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"Effort only fully releases its rewards after a person refuses to quit." ~ Napoleon Hill, Author
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Trending: Bulls take Arkansas' Bobby Portis with No. 22 pick in NBA Draft. (See basketball section for details).
Trending: Uncovered documents show Pete Rose bet on baseball as a player. (Please see the baseball section for details and let us know, what's your take?).
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Blackhawks 2015-16 schedule released, Stanley Cup banner to be raised Oct. 7.
By Tracey Myers
The Blackhawks will raise their latest Stanley Cup banner on Oct. 7 and will make an early visit to the New York Islanders’ new home as part of their regular-season schedule, which was announced on Thursday morning.
The New York Rangers will visit the United Center on Oct. 7, when the Blackhawks open their 2015-16 regular season. They'll face the Islanders, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, on Oct. 9. The annual Circus Trip is still on the docket, too, with the Blackhawks leaving town from Nov. 18-28. On that trip they’ll see Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, San Jose, Anaheim and Los Angeles.
The Blackhawks’ longest home stand this season is four games, which they’ll have four times (Oct. 17-26, Dec. 11-17, Jan. 6-14 and Feb. 9-15). They’ll host their Stanley Cup Final foe, the Tampa Bay Lightning, on Oct. 24. They’ll wrap up their regular season on April 9 at the Columbus Blue Jackets.
As with last season, the NHL will take Dec. 24-26 off. Teams are prohibited from practicing, playing or traveling on those three days.
| DATE | OPPONENT | TIME |
Wed. 10/7/15 | vs. Rangers | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri. 10/9/15 | @ Islanders | 6:30 p.m. |
| Sat. 10/10/15 | vs. Islanders | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sat. 10/14/15 | @ Flyers | 7:00 p.m. |
| Thu. 10/15/15 | @ Capitals | 6:00 p.m. |
| Sat. 10/17/15 | vs. Blue Jackets | 7:30 p.m. |
| Thu. 10/22/15 | vs. Panthers | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sat. 10/24/15 | vs. Lightning | 7:30 p.m. |
| Mon. 10/26/15 | vs. Ducks | 7:30 p.m. |
| Thu. 10/29/15 | @ Jets | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri. 10/30/15 | @ Wild | 7:00 p.m. |
| Mon. 11/2/15 | vs. Kings | 7:30 p.m. |
| Wed. 11/4/15 | vs. Blues | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri. 11/6/15 | @ Devils | 6:00 p.m. |
| Sun. 11/8/15 | vs. Oilers | 7:00 p.m. |
| Thu. 11/12/15 | vs. Devils | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sat. 11/14/15 | @ Blues | 7:00 p.m. |
| Sun. 11/15/15 | vs. Flames | 7:30 p.m. |
| Wed. 11/18/15 | @ Oilers | 8:30 p.m. |
| Fri. 11/20/15 | @ Flames | 8:00 p.m. |
| Sat. 11/21/15 | @ Canucks | 9:00 p.m. |
| Wed. 11/25/15 | @ Sharks | 9:30 p.m. |
| Fri. 11/27/15 | @ Ducks | 3:00 p.m. |
| Sat. 11/28/15 | @ Kings | 9:30 p.m. |
| Tue. 12/1/15 | vs. Wild | 7:30 p.m. |
| Thu. 12/3/15 | @ Senators | 6:30 p.m. |
| Sun. 12/6/15 | vs. Jets | 4:00 p.m. |
| Tue. 12/8/15 | vs. Predators | 7:30 p.m. |
| Thu. 12/10/15 | @ Predators | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri. 12/11/15 | vs. Jets | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sun. 12/13/15 | vs. Canucks | 6:00 p.m. |
| Tue. 12/15/15 | vs. Avalanche | 7:30 p.m. |
| Thu. 12/17/15 | vs. Oilers | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sat. 12/19/15 | @ Sabres | 12:00 p.m. |
| Sun. 12/20/15 | vs. Sharks | 6:00 p.m. |
| Tue. 12/22/15 | @ Stars | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sun. 12/27/15 | vs. Hurricanes | 6:00 p.m. |
| Tue. 12/29/15 | @ Coyotes | 8:00 p.m. |
| Thu. 12/31/15 | @ Avalanche | 7:00 p.m. |
| Sun. 1/3/16 | vs. Senators | 6:00 p.m. |
| Tue. 1/5/16 | @ Penguins | 6:00 p.m. |
| Wed. 1/6/16 | vs. Penguins | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri. 1/8/16 | vs. Sabres | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sun. 1/10/16 | vs. Avalanche | 6:00 p.m. |
| Tue. 1/12/16 | vs. Predators | 7:30 p.m. |
| Thu. 1/14/16 | @ Canadiens | 6:30 p.m. |
| Fri. 1/15/16 | @ Maple Leafs | 6:00 p.m. |
| Sun. 1/17/16 | vs. Canadiens | 6:00 p.m. |
| Tue. 1/19/16 | @ Predators | 7:00 p.m. |
| Thu. 1/21/16 | @ Lightning | 6:30 p.m. |
| Fri. 1/22/16 | @ Panthers | 6:30 p.m. |
| Sun. 1/24/16 | vs. Blues | 6:00 p.m. |
| Tue. 1/26/16 | @ Hurricanes | 6:00 p.m. |
| Tue. 2/2/16 | @ Avalanche | 8:00 p.m. |
| Thu. 2/4/16 | @ Coyotes | 8:00 p.m. |
| Sat. 2/6/16 | @ Stars | 7:00 p.m. |
| Tue. 2/9/16 | vs. Sharks | 7:30 p.m. |
| Thu. 2/11/16 | vs. Stars | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sat. 2/13/16 | vs. Ducks | 7:30 p.m. |
| Mon. 2/15/16 | vs. Maple Leafs | 7:30 p.m. |
| Wed. 2/17/16 | @ Rangers | 7:00 p.m. |
| Sun. 2/21/16 | @ Wild | 2:30 p.m. |
| Thu. 2/25/16 | vs. Predators | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sun. 2/28/16 | vs. Capitals | 11:30 a.m. |
| Wed. 3/2/16 | @ Red Wings | 7:00 p.m. |
| Thu. 3/3/16 | @ Bruins | 6:00 p.m. |
| Sun. 3/6/16 | vs. Red Wings | 4:00 p.m. |
| Wed. 3/9/16 | @ Blues | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri. 3/11/16 | @ Stars | 7:30 p.m. |
| Mon. 3/14/16 | vs. Kings | 7:30 p.m. |
| Wed. 3/16/16 | vs. Flyers | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri. 3/18/16 | @ Jets | 7:00 p.m. |
| Sun. 3/20/16 | vs. Wild | 7:30 p.m. |
| Tue. 3/22/16 | vs. Stars | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sat. 3/26/16 | @ Flames | 9:00 p.m. |
| Sun. 3/27/16 | @ Canucks | 7:00 p.m. |
| Tue. 3/29/16 | @ Wild | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri. 4/1/16 | @ Jets | 7:00 p.m. |
| Sun. 4/3/16 | vs. Bruins | 11:30 a.m. |
| Tue. 4/5/16 | vs. Coyotes | 7:30 p.m. |
| Thu. 4/7/16 | vs. Blues | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sat. 4/9/16 | @ Blue Jackets | 6:00 p.m. |
Stan Bowman expects trade talk to increase as NHL Draft approaches.
