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Sports Quote of the Day:
When you have a dream that you can't let go of, trust your instincts and pursue it. But remember: Real dreams take work, They take patience, and sometimes they require you to dig down very deep. Be sure you're willing to do that." ~ Harvey Mackay, Businessman, Author and Syndicated Columnist
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Blackhawks offseason changes unlike ones in 2010.
By Tracey Myers
It’s a lot like 2010. Or is it?
Yes, the Blackhawks’ purge seems similar, maybe not in terms of quantity lost but certainly in the quality players they’ve lost. But unlike 2010, when the Blackhawks entered training camp with plenty of unknowns, this year they have guys who know exactly what to do at the NHL level.
The Blackhawks still have work to do – we’ll get to that later – but they like what they’ve gotten in return thus far. There will still be openings for Rockford IceHogs to claim but other voids will be filled with those with NHL experience. And that has coach Joel Quenneville optimistic entering the fall of 2015.
“When we lost back in 2010, I don’t think we knew what we were getting into,” he said as the Blackhawks convention opened on Friday evening. “We got a lot of players that came in, more so the draft pick type of player, future types of players that projected down the road. Here, we’ve got something we needed in return where guys can play on our team and play big roles. We can find out a little more on how that plays out as we go along.”
Trevor Daley, Artem Anisimov, Marko Dano and Ryan Garbutt are a few of the players acquired in the Patrick Sharp and Brandon Saad trades. The experience is there for all of them; Dano’s the youngest at 20, but he had a solid rookie season and has plenty of potential. Anisimov could be the next second-line center; Patrick Kane is already anticipating the possibilities.
“He’s a big, smart, two-way forward and a left-handed shot. That’s the ideal center for someone like myself,” he said. “You see the size and he’s also got the skill, too. He could be a really dangerous fit on our team, so I’m looking forward to the chance of playing with him, if that’s the case. Hopefully we develop some chemistry as quickly as possible.”
Right after acquiring Daley, general manager Stan Bowman said the Blackhawks were looking to get players, “who can help us now.” As far as how they fit into the system, Bowman said Quenneville and company usually figure that out.
“They’ve done a great job of finding out what works, what doesn’t work,” Bowman said. “We have some new players in, so when you look at it from that perspective, you get excited what the possibilities may be for next year. Change is good. I think we’ve embraced that in the past and we’ve been able to bring in players who now are household names. It’ll be the same for some of the new guys. They’ll be new to the fans and media, but I think you’ll fall in love with some of these guys.”
Change was bound to come during the summer of 2015, much like it did in the summer of 2010. This time around, however, the new faces are just new to the Blackhawks, not the NHL stage.
“We’ve added some different pieces and tried to replace as best we could,” Quenneville said. “Stan has done a great job in a tight market. That’s today’s game. [There are] certainly a little bit more NHL ready players than we’ve seen in the past. That can help us.”
UPDATES
— Bowman said he continues to talk to Marcus Kruger’s camp about a new contract. “We’re still trying to get everything worked out,” he said.
— The Blackhawks had approximately $750,000 worth of bonus overages last season, which will be deducted from this upcoming season’s cap. So as of today, according to generalfanager.com, the Blackhawks have about $231,500 of cap space.
— Last year, the Blackhawks didn’t trade Nick Leddy until the fall. Bowman said he’s comfortable waiting again, if necessary, to make moves this offseason. “I know it looks like it’s been a long time since July 1 but it’s only been a few weeks,” he said. “There will be some moves around the league between now and the opening of training camp as well as the opening of the season. We’ll look at ways to improve our team. We have a few things we’re contemplating and we’ll see which way we end up going.”
Blackhawks excited about Artemi Panarin's 'special ability'.
By Tracey Myers
Former SKA St. Petersburg forward and Chicago Blackhawks prospect Artemi Panarin signed his first NHL contract fresh off winning the 2015 Gagarin Cup, the KHL’s championship trophy (courtesy of Matej Divizna/Getty Images)
He’s not here for the Blackhawks convention. Not many on this side of the pond have seen him, unless they’ve watched his game highlights on YouTube.
Nevertheless, he’s been a big topic of discussion – and anticipation – this weekend.
Artemi Panarin hasn’t suited up for the Blackhawks in any fashion yet and won’t until they convene for training camp in September. But many are already talking about the Russian forward and the impact he could make with the Blackhawks.
“All the Blackhawks fans are going to absolutely love him, just love watching him,” said Viktor Tikhonov. “He’s always wanted to come over; he just didn’t know if he was ready. And just seeing him and how fast he’s developing, he was one of the best players in the KHL this year. It was the right move for him to make the jump.”
Tikhonov would know, as he and Panarin played together with SKA St. Petersburg in the Kontinental Hockey League. Last season Panarin recorded 26 goals and 36 assists for St. Petersburg, which won the Gagarin Cup. The 23-year-old signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Blackhawks in April.
Panarin has plenty of potential. And with that come expectations. What could he do with the Blackhawks? And will that expected great play come right away? The same questions came with Teuvo Teravainen when he arrived on the scene two seasons ago. And just like with Teravainen, general manager Stan Bowman said everyone has to give Panarin time.
“We’re trying to be patient with the expectations because he’s coming to a new country, learning the language. Everything is new to him,” Bowman said during a convention session on Saturday. “I always try to tell people, imagine you go to Russia and you’re expected to just jump in to a new culture and be a superstar right away. There will be a little adjustment there but he has special ability. It’s fun to think of the possibilities there.”
The Blackhawks found out with Teravainen that, once you’re comfortable in your new country and with your new surroundings, be it on and off the ice, great things can happen. It should also help Panarin that the Blackhawks have several Russians on the team this season, including Tikhonov and Artem Anisimov.
Panarin’s acclimation to the Blackhawks begins this fall. He’ll have a lot to take in, from what he learns on the ice to life off it. It’ll take time. Everyone will have to tap the brakes. But the possibilities nevertheless have the Blackhawks talking.
“I think one of the things about that kid is he put up the same numbers as [Ilya] Kovalchuk in the KHL, and we know how Kovalchuk was over here. It’s pretty scary what could happen if he pans out the way everyone expects him to,” Patrick Kane said. “I haven’t seen him play; I’ve just seen a couple of highlights. I’m definitely looking forward to watching him in training camp.”
