Sports Quote of the Day:
"When building a team, I always search first for people who love to win. If I can't find any of those, I look for people who hate to lose. ~ Ross Perot, Entrepreneur and Former U. S. Presidential Candidate.
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!! Bears-Lions Preview.
JEFF MEZYDLO (STATS Senior Writer)
While a typically opportunistic defense has paced the Chicago Bears' strong start, the Detroit Lions hope the recent injury to a key offensive starter won't prevent them from ending their recent struggles against their NFC North rival.
Maybe it really isn’t all about the money all the time.
Looking for their first 4-0 start in seven years, the visiting Bears try to continue their success against the Lions on Sunday.
For the second time in four years, Chicago is undefeated through three games thanks to the ball-hawking approach of its defense. Major Wright returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown and Julius Peppers took a recovered fumble 42 yards for a score as the Bears forced five turnovers in a 40-23 win at Pittsburgh last Sunday.
Though the Bears are tied for 19th in scoring defense at 24.7 points per game and rank 25th in yards allowed at 383.0, they've scored three defensive touchdowns in the last two games while recovering six fumbles and intercepting five passes in 2013.
Since the start of the 2011 season, Chicago is 13-1 in games in which it's scored a defensive touchdown.
"That's what we do, we take the ball away," Peppers said. "We stress it in practice every day, and it carries over to the game ... we have to continue to do that on a weekly basis to continue to win, and I believe we'll be able to do that."
It's certainly been the case against Detroit (2-1), as Chicago has forced 27 turnovers while winning nine of 10 in the series. The Bears have recorded 14 takeaways while winning the last three matchups.
Chicago has won four of five at Ford Field, but improving to 4-0 for the first time since 2006 may not be easy after the teams' two 2012 meetings were decided by eight points.
Detroit can grab a share of the early division lead Sunday after earning its first-ever win at Washington last week, 27-20.
"The urgency is there for everybody to improve and to get the next win," coach Jim Schwartz said. "I'm certainly not downplaying the importance of any game, but we treat them all with respect and we want to win every single one."NFC North games mean an awful lot because No. 1, it's a chance for you to win the game, but No. 2, it's a chance to put a loss on one of your opponents without having somebody else have to help you do it. They're certainly important. I'm not up here to tell you it's not."
Lions running back Reggie Bush said he'll return from a knee injury that forced him to miss last week's game. He totaled 260 yards and a touchdown in the first two contests.
Bush's return could boost an already potent offense that ranks fourth in the NFL with 410.7 yards per game and sixth at 27.3 points a contest.
That unit, however, suffered a blow this week when it lost receiver Nate Burleson.
The veteran, who has a team-leading 19 receptions for 116 yards and made six catches against the Redskins, suffered a broken arm in a single-car accident early Tuesday when he reached over to keep two pizza boxes from falling off the front passenger seat.
"It's tough," said quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has thrown for 1,020 yards with six TDs and two interceptions. "He's been a big part of our team since he's been here."
The Lions may have to rely more on second-year receiver Ryan Broyles, who made three catches for 34 yards Sunday in his first game since suffering a season-ending knee injury in December. Broyles had three catches for 51 yards and a touchdown in Detroit's 13-7 loss at Chicago on Oct. 22.
Burleson's absence likely means more defensive attention on Calvin Johnson, who has 13 receptions for 231 yards and three TDs in the past two games.
Johnson would likely be covered by star cornerback Charles Tillman, but Tillman is hampered by knee and groin issues that sidelined him late last week.
That could prove significant, as Tillman has helped limit Johnson to 15 catches, no TDs and an average of 62.3 yards in the teams' last three meetings.
The Bears announced Monday that starting defensive tackle Henry Melton will undergo season-ending knee surgery.
Jay Cutler turned in an efficient performance against the Steelers, going 20 of 30 for 159 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. His 67.3 completion percentage and 94.2 passer rating are career highs and he's been sacked only three times this season, though two of those came last week.
He's posted a 108.8 rating while throwing seven touchdowns and no interceptions to go 3-1 at Detroit since joining the Bears.
Teammate Matt Forte rushed 46 times for 219 yards and a TD in the last two games at Ford Field.
Bears’ 'other' Bennett sets team standard.
By John Mullin
Maybe it really isn’t all about the money all the time.
The clinching Bears touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers was caught by Earl Bennett, the same Earl Bennett who missed most of training camp and all of preseason with a concussion. Add to that the wide receiver being confronted with a pay cut (recoverable through performance incentives), and you have perhaps an unlikely hero in an offense that he has seen add two wide receivers (Alshon Jeffery, Brandon Marshall) ahead of him plus a tight end (Martellus Bennett).
But if there were any lingering resentments or bruised feelings, they were difficult to find with Bennett, who became the second “Bennett” in three weeks to catch a game-clinching touchdown, after Martellus’ winner with 10 seconds remaining vs. Minnesota.
“I just talked to my agent [about the pay cut] and we did what I thought was best for me,” Bennett said. “I love playing here and I look forward to playing here many more years.”
