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TRENDING: Masters 101: A guide to the year's first major. Masters 2017: Full tee times for Rounds 1, 2. (See the golf section for PGA news and tournament updates). 
TRENDING: NHL announces it won't participate in 2018 Winter Olympics. NHL players disappointed in decision to forego Olympics. (See the hockey section for Blackhawks updates and NHL news).
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TRENDING: After Monday's Unwatchable Title Game The NCAA should Make One Simple Change. (See the NCAABKB section for team news and tournament updates).
TRENDING: After Monday's Unwatchable Title Game The NCAA should Make One Simple Change. (See the NCAABKB section for team news and tournament updates).
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Blackhawks squander three-goal lead, fall to Avalanche in overtime.
By Tracey Myers
(Photo/USA TODAY)
The Blackhawks were giving up plenty and Scott Darling was doing everything he could to keep the Colorado Avalanche from capitalizing.
But on their 51st shot of the night, the Avs had the final say.
Darling stopped 46 shots and Artemi Panarin scored his 30th goal of the season but the Blackhawks blew a big lead en route to a 4-3 overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday. The Blackhawks had a 3-0 edge midway through this one but the Avalanche scored two short-handed goals on them before the second period ended. Unfortunately for the Blackhawks, they couldn’t quell the Avs in overtime, either.
Erik Johnson scored the overtime winner for the Avalanche.
The Blackhawks were without Niklas Hjalmarsson, who was back in Chicago (he and his wife are expecting another child) and Duncan Keith, who got the night off. That may explain some of the quality shots the Avs got against the Blackhawks. Thanks to Darling’s great first period, none of them proved a problem.
Panarin’s goal with 14 seconds remaining on their first power play gave the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead 28 seconds into the second. Ryan Hartman scored his 19th of the season and Marcus Kruger scored on a breakaway to put the Blackhawks up 3-0. But the Blackhawks’ next two power plays had more mistakes than opportunities, and the Avalanche took advantage. Matt Duchene finished a 2-on-1 shorthanded effort to cut the Blackhawks’ lead to 3-1 and Gabriel Landeskog’s wraparound shorthanded goal brought the Avs to within one.
The Avs continued to pressure the Blackhawks to start the third and they tied it when Mikhail Grigorenko tipped Duchene’s pass up and over Darling.
But on their 51st shot of the night, the Avs had the final say.
Darling stopped 46 shots and Artemi Panarin scored his 30th goal of the season but the Blackhawks blew a big lead en route to a 4-3 overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday. The Blackhawks had a 3-0 edge midway through this one but the Avalanche scored two short-handed goals on them before the second period ended. Unfortunately for the Blackhawks, they couldn’t quell the Avs in overtime, either.
Erik Johnson scored the overtime winner for the Avalanche.
The Blackhawks were without Niklas Hjalmarsson, who was back in Chicago (he and his wife are expecting another child) and Duncan Keith, who got the night off. That may explain some of the quality shots the Avs got against the Blackhawks. Thanks to Darling’s great first period, none of them proved a problem.
Panarin’s goal with 14 seconds remaining on their first power play gave the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead 28 seconds into the second. Ryan Hartman scored his 19th of the season and Marcus Kruger scored on a breakaway to put the Blackhawks up 3-0. But the Blackhawks’ next two power plays had more mistakes than opportunities, and the Avalanche took advantage. Matt Duchene finished a 2-on-1 shorthanded effort to cut the Blackhawks’ lead to 3-1 and Gabriel Landeskog’s wraparound shorthanded goal brought the Avs to within one.
The Avs continued to pressure the Blackhawks to start the third and they tied it when Mikhail Grigorenko tipped Duchene’s pass up and over Darling.
By Charles Roumeliotis
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The Blackhawks took care of what they needed to in the regular season.
They clinched the division title for the 16th time in franchise history, they locked up home-ice advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs, and they've put themselves in a great position to compete for their fourth Stanley Cup in eight years.
The path might be a favorable one as well, with contenders like Minnesota and San Jose dwindling down the stretch and Los Angeles missing out.
After falling to the Boston Bruins 3-2 on Sunday in their regular-season home finale, the Blackhawks have just three games remaining. And the only importance of those three games will be staying healthy.
There were a few hold-your-breath moments over the weekend already.
In Friday's game against Columbus, Niklas Hjalmarsson blocked a heavy slap shot off the inside of his foot and took longer than usual to shake it off — albeit only one shift.
On Sunday, Patrick Kane left the ice during pregame warmups after taking a puck to the lip. He was stitched up and able to play, but it provided enough of a (minor) scare to make Chicago gasp, "Uh-oh." It was a freak accident, but it served as a reminder that weird things can happen — look no further than Sharks forward Logan Couture, who's missed the last four games after a puck to the face knocked out multiple teeth.
Now, the Presidents' Trophy is still on the table (barely), but the Blackhawks would need to win out just to have a chance and they won't empty the tank trying to gun for the No. 1 overall seed.
They set a franchise record this year for most road wins in a season, so potentially opening Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final away from the United Center wouldn't be the worst thing. That's what you call a good problem to have — if you can even call it that — knowing you're one of two teams left standing. Every team would take that. And after all, the Blackhawks opened on the road in 2015 against the Lightning and won two of three in Tampa Bay.
While staying healthy is key, Joel Quenneville cautioned that not playing at full speed can be a recipe for disaster.
"Well you've still got to play hard in games like that because if you take your foot off the gas all of a sudden funny things can happen," he said after Friday's game referring to Hjalmarsson's shot block. "But that’s part of the game."
Artem Anisimov, who's been out since March 14 with a leg injury, plans to start skating Monday and is expected to be ready for Game 1 of the first round. That would mean a healthy and full lineup going into the Stanley Cup playoffs, assuming the Blackhawks escape the final three games without injury.
Quenneville said Sunday "we'll see" on how he'll handle resting guys during the road trip, but one thing you can expect is more evenly-distributed ice time to keep everybody fresh and also involved.
"That’s the motivation right now, playing the right way defensively, trying to get four lines going and try to get some balance in ice time," he said. "Keep everybody fresh, focused on what we need to do to be the best we can starting the following week. We want to make sure our habits and the simple things we're doing right."
A clearer picture: A look at Blackhawks' potential first-round opponents.
By Tracey Myers
They clinched the division title for the 16th time in franchise history, they locked up home-ice advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs, and they've put themselves in a great position to compete for their fourth Stanley Cup in eight years.
The path might be a favorable one as well, with contenders like Minnesota and San Jose dwindling down the stretch and Los Angeles missing out.
After falling to the Boston Bruins 3-2 on Sunday in their regular-season home finale, the Blackhawks have just three games remaining. And the only importance of those three games will be staying healthy.
There were a few hold-your-breath moments over the weekend already.
In Friday's game against Columbus, Niklas Hjalmarsson blocked a heavy slap shot off the inside of his foot and took longer than usual to shake it off — albeit only one shift.
On Sunday, Patrick Kane left the ice during pregame warmups after taking a puck to the lip. He was stitched up and able to play, but it provided enough of a (minor) scare to make Chicago gasp, "Uh-oh." It was a freak accident, but it served as a reminder that weird things can happen — look no further than Sharks forward Logan Couture, who's missed the last four games after a puck to the face knocked out multiple teeth.
Now, the Presidents' Trophy is still on the table (barely), but the Blackhawks would need to win out just to have a chance and they won't empty the tank trying to gun for the No. 1 overall seed.
They set a franchise record this year for most road wins in a season, so potentially opening Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final away from the United Center wouldn't be the worst thing. That's what you call a good problem to have — if you can even call it that — knowing you're one of two teams left standing. Every team would take that. And after all, the Blackhawks opened on the road in 2015 against the Lightning and won two of three in Tampa Bay.
While staying healthy is key, Joel Quenneville cautioned that not playing at full speed can be a recipe for disaster.
"Well you've still got to play hard in games like that because if you take your foot off the gas all of a sudden funny things can happen," he said after Friday's game referring to Hjalmarsson's shot block. "But that’s part of the game."
Artem Anisimov, who's been out since March 14 with a leg injury, plans to start skating Monday and is expected to be ready for Game 1 of the first round. That would mean a healthy and full lineup going into the Stanley Cup playoffs, assuming the Blackhawks escape the final three games without injury.
Quenneville said Sunday "we'll see" on how he'll handle resting guys during the road trip, but one thing you can expect is more evenly-distributed ice time to keep everybody fresh and also involved.
"That’s the motivation right now, playing the right way defensively, trying to get four lines going and try to get some balance in ice time," he said. "Keep everybody fresh, focused on what we need to do to be the best we can starting the following week. We want to make sure our habits and the simple things we're doing right."
A clearer picture: A look at Blackhawks' potential first-round opponents.
By Tracey Myers
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The Blackhawks have three regular-season games remaining but let's be honest: you're not thinking about the rest of the regular season. You're thinking about the playoffs, "the fun hockey," as Brent Seabrook referred to it on Sunday afternoon.
Everything's sewn up for the Blackhawks, outside of maybe figuring out if the lineup tweak or two. The West is theirs. So is home ice throughout the conference portion of the postseason. The Presidents' Trophy is… well, someone else is winning that (Washington, most likely), but that's not a big surprise.
So, back to the playoffs. While the Blackhawks' spot is secure their first-round opponent is not. Who are the possible foes? Hockeyviz.com has a day-to-day update on the odds of that, so let's look at the candidates, along with their percentage possibility as of Monday afternoon.
1. Nashville Predators (63 percent chance): Oh, quelle surprise that the Blackhawks may be facing the Predators again. Even winning the West, they may not get away from the division matchup in the first round. For the Predators this season, consistency has been an issue. Nashville has gone 8-4-0 since March 11 but, three of those losses have come in their last four games (including their 4-1 loss to St. Louis on Sunday). Pekka Rinne has looked more like himself lately, however, winning six of his past eight outings. But both times they faced the Blackhawks in the playoffs (2010 and 2015), they gave Chicago everything they could handle. Corey Crawford was chased in Game 1 and wouldn't appear again until Game 6. No matter how the Predators come into the postseason, they'll push their first-round opponent.
2. Calgary Flames (33 percent): Well, this would be a different look, wouldn't it? The Flames had a rough go the first half of the season but they have been a different team down the stretch. A 10-game winning streak in late February/early March have catapulted the Flames back into the playoffs, where they entertained us all with their appearance in 2015. These Flames have a few playoff veterans to help them, including former Blackhawks Cup winners Troy Brouwer (2010), Michael Frolik (2013) and Kris Versteeg (2010 and 2015). When leading after two this season, the Flames are 32-0-1. All apologies to my friend and colleague Mark Lazerus, who wants no part of that perilously perched press box, it would be nice to have a different series in the first round.
3. St. Louis Blues (1 percent): Yeah, the chances of this one are dwindling by the day. But in the true spirit of, "so you're saying there's a chance," let's talk about it anyway. At the start of this season, with identity players like David Backes going elsewhere, Kevin Shattenkirk talked of, "new, fresh faces and a new fresh mindset." Well, there's been even more "new" since then. Ken Hitchcock was fired on Feb. 1. Shattenkirk was traded to Washington. Death blows for a team that was struggling through late January? Hardly. The Blues have lost just one game in regulation since March 5 (12-1-2). Chances are, they're the Minnesota Wild's problem in the first round but in case the unexpected happens, we all know the fire and brimstone that will accompany a Blues-Blackhawks series.
4. San Jose Sharks (1 percent): It's another unlikely scenario but since there's endless internet space let's fill it with a look at the Sharks. San Jose has a few concerns right now, the latest being Joe Thornton's status after suffering a lower-body injury on Sunday. As for their overall game, the Sharks are in the same camp as the Wild, a team that found a lot of success until the calendar hit March. San Jose has lost eight of their last 10. Could the fatigue effect be hitting the Sharks, who went to the Stanley Cup final last season? Maybe.
NHL announces it won't participate in 2018 Winter Olympics.
By Charlie Roumeliotis
Everything's sewn up for the Blackhawks, outside of maybe figuring out if the lineup tweak or two. The West is theirs. So is home ice throughout the conference portion of the postseason. The Presidents' Trophy is… well, someone else is winning that (Washington, most likely), but that's not a big surprise.
So, back to the playoffs. While the Blackhawks' spot is secure their first-round opponent is not. Who are the possible foes? Hockeyviz.com has a day-to-day update on the odds of that, so let's look at the candidates, along with their percentage possibility as of Monday afternoon.
1. Nashville Predators (63 percent chance): Oh, quelle surprise that the Blackhawks may be facing the Predators again. Even winning the West, they may not get away from the division matchup in the first round. For the Predators this season, consistency has been an issue. Nashville has gone 8-4-0 since March 11 but, three of those losses have come in their last four games (including their 4-1 loss to St. Louis on Sunday). Pekka Rinne has looked more like himself lately, however, winning six of his past eight outings. But both times they faced the Blackhawks in the playoffs (2010 and 2015), they gave Chicago everything they could handle. Corey Crawford was chased in Game 1 and wouldn't appear again until Game 6. No matter how the Predators come into the postseason, they'll push their first-round opponent.
2. Calgary Flames (33 percent): Well, this would be a different look, wouldn't it? The Flames had a rough go the first half of the season but they have been a different team down the stretch. A 10-game winning streak in late February/early March have catapulted the Flames back into the playoffs, where they entertained us all with their appearance in 2015. These Flames have a few playoff veterans to help them, including former Blackhawks Cup winners Troy Brouwer (2010), Michael Frolik (2013) and Kris Versteeg (2010 and 2015). When leading after two this season, the Flames are 32-0-1. All apologies to my friend and colleague Mark Lazerus, who wants no part of that perilously perched press box, it would be nice to have a different series in the first round.
3. St. Louis Blues (1 percent): Yeah, the chances of this one are dwindling by the day. But in the true spirit of, "so you're saying there's a chance," let's talk about it anyway. At the start of this season, with identity players like David Backes going elsewhere, Kevin Shattenkirk talked of, "new, fresh faces and a new fresh mindset." Well, there's been even more "new" since then. Ken Hitchcock was fired on Feb. 1. Shattenkirk was traded to Washington. Death blows for a team that was struggling through late January? Hardly. The Blues have lost just one game in regulation since March 5 (12-1-2). Chances are, they're the Minnesota Wild's problem in the first round but in case the unexpected happens, we all know the fire and brimstone that will accompany a Blues-Blackhawks series.
4. San Jose Sharks (1 percent): It's another unlikely scenario but since there's endless internet space let's fill it with a look at the Sharks. San Jose has a few concerns right now, the latest being Joe Thornton's status after suffering a lower-body injury on Sunday. As for their overall game, the Sharks are in the same camp as the Wild, a team that found a lot of success until the calendar hit March. San Jose has lost eight of their last 10. Could the fatigue effect be hitting the Sharks, who went to the Stanley Cup final last season? Maybe.
NHL announces it won't participate in 2018 Winter Olympics.
By Charlie Roumeliotis
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The National Hockey League officially announced Monday that it will not participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
Here's the league's statement regarding the matter:
Here's the league's statement regarding the matter:
We have previously made clear that, while the overwhelming majority of our Clubs are adamantly opposed to disrupting the 2017-18 NHL season for purposes of accommodating Olympic participation by some NHL players, we were open to hearing from any of the other parties who might have an interest in the issue (e.g., the IOC, the IIHF, the NHLPA) as to reasons the Board of Governors might be interested in re-evaluating their strongly held views on the subject. A number of months have now passed and no meaningful dialogue has materialized. Instead, the IOC has now expressed the position that the NHL’s participation in Beijing in 2022 is conditioned on our participation in South Korea in 2018.
And the NHLPA has now publicly confirmed that it has no interest or intention of engaging in any discussion that might make Olympic participation more attractive to the Clubs. As a result, and in an effort to create clarity among conflicting reports and erroneous speculation, this will confirm our intention to proceed with finalizing our 2017-18 Regular Season schedule without any break to accommodate the Olympic Winter Games. We now consider the matter officially closed.
It's the first time since 1994 that NHL players will not be part of The Games, with the league first sending its players in 1998.
Despite the International Ice Hockey Federation agreeing to pay for the players' insurance and travel costs after the International Olympic Committee said it wouldn't, the NHL wanted more concessions considering The Olympics cuts into the season and takes away its star players.
The NHL Players' Association fired back in a strongly-worded statement:
Despite the International Ice Hockey Federation agreeing to pay for the players' insurance and travel costs after the International Olympic Committee said it wouldn't, the NHL wanted more concessions considering The Olympics cuts into the season and takes away its star players.
The NHL Players' Association fired back in a strongly-worded statement:
The players are extraordinarily disappointed and adamantly disagree with the NHL’s shortsighted decision to not continue our participation in the Olympics.
Any sort of inconvenience the Olympics may cause to next season’s schedule is a small price to pay compared to the opportunity to showcase our game and our greatest players on this enormous international stage.
A unique opportunity lies ahead with the 2018 and 2022 Olympics in Asia. The NHL may believe it is penalizing the IOC or the players, or both, for not giving the owners some meaningful concessions in order to induce them to agree to go to PyeongChang. Instead this impedes the growth of our great game by walking away from an opportunity to reach sports fans worldwide.
Moreover, it is doing so after the financial issues relating to insurance and transportation have been resolved with the IOC and IIHF. The League’s efforts to blame others for its decision is as unfortunate as the decision itself. NHL players are patriotic and they do not take this lightly. A decent respect for the opinions of the players matters. This is the NHL’s decision, and its alone. It is very unfortunate for the game, the players and millions of loyal hockey fans.The NHL has not ruled out the possibility of participating in the 2022 Olympics in Beijing.
