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Sports Quote of the Day:
"In NFL preseason, the coaches don't use 10% of the playbook. They don't game plan. They do nothing. They don't give anything away for the regular season. They try to get everybody safely through it without getting anybody hurt." ~ Rush Limbaugh, Entertainer, Radio Talk Show Host, Writer and Conservative Political Commentator
Trending: Chicago Bears vs. Indianapolis Colts, Saturday, August 22, 2015, at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana. 6:30 PM (CST).
Trending: Should trophies be given to all kids who play sports, or just those who win? (See football section, What's Your Take? article for details).
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Week 2 Preseason Preview: Bears at Colts.
By Ryan Peardon
Chicago looks to build off a nice 27-10 victory in week one of preseason action versus Miami on Saturday when they face off against the Indianapolis Colts.
The Bears, particularly second and third string players, looked pretty good in the week one game versus the Dolphins.
Vic Fangio had the defense rolling as they forced four turnovers, three of which led to Chicago Bears points. That is the kind of production the Bears will need from the defensive unit to get thing settled.
Offensively, Cutler only got two series in, but made the most of it going 4-7 for 47 yards. Cutler will see more action in week two.
Moving on to the matchup with the Indianapolis Colts, the Bears held a joint practice with the Colts on Wednesday and Thursday before their game Saturday. Getting an opportunity to go against a top-tier team like the Colts is good preparation for the Bears squad.
Following how preseason action works, the starters will be expected to get a little more playing time today than they did last week.
The loss of Kevin White for possibly the season is a gut punch to the Bears, but luckily they have a few weeks to find the person who will fill in that position for White and prepare him to produce as needed.
Luckily for Chicago, John Fox likes to have an aggressive run approach, which will take some pressure off of Jay Cutler and his targets. Also luckily enough for Cutler, he still has Bennett and Jeffrey to throw to, two assets that any team would be happy to have.
Jimmy Clausen will get a chance to build on his excellent performance from week one as well. Clausen showed out and proved he will be a solid backup to Jay Cutler, if not eventually landing the starting role depending on the future moves the Bears make.
Defensively, Vic Fangio made it look easy in week one. The Dolphins first drive (the only drive Tannehill led) was aided by a couple mental mistakes by the defensive unit and the Dolphins ultimately found the end zone.
Jared Allen and company will get more work in as the defensive ends transition into the outside linebacker positions. Allen looked pretty comfortable in week one, nearly snagging an interception on a wide receiver screen play.
The Colts are head and shoulders above the Miami Dolphins, and with starters more than likely seeing more playing time this week, we should get a better look at what the Bears have the ability to do both offensively and defensively.
Star running back Matt Forte plans to make his preseason debut against the Colts Saturday. Forte was out of week one's matchup, which gave more reps to backups Ka'Deem Carey, Jeremy Langford, and Senorise Perry. Langford had a difficult outing for Chicago, but Carey and Perry both showed a flash or two of what they could bring to the table. Forte will probably play the first quarter and then the other three backups will get their shot at proving their worth.
Defense is the key to any successful team, I don't imagine anybody having too much argument against that. If the Bears defensive unit can be at the forefront of this squad, good things will be coming Chicago's way if they can take care of the ball offensively.
Andrew Luck, equipped with one of the best receiving corps in the NFL, will give Chicago a much tougher test and a better gauge of where they are currently at as a football team. The players must look to use a matchup like this to get better and learn while they're doing it. There is no better experience than getting in work against a team that has been to the playoffs the past three seasons.
Chicago and Indianapolis kick off at Lucas Oil Field Saturday at 7:30 EST.
The Bears, particularly second and third string players, looked pretty good in the week one game versus the Dolphins.
Vic Fangio had the defense rolling as they forced four turnovers, three of which led to Chicago Bears points. That is the kind of production the Bears will need from the defensive unit to get thing settled.
Offensively, Cutler only got two series in, but made the most of it going 4-7 for 47 yards. Cutler will see more action in week two.
Moving on to the matchup with the Indianapolis Colts, the Bears held a joint practice with the Colts on Wednesday and Thursday before their game Saturday. Getting an opportunity to go against a top-tier team like the Colts is good preparation for the Bears squad.
Following how preseason action works, the starters will be expected to get a little more playing time today than they did last week.
The loss of Kevin White for possibly the season is a gut punch to the Bears, but luckily they have a few weeks to find the person who will fill in that position for White and prepare him to produce as needed.
Luckily for Chicago, John Fox likes to have an aggressive run approach, which will take some pressure off of Jay Cutler and his targets. Also luckily enough for Cutler, he still has Bennett and Jeffrey to throw to, two assets that any team would be happy to have.
Jimmy Clausen will get a chance to build on his excellent performance from week one as well. Clausen showed out and proved he will be a solid backup to Jay Cutler, if not eventually landing the starting role depending on the future moves the Bears make.
Defensively, Vic Fangio made it look easy in week one. The Dolphins first drive (the only drive Tannehill led) was aided by a couple mental mistakes by the defensive unit and the Dolphins ultimately found the end zone.
Jared Allen and company will get more work in as the defensive ends transition into the outside linebacker positions. Allen looked pretty comfortable in week one, nearly snagging an interception on a wide receiver screen play.
The Colts are head and shoulders above the Miami Dolphins, and with starters more than likely seeing more playing time this week, we should get a better look at what the Bears have the ability to do both offensively and defensively.
Star running back Matt Forte plans to make his preseason debut against the Colts Saturday. Forte was out of week one's matchup, which gave more reps to backups Ka'Deem Carey, Jeremy Langford, and Senorise Perry. Langford had a difficult outing for Chicago, but Carey and Perry both showed a flash or two of what they could bring to the table. Forte will probably play the first quarter and then the other three backups will get their shot at proving their worth.
Defense is the key to any successful team, I don't imagine anybody having too much argument against that. If the Bears defensive unit can be at the forefront of this squad, good things will be coming Chicago's way if they can take care of the ball offensively.
Andrew Luck, equipped with one of the best receiving corps in the NFL, will give Chicago a much tougher test and a better gauge of where they are currently at as a football team. The players must look to use a matchup like this to get better and learn while they're doing it. There is no better experience than getting in work against a team that has been to the playoffs the past three seasons.
Chicago and Indianapolis kick off at Lucas Oil Field Saturday at 7:30 EST.
Bears turn up defensive fire on Day 2 vs. Colts.
By John Mullin
The Indianapolis Colts hosted the Chicago Bears for the second and final day of joint practices at the Colts Complex. The Colts defense squared-off against the Bears offense giving each team a sneak preview what they might see against each other during their preseason game on Saturday night. (IndianaColts.com video)
Wednesday was not a particularly good day for the Bears’ defense, which played with a seeming lack of fire at times, whether uncertain of itself, overly cautious against Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, or something.
By John Mullin
Wednesday was not a particularly good day for the Bears’ defense, which played with a seeming lack of fire at times, whether uncertain of itself, overly cautious against Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, or something.
That improved visibly on Thursday as the Bears attacked on defense, pressured Luck and his receivers into incompletions and came up with a couple of takeaways, something conspicuously lacking the day before.
“I think [it was] because we started fast,” said cornerback Tim Jennings. “I think yesterday we competed good but we can always get better. Today we had some balls on the ground, guys were making plays, a couple turnovers but we just didn't finish quite as well as we wanted to do, but we can learn from that."
Jay Cutler was intercepted twice on Thursday by the Indianapolis Colts defense. Right tackle Jordan Mills started Thursday’s practice strong but was unable to finish because of a calf injury. Before he left, however, Charles Leno, a seventh-round pick in the 2014 draft and who played in six games as primarily a sixth offensive lineman, stepped in with the No. 1 unit. Leno had been expected to mount a challenge to Mills for the starting job at that spot but generally hasn’t so far, although Saturday’s game could see both being tried with the No. 1 offense.
Jared Allen was given a veteran’s day off, with Sam Acho working with the No. 1 defense at outside linebacker, a spot where he excelled in the win over the Miami Dolphins.
Ex-NFL quarterback Kramer survives suicide attempt.
AFP
Then Chicago Bears' quarterback Erik Kramer (C), seen after a NFL game against the Green Bay Packers, at Soldier Field in Chicago, in 1997 (AFP Photo/Vincent Laforet)
Former National Football League quarterback Erik Kramer was treated for a gunshot wound following an apparent failed suicide attempt, US media reported.
The incident took place Tuesday at a motel in Calabasas, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles.
Police said they were alerted to the scene when someone asked them to check on the 50-year-old Kramer.
Kramer's ex-wife told NBC News that depression and head injury were factors for Kramer, who played with the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons and San Diego Chargers.
Marshawn Kramer, who was divorced from Erik five years ago, told the television network, "He is a very amazing man, a beautiful soul, but he has suffered depression since he was with the Chicago Bears.
"I can promise you he is not the same man I married. I know Erik and I would still be together if not for his football injury."
Kramer finished 13 NFL seasons with 1,317 completions for 15,337 yards and 92 touchdowns. He also rushed for 217 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Their son, Griffen, died of a heroin overdose in 2011. Griffen was a quarterback at Thousand Oaks High School at the time of his death.
Steelers linebacker doesn't agree with sons' participation trophies. What's Your Take?
By Amber Powell
James Harrison said he will return his sons' trophies. (Source: Instagram)
Should trophies be given to all kids who play sports, or just those who win?
Steelers linebacker James Harrison believes trophies should be earned, and that's exactly what he told the whole world on Sunday.
When Harrison's sons received participation trophies from Next Level Athletics, the outspoken athlete wasn't pleased. He posted a photo of the trophies on Instagram with the following caption:
I came home to find out that my boys received two trophies for nothing, participation trophies! While I am very proud of my boys for everything they do and will encourage them till the day I die, these trophies will be given back until they EARN a real trophy. I'm sorry I'm not sorry for believing that everything in life should be earned and I'm not about to raise two boys to be men by making them believe that they are entitled to something just because they tried their best...cause sometimes your best is not enough, and that should drive you to want to do better...not cry and whine until somebody gives you something to shut u up and keep you happy. #harrisonfamilyvalues
The post quickly gained attention in the media, sparking a debate about whether trophies should be given for participation or if they should be awarded for performance.
