Chicago Sports & Travel Inc./AllsportsAmerica
"America's Finest Sports Fan Travel Club, May We Plan An Event Or Sports Travel For You?"
We offer: Select opportunities, For your convenience, At "Very Rare but Super Fair" pricing
Because it's all about you!!!
We offer: Select opportunities, For your convenience, At "Very Rare but Super Fair" pricing
Because it's all about you!!!
"Sports Quote of the Day"
You shouldn't wait for other people to make special things happen. You have to create your own memories. ~ Heidi Klum, Model, TV Host, Business Woman, Fashion Designer, TV Producer and Occasional Actress
Trending: Highlights from the Muhammad Ali memorial service. (See the last article on this blog for details.)
Trending: Eddie Goldman envisions 'vicious' pass rush from Bears this season and Chicago Bears need their WR's back working with Jay Cutler. (See the football section for Bears updates).
Trending: Star power, young talent and new attitudes will be on display for Cubs-Nationals. (See the baseball section for Cubs and White Sox updates).
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Trending: Blackhawks' Rocky Wirtz on the passing of NHL great Gordie Howe. (See the hockey section for Blackhawks updates).
Trending: Penguins, after years in the wilderness, win another Stanley Cup. (See the hockey section for Stanley Cup Playoff updates).
Cubs 2016 Record: 43-18
White Sox 2016 Record: 31-32
(See the baseball section for Cubs and White Sox updates).
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Eddie Goldman envisions 'vicious' pass rush from Bears this season.
By John Mullin
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
When linebacker Pernell McPhee arrived last offseason, his self-portrait for playing style consisted of one word: “violent.” Knee issues aside, McPhee’s description proved apt.
One emerging centerpiece of last year’s defense and a foundation pillar of this year’s and beyond — nose tackle Eddie Goldman — has an early take on what should be expected from the front seven where it matters:
“I can’t really say what we’re going to do,” Goldman said during OTA's. “I know what we plan to do. It’s looking like a vicious front, because we have a combination of speed and strength.”
Goldman, the Bears’ second-round selection in the 2015 NFL Draft, is expected to be a critical component for both “speed and strength.” He was a linchpin last year in defending against the run while also managing 4.5 sacks despite not being a full-time member of the four-man front used by the Bears in pass situations.
The plan now is for Goldman, who struggled with conditioning this time last year and into early training camp, to ratchet up the “speed” portion of his game. After playing in the range of 340 pounds last season, Goldman’s plan is to play at something around 325 pounds — nearly the same as new down-lineman Akiem Hicks.
The upshot is that, even in non-contact OTA practices, Goldman is getting a serious look at being more than a run stuffer.
“We’re always going to put the best people out there on the field,” said defensive line coach Jay Rodgers. “You’ve heard coach (John) Fox say, ‘You’re role is whatever you make of it.’ So if he’s showing up on tape as a guy who’s producing in pass-rush situations, we’re going to put him in there.
“I have no reservations of labeling guys ends and noses, when we get in nickel situations and they’re the best two [interior] guys on the field. That doesn’t matter to me. It’s the best two guys on the field. And if they’re tired, it’s the next best guy on the field, whatever position they play. And sometimes your nose is a better pass rusher than a guy who’s playing end, that’s why he was out there a lot.”
And there is always room for a little more “vicious” in a pass rush, particularly one that was only a middling 12th in sacks per pass play last season. Goldman’s weight loss projects to create more of a role for himself.
“325 is the ideal weight for me, at least from the perspective of the coaches,” Goldman said. The effect is “moving faster. My foot-quickness, and it helps with your stamina, too.”
Chicago Bears need their WR's back working with Jay Cutler.
By The Sports Xchange
The absence of wide receiver Alshon Jeffery through the Chicago Bears' organized team activities only heightened anticipation for his expected return at the mandatory June 22 minicamp.
The Bears badly need to have their entire receiver corps back working with quarterback Jay Cutler before the start of training camp after the disruption caused when the top four finished last year out of the lineup because of injuries.
In fact, it's been since last August that Cutler was able to work with all four of his top receivers at the same time.
Considering they have a new offensive coordinator, Dowell Loggains, the need is all the greater. The general perception has been that the offense is simply moving forward from last year exactly as when Loggains served as quarterbacks coach and Adam Gase offensive coordinator.
However, this is not 100 percent accurate.
"Well, the shell of the offense will stay the same," Loggains said. "It's been the same since Xoach (John) Fox has been a head coach. The language and everything will be the same, but it will evolve like it would have if Adam would have been here."
As a result, Jeffery would come into minicamp not entirely on the same page.
"I'm not concerned about that," Loggains said. "I know Alshon is working hard right now and we're excited to get him back when he shows up."
Last year's first-round pick Kevin White must overcome an inexperience factor after missing the season following shin surgery, but he finds some of what he learned during idle time last year useful.
"It's a lot easier now," White said. "Last year everything seemed so fast. It was really hard trying to learn the concepts."
White is essentially a rookie-plus, but he's leaving an impression on other receivers like Eddie Royal with his work ethic and the knowledge he gained watching last year.
"Now he's out here and he's playing and he doesn't look like a rookie at all," Royal said. "Just seeing how big and fast and strong he is, I think he can make a lot of big plays I know if I was calling the plays, I'd definitely use him."
Loggains' assessment of White isn't much different.
"It's hard but I can tell you about his character and he's everything that we expected," Loggains said. "He's a hard worker. His attitude is contagious because he is very positive; he doesn't have bad days.
"I think that between him and Eddie and some of the other receivers, they're bringing out the best of each other, and competition does that."
Royal, also among the injured last year, sees a benefit to the practices held so far without Jeffery.
"We have a lot of young guys at receiver," Royal said. "And it's given them opportunity to get some reps and a chance to prove themselves.
"Yah know? It's all about getting out there when you get a chance and making the most of it. So we've got some guys out there who are making plays and really proving that they deserve a shot at making this team."
The problem is, the Bears offense went through much of last season using those same backup receivers: Marc Mariani, Josh Bellamy and Cameron Meredith and Deonte Thompson.
Even fourth receiver Marquess Wilson, who has been impressive in OTAs, was out for five games.
The Bears need Jeffery and White to make plays and stretch the field so others can also make them.
"We're excited about those two," Loggains said. "I can't wait to get them both on the field at the same time, something we've never seen in Chicago."
--Third-round draft pick Jonathan Bullard, who signed earlier this week, discounts all the pre-draft talk he was undersized to be playing a defensive end position in the 3-4.
"I've got the power to do it, the size, my lower half," Bullard said. "I know what the people were saying when I was coming out, that I was a tweener. But if you watch my tape I'm setting the edge against whoever. "So I can do that. That isn't going to be a problem."
Bullard was viewed as a possible player who can line up in the 3-technique spot when the Bears are in a four-man front in passing situations.
In OTAs, he hasn't been with the first-team much in this regard. The Bears have used Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman at the tackle positions in those drills.
Bullard said it will be a matter of learning when to use his speed and gamble by shooting a gap or being safe while maintaining gap integrity. Coaches have told him this much.
"Eventually when you understand it, and know the blocking schemes and things, then you can go back out and take them," Bullard said. "They don't want to take that from you."
--Nate Chandler's addition on June 2 brought the Bears more depth at tackle in case of injuries, or if inexperienced left tackle Charles Leno Jr. were to backslide. The Bears also considered free agent Jake Long.
Chandler hasn't played since 2014 after suffering a torn right lateral meniscus ligament in 2014. He went on injured reserve, then re-injured it last year and missed the Super Bowl season for Carolina.
The Bears earlier in OTAs cut tackle Tayo Fabuluje, their sixth-round pick last year, so the need was there.
Chandler also can play guard, and is known for overall athletic ability. He played defensive line and tight end in college and was a defensive lineman as a rookie with Carolina before switching.
"Just knowing the mentality of a defensive lineman and their techniques or their responsibilities kind of helps me as far as our schemes go," Chandler said.
After two years away from the game, Chandler is more worried about other aspects of his comeback than learning the Bears playbook.
"My biggest challenge is getting back onto the field and getting my feet wet and getting back out there and competing," he said.
--When the Bears signed right tackle Bobby Massie, they talked about how his friendship with Kyle Long was a factor in getting to know their new blocker. And Long said he'd be helping Massie fit in with the team.
Massie revealed at OTAs that he can be a help to Long, who has had more than his share of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.
"I just try to keep him focused because, you know Kyle," Massie said. "Once he gets his mind on something, when something is bothering him, it will keep bothering him.
"So I just try to keep his mind on track and things like that."
Does he listen?
"Yeah, I mean, he listens at times," Massie said. "But you know, Kyle is his own guy."
--By making the successful transition to 3-4 linebacker from 4-3 end, Willie Young thinks he made a statement.
"I'm pretty good at what I do," Young said. "Whatever situation that I'm thrown in, I do pretty good of coming out smelling like a rose.
"I haven't always been put in the right position or the right situation, but I somehow manage to figure out how to come out smelling like a rose. I had to figure it out. That's part of why I'm here today."
NOTES: LG Cody Whitehair has been getting some snaps with the first team, indicating the team is open to giving him a real shot at starting as a rookie over veteran free agent acquisition Ted Larsen when training camp begins. ... LB Christian Jones, who came into the NFL on the outside but was moved inside by the coaching staff last year, has been lining up as a pass rush outside linebacker during OTAs. Whether it's a permanent move isn't known yet. The signing of Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman meant the Bears didn't have as much need at inside linebacker. The Bears have second-year player John Timu and rookie Nick Kwiatoski backing up the starters at inside linebacker. Also, inside linebacker Jonathan Anderson still is with the team and played inside last year. Anderson missed the June 1 practice. ... S DeAndre Houston-Carson, the team's sixth-round draft pick from William & Mary, worked with the second team secondary alongside former Broncos safety and special teams player Omar Bolden. ... RB Senorise Perry, who sustained a torn ACL in preseason last year, is back working with special teams and at returning kicks. Bolden, Marc Mariani, rookie Daniel Braverman and undrafted free agent acquisition Kieran Duncan all have been taking back kicks. ...TE Rob Housler continues working with the first team extensively in two-tight end formations when starter Zach Miller is on the field. Khari Lee, acquired last year in a trade with Houston, is Housler's chief competition, although 6-foot-7 Gannon Sinclair has also received a look. The second tight end spot continues to remain a Bears weakness after Miller was promoted following the decision to let go of last year's starter Martellus Bennett. ... G/C Manny Ramirez was placed on the reserve/retired list. Ramirez played in 83 games with 65 starts over eight seasons for the Lions and Broncos. The move means the Bears may need to look for another experienced free agent who can be a backup to Hroniss Grasu.
