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"Sports Quote of the Day"
"Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone's face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come." ~ Henri Nouwen, Priest, Professor, Writer and Theologian
Trending: "Merry Christmas 2015"
Trending: Lovie Smith rebuilding Bucs using old Bears parts. What's Your Take? (See the football section for Bears updates).
Trending: Blackhawks in good shape heading into Christmas break. (See hockey section for Blackhawks updates).
Trending: A look back at the Bulls on Christmas Day. (See basketball section for Bulls updates).
Trending: A look back at the Bulls on Christmas Day. (See basketball section for Bulls updates).
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Chicago Bears-Tampa Bay Buccaneers Preview.
In two seasons as coach, Lovie Smith has been unable to end the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' lengthy playoff drought.
About to suffer back-to-back losing seasons for the first time in 11 years, the Chicago Bears haven't reached the postseason since Smith guided them in 2010.
With only pride on the line, Smith's Buccaneers can avoid a third consecutive defeat by handing his former team a fourth straight loss Sunday in Tampa.
Both teams were eliminated from playoff contention last week. Tampa Bay (6-8) fell 31-23 at St. Louis on Thursday and learned over the weekend it would miss the postseason for an eighth straight year. Chicago (5-9) saw its chances end with a miserable 38-17 defeat at Minnesota last Sunday.
That takes most of the luster away from this matchup, though the Buccaneers are poised to avoid a fifth straight losing season. They can start by avenging last season's 21-13 loss at Chicago in Smith's first meeting since the Bears fired him in 2012.
"I know their personnel very well of course," Smith said. "I understand the team we're playing. ... There won't be any family reunions. We're looking to get the win."
Though Tampa Bay's season will end next weekend at Carolina, it has tripled its win total from 2014, boasts a potential NFL rushing champion in Doug Martin and top overall pick Jameis Winston has thrown for 3,422 yards with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He set season highs with 29 completions, 50 attempts and 363 yards last week.
''We've seen major strides that we've taken,'' Smith said. ''We're not there yet."
The defense has faltered while allowing 55 points in two games after yielding 67 to win three of the previous four. The Bucs held talented Rams rookie Todd Gurley to 48 yards on 21 carries but allowed middling quarterback Case Keenum to go 14 of 17 for 234 yards with two TDs and no INTs.
Tampa Bay has forced one turnover in the last four games and eight for a minus-6 differential while going 3-4 at home.
The defense has faltered while allowing 55 points in two games after yielding 67 to win three of the previous four. The Bucs held talented Rams rookie Todd Gurley to 48 yards on 21 carries but allowed middling quarterback Case Keenum to go 14 of 17 for 234 yards with two TDs and no INTs.
Tampa Bay has forced one turnover in the last four games and eight for a minus-6 differential while going 3-4 at home.
"There's not going to be any shutting it down for the season or anything like that," Smith told the Bucs' official website. "We're going to work this week as hard as we work any week to make improvements and play our best ball."
Tampa Bay could improve against a Chicago offense that's averaged 18.0 points in the last five weeks. Jay Cutler has thrown two TDs in each of the past two games but was sacked eight times.
With Matt Forte and rookie Jeremy Langford splitting time, the Bears rushed for 181 yards in two games since gaining 170 in a 26-20 overtime loss to San Francisco in Week 13.
Receiver Alshon Jeffery has caught a TD pass in two straight games but could sit with a hamstring injury.
''We'll find out who in that locker room has some character and wants to finish and who doesn't,'' said Cutler, who is 3-0 against Tampa Bay.
Chicago's also struggled to keep points off the board, yielding an average of 29.3 in three games since giving up 15.5 while winning three of the previous four.
The Bears shined during a 17-13 win at Green Bay on Thanksgiving, then allowed the 49ers' Blaine Gabbert to dart 44 yards for the tying TD and throw a 71-yard overtime winner the next week. They fell behind 14-0 in a three-point loss to Washington in Week 14 and gave up four touchdown passes to Teddy Bridgewater last Sunday.
''These four words always ring true in my brain, and that starts from me down basically - focus, intensity, preparation and then really the mental toughness to create all those things on a consistent basis,'' said coach John Fox, whose team did not have a player selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time since 1998.
''So we're not there yet.''
Chicago ranks 26th allowing 125.9 rushing yards per game and could have its hands full with Martin, second in the NFL with 1,305 yards - nine behind Minnesota's Adrian Peterson. Martin has averaged 6.3 yards per carry in the last five contests.
With a season-high nine catches and 157 yards against the Rams, Mike Evans is the first Tampa Bay player to begin his career with two straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons (1,046). He scored the Bucs' lone TD at Chicago last year.
Matt Forte hoping for respect from Bears next offseason.
By John Mullin
Running back Matt Forte has been a fixture in the Bears backfield virtually since the day he was drafted in 2008 in the second round. He understands market realities for a running back at age 30.
“There’s not much to hope for right now,” Forte said, “because I talked to [the Bears’ front office] earlier [this year] and they haven’t said anything back. So there’s nothing really to hope for.”
But his hope is the Bears also value what he has meant to the organization as well as what he is capable to do at this point of his career.
“Something obviously respectful in that manner,” Forte said of his wish from the Bears next offseason. “You know, not obviously playing at league minimum or anything like that, but obviously respectful.”
That is a fluid concept. The Bears after 2012 offered Brian Urlacher a contract at $2 million, with $1 million guaranteed, something Urlacher decidedly did not consider “respectful.”
Forte last offseason approached the Bears about restructuring his contract, meaning extending it with cash to him in bonus form but a lower cap number for this year. The Bears weren’t interested at that time, a strong hint that they do not view him as part of a future that already includes Ka’Deem Carey and Jeremy Langford.
Forte went a step further on Wednesday, indirectly giving the Bears an indication that he will consider something of a hometown discount.
“I always look at staying home and being here where I’ve been the past eight years,” Forte said. “That’s a major factor.”
Lovie Smith rebuilding Bucs using old Bears parts. What's Your Take?
By John Mullin
(Photo/sportstalkflorida.com)
About this time 20 years ago, former Bears personnel chief Bill Tobin was general manager of “Bears South,” turning around the Indianapolis Colts in no small part using players who followed him down I-65 from Chicago: Jim Harbaugh, Troy Auzenne, Jay Leeuwenburg, Chris Gardocki, David Tate, even Richard Dent.
The Colts with Tobin as GM got to within a dropped Harbaugh pass in the end zone from reaching the Super Bowl after the 1995 season.
For the past two years Lovie Smith has been about the job of fixing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and in the process has created a newer version of “Bears Way, Way South.”
Smith started with quarterback Josh McCown last year. That didn’t work out, but four former Bears have started games this season for Smith’s defense, which ranks one notch above the Bears at No. 11 in yardage allowed. That’s been with Chris Conte back at strong safety after his Chicago time ended after last year, and starting alongside former safety-mate Major Wright, on his second one-year contract with Smith and the Buccaneers.
“I loved Chris Conte early on; that’s why we drafted him [Bears third round, 2011),” Smith said. “We moved him into the starting lineup early on and love him being part of our team right now. ... He’s a little banged up right now (knee) but he hasn’t been all year. Just a good addition to what we’re trying to do here.”
(Of course it hasn’t been all “to” Tampa Bay from Chicago; Smith cut tackle Gabe Carimi last spring after taking over from Greg Schiano.)
Smith took the Bears from 5-11 his first year (2004) after succeeding Dick Jauron to winning the 2005 NFC North. He has taken the Buccaneers from 2-14 last season to six wins already.
The foundation has been some of the same core principles Smith followed in Chicago.
“I think whenever you go to a new place, being in a new place for the first time, there has to be some similarities of just initial part of you installing your program and exactly how you want to win football games,” said Smith, similar to John Fox in seeking a defense/run-the-ball base.
“We were a lot better later on than we were early on when I went to Chicago. And that’s kind of how we are right now. Last year of course was a tough year for us. But we started building the program. We’re headed in the right direction. We’ve made a lot of strides. We’re going to eventually be a team that people have to deal with. I like our young ball club.”
Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Take: Lovie Smith is studying the success of the Carolina Panthers and making the needed adjustments to be a winner. He is also relying on everything from his previous coaching experience plus everything that he learned from his head coaching days in Chicago. He has his quarterback in Jameis Winston and is following Matt Forte's situation in Chicago. I hope the Bears don't lose him as he has so much to offer; leadership, commitment, dedication and a positive role model and mentor for the younger players the Bears are bringing in. At 30, he is long from being over the hill. If the Bears don't retain him, I can assure you that their are several teams out there willing to bid on his services. And believe me, Lovie Smith is one of those lurking in the shadows to make him an offer. Adding a premier back to his offense would just enhance and validate that groups position. Their offensive line is getting much needed experience and maturing. They are looking to add more offensive linemen for depth along with a couple of more wiley veterans.
Lovie himself will continue to work with the defensive coordinator to improve the defense. That's his specialty and that's what he's known for. I just don't want him to continue to build his team with Chicago players. Granted, there are many players that need to go, however, some of these guys do have talent and their talents must match the system that they're playing in.
I pray that the Bears keep their tremendous assets (players) and not let them go because of the age as a factor. This team has several good building blocks in place and a mixture of good young talent and experienced veterans will get the Bears in the playoffs. They had ample opportunities this year but just didn't know how to finish.
As always, we've stated our position and would love to hear your thoughts and know what's your take? Please go to the comment section at the bottom of this blog and share your opinion with us. We love to hear from you and we truly value your opinion.
The Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Editorial Staff.
No practice again for Alshon Jeffery as Bears WR scrambling continue.