More Feedback: Birmingham psychologist discusses giving kids participation trophies.
By Melanie Posey
Have you heard about the NFL player who returned his young son's athletic participation trophies?
James Harrison plays with the Pittsburgh Steelers and he has now started a lively discussion on parenting.
Harrison, who walked on to his college team and earned two Super Bowl rings, said he wants his sons to earn a real trophy in an Instagram post.
One big question that comes out of this is: By giving out these types of trophies, does it coddle kids or help boost their self esteem?
Birmingham clinical psychologist Josh Klapow says it's important to understand Harrison's position as not only a father, but an NFL player who himself had to work hard to where he got.
To the larger issue, Klapow says there is no absolute right or wrong answer, but what should be taken into consideration when it comes to these type trophies is the age of the child and also the context and communication around its presentation.
"The sports experience, playing with the other kids, how they interact with their coaches, how they interact with their parents when they win, or lose, or get hurt or get in arguments, all of those things together, plus either the trophy or not the trophy, that makes the sports experience and that is what's going to determine how the child learns from it. The trophy itself is only one part of it," Klapow said.
He added that parents should realize that just because a child gets a participation trophy in his or her younger years doesn't mean they'll expect such the rest of their sports career.
Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Take: Being from the "Old School", we are firm believers that all awards and rewards should be earned. As James Brown so valiantly put it, "I don't want nobody to give me nothing, open up the door and I'll get it myself." In other words, give me the opportunity and I'll earn it myself. We often say that "competition breeds excellence" and we truly believe that. It forces you to inquire, think, train and find a way to pursue a better way. That's the American way, find a way to make it better, find a way to become the best, never give up, never give out and never give in because you're a winner. Another part of this solution is to help and encourage fellow players and teammates so that the desire to win will be instilled in them also. This does not just apply to sports but life in general. Everyone on this earth is endowed with a talent and a fault. The most successful people are the one's that use their talent to overcome their fault. Whatever the endeavor you pursue in life, whether it's as an athlete, lawyer, doctor. brick layer, teacher, plumber, musician laborer, salesman, etc., be the best that you can be. You want to make a difference, you want to be remembered. Just to participate and not make any contribution does not help the participant at all and can instill a feeling of entitlement. There's an old Black spiritual that I've heard all my life and to this day I think about it every morning when I get up. The name of it is, "Let the work I've done speak for me." In closing, I want everyone to remember, once you earn and learn something, no one can ever take it away from you, (i.e. faith, knowledge and skills). And that's the best trophy of all.
Now you know how we feel and what we think, what are your thoughts and what's your take? We want to hear what you have to say as we value your opinion tremendously. Please go to the bottom of this blog and post away in the comment section. We anxiously look forward to hearing from you.
The Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Editorial Staff.
Three weeks until the opening day of the 2015 NFL season. Thinking about joining the CS&T/AA NFL Pick 'em Office Confidence Pool? Exude confidence, let everyone know that you get the job done. Show them and yourself that you can pick winners and reap some great rewards. As we say at Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica, "It's all about you."
Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica
Sports Quote of the Day: (With reference to the CS&T/AA 2015 NFL Office Pick 'em Pool)
"Chance favors only the prepared mind" ~ Louis Pasteur, Chemist and Microbiologist
"Chance favors only the prepared mind" ~ Louis Pasteur, Chemist and Microbiologist
It's three weeks until the start of the 2015 NFL season. Time to consider participating in the2015 CS&T/AllsportsAmerica NFL Office Pick 'em Pool. Some of you have played before and know how much fun it is. The season last for 17 weeks. The entry fee is the same as it's always has been, $35.00. We usually have 35 players but this year we are looking for 50 players. Again, the entry fee is the same but we're looking forward to doubling the payouts. We need your help, if you've played before, we're asking you to bring in one additional player. It can be a fellow employee, friend from the sports bar, relative, neighbor or general acquaintance. If you haven't played before, now is the time to take the plunge and join in the fun. The pool is conducted over the internet and you have 24/7 access to the website, statistics, scores, weekly winners, etc. This is strictly an office pick 'em pool for entertainment purposes only and rewards are paid out weekly every Tuesday morning.
We need 50 diehard football fans that love the sport and have confidence in their knowledge of the game their ability to pick winners. The entry fee is $35.00 for 17 weeks which also includes weekly payouts of: 1st place - $50.00 and, 2nd place - $30.00. We also have bonuses for the 1st and 2nd place players with the most accumulated points at the end of the season: 1st place - $200.00 and 2nd place - $100.00.
If we don't get 50 players, we will revert back to the payouts for 35 players. However, We know that we will get 50 players with everyone's help.
We need 50 diehard football fans that love the sport and have confidence in their knowledge of the game their ability to pick winners. The entry fee is $35.00 for 17 weeks which also includes weekly payouts of: 1st place - $50.00 and, 2nd place - $30.00. We also have bonuses for the 1st and 2nd place players with the most accumulated points at the end of the season: 1st place - $200.00 and 2nd place - $100.00.
If we don't get 50 players, we will revert back to the payouts for 35 players. However, We know that we will get 50 players with everyone's help.
We made two major changes to our pool last year, 1) You do not have to pick against the spread. Just pick the winner of each game and place your confidence points on them and 2) Your picks must be made one hour before the game(s) on the day the game(s) are played. If you miss Thursday's game(s), you will lose the highest number of points for that week (16, 15 or whatever the maximum points are for that week), however, you may still make Sunday's picks. If we get more than 50 participants the payouts will increase proportionately.
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By Chris Kuc
Former Blackhawk Daniel Carcillo has created a not-for-profit organization called Chapter 5 that hopes to assist players after their hockey careers come to an end. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)
It wasn't long ago when Daniel Carcillo would spend the latter part of his summers focused almost entirely on preparing to play another NHL season.
Things are different these days because with training camps set to open next month, Carcillo hasn't laced up a pair of skates since helping the Blackhawks win the 2015 Stanley Cup. Despite being an unrestricted free agent, he isn't even in contact with his agent.
"He called me the other day," Carcillo said. "I'll return his call soon. I'm not stressing out about it like I have in years past."
At 30, Carcillo now has a different set of priorities, including being the best father he can be to his young son while also continuing his efforts to help NHL players make an often-difficult transition to post-playing life.
Carcillo has devoted much of his time and effort during the last two months to forming a not-for-profit organization called Chapter 5 that is in the early stages of developing a program to assist players after their hockey careers come to an end.
To maintain awareness of the cause and help raise money to fund the charity, Carcillo will host a party on his day with the Stanley Cup on Aug. 30 at the Dana Hotel and Spa in Chicago from 12-4 p.m. Fans who purchase tickets to the event will be able to meet Carcillo and take a picture with the Cup. Also included is a cocktail party, silent auction of sports memorabilia and a Chapter 5 T-shirt. Proceeds will go to Chapter 5, which honors former Hawks defenseman and Carcillo's close friend Steve Montador, who died Feb. 15, 2015.
"It's called Chapter 5 because it's the next chapter of an athlete's life," Carcillo said. "It's turning the page and really having to do something out of the norm and something that most of us really aren't prepared for. It's helping guys transition into real life and kind of re-purpose lives by putting our drive and our commitment into something else. And the number five is because it was 'Monty's number when he was in Chicago."
Carcillo plans to launch a website in the next few months that will include a comprehensive program retired players can use to prepare for life outside of hockey.
"The first thing we would do with every retired player in the league would be to reach out to them and see how they're doing," Carcillo said. "And then, when they were ready, run them through a Stage 2, which would be a program that would identify their strengths and weaknesses and what they would be good at and what their interests are. You want to do something you love and you're driven for.
"It's going to be on a player-to-player basis because every guy is so different. Everyone has a different education and different interests. It's just tapping into those and getting to know a person and creating that personal relationship and then moving forward when they're ready to move into another career."
It is a cause that hits close to home for Carcillo, who after appearing in 39 games with the Hawks during the '14-15 season that was cut short because of a concussion, is pondering his future in the NHL. After playing in 429 career games spanning nine seasons with five teams, retirement is a possibility.
"If I told you that I've already made a decision 100 percent to not play I'd be lying," Carcillo said. "But every year, especially the last couple, I've definitely thought about it. And then when you have a son it kind of changes things because being away that long with that travel schedule is just not conducive to being the father I want to be. I want to be here and I want to see things."
If he does walk away from the game, Carcillo would join the ranks of athletes beginning another chapter in their lives.
"I've mentally gone through it every single year with signing so late in the year," Carcillo said. "You prepare yourself for not having a job so I've felt all those feelings and thought all those thoughts that guys go through and it really is difficult.
"We've done this one thing our whole lives and now all of a sudden someone makes a decision for you or if you're lucky enough, you can make that decision for yourself and say, 'I'm done and I want to move on.' When that time comes there's just no way around not missing what you did for all those years.
"I just want to be somebody one or two or 20 or 50 guys can rely on to kind of guide them through."
Things are different these days because with training camps set to open next month, Carcillo hasn't laced up a pair of skates since helping the Blackhawks win the 2015 Stanley Cup. Despite being an unrestricted free agent, he isn't even in contact with his agent.
"He called me the other day," Carcillo said. "I'll return his call soon. I'm not stressing out about it like I have in years past."
At 30, Carcillo now has a different set of priorities, including being the best father he can be to his young son while also continuing his efforts to help NHL players make an often-difficult transition to post-playing life.
Carcillo has devoted much of his time and effort during the last two months to forming a not-for-profit organization called Chapter 5 that is in the early stages of developing a program to assist players after their hockey careers come to an end.