Follow-Up: Bears rookie wide receiver catches 100 balls after practice.
Bears Wire
(Photo/Bears Wire)
Chicago Bears seventh-round pick Daniel Braverman is working hard to try and make the team’s roster. The 5-foot-10, 177-pound receiver has his size and small-school background working against him, but his work ethic and effort may just push him over the top.
Braverman told the Chicago Sun-Times that he catches 100 footballs from the JUGS machine after practice, after all of the other players leave for the day. He feels like he has something to prove coming out of Western Michigan, and he knows that hard work is the way to prove it.
“I really care that Bears took a chance on me,” Braverman said. “That’s something that drives me, is to really just prove to them that I can do this and I’m willing to work hard and act like a professional. To do anything I can to make this team.”
The young receiver is certainly driven, and he has the type of work ethic that should catch the eye of John Fox and Ryan Pace when it comes time to make their final roster decision.
Bears swap out quarterbacks.
By Tony Andracki
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Blanchard has been with the Bears for most of the last few seasons, beginning as an undrafted free agent in 2012 and 2013 before moving to the Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts. He also went through minicamp with the Green Bay Packers last offseason.
The Lake Zurich native and Wisconsin-Whitewater product returned to the Bears last season and even got a raise to stick in Chicago, signing a reserve/futures contract in January.
Blanchard, 27, has not appeared in an NFL game.
Williams, an undrafted rookie, threw for 7,458 yards and 56 touchdowns to only 13 interceptions in 39 games for Dartmouth. He also ran for 1,494 yards and 19 TDs.
He holds nearly every Dartmouth career record as a quarterback - passing yards, completions, attempts, completion percentage, efficiency, total offense.
Williams was part of the Bears' rookie minicamp this spring.
Penguins, after years in the wilderness, win another Stanley Cup.
By Sean Gentille
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Seven years ago, to the day, the Pittsburgh Penguins thought they'd started a dynasty.
That's not the way it panned out — bad luck and bad decisions got in the way — but today, whatever this is, they'll take it. Pittsburgh, after 2,555 days, three coaches, two general managers and a playoff run that seemed impossible at Christmas, has its second Stanley Cup of the Sidney Crosby Era.
That's not the way it panned out — bad luck and bad decisions got in the way — but today, whatever this is, they'll take it. Pittsburgh, after 2,555 days, three coaches, two general managers and a playoff run that seemed impossible at Christmas, has its second Stanley Cup of the Sidney Crosby Era.
The Penguins beat the San Jose Sharks 3-1 on Sunday in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. Brian Dumoulin, Kris Letang and Patric Hornqvist scored Pittsburgh's goals, and rookie goalie Matt Murray — who started the season in the AHL and was a backup in March — made 18 saves.
Logan Couture, who led the playoffs in points, scored San Jose's goal. Martin Jones, who deserved Conn Smythe consideration no matter the result, stopped 25 of Pittsburgh's shots, including a point-blank one-timer by Phil Kessel with less than six minutes remaining that kept his team in the game.
The way the game unfolded was the final in miniature: Pittsburgh controlled the run of play, eventually got a lead — courtesy of a phenomenal individual effort by Letang — and hung on for dear life; San Jose had a chance to tie the game with a third-period power play.
It wasn't settled until Hornqvist's empty netter — off a blocked shot by Crosby.
The Penguins held series leads of 2-0 and 3-1 before sealing the deal. After they lost Game 5 at home, with a starved crowd outside Consol Energy Center, it was easy to fall back on all those failed attempts in the past seven years.
In 2010, Jaroslav Halak. In 2011, Crosby's concussion. In 2012, a meltdown against the Flyers. In 2013 and 2014, power outages against the Bruins and Rangers. In 2015, a first-round loss to New York.
That doesn't matter now, though. Whatever state they find themselves in — it can't be a dynasty, because Chicago has won three Cups in the interim, and the Kings have won two — it doesn't matter.
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Blackhawks' Rocky Wirtz on the passing of NHL great Gordie Howe.
By CSN Staff
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Gordie Howe, the talented and tough hockey great who set scoring records that stood for decades, has died. The man who will forever be known as 'Mr. Hockey' was 88 years old.
His passing is not only a loss for the Detroit Red Wings, but for the entire sport of hockey. Chicago Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz today released the following statement on the passing of hockey legend Gordie Howe:
His passing is not only a loss for the Detroit Red Wings, but for the entire sport of hockey. Chicago Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz today released the following statement on the passing of hockey legend Gordie Howe:
“The Chicago Blackhawks offer their heartfelt condolences to Gordie’s family and the entire Detroit Red Wings organization. There is no greater rivalry in hockey than the one between the Red Wings and the Blackhawks, and Gordie was a large part of that. The relationship between our family and Gordie is three generations long, and we are grateful for what he gave to our organization, the National Hockey League and the sport of hockey. There’s a reason why he is called “Mr. Hockey,” because of what he did for the game, and we stand with the entire sports world in mourning his loss.”
Renowned as one of the best hockey players of all time, Howe's blend of talent and grit helped him win four Stanley Cup trophies with the Detroit Red Wings, six Hart Trophies as NHL MVP, and six Ross Trophies as the league's top scorer. The Hockey Hall of Famer spent 32 seasons playing professional hockey - 25 with the Red Wings - and set NHL marks with 801 goals and 1,850 points that held up until Gretzky came along.
He was both a finesse player and a brutal fighter on the ice, using his magnificent slap shot or throwing elbows to get even with opponents. He was so famously fierce that a "Gordie Howe Hat Trick" became synonymous with the combination of having a goal, an assist and a fight in one game.
Howe's legendary NHL career ended in 1980 at the age of 52. His name sits at the top of lists of hockey greats alongside players like Bobby Orr, Maurice Richard, Mario Lemieux, Guy Lafleur, Bobby Hull and Gretzky. Howe's impact on the game of hockey can be seen both on and off the ice, as his entrance into the NHL helped convert the sport from a Canadian game into a North American game.
Take a look at some of Mr. Hockey's legendary career facts:
Gordie Howe
• Born March 31, 1928
• Career numbers:
o 1767 games played (most all-time)
o 801 goals (2nd all-time)
o 1049 assists (9th all-time)
o 1850 points (4th all-time)
• Inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972
• Playoff Career:
o 157 games played
o 68 goals
o 92 assists
o 160 points
• Known as "Mr. Hockey"
• Won 4 Stanley Cups with Red Wings (1950, 1952, 1954, 1955)
• Won 6 Hart Trophies (2nd all-time) and 6 Art Ross Trophies (T-2nd all-time)
• Played in a record 23 All-Star games
• 22 seasons with 20+ goals (most all-time)
• Played 25 seasons for Detroit Red Wings from 1946 (age 18) to 1971 (age 43)
• Played in WHA from 1973 to 1979 (Houston Aeros & New England Whalers)
• Returned to NHL for the 1979-80 season at age 51 (finished at age 52). Tallied 41 points and 15 goals that season for the Hartford Whalers. He is still the oldest player to play in the NHL, playing his final game at age 52 and 11 days old.
o Began career during Harry Truman administration and retired for good during Jimmy Carter's. Only player to play in 5 different decades.
• Ironically, Howe only recorded a “Gordie Howe Hat Trick” twice in his career
o A “Gordie Howe Hat Trick” includes a goal, an assist and a fight in the same game
He was both a finesse player and a brutal fighter on the ice, using his magnificent slap shot or throwing elbows to get even with opponents. He was so famously fierce that a "Gordie Howe Hat Trick" became synonymous with the combination of having a goal, an assist and a fight in one game.
Howe's legendary NHL career ended in 1980 at the age of 52. His name sits at the top of lists of hockey greats alongside players like Bobby Orr, Maurice Richard, Mario Lemieux, Guy Lafleur, Bobby Hull and Gretzky. Howe's impact on the game of hockey can be seen both on and off the ice, as his entrance into the NHL helped convert the sport from a Canadian game into a North American game.
Take a look at some of Mr. Hockey's legendary career facts:
Gordie Howe
• Born March 31, 1928
• Career numbers:
o 1767 games played (most all-time)
o 801 goals (2nd all-time)
o 1049 assists (9th all-time)
o 1850 points (4th all-time)
• Inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972
• Playoff Career:
o 157 games played
o 68 goals
o 92 assists
o 160 points
• Known as "Mr. Hockey"
• Won 4 Stanley Cups with Red Wings (1950, 1952, 1954, 1955)
• Won 6 Hart Trophies (2nd all-time) and 6 Art Ross Trophies (T-2nd all-time)
• Played in a record 23 All-Star games
• 22 seasons with 20+ goals (most all-time)
• Played 25 seasons for Detroit Red Wings from 1946 (age 18) to 1971 (age 43)
• Played in WHA from 1973 to 1979 (Houston Aeros & New England Whalers)
• Returned to NHL for the 1979-80 season at age 51 (finished at age 52). Tallied 41 points and 15 goals that season for the Hartford Whalers. He is still the oldest player to play in the NHL, playing his final game at age 52 and 11 days old.
o Began career during Harry Truman administration and retired for good during Jimmy Carter's. Only player to play in 5 different decades.
• Ironically, Howe only recorded a “Gordie Howe Hat Trick” twice in his career
o A “Gordie Howe Hat Trick” includes a goal, an assist and a fight in the same game
Jon Lester wins fourth straight as Cubs cruise past Braves. (Sunday's game, 06/12/2016).
By Associated Press
Photo/csnchicago.com)
Jon Lester stopped himself as he started to say he hoped the Cubs could keep winning at their current pace.
That would be asking for too much.
Lester earned his fourth straight victory after allowing no earned runs in seven innings as Chicago beat the Atlanta Braves 13-2 on Sunday to win their final series at Turner Field.