By John Mullin
In what has become almost a weekly “Ground Hog Day” loop of misery for the Bears, wide receiver Alshon Jeffery did not practice for the second straight day due to a hamstring injury, making him again a major question mark for a Bears offense that has struggled getting into or through games with enough healthy wide receivers.
Jeffery, who has missed all of five games and portions of others with injuries all year, experienced hamstring tightness in the second half of the Minnesota game. He was able to return to the field for a play but caught just one pass for the game and has not been on the field since.
“With Alshon out, he’s kind of our deep guy,” said quarterback Jay Cutler. “We like to try to stretch the field with him.”
The Bears are 2-3 in games completely without Jeffery, plus Minnesota when he was limited in the final two quarters. They were able to make some use of Deonte Thompson as a receiver rather than solely as a kickoff returner. Thompson, a speed receiver, was on the field for eight offensive snaps and could see more on Sunday in Tampa.
“We’re getting [Thompson] up maybe this week, maybe try and stretch the field,” Cutler said. “He’s got some speed. We’ve hit a few big ones with [Josh Bellamy].
“We’ll try to keep incorporating those guys. It’s tough with guys in and out of getting some consistency and feel for those guys because a lot of those throws are lower-percentage as is, and then a guy that you haven’t done with as much, the percentage is probably going to go down a bit more.”
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Blackhawks in good shape heading into Christmas break.
The Colts with Tobin as GM got to within a dropped Harbaugh pass in the end zone from reaching the Super Bowl after the 1995 season.
For the past two years Lovie Smith has been about the job of fixing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and in the process has created a newer version of “Bears Way, Way South.”
Smith started with quarterback Josh McCown last year. That didn’t work out, but four former Bears have started games this season for Smith’s defense, which ranks one notch above the Bears at No. 11 in yardage allowed. That’s been with Chris Conte back at strong safety after his Chicago time ended after last year, and starting alongside former safety-mate Major Wright, on his second one-year contract with Smith and the Buccaneers.
“I loved Chris Conte early on; that’s why we drafted him [Bears third round, 2011),” Smith said. “We moved him into the starting lineup early on and love him being part of our team right now. ... He’s a little banged up right now (knee) but he hasn’t been all year. Just a good addition to what we’re trying to do here.”
(Of course it hasn’t been all “to” Tampa Bay from Chicago; Smith cut tackle Gabe Carimi last spring after taking over from Greg Schiano.)
Smith took the Bears from 5-11 his first year (2004) after succeeding Dick Jauron to winning the 2005 NFC North. He has taken the Buccaneers from 2-14 last season to six wins already.
The foundation has been some of the same core principles Smith followed in Chicago.
“I think whenever you go to a new place, being in a new place for the first time, there has to be some similarities of just initial part of you installing your program and exactly how you want to win football games,” said Smith, similar to John Fox in seeking a defense/run-the-ball base.
“We were a lot better later on than we were early on when I went to Chicago. And that’s kind of how we are right now. Last year of course was a tough year for us. But we started building the program. We’re headed in the right direction. We’ve made a lot of strides. We’re going to eventually be a team that people have to deal with. I like our young ball club.”
Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Take: Lovie Smith is studying the success of the Carolina Panthers and making the needed adjustments to be a winner. He is also relying on everything from his previous coaching experience plus everything that he learned from his head coaching days in Chicago. He has his quarterback in Jameis Winston and is following Matt Forte's situation in Chicago. I hope the Bears don't lose him as he has so much to offer; leadership, commitment, dedication and a positive role model and mentor for the younger players the Bears are bringing in. At 30, he is long from being over the hill. If the Bears don't retain him, I can assure you that their are several teams out there willing to bid on his services. And believe me, Lovie Smith is one of those lurking in the shadows to make him an offer. Adding a premier back to his offense would just enhance and validate that groups position. Their offensive line is getting much needed experience and maturing. They are looking to add more offensive linemen for depth along with a couple of more wiley veterans.
Lovie himself will continue to work with the defensive coordinator to improve the defense. That's his specialty and that's what he's known for. I just don't want him to continue to build his team with Chicago players. Granted, there are many players that need to go, however, some of these guys do have talent and their talents must match the system that they're playing in.
I pray that the Bears keep their tremendous assets (players) and not let them go because of the age as a factor. This team has several good building blocks in place and a mixture of good young talent and experienced veterans will get the Bears in the playoffs. They had ample opportunities this year but just didn't know how to finish.
As always, we've stated our position and would love to hear your thoughts and know what's your take? Please go to the comment section at the bottom of this blog and share your opinion with us. We love to hear from you and we truly value your opinion.
The Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Editorial Staff.
No practice again for Alshon Jeffery as Bears WR scrambling continue.
By John Mullin
In what has become almost a weekly “Ground Hog Day” loop of misery for the Bears, wide receiver Alshon Jeffery did not practice for the second straight day due to a hamstring injury, making him again a major question mark for a Bears offense that has struggled getting into or through games with enough healthy wide receivers.
Jeffery, who has missed all of five games and portions of others with injuries all year, experienced hamstring tightness in the second half of the Minnesota game. He was able to return to the field for a play but caught just one pass for the game and has not been on the field since.
“With Alshon out, he’s kind of our deep guy,” said quarterback Jay Cutler. “We like to try to stretch the field with him.”
The Bears are 2-3 in games completely without Jeffery, plus Minnesota when he was limited in the final two quarters. They were able to make some use of Deonte Thompson as a receiver rather than solely as a kickoff returner. Thompson, a speed receiver, was on the field for eight offensive snaps and could see more on Sunday in Tampa.
“We’re getting [Thompson] up maybe this week, maybe try and stretch the field,” Cutler said. “He’s got some speed. We’ve hit a few big ones with [Josh Bellamy].
“We’ll try to keep incorporating those guys. It’s tough with guys in and out of getting some consistency and feel for those guys because a lot of those throws are lower-percentage as is, and then a guy that you haven’t done with as much, the percentage is probably going to go down a bit more.”
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Blackhawks in good shape heading into Christmas break.
By Tracey Myers
(Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Blackhawks left Dallas not happy about their loss to the Dallas Stars, a game in which they were in until the final 20 minutes began.
Outside of that, however, in assessing their game to this point of the season, the Blackhawks don’t mind where they’re at right now.
The Blackhawks enter the Christmas break with 44 points, which is good for third in the very difficult Central Division. The Stars, who beat them 4-0 on Tuesday night, sit atop the division with 54 points and St. Louis is in second place with 46 points. The Blackhawks have been busy through December. They’ve also been successful, winning seven of their last 10 games.
“We’ve had good stretches here,” coach Joel Quenneville said following Tuesday’s game. “There’s progress in certain areas, some balance starting to come out. Some young guys – I’m encouraged by Phil Danault out here and [Dennis Rasmussen] has been a nice addition. The Russian line with Kaner’s been basically the highlight for the start of the year. [Corey Crawford’s] on a great run right now. It’s been OK.”
Well, it’s been better than OK lately. Now the Blackhawks’ start was best described as OK. The team would have one or two good games, then one or two bad games.
Consistency was an issue; so was getting more balance and scoring throughout the lines. Quenneville said not too long ago that he was surprised it was taking so long to get more team chemistry.
Then things started clicking. The Blackhawks, thanks to great goaltending and scoring other than from the second liners, started stringing together some victories. Crawford did his part; entering the break he’s won seven of his last nine starts, and that includes three shutouts.
“The last two, three weeks have been good,” Brent Seabrook said. “Really good.”
Yes they have. Heading into Tuesday’s game in Dallas, the Blackhawks probably were wary of going into the break; they had a full head of steam going and probably didn’t want to stop the forward motion. But by the third period on Tuesday it was evident this team needs a respite.
So the Blackhawks will take a breather. They’ll get rested and they could also get a bit healthier. Quenneville is still optimistic Marian Hossa, who’s missed the last two games with an upper-body injury, could be ready for Sunday’s game against Carolina. He hopes defenseman Rob Scuderi, who took a redirected puck to the face on Tuesday, will be OK by then, too.
The Blackhawks would’ve liked a better ending to this latest stretch but, as big pictures go, they’re in pretty good shape.
“We didn’t quit match in the third, and the score ended up being pretty lopsided [vs. the Stars]. But all in all, we’ve been doing a lot of good things lately and we’ve played a ton of hockey. Not using that as an excuse, but in some way I think the four days we have coming up will be good for us,” Jonathan Toews said. “We’ve got to be ready to come back and play with more energy in the next one than we did [Tuesday].”
Observations from Blackhawks loss to the Stars.
By Chris Hine
The speed, the electric atmosphere, the skill – Tuesday’s 4-0 Stars victory over the Blackhawks had the feel that these two teams might meet again in April or May – despite the lopsided result. The Hawks hung in there for two periods until Patrick Sharp’s goal 11 seconds into the third seemed to break their spirit. You can read about Sharp, the former Hawk, in our game story. Here are other notes.
Another former Hawk, Antti Niemi stopped 20 shots and earned a shutout, but Niemi benefited from fairly strong defensive play in front of him. Just six shots combined reached Niemi in the first and third periods. The Stars defense blocked 18 shots in front of Niemi, 10 in the first period.
The Hawks lost the overall shots battle 66-49, 51-41 in 5-on-5 hockey.
“He’s a great goaltender, and they played well around him,” captain Jonathan Toews said. “It comes down to us not doing what we need to do to make his job more difficult. I think we know what this things are when we’re up against a solid goaltender, and we didn’t do it tonight.”
Crawford off
Corey Crawford has been on fire of late, but this game, especially the third period, was not his best.
