersey. Another three are from Pennsylvania. One is from New York.
"You really need to know the culture of New Jersey," Rutgers deputy athletic director Kevin MacConnell said. "Unless you live here, you don't really know Jersey. The theory was that we needed to find a Jersey guy. Greg Schiano is Jersey through and through."
In recruiting, Schiano started by unearthing sleeper recruits in New Jersey like tight end Clark Harris, linebacker Devraun Thompson and quarterback Mike Teel. But now, the top recruits are giving Rutgers a chance.
Four-star wide receiver Kenny Britt (Bayonne) and running back Kordell Young (West Deptford) signed in 2006, followed in the 2007 class by four-star lineman Davis (Piscataway), athlete Mason Robinson (Somerville) and linebacker Manny Abreu, who played for Rotondi at Union Hill.
But keeping recruits in New Jersey was only half of Schiano's recruiting plan.
He lifted a phrase from former Miami coach Howard Schnellenberger, who called his South Florida recruiting territory The State of Miami. Schiano dubbed his recruiting territory The State of Rutgers, which included New Jersey, metropolitan New York and South Florida.
"I kind of borrowed that because I really believed that we were going to be a regional recruiting school," Schiano said. "I believe we have enough very talented student-athletes in our region that we don't have to go all over the country. That's not where our strategy is."
Before joining Butch Davis' staff at Miami as defensive coordinator in 1998, Schiano had never recruited in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area.
When he arrived in Coral Gables, Schiano noticed not only the depth of talent in Florida, but also the passion and work ethic Florida players would bring to Piscataway.
The Schiano File
Greg Schiano's head coaching record at Rutgers:
Lost Insight Bowl
11-2#
Won Texas Bowl
When he left for Rutgers in December 2000, he kept his contacts in South Florida open by inviting high school coaches to coaching clinics at Rutgers and making regular visits to Miami and Fort Lauderdale. He also brought Miami graduate assistant Mario Cristobal with him as his offensive line coach.
Cristobal, a graduate of Columbus High in Miami and an All-Big East offensive tackle with the Hurricanes in 1992, became Schiano's lead recruiter in South Florida before he returned to Miami in 2004.
"Any time you go to a program you want to win your territory, but we knew South Florida had a ton of talent," said Cristobal, who is now the coach at Florida International. "When we were down they didn't know what Rutgers was or where Rutgers was."
As coach at Miami Central High, Anthony Saunders watched wide receivers Marcus Daniels and Willie Foster, lightly recruited by Florida's Big Three, go to Rutgers. Rutgers rarely went head-to-head with Miami, Florida and Florida State. Those schools would scoop up the superstars, while Schiano would go after their less-heralded teammates.
"They knew how to recruit. They did their homework first," Saunders said. "The other kids that were on the bubble, those were the kids Rutgers went after - and they could play for anybody."
As a result, Rutgers' roster next year will include 20 players from 19 high schools in South Florida. Since 2002, Rutgers has signed at least four players from South Florida in each signing class.
A Garden State of mind
Schiano needed Rutgers to be synonymous with something other than futility.
In New Jersey, that meant enlisting the help of Gandolfini in 2001. The actor joined Schiano in a commercial where a fan approaches the two at the Red Lion Caf� on the Rutgers campus. The fan asks for an autograph, to which Gandolfini agrees. However, the fan corrects The Sopranos star, saying he wants Schiano's autograph.
Gandolfini's picture also appeared on billboards in New Jersey to advertise the Rutgers program.
"When we first started, we had to get people talking about Rutgers for whatever reason," Schiano said. "So we had some ideas of using the billboards, some ideas of using famous alums. You have to get people talking about you."
Schiano also wanted to capture the attention of kids growing up in Jersey. When he arrived, he established programs targeted to specific age groups to spread the Rutgers name.
For kindergartners through fourth graders, Rutgers distributed coloring books - as well as a book called Hello Scarlet Knight - to about 1,700 school libraries. Fifth and sixth graders would receive Rutgers knapsacks or folders for good grades or good attendance.
Rutgers players from New Jersey returned to their middle schools to talk to seventh- and eighth-graders to help them prepare for high school. Every eighth grader received Rutgers T-shirts for middle school graduation.
On top of being in the school systems, Schiano pushed Rutgers to be more involved in Pop Warner football, distributing more than 15,000 T-shirts to youth football players.
"With everything we did, he wanted us to think how a high school athlete would react to it," said MacConnell, who has worked in the Rutgers athletic department for 21 years. "It was his idea to get them growing up Rutgers. � All the kids now that are getting to high school somehow or someway have been touched by the things Coach did six years ago."
Schiano's reach extended beyond the Garden State, too.
Rutgers' billboards in South Florida didn't have the star power as the ones on the Jersey Turnpike, but their message was just as clear.
Each year, Schiano poses with players on his team from South Florida for billboards that dot I-95. The billboards thanked Miami and Fort Lauderdale for their contributions to Rutgers football.
In his first year at Rutgers, the school also arranged for Schiano's weekly coach's show to be broadcast on Sun Sports, an all-Florida sports television station. Aired in a late weeknight time slot and produced in a fast-paced style to attract high school viewers, Schiano's show remains on the air on Sun Sports. It is one of few out-of-state coach's shows on the network.
Those moves brought Rutgers much closer to the homes of high school recruits in Miami. Rutgers recently expanded its coach's show to the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore areas, where the Scarlet Knights landed two signees last year.
"The off-the-field things are huge, the marketing, and exposing the program," Schiano said. "(At Rutgers) you're not on ESPN every week. As a result, now we are."
� Master builder at FAU
� Locals key for Louisville
� Boise builds from within
� The Last 3, the Next 3
Last 3, Next 3 Gallery
Radio: Rutgers' Greg Schiano
Radio: BSU's Chris Petersen
Radio: Louisville's Michael Bush
The Texas Bowl matchup on Dec. 28 would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.
Rutgers, the latest reclamation project in college football, faced another of the sport's recent projects - Kansas State.
With Ray Rice (of New Rochelle, N.Y.) running for 170 yards and a touchdown and Tim Brown (of Miami) catching two touchdown passes, the Scarlet Knights wrapped up their second 11-win season in their 137-year history with a 37-10 rout of the Wildcats.
About 20 years earlier, Bill Snyder built Kansas State from laughingstock to contender, a feat Schiano looks to repeat under a new set of circumstances.
Schiano appears to be in it for the long haul. In the offseason, Schiano took his name out of the running for Miami's vacant head coaching position. He followed that by agreeing to a four-year contract extension that will run through 2016 and pay him $1.5 million per year. Rutgers is also in talks to expand its stadium.
After the bowl game, Schiano would tell his team he wanted to recruit in their image. That is, a group of players hungry to leave a mark.
"We wanted to build a program," Leonard said. "A lot of guys wanted to look back 20 years from now to say we did that. I had a chance to say that I won the first bowl game Rutgers ever won."
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Sinclair makes City move
Manchester City have completed the signing of winger Scott Sinclair from Swansea for an undisclosed fee. Sinclair, 23, excelled in South Wales after struggling to make the breakthrough at Chelsea. He was an integral part of the side which earned promotion to the top flight in 2011 and also impressed on their opening season in the Barclays Premier League. "I'm just glad everything is settled and that I'm now a City player," said Sinclair. "There were times when I thought it might not happen so I'm relieved that I'm here and I can't wait to get started. "Playing alongside some of the best players in the world is exciting for me and when you see two Champions League fixtures against Real Madrid on the horizon, it brings it all home." Sinclair has had a busy summer after starring for Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics, playing four times and scoring once.Scott SinclairManchester City
Top HeadlinesChampions League - Hazard likely out of Atletico clash after missing trainingChampions League - Ronaldo completes training ahead of Bayern tie, Bale has fluEuro Papers: Benitez wants English star in ItalyPremier League - 'When, rather than if' as Moyes edges closer to sackFormula 1 - Schumacher 'being sued over Spanish road crash'
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Kilicli's MVP night helps WVU to 69-59 win
WVSports.comCenter Deniz Kilicli was having a conversation with West Virginia Mountaineer mascot Jon Kimble on the Charleston Civic Center floor after defeating Marshall 69-59 when he heard his name called out over the PA system.But Kilicli quickly realized that he was being awarded the Most Valuable Player trophy for his 21-point, 5-rebound performance in his best showing to date this season something that head coach Bob Huggins referred to as the game he had been waiting for out of the senior."I'm like what's going on and I went up there," he said. "I didn't know and I just heard the stats. I knew I scored OK, but I didn't know (how much) until after the game." ...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now!
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September 15, 2008Rivals.com Week 3 National Awards
CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
North Carolina WR Brandon Tate accounted for 219 all-purpose yards and a touchdown against Rutgers in the Tar Heels' first out-of-state win since 2002.
Missouri QB Chase Daniel was 23 of 28 for 405 yards and four touchdowns against Nevada a week after the Wolf Pack held Texas Tech's Graham Harrell to fewer than 300 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
South Florida QB Matt Grothe gave the Big East its first signature win of the season, against Kansas, by digging the Bulls out of a 17-point hole. He was 32 of 45 for 338 yards for two touchdowns and also ran for a score.
The hot start continues for Michigan State RB Javon Ringer, who carried the ball 43 times for 282 yards for two touchdowns in a 17-0 win over Florida Atlantic.
DE C.J. Wilson kept East Carolina undefeated with eight tackles, three tackles for a loss and a blocked kick as the Pirates avoided an upset at Tulane.
Buffalo could be a factor in the MAC thanks to QB Drew Willy. He was 29 of 42 for 348 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner as time expired, against Temple.
USC's Mark Sanchez was 17 of 28 passes for 172 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Ohio State.
LB Rennie Curran helped Georgia keep its national championship hopes alive by forcing a Mike Davis fumble at the goal line. He also added six tackles, a sack and two quarterback pressures against South Carolina.
Louisiana-Lafayette QB Michael Desormeaux was 25 of 35 for 200 yards and a touchdown and also ran for a score in a 20-17 loss at Illinois.
Boise State safety Jeron Johnson had 13 tackles, two fumble recoveries and 1.5 tackles for a loss in a win over Bowling Green. Both recoveries came in the second half inside Boise State's 30.
Notre Dame linebacker Brian Smith recovered two Michigan fumbles, returning one for a touchdown in a 35-17 victory for the Irish. He also had four tackles, a tackle for a loss and a pass breakup.
NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
QB Max Hall, BYU
Cracking the BYU record book for a quarterback is no easy task. From Gifford Nielsen to Marc Wilson to Jim McMahon to Steve Young to Robbie Bosco to Ty Detmer to John Beck, the Cougars have a long list of productive QBs.
Hall joined them in the first three quarters of a 59-0 rout of UCLA. Hall threw seven touchdown passes, tying a school record held by McMahon and Wilson. Hall finished 27 of 35 for 271 yards, with an interception.
Along the way, Hall kept BYU in the hunt for a BCS game with a second consecutive victory over a Pac-10 opponent. At the same time, Hall put himself in the discussion for the Heisman Trophy.
COORDINATOR OF THE WEEK:
Robert Anae, BYU offensive coordinator
Anae rounds out the double-dip for the BYU offense in our national awards.
Though UCLA has been a mess on offense because of injuries, the Bruins' defense was expected to be the strength of the team. UCLA's 27-24 win over Tennessee in the opener seemed to prove that point.
BYU shattered that notion. A week after a 28-27 win over Washington, the Cougars erased any doubt against the Bruins. BYU led 42-0 at halftime, and the Cougars finished with 521 yards.
Hall spread the wealth among his receivers with two touchdown passes each to wide receiver Austin Collie, tight end Dennis Pitta and running back Harvey Unga.
Others considered for coordinator of the week: Dennis Therrell, UNLV: The Rebels' defense held Arizona State to 373 yards and 20 points in UNLV's first road win since 2004.
Chris Cosh, Maryland: The Terrapins stunned Cal by holding the Bears' rushing game to a mere 38 yards.
Steve Sarkisian, USC: The Trojans' array of offensive weapons was on display against Ohio State, with everyone from Joe McKnight to freshman tight end Blake Ayles playing a prominent role in the rout.
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK:
BAYLOR QB Robert Griffin
Griffin was 7-for-15 for 129 yards and a touchdown against Washington State, but he did most of his damage on the ground. He ran for a school-record 217 yards and two touchdowns against the Cougars.
Others considered for freshman of the week: Michigan RB Sam McGuffie: The Wolverines might not have a quarterback, but at least they have McGuffie - a true freshman who accounted for 178 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. Better yet, he didn't fumble.
Oklahoma WR Ryan Broyles: Broyles, a redshirt freshman wide receiver, had another huge week for the Sooners with three catches for 85 yards and a touchdown against Washington.
Oregon State TB Jacquizz Rodgers: Rodgers, a true freshman, had 26 carries for 110 yards and two touchdowns in a rout of Hawaii.
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Add Comment Plaxico Burress Meets with Steelers After Visiting Giants
By Derek Johnson on July 30th, 2011
Former New York Giants star Plaxico Burress speaks to the media moments after being released from the Oneida County Correction Facility in Rome, NY, Monday, June 6, 2011. Burress was released from prison on Monday after spending nearly two years behind bars on a gun charge (AP Photo/Heather Ainsworth)
Plaxico Burress visited an old team for the second straight day on Saturday, meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers as he continues his tour of the two teams he played for before going to prison. advertisement
After Burress met with the New York Giants on Friday in a meeting that was described as “positive” by Giants general manager Jerry Reese, Burress had a date with Steelers GM Kevin Colbert Saturday morning.
There were no contact negotiations during the meeting, but the Steelers said they’re interested with the man who they drafted in the first-round of the 2000 NFL Draft.
“Drew [Rosenhaus], his agent, is interested, and we’re certainly interested,” Colbert said, according to ESPN. “So where it goes, we will find out.”
Although Burress does come with some baggage after he was released from prison earlier this summer after serving 20 months in prison for a gun charge, after he walked into a Manhattan club with a gun tucked away in his sweatpants, he does bring one thing that many teams covet in a receiver: Height.
Burress also met with Tom Coughlin Friday evening, the coach he disagreed with at times during the four years he spent with the Giants. Although both sides have had disagreements in the past, the talks weren’t just for show, GM Jerry Reese said.
“We don’t bring guys in just for the fun of it,” Reese said, according to the Associated Press. “We won’t bring a guy in if we’re not serious about the possibility of signing him to our football club.”
ESPN reported that Burress is also interested in the Philadelphia Eagles, who came out of nowhere to sign Nnamdi Asomugha, the talented cornerback who was coveted by several teams with money to spend, including the New York Jets.
More articles filed under Sports Tags: highlight-sports, Jerry Reese, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, Plaxico Buress, Tom Coughlin
Posted on Saturday, July 30th, 2011 at 12:39 pm and filed under Sports.
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March Madness 2011 Bracket: Kentucky Vs. Princeton Headlines SEC NCAA Tournament Matchups
Kentucky fresh off its SEC Tournament championship earns a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. They will be taking on No. 13 seeded Princeton in the first round of the East regional. Kentucky would appear to be on a potential collision course with No. 1 overall seed Ohio State.
Kentucky's opponent in the SEC Tournament championship game the Florida Gators earn a No. 2 seed in the Southeast region. The Gators will take on the No. 15 seeded UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. The Gauchos finished fourth in the Big West during the regular season before winning the conference tournament and the automatic bid.
Vanderbilt crashes the party as a No. 5 seed in the Southwest region. They will take on Atlantic 10 Tournament Champion Richmond Spiders. The Spiders come into the tournament hot having won their last seven games in a row.
Tennessee makes the tournament field as a No. 9 seed and will be taking on Michigan in the first round as part of the West region. Tennessee enjoyed an up and down season while Michigan was a surprise finishing at 20-13 before losing to overall No. 1 seed Ohio State in the Big 10 tournament.
Georgia is the fifth SEC team to make the tournament field doing so as a No. 10 seed in the East region. They will take on Pac-10 tournament champ Washington on Friday. Curiously Alabama who won the SEC's regular season western division and beat Georgia twice in the last week of the season isn't a part of the tournament field. Alabama defeated the Bulldogs 65-59 in overtime in the second round of the SEC Tournament. The Crimson Tide then lost 72-58 to eventual Tournament champ Kentucky in the semifinals.
Selection Sunday: Georgia, Clemson To NCAA; Virginia Tech, Alabama To NIT
2011 NIT Tournament Bracket: Alabama, Virginia Tech, Boston College Get Top Draws
March Madness 2011 Bracket: Georgia Vs. Washington In East Regional
2011 NIT Tournament Bracketology Projections: Boston College, UAB Lead ACC, Southeastern Schools
Bracketology Predictions: Can VCU Join George Mason, Old Dominion In NCAA Tournament?
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Collegiate Sand Volleyball Picks Up Steam
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 31, 2011) - In 2009, the NCAA membership voted to add Sand Volleyball to the Emerging Sports List for women in Divisions I and II. Legislative parameters were added for Division II in January 2010 and for Division I in January of 2011. Sand Volleyball will be a spring sport with institutions able to compete in a maximum of 16 dates of competition. Up to five new scholarships can be added in Division II and six in Division I. Division I also will allow for the addition of two coaches; Division II does not regulate the size of coaching staffs. Currently, there are 16 collegiate programs who have confirmed that they will field a varsity Sand Volleyball team for the 2011-12 school year. This list includes the University of Southern California, who was the first school to announce it was adding a sand team in October of 2010. Joining USC in the West is: the University of California, Santa Barbara, California State University, Long Beach, and the University of Hawai'i. Those in the Southeast adding programs in 2011-12 are: Florida State University, the College of Charleston, Jacksonville University, Florida Atlantic University, Mercer University, the University of North Florida, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Saint Leo University, Stetson University, Warner University, Webber International, and Tulane University. 13 of these programs are NCAA Division I institutions, while Saint Leo competes at the NCAA Division II level. Warner and Webber International are both members of the NAIA. Another Southeastern school, Georgia State University, has committed to add a varsity sand team in 2012-12. In another bright spot for the development for the sport, five of the aforementioned programs have made public plans to offer scholarships to student-athletes in 2011-12: College of Charleston, Florida State, USC and Warner. The AVCA has been made aware of 30 other institutions that are discussing implementing a Sand Volleyball program on their campus, and that number grows each week. Three schools - Grand Canyon University, Warner and Webber International - are discussing adding a men's Sand Volleyball program along with a women's. The NCAA requires that at least 40 institutions sponsor NCAA varsity programs before they will move a sport from the Emerging Sports List to Championship Sport status. Sand Volleyball is a team sport in the NCAA with a format similar to collegiate tennis. Each school will field five doubles teams ranked by ability that will compete in dual matches against similarly ranked teams from another school, or in a tournament composed of five flights. It is estimated that the average Sand Volleyball team will have 14-16 student-athletes. "The addition of Sand Volleyball to the Emerging Sports List is the most significant development in our sport since the passage of Title IX," said AVCA Executive Director Kathy DeBoer. "The new opportunities for participation, scholarships and coaching created by the addition of varsity programs in Sand Volleyball will start a wave of growth not seen since the 1980's." As has been the case for several years, many colleges will participate in sand events this spring. The Florida Coaches Beach Volleyball Championships, a Division II event, will be held on April 9 in Orlando, Fla. One week later on April 16, the Fiesta on Siesta Key will take place in Siesta Key, Fla., with the event hosting over 100 four-year and two-year collegiate teams. The USAV Beach Collegiate Challenge is also taking place that day in Hermosa Beach, Calif. The season finale is CBS Sports' 2011 Alt Games Collegiate Beach Championships, an event for post-eligibility seniors looking to start a career in the beach game. The championships will begin May 12 at the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center and finish outside the Wave House in San Diego, Calif. on May 14. The opportunity for juniors play is also expanding rapidly. According to the 2009 Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association's research, participation in beach volleyball has grown by over 25% in the last two years and over 300,000 girls under the age of 18 are participating in the sand sport. The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) hosts a nationwide series of junior beach events, http://www.aaubeach.org/, as does USA Volleyball, http://www.usabeach.org/. For more information on Sand Volleyball, including rules & legislation, facilities, events and a complete list of schools who have discussed adding a program, visit the Sand Volleyball section of the AVCA Web site at www.avca.org/sand. For frequently asked questions about Sand Volleyball, click here. < back
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The Sonics put rest to any fears that Lenny Wilkens would stage a coup d'etat by naming P.J. Carlesimo head coach at a press conference today. The team had planned to announce the signing of a veteran small forward to help in the growth of youngsters Kevin Durant and Jeff Green, but that plan has fallen by the wayside.Instead, Carlesimo will now preside over Seattle's most highly anticipated rookie duo since Dana Barros and Shawn Kemp, or perhaps since Jon Sundvold and Scooter McCray. I'm not sure. Anyway, he's got plenty of work to do, and P.J. will get right at it with a game tomorrow at 6 pm west coast time in the Las Vegas Summer League. Most of the games will be on NBA TV, although the Milwaukee tilt on Wednesday will be on webcast only.Personally, I'm a bit ambivalent about the whole Durant Era. I think for non-Sonics fans, it's a no-brainer: you're amped for the greatest thing since Jordan. But with the threat of the team moving hovering over this season like a distant storm cloud at a picnic, it's a bit difficult for me to get too excited about the year ahead of us. After all, why bother getting overly enchanted with a franchise that may be leaving in less than a year's time?It's a weird time for Sonic fans: A gutted roster, exciting rookies, our fifth coach in four years, new ownership, a new GM ... heck, it's gotten so odd that Luke Ridnour is starting to look like an elder statesman on this club.Whatever your feelings, Kevin Durant puts on a Sonic jersey in a competitive environment for the first time tomorrow afternoon. Let's hope the good times start to roll.
On a completely different note, I just bought Rocky Mountain Revue tickets and can't wait to see Durantula in 2 weeks against Joakim Noah and daaaa... Bulls.
The stadium situation is the elephant in the room and it's quickly becoming a catch 22. It's difficult for the Sonics fans to get excited because they are afraid of getting burned. However, if they don't support the team, it will make it easier for politicians to support a buyout without fear of repercussion.Really, the Sonics fans should take the high road, enjoy this season and not let fear of an uncertainty ruin the joy of seeing one of the best young talents come to the city. I remember in the early 90's with the tenuous Mariners situation. However, if I would have gotten wrapped up in that, I would have missed out on watching Griffey, Buhner, Edgar, Randy, etc. At some point, Sonics fans have to compartmentalize their love for the game and the stadium situation. If this is the last basketball you will see, it's going to be a fun group to watch. If I had a loved one diagnosed with cancer, I would want to spend as much time as possible with them while they were still with me and hope for the best. I think Sonics fans need to take a similar attitude.
Jeremy, you are a voice of reason. If I had a loved one diagnosed with cancer, though, I would hope they wouldn't have to spend their last days in Oklahoma City.
Clay Bennet = Cancer? Ouch...Great analogy, though,
Agreed; that's a very good way to look at it. From here on in, I'll try to look at the Sonics from a one-year perspective. Otherwise, it just bugs me and ruins the enjoyment you'd associate with the team.
anonymous #12
Poor analogy. The Sonics aren't dying on us, they're filing for divorce.
anon #12,Here's another analogy using your divorce scenario. The mom and dad are fighting, but the kids still want to spend time with both their parents because they love them. However, the kids are being hurt by their parents fighting all the time. In this analogy, the parents are the city and the team. The fans are the kids. The fans don't have a lease with the Sonics, the city does. We've just been sucked into all the fighting by the 2 sides that should be able to get along and get a deal done. Both sides should be able to step up and do what's right for us as fans. My point remains: you get to watch Kevin Durant this year! Enjoy the team, support the team, love the game.
Ben Q. Rock
Is it just me, or is the 8 on the veteran small forward's jersey upside-down? God, the T-Wolves have an ugly font.
I'm only putting this out there because there is no where else to ... but back when Carlesimo and Sprewell had their fight, Spree was in the news every day, as you may remember. Living in Vancouver, it was a unique situation to find NBA news on the front page of the sports section. My wife worked in an office in downtown, and one of the women remarked that "that guy that choked his coach is kind of cute, don't you think?"I think she might have been the first and last person to ever call Latrell Sprewell "cute."Again, it doesn't belong in this conversation, but I've been holding onto that anecdote for 10 years now and I've never had a better opportunity to use it.
After hearing PJ today, it sounds like he has a much better handle on what it takes to be a head coach. I would assume that 5 years under one of the best coaches in the league would do that. I'm confident that the Sonics made the right choice because I believe in what Sam Presti is selling. So far, his stated philosophy has been right on point and I believe he understands what it takes to build a perennial championship club. I'm looking forward to watching to see if our new coach can install a defensive mentality into this team. I ran some napkin calculations yesterday and I believe I have the Sonics averaging 95 PPG next year. If the defense can hold teams to roughly 92 per game, they should be a good team next year. I'm ready for some team defense and ball movement. The new Sonics era starts in about 24 hours. Yeah baby!
Durant - 23ppgWest - 14ppgWally - 14ppgGreen - 10ppgSwift - 10ppgCollison & Wilcox - 15ppgRidnour/Watson - 15ppgRealistic? maybe, if swift starts showing some potential. West averaged more than 15ppg after the allstar break last season, durant and green will get the ball, wally averaged 18.8ppg as a starter last season. So if we play good enough defense maybe we'll win 35-40 games.
I'm still holding that Presti & Co. will be making some more moves before Free Agency ends.
I am new to this blogging stuff, so be nice to me. Consider a couple of the past players who had trouble with Carlisemo; Sprewell and R.Strickland (a combined 13 NBA teams played for). The Supes need more Lou Pinella, less Bob Weiss. Good, hard-working players will respond just fine to P.J.Remember Sonic fans a couple of years ago when is was "reported" that R.Allen had signed a new, 5-yr. $70 million deal starting at $14 million? Turns out it started at $13.7 with 8% increases totaling $80.7 million. Now Lewis is "reported" at $15.0/5 yrs and $75.0. . . No way! Lewis will start at $15.0 with 8% increases end at $20.4 and total $88.0 million.Why is this important? Orlando really overpaid for a non-difference maker while Seattle screwed themselves by not trading Lewis at last seasons trading deadline given that he was "worth" so much to somebody; while Clay knew he wanted to blow out Allen's and Lewis' contracts anyway.I wonder just what Rick Sund knew or was told at last seasons trading deadline?
Jeremy gives a very good perspective, but....just in case.
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Ex California Rep. Diane Watson recovering after heart attack
Former California Rep. Diane Watson is recovering from a heart attack she suffered last week, friends and former aides said. The 78-year-old Los Angeles Democrat was released Monday from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she had been hospitalized following the April 18 heart attack, a former aide said. She is now recovering at her home in Los Angeles. "She's doing excellent and is in good spirits," Michelle Chambers, a former Watson aide who is still close to the Los Angeles Democrat, told The Bee. "She's doing very well." Watson retired in 2011 after serving a decade in Congress, most recently representing the 33rd Congressional District. She had previously served 20 years in the state Senate. Sen. Rod Wright, D-Inglewood, told Senate colleagues of the news during today's floor session, asking members to pray for her recovery. "She's on the mend, but all heart attacks are really serious and this was," he said. Posted by Torey Van Oot
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Roenicke: Decisions loom on Greinke, direction of franchise
Brewers officials met briefly with right-hander Zack Greinke on Sunday to address the trade rumors that have already begun to swirl around the free agent to be. A day later, manager Ron Roenicke made one thing clear: The Brewers are not resigned to dealing Greinke for prospects ahead of the July 31 nonwaiver Trade Deadline.
“We are hopeful that we will bring him back,” Roenicke said, “whether it’s right now, whether it’s after the season. There’s a lot of possibilities with him coming back.
“He likes it here, he does. Now, there’s going to be a lot of interest in him, obviously. He’s a good pitcher. And I think he would like to know, kind of, what’s out there for him. You can’t blame a guy for that. The nice thing for us is we know that he does like it here.”
Roenicke is convinced that Greinke won’t be bothered by trade rumors.
“He’s really focused on what he has to do, and unlike a lot of players, he is really in tune with what a club is thinking,” Roenicke said. “He understands things. You guys know he was interested in the Draft and what goes on there. He’s also interested in what goes on before the Trade Deadline, and why players are traded. He understands both ends of it. He understands why clubs need to make moves to make sure they’re OK the year after and the year after that. Because of that, whatever happens, I think he’ll be fine.”
It was quite a morning of meetings.
Before sitting down with Greinke, Roenicke had an early morning “state of the franchise” discussion with principal owner Mark Attanasio, general manager Doug Melvin and assistant GM Gord Ash.
They discussed ways to potentially improve the team in addition to the alternative, which Roenicke described as, “looking at what’s going to happen if things don’t go well.”
Call it hoping for the best but planning for everything else.
“We’re still hopeful that this thing is going to happen,” Roenicke said. “We’re seven games out, and in the division we’re in, we still feel that if we put together a good run that we’ll have a chance to get back in this. You guys know — I don’t like to look at our schedule and what’s coming up. But when you have a conversation with Doug, he’s got it figured out where we need to make a run. And he’s right.”
That time comes immediately after the All-Star break, when the Brewers play consecutive series against each of the three teams they trail in the National League Central — the Pirates, Cardinals and Reds. The first two series are at Miller Park.
“Somewhere in that time period, we need to do something,” Roenicke said.
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Braun sits amid slump
This was a first for Brewers manager Ron Roenicke: Leaving Ryan Braun out of the starting lineup not because of any physical issue, not a rest issue, but a production issue.
Braun was on the bench for Wednesday’s series finale at Coors Field after going 6-for-42 (.143) over his previous 10 games, including an 0-for-5 on Tuesday night that included a strikeout with the bases loaded in the eighth inning and a game-ending flyout in the ninth with the tying run on base.
The reigning National League MVP still leads the league with 29 home runs, but has not hit one since winning a 14-pitch battle with Astros reliever Fernando Rodriguez at Miller Park on Aug. 1.
“Talking to him, trying to figure out how to get him back, sometimes we talk about guys needing to go out there and play and they’ll get it back, and sometimes taking a day off helps,” Roenicke said. “Whatever we’re doing, it’s not working lately. I’ve never seen him struggle this long.”
Roenicke raised the idea with Braun on Tuesday night of taking a day off. The slugger thought about it for some time before agreeing.
“He’s frustrated,” Roenicke said. “I don’t want to say it’s the worst that I’ve seen him, because when he’s doing well, he gets frustrated if he goes ‘oh-for’ two days in a row. I think he’s just more baffled as to why it’s lasting this long, because it usually doesn’t. We talked yesterday about how really consistent he’s been this year — more than I saw him last year.”
Last year, on the way to winning the Brewers’ first league MVP award since Robin Yount in 1989, Braun was more streaky. This season he has mostly avoided the ups and downs and been a steady contributor, even without Prince Fielder’s presence in the on-deck circle affecting pitchers’ approaches to Braun.
Despitshis current funk, Braun remains one of baseball’s most dangerous hitters. Entering Thursday, only five players, all in the American League, had more home runs than Braun. He was tied for second in the NL with 237 total bases, third with a .567 slugging percentage and tied for fourth with 77 RBIs.
Speaking about his slump on Tuesday afternoon Braun said, “It just lets me know that the longer I don’t go good, the higher the likelihood is that I will have a good game and get locked back in. I feel good. As long as I feel good, physically, I’m fine. I have no doubt that I’m going to finish the season strong.”
Roenicke said Braun would return to the lineup for Thursday’s series opener against the Phillies at Miller Park.
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Anas Sharbini: The £3M ‘New Boban’ Chased by Liverpool, Aston Villa & Celtic
The latest Croat star to be linked with a move to the Premier League is 22-year-old NK Rijeka midfield star Anas Sharbini. Celtic reportedly made a tentative enquiry in January month but Liverpool and Aston Villa are strongly linked in the Croatian press. The player should also be available at a knock-down £3m as his contract expires at the end of the 2009/10 season.
Sharbini’s talent was brought to public attention last season after a superb campaign in which the attacking midfielder scored 11 goals in 28 League appearances (27 starts). This superb form led to a call up to the Croatian national squad as a reserve in case of injuries for Euro 2008. He’s yet to play for his country at full international level but recently earned a call-up after impressing in the U21 side.
