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Sports Quote of the Day:
"When you've got something to prove, there's nothing greater than a challenge." ~ Terry Bradshaw, Pittsburgh Steeler Quarterback, Hall of Famer and Four Time Super Bowl Winner
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? GM Stan Bowman excited for Blackhawks' future.
By Tracey Myers
Stan Bowman talked of the goals set at the start of this season, the biggest being the desire to play into June.
“We got to June 1 but obviously we all wish we had two more weeks to go,” the Blackhawks general manager said.
As disappointed as he was at the outcome, Bowman said he was proud of what the Blackhawks did in 2013-14, and he didn’t see any reason why the team, with a few tweaks here or there, couldn’t challenge for a few more Stanley Cups over the coming seasons.
Bowman spoke on several topics Tuesday, when the Blackhawks had their exit interviews following Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Kings. He saw the Blackhawks making some tweaks for next season – “there will be some new faces” – but staying away from massive changes.
“Our team performed very well in most areas of the game,” Bowman said. “Ways to improve would be… looking for growth from within. We’ve still got a lot of young players that play big roles on our team, and I think you saw that this year.”
To that, Bowman spoke highly of Brandon Saad and Andrew Shaw as young guys who stepped to the forefront. The two were certainly noticeable down the stretch as part of a very successful line with Patrick Kane. It also comes down to the core, which Bowman sees staying intact. Whatever changes are made, Bowman said it’s important the team not stray from its style of play, which has proven successful.
“Looking forward, we’re not going to deviate because that’s what the core of our team does well,” he said. “We’re going to try and accentuate that – whether it’s with bigger players or making a couple additions here or there. There are a lot of options.”
The second-line center topic came up once again, with Bowman saying the Blackhawks are always looking for players who can take on different roles more than anything. The Saad-Shaw-Kane line could very well start the 2014-15 season for the Blackhawks. And there’s also Teuvo Teravainen, who had a brief “audition” at the end of this season and will get a stronger look this training camp. Again, however, Bowman said they’re not putting undue pressure on the young Finn.
“I’ve got very high hopes for him, but the one thing I don’t have for him is a timeline. He doesn’t have to be in any position by any certain date,” Bowman said. “If anything, we’re going to be more cautious like we’ve been with a lot of our players – giving them time to develop. He’s a special player and he’s going to be one for a long time. You look at where he’s going to be in five years – we’re excited about that.”
The Blackhawks still have their group together. They’ll make tweaks here and there, and players like Jeremy Morin should get more of a look. But the group that’s had so much success in recent seasons will be largely intact moving forward.
“We have a lot of great things to look at next season. We’ve got the makings of a very strong team and we’ll do our best to improve in a few areas and also have some growth from within,” Bowman said. “I’m proud of the group and what they accomplished and I’m optimistic about the future.”
Justin Williams scores in OT as Kings take Stanley Cup Final Game 1 vs. Rangers.
By Greg Wyshynski
Mr. Game 7 was the hero of Game 1.
Justin Williams scored his eighth of the playoffs at 4:36 of overtime, giving the Los Angeles Kings a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center.
Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi failed to control and clear the puck, sending it right to Mike Richards on the boards. He fed to Williams in the slot, who beat Henrik Lundqvist with a perfectly placed shot.
It was the first championship playoff game between teams from New York and Los Angeles since 1981, when the Yankees and Dodgers met in the World Series.
The game featured a battle between goalies Henrik Lundqvist (40 saves) of the Rangers, statistically the best in the postseason entering the game, and Jonathan Quick (25 saves) of the Kings, the 2012 MVP who was inconsistent in the previous three rounds. Neither was perfect, but both made several outstanding stops.
The game featured a battle between goalies Henrik Lundqvist (40 saves) of the Rangers, statistically the best in the postseason entering the game, and Jonathan Quick (25 saves) of the Kings, the 2012 MVP who was inconsistent in the previous three rounds. Neither was perfect, but both made several outstanding stops.
The Rangers took the lead at 13:21 of the first period, using their speed advantage in the series to convert:
Mike Richards missed on a pass, but it was collected by Drew Doughty. He promptly turned it over to Pouliot, trying to be way too fancy with the puck at the blue line. Pouliot streaked down the ice and caught a break when his pursuer, Jake Muzzin, fell at center ice. Alone against Quick, he buried a high shot against the Kings goalie for the 1-0 lead.It was 2-0 at 15:03 when the Rangers again used speed to their advantage. With Mats Zuccarello in the box for holding, Carl Hagelin intercepted the puck and took off, blowing by Slava Voynov. His shot was saved by Quick, but the puck bounced off the skate of Voynov and behind Quick. It was Hagelin’s seventh of the season, from Brian Boyle and Ryan McDonagh.
Just like they did in their Game 7 win against the Blackhawks, the Kings erased a 2-goal deficit.
The Kings cut the lead on a great shift from Kyle Clifford and Jeff Carter. Carter went to the net hard with the puck, and Clifford just missed on a shot wide to Lundqvist’s left. The Rangers couldn’t clear thanks to a strong forecheck from Clifford, who found Carter for another chance before Clifford himself roofed the puck past Lundqvist for his first of the playoffs at 17:33.
In the second period, Doughty atoned for his earlier toe-drag mistake with a dazzling goal to tie it.
Justin Williams found the Kings star defensmean with a pass at the top of the zone. Doughty deked Derek Dorsett with a nasty drag and moved in on Lundqvist. Rangers defenseman Anton Stralman was busy holding the stick of Mike Richards, allowing Doughty to skate in and find room between Lundqvist’s arm and body for this fifth at 6:36. And the game was tied.
The third period had a dominating performance by the Kings, who outshot the Rangers 20-3. The last minutes were total chaos, as Boyle took a slashing penalty against Toffoli at 18:24. In an eerie combination of the Rangers’ previous goals, Hagelin was stopped on a breakaway and then attempted to bank the puck behind Quick to no avail.
Then at the other end, Lundqvist made an incredible diving save on Jeff Carter, who attempting to bank the puck in himself.
2014 Belmont Stakes Update
Chiff.com
This year, all eyes are on California Chrome, who is poised to become the first Triple Crown winner in 36 years after winning both the 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes!
Just up ahead, check out the top contenders, post positions, odds, facts and figures, history & trivia — plus related Belmont party ideas — and everything else you ever wanted to know about the Triple Crown finale in New York City.
The official Belmont post positions, odds, and selected jockeys will be announced live from Belmont Park on Wednesday, June 4, 2014 as race day draws near.
Then, watch for the milestone 146th running of the Belmont Stakes to run on Saturday, June 7, 2014 with post time at 6:30 PM ET and complete TV coverage airing on NBC beginning at 5 PM ET.
The last and most demanding (1-1/2 mile) jewel in the Triple Crown, the Belmont race is also known as "The Test of the Champion" for the grueling physical toll it takes on 3-year-old horses and the critical pacing and timing demanded of skilled jockeys.
Hey...this is the Big Apple - and In the final showdown, only the smartest and strongest survive.
The lineup of major contenders in this year's Belmont stakes hang on the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, and how well horses perform in those two races. This year, California Chrome is the star performer who also looks to win the Belmont to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed took the title in 1978. If he wins, California Chrome will be the "lucky" 13th horse to win the Triple Crown.
