04/18/24
Archives for November 2006
November 30, 2006
Arsenal stadium linked to death of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko.: Andrei Lugovoi, a former KGB officer who met Litvinenko on November 1, the day he was taken ill, travelled to London on October 31 with his wife and family to watch CSKA Moscow play Arsenal in a Champions League fixture. Litvinenko was poisoned with a radioactive substance, polonium 210.
posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 11:27 PM - 15 comments
Mia and Nomar start reproducing while the Texas Sports Hall of Fame is put on hold: "This is a first for us," said Steve Fallon, executive director of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. "We've never had anybody decline because they're pregnant."
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY to soccer at 01:20 PM - 6 comments
Jim Brown speaks about some of the things wrong with the NFL today.: It's trying to protect the players, but you know, I think it's also an attempt to try to add to the offensive excitement of the game. It's over-legislated and it's not fair to defensive players. It doesn't represent what football is supposed to be.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia to football at 10:38 AM - 34 comments
The Kronk is no more: The Kronk Gymnasium, a dingy room in the basement of an aging Detroit rec centre, has closed its door for good. Emanuel Steward used The Kronk to train more than two dozen world champs, including Thomas Hearns and Michael Moorer.
posted by wfrazerjr to boxing at 10:29 AM - 6 comments
Test Catch Cricket.: Practice your catching skills ahead of the Ashes 2nd Test with this fun cricketing game. You can also try the insanely addictive Stick Cricket or the slightly less addictive The Ashes.
posted by afx237vi to other at 09:46 AM - 4 comments
November 29, 2006
Hockey...er...Ball.: Hockey stats leave alot to the imagination. Hopefully, not for long. Fans of the game are embarking on a statistical revolution: expanding the limited scope of current player data, and establishing entirely new standards for measuring true on-ice productivity. Greg Wyshynski talks to the man behind hockey-recap.com, my new favorite resource. hockey fans are being mislead by the current numbers. He calls plus/minus "worthless"
posted by garfield to hockey at 06:16 PM - 18 comments
Texans take a look at Gatlin: The Houston Texans had an interesting guest in camp on Tuesday -- disgraced sprinter Justin Gatlin. The man who won the gold medal at the 2004 Olympics and owns the record in the 100 metres could sign a contract late next month despite not having played football since 10th grade.
posted by wfrazerjr to football at 05:17 PM - 20 comments
The Fremont Athletics: "How the deal went down, and why it was inevitable"
posted by kirkaracha to baseball at 03:19 PM - 3 comments
The Hoser's NFL Picks, Week Thirteen: NFL picks that can't wait to see Bill Frist take his rightful place on the PTL Club.
posted by justgary to football at 12:40 PM - 16 comments
That's $5,000 a finger:: Michael Vick fined $10,000 for flipping off the fans.
posted by lil_brown_bat to football at 12:21 PM - 62 comments
The Hoser's NFL Picks, Week Thirteen: NFL picks that can't wait to see Bill Frist take his rightful place on the PTL Club.
posted by wfrazerjr to commentary at 11:54 AM - 0 comments
Year-After Effect could strike many young arms in '07: Tom Verducci of SI proposes that 2007 could be a down year for all of the upstart rookie pitchers from this past season due to overuse. As the title foreshadows, Verducci refers to this phenomenon as the Year-After Effect, based on a general rule of thumb among executives and pitching coaches: young pitchers should not have their innings workload increased by more than 25 or 30 innings per year.
posted by gradys_kitchen to baseball at 09:23 AM - 15 comments
Anyone want a free ticket for the fourth Ashes test at the MCG?: Ashley Wakefield put an advert on a London-based Aussie website seeking a 'good-looking female under 35' who would fetch lager and hot dogs during day three of the fourth Test in Melbourne.
posted by JJ to general at 06:42 AM - 6 comments
Julia's Gold: Neither sleet, nor snow, nor familial dysfunction will knock Julia Mancuso off form. This SF Chronicle Mag article was a fun read this weekend. This lady's family history may be more interesting than her Olympic 2006 Torino gold in the giant slalom or her bid for further glory.
posted by worldcup2002 to other at 01:14 AM - 1 comment
NORDIC SKIING ON THE RISE.: Can young Matt Gelso break the spell on the U.S. cross country team's dismal Olympic record? SF Chronicle Magazine article re: a sport that US has been sucky at. I have a personal interest in that cross-country skiing was my first intro to snow sports (I now prefer downhill), and because I attended a few races where I threw drinks at my best buddy, who was competing (it was more fun and meaningful than that).
posted by worldcup2002 to other at 01:09 AM - 7 comments
November 28, 2006
Ski Cross, In. Women's Ski Jump, Not Yet.: Contrary to many expectations, the IOC Executive declined to add ski jumping events for women to the 2010 Winter Olympic program. There's lots of other news for Olympic junkies in this article.