Marshall gave high praise to Bennett for his selflessness and attitude amid all of the knock-downs. Bennett was just doing what comes naturally, however.
“The biggest thing for me is to be selfless,” Bennett said. “I’m going to do whatever it is the team needs me to do. Whether it’s go out and field punts, go out and make tackles on kickoffs or catch 120 balls. Whatever the team needs me to do, that’s what I’m here for.”
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? The 52 names on the Stanley Cup.
By Emerald Gao
The Stanley Cup arrived back in Chicago this morning, freshly inscribed with the names of the 2012-13 champion Blackhawks. Beginning with captain Jonathan Toews, 25 players were stamped into the silver chalice by Montreal-based engraver Louise St. Jacques. The playing roster was preceded by the names of 27 coaches, front office executives and hockey operations personnel. Included in the final list of 52 names were:
- Brandon Bollig: 25 games, five playoff appearances (the minimum requirement for the shortened season was 23 regular-season games or one Stanley Cup Final appearance)
- Sheldon Brookbank: 27 regular-season games, one playoff appearance
- Daniel Carcillo: 23 games, four playoff appearances
- Ben Smith: one regular-season game, one playoff appearance (Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final)
- Jamal Mayers: 19 regular-season games, no playoff appearances. Players and management petitioned for the 38-year-old to be included on the Cup due to his status as a veteran team leader.
Just another Chicago Bulls Session... Rose confident, strong, and ready as new season approaches.
By Adam Fluck
(Adidas Images)
On hand at the United Center as adidas unveiled his D Rose 4 signature shoe, Derrick Rose talked about the upcoming season and more: “It’s a big year and we’re just trying to stay focused and worry about the Bulls. But at the same time, have one goal, and that goal is to win a championship.”
Derrick Rose found himself in a familiar place on Sunday afternoon, standing on the floor at the United Center with thousands of screaming Bulls fans in the building.
And while it was a memorable day for Rose, who was on hand as adidas unveiled his D Rose 4 signature shoe and celebrated his imminent return to basketball, his comeback isn’t complete just yet. First comes training camp, which starts Friday, followed by a week of practice, and eventually, the team’s first preseason game at Indiana on Oct. 5, with the regular season opener on Oct. 29 in Miami.
But, as Rose admitted, it sure was nice to be home in Chicago after a summer where he spent time with adidas traveling throughout Europe and Asia.
“Being back here, me being a Chicago Bull, and seeing some familiar faces is feeling great right now,” Rose said prior to the event.
Rose was the main attraction as adidas and the Bulls partnered to invite approximately 5,000 youth from local community organizations that are active within the areas of youth education, violence prevention and health and wellness. Groups represented in the audience included Youth Guidance, After School All Stars, Chicago Youth Centers, Kroc Center, Mercy Home, Greater Chicago Food Depository, ACE Program, City Year Chicago, Salvation Army, Chicago Bulls College Prep, Urban Alliance, YMCA, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago.
The event featured speeches from Rose, performances by Big Sean and Mo Beatz, a trivia contest, shooting competition and a slam dunk contest which Rose judged.
Rose was upbeat throughout the day, perhaps because he could confidently confirm he’s feeling good physically. Adding that he’s experiencing no lingering issues with his surgically repaired knee, he shared that he’s benefitting from a revamped diet.
Derrick Rose found himself in a familiar place on Sunday afternoon, standing on the floor at the United Center with thousands of screaming Bulls fans in the building.
And while it was a memorable day for Rose, who was on hand as adidas unveiled his D Rose 4 signature shoe and celebrated his imminent return to basketball, his comeback isn’t complete just yet. First comes training camp, which starts Friday, followed by a week of practice, and eventually, the team’s first preseason game at Indiana on Oct. 5, with the regular season opener on Oct. 29 in Miami.
But, as Rose admitted, it sure was nice to be home in Chicago after a summer where he spent time with adidas traveling throughout Europe and Asia.
“Being back here, me being a Chicago Bull, and seeing some familiar faces is feeling great right now,” Rose said prior to the event.
Rose was the main attraction as adidas and the Bulls partnered to invite approximately 5,000 youth from local community organizations that are active within the areas of youth education, violence prevention and health and wellness. Groups represented in the audience included Youth Guidance, After School All Stars, Chicago Youth Centers, Kroc Center, Mercy Home, Greater Chicago Food Depository, ACE Program, City Year Chicago, Salvation Army, Chicago Bulls College Prep, Urban Alliance, YMCA, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago.
The event featured speeches from Rose, performances by Big Sean and Mo Beatz, a trivia contest, shooting competition and a slam dunk contest which Rose judged.
Rose was upbeat throughout the day, perhaps because he could confidently confirm he’s feeling good physically. Adding that he’s experiencing no lingering issues with his surgically repaired knee, he shared that he’s benefitting from a revamped diet.
“Changing my diet is allowing me to have so much energy and really helping me with my training because I’m going into my training, working hard and the next day, not being sore, and still working hard at the same time, pushing myself,” said Rose. “I think it’s allowing me to become a better player.”