The young star has enjoyed another excellent season this time out with 12 League goals in 24 League appearances but is reported to be desperate to leave the club. Sharbini’s goal tally is only bettered by 4 other players this season. Dinamo Zagreb are said to be keen but offers from the Bundesliga, Premier League and the SPL may sway a summer move with the player available for nothing at the end of next season.
Sharbini is a technically gifted, quick, two-footed playmaker and could prove a bargain buy for a number of clubs needing to add creativity to their ranks for a knock-down price. Rafa Benitez is looking to strengthen his midfield options and the fact the youngster can also play in Steven Gerrard’s 2nd striker position is an added bonus. Then there’s Villa who are looking to build on their performance this season as well as provide a replacement for the likely departure of Gareth Barry.
The Croatian star’s father was born in Damascus but moved to Rijeka in the 1980′s, therefore Sharbini could have opted for Syria at international level but instead chose the country of his and his mother’s birth. At 5 ft 11 he is not as lightweight as Luka Modric so may settle quicker in terms of the physical nature of British football. He is also renowned for his set-piece capabilities and has been tagged the ‘new Boban’ by the Croatian press which is high praise indeed.
Do you like the look of Sharbini, would he be worth a gamble at such a low price? Does your team need a midfield schemer this January? Let’s hear your views.
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2014-15/3331/en_head.json.gz/12130
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Nationals players and coaches visit Walter Reed Hospital
Last Friday, Washington Nationals players and coaches made their annual trip to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the last time they’ll visit the facility before the hospital closes its doors next week. The facility has been the U.S. Army’s flagship medical center since 1909 and has served more than 150,000 patients from all branches of the military. After more than 100 years in action, its doors are set to close on September 15.
While the sight of the ballplayers produced smiles on the faces of many patients and their families, the players and coaches were struck by the sacrifices these servicemen and women had made for the sake of their country.
“You see a 19-year-old kid with his legs missing, and it’s pretty tough to take,” pitcher John Lannan said. “These guys are doing something they believe in and we’re proud to have them out there fighting for us.” Nationals P John Lannan and 3B Coach Bo Porter entering Walter Reed Hospital.
The Nationals came away with a new found appreciation for the dedication of the armed forces. What they saw made them realize how truly lucky they were.
“When you come here, everything is put into perspective,” infielder Alex Cora said. “Even if we win, it’s just a game. Winning or losing, first place or last place, it’s just a game. We’re lucky to do what we do. It’s because of these people we have the freedom to live and do the things that we do on a daily basis, because of their sacrifice for us.”
The Nationals are used to being seen as role models in the community, but on the day of their visit, they admired the positive attitudes they saw from the military patients.
“I think they are more of a role model to me”, said Lannan. “They are as much of a role model to me as I am to them. I hope those guys realize how much we support them and how much we appreciate everything they do.”
Filed in: Uncategorized Tags: Alex Cora, John Lannan, Military, Washington Nationals 1 Comment
Pingback: Washington Nationals « jordanozer
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Results tagged ‘ Memorial Day ’
Kyle’s Kamp
The Nationals may be on the road for Memorial Day Weekend, but baseball is still being played at Nationals Park this weekend. While the big league club battles it out for National League East supremacy in Atlanta, the players here in D.C. are fighting for a much larger cause.
On Friday, the club hosts the opening ceremony for the Washington Nationals Memorial Day Wood Bat Tournament in partnership with Kyle’s Kamp and Children’s National Medical Center. The man behind putting this all together is Rob Hahne, the father of Kyle Hahne, an avid baseball fan who, at the age of six in late 2010, was diagnosed with Leukemia.
The first games of the tournament got underway Friday afternoon.
Rob did what we can all only hope to do when confronted with a life-altering situation, and decided to try to make the best of it by using the game of baseball to raise awareness and money for other children suffering through the same types of afflictions as his son. His crusade began with a tournament last year around Memorial Day, for which the players were able to raise a total of about $12,000.
While some might consider that quite an accomplishment, Hahne knew he could do better. He looked at the big picture, and saw no bigger opportunity when it came to baseball in Washington D.C. than working with the Nationals.
“We had a lot of doubters at our first meeting when I said, ‘we want to approach the Nationals and we want to raise $250,000,’” explained Hahne. “We had a lot of blank stares.”
Not to be deterred, Hahne reached out and made contact with the club. The Nationals jumped at the opportunity to support Hahne in his cause, donating use of the Major League field and ballpark for the tournament.
“This was an easy decision for us because of our great relationship with both Children’s National Medical Center and the youth baseball community,” said Israel Negron, Nationals Senior Director of Community Relations. “This is exactly the type of community event we envisioned hosting when we built Nationals Park. We are thrilled that the ballpark could help boost their fundraising efforts.”
Rob Hahne named his foundation after his son, Kyle (right).
Boost they did. The end result is a tournament with ceremonies that will include over 3,000 players, ages eight through adult, from nearly 200 Mid-Atlantic region teams. Remember that outlandish goal of $250,000 that Hahne proposed last October?
“We are up to over $400,000,” he said, proudly. “That doesn’t even include what we will raise this weekend. We’re hoping to double our (original) goal, and hit $500,000.”
As a reward for their hard work and amazing charitable efforts, the six teams that raised the most funds will play against one another at Nationals Park leading up to the ceremony. The rest of the tournament will take place around the Washington metropolitan area throughout the holiday weekend.
The numbers are great, but what’s really important is where the money goes. The funds raised will benefit the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s National Medical Center, helping other children like Kyle. For Hahne and his wife, that’s the best way they can help fight for their son.
“It offers us peace and support seeing all the people coming together, the community coming together on the behalf of families like ours,” he said. “We see a lot of families who can’t afford the type of things we can afford, and we want to make sure they get the same treatment.”
Click here for more information about this weekend’s tournament and how you can be a part of Kyle’s Kamp.
Filed in: Uncategorized Tags: Kyle's Kamp, Memorial Day, Nationals Park, Washington Nationals |
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2014-15/3331/en_head.json.gz/12149
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Results tagged ‘ Richard Deitsch ’
Gary, Keith and Ron: Not all “sunshine and lollipops”
In case you missed it, check out last week’s feature on Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling, and how they’ve become widely recognized as one of the best — if not the best — broadcasting crew in baseball.
In reporting the story, I found the following interview with Sports Illustrated media critic Richard Deitsch particularly enlightening, so I’ve transcribed it in its entirety below. (All photographs are courtesy SNY.)
MLB.com: How does a team-owned network get away with being so critical?
Richard Deitsch: “Well I think you make a decision, or management makes a decision somewhere along the line, that we’re either going to call games straight and we’re going to be honest with viewers, or we’re going to do nothing more than fill a public relations arm of the team and essentially shield the product on a daily basis. I think viewers are smart enough to know which announcers from team-owned networks are working on behalf of viewers, or which announcers are really working on behalf of the team.
“There are certainly some viewers who really don’t mind if it’s all sort of sunshine and lollipops, and there’s nothing wrong with that. If you enjoy a broadcast where everything is sort of given in a positive light, that’s cool. You’re definitely entitled to that. I happen to be someone who prefers a more independent broadcast, and those broadcasters who tell me in as best objective terms as they can what’s going on in the field. You ultimately gain more respect by being a little bit independent, as opposed to always being tied to the team’s storyline.”
MLB.com: Do you consider Gary, Keith and Ron among those upper-tier broadcast teams?
RD: “For sure. I’m probably biased because I hear Gary, Keith and Ron and Kevin Burkhardt far more than I do the other teams outside of New York. But not only do I think they’re top-tier, I think they’re top three. Not only are they entertaining and smart, but they are honest with the viewer. Everybody has to pull a little bit of punches if they’re working for a team-owned network, but within that paradigm and framework, I think these guys are honest and I think these guys have the viewer in mind. And as a viewer who wants something close to reality and something close to the truth, I really appreciate that.
“If a team isn’t playing well, I think you should say it. If a team is in turmoil behind the scenes, there should be some sort of acknowledgement of that on the network. If Alex Rodriguez gets booed by 50,000 people in the stadium, I want to know that as a viewer. I don’t want this, ‘Oh Alex is getting cheered and booed…” I thought the Yankees broadcasters might as well be putting Ruth and Gehrig jerseys on. I feel like the Mets broadcasters always have me in mind first and foremost, knowing that they’re paid by the Wilpons and that they’re Met employees. But I think they deal for the most part straight with the audience, and I have a lot of respect for that. And I also think that’s how you get to be known as a national broadcast even if you’re local. Very rarely do we see the cheerleaders get the national reputation of being the best in the business. There’s a reason why Vin Scully is thought of as he is, and I think there’s a reason why the Met broadcast is thought of at it is. And I think a lot of that reason is that viewers believe these guys are dealing straight.”
MLB.com: Who else is currently in that upper tier of broadcasters?
RD: “I’d have to think about that. Obviously I’d put Scully there. I’d put the Giants broadcasters there. I think [Duane] Kuiper, Jon Miller, [Mike] Krukow, those guys are absolutely top three. I think [Marty] Brennaman and [Jeff] Brantley are generally in the top five. I think the Mets guys are a little more straight than them. That’s not to say Marty and Jeff Brantley are sort of ‘on the take’ there, but it’s a different city, Cincinnati than New York. But I would say the Giants, the Dodgers and the Mets off the top of my head. I think the Tigers broadcasters are really good too for that. I feel like they’re pretty realistic, too. You almost have to sort of eliminate Scully because he’s so legendary and in his own place. But the Met TV broadcast is as good a TV local broadcast in baseball as you will hear. They have absolutely earned that right to be called that.
“I also really respect the fact that SNY’s management has allowed Kevin Burkhardt to have a true roving reporter role. He’s not just sort of there as fluff, basically walking around the stadium doing fluff. He’s a reporter with some interesting insights, and that to me adds to the journalism and editorial product of a broadcast. So even in Burkhardt’s role, SNY I feel like is interested in providing some kind of — I don’t know if you want to call it journalism — but adding some kind of editorial smarts to the product. So I really appreciate how SNY does the Mets games. Listen, nothing is 100-percent objective, and I think there’s no doubt that even the guys in the booth would like to see the Mets do well. I think we all understand that. But for a team-owned network, I think they go about as far to objectivity as they can, and as a viewer, I appreciate that and I respect that.”
MLB.com: In what ways is New York City maybe uniquely suited to that type of broadcast?
RD: “Maybe the Yankees can get away with it a little bit with [John] Sterling and [Suzyn] Waldman, just because they’re the Yankees and people are going to listen regardless, but I think if you’re in a hyper media-competitive town with a lot of very bright people and a lot of smart viewers, I think you have to have a broadcast with some elements of truth, as opposed to a smaller town where there’s much more sort of camaraderie to a broadcast. I think people there are more used to having their broadcasters kind of rooting for the home team, as opposed to telling you objectively what’s on the field. Everything gets heightened in New York. Part of that is because there’s so much press around the Mets and Yankees that if you’re a broadcasters and you’re saying one thing and every other media source is saying something different, you’re going to look and get embarrassed quickly.
“The other thing is there are three daily newspapers in New York. All three have media critics. So I think it’s beholden on broadcasters to play it straight that way, because clearly they’ll be called out otherwise. The New York Post, Phil Mushnick, has been calling out the Yankees broadcasters for 20 years. There’s no doubt that he goes over the line a little bit, but the fact is that there’s a watchdog there. So I think New York is one of those places, Boston too, where you do have to have a different kind of broadcast. The broadcast in Milwaukee would never be able to be the same as the broadcast in New York.”
MLB.com: Any surprise at the chemistry that has formed between Gary, Keith and Ron?
RD: “I don’t remember what the vibe was when they were hired. The only thing I can say is that chemistry is very hard to find either on the radio or on TV, and for whatever reason these three guys work. They like each other, they play off each other and it doesn’t always happen. SNY also got lucky. Not only do I think they have three interesting broadcasters, they got incredibly lucky in that they work chemistry-wise. It’s all a roll of the dice, but in this case the roll of the dice worked out.”
MLB.com: Is there anything they don’t do well?
RD: “Um…
I think Keith takes too many vacations to the Hamptons. That’s probably about it.”
Follow me on Twitter @AnthonyDiComo.
Filed in: Uncategorized Tags: Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez, Kevin Burkhardt, Mets, Richard Deitsch, Ron Darling, SNY |
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Roy Halladay out 6-8 weeks
Updated: May 29, 2012, 10:29 PM ET
NEW YORK -- Philadelphia Phillies ace Roy Halladay is expected to miss six to eight weeks because of a right latissimus dorsi strain, the latest major setback for the five-time NL East champions.Halladay was put on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, two days after he was hit hard and pulled from a start in St. Louis after just two innings because of shoulder soreness.
So now that they've lost Roy Halladay, it's official. The Philadelphia Phillies are in trouble. Big trouble, writes Jayson Stark. Story
• Stats & Info: Injury halts down year
• Bell Blog: Make room on the DL
The two-time Cy Young winner will be shut down for a minimum of three weeks, then work toward rejoining the rotation, Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said.Proefrock said tests done in Philadelphia indicated Halladay doesn't need surgery to recover and that the injury doesn't affect his rotator cuff."We hate to have him down, but it's nothing that requires anything other than rest," Proefrock said.Halladay is 4-5 with a 3.98 ERA in 11 starts. He has pitched at least 220 innings in each of the past six seasons, and four times led the league in innings. His 72 1/3 innings this year tied Houston's Wandy Rodriguez for the NL lead.The move with Halladay, which came two years to the day since he pitched a perfect game in Florida, was made retroactive to Monday. Catcher Erik Kratz was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.Minutes before the injury was announced as a Grade I/Grade II strain of the latissimus dorsi, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said he thought Halladay needed a break.Halladay has "thrown a lot of bullets over his career," Manuel said, suggesting the 35-year-old pitcher could step back for a bit and still be dominant. The durable Halladay had not been on the DL because of shoulder trouble since 2004."He's got to get well," Manuel said.The injury came with the Phillies at 26-24 and tied with Atlanta for last in the division, four games behind Washington.Philadelphia has managed to stay close minus All-Star hitters Ryan Howard (Achilles tendon) and Chase Utley (knee), who haven't played at all this season. Manuel said he harbored hope that his slugging first baseman and smooth-fielding second baseman would be back at some point this year.As for Halladay's absence, "it would hurt us," Manuel said. "How much, I really don't know."The Phillies have relied on their pitching, particularly their rotation, to stick solidly in contention. Vance Worley, who is on the DL and hasn't started since May 11 because of elbow trouble, threw his first bullpen session since the injury before Tuesday's game.Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee, Joe Blanton and Kyle Kendrick remain in the rotation, and there are a few potential replacements at Triple-A, including former big leaguers Dave Bush and Scott Elarton.Any chance for Philadelphia to sign former Phillies star Roy Oswalt as a possible addition ended when the free agent reached a deal with Texas later Tuesday."Yeah, we can always use pitching," Manuel said, while adding, "I'm not telling (GM) Ruben Amaro to get another."Halladay initially felt discomfort in his shoulder last Tuesday in a start against Washington but worked through it. He cut back on his throwing regimen before his next outing, but was tagged by Yadier Molina's grand slam in St. Louis.Halladay began the season by throwing eight strong innings in a 1-0 win at Pittsburgh on Opening Day and seemed fine until blowing a 6-0 lead against Atlanta on May 2. He's 1-3 since then and the Phillies have lost four of his five starts.The eight-time All-Star came to the Phillies in a trade with Toronto before the 2010 season and received a three-year, $60 million contract. Halladay pitched a perfect game against the Marlins in that first season with Philadelphia, and later that year threw a no-hitter against Cincinnati in his first career postseason outing.The Phillies won the 2008 World Series and hoped to capture another crown after adding Halladay. But Philadelphia lost to the eventual champion San Francisco Giants in the 2010 NL Championship Series, then Halladay lost to Chris Carpenter and St. Louis 1-0 in the deciding Game 5 of the 2011 division series.Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.Recommend0
Phillies sending Halladay to doctor on Tuesday
ESPN FAN SHOP Fremont Die Philadelphia Phillies 8" Car Magnet Shop »
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SPAIN# 6
Iniesta hails 'magical' victory
Iniesta not concerned by personal accolades
Silva says Iniesta's better than Ronaldo and Messi
Spain round on critics
Andres Iniesta controls the ball, Spain v France, Euro 2012 quarter-final, Donbass Arena, Donetsk, Ukraine, June 23, 2012
Full Name: Andrés Iniesta
Birthday: May 11, 1984 (Age: 29)
Height: 5' 7" (1.7m)
This unassuming midfielder from Albacete has long lived in the shadow of some of his team-mates, but has demanded recognition of his own thanks to his dazzling brilliance for club and country.After joining Barca from Albacete as a 12-year-old, Iniesta was quickly picked out as a special talent at an early age by none other than Pep Guardiola, with the then-Barca midfielder and current manager famously telling Xavi: "You're going to retire me. This lad is going to retire us all." But Iniesta's quiet approach and willingness to play in a variety of positions meant his contribution was often overlooked in his early years.But in recent times his humble approach has only further endeared him to a support that revels in watching him on a weekly basis. Alongside the supremely-talented Xavi in midfield, or operating as an auxiliary forward, Iniesta has been one of Barca's most consistent performers and was widely hailed as one of the world's best players when playing an influential role in Barca's historic six trophy season.He also capped a glorious rise by smashing the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final to take Spain to the title, having shone in the showpiece, being named Man of the Match. Iniesta was also named in the Team of the Tournament, such were the high level of his displays.Strengths: A wonderful technician and one of the finest exponents of the passing game in Europe, Iniesta also has an admirable willingness to work ceaselessly for his team. His dribbling, vision and poise all catch the eye while his versatility also marks him out as the complete midfielder.Weaknesses: Like Xavi, his physical attributes are not remarkable, although what he lacks in strength and height he makes up for in intelligence and guile.Career high: Scoring the goal that won Spain the 2010 World Cup.Career low: In the summer of 2009, Iniesta was left feeling down due to some persistent injury problems and then saw his friend, Espanyol defender Dani Jarque, die on August 8. "That destroyed me, I cried a lot," said Iniesta.Style: Versatile, intuitive, masterful, a midfield maestro.Quotes: "Iniesta is easily Spain's most complete player. He has everything." Barcelona team-mate Xavi, May 2009.Trivia: Iniesta's hero is former Barcelona, Real Madrid and Denmark star Michael Laudrup, who was a key figure in Johan Cruyff's 'Dream Team' at the Nou Camp in the early 90s, as revealed on his bizarre official website: www.andresiniesta.es
SPAIN Squad
Nacho Monreal
Mario Gómez
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Trending: UFC Fight Night 38 Back and Forth: Chattin’ About Chael
By Adam Tool on April 22, 2011
If you’re a regular reader here at Five Ounces of Pain (and we certainly hope that you are) than you should be familiar with myself and Jeremy Lambert. We’ve both been regular fixtures in the weekly Grappling With Issues feature, but today we’re going to do something a little different. Instead of tackling six topics in the world of MMA we’re just going to focus on one. We’ll each share our opinions about this topic in a back-and-forth discussion, and you’re encouraged to join in by using the comment box below.
The first thing Jeremy and I need is something to discuss. Fortunately we’ve got an individual who is back in the news lately, and whose relevance in the world of mixed-martial arts has increased dramatically within the last year of his career. He’s a fighter who is a proverbial wellspring of talking points, and he’s known just as much for his actions inside the cage as he is for his activities and attitude outside the cage.
By now you may have figured out that I’m talking about Chael Sonnen. Towards the tail-end of 2009 Sonnen made a huge statement about his place in the UFC’s middleweight division with a dominant win over perennial contender Yushin Okami. He followed that up with an equally dominant performance against Nate Marquardt, and his win there catapulted him right into the #1 contender’s slot and a match-up with UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva. While few people gave Sonnen a shot at winning the gold he went on to shock the entire world by decisively winning four straight rounds against the man many call the best fighter alive. Sonnen had UFC gold in his grasp before Silva was able to lock up a triangle choke and save his title with just minutes to spare. Surprisingly enough, that dramatic losing performance would be the highlight of Sonnen’s career thus far. From there it all went downhill. First there was the revelation that Sonnen had failed his post-fight drug test after UFC 117. That meant that he would have to forfeit his opportunity for an immediate rematch with Silva, a fight that was all but certain to happen following Sonnen’s impressive showing in his first UFC title shot. In his appeal to the California State Athletic Commission he had his suspension reduced to six months, but questionable statements made regarding discussions with Nevada State Athletic Commissioner Keith Kizer have come back to haunt Sonnen as he attempts to get re-licensed.
In addition to his problems with the athletic commission, Sonnen has also had to face criminal charges relating to a money-laundering scheme from his other job as a realtor in Oregon. While Sonnen could have faced some serious jail time he has inst
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USC-Hawks: How Pete Carroll has taken his dynasty to the NFL February 5, 2014 by Jason Chan TwitterFacebookGoogleRedditEmailPrintAfter one of the most lopsided Super Bowls ever (tied for third largest margin of victory), the Seattle Seahawks deserved a celebration. The spotlight was on them. Somehow, many headlines from the past week looked like this:
“Pete Carroll’s Seahawks go all ‘USC’ on Broncos in 43-8 Super Bowl rout”
“Pete Carroll’s Seahawks Super Bowl push mirrors USC success”
“How Pete Carroll is running Seattle like it’s USC”
Even Pete Carroll himself talked about USC. During a press conference the Monday after, he said, “This game was very similar to the Oklahoma game. This game was very similar to the multiple Rose Bowl championship games. It was just like those games. It felt like it. It looked like it. The score was like it. The offense, the defense, the special teams.”
Was it the Super Bowl or a USC bowl game?
Former USC coaches were patrolling the sideline. Former players were coaches, assistants, and players for the Seahawks. There were 10 Trojans, excluding the Broncos sideline.
Kris Richard (’98-’01) and Rocky Seto (’97-’98) were teammates briefly under former head coach Paul Hackett (’98-’00). Seto immediately began working with the team as a graduate assistant after his college career. When Carroll (’01-’09) became head coach, he hired strength and conditioning coach Chris Carlisle (’01-’09). Carroll also continued to promote Seto during his time. In 2004, Carroll hired Ken Norton Jr. (’04-’09) as a linebackers coach. The next year, he also brought in Pat Ruel to coach the offensive line. During the offseason in 2006, Carroll welcomed Daily Trojan reporter, Ben Malcolmson, as a walk-on wide receiver. Richard returned to USC as a graduate assistant in 2008 after finishing his NFL career.
Carroll took Richard, Seto, Norton, and Carlisle to Seattle with him as coaches in February of 2010. In an interesting move, he also wanted Malcolmson as his assistant in Seattle. Later that year, he also hired Ruel.
During the draft, he also took some former USC players, albeit in the lower rounds. In 2010, it was Anthony McCoy, the tight end, in the sixth round and 185th overall. Malcolm Smith was drafted in 2011 as a seventh round pick— 242nd overall. Mike Morgan, who was in the same draft class as Smith, did not get his name called. He was acquired as an undrafted free agent.
Other than McCoy, who was placed on injured reserve, all of them contributed in Super Bowl XLVIII.
Even the awards ceremony looked like a USC reunion.
Marcus Allen holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy (Photo credits: Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
The Heisman-winning USC tailback, Marcus Allen, whose resume is almost too long to list (college football and pro hall of fame, to name a few), carried the Vince Lombardi Trophy through scores of Seahawks players and coaches. Having won a Super Bowl himself, he must have known what it felt like to be handed the trophy.
The trophy made its way to the hands of the former USC head coach, Pete Carroll, and continued onward to former USC linebacker, Malcolm Smith, who joins Allen as a Super Bowl MVP. A seventh round draft pick was the MVP. A linebacker MVP is already rare enough.
With all those Trojans being featured and the media putting a particular focus on the connection, it is hard for many Trojan fans not to enjoy this one. The Seahawks have even picked up the endearing nickname “USC-Hawks” from that crowd.
Derrick Coleman, the only former UCLA player on the roster, is probably not too happy with the nickname.
In reference to the game, Carroll also said, “For the fans that have watched us over the years in Southern California, I would think they took great pride in what happened last night because they understand what they’ve just watched. There’s something about that. There’s something pretty powerful about that understanding.”
His success at USC helped him land the Seahawks job with shared general manager powers. His success at USC also allowed him to become one of three head coaches to win an NCAA national championship and Super Bowl.
This is one championship that the NCAA cannot touch.
Examining the last Carroll class
Where the carousel stops for former USC coaching staff
End of a quasquicentennial chapter
TwitterFacebookGoogleRedditEmailPrintFiled Under: USC Football Tagged With: Malcolm Smith, Pete Carroll, Super Bowl XLVIII, USC TrojansAbout Jason ChanA USC Annenberg Alumnus and USC Football Correspondent at isportsweb.com taking an honest approach.
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Over The Boards
-Tampa's goalie John Grahame's father, Ron Grahame, played goalie for Boston, Los Angeles and Quebec from 1977-81. Washington G Brent Johnson's father, Bob Johnson, played goalie for St. Louis and Pittsburgh from 1972-75.
When the younger Grahame and the younger Johnson started in net Saturday, it marked the first time two sons of former NHL goalies played against each other.- via the Tampa Tribune On a side note, Johnson is also the grandson of the late Red Wing great Sid Abel.
-Former Blue Jackets coach Dave King, who coaches Pittsburgh property Evgeni Malkin in Magnitogorsk, Russia, told the Pittsburgh Tribune Review that Malkin is leaning toward coming to the NHL next season. It will take some doing, as Malkin’s Magnitogorsk contract runs through 2007-08 and there’s still no transfer agreement between the Russian federation and the NHL.
-"We're not looking behind us now, we're not going to look behind us at all," right wing Steve Sullivan said. "We're trying to catch Detroit. We're trying to make sure we've got home-ice advantage. There are still (28) games left in the season, so there is a lot of work to be done. We have the guys in the room to do it."- The Tennessean
-Heads up to the Red Wings radio flagship station- Ken Holland was not named the general manager of the Team Canada Olympic team. He is the GM for Canada's IIHF World Championship team. The tournament will be held in Riga, Latvia, May 2006.
-Petr Prucha suffered a right knee injury on a knee-on-knee hit from Turner Stevenson with 5:33 remaining in the second that will not only sideline him for up to six weeks, but will prevent him from representing the Czech Republic in the Olympics. The devastated 23-year-old rookie left the arena on crutches.- Larry Brooks, NY Post
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Latest on Outfielder Market: Cody Ross generating interest from Giants and Phillies
The Giants and Phillies continue to pursue Angel Pagan, but are also considering signing Cody Ross (FOX Sports).
The Rangers and Diamondbacks are discussing Justin Upton, but ‘nothing is there’ at the moment (FOX Sports Arizona).
After securing Mike Napoli for the next three years, the Red Sox are looking at the possibility of signing OF Nick Swisher (Boston Globe).
The Red Sox are also considering signing OF Shane Victorino (Boston Globe), but the Indians have “serious interest” in Victorino as well (Boston Herald).
Victorino is currently seeking a three-year deal at around $10 million per season (Boston Herald). He has several three year offers and one for four at this point (CBS Sports).
The Tigers have made OF Brennan Boesch available via trade (CBS Sports).
Michael Baron, ContributorRoss had reportedly been seeking a three-year deal between $21-25 million. If those are his demands, it’s hard to see the Mets getting involved for his services, assuming they are interested. Don’t get me wrong – I think Ross is an ideal fit and could potentially keep the Mets from having to deal from their starting pitching in order to acquire an outfielder. But it’s hard to see the Mets getting involved at that dollar amount for three years.
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CATCHING UP WITH AARON BATES
The PawSox faced Rochester again on the Fourth of July and again, they thumped the Red Wings 6-3. Lars Anderson and James Kang each bashed three run homers to lead the way. The Red Wings were decked out in “flag” jerseys. The red and white stripes, etc. I liked them, Dan didn’t. The Wings were auctioning off the uniform tops to benefit charity. Looking dashing, playing first base for Rochester, was our old friend, Aaron Bates. Bates was released by Boston, this spring and signed in May with the Twins. Bates was disappointed with his departure from the Sox. “It’s always tough when you leave a situation with so many friends. We’d been together a long time. Basically, I grew up with those guys. It was tough, but I think the change has been good. I’m grateful that the Red Sox gave me the opportunities they did. It was tough to say goodbye.”
Bates, who played in 122 games for Pawtucket last year sensed that the shoe might be about to drop late in March in Fort Myers. “I knew that unless there were some real injuries, it would be tough. They had a pretty full roster. It looked like it was going to be a tough situation. Going into the office, I had a good idea that something was about to happen. Arnie (Beyeler) came and got me. It was just one of those things. You’ve got to be professional about it. I thanked them for the opportunity and everything else.” Bates says it’s not ego or anything like that hurts when you’re cut free. He says it’s much more simple than that. “It’s the camaraderie you miss most. It’s your first organization, you grew up with these guys. It’s the only thing you know as far as professional baseball goes.”
Bates was fortunate. He was “on the beach” for a relatively short time after his release. “I was just working out in Boston with a former teammate, Jeff Natale. Working at his facility “Frozen Ropes”, working some camps. The Twins got in touch with me early in May. They had suffered injuries this year, like Boston sustained in 2010. Their front line had been depleted, so they made me an offer. It was an easy decision for me. I’m excited to be a part of the Twins organization.” Aaron says despite his release, doubt never crept into his mind. “No. I had a good Spring Training, probably the best one I ever had. I felt good all Spring. I was really swinging it well. I knew I wasn’t done. I knew I could play the game. It was just a matter of whether an opportunity arose. A matter of being patient.”
Bates and his fiance, Lacey Wilson maintain their residence in Boston. Wilson is the former Miss Massachusetts (2010) and the daughter of San Jose Sharks general manager, Ron Wilson. Bates was able to muster a little joy for the Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins. “I was very happy for the Bruins. I just wish the Bruins had to face the Roberto Luongo that the Sharks faced in the Western Finals. The way the Bruins played after their guy (Nathan Horton) got hurt was inspiring. Luongo against the Sharks was very similar to Tim Thomas against the Canucks. You just couldn’t score on him. This guy was Patrick Roy and Dominik Hasek all rolled into one.” For the record, I’m very content with the Luongo they faced.
Bates’ only Big League time came in 2009, when he debuted with the Red Sox and hit an impressive .364 in his brief time there. “It was something I’ll never forget. Making your Major League debut at Fenway Park. It was against the A’s. I grew up in the Bay area, and having my family there…my friends back home got to see it. There are so many great guys up there. First time on a road trip, Mike Lowell took me out to dinner. The whole thing was something I’ll never forget. Being a part of the Red Sox organization was a great experience. Unless you’re in it, you don’t realize how great the fans are. How smart they are. It’s packed every night and the fans make it more special.”
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10-for-10: Marilyn Meadors
By: Noah Frank
Ed. Note: The 10-for-10 series is a chance for us at the Grizzlies to celebrate 10 years in Downtown Fresno by thanking 10 of our great fans. This is the first installment in the new series, which we will be running up to (and possibly through) Opening Day. If you know a deserving fan who has helped support Grizzlies baseball that you would like to nominate, simply email us at grizzliesmedia@fresnogrizzlies.com.
When I started this series, I put out a call to you, the readers, to help tell the stories of 10 fans that have helped us celebrate 10 years together in Downtown Fresno. As I asked you all for submissions, I wasn’t sure of the response I would get. As it turned out, I was deluged by nominations, with one name standing out from the rest: Marilyn Meadors.
I must confess I had really only heard of Marilyn through fellow coworkers here at Chukchansi Park, so learning more about her was a revelation as to how big a fan of the Grizzlies she really is. Once from Dinuba, Marilyn and her husband Craig now live in Clovis, just 15 minutes from the ballpark. Why the relocation?
“The Grizzlies actually were one of the reasons we moved to this area,” she said.Bumgarner smiles.
When you attend as many games as Marilyn and Craig do, it’s no surprise. Marilyn is as close to a team mom as we have here in Fresno. When people talk about Minor League Baseball being a family environment, they are referring to the relationships that fans like Marilyn have with both the players and her fellow fans.
“A friend of mine said ‘you wish that everyone of those players was your son’, and it’s true,” she admits with a smile.
If the players are her sons (or grandsons), then her fellow season ticket holders are her brothers and sisters in this Grizzlies baseball family. She cited a number of different die-hard fans that have become some of her closest friends over the last decade. More than that, though, she talked about how excited she is to just come to the ballpark every day and talk to the casual fans who come to Downtown Fresno each season.