His main competition? Besides familiar names like Ride on Curlin (in second place at the Preakness) and Commanding Curve (in second at the Kentucky Derby) other new contenders at Belmont include Tonalist and Commissioner, who were first and second at the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont, the traditional prep for the Belmont Stakes.
And, who can say if a dark horse will unseat this year's champion? For years, major spoilers have occurred at Belmont, where anything can happen and often does! Stay tuned....
2014 Belmont post positions & morning line odds announced Wednesday, June 4.
| Horse | Jockey | Trainer | ML Odds |
| 1 Medal Count | Robby Albarado | Dale Romans | 20-1 |
| 2 California Chrome | Victor Espinoza | Art Sherman | 3-5 |
| 3 Matterhorn | Joe Bravo | Todd Pletcher | 30-1 |
| 4 Commanding Curve | Shaun Bridgmohan | Dallas Stewart | 15-1 |
| 5 Ride on Curlin | John Velazquez | Billy Gowan | 12-1 |
| 6 Matuszak | Mike Smith | Bill Mott | 30-1 |
| 7 Samraat | Jose Ortiz | Rick Violette | 20-1 |
| 8 Commissioner | Javier Castellano | Todd Pletcher | 20-1 |
| 9 Wicked Strong | Rajiv Maragh | Jimmy Jerkens | 6-1 |
| 10 General A-Rod | Rosie Napravnik | Mike Maker | 20 -1 |
| 11 Tonalist | Joel Rosario | Christophe Clement | 8 - 1 |
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!! NFL likely won't change despite loss of 12.5 percent of owners.
In the past eight months, 12.5 percent of the NFL's owners have died.
First, there was Tennessee's Bud Adams in October. Then, it was Detroit's William Ford in March, Buffalo's Ralph Wilson later that month and Tampa Bay's Malcolm Glazer earlier this month. Each man, in his own way, had been influential in NFL history, and the loss of each elicited sadness and remembrances throughout the league.
These men were old (Adams was 90, Ford was 88, Wilson was 95 and Glazer was 85), but they also were four big reasons why the NFL is the biggest, most popular sport in this country.
So, what happens now? When 1/8 of the ownership is lost in such a short amount of time, does that affect the league moving forward? We know the Bills organization will be sold, and though there are succession plans in place at the other three locations, it wouldn't be such a big surprise to see the Titans franchise changes hands as well.
Basically, with the death of those four owners, does anything change in regards to the way the NFL does business? According to Daniel Kaplan, who covers the league and its owners for Sports Business Journal, the answer is no.
"It's not as if things are going to change dramatically," he said. "There won't be any change, other than with the Bills."
Buffalo will be sold, and among those who are said to be interested are Jon Bon Jovi and Donald Trump. The league says it wants to keep the franchise in the Buffalo-area, but whomever buys it will take over an organization that had been in the Wilson family since it began play in 1960. For the other three, those teams likely will remain in their respective family ownership groups. And that's the way the league wants it.
"The league is concerned with the value of the teams rising," Kaplan said. "It's harder to keep these teams in families, and they like to have the teams stay in family. It's consistency, the knowledge of how things operate. [Giants owner] John Mara, he grew up in the league. [Steelers owner] Art Rooney grew up in the league. It's a lot easier to step in and know every nuance. They are a lot less likely to rock the boat. [Redskins owner] Dan Snyder comes in, and he rocks the boat."
But wouldn't the league be ready for a slightly-different direction, especially as newer owners like Atlanta's Arthur Blank, Jacksonville's Shad Khan and Cleveland's Jimmy Haslam (assuming he keeps his team) seemingly look to make more of an impression on the league. They could bring fresh ideas, have a more-progressive mindset.
Even if that were the case, that probably won't happen.
The league, first of all, is about assimilation. There are no Mark Cuban's among these owners. Secondly, in order for anything to get done, it would need the approval of 75 percent of the owners to make it happen anyway. If there was an owner who potentially would want to take the league in a new direction, it wouldn't take many current owners to stop that from happening. Basically, they would simply vote not to let that potential owner buy the team.
"You need 24 votes to pass resolutions -- nine votes to block," Kaplan said. "The owners all but select the owners that are coming in ..."
"These leagues are collective bodies. For owners like Arthur Blank, they've built and run massive companies. But they come into the NFL, and they're no longer the boss. No one is going to buy a team and suddenly move it in a different direction."
Adams, Ford, Wilson and Glazer made large impacts in their communities and in the historical context of the league as a whole. Adams was instrumental in making the AFL a reality, and Wilson was part of the original group of owners in that upstart league. Glazer was huge in hiring a number of African-American coaches, including Tony Dungy, while Ford had been in charge of his franchise since 1963 and was well known for his loyalty.
The collective loss of that kind of history is sad for the league and for those franchise's fans.
But like life, the NFL will move forward in their absence. And probably not change much of anything in the process.
Super Bowl to dump the Roman numeral for Super Bowl 50.
By Frank Schwab
The decision to use Roman numerals for Super Bowls was something of a genius stroke by the NFL.
Roman numerals just make the event seem bigger than life. The Giants didn't win the "2008 Super Bowl" like it's some random NBA Finals. The Bears didn't win "Super Bowl 20" like it was some UFC pay-per-view event. Adding some X's and I's after "Super Bowl" makes it unique.
However, the NFL will break from tradition for the 50th Super Bowl, which will be held at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on Feb. 7, 2016. ESPN's Darren Rovell first reported and the NFL confirmed that it'll just be "Super Bowl 50."
Apparently "Super Bowl L" didn't pop off the page. Rovell said the league went through 73 versions of a Super Bowl 50 logo, and the standalone "L" just didn't look good in any of the logos they tried.
If you're a traditionalist, don't fret: Rovell and the NFL said the Roman numerals will be back for the 51st Super Bowl, Super Bowl LI.
The Roman numerals have been hard to keep track of through the years (off the top of my head I can't recite the exact letters for the Broncos-Seahawks Super Bowl we just had, though I'd assume plenty of folks in Seattle could help me out with that), but it's one part of what makes the Super Bowl the biggest sporting event in America every year. The NFL has been using the Roman numerals since the fifth Super Bowl, which was Super Bowl V between the Colts and Cowboys.
Even if the Roman style is getting the boot for the year, it's good to know the NFL understands that it's a part of the history of the game at this point.
Second wave of former players join NFL lawsuit. What's Your Take?
By JIM LITKE (AP Sports Writer)
Former Pro Bowl defender Marcellus Wiley added his name to a lawsuit accusing NFL teams of illegally dispensing powerful narcotics and other drugs to keep players on the field without regard for their long-term health.
''The first thing people ask is, knowing what happened, would you do it again?'' said Wiley, currently an ESPN analyst. ''No. No I wouldn't.''
The lawsuit was originally filed May 20 in U.S. District Court in northern California and amended Wednesday to add 250 more players, bringing the total to 750 plaintiffs. Wiley, who played in Buffalo, San Diego, Dallas and Jacksonville from 1997-2006, is the ninth player identified by name, joining former Chicago Bears Jim McMahon, Richard Dent and Keith Van Horne, Jeremy Newberry and others.
The lawsuit, which is seeking class certification, covers the years 1968-2008. It contends team physicians and trainers across the NFL routinely - and often illegally - provided powerful narcotics and other controlled substances on game days to mask the pain.
