Archives for May 2007

May 31, 2007

Billy Donovan's Magical Payday: On the heels of back-to-back NCAA titles, he turned down the Kentucky job and apparently decided to sign a long-term extension with Florida. But now, for upwards of $36 million over 6 years, Billy Donovan is headed for the NBA's Orlando Magic, according to the Orlando Sentinel and ESPN.

posted by Venicemenace to basketball at 06:48 PM - 27 comments

Updated Grand Slam fantasy standings : after round 2. Zut alors!

posted by lil_brown_bat to fantasy at 03:21 PM - 2 comments

MLB Demands Toothpaste Be Put Back in Tubes, Andy Griffith Re-runs*: in the ongoing internal battle of "Do we get it or do we not", MLB declares using a Slingbox to watch out-of-market baseball games is a crime. Even if you like the team and y'know, pay for the channel and stuff.

But only at home, and only on the lower-tier channels. If God meant for us to watch TV on 3 digit channels, he'd have given us all a mythical device like, say, a CableCard that worked.

posted by yerfatma to baseball at 01:32 PM - 25 comments

Making a less-than-joyful noise: ARod's wandering eye isn't his only facial feature getting him in trouble these days.

posted by wfrazerjr to commentary at 12:46 PM - 0 comments

A-Rod calls for the pop-up... as he's running to third.: Bush league or genius? The Cheater's Guide to Baseball take: "It's a nice play if you can get away with it." SportsFilter columnist Wfrazerjr's: "Rodriguez attempted to hinder the fielder, he succeeded and he should have been called out."

posted by justgary to baseball at 12:15 AM - 178 comments

May 30, 2007

Cuban Plots Friday-Night United Football League: Mark Cuban and investment banker William Hambrecht are planning a pro league to compete with the NFL. "We think there is more demand for pro football than supply," said Cuban, who believes the salary cap makes it easier for a rival to poach players drafted after rounds 1 and 2.

posted by rcade to football at 05:51 PM - 34 comments

Kobe Bryant Demands Trade: "I would like to be traded, yeah," Bryant said on 1050 ESPN Radio in New York. "Tough as it is to come to that conclusion there's no other alternative, you know?"

posted by justgary to basketball at 01:03 PM - 56 comments

Ten of the Best: - The Times ranks every player in the Premiership, from 1 to 403, and take a look at five of the best and five of the worst by poisition. Let the arguments commence!

posted by JJ to soccer at 10:49 AM - 15 comments

Updated Grand Slam fantasy standings : after the completion (finally) of Round 1. Oh, the humanity.

posted by lil_brown_bat to fantasy at 09:49 AM - 9 comments

The legend of Bo.: Bo Jackson didn’t believe the hype, saying he was just another guy. But really, he was superhuman. The Kansas City Star's Joe Posnanski waxes nostalgic about Bo Jackson twenty years after his rookie season with the Royals.

posted by Ufez Jones to baseball at 12:59 AM - 34 comments

May 29, 2007

Crunch these numbers...: A website calculates the odds of when Barry will hit number 756. Place your bets now.

posted by boredom_08 to baseball at 04:44 PM - 6 comments

Derby is the newest EPL club.: The Rams pipped West Brom in the playoff final to fill the last promotion slot. Derby pick up a £52-million bonanza and join Sunderland (managed by former Man Utd captain Roy Keane) and Birmingham in the EPL next season.

posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 12:02 PM - 25 comments

'Hubba Hubba and Other Grunting Sounds': That's how 18 year old high school pole vaulter Allison Stokke was introduced to the world a couple of weeks ago. Hours later, she had already achieved sex-symbol status, in classic Internet meme fashion. Will she ever get a normal life back? Will the Washington Post front page help? Is there any hope of avoiding this kind of situation for an attractive female athlete?

posted by qbert72 to culture at 11:52 AM - 98 comments

One sweet etching: John Candy, who was part owner of the Toronto Argonauts when they won the Grey Cup in 1991, will finally have his name etched into the trophy as a part of a tribute in the week leading up to the championship game in Toronto this fall.

posted by wfrazerjr to football at 09:24 AM - 3 comments

100 Years of TT Racing on the Isle of Mann.: The longest, oldest, most dangerous course in motorcycle racing. When they do it well, it's beautiful. When it goes wrong, it really goes wrong. If you're lucky, you survive to tell the tale. 200 people haven't been lucky in the last 100 years. [previously discussed]

posted by JJ to other at 08:16 AM - 9 comments

A tour too far: With the rugby world cup on later this year there is plenty of development work and plenty of experimenting going on. But as second string Northern Hempisphere teams tour the Southern hempisphere, some are wondering what the point is.