By Tracey Myers
Stan Bowman (Picture courtesy of blogs.suntimes.com)
So far, it’s quiet out there.
Yes the league’s general managers, including the Blackhawks’ Stan Bowman, are talking. The Blackhawks will be sellers, and considering the winning pedigree of players they’ll likely be dangling, there will be buyers.
When the dominos start falling, however, remains to be seen.
Bowman said that trade talk has been “typical” for this time of year, but he expects the chatter to increase as we approach the NHL Draft, which begins on Friday in Sunrise, Fla. It promises to be an active time for the Blackhawks. They already have $64 million committed to 14 players and have to shed salary to sign others (Brandon Saad and Marcus Kruger) and hit the $71.4 million salary cap set for this coming season.
Patrick Sharp is most likely headed elsewhere. Bryan Bickell could be gone, too. Bowman wasn’t getting into specifics on who was leaving or how talks were going on any trades, but he said the Blackhawks have plans.
“We’ve been preparing some scenarios, some lower, some higher [than the announced cap number.] This was one,” Bowman said via conference call on Wednesday. “We have a lot of plans we’ve been thinking of at that number. It’s not something that’s good or bad; it’s something we’ve been preparing for. We’re just going to move forward now.”
When does the moving forward begin? The Blackhawks could start making deals prior to the draft, especially if they want to add picks. They currently have seven, but their first isn’t until later in the second round – No. 54 overall, their compensatory pick for not signing Kevin Hayes. Bowman said the Blackhawks are always looking to get more selections heading into the draft, and this year is no different.
“If we can acquire additional picks, which we’ve been able to do in previous years, that’d be great. If not, we still have seven picks and we’ll make our decisions and hopefully add some players we’re really excited about,” Bowman said. “It’s really the same procedure as in previous years: we’re always trying to acquire additional draft picks. It comes down to whether there’s a fit to do that or not.”
That fit extends to any trade packages the Blackhawks accept, too. Of those players the Blackhawks are likely to part with, Sharp should draw considerable interest. He may not be coming off his greatest individual season but he’s had plenty of great ones and he’s a three-time Stanley Cup winner. Sharp has been part of a core that knows how to win; and for teams that are trying to achieve what the Blackhawks have, acquiring a player with that pedigree is enticing.
“Each team is unique in terms of what [its] needs are at certain positions and where they’re at. Some teams are looking for players to step in and help immediately and take a step as an organization. Others are rebuilding or looking for experience and winning. That’s what we’ve had a lot of, players who have been in a winning environment,” Bowman said. “People understand it’s nice to bring players in who have been part of winning cultures. That’s something that’s been a common theme in some of my discussions. You keep working through it. There are still a lot more discussions to have but at this point, things are going along well.”
The upcoming changes are coming for the Blackhawks, whether anyone wants them or not. Bowman, however, is optimistic about the immediate and long-term future. It’s not hard to see why: despite all the changes the Blackhawks have gone through since the summer of 2010, they’ve still won two more Cups since then. The Blackhawks have found ways to adjust and keep winning in the salary-cap world. They believe they can do that again.
“There’s so much talk about players leaving but I’m excited about next year,” Bowman said. “We’re going to have a lot of the main pieces back. We’ve got guys ready for bigger roles and some exciting new faces coming to the organization. This is an exciting part of the year to find the future Blackhawks. There’s lot to be optimistic and excited about next year and the years to come.”
Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews wins Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award.
By Paul Roumeliotis
Jonathan Toews was named the winner of the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award on Wednesday night in Las Vegas at the NHL Awards.
The award, voted by Messier, is given to the player "who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice during the regular season." Los Angeles Kings captain Dustin Brown won it last year.
Honored and shocked, Toews said he owes all the credit to the players around him.
"This is amazing. I definitely did not expect to be up here accepting this award," said Toews after accepting his award. "I wouldn't be where I am without (my teammates)."
Two weeks ago, Mark Messier had nothing but high praise for the Blackhawks captain.
"I know how much pressure is put on a captain at an early age," said Messier.
"Jonathan came in here when he was named captain early and has never taken a backwards step. He's grown into an incredible captain, leader, inspirational on and off the ice. The way he's carried himself, the messaging to the fans, his initiatives that he's involved in off the ice — what more can you say? Easy guy to like on and off the ice."
Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron edged out Toews for the Selke Trophy for the second straight year. Bergeron received 1,083 votes to Toews' 1,051. Toews captured the award in 2013.
Other awards:
— Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson took home the Norris Trophy for the second time in his career. Karlsson had 964 votes. Duncan Keith finished in seventh, scoring 134 votes.
— Tampa Bay Lightning's Steve Yzerman won GM of the year. Stan Bowman ranked No. 10.
— Carey Price ran away with the Vezina Trophy (best goalie). The Montreal Canadiens goaltender had 144 points. Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne was the runner-up with 60 tallies. Corey Crawford came in sixth.
— Patrick Kane came in 10th place for the Lady Byng Trophy, an award given to the player with best combining sportsmanship and ability. Calgary Flames' Jiri Hudler took home the trophy.
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session... 2015 1st Round NBA Draft selections.
ESPN.com
| No. | Team | Player | Pos. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Timberwolves | Karl-Anthony Towns | C |
| 2. | Lakers | D'Angelo Russell | PG |
| 3. | 76ers | Jahlil Okafor | C |
| 4. | Knicks | Kristaps Porzingis | PF |
| 5. | Magic | Mario Hezonja | SF |
| 6. | Kings | Willie Cauley-Stein | C |
| 7. | Nuggets | Emmanuel Mudiay | PG |
| 8. | Pistons | Stanley Johnson | SF |
| 9. | Hornets | Frank Kaminsky | C |
| 10. | Heat | Justise Winslow | SF |
| 11. | Pacers | Myles Turner | PF |
| 12. | Jazz | Trey Lyles | PF |
| 13. | Suns | Devin Booker | SG |
| 14. | Thunder | Cameron Payne | PG |
| 15. | Hawks | Kelly Oubre | SF |
| 16. | Celtics | Terry Rozier | PG |
| 17. | Bucks | Rashad Vaughn | SG |
| 18. | Rockets | Sam Dekker | SF |
| 19. | Wizards | Jerian Grant | PG |
| 20. | Raptors | Delon Wright | PG |
| 21. | Mavericks | Justin Anderson | SF |
| 22. | Bulls | Bobby Portis | PF |
| 23. | Trail Blazers | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson | SF |
| 24. | Cavaliers | Tyus Jones | PG |
| 25. | Grizzlies | Jarell Martin | PF |
| 26. | Spurs | Nikola Milutinov | C |
| 27. | Lakers | Larry Nance Jr. | PF |
| 28. | Celtics | R.J. Hunter | SG |
| 29. | Nets | Chris McCullough | PF |
| 30. | Warriors | Kevon Looney | PF |
Bulls take Arkansas' Bobby Portis with No. 22 pick in NBA Draft.