In the meantime, USA Hockey executive director Dave Ogrean said in a statement that, "We knew it was a very real possibility for many months and certainly respect the decision of the NHL. The good news is that because of our grassroots efforts over the course of many years, our player pool is as deep as it has ever been and we fully expect to field a team that will play for a medal."
NHL players disappointed in decision to forego Olympics.
By Tracey Myers
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Jonathan Toews has been vocal about playing in the Olympics, what it means to wear that national sweater and compete for the gold medal he's already won twice.
So his disappointment at Monday's news, that the NHL will not go to the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, was considerable.
"It just seems unfortunate that the players voice that it's something that they think is beneficial not only for them, but for the league and for our game as a whole, and it automatically turns into a negotiation. It just seems like it comes down to what can they get out of us when the next CBA negotiation rolls around. It's not about the long-term goals of our game and growing it and the bigger picture. [It's] not only for the players that are presently at the top of the game that want to play at the Olympics and represent their countries next year in South Korea, but it's obviously about the future, as well," Toews said on Tuesday. "Obviously I disagree with the short-sightedness of this whole thing, too. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem that players can get that cooperation from the league. Tough bounce."
Blackhawks and Colorado Avalanche were pretty unanimous in their thoughts on not attending the Olympics. It's a grand stage, the grandest of them all, and to have that opportunity denied is leaving a sour taste.
"I know Stanley Cup playoffs are competitive but when you get down to a single-elimination tournament, they don't get any more intense, any bigger games, especially if you're playing for a medal. That's disappointing," said Duncan Keith, who also won gold in 2010 and '14. "I understand the league's point of view, that they don't want to shut it down. It's just too bad there couldn't have been something that could've been worked out, because I think the fans like it and obviously the players like it."
As Keith said, the league has its reasons for not wanting to participate. Going to the games creates about a three-week shutdown in the schedule. While still competing with the NBA in February, the NHL does have more of a stage (the NFL is nearly done and baseball yet to start).
Avalanche center Matt Duchene still thinks the Olympics loom larger.
"It's a chance for teams get exposure for people looking to watch sports. I understand that perk. But I know everyone in Canada gets more up to watch Team Canada than even their favorite Canadian team for one of an 82-game schedule," Duchene said. "I think it'd be big for the US, too. Look at what T.J. Oshie did [his repeat shootout in the 2014 Games in Sochi]. It put American hockey on the map even more. It's a great thing for hockey to be grown at that Olympic level."
Patrick Kane agreed.
"They just announced some games in China. You have the ability to take the best players to South Korea to grow the game even more," he said. "Everyone has a different opinion on it but as players we definitely feel the pride and the excitement of wearing your nation's colors. It's another opportunity to grow the game and maybe help future players get involved even more."
Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin made it clear a while ago that, even if the NHL didn't go to South Korea, he would. He reiterated that to the media on Tuesday. Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog said he wouldn't rule it out – "if I was to be part of Team Sweden and a part of that, it'd something I'd have to think about and would have to see which decisions could be made."
Toews and Kane said they'd respect the league's decision and stay with the Blackhawks. Keith was a little more on the fence.
"It's a tough position as a player. You want to be respectful of the team and your owner who pays you the money, but also you want to be patriotic every chance you can and play for your country," Keith said. "It's a tough decision. I think that'll be based on the individual. And the team."
Is there still a chance this is revisited and the league does OK a trip to South Korea? The league deemed the matter, "officially closed" in its statement on Monday but players are hoping is not the end of it.
"Hopefully not set in stone; hopefully something could be reached. I don't know if this is posturing or what but it's great to have NHL players over there playing for their countries," Duchene said. "It's disappointing to see the decision but hopefully it can be salvaged."
So his disappointment at Monday's news, that the NHL will not go to the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, was considerable.
"It just seems unfortunate that the players voice that it's something that they think is beneficial not only for them, but for the league and for our game as a whole, and it automatically turns into a negotiation. It just seems like it comes down to what can they get out of us when the next CBA negotiation rolls around. It's not about the long-term goals of our game and growing it and the bigger picture. [It's] not only for the players that are presently at the top of the game that want to play at the Olympics and represent their countries next year in South Korea, but it's obviously about the future, as well," Toews said on Tuesday. "Obviously I disagree with the short-sightedness of this whole thing, too. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem that players can get that cooperation from the league. Tough bounce."
Blackhawks and Colorado Avalanche were pretty unanimous in their thoughts on not attending the Olympics. It's a grand stage, the grandest of them all, and to have that opportunity denied is leaving a sour taste.
"I know Stanley Cup playoffs are competitive but when you get down to a single-elimination tournament, they don't get any more intense, any bigger games, especially if you're playing for a medal. That's disappointing," said Duncan Keith, who also won gold in 2010 and '14. "I understand the league's point of view, that they don't want to shut it down. It's just too bad there couldn't have been something that could've been worked out, because I think the fans like it and obviously the players like it."
As Keith said, the league has its reasons for not wanting to participate. Going to the games creates about a three-week shutdown in the schedule. While still competing with the NBA in February, the NHL does have more of a stage (the NFL is nearly done and baseball yet to start).
Avalanche center Matt Duchene still thinks the Olympics loom larger.
"It's a chance for teams get exposure for people looking to watch sports. I understand that perk. But I know everyone in Canada gets more up to watch Team Canada than even their favorite Canadian team for one of an 82-game schedule," Duchene said. "I think it'd be big for the US, too. Look at what T.J. Oshie did [his repeat shootout in the 2014 Games in Sochi]. It put American hockey on the map even more. It's a great thing for hockey to be grown at that Olympic level."
Patrick Kane agreed.
"They just announced some games in China. You have the ability to take the best players to South Korea to grow the game even more," he said. "Everyone has a different opinion on it but as players we definitely feel the pride and the excitement of wearing your nation's colors. It's another opportunity to grow the game and maybe help future players get involved even more."
Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin made it clear a while ago that, even if the NHL didn't go to South Korea, he would. He reiterated that to the media on Tuesday. Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog said he wouldn't rule it out – "if I was to be part of Team Sweden and a part of that, it'd something I'd have to think about and would have to see which decisions could be made."
Toews and Kane said they'd respect the league's decision and stay with the Blackhawks. Keith was a little more on the fence.
"It's a tough position as a player. You want to be respectful of the team and your owner who pays you the money, but also you want to be patriotic every chance you can and play for your country," Keith said. "It's a tough decision. I think that'll be based on the individual. And the team."
Is there still a chance this is revisited and the league does OK a trip to South Korea? The league deemed the matter, "officially closed" in its statement on Monday but players are hoping is not the end of it.
"Hopefully not set in stone; hopefully something could be reached. I don't know if this is posturing or what but it's great to have NHL players over there playing for their countries," Duchene said. "It's disappointing to see the decision but hopefully it can be salvaged."
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Feeling 'sexier' after weight loss, Pernell McPhee ready for Bears season to arrive.
(Photo/USA TODAY)
When Pernell McPhee was asked at his introductory press conference to describe his style of play, the new Bear paused, then offered, "Violent ... violent" as his self-descriptor.
Because of a couple significant injuries, a knee in 2015 and then a shoulder injury at the end of 2016, things haven't been as violent as perhaps McPhee would've liked.
But after a long recovery battle last year, McPhee did make it back on the field, earning the respect of teammates to the point of being selected as the 2016 winner of the team's Ed Block Courage Award, a prestigious honor given to an NFL player by peers for actions both on and off the field. The Ed Block award is given to a single player from every NFL team and is named after former Baltimore Colts trainer Ed Block.
Now, 25 pounds lighter, McPhee has another descriptor for what he plans to be.
"Dangerous," he said on Tuesday prior to the team's award ceremony at Maryville Academy in Des Plaines. "It's going to be dangerous. Obviously last year wasn't great and the year before wasn't a great one, so now hopefully by me losing weight, staying focused, we can turn this thing around."
McPhee was brought in by general manager Ryan Pace from the Baltimore Ravens in 2015 as the first big defensive piece in a refashioned roster for coach John Fox. It has not worked out as he and the Bears had planned, because of injuries.
The setbacks have been part of McPhee rededicating himself to making a difference with a team that needs one. And he has made that part of his message to teammates.
"Just stay focused and have strong faith, because anytime, any day, it can come to an end," McPhee said. "That's my main focus, just stay hungry at all times."
He is not planning any challenges to Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig or Seattle Sutton anytime soon, but McPhee used a simple "technique" to get rid of the unwanted weight.
"Don't eat after 7 o'clock at night," he said. "Just pound yourself with water. That's the only way I did it."
And the improvement was immediate and noticeable: "It was really important. Usually when I'd get out of bed, it'd take me about a good second to start walking, but I can get up and run right now. So it's a blessing coming from where I was to now.
"I feel great ... I'm sexier, it's a blessing and I can't wait till the season starts."
Bears making changes to lessen injuries.
By Larry Mayer
Bears guard Kyle Long suffered a season-ending injury against Tampa Bay in Week 10. (Photo/chicagobears.com)
Upgrading the Bears roster hasn't been general manager Ryan Pace's only priority this offseason. He's also in the process of implementing changes designed to reduce the rash of injuries that plagued the team last season.
"We've met multiple times with a lot of people," Pace said recently. "Those are good discussions when everybody kind of lets down their guard and we just kind of put everything on the table. I value when people do that."
The Bears placed 19 players on injured reserve last year, tied with the 49ers for the second most in the NFL behind the Chargers (20). Not surprisingly, those three teams combined to finish with a 10-38 record. The Super Bowl champion Patriots had the fewest with four.
"We have made some tweaks and some adjustments," Pace said. "Without going into specifics, but it could be some scheduling things, some training camp things, things we're doing in the weight room, things we're doing in the training room, just dialing things in to adapt and not just put our heads in the sand and say, 'oh that's bad luck.'
"We've made some adjustments and tweaks that we're all supportive of and we all had input on. We're excited about the outcome of that."
Last year the Bears' top three quarterbacks all landed on injured reserve. Jay Cutler missed 11 games with thumb and shoulder injuries, Brian Hoyer broke his arm in a Week 7 loss to the Packers andConnor Shaw fractured his leg in the third preseason game.
Others who suffered season-ending injuries included receiversKevin White , Eddie Royal and Marquess Wilson; guard Kyle Long; tight end Zach Miller ; center Hroniss Grasu ; nose tackle Eddie Goldman ; outside linebacker Lamarr Houston ; inside linebacker Danny Trevathan and cornerback Kyle Fuller .
Bears players have already been wearing catapult tracking devices during physical activities to help the team determine each individual's optimal training capacity.
"Some guys are different," Pace said. "Some guys can go all day. Some guys we've got to be more mindful of. Even in training camp it's understanding when we have a high-intensity day, we're going to back off this day. And that's a long-term plan because the goal is to peak Week 1, not peak in the middle of training camp.
"You're building the team to be at their absolute highest state Week 1, and that's our goal. I feel good about where we're at with that right now. We've got a lot of good people between Nate [Breske], Jason George, Jenn Gibson and then coaches, starting with coach [John] Fox, that are willing to listen to input and adapt and be flexible on things, and I appreciate that because that can be difficult for some guys."
The Bears actually cut down on their soft-tissue injuries from 2015 to 2016 but suffered more broken bones last season.
"The injuries are something that we've looked very hard at," Fox said. "We had some injury issues even in the first year (2015). They were a little bit more soft tissue, a little bit more practice-oriented. We did a lot to improve the fields. We did a lot to improve how we practice. We actually did a lot more adjustments and then [last]year it actually got worse, so we kind of go back to the drawing board.
"Our league does the research, we do it. We've done quite a few things that we've looked at; it's been a collaboration, whether it's strength coaches, assistant coaches, practice techniques. We actually dropped our injuries in practice [last] year, but we got more catastrophic injuries in games [last] year — broke leg, broke arm, broken bones. But you still evaluate it and do everything in your power to try to correct it."
Bears believe White will salvage career.
By Larry Mayer
"We've met multiple times with a lot of people," Pace said recently. "Those are good discussions when everybody kind of lets down their guard and we just kind of put everything on the table. I value when people do that."
The Bears placed 19 players on injured reserve last year, tied with the 49ers for the second most in the NFL behind the Chargers (20). Not surprisingly, those three teams combined to finish with a 10-38 record. The Super Bowl champion Patriots had the fewest with four.
"We have made some tweaks and some adjustments," Pace said. "Without going into specifics, but it could be some scheduling things, some training camp things, things we're doing in the weight room, things we're doing in the training room, just dialing things in to adapt and not just put our heads in the sand and say, 'oh that's bad luck.'
"We've made some adjustments and tweaks that we're all supportive of and we all had input on. We're excited about the outcome of that."
Last year the Bears' top three quarterbacks all landed on injured reserve. Jay Cutler missed 11 games with thumb and shoulder injuries, Brian Hoyer broke his arm in a Week 7 loss to the Packers and
Others who suffered season-ending injuries included receivers
Bears players have already been wearing catapult tracking devices during physical activities to help the team determine each individual's optimal training capacity.
"Some guys are different," Pace said. "Some guys can go all day. Some guys we've got to be more mindful of. Even in training camp it's understanding when we have a high-intensity day, we're going to back off this day. And that's a long-term plan because the goal is to peak Week 1, not peak in the middle of training camp.
"You're building the team to be at their absolute highest state Week 1, and that's our goal. I feel good about where we're at with that right now. We've got a lot of good people between Nate [Breske], Jason George, Jenn Gibson and then coaches, starting with coach [John] Fox, that are willing to listen to input and adapt and be flexible on things, and I appreciate that because that can be difficult for some guys."
The Bears actually cut down on their soft-tissue injuries from 2015 to 2016 but suffered more broken bones last season.
"The injuries are something that we've looked very hard at," Fox said. "We had some injury issues even in the first year (2015). They were a little bit more soft tissue, a little bit more practice-oriented. We did a lot to improve the fields. We did a lot to improve how we practice. We actually did a lot more adjustments and then [last]year it actually got worse, so we kind of go back to the drawing board.
"Our league does the research, we do it. We've done quite a few things that we've looked at; it's been a collaboration, whether it's strength coaches, assistant coaches, practice techniques. We actually dropped our injuries in practice [last] year, but we got more catastrophic injuries in games [last] year — broke leg, broke arm, broken bones. But you still evaluate it and do everything in your power to try to correct it."
Bears believe White will salvage career.
By Larry Mayer
Bears receiver Kevin White had 19 receptions for 187 yards in four games last season. (Photo/chicagobears.com)
"Knowing his work ethic and his approach and his support system, I know he's going to come back ready to go," said general manager Ryan Pace. "He has just got to shake off some of that bad luck. Kevin is going to have to step up and stay healthy."
White has been anything but since being selected by the Bears with the seventh overall pick in the 2015 draft out of West Virginia. He missed his entire rookie season with a stress fracture in his left leg and then broke his fibula in the same leg in the fourth game last year, eventually undergoing surgery for the second straight season.
White has shown promise when healthy; his 19 receptions last season were the most ever by a Bears player in his first four NFL games. The key moving forward, of course, is for the 6-3, 216-pounder to stay on the field and out of the training room.
"Obviously it's not a great start to his career," said coach John Fox. "He understands that greater than anybody because he's been the one who's had to deal with it.
"I'm sure it's been frustrating. Anytime somebody is injured it's frustrating for everybody, whether it's fans, coaches, the player himself. But he's a very resilient guy, [which is] one the biggest reasons why we drafted him. I think his makeup will prevail."
Community on the rise: Bears chairman George H. McCaskey was convinced to vote to approve the Raiders' move to Las Vegas during last week's owners meetings in Arizona.
"The gambling was a concern, but I think with the proper safeguards, that can be dealt with," McCaskey said. "I had a concern about the viability of Las Vegas as an NFL market, but they presented us with research that said, among other things, that in 20 years the population of the Las Vegas area and the population of the Oakland area are going to be basically comparable. So it looks like a community on the rise and I think [Raiders owner] Mark Davis and his group are going to do a great job there."
The move was approved 31-1 with only the Miami Dolphins voting against it.
No thanks: The Bears have made it clear that they don't want to be featured on the annual HBO reality series "Hard Knocks," which goes behind-the-scenes at an NFL team's training camp.
Asked if his feelings have changed about "Hard Knocks," McCaskey said: "We're looking forward to seeing which team other than us is profiled this year."
Very satisfying: McCaskey is an avid Cubs fan who is still relishing last year's World Series championship and what it meant to his Cubs counterpart, Tom Ricketts.
"Very, very satisfying after 108 years of waiting," McCaskey said. "It's just very, very gratifying. I'm very happy for Tom. He's great and he's taught me a lot about staying in touch with the fans. He was walking around Wrigley Field, not shying away from anybody's questions when the Cubs were losing 90 games a season for three seasons and patiently answering people's questions: 'When are you guys going to win?' I couldn't be happier for him and the Cubs and Cubs fans everywhere."
McCaskey said he watched Game 7 of the World Series "at home by myself."
"When that guy [Rajai] Davis hit that home run that tied the game and they showed the stadium shaking I thought, 'Jeez, after all of this.' And then [came] the greatest rain delay in Cubs history and they showed what they were made of. Just very, very satisfying and we're looking forward to that kind of moment for the Bears and Bears fans."
Which rookie will make biggest jump?
By Larry Mayer
Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of email questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
Which of last year’s rookies do you think will make the biggest strides this season?
Dave F.
Provo, Utah
I’m really excited to see how outside linebacker
This draft is so deep, do you see the Bears trading down, getting an extra draft pick and still getting the player they wanted all along?