To maintain awareness of the cause and help raise money to fund the charity, Carcillo will host a party on his day with the Stanley Cup on Aug. 30 at the Dana Hotel and Spa in Chicago from 12-4 p.m. Fans who purchase tickets to the event will be able to meet Carcillo and take a picture with the Cup. Also included is a cocktail party, silent auction of sports memorabilia and a Chapter 5 T-shirt. Proceeds will go to Chapter 5, which honors former Hawks defenseman and Carcillo's close friend Steve Montador, who died Feb. 15, 2015.
"It's called Chapter 5 because it's the next chapter of an athlete's life," Carcillo said. "It's turning the page and really having to do something out of the norm and something that most of us really aren't prepared for. It's helping guys transition into real life and kind of re-purpose lives by putting our drive and our commitment into something else. And the number five is because it was 'Monty's number when he was in Chicago."
Carcillo plans to launch a website in the next few months that will include a comprehensive program retired players can use to prepare for life outside of hockey.
"The first thing we would do with every retired player in the league would be to reach out to them and see how they're doing," Carcillo said. "And then, when they were ready, run them through a Stage 2, which would be a program that would identify their strengths and weaknesses and what they would be good at and what their interests are. You want to do something you love and you're driven for.
"It's going to be on a player-to-player basis because every guy is so different. Everyone has a different education and different interests. It's just tapping into those and getting to know a person and creating that personal relationship and then moving forward when they're ready to move into another career."
It is a cause that hits close to home for Carcillo, who after appearing in 39 games with the Hawks during the '14-15 season that was cut short because of a concussion, is pondering his future in the NHL. After playing in 429 career games spanning nine seasons with five teams, retirement is a possibility.
"If I told you that I've already made a decision 100 percent to not play I'd be lying," Carcillo said. "But every year, especially the last couple, I've definitely thought about it. And then when you have a son it kind of changes things because being away that long with that travel schedule is just not conducive to being the father I want to be. I want to be here and I want to see things."
If he does walk away from the game, Carcillo would join the ranks of athletes beginning another chapter in their lives.
"I've mentally gone through it every single year with signing so late in the year," Carcillo said. "You prepare yourself for not having a job so I've felt all those feelings and thought all those thoughts that guys go through and it really is difficult.
"We've done this one thing our whole lives and now all of a sudden someone makes a decision for you or if you're lucky enough, you can make that decision for yourself and say, 'I'm done and I want to move on.' When that time comes there's just no way around not missing what you did for all those years.
"I just want to be somebody one or two or 20 or 50 guys can rely on to kind of guide them through."
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session... Jerry Colangelo preparing for USA Basketball life after Coach K.
By Vincent Goodwill
As USA Basketball coach Mike Kryzyzewski and USA Basketball executive director Jerry Colangelo prepare to select the 12 players who will don the red, white and blue in Rio next summer, Colangelo has to be thinking even further ahead.
As in who’ll take Kryzyzewski’s place on the sidelines after the ’16 games, and there’s no shortage of candidates who are either capable, willing or both.
Names like Doc Rivers, Brad Stevens and Billy Donovan were brought up to Colangelo as possible successors to Kryzyzewski’s spot, and the Chicago area native refused the flinch as he stood watching nearly 30 players go through drills in the air conditioned Las Vegas gymnasium last week.
“I plan to, right after hopefully winning another gold medal in Rio in ‘16, go to sleep and dream about who that next person might be and what he looks like,” Colangelo told CSNChicago.com. “Until then I have so many things going on in my small brain, I can’t even focus on it.”
Rivers, the Clippers’ coach and Chicago native, is loved by players across the league due to his background as a player and ability to relate at his various stops in Orlando, Boston and Los Angeles.
Stevens has coached some undermanned Celtics teams to relative success after his college days at Butler, while Donovan prepares for his first season in Oklahoma City after leaving the University of Florida—walking right into championship expectations.
Even new Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg was brought up as a possibility, despite Colangelo telling CSNChicago.com at Summer League in July he wants a pro coach as opposed to a collegiate coach like Kryzyzewski (Duke).
Colangelo, in his previous moments of candor with CSNChicago.com at Summer League, also stated he had a coach in mind to replace Kryzyzewski but he didn’t want to reveal who it was.
“That is true and I’m the only one who knows it,” Colangelo said laughing. “It’s a big world and there’s a great coaches. And I don’t want to give any indication who it might be. Heck, you might wake up and find out I called you to ask if you were interested!”
Colangelo’s joke notwithstanding, the school of belief that four-time NBA Championship coach Gregg Popovich has been ruled out by USA Basketball is “absolutely false,” according to someone close to Colangelo.
Popovich was apparently a finalist to take over USA Basketball back after the 2004 Olympic Games, a bronze-medal finish that spurred the widespread change starting with Colangelo taking over the program, but there were rumors Colangelo didn’t feel he was as enthusiastic as Kryzyzewski.
Before Kryzyzewski agreed to return for a third Olympic run—as Colangelo convinced the fellow Chicago native to return after the much ballyhooed “pizza and wine” dinner they had together—Popovich was thought to be in line again.
But even as Popovich is going to turn 67 in January, that ship hasn’t sailed.
Colangelo, a 75-year old himself, plans to step down after the 2020 Olympic games so this next coach will be part of his legacy as it evolves.
“Here’s what I will say: There’s been a big investment of players, management, coaches, to build infrastructure for USA basketball,” Colangelo said. “The concept was put it in place, it doesn’t matter who the people are, it keeps going in the right direction. I think we’ve established that sound infrastructure for USA basketball. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel. When Coach K is finished, it’s a matter of someone taking it and continuing what we have created. And that’s what we have to remember.”
Michael Jordan tells jury he values his image 'preciously'.
By Carla K. Johnson
Chicago Bulls great Michael Jordan testified Tuesday that his image is precious to him, which is why he filed a lawsuit against a grocery store chain that used it without permission.
"I have the final say-so on everything that involves my likeness and my name," Jordan told jurors in Chicago. When his attorney asked him why he brought the case, Jordan said it was "to protect my likeness, my image ... something I value very preciously."
Dominick's Finer Foods has acknowledged it wasn't authorized to use Jordan's image in a 2009 magazine ad. The jury will decide the fair market value of the infringement by the grocery chain, which has since gone out of business.
Frederick Sperling, Jordan's attorney, has told jurors Jordan's name was worth at least $480 million to Nike and that each commercial use of Jordan's name is worth more than $10 million. A witness Monday testified Jordan made $100 million from his identity last year, even though he last played in the NBA in 2003.
Jake Arrieta gives Cubs an edge and a winning attitude.
By Patrick Mooney
"I have the final say-so on everything that involves my likeness and my name," Jordan told jurors in Chicago. When his attorney asked him why he brought the case, Jordan said it was "to protect my likeness, my image ... something I value very preciously."
Dominick's Finer Foods has acknowledged it wasn't authorized to use Jordan's image in a 2009 magazine ad. The jury will decide the fair market value of the infringement by the grocery chain, which has since gone out of business.
Frederick Sperling, Jordan's attorney, has told jurors Jordan's name was worth at least $480 million to Nike and that each commercial use of Jordan's name is worth more than $10 million. A witness Monday testified Jordan made $100 million from his identity last year, even though he last played in the NBA in 2003.
Steven Mandell, a lawyer for Dominick's, has suggested Jordan's attorneys overvalued Jordan's name. It might be worth $10 million in some contexts, he said, but not necessarily in a one-off ad.
Jordan, 52, displayed an amused discomfort with having to wear reading glasses while on the witness stand, jokingly saying "don't look" when he put them on to read a page he was handed.
Jordan stood with his hands behind his back and smiled at the jury when they left the courtroom. Jurors have been able to submit written questions to witnesses, which are reviewed by the judge and the attorneys out of hearing of jurors. Only one juror question was submitted for Jordan and there was laughter from the gallery when the judge said it was juror question "number 23" in the case (Jordan's jersey number).
The juror wanted to know why Jordan had said he would never have entered into a deal with Dominick's even if the chain had asked.
With jurors back in the courtroom Jordan said, "it didn't fit the strategy we operated on in terms of signing and evaluating deals."
With jurors back in the courtroom Jordan said, "it didn't fit the strategy we operated on in terms of signing and evaluating deals."
The ad, which ran in a commemorative edition of Sports Illustrated, congratulated Jordan on his Hall of Fame induction and included a $2-off coupon above a photograph of a sizzling steak.
The edition did not sell as well as expected, according to a video deposition played in court by the defense. Damian Botteselle of Sports Illustrated's parent company Time Warner, said fewer than 42,000 of the 149,000 printed copies were sold.
"It was not selling well across the board, which tells me it just wasn't resonating with consumers," Botteselle said.
Jake Arrieta gives Cubs an edge and a winning attitude.
By Patrick Mooney
Jake Arrieta’s evolution into one of the game’s most dominant pitchers accelerated the rebuilding plan at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs don’t want to think about where they would be without Arrieta, who spent parts of four years on the Triple-A level before getting traded from the Baltimore Orioles in the middle of the 2013 season in the Scott Feldman flip deal.
That explains why manager Joe Maddon wanted to be cautious during Thursday’s 7-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves – and why Arrieta sounded a little annoyed afterward in the interview room/dungeon.
“I don’t like to harp on quality starts,” Arrieta said. “I wasn’t really thrilled with six innings. I would have liked to get a little deeper.”
Arrieta can be on a different wavelength sometimes, but that makes him so interesting to talk with and fun to watch. The Cubs needed someone to stop a three-game losing streak and restore order after the Detroit Tigers dropped 25 runs on them the previous two nights at Clark and Addison.
The Cubs don’t want to think about where they would be without Arrieta, who spent parts of four years on the Triple-A level before getting traded from the Baltimore Orioles in the middle of the 2013 season in the Scott Feldman flip deal.
That explains why manager Joe Maddon wanted to be cautious during Thursday’s 7-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves – and why Arrieta sounded a little annoyed afterward in the interview room/dungeon.