posted by Fence to other at 05:56 AM - 3 comments

May 28, 2007

Here's a BC Lions promotional campaign: featuring excellent shots of fans of the other CFL teams in various stages of anguish.

posted by chicobangs to football at 06:56 PM - 30 comments

Patriots Linebacker Missing in Lake: The Coast Guard is searching the waters of Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana for Marquise Hill, a New England Patriots linebacker who went missing after his jet ski overturned yesterday. "I'm an optimistic guy," his agent said. "He's a strong kid and a fighter."

posted by rcade to football at 11:19 AM - 57 comments

Mears Finds Victory Lane on Indy Sunday: Congratulations to everyone who had Casey Mears, J.J. Yeley and Kyle Petty 1-2-3 on their Coca Cola 600 trifecta. "I can't believe we're in victory lane,” said first-time winner Mears, whose family is more accustomed to celebrating after Sunday's other race.

posted by rcade to auto racing at 11:00 AM - 7 comments

No more football at high altitude: following a ban on playing matches at more than 2,500m above sea level. FIFA cite health and safety considerations. The impact of the ruling will be felt most in South America. Brazilian and Argentine sides have suffered in cup matches in Andean nations like Bolivia, and some attributed Ecuador's success in the last World Cup qualifying campaign to Quito's 2,800m altitude. Not necessarily sour grapes, as Peru have considered shifting their home matches for a similar benefit.

posted by Abiezer to soccer at 03:54 AM - 13 comments

May 27, 2007

Stanley Cup Finals: Ten things to know about Anaheim : Everyone in hockey says teams have to pay the price to get to the Stanley Cup Finals.

posted by commander cody to hockey at 02:26 AM - 29 comments

May 26, 2007

George Foreman claims he was doped prior to the "Rumble in the Jungle": Here are some exerpts from an interview on Hannity and Combs via East side Boxing.com. Big George also claims it took quite a long time to recover from it.

posted by jojomfd1 to boxing at 11:53 PM - 17 comments

Boy, 11, bags hog bigger than 'Hogzilla' : An 11-year-old boy used a pistol to kill a wild hog his father says weighed a staggering 1,051 pounds and measured 9 feet 4, from the tip of its snout to the base of its tail.

posted by commander cody to other at 02:48 PM - 81 comments

Down in one: fourteen times in four months. An amateur American golfer with thirteen aces so far this year drops another one in for the cameras.

posted by Amateur to golf at 01:31 PM - 3 comments

May 25, 2007

1996 Tour de France winner admits to doping: - "His admission Friday means the top three finishers in the 1996 Tour have all been linked to doping — and two have admitted cheating."

posted by mr_crash_davis to other at 11:38 PM - 15 comments

SpoFi 2007 Grand Slam Fantasy Game : is on! See inside for rules and instructions for how to sign up. *** Play for the French Open starts the morning of 5/27 -- picks must be submitted prior to start of play ***

posted by lil_brown_bat to fantasy at 09:02 AM - 23 comments

May 24, 2007

John Smoltz makes history: Tonight, Smoltz got career win #200, becoming the first pitcher ever to add that figure to 150 career saves. Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley, to whom Smoltz is frequently compared, was just three wins shy of the same distinction when he retired. Smoltz also broke knuckleballer Charlie Hough's record for most saves by a pitcher with 200 or more wins.

Is this enough to get Smoltz into the Hall?

posted by The Crafty Sousepaw to baseball at 10:35 PM - 39 comments

Going for Broke.: In one way, there's a lot of people saying, 'You can't do this. You can't run in NASCAR. You can't get that money; you don't have that money.' But, look, I know I don't have the money, but I've got the gumption, and I've got the chutzpah. I've got the grit, and I know that I can pull this off." Milburn doesn't have a sponsor—a few here and there, sure, but nothing bigger than The Electric Light & Power Company, a local film-equipment rental house, and Reverend Horton Heat.

posted by Ufez Jones to auto racing at 06:01 PM - 10 comments

MLB 2007 salary vs performance interactive chart.: See which teams are getting the most bang for their buck, over the course of the season (created by ben fry, via kottke.org). You'll also find links to charts for the 2006 and 2005 seasons at the bottom of the page. I'd like to see one for the EPL, dammit!

posted by worldcup2002 to baseball at 05:02 PM - 5 comments

"We must spend big.": Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez, smarting from his team's loss in yesterday's Champions League final, vowed to spend serious money on the transfer market this season. Apparently, the new American owners have finally given him the budget to do so. Here are some possible buys, including Eto'o, David Villa, Alves, Gamst Pedersen and Tevez. What do you think? Also, who gets sold? (Thanks for the previous post, Abiezer. It's nice to find more Reds fans.)

posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 11:41 AM - 23 comments

NHL Stanley Cup Finals Pick 'Em: You know what to do.

posted by DrJohnEvans to fantasy at 10:49 AM - 56 comments

Fantasy Grand Slam: : okay, folks from Down Under, I suck because I failed to get this together before the Aussie Open...however, I'm thinking about a fantasy game for the remaining Grand Slam events. Look within and see what you think.

posted by lil_brown_bat to fantasy at 07:39 AM - 13 comments

China's finest blind soccer players: at last week's 7th National Disabled Games in Kunming. Camera work's a bit duff but the skills are silky. I'm more used to officials with visual impairments.

posted by Abiezer to soccer at 04:43 AM - 9 comments

Yankees donate $1,000,000 to Virginia Tech: Evil Empire eh?

posted by tommytrump to baseball at 12:27 AM - 105 comments

May 23, 2007

Balsillie to purchase Predators: You might want to see if you can transfer carriers for your Blackberry, Barry Trotz.

posted by tommytrump to hockey at 09:44 PM - 13 comments

Jason Giambi: Hopped Up On Goofballs?: The Yankees' DH failed a test for amphetamines last year and has been subject to increased testing since then, according to The New York Daily News. According to the linked article, the Yanks are once again considering voiding Giambi's contract for use of illegal drugs, but are wary of the legal mess that could develop as a result.

posted by The_Black_Hand to baseball at 04:52 PM - 19 comments

Elijah Dukes, future MVP of the Florida Correctional League: Dukes falls short of Rae Carruth in the Stupid Athletes Hall of Fame, but he's well on his way to earning a spot before his career is over - which could be any day now.

posted by Cameron Frye to baseball at 03:12 PM - 28 comments

Tomorrow is Today for Nextel Cup...: NASCAR announces that the Car of Tomorrow will be the only car run on the Nextel Cup circuit in 2008. The implementation is one year ahead of the original plan, and was driven by team economics. Also, in the fallout of Dale Earnhardt Junior's announcement that he's leaving Dale Earnhardt, Incorporated, DEI announces an engine-building partnership with Richard Childress Racing.

posted by The_Black_Hand to auto racing at 07:44 AM - 14 comments

May 22, 2007

Pistons 1: - Cavaliers 0
Spurs 1 - Jazz 0
THE NBA PLAYOFF THREAD or . . .
WEREN'T WE CELEBRATING UNSELFISH PLAY FROM 2004 UP UNTIL NOW? or . . .
WHERE HAVE YOU GONE "DOWNTOWN" FREDDIE BROWN?




posted by lilnemo to basketball at 04:38 PM - 17 comments

Which NBA lottery team built up the most positive karma during the season,: thereby earning them a shot at Oden or Durant?

posted by gradys_kitchen to basketball at 02:32 PM - 105 comments

The Number 30 Is Worth a House: With the way that today's athletes are considered selfish, arrogant and self-absorbed. It's a pleasure to see something like this.

posted by BornIcon to football at 08:21 AM - 31 comments

May 21, 2007

And so it ends...: Roger Federer ends Rafael Nadal's dominance of the clay court.

posted by boredom_08 to tennis at 06:43 AM - 7 comments

Damn, Leroy.: Rosenior loses his manager's job at Torquay United after ten minutes. Can anyone top that for the shortest reign as coach?

posted by Abiezer to soccer at 01:44 AM - 8 comments

May 20, 2007

Chelsea Win Play Off For Third Place.: In Europe. They won some other trophy, too.

posted by owlhouse to soccer at 01:00 AM - 16 comments

May 19, 2007

Pistons 0: - Cavaliers 0
Spurs 0 - Jazz 0
Bulls
Nets
Suns
Warriors
THE NBA PLAYOFF THREAD or ...
THE ROAD TO SECAUCUS IS PAVED WITH ZONE DEFENSES.
JUST MAKE A LEFT AT THE TURNPIKE.
ISIAH WILL WAVE YOU DOWN









posted by lilnemo to basketball at 02:21 PM - 8 comments

Hooray for the 'stache!: Salvatore Frank Fasano, Toronto Blue Jays catcher and career .219 hitter, is getting a Rory Fitzpatrick-like push as a write-in candidate for the 2007 MLB All-Star Game. Who's behind this nefarious plot? Why, it's none other than the new Canadian branch of Sal's Pals!

posted by wfrazerjr to baseball at 01:03 PM - 6 comments

The Final Showdown:
The Score is down to the finals for the greatest sports highlight of all time.

Is it "The Improbable Goal"?
Or is it "The Dunk of Death"?

