Sports Quote of the Day:
Losers quit when they're tired. Winners quit when they've won. ~ Author Unknown
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Stanley Cup Finals 2013: Meet the Blackhawks. Now, on to the final leg for "The Quest for the Cup!!!
Here's everything you need to know about the Chicago Blackhawks before the Stanley Cup Finals begin on Wednesday.
For the first time since 1979, the Stanley Cup Finals pits two Original Six teams against each other: the Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins. The Bruins entered the postseason as the No. 4 seed in the East and are fresh off a sweep of the Pittsburgh Penguins no one saw coming. The top-seeded Blackhawks just stomped out the defending champion Los Angeles Kings in five games.
What we have in front of us looks to be a tremendous Stanley Cup Finals. The 2010 champs vs. the 2011 champs. Two of the greatest sports cities in America. A pair of rejuvenated fanbases with recently exorcised demons who are definitely all-in on their hockey teams right now.
The atmosphere should be incredibly rowdy, the Twitter smack talk should be on point and the games seem guaranteed to give anyone invested a mild panic attack. You don't need to understand the Corsi ratings to dig what's going on here. Simply admire the beards, savor the intensity and try like hell to get the hook from "Chelsea Dagger" out of your head.
To fully appreciate the Blackhawks' recent success, you first must know what it was like in the days of "Dollar Bill" Wirtz.
These Stanley Cup Finals should be great. That said, only one participant recently made Bill Simmons' daughter cry. With that in mind, here's a primer on the Chicago Blackhawks.
Where they came from
To fully appreciate the Blackhawks' recent success, to know what it means to have so much speed and talent wearing the Indian head sweater, you first must know what it was like in the days of "Dollar Bill" Wirtz. This was a man who seemed hellbent on killing hockey in Chicago. For decades, he completed this task with unimpeded success.
Bill Wirtz was the Blackhawks' owner for 41 years until he passed away in 2007. No one here is pouring whiskey on a dead man's grave; I'm sure he was a wonderful human being if you got to know him. But when it came to his day job, Wirtz set the standard for deadbeat owners in professional sports.
Where they came from
To fully appreciate the Blackhawks' recent success, to know what it means to have so much speed and talent wearing the Indian head sweater, you first must know what it was like in the days of "Dollar Bill" Wirtz. This was a man who seemed hellbent on killing hockey in Chicago. For decades, he completed this task with unimpeded success.
Bill Wirtz was the Blackhawks' owner for 41 years until he passed away in 2007. No one here is pouring whiskey on a dead man's grave; I'm sure he was a wonderful human being if you got to know him. But when it came to his day job, Wirtz set the standard for deadbeat owners in professional sports.
This was a man who never allowed the home games to be broadcast on TV. When he finally gave in, he tried to make them Pay-Per-View. Why? Because Bill Wirtz also owned the concession stands at Chicago Stadium and wouldn't dare stand for losing out on potential money he could be making at the gate.
The list of stars he chased out of town over money is endless: from franchise icons like Bobby Hull and Denis Savard to stud goalies Dominik Hasek and Ed Belfour, to beloved stars Jeremy Roenick and Chris Chelios. Bill Wirtz never met a dollar he didn't want to put in his pocket. In turn, he froze out an entire generation of hockey fans.
Wirtz's passing segued into the 'Hawks drafting Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane in consecutive years, and the rest is history. Note that this is probably not a coincidence.
Who they are
The Blackhawks blitzed the NHL in 2010 to win their first Stanley Cup since 1961. But by the time Patrick Kane finally got past his hangover, half of his teammates had been traded.
Who they are
The Blackhawks blitzed the NHL in 2010 to win their first Stanley Cup since 1961. But by the time Patrick Kane finally got past his hangover, half of his teammates had been traded.
The 'Hawks found themselves in salary cap hell after winning the Cup, largely thanks to a big free agent contract they rightfully handed out to Marian Hossa the summer before. The price of the Cup was that the team had to get rid of almost all of the depth that made them so special. Goalie Antti Niemi, playoff hero Dustin Byfuglien, forwards Andrew Ladd and Kris Versteeg were just a few of the players jettisoned after 2010. As a result, Chicago lost in the first round of the playoffs each of the last two years.
This season, the Blackhawks finally started to replenish their depth, and the results have been magnificent. Once the lockout was lifted, the 'Hawks went on a crazy run, going 24 straight games without a regulation loss. It was the third-longest streak of its kind and it made all sorts of folks take notice.
Sports Illustrated put the 'Hawks on the cover and proclaimed them as the team that saved hockey. As the Miami Heat were also running a winning streak to historic heights, the Blackhawks caught the attention of one LeBron James (his tweet):
LeBron James ✔ @KingJames
Hey Chicago Blackhawks, u guys are AWESOME!!
#streaking
11:04 PM - 6 Mar 2013
If you didn't use the occasion to daydream about how nasty LeBron would have been at hockey (or any sport, really) had he made it his full-time focus at a young age, you aren't doing it right.
The 'Hawks would eventually lose their streak against the worst team in the NHL, the Colorado Avalanche, but the rest of the regular season continued to go swimmingly. They won the Presidents' Trophy, proceeded to dispatch the Minnesota Wild in the first round and then hunkered down for an epic seven-game series with the hated Red Wings.
The 'Hawks would ultimately prevail, but I'm telling you: I've never seen the city so nervous. If these 'Hawks, the team all of Chicago thought would reach the Stanley Cup from the moment the streak began, happened to lose Game 7, let's just say I would have been worried sick for the physical and mental health of pretty much everyone I know.
Cast of Characters
Cast of Characters
- It's all about Patrick Kane.
The 24-year-old forward put the 'Hawks into the Stanley Cup Finals with three goals in the series-clinching Game 5 victory against the Kings. One million HAT TRICK KANE Facebook status updates were sent to heaven.
Here's what you need to know about Kane: on a team loaded with star forwards, there isn't a player who is more fun to watch than PK. There are times when the puck seems glued to his stick, when defenders twice the size of him can't take it away or knock him down. His playmaking and passing skills are remarkable and he finished fifth in the NHL during the regular season with 55 points in 47 games.
He also likes to party. A lot. After the 'Hawks were sent packing out of the first round of the playoffs against the Phoenix Coyotes last season, Kane was photographed decidedly less than sober milling around the campus of the University of Wisconsin. After an ugly altercation with a Buffalo cab driver in 2009, Chicago's patience was starting to wear thin with Kane. He was publicly shamed into hiding his face the rest of the offseason, apologizing to the team and its fans.
Is Patrick Kane a Sober Sally now? Hardly. But he's got his head on straight from the playoffs, and the Blackhawks are more formidable because of it.
- Jonathan Toews doesn't have Kane's on-ice style or budding off-ice alcoholism, but he's the unquestioned leader of the Blackhawks and their rightful captain. One problem: when your reputation is as highly regarded as Toews', you have to deliver in the playoffs. So far, the captain has just one postseason goal. Toews is by all accounts a wonderful two-way player, but if the Blackhawks run into trouble in the Stanley Cup Finals and he isn't producing, there will likely be plenty of criticism headed his way, fair or not.
- Like Mike Ditka, Phil Jackson and Ozzie Guillen before him, the Blackhawks are led by a man with a terrific mustache: Joel Quenneville. There's no playoff beard here, just one mean cookie duster.
- The breakout star of this postseason for the Blackhawks? That would be Bryan Bickell. The 27-year-old forward is tied for the team-high in playoff goals with eight. He's this team's Byfuglien in more ways than one: at 6'4, 233 pounds, he's the biggest player on the ice. He's also set to become a free agent after this season, and most think the 'Hawks will be hard-pressed to retain him.
- The Blackhawks rode a two-headed monster in net during the regular season of Corey Crawford and Ray Emery, but it's Crawford who has established himself as the team's No. 1 goalie in the playoffs. Crawford is on fire right now, saving 93.5 percent of all shots he's faced and helping the Blackhawks' penalty kill be the best of any team in the postseason. Conventional wisdom in hockey says you need a hot goaltender to advance in the playoffs, and the 'Hawks are fortunate Crawford has been up for the task thus far.
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals is Wednesday night in Chicago. It should be fun.
Spurs rout Heat 113-77 in Game 3 of NBA Finals.
By
From big 3s to Big Three, the Spurs had it all in the NBA Finals' raucous return to San Antonio.
Danny Green made seven of the Spurs' finals-record 16 3-pointers, Tim Duncan had 12 points and 14 rebounds, and the Spurs clobbered the Miami Heat 113-77 on Tuesday night to take 2-1 lead in the series.
Green scored 27 points and Gary Neal made six 3-pointers while scoring 24 as San Antonio went 16 of 32 from behind the arc, rolling to the third-biggest victory in finals history.
Duncan bounced back from his worst game ever in the finals, and the Spurs' combination of fresh faces and old reliables dominated the NBA's winningest team before an eager crowd that hadn't seen the finals here since 1997.
The Spurs were as good as fans remembered in the old days, shutting down LeBron James until they had built a huge lead late in the third quarter.
James finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds, but missed 11 of his first 13 shots against the excellent defense of Kawhi Leonard, who had 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Game 4 is Thursday here, where the Heat are 3-22 in the regular season and so far zero wins and one really bad beating in the postseason.
''We got what we deserved,'' Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
Duncan shot 3 of 13 for nine points, his worst performance ever in his 25 NBA Finals games, in the Heat's 103-84 victory Sunday. Tony Parker wasn't much better, shooting 5 of 14 and committing five turnovers, and Manu Ginobili admitted afterward the veteran trio had to play well for the Spurs to win.
They were fine, but the lesser-knowns were better.
Parker and Ginobili combined for 14 assists, but the bigger story was the guys who had never played on this stage before.
-Neal, who went undrafted after playing for LaSalle and Towson, then playing overseas for three seasons in Italy, Spain and Turkey.
-Green, who had been cut multiple times - including by James' Cavaliers - and now has the shot to stick.
-Leonard, the draft-night trade acquisition from San Diego State who played the NBA's four-time MVP to a stalemate.
Mike Miller made all five 3-pointers and scored 15 points for the Heat, who broke open Sunday's game and seized momentum in the series with a 33-5 run in the second half.
The Spurs seized it right back, improving to 18-7 in the finals, the best winning percentage of any team with 20 or more games.