By Vincent Goodwill
The Bulls were in the position of having to watch the draft unfold without much drama, as the glut of mid-round talented guards began falling one by one off the board.
When the smoke cleared, though, they took Bobby Portis from Arkansas with the 22nd pick of the first round for the first pick of the Fred Hoiberg Era, a player who was waiting in the green room as one of the invitees from the NBA.
He’ll be expected to compete for minutes as a backup power forward/center behind Joakim Noah, Pau Gasol and Taj Gibson, a player who won the SEC Player of the Year in a conference that had numerous draft picks selected ahead of him, a mark of his consistency.
“They have Gasol and Gibson,” he said in an interview right after being selected. “I’ll back those guys up and maybe even start. I’ll try to learn from those guys.”
With Terry Rozier and Rashad Vaughn taken midway through the first round, then Jerian Grant off the board, it left the Bulls perhaps in a position where they had to switch course and go to the frontcourt.
Portis was projected as a mid-first round pick by many experts, and averaged 17.5 points and 8.9 rebounds as an aggressive big who adds some youth to an older frontline.
With Noah, Gasol and Gibson being an average of 31.6 years old by the start of next season, and the Bulls getting gashed on the boards by the Cleveland Cavaliers in their six-game second-round series loss, they added a low-post scorer and inside player who’ll get after it on the glass.
Grades
CBSSports.com, Matt Moore, A+
YahooSports.com, Jeff Eisenberg, A
Campus Sports, Josh Benjamin, B
Rant Sports, Trevor Lowry, A
Can Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler coexist on the Bulls?
#BULLSTALK
Derrick Rose (#1, left) and Jimmy Butler (#21, right). (Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports)
CSN Bulls Insider Vincent Goodwill joined Kap & Haugh on Thursday to discuss the relationship between Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler, and whether or not there's credence to the report that the two are having problems co-existing.
Goodwill explained that more so than there being an issue, the two simply haven't played enough together.
"I think these are two guys that haven't played much with each other more than anything else," Goodwill said, "and then when you throw them in high pressure, playoff atmosphere where every guy feels more pressure to want to do it on their own, which is what Derrick Rose naturally feels anyways, and with Jimmy Butler looking at it saying, 'I was the guy that carried this team while you were going through some of your injury issues early on this year and I was the guy that held this thing steady,' you're going to have a natural clash because those two guys don't know how to play with each other. They haven't had the opportunity to."
Rose and Butler played just 46 of 82 regular-season games together this season.
Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Thoughts: We think they can and know that they will coexist. The Bulls management has too much invested in the both of them to let their plans and investment go awry!!!
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!! Looking back – and ahead – at Bears offseason: Unsettled O-line needs time together.
By John Mullin
The Bears enjoyed a 2013 season with the same five offensive linemen starting all 16 games, contributing to reaching an 8-6 peak in the first Marc Trestman year before the defense allowed 87 points over the final two games to miss the playoffs.
Last season the Bears started the same five linemen for as many as three straight games only once. And four of those five (tackles Jermon Bushrod and Jordan Mills, center Brian de la Puente and guard Michael Ola) were not starting as the final minicamp concluded; de la Puente is no longer on the roster.
Meaning: Absolutely nothing beyond left guard Matt Slauson and presumably center Will Montgomery seemed settled during minicamp, and what the line looks like on Aug. 1 when the pads come on in Bourbonnais will be only temporarily resolved in the next few weeks.
“I've told the players: You've got to start somewhere,” coach John Fox said. “It's not where you start the race, it's where you finish. I can't predict what's going to happen at camp. I know we will move people.”
Kyle Long’s movement has been amply documented and debated; right tackle, left tackle, right guard. Vladimir Ducasse was signed from the Minnesota Vikings and took all of the No. 1 snaps at right guard through minicamp. Charles Leno spent time at right and left tackle. Mills was out with an appendix problem. Bushrod did not practice in minicamp, although his pairing with Slauson has been a strength on a line without many, and Slauson was able to start just five games last season because of two different injuries.
Quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end are set for at least the beginning of camp, pending wide out Kevin White’s expected elevation to the No. 1 offense. But the offensive line has yet to practice together in what is a clear No. 1 unit and that cannot be the case by the time the Bears get into the preseason games at Indianapolis and Cincinnati.
“Whether you’re zone blocking or man blocking, gap blocking, draw blocking, as long as you’re on the same page, it always should be coordinated,” said offensive line coach Dave Magazu. "Sometimes the defense dictates that you’re not going to look so smooth. If they’re moving around, they can get you out of synch a little bit. But there’s where ‘zone’ helps you a lot, because folks are coming to you. Sometimes that looks a little more smooth.”
And “smooth” only comes from working together as a unit.
Cubs will get their shot at Cardinals as rivalry heats up again.
By Patrick Mooney
The St. Louis Cardinals are under investigation by the FBI and Justice Department. Their top prospect (Oscar Taveras) died in a car crash last October. Their Opening Day starter (Adam Wainwright) is out for the season after tearing his Achilles tendon. They still have the best record in baseball.
Whatever happens to the hackers who cyber-attacked the Houston Astros, the Cubs know the Cardinals won’t go away anytime soon, that they will eventually have to go through their biggest rival.
“They can’t lose right now,” reliever James Russell said. “It’s kind of ridiculous. It’s a big series. We need to go in there and do some damage.”
The Cubs traveled to St. Louis after Thursday’s disappointing 4-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The biggest crowd at Wrigley Field so far this year (41,498) watched $155 million ace Jon Lester give up four early runs and last only four innings. A four-game series that began with victories over Cy Young Award winners Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke ended with the Cubs getting shut down by Carlos Frias and four relievers. Russell made his big-league debut with the Cubs in 2010, when the window to contend slammed shut for Lou Piniella, Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Zambrano, Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez.