Nevertheless, he’s been a big topic of discussion – and anticipation – this weekend.
Artemi Panarin hasn’t suited up for the Blackhawks in any fashion yet and won’t until they convene for training camp in September. But many are already talking about the Russian forward and the impact he could make with the Blackhawks.
“All the Blackhawks fans are going to absolutely love him, just love watching him,” said Viktor Tikhonov. “He’s always wanted to come over; he just didn’t know if he was ready. And just seeing him and how fast he’s developing, he was one of the best players in the KHL this year. It was the right move for him to make the jump.”
Tikhonov would know, as he and Panarin played together with SKA St. Petersburg in the Kontinental Hockey League. Last season Panarin recorded 26 goals and 36 assists for St. Petersburg, which won the Gagarin Cup. The 23-year-old signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Blackhawks in April.
Panarin has plenty of potential. And with that come expectations. What could he do with the Blackhawks? And will that expected great play come right away? The same questions came with Teuvo Teravainen when he arrived on the scene two seasons ago. And just like with Teravainen, general manager Stan Bowman said everyone has to give Panarin time.
“We’re trying to be patient with the expectations because he’s coming to a new country, learning the language. Everything is new to him,” Bowman said during a convention session on Saturday. “I always try to tell people, imagine you go to Russia and you’re expected to just jump in to a new culture and be a superstar right away. There will be a little adjustment there but he has special ability. It’s fun to think of the possibilities there.”
The Blackhawks found out with Teravainen that, once you’re comfortable in your new country and with your new surroundings, be it on and off the ice, great things can happen. It should also help Panarin that the Blackhawks have several Russians on the team this season, including Tikhonov and Artem Anisimov.
Panarin’s acclimation to the Blackhawks begins this fall. He’ll have a lot to take in, from what he learns on the ice to life off it. It’ll take time. Everyone will have to tap the brakes. But the possibilities nevertheless have the Blackhawks talking.
“I think one of the things about that kid is he put up the same numbers as [Ilya] Kovalchuk in the KHL, and we know how Kovalchuk was over here. It’s pretty scary what could happen if he pans out the way everyone expects him to,” Patrick Kane said. “I haven’t seen him play; I’ve just seen a couple of highlights. I’m definitely looking forward to watching him in training camp.”
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session... Bulls finish summer league with 3-3 record.
By K. C. Johnson
Bulls lost in the quarterfinals to finish their summer league schedule 3-3.
The Bulls concluded their summer league schedule Saturday night in Las Vegas with a 91-84 quarterfinals loss to the Phoenix Suns. The Bulls finished 3-3. First-round pick Bobby Portis averaged 14.5 points with a team-high 8.7 rebounds. He posted 25 points and 15 rebounds in the finale.
Michael Jordan headed to FIBA Hall of Fame.
By Tribune Wire Reports, Associated Press
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!! Will 2015 be Jay Cutler's Last Ride in Chicago?
By Ryan Peardon
The story of Jay Cutler is one of the most complicated, brow-furrowing stories ever told. When you look at the veteran play caller out of the University of Vanderbilt, you see stars. A gutsy quarterback who can stand in the pocket and deliver a fastball on a rope, even a high amount of mobility to escape the pocket and make plays with his feet. Cutler passes the eye test with flying colors.
Until the moment starts to build, subsequently, Cutler begins to fade into nonexistence. One playoff win in six years. That's what Cutler has had to offer up to Chicago fans. In return for that service, Chicago paid Cutler handsomely with a huge contract. Why you ask? Beats me.
Cutler has been known to look good once in a blue moon in the regular season, but in this day and age, it's all about the rings, something Cutler will probably never know anything about. For Cutler to regain hope in the eyes of Bears fans, and football fans world wide for that matter, this year has to be simply explosive.
The turnovers.
Cutler has to turn that part of him off, like yesterday. He has thrown 183 touchdown passes in his career, and has turned the ball over 175 times (130 interceptions and 45 fumbles). Losing that many chances at scoring simply does not equal a world championship, no matter who else you put on the field. Here's a full list of stats from Cutler's career to give you a better idea.
His attitude.
On the field, Cutler has these lapses and looks as if he doesn't even enjoy the game of football or believe in his team. Regularly hanging or shaking his head, sulking on the sidelines alone, smoking Jay needs to become a leader, nothing else to it. If your quarterback, your field general, isn't your leader, then who is?
Cutler has a star-studded cast around him, willing and able to help him lead the team to the promise land, but it's on Cutler's back to put those guys in a position to make the plays. He has to get the ball to them in good fashion for these guys to do what they do best. Alshon Jeffrey, Martellus Bennett, and rookie wide out Kevin White give Cutler some huge targets to hit. Add Matt Forte, one of the most diversely used backs in the league, chances of success rise even more.
Bottom line, Cutler has the tools and the supporting cast to really make a splash. Mix that with a phenomenal turnaround in the coaching staff and there's realistically a recipe for success. It all depends on what Cutler we get to add to the mix. He can deliver a gourmet feast if he wants, the ability is there. On the other hand, it's just as likely he can deliver the $5 all-you-can-eat buffet at the strip club. Only time will tell.
One has to believe that this is Cutler's last shot at wiping away the negative image he has generated over the years. Failure this year will surely blow Jay Cutler out of the Windy City. It's all or nothing Jay, not that I have to remind you.
NFL's first full-time female official ready for debut.
By Kirstie Chiappelli
Sarah Thomas (far right) (Photo/AP)
Sarah Thomas became the first female official the to call a college football bowl game. Now, she is set to become the NFL's first full-time female official.
Although Shannon Eastin became the first woman to call a regular season game in 2012, Thomas will make history by becoming the first woman to officiate for a full season after being hired by the league on April 8. "I approach it just as an official, and I've been doing this," Thomas told ESPN. "I know it may be [a novelty] for some, but I think being part of the developmental program and going that way — maybe they'll see me just as an official. That's how I want them to see me."