A brief flurry by James had Miami within 15 after three quarters, but Neal, Green and Leonard combined on a 13-0 run to open the fourth, Green's 3-pointer making it 91-63.
''All of my teammates and Pop. They do a great job of encouraging me. They continue to tell me to shoot the ball. They continue to tell me whenever I'm open, to let it fly,'' Green said.
The NBA hadn't made its way along San Antonio's River Walk this late in the season since 1997, and fans couldn't wait to have the Spurs back. They sang and danced and clapped around the concourse and in their seats, as if their favorite rock band had returned for a concert.
And they were thrilled to see the Duncan they recognized from his first 24 finals appearances.
He got right on the board in this one, with a short jumper 20 seconds into the game. The Spurs, who had played from behind most of the series, had a 24-20 lead after making 11 of 18 shots in the first quarter.
Duncan hit a pair of three throws and another basket, and after a jumper by Neal, he threw a long outlet to Leonard for a dunk that made it 40-30.
Neal's 3 made it 43-32, but Miller hit a pair of 3-pointers in a 12-1 run that tied it at 44 with 37 seconds in the half, the Heat appearing set to go into the half with momentum. But Parker drilled a 3 from the corner, and after Green blocked James' shot, the Spurs rushed it up for a 3-pointer by Neal that fell at the buzzer, the reserve guard pointing back toward his defenders before the Spurs headed to the locker room with a 50-44 advantage.
The party played on all right, with a huge roar when Tracy McGrady, a former perennial All-Star now in his first finals appearance as a member of the Spurs' bench, checked in midway through the fourth quarter. He was scoreless with three assists.
James started 2 for 13, then made his final four shots of the third as the Heat got within 13 before Ginobili fired a nifty pass to Tiago Splitter under the basket for a score with 0.1 seconds remaining, making it 78-63 and setting the stage for the big fourth-quarter finish.
''We want to make them take tough shots. They missed a couple. Obviously it worked this game, but next game we know they'll come out differently,'' Green said. ''We're not comfortable at any point defensively. We have to continue to be active, be aggressive get our hands on loose balls.''
It was a potentially pivotal victory for the Spurs in their quest to go 5 for 5 in the finals. Since the NBA Finals went to a 2-3-2 format in 1985, the Game 3 winner when the series was tied 1-1 has gone on to win 12 of the 13 titles - though the Heat were the lone one that didn't, in 2011.
Danny Green made seven of the Spurs' finals-record 16 3-pointers, Tim Duncan had 12 points and 14 rebounds, and the Spurs clobbered the Miami Heat 113-77 on Tuesday night to take 2-1 lead in the series.
Green scored 27 points and Gary Neal made six 3-pointers while scoring 24 as San Antonio went 16 of 32 from behind the arc, rolling to the third-biggest victory in finals history.
Duncan bounced back from his worst game ever in the finals, and the Spurs' combination of fresh faces and old reliables dominated the NBA's winningest team before an eager crowd that hadn't seen the finals here since 1997.
The Spurs were as good as fans remembered in the old days, shutting down LeBron James until they had built a huge lead late in the third quarter.
James finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds, but missed 11 of his first 13 shots against the excellent defense of Kawhi Leonard, who had 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Game 4 is Thursday here, where the Heat are 3-22 in the regular season and so far zero wins and one really bad beating in the postseason.
''We got what we deserved,'' Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
Duncan shot 3 of 13 for nine points, his worst performance ever in his 25 NBA Finals games, in the Heat's 103-84 victory Sunday. Tony Parker wasn't much better, shooting 5 of 14 and committing five turnovers, and Manu Ginobili admitted afterward the veteran trio had to play well for the Spurs to win.
They were fine, but the lesser-knowns were better.
Parker and Ginobili combined for 14 assists, but the bigger story was the guys who had never played on this stage before.
-Neal, who went undrafted after playing for LaSalle and Towson, then playing overseas for three seasons in Italy, Spain and Turkey.
-Green, who had been cut multiple times - including by James' Cavaliers - and now has the shot to stick.
-Leonard, the draft-night trade acquisition from San Diego State who played the NBA's four-time MVP to a stalemate.
Mike Miller made all five 3-pointers and scored 15 points for the Heat, who broke open Sunday's game and seized momentum in the series with a 33-5 run in the second half.
The Spurs seized it right back, improving to 18-7 in the finals, the best winning percentage of any team with 20 or more games.
A brief flurry by James had Miami within 15 after three quarters, but Neal, Green and Leonard combined on a 13-0 run to open the fourth, Green's 3-pointer making it 91-63.
''All of my teammates and Pop. They do a great job of encouraging me. They continue to tell me to shoot the ball. They continue to tell me whenever I'm open, to let it fly,'' Green said.
The NBA hadn't made its way along San Antonio's River Walk this late in the season since 1997, and fans couldn't wait to have the Spurs back. They sang and danced and clapped around the concourse and in their seats, as if their favorite rock band had returned for a concert.
And they were thrilled to see the Duncan they recognized from his first 24 finals appearances.
He got right on the board in this one, with a short jumper 20 seconds into the game. The Spurs, who had played from behind most of the series, had a 24-20 lead after making 11 of 18 shots in the first quarter.
Duncan hit a pair of three throws and another basket, and after a jumper by Neal, he threw a long outlet to Leonard for a dunk that made it 40-30.
Neal's 3 made it 43-32, but Miller hit a pair of 3-pointers in a 12-1 run that tied it at 44 with 37 seconds in the half, the Heat appearing set to go into the half with momentum. But Parker drilled a 3 from the corner, and after Green blocked James' shot, the Spurs rushed it up for a 3-pointer by Neal that fell at the buzzer, the reserve guard pointing back toward his defenders before the Spurs headed to the locker room with a 50-44 advantage.
The party played on all right, with a huge roar when Tracy McGrady, a former perennial All-Star now in his first finals appearance as a member of the Spurs' bench, checked in midway through the fourth quarter. He was scoreless with three assists.
James started 2 for 13, then made his final four shots of the third as the Heat got within 13 before Ginobili fired a nifty pass to Tiago Splitter under the basket for a score with 0.1 seconds remaining, making it 78-63 and setting the stage for the big fourth-quarter finish.
''We want to make them take tough shots. They missed a couple. Obviously it worked this game, but next game we know they'll come out differently,'' Green said. ''We're not comfortable at any point defensively. We have to continue to be active, be aggressive get our hands on loose balls.''
It was a potentially pivotal victory for the Spurs in their quest to go 5 for 5 in the finals. Since the NBA Finals went to a 2-3-2 format in 1985, the Game 3 winner when the series was tied 1-1 has gone on to win 12 of the 13 titles - though the Heat were the lone one that didn't, in 2011.
Notes: The previous NBA Finals record for a team was 14 3-pointers, held by three teams. ... Miami's first victory in San Antonio came on Dec. 23, 1996, in its 11th try. David Robinson broke his left foot in the second quarter of the Heat's 90-79 victory, missed the rest of the season, and the Spurs fell into the lottery, which they ended up winning so they could take Duncan with the No. 1 pick in the 1997 draft.
From wicker baskets to Yul Brynner, Merion Golf Club endures to host another U.S. Open.
By Eric Adelson
Tiger Woods will be shooting at wicker baskets, not flags, at Merion Golf Club. (AP)
The most mysterious woman in the golf world will take her turn in the spotlight this week. (No, not Lindsay Vonn.) Her impact will be front and center, clear to millions of people, and yet even the folks at the U.S. Open have no idea who she is.
"I've been at this job for 12 years," says Andy Mutch, curator at Merion Golf Club, site of this weekend's 113th U.S. Open. "And I don't know."
The anonymous woman is in charge of making the famous wicker baskets at the top of the flagsticks here. A member of the grounds crew did the job until 1980, and since then it's been her. The baskets are taken down after every round to keep them from being stolen, which is ironic considering legend has it that the baskets were modeled after staffs European shepherds used to keep their lunch away from the animals.
Mutch jokes the reason for the secrecy has some parallels there.
Mutch jokes the reason for the secrecy has some parallels there.
"Maybe she doesn't want to be bombarded with golf fans who want a wicker basket in their basement or man cave," he suggests.
The baskets and their mysterious maker are just one nugget in a gold mine of history at Merion, located 10 miles east of downtown Philadelphia. If these links could speak, they could tell stories involving everyone from Bobby Jones to Lee Trevino to Yul Brynner.
Augusta National might be the most famous golf course in America, but Merion could be the most fascinating.
Augusta National might be the most famous golf course in America, but Merion could be the most fascinating.
How fascinating? Well, the host of this year's second leg of golf's grand slam is actually where the term "grand slam" was coined. In 1930, Jones won the U.S. Amateur here after claiming titles at the British Amateur, British Open, and U.S. Open.
An Atlanta journalist named O.B. Keeler called it a "grand slam" and the name has now been around longer than its tie to the Amateur events Jones won.
An Atlanta journalist named O.B. Keeler called it a "grand slam" and the name has now been around longer than its tie to the Amateur events Jones won.
"It's one of the most important events that's ever happened in golf," Mutch says.
Jones had his coming out party here in 1916, at the age of 14, when he took the golf world by storm with his electric play and his third-rail temper. Mutch says Jones went around the course screaming, cussing and "helicoptering" clubs. That kind of behavior would get any player ostracized from the golf community today, let alone a teenager, but back then the notable scribes of the time, no less than Grantland Rice, basically gave the kid a pass.
Mutch describes Jones as a "total embarrassment," yet says the crowds ate it up. "They absolutely loved him," he says. "It's Philadelphia, remember?"
Mutch describes Jones as a "total embarrassment," yet says the crowds ate it up. "They absolutely loved him," he says. "It's Philadelphia, remember?"
Jones' play sent a ripple throughout the nation. Eight years later, he'd come back here and win the U.S. Amateur.
Tiger Woods rocked the sports world by winning the Masters at 21 in 1997, but Jones' play at Merion made him arguably the greatest child prodigy in sports history. When he won the "grand slam" in 1930, the course was so crowded that players needed police escorts to each tee. He retired only a few months later, at age 28.