“You just meet a lot of people that you have something major in common with,” she laughed. “If you can’t talk about anything else, you can definitely talk about baseball.”
Marilyn and ParkerWhen you have as many baseball memories as Marilyn does, it can be hard to pick a favorite. She listed a number, but a few stood out in particular.
“The more recent one, of course, is just being able to sit and chat with Buster Posey at the meet-and-greet,” she recalled, speaking of the annual preseason event. “I did get (Madison) Bumgarner to smile,” she laughed.
I asked her what she was looking forward to the most this season, and she cited the next wave of upcoming talent, highlighted by the possibility of seeing top prospect Brandon Belt here in Fresno.
“He’s one of my Facebook friends,” she says of Belt, something that I can’t even claim. “I grabbed him while he was still young.”
Speaking of being young, Marilyn had also read the first installment of our 10-for-10 series, in which we profiled our youngest season ticket holder, 17-year-old Justin Renge. I’ll leave you with her observation, which is a great thought as we sit on the brink of another baseball season.
“I’m 67, and the young man that you interviewed is 17. I’m thinking ‘that’s a 50-year span. Isn’t that cool?’ There’s 50 years difference and yet we still have the same passion for the game of baseball. I think that’s just so much fun.”
And that, as much as than anything, is what baseball is all about.
Filed in: Uncategorized Tags: 10-For-10, Brandon Belt, Buster Posey, Madison Bumgarner, Minor League Baseball 2 Comments
It’s so true, Marilyn does wish the Grizzlies were all her boys! Marilyn is a perfect choice for 10 for 10! Good job Grizzlies!
By PeggyZ on April 1, 2011 12:50 am - Reply
This article was written before this season began. Thanks, Noah!
By Marilyn Whitney Meadors on July 8, 2011 4:43 am - Reply
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Rams Begin Offseason Program Monday
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Josh McDaniels Some Crying Foul Over McDaniels Hire
By - Jan 9th, 2012 at 3:41 pm
Previous Next Fans of the New England Patriots have fully embraced the return of former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to the coaching staff. Since leaving in 2009, McDaniels has been the head coach of the Denver Broncos and the offensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams, which is where he spent this past regular season. The Rams allowed McDaniels to walk out of the remaining year of his contract to join the Patriots’ coaching staff. McDaniels will serve as an offensive assistant while Bill O’Brien remains with the team throughout the postseason. Once the Patriots’ season is over , O’Brien moves to Pennsylvania to coach Penn State while McDaniels assumes his former role as offensive coordinator.
Nobody has a problem with McDaniels returning after the postseason is over, but some are crying foul that the NFL has allowed him to join the staff now. Given McDaniels’ familiarity with the Broncos players, some think that the Patriots have a competitive advantage having McDaniels jump ship before the complete season is officially over for the Pats.
Mike Klis from the Denver Post feels so strongly about it that he thinks the Broncos and other playoff teams should officially protest the hire. Michael Silver from Yahoo! Sports is in the camp that the Pats have a competitive advantage with McDaniels on the staff, and that there should be a rule in the NFL that prevents a coach from joining another staff before the team’s season is officially over. Apparently, there is no rule preventing this, otherwise the NFL would not have allowed McDaniels to join the staff. Honestly, I never really thought about this until it was brought up, and I’d have to agree with ESPN Boston’s Mike Reiss on the topic:
“Should it be allowed by the NFL? If I was making the calls, I would say no … There’s something about that that doesn’t feel right to me. But if I’m the Patriots and it’s within the rules, I’m going to do it. This is a coup, why wouldn’t I?”
Could we see the NFL institute a new rule once the Super Bowl has come and gone? I think it’s almost a sure thing, especially if the Patriots have another dominant offensive performance against the Broncos. Can you hear the Patriot haters crying already?
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Topics: Denver Broncos, Josh McDaniels, New England Patriots, NFL, NFL Playoffs, St. Louis Rams
Pingback: The Patriots' First Shot - Musket Fire - A New England Patriots Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.
Mock Draft 1 hour ago
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In Case You Missed It:Ditching Real Estate Brokers Home » Opinion » NFL seeking to ‘needle’ more money from top court and you NFL seeking to ‘needle’ more money from top court and you
(REAL TIMES MEDIA)—Football is the most popular and profitable sport played in the United States. While hockey is almost forgotten, NASCAR stays with a niche audience, baseball struggles with scandal and about eight NBA teams are treading water financially and the NFL keeps raking in the billions. Even in a recession attendance remains high, profits are high and the Super Bowl remains an unofficial holiday even for non-sports fans. With all that going for them, it makes you wonder why the NFL is looking for a handout from the Supreme Court of the United States.
Last week the Supreme Court heard opening arguments for American Needle vs. the NFL a case that has huge ramifications for NFL profits, NFL related businesses and the prices that fans pay. For years there were several companies that made NFL hats, T-shirts and jerseys, and they sometimes cut deals with the NFL as a whole and sometimes made individual deals with popular franchises. In the 1990s you could buy a Cowboys’ jersey from Adidas, a John Elway hat from Champion or a Donovan McNabb T-shirt from Nike. But all of that came to an end in 2002 when the NFL signed a 10-year exclusive clothing contract with Reebok, cutting everyone else out of the NFL apparel business until 2012. American Needle, one of the former apparel makers is suing the NFL, accusing them of violating Sherman Anti-Trust laws and asking the Supreme Court to stop the monopolistic practices of “America’s game.”
The whole case that is before Obama’s new Supreme Court goes to the core of what we know and love about sports, and America for that matter. Is the United States, a collection of 50 states under one constitution, or one large nation with 50 units? Your answer to that question says a lot about your politics and lies at the heart of this case. American Needle argues that the league is a collection of 32 teams and thus different apparel companies should have the right to negotiate with any franchise. The NFL setting up an exclusive contract for all 32 franchises with one company, they argue, unfairly cuts out competition. The league argues that the NFL is one big entity which merely has 32 moving parts, thus has the right to set up exclusive deals no matter the impact on the market.
The Supreme Court, which has been incredibly friendly towards business during the last eight years under Bush should focus long and hard on this case since the consequences are far reaching. We’ve already seen what happens when the NFL gets the chance to set up exclusive contracts with one group to the exclusion of others. Ever wonder why grown men line up for hours before midnight to rush into Wal-Mart and spend almost $80 on the newest John Madden NFL game? Because there are no other NFL games allowed on any video game system. After the NFL signed an exclusive content agreement with Electronic Arts (common known as EA Sports) in 2004 they became the only video game company in the world with the right to make games with NFL players and logos. There were at least half a dozen NFL games on the market before 2002, now there is only one, not because it’s the best game or the most popular but because the NFL exercised monopoly power and cut every other company out of the market. Today, whether you have an Xbox, Wii, Playstation or a home computer, if you want to buy a football video game you have to pay whatever price EA sports and the NFL comes up with.
If the court grants the NFL the right to operate as one entity why would the gouging stop at video games and jerseys? What if the NFL decides to lower player health benefits or salaries across the board and agents can’t negotiate between teams? What if the league decides that all NFL stadiums must serve Pepsi products and individual franchises can’t negotiate deals? These may seem like farfetched ideas today but tell that to the video game companies and clothiers that have been put out business by what the league has already done.
The NFL promotes itself by saying that on “Any given Sunday” any team that works hard can compete and win. Hopefully the Supreme Court takes this to heart, rules against the league and restores free and open competition in sports merchandising again. Besides, shouldn’t open and fair competition be what “America’s game” is all about?
(Dr. Jason Johnson is an associate professor at Hiram College in Ohio.)
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India's Olympic Effort Faulted
Share Tweet E-mail Comments Print By Mike Pesca Originally published on Wed August 8, 2012 1:39 pm
Listen Transcript STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: Now, as we cover the Olympics, some of you have asked for spoiler alerts, but for this next report that is probably not necessary. NPR's Mike Pesca is taking us inside the world of India's men's field hockey team. We're not too worried about spoilers. Not just because most Americans don't care much about field hockey, but because the Indian squad has done a pretty good job itself of spoiling things. As Mike reports, the team's record tracks with the overall state of the Indian Olympic effort. MIKE PESCA, BYLINE: Indians are familiar with large mausoleums. They have the Taj Mahal. The field hockey stadium here at the Olympic park was threatening to turn decidedly sepulchral as the Indian team, thus far winless in the tournament, trailed Germany by three goals late. RIMA BHUPTANI: Go India. RISHI LAKHANI: Come on, India. (SOUNDBITE OF HORN BLOWING) PESCA: Although a couple of fans fought the malaise. Rima Bhuptani and Rishi Lakhani are London-born ethnically Indian and wonderfully passionate, if woefully under-informed. BHUPTANI: It is disappointing, because we thought we could get at least one gold medal, maybe even a silver for maybe hockey, because it's the national sport over there. So you would have thought - the assumption would be they would do quite well. LAKHANI: I totally agree, totally agree. PESCA: In fact, India barely qualified for this men's field hockey tournament and have disappointed in archery, men's boxing and shooting. The world's first and third most populous nations each have over 60 medals so far. The world's second most populous nation, India, has three. Up in the press box, Manik Banerjee, who covers Indian sports for a Kolkata newspaper, acknowledged the sad state of the Indian Olympic effort. Does it bother you that India doesn't do better at the Olympics? MANIK BANERJEE: Yeah, it hurts me. It hurts me very much. And I hope India comes up like China has, you know, come up. They're dominating sports these days. PESCA: The Indian men's field hockey team, winner of gold in six straight Olympics, medalists in 11 of the 12 Olympics from 1928 to 1980, are so far the least successful hockey team in these games. Head coach Michael Nobbs, a former Australian national team player who took over the Indian squad last year, knows too well that his team lacks a champion's mentality. MICHAEL NOBBS: Their forwards go into the circle, bang, bang, pushing all our players out of the way. We've got to be strong and tough. You know, I know we're not big enough yet, but you can still do it. PESCA: You don't have to know a drag flicker from a goalkeeper's kicker to understand that Nobbs is speaking the international language of sport. He's the coach who's using the media to get through to his team, calling them out, saying what they lack is here, and patting his chest. Sundeep Misra, who runs websites, including IndianHockey.com., agrees with Nobbs, saying that in India hockey is based on skills, not toughness. SUNDEEP MISRA: You need to have character, that if a guy is standing in front of you, be willing to step forward, take him by the shoulders, go past him and score a goal. Don't be part of that, OK, he's taller than me, I have to beat him with the skill. If you can't beat him with the skill, beat him with the shoulder. PESCA: A few of the factors that explain hockey's decline in India apply to other events in these games. There is the question of priorities. India has become so cricket crazy, the Olympic sports suffer. There's bureaucracy and there's poverty. Hockey is now played on high tech artificial surfaces, too expensive for a relatively poor country like India. Perhaps the nation will rally around Mary Kom, who's guaranteed a medal of some color in women's boxing. The men's hockey team is guaranteed only its worst ever finish at the Olympics. Mike Pesca, NPR News, London. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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Giants still miffed at Buccaneers coach Schiano
By Bart Hubbuch September 19, 2012 | 4:00am
FLIGHT DELAYED: Santonio Holmes, celebrating after a first-quarter touchdown in Sunday’s loss to the Steelers, his former team, has more headlines for his actions off-the-field than his production for the Jets. Photo: Getty Images Two days after the fact, the Giants still were miffed at Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano for ordering his players to jump the snap and go for their knees on the kneel-down “Victory Formation.”
Coach Tom Coughlin said he had dropped the matter, but several of his players remained angry at Schiano’s unapologetic violation of one of the NFL’s unwritten rules on the final play of Big Blue’s 41-34 win.
“I’m trying to be political, but I’m just going to go out and say it: I thought it was a classless play,” Justin Tuck said. “I thought it had no place in the NFL, and that’s how you get guys hurt. I’ve been in the league for eight years, that’s the first time that I’ve ever seen that.
“There are guys who have been in the league a lot longer than I have, and that’s the first time they’ve seen it,” Tuck added. “So, if that’s how he wants to play it, he can do that to them, and everybody else. It’s not going to be an issue, until somebody blows their knee out. Or gets some prime guy hurt on national TV.”
Tuck wasn’t finished.
“Like I said, it’s not illegal — not at all,” he said. “I don’t agree with it. That’s not me being biased because it’s my teammates. That’s me saying if [defensive coordinator] Perry Fewell told me to dive at a guy’s knees when we’re losing, I would say ‘No.’ That’s just a man-on-man talk.”
Chris Snee admitted to some retribution during the moment that would be repeated if Schiano tried to repeat that on the Giants.
“If they go for my knees again, then they’re going to get a knee to the head just like they did Sunday,” Snee said.
This time the homecoming is for real. Thursday night won’t mark the first time Charlotte, N.C., native Hakeem Nicks will play the Panthers in his hometown, but it certainly feels that way to the Giants’ star wideout.
That’s because his only other visit — last year — was Week 1 of the exhibition schedule and amounted to little more than a cameo by Nicks in front of friends and family at Bank of America Stadium.
Fresh off one of the most memorable days of his NFL career, Nicks definitely will have a bigger role this time.
“I’ve always dreamed of going back,” Nicks said yesterday as the Giants prepared to take on Cam Newton and the 1-1 Panthers. “The last time I played there was a preseason game, so there really wasn’t a lot of playing time. It’s a full game this year, so my family is definitely looking forward to it.”
Nicks was held out of practice as a precaution after getting his surgically repaired foot stepped on near the end of the Giants’ win last weekend, but Coughlin said he expected Nicks to play against Carolina.
Nicks came up huge in the victory over Tampa Bay, hauling in 10 passes for 199 yards and a score, but he is hoping to keep the expectations down for the trip home.
“I just want to do whatever I’ve got to do to get the job done,” Nicks said.
Red Bulls must avoid another slow… Red Bulls must avoid another slow start in Wednesday’s 1st-place… Twitter
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The First Intercollegiate Ball Game, 1859
Muscle and Mind, Amherst vs Williams
I’m in Nashville this week for Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings, but wanted to toss at least one post up before my return home and the resumption of a regular schedule. Seeing so many fresh faces at the job fair I thought about their high hopes upon their recent graduations from college.
A baseball match between Amherst and Williams, at a neutral site in Pittsfield, Massachusetts on July 1, 1859, is the first collegiate baseball game. It was played on a lot in front of the Young Ladies Institute by Massachusetts Game rules, which is by no means a disqualifier, as that game was indeed baseball. The first collegiate ball game under New York rules occurred several months later on November 3, when the Rose Hill Baseball Club of Fordham, which was then called St. John’s College, defeated St. Francis Xavier College 33-11.
A surviving broadside, an “extra edition” of the “Amherst Express,” gave more or less equal treatment to the game of baseball on July and chess on the following day: “Muscle and Mind.” The Pittsfield Sun of July 7, 1859 reported:
Young Ladies Institute, Pittsfield
THE BALL AND CHESS GAMES BETWEEN THE STUDENTS OF AMHERST AND WILLIAMS COLLEGES–The match games of Ball and Chess between Amherst and Williams Colleges, which had been talked about for some time, came off in this town last week–the Ball game on Friday and the Chess game on Saturday. The weather on Friday being delightful, a large number of ladies and gentlemen were gathered on the grounds, east of the Maplewood Institute, to witness the exciting affair. From Amherst there were present but few students except the players and chess champions, the authorities of the College not having granted a holiday to the students generally, but from Williams, where the Faculty were more liberal, nearly all the students were in attendance, and some of them were accompanied by ladies from Williamstown. The field when the friendly contest took place, reminded us of what “General Training” was in vogue. The game commenced at about 11 A.M., and was not concluded until past 3 P.M.
The players were as follows:–On the part of Williams–H.S. Anderson, Captain; Players, H.F.C. Nichols, R.E. Beecher, John E. Bush, J.H. Knox, S.W. Pratt, 2d., A.J. Quick, B.F. Hastings, J.L. Mitchell, C.E. Simmons, G.P. Blagden, H.B. Fitch, G.A. Parker; Umpire, C.R. Taft.
Baseballs used in 1st game / Courtesy of Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
On the part of Amherst–J.F. Claflin, Captain; Players, E.W. Pierce, S.J. Storrs, F.E. Tower, M.B. Cushman, J.A. Evans, E.M. Fenn, H.D. Hyde (thrower–one of the best we have ever seen), J.A. Leach, II., H.C. Roome, H. Gridley, J.L. Pratt, P. Thompson; Umpire, L.R. Smith; Recorder of Score, A. Maddock.
William R. Plunkett, Esq., President of the Pittsfield Club, was chosen arbiter or referee, and it is somewhat remarkable, that his services were required to decide every point, the Umpires not being able to agree upon any question proposed for their decision.
It is due to the students of Williams to say, that previous to the reception of the challenge from Amherst, there was no organized Ball club at that institution, while at Amherst there has long been a famous Club.
Amherst had the first innings, and 25 rounds were played and recorded. The results of each player and each club appear in the following table; the Amherst players winning a victory with a score twice that of their rivals [73 to 32]….
At the close of the contest the Pittsfield Base Ball Club gave a dinner to the two College Clubs at the U.S. Hotel, Mr. Henton having provided an excellent Dinner for the occasion. Toasts and speeches followed the repast, and all who participated had “a glorious time,” as we are assured.
The match game of Chess was played on Saturday, and occupied from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M., resulting in the triumph of Amherst. At the 49th move Williams resigned, and Amherst was pronounced the winner. A large number of amateurs were present in an adjoining room.
The names of the Amherst players were–Messrs. J.F. Claflin, A. Maddock and A.G. Biscoe; Umpire, F.A. Williams. Williams–Messrs. E.E.K. Royce, E.S. Bowsterr, Henry Anstice; Umpire, E.B. Parsons. Referee, Geo. B. Hunt of Canaan, Ct.
A centennial reenactment of this game took place in May 1959, and a sesquicentennial game was played in May 2009. Here is a detailed account of the contest by Lauriston Bullard in Baseball Magazine from 1915:
THE score was: Amherst, 73, and Williams, 32. The game was played at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, July 1, 1859. There were 26 innings. When the winning team got back to their college town they found that their fellow-students had tired of waiting and gone to bed without learning the result of the contest. But they speedily climbed out of bed again; they rang bells and built bonfires, and spent a good part of the night cheering the victorious players. The next day when the team came home they were driven through the streets and made the target of congratulatory speeches on the campus by the members of the faculty. A large banner was borne before them with the score and the balls which had been used in the game.
Those balls are now hanging in the Amherst College trophy room, with this inscription: ”The veritable balls used in the first game of intercollegiate baseball ever played, July 1, 1859. Amherst vs. Williams, won by Amherst.”
But why is not the score included in the inscription? Is it possible that a total of 105 runs in four hours of ball playing is not held to be quite creditable these days? Such a score would not look well, surely, in a Harvard-Yale or a Williams-Amherst game to-day, nor in a game between two teams of knickerbockered youngsters from the primary schools.
Baseball was an infant game 50 years ago, if these players were not infants. Queer balls they were that figured in that game. Each team furnished one. The Williams ball was about seven inches in circumference; it weighed about two ounces, and it was covered with leather of a light color, so that the batters might have no difficulty in seeing it. The Amherst ball was a little heavier, but a trifle smaller; it was made by a North Brookfield man, and was considered a work of art.
There were 13 men on a side, also, in that game. The challenge was sent by Amherst some weeks in advance of the date finally adopted for the match. The rules were adopted after rather prolonged negotiations between representatives of the two colleges. These delegates met for conference, and at last adjusted their debatable questions by mail. It was settled that each party should use its own ball, that the ball must always be caught on the fly, and that the limit of the game should be understood to be 65 runs by one party or the other. It seems to have been a contest whose limit was to be the time required for one college to get that large number of runs, not a stipulated number of innings.
But neither college had a regular ball team in those days. The men who did the playing were “chosen by ballot from the students at large.” Nothing was known of the present trying-out system, by which a team is selected by a coach and a baseball committee, nor was there any daily practice in the colleges half a century ago. One strange fact is that all Williams College, including the faculty, was present at Pittsfield to see the game, while Amherst sent only the players and substitutes—17 men in all. Pittsfield had a baseball club at that time and a baseball ground and when the hour for the game, which was 11 o’clock in the morning, arrived all Williamstown seemed to be there, old men and young, girls and their mothers and grandmothers, the proprietors of female schools and their
pupils, and they stood five and six deep all around the big field. There was no such thing as rooting in that primitive era, but there was as much enthusiasm to the square inch as ever gets loose at a big game in this advanced age.
The teams are said to have presented what would be an amusing spectacle today. There was a little attempt at likeness of dress. The Williams men were dressed in a sort of uniform and wore belts with the college name. But the Amherst fellows were distinguished only
by a blue ribbon worn on the breast.
This is the order in which the teams batted that day[at left, below]. Amherst’s “thrower”—so they called the pitcher—was Hyde, and there were stories afloat on the field that he “was a professional blacksmith who had been hired for the occasion.” One bystander is reported to have said that he must have been a strong-armed blacksmith, for “nobody else could possibly throw for three and a half hours as this man did.”
Amherst Williams Box Score
Amherst went to bat first. At the end of the second round the score stood 9 to 1 in favor of Williams. The Williams spectators yelled and clapped and cheered somewhat after the style of the present-day concerted college yell. Amherst fought desperately and evened things up at the end of the third round. When the fourth was finished Amherst was ahead and stayed in the lead throughout the remainder of that long game. How long a game it must have been one can understand when he figures out the number of hair-raising innings a first-class club might reel off in almost four hours of steady playing nowadays. The spectators were keyed to high tension through the whole of that time, although it is said that Amherst was the better in all departments of the game. Every man played as if the reputation of the college rested on his work. There was no kicking, every decision of the umpires being accepted without protest.
There were some queer rules and terms in that historic game. A man could be put out between bases by spotting him with the ball. The batter could knock the ball in any direction, so there were “side strikes” and “back knocks.” No gloves were worn and, of course, there were no masks or chest protectors.
The great thing that counted for Amherst is said to have been the perfect discipline of the team. It seems that every Amherst player had bound himself to obey every command of the captain, whatever the result might be. It is stated that the Amherst captain governed his men with great skill and that his team made only six errors. The Amherst catching was good, for no balls “were allowed to pass the catcher which were within reach and very few were allowed to drop which he touched. He missed but one ticked ball in the whole game, which was a remarkable feat when the striking was as quick and strong as that of Williams.”
Of the Amherst men who had part in that game there are now living but two besides their umpire. Marshal Cushman is in Washington in the Patent Office. F. E. Tower is a clergyman in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. The umpire, L. R. Smith, was at one time an Alabama judge and
later a United States senator. Amherst’s pitcher was for a long time a Boston lawyer and became an influential benefactor and trustee of his college. The captain, J. T. Claflin, was once president of Tougaloo University.
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Sixers Obtain Piece Of Court From Wilt Chamberlain's 100-Point Game
The Philadelphia 76ers have procured a piece of the original court from Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game against the New York Knicks nearly 50 years ago. The court had been purchased, and previously stored by Hersey Entertainment and Resorts over the years. In perhaps one of the coolest sporting even giveaways of all time, the Sixers will hand out mounted 2"x2" pieces of the court to ticket holders at March 2's game against the Golden State Warriors to commemorate Chamberlain's landmark performance.
The rest of the court will be divided among several venues, including the Wells Fargo Center, the Sixers' practice facility, and Hershey, PA, where the game was played 50 years ago. The Sixers will also be donating a piece to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA.
The 76ers will Chamberlain's family at halftime of the Warriors game in a ceremony that will include video highlights from his career and appearances from former teammates.
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For some reason, AFC players taking shots at Cam Newton
Posted by Darin Gantt on December 5, 2012, 1:09 PM EDT Getty ImagesApparently, the statute of limitations for ripping a rookie anonymously is right around a year.
Because for some reason, players are taking shots at Panthers quarterback Cam Newton for his behavior at the Pro Bowl last year.
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com quotes a number of unnamed players saying Newton acted like a diva last year at the Pro Bowl, turning down an autograph request from one player, and that he apparently “dissed” Ray Lewis at another point.
That apparently triggered a higher level of intensity from AFC defenders, in a game where effort was rumored.
“He was a total —-hole,” one AFC player said. “Who did he think he was? He acted like the big [expletive]. Here he was at his first game and he acted like he was the star. Guys didn’t like that.”
Another player added: “It didn’t matter who it was, he didn’t care about anybody but himself.”
Stop. The. Presses. Professional athlete in his own world. God forbid he had a tattoo.
Newton’s a big boy, and doesn’t need defending. But as the first pick in the 2011 draft, it’s been open season on the kid since he walked through the doors at the combine. And the fact he’s playing for a team in a tailspin only makes him an easier target.
He carries himself differently than some players, and he’s made some questionable decisions (“entertainer and icon,” unveiling a clothing line after a bad loss, etc.). But according to multiple co-workers with the Panthers, players and front office alike, he’s made a conscious effort to present a different image this season, even as coaches try to press him into a leadership role that he may not be ready for.
He’s also played more efficiently of late, not that you’d notice. He’s accounted for eight touchdowns with no turnovers the last three games, and 12 touchdowns and two turnovers the last five. So while there’s a perceived sophomore slump, he’s actually playing better lately, as the team sags around him.
The Panthers are in the middle of an avalanche that’s going to result in many changes in that organization, from top to bottom.
But guys taking shots at him for his behavior almost a year ago seems as misplaced as folks in Charlotte who were all in a bunch because he put a towel over his head earlier this year.
57 Comments Latest Stories in: Carolina Panthers, Home, Rumor Mill
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Football planting the seed
Like most Americans, at some point this past weekend, I was anxiously awaiting the start of the NFL season. Not because I was coaxed into playing in another NFL Fantasy League or because I have a deep-rooted interest in any one team. I just love good competition, including tennis, but I will get to that later in this column. Through it all, I probably didn't watch as much as most people, but did come away with a couple of observations. First, the New Orleans Saints amid the Reggie Bush Heisman Trophy controversy, still looks like a team capable of winning and a Super Bowl. And the combination of coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees is special. The Baltimore Ravens did not buy into the New York Jets hype and showed the Jets in their new stadium how you really play defense. The Washington Redskins might have played the ugliest game of the weekend. However, they broke out some throwback uniforms and gave fans a glimpse of how things used to be in Washington, finding a way to win. But the biggest surprises of the weekend came in Houston and Kansas City. The Texans, riding the legs of Arian Foster, marched right through Indianapolis. And the Chiefs just demoralized the usually slow-starting San Diego Chargers. But as I looked at the sideline of the new Arrowhead Stadium, which wins the award for the most-rocking stadium this past weekend, I saw two coordinators - Charlie Weis (offense) and Romeo Crennel (defense) - that know a thing or two about football. Plus, they are joined by a lot of young talent. All of this football came just less than 16 hours after I had been treated to my second straight week of premiere high school football. On Friday, I watched Dinwiddie build a 17-point lead and then held off a late-charging Varina team. The Blue Devils have Thomas Dale on their docket this week. The bottom line is it seems whenever there is a pigskin tossed in the air there is a buzz in the air. High school football and college football set the stage, but the NFL showed why football is making its claim as the new American Pastime. It helps that they only play once a week, which adds to the suspense and preparation, and makes the actual game the focal point. All week fans either blast their team, or praise their team, or get nervous about their team. It becomes the routine buildup for the next week's games. The one constant, at any level, is football stadiums were filled to the brim. The NFL got a boost with the two early-season upsets by the Texans and Chiefs. Both were terrific games that eventually came down to the wire and were won on the last drives as the home teams held off the final scoring attempts by the visitors. There were 70,974 at Houston's Reliant Stadium and 71,297 (screaming fans) at Arrowhead. Often times on high school and college campuses, football season sets the tone for the rest of the year. In our calendar, the NFL has the ability to set the tone for sports in our country. It seems to make everything else - NASCAR, Major League Baseball and the start to the NBA and the NHL - better. This football season, whether it is prep, college or pro, has certainly planted its seeds. It is very pleasant, in these tough economic times, to see the seats filled whether it is Dinwiddie, Thomas Dale, Varina, Richmond, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Kansas City or Washington. It means people are having fun and what can be better than that. But back to tennis for a second, as I got ready for work on Monday, I kept searching when and where the U.S. Open championship match between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic was going to be on and what channel. I eventually found it on CBS at 4 p.m. I watched a little bit, and did know in the back of my mind there was a chance of rain, but by the time I got to work I could not find it. Now, we are not blessed with the fanciest of TVs or remote controls, so I just assumed it was over. Turns out the match went through a two-hour rain delay and then CBS tossed it over to ESPN2. However, ESPN2 had Monday Night Football obligations on its agenda and was in the process of handing it over to ESPN Classic. I don't think we even get that channel at our work. However, that never did occur. But what did occur was during the Open Trophy presentation, emcee Bill Macatee cut-off Nadal's interview mid-sentence. The first-time Open champion was given the winner's check and trophy before the network quickly cut to Kansas City-San Diego game at the same time Nadal hoisted the trophy in the air. There was no warning given to viewers and no alternate channel on which to watch the rest of the presentation. Needless to say, Twitter lit up with outrage from tennis fans. Because I did not see anything after the first set, about the only thing I knew was Nadal was playing well, and probably would win the match to complete his personal Grand Slam, an impressive feat for a 24-year-old. Rod Laver, Andre Agassi and Roger Federer have only done it three times before on the men's side. Why do I mention this? Because there was a time, when sports fans would be glued to their set for the U.S. Open whether it was Arthur Ashe, Jimmy Connors, and Pete Sampras.On Monday, it got tossed around like a bean bag at cookout. The NFL is the one sport that has taken its game to a new level since the early days of black and white TV in the early 1960s. NASCAR has done a good job also, and Major League Baseball is making a strong comeback from the player's strike and steroid era. But maybe the NFL executives ought to hold seminars to teach the others how to maintain and build their fan base. Hint: television is a major player. The good news is NASCAR begins its Chase for the Cup and MLB is reaching the Hunt for October. So with football in full swing, and two other sports hitting their stride, it means the only thing we really have to worry about is setting our clock back on Nov. 7.Remember it's fall back, spring forward.
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From Mysterio to Mistico, WWE Is Very Diverse (But You Already Know That)
As a young WWE fans in the 1980s, there was no shortage of reasons to like Tito Santana. He was young and exciting, tremendously athletic, and an honorable Intercontinental and tag team champion.
But there was another reason many of my friends and I were fans of Tito Santana. He looked and sounded like us. I was born in the Bronx, the son of immigrants from Nicaragua and Ecuador, and grew up speaking Spanish in my home with my two brothers. Many of my friends had similar experiences as the children of parents who came to New York from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and other Latin American nations.
While we may have shared different geographical origins with each other, and with Tito, many of our customs and experiences were similar, from the food we ate for dinner, to the slang we used, to the modes of discipline we were subjected to by our folks.
And consciously or not, we were drawn to public figures who had similar cultural backgrounds, whether it was Luis & Maria on Sesame Street, Alvaro Espinoza on the New York Yankees, or Lisa Lisa on the radio. They represented us, and they had made it, just like Tito. And it was important for us, as young Hispanic Americans, to see that.
I bring this up to draw attention to one of the most important and under-reported stories coming out of WWE in recent years—the growing minority representation in the company’s on-air product.
Earlier this week, WWE finalized one of the most important talent acquisitions in years—the signing of Mexican luchador Mistico, whose praises have been sung in the pages of the Pro Wrestling Illustrated family of magazines for many years. What’s more, WWE treated it as one of its most important talent acquisitions in years, with a full court press in Mexico City and here in the United States. This comes at the same time that Alberto Del Rio prepares to headline WrestleMania just months after debuting in WWE, and after Rey Mysterio stole the show with Edge in the Smackdown Elimination Chamber match this past Sunday. We wrestling journalist-types often spend a lot of our time and energy focusing on what wrestling companies are doing wrong. So I think it’s very important that WWE gets credit for something it is doing very much right, namely promoting the most ethnically and culturally diverse pro wrestling product in history. More impressive, WWE has been doing so quietly, and without drawing attention to that fact.
Consider this: More than half of WWE’s on-air talent, including wrestlers, announcers and managers, are non-white. They range from Korean American Gail Kim to African-born Kofi Kingston, to Indian native The Great Kahli to Japanese dynamo Yoshi Tatsu to my fellow Nicaraguan Eve Torres. As such, WWE’s on-air product features one of the most diverse cast of performers of any show on television.