Among them were the painkillers Percodan, Percocet and Vicodin, anti-inflammatories such as Toradol, and sleep aids such as Ambien. Lead attorney Steven Silverman said some teams filled out prescriptions in players' names without their knowledge or consent. He said those drugs were then ''handed out like candy at Halloween'' and often combined in ''cocktails.''
The former players have reported a range of debilitating effects, from chronic muscle and bone ailments to permanent nerve and organ damage to addiction. The players contend those health problems came from drug use but many of the conditions aren't tied to the use of painkillers.
Six of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, including McMahon and Van Horne, were also parties to the concussion-related class-action lawsuit filed against the NFL less than a year ago. The NFL agreed to pay $765 million to settle that case - without acknowledging it concealed the risks of concussions from former players. A federal judge has yet to approve the settlement, expressing concern the amount is too small.
Wiley, 39, was not part of the concussion lawsuit, but decided to join former players in this one after suffering partial renal failure in April, despite no history of kidney problems. Wiley said he took ''multiple injections'' of painkillers over the course of a season to cope with an injury that then-San Diego team physician Dr. Steven Chao diagnosed as severe groin sprain. After the season, an independent doctor diagnosed a torn abdominal wall that required surgery.
''You can't walk into a doctor's office and say, ''Give me this, give me that, just to get through the day.' Somebody would shut the place down,'' Wiley said in a telephone interview. ''But that's what was going on in the NFL. It's easy to get mesmerized. I won't deny that; there's this 'play through-the-pain, fall-on-the-sword' culture, and somebody in line ready to step up and take your place...
''And the next question when people hear about this stuff is 'where's the personal responsibility?' Well, I'm not a medical doctor'' he added, ''but I did take the word of a medical doctor who took an oath to get me through not just one game, or one season, but a lifetime. Meanwhile, he's getting paid by how many bodies he gets out on the field.''
The lawsuit's main burden is proving cause and effect - that use of painkillers in the past caused the chronic problems the players face now. The players also would have to show that they are suffering those problems at a greater rate than other people their age, and that it's not due to other risk factors such as obesity, smoking and family history.
Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Take: In Today's digital technology age, things are rapidly and constantly changing. And in the world of sports, there is no difference. Baseball is America's past time, Football is America's game. Basketball will always be a constant and Hockey and Soccer are both coming on strong, extremely strong. Let's talk about America's game, football. I love the sport and always have. It entails controlled violence with a tremendous amount of organized offensive and defensive strategy with the objective of outscoring your opponent to win the game. The game emulates the true American spirit. What bothers me is the downward spiral the game is now in at the professional and collegiate level. Professionally, lawsuits for PED's and HGH's, lawsuits concerning concussions, lawsuits about drugs to keep players performing on the field, lockouts, salary disputes and on and on does bode well for the sport. At the collegiate level, unionization will destroy the fabric of amateur college sports as we now know them. Change is constant and that's not a bad thing until greed takes over. It's true, competition does breed excellence but not when common sense, responsibility and accountability are taken out of the equation. And to me, that's where the state of American football lies right now. I hope cooler heads will prevail and that the owners, players and their unions, fans, associated businesses, (food vendors, parking attendants, bars, jersey and equipment manufacturers, ticket resellers, transportation providers, lodging, etc.), will say enough is enough, let's not kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. If the downward spiral isn't addressed, then you can bet hockey and soccer are waiting in the wings to become the next America's game. Now you know what we think, what are your thoughts, what's your take? Marion P. Jelks, CS&T/AA Blog Editor.
Just another Chicago Bulls Session… Bulls' Joakim Noah receives first team All-NBA honors.
By Aggrey Sam
Adding to his season of accolades, Bulls' All-Star center Joakim Noah was named first team All-NBA, the league announced Wednesday.
It's the first time Noah, the league's Defensive Player of the Year, received that recognition, cementing his star status after a campaign in which he made his second consecutive All-Star Game appearance and was named to the NBA's first team All-Defensive Team for the second straight year.
Joining Noah on the first team are league MVP and scoring champion Kevin Durant of the Thunder, the Heat's LeBron James, the Clippers' Chris Paul and the Rockets' James Harden, the only other first-time honoree.
Noah received 101 first-team votes, easily outpacing second team All-NBA center Dwight Howard of the Rockets.
Along with Howard, Spurs point guard Tony Parker, Warriors point guard Stephen Curry, Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love and Clippers power forward Blake Griffin garnered second-team honors.
Indiana's Paul George, Charlotte's Al Jefferson, Phoenix's Goran Dragic and Portland teammates LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard comprise the third team.
Arena's air conditioning fails in NBA Finals opener, LeBron James sits out final minutes as Spurs sweat out win over Heat.
By Johnny Ludden
The Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs officially returned to the NBA Finals on Thursday for a repeat performance of their epic seven-game series from a year ago. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh were back. Same for Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.
They were sweating more than usual, but they were back. The problem: No one, apparently, coaxed the AT&T Center's air conditioning into returning.
Thanks to an electrical failure that shut down the arena's air conditioning, the opener of the 2014 NBA Finals became a war of attrition. With temperatures near the court measuring above 90 degrees, James had to twice head to the bench midway through the final quarter because he was cramping. The Spurs took that as their cue to surge past the Heat for a 110-95 victory.
Game 2 is Sunday, presumably to be played in a temperature-controlled climate.
"I think it felt like a punch in the gut when you see your leader limping like that back to the bench," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
After losing Games 6 and 7 in last year's Finals to give the Heat their second consecutive championship, the Spurs worked all season to ensure they had the league's best record and home-court advantage this time. Never could they have imagined the size of that advantage, which will likely go down in NBA lore with Boston Celtics patriarch Red Auerbach allegedly having the hot water turned off for the visiting team's showers.
"It is unfortunate, but these are the kind of things that can happen at live sporting events," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said.
James left the court for a couple minutes midway through the fourth quarter and had his legs iced down as he watched the Spurs retake the lead. He briefly returned to drive for a layup, but immediately clutched his leg in pain and signaled for Heat coach Erik Spoelstra to take him out.
Miami intentionally fouled the Spurs, and James limped to the bench, likely taking any chance of the Heat winning with him.
Miami's trainers hurriedly tried to ice down James, but he never returned. "At one point, he was getting up with 3 1/2 minutes to go, and I looked at him and said, 'Don't even think about it. You can't even move at this point."
After trailing by as many as seven points in the second half, the Spurs buried the Heat with a fourth-quarter barrage, making 14 of their 16 shots and all six of their 3-pointers. Danny Green, who tormented the Heat early in last year's Finals, made three of the 3-pointers.
The arena felt warm from the opening tip, and it quickly became clear something was wrong. James was caught on ABC's microphone saying he was having trouble breathing because the arena was so steamy. The Spurs released a statement in the third quarter addressing the problem:
"An electrical failure for the power that runs the AC system in the AT&T Center has occurred. We are continuing to work on resolving the problem. We apologize for the inconvenience."
They might want to personally apologize to James.
With the temperature rising in the arena, fans waved giveaway placards to cool themselves as players from both teams scrambled for towels, ice and water. While the teams from South Texas and South Florida are used to living in a humid climate, they aren't accustomed to playing in it during an NBA game.