Incredibly, Jones' achievements may not be the most amazing in the course's history. That honor probably belongs to Ben Hogan, who came back from a near-fatal bus collision to win here in 1950. Doctors were unsure Hogan would ever walk again, and 16 months later he was here, forcing a playoff despite serious pain. The photo of his 1-iron approach on 18 (his 36th hole of that day) is one of the most famous in the sport's lore.
As if that wasn't enough Open legend, Trevino beat Jack Nicklaus here in 1971, despite missing a par putt in the final round when a boy fell out of a tree. The next day, Trevino threw a rubber snake at Nicklaus before beating the much longer hitter in the playoff.
All this history, dating back more than a century, brings to mind the obvious question: Why hasn't the U.S. Open been held here since 1981? The course is at the doorstep of one of America's great cities, so close to Philadelphia that countless residents have taken the 30-minute train ride to play here after work. Merion has hosted 18 USGA championships, an incredible number. "It's had the highest level of competition," Mutch says. "At every level of golf they have held a championship. I'm not sure any other club in America can say that."
So why has Merion waited so long?
That brings us to Yul Brynner.
The Russian-born actor known for his role as the King of Siam was in town for a stint in "The King and I" and he requested a remote, quiet spot where he could stay. His agent put him up in a house here, on Golf House Road, as the Open was starting.
Instead of getting peace and quiet, he got a mob of fans outside his window.
"Word got out that Brynner took it out on his people as if he were the King of Siam punishing the lowly members of his court," jokes former USGA director David Fay in a recent Golf Digest interview.
Instead of getting peace and quiet, he got a mob of fans outside his window.
"Word got out that Brynner took it out on his people as if he were the King of Siam punishing the lowly members of his court," jokes former USGA director David Fay in a recent Golf Digest interview.
Obviously Brynner's meltdown didn't tip the scales away from Merion, but it was symbolic of an era when majors were moving out of the cozy confines of smaller courses and into the corporate tent era. Merion had always been a brutal test, with its narrow fairways and its spooky bunkers that seem to stare straight back at the golfers as they approach, but it was short (under 7,000 yards) and hemmed in. Only a concerted effort by Fay, Mike Davis, and some club members who bought land near the sixth hole pushed momentum back in favor of Merion returning to the major circuit. Fay told Golf Digest that because of the big broadcast deals in recent years (Thank you, Mr. Woods), "We could afford to take a financial hit every so often."
It's a shame that a visit to this course is considered any type of sacrifice. But holding the Open here would be like having the Super Bowl in Notre Dame Stadium – a delight for traditionalists but not fit for the times. It's a risk, and one made more dicey by the bad weather threatening to make some parts of the course unplayable. Sad but true: returning to Merion might be looked back on as a mistake.
Then again, waking up these echoes by putting Tiger Woods and today's greats on this postage stamp of a course might give this tournament something that might entice even the most hardened mercenaries a reason to come back here soon: serious history.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick deflates Tim Tebow buzz at minicamp news conference.
Then again, waking up these echoes by putting Tiger Woods and today's greats on this postage stamp of a course might give this tournament something that might entice even the most hardened mercenaries a reason to come back here soon: serious history.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick deflates Tim Tebow buzz at minicamp news conference.
By Les Carpenter
Tim Tebow throws during Tuesday's minicamp session. (AP)
Any doubt the New England Patriots aren't going to be able to handle the Tim Tebow frenzy was squelched in 10 minutes on Tuesday morning. That was all it took for Patriots coach Bill Belichick to douse the delirium of nearly 100 reporters and camera people firing questions about the Patriots' newest quarterback.
He did it in a minicamp news conference that people would call "Belichickian."
Which means that after walking into the room, seeing the long line of television cameras and reporters, he smirked and then said nothing.
Seriously. Nothing.
He did it in a minicamp news conference that people would call "Belichickian."
Which means that after walking into the room, seeing the long line of television cameras and reporters, he smirked and then said nothing.
Seriously. Nothing.
Here is the general text of his most effusive statement on the man who will be the most watched player on his roster:
"He's talented, he's smart, he works hard," Belichick said.
Then nothing.
What do you like about Tim? someone asked.
"He's talented, he's smart, he works hard," Belichick replied.
Does Tebow just need a few adjustments to succeed?
"We'll see how it goes," Belichick replied.
What interested you in Tim?
"I like Tim, I have a lot of respect for Tim," Belichick responded.
And on it went. Most queries got some variation of one of those three answers. But, of course, that wasn't enough. This wasn't just a late spring update on Tom Brady people wanted to know about. This was Tim Tebow, the most famous man in football 17 months ago when he came into this stadium as the Denver Broncos' quarterback and suffered a division round loss to end an improbable run to the postseason. ESPN and NFL Network were broadcasting Belichick live. They wanted more than, "We'll see how it goes."
One man announced he was a political reporter in New Hampshire dispatched to Foxborough just for this. What did that say to Belichick about the power of Tebow?
Apparently not much. Belichick glared at the man and grunted.
Someone else asked about the role of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, the former Broncos coach who took Tebow in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft.
Apparently not much. Belichick glared at the man and grunted.
Someone else asked about the role of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, the former Broncos coach who took Tebow in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft.
Surely McDaniels said something to Belichick.
"I don't know," Belichick said.
"You don't know?" a television reporter shouted.
"There's a lot of people in the organization who contributed," Belichick replied.
The bigger point of Tuesday morning was to illustrate there wasn't going to be a show when it comes to Tebow. Belichick may come off as cold and secretive and overbearing but he does not let things get out of hand. He intentionally said little about Tebow's potential, his role – other than the player will be a quarterback – and the way he expects Tebow will fit in the locker room. He did something to Tebowmania in those 10 minutes on Tuesday that millions of fed up fans have failed to do in five years – he deflated it.
In the end, a television reporter was left to shout questions about Belichick's thoughts on Tebowing as the eyes of the Patriots' mastermind stared dark and cold.
"You don't know?" a television reporter shouted.
"There's a lot of people in the organization who contributed," Belichick replied.
The bigger point of Tuesday morning was to illustrate there wasn't going to be a show when it comes to Tebow. Belichick may come off as cold and secretive and overbearing but he does not let things get out of hand. He intentionally said little about Tebow's potential, his role – other than the player will be a quarterback – and the way he expects Tebow will fit in the locker room. He did something to Tebowmania in those 10 minutes on Tuesday that millions of fed up fans have failed to do in five years – he deflated it.
In the end, a television reporter was left to shout questions about Belichick's thoughts on Tebowing as the eyes of the Patriots' mastermind stared dark and cold.
There would be nothing on Tebowing, nothing on throwing, nothing on God, nothing on Tebow's college coach Urban Meyer – a friend of Belichick's. Nothing really about Tebow. Nothing but a whole lot of frigid silence and awkward pauses.
When a Patriots official said there were only two questions left in the media session, you could almost feel a sigh of relief in the room. Belichick grunted, didn't really answer one last Tebow question and then walked away. As he disappeared toward an elevator, a nervous laughter filled the room.
The frenzy that follows Tim Tebow ran straight into the one man who will suffer none of it. Ten minutes and Bill Belichick had delivered a point Rex Ryan never could have made in Tebow's lost year with the Jets.
"In all honesty we've been in front of bigger crowds before," Belichick said.
Which is why Tebow might work just fine in New England after all.
Which is why Tebow might work just fine in New England after all.
2013 U.S. Open: Golf Tee Times, Pairings for Rounds 1 and 2.
By Bradley Ryder
The 113th U.S. Open takes place at the Merion Golf Club on June 13-16 in Pennsylvania.
Pairings and tee times are set for the par-4 golf course, slightly soggy in the wake of Tropical Storm Andrea. While all eyes are on Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia, defending 2012 U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson hopes to repeat.
U.S. Open 2013: Rounds 1 and 2 (groupings and starting times)
Note: All times in Eastern Standard Time (Thursday, tee 1/Friday, tee 11)
1. Cliff Kresge, Roger Tambellini, Ryan Yip: 06:45 a.m./12:45 p.m.
U.S. Open 2013: Rounds 1 and 2 (groupings and starting times)
Note: All times in Eastern Standard Time (Thursday, tee 1/Friday, tee 11)
1. Cliff Kresge, Roger Tambellini, Ryan Yip: 06:45 a.m./12:45 p.m.
2. Rikard Karlberg, Yui Ueda, John Parry: 06:56 a.m./12:56 p.m.
3. Nick Watney, Peter Hanson, Hunter Mahan: 07:07 a.m./01:07 p.m.
4. Lucas Glover, Paul Casey, Bill Haas: 07:18 a.m./01:18 p.m.
5. Aaron Baddeley, Rory Sabbatini, David Lingmerth: 07:29 a.m./01:29 p.m. 6. George Coetzee, Martin Laird, Marcel Siem: 07:40 a.m./01:40 p.m.
7. Jerry Kelly, Charley Hoffman, John Huh: 07:51 a.m./01:51 p.m.
8. Henrik Stenson, Ryan Moore, Robert Garrigus: 08:02 a.m./02:02 p.m.
9. Ryan Palmer, Simon Khan, Ted Potter Jr.: 08:13 a.m./02:13 p.m.
10. Shawn Stefani, Michael Kim, Nicholas Thompson: 08:24 a.m./02:24 p.m.
11. Chris Doak, Andrew Svoboda, Douglas LaBelle II: 08:35 a.m./02:35 p.m.
12. Kevin Sutherland, Matt Weibring, Randall Hutchison: 08:46 a.m./02:46 p.m.
13. Cory McElyea, Ryan Nelson, John Hahn: 08:57 a.m./02:57 p.m.
14. David Toms, Darren Clarke, Jose Maria Olazabal: 12:30 p.m./07:00 a.m.
15. Geoff Ogilvy, Angel Cabrera, Paul Lawrie: 12:41 p.m./07:11 a.m.
16. Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer: 12:52 p.m./07:22 a.m.
17. Jim Furyk, Graeme McDowell, Zach Johnson: 01:03 p.m./07:33 a.m.
18. Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott: 01:14 p.m./07:44 a.m.