More importantly, WWE has largely moved away from the days when an ethnic talent’s background was something to exploit or even draw attention to. Far removed from the days when Juventud Guerrera drove into the ring on a lawnmower, Alberto Del Rio has risen to become one of WWE’s top stars not by portraying an ignorant stereotype of Mexican Americans, but rather by playing a rich, elitist jerk—a role usually previously reserved for the likes of Ted DiBiase and John Bradshaw Layfield.
For years now, two-time World champion Rey Mysterio has been featured as one of the most popular acts in all of WWE, not because he’s Mexican, but because he’s damn cool. But whatever the motivation, you can be sure that when Rey inserts a few lines in Spanish in his promos, there are fans out there who appreciate it. I’m one of them.
This is not to say WWE is perfect. With its penchant for lowbrow humor, some racial and cultural stereotypes still make it onto to the on-air product. I can do without Rico Rodriguez singing “La Cucaracha” or Edge needlessly referring to Del Rio as “amigo.” For that matter, I wouldn’t mind if I never heard John Cena make another gay joke or take a jab at Sheamus’ pale complexion. (Can you imagine the backlash if wrestlers were scripted to make fun of how dark R-Truth is?)
But for a long time now, WWE has clearly been moving in the right direction with the right motivation. That is to reach out to fans of all colors and cultures throughout the world and show them talented performers who look like them and sound like them. By doing so they send a message: One day, you can be them.
Al Castle
PWI Senior Writer
Alberto Del Rio,
Mistico,
Rey Mysterio,
J\/\/
I'm still thinking we'll see a phase-out of Mysterio if Mistico gets anywhere near over...
If you're going to be completely fair about the ethnic diversity of the WWE these days, aside from Rey and Alberto, and possibly Eve, who among that crop that you mentioned has, or seems likely to have a great deal of success now or in the future. R Truth is still a black guy who raps, just like Hernandez in TNA is a Mexican gangbanger. The world of wrestling still has a very racially motivated agenda.
I think there's a big difference between a wrestling gimmick that's based on race/ethnicity/culture and one that negatively exploits those things. Yes, R-Truth raps when he comes to the ring. But hip hop music is in fact a real part of black culture. That's not necessarily a negative stereotype - especially when R-Truth does, in fact, enjoy rap music. It would be another thing to take a black wrestler from Tennessee who is in to country music and book him as a rapper from Harlem (God knows wrestling bookers have done exactly that many, many times in the past.)In other words, I think there's a way to make a wrestler's race or ethnicity a central part of his character without exploiting it. Alberto Del Rio has so far been a good example of exactly that.I also think you're leaving out a lot of minority wrestlers in WWE whose origin is not a big part of their current gimmick: Kofi Kingston,Gail Kim, Melina, David Otunga, Mark Henry, Primo, Chavo Guerrero and Alicia Fox to name just a few.As for Hernandez in TNA, you'll notice I reserved my praise in the above post only for WWE. There's a reason for that.-Al Castle
Li.da.R.SiN
First, let me clear the air, yes, I am Black. I remember growing up in the 80s and rooting for EVERY "minority" because Caucasians were obviously shown with all the success. NEVER rooting AGAINST Caucasian ( I was a Hulkamaniac and tried to put Ultimate Warrior and Sting-like washable marker ink on my darker complexion). But I did root for Tito and Harlem Heat, Ricky Steamboat & Snuka. I was also raised to RESPECT all cultures and love my pride as well as thy neighbor.I remember the Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff. And not so long ago the dumb idea of having Muhammad Hassan make a bomb threat. Just the same, art imitates life. Most Texas wrestlers have worn cowboy boots. Most California wrestlers have great physiques and chiseled facial features. Recently, I had a lot of associates who didn't like Cryme Tyme's gimmick. Two Black guys as thugs. Here-we-go-again. I didn't see it as that. Growing up in this country as a "minority" you realize, the cards your dealt. Sometime you have to get-along to GET ALONG. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet to achieve in the "white man's world". It's unlikely, especially because of his age, that R-Truth, won't get the Triple H/John Cena (speaking of rappers...Caucasian kids keep the rap industry alive) top-tier treatment. But how many Caucasian wrestlers don't get it either??? You know who my favorite wrestlers all-time are? 4. The Rock 3. Sting 2. Undertaker 1. REY MYSTERIOI'm MORE proud of Rey and his accomplishments. As a Mexican he never had to play the MexiCool role. He didn't have to do the Eddie-Chavo Lie, Cheat, Steal gimmick. He made it. Despite size and culture, HE MADE IT!I'm just happy not to see Virgil-like Black characters anymore and see more of ALL ethnicities joined together to ENTERTAIN us.I think Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would be proud too see a rapping R-Truth, comical thugs Cryme Tyme, obnoxious and wealthy Alberto Del Rio, non-Playboy (yet) Eve, Bella Twins, Alicia Fox and Layla, a lovable giant in Khali and so-on.
You lost a ton of street cred by calling the song "El Cucaracha," bro. It's "La Cucaracha," because "Cucaracha" is a feminine noun, and therefore gets "La." Besides that, it's still the name of the song.
Ha I finally found one person who is wondering the same thing I have all this time. Cena's remarks always go under the rug, especially with Sheamus and the color of his skin. I always asked my self too, what if he made fun of R-Truth or Kingston, I don't think fans will find it as funny, even though it shouldn't be a problem anyway if he did. However, fans are in the same boat. I read comments where they automatically have Sin Cara (Mistico) feuding with Mysterio. Why? because they are both hispanic? Obviously this isn't the only reason, but a major one with out a doubt.
From Mysterio to Mistico, WWE Is Very Diverse (But...
WrestleMania's Main Events Needed Freshening Up, A...
Things That Make You Feel Old
Wrestling's Elite Eight
60 Sad Minutes With Nick (Sinn Bodhi) Cvjetkovich
Welcome Back, "Great One"
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7 Points: Is Britton the 'Dude' for SD?
OT Eben Britton (Scott Boehm/Getty)
Senior NFL AnalystPosted Mar 29, 2009
Scout.com's Ed Thompson serves up a fresh batch of updates on prospects who pique San Diego's interest. Find out why Arizona's Eben Britton is a "dude" to watch, why Oregon's Patrick Chung will make an immediate impact, and why Pittsbugh's Scott McKillop is always around the ball.
Point No. 1
Oregon's Patrick Chung is one of those highly versatile players who could help
an NFL team right away as a rookie.
The four-year starter at safety finished his collegiate career with 384
tackles, fourth all-time in that category for Oregon, and first among all
players who were not linebackers. But in addition to being a hard-hitting
defensive back with great instincts, Chung played special teams throughout his
career, even during his senior year when he notched 14 special teams tackles. He
was a two-time Special Teams Player of the Year for the Ducks.
"Special teams is a fun part of the game for me," he said during a
phone interview this week. "Defense is focus, focus, focus and make the plays.
Special teams is just fun, it's a 40-yard fist-fight." Chung also returned kickoffs late in his junior season and averaged 25.6 yards per
return during his senior year. And he returned punts earlier in his career.
Ironically, although he has a take-no-prisoners mentality on the field, he's totally
content to be out of the spotlight when he's off the field.
"I've always been a very humble person. I'm probably one of the most
laid-back people you'll know," Chung said. "I like to be at home,
watch TV, watch a little film. That's just me."
With his ability to play either safety position, his wide variety of
special teams experience, and his well-grounded temperament, Chung's drawing a lot of interest from NFL teams. The
Eagles, Browns, Broncos and Panthers are among the many teams Chung's worked out
for so far. His next workout is with the Atlanta Falcons. And the Patriots, Eagles, Saints and Chargers are just a few of the teams that he's scheduled to visit over the next few weeks. Point No. 2
I'm not convinced that Albert Haynesworth is going to be the dominating player
in Washington that we saw in Tennessee the past two seasons.
The Redskins obviously got a guy who has the talent and ability
to be a force to be reckoned with in the middle of a defensive line. With 91
tackles and 14.5 sacks over the past two seasons, Haynesworth has certainly made
a convincing case that he is the best defensive tackle in the NFL right
So why do I have doubts about his success in Washington? For two reasons. Although he's finally playing at his potential, when you look at
his body of work for his career to date, it's erratic at
And his anger problems percolated to a shocking result as recently as 2006, when he stomped
on the face of Dallas Cowboys center Andre Gurode with his cleats. Former Titans DT Albert Haynesworth wraps-up Lions RB Kevin Smith.AP Photo/Duane Burleson
To his credit, Haynesworth seems to
have learned a valuable life lesson from the resulting five-game suspension and public embarassment. He truly appears to be
a better person and player since those days. But was part of his diligence
and dedication to his craft over the past two seasons driven by the fact that he knew he was
closing in on a huge payday—one he seemed to want, in part, as an affirmation of his top-tier status in the league?
If so, how will he perform going forward without that
carrot dangling in front of him as motivation?
"It's a lot of money, but honestly, I put more pressure on myself than
what the contract will do," Haynesworth told the media after the ink on the contract
had dried.
That's the right thing to say, but Albert Haynesworth has previously never been challenged to stay motivated
after receiving a contract that guarantees him $41 million. My other
concern is his injury history. The 6-foot-6, 320-pound player has yet to start 16-games in a single season.
He's missed five starts over the last two years alone. Will he be as anxious to jump back into the fray as he gets
nicked-up in the future? Or will he be willing to cool his heels a bit longer?
It's all up to him. And I hope he succeeds and proves my suspicion to be
wrong—because he's awfully fun to watch when he's playing with some fire in his
belly.
Draft prospect Eben Britton is one cool dude who's going to be fun to watch
at the next level.
When I recently talked with University of Arizona offensive tackle Eben Britton, he
was one of those draft prospects who really stood out to me—partially due to all
of the contradictions I uncovered while chatting with him, and partially because
he simply seems to be a smart, talented and fun guy.
Britton was born in the Bronx, making him a New York City guy, but he's spent the last
decade or so in California. He's a football player who writes short stories and
poetry. He's a guy who thinks it's so very cool that he's named after his
great-grandfather, Eben, (so do I) but would undoubtedly be just as comfortable responding to you if you simply
called him "dude." Britton has a very easy-going and laid-back manner off the field, yet he'll tell you that it's
the violence of the game of football that appeals to him the most. And while he's a truly
modern man in every sense of the term, he's a man one who sees the sport of football through an ancient lens.
"It's either you, or the guy in front of you. It's a battle,"
Britton explained during our conversation. "There's a lot of great things
to be said about that, it's a beautiful game on that level, it's man versus man. We're gladiators of the modern time."
The 6-foot-6, 309-pound offensive lineman is not only one of the top talents
at his position in this draft, he's also a humble and likeable guy
who would be a positive presence in an NFL locker room. And teams have taken
Britton's already had private workouts for the Miami Dolphins, the
Philadelphia Eagles, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Chicago Bears. And one of
the teams he's already visited is the Buffalo Bills, with more scheduled.
While some draft experts and the media are quick to doubt Texas WR Quan Cosby
because he's only 5-foot-9, they're truly missing the big picture.
Cosby has three important attributes that are going to help his chances of
success in the NFL—quickness, great hands and maturity. As I watched him at the
Senior Bowl earlier this year, he was consistently converting poorly thrown
balls into catches. It didn't matter if the ball was thrown too high, too low,
or behind him. Cosby kept pulling them in. I honestly can't recall seeing him
drop a pass. His body control and concentration on the football was simply that
Texas WR Quan Cosby leaps to make one of his 14 catches in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl.Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
"That's one of the things I pride myself on," he said during a
recent phone conversation. "At the end of the day, a receiver has to catch
the ball. You can do this or that, have all the moves, but if you don't catch
the ball, it means nothing. I was fortunate enough down there that not one ball
that I could get my hands on ended up touching the ground. The way I look at it
is, if I can touch it, I should catch it.
As for his height, Cosby said that it hasn't come up as a topic of discussion with coaches and scouts. And he's quick to point out that he's the same height as players such as the Patriots' Wes Welker, who has torn-up the NFL out of the slot position.
"You need a quick guy who can beat a DB or a linebacker and make those
small plays and turn them into a big play. So from a coaching standpoint, I
haven't heard a word about it. From a media standpoint, yeah, I hear a lot about
it," he said with a laugh.
"But it's heart, man. That's what it boils down to. I've been asked how
tall I am, and I tell them it depends on where the ball is. You just have to go
up and get it when they throw it too high. And I've got a bit of an advantage
when they throw it low."
Cosby has drawn quite a bit of interest from teams, including the Seattle Seahawks who talked with him at both the Senior Bowl and at the Combine. And the Denver Broncos are one of the teams that recently put him through a workout. Point No. 5
The Dallas Cowboys have made some smart free-agent acquisitions.
As I recently rolled through the list of free agent acquisitions by team,
the trio of unrestricted free agents that the Cowboys added jumped off the page
at me more than most of the groups of players I saw elsewhere on the list. Dallas added former Atlanta LB Keith Brooking, a reliable, 12-year veteran
who hasn't missed a start in eight seasons. He'll should step right in and claim
the insider linebacker starter's spot vacated by Zach Thomas. Former Charger Igor Olshansky is a fifth-year defensive lineman who will be penciled-in at Chris Canty's former defensive end spot. He's an
incredibly strong player with a non-stop motor who will benefit from the
tutelage of defensive line coach Todd Grantham. Safety Gerald Sensabaugh is only entering his fifth season, and Dallas is
likely to be the beneficiary of the four-year investment the Jaguars made in the
25-year-old player. Sensabaugh turned in the best season of his career in 2008,
grabbing four interceptions and logging 70 tackles in 13 starts and 16 game
appearances. He'll provide a bit of stability to what was a very shaky secondary
situation in Dallas following the release of Pro Bowler Roy Williams.
I admire linebackers who have the instincts and intelligence to be one of those guys who are constantly around the ball, and the University of Pittsburgh's Scott McKillop is one of
those guys in this year's draft class.
A perfect fit as a middle linebacker in a 4-3 alignment or an inside
linebacker in a 3-4, McKillop is one of those guys who isn't at the top of the
draft class in straight-line speed. But if you're looking for a smart player who
can get to the ball carrier faster than most linebackers—despite the chaos that
erupts in front of him at the snap of the ball—McKillop's your guy.
Pittsburgh LB Scott McKillop at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.Scott Boehm/Getty Images
"I think in order to be a great football player, you've got to have good
instincts and you have to study film," the Big East's 2008 Defensive Player
of the Year said during a phone interview. "There are a bunch of athletes
who are faster than me, who are stronger than me. But I just think that with my
work ethic and my understanding of the game, knowing what I can do and what I
can't do, helps me be a great player." A two-year starter at Pitt, the 6-foot-1, 247-pound is a well-rounded
athlete, something he proved by finishing in the top five at his position in
five drills at the NFL Scouting Combine. During the 2008 season, McKillop made
137 tackles, 17.5 tackles for a loss, was credited with four sacks and
intercepted a pair of passes.
At the Combine, McKillop had formal interviews with the Jets, Chargers,
Panthers and the Saints. And the Chargers' interest is noteworthy since they are
one of the teams that have lined him up for an official visit at the end of the
I applaud NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's position that the league should add
more games to the regular season—with one reservation.
Noting that the "fans don't believe preseason games are up to our
standards," Goodell stated that he'd like to see the season expanded to 17
or 18 games instead of the current 16-game format.
He and the fans are absolutely right. A four-game slate of preseason games is
not only unnecessary, it's just flat-out boring. With players staying in shape year-round and teams holding mini-camps in
addition to training camp, there's no need to make them play four useless games.
Expand the practice squads by a few more players to help teams have a deeper
bench during the year. Add another bye week for each team if need be. But let's get this change implemented.
My only reservation about adding the games is that the league will use them to play more games at neutral sites, a move that I understand from
a marketing perspective, but one I really dislike from the fan's perspective.
Click the player names to learn more about Patrick Chung, Eben Britton, Quan Cosby, and Scott McKillop. Click here for more coverage of your favorite NFL team.
A member of the Pro Football Writers of America, Ed Thompson's player interviews and NFL features
are published across the Scout.com network and at FOXSports.com. You can follow him on Twitter for NFL updates and insights. And you can contact him by email
through this link.
SDSU LB Russell Allen to Work Out for Bolts
-by SDBoltReport.com Mar 29, 2009
Chargers to Work Out SJSU DL Jarron Gilbert
Scout.com's 2009 NFL Draft Blog
-by ScoutNFLNetwork.com Mar 30, 2009
Football > San Diego
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in the Crease
In addition to the hurry-up face-off rule (left), NHL brass is watching the Olympics with an eye toward making other changes in how the NHL plays. Coyotes owner Wayne Gretzky is pushing for the NHL to reinstate the offside tag-up rule (abolished before the 1996-97 season), which allows players who have entered the offensive zone to get back out before the puck crosses the blue line without a stoppage in play. The other important change being discussed is the removal of the red line, which would open the ice and improve offensive chances in the goal-starved league....
How much is defenseman Chris Chelios respected by USA coach Herb Brooks? Brooks is allowing Chelios, the American captain, to make all the scheduling decisions for U.S. practices, meetings, meals and social activities....
Last month Blues defenseman Al MacInnis, who's regarded as having the world's hardest shot, switched from a wood stick to a carbon-fiber one made by Louisville, which adds even more velocity to his blasts. MacInnis's new sticks, however, kept breaking where the shaft meets the blade, so the company installed an aluminum sleeve over the weak area. MacInnis says he won't be switching back to wood....
For years Sweden has been known to use a counterpunching neutral-zone trap in international competition, but Anders Hedberg, who became the Swedish G.M. nearly two years ago, has moved from that style of play. In Salt Lake City, Sweden has used the Torpedo, an aggressive forechecking system that also frees the team offensively. When Sweden forces a turnover, all four Swedish players without the puck sprint down the ice and spread as far apart as possible, looking for a break. That system was an important factor in Sweden's 5-2 win over Canada last Friday.
Lonesome Coyote Shane Doan has been with Phoenix since the team's days in Winnipeg, but if the ownership... - July 23, 2012
Warning Shot The owners made an aggressive opening play in the NHL's labor negotiations - July 23, 2012
PICASSO OF THE BLUE LINE In a showdown for purists only, Drew Doughty led L.A. to the title and emerged as the game's... - June 25, 2012
COVERSNational Hockey League (98)
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PURSUED BY A VERY LONG SHADOW
Sam Moses
John Wooden is formally retired, and Clean Gene Bartow has arrived at UCLA to coach against a legend
John Wooden began his 66th year as he had begun every day since his heart attack three years ago—with a five-mile constitutional. His walks are usually uninterrupted, but on that smogless, crackling, red autumn dawn last month, the joggers scattered along the UCLA track stopped him. One by one, they wished him well. That evening nearly 7,000 more well-wishers paid formal tribute to Wooden at a birthday/retirement party in Pauley Pavilion, the arena where he had scored so many of the 620 victories in his 27-year career at UCLA.
Although the man being honored certainly deserved an occasion rich with sentiment, Wooden Night went beyond that. It was an affair that could only be described as schmaltzy. "On cue, sing out loud and clear: Hello Johnny, well hello Johnny," the program instructed. Auld Lang Syne came later. Assorted celebrities, ranging from Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley to Bob Hope, took turns expressing gratitude for being given the honor of honoring Wooden. And there were so many standing ovations that people popped up and down in their seats as if they were watching an overtime game against USC.
A number of times Wooden was called the greatest coach in the history of basketball, and who present would argue with that? He was also called the creator of "the most magnificent era in the history of intercollegiate sport," a weighty accolade that caused him to gaze self-consciously at the floor. From the evening's proceeds—the worshipers paid $5 per ticket—Wooden received a watch, a tie clip and cuff links, each inset with 10 diamonds, one for each of the NCAA championships he brought to UCLA. He was also given a pale blue Mercedes-Benz 280 sedan. Fortunately for Wooden, whose taste in status symbols runs to such things as well-polished wing tips, the car came without a diamond-studded steering wheel. He could have been given Pauley Pavilion, and no one would have minded.
Sitting quietly in the shadows at Wooden Night was a bespectacled man who must have been squirming in his chair with each display of reverence accorded the guest of honor. He was the man appointed to replace the Wizard of Westwood. He has not been asked to replace Wooden in the hearts of UCLA fans, but he knows he soon must find a nook of his own in there.
"I figure this nostalgia for Coach Wooden will pass in about a year," Gene Bartow says, "...as long as UCLA keeps winning." He shakes his head. "But they love him here, don't they?"
For the six months since he was hired last April, Bartow had shared Wooden's office and had sat toe to toe with him, a position that served as constant reminder of how big a legend's shoes can be. Technically it had been Wooden sharing Bartow's office, but the signs of success in the room—plaques and trophies and framed magazine covers—meant more than the name on the door.
The office sharing was by Bartow's choice, not necessity. Relieved though he may be now that Wooden's physical, if not spiritual, presence is gone, he had asked Wooden to stay around for a while and submit his brain for picking. And the information Bartow obtained rubbing feet with the master made the tight quarters worthwhile. "Besides visiting with Coach Wooden about common interests like golf and the Dodgers, I asked him specifically about the zone press and the strengths and weaknesses of the returning 11 players," says Bartow. "Several times we sat down and worked at the blackboard, actually using Xs and Os."
"Intimidating" is a word that Bartow uses a lot these days, usually accompanying it with a chuckle, a shake of his head and a roll of his eyeballs. He has heard so much about the aura he is supposed to be intimidated by that he responds to it now with an easy, genuine laugh. "If I felt differently about Coach Wooden, if I felt he wasn't actually above the rest of the basketball coaches in this world, then there would be pressure for me to prove something," he says. "But I don't feel that way."
So for the past six months Bartow has been saying things like "I don't intend to try to compete with John Wooden; his record is a miracle," and "We're in a new era now; the Wooden book is closed." Something he has not been saying is, "O.K., you guys, lissen up: things is gonna be different around here from now on, see?"
Of course, things will be different, but not much. Bartow's second move (his first was to put Lee Hunt, who has been his assistant for the past five years and a friend for 15, on the UCLA staff) was to hire Larry Farmer as jayvee coach. Farmer had played forward on UCLA's undefeated teams of 1971-72 and 1972-73, and he had been an assistant coach on Wooden's staff the following year. "If you take over a program that's bad, you may not want to know anything about it," says Bartow. "But if you take over a program that's just won 10 national championships, it helps to know a little bit about what's been going on."
Letters I am saving the June 14 issue and nicknaming it the Sportsmanship Issue, since it was full of... - July 05, 2010
For the Record Returned To international competitive gymnastics with a handy win at the American Cup, Paul Hamm... - March 10, 2008
Birth of a Dynasty Only after John
Wooden challenged his own coaching methods--and applied new tactics to... - March 19, 2007
Gene Bartow
COVERSJohn Wooden (2)
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Elton John Responsible For Muse’s Olympic Anthem
View Comments Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
anthem, Closing Ceremony, Elton John, Interview, London 2012, Muse, Olympics, Video
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In the midst of recording 6th album The 2nd Law, British arena rockers Muse received a phone call that would put them in front of an audience of billions. More than just part of an Olympic montage, Muse’s song “Survival” was chosen as the official theme of the London 2012 Olympics. But how and why was the anthemic song chosen? Two words: Elton John.
In an interview with L.A. sister station KROQ-FM, Muse frontman Matt Bellamy describes a surprising phone call from Elton John, who, according to Bellamy, once served as the musical director for the London 2012 Olympics before a fall-out with organizers.(Electronic group Underworld, also English, were announced as the musical directors of the 2012 Olympics back in December.)
“Well actually, believe it or not, Elton John gave us a call and wanted to write a song for the Olympics,” Bellamy explained. “At one time Elton John was actually the director of the music for the Olympics. He contacted us and we thought, ‘This is far out! We’re going to do a song for the Olympics with Elton John?!’”
Bellamy continued: “So that’s how the ball started rolling way back over a year ago. But then he [Elton] pulled out of the Olympics. He didn’t want to be involved anymore cause he fell out with the organizers so that left us with a half-baked idea. At that point we just let it go and carried on with making the album. And then the Olympics approached us again about the Ending Ceremony for us to play, and that’s when we played them that song ['Survival'] and they said they loved it and wanted to make it an official song of some kind.” Watch our video interview with Muse below. The Olympics’ Closing Ceremony is expected to be even more star-studded than its Opening Ceremony, with confirmed performances from George Michael, The Who, Britpoppers Blur, pop stars Jessie J and Taio Cruz, boybands Take That and One Direction, and many more rumored. The Closing Ceremony is being touted as a celebration of British music throughout the last 50 years, a soundtrack of which will be available digitally shortly after its broadcast on August 12th.
- Jay Tilles & Jillian Mapes, CBS Local View Comments blog comments powered by Disqus
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Share Defending Mid-Con Champs Release 2006 Soccer Schedule
Wednesday, May 31, 2006Coming off of their first Mid-Continent Conference regular season and tournament titles, along with their first trip ever to the NCAA Tournament, the Valparaiso Crusaders have announced their 2006 women's soccer schedule.
The Brown and Gold will host eight regular season contests in addition to an exhibition match.
Valpo will open exhibition play on August 16 in East Lansing, Mich. against the Spartans of Michigan State, an NCAA Tournament team from one year ago. The Crusaders will then entertain Drake in the final tune-up for the regular season just four days later.
The 2006 regular season will kickoff on August 25 at Indiana State before the Crusaders return to Eastgate Field for three straight contests beginning with the home opener against Loyola (Chicago) on August 27. The match-up against the Ramblers, and the following match against Cleveland State, will be a preview for Valpo of Horizon League competition, which the Brown and Gold will move to beginning in 2007.
After closing out the homestand against Akron, Valpo will take to the road for four straight, including a pair of matches in Nashville, Tenn. against Belmont and Lipscomb. Mid-Continent Conference action begins on September 15 in Macomb, Ill. against Western Illinois.
The Crusaders' home Mid-Con opener is slated for a week later against Oral Roberts, part of a two-match homestand that also will also see Evansville visit Eastgate Field.
Valpo will host Lewis on October 8 for Senior Day, the only home match in a six-game swing for the Crusaders. Following a road match at Centenary, the Brown and Gold will remain in Shreveport, La. for a non-conference neutral site tilt against McNeese State before returning to Valparaiso for the final two matches of the year against conference foes IUPUI and Southern Utah.
The Brown and Gold will look to defend its Mid-Con Tournament title in early November as Oakland, the Mid-Con regular season co-champion with the Crusaders, hosts the league's premier event.
Head coach Stephen Anthony's squad is coming off of a 12-8-1 mark overall in 2005, as well as a 4-2 record in Mid-Con play. Valpo will begin its fall training camp on August 9.
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hide Kiprotich wants to be inspiration in London
Wednesday, April 17, 2013 3:25 p.m. EDT
Uganda's Stephen Kiprotich celebrates with his national flag as he approaches the finish line to win the men's marathon in the London 2012 O By Alison Wildey
LONDON (Reuters) - Stephen Kiprotich, who overcame childhood illness and the might of the Kenyans on his way to winning marathon gold at the London Olympics, now seeks to inspire young athletes in his native Uganda.
Kiprotich takes on the Kenyans again in Sunday's London Marathon and he wants to use his new-found fame to improve facilities for young athletes at home.
"In the future I need to look for good facilities so the young, upcoming athletes don't travel long distances like I used to," Kiprotich, who moved to Eldoret in Kenya when he was 17, told Reuters.
"So many people ask why I train in Kenya. I train in Kenya because of the facilities. We don't have good facilities in Uganda.
"So for the future, we shall have good training facilities in Uganda so the young ones train there and also people from Kenya and all over the world can come," added the 24-year-old.
As a youngster, marathon running seemed an unlikely prospect for Kiprotich who missed three years of school due to illness.
"The illness was on-off. Sometimes I'd become ill for three or four months then I'd rest and get better. But I'm happy that I gained back my health.
"The doctors would treat me with medicine and later, in 2001, they told me that it was ulcers but I wondered why I got ulcers," said the quietly spoken Ugandan.
"When I gained back my health and joined school I started training. It was something I wanted to do because I love sports."
HERO'S WELCOME
Asked when he realised he had a talent for running, Kiprotich, who also enjoyed playing soccer, answered: "In 2009 when I was training with strong athletes and I could beat them.
"That showed me that although I was still young, maybe in the future I could do this."
At the London Games, Kiprotich pulled away from Kenyan favorites Wilson Kipsang and twice world champion Abel Kirui in the latter part of the race to become only Uganda's second Olympic gold medallist, 40 years after John Akii-Bua.
Kiprotich, who was given a hero's welcome on his return to Kampala, is confident Uganda will not have to wait so long for the next champion to come along.
"They won't have to wait because so many people now are inspired," he said, his face lighting up with a gap-toothed smile.
"I inspire so many young athletes. So people now are training. To me the 40 years is impossible.
It is because of his Olympic victory that Kiprotich will be facing the likes of defending champion Kipsang and Kenyan world record holder Patrick Makau at the London Marathon this weekend.
"My life has changed in several ways. Being invited to come and run in the London Marathon that's one of the things that's changed my life.
"I'm now a famous person in Uganda and UK and all over the world. I'm enjoying it," he said.
His best time of two hours seven minutes 20 seconds, set in Enschede in 2011. is several minutes slower than his rivals but having already got the better of them once, Kiprotich was undeterred.
"This Sunday, my focus is to run a fantastic race, running with the top athletes in the whole world is my memory... and for me I'm very happy."
(Editing by John Mehaffey)
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Advertisement Jose Aldo Says Moves to Lightweight and Bantamweight Are Both Possible
He wants to win three titles...
Jose Aldo recently spoke with MMAjunkie about potential moves to bantamweight and lightweight, plus more. Check out the highlights:
On a potential move to lightweight: "It all depends on this fight. My trainer, 'Dede,' thinks I'm not quite ready. When he thinks I'm ready to go up, I fully intend to go up. Once I beat Frankie Edgar, I'm sure that I can prove that I can fight one notch above. Certainly I believe that I'm ready, but 'Dede' believes that I'm still too young, and so he's keeping me back. But I think I'm fully capable of fighting one category above."
On his weight: "It's interesting because when I started, I used to weigh 62 kilos [137 pounds]. As time went on, now I'm at 78 kilos [172 pounds]. When you have a fight, you make the weight. However, it always goes back to a little above where it was before."
On potentially moving back to featherweight down the line if he were to go to lightweight: "I see no problem at all (in coming back to featherweight). As a matter of fact, it's never been a problem to maintain my weight. I've been maintaining my weight for quite some time, so I would like to fight at a higher category while maintaining my current weight. Athletes and fighters always dream of fighting one category above, and I believe that I can do that. I would like to. That's one of my goals. � I would like to do much as Anderson Silva has done. I would like to go up and fight for the championship, obtain the championship and then go back to my category. If I'm able to keep both, I would try that. However, if not, I would like to fight for a title in the category above and then come back to mine."
On a potential move to bantamweight: "I have made that weight once, and it has been a dream of mine to win three title. Nobody has beaten that record yet. Andre knows that's a dream of mine, but he controls my career, so it all depends. Someday I hope to achieve that. I'd like to make history. For a fight for the title, I could make 135 pounds. I'm not saying it would be easy. It would be difficult, but I think I could do it."
On teammate Renan Barao's quest for the bantamweight title: "I'd be very happy for him. We've been teammates for a long time. He's already interim champion. He's very close to it. I'm happy for Barao. I hope that he achieves the title, and that will be achieving one of our team's goals."
On the two weight class changes: "I think that they're both great challenges. I think 135 is already a great challenge. I believe that losing the weight would be a greater challenge, but 155 would still be a great challenge. I could still make the weight, but the other guy would be stronger, so both are great challenges."
On his future: "I believe that there is a lot to be done. One of my dreams was to be a champion, and I am. I have achieved that. There is a lot still that can be achieved. I think that this upcoming fight is a superfight against Frankie Edgar. I think it's going to be great, but I have even more dreams."
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UEFA Under-21 European Championships - final day preview
By Stephen Clark
Saturday 25 June 2011 The UEFA Under-21 Championships reach a climax on Saturday as hot favourites Spain face Switzerland in the final to be played in Aarhus. The Spanish will be looking for a third title at this level and to maintain the nation’s incredible recent run of success. For Switzerland the match offers the opportunity for a first ever title for the Alpine nation.