Rose has added about 10 pounds of muscle, another factor which will help him as he works his way back into the NBA game. Rose feels the extra strength will not only improve his endurance, but come into play whether he’s attacking the rim or taking a 12-foot jumper.
“I'm usually good at getting and-ones and finishing strong, but with the strength that I just got, I think my jump shot is going to be a lot smoother and I think it's going to help me in the long run,” explained Rose. “When you start thinking about the playoffs and how hard those games are, and even if we make it far, with me continuing to train the same way that I've been training, like twice a week on my legs, and really, my overall body, I think it's going to help me out a lot.”
Rose also made it clear he has no doubts he’ll return to the MVP level that catapulted him to stardom.
“The only thing that changed in my game is my confidence level and that’s knowing that I’ve put so much into my craft,” stated Rose. “I’m working hard. I think I’m one of the hardest workers in the NBA, if not the hardest worker. I think you should see that in my game when I step on the court.”
As for the teammates who will be joining him, Rose said he looks forward to recreating the chemistry that elevated the Bulls to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2011. The same core from that team—Rose, Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah—returns this season, with Jimmy Butler set to round out the starting five.
“I think with the team that we have, we have a young team, but we have a group of guys that’s been together for a long time, so that chemistry is definitely going to help us,” said Rose. “[Coach Tom Thibodeau], with him having the knowledge that he has and wanting us to be in a certain place, right in training camp, and just seeing how the guys individually are getting better, I think it’s going to be a good year for the Bulls.”
Quick to credit his teammates who “played their butt off last year,” Rose acknowledges that it may take a little time to shake off the rust that comes with missing an entire season. But, again, he’s confident it’s just another obstacle he’ll overcome.
“For me to come back, who knows when I’m going to get my rhythm?” wondered Rose. “It might take one game; it might take five games, 10 games, who knows? But I think me having that relationship with my teammates and them knowing that, and not just depending on me right away and just knowing that I’m just trying to fit in with them, do my job, where my job is to come in and run the game and get them open shots and play aggressive. So I think if the guys on the team know that and me knowing that, too, I think it’s going to be a smooth year and a smooth process.”
While an event like Sunday’s showcased adidas’ support and belief in Rose, he also expressed gratitude to the Bulls organization for allowing him to work through his rehabilitation processes on his terms and not pressuring him to make an early return.
“It’s been great. Even going through the process, they were behind me the whole time,” said Rose of the Bulls. “There wasn’t any rush. They were telling me to be patient and I listened to them. There wasn’t anyone rushing me [except] for a few media people. But who wouldn’t want to rush a young player that plays the game the right way back? I understand that. It’s a big year and we’re just trying to stay focused and worry about the Bulls. But at the same time, have one goal, and that goal is to win a championship.
“I think it’s close,” added Rose. “With the same team, the nucleus that we have, we made it to the conference finals [in 2011]. With a couple of plays, that could have easily changed the outcome. But like I said, every player's getting better individually.
I think everybody's healed up for this big year. We know how big it is.”
With Bud Selig retiring in 2015, who will be baseball's next commissioner?
By Jeff Passan
Bud Selig today let the world know that it's officially official that he's officially retiring baseball's commissionership on Jan. 24, 2015. He will leave behind a sport basking in unprecedented revenue growth and continuing to deodorize itself from ceaseless performance-enhancing scandals, a game that embraced the digital revolution more than any but struggles to find a foothold among youth. He is evermore a study in contradictions.
His singular grip on baseball has been perhaps the greatest constant throughout his 22-year reign. He is the same man every day: eating the same lunch, wearing the same red-colored tie and crisp white shirt, espousing the same rhetoric about the sport he genuinely loves and wants to see thrive. For better and, considering fan enmity toward him, often worse, he has been the face of the game.
Through that prism, the question of his replacement always has been more rhetorical than realistic. Who's going to replace Bud? Nobody, because Bud is and always will be the commissioner. There's a joke inside the sport that Selig really is baseball's Charlton Heston, and that they'd only take the job from his cold, dead hands. Twice before he has said he was retiring, and twice before he signed new long-term contracts before he could follow through. It's gotten to the point where even Selig jokes about it.
Never before has Selig done this – put out the word through the league office that he's done – and so even if skeptics do remain, the likelihood of a new person running baseball is greater than ever. Because of Selig's grip on the role, of course, it is entirely unclear throughout all areas of the sport, from the league office to the union to inside clubhouses, who will be the sport's 10th commissioner.
The odds-on favorite is Rob Manfred.
"Rob is Hillary Clinton in 2007," one source said Thursday.
When handicapping the presidential race in 2007, Clinton was the likeliest candidate.
Of course, someone a little more charismatic and a little better at campaigning and salesmanship dashed that hope, and she was relegated to a secondary position.