posted by Amateur to other at 07:32 PM - 3 comments
Accession Notes: In Praise of Athletic Beauty: A review of Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht's In Praise of Athletic Beauty: "Gumbrecht has the ordinary sports fan in mind as an audience. Perhaps the 'educated' sports fan might be more accurate; someone with a passing familiarity with history, and the interest in seeing sports in historical context. One thing is clear: Gumbrecht is not providing an academic defense of the many 'readings' of sports of which he is so critical. Sports, in Gumbrecht's view do not need such a defense; they have the intransitive quality of being 'for themselves'." A good sign: no mention of Huizinga's Homo Ludens.
posted by Uncle Toby to culture at 05:42 PM - 6 comments
November 27, 2006
Spofi EPL FFL: Week 14. More of the same. The new same, that is.
posted by gspm to fantasy at 09:37 PM - 22 comments
Quick, name a sulking NFL receiver looking bad on the sidelines: Marvin Harrison?: Showing that anyone is prone to a selfish, me-only attitude once in a while, the Colts put a hurting on the Eagles Sunday night despite Marvin Harrison's out-of-character act.
posted by dyams to football at 06:31 PM - 30 comments
Dallas Cowboys Boot Vanderjagt: The most accurate kicker in NFL history was cut today, eight months after signing a three-year, $5.5 million deal with a $2.5 million signing bonus. Vanderjagt missed 5 out of 18 field goals this season, some hopeless from the moment they left the Vanderfoot. He's been replaced with Martin Gramatica.
posted by rcade to football at 05:35 PM - 42 comments
And your 2007 MLB HOF candidates are ...
posted by mr_crash_davis to baseball at 04:05 PM - 52 comments
Fantasy Basketball H2H league: Standings update after four weeks. There's a new leader, some key injuries and pickups, but no trade activity. The Knicks are still in last place.
posted by dusted to fantasy at 01:43 PM - 21 comments
Blackhawks Fire Trent Yawney!: The lowest scoring squad in the NHL this season fire Head Coach Trent Yawney and name Denis Savard as the 36th Head Coach in Team History. I called it here in the Hitchcock Thread a few weeks ago but is it enough to grab a playoff birth in the 2006-07 season?
posted by skydivedad to hockey at 11:10 AM - 10 comments
Alabama has fired Coach Shula: Crimson Tide, 10-2 last year, this year they're 6-6. Does he deserve being fired?
posted by texasred to football at 08:43 AM - 19 comments
Should we all just give up now?: It is still ten months to the rugby world cup, but after the autumn international results it seems that no one can live with New Zealand. They won all of their matches with ease and the other big names of the Southern Hemisphere just didn't shine.
posted by Fence to other at 08:06 AM - 16 comments
Third life for survival football: the commish did another reset and we're on for another round. Note all: deadline this week is Thursday, so be sure to get your pick in before then.
posted by lil_brown_bat to fantasy at 07:22 AM - 28 comments
The Biggest Mouth In Sports: Part John Madden, part Rush Limbaugh, but a man who has made a life out of speaking his truth, no matter how it is received.
posted by mjkredliner to hockey at 07:06 AM - 21 comments
November 26, 2006
posted by owlhouse to fantasy at 08:07 PM - 13 comments
No. 12 Kansas : hands number 1 and defending National Champions Florida their first loss of the season.
posted by hawkguy to basketball at 11:53 AM - 6 comments
Their own private haka: New Zealand played Wales on Sat, but talk about the match has been dominated by discussions about whether New Zealand were right to perform the haka in private before taking the pitch, or whether the Welsh Rugby officials were right to ask the All Blacks to perform the haka between anthems. The Welsh reasoning was that they were the "tangata whenua" (which means the traditional owners and protectors of the land), and so should have been given the chance to answer the challenge of the haka.
posted by Fence to other at 08:06 AM - 32 comments
Wojciechowski: BCS System Needs Extreme Makeover: "I hate the BCS," declares ESPN's Gene Wojciechowski. "I hate it because the two best teams in the country aren't going to play in the national title game."
posted by wingnut4life to football at 06:42 AM - 50 comments
November 25, 2006
In U.S. Women go wild for hunting.: An increasing number of women are heading into the woods, becoming one of the most enthusiastic segments of the hunting world.
posted by commander cody to other at 12:31 AM - 13 comments
November 24, 2006
Larry Coker Fired at Miami: The U ended Coker's 12-year association with the school this morning, one day after the Hurricanes rose to 6-6 with a Turkey Day upset of Boston College before a small Orange Bowl crowd. Because he'll stick with the team through the postseason, a head coaching run that began with a National Championship may end on the Smurf Turf in Boise, site of the MPC Computers Bowl.
posted by rcade to football at 11:26 AM - 13 comments
The Hoser's NFL Picks, Week Twelve: NFL Picks that wonder just how strong the fan is in the bathroom on John Madden's bus.
posted by wfrazerjr to commentary at 10:31 AM - 0 comments
Movie to feature gay Toronto Maple Leaf: The NHL and Toronto have given permission to use uniforms, etc. for the movie. Tom Cavanagh, former Ed star, will play the Leaf. No Love Monkey jokes, please.
posted by smithers to hockey at 08:47 AM - 25 comments
Former pitcher Pat Dobson dies at 64.
posted by commander cody to baseball at 12:26 AM - 3 comments
November 23, 2006
Competitive eaters celebrate 12-minute Thanksgiving in New York.: Mmmmmmmmmm turkey!