Vote now!
(and check out all the other match-ups along the way)






posted by grum@work to fantasy at 12:55 PM - 63 comments

May 18, 2007

Spofi Fantasy Nascar: Allstar break update. Will grum@work pull an owlhouse? Has The_Black_Hand used up his nine starts for Jeff Gordon? Leaderboard inside. Trash talk encouraged.

posted by MrFrisby to fantasy at 09:35 PM - 11 comments

Pistons 4: - Bulls 2
Cavs 3 - Nets 2
Suns 2 - Spurs 3
Warriors 1 - Jazz 4
THE NBA PLAYOFF THREAD or WHY I STOPPED CARING ABOUT SUSPENSIONS AND STARTED WORRYING ABOUT THE LACK OF BEER AT THE POSTGAME PRESSER.



posted by lilnemo to basketball at 01:43 PM - 14 comments

We like you. We just don't "Coach like you".: Jeff Van Gundy can return to the Rockets if he chooses. Just not as head coach. New General Manager Daryl Morey demotes (?) Van Gundy, and could replace him with Rick Adelman.

posted by lilnemo to basketball at 01:29 PM - 11 comments

May 17, 2007

LeMond lets it all hang out: : Greg LeMond's testimony at the Floyd Landis doping trial takes a turn for the bizarre, to say the least.

posted by lil_brown_bat to other at 09:25 PM - 33 comments

Baseball's lost art of larceny: Philadelphia Daily News writer Paul Hagen talks with Rickey Henderson and Maury Wills about the loss of the stolen base and the effect of playing for the three-run homer.

posted by wfrazerjr to baseball at 01:14 PM - 49 comments

Neal Pollock and Paul Shirley Discuss the NBA Playoffs: and come to the conclusion (like you probably have as well), that David Stern is evil. Provided evidence includes, but is not limited to: "I want to see actual highlights at halftime, not a nausea-inducing music video set to a 'thanks for the memories' song that would be rejected by any self-respected quinceañera DJ."

posted by yerfatma to basketball at 10:39 AM - 6 comments

Why Cyclists Really Shave Their Legs: The cycling columnist for The Guardian has something to get off his chest today about his silky-smooth shaven legs: Cyclists don't do it for aerodynamic reasons. "Experts may try to tell you instead that smooth legs are worth a couple of seconds a kilometre, so this male depilation can mean the margin between victory and defeat," Matt Seaton writes. "But if this were true, we would all be shaving our forearms. And perhaps our eyebrows, too. ... we shave our legs because we think it looks good."

posted by rcade to other at 10:22 AM - 40 comments

Women's Basketball and Free Market Economics: "They are too young to fully appreciate the irony of American basketball players traveling to Russia to earn a far better living than possible in the United States."

posted by smithers to basketball at 08:59 AM - 18 comments

May 16, 2007

Vote for Bob!: You have to keep your head on a swivel when you find yourself in a vicious... uh... doll fight. And putting a head on a swivel is just what the Portland Beavers are looking to do with their next promotion: making a bobblehead doll in the image of Bob L. Head. After a spring search nationwide for people named Bob L. Head, the Beavers have given the nod to three candidates. Shaking off the rest of the field appears to be, well, Bob L. Head from Maquoketa, Iowa, who is not only getting the most thorough campaign coverage, but he also has a daughter named Bob L. Head. Weird.

Remember, your vote counts, but I'm telling you right now there is just no way the winner won't get a big head.

posted by The Crafty Sousepaw to baseball at 05:49 PM - 7 comments

Casey steps in, connects: Goes to bat to help feed hungry: When Sean Casey left Fenway Park following Monday night’s game against the Red Sox, the Detroit first baseman didn’t return to the team hotel with the rest of the Tigers. Instead, he caught a ride to Lawrence in anticipation of a 6 a.m. wake-up call to prepare to feed the hungry at Cor Unum Meal Center.

posted by BornIcon to baseball at 04:34 PM - 49 comments

Rigid rules devastating quality of NBA.: Suspensions, synthetic balls and mixed signals - the declining state of NBA gameplay as opinioned by veteran NBA writer Mike Kahn

posted by gradys_kitchen to basketball at 03:51 PM - 26 comments

Bulls 2: - Pistons 3
Cavs 3 - Nets 1
Suns 2 - Spurs 2
Warriors 1 - Jazz 4
THE NBA PLAYOFF THREAD or "REQUIEM FOR A BEARD"



posted by lilnemo to basketball at 03:43 PM - 39 comments

The Goalies Archive: claims to be "the very first website to present every goaltenders [sic] who played in NHL history." A great first stop should you ever wanted to know who the number one keeper for the Detroit Cougars was between 1926 to 1928.