"It was significant," Tim Duncan told ABC on the court after the game. "It was definitely a factor. I don't know what happened with LeBron, but we were all feeling it."
White Sox select Carlos Rodon with third pick in MLB draft.
By Dan Hayes
Carlos Rodon is headed to the South Side.
The White Sox grabbed the prized North Carolina State left-handed pitcher with the third pick in the 2014 amateur baseball draft on Thursday. Thought to be the consensus No. 1 overall pick headed into this year, Rodon slipped to No. 3 as a pair of high school pitchers were grabbed with the first two picks. The Houston Astros took left-hander Brady Aiken first overall and the Miami Marlins grabbed right-hander Tyler Kolek with the second pick.
Rodon went 6-7 with a 2.01 ERA at North Carolina State this season. He struck out 117 batters in 98 2/3 innings this season.
Last year, Rodon struck out 184 batters in 132 1/3 innings.
Polished, Rodon is thought to be the player who could reach the major leagues the fastest.
In March, one American League scout called Rodon “one of the top 10 pitchers on the planet.”
White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper said Wednesday he liked all four of the pitchers the club was looking at.
“The closest to the big leagues is Rodon and the second closest was Nola [Aaron],” Cooper said. “It’s hard not to like the stuff coming out of the hand of Kolek. Those high school kids, there’s work to be done there.”
Rodon is also likely to be an expensive pick: he is represented by super agent Scott Boras. Some reports have suggested Boras wants Rodon to receive a bonus in line with the first overall pick.
Rodon is the team’s first top-5 pick since the White Sox grabbed Alex Fernandez fourth overall in 1990.
Cubs draft Kyle Schwarber with No. 4 overall pick.
By Patrick Mooney
The Cubs will find a position for Kyle Schwarber later — and look for pitching deeper in the draft — because they think the Indiana power hitter can be a big part of their Wrigley Field rebuild.
With the three big-name pitchers off the board, the Cubs selected Schwarber with the No. 4 overall pick in Thursday night’s amateur draft. After a long internal debate, they wound up with a 6-foot-0, 240-pound catcher/outfielder who’s played for Team USA and was an all-state linebacker at Middletown High School in Ohio.
“We thought Kyle was the best hitter, hands down, in this year’s draft,” said Jason McLeod, the Cubs vice president of scouting and player development. “He really does everything that we like from an offensive standpoint in terms of controlling the strike zone and hitting for average and hitting for power. Makeup off the charts.”
McLeod revealed the Cubs had Schwarber at No. 2 on their board after Brady Aiken. The Houston Astros made Aiken — a 17-year-old lefty from San Diego — the first prep pitcher to go No. 1 overall since the New York Yankees took Brien Taylor in 1991.
McLeod also admitted Schwarber will be a quick signing who will give the Cubs some financial flexibility to pursue pitchers in later rounds. The Cubs had been sequestered at Wrigley Field, running through multiple scenarios and looking at making a deal below the $4.6 million slot if the three elite arms were already taken.
The Miami Marlins selected Tyler Kolek at No. 2, while the White Sox grabbed North Carolina State lefty Carlos Rodon at No. 3.
Schwarber has been described as a monster left-handed hitter, though there are questions about where he will play defensively and if he can stay behind the plate.
“He’s certainly got the mentality and the makeup to do it,” McLeod said. “He’s got the will to do it. We’ll let that play out. We feel he’s a really good, underrated athlete that can certainly move to an outfield position in the corner. His bat is really why we drafted him.”
Schwarber hit .341 during his three seasons with the Hoosiers, blasting 40 homers and putting up 149 RBIs in 180 games. He could move faster through a system already stocked with potential middle-of-the-order hitters like Javier Baez and Kris Bryant.
Golf-Crane spreads wings to lead in Memphis.
Reuters; By Ben Everill; Editing by Ian Ransom
American Ben Crane defied recent poor form to post a bogey-free seven-under 63 and surge to a two-shot lead in a weather-affected first round of the FedEx St. Jude Classic in Memphis on Thursday.
Crane, a four-time winner on the U.S. tour but without a title since 2011, sits alone as the clubhouse leader after darkness halted play with 60 players still to complete their rounds due to an earlier storm delay.
Fellow Americans Peter Malnati (65) and Billy Horschel, five-under through 16 holes, shared second at five-under.
Major winners Retief Goosen (66) and Zach Johnson (15 holes) were joined by Joe Durant (66), Jason Bohn (14 holes) and Australian Stuart Appleby (17 holes) in a tie for fourth at four-under.
Phil Mickelson, a runner-up last year, started his tune-up for the U.S. Open with a solid 67, leaving him in a tie for ninth.
Playing the back nine of TPC Southwind first, Crane started modestly with birdies on the 11th and 16th holes before making his move at the turn.
Three birdies on the trot to start the front side and two to finish sent the 38-year-old to the top of the pile, unfamiliar ground for Crane in recent times.
Since a tie for ninth at the Humana Challenge in January, Crane hasn't finished better than a tie for 32nd and missed five of his last seven cuts leading in.
Malnati, a 26-year-old rookie coming off the secondary web.com tour, was another surprise packet given he has missed the cut on eight of his 11 appearances on tour this year.
His 65 equaled his career low on tour and was his first round in the 60s since early March in Puerto Rico.
"There have been some negative thoughts bouncing around in my head for most of the year but in the last couple of weeks I've kind of gotten it turned around," said the Tennessee resident, who sits 172nd on the FedEx Cup points list.
"I expected to come out and play well so it was great. I am really trying hard to really think about just playing golf and having fun.
Mickelson, who will attempt to complete the career grand slam in the U.S. Open next week was treading water at one-over through 11 holes before making birdies on four of his last seven to push right into the mix.
Given his focus was finishing off rounds after letting them slip in previous tournaments the 43-year-old was pretty pleased.
"This was what I was hoping for and what I was really hoping to work on this week," Mickelson told reporters.
"I had a nice solid round going, not too many birdies, not too many bogeys but to finish off birdie-ing three of the last four makes it a great round and it is exactly what I need to do."
Defending champion Harris English struggled to a 73.
Longtime baseball fixture Don (Popeye) Zimmer dies at 83.
AP Sports
Don Zimmer, a most popular fixture in professional baseball for 66 years as a manager, player, coach and executive, died Wednesday. He was 83.
Zimmer was still working for the Tampa Bay Rays as a senior adviser, and the team said he died at a hospital in nearby Dunedin.
Zimmer had been in a rehabilitation center in Florida since having seven hours of heart surgery in mid-April.
''Today we all lost a national treasure and a wonderful man,'' Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg said in a statement.
Zimmer started out as a minor league infielder in 1949. Easily recognizable for the big chaw that always seemed to be in his cheek, he went to enjoy one of the longest-lasting careers in baseball history.
Zimmer played alongside Jackie Robinson for the only Brooklyn Dodgers team to win the World Series, was on the field with the original New York Mets, nearly managed the Boston Red Sox to a championship in the 1970s and was Joe Torre's right-hand man as the bench coach with the New York Yankees' most recent dynasty.
''I hired him as a coach, and he became like a family member to me. He has certainly been a terrific credit to the game,'' Torre said in a statement.
''The game was his life. And his passing is going to create a void in my life and my wife Ali's. We loved him. The game of baseball lost a special person tonight. He was a good man,'' he said.