posted by commander cody to other at 11:10 PM - 9 comments
Scarlet Knight in Shining Armor: Having struggled his first 5 years at Rutgers, Head Coach Greg Schiano has transformed his team into a dynamic program and legitimate national title contender.
posted by chrisbracey to commentary at 09:53 PM - 0 comments
Culture of Winninge: The criticism of Omar Minaya's moves last year stemmed from the belief that he was signing players based on their ethnicity, but after the Mets brilliant 2006 season, most will be hard pressed to not give the Hispanic GM the benefit of the doubt.
posted by chrisbracey to commentary at 09:51 PM - 0 comments
From Silly Point to Night Watchman : everything you wanted to know about cricket, but were too afraid to ask, on one page.
posted by Mr Bismarck to other at 05:36 PM - 5 comments
The Hoser's NFL Picks, Week 12: NFL Picks that wonder just how strong the fan is in the bathroom on John Madden's bus.
posted by justgary to football at 10:19 AM - 13 comments
Blue Jackets hire Hitchcock as coach: Hitchcock was asked if he would be behind the bench when the Blue Jackets play his former team, the Flyers, on Friday afternoon in Philadelphia.
"You bet," he said twice.
posted by wingnut4life to hockey at 08:39 AM - 9 comments
Midnight Zamboni run prompts firings. : Now tell the truth...if you had the chance wouldn't you have done it too? I sure would have!
posted by commander cody to hockey at 01:54 AM - 18 comments
November 22, 2006
Russian cosmonaut hits golf ball into orbit.: Cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin hit a golf ball into Earth's orbit from the International Space Station on Wednesday to raise money for the Russian space program at the start of a six-hour spacewalk.
posted by worldcup2002 to extreme at 11:58 PM - 11 comments
Wake up, you're off!: To quote the New Zealand Herald: Ah, the irony. Welsh lock Huw Richards was having a pat-a-cake struggle with Gary Whetton during the 1987 World Cup semi in Brisbane [...] Richards was revived by the side of the pitch just so he could be shown the red card for giving Whetton a few handbags before Shelford arrived with his peacemaker.
posted by rodgerd to other at 01:55 PM - 3 comments
Frank DeFord Wins It All!: Learn how to make your won sports cinema masterpiece (link to NPR page with audio)
posted by yerfatma to culture at 01:48 PM - 0 comments
The SI.com "2006 Turkeys Of The Year": have been awarded. They page in reverse order, from 13 down. A little surprised at #1.
posted by smithnyiu to general at 01:15 PM - 18 comments
November 21, 2006
Spofi EPL FFL: Week 13 update. Houston, we have a new leader.
posted by gspm to fantasy at 11:44 PM - 17 comments
The NBA is quickly becoming the new No Fun League.: After disallowing challenging the refs, streets clothes, and iPods during warmups, Stern et. al. are now taking on YouTube. If they succeed, fabulous video comps such as this (warning: YouTube 8 minute + video) will be gone.
posted by Ufez Jones to basketball at 11:36 PM - 18 comments
Tom Izzo is being considered for the head football position at MSU.: The link title says it all.
posted by hawkguy to football at 07:40 PM - 20 comments
Mean Green Football Coach Fades to Black: The University of North Texas football program made news last week with a booster's threat to withhold $1 million over Coach Darrell Dickey's firing. They might make news next week over events during Saturday's game, as I explain in a SportsFilter subscriber column.
posted by rcade to football at 06:35 PM - 6 comments
Uniforms that light up your life:: A sports outfit that keeps score? Research has developed a basketball jersey that tells you the foul count, the seconds on the shot clock and other useful (?) information.
posted by owlhouse to basketball at 05:51 PM - 13 comments
CFL Pick 'Em, Grey Cup Final Standings: Excitement at both ends of the standings make up for a less-than-stellar Cup game. Hearty congratulations are due to owlhouse and Folkways.
posted by DrJohnEvans to fantasy at 01:53 PM - 10 comments
Morneau is your AL MVP: What makes this even more impressive is that he was splitting votes with a teammate, Joe Mauer. That has hurt past candidates, including David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. Morneau is the second Canadian-born player to win the MVP.
posted by BullpenPro to baseball at 01:45 PM - 66 comments
Hammers and Eggs.: West Ham agreed to be purchased by Eggert Magnusson, Icelandic millionaire, Iceland FA chairman and UEFA Exco member. How does this change the money dynamic among the top London teams (Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs and West Ham)?
posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 01:43 PM - 4 comments
Torquay United to pull plug on divers: "British Football has the opportunity to take a lead in resolving this major issue which is tarnishing our Sport and marred the World Cup Finals in Germany 2006." “58% of the players who were treated on the pitch during the 2006 World Cup eventually turned out not to be injured.”