Spain have been the bookies tip since the tournament started, and after breezing through the group stage were expected to beat Belarus in the semi-final with the minimum of fuss. However, a massive shock was on the cards until Spain were finally rewarded for their dominance, and patience, with an 89th minute equaliser from Adrian Lopez set up a 3-1 victory after extra-time. Having survived such a scare, Spain will be hoping for a much easier passage against the Swiss in the final, but the underdogs will be no pushovers.
Switzerland had a 100% record in the group stages, beating the hosts Denmark, Iceland and Belarus before a hard fought victory over the Czech Republic in the semi-final, where Admir Mehmedi’s 114th minute winner finally broke Czech resistance. Switzerland’s star has been Xheden Shaqiri and he believes that the Swiss have nothing to fear telling UEFA.com: “Why shouldn't we do it? We have a very good team. We have the potential to beat Spain. We're not favourites, so we can play freely in the final. It's an important thing for us to be in the final. It's a great opportunity. I think the whole of Switzerland is looking forward to this game. We want to write a fairy tale."
In most tournaments the third and fourth place play-off is of very little significance, but there is an added reward, other than a bronze medal, for the side who win the game in Aalborg on Saturday. The third place finishers have the added reward of claiming the final place available to European side’s in next summer’s Olympic Games in London. It’s a reward that is highly valued, as the Czech Republic full back Ondrej Celustka told UEFA.com: “Our aim hasn't changed: we'd still like to go to the Olympics. We'll do everything to do that on Saturday. It doesn't matter that we'll be playing just for third position.”
For Belarus, the question will be as to if they will be able to recover from the heartbreak of their semi-final defeat, both physically, after the exertions of extra-time, and mentally, a fact not lost on the team’s captain Mikhail Sivakov who told UEFA.com after the match: “It would have been better if they had scored in the first half or after an hour, but not one minute from time. That's what hurts the most, maybe we just lacked a bit of a concentration, maybe we weren't strong enough. Right now I feel depressed, so it's hard for me to find the right words."
» UEFA Under-21 Championship - Final Day Review – Spain juggernaut carries on
» Camp Focus - Spain - Capel and Jeffren push for final places but Milla unlikely to alter line-up
» Get your Premier League tickets with World Ticket Shop
» Camp Focus - Switzerland - Manager believes they can go all the way
» Camp Focus - Spain - Mata wary of Belarus threat amid Bojan concern
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PGA Tour Event Offers Opportunity To Help Red Cross, Tickets Available Friday, 15 June 2012 00:00 The Barclays, the first event in the PGA tour playoffs for the FedEx Cup, is coming to Long Island this summer, and, thanks to tournament officials, charities like the American Red Cross can benefit from “Tickets Fore Charity” – a unique fundraising initiative designed to improve the quality of life in the communities where PGA tour tournaments are held.“This is an incredible opportunity to raise unlimited funds for the participating charity and there are absolutely no costs to the organization,” said The Barclays Executive Director Peter Mele. “Fans will get to witness the very best the PGA tour has to offer and generate revenue for charities in New York and New Jersey during a time when these organizations need our help more than ever.”
The Barclays will feature 125 of the top PGA tour professionals, Aug. 21-26 at Bethpage State Park (The Black Course in Farmingdale). The tickets available through Tickets Fore Charity are weekly grounds tickets available for $150. These are grounds tickets for each day of the tournament from Tuesday, Aug. 21-Sunday, Aug. 26. The Red Cross will receive $112.50 of each ticket purchased on its behalf.The remaining proceeds will benefit The First Tee of Metropolitan New York. The First Tee is an initiative of the World Golf Foundation aimed at positively impacting the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and education programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf.“We are extremely grateful to have been selected as one of this year’s charities,” said John Miller, CEO of the American Red Cross on Long Island. “Every day, disaster victims turn to the Red Cross for shelter, food, comfort and hope—we can’t be there for them without the generosity of the public and organizations like the PGA tour.”The PGA tour, its players and tournaments support more than 3,000 charities. In 2011, The Barclays donated $1.3 million to charities.In addition to the tickets, golf enthusiasts can also help the Red Cross and watch the action on the links by volunteering at The Barclays. For more information or to purchase tickets benefiting the American Red Cross, visit www.nyredcross.org/barclays or call (516) 747-3500.
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NewOrleansSaints
President Obama vs. NFL Season Opener: NFL and NBC Tackle Scheduling Conflict
by Catherine Lawson, posted Sep 1st 2011 6:15AM
Filed under:Reality-FreeTV News
UPDATE 09/02/11: It's been announced that President Obama will deliver his speech at 7PM ET on Thursday Sept. 8.
With all the lockout drama off the field over the summer, in recent days NFL fans have been sitting back and taking a few easy breaths as they await next week's season opener.
Now, however, comes news of a possible TV scheduling conflict: President Obama vs. football.
The president had planned to deliver a televised address on jobs and the economy to a joint session of Congress at 8PM ET on Sept. 7. However, that's when the Republican party is holding its televised Presidential Debate in Simi Valley, Calif.
After Speaker of the House John Boehner balked at Obama's request for an address on the 7th, the president yesterday agreed to move the speech to 8PM ET on the 8th. Unfortunately, that's led to a potential conflict with the Saints-Packers game on NBC, which kicks off at 8:30PM ET.<
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Rosales' homers, WBC game highlight our10 days in Arizona By nativetexanasfan
Reflections on the baseball part of the 10 days in Arizona my wife and I wrapped up earlier this week.
Our visit was capped by St. Patrick’s Day in the desert, highlighted by the A’s beating the Cubbies 12-6, while we had comfortable seats in the shade at Phoenix Muni. So we were almost as comfortable watching the action on a 90-plus-degree day as the A’s were at the plate, especially Adam Rosales.
Rosales entered the game in the sixth inning as a pinch runner after the Cubs had rallied to erase a 6-1 deficit and tie the game 6-6. Rosales, running for Josh Donaldson, was stranded when Hiro Nakajima inexplicably tried to bunt with two outs and Rosales in scoring position at second.
Still, Rosales stayed on, taking over at shortstop for Nakajima, and homered twice later, both two-run shots, first in the seventh to put the A’s back on top 8-6 and then in the eighth in the middle of a four-run burst that put the game away.
We were with my sister and her husband, both from the Dallas-Fort Worth area where we were grew up, and I told them before Rosey came up that he doesn’t homer that often, but I hope he would just so they could see him run around the bases as if he were trying for an inside-the-park homer.
And bingo! Not once but twice. What fun. A nice side note was that the game was televised on WGN, and Rosales is from the Chicago ’burbs. Nice to put on a good show for old friends stuck back in cold.
My sister and her husband are Rangers fans, of course, and I might have been too except this old native Texan left the land of bluebonnets in 1970, long before the Rangers arrived. Blame it on the Navy, which stationed me in California at times when my ship wasn’t in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War. As a line in Jerry Jeff Walker’s rockin’ version of a Willie Nelson song goes, “I’m wild and I’m loud and I like gravy/I’m about half off the wall, but I learned it all in the Navy.”
The A’s grew on me over the many years we have lived in Northern California after moving here for the first time in 1971 after 18 months in Orange County.
Our visit to Arizona wasn’t all baseball, as we took in four games spread out from Sunday, March 10, to the A’s St. Patrick’s Day four-homer outburst. We took in two A’s games, two Rangers games (one between the two AL West rivals) and Team USA’s 9-4 win over Canada in the first round of the World Baseball Classic.
The best baseball by far was the U.S.-Canada WBC game, the first we saw. It’s always better when the teams are playing to win. The USA was, predictably, eliminated later before the finals in San Francisco at AT&T. My feeling is the Americans won’t have a chance of winning, even though it’s our game and our pastime, until our best players and our fans think of it as a huge deal.
Right now, the top pitchers and many of the top position players pass it up, and those who do play take the attitude that it’s just a “good experience” to represent their country, and the general attitude among the players, the baseball teams’ managements and Major League Baseball officials is that it is basically a duty and honor. Goal 1: promote baseball globally and Goal 2: Oh yeah, play for your nation.
But until winning the WBC becomes as important to our players and fans as winning the World Cup is to soccer players and fans, it’s not going to happen for the U.S.
While some of America’s best players were there, many more were not.
Ryan Vogelsong is a very good and underrated starting pitcher, but is the No. 4 starter for the Giants, as good as their rotation is, the No. 2 starter in the USA? The Rangers’ Derek Holland, the No. 3 starter in the USA? He may not even be No. 3 for the Rangers. The players there were all good, but how would the starting rotation stack up against one of Clayton Kershaw, Justin Verlander, C.C. Sabathia and David Price?
Craig Kimbrel may be the U.S.’s best reliever, but wouldn’t the bullpen had been much improved with Jonathan Papelbon, Joe Nathan and former A’s closer Huston Street?
Team USA fielded four position players who arguably may be the best American players at their positions: Ryan Braun LF, David Wright 3B, Alameda native (Encinal High) Jimmy Rollins SS and possibly Brandon Phillips 2B.
Some say Phillips is the best defensively, but A’s fans would know he’s at best second to Mark Ellis, and for the overall package I would go with that fiery little guy from Woodland, the Red Sox’s Dustin Pedroia. To quote the Emmylou Harris’ “Born to Run” song not to be confused with Bruce Springsteen’s anthem: “Well, I was born to run/To get ahead of the rest/And all that I wanted was to be the best.” That’s the attitude Pedroia brings.
Some may say Joe Maurer is the nation’s best catcher, but I’d would take Buster Posey. Other of America’s best missing from the 2013 starting lineup: 1B Albert Pujols, outfielders Mike Trout and either Josh Hamilton or Andrew McCutchen. Add Prince Fielder to DH and back up at first base or have Braun DH and have an outfield of Hamilton, Trout and McCutchen.
I didn’t mention some deserving players because they were hurt and might have been better options if healthy. But that’s all 2013, and that opportunity has sailed. The next one comes 2017, and whoever’s is and has been the best for two or three years as of the end of the 2016 season should be clamoring for and be put on the 2017 team.
In our mini-family reunion we also saw the Rangers rout the Milwaukee Brewers at the Rangers’ park at Surprise, and the Rangers beat the A’s 6-2 at Phoenix Muni.
Impressions from the A’s and Rangers getting together Thursday down in the hot Arizona sun:
Just as Bogey and Ingrid will always have Paris, A’s fans will always have Oakland in October 2012. How “sweep” it was.
A few observations from the couple of A’s games I saw:
The A’s are hitting great, taking full advantage of pitchers needing a full four weeks to round into shape for the start of the regular season. But my prediction is there will be some unhappy campers who will be sent down to Sacramento even though they produced over a 1.000 OPS. Think Shawn Peterson, Eric Sogard and Andy Parrino. Gary Green already has been shipped out after posting a 1.045 OPS this spring. Worrisome, though, is that the pitching is still not sharp after a full month of camp, and some defensive lapses.
In the game against the Rangers we saw, for instance, Hiro Nakaiima’s wild throw to first base on the first ball hit in play by Rangers’ leadoff man Ian Kinsler led to two unearned runs in the first. But the reason it did were because of couple of errors by Yeonis Cespedes in left field that don’t go in the book as E’s.
On a hit into the hole by Elvis Andrus, Cespedes seemed surprised Kinsler was trying to go from first-to-third on the play and threw late and off-line to third base. That throw also allowed Andrus to go to second, setting up second and third with no outs.
Then on Lance Berkman’s line out to medium left, Cespedes tried to throw out Kinsler at home, which Cespedes has shown he can do. But the throw not only was off line but also missed the cutoff man, and Andrus advanced to third with one out, where he scored on Adrian Beltre’s sacrifice fly to deep left center.
A good sign though: Cespedes made a great running catch on Beltre’s belt while looking up into the sun, the first of two such grabs he made.
Defensively, Nakajima and Weeks likely will be subpar compared to Stephen Drew and Cliff Pennington down the stretch last year. Don’t know yet about the defensive prowess of Derek Norris and John Jaso at catcher, but they’ll probably be at least as good as they were last year, which is still a little south of Kurt Suzuki. But both should hit much better than Kurt.
Norris is having a good spring at the plate, but Jaso is one of the ones struggling. But you got to go with his track record. Others struggling at the plate: Nakajima and Scott Sizemore, while Cespedes, Josh Donaldson and Chris Young have been tepid. Cespedes and Donaldson were showing signs of coming to life with their hitting while we down there.
My choices to make the club among the position players on the bubble: Sogard and Rosales. There will be 12 pitchers I’m pretty sure on the 25-man roster, and besides the nine in the Opening Night hitting lineup, that leaves one backup catcher (Jaso or Norris), whoever sits among the five proven outfielders (my guess Chris Young with Seth Smith starting at DH), and two more.
Those who have played well enough to be on the team but may not (for now): Peterson, Parrino, Michael Choice and even Daric Barton.
My pitch on the pitching will have to wait until another day.
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Scott Baker Injury: Twins Righthander Has More Elbow Woes
Minnesota Twins righthander Scott Baker, who has battled through elbow problems this season, gave up five runs in six innings to the Red Sox on Monday night. And after the game, he told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune’s Joe Christensen that his elbow is bothering him again:
“I have no problem pitching with some discomfort as long as it’s something that’s not going to get worse,” Baker said. “I’m OK being a little sore, but if you’re not effective because of it, then that’s a different story. So we’ve got some things to talk through.”
Baker has posted the best numbers of any Twins starter this season, with a 3.21 ERA, a 1.2 WHIP and a 122 ERA+. He spent time on the disabled list last month with what was then described as “a right flexor sprain”, and said though it’s not any worse, it’s not really getting any better, either:
“It’s not as bad as it initially was,” Baker said. “It’s just really kind of lingered for a while, and it takes a lot of work to get loose. … I guess there’s never an ideal time for this. It’s never easy, but you don’t want to be that guy that has to go on the DL, if that’s the decision they make.”
The Twins’ medical staff will check Baker out and likely make a decision Tuesday on whether he’ll have to return to the DL.
Twins' Scott Baker On DL, Replaced In Rotation By Kevin Slowey
Scott Baker Injury: Twins Ace Going On DL Again
Scott Baker Injury: Twins Right-Hander Hits DL
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It's Official: Twins Will Host 2014 All-Star Game
For some time now, it's hardly been a secret that the Minnesota Twins will host Major League Baseball's 85th All-Star Game in 2014. Wednesday, Commissioner Bud Selig and the Twins made it official, with a press conference at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Previously, the Twins hosted two All-Star Games: in 1965 at the late Metropolitan Stadium, and in 1985 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. When the Twins built Target Field, which opened in 2010, there was a general assumption that the franchise would host another All-Star Game before long, as the Commissioner essentially makes that promise to every franchise that does get another stadium built.
This year, the Kansas City Royals hosted the All-Star Game at recently renovated Kauffman Stadium; next year, the New York Mets will host the All-Star Game in their new CITI Field. There's no official word yet about 2015, but reportedly the Cincinnati Reds, Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals are all bidding to host the game.
Minnesota Twins Awarded 2014 All-Star Game
Twins Will Host 2014 All-Star Game, According To Report
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Ralph Barbieri interview with Dennis O’Donnell (transcript)
Bay Area Sports Guy
Two Sundays ago, on April 22, Ralph Barbieri went on CBS 5 San Francisco (KPIX) with sports anchor Dennis O’Donnell. O’Donnell talked with the Hawaiian shirt-wearing Razor for about nine minutes, but I didn’t hear about the interview until the next morning. I emailed O’Donnell and others at CBS to see if I could access to the video because it wasn’t available on the site, and three days later they got back to me with this link to the interview.
Many of you may have seen this video, but for those who haven’t you can either watch it or read the interview, which I transcribed in its entirety below. In transcribing the conversation I put some of the more interesting points throughout the first 7 minutes or so in bold. Near the end, where O’Donnell pressed Barbieri on whether he wants to work at 95.7 FM, is where things really got interesting.
Whether or not The Razor will ever be on “The Game” is unknown (and doubtful in the eyes of some), but it sure sounds like Barbieri and his lawyer, Angela Alioto, are ready for a lawsuit. It was mentioned twice during the course of this interview that Alioto was present, although she never made it on camera.
O’Donnell: Ralph after working for 15 years with Tom Tolbert, what was going through your mind when you heard Tom say those words?
Barbieri: That was the week I was gone. You were in Hawaii, enjoying yourself. If you were here you could help me out.
O’Donnell: You’re celebrating with the shirt, thank you very much.
Barbieri: I was shocked. I didn’t hear it live, but so many people told me about it so I finally got it on the internet. I wish I could have seen him at the time, because I’ve not seen Tom be anything close to that emotional, ever. Italians, we cry all the time. Tom is, whatever, he doesn’t even know, I think Germanic or English or something like that. Not a real emotional person. I was really moved. I have not been able to listen to that whole thing without crying myself.
O’Donnell: How disappointed are you about the departure from KNBR. I know part of the reason you are upset is because they didn’t give you an opportunity to say goodbye, Ralph, but that’s not without precedent. Cumulus did the same with several quality talk show hosts at KGO, but Cumulus is not alone in setting that precedent. That’s a directive of many companies in our business, and it’s unfortunate, but why do you think you should have been the exception?
Barbieri: Well, first of all, I’m more upset with getting fired because I’m 66 and I have Parkinson’s. That’s the most important thing. But I’m also very upset at the way that it happened. Because as I said, it was about … I was in the office with Bill Bungeroth, who in my opinion, is a bully who has come here in the true Cumulus sense to … (he) talks like a military guy, ‘We’re going to get a beachhead up here, and then we’re not let ‘em get any of our turf!’ And Lee Hammer, who I’m very disappointed, because Lee in my opinion has turned into a weasel where he will shake your hand, and in my opinion, stab you in the back with the other one. So these two guys, I know, have not wanted me there for a while. They obviously had been planning this for some time, because they had a nice stack of papers there, all ready. As I said, I was in the office about seven minutes, so I divided it up to four years a minute. I know that you’re right, this has been done. But for 28 years you’d just think human nature would kick in or some kind of common sense would kick in. I mean it’s ‘give her your card key when you’re gone, you’re terminated, this is it, this is the last day that you’ll be at KNBR. Look at these items, get back to us when you can get back to us,’ and that’s it. I didn’t want a parade or anything, but the HR person escorted me. Not having been fired for about 30 years or so, it was just a real bad feeling. I’m seeing Tom on the air as I walk by and I can’t even say goodbye to him.
O’Donnell: From the station’s perspective, in defense of the station, it wouldn’t be wise to allow a former employee to go on the air to air grievances against the station that employs him…
Barbieri: Of course, of course…
O’Donnell: So this is a common practice, it’s not exclusive to Cumulus.
Barbieri: They could’ve let me tape something.
O’Donnell: That’s a good point. Let me show you the quote Cumulus released. We reached out to KNBR for this broadcast and they did not respond.
(Screen shows the following statement)
“The simple fact is that Ralph refused to honor some of the most basic terms of his contract. As a result, KNBR exercised its right to terminate the contract. Ralph does not disclose that KNBR offered him a contract to continue his pay and benefits for the next six months. His response to that offer was to make disparaging statements about KNBR in the press.”
Bill Bungeroth, Cumulus
O’Donnell: First of all, that you did not honor the most basic terms of your contract. What do they mean?
Barbieri: I don’t know what they’re talking about.
O’Donnell: Did you arrive late to work?
Barbieri: They said that I was fired for being late. That was it.
O’Donnell: Okay. And the disparaging remarks, that’s probably well on the record at this point.
Barbieri: Just to mention … I don’t want to get into details of things too specifically because we’re going to be having a long haul with this. We’re definitely going to file a lawsuit. But the late thing was, at February 1st, just two months and change ago, I got a $10,000 bonus for being a good little soldier and amongst other things, being on time and doing other things, so something happened since February 1st that got them to go from giving me a bonus to firing me.
O’Donnell: I don’t want to spend too much time in the details of it, because I know there could be a pending lawsuit. Your attorney is in studio tonight.
Barbieri: Can I say just one other thing about the comment that you had up there? When he said I was offered six months contract, the contract – and anybody can read it if they want to – it’s not a contract, per se, it’s called a “letter agreement” and basically it’s a contract not to be employed, not to work there, but just to keep my mouth shut and not say anything bad about ‘em. I don’t know what they’re afraid of if they’re not doing anything bad, but anyway, it’s a one-month. (For) one month it’s solid, and immediately after one month the company can rescind the contract unilaterally. Does that sound like a six-month deal to you?
O’Donnell: And you were coming off years where you were signing four years at a time, right? Essentially, that’s what your deal was.
Barbieri: Right. Or three, or two.
O’Donnell: Let me get into the basis of you being 28 years. I know you have a message for the audience that you felt bad that you weren’t able to give on KNBR radio.
Barbieri: I don’t want to get real maudlin or anything, but I just owe the audience so much. And the funny part about it, Dennis, is that not all of them loved me, you know. It was about half of them loved me and half of them hated me, but ironically when people have heard about this kind of treatment I’ve been accorded, I’ve gotten more fans than I think that I had before. One other little sidelight, during the … I could talk about the Giants parade for years. We were lucky enough to be in the parade. And here’s these, some people estimated a million people, and everywhere you go, down the intersection you can see them 20 rows back. And there was one guy, one little guy, sitting on the curb, by himself, with a little homemade sign that said, “Ralph sucks”. Can you imagine that? In the middle of the Giants parade. Yes! Alright.
O’Donnell: That’s a sign of respect.
Barbieri: But I mean seriously, I just want to thank everybody so much for listening for all these years and for all the cards and letters. I didn’t get any voicemail anymore, because they cut off my voicemail by the time I had got into the garage. Lost about 20 messages there. But it’s been so wonderful, people have found a way to get through to me one way or another. Hopefully I’ll be able to meet with some of the folks personally at some point in time, but I can’t thank people enough. I’m the only guy at KNBR or almost at any other talk station that, I didn’t want to do anything but what I was doing. I didn’t want to be on national TV, I didn’t want to be syndicated, I didn’t want to … I just wanted to be a talk show host, fortunately in my hometown of San Francisco.
***Here’s where it gets interesting.***
O’Donnell: We’re out of time. Would you want to work at 95.7?
Barbieri: I don’t want to work … until I get back from Europe. I’m going to Europe with Tate for the whole month of July.
O’Donnell: You’re dodging the question. Do you want to work at 95.7?
Barbieri: I’ve never even talked with anyone at 95.7
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Regular Season Success Means Little In October
By bullpenbrian - October 13, 2012 - 4:15 pm Leave a comment.
Four teams won 90-plus games after finishing the 2011 season below .500: Nationals (98), Reds (97), Athletics (94) & Orioles (93)–a first in major league history. But, not a one remains in this year’s postseason.
The Orioles, despite a convincing 5-1 win against Texas in the AL play-in game, fell victim to Yankee Stadium’s postseason magic. Or in other words, they blew it.
Baltimore not only let Raul Ibanez beat them once, but twice in Game 3…and then floundered with the bases loaded in the top of the eighth with the tying and winning runs aboard against CC Sabathia in a decisive Game 5.
The Yankees left the door wide open for the O’s to take the series. Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson, Nick Swisher and A-Rod went a combined 9-for-75 (.120) with 26 strikeouts. Baltimore, however, went 8-for-37 with RISP, the worst mark in the AL in the Division Series.
The A’s, conversely, just couldn’t get on base against the Tigers, whose 88 regular season wins were the fewest among AL playoff teams. Granted, the A’s did face Justin Verlander twice, but the Athletics had the fewest hits (30) and most strikeouts (50) of any team in either league in the Division Series.
Cincinnati inexplicitly lost its Division Series after winning the first 2-games on the road at San Francisco, allowing the Giants to become the first-ever National League team to recover from an 0-2 deficit after losing the first 2-games. Not to mention, the Reds had 3 straight home games to close the series in this year’s 2-3 format, but failed to do so.
The Giants hit .185 with RISP for the series, the worst mark of any postseason team in 2012. The Reds, meanwhile, had the highest NL average with RISP (.220), but didn’t drive in runs when it mattered most, including having the tying runs aboard in the final four innings in Game 5.
Ah, then the Nationals, who now famously will be remembered for not only shutting down its best power-arm before the postseason, but also allowing St. Louis to overcome the largest-ever deficit in a winner-take-all game…rallying from 6-runs down in Game 5–four of which were plated in the top of the ninth.
So what does it all mean? Basically, the regular season means little, if anything, when it comes to postseason baseball. Some teams, like St. Louis and New York live for moment, and some teams, like the four above, crumble under the pressure. How else do you explain the slumping Bombers and cockroach Cardinals advancing?
The Reds, with arguably the most formidable bullpen in the majors, were suppose to be battle tested after being swept out of the Division Series in 2010 against the Phillies. The Orioles were figured to be battled tested having survived the tough AL East. Oakland was riding the huge momentum from its thrilling season ending sweep vs. Texas to win the AL West…and the Nationals entered the tournament with the most wins in all of baseball (98). And not one of them has anything to show for it—eliminated, finished, collapsed.
It’s the teams that advanced who understand the postseason is not the same as the grind of a 162-game regular season schedule, but rather the awareness, ability and determination to not let a summer’s worth of hard work be undone.
Hey, 90-plus wins coming off a losing season, that’s nothing to sneeze at…we’re all happy for ya. But to actually make those wins mean something…you’ve got to make them count in October.
Nats Season Should Be In Strasburg’s Hands
By bullpenbrian - October 12, 2012 - 2:45 am 2 comments.
I’ve never been in favor of shutting Stephen Strasburg down.
When you have the best team in the league (at least record wise) and one of the game’s best power-pitchers…you have a real shot at winning the World Series.
That opportunity doesn’t come around often, and when it does, I want my team to be all-in–not playing it safe as Washington is chosing to do.
If you think the Nats haven’t missed Strasburg this series, you’re kidding yourself. St. Louis embarrassed Washington in Games 2 & 3 outscoring them 20-4 while going 27-for-72 at the plate, including 8 doubles, 5 homers and a triple. Nats starters Jordan Zimmermann and Edwin Jackson were roughed up for a combined 9 earned runs on 15 hits.
Game 4 was a different story, if for one day, with the Cards managing just 1-run on 3-hits. But it was nearly good enough to knock off the Nats, who won by the slimmest of margins–2-1 on Jason Werth’s walkoff HR.
Strasburg, of course, may not have changed the series with a Game 1 start, but he easily could’ve given a second opportunity the likes of Matt Cain’s stellar outing vs. Cincinnati in Game 5, which was the difference maker in the Giants advancing to the NLCS…or Justin Verlander’s terrific outing vs. Oakland in Game 5, sending the Tigers to the ALCS.
Now, I’m not naive to the other side of the Strasburg discussion, or even suggesting it doesn’t make sense long-term. But if we’ve learned anything this October it’s that there are no guarantees in the postseason. So while the Nationals starved off elimination for a day, there’s still no question they would be better positioned to win Game 5 with Strasburg on the bump facing the team who finished second in the NL in runs scored this season, and eager to bounce back after a lackluster performance yesterday.
Gio Gonzalez, who will start Game 5, is no pushover, but in fact, a formidable starter who won 21-games this season–but one who also walked 7 batters in 5 rather unimpressive innings in Game 1 of this series.
The bottom line is this: if the Nationals not only fail to advance later this evening, but also fail to win the World Series, they’ll forever have to live with the decision to shut down their best pitcher before the postseason.
Maybe sitting Strasburg pays off in the long run…maybe not. But that’s not a decision I’d be as comfortable with as Nats’ GM Mike Rizzo appears to be. And I say this simply because who’s to say you’ll ever be in this strong of a position to win the World Series again?
Great achievement is reached by taking great risks…and shutting down Strasburg could quickly become the Nationals’ greatest mistake.
MLB Playoffs Best In Years
By bullpenbrian - October 12, 2012 - 2:15 am Leave a comment.
The baseball playoffs couldn’t be any better. Dramatic finishes, unlikely heroes and for the first time in Division Series play each series has gone 5-games.
Thank goodness the Nationals and Orioles won on Thursday. It can only get better if both teams win again today eliminating the Cardinals and Yankees.
Meanwhile, what a terrific and improbable comeback for the Giants. They win three-straight to become the first team in the National League to advance in the Division Series after trailing 0-2…and they sweep the Reds at Great American Ballpark to do it, no less.
Moneyball officially filed for bankruptcy, losing a decisive Game 5 to Detroit. It does little to diminish what became a surprising and thrilling season for the Athletics, who were hardly picked to have a winning season, let alone win the AL West.
Unfortunately, I was pulling for the A’s to make a deep run and even had them pegged to face the Reds in the World Series–a prediction that seemed very likely just days ago.
If all holds steady, however, we’re in for another wild round of nail-biting games this evening. I can hardly wait!
Cubs Hand Cards NL Wild Card
The Cubs’ inability to win its weekend series against St. Louis effectively ended the National League wild card chase, which I found more frustrating than the club’s pursuit of avoiding a 100-loss season. Chicago still needs four more victories, by the way, to reach 63-wins.
So go ahead and pencil the Cardinals in as the second wild card team (Atlanta) now that both the Dodgers and Brewers find themselves 3.5 games back of St. Louis.
The Cards, meanwhile, began its season-ending stretch with another win against the pathetic Astros Monday night…and they’re certain to win at least one more game at Houston to wrap up the three-game series.
Although the NL East champion Nationals visit the Cardinals next, Davey Johnson says he’ll rest his starters before the postseason. And it’s likely the same will be said for Dusty Baker’s NL Central champion Reds, who follow Washington to St. Louis to finish out the 162-game schedule.
Even if St. Louis only manages to go .500 the rest of the way (4-4) they’ll finish with 87-wins, meaning Los Angeles and Milwaukee will need to win eight of its remaining nine-games just to tie the Cardinals…hard to believe that happens. Sigh…
So which teams roll-over against St. Louis this October? Nats, Reds, Giants, Braves…Rangers? I’d count on the Brewers and Phillies, but neither apparently wanted to wait as long as last year to disappoint.
Defining Moment Awaits Dale Sveum
By bullpenbrian - September 7, 2012 - 3:45 am 4 comments.
Recovering from this bloody beating against Washington is Dale Sveum’s biggest challenge to date with the Cubs. Not his win/loss record, not the 12-game losing streak, nor anything else this season compares to the immediate difficulty ahead. Sveum’s club wasn’t just crushed on the scoreboard, they were crushed emotionally, which presents a threatening danger for the manager and his troops.
The carry-over effect could turn daunting for a team practically sprinting towards a franchise-worst record. “Probably one of the biggest butt-whippings I’ve gotten in my career, as a coach or player.” “I don’t remember getting manhandled that bad in any kind of series I’ve ever been a part of.” –Dale Sveum
Being bludgeoned so decisively further weakens the shaky confidence of his younger players, diminishes his team’s moral and puts the club at risk of falling into a season-ending tailspin—essentially reaching depths more damaging than 103-losses. In a season already long lost, that’s not something Sveum or the organization can afford to let happen. CUBS SHOWING LACK OF DESIRE I don’t know for certain if the Cubs mailed-it-in at the nation’s capitol, but it sure came across that way on television. Chicago appeared mostly unresponsive, disinterested and content while getting their collective heads kicked-in by the Nats. For all intents and purposes, Chicago rolled-over in awe of the team with the major’s best record (85-52). It’s not about why the Cubs got swept, it’s how they got swept that’s troubling. The outcome doesn’t necessarily come as a shock given how young, inexperienced and out of contention the Cubs are this year. But it’s also not the kind of unacceptable effort Sveum can allow to fester.
Letting bad energy and raw emotions, the likes of which we saw from bench coach Jamie Quirk Thursday night, run a muck is kryptonite for a clubhouse. And once a skipper losses his clubhouse, there’s no getting it back (Bobby Valentine), not even Sveum, who’s being judged aside from mere wins and losses, can overcome such disruption.
Now, I’m not suggesting Sveum’s lost anything yet, but the risk is most definitely there after a humiliating series like this one. IS SVEUM THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB? Have I lost faith in Dale Sveum? Not at all. He’s pulled through numerous trials and tribulations this season …everything from clubhouse leader Kerry Wood’s early-season retirement, to lengthy losing streaks, to Bryan LaHair’s demise from All Star to bench-warmer, to watching the few good players he did have depart via trade at the end of July.
In fact, Sveum’s leadership has hardly come under question at all this season. He’s overcome every setback, taken every punch, and all the while continues to steady a sinking ship we believe is on course for brighter days ahead–for the Cubs and its manager.