A career .235 hitter in the big leagues, numbers could never define all that Zimmer meant to the game. He did have tremendous success, too - he earned six World Series rings and went to the postseason 19 times.
Zimmer's No. 66 jersey had been worn recently by longtime Tampa Bay third base coach Tom Foley in tribute. The Rays hosted the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night, and Foley was crying in the dugout.
Earlier this season, the Rays hung a banner in the front of the press box at Tropicana Field that simply read ''ZIM.''
There was a moment of silence at Dodger Stadium for Zimmer before Los Angeles played the Chicago White Sox.
''On behalf of Major League Baseball and the many clubs that 'Popeye' served in a distinguished baseball life, I extend my deepest condolences to Don's family, friends and his many admirers throughout our game,'' Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement.
Zimmer was married at home plate during a minor league game in 1951 - he is survived by his wife, who went by ''Soot.'' Along the way, he played for Hall of Fame manager Casey Stengel and coached Derek Jeter - quite a span, by any major league measure.
It wasn't always easy, either. Early in his career, he was beaned by a fastball and doctors had to put metal screws in his head. Many years later, Boston pitcher Pedro Martinez tossed Zimmer to the ground during a fight between the Red Sox and Yankees at Fenway Park in the playoffs.
Zimmer spent time in a lot of uniforms. He played for the Dodgers, Mets, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati and Washington. He managed San Diego, Boston, Texas and the Cubs.
''Probably the best baseball man I knew,'' Billy Connors, who coached under Zimmer on the Cubs, told The Associated Press on Wednesday night.
''We had a lot of great times. I loved listening to him every day,'' he said.
Yankees executive Hank Steinbrenner echoed that sentiment.
''I loved Zim. I loved his passion. He was a great, great guy. He was a great baseball guy,'' he said. ''Everybody loved him.''
Steinbrenner, son of late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, said Torre and Zimmer were the ''perfect team'' during New York's run that brought four titles in a five-year span.
''Joe was low-keyed. Zim would get fired up. He was a bench coach for real,'' Steinbrenner said. ''He was an extremely important part of the 1990s success.''
Zimmer hit 91 home runs and had 352 RBIs over 12 seasons.
''It's a sad day for the game of baseball,'' Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said after a 3-2 loss at San Diego. ''Don impacted lives from the time he put a uniform on in the minor leagues until today.''
Zimmer is survived by his wife; son Thomas, a scout with the San Francisco Giants; daughter Donna, and four grandchildren.
Nine reasons why the U.S. Open is the meanest, toughest, roughest, cruelest, stingiest SOB in major golf.
By Gary Van Sickle, Senior Writer, Sports Illustrated
The United States Open is the meanest major. Is it even debatable? Well, I guess if you watch Fox News or MSNBC, everything is debatable.
No other major championship is typically less fun than the U.S. Open. Here are my nine reasons why the Open is the meanest major:
1. The scoring. You want to charge up the leaderboard at a U.S. Open? Make four pars in a row. The scoring at the U.S. Open is far worse than any other major. The winning scores in six of the last nine Opens have been even par or higher. The Masters has had only one winning score over par (Zach Johnson, 1 over, 2007) since Jack Burke won in 1956. The British Open has had just four winning scores of even par or higher since 1985 and the PGA hasn’t had one since Dave Stockton snagged the 1976 PGA at one over par. Since 2001, here are the cumulative scores of the major winners: Masters -139; PGA -120; British -96; U.S. -28 (with 16 of them from Rory McIlroy at Congressional in 2011).
The Open is the hardest major to score in, usually by a mile. Not counting those miscellaneous years where somebody made an incredible blunder in the course setup, like Oak Hill when Shaun Micheel won the 2003 PGA in eight-inch rough or, worse yet, Carnoustie for the 1999 Open when Paul Lawrie won and the fairways were about as wide as bowling alleys.
2. The recovery shot. One thing that is frequently missing from U.S. Opens is recovery shots. The Open often grows such thick rough that missed fairways mean slogging a sand wedge 50 yards back into the fairway. There’s no skill in that as opposed to having just enough rough to tempt a player into going for the green and then getting into worse trouble. A great player, like Seve Ballesteros or Tiger Woods, might be able to pull off a shot that most others couldn’t. That’s a way to let the best players separate themselves from the rest of the field. Pitching out sideways, every bit as exciting as watching a foul ball in baseball, equalizes ability because everyone can do it to the same level. The USGA has improved in this area during the Mike Davis era. Now we see graduated rough and next week at Pinehurst, we’ll see minimal rough. That’s a great idea. If only it had come to someone 100 years sooner.
3. The chip shot. Again, it’ll be back in style next week at Pinehurst. Most Open setups have featured thick rough immediately around the green on all sides and around the bunkers. Growing rough around bunkers never made sense to me. Don’t you want the ball to roll into the bunker on a bad shot instead of stick in the rough? The usual thick USGA greenside rough prevents errant shots from bouncing and running and becoming even more errant. It also eliminated most forms of chipping. Players treated that thick rough like a bunker and played slashing sand wedge shots out of it.
It’ll be a different story at Pinehurst, where the old Donald Ross greens repel shots and are often shaped like upside-down bowls. With no rough around the greens, a missed shot can kick off a slope and scamper 20 or 30 yards away, still in short grass. That requires a choice of shots -- a bump and run, a putter, a putt using a hybrid or fairway metal with loft, some kind of lofted wedge with spin? It’s a shot that requires and identifies skill. Gouging out of thick rough from four feet off the green doesn’t. That’s why I’m expecting someone with a dazzling short game to be the winner next week. Check out the highest-ranking players in the Tour’s scrambling stats if you’re drafting picks for a friendly Open pool that certainly won’t involve gambling. There’s no wagering at Bushwood, sir.
4. The rough. All right, put an asterisk next to this one because apparently it’s taking a year off thanks to Pinehurst. Normally, the rough is brutal, and hacking out of it is not fun and physically demanding. Remember when Phil Mickelson was practicing shots out of the rough before the 2007 Open at Oakmont and hurt himself because he overdid it, then went on a crazed rant against the USGA? I forget which player said it that week, but Oakmont would be a nightmare to play even if it had no rough. Any offline shot would just keep running away forever. I’d like to see that sometime, but in the unlikely event it did happen, it wouldn’t be in a U.S. Open.
5. The television commentary. This is NBC’s last Open and therefore likely Johnny Miller’s last Open telecast. Miller is the only golf analyst who strays into criticism, which frequently is simply telling it like it is. It only seems like criticism because the rest of the golf telecasts are so non-critical or bland. Peter Alliss can be brilliantly blunt, and like Miller, he’s very into the lie and the shot and the possibilities. If you’re a pro golfer and you’re afraid of getting roughed up by an analyst’s remarks on the air, the best chance of it happening is at the Open with Miller. We are going to miss him even if Greg Norman sacks up for Fox next year.
6. The playoff. Congratulations, sir, your reward for posting the lowest score in the Open after four days of draining effort is that you get to play another full 18 on a course you’ve grown to hate over the weekend because another chap also shot the same score you did. So you’ll work five days and get paid the same and like it. The other majors all have some version of a sudden-death playoff immediately afterward. At the Open, if you end up in a playoff, you get to unpack your bag and your car and check back in to a hotel and, oh yeah, book a new flight and pay the change fee. That’s OK, though, because if you’re not already a millionaire, you’re about to be.
