Happy Birthday America, July 4, 1776 - July 4, 2013, #237 with many more to come!!!
Sports Quote of the Day:
"We would accomplish many more things if we did not think of them as impossible." ~ Vince Lombardi, Professional Football Coach
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? NHL-Agreement almost in place to free players for Sochi Olympics.
Reuters; Reporting by Steve Keating in Toronto; Editing by Greg Stutchbury
The National Hockey League (NHL) and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) inched closer to an agreement on Monday that would free players to take part in the next year's Sochi Winter Olympics.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, IIHF chief Rene Fasel and NHL players' association boss Donald Fehr met for five hours at the league's New York offices and left expressing confidence an agreement was nearly in place.
"There are still some 'I's to dot and 'T's to cross," Bettman told reporters. "We are on track and things are moving along, I think it is fair to say we are not quite ready to announce it's done.
"There's still a little bit of work to do but on most issues, not all issues, there is a pretty good understanding of where we need to be.
"We're on a compact schedule and everybody is working hard and we seem to be pulling the oars in the same direction."
NHL owners and officials have long been unhappy with what they perceive as second class treatment by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and are seeking some form of compensation for shutting down for two weeks in the middle of the season and releasing the players.
The key issues standing in the way of an agreement center around travel, insurance and hospitality for players' and owners' families.
The NHL also wants to be treated more like a rights holder or top sponsor and to trade on the Olympic brand to help sell and promote the league.
All sides will now report back to their members but the clock is ticking to get the agreement done with the start of the 2014 Winter Games a little over seven months away.
"We had a very constructive meeting," said Fasel. "I am very happy and pleased.
"I have to go back also to my federation and to other national federations, especially back to the IOC, to make a report.
"I am confident that we will have a solution at the end."
Baltimore Ravens: Owings Mills, Md.; rookies July 21, veterans July 24
Atlanta Falcons: Flowery Branch, Ga.; rookies July 24, veterans July 24
Carolina Panthers: Spartanburg, S.C.; rookies July 21, veterans July 25
Chicago Bears: Bourbonnais, Ill.; rookies July 25, veterans July 25
Dallas Cowboys: Oxnard, Calif.; rookies July 20, veterans July 20
Detroit Lions: Allen Park, Mich.; rookies July 22, veterans July 25
Green Bay Packers: Green Bay, Wis.; rookies July 25, veterans July 25
Minnesota Vikings: Mankato, Minn.; rookies July 25, veterans July 25
New Orleans Saints: Metairie, La.; rookies July 18, veterans July 25
New York Giants: East Rutherford, N.J.; rookies July 26, veterans July 26
Philadelphia Eagles: Philadelphia; rookies July 22, veterans July 25
St. Louis Rams: Earth City, Mo.; rookies July 21, veterans July 24
San Francisco 49ers: Santa Clara, Calif.; rookies July 19, veterans July 24
Seattle Seahawks: Renton, Wash.; rookies July 24, veterans July 24
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tampa, Fla.; rookies July 17, veterans July 24
Washington Redskins: Richmond, Va.; rookies July 24, veterans July 24
A deeper look into home field advantage.
When do NFL training camps begin? Dates for all 32 teams announced.
Sporting News
Reporting dates, training camp sites for all 32 NFL teams:
AFC
Baltimore Ravens: Owings Mills, Md.; rookies July 21, veterans July 24
Buffalo Bills: Pittsford, N.Y.; rookies July 22, veterans July 27
Cincinnati Bengals: Cincinnati; rookies July 24, veterans July 24
Cleveland Browns: Berea, Ohio; rookies July 19, veterans July 24
Denver Broncos: Englewood, Colo.; rookies July 24, veterans July 24
Houston Texans: Houston; rookies July 21, veterans July 25
Indianapolis Colts: Anderson, Ind.; rookies July 23, veterans July 27
Jacksonville Jaguars: Jacksonville, Fla.; rookies July 25, veterans July 25
Kansas City Chiefs: St. Joseph, Mo.; rookies July 22, veterans July 25
Miami Dolphins: Davie, Fla.; rookies July 20, veterans July 20
New England Patriots: Foxborough, Mass.; rookies July 21, veterans July 25
New York Jets: Cortland, N.Y.; rookies July 22, veterans July 25
Oakland Raiders: Napa, Calif.; rookies July 25, veterans July 25
Pittsburgh Steelers: Latrobe, Pa.; rookies July 26, veterans July 26
San Diego Chargers: San Diego; rookies July 24, veterans July 24
Tennessee Titans: Nashville, Tenn.; rookies July 24, veterans July 24
NFC
Arizona Cardinals: Glendale, Ariz.; rookies July 23, veterans July 25Atlanta Falcons: Flowery Branch, Ga.; rookies July 24, veterans July 24
Carolina Panthers: Spartanburg, S.C.; rookies July 21, veterans July 25
Chicago Bears: Bourbonnais, Ill.; rookies July 25, veterans July 25
Dallas Cowboys: Oxnard, Calif.; rookies July 20, veterans July 20
Detroit Lions: Allen Park, Mich.; rookies July 22, veterans July 25
Green Bay Packers: Green Bay, Wis.; rookies July 25, veterans July 25
Minnesota Vikings: Mankato, Minn.; rookies July 25, veterans July 25
New Orleans Saints: Metairie, La.; rookies July 18, veterans July 25
New York Giants: East Rutherford, N.J.; rookies July 26, veterans July 26
Philadelphia Eagles: Philadelphia; rookies July 22, veterans July 25
St. Louis Rams: Earth City, Mo.; rookies July 21, veterans July 24
San Francisco 49ers: Santa Clara, Calif.; rookies July 19, veterans July 24
Seattle Seahawks: Renton, Wash.; rookies July 24, veterans July 24
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tampa, Fla.; rookies July 17, veterans July 24
Washington Redskins: Richmond, Va.; rookies July 24, veterans July 24
A deeper look into home field advantage.