Tay S.
Benton, Arkansas
That certainly would be an ideal scenario, but given that the draft is so deep as you mentioned and there are really no can’t-miss superstars, I think it will be difficult for the Bears to find a trade partner in the first round. Other teams know that it’s a deep draft and likely will be hesitant to surrender any of their picks. The only way I see the Bears being able to deal down from the third spot in the first round is if some team—maybe one like the Browns or Saints with two first-round picks—covets a certain player, especially a quarterback.
I see the Bears are going to take a look at cornerback Deiondre’ Hall at safety this offseason. Might we see the same move with another cornerback,
Michael A.
Mattoon, Illinois
That may happen at some point, but not immediately. The No. 1 objective with Kyle Fuller is getting him back on the field after he missed the entire 2016 season following arthroscopic knee surgery in August. Here’s what coach John Fox had to say recently about the possibility of moving Fuller to safety: “We’re trying to get him healthy. He didn’t play one snap for us last year. There are reasons for that and we’re trying to rectify that to where he can just play football, and then decide positions. He really had one year and it wasn’t even a full healthy year, and then he didn’t play one regular-season snap last year. I’m not saying we won’t [take a look at Fuller at safety], but we need to get him healthy and physically able to play.”
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session..... Bulls go punchless against Knicks.
By Vincent Goodwill
(Photo/USA TODAY)
Explaining a rhyme or reason to the Bulls season is like figuring out what the Knicks’ plan is for the long-term, or playing trivia on where players like Maurice Ndour and Mindaugas Kuzminskas went to school.
But those were the players taking the Bulls to school, when the Bulls were the ones who apparently had something to play for, when they came in on a season-high four game winning streak.
Like most other times when the Bulls had quick highs, the lows came hard and fast as the New York Knicks completed a season sweep of the Bulls with a 100-91 win at Madison Square Garden Tuesday night.
In position to actually come within a game of the Milwaukee Bucks for fifth seed in the East, they played like they’d rather be in Bora Bora come April 13 with a woeful performance that seemingly stretched all night.
They broke trends they established during the win streak such as 3-point shooting and dominating the glass, getting beat by a 53-36 margin on the boards and shooting six of 23 from the 3-point line.
The rebound disparity caused the usually-mild Fred Hoiberg to unleash an expletive in his postgame media session.
“Tonight we just got our asses kicked on the boards and you’re not going to win when you have an effort like that,” Hoiberg said. “Look at the numbers on the glass, that tells you everything you need to know. They had their way with us. It’s not how you win games.”
After trading baskets to start the game, the offense slowed to a crawl and the Bulls didn’t fall back on their defense to keep them in it.
“We gotta let our defense lead to our offense instead of our offense go to our defense,” said Jimmy Butler, who led the Bulls with 26 points and four assists. “It looks good when we’re making shots, but you can’t rely on that every single night like you want to. You gotta guard, rebound, get loose balls.”
The Bulls shot 38 percent, a number that was inflated by a late comeback that made the game look respectable—although they didn’t perform like a team that respected its opponent.
“We didn’t come out with the fire we needed to,” Butler said. “They came out like they were playing for something and we didn’t. They whipped our tail in every aspect of the game.”
Yes, Carmelo Anthony returned after an injury and contributed 18 points, including a highlight-reel crossover on Nikola Mirotic and triple from 30 feet, but it was more of the lesser-known Knicks who delivered the blows to the Bulls.
Like Kuzminskas, who probably gave Hoiberg a conniption on the sideline with his easy drive past Bobby Portis and dunk over Joffrey Lauvergne in the third quarter.
Like Ndour, who trapped and agitated and ran the floor to the tune of 12 points and 10 rebounds—only playing because the Knicks want to get an extended look of their young players, as playoff possibilities are far out of reach.
Or Justin Holiday, who took the place of Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah as former Bulls who came back to torture their former teams. Holiday was only a Bull for a short time before being shipped with Rose to New York right before the draft but fit the bull of young and athletic, scoring 12 off the bench.
With the last four games against teams like the Knicks—out of the playoffs and giving players an opportunity to prove themselves, the Bulls can’t let their guard down if they hope to play beyond 82 games.
“The next three teams we play are gonna play as hard as any team in the league,” Hoiberg said. “They’re gonna play free, they’re gonna play loose. We gotta come prepared and we gotta come ready.”
And an old bugaboo reared its head again, as Robin Lopez pointed to a lack of accountability on the defensive end.
“It’s an accountability issue. We gotta stay on each other’s backs,” Lopez said. “Keep reminding each other how important each one of these individual games are.”
But given they’ve been at this exercise since October, expecting the light to magically appear doesn’t seem realistic.
“That’s a very good point. We’ve been up and down all season long and that’s when you want to build good habits,” Lopez said. “We’ve done a good job holding each other accountable this past stretch and we didn’t see that tonight. It’s something we have to keep up as we go into the playoffs—if we go into the playoffs.”
The second quarter was as bad a display of basketball as you’ll see, given the plight of the Knicks and the alleged newfound life that had been on display from the Bulls. Perhaps the fatigue played a part but if fatigue could talk, it would tell the Bulls not to use him as a scapegoat as they played their third game in four nights.
Butler even had his moments, although he tried to bring the Bulls back from the dead in the second half. But Paul Zipser went scoreless and Rajon Rondo was a minus-21 when he was on the floor. Denzel Valentine went scoreless, missing his six shots.
Whenever you think you have a handle on these Bulls and they’ve found something, an old layer revealed itself and you feel silly for believing anything, one way or the other.
Bulls optimistic about Dwyane Wade's progress.
By Vincent Goodwill
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg declined to say whether he feels Wade will be back before the end of the regular season and Wade declined comment altogether, but with the increased intensity of Wade's workouts suggests there's a light at the end of the tunnel — be it a probable playoff showing or sometime sooner.
"It's a day by day thing with Dwyane now," Hoiberg said. "He's feeling better but obviously there's a lot of work to do as far as getting his strength back."
Wade went through his first workout before the Bulls played Cleveland last Thursday at the United Center, and he still isn't cleared for contact so there's still more hurdles to clear before one can realistically expect Wade to get back on the floor.
"He has a little pain in that elbow when he's done working out," Hoiberg said. "But the important thing is he's making progress and hopefully he'll continue to take steps in the right direction and we'll get him back at some point in the season."
The fact the Bulls are going for five straight wins and playing better basketball all around belies the fact they are a better team when Wade is playing — one can just assume the Bulls can find a way to blend this new identity with a guy who can score 25 on a given night.
Especially someone who can alleviate the pressure from Jimmy Butler, the Eastern Conference Player of the Week.
"That's what great players, hall of fame players do," Butler said. "They pick up where they left off. I know he's gonna do that. I'm constantly in his ear, he's constantly in mine about what he sees, what I see. It's different when you're not playing and you're watching. There's a lot of things we can be better at."
Butler suffered the same injury in the 2014-15 season and missed a month, so he knows Wade will have to go through the mental test of getting bumped on the elbow again through regular contact and not worrying about it.
"We definitely need that guy, as everybody knows," Butler said. "We want him to come back where he's not protecting anything, he's hooping and playing 110 percent."
CUBS: Jake Arrieta shuts down Cardinals en route to Cubs' first win of 2017.
By Patrick Mooney
(Photo/USA TODAY)
Whatever happens from here, Jake Arrieta will always be remembered as a Cub, for the way he lifted the entire franchise during his Cy Young Award season, silenced the Pittsburgh Pirates in that 2015 wild-card showdown and beat the Cleveland Indians twice in last year's World Series.
But Arrieta certainly isn't turning this into a David Ross-style farewell tour or a Boras Corp. countdown to free agency, not when the Cubs have enough blue-chip talent, big-market resources and playoff experience to become the first team to defend a World Series title sine the three-peat New York Yankees (1998, 1999, 2000).
Arrieta shut down the St. Louis Cardinals during Tuesday night's 2-1 win in front of another sellout crowd at Busch Stadium, allowing one unearned run across six innings before handing the game over to a bullpen built for October.
Koji Uehara, Pedro Strop and Wade Davis combined to get the final nine outs as the Cubs got even with the Cardinals after a one-run Opening Night loss that showed this rivalry still has some juice.
When Joe Maddon designed the "D-Peat" T-shirt, the manager had moments like this in mind: Albert Almora Jr. leaping at the center-field wall to steal a home run from Matt Adams and bail out Uehara in the seventh inning. And second baseman Javier Baez making a diving play to his left and throw from his knee to beat Kolten Wong for the final out, giving Davis his first save as a Cub.
Lester on Game 1 loss: 'Look to the next'.
By Carrie Muskat
(Photo/chicagocubs.com)
Take a deep breath, Cubs fans. C'mon, you knew they weren't going to go 162-0. Even the 1906 Cubs, who posted the best record in the Majors at 116-36, lost some games.
Of course, winning a World Series for the first time in 108 years last year did create a euphoric feeling among Cubs Nation this offseason, which carried over to record-setting crowds in Spring Training. On Sunday night, the Cardinals won the season opener, 4-3, with a walk-off RBI single by Randal Grichuk in the ninth, but the Cubs' players weren't moping in the clubhouse.
Of course, winning a World Series for the first time in 108 years last year did create a euphoric feeling among Cubs Nation this offseason, which carried over to record-setting crowds in Spring Training. On Sunday night, the Cardinals won the season opener, 4-3, with a walk-off RBI single by Randal Grichuk in the ninth, but the Cubs' players weren't moping in the clubhouse.
"I don't think we'll get too caught up in a loss," Kyle Schwarber said. "You're going to lose games in baseball. It was a hard-fought game, we didn't quit, we did what we wanted to do. Luckily, it clicked late for us and we put some runs on the board. They did a good job putting guys on and getting the big hit in the end."
Grichuk hit a two-run homer in the eighth and the Cubs trailed by three entering the ninth when Ben Zobrist was hit by a pitch and Jason Heyward hustled to reach on an infield single. Willson Contreras followed with a home run to tie the score at 3-3, and as if on cue, it started to rain at Busch Stadium.
"Believe me, I thought about it," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of a flashback to the delay during Game 7 of the World Series, when Heyward delivered a pep talk to the players that sparked a win. "That's our method is to have a little bit of rain. We just didn't have a team meeting."
They also didn't get the win. On Twitter, Jon Lester tried to calm Cubs fans down, posting: "So much for an undefeated season. Glad to have the 1st start under our belt. Definitely a grind, but man it feels good to be back! #NVRQT"
The Cubs went 17-5 in April 2016, which made it seem as if they never lost a game.
"I would hope everybody in this business understands it's a marathon," Lester said. "We're not going to go undefeated. We're going to come out in Game 2 [on Tuesday] ready to go and try to win that game. That's all you can really do. With all the expectations -- we had expectations last year. From Day 1, we were supposed to win it. From three months in, we were supposed to win it. And when the playoffs started, we were supposed to win it. It's the same thing this year.
"Last year, we started 1-0," Lester said. "We'll come back [this year] and try to be 1-1 and keep moving forward. That's all you can do. Once one is over, you look to the next. It is a marathon, it's six months, if not longer. And you just have to play day by day and go from there."
One of the Cubs' mottos last year was, "We never quit." And they've kept that theme.
"I felt it was a positive day overall for us," Schwarber said. "We started the season with a grinder game, and I think that will definitely help us as we keep going down this long stretch of games."
There are 161 to go.
"You know what, this is Game 1 of 162-plus," Anthony Rizzo said. "We've got to find our identity again this year, just like we had to do last year and the year before. ... Obviously, we want to win our division and get back, but we have a lot of things to take care of before that."
Worth noting
• Cubs reliever Justin Grimm was expected to rejoin the team on Tuesday. He missed Sunday's game to attend his grandfather's funeral.
Cubs announce Wrigley Field ceremonies.
By Carrie Muskat
(Photo/chicagocubs.com)
Cubs players will wear celebratory gold versions of their jerseys and caps, the championship banners will be raised, and David Ross will return to throw out a first pitch during the first two games of the team's initial homestand of 2017.
When they host the Dodgers on Monday, the Cubs will play their first game at Wrigley Field since winning the World Series championship. Singer Julianna Zobrist, wife of infielder Ben Zobrist, will sing "God Bless America," and Wayne Messmer will sing the national anthem prior to the game, the Ricketts family will throw out ceremonial first pitches, and the championship banners will be raised.
Full Game Coverage
Hall of Famers Fergie Jenkins, Ryne Sandberg and Billy Williams will lead the seventh-inning stretch on Monday.
On April 12, Cubs players will receive their championship rings from 20 fans serving as the honorary ring bearers, and Ross will throw out the first pitch and lead the crowd in the stretch.
Bases and baseballs used during the first two Cubs home games will feature commemorative stamps and base jewels as well.
As for the World Series trophy, it will have a new home in a room at the new Park at Wrigley, which will open on Monday. The office and retail building is adjacent to Wrigley Field, and it is designed to provide a year-round gathering place for neighbors, Cubs fans and visitors.
The Trophy Room presented by Motorola will house the 2016 championship trophy throughout the '17 regular season. Fans can take pictures alongside it starting April 13, with hours subject to availability. Fans can visit the Trophy Room page at parkatwrigley.com for the latest scheduling updates.
On April 12, Cubs players will receive their championship rings from 20 fans serving as the honorary ring bearers, and Ross will throw out the first pitch and lead the crowd in the stretch.
Bases and baseballs used during the first two Cubs home games will feature commemorative stamps and base jewels as well.
As for the World Series trophy, it will have a new home in a room at the new Park at Wrigley, which will open on Monday. The office and retail building is adjacent to Wrigley Field, and it is designed to provide a year-round gathering place for neighbors, Cubs fans and visitors.
The Trophy Room presented by Motorola will house the 2016 championship trophy throughout the '17 regular season. Fans can take pictures alongside it starting April 13, with hours subject to availability. Fans can visit the Trophy Room page at parkatwrigley.com for the latest scheduling updates.
WHITE SOX: As White Sox assume risk, Jose Quintana struggles in Opening Day loss to Tigers.
By Dan Hayes
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Jose Quintana's poor start Tuesday is exactly what Rick Hahn meant when he discussed the different risk assessments factored into holding onto the pitcher.
A 6-3 loser to the Detroit Tigers in front of an announced 36,534 at Guaranteed Rate Field, the White Sox are particularly keen on what potential hazards exist now that they've taken Quintana — the most rumored player of the offseason not to have been dealt — into the season. Quintana matched a career-worst in his first Opening Day start when he allowed three home runs in 5 1/3 innings in a duel against Justin Verlander.
Even though it wasn't Quintana's finest showing, the White Sox feel more than confident that enduring those perils will be worth it in the end — that some contender will reward them with a cache of prospects for their patience.
"Now that we have entered into the season, you are carrying a little bit different amount of risk on certain players that conceivably you could have moved and cashed in for whatever value they had at the time," Hahn said Monday. "Again, nothing presented itself that made it feel like ‘Well, there's gonna be some added risk once the season starts so therefore we'd better move now.' It just wasn't that close to getting anything done. We've had our conversations over the past few months. We've been prepared to enter the season."
The White Sox got paid handsomely in the trades for Chris Sale and Adam Eaton.
They expect the same if they decide to deal Quintana, a first-time All-Star in 2016.
The White Sox would love to deal their ace. Their goal is to accumulate as much young talent as quickly as possible. Moving Quintana would push them further along a road they've been on since the trades of Sale and Eaton in December.
But the White Sox don't intend to budge on their price. They know what they want in return for Quintana, who entered Tuesday having produced 18.1 f-Wins Above Replacement the past four seasons, the seventh-most in the majors. While they may consider giving in a little, Hahn said no offer has come close.
Until they do, the White Sox will retain Quintana, who has options that keep him under team control through 2020. That means Quintana will continue to live life in limbo.
A 6-3 loser to the Detroit Tigers in front of an announced 36,534 at Guaranteed Rate Field, the White Sox are particularly keen on what potential hazards exist now that they've taken Quintana — the most rumored player of the offseason not to have been dealt — into the season. Quintana matched a career-worst in his first Opening Day start when he allowed three home runs in 5 1/3 innings in a duel against Justin Verlander.
Even though it wasn't Quintana's finest showing, the White Sox feel more than confident that enduring those perils will be worth it in the end — that some contender will reward them with a cache of prospects for their patience.
"Now that we have entered into the season, you are carrying a little bit different amount of risk on certain players that conceivably you could have moved and cashed in for whatever value they had at the time," Hahn said Monday. "Again, nothing presented itself that made it feel like ‘Well, there's gonna be some added risk once the season starts so therefore we'd better move now.' It just wasn't that close to getting anything done. We've had our conversations over the past few months. We've been prepared to enter the season."
The White Sox got paid handsomely in the trades for Chris Sale and Adam Eaton.
They expect the same if they decide to deal Quintana, a first-time All-Star in 2016.
The White Sox would love to deal their ace. Their goal is to accumulate as much young talent as quickly as possible. Moving Quintana would push them further along a road they've been on since the trades of Sale and Eaton in December.
But the White Sox don't intend to budge on their price. They know what they want in return for Quintana, who entered Tuesday having produced 18.1 f-Wins Above Replacement the past four seasons, the seventh-most in the majors. While they may consider giving in a little, Hahn said no offer has come close.
Until they do, the White Sox will retain Quintana, who has options that keep him under team control through 2020. That means Quintana will continue to live life in limbo.
His first game in the precarious state wasn't near to the standard he's produced in the past.