That’s why I’d hate to see Sveum lose our faith and that of his players so close to season’s end. And I’d hate to think of the repercussions this offseason if he does lose the support on both sides.
Sveum’s done too good a job to lose it all now, but that’s what could be on the line as the Cubs continues its road trip through Pittsburgh and Houston…and over the final month of the regular season for that matter.
It’s going to take a lot more than one god-awful series to warrant Sveum’s dismissal. But failing to extinguish the dumpster-fire in DC only allows the chance for it to grow into a burning inferno.
So while there’s not much for Cubs fans to care about the rest of the way, Sveum’s response, and more importantly, his players’ response, from such an embarrassing series is well worth paying attention to.
If Sveum has anything left to prove in 2012, it’s that he can put out this fire–and pronto.
Cubs’ Quirk, Nats’ Porter Ignite Bench Clearings
Did anyone else feel Nationals’ third base coach Bo Porter should’ve been ejected from last night’s game?
I understand Porter felt the need to defend his turf from Cubs’ bench coach Jamie Quirk, who was chirping up a storm from the visitor’s dugout. But then for Porter to meander all the way over to the dugout steps, be restrained by Sveum, and still continuing taunting Quirk was equally unnecessary.
Porter’s tirade was aggressive, it was uncalled for and it was unsportsmanlike. His actions, in large part, led to both benches clearing not once, but twice. Washington, mind you, outscored the Cubs 31-9 this series. The Nats humiliated Chicago; beating them badly in every facet of the game. What did Porter need to say that the scoreboard didn’t show already? And what more did Porter need to do to be tossed?
By letting his emotions boil over Quirk crossed the line. The umpires ran him for it and I’ve got no problem with that decision. But Porter’s reaction to Quirk’s apparent frustrations crossed-the-line too, and there’s no reason he shouldn’t have hit the showers as early as Quirk did.
“The fracas was started because all that stuff that happened that was instigated by Quirk screaming out at Porter,” umpiring crew chief Jerry Layne said. “And the obscenities that he screamed out, I just felt was inappropriate and that’s what caused everything.”
Obviously, whether or not Porter gets tossed is trivial. But getting killed on the scoreboard is ever more frustrating when it feels the officiating isn’t calling a fair fight, at least in the moment. Whatever. The entire series was bad all-around baseball for the Cubs. Thank goodness the butt-kicking wrapped up when it did. One more night watching the Cubs in the nation’s capitol and my head could explode. Now it’s on to Pittsburgh. Thank gawd it’s Friday.
Weighing In On Stephen Strasburg
The Nationals have the best record in the major leagues (84-52) and a Magic Number of (19). They ‘re 7.5 games up on Atlanta with four weeks remaining in the regular season–the division crown is all but a formality.
More importantly, Washington is fit to win the NL pennant, unless of course, they were to shut down their best pitcher for the rest of the season.
I understand Steven Strasburg is a huge investment. I understand the Nationals want to protect that investment. But if the decision is left up to me, he pitches the remainder of the season, including the playoffs.
That doesn’t mean I throw caution to the wind with Strasburg. Instead, I’d limit his workload; less innings and fewer games started down the stretch (as suggested by Tom Glavine).
There’s no question postseason pitching is a different animal than the regular season. Every pitch matters, and nearly every pitch is thrown with maxed-out effort. Is that a risk worth taking with Strasburg? I think it is, and here’s why.
A chance to win the World Series should be cherished. So much has to go right to reach such heights and so much cannot be controlled. There’s no guarantee the Nationals find themselves in the same position next year, or even in the coming seasons–with or without Strasburg.
Power-pitching is gold in October. It’s the difference-maker. It’s exactly what Strasburg should be for the Nationals. Shutting him down greatly limits that often fleeting opportunity to win now on a team poised to reach the Fall Classic. “I’m not sure any of us understand, but it’s the right thing to do,” said Nats manager Davey Johnson.
I don’t think it’s the right move, and judging by Davey’s comment, he doesn’t think so, either.
Johnson himself is a fantastic manager. In fact, I’d consider him a saving grace if Washington sticks to its guns about shelving Strasburg. But good managing is hardly a replacement for a power-pitching ace like Strasburg in any postseason series. Not to mention, if the Nationals don’t win the NL Pennant the thoughts of ‘what might have been’ could haunt this club for a long, long time. And that’s the last thing I want on my mind if I’m a member of the Nats organization.
When the time’s right to win, you go for it. You don’t play for next year and you don’t play scared. That’s how championships are won.
Opening Day Still Fun Despite Loss
By bullpenbrian - April 6, 2012 - 12:30 am 3 comments.
I had the wonderful privilege of joining staff sergeant Josh Helms as his honorary guest for Opening Day.
He’s a proud father of two, loving husband and member of our armed forces, including having served three tours of duty in the Middle East. Of course, I’d be remised not to point out Josh’s faithful commitment to Cubdom, of which we discussed at length while eating hot dogs, drinking Old Style and shivering our way through the Cubs lid-lifter–despite the outcome, as Pat Foley would say.
The tickets, behind home plate in section 120, came courtesy of Cubs left-hander Paul Maholm, who raffled them off through Twitter last Thursday.
Maholm was also kind enough to speak with Josh & I beforehand this afternoon near the Cubs dugout. A class move from the southpaw, indeed.
As Bill Murray whipped the fans into a frenzy with his ceremonial first pitch sprint around the bases, I knew we were in for an unforgettable day at Wrigley.
Cubs Wish | Opening Day
By bullpenbrian - April 5, 2012 - 1:30 am Leave a comment.
Dag Wang-It Cubs!
By bullpenbrian - August 10, 2011 - 1:01 am Leave a comment.
In the words of Harry Doyle: That’s all we got, one goddamn hit? Yep. That’s all the Cubs could mustard through six innings against Chien-Ming Wang Tuesday night.
And if it wasn’t for Campana’s pinch-hit infield single, who knows how long Wang would have no-hit the Cubs?
Despite the fact Wang has struggled, as expected, in his two year return from shoulder surgery, let us not forget this guy was a two-time 19-game winner for the Yankees.
And the 31-year-old had his old form working during his first ever start at Wrigley Field.
In fact, Wang appeared just as strong as his only start against the Cubs coming six years earlier–8.0 innings of five hit, 1-R baseball in an 8-1 win for New York.
True to form, Wang was aggressive Tuesday night throwing strikes and his patented sinker…a pitch that’s produced a 2.72 ground ball-to-fly ball ratio for Wang–2nd highest in the bigs among active pitchers.
The Cubs obliged by pounding 11 ground balls into the dirt vs. four fly balls. Six innings, 81 pitches–Game. Over.
I have no problem tipping my cap to Wang. But let’s hope the Cubs lineup isn’t as accommodating Wednesday night to Ross Detwiler (1-1) 2.66 ERA, who’s still in search of his first career road win in nine starts.
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December 4/12 8:55 am - UCI Begins Stakeholder ConsultationPosted by Editoress on 12/4/12 The UCI has launched the second part of their promised efforts today to rebuild cycling. The first promise was the Independent Commission to investigation allegations contained in the USADA report on Lance Armstrong that the UCI had ignored or even potentially participated in a sophisticated program to cover up doping. The second is a consultation of cycling stakeholders, including riders, teams, sports bodies, sponsors and the industry. Conspicuously absent from the list are both fans and the media.The consultation has begun with letters to the stakeholders asking for their input on a number of topics, such as globalization of the sport, anti-doping, the racing calendar and "riders". The deadline for input is very short - comments must be sent by next Monday (December 10th).The full text of the UCI announcement:The International Cycling Union (UCI) today launched the first phase of its wide-ranging consultation exercise, inviting all of cycling’s stakeholders for their input in order to build a bright future for cycling and tackle issues of concern in the sport.Letters have been sent to riders, teams, race organisers, national federations, administrators, sponsors, industry representatives, anti-doping organisations and sports bodies, asking for their comments on a proposed list of topics that have been divided into four main pillars of discussion: globalisation, anti-doping, riders and sports calendar.Stakeholders have until 10th December to send their comments and suggestions about the list of topics back to the UCI, which will then finalise and announce the format of the Stakeholder Consultation.UCI President Pat McQuaid said he looked forward to the collaboration between all of cycling’s stakeholders in the common interest of the sport: “We will work together to tackle issues of concern and build a bright future for cycling. We will look at how we can continue the process of globalising cycling, encourage wider participation and make the sport even more interesting for spectators.”The consultation, which will take place in the first quarter of 2013, is completely separate from the external Independent Commission, which is charged with looking into the issues and allegations contained in the USADA decision relating to the Armstrong affair. Return to Cycling 4 Women homepage|Return to Canadian Cyclist homepage | Back to Top
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India Venster Trail
Revision as of 07:15, 7 February 2012 by Toprope (Talk | contribs)
The India Venster trail is the most direct route to the three main rock climbing “crags” on Table Mountain. It also seems to be on the "must do list" of many ordinary people who are physically ill prepared and poorly equipped for such an undertaking and who willingly or unwillingly fail to appreciate its inherent dangers.
The first two climbing crags can be seen from the lower Cable-way station and are the two obvious buttresses that are visible up and to the left. The main climbing area that is home to the quality routes is situated on the final 100m or so of rock cliffs that support the upper cable way station on the north-east side (“Africa Ledge”) overlooking the city and also the west side (“Fountain Ledge”) that graces one with the most spectacular views of the Atlantic seaboard and sunsets that get sucked into the ocean. The trail gets is name from the shape of the ravine that is situated between the two large rock buttresses already mentioned - it is shaped like the Indian subcontinent. The “Venster” (window in the Afrikaans language) is attributed to a view point framed by rocks on the trail although it is no mean feat to actually identify it. Local die-hards will usually fight off old age by trudging up the India Venster route to get to the primary climbing ledge fondly known to locals as “The Ledge. This is the quickest and most efficient way of getting there but is by no means trivial for the un-initiated and inexperienced. Many seemingly competent and experienced individuals have been victims of gravity and have met with an unfortunate outcome (including paralysis and death). So it is wise to familiarize oneself with the route and preferably find a companion au fait with it.
Map of 1st ½ of trail
India Venster trail 1st ½. Time: about 30min. The satellite photo from Google-earth gives an accurate idea of the route. This part is not difficult or dangerous and one should not get lost.
The hike starts about 50m to the right of the Cable-way ticket office where the bus parking ends and takes some formal steps to get going. The steps are often concealed by the buses parked there. The trail is well built here and finds its way to a very well constructed stepped secti
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Tennis Staff
Marc Walters
marc.walters@mail.wvu.edu
Mountaineer head coach Marc Walters begins his first season at WVU after 12 successful years at the DII level guiding nationally ranked men's and women's programs at Barton College (NC) and the University of Nebraska at Kearney. With 394 career wins entering 2007, Walters has had experience with every level of NCAA competition and player as he returns to his hometown to assume this position. He remains the winningest coach in UNK history with 156, while he is now second on the Barton all-time list behind the legendary Tom Parham.
In addition to taking both of those programs to national DII rankings and trips to the NCAA tournament, he has coached more than 50 players to state High School championships in Nebraska and North Carolina, where no fewer than 8 of his developmental juniors have gone on to play Division I tennis. He has also served on both ITA and NCAA rankings committees, The ITA National Awards Committee, and won the 1997 Community Service ITA/USTA award for growing tennis at the grass roots level in Nebraska.
He is also currently involved in player development through the USTA with the Ridgeview Racquet Club in Morgantown, WV.
Walters is married to wife Jessica for 8 years, and they have two sons (Jameson, age 4, and Jett, age 2). They reside in Morgantown. 4
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» BACK TO CRASH.NET Crash.Net F1 News Ecclestone 'over the moon' at Schumacher F1 return 18 December 2009 Bernie Ecclestone has confessed that he is 'absolutely over the moon' that record-breaking multiple world champion Michael Schumacher 'looks' to be making a sensational grand prix comeback with Mercedes in F1 2010.The speculation that the two German legends are to join forces next year – for the first time in almost two decades – has been intensifying in recent weeks, with neither side choosing to refute the rumours and Mercedes Grand Prix CEO Nick Fry all-but confirming that negotiations are at an advanced stage, admitting that the 91-time grand prix-winner 'would be very good for our team...the view from inside F1, not just my team, is they all hope it will happen' [see separate story – click here]. Even more tellingly, the Englishman added that in the absence of a deal, 'there are alternatives that we would be happy to go with' – suggesting that Schumacher is clearly the number one target for the three-pointed star.Aware that the return of the most successful driver in official F1 history would be a massive injection of positive publicity for a sport that has endured more than its fair share of scandals and blows in recent years, commercial rights supremo Ecclestone is understandably effusive about the prospect of a celebrated Schumacher comeback after three years away from the grid.Asked by The Times if he thought Robert Kubica might take advantage of Renault's majority sale to Luxembourg-based investment fund Genii Capital [see separate story – click here] to jump ship to the Stuttgart manufacturer, the British billionaire was blunt – revealing both that he would be 'surprised' were Schumacher not to join Mercedes in F1 2010 and that he is 'absolutely over the moon' at such a thought.“Well, they've got Michael, haven't they,” the 79-year-old opined. “They won't want Michael and Kubica. I'd be surprised if he (Schumacher) is not driving for them, but I don't know if that's fact. It looks like it's going to happen.” » BACK TO CRASH.NET
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D Magazine ⋅ January 2013
Trinity Groves: The New Dallas Starts Here
Fashion: Rock On
The New Face of the Pro-Life Movement
The Top Home Decor Shops in Dallas
Union Park Offers Hope For Downtown
Author Ben Fountain Admits He's a Loser
Britton Banowsky bought the TicketCity Bowl after it defaulted on payments. photography by Stanton Stephens Why Dallas Needs a Sports Commission
For a supposed sports town, the city isn’t smart about the way it plays the game.
By David Hopkins
From D Magazine January 2013
Britton Banowsky bought the TicketCity Bowl after it defaulted on payments. photography by Stanton Stephens When the Cotton Bowl leaves the Cotton Bowl and the Dallas Cowboys don’t play in Dallas, it might be time to consider a sports commission for the city. A sports commission helps bring games to a city, and with those games comes money. For example, the Atlanta Sports Council has brought 32 collegiate sports championships to that city since 2000. From 1999 to 2009, the organization made an economic impact of $1.87 billion and generated $73.6 million in direct revenue through local and state sales taxes. Dallas is the largest city in the country without such an organization—at least not recently and not yet, but maybe soon. Something called the Heart of Dallas appears poised to fill the void. It began in 2010 when the Cotton Bowl Classic left Dallas for Jerry Jones’ stadium. To fill the seats, the Dallas Football Classic was created. That became the TicketCity Bowl, organized by president Tom Starr. The first year, Texas Tech played Northwestern. The next, the University of Houston took on Penn State. But the TicketCity Bowl floundered due to a lack of corporate sponsorship and lackluster ticket sales. At this point in the story, things get very football-y and more complicated than the BCS algorithm. Just know that Starr wound up owing money to Conference USA, which is based in Dallas and run by a commissioner named Britton Banowsky. He acquired the TicketCity Bowl and turned it into the Heart of Dallas Bowl—a football game with a twist. Banowsky has the face of a news anchor and the smile of a small-town pastor. He speaks with a pleasant and steady voice. He’s the kind of person you want to like you. In short, he is the perfect guy to run a bowl game that functions as a nonprofit and gives money to local charities. The first Heart of Dallas Bowl will be played on January 1, with the Big 12’s eighth-place team facing off against the Big Ten’s No. 6 finisher. It’s not the first nonprofit-sponsored bowl event. There’s the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, and there are events such as the Rose Bowl Parade, which has a beneficiary. But this is the first bowl game to be sponsored with the sole intent of giving back to the host city. In a landscape littered with games like the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl and Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, it’s a counterintuitive move.When Banowsky got the idea, he took it to Mayor Mike Rawlings: “Why don’t we take the bowl and find a way to use it for the benefit of homelessness challenges in Dallas?” Rawlings set up a meeting with Banowsky, the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau, and representatives from Fair Park. They all agreed to move forward with the idea for the game, but the rest was up to Banowsky. “If you can figure out how to do it,” Rawlings told him, “you have our full support.”Next Banowsky took his idea to The Richards Group, where he hooked up with Kern Egan, head of the agency’s sports and entertainment marketing practice. Egan wanted to expand the impact. “A bowl game is just one day,” he told Banowsky. “What we should be thinking about is creating a year-round platform of sports and entertainment events.”To that end, the Heart of Dallas planned a fall concert series and another college football event, the Heart of Dallas Classic, which will take place every year at the State Fair. They also helped move the Dr Pepper Dallas Cup, a huge international youth soccer tournament, to the Cotton Bowl this year. All of this has the look of a sports commission—almost. “Our mission is to give back to charities using sports and entertainment,” Egan says. “To the extent that that infrastructure gets built—social media following, volunteers, resources to put on events, marketing materials—we’re going to absolutely use that to bring more events to Dallas. But we’re focused on our one mission right now.”Mayor Rawlings also doesn’t see the nonprofit as a sports commission. “That’s not really the point of Heart of Dallas,” he says. He maintains that the responsibility of bringing sporting events to the city belongs to the Dallas Convention & Visitor’s Bureau. “We are fully supportive of anything that can attract more sports events to Dallas,” says Monica Paul, a Heart of Dallas board member and vice president of DCVB sports marketing. “The DCVB Sports Department has been very successful and active over the past decade, attributing over $200 million in economic impact just this year to the city through sports. We look forward to seeing what the Heart of Dallas can do to augment what the bureau has been doing for the past decade rather than duplicating efforts.”As far as duplicating efforts, the sports planner section of the DCVB website routinely mentions events and facilities that belong to Arlington, not Dallas: Cowboys Stadium, the World Series, the 2014 NCAA Men’s Final Four, and the Cotton Bowl Classic. Dallas benefits from these events, but it can’t claim them. The big 2012 events inside Dallas city limits were the Red River Rivalry, the national cheerleading championship, an Ethiopian soccer tournament, a national qualifier for volleyball, and the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon. Among these, the Red River Rivalry and Dallas Marathon are long-standing Dallas traditions and not the result of active recruiting, which is what sports commissions do. The funny thing is, Dallas had a sports commission at one time. It was called the Dallas International Sports Commission. In the late ’80s, Mayor Annette Strauss asked Richard Marcus, CEO of Neiman Marcus, to put together a group to bring more sporting events to Dallas. Marcus recruited Terry Murphy, one-time publisher of D Magazine and founder of Hoop It Up, and Michael Jordan, CEO of Frito-Lay and later Westinghouse Electric Corporation. They hired Anne Duncan, the commission’s only president, who had worked with the Atlanta Sports Group. Murphy signed up Tom Landry as the head of Dallas’ sports commission, which did wonders for fundraising. “You haven’t lived until you’ve asked American Airlines for money when you have Tom Landry with you,” Murphy says. The commission members visited conventions around the country to pitch Dallas as a destination for national and international competitions. It played a role in bringing the Stars to Dallas in 1993 and six World Cup games to the Cotton Bowl in 1994. The group also brought national gymnastics, softball, and soccer tournaments to the city. Despite its successes, though, the commission lost steam and dissolved in 1996.There has been talk of forming a replacement in the years since, but it has never amounted to much. In 2011, after the Super Bowl, the North Texas Super Bowl Host Committee had the chance to use its remaining seed money and staff to create a new sports commission, but the committee went dormant, and the money went elsewhere. It was a missed opportunity. Dallas can’t afford to miss many more. The city no longer competes just with larger cities on the coasts. Arlington and Fort Worth want some of those sports dollars, too. If we are to believe the legend, with one condescending pat on the knee, Laura Miller lost the Cowboys and the Cotton Bowl Classic when Jerry Jones decided to build his stadium in Arlington rather than Dallas. The city could use an organization to step in where politicians fear to tread. The Heart of Dallas might be that organization. “It will be all Dallas focused,” Banowsky says. “Is this Richardson? Is this Plano? And you know, it could be, but for us to do this right, there’s plenty of work to do right here in Dallas."
You Need to Know: Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby
Charlotte Jones Anderson, Super Bowl Star
Oak Cliff's Pedal Pushers
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Ten Years Later: Death of “Jesse” James Hughes Remains a Mystery
Part 1 of 2 by Sean Newman (May 10, 2005) “Jesse” James Hughes
Introduction: As the 10 year anniversary of a terrible tragedy in the world of boxing approaches, Doghouse Boxing finds it appropriate to revisit the story of former welterweight contender "Jesse” James Hughes, who was the victim of an apparent murder that to this day remains unsolved. This feature is a follow-up to a three-parter written by the same author a few months ago.
(**Those 3 Parts can be found combined here in one Part.)
Jerry Hughes and his wife, Winifred, wake up daily in their Mississippi home and find themselves staring into a photograph, one that contains a familiar face. Far from a simple routine, this heartrending experience is one beset with questions, questions that, for ten years, have gone completely unanswered. That is our son, they must surely think to themselves as the face smiles back at them. James was his name. "Jesse” James, if you are a boxing fan. He had the boxing world, if not the world itself, at his feet, and an entire town cheering him on. Happy memories soon become replaced by those haunting and unrequited queries: Where did it all go wrong? Who is responsible for taking our boy from us? Why would anyone do such a thing? More importantly, why have we been forced to wait ten years, with no end in sight, for these questions to be answered? Nine months ago, a considerable amount of time was spent speaking with the family of the late “Jesse” James Hughes, a former welterweight contender from Mobile, Alabama who was just beginning to come into his own as a boxer when tragedy suddenly befell him in July 1995. At that point months ago, the family expressed frustration at the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office for what it considered a failure on the part of the department to properly investigate the apparent homicide that took James’ life. Nearly ten years have passed since James disappeared and was subsequently found dead in a Mobile, Alabama swamp, and the case is as close to being solved now as it was the day it was opened. If you are unfamiliar with the name or the first part of this saga, here’s a refresher: Hughes was the quintessential blood and guts warrior, a Rocky-esque figure who always seemed to snag victory just after standing on the brink of defeat. Like a man in a movie tumbling down the side of a mountain, Hughes would always find that twig to grab onto, stopping his plummet and sparking untapped reserves. His come from behind victories over Anthony Stephens, Adrian Stone, and Nick Rupa won him not only the USBA welterweight title, but also popularity on the ESPN circuit and potential big fights on the horizon against Yori Boy Campas and Felix Trinidad. In his time, Hughes also fought former champions Buddy McGirt, Maurice Blocker and Vincent Pettway. This, however, is not about what James did inside the ring, but what happened to him outside of it. At the forefront of this story is Sheriff Jack Tillman, who, at the time of Hughes’ death, was a newly elected sheriff, having taken office just months before. The Hughes family claims that the sheriff and his department dropped the ball in the case, while Tillman says that there is nothing more that could have been done. As you will see, this conflict has resulted in a schism between Tillman and the family Tillman once referred to as his “friends.” Prior to becoming the Sheriff of Mobile County, Alabama, Jack Tillman’s claim to fame was as a welterweight contender in the 1970’s. According to Ring Magazine Editor-in-Chief Nigel Collins, Tillman was ranked as high as number four in the magazine’s welterweight rankings in June 1973. Tillman compiled a record of 44-8-1 (22 KO), and held wins over Percy Pugh, Manuel Gonzalez (who had a win over Emile Griffith), and Billy Backus. He was never quite consistent enough to garner a title fight, however, and he ended his career on consecutive knockout losses (the last one coming to future WBC welterweight champion John H. Stracey) just a year after the Ring ranked him at number four. After retiring from boxing, Tillman worked in a sporting goods business and ran unsuccessfully for the Mobile County Commission in 1976. Later, he became a “resource officer” with the school system (Tillman says “investigator,” the Hughes family says “truant officer,” but you get the idea) for seventeen years before being elected Sheriff of Mobile County. Almost immediately, he found himself in the middle of a high profile case involving the mysterious death of the man who had become the heart of Mobile boxing, “Jesse” James Hughes. Days went by before Hughes’ body was found, and the case went nowhere fast.
Jerry Hughes was utterly dismayed when he learned from Captain Driggers, the man in charge of the investigation into his son’s death, that Sheriff Tillman had personally taken the case out of the hands of more experienced investigators. Jerry maintains that Tillman was never qualified to lead a homicide investigation, and says furthermore that the only thing Tillman had ever done was “sneak around schools trying to catch kids passing around marijuana joints.” Tillman, very succinctly, says he never took the case away from Driggers. “That’s not true,” says Tillman. “I never took over the case. On different occasions, we had five different detectives on that case. Some cases just can’t be solved. We can’t even prove it was a homicide. There were no knife wounds, no cut marks, no holes in his body, there were no powder burns on his body.” Indeed, the autopsy revealed that Hughes had received a blunt trauma to the head, but not one that would have resulted in his death. The autopsy report also states that trace amounts of cocaine were found in Hughes’ liver, but again, not enough to have killed him or caused him serious harm. So how was it that he came about being found in the swamp, his lungs full of water? The Hughes family says that when James was found, there were holes in his shirt consistent with a small caliber bullet. To that, Tillman responds, “the hole in his shirt was a tear mark. There were no bullet holes in his body, no stab wounds, period. They were no powder marks on him. All the idiots had to do was read the forensics report to see that.”
At the same time that he was informed that Sheriff Tillman had taken the case from Captain Driggers, Jerry says Tillman himself informed him of a very important lead in the case, involving a female inmate who claimed to have knowledge of the whereabouts of the gun that was “used to kill ‘Jesse’ James Hughes.” The gun, the female inmate said, could be found in an outdoor toilet in a Mobile area known as “The Bottoms,” a place rampant with drugs and crime. When questioned about what became of this lead, Tillman’s memory fails him.
“I’m not familiar with that, what girl are you talking about?” he asks. Reminded of the story recounted by Jerry Hughes of the meeting in his office, Tillman replies, “I don’t know anything about that. We’ve had all kinds of leads. There’s no way I can remember every lead we’ve had. But it doesn’t matter about a gun in an outhouse, because he wasn’t shot! If you saw the graph we have, we’ve followed over 500 leads. We followed through on that and couldn’t find anything. Jerry Hughes doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Every lead we’ve ever had led to dead ends. I even got on an airplane and spent two days with America’s Most Wanted following up leads.”
“He’s a damned liar,” counters Jerry Hughes. “Sure he remembers that, because that happened over a two or three day period, and I went to his office to confront him. Sure he remembers it. He’s lying.” One has to wonder, if there were so many leads, why has nothing ever come of the case? In addition to all of these leads, there was also a five thousand dollar reward offered by the Hughes family for any information leading to the arrest of their son’s killer. Jerry Hughes even went, unbeknownst to the Sheriff, to the District Attorney’s investigator, who then accompanied Jerry to “The Bottoms” in an effort to coax some information from the locals. That effort was in vain, and Tillman was still in the dark on the issue when questioned. Pat Hughes, James’ youngest brother, has been very vocal along with his father and brothers Zack and Steve, about the way they claim the investigation was handled, particularly their allegation that James’ truck was pulled away from the railroad tracks where it was found without so much as a fingerprint dusted for. This, in addition to the fact that James’ hat and a hatchet could be found lying next to the truck. Pat speculates that perhaps the truck was quickly ushered away from the scene and everything “cleaned up” in an effort to keep the disappearance quiet. You see, Jack Tillman’s brother, also named Jerry, was James Hughes’ manager, and with James’ history of going into “The Bottoms” to beat up drug dealers and take their cash and drugs, Pat believes it is possible that Jerry Tillman sought to keep it out of the public eye, as James had a fight coming up the following weekend. Sheriff Tillman says the Hughes are dead wrong.
“That’s horseshit,” Tillman says. “We did a total forensics test on the whole truck, our ID Unit went through the whole truck. There was nothing in it. ZERO. His truck was towed and processed like we always do. We went through it backwards and forward and there was nothing in it. You don’t think I want to solve the case? You don’t think my brother spent hours training that man and getting him where he was? My brother loved that boy, and did everything in the world for him. The boy was one heck of a fighter, don’t ever think he wasn’t. He could fight, he just couldn’t stay out of trouble. He got in trouble for robbing people by posing as a narcotics agent and taking all their money. He was about to fight for a world title and make himself a half million dollars, but he’d rather smoke crack. Why would my brother want to ‘clean up the mess’?”
Jerry Hughes bristles at any implication that he could have done a better job as a father, as Tillman has publicly made comments to that effect in the past. Jerry explains that as a working father with a son going off to do his own thing, he could not possibly have held James’ hand everywhere he went. We’ve all known our share of families where there were children who turned out completely different from others in the family. As understandable as that is, it must be remembered that Tillman was a freshman Sheriff hurled into the center of a controversy. Things might have been said in the stressful and tragic situation that were not meant. Tillman, however, didn’t see it exactly that way. “There was no controversy,” he says. “The controversy is with Jerry Hughes. It’s just if you don’t solve homicides within 48 hours it gets real cold, and if you don’t solve them in 4 to 5 months it gets worse than that. There never was a controversy. I mean we looked for the boy for two weeks. Then a hurricane came through and blew his body into the swamp. We had search crews out, the family had search crews out, we had a flotilla out there, we had a mounted unit on horses. We did everything possible to solve that case. Jerry Hughes’ problem is he won’t let it go. Then he started blaming my brother for all kinds of stuff. My brother would have to go take his truck from him to make him train and keep him straight.”
Tillman continues, becoming almost exasperated.
“Here’s the issue: There’s no cause of death! You know how important that is? Do you know how many homicides out there have never been solved? Hundreds of thousands, usually because there’s no forensics evidence and no witnesses. I’ve done everything for that goofy family you can do. I even talked to one of those clairvoyants, and they took up a bunch of money to get the people to come in from out of town. It got really ridiculous.”
Ironically, the Hughes family might be tempted to agree with that last comment, but for totally different reasons.
Tomorrow: The story of Sheriff Jack Tillman and the Hughes family continues.
Please Send the Hughes Family your kind thoughts and comments at jessejameshughes@yahoo.com. Continue to Part 2: Click Here
Questions or comments, e-mail Sean Newman: newmanduke@yahoo.com
Have your say at our ALL NEW Message Board BACK TO DogHouseBoxing.com © Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2005
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Category Archives: Serena Williams
Serena Williams’ Foul Play
I’m a female and a Jew. I personally know something about bias, bigotry, prejudice, and discrimination. There is no doubt in my mind that I have experienced some (shall we say) “bad luck” in my life because I fall into these two categories, but there is probably not a person on the face of the earth who doesn’t have a similar (and probably worse) story to tell with respect to the natural tendency of people to band together based on commonality, from ethnicity to gender to nationalism. Nonetheless, we have a black President with a Jewish chief-of-staff, and a female Secretary of State.
I’m seriously tired of people pulling the race or gender card to explain away their bad behavior. Ultimately, we are responsible for our own actions. This brings me to Serena Williams in the U.S. Open. Serena was losing badly in the semi-finals to unseeded, unranked Kim Clijsters, and Clijsters had just beaten Serena’s sister, Venus. The match was at the point where Clijsters was but one point from victory, and it was Serena’s serve. She faulted on her first serve. Instead of just going back to the baseline to serve again, she menacingly walked toward the judge, shouting and cursing her, pointing the ball and then the racket at her, as though she were going to strike the woman. Allegedly, she said,“If I could, I would take this [expletive deleted] ball and shove it down your [expletive deleted] throat.”
The line judge went over to the chair umpire and tournament referee as the crowd was booing. According to news reports, Serena said,“Sorry, but there’re a lot of people who’ve said worse. I didn’t say I would kill you. Are you serious? I didn’t say that.” But the line judge said she did say that, and that with the crowd noise, it was difficult for others to hear the specifics. I saw that video, and having someone with that venomous rage coming at me, screaming and cursing, shaking a racket in my face (especially since Serena had already smashed a racket earlier in the game when she committed an unforced error) would have scared me too.
Serena was only penalized a point, which, by destiny of timing, turned out to be the match point. Clijsters would have won anyway – she was playing an amazing game, and she did go on to win the U.S. Open.