By Joe Fortenbaugh
Which of the following wins was worth more:
The answer is a tie, as both victories were worth exactly one win. But if we were to rephrase the question and ask which win was more impressive, the result would bring an entirely different answer altogether. The Patriots came significantly short of covering the 11-point spread in the team’s three-point win over the 3-3 Jets, while the Jaguars posted a five-point victory as 10-point underdogs over the 4-1 Baltimore Ravens. Using the Las Vegas point spread as our key factor, Jacksonville’s win would be deemed more impressive.
Good teams win, great teams cover. That sentiment carries more weight in Sin City than anyplace else, as I’ve witnessed Giants fans storm out of sports books after winning by too little and Cardinals fans ordering rounds of celebratory shots after losing by just enough. In the southern Nevada desert, the Vegas line serves as the great equalizer.
The point spread is used primarily to balance the action a sports book receives on a given game, but it can also serve the function of handicapping matchups between two teams of different calibers. Slower horses are given higher odds, inferior football teams are given a larger point spread. In essence, the point spread helps to level the playing field.
So when all things are considered equal, which teams tend to excel when playing with the added benefit of home field advantage? Here’s a breakdown of how every NFL team fared at home against the point spread from 2008-2012.
2008-2012 HOME FIELD ANALYSISATS: Against the spread
Avg. points above the spread: The amount of points, on average, in which the home team surpasses the point spread. EX: If Chicago is favored by 6 points and wins by 14, the Bears surpassed the spread by +8 points.
MOST PROFITABLE
Laying $110 to win $100 on every home game played by each of the following five teams over the last five years would have resulted in a profit of:
New Orleans Saints (+$1,170): Six or more home wins in three of the last five years, with a perfect 8-0 mark coming in 2011. Even during the “down year” of 2012, the Saints still managed to post four victories in New Orleans.
Laying $110 to win $100 on every home game played by each of the following five teams over the last five years would have resulted in a profit of:
New Orleans Saints (+$1,170): Six or more home wins in three of the last five years, with a perfect 8-0 mark coming in 2011. Even during the “down year” of 2012, the Saints still managed to post four victories in New Orleans.
CenturyLink Field in Seattle is one of the toughest places in the league for opponents to come away victorious.
Seattle Seahawks (+$1,170): Long travel distances, inclement weather, the infamous 12th man. Nobody likes playing at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks went 7-1 at home against the number last season, failing to cover only in the season-finale against St. Louis thanks, in large part, to an inflated line of -11.
San Francisco 49ers (+$1,070): Including the postseason, the 49ers are 13-5-1 ATS (.722) at home since hiring Jim Harbaugh away from Stanford.
Atlanta Falcons (+$960): Are a rock solid 20-4 (.833) straight-up at home since 2010.
Green Bay Packers (+$960): Are outscoring the opposition by an average of 15.1 points per game at home over the last two years (15-1 SU, 12-4 ATS).
ABOVE THE LINE
While perhaps not the best indicator of profitability, average points above the spread or, “the blue column,” does demonstrate that the teams who routinely exceed the line set by Vegas bookmakers tend to experience an abundance of success while playing at home.
Green Bay Packers (+$960): Are outscoring the opposition by an average of 15.1 points per game at home over the last two years (15-1 SU, 12-4 ATS).
ABOVE THE LINE
While perhaps not the best indicator of profitability, average points above the spread or, “the blue column,” does demonstrate that the teams who routinely exceed the line set by Vegas bookmakers tend to experience an abundance of success while playing at home.
New England may be just two games over .500 at home in the ATS column over the last five years, but the Patriots have been asked to cover, on average, a larger point spread than any other team in the National Football League (-8.5). During that time span, New England has defeated the opposition by an average of 12.6 points per game (first in NFL), but Bill Belichick’s crew is still just 21-19 against the number.