When asked a question about the penalty kill after the game, coach Joel Quenneville essentially pitted the Stars’ first goal from Jason Spezza on Crawford.
“We shut down a great power play, gave up a goal that wasn’t a scoring chance,” Quenneville said.
But Crawford is allowed an off night every once in a while, especially after records three shutouts in his last seven games.
Injury ward
Defenseman Rob Scuderi left the ice after he took a puck to the face in the third period. After the game, however, Quenneville said he expected Scuderi to be fine. As for Marian Hossa, who missed his second consecutive game because of an upper-body injury, Quenneville said he was “optimistic” Hossa would be ready for the Hawks’ game Sunday against the Hurricanes.
“Nothing’s changed as far as that goes. We’re still optimistic he’s going to be ready,” Quenneville said.
Rest for weary
After a hectic stretch the last few weeks, the Hawks will not practice until they play Sunday. The four-day break will be the first time the Hawks have consecutive off days since Dec. 4 and 5.
Mark Dano believes demotion from Blackhawks to AHL was 'a good move'.
By Chris Kuc
For Dano, whom the Hawks acquired from the Blue Jackets in the Brandon Saad trade in June, the choice was easy.
"There's no reason to be mad or be down," Dano said of the Dec. 11 demotion.
"Everyone wants to play hockey and it's more frustrating to just sit there and work out and do a skate in the morning and then watch the other guys play. Now I can work on things and just get better. That's the main reason I'm here."
Dano had a goal and an assist in 13 games with the Hawks this season, never finding his niche with his new team after bursting onto the scene last season with eight goals and 13 assists in 35 games for the Jackets. Dano averaged 9 minutes, 41 seconds of ice time with the Hawks and everyone from the winger to coach Joel Quenneville to general manager Stan Bowman agreed that wasn't enough.
"I didn't get too much ice time so I was talking to Coach and Stan about that and I think it's a good move," Dano, 21, said. "I'm going to get a lot of ice-time opportunities on the power play and penalty kill here. I can get better in what I was doing there. If I would be sitting in the stands it wouldn't help me at all. I'm glad I can be here and can play some hockey again."
Despite his success in the NHL last season, Dano falls into the prospect category with the Hawks, and that means being lumped in with other youngsters who are being pointed more toward the future, such as Ryan Hartman, Tanner Kero, Garret Ross and Erik Gustafsson.
"The question is, is it better for them to come up here and play maybe a smaller role — and that might be the case — or is it better for them to just really be the go-to guy in Rockford where they're playing 18, 19, 20 minutes, all situations?" Bowman asked. "They're young, 20, 21 years old, and they just need to play."
In 13 games with the IceHogs this season, Dano has two goals and seven assists and is seeing action in all situations.
"I see him as one of our smartest players with the puck," IceHogs coach Ted Dent said. "He can generate plays and he really understands the game. He'll play in all situations, including power play (and) penalty kill. He'll play 16 to 20 minutes a night and that's what Joel wants to get (Dano) his confidence back and be harder on the puck and take the puck to the net. All the things Joel talks about with these young players."
Quenneville agreed that it's all about puck management with Dano.
"Pursuit of the puck and (being) positionally aware are all part of a young guy's learning curve at the NHL level," Quenneville said. "We feel that has to be part of his improvement, getting neater with the puck and more consistency.
"It's a competitive world out there," Quenneville added. "Everybody wants to play here, everybody knows how challenging it is to get here and how challenging it is to stay here. (Dano) is a young player and we want him playing. Playing seven or eight minutes in a game and then not playing in some games is not where we want him to be."
Though Rockford isn't Dano's first choice, he has taken the demotion in stride and not let it affect his enthusiasm for the game.
"He's had a great attitude," Dent said. "He's a happy-go-lucky kid, which is something I really like about him. He has fun coming to the rink yet he knows when to turn it to the serious mode during the game."
Dano's positivity emanates from an optimism that a return to the NHL is not too far off.
"If do a good job here and I stay positive, I'm pretty sure I'm going to get a shot again," he said.
Despite his success in the NHL last season, Dano falls into the prospect category with the Hawks, and that means being lumped in with other youngsters who are being pointed more toward the future, such as Ryan Hartman, Tanner Kero, Garret Ross and Erik Gustafsson.
"The question is, is it better for them to come up here and play maybe a smaller role — and that might be the case — or is it better for them to just really be the go-to guy in Rockford where they're playing 18, 19, 20 minutes, all situations?" Bowman asked. "They're young, 20, 21 years old, and they just need to play."
In 13 games with the IceHogs this season, Dano has two goals and seven assists and is seeing action in all situations.
"I see him as one of our smartest players with the puck," IceHogs coach Ted Dent said. "He can generate plays and he really understands the game. He'll play in all situations, including power play (and) penalty kill. He'll play 16 to 20 minutes a night and that's what Joel wants to get (Dano) his confidence back and be harder on the puck and take the puck to the net. All the things Joel talks about with these young players."
Quenneville agreed that it's all about puck management with Dano.
"Pursuit of the puck and (being) positionally aware are all part of a young guy's learning curve at the NHL level," Quenneville said. "We feel that has to be part of his improvement, getting neater with the puck and more consistency.
"It's a competitive world out there," Quenneville added. "Everybody wants to play here, everybody knows how challenging it is to get here and how challenging it is to stay here. (Dano) is a young player and we want him playing. Playing seven or eight minutes in a game and then not playing in some games is not where we want him to be."
Though Rockford isn't Dano's first choice, he has taken the demotion in stride and not let it affect his enthusiasm for the game.
"He's had a great attitude," Dent said. "He's a happy-go-lucky kid, which is something I really like about him. He has fun coming to the rink yet he knows when to turn it to the serious mode during the game."
Dano's positivity emanates from an optimism that a return to the NHL is not too far off.
"If do a good job here and I stay positive, I'm pretty sure I'm going to get a shot again," he said.
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session... Chicago Bulls-Oklahoma Thunder Preview.
AP
The Chicago Bulls know their last three games were bad losses, leaving them in the position of needing to fend off one of the NBA's best teams to avoid a season-worst losing streak.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are on the verge of a four-game winning streak, but that's become the norm over the past month-plus along with winning at home.
With the teams set to meet in Oklahoma City, the one thing they have in common is they'd both like a third straight win on Christmas Day.
The Thunder (20-9) are beginning a four-game homestand following a Staples Center sweep of the Los Angeles franchises that followed a home win over the Lakers. In Wednesday's 120-85 road win over the Lakers, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook shared the scoring load a bit more than normal. The pair combined for 44 points on 17-of-28 shooting compared to season averages of 51.9 points and 36.3 field-goal attempts.
"It's fun basketball when everybody's touching it and everybody feels involved," Durant told the team's official website. "We were making plays for each other. It's fun to see the ball hopping around and everybody getting good shots."
Since losing consecutive games in Atlanta and Miami to end November and begin December, the Thunder have won nine of 10 with a 15.1 scoring margin while limiting opponents to 92.1 points per game and 40.8 percent shooting. They've also won eight straight at home - their best run since winning nine straight from Jan. 5-Feb. 9, 2014.
"We just took care of where we want to be towards the end of the year," said Westbrook, who's averaged 33.0 points in his last three against Chicago. "We did a good job of taking two big steps with two road wins for us.
"We just have to get ready for Christmas."
Chicago (15-11) has won two of those last three meetings since the start of last season, including a 104-98 victory Nov. 5. Derrick Rose had 29 points, though the point guard has been slumping since scoring a season-high 34 on Dec. 18 against Detroit.
That four-overtime game began a three-game losing streak for the Bulls, and in the two games since, he's averaged 7.0 points and shot 28.6 percent.
The Bulls followed a four-game win streak with losses to the Pistons and New York before Monday's 105-102 home loss to Brooklyn. Those teams are a combined 39-50.
"It's very disappointing," said coach Fred Hoiberg, whose team departs with a three-game road skid and is opening a demanding stretch that follows with a stop in Dallas before hosting Toronto and Indiana. "This is a tough loss. You have to win your home games. We've dropped a couple in a row now. It's a bad, bad loss."
On the skid, opponents have shot 46.7 percent, which is up from 41.1 before that.
"We didn't guard, we didn't rebound, we never got back in this game," Jimmy Butler told the team's official website. "The only way we are going to win basketball games is if we come together as a team and stay together. Through the good times and bad. We've got that group of guys. We're talented enough. We just have to buy into it."
One of the guys who typically plays that way, center Joakim Noah, will miss at least two weeks because of a sprained left shoulder suffered Monday.
Report: Bulls willing to move Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson.
CSN Staff
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The Bulls may be looking to upgrade on the wing, and it appears they may be willing to part with one of their core veterans to get a deal done.
Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski said on his podcast, The Vertical, on Wednesday that the Bulls are looking to upgrade to a "talented wing player" and that the Bulls "are open to" moving one of Joakim Noah or Taj Gibson to get a deal done.
With Mike Dunleavy still without a timetable to return after back surgery and subsequent setbacks, and with neither Tony Snell nor Doug McDermott showing much consistency opposite Jimmy Butler on the wing it's an avenue the Bulls could look to upgrade with their uptempo offense.
Though the Bulls rank seventh in the NBA in pace, they're 27th in efficiency and 21st in 3-pointers made per game.
The Bulls tout one of the deeper frontcourts in basketball, and dealing one of their bigs could free up playing time for rookie Bobby Portis, who has averaged 13.0 points and 6.5 rebounds in 18.4 minutes his last two games.
Joakim Noah's expiring contract may be enticing for a team looking to free up salary cap space, while Taj Gibson will be considered a bargain at $8.95 million next year when the salary cap increases.