That's where Manfred has been for more than a decade: Selig's No. 2, his consigliere, the man who has negotiated labor deals and understands the inner workings of the sport better than anyone. Used to be that every labor negotiator for MLB would be fired after negotiating the latest collective-bargaining agreement because Marvin Miller and Donald Fehr would lay waste. That's no longer the case: Manfred has earned respect from the union, which has helped lay the foundation for unprecedented labor peace in the sport, the sort of which has fueled the growth to a $9 billion industry.
"Manfred is the Peyton Manning pick," another source said, and he meant that Manfred is safe and smart. Compared to other potential successors within the commissioner's office, Manfred's advantage is having weathered all aspects of the job. The three relations (labor, public and player), the specter of PEDs, the business side – he is intimately familiar with each.
Tim Brosnan, who runs MLB's business operations, is even better versed in the money-making operations, and some consider him a stronger candidate than Manfred. And while Bob Bowman has helped grow MLB Advanced Media into one of the greatest new-media success stories there is, and is considered among the most brilliant people in the sport, two sources said his reputation as someone who is abrasive could hinder him from getting a job that relies so much on public perception.
If baseball desires a great ambassador who could let others do the dirty work, Joe Torre is a possibility. Of course, Torre is 73 years old and has shown little desire publicly for the job. He would be a popular choice. He is just an unlikely one.
Others on the periphery, who could be the Obama to Manfred's Hilary, include Tigers president Dave Dombrowski, a highly respected figure with important positions on MLB committees; Sandy Alderson, the Mets general manager who has worked at MLB and has decades of experience; and Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall, who at 44 is considered young for the job but has significant behind-the-scenes allies who could thrust him into consideration.
Want a darkhorse? How about two? The first is Steve Greenberg. Chances are you haven't heard of him. He likes it that way. Greenberg, the son of Hall of Famer Hank Greenberg, is baseball's television rainmaker, the man who has negotiated a number of significant local TV deals that have led to the sport's massive revenue growth.
Some high-ranking league sources consider him to be the best candidate, although they're wary that he would want the job considering how he likes to do his work today with little fanfare.
The other: George W. Bush. He once owned the Texas Rangers. He has expressed interest in the job in the past. He did run the entire country for eight years. And best of all, the worst war he could wage is in the labor department, so that's a step up.
Selig will be intimately involved in choosing the next commissioner, two sources said, and in giving the league 15 months to do so, baseball should be able to vet all of the above, and more, and figure out who has that combination of business savvy, public-relations smoothness, respect from the union and, above all, consensus among a fractious group of 30 owners.
Whoever it is, he (or she) will need 24 of those owners to vote, "Yay." Then, and only then, will the most important job in baseball be pried, against all odds, from Bud Selig's warm-and-alive hands.
The five best rounds on the PGA Tour in 2013.
His singular grip on baseball has been perhaps the greatest constant throughout his 22-year reign. He is the same man every day: eating the same lunch, wearing the same red-colored tie and crisp white shirt, espousing the same rhetoric about the sport he genuinely loves and wants to see thrive. For better and, considering fan enmity toward him, often worse, he has been the face of the game.
Through that prism, the question of his replacement always has been more rhetorical than realistic. Who's going to replace Bud? Nobody, because Bud is and always will be the commissioner. There's a joke inside the sport that Selig really is baseball's Charlton Heston, and that they'd only take the job from his cold, dead hands. Twice before he has said he was retiring, and twice before he signed new long-term contracts before he could follow through. It's gotten to the point where even Selig jokes about it.
Never before has Selig done this – put out the word through the league office that he's done – and so even if skeptics do remain, the likelihood of a new person running baseball is greater than ever. Because of Selig's grip on the role, of course, it is entirely unclear throughout all areas of the sport, from the league office to the union to inside clubhouses, who will be the sport's 10th commissioner.
The odds-on favorite is Rob Manfred.
"Rob is Hillary Clinton in 2007," one source said Thursday.
When handicapping the presidential race in 2007, Clinton was the likeliest candidate.
Of course, someone a little more charismatic and a little better at campaigning and salesmanship dashed that hope, and she was relegated to a secondary position.
That's where Manfred has been for more than a decade: Selig's No. 2, his consigliere, the man who has negotiated labor deals and understands the inner workings of the sport better than anyone. Used to be that every labor negotiator for MLB would be fired after negotiating the latest collective-bargaining agreement because Marvin Miller and Donald Fehr would lay waste. That's no longer the case: Manfred has earned respect from the union, which has helped lay the foundation for unprecedented labor peace in the sport, the sort of which has fueled the growth to a $9 billion industry.
"Manfred is the Peyton Manning pick," another source said, and he meant that Manfred is safe and smart. Compared to other potential successors within the commissioner's office, Manfred's advantage is having weathered all aspects of the job. The three relations (labor, public and player), the specter of PEDs, the business side – he is intimately familiar with each.
Tim Brosnan, who runs MLB's business operations, is even better versed in the money-making operations, and some consider him a stronger candidate than Manfred. And while Bob Bowman has helped grow MLB Advanced Media into one of the greatest new-media success stories there is, and is considered among the most brilliant people in the sport, two sources said his reputation as someone who is abrasive could hinder him from getting a job that relies so much on public perception.