Detroit took advantage of a hit batsmen and a walk by Quintana in a five-run second inning. He yielded a leadoff single to Justin Upton and hit Mikie Mahtook. One out later, JaCoby Jones hit a 2-2 curveball that caught too much of the plate for a three-run homer and a 3-1 Detroit lead.
Quintana walked Ian Kinsler with two outs before Nick Castellanos hammered a 92-mph fastball the opposite way for a two-run shot.
Kinsler also blasted a solo shot off Quintana with two outs in the fourth. Quintana previously allowed three homers in a start twice last season and twice in 2013. He gave up six earned runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings.
"Chalk it up to an anomaly," manager Rick Renteria said.
The effort was no match for Verlander, who struck out 10 in 6 1/3 innings and limited the White Sox to two runs as he overpowered them with his fastball.
The White Sox have to believe Tuesday is more an outlier than a sign Quintana can't handle the stress of his situation. He addressed the trade rumors yet again on Sunday before talking about his first Opening Day start.
"I know there are rumors but I just focus on doing my job," Quintana said. "There's nothing I can do. Help my team when I can and that's it.
"(The offseason) was a little different this year from the rumors. But it stayed the same, I never changed, I never paid any attention to that.
"My future is here. I have to just control this year. I pay attention to right now."
The White Sox are gambling on that focus. They've seen how Quintana has been unflappable throughout his career, dealing with a lack of run support and the misfortune that comes with it.
They also believe in their own abilities to keep players healthy. Over the years, the White Sox have been far and away the healthiest team in baseball.
Lastly, with Quintana under contract potentially through 2020 for $36.85 million, the White Sox know how valuable of an asset they possess.
Until they get paid, the White Sox plan to persist — even if it's a risk.
"We really haven't been presented with anything in recent months that's even been close to feeling like this is something we should do," Hahn said. "Again, we have to be strong and keep that sort of long-term focus. That's where the fruit of these labors will pay off."
White Sox balancing long-term process with players' desire to compete in 2017.
By Dan Hayes
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The White Sox find themselves at the intersection of the front office staying on course and a clubhouse trying to compete now as the 2017 season kicks off.
Only two trades into their first rebuild since 1997, general manager Rick Hahn has been up front that the White Sox are in the early stages of what could be a long and painful process.
But one area where the club believes it has already made serious gains is in an overhaul of the clubhouse culture, and that's why the White Sox could be at a crossroads.
Under the influence of manager Rick Renteria's upbeat, energetic style, White Sox players believe they tapped into something special this spring. Despite the losses of Chris Sale and Adam Eaton, White Sox players believe they can compete right now. That could potentially force the front office into a tricky position where it must navigate the proper route if and when opposing teams come calling for its most tradable assets.
"Our goal is to remain focused on the long term and building something sustainable," Hahn said. "If this team puts itself in a position to contend this year, we aren't going to proactively hinder their ability to contend if we feel it's real and sustainable and that the performance level and health and depth of the roster indicates that it could conceivably take the club into October.
"At the same time, that also entails being honest with ourselves about where we're at and as objectively as we can, evaluating our chances and what's best for the franchise in the long term."
The long-term view isn't part of the consideration of anyone within the White Sox clubhouse.
Reliever Zach Putnam said Renteria's style has energized a room full of previously unfamiliar players.
"Rebuild has some kind of negative connotations that you're almost accepting that you're going to have a losing season or a poor season," reliever Zach Putnam said.
"There's not a single person in this clubhouse that believes that and I mean that."
Veteran Todd Frazier understands the reality of the situation but said he isn't trying to pay attention. Along with closer David Robertson, outfielder Melky Cabrera and starting pitchers Derek Holland and Miguel Gonzalez, Frazier is one of many players who could be traded before the season ends.
But the free agent-to-be said he refuses to think that far ahead.
"They only made two changes, so at the end of the day let's see what they're trying to do later on," Frazier said. "But you can't really think in the future. We're basically playing for what we've got and what we've got right now is a pretty good squad. We're pretty happy with where we're at. It's going to be a fun team to watch."
But as Hahn has stated, the White Sox intend to be honest when determining their direction.
Part of the current plan is to not rush any of the team's prospects to fill voids. If a starting pitcher goes down early in the season, the White Sox are unlikely to fill that spot with one of their top prospects. And while the White Sox have a number of highly talented prospects, the top of the farm system is still relatively thin.
The fifth-year GM and Renteria both said they have an open-door policy if veteran players have questions about where the team stands. Hahn encountered a few of those during the course of the spring as well as several veterans' requests to be part of the team's plan. But Hahn would only commit Monday to determining the future of those veteran players on a "case-by-case" basis. But for now the White Sox like the culture that has grown in the clubhouse.
"What we're trying to accomplish in 2017 goes beyond just wins and losses at the big league level," Hahn said. "We're trying to build something sustainable and part of that is environmental and cultural and how the players and coaches prepare for games, how we expect the game to be played, and how the coaches hold the players accountable.
"The things we're trying to accomplish aren't going to show up in the wins and losses over the course of a season.
"Now we're all going to be tested because we're all competitive and want to win every game we're a part of. But we're going to have to remind ourselves from time to time that there are some other big picture items that are more important toward the long term than winning individual games."
Jose Abreu 'in a much better place' as he aims to make an impact for White Sox.
By JJ Stankevitz
Jose Abreu began his fourth year in the major leagues with a clear head and desire to do more for the franchise with which he hopes to spend his entire career.
Abreu doubled, singled and delivered an RBI in four at-bats in the White Sox 6-3 Opening Day loss to the Detroit Tigers Tuesday at Guaranteed Rate Field. It was a promising start for Abreu (minus his sixth-inning error), who during spring training testified in a case against his former agent, Bartolo Hernandez, and athletic trainer, Julio Estrada, that involved his 2013 defection from Cuba.
"Everybody knows last year was a difficult year for me off the field, but that's in the past already," Abreu said through a interpreter. "This year I'm in a much better place. My family is good. Everything is good from me."
The White Sox believe the case Abreu eventually testified in had an impact on his 2016 season, which was a down year by his standards. Abreu's 25 home runs and .820 OPS were both the lowest of his three-year career, though he still drove in 100 runs.
"Everybody realizes last year he had a part of a season that was a little bit down then he ended up turning it on at the end," manager Rick Renteria said. "There were a lot of things going on with him at the end of the year and a lot of those things have been resolved."
A slow start muted Abreu's production last year, with the Cienfuegos, Cuba native entering the All-Star break with only 11 home runs and a .756 OPS. He hit much like the 2014-2015 Abreu in the second half, though, slamming 14 home runs with a .898 OPS.
That's the kind of production Abreu wants to have over the course of the 2017 season.
"I'm very glad with the results that I've (had) the last few years," Abreu said. "But I also think that I can do more. I can do more. I'm not one of those people who likes to be satisfied with the results. I know I can do better and I can do more for this team."
Abreu has value beyond his on-field production, too. His locker was next to Yoan Moncada's at Camelback Ranch during spring training, and Abreu said he would probably text MLB.com's No. 2 prospect soon. Moncada and the Charlotte Knights will begin their Triple-A season on Thursday.
Abreu has three years left on his six-year, $68 million contract — still the richest in White Sox history — and wants to stay here at 35th and Shields. But his name popped up in a winter trade rumor connecting him to the Colorado Rockies, and with the White Sox in the early stages of rebuilding, the possibility exists that he'll be dealt for a package of prospects at some point.
"I (want) just to spend my whole career with this organization," Abreu said. "At the same time, you have to realize this is a business and that there are too many factors you can't control. I can't control that. I'm just glad to be here today and that's what I like, to enjoy every time, every day with this team. It's a great organization and I would like to spend my whole career here."
Golf: I got a club for that..... Masters 2017: Full tee times for Rounds 1, 2.
Only two trades into their first rebuild since 1997, general manager Rick Hahn has been up front that the White Sox are in the early stages of what could be a long and painful process.
But one area where the club believes it has already made serious gains is in an overhaul of the clubhouse culture, and that's why the White Sox could be at a crossroads.
Under the influence of manager Rick Renteria's upbeat, energetic style, White Sox players believe they tapped into something special this spring. Despite the losses of Chris Sale and Adam Eaton, White Sox players believe they can compete right now. That could potentially force the front office into a tricky position where it must navigate the proper route if and when opposing teams come calling for its most tradable assets.
"Our goal is to remain focused on the long term and building something sustainable," Hahn said. "If this team puts itself in a position to contend this year, we aren't going to proactively hinder their ability to contend if we feel it's real and sustainable and that the performance level and health and depth of the roster indicates that it could conceivably take the club into October.
"At the same time, that also entails being honest with ourselves about where we're at and as objectively as we can, evaluating our chances and what's best for the franchise in the long term."
The long-term view isn't part of the consideration of anyone within the White Sox clubhouse.
Reliever Zach Putnam said Renteria's style has energized a room full of previously unfamiliar players.
"Rebuild has some kind of negative connotations that you're almost accepting that you're going to have a losing season or a poor season," reliever Zach Putnam said.
"There's not a single person in this clubhouse that believes that and I mean that."
Veteran Todd Frazier understands the reality of the situation but said he isn't trying to pay attention. Along with closer David Robertson, outfielder Melky Cabrera and starting pitchers Derek Holland and Miguel Gonzalez, Frazier is one of many players who could be traded before the season ends.
But the free agent-to-be said he refuses to think that far ahead.
"They only made two changes, so at the end of the day let's see what they're trying to do later on," Frazier said. "But you can't really think in the future. We're basically playing for what we've got and what we've got right now is a pretty good squad. We're pretty happy with where we're at. It's going to be a fun team to watch."
But as Hahn has stated, the White Sox intend to be honest when determining their direction.
Part of the current plan is to not rush any of the team's prospects to fill voids. If a starting pitcher goes down early in the season, the White Sox are unlikely to fill that spot with one of their top prospects. And while the White Sox have a number of highly talented prospects, the top of the farm system is still relatively thin.
The fifth-year GM and Renteria both said they have an open-door policy if veteran players have questions about where the team stands. Hahn encountered a few of those during the course of the spring as well as several veterans' requests to be part of the team's plan. But Hahn would only commit Monday to determining the future of those veteran players on a "case-by-case" basis. But for now the White Sox like the culture that has grown in the clubhouse.
"What we're trying to accomplish in 2017 goes beyond just wins and losses at the big league level," Hahn said. "We're trying to build something sustainable and part of that is environmental and cultural and how the players and coaches prepare for games, how we expect the game to be played, and how the coaches hold the players accountable.
"The things we're trying to accomplish aren't going to show up in the wins and losses over the course of a season.
"Now we're all going to be tested because we're all competitive and want to win every game we're a part of. But we're going to have to remind ourselves from time to time that there are some other big picture items that are more important toward the long term than winning individual games."
Jose Abreu 'in a much better place' as he aims to make an impact for White Sox.
By JJ Stankevitz
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Jose Abreu began his fourth year in the major leagues with a clear head and desire to do more for the franchise with which he hopes to spend his entire career.
Abreu doubled, singled and delivered an RBI in four at-bats in the White Sox 6-3 Opening Day loss to the Detroit Tigers Tuesday at Guaranteed Rate Field. It was a promising start for Abreu (minus his sixth-inning error), who during spring training testified in a case against his former agent, Bartolo Hernandez, and athletic trainer, Julio Estrada, that involved his 2013 defection from Cuba.
"Everybody knows last year was a difficult year for me off the field, but that's in the past already," Abreu said through a interpreter. "This year I'm in a much better place. My family is good. Everything is good from me."
The White Sox believe the case Abreu eventually testified in had an impact on his 2016 season, which was a down year by his standards. Abreu's 25 home runs and .820 OPS were both the lowest of his three-year career, though he still drove in 100 runs.
"Everybody realizes last year he had a part of a season that was a little bit down then he ended up turning it on at the end," manager Rick Renteria said. "There were a lot of things going on with him at the end of the year and a lot of those things have been resolved."
A slow start muted Abreu's production last year, with the Cienfuegos, Cuba native entering the All-Star break with only 11 home runs and a .756 OPS. He hit much like the 2014-2015 Abreu in the second half, though, slamming 14 home runs with a .898 OPS.
That's the kind of production Abreu wants to have over the course of the 2017 season.
"I'm very glad with the results that I've (had) the last few years," Abreu said. "But I also think that I can do more. I can do more. I'm not one of those people who likes to be satisfied with the results. I know I can do better and I can do more for this team."
Abreu has value beyond his on-field production, too. His locker was next to Yoan Moncada's at Camelback Ranch during spring training, and Abreu said he would probably text MLB.com's No. 2 prospect soon. Moncada and the Charlotte Knights will begin their Triple-A season on Thursday.
Abreu has three years left on his six-year, $68 million contract — still the richest in White Sox history — and wants to stay here at 35th and Shields. But his name popped up in a winter trade rumor connecting him to the Colorado Rockies, and with the White Sox in the early stages of rebuilding, the possibility exists that he'll be dealt for a package of prospects at some point.
"I (want) just to spend my whole career with this organization," Abreu said. "At the same time, you have to realize this is a business and that there are too many factors you can't control. I can't control that. I'm just glad to be here today and that's what I like, to enjoy every time, every day with this team. It's a great organization and I would like to spend my whole career here."
Golf: I got a club for that..... Masters 2017: Full tee times for Rounds 1, 2.
By Golf Channel Digital
The year's first major is only two days away. Here is a look at the full-field tee times for Rounds 1 and 2 at the Masters (all times ET):
8 a.m. Thursday/11:07 a.m. Friday: Daniel Summerhays, Russell Henley
8:11 a.m. Thursday/11:18 a.m. Friday: Trevor Immelman, Brendan Steele, Jhonattan Vegas
8:22 a.m. Thursday/11:29 a.m. Friday: Mike Weir, Billy Hurley III, Scott Piercy
8:33 a.m. Thursday/11:40 a.m. Friday: Larry Mize, Brian Stuard, Stewart Hagestad (a)
8:44 a.m. Thursday/11:51 a.m. Friday: Soren Kjeldsen, Kevin Chappell, Jim Furyk
8:55 a.m. Thursday/12:13 p.m. Friday: Sandy Lyle, Sean O'Hair, Scott Gregory (a)
9:06 a.m. Thursday/12:24 p.m. Friday: Zach Johnson, Louis Oosthuizen, Adam Hadwin
9:17 a.m. Thursday/12:35 p.m. Friday: Tommy Fleetwood, Gary Woodland, J.B. Holmes
9:28 a.m. Thursday/12:46 p.m. Friday: Adam Scott, Kevin Kisner, Andy Sullivan
9:39 a.m. Thursday/12:57 p.m. Friday: Francesco Molinari, Daniel Berger, Thomas Pieters
10:01 a.m. Thursday/1:08 p.m. Friday: Fred Couples, Paul Casey, Kevin Na
10:12 a.m. Thursday/1:19 p.m. Friday: Russell Knox, Rickie Fowler, Hideki Matsuyama
10:23 a.m. Thursday/1:30 p.m. Friday: Branden Grace, Brooks Koepka, Jeunghun Wang
10:34 a.m. Thursday/1:41 p.m. Friday: Jordan Spieth, Martin Kaymer, Matthew Fitzpatrick
10:45 a.m. Thursday/1:52 p.m. Friday: Phil MIckelson, Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Si Woo Kim
10:56 a.m. Thursday/2:03 p.m. Friday: Brandt Snedeker, Justin Rose, Jason Day
11:07 a.m. Thursday/8 a.m. Friday: Rod Pampling, William McGirt
11:18 a.m. Thursday/8:11 a.m. Friday: Mark O'Meara, Hudson Swafford, Roberto Castro
11:29 a.m. Thursday/8:22 a.m. Friday: Ian Woosnam, James Hahn, Brad Dalke (a)
11:40 a.m. Thursday/8:33 a.m. Friday: Ross Fisher, Pat Perez, Byeong-Hun An
11:51 a.m. Thursday/8:44 a.m. Friday: Jose Maria Olazabal, Ryan Moore, Webb Simpson
12:13 p.m. Thursday/8:55 a.m. Friday: Ernie Els, Jason Dufner, Bernd Wiesberger
12:24 p.m. Thursday/9:06 a.m. Friday: Danny Willett, Matt Kuchar, Curtis Luck (a)
12:35 p.m. Thursday/9:17 a.m. Friday: Vijay Singh, Emiliano Grillo, Toto Gana (a)
12:46 p.m. Thursday/9:28 a.m. Friday: Angel Cabrera, Henrik Stenson, Tyrrell Hatton
12:57 p.m. Thursday/9:39 a.m. Friday: Charl Schwartzel, Steve Stricker, Mackenzie Hughes
1:08 p.m. Thursday/10:01 a.m. Friday: Charley Hoffman, Chris Wood, Yuta Ikeda
1:19 p.m. Thursday/10:12 a.m. Friday: Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Shane Lowry
1:30 p.m. Thursday/10:23 a.m. Friday: Bernhard Langer, Alex Noren, Patrick Reed
1:41 p.m. Thursday/10:34 a.m. Friday: Rory McIlroy, Hideto Tanihara, Jon Rahm
1:52 p.m. Thursday/10:45 a.m. Friday: Marc Leishman, Bill Haas, Justin Thomas
2:03 p.m. Thursday/10:56 a.m. Friday: Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, Jimmy Walker
8 a.m. Thursday/11:07 a.m. Friday: Daniel Summerhays, Russell Henley
8:11 a.m. Thursday/11:18 a.m. Friday: Trevor Immelman, Brendan Steele, Jhonattan Vegas
8:22 a.m. Thursday/11:29 a.m. Friday: Mike Weir, Billy Hurley III, Scott Piercy
8:33 a.m. Thursday/11:40 a.m. Friday: Larry Mize, Brian Stuard, Stewart Hagestad (a)
8:44 a.m. Thursday/11:51 a.m. Friday: Soren Kjeldsen, Kevin Chappell, Jim Furyk
8:55 a.m. Thursday/12:13 p.m. Friday: Sandy Lyle, Sean O'Hair, Scott Gregory (a)
9:06 a.m. Thursday/12:24 p.m. Friday: Zach Johnson, Louis Oosthuizen, Adam Hadwin
9:17 a.m. Thursday/12:35 p.m. Friday: Tommy Fleetwood, Gary Woodland, J.B. Holmes
9:28 a.m. Thursday/12:46 p.m. Friday: Adam Scott, Kevin Kisner, Andy Sullivan
9:39 a.m. Thursday/12:57 p.m. Friday: Francesco Molinari, Daniel Berger, Thomas Pieters
10:01 a.m. Thursday/1:08 p.m. Friday: Fred Couples, Paul Casey, Kevin Na
10:12 a.m. Thursday/1:19 p.m. Friday: Russell Knox, Rickie Fowler, Hideki Matsuyama
10:23 a.m. Thursday/1:30 p.m. Friday: Branden Grace, Brooks Koepka, Jeunghun Wang
10:34 a.m. Thursday/1:41 p.m. Friday: Jordan Spieth, Martin Kaymer, Matthew Fitzpatrick
10:45 a.m. Thursday/1:52 p.m. Friday: Phil MIckelson, Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Si Woo Kim
10:56 a.m. Thursday/2:03 p.m. Friday: Brandt Snedeker, Justin Rose, Jason Day
11:07 a.m. Thursday/8 a.m. Friday: Rod Pampling, William McGirt
11:18 a.m. Thursday/8:11 a.m. Friday: Mark O'Meara, Hudson Swafford, Roberto Castro
11:29 a.m. Thursday/8:22 a.m. Friday: Ian Woosnam, James Hahn, Brad Dalke (a)
11:40 a.m. Thursday/8:33 a.m. Friday: Ross Fisher, Pat Perez, Byeong-Hun An
11:51 a.m. Thursday/8:44 a.m. Friday: Jose Maria Olazabal, Ryan Moore, Webb Simpson
12:13 p.m. Thursday/8:55 a.m. Friday: Ernie Els, Jason Dufner, Bernd Wiesberger
12:24 p.m. Thursday/9:06 a.m. Friday: Danny Willett, Matt Kuchar, Curtis Luck (a)
12:35 p.m. Thursday/9:17 a.m. Friday: Vijay Singh, Emiliano Grillo, Toto Gana (a)
12:46 p.m. Thursday/9:28 a.m. Friday: Angel Cabrera, Henrik Stenson, Tyrrell Hatton
12:57 p.m. Thursday/9:39 a.m. Friday: Charl Schwartzel, Steve Stricker, Mackenzie Hughes
1:08 p.m. Thursday/10:01 a.m. Friday: Charley Hoffman, Chris Wood, Yuta Ikeda
1:19 p.m. Thursday/10:12 a.m. Friday: Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Shane Lowry
1:30 p.m. Thursday/10:23 a.m. Friday: Bernhard Langer, Alex Noren, Patrick Reed
1:41 p.m. Thursday/10:34 a.m. Friday: Rory McIlroy, Hideto Tanihara, Jon Rahm
1:52 p.m. Thursday/10:45 a.m. Friday: Marc Leishman, Bill Haas, Justin Thomas
2:03 p.m. Thursday/10:56 a.m. Friday: Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, Jimmy Walker
The week's storyline: How will Spieth recover?