19. Thongchai Jaidee. G. Fernandez-Castano, Thorbjorn Olesen: 01:25 p.m./07:55 a.m.
20. Webb Simpson, Steven Fox, Ernie Els: 01:36 p.m./08:06 a.m.
21. Kyle Stanley, Joe Ogilvi, Luke Guthrie: 01:47 p.m./08:17 a.m.
22. Josh Teater, Yoshinobu Tsukada, Eddie Pepperell: 01:58 p.m./08:28 a.m.
23. Edward Loar, Morten Orum Madsen, Jung-Gon Hwang: 02:09 p.m./08:39 a.m.
24. Max Homa, Russell Knox, Matt Bettencourt: 02:20 p.m./08:50 a.m.
25. Adam Hadwin, John Nieporte, Jim Herman: 02:31 p.m./09:01 a.m.
26. Brandon Brown, Grayson Murray, Jesse Smith: 02:42 p.m./09:12 a.m.
27. Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, Nicolas Colsaerts: 07:00 a.m./12:30 p.m.
28. Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker, Keegan Bradley: 07:11 a.m./12:41 p.m.
29. Matt Kuchar, Justin Rose, Brandt Snedeker: 07:22 a.m./12:52 p.m.
30. Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Tim Clark: 07:33 a.m./01:03 p.m.
31. Sergio Garcia, Stewart Cink, Padraig Harrington: 07:44 a.m./01:14 p.m.
32. Ian Poulter, Jason Dufner, Boo Weekley: 07:55 a.m./01:25 p.m.
33. Rickie Fowler, Matteo Manassero, Jason Day: 08:06 a.m./01:36 p.m.
34. Y.E. Yang, Fredrik Jacobson, Hiroyuki Fujita: 08:17 a.m./01:47 p.m.
35. Scott Stallings, John Peterson, Robert Karlsson: 08:28 a.m./01:58 p.m.
36. Jay Don Blake, Brandt Jobe, Michael Campbell: 08:39 a.m./02:09 p.m.
37. David Hearn, Mike Weir, Jaco Van Zyl: 08:50 a.m./02:20 p.m.
38. Kevin Phelan, Wil Collins, Harold Varner III: 09:01 a.m./02:31 p.m.
39. Cheng-Tsung Pan, Mackenzie Hughes, Geoffrey Sisk: 09:12 a.m./02:42 p.m.
40. Justin Hicks, David Howell, Brian Stuard: 12:45 p.m./06:45 a.m.
39. Cheng-Tsung Pan, Mackenzie Hughes, Geoffrey Sisk: 09:12 a.m./02:42 p.m.
40. Justin Hicks, David Howell, Brian Stuard: 12:45 p.m./06:45 a.m.
41. Brendan Steele, Estanislao Goya, Peter Hedblom: 12:56 p.m./06:56 a.m.
42. Marc Leishman, John Senden, Marcus Fraser: 01:07 p.m./07:07 a.m.
43. Scott Langley, Chris Williams, Morgan Hoffmann: 01:18 p.m/07:18 a.m.
44. Michael Thompson, Michael Weaver, Casey Wittenberg: 01:29 p.m./07:29 a.m.
45. K.J. Choi, Francesco Molinari, Carl Pettersson: 01:40 p.m./07:40 a.m.
46. Scott Piercy, Kevin Chappell, Jamie Donaldson: 01:51 p.m./07:51 a.m.
47. Bo Van Pelt, Kevin Streelman, D.A. Points: 02:02 p.m./08:02 a.m.
48. Branden Grace, Sang-Moon Bae, Russell Henley: 02:13 p.m./08:13 a.m.
49. Hideki Matsuyama, Billy Horschel, Jordan Spieth: 02:24 p.m./08:24 a.m.
50. Mathew Goggin, Steven Alker, Alistair Presnell: 02:35 p.m./08:35 a.m.
51. Matt Harmon, Gavin Hall, Bio Kim: 02:46 p.m./08:46 a.m.
52. Zack Fischer, Ryan Sullivan, Brandon Crick: 02:57 p.m./08:57 a.m.
2013 U.S. Open date: June 13-16
52. Zack Fischer, Ryan Sullivan, Brandon Crick: 02:57 p.m./08:57 a.m.
2013 U.S. Open date: June 13-16
U.S. Open location: Merion Golf Club, Ardmore, Pa.
Quote from Rory McIlroy (World No. 2) on playing with Tiger Woods (World No. 1) and Adam Scott (World No. 3) in the first and second rounds of the 2013 U.S. Open at Merion: "It's always nice to be a part of a group like that. It's something I'm excited about. It's a good think I like it and enjoy it because there will obviously be a lot of attention come Thursday afternoon on our first tee shots."
NASCAR Michigan entry lists.
Sprint Cup; Quicken Loans 400
Driver Hometown Make Sponsor Owner
Sprint Cup; Quicken Loans 400
Driver Hometown Make Sponsor Owner
| 1 | Jamie McMurray | Joplin, Missouri | Chevrolet | McDonald's | Felix Sabates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Brad Keselowski | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Ford | Miller Lite | Roger Penske |
| 5 | Kasey Kahne | Enumclaw, Washington | Chevrolet | Farmers Insurance | Linda Hendrick |
| 7 | Dave Blaney | Hartford, Ohio | Chevrolet | Sany | Tommy Baldwin Jr |
| 9 | Marcos Ambrose | Launceston, Australia | Ford | Stanley | Richard Petty |
| 10 | Danica Patrick | Roscoe, Illinois | Chevrolet | GoDaddy.com | Gene Haas |
| 11 | Denny Hamlin | Chesterfield, Virginia | Toyota | FedEx Express | J.D. Gibbs |
| 13 | Casey Mears | Bakersfield, California | Ford | GEICO | Bob Germain |
| 14 | Tony Stewart | Columbus, Indiana | Chevrolet | Bass Pro Shops / Mobil 1 | Margaret Haas |
| 15 | Clint Bowyer | Emporia, Kansas | Toyota | 5-Hour Energy | Rob Kauffman |
| 16 | Greg Biffle | Vancouver, Washington | Ford | 3M / Give Kids A Smile | Jack Roush |
| 17 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr | Olive Branch, Mississippi | Ford | Zest | John Henry |
| 18 | Kyle Busch | Las Vegas, Nevada | Toyota | M&M's | Joe Gibbs |
| 19 | Mike Bliss | Milwaukie, Oregon | Toyota | Plinker Tactical | Randy Humphrey |
| 20 | Matt Kenseth | Cambridge, Wisconsin | Toyota | The Home Depot / Husky | Joe Gibbs |
| 21 | Trevor Bayne | Knoxville, Tennessee | Ford | Motorcraft / Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center | Glen Wood |
| 22 | Joey Logano | Middletown, Connecticut | Ford | Shell-Pennzoil | Walter Czarnecki |
| 24 | Jeff Gordon | Vallejo, California | Chevrolet | Drive To End Hunger | Rick Hendrick |
| 27 | Paul Menard | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | Chevrolet | Menards-CertainTeed | Richard Childress |
| 29 | Kevin Harvick | Bakersfield, California | Chevrolet | Budweiser | Richard Childress |
| 30 | David Stremme | South Bend, Indiana | Toyota | Swan Energy | Brandon Davis |
| 31 | Jeff Burton | South Boston, Virginia | Chevrolet | Caterpillar | Richard Childress |
| 32 | Ken Schrader | Fenton, Missouri | Ford | OXY Water | Frank Stoddard Sr. |
| 33 | Austin Dillon | Welcome, North Carolina | Chevrolet | American Ethanol | Joe Falk |
| 34 | David Ragan | Unadilla, Georgia | Ford | Taco Bell | Bob Jenkins |
| 35 | Josh Wise | Riverside, California | Ford | MDS Transport | Jerry Freeze |
| 36 | J.J. Yeley | Phoenix, Arizona | Chevrolet | TBA | Allan Heinke |
| 38 | David Gilliland | Riverside, California | Ford | Long John Silver's | Brad Jenkins |
| 39 | Ryan Newman | South Bend, Indiana | Chevrolet | Quicken Loans | Tony Stewart |
| 42 | Juan Pablo Montoya | Bogota, Colombia | Chevrolet | Target | Chip Ganassi |
| 43 | Aric Almirola | Tampa, Florida | Ford | Eckrich | Richard Petty |
| 44 | Scott Riggs | Bahama, North Carolina | Ford | Brabble | Johnathan Cohen |
| 47 | Bobby Labonte | Corpus Christi, Texas | Toyota | Charter | Tad Geschickter |
| 48 | Jimmie Johnson | El Cajon, California | Chevrolet | Lowe's | Jeff Gordon |
| 51 | AJ Allmendinger | Los Gatos, California | Chevrolet | Phoenix Construction | James Finch |
| 55 | Mark Martin | Batesville, Arkansas | Toyota | Aaron's Dream Machine | Michael Waltrip |
| 56 | Martin Truex Jr | Mayetta, New Jersey | Toyota | NAPA Auto Parts | Michael Waltrip |
| 78 | Kurt Busch | Las Vegas, Nevada | Chevrolet | Furniture Row Racing-Serta | Barney Visser |
| 83 | David Reutimann | Zephyrhills, Florida | Toyota | Burger King / Dr. Pepper | Ron Devine |
| 87 | Joe Nemechek | Lakeland, Florida | Toyota | TBA | Andrea Nemechek |
| 88 | Dale Earnhardt Jr | Kannapolis, North Carolina | Chevrolet | National Guard "Man of Steel" | Rick Hendrick |
| 93 | Travis Kvapil | Janesville, Wisconsin | Toyota | Burger King / Dr. Pepper | Ron Devine |
| 98 | Michael McDowell | Glendale, Arizona | Ford | Phil Parsons Racing | Mike Curb |
| 99 | Carl Edwards | Columbia, Missouri | Ford | Fastenal | Jack Roush |
Nationwide; Alliance Truck Parts 250
Driver Hometown Make Sponsor Owner
| 00 | Jason White | Richmond, Virginia | Toyota | TBA | Melissa Sciavicco |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Mike Wallace | St. Louis, Missouri | Chevrolet | TBA | Johnny Davis |
| 2 | Brian Scott | Boise, Idaho | Chevrolet | Shore Lodge | Richard Childress |
| 3 | Austin Dillon | Welcome, North Carolina | Chevrolet | AdvoCare | Richard Childress |
| 4 | Landon Cassill | Fairfax, Iowa | Chevrolet | TBA | Gene Vess |
| 5 | Brad Sweet | Grass Valley, California | Chevrolet | Great Clips | Rick Hendrick |
| 6 | Trevor Bayne | Knoxville, Tennessee | Ford | Roush Clean Tech | Jack Roush |
| 7 | Regan Smith | Cato, New York | Chevrolet | Taxslayer.com | Kelly Earnhardt-Miller |
| 10 | Jeff Green | Owensboro, Kentucky | Toyota | TriStar Motorsports | Mark Smith |
| 11 | Elliott Sadler | Emporia, Virginia | Toyota | OneMain Financial | J.D. Gibbs |
| 12 | Sam Hornish Jr | Defiance, Ohio | Ford | Alliance Truck Parts | Roger Penske |
| 14 | Eric McClure | Chilhowie, Virginia | Toyota | Hefty / Reynolds | Mark Smith |
| 15 | Carl Long | Roxboro, North Carolina | Ford | Rick Ware Racing | Rick Ware |
| 16 | Chris Buescher | Prosper, Texas | Ford | Ford EcoBoost | Jack Roush |
| 19 | Mike Bliss | Milwaukie, Oregon | Toyota | TriStar Motorsports | Mark Smith |
| 20 | Brian Vickers | Thomasville, North Carolina | Toyota | Dollar General | Joe Gibbs |
| 22 | Joey Logano | Middletown, Connecticut | Ford | Discount Tire | Roger Penske |
| 24 | Blake Koch | West Palm Beach, Florida | Toyota | TBA | Jason Sciavicco |
| 30 | Nelson Piquet Jr | Brasilia, Brazil | Chevrolet | Worx | Harry Scott Jr. |