If baseball desires a great ambassador who could let others do the dirty work, Joe Torre is a possibility. Of course, Torre is 73 years old and has shown little desire publicly for the job. He would be a popular choice. He is just an unlikely one.
Others on the periphery, who could be the Obama to Manfred's Hilary, include Tigers president Dave Dombrowski, a highly respected figure with important positions on MLB committees; Sandy Alderson, the Mets general manager who has worked at MLB and has decades of experience; and Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall, who at 44 is considered young for the job but has significant behind-the-scenes allies who could thrust him into consideration.
Want a darkhorse? How about two? The first is Steve Greenberg. Chances are you haven't heard of him. He likes it that way. Greenberg, the son of Hall of Famer Hank Greenberg, is baseball's television rainmaker, the man who has negotiated a number of significant local TV deals that have led to the sport's massive revenue growth.
Some high-ranking league sources consider him to be the best candidate, although they're wary that he would want the job considering how he likes to do his work today with little fanfare.
The other: George W. Bush. He once owned the Texas Rangers. He has expressed interest in the job in the past. He did run the entire country for eight years. And best of all, the worst war he could wage is in the labor department, so that's a step up.
Selig will be intimately involved in choosing the next commissioner, two sources said, and in giving the league 15 months to do so, baseball should be able to vet all of the above, and more, and figure out who has that combination of business savvy, public-relations smoothness, respect from the union and, above all, consensus among a fractious group of 30 owners.
Whoever it is, he (or she) will need 24 of those owners to vote, "Yay." Then, and only then, will the most important job in baseball be pried, against all odds, from Bud Selig's warm-and-alive hands.
The five best rounds on the PGA Tour in 2013.
By Shane Bacon
(Phil Mickelson/Getty Images)
5. Martin Laird's 63 on Sunday at the Valero Texas Open -- You know those days where everything clicks, and the golf swing, and putting stroke, seem effortless? That was Martin Laird on Sunday at TPC San Antonio, carding a final round 63 that included nine birdies, nine pars and a round that propelled him to his third PGA Tour win.
It was a great round for a number of reasons, but without this close by Laird we would have seen Rory McIlroy raise a trophy in '13.
4. Phil Mickelson's 60 on Thursday at the Waste Management -- If there was ever a shot that proved just how cruel golf can be, it might be this putt Phil Mickelson had on the final hole at the Waste Management on Thursday. Looking over a birdie putt to post 59, the ball did everything but go in, curling around the cup and leaving the crowd, Bones and Phil all confused at how exactly it missed.
Mickelson was 7-under on his front nine, made the turn and continued his run, getting to 11-under with two holes to play but failed to convert birdies over his final two holes. Still, it tied for the second lowest round of the season on the PGA Tour and as we called it when it happened, was more of a 59.5 than a 60.
Mickelson, of course, went on to win this event by four shots over Brandt Snedeker.
3. Jim Furyk's 59 on Friday at the BMW Championship -- It's crazy to think that just the sixth man to ever fire a sub-60 round on the PGA Tour would be the third best round of 2013, but closing out a tournament, or posting a round that wraps up a major championship, trumps going super low earlier in the week if you fail to win.
Furyk's 59 was amazing, wrapped up by one of our shots of the year, but he couldn't go on to win at the BMW Championship, meaning it will be a great round lost to a poor rest of the week. Still, his round on Friday at Conway Farms was the lowest round on the course by six shots!
2. Jason Dufner's 63 on Friday at the PGA Championship -- It was one of the better rounds of golf you will ever see, no matter the situation or the golf tournament. Dufner's 63 on Friday broke the Oak Hill course record, and the amazing thing was he had a pretty good look on the 18th green to post the first ever 62 in a major championship, but couldn't get the ball to the hole and had to settle for joining a growing list of pros that have shot 63 at a major.
Dufner went on to win his first ever major championship on Sunday at the PGA, and he can look back at this second round as the reason he was able to pull that off.
1. Phil Mickelson's 66 on Sunday at the British Open -- It was one of those "rounds for the ages" on the final day of a major, the one you always think might happen but hardly ever see.
Phil Mickelson was five shots back heading into the final round with names like Lee Westwood, Hunter Mahan, Adam Scott and Tiger Woods ahead of him on the leaderboard, but that didn't stop Mickelson from putting together one of the greatest closing stretches we have ever seen at a major championship.
Mickelson birdied four of his last six holes, adding circles on both the 17th and 18th to all but wrap up his first ever Claret Jug, and he did both with incredible golf shots like that three-wood he hit on the 71st hole.
It was a near flawless final round considering the golf course and conditions, and it forced Phil to pull off every shot he had in his bag, which he did to perfection.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Board approves IndyCar road course race at track in 2014. What's your take?
By Nick Bromberg
Just envision the cars going the other direction for the road course race. (Getty Images)
Indianapolis 500 purists, start your cringing.
The board at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway approved an IndyCar race to be run on the track's road course on the first weekend of May in 2014 to kick off festivities for the Indianapolis 500.