The Cubs (43-18) have won 14 of 18 and improved to 39-2 when scoring at least four runs. They moved 25 games over .500 with their best record through 61 games since 1907, when they won the World Series.
"It's been fun to be a part of and hopefully we can just keep ... obviously the pace we're on is pretty crazy," Lester said. "Not a lot of us have answers for what's going on. Enjoy it while we can."
Lester (8-3) also is on an impressive personal run. He has allowed only one earned run with no walks in three wins this month, lowering his ERA to 1.89. He gave up five hits to the Braves, his high mark of the month, with seven strikeouts.
"That's three in a row he's been outstanding," said Cubs manager Joe Maddon. "Never tired. His stuff was still good at the end. He's pitching with a lot of confidence right now."
Maddon also had difficulty finding perspective for the Cubs' strong record.
"Listen, I have nothing to complain about," Maddon said. "I have been on a team with this kind of record in the minor leagues. Never in the majors."
Chicago outscored Atlanta 21-4 in winning the final two games of the three-game series.
Javier Baez hit a three-run homer off Chris Withrow to cap the Cubs' six-run eighth inning.
Anthony Rizzo drove in three runs with three hits. David Ross had two hits and also drove in two runs, one on a base-loaded walk from Alexi Ogando in Chicago's three-run seventh.
Jason Heyward, who began his career with the Braves, had three hits, two walks and scored three runs.
The Cubs matched their season high with four errors. The first of two throwing errors by Ross, on a double-steal by Freddie Freeman and Chase d'Arnaud, allowed d'Arnaud to score Atlanta's only run in the first inning.
The Braves (18-44) have the majors' worst record. They are 7-25 at home.
Braves rookie right-hander John Gant (0-1), making his first start after seven relief appearances, allowed three runs, two earned, in 4 1/3 innings. Gant gave up four hits with four walks and left the game trailing 3-1.
"He battled through a lot and did a good job of keeping the game there against, obviously, one of the best teams in baseball," said Braves interim manager Brian Snitker.
Withrow gave up six runs while recording only one out.
Star power, young talent and new attitudes will be on display for Cubs-Nationals.
By Patrick Mooney
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The Cubs respected the Washington Nationals for their step-by-step building process – a foundation of first-round draft picks accented by sharp trades and free-agent splashes – and saw the similarities in the Wrigley Field blueprint.
Now these are two National League powerhouses, stacked with blue-chip talent and running on high-voltage personalities, positioned to win now and in the future. There will be so much star power and young talent on display when the Cubs open a three-game series on Monday night at Nationals Park, where it should look and feel like a playoff preview.
The last NL All-Star voting update featured the entire Cubs infield (Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist, Addison Russell, Kris Bryant) leading their positions, plus Dexter Fowler and Bryce Harper listed first and second among outfielders.
That 6-for-8 doesn’t include Cy Young Award winners Jake Arrieta and Max Scherzer. Or the two-time World Series champions in the Cubs rotation (Jon Lester and John Lackey) or the former No. 1 overall pick/Tommy John survivor who recently scored a $175 million extension (Stephen Strasburg).
Or Daniel Murphy, last year’s Mr. October when the New York Mets swept the Cubs out of the NLCS, who’s now hitting .374 for the Nationals. Or Jonathan Papelbon, the throat-grabbing, Irish-jig dancing WWE-style villain now just trying to get by with guts in the ninth inning in Washington.
Or Joe Maddon and Dusty Baker, who combined have won six Manager of the Year awards and actually like to express their viewpoints and talk about anything other than baseball, at a time when other teams appear to be run by robots.
It’s time for bat flips, eye black and clown questions, bro.
“You’ll never bring the game back to where it was,” Baker said. “Young people as a whole are different. They’re more flamboyant, more demonstrative in their highs and their lows.
“If they don’t mind, I don’t mind. I try to keep it in check somewhat, because I’m still old-school, but with modern ideas and thoughts that they help give me.
“It makes it easier for me, because I got a 36-year-old daughter and I have a 17-year-old son. So I got to kind of be in the middle between them as far as them keeping me hip and me showing them some wisdom and knowledge in life.
“We’re really kind of helping each other. With the players that are out there (now), they like to kid with me, and I kid with them. But I know how far to go with them, and I think they know how far to go with me.”
Baker has been exactly what the underachieving Nationals needed after an 83-79 finish last year – even if he might have only been an emergency backup plan after negotiations broke down with Bud Black. Where Matt Williams struggled to communicate with his players and looked helpless during that free fall, Baker’s genius is being able to relate to almost anyone.
“It feels like we’re playing a lot looser,” Scherzer said. “There’s not a lot of panic when certain situations happen, and we have confidence in each other to be able to come back.”
“He keeps things light,” Murphy said. “He keeps things in perspective and understands if you lose a ballgame, it’s not the end of the world. It’s about winning series, winning road trips, winning homestands. Fortunately, we’ve been able to put ourselves in a position to do that.”
Chicago guy/Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo is the architect. Baseball America sees the Nationals having a top-five farm system headlined by a top-five prospect (Lucas Giolito) on track to join Scherzer and Strasburg in the rotation at some point in 2017 (if not sooner).
After a winter where the Cubs and Nationals chased some of the same big-name free agents – with Zobrist and Jason Heyward wanting the chance to make history in Chicago – they could wind up targeting the same players around the trade deadline. Will the New York Yankees finally give in to the future, drop out of the wild-card race and create bidding wars for power relievers Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman?
The Cubs and Nationals appear to be headed on a collision course toward October, and that would be something to watch.
“I know our guys,” Maddon said. “They’re really authentic, and I think they’re really charismatic as a group. If you’re a young man or a young woman that really wants to follow Major League Baseball, it’s easy to like our guys.
“It’s the way they project. They’re good on the field, but beyond that, I think they’re affable, gregarious, interesting. There are all different words you can use to describe our guys besides being good baseball players. Hopefully, we’ll be able (to) help out in regards to regaining younger fans in the game today.
“It’s not unique to us. There’s a lot of that going on in Major League Baseball right now.”
White Sox central slide continues with loss, series defeat to Royals.
Now these are two National League powerhouses, stacked with blue-chip talent and running on high-voltage personalities, positioned to win now and in the future. There will be so much star power and young talent on display when the Cubs open a three-game series on Monday night at Nationals Park, where it should look and feel like a playoff preview.
The last NL All-Star voting update featured the entire Cubs infield (Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist, Addison Russell, Kris Bryant) leading their positions, plus Dexter Fowler and Bryce Harper listed first and second among outfielders.
That 6-for-8 doesn’t include Cy Young Award winners Jake Arrieta and Max Scherzer. Or the two-time World Series champions in the Cubs rotation (Jon Lester and John Lackey) or the former No. 1 overall pick/Tommy John survivor who recently scored a $175 million extension (Stephen Strasburg).
Or Daniel Murphy, last year’s Mr. October when the New York Mets swept the Cubs out of the NLCS, who’s now hitting .374 for the Nationals. Or Jonathan Papelbon, the throat-grabbing, Irish-jig dancing WWE-style villain now just trying to get by with guts in the ninth inning in Washington.
Or Joe Maddon and Dusty Baker, who combined have won six Manager of the Year awards and actually like to express their viewpoints and talk about anything other than baseball, at a time when other teams appear to be run by robots.
It’s time for bat flips, eye black and clown questions, bro.
“You’ll never bring the game back to where it was,” Baker said. “Young people as a whole are different. They’re more flamboyant, more demonstrative in their highs and their lows.
“If they don’t mind, I don’t mind. I try to keep it in check somewhat, because I’m still old-school, but with modern ideas and thoughts that they help give me.
“It makes it easier for me, because I got a 36-year-old daughter and I have a 17-year-old son. So I got to kind of be in the middle between them as far as them keeping me hip and me showing them some wisdom and knowledge in life.
“We’re really kind of helping each other. With the players that are out there (now), they like to kid with me, and I kid with them. But I know how far to go with them, and I think they know how far to go with me.”
Baker has been exactly what the underachieving Nationals needed after an 83-79 finish last year – even if he might have only been an emergency backup plan after negotiations broke down with Bud Black. Where Matt Williams struggled to communicate with his players and looked helpless during that free fall, Baker’s genius is being able to relate to almost anyone.
“It feels like we’re playing a lot looser,” Scherzer said. “There’s not a lot of panic when certain situations happen, and we have confidence in each other to be able to come back.”
“He keeps things light,” Murphy said. “He keeps things in perspective and understands if you lose a ballgame, it’s not the end of the world. It’s about winning series, winning road trips, winning homestands. Fortunately, we’ve been able to put ourselves in a position to do that.”
Chicago guy/Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo is the architect. Baseball America sees the Nationals having a top-five farm system headlined by a top-five prospect (Lucas Giolito) on track to join Scherzer and Strasburg in the rotation at some point in 2017 (if not sooner).
After a winter where the Cubs and Nationals chased some of the same big-name free agents – with Zobrist and Jason Heyward wanting the chance to make history in Chicago – they could wind up targeting the same players around the trade deadline. Will the New York Yankees finally give in to the future, drop out of the wild-card race and create bidding wars for power relievers Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman?
The Cubs and Nationals appear to be headed on a collision course toward October, and that would be something to watch.
“I know our guys,” Maddon said. “They’re really authentic, and I think they’re really charismatic as a group. If you’re a young man or a young woman that really wants to follow Major League Baseball, it’s easy to like our guys.
“It’s the way they project. They’re good on the field, but beyond that, I think they’re affable, gregarious, interesting. There are all different words you can use to describe our guys besides being good baseball players. Hopefully, we’ll be able (to) help out in regards to regaining younger fans in the game today.
“It’s not unique to us. There’s a lot of that going on in Major League Baseball right now.”
White Sox central slide continues with loss, series defeat to Royals.
By JJ Stankevitz
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The flurry of roster moves made last week wasn’t enough to produce a much-needed series victory for the White Sox against the reigning World Series champions.
The White Sox 3-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals in front of 30,863 at U.S. Cellular Field Sunday was the club’s 11th defeat in their last 12 games against American League Central opponents.