| 31 | Justin Allgaier | Riverton, Illinois | Chevrolet | Brandt | Steve Turner |
| 32 | Kyle Larson | Elk Grove, California | Chevrolet | Vizio / Hulu | Harry Scott Jr. |
| 33 | Paul Menard | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | Chevrolet | Menards | Richard Childress |
| 34 | James Buescher | Plano, Texas | Chevrolet | TBA | Harry Scott Jr. |
| 40 | Reed Sorenson | Peachtree City, Georgia | Chevrolet | E-Swisher.com | Curtis Key |
| 42 | J.J. Yeley | Phoenix, Arizona | Chevrolet | Curtis Key Plumbing | Curtis Key |
| 43 | Michael Annett | Des Moines, Iowa | Ford | Pilot Travel Centers | Richard Petty |
| 44 | Cole Whitt | Alpine, California | Toyota | Takagi Tankless Water Heaters | Mark Smith |
| 51 | Jeremy Clements | Spartanburg, South Carolina | Chevrolet | TBA | Tony Clements |
| 52 | Joey Gase | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Chevrolet | Donate Life | Jimmy Means |
| 54 | Kyle Busch | Las Vegas, Nevada | Toyota | Monster Energy | J.D. Gibbs |
| 60 | Travis Pastrana | Annapolis, Maryland | Ford | Roush Fenway Racing | Jack Roush |
| 70 | Johanna Long | Pensacola, Florida | Chevrolet | Foretravel | Mary Louise Miller |
| 74 | Juan Carlos Blum | Guadalajara, Mexico | Chevrolet | Oleofino's | Mike Harmon |
| 77 | Parker Kligerman | Westport, Connecticut | Toyota | Bandit Chippers | Kyle Busch |
| 79 | Jeffrey Earnhardt | Mooresville, North Carolina | Ford | Uponor | Archie St. Hilaire |
| 87 | Joe Nemechek | Lakeland, Florida | Toyota | TBA | Andrea Nemechek |
| 92 | Dexter Stacey | Kahnawake, Canada | Ford | Maddies Place | Kristin Hamelin |
| 99 | Alex Bowman | Tucson, Arizona | Toyota | SchoolTipLine.com | Robby Benton |
Time to start thinking about golfing in Chicago; a true hidden gem of diverse courses.
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US beats Panama 2-0 in World Cup qualifying.
By
Jozy Altidore continued his scoring blitz with a goal in his third straight match, Eddie Johnson thrilled his home club fans with a goal in the 53rd minute, and the United States took over first place in its World Cup qualifying group with a 2-0 win over Panama on Tuesday.
Altidore scored in the 36th minute on a perfect cross from Fabian Johnson, moments after a potential penalty kick for the Americans was denied.
Eddie Johnson then gave the U.S. some cushion when he collected Geoff Cameron's pass over the top of Panama's defense and slid a left-footed shot past Jaime Penedo less than 10 minutes into the second half.
The U.S. holds a two-point lead over Costa Rica and Mexico in the qualifying group in the 10-game final round of the North and Central American and Caribbean region. They will host Honduras next Tuesday night in Sandy, Utah.
The U.S. improved to 9-1-2 all-time against Panama and is 22-0-2 in home qualifiers since losing to Honduras in September 2001 at RFK Stadium. They are 36-1-7 since losing to Costa Rica in 1985 at Torrance Calif.
The match was played before 40,847, the seventh-largest crowd for a World Cup qualifier in U.S. soccer history, in exactly the atmosphere U.S. Soccer hoped it would get by playing the qualifier in Seattle.
Giving Seattle the match came with logistical obstacles - none bigger than a temporary grass field that was far from ideal - but a huge pro-American crowd, most of which stood the entire match, made up for the questionable surface.
They were rewarded with an impressive performance by the U.S. that built off its late winner in Jamaica last Friday. The Americans (3-1-1) are two points clear of Costa Rica (2-2-1) and Mexico (1-0-5) who played to a 0-0 tie in Mexico City earlier Tuesday.
The U.S. also has a game in hand on Mexico.
Altidore scored for a third consecutive match after goals in wins over Germany and Jamaica. He appeared to earn a penalty kick in the 34th minute when he was chopped down in the penalty area by Roman Torres after a quick turn. Referee Roberto Garcia quickly decided he wasn't awarding a penalty kick, although replays clearly showed Torres never got the ball.
Any uproar over the non-call was replaced moments later by deafening cheers. Michael Bradley ran free through the middle of the field and played a ball into space for Johnson to run on. Johnson didn't take a touch, immediately sending a cross through the box.
Penedo was forced to stay in his net with Clint Dempsey making a run to the near post and his dive to deflect the cross was late. Altidore was wide open at the back post for his 16th national team goal.
The cushion the U.S. needed came early in the second half.
Cameron played a perfect pass over the top to Johnson, who timed his run to stay onside. He controlled the pass with his right foot, then deftly slid his shot past Penedo's charge for his 11th career goal in World Cup qualifying.
Panama nearly got an equalizer in first-half stoppage time when Luis Tejada slipped free behind the U.S. defense and scored on Tim Howard, but the offside flag was up before Tejada's shot was in the net. Panama nearly scored in second-half stoppage time, but Howard deflected Rolando Blackburn's shot.
Cameron and Eddie Johnson were the two changes U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann was forced to make to his lineup. Jermaine Jones (concussion) and Graham Zusi (suspension) were unavailable and the U.S. changed to a 4-2-3-1 alignment to bring on Cameron and Johnson.
Panama (1-1-3), which played to a 0-0 draw against Mexico last Friday at home, played without top scorer Blas Perez, who missed the game with gastroenteritis.
Altidore scored in the 36th minute on a perfect cross from Fabian Johnson, moments after a potential penalty kick for the Americans was denied.
Eddie Johnson then gave the U.S. some cushion when he collected Geoff Cameron's pass over the top of Panama's defense and slid a left-footed shot past Jaime Penedo less than 10 minutes into the second half.
The U.S. holds a two-point lead over Costa Rica and Mexico in the qualifying group in the 10-game final round of the North and Central American and Caribbean region. They will host Honduras next Tuesday night in Sandy, Utah.
The U.S. improved to 9-1-2 all-time against Panama and is 22-0-2 in home qualifiers since losing to Honduras in September 2001 at RFK Stadium. They are 36-1-7 since losing to Costa Rica in 1985 at Torrance Calif.
The match was played before 40,847, the seventh-largest crowd for a World Cup qualifier in U.S. soccer history, in exactly the atmosphere U.S. Soccer hoped it would get by playing the qualifier in Seattle.
Giving Seattle the match came with logistical obstacles - none bigger than a temporary grass field that was far from ideal - but a huge pro-American crowd, most of which stood the entire match, made up for the questionable surface.
They were rewarded with an impressive performance by the U.S. that built off its late winner in Jamaica last Friday. The Americans (3-1-1) are two points clear of Costa Rica (2-2-1) and Mexico (1-0-5) who played to a 0-0 tie in Mexico City earlier Tuesday.
The U.S. also has a game in hand on Mexico.
Altidore scored for a third consecutive match after goals in wins over Germany and Jamaica. He appeared to earn a penalty kick in the 34th minute when he was chopped down in the penalty area by Roman Torres after a quick turn. Referee Roberto Garcia quickly decided he wasn't awarding a penalty kick, although replays clearly showed Torres never got the ball.
Any uproar over the non-call was replaced moments later by deafening cheers. Michael Bradley ran free through the middle of the field and played a ball into space for Johnson to run on. Johnson didn't take a touch, immediately sending a cross through the box.
Penedo was forced to stay in his net with Clint Dempsey making a run to the near post and his dive to deflect the cross was late. Altidore was wide open at the back post for his 16th national team goal.
The cushion the U.S. needed came early in the second half.
Cameron played a perfect pass over the top to Johnson, who timed his run to stay onside. He controlled the pass with his right foot, then deftly slid his shot past Penedo's charge for his 11th career goal in World Cup qualifying.
Panama nearly got an equalizer in first-half stoppage time when Luis Tejada slipped free behind the U.S. defense and scored on Tim Howard, but the offside flag was up before Tejada's shot was in the net. Panama nearly scored in second-half stoppage time, but Howard deflected Rolando Blackburn's shot.
Cameron and Eddie Johnson were the two changes U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann was forced to make to his lineup. Jermaine Jones (concussion) and Graham Zusi (suspension) were unavailable and the U.S. changed to a 4-2-3-1 alignment to bring on Cameron and Johnson.
Panama (1-1-3), which played to a 0-0 draw against Mexico last Friday at home, played without top scorer Blas Perez, who missed the game with gastroenteritis.
Report: NFL considers taking draft on the road.