Russell got traded to the Atlanta Braves at last year’s deadline and returned to a completely different team this season. He understood how long it had been since the rivalry had some real juice, even though the Cubs began the day in third place in the National League Central, trailing the Cardinals by 7 1/2 games. Still, a 39-32 record would be good enough to make it as a wild card if the playoffs started today.
“Obviously, our main goal is to win the division,” Lester said. “We’re going to keep trying to plug along and do that. That starts tomorrow.”
The Cardinals are 26-7 at Busch Stadium, where weird things usually seem to happen to the Cubs amid the sea of red. The national media wants a piece of Joe Maddon, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell. MLB Network is picking up Friday’s game, Fox wanted the rivalry for its Saturday window and ESPN chose Cubs-Cardinals for “Sunday Night Baseball.”
“Of course, when you’re playing them head up, you definitely want to make some noise,” Maddon said. “But I don’t want our guys to approach it any differently. I don’t want them to think that they have to play any harder or any better. Just go play.”
General manager Jed Hoyer, whose wife is from the St. Louis area, hears it from his in-laws whenever the Cubs play the Cardinals. It’s not as glamorous or as overhyped as the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. But Hoyer compared the Cardinals — with 11 World Series titles overall and 11 playoff appearances since 2000 — to what Theo Epstein faced when they took down the Evil Empire.
“I look at their presence as a huge positive,” Hoyer said. “It makes you keep your standards really high and makes you not cut corners because we’re not going to beat them with gimmicks. We’re not going to beat them by cutting corners. We’re going to have to beat them by being a great organization.
“That’s what we had with the Yankees. I think we were much better in Boston because the Yankees were in our division. If we hadn’t had them, we might not have kept our standards that high. We always felt like we had to win 95 games to make the playoffs.
“I kind of feel the same way here. It might not be 95, but it’s the same mindset of that’s what we have to develop to go head-to-head with them. It’s good. It pushes us.”
The Cubs still have 13 games remaining against the Cardinals — and nine more against the Pittsburgh Pirates — and won’t pass the schedule’s halfway point until after the Fourth of July weekend.
“You always got to keep your eye (on the division),” Maddon said. “We’re going to keep getting better. I believe that. We’ve had kind of a mini-run, but not a real good run yet, and we’re definitely capable of that. As our young guys get more experience, I believe that’s all possible.
“The focus has to be winning the division. And then if you don’t, you still have a shot. But if you don’t want to aim high enough, man, you’re going to miss your target.”
Sanchez's clutch triple helps White Sox outlast Tigers in extras.
By Dan Hayes
Carlos Sanchez has proven to the White Sox how capable he can be with his glove. On Thursday afternoon, the rookie finally showed them what he could do with his bat, too.
Having already made several nice defensive plays, the White Sox second baseman delivered a critical hit when he cleared the bases with a two-out triple in the 10th inning of an 8-7 win over the Detroit Tigers in front of 40,355 at Comerica Park.
Sanchez went 2-for-5, including a three-run triple off Joba Chamberlain and David Robertson survived two-bases loaded jams to even the team’s record at 2-2 on the road trip.
“I think it’s going to give him a world of confidence,” leadoff man Adam Eaton said of Sanchez. “For any baseball player, especially a guy who’s not doing all that well at the plate but brings the glove every day, it’s huge.
“It’s a day that we needed it.”
Though they broke through in a Tuesday night victory, the White Sox have had a shortage of hits in clutch situations in June and it looked like Thursday may be no different.
With one out in the 10th, Chamberlain walked Melky Cabrera and hit Avisail Garcia. But he struck out Alexei Ramirez on three sliders out of the zone before pinch hitter J.B. Shuck had an infield single to load the bases.
Sanchez, who entered the game with a .410 OPS, quickly fell behind 1-2 in the count before he ripped a slider to the wall in right to score all three. It’s the first big hit of the season for Sanchez, who has a decent track record in the minors. Not only did he hit .250 in 104 plate appearances with the White Sox last season, Sanchez owns a .288 career average in the minors.
“My offense hasn’t been good but now it is getting better,” Sanchez said through an interpreter. “I got the big hit today for the team and its important for me and the team also because we won the game.”
They almost didn’t.
Robertson loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the 10th and Justin Holaday singled in two runs. One out later, the White Sox intentionally walked Miguel Cabrera to reload the bases for Josh Wilson, who entered the game as a pinch runner for Victor Martinez in the ninth. Robertson struck out Wilson for his 15th save in 19 tries.
Carlos Rodon struck out seven batters over five laborious innings but gave up a pair of two-run homers to Kinsler and J.D. Martinez. Sanchez helped Rodon get out of a first-inning jam when and Gordon Beckham, who started a short, turned a double play against Victor Martinez. Three innings later, Sanchez cut down Nick Castellanos at the plate on a Jose Iglesias grounder with the infield playing in.
But Sanchez’s best play came against Cabrera in the sixth when he snagged a hot shot off the slugger’s bat to start a 4-6-3 double play.
Adam Eaton, who went 2-for-4 with a walk, homered off Alfredo Simon to start the game. The White Sox took a 3-2 lead in the second inning when Cabrera singled and Garcia doubled to deep center. Tyler Flowers also had an RBI single.
The White Sox added two runs in the fifth against Simon on a two-run double by Adam LaRoche. But the Tigers bullpen took over as Bruce Rondon struck out Abreu and LaRoche with two on in the seventh and kept the White Sox scoreless until Sanchez’s heroics.
“Everybody is pulling for him,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “You feel good for him that he got a couple of hits today. He has been playing great defense. We turned a couple of double plays there with him, they show up big any time you are keeping them from adding on or getting close to you. Everybody is feeling good for Sanchy right now.”
Robin Ventura ready to roll with White Sox changes.
By Dan Hayes
White Sox Manager Robin Ventura. (Photo/Leon Halip/Getty Images)
This particular team won’t entirely stay intact but White Sox manager Robin Ventura knows most of his roster is here for the foreseeable future.
Sure, the White Sox may make changes and will almost certainly be a seller before the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline, but several veterans have long-term deals that would make them difficult to move. The White Sox manager sees the majority of a 32-40 group is what he’ll work with the rest of this season and in the future. Therefore, on Thursday Ventura said he’s tasked with making sure his team doesn’t quit and that they work to improve as soon as possible.
“There might be a change here and there but you have the people you have unless you can move them,” Ventura said. “Those are the facts. Right now we’re going to have to figure out a way for this group to get better."
“You have to keep them together, keep them pointed in the right direction and there’s an element in here that you don’t want them to cave into it.”
Take a look at the White Sox roster and you’ll notice there aren’t many easy fixes. Melky Cabrera is locked in for two more seasons at an average of $14 million per. Adam LaRoche has a year left on a $25-million deal. Adam Eaton is in the first season of a five-year deal. And the White Sox don’t exactly have prospects knocking down the door.