“This event will bring even more energy and action to the Month of May for fans and create another showcase for the diversity and excitement of the Speedway and the IndyCar Series,” Mark Miles, Hulman & Co. CEO said in a statement. “The new road race will further enhance the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as the premier motorsports destination in the world and direct an even brighter spotlight on the Indianapolis 500.”
More details about the event will be announced on October 1, but the possibility of the race has been met with mixed reaction. Some have vouched for the idea of the race while others, like AJ Foyt and Dario Franchitti, haven't been fans of the idea.
Earlier in September, Ryan Briscoe and Graham Rahal tested the road course layout, which will be modified for increased passing zones and fan accessibility before the race. The road course opened in 2000 and hosted Formula 1 from 2000-2007.
What do you think. Good or bad idea not only for the Indianapolis 500, but for the IndyCar Series?
As always on Friday, after reading this article, we'd love to know what's your take?
United States Defeats New Zealand to Win America’s Cup After Stunning Comeback.
By Sam Gustin
By Sam Gustin
Oracle Team USA skippered by James Spithill in action during race 17 of the America's Cup Finals in San Francisco, Sept. 24, 2013. (Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
The United States has defeated New Zealand in the 34th America’s Cup, capping off the greatest comeback in the history of yacht racing, and one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history.
One week ago, Oracle Team USA trailed Emirates Team New Zealand 8-1, with the Kiwis needing just one more win to clinch the Cup, but the Americans never gave up hope. Oracle proceeded to reel off seven consecutive wins to pull even after Tuesday’s racing, setting up Wednesday’s climactic 19th race showdown on San Francisco Bay.
At 1:39 p.m. Pacific time the Americans crossed the finish line ahead of the New Zealanders, setting off jubilation and euphoria among fans of the U.S. team. For billionaire tech magnate Larry Ellison, who spent $100 million on the Oracle team, the victory was a sweet vindication. For the Kiwis, the stunning collapse amounts to the one of the worst defeats in New Zealand sporting history.
The Kiwis had been in a position to win for an entire week, but wind and time limit rules stymied them for days, and several races were postponed. Over the last week, the drama increased as Oracle, the defending champion, won seven straight races, setting up the greatest comeback in America’s Cup history. Last Wednesday, New Zealand led 8-1. After Tuesday’s races, Oracle had tied the regatta at 8-8. On Wednesday, the Americans prevailed. The trophy will now be in the possession of Oracle Team USA, which will get to determine the timing and location of the next America’s Cup.
The 34th America’s Cup bore little resemblance to earlier Cup regattas. The two teams competed in high-powered, 72-foot catamarans, which have two thin hulls, unlike the single-hulled boats that were used during most of the Cup’s 162-year history. With their 131-foot carbon fiber wing sails, the AC72s are capable of reaching more than 50 miles per hour while flying feet above the water on underwater foils, called daggerboards, which lift the boats out of the water, reducing drag and increasing speed.
Billionaire Oracle mogul Larry Ellison’s team won the America’s Cup in 2010 and thus earned the right to determine the regatta’s format. He called for the new AC72-class catamaran, which can hydroplane on top of the water faster than the speed limit on the Golden Gate Bridge. The AC72s are among the fastest, most sophisticated, most expensive, and most dangerous sailboats ever built. One sailor, Andrew Simpson, died in training, prompting increased safety measures. During the regatta, the sailors wore helmets and breathing devices in case they were trapped underneath the boats.
The Kiwis, led by their cool-headed skipper Dean Barker, had a speed edge over Oracle Team USA for the first half of the competition. In the second half of the regatta, the Americans improved their boat speed by tweaking their wing sail and improving their ability to hydrofoil with both hulls out of the water while sailing upwind, a maneuver rarely, if ever, seen before in yacht racing with boats of this size.
Sailboat racing is an obsession for the island nation of New Zealand. Nearly one million Kiwi viewers tuned in to watch the daily races, according to industry estimates — in a nation with a population of 4.5 million. In a twist that added further drama, Oracle Team USA was led by an Australian racing champion named Jimmy Spithill. Needless to say, there was no love lost between Spithill and Barker, the Kiwi skipper. “There’s fierce rivalry between Australia and New Zealand in sport,” Spithill said during a post-race press conference earlier in the regatta. “It’s crazy how deep it is. We’re in a battle now and honestly we both want to kill each other.” Presumably, he was using a figure of speech.
Oracle Team USA was penalized two points in a cheating scandal during an earlier stage of the event, which meant the Americans needed to win 11 races, compared to nine races for the Kiwis. (That’s why there were 19 races in a 17-race regatta). Oracle team-members were found to have placed illegal weights on their boats, in what that the AP called “the biggest cheating scandal in the 162-year-history of the America’s Cup.” Three Oracle team-members were banned from the event. Only one member of Oracle USA’s racing team was American, prompting calls that future Cup events institute a so-called “nationality rule,” so that team crews reflect their home nation.