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY to soccer at 11:32 AM - 9 comments
The first black player to be depicted on a baseball card?: 90 years ago, a B.C. ballplayers passed as a native to debut with the Oakland Oaks.
posted by mjkredliner to baseball at 10:18 AM - 6 comments
Freddie takes the first step toward the EPL.: Freddie Adu, 17, of DC United, has begun a 2-week trial at Manchester United.
posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 01:32 AM - 10 comments
November 20, 2006
Five-time Olympic swimming champion Thorpe retires: Five-time Olympic champion Ian Thorpe retired from competitive swimming Tuesday at the age of 24, saying breaking records "wasn't as inspiring as it should have been."
posted by STUNNER to other at 11:49 PM - 18 comments
Eagles DB Waters Dies, 44: Andre Waters, an NFL defensive back for 12 years who spent most of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, was found dead today in Tampa of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The team's web site caught up with Waters in 2004. This death and those of Jerome Brown and Reggie White put a sad coda on the dominant Eagles defense of the late '80s.
posted by rcade to football at 03:49 PM - 14 comments
Jiri Fischer: One year later.: It was just about a year ago today that Jiri Fischer collapsed and suffered a heart seizure on the Red Wings' bench in Detroit. Fischer says, "It really changed my life for the better. I haven't been this lucky in my life..."
posted by NoMich to hockey at 02:10 PM - 6 comments
Phillies' Howard wins NL MVP,: receives 20 first-place votes to runner-up Pujols' 12. BBWAA digs the long ball.
posted by holden to baseball at 01:21 PM - 30 comments
Ex-NFL player dishes the dirt on how to play dirty: An Ex-NFL veteren releases a video in collaberation with one of the members of "jackass" to show the current players how to play dirty without getting caught.
posted by SDM to football at 12:52 PM - 3 comments
Roger Federer's year in numbers: - for all the stat heads.
posted by JJ to tennis at 07:33 AM - 9 comments
November 19, 2006
Pinella finds something better than a wallet: The Chicago Cubs have reportedly given new skipper Lou Pinella a nice welcoming gift -- Alfonso Soriano. The two sides have apparently agreed to an 8-year, $136M deal. With the resigning of Aramis Ramirez, Kerry Wood and others, are the Cubs now a serious contender?
posted by wfrazerjr to baseball at 09:02 PM - 59 comments
As one Lion falls: another Lion ascends. The same day the Detroit Lions become possibly the worst NFL team, the British Columbia Lions capture the 94th Grey Cup 25-14
posted by apoch to football at 08:22 PM - 14 comments
Argentine match postponed after fans block buses.: Violence, death threats and reports of attempted match fixing have forced the AFA to ban fans from attending away matches to try to bring the situation under control.
posted by cabuki to soccer at 04:45 PM - 4 comments
The Road to Canton Does Not Pass Through Denver: The Denver Broncos have been to six Super Bowls but have only one Hall of Fame member in quarterback John Elway, as Broncos great Floyd Little laments. Other franchises outside the hall are the Falcons, Jaguars, Panthers and Ravens (zero members) and the Bengals, Buccaneers, Saints and Seahawks (one each).
posted by rcade to football at 11:19 AM - 35 comments
And then there were two: after a rough Week 10, tselson and MeSackYouLongTime are the only ones left standing in SpoFi survival.
posted by lil_brown_bat to fantasy at 07:04 AM - 46 comments
November 17, 2006
The Hoser's NFL Picks, Week Eleven: NFL picks that think we should all just go ahead and surrender to the lifeforce-sucking beast that is the TomKat wedding.
posted by justgary to football at 04:45 PM - 14 comments
Bo Schembechler Dies on Eve of Michigan/Ohio State Game: Former University of Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler collapsed during a TV show taping and has died, according to a Detroit TV station. In some extremely mistimed bad taste, an Ohio State-supporting band called the Dead Schembechlers have been getting lots of press this week.
posted by rcade to football at 11:27 AM - 57 comments
More muscle magic.: Following on the tail of my last muscle-bound post comes this news that Dartmouth researchers have discovered a gene that enhances muscle performance. "Like a trained athlete, this [genetically-enhanced] mouse enjoyed increased capacity to exercise, manifested by its ability to run three times longer than a normal mouse before exhaustion. One particularly striking feature of the finding was the accumulation of muscle glycogen, the stored form of carbohydrates—what many athletes seek by "carbo-loading" before an event or game."
posted by worldcup2002 to extreme at 12:14 AM - 12 comments
November 16, 2006
We're Going to Die! We're Going to Die! We're Going to Live!: A high school football team in Texas has begun doing a ritual Maori war dance called the haka before their games, inspired by the 24 Tongan players on their team and the New Zealand rugby All Blacks, whose pre-game haka is the stuff of YouTube legend.
posted by rcade to football at 10:09 PM - 26 comments
The Hoser's NFL Picks, Week Eleven: NFL picks that think we should all just go ahead and surrender to the lifeforce-sucking beast that is the TomKat wedding.
posted by wfrazerjr to commentary at 08:05 PM - 0 comments
Ashes Fantasy Pick 'Em: It's cricket's most celebrated contest, this southern summer when England travels to Australia. A chance to test your cricket knowledge against other SpoFites, with a healthy dose of luck thrown in. Details on how to play inside.
posted by owlhouse to fantasy at 03:24 PM - 31 comments
Speedflying (QuickTime video): and Speedriding (QuickTime). OMG. (called out by Ben Saunders, expeditioner and SpoFite.)