While they may trade Alexei Ramirez or Jeff Samardzija next month, the White Sox aren’t headed for a big housecleaning. Despite their losing ways, Ventura has maintained his calm external demeanor. But in no way does he intend to let the White Sox fall off a cliff and head for 100 losses.
“You continue to compete and you have to be able to come out here,” Ventura said. “You practice right, you get the right mentality going and you go play. And there has to be that expectation there. There is a professionalism that goes with it and whether it’s going good or bad, you better be coming out ready to compete.”
“I get my point across and these guys know that and there’s moments that are louder than others. There’s moments that are more poignant than others. But in the end, this is professional baseball and there are standards that are there and I’m trying to make sure those are met. And when they’re not, it becomes a tougher conversation with guys. You’re upfront and they know what’s expected.”
MLB: Scioscia: 'We survived PEDs. This game will never survive gambling' What's Your Take?
By Mike Axisa
Mike Scioscia believes gambling is worse than PEDs. (USATSI)
Earlier on Monday, ESPN's Outside The Lines reported evidence had been uncovered showing Pete Rose did indeed bet on baseball as a player during the 1986 season. He had previously said he only bet on baseball while managing.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia was asked about the latest Rose revelations on Monday evening. Here's what he had to say:
"We've survived PED's. This game will never survive gambling. Will never. ... If there's an allusion that anybody is making bets on performance, whether it's pro or con, baseball will unravel. That's why the penalties are very stiff, and if all the allegations are true against Pete, that's a price he has to pay."
I agree with Scioscia here. Performance-enhancing drugs are very bad! It would be nice if players didn't do them, but they do, and as long as baseball is played, players will cheat to gain a competitive advantage.
Gambling and betting on performance is another matter, especially as a player, because the potential for throwing games comes into play. Baseball was almost destroyed by the 1919 Black Sox scandal. PEDs are a a blip on the radar comparatively.
Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Take: What makes America great is our rules and laws and our determination to honor them and see that everyone honors them. Professional sports are no different. If the rules say you can't gamble without suffering consequences, then you can't gamble and if you do, then man up and take the consequences. I really don't have a problem with an acknowledgement of Pete Rose's accomplishments on the field because he truly was "Charlie Hustle", however, it should also state that he has been banned from baseball for life because of his gambling. That's the rule. It was the rule before he started playing, the rule while he played and the rule after he was banned. In fact, it's still the rule. I've heard people say that there is so much money made in gambling on professional sports, true enough, but the fans that are gambling do not perform on the field and do not affect the outcome of the games. That's controlled by the players, coaches, managers, referees and other league and team officials. The rules say, league, team and associates of these two groups cannot gamble and that's that; period, paragraph, end of the story. You're tempting the players, managers, referees, officials and other team and league officials to gamble or cheat for financial gain. And as it is in life, some people are weaker than others. The afore mentioned groups are no different. Should the 1919 White Sox be reinstated? If you bend the rules for Pete, why not them or any other person that has been banned for rules violations?
Again, I think there should be a place for Pete Rose in the "Hall of Fame" because of his on field performance. However, it should also state that he has been banned for life because of his gambling. If you don't do this, there will be no way to validate the integrity of the game and thus a beautiful sport will be eventually destroyed.
Now, you have our opinion at Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica. We'd love to hear your opinion and your thoughts, in essence, we'd love to know, what's your take? Please go to the comment section at the bottom of this blog and let us know what you really think. We value your opinion and we can't wait to hear from you.
Your Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Editorial Staff.
Golf: I got a club for that: Record prize money for Open Championship at St Andrews.
AFP
The winner of this year's Open Championship at St Andrews will collect more than £1 million ($1.6m, 1.4m euros) for the first time in the tournament's history. The overall prize fund for the game's oldest major championship has increased £900,000 to £6.3 million, with the champion receiving £1.15 million. That is £175,000 more than Rory McIlroy won at Hoylake last year. Jordan Spieth took away $1.8 million for winning the US Open at Chambers Bay on Sunday. This year's Open will be held at the Old Course, St Andrews, from July 16-19.
History suggests it may be premature to write off Tiger Woods.
By Morgan J. Wolf
Tiger Woods hits out of the tall fescue grass during the second round of the U.S. Open. (Photo/AP)
In the world of golf, there's widespread sentiment that Tiger Woods is done winning majors. Rounds of 80 and 76 to miss the cut at last week's U.S. Open help support that theory.
"I see a guy who is totally lost…," former golfer Greg Norman, who was a TV analyst during the U.S. Open, told the Daily Mail. "When a great player has a bad spell, it is usually a minor adjustment to get back into place. Tiger needs major adjustments. Will he win another [major]? I don't see it. Be the best player in the world again? No."
However, this may not necessarily be true. Through professional golf history, there have been a few legendary golfers with great success in majors who have overcome long droughts to win at least one more. It's been seven years since Woods won his last major, but three golfers with at least six career major victories have had longer cold streaks.
"Tell you what, if he could get on the fairway, he'd probably be back to where he was," Jason Day said days before Woods' disastrous performance at Chambers Bay. "His iron play is just ridiculous how good it is right now, it's really special."
While Day appears optimistic that Tiger could revive his career, the fact that he's having difficulty getting shots on the fairway is troublesome, and fixing that qualifies as one of those "major adjustments" that Norman addressed.
Here's a list of golfers, some of which overcame extenuating circumstances, who have had streaks of three years or more between major wins:
• Jack Nicklaus: 18 major wins (six years between No. 17 at the 1980 PGA Championship and No. 18 at the 1986 Masters. Age gap: 40-46)
Only won two other tournaments on the PGA Tour during the six years between his last two major wins.
• Tiger Woods: 14 major wins (three years between No. 8 at the 2002 U.S. Open and No. 9 at the 2005 Masters. Age gap: 26-29; is currently seven years removed from his last major win at the 2008 U.S. Open. Age 32 at last major win.)
Won 13 tournaments between the 2002 U.S. Open and the 2005 Masters.
After his final major win (2008 U.S. Open), Woods won seven more tournaments by the end of 2009. After this, he won just once in 2011 (Chevron World Challenge, an unofficial money event), he won five more times in 2013. He's won nothing since Aug. 4, 2013, when he won the Bridgestone Invitational.
• Walter Hagen: 11 major wins (five years between No. 1 at the 1914 U.S. Open and No. 2 at the 1919 U.S. Open. Age gap: 22-27)
Hagen won four championships on the PGA Tour and three other tournaments between his first two major wins.
Hagen won four championships on the PGA Tour and three other tournaments between his first two major wins.