Thomas, a pharmaceutical representative, wife and mother of three, will serve as a line judge in the upcoming 2015 season. She has no reason to believe the players and coaches will view or treat her any differently than the other officials.
"They just want the job to be done and be done consistently, done right," she said.
Thomas, 41, has nearly 20 years of officiating experience. She has worked her way through the NFL's developmental program over the last two years, calling scrimmages and practices in addition to training camp and preseason games.
Thomas began officiating high school football games in 1999 and quickly made her way through the college football ranks. She previously called Conference USA games for nine years.
Jake Arrieta, Jorge Soler power Cubs past Braves.
By JJ Stankevitz
The Cubs’ offense still hasn’t come alive, but Jake Arrieta didn’t need much support on another warm, humid day in Georgia.
Arrieta fired seven shutout innings and Jorge Soler homered as the Cubs beat the Atlanta Braves, 4-1, on Sunday to secure a series victory at Turner Field to open the second half.
Jonathan Herrera’s two-out, two-run single in the second inning got the Cubs on the board against Atlanta All-Star right-hander Shelby Miller, who entered Sunday with a 2.38 ERA. Soler powered a solo home run to center in the fourth, his first home run since May 29th and fifth of the season.
Chris Coghlan added an insurance run with an RBI double in the ninth off former Cubs farmhand Arodys Vizcaino.
Over the Cubs’ last eight games, only Soler (Sunday) and Arrieta (July 12) have homered. The Cubs are averaging three runs per game in that stretch.
Arrieta, though, didn’t allow a hit until A.J. Pierzynski doubled with two out in the fourth and scattered three hits and three walks with 10 strikeouts over his seven innings of work. He only faced one real jam after Eury Perez doubled and Andrelton Simmons walked with two out in the seventh, but struck out pinch hitter Joey Terdoslavich to keep the Braves off the board.
Over his last six starts, Arrieta has an 0.96 ERA, allowed 24 hits and struck out 44 with only seven walks in 46 2/3 innings.
Catcher Kyle Schwarber didn’t start but pinch hit in the 8th and struck out. Pedro Strop, who gave up a pair of runs in each of his last two appearances, pitched over Jace Peterson’s leadoff double and fired a scoreless bottom of the eighth.
In the ninth, James Russell issued a two-out walk to Eury Perez and Andrelton Simmons — facing Jason Motte — doubled him in to score the Braves' only run of the day.
Chris Sale not at his best as White Sox fall to AL's best.
By Vinnie Duber
Chris Sale knows the Royals are the best team in the American League, and he knows you’re not supposed to serve up home runs to the best team in the American League.
“This is not a good team to leave fastballs over the plate to and also not a good team to let the ball travel over the fence,” Sale said. “They take advantage of every opportunity you give them, and that’s what happens.”
Yes, that’s exactly what happened Sunday, as Sale allowed a trio of runs on a pair of homers against the reigning AL champs, the critical blows in a 4-1 White Sox loss at U.S. Cellular Field.
Sale wasn’t his usually dominant self Sunday, and it showed from the very beginning. He allowed three of the first four batters he faced to collect singles, and one of them turned into a run.
Later on, the left-handed ace served up a pitch that Lorenzo Cain turned into his second solo homer in as many days. The following inning, Paulo Orlando cranked a two-run shot into the seats to put the Royals ahead by four.
Meanwhile, the Royals showed what’s made them one of baseball’s best teams. They got great pitching, as Danny Duffy blanked the White Sox over eight innings. Tyler Saladino’s solo homer to lead off the ninth ended Duffy’s shutout bid, but eight-plus innings of one-run ball allowing just six hits is still stellar. To boot, the Royals’ defense was sensational, with Alcides Escobar — who last week started the All-Star Game at shortstop — making what seemed like one dazzling play per inning.
Pitching and defense. And a couple long balls off one of baseball’s best pitchers. That’s what keeps you atop the standings. And that’s what kept the White Sox out of the win column three out of four times in this weekend series.
“They limit everything,” Robin Ventura said. “They have a really fast outfield. They limit things in the outfield. It's spread out pretty good. Cain covers a lot of ground, he's done it the last few days. Escobar just seemed to be everywhere today. Even when it's tipping off somebody's glove he's there to pick it up and throw it, and the play at the end of the game. We just couldn't get anything going.”
“Yeah, pitching and defense and doing the little things,” Sale said. “That’s what wins you ballgames and gets you on rolls. We’re having a little bit of bad luck on our side right now. Just try to shake that and just get on a streak.”
Sale’s "off" day has to be put in perspective, of course. Sure, he surrendered a season-high 11 hits. But an ace pitcher should be able to give up only four runs — just the fourth time that’s happened in Sale's 18 starts this season — and not completely sink his team. But the White Sox are the lowest-scoring team in the AL, and that means those four runs were just too many to overcome.
A struggling offense couldn’t muster a thing against Duffy outside of Saladino’s late homer. The White Sox collected just six hits and squandered the chances they did get. Three times in the first three innings they had a runner at second, but no runs came of it. And the most glaring missed opportunity came in the sixth, when after the first two hitters reached, a sacrifice bunt and a pair of strikeouts followed, stranding a pair of runners in scoring position.
The White Sox dropped three games during this four-game weekend set and are now 3-7 on the season against the Royals. There’ll be no reprieve, either, following Monday’s off day, as the team with the best record in the National League, the Cardinals, visits the South Side for two games.
It could all add up to a real rough way to start the second half after the first half ended with the White Sox winners of nine of 12.
But you know what started that good stretch? A two-game sweep of the Cardinals.
“It’s just frustrating all the way around,” Sale said. “You come out, and you’re playing hard. We’re grinding it out. We’re playing as hard as you can, and that’s all you can really ask. We got some bad luck along the way, too. We’re squaring some balls up and doing some things. Balls hitting off guys’ gloves and going to the other guy. It’s just sometimes you have to shake the bad luck before you get on a roll.”
Golf: I got a club for that: Jordan Spieth at British Open: 'I don't want to place third. I want to win.'
By Jay Busbee
Jordan Speith, British Open Favorite.