A little over a month ago, the White Sox had a six-game lead in the AL Central and were 13 games over .500. But since May 10, the White Sox are 8-22, haven’t won three consecutive games and have only won one series (against the New York Mets, after which they were promptly swept by the Detroit Tigers).
It’s tough to point to an easy fix for a team that hasn’t had much go right for them in the last 30 games. There’s been plenty of roster turnover in the last week — Mat Latos and Jimmy Rollins were jettisoned while top prospect Tim Anderson was promoted and veteran starter James Shields was acquired — but it hasn’t led to the White Sox marrying good pitching, defense and/or offense with any consistency.
“There’s no magic formula for it,” catcher Alex Avila said. “There’s nothing you can say, there’s nothing you can do other than make sure you are prepared to come each game. The past few days we’ve been getting some really good pitching, some quality starts. Basically, we’ve been playing good defense and the one key that has been kind of missing is key hits in situations instead of getting one run being able to push two, three or four runs across.”
Carlos Rodon was solid in his six innings of work, allowing two run on seven hits with seven strikeouts and two walks. The 22-year-old left-hander, who was pushed back from his scheduled start Thursday due to a sore neck, lowered his season ERA to 4.28.
The damage could’ve been far worse, though, if not for Kansas City’s overaggressiveness on the base paths. The Royals had four players reach base in the second inning but only scored one run thanks to Paulo Orlando and Christian Colon being thrown out trying to steal by catcher Alex Avila.
Kansas City got on the board in the first inning when Kendrys Morales ripped a two-out single to center that scored Whit Merrifield.
Jose Abreu’s sixth-inning solo home run, his eighth of the season, halved the White Sox deficit at the time but was the only offense the team could muster. Anderson hit into two double plays while Royals starter Yordano Ventura racked up 10 strikeouts in his seven innings of work.
"He was flat out nasty," Avila said. "He has great stuff. When he is able to command his curveball to go along with his fastball and changeup, he’s very tough."
Ventura entered the game with a well below average strikeout rate of 14.7 percent, but struck out 10 of the 25 batters he faced on Sunday (40 percent). It was the third time the White Sox faced the mercurial Ventura this season, and it was by far the least effective showing the team had against him.
“Some guys have to pick it up,” the fifth-year White Sox manager said. “The DH spot's going to rotate somewhat of who you've got in there and who needs a day. But these are the guys we've got and we've got to figure out something.”
After Sunday’s loss, the White Sox fell to 10-14 against American League Central opponents, but six of those wins (and none of the losses) have come against the lowly Minnesota Twins. The White Sox, too, fell to 2-7 against the Royals — who came to Chicago on a seven-game losing streak — in 2016.
The White Sox have six more games against division opponents — three at home vs. Detroit and three against the Indians in Cleveland — in the next week. And while they’re still within striking distance in the division, that 4-14 mark against the Royals, Indians and Tigers has to improve for the White Sox to remain competitive in a diluted division.
“There’s no worry,” Rodon said. “I mean, we know we’re good enough. We’re just going through a rough patch and we just need to come out of it and start winning.”
Road Ahead: White Sox must improve against AL Central teams.
By #WhiteSoxTalk
The White Sox 3-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals in front of 30,863 at U.S. Cellular Field Sunday was the club’s 11th defeat in their last 12 games against American League Central opponents.
A little over a month ago, the White Sox had a six-game lead in the AL Central and were 13 games over .500. But since May 10, the White Sox are 8-22, haven’t won three consecutive games and have only won one series (against the New York Mets, after which they were promptly swept by the Detroit Tigers).
It’s tough to point to an easy fix for a team that hasn’t had much go right for them in the last 30 games. There’s been plenty of roster turnover in the last week — Mat Latos and Jimmy Rollins were jettisoned while top prospect Tim Anderson was promoted and veteran starter James Shields was acquired — but it hasn’t led to the White Sox marrying good pitching, defense and/or offense with any consistency.
“There’s no magic formula for it,” catcher Alex Avila said. “There’s nothing you can say, there’s nothing you can do other than make sure you are prepared to come each game. The past few days we’ve been getting some really good pitching, some quality starts. Basically, we’ve been playing good defense and the one key that has been kind of missing is key hits in situations instead of getting one run being able to push two, three or four runs across.”
Carlos Rodon was solid in his six innings of work, allowing two run on seven hits with seven strikeouts and two walks. The 22-year-old left-hander, who was pushed back from his scheduled start Thursday due to a sore neck, lowered his season ERA to 4.28.
The damage could’ve been far worse, though, if not for Kansas City’s overaggressiveness on the base paths. The Royals had four players reach base in the second inning but only scored one run thanks to Paulo Orlando and Christian Colon being thrown out trying to steal by catcher Alex Avila.
Kansas City got on the board in the first inning when Kendrys Morales ripped a two-out single to center that scored Whit Merrifield.
Jose Abreu’s sixth-inning solo home run, his eighth of the season, halved the White Sox deficit at the time but was the only offense the team could muster. Anderson hit into two double plays while Royals starter Yordano Ventura racked up 10 strikeouts in his seven innings of work.
"He was flat out nasty," Avila said. "He has great stuff. When he is able to command his curveball to go along with his fastball and changeup, he’s very tough."
Ventura entered the game with a well below average strikeout rate of 14.7 percent, but struck out 10 of the 25 batters he faced on Sunday (40 percent). It was the third time the White Sox faced the mercurial Ventura this season, and it was by far the least effective showing the team had against him.
“Some guys have to pick it up,” the fifth-year White Sox manager said. “The DH spot's going to rotate somewhat of who you've got in there and who needs a day. But these are the guys we've got and we've got to figure out something.”
After Sunday’s loss, the White Sox fell to 10-14 against American League Central opponents, but six of those wins (and none of the losses) have come against the lowly Minnesota Twins. The White Sox, too, fell to 2-7 against the Royals — who came to Chicago on a seven-game losing streak — in 2016.
The White Sox have six more games against division opponents — three at home vs. Detroit and three against the Indians in Cleveland — in the next week. And while they’re still within striking distance in the division, that 4-14 mark against the Royals, Indians and Tigers has to improve for the White Sox to remain competitive in a diluted division.
“There’s no worry,” Rodon said. “I mean, we know we’re good enough. We’re just going through a rough patch and we just need to come out of it and start winning.”
Road Ahead: White Sox must improve against AL Central teams.
By #WhiteSoxTalk
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The White Sox found themselves below .500 for the first time this season after losing five straight last week, and a large reason for that has been their lack of success against American League Central teams.
After getting back on track with back-to-back wins against Washington and Kansas City, the White Sox dropped their final two games against the defending champion Royals and have now lost 11 of their last 12 games against teams in their division.
That has to change quickly, considering their next six games are against Detroit and Cleveland, two teams that have leapfrogged the South Siders, who are now 4-18 in their last 22 contests, in the standings.
Not only are the White Sox not gaining ground during their recent slump, but they're losing it twice as fast by falling to AL Central teams battling for the same spot.
James Shields will look to bounce back from his White Sox debut and steer the ship back into the right direction Monday against the Tigers.
After getting back on track with back-to-back wins against Washington and Kansas City, the White Sox dropped their final two games against the defending champion Royals and have now lost 11 of their last 12 games against teams in their division.
That has to change quickly, considering their next six games are against Detroit and Cleveland, two teams that have leapfrogged the South Siders, who are now 4-18 in their last 22 contests, in the standings.
Not only are the White Sox not gaining ground during their recent slump, but they're losing it twice as fast by falling to AL Central teams battling for the same spot.
James Shields will look to bounce back from his White Sox debut and steer the ship back into the right direction Monday against the Tigers.
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session..... Demetrius Jackson would be an interesting reach for the Chicago Bulls at #14.
By Vijay Vemu
(Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports)
Chicago is reportedly looking at point guards in the upcoming draft. Derrick Rose is entering the final year of his contract and, it looks more and more like the Bulls will let their once beloved point guard walk. Rose and backcourt-mate Jimmy Butler both are better going to the basket than they are shooters, as they were under 40% on jump shots (Butler 34.4%, Rose 38%). Add to that an apparent lack of communication and unwillingness to even adapt to each other, and it's a problem.
The Bulls also failed to find a solid backup in free agency the past few years, including striking out on Marquis Teague in the draft a while back.
The Bulls have been linked to Kris Dunn, who Chicago would have to trade up to get, and Wade Baldwin IV. But there is another point guard in Demetrius Jackson from Notre Dame who could be an interesting pick for the Bulls at No. 14. He may not be exactly the perfect solution to the Bulls problems, but Jackson could offer some solidity to the backup point guard spot.
The good part about his game (DraftExpress video)
The good part about his game (DraftExpress video)
Standing at 6'1, Jackson is set to be one of the smaller guards in the NBA and that alone could scare off some teams. But Jackson compensates for that lack of height by being great at attacking the rim. Jackson possesses a quick first step that allows him to get past defenders with ease. Getting to the basket and finishing (1.3 Points per Possession) is the bread and butter of Jackson's game. He can also finish with contact as well, making him an even bigger threat in the paint. The Bulls were 22nd in the league when it came to points in the paint (41.0) and Jackson can certainly help increase that total.
His leaping ability is off the charts for a guy his size. At the NBA draft combine, Jackson's vertical leap measured in at 43.5 inches which is was the 4th highest total ever at the combine. The leaping ability also allows him to get up against big men when going to the basket and score over them. Thanks to this and a 6'5 wingspan, it allows Jackson to be an ok defender given his size.
Jackson didn't always play the point guard position at Notre Dame and played off the ball for much of the time until his senior year. It actually turned out to be a positive as it makes him a bigger offensive threat because he can play off the ball so well. Jackson can catch and shoot the ball pretty well, which sets him up as a pretty good option for a kick out opportunity. In a Bulls offense where it seems more and more like Jimmy Butler will be handling the ball, having a player that is used to being active on the offensive end without the ball is key. His three-point percentages have actually gone down throughout his three years at South Bend but he is still capable of knocking down shots.
The athleticism for Jackson makes him an exciting prospect. He can score in bunches and can also play off the ball, which helps the Bulls who love to play isolation basketball.