Still, with Pau Gasol expected to opt out of his deal after this season, and Nikola Mirotic only signed through 2017, there could be major changes coming to the Bulls' frontcourt (and team as a whole) in the next year or two.
The Bulls may get a head start on it prior to February's trade deadline.
A look back at the Bulls on Christmas Day.
By Mark Strotman
Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski said on his podcast, The Vertical, on Wednesday that the Bulls are looking to upgrade to a "talented wing player" and that the Bulls "are open to" moving one of Joakim Noah or Taj Gibson to get a deal done.
With Mike Dunleavy still without a timetable to return after back surgery and subsequent setbacks, and with neither Tony Snell nor Doug McDermott showing much consistency opposite Jimmy Butler on the wing it's an avenue the Bulls could look to upgrade with their uptempo offense.
Though the Bulls rank seventh in the NBA in pace, they're 27th in efficiency and 21st in 3-pointers made per game.
The Bulls tout one of the deeper frontcourts in basketball, and dealing one of their bigs could free up playing time for rookie Bobby Portis, who has averaged 13.0 points and 6.5 rebounds in 18.4 minutes his last two games.
Joakim Noah's expiring contract may be enticing for a team looking to free up salary cap space, while Taj Gibson will be considered a bargain at $8.95 million next year when the salary cap increases.
Still, with Pau Gasol expected to opt out of his deal after this season, and Nikola Mirotic only signed through 2017, there could be major changes coming to the Bulls' frontcourt (and team as a whole) in the next year or two.
The Bulls may get a head start on it prior to February's trade deadline.
A look back at the Bulls on Christmas Day.
By Mark Strotman
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The Bulls will play on Christmas Day for the 20th time in their history when they square off against the Oklahoma City Thunder tomorrow afternoon.
They've played on Christmas Day in each of the last six seasons, including this one, and sport a 12-7 all-time record.
That win percentage, for what it's worth, ranks seventh in league history (Portland's 14-3 mark tops the list).
Here's a quick look back at each of the Bulls' Christmas Day games:
2014: Chicago Bulls 113, Los Angeles Lakers 93
Pau Gasol faces his old team for the first time since signing with the Bulls, scoring 23 points and adding 13 rebounds in the blowout victory. Kobe Bryant sat out the game with various injuries, but Carlos Boozer plays in his return to Chicago and is booed, as expected. He scores 14 points.
2013: Chicago Bulls 95, Brooklyn Nets 78
In a rematch of the previous year's first round playoff series, runs of 12-0 and 21-5 help the Bulls work their way back toward .500 (11-16) after losing 13 of their previous 17 games.
2012: Houston Rockets 120, Chicago Bulls 97
Omer Asik scores 20 points and grabs 18 rebounds in his first game against the Bulls since signing with the Rockets that previous offseason. Newcomer Jeremy Lin scores 20 points, while Nate Robinson leads the Bulls with 27 points.
2011: Chicago Bulls 88, Los Angeles Lakers 87
With the lockout over, the Bulls top the Lakers on Opening Day behind a clutch shot late from reigning MVP Derrick Rose, who scores 22 points in the victory. Luol Deng limits Kobe Bryant to 28 points on 23 shots and eight turnovers.
2010: New York Knicks 103, Chicago Bulls 95
Playing on Christmas for the first time in more than a decade, the Bulls score 12 points in the fourth quarter and allow Amare Stoudemire to go for 20 points and 10 rebounds. Free agent acquisition Carlos Boozer adds 26 points and 19 rebounds but commits seven turnovers.
1997: Chicago Bulls 90, Miami Heat 80
In what would be his final Christmas Day game with the Bulls, Michael Jordan scores 24 points and grabs 11 rebounds in the win. Alonzo Mourning is limited to 23 minutes with foul trouble.
1996: Chicago Bulls 95, Detroit Pistons 83
Scottie Pippen goes for 27 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in what was, at the time, the best combined record for a Christmas Day matchup in NBA history; the Bulls were 24-3 and the Pistons were 20-5.
1994: Chicago Bulls 107, New York Knicks 104 (OT)
Scottie Pippen scores 36 points - including all seven of the Bulls' points in overtime - and grabs 16 rebounds, while Toni Kukoc comes off the bench to score 25 points in the victory. John Starks is ejected.
1993: Chicago Bulls 95, Orlando Magic 93
Toni Kukoc nails the game-winner with two seconds left, extending the Bulls' win streak to nine games. Scottie Pippen scores 28 points and grabs four steals, playing all 48 minutes.
1992: Chicago Bulls 89, New York Knicks 77
Michael Jordan dazzles the Chicago Stadium crowd with 42 points, easily outplaying Patrick Ewing, who scored 14 points on 6-for-18 shooting.
1991: Chicago Bulls 121, Boston Celtics 99
Six players score in double figures for the Bulls, who force the Celtics into 17 turnovers in the victory. Larry Bird, in what would be his final Christmas Day game, is limited to eight points and eight rebounds.
1990: Chicago Bulls 98, Detroit Pistons 86
A changing of the guard takes place, as Michael Jordan scores 37 points on the defending champs and gets revenge on a Pistons team that beat them by 21 in Detroit the previous week.
1986: New York Knicks 86, Chicago Bulls 85
Patrick Ewing's buzzer-beater caps off a massive 28-point, 17-rebound outing. Michael Jordan scores 30 points but shoots just 10 of 28 from the field as the Bulls fall to .500.
1976: Chicago Bulls 96, Kansas City Kings 91
Wilbur Holland scores 22 points to lead the Bulls to victory. 27-year-old Artis Gilmore, in his first NBA season, chips in eight points.
1972: Phoenix Suns 115, Chicago Bulls 108
The Bulls led for much of the contest, but Dick Van Arsdale's 32 points were too much for Bob Love (29 points) and Chet Walker (20 points) to handle down the stretch.
1971: Chicago Bulls 109, Portland Trail Blazers 88
Led by Bob Love's 26 points the Bulls, on their way to a franchise-record 57 wins, blow past Sidney Wicks (24 points) and the Trailblazers.
1970: Baltimore Bullets 128, Chicago Bulls 112
Bob Love pours in 42 points in a losing effort, as four Bullets tally 20 or more, led by future Hall-of-Famer Earl Monroe's 25 points.
1968: Cincinnati Royals 103, Chicago Bulls 98
Cincinnati gets 31 points from Connie Dierking and 23 from a guy named Oscar Robertson, outmatching five Bulls scorers in double figures, led by Jim Washington's 18 points. That year Robertson would lead the NBA in assists for the seventh and final time in his Hall of Fame career.
1966: New York Knicks 133, Chicago Bulls 132
The Bulls play on Christmas in their inaugural season, with Bob Boozer's 40 points leading the charge. But Walt Bellamy (29 points) and Cazzie Russell (27 points) lead a late comeback as the Knicks outscore the Bulls by nine in the final quarter.
Cubs stay active on the waiver wire, claim Edgar Olmos again.
They've played on Christmas Day in each of the last six seasons, including this one, and sport a 12-7 all-time record.
That win percentage, for what it's worth, ranks seventh in league history (Portland's 14-3 mark tops the list).
Here's a quick look back at each of the Bulls' Christmas Day games:
2014: Chicago Bulls 113, Los Angeles Lakers 93
Pau Gasol faces his old team for the first time since signing with the Bulls, scoring 23 points and adding 13 rebounds in the blowout victory. Kobe Bryant sat out the game with various injuries, but Carlos Boozer plays in his return to Chicago and is booed, as expected. He scores 14 points.
2013: Chicago Bulls 95, Brooklyn Nets 78
In a rematch of the previous year's first round playoff series, runs of 12-0 and 21-5 help the Bulls work their way back toward .500 (11-16) after losing 13 of their previous 17 games.
2012: Houston Rockets 120, Chicago Bulls 97
Omer Asik scores 20 points and grabs 18 rebounds in his first game against the Bulls since signing with the Rockets that previous offseason. Newcomer Jeremy Lin scores 20 points, while Nate Robinson leads the Bulls with 27 points.
2011: Chicago Bulls 88, Los Angeles Lakers 87
With the lockout over, the Bulls top the Lakers on Opening Day behind a clutch shot late from reigning MVP Derrick Rose, who scores 22 points in the victory. Luol Deng limits Kobe Bryant to 28 points on 23 shots and eight turnovers.
2010: New York Knicks 103, Chicago Bulls 95
Playing on Christmas for the first time in more than a decade, the Bulls score 12 points in the fourth quarter and allow Amare Stoudemire to go for 20 points and 10 rebounds. Free agent acquisition Carlos Boozer adds 26 points and 19 rebounds but commits seven turnovers.
1997: Chicago Bulls 90, Miami Heat 80
In what would be his final Christmas Day game with the Bulls, Michael Jordan scores 24 points and grabs 11 rebounds in the win. Alonzo Mourning is limited to 23 minutes with foul trouble.
1996: Chicago Bulls 95, Detroit Pistons 83
Scottie Pippen goes for 27 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in what was, at the time, the best combined record for a Christmas Day matchup in NBA history; the Bulls were 24-3 and the Pistons were 20-5.
1994: Chicago Bulls 107, New York Knicks 104 (OT)
Scottie Pippen scores 36 points - including all seven of the Bulls' points in overtime - and grabs 16 rebounds, while Toni Kukoc comes off the bench to score 25 points in the victory. John Starks is ejected.
1993: Chicago Bulls 95, Orlando Magic 93
Toni Kukoc nails the game-winner with two seconds left, extending the Bulls' win streak to nine games. Scottie Pippen scores 28 points and grabs four steals, playing all 48 minutes.