posted by gspm to hockey at 11:03 AM - 6 comments

Top ten sports brawls in sports history.: It’s no secret that sports can get pretty heated at times, and intensity and aggression are prized intangibles that lead to success. Athletes are forced to compete at or near an emotional threshold, which they are occasionally pushed over. When that happens, the uglier side of sports is revealed, as gloves are dropped, mounds are charged and punches are thrown.

posted by TelamarketersBeware to general at 10:21 AM - 40 comments

May 15, 2007

The world through the eyes of a sideline reporter: Surprisingly entertaining interview with Elliotte Friedman.

posted by DrJohnEvans to culture at 11:21 PM - 6 comments

Dale Jr. docked 100 points and his crew chief suspended six races: for what NASCAR says was obviously intentional cheating.

posted by olelefthander to auto racing at 11:02 PM - 17 comments

Floyd Landis's: arbitration hearing started yesterday. The aforementioned link is to Trust But Verify (which I learned about thanks to Amateur), a blog that has been following the case and has transcripts of testimony. The Floyd Fairness Fund website has information on live streaming videos and recaps.

posted by apoch to other at 12:58 PM - 7 comments

Spofi EPL fantasy footie: Week 38 update. And that is the end. Congrats to all that participated. But mostly, congrats to me for not bottling it right at the end. Final standings and analysis inside.

posted by gspm to fantasy at 08:13 AM - 26 comments

May 14, 2007

Wages of Wins: Offensive and Defensive NBA rankings

posted by bobfoot to basketball at 10:41 PM - 8 comments

An Interview with One of Baseball's Greatest.: Ken Burns with baseball icon Buck O'Neil about organizing black baseball, Satchel Page, and much more.

posted by Ying Yang Mafia to baseball at 08:44 PM - 13 comments

Swedish Game Site Power Challenge Raises $8M in VC: Power Challenge makes Java-powered, browser-based sports games, so far football (USians: soccer) and hockey, not surprising considering their location, and in both single and multi-player variations. Sadly and strangely, Windows-only so far, so I can't give you my two cents, though OS X and Linux are "coming soon."

posted by billsaysthis to culture at 04:31 PM - 3 comments

Building Gabby Mayo Into an Olympian.: The News & Observer follows Raleigh, NC teenager, Gabby Mayo, as she tries to grow from an All-State sprinter to a world class sprinter with Beijing gold on her mind. How does one get built into a world class sprinter (embedded interactive Flash file)?

posted by NoMich to other at 11:51 AM - 3 comments

Did the wrong team leave town?: Eric Wilbur included a link to this gem from the Boston Phoenix in his Boston Globe blog this morning (5/14). It is a lengthy read, but is one that any Braves fan, regardless of city, will find worth the time. There were a number of "I didn't know that" moments, even for this old Boston Braves fan.

posted by Howard_T to baseball at 09:48 AM - 17 comments

Sabres 0: - Senators 2
Red Wings 1 - Ducks 1
with apologies to lilnemo

posted by DrJohnEvans to hockey at 09:47 AM - 38 comments

May 13, 2007

May 12, 2007

Remember when he played for them?:
You don't? How about Toronto Raptor Hakeem Olajuwon? Or Baltimore Oriole Reggie Jackson? Or even Philadelphia Phillie Ryne Sandberg?
Some things just don't look right...

posted by grum@work to culture at 09:29 PM - 31 comments

Bode goes indy: : after 11 years as a member of the US Ski Team, Bode Miller elects to compete as an independent.

posted by lil_brown_bat to other at 05:21 PM - 10 comments

Dear Senator Brownback:: Please refrain from using Peyton Manning as the quarterback in your football analogies.

Love,

Cheeseheads



posted by mr_crash_davis to football at 12:42 PM - 19 comments

Cullen announces his retirement: All-Blacks' legend Christian Cullen has announced his retirement with immediate effect. A record breaking international player he had been playing with Munster for the past few years, but has been plagued by injury and a little controversy. Despite the injuries, other teams have shown an interest, but Cullen (YouTube) has decided to head home and retire. Hopefully to enjoy it as much as his namesake

posted by Fence to other at 08:46 AM - 5 comments

May 11, 2007

Ricky Williams tests positive for marijuana again: Dolphins running back Ricky Williams tested positive for marijuana in April and will not be allowed to apply for reinstatement to the NFL until September, ESPN.com reported Friday. Williams was suspended last year for violation of the substance abuse policy and was eligible to be reinstated this month, but sources told the website that the league's medical advisors who oversee Williams' rehabilitation program recently notified Commissioner Roger Goodell of the positive test. Williams had failed four drug tests previously.

posted by BornIcon to football at 12:08 PM - 62 comments

Interesting interview and profile with Serena Williams.: From the excellent Observer Sports Monthly. Part two. Serena addresses race, religion, Venus, and Chris Evert. And fashion, of course.