The bad part about his game (DraftExpress video)
The bad part about his game (DraftExpress video)
Like mentioned earlier, Jackson is 6'1, which is small compared to other guards that he will likely match up against on defense. Even with the wingspan, it would still be a struggle for Jackson on the defensive end. Wingspan does help, as we see guys like Wade Baldwin IV with a huge wingspan that adds to their potential as defenders, but height also matters. His feet will help with staying with defenders but he will find difficulty when facing a point guard that can rise above and shoot over him. The height issue also makes him capable of only guarding the PG position.
Although Chicago will be running a lot of isolation plays with Butler and Rose commanding about 99% of those plays, Chicago will still run offensive sets in the half court. That raises questions about Jackson running an NBA offense. He has only played one year of point guard and shows some flaws when playing that position. The main flaws come in when it comes to playmaking and find guys off set plays like P&R. Jackson averaged around 4.7 assists per game, which ranks in one of the lower tiers in college basketball point guards. If he wants to be a real playmaker for the NBA, he has to get better at finding his teammates for open baskets.
How he fits with the Bulls
How he fits with the Bulls
The Bulls need help at a lot of positions and one of them is a backup point guard. Aaron Brooks hasn't proved to be a consistent scorer or creator and the Bulls need to get younger at that position. Jackson could be that guy when it comes to creating plays with or without the ball.
A big knock on Derrick Rose was his unwillingness to play off the ball. Most of the time when we saw Rose hand the ball off to a big man at the top of the key or to Butler on the wing, he ran to the corner and stood there. You can count on your hand the number of times you saw Rose make a good backdoor cut or even attempted one. Him standing in the corner didn't do the Bulls any good considering that he shoots 28.3% from the left corner and 33.3% from the right corner.
The Bulls need a guy who can play off Butler and who can move off the ball and create problems for defenses. That's where Demetrius Jackson fits in. He would be a good option off the bench and his scoring, especially getting to the rim. If he develops correctly on defense it would make him an even better candidate considering his wingspan and crazy athleticism.
Jackson's height isn't the greatest and it will be a problem when he plays in the NBA, there is no doubt about that. But he makes up for it in a bunch of ways. The Bulls have a plethora of point guard options when it comes to this years draft class. It would not be surprising to see the Bulls go a different direction in terms of choosing a player like Baldwin IV over Jackson considering that Baldwin IV is a more versatile player. But with that being said, Jackson would bring a lot more scoring and could be an interesting fit for Chicago.
Team USA Women's Basketball Plans to Dominate at the Olympics.
Glamour
From left: Sue Bird, Elena Delle Donne and Tamika Catchings. (Photo/Glamour article on yahoosports.com)
A record-setting number of female athletes are heading to Rio de Janeiro this summer to battle for Olympic glory. Meet these all-American badasses and hear how they’ll do it.
Do not call them “female basketball players.” These are basketball players, full stop. And though they have big shoes to fill (the U.S. Women’s team has won seven of the 10 Games since the event was added in 1976), this team is considered the best one yet. “We have a ton of talent in the U.S.,” says Sue Bird. “We could field a second team.” Adds Elena Delle Donne: “We have players dropping three-pointers from half court. It’s an incredible group.”
Bird is considered the best point guard ever, and Delle Donne has a 95 percent free-throw record, the highest in league history. Their one hurdle? With busy WNBA schedules for all 12 players, Team U.S.A. trains together for only about a week. Coach Geno Auriemma helps them gel quickly. “He gets the point across that it’s not about the best talent out there; it’s about elevating one another’s game,” says Delle Donne. “[So] we’re able to click—and shine.”
For more on these incredible athletes, pick up the July issue of Glamour, on newsstands now.
To learn more about all Olympic hopefuls, visit teamusa.org. The Olympics begin August 5th.
Golf: I got a club for that..... Berger wins FedEx St. Jude by 3 for first title.
(Photo/Golf Channel)
A lengthy rain delay pushed back the conclusion of the FedEx St. Jude Classic, but for Daniel Berger it was worth the wait. Here's how things ended up in Memphis, where Berger held off several high-profile veterans to earn his first career PGA Tour victory at the age of 23:
Leaderboard: Daniel Berger (-13), Steve Stricker (-10), Phil Mickelson (-10), Brooks Koepka (-10), Dustin Johnson (-9)
What it means: Berger began the day with the lead and was a bit wobbly to start, playing his first 10 holes in even par. But the reigning Rookie of the Year gathered himself and distanced from the field after three birdies on Nos. 12-15, a stretch that gave him a three-shot lead and a relatively easy walk to his first career PGA Tour title after the late runs of Stricker and Mickelson both came up short.
Round of the day: Johnson created a little extra U.S. Open momentum with a closing 7-under 63 that raced him up the standings. Johnson eagled No. 16 and chipped in for birdie on No. 18, closing out a back-nine 29 that gave him his sixth top-12 finish in his last seven starts.
Best of the rest: Shawn Stefani carded bookend rounds of 65 this week in Memphis, the latter of which helped him earn a top-10 finish. Stefani carded six birdies, including five in a seven-hole stretch from Nos. 8-14, to earn his best finish in 21 starts this season.
Biggest disappointment: D.A. Points started the final round in a tie for second, but the veteran stumbled out of the gates en route to a 4-over 74. Points bogeyed four of his first 10 holes, didn’t make a birdie until No. 12, and ended up in a tie for 18th, 10 shots behind Berger.
Shot of the day: One day after rinsing his tee shot on the par-3 14th en route to a double bogey, Berger found the putting surface and rolled in a 32-foot birdie putt. He added a 21-footer for birdie on the following hole and never looked back.
Quote of the day: “It's the greatest feeling. You work so hard to get here, and to finally be able to put the trophy up, I can't describe it." - Berger
2016 U.S. Open groupings and tee times for the first and second rounds.
By Robby Kalland
The 2016 U.S. Open groupings and tee times have been released for Thursday and Friday, headlined by the group of Rory McIlroy, Danny Willett and Rickie Fowler.
The 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, is less than a week away, and on Friday the USGA released groupings and tee times for the first and second rounds.
There are a number of highly entertaining groupings, headlined by the Rory McIlroy-Danny Willett-Rickie Fowler trio that will tee off of the first tee on Thursday at 8:24 a.m. ET. About half an hour before them, a group of Matt Kuchar, Bubba Watson and Patrick Reed will go off of No. 1 at 7:51 a.m. ET.
Jordan Spieth is grouped with Zach Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau and they will tee off of No. 10 at 8:35 a.m. ET, which means there will be plenty of firepower on the course in the morning.
Of the afternoon groups the headliners are Jason Day, Louis Oosthuizen and Adam Scott, who will tee off of No. 1 at 2:20 p.m. ET. Just before them, Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson will go off of No. 10 at 2:09 p.m. ET. Hideki Matsuyama, Sergio Garcia and Dustin Johnson are also in the afternoon wave, teeing off of the first at 1:36 p.m. ET
Here are the full groupings and tee times for Thursday and Friday at the 2016 U.S. Open (all times Eastern):
| Thursday (No. 1) | Friday (No. 10) |
Players
|
6:45 a.m.
|
12:30 p.m.
|
Denny McCarthy, Aron Price, Mikael Lundberg
|
| 6:56 a.m. | 12:41 p.m. | Nick Hardy (a), TBD, Tom Hoge |
| 7:07 a.m. | 12:52 p.m. | Patrick Rodgers, Sam Horsfield (a), Andrew Johnston |
| 7:18 a.m. | 1:03 p.m. | Justin Hicks, Soren Hansen, Jason Allred |
| 7:29 a.m. | 1:14 p.m. | Romain Wattel, Sung Kang, Yusaku Miyazato |
| 7:40 a.m. | 1:25 p.m. | Bernd Wiesberger, Matteo Manassero, Daniel Berger |
| 7:51 a.m. | 1:36 p.m. | Matt Kuchar, Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed |
| 8:02 a.m. | 1:47 p.m. | Rafa Cabrera Bello, J.B. Holmes, Kevin Chappell |
| 8:13 a.m. | 1:58 p.m. | Matthew Fitzpatrick, Danny Lee, Byeong Hun An |
| 8:24 a.m. | 2:09 p.m. | Rory McIlroy, Danny Willett, Rickie Fowler |
| 8:35 a.m. | 2:20 p.m. | Chris Kirk, Emiliano Grillo, Shane Lowry |
| 8:46 a.m. | 2:31 p.m. | Mike Miller, Matthew Borchert, Charlie Danielson (a) |
| 8:57 a.m. | 2:42 p.m. | Chase Parker, Ryan Stachler (a), Patrick Wilkes-Krier |
Thursday (No. 10)
|
Friday (No. 1)
|
Players
|
6:45 a.m.
|
12:30 p.m.
|
Andres Gonzales, Scottie Scheffler (a), Derek Fathauer
|
| 6:56 a.m. | 12:41 p.m. | Andrew Landry, Matthew Baldwin, D.J. Trahan |
| 7:07 a.m. | 12:52 p.m. | Rob Oppenheim, Dicky Pride, Wes Short Jr. |
| 7:18 a.m. | 1:03 p.m. | Patton Kizzire, Yuta Ikeda, David Lingmerth |
| 7:29 a.m. | 1:14 p.m. | Hideto Tanihara, Gregory Bourdy, Kevin Streelman |
| 7:40 a.m. | 1:25 p.m. | Jon Rahm (a), James Hahn, Robert Streb |
| 7:51 a.m. | 1:36 p.m. | Thomas Aiken, Jeff Maggert, David Toms |
| 8:02 a.m. | 1:47 p.m. | Marc Leishman, Jimmy Walker, Paul Casey |
| 8:13 a.m. | 1:58 p.m. | Lee Westwood, Luke Donald, Martin Kaymer |
| 8:24 a.m. | 2:09 p.m. | Russell Knox, Harris English, Jason Dufner |
| 8:35 a.m. | 2:20 p.m. | Zach Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Jordan Spieth |
| 8:46 a.m. | 2:31 p.m. | TBD, Gregor Main, Mark Anguiano |
| 8:57 a.m. | 2:42 p.m. | Kyle Mueller (a), Derek Change, Richie Schembechler |
Thursday (No. 1)
|
Friday (No. 10)
|
Players
|
12:30 p.m.
|
6:45 a.m.