The origins of the America’s Cup date back to 1851, and a yacht race off Britain’s Isle of Wight. A schooner named America, representing the New York Yacht Club, passed Queen Victoria’s Royal Yacht in first place, prompting the monarch to ask one of her attendants who was in second place. The response: “Your Majesty, there is no second.” That remark, the most famous in America’s Cup history, would define the ethos of competition that has prevailed in the event ever since.
The winner’s trophy was renamed the America’s Cup, after the victorious schooner, and was donated to the New York Yacht Club under the terms of the Deed of Gift — the regatta’s governing document — which established the guidelines for “a perpetual challenge cup for friendly competition between nations.” The Americans retained the trophy for 132 years until 1983, when Australia II stunned Defender, the U.S. boat helmed by Dennis Connor, then considered America’s top match racer.
For years, America’s Cup organizers have struggled to make the event more accessible to a mass audience. The current regatta features groundbreaking technology developed by SportVision, which uses GPS positioning to superimpose graphics detailing boat, wind, and water speed during the television broadcasts. The cost and complexity of the AC72s — it takes as much $100 million to mount a campaign — kept many potential challengers from competing, prompting speculation that future America’s Cup events will be sailed on smaller, less expensive boats.
Villas-Boas predicts 'tightest Premier League in years'.At 1:39 p.m. Pacific time the Americans crossed the finish line ahead of the New Zealanders, setting off jubilation and euphoria among fans of the U.S. team. For billionaire tech magnate Larry Ellison, who spent $100 million on the Oracle team, the victory was a sweet vindication. For the Kiwis, the stunning collapse amounts to the one of the worst defeats in New Zealand sporting history.
The Kiwis had been in a position to win for an entire week, but wind and time limit rules stymied them for days, and several races were postponed. Over the last week, the drama increased as Oracle, the defending champion, won seven straight races, setting up the greatest comeback in America’s Cup history. Last Wednesday, New Zealand led 8-1. After Tuesday’s races, Oracle had tied the regatta at 8-8. On Wednesday, the Americans prevailed. The trophy will now be in the possession of Oracle Team USA, which will get to determine the timing and location of the next America’s Cup.
The 34th America’s Cup bore little resemblance to earlier Cup regattas. The two teams competed in high-powered, 72-foot catamarans, which have two thin hulls, unlike the single-hulled boats that were used during most of the Cup’s 162-year history. With their 131-foot carbon fiber wing sails, the AC72s are capable of reaching more than 50 miles per hour while flying feet above the water on underwater foils, called daggerboards, which lift the boats out of the water, reducing drag and increasing speed.
Billionaire Oracle mogul Larry Ellison’s team won the America’s Cup in 2010 and thus earned the right to determine the regatta’s format. He called for the new AC72-class catamaran, which can hydroplane on top of the water faster than the speed limit on the Golden Gate Bridge. The AC72s are among the fastest, most sophisticated, most expensive, and most dangerous sailboats ever built. One sailor, Andrew Simpson, died in training, prompting increased safety measures. During the regatta, the sailors wore helmets and breathing devices in case they were trapped underneath the boats.
The Kiwis, led by their cool-headed skipper Dean Barker, had a speed edge over Oracle Team USA for the first half of the competition. In the second half of the regatta, the Americans improved their boat speed by tweaking their wing sail and improving their ability to hydrofoil with both hulls out of the water while sailing upwind, a maneuver rarely, if ever, seen before in yacht racing with boats of this size.
Sailboat racing is an obsession for the island nation of New Zealand. Nearly one million Kiwi viewers tuned in to watch the daily races, according to industry estimates — in a nation with a population of 4.5 million. In a twist that added further drama, Oracle Team USA was led by an Australian racing champion named Jimmy Spithill. Needless to say, there was no love lost between Spithill and Barker, the Kiwi skipper. “There’s fierce rivalry between Australia and New Zealand in sport,” Spithill said during a post-race press conference earlier in the regatta. “It’s crazy how deep it is. We’re in a battle now and honestly we both want to kill each other.” Presumably, he was using a figure of speech.
Oracle Team USA was penalized two points in a cheating scandal during an earlier stage of the event, which meant the Americans needed to win 11 races, compared to nine races for the Kiwis. (That’s why there were 19 races in a 17-race regatta). Oracle team-members were found to have placed illegal weights on their boats, in what that the AP called “the biggest cheating scandal in the 162-year-history of the America’s Cup.” Three Oracle team-members were banned from the event. Only one member of Oracle USA’s racing team was American, prompting calls that future Cup events institute a so-called “nationality rule,” so that team crews reflect their home nation.
The origins of the America’s Cup date back to 1851, and a yacht race off Britain’s Isle of Wight. A schooner named America, representing the New York Yacht Club, passed Queen Victoria’s Royal Yacht in first place, prompting the monarch to ask one of her attendants who was in second place. The response: “Your Majesty, there is no second.” That remark, the most famous in America’s Cup history, would define the ethos of competition that has prevailed in the event ever since.