“I don’t like to harp on quality starts,” Arrieta said. “I wasn’t really thrilled with six innings. I would have liked to get a little deeper.”
Arrieta can be on a different wavelength sometimes, but that makes him so interesting to talk with and fun to watch. The Cubs needed someone to stop a three-game losing streak and restore order after the Detroit Tigers dropped 25 runs on them the previous two nights at Clark and Addison.
The Cubs are scoreboard-watching now: The Pittsburgh Pirates opened their four-game series against the defending World Series champs with a 4-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Thursday at PNC Park. That left the Cubs four games behind the Pirates for the first wild-card spot and still in a playoff position, four games ahead of the Giants.
With the Cubs trailing the St. Louis Cardinals by 8.5 games in the division, fans, media personalities and basically anyone with a Twitter account can debate whether or not Arrieta should start a one-game playoff over Jon Lester.
“Everybody wants to pitch in the postseason,” Arrieta said. “At this point in time, we don’t intend to be a wild card. We still think we can win our division.
“We’re still in a position here where we can jump some guys if we can get hot and have some good fortune with the teams ahead of us.”
Arrieta earned his 15th win by getting 18 outs – seven strikeouts, zero flyballs and groundball after groundball – while allowing only four singles and one walk to lower his ERA to 2.30.
A seven-run lead allowed Maddon to shut down Arrieta after six scoreless innings. Arrieta had already passed his career-high in innings and is now at 168 with six weeks left in the season.
“I don’t think anybody really thinks it’s an issue,” Arrieta said. “I definitely don’t.”
Arrieta didn’t make the All-Star team – and doesn’t have that huge national name recognition yet – but at this point he should be in consideration for the National League’s Cy Young Award.
“Absolutely,” Maddon said. “There’s no question he is. We watched it all year. He’s been really, really consistent with high-end stuff. It’s not like a coincidence that he’s pitched this well.
“There’s so much positive going with him right now he’s got to be in consideration for all those things. He’s among the elite pitchers in the National League, probably in (all of) baseball. And beyond that, when it comes to awards at the end of the year, he has to be considered strongly.”
Arrieta has now made 12 consecutive quality starts. The last Cubs pitcher to go on a longer run than that was future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux, who put together 14 quality starts in a row in 1992, the first of his four straight Cy Young seasons (and only one in Chicago before jumping to Atlanta).
Just like Maddux, Arrieta is a Scott Boras client, positioned to become a free agent after the 2017 season and able to think his best years are still in front of him.
“Jake’s in a good rhythm right now,” pitching coach Chris Bosio said. “He’s got a little arrogance going on about him.”
That’s the attitude the Cubs are trying to create now – with Arrieta front and center.
“There’s no doubt that he’s a competitor,” catcher Miguel Montero said. “You can see the fire when he’s pitching.”
With the Cubs trailing the St. Louis Cardinals by 8.5 games in the division, fans, media personalities and basically anyone with a Twitter account can debate whether or not Arrieta should start a one-game playoff over Jon Lester.
“Everybody wants to pitch in the postseason,” Arrieta said. “At this point in time, we don’t intend to be a wild card. We still think we can win our division.
“We’re still in a position here where we can jump some guys if we can get hot and have some good fortune with the teams ahead of us.”
Arrieta earned his 15th win by getting 18 outs – seven strikeouts, zero flyballs and groundball after groundball – while allowing only four singles and one walk to lower his ERA to 2.30.
A seven-run lead allowed Maddon to shut down Arrieta after six scoreless innings. Arrieta had already passed his career-high in innings and is now at 168 with six weeks left in the season.
“I don’t think anybody really thinks it’s an issue,” Arrieta said. “I definitely don’t.”
Arrieta didn’t make the All-Star team – and doesn’t have that huge national name recognition yet – but at this point he should be in consideration for the National League’s Cy Young Award.
“Absolutely,” Maddon said. “There’s no question he is. We watched it all year. He’s been really, really consistent with high-end stuff. It’s not like a coincidence that he’s pitched this well.
“There’s so much positive going with him right now he’s got to be in consideration for all those things. He’s among the elite pitchers in the National League, probably in (all of) baseball. And beyond that, when it comes to awards at the end of the year, he has to be considered strongly.”
Arrieta has now made 12 consecutive quality starts. The last Cubs pitcher to go on a longer run than that was future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux, who put together 14 quality starts in a row in 1992, the first of his four straight Cy Young seasons (and only one in Chicago before jumping to Atlanta).
Just like Maddux, Arrieta is a Scott Boras client, positioned to become a free agent after the 2017 season and able to think his best years are still in front of him.
“Jake’s in a good rhythm right now,” pitching coach Chris Bosio said. “He’s got a little arrogance going on about him.”
That’s the attitude the Cubs are trying to create now – with Arrieta front and center.
“There’s no doubt that he’s a competitor,” catcher Miguel Montero said. “You can see the fire when he’s pitching.”
Jose Abreu, Adam LaRoche pace White Sox to win over Halos.
By Dan Hayes
It took a few minutes and help from New York but Jose Abreu eventually was rewarded on Thursday night.
Replay officials determined after 140 seconds that Abreu’s liner past third base did in fact strike the foul line and awarded him with a two-run double. That’s just the kind of night it was as the White Sox offense finally woke up en route to an 8-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. Jose Quintana delivered six strong innings and Abreu drove in three as the White Sox avoided a four-game sweep at the hands of the Angels. Adam LaRoche homered in the victory.
The White Sox already held a 4-1 advantage when Abreu stepped up with runners on the corners and one out. Abreu worked the count full and smoked an 83-mph changeup from Angels starter Nick Tropeano down the left-field line only for third-base umpire Dana DeMuth to rule it a foul ball. But replays quickly showed the ball hit the chalk and Robin Ventura asked for a review. After more than two minutes, Abreu was awarded second base and both runners were awarded home plate, including Tyler Saladino all the way from first base.
But LaRoche singled through the shift to start the fifth inning ahead of an Alexei Ramirez singled. Geovany Soto’s two-strike bunt for a single loaded the bases with no outs and Carlos Sanchez singled in a run to make it 2-1. Shane Victorino inexplicably threw home on Adam Eaton’s sacrifice fly, which allowed one to score and the other runners to move into scoring position. Saladino got an RBI because of Victorino’s throw as Soto scored from third on a blooper that just fell in to make it 4-1. Abreu, who had an RBI groundout in the first, knocked Tropeano out of the game with some help from his friends in the replay office.
The White Sox sent 10 men to the plate in the fifth inning but they weren’t done.
Avisail Garcia doubled off Cam Bedrosian to start the eighth inning and LaRoche crushed a two-run homer to right center to make it 8-2. It was only LaRoche’s second multi-hit game since July 8 and his first of the month.
Quintana enjoyed the abundance of run support.
Whereas he gave back a 1-0 first-inning lead on an RBI double by Mike Trout, Quintana didn’t relinquish the five-run cushion. Albert Pujols singled in run to make it a 6-2 game in the bottom of the fifth but Quintana got C.J. Cron looking to strand a pair of runners.
Quintana allowed two earned runs and eight hits in six innings as he improved to 7-10.
Little League World Series: Dates, times, TV schedule.
By Max Bultman
The 2015 Little League World Series gets underway Thursday and runs through August 30 in Williamsport, Pa.
Eight teams from the United States and eight teams from the rest of the world compete in the annual Little League World Series. Here's everything you'll need to keep up with the action.
Little League World Series 2015 (Photo/Getty Images)
All Times Eastern
Thursday, Aug. 20
Game 1: Caribbean (Los Bravos de Pontezuela, Dominican Republic) vs. Europe-Africa (AVRS Secondary School, Uganda), 1 p.m., ESPN
Game 2: Southwest (Pearland West, Texas) vs. Northwest (Wilshire-Riverside, Portland, Ore.), 3 p.m., ESPN
Game 3: Latin America (Cardenales, Venezuela) vs. Australia (Cronulla, Sidney), 5 p.m., ESPN
Game 4: Great Lakes (Bowling Green Eastern, Kentucky) vs. West (Sweetwater Valley, Bonita, Calif.), 7 p.m., ESPN2
Friday, Aug. 21
Game 5: Canada (White Rock South Surrey, British Columbia) vs. Mexico (Seguro Social, Mexicali, Baja California), 2 p.m., ESPN
Game 6: New England (Cranston Western, Rhode Island) vs. Southeast (Northwoods, Taylors, S.C.), 4 p.m., ESPN
Game 7: Japan (Tokyo Kitasuna) vs. Asia Pacific (Tung Yuan, Chinese Tapei), 6 p.m., ESPN
Game 8: Midwest (Webb City, Mo.) vs. Mid-Atlantic (Red Land, Lewisberry, Pa.), 8 p.m., ESPN
Saturday, Aug. 22
Game 9: Game 1 loser vs. Game 3 loser, 1 p.m., ESPN
Game 10: Game 2 loser vs. Game 4 loser, 3 p.m., ABC
Game 11: Game 5 loser vs. Game 7 loser, 6 p.m. ESPN
Game 12: Game 6 loser vs. Game 8 loser, 8 p.m., ESPN
Sunday, Aug. 23
Game 13: Game 1 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 11 a.m., ESPN
Game 14: Game 2 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 3 p.m., ABC
Game 15: Game 5 winner vs. Game 7 winner, 5 p.m., ESPN
Game 16: Game 6 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 7 p.m., ESPN2
Monday, Aug. 24
(Consolation Game A): Game 9 loser vs. Game 10 loser, noon, ESPN
Game 17: Game 15 loser vs. Game 9 winner, 2 p.m., ESPN
Game 18: Game 16 loser vs. Game 10 winner, 4 p.m., ESPN
Game 19: Game 13 loser vs. Game 11 winner, 6 p.m., ESPN2
Game 20: Game 14 loser vs. Game 12 winner, 8 p.m., ESPN2
Tuesday, Aug. 25
(Consolation Game B): Game 11 loser vs. Game 12 loser, 1 p.m., ESPN
Game 21: Game 17 winner vs. Game 19 winner, 4 p.m., ESPN
Game 22: Game 18 winner vs. Game 20 winner, 8 p.m., ESPN2
Wednesday, Aug. 26
Game 23: Game 13 winner vs. Game 15 winner, 4 p.m., ESPN
Game 24: Game 14 winner vs. Game 16 winner, 8 p.m., ESPN
Thursday, Aug. 27
Game 25: Game 21 winner vs. Game 23 loser, 4 p.m., ESPN
Game 26: Game 22 winner vs. Game 24 loser, 8 p.m., ESPN
Saturday, Aug. 29
Game 27 (International championship): Game 23 winner vs. Game 25 winner, 12:30 p.m., ABC
Game 28 (U.S. championship): Game 24 winner vs. Game 26 winner, 3:30 p.m., ABC
Sunday, Aug. 30
Third place game: Game 27 loser vs. Game 28 loser, 10 a.m., ESPN2
Championship game: Game 27 winner vs. Game 28 winner, 3 p.m., ABC
Golf: I got a club for that..... Golf in good hands, except there are too many hands to count.