posted by worldcup2002 to extreme at 12:14 PM - 7 comments
Not a bad knock: - A pair of Indian schoolboys have driven their way into the record books by scoring 721 runs for the opening wicket... in a limited-overs match. "... not a single six was hit during the trail blazing innings."
posted by JJ to other at 09:11 AM - 6 comments
Dick Pounded Again Over Lab's Leaky Security and Procedures: WADA Chairman Dick Pound is once again standing by the French laboratory that tested Tour de France Champion Floyd Landis' urine sample, even though their computers have been hacked into and they've admitted a clerical error in the labeling of Landis' "B" sample.
posted by The_Black_Hand to other at 08:07 AM - 20 comments
November 15, 2006
2006 NFL TV distribution maps.: Unofficial and subject to change.
posted by Ufez Jones to football at 05:50 PM - 19 comments
SpoFi Fantasy Basketball H2H league: Second week update
posted by dusted to fantasy at 03:52 PM - 34 comments
Your 2006 MLB AL/NL Managers of the Year.
posted by lilnemo to baseball at 03:28 PM - 15 comments
CFL Pick 'Em, Grey Cup Edition: It's here! It's here! It's finally here!
posted by DrJohnEvans to fantasy at 03:08 PM - 26 comments
Braying Bucketheads Blindly Bid for Best Banknote: - A commemorative £5 note featuring the soccer legend George Best is to be issued at the end of this month by the Ulster Bank in Northern Ireland. Some people are buying them on eBay [at time of posting, there was one about to be sold for more than £50], while anyone with any sense is buying one through the bank for the face value.
posted by JJ to soccer at 09:51 AM - 8 comments
Bitter-sweet sympathy: With cricketing news full of articles about Marcus Trescothick and his problems with stress, this article wonders "Why do we show less empathy towards sportsmen suffering from mental problems?"
posted by Fence to general at 09:28 AM - 6 comments
Washington's Trading Card For The "Bird"s?: Was Leon Washington's two-handed gesture in his Bowman trading card humorous or horrendous? And is this really the "Signs of the Future," as the card states? Either way, how could the card company miss it?
posted by dyams to football at 08:55 AM - 19 comments
Patrick Roy to HOF!: Roy reveals Leafs, Wings and Hawks also in the mix before trade to Colorado as he takes his place in the Hockey Hall of Fame. The Finest Goalie of the Modern Era but is he the greatest of all time?
posted by skydivedad to hockey at 08:18 AM - 35 comments
Spofi EPL FFL: Week 12 Update. In Hoxton they are singing what a difference a week makes...
posted by gspm to fantasy at 08:05 AM - 29 comments
'The Game' Means More Then Usual: For the first time in the 103 year history of this rivalry Ohio State and Michigan are ranked #1 and #2 going into 'The Game'.
posted by commander cody to football at 12:21 AM - 34 comments
November 14, 2006
Knight: I didn't do anything wrong, would do it again: Hall of Fame coach Bob Knight told ESPN.com on Tuesday afternoon that he was trying to raise Michael Prince's confidence when he flipped his chin up during Texas Tech's game with Gardner-Webb Monday night in Lubbock.
posted by lex2000 to basketball at 05:45 PM - 67 comments
Diamondbacks' Webb wins NL Cy Young: Brandon Webb's 16 victories are the fewest by a starting pitcher who won the Cy Young Award in a non-strike season.
posted by justgary to baseball at 03:32 PM - 7 comments
The Matsuzaka Watch is on: and the rumor is the Red Sox have entered the highest bid. How much is Matsuzaka worth? When will his arm fall off? Questions abound, but the biggest will be answered tonight.
posted by justgary to baseball at 03:23 PM - 60 comments
The Columbus Blue Jackets .....: elevate Agnew (Interim) to replace the fired Gallant as Head Coach. Who's a good long term solution for the struggling Ohio squad? The team fell to 5-9-1-0 to start this season and find themselves in last place in the Central Division. With the signing of Anson Carter and the addition of Frederick Modin in a trade, expectations were high for a 1st ever playoff appearance. What happened and who's the next Coach out in the NHL?
posted by skydivedad to hockey at 11:11 AM - 13 comments
Obit for Dessie: Yesterday the great grey chaser Desert Orchid died at the age of 27. In his racing career he was a horse that was famous even outside the "horsey set". And deservedly so, foaled in 1979 he had an impressive career with 34 wins from 71 races
posted by Fence to other at 06:40 AM - 6 comments
Tigers' Verlander, Marlins' Ramirez are top rookies.: No surprise in either case really.
posted by commander cody to baseball at 01:03 AM - 17 comments
November 13, 2006
Mario Williams is no Sam Bowie: Now that Reggie Bush has given a game away, will people admit that maybe he wasn't such a slam dunk top pick?
posted by justgary to football at 02:56 PM - 33 comments
Bruce (Ar)goes off the deep end: After his Toronto Argonauts lost in the CFL's Eastern Conference final, wide receiver Arland Bruce III said the referees were racists and took bribes. How severe should a league's reaction be to such statements?