So, here’s a young woman, used to success, who couldn’t handle being humbled, and she robbed Clijsters of the good feeling of trumping a tennis goddess. This is obviously bad behavior – very bad. The bad boys of tennis games past were also known to behave badly, but, according to news sources, they never threatened the life or well-being of a judge. This was scary and horrendous behavior. The first reaction of some was to scream “racism!” Oh puleeze. Was anyone saying she behaved badly because she was black? NO. Was anyone saying she was penalized for her behavior because she was black? YES, and that is downright annoying and dumb. Online, someone posted a comment after the news item, which I think is “right on.” Here’s an excerpt:
There are reasons for rules in competitive sports or banking or finance or education or society. The reasons [for the rules] always have to do with participants being unwilling or unable to manage or discipline their emotions when under duress of any kind. This duress…almost always manifests poorly, but often successfully. Serena…lost her composure in the early stages of this match, played poorly, got behind, and faced almost certain defeat. The foot fault (which many say was correct, many say “iffy,” and some say false) was critical, but not pivotal for Serena. She could have played through it. She had the serve.
But she had first-serve faulted many times, and had lost every second serve point to her opponent. So, she gave in to panic, which led her to say some astoundingly aggressive things to the line judge, who, to her credit, stayed calm, objective, and within the rules. The referee made the proper call, and Serena lost, and then lost again by backpedaling after the match, with cover-up comments and lame excuses. But this is an era when elites in all walks of life take the liberty of exposing their true selves without much consequence. It’s called “privilege,” and it is, in my mind, the downfall of the American personality, and with it, the downfall of the nation – a little microcosm on a big stage. Pride comes before a fall.
Truth is, she knew she had lost this match, even if that one linesman’s call was bad. Instead of letting her opponent savor the victory point, she surrendered early. Clijster swamped her and her sister, and Williams acted like a classless brat. And classless brats come in all colors, genders and religions. Point…game…match.
This entry was posted in Bullying, Character, Civility, Serena Williams on September 16, 2009 by drlaura. Categories Abercrombie & Fitch (2)
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2013 NFL Draft: Pittsburgh Preview
Post subject: 2013 NFL Draft: Pittsburgh PreviewPosted: Tue Jul 03, 2012 9:52 am Purveyor of Truth & Justice
2013 NFL Draft: Pittsburgh PreviewBy Rob Rang | The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.comJune 28, 2012 2:34 pm ET 1 | CommentIn preparation for the 2013 NFL Draft, NFLDraftScout.com will profile the top draft-eligible prospects from FBS-level programs. This summer series will run until the start of the college football season.PITTSBURGH PANTHERSNFL Draft picks the last five years: 142012 NFL Draft picks: ZeroConsidering their history of success on the collegiate gridiron as well as their penchant for churning out quality NFL prospects, there isn't a team in the Big East with a more impressive lineage than the Pitt Panthers. Questionable administrative decisions regarding the hiring and firing of coaches, as well as the team's movement next year to the ACC has stolen some of the spotlight from a once proud program.The team appeared to hit bottom last year with then-head coach Todd Graham abandoning the program for Arizona State after only one season at the helm, a 28-6 dismantling in the Compass Bowl by SMU and having zero players selected in the 2012 NFL draft -- the first time that's happened at Pitt since 1999.Regardless of the success new head coach Paul Chryst may or may not be able to bring to Pittsburgh, this remains a team with legitimate NFL-caliber talent. Chryst, who came to Pitt after serving as the University of Wisconsin's offensive coordinator, brings back a pro-style attack that should complement the talent already assembled by former coaches Graham and Dave Wannestadt.The biggest challenge for Chryst and his staff, therefore, may not be teaching or recruiting but simply finding the right motivational tools to generate consistency from what could be the most talented roster in the conference.Top-five prospects for the 2013 NFL Draft*Indicates underclassman1. RB Ray Graham (5-9, 195)While undersized and coming off a torn ACL, Graham (pictured above) has demonstrated the impressive lateral agility, burst and vision that has led other Pitt backs before him to produce at a high level on both the collegiate and pro stage. Despite sharing the workload early in his career, Graham has been a standout his entire career. Given the opportunity to serve as the bell-cow back a year ago, Graham started off like no back in Pitt history, rushing for 734 yards in his first five games, eclipsing records set by LeSean McCoy and Tony Dorsett (among others) along the way and leading the entire country in rushing yards before suffering the injury against Connecticut. Graham was held out of spring practices but Chryst says he'll be ready for the season. With Graham out, sophomore Isaac Bennett turned heads and could give the Panthers' star plenty of competition should he not have the same electric movement enjoyed prior to the injury.2. WR Devin Street (6-2, 192)*While Pitt running backs generally earn most of the headlines, the Panthers have been nearly as effective in churning out quality wideouts over the past 20 years, producing the likes of Larry Fitzgerald, Antonio Bryant and the Kansas City Chiefs' 2011 first round pick Jonathan Baldwin over that time. Some close to the program believe that Street, who earned Second Team All Big East honors a year ago, has the talent to warrant inclusion with these stars someday. Street possesses an NFL-caliber combination of size, speed and leaping ability but has thus far struggled with consistency. He led the Panthers a season ago with 53 catches for 754 yards but only scored two touchdowns. The return to a pro-style (after a season in Graham's spread) could iron out some of the wrinkles in Street's game and make him an intriguing prospect for the NFL.3. FS Jared Holley (5-10, 190)Considering the amount of attention that Graham and other offensive "skill" position players have generated it is easy to understand why Holley, a returning two-time All Big East selection, hasn't received more national fanfare. Holley enters his senior campaign having racked up nine career interceptions and has seen his tackle total rise each of his three starting seasons (48-54-67). He is a bit smaller than scouts would prefer and has to answer questions about his straight-line speed. He's a proven playmaker, however, with the intangibles coaches love at free safety, where many teams are searching for their leader in the secondary.4. DL Aaron Donald (6-0, 270)*Under Wannestadt the Pitt Panthers routinely produced quality defenders. Consider that since 2006, five Panthers (H.B. Blades, Scott McKillop, Greg Romeus, Mick Williams, Jabaal Sheard) have been recognized as the Big East Defensive Player of the Year. In the undersized Donald, Pitt could take the award yet again, serving as an appropriate legacy in their final season in the conference. Despite only starting five games and being moved to every position along the defensive line last season, Donald broke out to register 47 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and an eye-popping 11 sacks. There is no denying that Donald was aided a year ago as the team searched out favorable matchups to aid in his success but much of his production was based on his burst, quick hands and hustle. These traits could lead him to even greater success this season as he'll be lining up as his natural defensive tackle position in the 4-3 rather than serving as a defensive end in the 3-4 Graham and his staff had installed.5. WR Mike Shanahan (6-4, 225)While not as athletic as Street, Shanahan is the most polished of Pitt's wideouts and offers the combination of size, strength and reliable hands and route-running to help as a traditional possession receiver in the NFL. Shanahan, who by the way, is not related to the Washington Redskins' head coach of the same name, finished second to Street in catches (39) and receiving yards (493) a season ago but caught twice as many touchdowns (four) as the Panthers' speedier option. Shanahan, a highly regarded prep basketball player, turned down scholarship offers on the hardwood to play football but one can see the skills he learned in hoops with the ways he positions himself against defenders, high-points passes and catches the ball cleanly with his hands.Just missed:QB Tino Sunseri (6-2, 215)TE Hubie Graham (6-3, 230)CB K'Waun Williams (5-10, 190)*OG Chris Jacobsen (6-2, 295)SS Andrew Taglianetti (5-11, 190)OC/OG Ryan Turnley (6-5, 320)For more 2012 college football draft previews click here.
Post subject: Re: 2013 NFL Draft: Pittsburgh PreviewPosted: Tue Jul 03, 2012 10:23 am Purveyor of Truth & Justice
Graham is obviously the star of our 2013 draft class. I think he has a lot of upside, but I don't see him cracking the 1st round. He's probably more likely to be a 3rd/4th round pick. He's got the same sort of elusiveness that past PItt RBs like LeSean McCoy and Dion Lewis have. The problem is that like them, he can get caught dancing a bit too much at times. And he doesn't have a big frame to think he's going to be Mr. Durability at the next level. We'll see what if any dropoff there is coming off the ACL injury this year. But he's pretty much our entire offense.Street is another good Pitt WR prospect. He's probably looking at a mid-round pick, but if the QB can get his act together, he might be able to put together the sort of year where he could move up into the 2nd/3rd round.Last year, when I was scouting Chase ALexcih and Brandon Lindsey, Donald always managed to stand out to me. The problem he has is what position will he play in the NFL. He's too short to really be an end, and if he's only 6-0, not a lot of teams will look at him as a DT either. I think he'll run into the same problem that Mick Williams, another short but very productive Pitt DT in the past when it comes to the NFL game. Donald will be a disruptive producer, but barring him showing up at the Combine or his pro day and really putting up some impressive numbers, it'll likely lead to him going undrafted.Shanahan I think might have a bright future converting to a TE at the next level. He doesn't have the speed or burst to really separate from NFL corners. But he has great size and length, and pretty good hands. He's one of those guys that has really be good at going up over the middle and catching passes. He could be the next Evan Moore if he adds the muscle.As for Tino Sunseri, this is his last chance. Bill Stull managed to pull it all together for a solid senior year. But I don't know if Tino will. He has a strong arm, and he's mobile and athletic. But he's just not cerebral enough to play the QB position. He's a guy that I think has the toughness and moxy of a position player similar to his dad who was an All-American LB at Pitt. You just can't trust him to make the right decision in the big moments. That has been what he's struggled with time and time again over the course of his career. As far as his NFL prospects go, I would honestly think he'd make a better safety than a QB.I'm glad to hear Tom Savage transferred to Pitt. So I'm hoping he is great next year. Unfortunately, we'll have to go through another year of Sunseri to get to him. And then we'll only have him for 1 year. Then hopefully guys like Chad Voytik and/or Tra Chapman are ready to take the reins in 2014 when they will be RS soph and RS frosh, respectively. If Chryst sticks around, the needle is pointing back up for Pitt QBs. I've said before, that I think it's a position that Pitt has under-recruited IMO over the past decade.It's been far too long since Pitt had a legit NFL starting caliber QB. Hopefully Savage and these other guys change that.
widetrak21
Post subject: Re: 2013 NFL Draft: Pittsburgh PreviewPosted: Tue Jul 03, 2012 11:33 am Superstar
Quote:Despite sharing the workload early in his career, Graham has been a standout his entire career. Given the opportunity to serve as the bell-cow back a year ago, Graham started off like no back in Pitt history, rushing for 734 yards in his first five games, eclipsing records set by LeSean McCoy and Tony Dorsett (among others) along the way and leading the entire country in rushing yards before suffering the injury against Connecticut. Thats very impressive for 5 games, geez. I saw a small preview on you all last week, and by far this was the dude they talked up.It is very odd how long Pitt has went without an nfl level pivot, esp the history of Pennsylvania state QB's. Just like our nfl breakdown tier'ing 6 or so on level 1, then another 8 or so level two. Point being, all the terrible teams would have qb's on level 3. In any level of football today, to me, you better have a good qb or you can't expect but so much success. Ground and pound might be semi-dead.How is Pitt's oline this year?? Success in the VT game will prob hinge on this imo.
_________________Good is the Worst Enemy of Great
- From a tech site I frequent...I bolded the part I think affects our matchup the most fwiw.This season Virginia Tech will resume playing former Big East foe Pittsburgh. Pitt will be a non-conference road game for Tech in 2012. Moving forward, it's unknown whether Pitt will fulfill the return trip of a home-and-home in 2013, or the Panthers will be ACC members leaving the Hokies likely to head back to Pennsylvania for the second year in a row. As a student I saw the Panthers "upset" the Hokies three straight seasons before Tech joined the ACC. I still can't get over Kevin Jones running wild in 2003 (241 yards, 4 TDs!) only to be bested by Rod Rutherford (and Larry Fitzgerald). I’m anxious for a chance at redemption.Much like Tech, Pitt's traditionally been a run-first, defensive-minded team, because of which they've historically matched up well against the Hokies. Of the 11 games between the two, 4 have been decided by 7 points or less, and there have only been 3 games decided by 3 or more touchdowns.Since Pitt's been off the radar for a little bit, let's play catchup. Following the 2004 season Walt Harris (a major thorn in Virginia Tech's side) left to take the Stanford job (he failed hard there). Pitt hired former Miami Dolphins head coach/Pitt offensive tackle, Dave Wannstedt. Wannstedt recruited some high-profile players, but his teams were never deep enough to dominate the Big East on talent alone, and they always seemed to fail to reach their potential. He posted a slightly above average 42-31 record over six seasons. He never won the Big East outright, or reached a BCS bowl. The greatest accomplishment during Wannstedt's tenure might be the 13-9 win in Morgantown over West Virginia. That loss knocked the 'Eers from playing in the national championship game. (At least that's what I'll always remember him for.) After a ten win season in 2009, many pundits predicted Pitt to get over the hump, win the conference, and reach a BCS bowl in 2010. Pitt fired Wannstedt after a disappointing 7-5 campaign.Pitt then hired Tulsa head coach Todd Graham. Graham annually directed one of the nation's best offenses at Tulsa (1st, 1st, 35th, 5th). However, during his one-and-done season at Pitt the offense sputtered (88th), the Panthers went 6-7, and Graham bailed to Arizona State.Pitt hired Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst (2005-11), an offensive guru in his own right, to replace Graham, their third (full time) head coach in the last three seasons.Chryst will have a lot of talent to work with as Pitt returns nine starters on offense including veteran quarterback Tino Sunseri. After an impressive debut in 2010 (223/346 2,572 yards 16 TDs 9 INTs), Sunseri took a step back in '11 (247/385 2,616 yards 10 TDs 11 INTs). Sunseri struggled as the triggerman in Graham's up-tempo "spread" offense, and received criticism from his then coach for it. Chryst runs a methodical pro-style offense focused on establishing the rush to setting up play-action. That's more similar to what Wannstedt, rather than Graham did at Pitt. Consider this, of the 944 plays Pitt ran in 2011 Sunseri attempted 385 passes, and rushed 154 times (57.1% of total plays). By comparison, of the 937 plays Wisconsin ran in 2011 Russell Wilson attempted 309 passed and rushed 79 times (41.4% of total plays). Wilson was able to account for 811 more yards (3,513 to 2,702) on 151 less plays. I'm not saying Sunseri will have a season like Wilson had in '11, but I do believe by design he'll be much more efficient, and will benefit from a reduced role.Pitt's three leading receivers and tight end from 2011 are back. Devin Street and Mike Shanahan made Phil Steele's first and second, respectively, Big East team. According to Shanahan, Chryst's offense will allow the receivers to be more productive."I like the route combinations, they make sense, they are very clear, and that helps us," Shanahan said. "Last year, we weren't asked to run routes specifically, and there was some confusion. Most of us were recruited to play in this pro-style offense. So, it should be an easy transition and it has been." Tight end Hubie Graham caught 28 balls and was Pitt's third leading receiver in 2011 (325 yards). He always envisioned himself playing in a pro-style offense."I definitely want to be a dominant blocker," he said. "I feel like that's a very important aspect of a tight end. I want to be versatile so I'm working on that aspect." Physical tight ends who can make plays in the passing game have been known to give Bud's defense fits.There could be a bit of a running back by committee to start the season. Pitt's leading rusher last season, Ray Graham (5.8 YPC), suffered a torn ACL last October."He's progressing," Chryst said last month. "Now what that means, I'm not even trying to be tricky about it, you don't know. But he is making progress and then you get to the point … the more you do are you feeling confident with it? We've had nothing that's been discouraging." If Graham isn't 100% there are other options. Isaac Bennett rushed for 121 yards in Pitt's Blue-Gold Scrimmage, and had four 50+ yard runs during spring ball. Incoming blue-chip freshman Rushel Shell (offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, among others) will compete for carries.Shell said Pitt coach Paul Chryst told him to be ready."He said that I could make a lot of impact as a freshman," Shell said last week at the Big 33 game...."In my head, I always want to be the starter," Shell said. "But there are times where you have to sit back and learn. I'm ready to learn, because Ray Graham is a great running back. Keep in mind that at Wisconsin Chryst effectively used multiple running backs, so even if he is healthy, Graham will probably share the load.Like every team ever, Pitt's offensive success will depend on the o-line. Pitt gave up 64.0 sacks in 2011, dead last in the NCAA. Miami (Ohio) gave up 47.0, second to last. That's quite a differential. Someone hand Gayle a towel to wipe the slobber off his mouth. Sunseri owns some of those sacks too. As Mark Ennis put it, "Sunseri is often erratic, holds on to the ball too long, and takes too many sacks." In 2010 Pitt only gave up 23.0 sacks, so consider Graham's pass protection scheme (not just the line's responsibilities, but absence of tight ends and fullbacks blocking), and the line's lack of familiarity with it a culprit too.Pitt's offensive line is in good hands with NFL and college veteran Jim Hueber (Minnesota Vikings 2006-10, Wisconsin 1992-2005) coaching the unit. Pitt returns three starting offensive linemen from 2011, neither of their tackles, and sixth-year senior guard Chris Jacobson was held out of contact drills during spring ball. Jacobson started all 13 games in 2010 and the first three in 2011 at left guard before suffering a season ending ACL injury. According to Hueber, Jacobson will have to earn his starting job back. Center Ryan Turnley was recognized as the most improved player on offense during spring. Tackles Juantez Hollins and Matt Rotheram put a stranglehold on the starting tackle jobs. As it stands now, Pitt is looking at a solid six-man rotation along the line for the fall (3 guards, 2 tackles, 1 center), but depth is a concern."I think there are some guys who are trying, but I am not happy with that part of it (the depth) at all," Hueber said. "Some of these young guys have not stepped up like I thought they would."The problem: The backups have almost no experience. Guard Arthur Doakes, who played in six games last year, earned a letter, but tackles Tom Ricketts (a Penn State transfer) and junior college transfer Zenel Demhasaj (redshirt) didn`t play. The Hokies 8-10 man rotation at d-line could quickly wear out a thin line like that.There's still work to be done, and players need to step up, but it certainly seems like Pitt's line is moving in positive direction, quickly."We think we made progress, but we are nowhere near where we need to be," Hueber said. "But we are moving in that direction. We have made a lot of progress in a lot of areas, but we have some things we have to shore up and find some depth."I can't complain about where we are now as compared to where we were on the first day attitude-wise and accomplishing things we wanted to accomplish."I didn't know who we had to replace [at tackle], so everyone was on the same level at the start. [Hollins and Rotheram] are still growing up -- there is not much experience there, but they are still growing up and they have done a lot of really good things. And now it is my job to get them over the hump in the fall." The players are buying into a familiar system."We're playing real football again," Jacobson said Tuesday after the Panthers' fourth spring practice. "I mean, the guys are out there pulling and being really physical and being able to study defenses. I love it. It is great to be able to double team guys, pull around and hit people -- that's how I love to play."We're blowing the defensive line off the ball and taking care of the line scrimmage and working up to the next level. It isn't finesse anymore; we're back to banging heads. The defense is undergoing an overhaul as well. Todd Graham installed a 3-4 scheme when he was hired, Chryst is switching back to a 4-3, the base defense run by Dave Wannstedt.Many of the key players on the defense were recruited by Wannstedt and played in his system for at least one season."It definitely helps that some of them have played in the 4-3 before because they understand the concepts of the defense and what we are looking for from each level," [Defensive Coordinator, and Wisconsin import, Dave] Huxtable said. "There are obviously little differences between what they did [under Wannstedt] and what we are doing, but the base 4-3 defense is what we play and it is what they have played in the past."The one thing we want to be is physical up front, and we also like guys who want to run to the ball. The thing I told these guys is that I love them, I love their attitude, I love the way they come to work and I love the fact that they want to learn and get better and that is all you can ask."One key difference between the Panthers' current 4-3 and the way it was played under Wannstedt is that one or even both of the safeties will be asked to play more in run support, so there will be more pressure on the cornerbacks as there will be some plays in which they won't have help to cover receivers.Huxtable said he likes to have an eight-man look and sometimes will even drop a ninth man into the box, but it will only work if the corners are able to cover on their own. Fortunately for Pitt, returning starter K'Waun Williams is one of the best corners in the Big East. Pitt isn't settled on the starter opposite of Williams. Either Michigan transfer Cullen Christian, or redshirt freshman Lafayette Pitts is likely to win the job. Pitts got most of the first team snaps during spring. Depth isn't a concern at safety. According to Andrea Adelson, "Pitt has some major talent at safety, with four players capable of starting in Jarred Holley, Andrew Taglianetti, Jason Hendricks and transfer Ray Vinopal, one of the highlights for the Panthers this season."The front-seven is inexperienced, but there are few proven playmakers. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald was a second-team All-Big East selection in 2011 after an 11-sack season. Redshirt freshman linebacker Todd Thomas started 6 games and posted 47 tackles. There are high hopes for senior defensive end Shayne Hale a 4-star recruit who was selected as the most improved defensive player of spring. However, T.J. Clemmings and Bryan Murphy, two more former 4-star recruits, could be the two starters this fall after standout springs. Because of injuries and inexperience Pitt probably won't settle on its three linebackers until before the season."I think we're thin at a few spots on defense, but we have time to worry about the depth chart," Huxtable said. "Our linebackers, like the other groups, are working very hard and I like their attitude. We are really just sort of mixing and matching in order to try and find the best combination."The starting unit during the spring has been redshirt junior Dan Mason at middle linebacker, with redshirt junior Shane Gordon and redshirt sophomore Eric Williams on the outside.Pitt has switched from a 3-4 alignment to a 4-3, so the responsibilities of the linebackers have changed, although Mason noted that "playing linebacker is playing linebacker no matter what the system is."Gordon (6 feet, 1 inch) is the wild card in the bunch. He has been on the brink of breaking out as a star but has never quite been consistent enough to become a full-time starter. He is athletic and fast and has shown the ability to make big hits but has struggled in pass coverage. The new defense seems to be better suited to his talents.Williams, who is 6-3, is more slender but, like Gordon, has athleticism and has been working at developing consistency."The thing I like about Shane Gordon is he wants to be good, he is a hard worker and I think he has a chance to be a very good player," Huxtable said."Eric Williams is kind of a taller guy who is raw but does have some ability. Again, we're really just trying to find out what we have and what we're capable of, but I like [the way] these guys approach things." At the time, hiring hot-shot offensive guru Todd Graham seemed like a homerun for Pitt. Graham was supposed to be a breath of fresh air after the program had gone stale under Dave Wannstedt. That didn't work out at all. It didn't seem like the players had any confidence in Graham's schemes, and Graham took the first opportunity to leave town instead of digging in for the long haul. Pitt hired Chryst with hopes of returning to its comfort zone—hard-nosed football—palpable in every player quote post-Graham that I read. Time will tell if Chryst is the right coach for the job. He's never led a team before, but he's been apart of successful programs and worked for proven coaches (Barry Alvarez, Mike Riley, and Bret Bielema). Thanks in part to Wannstedt, Pitt's roster is built for Chryst's schemes. If the players can forget everything Todd Graham tried to teach them, and plug some holes, they could be poised for a successful season.I realize this post was light on '12 Tech-Pitt specifics. My hope was this piece would provide insight into where Pitt stands heading into the season. I promise there will be more X's and O's pertaining to the game during the season. For right now, believe that this will be a tough test for the Hokies. Pitt has a well stocked depth chart and their strengths are now aligned with the philosophies of their head coach.
Post subject: Re: 2013 NFL Draft: Pittsburgh PreviewPosted: Tue Jul 03, 2012 12:21 pm Purveyor of Truth & Justice
I think our O-line was solid last year. But we lost some guys. But the good thing about Pitt is that there is a relatively consistent level of play that Pitt's O-line has been able to retain over the years. So I'm not too worried about it. I'm not thinking that it'll be great, and so I think Tech will be able to get after us. I'm not expecting big things for us against Tech.
Post subject: Re: 2013 NFL Draft: Pittsburgh PreviewPosted: Tue Jul 03, 2012 12:43 pm Superstar
Quote:I'm not thinking that it'll be great, and so I think Tech will be able to get after us. I'm not expecting big things for us against Tech.Bud Foster is the polar opposite of a rah rah guy, and he's stated this may be the best VT D ever. It has that potential indeed, and a lot of that reasoning is the depth on the dline. I can't remember us ever being this legit deep, both end and tackle. Last year VT ranked about 15 in most major statistical D categories, with 3-4 MAJOR starters out and average dline depth (and two of the positions consisting of DT and MLB, which should have gutted its run stopping ablility and didn't). If we can rotate a legit 8-10 guys, and those numbers are realistic, then really any oline is gonna have trouble staying on the field against us this year. I think most all these kids could start most places, we had the fortune of being really young, but good the last two years, and now we're loaded in dline terms. Its to the point where 4 star kids like McCray and Harley are having to kill themselves for PT, which is stellar imho.DE's - James Gayle, JR Collins, Tyrel Wilson, Zack McCray (LT's cousin), Dadi Nicholas DT's - Skip Hopkins, Antonio Hopkins, Luther Maddy, Corey Marshall, Kris Harley
Post subject: Re: 2013 NFL Draft: Pittsburgh PreviewPosted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 1:01 pm Superstar
http://insider.espn.go.com/college-foot ... h-pantherslet me know if you can't view and i'll circle back.
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Board index ‹ Team Forums ‹ NL East ‹ New York Mets
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New York Mets Team Report - April 28
by WebHamster » Wed Apr 28, 2004 1:00 pm (Sports Network) - The Mets will attempt to string together back-to- back wins for just the second time this season, when they continue their three-game set against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.
New York tallied a 9-5 win over the Dodgers in the opener of the set on Tuesday night. Mike Piazza tied Carlton Fisk's mark of 351 career home runs as a catcher in the winning effort. Piazza's one-out solo blast in the sixth inning snapped a 3-3 tie and in the process passed Joe DiMaggio for 58th place on the all-time HR list with his 362nd overall homer.
Shane Spencer and Todd Zeile also homered for the Mets, with both blasts coming in the second inning to give New York a 3-1 lead. Spencer belted a solo homer over the right field wall and Zeile stroked a two-run blast to left two batters later.
Karim Garcia and Jason Phillips stroked RBI singles in the ninth to cap the scoring for New York.
Tom Glavine also made history by picking up his 254th career win, which moved him ahead of Carl Hubbell for eighth place all-time among lefties. Glavine (3-1) yielded three runs on 10 hits and one walk over six innings, striking out three.
New York, which is just 4-6 on the road this year, is hitting .236 as a team, only better than the Montreal Expos in the National League.
New York will hand the ball to 33-year-old righthander Steve Trachsel this evening. Trachsel has won two of his last three starts, including a victory over Montreal last Thursday. In his last two wins, Trachsel has allowed a total of eight hits and two runs over 13 innings.
Trachsel has not been at his best against the Los Angeles Dodgers in his career, going 4-8 with a 3.79 ERA.
The teams split six meetings last season, as the road team took two of three contests in each series. The road squad has won the last four series in this set. New York has won 16 of its last 24 games at Dodger Stadium.
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Posts: 24207(Past Year: 803)Joined: 15 Jan 2004Home Cafe: Baseball
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Jones backs Bantams to shine
Bradford midfielder Ritchie Jones said the club will target promotion following this season's toils at the wrong end of the table.
Last Updated: 17/05/12 at 12:25 Sky Bet League 2. Click here to bet. League Two RSS Feed
Jones: Hoping to do better Bantams boss Phil Parkinson will set about rebuilding the squad he inherited when replacing Peter Jackson six games into the 2011/12 campaign and former Manchester United trainee Jones stresses the importance of adopting the right mindset.
"For next season we need to have it in our heads that it's going to be us that's going to be up there looking for promotion," he told the club's official website. "We need to go for it from the very first game next season.
"We have to be ready to go for it from the very off and put in the hard work required to turn our words into actions. I'm sure fans will have heard this sort of stuff from players before, but there's no denying that we are desperate to be the ones celebrating this time next year.
"We'll be giving it our all from the beginning of pre-season to do everything possible to be challenging at the top end of the division.
"I think about it a lot, I don't want to be towards the bottom end of the table again. None of the lads do. If we all target the season in a positive fashion then we can be at the right end of the division next season."
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Vilanova's Barcelona tribute
Tito Vilanova has expressed his gratitude to Barcelona's players, staff and fans for the support shown to him throughout his reign.
Last Updated: 20/07/13 at 21:07 Post Comment Spanish La Liga Winner 13/14. Click here to bet. RSS Feed
Tito Vilanova: Former Barcelona coach grateful for support The 44-year-old stepped down as head coach on Friday night with the club revealing that he would not be able to carry on in his role as he continues to receive cancer treatment.
In an open letter published on the club's official website, Vilanova wrote: "After five wonderful years as part of a team that has made dreams come true for any coach, it's time to face a change in my professional life and focus my energy on continuing to fight the disease I was diagnosed with a year and a half ago.
"The doctors recommend that, with the treatments that I must follow from now on, I cannot devote 100 per cent to the tasks of head coach as required by FC Barcelona. But I will continue to work closely for the club that I love on other sporting tasks."
Vilanova was Pep Guardiola's assistant before being promoted to the top job last summer when the record-breaking coach decided to take a one-year sabbatical from the game.
In his one campaign in charge of the club, Vilanova led Barca to their fourth Primera Division title in five years, becoming only the second team after Real Madrid to reach the 100-point mark.
"It is not easy to leave this very special group of players, fellow staff and friends with whom I shared many memorable experiences," he added.
"I'll be eternally grateful for everything you have given me and the affection you have shown.
"I also want to especially thank the president (Sandro Rosell), the board and sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta for the confidence they put in me and, above all, the unconditional support, both sporting and personal.
"Equally important to me is the support I receive - both medical and humane - from Dr Ramon Canal and his team of doctors who are on my side. I do not play this game alone, but as part of a supportive club that will help me succeed in this long process, as it has done until now.
"To all of you, members and fans of the club, I also want to thank you wholeheartedly for the support and affection that you have shown - not just now but over the last few months.
"I can tell you I'm calm, strong and that I start this new stage in my recovery with full confidence that all will be well."
Spanish La Liga Winner 13/14. Click here to bet. RSS Feed
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UN Welcomes Terrorist President of Palestine Olympic Committee
June 10, 2013 by Joseph Klein 3 Comments Print This Post
Palestinian Major General Jibril Rajoub, Deputy Secretary of the Fatah Central Committee and the president of the Palestinian Football Federation and the Palestine Olympic Committee, spoke to reporters at United Nations headquarters in New York on June 6th. He was accompanied by Palestine’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations, Riad Mansur.
Jibril Rajoub told reporters that promoting the ethics and values of sport in youth was a strategic choice for Palestine. He promised to remain committed to the Olympic Charter and to abide by the statutes of the International Federation and other relevant sporting and youth organizations.
Rajoub used the platform provided by the UN to accuse Israel of “suffocating” violations of the Olympic Charter and the International Federation of Football Associations statutes by interfering in Palestinian sports activities and restricting the freedom of movement of Palestinian athletes, including between Hamas-controlled Gaza and the West Bank. Then, appearing to take the high road, Rajoub declared: “Instead of throwing grenades on each other, let us throw balls.” As discussed below, however, Rajoub speaks out of both sides of his mouth. He is a grenade thrower at heart, remaining true to his terrorist past.
I asked Rajoub during his UN press conference to comment, in his capacity as president of the Palestine Olympic Committee, on the Palestinians’ unique contribution to the Olympic Games – the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre by Palestinian terrorists that took the lives of eleven innocent Israeli athletes and coaches and a West German police officer.
“We should look forward, not dig into the past,” Jibril Rajoub said. He claimed he never supported the attack on civilian athletes, but castigated Israel, which “keep[s] using” the forty-year-old incident to serve its own purposes. This cavalier dismissal of the lingering effects of the unprecedented Olympic Games massacre on the Israeli psyche may explain in part why Rajoub called a simple request for a minute of silence at the July 2012 Olympics to remember the eleven murdered Israeli athletes “racist.” However, a fuller answer requires some digging into Rajoub’s own past as a Palestinian terrorist.
Indeed, Rajoub’s moderate-sounding rhetoric to UN reporters suggesting that the throwing of grenades be replaced with the throwing of balls is ironic, to say the least, considering that back in September 1970 he was arrested and convicted for throwing a grenade at an Israeli army bus near Hebron. Although he received a life sentence for the attack, Rajoub was released from prison as one of 1,150 Arab prisoners freed in exchange for three Israeli hostages held by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Rajoub quickly returned to his terrorist ways upon his release in 1985 and was in and out of prison several times thereafter. He became a close associate of Yasser Arafat, whom he recently called “the greatest Palestinian since Jesus.” As Arafat’s loyal lieutenant, Rajoub helped organize the first intifada and was allegedly behind a 1992 plot to assassinate Ariel Sharon. He was also the aide and advisor of Khalil al Wazir – aka Abu Jihad – the commander of Black September in the early 70s – the very same group that committed the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre.