The winner’s trophy was renamed the America’s Cup, after the victorious schooner, and was donated to the New York Yacht Club under the terms of the Deed of Gift — the regatta’s governing document — which established the guidelines for “a perpetual challenge cup for friendly competition between nations.” The Americans retained the trophy for 132 years until 1983, when Australia II stunned Defender, the U.S. boat helmed by Dennis Connor, then considered America’s top match racer.
For years, America’s Cup organizers have struggled to make the event more accessible to a mass audience. The current regatta features groundbreaking technology developed by SportVision, which uses GPS positioning to superimpose graphics detailing boat, wind, and water speed during the television broadcasts. The cost and complexity of the AC72s — it takes as much $100 million to mount a campaign — kept many potential challengers from competing, prompting speculation that future America’s Cup events will be sailed on smaller, less expensive boats.
By Peter Hanson
Villas-Boas predicts 'tightest Premier League in years'
Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas believes the Premier League this season will be one of the tighest in recent years.
The White Hart Lane outfit was one of the league's busiest teams during the summer, with the likes of Paulinho, Roberto Soldado and Erik Lamela all breaking the club's transfer record as it prepared for the world-record sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid.
Tottenham has won four of its first five games this season and hosts rival Chelsea on Saturday, and Villas-Boas says the game will give him an indication of what the club can achieve this term.
"We want to do well against a team that won the European Cup two years ago, won the Europa League that we wanted so much last season. This is the kind of game that you can measure the kind of challenges you might have," Villas-Boas told reporters. "What is happening to us now puts us in a positive mood and we have to collect as many points as possible based on the positive mood we are developing, but it can change very, very quickly.
"At the moment we are on a good run, but there are no clubs on maximum points and this year will be very tight at the top. [Manchester] United are struggling for points, but they have played all the top team at the beginning of the season.
"This will probably become the tightest Premier League in years. It's important for everybody [to win this game]. It would be extremely good to build on our positive start, especially against a good team."
The fixture sees Villas-Boas come up against Jose Mourinho, for whom he worked as a scout and coach at Porto, Chelsea and Inter. He said he enjoyed an "excellent" relationship with the former Real Madrid manager, but had to move on to match his personal goals.
"Our break-up point was because I was full of ambition to give him something extra and I wanted further involvement than the job I was doing at that time, which was scouting and match preparation," Villas-Boas said. "I felt I could give him much more, so my initial idea was to keep on working with him.
"But he didn't feel the need for somebody near to him or in another position as an assistant, and because of that it was decided that it was time, after Inter Milan, to continue our careers [apart]."
The White Hart Lane outfit was one of the league's busiest teams during the summer, with the likes of Paulinho, Roberto Soldado and Erik Lamela all breaking the club's transfer record as it prepared for the world-record sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid.
Tottenham has won four of its first five games this season and hosts rival Chelsea on Saturday, and Villas-Boas says the game will give him an indication of what the club can achieve this term.
"We want to do well against a team that won the European Cup two years ago, won the Europa League that we wanted so much last season. This is the kind of game that you can measure the kind of challenges you might have," Villas-Boas told reporters. "What is happening to us now puts us in a positive mood and we have to collect as many points as possible based on the positive mood we are developing, but it can change very, very quickly.
"At the moment we are on a good run, but there are no clubs on maximum points and this year will be very tight at the top. [Manchester] United are struggling for points, but they have played all the top team at the beginning of the season.
"This will probably become the tightest Premier League in years. It's important for everybody [to win this game]. It would be extremely good to build on our positive start, especially against a good team."
The fixture sees Villas-Boas come up against Jose Mourinho, for whom he worked as a scout and coach at Porto, Chelsea and Inter. He said he enjoyed an "excellent" relationship with the former Real Madrid manager, but had to move on to match his personal goals.
"Our break-up point was because I was full of ambition to give him something extra and I wanted further involvement than the job I was doing at that time, which was scouting and match preparation," Villas-Boas said. "I felt I could give him much more, so my initial idea was to keep on working with him.
"But he didn't feel the need for somebody near to him or in another position as an assistant, and because of that it was decided that it was time, after Inter Milan, to continue our careers [apart]."
Baseball Results, Thursday, 09/27/2013.
Reuters
(Home tea in CAPS)
Kansas City 3 CHICAGO WHITE SOX 2
SAN DIEGO 3 Arizona 2
BALTIMORE 3 Toronto 2
Tampa Bay 4 NY YANKEES 0
ATLANTA 7 Philadelphia 1
Milwaukee 4 NY METS 2
TEXAS 6 LA Angels 5
Cleveland 6 MINNESOTA 5
SAN FRANCISCO 3 LA Dodgers 2
Kansas City 3 CHICAGO WHITE SOX 2
SAN DIEGO 3 Arizona 2
BALTIMORE 3 Toronto 2
Tampa Bay 4 NY YANKEES 0
ATLANTA 7 Philadelphia 1
Milwaukee 4 NY METS 2
TEXAS 6 LA Angels 5
Cleveland 6 MINNESOTA 5
SAN FRANCISCO 3 LA Dodgers 2
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