By The Sports Xchange
The National Football League has begun internally researching options for holding its three-day draft in three different NFL cities in the same year, or shifting venues each year, to try and make it more accessible to fans, according to a Sports Illustrated report.
The draft was held in Radio City Music Hall in New York City for the past eight years. Another league study group was formed to consider other New York locations should the league keep its draft in NYC but vacate Radio City amid the venue's plans to bring back a "Spring Spectacular" annual show in the weeks around the Easter holiday.
Late last month, a scheduling conflict led to the 2014 draft being pushed back to May 8-10. At the time, the league said no further decision had been made regarding future draft dates or sites.
However, the SI article cites unnamed league sources that say three internal study groups are considering options of moving the event around.
In a news conference at the close of a one-day owners meeting in Boston on May 21, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in order for the draft to revert to its traditional fourth week of April schedule, it might need to leave New York due to the expectation of future scheduling conflicts with the Radio City Easter-based show. Easter is a holiday that can fall anywhere from March 22 to April 25, making the holiday's season a moving target.
To facilitate this volatile draft scenario, the SI article suggests the NFL would rely on new media and modern communication to replace the long-followed tradition of having each team represented on site. Team representatives physically hand in cards with players' names on them to make choices. The SI story contends that such selections can be made by phone or other media devices.
The article says a league source described the work as "serious," with a lot of manpower devoted to the three study groups that will report back to commissioner Roger Goodell and other NFL executives.
Not mentioned in the article is the difficulty in covering such a traveling circus for the widely watched television broadcasts by NFL Network and ESPN.
The draft was held in Radio City Music Hall in New York City for the past eight years. Another league study group was formed to consider other New York locations should the league keep its draft in NYC but vacate Radio City amid the venue's plans to bring back a "Spring Spectacular" annual show in the weeks around the Easter holiday.
Late last month, a scheduling conflict led to the 2014 draft being pushed back to May 8-10. At the time, the league said no further decision had been made regarding future draft dates or sites.
However, the SI article cites unnamed league sources that say three internal study groups are considering options of moving the event around.
In a news conference at the close of a one-day owners meeting in Boston on May 21, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in order for the draft to revert to its traditional fourth week of April schedule, it might need to leave New York due to the expectation of future scheduling conflicts with the Radio City Easter-based show. Easter is a holiday that can fall anywhere from March 22 to April 25, making the holiday's season a moving target.
To facilitate this volatile draft scenario, the SI article suggests the NFL would rely on new media and modern communication to replace the long-followed tradition of having each team represented on site. Team representatives physically hand in cards with players' names on them to make choices. The SI story contends that such selections can be made by phone or other media devices.
The article says a league source described the work as "serious," with a lot of manpower devoted to the three study groups that will report back to commissioner Roger Goodell and other NFL executives.
Not mentioned in the article is the difficulty in covering such a traveling circus for the widely watched television broadcasts by NFL Network and ESPN.
10 Degrees: A cautionary tale for teams looking to splash cash in fall free agency this year.
By Jeff Passan
The last time baseball offered a class of free agent pitchers as mediocre as the one November will unleash, the biggest contract went to Carlos Silva. It is that grim.
OK, maybe not that grim. Silva didn't even make it halfway through his four-year, $48 million deal with Seattle. He went 5-18 with a 6.81 ERA, couldn't muster a strikeout every two innings and proved true the old baseball adage: Do not give $48 million to Carlos Silva, you moron.
Executives across the game are going to face similar desperation this offseason, because goodness is the landscape ugly for pitching. At least in 2012 there was Zack Greinke, in 2011 Yu Darvish, in 2010 Cliff Lee. John Lackey in 2009 beats any of the best from this upcoming class, as does CC Sabathia in 2008. Even though locking pitching up through prime years is an almost universal strategy and one that tends to neuter the free agent pitching market, a class this barren is rare.
More than that, it's not a function of teams preventing players from reaching free agency. While the hitting market was pummeled by extensions – Joey Votto, David Wright, Alex Gordon, Ian Kinsler and Adam Jones among them – the only pitcher to sign long-term was Adam Wainwright.
************************************************************
More than that, it's not a function of teams preventing players from reaching free agency. While the hitting market was pummeled by extensions – Joey Votto, David Wright, Alex Gordon, Ian Kinsler and Adam Jones among them – the only pitcher to sign long-term was Adam Wainwright.
So what exactly is Hiroki Kuroda doing as the best starting pitcher in the upcoming class? A 38-year-old who has signed three consecutive one-year deals is the best baseball has to offer? Well … pretty much. Among Kuroda's consistency, performance and track record of health, he amalgamates the qualities no other pitcher can.
Toward the middle of every season, 10 Degrees asks executives, scouts and agents to handicap the best of the upcoming free agent class position-by-position and assign a stock report. (Here's a link to the 2012 stock report.) The pitchers who were supposed to be alongside Kuroda are trending the wrong way. One sought $200 million in an extension, another won an ERA title and yet another will hit the market at 27 years old. And none comes close to Kuroda. Which makes the upcoming market so fascinating, seeing as how …
1. Hiroki Kuroda almost left the United States to return to Japan after last season. As Sabathia has struggled, Kuroda has proven the rock of the Yankees' rotation. This one is easy. Stock report: Up.
• Matt Garza: He's back. He looks healthy. He's throwing in the mid-90s again. If he can pitch the rest of the season, he'll surpass Kuroda and may get Lackey money, more than $80 million. Stock report: Slightly down.
• A.J. Burnett: Leads the National League in strikeouts and the curveball remains devastating as ever. Question is how many years he'll get at 37. Stock report: Up.
• Ervin Santana: Better than a 5-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Still gives up far too many home runs (14 in 84 1/3 innings). Stock report: Way up.
• Josh Johnson: If he's healthy, he's No. 1 on this list. He is not No. 1.Stock report: Down.
• Ricky Nolasco: He'll be attractive not only because of the 3.61 ERA but when he gets traded, it prevents his new team from trying to get a draft compensation pick if he signs elsewhere. Beware low batting average on balls in play. Could collapse his numbers. Stock report: Slightly up.
• Paul Maholm: Since starting the season with three consecutive scoreless outings, his ERA is 4.62. Paucity of strikeouts is concerning, even if he is a soft-tossing left-hander. Stock report: Slightly up.
1. Hiroki Kuroda almost left the United States to return to Japan after last season. As Sabathia has struggled, Kuroda has proven the rock of the Yankees' rotation. This one is easy. Stock report: Up.
• Matt Garza: He's back. He looks healthy. He's throwing in the mid-90s again. If he can pitch the rest of the season, he'll surpass Kuroda and may get Lackey money, more than $80 million. Stock report: Slightly down.
• A.J. Burnett: Leads the National League in strikeouts and the curveball remains devastating as ever. Question is how many years he'll get at 37. Stock report: Up.
• Ervin Santana: Better than a 5-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Still gives up far too many home runs (14 in 84 1/3 innings). Stock report: Way up.
• Josh Johnson: If he's healthy, he's No. 1 on this list. He is not No. 1.Stock report: Down.
• Ricky Nolasco: He'll be attractive not only because of the 3.61 ERA but when he gets traded, it prevents his new team from trying to get a draft compensation pick if he signs elsewhere. Beware low batting average on balls in play. Could collapse his numbers. Stock report: Slightly up.
• Paul Maholm: Since starting the season with three consecutive scoreless outings, his ERA is 4.62. Paucity of strikeouts is concerning, even if he is a soft-tossing left-hander. Stock report: Slightly up.
• Tim Lincecum: Remember when he was supposed to be the first $200 million pitcher? His 4.75 ERA is 80th among 105 qualified starters. He's this high only because of his name. Stock report: Way down.
• Scott Feldman: Another regression candidate. That said, these first 13 games almost certainly have bumped him into multiyear territory. Stock report: Way up.
• Tim Hudson: Worst ground-out-to-air-out rate of his career. If he weren't Tim Hudson, he might lose his rotation spot upon Brandon Beachy's return. Stock report: Down.
• Phil Hughes: Career ERA of 4.69 as a starter. Because he hits free agency at 27, he'll still get paid handsomely. Best comparison: Gil Meche, who had a 4.56 ERA and got five years and $55 million. Stock report: Down.
• Jorge De La Rosa: Back from Tommy John surgery and though strikeouts are down, already has eight quality starts. Stock report: Up.
• Roy Halladay: Nobody knows if he'll even be back. Stock report: Way down.
Option options: Easy call for Kansas City to pick up James Shields' ($12 million) and Boston Jon Lester's ($13 million). Not so easy for San Francisco to keep Ryan Vogelsong ($6.5 million), Cleveland Ubaldo Jimenez ($8 million) or Pittsburgh Wandy Rodriguez ($13 million). The only thing as near a certainty to the Mets rejecting Johan Santana's option ($25 million) is …
2. Brian McCann leaving Atlanta. With Evan Gattis playing like Paul Bunyan, Christian Bethancourt ready with his glove and McCann's price way bigger than the Braves' budget can hold, the catcher is almost assuredly out the door. Stock report: Slightly up.
• Jarrod Saltalamacchia: Just 28, he will get paid by someone who sees three straight .450-plus slugging seasons and gets very excited. "Too bad he still hasn't learned to catch," one scout sniffed. Stock report: Even.
• A.J. Pierzynski: While he's not the power monster of last season, he remains a solid enough presence behind the plate that at least he can start. Stock report: Even.
• Carlos Ruiz: Dreadful return from his amphetamine suspension notwithstanding, Chooch did hit .325/.394/.540 over 114 games last year. Stock report: Down.
• John Buck: Since hitting six home runs in his first 10 games, Buck is hitting .184/.255/.313 in 161 plate appearances. That's more like the old John Buck we know and love! Stock report: Even.
Option option: It will be a lot easier for Washington to swallow a half-million-dollar buyout than pay $8.5 million for Kurt Suzuki. The catching market would look a lot better if …
3. Mike Napoli still played the position. Whether his hip injury keeps him at first for good remains to be seen, though his glove, which is tremendous there, should be reason enough. Napoli's production this season quelled the concerns that prompted Boston to yank its original offer – one that may look like a bargain compared to what he should get this offseason. Stock report: Up.