posted by rumple to tennis at 10:44 AM - 5 comments

Severe Rugby Injury in Scholastic Game Lands Player in Jail: The family of 15-year-old rugby player Manny Castillo, who is not expected to live after being injured during a match, are fighting to save another life -- the player on the other team involved in the scrum. He's in jail facing aggravated assault charges that may be upgraded upon Castillo's death. "We support the police investigation but we do not condone the fact that this kid is charged with assault or that he is in custody," Castillo's uncle Hector said.

posted by rcade to other at 10:17 AM - 20 comments

May 10, 2007

Spofi EPL fantasy footie: Week 36 and 37 update. One week to go, and maybe, just maybe, one last huge week from Berbatov could bring about a StarFuckerian collapse...

posted by gspm to fantasy at 10:13 PM - 21 comments

Ex-players to picket HOF: Some former NFL'ers, wanting to draw attention to the inadequate retirement benefits of some, and their dissatisfaction with the NFLPA leadership, are hoping to make a statement in Canton, Ohio this summer.

posted by steelergirl to football at 05:38 PM - 53 comments

NFL moving north?: NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell is proposing a 17th regular season game taking the place of one of the pre-season games and having Canadian cities host the games.

posted by skydivemom to football at 04:42 PM - 27 comments

Ravens quarterback Steve McNair charged in DUI case: Baltimore Ravens quarterback Steve McNair was arrested early Thursday and charged with being the owner of a vehicle operated by a drunken driver.

posted by BornIcon to football at 12:18 PM - 45 comments

New Ways of Seeing the Same Game:: Until recently, baseball games produced two perspectives on last night's event, the game story and the box score. Every 5 games, Red Sox fans get an inside perspective to go along with a daily dose of raw statistical goodness. No editorialist necessary, FanGraphs.com will show you the heroes and goats for a game. What other perspectives are now (or soon to be) available?
Previous Schilling blog discussion

posted by yerfatma to baseball at 11:33 AM - 5 comments

For Ripken, a preview of Cooperstown: Cal Ripken walked through the Hall of Fame gallery honoring the members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and saw where his plaque would be. He was enjoying his orientation tour of the Hall yesterday, but it was a surrealistic moment, because Cal Ripken was being shown where he would take his place among baseball's gods.

posted by BornIcon to baseball at 06:58 AM - 30 comments

Fisher returns, lifts Jazz in OT: The Utah Jazz's unlikely hero Wednesday night, Derek Fisher, gave an explanation about his sick daughter after his team's 127-117 NBA playoff victory against the Golden State Warriors. After the game, he told how serious 10-month-old Tatum's condition was. She has retinoblastoma, a form of eye cancer that required a three-hour combination of surgery and chemotherapy at New York's Presbyterian Hospital.

posted by BornIcon to basketball at 05:16 AM - 23 comments

Best footballing nations per capita: International sides ranked by their FIFA points per head of population.

posted by Abiezer to soccer at 02:50 AM - 14 comments

Junior to announce departure from DEI: Dale Earnhardt Jr. is expected to announce Thursday morning that he will leave Dale Earnhardt Inc. after this season and possibly form his own Nextel Cup team.

posted by wingnut4life to auto racing at 12:50 AM - 15 comments

May 09, 2007

For Rickey, catching foul ball in 'Frisco not kid stuff: For all his accomplishments, you'd think snagging a foul ball in the stands would be small stuff for Rickey Henderson. Think again.

posted by BornIcon to baseball at 12:40 PM - 12 comments

May 08, 2007

'Dear Mr. Dork ...': Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Vernon Wells tossed an autographed ball to one of his hecklers at Cleveland earlier this month. With an inscription.

posted by rcade to baseball at 11:17 PM - 27 comments

Ice Hockey gets its own Champions League: : the Victoria Cup. Beginning 2008, the IIHF plans on hosting an annual exhibition series between the top three European teams and an NHL franchise. A likely alternative to that quiet but old topic: NHL European expansion

posted by mkn to hockey at 08:30 PM - 12 comments

NHL playoffs confidence pool update: by popular request, here is a link to the standings, after two rounds. More comments inside.

posted by qbert72 to fantasy at 08:20 PM - 14 comments

Why you won't see "the wave" in Milwaukee tonight: Going to tonight's Brewers-Nats game? Get a free rectal exam and receive two free tickets to a future game.