1992: Chicago Bulls 89, New York Knicks 77
Michael Jordan dazzles the Chicago Stadium crowd with 42 points, easily outplaying Patrick Ewing, who scored 14 points on 6-for-18 shooting.
1991: Chicago Bulls 121, Boston Celtics 99
Six players score in double figures for the Bulls, who force the Celtics into 17 turnovers in the victory. Larry Bird, in what would be his final Christmas Day game, is limited to eight points and eight rebounds.
1990: Chicago Bulls 98, Detroit Pistons 86
A changing of the guard takes place, as Michael Jordan scores 37 points on the defending champs and gets revenge on a Pistons team that beat them by 21 in Detroit the previous week.
1986: New York Knicks 86, Chicago Bulls 85
Patrick Ewing's buzzer-beater caps off a massive 28-point, 17-rebound outing. Michael Jordan scores 30 points but shoots just 10 of 28 from the field as the Bulls fall to .500.
1976: Chicago Bulls 96, Kansas City Kings 91
Wilbur Holland scores 22 points to lead the Bulls to victory. 27-year-old Artis Gilmore, in his first NBA season, chips in eight points.
1972: Phoenix Suns 115, Chicago Bulls 108
The Bulls led for much of the contest, but Dick Van Arsdale's 32 points were too much for Bob Love (29 points) and Chet Walker (20 points) to handle down the stretch.
1971: Chicago Bulls 109, Portland Trail Blazers 88
Led by Bob Love's 26 points the Bulls, on their way to a franchise-record 57 wins, blow past Sidney Wicks (24 points) and the Trailblazers.
1970: Baltimore Bullets 128, Chicago Bulls 112
Bob Love pours in 42 points in a losing effort, as four Bullets tally 20 or more, led by future Hall-of-Famer Earl Monroe's 25 points.
1968: Cincinnati Royals 103, Chicago Bulls 98
Cincinnati gets 31 points from Connie Dierking and 23 from a guy named Oscar Robertson, outmatching five Bulls scorers in double figures, led by Jim Washington's 18 points. That year Robertson would lead the NBA in assists for the seventh and final time in his Hall of Fame career.
1966: New York Knicks 133, Chicago Bulls 132
The Bulls play on Christmas in their inaugural season, with Bob Boozer's 40 points leading the charge. But Walt Bellamy (29 points) and Cazzie Russell (27 points) lead a late comeback as the Knicks outscore the Bulls by nine in the final quarter.
Cubs stay active on the waiver wire, claim Edgar Olmos again.
By Tony Andracki
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The Cubs made a series of roster moves before the Christmas holiday.
The Cubs claimed pitcher Edgar Olmos off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles Wednesday, released infielder Brendan Ryan and had pitcher Yoervis Medina claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Olmos, a 25-year-old left-hander, came to the Cubs initially as a waiver claim on Dec. 4 from the Seattle Mariners, before the club put him right back on waivers and the Orioles scooped him up Dec. 10.
Olmos is 1-1 with a 5.21 ERA and 1.789 WHIP in 11 career MLB games (19 innings). He posted a 4.44 ERA in the minors, making 73 starts and 126 relief appearances.
Ryan came over as the player to be named later in the Starlin Castro-Adam Warren trade with the New York Yankees earlier this month. Ryan turns 34 in March and is known more for his defense than his bat (.610 career OPS). He was officially added to the Cubs' roster just last week.
Medina was designated for assignment by the Cubs Dec. 17. The 27-year-old right-hander appeared in five games (nine innings) for the Cubs in 2015, putting up a 7.00 ERA and 1.778 WHIP.
The Cubs acquired Medina from the Mariners in May as compensation for the trade that sent catcher Welington Castillo to Seattle.
The Cubs' 40-man roster now sits at 40.
The Cubs claimed pitcher Edgar Olmos off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles Wednesday, released infielder Brendan Ryan and had pitcher Yoervis Medina claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Olmos, a 25-year-old left-hander, came to the Cubs initially as a waiver claim on Dec. 4 from the Seattle Mariners, before the club put him right back on waivers and the Orioles scooped him up Dec. 10.
Olmos is 1-1 with a 5.21 ERA and 1.789 WHIP in 11 career MLB games (19 innings). He posted a 4.44 ERA in the minors, making 73 starts and 126 relief appearances.
Ryan came over as the player to be named later in the Starlin Castro-Adam Warren trade with the New York Yankees earlier this month. Ryan turns 34 in March and is known more for his defense than his bat (.610 career OPS). He was officially added to the Cubs' roster just last week.
Medina was designated for assignment by the Cubs Dec. 17. The 27-year-old right-hander appeared in five games (nine innings) for the Cubs in 2015, putting up a 7.00 ERA and 1.778 WHIP.
The Cubs acquired Medina from the Mariners in May as compensation for the trade that sent catcher Welington Castillo to Seattle.
The Cubs' 40-man roster now sits at 40.
White Sox claim outfielder Jerry Sands off waivers from Indians.
#WHITESOXTALK
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The White Sox added a new piece to their roster on Wednesday by claiming outfielder Jerry Sands off waivers from the Cleveland Indians.
Sands, 29, appeared in 50 games last season for the Indians, batting .239 with four homers, 19 RBI and 11 runs scored.
Sands also saw some time in the minors, where he hit .287 with 14 homers, 46 RBI and 41 runs scored in 66 games with Class AAA Columbus.
Sands began his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he was drafted in the 25th round of the 2008 draft. He made his MLB debut in 2011. Later that season, Sands smacked his first career homer off Mark Buehrle of the White Sox.
In 2014, the outfielder spent some time with Joe Maddon's Tampa Bay Rays.
In his major league career, Sands has battled .238 adding nine homers and 50 RBI in 134.
The move pushes the White Sox's 40-man roster to 37.
Sands, 29, appeared in 50 games last season for the Indians, batting .239 with four homers, 19 RBI and 11 runs scored.
Sands also saw some time in the minors, where he hit .287 with 14 homers, 46 RBI and 41 runs scored in 66 games with Class AAA Columbus.
Sands began his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he was drafted in the 25th round of the 2008 draft. He made his MLB debut in 2011. Later that season, Sands smacked his first career homer off Mark Buehrle of the White Sox.
In 2014, the outfielder spent some time with Joe Maddon's Tampa Bay Rays.
In his major league career, Sands has battled .238 adding nine homers and 50 RBI in 134.
The move pushes the White Sox's 40-man roster to 37.
Golf: I got a club for that..... Anchors away as PGA Tour players adapt to change.
By Mark Lamport-Stokes, Editing by Tony Jimenez
Just two weeks remain before PGA Tour players have to adapt to a ban by golf's rulemakers on long putters being anchored to the body and Tim Clark is among those who expect "some challenges along the way".
Just two weeks remain before PGA Tour players have to adapt to a ban by golf's rulemakers on long putters being anchored to the body and Tim Clark is among those who expect "some challenges along the way".
South African Clark, one of the leading critics of the rule change along with former major winners Adam Scott, Keegan Bradley and Webb Simpson, has been using the anchored technique for 18 years and the same putter for more than a decade.
Clark was publicly vocal in his opposition to the proposal when it was first suggested in December 2012 but says he "will be just fine" with a revamped putting method when the 2015-16 PGA Tour resumes early next month.
"Nearly two decades of putting one way, I don't think many guys out here that have putted with a short one for that long would like to switch to something else that they haven't used," the 40-year-old told Reuters.
"There's going to be some challenges along the way but I feel what I'm going to do will be just fine, though you're only going to really know when you start in competition.
"The major switch for me to the short putter is a lot of muscle memory and retraining of how you use a putter. I'm going to try and do something that's not vastly different to what I've been doing in the past."
Clark, who has landed two career victories on the PGA Tour, has not qualified for the opening event of 2016 -- the winners-only Hyundai Tournament of Champions to be played at Kapalua on the Hawaiian island of Maui from Jan. 7-10.
The South African's first opportunity to test out his new putting technique in competition will come the following week, at the Sony Open in Honolulu.
LACK OF EVIDENCE
Like Clark, 2012 U.S. Open champion Simpson was opposed to the rule change, repeatedly citing the lack of evidence in the PGA Tour's 'strokes gained over the field' putting statistic to support the suggestion that anchoring gave players an advantage.
"To change something that drastic, it needs to be based off facts and not what certain people think the tradition of the game looks like," said American Simpson who switched to the belly putter in 2004.
"Very few people ranked in the top 20 in strokes gained in recent years have been using either a belly putter or a long putter."
However, Simpson, 30, a four-times winner on the PGA Tour, says he is prepared for the rule change.
"I've been working with a short putter for quite a while," he said. "I expected the day to come and I wanted to be ready. I didn't want to be shocked."
Former world number one Tiger Woods, a 14-times major champion who ranks among the game's greatest players, has always adopted a purist approach when it comes to putting.
"The art of putting is swinging the club and controlling nerves, and having it as a fixed point is something that's not in the traditions of the game," said Woods.
"We swing all other 13 clubs. The putter should be the same. It should be a swinging motion throughout the entire bag.
"One of the things I was concerned about was the kids getting started in the game who were starting to putt with an anchoring system. Everyone always copies what we do out here," added Woods.
Most players believe users of the belly technique will find the adjustment easier to make next year than the 'broomhandle' brigade, and a few could end up following the example of Matt Kuchar.
American Kuchar uses a putting stroke which is not outlawed by the rulemakers' proposal since his putter rests against his left arm and not against his chest, stomach or chin.
"It will be interesting to see what guys do -- whether the guys that anchor go to a counter-balance style or something else," Kuchar told Reuters.
"But we always seem to find a way. Most guys found a way out here on tour and they will figure out a way to putt well."