• James Loney: Wait a second. James Loney. Like, the guy who was with the Dodgers and was awful and then went to the Red Sox and was worse. He's hitting .328/.390/.512? What? You sure it's not Lames Joney, his android double? Stock report: Way up.
• Justin Morneau: Though a shell of his former MVP self, he still hits for average and plays an excellent first base. Odd that he's so good at the tough-to-hit-at Target Field (.340/.380/.489) and so dreadful on the road (.259/.326/.302). Stock report: Even.
• Michael Morse: First nine games: .263/.300/.737 with six homers and nine RBIs. Next 38: .245/.316/.385 with five homers and 12 RBIs. Stock report: Even.
• Paul Konerko: Nearing the end of a great career. While he's no Hall of Famer, he's in the next echelon. Stock report: Way down.
Option option: With 225 plate appearances through 61 games, Lance Berkman is on pace for 598 times up – which would trigger a $13 million option. Otherwise, the Rangers must decide he's worth $12 million or if a DH market with …
4. Kendrys Morales at the top is more appealing. Morales has good power in a home park that isn't conducive to it, improved his walk rate and has cut strikeouts. Take him out of the field – he's not a first baseman and wouldn't have to be one if Justin Smoak didn't bust and he's even better. Stock report: Up.
• Travis Hafner: Cooled down, though his continued health is a big plus. Stock report: Even
• Jason Bay: The power is creeping back. A perfectly useful bat off the bench.Stock report: Slightly up.
• Todd Helton: Still can hit a little and draw a walk. Almost certain to finish as a career Rocky, though he could go to the AL and be a great 25th man. Stock report: Even
• Jason Giambi: The legend grows. At 42, and with just 75 at-bats, he's still got more homers than Manny Machado, Chase Headley, Billy Butler, Allen Craig, Ben Zobrist, Jason Heyward, Giancarlo Stanton, Matt Kemp and, yes, even Yasiel Puig. Stock report: Even
Option option: Still just 29, Adam Lind has three club options. While he's been plenty effective as a platoon DH, those usually don't cost the $7 million next year's option would. It's almost as much as …
5. Stephen Drew got to play shortstop for the Red Sox, something he has done in an eminently Stephen Drew way: OK but not as good as it ought to be; injured some of the time; and still somehow at the top of the free agent shortstop list, like he was last year. Stock report: Slightly down.
• Jhonny Peralta: Teams will be very wary of the 50-game Biogenesis suspension that could hit at any time, mitigating his quietly fantastic (.338/.382/.493) season. Stock report: Down.
• Rafael Furcal: The third-best shortstop in this class is missing the season after Tommy John surgery. That says all anyone needs to know. Stock report: Down.
• Brendan Ryan: Glove is so great it almost makes up for the bat. Almost. Stock report: Slightly down.
• Willie Bloomquist: Reminder: The shortstop class this year is brutal. Stock report: Even.
Option option: If Derek Jeter wants to pull a Mariano Rivera and announce next year is his last, he has a player option for $8 million. Chances are he would play alongside second baseman…
6. Robinson Cano once Jay-Z finishes recruiting every major athlete there is and gets down to, you know, negotiating Cano's deal. Barring there being any fire to the Biogenesis smoke that has linked his assistant to the clinic, it's going to be for at least $200 million, and it's going to be with the Yankees. Stock report: Even.
• Chase Utley: Looked great until he yanked an oblique. With Utley, the question is the same as always: Can he stay healthy? Nobody is nodding the affirmative. Stock report: Slightly down.
• Kelly Johnson: Lots of power, passable average, multiposition capabilities? Yes, please. Stock report: Way up.
• Omar Infante: Steady utilityman who can hold down everyday job as well. A valuable piece. Stock report: Even.
• Nick Punto: Slump turned a .340/.427/.420 line into .286/.364/.353. Still an improvement. Stock report: Slightly up.
Option option: The Rays are the masters of the option, and two more on Ben Zobrist for $7 million and $7.5 million make him one of the best deals around. Were he not so good at second base, he'd be high on the outfield list with …
7. Shin-Soo Choo barely holding down the top spot. His incredible start has yielded to struggles in every category except on-base percentage. Some smart team will move him back to a corner-outfield slot, lead him off and let him do his thing for the next five years. Stock report: Slightly up.
• Jacoby Ellsbury: The lack of pop – of anything from the bat, really – is frightening. All he's got left are his legs, which are great in the field and on the basepaths but don't age well. Stock report: Slightly down.
• Carlos Beltran: Just keeps raking, even at 36, though lack of patience is worrisome. Stock report: Even.
• Curtis Granderson: For all his power, the rest of his numbers in New York have been quite mediocre. This isn't exactly the walk year of dreams, either, with two hit-by-pitch injuries. Stock report: Down.
• Hunter Pence: Still have no idea how he does it – it being everything. Stock report: Slightly up.
• Nelson Cruz: Another Biogenesis suspension waiting to happen. Otherwise, same player as ever. Stock report: Slightly down.
• Nate McLouth: After disappearing for three seasons and proving last year was no mirage, McLouth leads the American League in steals and may have positioned himself for a multiyear deal. Stock report: Way up.
• Corey Hart: Still hasn't played since knee surgery in January. May end up permanently at first base, too. Stock report: Down.
• David DeJesus: Epitome of a good ballplayer. Can hit, run, catch and throw well. Just nothing great, which makes him a bargain. Stock report: Slightly up.
• David Murphy: Brutal walk year at .217/.266/.379. Stock report: Way down.
Option options: Considering their outfield depth, the A's probably will exercise Coco Crisp's at $7.5 million while declining the $11 million for Chris Young, whose former teammate …
8. Mark Reynolds no longer is the hottest hitter around but certainly resurgent enough to warrant a multiyear deal after killing on his one-year make-good with Cleveland. Stock report: Up
• Michael Young: Mediocre third baseman defensively. Doesn't hit for power. Gets on base. Is believed to have a skeleton made of pure grit. Stock report: Even.
• Kevin Youkilis: Looks bad since return from a back injury. "His swing got slow really quick," one scout said. Stock report: Down.
• Eric Chavez: When a backup is fourth – that tells you the entire left side of the infield, and not just shortstop, is a mess. Though Chavez (.325/.368/.588) warrants the high spot. Stock report: Up.
• Tim Hudson: Worst ground-out-to-air-out rate of his career. If he weren't Tim Hudson, he might lose his rotation spot upon Brandon Beachy's return. Stock report: Down.
• Phil Hughes: Career ERA of 4.69 as a starter. Because he hits free agency at 27, he'll still get paid handsomely. Best comparison: Gil Meche, who had a 4.56 ERA and got five years and $55 million. Stock report: Down.
• Jorge De La Rosa: Back from Tommy John surgery and though strikeouts are down, already has eight quality starts. Stock report: Up.
• Roy Halladay: Nobody knows if he'll even be back. Stock report: Way down.
Option options: Easy call for Kansas City to pick up James Shields' ($12 million) and Boston Jon Lester's ($13 million). Not so easy for San Francisco to keep Ryan Vogelsong ($6.5 million), Cleveland Ubaldo Jimenez ($8 million) or Pittsburgh Wandy Rodriguez ($13 million). The only thing as near a certainty to the Mets rejecting Johan Santana's option ($25 million) is …
2. Brian McCann leaving Atlanta. With Evan Gattis playing like Paul Bunyan, Christian Bethancourt ready with his glove and McCann's price way bigger than the Braves' budget can hold, the catcher is almost assuredly out the door. Stock report: Slightly up.
• Jarrod Saltalamacchia: Just 28, he will get paid by someone who sees three straight .450-plus slugging seasons and gets very excited. "Too bad he still hasn't learned to catch," one scout sniffed. Stock report: Even.
• A.J. Pierzynski: While he's not the power monster of last season, he remains a solid enough presence behind the plate that at least he can start. Stock report: Even.
• Carlos Ruiz: Dreadful return from his amphetamine suspension notwithstanding, Chooch did hit .325/.394/.540 over 114 games last year. Stock report: Down.
• John Buck: Since hitting six home runs in his first 10 games, Buck is hitting .184/.255/.313 in 161 plate appearances. That's more like the old John Buck we know and love! Stock report: Even.
Option option: It will be a lot easier for Washington to swallow a half-million-dollar buyout than pay $8.5 million for Kurt Suzuki. The catching market would look a lot better if …
3. Mike Napoli still played the position. Whether his hip injury keeps him at first for good remains to be seen, though his glove, which is tremendous there, should be reason enough. Napoli's production this season quelled the concerns that prompted Boston to yank its original offer – one that may look like a bargain compared to what he should get this offseason. Stock report: Up.
• James Loney: Wait a second. James Loney. Like, the guy who was with the Dodgers and was awful and then went to the Red Sox and was worse. He's hitting .328/.390/.512? What? You sure it's not Lames Joney, his android double? Stock report: Way up.
• Justin Morneau: Though a shell of his former MVP self, he still hits for average and plays an excellent first base. Odd that he's so good at the tough-to-hit-at Target Field (.340/.380/.489) and so dreadful on the road (.259/.326/.302). Stock report: Even.
• Michael Morse: First nine games: .263/.300/.737 with six homers and nine RBIs. Next 38: .245/.316/.385 with five homers and 12 RBIs. Stock report: Even.
• Paul Konerko: Nearing the end of a great career. While he's no Hall of Famer, he's in the next echelon. Stock report: Way down.
Option option: With 225 plate appearances through 61 games, Lance Berkman is on pace for 598 times up – which would trigger a $13 million option. Otherwise, the Rangers must decide he's worth $12 million or if a DH market with …
4. Kendrys Morales at the top is more appealing. Morales has good power in a home park that isn't conducive to it, improved his walk rate and has cut strikeouts. Take him out of the field – he's not a first baseman and wouldn't have to be one if Justin Smoak didn't bust and he's even better. Stock report: Up.
• Travis Hafner: Cooled down, though his continued health is a big plus. Stock report: Even
• Jason Bay: The power is creeping back. A perfectly useful bat off the bench.Stock report: Slightly up.