However, despite the ridiculously high lines the Pats have faced on a weekly basis, the organization still ranks fourth in the league in average points above the spread at home (+4.1) and is a league-best 34-6 straight-up at Gillette Stadium since 2008.
While the team’s ATS record would put the Pats more towards the middle of the pack if used as a home field advantage indicator, New England’s average points above the spread ranking demonstrates that the team does possess a significant home field advantage.
While the team’s ATS record would put the Pats more towards the middle of the pack if used as a home field advantage indicator, New England’s average points above the spread ranking demonstrates that the team does possess a significant home field advantage.
It’s fairly obvious to state that teams who exceed Vegas expectations will possess impressive home records. But in a league that’s supposed to feature more parity than any other professional sports enterprise, it’s worth mentioning that even after being given an average of 4.9 points against the spread per week (most in NFL), the St. Louis Rams are still just 17-22-1 ATS and 11-19 SU at home since 2008.
Even with extremely low expectations, teams like the Rams, Jaguars and Raiders still have trouble finding even minimal success while playing in their own stadiums, while organizations like Green Bay, Atlanta and San Francisco still fare exceptionally well against the great equalizer.
AP sources: MLB umpire let go after drug violation.
By
A Major League Baseball umpire was recently dismissed for what was believed to be the first known drug ouster among umps, two people familiar with the situation have told The Associated Press.
MLB announced on June 14 that Brian Runge was no longer on the staff and that a Triple-A umpire had been promoted, but didn't give a reason. Only once since 2000 had such a change been made in midseason, and that was because of an injury.
The two people said Runge failed at least one drug test, then reached an agreement so he could remain on the umpire roster. When he failed to comply with those terms, he was released.
The people spoke on condition of anonymity because MLB didn't publicly say why Runge was gone.
It could not be independently determined by the AP what drug was involved.
Joe West, president of the World Umpires Association - the union representing umps - declined comment Tuesday.
The AP was unable to contact Runge through the union or other umpires.
Like players, umpires are subject to random drug tests. Oakland pitcher Bartolo Colon, Philadelphia catcher Carlos Ruiz and San Diego catcher Yasmani Grandal all missed time this season because of drug suspensions imposed last year. In addition, 26 players have been suspended this year under the minor league drug program.
The 43-year-old Runge didn't work in the majors after last Aug. 30 while dealing with a knee injury. He called spring training games this year and later did several Triple-A games, but hadn't been back in the big leagues during the regular season.
Runge joined the MLB umpiring staff in 1999. He worked playoffs three times and last year's All-Star game.
He is a member of MLB's first three-generation family of umpires. Grandfather Ed was an American League umpire from 1954-70 and worked the World Series three times; father Paul called National League games from 1973-97 and did the World Series four times before becoming the NL's executive director of umpires.
Like players, umpires are subject to random drug tests. Oakland pitcher Bartolo Colon, Philadelphia catcher Carlos Ruiz and San Diego catcher Yasmani Grandal all missed time this season because of drug suspensions imposed last year. In addition, 26 players have been suspended this year under the minor league drug program.
The 43-year-old Runge didn't work in the majors after last Aug. 30 while dealing with a knee injury. He called spring training games this year and later did several Triple-A games, but hadn't been back in the big leagues during the regular season.
Runge joined the MLB umpiring staff in 1999. He worked playoffs three times and last year's All-Star game.
He is a member of MLB's first three-generation family of umpires. Grandfather Ed was an American League umpire from 1954-70 and worked the World Series three times; father Paul called National League games from 1973-97 and did the World Series four times before becoming the NL's executive director of umpires.
Brian Runge was behind the plate for a pair of no-hitters last year - Philip Humber's perfect game and the combo effort by six Seattle pitchers. He also was at third base for Matt Cain's perfect game last season.
Chris Conroy was promoted from Triple-A last month to take Runge's spot on the MLB umpiring staff. Conroy had worked 267 regular-season games in the majors as a fill-in since 2010 before being hired permanently.
NBA Update
By Marion P. Jelks, CS&T/AA Sports Writer
By Marion P. Jelks, CS&T/AA Sports Writer
Now that the 2013 draft is history, the shaking and baking, wheeling and dealing is really in full force. Wild pitches are being made, crazy offers are on the table and unbelievable presentations are exciting players as each team strives to put together contenders for the NBA's O'Brien Trophy. As things change, some things will remain the same. Coaches come and coaches go, players are here and then they're there. Some teams totally retool and other teams make small modifications, it's going be interesting to see the results of all of these moves. The team that get everyone from the front office personnel to the towel guys on the same page, build a team with tremendous chemistry and players trust with a superior attitude that, "this is our year, we can't be stopped and we will get this done", will wear the 2013-2014 NBA Champions Crown. Remember, you heard it here first. The shakeout will continue for a few more weeks and then we'll be able to see where the NBA is headed. It's going to be a competitive year so get ready, the best is yet to come!!!