Jordan Spieth stood on the 18th tee, the sweep of the Home of Golf before him. He could see the Swilcan Bridge, the R&A Clubhouse, and the spires of St. Andrews before him. He held a share of the lead in the British Open, and he also held a three-wood.
He took one more look at that vast fairway, put the three-wood back in his bag ... and pulled out the driver. Gotta let the big dog eat.
The gallery behind him and lining the Links Road went wild. Further up the hole, a group of fans broke into "The Eyes of Texas," the song of the University of Texas, Spieth's alma mater. Spieth would go on to par the hole after an approach that didn't ... quite ... stick on the green, but no matter. He entered the clubhouse with an aggregate 11-under score, 6-under on the day, and that was good enough to leave him just one stroke off the lead by the end of the night.
The third round demonstrated why Spieth has rocketed from promising rookie to two-time major winner in a matter of months. He got out of the gate fast, contained his mistakes, and played exactly the kind of relentless, grab-every-advantage golf that you need to win majors.
The turning point in the round came at the ninth hole, which Spieth uncharacteristically bogeyed. On a day when everyone this side of Tiger Woods was throwing up red numbers, a par was unsatisfactory and a bogey was unacceptable. Spieth punched his golf bag – he laughed later, saying that he didn't want to hit his caddy, Michael Greller, so he punched the bag instead – but then collected himself. He rolled in three straight birdies and four overall on the inward nine, including two key par saves, and set himself up for yet another run deep into a major's final day.
Dustin Johnson, Spieth's playing partner during the first two rounds and foil at the U.S. Open, fumbled away the lead late. But on a day when virtually everyone scored low, Jason Day, Louis Oosthuizen and amateur Paul Dunne grabbed the lead at 12-under. Any one of them could win, but Spieth knows he could run any one of them down.
"I'm going to play to win," he said. "I don't want to place third [Monday]. I want to win. And so I'm going to play my game, obviously with patience, to stay in the mix, if it's not all there at the beginning, and if it is, I'm going to continue to play that way to try and get out in front."
Eighteen more holes remain between Spieth and a remarkable third straight major. It's a good bet he'll play almost all of them very well indeed.
5 things to look forward to in the final round of the 144th British Open.
By Ryan Ballengee
The scoreboard shows Paul Dunne of Ireland at the top. (Photo/REUTERS)
The Old Course delivered an exciting British Open Sunday. The best part? There's still one day to go at St. Andrews.
Storylines abound. An amateur is co-leading. The guy who won the last time the Old Course hosted is there, too. And, oh yeah, Jordan Spieth still has a chance at the third leg of the single-season Grand Slam.
Here are the five things we're looking forward to on Monday at the Open:
1. Spieth and the Slam: The Slam is alive! Jordan Spieth's Sunday 66 has him a shot behind the joint leaders Day, Oosthuizen and Day, which is closer than he thought he would be just after he finished his round. Spieth said he found something on the greens on Sunday, so look out on Monday.
Here are the five things we're looking forward to on Monday at the Open:
1. Spieth and the Slam: The Slam is alive! Jordan Spieth's Sunday 66 has him a shot behind the joint leaders Day, Oosthuizen and Day, which is closer than he thought he would be just after he finished his round. Spieth said he found something on the greens on Sunday, so look out on Monday.
2. Paul Dunne: The 22-year-old – actually eight months older than Spieth – is the first amateur since Bobby Jones in 1927 to have a share of the 54-hole lead at the Open. That's bonkers. Now, can he forget that this is for the Claret Jug and do it again on Monday?
3. Louis and the Old Course Double: In the 28 prior Opens played at St. Andrews, four players have won back-to-back at St. Andrews, including Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. Were Louis Oosthuizen (-12) to win on Monday, six of the last nine Opens at the Old Course would be owned by three people.
4. A new Day: Jason Day (-12) has never been anything spectacular in the Open. In four prior starts, he had never finished better than T-30. Now Day is in position to win his first major at the one of the four where he has the worst record.
5. The wild cards: Padraig Harrington (-10), Sergio Garcia (-9), Justin Rose (-9), amateur Jordan Niebrugge (-9), Adam Scott (-9), Zach Johnson(-9), Retief Goosen (-9) and Robert Streb (-9) all lurk, no worse than three behind the lead. With tougher winds expected late in the day, it's anyone's ball game.
NASCAR: Third win a charm: Kyle Busch does it again at New Hampshire.
By Tom Jensen
Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good, but when a driver is both, he can be nearly unbeatable.
And that's what Kyle Busch was on Sunday, as he won for the third time in four races by capturing the 5-Hour Energy 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Busch's Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota has been wicked fast in recent weeks, but it was a well-timed late-race pit stop that gave Busch a lead he would not surrender.
And with the victory, Busch took another huge chunk out of the points deficit he needs to make the top 30 in points and qualify for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Busch moved all the way up to 33rd in points, and his now just 58 points behind 30th-place David Gilliland.
Finishing second behind Busch was Team Penske driver Brad Keselowski, who led a race-high 101 of 301 laps.
Kevin Harvick, the reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, was third in his Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet, followed by Joey Logano in a second Penske Ford and Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Hendrick Motorsports Chevy.
It was another spectacular outing for Busch and JGR, as both driver and team have been red-hot in recent weeks.
"It's such an awesome win, such an awesome comeback," said an emotional Busch, who missed the first 11 races of the season with leg and foot injuries suffered in a crash during a NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Daytona in February. "And I just can't say enough about everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing, the work that they put in. Our cars are a lot better than what they were last year. Man, it's so much fun to win these races and win this group of guys."
For Keselowski and Harvick, they were good but just not quite good enough, or maybe not quite lucky enough.
"I was just hoping to catch a break and didn't catch one," said Keselowski, who scored his first top-five finish since Texas in April.
"I think we had the right strategy," said Harvick. "We just had a little miscue on the last pit stop, but those guys (his crew) have done great all year. They did great all day. It just took me a little longer to get around a couple of those cars and lost the track position."
Carl Edwards started from the pole in his JGR Toyota, flanked by New England native Logano.
Edwards led early, setting a brisk pace as those behind him sorted themselves out. Busch, Edwards' teammate, was able to maneuver past a lapped car and went underneath Edwards to take the point on Lap 20.