By Doug Ferguson
The last two majors should emphasize how remarkable it was that Jordan Spieth won the first two.
Consider the numbers.
Spieth was only the fourth player since 1960 who went to the British Open with a chance to win the third leg of the Grand Slam. He was 14-under par at St. Andrews, a number topped only five previous times at golf's oldest championship.
This year, it didn't even get him into a playoff.
Tiger roars with lowest round in two years at PGA Wyndham.
AFP
Tiger Woods of the US reacts after sinking a birdie putt on the 13th green during the first round of the Wyndham Championship, at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina, on August 20, 2015 (AFP Photo/Kevin C. Cox) Consider the numbers.
Spieth was only the fourth player since 1960 who went to the British Open with a chance to win the third leg of the Grand Slam. He was 14-under par at St. Andrews, a number topped only five previous times at golf's oldest championship.
This year, it didn't even get him into a playoff.
Then, he went to the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits with a chance to join Ben Hogan and Tiger Woods as the only players to win three majors in one year. Speith lived up to the occasion by posting 17-under par. In the 57 years of stroke play at the PGA Championship, only two players were more shots under par. Woods beat Bob May in a playoff after they finished 18 under (they were five shots clear of everyone else), and Woods was 18 under when he won at Medinah in 2006.
Don't feel sorry for Spieth without considering the plight of Justin Rose. He was 14 under at the Masters. He was 14 under at the PGA Championship. And he finished a combined 10 shots out of the lead.
''I thought 14-under par would be great,'' Rose said Sunday at Whistling Straits. "Actually, it's ironic that's what I finished on, but I thought that would be a winning score.''
It was only good for fourth place.
The theme coming out of the 2015 majors is that golf is in a good spot in the post-Tiger era. Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Day are Nos. 1-2-3 in the world, and they have combined to win five of the last six majors. Day is the old man in the group. He's 27.
Woods had a revolving door of rivals for more than a decade. He was No. 1 even when the math said otherwise. Now there is a chance for a lasting rivalry, or rivalries.
There already is talk of a modern ''Big Three,'' though it's still too early for that.
There already is talk of a modern ''Big Three,'' though it's still too early for that.
''We live in such a world that everything is so reactionary, and everything happens so quickly,'' McIlroy said at the start of the PGA. ''A year ago after I won this tournament, it was the Rory era. And then Jordan wins the Masters and it's the Jordan era. Eras last about six months these days instead of 20 years.''
And that leads to another number worth considering.
With a bunker shot that only Spieth could make look easy, he birdied the 16th hole at Whistling Straits and closed with two pars to break by one shot the record Woods set in 2000. Spieth ended the year at 54 under in the four majors.
Some context is in order.
Spieth matched the 72-hole record at Augusta National (18 under) on a much stronger course than when Woods set the mark in 1997. Woods, however, won three majors that year, and he won the U.S. Open and British Open by a combined 23 shots.
Anyone who stood near the 18th green at Pebble Beach and gazed at that large leaderboard, with Woods at 12 under and no one else better than 3 over, will appreciate it as the greatest performance in major championship history.
Anyone who stood near the 18th green at Pebble Beach and gazed at that large leaderboard, with Woods at 12 under and no one else better than 3 over, will appreciate it as the greatest performance in major championship history.
Spieth's major season still doesn't touch what Woods did in 2000, or Hogan in 1953 when he won all three majors he played.
The low scores Spieth posted were required to even have a chance at the majors, except for his four-shot win at Augusta. Spieth knows that. Sure, he was one shot out of a playoff at St. Andrews. He also was a 12-foot eagle putt by Dustin Johnson from having to settle for only a green jacket this year.
Louis Oosthuizen, with a sweet swing and a fragile back, was one shot behind at the U.S. Open and lost in a playoff at St. Andrews. Day missed out on the St. Andrews playoff by one shot and smashed his way to his first major at Whistling Straits. A year ago, the challenge for McIlroy came from Rickie Fowler, the only player to finish among the top five in all the majors without winning. He won the so-called fifth major this year at The Players Championship with an eagle-birdie-birdie finish.
The depth is greater than ever. Anyone paying attention to golf the last two years could see that, and this year in the majors it was undeniable.
McIlroy won three straight tournaments last year - two majors and a World Golf Championship - and he finished the year as the winner or runner-up in eight of his last 12 events. The only question was finding a suitable rival for the best player in the world.
Nine months later, he was No. 2.
Spieth already has been installed as the favorite at the Masters next year, though only slightly over McIlroy. It's a shame we have to wait 233 days for the next major.
But think big picture.
''That's what I'm looking forward to is the sheer competition of being able to fight against these guys each week and have that competition and fight against them,'' Day said. ''It's going to be a lot of fun over the next five to 10 years.''Tiger roars with lowest round in two years at PGA Wyndham.
AFP
Tiger Woods fired his lowest round in two years Thursday, launching his quest for a place in the Fedex Cup play-offs with a sparkling six-under-par 64 at the Wyndham Championship.
Woods, bidding to bounce back from a disappointing missed cut at last week's PGA Championship, roared back to form with seven birdies and a bogey at Greensboro's Sedgefield Country Club.
The performance was the former world number one's lowest on the PGA Tour since a second-round, nine-under-par 61 at the 2013 World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational.
It was also Woods best score in an opening round in three years, when he carded a 64 on the opening day of the 2012 Deutsche Bank Championship.
The round left Woods two off the lead, behind William McGirt, Erik Compton and Tom Hoge, who all carded eight-under-par 62s.
Woods, who is playing the Wyndham Championship for the first time, needs to win this weekend to force his way into the post-season picture.
A victory would guarantee him a spot in the first leg of the four-tournament playoffs, although a solo second finish could also be enough to elevate him into the top 125 players eligible for the post-season. A relaxed and smiling Woods, showing no sign of the gloom which has enveloped his game this year, said afterwards his putting display had been key to the round.
"I felt very good out there today. I hit a lot of good iron shots, made some putts, a round that probably could have been two to four-under-par turned into six," Woods told reporters. "Finally I got something out of my round.
"My iron play was very solid but it was nice to finally get some putts going in and on top of that it was nice to make some par putts.
"It's nice to make birdie putts but I think those par putts are probably -- I feel more energetic when I make those putts than I do a birdie."
"My iron play was very solid but it was nice to finally get some putts going in and on top of that it was nice to make some par putts.
"It's nice to make birdie putts but I think those par putts are probably -- I feel more energetic when I make those putts than I do a birdie."
Woods insisted that despite his disappointing performance at Whistling Straits he had always believed a return to form was within reach.
"I know it's crazy to say but I wasn't playing that poorly at the PGA. Today I felt the rhythm of the round and felt that I was starting to feel the numbers, hitting the ball right on the number, the right shape, hold the ball on the hills on tee shots. I was getting into the flow of the round."
Teeing off on the 440-yard par-four 10th, Woods set the tone on his opening hole, chipping in from 54-feet for his first birdie of the day.
"I know it's crazy to say but I wasn't playing that poorly at the PGA. Today I felt the rhythm of the round and felt that I was starting to feel the numbers, hitting the ball right on the number, the right shape, hold the ball on the hills on tee shots. I was getting into the flow of the round."
Teeing off on the 440-yard par-four 10th, Woods set the tone on his opening hole, chipping in from 54-feet for his first birdie of the day.
He stumbled with a bogey on the next hole, but reeled off three more birdies in his outward nine to be three under at the turn.
Three more birdies on the back nine -- including birdie putts of six feet, 11 feet and seven feet -- put him at six under before he curled home an 11-footer to save par on the last to complete a fine morning's work.
Just ahead of Woods were a cluster of three players -- Jim Herman, Morgan Hoffmann and Derek Ernst -- tied for fourth on seven under after carding 63s, one clear of Woods, Germany's Martin Kaymer, Sweden's Carl Pettersson and Davis Love III tied for seventh.
Three more birdies on the back nine -- including birdie putts of six feet, 11 feet and seven feet -- put him at six under before he curled home an 11-footer to save par on the last to complete a fine morning's work.
Just ahead of Woods were a cluster of three players -- Jim Herman, Morgan Hoffmann and Derek Ernst -- tied for fourth on seven under after carding 63s, one clear of Woods, Germany's Martin Kaymer, Sweden's Carl Pettersson and Davis Love III tied for seventh.
NASCAR: Richard Childress Racing to hit 1 million laps Friday at Bristol.
By Jerry Bonkowski
Unless there are weather-related issues, when the race reaches Lap 272, RCR will have completed it’s one millionth collective lap in all three of NASCAR’s major touring series.
According to a team media release:
“There have been 64 different drivers who have completed laps for RCR on the NASCAR circuit throughout the organization’s 46-year history, including owner Richard Childress.