PGA Tour Officially Adopts Anchoring Ban, Plays Both Sides Perfectly.
By Chris Chaney
Commissioner Finchem Comes Out on Top of Anchoring Issue.
COMMENTARY | The PGA Tour's Policy Board announced on Monday, July 1 that the Tour would accept the United States Golf Association (USGA) and Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews' (R&A) ban on anchored strokes in all competitions effective Jan. 1, 2016.
With the proposed ban on anchoring set forth by the USGA and R&A in late November of 2012, the ruling bodies opened up a 90-day comment period in which concerns over the implementation of 14-1b would be heard and considered.
The PGA Tour, by way of Finchem joining the NBC broadcast of the World Golf Championship - Accenture Match Play Championship in May, announced their opposition to the proposed ban. In essence, the statement was a show of good faith for the estimated 18-percent of PGA Tour players who anchor their putter.
However, Finchem's statement was not a definitive line in the sand. He skirted that line as such: "They've asked us to give our comments. All we're doing at this point is saying this is our opinion," he said.
Opinions change. Finchem knows that. Finchem also knows that 18-percent is nowhere near a majority, nor will a majority of that portion boycott or change professions due to the inclusion of Rule 14-1b.
By coming out in opposition of the ban originally, Finchem stood by his guys, giving them a bigger, more respected dog in the fight. When the USGA and R&A brought an even bigger dog - one that has governed the game for multiple centuries - Finchem had no choice but to acquiesce.
"He tried," the anchoring elite would think. "There was no stopping the rolling stone that is Rule 14-1b."
Finchem saw the end game of the proposed anchoring ban from the outset. The comment period was merely a formality. Once proposed, the ruling bodies had already decided upon the game's need for the rule change. No amount of posturing or dissention from such a small portion of the playing public was going to change their minds.
But, then again, he already knew that.
COMMENTARY | The PGA Tour's Policy Board announced on Monday, July 1 that the Tour would accept the United States Golf Association (USGA) and Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews' (R&A) ban on anchored strokes in all competitions effective Jan. 1, 2016.
The ban, which will be enforced under Rule 14-1b, cleared its final hurdle with the PGA Tour and subsequent PGA of America adoption of the legislation.
If all that sounded a bit rigid and political, it should have. After all, getting a new rule accepted and incorporated into the Rules of Golf can be just as difficult as making a bill become a law.
The road to adoption of 14-1b was a long and arduous one for those in favor of implementing the rule as well as for those standing firm in fighting it. In playing both sides, PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem has come out as one of the few unscathed by the process.
A lawyer by trade and the owner of a political science degree from the University of Richmond, Finchem has been hard-wired with a political and analytical brain that allows him to see the forest from amongst the trees.
With the proposed ban on anchoring set forth by the USGA and R&A in late November of 2012, the ruling bodies opened up a 90-day comment period in which concerns over the implementation of 14-1b would be heard and considered.
The PGA Tour, by way of Finchem joining the NBC broadcast of the World Golf Championship - Accenture Match Play Championship in May, announced their opposition to the proposed ban. In essence, the statement was a show of good faith for the estimated 18-percent of PGA Tour players who anchor their putter.
However, Finchem's statement was not a definitive line in the sand. He skirted that line as such: "They've asked us to give our comments. All we're doing at this point is saying this is our opinion," he said.
Opinions change. Finchem knows that. Finchem also knows that 18-percent is nowhere near a majority, nor will a majority of that portion boycott or change professions due to the inclusion of Rule 14-1b.
By coming out in opposition of the ban originally, Finchem stood by his guys, giving them a bigger, more respected dog in the fight. When the USGA and R&A brought an even bigger dog - one that has governed the game for multiple centuries - Finchem had no choice but to acquiesce.
"He tried," the anchoring elite would think. "There was no stopping the rolling stone that is Rule 14-1b."
Finchem saw the end game of the proposed anchoring ban from the outset. The comment period was merely a formality. Once proposed, the ruling bodies had already decided upon the game's need for the rule change. No amount of posturing or dissention from such a small portion of the playing public was going to change their minds.
Finchem knew that. And he fought the good fight for his men. No anchorer left behind.
So when the proposed ban became the imminent ban on May 21, Finchem had to cut his losses and do what was best for the future of the Tour in the long-term, which meant going along with the ruling bodies.
But, then again, he already knew that.
Power Rankings: Kenseth ascends to the top spot.
It's time for Power Rankings! After every race, we'll opine about who we think is at the top of the Sprint Cup heap and how and why they got there. Remember, this isn't scientific, as our formula is the perfect blend of analytics and bias against your favorite driver. So let's get on with it, shall we?