Keselowski used a two-tire pit stop during an early caution to run down Busch and pass him for the lead on Lap 67.
At the halfway point, Lap 151, Keselowski was ahead of Busch by 2.81 seconds. Harvick was third at this point, ahead of his Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Kurt Busch and Earnhardt. In the first half of the race, Keselowski led 70 laps.
The race turned on Lap 194, during a restart following a caution for debris. Keselowski got a bad restart, allowing Harvick to take the lead and Busch to move to second.
On Lap 244, Harvick reported that he had a right-front tire going down, but it turned out to be oil in Turn 2. Busch thought he had a right-front problem, too, and pitted for four fresh tires under green, going a lap down.
Keselowski caught Harvick on Lap 251, just seconds before the caution flew so NASCAR could check Turn 2 for oil. And right before the caution, Busch passed Harvick to get back on the lead lap after going one circuit down when he stopped earlier.
That pass proved to be the decisive move of the race, because when the leaders pitted, Busch stayed out and took over the lead from Keselowski and Matt Kenseth. Harvick, meanwhile, fell to sixth, the first driver to take four fresh tires.
Once the green fell, Busch took off, as no one behind him had anything for him as he drove on to victory.
"This is a crazy sport and you never know how it's going to turn out," said Busch.
"Coming to pit road, I thought I had a tire going down. And there was oil on the track. Luckily, I got back to the lead lap before the yellow came out. Man, that saved us right there."
Goodyear says no talks with NASCAR about changes in Chase.
AP
The most intriguing wrinkle for the Chase may not be which championship contenders are in or out after each elimination round.
It could be if NASCAR decides to use a package responsible for a race that drew nothing but rave reviews from the drivers.
Goodyear has not been informed that the race package that was such a hit last week at Kentucky Speedway will be used for the 10 races that determine the Sprint Cup champion.
Greg Stucker, Goodyear's director of racing, said the manufacturer would need to know in about a week if NASCAR would proceed with a request for soft tires that are typically paired with a lower-downforce aerodynamic package.
Stucker said Goodyear typically needed 90 days from the date of the decision to produce the appropriate tires needed for each race. The Chase for the Sprint Cup championship begins Sept. 20 at Chicagoland Speedway.
''We haven't had that serious conversation yet because that really hasn't been proposed to us,'' Stucker said Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. ''So we'd have to kind of sit down and see what our options might be.''
NASCAR used lower downforce - which was specifically recommended by the drivers - last week at Kentucky and it produced perhaps the best racing of the season. There were 2,665 green-flag passes throughout the field, compared with 1,147 last year at Kentucky. There were also a record 22 green-flag passes for the lead, up from the record of 19 set in 2011.
Goodyear, though, did not have enough time to make the kind of tires needed to match the aero package. It hardly mattered to the drivers who raved about the product.
''We didn't have the full tire that we wanted, we didn't have the full package and it was better,'' Daytona 500 champion Joey Logano said.
Teams participated in a three-day test this week at Chicagoland that gave drivers feedback on both tires and aero packages. Stucker said the tires used for the Chase opener at Chicagoland also line up for championship races at Texas Motor Speedway and the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
''They tested tires at Chicago that came apart,'' driver Greg Biffle said. ''At about 24-25 laps, the tires blistered and split and cords came out.''
Stucker said Goodyear tested a softer tire with the lower downforce package at Chicagoland.
''Chicago caught us a little bit. We have to go back and look at that,'' Stucker said.
Stucker also said Goodyear will stick with the tires selected following a tire test in April at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for next weekend's race at the Brickyard.
NASCAR again will use the lower-downforce package on Sept. 6 at Darlington Raceway and Goodyear has a softer tire set for the race.
But Goodyear knew that change was coming months ago. If changes are ahead for the Chase, Goodyear will need to know - soon.
''I think everyone understands by the nature of how much product we have to produce, and the time it takes to produce them, we're not as flexible as everyone else is,'' Stucker said. ''I think everybody recognizes that. We're trying to move things around and be as flexible as we can. So, we'll react as we need to.''
SOCCER: USA 6-0 Cuba: USMNT reaches Gold Cup semifinals with long-awaited explosion of goals.
By Andy Edwards
Clint Dempsey, USMNT — 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup
The US national team rode Clint Dempsey‘s first-ever international hat trick to a resounding 6-0 victory over Cuba in the first of two 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal matches to be played at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md., on Saturday.
After struggling through much of the group stage — though it finished top of Group A with seven out of nine points — Jurgen Klinsmann’s side finally put together the kind of explosion of goals for which American fans had been clamoring. Cuba began the game with just 18 players on their game day roster after star striker Ariel Martinez defected from the team during the week.
It didn’t take long for the USMNT to break down Cuba’s extremely deep-lying defense. Clint Dempsey grabbed his fourth goal of the tournament — now all alone as the top scorer — when he got between two defenders and headed home Timothy Chandler’s right-sided cross in the 4th minute.
It took slightly longer for the Yanks to double their lead and go up 2-0, but as Cuba continued to sit deep and look for opportunities on the counter attack, the Americans poured on the pressure and were rewarded when Fabian Johnson’s left-sided cross floated delicately to Gyasi Zardes at the top of the six-yard box, where he applied the first-time finish between the legs of goalkeeper Diosvelis Guerra.
Goal No. 3 took slightly longer than the second, but arrived just past the half-hour mark, when Aron Johannsonn chipped Guerra from the corner of the 18-yard box. Guerra came rushing out in an attempt to clear Michael Bradley’s lofted diagonal ball, but found himself in no man’s land near the penalty spot. Johannsson lofted a delicate shot over Guerra and found the inside of the far post for a 3-0 lead.
Omar Gonzalez made it 4-0 just before halftime, when Johannsson cut Bradley’s corner kick back toward the top of the six-yard box for Gonzalez, who turned the ball over the line with a sliding finish from five yards out.
The USMNT’s fifth goal came via the penalty spot. Dempsey notched his fifth goal of the tournament with a dinked finish from 12 yards out after Johannsson was pulled down inside the penalty area in the 63rd minute.