posted by DrJohnEvans to culture at 03:26 PM - 15 comments

Being a Mets fan is a pain in the back: Ellen Massey, 58, has filed suit, claiming a 300-pound man fell on her during the Mets' home opener this season. She suffered a broken back and other injuries. Massey, a Manhattan lawyer, named Sterling Mets L.P., owner of the baseball team; Philadelphia-based Aramark Corp., the beer vendor; the Service Employees International Union Local 177, whose members are security guards at Shea Stadium, and "John Doe," the unidentified man who fell on her, as defendants.

posted by wfrazerjr to baseball at 02:56 PM - 34 comments

Twenty five years ago today: arguably Canada's greatest ever racing driver, Gilles Villeneuve, was killed during qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix at Zolder. In the final moments of qualifying, he came up behind Jochen Mass. Mass moved offline of the way. Sadly Villeneuve moved in the same direction, the cars touched, launching Villeneuve's Ferrari into a ferocious accident. Villeneuve died later that day from his injuries. Salut, Gilles.

posted by Drood to auto racing at 02:45 PM - 8 comments

Big Papi backs Bonds, doesn't know if he took steroids: Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz says he thinks people should give Barry Bonds credit in his chase for Babe Ruth's record. Ortiz also said he couldn't be sure if he'd ever taken steroids or not.

posted by wfrazerjr to baseball at 02:41 PM - 27 comments

NHL Conference Finals Pick 'Em: With results from the first two rounds, PLUS some awesome bonus action.

posted by DrJohnEvans to fantasy at 02:21 PM - 41 comments

Boxer Diego Corrales Dies in Vegas Crash: Diego "Chico" Corrales, who won titles in two weight classes and was involved in one of the most memorable fights in recent times, died Monday in a motorcycle accident, his promoter said. He was 29.

posted by BornIcon to boxing at 04:50 AM - 5 comments

May 07, 2007

Glazers first Americans to win EPL.: Manchester United CEO hails new owners for helping United win the EPL (one week before the end of the season at that - thanks to Arsenal). Wow, the Glazers have won premier championships on two continents. Hey, Liverpool's new American owners, pay attention!

posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 10:37 AM - 18 comments

May 06, 2007

The Rocket Lands In New York...Again.:
Roger Clemens announced his return to the NY Yankees during the 7th inning stretch of Sunday's game against the Mariners.

posted by grum@work to baseball at 02:32 PM - 132 comments

When to Hang It Up: It’s a compelling cliche: the modern-day athlete as a proud and fearless warrior, always willing to sacrifice his body for a win. Like many cliches, it resonates partly because it’s true and partly because we want it to be true.

posted by justgary to culture at 11:13 AM - 6 comments

Down Goes De La Hoya: "When I was boxing him, I said, 'Damn, it's easy hitting him in the face,'" said Floyd Mayweather Jr. after his split-decision victory over Oscar De La Hoya in one of the most anticipated title fights in years. "How'd he beat all those guys when it's so easy to him in the face?"

posted by rcade to boxing at 10:07 AM - 22 comments

May 05, 2007

Time to blow up the Rockets: 1997, 0-6, two 2-0 series leads... Yes Houston fans, Houston's postseason series drought continues to 11 years, they have blown TWO series in the past THREE years when holding a 2-0 advantage AND our beloved savior, the one where we sent our starting backcourt away for is now 0 for 6 in the postseason. Serious things are going on in Houston this offseason, and folks, this could be a different team next year.

posted by chemwizBsquared to basketball at 11:37 PM - 12 comments

What happens in clubhouse, stays there: "It was my job to protect the team," Dave Dickenson said. "That's what I did." Dickenson said he would pour a cup of beer and place it in the dugout bathroom. The star player would sneak there between innings for a drink, and continue drinking throughout the game.

posted by justgary to baseball at 10:15 PM - 6 comments

May 04, 2007

The real Nuke LaLoosh.: He remembers what it felt like to be in control. It was a long time ago. But that kind of euphoria never dies. "It's like trying to describe an ice cream sundae," Jason Neighborgall says, "to someone who has never tasted one before."

posted by Ying Yang Mafia to baseball at 02:29 PM - 9 comments

Can't beat 'em? Sue em!: Wigan, sitting just above the relegation spots, is preparing to sue West Ham (one spot below Wigan) and the FA in order to have points docked for illegal transfers of two Argentinian players. (West Ham has already been fined several million pounds by the FA.) Now, Sheffield United, another team not quite out of reach of the relegation spots, is preparing a similar legal case against the Hammers. Separately, the former West Ham chairman, who oversaw the illegal transfers and subsequently sold the club, is also planning to sue because his ongoing compensation contract was severed by the Hammers in relation to the transfers and FA fines. I wonder if my team, Liverpool (in third place), will get sued by Arsenal (in fourth) for buying one of those players. Let the legal hijinks begin!

posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 09:55 AM - 11 comments

Exchanges of the Guards: Magic Johnson's mentoring helps the Golden State Warriors guard Baron Davis, who shares qualities with the ex-Lakers great.

posted by BornIcon to basketball at 04:37 AM - 21 comments

May 03, 2007

NCAA may move 3-point line: The men's 3-point line may be moved back one foot. This will make it 3 inches farther than the international line, but 3 feet closer than the NBA line (at its farthest point). The women's line will remain the same. Is this the right change? Was change needed?

posted by PublicUrinal to basketball at 01:49 PM - 17 comments

Ryan Glasper Sacked by Tom O'Brien: "I'm redshirting," Glasper said. "No, you've been cleared by the doctor to play," O'Brien said. "You're choosing not to play." Glasper was shocked into silence. But O'Brien continued. "I hold the keys to what you do," the coach said. "We don't have to grant you a fifth year. Besides, I can't count on you." [via BSMW who has some more links]

posted by yerfatma to football at 12:25 PM - 8 comments

AC Milan v Liverpool will determine European club Championship once again: For the second time in three season, these two greats of world football go at it again. After AC Milan made Manchester United look very pedestrian and Liverpool beat Chelsea after 210 minutes for sleep inducing football on penalty kicks, who's the favorite to bring home the silverware?

posted by Texan_lost_in_NY to soccer at 09:57 AM - 9 comments

Buzz for De La Hoya-Mayweather: There's a buzz in this gambling town, where the events of next weekend are making some remember boxing's better times. The city is sold out, the beautiful people are on their way, and Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are acting as if it's 1985 all over again.

posted by BornIcon to boxing at 09:54 AM - 13 comments

May 02, 2007

'Thought Your Future was Great; You Played Like Trung Canidate': In honor of all the can't-miss prospects from this year's NFL Draft, the parody song "Mr. Upside" remembers the did-miss prospects of years past, including Tony Mandarich, the "best offensive line prospect ever."

posted by rcade to football at 04:10 PM - 13 comments

The Advanced Tennis Reasearch Project: Saw this mentioned in an old article about Federer*: "People often speak of a "heavy ball." It is not a technical term. Recently, however, John Yandell, a tennis teacher in San Francisco, came up with a way to quantify heaviness. Yandell runs the Advanced Tennis Research Project, an outfit that uses high-speed film to analyze the strokes of the world's top players. ATRP has been able to measure the spin on a ball in terms of revolutions per minute. . . . Velocity plus spin equals weight. The heaviest ball Yandell and his team have ever recorded was a forehand that Federer hit at Indian Wells in 2004: 4,400 rpm, 80 miles an hour. Thwock." *that shamelessly takes its title from John McPhee's classic.

posted by Uncle Toby to tennis at 01:43 PM - 7 comments

Federer and Nadal to go toe-to-toe: in an exhibition match on a $1.63 million dollar custom half grass/half clay court. Federer hasn't lost on grass in four years, a 48-match run that includes four straight titles at Wimbledon. Nadal has won a record 72 straight clay-court matches, including two consecutive titles at Roland Garros in Paris.

posted by Ufez Jones to tennis at 10:18 AM - 26 comments

Study shows racial bias by NBA referees: “Basically, it suggests that if you spray-painted one of your starters white, you’d win a few more games,” Mr. Wolfers said.

posted by SummersEve to basketball at 07:31 AM - 73 comments

Panthers release Keyshawn Johnson: When the Carolina Panthers drafted Southern California receiver Dwayne Jarrett in the second round Saturday, Keyshawn Johnson was ecstatic. "This is a great pick. We need another wide receiver," Johnson gushed while working as a draft analyst for ESPN. "This guy is much like me. I'm going to teach him how to play from the point of attack." He won't get the chance.

posted by BornIcon to football at 07:13 AM - 54 comments

May 01, 2007

Rotisserie Baseball Update : April doesn't count. Everyone knows that. Bitch and moan about how you had the best draft and you're getting screwed.

posted by YukonGold to fantasy at 12:38 PM - 18 comments

Cavaliers complete sweep of Wizards : In the Cavaliers’ First Round playoff series against the Wizards last season, Zydrunas Ilgauskas couldn’t get started – netting less than ten points and six boards in six frustrating games. This year, he couldn’t be stopped....

posted by BornIcon to basketball at 06:52 AM - 12 comments

Keane Leaps Toward Glory: With Sunderland now safely promoted the future looks bright for Keane (I know, I posted about Keane recently, but I really liked this blog entry).
Birmingham are the other Championship side team guaranteed to be promoted, while others must battle in the play-offs. While down the other end of the table Leeds are likely to fall even further.

posted by Fence to soccer at 03:29 AM - 18 comments