“Kevin Harvick holds the most completed laps (173,383) with the organization, which he achieved through all three major touring series.”
RCR is only the third organization in NASCAR history to reach the one million lap milestone.
“Finishing one million laps is hard to believe,” said team CEO and chairman Richard Childress. “There have been a lot of good times, great wins and special memories through those million laps.
“This is a testament to how hard RCR and ECR Engines have worked to remain competitive through the years. I want to thank everyone who has been a part of this milestone. We could not have done this without your help.”
Here’s a breakdown of which drivers have completed the most laps for RCR:
Former drivers for the team:
Kevin Harvick: 173,383
Dale Earnhardt: 163,750
Jeff Burton: 108,273
Richard Childress 49,663
Current drivers for the team:
Paul Menard: 50,861
Austin Dillon: 40,155
Ty Dillon: 18,436
Brendan Gaughan: 17,318
Ryan Newman: 16,505
Brian Scott: 15,298
Brandon Jones: 594
SOCCER: Top 5 Premier League storylines heading into week 3: Four sides aim to stay perfect.
By Nicholas Mendola
(Photo/AP)
Four Premier League sides are hoping to stay perfect, and one of them’s a bit of a surprise.
Leicester City joins Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United as clubs to have won their first two matches, and now faces a tricky Tottenham test at King Power Stadium to keep the string going.
It’s one of several big matches on the docket. We’re ready for all of them, but here are five things to monitor.
Arsenal vs. Liverpool
Did you need a snappy headline to tell you why this match is important to the two English powers, or will their names alone do the trick? Thought so.
The Reds hold a pair of 1-0 wins to open the season, with Philippe Coutinho and Christian Benteke providing winners. Both players will play their roles against Arsenal, but how Martin Skrtel and company deal with Arsenal’s attack is a bigger talking point for the eventual outcome.
As for the Gunners, it’s obviously quite early in the season, but a home loss to Liverpool would sink Arsenal six points behind their rivals after three weeks of play.
Will Manchester City keep rolling while breaking a deadlock?
Manuel Pellegrini‘s side has a pair of 3-0 wins to start the season, one surprising (Chelsea) and the other not as much (West Bromwich Albion). Up next is a visit to Goodison Park, which traditionally has been a tough go for the Citizens.
In fact, City and Everton boast a historically even relationship. In all competitions, each side has posted 66 wins while the duo has drawn a match 44 times. Who will tip the scales on Sunday?
Can Chelsea snap out of its funk?
The Blues suffered a rare 3-0 loss on Sunday, as Manchester City asserted itself late to gain an impressive scoreline. Throw in the loss to Arsenal in the Community Shield match and a 10-man draw against Swansea to open the PL season, and the Blues are winless in three and hold just a solitary point from Premier League play.
It would seem a trip to the Hawthorns would be a welcome respite given Chelsea’s early competition, but the Blues have poor recent history at desperate West Brom. The Baggies’ 3-0 win over Chelsea to end last season may’ve been inconsequential, but it gave West Brom a 3W-1D record in its last four home matches versus the Blues.
Tony Pulis‘ side will certainly be hoping that form helps his side, as West Brom was worked by Man City on opening day before holding off Watford in an uninspiring 0-0 draw last week.
Battle of the big spending Uniteds.
Manchester United impressed midweek with a 3-1 win over Club Brugge at Old Trafford, and now it welcome Newcastle United into the Theater of Dreams for an early Saturday morning kickoff.
And while the Red Devils have brought in a lot of players, they’ve also spent less net money than Newcastle this window. Magpies owner Mike Ashley has loosened the purse strings in order to purchase Steve McClaren a load of talent. Marseille man Florian Thauvin is the latest to join the side after Giorginio Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Chancel Mbemba all moved Tyneside.
Will the midweek match keep this one close? Newcastle’s record versus United boasts just one win in the past three years, though it was at Old Trafford.
Leicester gets tested, while Spurs face heat.
After creaming Sunderland and picking up an impressive win at the Boleyn Ground, Claudio Ranieri’s side gets a tougher test at home on Saturday with a visit from Harry Kane and Tottenham.
You wouldn’t know it from their record, but Spurs have been far from miserable (though admittedly nowhere near their goals of moving to the next level). A 2-2 draw against Stoke City isn’t Tottenham’s idea of a good result, but also far from depressing. And the 1-0 loss to Manchester United to start the season may’ve been a dull affair, but Spurs showed they can dance with any partner.
Enter the Tinkerman, who can legitimately dream of a 5-0 start if he can guide the Foxes to a win (Bournemouth and Aston Villa are next). Will Leicester take another step toward showing the end of last season was not a fluke?
USMNT: Klinsmann talks Beasley, Sept. friendlies, Howard as No. 2 keeper.
By Nicholas Mendola
Manuel Pellegrini‘s side has a pair of 3-0 wins to start the season, one surprising (Chelsea) and the other not as much (West Bromwich Albion). Up next is a visit to Goodison Park, which traditionally has been a tough go for the Citizens.
In fact, City and Everton boast a historically even relationship. In all competitions, each side has posted 66 wins while the duo has drawn a match 44 times. Who will tip the scales on Sunday?
Can Chelsea snap out of its funk?
The Blues suffered a rare 3-0 loss on Sunday, as Manchester City asserted itself late to gain an impressive scoreline. Throw in the loss to Arsenal in the Community Shield match and a 10-man draw against Swansea to open the PL season, and the Blues are winless in three and hold just a solitary point from Premier League play.
It would seem a trip to the Hawthorns would be a welcome respite given Chelsea’s early competition, but the Blues have poor recent history at desperate West Brom. The Baggies’ 3-0 win over Chelsea to end last season may’ve been inconsequential, but it gave West Brom a 3W-1D record in its last four home matches versus the Blues.
Tony Pulis‘ side will certainly be hoping that form helps his side, as West Brom was worked by Man City on opening day before holding off Watford in an uninspiring 0-0 draw last week.
Battle of the big spending Uniteds.
Manchester United impressed midweek with a 3-1 win over Club Brugge at Old Trafford, and now it welcome Newcastle United into the Theater of Dreams for an early Saturday morning kickoff.
And while the Red Devils have brought in a lot of players, they’ve also spent less net money than Newcastle this window. Magpies owner Mike Ashley has loosened the purse strings in order to purchase Steve McClaren a load of talent. Marseille man Florian Thauvin is the latest to join the side after Giorginio Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Chancel Mbemba all moved Tyneside.
Will the midweek match keep this one close? Newcastle’s record versus United boasts just one win in the past three years, though it was at Old Trafford.
Leicester gets tested, while Spurs face heat.
After creaming Sunderland and picking up an impressive win at the Boleyn Ground, Claudio Ranieri’s side gets a tougher test at home on Saturday with a visit from Harry Kane and Tottenham.
You wouldn’t know it from their record, but Spurs have been far from miserable (though admittedly nowhere near their goals of moving to the next level). A 2-2 draw against Stoke City isn’t Tottenham’s idea of a good result, but also far from depressing. And the 1-0 loss to Manchester United to start the season may’ve been a dull affair, but Spurs showed they can dance with any partner.
Enter the Tinkerman, who can legitimately dream of a 5-0 start if he can guide the Foxes to a win (Bournemouth and Aston Villa are next). Will Leicester take another step toward showing the end of last season was not a fluke?
USMNT: Klinsmann talks Beasley, Sept. friendlies, Howard as No. 2 keeper.
By Nicholas Mendola
(Photo/AP)
The Yanks will go marching into their two September friendlies with two long-time stars in the fold and one eye on October’s Confederations Cup playoff against Mexico.
Tim Howard is back in the fold for the States, albeit as Brad Guzan‘s back-up for now, while DaMarcus Beasley’s return from international retirement may not be the one-off “sendoff” match many suspected.
Klinsmann talked about both players and the big Rose Bowl match-up with Mexico with USSoccer.com:
On Howard as his No. 2: “He knew it was not going to be easy to come back because obviously Brad Guzan established himself as the number one and played a very good tournament and the whole year he really did a good job. Tim has accepted for the time being to be the number two, and then down the road there will be a fight for the number one spot like in every position. He accepted that, and we are really happy to have him back on board because of who he is and what he has done for us.”
On Beasley: “He made himself available for the Gold Cup and it didn’t work out the way we all wanted it with his injury after the first training session. So we had that conversation and I asked him to reconsider the National Team and he was all fired up. He was all proud and happy and he said ‘I’m there for the U.S. National Team’.”
On the playing a Brazil with Neymar and Kaka: “We want to do well. We want to excite the fans and play two very good games, and at the same time we want to see the players perform. We want to see the players make statements towards the Mexico game, because that is really the biggest game of the year now after what happened at the Gold Cup. So it will be very interesting.”
How long do you think Guzan’s status as U.S. No. 1 is secure? Will one “off” game put Howard between the sticks? Do you expect Howard back for the Mexico match?
NCAAFB: Virginia Tech opens vs. Ohio State with high expectations.
Tim Howard is back in the fold for the States, albeit as Brad Guzan‘s back-up for now, while DaMarcus Beasley’s return from international retirement may not be the one-off “sendoff” match many suspected.
Klinsmann talked about both players and the big Rose Bowl match-up with Mexico with USSoccer.com:
On Howard as his No. 2: “He knew it was not going to be easy to come back because obviously Brad Guzan established himself as the number one and played a very good tournament and the whole year he really did a good job. Tim has accepted for the time being to be the number two, and then down the road there will be a fight for the number one spot like in every position. He accepted that, and we are really happy to have him back on board because of who he is and what he has done for us.”
On Beasley: “He made himself available for the Gold Cup and it didn’t work out the way we all wanted it with his injury after the first training session. So we had that conversation and I asked him to reconsider the National Team and he was all fired up. He was all proud and happy and he said ‘I’m there for the U.S. National Team’.”