7. The NASCAR effect. Viewers enjoy the back nine of the Masters on Sunday because players can make birdies and eagles, but because of the water hazards -- Rae’s Creek, the pond at the par-5 15th and the pond at the par-3 16th-- players can also rack up double bogeys and worse. It creates the possibility of great drama. The thick rough, the speedy and firm greens and occasional water hazards lead to big numbers and train wrecks at the Open. A few fans watch the Open for the same reason some viewers watch stock car races: for the accidents. They can be mesmerizing. It’s been 15 years since Jean Van de Velde at the British Open and has anyone forgotten that scene? Or Mickelson playing the 18th at Winged Foot?
8. The balloon factor. This is similar to the NASCAR effect except it’s about ballooning to a big score. You have a bad day with the driver, start digging out of the rough on every other hole, and you’re shooting a big old baroque number in the U.S. Open. Gil Morgan got to 12 under par early in the third round of the 1992 Open but put up 77 and 81 on the weekend when the winds kicked up. Remember Jason Gore and Retief Goosen in the final pairing at the 2005 Open at Pinehurst? Neither one broke 80. Eighty! Remember Dustin Johnson taking a three-shot lead into the final round of the 2010 Open at Pebble Beach and firing 82? It happens.
9. Qualifying. Only half the Open field is exempt, which means a majority of PGA Tour players have to endure 36 holes of qualifying to get into the Open, as they did Monday. It’s tough because that’s a lot of golf in one day on courses that are typically prepped in Open-like fashion (or tricked up, if you prefer). Players who missed the cut at the Memorial Tournament, for example, had to hang around all weekend to play in the Monday Open qualifier with long odds, typically about 15 to 1. Or you’ve just played four grueling rounds at Muirfield Village, no walk in the park, you’re whipped and now you’ve got to get up Monday and go another 36. Physically or mentally, it may be hard to get up. It’s hard to get into the Masters, too -- you’ve got to be ranked in the top 50 in the world or you’ve got to win a tournament. It’s not easy to win, but at least you’ve got two things to celebrate when you do. Open qualifying is hard work. The reward for qualifying? Getting your butt kicked by that year’s Open venue, which is about as fun as a tetanus shot.
22-year-old amateur misses out on U.S. Open after signing an incorrect scorecard.
By Shane Bacon
This story is either going to make you want to toss your computer against a wall in frustration or be proud of a young man who made the right decision in a tough spot, depending on how you take it.
Landon Michelson, a 22-year-old amateur playing in the U.S. Open sectional event in Florida on Monday, had caught a bit of luck. He wasn't even in the field of 55 players going for four spots at Pinehurst No. 2 next week when Freddie Jacobson pulled out of the qualifier and left a spot open for an alternate.
That belonged to Michelson, who went out in the 36-hole qualifier and shot a pair of 1-under 71s, great considering Quail Valley Golf Club was playing in some serious wind and his 2-under total was going to be tough to contend with considering the conditions.
Michelson then went through the always interesting process of dealing with his scorecard. Admitting to the Golf Channel's Will Gray after his round that his focus probably got in the way of where he thought he was at with his score, the youngster signed for a second-round 70 instead of a 71 as his caddie went to check out how one contender was doing as he was the last that might push Michelson into a playoff for that final U.S. Open spot.
Of course, the next thing that happened is the devastating part. Because Michelson signed for an incorrect scorecard (his playing partner had him down for a par on the 11th hole instead of the bogey he made), he had a personal decision to make as any golfer does in that position.
Rat himself out, knowing the consequences mean not only a penalty but also missing out on his dream to play in the U.S. Open, or keep quiet and live with the knowledge that you cheated the game you love.
Michelson admitted the error, pointing to a senior project he completed while at Rice about Blayne Barber, the young man who disqualified himself from the second stage of PGA Tour Q-School back in 2012 when he didn't know if he had brushed a leaf out a bunker during his second round.
“If you think about it, I’m like the 1,000th-ranked amateur in the world,” Michelson told the Golf Channel. “Going to the U.S. Open, it would be so much to me. Getting clothing sponsors, club sponsors ... everything would have been so much easier.”
It's real easy to sit back on a couch and say, "OF COURSE the kid had to admit his fault, this is golf and it's the only code we can live by," but for a minute just think about what all this means.
Michelson, as he said, is a golfing nobody. He isn't some professional that has to go back to his house and his cars and his wife knowing that he won't be at the second major championship of the season because of a rules situation. He isn't some college kid that will have some coach to console him after his round because of the mistake.
He's a 22-year-old amateur who had the opportunity of his lifetime (and for a lot of us, ours) and because of an error in scoring, and an oversight on his part, he won't be at Pinehurst No. 2 to play in the U.S. Open and hit balls next to Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson and possibly land a practice round with Jason Day or Jordan Spieth.
This also is a huge résumé builder he misses out on. I did the mini tour golf thing, and trying to find rich guys to toss money your way on basically a whim and hope isn't easy, so being able to approach these types of people with "2014 U.S. Open" on your résumé is a pretty big boost if sponsors are considering other players.
Now Michelson will do what we will all do next week when the coverage kicks off on Thursday. He will sit back on his recliner and watch the golf, knowing that he had a shot to be walking inside those ropes, and one minor mistake that had nothing to do with his actual time on the course spoiled his chances at a story for his grandkids.
Hopefully, like the Barber story from 2012, Michelson can bounce back and still make a career out of this. Judging by his play on Monday, he might just have the game to do it.
Logano believes NASCAR safer than football.
By JENNA FRYER (AP Auto Racing Writer)
After a stop to watch the Detroit Lions practice, Joey Logano felt confident he picked the right career.
As a race car driver, Logano accepts the dangers that come with his sport. He would take that over getting drilled repeatedly by a linebacker.
Logano, at 6-foot-1, 140 pounds, was admittedly intimidated as he watched the Lions practice because ''I felt really, really small compared to them. There are some really big dudes out there.''
''I feel like my sport is a lot safer,'' Logano said. ''We may look crazy going 200 mph, but I would much rather hit the wall at 200 than have a 300-pound linebacker coming at me.''
The NFL has agreed to a $765 million settlement of a head injuries lawsuit with hundreds of players, though the deal was rejected by a federal judge in January. NASCAR, since the 2001 death of Dale Earnhardt at the Daytona 500, has made tremendous strides in safety advancements. In 2012, Dale Earnhardt Jr. missed two races during the championship portion of the season with a concussion, and NASCAR this year mandated preseason baseline testing for all participants.
The safety standards make Logano feel safe in his race car.
''Our hits may be pretty brutal, but at the same time we have done a lot to our race cars to make them safer,'' Logano said during his Tuesday visit, which was part of a promotional tour for Michigan International Speedway.
''NASCAR has a constant program of always being able to move up and test cars and crash cars and try to figure out what we can do to make them safer and make the crush zones crush and if there are parts that need to be stiffer they make them stiff,'' he said. ''I don't think there are as many areas in football to improve on. Obviously you have pads and helmets, but you are still going to get hit every time.''
Asked what position he'd play on a football team, Logano revealed he performed horribly during a visit with the New England Patriots in which he tried to learn how to kick a field goal.
''I wouldn't be good at any position,'' he admitted. ''I don't really know where I would fit in. Probably on the bench somewhere.''