|
Peter Hanson, Tim Wilkinson, Thitiphun Chuayprakong
|
| 12:41 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. | Billy Hurley III, Jeev Milkha Singh, J.J. Henry |
| 12:52 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. | Brendan Steele, Soren Kjeldsen, Jaco Van Zyl |
| 1:03 p.m. | 7:18 a.m. | Anirban Lahiri, Scott Piercy, Jamie Donaldson |
| 1:14 p.m. | 7:29 a.m. | Spencer Levin, Toru Taniguchi, Carlos Ortiz |
| 1:25 p.m. | 7:40 a.m. | Ryan Moore, Andrew Sullivan, Charley Hoffman |
| 1:36 p.m. | 7:51 a.m. | Hideki Matsuyama, Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson |
| 1:47 p.m. | 8:02 a.m. | Webb Simpson, Graeme McDowell, Geoff Ogilvy |
| 1:58 p.m. | 8:13 a.m. | Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, Angel Cabrera |
| 2:09 p.m. | 8:24 a.m. | Kiradech Aphibarnrat, K.T. Kim, Kevin Na |
| 2:20 p.m. | 8:35 a.m. | Jason Day, Louis Oosthuizen, Adam Scott |
| 2:31 p.m. | 8:46 a.m. | Aaron Wise, Ethan Tracy, Brandon Harkins |
| 2:42 p.m. | 8:57 a.m. | Justin Suh (a), T.J. Howe, Frank Adams III |
Thursday (No. 10)
|
Friday (No. 1)
|
Players
|
12:30 p.m.
|
6:45 a.m.
|
Lee Slattery, Miguel Tabuena, TBD
|
| 12:41 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. | Sebastian Soderberg, TBD, Kent Bulle |
| 12:52 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. | TBD, Alex Noren, Jason Kokrak |
| 1:03 p.m. | 7:18 a.m. | Max Kieffer, Gary Stal, Kevin Tway |
| 1:14 p.m. | 7:29 a.m. | Cameron Smith, Steven Bowditch, Derek Bard (a) |
| 1:25 p.m. | 7:40 a.m. | Jim Herman, Smylie Kaufman, TBD |
| 1:36 p.m. | 7:51 a.m. | Brandt Snedeker, Bill Haas, Billy Horschel |
| 1:47 p.m. | 8:02 a.m. | Brooks Koepka, Chris Wood, Justin Thomas |
| 1:58 p.m. | 8:13 a.m. | Kevin Kisner, Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace |
| 2:09 p.m. | 8:24 a.m. | Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson |
| 2:20 p.m. | 8:35 a.m. | Retief Goosen, Keegan Bradley, Lucas Glover |
| 2:31 p.m. | 8:46 a.m. | Andy Pope, Sam Burns (a), Matt Marshall |
| 2:42 p.m. | 8:57 a.m. | Tyler Raber, Christopher Crawford (a), Austin Jordan |
Why are LPGA Tour players so much more accurate than PGA Tour players?
By Luke Kerr-Dineen
(Photo/FTW Golf)
You may not know, but compare the driving stats of men and women golfers and you’ll find two very interesting things.
The first is expected: PGA Tour players hit the ball longer, for obvious reasons. The second is a little more surprising: LPGA Tour players hit the ball more accurately. A lot more accurately. It’s not even really close. Thomas Aiken is the most accurate driver on tour this season, and his 74 fairways hit percentage would rank him 42nd on the LPGA Tour. 42nd! The LPGA Tour’s leader, Mo Martin, hits an astonishing 88 percent of her fairways.
That’s not a statistical quirk. Women players are simply more accurate, and here’s why.
Good Mechanics – Speed = Accuracy
Golf is a bit like baseball: No two swings look the same, and while some may look prettier than others, there remains an infinite number of ways to swing a golf club. But the one thing all good golfers have in common is their impact positions. For all the possible variations in their swings, if your body isn’t in a good position at the moment you hit the ball, you’re not going to hit the ball very well.
Top-level men and women golfers share that. Their club faces are basically all square at the moment of impact, and their bodies are generally in the same position at the precise moment they strike the ball. They all, simply put, have very good basic mechanics.
The difference with female professional golfers is that they’re swinging the club slower than their male counterparts. The faster you swing, the harder it becomes to square-up the clubface. The fewer moving parts, the easier it is to hit the ball straight. It’s basic physics, and LPGA Tour players are using it to their advantage.
A Higher Priority
When the powers-that-be want to make courses tougher, they generally do two things: They lengthen the course and grow out the rough so that when the bigger hitters miss fairways, they can’t score well. Because hitting it long and straight is basically impossible, confronted with those scenarios, opting for distance is almost always the better move.
Tougher courses on the LPGA Tour are longer, sure, but more than anything else, they’re narrow. Really narrow. The host of this week’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship is the perfect example.
Sahalee Country Club hasn’t hosted a PGA Tour event since 2002 and probably won’t again soon. It’s too short and tight for the men, but it’s a perfect site for LPGA Tour players because it hammers one of their biggest strengths: driving accuracy. And so, just as PGA Tour players attempt to hit the ball longer whenever tournaments try to limit their distance, LPGA Tour players work on hitting it straighter whenever their accuracy is tested. They succeed, of course, at which point the cycle repeats.
NASCAR: Joey Logano wins at Michigan, helps make NASCAR history.
By Larry Lage
Joey Logano plopped into a seat, getting a much-needed break, when the 26-year-old driver found out he was just a part of history.
Logano pulled away from the pack to win the FireKeepers Casino 400 and was followed by 20-year-old Chase Elliott and 23-year-old Kyle Larson, the youngest top three in NASCAR Sprint Cup history.
''That's pretty cool,'' he said when informed of the feat Sunday.
The trio's average age of 23 was younger than the 24.7 of the top three finishers at a race in 1951 and two races the previous year.
''The future of NASCAR is present,'' Logano said. ''It's going to be big. It's amazing to see.''
Logano, the pole-setter, moved past Elliott on lap 153 and stayed ahead for the 15th Sprint Cup series victory of his career in the 15th race of a year that has included 10 different winners.
Elliott finished a career-best second, but wasn't in the mood to celebrate because he blamed himself for poor restarts.
''I definitely messed up,'' he said. ''Putting it in the correct gear would be a good start.''
Larson fell one place short of matching his best performance.
Brad Keselowski was fourth and points leader Kevin Harvick finished fifth at Michigan International Speedway.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., who finished 39th out of 40, is the only winner from 2015 that is winless this year.
NASCAR's latest aerodynamic package made its debut, part of the sport's plan to create more competitive racing.
''We hope it works,'' team owner Joe Gibbs said, leaving a venue that used to be packed and now has pockets of empty seats in the 72,000-seat racetrack. ''We need more people in the stands.''
The new aero setup included, for the first time in more than a decade, a reduction in the downforce to 1,500 pounds and shortening of the spoiler to 2.5 inches.
''It's not a whole lot different than the other package,'' Earnhardt bristled from the garage after a crash knocked him out of the race. ''I think we talk about packages too much.''
Drivers weren't sure how their cars would handle due to the changes, which will also be implemented next month at Kentucky. That appeared to lead to an uncharacteristically accident-free start on the 2-mile oval about 70 miles west of Detroit.
The first caution didn't slow down the race until lap 47, the cleanest start at MIS since 2009.
''At the start of the race, everyone was trying to take it easy,'' Larson explained.
Free-flowing racing didn't last long. Yellow flags became frequent before a restart with 30-plus laps left.
Logano had a huge lead with 12 laps to go when Denny Hamlin, the Daytona 500 winner, blew out his front right tire to force another restart. Logano sped away when the racing went green again and coasted to the win, seemingly taking advantage of the new aero package.
''The cars are out of control, no doubt,'' he said. ''Crazy. It makes it a lot of fun. You're going faster in the straightaway and you have no downforce. Especially three-wide, it's a recipe for disaster.''
BUSCH BUMMED: Kyle Busch had finished 30th or worse in four straight races since winning his third race of the year last month at Kansas. Busch completed just 52 laps before blowing his engine, causing him to finish 40th and last.
''The last four races have been really, really bad,'' he acknowledged.
AMILY TIES: The Earnhardt family - Dale Jr. and his nephew, Jeffrey - had a rough day, finishing toward the back of the 40-car race. The right side of Earnhardt Jr.'s car crashed into the wall, ending his race after 61 laps. He bumped against Chris Buescher soon after a restart.
''He must have just lost the nose of his car,'' Earnhardt said. ''I hate it, but you try to take care of each other out there.''
Jeffrey Earnhardt was forced out on lap 107 when a fire started in the front of his car, which became fully engulfed in flames as he steered it on to pit row. Jeffrey Earnhardt, who had to jump from the car, was evaluated at the infield medical center was released.
UP NEXT: Sonoma Raceway, June 26. Kyle Busch is the defending race winner.
SOCCER: After winning Copa group, USA has chance to prove knockout chops.
Grant Wahl,Sports Illustrated
(Photo/Sports Illustrated article on yahoosports.com)
Now a new Copa America begins for the United States. The U.S. has persevered through the group stage, shaking off an opening loss to Colombia and winning twice against Costa Rica and Paraguay to reach the knockout rounds of another major tournament, even winning the group with a late helping hand from Los Ticos.
But the lingering memory of the last truly major U.S. knockout-round game (Gold Cup excluded)—a 2-1 extra-time loss to Belgium at World Cup 2014—is of the Americans being so outplayed by Belgium that they needed a superhuman performance by goalkeeper Tim Howard to stay in the match.
If the U.S. is going to show growth and have any chance of reaching coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s goal of making the World Cup 2018 semifinals, it needs to take the next step. It needs to start playing good teams toe-to-toe again in the knockout rounds of major tournaments—just like the U.S. did at World Cup 2002 against Mexico and at the 2009 Confederations Cup to beat Spain.
“The whole old story is the underdog story, and I cannot hear that story anymore,” Klinsmann said after the U.S.’s 1-0 victory against Paraguay on Saturday. “I want to see them risk things. Let’s go for it. Because if you’re not going for it, sooner or later they’re going to break you down.”