Dempsey completed his hat trick in the 78th minute, when he finished with the outside of his foot from eight yards out. Bradley’s through ball from the right side of the box played Dempsey past a defender and into space, and the former-captain/still-talisman made no mistake from there.
The USMNT will face the winner of Saturday’s second semifinal between Jamaica and Haiti, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga.
Accam notches fifth goal of 2015 as Fire fall to Crew SC.
By Danny Michallik
David Accam's fifth goal of 2015 provided the Chicago Fire a glimmer of hope, but it was too little too late as the Men in Red succumbed to back-to-back defeats against Columbus Crew SC, stomaching a 3-1 decision in front of an announced crowd of 15,455 at Mapfre Stadium Sunday night.
Coming into the game after plucking four points from the Houston Dynamo and Seattle Sounders FC, Frank Yallop's men were hoping to atone for a dismal first-half display and subsequent defeat to Gregg Berhalter's outfit on Wednesday. Instead, a stout Crew SC held on to add to their formidable home record, dashing any hopes of a first away win of the season for the Fire.
A back-and-forth exchange in the opening stages saw Federico Higuaín convert a spot kick in the second minute to give the hosts a dream start until Accam answered with a blistering free kick seven minutes later. Goals from Kei Kamara -- his fourth in three encounters with the Men in Red -- and Ethan Finlay in the 17th and 83rd minutes, however, helped the Black & Gold inch within five points of Eastern Conference-leading D.C. United.
Yallop made a quintet of changes from the side that featured midweek, with Adaílton returning from suspension (yellow card accumulation) and sliding alongside Eric Gehrig at center back, moving Matt Polster to right back in place of Lovel Palmer. Patrick Nyarko and Matt Watson came in for Michael Stephens and Chris Ritter, respectively, while Accam earned his first start since the Fire's 3-2 defeat to Orlando City SC on June 6, allowing Harry Shipp -- deputizing for Mike Magee -- to take up a No. 10 role behind forward Jason Johnson, who stood in for Kennedy Igboananike.
The third and final installment between the two sides got off to a flying start, as the hosts went direct from the opening kick, drawing a penalty kick 12 seconds in -- the earliest ever awarded in an MLS match -- after Ethan Finlay was dubiously brought down by Sean Johnson in the box. Higuaín stepped up and cooly slotted home for his 32nd career goal for Crew SC and 13th career penalty kick conversion.
Seven minutes later, Jason Johnson's fine holdup play on the edge of the area helped Accam cement his storming introduction, hitting a free kick that deflected off Justin Meram in the Crew wall and past 'keeper Steve Clark. It was the seventh time Berhalter's group conceded in the first 15 minutes of matches this year.
After the Fire nearly found the go-ahead score moments later -- with Razvan Cocis getting on the end of Nyarko's delivery and ruled just offside in the process -- Crew SC restored their lead in the 17th minute. Kei Kamara's presence came back to haunt the Fire yet again, as the Sierra Leone international rose head and shoulders above Sean Johnson to power home a header off of Waylon Francis's lofted cross to secure his league-leading 14th tally.
The back-and-forth affair ensued as Nyarko -- earning his second start of the campaign -- caressed an expert cross from Patrick Doody, electing to dribble around Clark despite having a clear sight at goal from close range and squandering a golden opportunity to pull level.
Five minutes into the second half, the match went from bad to worse as Jason Johnson was issued his second yellow card for simulation, presenting Yallop's depleted delegation with an uphill battle to find an equalizer. Half chances from the Men in Red were well-managed by Crew SC, which was rewarded with a third goal seven minutes from time.
Substitutes Chad Barson and Kristinn Steindórsson combined to find Finlay lurking at the back post in the 83rd minute, who provided the insurance goal to leave the Fire without a win on their travels for the 16th time since a 1-0 win over the New England Revolution on July 12, 2014. The Men in Red face another quick turnaround with a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal fixture against Orlando City SC Wednesday at Toyota Park before resuming MLS play at home against the Revolution three days later.
Chicago Fire Starting XI (subs):
(4-4-1-1): Sean Johnson; Matt Polster, Eric Gehrig, Adaílton, Patrick Doody; Patrick Nyarko (Guly do Prado, 70'), Matt Watson, Razvan Cocis (C), David Accam (Kennedy Igboananike, 70'); Harry Shipp (Collin Fernandez, 84'); Jason Johnson.
NCAA asks appeals court to delay Aug. 1 payment offers to players.
By Jon Solomon
The NCAA asked the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday to delay an injunction that starting Aug. 1 would allow schools to offer future payments to football and men's basketball players.
The Ed O'Bannon case has been before this same appellate court for many months and a hearing was heard on March 17. The court has yet to issue its opinion on whether US District Judge Claudia Wilken erred in ruling the NCAA violated antitrust law, and the clock is ticking.
Under Wilken's injunction, starting Aug. 1 the NCAA must allow each school to pay football and men's basketball players up to the federally-defined cost of attendance plus as much as $5,000 per year for the licensing use of players names, images and likenesses (NILs). On Aug. 1, schools can begin sending written offers to recruits who are scheduled to enroll after July 1, 2016. The actual payments would start in the 2016-17 academic year.
Wilken has previously said she would not delay the injunction pending appeal, so it's up to the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to stay the injunction, issue its decision or do nothing by Aug. 1. The NCAA said the O'Bannon injunction would cause "irrevocable harm" even if it's later vacated by the 9th Circuit or the Supreme Court -- an indication the NCAA might try to take the O'Bannon case to the country's highest court if the 9th Circuit decision is unfavorable.
The consequences for the NCAA could be significant if offers to payments are permitted to begin on Aug. 1. If the marketplace shows how such offers could manageably work, it could further damage the NCAA's amateurism model. The NCAA has had a committee working behind the scenes on how to change its bylaws if the injunction goes into effect on Aug. 1.
“If allowed to take effect, the injunction would radically alter an essential quality of college sports, amateurism,” the NCAA wrote in its motion Friday. “It would also fundamentally alter the way in which colleges recruit high school students, and thus redefine the process by which those students make one of the most momentous choices of their lives: which college to attend. And, to remain competitive in football and men's basketball, schools may be forced to make NIL payments by cutting participation opportunities, and perhaps even cutting some teams entirely.”