• Todd Helton: Still can hit a little and draw a walk. Almost certain to finish as a career Rocky, though he could go to the AL and be a great 25th man. Stock report: Even
• Jason Giambi: The legend grows. At 42, and with just 75 at-bats, he's still got more homers than Manny Machado, Chase Headley, Billy Butler, Allen Craig, Ben Zobrist, Jason Heyward, Giancarlo Stanton, Matt Kemp and, yes, even Yasiel Puig. Stock report: Even
Option option: Still just 29, Adam Lind has three club options. While he's been plenty effective as a platoon DH, those usually don't cost the $7 million next year's option would. It's almost as much as …
5. Stephen Drew got to play shortstop for the Red Sox, something he has done in an eminently Stephen Drew way: OK but not as good as it ought to be; injured some of the time; and still somehow at the top of the free agent shortstop list, like he was last year. Stock report: Slightly down.
• Jhonny Peralta: Teams will be very wary of the 50-game Biogenesis suspension that could hit at any time, mitigating his quietly fantastic (.338/.382/.493) season. Stock report: Down.
• Rafael Furcal: The third-best shortstop in this class is missing the season after Tommy John surgery. That says all anyone needs to know. Stock report: Down.
• Brendan Ryan: Glove is so great it almost makes up for the bat. Almost. Stock report: Slightly down.
• Willie Bloomquist: Reminder: The shortstop class this year is brutal. Stock report: Even.
Option option: If Derek Jeter wants to pull a Mariano Rivera and announce next year is his last, he has a player option for $8 million. Chances are he would play alongside second baseman…
6. Robinson Cano once Jay-Z finishes recruiting every major athlete there is and gets down to, you know, negotiating Cano's deal. Barring there being any fire to the Biogenesis smoke that has linked his assistant to the clinic, it's going to be for at least $200 million, and it's going to be with the Yankees. Stock report: Even.
• Chase Utley: Looked great until he yanked an oblique. With Utley, the question is the same as always: Can he stay healthy? Nobody is nodding the affirmative. Stock report: Slightly down.
• Kelly Johnson: Lots of power, passable average, multiposition capabilities? Yes, please. Stock report: Way up.
• Omar Infante: Steady utilityman who can hold down everyday job as well. A valuable piece. Stock report: Even.
• Nick Punto: Slump turned a .340/.427/.420 line into .286/.364/.353. Still an improvement. Stock report: Slightly up.
Option option: The Rays are the masters of the option, and two more on Ben Zobrist for $7 million and $7.5 million make him one of the best deals around. Were he not so good at second base, he'd be high on the outfield list with …
7. Shin-Soo Choo barely holding down the top spot. His incredible start has yielded to struggles in every category except on-base percentage. Some smart team will move him back to a corner-outfield slot, lead him off and let him do his thing for the next five years. Stock report: Slightly up.
• Jacoby Ellsbury: The lack of pop – of anything from the bat, really – is frightening. All he's got left are his legs, which are great in the field and on the basepaths but don't age well. Stock report: Slightly down.
• Carlos Beltran: Just keeps raking, even at 36, though lack of patience is worrisome. Stock report: Even.
• Curtis Granderson: For all his power, the rest of his numbers in New York have been quite mediocre. This isn't exactly the walk year of dreams, either, with two hit-by-pitch injuries. Stock report: Down.
• Hunter Pence: Still have no idea how he does it – it being everything. Stock report: Slightly up.
• Nelson Cruz: Another Biogenesis suspension waiting to happen. Otherwise, same player as ever. Stock report: Slightly down.
• Nate McLouth: After disappearing for three seasons and proving last year was no mirage, McLouth leads the American League in steals and may have positioned himself for a multiyear deal. Stock report: Way up.
• Corey Hart: Still hasn't played since knee surgery in January. May end up permanently at first base, too. Stock report: Down.
• David DeJesus: Epitome of a good ballplayer. Can hit, run, catch and throw well. Just nothing great, which makes him a bargain. Stock report: Slightly up.
• David Murphy: Brutal walk year at .217/.266/.379. Stock report: Way down.
Option options: Considering their outfield depth, the A's probably will exercise Coco Crisp's at $7.5 million while declining the $11 million for Chris Young, whose former teammate …
8. Mark Reynolds no longer is the hottest hitter around but certainly resurgent enough to warrant a multiyear deal after killing on his one-year make-good with Cleveland. Stock report: Up
• Michael Young: Mediocre third baseman defensively. Doesn't hit for power. Gets on base. Is believed to have a skeleton made of pure grit. Stock report: Even.
• Kevin Youkilis: Looks bad since return from a back injury. "His swing got slow really quick," one scout said. Stock report: Down.
• Eric Chavez: When a backup is fourth – that tells you the entire left side of the infield, and not just shortstop, is a mess. Though Chavez (.325/.368/.588) warrants the high spot. Stock report: Up.
• Jeff Baker: He's actually been superb, albeit in a limited sample that, by season's end, will probably return him to his annual state of just OK. Stock report: Slightly up.
Option option: The Orioles are glad Wilson Betemit won't reach the 700 plate appearances to trigger a $3.2 million option because it's Wilson Betemit. Of course …
9. Edward Mujica fell into the that-guy-is-OK-but-nothing-special category until Jason Motte blew out his elbow, Mitchell Boggs forgot how to pitch and the Cardinals inserted him as closer instead of Trevor Rosenthal. Now with a split-change he throws 60 percent of the time, Mujica has 18 saves, one walk in 27 2/3 innings and a monster payday awaiting if he can keep from screwing it up. Stock report: Way up.
• Jesse Crain: He really oughta close somewhere. With 12 strikeouts per nine innings and a 0.65 ERA, he has been one of the best in the game. Stock report: Up.
• Grant Balfour: In his second year closing and still dominant. Only fear is walks. Stock report: Slightly up.
• Koji Uehara: Consistently fantastic. Another banner start with 34 strikeouts and four walks in just 23 2/3 innings. Stock report: Slightly up.
9. Edward Mujica fell into the that-guy-is-OK-but-nothing-special category until Jason Motte blew out his elbow, Mitchell Boggs forgot how to pitch and the Cardinals inserted him as closer instead of Trevor Rosenthal. Now with a split-change he throws 60 percent of the time, Mujica has 18 saves, one walk in 27 2/3 innings and a monster payday awaiting if he can keep from screwing it up. Stock report: Way up.
• Jesse Crain: He really oughta close somewhere. With 12 strikeouts per nine innings and a 0.65 ERA, he has been one of the best in the game. Stock report: Up.
• Grant Balfour: In his second year closing and still dominant. Only fear is walks. Stock report: Slightly up.
• Koji Uehara: Consistently fantastic. Another banner start with 34 strikeouts and four walks in just 23 2/3 innings. Stock report: Slightly up.
• Fernando Rodney: Stuff isn't the same as in his record-breaking 2012 season. Probably will get paid the most of the group simply because of perception and reputation. Stock report: Slightly down.
• Joaquin Benoit: Against all odds, he stayed healthy for majority of three-year deal so far. Good luck doing so for another three years. Stock report: Up.
• Joe Smith: Under-the-radar excellence from righty specialist. Stock report: Up.
• Javier Lopez: Best LOOGY in the game? Just might be. Stock report: Slightly up.
• Oliver Perez: Seriously. Check the numbers. Stock report: Up.
• Mike Gonzalez: Back to striking out guys by the handful. Also thankful Rivera's retiring, because he'd be off this list otherwise. Stock report: Slightly up.
Option option: The way he has pitched, exercising the $9 million option on Joe Nathan is a no-brainer. The problem: If he finishes 55 games this season, he can opt out and join …
10. Hiroki Kuroda as a free agent. And in this market, with all the money floating around, that's an entirely likely proposition.
Look at Kuroda. If he wanted, he could easily fetch a three-year deal in excess of $50 million. He eats innings, gets groundballs and strikes hitters out, the triumvirate of qualities teams look for when awarding multiyear deals.
Giving Lincecum anything more than an incentive-laden two-year deal is like handing a pyromaniac a sack of cash – especially when he himself admitted recently he may end up in the bullpen. At least he has kept pitching. Relying on Johnson is a scary proposition, though his talent remains so tantalizing some team with a desperate general manager or a slush fund for risky free agent buys will gulp that risk. Hughes is still big, still throws hard and still has a name because he was a Yankee. He'll get three years – maybe more.
If Carlos Silva taught baseball anything, it's that the industry needs to spend its money somewhere. The lack of quality in this class can only prevent so much. Teams still need pitching. Some teams do not have the resources to trade for it, nor the prospects to fill major league positions. So here free agency comes, ready to overpay, to perpetuate the idea of baseball giving out frivolous contracts – to prompt a prayer or two that none of these deals is the next Carlos Silva when the poor quality of this class and crazy money floating around the game almost guarantee one will be.
• Joe Smith: Under-the-radar excellence from righty specialist. Stock report: Up.
• Javier Lopez: Best LOOGY in the game? Just might be. Stock report: Slightly up.
• Oliver Perez: Seriously. Check the numbers. Stock report: Up.
• Mike Gonzalez: Back to striking out guys by the handful. Also thankful Rivera's retiring, because he'd be off this list otherwise. Stock report: Slightly up.
Option option: The way he has pitched, exercising the $9 million option on Joe Nathan is a no-brainer. The problem: If he finishes 55 games this season, he can opt out and join …
10. Hiroki Kuroda as a free agent. And in this market, with all the money floating around, that's an entirely likely proposition.
Look at Kuroda. If he wanted, he could easily fetch a three-year deal in excess of $50 million. He eats innings, gets groundballs and strikes hitters out, the triumvirate of qualities teams look for when awarding multiyear deals.
Giving Lincecum anything more than an incentive-laden two-year deal is like handing a pyromaniac a sack of cash – especially when he himself admitted recently he may end up in the bullpen. At least he has kept pitching. Relying on Johnson is a scary proposition, though his talent remains so tantalizing some team with a desperate general manager or a slush fund for risky free agent buys will gulp that risk. Hughes is still big, still throws hard and still has a name because he was a Yankee. He'll get three years – maybe more.
If Carlos Silva taught baseball anything, it's that the industry needs to spend its money somewhere. The lack of quality in this class can only prevent so much. Teams still need pitching. Some teams do not have the resources to trade for it, nor the prospects to fill major league positions. So here free agency comes, ready to overpay, to perpetuate the idea of baseball giving out frivolous contracts – to prompt a prayer or two that none of these deals is the next Carlos Silva when the poor quality of this class and crazy money floating around the game almost guarantee one will be.
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