“The knockout stage is very mentally driven,” he continued. “It’s an absolute mental game. It’s when you step on the field and you see certain jerseys. It’s kind of sniffing at each other and saying, ‘I’m ready for you.’ This is all about the moment. This is what they need to believe in … It’s kind of easy to say, but now it’s becoming a mental learning curve, the upcoming game. This is what we hopefully improve on now.”
The U.S. knows it will be playing its quarterfinal in Seattle on Thursday against the second-place team from Group B. But it won’t find out the opponent—Brazil, Ecuador or Peru—until after Sunday’s games. All three would provide a significant challenge, but the team with the mystique, obviously, is Brazil.
If that ends up being the opponent, Klinsmann said, he wants the U.S. to focus not on the famous yellow jersey but instead on going after top teams and not playing for the counterattack. He wants to see the U.S. back line, which has been terrific in this tournament behind John Brooks and Geoff Cameron, keep playing a high line and resist the urge to drop back.
t’s a wonderful opportunity for our team to play these types of games,” said Klinsmann. “We have nothing to lose. If it’s Brazil, they are the big-time favorites, five-time world champions. We love them. But why not go at them? Why not be courageous? Why not put pressure on them and give them a game? This is what we’ll prepare for. Every team has weaknesses.”
Major-tournament knockout games are one of the primary reasons Klinsmann was hired back in 2011. If knockout-game performances are about mentality, Klinsmann has a giant presence the second he walks into a room as a World Cup-winning player.
(It’s also why I think he should wear a World Cup championship ring, even if World Cup championship rings aren’t a thing.)
Every U.S. team in every major tournament has an identity, and this one has more of a swagger than some. You get that from Clint Dempsey and Jermaine Jones and now, finally, from a fearsome center back tandem in Brooks and Cameron. When Brooks raced back to save a goal in the first half against Paraguay, his fist pump after making the play was an image no U.S. fan will soon forget. That was the moment that the 23-year-old Brooks realized in a U.S. uniform for the first time: I own these guys.
That’s swagger.
“We seemed to rise to the occasion [the last two games],” Cameron said. “We showed our grit, our hard mentality and our teamwork. When teams come together and have that special cohesiveness and that team environment, I think you can go a long way. I’ve been fortunate enough to player here right now and feel that, and you feel something special happening.”
Now, too, there’s a chance for this U.S. team to hit mainstream sports fans and rally the American public. The NBA Finals may end on Monday. The Stanley Cup final will be over by Wednesday at the latest. The biggest sporting event in the U.S. on Thursday could very well be the U.S. Copa America quarterfinal.
And this U.S. team wants to show them something.
Peru's controversial goal knocks Brazil out of Copa America Centenario.
By Leander Schaerlaecken
It was a cruel sort of fate.
Nobody deserves to be eliminated from a major tournament on a blatant, intentional handball. Or by a badly botched call. Or an opponent's unapologetic cheating. Or the sport's idiotic stubbornness on instituting instant replay.
Or, in Brazil's case at this Copa America Centenario, all four.
On Sunday night, controversy engulfed the Selecao's 1-0 loss to Peru, which unexpectedly bounced the five-time World Cup winners from the tournament in the teams' Group B finale. With 15 minutes left, Raul Ruidiaz quite clearly used his right arm to slap the ball into the net from up close, when he couldn't get enough of his hip around the ball.
The video is fairly conclusive.
But referee Andres Cunha of Uruguay never consulted the video. Because the rules won't let him. Instead, he stopped the game for several minutes while he conferred with an assistant referee and somebody else – it's unclear who, but probably the fourth official – over his headset.
So the referee was done in by Ruidiaz's duplicity, and, under enormous duress from the Peruvian players and protestations from the Brazilians – whatever happened to the crackdown on encircling referees? – and he allowed the goal to stand.
Now, let's grant a few things to Peru, which will now takes on Colombia in Friday's quarterfinal in East Rutherford, N.J.
Firstly, the Peruvians were denied a quite legitimate penalty in the first half.
And secondly, Brazil was the beneficiary of just such a blown call in its first game against Ecuador on a howler by goalkeeper Alisson on his own goal line, when he redirected the ball into his own net. The own goal was ruled out because the ball was adjudged to have gone behind the end line, although video replay suggested it hadn't. It conserved a 0-0 tie.
It's also true that this was a crisis of Brazil's own making. Aside from the 7-1 thumping of an overpowered Haiti, Dunga's men looked flat and lifeless and fetid all tournament, failing to score in their two other games. Certainly, they were without the Olympics-bound Neymar and several other stars the head coach ostracized for various reasons. But they once again created no chances of note.
A mistaken referee decision, however, could have far-reaching effects on the course of Brazil's national team. Dunga seems more than likely to be fired. Which means an eventual turnaround in a once-proud side's flagging fortunes could be down to what is, today, a misfortune. Or its further decay could be caused be a mistake. Such is soccer.
But just maybe this grievous oversight, resulting from a continued dependence on human interpretation of a game so quick even video can barely capture it, will finally move the sport to do the right thing and implement video replay at long last.
NCAAFB: Ranking 23 great college football rivalries by how hard they are to predict.
By Michael Bird
(Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
For some rivalries, you really can throw out the record books.
"Throw the record books out the window when these two teams meet!"
College football is a sport defined in no small part by its rivalries. One of the constants with rivalry games is that we read and hear this same sentence on an annual basis when old enemies are about to meet.
This is especially likely when two teams are not evenly matched. No broadcaster wants to admit, "Team A is a lot better than Team B and will probably crush its rival, but tune in anyway to see the blood splatter." Thus, the cliché gets trotted out to build interest.
But is it true? And if so, which rivalries tend to produce anomalous results?
College football is a sport defined in no small part by its rivalries. One of the constants with rivalry games is that we read and hear this same sentence on an annual basis when old enemies are about to meet.
This is especially likely when two teams are not evenly matched. No broadcaster wants to admit, "Team A is a lot better than Team B and will probably crush its rival, but tune in anyway to see the blood splatter." Thus, the cliché gets trotted out to build interest.
But is it true? And if so, which rivalries tend to produce anomalous results?
Let's test the cliché. We'll start by compiling a list of the best rivalries in college football.
Rather than just accepting my subjective opinion, I'll aggregate a number of subjective opinions found on the first three pages of a Google search for "best rivalries in college football," then count each mention of a specific rivalry as a vote.
After suffering through a bevy of slide shows, I have a clean cut. The following 23 FBS rivalries, a few of which are on hiatus, get at least three votes each from the 13 articles on those three pages:
| Votes | |
| Army-Navy | 13 |
| Alabama-Auburn | 13 |
| Michigan-Ohio State | 13 |
| Oklahoma-Texas | 12 |
| Florida-Georgia | 10 |
| Notre Dame-USC | 10 |
| BYU-Utah | 9 |
| Cal-Stanford | 8 |
| Clemson-South Carolina | 8 |
| Florida-Florida State | 8 |
| Florida State-Miami | 8 |
| Oregon-Oregon State | 8 |
| UCLA-USC | 7 |
| Mississippi State-Ole Miss | 6 |
| Texas-Texas A&M | 5 |
| Georgia-Georgia Tech | 4 |
| Minnesota-Wisconsin | 4 |
| Pitt-West Virginia | 4 |
| Alabama-LSU | 3 |
| Auburn-Georgia | 3 |
| Kansas-Missouri | 3 |
| Michigan-Michigan State | 3 |
| Oklahoma-Oklahoma State | 3 |
So, with our rough list of the 23 best rivalries (feel free to add Harvard-Yale or Lafayette-Lehigh or your personal choice in your mind to get to 25), we will take a look over the last 30 years (a big enough sample to get some interesting results, but not so big that we start dipping into the period before scholarship limits, when the sport was very different) for truly unpredictable results.
To measure unpredictability, we'll look for instances when the winning team was at least three points worse that year overall.
We'll use Bill Connelly's Estimated S&P+ ratings. In other words, these are years in which the losing team would've been favored by at least three points if the game had been played after bowl season:
| Number of statistical upsets, 1986-2015 | Upset years | Record | |
| Florida-Georgia | 8 | 92, '97, '02, '03, '05, '07, '12, '14 | Florida 5-3 |
| Oklahoma-Texas | 7 | 89, '91, '96, '01, '06, '08, '15 | Texas 5-2 |
| UCLA-USC | 7 | 87, 92, 94, 95, 00, 06, 12 | UCLA 5-2 |
| Michigan-Michigan State | 6 | 90, '93, '95, '01, '11, '15 | MSU 6-0 |
| Kansas-Missouri | 6 | 92, '96, '97, '99, '03, '08, | Kansas 4-2 |
| Minnesota-Wisconsin | 5 | 88, '93, '94, '01, '05 | Minnesota 3-2 |
| Michigan-Ohio State | 4 | 94, 95, 96, 01, | Tied 2-2 |
| Texas-Texas A&M | 4 | 98, 06, 07, 11 | Tied 2-2 |
| Cal-Stanford | 4 | 86, 91, 07, 09 | Tied 2-2 |
| Pitt-West Virginia | 4 | 97, '07, '09, '10 | Tied 2-2 |
| Oklahoma-Oklahoma State | 4 | 01, '02, '13, '14 | OSU 3-1 |
| Alabama-LSU | 4 | 87, '93, '95, '10 | Tied 2-2 |
| Auburn-Georgia | 4 | 86, '96, '01, '06 | UGA 3-1 |
| Florida State-Miami | 3 | 92, '05, '07 | Miami 2-1 |
| BYU-Utah | 3 | 88, '93, '12 | Utah 3-0 |
| Oregon-Oregon State | 3 | 98, 03, 07 | OSU 2-1 |
| Georgia-Georgia Tech | 3 | 89, '06, '14 | GT 2-1 |
| Army-Navy | 2 | 90, '05, | Tied 1-1 |
| Notre Dame-USC | 2 | 96, '13 | Tied 1-1 |
| Florida-Florida State | 2 | 96, '97 | Tied 1-1 |
| Mississippi State-Ole Miss | 2 | 93, 00 | Tied 1-1 |
| Alabama-Auburn | 1 | 02 | Auburn 1-0 |
| Clemson-South Carolina | 1 | 08 | Clemson 1-0 |
So, maybe the maxim should be "Throw the record books out the window, but only if the game is played at a neutral site."