• Gary Player: nine major wins (four years between No. 5 at the 1968 Open Championship and No. 6 at the 1972 PGA Championship. Age gap: 33-37; No. 8 at the 1974 Open Championship and No. 9 at 1978 Masters. Age gap: 39-43)
Won five PGA Tour tournaments between 1968 and 1972. Won nothing between 1974 and 1978.
• Tom Watson: eight major wins (three years between No. 3 at the 1977 British Open and No. 4 at the 1980 British Open. Age gap: 28-31)
Had 15 victories on the PGA Tour between 1977 and 1980 British Opens. Came second at British Open in 2009.
• Gene Sarazen: Seven major wins (nine years between No. 3 at the 1923 PGA Championship and No. 4 at the 1932 U.S. Open. Age gap: 21-30)
Won first three majors at the ages of 20 and 21, then fell off a bit and invented the sand wedge before coming back and winning the other four. Twenty-four PGA Tour wins between 1923 and 1932 major championships.
Won first three majors at the ages of 20 and 21, then fell off a bit and invented the sand wedge before coming back and winning the other four. Twenty-four PGA Tour wins between 1923 and 1932 major championships.
• Sam Snead: seven major wins (four years between No. 1 at the 1942 PGA Championship and No. 2 at the 1946 British Open. Age gap: 30-34)
Served in WWII. Still won 10 PGA Tour Tournaments between 1942 and 1946 major championships.
Served in WWII. Still won 10 PGA Tour Tournaments between 1942 and 1946 major championships.
• Bobby Jones: Seven major wins (three years between No. 1 at the 1923 U.S. Open and No. 2 at the 1926 British Open. Age gap: 21-24)
Didn't play in too many tournaments, but won the U.S. Amateur Open in 1925 and 1926.
Didn't play in too many tournaments, but won the U.S. Amateur Open in 1925 and 1926.
• Harry Vardon: Seven major wins (eight years between No. 6 at the 1903 British Open and No. 7 at the 1911 British Open. Age gap: 33-41)
Diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1903. Won three other titles between 1903 and 1911.
Diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1903. Won three other titles between 1903 and 1911.
• Lee Trevino: Six major wins (10 years between No. 5 at the 1974 PGA Championship and No. 6 at the 1984 PGA Championship. Age gap: 35-45)
Struck by lightning at the Western Open near Chicago in 1975, suffering severe injuries to his spine. Still managed to win nine tournaments on the PGA Tour between 1974 and 1984.
Struck by lightning at the Western Open near Chicago in 1975, suffering severe injuries to his spine. Still managed to win nine tournaments on the PGA Tour between 1974 and 1984.
NASCAR: Should we add a road course to the Chase?
By Pat DeCola and Jessica Ruffin
NASCAR.com's Pat DeCola and Jessica Ruffin debate the proposal.
NASCAR makes its annual trip out west to California wine country this weekend when the Sprint Cup Series hits up Sonoma Raceway for Sunday’s Toyota/Save Mart 350. As such, with so much focus and excitement surrounding last season’s revamped Chase for the Sprint Cup, it’s time to ask if the excitement can be elevated once more — by adding a road course such as Sonoma to the Chase.
In the latest Head-to-Head, Pat DeCola and Jessica Ruffin offer their views on this controversial matter, and thankfully they keep things civil. Mostly. Read their opinions, then duke it out for yourself in the comments section below.
DeCola: Hey Jessica, I want to apologize in advance for disproving all of your points. You gave it a good effort, but it's pretty clear -- there should absolutely, positively, without a doubt be a road course race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Otherwise, what would be the point of having two during the regular season? It's not like Major League Baseball plays 162 regular-season games on a big-league field, then decides to play the World Series at Williamsport when the Little Leaguers are done with it.
Ruffin: Tell me how you really feel, Pat! You make a valid point in that there are two road courses in the regular season, so putting one in the Chase is a fair suggestion. But I'm going to have to disagree. First of all, the 10 tracks in the Chase aren't Little League-caliber, so I don't believe it's fair to say that the Sprint Cup Series downgrades by not throwing a road course into the championship mix -- you've got tracks like Talladega, Martinsville and Dover and none of those are for the faint of heart. To add to that, which track would you take out to make room for a road course? Because to me, that would be the biggest problem. Unless you plan on adding another race to the championship schedule -- or moving either Watkins Glen or Sonoma regular-season events to the championship run, I can't imagine any of the Chase tracks would be happy about giving up their coveted slot on the schedule to another venue.
DeCola: Oh, no they definitely wouldn't be happy. But you know who would be? Kyle Busch, if say, his annual postseason spoiler Kansas Speedway was magically removed from the Chase and replaced with Watkins Glen, where he has two wins and is among his best tracks. Eight out of the 10 races in the Chase are at venues that already held a Cup event earlier in the year (nine if you want to count Chicagoland's XFINITY Series standalone). Meanwhile, Sonoma comes while people are gearing up for their big Fourth of July getaways and Watkins Glen lands in early August when people are either vacationing or spending their weekends going back-to-school shopping. (Suggestion for fans: Watch the race while you shop at the NASCAR Superstore!) Giving the added wrinkle of road course racing during the stretch of the season when more eyes are focused on NASCAR just seems like a smart move.
Ruffin: Don't get me wrong -- I would love an excuse to travel to the wine country of Sonoma in the fall! Having a road course race during the Chase would yield higher audiences than its regular-season slots, no doubt. But if we're going to get specific with drivers, let's talk the fan favorite: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Junior is well-known for having a dislike of road courses and would likely be unhappy with that Chase addition. Lucky for the No. 88, road courses only make up less than 10 percent of the of the 26-race regular season. This entails that road course races don't really represent the Sprint Cup season as a whole, making their addition to the Chase questionable. In the past 50 races at road course tracks, there have only been seven instances where the future champion that year has taken the checkered. That's because these events sometimes reward the best open-wheel racer -- rather than the most skilled stock car wheelman -- in Victory Lane.
DeCola: While I agree with you that in the past, adding a road course to the Chase -- which is still only a decade old, mind you -- may not have made the most sense given that they lent themselves to being more geared toward drivers with open-wheel backgrounds, that's no longer the case. Drivers are becoming more well-rounded overall -- including Earnhardt, who finished third at Sonoma last year -- and it'd be cool to see every track configuration NASCAR races at represented in the Chase. Not only that, we're no longer seeing the large amount of 'ringers' brought in for road course races because of the emphasis put on winning to get into the Chase, giving smaller teams a shot. What's the point of having a driver like AJ Allmendinger race his heart out to get in with a win at Watkins Glen -- arguably one of the top moments of the 2014 season -- just to give him no shot at a title because the type of course he excels at isn't included? One of the biggest appeals of the new Chase format is that any driver in the top 30 in points can get in with a win. It creates excitement and builds names. If they're given a fighting chance in the postseason, it's good for the sport.