Michael Hausfeld, the lead attorney for the O'Bannon plaintiffs, said the NCAA's motion for a stay was expected.
"I think there are many schools and many conferences and many athletic directors that are prepared for the injunction," Hausfeld said. "I think the NCAA as a hypocritical organization is not. This is an organization clearly in chaos. The NCAA obviously doesn't speak for its member schools. The member schools don't speak for the NCAA. Neither speaks for the athletic directors. The conferences believe they have their own choice. And none of the above speaks for the athletes."
An example of the mixed opinions within college sports occurred in May, when Division I Board of Directors chairman Harris Pastides told CBSSports.com he is not inclined to have the NCAA try to appeal O'Bannon to the Supreme Court. Soon after, NCAA Board of Governors chairman Kirk Schulz put out a statement saying board members may have varying views and that the NCAA has not ruled out any further appellate options.
In its motion Friday, the NCAA said the injunction would force the association and its members to “devote substantial resources to overcoming an array of complex legal problems created by the injunction." The NCAA said it's unclear whether Title IX would mean that schools that offer NIL payments to football and men's basketball players must offer comparable payments to an equal number of female athletes. Also, the NCAA said, it's unclear how NIL payments would be treated for tax purposes and whether the IRS would consider these payments, like athletic scholarships, to be exempt from taxable income to athletes.
The NCAA argued that allowing the injunction to occur would “distort the recruiting process — with effects that similarly could not be undone by a later vacatur. In the face of such promises, some students would make decisions about what college to attend … not based on how they would fit into a school's academic, athletic and social communities, but based simply on how much money they would be paid. This would undoubtedly result in some student-athletes' having diminished undergraduate experiences and diminished success afterward.”
In addition, the NCAA wrote that promises of deferred shared licensing revenue would “damage the legitimate of the athletic contests, as some schools would field teams that adhered to the traditional amateur model while others would not. Even if just one class were recruited with promises of such payments, those students could remain on NCAA teams for years, causing the injunction's effects to linger long after vacatur. Even if the injunction is later vacated, these fundamental changes would irreparably tarnish the NCAA and the goodwill associated with its role in promoting amateur college athletics.”
In another argument, the NCAA said schools that chose to promise NIL payments might get the money but cut funding other parts of their football and men's basketball teams, “such as the overall number of scholarships, coaching staffs, facilities, equipment, and other support, which contribute to the overall student-athlete experience.” Other schools might eliminate sports programs altogether, the NCAA wrote.
Finally, the NCAA wrote, it's in the public's interest to “continue permitting rules that have long protected student-athletes from commercial pressures, and to ensure that the nation's colleges and universities need not unnecessarily divert their resources and attention away from their educational mission.”
NCAAFB: Media picks Auburn to win SEC title… and ‘Bama to win the West.
By John Taylor
(Photo/AP)
There are contradictions, then there’s the 2015 SEC media poll.
In voting that took place during the SEC Media Days that’s wrapping up Thursday, those who cover the conference have Auburn as the favorite to win the SEC championship, receiving 96 points to Alabama’s 80. The only problem with that? The same set of media has ‘Bama claiming the SEC West division title with 1,405 points (92 first-place votes) to AU’s 1,362 (108).
Of course, barring one of the teams being on probation, it would be impossible — unpossible, if you will — for the Tigers to finish second in the West and still win the conference championship, but that’s how the cumulative totals shook out this time around.
As to who AU would play in the title game if they were to win the West — or finish second — Georgia is the favorite to come out of the East with 1,498 points (166), followed by preseason media darling Tennessee with 1,231 (36). Two-time defending East champion Missouri is pegged for a third-place finish, garnering 20 first-place votes as part of its 1.196 points.
Perhaps even more head-scratching than the AU/UA voting dynamic is that someone gave perennial bottom-feeder Kentucky a first-place vote in the East.
Mississippi State, at one point the No.1 team in the country last year, is predicted to finish dead-last in the West, although they did manage a pair of first-place votes. Not surprisingly, Vanderbilt is projected to bring up the rear in the East. Below is the complete set of media predictions for the upcoming season:
UPDATED 2:43 p.m. ET: Here is the official explanation from the conference as to how Alabama is projected to win the West but Auburn the SEC title.
The Crimson Tide won the Western Division vote due to receiving just three votes for fourth place or lower in the Western Division, while Auburn received 26 such votes. Points were awarded on a 7-6-5-4-3-2-1 scale.NCAABKB: Five offseason questions: American Athletic Conference.
By Jon Rothstein
Larry Brown's Mustangs are in good shape with the return of Nic Moore. (Photo/USATSI)
1. Will this conference finally get the national respect it deserves?It all depends on what happens in November and December. The American Athletic Conference has had one fewer team in the NCAA Tournament than it has deserved in each of the past two seasons (Temple in 2015, SMU in 2014) and in order for that to change, this league needs to do major damage in the non-conference portion of the schedule. On paper, the American looks comparable to the Big East in terms of potential NCAA bids for 2016, but will need to perform well against other leagues head-to-head in November and December to truly move the needle nationally. For this conference to be rewarded in March, programs like SMU, UConn, Cincinnati and Memphis need to spend large portions of time in the Top 25 during the upcoming season. Another thing that should help the American? The bottom of this conference has caught up to the middle. Houston, South Florida and Central Florida should all be vastly improved from where they were a year ago and that should help overall league RPI by the time conference play starts in early January.
2. Which UConn newcomer will have the biggest impact?
Common knowledge says it will either be Jalen Adams or Seton Hall transfer Sterling Gibbs, but don't sleep on Shonn Miller. The graduate transfer from Cornell averaged 16.8 points and 8.5 rebounds last year in the Ivy League and at 6-foot-7 gives the Huskies the type of look they had in 2014 when they used DeAndre Daniels as a skilled face-up power forward. UConn went 20-15 last season and lost in the first round of the Postseason NIT, but Kevin Ollie's squad has reloaded. The Huskies have added four players -- Adams, Gibbs, Miller and freshman power forward Steve Enoch -- who should be rotation guys in 2015-16. That quartet combined with UConn's returning nucleus of Rodney Purvis, Daniel Hamilton and Amida Brimah gives the Huskies seven players who should be able to trade blows with anybody in the sport. This looks like a Top-20 team.