posted by wfrazerjr to football at 02:44 PM - 15 comments
Houston Dynamo win MLS Title: After relocating from San Jose, Dynamo brings Houston its first soccer professional championship. Well done boys.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY to soccer at 01:55 PM - 10 comments
Mighty Mouse, Myostatin and Muscle Madness.: NPR reported today that researchers have been able to build supermuscular mice by injecting them with drugs (there are several and more are being discovered) that block myostatin, the "anti-growth" protein that contributes to degenerative muscular diseases such as muscular dystrophy. This provides new hope for people with the disease, children with subnormal growth conditions, and so on. But you know where I'm going with this, don't you, sports fans? Here's a tidbit from what I heard today: Mice injected with the inhibitor experienced 60% muscle growth over average non-injected mice. Correct my medical errors, point to stories on mutant musclebound children and discuss the new BALCOs inside.
posted by worldcup2002 to extreme at 01:13 PM - 15 comments
November 12, 2006
"She shouldn't be here. I know that sounds sexist but I am sexist. This is not park football, so what are women doing here?": Luton Town boss Mike Newell faces an FA investigation after a scathing verbal attack on female match officials.
posted by afx237vi to soccer at 09:43 AM - 25 comments
November 11, 2006
Hundreds to compete for Rock, Paper, Scissors Title.: It's that time of year again for the 4th annual championships. With more then $8000.00 on the line it's time to warm up your fists and strategy.
posted by commander cody to other at 02:43 PM - 31 comments
November 10, 2006
Bill Walsh Battling Leukemia: SAN FRANCISCO - Hall of Fame football coach Bill Walsh, who built an NFL dynasty with the San Francisco 49ers and revolutionized the sport with his West Coast offense, disclosed Friday that he has leukemia.
posted by irunfromclones to football at 04:10 PM - 15 comments
Rush to Judgement.: Wrong TV feeds and poor equipment have changed the outcome of important college football games.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia to football at 02:07 PM - 9 comments
Talk about your coincidences.: Marshall football team gets a bit of a scare in the air.
posted by mr_crash_davis to football at 02:04 PM - 8 comments
TO survival guide.: Parcells needs to try SOMETHING!
posted by Desert Dog to football at 11:07 AM - 32 comments
Yanks talk with Tigers about Sheffield: Gary Sheffield has resumed his campaign to interfere with the Yankees' plans to trade him, but it's not going to work. In fact, there were indications yesterday the Yankees had made progress toward sending Sheffield to the Detroit Tigers.
posted by wingnut4life to baseball at 10:43 AM - 43 comments
November 09, 2006
Rutgers upsets Louisville: and the BCS standings.
posted by ursus_comiter to football at 10:59 PM - 46 comments
Holyfield determined to be five-times champion: Evander Holyfield fights Puerto Rico's Fres Oquendo at the Alamodome in San Antonio tonight in his 50th professional contest, on course for what many boxing insiders believe is a foolhardy and vainglorious attempt to become the first man to become a world champion for the fifth time.
"This is America, and part of America is about letting people do what they want to do. I want to fight. I will become the undisputed champion, and then I will retire and be happy."
posted by justgary to boxing at 10:40 PM - 14 comments
How about those Fremont Athletics?: Just so the new Santa Clara 49ers don't get singled out for pulling up roots, the Oakland A's will announce next week their plans to build the new Cisco Field in Fremont, about 20 miles away from their current stadium, the Oakland Coliseum. Fun fact: Fans will have to park elsewhere and get shuttled in because the stadium will be surrounded by shopping malls.
posted by worldcup2002 to baseball at 09:47 PM - 17 comments
The Hoser's NFL Picks, Week Ten: NFL Picks that wonder what Katherine Harris will do with herself now.
posted by justgary to football at 05:16 PM - 9 comments
The Hoser's NFL Picks, Week Ten: NFL Picks that wonder what Katherine Harris will do with herself now.
posted by wfrazerjr to commentary at 01:19 PM - 0 comments
Much Adu About Nothing?: Freddy Adu gets trial at Man U. Is he the next Pele, or Sean Wright-Phillips?
posted by niall to soccer at 09:18 AM - 6 comments
Tillman to Be Honored Sunday: During halftime of the Cardinals game Sunday, former Defensive Back Pat Tillman will be honored for his off field heroics.
posted by NightingalesGone to football at 09:09 AM - 5 comments
49ers ready to leave heart stadium in San Francisco: 49ers owner John York told San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom the team will pass on building a new stadium in San Francisco and may move to suburban Santa Clara. The 49ers and San Francisco officials had been discussing collaborating on a privately financed stadium at Candlestick Point in an effort to boost the city's bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
posted by wfrazerjr to football at 08:56 AM - 16 comments
Speculation about the Pumas: Argentina have been challenging some of the best teams in world rugby lately, but can they really compete if they rarely get the chance to play against the very best? Some commentators want the Pumas to join one of the established international competitions. So is the Six Nations to become the Seven Nations? Or will the tri-nations become the quad-nation?
posted by Fence to other at 07:43 AM - 8 comments
November 08, 2006
Nascar’s Drive for Diversity Is Producing Mixed Signals:: The program, which looks to expand the talent pool of drivers at the top levels of stock car racing by encouraging minorities and women, is being beset with funding shortages, equipment problems and ignorance from fans, crew and executives.