1. Matt Kenseth (LW: 5): New blood at the top! Putting the Sprint Cup wins leader here the week after he took the title all for himself is a no-brainer, no? It's not exactly the most encouraging thing for the quality of racing if clean air overrides any advantage from new tires, but that's not the fault of Kenseth and crew chief Jason Ratcliff, who played their tireless strategy perfectly. Or given what happened to the guy who fell to No. 2, did it simply just work out perfectly?
2. Jimmie Johnson (LW: 1): You can make the case for Johnson to continue to reign. Dented fender and all, he led 182 laps and had the best car all day. But then came that fateful restart spin and a possible win became a ninth after a hard charge through the field. The storyline of Johnson and restarts will continue to be overblown, partially because of his radio comments about Kenseth's restart style. What happened at Kentucky was much different than what happened at Dover, but because of Johnson's ubiquity at the front of the field, the "restart question" is going to linger.
3. Clint Bowyer (LW: 8): Even with two fresh tires he didn't have the car to keep up with Kenseth after a lap or so, but his third place finish closed the gap on Carl Edwards to three points and he's now within a full race of the points lead. Is it possible that Bowyer could be the points leader before the points reset without a win? Yes. Is it likely? No. Bowyer could get there, but if he does, it'll be because he's won a race or two.
4. Kevin Harvick (LW: 3): Ho-hum, another week, another top 10 for Harvick. This race followed a very similar storyline with a methodical drive to the front from a starting position outside the top 20 and fresh tires whenever possible. It wasn't without drama, though. Harvick did get caught by a caution flag right after a green flag pit stop, but the wavearound helped with that.
5. Kyle Busch (LW: 11): Kyle vaults up here because he gets bonus points for the recovery after his lap 44 spin off turn two, which turned out to be an omen for later in the race. Busch didn't hit the wall, and almost miraculously, didn't get hit by another car, worked his way back through the field and suddenly was on the front row for the race's final restart. That didn't work out exceedingly well, but anytime you spin and recover for a top five, it's a successful comeback.
6. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (LW: 6): That was the proverbial salad out of you-know-what day for the No. 88 team. Except that the you-know-what actually started out as salad. Looking back in the box scores without context, this 12th place finish won't look too bad. But given what could have been, it's fair to wonder if Hamlin's wayward tire subtracted three points off Junior's potential Chase-starting points total.7
. Carl Edwards (LW: 2): Edwards suddenly went from contender to also-ran during the late stages of Sunday's race. Why? Well, that's what happens when you combine an ill-handling car and traffic these days in the Sprint Cup Series. But Kentucky's over and Edwards can move on to the next race, which is.... oh, it's at Daytona. We won't talk about February.
8. Martin Truex Jr. (LW: 7): Bet you didn't know that Truex finished seventh, did you? And did you know that he's now 8th in the points standings? Following up a win with a top 10 is always nice, but when that top 10 moves you up two positions in the standings too, that's a whole other level. Just how much have his Chase chances improved since Pocono?
9. Jeff Gordon (LW: 10): When is Jeff Gordon going to pit under green and not get immediately caught by a caution flag? If you believe situations like that tend to even themselves out over the course of a season, then you may want to start preparing yourself for a race in which Gordon laps the field twice because he stays out and traps the rest of the field on pit road when a caution flies. Gordon's 8th place finish could have been better too had he not had to check up in the middle of a four-wide situation on the final restart. Yeah, we can make the joke that it was another terrible restart by Gordon, but if he didn't get out of the gas, there could have been a lot of torn up cars.
10. Greg Biffle (LW: 4): A six spot drop is harsh, but so was the crash that Biffle was caught up in after Kurt Busch tagged Brad Keselowski. As Keselowski skidded back up the track, Biffle was trapped and was suddenly without a front end on his race car. Don't worry Greg, you're not on the precipice of falling out of Power Rankings, but you should know you're only 24 points ahead of 13th.1
1. Joey Logano (LW: NR): What kind of odds could you have gotten on Logano being the top Penske driver in the points right now? If such a bet existed in Vegas and you bet on it, you're looking at a nice profit. (And probably have some gambling issues.) Joey, if you disagree with Denny Hamlin this week, can you not have another Twitter fight? Please and thanks.1
2. Kasey Kahne (LW: 9): Oh Kahne where art thou at Kentucky? 11th place and a far cry from contender status was surprising, and not very helpful to KK's points standing. And a great way for Kasey to help his points position at Daytona? Stay the hell away from Kyle Busch.Lucky Dog: Zoolander! Nice second place run by Jamie McMurray. Must have been the mayonnaise on the car.
The DNF: Brad Keselowski, it's you again. But it's not your fault because there's nothing you could have done after Kurt Busch made his foray onto the apron. Alas, Keselowski's slide through the standings continues. He's now 13th.
Dropped Out: Tony Stewart.
Keith Hickey: Who's on the U.S. plane to Brazil?