3. Why have people forgotten about Tulsa?
It's a fascinating question if you consider how well Frank Haith's team performed last season. The Golden Hurricane won 23 games and went 14-4 in league play which included sweeps of both Temple and Memphis. Tulsa was essentially one marquee win away from earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Now it returns everyone of significance next season and that makes it the best team in the American that nobody is currently talking about. James Woodard is a legitimate candidate for conference player of the year while Shaquille Harrison is another borderline all-league player that should give this team a chance to compete for a bid to the field of 68 in 2016.
4. Will Josh Pastner survive at Memphis without Austin Nichols?
It all depends on Dedric Lawson. Nichols' decision to transfer caught Pastner and many people off guard last week, but the Tigers have a four-star recruit ready to inherit his minutes. The 6-8 Lawson is now the likely favorite to start for Memphis at power forward next to Shaq Goodwin up front and he along with 6-11 freshman Nick Marshall will be immediately thrown into the fire for the Tigers. The prognosis for Memphis isn't as good as it would have been if the Tigers had Nichols, but the cupboard on Beale Street is far from bare. If Lawson can produce and Alabama transfer Ricky Tarrant helps stabilize the backcourt, a return to the NCAA Tournament is more than possible for this program.
5. Who is the sleeper?
Houston. Kelvin Sampson went 13-19 last season in his first year back in college basketball, but those types of struggles are completely in the rear view mirror. The Cougars now have a dog in the fight thanks to a pair of transfers -- Ronnie Johnson (Purdue) and Damyean Dotson (formerly of Oregon) -- who figure to have major roles immediately. Johnson and Dotson join a returning triumvirate of L.J. Rose, Devonta Pollard and Danrad “Chicken” Knowles that gives Sampson the talent base he needs to elevate this program within the conference. A name to watch moving forward for Houston? Freshman Galen Robinson Jr. The 6-foot point guard is a winner in the “Fred VanVleet” mold and should have an immediate impact for the Cougars in 15-16.
This and That
•How balanced was Cincinnati last season? The Bearcats didn't have a single player average in double-figures and had 10 different guys average between 2.2 and 9.9 points. Three guys who should make a jump for this team in 15-16: Troy Caupain, Octavius Ellis and Gary Clark. Cincinnati is going for its sixth straight NCAA Tournament appearance under Mick Cronin.
•If Larry Brown is going to go on a deep NCAA Tournament run at SMU, 2016 is the year. The Mustangs return arguably two of the top five players in the American Conference in Nic Moore and Markus Kennedy along with a quality glue guy in Sterling Brown. Brown is also bullish on Duke transfer Semi Ojeleye, who is expected to log minutes at small forward next to Kennedy and Texas Tech transfer Jordan Tolbert up front. A former Top-50 recruit, Ojeleye will be eligible starting in December.
•Temple's two perimeter freshman -- Levan Alston and Trey Lowe -- better be ready to play immediately. The Owls are going to need both to contribute next season and they'll be thrown into the fire early. In the first month of the season, Fran Dunphy's team plays a neutral-site game against North Carolina in the Veterans Classic, travels to Wisconsin, and plays three games in the Puerto Rico Shootout against a quality field. Temple lost two critical pieces on the perimeter following last season in Will Cummings and Jesse Morgan.
•Looking for an under-the-radar transfer in the American for 15-16? Try South Florida's Roddy Peters. Three years ago Peters was one of the more highly sought after point guards in the country and two years ago he started 10 games as a freshman at Maryland. Armed with good size at 6-3, Peters will immediately get the keys to the car in Tampa. He has three years of eligibility remaining.
•How did Memphis miss the NCAA Tournament last season? The Tigers' assist-to-turnover ratio was 14-to-13 and they shot just 43.9 percent from the field, 67.0 percent from the foul line and 32.8 percent from three-point range.
Tour de France at a Glance.
By AP - Sports
A brief look at the 15th stage of the Tour de France on Sunday:
Stage: Sunday's stage was another hilly affair, over 183 kilometers (114 miles) from Mende to Valence on the Rhone River.
Winner: Andre Greipel. The German led a sprint finish to edge countryman John Dekenkolb, who was second, and Norway's Alexander Kristoff in third.
Yellow jersey: Chris Froome. The 2013 champion kept pace with all his rivals for the Tour title, and maintained a lead of 3 minutes, 10 seconds overall.
How did the ''Fab Four'' perform? The race's biggest stars all stayed on the wheel of the British race leader, part of a 64-rider pack that finished in the wake of Greipel - including Nairo Quintana of Colombia, two-time Tour winner Alberto Contador of Spain and 2014 winner Vincenzo Nibali of Italy.
Quote of the day: ''This isn't the Wild West that it was 10 or 15 years ago'' - Froome, insisting that cycling has cleaned up since the doping-rife days of some former riders.
Stat of the day: 15,000. The number of participants who on Sunday took up the ''Etape du Tour'' challenge, an event that takes amateur riders on a specific Tour stage before the rider pack arrives: This year, they rode a tough day in the Alps that the race will reach Friday in Stage 19.
Next stage: Monday's 201-kilometer (125-mile) ride from Bourg-de-Peage to Gap, in the foothills of the Alps, is the second-longest this Tour. The drama is likely to center on two mid-sized climbs and a downhill run to the finish.
On This Date in Sports History: Today is Monday, July 20, 2015.
Memoriesofhistory.com
1859 - Brooklyn and New York played baseball at Fashion Park Race Course on Long Island, NY. The game marked the first time that admission was charged to see a ball game. It cost $.50 to get in and the players on the field did not receive a salary.
1947 - The National Football League (NFL) ruled that no professional team could sign a player who had college eligibility remaining.
1958 - The PGA championship changed from match play to stroke play.
1974 - Carl Rosen's Chris Evert beat Miss Musket by 50 lengths in the winner-take-all match race at Hollywood Park.
2003 - Ben Curtis, an unknown PGA Tour rookie in his first major championship, won the British Open.
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