AFP
Tiger Woods, the 14-time major champion sidelined by back surgery, says he expects more major titles and top-level golf despite having no timetable for returning to the sport.
Woods, who turns 40 next week, posted pictures Thursday on Twitter and Instagram of his new dog "Bugs" with two other dogs and his two children, Sam Alexis and Charlie.
Earlier this week, Woods said on his website that despite being idled by the latest in a series of injury setbacks, he sees himself back at the top level as he moves through his 40s.
"Where do I see myself in the next five to 10 years? I am still playing golf at the highest level and winning tournaments and major championships," Woods said.
Woods says his feelings change about turning 40.
"Mentally, people who know me know I'm like a five-year-old. Physically, sometimes I feel old and sometimes I feel like a teenager," Woods said. "I don't like the polar opposites of the two. I'd like to be somewhere in the middle where I feel 40."
Woods called 2015 "a roller-coaster ride the entire year, from being down to some pretty darn good highs" but anticipated he would return to PGA Tour play next year.
"The thing I'm looking forward to the most about 2016 is getting back out there again," Woods said.
"I've missed it, and I would like to do it pain-free. I haven't done that in what seems like a long time. I've had it in spurts the last few years and have done some pretty good things, but I'd like to have sustained health."
Woods has signed up to be an assistant to US Ryder Cup captain Davis Love but said he still hopes to play his way into a spot on the team.
"I'm excited about being named a vice-captain," Woods said. "It will be new, fun and special."
NASCAR: Thought for the Day: Take win away from victorious team if they fail post-race inspection.
By Dustin Long
(Photo/Dustin Long)
Since when is it OK to cheat and get away with it? Other than in Congress?
The notion that a winning car can fail post-race inspection and keep its win is appalling.
For years, the response from NASCAR was that the fans should know that the driver they saw cross the finish line first is the winner and not find out later that the order has changed.
That thinking is outdated. In this era of instant communications, such information can be passed along quickly.
Admittedly, there is a concern that a violation might not be discovered until inspection at NASCAR’s R&D Center, which takes place typically two days after the race.
Still, isn’t it better to get it right than let a cheater win?
To NASCAR’s credit, if the violation is severe enough, it can prevent the victory from counting toward a driver making the Chase or advancing to the next round.
That’s not enough. If the penalty is that severe, then the win should be stricken from the driver’s record and not count in any official statistics. And the driver and team lose the points collected in that race.
It’s simple. Make teams pay for cheating.
2015 Season in Review: Denny Hamlin.
By Jerry Bonkowski
(Photo/Getty Images)
CREW CHIEF: Mike Wheeler (new for 2016, replaces Dave Rogers)
TEAM: Joe Gibbs Racing
POINTS: 9th
WINS: 2
TOP 5s: 14
TOP 10s: 20
LAPS LED: 529
POLES: 3
WHAT WENT RIGHT: Hamlin had his usual strong, consistent season. Plus, his two wins were the most he’s had in a season since five in 2012. … He raced a good part of the season with a torn ACL, but it didn’t seem to affect him, particularly with his win at Chicagoland to kick off the Chase for the Sprint Cup. … His 20 top-10 finishes were the most since 20 in 2009.
WHAT WENT WRONG: Hamlin made it to the Championship 4 round of the Chase in 2014, but came up short this season, unable to get past Round 2. That, even though he had much greater overall stats in 2015 than 2014. … Hamlin’s former crew chief, Dave Rogers, has been shifted to Carl Edwards‘ team for 2016, replacing Darian Grubb. Replacing Rogers on the No. 11 team was Mike Wheeler, who had been crew chief on JGR’s No. 20 Xfinity Series car in 2015. … Hamlin at times seemed to struggle for no apparent reason. When he was on, he was on, but when he was off, he was way off.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2016: Which Denny Hamlin will show up in 2016? The guy who made the final round of the Chase in 2014, the guy who had better stats but failed to get past the second round in 2015, or the guy picked up a few pointers from teammate Kyle Busch and who could win it all for the first time in his Sprint Cup career? … How quickly Hamlin and Wheeler gel could determine just how successful the No. 11 is in 2016.
SOCCER: Premier League Preview: Stoke City vs. Manchester United.
TEAM: Joe Gibbs Racing
POINTS: 9th
WINS: 2
TOP 5s: 14
TOP 10s: 20
LAPS LED: 529
POLES: 3
WHAT WENT RIGHT: Hamlin had his usual strong, consistent season. Plus, his two wins were the most he’s had in a season since five in 2012. … He raced a good part of the season with a torn ACL, but it didn’t seem to affect him, particularly with his win at Chicagoland to kick off the Chase for the Sprint Cup. … His 20 top-10 finishes were the most since 20 in 2009.
WHAT WENT WRONG: Hamlin made it to the Championship 4 round of the Chase in 2014, but came up short this season, unable to get past Round 2. That, even though he had much greater overall stats in 2015 than 2014. … Hamlin’s former crew chief, Dave Rogers, has been shifted to Carl Edwards‘ team for 2016, replacing Darian Grubb. Replacing Rogers on the No. 11 team was Mike Wheeler, who had been crew chief on JGR’s No. 20 Xfinity Series car in 2015. … Hamlin at times seemed to struggle for no apparent reason. When he was on, he was on, but when he was off, he was way off.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2016: Which Denny Hamlin will show up in 2016? The guy who made the final round of the Chase in 2014, the guy who had better stats but failed to get past the second round in 2015, or the guy picked up a few pointers from teammate Kyle Busch and who could win it all for the first time in his Sprint Cup career? … How quickly Hamlin and Wheeler gel could determine just how successful the No. 11 is in 2016.
SOCCER: Premier League Preview: Stoke City vs. Manchester United.
By Kyle Lynch
(Photo/Getty Images)
Manchester United is stumbling, but the Red Devils are hoping their dominance on Boxing Day will continue at the Britannia against Stoke City (Watch live, Saturday at 7:45 a.m. ET on NBCSN and online via Live Extra).
If United doesn’t take all three points on Saturday, they will be winless in seven matches in all competitions, the club’s worst run since 1989.
Louis Van Gaal is under fire at Old Trafford, as recent struggles have seen United drop to fifth on the table. Some believe Saturday’s match against Stoke could be LVG’s last if he doesn’t get a win, but history is on the Dutchman’s side. United has dominated on Boxing Day, with just one loss in their past 21 matches on December 26. However, the Red Devils have struggled to score, and face a Potters side that has kept a clean sheet in seven of their past ten Premier League matches.
Mark Hughes‘ Stoke City sit 11th on the table and are coming off of a tough loss to Crystal Palace last weekend. The Potters will be without the USMNT’s Geoff Cameron, who will miss his second straight match with a hamstring injury. Despite being in better form than United, Stoke has lost 11 of 14 all-time Premier League meetings with the Red Devils, earning just one win.
If United doesn’t take all three points on Saturday, they will be winless in seven matches in all competitions, the club’s worst run since 1989.
Louis Van Gaal is under fire at Old Trafford, as recent struggles have seen United drop to fifth on the table. Some believe Saturday’s match against Stoke could be LVG’s last if he doesn’t get a win, but history is on the Dutchman’s side. United has dominated on Boxing Day, with just one loss in their past 21 matches on December 26. However, the Red Devils have struggled to score, and face a Potters side that has kept a clean sheet in seven of their past ten Premier League matches.
Mark Hughes‘ Stoke City sit 11th on the table and are coming off of a tough loss to Crystal Palace last weekend. The Potters will be without the USMNT’s Geoff Cameron, who will miss his second straight match with a hamstring injury. Despite being in better form than United, Stoke has lost 11 of 14 all-time Premier League meetings with the Red Devils, earning just one win.
What they’re saying
Stoke boss Mark Hughes on facing United: “I have been asked whether this is a good time to play them, but I am always wary of that because these type of clubs more often than not bounce back emphatically. The players there are representing a global brand and the players have a responsibility to produce the goods more often than not, so they will be desperate to get back on track at the weekend.”
United captain Wayne Rooney: “You have a lot of people talking about things they believe are happening when in reality the people writing that stuff don’t know anything that’s happening. We’re fighting for the manager and trying to get results to turn this around.”
Prediction
Manchester United has lost three straight matches and have looked lifeless over the past month, and a trip to Stoke is the last thing Louis van Gaal would want right now. Despite what the eye-test says about United, they simply don’t lose on Boxing Day, and I’m siding with history on this one. Stoke City 0-1 Manchester United.
Three things to look forward to on Boxing Day.
By Kyle Lynch
(Photo/Getty Images)
While Spain, Italy, and Germany are all on breaks, the Premier League is kicking into high-gear for the holiday season.
Boxing Day starts a busy stretch of matches, with each team playing three games in less than ten days as we officially reach the midway point of the season.
[ MORE: Premier League schedule ]
With tons of football about to be played, here are three things to look forward to on Boxing Day.
Boxing Day starts a busy stretch of matches, with each team playing three games in less than ten days as we officially reach the midway point of the season.
[ MORE: Premier League schedule ]
With tons of football about to be played, here are three things to look forward to on Boxing Day.
Ten matches with every Premier League team in action
One of the most exciting days in the Premier League is finally upon us. Starting up at the Britannia and ending down at St. Mary’s, all 20 teams are in action on Boxing Day. Make sure you clear your schedule and claim a spot on the couch, because there will be Premier League coverage all day long. A full slate of matches is the perfect excuse to throw on your new slippers, stay warm inside, and feast on leftovers for ten hours straight.