By Ryan Lavner
(Photo/Golf Channel Digital)
The shot was struck on Tuesday, not Sunday.
Jordan Spieth has maintained that he’s not haunted by what happened on the 12th hole at last year’s Masters. That he won’t be defined by the most shocking collapse in tournament history. He tried to prove it yet again Tuesday during a practice round at Augusta National, stuffing his tee shot to a foot – so close he could do one of those hunched, Arnold Palmer-style tap-ins.
Spieth turned to the patrons, crammed into the grandstand behind the tee, and smirked: “I really could have used that one about 12 months ago.”
Since then, Spieth has been asked incessantly about his travails on the 12th hole, and he has gone through the classic stages of grief. First he shrugged off the meltdown, said that he got over it quickly. Then he became frustrated, tired of the constant questioning and the perception that 2016 was a down year. And finally, he accepted it, chalked up the attention to the 24/7 sports-media culture, and became more guarded in what he offered during his weekly sessions with the press.
Now, two days before the start of the 81st Masters, he just wants to stop talking about it.
“You add them up after 72 [holes],” Spieth said through gritted teeth. “I look forward to getting out there, taking it right over the bunker, just like I can tell you my strategy for any other hole.”
Spieth tried to set the tone early this year. At the SBS Tournament of Champions in Hawaii, Spieth was asked an innocuous question at a pre-tournament news conference. It was Jan. 4.
“Do you find yourself daydreaming about Augusta already?”
Spieth could have answered this question any number of ways – but he decided to do so anecdotally. In vivid detail he recalled the two rounds he played at Augusta National in December, the first time he’d been back to the club since he blew a five-shot lead on the back nine.
When the group arrived on the tee of the par-3 12th, Spieth was quick to break the ice with his playing partners.
“We have some demons to get rid of here,” he said.
Then he pured an 8-iron to 15 feet. Birdie.
He theatrically pumped his fist and declared, “Demons gone.” He made 2 the next day, too.
By sharing that story, the implication was obvious:
See, I’m over it, guys. No need to talk about it anymore.
If only it were that simple.
The Masters is the biggest golf tournament of the year. It’s the only one with eight months of anticipation. It’s the only one that dominates the sports calendar and draws in casual viewers. And unfortunately for him, How Spieth Recovers is the top storyline.
That much has been reinforced over the past few weeks, as TV networks, websites and magazines revisited the scene in agonizing detail. It’s clear that Spieth has grown tired of rehashing the past, and understandably so. “It will be nice once this year is finished from my point of view, to be brutally honest,” he said recently. But that, again, was wishful thinking.
“It’ll be something he has to prove to himself,” said two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw. “We’ve all had our catastrophes around here, but that happened at a bad time, and it was self-inflicted. But you make mistakes like that if you’re a golfer. You learn from it.”
Spieth and those close to him insist that it was merely one bad swing at a bad time, and that it was a minor miracle he was even in position to win back-to-back Masters, given his fatigue from offseason globetrotting and the shaky state of his ball-striking.
“That’s my takeaway,” said Spieth’s caddie, Michael Greller. “You have your C-game, but his short game, mentally, he was tough that week. No. 12 is what it is, but what he did the last six holes shows his stubbornness and his will.”
Those attributes should serve him well this week, with all eyes on the 23-year-old as he returns to the Masters – and to the 12th tee for the first time in competition.
“It will be difficult for him to put that out of his mind,” Colin Montgomerie said. “He says he has played the 12th hole in practice and he has come back and birdied it on every occasion. Yeah, but wait until he gets a card and pen in his hand again and see what you do on No. 12.”
There’s reason to believe this time will be different. Unlike last year, when he cracked the face of his driver and struggled with the weak right shot, Spieth has been sharp, especially with his irons, ranking first in strokes gained-approaches.
He began the year with three consecutive top-10s before a dominant victory at Pebble Beach. Since then, however, he hasn’t finished better than 12th in his last four starts, including a surprising missed cut last week in Houston, where he shot a second-round 77.
Spieth chalked it up to a rare off day. Nick Faldo believed it was something deeper.
“That’s why he hasn’t played well this past month, maybe winding himself up a little over it,” Faldo said. “All this attention.”
After missing the cut in Houston, Spieth also made an uncharacteristically brash statement – that “we strike fear” into others at Augusta. That turned some heads, since he is not physically intimidating, or with power and length. But he did have a point: His record here is 2-1-2.
“It’s the best course of the year for him,” Greller said, “and last year doesn’t change that.”
No, but there is scar tissue now that didn’t exist before, and Spieth will continue to be dogged by the memory of last year’s final round until he wins another green jacket.
“He’s got to go down there and deal with it,” Faldo said. “That’s the hardest thing in golf or any sport is when you don’t have an opportunity to come back and deal with it again. You don’t have another chance to square it up again.”
Spieth gets another chance Thursday, when his score on 12 actually begins to count.
Masters 101: A guide to the year's first major.
By Golf Channel Digital
(Photo/Golf Channel Digital)
Take a look at some answers to frequently asked questions of the Masters Tournament:
Who created the Masters?
The Masters was the brainchild of legendary amateur golfer Bobby Jones and investment dealer Clifford Roberts, who co-founded the Augusta National Golf Club in 1933.
When did it begin?
The tournament began in 1934.
Who was the first winner?
Horton Smith. One of the better players of his day, Smith also won the Masters in 1936.
Why is it called the Masters?
When the tournament began it was called the Augusta National Invitation Tournament. Roberts suggested it be called the Masters, a reference to the "masters of golf" who played in it, but Jones thought the name immodest. Roberts finally got his way in 1939.
How did it become so popular?
Jones was one of the most famous and most admired sports figures of his day, especially after he accomplished the unprecedented feat of winning a "Grand Slam" - capturing the U.S. and British Open and Amateur titles. It was only natural that a tournament he established would inherit his popularity.
Why is it a major?
Unlike the other three majors - the U.S. Open, The Open, and the PGA - the Masters isn't the "championship" of anything. But majors have historically been determined by popular opinion, and between Jones, the fact that it is an early spring tournament and the quality of players who have won at Augusta, the tournament just naturally became regarded as a major.
Why does the winner get a green jacket?
In 1937, Augusta National members began wearing green sport coats so that they could be recognized if fans had questions about the tournament. The tradition was expanded to winners being presented with green jackets in 1949. Sam Snead was the winner that year, so he got the first jacket, and all the previous winners were retroactively ordered jackets.
Does the winner keep the green jacket?
Technically, no. He is supposed to return it at the following year's event. But he can have a replica made for him to keep.
Who is eligible to play each year?
There are currently 19 categories for invitation to this year's Masters. Ready? 1. Previous Masters winners; 2-4. Winners of the five most recent U.S. Opens, British Opens and PGA Championships; 5. Winners of the three most recent Players Championships; 6. The current Olympic gold medalist; 7. The current U.S. Amateur champion and runner-up; 8. The current British Amateur champion; 9-11. The current Asia-Pacific Amateur champion, Latin America Amateur champion and U.S. Mid-Amateur champion; 12. The first 12 players, including ties, in the previous year's Masters; 13. The first four players, including ties, in the previous year's U.S. Open; 14. The first four players, including ties, in the previous year's Open; 15. The first four players, including ties, in the previous year's PGA Championship; 16. Winners of PGA Tour events that award a full-point allocation for the season-ending Tour Championship, from the previous Masters to the current Masters; 17. Those qualifying for the previous year's season-ending Tour Championship; 18. The 50 leaders on the final Official World Golf Ranking for the previous calendar year; 19. The 50 leaders on the Official World Golf Ranking published during the week prior to the current Masters.
Who are some of Augusta National's better-known members?
Augusta does not comment on its membership or reveal the identities of its members, but these public figures are reportedly members: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens and Jack Nicklaus. Arnold Palmer was a member of Augusta National before he died last September.
Why are holes named after flowers?
This is an homage to the property's former use as a nursery containing thousands of flowering plants and trees imported from various countries. Each hole was named after and adorned with one of these plants. Click here to view a hole-by-hole gallery with the flowery names.
Why do I keep hearing about azaleas in connection with the Masters?
Azaleas are arguably the most spectacular looking of Augusta National's plants. The 13th hole is named for them. They bloom for only a few weeks out of the year, however, and the club tries to make sure that is during the tournament.
Who designed the course?
The original architect was Alister MacKenzie, a British surgeon who later became a golf course architect. Jones had met him in 1927 at St. Andrews, a course they both revered, and Jones also admired MacKenzie's work in California at Cypress Point and Pasatiempo. MacKenzie died in January 1934, after the construction work had been finished but before Augusta National was fully covered with grass.
What is Amen Corner?
Amen Corner is holes 11, 12 and 13, which are located - literally - at a corner of the property. The name comes from a 1958 Sports Illustrated article by legendary golf writer Herbert Warren Wind. Wind later explained that he was looking for a catchy phrase - a la baseball's "hot corner" or football's "coffin corner" - to show where some of the most crucial action had taken place that year. He said he took the name from a jazz record he had heard, "Shouting in That Amen Corner."
What is Magnolia Lane?
Magnolia Lane is the main driveway leading from Washington Road to the clubhouse. It is flanked on either side with 60 magnolia trees, which were planted in the 1850s.
What is the Crow's Nest?
The Crow's Nest is living space available to amateurs on the top floor of the clubhouse. There are three cubicles, each with one bed, and one cubicle with two beds.
Who is Rae, of Rae's Creek fame?
The creek, which comes into play on the 12th and 13th holes, is named after former property owner John Rae, who died in 1789.
Who is Butler, of Butler Cabin fame?
Built in 1964, Butler Cabin was named for club member Thomas B. Butler. It is where the winner conducts his interview with CBS.
What is the Par 3 Contest?
The Par 3 Contest is a nine-hole competition held on the club's par-3 course the Wednesday before the Masters. It's extremely informal, with players' spouses and children often acting as caddies and even hitting occasional shots. No one has ever won the Par 3 Contest and the Masters in the same year.
What is the Champions Dinner?
The Champions Dinner is a gathering to which all former Masters winners are invited. By tradition, the previous year's winner suggests the menu, although options are provided for anyone who considers the menu not to their taste. It was started in 1952 by Ben Hogan.
Who has won the most Masters titles?
Jack Nicklaus won six Masters titles, two more than anyone else.
Who is the youngest Masters winner?
Tiger Woods became the youngest Masters champion when he won in 1997 at age 21.
Who is the oldest Masters winner?
Jack Nicklaus became the oldest Masters champion when he won in 1986 at age 46.
Who holds the 72-hole scoring record?
The record, 18-under 270, is shared by Tiger Woods (1997) and Jordan Spieth (2015).
Who holds the 18-hole scoring record?
The record, 9-under 63, is shared by Greg Norman (first round in 1996) and Nick Price (third round in 1986).
Has an amateur ever won the Masters?
No amateur has ever won the Masters, but a few have come close. In 1947, Frank Stranahan finished T-2, two shots behind winner Jimmy Demaret. In 1954, Billy Joe Patton finished one stroke out of the Sam Snead-Ben Hogan playoff. In 1956, Ken Venturi lead after 18, 36 and 54 holes, but he shot 80 on the final day and finished one shot behind Jack Burke Jr.
Did Jones ever play in the Masters?
Jones played in the Masters 12 times - every year it was held between 1934 and 1948 (because of World War II it was not held in 1943, '44 or '45). His best finish came in his first appearance, when he shot 6-over 294 and finished T-13.
What is the most famous shot in the history of the Masters?
Gene Sarazen's "Shot Heard 'Round the World, a 235-yard 4-wood shot that he holed for an albatross on the 15th hole in the final round. That helped him get into a 36-hole playoff the next day with Craig Wood, which Sarazen won.
How does the Masters purse compare to the other majors?
The Masters purse is in line with the purses for the other two majors played in the United States - the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship. The 2016 winner's share was the same for each: $1.8 million. The winner's share for The Open was slightly less, about $1.53 million when converted to U.S. funds.
When was Augusta National "Tiger-proofed," what did that consist of, and why was it done?
For most of its existence, Augusta National has played at slightly less than 7,000 yards. When Woods won in 1997, he effectively transformed the par-5 holes into par 4s by easily reaching their greens in two shots, sometimes with as little club as a wedge. Club officials decided to make changes - primarily adding length - after Woods won his second green jacket in 2001. Even with the changes, Woods won again in 2002. And again in 2005. More changes were made before the 2006 event, including the addition of trees and the narrowing of fairways. Woods has not won since.
What was the Eisenhower tree?
The Eisenhower tree was a tall loblolly pine whose branches hovered over the left side of the 17th fairway. It got its name from the efforts of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was an Augusta National member, to have it removed because he hit it so often. Nature finally did what Clifford Roberts refused to. The tree suffered extensive damage during a 2014 ice storm and was taken down in February of that year.
NASCAR: Power Rankings: Only Brad Keselowski is worthy of the top spot.
By Nick Bromberg
(Photo/Getty Images)
1. Brad Keselowski (LW: 2): In 2016, Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch traded great finishes to start the season and jumped ahead of everyone else in the points standings. The same scenario is (sort of) happening this year with Brad Keselowski and Kyle Larson. And a little twist and another driver right on their heels.
After getting caught in a crash in the Daytona 500, Keselowski has five-straight top-five finishes. It’s the longest streak in NASCAR after Larson finished outside the top 10 on Sunday. He’s also now the only driver in the Cup Series who has two wins so far this season.
Keselowski’s first win at Martinsville came after he drove through the field after an early pit-road speeding penalty. And not only did he do that, he passed a ton of cars without using his car as a battering ram. The white Miller Lite No. 2 didn’t look too much different at the end of the race than it did at the start.
“I had this lofty goal before the season started to go a whole season without a speeding penalty,” Keselowski said. “Every time I get a speeding penalty I get a not-so-subtle reminder from someone the next week, and I really hate that phone call.