By Keith Hickey
With the Hexagonal halfway gone and the Gold Cup coming soon, the emergence of "A" and "B" level U.S. national team squad has become apparent. The A team, led by Hannibal Smith most of the national team mainstays, is the mostly-safe group that will make up the bulk of the U.S. delegation to Brazil next summer. The B team is the outsiders, the fringe guys too young, too old, or who have never quite broken into the team.
The upcoming Gold Cup, however, offers some of the B players a chance to force their way into the A team. The gold standard precedent remains Stuart Holden. The then-Houston Dynamo midfielder rode his breakout performance in 2009 to a spot in the 2010 World Cup and the beginnings of a promising European career.
We'll be taking a look at the national team picture after the tournament, but first, here's how the plane to Brazil is filling up so far.
First Class To Rio
The locks will pretty much remain the locks, such is the nature of lock... ness. Clint Dempsey is currently the lockiest lock that was ever en-locked, now that he's wearing the armband, identifying him as the team's leader in addition to being its best player.
Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones are fully entrenched at central midfield and will stay there through next summer. Although he's not quite sure of his position at the moment, Geoff Cameron's level of play and all-around utility make him an undroppable asset. Tim Howard is still the No.1, and will remain so. Fabian Johnson can look a bit lost in midfield, but he's the best left back in the pool and has provided some vital service in the Hex.
Joining the locks this time around is Jozy Altidore, who has goalsploaded all over this round of qualifying, finally reproducing his blistering club form for AZ in the red, white and blue, and emphatically booking his ticket in the process.
Landon Donovan may still be performing his penance with the Gold Cup team after his extended break from soccer, but the veteran's inclusion on the plane to Brazil is a foregone conclusion; there isn't enough talent in the pool to keep a fit and healthy player of Donovan's proven quality and experience out of the squad.
Sitting In Coach
In the very first downgrade from a lock, Timothy Chandler's place has become slightly less solid in recent months. While he's still the best right back in the pool, his injuries and frequent absences have allowed other options to emerge and place a smidgen of doubt around his place. Steve Cherundolo has been there and done it all for the USA, and barring a Bocanegra-like fall from grace as he ages, should still be the favored deputy.
On the opposite side of defense, DaMarcus Beasley has had a somewhat-unlikely career revival as a left back, combining his experience and natural two-way skill with his still-formidable pace.
In the back, Nick Rimando is a continual standout starter in MLS, and has the benefit of more experience and more success than his rivals.
Moving into the midfield, Danny Williams, who just earned himself a move to Reading in England, is probably a pretty safe bet at the moment to make the squad.
Up top, Herculez Gomez faces a bit of a fight for his place in the side, with the importance of Dempsey, the recent form and higher ceiling of Altidore, and the width of various Johnsons often leaving him the odd man out.
In the past few matches, a specific central defensive pairing has emerged. Many expected Omar Gonzalez to be a big player for the Yanks in this cycle, and although he still has to cut out the mistakes, he should be first choice in 2014. Even more impressive has been the meteoric rise of Matt Besler, who went from an on the bubble MLS-er to looking like the more assured partner of the two.
Besler's club teammate, Graham Zusi, is another domestically-based player who's established himself as a potentially key national team member out wide with Stoke City youngster Brek Shea a natural successor and potential deputy. On the wing is also a role where Eddie Johnson has thrived since being converted from his natural striking position.
In The Departure Lounge
Another Sounders player to work his way into the squad is Brad Evans, who deputized at right back in recent qualifiers and acquitted himself ably, if not spectacularly.
A younger player who could muscle his way into the squad is Philadelphia Union striker Jack McInerney. Forwards, more than any other position, are judged by your form, and the 20-year-old is tied for the MLS lead in goals this season. A good display in the Gold Cup and continued MLS success could push him into the picture, especially if Jurgen Klinsmann sees him as the future and wants to expose him to the top level.
Of course, most any payer in the Gold Cup squad or on the outskirts of the national team has to believe he's only a run of hot form away from realizing his World Cup dreams. This is where you'll find Stuart Holden, continuing his career rehab since returning from injury, defenders hoping to be the depth on the bench (Michael Parkhurst, Oguchi Onyewu, Clarence Goodson, Michael Orozco-Fiscal, Edgar Castillo), midfielders unable to break into the packed center of the park (Sacha Kljestan, Jose Torres, Kyle Beckerman, Maurice Edu, Alejandro Bedoya), and promising younger players of a more offensive bend (Terrence Boyd, Mikkel Diskerud, Joshua Gatt, Joe Corona).
Not in the Gold Cup and potentially out of chances to impress is Brad Davis. The Houston Dynamo wideman is quality at the MLS level, but struggles with the speed of play at the international level.
Young goalkeepers Sean Johnson and Bill Hamid are unlikely to make the squad as it stands, but would be the favorites to contend for the third spot if any of the incumbents are unable to make the tournament.