Red-hot players from Leicester to London
Boxing Day marks the three-month anniversary of Leicester City’s only Premier League loss this season, which came on September 26 to Arsenal. Riyad Mahrez has scored six goals in the past three matches, which have all resulted in wins for the Foxes.
Romelu Lukaku has goals in eight straight matches for Everton, a streak he will put on the line when the Toffees travel to face Newcastle. With great service from the likes of Ross Barkley and Gerard Deulofeu, Lukaku is in the best form of his career.
For Arsenal, Olivier Giroud has scored goals in four straight matches, as the Frenchman has become one of the Premier League’s most reliable strikers, a main reason the Gunners sit second on the table.
Watford’s partnership of Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney has been brilliant, as the duo have combined for nine goals over the past six matches. The Hornets sit in seventh place just a point out of the top four, and have a tough trip to Guus Hiddink’s Chelsea on Boxing Day. If Ighalo and Deeney can stay hot, Watford could continue their climb.
NBC’s first-ever Premier League doubleheader
Premier League action starts at 7:45 a.m. ET, with the first match of the day between Stoke City and Manchester United on NBCSN. Then, get your TV-laptop-tablet setup ready to roll, because seven more matches kick off at 10 a.m. ET, available across NBCSN, USA, and online via Live Extra.
The final two matches of the day will both be broadcast on NBC, the channel’s first-ever Premier League doubleheader. Everton travels to Newcastle at 12:30 p.m. ET, while Southampton hosts Arsenal at 2:45.
NCAAFB: Keeping the faith: At Clemson, religion, football converge.
By Ralph D. Russo
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney pats Howard's Rock and then leads his team down the hill into a hyped Memorial Stadium. There are few pregame rituals in college football as recognizable as the Tigers' blood-pumping entrance.
But before Death Valley becomes one of the most raucous sites in sports, it falls as quiet as church while a prayer is said by a local religious leader over the public address system.
Faith and football go together at Clemson, as they do at many universities. Here, though, where Swinney's devotion to Christianity is a pronounced part of his and the team's identity, may be one of most prominent displays of religion at a public university.
''As a Christian I hope a light shines through me,'' Swinney said. ''I don't want to be persecuted for that and I don't try to persecute somebody else because they have different beliefs.''
The convergence of religion and football has its critics. There has been scrutiny - and a re-examination of rules - for how Christianity has been interwoven into the program at Clemson.
Swinney said his faith has helped build a culture that is the foundation for the team's success. The top-ranked Tigers enter the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl on Dec. 31 against Oklahoma in search of the school's first national title since 1981.
''I try to be who I am. I try to be transparent. I try to live my life in a way that I hope is pleasing to my maker,'' Swinney said. ''As a program, we try to challenge these guys to be the best that they can be every day.''
Swinney was raised in a family with divorced parents. He said he went to church when his mother dragged him there. In high school, when he was searching for guidance, Swinney found his way to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The turning point was an FCA talk by one of his idols, former Alabama wide receiver Joey Jones, who is now the head coach at South Alabama.
''I thought he was going to talk about touchdowns and all the money he made playing for the Falcons and for the USFL Stallions,'' Swinney said. ''All he talked about was his faith in Christ and his relationship there. If you're not saved and you want to be saved here's what you have to do. I realized I wasn't saved.
''Joey Jones led me to the Lord that night.''
Swinney dismisses any suggestion that he and his staff cross the divide between church and state, and Clemson athletic director Dan Radakovich said a review by the school in 2014 supported his coach. Radakovich points out careful guidelines are followed and the pregame invocation is submitted to school officials for approval before it is read on Saturday.
''People who are doing this, they live in today's world and they know and understand that this is a unique, special honor for them to be able to do that and they understand what the audience is and what the law of the state is,'' Radakovich said.
While Swinney said his program is welcoming to all, there is no doubt it has a strong attraction for those who have similar beliefs to the man in charge.
''I know for me personally, I'm a Christian, and I don't have to be somebody different whenever I come into work,'' co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott said.
All-America quarterback Deshaun Watson, a cross hanging from the chain he wears around his neck, said his faith played a small part in his deciding to attend Clemson.
''But it was a part of it, of course, knowing that my coach is a man of God,'' Watson said.
Former Clemson receiver Aaron Kelly played for the Tigers when Swinney was receivers coach and when he first became head coach in 2008. Kelly, a Jehovah's Witness, said he didn't feel comfortable going to church with the team or taking part in Bible studies and it was never a problem.
''You just knew that that's something that was important to him. It wasn't something he hid or shied away from. You knew it up front, but it was nothing that he ever forced on us and made us feel like we had to do that,'' Kelly said.
Swinney did not bring Christianity to Clemson football. In fact, in some ways it is what led him to Clemson. His predecessor and first boss at Clemson, Tommy Bowden, was also a devout Christian. When Bowden offered Swinney the job as receivers coach in 2003, they both agreed to pray on it before he accepted.
Clemson's at-times overt displays of Christianity - including a player being baptized after practice with coaches and teammates watching - drew the attention of the nonprofit watchdog group Freedom From Religion Foundation in 2014.
FFRF sent a letter of complaint to Clemson, saying the football program promotes Christianity in a way that violates constitutional guidelines.
An attorney for Clemson responded to the complaint, writing the foundation ''misconstrued important facts and made incorrect statements of the law.''
Radakovich said after receiving the complaint the university called on its legal counsel to ensure policies were being followed.
''In that review, we found that we were,'' Radakovich said.
Radakovich said Swinney and his staff did not need to change their practices, but the review was an opportunity to provide some clarification as to what is a mandatory team activity.
''We go back and make sure in this particular case that voluntary is there. Where it may have been understood before and spoken you don't want to have a team sheet, a calendar or other pieces of paper out there that says this activity without that word there, even though it's understood,'' Radakovich said. ''Saying what we mean, I think is real important to be able to go through.''
Another report by the Freedom From Religion Foundation earlier this year cited football programs at 25 universities, including Clemson, most of the Southeastern Conference, Florida State, Wisconsin and Washington, as employing team chaplains in ways that are inappropriate for public schools.
''One of the problems with a program like this at a public school it's not just those who participate in it but those who are excluded from it,'' said Patrick Elliott, a staff attorney for FFRF. ''If I were an atheist player I would not go to Clemson University.''
Radakovich doesn't necessarily see that as a problem.
''You're not drafted to Clemson,'' he said. ''You have choices and you choose to come and go to this academic institution and you choose to play for these coaches.''
As for Swinney, he hopes to build more than winning football teams, but he also knows that wins and losses determine whether he stays employed.
''We're going to play the best football players. We don't play the best Christians. I can assure you that,'' he said. ''We probably wouldn't have five 10-plus win seasons if that was the standard.''
Michigan State riding high with football-basketball combo.
By NOAH TRISTER
Tom Izzo's basketball team is undefeated, ranked No. 1 in the nation, and right now has to settle for second billing on its own campus.
That's how high the bar has been raised at Michigan State.
It's the football Spartans who are tantalizingly close to a national championship, capping what has been a spectacular 2015 for the two most popular teams in East Lansing. Back in March, Izzo led Michigan State's basketball team to the Final Four for the seventh time, and now the school has reached the same stage in football after winning the Big Ten title earlier this month.
''I think we've both kind of earned our keep,'' Izzo said. ''We're both kind of walking in similar territory.''
Long considered a blue-collar underdog in a region that includes Michigan, Notre Dame and Ohio State, Michigan State has emerged lately as an athletic powerhouse, with title contenders in the two most lucrative college sports. Izzo's program has been outstanding for a long time while coach Mark Dantonio's football team has become a mainstay in the top 10 over the past three seasons.
''When Michigan State is out there, whether it's basketball, whether it's football, whether it's academics, or anything, obviously it's a positive,'' Dantonio said, shortly before his team beat Iowa for the Big Ten championship. ''That's what we represent.''
If the Spartans and Oklahoma make it to the national championship game in football, maybe they should set up a doubleheader with the basketball teams. The Sooners are also undefeated in basketball and ranked third in the country.
The Spartans clearly have a ways to go in both sports to match the run by Florida. The Gators won the 2005-06 basketball title and followed with the 2006 football championship. Then Florida came back with a second straight basketball crown in the 2006-07 season.
Michigan State's success is still a bit of a novelty, and fans and alums aren't taking it for granted. Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors and Le'Veon Bell of the Pittsburgh Steelers are quick to chime in on social media when the Spartans give the alumni something to celebrate.
From Green and Bell to Magic Johnson and Jason Richardson, former Michigan State athletes are giddy over the Spartans' accomplishments.
''It's been amazing. I can't leave my couch. I'm actually gaining weight right now,'' said Richardson, who was part of the Michigan State basketball team that won the national title in 2000. ''It's amazing to see both programs at elite status. That's what you want for your university, especially the basketball program and now the football program is joining the elite ranks. You can't ask for anything more.''
The third-ranked Spartans will play second-ranked Alabama in a national football semifinal Dec. 31. One big question is whether Izzo and his players will be there. He was still uncertain as of last week.
''I know my heart wants to,'' Izzo said. ''My heart wants to take the whole team, the secretaries and everybody else with us, because it would be an incredible experience.''
Izzo says his basketball team can learn from the challenges the football team faces, and vice versa. The football team upset Ohio State last month around the same time the basketball team beat Kansas.
As the showdown against Alabama draws nearer, the Spartans can sense what their opportunity means for those who have supported Michigan State for so long. Defensive lineman Shilique Calhoun is careful not to take too much credit for the revitalization of the football team.
''It wasn't us who built this program and made this program into what it is. It's been those Spartans that's been in the past,'' he said. ''It didn't start with the 2011 class. It didn't start with the 2009, the 2007 class. It started way before then. It's a lot of former Spartans that helped pave the way for us.''