Although it's far from a total failure, it may need some tweaking. According to the father of one of the younger drivers in the program, “The program is not designed to be successful because, No. 1, it’s not properly funded... They claim that it’s a pipeline. Well, nobody came out the pipe.”
posted by chicobangs to auto racing at 12:30 PM - 22 comments
US all stars sweep Japan.: Ryan Howard was named the MVP of the US/Japan Series also. Here is the link with the complete coverage from MLB.com. This is the first time a sweep by the US has happened since 1935.
posted by jojomfd1 to baseball at 08:25 AM - 16 comments
Tragedy strikes the University if Miami again.: University of Miami defensive lineman Bryan Pata was shot and killed Tuesday night at his apartment complex, the latest shock to a Hurricanes team touched by tragedy and turmoil -- including four deaths in the last decade.
posted by jojomfd1 to football at 08:01 AM - 29 comments
November 07, 2006
So much for celebrations, Sir Alex.: Premiership leaders Manchester United were dumped out of the Carling Cup today by Championship bottom team Southend. The 1-0 defeat brought an abrupt end to this weekend's celebrations of Man U manager Alex Ferguson's 20 years in charge. Somebody needs to link to a video of the goal. And somebody needs to buy Southend's striker.
posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 09:49 PM - 13 comments
What's Wrong with the Ottawa Senators?: Why has a team seemingly bursting with talent continued to disappoint? Why the perpetual playoff pathos, brought sharply into focus this season with a 5-7-1 record? Longtime blogger Chris McMurtry puts forth his official theory: It's all John Muckler's fault.
posted by DrJohnEvans to hockey at 08:42 PM - 33 comments
CFL Pick 'Em, Division Finals: While lots of points were run up on the Canadian gridiron this weekend, the same cannot be said for our little pool. We thought about increasing the size of the nets to increase scoring, but decided instead to inject an extra bonus question. Make your picks inside.
posted by DrJohnEvans to fantasy at 01:17 PM - 23 comments
Twenty Years at Man Utd.: Yesterday marked Alex Ferguson's twentieth year at Old Trafford, and in that time he has won pretty much everything there is to win. Is he the greatest? And just how serious was he last year about packing it all in?
posted by Fence to soccer at 03:42 AM - 7 comments
November 06, 2006
Spofi EPL FFL: Les Mis.
posted by gspm to fantasy at 10:07 PM - 22 comments
Mr. Washington Goes to Texas: The Texas Rangers will hire Ron "Wash" Washington to become the team's 17th manager at a 2 p.m. press conference today. If the Oakland A's coach is still with the team Tuesday evening, he'll pass Eddie Stanky, who only coached the woebegotten franchise for one day in 1977.
posted by rcade to baseball at 11:15 AM - 16 comments
I went to a fight and a game broke out...: The latest brutal instalment of the International Rules series lived up to its pre-match billing with bitterness and borderline criminal behaviour. During the last series (in Australia) things got a little out of hand [YouTube]. Sounds like the fireworks were going off before the game even started at the weekend in Dublin. "... before the start of the second leg... players were trading punches, with two of them having to be sin-binned just so the match could start." Game Report here [YouTube]
posted by JJ to other at 10:27 AM - 11 comments
Lance Armstrong runs NYC Marathon in less than three hours: Impressive, considering. Says Armstrong, ""For the level of condition that I have now, that was without a doubt the hardest physical thing I have ever done, I never felt a point where I hit the wall, it was really a gradual progression of fatigue and soreness."
posted by psmealey to other at 05:12 AM - 24 comments
November 04, 2006
Joe Pa hurt in Penn State's 13-3 loss.: Get well soon Joe. I'm a Michigan fan but seeing a Penn game without you on the sideline just wouldn't feel natural.
posted by commander cody to football at 08:25 PM - 34 comments
The Curse of Muldoon! : Despite boasting great talents over the years, the Blackhawks now have the longest streak of not winning the Stanley Cup of any team in the NHL and things aren't looking promising this year either. A short primer on another Mythical Chicago Sports Curse. Does a Boxer make a great Hockey Coach.?
posted by skydivedad to hockey at 04:48 PM - 3 comments
Basketball is a Confidence Game: "The ball is in the right hands when it's in my hands." -- Allen Iverson, after his game-winning shot last night against the Orlando Magic
posted by rcade to basketball at 12:29 PM - 18 comments
November 03, 2006
Costanza shortage!: The honest-to-goodness last placers in the Spofi pools of recent vintage have been awarded a Costanza to honour their disacheivement. I have been the purveyor of Costanzas but I think I have been lax. Did you earn one? I guess the criteria is last place in a pick 'em or confidence pool (last place in roto and pts pools can be easily achieved by abandoning your teams and that happens all. the. time. and thus is no eligible) Ring any bells? Do need to carve your username into one?
posted by gspm to fantasy at 10:06 PM - 6 comments
Stern Rebuke Puts Mark Cuban in His Place -- the Stands: Dallas Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban, banned from courtside huddles by a new rule pushed by NBA commissioner David Stern, has been re-educated. "Back when I was error-full in my ways, I thought it was necessary to get a feel for how the coach and the players interacted," he said. "I can't be thankful enough for how the league has helped me become a better manager and a better owner."
posted by rcade to basketball at 08:44 AM - 37 comments
FIFA to limit foreign club players: FIFA and the players union, FIFPro have signed an agreement aiming to give the players an official voice in decision-making. But they are also suggesting implementing a new "five and six" system, whereby at least six of the team must be homegrown.