Waiting By The Phone
Oh, woe to be Carlos Bocanegra right now. Six months ago, he was the captain of the national team, a steady veteran presence in one of the thinnest area of the teams. Now, he's on the outs with the national team, not even having made the Gold Cup squad. Back in MLS with Chivas USA, it's starting to look like it will take some imperious form and some other players falling out of favor before Boca will get called back in.
Joining the former captain on the outside looking in are Chris Wondolowski, in the Gold Cup squad but with a glaring goose egg of goals in his 11 caps, and various other MLS players making up the numbers in the continental championship (sorry Corey Ashe, Will Bruin, Mike Magee and Tony Beltran).
CURRENT PROJECTED SQUAD:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Nick Rimando
DEFENDERS (8): Timothy Chandler, Geoff Cameron, Fabian Johnson, Matt Besler, Omar Gonzalez, Steve Cherundolo, Brad Evans, DaMarcus Beasley
MIDFIELDERS (7): Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones, Danny Williams, Maurice Edu, Graham Zusi, Sacha Kljestan, Brek Shea
FORWARDS (5): Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Jozy Altidore, Herculez Gomez, Eddie Johnson
The upcoming Gold Cup, however, offers some of the B players a chance to force their way into the A team. The gold standard precedent remains Stuart Holden. The then-Houston Dynamo midfielder rode his breakout performance in 2009 to a spot in the 2010 World Cup and the beginnings of a promising European career.
We'll be taking a look at the national team picture after the tournament, but first, here's how the plane to Brazil is filling up so far.
First Class To Rio
The locks will pretty much remain the locks, such is the nature of lock... ness. Clint Dempsey is currently the lockiest lock that was ever en-locked, now that he's wearing the armband, identifying him as the team's leader in addition to being its best player.
Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones are fully entrenched at central midfield and will stay there through next summer. Although he's not quite sure of his position at the moment, Geoff Cameron's level of play and all-around utility make him an undroppable asset. Tim Howard is still the No.1, and will remain so. Fabian Johnson can look a bit lost in midfield, but he's the best left back in the pool and has provided some vital service in the Hex.
Joining the locks this time around is Jozy Altidore, who has goalsploaded all over this round of qualifying, finally reproducing his blistering club form for AZ in the red, white and blue, and emphatically booking his ticket in the process.
Landon Donovan may still be performing his penance with the Gold Cup team after his extended break from soccer, but the veteran's inclusion on the plane to Brazil is a foregone conclusion; there isn't enough talent in the pool to keep a fit and healthy player of Donovan's proven quality and experience out of the squad.
Sitting In Coach
In the very first downgrade from a lock, Timothy Chandler's place has become slightly less solid in recent months. While he's still the best right back in the pool, his injuries and frequent absences have allowed other options to emerge and place a smidgen of doubt around his place. Steve Cherundolo has been there and done it all for the USA, and barring a Bocanegra-like fall from grace as he ages, should still be the favored deputy.
On the opposite side of defense, DaMarcus Beasley has had a somewhat-unlikely career revival as a left back, combining his experience and natural two-way skill with his still-formidable pace.
In the back, Nick Rimando is a continual standout starter in MLS, and has the benefit of more experience and more success than his rivals.
Moving into the midfield, Danny Williams, who just earned himself a move to Reading in England, is probably a pretty safe bet at the moment to make the squad.
Up top, Herculez Gomez faces a bit of a fight for his place in the side, with the importance of Dempsey, the recent form and higher ceiling of Altidore, and the width of various Johnsons often leaving him the odd man out.
In the past few matches, a specific central defensive pairing has emerged. Many expected Omar Gonzalez to be a big player for the Yanks in this cycle, and although he still has to cut out the mistakes, he should be first choice in 2014. Even more impressive has been the meteoric rise of Matt Besler, who went from an on the bubble MLS-er to looking like the more assured partner of the two.
Besler's club teammate, Graham Zusi, is another domestically-based player who's established himself as a potentially key national team member out wide with Stoke City youngster Brek Shea a natural successor and potential deputy. On the wing is also a role where Eddie Johnson has thrived since being converted from his natural striking position.
In The Departure Lounge
Another Sounders player to work his way into the squad is Brad Evans, who deputized at right back in recent qualifiers and acquitted himself ably, if not spectacularly.
A younger player who could muscle his way into the squad is Philadelphia Union striker Jack McInerney. Forwards, more than any other position, are judged by your form, and the 20-year-old is tied for the MLS lead in goals this season. A good display in the Gold Cup and continued MLS success could push him into the picture, especially if Jurgen Klinsmann sees him as the future and wants to expose him to the top level.