“I had that lofty goal going into the year, and when I got the speeding penalty, I was really disappointed, and so there’s nothing you can do other than just slow down. It’s frustrating because there’s so many variables, the radiuses in the corners, the engines, they’re surging up and down on rpms so you’re kind of trying to steady it out, you’ve got traffic, you’ve got all these different things going on, and of course you don’t have a pit road speed limit and the dash has a lot of lag to it. You add in all these variables and then you kind of combine that with the competitive element that exists on pit road where every car length can make a difference literally between winning or losing this race, and it puts you in a position where you’re just forced.”
2. Kyle Larson (LW: 1): Larson’s car faded quickly at the beginning of the race and he was even lapped at one point. But changes the team made to the car worked out and he was able to get back toward the front of the field until gremlins hit the car.
As the race came to a close, Larson’s car had no power off the corners and he was toast on the straightaways. He ended up 17th. We’d let Larson explain his day in his own words but there were no post-race quotes from him.
3. Chase Elliott (LW: 4): Elliott is the other driver in the first paragraph above. He’s just four points behind Larson right now and would be five points behind Keselowski in the standings if Keselowski hadn’t gotten that 35-point penalty at Phoenix.
After winning Saturday’s Truck Series race, Elliott finished third on Sunday. Not a bad weekend for a guy making his fourth trip to a track that perplexes many Cup Series veterans. In typical Elliott fashion he was already looking forward to the fall race at the track.
“We hopefully have a good direction and we can build on this for the fall,” Elliott said. “This was an important race and we’d love to have a good run then.”
4. Joey Logano (LW: 7): Logano’s performance this season is overshadowed by his teammate’s two wins. But it’s pretty good too. Logano has five top-10 finishes in 2017; the only time he didn’t finish there was at Phoenix where he got a speeding penalty and then blew a tire.
He finished fourth on Sunday and, like his teammate, had to come back from a pit road penalty early in the race. He also had a cut tire that forced him to unexpectedly pit under green. Given those circumstances, a fourth is pretty damn good despite Logano’s frustration that he wasn’t able to snag any points at the end of stages one and two.
“Every time we got ourselves in position to get some stage points something happened and, I don’t know, we’d be about 30th,” Logano said.
5. Martin Truex Jr. (LW: 3): Truex was set up to get a top-five and then spun out thanks to contact with Clint Bowyer on lap 432. Had there been another caution over the race’s final 60+ laps, Truex might have had a chance to get back up toward the top 10. But by restarting at the back of the lead lap and without other opportunities for chaos, Truex was stuck outside the top 15.
6. Ryan Newman (LW: 6): Newman finished eighth. He said after the race that he was “surprised” with his finishing position because of how poorly his car handled throughout the day. And, in very Newman fashion, he was one of the few drivers who wondered if the tire used during Sunday’s race didn’t make for better racing. Drivers were moving up toward the outside of the concrete throughout the race and even Kyle Busch, who wasn’t happy with his final set of tires, made a point to note the improvements in the tire in Sunday’s race.
“I’m surprised we finished as good as we did for how bad the car felt. Good job for the guys. (Matt) Kenseth and I had a hell of a race for nothing, but that is sometimes what you’ve got to do. Just fun racing at Martinsville. A lot of single-file racing today man, I think the other tire might have been better, but we will just keep digging.”
7. Kyle Busch (LW: 10): Hey, speaking of Kyle Busch, here he is. Much like Keselowski’s car, Busch’s was also pretty clean because he had such a fast car that he didn’t need to move people out of the way to make passes. Though he did have a left-rear tire rub at some point thanks to contact.
But unlike Jamie McMurray, who crashed out after not pitting for heavy tire smoke, Busch’s tire issue resolved itself as the air pressures built up. Busch was convinced after the race that he would have held off Keselowski if he had a good final set of tires.
“We were lights out faster than those guys after 20 laps or so, you know,” Busch said. “There that run it was at minimum at least three tenths slower the entire time and that’s why Brad (Keselowski) just was able to drive away there at the end.”
8. Clint Bowyer (LW: 8): Despite having a car that looked like it’d been in a heavy round of demolition derby, Bowyer finished seventh. He’s now eighth in the points standings and 20 points ahead of teammate Kevin Harvick for Stewart-Haas bragging rights.
9. Kevin Harvick (LW: 5): Harvick finished 20th and was an absolute non-factor all day. He didn’t have the services of crew chief Rodney Childers, who was serving his one-race suspension on Sunday. His interim crew chief was former Danica Patrick crew chief Daniel Knost, who works in a team capacity at SHR.
10. Austin Dillon (LW: NR): Dillon finished fifth for his second top-five finish in his last three Martinsville races. It’s also his first top-10 finish of 2017.
11. Ryan Blaney (LW: 9): Blaney had quite the eventful day. He had contact with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson, had to pit under green and finished 25th with a beat-up car.
12. Jimmie Johnson (LW: NR): Johnson finished 15th. We’re still waiting on the No. 48 team to flip the performance switch this year. That being said, it wouldn’t be surprising in the slightest to see Johnson be one of the fastest drivers all weekend at the reconfigured Texas Motor Speedway.
The Lucky Dog: AJ Allmendinger is pretty good at Martinsville. He finished sixth.
The DNF: Jamie McMurray should have pitted.
Dropped out: McMurray, Daniel Suarez
Bellator MMA 'in talks' to host fights before NASCAR races.
By Nick Bromberg
You could be guaranteed to see both fighting and racing at some NASCAR races in 2017. (Photo/csnchicago.com)
After a hasty press release caused NASCAR to rebuke its statement, Bellator MMA said on Monday it was “in talks” to field pre-race fights at NASCAR races in 2017.
The MMA sanctioning body has a sponsorship agreement with Monster Energy, the company that sponsors NASCAR’s Cup Series. The updated press release said the partnership between the two means “mixed martial arts will be included as pre-race activation exclusively for fans in attendance” if the agreement is finalized.
The lack of anything definitive was a step back from Bellator’s first statement on Monday afternoon. The MMA group initially said it would be hosting fights before races at the All-Star race, August Bristol race, October Talladega race and at Homestead. The release even included a quote from Bellator’s president saying his company was partnering with the “Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.”
After the first release, NASCAR issued a statement saying it had no relationship with Bellator. Bristol Motor Speedway also said it was unaware of a Bellator event happening before its night race.
Whoops. Bellator president Scott Coker’s new quote only includes Monster Energy as a partner and not the Cup Series.
If MMA fights come to fruition before NASCAR races, there’s a chance that fans can see fighters with bloody faces before the race and drivers with bloody faces after.
Sorry, we had to make a Kyle Busch joke after his attempt to punch Joey Logano after Las Vegas.
ISC cites attendance decline in recent Cup events; increase in some younger demographics.
By Dustin Long
SOCCER: Bastian Schweinsteiger named to MLS Team of the Week.
By Dustin Long
(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
International Speedway Corp. reported Tuesday that attendance was down about 7 percent on average for NASCAR Cup events at Phoenix, Auto Club Speedway and Martinsville, but officials are encouraged by increases in some younger demographics.
International Speedway Corp. owns 12 tracks that host NASCAR Cup events, including Daytona International Speedway. The company reported its first-quarter results in a conference call with investor analysts Tuesday. The first quarter covered only the Rolex 24, Daytona Speedweeks and the Ferrari World Finals.
John Saunders, president of ISC, stated that advance ticket sales for NASCAR Cup events at ISC tracks in the second quarter — Richmond, Talladega and Kansas — are down 7 percent.
“We’re seeing the rate of decline slow, which is good news,’’ Saunders said to investor analysts. “We’re just in this transition with new drivers coming online, younger drivers resonating with younger audiences. We’re very committed to the initiatives. We’re starting to see them bear fruit, particularly in the younger demographics.
“I would also point out that both in venue and on broadcast, for the first time, we’re seeing double-digit increases for the 18-34 (category). That bodes very well for us. Some bright spots there but a lot of work to do. We remain optimistic that we’re going to stabilize it and grow it from there.’’
Saunders highlighted some areas that have shown increases. He said TV viewership of the Daytona 500 increased about 5 percent from last year and was up 16 percent for males 18-34.
Saunders cited new series sponsor Monster Energy as helping increase the 18-34 numbers. Saunders also said the Daytona 500 saw an increase of about 5 percent in youth attending the event.
In other ISC matters:
— Saunders was asked if ISC is looking to move a Cup race from one track to another: “Currently, we don’t have any plans to realign a date from one facility to another.’’
— ISC stated that attendance and admission revenues were up for this year Daytona 500. The stands were sold out for a second consecutive year.
— The average ticket price for Cup events during the first quarter (Daytona) increased 3.5 percent to $165.
— ISC’s motorsports revenue in the first quarter was $103.5 million. ISC’s domestic TV broadcast and ancillary revenues were $62.7 million for the first quarter.
— ISC had a decrease of 1.6 percent in net admissions for its events in the first quarter of 2017 (Ferrari World Finals, Rolex 24 and Daytona Speedweeks)
— As of March, ISC states it had sold race entitlement sponsorships for all but three of its Cup events, all but two of its Xfinity events and all but one of its Camping World Truck events this season. At this time last year, ISC had not sold or announced entitlement sponsorships for one Cup and two Xfinity races. ISC expressed confidence at selling its race entitlements this year.
— ISC reiterated that it will spend up to $500 million on existing facilities from fiscal 2017 to fiscal 2021. Included in that is the Phoenix Raceway redevelopment, which is scheduled to be completed in late 2018, the first phase in development at Richmond International Raceway and other improvements at other facilities. The Phoenix project is expected to cost $178 million.
SOCCER: Bastian Schweinsteiger named to MLS Team of the Week.
By Dan Santaromita
(Photo/Twitter.com)
As far as debuts go, Bastian Schweinsteiger had a pretty productive one for the Chicago Fire.
The German midfielder scored a goal and had a highlight reel of passes that set up his teammates for chances in front of the goal. Schweinsteiger played the full 90 minutes and was named man of the match.
For his efforts he was named to the MLS Team of the Week.
Schweinsteiger became the 10th Fire player in club history to score in his debut, and the first since Benji Joya in 2014.
Women's National Team And U.S. Soccer Intensify Talks.
Associated Press
(Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
Talks between the U.S. women’s national team players and the U.S. Soccer Federation intensified over the weekend in the ongoing effort to reach a deal on a new contract.
The latest negotiations come on the heels of an agreement between USA Hockey and its women’s national team for better compensation following a threat by players to boycott the world championships. The Irish women’s national soccer team also said it would skip an upcoming international match in a labor dispute.
“There is no question that women athletes around the world are sending a strong message,” said Molly Levinson, spokeswoman for the U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association. “They are demanding fairness and equality and they are changing the game for the future.”
The 2015 Women’s World Cup champions have been without a contract since Dec. 31. Talks were stalled when the players parted ways in late December with attorney Rich Nichols, who had been executive director of the USWNTPA since late 2014.
The players’ association has met numerous times with U.S. Soccer since the union brought in a new executive director and legal representation earlier this year.
The terms of the previous collective bargaining agreement remain in place unless either side files a 60-day notice of termination. Neither side has filed.
The latest negotiations come a year after a group of players filed a complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that alleged wage discrimination by the federation. The players maintained male national team counterparts earned far more than they did in many cases.
Becky Sauerbrunn, Meghan Klingenberg and Christen Press were elected player representatives at the team’s January training camp. In February, Sauerbrunn expressed hope that a deal could be struck before the National Women’s Soccer league opens play this month.
U.S. Soccer pays the salaries of national team players in the NWSL and the terms are spelled out in the CBA with the federation.
“I think the tone is really positive at this point,” midfielder Megan Rapinoe said earlier this year. “I think that we’re excited to collaborate with U.S. Soccer and hopefully get the best deal, not only for us but for them as well in this partnership going forward. I think we’re still very committed to the mission and the goals that we’ve had from the beginning for this CBA, and that’s to get a deal that fairly reflects the work we do on and off the field and our value on the market.”
The USSF has maintained that much of the pay disparity between the men’s and women’s teams results from separate collective bargaining agreements.
The women’s team had set up its compensation structure, which included a guaranteed salary rather than a pay-for-play model like the men, in the last labor contract. The players also earn salaries – paid by the federation – for playing in the NWSL.
The women receive other benefits, including health care, that the men’s national team players don’t receive, the federation has maintained.
The players’ EEOC complaint is still pending. On the anniversary of the filing last week, Rapinoe went to social media to both mark the occasion and support her hockey counterparts.
She posted: “On the 1 yr anniversary of the EEOC filing, we send best wishes to (hash)USWNT hockey in their (hash)2017WWC. Let’s (hash)changethegame (hash)beboldforchange.”
Last week, just days before hosting the world championships, USA Hockey and the women’s national team reached an agreement to end their wage dispute and avoid a boycott on home ice.
The push for better wages and conditions extended Tuesday, which marked Equal Pay Day, to Ireland, where women’s national team players have threatened to boycott a match on Monday against Slovakia.
The players say they’re not compensated fairly by the Football Association of Ireland for the time they have to take off work to compete. They also want to be paid for matches and would like their own team apparel – something they currently share with youth players.
The latest negotiations come on the heels of an agreement between USA Hockey and its women’s national team for better compensation following a threat by players to boycott the world championships. The Irish women’s national soccer team also said it would skip an upcoming international match in a labor dispute.
“There is no question that women athletes around the world are sending a strong message,” said Molly Levinson, spokeswoman for the U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association. “They are demanding fairness and equality and they are changing the game for the future.”
The 2015 Women’s World Cup champions have been without a contract since Dec. 31. Talks were stalled when the players parted ways in late December with attorney Rich Nichols, who had been executive director of the USWNTPA since late 2014.
The players’ association has met numerous times with U.S. Soccer since the union brought in a new executive director and legal representation earlier this year.
The terms of the previous collective bargaining agreement remain in place unless either side files a 60-day notice of termination. Neither side has filed.
The latest negotiations come a year after a group of players filed a complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that alleged wage discrimination by the federation. The players maintained male national team counterparts earned far more than they did in many cases.
Becky Sauerbrunn, Meghan Klingenberg and Christen Press were elected player representatives at the team’s January training camp. In February, Sauerbrunn expressed hope that a deal could be struck before the National Women’s Soccer league opens play this month.
U.S. Soccer pays the salaries of national team players in the NWSL and the terms are spelled out in the CBA with the federation.
“I think the tone is really positive at this point,” midfielder Megan Rapinoe said earlier this year. “I think that we’re excited to collaborate with U.S. Soccer and hopefully get the best deal, not only for us but for them as well in this partnership going forward. I think we’re still very committed to the mission and the goals that we’ve had from the beginning for this CBA, and that’s to get a deal that fairly reflects the work we do on and off the field and our value on the market.”
The USSF has maintained that much of the pay disparity between the men’s and women’s teams results from separate collective bargaining agreements.
The women’s team had set up its compensation structure, which included a guaranteed salary rather than a pay-for-play model like the men, in the last labor contract. The players also earn salaries – paid by the federation – for playing in the NWSL.
The women receive other benefits, including health care, that the men’s national team players don’t receive, the federation has maintained.
The players’ EEOC complaint is still pending. On the anniversary of the filing last week, Rapinoe went to social media to both mark the occasion and support her hockey counterparts.
She posted: “On the 1 yr anniversary of the EEOC filing, we send best wishes to (hash)USWNT hockey in their (hash)2017WWC. Let’s (hash)changethegame (hash)beboldforchange.”
Last week, just days before hosting the world championships, USA Hockey and the women’s national team reached an agreement to end their wage dispute and avoid a boycott on home ice.
The push for better wages and conditions extended Tuesday, which marked Equal Pay Day, to Ireland, where women’s national team players have threatened to boycott a match on Monday against Slovakia.
The players say they’re not compensated fairly by the Football Association of Ireland for the time they have to take off work to compete. They also want to be paid for matches and would like their own team apparel – something they currently share with youth players.
Premier League Weds. preview: Chasing down Chelsea?
By Nicholas Mendola
(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Only two Top Seven teams played as the Premier League kicked off its midweek matches on Tuesday, and both dropped points.
Everton and Manchester United drew 1-1 at Old Trafford, giving Arsenal a chance to go fifth and the Top Four the opportunity to secure breathing room from both United and Arsenal.
Realistically, most eyes will be on Chelsea. The Blues fell to Crystal Palace last week and that got the wildest of imaginations running; What if the personalities that self-destructed last season are off the boil? It’s incredibly unlikely, but Spurs, Man City, and so many others are dreaming of a rot infestation at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea vs. Manchester City
3 p.m. EDT, NBCSN – [STREAM]
Of course Tottenham supporters will be pulling for Pep Guardiola‘s bunch on Tuesday, as Chelsea’s Premier League lead could be down to four points if the Blues lose and Spurs beat Swansea City.
That’s easier said than done, of course, with the Blues stung by a shocking loss to Crystal Palace and likely quite ornery. Antonio Conte will be up for a tactical battle with Guardiola, and we should all reap the benefits.
Arsenal vs. West Ham United
2:45 p.m. EDT, Premier League Extratime – [STREAM]
The Gunners welcome a reeling West Ham side which has dipped back into the relegation zone, but nothing’s a given when it comes to Arsenal these days. Arsene Wenger‘s crew will know that it can catch Manchester United with a win. The Irons would probably take a point right now.
Southampton vs. Crystal Palace
2:45 p.m. EDT, Premier League Extratime – [STREAM]
Like Leicester City, Palace has leapt up the table with a series of wins. The Eagles could finish Wednesday as high as 13th if results go their way, although one would have to be a three-goal win at St. Mary’s. That seems unlikely, with Saints daydreaming of ninth by getting three points of their own.