The Red River Shootout and the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party are played in split stadiums roughly in between the two campuses, and of the biggest rivalries, they have produced the most anomalous results in the past three decades.
And UCLA-USC ties for second. Its stadiums and campuses are just a few miles apart, meaning it's difficult to say either team will often have a truly dominant home field advantage in that rivalry.
Florida-Georgia
Upsets in this series have been especially costly. The Dawgs kept superior Gators out of the SEC Championship in 1997, 2007 and 2012, but UGA fans might be entitled to feel even more aggrieved.
Mark Richt would almost certainly still be the head coach in Athens without a few of these losses to Florida, specifically because: (1) 2002 SEC champion Georgia likely would have played Miami for the national title without a loss to a Florida that was statistically eight points worse overall, and (2) Georgia would have won the East and been playing for a Playoff spot against Alabama in 2014 if not for the inexplicable loss to Will Muschamp's last Florida team and a strange loss to Georgia Tech.
Oklahoma-Texas
The Cotton Bowl has seen more than its share of suspect losses in the past three decades, with Oklahoma suffering five of the seven: 1989 and 1991 (both under Gary Gibbs, when the Shootout was a non-conference game), as well as 2006, 2008, and 2015 under Bob Stoops.
The latter three are interesting in that they did not prevent Oklahoma from winning the Big 12 in each season. While the 2006 loss kept the Sooners out of the running for the national title game, the '08 and '15 Sooners both made the title game/Playoff, each time losing in the Orange Bowl to a team with orange helmets quarterbacked by a dual-threat star (Florida's Tim Tebow and Clemson's Deshaun Watson).
Similarly, Texas won the Big 12 South in both seasons in which the Horns were upset by inferior Oklahoma teams in Dallas, so maybe it's a good omen for the superior team to lose this rivalry.
UCLA-USC
USC should really hate UCLA. On five separate occasions, demonstrably superior USC teams have lost to UCLA, often with a conference or national title on the line: 1992 (to a walk-on fifth string quarterback), 1994 (with the Rose Bowl possibly on the line), 1995, 2006 (with a national title shot on the line), and 2012 (with a spot in the first Pac-12 title game at stake).
In contrast, UCLA has only suffered two statistically bad losses in the recent series, and one of the two (2000) didn't have anything other than bragging rights riding on it.
Michigan-Michigan State
The six instances in which an inferior team has won the Paul Bunyan Trophy all have something in common: Michigan State was the lesser team each time. When Michigan State has had the superior team (seven times in the past 30 years), it's won. When numbers say Michigan has the superior team, the fun begins.
Lots of in-state rivalries are said to have a dynamic in which the "Little Brother's" players feel an extra oomph because they did not get offers from the bigger programs and therefore play their best to prove a point, but Michigan-Michigan State seems to be the rivalry where this dynamic most plays out most frequently.
In other listed rivalries between a state's big power and an in-state public rival, the rival is 13-7 in upset games. Little Brothers abound!
Southern chalk
Four of the six rivalries on the bottom of the unpredictability ranking involve SEC teams and are all played on the last weekend of the regular season, now after the annual SEC-SoCon Challenge. So when you hear "Throw the record books out the window for this one!" before any of those, you can ignore it as an empty cliché.
If you are looking to differentiate Michigan-Ohio State and Alabama-Auburn and you value unpredictability, this is where one would look.
In recent history, only the 2002 Iron Bowl (when an eventual 9-4 Auburn beat an eventual 10-3 Alabama) and 2008 Clemson-South Carolina (when the Tigers, who'd just replaced Tommy Bowden with Dabo Swinney midseason, beat the Gamecocks) stand as truly unexpected results among the two most predictable rivalries on this list.
NCAABKB: As Loyola investigates, Swoopes says she did nothing wrong.
Associated Press
(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Loyola women’s basketball coach Sheryl Swoopes says she did nothing wrong as the school investigates her treatment of players.
Swoopes said Thursday in an emailed statement that “I stand proudly in my values, actions and intent of representing the best interests for students.” Swoopes said she is confident facts will show she acted only out of concern for her players.
Loyola said in April that it would investigate the allegations. One former player, Cate Soan, has said Swoopes humiliated her and created a hostile environment.
Swoopes has been at the private Chicago university for three seasons with a record of 31-62.
Swoopes was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this year. She was the first player signed by the WNBA and won three Olympic gold medals.
Creator Wins Belmont Stakes.
By Pia Catton
(Photo/Julie Jacobson/Associated Press)
In a brilliant late surge, Creator won the 148th Belmont Stakes on Saturday, just minutes before a heavy rainstorm broke over the track, bringing the Triple Crown season to a soggy close.
“There are just a couple chances to prove you are a classic winner,” said Asmussen, praising the ride by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.: “He saved yards and won by inches.”
Creator won the Arkansas Derby in April, but finished 13th in the Kentucky Derby for owner WinStar Farm.
That was not a deterrent to a late investor: Just a few days before the Belmont Stakes, celebrity chef Bobby Flay, who typically buys and races fillies, bought a minority share because he wanted to run in the Belmont, he said after the race.
Preakness Stakes winner Exaggerator entered the race as the favorite, with 6-5 odds, but the grind of the Triple Crown trail appeared to finally take its toll, leaving him in 11th place.
“By the time we got to the eight pole, he was stepping on his tongue,” said jockey Kent Desormeaux, who said neither the track surface nor the traffic could be blamed. "I couldn’t have dreamt of a smoother ride.”
Creator’s win marks the first Belmont Stakes victory for both Asmussen and Ortiz—and a reaffirmation for the colt’s sire, Tapit, currently the leading sire in North America.
“He was calm, and I just waited for somewhere to go,” Ortiz said. “When he got clear, he started running.”
Creator covered the 1½-mile Belmont Stakes distance in 2:28:51 and paid $34.80 on a $2 win bet.
Highlights from the Muhammad Ali memorial service.
Highlights from the Muhammad Ali memorial service.
Friday's memorial service began with religious and faith leaders, and ended with eulogies from family and friends. It was long -- about three hours -- but there were moving tributes and remembrances throughout the service.
1. Lonnie Ali
Muhammad Ali's widow spoke eloquently of her husband's strength of character and the inspiration his life might be to others.
"Muhammad may have challenged his government, but he never ran from it, or from America. He loved this country and he understood the hard choices that are borne of freedom. I think he saw a nation's soul measured by the soul of its people."
2. Rasheda Ali-Walsh
"Daddy's looking at us now, right? And saying, 'I told you I was the greatest!' No one compares to you, Daddy."
3. Billy Crystal
Comedian and longtime friend Billy Crystal said the first time he met the Champ was in 1974, when he was just getting started as a stand-up comedian and was asked to perform at an event honoring Ali. After finishing his routine, Ali gave him a nickname he'd keep for the rest of his life: "Little brother."
4. President Bill Clinton
The final speaker at the memorial service, Clinton remembered Ali's humor, intelligence, natural gifts and determination "to write his own life story." He also drew big applause recalling Ali's lighting of the Olympic torch in Atlanta in 1996, "seeing his hands shake and his legs shake and knowing, by God, he was going to make those last few steps, no matter what it took -- the flame would be lit, the fight would be won, his spirit would be affirmed."
5. Rabbi Michael Lerner
Among the religious leaders who spoke was Lerner, a political activist and editor of a progressive Jewish magazine. His remarks were the most political of the afternoon.
"The way to honor Muhammad Ali is to be Muhammad Ali today. That means us, everyone here and everyone listening. It's up to us to continue that ability to speak truth to power. We must speak out, refuse to follow the path of conformity to the rules of the game in life."
6. Attallah Shabazz
The eldest daughter of Malcolm X, Attallah Shabazz came close to tears recalling the man who was the last close connection she had to her father. The two men were trusted friends, she said. And though Malcolm X was 16 years older, he still called Ali his "little brother."
7. Rev. Kevin Cosby
The Rev. Kevin Cosby, pastor at St. Stephen Church in Louisville and president of Simmons College of Kentucky, spoke about Ali's importance in the growth of black pride in the years after Jackie Robinson, Joe Louis, Jesse Lewis and Rosa Parks. Ali took the idea of "somebody-ness to unheard-of heights," he said. "Before James Brown said, 'I'm black and I'm proud,' Muhammad Ali said, 'I'm black and I'm pretty.'"
Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Final Thoughts: The Memorial Service was meticulously planned. Each speaker had a story to tell and each story was very relevant. At one time, Muhammad Ali was the most recognized face in the world. I would hazard to bet that he still is. If you haven't seen the service, find it on You Tube and just watch and listen. You'll be amazed at what the speakers had to say and who some of the speakers were. It was an all encompassing ceremony and one that everyone can relate to.
Champ, you did your job superbly and it was supremely well done. RIP, you've truly earned it.
Marion P. Jelks, Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Editorial Director.
On
emoriesofhistory.com
1940 - The Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox became the first teams to play at Cooperstown's Doubleday Field.
1948 - The New York Yankees officially retired Babe Ruth's #3 and sent it to the Hall of Fame.
1978 - The NHL Board of Governors unanimously agreed to a merger of the Cleveland Barons and the Minnesota North Stars.
1989 - The Detroit Pistons won their first National Basketball Association title. They beat the L.A. Lakers in four games.
1991 - In the first round of the U.S. Open golf tournament a spectator was killed when lightning struck.
1994 - O.J. Simpson was questioned by Los Angeles police concerning the deaths of his ex-wife and her friend, Ronald Goldman.
1996 - Cal Ripken (Baltimore Orioles) tied Sachio Kinugasa's record of 2,215 consecutive games played.
1997 - Vladimir Konstantinov and Viacheslav Fetisov, both of the Detroit Red Wings, were severely injured in a car accident.
1997 - The Chicago Bulls won their fifth championship in seven years.
2000 - Julius "Dr. J." Erving issued a public appeal for help finding his 19-year-old son, Cory. Cory had been missing since May 28, 2000. His body was found July 6, 2000.
2002 - The Detroit Red Wings won their 10th Stanley Cup. After the game, Red Wings coach Scotty Bowman announced his retirement.
*****************************************************************
Please let us hear your opinion on the above articles and pass them on to any other diehard fans that you think might be interested. But most of all, remember, Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica wants you.
No comments:
Post a Comment