Of course, most any payer in the Gold Cup squad or on the outskirts of the national team has to believe he's only a run of hot form away from realizing his World Cup dreams. This is where you'll find Stuart Holden, continuing his career rehab since returning from injury, defenders hoping to be the depth on the bench (Michael Parkhurst, Oguchi Onyewu, Clarence Goodson, Michael Orozco-Fiscal, Edgar Castillo), midfielders unable to break into the packed center of the park (Sacha Kljestan, Jose Torres, Kyle Beckerman, Maurice Edu, Alejandro Bedoya), and promising younger players of a more offensive bend (Terrence Boyd, Mikkel Diskerud, Joshua Gatt, Joe Corona).
Not in the Gold Cup and potentially out of chances to impress is Brad Davis. The Houston Dynamo wideman is quality at the MLS level, but struggles with the speed of play at the international level.
Young goalkeepers Sean Johnson and Bill Hamid are unlikely to make the squad as it stands, but would be the favorites to contend for the third spot if any of the incumbents are unable to make the tournament.
Waiting By The Phone
Oh, woe to be Carlos Bocanegra right now. Six months ago, he was the captain of the national team, a steady veteran presence in one of the thinnest area of the teams. Now, he's on the outs with the national team, not even having made the Gold Cup squad. Back in MLS with Chivas USA, it's starting to look like it will take some imperious form and some other players falling out of favor before Boca will get called back in.
Joining the former captain on the outside looking in are Chris Wondolowski, in the Gold Cup squad but with a glaring goose egg of goals in his 11 caps, and various other MLS players making up the numbers in the continental championship (sorry Corey Ashe, Will Bruin, Mike Magee and Tony Beltran).
CURRENT PROJECTED SQUAD:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Nick Rimando
DEFENDERS (8): Timothy Chandler, Geoff Cameron, Fabian Johnson, Matt Besler, Omar Gonzalez, Steve Cherundolo, Brad Evans, DaMarcus Beasley
MIDFIELDERS (7): Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones, Danny Williams, Maurice Edu, Graham Zusi, Sacha Kljestan, Brek Shea
FORWARDS (5): Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Jozy Altidore, Herculez Gomez, Eddie Johnson
Homer Bailey pitches second career no-hitter, first for MLB in 2013.
By David Brown
(Getty)The man with the worst possible name for a pitcher now has two career no-hitters.
Homer Bailey of the Cincinnati Reds, who threw a no-hitter 10 months ago in the final week of the 2012 season, did it again Tuesday night against the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park. Bailey struck out nine, and allowed only a leadoff walk to Gregor Blanco in the seventh inning, for the first no-hitter in Major League Baseball this season.
"I've had one, and two is definitely just as special. But you know what? I just try to go out here every time and win a game," Bailey said in a TV interview, his still head showing traces of celebratory shaving cream after being pied by teammates.
Bailey is the 31st pitcher in history to throw multiple no-hitters, with Bailey's first coming against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sept. 28. He's the fourth active pitcher to have two no-no's, joining Justin Verlander, Roy Halladay and Mark Buehrle. He's also the third Reds pitcher, joining Johnny Vander Meer and Jim Maloney, to notch multiple no-no's.
Seven no-hitters happened in 2012, but we only had close calls this season — notably with Julio Teheran, Anibal Sanchez and Yu Darvish — until Bailey set down Giants batters Brandon Crawford, Tony Abreu and Gregor Blanco with limited drama in the ninth inning. And now, Bailey owns the two most recent no-hitters in the majors.
Before the top of the ninth, Giants broadcaster Duane Kuiper said he couldn't remember many or any hard-hit balls, and analyst Mike Krukow added that there were no particularly challenging defensive plays — which makes Bailey's workmanlike feat seemingly unusual. It was simple domination with a four-seam fastball that got faster as the night wore on. Bailey was clocked at 98 mph in the final inning.
After the game, Bailey said he was grateful that pitching coach Bryan Price had been present for both of his no-hitters, and that manager Dusty Baker saw this one in person after being hospitalized for Bailey's no-no against the Pirates.
Montgomerie misses out on British Open.
"I'm really glad he got to see this," Bailey said.Bailey, who has taken a while to develop into one of the better pitchers in the National League, came in with a 3.88 ERA this season and a 4.42 mark for his career — both of which are misleading numbers because his pitches roughly half of his games at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park.
It was the 16th no-hitter for the Reds and 16th time the Giants have been no-hit, the first time since Kevin Millwood of the Phillies did it in 2003.
Montgomerie misses out on British Open.
Colin Montgomerie has failed to earn a place at the British Open after traveling more than 3,500 miles from the United States to take part in qualifying on Tuesday.
Montgomerie drove from Pittsburgh, where he finished ninth on Sunday in the Senior Players Championship, to Newark Airport in New Jersey and then a flight home to Scotland - arriving Monday.
After a few hours' rest, he teed up Tuesday at the Gullane No. 1 course east of Edinburgh in the hope of securing one of three spots in golf's oldest major - which starts July 18 at nearby Muirfield.
Montgomerie was tied for second after opening with a 69 in the morning, but then got caught up in the slow pace of play to shoot 76 in wet afternoon conditions.
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