On the playing a Brazil with Neymar and Kaka: “We want to do well. We want to excite the fans and play two very good games, and at the same time we want to see the players perform. We want to see the players make statements towards the Mexico game, because that is really the biggest game of the year now after what happened at the Gold Cup. So it will be very interesting.”
How long do you think Guzan’s status as U.S. No. 1 is secure? Will one “off” game put Howard between the sticks? Do you expect Howard back for the Mexico match?
NCAAFB: Virginia Tech opens vs. Ohio State with high expectations.
By HANK KURZ Jr.
Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer holds a news conference inside the schools new indoor practice facility dubbed the Beamer Barn as the Virginia Tech college football team held its annual pre-season media and fan appreciation day in Blacksburg, Va., on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015. Virginia Tech is scheduled to play defending national champion Ohio State in the first game of the season Monday, Sept. 7. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
High expectations have returned at Virginia Tech.
The Hokies, coming off their third consecutive mediocre season by program standards, will start the season with what coach Shane Beamer calls the biggest game in Lane Stadium history. Virginia Tech hosts defending national champion Ohio State on Labor Day night, and the challenge has added another dimension to the Hokies' preparation.
Virginia Tech handed the Buckeyes their only loss last season, 35-21 in Columbus, Ohio.
''When you start out with a team like Ohio State, your preparation is probably a little more intense,'' said Frank Beamer, who is still recovering from throat surgery and entering his 29th season at his alma mater. ''Then, after the game, you know more about your football team. They bring it out if you have a weakness. They're very solid on their team, so it'll come out.''
With Boykin and experience, TCU offense could be even better.
By STEPHEN HAWKINS
Gary Patterson is like everyone else who is wondering what more can be expected from TCU's offense after a record-setting debut.
The Horned Frogs coach is also curious about how things will be for senior quarterback Trevone Boykin, who among 10 returning starters on offense with a season of experience in the system installed by co-coordinators Doug Meacham and Sonny Cumbie.
''I was kind of a fan last year watching, because I don't have years to be able to compare it to,'' said Patterson, the defensive mastermind going into his 15th season as TCU's head coach. ''I'm kind of interested to see what year two looks like.''
TCU averaged 47 points and 533 total yards a game while going 12-1 last season after Patterson brought in Meacham and Cumbie. The Frogs shared the Big 12 title in only their third year in one of the five power conferences, then overwhelmed Mississippi 42-3 in the Peach Bowl after being snubbed by the first College Football Playoff.
With Boykin and Co., TCU could now be closer than ever to reaching the pinnacle of its pyramid of goals - a national championship. That pyramid, reset each season, has long been a constant reminder hanging in their meeting room. There are plenty of building blocks that have to be colored in purple to get to the top, just like when the Frogs went to two BCS games as Mountain West Conference champions.
''Our team goals have not changed. It's been the same since I stepped on campus,'' said Boykin, who averaged 300 yards passing and 54 yards rushing per game last season, when he accounted for 42 touchdowns.
Boykin was the Big 12's top offensive player last season and finished fourth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy, for which he is now considered an early 2015 front-runner.
''He knows that if we don't win a lot of ballgames, all the rest of the hype doesn't matter,'' Patterson said. ''He can throw for a gazillion yards and not be the Heisman Trophy winner if we go 6-6.''
Here a few other things to know about the Horned Frogs:
FRESH IN THE MIDDLE: Six of the top seven tacklers are gone from the Big 12's top defense last season, when the Frogs allowed 19 points and 342 total yards a game. That includes both linebackers in the 4-2-5 scheme. After enrolling early at TCU and going through spring drills, 6-foot-3, 220-pound true freshman Mike Freeze exited the spring and entered preseason workouts with a starting role at linebacker. A couple of other freshmen are also in the mix.
VIEW TO THE TOP: While winning a national championship is the ultimate goal, Patterson doesn't want his players talking about it. He certainly doesn't want to that to become their singular focus. ''If you watch teams all the time, and I watch people over the years, when their only goal is playoffs or national championship, and they lose one game, their season is over,'' he said. ''That can't be the deal. ... Sometimes you're only looking in one direction, and you really miss the best view.''
BOYKIN'S BIG-PLAY HELP: Along with Boykin, TCU's offense returns receivers Josh Doctson (school-record 1,018 yards receiving last season) and speedy Kolby Listenbee (18.4 yards per catch). Running back Aaron Green averaged 7.1 yards per carry. The only lost starter is tackle Tayo Fabuluje.
ROAD TRIPS: The Frogs had to leave the state of Texas only twice during the regular season last year. Five of their six away games this season are out of state. TCU's opener is on a Thursday night at Big Ten team Minnesota, which lost 30-7 in Fort Worth last year in the front end of this home-and-home series. There is a four-game stretch midway through the season when the Frogs have games at Kansas State, Iowa State and Oklahoma State, and are home on a Thursday night against West Virginia.
NCAABKB: Bobby Hurley loads up Arizona States schedule in his first season.
The Hokies, coming off their third consecutive mediocre season by program standards, will start the season with what coach Shane Beamer calls the biggest game in Lane Stadium history. Virginia Tech hosts defending national champion Ohio State on Labor Day night, and the challenge has added another dimension to the Hokies' preparation.
Virginia Tech handed the Buckeyes their only loss last season, 35-21 in Columbus, Ohio.
''When you start out with a team like Ohio State, your preparation is probably a little more intense,'' said Frank Beamer, who is still recovering from throat surgery and entering his 29th season at his alma mater. ''Then, after the game, you know more about your football team. They bring it out if you have a weakness. They're very solid on their team, so it'll come out.''
The Hokies look pretty solid, too. They are led by quarterback Michael Brewer and what figures to be another stout Bud Foster defense.
Brewer started all 13 games last season as the Hokies finished 7-6, throwing for 18 touchdowns with 15 interceptions, but has improved entering his second season under offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler.
''Last year, between every play, there was a discussion,'' Loeffler said. ''Now they aren't discussions.'' That's an indication Brewer and the other quarterbacks are on the same page as their play-calling coach.
''The mistakes we've seen in the past have slowly diminished, which is exciting,'' Loeffler said.
The quarterbacks expect to lead a balanced attack.
Tight end Bucky Hodges and wide receivers Isaiah Ford and Cam Phillps all caught at least 40 passes last season. Senior J.C. Coleman leads a handful of running backs of varying styles who all have significant experience.
On defense, Foster has at least eight linemen who will rotate into the lineup, and the return of cornerback Brandon Facyson from a broken leg bolsters a secondary that also features All-American Kendall Fuller.
The quarterbacks expect to lead a balanced attack.
Tight end Bucky Hodges and wide receivers Isaiah Ford and Cam Phillps all caught at least 40 passes last season. Senior J.C. Coleman leads a handful of running backs of varying styles who all have significant experience.
On defense, Foster has at least eight linemen who will rotate into the lineup, and the return of cornerback Brandon Facyson from a broken leg bolsters a secondary that also features All-American Kendall Fuller.
''If we play like we look, we've got a chance to be pretty good defensively,'' Foster said. ''I feel really good about this group. At the same time, you've got to bring it every day. You've got to bring that lunch-pail mentality every day. By the time you think you've arrived, you're going to get your tail whooped.''
Defensive end Dadi Nicolas is among those that can't wait for the games to begin.
Defensive end Dadi Nicolas is among those that can't wait for the games to begin.
''It's about to be a special year from A to Z,'' he said.
Some thing to watch with the Hokies this season:
BREW CREW: Brewer was brilliant at times last season, and mystifyingly bad at others. He said he now sometimes knows what play is going to be called even before he's finished receiving the signal from the sidelines. How he manages to execute those plays will go a long way toward determining how successful the Hokies will be in 2015. He also needs to stay healthy because there's no one else with significant playing experience on the Hokies' roster.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Right guard Augie Conte said the Hokies' standard on the offensive line hasn't been up to par in recent years, and Loeffler said he hopes to have eight lineman that he'll feel comfortable putting into games by the start of the season. That's still not as many as he would like, but more than he's had in his previous two seasons.
BIG STAGE: The hype leading up to the opener with the Buckeyes will be huge, but the Hokies have played a lot of big games to open the season. Frank Beamer said while the stage is great for the program, it's also important not to place too much importance on one game, or the outcome, because there is still an entire season to play.
LINEBACKERS: The only question marks on the defense are in the middle and at safety. The dismissal of C.J. Reavis left a hole at rover, and Foster thinks freshman Adonis Alexander could eventually play in what will be a committee approach. Safety Chuck Clark was voted the team's defensive MVP at the end of spring practice.
Some thing to watch with the Hokies this season:
BREW CREW: Brewer was brilliant at times last season, and mystifyingly bad at others. He said he now sometimes knows what play is going to be called even before he's finished receiving the signal from the sidelines. How he manages to execute those plays will go a long way toward determining how successful the Hokies will be in 2015. He also needs to stay healthy because there's no one else with significant playing experience on the Hokies' roster.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Right guard Augie Conte said the Hokies' standard on the offensive line hasn't been up to par in recent years, and Loeffler said he hopes to have eight lineman that he'll feel comfortable putting into games by the start of the season. That's still not as many as he would like, but more than he's had in his previous two seasons.
BIG STAGE: The hype leading up to the opener with the Buckeyes will be huge, but the Hokies have played a lot of big games to open the season. Frank Beamer said while the stage is great for the program, it's also important not to place too much importance on one game, or the outcome, because there is still an entire season to play.
LINEBACKERS: The only question marks on the defense are in the middle and at safety. The dismissal of C.J. Reavis left a hole at rover, and Foster thinks freshman Adonis Alexander could eventually play in what will be a committee approach. Safety Chuck Clark was voted the team's defensive MVP at the end of spring practice.
With Boykin and experience, TCU offense could be even better.
By STEPHEN HAWKINS
Gary Patterson is like everyone else who is wondering what more can be expected from TCU's offense after a record-setting debut.