Hull City vs. Middlesbrough
2:45 p.m. EDT, Premier League Extratime – [STREAM]
This could really be it for the visitors: lose to Hull and you’re at least five points out of safety (more if Swans can steal a point from visiting Spurs). Hull’s league-worst goal differential means its tiebreaker game is weak. Is this where Boro finally finds some goals?
Swansea City vs. Tottenham Hotspur
2:45 p.m. EDT, Premier League Extratime– [STREAM]
Unfortunately for Paul Clement‘s Swans, Spurs will not be caught off guard by a trip to the relegation-threatened Welsh side. The opportunity to see more than a sliver of light at the top of the table will have Hugo Lloris and Co. raring for yet another win and, at worst, a tighter grip on second place.
Liverpool vs. Bournemouth
3 p.m. EDT, Premier League Extratime – [STREAM]
Both Jurgen Klopp and Eddie Howe love to play an entertaining style, so neutral viewers could do far worse than scheduling a couple of hours for Wednesday’s to-do at Anfield. Even without Sadio Mane, this one should have fireworks.
La Liga wrap: Bilbao, Villarreal rise; Atleti wins fifth-straight.
By Nicholas Mendola
(Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Three La Liga matches served as an appetizer for Wednesday’s tasty Barcelona-Sevilla encounter, with the Madrid Derby on tap for Saturday at the Bernabeu.
Athletic Bilbao 2-0 Espanyol
Aritz Aduriz may play until he’s 50. The 36-year-old Spaniard added his 11th and 12th goals of the season on Tuesday, giving him goals in three-straight matches. Bilbao goes sixth with the win thanks to Real Sociedad’s loss.
Real Betis 0-1 Villarreal
Villarreal also took advantage of Sociedad’s loss, getting a first goal of the season from Adrian to move fifth
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Real Sociedad
Atleti is flying ahead of the weekend’s Madrid Derby, now winners of five-straight after this goal from Filipe Luis to Fernando Torres and back to Luis.
Wednesday’s games
Barcelona vs. Sevilla — 1:30 p.m. EDT
Alaves vs. Osasuna — 2:30 p.m. EDT
Deportivo de la Coruna vs. Granada — 2:30 p.m. EDT
Sporting de Gijon vs. Malaga – 2:30 p.m. EDT
Leganes vs. Real Madrid — 3:30 p.m. EDT
Standings
| Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Home | Away | PTS |
| Real Madrid | 28 | 21 | 5 | 2 | 74 | 28 | 46 | 12-3-0 | 9-2-2 | 68 |
| Barcelona | 29 | 20 | 6 | 3 | 85 | 26 | 59 | 10-3-1 | 10-3-2 | 66 |
| Atlético Madrid | 30 | 18 | 7 | 5 | 55 | 23 | 32 | 11-2-2 | 7-5-3 | 61 |
| Sevilla | 29 | 17 | 7 | 5 | 52 | 34 | 18 | 10-3-1 | 7-4-4 | 58 |
| Villarreal | 30 | 14 | 9 | 7 | 42 | 23 | 19 | 8-3-4 | 6-6-3 | 51 |
| Athletic | 30 | 15 | 5 | 10 | 39 | 33 | 6 | 11-3-2 | 4-2-8 | 50 |
| Real Sociedad | 30 | 15 | 4 | 11 | 43 | 41 | 2 | 7-4-4 | 8-0-7 | 49 |
| Eibar | 29 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 47 | 41 | 6 | 8-3-4 | 4-5-5 | 44 |
| Espanyol | 30 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 42 | 42 | 0 | 7-5-3 | 4-5-6 | 43 |
| Celta Vigo | 28 | 12 | 5 | 11 | 43 | 46 | -3 | 9-1-4 | 3-4-7 | 41 |
| Alavés | 29 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 29 | 36 | -7 | 4-7-3 | 6-3-6 | 40 |
| Las Palmas | 29 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 45 | 48 | -3 | 8-5-2 | 1-3-10 | 35 |
| Valencia | 29 | 9 | 6 | 14 | 41 | 51 | -10 | 6-3-5 | 3-3-9 | 33 |
| Betis | 30 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 32 | 47 | -15 | 5-6-5 | 3-1-10 | 31 |
| Málaga | 29 | 6 | 9 | 14 | 33 | 47 | -14 | 6-2-6 | 0-7-8 | 27 |
| Deportivo | 29 | 6 | 9 | 14 | 31 | 46 | -15 | 5-4-5 | 1-5-9 | 27 |
| Leganes | 29 | 6 | 9 | 14 | 23 | 42 | -19 | 3-5-6 | 3-4-8 | 27 |
| Sporting de Gijón | 29 | 5 | 7 | 17 | 31 | 57 | -26 | 4-2-8 | 1-5-9 | 22 |
| Granada | 29 | 4 | 7 | 18 | 26 | 62 | -36 | 4-4-6 | 0-3-12 | 19 |
| Osasuna | 29 | 1 | 8 | 20 | 29 | 69 | -40 | 0-5-10 | 1-3-10 | 11 |
NCAABKB: After Monday's Unwatchable Title Game The NCAA should Make One Simple Change.
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
This year’s national semifinals were the second most watched Final Four of the last 12 years. Overall interest in college basketball was up significantly during the NCAA tournament this season as the nation eagerly anticipated Monday’s national championship game between No. 1 seeds Gonzaga and North Carolina.
But even though the Zags and Tar Heels played a back-and-forth game that was pretty close throughout, with North Carolina winning the title with a 71-65 victory, basketball wasn’t the main discussion surrounding the game.
It was the officiating and how brutal the game was to watch.
Combining the nerves of a title game, the matchup of two teams that like to throw a lot of weight around on the interior and an overzealous officiating crew that was quick to blow whistles for touch fouls and it made for a near disaster.
Much of the second half, in particular, was completely unwatchable despite the close score.
Of the night’s 43 fouls, 26 of them came in the second half. Both teams were in the bonus with 14 minutes left. Foul trouble plagued big men on both teams as neither side could establish any kind of rhythm offensively. With seven minutes left, the two teams had combined to shoot 11-for-42 from the field in the second half.
And the national championship game, college basketball’s biggest showcase game, became a free-throw contest.
America should have been talking about two of the best teams in the country — a fun clash of a new-school upstart against an old-school powerhouse. Instead they complained about the horrible calls and how awful the play was on the floor. The national title game usually leads to a lot of casual NBA fans tuning in and complaining about college basketball. Those people had every right to lob grenades at college hoops after Monday night’s miserable outcome.
Games like this aren’t going to keep fans coming back for more. Monday’s game showed exactly why college basketball needs to make serious changes to move the game into modern times.
Changes need to be looked at when it comes to the referees but there isn’t a simple solution that can magically fix things overnight. Overhauling the officiating of college basketball would be incredibly difficult and time consuming. It just isn’t the type of thing that is fixed by snapping your fingers.
There is, however, a simple solution that the NCAA should use to enhance the quality of play and watchability for next season.
It’s time that the NCAA seriously examines implementing the experimental rule that they used in this season’s Postseason NIT that resets team fouls at the 10-minute mark of each half.
Moving to four quarters instead of two halves would seem like a natural play for college basketball since the NBA and the international game already abide by that common set of rules. There are also a lot of purists who don’t want college hoops to have an identical, four-quarter structure to the NBA.
The compromise is to keep 20-minute halves while still resetting team fouls during the middle of each half.
In the experimental NIT format, teams shot two free throws after a four-foul limit was reached during each 10-minute segment. Team fouls then were reset for each team when the clock hit the 9:59 mark of each half.
Resetting team fouls isn’t going to stop bad calls from happening. It’s not going to prevent basketball players from making silly mistakes and committing dumb fouls. But it takes the game out of the hands of referees and prevents people from watching 10-plus minutes of bonus basketball. Nobody wants to watch a free-throw fest.
But it happens way too often with the way the modern college basketball is being officiated. Watch a physical, pressing team like West Virginia play and you might be in for a game that is loaded with free throws that lasts closer to three hours instead of two. When two interior-oriented teams with multiple big men like Gonzaga and North Carolina go to battle it often ends in a similar fate like we saw on Monday night.
The Gonzaga and North Carolina game wasn’t some strange outlier where the basketball was randomly bad. This sort of unwatchable game happens way too often throughout the course of the season when there is minimal game flow and it becomes a parade of free throws.
As the NCAA strives for more freedom of movement for off-the-ball players while emphasizing certain touch fouls, it leads to some long and miserable games if a certain style of play might be involved. And one of the best parts about college basketball is how many unique ways teams can play basketball and still be effective.
Attention spans are too limited now to ask people to watch games like that. Potential fans are simply going to change the channel and fixate on the hot-button political landscape or another sport that has a more consumable overall product.
Foul-riddled games that feature a lot of free throws are still going to happen regardless of when team fouls might get reset. But resetting team fouls would also be a progressive step in the right direction for a sport and a governing body, the NCAA, that is often too slow to react to things that everyone else can plainly see.
Major professional sports regularly make rule changes to enhance the quality of their product for a consumer-based audience while also improving overall game flow. It’s time for the NCAA to adopt some changes to its rule book so it can continue to increase its audience during the best sporting event of the year.
People want to watch basketball.
They’re sick of referees continuing to steal the spotlight from what really matters.
Gonzaga is still the best story of the Final Four.
By Rob Dauster
(Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The best story of this Final Four wasn’t North Carolina’s redemptive run to a national title or South Carolina getting to the final weekend of the college basketball season 44 years after the last time that they won a tournament game. It wasn’t Isaiah Hicks’ star turn, where he went from playing like he was shaving points to scoring the biggest basket on Monday night, or Joel Berry II’s parents embracing the tattoo they never wanted him to get in the first place.
The results didn’t matter.
The best story of the Final Four was Gonzaga, college basketball’s ultimate rags-to-riches tale.
There is never going to be another Gonzaga. It’s not possible. The blueprint that they’re built from is irreplaceable. When Mark Few joined the program nearly 30 years ago as a graduate assistant, the Zags were coming off of a season where they won four games. It was the worst job in the WCC, and it wasn’t particularly close. Why would anyone choose to go to college in the eastern-most corner of Washington when they could play at, say, Loyola Marymount or Pepperdine?
“This wasn’t even possible,” Few said. When he was first hired by the school, he made $1,500. When he was first promoted to assistant coach, he lived with Dan Monson because Monson, who only made $45,000 at that time, actually owned a house. Bill Grier, the third assistant on that staff at the time, lived there and “would pay as much rent as we could afford,” Few said.
“In no way shape or form could you ever envision what we [built], from that to right now. It has changed, I don’t know, it’s 500 percent different from the school, how we travel, how we’re treated. We have a new arena. I mean, everything is. We have expectations. We’re expected to win. And we’re expected to advance. Heck, we’re expected to get to a Final Four, and if we don’t get to a Final Four it’s a disaster and we’re a failure.”
Gonzaga was then what, say, Southern Utah is now, buried in the bottom of a conference with teams at the top that have had some tournament success and have sent some players to the NBA. It’s not an enviable position to be in, and the Zags were able to dig out of it because they lucked into a head coach that is one of the best in the business that never wanted to leave.
That’s the way it works at that level. When you have some success, when you make a run in March and prove your chops as a coach, you bounce for a job in a bigger league, with better facilities, a bigger paycheck and a chance to recruit better players. Few never did that.
“Mark made Gonzaga his next job,” Wichita State head coach Gregg Marshall said. Marshall would know. He’s done the same at Wichita State, even going as far as to leverage opportunities to leave for a power conference gig to help get Wichita State into a position where they may end up joining the American Athletic Conference. At Gonzaga, Few’s worked with the same athletic director, Mike Roth, for all 18 years that he’s been the head man in Spokane. They’ve paid him more. They built a $25 million, 6,000-seat arena and broke ground on a state-of-the-art practice facility.
The results didn’t matter.
The best story of the Final Four was Gonzaga, college basketball’s ultimate rags-to-riches tale.
There is never going to be another Gonzaga. It’s not possible. The blueprint that they’re built from is irreplaceable. When Mark Few joined the program nearly 30 years ago as a graduate assistant, the Zags were coming off of a season where they won four games. It was the worst job in the WCC, and it wasn’t particularly close. Why would anyone choose to go to college in the eastern-most corner of Washington when they could play at, say, Loyola Marymount or Pepperdine?
“This wasn’t even possible,” Few said. When he was first hired by the school, he made $1,500. When he was first promoted to assistant coach, he lived with Dan Monson because Monson, who only made $45,000 at that time, actually owned a house. Bill Grier, the third assistant on that staff at the time, lived there and “would pay as much rent as we could afford,” Few said.
“In no way shape or form could you ever envision what we [built], from that to right now. It has changed, I don’t know, it’s 500 percent different from the school, how we travel, how we’re treated. We have a new arena. I mean, everything is. We have expectations. We’re expected to win. And we’re expected to advance. Heck, we’re expected to get to a Final Four, and if we don’t get to a Final Four it’s a disaster and we’re a failure.”
Gonzaga was then what, say, Southern Utah is now, buried in the bottom of a conference with teams at the top that have had some tournament success and have sent some players to the NBA. It’s not an enviable position to be in, and the Zags were able to dig out of it because they lucked into a head coach that is one of the best in the business that never wanted to leave.
That’s the way it works at that level. When you have some success, when you make a run in March and prove your chops as a coach, you bounce for a job in a bigger league, with better facilities, a bigger paycheck and a chance to recruit better players. Few never did that.
“Mark made Gonzaga his next job,” Wichita State head coach Gregg Marshall said. Marshall would know. He’s done the same at Wichita State, even going as far as to leverage opportunities to leave for a power conference gig to help get Wichita State into a position where they may end up joining the American Athletic Conference. At Gonzaga, Few’s worked with the same athletic director, Mike Roth, for all 18 years that he’s been the head man in Spokane. They’ve paid him more. They built a $25 million, 6,000-seat arena and broke ground on a state-of-the-art practice facility.
They’ve given him the funding to pay for a good staff, making Gonzaga a destination job for assistants. They’ve given him the resources to afford flying private to road games and for recruiting.
“I’ve been lucky to keep Mark over these years,” Roth said. “He’s wanted to stay. We’ve been doing the right things to make sure we give him the things he needs.”
“And I’m not talking about contracts. That’s easy stuff. I’m talking about facilities, supporting the program, how we travel, how we provide him opportunities to recruit, those types of things.”
The Zags continued to build and continued to win and continued to keep Few, who has heard overtures from programs like Indiana, UCLA and Oregon, where he’s an alum that grew up 15 minutes from campus. That kind of continuity is typically reserved for the biggest and the best programs. It’s not only allowed them to build the basketball program into what it is, at worst a top 15 program in the sport, but it has helped turn Gonzaga basketball into a family that bridges generations.
On Sunday, before the Zags were to square off with North Carolina, Few paraded in some 50 former members of the team, the players that built the foundation of what this program has turned into. Dan Dickau, Adam Morrison, Ronny Turiaf. They received a standing ovation from the players currently on the roster, a group that is chock-full of kids that may only spend one season on Gonzaga’s campus. Most expect five-star recruit and former McDonald’s All-American Zach Collins to head to the NBA as the first one-and-done player to come through Gonzaga. He may not be the only one to declare for the draft, either, as All-American point guard Nigel Williams-Goss seems likely to at least test the waters. Jordan Mathews, who hit the game-winning shot for Gonzaga in the Sweet 16 win over West Virginia, was a grad transfer.
He left California, where he averaged 14 points for the Golden Bears his last two seasons, to play a lesser role with the Zags. Williams-Goss was a former McDonald’s All-American and first-team all-Pac 12 point guard at Washington, Gonzaga’s in-state rival, before transferring to the other side of the state. Zach Collins picked the Zags over the likes of Arizona and Oregon, happy to play his role as the first big man off the bench if it meant he got a shot to play for a national title.
“That’s what makes this culture so special those guys, those former players — the Pendos, the Turiafs, Olynyk, the Morrisons, the Dickaus, the Pangoses, and Bells — these guys know it,” Few said. “They’re still connected to these guys even though they never played together. And our culture is just so strong. And this was a culture statement and I couldn’t be prouder.”
It’s also a statement of where Few’s program is.
“I was young and naïve,” assistant coach Tommy Lloyd, who has been at Gonzaga for 16 seasons, said of when he first got the job. “I thought why can’t we recruit NBA players. Let’s go do it. Let’s sell these guys on what we believe in. I was all in but I was 23 years old. It was my first job. I thought I could do anything. Mark was the same way. Being naïve was a good thing then.”
It’s not naive anymore.
Gonzaga was one rolled ankle from Williams-Goss, one blown out-of-bounds call on North Carolina’s Kennedy Meeks, from having the ball in the final minute with a chance to take the lead in the national title game, and doing so with the only one-and-done player in a Final Four with three power conference schools, two of whom entered the season as top six teams.
“I thought over this run of 20 years we probably had three or four — probably three teams that could have made it here,” Few said. “And, you know, just from the luck of the draw or that particular night, or I think of Wichita that year, or the one year we had a great team with Pangos and Bell, but we just ran into Duke in Houston in the Elite Eight.”
“So certainly felt, my stance all along was you just gotta be good enough and then eventually it’s going to happen. We wanted to stay nationally relevant. And I think we’ve done that year after year after year. And that’s probably what I’m most proud of. And then eventually you’ll kick the door down and break through.”
“We did this year.”
For North Carolina, 'Redemption' Has Never Been So Sweet.
By Rob Dauster
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
It's what Joel II has lived, too, never more so than in the 364 days since his dream was snatched from his fingers in the 4.7 seconds it took Ryan Arcidiacono to find Kris Jenkins for that game-winning, title-snatching three.