FROM HIGH TO LOW: Ryan Hunter-Reay was run ragged across the country during a media blitz following his Indianapolis 500 victory, and the American didn't get a chance to relax until he got to the race track last weekend in Detroit.
But the euphoria from Indy came to a crashing halt in his first qualifying session when Hunter-Reay hit the wall and damaged the rear suspension. It set the tone for a miserable weekend at Belle Isle, where Hunter-Reay logged finishes of 16th and 19th in the doubleheader event. Even worse, his point lead vanished.
Hunter-Reay left Indy up 400 points over Will Power, but Belle Isle dropped him to third in the standings, down 27.
''It was a long weekend,'' he said. ''I'll try to erase this one from my memory and move on to Texas. Nothing we did worked.''
Next is a Saturday night race at Texas Motor Speedway, the second oval on the IndyCar schedule. Hunter-Reay was second at Texas last year, his first podium in seven career starts.
''It is such a big track, but it is so challenging,'' Hunter-Reay said. ''Right now, with our (aero) package the way it is, the track's condition the way it is with our Firestone tires, it's racing like a shorter oval at higher speeds. It's got every kind of mixture of difficulty. It always ends up being one heck of a show.''
FAREWELL TO THE MULLET: The long journey for Jordan Taylor's infamous mullet will soon come to an end.
The TUDOR United SportsCar Championship driver has been working on the business-in-the-front, party-in-the-back hairstyle for well over a year, and Taylor's mullet has sometimes overshadowed his on-track accomplishments.
But Taylor is tired of his hair having its own fame, and so he'll cut it later the month at the Six Hours of Watkins Glen. There's a catch, though: Taylor is trimming the mullet in hopes of raising $10,000 for Camp Boggy Creek and Camp Anokijig, which serve chronically ill children.
The raffle winner will receive two paddock passes to Watkins Glen, as well as a ride around the road course in a two-seater Daytona Prototype, tours - and the opportunity to help cut Taylor's mullet.
''I started growing it in January 2013 and it took a while to get some decent length out of it, now I just want to get rid of it,'' said Taylor, who teamed with older brother, Ricky, to win last week's race at Belle Isle.
''I think a lot of people are saying I get a lot of credit for my hair, more than my driving. So I want to go back to being a driver again and not just a guy with weird hair,'' Taylor said.
PACK YOUR PATIENCE: Helio Castroneves is warning visitors to his native Brazil to relax and go with the flow during the upcoming World Cup. He expects visitors will find his country to be harried and appear disorganized.
''There is going to be a lot of delays,'' Castroneves said. ''The transportation has got to really get a plan. Remember, if you want to have fun, that's the place to be. But don't get upset with the traffic and craziness. But at the end of the day, the party is going to be awesome.''
The one World Cup quality that makes the U.S. championship material.
By Martin Rogers
Not even the most optimistic United States soccer fan would dare to dream of making it to the final of the World Cup next month, but in one sense at least, head coach Jurgen Klinsmann may have a squad perfectly built for World Cup success.
While most predictions have the U.S. either crashing out from the Group of Death or narrowly scraping through to the knockout stage, a glance to mathematical precedent brings a glimmer of hope for those who believe in such things.
Over the last two decades, according to analysis conducted by Irish newspaper The Journal, the average age of a World Cup finalist is 27.75, which – guess what – is mightily close to how the U.S. is going to shape up.
Thanks perhaps in part to well-seasoned goalkeepers Tim Howard (35) and his good friend Nick Rimando (34), the average age of the American 23-man roster is 27.3, making it older than Group G rivals Ghana, one of the youngest squads in the tournament at 24.8 and Germany (25.7, even with 35-year-old forward Miroslav Klose), yet younger than Portugal (28.3), which sends the oldest squad in its World Cup history.
Now, the Journal's research focused on the starting XI of teams and that is where the U.S. could get closer to the magical figure that seems to equate to success. The lineup listed below would produce an average age of 27.9 and would dip a touch further if any one of the younger players force their way into the XI.
When 32-year-old Landon Donovan, with three World Cups under his belt, was controversially omitted from the final roster and 18-year-old rookie Julian Green was included two weeks ago, the American roster instantly had a feel of youth and inexperience to it.
Howard, as the squad's oldest member, was even moved to defend the supposed youth movement after last Sunday's 2-1 friendly victory over Turkey.
"I think it is a good thing," Howard said. "I think we are hungry and guys are excited to prove a point not only individually but as a team.
"I don't see how it is a [negative]. For us it has been a super positive, just because we have a lot of young guys.
"Experience is a big thing. But experience also has baggage. So we don't have that baggage."
Maybe, just maybe, the U.S. sqaud's average age is actually about right. In reality, of course, there is no magical formula that revolves solely around age statistics and the U.S. remains on the outside looking in at a group of teams that can legitimately be considered among the favorites.
Germany is among them even with such a youthful squad handpicked by head coach Joachim Low, Klinsmann's old friend and former assistant with Germany at the 2006 World Cup where the Germans placed third.
For the Americans, a handful of positions are still up for grabs and could tilt the team's average age. DaMarcus Beasley (32) is tussling to oust 24-year-old Timmy Chandler from the left back spot. Brad Davis (32) and Alejandro Bedoya (27) are also scrapping for the left-sided midfield position, while Omar Gonzalez (25) or John Brooks (21) could still sneak ahead of Geoff Cameron (28) in central defense.
As for offensive weapons likely to come off the bench, Mix Diskerud and Aron Johannsson are a pair of 23-year-olds that have impressed so far. Green is also a contender for late-game action.
Klinsmann has argued that this is not a young squad and maybe the figures back him up. However, it is an inexperienced one, with only six players having traveled to a World Cup before and only five having seen game time.
It has been said that any World Cup in some ways resembles a lottery. If so, Klinsmann's success may hinge on the right numbers coming up.
He apparently has one number in his favor.
| POSSIBLE UNITED STATES STARTING LINEUP | ||
| Position | Name | Age |
| Goalkeeper | Tim Howard | 35 |
| Defender | Fabian Johnson | 26 |
| Defender | Geoff Cameron | 28 |
| Defender | Matt Besler | 27 |
| Defender | Timothy Chandler | 24 |
| Midfielder | Graham Zusi | 27 |
| Midfielder | Jermaine Jones | 32 |
| Midfielder | Michael Bradley | 26 |
| Midfielder | Alejandro Bedoya | 27 |
| Forward | Clint Dempsey | 31 |
| Forward | Jozy Altidore | 24 |
US Soccer Fans - ditch that World Cup drama and revel in the positives.
By Mike Prindiville
Drama is something that most crave like crack and, within American soccer, the gluttony for hubbub has been at an all time high since World Cup 2014 began staring us in the face.
While it’s been years of anticipation the drama truly began to spike six months ago during the World Cup draw that placed the Yanks in Group G alongside Ghana, Portugal and Germany.
‘The damned Group of Death,’ was the collective sigh as shoulders slumped and heads dropped.
The fear was reasonable that this National Team was heading full throttle towards the resting place of the 1998 World Cup squad — three losses, one goal scored and last place in the tournament. It was hard to see the light. Ghana is the World Cup nemesis of the US, Portugal have mighty Cristiano Ronaldo and Germany could very well win the tournament. Walking on water might just be easier than getting out of this group.