The Horned Frogs coach is also curious about how things will be for senior quarterback Trevone Boykin, who among 10 returning starters on offense with a season of experience in the system installed by co-coordinators Doug Meacham and Sonny Cumbie.
''I was kind of a fan last year watching, because I don't have years to be able to compare it to,'' said Patterson, the defensive mastermind going into his 15th season as TCU's head coach. ''I'm kind of interested to see what year two looks like.''
TCU averaged 47 points and 533 total yards a game while going 12-1 last season after Patterson brought in Meacham and Cumbie. The Frogs shared the Big 12 title in only their third year in one of the five power conferences, then overwhelmed Mississippi 42-3 in the Peach Bowl after being snubbed by the first College Football Playoff.
With Boykin and Co., TCU could now be closer than ever to reaching the pinnacle of its pyramid of goals - a national championship. That pyramid, reset each season, has long been a constant reminder hanging in their meeting room. There are plenty of building blocks that have to be colored in purple to get to the top, just like when the Frogs went to two BCS games as Mountain West Conference champions.
''Our team goals have not changed. It's been the same since I stepped on campus,'' said Boykin, who averaged 300 yards passing and 54 yards rushing per game last season, when he accounted for 42 touchdowns.
Boykin was the Big 12's top offensive player last season and finished fourth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy, for which he is now considered an early 2015 front-runner.
''He knows that if we don't win a lot of ballgames, all the rest of the hype doesn't matter,'' Patterson said. ''He can throw for a gazillion yards and not be the Heisman Trophy winner if we go 6-6.''
Here a few other things to know about the Horned Frogs:
FRESH IN THE MIDDLE: Six of the top seven tacklers are gone from the Big 12's top defense last season, when the Frogs allowed 19 points and 342 total yards a game. That includes both linebackers in the 4-2-5 scheme. After enrolling early at TCU and going through spring drills, 6-foot-3, 220-pound true freshman Mike Freeze exited the spring and entered preseason workouts with a starting role at linebacker. A couple of other freshmen are also in the mix.
VIEW TO THE TOP: While winning a national championship is the ultimate goal, Patterson doesn't want his players talking about it. He certainly doesn't want to that to become their singular focus. ''If you watch teams all the time, and I watch people over the years, when their only goal is playoffs or national championship, and they lose one game, their season is over,'' he said. ''That can't be the deal. ... Sometimes you're only looking in one direction, and you really miss the best view.''
BOYKIN'S BIG-PLAY HELP: Along with Boykin, TCU's offense returns receivers Josh Doctson (school-record 1,018 yards receiving last season) and speedy Kolby Listenbee (18.4 yards per catch). Running back Aaron Green averaged 7.1 yards per carry. The only lost starter is tackle Tayo Fabuluje.
ROAD TRIPS: The Frogs had to leave the state of Texas only twice during the regular season last year. Five of their six away games this season are out of state. TCU's opener is on a Thursday night at Big Ten team Minnesota, which lost 30-7 in Fort Worth last year in the front end of this home-and-home series. There is a four-game stretch midway through the season when the Frogs have games at Kansas State, Iowa State and Oklahoma State, and are home on a Thursday night against West Virginia.
NCAABKB: Bobby Hurley loads up Arizona States schedule in his first season.
By Rob Dauster
(Photo/ Getty Images)
Arizona State has really challenged themselves in Bobby Hurley’s first season in Tempe, as they have one of the tougher non-conference schedules that we’ve seen this season.
The headline games are strong. They are in the Legends Classic with three potential top 25 teams — LSU, N.C. State and Marquette -and have a four-game stretch in December where they play at Creighton, Texas A&M at home, at Kentucky and at UNLV.
But it gets better, as the mid-major programs that Hurley has scheduled are solid as well. They begin the year with games against a pair of mid-majors that won 20 games last season — Sacramento State and Belmont — and also host Stephen F. Austin — who has made back-to-back NCAA tournaments — closer to Christmas time.
Here is the full schedule:
Fri, Nov 13: Sacramento State
Mon, Nov 16: Belmont
Wed, Nov 18: Kennesaw State
Mon, Nov 23-24: Legends Classic (N.C. State, then Marquette or LSU)
Sun, Nov 29: UC Santa Barbara
Wed, Dec 2: at Creighton
Sat, Dec 5: Texas A&M
Sat, Dec 12: at Kentucky
Wed, Dec 16: at UNLV
Sat, Dec 19: Houston Baptist
Tue, Dec 22: Stephen F. Austin
Mon, Dec 28: CSU Bakersfield
Travers might not be right race for Triple Crown winner.
By RICHARD ROSENBLATT
The owner of American Pharoah has made it clear he wants his Triple Crown winner to run in the $1.25 million Travers at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 29. The trainer, though, seems to be hedging his bets about a track also known as the ''Graveyard of Favorites.''
A decision is anticipated Sunday, after American Pharoah's scheduled morning workout at Del Mar in California. On a key issue, owner Ahmed Zayat and trainer Bob Baffert agree:
The health of the horse comes first, which presumably is why a decision hasn't been announced even with the Travers just over a week away.
The first clue to Baffert's hesitation came the day after American Pharoah won the Belmont Stakes and became the 12th Triple Crown winner - and first in 37 years.
''I don't want to find any Onions,'' he said, a reference to the horse who pulled off one of the biggest upsets in racing by beating 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat in the Whitney Handicap at Saratoga.
Here are some reasons Baffert might not be so excited about running American Pharoah in the Travers:
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GRAVEYARD OF FAVORITES
It's a topic Baffert all but refuses to discuss. His ''Onion'' remark reveals he's well aware of Saratoga's reputation. Three of racing's biggest upsets have occurred at the Spa.
- Upset did just that by handing the great Man 'o War the only loss of his 21-race career in the 1919 Sanford Stakes.
- Jim Dandy stunned 1930 Triple Crown winner Gallant Fox in the Travers at odds of 100-1, winning by eight lengths.
- Onion, a winner in just seven of 141 career races, pulled off his shocker with a wire-to-wire win over Secretariat in the Whitney Handicap on Aug. 4, 1973.
And consider this piece of history: Only one of the first 11 Triple Crown winners - Whirlaway in 1941 - went on to win the Travers. The two others who tried were Gallant Fox and Affirmed, who finished first but was disqualified to second behind rival Alydar.
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WEAK SLUGGING PERCENTAGE
The Hall of Fame trainer is 1 for 5 in the Travers, winning in 2001 with Point Given. Last year, he won the Haskell and the Breeders' Cup Classic with Bayern, but in between the horse finished last in the Travers. There's more. While he has won with 21 of 97 starters since 1999 - 21.6 percent - his Spa record in graded stakes is 8 of 59, a 13 percent clip, according to Equibase. His last stakes win was the 2012 Test with Contested. Baffert visited the track a few weeks ago to scout out the barn area in case American Pharoah shows up and said he wants to make the right decision. He also pointed out that horses who run in the Jim Dandy - a Travers prep four weeks before the ''Midsummer Derby'' - have a sort of home-track advantage. Four of the last six Travers winners also ran in the Jim Dandy.
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TOO MUCH NOISE
American Pharaoh is fitted with ear plugs on race days because he is sensitive to sound. He has become agitated before a few races, including the Kentucky Derby. That's a concern at Saratoga, where horses must walk down a path through a jam-packed picnic area before entering the paddock. On big race days, the fences along the path are lined five deep with cheering fans who have been partying since morning. Security will be tough, even with attendance capped at 50,000. The barn area where American Pharoah would stay is also not the most spacious. Again, tight security would be needed to handle the media crush, along with fans clamoring for a glimpse - or photo - of a Triple Crown winner.
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STRONG FIELD AWAITS
The best of the rest of 3-year-olds from the Triple Crown races are gearing up, and Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Texas Red seems back in top form after winning the Jim Dandy. Also expected to run are Keen Ice (third in the Belmont, second to American Pharoah in the Haskell), Wood Memorial winner Frosted (fourth in the Derby, second in the Belmont), Tale of Verve (second in the Preakness), West Virginia Derby winner Madefromlucky (second to American Pharoah in the Rebel), Upstart (third in the Haskell) and Far Right (second to American Pharoah in the Arkansas Derby). In the three previous Travers with Triple Crown winners, Whirlaway and Gallant Fox were part of three-horse fields, while Affirmed was part of a four-horse field.
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TIMING
Is this the right time for American Pharoah to return? It depends whether the plans call for one or two more starts before his announced final race in the Breeders' Cup Classic on Oct. 31. Also, does Baffert want his horse to log another 6,000 miles to come East again, or perhaps wait a few more weeks for a race at Santa Anita (there's the Awesome Again on Sept. 26)? American Pharoah, though, has answered every call. He's won six grueling races in the past 4 1/2 months - two Derby preps in Arkansas, a sweep of the Triple Crown and a victory in the Haskell on Aug. 2.
Memoriesofhistory.com
1929 - The Chicago Cardinals traveled out of town for training camp. They were the first professional football team to do this.
1971 - Laura Baugh, at the age of 16, won the United State's Women's Amateur Golf tournament. She was the youngest winner in the history of the tournament.
1984 - Victoria Roche, a reserve outfielder, became the first girl to ever compete in a Little League World Series game.
2006 - Barry Bonds (San Francisco Giants) hit his 725th career homerun.
2009 - The Dallas Cowboys played their first game at their new stadium in Arlington, TX. During the preseason game, against the Tennessee Titans, the Titans' kicker hit the scoreboard hanging in the center of the stadium.
1971 - Laura Baugh, at the age of 16, won the United State's Women's Amateur Golf tournament. She was the youngest winner in the history of the tournament.
1984 - Victoria Roche, a reserve outfielder, became the first girl to ever compete in a Little League World Series game.
2006 - Barry Bonds (San Francisco Giants) hit his 725th career homerun.
2009 - The Dallas Cowboys played their first game at their new stadium in Arlington, TX. During the preseason game, against the Tennessee Titans, the Titans' kicker hit the scoreboard hanging in the center of the stadium.
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