Ruffin: Road courses are exciting -- they're tough and make for interesting playgrounds for the drivers during the regular season. But that's where they need to stay. We already have one wild-card, crapshoot-style track with Talladega in the Chase and the nature of a road course has the potential to go that route. With the championship being divided into playoff-style rounds, a win for any eligible driver during that time solidifies their advancement to the next round. You're right -- AJ Allmendinger gave an impressive performance at Watkins Glen last season, gaining his first career Cup win in 242 starts and a Chase spot. But he fell out the first round because he couldn't keep up with the rest of the championship contenders in the non-road-course races. Putting one in the Chase increases the odds that someone who primarily excels at road courses sneaks in -- and takes the spot of someone who has proven they can race at a variety of tracks. Drivers like Jeff Gordon -- the all-time road course leader -- are able to perform at all types of venues and can win a championship with or without a Chase road course. A true Sprint Cup champion should be well-rounded and versatile enough that they don't need a road course in the Chase to be given a fighting chance -- they've got 10 chances on 10 other tracks to get it done. That being said, if NASCAR does put a road course in the Chase, I admit I'll be tuning in -- exciting nature of road courses, plus the Chase, equals plenty of racing thrills!
SOCCER: As spotlight increases, US women trying to keep focus on field.
By Jeff Kassouf
(Photo/Getty Images)
As criticism flows in, the United States women’s national team is doing its best to stay in the “bubble” that players so often discuss.
With a quick, four-day turnaround to their quarterfinal match against China, United States women’s national team players say their focus is there and there alone. The United States advanced to the quarterfinals on Monday with a 2-0 victory over Colombia, a team which proved capable and managed to frustrate the Americans throughout a scoreless first half before seeing goalkeeper Catalina Perez sent off in the 47th minute.
The United States’ inability to score in the first half on Monday, combined with a still direct style of play, brought criticism from pundits as respected as former U.S. midfielder and FIFA co-player of the century Michelle Akers. While there’s a collective acknowledgement that the team isn’t playing that well, players say they are where they want to be: alive and in the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup.
“At the end of the day, we all know we’re not playing our best football and we’re still finding ways to win,” said U.S. midfielder Carli Lloyd, who scored on a penalty kick in the win over Colombia. “I think that’s the history of this team – no matter if it’s good, bad, we still find a way to get it done.”
Exacerbating the team’s issues were referee criticisms put forth by forward Abby Wambach on Monday. Wambach said after the game that it seemed like Stephanie Frappart issued yellow cards to midfielders Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday “purposefully.” Those respective yellow cards mean that both players are suspended for Friday’s quarterfinal.
On Tuesday, Wambach apologized for her comments. She was not available for comment on Wednesday.
Asked if Wambach addressed the team about her comments, U.S. defender Meghan Klingenberg said the team’s focus isn’t on the referees.
“That’s not something that I think we really need to discuss,” Klingenberg said. “It has nothing to do with us as a team. It has nothing to do with us as teammates, I guess, because quite frankly that’s Abby just having our teammates’ back. She wants them to be around, she wants them to play and we have no problem with that. We’re moving forward.”
Moving forward is the approach for both on-field and off-field issues, Lloyd said.
“To be honest, I haven’t really been tapping into the media too much,” Lloyd said. "We're all trying to stay in our bubble and focus on what we need to do. We know that it’s not our best.
“We’re following the direction of the coaches, we’re doing everything they ask of us and we just have to continue to dig deep and find a way,” she added. “I think that’s what’s incredible about the history of this team, even the 99ers. There’s game where it’s not going to look pretty, but the history shows that we’ve always found that way.”
With the team still not in top form, finding a way will likely continue to have to be the way to a World Cup title. The rest will have to wait.
Wambach ready for 90 minutes if needed against China, US coach Ellis says.
By Jeff Kassouf
U.S. coach Jill Ellis says striker Abby Wambach is fit to start on Friday in the Women’s World Cup quarterfinal match against China.
“I think she’d be ready to go for 90 minutes if asked and if it happens,” Ellis said Thursday.
The U.S. boss wouldn’t reveal whether or not Wambach would start, but reading between the lines, it appears Wambach could start on Friday for the fourth time in five matches at this World Cup.
“In terms of Abby, very much so, I look at what an opponent presents,” Ellis said Thursday. “Abby has some unique tools.
“I look at China and what they present and what tools they have to try and be successful and break them down,” she added. “That’s kind of how I approach it.” Ellis said earlier in the week and confirmed again on Thursday that 22-year-old Morgan Brian is likely to start in place of the suspended Lauren Holiday, but Megan Rapinoe’s absence could prove more costly for the United States as the Americans try to break down a defensively disciplined China team.
“They don’t give up a lot defensively,” U.S. forward Alex Morgan said. “They pride themselves on a good defense.
“For us it’s all about capitalizing on our chances.”
Christen Press is the most likely player to replace Rapinoe, who like Holiday is suspended for receiving a second yellow card of the tournament on Monday against Colombia.
China coach Hao Wei is back from his own one-game suspension. He was forced to watch last week’s round-of-16 victory over Cameroon from the stands after being ejected late in China’s final group-stage match against New Zealand.
But Hao says the team still performed well without him, as it has the entire tournament.
“After the four matches I think the whole team has adjusted to a good mindset and state,” he said.
China and the United States haven’t met in the World Cup since the 1999 final, which the U.S. won on penalty kicks after a scoreless 120 minutes.
Hao, however, doesn’t see Friday’s match as any sort of vengeance for 1999.
“It doesn’t make any difference,” he said. “It’s normal, it’s a game and we just need to do our best to win the game. It’s the same for every match.”
Clint Dempsey suspended minimum of 2 years or 6 US Open Cup games.
By Andy Edwards
Clint Dempsey, Seattle Sounders
Last week we found out the length of suspension handed down — three MLS games — to Seattle Sounders forward Clint Dempsey for his actions during the Sounders’ US Open Cup fourth round defeat to the Portland Timbers.
On Thursday, it was announced by U.S. Soccer that the US Open Cup Adjudication and Discipline Panel has also given the US national team captain a lengthy suspension from US Open Cup play. Dempsey, 32, has been suspended from USOC play for a minimum of two years or six games — whichever is greater.
Dempsey will not be eligible to play for any team in the USOC in 2016 or 2017, and could see that ban extend to 2018 and beyond should the Sounders bow out early in either or both of the next two years’ tournaments. MLS teams must win five games in order to win the USOC.
Dempsey’s latest suspension comes on the heels of a critical statement from the referees’ union, the Professional Soccer Referees Association, following what they felt was “a slap on the wrist” punishment.