Over the coming months the drama increased ten-fold: Clint Dempsey was a shell of his former self on loan at Fulham, Timmy Chandler continued to shirk his US commitment with the glee of a high school tease, Michael Bradley made the controversial move to swap Serie A for MLS, Omar Gonzalez shape-shifted into a deer in headlights, Jermaine Jones couldn’t keep his discipline in a straight-jacket and barns weren’t built big enough for Jozy Altidore to hit…
And just when things couldn’t get more bleak, Jurgen Klinsmann made the absolutely heinous decision to cut Landon Donovan, which went down like whiskey on top of tequila catapulting the US collective into a vertigo-inducing stupor that somehow convinced many of us that 18-year-old Julian Green was either a) the reason why Donovan was cut or b) the player who will serve as the US all-time leading scorer’s immediate successor in Brazil. (Note: he’s neither).
Of course, we Americans are not alone in acting out this version of the Real Housewives of International Soccer. The same thing goes down in Italy, Spain, Brazil and every other country in anticipation of the World Cup. We want to do well, so we dramatize. But look on the bright side, at least we’re not Mexico!
See, didn’t that feel better? Nothing like kicking El Tri between the legs to lighten the mood. Because truth be told, it’s not all doom and gloom for the USMNT and to ensure you don’t wander off into a dark place over the next week and a half leading up to the games, here are a few bullet-points of positivity to keep in your back pocket:
Nothing To Lose, All To Gain: That has to be the motto when it comes to the US and Group G. It’s a hard freaking draw, yes, but there’s no where to go but up. Getting a point off of Ghana, Portugal or Germany would be great. Taking all three points, momentous. And it can definitely happen. Believe.
Jozy Knows No Slump: Did you watch him last summer? Dude scores once and can go unconscious for extended periods of time. So stop worrying about some ‘slump’.
Klinsmann’s Won The World Cup: That’s no small feat and that experience allows Jurgen, the master motivator, to say all the right words to get the boys fired up.
Bradley Has No Ceiling: Is it just me or does Michael Bradley get better every time he steps foot on the pitch?
Cameron-Besler Is Legit: Stop worrying about a center-back partnership because Cam and Bes have it on lock. Yes, they need 1-2 more matches together but they’re our best defensive leaders, mentally sound and dialed in.
Deuce Face: ‘Nuf said.
Ghana’s Not That Good: We need to stop over-hyping this Ghana squad. I’ve watched them play, they’re not that good. We should get a result here.
American Outlaws: Don’t know who they are? Use the Google and find out. Then enlist.
Berti’s Here: Berti Vogts was named special advisor by Klinsmann just a few months ago and with good reason – the guy is a master tactician. Which is exactly the trait where Klinsy could use some help. Credit to the man, though, he recognized the mistake and remedied it. Yes, Bogts also coaches Azerbaijan and it meant we had to play them in a friendly but who cares?! He’s ours in Brazil and he’s brilliant.
The Rise of Fabian: Said it before, I’ll say it again – Fabian Johnson is a weapon. Easily one of the US’s best players and, from all accounts, he’s poised to explode down in Brazil.
Howard and Guzan: Brick walls are tough to get through.
Ronaldo Is Struggling: Look, I’ll be in Manaus for that game and CR7 better damn well play. But judging from reports I’m reading now, 18 days away from that match, there’s a very strong chance Ronaldo is struggling with his fitness for that match. I’m calling it now, the US wins this game.
Ohio bill says college athletes aren't employees.
AP Sports
Ohio lawmakers have passed a budget proposal that says college athletes are not public employees under state law.
The idea cleared the state Legislature Wednesday as part of a broader bill now headed to the governor's desk. Gov. John Kasich is expected to sign it.
The employee status of full-scholarship football players became an issue in March, after a federal labor official ruled Northwestern University football players are employees and have a right to unionize.
If the appealed ruling holds, it could have widespread repercussions in the multibillion-dollar college sports industry.
Supporters of the Ohio provision say it could have little immediate effect but would clarify state law if the issue arises.
The Northwestern players voted on unionization April 25, but the ballots are sealed until after the appeals process.
NCAA will not punish players for lawsuit payout.
AP Sports
The NCAA says current college players won't be penalized if they receive part of the payout from a $40 million settlement with videogame maker Electronic Arts.
Last week, the two sides agreed to a deal to settle a lawsuit that contended the company improperly used the images and likenesses of current and former college players.
If the deal is approved by the court, more than 100,000 athletes including some current players could get paid.
Depending on how many athletes apply for the settlement, the payments could range from as little as $48 for each year an athlete was on a roster to $951 for each year the image of an athlete was used in a videogame. Plaintiffs in the case, which dates to 2009, contend the NCAA conspired with Electronic Arts and Collegiate Licensing Co. to illegally use their images or likenesses in videogames.
''Under no circumstances will we allow the proposed agreement between EA and plaintiff's lawyers to negatively impact the eligibility of any student-athlete.not one will miss a practice or a game if this settlement is approved by the court,'' the NCAA said late Wednesday. ''This proposed settlement does not equate to payment of current student-athletes for their athletic performance, regardless of how it is being publicly characterized.''
But the NCAA isn't giving everyone a pass.
While acknowledging it hasn't decided whether to formally object to terms of the settlement, the governing body complained the athletes' lawyers would be the biggest winner because they'll collect $15 million.
Another lawsuit, this one brought by athletes against the NCAA, begins Monday in Oakland California. In that case, the players and ex-players claim the NCAA profited from the videogames while the players being portrayed received nothing. The athletes are challenging the NCAA's ban on paying athletes.
On This Date in Sports History: Today is Friday, June 6, 2014.
MemoriesofHistory.com
1890 - The United States Polo Association was founded in New York.
1934 - Myril Hoag (New York Yankees) hit six singles in a game against the Boston Red Sox.
1939 - The New York Giants hit five home runs in the fourth inning in a 17-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.
1946 - The Basketball Association of America was formed in New York City, NY.
1965 - Tom Tresh (New York Yankees) hit home runs on three consecutive at-bats against the Chicago White Sox.
1989 - Wayne Gretzky (Los Angeles Kings) won the Hart Trophy for the 9th time. He was the first player in NHL history to win the same award nine times.
1992 - Eddie Murray passed Mickey Mantle on the all-time switch-hitter RBI list. Mantle held the record at 1,509.
1996 - John Valentin became the 14th player in Boston Red Sox history to hit on all at-bats during a game. He hit for the cycle when he went 4-for-4 against the Chicago White Sox.
1996 - Peter Forsberg (Colorado Avalanche) scored a first period hat-trick against the Florida Panthers in Game Two of the Stanley Cup Finals. He became only the third player in NHL history to score a first-period hat-trick in the Cup Final. He was also the sixth player to score a hat-trick in the Cup Final game.
1996 - Joe Sakic (Colorado Avalanche) tied a Stanley Cup Final record when he assisted on four goals against the Florida Panthers.
1996 - Baseball's executive council told Marge Schott, owner of the Cincinnati Reds, to give up day-to-day operations within a week or face a suspension of more than a year. Schott had caused controversy with comments she made concerning Adolph Hitler in an ESPN interview.
2003 - The Seattle Mariners were defeated by the New York Mets to end their 13-game road winning streak.
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