And speaking of FIFA, the second FIFA beach world cup is on this month.
posted by Fence to soccer at 07:14 AM - 18 comments
November 02, 2006
Spofi EPL FFL: Week 10 update. Marathon, not a sprint!
posted by gspm to fantasy at 09:25 PM - 10 comments
John L. Smith fired at Michigan State.: Rumors around the campus link Nick Saban and Steve Marriucci as possible replacements. Saban reportedly interviewed this week, and Mooch is Tom Izzo's close friend.
posted by hawkguy to football at 09:24 PM - 21 comments
Kenny Rogers Wins 5th Overall Gold Glove: Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez also honored.
posted by commander cody to baseball at 09:16 PM - 35 comments
Grannygate: Rugby League international Nathan Fien mistakes his great grandmother for his grandmother. All hell breaks loose.
posted by owlhouse to other at 04:40 PM - 5 comments
Four more players voted off the island : in SpoFi's own reality-check version of Survivor. Six left standing: Mr Bismarck's Electric Donkey, tselson, Smelly Pirate Hookers, Termite, Sweater Zeppelins, and MeSackYouLongTimeGI! Will Week 9 see the end of SpoFi Survivor 2006?
posted by lil_brown_bat to fantasy at 04:38 PM - 20 comments
The Hoser's NFL Picks, Week Nine: NFL picks that really miss a nice Moons Over My Hammy now and then.
posted by justgary to football at 04:33 PM - 11 comments
The Hoser's NFL Picks, Week Nine: NFL picks that really miss a nice Moons Over My Hammy now and then.
posted by wfrazerjr to commentary at 03:57 PM - 0 comments
Federation's report on limiting Euro imports has flaws.: In a controversial new report that was quickly challenged by NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly, among others, the IIHF contends leagues on this side of the ocean have been taking a haphazard approach to importing European players, bringing in too many and, more critically, often too early in their careers.
posted by skydivemom to hockey at 02:58 PM - 2 comments
Starting, Relieving and Throwing Hard
posted by justgary to baseball at 11:00 AM - 5 comments
November 01, 2006
Dishwashing, ironing, and hashing?: In the weird world of obscure sports, anything is possible.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia to other at 05:28 PM - 32 comments
CFL Pick 'Em, Playoff Edition: Are you sad because you missed out on the regular season CFL Pick 'Em? Or are you still bitter over your almost-last-place performance this year? Come and redeem yourself and pick the winner of this weekend's semifinals! We're starting afresh, with points a-plenty to be had, and no silly kick return blocking rules to get in the way (for us, anyway, not for the CFL). Make your picks inside.
posted by DrJohnEvans to fantasy at 04:30 PM - 30 comments
NHL and Google sittin in a tree. A W E S O M E: "NHL will provide in-season full-length games on delay to Google Video at http://video.google.com/nhl.html. Google also will receive select NHL classic games...This is the first time Google Video has worked with a major professional sports league in such a manner." [via]
posted by garfield to hockey at 01:29 PM - 58 comments
SpoFi NHL Fantasy League (FFS): After the first month, some familiar faces at the top, and some curious goings-on on the bottom.
posted by chicobangs to fantasy at 12:21 PM - 21 comments
Is it that time already?: Pitchers Barry Zito and Greg Maddux led the parade of 143 players who filed for free agency yesterday. Here's the full list of those heading for possibly greener pastures, including recent World Series participants Sean Casey and Jeff Weaver. Who goes where, who do you hope your team lands ... and who gets Daisuke Matsuzaka?
posted by wfrazerjr to baseball at 12:01 PM - 51 comments
No talking back to refs: From next weekend new rules are to be introduced to stop rugby players questioning the ref's decision. Once a penalty has been awarded the opposing team must at once retreat 10m, if they do not then the penalty will be moved 10m forwards. The captain may only ask for clarification at the next stoppage.
posted by Fence to other at 09:35 AM - 6 comments
Chicago Plays Rings Around Miami After Championship Party: In 1982, the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Golden State Warriors 132-117, a 15-point loss that was the worst ever by a defending champ in a season opener -- until last night. The Miami Heat followed an hour-long ring presentation and banner-raising ceremony with a 42-point loss to the Chicago Bulls. "We have been conditioned to accept the notion that these 82 regular-season games do not matter much to the Heat," writes Miami Herald columnist Greg Cote. "But we are now reminded, with some certainty, that these games will matter very much to Miami's opponents. All 82 of them."
posted by rcade to basketball at 08:35 AM - 12 comments