That’s all in the distant past, Jibril Rajoub would have us now believe. Today he is only interested in pursuing “peaceful means” to further the Palestinian cause, he told reporters at his UN press conference last week. Yet this “reformed” grenade thrower and confidante of Yasser Arafat was singing his old terrorist tune in August 2009 when, during an interview with Al Jazeera, he stated that “We [Fatah] adhere to all options and first and foremost, the option of resistance and armed struggle.”
In 2010, Rajoub lauded the use of grenades as part of the “resistance.” In an appearance on Palestinian TV (Fatah), he said that use of grenades was just as valid a “resistance” tactic as building a school: “Building a school and throwing a hand grenade, in my opinion, are resistance. I build the school in order to strengthen the reasons for my people’s resolve, as one of several aspects of the resistance, and when there is a need to throw a grenade [or launch] a rocket, I’ll do that as well out of my belief in the inevitable victory of my cause and its justness.”
In 2011, Rajoub represented the Palestinian Authority at a reception for Palestinian prisoners released under the terms of the deal that freed the young Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. He praised Shalit’s kidnappers: “I say in the name of the Fatah movement — we salute those who dug the tunnel [to capture the Israeli soldier]; we salute those who captured the captive (Gilad Shalit), and salute those who guarded the captive until this deal was completed. I salute our courageous prisoners and I say to you — [I cannot] describe you, neither as heroes, nor as courageous, nor anything else. There are no words in the Arab dictionary, nor in any other dictionary, to describe you, but this modest reception is [our] utmost honor to you, your history, and your families.”
Many of the released Palestinian prisoners whom Rajoub was extolling were terrorists, presumably following in Rajoub’s own bloody footsteps.
To a Palestinian audience last November, Rajoub said (as transcribed by the Middle East Media Research Institute): “We shall only return our swords to their sheaths when the [Palestinian] state is established, your hopes are realized, and the refugees return.”
And just last month, to underscore that he would stop at nothing to destroy the Jewish state if the Palestinians had the means, Rajoub declared on the Hezbollah-affiliated television network Al Mayadeen that “I swear that if we had a nuke, we’d have used it this very morning” (as reported by the Palestinian Media Watch).
In other words, everything for Jibril Rajoub is about resisting the “enemy” Israel through all means possible. Violence is still on the table. Throwing grenades, not soccer balls, at Israelis is still a part of Rajoub’s playbook, as well as launching rockets and even using nuclear weapons if the Palestinian terrorists ever get their hands on them.
At the same time, Rajoub has exploited his Palestine Olympic Committee position to try and delegitimize Israel in the international sports world. He offered to lead a campaign to expel Israel from all international Olympic unions and committees. Sports in Palestine is “one of the methods of resistance” against Israel, Rajoub was quoted by the Jerusalem Post as saying during a seminar last year in Ramallah. In this regard, Palestinian youth had a particularly important role to play in maintaining a “permanent state of confrontation” with Israel.
In an interview with AFP, the terrorist-turned-president of the Palestine Olympic Committee boasted that “sport in Palestine is a means to achieve national goals” as well as “a tool of struggle to present the Palestinian cause.”
Playing sports for its own sake, and to promote more understanding between Palestinian and Israeli youth who may be the leaders of tomorrow, is not part of Rajoub’s agenda. Quite the contrary. During the opening of the first forum for Arab women sports journalists last year, for example, Rajoub spewed out his hatred of Jews: “I understand by normalization that the relationship between me and you will be normal, that we’ll play [sports] together and there’ll be a joint program. I say to you: Under no circumstances will there be normalization. Next time we are prepared to bring the Executive Committee in helicopters… so they will see no Jews, no Satans, no Zionist sons of bitches.”
Thus, it is no surprise that Rajoub spurns all opportunities for joint sporting events intended to foster better relationships between Israelis and Palestinians at the non-political community level. For example, he summarily rejected the invitation of the star-studded soccer team Barcelona FC to play what it described as a “bridge-building” exhibition match for “peace” this summer against a joint Israeli-Palestinian team. He claimed there were too many “obstacles” to allow a joint match. Israeli “occupation” must end first, he said in rejecting the invitation.
What does Rajoub mean by “occupation?” He tells Western audiences that he believes in a two-state solution, based on the pre-June 1967 lines, with minor adjustments. However, to his Arabic audiences, he lays out a vision that would ultimately eliminate the Jewish state altogether. “As God is my witness,” he said in 2010, “I’m sure every tract of historical Palestine between the sea and the River Jordan will return to the way it was before.”
The next time the president of the Palestinian Football Federation and the Palestine Olympic Committee, Major General Jibril Rajoub, tries to convince Western audiences of his dedication to peaceful sports and talks about throwing balls instead of grenades, it will be long past time to call foul.
Filed Under: Daily Mailer, FrontPage Tagged With: Israel, Jibril Rajoub, Olympic Committee, Palestine, Terrorism, United Nations
About Joseph Klein
Joseph Klein is a Harvard-trained lawyer and the author of Global Deception: The UN’s Stealth Assault on America’s Freedom and the new book, Lethal Engagement: Barack Hussein Obama, the United Nations & Radical Islam.
“He became a close associate of Yasser Arafat, whom he recently called “the greatest Palestinian since Jesus.” ”
The lies never stop. They have no shame.
Seems to me tat FrontPageMag isn’t as much a conservative website as it is an Israel-First website. What the Hell does this article have to do with “Inside every Liberal is a totalitarian trying to get out” ?
http://twitter.com/RRowleyTucson Robert Rowley
I like this article and I would repost it to Twitter but for your masthead. You see, I am a liberal and I don’t like being cut down for it. This IS a good news story but this paper has no credibility with such a phrase at the top center of everything.
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Duke Thriving In Early Entry Era Friday 04/20/2012 - Duke Sports Information Print Email RSS Courtesy: Lance King
The world changed for Mike Krzyzewski in the spring of 1999.
His 19th Duke basketball team had just lost a heartbreaker to UConn in the ’99 national title game. After one of the most dominant seasons in the ACC history — 37-2 and No. 1 in the final AP poll — the Blue Devils looked to be even better in 1999-2000.
True, senior guard Trajan Langdon was graduating, but the only other senior on that team was little-used reserve Taymon Domzalski. National player of the year Elton Brand was a sophomore, as was starting point guard Will Avery and starting forward Shane Battier. The other starting forward was junior Chris Carrawell. And coming off the bench were sophomores Nate James and Chris Burgess, a pair of former prep All-Americas, along with freshman Corey Maggette, the most talented first-year player in the country. Throw in the nation’s No. 1 rated recruiting class and it’s hard to conceive of a more talented team than the 2000 Blue Devils were shaping up to be.
Only that dream team never made it past spring. After two decades of immunity, Krzyzewski suddenly found himself dealing with an issue that had plagued so many of his rivals — the lure of early NBA draft entry.
That had never been a problem at Duke. Even as teams like UNC and Kentucky and Kansas routinely lost underclass stars to the NBA, Krzyzewski’s best players stayed to play out their four-year college careers.
Gene Banks could have gone to the NBA early. But the junior standout of Bill Foster’s last Duke team held a press conference to announce that he would return to play his senior season for his unknown new coach. Danny Ferry, the son of an NBA general manager, knew that he would have been an NBA first-round draft pick after his ACC player of the year season in 1988. But he came back to lead Duke to another Final Four. Winning one national title wasn’t enough for Christian Laettner, who passed up a sure lottery spot in 1991 to win another title in ’92. Grant Hill could have gone after his freshman year in ’91 and certainly would have been a top five pick after 1992, but he stayed through 1994 and made a third trip to the Final Four.
It killed Duke’s rivals in Chapel Hill to watch all the Blue Devil stars stick around, while their best players almost always left early. How many titles, they wondered, would they have won if James Worthy, Michael Jordan, J.R. Reid, Jerry Stackhouse and/or Rasheed Wallace had stayed for four years?
And the Duke team that hammered UNC three times in 1999 — would that have happened if Antawn Jamison and Vince Carter had returned that year for their senior seasons?
But Krzyzewski’s “unfair” advantage ended in the spring of 1999.
He actually welcomed the change in the case of Brand, encouraging the powerful inside player to take his game to the NBA. The Blue Devil coach knew that Brand was the certain No. 1 pick and had a great chance to be a professional star.
However, Krzyzewski was blindsided by the defections of Avery and Maggette. The Duke coach didn’t think either young player was ready for the NBA. He advised both to return for one more season of college basketball. Neither took his advice.
Suddenly that 2000 dream team was reduced to bare bones — two experienced role players (Battier and Carrawell) and one oft-injured backup (James) were all that were left after Burgess also transferred. Those three, joined by a very promising five-man recruiting class.
Now, Duke’s critics exulted, let’s see how Krzyzewski does when he has to deal with the same kind of handicap that his rivals had endured for so long.
They were disappointed when the 2000 Blue Devils won 29 games, went 15-1 in the ACC, claimed a second-straight ACC championship and finished No. 1 nationally in the final AP poll. Then, in the second year after the mass defections of ‘99, Krzyzewski won his third NCAA title.
Some handicap.
The spring of 1999 does draw a sharp line across Krzyzewski’s 32-year reign at Duke.
Before that spring, Duke had never lost an underclassman to the NBA draft.
After that spring, virtually no school has seen more underclass talent jump to the NBA.
Overall, in the last 13 years, the Blue Devils have had 12 players leave early, surrendering 23 seasons of college basketball. Comparably, Duke’s rival UNC has lost 14 players and 22 potential seasons of college basketball.
Duke’s totals don’t include Chicago point guard Shaun Livingston, who signed with Duke in the fall of 2003, but opted to jump straight from high school to the NBA (where he was the fourth pick in the 2004 draft). And it doesn’t include Minnesota power forward Kris Humphries, another former Duke signee, who bolted from the program before enrolling; he spent less time as a Blue Devil than he did married to Kim Kardashian.
The list does include four one-and-done players: Maggette in 1999, Luol Deng in 2004, Kyrie Irving in 2011 and Austin Rivers this spring.
It also includes three sophomore defections: Brand and Avery in 1999, and Josh McRoberts in 2007.
The other five players to leave early left after their junior seasons: Jason Williams, Carlos Boozer and Mike Dunleavy in 2002; Shavlik Randolph in 2005; and Gerald Henderson in 2009.
Of course, it’s human nature to look at the players lost and to overlook those that didn’t leave early. Battier could have been a lottery pick after the 2000 season, but he returned to anchor Duke’s 2001 national title run. J.J. Redick and Shelden Williams both had the chance to go pro after the 2005 season, but returned to help the Devils win 32 games and record another No. 1 finish in 2006. Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith were both projected as late first-round draft picks after helping Duke to the 2010 national title, but both returned to lead the Devils to 32 wins and an ACC championship in 2011.
At least one player fits into both categories — as a defector and a returner.
Jason Williams did leave after his junior season in 2002, but he was widely projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2001 draft. CBS commentator Seth Davis, a Duke grad, loudly proclaimed that Williams was gone. Instead, he returned to win national player of the year honors while leading Duke to 32 wins, another ACC championship and a final No. 1 ranking.
Looking at the 11 previous players who have left Duke early, it must be admitted that most made the right choice — or at least very good decisions.
Brand and Irving were the first players picked in the NBA draft and both have flourished in the league. Jason Williams went No. 2 in the draft and was off to a strong start before his career was prematurely ended by a motorcycle accident. Dunleavy was the third player taken in the same 2002 draft and he’s still in the league after 10 seasons.
Deng was the No. 7 pick in the 2004 draft and is today a key player for a strong Chicago team. Henderson was the No. 10 player taken in the 2009 draft and after a slow start is now a significant player for a bad Charlotte team.
Then there is Boozer, who was stunned when he dropped to the second round in 2002. The Alaskan big man didn’t get a guaranteed contract, but he played so well in his first two seasons at Cleveland that he signed a long-term deal with Utah that paid him $11 million a year. In his 10 NBA seasons, Boozer has averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds, while cashing paychecks that total in the neighborhood of $99 million.
Maggette, who also didn’t go as high in the draft as he expected, has fashioned a solid NBA career, averaging 16 points a game in his 13-year career. He’s taken home earnings of approximately $78 million. McRoberts, a second-round pick in 2007, hasn’t done that well, but he’s still in the NBA and before this season signed a $3 million one-year deal with the Lakers.
The two real disappointments out of the Duke early entry group were both forced by family circumstances to leave before they were ready And while neither Avery nor Randolph succeeded as professionals, both did help their families financially — Avery earned $3.8 million in his three NBA seasons, while the undrafted Randolph earned $3.6 million in his five seasons in the league. Both added to their totals overseas.
SURVIVING THE EXODUS
Early in the summer of 1999, Krzyzewski hosted a number of writers for a luncheon at the Duke Golf Course to discuss the new college basketball world. He candidly admitted that he was going to have to change the way he recruited to accommodate the growing urgency that the top prospects felt to get to the NBA.
And he has adjusted.
Krzyzewski actually has a better winning percentage in the post-1999 era than he had before he started losing underclassmen to the NBA.
Of course, that’s a bit unfair, since the pre-1999 record includes the early years when he struggled to get his program off the ground. To be fair, let’s compare his 14-year record from 1986 (his first great team) through 1999 with his 13-year record post-1999:
• 1986-99 — 384-80 (82.8 percent). That’s an average of 27.4 wins a season. Coach K won two national championships, appeared in eight Final Fours and won four ACC championships in that span.
• Post-1999 — 415-77 (84.3 percent). That’s an average of 31.9 wins a season. Coach K won two national championships, appeared in three Final Fours and won nine ACC championships in that span.
So the surprising fact is that Krzyzewski has won MORE frequently in the modern era, when many of his best underclassmen bolt for the NBA than he did in the era when all his best players stayed four years. He did reach the Final Four a bit more frequently in the first half of his career, but that’s balanced by more ACC championships and a better overall winning percentage in the second half.
The truth is that rather than cry over his lost advantage in the world of big-time college basketball, Krzyzewski adjusted to the new reality. He didn’t turn his program into a one-and-done factory as John Calipari has done at Kentucky (six one-and-dones in the last two years), but he hasn’t shied away from players who have their sights focused on the NBA, either. He’s strived to strike a balance between four-year players and the kind of ultra-talented prospect that can only be expected to stick around a year or two.
That’s not to say Krzyzewski hasn’t been disappointed by some of his losses. He thought Dunleavy would stick around to anchor a young team in 2003, but the son of an NBA coach couldn’t pass up the chance to be picked third in the draft. Coach K thought Deng — an excellent student who enjoyed school — would be back to star for the 2005 Blue Devils, but family pressure pushed the young forward into the draft. And there’s no question that if Irving could have resisted the lure of being the No. 1 pick in the 2011, the 2012 Blue Devils would have been better than the team that won 27 games and finished No. 8 in the final AP poll.
Still, would Duke have been ready to win the 2001 national title if Avery and Maggette had returned in 2000? And how would the 2010 national champs have fared if the best player off the 2009 team (Henderson) had not left for the NBA a year early?
Those questions can never be answered with any certainty. All we do know is that Duke basketball has flourished in the post-1999 era. The Blue Devils have done more than survive the early loss of such talented players as Brand, Jason Williams, Boozer, Henderson and Irving — they’ve prospered.
And the program is likely to continue to prosper going forward. Back to Men's Basketball
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Menu Home > HistoryStealing a run May 22, 2009 by Dan Turkenkopf Leave a Comment Arguably the most exciting play in baseball, the straight steal of home is rarely seen these days. It happens so infrequently that Jacoby Ellsbury successful attempt against Andy Pettitte became major news— although the Yankees / Red Sox rivalry probably has a little something to do with that. Not to be outdone, Jayson Werth accomplished the feat a little more than two weeks later, to somewhat less fanfare.
Seeing two successful attempts in the first six weeks of the 2009 season has caused some to ask whether we’re seeing a rebirth of the steal of home. Being unable to see the future, I can’t answer that question, but it did spur my interest in past attempts to steal home. I wanted to focus only on straight steals of home, and not double steals, busted squeeze plays or anything that doesn’t involve the runner breaking down the line while the pitcher waits to deliver his pitch.
Determining a straight steal of home from the play-by-play record can be a daunting chore. The official record doesn’t capture whether the runner broke on the pitch, or whether he took off because of a pickoff throw to first. It doesn’t record whether the batter squared to bunt and pulled back, or if the runner attempted a delayed steal by waiting for the catcher to lob the ball back to the pitcher.
Because of this difficulty, I supplemented the Retrosheet play-by-play data with game recaps whenever possible. Since freely available recaps become harder and harder to find the further back in time we go, I limited my look to the past decade, starting in the year 2000.
Since 2000, the straight steal of home has been attempted no more than 25 times. Unfortunately that’s as specific as I can be because descriptions of failed attempts are even harder to find than of successful ones. In the past 10 seasons, 12 times the runner on third was caught stealing at home with the line reading “1-2″ (pitcher throwing him out to the catcher). I wasn’t able to find recaps for most of the games that mentioned the play at the plate, so it’s a mystery in most cases whether the play involved an aborted suicide squeeze or an attempted delayed steal, or was truly a straight steal attempt. I was unable to classify nine of the attempts because of lack of information. For the sake of analyzing whether the attempted steal of home is a good idea, let’s assume that all nine were straight steal attempts.
On the positive side of the ledger, we can tally 15 successes. One man, Omar Vizquel, accounts for three of those (although he also tallies two caught stealings). And Jayson Werth doesn’t make the list because his was a delayed steal.
We’ll delve into each of the stolen bases in more detail in a little bit, but first let’s look at some aggregate numbers.
Here’s a list of possible straight steal attempts of home since 2000. I’ve marked the ones I’m unsure of with a *.
Scarborough Green
Eric Milton
June 12, 2000*
Turner Ward
Darren Dreifort
Sept. 22, 2000*
Felix Martinez
Randy Keisler
April 22, 2001*
Armando Almanza
May 16, 2001*
Tom Goodwin
Britt Reames
May 6, 2002*
Sean Douglass
Roger Cedeno
Kerry Robinson
July 4, 2002*
Kazuhisa Ishii
Nate Cornejo
Phil Norton
July 20, 2007*
Out of the 25 attempts, there were 15 successes and 10 failures—a 60percent success rate. It’s possible that actual success rate is higher, since many of the 10 failures were difficult to classify as actual straight steals.
We’d assume a runner on third has an easier chance of stealing home with a lefty on the mound than a right hander, since the southpaw’s back would be to the runner. The results seem to back up our intuition. More steals were attempted against left handers—13 to 10. Of the successful steals, nine were against left-handed pitchers and six were against right-handed pitchers. Only four of the times the runner was caught were against left handers; the remaining six were against righties. The bottom line of the success rate by pitcher handedness is 50 percent against right handed pitchers and 69 percent against southpaws.
The average leverage index for a steal attempt was 1.8, substantially higher than the average for all steal attempts (1.2). Of course that’s largely because you have to have a runner on third to be able to steal home, which will raise the leverage index. Attempting to steal home was worth an average of .03 wins.
Enough of the raw numbers. Let’s dive into the weeds on the successful steals of home.
Opposing pitcher: Eric Milton
Base state: Runner on third
Outs: 2
Leverage index: 1.23
Win value: 0.07
Break-even point: 35 percent success rate
The situation: The Rangers had just taken a 1-0 lead over the Twins in the top of the second inning on Green’s two-out double. He moved up to third on an error by the catcher. Luis Alicia was at the plate with a 1-0 count when Green stole home.
The reaction: “I’m not really sure what happened. I’d have to look at the replay. I was just trying not to rush and to keep the ball down. I tried to forget about that and just shut them down.”
—Eric Milton, courtesy of CNN/SI
Notes: Green stole five bases on Sept. 28, 2000, which is the record for steals by a rookie (matched by Dexter Fowler this season).
Technical interlude
You may be wondering how the break-even point is calculated. The Rangers had a 57.8 percent chance of winning the game after Green’s double and the error left him at third. Successfully stealing home raised that to 64.5 percent. If Green were thrown out, the chance of winning would have dropped to 54.2 percent. The break-even point is simply the value of the failure event divided by the spread in value from success to failure. Or, in this case, (54.2-57.8)/(54.2-64.5), which is roughly 35 percent. That means Green should attempt the steal if he has at least a 35 percent chance of making it successfully.
Of course this is an extremely simplified way of figuring the break-even point, since it assumes that there are only two outcomes—success and failure. There’s actually an additional option: Don’t attempt a steal. The average value of staying put is captured in the starting win probability when the runner is on third, but there are lots of reasons why the actual value may differ from that average.
Let’s assume that the bases are loaded with two outs, and the calculated break even point is 50 percent. So in the normal situation, a steal attempt makes sense if the runner can make it home safely half the time. But what if the match-up is Albert Pujols against Sidney Ponson? The chance of Pujols reaching base is probably pretty close to 50 percent, and that would score at least the one run that a steal would bring in. And while the steal is limited to a single run, there’s a fairly good chance that Pujols could bring home multiple runners with a base hit.
Now, the value of the steal is reduced compared to the alternative of staying put and letting Pujols swing away. It’s possible to construct a more accurate break-even point based on the upcoming events, but that’s way too involved for this survey. I’ll continue to use the simple break-even point for the rest of the events, but keep in mind that the situation is a lot more complex than this analysis makes it sound.
Omar Vizquel (No. 1)
Date: Sept. 20, 2000
Opposing pitcher: Rheal Cormier
Base state: Bases loaded
Leverage index: 3.8
Break-even point: 56 percent
The situation: After the Indians closed their deficit to a single run in the top of the fifth, and a walk to Manny Ramirez loaded the bases, the Red Sox brought in Rheal Cormier to face Jim Thome with two outs. The shift was on, leaving Lou Merloni as the only infielder left of second base. This allowed Vizquel to take a huge lead off third. He took off for home and scored to tie the game without ever drawing a throw.
The reaction:
“I tried to scream (to Cormier) but he had already gone. It was a great play on (Vizquel’s) part.”
—Lou Merloni, courtesy of the Boston Herald by way of ESPN
Opposing pitcher: Randy Keisler
Base state: Runners on second and third
The situation: In the bottom of the third inning, the Blue Jays were trailing the Yankees 3-2, and had runners on second and third with two out. With Keisler pitching out of the windup, Mondesi broke for home and scored easily as the pitch sailed high.
“I didn’t swing so I didn’t kill him. It wasn’t rehearsed, I’ll tell you that much.”
—Jose Cruz, courtesy of ESPN
Opposing pitcher: Ted Lilly
Break-even point: 31percent
The situation: With the Mets already holding a three-run lead in the top of the fourth inning, the Yankees and Lilly probably didn’t expect Cedeno to try for home with Edgardo Alfonzo at the plate. Lilly chose to pitch from the windup, and that gave Cedeno the jump he needed to scamper home safely.
The reactions:
“Bobby (manager Bobby Valentine) yelled, ‘Roger, go!’ One guy whose voice I can recognize is Bobby’s. I looked over at the dugout like, ‘You sure?’ I just took a chance. I’m glad it worked. You’ve got to make things happen.”
“That was me. I just fell asleep at the switch. He should have been pitching from the stretch.”
“I had no clue he was coming. Lilly looked at him twice, but I didn’t know until just at the end. I went down to catch the ball and tagged him. He never touched home plate, I don’t know how he could be safe.”
—Yankees catcher Alberto Castillo
All quotes courtesy of CNN/SI
Opposing pitcher: Trevor Hoffman
Break-even point:65 percent
The situation: The Cardinals already had a 3-1 lead against the Padres when Kerry Robinson led off with a triple. After Fernando Vina grounded back to Hoffman, Placido Polanco stepped to the plate. On the third pitch, Robinson broke for home. Polanco checked his swing and the ball bounced away from catcher Wiki Gonzalez, allowing Robinson to score easily.
“I definitely broke early. I feel bad because Placido almost got his head taken off because of my mistake. He doesn’t get any reward out of it and I feel more bad than good, but it worked out for us.”
—Kerry Robinson, courtesy of the AP and USA Today
Date: Aug. 14, 2002
Opposing pitcher: Andy Pettitte
The situation: Sweeney drove in the tying run off Pettitte in the top of the sixth inning with a double. He moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Joe Randa. With two outs and Aaron Guiel at the plate, Sweeney took advantage of Pettitte repeatedly looking down at the ground. He gained a big lead and then headed home. While Pettitte was able to get the ball to the plate in time for a play, Sweeney managed to get in safely before Jorge Posada‘s tag, allowing the Royals to take the lead.
“It’s obviously frustrating to give them a run like that. He made a great slide. I thought he’d be out. I couldn’t believe he was safe.”
—Andy Pettitte, courtesy of the The New York Times
Opposing pitcher: Steve Avery
The situation: The Indians and Tigers were knotted at two with two outs in the eighth inning, but Cleveland was threatening with the bases loaded. With Ben Broussard at bat, Vizquel decided to take the game into his own hands. Avery was so surprised by the move that he didn’t even get a throw off, and Vizquel scored easily. Avery, rattled, promptly gave up a triple to Broussard, bringing home two more runs. At least that’s my take on the story. An alternative narrative is that the steal didn’t matter because Broussard hit the triple. Take your pick.
Note: Milton Bradley was thrown out attempting to steal home in the first inning of this game. Grady Sizemore
Opposing pitcher: Dustin McGowan
The situation: The Blue Jays hadn’t even had a chance to bat when Sizemore stole home with two outs in the top of the first inning. After reaching on a leadoff single, he moved up on a bouncer back to the mound and wild pitch. He started for home before McGowan even began his windup, and scored without a tag.
Opposing pitcher: Chad Billingsley
The situation: Cabrera reached third after his double and an error by J.D. Drew in right field allowed the Angels to take a 1-0 lead. With Vladimir Guerrero at the plate, Cabrera recognized that Billingsley was pitching from the windup and not paying him enough attention. On the second pitch, Cabrera stole home without a throw.
“After the first pitch, Orlando openly told me, ‘This guy’s doing something that’s giving me a chance, so please get out of the way. I always look to the third base coach. I saw Orlando, he said a word or two in Spanish. His hand gesture was really enough.”
“When he goes into his windup, he has this routine where he steps back and looks down. I guess Cabrera picked it up because as soon as he put his head down, Cabrera took off. And by the time he picked his head up, Cabrera was already starting to slide. So we didn’t really have a chance.”
—Russell Martin Both quotes courtesy of ESPN
Note: Cabrera’s double allowed him to reach base for the 59th consecutive game, the longest streak since Ted Williams in 1940.
Opposing pitcher: Jason Johnson
The situation: The Rays were ahead 4-1 of the Red Sox in the bottom of the fourth when Crawford found himself on third with two outs. The previous night, with Crawford in the same position, Curt Schilling pitched from the windup. On the first pitch to Jorge Cantu, Johnson did the same, and Crawford decided to try for home on the next pitch, without cluing anyone into his plans. He made it easily.
“I said it’s going to be do or die. I’m going to take this chance right here. If I’m out, I’m out. If I’m safe, everybody will be happy about it.”
“It’s just a tough thing to watch”
—Red Sox manager Terry Francona
Both quotes courtesy of ESPN
Base state: Runners on first and third
The situation: The Blue Jays and Yankees were knotted at one in the bottom of the seventh inning. Hill reached third with two outs after an Alex Rodriguez error trying to complete a 5-3 double play kept the inning alive. Although Pettitte was pitching from the stretch, he still glanced over to first base in the middle of his motion. As his back was turned, Hill took off from third and slid under Posada’s late tag.
“I definitely felt my heart beating, that’s for sure. I’ve never done that. I didn’t know what was going to happen. I just pictured the umpire calling me safe and hoped that’d give me a little extra boost.” —Aaron Hill
“You’ve got to go as soon as you can when any left hander turns his back to you. Obviously, you can’t wait until he comes set or anything like that. He’s looking forward, and right when he starts to bring his hands up and starts looking at first base. That’s really the only time you can go.”
“This isn’t the only situation that we’ve had a plan. It just so happened that everything was right. We had an aggressive baserunner at third base and we had a runner at first base. We were deep into the game and (Pettitte) had really pitched well, so it was kind of one of those roll-the-dice type things where you hope that you get the right break.” —Blue Jays third base coach Brian Butterfield
“I know someone stole home off of me a long time ago in the windup. But to be out of the stretch, what can you say? It’s embarrassing. The guy’s able to get home and cost you a ballgame.” —Andy Pettitte
All quotes courtesy of MLB.com
Opposing pitcher: Kelvim Escobar
The situation: With the scored tied at three in the top of the third, B.J. Upton watched Kelvim Escobar use a slow windup to deliver to Brendan Harris. After timing the release for a few pitches, he stole home under the tag of catcher Jeff Mathis
Opposing pitcher: Greg Smith
The situation: In the bottom of the second inning of a scoreless game, the Giants had Oakland’s Greg Smith in a tight spot. Although there were two outs, the bases were loaded and Jose Castillo was at the plate. Rather than risk losing the scoring opportunity, Vizquel stole home easily.
The reaction: “I had checked (Vizquel) before but I had things on my mind. He picked the right time to go. I didn’t hear a thing. For some reason, him not being on third relaxed me.”
—Greg Smith, courtesy of ESPN
The situation: The Red Sox had taken a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning against the Yankees. With two outs and runners on second and third, Kevin Youkilis was intentionally walked to get to J.D. Drew. With Pettitte pitching from the windup (didn’t he learn his lesson from Aaron Hill?), Ellsbury decided to go for it, and beat Pettitte’s curve ball to the plate.
“It could be one of the worst baserunning mistakes if you don’t make it, but I was pretty confident I could get in there and make it, so that’s why I went.”
“What we have is a really fast player with some guts.”
“Obviously, that’s frustrating. Jorgie (Posada) had just told me to watch him, and I was in the windup. I should have been in the stretch. I watched him out of the corner of my eye and just didn’t think I needed to go to the stretch. I saw him take off and sped through my windup to kind of throw a ball in there. I thought we might have a chance to get him, but obviously he’s extremely fast. He got in there.” —Andy Pettitte
The straight steal of home appears to be an underused weapon. Players seem to be successful at least 60 percent of the time; you need to be successful roughly only 30-35 percent of the time for the tactic to be worth it. The break-even point is higher if the bases are loaded (between 40 and 60 percent generally), but the chance of success may increase if the pitcher pays less attention to the runner on third. As Pete Palmer and John Thorn say in The Hidden Game of Baseball, “the two-out steal of home is the unknown great percentage play.”
And if you really want to be successful stealing home, be sure to go when Andy Pettitte is on the mound.
References & ResourcesPrior to 2009, the Win Expectancy and Leverage Index data is licensed from http://www.InsideTheBook.com. 2009 data is from http://www.fangraphs.com
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The Nebraska rifle team will add two talented newcomers in 2013.
Husker Rifle Signs Two for 2013-14
Lincoln, Neb. - The Nebraska rifle team announced the signing of two top recruits for the 2013-14 season on Wednesday. Head Coach Stacy Underwood and the Huskers will welcome Jaycee Carter and Rachel Martin to Lincoln next season and will count on them for immediate contributions.
A native of Live Oak, Calif., Carter was a finalist in the 2012 Junior Olympic National Shooting Air Gun Championships and finished as the top J2. Carter attends Sutter High School, where she was part of the rifle team that won the 2012 Junior Olympical National Championship.
"Jaycee will enter our program with a great skill set," Underwood said. "Her competitive drive to achieve her goals will make her an integral part of this program on the range, in the classroom and in the community."
Martin hails from Peralta, N.M., and was a finalist in the 2012 Junior Olympic National Shooting Smallbore Championships. She finished in sixth place overall and as the top J2 shooter in the competition.
"Rachel will arrive to our program as a skilled competitor in both smallbore and air rifle," Underwood said. "Her discipline and work ethic in her shooting blends perfectly with our program's training. We are excited to watch her develop."
The Huskers hold an 8-3 record at the midpoint of their 2012-13 campaign, including a 2-1 mark in GARC action. NU will return to the range on Jan. 12, when they host Air Force at the NU Rifle Range in Lincoln. The match is slated for an 8 a.m. CST start.
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