Now Michigan State is the envy of so many other athletic departments, and anyone associated with the school is in a position to benefit.
''I've always thought that Michigan State had a brand,'' Dantonio said. ''Right now, it's certainly talked about often relative to what's going on here athletically, and with our university in general and everything else, so it's very positive. But I've always thought we had a great name out there.''
NCAABKB: How Canisius rallied from a 13-point deficit in 62 seconds.
By Jeff Eisenberg
College basketball's most unlikely comeback Tuesday night wasn't top-ranked Michigan State's second-half revival against Oakland, sixth-ranked Xavier's spirited rally at Wake Forest or even fifth-ranked Virginia's overtime surge against Cal.
They all looked routine by comparison next to what little-known Canisius accomplished in its 108-96 triple-overtime victory over Louisiana-Monroe.
The Golden Griffins forced overtime by rallying from a 13-point deficit in the game's final 62 seconds and an 11-point deficit in the final minute. The latter tied a Division I record for the largest last-minute comeback set originally by UNLV against San Diego State in 2005.
The comeback began at the free throw line when a pair of foul shots from Chris Atkinson trimmed Canisius' deficit to 11 with 1:02 to go. Louisiana Monroe's Justin Roberson missed the front end of a one-and-one, Atkinson buried a 3-pointer with 40 seconds left and suddenly the deficit didn't look quite so insurmountable anymore.
When we were down eight, I told the guys, 'We can win this thing," Canisius coach Jim Baron told his school's website after the game. "We had to withstand the wave and we just kept battling."
Four more missed foul shots aided the Canisius comeback, one by 58.3 percent free throw shooter Nick Coppola, one by 87 percent free throw shooter Majok Deng and two by 63.9 percent free throw shooter Travis Munnings. In between, Isiah Gurley and Jermaine Crumpton both sank transition 3-pointers, slicing Louisiana Monroe's lead to three.
On Canisius' final possession after Munning's two misses from the foul line, it was Atkinson who struck once again. The freshman who shoots just 28.3 percent from the field and 28.1 percent from behind the arc knocked down another 3-pointer, capping a stunningly swift 14-1 surge and tying the game with 12 seconds to go.
"That right there was an example of how we play," Baron said. "We’re junk-yard dogs. We don’t give up."
It would have been crushing for Canisius to do all that work in regulation and still lose, but the Golden Griffins managed to survive some scary moments. Deng missed a 3-pointer that would have won the game at the end of regulation. And Coppola missed a go-ahead free throw with one second left in the first overtime period.
Canisius missed a chance of its own at the foul line in the second overtime, but the Golden Griffins stormed back to score all 12 points in the third extra session. And with that, they secured one of the wildest victories of the season.
The crazy comeback is proof that a memorable game can emerge in the most unlikely circumstances. Canisius entered with a 4-6 record. Louisiana Monroe was 5-5. Not many people were in the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas for the early-round Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic game, but the few who were will likely remember it for a long time.
Still Hustling; Pete Rose hasn't changed his ways, so MLB didn't change its stance on him.
By Joe Posnanski
Yes, Rose could have given Manfred a few sleepless nights as he conversed with the ghosts and pondered the right thing to do.
But it wasn’t like that at all. Pete Rose still bets on baseball.
This was as easy a decision as Rob Manfred will ever have to make.
I have a soft spot in my heart for Pete Rose. Several years ago, I wrote a book called The Machine about the 1975 Cincinnati Reds, and Rose was obviously the focal point. He was a fantastic player and, if this is the right word, an admirable one. He had unimpressive physical skills. He couldn’t run, couldn’t throw, had no natural grace and, despite his strength, limited batting power. He willed himself to greatness.
Beyond that, he was a generous teammate, who treated even the newest rookies with respect. Every single one of his teammates had something good to say about Pete Rose, the player. Rose was colorblind. Rose was a good friend. Rose was selfless:
When the Reds desperately needed a third baseman that year, manager Sparky Anderson asked Rose to move there even though Pete hated the position. Rose immediately ran to the dugout.
“What did you get there, Peter Edward?” Anderson asked.
“A cup,” Rose said. “I’ll help the club, but I’m not risking my family’s future for you.”
Rose is a great storyteller, when he’s in the mood. He’s a funny guy, when he’s in the mood. He’s a good guy to hang out with, when he’s in the mood. Like I say, I have a soft spot for him. And beyond that, I’m on the record saying that I would vote for him for the Hall of Fame.
But all this has nothing to do with his appeal to be reinstated to baseball. Manfred had one concern and one concern only: If Pete Rose were allowed back in, would he embarrass the game?
And to determine this, Manfred needed just one piece of evidence — a piece of evidence Rose himself provided in their conversation.
Pete Rose still bets on baseball.
Oh, he does? Great. That’s a wrap, folks. Please tip your waitresses on the way out.
Are you kidding me? He bets on baseball. What possible argument for reinstatement could Pete Rose’s lawyers make after that admission? In fact: How could Rose’s representatives even let him go speak to the commissioner of baseball knowing that the guy still bets on the game? What a waste of time. What a waste of hope for all those people who loved Pete Rose, the baseball player, and want to believe he has been wronged. What a waste of everything.
Pete Rose has every right to bet on baseball, of course. He’s an adult, sort of, and he’s of betting age, and he has no association with the game. He spends most of his time in Las Vegas, and he needs the action, and gambling is an addiction he can’t or won’t break, and, yes, he has every right.
But, in betting on baseball, he HAS to know he forfeits any right to get back into baseball, right? I mean, he is not so far gone that he can honestly believe that the commissioner is going to overturn Rose’s permanent ban for gambling on the game when Rose STILL GAMBLES ON THE GAME? Rose can still see, right?
There are only two possible answers to that:
1. He does see it but believed he could hustle Manfred and everyone else.
2. He doesn’t see it, which is probably worse.
In Manfred’s tidy little four-page dismissal of Rose’s ludicrous request he does make the point that Rose “initially denied betting on baseball currently and only later in the interview did he ‘clarify’ his response to admit such betting.” So that suggests, yeah, it was all a hustle — a very, very poorly constructed hustle.
MANFRED: Pete, do you bet on baseball?
ROSE: Absolutely not.
(Rose’s lawyers lean over to him and whisper in his ear).
ROSE: I’d like to clarify my answer. Yeah, I do.
Pure lunacy. And here’s the thing: Even if you want to take the most cynical view possible — there are so many other sports to bet on. Rose couldn’t have just stuck with those sports? There aren’t enough college basketball games, horse races and Australian Rules Football games to bet on?
Commissioner Bart Giamatti, when he set the lifetime ban, directed Rose to reconfigure his life. Giamatti had so badly wanted it to end differently; he apparently had offered Rose several pretty good deals if the guy would just ADMIT he bet on baseball and get some help. Rose, at the time, was way too defiant to do anything like that.
Then, it all went bad. Rose went to jail for filing false tax returns. He had to sign a billion autographs to stay afloat. He continually lied about betting on baseball until it paid better to tell a version of the truth. He continually lied about betting on Reds games until it paid better to tell another version of the truth. Even now, Rose claims to have had a standing bet on the Reds to win, something Manfred found contrary to evidence:
“I note that the Bertolini Notebook (a notebook taken from memorabilia broker Michael Bertolini that shows Rose bets) shows that, contrary to his assertions, Mr. Rose did not wager on every Reds game. Thus Mr. Rose’s wagering pattern may have created the appearance to those who were aware of his activity that he selected only those games that he believed that the Reds would win.”
So, yes, Rose purposely DID NOT reconfigure his life for some time. But there was this thought — call it a hope — that after he turned 70, he mellowed a little. A man starts feeling his mortality, and maybe he thinks about setting things right — anyway, that’s how it goes in the movies.
But, that’s not how it goes for Rose. Whether it’s addiction, stubbornness or an unwillingness to listen, Rose still bets on baseball.
Manfred makes the point — and I agree with him — that the Hall of Fame question is a different one, one we can argue about another time. The question before Manfred was very narrow: Has Pete Rose reformed enough that his permanent ban should be lifted? This figures to be the last time any commissioner takes the time to consider reinstating Rose.
And the guy still bets on baseball. Manfred upheld the ban because there was nothing else for him to do — there wasn’t even a decision to be made. It’s a shame. Pete Rose was famous for his relentlessness. If he was 4-for-4, he wanted to go 5-for-5. If his team was down by eight, he wanted a single. As a player, he never gave up an at-bat.
As an old man, he couldn’t even stop betting on baseball for a chance to get back into the game. He gave up the most important at-bat of his life.
On
Memoriesofhistory.com
1894 - The University of Chicago became the first Midwestern football team to play on the west coast. U.C. defeated Stanford, 24-4, in Palo Alto, CA.
1914 - During World War I, British and German troops observed an unofficial truce and even played football together on the Western Front.
1971 - The longest pro-football game to date finally ended when Garo Yepremian kicked a field goal in the second quarter of sudden death overtime. The Miami Dolphins defeated Kansas City, 27-24. The total game time was 82 minutes and 40 seconds.
1989 - Former baseball player and manager Billy Martin died in a truck crash in Fenton, NY.
1914 - During World War I, British and German troops observed an unofficial truce and even played football together on the Western Front.
1971 - The longest pro-football game to date finally ended when Garo Yepremian kicked a field goal in the second quarter of sudden death overtime. The Miami Dolphins defeated Kansas City, 27-24. The total game time was 82 minutes and 40 seconds.
1989 - Former baseball player and manager Billy Martin died in a truck crash in Fenton, NY.
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