That wasn’t the only time that Berry cried on the University of Phoenix Stadium floor.
After he gobbled up a loose ball with 15 seconds left, after he found Justin Jackson for a dunk that put the Tar Heels ahead 70-65 with 12 seconds left, after Kennedy Meeks picked off a Gonzaga pass with nine seconds left, Berry headed to the free throw line, game in hand, redemption complete.
And emotionally, he couldn’t handle it.
“I was about to cry at the free throw line,” Berry said. “It was just a relief. I couldn’t believe it. I told the ref, ‘sir, i need a timeout,’ and I went to the sideline. ‘Look, I needed that, I’m about to lose it.’ Coach was like, ‘don’t lose it yet. Just knock these free throws in, then we can celebrate.’ And I went up there and I missed the first one.”
“I knocked in the second one and I was running down the court and I was crying.”
He wasn’t alone. Theo Pinson was crying before the final buzzer sounded. Isaiah Hicks copped to having to struggle to hold back tears. Justin Jackson didn’t bother holding them back. “Tears of joy started falling and I couldn’t control it,” he said.
This moment was cathartic for the Tar Heels. A year ago, at this same time, they were the ones left in tears following one of the most memorable plays in basketball history, a title-winning, buzzer-beating three from Kris Jenkins. After that shot went down, Williams said, “the feeling of inadequacy in the locker room last year is the worst feeling I’ve ever had.”
That is what North Carolina has been carrying with them all season long. It’s part of the reason Berry got that tattoo on his arm. It’s why the team’s group text has been named ‘Redemption’. It’s why the screen-saver on Pinson’s phone is a picture of him immediately after last year’s title game loss. It’s all hokey and cliché and narrative-driven, and it’s all too painfully accurate. Williams told his team that they had a chance to do this at the team’s first meeting back in August, that this was a group that had the pieces on their roster to avenge last year’s loss, to allow them to experience what it was like to be in a title-winning locker room.
But that didn’t always help.
“Every time I tried to think about us winning it I thought about the outcome of last year,” Nate Britt II said.
The other subplot of the Tar Heel season is the looming investigation that is being held over the head of the university. We’re approaching a two years since North Carolina first received a Notice of Allegations for violations committed in a wide-reaching academic scandal that has forever tarnished the sterling reputation of North Carolina. Not the basketball program, the school.
I understand why it would be hard for a neutral to be happy for North Carolina. Not only is there the skepticism that the NCAA would ever actually hammer one of their flagship programs, but UNC also has the money to fund an elite legal defense team that will make every effort to ensure that this is the most difficult investigation the NCAA will ever do.
I can’t blame anyone for that.
But understand, the scandal at North Carolina, the one that has muddied Williams’ name and could eventually result in a national title banner coming down, had nothing to do with any of the players on the floor tonight. They didn’t reap the benefits of any fake classes. Most of them came to North Carolina despite the fact that this investigation is ongoing.
“I wish it got no attention here, because this should be about the kids,” Williams said. “I wish it got no attention. But I know it’s out there. But the last three or four years have been very hard. I told you, people have questioned my integrity, and that means more to me than anything.”
“I know that we did nothing wrong. I know that I did nothing wrong. I’ve been investigated 77 times, it seems like. And everybody came to that conclusion. But there were some mistakes made at my university that I’m not happy about, either.”
It’s debatable — and probably inaccurate — to say that Williams did nothing wrong, but it’s 100 percent correct to say as much about the players. Their life in the public eye has been made that much more annoying by the fact that they have to answer questions about it. More importantly, they’re the ones that took last year’s loss, and the ones that will celebrate this year’s win, the hardest.
“After the Oregon game,” Berry recalled of a conversation he had with home roommate on the road, Pinson, “we had just talked about we get another shot at this, and we’re not going to let it get away from us.”
“Even if I have to steal that trophy from Gonzaga,” Pinson said back, “I’m not leaving that gym without the trophy.”
“We made that dream come true. I can forget about that shot from last year,” Berry said. “When we wake up in the morning it’s going to be us on the front of the newspaper.”
All it took was a title to get over last year’s heart break.
Things are going to be different in the Britt household from now on.
Nate II took last year’s loss particularly hard. Kris Jenkins, the man responsible for all of that heartbreak, is his brother. Jenkins lived with the Britts in the Washington D.C. area, moving in with the family in 2007 when they became his legal guardians, which seemed like a great idea until big brother hit the shot that gave him a ring and left little brother in tears. Imagine being reminded of that moment every time you walk by your brother’s room. Imagine being reminded of that moment every time he wears his national title hat or his national title t-shirt. Hell, imagine being reminded of that moment every time you see your brother.
“I’ve got balance in my house now,” Nate Sr. said.
And this time, it was Nate II that made Jenkins’ eyes water.
“I didn’t cry last year,” Jenkins said, moments after getting a bear hug from Ramses, the North Carolina mascot, while wearing a Nate Britt t-shirt jersey.
“I cried a little bit tonight.”
NCAAFB: Northwestern begs out of Big Ten Friday night TV duty.
By Zach Barnett
(Photo/Getty Images)
To much fanfare, the Big Ten recently inked a major extension to its TV deals with ESPN and Fox. To much consternation, the Big Ten also revealed some Friday night broadcasts will be included as part of those 9-figure paychecks.
In a conference that fancies itself the Ivy League of FBS, Friday night games were welcomed about as warmly as if the Ivy League itself selling its naming rights to McDonald’s.
Northwestern was slated for two of the eight Friday games in 2017, but Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald revealed Monday Northwestern will instead play none. From the Chicago Tribune:
In a conference that fancies itself the Ivy League of FBS, Friday night games were welcomed about as warmly as if the Ivy League itself selling its naming rights to McDonald’s.
Northwestern was slated for two of the eight Friday games in 2017, but Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald revealed Monday Northwestern will instead play none. From the Chicago Tribune:
But Fitzgerald’s 2017 team also received what the coach called “great news” — it will not have to play two Big Ten games on Friday night.
In November the Big Ten announced it had added Friday night games, including NU at Maryland (Oct. 13) and Michigan State at NU (Oct. 27).
Fitzgerald has been strongly opposed to Friday games because they can detract from high school football and disrupt his players’ class and practice schedules. Many NU fans also were outspoken in their opposition, citing Friday work schedules, traffic and the inability to have enough time to tailgate.
The league listened, with a Big Ten source saying it heard from university leadership at Northwestern regarding all the “unintended consequences” that accompany Friday night games.
It’s not clear how Friday work schedules and traffic affect Northwestern fans when the team is in College Park, Md., as they were scheduled to be on Oct. 13. It’s also not clear how the Big Ten couldn’t have seen the “unintended consequences” of football games on weeknights coming before they made the announcement.
Nevertheless, Northwestern will not play on Fridays this year and the earth will continue to spin on its axis.
North Carolina hoops join Clemson football to give ACC rare title sweep.
Nevertheless, Northwestern will not play on Fridays this year and the earth will continue to spin on its axis.
North Carolina hoops join Clemson football to give ACC rare title sweep.
By John Taylor
(Photo/Getty Images)
Something that doesn’t happen very often, at all, reared its rarefied head Monday night.
As deftly detailed by our friends at CollegeBasketballTalk.com, North Carolina beat Gonzaga to win the men’s basketball national championship. UNC’s win comes just shy of three months after Clemson beat Alabama for the national championship of college football. Speaking of which…
Clemson’s last football title prior to this year? The 1981 season. Men’s hoops champ for the ’81-’82 season? North Carolina.
— CollegeFootballTalk (@CFTalk) April 4, 2017Interestingly, both the Tigers and Tar Heels were national runners-up last season.
The ACC has now won men’s basketball and football national championships in the same athletic season twice. Such a double-double, including this year/season, has only happened a total of 10 times since the NCAA men’s tournament was first played at the end of the 1938-39 season.
Of those nearly dozen college sporting rarities, three each belong to two of the Power Five conferences (Big Ten, SEC) and two each from two others (ACC, Pac-12). The Big 12, if you hadn’t picked up on it, is the lone P5 left out of these particular festivities.
Below are all of the conference double-doubles, which includes only football titles awarded by the Associated Press. First, though, a couple of notes:
- Indiana won the 1986-87 basketball title and Penn State was the 1986 football champs, but the latter wasn’t in the Big Ten at the time.
- Duke and Miami would’ve hit the double-double in 1991-92, except The U didn’t join the ACC until 2005.
- Miami won another title in 2001 while Maryland won one for the 2001-02 season, but the former was still four years away from ACC membership while the latter has since left that conference for the Big Ten.
And, one final bit of housekeeping: the football titlists are listed first, for those keeping score at home.
1940-41 — Big Ten, Minnesota and Wisconsin
1952-53 — Big Ten, Michigan State and Indiana
1957-58 — SEC, Auburn and Kentucky
1967-68 — Pac-12, USC and UCLA
1972-73 — Pac-12, USC and UCLA
1975-76 — Big Ten, Ohio State and Indiana
1981-82 — ACC, Clemson and North Carolina
2006-07 — SEC, Florida and Florida
2011-12 — SEC, Alabama and Kentucky
2016-17 — ACC, Clemson and North Carolina
Always Dreaming a Daunting Kentucky Derby Contender.
By Mike Curry
Making the Grade, which will run through the 2017 Belmont Stakes, focuses on the winners or top performers of the big races, usually from the previous weekend, who could impact the Triple Crown. We’ll be taking a close look at impressive winners and evaluating their chances to win classic races based upon ability, running style, connections (owner, trainer, jockey) and pedigree.
This week we take a closer look at Always Dreaming, winner of the Grade 1, $1 million Xpressbet Florida Derby on April 1 at Gulfstream Park.
Always Dreaming needed a powerhouse performance in his stakes debut in the Grade 1 Xpressbet Florida Derby on April 1 to prove he belonged on the Triple Crown trail. He delivered. With a five-length runaway victory, the Bodemeister colt punched his ticket to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands and became, in the 1:47.47 it took to navigate the race’s 1 1/8 miles, one of the favorites for the first jewel of the Triple Crown.
Ability: After finishing third and second, respectively, in sprint races in New York as a 2-year-old, Always Dreaming was given an extended break. He posted solid Equibase Speed Figures of 85 and 96 for his two starts in 2016 for trainer Dominick Schettino, but entered his 3-year-old campaign still in search of his first victory.
That changed on Jan. 25 at Tampa Bay Downs when he powered to an 11 ½-length romp going one mile and 40 yards in his first race under Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez and his first start for seven-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher.
Always Dreaming followed with a front-running, four-length win in a Gulfstream Park allowance optional claiming race at 1 1/8 miles – the same distance as the Florida Derby – which gave his connections the confidence to test him in a Grade 1 race.
In the Florida Derby, Always Dreaming was again much the best. He was steadied in traffic entering the first turn when it looked like he very likely clipped heels with Three Rules, who reached the front from post-position 10 and crossed in front of Always Dreaming while angling over from the outside toward the rail. Always Dreaming understandably got a little headstrong right after that incident, but Velazquez was able to settle him a bit on the backstretch, although it does appear that he was pretty keen to impose his will on Three Rules. He overwhelmed the pacesetter entering the stretch and really leveled off nicely, pulling away to win by five lengths and covering the final eighth of a mile in a very strong 12.53 seconds. The winning time was a little more than three-fifths off the track record set by superstar Arrogate on Jan. 28 in the $12-million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes, so I was a bit surprised that Always Dreaming’s Equibase Speed Figure came back a rather light 100.
Racetracks vary greatly from day to day depending upon a number of factors – and the Gulfstream main track was playing fast as evidenced by a seven-furlong track record set by Clearly Now in the opening race – but I thought Always Dreaming might get a higher figure given Arrogate received a 124 for his victory in the Pegasus. Regardless, this $350,000 purchase out of the 2015 Keeneland September yearling sale has won three straight by a combined margin of 20 ½ lengths in 2017 and has vaulted from promising maiden to top Kentucky Derby contender.
Running style: Always Dreaming rallied from off the pace in his two sprints as a 2-year-old but has been on or near the lead when stretching out in distance in his three races at three. His natural speed is more of an asset in two-turn races and should allow him to obtain quality positioning in the 1 ¼-mile Kentucky Derby.
Perhaps even more importantly, I was impressed that he did not get discouraged after the traffic trouble on the first turn of the Florida Derby. He became a bit headstrong, but this is the type of adversity a horse faces in the Kentucky Derby and Always Dreaming still won by five and finished fast.
Connections: Always Dreaming is owned by an elaborate partnership that includes Brooklyn Boyz Stables, Teresa Viola Racing Stables, St. Elias Stable, MeB Racing Stables, Siena Farm and West Point Thoroughbreds. MeB Stables and Brooklyn Boyz Stable are the racing names for Mary Ellen and Anthony Bonomo of New York, respectively. St. Elias Stable and Teresa Viola Racing Stables are the racing operations of Vincent Viola and his wife, Teresa. Vincent Viola, also a Brooklyn, N.Y. native, is the owner of the National Hockey League’s Florida Panthers.
Anthony R. Manganaro, Nacho Patino and David Pope founded Siena Farm on 225 acres in Paris, Ky., and West Point Thoroughbreds is the racing partnership founded by West Point graduate Terry Finley that has raced nine Grade 1 winners.
Always Dreaming’s trainer, Todd Pletcher, is the all-time leaders among trainers in career Thoroughbred racing earnings with $334,743,887 through April 3. An assistant to Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas before going out on his own in 1996, Pletcher is a seven-time Eclipse Award winner as outstanding trainer.
In addition to Always Dreaming, Pletcher also trains Kentucky Derby hopefuls Tapwrit, Malagacy, Patch, Master Plan and One Liner. Pletcher won the Kentucky Derby in 2010 with Super Saver, the Belmont Stakes with Rags to Riches in 2007 and the 2013 Belmont Stakes with Palace Malice.
Like Pletcher, Always Dreaming’s jockey, John Velazquez, is the all-time leading rider by purse earnings with $361,024,674 through April 3. A two-time Eclipse Award winner as outstanding jockey, Velazquez won his first and only Kentucky Derby to date in 2011 on Animal Kingdom. He also guided Rags to Riches to victory in the Belmont Stakes in 2007 and won the 2012 Belmont aboard Union Rags. He was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 2012. Velazquez also is the regular rider of One Liner.
Pedigree: Always Dreaming is from the first crop of 2012 Arkansas Derby winner Bodemeister, a blazing-fast runner capable of carrying his speed a long way. Bodemeister finished second to I’ll Have Another in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 2012, grudgingly relinquishing the lead in the former after a setting a blistering pace through a half-mile in :45.39.
It’s impossible to judge a sire by only one crop, but three stakes winners and a top Kentucky Derby hopeful bodes well (pardon the pun) for Bodemeister.
Always Dreaming is out of four-time stakes winner Above Perfection, by In Excess. Above Perfection won the Grade 3 Las Floras Stakes at three-quarters of a mile and also was a stakes winner at seven-eighths of a mile. She also is the dam (mother) of Grade 1 winner Hot Dixie Chick, Always Dreaming’s half-sister (same dam, different sire).
Always Dreaming’s grandma (maternal grandmother) was unraced but produced a pair of stakes winners: the aforementioned Above Perfection and multiple stakes winner Made to Perfection.
Always Dreaming looks like a rising star and it would be foolish to consider him anything but a top contender for the Kentucky Derby. He’s got tactical speed, room to grow, an exciting pedigree and Hall of Fame connections. Equibase Speed Figures suggest he has some catching up to do, but I loved how he finished the last eighth of a mile in the Florida Derby.
Pletcher’s 1-for-45 record in the Kentucky Derby will generate plenty of criticism over the next few weeks, but this is arguably the toughest race in the world to win and it takes a lot of luck to win, in addition to the right horse. Always Dreaming could be that horse, and maybe all Pletcher needs this year is a little racing luck.
On This Date in Sports History: Today is Wednesday, April 05, 2017.
emoriesofhistory.com
1965 - The color of National Football League penalty flags used by officials was changed from white to bright gold.
1967 - Wilt Chamberlain (Philadelphia 76ers) set an NBA playoff record when he got 41 rebounds in a game.
1970 - Bobby Orr (Boston Bruins) became the first NHL defenseman to win the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's top scorer.
1984 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Los Angeles Lakers) became the all-time NBA regular season scoring leader when he broke Wilt Chamberlain's record of 31,419 career points.
1985 - John McEnroe said "any man can beat any woman at any sport, especially tennis."
1987 - Doug Jarvis (Hartford Whalers) completed his 12th NHL season in his 962nd consecutive game. Jarvis retired after playing the first two games of the 1987-88 season setting the iron-man record at 964 games.
1999 - Barry Bonds was walked intentionally for the 270th time of his career. He passed Hank Aaron on the all-time list.
1967 - Wilt Chamberlain (Philadelphia 76ers) set an NBA playoff record when he got 41 rebounds in a game.
1970 - Bobby Orr (Boston Bruins) became the first NHL defenseman to win the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's top scorer.
1984 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Los Angeles Lakers) became the all-time NBA regular season scoring leader when he broke Wilt Chamberlain's record of 31,419 career points.
1985 - John McEnroe said "any man can beat any woman at any sport, especially tennis."
1987 - Doug Jarvis (Hartford Whalers) completed his 12th NHL season in his 962nd consecutive game. Jarvis retired after playing the first two games of the 1987-88 season setting the iron-man record at 964 games.
1999 - Barry Bonds was walked intentionally for the 270th time of his career. He passed Hank Aaron on the all-time list.
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