“PSRA is deeply disappointed with the decision of MLS to give Mr. Dempsey a light slap on the wrist by suspending him for a mere three games following a report of both referee assault and abuse as those terms are defined under applicable policies. This type of conduct toward any referee is a direct threat to the integrity of the game, and should not be tolerated under any circumstances.
“The ceremonial discipline issued by MLS not only fails to deter such reprehensible conduct going forward, it conveys the message that a player can physically engage, destroy property and threaten a referee and suffer minimum consequences.Dempsey will, as announced last week, still be eligible to compete for the USMNT in next month’s CONCACAF Gold Cup.
NCAAFB: Penn State adds longtime NFL coach Jim Haslett as consultant.
By Sam Cooper
(AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
Penn State added a coach with plenty of NFL experience to its staff on Wednesday.
The program announced that longtime NFL coach Jim Haslett “will serve as a consultant” for the Penn State football team and program. Haslett, a native of Pittsburgh, spent the last five seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins.
“We are very excited to have Jim with our program,” Penn State head coach James Franklin said. “Jim has an outstanding football mind and invaluable experience that will be a tremendous resource. He has great knowledge of the game at the next level and we plan to put that to good use. He will work with our offensive, special teams and defensive coaches and will be a fantastic sounding board for our staff.”
Before his time with the Redskins, Haslett most notably was the head coach of the New Orleans Saints from 2000-2005. He also had stints as a defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams (2006-08) and Pittsburgh Steelers (1997-99) and Saints (1996) and coached linebackers for the Saints (1995) and Los Angeles Raiders (1993-94)."I am thrilled to join the Penn State football family," Haslett said. "James is one of the great, young head coaches in the collegiate game today and he is leading this Penn State program in the right direction. The future is very bright for Penn State football and I am excited to be a part of it.”
Haslett, 59, played collegiately at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and was picked in the second round of the 1979 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. He was named AP Defensive Rookie of the Year that season and had an eight-year NFL career.
NCAABKB: NCAA proposes later deadline for NBA Draft early entries to return to school.
By Rob Dauster
The NCAA men’s basketball oversight committee officially sponsored a proposal to change the NBA Draft withdrawal date for college underclassmen, according to ESPN.com.
Currently, college underclassmen are required to remove their name from the NBA Draft a week after the Final Four comes to a close, which is nearly three weeks prior to the NBA’s deadline for declaring for the draft. There is, essentially, no process for testing the waters.
But the new proposal, which was reported back in March, college underclassmen will have until mid-to-late May — after the NBA’s Draft combine — to remove their name from consideration and still be allowed to retain their collegiate eligibility. This would allow the players that will potentially be drafted a chance to be evaluated by NBA front office personnel and given a more accurate picture of where they could end up getting selected. This isn’t a big deal for one-and-done prospects like Karl Towns and Jahlil Okafor, but for players that are expected to go anywhere from the late first round to undrafted, this will give them more complete information on which to make their decision.
This would not change the NBA’s late-April deadline for early entry or their withdrawal deadline, which is 10 days before the draft happens.
“This is a positive development for student-athletes exploring their professional dreams,” said Dan Gavitt, NCAA vice president of men’s basketball, said, per ESPN. “This would give prospects and their families more appropriate time and unbiased info from the NBA to make important decisions. And it would probably lead some to go back to school.”
Gavitt’s right. This is a terrific decision, one that will hopefully be passed in January. Originally, college players had until the NBA’s deadline to remove their name from draft consideration, but too many coaches were upset about the fact that their roster was in limbo through mid-June. If they lost a player to the professional ranks, there was not going to be anyone available to replace him. The deadline was moved to early May and, eventually, to a week after the Final Four.
If the proposal is passed in January, the changes will be made effective immediately, meaning that the 2016 NBA Draft class will be the first to operate under the new timeline.
Virginia wins 1st CWS title in 4-2 win over Vanderbilt.
By ERIC OLSON
Pavin Smith homered and drove in three runs and Brandon Waddell turned in another strong College World Series pitching performance, leading Virginia over Vanderbilt 4-2 on Wednesday night for the school's first baseball national championship.
The Cavaliers (44-24) prevailed in the CWS finals rematch against the defending champion Commodores and brought the Atlantic Coast Conference its first title in baseball since Wake Forest in 1955.
Waddell (5-5) went seven innings and allowed only two hits after Vanderbilt (51-21) scored twice in the first. He retired the last 11 batters he faced. It was Waddell's fifth career CWS start, and Virginia won each of them.
Nathan Kirby pitched the last two innings and struck out five for his first save. John Kilichowski (3-4) took the loss.
On This Date in Sports History: Today is Friday, June 26, 2015.
Memoriesofhistory.com
1819 - Abner Doubleday was born.
1910 - For the second consecutive year, Hazel Hotchkiss won the singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles at the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association championships.
1916 - The Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Indians appeared in a game with numbers on their sleeves. The event marked the first time that players were identified by numbers that corresponded to the scoreboard.
1938 - Lonney Frey (Cincinnati Reds) had eight hits in a doubleheader split with the Philadelphia Phillies.
1944 - The New York Giants, Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Yankees played against each other in a six inning contest in a war bonds fund-raiser. Over 50,000 people watched the game. The final score was Dodgers 5, Yankees 1 and the Giants 0.
1962 - Earl Wilson (Boston Red Sox) pitched a 2-0 no-hitter against the Los Angeles Angels. Wilson also hit a home run.
1970 - Frank Robinson (Baltimore Orioles) hit two grand slams against the Washington Senators in a 12-2 win.
1976 - Shortstop Toby Harrah (Texas Rangers) played an entire doubleheader without handling a batted ball from the Chicago White Sox.
1979 - Muhammad Ali, at 37 years old, announced that he was retiring as world heavyweight boxing champion.
1985 - Wilbur Snapp was ejected after playing "Three Blind Mice" during a baseball game. The incident followed a call made by umpire Keith O'Connor.
1986 - Jockey Sandy Hawley won his 5,000 career race.
1990 - Jennifer Capriati, at age 14, became the youngest winner of a match in Wimbledon history.
1998 - Jamaica won soccer's World Cup. It was the first time a Caribbean team had won the World Cup since 1938.
1999 - Sammy Sosa (Chicago White Sox) hit his 300th career home run.
1999 - Cal Ripken (Baltimore Orioles) got his 995th extra base hit.
2000 - Alex Cabrera (Arizona Diamondbacks) hit a two-run home run in his first major league at-bat.
2001 - Ray Bourque (Colorado Avalanche) announced his retirement just 17 days after winning his first Stanley Cup. Bourque retired after 22 years and held the NHL record for highest-scoring defenseman and playing in 19 consecutive All-Star games.
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